Browse Articles

Audio-visual speech-in-noise tests for evaluating speech reception thresholds: A scoping review

Objective To evaluate the advancements in speech intelligibility testing over the recent decades, with a particular emphasis on the development of audiovisual speech in noise tests that incorporate both auditory and visual modalities for the measurement of speech recognition thresholds. Design A scoping review was conducted systematically to examine the existing literature on speech intelligibility testing methods. Following comprehensive screening process, studies were selected for detailed analysis, focusing on audiovisual integration and potential for remote or automated administration within studies methodologies. Study Sample The review encompassed 11 scholarly articles that investigated diverse approaches to speech intelligibility testing. Results The analysis revealed variability in the accuracy and reliability of speech intelligibility testing methods. Although certain methods demonstrated efficacy in incorporating audiovisual cues, none of the reviewed studies included provisions for remote administration, thereby necessitating the presence of a clinician for test execution. This limitation underscores the imperative for further research development of remote testing methodologies that leverage audiovisual technologies to assess speech in noise. Conclusions The findings of this review underscore the critical need for advancement in speech intelligibility testing methodologies particularly integrating audiovisual components and enabling remote administration. The development in this domain holds significant potential to enhance the assessment and implementation of assistive technologies for individuals with hearing impairments.

Multitask optimization and convergence stability with hierarchical feature learning for self guided optimization

Abstract The optimization process of multimodal multitask architectures faces three major problems which include unstable optimization and unresolved cross-task interference and insufficient alignment between different feature views. The solution of these system failure points needs direct management of view-specific relationships and task-dependent feature extraction and multi-instance data processing methods. The Unified Multitask and Multiview Deep Architecture (UMDA) solves all optimization problems through its four interconnected computational blocks which operate as a unified system. The Hybrid Cross-View Attention module generates two types of attention operators which establish controlled inter-view relationships through entropy-based concentration mechanisms and cross-view consistency penalties and dispersion constraints that stop modalities from collapsing into each other. The Adaptive Task-Specific Branching module uses dual-path factorization to identify common elements in task projections which generates influence matrices that handle hierarchical task relationships through penalty functions for divergence and consistency. The Graph-Based Multi-Instance Pooling operator processes multi-instance data by building graphs and performing Laplacian propagation and structural signature aggregation based on higher-order tensor interactions that follow entropy and graph-smoothness rules. The Self-Guided Learning method achieves stable optimization through two mechanisms which use gradient magnitudes to adjust task-specific learning rates and combine weighted gradients to reduce objective function variance. The combined mechanisms in the system achieve 88.3% multitask classification accuracy and 0.973 cross-view feature consistency and 4.2% gradient variance reduction during identical training and resource conditions.

GFP-free live neuron quantitative imaging reveals compartmentalization and growth dynamics of polyQ aggregates

Huntington’s Disease (HD), the most prevalent polyglutamine (polyQ) neurodegenerative disorder, features brain aggregates induced by mutant huntingtin (mHtt) proteins harboring expanded polyQ tracts. Despite extensive efforts, molecular mechanisms of polyQ aggregates remain elusive. Here, we establish quantitative stimulated Raman scattering imaging of polyQ aggregates (q-aggSRS) for noninvasive investigations in live neuronal cocultures using deuterated glutamine labeling. Q-aggSRS allows for specific visualization by targeting the distinct Raman peak from carbon–deuterium bonds, eliminating the need for bulky fluorescent protein tagging (e.g., EGFP). Coupled with analysis from aggregate-tailored expansion microscopy, newly designed two-color imaging, and pulse–chase visualization, we comprehensively quantified the mHtt and non-mHtt proteins within the same aggregates across varying sizes, cell types, mHtt constructs, and subcellular locations. Our findings demonstrate a two-phase aggregate model with a distinct core–shell spatial organization, reveal significant heterogeneity in nucleus/cytoplasm compartmentalization specific to neurons, and identify previously unrecognized loosely packed aggregates specifically in neuronal nuclei. These insights should advance our understanding of native polyQ aggregates, and our proposed interaction coefficients may offer quantitative parameters for developing effective HD therapies.

