bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is COVID‐19 to Blame for Sensorineural Hearing Deterioration? A Pre/Post COVID‐19 Hearing Evaluation Study
Authors: Taitelbaum‐Swead Riki , Pinhas Adi , Cohen Tsemah Shiraz , Wechsler Hagar , Chordekar Shai 
Published: October 2022

ObjectivesHere, we aimed to (a) determine whether a clinically significant sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) change could be detected in post‐coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) hearing levels on comparing them with pre‐infection hearing levels after controlling for the effect of age and (b) to identify risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, which increase the likelihood of hearing loss in COVID‐19 patients.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed hearing thresholds in unvaccinated patient's pre‐ and post‐COVID‐19 infection. Thresholds were controlled for age and the duration between the pre‐ and post‐COVID‐19 hearing evaluations. Correlations between additional COVID‐19‐related symptoms, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking and hearing threshold changes were analyzed.ResultsA significant (but not clinical) threshold elevation was found post‐COVID‐19 infection. However, on controlling for age and the duration between the pre‐ and post‐COVID‐19 hearing evaluations, no significant threshold elevation was found. No significant correlation was found between hearing threshold changes and additional COVID‐19‐related symptoms, hypertension, diabetes, or smoking.ConclusionCOVID‐19 did not lead to a significant hearing threshold elevation in our cohort, even among patients with additional COVID‐19 symptoms, hypertension, or diabetes mellitus or among those who smoked.Level of Evidence3. nonrandomized controlled cohort, follow‐up study Laryngoscope, 133:1976–1981, 2023
Spatial–temporal pattern of vegetation carbon sequestration and its response to rocky desertification control measures in a karst area, in Guangxi Province, China
Authors: Wang Lei , Wu Xiuqin , Guo Jianbin , Zhou Jinxing , He Liang 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe terrestrial ecosystem in southwestern China has been a long‐term carbon sink, but its spatial–temporal pattern during the previous two decades and its response to karst rocky desertification control measures (KRDC) still merit further quantification, particularly where higher levels of carbon capture by vegetation are proposed in the context of a ‘carbon neutrality’ goal. Satellite datasets, field data from previous studies, and the geostatistical soil respiration model enabled a focus on the karst landscape in Guangxi Province in Southwest China, to probe the spatial–temporal pattern of the ability to capture carbon during 2001–2020 and assess its response to KRDC. The results showed that the interannual variation in the average net ecosystem productivity (NEP) exhibited a remarkable tendency to increase at a rate of 4.15 g C m−2 yr−1 (p < 0.01). A major period of increase was identified from 2006 to 2011, which represented the second stage of the KRDC. The terrestrial ecosystems of karst area have always acted as carbon sinks. Human activity was the dominant factor in the development of NEP and covered an area of 79.30%. The karst area offers climate change characteristics of ‘wetness’ and ‘light stress,’ which can promote the ability of vegetation carbon to serve as a carbon sink (0.18 g C m−2 yr−1). Furthermore, the closing mountains for afforestation is the most effective way to artificially increase the carbon sink. Quantifying vegetation ecosystem carbon sinks and sources in this study is highly significant for understanding regional carbon dynamics and guiding carbon capture policies to design and mitigate land degradation.
On admissible singular drifts of symmetric α‐stable process
Authors: Kinzebulatov Damir , Madou Kodjo Raphaël 
Published: October 2022

AbstractWe consider the problem of existence of a (unique) weak solution to the SDE describing symmetric α‐stable process with a locally unbounded drift , , . In this paper, b belongs to the class of weakly form‐bounded vector fields, the class providing the L2 theory of the non‐local operator behind the SDE, i.e. . It contains as proper sub‐classes other classes of singular vector fields studied in the literature in connection with this operator, such as the Kato class, the weak class and the Campanato–Morrey class (in general, such b makes invalid the standard heat kernel estimates in terms of the heat kernel of the fractional Laplacian). We show that the operator with weakly form‐bounded b admits a realization as (minus) Feller generator, and that the probability measures determined by the Feller semigroup (uniquely in appropriate sense) admit description as weak solutions to the corresponding SDE. The proof is based on detailed regularity theory of in , .
