bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of vocal tract dynamics on neural network‐based speech recognition: A Bengali language‐based study
Authors: Hasan Md Rakibul , Hasan Md Mahbub , Hossain Md Zakir 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAlthough speech recognition has achieved significant success using integrated and efficient models, still some series of challenges remain as linguistic‐acoustic patterns are perturbed by speakers' individual articulation gestures and environmental noises. Due to dynamic changes in the vocal tract cavity, word utterances yield temporal and perturbed linguistic‐acoustic features, whereas vowel utterances yield less‐perturbed quasi‐stationary features. To recognize patterns as in vowels and words, the basic feedforward neural network (NN), among other methods, responds to these vocal tract‐induced variabilities and has shown promising results because of its simple yet effective modelling of nonlinear data. We, therefore, present a comprehensive study on how these variabilities of acoustical features affect the speech token classification performances using NNs. We chose vocal tract resonance (formant frequency) as linguistic‐acoustic feature. Our statistical evaluation of vocal tract‐induced variabilities in seven Bengali vowels and words revealed that words have more variations than vowels. We used four‐fold cross‐validation in an NN with Adam optimizer to compute classification performances using five different metrics. Our experiments found that formant transitions and dispersions do not contribute to classification, and five‐hidden‐layered NN is optimum. In all different test cases, we justified our hypothesis—word classification falls behind vowel classification due to the variability induced by vocal tract dynamics. The optimum NN with 28,263 trainable parameters achieved the highest accuracy and AUC scores: 0.89 and 0.99 in vowels, and 0.64 and 0.91 in words.
Is sustainability rating material to the market?
Authors: Economidou Claire , Gounopoulos Dimitrios , Konstantios Dimitrios , Tsiritakis Emmanuel 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThis study examines whether information about a firm's engagement in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices is material to market participants. Evidence from a sample of 1856 initial public offerings (IPOs) by U.S. companies for the 2007–2018 period robustly documents that firms for which there is available ESG performance information prior to going public exhibit higher underpricing due to a positive market response. Such a reaction is validated by agency cost‐reducing practices that ESG‐rated firms follow prior to the IPO, the superior post‐IPO market performance they exhibit in terms of equity financing, and the higher share of financially sophisticated investors they attract compared to their ESG‐unrated peers. Overall, our results highlight that it pays off to do good and to have the right investors; however, firms’ good ESG practices need to be visible to the market, through rating practices, to reap the benefits.
Relationship between written and spoken text recall in L2
Authors: Sletova Natalia , Isurin Ludmila 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe relationship between written and spoken recall (SR) has primarily been analyzed with English‐speaking monolinguals. Written recall (WR) has been reported more accurate due to higher cognitive load and attention required to produce a text. This study examined the written and spoken text recall relationship in L2 learners of Russian and analyzed how individual working memory (WM) capacity influenced both types of recall. Twenty‐two intermediate‐low learners of Russian participated in the study. The obtained results were consistent with results obtained from research on monolingual learners. WR was found more accurate than SR. The WM score did not correlate, however, with accuracy for either type of recall. This could be due to low cognitive demands of the chosen text required from the participants. A longer text is suggested for future studies. Also, second language acquisition studies analyzing a possibility of scaffolding L2 speaking accuracy by practicing L2 writing are encouraged.
Quality of life in Female Users of Antiageing Cosmetic Products/Aesthetic Treatments
Authors: Evangelista Marta , Vilaça Margarida , Almeida Isabel F. , Pereira M. Graça 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundAgeing is accompanied by physical changes, both at the physiological and appearance levels. The way people perceive these changes have important consequences on general health and quality of life (QoL). This study analysed the relationship between sociodemographic variables, psychological variables, use of antiageing cosmetic products/aesthetic treatments, and QoL.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study included a sample of 271 women, aged between 25 and 70 years, users of antiageing cosmetic products and/or aesthetic services. Participants were assessed on psychological morbidity (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), appearance schemes (Appearance Schemas Inventory – Revised), self‐esteem (Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale), perfectionism (Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale), self‐perceptions of ageing (Brief Aging Perceptions Questionnaire), and QoL (SF‐12v2).ResultsBeing older and having a higher household income was associated with better QoL. The use of facial firming products, hair colouring products, and sunscreen was also associated with better QoL. Psychological morbidity and perfectionism contributed negatively to QoL, while household income contributed positively. Ageing perceptions moderated the relationship between self‐esteem and QoL.ConclusionAccording to the findings, intervention programs to reduce psychological morbidity, increase self‐esteem, promote more adaptive patterns of perfectionism, and recognize the role of age perception are needed to improve women's QoL. The perceived influence of the usage of cosmetic products to prevent/minimize aging signs should be further explored.
