bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perceptual Acclimatization Post Nonlinear Frequency Compression Hearing Aid Fitting in Older Children
Authors: Glista Danielle , Scollie Susan , Sulkers Jacob 
Published: May 2012

Purpose
In this study, the authors evaluated the effect of frequency compression hearing aids on speech perception ability and the time course and magnitude of acclimatization-related changes.

Method
Participants included children ages 11–18 years. Speech perception ability was evaluated over well-controlled baseline, treatment, and withdrawal study phases. Study-worn hearing aids were individually fitted to all participants. The authors evaluated speech perception ability using outcomes of speech detection (/s/ and /ʃ/ sounds), /s–ʃ/ discrimination, and plural and consonant recognition.

Results
Indices of change were discussed on a case-by-case basis across all study phases. Significant treatment effects were measured for all cases, on at least one measure, with some listeners displaying significant acclimatization trends following a trial of frequency compression.

Conclusion
Findings suggest that frequency compression provided varying outcomes, both in benefit and acclimatization, across listeners. For some, a period of acclimatization was necessary before change could be measured. For others, performance remained stable over the time course under evaluation, suggesting that some but not all children will experience improved speech recognition ability after a period of frequency compression hearing aid use.
Spatiotemporal Coupling of the Tongue in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Kuruvilla Mili S. , Green Jordan R. , Yunusova Yana , Hanford Kathy 
Published: May 2012

PurposeThe primary aim of the investigation was to identify deficits in spatiotemporal coupling between tongue regions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The relations between disease-related changes in tongue movement patterns and speech intelligibility were also determined.MethodsThe authors recorded word productions from 11 individuals with ALS with mild, moderate, and severe dysarthria using an x-ray microbeam during word productions. A coupling index based on sliding window covariance was used to determine disease-related changes in the coupling between the tongue regions across each word.ResultsThe results indicated decreased spatiotemporal coupling of mid-posterior tongue regions and reduced tongue speed in the ALS-moderate subgroup. Changes in the range of tongue coupling relations and speed of movement were highly correlated with speech intelligibility.ConclusionsThese results provide new insights into the loss of lingual motor control due to ALS and suggest that measures of tongue performance may provide useful indicators of bulbar disease severity and progression.
The Relationship Between Perception of Vocal Effort and Relative Fundamental Frequency During Voicing Offset and Onset
Authors: Stepp Cara E. , Sawin Devon E. , Eadie Tanya L. 
Published: May 2012

Purpose
In this study, the authors aimed to determine the relationship between relative fundamental frequency (RFF) and listener perception of vocal effort in individuals with varying degrees of vocal hyperfunction.

Method
Thirty women diagnosed with voice disorders commonly associated with vocal hyperfunction and 10 healthy women provided speech samples that were used to obtain parameters of RFF. Twelve listeners judged the speech samples for overall severity and vocal effort (VE) using rating scales.

Results
Significant but relatively weak negative correlations were found between perceptual measures and offset RFF parameters. Although offset RFF was increased in healthy participants relative to speakers with voice disorders, no differences were seen in RFF as a function of severity of VE in individuals with voice disorders.

Conclusions
Although a statistically significant correlation between offset RFF and VE was found, examination of data as a function of both VE and health status indicated that RFF more accurately classifies the presence of a voice disorder than does severity of voice quality or VE. There is a need for further research to investigate the clinical utility of RFF measures for assessment of rehabilitation progress.
Theoretical study of catalytic mechanism for single-site water oxidation process
Authors: Lin Xiangsong , Hu Xiangqian , Concepcion Javier J. , Chen Zuofeng , Liu Shubin , Meyer Thomas J. , Yang Weitao 
Published: May 2012

