bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Speech-to-touch sensory substitution: a 10-decibel improvement in speech-in-noise understanding after a short training
Authors: Ciesla Katarzyna , Wolak T. , Lorens A. , Skarżyński H. , Amedi A. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Understanding speech in background noise is challenging. Wearing face-masks during COVID19-pandemics made it even harder. We developed a multi-sensory setup, including a sensory substitution device (SSD) that can deliver speech simultaneously through audition and as vibrations on fingertips. After a short training session, participants significantly improved (16 out of 17) in speech-in-noise understanding, when added vibrations corresponded to low-frequencies extracted from the sentence. The level of understanding was maintained after training, when the loudness of the background noise doubled (mean group improvement of ~ 10 decibels). This result indicates that our solution can be very useful for the hearing-impaired patients. Even more interestingly, the improvement was transferred to a post-training situation when the touch input was removed, showing that we can apply the setup for auditory rehabilitation in cochlear implant-users. Future wearable implementations of our SSD can also be used in real-life situations, when talking on the phone or learning a foreign language. We discuss the basic science implications of our findings, such as we show that even in adulthood a new pairing can be established between a neuronal computation (speech processing) and an atypical sensory modality (tactile). Speech is indeed a multisensory signal, but learned from birth in an audio-visual context. Interestingly, adding lip reading cues to speech in noise provides benefit of the same or lower magnitude as we report here for adding touch.
Dssc Performance of Zinc - Tin - Vanadium Oxide Nanocomposite Using Beetroot (Beta Vulgaris) as Dye Sensitizer
Authors: Uthayarani K. , M Chitra , Vasanthapriya R. , Neelakandeswari N. , Girija E. K. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this present work, zinc - tin - vanadium oxide (ZTVO) nanocomposite was prepared using hydrothermal route and was subjected to calcination at 600 0 C. The sample was systematically characterized by Powder X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR), Field Emission Scanning electron Microscope (FE-SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and Ultraviolet- Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopic techniques. From the investigations, it is observed that this composite possess the combination of both individual and binary phases. The elongated nanostructures obtained due to the binary phases and spherical shaped nanostructures obtained due to the individual phase were observed from the FE-SEM image. The formation of the nanocomposite has further been confirmed from TEM and HRTEM images. ZTVO nanocomposite possess large surface area of 167.3 m2/g and pore size value around 11 nm. Also, the band gap of the material has been found to be 1.97 eV. Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) has been fabricated using this ZTVO nanocomposite as the photoanode and betalain dye extracted from beetroot (Beta vulgaris) as the natural dye. This simple protocol was formulated at a low cost for the first time for DSSC fabrication and it has attained the efficiency of 3.41%. This better efficiency of ZTVO might be due to larger surface area, presence of pores in addition to smaller band gap.
WSSH_DR: Weakly Supervised Sensitive Heatmap Framework to Classify and Localize Diabetic Retinopathy Lesions
Authors: Almukhtar Mohammed , Morad Ameer , Albadri Mustafa , Islam MD 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Vision loss happens due to diabetic retinopathy (DR) in severe stages. Thus, an automatic detection method applied to diagnose DR in an earlier phase may help medical doctors to make better decisions. DR is considered one of the main risks, leading to blindness. Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CAD) systems play an essential role in detecting features in fundus images. Fundus images may include blood vessel area, exudates, micro-aneurysm, hemorrhages, and neovascularization. In this paper, our model combines automatic detection for the diabetic retinopathy classification with localization methods depending on weakly-supervised learning. The model has four stages; in stage one, various preprocessing techniques are applied for smoothing the data set. In stage two, the network had gotten deeply to the optic disk segment for eliminating any exudate's false prediction because the exudates had the same color pixel as the optic disk. Stage three, the network is fed through training data to classify each class label. Finally, the layers of the convolution neural network are re-edited, and the layers are used to localize the impact of DR on the eye's patient. The framework tackled the matching technique between two essential concepts where the classification problem depends on the supervised learning method. In comparison, the localization problem was obtained by the weakly supervised method. An additional layer known as weakly supervised sensitive heat map (WSSH) was added to detect the ROI of the lesion at a test accuracy of 98.65%.
Atmospheric Chlorine Reaction with N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidinone (NMP)
Authors: Samai S. , Ferhati A. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Density functional theory (DFT) and Complete Basis Scale methods (CBS-QB3, G3B3) are used to investigate the reactivity, the mechanism, structure-reactivity relationship and the kinetics of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) with Cl atom. To obtain rate constants of the reaction, the RRKM theory is employed at atmospheric pressure and temperature range 273–380 K. This study provides the rate coefficients and detailed H-abstraction mechanism for the reaction of Cl with NMP at high level of theoretical methods. The obtained rate constant ~ 0.92 x 10− 10 to 8.98 × 10− 10cm 3 molecule− 1s− 1 at 298 K agreed with those obtained previously for N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) and N,N-dimethyl acetamide (DMA). The study shows that the reaction mechanism of Cl with NMP goes favorably through an H-abstraction from N-methyl groups and adjacent CH2. The rates constants obtained for the three amides confirm our prediction regarding the structure-reactivity relationship where 1000/T.
How are Young Adults in Pakistan dealing with COVID-19: An Online Survey Assessing the Impact of Demographic Characteristics and Sources of Information on Awareness and Behaviors
