bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perceptual Learning of Vocoded Speech With and Without Contralateral Hearing: Implications for Cochlear Implant Rehabilitation
Authors: Chavant Martin , Hervais-Adelman Alexis , Macherey Olivier 
Published: December 2020

Purpose
An increasing number of individuals with residual or even normal contralateral hearing are being considered for cochlear implantation. It remains unknown whether the presence of contralateral hearing is beneficial or detrimental to their perceptual learning of cochlear implant (CI)–processed speech. The aim of this experiment was to provide a first insight into this question using acoustic simulations of CI processing.

Method
Sixty normal-hearing listeners took part in an auditory perceptual learning experiment. Each subject was randomly assigned to one of three groups of 20 referred to as NORMAL, LOWPASS, and NOTHING. The experiment consisted of two test phases separated by a training phase. In the test phases, all subjects were tested on recognition of monosyllabic words passed through a six-channel “PSHC” vocoder presented to a single ear. In the training phase, which consisted of listening to a 25-min audio book, all subjects were also presented with the same vocoded speech in one ear but the signal they received in their other ear differed across groups. The NORMAL group was presented with the unprocessed speech signal, the LOWPASS group with a low-pass filtered version of the speech signal, and the NOTHING group with no sound at all.

Results
The improvement in speech scores following training was significantly smaller for the NORMAL than for the LOWPASS and NOTHING groups.

Conclusions
This study suggests that the presentation of normal speech in the contralateral ear reduces or slows down perceptual learning of vocoded speech but that an unintelligible low-pass filtered contralateral signal does not have this effect. Potential implications for the rehabilitation of CI patients with partial or full contralateral hearing are discussed.
Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 in situ biosynthesis of Ag nanoparticles on TiO2 nanotubes with enhanced photocatalytic performance
Authors: Song Xiaojie , Yang Fan , Wang Xiufang , Zhang Kehua 
Published: December 2020

Biogenetic nanocomposites research provides valuable methods for the green synthesis of nanomaterials. As a dissimilatory metal‐reducing bacterium, Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 is used to reduce Ag+ to Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) (diameter about 10 nm) under anaerobic conditions, resulting in the in‐situ formation of Ag NPs immobilised on TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) (Ag/TNTs nanocomposites). The loading amount of Ag nanocrystals on the TNT surface can be controlled easily through adjusting the AgNO3 concentration and further influence visible‐light absorption efficiency of Ag/TNTs nanocomposites by decreasing the Ag loading amount. Ag/TNTs nanocomposites show superior photocatalytic efficiency under simulated sunlight than single TiO2 nanomaterials. Moreover, the photocatalytic capacity of Ag/TNTs nanocomposites synergistic by S. oneidensis MR‐1 is further enhanced and the degradation ratio of methylene blue reaches 92.3% within 30 min which attributed to a synergistic effect.
Mass segregation and sequential star formation in NGC 2264 revealed by Herschel
Authors: Nony T. , Robitaille J.-F. , Motte F. , Gonzalez M. , Joncour I. , Moraux E. , Men’shchikov A. , Didelon P. , Louvet F. , Buckner A. S. M. , Schneider N. , Lumsden S. L. , Bontemps S. , Pouteau Y. , Cunningham N. , Fiorellino E. , Oudmaijer R. , André P. , Thomasson B. 
Published: December 2020

