bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of cochlear implants use on voice production and quality
Authors: Guastamacchia Angela , Albera Andrea , Puglisi Giuseppina Emma , Nudelman Charles J. , Soleimanifar Simin , Astolfi Arianna , Aronoff Justin M. , Bottalico Pasquale 
Published: June 2024

AbstractCochlear implant users experience difficulties controlling their vocalizations compared to normal hearing peers. However, less is known about their voice quality. The primary aim of the present study was to determine if cochlear implant users’ voice quality would be categorized as dysphonic by the Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) and smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS). A secondary aim was to determine if vocal quality is further impacted when using bilateral implants compared to using only one implant. The final aim was to determine how residual hearing impacts voice quality. Twenty-seven cochlear implant users participated in the present study and were recorded while sustaining a vowel and while reading a standardized passage. These recordings were analyzed to calculate the AVQI and CPPS. The results indicate that CI users’ voice quality was detrimentally affected by using their CI, raising to the level of a dysphonic voice. Specifically, when using their CI, mean AVQI scores were 4.0 and mean CPPS values were 11.4 dB, which indicates dysphonia. There were no significant differences in voice quality when comparing participants with bilateral implants to those with one implant. Finally, for participants with residual hearing, as hearing thresholds worsened, the likelihood of a dysphonic voice decreased.
Thigh muscle mass evaluated by point-of-care ultrasound is associated with short-term mortality in patients with sepsis in the emergency department
Authors: Ahn Sejoong , Jin Bo-Yeong , Park Jong-Hak , Kim Sungjin , Lee Sukyo , Moon Sungwoo , Cho Hanjin 
Published: June 2024

AbstractMuscle mass depletion is associated with mortality and morbidity in various conditions including sepsis. However, few studies have evaluated muscle mass using point-of-care ultrasound in patients with sepsis. This study aimed to evaluate the association between thigh muscle mass, evaluated using point-of-care ultrasound with panoramic view in patients with sepsis in the emergency department, and mortality. From March 2021 to October 2022, this prospective observational study used sepsis registry. Adult patients who were diagnosed with sepsis at the emergency department and who underwent point-of-care ultrasounds for lower extremities were included. The thigh muscle mass was evaluated by the cross-sectional area of the quadriceps femoris (CSA-QF) on point-of-care ultrasound using panoramic view. The primary outcome was 28 day mortality. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard model was performed. Of 112 included patients with sepsis, mean CSA-QF was significantly lower in the non-surviving group than surviving group (49.6 [34.3–56.5] vs. 63.2 [46.9–79.6] cm2, p = 0.002). Each cm2 increase of mean CSA-QF was independently associated with decreased 28 day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 0.961, 95% CI 0.928–0.995, p = 0.026) after adjustment for potential confounders. The result of other measurements of CSA-QF were similar. The muscle mass of the quadriceps femoris evaluated using point-of-care ultrasound with panoramic view was associated with mortality in patients with sepsis. It might be a promising tool for determining risk factors for mortality in sepsis patients in the early stages of emergency department.
Hippocampal volume and affect in response to fluctuating estrogens in menstrual cycle irregularity: a longitudinal single-subject study
Authors: Heller Carina , Güllmar Daniel , Koeppel Carina J. , Rojczyk Philine , Stein Heidemarie , Taylor Caitlin M. , Jacobs Emily G. , Derntl Birgit , Kikinis Zora , Walter Martin , Croy Ilona 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIrregular menstrual cycles, affecting approximately 30% of women in their reproductive years, are often overlooked in research, limiting our insights into the broader spectrum of hormonal interactions. Understanding the relationship between endogenous hormone fluctuations and brain function across the menstrual cycle, particularly beyond regular menstrual cycles, is essential for comprehending mental disorders prevalent in women. To this aim, a healthy female with an irregular menstrual cycle underwent dense sampling for 5 consecutive weeks, primarily covering the follicular phase and ovulation. Blood draws provided measurements of estradiol, estrone, and progesterone. T1-weighted MRI scans assessed bilateral hippocampal volumes. Positive and negative affect were collected at each session. Statistical analyses included cubic regression curves, Spearman correlations, and mediation regression models to explore hormonal associations with hippocampal morphology and affect. Significant fluctuations in hormonal concentrations, hippocampal volume, and affect were observed across the 25 testing days. Estradiol and estrone significantly correlated with hippocampal volume, while progesterone showed no significant association. Increasing concentrations of estrogens were linked to decreasing positive affect, mediated by hippocampal volume fluctuations. Increasing concentrations of estrogens were further associated with increasing negative affect, however, independently of hippocampal changes. Our findings suggest potential roles of estrogens in affect regulation and brain function in a participant with an irregular menstrual cycle. This research serves as a blueprint for future investigations into the complex interplay between sex hormones and structural brain dynamics beyond regular menstrual cycles and establishes a fundamental framework for the advancement of sex-specific precision medicine.
