bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Vowel and Sentence Intelligibility in People With Dysarthria Secondary to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Krajewski Elizabeth , Lee Jimin , Olmstead Annie J. , Simmons Zachary 
Published: February 2024

Purpose:
In this study, we examined the utility of vowel intelligibility testing for assessing the impact of dysarthria on speech characteristics in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We tested the sensitivity and specificity of overall vowel identification, as well as that of vowel-specific identification, to dysarthria presence and severity. We additionally examined the relationship between vowel intelligibility and sentence intelligibility.

Method:
Twenty-three people with ALS and 22 age- and sex-matched control speakers produced sentences from the Speech Intelligibility Test (SIT), as well as 10 American English monophthongs in /h/–vowel–/d/ words for the vowel intelligibility test (VIT). Data for SIT and VIT scores came from 135 listeners. Diagnostic accuracy of VIT measures was evaluated using the area under the curve of receiver operator characteristics. We then examined differences between control speakers, speakers with mild dysarthria, and speakers with severe dysarthria in their relationship between SIT and VIT scores.

Results:
The results suggest that the overall vowel intelligibility score showed high sensitivity and specificity in differentiating between speakers with and without dysarthria, even those with milder symptoms. In addition, single-vowel identification scores showed at least acceptable group differentiation between the mild and severe dysarthria groups, though fewer single vowels were acceptable discriminators between the control group and the group with mild dysarthria. Identification accuracy of /ɪ/ in particular showed excellent discrimination across all groups. Examination of the relationship between SIT and VIT scores suggests a severity-specific relationship. Speakers with SIT scores above 70% generally had higher SIT than VIT scores, whereas speakers with SIT below 70% generally had higher VIT than SIT scores.

Discussion:
Vowel intelligibility testing can detect speech impairments in speakers with mild dysarthria and residual articulatory function in speakers with severe dysarthria. Vowel intelligibility testing may, therefore, be a useful addition to intelligibility testing for individuals with dysarthria.
Why Craniofacial Surgeons/Researchers Need to be Aware of Native American Myopathy?
Authors: Almomen Momen , Burgon Patrick G. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractCongenital myopathy type 13 (CMYO13), also known as Native American myopathy, is a rare muscle disease characterized by early-onset hypotonia, muscle weakness, delayed motor milestones, and susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia. The phenotypic spectrum of congenital myopathy type 13 is expanding, with milder forms reported in non-native American patients. The first description of the disease dates to 1987 when Bailey and Bloch described an infant belonging to a Native American tribe with cleft palate, micrognathia, arthrogryposis, and general-anesthesia-induced malignant hyperthermia reaction; the cause of the latter remains poorly defined in this rare disease. The pan-ethnic distribution, as well as its predisposition to malignant hyperthermia, makes the identification of CMYO13 essential to avoid life-threatening, anesthesia-related complications. In this article, we are going to review the clinical phenotype of this disease and the pathophysiology of this rare disease with a focus on two unique features of the disease, namely cleft palate and malignant hyperthermia. We also highlight the importance of recognizing this disease's expanding phenotypic spectrum—including its susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia—and providing appropriate care to affected individuals and families.
Prevalence and predictive factors of colorectal sessile serrated lesions in younger individuals
Authors: Yeh Jen-Hao , Lin Chih-Wen , Hsiao Po-Jen , Perng Daw-Shyong , Chen Jen-Chieh , Hung Kuo-Tung , Hsu Chia-Chang , Chen Chia-Chi , Liu Yu-Peng , Lee Yi-Chia , Wang Jaw-Yuan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background Sessile serrated lesions (SSLs) are obscured lesions predominantly in the right-sided colon and associated with interval colorectal cancer; however, their prevalence and risk factors among younger individuals remain unclear.
Methods This retrospective study enrolled individuals who underwent index colonoscopy. The primary outcome was the SSL prevalence in the younger (<50 years) and older (≥50 years) age groups, while the secondary outcomes included clinically significant serrated polyps (CSSPs). Multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify predictors.
Results Of the 9854 eligible individuals, 4712 (47.8%) were categorized into the younger age group. Individuals in the younger age group exhibited lower prevalences of adenomas (22.6% vs. 46.2%; P<0.001) and right-sided adenomas (11.2% vs. 27.2%; P<0.001) compared with their older counterparts. However, both groups exhibited a similar prevalence of SSLs (7.2% vs. 6.5%; P=0.16) and CSSPs (10.3% vs. 10.3%;P=0.96). Multivariable analysis revealed that age 40–49 years (odds ratio [OR] 1.81, 95%CI 1.01–3.23), longer withdrawal time (OR 1.17, 95%CI 1.14–1.20, per minute increment), and endoscopist performance (OR 3.35, 95%CI 2.44–4.58) were independent predictors of SSL detection in the younger age group. No significant correlation was observed between adenoma and SSL detection rates among endoscopists.
Conclusion SSLs are not uncommon among younger individuals. Moreover, diligent effort and expertise are of paramount importance in SSL detection. Future studies should explore the clinical significance of SSLs in individuals of younger age.
Fragments Synthesis of A. baumannii ATCC 17961 O-Antigen
Authors: Wang Liming , Zhang Qingju , Li Xinxin , Duan Liangshen , Liu Deyong , Qi Jianying 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii can cause many diseases including septicemia, pneumonia, meningitis, soft tissue, and urinary tract infections. Herein, we described the synthesis of one trisaccharide and two tetrasaccharide fragments derived from A. baumannii ATCC 17961 O-antigen that can be used for screening novel glyco-epitopes and for developing a synthetic carbohydrate-based vaccine against A. baumannii infection. The overall yields for the synthesis of the desired trisaccharide 1, tetrasaccharide 2, and tetrasaccharide 3 are 26.8% (8 steps), 21.6% (9 steps), and 24.5% (6 steps), respectively.
Sleep Quality in Individuals with and without Persistent Postpartum Hypertension
Authors: Wang Tiffany L. , Bryan Samantha G. , Jeyabalan Arundhathi , Facco Francesca L. , Gandley Robin E. , Hubel Carl A. , Catov Janet M. , Hauspurg Alisse K. 
Published: February 2024