Authors: Martins Ria Angeline , Martins Russell Seth , Zaidi Syeda Maryam Zehra , Saqib Scheryar , Ahmed Aiman , Charolia Zobiyah Sajid , Khalid Aliza , Nasir Aqsa Muhammad , Rabbani Azkah , Arshad Ainan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background:The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted a large majority of Pakistan’s population, with one particular demographic of stakeholders being the country’s young adult population. Our study looks to understand levels COVID-19-related awareness, perceptions, and behaviors, and sources of COVID-19-related knowledge, amongst Pakistan’s young adult population.Methods:This survey was conducted by the Aga Khan University over July-October 2020, via a Google Form disseminated on multiple social media platforms. All respondents aged between 18-35 years and currently residing in Pakistan were included.Results:The questionnaire received a total of 406 responses with the respondents having a mean age of 25.15 ± 5.80 years. 52.5% of the respondents were currently students. The vast majority relied on social media (83.7%), internet blogs/websites (83.3%) and newspapers/television (70.7%) as major sources of information regarding COVID-19. The highest percentage of individuals believed spread was possible through contaminated surfaces (95.3%), while 86.4% believed spread was possible via inhalation of droplets, and 52.0% via close contact with asymptomatic individuals. Alarmingly, 21.9% believed that transmission was possible through contact with packages shipped from China, and 16% believed COVID-19 could be contracted by eating food in Chinese restaurants. Moreover, 24.1% believed COVID-19 to be a biological weapon designed in a laboratory, while 23.9% were unsure.Conclusions: Our survey revealed some deficiencies in the understanding of transmission of SARS-CoV-2, along with racial biases and the prevalence of misinformation. Since young adults play an important role in the global response to the pandemic, our study suggests interventions that target the young adults in Pakistan in an attempt to increase their awareness about the pandemic and help them cope with its effects.
Measuring Behavior and Risk Perception to Inform Children’s Exposure Assessments and Communication Strategies
Authors: Morales Alma Anides , Huerta Diego , Ramirez-Andreotta Monica 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Waste management challenges, including transboundary sanitary sewage overflows (SSOs), have continuously been of concern along the US-Mexico border region. Sewage contamination contains high concentrations of pathogens excreted in human and animal feces increasing health-related risks and hindering quality of life. Limited literature exists on environmentally related risk perception studies in rural border town thus we aim to better understand risk perception in a rural border town school community after experiencing adjacent sewage effluent. Methods: This paper aims to characterize students’ spatial behavior and hand/object-to-mouth patterns to inform a risk assessment. Risk assessments often use published human behavior parameter values that may not be culturally or geographically representative. Parents and school staff were surveyed during several school events and provided with a link to an online survey. Results: Reported student behavior show a lower hand/object-to-mouth frequency for children ages 4-11, and a wider range of hand-to-mouth frequency for students ages 12-16, when compared to other values in the literature. Offensive odors, negative feelings, and general concerns mainly using informal language were frequently cited. Conclusions: Findings suggest a lack of information and understanding around SSOs, as well as a lack of communication, could contribute to a perceived low-risk or uncertainty around these events. Risk perception is a critical factor of vulnerability, thus effectively disseminating culturally appropriate risk information is an important part in decreasing exposure.
Novel PVA nanocomposite films: Synthesis, structure, optical and photocatalytic properties evaluation.
Authors: amaregouda yamanappagouda , Kamanna Kantharaju 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The present work describes design and preparation of novel PVA nanocomposite films using CuO NTs and Asp by solution casting method. The required CuO NTs prepared by novel biogenic method using Robinia Pseudoacacia Leaf Extract. The prepared CuO NTs and nanocomposite films are characterized by various spectroscopy techniques. The adsorption and photocatalytic efficiencies of PVA nanocomposite films were compared with pristine CuO NTs. The adsorption capacity of PVA nanocomposite films showed higher due to functional groups, presence of active sites, high surface activity and semiconducting nature of CuO NTs and Asp embedded in PVA matrix. The adsorption behavior of the nanocomposite shows that adsorption isotherms and kinetics are in good agreement with Langmuir equation, Freundlich equation and pseudo-second-order, respectively. The comparative photocatalytic activities of the CuO NTs other nanocomposite films are examined methylene blue (MB) as a substrate degradation, and film PVA/CuO NTs/Asp showed highest (up to 77%) degradation compared to other films and CuO NTs in 50 min time duration. The improved photocatalytic behavior of PVA nanocomposite film attributed to its narrower band gap reduces the recombination rate of exited electron-hole, enhanced UV-Vis absorption intensity, improved utilization of sunlight and enhanced adsorption of dye due to functional groups, surface wettability, hydrophilic surface and self-cleaning nature.
Numerical Analysis of Staged Construction of an Embankment on Soft Soil
Authors: Ali Ayesha Binta , Ansary Mehedi Ahmed 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The objective of this study was to predict the excess pore pressure and settlement of an embankment over soft ground, treated with vertical drain, through numerical analysis of staged construction. To carry out finite element analysis, numerical modeling software PLAXIS 3D was used. The practical demonstration was demonstrated by validating two case studies; the first one was a trial embankment at the Krishnapatnam Ultra Mega Power Project in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India and the second one was the Second Bangkok International Airport or Suvarnabhumi Airport, about 30 km from the city of Bangkok, Thailand. After the successful validation of the program, detailed finite element modelling of an embankment resting on soft soil was conducted. Moreover, the degree of consolidation and factor of safety were also determined. There was rapid dissipation of excess pore pressure and maximum settlement at the mid-height of the embankment. In contrast, the dissipation of excess pore pressure was very slow just below the embankment and it increased with the increment of the depth of the clay layer. Moreover, with the rise of the distance from the centre of the embankment, the dissipation of the excess pore pressure also raised and took less time, the settlement also increased.
An entomological study of onchocerciasis vectors, Simulium damnosum s.l., in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: BOF Jean-Claude MAKENGA , MANSIANGI Paul , ZANGA Josué , ILUNGA Félicien , COPPIETERS Yves 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background