Strategies for chronic coronary disease: A brief guide for clinicians
Authors: Krittanawong Chayakrit , Khawaja Muzamil , Virk Hafeez Ul Hassan , Escobar Johao , Khalid Umair , Birnbaum Yochai , Lavie Carl J. , Sharma Samin , Jneid Hani , Rao Sunil , Virani Salim S. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe 2023 Multisociety Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Chronic Coronary Disease (CCD) is a collaborative effort between the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) that provides recommendations on the management of this condition. Efficient management of CCD involves non-pharmaceutical interventions that promote healthier lifestyles, such as increasing physical activity, adopting a balanced diet, and addressing tobacco misuse. These changes are critical to improving cardiovascular outcomes for individuals with CCD. In addition to lifestyle modifications, pharmacological and revascularization treatments also play an essential role in managing CCD. These treatments target the complex mechanisms of the disease, optimize cardiac function, and decrease the risk of adverse events. The combination of lifestyle changes and medicine-based medications enhances the quality of life and lowers mortality rates among individuals with CCD. This article review emphasizes the importance of non-pharmacological and pharmacological strategies that align with the AHA/ACC guidelines. In addition, the primary objective of this study is to enhance comprehension of the approaches that have led to better cardiovascular results for patients diagnosed with CCD.
Channel estimation for backscatter communication systems with retrodirective arrays
Authors: Mu Yunping , Yao Chaochao , Fan Dian , Xu Yongjun , Wang Gongpu , Milošević Marjan , Ai Bo 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackscatter communications, which originated from World War II, have been widely applied in the logistics domain, and recently attract emerging interest from both academic and industrial circles. Here, the backscatter communication systems equipped with retrodirective arrays that can re‐transmit the impinging signals back toward the direction of incidence are studied so as to reduce the power loss of the signals. Specifically, the authors consider the tag is equipped with retrodirective arrays to improve reliability and enhance communication range. The probability density function of channel coefficients is then derived. Next, a channel estimator based on Bayesian theory is proposed to acquire the modulus values of channel parameters and calculate its Bayesian Cramer–Rao Lower Bound. Finally, simulation results are provided to corroborate these theoretical studies.
