bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of intensive care unit diaries in the grieving process: A monocentric qualitative study
Authors: Bazzano Giacomo , Buccoliero Francesco , Villa Marta , Pegoraro Flavia , Iannuzzi Luigi , Rona Roberto , Fumagalli Roberto , Giani Marco , Lucchini Alberto
Published: November 2023

Background

The growing importance of psychological recovery for patients and their families following intensive care unit (ICU) experiences in recent years cannot be overemphasized. The ICU diary is used to aid patients in reducing the prevalence of post‐traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. The usefulness of maintaining a diary during the grieving process has not yet been thoroughly investigated.

Aim

To investigate the role of ICU diaries in the grief process experienced by family members of a person who died in the intensive care unit.

Study Design

Nine family members of seven deceased ICU patients with an ICU diary were contacted and interviewed by phone using a semi‐structured interview. A qualitative data analysis was performed using thematic synthesis.

Setting

Italian general intensive care unit.

Findings

Interviewed family members felt that the diary helped them during the grieving process. The return of diaries was desired by family members for support and to remember one's loved one. The diary helped them process their losses in various ways, including signs of evidence of care, emotional involvement, consideration, and coping with grief. Four main themes emerged from the analysis: writing the diary, reading the diary, talking about the diary, and the diary during the grieving process.

Conclusions

The overall perception of the ICU diary was positive. The diary mostly helped relatives to “give back something of what we lost”. This study also affirms the positive link between ICU diaries and bereavement in Italian ICU. Further studies are required to confirm the usefulness of this tool in the grieving process.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

The ICU diary can help patients' family members understand what happened to their loved one and play an important role in the grieving process. The diary served as a valuable source of information that aided in providing bereavement support to the family by helping them to gain a rational and emotional understanding of the patient's death.
Coordinated phosphate uptake by extracellular alkaline phosphatase and solute carrier transporters in marine diatoms
Authors: Matsui Hiroaki , Harada Hisashi , Maeda Kanako , Sugiyama Toshiki , Fukuchi Yohei , Kimura Nanae , Nawaly Hermanus , Tsuji Yoshinori , Matsuda Yusuke
Published: November 2023

Marine diatoms express genes encoding potential phosphate transporter and alkaline phosphatase (APase) under phosphate‐limited (−P) condition. This indicates that diatoms use high‐affinity phosphate uptake system with organic phosphate hydration. The function of molecules playing roles for Pi uptake was determined in this study.

Pi uptake and APase activity of two marine diatoms, Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Thalassiosira pseudonana, were monitored during acclimation to −P condition. The transcript levels of Pi transporter were analyzed, and Pi transporters were localized with GFP tagging in diatom cells. KO mutants of plasma membrane solute carrier proteins (SLC34s) or APase were established, and their phenotype was evaluated.

Some Na+/Pi transporter candidates, SLC34s in P. tricornutum and T. pseudonana, increased transcript under −P condition. Whole‐cell Pi transport was specifically stimulated by sodium ion but independent of potassium, lithium, or proton. Genome‐editing KO of PtSLC34‐5 and APase (Pt49678) in P. tricornutum was highly inhibitory for Pi uptake, and KO of TpSLC34‐2 was also highly inhibitory for Pi uptake in T. pseudonana.

SLC34s and APase were co‐expressed under −P conditions in marine diatoms. SLC34s play a major role in the initial acclimation stage of diatom cells to −P condition and APase plays an increasing role in the prolonged Pi‐starved condition.
A gene regulatory network critical for axillary bud dormancy directly controlled by Arabidopsis BRANCHED1
Authors: van Es Sam W. , Muñoz‐Gasca Aitor , Romero‐Campero Francisco J. , González‐Grandío Eduardo , de los Reyes Pedro , Tarancón Carlos , van Dijk Aalt D. J. , van Esse Wilma , Pascual‐García Alberto , Angenent Gerco C. , Immink Richard G. H. , Cubas Pilar
Published: November 2023

The Arabidopsis thaliana transcription factor BRANCHED1 (BRC1) plays a pivotal role in the control of shoot branching as it integrates environmental and endogenous signals that influence axillary bud growth. Despite its remarkable activity as a growth inhibitor, the mechanisms by which BRC1 promotes bud dormancy are largely unknown.

We determined the genome‐wide BRC1 binding sites in vivo and combined these with transcriptomic data and gene co‐expression analyses to identify bona fide BRC1 direct targets. Next, we integrated multi‐omics data to infer the BRC1 gene regulatory network (GRN) and used graph theory techniques to find network motifs that control the GRN dynamics. We generated an open online tool to interrogate this network. A group of BRC1 target genes encoding transcription factors (BTFs) orchestrate this intricate transcriptional network enriched in abscisic acid‐related components.

Promoter::β‐GLUCURONIDASE transgenic lines confirmed that BTFs are expressed in axillary buds. Transient co‐expression assays and studies in planta using mutant lines validated the role of BTFs in modulating the GRN and promoting bud dormancy.

