bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acquisition of Verb Meaning From Syntactic Distribution in Preschoolers With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Horvath Sabrina , McDermott Elizabeth , Reilly Kathleen , Arunachalam Sudha 
Published: August 2018

PurposeOur goal was to investigate whether preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can begin to learn new word meanings by attending to the linguistic contexts in which they occur, even in the absence of visual or social context. We focused on verbs because of their importance for subsequent language development.MethodThirty-two children with ASD, ages 2;1–4;5 (years;months), participated in a verb-learning task. In a between-subjects design, they were randomly assigned to hear novel verbs in either transitive or intransitive syntactic frames while watching an unrelated silent animation or playing quietly with a toy. In an eye-tracking test, they viewed two video scenes, one depicting a causative event (e.g., boy spinning girl) and the other depicting synchronous events (e.g., boy and girl waving). They were prompted to find the referents of the novel verbs, and their eye gaze was measured.ResultsLike typically developing children in prior work, children with ASD who had heard the verbs in transitive syntactic frames preferred to look to the causative scene as compared to children who had heard intransitive frames.ConclusionsThis finding replicates and extends prior work on verb learning in children with ASD by demonstrating that they can attend to a novel verb's syntactic distribution absent relevant visual or social context, and they can use this information to assign the novel verb an appropriate meaning. We discuss points for future research, including examining individual differences that may impact success and contrasting social and nonsocial word-learning tasks directly.
Model‐free adaptive learning control scheme for wind turbines with doubly fed induction generators
Authors: Abouheaf Mohammed , Gueaieb Wail , Sharaf Adel 
Published: August 2018

The classical control mechanisms of the wind turbines are generally based on precise modelling approaches to ensure robust and effective interplay between the wind turbines and the main power grids in both autonomous and grid‐connected modes. This study presents an innovative intelligent control system for the doubly fed induction generator wind turbines. The proposed system uses model‐free control polices. The online controller is based on a policy iteration reinforcement learning paradigm along with an adaptive actor‐critic technique. It is shown to be robust against the turbine's high non‐linearities and stochastic variations in the input–output conditions. These are associated with single and double rotor doubly fed large‐scale induction generators driven by wind turbines in the range of 5–7 MW. The performance of the controller is validated against challenging scenarios of coexisting undesired situations like severe wind changes with load excursions and abrupt shifts in the loads.
Rheological and electrical percolation thresholds of multi‐walled carbon nanotube/in‐situ polymerised Nylon12 nanocomposites
Authors: Faridirad Farzaneh , Ahmadi Shervin , Barmar Mohammad 
Published: August 2018

In this work, in‐situ polymerisation of laurolactam in the presence of multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) was performed toward MWCNT/Nylon12 nanocomposite. Different levels of MWCNT (0.1, 0.3, 0.7, 1.2 and 3.5 wt%) were introduced to the monomer in the presence of 2 wt% toluene diisocyanate and 1 wt% sodium caprolactam as an activator and catalyst, respectively. The test results indicated that by increasing the amount of MWCNT, the conductivity of the nanocomposite increased up to that level at which it could serve as an electrically conductive material at room temperature. The melt rheological measurements showed a transition from liquid‐like to solid‐like state. The rheological results obtained within the linear viscoelastic region demonstrated that the rheological percolation threshold happened at 0.1 wt% multi‐walled nanotube (MWNT), whereas the electrical percolation threshold appeared at 1.2 wt% MWCNT. A homogeneous dispersion of MWCNT into the Nylon12 matrix with a high aspect ratio of MWNT was achieved at a low percolation threshold. This mainly could be attributed to the fact that a denser MWCNT network was required for electrical conductivity, while a less dense MWCNT network sufficiently impeded Nylon12 chain mobility related to the rheological percolation threshold.
A new method to identify subclasses among AGB stars using Gaia and 2MASS photometry
Authors: Lebzelter T. , Mowlavi N. , Marigo P. , Pastorelli G. , Trabucchi M. , Wood P. R. , Lecoeur-Taïbi I. 
Published: August 2018

