bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Dysphonic Voice on Speech Intelligibility in Cantonese-Speaking Adults
Authors: Ma Estella P.-M. , Tse Mandy M.-S. , Momenian Mohammad , Pu Dai , Chen Felix F. 
Published: December 2020

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effects of dysphonic voice on speech intelligibility in Cantonese-speaking adults.

Method

Speech recordings from three speakers with dysphonia secondary to phonotrauma and three speakers with healthy voices were presented to 30 healthy listeners (15 men and 15 women;
M
age
= 22.7 years) under six noise conditions (signal-to-noise ratio [SNR] −10, SNR −5, SNR 0, SNR +5, SNR +10) and quiet conditions. The speech recordings were composed of sentences with five different lengths: five syllables, eight syllables, 10 syllables, 12 syllables, and 15 syllables. The effects of speaker's voice quality, background noise condition, and sentence length on speech intelligibility were examined. Speech intelligibility scores were calculated based on the listener's correct judgment of the number of syllables heard as a percentage of the total syllables in each stimulus.

Results
Dysphonic voices, as compared to healthy voices, were significantly more affected by background noise. Speech presented with dysphonic voices was significantly less intelligible than speech presented with healthy voices under unfavorable SNR conditions (SNR −10, SNR −5, and SNR 0 conditions). However, there was no sufficient evidence to suggest effects of sentence length on intelligibility, regardless of the speaker's voice quality or the level of background noise.

Conclusions
This study provides empirical data on the impacts of dysphonic voice on speech intelligibility in Cantonese speakers. The findings highlight the importance of educating the public about the impacts of voice quality and background noise on speech intelligibility and the potential of compensatory strategies that specifically address these barriers.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.13335926
Optimal tie‐line and battery sizing for remote provisional microgrids
Authors: Masaud Tarek Medalel , El‐Saadany Ehab 
Published: December 2020

AbstractUnlike traditional microgrids, Provisional Microgrid (PMG) utilizes only renewable generation and small energy storage units; thus, it does not have an inherent self‐islanding capability and instead, relies on importing power from any coupled microgrid (CMG) for islanding purposes. Therefore, assuring adequate power sharing between interconnected provisional and coupled MGs is crucial for assuring self‐islanding capability and reliable operation. The optimal power that can be transferred between the coupled MG and the PMG is mainly restricted by the size of the interconnecting tie‐line; hence, determining the tie‐line optimal size becomes a crucial task that must be tackled. Furthermore, the amount of power transferred is significantly influenced by the flexibility level of each microgrid. Since battery storage systems (BSS) is the main source of flexibility in PMGs, it becomes also vital to obtain the optimal size of the BSS for planning islanded PMG system. This paper presents an optimization model to jointly determine the optimal size of the BSS in each MG and the tie‐line size to assure optimal power sharing and minimum system cost (tie‐line investment cost, BSS investment cost, and interconnected system’s operation cost). Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model.
Balanced substrate integrated waveguide filters with controllable finite transmission zeros
Authors: Liu Qing , An Na , He Zhongyang , Zhang Dewei , Wang Xian , Zhou Dongfang 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis article presents a design method for balanced substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) filters with controllable finite transmission zeros (FTZs). The balanced SIW filters are designed by combining one dual‐mode and four single‐mode SIW cavities. Characteristics of the proposed balanced SIW filters without and with cross‐coupling path are analysed in detail. The proposed balanced SIW filters can realize one or two controllable FTZs. Based on the characteristic of dual‐mode SIW cavity, good performance of common mode suppression can also be achieved. For the demonstration, some design examples with the centre frequency of 12.5 GHz are presented, and two design examples are fabricated to verify the performance of the proposed balanced SIW filters and the design method.
Memory‐augmented cognitive radar for obstacle avoidance using nearest steering vector search
Authors: Guo Liyong , Antoniou Michail , Baker Christopher J. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis study describes a cognitive radar architecture with application to real‐time obstacle avoidance in mobile robotic platforms. The concept of a world memory map is introduced as a means of providing an enhanced perception of the environment around the robotic platform. This is combined with a specially designed obstacle avoidance algorithm, Nearest Steering Vector Searching, all capable of operating in real‐time. The study analytically derives the radar signal processing algorithm, starting from range‐angle maps, so that a collision free course to a set destination point can be robustly navigated. Finally, the performance of this cognitive approach is examined through a number of proof‐of‐concept experiments using a commercial off‐the‐shelf radar mounted on a mobile ground robotic platform.
Physical characterization of S169: a prototypical IR bubble associated with the massive star-forming region IRAS 12326-6245
Authors: Duronea N. U. , Cichowolski S. , Bronfman L. , Mendoza E. , Finger R. , Suad L. A. , Corti M. , Reynoso E. M. 
Published: December 2020

