bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using the Repeat-Recall Test to Examine Factors Affecting Context Use
Authors: Kuk Francis , Slugocki Christopher , Korhonen Petri
Published: February 2021

Abstract Background The effect of context on speech processing has been studied using different speech materials and response criteria. The Repeat-Recall Test (RRT) evaluates listener performance using high context (HC) and low context (LC) sentences; this may
offer another platform for studying context use (CU). Objective This article aims to evaluate if the RRT may be used to study how different signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), hearing aid technologies (directional microphone and noise reduction), and listener working memory capacities
(WMCs) interact to affect CU on the different measures of the RRT. Design Double-blind, within-subject repeated measures design. Study Sample Nineteen listeners with a mild-to-moderately severe hearing loss. Data Collection The RRT was administered
with participants wearing the study hearing aids under two microphone (omnidirectional vs. directional) by two noise reduction (on vs. off) conditions. Speech was presented from 0 degree at 75 dB sound pressure level and a continuous speech-shaped noise from 180 degrees
at SNRs of 0, 5, 10, and 15 dB. The order of SNR and hearing aid conditions was counterbalanced across listeners. Each test condition was completed twice in two 2-hour sessions separated by 1 month. Results CU was calculated as the difference between HC and LC sentence
scores for each outcome measure (i.e., repeat, recall, listening effort, and tolerable time). For all outcome measures, repeated measures analyses of variance revealed that CU was significantly affected by the SNR of the test conditions. For repeat, recall, and listening effort measures, these
effects were qualified by significant two-way interactions between SNR and microphone mode. In addition, the WMC group significantly affected CU during recall and rating of listening effort, the latter of which was qualified by an interaction between the WMC group and SNR. Listener WMC affected
CU on estimates of tolerable time as qualified by significant two-way interactions between SNR and microphone mode. Conclusion The study supports use of the RRT as a tool for measuring how listeners use sentence context to aid in speech processing. The degree to which context
influenced scores on each outcome measure of the RRT was found to depend on complex interactions between the SNR of the listening environment, hearing aid features, and the WMC of the listeners.
Distally Based Pedicled Fibula Flap for Reconstruction of Infected Charcot’s Midtarsal Collapse—Diabetic Rocker Bottom Foot
Authors: Balakrishnan T. M. , Pakkiri Sathya , Nagalingam Arounkumar , Selvaraj R. , Jaganmohan J.
Published: February 2021

Introduction and Methods Diabetic rocker bottom foot with secondary infection exacts the expertise of a reconstructive surgeon to salvage the foot. The author selected 28 diabetic patients with secondarily infected Charcot’s degenerated rocker bottom feet and reconstructed their feet using distally based pedicled fibula flap. Reconstruction was done in a staged manner. Stage 1 surgery involved external fixation following debridement. In stage 2, struts were activated for distraction and arthroereisis. In stage 3, the distally based pedicled fibula was used for reconstruction and beaming of the arches.

Results In this retrospective study, the author analyzed the outcome of all 28 patients using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Rating (MSTSR) score. The average MSTSR score was 27.536 in an average follow-up of 30.5 months. The limb salvage rate with the author’s procedure was 96.4% (p = 0.045).

Conclusion Author’s protocol for the staged reconstruction and salvage of the infected diabetic rocker bottom foot, using the pedicled fibula flap, will be a new addendum in the reconstructive armamentarium of the orthoplastic approach.
Using Telepractice to Deliver Pediatric Voice Care in a Changing World: Breaking down Challenges and Learning from Successes
Authors: Kelchner Lisa N. , Fredeking John C. , Zacharias Stephanie Cotton
Published: February 2021

For children with voice disorders, access to care has long been a challenge. Reasons for this include the challenge of qualifying children with isolated voice disorders for services within the public-school system as well as a family's geographic proximity to experienced clinicians who are in the healthcare system. Over the past decade, there have been both formal and informal investigations into the use of telepractice to deliver services to communicatively disordered children and adults, including those with voice disorders. Although barriers and obstacles existed, use of telepractice to deliver such services demonstrated both feasibility and, in some studies, effective outcomes. However, prior to spring of 2020, use of telepractice to deliver speech pathology services was not mainstream. This changed when the nation was forced to shut down many of its in-person healthcare and educational delivery due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This article summarizes select relevant literature pertaining to the use of telepractice in speech language pathology over the past decade and provides a case-based discussion of how it was and is currently being used to deliver pediatric voice care.
In the Zoom Where It Happened: Telepractice and the Voice Clinic in 2020
Authors: Becker Diana Rose , Gillespie Amanda I.
Published: February 2021

Telemedicine—conveying medical information virtually for planning, diagnosis, or treatment—has been a part of the American medical system for over 100 years. A constantly evolving modality, telepractice was a supplemental care delivery system for most speech-language pathologists (SLPs) until March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic forced clinical operations to halt in-person activities and convert as much as possible to virtual platforms. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the need for telepractice prior to and beyond the current pandemic, the efficacy of telepractice for the voice-specialized SLP, limitations of telepractice, and best practices for providing care over telepractice with a specific focus on voice disorder diagnosis and treatment.
Distally Based Perforator-Plus Sural Neurocutaneous Flap with High or Low Pivot Point: Anatomical Considerations and a Retrospective Study of a Clinical Series of 378 Flaps
Authors: Zhou Ling-Li , Wei Jian-Wei , Peng Ping , Liu Li-Hong , Yin Chao-Dong , Luo Zhao-Biao , Tao Shi-Bin , Dong Zhong-Gen
Published: February 2021

Background This study is to describe the distribution of natural true anastomoses associated with the distally based perforator-plus sural neurocutaneous flap (sural flap), summarize our experience in the flap with high pivot point, and compare the outcomes between the flaps with high and low pivot points.