Context. The mass segregation of stellar clusters could be primordial rather than dynamical. Despite the abundance of studies of mass segregation for stellar clusters, those for stellar progenitors are still scarce, so the question concerning the origin and evolution of mass segregation is still open.
Aims. Our goal is to characterize the structure of the NGC 2264 molecular cloud and compare the populations of clumps and young stellar objects (YSOs) in this region whose rich YSO population has shown evidence of sequential star formation.
Methods. We separated the Herschel column density map of NGC 2264 into three subregions and compared their cloud power spectra using a multiscale segmentation technique. We extracted compact cloud fragments from the column density image, measured their basic properties, and studied their spatial and mass distributions.
Results. In the whole NGC 2264 cloud, we identified a population of 256 clumps with typical sizes of ~0.1 pc and masses ranging from 0.08 M⊙ to 53 M⊙. Although clumps have been detected all over the cloud, most of the massive, bound clumps are concentrated in the central subregion of NGC 2264. The local surface density and the mass segregation ratio indicate a strong degree of mass segregation for the 15 most massive clumps, with a median Σ6 three times that of the whole clumps population and ΛMSR ≃ 8. We show that this cluster of massive clumps is forming within a high-density cloud ridge, which is formed and probably still fed by the high concentration of gas observed on larger scales in the central subregion. The time sequence obtained from the combined study of the clump and YSO populations in NGC 2264 suggests that the star formation started in the northern subregion, that it is now actively developing at the center, and will soon start in the southern subregion.
Conclusions. Taken together, the cloud structure and the clump and YSO populations in NGC 2264 argue for a dynamical scenario of star formation. The cloud could first undergo global collapse, driving most clumps to centrally concentrated ridges. After their main accretion phase, some YSOs, and probably the most massive, would stay clustered while others would be dispersed from their birth sites. We propose that the mass segregation observed in some star clusters is inherited from that of clumps, originating from the mass assembly phase of molecular clouds.
Empfehlungen zur Phytotherapie in der S3-Leitlinie „Peri- und Postmenopause – Diagnostik und Interventionen“
Authors: Klose Petra , Langhorst Jost 
Published: December 2020

ZusammenfassungIm Jahr 2018 wurde die „Leitlinie zur Hormontherapie in der Peri- und Postmenopause“ von 2010 erneuert, neu ausgerichtet und umbenannt. Der Schwerpunkt liegt nach wie vor auf der wissenschaftlichen Aufarbeitung der Möglichkeiten und Risiken der Hormontherapie zur Linderung von menopausalen Beschwerden. Aber im ersten Kapitel zu Diagnostik und Interventionen wird relativ ausführlich auch auf andere Therapiemöglichkeiten eingegangen. So gibt es gegen Hitzewallungen für Traubensilberkerze und Isoflavone eine neutrale sog. „Kann“-Empfehlung, die besagt, dass Evidenz vorhanden, diese aber nur für eine sogenannte „offene“ Empfehlung ausreicht. In den anschließenden Hintergrundtexten werden Traubensilberkerze, Phytoöstrogene bzw. Isoflavone und weitere Therapieoptionen wissenschaftlich beleuchtet und bewertet: Die zahlreichen Studien zu Cimicifuga und zu den phytoöstrogenreichen Pflanzen wie Soja, Rotklee, Rhapontik-Rhabarber, Leinsamen kommen zu keinem einheitlichen Bild, wobei die Wirksamkeit gegen Hitzewallungen jedoch als wahrscheinlich angesehen wird. Weitere Therapieoptionen aus dem Bereich der Phytotherapie und Naturheilkunde, die möglicherweise Wirkung zeigen, sind die Akupunktur und Johanniskraut. Zu wenige Studien gibt es zu Ginseng und zu Tiefenentspannung. Skeptisch werden TCM-Kräuterrezepturen gesehen, da die Studienlage sehr schlecht ist und wenig über Nebenwirkungen und Interaktionen bekannt ist.Alles in allem ist es in der erneuerten Leitlinie gelungen, eine kleine Nische für die Phytotherapie und Naturheilkunde zu erobern. Insgesamt ist die Studienlage nach wie vor nicht gut oder ausreichend, um überzeugend für eine klare Empfehlung von z. B. Traubensilberkerze oder Phytoöstrogenen zu plädieren. Aber die Evidenz reicht immerhin aus, unter streng wissenschaftlichen Gesichtspunkten eine Wirksamkeit anzunehmen. Wichtig ist ebenso, dass die Sicherheit einer Einnahme untersucht und dargelegt werden konnte. So ist den Frauen und behandelnden Ärzten die Möglichkeit eröffnet, diese Phytotherapeutika oder z. B. Akupunktur gegen Hitzewallungen leitlinienkonform anzuwenden und für sich persönlich zu testen.
Healthy Aging
Authors: Gröber Uwe 
Published: December 2020

