bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ASR-based dictation practice for second language pronunciation improvement
Authors: McCrocklin Shannon 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn pronunciation learning, there is a need for resources and tools that help students monitor their speech or provide feedback on errors. While researchers have seen ASR-based technologies as potential tools, little attention has been paid to dictation programs, which have been criticized for low levels of recognition, but offer advantages such as accessibility and flexibility. This study examines two groups of learners in a pronunciation workshop: CONV, which had fully face-to-face instruction, and HYBRID, which had half of the instruction face-to-face and half using the computer, practicing production using a dictation program, Windows Speech Recognition. Results show that both groups improved from pre- to post-test and that there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. Results indicate that dictation programs may be useful as a complement to face-to-face pronunciation teaching, especially if in-class time for pronunciation teaching is limited.
Correction timing
Authors: Saeli Hooman 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe current study set out to investigate the effects of oral corrective feedback (OCF) and examine the impact of correction timing on lexical stress and sentence intonation accuracy in a Persian context. The data was collected from a sample of upper-intermediate EFL students (N = 61). Immediate teacher-explicit OCF, delayed teacher-explicit OCF, and a control group were randomly assigned to three classes. A list of 50 new words, contextualized in 50 statements/questions, were utilized to measure any possible gains. Analysis of post-test results confirmed that the teacher immediate OCF (n = 20) and teacher delayed OCF (n = 20) classes outperformed the control group (n = 21). Post-hoc analysis revealed that the treatment groups were not significantly different in lexical stress accuracy gains. In contrast, the immediate group had significantly higher gains than the delayed one in sentence intonation accuracy.
Mediated receptive multilingualism
Authors: Branets Anna , Bahtina Daria , Verschik Anna 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
This article introduces and defines the concept of mediated receptive multilingualism as a mode
of multilingual communication which eases understanding between typologically distant languages through the medium of a language
closely related to the target. In an experimental setting, Estonians without previous exposure to Ukrainian were quite successful
in understanding Ukrainian texts via their knowledge of Russian. As expected, they made use of various language-specific elements
to improve intelligibility, such as linguistic similarities between Russian and Ukrainian. However, a number of extra-linguistic
factors were detected as influential predictors of success, especially metalinguistic awareness, exposure to Russian, exposure to
various registers, experience with multilingual situations, learnability, and attitudes towards Ukrainian. These findings contest
a static take on multilingual potential and point out the emergent nature of competencies and practices that become relevant in
multilingual settings. Unconventional communicative modes – like mediated receptive multilingualism – may activate linguistic and
sociolinguistic resources needed for establishing understanding in novel and potentially challenging communicative settings.
Associations Between Gun Laws and Suicides
Authors: Ghiani Marco , Hawkins Summer Sherburne , Baum Christopher F 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
We examined the impact of a state gun law environment on suicides overall and within demographic subgroups. We linked 211,766 firearm suicides and 204,625 nonfirearm suicides in the 50 states of the United States for 2005–2015 to the population in each state, year, race/ethnicity, sex, and age, as well as to an index of state-level gun control. Difference-in-differences, zero-inflated, negative-binomial models were used to evaluate the impact of strengthening gun control on firearm and nonfirearm suicides. We subsequently stratified by sex and tested for interactions with race/ethnicity and age. We found 25 states strengthened gun control by an average of 6 points. Such an increase may result in a 3.3% (incidence rate ratio = 0.967; 95% confidence interval: 0.938, 0.996) decrease in firearm suicides. Although no impact on nonfirearm suicides was found overall, interaction models showed an increase in nonfirearm suicides among black men, white women, black women, and older individuals. Strengthening gun control may reduce firearm suicides overall but may increase nonfirearm suicides in some populations. The results indicate stricter gun laws should be advocated for and that additional policies are needed for populations who shifted to nonfirearm suicides.
Subjectively and Objectively Measured Sleep Predict Differing Aspects of Cognitive Functioning in Adults
Authors: Bernstein John P K , DeVito Alyssa , Calamia Matthew 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Objective
To examine associations between subjectively-reported sleep and objectively-measured sleep (i.e., actigraphy) with different domains of cognitive functioning, and determine whether age may moderate these associations.

Method
In this cross-sectional study, a total of 489 participants (mean age = 45.4 years; SD = 18.8) completed a self-reported sleep measure and one week of actigraphy. Participants also completed a battery of cognitive tests measuring episodic memory, social cognition, executive functioning, and complex cognition (i.e., reasoning, visuospatial, and language abilities).

Results
Multiple regression analyses revealed that greater objective sleep quality and longer onset latencies were both associated with better performance on measures of conceptual flexibility. In contrast, subjective sleep quality was not associated with performance in any cognitive domain after accounting for objective sleep variables. Age moderated sleep–cognition relationships in differing ways based on cognitive domain and facet of sleep assessed. For example, whereas poorer subjective sleep quality was associated with poorer complex cognition in younger, but not older adults, poorer objective sleep quality was associated with poorer conceptual flexibility in older, but not younger adults.