Methods Five amputated lower limbs were perfused, and the integuments were radiographed. We retrospectively analyzed 378 flaps, which were divided into two groups: pivot points located ≤8.0 cm (low pivot point group) and >8.0 cm (high pivot point group) proximal to the tip of the lateral malleolus. Partial necrosis rates were compared between two groups.

Results The arterial chain surrounding the sural nerve was linked by true anastomoses from the intermalleolar line to popliteal crease. True anastomoses existed among peroneal perforators and between these perforators and the arterial chain. There were 93 flaps with high pivot point and 285 flaps with low pivot point. Partial necrosis rates were 16 and 9.1% in the high and low pivot point group (p = 0.059), respectively.

Conclusion True anastomosis connections among peroneal perforators and the whole arterial chain around sural nerve enable the sural flap to survive with a greater length. The sural flap with high pivot point is a good option for reconstructing soft-tissue defects in the middle and distal leg, ankle, and foot, particularly when the lowest peroneal perforator presents damage, greater distance to the defects, discontinuity with the donor site, or anatomical variation.
Early Growth and Cognitive Development in Children Born Preterm: Relevance of Maternal Body Mass Index
Authors: Robinson Daniel T. , Josefson Jami , Balmert Lauren C. , Van Horn Linda , Silton Rebecca L.
Published: February 2021

Objective Maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) represents a surrogate marker of fetal exposures to the maternal metabolism during pregnancy. Yet, it remains poorly understood whether this marker indicates risk of altered trajectories in postnatal growth and development in children born preterm. This study aimed to determine whether maternal prepregnancy BMI is associated with altered growth and development in children born preterm.

Study Design A retrospective cohort study evaluated prepregnancy BMI as the exposure for childhood outcomes using linear regression and mixed effects models. The 38 children included in this follow-up evaluation originally participated in a prospective, observational cohort study to determine longitudinal levels of lipid species in preterm human milk expressed by women who delivered prior to 32 weeks. Childhood outcomes in this study were anthropometric measures during hospitalization (n = 38), after discharge through 36 months (n = 34) and Bayley-III developmental scores through 18 months corrected age (n = 26).

Results In 38 children born prior to 32 weeks, higher maternal prepregnancy BMI was independently associated with higher preterm infant growth velocity during hospitalization, but not associated with in-hospital change in length or head circumference and/or postdischarge growth. In univariate linear regression models, higher maternal BMI was associated with lower cognitive scores at 18 months corrected age. This significant association remained in an adjusted model accounting for relevant influences on early childhood development.

Conclusion Increasing maternal prepregnancy BMI may reflect risk of altered growth and cognitive development in children born preterm.

Key Points
The Effect of a Short Course of Tocolytic Indomethacin on Urinary Biomarkers in Premature Infants
Authors: El Samra Ahmad , Mian Ayesa , Lande Marc , Wang Hongyue , Guillet Ronnie
Published: February 2021

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a 2-day prenatal course of indomethacin on the premature kidney as reflected by serum creatinine and urinary biomarkers.

Study Design Urine of infants ≤32 weeks was collected for the first 14 days and analyzed for cystatin C, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, osteopontin, β2 microglobulin, epidermal growth factor, uromodulin, and microalbumin. Bivariate analysis compared serum creatinine and biomarkers of exposed (INDO) and unexposed (CONT) subjects.

Results Fifty-seven infants (35 CONT and 22 INDO) were studied. The cohorts were similar in gestational age, birthweight, race, gender, nephrotoxic medication exposure, and Apgar's scores. CONT had more dopamine exposure and included more pre-eclamptic mothers (p = 0.005). No difference in creatinine-based acute kidney injury or the log transformed mean, maximum, and minimum values of urinary biomarkers was detected.

Conclusion Our findings suggest that a short course of tocolytic indomethacin does not result in neonatal acute kidney injury.

Key Points
Developing a Wearable Sensor for Continuous Tissue Oxygenation Monitoring: A Proof of Concept Study
Authors: Kwasnicki Richard M. , Chen Ching-Mei , Noakes Alex J. , Hettiaratchy Shehan , Yang Guang-Zhong , Darzi Ara
Published: February 2021

Objective Technologies facilitating continuous free tissue flap monitoring such as near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) have been shown to improve flap salvage rates. However, the size and associated costs of such technology create a barrier to wider implementation. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a wearable sensor for continuous tissue oxygenation monitoring.