Aims. We explore the wealth of high-quality photometric data provided by data release 2 (DR2) of the Gaia mission for long-period variables (LPVs) in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Our goal is to identify stars of various types and masses along the asymptotic giant branch.
Methods. For this endeavour, we developed a new multi-band approach combining Wesenheit functions WRP,BP−RP and WKs,J−Ks in the Gaia BP, RP, and 2MASS J, Ks spectral ranges, respectively, and use a new diagram, (WRP,BP−RP − WKs,J−Ks) versus Ks, to distinguish between different kinds of stars in our sample of LPVs. We used stellar population synthesis models to validate our approach.
Results. We demonstrate the ability of the new diagram to discriminate between O- and C-rich objects, and to identify low-mass, intermediate-mass, and massive O-rich red giants, as well as extreme C-rich stars. Stellar evolution and population synthesis models guide the interpretation of the results, highlighting the diagnostic power of the new tool to discriminate between stellar initial masses, chemical properties, and evolutionary stages.
Predation risk affects egg mass but not egg steroid hormone concentrations in yellow-legged gulls
Authors: Possenti Cristina Daniela , Bentz Alexandra Bea , Romano Andrea , Parolini Marco , Caprioli Manuela , Rubolini Diego , Navara Kristen , Saino Nicola 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPredators have both direct, consumptive effects on their prey and non-lethal effects on physiology and behavior, including reproductive decisions, with cascading effects on prey ecology and evolution. Here, we experimentally tested such non-lethal effects of exposure to increased predation risk on clutch size, egg mass, and the concentration of yolk steroid hormones in the yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis. We simulated increased predation risk by displaying stuffed predators (adult fox Vulpes vulpes, and adult buzzard Buteo buteo) to breeding adults before egg laying. The concentration of corticosterone, which has been shown to increase under exposure to maternal predation risk in other species, and of testosterone did not differ between eggs from mothers exposed to the predators and eggs from control mothers (i.e., eggs exposed to a novel object of similar size and position to the stuffed predators). The concentration of the two hormones negatively covaried. Clutch size did not vary according to experimental treatment, whereas egg mass was markedly larger in clutches from nests exposed to predators than in clutches from control nests. By increasing egg mass, mothers may reduce the risk of cooling of the eggs when incubation is impeded by predators, boost energy reserves, reduce post-natal detectability caused by food solicitation, and/or enhance development at hatching, thus increasing the chances of offspring survival. In general, our results are inconsistent with most of the few previous studies on similar non-lethal predator effects and suggest that such effects may vary among species according to ecological conditions, social behavior, and developmental mode.
Impact of an artificial structure on the benthic community composition in the southern North Sea: assessed by a morphological and molecular approach
Authors: Klunder Lise , Lavaleye Marc S S , Filippidi Amalia , van Bleijswijk Judith D L , Reichart Gert-Jan , van der Veer Henk W , Duineveld Gerard C A , Mienis Furu 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMan-made structures in the North Sea are known to act as artificial reefs by providing a habitat for sessile epifauna in a predominantly soft sediment environment. This epifauna is hypothesized to cast a so-called “shadow” over the soft sediment ecosystem by altering the nutrient composition in the overlying water column. In addition, the structure itself could alter currents and thereby influence the deposition and erosion of the sediments in the wake of the platform. This study aims to assess the long-term effects of a gas platform in the southern North Sea on the surrounding benthic community by both morphological and molecular identification of benthic species. The species composition and a set of abiotic factors of the sediment around a gas platform were assessed along four transects. Differences for the abiotic factors were found in the closer vicinity of the platform in the direction corresponding to the predominant currents. The number of benthic fauna families found in the molecular approach were on average three times higher than for the morphological approach. Both approaches showed that small differences occurred primarily due to changes in sedimentary organic matter content. Differences in species composition were more pronounced between transects rather than between distances from the platform.
Development and validation of the PEPPER framework (Prenatal Exposure PubMed ParsER) with applications to food additives
Authors: Boland Mary Regina , Kashyap Aditya , Xiong Jiadi , Holmes John , Lorch Scott 
Published: August 2018

Abstract

Background
Globally, 36% of deaths among children can be attributed to environmental factors. However, no comprehensive list of environmental exposures exists. We seek to address this gap by developing a literature-mining algorithm to catalog prenatal environmental exposures.