Objective This study aimed to compare sleep quality at 1 year postpartum following a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) among individuals with persistent postpartum hypertension (HTN) compared with those with normal blood pressures (BPs).
Study Design We combined data from the Heart Health 4 New Moms pilot randomized trial (n = 118) and the Pathways prospective cohort study (n = 36). Individuals with a singleton pregnancy complicated by gestational HTN or preeclampsia underwent a research study visit at a mean 48.7 ± 9.5 weeks postpartum with standardized BP measurement and assessment of subjective sleep quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Persistent postpartum HTN was defined as Stage 1 HTN or greater (mean systolic BP ≥ 130 mm Hg or mean diastolic BP ≥ 80 mm Hg over three measurements at rest) or requiring antihypertensive medication. Statistical analysis was performed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses.
Results Of 154 individuals with an HDP included in the analysis, 84 (55%) were normotensive at 1 year postpartum and 70 (45%) had persistent postpartum HTN. Individuals with persistent postpartum HTN were more likely to be older, self-identify as Black race, have higher prepregnancy and 1-year postpartum body mass index (BMI), be multiparous, and deliver at an earlier gestational age. The mean global PSQI score was 8.7 ± 3.7, with 81% reporting poor sleep (PSQI > 5), and scores were higher among individuals who were persistently hypertensive (9.6 ± 3.5) compared with those who were normotensive at 1 year postpartum (7.9 ± 3.6), p < 0.01. Findings were unchanged in a multivariable model adjusting for age, self-reported race, prepregnancy BMI, and parity.
Conclusion Following an HDP, individuals reported poor sleep quality at 1 year postpartum. Individuals with persistent postpartum HTN reported lower sleep quality, suggesting that sleep behavior may be a target for intervention to improve maternal cardiovascular health following an HDP.
Key Points
Variable-temperature lightwave-driven scanning tunneling microscope with a compact, turn-key terahertz source
Authors: Azazoglu Hüseyin , Kapitza Philip , Mittendorff Martin , Möller Rolf , Gruber Manuel 
Published: February 2024

We report on a lightwave-driven scanning tunneling microscope based on a home-built microscope and a compact, commercial, and cost-effective terahertz-generation unit with a repetition rate of 100 MHz. The measurements are performed in an ultrahigh vacuum at temperatures between 8.5 and 300 K. The cross-correlation of the pump and probe pulses indicates a temporal resolution on the order of a picosecond. In terms of spatial resolution, CO molecules, step edges, and atomically resolved terraces are readily observed in terahertz images, with sometimes better contrast than in the topographic and (DC) current channels. The utilization of a compact, turn-key terahertz-generation system requires only limited experience with optics and terahertz generation, which may facilitate the deployment of the technique to further research groups.
Fourier-transform spectroscopy and global deperturbation treatment of the A1Σu+ and b3Πu states of K2 in the entire bound energy range
Authors: Klincare I. , Lapins A. , Tamanis M. , Ferber R. , Zaitsevskii A. , Pazyuk E. A. , Stolyarov A. V. 
Published: February 2024

