Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nerve conduction study in healthy individuals: a preliminary age based study.

BACKGROUND Nerve conduction study assesses peripheral nerve functions and has clinical implication. OBJECTIVES To study the effect of age on nerve conduction study variables in healthy adults. METHODS Cross sectional study was done from Jan 2006 to Dec 2006 in department of Physiology, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal. The study was done in 34 (younger, n= 18, 17 to 29 years; older, n= 16, 30 to 57 years) consenting healthy adults of either sex. The compound muscle action potential and sensory nerve action potential were recorded using standard technique. Due to the non-normal distribution of data, the effect of age on nerve conduction study variables was analyzed using Mann Whitney U test. RESULTS Younger vs. older individuals: older had lower Compound Muscle action potential amplitude (mV) in all motor nerves except radial and left ulnar nerves. Compound Muscle action potential duration (ms) was shorter in older (p less than 0.05) in ulnar, tibial, right median and left common peroneal motor nerves than the younger: right median (6.92±1.3 vs. 8.5±1.88), right ulnar (7.09±1.54vs. 8.2±1.31), left ulnar (10.56±1.44 vs. 12.06±1.5), right tibial (6.28±0.81vs. 7.28±1.12), and left tibial (9.58±1.52vs.10.78±1.71). Sensory nerve actional potential amplitude (μV) was smaller in older as compared to younger: right median (19.01±7.83 vs. 26.97±10.63), right ulnar (10.9±3.44 vs.16.09±5.85) and right radial (14.31±4.34 vs.19.72±6.47). SNAP duration (ms) was longer in older: right ulnar (1.34±0.17 vs.1.26± 0.18), left ulnar (1.46±0.14 vs. 1.29±0.26), and left median (1.11± 0.14 vs. 1± 0.14). CONCLUSIONS Age has definite effects on amplitude and duration of motor and sensory nerves. Different nerves have different timing of aging. Without adjustment for age, the sensitivity and specificity of nerve conduction study will decrease whenusing the same reference data in patients with different age.
Demystifying Levy Walk Patterns in Human Walks

This paper reports that bursty hot spot sizes are a key factor in causing the heavy-tail distribution of flights in human walks. A heavy-tailed distribution of flights is a signature feature of Levy walks. The data analysis based on GPS traces of human walks reveals that the sizes of a few extremely large hot spots are dominating the mean size of hot spots and they cause the bursty (i.e., long-range dependent) dispersion of visit points where people make a stop. Bursty visit points cause the characteristic distance among visit points to have a heavy-tail distribution. On top of bursty visit points, humans perform a distance-optimizing algorithm to plan their trips much like a heuristic to the traveling salesman problem. These factors in combination make human walks to have a heavy-tailed flight distribution. The above findings enable the construction of a simple human mobility model that taking as input the degree of burstiness in visit point dispersion, can naturally emulate hot spots as well as a heavy-tail flight distribution, both known to be important in measuring the realistic performance of mobile networks.
Thermal–Electromagnetic Analysis for Driving Cycles of Embedded Flux-Switching Permanent-Magnet Motors

This paper presents a fast and precise electromagnetic-thermal model of a redundant dual-star flux-switching permanent-magnet (FSPM) motor for embedded applications with driving cycles, e.g., hybrid electrical vehicle (HEV) and aerospace. This model is based on a prior steady characterization by finite-element method (FEM) 2-D of the FSPM motor via calculating the instantaneous torque and the normal and tangential components of the magnetic flux density (Br and Bθ) of each element of the stator and the rotor for different root-mean-square (RMS) current densities and different rotor positions. These results are then used in the analytical copper and iron loss models for calculating the instantaneous copper and rotor and stator iron losses during one driving cycle. The lumped-parameter (LP) and finite-element 2-D transient thermal models are then carried out, in which the previously obtained instantaneous power losses are used as heat sources for calculating the temperatures of different motor parts during driving cycles. In the thermal studies, a transformation of an irregular slot structure into a regular (rectangular) one is applied to simplify the calculation of the winding thermal resistance. The thermal-electromagnetic analysis method in this paper can also be extended for all the other applications with driving cycles. The experimental tests are carried out to validate the analytical and numerical results.
Modeling system of systems: A generic method based on system characteristics and interface