A probabilistic approach to enhance the efficiency of case finding in hospital quality management: A case study using readmissions

Hospital readmissions prolong patient suffering and increase healthcare expenditures. Unplanned readmission rates, such as those reported by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), distinguish between planned and unplanned readmissions. However, within unplanned readmissions, there is no distinction between those that are preventable versus unpreventable by the hospitals. Alternative approaches attempting to identify potentially preventable readmissions directly from coded medical data have been explored but have shown low sensitivity. Consequently, identifying preventable readmissions remains a time-consuming task for hospital quality managers seeking to allocate improvement resources effectively. To address this challenge, we aimed to develop and evaluate a probabilistic approach to improve the identification of preventable readmissions among unplanned readmissions. Using a retrospective record review of 600 single inpatient stays from a tertiary referral hospital group in Switzerland, we investigated the hypothesis that readmitted patients with a low expected probability for readmission (based on a logistic regression model using patient characteristics) would retrospectively show higher odds of having experienced a potentially or most likely preventable readmission (as assessed by the reviewers). The results confirmed our hypothesis: patients in the third with the lowest expected probability of readmission (compared with those in the highest third) had 6.6 and 8.7 times higher odds, respectively, of having experienced a potentially or most likely preventable readmission. Among preventable readmissions, the leading causes of readmission were surgical complications, medication-related reasons, nonsurgical complications, and premature discharge. Our proposed probabilistic approach can be used by hospital quality managers to focus case finding efforts on unexpectedly readmitted patients and aid effective resource allocation for improvement initiatives.

Metal-based (lignin/silica) hybrids as green activators for conductive EPDM composites

Abstract Conductive rubber composites are usually formulated from natural or synthetic rubber and a variety of petroleum-based additives. Environmental and sustainability concerns have increased interest and resulted in the search for bio-based alternatives to these additives. Rice straw is an abundant agricultural waste whose burning contributes to environmental pollution. It can be transformed into valuable resources for green composites in a sustainable manner. This research presents a sustainable approach to upcycle this biomass by developing metal–organic hybrid materials, Fe(lignin/silica/fatty acid) Fe(LSF) and Ni(lignin/silica/fatty acid) Ni(LSF) hybrid materials from rice straw black liquor for use as green activators in ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber composites. These hybrids were thoroughly characterized, the X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigations confirmed the crystallinity of the Fe(LSF) hybrid and the amorphous nature of the Ni(LSF) hybrid, as well as determining the elemental composition. In addition, the morphology at the nanoscale and uniform distribution of the elements in both hybrids were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and EDX mapping analysis. The hybrids were then added to EPDM formulations to replace the traditional activator system of stearic acid and zinc oxide (ZnO). The performance of the composites was then evaluated, revealing that the green activator systems impart interesting properties. The vulcanizates achieved tensile strengths up to 5.57 MPa, showed improved resistance to thermo-oxidative aging, and demonstrated enhanced electrical conductivity. These results underscore the potential of these rice-straw-derived hybrids as sustainable, high-performance components for electrically functional EPDM applications.

A single-domain expansin-like protein from <i>Gloeophyllum trabeum</i> able to cleave xylan

Expansin-related proteins (ERPs) are a broad group of plant cell wall–loosening proteins and are considered noncatalytic, as, to date, no cell wall–derived products have been observed as a result of catalysis, despite the presence of a domain that resembles the catalytic domains of GH45 endoglucanases. Here, we report catalytic activity for a single-domain ERP, Gt EXPN_133317, from the brown-rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum , which is highly expressed in the early phase of spruce colonization. We demonstrate enzyme-dependent formation of xylan-derived products, such as glucuronylated xylo-oligosaccharides, using high-performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection. Structure-based multiple sequence alignment of ERPs with GH45 endoglucanases showed that, next to a single conserved aspartate (Asp87 in Gt EXPN_133317) present in all ERPs and GH45s, fungal ERPs contain a second conserved acidic residue (Asp25 in Gt EXPN_133317). Mutation of these two conserved amino acids, Asp87 and Asp25, led to a nearly complete loss of xylanolytic activity. While these findings do not exclude the possibility of a noncatalytic plant cell wall–loosening mechanism, they show that ERPs likely have other modes of action besides what the current paradigm states.