TSD‐YOLO: Small traffic sign detection based on improved YOLO v8
Authors: Du Songjie , Pan Weiguo , Li Nuoya , Dai Songyin , Xu Bingxin , Liu Hongzhe , Xu Cheng , Li Xuewei 
Published: June 2024

AbstractTraffic sign detection is critical for autonomous driving technology. However, accurately detecting traffic signs in complex traffic environments remains challenge despite the widespread use of one‐stage detection algorithms known for their real‐time processing capabilities. In this paper, the authors propose a traffic sign detection method based on YOLO v8. Specifically, this study introduces the Space‐to‐Depth (SPD) module to address missed detections caused by multi‐scale variations of traffic signs in traffic scenes. The SPD module compresses spatial information into depth channels, expanding the receptive field and enhancing the detection capabilities for objects of varying sizes. Furthermore, to address missed detections caused by complex backgrounds such as trees, this paper employs the Select Kernel attention mechanism. This mechanism enables the model to dynamically adjust its focus and more effectively concentrate on key features. Additionally, considering the uneven distribution of training data, the authors adopted the WIoUv3 loss function, which optimizes loss calculation through a weighted approach, thereby improving the model's detection performance across various sizes and frequencies of instances. The proposed methods were validated on the CCTSDB and TT100K datasets. Experimental results demonstrate that the authors’ method achieves substantial improvements of 3.2% and 5.1% on the mAP50 metric compared to YOLOv8s, while maintaining high detection speed, significantly enhancing the overall performance of the detection system. The code for this paper is located at https://github.com/dusongjie/TSD‐YOLO‐Small‐Traffic‐Sign‐Detection‐Based‐on‐Improved‐YOLO‐v8
Platelet-Rich Plasma in Fat Graft Type-1 Tympanoplasty – Should We or Should We Not?
Authors: Choudhury Bikram , Gupta Palak , Mandal Saptarshi , Sharma Vidhu , Soni Kapil , Kaushal Darwin 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Introduction Fat grafts have been in used since 1962 for small central perforations, with a success rate ranging from 86 to 100%. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) containing platelet concentrations greater than 1 million platelets/μL assist the healing process by various means. Current data suggests improved healing when tympanoplasty is performed using temporalis fascia grafts if PRP is added during surgery.
Objective To assess the effect of PRP on fat grafts in small and moderate-sized central perforations.
Methods The present prospective observational study was conducted with 36 patients who underwent fat graft tympanoplasty with PRP under local anesthesia. Clinical and audiological observations were carried out after 4, 8, and 12 weeks, and a statistical analysis of the observations was performed.
Results We assessed 23 patients with small central perforations and 11 patients with moderate central perforations. An overall success rate of 76.4% was observed, with an 82.6% success rate among patients with small central perforations and 63.6% among those with moderate central perforations. There was no statistically significant difference in the uptake regarding the location of the perforation, but a statistically significant difference was found in terms of hearing improvement following the procedure.
Conclusion The morbidity of conventional tympanoplasty in cases of small-to-moderate central perforations in patients with chronic otitis media vis a vis the results of the procedure needs to be revisited, as in the present study fat grafts placed with PRP under local anesthesia could lead to surgical and audiological outcomes that are as good as those reported in the literature.
Three-dimensional calculation method on local slurry wall stability of diaphragm wall trench based on minimum potential energy principle
Authors: Wang Lin , Shao Guojian , Su Jingbo , Sun Yang , Guan Dawei , Yao Sen , Li Chunyu 
Published: June 2024

Because the soft weak soil layer rich in confined groundwater is prone to local instability and failure in the construction of diaphragm wall trenches, in order to check the local slurry wall stability in the construction of diaphragm wall trenches, a new three-dimensional (3D) calculation method on the local stability safety factor (LSF) of slurry walls is proposed based on the minimum potential energy principle. After the new method is applied to two engineering cases, the value of the LSF solved is 0.82 for engineering case 1, and the values of the LSF solved are 0.84 and 1.05 when the phreatic water levels are 2 and 4.5 m, respectively, for engineering case 2. These results are very close to the calculation results in the existing references, so the rationality of the new method is verified. Then the sensitivity of the LSFs obtained from the new method to various parameters has been analyzed and clarified on the basis of ten design examples. Finally, the new method is used to check the local slurry wall stability in the construction of diaphragm wall trenches for a practical project, and the obtained values of the LSF for three concerned weak soil layers are 1.37, 1.19, and 0.82, respectively. These results are in agreement with the actual situation in the construction site. This reveals that both the 3D model established and the 3D calculation method proposed in this paper are suitable for application in practical projects.