Water oxidation is a linchpin in solar fuels formation, and catalysis by single-site ruthenium complexes has generated significant interest in this area. Combining several theoretical tools, we have studied the entire catalytic cycle of water oxidation for a single-site catalyst starting with [Ru
II
(tpy)(bpm)(OH
2
)]
2+
(i.e., [Ru
II
-OH
2
]
2+
; tpy is 2,2
′
∶6
′
,2
′′
-terpyridine and bpm is 2,2′-bypyrimidine) as a representative example of a new class of single-site catalysts. The redox potentials and p
K
a
calculations for the first two proton-coupled electron transfers (PCETs) from [Ru
II
-OH
2
]
2+
to [Ru
IV
= O]
2+
and the following electron-transfer process to [Ru
V
= O]
3+
suggest that these processes can proceed readily in acidic or weakly basic conditions. The subsequent water splitting process involves two water molecules, [Ru
V
= O]
3+
to generate [Ru
III
-OOH]
2+
, and H
3
O
+
with a low activation barrier (∼10 kcal/mol). After the key O---O bond forming step in the single-site Ru catalysis, another PECT process oxidizes [Ru
III
-OOH]
2+
to [Ru
IV
-OO]
2+
when the pH is lower than 3.7. Two possible forms of [Ru
IV
-OO]
2+
, open and closed, can exist and interconvert with a low activation barrier (< 7 kcal/mol) due to strong spin-orbital coupling effects. In Pathway 1 at pH = 1.0, oxygen release is rate-limiting with an activation barrier ∼12 kcal/mol while the electron-transfer step from [Ru
IV
-OO]
2+
to [Ru
V
- OO]
3+
becomes rate-determining at pH = 0 (Pathway 2) with Ce(IV) as oxidant. The results of these theoretical studies with atomistic details have revealed subtle details of reaction mechanisms at several stages during the catalytic cycle. This understanding is helpful in the design of new catalysts for water oxidation.
Direct chemical evidence for eumelanin pigment from the Jurassic period
Authors: Glass Keely , Ito Shosuke , Wilby Philip R. , Sota Takayuki , Nakamura Atsushi , Bowers C. Russell , Vinther Jakob , Dutta Suryendu , Summons Roger , Briggs Derek E. G. , Wakamatsu Kazumasa , Simon John D. 
Published: May 2012

Melanin is a ubiquitous biological pigment found in bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals. It has a diverse range of ecological and biochemical functions, including display, evasion, photoprotection, detoxification, and metal scavenging. To date, evidence of melanin in fossil organisms has relied entirely on indirect morphological and chemical analyses. Here, we apply direct chemical techniques to categorically demonstrate the preservation of eumelanin in two > 160 Ma Jurassic cephalopod ink sacs and to confirm its chemical similarity to the ink of the modern cephalopod,
Sepia officinalis
. Identification and characterization of degradation-resistant melanin may provide insights into its diverse roles in ancient organisms.
Nuclear export of single native mRNA molecules observed by light sheet fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Siebrasse Jan Peter , Kaminski Tim , Kubitscheck Ulrich 
Published: May 2012