Materials and Methods A forearm ischemia model was designed by using a brachial pressure cuff inflation protocol. Twenty healthy subjects were recruited. The forearm tissue oxygenation of each subject was monitored throughout the pressure cuff protocol by using a new optical sensor (Imperial College London), and a gold standard tissue spectrometry system (O2C, Medizintecknik, LEA, Germany). Data were processed to allow quantitative deoxygenation episode comparisons between inflations and sensor modalities.

Results The correlation between O2C and optical sensor oxygenation measurements was moderate (average R = 0.672, p < 0.001). Incremental increases in cuff inflation duration resulted in a linear increase in deoxygenation values with both O2C and optical sensors, with significant differences recorded on consecutive inflations (wall shear rate, p < 0.005). The presence or absence of pulsatile blood flow was correctly determined throughout by both sensor modalities.

Conclusion This study demonstrates the ability of a small optical sensor to detect and quantify tissue oxygenation changes and assess the presence of pulsatile blood flow. Low power, miniaturized electronics make the device capable of deployment in a wearable form which may break down the barriers for implementation in postoperative flap monitoring.
What’s the Story on Agriculture? Using Narratives to Understand Farming Households’ Aspirations in Meru, Kenya
Authors: Dilley Luke , Mausch Kai , Crossland Mary , Harris Dave
Published: February 2021

In the limited research on farming aspirations, little attention has been paid to the narratives which frame and shape them, and the ways in which the aspirations of those who farm intersect with the goals of extension services. Drawing on multimethod research conducted in Meru County, Kenya, we demonstrate how aspirations are not only situated within a consideration of personal circumstances, but are shaped in crucial ways by networks of relations and by the perceived possibilities afforded by material and cultural resources. We further highlight the accounts of state extension agents that link a lack of engagement with the desires and needs of those who farm to the failure of agricultural development initiatives. We argue that an engagement with aspirations opens up a route to understanding the obstacles and potentialities that matter to those who farm and, as such, might enable more responsive development initiatives centred on the perceptions and desires of those who farm.
Women’s Changing Opportunities and Aspirations Amid Male Outmigration: Insights from Makueni County, Kenya
Authors: Crossland Mary , Paez Valencia Ana Maria , Pagella Tim , Mausch Kai , Harris Dave , Dilley Luke , Winowiecki Leigh
Published: February 2021

In Makueni County, Kenya, an area experiencing intensifying migration flows, we investigate the aspired futures of rural men and women using a novel methodology combining a narrative-based survey tool, focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews. Our findings indicate that, in the absence of men and presence of norms restricting women's movement out of rural life, women are becoming increasingly engaged in farm management. Women’s aspirational narratives focused on commercialising farm activities, likely reflecting their changing agricultural opportunity space and new realities as farm managers. We highlight that only considering aspirations at the household level overlooks differing individual contributions, agency over various household income streams and individuals’ changing roles throughout life. Based on our findings, we make recommendations for further aspirations research including explicit consideration of intrahousehold heterogeneity and how individual strategies and aspirations interrelate and are negotiated at the household level to build an overall livelihood strategy.
Correction: Health shocks and vulnerability to poverty in Congo
Authors: Ouadika Séverin Aimé Blanchard
Published: February 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-021-00728-7
Driven resonant current amplification in self-organized plasma configurations with uniform λ and plasma pressure confinement
Authors: Sutherland D. A. , Hansen C. J.
Published: February 2021

Driven resonant current amplification in uniform λ=μoJB, self-organized plasma configurations with plasma pressure confinement is studied. This work extends previous analyses of force-free states (J∥B) to equilibria with plasma pressure gradients (∇P=J×B≠0). An analytical treatment shows that in equilibria with uniform λ and a plasma pressure gradient that varies linearly with poloidal magnetic flux, driven resonances are either downshifted or upshifted from their force-free values. Additionally, a modification of off resonance current amplification is observed in pressure confining equilibria. Computational results add support to analytical predictions, and also include driven resonance behavior with equilibrium profiles not considered analytically. These results suggest not only persistence, but also modification of driven resonant current amplification in sustained spheromak configurations with plasma pressure confinement when compared to force-free states. By providing a basis for the existence of driven, high current amplification, pressure confining equilibria, this work provides insight into the accessibility of sustained spheromak states of most interest for potential fusion energy applications.
Low mode implosion symmetry sensitivity in low gas-fill NIF cylindrical hohlraums
Authors: Izumi N. , Woods D. T. , Meezan N. B. , Moody J. D. , Landen O. L. , Divol L. , Chen Hui , Callahan D. A. , Hohenberger M. , Kritcher A. L. , Casey D. T. , Rosen M. D. , Ross J. S. , Schneider M. B. , Edwards M. J. , Hsing W. W.
Published: February 2021