This knowledge provides access to the developmental mechanisms that regulate shoot branching and helps identify candidate genes to use as tools to adapt plant architecture and crop production to ever‐changing environmental conditions.
Rate‐dependent elevation of the capture threshold after implantation of a leadless pacemaker
Authors: Sano Makoto , Takahashi Naoyuki , Kaneko Yutaro , Narumi Taro , Naruse Yoshihisa , Maekawa Yuichiro
Published: November 2023

The procedural success in the implantation of cardiac electric devices depends on both the implanted position and the electric performance. The capture threshold and the pacing output affect the estimated battery longevity. In a case with a high capture threshold, recapture and reimplantation of a leadless pacemaker are commonly recommended. We experienced a case with the rate‐dependent elevation of the capture threshold following the implantation of a leadless pacemaker. The recognition of the rate‐dependency of the capture threshold and the acceptable programming could avoid the unnecessary recapture and reimplantation of that, avoiding the increase of procedural risks.
The Matter of Coincidence
Authors: Mooney Justin
Published: November 2023

The phasalist solution to the puzzle of the statue and the piece of clay claims that being a statue is a phase sortal property of the piece of clay, just like being a child is a phase sortal property of a human being. Some philosophers reject this solution because it cannot account for cases where the statue seems to gain and lose parts that the piece of clay does not. I rebut this objection by arguing, contrary to the prevailing view, that the piece of clay is not mereologically constant and might even be highly mereologically flexible.
ZmELF6‐ZmPRR37 module regulates maize flowering and salt response
Authors: Su Huihui , Cao Liru , Ren Zhenzhen , Sun Wenhao , Zhu Bingqi , Ma Shixiang , Sun Chongyu , Zhang Dongling , Liu Zhixue , Zeng Haixia , Yang Wenjing , Liu Yingpeng , Zheng Lingling , Yang Yuwei , Wu Zhendong , Zhu Yingfang , Ku Lixia , Chong Leelyn , Chen Yanhui
Published: November 2023

The control of flowering time in maize is crucial for reproductive success and yield, and it can be influenced by environmental stresses. Using the approaches of Ac/Ds transposon and transposable element amplicon sequencing techniques, we identified a Ds insertion mutant in the ZmPRR37 gene. The Ds insertion showed a significant correlation with days to anthesis. Further research indicated that ZmPRR37‐CR knockout mutants exhibited early flowering, whereas ZmPRR37‐overexpression lines displayed delayed flowering compared to WT under long‐day (LD) conditions. We demonstrated that ZmPRR37 repressed the expression of ZmNF‐YC2 and ZmNF‐YA3 to delay flowering. Association analysis revealed a significant correlation between flowering time and a SNP2071‐C/T located upstream of ZmPRR37. The SNP2071‐C/T impacted the binding capacity of ZmELF6 to the promoter of ZmPRR37. ZmELF6 also acted as a flowering suppressor in maize under LD conditions. Notably, our study unveiled that ZmPRR37 can enhance salt stress tolerance in maize by directly regulating the expression of ABA‐responsive gene ZmDhn1. ZmDhn1 negatively regulated maize salt stress resistance. In summary, our findings proposed a novel pathway for regulating photoperiodic flowering and responding to salt stress based on ZmPRR37 in maize, providing novel insights into the integration of abiotic stress signals into floral pathways.
Isolation of yellow vein mosaic virus (YVMV)‐resistant mutants of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) through applied mutagenesis
Authors: Hazra Soham , Gorai Shouvik , Roy Sourav , Bose Suvojit , Hazra Pranab , Chattopadhyay Arup , Ali Md. Nasim , Jambhulkar Sanjay , Maji Anirban
Published: November 2023

Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, being highly susceptible to yellow vein mosaic virus (YVMV) disease warrants its genetic improvement for resistance. Applied mutagenesis programme using two optimum doses of gamma radiation, namely, 350 Gy and 450 Gy radiation, was administered for the variety Pusa Sawani rated as excellent for fruit quality but highly susceptible to YVMV disease. Two selected putative mutant families, namely, 350//10///3‐9////28 and 450//66///2‐4////39, isolated in the M5 generation with slightly different plant morphology as compared to the parental genotype, Pusa Sawani, showed consistent resistance against YVMV disease. Upon evaluation in the M6 generation, eight morphological characteristics and five quantitative characteristics differed significantly among the mutants and Pusa Sawani. Proximate compositions and enzyme activity in leaf were significantly higher in the two YVMV‐resistant mutants. Disease screening under artificial inoculation in the insect proof cages confirmed YVMV resistance in these mutants. DNA fingerprinting further validated the alterations occurred in these two isolated mutants compared to the parental genotype. These mutants deserve due attention towards the development of YVMV‐resistant variety.
Bridging the gap in BASCULE syndrome: A retrospective case series of a recently described clinical entity
Authors: Reinhart Jacob P. , Kumar Anagha Bangalore , Casanegra Ana I. , Rooke Thom W. , Sartori‐Valinotti Julio C. , Tollefson Megha M. , Klaas Kelsey M. , Davis Dawn M.
Published: November 2023

Background

Bier anemic spots, cyanosis with urticaria‐like eruption (BASCULE) syndrome is a recently described entity with episodic urticarial lesions and white anemic halos on a background of erythrocyanosis, commonly affecting the lower extremities. Possible association with autonomic dysfunction remains poorly understood. Existing publications are limited, but the condition is suggested as highly underrecognized.