Conclusions
Objectively-measured and self-reported sleep are associated with differing aspects of executive functioning, with the latter related to executive functioning broadly and the former associated with conceptual flexibility in particular. Age moderates sleep–cognition relationships differentially depending on the method by which sleep quality and quantity are measured.
Nonparametric generalized fiducial inference for survival functions under censoring
Authors: Cui Y , Hannig J 
Published: March 2019

SummarySince the introduction of fiducial inference by Fisher in the 1930s, its application has been largely confined to relatively simple, parametric problems. In this paper, we present what might be the first time fiducial inference is systematically applied to estimation of a nonparametric survival function under right censoring. We find that the resulting fiducial distribution gives rise to surprisingly good statistical procedures applicable to both one-sample and two-sample problems. In particular, we use the fiducial distribution of a survival function to construct pointwise and curvewise confidence intervals for the survival function, and propose tests based on the curvewise confidence interval. We establish a functional Bernstein–von Mises theorem, and perform thorough simulation studies in scenarios with different levels of censoring. The proposed fiducial-based confidence intervals maintain coverage in situations where asymptotic methods often have substantial coverage problems. Furthermore, the average length of the proposed confidence intervals is often shorter than the length of confidence intervals for competing methods that maintain coverage. Finally, the proposed fiducial test is more powerful than various types of log-rank tests and sup log-rank tests in some scenarios. We illustrate the proposed fiducial test by comparing chemotherapy against chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy, using data from the treatment of locally unresectable gastric cancer.
A deep learning model based on sparse auto-encoder for prioritizing cancer-related genes and drug target combinations
Authors: Chang Ji-Wei , Ding Yuduan , Tahir ul Qamar Muhammad , Shen Yin , Gao Junxiang , Chen Ling-Ling 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Prioritization of cancer-related genes from gene expression profiles and proteomic data is vital to improve the targeted therapies research. Although computational approaches have been complementing high-throughput biological experiments on the understanding of human diseases, it still remains a big challenge to accurately discover cancer-related proteins/genes via automatic learning from large-scale protein/gene expression data and protein–protein interaction data. Most of the existing methods are based on network construction combined with gene expression profiles, which ignore the diversity between normal samples and disease cell lines. In this study, we introduced a deep learning model based on a sparse auto-encoder to learn the specific characteristics of protein interactions in cancer cell lines integrated with protein expression data. The model showed learning ability to identify cancer-related proteins/genes from the input of different protein expression profiles by extracting the characteristics of protein interaction information, which could also predict cancer-related protein combinations. Comparing with other reported methods including differential expression and network-based methods, our model got the highest area under the curve value (>0.8) in predicting cancer-related genes. Our study prioritized ~500 high-confidence cancer-related genes; among these genes, 211 already known cancer drug targets were found, which supported the accuracy of our method. The above results indicated that the proposed auto-encoder model could computationally prioritize candidate proteins/genes involved in cancer and improve the targeted therapies research.
Frailty is independently associated with worse health-related quality of life in chronic kidney disease: a secondary analysis of the Frailty Assessment in Chronic Kidney Disease study
Authors: Nixon Andrew C , Bampouras Theodoros M , Pendleton Neil , Mitra Sandip , Brady Mark E , Dhaygude Ajay P 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Background
Understanding how frailty affects health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) could assist in the development of management strategies to improve outcomes for this vulnerable patient group. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between frailty and HRQOL in patients with CKD Stages 4 and 5 (G4–5) and those established on haemodialysis (G5D).

Methods
Ninety participants with chronic kidney disease (CKD G4–5D) were recruited between December 2016 and December 2017. Frailty was assessed using the Frailty Phenotype, which included assessments of unintentional weight loss, weakness (handgrip strength), slowness (walking speed), physical activity and self-perceived exhaustion. HRQOL was assessed using the RAND 36-Item Health Survey Version 1.0 (SF-36).

Results
Nineteen (21%) patients were categorized as frail. Frailty, when adjusted for age, gender, dialysis dependence and comorbidity, had a significant effect on five of the eight SF-36 domains: physical functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, energy/fatigue, social functioning and pain. Regression modelling best explained the variation in the physical functioning domain (adj. R2 = 0.27, P &lt; 0.001), with frailty leading to a 26-point lower score. Exhaustion was the only Frailty Phenotype component that had a significant effect on scores across all SF-36 domains.

