Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early diagnosis, early treatment and the new diagnostic criteria of diabetes mellitus.

The main purpose of treating diabetes is to prevent chronic complications. Strict glycemic control is known to suppress the occurrence and progression of these complications. The test for plasma glucose is essential to identify diabetic patients, as mild hyperglycemia without symptoms can be a risk factor for complications. The new classification and diagnostic criteria for diabetes were proposed by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), WHO and Japan Diabetes Society (JDS) between 1997 and 1999. Diabetes is classified into four etiological categories; type 1, type 2, diabetes due to other specific mechanisms or conditions, and gestational diabetes. Another classification system according to the degree of metabolic abnormality has also been adopted. For diagnosis of diabetes, the JDS Committee classified the glycemic state into three categories based on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and 2-h plasma glucose in the 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (2hPG); normal type (FPG <110 and 2hPG <140 mg/dl), diabetic type (FPG > or =126 and/or 2hPG > or =200 mg/dl), and borderline type (neither normal nor diabetic type). The borderline type corresponds to the sum of impaired fasting glycemia (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) based on ADA and WHO. Using the JDS criteria, diabetes is diagnosed when hyperglycemia of 'diabetic type' is confirmed on two or more occasions. ADA recommends the use of FPG alone for the diagnosis of diabetes, but findings from both Japan and Europe indicate that many diabetic subjects would be classified as non-diabetic solely on the FPG test. JDS recommends the use of the glucose tolerance test when the elevation of FPG is mild. Keeping glycemia near-normal by periodic monitoring of glycemic parameters and by appropriate treatment would prevent or reduce the diabetic complications in patients to a minimum.
Large scale sign detection using HOG feature variants

In this paper we present two variant formulations of the well-known Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) features and provide a comparison of these features on a large scale sign detection problem. The aim of this research is to find features capable of driving further improvements atop a preexisting detection framework used commercially to detect traffic signs on the scale of entire national road networks (1000's of kilometres of video). We assume the computationally efficient framework of a cascade of boosted weak classifiers. Rather than comparing features on the general problem of detection we compare their merits in the final stages of a cascaded detection problem where a feature's ability to reduce error is valued more highly than computational efficiency. Results show the benefit of the two new features on a New Zealand speed sign detection problem. We also note the importance of using non-sign training and validation instances taken from the same video data that contains the training and validation positives. This is attributed to the potential for the more powerful HOG features to overfit on specific local patterns which may be present in alternative video data.
Nephrolithiasis with dorzolamide.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) are an important line of therapy in the treatment of glaucoma. Inhibition of the type II isoenzyme of carbonic anhydrase in the ciliary process results in decreased bicarbonate production with a concurrent decrease in sodium and fluid transport. The net effect is substantially decreased aqueous humor production. The limiting factor in the use of oral CAIs has been the numerous systemic adverse effects including paresthesia, a metallic taste, a malaise complex, gastrointestinal tract dysfunction, metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia, dermatitis, blood dyscrasias, and renal calculi. For this reason, topical CAIs, which theoretically carry minimal risk for systemic complications, represent a significant medical advancement. However, there is little information regarding the possible long-term sequelae of these medications and their potential for producing similar systemic adverse effects as their oral counterparts. We describe 3 patients in whom renal stones occurred following the use of dorzolamide. Cessation of the topical CAI resulted in clinical improvement, and there has been no reoccurrence of renal stones since treatment with this medication was terminated.
Genre-Based Approach to Writing Instruction for Students at an English Language and Literature Department

The aim of the genre-based pedagogy is to focus on students’ academic needs and enable them to read and write successfully (Martin, 1993, 2009). Therefore, it is imperative for teachers to understand the range of written genres and other writing skills that students need to use in their academic studies. This study has aimed to design an alternative and effective way of teaching writing to English Language and Literature students within the genre-based pedagogy considering their academic needs. The present study attempts to investigate the process of building metacognitive genre-awareness and show how it influences English Language and Literature students’ ability to interpret and compose academic texts. The present study is designed as a case study, and mixed methods of data collection and analysis have been adopted. Several sources of data coming from both the teacher herself and the students such as classroom observation and teacher’s journal, students’ written texts (portfolios), students’ diaries and interview with students have been used to have a deeper understanding of the process of genre-based writing instruction. The results of the study indicate that most of the students acquired, at least, metacognitive awareness of the declarative type, they seem to move their writing ability up and there is a general improvement in their writing performance.
Four skill-based foreign language anxieties: learners of Korean in Australia