Rotationally resolved Fourier-transform spectra of laser-induced fluorescence A1Σu+∼b3Πu→X1Σg+ of K2 molecules were recorded and analyzed, yielding 4053 term values of the spin–orbit (SO) coupled A ∼ b complex of the 39K2 isotopologue with ∼0.01 cm−1 accuracy. Their compilation with 1739 term values from previously published sources allowed them to cover the energy range [9955, 17 436] cm−1 from the bottom of the lower-lying b3Πu state up to the vicinity of the atomic asymptote 4s2S12 + 4p2P12, with a rotational quantum number J ∈ [0, 149]. The experimental data were processed by a direct 6 × 6 coupled-channel (CC) deperturbation treatment, which accounted explicitly for both SO and electronic-rotational interactions between all six e-symmetry states: A1Σu+(0u+), b3Πu(0u+,1u,2u), c3Σu(1u), and B1Πu(1u). The initial parameters of the global deperturbation model have been estimated in the framework of ab initio electronic structure calculations applying multi-reference configuration-interaction and coupled-clusters methods. The interatomic potentials analytically defined for A and b states, as well as SO-splitting of the triplet b state and A ∼ b SO-coupling functions, have been particularly refined to fit the 5792 term values of the 39K2 isotopologue, whereas the rest parameters were fixed on their ab initio values. The resulting mass-invariant parameters of the 6 × 6 CC model reproduced the overall rovibronic term energies of the A ∼ b complex of 39K2 with accuracy, which is well within the experimental errors. The quality of the deperturbation analysis was independently confirmed by comparison with the present obtained 705 and 14 term values of respective 39K41K and 41K2 isotopologues, as well as by agreement between measured and predicted relative intensity distributions in long A ∼ b → X(vX) band progressions. This deperturbation analysis provided the refined dissociation energy Tdis = 17 474.569(5) cm−1 and the long-range coefficient C3Σ = 5.501(4) × 105 cm−1 Å3 relevant to the non-relativistic atomic limit 4s + 4p. The derived Tdis yielded the accurate well depth De = 4450.910(5) cm−1 for the ground X1Σg+ state, whereas the new C3Σ value yielded the improved estimates for atomic K(4p2P12;32) radiative lifetimes, τ12 = 26.67(3) and τ32 = 26.32(3) ns.
Self-powered piezoelectric sensor based on BaTiO3/MWCNTs/PVDF electrospun nanofibers for wireless alarm system
Authors: Liu Lei , Li Xueying , Gang Yongfeng , Cui Xin , Fan Bo , Dan Yuanyuan , Fang Jiwen 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The piezoelectric constant of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is inferior to that of piezoelectric ceramics, which will impede the efficient application in smart systems. In this work, we modulated the content of BaTiO3/multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in the BaTiO3/MWCNTs/PVDF electrospun nanofibers to facilitate the β phase formation in the PVDF to enhance the piezoelectric properties of BaTiO3/MWCNTs/PVDF films. The BaTiO3 combined with MWCNTs through chemical bands can enhance the electrostatic interaction at the vicinity of BaTiO3-PVDF interface to induce augmentation of the local conformational disorder and result in the enhanced nucleation and stabilization of β phase in the BaTiO3/MWCNTs/PVDF films. When the ratio between BaTiO3 and MWCNTs is about 3:1, the PVDF-BM-3 can deliver the output voltage of 39.5 V under 250 kPa with a frequency of 10 Hz. The PVDF-BM-3 electrospun nanofibers as triggers used in the wireless alarm system can achieve comparable sensitivity under different external stresses. This work paves a new promising pathway for self-powered piezoelectric sensors in the Internet of Things.
Room-temperature highly sensitive triethylamine detection by few-layer Nb2CT
x
MXene nanosheets
Authors: Wang Wenxing , Yao Yu , Xin Jiangang , Zhao Xueling , Xie Lili , Zhu Zhigang 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
MXene, a class of two-dimensional materials that are emerging as rising stars in the field of materials, are receiving much attention in sensing. Ti3C2T
x
MXene, the most maturely researched MXene, is widely used in energy, biomedical, laser, and microwave shielding applications and has also been expanded to gas sensing and wearable electronics applications. Compared with Ti3C2T
x
, Nb2CT
x
MXene is more difficult to etch and has higher resistances at room temperature; so, few studies have been reported on their use in the sensing field. Based on the preparation of few-layer Nb2CT
x
MXene by intercalation, this study thoroughly examined their gas-sensing properties. The successfully prepared few-layer Nb2CT
x
showed good selectivity and high sensitivity to triethylamine at room temperature, with response values up to 47.2% for 50 ppm triethylamine and short response/recovery time (22/20 s). This study opens an important path for the design of novel Nb-based MXene sensors for triethylamine gas detection.
Understanding the effects of annealing induced structural transformations on the UVC absorbance and other optical properties of RF sputter deposited Ga2O3 thin films