Methods
We designed a framework called

PEPPER
Prenatal Exposure PubMed ParsER to a) catalog prenatal exposures studied in the literature and b) identify study type. Using PubMed Central, PEPPER classifies article type (methodology, systematic review) and catalogs prenatal exposures. We coupled PEPPER with the FDA’s food additive database to form a master set of exposures.

Results
We found that of 31 764 prenatal exposure studies only 53.0% were methodology studies. PEPPER consists of 219 prenatal exposures, including a common set of 43 exposures. PEPPER captured prenatal exposures from 56.4% of methodology studies (9492/16 832 studies). Two raters independently reviewed 50 randomly selected articles and annotated presence of exposures and study methodology type. Error rates for PEPPER’s exposure assignment ranged from 0.56% to 1.30% depending on the rater. Evaluation of the study type assignment showed agreement ranging from 96% to 100% (kappa = 0.909, p &lt; .001). Using a gold-standard set of relevant prenatal exposure studies, PEPPER achieved a recall of 94.4%.

Conclusions
Using curated exposures and food additives; PEPPER provides the first comprehensive list of 219 prenatal exposures studied in methodology papers. On average, 1.45 exposures were investigated per study. PEPPER successfully distinguished article type for all prenatal studies allowing literature gaps to be easily identified.
Corynebacterium macginleyi-associated Blebitis: A Case Report
Authors: Qin Vincent , Laurent Terry , Ledoux Aurélie 
Published: August 2018

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to report a rare case of posttrabeculectomy bleb-related infection associated with Corynebaterium macginleyi, a rare conjunctival pathogen.

Methods:
Case description including clinical imaging and microbiology data, and literature review of Corynebacterium macginleyi-related infections.

Results:
A 60-year-old glaucomatous female patient presented with a bleb-related infection 6 years after trabeculectomy in her right eye, suggestive of blebitis. No bleb-related endophthalmitis was reported.

Conclusions:

C. macginleyi is a rare conjunctival pathogen that can cause conjunctivitis and, rarely, bleb-related infections.
Micropulse Versus Continuous Wave Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation in Refractory Pediatric Glaucoma
Authors: Abdelrahman Ahmed M. , El Sayed Yasmine M. 
Published: August 2018

Purpose:
The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of micropulse cyclophotocoagulation (MP-CPC) and transscleral continuous wave cyclophotocoagulation (CW-CPC) for the treatment of refractory glaucoma in the pediatric age group.

Methods:
This prospective study included 45 eyes of 36 children requiring transscleral cyclophotocoagulation, in the period spanning from September 2016 to August 2017, using micropulse (MP-CPC) or continuous wave (CW-CPC) modes. The intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, success rates, and complications were compared for both groups. Success was defined as an IOP of 5 to 21 mm Hg, in the absence of vision-threatening complications at 6 months.

Results:
The MP-CPC group included 17 eyes, in patients aged 67.8±48 months, and the CW-CPC group included 28 eyes, in patients aged 61.3±38.3 months. There was a tendency toward lower IOP in the MP-CPC group at all follow-ups, almost reaching statistical significance at 2 weeks and 3 months (P=0.05). IOP reduction was 63% in the MP-CPC group and 67% in the CW-CPC group (P=0.6). The success rate was higher in the MP-CPC group (71% vs. 46% in the CW-CPC group), but the difference was not significant (P=0.1). No significant complications were noted in the MP-CPC group whereas, in the CW-CPC group, 1 eye developed phthisis bulbi, and 2 eyes had severe pain and uveitis (P=0.3).

Conclusions:
Both the MP-CPC and CW-CPC are effective in lowering the IOP in children with refractory glaucoma. However, the rate of complications, pain, and inflammation seem to be lower with the micropulse mode, making it a safer alternative for cyclophotocoagulation, especially since retreatments are often needed.
CO2 Laser-assisted Deep Sclerectomy Combined With Phacoemulsification in Patients With Primary Open-angle Glaucoma and Cataract
Authors: Yu Xiaojiao , Chen Chunlin , Sun Min , Dong Denghao , Zhang Shuoji , Liu Pei , Yuan Rongdi , Ye Jian 
Published: August 2018

Purpose:
To assess the safety and efficacy of CO2 laser-assisted sclerectomy surgery (CLASS) combined with phacoemulsification in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and visually significant cataracts.