ZusammenfassungDie Alterung von Körper und Gehirn wird durch mediterrane Ernährung und bedarfsgerechte Substitution von EPA und DHA in Form von Fisch-/Algenöl verlangsamt. Studien belegen die positive Wirkung einer ausreichenden Versorgung mit ω-3-Fettsäuren auf Alterungsprozesse u. a. durch antiinflammatorische Effekte und geringere Verkürzung der Telomere. Ein guter ω-3-Index reduziert deutlich das Risiko für kardiovaskuläre Erkrankungen. Vitamin D beeinflusst ebenfalls Inflammaging und Telomerlänge. Das Prohormon trägt zum Schutz vor neurodegenerativen sowie psychischen Erkrankungen bei, reduziert die allgemeine Mortalität sowie das Sterberisiko bei Darmkrebs und Metabolischem Syndrom. Positive Wirkungen auf Knochendichte und signifikante Reduktion des Sturzrisikos unterstreichen die Bedeutung des Nährstoffs für den alternden Menschen. Da insb. Ältere unzureichend mit Vitamin D versorgt sind, ist die Supplementierung eine wichtige präventivmedizinische und die Lebensqualität erhöhende Strategie.
Synthesis of Spirocyclopropane Oxindoles via Michael-Initiated Cyclopropanation of Pyridinium Salts with 3-Ylidene Oxindoles
Authors: Ren Hongjun , Zhang Jun-Qi , Gao Yujia , Song Jinyu , Hu Dandan , Miao Maozhong 
Published: December 2020

AbstractA Michael-initiated ring-closure reaction of pyridinium salts with arylidene oxindoles has been developed. A wide range of aryl-substituted spirocyclopropane oxindoles has been achieved in moderate to good yields (41–99%).
This efficient strategy exhibits good functional group compatibility and may serve as an attractive method for the synthesis of diverse cyclopropanes.
Zn-Mediated Hydrodeoxygenation of Tertiary Alkyl Oxalates
Authors: Gong Hegui , Ye Yang , Ma Guobin , Yao Ken 
Published: December 2020

AbstractHerein we describe a general, mild, and scalable method for hydrodeoxygenation of readily accessible tertiary alkyl oxalates by Zn/silane under Ni-catalyzed conditions. The reduction
method is suitable for an array of structural motifs derived from tertiary alcohols that bear diverse functional groups, including the synthesis of a key intermediate en route to estrone.
Asparagine Synthetase Deficiency with Intracranial Hemorrhage Can Mimic Molybdenum Cofactor Deficiency
Authors: Abdel-Salam Ghada M. H. , Abdel-Hamid Mohamed S. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractHere we report a consanguineous Egyptian family with two siblings presented with congenital microcephaly, early-onset epileptic encephalopathy, feeding difficulties, and early lethality. The condition was initially diagnosed as molybdenum cofactor deficiency as the brain imaging for one of them showed brain edema and intracranial hemorrhage in addition to the hypoplastic corpus callosum, vermis hypoplasia, and small-sized pons. Subsequently, whole exome sequencing identified a novel homozygous missense variant in exon 4 of ASNS gene c.397_398GT > CA (p.Val133Gln) confirming the diagnosis of asparagine synthetase deficiency syndrome. No discernible alternative cause for the intracranial hemorrhage was found. Our patient is the second to show asparagine synthetase deficiency and intracranial hemorrhage, thus confirming the involvement of ASNS gene. As such, it is important to consider asparagine synthetase deficiency syndrome in patients with microcephaly, brain edema, and neonatal intracranial hemorrhage.
Negative Pressure Pulmonary Edema as a Cause of Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in the Newborn
Authors: Donoso Alejandro , Tomarelli Gianfranco , Arriagada Daniela 
Published: December 2020

AbstractNegative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) is a rare entity that can become life threatening. Its development in neonates is very rare, and its presentation as alveolar hemorrhage is uncommon. We report a case of a newborn 23 days old, previously healthy, who presented an episode of choking during breastfeeding. This progressed to acute respiratory failure due to diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. A few hours after admission, the newborn developed refractory hypoxemia, requiring high-frequency oscillatory ventilation and nitric oxide therapy for 24 hours. NPPE was postulated as a diagnosis of exclusion. The newborn recovered completely. NPPE should always be considered in a case with recent obstruction of the upper airway, even in unusual age groups. Sometimes it can manifest as alveolar hemorrhage.
Case–Parent Trio Studies in Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Khan Mahamad Irfanulla , CS Prashanth 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) is one of the most common congenital malformations in humans involving various genetic and environmental risk factors. The prevalence of CL/P varies according to geographical location, ethnicity, race, gender, and socioeconomic status, affecting approximately 1 in 800 live births worldwide. Genetic studies aim to understand the mechanisms contributory to a phenotype by measuring the association between genetic variants and also between genetic variants and phenotype population. Genome-wide association studies are standard tools used to discover genetic loci related to a trait of interest. Genetic association studies are generally divided into two main design types: population-based studies and family-based studies. The epidemiological population-based studies comprise unrelated individuals that directly compare the frequency of genetic variants between (usually independent) cases and controls. The alternative to population-based studies (case–control designs) includes various family-based study designs that comprise related individuals. An example of such a study is a case–parent trio design study, which is commonly employed in genetics to identify the variants underlying complex human disease where transmission of alleles from parents to offspring is studied. This article describes the fundamentals of case–parent trio study, trio design and its significances, statistical methods, and limitations of the trio studies.
A Hospital-Wide Initiative to Redesign Substance use Disorder Care: Impact on Pharmacotherapy Initiation
Authors: Wakeman Sarah E. , Kane Martha , Powell Elizabeth , Howard Sydney , Shaw Christopher , Kehoe Laura , Rosen Joy , Quinlan Joan , Regan Susan 
Published: December 2020