Aims. With the aim of studying the physical properties of Galactic IR bubbles and to explore their impact in massive star formation, we present a study of the IR bubble S169, associated with the massive star forming region IRAS 12326-6245.
Methods. We used CO (2–1),13CO (2–1), C18O (2–1), HCN (3–2), and HCO+ (3–2) line data obtained with the APEX telescope using the on-the-fly full sampling technique to study the properties of the molecular gas in the nebula and the IRAS source. To analyze the properties and distribution of the dust, we made use of images obtained from the IRAC-GLIMPSE, Herschel, and ATLASGAL archives. The properties of the ionized gas in the nebula were studied using radio continuum and Hα images obtained from the SUMSS survey and SuperCOSMOS database, respectively. In our search for stellar and protostellar objects in the region, we used point source calalogs obtained from the MSX, WISE, GLIMPSE, 2MASS, AAVSO, ASCC-2.5V3, and GAIA databases.
Results. The new APEX observations allowed us to identify three molecular components, each one associated with different regions of the nebula, namely: at −39 km s−1 (component A), −25 km s−1 (component B), and −17 km s−1 (component C). Component A is shown to be the most dense and clumpy. Six molecular condensations (MC1 to MC6) were identified in this component, with MC3 (the densest and more massive one) being the molecular counterpart of IRAS 12326-6245. For this source, we estimated an H2 column density up to 8 × 1023 cm−2. An LTE analysis of the high density tracer lines HCO+ (3–2) and HCN (3–2) on this source, assuming 50 and 150 K, respectively, indicates column densities of N(HCO+) = (5.2 ± 0.1) × 1013 cm−2 and N(HCN) = (1.9 ± 0.5) × 1014 cm−2. To explain the morphology and velocity of components A, B, and C, we propose a simple model consisting of a partially complete semisphere-like structure expanding at ~12 km s−1. The introduction of this model has led to a discussion about the distance to both S169 and IRAS 12326-6245, which was estimated to be ~2 kpc. Several candidate YSOs were identified, projected mostly onto the molecular condensations MC3, MC4, and MC5, which indicates that the star-formation process is very active at the borders of the nebula. A comparison between observable and modeled parameters was not enough to discern whether the collect-and-collapse mechanism is acting at the edge of S169. However, other processes such as radiative-driven implosion or even a combination of both mechanisms, namely, collect-and-collapse and radiative-driven implosion, could be acting simultaneously in the region.
Non-coding RNA model improves prognostic prediction in patients with nephroblastoma
Authors: Sun Jingzhu , Geng Zezheng , Liu Naiwen , Fang Xiaonan 
Published: December 2020