Achieving an efficient capsule implosion in National Ignition Facility indirect-drive target experiments requires symmetric hohlraum x-ray drive for the duration of the laser pulse. This is commonly achieved using two-sided two-cone laser irradiation of cylindrical hohlraums that, in principle, can zero the time average of all spherical harmonic asymmetry modes <6 as well as the time dependence of the usually dominant mode 2. In practice, experimental evidence indicates that maintaining symmetric drive becomes limited late in the pulse due to the inward expansion of the hohlraum wall and outward expansion of the capsule ablator plasmas impairing the propagation of the inner-cone laser beams. This effect is enhanced in hohlraums employing low gas-fill, now used almost exclusively as these provide the highest performing implosions and reduce Stimulated Brillouin and Raman backscatter losses, since the gas plasma provides less back pressure to limit blow-in of the hohlraum wall and capsule ablator plasmas. In order to understand this dynamic behavior, we combined multi-keV X-ray imaging of the wall and imploded fuel plasmas as we changed a single parameter at a time: hohlraum gas-fill, laser outer cone picket energy, radius of high density carbon capsules used, and laser beam polar and azimuthal pointing geometry. We developed a physics-based multi-parameter experimental scaling to explain the results that extend prior scalings and compare those to radiation hydrodynamic simulations to develop a more complete picture of how hohlraum, capsule, and laser parameters affect pole vs equator drive symmetry.
Thermal conductivity of ThO2: Effect of point defect disorder
Authors: Deskins W. Ryan , Hamed Ahmed , Kumagai Tomohisa , Dennett Cody A. , Peng Jie , Khafizov Marat , Hurley David , El-Azab Anter
Published: February 2021

Thoria (ThO2) has lately gained attention due to its potential for use as a nuclear fuel. From a physics standpoint, ThO2 is an actinide-bearing material with no 5f electrons and is thus ideally suited as a baseline material for future studies of the physical properties of actinide systems with correlated electrons. Current investigations of ThO2 as a nuclear fuel focus on the influence of radiation-induced lattice defects on its thermal properties, especially the conductivity. This work presents a first investigation of the impact of point defect disorder on phonon thermal conductivity of ThO2 by solving the Boltzmann transport equation within the single-mode relaxation time approximation. The relaxation times of intrinsic, three-phonon scattering are calculated by a rigorous sampling of k-points within the irreducible Brillouin zone of the face-centered cubic crystal structure. The effect of point defects on the thermal conductivity of ThO2 is predicted using the classic model by Klemens for phonon relaxation times that result from the change in mass and induced lattice strain associated with point defects. Within this model, the change in force constants and atomic radii are computed using input from an atomistic model of ThO2. The defects considered are uranium substitution at a thorium site, oxygen vacancies and interstitials, and thorium vacancies and interstitials. The results show that the conductivity of ThO2 is highly sensitive to intrinsic point defects and less sensitive to U substitution on the cation sublattice.
Nanoimprintable super antireflective matte black surface achieved by hierarchical micro and nano architecture
Authors: Shinotsuka Kei , Dai Kotaro , Shen Lingfeng , Hirama Satoru , Hatta Yoshihisa , Okamoto Takayuki
Published: February 2021

We report an effective antireflective surface structure fabricated by a sequential process comprising colloidal lithography, maskless plasma etching, and inverted nanoimprinting replication. The hierarchical inverse micro–nano structure is composed of randomly positioned microholes of 3–5 μm in diameter and numerous nanoprotrusions of 60–80 nm diameter located at the bottom surface of the microholes. The inverse micro–nano structure behaves as a high-performance light absorber, exhibiting outstanding optical performances of 0.78% for hemispherical reflectance, and 0.011% for specular reflectance at the incident angle 5° off normal, both on average in the visible range (380–780 nm). Additionally, the optical behavior of the inverse micro–nano structure is numerically investigated with the electric field strength in both frequency and time domains by the finite-element method for Maxwell's equation. As the inverse micro–nano structure exhibits significantly low reflectance and black appearance, it can be applied to antiglare/antireflective surfaces, suitable for the reduction of stray light existing inside of a housing of optical instruments.
Tailoring superconducting phases observed in hyperdoped Si:Ga for cryogenic circuit applications
Authors: Sardashti K. , Nguyen T. , Hatefipour M. , Sarney W. L. , Yuan J. , Mayer W. , Kisslinger K. , Shabani J.
Published: February 2021

Hyperdoping with gallium (Ga) has been established as a route to observe superconductivity in silicon (Si). The relatively large critical temperatures (Tc) and magnetic fields (Bc) make this phase attractive for cryogenic circuit applications, particularly for scalable hybrid superconductor–semiconductor platforms. However, the robustness of Si:Ga superconductivity at millikelvin temperatures is yet to be evaluated. Here, we report the presence of a re-entrant resistive transition below Tc for Si:Ga whose magnitude strongly depends on the distribution of the Ga clusters that precipitate in the implanted Si after annealing. By monitoring the re-entrant resistance over a wide parameter space of implantation energies and fluences, we determine conditions that significantly improve the coherent coupling of Ga clusters, therefore eliminating the re-entrant transition at temperatures as low as 20 mK.
Size-dependent polarizabilities and van der Waals dispersion coefficients of fullerenes from large-scale complex polarization propagator calculations
Authors: Brand Manuel , Ahmadzadeh Karan , Li Xin , Rinkevicius Zilvinas , Saidi Wissam A. , Norman Patrick
Published: February 2021

