A Novel Technique for Speech Recognition and Visualization Based Mobile Application to Support Two-Way Communication between Deaf-Mute and Normal Peoples

Mobile technology is very fast growing and incredible, yet there are not much technology development and improvement for Deaf-mute peoples. Existing mobile applications use sign language as the only option for communication with them. Before our article, no such application (app) that uses the disrupted speech of Deaf-mutes for the purpose of social connectivity exists in the mobile market. The proposed application, named as vocalizer to mute (V2M), uses automatic speech recognition (ASR) methodology to recognize the speech of Deaf-mute and convert it into a recognizable form of speech for a normal person. In this work mel frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC) based features are extracted for each training and testing sample of Deaf-mute speech. The hidden Markov model toolkit (HTK) is used for the process of speech recognition. The application is also integrated with a 3D avatar for providing visualization support. The avatar is responsible for performing the sign language on behalf of a person with no awareness of Deaf-mute culture. The prototype application was piloted in social welfare institute for Deaf-mute children. Participants were 15 children aged between 7 and 13 years. The experimental results show the accuracy of the proposed application as 97.9%. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of results also revealed that face-to-face socialization of Deaf-mute is improved by the intervention of mobile technology. The participants also suggested that the proposed mobile application can act as a voice for them and they can socialize with friends and family by using this app

Metabolites of Moringa oleifera Activate Physio-Biochemical Pathways for an Accelerated Functional Recovery after Sciatic Nerve Crush Injury in Mice

In this study, the functional metabolites of Moringa oleifera (MO) were screened to evaluate their possible role in accelerated functional retrieval after peripheral nerve injury (PNI). MO leaves were used for extract preparation using solvents of different polarities. Each dry extract was uniformly mixed in rodents’ chow and supplemented daily at a dose rate of 2 g/kg body weight from the day of nerve crush until the completion of the trial. The sciatic functional index (SFI) and muscle grip strength were performed to assess the recovery of motor functions, whereas the hotplate test was performed to measure the regain of sensory functions. An optimal level of oxidative stress and a controlled glycemic level mediates a number of physio-biochemical pathways for the smooth progression of the regeneration process. Therefore, total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and glycemic levels were analyzed in metabolite-enriched extract-treated groups compared to the control. The supplementation of polar extracts demonstrated a significantly high potential to induce the retrieval of sensory and motor functions. Further, they were highly effective in controlling oxidative stress, facilitating accelerated nerve generation. This study has highlighted MO as a sustainable source of nutritive metabolites and a valuable target for drug development

Vliv S a Se výměně na elektronických a termoelektrických vlastností BaCu2GeQ4 (Q = S, Se) chalkogenidových krystalů

Pro kvartérního chalkogenidy BaCu2GeQ4 (Q = S, Se), optoelektronických, strukturální a transportní vlastnosti jsou zkoumány pomocí přesné všechny elektrony FPeLAPW metoda [plný potenciál linearizován rozšířený rovinné vlny]. Mřížkové konstanty vypočtené teoreticky jsou stanovena tak, aby v dobré shodě s hodnotami, které jsou měřeny experimentálně. Je zjištěno, že všechny Titulní sloučeniny jsou přímé polovodiče zakázaným pásem, a tato energie odstupu pásma se nachází G-G symetrie bodů. Současně se při výměně S pomocí SE zakázaný pás velikost se snižuje. Optické konstanty disperze jako imaginární a reálné složky dielektrických funkcí, extinkčních koeficientů, indexu lomu, odrazivost je, absorpčních koeficientů, které byly také vypočteny pro tyto sloučeniny. Vysoká absorpce a přímé charakteristiky zakázaným pásem těchto sloučenin v UVeVisible energetickém rozsahu ukazují, že tyto perovskytové struktury by mohly být použity v optoelektronických a optických přístrojů pracujících v UV eVisible rozsahu energetického spektra. Vypočtený dvojlom (0,012 a 0,083) zvyšuje vhodnost BaCu2GeSe4 srovnání s BaCu2GeS4 obvykle aplikuje jako nelineární optické materiály. Vypočtené dopravy koeficienty vykazují anizotropní charakter materiálů, po dohodě s jejich elektronových stavů. Transportní vlastnosti ukazují silnější koncentrace nosiče podél Ge-s, Ba-P a Cu-d orbitalů, což potvrzuje, že tyto orbitaly jsou hlavní pro elektrické dopravní funkce. Hodnoty efektivní hmotnosti elektronů jsou vypočteny podle zakřivení CBM pásma 124 a 184 pro BaCu2GeS4 a BaCu2GeSe4 resp. Zkoumání termoelektrického účiníku ukazuje, že BaCu2GeS4 je mnohem lepší než BaCu2GeSe4 v celém teplotním intervalu, který dělat to vhodný pro budoucí technologické aplikaceFor the Quaternary Chalcogenides BaCu2GeQ4 (Q ¼ S, Se) optoelectronic, structural and transport properties are explored using accurate all electrons FPeLAPW [full potential linearized augmented plane wave] method. The lattice constants calculated theoretically are established to be in fine agreement with the values that are measured experimentally. It is established that all the titled compounds are direct band gap semiconductors and this energy band gap is situated G- G symmetry points. At the same time the band gap magnitude decreases during replacement of S by Se. Optical constant dispersion like imaginary and real components of dielectric functions, extinction coefficients, refractive indices, reflectivity's, absorption coefficients, have been also calculated for these compounds. High absorption and the direct band gap characteristics of these compounds in the UV-Visible energy range indicate that these perovskite structures might be used in optoelectronic and optical devices working in the UV-Visible range of the energy spectrum. The calculated birefringence (0.012 and 0.083) enhances the suitability of BaCu2GeSe4 compared to BaCu2GeS4 usually applied as nonlinear optical materials. The computed transport coefficients exhibit the anisotropic nature of the materials, in agreement with their electronic states. The transport properties show stronger carrier concentrations along the Ge-s, Ba-p and Cu-d orbitals, confirming that these orbitals are principal for the electrical transport features. The values of effective mass of electrons are computed by curvature of the CBM band 124 and 184 for BaCu2GeS4 and BaCu2GeSe4 respectively. Investigating of the thermoelectric power factor shows that BaCu2GeS4 is much better than BaCu2GeSe4 over the entire temperature interval which make it suitable for future technological application