Cystine Induced‐mTORC2 Activation through Promoting Sin1 Phosphorylation to Suppress Cancer Cell Ferroptosis
Authors: Wang GuoYan , Chen Lei , Qin SenLin , Zheng YiNing , Xia Chao , Yao JunHu , Wang Ping , Deng Lu 
Published: October 2022

ScopeMechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) serves as a central signaling node in the coordination of cell growth and metabolism, and it functions via two distinct complexes, namely, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2. mTORC1 plays a crucial role in sensing amino acids, whereas mTORC2 involves in sensing growth factors. However, it remains largely unclear whether mTORC2 can sense amino acids and the mechanism by which amino acids regulate mTORC2 has not been studied.Methods and resultsAfter treating cells with indicated concentration of amino acids for different time, it is found that the mTORC2 activation is significantly increased in response to amino acids stimulation, especially cystine. Particularly, knockdown solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) by siRNA shows that SLC7A11‐mediated cystine uptake is responsible for activating mTORC2. Mechanistically, the study finds that p38 is activated in response to cystine stimulation, and co‐immunoprecipitation (Co‐IP) experiments suggest that p38 regulates the assembly of components within mTORC2 by mediating the phosphorylation of the mTORC2 subunit mitogen‐activated protein kinase‐interacting protein 1 (Sin1) in a cystine‐dependent manner. Finally, combined with inducers and inhibitors of ferroptosis and cell viability assay, the study observes that cystine‐mediated regulation of the p38‐Sin1‐mTOR‐AKT pathway induces resistance to ferroptosis.ConclusionThese results indicate that cystine‐induced activation of the p38‐Sin1‐mTORC2‐AKT pathway suppresses ferroptosis.
Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopic analysis of Nafion and graft‐type polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cell application
Authors: Long Tran Hoang , Hieu Dinh Tran Trong , Hao Lam Hoang , Cuong Nguyen Tien , Loan Truong Thi Hong , Van Man Tran , Tap Tran Duy 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe subnano free‐volume hole features of Nafion‐212 and poly(styrene sulfonic acid) grafted poly(ethylene‐co‐tetrafluoroethylene) polymer electrolyte membranes are investigated by using the positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopic analyses with three‐ and four‐component models (i.e., one‐ and two‐ortho‐positronium [o‐Ps] components). The four‐component model provides a more adequate description of free‐volume hole features for both membranes, in which the longer o‐Ps lifetime is assigned to the larger free volume hole sizes in the mobile side chains, while the shorter o‐Ps lifetime is associated with the smaller free volume hole sizes within the backbones (the rigid amorphous fractions and the crystalline‐amorphous interfaces) and the interfaces between the main chains and the side chains. The o‐Ps annihilation is found to occur primarily in the side chains. The subnano volume hole features revealed by the positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) spectra suggest the primary water uptake and conductance in the side chains and the possible presence of water molecules in the rigid amorphous fractions and the interfaces. Note that the three‐component model as usually reported in the literature may underestimate the lifetime and intensity of ortho‐positronium annihilation.
iBench: A ground truth approach for advanced validation of mass spectrometry identification method
Authors: Cormican John A. , Soh Wai Tuck , Mishto Michele , Liepe Juliane 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe discovery of many noncanonical peptides detectable with sensitive mass spectrometry inside, outside, and on cells shepherded the development of novel methods for their identification, often not supported by a systematic benchmarking with other methods. We here propose iBench, a bioinformatic tool that can construct ground truth proteomics datasets and cognate databases, thereby generating a training court wherein methods, search engines, and proteomics strategies can be tested, and their performances estimated by the same tool. iBench can be coupled to the main database search engines, allows the selection of customized features of mass spectrometry spectra and peptides, provides standard benchmarking outputs, and is open source. The proof‐of‐concept application to tryptic proteome digestions, immunopeptidomes, and synthetic peptide libraries dissected the impact that noncanonical peptides could have on the identification of canonical peptides by Mascot search with rescoring via Percolator (Mascot+Percolator).