Applying cognitive grammar to the Count/Mass Distinction
Authors: Romero Muñoz Eloy , Decorte Remy , Dachet Dylan 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
This exploratory case study contributes to the ongoing “methodological consolidation” in Applied Cognitive
Linguistics (Wirag et al. 2022). It does so by examining the relationship
between pre-service English language teachers’ attitudes toward grammar teaching and their acceptance of an innovative pedagogical
approach to the Count/Mass Distinction (CMD) inspired by Cognitive Grammar (CG). Eleven first-year college students at a
teacher-training University College in Belgium participated in the study. A questionnaire was used to determine the participants’
beliefs about grammar and grammar teaching. Elements of a CG approach to the CMD were integrated into a lesson plan and presented
to the participants. The participants were then divided into two random focus groups. The interviews followed a semi-structured
format, and a thematic analysis was performed on the transcripts. The data suggests that the participants’ prior knowledge and
experience, the ecological validity of the innovation, and their perceived capacity to integrate the resource into their practice,
all affect their assessment of a CG-informed innovation, with the latter being the most likely to impede application. The study
sheds light on how pre-service teachers’ beliefs impact the adoption of innovative pedagogical methods for teaching grammar and
suggests ways to make CG more accessible to practitioners.
Use of parametric X-ray radiation of electrons in crystals to determine the parameters of imaging-plates
Authors: Berdnichenko A.V. , Budko A.V. , Kolodochkin V.V. , Skliarova A.S. , Takabayashi Y. , Vnukov I.E. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Good agreement between experimental data and the results of calculations of the yield and angular distributions of parametric X-ray radiation of electrons in crystals within the framework of kinematic theory enables us to use the measurement results to determine the photon energy dependence of the sensitivity of X-ray plates. The results of measurements of the angular distributions of parametric X-ray radiation of electrons with an energy of 255 MeV in a Si crystal using imaging plates of several types were compared with the results of calculations that take into account all currently known experimental factors that influence the measurement results. The spectral dependence of the sensitivity of the studied X-ray plates was determined for photon energies of two orders of reflection and for the (111), (1̅1̅1), and (110) reflection planes.
The role of manufacturing-induced texture on the tribological performance of cold work tool steels
Authors: de Oliveira Lopes Angélica Paola , Tolotti de Almeida Diego , Johnson Santiago Maya , D’Oliveira Ana Sofia Clímaco Monteiro , Costa Henara Lillian , Scheuer Cristiano José 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Manufacturing operations produce surface characteristics that, although stochastic, can significantly affect functionality, especially in forming tools, impacting contact and lubrication conditions during operation. This study investigates the influence of stochastic microtextures resulting from milling on the tribological performance of cold work tool steels with two different carbon contents (0.8 and 2 wt%). Different surface textures were observed resulting from the different C contents, with 3D roughness parameters indicating rougher surfaces for the 2.0% wt. C steel. Tribological behavior was assessed using the strip drawing test to analyze friction, wear coefficients, and wear mechanisms. Surface analysis before and after testing was executed employing SEM, EDX, and CLSM, with CLSM also used to determine 3D roughness parameters of the worn tracks. Post-test macrographic analyses and 2D roughness measurements were conducted on the pulled sheets. Tribological test data revealed lower friction and wear coefficients for the 2.0 wt% C tool steel, with susceptibility to abrasion wear, while the 0.8 wt% C tool exhibited a higher tendency towards adhesion wear. Post-test analysis suggested smoother surfaces for the 2.0 wt% C steel compared to the 0.8 wt% C steel. Macrographic analysis showed no visible wear marks on sheets tested with the 2.0 wt% C steel, contrasting with wear grooves visible on sheets pulled against the 0.8 wt% C steel. Additionally, 2D roughness measurements indicated higher roughness after pulling against the 0.8 wt% C tool compared to the 2.0 wt. C tool. Overall, the study demonstrates that manufacturing-induced textures without the need of post-manufacturing texturing influence the tribological performance of the evaluated steels, opening an avenue to be explored to improve the tribological performance of forming tools.