VDR gene polymorphisms are associated with the increased susceptibility to COVID‐19 among iranian population: A case‐control study
Authors: Jafarpoor Ali , Jazayeri Seyed Mohammad , Bokharaei‐Salim Farah , Ataei‐Pirkooh Angila , Ghaziasadi Azam , Soltani Saber , Sadeghi Ahmadreza , Marvi Shima Sadeghipoor , Poortahmasebi Vahdat , Khorrami Seyed Mahmood Seyed , Hasanzad Mandana , Parsania Negar , Nagozir Sina , Mokhtari Narges , Parsania Ali , Bahrami Asma , Nadjarha Mohammad Hossein , Pakzad Reza , Parsania Masoud 
Published: July 2022

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), but the pathogenesis is unclear. Host genetic background is one of the main factors influencing the patients' susceptibility to several viral infectious diseases. This study aimed to investigate the association between host genetic polymorphisms of two genes, including vitamin D receptor (VDR) and vitamin D binding protein (DBP), and susceptibility to COVID‐19 in a sample of the Iranian population. This case‐control study enrolled 188 hospitalized COVID‐19 patients as the case group and 218 suspected COVID‐19 patients with mild signs as the control group. The VDR (rs7975232, rs731236 and rs2228570) and DBP (rs7041) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped by Polymerase Chain Reaction Restriction – Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) method. A significant association between rs2228570 SNP in the VDR gene and the susceptibility of COVID‐19 was found between case and control groups. The CT genotype (Heterozygous) of rs2228570 C > T polymorphism showed significant association with a 3.088 fold increased odds of COVID‐19 (p < .0001; adjusted OR: 3.088; 95% CI: 1.902–5.012). In addition, a significant association between CC genotype of rs2228570 CT polymorphism and increased odds of COVID‐19 in male and female groups (p = .001; adjusted OR: 3.125; 95% CI: 1.630–5.991 and p = .002; adjusted OR: 3.071; 95% CI: 1.485–6.354 respectively) were determined. Our results revealed no significant differences in the frequency of genotype and allele of VDR (rs7975232 and rs731236) and DBP (rs7041) between SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected patients and controls (p > .05). Our results showed that polymorphism of VDR (rs2228570) probably could influence individual susceptibility to COVID‐19. The polymorphisms of VDR (rs7975232 and rs731236) and DBP (rs7041) were not associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection susceptibility.
Incidence and predictive factors of orgasmic dysfunction after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy: A cross‐sectional, questionnaire‐based study
Authors: Honda Masashi , Shimizu Ryutaro , Teraoka Shogo , Yumioka Tetsuya , Yamaguchi Noriya , Kawamoto Bunya , Iwamoto Hideto , Morizane Shuichi , Hikita Katsuya , Takenaka Atsushi 
Published: July 2022

ObjectiveWe sought to evaluate the incidence and extent of orgasmic dysfunction in patients after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy and to identify factors that could predict patients at risk.MethodsA single‐center, questionnaire‐based, cross‐sectional study was conducted on patients who underwent robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (n = 523) between October 2010 and November 2019. In addition to six questions about sexual activity, orgasmic function, altered perception of orgasms, dysorgasmia, and climacturia, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form was administered. In February 2020, a letter was mailed inviting patients to participate in the survey. The primary outcome measure was the rate of orgasmic dysfunction. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of orgasmic dysfunction.ResultsOverall, 259 questionnaires were used for analysis. Among sexually active patients (n = 145), 33 (22.8%) reported anorgasmia, and 83 (57.2%) reported decreased orgasm intensity. Twenty‐two (15.1%) patients reported dysorgasmia; among these patients, the pain was experienced almost always or always in 13.6%, sometimes in 13.6%, and a few times in 72.8% of cases. Climacturia was reported by 44 patients (30.3%). Nerve‐sparing procedures decreased the risk of anorgasmia (odds ratio 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.15–0.88) and urinary incontinence increased the risk of climacturia (odds ratio 3.13, 95% confidence interval 1.20–8.15).ConclusionsThese results indicate that orgasmic dysfunction after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy is relatively common.