Nuclear export of mRNA is a key transport process in eukaryotic cells. To investigate it, we labeled native mRNP particles in living
Chironomus tentans
salivary gland cells with fluorescent hrp36, the hnRNP A1 homolog, and the nuclear envelope by fluorescent NTF2. Using light sheet microscopy, we traced single native mRNA particles across the nuclear envelope. The particles were observed to often probe nuclear pore complexes (NPC) at their nuclear face, and in only 25% of the cases yielded actual export. The complete export process took between 65 ms up to several seconds. A rate-limiting step was observed, which could be assigned to the nuclear basket of the pore and might correspond to a repositioning and unfolding of mRNPs before the actual translocation. Analysis of single fluorescent Dbp5 molecules, the RNA helicase essential for mRNA export, revealed that Dbp5 most often approached the cytoplasmic face of the NPC, and exhibited a binding duration of approximately 55 ms. Our results have allowed a refinement of the current models for mRNA export.
Spectral characteristics of amplified spontaneous emission in a semiconductor disc laser
Authors: Zhang Peng , Dai Teli , Liang Yiping , Fan Siqiang , Song Yanrong , Zhang Xinping 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
In an optically pumped semiconductor disc laser, which is always with a multiple layer active region and a large spot size, the spontaneous emission of quantum wells will be trapped by the waveguide caused by the multiple layer, travel a long excited distance relative to the surface-emitting mode and be subsequently amplified. Here we demonstrate a new mechanism for the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE): the etalon effect of the sub-cavity formed by the bottom distributed Bragg reflector and the top air–semiconductor interface. The spectral characteristics of this ASE including its temperature dependence, pump power dependence and observing angle dependence are experimentally studied, and the results are in good agreement with the theoretical model.
Optical and electrical Kerr effects in polydiacetylene nanoparticle submonolayer probed by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Kuraishi Oki , Tanaka Daisuke , Shimojo Masayuki , Kajikawa Kotaro 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Optical and electrical Kerr effects in a polydiacetylene (PDA) nanoparticle (NP) submonolayer film formed on a gold substrate were investigated. The third-order nonlinear susceptibilities of the PDA NPs at an off-resonance wavelength of 1064 nm were χ(3) = (−7.6 + 6.6i) × 10−9 esu (optical Kerr effect) and χ(3) = (−1.2 + 0.39i) × 10−9 esu (electrical Kerr effect), which are an order of magnitude larger than the value reported. We observed a reflectivity change of 5% with an illumination intensity of 9.3 MW cm−2 in the attenuated total reflection geometry, as a result of the refractive index change of 0.001 on the basis of the optical Kerr effect. The results indicate that the PDA NPs are promising materials for optical switching using plasmonic waveguides.
Study of the electro-optic effect in new organic nonlinear optical polymeric materials
Authors: Mahmood M H , Saadon H L 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
The electro-optic (EO) coefficients of two new organic nonlinear optical (NLO) guest–host poly(N-vinylcarbazole)/Disperse Orange 25 (PVK/DO25) and NLO side-chain poly(Disperse Orange 3 methacrylamide) (PDO3MAA) systems were determined and compared through a modified reflection technique. In order to obtain the maximum EO activity, the poling temperature and chromophore (dye) concentration were investigated. At ambient temperature, the degree of poling was stable over months. Moreover, it was found that the side-chain PDO3MAA system has a temporal stability slightly higher than or comparable to that of the guest–host PVK/DO25 system. In addition to that, figures of merit were defined and calculated from the experimental data and we used these figures to compare with those of an inorganic Z-cut LiTaO3 (LT) plate.
Executive Summary: 2012 Infectious Diseases Society of America Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetic Foot Infectionsa
Authors: Lipsky Benjamin A. , Berendt Anthony R. , Cornia Paul B. , Pile James C. , Peters Edgar J. G. , Armstrong David G. , Deery H. Gunner , Embil John M. , Joseph Warren S. , Karchmer Adolf W. , Pinzur Michael S. , Senneville Eric 
Published: May 2012

AbstractFoot infections are a common and serious problem in persons with diabetes. Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) typically begin in a wound, most often a neuropathic ulceration. While all wounds are colonized with microorganisms, the presence of infection is defined by ≥2 classic findings of inflammation or purulence. Infections are then classified into mild (superficial and limited in size and depth), moderate (deeper or more extensive), or severe (accompanied by systemic signs or metabolic perturbations). This classification system, along with a vascular assessment, helps determine which patients should be hospitalized, which may require special imaging procedures or surgical interventions, and which will require amputation. Most DFIs are polymicrobial, with aerobic gram-positive cocci (GPC), and especially staphylococci, the most common causative organisms. Aerobic gram-negative bacilli are frequently copathogens in infections that are chronic or follow antibiotic treatment, and obligate anaerobes may be copathogens in ischemic or necrotic wounds.Wounds without evidence of soft tissue or bone infection do not require antibiotic therapy. For infected wounds, obtain a post-debridement specimen (preferably of tissue) for aerobic and anaerobic culture. Empiric antibiotic therapy can be narrowly targeted at GPC in many acutely infected patients, but those at risk for infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms or with chronic, previously treated, or severe infections usually require broader spectrum regimens. Imaging is helpful in most DFIs; plain radiographs may be sufficient, but magnetic resonance imaging is far more sensitive and specific. Osteomyelitis occurs in many diabetic patients with a foot wound and can be difficult to diagnose (optimally defined by bone culture and histology) and treat (often requiring surgical debridement or resection, and/or prolonged antibiotic therapy). Most DFIs require some surgical intervention, ranging from minor (debridement) to major (resection, amputation). Wounds must also be properly dressed and off-loaded of pressure, and patients need regular follow-up. An ischemic foot may require revascularization, and some nonresponding patients may benefit from selected adjunctive measures. Employing multidisciplinary foot teams improves outcomes. Clinicians and healthcare organizations should attempt to monitor, and thereby improve, their outcomes and processes in caring for DFIs.
Treatment of functional mitral regurgitation by percutaneous annuloplasty: results of the TITAN Trial
Authors: Siminiak Tomasz , Wu Justina C. , Haude Michael , Hoppe Uta C. , Sadowski Jerzy , Lipiecki Janusz , Fajadet Jean , Shah Amil M. , Feldman Ted , Kaye David M. , Goldberg Steven L. , Levy Wayne C. , Solomon Scott D. , Reuter David G. 
Published: May 2012