This study examined foreign language anxiety (FLA) as it relates to the four language skills, i.e. speaking listening reading and writing and evaluated the relationships of these skill-based anxieties to general FLA, measured by Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (Horwitz, Horwitz, and Cope 1986). Participants were 110 students enrolled in Korean as a foreign language (KFL) courses at an Australian public university. An online survey examined the students' anxieties across the four language-related skills, as well as general FLA. The survey also investigated sources of classroom anxiety and strategies for overcoming this. Findings suggested that the students had a moderate level of general FLA (M = 2.89, SD = .70), with the highest level of anxiety in speaking (M = 3.26, SD = .86) and the lowest level of anxiety in reading (M = 2.56, SD = .64). Furthermore, FLA showed high and significant correlations with all four skill-based anxieties. Regression data indicated that the four skill-based anxieties explained approximately 70% of the FLCAS as independent constructs. Speaking anxiety was found to be the most powerful predictor of FLA, and reading anxiety was the weakest. Four major sources of FLA, and active and passive overcoming strategies were also reported. As the participants are students of KFL in Australia (a rarely-explored population in second language acquisition (SLA) research), the findings of the study will enrich the literature on FLA, especially in relation to the four language-skill based anxieties and the affective domain of KFL students.
Overlapping-ary Frequency Shift Keying Spread-Spectrum Multiple-Access Systems Using Random Signature Sequences

In this paper, a multiple-access spread-spectrum communication system using binary frequency shift keying (BFSK) or M -ary frequency shift keying (MFSK) and noncoherent demodulation is considered. In contrast to previous work typically assuming that the frequency shift keying (FSK) tones are nonoverlapping after direct-sequence (DS) spreading, here we consider a spread-spectrum multiple-access (SSMA) system under the assumption that the DS spread signals of different FSK tones are only orthogonal over the information symbol duration. Consequently, the frequency band of a spread FSK tone may be fully or partially overlapping with the other spread signals. An estimate of the variance of the multiple-access interference is obtained by assuming that the phase angles and time delays of the received signals are mutually independent random variables, provided that random signature sequences are employed for spreading. On the basis of the above assumptions, the bit error rate (BER) of our DS spread-spectrum multiple-access (DS-SSMA) and that of our hybrid DS slow frequency-hopping spread-spectrum multiple-access (DS-SFH SSMA) systems using FSK modulation is analyzed, when the channel impairments are constituted by a combination of additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and multiple-access interference. From our analysis and the numerical results, we concluded that, for a given system bandwidth and for a certain value of M , the system’s BER performance can be optimized by controlling the amount of overlapping and that the systems with optimized overlapping outperformed the systems using no overlapping.
The neurobiological underpinnings of developmental stuttering

The aim of this thesis was to investigate the neural underpinnings of persistent developmental stuttering. We explored neural systems important for speech-motor integration and focused on subcortical control systems: the basal ganglia and cerebellum. A secondary aim of this work was to distinguish effects related to general traits of the disorder from those reflecting specific states of stuttered speech. To address these aims we used a variety of neuroimaging methodologies as well as an extensive neuropsychological and empirical test battery. Our examination of neural pathway microstructure using diffusion-tensor imaging replicated previous findings of widespread disorganisation of white matter in people who stutter. This disruption included all major white matter pathways leading in and out of the cerebellum. In our second, third, and fourth studies we examined functional activity at rest and during different types of speech. The brain networks used by people who stutter and controls largely overlapped. The brain regions that distinguished general traits and specific states of stuttering were somewhat task-specific. Subcortical activation in the basal ganglia and cerebellum was related to the frequency of dysfluent speech in the scanner. In our final study we examined performance on a variety of classical tasks of motor learning. We observed evidence of delayed learning in response to changes in environmental feedback in the stuttering group relative to controls. Within people who stutter, subgroups who differ according to heritability of the disorder may also differ in the balance of dopamine in the basal ganglia. Overall, we concluded that cerebellar alterations contribute to the general trait of stuttering, while basal ganglia disruption may reflect specific effects within stuttering. Our work supports a broader role of the subcortical system in speech production, generally.
Case-based reinforcement learning for cognitive spectrum assignment in cellular networks with dynamic topologies