Modelling climate change impacts on wet and dry season rice in Cambodia
Authors: Alvar‐Beltrán Jorge , Soldan Riccardo , Ly Proyuth , Seng Vang , Srun Khema , Manzanas Rodrigo , Franceschini Gianluca , Heureux Ana 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIrregular rainfall, rising temperatures and changing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are projected to reduce crop yields and threaten food security across the tropical monsoon sub‐region. However, the anticipated extent of impact on crop yields and crop water productivity (CWP) is not yet thoroughly understood. The impacts of climate change on rice yields and CWP are assessed over the Northern Tonle Sap Basin in Cambodia by applying the AquaCrop model into the mid‐ (2041–2070) to long‐future (2071–2099) under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) (4.5 and 8.5). Short (95 days), medium (125 days) and long (155 days) cycle varieties are tested during the wet and dry seasons. An assessment of different sowing dates and irrigation strategies (fixed and net irrigation during the dry season) elucidated the variation in response to changing environmental conditions. Higher yields (+15% by 2041–2070 and +30% by 2071–2099) and CWP values (+42% by 2071–2099) are expected if using short‐cycle varieties, in particular when sown in July. Dry season rice yields are also projected to increase (+28% by 2071–2099), especially under a higher greenhouse gas emission scenario (RCP 8.5) compared to a medium emission scenario (RCP 4.5) as a result of the CO2 fertilization effect. Depending on the climatic scenario, rice variety, irrigation scheme, and sowing date, increasing heat and drought‐stress conditions are likely to have different impacts on rice yields and CWP over time. Overall, this study highlights the benefits of adjusting crop calendars to identify the most suitable irrigation schedules and rice varieties to effectively adapt to projected future climate.
Giant electric field–controlled magnetism in Bi0.86Sm0.14FeO3 multiferroic ceramics with Pna21 symmetry
Authors: Liu Lu , Zhang Yehui , Shi Xin Xin , Liu Xiao Qiang , Zhu Xiao Li , Xu Bin , Chen Xiang Ming 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIn the present work, Bi0.86Sm0.14FeO3 ceramics with near Pna21 single‐phase structure were obtained by a repeated longtime sintering process, and the dielectric, ferroelectric, and magnetic characteristics were determined together with the magnetoelectric coupling coefficient. The evolution of Pna21 symmetry was revealed by transmission electron microscope analysis, and the ferroelectric transition from Pbnm to Pna21 was determined by differential scanning calorimetry analysis together with the dielectric characterization, and the Curie temperature was determined as 195°C. The saturated polarization–electric field (P–E) hysteresis loop was obtained with Pr = 12.2 μC cm−2, and the unlocking of ferromagnetism was confirmed by the apparent magnetization–magnetic field (M–H) hysteresis loop with Mr = 77.4 emu mol−1. The giant electric field–controlled magnetism was due to the Pna21/R3c field–induced transition, which was confirmed by both structure analysis and theoretical calculation, and the change of remanent magnetization under an electric field was achieved up to 44.8 emu mol−1 (57.9%), which was much bigger than that of rare‐earth (RE)‐substituted BiFeO3 ceramics without optimizing Pna21 phase fraction. The present results might significantly deepen the physical understanding of Pna21 phase and subsequently provide new hints on further enhancing electric field–controlled magnetism in RE‐substituted BiFeO3 multiferroic ceramics.