Layer V Neocortical neurons from individuals With drug-resistant epilepsy show multiple synaptic alterations but lack somatic hyperexcitability

Although neuronal hyperexcitability is the primary mechanism underlying seizure activity in epilepsy, little is known about how different neuronal mechanisms at different organizational levels contribute to network hyperexcitability in the human epileptic brain. In this study, we determined a series of cellular and synaptic properties of Layer V pyramidal neurons from neocortical tissue of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy that may contribute to the hyperexcitable state associated with epilepsy. Using the whole cell, patch-clamp technique, and extracellular recordings, we determined the passive and active electrophysiological properties of Layer V pyramidal neurons with regular spiking phenotypes from temporal, parietal, and frontal neocortices surgically resected from individuals with drug-resistant epilepsy. Also, the glutamatergic strength, the synaptic coupling between presynaptic volleys and field excitatory postsynaptic potentials, and short-term, frequency-dependent plasticity were determined. Our data revealed that pyramidal neurons exhibit minimal spontaneous synaptic activity, similar resting membrane potentials, and input resistance values among the temporal, parietal, and frontal neocortices. Although frontal neurons were more hyperexcitable than temporal and parietal neurons, the firing output was comparable to that previously observed in non-pathological human tissue. In contrast, the extracellular recordings uncovered significant decoupling between presynaptic excitability and postsynaptic activity and the lack of short-term depression in response to gamma-range (30 Hz) repetitive stimulation. Our data suggest that neocortical Layer V pyramidal neurons from individuals with drug-resistance epilepsy, particularly intratelencephalic-2 neurons, which exhibit regular firing, are not necessarily hyperexcitable at the somatic level. Instead, synaptic alterations, such as synaptic decoupling and the lack of frequency-dependent short-term depression, may significantly contribute to the hyperexcitable state observed during seizure activity.

Peritoneal neutrophil extracellular traps contribute to septic AKI via peritoneal IL-17A and distant organ CXCL-1/ CXCL-2 pathway in abdominal sepsis

Abstract There are no specific treatments for Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (AKI). We previously reported that Il-17a -knockout mice had dramatically improved survival after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) induce IL-17A, which causes harm in some diseases, but this pathway is poorly understood in sepsis. We found that knockout of Pad4 (Peptidyl Arginine Deiminase 4), an enzyme essential for NET formation, improved survival and AKI, and suppressed neutrophil infiltration into remote organs, involving a peritoneal IL-17A/distant organ CXCL-1/CXCL-2 pathway after CLP. NETs were detected in the peritoneal cavity, and not in plasma or distant organs. Adoptive transfer of peritoneal WT neutrophils restored the IL-17A/CXCL-1/CXCL-2 pathway in Pad4 KO mice, leading to neutrophil infiltration and damage to remote organs. These results revealed a pathway from peritoneal NET formation to remote organ injury/inflammation via production of IL-17A at the infectious site and distant organ CXCL-1/CXCL-2. While NETs promoted intraperitoneal IL-17A production, we also showed that conversely, peritoneal IL-17A or CXCL-1/CXCL-2 promoted intraperitoneal NET formation after CLP. This peritoneal vicious cycle that includes NET formation, IL-17A, CXCL-1/CXCL-2 that may amplify sepsis-associated organ injury. Breaking this vicious cycle by inhibiting NET formation and/or IL-17A might be a promising therapeutic target for sepsis treatment.