Materials and Methods:
This was a prospective, uncontrolled, interventional case series. Seventeen patients (17 eyes) diagnosed with POAG and cataracts were enrolled starting from November 2015. All subjects underwent CLASS combined with phacoemulsification surgery by the same surgeon. After the surgery, all patients were followed for 12 months. The preoperative to postoperative changes in intraocular pressure (IOP), glaucoma medication requirements, best-corrected visual acuity and adverse events were recorded.

Results:
The results of 17 eyes of 17 patients were included in the statistical analysis. The baseline mean IOP was 23.94±8.57 mm Hg (mean±SD), and patients used 2.18±0.88 types of antiglaucoma medication. At 12 months postsurgery, the mean IOP was 14.67±2.97 mm Hg, and patients used 0.59±0.87 types of antiglaucoma medication (both P<0.001). The logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution of the best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.77±0.42 preoperatively to 0.33±0.47 postoperatively (P<0.05). Two patients experienced intraoperative perforation accompanied by iris prolapse. One patient exhibited postoperative choroidal detachment.

Conclusions:
CLASS with phacoemulsification may become a safe and effective intervention for patients with POAG and visually significant cataracts.
Evaluating the Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Augmentation on Treatment of Bipolar Depression
Authors: Mehrpooya Maryam , Yasrebifar Fatemeh , Haghighi Mohammad , Mohammadi Younes , Jahangard Leila 
Published: August 2018

Abstract

Background
Bipolar disorder (BPD) is a chronic and recurrent mood disorder characterized by episodes of mania, hypomania, and major depression. Based on available evidence, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation have important roles in the pathophysiology of bipolar depression. More specifically, it seems that coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a mitochondrial modulator, as well as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, might be effective in modulating these pathophysiological pathways. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to investigate whether and to what extent, compared with placebo, adjuvant CoQ10 might improve symptoms of depression in patients with BPD.

Methods
A total of 69 patients with BPD with a current depressive episode were randomly assigned either to the adjuvant CoQ10 (200 mg/d) or to the placebo group. Standard medication consisting of mood stabilizers and antidepressants was consistent 2 months prior and during the study. Depression severity for each patient was assessed based on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale scores at baseline, fourth week, and eighth week of the study.

Results
Symptoms of depression decreased over time in both groups. Compared with the placebo group, adjuvant CoQ10 to a standard medication improved symptoms of depression after 8 weeks of treatment. In addition, at the end of the study, it turned out that more responders were observed in the CoQ10 group, compared with the placebo group. CoQ10 had minimal adverse effects and was well tolerated.

Conclusions
The present pattern of results suggests that among patients with BPD, compared with placebo, adjuvant CoQ10 probably because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can improve symptoms of depression over a period of 8 weeks.
Persistent Oxidative Stress in Vestibular Schwannomas After Stereotactic Radiation Therapy
Authors: Robinett Zachary N. , Bathla Girish , Wu Angela , Clark James Jason , Sibenaller Zita A. , Wilson Thomas , Kirby Patricia , Allen Bryan G. , Hansen Marlan R. 
Published: August 2018

Objective:
Stereotactic radiation therapy is increasingly used to treat vestibular schwannomas (VSs) primarily and to treat tumor remnants following microsurgery. Little data are available regarding the effects of radiation on VS cells. Tyrosine nitrosylation is a marker of oxidative stress following radiation in malignant tumors. It is not known how long irradiated tissue remains under oxidative stress, and if such modifications occur in benign neoplasms such as VSs treated with significantly lower doses of radiation. We immunostained sections from previously radiated VSs with an antibody that recognizes nitrosylated tyrosine residues to assess for ongoing oxidative stress.

Study Design:
Immunohistochemical analysis.

Methods:
Four VSs, which recurred after excision, were treated with stereotactic radiation therapy. Ultimately each tumor required salvage reresection for regrowth. Histologic sections of each tumor before and after radiation were immunolabeled with a monoclonal antibody specific to nitrotyrosine and compared. Two VSs that underwent reresection of a growing tumor remnant without previous radiation therapy served as additional controls.