Phase III dose selection of marzeptacog alfa (activated) informed by population pharmacokinetic modeling: A novel hemostatic drug
Authors: Faraj Alan , Knudsen Tom , Desai Shraddha , Neuman Linda , Blouse Grant E. , Simonsson Ulrika S. H. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractMarzeptacog alfa (activated) (MarzAA) is an activated recombinant human FVII (rFVIIa) variant developed as subcutaneous (s.c.) administration for the treatment or prevention of bleeding episodes in patients with hemophilia A (HA) or hemophilia B (HB) with inhibitors and other rare bleeding disorders. Population pharmacokinetic (PK) modeling was applied for dose selection for a pivotal phase III clinical trial evaluating s.c. MarzAA for episodic treatment of spontaneous or traumatic bleeding episodes. The population PK model used MarzAA intravenous and s.c. data from previously completed clinical trials in patients with HA/HB with or without inhibitors. Based on the model, clinical trial simulations were performed to predict MarzAA exposure after different dosing regimens. The exposure target was identified using an exposure‐matching strategy with a wild‐type rFVIIa but adjusting for the difference in potency between the two compounds. Simulations demonstrated a sufficient absorption rate and prolonged exposure following a single 60 μg/kg dose leading to 51% and 70% of the population reaching levels above the target after 3 and 6 h, respectively. According to the phase III protocol, if a second dose was required after 3 h because of a lack of efficacy, 90% of the population was observed to be above target 6 h after the initial dose. The model‐informed drug development approach integrated information from several trials and guided dose selection in the pivotal phase III clinical trial for episodic treatment of an acute bleeding event in individuals with HA or HB with inhibitors without the execution of a phase II trial for that indication.
Splitting tensile strength of recycled tire steel fiber‐reinforced alkali‐activated slag concrete designed by Taguchi method
Authors: Eskandarinia Milad , Esmailzade Mina , Aslani Farhad 
Published: October 2022

AbstractDespite offering several benefits in terms of environment and economics, few studies were conducted on the ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) based alkali‐activated concrete reinforced with recycled tire steel fibers (RTSFs). Therefore, this paper employed the Taguchi method to investigate and optimize the influence of GGBFS content, the alkaline solution to GGBFS content ratio, sodium hydroxide solution concentration, and RTSF volume fraction on splitting tensile strength (STS) of recycled tire steel fiber‐reinforced alkali‐activated slag concrete (RTSFR‐AASC). The microstructural evaluation was done through scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses. The results indicated that the fiber content, the most efficient parameter on STS, led to a considerable enhancement in the performance characteristic. Microstructural analysis proved the variations in formation of C–S–H gel. The results of the confirmation experiment on the proposed optimized RTSFR‐AASC mixture with the highest 28‐day STS (7.11 MPa) confirmed the effectiveness of the Taguchi method.
Tetrachlorobisphenol A and bisphenol AF induced cell migration by activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway via G protein‐coupled estrogen receptor 1 in SK‐BR‐3 cells
Authors: Yu Mengjie , Xu Lanbing , Lei Bingli , Sun Su , Yang Yingxin 
Published: October 2022

AbstractDifferent subtypes of breast cancer express positively G protein‐coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1). Our previous studies found that tetrachlorobisphenol A (TCBPA) and bisphenol AF (BPAF) significantly promoted SK‐BR‐3 cell proliferation by activating GPER1‐regulated signals. The present study further investigated the effects of TCBPA and BPAF on the migration of SK‐BR‐3 cells and examined the role of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase‐protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) and its downstream signal targets in this process. We found that low‐concentration BPAF and TCBPA markedly accelerated the migration of SK‐BR‐3 cells and elevated the mRNA levels of target genes associated with PI3K/Akt and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signals. TCBPA‐ and BPAF‐induced upregulation of target genes was significantly reduced by GPER1 inhibitor G15, the PI3K/Akt inhibitor wortmannin (WM), and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor ZD1839 (ZD). G15 and WM also decreased cell migration induced by TCBPA and BPAF. The findings revealed that TCBPA and BPAF promoted SK‐BR‐3 cell migration ability by activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway via GPER1‐EGFR.