Onchocerciasis, a parasitic disease caused by the filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus transmitted through the bite of Simulium (black flies), is a cause of global concern, with the African population being majorly affected. This study focused on the bite rates, bite cycle, and transmission potential of Simulium damnosum s.l. in two sites with river blindness outbreaks in Kinshasa, DRC: Gombe (S1) and Mont-Ngafula at Kimwenza (S2).
Methods

From August 1, 2019, to July 31, 2020, we captured adult female black flies near breeding sites along the Congo River at S1 and Lukaya Valley at S2. Collections using human baits at the two sites were conducted for five days/month.
Results

A total of 6082 black flies of species Simulium squamosum (classified based on other entomological surveys) were captured during the study period. The daily cycle of aggression revealed two peaks: one between 8 and 9 a.m. and the other between 4 and 5 p.m. Low bite rates were observed between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The annual biting rate/person reached 13,463 in S1 and 23,638 in S2, with a total of 37,101 bites/person. The average daily biting rate, 37 ± 10 and 69 ± 23 bites/day/person in S1 and S2, respectively, did not differ significantly (P = 0.8901). The high density of the host population can disrupt the transmission of vector-borne diseases by diluting the transmission indices. There was no evidence of onchocerciasis transmission at the study sites because of inadequate laboratory facilities in the DRC. Various larval supports have been identified: at Gombe: aquatic plants, plastic bags, dead leaves, and rocks; at Kimwenza: Ledermaniella ledermanii (the most abundant species at the site), plastic bags, artificial waste, and aquatic plants.
Conclusions