Non-unitary Trotter circuits for imaginary time evolution
Authors: Leadbeater Chiara , Fitzpatrick Nathan , Muñoz Ramo David , Thom Alex J W 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
We propose an imaginary time equivalent of the well-established Pauli gadget primitive for Trotter-decomposed real time evolution, using mid-circuit measurements on a single ancilla qubit. Imaginary time evolution (ITE) is widely used for obtaining the ground state (GS) of a system on classical hardware, computing thermal averages, and as a component of quantum algorithms that perform non-unitary evolution. Near-term implementations on quantum hardware rely on heuristics, compromising their accuracy. As a result, there is growing interest in the development of more natively quantum algorithms. Since it is not possible to implement a non-unitary gate deterministically, we resort to the implementation of probabilistic ITE (PITE) algorithms, which rely on a unitary quantum circuit to simulate a block encoding of the ITE operator—that is, they rely on successful ancillary measurements to evolve the system non-unitarily. Compared with previous PITE proposals, the suggested block encoding in this paper results in shorter circuits and is simpler to implement, requiring only a slight modification of the Pauli gadget primitive. This scheme was tested on the transverse Ising model and the fermionic Hubbard model and is demonstrated to converge to the GS of the system.
The effects of climate and climate change on electric vehicle charging demand in Toronto, Canada
Authors: Henrique Daniel B , Zhang Xuesong , Wang An , Lagacé Elise , Lee Kyup , Kushner Paul J , Posen I Daniel 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) influence total and peak electricity demand, but few studies account for climate when studying these effects. This study quantifies BEV charging demand in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area using a detailed trip level approach, accounting for the effect of present and future temperatures on BEV energy consumption. The impact of temperature on charging demand was largest in winter. In 2019, charging demand increases by 52% on an average January day, and up to 82% on extreme days (relative to mild weather conditions). At 30% penetration, BEVs increase peak demand on January’s coldest day by 600–3600 MW (3%–5%), of which 300–700 MW is driven by temperature, depending on the charging scenario. Climate change introduces small changes, increasing summer and decreasing winter charging demand. These results highlight the importance of adjusting for regional climate variation and temperature extremes when analyzing the impact of BEVs on the grid.
On the Physiology of High-altitude Flight and Altitudinal Migration in Birds
Authors: Ivy Catherine M , Williamson Jessie L 
Published: June 2024

Synopsis
Many bird species fly at high altitudes for short periods and/or shift seasonally in altitude during migration, but little is known about the physiology of these behaviors. Transient high-altitude flight, or short-term flight at extreme altitudes, is a strategy used by lowland-native birds, often in the absence of topographic barriers. Altitudinal migration, or seasonal roundtrip movement in altitude between the breeding and non-breeding seasons, is a form of migration that occurs as a regular part of the annual cycle and results in periods of seasonal residency at high altitudes. Despite their nuanced differences, these two behaviors share a common challenge: exposure to reduced oxygen environments during at least part of the migratory journey. In this perspective piece, we compare what is known about the physiology of oxygen transport during transient high-altitude flight and altitudinal migration by highlighting case studies and recent conceptual advances from work on captive and wild birds. We aim to open avenues for integrative research on the ecology, evolution, and physiology of high-flying and mountain-climbing birds.
Observation of Positive Trap Charge by Electron Holography in PMOS Device
Authors: Wang Yun-Yu , Sankaranarayanan Sandeep , Kaushik Naveen , Wang Zhouguang , Smith Mike , Jin Qiang , Rossi Tommaso 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
It has been hypothesized that trap charge plays an important role in PMOS (positive-channel metal oxide semiconductor) device reliability. By using electron holography, trap charge in a spacer oxide was observed to cause an inversion of junction in an un-stressed PMOS device prepared using a Ga+ focused ion beam (FIB). Through 400°C annealing for 10 min in vacuum, trap charge in the spacer oxide dispersed and the junction recovered. Technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulation was used to confirm the positive trap charge effect on the junction. Furthermore, the simulation showed that a low concentration of positive trap charge at the Si/SiO2 interface under the spacer led to a higher tunneling current due to an abrupt junction near the Si surface through a very localized junction inversion.