Background Substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in general medical settings remains underutilized. We evaluated 5 years of a hospital-wide SUD initiative which included an inpatient addiction consult team (ACT), low-threshold Bridge Clinic, recovery coaches, and office-based addiction treatment (OBAT) nurses. Methods Naturalistic registry study. We calculated frequencies of patient contacts, types of substance use diagnoses, and medication treatment initiation and duration. Results From 2014 to 2019, 7,036 unique patients were seen, including 4,959 by ACT, 1,197 in Bridge Clinic, 2,250 by a recovery coach, and 979 by an OBAT nurse. The median age was 47, 31% were women, 80% were white, 7% were black, 6% were Hispanic/Latinx, and 25% were experiencing homelessness. Alcohol use disorder was seen in 62%, opioid use disorder in 54%, cocaine use disorder in 29%, benzodiazepine use disorder in 14%, and stimulant use disorder in 7%. Co-occurring medical and psychiatric illnesses were common; 35% had hepatitis C, 59% depression, 66% anxiety, and 13% schizophrenia. 1,623 patients received a prescription for buprenorphine during the study period (42% of patients with OUD), 877 for oral naltrexone, and 163 for extended-release naltrexone. The mean length of continuous treatment was 178.4 days for buprenorphine, 47.7 days for oral naltrexone, and 1.29 injections for extended-release naltrexone. Conclusion A hospital SUD initiative effectively initiated SUD pharmacotherapy with naltrexone and buprenorphine. Medication treatment episodes were longer with buprenorphine.
Tobacco Quitline Engagement and Outcomes among Primary Care Patients Reporting use of Tobacco or Dual Tobacco and Cannabis: An Observational Study
Authors: McClure Jennifer B. , Lapham Gwen 
Published: December 2020