While the anomalous non-additive size-dependencies of static dipole polarizabilities and van der Waals C6 dispersion coefficients of carbon fullerenes are well established, the widespread reported scalings for the latter (ranging from N2.2 to N2.8) call for a comprehensive first-principles investigation. With a highly efficient implementation of the linear complex polarization propagator, we have performed Hartree–Fock and Kohn–Sham density functional theory calculations of the frequency-dependent polarizabilities for fullerenes consisting of up to 540 carbon atoms. Our results for the static polarizabilities and C6 coefficients show scalings of N1.2 and N2.2, respectively, thereby deviating significantly from the previously reported values obtained with the use of semi-classical/empirical methods. Arguably, our reported values are the most accurate to date as they represent the first ab initio or first-principles treatment of fullerenes up to a convincing system size.
Heavily Si-doped pulsed sputtering deposited GaN for tunneling junction contacts in UV-A light emitting diodes
Authors: Fudetani Taiga , Ueno Kohei , Kobayashi Atsushi , Fujioka Hiroshi
Published: February 2021

We report the characteristics of heavily Si-doped GaN prepared by pulsed sputtering deposition (PSD) and its application as tunneling junction (TJ) contacts for nitride-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs). We determined that the use of PSD allows us to grow extremely heavily Si-doped wurtzite GaN epitaxial layers with [Si] = 1.0 × 1021 cm−3 on commercially available UV-A LED wafers. Then, we processed these samples into LED structures to investigate their device characteristics as TJ-contact LEDs. Compared to commercially available UV-A LEDs with transparent conductive oxide contacts, TJ-contact LEDs with [Si] = 1.0 × 1021 cm−3 at the tunnel-junction interface showed lower differential resistance and, consequently, worked well under a high injection current density of ∼1 kA/cm2 without any degradation. These results indicate that PSD-grown heavily doped n-type GaN is promising for application as a TJ-contact in group III nitride-based optoelectronic devices.
Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy of the photodecarbonylation of photo-oxadibenzocyclooctyne (photo-ODIBO)
Authors: Shenje Learnmore , Thompson William , Ren Zichun , Lin Nannan , Popik Vladimir , Ullrich Susanne
Published: February 2021

The ultrafast dynamics of photo-OxaDiBenzocycloOctyne (photo-ODIBO) photo-dissociation was studied using femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. Steady-state UV–Vis, time-dependent density functional theory, and 350 nm and 321 nm transient absorption studies are reported. Photo-ODIBO excitation with 321 nm and 350 nm light-induced photodecarbonylation of the cyclopropenone functional group results in the formation of ODIBO. The presence of the photoproduct was confirmed by the results of steady-state photolysis experiments and the observation of absorption signatures of ODIBO in the photo-ODIBO transient absorption spectra. Analysis of the latter revealed the underlying photochemical mechanisms and associated time constants, following excitation of the samples. The dynamics show a multi-exponential decay process, following the dissociation of photo-ODIBO into an excited state of the photoproduct ODIBO within <294 fs after 321 nm excitation. 350 nm excitation, on the other hand, is shown to produce ground state ODIBO via an intermediate species. Additional transient absorption measurements were performed directly on the photoproduct ODIBO to help distinguish spectral signatures associated with these processes.
Absolute throughput calibration of multiple spherical crystals for the Orion High-REsolution X-ray spectrometer (OHREX)
Authors: MacDonald M. J. , Widmann K. , Beiersdorfer P. , Hell N. , Hoarty D. J. , Magee E. W. , Shah C. , Shepherd R. , Brown G. V.
Published: February 2021

We present absolute throughput analysis of several crystals for the Orion High-REsolution X-ray (OHREX) imaging crystal spectrometer using ray tracing and experimental measurements. The OHREX spectrometer is a high-resolution x-ray spectrometer designed to measure spectral line shapes at the Orion laser facility. The spectrometer is fielded with up to two spherical crystals simultaneously covering two independent spectral ranges. Each crystal has a nominal radius of curvature of R = 67.2 cm and is fielded at a nominal Bragg angle of 51.3°. To cover different bands of interest, several different crystals are available, including Ge (111), KAP, and several cuts of quartz, whose resolving power λ/Δλ exceeds 10 000. The calibrated response of the available crystals has previously been reported from measurements at the EBIT-I electron beam ion trap at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Here, we model the absolute throughput of each crystal using ray tracing and verify the results using experimental data for the quartz (101¯1) crystal.
Water quality and management in the Australian pig industry
Authors: Edwards Louise , Crabb Helen
Published: February 2021