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha regulates fetal testis differentiation via an ERK–CREB axis

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha ( Pdgfra ) plays a crucial role in mesenchymal cell differentiation, but the molecular signaling involved in this process remains unclear, particularly within the fetal testis. Here, we use XY Pdgfra -null gonads to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying testicular organogenesis, focusing on the formation of testicular architecture and the differentiation of fetal Leydig cells (FLCs), the steroidogenic lineage arising from mesenchymal precursors within the testicular interstitial compartment. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, a well-known mitogen-activated signaling pathway, was significantly inhibited in XY Pdgfra -null gonads, suggesting that ERK signaling is activated downstream of PDGFRA. Using ex vivo whole-organ culture, small interfering RNA cell culture methods, transwell assays, and a genetic mouse model to disrupt ERK signaling in gonadal cells, we found that the ERK pathway promotes testis cord formation via early growth response 1 -mediated cell migration and regulates the expression of steroidogenic enzymes in FLCs via activating the transcription factor cAMP responsive element binding protein 1. These findings highlight the significance of the PDGFRA signaling network in fetal testis organogenesis, thus providing insights into mesenchymal cell differentiation and the etiology of congenital disorders related to gonadal development.

YUV-based SVD-VGG hybrid fusion for multimodal MRI-PET image integration

Multimodal medical image fusion enhances diagnostic interpretation by integrating anatomical and functional information into a single image. This work proposes an efficient hybrid framework, termed SVD–VGG Hybrid Fusion, unifying Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) for luminance decomposition and a lightweight VGG-based feature extractor for high-frequency enhancement. Synthetic Gaussian noise ( σ 2 = 0.25 ) is added to MRI and Poisson noise to PET images to simulate representative acquisition degradations, while the SVD and VGG-based feature paths strengthen structural detail and functional contrast. Experiments were conducted on a single public brain dataset with image pairs resized to 256 × 256 for fusion and 224 × 224 for feature extraction. Quantitative evaluation using PSNR, SSIM, CC, and perceptual LPIPS indicates that the proposed method achieves consistent structural fidelity, perceptual quality, and color preservation while maintaining sub-second runtime per case. Although evaluated only on brain MRI–PET data and under synthetic noise conditions, the results suggest that the SVD–VGG hybrid design provides a noise-aware and color-preserving fusion strategy suitable for practical multimodal image fusion workflows.

Expert assignment system based on natural language processing for Marie Sklodowska-Curie actions

Retraction for Huang et al., Nanospherical arabinogalactan proteins are a key component of the high-strength adhesive secreted by English ivy

Association between delirium and neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio in patients with cervical spinal cord injury: A single-center, retrospective study

Study Design Single-center, case-control study. Objective This study investigated if the neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR) could predict the onset of delirium in patients with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI). Background Delirium is a common and serious complication in patients with CSCI, leading to prolonged hospitalization and adverse clinical outcomes. Several risk factors have been identified, but the role of hematologic biomarkers in predicting delirium has remained unclear. While NPAR is a potential marker of systemic inflammation, its association with delirium in CSCI patients has not been established. Methods The analysis included 147 patients with acute CSCI who were admitted to a single tertiary emergency center between 2010 and 2023. Delirium was diagnosed based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth or Fifth Edition criteria. Clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and patient outcomes were compared between those with and without delirium. The association between NPAR and delirium was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and logistic regression models. Results The incidence of delirium was 10.2% (15/147 patients). ROC analysis identified an NPAR cutoff value of 22 on the day of injury, with an AUC of 0.672. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that an NPAR ≥22 (OR: 7.703, 95% CI: 2.151–27.584, P  = .002) was independent risk factors for delirium. Conclusion We found a significant association between a high NPAR (≥22) on the day of injury and the onset of delirium in CSCI patients. NPAR may be an accessible and effective biomarker for early delirium prediction, allowing timely interventions to improve patient outcomes.