AimsFunctional mitral regurgitation (FMR) contributes to morbidity and mortality in heart failure (HF) patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether percutaneous mitral annuloplasty could safely and effectively reduce FMR and yield durable long‐term clinical benefit.Methods and resultsThe impact of mitral annuloplasty (Carillon Mitral Contour System) was evaluated in HF patients with at least moderate FMR. Patients in whom the device was placed then acutely recaptured for clinical reasons served as a comparator group. Quantitative measures of FMR, left ventricular (LV) dimensions, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, 6 min walk distance (6MWD), and quality of life were assessed in both groups up to 12 months. Safety and key functional data were assessed in the implanted cohort up to 24 months. Thirty‐six patients received a permanent implant; 17 had the device recaptured. The 30‐day major adverse event rate was 1.9%. In contrast to the comparison group, the implanted cohort demonstrated significant reductions in FMR as represented by regurgitant volume [baseline 34.5 ±11.5 mL to 17.4 ±12.4 mL at 12 months (P < 0.001)]. There was a corresponding reduction in LV diastolic volume [baseline 208.5 ±62.0 mL to 178.9 ±48.0 mL at 12 months (P =0.015)] and systolic volume [baseline 151.8 ±57.1 mL to 120.7 ±43.2 mL at 12 months (P =0.015)], compared with progressive LV dilation in the comparator. The 6MWD markedly improved for the implanted patients by 102.5 ±164 m at 12 months (P =0.014) and 131.9 ±80 m at 24 months (P < 0.001).ConclusionPercutaneous reduction of FMR using a coronary sinus approach is associated with reverse LV remodelling. Significant clinical improvements persisted up to 24 months.
A method for measuring support for synapomorphy using character state distributions on phylogenetic trees
Authors: Turjak Martin , Trontelj Peter 
Published: May 2012

AbstractSynapomorphies are fundamental to phylogenetic systematics as they offer empirical evidence of monophyletic groups. However, no method exists to directly measure synapomorphy. Here, we propose a method that quantifies synapomorphy using the pattern of character state distribution over a cladogram separately for each character and for each clade. We define a fully synapomorphic character state as one shared by all of a clade’s terminal taxa and at the same time completely absent from all terminal taxa outside that clade. The extent to which this condition is met corresponds to the support for the character state being synapomorphic or, in short, support for synapomorphy. It is calculated as the probability of randomly selecting, by multi‐stage sampling following the topology of the tree, two terminals from inside a clade sharing the same character state and one terminal from outside the clade bearing a different character state. The method is independent of tree inference and free of transformational assumptions, and so can be applied to any tree and used for any type of discrete character. By measuring synapomorphy, the method offers a potential tool for determining diagnostic character states for taxa on different hierarchical levels, for evaluating alternative systems of character coding, and for evaluating clade support. We show how the method differs from ancestral character state reconstruction methods and goodness‐of‐fit indices. We demonstrate the behaviour of our method with several hypothetical scenarios and its potential use with two real‐life examples.
Rituximab before splenectomy in adults with primary idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Auger Sophie , Duny Yohan , Rossi Jean François , Quittet Philippe 
Published: May 2012

SummaryPrimary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired immune‐mediated disorder with absence of any underlying cause. Corticosteroids are the standard initial treatment. Splenectomy is the main second‐line treatment. A trend to delay or avoid splenectomy has developed thanks to new agents like rituximab. Few studies have assessed the response rate to rituximab in chronic ITP. We performed the first meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials and observational studies on rituximab as an effective splenectomy‐avoiding option in adult chronic ITP. Overall methods were adapted from published guidelines for meta‐analysis (meta‐analysis of observational studies in epidemiology and preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses). Two haematologist investigators carried out study selection and data extraction independently, recording overall response rate (ORR) and complete response (CR) as primary assessment criteria. Of 364 records were identified through electronic databases. Of 19 retrospective or prospective observational studies were retained after removing duplicate studies and full‐text analyses. The ORR was 57% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 48–65), for 368 non‐splenectomized patients after rituximab; CR was 41% (95% CI: 0·33–0·51) for 346 patients. Results were stable for ORR and CR in all sub‐analyses. In univariate or multivariate mixed‐effect meta‐regression, age was the most relevant effect. According to our results, rituximab should be used in earlier in non‐splenectomized patients.
Anti-interleukin-12/23p40 antibody attenuates chronic rejection of cardiac allografts partly via inhibition γδT cells
Authors: Wang S , Xu X , Xie A , Li J , Ye P , Liu Z , Wu J , Rui L , Xia J 
Published: May 2012