Autobiographical memory and the self: A transition theory perspective
Authors: Brown Norman R. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIn contrast to much theoretical work on the topic, Transition Theory (Brown, 2016, 2021) attempts to account for important aspects of autobiographical memory in a way that emphasizes the structure of experience, rather than the relation between personal‐event memories and the Self. This article provides the rationale for adopting this minimalist stance. Here it is argued that: (a) an all‐inclusive notion of the Self is of little utility to the study of autobiographical memory because virtually all sentient goal‐directed activities can be seen as reflecting the Self, hence, adopting this view provides no bias for predicting event memorability; (b) although some event memories are clearly Self‐relevant (e.g., life‐story events, turning points, self‐defining memories), most are not; (c) the formation of and access to Self‐knowledge typically does not depend on the availability of specific autobiographical memories; rather, (d) Self‐knowledge is generally derived from massive amounts of readily forgotten role‐relevant experience.This article is categorized under:
Philosophy > Representation
Philosophy > Knowledge and Belief
Psychology > Memory
Digital Divide and Digital Inclusion: Juxtaposed Realities and eInclusive Prospects for Older Persons
Authors: Hoffman Jaco , Roos Vera 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe digital divide within and across generations is often explained by older persons’ exclusion from, or limited access to technologies, as well as reluctant uptake on their part. However, given the interdependencies between young and old in the developing world, cell phones offer potential for people to connect across and within generations. This chapter considers the body of main transferable themes emerging from the present study in terms of eInclusion of older persons beyond the temporal and particular. We highlight in particular the value of taking an intergenerational approach; utilizing the intergenerational contact zones (IZCs) generated around and through the cell phone; using planned intergenerational programming (IP) for eInclusion; and older-user-centric participation in any development and implementation of technologies. The bottom line to aim for is a person-relevant and technology/environment fit to enhance the lives of all older adults and to benefit society as a whole.
Developing a Questionnaire to Investigate Older Individuals’ Cell Phone Use and Age-Inclusive Implementation through Technology
Authors: Erasmus Mianda , Bothma Elizabeth , Roos Vera 
Published: October 2022

AbstractNo questionnaires to obtain information about older South Africans’ cell phone use were available. This chapter details the development of three new questionnaires for this purpose. The iGNiTe questionnaire (Version 1) addressed the need for information about older persons’ cell phone use and intra/intergenerational relations. Items, in English, were derived from the literature and current research, subsequently translated into Afrikaans, and piloted. Trained student fieldworkers used devices to collect responses from selected older individuals (n = 128). The results of exploratory factor analyses and reliability coefficients then informed the we-DELIVER questionnaire (Version 2) for collecting data on older persons’ cell phone use and service needs. Subject experts’ revisions preceded piloting. Questionnaires were translated from English into Setswana, Sesotho, and isiZulu and administered by student fieldworkers. The results (n = 302) were analysed and literature and theory consulted to develop Version 3, AGeConnect. We present what we believe to be the first online questionnaire (https://ageconnect.questionpro.com/) designed to longitudinally study and document data on older individuals’ cell phone use here and abroad. (Afrikaans, English, Setswana, Sesotho, and isiZulu are five of South Africa’s 11 official languages).
Chapter 10: Canonical Correlation Analysis
Authors: Mathai Arak , Provost Serge , Haubold Hans 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe necessary theory for the study of Canonical Correlation Analysis has already been introduced in Chap. Chap. 1, including the problem of optimizing a real bilinear form subject to two quadratic form constraints. Canonical Correlation Analysis aims at determining the associations between two sets of variables. Accordingly, we will seek the ‘best’ prediction function for a set of real scalar variables y1, …, yq, on the basis of a collection of real scalar variables x1, …, xp. The problem is converted into one of predicting a linear function of y1, …, yq from an arbitrary linear function of x1, …, xp, and vice versa. Estimates of the canonical correlations and the canonical variables are obtained, and the sampling distribution of the sample correlation matrix is determined.