Objective

To further characterize clinical and epidemiologic data for BASCULE syndrome.

Methods

We performed an IRB‐approved retrospective chart review on patients with BASCULE syndrome evaluated at Mayo Clinic from April 2021 to November 2022.

Results

A total of 17 patients were identified (13 female, 4 male). Median age of onset was 12 years (range 9–17). Lower extremities were involved in all patients (17). Most patients were symptomatic with pruritus (8) or burning pain (8); three were asymptomatic. Triggers were standing (11), hot showers or hot environments (7), or no clear trigger (4). Autonomic dysfunction was present in 10 patients. Treatment responses were observed from propranolol (3) and high‐dose cetirizine (1).

Conclusion

Novel epidemiologic data from 17 pediatric and young adult patients with BASCULE syndrome further supports an association with autonomic dysfunction and suggests a higher prevalence than previously acknowledged.
Influence of post‐disaster evacuation on childhood obesity and liver dysfunction: The Fukushima Health Management Survey
Authors: Hosoya Mitsuaki , Nakano Hironori , Hashimoto Koichi , Ohira Tetsuya , Sakai Akira , Shimabukuro Michio , Yasumura Seiji , Ohto Hitoshi , Kamiya Kenji
Published: November 2023

Background

After the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in 2011, the Fukushima Prefectural Government launched a long‐term health management survey for the population of Fukushima. Results of the Comprehensive Health Check (CHC) showed that some children aged 6–15 years, who resided in the evacuation area at the time of the disaster, had obesity, hyperlipidemia, liver dysfunction, and/or renal dysfunction from as early as 2011. The aim of the present study was to determine the long‐term trend of obesity and hepatic enzyme abnormalities in Fukushima children.

Methods

We evaluated the changes in body mass index standard deviation score (BMI‐SDS), aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase from 2011 to 2018.

Results

Obesity (BMI‐SDS ≥ 2) was significantly associated with hepatobiliary enzyme abnormalities. The mean BMI‐SDS was significantly higher in 2011 after the disaster, but then soon showed a gradual decrease. The frequency of obesity did not increase significantly after the disaster. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of hepatobiliary enzyme abnormalities in the children aged 6–15 years of either sex from 2011 to 2018.

Conclusions

In the present study, we found that the increase in the mean BMI‐SDS after the disaster was temporary, suggesting that the frequency of obesity and liver dysfunction might not have been significantly influenced by the disaster.
The length of the 3′ UTR of the tomato torrado virus (ToTV) RNA1 affects virus accumulation in Solanum lycopersicum during mechanical passages from plant to plant
Authors: Budziszewska Marta , Wrzesińska‐Krupa Barbara , Wieczorek Przemysław , Obrępalska‐Stęplowska Aleksandra
Published: November 2023

Tomato torrado virus (ToTV), a member of the Torradovirus genus, primarily infects tomatoes. Previous analyses revealed high heterogeneity in the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR) of RNA1 of isolate ToTV‐Kra. In addition to the full‐length 3′ UTR RNA1 (a wild‐type, wt), four truncated versions (var2, var3, var4 and var5) were identified. Here, we investigated the biological importance of this phenomenon by assessing whether such defective genomes are infectious individually, and how the length of the 3′ UTR influences disease symptoms, virus transmission and viral RNA accumulation. Using the ToTVpJL‐Kra infectious clone, we introduced deletions corresponding to the known RNA1 defective variants and examined their impact on ToTV virulence and sap transmission ability. Viral RNA accumulation was assessed in agroinfiltrated tomatoes, as well as during serial passages. We found that all defective genomes were infectious and the length of the 3′ UTR of RNA1 influenced viral RNA accumulation. Tomatoes agroinfiltrated with var2, var3 or var5 showed the highest copy numbers of genomic RNAs. However, during serial passages, ToTVpJL‐Kra‐var1 and ‐var2 (six nucleotides shorter) showed limited sap transmission ability compared to the other variants, which persisted and replicated well in tomatoes. Plants treated with ToTVpJL‐Kra‐var3, ‐var4 and a mixture of var1–var5 showed the highest viral RNA accumulation, which was not associated with increased symptom severity in comparison to the other variants. Additionally, we identified a further sequence insertion in the 3′ UTR of var3 RNA1. This insertion could have occurred spontaneously or as a result of virus adaptation to the mode of transmission.
A high‐throughput analysis of high‐resolution X‐ray CT images of stems of olive and citrus plants resistant and susceptible to Xylella fastidiosa
Authors: Walker Nancy C. , Ruiz Siul A. , Ferreira Talita R. , Coletta‐Filho Helvecio D. , Le Houx James , McKay Fletcher Daniel , White Steven M. , Roose Tiina
Published: November 2023