Conclusions
Frailty is independently associated with worse HRQOL in patients with CKD G4–5D, with self-perceived exhaustion being the most significant Frailty Phenotype component contributing to HRQOL. Efforts should be made to identify frail patients with CKD so that management strategies can be offered that aim to improve morbidity, mortality and patient-reported outcomes, including HRQOL and fatigue.
Bio-Key Based AES for Personalized Image Cryptography
Authors: Vijayarajan R , Gnanasivam P , Avudaiammal R 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
In the era of multimedia technologies and rapidly growing multimedia contents, secured information transfer needs to be ensured through robust cryptography techniques. This paper presents a bio-key-generation scheme in the local environment to transfer multimedia content over vulnerable networks. To encrypt the images, one user has to ensure his/her authentication and further needs to provide a secret key for bio-key generation. Secret key aids to fetch biometric features for key formation and key expansion. Thus, the user receives an expanded key from the template database to perform encryption of a plain image. Once the cipher image is delivered to the network, the user has to repeat the same steps for decryption. This paper experiments the proposed bio-key-generation scheme with advanced encryption standard algorithm. This encryption strategy can also be used to encrypt confidential or personal images in various digital systems such as mobile phones, personal digital gadgets and so on. Various analyses ensure the robustness and the performance of the bio-key-based AES encryption scheme. Entropy, correlation coefficient, number of pixel change rate and unified average changing intensity are evaluated to ensure the effectiveness of the proposed method over other key-based encryption techniques.
Carbon monoxide improves haemodynamics during extracorporeal resuscitation in pigs
Authors: Wollborn Jakob , Steiger Christoph , Ruetten Eva , Benk Christoph , Kari Fabian A , Wunder Christian , Meinel Lorenz , Buerkle Hartmut , Schick Martin A , Goebel Ulrich 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Aims
Heart disease of different aetiology remains the leading cause of cardiac arrest (CA). Despite efforts to improve the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), subsequent myocardial and systemic damage after CA still present a major long-term burden. Low-dose carbon monoxide (CO) is known to exert protective effects in cardiovascular pathophysiology but clinical applications are challenged by unfavourable delivery modes. We tested the hypothesis that extracorporeal resuscitation (E-CPR) in combination with controlled fast onset CO delivery results in improved cardiac physiology and haemodynamics. Damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) signalling may be part of the molecular mechanism.

Methods and results
In an established porcine model, E-CPR was performed. While E-CPR leads to similar results as compared to a conventional CPR strategy, CO delivery in combination with E-CPR demonstrated significant cardioprotection. Cardiac performance analysis using echocardiography and thermodilution techniques showed a CO-dependent improved cardiac function compared to severe myocardial dysfunction in CPR and E-CPR (left ventricular ejection fraction: Sham 49 ± 5; CPR 26 ± 2; E-CPR 25 ± 2; CO-E-CPR 31 ± 4; P &lt; 0.05). While sublingual microcirculation was significantly compromised in CPR and E-CPR, CO delivery demonstrated a significant improvement in microvascular function (microvascular flow index: Sham 2.9 ± 0.1; CPR 2.2 ± 0.1; E-CPR 1.8 ± 0.1; CO-E-CPR 2.7 ± 0.1; P &lt; 0.01). Histological and serological myocardial damage markers were significantly reduced (hsTroponin-T Sham 0.01 ± 0.001; CPR 1.9 ± 0.2; E-CPR 3.5 ± 1.2; CO-E-CPR 0.5 ± 0.2 ng/mL; P &lt; 0.05). DAMP signalling was decreased ipse facto leading to influence of cardioprotective heat shock and cyclooxygenase response.

Conclusions
CO treatment restores myocardial function and improves systemic macro- and microhaemodynamics in E-CPR through a reduction in DAMPs.
Randomized trial of ticagrelor vs. aspirin in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting: the TiCAB trial
Authors: Schunkert Heribert , Boening Andreas , von Scheidt Moritz , Lanig Clarissa , Gusmini Friederike , de Waha Antoinette , Kuna Constantin , Fach Andreas , Grothusen Christina , Oberhoffer Martin , Knosalla Christoph , Walther Thomas , Danner Bernhard C , Misfeld Martin , Zeymer Uwe , Wimmer-Greinecker Gerhard , Siepe Matthias , Grubitzsch Herko , Joost Alexander , Schaefer Andreas , Conradi Lenard , Cremer Jochen , Hamm Christian , Lange Rüdiger , Radke Peter W , Schulz Rainer , Laufer Günther , Grieshaber Philippe , Pader Philip , Attmann Tim , Schmoeckel Michael , Meyer Alexander , Ziegelhöffer Tibor , Hambrecht Rainer , Kastrati Adnan , Sandner Sigrid E 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Aims
The antiplatelet treatment strategy providing optimal balance between thrombotic and bleeding risks in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is unclear. We prospectively compared the efficacy of ticagrelor and aspirin after CABG.