Results:
Irradiated tumors enlarged in volume by 3.16 to 8.62 mL following radiation. Preradiation sections demonstrated little to no nitrotyrosine immunostaining. Three of four of irradiated VSs demonstrated increased nitrotyrosine immunostaining in the postradiation sections compared with preradiation tumor sections. Nonirradiated VSs did not label with the antinitrotyrosine antibody.

Conclusions:
VSs exhibit oxidative stress up to 7 years after radiotherapy, yet these VSs continued to enlarge. Thus, VSs that grow following radiation appear to possess mechanisms for cell survival and proliferation despite radiation-induced oxidative stress.
Outcomes Following Modified Tympanomastoidectomy With Soft-wall Reconstruction
Authors: Doerfer Karl W. , Friedland David R. 
Published: August 2018

Objective:
To report outcomes following modified tympanomastoidectomy with soft-wall reconstruction (MTMSWR).

Study Design:
Retrospective cohort.

Setting:
Tertiary referral center.

Patients:
Forty-seven patients (48 ears) with aggressive cholesteatoma undergoing MTMSWR.

Interventions:
Canal wall down (CWD) tympanomastoidectomy with temporalis fascia reconstruction of the posterior external auditory canal (EAC).

Main Outcome Measures:
Cholesteatoma recidivism; hearing outcomes; degree of soft-wall retraction; time to epithelialization; otorrhea.

Results:
All ears had some form of ossicular compromise. There were 41 ears with completed surveillance of which 39% demonstrated recidivism for cholesteatoma. Of these, 68.8% had a small cholesteatoma foci averaging 3.7 mm. Air pure-tone average remained stable or improved for 60.0% and declined ≤ 20 dB for 85.7%. Excluding ears unable to undergo ossicular chain reconstruction, final air-bone gap was ≤ 30 dB for 66.7%. Retraction of the reconstructed wall was absent-to-mild in 34.7% and moderate-to-full in 52.1%. Thirteen percent had soft-wall breakdown. Average time to full epithelialization of the wall was 58.5 days.

Conclusions:
MTMSWR is an option for restoring the posterior EAC wall following CWD surgery. Recidivism is comparable to canal wall up surgery, and hearing outcomes are generally better than CWD. Other advantages include rapid epithelialization, low rates of otorrhea, and restoration of a self-cleaning EAC regardless of retraction into the mastoid cavity.
Direct Acoustic Cochlear Implants Lead to an Improved Speech Perception Gap Compared to Conventional Hearing Aid
Authors: Maier Hannes , Lenarz Thomas , Dolležal Lena-Vanessa , Busch Susan 
Published: August 2018

Objectives:
The objectives of this study was to evaluate the aided speech perception in quiet of direct acoustic cochlear implant (DACI) patients and the speech perception gap in comparison with hearing aid users.

Study Design:
Retrospective comparative study.

Setting:
Tertiary referral center.

Patients:
Adults with moderate-to-severe mixed hearing loss who have been implanted with a DACI and fitted with a processor for at least 6 months.

Intervention(s):
Comparison of aided monosyllabic word scores and speech perception gap of 59 DACI-implanted ears speech perception gap with published data on 208 ears aided with a conventional hearing aid (HA) divided into four different hearing loss groups between 35 and 75 dB HL.

Main Outcome Measure(s):
Aided monosyllabic word score, predicted maximum monosyllabic word recognition score (PBmax) and speech perception gap.

Results:
In terms of aided speech perception, DACI patients with cochlear reserves between 45 and 65 dB HL have a significant advantage compared with conventional HA users. A speech perception gap of 11% points for DACI and 21% points for conventional HAs were determined and an approximation of PBmax is achieved by 52% of the DACI patients compared with only 36% of the HA users.

Conclusions:
For patients with moderate-to-severe inner ear hearing loss between 45 and 65 dB HL, better speech perception in quiet is obtained with the DACI system. Compared with conventional hearing aids, speech performance with the DACI is closer to the maximally possibly score PBmax.