The bacterial plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa causes disease in several globally important crops. However, some cultivars harbour reduced bacterial loads and express few symptoms. Evidence considering plant species in isolation suggests xylem structure influences cultivar susceptibility to X. fastidiosa. We test this theory more broadly by analysing high‐resolution synchrotron X‐ray computed tomography of healthy and infected plant vasculature from two taxonomic groups containing susceptible and resistant varieties: two citrus cultivars (sweet orange cv. Pera, tangor cv. Murcott) and two olive cultivars (Koroneiki, Leccino). Results found the susceptible plants had more vessels than resistant ones, which could promote within‐host pathogen spread. However, features associated with resistance were not shared by citrus and olive. While xylem vessels in resistant citrus stems had comparable diameters to those in susceptible plants, resistant olives had narrower vessels that could limit biofilm spread. And while differences among olive cultivars were not detected, results suggest greater vascular connectivity in resistant compared to susceptible citrus plants. We hypothesize that this provides alternate flow paths for sustaining hydraulic functionality under infection. In summary, this work elucidates different physiological resistance mechanisms between two taxonomic groups, while supporting the existence of an intertaxonomical metric that could speed up the identification of candidate‐resistant plants.
The role of ecosystem restoration for a world in chaos—barriers and opportunities to optimize human wellbeing
Authors: Emerson Alexander
Published: November 2023

There is an urgent need to globally advance human wellbeing and ecosystem restoration is required to achieve international targets. However, the relationship between ecosystem services and wellbeing is frequently assumed to be simple and positive, but this is not the case. This paper argues that a poor understanding of how and when ecosystem restoration can improve wellbeing causes a disconnect between the practice and the benefits it promises to provide. Problematic issues with carbon credits are discussed and a case is made against promoting ecosystem restoration initiatives based on carbon storage. Opportunities for ecosystem restoration to optimize gains in wellbeing are proposed, including the identification of sites where restoration has the greatest impact and the transition from carbon credit systems into ecosystem service credit systems. Future research directions are recommended, as are the production of international standards for ecosystem restoration in natural hazard recovery and risk mitigation.
Diagnosis and management of exuberant palatal pyogenic granuloma in a systemically compromised patient – Case report
Authors: Ventura José Victor Lemos , Vogel Jéssica de Oliveira , Cortezzi Ellen Brilhante de Albuquerque , de Arruda José Alcides Almeida , Cunha John Lennon Silva , Andrade Bruno Augusto Benevenuto de , Tenório Jefferson R.
Published: November 2023

Aim

To discuss the diagnosis and treatment of an exuberant oral pyogenic granuloma (OPG) in the palatal region in a systemically compromised patient.

Methods and Results

A 50‐year‐old woman presented with extensive and painless nodular mass that extended throughout the palatal region, with difficulty speaking, swallowing and spontaneous bleeding for 6 months. Her medical history showed poorly controlled type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The intraoral physical examination also revealed poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease. After clinical and radiographic evaluation, the presumptive diagnosis of OPG was made and complete excision of the lesion was performed. Local hemostatic measures were employed to control bleeding. Microscopic evaluation showed a lobulated lesion composed of many blood capillaries confirming the diagnostic hypothesis.

Conclusions

In summary, individuals with severe periodontal disease and systemic disorders may present exacerbated clinical presentations of OPG.
Understanding the challenges and opportunities of talking to children about race and racism in child‐facing institutions
Authors: Wilton Leigh S. , Sullivan Jessica , Albuja Analia F. , Perry Sylvia P.
Published: November 2023

Researchers from a range of disciplines emphasize that effectively socializing children about race and racism is vital to promoting positive outcomes, such as disrupting the development of racist attitudes and beliefs. While parents and guardians influence children's racial attitudes and beliefs, children also learn about race and racism from many other important adults in their lives, such as teachers, community leaders, and librarians. Yet race‐related topics are largely absent or underdeveloped from child‐facing programming, policies, and procedures. In this paper, we describe three major barriers to effectively socializing children about race and racism within child‐facing institutions like libraries, museums, and schools: (1) adults’ (often inaccurate) beliefs about children's social and cognitive race‐related development, (2) adults’ knowledge and comfort discussing race and racism with others, and (3) social norms that minimize explicit discussion of race and racism in institutional and interpersonal contexts. To contextualize these barriers, we address how children can process and reason about race across childhood and outline the evidence‐based benefits of socializing children about race and racism inside and outside the home. Finally, we provide recommendations aimed at translating this research to child‐focused spaces and provide general guidelines to consider when implementing such practices in their own spheres of influence. In sum, we argue that effective socialization about race and racism benefits all children and can (and should!) be achieved successfully outside of the home; and that adults who interact with children must interrogate their own beliefs, biases, and perspectives, work to develop cultural competence, and invest in and continually reassess practices and policies to facilitate effective socialization about race and racism.
Transient Horner's syndrome in horses following cervical plexus local anesthesia
Authors: Pearce Duncan J. , Raffetto Jennifer , Vallance Stuart A.
Published: November 2023

Objective

To report the development of transient Horner's syndrome in horses following local anesthesia of the cervical plexus.

Animals

A total of 37 horses.

Study design

Observational retrospective short case series.

Methods

Medical records of cases undergoing ultrasound‐guided cervical plexus anesthesia for standing prosthetic laryngoplasty at a single referral institution were evaluated (2019–2020).

Results

Five of 37 horses (14%) developed transient signs of Horner's syndrome postoperatively. Obvious clinical signs began 2 to 5 h following local anesthesia and persisted for two to 4 h. Profuse unilateral sweating of the head and upper neck was the most apparent clinical sign.