Background. Nephroblastoma (Wilms tumor) is a common abdominal malignancy in children, ranking second among abdominal malignancies in children, but the pathogenesis is still unclear, and further research on their molecular mechanisms is needed.
Method. We obtained lncRNA expression and clinical data from the TARGET database of the GDC data portal of the American Cancer Institute. Effective patient samples were determined based on gene differential expression analysis and clinical data screening. The risk calculation model was established by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis, after which the samples were divided into training group and test group to predict the prognosis of patients with nephroblastoma, and then the independent validation on gender was carried out for all samples. Finally, the corresponding target genes of lncRNA were predicted for functional enrichment analysis to explore the enrichment of genes and the interaction between them.
Result. 125 valid samples were identified after screening 136 samples. After experimental analysis, five significant lncRNAs (AC004233.3, AC055764.1, SCAT8, LINC02623, AL118505.1) associated with the prognosis of nephroblastoma were found and validated. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve on the test set was 0.732, which indicated that the model was accurate and the independence verification had good discrimination. In the enrichment analysis, we can intuitively see the significant situation and promotion or inhibition of genes. It can be inferred that the experimental five lncRNAs may regulate the expression of related protein-coding genes and the production process of nephroblastoma, thus affecting the relevant pathways of cancer development.
Conclusions. This study systematically analyzed the lncRNA expression and clinical data of patients with nephroblastoma. The data obtained by establishing Cox proportional hazard regression model can further understand the molecular mechanism related to nephroblastoma and play an auxiliary role in the clinical diagnosis of doctors, thereby improving the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of patients with nephroblastoma.
Monoarticular synovitis of knee: dealing with the dilemma
Authors: Goyal Tarun , Paul Souvik , Kundu Choudhury Arghya , Kalonia Tushar 
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Chronic synovitis involving a single large joint remains a diagnostic dilemma. We present 61 cases of chronic synovitis of the knee, followed prospectively for 2 years. The study focuses on the diagnosis, management, and histopathological correlation. Methods: We prospectively studied 61 patients with chronic mono-articular synovitis of the knee joint, between July 2016 and September 2017. All patients underwent plain radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, and arthroscopic examination with synovial biopsy. Further treatment was based on findings of histopathological examination. Results: The average duration of symptoms was 7.72 ± 4.34 months. The mean age at presentation was 29.93 ± 15.56 years. Results of histopathological examination showed chronic nonspecific inflammation in 28 patients (46%), features suggesting tubercular infection in 19 patients (31%), pigmented villonodular synovitis in seven patients (11.5%), rheumatoid arthritis in three (5%) patients, acute inflammation in three (5%) patients and findings suggestive of synovial chondromatosis in one (1.5%) patient. Treatment was based on histopathological results. Intra-articular injections of methylprednisolone (80 mg depot preparation) were given to all patients with nonspecific synovitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Anti-tubercular treatment was started for patients with tubercular synovitis. Complete arthroscopic/open synovectomy followed by radiotherapy was carried out for patients with pigmented villonodular synovitis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used for patients with acute on chronic inflammation. All patients had symptomatic relief and functional improvement in further follow-up. Discussion: Histopathological reporting remains the mainstay for diagnosis. The various differentials should always be kept in mind when approaching patients with chronic mono-articular synovitis. Specific treatment can be started once the diagnosis is confirmed.
Synthetic Studies on Cyclocitrinol: Construction of the ABC Ring System Based on Epoxy–Nitrile Cyclization
Authors: Tanino Keiji , Sato Kazuto 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe stereoselective synthesis of a model compound containing the ABC ring system of cyclocitrinol was accomplished. After connecting a C ring allyltitanium segment with an A ring bi­cyclo[4.1.0]heptanone segment, the seven-membered B ring moiety was constructed by an intramolecular cyclization reaction of an epoxy nitrile. The enone moiety was introduced through an oxidative decyanation reaction, and the bicyclo[4.4.1]undecane skeleton with the highly strained olefin moiety was formed through a ring-opening reaction of the bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane substructure.