Context Water is the first nutrient and an essential component of all agricultural production systems. Despite its importance there has been limited research on water, and in particular, the impact of its availability, management and quality on production systems. Aims This research sought to describe the management and quality of water used within the Australian pig industry. Specifically, the water sources utilised, how water was managed and to evaluate water quality at both the source and the point of delivery to the pig. Methods Fifty-seven commercial piggeries across Australia participated in this study by completing a written survey on water management. In addition, survey participants undertook physical farm parameter measurements including collecting water samples. Each water sample was tested for standard quality parameters including pH, hardness, heavy metals and microbiological status. Key results Responses were received from 57 farms, estimated to represent at least 22% of ‘large’ pig herds. Bore water was the most common water source being utilised within the farms surveyed. Management practices and infrastructure delivering water from the source to the point of consumption were found to differ across the farms surveyed. Furthermore, water was regularly used as a delivery mechanism for soluble additives such as antibiotics. The quality of water at the source and point of consumption was found to be highly variable with many parameters, particularly pH, hardness, salinity, iron, manganese and microbiological levels, exceeding the acceptable standard. Conclusions In general, water quality did not appear to be routinely monitored or managed. As a result, farm managers had poor visibility of the potential negative impacts that inferior water quality or management may be having on pig production and in turn the economics of their business. Indeed, inferior water quality may impact the delivery of antibiotics and in turn undermine the industry’s antimicrobial stewardship efforts. Implications The study findings suggest that water quality represents a significant challenge to the Australian pig industry. Access to drinking water of an acceptable quality is essential for optimal pig performance, health and welfare but also to ensure farm to fork supply chain integrity, traceability and food safety.
NAD
+
depletion by type I interferon signaling sensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to NAMPT inhibition
Authors: Moore Alexandra M. , Zhou Lei , Cui Jing , Li Luyi , Wu Nanping , Yu Alice , Poddar Soumya , Liang Keke , Abt Evan R. , Kim Stephanie , Ghukasyan Razmik , Khachatourian Nooneh , Pagano Kristina , Elliott Irmina , Dann Amanda M. , Riahi Rana , Le Thuc , Dawson David W. , Radu Caius G. , Donahue Timothy R.
Published: February 2021

Significance

A hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is its extensively reprogrammed metabolic network, in which NAD and its reduced form NADH are critical cofactors. Here, we show that IFN signaling, present in a subset of PDAC tumors, increases consumption of NAD(H) through upregulation of PARP9, PARP10, and PARP14. This NAD(H) consumption results in increased dependence upon NAMPT for the recycling of NAM to salvage NAD pools, thus sensitizing these tumor cells to treatment with pharmacologic NAMPT inhibition by decreasing PDAC cell proliferation and invasion in vitro and suppressing orthotopic tumor growth and liver metastases in vivo through this mechanism.
Plant egg cell fate determination depends on its exact position in female gametophyte
Authors: Sun Yang , Wang Xiu , Pan Lin , Xie Fei , Dai Bo , Sun Mengxiang , Peng Xiongbo
Published: February 2021

Significance

In a mature female gametophyte of angiosperm, one egg cell and two synergid cells, referred to as the “egg apparatus,” originate from the same functional megaspore. How the egg cell and synergid cells differentiate into distinct cell types has drawn much attention but remains unclear. In this work, a live imaging system was established to visualize nuclear movement and cell specialization in female gametophytes. The final localization of the nuclei before cellularization was found to be critical for determining the cell fates of the egg apparatus. Artificial changes in the nuclear position could produce two functional egg cells. Furthermore, the plant hormone auxin was suggested as a positional cue for egg apparatus specialization.
Early systemic immune biomarkers predict bone regeneration after trauma
Authors: Cheng Albert , Vantucci Casey E. , Krishnan Laxminarayanan , Ruehle Marissa A. , Kotanchek Theresa , Wood Levi B. , Roy Krishnendu , Guldberg Robert E.
Published: February 2021

Significance

Chronic nonunion following traumatic bone injury remains a challenging clinical problem, and delayed treatment of an established nonunion is associated with variable outcomes and often prolonged patient disability. Here we used a rodent model of nonunion with delayed treatment to investigate the factors that influence effective healing. We found that certain immune profiles are linked to impaired bone regeneration. In particular, increased early levels of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and the cytokine interleukin-10 in blood are predictive of subsequent poor healing outcomes. These results suggest that the early systemic immune response to trauma can help predict the long-term effectiveness of bone healing treatments and may inform the development of immunotherapies for orthopedic repair.
From beautiful to cute
Authors: Miller Laura , Stevens Carolyn S.
Published: February 2021

Japanese visual aesthetics as represented in traditional arts such as flower arranging, calligraphy and tea ceremony have long been celebrated or even emulated as exemplary expressions of beauty. The Japanese termutsukushii(beautiful) can be used to describe a wide variety of pleasing aspects of daily life, ranging from the human form to nature and even the gustatory experience. This article outlines traditional notions of beauty in the Japanese language, sketching forward to more contemporary expressions of visual culture that cluster around the termkawaii. This word is often translated as “cute” in English, but we maintain thatkawaiiextends well beyond its denotative sense to encompass a more complex spectrum of meanings. For example, it can be used to describe objects and practices which have both sentimental charm as well as dark humour. We argue that thekawaiiaesthetic has been successful because it serves important emotional and social functions. Finally, the differences between the termsutsukushiiandkawaiiare gendered and class based, withkawaiioften providing a democratic expression of resistance to gendered processes of aging, ideas of class and taste, and attractiveness in Japan’s postmodern society. This essay begins with an overview of the semantic meanings of the concepts of beauty and cuteness in Japanese, followed by a discussion focused on the historical antecedents of the Japanese notion of cuteness. The third section shifts to an analysis of the expansion of thekawaiiconcept in post-war society and its socio-cultural functions. The essay closes with exploration of a few of the hybrid offshoots derived fromkawaii, demonstrating that concepts of beauty in Japan are constantly changing and reacting to social and historical trends.
Conceptualizations of ugly and beautiful
Authors: Tayebi Tahmineh
Published: February 2021