Conclusion

Transient clinical signs of Horner's syndrome were seen following unilateral local anesthesia of the cervical plexus. Long‐term adverse sequelae were not observed.
Unveiling the spatiotemporal evolutionary patterns of eriophyoid mites in China
Authors: Li Ni , Hu Yue , Yao Liang‐Fei , Gao Wei‐Nan , Xue Xiao‐Feng
Published: November 2023

Eriophyoid mites are among the most species‐rich superfamilies (Eriophyoidea) in the Acari, consisting of over 5000 named species. Although they exhibit a geographically uneven worldwide distribution, their regional spatiotemporal evolutionary patterns remain largely unknown. Here, we compiled a data set including 3058 occurrence records assigned into 1203 species in China. We found that eriophyoid mite species richness is higher in the southeast and lower in the northwest of China, coinciding with the 500‐mm annual precipitation isoline. Using fragments of two mitochondrial genes (COI, 12S rRNA) and two nuclear genes (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA) of 304 eriophyoid mite species, we constructed a regional dated phylogenetic tree in China. Our spatiotemporal analysis revealed that mountains in eastern and southern China had high eriophyoid mite species richness and phylogenetic clustering, possessing both ancient and young mite lineages. Species distribution modelling (SDM) results showed that the predicted suitable area of eriophyoid mites slightly expanded from the last inter‐glacial period to the last glacial maximum period. In comparison with the current SDM, a significantly larger distribution range was observed in future scenarios. These findings suggest that mountains in eastern and southern China acted as not only cradles—recent rapid speciation, but also museums—centre of gradual accumulation and preservation and provide insights into monitoring and conserving eriophyoid mites.
Targeting mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Zhong Renjia , Rua Michael T. , Wei‐LaPierre Lan
Published: November 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare adult‐onset neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive motor neuron (MN) loss, muscle denervation and paralysis. Over the past several decades, researchers have made tremendous efforts to understand the pathogenic mechanisms underpinning ALS, with much yet to be resolved. ALS is described as a non‐cell autonomous condition with pathology detected in both MNs and non‐neuronal cells, such as glial cells and skeletal muscle. Studies in ALS patient and animal models reveal ubiquitous abnormalities in mitochondrial structure and function, and disturbance of intracellular calcium homeostasis in various tissue types, suggesting a pivotal role of aberrant mitochondrial calcium uptake and dysfunctional calcium signalling cascades in ALS pathogenesis. Calcium signalling and mitochondrial dysfunction are intricately related to the manifestation of cell death contributing to MN loss and skeletal muscle dysfunction. In this review, we discuss the potential contribution of intracellular calcium signalling, particularly mitochondrial calcium uptake, in ALS pathogenesis. Functional consequences of excessive mitochondrial calcium uptake and possible therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial calcium uptake or the mitochondrial calcium uniporter, the main channel mediating mitochondrial calcium influx, are also discussed.

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Planning research of whale sound detection system
Authors: Choi Bok Kyoung , Kim Byoung-Nam , Kim Seong Hyeon , Kim Eung
Published: November 2023

In maritime countries such as the United States and European countries, studies on cetacean resource distribution, vocalization characteristics, auditory characteristics, and habitat environment are actively being conducted in order to permanently preserve cetacean resources. It is necessary to establish a real-time buoy-type marine life observation system for the surrounding waters of the Korean Peninsula, and the components of the real-time buoy-type marine life observation system that can observe the underwater acoustic environment require a line-type underwater acoustic sensor, a large-capacity file real-time transmission system, and a high-capacity battery. Planning contents for the development of the whale sound detection system include realizing scientific whale tourism by combining marine science technology (MT + ICT), presenting a plan for constructing a real-time buoy-type observation system for whales based on ICT, and presenting an analysis algorithm for identifying whale ecology through observation and analysis of radioactive sound characteristics and acoustic characteristics of whales in real time. These research results can be developed as new tourism contents in the southeast sea of Korea, contribute to expanding the base of whale-watching tourism business, and provide information on migratory routes and resource distribution by identifying the sonic characteristics of cetaceans.
Forward masking of the auditory evoked potentials in a bottlenose dolphin at monaural and dichotic auditory stimulation
Authors: Sysueva Evgeniya , Popov Vladimir
Published: November 2023

Short-latency auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) to paired sound pulses (the leading stimulus (masker) and the delayed stimulus (test)) were recorded non-invasively in a bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus. The stimuli were played through transducers contacting the left and right acoustic windows at the lower jaw. Two types of stimulation were used: monaurally (the both stimuli played through one and the same transducer) and dichotically (the stimuli played through different transducers, contacting the left and right acoustic window). Thе masker and test stimuli were equal in level and duration characteristics. The inter-stimulus delay varied from 0.15 to 10 ms. At the monaural stimulation, the suppression of the test stimulus was constant at interstimulus intervals from 0.15 to 0.5 ms; at longer intervals, the test response recovered. At the dichotic stimulation, the deepest suppression of the test response appeared at an interval of 0.5 ms; the test response recovered at both shorter and longer intervals. The complete recovery appeared at intervals as short as 0.15 ms and as long as 2 ms. Implications of the found regularities for the preceding effect and biosonar is discussed. [Work supported by RSF (project No. 22-25-00025).]
Investigating the impact of biomimetic pinna shape variations on clutter echoes received from natural environments
Authors: Eshera Ibrahim , Lagad Sanmeel V. , Müller Rolf
Published: November 2023