The study provides further evidence for the need for alternative strategies to eliminate the parasite in the formerly hyper-endemic foci.
Experimental Investigation of Early-Warning Critical Energy for Strainbursts
Authors: Ling Wang , Yan Ruyu , zhi Zhang , Lei Xie , chuhui Huang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This research aimed to establish an early-warning critical energy for coal instability based on the energy theory and acoustic emission characteristics of coal under triaxial compression. To obtain an early-warning critical strain energy indicating the increase in the risk of coal instability, conventional triaxial compression and acoustic emission (AE) tests were carried out on coal specimens taken from a 980-m-deep mine with initial confining pressures of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 MPa. Stress-strain relations, AE features, and energy evolution characteristics during triaxial compression were analyzed. It was found that the energy evolution and AE event count changes across different loading stages. With increasing axial stress, most of the input energy stored in the coal specimens was in the form of elastic strain energy and the AE event count was close to zero, indicating that the coal grains reach a state of balance. After the elastic deformation stage, a portion of the input energy was consumed by inelastic deformation. Once the stress level exceeded the volumetric compressibility–dilatancy transition stress, the AE event entered a period of relative quiet, and the rate of energy dissipation abruptly accelerated, indicating that the coal grains achieved another state of balance before THE instability or failure. The balance of the rock grains is broken again (AE event count and the rate of energy dissipation both increased dramatically), coal achieved the peak strength and instability soon. The point at which the dissipated energy ratio α increased rapidly or the starting point of a quiet period, indicates an increase in the risk of coal instability. The corresponding elastic strain energy accumulated within the coal can be regarded as a precursor to instability or strainburst. Accordingly, a fitting formula is presented to predict the early-warning critical energy for brittle coal subject to different minimum principal stress. The analysis results in this paper can be helpful in the assessment of coal instability risk.
Tracking toxic hypoglycin A over two maturity stages of different positions in four Chinese litchi cultivars by UPLC-MS/MS
Authors: Tao Weili , Yang Yu , Wang Qiongjin , Chen Dong , Zhao Chuanyi , Lv Qian , Chen Yicun 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.), a member of Sapindaceae family, is a common fruit with deliciously fragrant, sweet flavors and high commercial value, besides edible arils, the pericarps and seeds of fruits and the leaves of litchi all exhibited meaningful bioactivities, while as the bibliography reported, hypoglycin A (HGA) as a toxic amino acid was naturally occurring in some members of Sapindaceae family.
Methods

In this work, an UPLC-MS/MS method was developed to quantified HGA in different parts of four litchi cultivars which at two maturity stages. Meanwhile, the methodological indicators of the established method were evaluated by selectivity, linearity, precious, accuracy, recovery and stability.
Results

The consequences expressed that the levels of HGA were highly associated with litchi cultivars and maturity stages. The positions of seeds and branches were the major source of HGA in the four litchi cultivars been detected, as for the edible arils, especially of ‘Fenghua’ and ‘Linglan’ were relative safety to be taken in.
Conclusion

This developed method can provide scientific technical support for relevant research of content determination and this founding can offer scientific data for the further research of human health that was related to litchi cultivars.
Effects of vegetation and topography on biomass patterns post-pinewood nematode disturbance in forest landscapes of southern Jiangxi Province, China
Authors: Fang Zhibin , Wu Zhiwei , Lin Shitao , Liu Qiang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Assessing changes in forest ecosystems, especially forest biomass changes that occur due to disturbances, is essential for improving global carbon estimates.Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is an important pest that harms Pinus thunbergii forests, causing a large number of pine trees to wither and resulting in great losses in Pinus thunbergii forest biomass. Studying the factors affecting P. thunbergii) biomass losses caused by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is of great significance in research on forest ecosystem health and climate change. In this study, taking Nankang District, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province as the research area, based on field survey data combined with a random forest model, the relative importance of influencing factors on the biomass loss of P. thunbergii due to the Bursaphelenchus xylophilus-caused disease was analyzed.Results: The results revealed the following conclusions: (1) topographic and slope conditions significantly affected the P. thunbergii) biomass losses caused by the Bursaphelenchus xylophilus-related disease; (2) the two studied stand factors, vegetation type and vegetation coverage, had little effect on the P. thunbergii) biomass losses caused by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus; and (3) the marginal effect diagram showed that the elevation and slope were obviously related to biomass loss; biomass loss was positively related to elevation and negatively related to slope.Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that topographical factors dominantly affect the spread of the Bursaphelenchus xylophilus-caused disease, in turn causing large P. thunbergii forest biomass losses. Therefore, topographic factors affect the prevention and control of the disease caused by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.
The trend of disruption in the functional brain network topology of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Fathian Alireza , Jamali Yousef , Raoufy Mohammad Reza 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive disorder associated with cognitive dysfunction that alters the brain’s functional connectivity. Assessing these alterations has become a topic of increasing interest. However, a few studies have examined different stages of AD from a complex network perspective that cover different topological scales. This study analyzed the trend of functional connectivity alterations from a cognitively normal (CN) state through early and late mild cognitive impairment (EMCI and LMCI) and to Alzheimer’s disease. The analyses had been done at the local (hubs and activated links and areas), meso (clustering, assortativity, and rich-club), and global (small-world, small-worldness, and efficiency) topological scales. The results showed that the trends of changes in the topological architecture of the functional brain network were not entirely proportional to the AD progression, and these trends behaved differently at the earliest stage of the disease, i.e., EMCI. Further, it has been indicated that the diseased groups engaged somatomotor, frontoparietal, and default mode modules compared to the CN group. The diseased groups also shifted the functional network towards more random architecture. In the end, The methods introduced in this paper enable us to gain an extensive understanding of the pathological changes of the AD process.