SummaryIn our previous study, we showed that treatment with an anti-interleukin (IL)-12/23p40 antibody inhibits acute cardiac allograft rejection via inhibiting production of interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-17a. However, the impact of this antagonistic anti-p40 antibody on chronic cardiac rejection was unclear. Hearts of B6.C-H2bm12/KhEg mice were transplanted into major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-mismatched C57Bl/6J mice (wild-type, γδTCR –/– and IL-17–/–), which is an established murine model of chronic allograft rejection without immunosuppression. The mice were treated with control immunoglobulin (Ig)G or 200 µg anti-p40 monoclonal antibody on post-operative days, respectively. Abdominal palpation and echocardiography were used to monitor graft survival. The mice administered with anti-p40 antibody showed a significant promotion in graft survival (median survival time &gt;100 days), and histological analyses revealed that cardiac allograft rejection was attenuated. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT–PCR) and immunofluorescence analyses demonstrated that anti-p40 antibody down-regulated the level of ingraft cytokine and chemokine expression (IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-17a, CCL2 and CCL20). Flow cytometry analyses showed that γδ T cells are an important ingraft source of IFN-γ and IL-17a and inhibit the production of inflammation cytokine by anti-p40 antibody. Compared with the wild-type group, the graft survival time in the γδ T cell receptor–/– and IL-17–/– mice was prolonged significantly. Therefore we propose that, in the chronic allograft rejection model, treatment with anti-p40 antibody prolongs graft survival possibly by reducing the amount of reactive inflammatory cells, especially γδ T cells.
Image analysis of peripheral compression artefacts of ThinPrep® liquid‐based cytology preparations
Authors: Choi J. , Shim H. S. , Song J.‐W. , Chae S. W. , Lee Y.‐N. , Kim J. E. , Kim S. H. 
Published: May 2012

J. Choi, H. S. Shim, J.‐W. Song, S. W. Chae, Y.‐N. Lee, J. E. Kim and S. H. Kim  Image analysis of peripheral compression artefacts of ThinPrep® liquid‐based cytology preparationsObjective:  ThinPrep (TP), one of the Food and Drug Administration‐approved liquid‐based cytology (LBC) preparations, is widely used for gynaecological and non‐gynaecological cytology samples. A unique physical artefact caused by the compression at the periphery in TP slides has not been adequately evaluated to date.Methods:  We processed four established tumour cell lines (MKN28, MKN45, KG‐1 and NB4) and mononuclear cells isolated from whole blood over Ficoll‐Plaque for TP preparations. For this part of the study, we included five normal cervical LBC preparations. We then auto‐counted and auto‐measured the area, mean grey value and Feret’s diameter in both the inner disc and peripheral rim of the preparations by image morphometry. In addition, we compared the distribution of atypical cell groups in the peripheral rim and inner disc of 132 lung aspirates, 80 thyroid aspirates, 212 cerebrospinal fluids (CSFs) and 50 gynaecological samples.Results:  The areas and Feret’s diameters of the cytoplasm in the peripheral compressed rim area were statistically larger than those of cells in the inner disc. The mean grey values of cells (cytoplasm and nucleus) in the peripheral compression rim were also smaller than those in the inner disc cells, leading to decreases in nuclear and cytoplasmic chromatism. Except for the mean grey values, the differences were not significant in the cervical samples.Conclusions:  Cellular morphology may be markedly distorted in the peripheral rim, regardless of cell malignancy, which may lead to the misinterpretation of cells during the screening. Accordingly, cytological diagnosis based on the findings within the peripheral rim should take this phenomenon into account. Compressed cells found in the peripheral rim should be interpreted with caution when TP slides are used for cytopathological diagnosis.