Enhanced electrochemical behavior of Co3O4-modified MoNi-layered double hydroxide nanocomposites for pseudocapacitive applications

Correction for Keogh and Bilal, Combinatorial asymmetric acoustic metamaterials with real-time programmability

Effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma on optical quality and visual outcomes following implantation of a trifocal diffractive intraocular lens

Purpose To evaluate the effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) eye drops on optical quality and visual acuity in eyes implanted with a trifocal diffractive intraocular lens (IOL). Methods In this retrospective cohort study of 128 eyes from 128 patients undergoing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery with implantation of the CNWT Clareon PanOptix (Alcon Inc.) IOL, patients were assigned to one of two groups: the PRP group (n = 62), which received postoperative PRP eye drops, and the conventional treatment group (n = 66). At 3 weeks postoperatively, optical parameters—including the objective scatter index (OSI), modulation transfer function (MTF) cutoff, and Strehl ratio (SR)—were measured with a double-pass system. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) at 4 m, as well as uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) at 40 cm, were recorded in logMAR units. Results The PRP group demonstrated superior optical quality across all measured parameters compared to the control group, with lower OSI (1.60 vs. 3.14), higher MTF cutoff (31.93 vs. 19.90 cycles/degree), and higher SR (0.15 vs. 0.12) (all P  &lt; 0.001). Visual acuity was also significantly better in the PRP group, with lower mean logMAR UDVA (0.05 vs. 0.10; P  &lt; 0.001), CDVA (0.01 vs. 0.05; P  &lt; 0.001), and UNVA (0.13 vs. 0.18; P  = 0.007). Multivariate analyses confirmed that the use of PRP eye drops was independently associated with improvements in all three optical parameters: OSI (B = −1.488), MTF cutoff (B = 12.038), and SR (B = 0.039) (all P  &lt; 0.001). Conclusions The use of autologous PRP eye drops improves optical quality and visual acuity at all distances following trifocal diffractive IOL implantation. PRP eye drops may serve as a beneficial adjunct for postoperative management in patients undergoing this procedure.

Machine learning-driven performance prediction of Z-scheme g-C3N4/SnS2 heterostructure photocatalyst for complete mineralization of indigo carmine and elucidation of degradation pathways

Structural characterization of the HDV virion and its ribonucleoprotein

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a small RNA satellite virus of hepatitis B virus (HBV) which encodes a single protein, HDV delta antigen (HDAg), that is required for replication. Viral replication occurs independently from HBV and relies primarily on host RNA polymerase(s). Bulevirtide, a viral entry inhibitor, is the only approved treatment for chronic HDV but has a low cure rate as a monotherapy, and most patients rebound following cessation of therapy. It is likely that an inhibitor targeting HDV replication is necessary to achieve HDV cure, but the paucity of HDV-derived elements and limited understanding of HDV replication presents a significant therapeutic challenge. Understanding the precise mechanism of interactions between HDAg and viral RNA, and how it is packaged within the virion can inspire structure-guided drug design targeting replication. Using cryoelectron tomography and single particle cryoelectron microscopy, we present reconstructions of the virion and viral RNPs. We observed multiple binding configurations in vitro that suggest a propensity to arrange four RNA segments around repeating units of HDAg in a ladder-like formation. The oligomerization domains of a homo-octameric HDAg complex are directly involved in RNA binding by utilizing the vertices and sides of its square-shaped architecture to bind RNA in a sequence-promiscuous fashion. Structure–function analysis reveals that these RNA contact sites are important for viral replication and their disruption may be a potential avenue for next-generation antivirals to treat HDV.

How peer mechanism impacts loan repayment in a Self-help group?: An empirical study in India

Women’s empowerment through financial inclusion is an important sustainable development goal. Formal institutions and banks are hesitant to lend to the poor due to the lack of collateral and information asymmetry. The self-help groups address this gap through a social contract based on social capital and joint liability. The joint liability gives rise to a peer mechanism in the form of peer selection, monitoring and peer sanctions. This study examines how peer group in West Bengal, India, using data from 400 members and ordered logistic regression. As per the findings, peer selection reduces adverse selection, and peer monitoring mitigates moral hazard among the members of the group. Further leadership and access to technology strengthen the repayment behaviour. However, excessive peer sanctions can lead to increased misuse of funds. The study aims to highlight the potential limitations of the peer mechanism in reducing information asymmetry and increasing repayment of loans with policy implications.

Experimental study on the effect of impact target distance on coal breaking efficiency of high-pressure gas–liquid two-phase jet