Authors: C S Keerthana , S Nair Anjana , K Sreepriya , James Jiya , Kumar Santhosh , Unnikrishnan N V , A C Saritha 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Gallium oxide (Ga2O3) is a transparent material with high absorption in the UVC region of the electromagnetic spectrum and hence is a very important candidate in the field of short wavelength optical device fabrication. A proper understanding of the different optical parameters is necessary for developing more efficient coatings and devices. In this work, changes in the optical behavior of Ga2O3 thin films due to post-deposition annealing (at temperatures 300 °C–900 °C) are discussed in detail. Structural, surface morphological and compositional modifications of the films are identified using the x-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectrometer techniques, respectively. At 900 °C, a highly stable monoclinic β phase of Ga2O3 is obtained. The optical transmittance spectra acquired using UV–Vis spectroscopy indicate an improved UVC absorbance of the β-Ga2O3 films with an excellent visible transmittance (>80%). The structural transformation from amorphous to crystalline β-Ga2O3 phase and the associated reduction in defect density is found to modify other optical attributes, like the bandgap energy, Urbach energy, dispersion parameters, etc.
Manufacturing of soft capacitive strain sensor based on dielectric elastomer material for an elastic element of a jaw coupling
Authors: Prokopchuk Artem , Ewert Arthur , Menning Johannes D M , Richter Andreas , Schlecht Berthold , Wallmersperger Thomas , Henke E-F Markus 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
In this work, we present a procedure for manufacturing a soft capacitive strain sensor in the form of a multi-layer electrical capacitor for further integration into the elastic gear rim of a jaw coupling. The dielectric elastomer sensor (DES) is based on an elastomeric substrate with alternating layers of conductive carbon black based ink as electrode layers and elastomeric film as a dielectric and electrical insulation. A variety of thin multi-layer sensors were produced to evaluate the manufacturing process. Additionally, using an LCR meter and a tensile test machine, the equivalent electrical capacitance (C) at the two sensor contacts and the applied force are measured, respectively. It is shown that C varies depending on the amount of sample strain caused by the applied force. By testing two versions of DES, a maximum change in capacitance of ΔC = 1.55 pF was achieved. The obtained characteristics show that the presented manufacturing process for the DES can be used as a soft strain sensor to measure the strain caused by the force applied to the elastic element between the jaw couplings.
Qualitative switches in single-neuron spike dynamics on neuromorphic hardware: implementation, impact on network synchronization and relevance for plasticity
Authors: Weerdmeester Liz , Niemeyer Nelson , Pfeiffer Paul , Billaudelle Sebastian , Schemmel Johannes , Schleimer Jan-Hendrik , Schreiber Susanne 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Most efforts on spike-based learning on neuromorphic hardware focus on synaptic plasticity and do not yet exploit the potential of altering the spike-generating dynamics themselves. Biological neurons show distinct mechanisms of spike generation, which affect single-neuron and network computations. Such a variety of spiking mechanisms can only be mimicked on chips with more advanced, nonlinear single-neuron dynamics than the commonly implemented leaky integrate-and-fire neurons. Here, we demonstrate that neurons on the BrainScaleS-2 chip configured for exponential leaky integrate-and-fire dynamics can be tuned to undergo a qualitative switch in spike generation via a modulation of the reset voltage. This switch is accompanied by altered synchronization properties of neurons in a network and thereby captures a main characteristic of the unfolding of the saddle-node loop bifurcation—a qualitative transition that was recently demonstrated in biological neurons. Using this switch, cell-intrinsic properties alone provide a means to control whether small networks of all-to-all coupled neurons on the chip exhibit synchronized firing or splayed-out spiking patterns. We use an example from a central pattern generating circuit in the fruitfly to show that such dynamics can be induced and controlled on the chip. Our study thereby demonstrates the potential of neuromorphic chips with relatively complex and tunable single-neuron dynamics such as the BrainScaleS-2 chip, to generate computationally distinct single unit dynamics. We conclude with a discussion of the utility of versatile spike-generating mechanisms on neuromorphic chips.
Flexiplex: a versatile demultiplexer and search tool for omics data
Authors: Cheng Oliver , Ling Min Hao , Wang Changqing , Wu Shuyi , Ritchie Matthew E , Göke Jonathan , Amin Noorul , Davidson Nadia M 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Motivation
The process of analyzing high throughput sequencing data often requires the identification and extraction of specific target sequences. This could include tasks, such as identifying cellular barcodes and UMIs in single-cell data, and specific genetic variants for genotyping. However, existing tools, which perform these functions are often task-specific, such as only demultiplexing barcodes for a dedicated type of experiment, or are not tolerant to noise in the sequencing data.