Aortic Rupture during Endovascular Aneurysm Repair. Report of Our Experience and Review of the Literature
Authors: Moulakakis Konstantinos G. , Lazaris Andreas M. , Kakisis John D. , Sfyroeras George S. , Theocharopoulos George , Panagiotopoulos Andreas I. , Krinos Nikolas , Geroulakos George 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background Aortic neck wall rupture during endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (EVAR) is an underreported potentially fatal complication. Only a few cases have been reported. The main cause of this complication is repeated attempts at balloon inflation or overdilation to treat an intraoperative Type 1a endoleak. We report three cases complicated by procedure-related aortic neck wall rupture during EVAR. We also review the literature regarding the causes and outcomes of this complication.
Methods Medical records of all patients undergoing EVAR between January 2009 and March 2019 were retrospectively reviewed.
Results Overall, 824 EVAR procedures were performed, and rupture of the aortic neck wall was observed in three patients. In all cases, a Type 1a endoleak was observed and, in all cases, repeated ballooning attempts had been performed to resolve the endoleaks. In all cases, conversion to open repair was performed and all patients survived.
Conclusion In cases of Type 1a endoleak, a maximum of two ballooning attempts should be performed even if a Type 1a endoleak persists. In case of intraoperative aortic neck wall rupture, control of the hemorrhage should be achieved immediately by advancing the balloon above the site of rupture. Emergency surgical conversion in case of hemodynamic stability is the first choice. According to the literature, emergency surgical conversion, especially in cases of endograft with suprarenal fixation, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates, mainly due to hemorrhage and to the length of the procedure required to repair the aortic neck wall injury.
Characteristics of a detached argumentative style in public policy analysis
Authors: Gâță Anca 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
This study is a contribution to the recently introduced notion of argumentative style (van Eemeren 2019) in the framework of the pragma-dialectical approach. It aims at characterizing a detached argumentative style,
by focusing on a speech event pertaining to the communicative activity type organizational discourse, a report on EU environment and climate
change policies. The analysis concerns the executive summary and the key findings of the report, reconstructed in the analysis as the
concluding stage of the critical discussion corresponding to the pragma-dialectical model. The notion of text type (Adam 1992) used in the analysis has allowed a more fine-grained characterization of the detached argumentative style,
especially since the communicative practice under analysis displays a specific discourse format and structure for reasons of
conventionalization and institutionalization. In such circumstances, determined by the type of conventionalization imposed by the context,
the adoption of a detached argumentative style appears to be a pre-requisite. In the concluding stage of a critical discussion the
difference of opinion is not restated, while the most significant standpoints are synthetically (re)presented by an adequate balance of
narrative, descriptive and metadiscursive text strategies meant to support the objectivity, the conciseness of the presentation and also
ensuring the necessary density of information required in a report summary or the presentation of key findings, respectively. While explicit
negative evaluations or formulations of standpoints are avoided, the recommendations are presented as open to adoption or reconsideration by
policymakers.
Las ironías clásicas y modernas en El río del Edén de José María Merino
Authors: Popovic Karic Pol 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
In the novel El río del Edén by José María Merino, the reader learns about the life experiences of Daniel
and Tere. This paper analyzes three stages in their lives: the camping trip, the period before the birth of their son Silvio and the
consequences of his medical condition on his parents. These critical moments have been seen from the ironic perspectives of classical and
contemporary philosophers: Socrates, Cicero, Kierkegaard, Muecke, Glicksberg and Robbe-Grillet, among others. The concept
eiron vs alazon, dissimulation, humor and incoherence are the theoretical tools that permitted this
study to bridge the gap between the literary text and the philosophical approaches to irony.
Common pre- and post-harvest diseases of vegetable crops in Jamaica
Authors: Benkeblia Noureddine 
Published: December 2020