Background Dual use of tobacco and cannabis is increasingly common, but it is unclear how it impacts individuals’ interest in or ability to stop smoking. If dual users fail to engage in treatment or have worse treatment outcomes, it would suggest that tobacco treatment programs may need to be tailored to the specific needs of those using cannabis and tobacco. Methods We conducted an observational study using electronic treatment records from adults (18 years and older) who (a) were enrolled in a regional healthcare system in Washington state, (b) sought tobacco cessation treatment through an insurance-covered quitline from July 2016 to December 2018 and (c) had cannabis use frequency during the period of their quitline enrollment documented in their electronic health record (EHR) ( n = 1,390). Treatment engagement was defined by the total number of quitline counseling calls and web-logins completed. Point prevalent self-reported tobacco abstinence was assessed 6 months post-quitline enrollment. Results Thirty-two percent of participants ( n = 441) reported dual use of tobacco and any cannabis during the observation period; 9.4% ( n = 130) reported daily cannabis use. Among dual users reporting daily cannabis use, 13.9% had a diagnosed cannabis user disorder in the EHR. Neither engagement with quitline counseling nor long-term tobacco abstinence rates differed between those using tobacco-only and either dual-use group (i.e., persons using any cannabis or daily cannabis). Conclusions Dual use of tobacco and cannabis is common among smokers seen in primary care and those enrolling in quitline care, but it may not undermine tobacco quitline engagement or smoking cessation. Opportunities exist in the US to leverage quitlines to identify and intervene with dual users of tobacco and cannabis. HIGHLIGHTS • Tobacco quitline care was equally engaging and effective among tobacco users and dual users of tobacco and cannabis • Many daily cannabis users calling tobacco quitlines likely have a cannabis use disorder • Tobacco quitlines can be leveraged to identify and intervene with dual users of tobacco and cannabis
Displacement field estimation from OCT images utilizing speckle information with applications in quantitative elastography
Authors: Sherina Ekaterina , Krainz Lisa , Hubmer Simon , Drexler Wolfgang , Scherzer Otmar 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
In this paper, we consider the problem of estimating the internal displacement field of an object which is being subjected to a deformation, from optical coherence tomography images before and after compression. For the estimation of the internal displacement field we propose a novel algorithm, which utilizes particular speckle information to enhance the quality of the motion estimation. We present numerical results based on both simulated and experimental data in order to demonstrate the usefulness of our approach, in particular when applied for quantitative elastography, when the material parameters are estimated in a second step based on the internal displacement field.
Development and validation of a novel fibre-optic respiratory rate sensor (FiRRS) integrated in oxygen delivery devices
Authors: Sinha R , Hernandez Francisco U , He C , Korposh S , Correia R , Norris A M , Liu C , Hayes-Gill B R , Morgan S P 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Respiratory rate (RR) monitoring provides crucial information on the overall health condition of patients and a reliable, low cost RR monitor for normal hospital inpatient or home use would be of significant benefit. The proposed system measures light reflection from a Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) located near, and the total reflection spectrum from a humidity sensing film deposited at, the tip of an optical fibre. Every breath causes a shift in the wavelength reflected from the FBG and intensity change in the overall reflection spectrum. The accuracy of different techniques is investigated in a two-part study with 15 healthy volunteers. In part 1, the participants’ respiration rate followed a handheld mobile application at 5, 12 and 30 breaths per minute with simultaneous measurement using the optical fibre system, thoracic impedance pneumography (TIP) and capnometry device (where possible). Two types of medical face masks and a nasal cannula with oxygen delivery rates were investigated. In part 2, participants wore an anaesthetic face mask and breathed at normal and low tidal volumes to evaluate whether low tidal volumes could be detected. The most accurate measurement of RR was through monitoring the Bragg wavelength shift (mean accuracy = 88.1%), followed by the intensity change at the Bragg wavelength (mean accuracy = 78.9%), capnometry (mean accuracy = 77.8%), area under the overall spectrum (mean accuracy = 65.4%) and TIP (mean accuracy = 43.1%). The Fibre-optic Respiratory Rate Sensor system (FiRRS) can differentiate between normal and low tidal volumes (p-value < 0.05) and demonstrated higher accuracy than capnometry measurement of end-tidal carbon dioxide in exhaled air. These latter two monitors measured RR more accurately than TIP. A comparable accuracy in the measurement of RR was obtained when the FiRRS was implemented in nasal cannula and face masks.
An assessment of contamination pickup on ground robotic vehicles for nuclear surveying application
Authors: Banos A , Hayman J , Wallace-Smith T , Bird B , Lennox B , Scott T B 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Ground robotic vehicles are often deployed to inspect areas where radioactive floor contamination is a prominent risk. However, the accuracy of detection could be adversely affected by enhanced radiation signal through self-contamination of the robot occurring over the course of the inspection. In this work, it was hypothesised that a six-legged robot could offer advantages over the more conventional ground robotic devices such as wheeled and tracked rovers. To investigate this, experimental contamination testing and computational Monte Carlo simulation techniques (GEANT4) were employed to understand how radioactive contamination pick-up on three different robotic vehicles would affect their detection accuracy. Two robotic vehicles were selected for comparison with the hexapod robot based on their type of locomotion; a wheeled rover and a tracked rover. With the aid of a non-toxic fluorescent tracer dust, the contamination received by the all three vehicles when traversing a contaminated area was initially compared through physical inspection using high definition cameras. The parametric results from these tests where used in the computational study carried out in GEANT4. A cadmium zinc telluride detector was simulated at heights ranging from 10 to 50 cm above each contaminated vehicle, as if it were mounted on a plinth. Assuming a uniform activity of 60 Bq cm−2 on all contaminated surfaces, the results suggested that due to the hexapod’s small ground-contacting surface area and geometry, radiation detection rates using an uncollimated detector are likely to be overestimated by between only 0.07%–0.12%, compared with 3.95%–8.43% and 1.75%–14.53% for the wheeled and tracked robot alternatives, respectively.