Bat species navigating dense vegetation based on biosonar have to obtain the necessary sensory information from “clutter echoes”, i.e., echoes that are superpositions of contributions from many reflecting facets (e.g., leaves) and hence have highly unpredictable waveforms. Prior results have suggested that pinna motions could aid in direction-finding tasks based on deterministic echo patterns. This raises the question whether varying pinna shapes could also have a function significance for challenging biosonar tasks performed on clutter echoes. As a first, task-independent step to test this hypothesis it has been investigated whether different pinna shapes have a consistent effect on clutter echoes despite the random nature of these signals. This was accomplished using a dedicated laboratory setup that produced large amounts of uncorrelated clutter echo data by agitating an artificial foliage with fans between echoes. Deep learning methods were then applied to identify the pinna shape that received a given clutter echo. A two-dimensional convolutional neural network operating on spectrograms achieved 90% validation accuracy in this task. This finding demonstrates that even small pinna deformations can impart consistent effects on the clutter echoes. Ongoing research is directed at analyzing the nature of the signal properties that the successful classifications were based on.
Influence of ocean dynamics on Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris): Presence and their prey
Authors: Dolan Shannon M. , Baumman-Pickering Simone , Giddings Ashlyn , Snyder Eric R. , Demer David A. , Trickey Jennifer S. , Franks Peter JS
Published: November 2023

Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris; Zc) dive below 1000 m to forage predominantly on deep-sea squids. The impact of oceanographic conditions on Zc prey and the effects of anthropogenic sounds on Zc foraging remain unclear. Zc prey distribution is patchy and potentially influenced by mesoscale oceanographic features interacting with local bathymetry. Favorable environmental conditions lead to aggregations of lower trophic level species that attract squid, and potentially increase Zc presence. We collected simultaneous active and passive acoustic data in Tanner Basin, a southern California submarine canyon, intermittently between 2017 and 2022. Passive acoustic data revealed Zc were present throughout all years, with lower presence during late summer and fall. Subsurface Zc 3D track reconstructions indicated a preference for one side of the canyon, where Zc foraged within a layer of potential prey, detected from active acoustic data. Prey concentrations, quantified as volume backscatter strength below ∼1150 m depth, exhibited an increase following the passage of mesoscale features, which were measured using Finite-size Lyapunov Exponents (FSLE). These prey increases drove immediate increases in Zc presence. Understanding potential physical drivers of Zc predator-prey dynamics is a critical first step for assessing natural variability and potential impacts of sonar use on Zc foraging behavior.
Who’s knocking? Gray whale acoustic detection along California’s central coast
Authors: Short Sophie M. , Wilkin Adelle , Orlando Isaiah , Nosbisch Lucy , Schroth-Glanz Maddie
Published: November 2023

Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) efforts are essential to marine mammal conservation. Bioacoustic techniques can be preferred as visual surveys are time intensive, costly, and limiting. California’s coastline is a biodiversity hotspot and a known migration corridor of multiple cetacean species, including gray whales, according to stock assessments provided by NOAA. Certain studies have indicated that gray whales vocalize during migration which can help confirm cetacean presence throughout the year. Off the coast of San Luis Obispo, California in an area that overlaps with the gray whale’s southern migration, our team detected an unidentified knocking noise. Although gray whale vocalizations can be difficult to confirm, we believe these knocks are produced by this transient species. In order to determine the source of these knocking sounds, the goals of this project are to (1) classify the repetitive noise as biotic or abiotic, (2) perform a comparative analysis of various species to narrow down possible biotic candidates, (3) utilize records from local whale watching companies for more accurate evidence of species presence at the time of our deployment, and (4) examine temporal variation in the occurrence of this knocking sound. Acoustic monitoring provides information about migration of gray whales necessary for conservation efforts.
Using a deep neural network to classify echolocation clicks and identify biogeographic patterns of Pacific white-sided dolphins
Authors: Alksne Michaela , KoK Annebelle , Agarwal Annika , Frasier Kaitlin , Baumman-Pickering Simone
Published: November 2023

Pacific white-sided dolphins are endemic to the Pacific Ocean; and two genetically distinct populations overlap along the west coast of North America. However, they are visually indistinguishable and the degree of spatial overlap remains unknown. Here, we use a deep neural network to show that the populations are acoustically distinguishable. Previous studies described two distinct echolocation click types associated with pacific white-sided dolphins and hypothesized that they were population-specific. Our neural network was trained to classify the click types based on spectral and temporal properties described previously. The neural network enabled us to analyze passive acoustic recordings from sites between the Gulf of California and the Gulf of Alaska over multiple years to investigate possible population-specific trends. The latitudinal occurrence pattern of the two click types supports the population-specific hypothesis: type A clicks continue to associate with the northern population distribution, and type B clicks with the southern population distribution. At long-term monitoring sites in Southern California, type B clicks were dominant during periods of warm water anomalies. This pattern may be an early indicator of future biogeographic shifts in the distribution of pacific white-sided dolphins and demonstrates the utility of long-term passive acoustic monitoring.
Optimizing transducer aperture subdivision for aberration correction during transabdominal histotripsy
Authors: Yeats Ellen , Padilla Hadrien , Sukovich Jonathan , Hall Timothy L.
Published: November 2023