AbstractVegetable production in Jamaica, and throughout the world, faces many diseases that affect the yield and the quality of the fresh harvest produce. However, some diseases are more predominant than others. The most observed diseases of vegetables are anthracnose, leaf spot, club root, downy mildew, gray mold, mosaic and geminiviruses, early blight, septoria leaf spot and leaf rusts. Nevertheless, other diseases can also be found seriously affecting the grown vegetable. Greenhouse cropping systems are also affected by similar and other diseases such as septoria leaf spot, early blight, anthracnose, fusarium wilt, verticillium wilt, late blight, bacterial spot, bacterial speck, bacterial canker, gray mold, leaf mold, powdery mildew and elephant’s foot disease. Although not specific to the country, other diseases are also found more frequently than others, and the frequency varies with the region and the cropping system (indoor or outdoor).
A typology of social characters and various means of control: an analysis of communication during the early stages of the corona pandemic in Germany
Authors: Seidenschnur Tim 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACT
This paper argues that Covid-19 has produced a set of social characters during the corona crisis and that these characters represent different approaches toward control. Social characters emerge as constructs responding to current discourses. They may function as role models in uncertain times and offer orientation. The paper identifies such characters in communication on the online platform Jodel. It analyses and discusses the properties of the following social characters, which are reconstructed inductively from the data, classifying 156 Jodel posts into the following typology: the social worker, the crisis entrepreneur, the worried and depressed loner, the crisis manager, the admonisher, and the health expert. All these characters also display different approaches to how the crisis could be controlled. Some of them highlight economic discourses, others psychological discourses, and again others bureaucratic discourses. The analysis of the social characters and their approaches to control contributes to research on the role of discourses in modern European societies and on how these discourses contribute to different approaches to controlling a crisis.
Solution-processed NiO
x
nanoparticles with a wide pH window as an efficient hole transport material for high performance tin-based perovskite solar cells
Authors: Tong Xiaolan , Li Fangjie , Jin Junjun , Guo Xunyun , Li Jinhua , Yan Feng , Zhao Xing-Zhong , Tai Qidong 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The development of tin-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is a promising approach to meet the demand of eco-friendly, lead-free perovskite photovoltaics. Limited to the poor chemical stability of tin perovskites, tin-based PSCs usually have to be fabricated with an inverted device structure and both the device efficiency and stability are highly dependent on the selection of hole transport materials (HTMs). Here, we report the synthesis of inorganic nickel oxide (NiO
x
) nanoparticles (NPs) via a soft base precipitation method, which enables us to obtain highly dispersed NiO
x
NPs over a wide pH window. The as-prepared NiO
x
NPs are employed as the HTM for formamidinium tin iodide (FASnI3) PSCs, resulting in excellent device efficiency (∼8%) and stability (1200 h). Our study offers a facile strategy for mass production of NiO
x
NPs and easy access to efficient and robust inorganic HTMs that could further boost the development of high performance tin-based PSCs.
‘Beneficial impurities’ in colloidal synthesis of surfactant coated inorganic nanoparticles
Authors: Abutbul Ran Eitan , Golan Yuval 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Colloidal synthesis of nanoparticles (NP) has advanced tremendously over the past 25 years, with an increasing number of research papers introducing nanomaterials with a variety of compositions, shapes, sizes, and phases. Although much progress has been achieved, commonly used synthetic procedures often fail to reproduce results, and the fine details of the syntheses are often disregarded. Reproducibility issues in synthesis can be ascribed to the effects of impurities, trace amounts of chemical moieties which significantly affect the reaction products. Impurities in NP synthesis are rarely reported or regularly studied, despite their impact, deleterious, or beneficial. This topical review discusses several case studies of colloidal NP synthesis where the sources and the chemistry of impurities are highlighted, and their role is examined.
Plasmonic structure with nanocavity cavities for SERS detection of pesticide thiram
Authors: Zhang Yongjun , Zhu Aonan , Wang Yaxin , Zhang Xiaolong 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Excessive thiram residues in food have the potential to negatively impact human health. Hence, the development of a convenient and fast detection method is highly desirable. In this study, an efficient, repeatable, and sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active chip was manufactured via a low-cost colloidal lithography technique. The plasmonic structure was composed of a series of silver nanospheres and nanowires. Interestingly, this type structure creates a nanocavity space with a characteristic geometry generating a strong electromagnetic field coupling. The finite-different time-domain software was employed to simulate the electromagnetic field distribute on the nanocavity. Accordingly, SERS active chip that displays ultra-low concentration detection of thiram (10−11 M) was realized. Moreover, the excellent reproducibility of thiram (10−6 M) practical detection on an apple pericarp has great potential for application in food safety.