In the 90s there was introduced concept of system of systems (SoS) in order to deal with growing complexity, geographical distribution, and heterogeneity of the various technological systems such as, for instance, modern factories. Methods of the traditional system engineering have been challenged in capturing of SoS specific nature like evolving requirements, ambulatory boundaries, decentralization, and other. In order to analyze, simulate and modify such kind of systems, there should be developed modeling methods and tools which would be capable to encompass the SoS specific properties. The aim of this work was to propose a computational method to model SoS, which could be further applied to the description and simulation of the highly distributed, heterogeneous, and networked production systems of the future. It was concluded that the proposed approach is able to provide the static and dynamic descriptions of the SoS-components and the communication between them in detailed yet relatively simple mode. For further maturing of the approach and with order to prove the applicability of the method proposed, next steps will be implemented: the method will be tested on a tesbed of a production line, and then a modeling of a real use case from the domain of manufacturing is preplanned.
Linguistic features of Malaysian students’ online communicative language in an academic setting: the case of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Social media have gained astounding worldwide growth and popularity and have become prominent in the life of many young people today. According to various research studies in the field of online social networks, social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp are greatly impacting the lives of youths. These sites have provided a platform whereby the young can create groups based on their common interests and build connections by updating various topics to discuss. However, with social media taking up such a large space in our lives, there is a concern as to whether it is impacting our communicative language; more importantly, our youth’s communicative language. In view of this phenomenon, this article is an attempt to add to the understanding of online communicative language used by youths in social media. Specifically, it reports on the linguistic features of online communicative language used by youths in an academic setting in Facebook. This study employed two research tools, namely Virtual Ethnography and Content Analysis. Data collected was in the form of screen captures and snippets of conversations. Content Analysis was employed to look into the occurrences of languages in contact in phenomena such as code-mixing, code-switching and borrowings of certain words from the first language-second language and vice versa. The findings of the study indicate that the language used by the participants on Facebook consists of a mixture of code-switching, code-mixing, fillers, emoticons, spelling modifications, foreign language words and colloquial Malaysian English.
Hierarchical system for content-based audio classification and retrieval

A hierarchical system for audio classification and retrieval based on audio content analysis is presented in this paper. The system consists of three stages. The audio recordings are first classical and segmented into speech, music, several types of environmental sounds, and silence, based on morphological and statistical analysis of temporal curves of the energy function, the average zero-crossing rate, and the fundamental frequency of audio signals. The first stage is called the coarse-level audio classification and segmentation. Then, environmental sounds are classified into finer classes such as applause, rain, birds' sound, etc., which is called the fine-level audio classification. The second stage is based on time-frequency analysis of audio signals and the use of the hidden Markov model (HMM) for classification. In the third stage, the query-by-example audio retrieval is implemented where similar sounds can be found according to the input sample audio. The way of modeling audio features with the hidden Markov model, the procedures of audio classification and retrieval, and the experimental results are described. It is shown that, with the proposed new system, audio recordings can be automatically segmented and classified into basic types in real time with an accuracy higher than 90%. Examples of audio fine classification and audio retrieval with the proposed HMM-based method are also provided.
Fairness perceptions of supervisor feedback, LMX, and employee well-being at work

In a field study we examined employees' fairness perceptions of supervisor feedback and their relationships with employee well-being (job depression, job anxiety, job satisfaction, turnover intentions) and perceived control at work. We hypothesized quality of leader – member exchange (LMX) to partially mediate these relationships. We measured the above constructs in two different industries at two separate times over an interval of 6 months. Results from hierarchical regression analyses based on data from 99 employees supported our hypotheses. Perceived fairness of feedback was positively related to job satisfaction and feelings of control at work, and negatively related to job depression and turnover intentions. These relationships were mediated by the quality of LMX. Job anxiety was neither related to fairness perceptions of feedback nor to LMX, but positively related to frequency of negative feedback from the supervisor. Our research contributes to both, the feedback and leadership fairness literature, in connecting fairness of leader feedback to LMX and important work-related outcomes.
Nested Objects in a Byzantine Quorum-Replicated System

Modern distributed, object-based systems support nested method invocations, whereby one object can invoke methods on another. In this paper we present a framework that supports nested method invocations among Byzantine fault-tolerant, replicated objects that are accessed via quorum systems. A challenge in this context is that client object replicas can induce unwanted method invocations on server object replicas, due either to redundant invocations by client replicas or Byzantine failures within the client replicas. At the core of our framework are a new quorum-based authorization technique and a novel method invocation protocol that ensure the linearizability and failure atomicity of nested method invocations despite Byzantine client and server replica failures. We detail the implementation of these techniques in a system called Fleet, and give preliminary performance results for them.
The Structure of Emotion