Behavioral and Physiological Audiometric Methods for Animals
Authors: McFadden Sandra L. , Simmons Andrea Megela , Erbe Christine , Thomas Jeanette A. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractAn important component of bioacoustical research is the description and quantification of the hearing capabilities of different animal species. This chapter reviews common behavioral and physiological methods used to examine the hearing of live animals and discusses some of their strengths and weaknesses. The focus is on audiometric studies that identify the frequency range and sensitivity of hearing, with examples provided from several different species. The methods discussed also are useful for quantifying other aspects of auditory perception such as sound frequency or intensity discrimination, sound localization, and the effects of noise on hearing.
Choosing Equipment for Animal Bioacoustic Research
Authors: Madhusudhana Shyam , Pavan Gianni , Miller Lee A. , Gannon William L. , Hawkins Anthony , Erbe Christine , Hamel Jennifer A. , Thomas Jeanette A. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractStudies of animal bioacoustics require equipment to record and analyze sounds and sometimes to play back recorded sounds. Choosing the right equipment can be a difficult task for the novice bioacoustician. In this chapter, we outline the components that make up a typical recording or playback setup, define some of the commonly used terminology for describing the instruments, and present some illustrative studies that required the use of specific types of equipment. We cover instruments used in both terrestrial and aquatic bioacoustic studies. The ensuing discussions will introduce the reader to some of the commonly used microphones, hydrophones, amplifiers, analog-to-digital converters, projectors (loudspeakers), as well as programmable autonomous recording systems. Where applicable, we also discuss some of the pros and cons to be considered when choosing a particular product for a study, and the limitations that specific equipment may pose to the planned research. We also present equipment that can be used to record directly to a computer. Often, it may be necessary to use calibrated equipment so that accurate measurements can be made. We present considerations for calibrating the different components of the recording setup. Finally, we present some additional equipment used in biotremology to measure vibration and particle motion, and we list some smartphone-based applications used in bioacoustic studies.
Introduction to Acoustic Terminology and Signal Processing
Authors: Erbe Christine , Duncan Alec , Hawkins Lauren , Terhune John M. , Thomas Jeanette A. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThis chapter presents an introduction to acoustics and explains the basic quantities and concepts relevant to terrestrial and aquatic animal bioacoustics. Specific terminology that is introduced includes sound pressure, sound exposure, particle velocity, sound speed, longitudinal and transverse waves, frequency-modulation, amplitude-modulation, decibel, source level, near-field, far-field, frequency weighting, power spectral density, and one-third octave band level, amongst others. The chapter then introduces basic signal sampling and processing concepts such as sampling frequency, Nyquist frequency, aliasing, windowing, and Fourier transform. The chapter concludes with an introductory treatise of sound localization and tracking, including time difference of arrival and beamforming.
Introduction to Sound Propagation Under Water
Authors: Erbe Christine , Duncan Alec , Vigness-Raposa Kathleen J. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractSound propagation under water is a complex process. Sound does not propagate along straight-line transmission paths. Rather, it reflects, refracts, and diffracts. It scatters off rough surfaces (such as the sea surface and the seafloor) and off reflectors within the water column (e.g., gas bubbles, fish swim bladders, and suspended particles). It is transmitted into the seafloor and partially lost from the water. It is converted into heat by exciting molecular vibrations. There are common misconceptions about sound propagation in water, such as “low-frequency sound does not propagate in shallow water,” “over hard seafloors, all sound is reflected, leading to cylindrical spreading,” and “over soft seafloors, sound propagates spherically.” This chapter aims to remove common misconceptions and empowers the reader to comprehend sound propagation phenomena in a range of environments and appreciate the limitations of widely used sound propagation models. The chapter begins by deriving the sonar equation for a number of scenarios, including animal acoustic communication, communication masking by noise, and acoustic surveying of animals. It introduces the concept of the layered ocean, presenting temperature, salinity, and resulting sound speed profiles. These are needed to develop the most common concepts of sound propagation under water: ray tracing and normal modes. This chapter explains Snell’s law, reflection and transmission coefficients, and Lloyd’s mirror. It provides an overview of publicly available sound propagation software (including wavenumber integration and parabolic equation models). It concludes with a few practical examples of modeling propagation loss for whale song and a seismic airgun array.