The aim of this paper is to study conceptualizations of two Persian evaluative terms, namelyzesht(ugly) andzibâ(beautiful), by focusing on their uses at the metapragmatic level in evaluations of im/polite act. To achieve this aim, by drawing on natural and authentic examples from Persian, the relationship between the use of the metapragmatic markerszeshtandzibâand the im/polite (non)linguistic act is addressed and the types of im/polite behaviours that licence the use of these metapragmatic markers are further explored. It will also be argued that conceptualizations of im/politeness seem to be expressed predominantly in terms of aesthetic terms which are situationally constructed and are morally informed. The examples reveal that the use of the aesthetic markers as metapragmatic markers originates from a set of cultural conceptualizations, which are part of the moral order, and in fact, shape and are, over time, shaped by the norms of im/politeness that exist at multiple levels of society. These socially and culturally shared conceptualizations greatly influence the practices by which judgments and evaluations of im/politeness arises in different types of interaction.
漢語語篇中語義實體的篇章可及性
Authors: Wuyun Saina , Pan Haihua
Published: February 2021

抽象

本文在向心理論的框架下，討論漢語語篇中語句所包含的語義實體（即後指中心集合成員）顯著度等級排序的依據。這一排序是預測某一語句中語義實體相對於其隨後語句的篇章可及性的依據。我們計算並分析了漢語含「把」、「給」、「放」、「被」四類句式的敘述性語篇片段中這四類語句與其之前和隨後語句間回指中心的過渡方式。通過具體的數據分析和比對，我們發現了以下模式和傾向：(1)話題位置的語義實體是維繫篇章連貫性的關鍵，所有觀察的語句均通過話題位置的語義實體實現與其之前和隨後語句間的回指中心延續；(2)除話題位置的語義實體外，後指中心集合成員的顯著度等級排序遵循題元角色序列等級，以題元序列為參考，越靠近左端的題元角色顯著度等級越高，越有機會被作為回指及優選中心；(3)話題的顯著度不受題元序列的影響，因此漢語後指中心集合成員的排序應分為兩個層級，第一層確認話題，第二層將剩餘語義實體按照題元序列排序，該排序決定語句中每一個語義實體的篇章顯著度和篇章可及性。
The voice(s) of Julio Gómez de la Serna in Oscar Wilde’s Obras completas
Authors: Valdeón Roberto A.
Published: February 2021

This article studies the concepts of voice and of the translation pact with regard to Julio Gómez de la Serna’s
translation of Obras completas by Oscar Wilde, first published in 1943 after Franco had established his rule of
Spain. More precisely, it focuses on the two paratexts that preceded the translations and on the Spanish version of his essay
The Soul of Man Under Socialism. The study considers how the translator addressed Wilde’s homosexual scandal
and his translation of a potentially controversial text at a time when the censorship office was imposing severe constraints on
the publication of literary works. The analysis shows that Gómez de la Serna managed to circumvent these constraints while
remaining loyal to the author and faithful to his work.
Research on Intelligent Control System of High Power Soft Starter Based on Discrete Frequency Conversion Technology
Authors: Peng Hui
Published: February 2021

Thyristor soft starter can effectively solve the three-phase asynchronous motor starting current problem, but its reduced starting current is achieved by reducing the output voltage and inevitably reducing the motor starting torque, it is difficult to use for heavy start of the occasion. A kind of soft starter based on discrete frequency conversion method is designed for the problem that the starting torque is small, the starting current is large, and the overloading cannot start. Based on the analysis of the working principle of the thyristor soft starter, this paper makes a deep research on the soft start control mode and realization method of the discrete frequency conversion without changing the main circuit structure of the original thyristor soft starter. Firstly, the soft starter hardware based on the three-phase anti-parallel thyristor main circuit and the current effective value is calculated by using high-speed A/D. Then, the soft start control strategy based on discrete frequency conversion is analyzed, with a 3kW/380V three-phase asynchronous motor for the test motor, respectively, the motor started a different way to simulate and test.
Experimental Study on Electro Chemical Catalytic Oxidation Desulfurization of High Sulfur Coal Based on Computer
Authors: Wang Aiqing
Published: February 2021

Coal and other fossil energy has a greater pollution, especially in the process of its combustion will bring a variety of environmental pollution problems, such as sulfur dioxide combustion, which produces more serious air pollution. Therefore, in order to reduce coal pollution, it is necessary to carry out desulfurization treatment before coal combustion. There are many shortcomings and problems in the traditional coal desulfurization methods, mainly in secondary pollution and harsh operating environment. As a mild desulfurization and purification technology, the research value of Electrochemical Catalytic Oxidation Desulfurization (ECOD) is highlighted. Based on this, this paper first analyses the process flow and desulfurization mechanism of high sulfur coal Electrocatalytic Oxidation Desulfurization (EOD) technology, and then studies the ECOD technology of high sulfur coal, and verifies the influencing factors of ECOD of high sulfur coal.
Design of Automobile Rapid Maintenance Based on Digital Maintenance Assistant System
Authors: Luo Cong
Published: February 2021