One common point of debate in the study of emotion is whether the basic, irreducible elements of emotional life are discrete emotion categories, such as anger, fear, sadness, and so on, or dimensions such as approach and avoidance. Resolving this debate will identify the basic building blocks of emotional life that are the most appropriate targets of scientific inquiry. In this paper, we briefly review meta-analytic work on the neuroimaging of emotion and examine its potential for identifying “natural kinds” of emotion in the brain. We outline criteria for identifying such natural kinds, summarize the evidence to date on category and dimensional approaches, and suggest ways in which neuroimaging studies could more directly address fundamental questions about the nature of emotion.
A novel string distance metric for ranking Persian respelling suggestions

Abstract Spelling errors in digital documents are often caused by operational and cognitive mistakes, or by the lack of full knowledge about the language of the written documents. Computer-assisted solutions can help to detect and suggest replacements. In this paper, we present a new string distance metric for the Persian language to rank respelling suggestions of a misspelled Persian word by considering the effects of keyboard layout on typographical spelling errors as well as the homomorphic and homophonic aspects of words for orthographical misspellings. We also consider the misspellings caused by disregarded diacritics. Since the proposed string distance metric is custom-designed for the Persian language, we present the spelling aspects of the Persian language such as homomorphs, homophones, and diacritics. We then present our statistical analysis of a set of large Persian corpora to identify the causes and the types of Persian spelling errors. We show that the proposed string distance metric has a higher mean average precision and a higher mean reciprocal rank in ranking respelling candidates of Persian misspellings in comparison with other metrics such as the Hamming, Levenshtein, Damerau–Levenshtein, Wagner–Fischer, and Jaro–Winkler metrics.
Systematic review to determine whether participation in a trial influences outcome

Abstract Objective To systematically compare the outcomes of participants in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with those in comparable non-participants who received the same or similar treatment. Table 1 Summary of studies included in sensitivity analysis Number of comparisons Number of similar results Number better in RCT Number worse in RCT Selection bias: Low risk 6 6 — — No imbalance 22 19 1 2 Adjusted results 12 7 4 2 Partially controlled 18 15 2 1 Poorly controlled 33 30 3 — Detection bias: Low risk* 78 66 8 3 Partially met, similarly measured 5 3 2 1 High risk 8 8 — — Exclusion bias: No losses to follow up 38 32 4 2 1 person to 20% lost to follow up 33 30 2 1 > 20% loss to follow up 11 10 — 1 Unclear 9 4 4 1 Reasons for non-participation: Refused 27 18 7 2 Refused because of preference 23 20 1 2 RCT versus preference trial 16 15 — 1 Not invited 8 8 — — Treated by non-participating clinicians 1 1 — — Different skills required for treatment: Surgery and procedures 28 25 1 2 Drug treatment 22 17 4 1 Radiology 14 12 1 1 Usual care 9 8 1 — Counselling and education 8 8 — — Watchful waiting 7 6 — 1 Different clinical area: Oncology 28 23 3 2 Obstetrics and gynaecology 14 12 2 1 Cardiology 13 10 2 1 Other internal medicine 11 9 2 — Psychology and drug misuse 9 9 — — Paediatrics 8 7 — 1 Respiration 2 2 — — RCT=randomised controlled trial. * Outcomes were measured in same way. Data sources Bibliographic databases, reference lists from eligible articles, medical journals, and study authors. Review methods RCTs and cohort studies that evaluated the clinical outcomes of participants in RCTs and comparable non-participants who received the same or similar treatment. Results Five RCTs (six comparisons) and 50 cohort studies (85 comparisons) provided data on 31 140 patients treated in RCTs and 20 380 comparable patients treated outside RCTs. In the five RCTs, in which patients were given the option of participating or not, the comparisons provided limited information because of small sample sizes (a total of 412 patients) and the nature of the questions considered. 73 dichotomous outcomes were compared, of which 59 reported no statistically significant differences. For patients treated within RCTs, 10 comparisons reported significantly better outcomes and four reported significantly worse outcomes. Significantly heterogeneity was found (I2 = 89%) among the comparisons of 73 dichotomous outcomes; none of our a priori explanatory factors helped explain this heterogeneity. The 18 comparisons of continuous outcomes showed no significant differences in heterogeneity (I2 = 0%). The overall pooled estimate for continuous outcomes of the effect of participating in an RCT was not significant (standardised mean difference 0.01, 95% confidence interval −0.10 to 0.12). Conclusion No strong evidence was found of a harmful or beneficial effect of participating in RCTs compared with receiving the same or similar treatment outside such trials.
Investissements directs étrangers au Maroc : impact sur la productivité totale des facteurs selon le pays d’origine (1980-2012)