Intricacies involving the evaluation of fracture toughness obtained by the surface‐crack‐in‐flexure method
Authors: Lubauer Julia , Lohbauer Ulrich , Henrich Martina , Munz Maximilian , Lube Tanja , Belli Renan 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAmong the several methods available for the measurement of the fracture toughness (KIc), the surface‐crack‐in‐flexure (SCF) has the advantages of being based on an easy‐to‐produce short (application relevant) crack size of defined geometry with a naturally sharp crack tip. The production of ready‐to‐test cracked specimens is fast and uncomplicated, rendering accurate results with low scatter. However efficient and reliable, the procedural steps for the obtainment of a valid crack need revisions, especially on aspects concerning the polishing depth, the removal of lateral cracks, the obtainment of an appropriate crack geometry, and the use of adequate solutions for the geometry factor. In this study we attend to these issues by systematically polishing a large number of specimens of two ceramic materials having very distinct subsurface Knoop crack systems to assess the effect of remnants of lateral cracks. By evaluating the geometry factor of the median precrack along the entire crack front, we provide valid ranges for the crack geometry regarding the crack‐surface intersection angle as resulting from the polishing depth, extending the applicability of the Strobl et al. solution to shallow cracks in detriment of the Newman and Raju formula that is poised to overestimations of KIc of up to 10%. Our results debunk the belief that lateral cracks affect the obtained KIc, but demonstrate the necessity of a minimum polishing depth for the attainment of valid crack geometries.
Synthesis and luminescence properties of red‐emitting AlN:Mn2+ spherical phosphors
Authors: Hao Xu , Wan Shiqin , Du Songmo , Chen Zhanglin , Zhang Jie , Yuan Xuanyi , Wang Qi 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIn this study, we successfully prepared red‐emitting AlN:Mn2+ spherical phosphors by using nitrogen pressure–assisted carbothermal reduction–nitridation method. The optimum preparation parameters were explored by changing nitrogen pressure, CaF2 content, reaction temperature, and the amount of MnCO3. It was confirmed that uniform spherical shape, large particle size, less impurity content, and suitable Mn2+ concentrations could effectively enhance the luminous intensity of AlN:Mn2+ phosphors. The structural compositions of the AlN:Mn2+ phosphors were characterized by X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, indicating that Mn2+ ions were successfully doped into AlN lattice by substitution of Al3+ ions, thus providing the red‐emitting luminescence centers. Based on the experimental results, we further proposed the underlying growth mechanism of spherical AlN phosphors. It was suggested that an adequate amount of liquid Ca‐aluminates was essential to achieve uniform spherical morphology and high fluorescence efficiency.
Pirfenidone alleviates cardiac fibrosis induced by pressure overload via inhibiting TGF‐β1/Smad3 signalling pathway
Authors: Li Na , Hang Weijian , Shu Hongyang , Zhou Ning 
Published: July 2022

AbstractCardiac fibrosis critically injured the cardiac structure and function of the hypertensive patients. However, the anti‐fibrotic strategy is still far from satisfaction. This study aims to determine the effect and mechanism of Pirfenidone (PFD), an anti‐lung fibrosis medicine, in the treatment of cardiac fibrosis and heart failure induced by pressure overload. Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to thoracic aorta constriction (TAC) or sham surgery with the vehicle, PFD (300 mg/kg/day) or Captopril (CAP, 20 mg/kg/day). After 8 weeks of surgery, mice were tested by echocardiography, and then sacrificed followed by morphological and molecular biological analysis. Compared to the sham mice, TAC mice showed a remarkable cardiac hypertrophy, interstitial and perivascular fibrosis and resultant heart failure, which were reversed by PFD and CAP significantly. The enhanced cardiac expression of TGF‐β1 and phosphorylation of Smad3 in TAC mice were both restrained by PFD. Cardiac fibroblasts isolated from adult C57BL/6 mice were treated by Angiotensin II, which led to significant increases in cellular proliferation and levels of α‐SMA, vimentin, TGF‐β1 and phosphorylated TGF‐β receptor and Smad3. These changes were markedly inhibited by pre‐treatment of PFD. Collectively, PFD attenuates myocardial fibrosis and dysfunction induced by pressure overload via inhibiting the activation of TGF‐β1/Smad3 signalling pathway.