Results
To overcome these limitations, we developed Flexiplex, a versatile and fast sequence searching and demultiplexing tool for omics data, which is based on the Levenshtein distance and thus allows imperfect matches. We demonstrate Flexiplex’s application on three use cases, identifying cell-line-specific sequences in Illumina short-read single-cell data, and discovering and demultiplexing cellular barcodes from noisy long-read single-cell RNA-seq data. We show that Flexiplex achieves an excellent balance of accuracy and computational efficiency compared to leading task-specific tools.

Availability and implementation
Flexiplex is available at https://davidsongroup.github.io/flexiplex/.
Water storage capacity of closed-shell silicon oxyhydroxide cluster cations in the gas phase
Authors: Nagata Toshiaki , Miyajima Ken , Mafuné Fumitaka 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Stable compositions and H2O desorption processes of SinO2n+iH2i+1⁠+ (nominally, (SiO2)n(H2O)iH+; n = 3 to 10) clusters have been studied by gas-phase thermal desorption spectrometry coupled with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Five or six H2O molecules were found to be stored (i = 5, 6) mainly in the clusters at room temperature. The clusters sequentially released H2O molecules upon heating to form the species with i = 2 (n = 3–5, 8) and 3 (n = 6, 7, 9, 10) as the most prominent compositions at 1,000 K. The desorption energies of H2O molecules from the clusters were evaluated from the temperature dependence data for n = 3 to 5. The experimental and theoretical results suggest that (SiO2)n(H2O)iH+ clusters with higher i (e.g. i ≥ 4 for n = 3) involve H2O molecules bound with hydrogen bonds and can easily release the H2O molecules (ΔE &lt; ∼0.5 eV); species with lower i (e.g. i = 2 and 3 for n = 3) form H2O molecules from two hydroxide groups, whose desorption requires higher energies (ca. 1 to 2 eV); and H2O release is hampered if the product species does not maintain the structure with tetrahedrally coordinated Si atoms.
Viral reactivation following COVID-19 vaccination: a review of the current literature
Authors: Martora Fabrizio , Megna Matteo , Battista Teresa , Scalvenzi Massimiliano , Villani Alessia , Cacciapuoti Sara , Potestio Luca 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Currently, four vaccines for COVID-19 have been licensed by the European Medicines Agency: two viral vector-based vaccines and two mRNA-based vaccines. Since their approval, several cutaneous reactions related to vaccination have been reported in the literature. Among these, viral reactivations are one of the most frequent. The aim of this article was to investigate the current literature regarding viral reactivations following COVID-19 vaccination, focusing attention on pityriasis rosea (PR), herpes zoster and herpes simplex. A comprehensive literature search using various databases was performed and we included metanalyses, reviews, letters to the editor, real-life studies, case series and reports. A total of 48 articles involving 2067 patients were selected. Of these, 32, 6 and 17 articles reported varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation (1758 patients), herpes simplex virus (HSV) (238 patients) onset and PR (71 patients), respectively (some articles discussed more than one of these three reactivations). Possible pathogenetic mechanisms underlying viral reactivation are still not understood. Also, the possible correlations between vaccination and viral reactivation should be clarified. Certainly, vaccination should not be discouraged.