Cet article consiste a etudier l’impact des investissements directs etrangers (IDE) sur la productivite totale des facteurs (PTF) au Maroc durant la periode 1980-2012, selon la source de l’IDE. Il ressort des resultats obtenus, en utilisant le modele VECM (VectorError Correction Model), que les IDE n’expliquent pas de la meme maniere la productivite totale des facteurs. A cet egard, seuls les IDE emanant de la France sont statistiquement significatifs et ont un effet positif sur la PTF. Cela est du, selon notre premier constat, a la concentration de ces investissements dans le secteur industriel qui est l’un des secteurs catalyseurs de transfert de savoir-faire, de technologie et de croissance economique. Mots cles: Investissement direct etranger (IDE), source de l’IDE, capital humain, productivite totale des facteurs, ouverture economique, transfert technologique, croissance economique, Maroc English Abstract This article is to study the impact of foreign direct investments (FDI) on total factor productivity (TFP) in Morocco between 1980 and 2012 according to the origin of FDI. Using Vector Error Correction Model, the FDI’s originating from different countries did not have the same impact on Morocco’s TFP. Only the FDI coming from France were statistically significant and had a positive effect on total factor productivity. This is explained in part by the concentration of these investments in the industrial sector, catalyst for knowledge transfer, technological change and economic growth. Keywords: Foreign direct investments (FDI), Origin of FDI’s, trade openness, human capital, total factor productivity, technology transfer, economic growth, Morocco
Evolutionary Changes of the flhDC Flagellar Master Operon in Shigella Strains

ABSTRACT Shigella strains are nonmotile. The master operon of flagellar synthesis, flhDC, was analyzed for genetic damage in 46 Shigella strains representing all known serotypes. In 11 strains (B1, B3, B6, B8, B10, B18, D5, F1B, D10, F3A, and F3C) the flhDC operon was completely deleted. PCR and sequence analysis of the flhDC region of the remaining 35 strains revealed many insertions or deletions associated with insertion sequences, and the majority of the strains were found to be defective in their flhDC genes. As these genes also play a role in regulation of nonflagellar genes, the loss may have other consequences or be driven by selection pressures other than those against flagellar motility. It has been suggested that Shigella strains fall mostly into three clusters within Escherichia coli, with five outlier strains, four of which are also within E. coli (G. M. Pupo, R. Lan, and P. R. Reeves, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97:10567-10572, 2000). The distribution of genetic changes in the flhDC region correlated very well with the three clusters and outlier strains found using housekeeping gene DNA sequences, enabling us to follow the sequence of mutational change in the flhDC locus. Two cluster 2 strains were found to have unique flhDC sequences, which are most probably due to recombination during the exchange of the adjacent O-antigen gene clusters.
The Basis Risk of Catastrophic-Loss Index Securities

This paper analyzes the basis risk of catastrophic-loss (CAT) index derivatives, which securitize losses from catastrophic events such as hurricanes and earthquakes. We analyze the hedging effectiveness of these instruments for 255 insurers writing 93 percent of the insured residential property values in Florida, the state most severely affected by exposure to hurricanes. County-level losses are simulated for each insurer using a sophisticated model developed by Applied Insurance Research. We analyze basis risk by measuring the effectiveness of hedge portfolios, consisting of a short position each insurer's own catastrophic losses and a long position in CAT-index call spreads, in reducing insurer loss volatility, value-at-risk, and expected losses above specified thresholds. Two types of loss indices are used -- a statewide index based on insurance losses in four quadrants of the state. The principal finding is that firms in the three largest Florida market-share quartiles can hedge almost as effectively using the intra-state index contracts as they can using contracts that settle on their own losses. Hedging with the statewide contracts is effective only for insurers with the largest market shares and for smaller insurers that are highly diversified throughout the state. The results also support the agency-theoretic hypotheses that mutual insurers are more diversified than stocks and that unaffiliated single firms are more diversified than insurers that are members of groups.
Comparison of Loteprednol with Fluorometholone after Myopic Photorefractive Keratectomy

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and side effects of loteprednol versus fluorometholone after myopic photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Methods: One hundred and twenty four eyes of 62 patients who underwent PRK were enrolled in this study. One eye of each subject was randomized to receive loteprednol 0.5% and the fellow eye was given fluorometholone 0.1%. Patients were followed up for three months. Results: There was no significant difference in uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), manifest refraction, corneal haze, intraocular pressure (IOP), and ocular discomfort and redness between groups at the final visit. At 3 months postoperatively, 20/25 or better UDVA was achieved in 95% of the loteprednol group and 92% of the fluorometholone group (P > 0.05). There was neither visually significant corneal haze nor ocular hypertension (IOP rise > 10 mmHg or IOP > 21 mmHg) in any group. Conclusion: The efficacy and side effects of loteprednol 0.5% and fluorometholone 0.1% after myopic PRK are comparable.