This study investigated the effect of transducer aperture subdivision on aberration correction performance for transabdominal histotripsy. A transducer aperture and geometric curvature similar to clinical histotripsy devices (750 kHz, 20 × 16 cm width, 14 cm radius of curvature) was subdivided into 64, 256, and 1024 elements (10.7λ, 5.3λ, 2.6λ). For each of the three designs, optimal space filling (100%) equal area polygons with a pseudo-random arrangement of elements was used following the technique described by Rosnitskiy. 3D acoustic path maps were constructed from abdominal CTs of 3 de-identified human subjects and assigned acoustic properties from literature. For each transducer, acoustic transmission was simulated using k-Wave at 3 target locations in the liver of each subject with and without implementing ideal aberration correction. Across all subjects and targets (n = 9), AC increased the maximum focal pressure amplitude by 26% (0%-59%) on average for 64 elements, 38% (5%-84%) for 256 elements, and 42% (7%–92%) for 1024 elements. These results suggest 5.3λ elements may near an optimal subdivision for transabdominal histotripsy aberration correction when taking into account the cost of transducer and driving system fabrication. Acoustic simulations can save fabrication time and costs when optimizing device design.
Verification of relationship between transmission/reception conditions of high-frequency plane wave compounding and evaluation accuracy of extended amplitude envelope statistics
Authors: Higa Taisei , Ketterling Jeffrey A. , Mamou Jonathan , Hoerig Cameron , Gross Daniel H. , Hirata Shinnosuke , Yoshida Kenji , Yamaguchi Tadashi
Published: November 2023

Amplitude envelopment statistics is one of the effective analysis method for quantitative ultrasound. In the studies using a single transducer of around 15–25 MHz and the Double-Nakagami (DN) model, it was possible to evaluate fat mass in rat livers. In order to realize clinical applications, it is essential to study with array probes, especially to understand the influence of the sound field characteristics on the amplitude envelope statistics. In this study, fatty liver simulated phantoms which were containing two types of scatterers was observed with five types of high-frequency(15–40 MHz) linear array probes, and the amplitude enveloping characteristics were analyzed using the DN model to evaluate the fat constitution. As a result, it was possible to evaluate fatty components with high accuracy under conditions in which fat is distributed in low density, such as in mild fatty liver. No significant differences in evaluation systems were observed among the probes, probably due to the effect of parallel plane wave transmission and reception.
Exploring the ocean with sound: Telltale acoustic signatures of a changing ocean
Authors: Lavery Andone C.
Published: November 2023

Our ocean plays a major role in climate regulation, hosts vast biodiversity, sustains economies, ensures food security, and supports international shipping, tourism, recreation, and human health and security. Yet, the ocean is experiencing unprecedented changes: sea level rise, coral bleaching, ocean acidification, anoxia, accelerated melting of the major ice sheets, shifts in ocean circulation, pollution, overfishing, and increased industrialization. Sound plays a vital role in exploring, understanding, and monitoring these changes over a range of spatial and temporal scales. In this talk, I will focus on the multitude of approaches taken to using sound to understand our changing ocean, the advances in platforms used to enable these studies, the expansion of global ocean observing systems that include measurements of sound as an essential ocean variable, and the enormous complexities in interpreting acoustic signals in a dynamic and evolving ocean landscape. I will end by discussing the opportunities and obstacles associated with globalizing approaches for using sound to improve ocean stewardship.
Cochlear implant pitch and lexical tone perception in quiet and noise using F0-rate coding
Authors: Vandali Andrew E. , Smith Zachary , Arora Komal , Xu Lei , Luo Jianfen , Wang Ruijie , Chao Xiuhua , Zheng Yi
Published: November 2023

Fundamental frequency (F0) cues to voice/musical pitch can be coded by pulse-rate or amplitude modulation (AM) rate of electrical pulse-trains in cochlear implant (CI) systems. However, for most clinical strategies (e.g., ACE), temporal cues to F0 are often poorly coded, particularly for female and children's voices and/or in background noise. Strategies such as Optimized Pitch And Language (OPAL) and Fundamental Asynchronous Stimulus Timing (FAST) enhance temporal F0 cues. For OPAL, F0 is estimated and used to control the AM rate coded by electrical pulse-trains in channel containing harmonics of F0. Significant benefits of OPAL to pitch ranking, speech intonation, and Mandarin lexical tone recognition have been observed compared to ACE. For FAST, peak-timing information in channel envelopes is used to derive pulse-timing in each channel and therefore much lower stimulation rates are provided resulting in longer battery life. In bilateral CI systems, it provides better ITD sensitivity, lateralization, and spatial release from masking compared to ACE. Presented here are the results of two studies, the first explored pitch perception of harmonic tones presented in quiet and noise using experimental OPAL and FAST strategies, and the second examined Mandarin lexical tone perception in quiet and noise using ACE and OPAL in a clinical processor.
Impact of incomplete feedback on response bias
Authors: Hoglund Evelyn M. , Feth Lawrence L.
Published: November 2023