In recent years, with the rapid growth of China’s automobile ownership, the profit proportion of automobile aftermarket in the automobile industry is increasing day by day, and the automobile service industry is gradually growing in the development of China’s national economy. The current automobile maintenance management software is not good and bad, most of these management software in order to meet the common possible user needs and lead to the same software function, lack of consideration for the management system of small and medium-sized enterprises, and there are certain defects in generality. At the recent 2020 China Automobile Supply Chain Conference, Wu Wei, director of the Machinery Department of the Industrial Development Department of the national development and Reform Commission, said that the production and sales volume of the automobile market had achieved a year-on-year growth for six consecutive months. If this momentum can continue in the fourth quarter, the total production and sales volume by the end of this year is expected to be close to the level of last year. Automobile fast repair refers to the activities of automobile maintenance and minor repair, but not vehicle repair, automobile assembly repair and secondary maintenance. The service scope is locked in 120 fast repair and maintenance items that can be completed within 2 hours. At present, the total number of motor vehicles in our country is huge, and the number of maintenance enterprises can not meet the demand of maintenance, so the potential of automobile fast repair market is unlimited. As the main business of fast repair industry, automobile fast repair is paid more and more attention by people. The application of digital management mode and maintenance cases creates good conditions for the development of fast repair enterprises, and makes it possible for fast repair enterprises to adopt reasonable maintenance methods. This paper focuses on the chaos in maintenance management, On the basis of the research and analysis of automobile maintenance management system and digital management concept, taking customer demand as the starting point, this paper designs a digital automobile maintenance auxiliary system specially for automobile fast repair enterprises to assist managers in maintenance management, so as to achieve the purpose of standardized management business “fast and reasonable” maintenance, and improve customer satisfaction.
Research on the Construction of Configuration Software for Building Electrical Equipment Computer Internet of Things System
Authors: Chen Deming
Published: February 2021

With the rapid iteration of computer information technology, the application of computer-based configuration software in building electrical equipment can further improve the functionality of the building itself, meet people’s needs for building residence, office and other activities, improve people’s living and use experience and feelings, and help to achieve energy conservation and emission reduction, and reduce the use cost of buildings, therefore, it has important research value. Based on this, this paper first analyses the characteristics and application process of the configuration software of the computer Internet of things system, and then gives the construction and application strategy of the configuration software of the computer Internet of things for building electrical equipment.
Research and Development of Photovoltaic Module Intelligent Cleaning Robot
Authors: Wang Dingyou
Published: February 2021

Serious stains on the surface of photovoltaic modules will affect the efficiency of power generation and may cause fire. Therefore, the cleaning must be clean and thorough. If the dead corner is left, it may cause “hot spot effect” and other serious consequences. The effect of photovoltaic module surface fouling on power generation efficiency is quite significant. Firstly, the surface turbidity affects the light transmission rate, and then affects the radiation amount accepted by the module surface; secondly, the dirt adheres to the surface of the panel and forms shadow, which produces hot spot effect in the local part of the PV module, thus causing damage to the PV panel, affecting the power generation rate and shortening the life of the PV panel. This process will aggravate the aging of the battery panel, reduce the output, and even cause a fire in serious cases. Photovoltaic cleaning robot is a new thing. In recent years, it has been highly concerned by the majority of photovoltaic power plant owners and photovoltaic enterprises. Photovoltaic cleaning robots can not only tell stories. However, it is necessary to realize the unattended periodic cleaning, intelligent dust removal and snow removal of photovoltaic modules through low cost and high reliability, and improve the efficiency of cleaning dust on the surface of photovoltaic panels by using intelligent cleaning robots, and thoroughly remove the dust and dirt on the surface of photovoltaic panels, so as to improve the power generation efficiency. Extend the service life of photovoltaic power station. This is a real practical photovoltaic cleaning robot[1].
Research on Computer System Implementation of ISO14443B Protocol Communication Data Acquisition based on FPGA
Authors: Wang Guanjun , Liu Xuejun , Sun Wengao
Published: February 2021

As a programmable logic device, FPGA can be used as a bridge for logic adaptation and timing matching between chip components. For example, in a data acquisition system, data of ten channels need to be collected at the same time. In this case, ten identical data acquisition modules can be instantiated in the FPGA to connect ten external data sensor chips respectively by taking advantage of the parallelism of FPGA, so as to realize the logical adaptation of chip devices. In certain applications such as audio processing, video processing, digital communications, encryption, decryption, etc., as a result of the FPGA computing can parallelism, and FPGA is algorithm Yu into hardware, namely a logic gate and a register, so its execution efficiency usually than machine code and assembly language of single thread special micro processing, the need to replace DSP parallel supercomputing occasions and microprocessors.