Methods and results
We randomly assigned in double-blind fashion patients scheduled for CABG to either ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily or 100 mg aspirin (1:1) once daily. The primary outcome was the composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), repeat revascularization, and stroke 12 months after CABG. The main safety endpoint was based on the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium classification, defined as BARC ≥4 for periprocedural and hospital stay-related bleedings and BARC ≥3 for post-discharge bleedings. The study was prematurely halted after recruitment of 1859 out of 3850 planned patients. Twelve months after CABG, the primary endpoint occurred in 86 out of 931 patients (9.7%) in the ticagrelor group and in 73 out of 928 patients (8.2%) in the aspirin group [hazard ratio 1.19; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87–1.62; P = 0.28]. All-cause mortality (ticagrelor 2.5% vs. aspirin 2.6%, hazard ratio 0.96, CI 0.53–1.72; P = 0.89), cardiovascular death (ticagrelor 1.2% vs. aspirin 1.4%, hazard ratio 0.85, CI 0.38–1.89; P = 0.68), MI (ticagrelor 2.1% vs. aspirin 3.4%, hazard ratio 0.63, CI 0.36–1.12, P = 0.12), and stroke (ticagrelor 3.1% vs. 2.6%, hazard ratio 1.21, CI 0.70–2.08; P = 0.49), showed no significant difference between the ticagrelor and aspirin group. The main safety endpoint was also not significantly different (ticagrelor 3.7% vs. aspirin 3.2%, hazard ratio 1.17, CI 0.71–1.92; P = 0.53).

Conclusion
In this prematurely terminated and thus underpowered randomized trial of ticagrelor vs. aspirin in patients after CABG no significant differences in major cardiovascular events or major bleeding could be demonstrated.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier
NCT01755520.
Population growth of an endangered pinniped—the New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri)—is limited more by high pup mortality than fisheries bycatch
Authors: Hamilton Sheryl , Baker G Barry 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe endangered New Zealand sea lion, Phocarctos hookeri is killed as incidental bycatch in a trawl fishery operating near their second largest population on Campbell Island in New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic. Using the Potential Biological Removal (PBR) procedure to assess the sustainability of this bycatch for the sea lion population on Campbell Island indicated that annual bycatch estimates, particularly following the implementation of bycatch mitigation measures, are below the PBR threshold of 25 (derived using a precautionary approach). Preliminary Population Viability Analysis (PVA) modelling supported the finding that current bycatch levels, especially given a strong male bias (98%) in bycatch, are sustainable for this population. Models showed that reducing pup mortality through management actions, such as installing ramps in wallows where large numbers of pups drown, would lead to increased population growth. While obtaining more accurate data on population status and demographic parameters for the Campbell Island population should be a priority, this will take many years of research. The PBR and PVA tools demonstrate that contemporary conservation management should continue to focus on increasing pup survival while maintaining mitigation approaches that have reduced bycatch to low levels, together with high observer coverage to sustain confidence in annual bycatch estimates.
Management of cervical aortic arch complicated by multiple aneurysms
Authors: Shayan Gulidanna , Shao Jiang , Wang Yuewei , Si Loubin , Shen Junyue , Chen Yu , Liu Bao , Zheng Yuehong 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Cervical aortic arch with aneurysm formation is considered an extremely rare condition. Here, we summarize our experience in treating 8 patients. We validated extra-anatomic ascending-to-infrarenal abdominal aorta bypass through the retroperitoneal cavity without circulatory arrest as an alternative treatment for patients with a tortuous arch that was unsuitable for endovascular repair.

METHODS
From March 2015 to April 2018, 8 patients (7 women; median age 46 years) diagnosed with cervical aortic arch complicated with aneurysm formation were treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. After assessment of the anatomical characteristics, 4 patients underwent endovascular repair. Three patients with a tortuous aortic arch and saccular aneurysm formation between the left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery were treated with an extra-anatomic ascending-to-infrarenal abdominal aorta bypass and aneurysm indwelling. One patient refused surgical intervention and is being followed up on a yearly basis at our outpatient clinic. No circulatory arrest was required during surgery.

RESULTS
No severe postoperative complications were observed during follow-up (6–36 months). Postoperative computed tomography angiography revealed patent blood flow in the prosthetic aortic graft bypass. No endoleak, migration or stenosis of the stent grafts was observed in patients following endovascular repair. The left subclavian artery was preserved in 3 patients. Follow-up computed tomography angiography revealed satisfactory postoperative results in all patients, with no signs of aortic dilation or coarctation.

CONCLUSIONS
Ascending-to-infrarenal abdominal aorta bypass through the retroperitoneal cavity is a safe and effective treatment for cervical aortic arch with a tortuous aorta complicated by aneurysm formation and coarctation.