The goal of most laboratory studies is to produce a bias-free estimate of sensitivity. Forced-choice procedures with trial-by-trial feedback, equal a priori probability of signal occurrence, and a balanced pay-off matrix were designed to assess listener sensitivity with response bias forced to zero. (Green, 1960; Green and Swets, 1964; 1988). Real-world detection tasks rarely provide N-interval forced-choice opportunities. The probability of signal occurrence may vary from near zero in vigilance tasks to near 100% for some clinical testing. Further, many real-world listening situations do not lend themselves to trial-by-trial feedback. Davis (2015, 2017) conducted a single interval yes-no, tone-in-noise experiment measuring response bias with incomplete feedback. Liu (2020) used Bayesian analysis to account for participant variability in the Davis data. Results from different subjects were combined to draw inferences about the effect of each experimental condition on listener bias. As expected, complete feedback drives the response criteria toward the unbiased point, and incomplete feedback conditions result in various degrees of deviation from the optimal criterion. Critical incomplete feedback conditions included responses on signal trials, “yes” responses, and correct responses. Implications for the design of experiments intended to approximate listening conditions in realistic detection tasks are discussed.
Balance of peripheral input and integrity of the electrode-nerve interface in a large cohort of children with bilateral cochlear implants
Authors: Sabourin Carina J. , Cushing Sharon L. , Papsin Blake C. , Lomber Stephen G. , Gordon Karen A.
Published: November 2023

The study aim was to determine whether asymmetries in the electrode-nerve interface were present in children using bilateral cochlear implants (CIs). Bilateral CIs improve hearing over unilateral CIs in children with profound deafness in both ears but benefits decrease with increasing asymmetric activity and function between ears. Effects of asymmetry between bilateral CI arrays, CI stimulation parameters, impedance and transimpedance measurements, and electrophysiological thresholds could exacerbate asymmetries at the electrode-nerve interface but these factors have not been assessed in children using bilateral CIs. Clinically generated data from a large cohort of Canadian children (n = 669 children, n = 1332 devices) was gathered retrospectively for analyses. To account for repeated measures, a mixed effects modeling analysis was conducted. Despite CI electrical stimulation levels and electrophysiological thresholds being largely stable over time, asymmetries based on implantation sequence were observed. The observed bilateral differences suggest spread of current and sensitivity to electrical stimulation vary between devices in the same individual. These peripheral asymmetries may coincide with previously reported plasticity-induced cortical changes to increase asymmetries in auditory function between ears and restrict access to binaural hearing cues.
A subjective evaluation of different types of music in music therapy using an emotion equalization app
Authors: Law Man Hei , Leung Hoi Ting , Horner Andrew B.
Published: November 2023

Music therapy has been shown to be effective at improving mood (i.e., valence) in subjects in previous studies. In this study, we investigate five different ways of generating playlists of therapeutic music to see which is most effective at improving mood, tested over a large number of subjects. We conducted online experiments under three proposed approaches using playlists of consoling, relaxing, and uplifting music, and compared them to two baseline methods using natural sounds and a random mix of songs (i.e., music that could be either relaxing, uplifting, or consoling). We questioned subjects before and after listening to the music to see how valence and arousal changed, and analyzed the results with ANOVA. The results showed there were positive changes in listeners’ valence levels for natural sounds, as well as for consoling, relaxing, and uplifting music playlists. There were no significant changes in arousal for most sources, but there was a lowering in arousal with relaxing music and a rising in arousal with uplifting music. Additionally, relaxing and uplifting music playlists both showed significant effects in moving listeners from negative to more positive emotional states.
Enhancing emotional well-being through active music listening: A study on the effects of music rhythm games on mood improvement in Hong Kong University Students
Authors: Leung Hoi Ting , Law Man Hei , Horner Andrew B.
Published: November 2023

Anxiety and depression are growing problems worldwide, and the massive disruption of mental health care services during the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for more accessible and convenient digital tools for mental health care. Music therapy has been recognized as an effective non-invasive treatment for mental illnesses, but little research has been done on the therapeutic effects of active music therapy in digital formats. This paper investigates the effectiveness of active music therapy in a music rhythm game format for improving mood and examines the impact of five different song sequencing methods (random, all-relaxed, all-upbeat, upbeat-to-relaxed, and relaxed-to-upbeat) on therapeutic outcomes. Listening tests were conducted with 89 subjects (all university students in Hong Kong) to analyze changes in valence and arousal. The results indicate that all proposed song sequencing methods positively increased arousal levels, while all methods, except all-upbeat, significantly increased valence levels. All-relaxed and all-upbeat gave the best increase in arousal. Upbeat-to-relaxed and relaxed-to-upbeat gave the best increase in valence. All-relaxed and upbeat-to-relaxed were most effective in increasing both arousal and valence. The study also found that tailored recommendations based on subjects' initial arousal and valence levels and levels of anxiety and depression can further improve therapeutic outcomes.