Gene expression patterns in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) with severe nephrocalcinosis
Authors: Klykken Christine , Boissonnot Lauris , Reed Anne Katrine , Whatmore Paul , Attramadal Kari , Olsen Rolf Erik 
Published: July 2022

AbstractNephrocalcinosis is a common disorder in farmed Atlantic salmon, but the consequences for the fish physiology are not well understood. We performed a transcriptome study in kidneys of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts without and with severe chronic nephrocalcinosis (NC). The study revealed that numerous genes are differentially expressed in fish with NC compared with healthy salmon. The most evident changes in gene expression patterns in the NC group were a massive downregulation of metabolism and energy production, upregulation of signalling pathways important for tissue repair and function maintenance and upregulation of inflammatory responses. Overall, the extensive tissue damage and the gene regulation responses that affect salmon with severe nephrocalcinosis are highly likely to have dramatic consequences on fish survival.
Computer simulation of microwave cooking of sweet potato
Authors: Kako Yoshihiro , Llave Yvan , Sakai Noboru , Fukuoka Mika 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAlthough sweet potatoes have the characteristic of becoming sweeter when heated, the MW treatment is challenging because its characteristic high heating rate can affect the intrinsic chemical changes of sweet potatoes during MW heating. To clarify this phenomena, experimental and simulated approaches for the microwave (MW) cooking of sweet potatoes were evaluated. The dielectric properties (DPs) of sweet potatoes during MW heating were measured from 20 to 90°C at 2450 MHz. A three‐dimensional (3D) geometric model based on the actual structure and size of the MW flatbed oven and sample was constructed. Two commercial software packages, which are based on the finite element method (FEM) were used for the calculation by coupling the analysis of electromagnetic fields and heat transfer. To improve the calculation during temperature simulation, a mathematical approach considering a contact layer for the boundary between the sample and the ceramic plate was evaluated.The dielectric constant decreased with increasing temperature; whereas, the dielectric loss factor values were similar at 20–60°C. However, at 60–90°C, the values decreased sharply. The temperature change inside the sweet potato was estimated using the 3D model and temperature profiles and cross‐section distributions were compared with the experimental results. The simulated results agree well to the measured results especially for the approach considering a contact layer for the surrounding air below the samples. These results are of potential value for the design of MW cooking systems for sweet potatoes.Practical ApplicationsThe applications of the findings of this study include but are not limited to: (a) use the measured DPs of sweet potatoes in both industrial applications and academia for developing novel applications of microwaveable sweet potato‐based products, (b) predict the temperature profiles and distributions of sweet potatoes using the developed 3D computer simulation model for MW heating in flatbed ovens, and (c) improve the simulation of MW heating of foods directly placed on the ceramic plate during MW treatment considering the contact layer approach evaluated in this study.
Cutaneous adverse reactions following COVID‐19 vaccinations: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Shafie'ei Mohammad , Jamali Marzieh , Akbari Zahra , Sarvipour Nastaran , Ahmadzade Mohadese , Ahramiyanpour Najmeh 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundCOVID‐19 vaccines are currently the most effective interventions in controlling and preventing severe disease progression. Dermatologic reactions to COVID‐19 vaccinations may be rare among clinical trial participants. However, since global mass vaccination became a reality, these adverse effects may become more widespread, and different skin reactions would arise.ObjectiveTo systematically review the cutaneous adverse reactions in cases subject to vaccines for COVID‐19.MethodsWe searched the PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Embase databases, identifying the relevant records and including the eligible observational ones. After assessing the methodological quality of the included studies, we qualitatively and quantitatively synthesized the data regarding the cutaneous side effects experienced by those in the studies' population.ResultsOverall, 36 studies were included in our systematic review, with the majority being cross‐sectional. We found that pain, erythema, and swelling were the most common local side effects, while different types of rashes, urticaria, and angioedema were the most non‐local. Few cases also reported experiencing flare‐ups of their underlying diseases or developing newly‐onset diseases of various etiologies. Our meta‐analyses also found that while viral vector‐based vaccines are, though insignificantly, safer in injection site complaints, individuals who received mRNA vaccines developed significantly fewer non‐local cutaneous adverse events.DiscussionCutaneous reactions to the COVID‐19 vaccines are similar to common cutaneous drug eruptions and COVID‐19 cutaneous manifestations. However, we believe that further high‐quality research is needed to assess better how and why cutaneous reactions occur in different vaccines.