Case-based reinforcement learning is a combination of reinforcement learning (RL) and case-based reasoning which has been successfully applied to a variety of artificial intelligence problems concerned with dynamic environments. This paper demonstrates how case-based RL can be applied to distributed dynamic spectrum assignment in cellular networks with dynamic topologies, and what performance improvements can be expected from using this approach in favour of a standard RL algorithm. Simulation results have shown that augmenting a stateless Q-learning algorithm with case-based reasoning functionality has significantly improved the temporal performance of a 9 base station network with dynamic topology. It has mitigated the performance degradation in terms of the probabilities of call blocking and dropping after transitions between different phases of the network topology, thus substantially increasing the usable range of traffic loads of the network.
The Many Faces of Authoritarian Persistence: A Set-Theory Perspective on the Survival Strategies of Authoritarian Regimes

Abstract This article examines how authoritarian regimes combine various strategies of repression, co-optation and legitimation to remain in power. The contribution of the article is two-fold. First, I conceptualize the hexagon of authoritarian persistence as a framework to explain how authoritarian regimes manage to survive. The hexagon is based on Gerschewski’s (2013) three pillars of stability but proposes some crucial modifications. In contrast to the model of the three pillars, the hexagon can grasp the causal complexity of autocratic survival because it is rooted in set theory and accounts for asymmetric causal relations, conjunctural causation and equifinality. Based on this, it illuminates how authoritarian regimes use multiple, mutually non-exclusive survival strategies. The second contribution is an empirical exploration which applies the hexagon and provides a case-oriented analysis of 62 persistent and non-persistent authoritarian regimes (1991–2010). By using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis, the findings of this assessment illustrate five configurations of the hexagon – called hegemonic, performance-dependent, rigid, overcompensating and adaptive authoritarianism – as those combinations of strategies which facilitate authoritarian survival.
Characterization of Metamaterial Slow-Wave Structure Loaded With Complementary Electric Split-Ring Resonators

We proposed an all-metal metamaterial slow-wave structure (MSWS) that consists of a circular waveguide periodically loaded with complementary electric split-ring resonators (CeSRRs). We set up an equivalent circuit theoretical model of MSWS and analyzed its high-frequency characteristics. Also, based on the surface current distribution on the CeSRR obtained by using the eigenmode solver in the CST Microwave Studio, a method of calculating the resonant frequency of the CeSRR was proposed. Furthermore, an MSWS with RF coupling port was designed, simulated, fabricated, and experimentally characterized. The dispersion characteristics of MSWS obtained by interpreting the experimental transmission characteristics agreed well with those predicted by theory as well as simulation. Based on the results of simulation and experiment, a concept of “resonance-coupling” was proposed for the passband of MSWS for frequencies below the cutoff frequency of an empty circular waveguide. The role of the slot-line in the CeSRR in influencing the performance of MSWS was also analyzed. The proposed MSWS has wide potential applications in vacuum electron devices, such as backward-wave oscillator and extended interaction klystron.
Fetal electrocardiogram extraction based on non-stationary ICA and wavelet denoising

Fetal electrocardiogram (fECG) monitoring is a technique for obtaining important information about the condition of the fetus during pregnancy and labour by measuring electrical signals generated by the fetal heart as measured from multi-channel potential recordings on the mother body surface. It is shown in this paper that the fetal ECG can be reconstructed by means of higher order statistical tools exploiting ECG nonstationarity associated with post-denoising with wavelets. The method is illustrated on real fetal ECG data.
Performance of a connected random covered energy efficient wireless sensor network.

For the sensor network to operate successfully, the active nodes should maintain both sensing coverage and network connectivity. Furthermore, scheduling sleep intervals plays critical role for energy efficiency of wireless sensor networks. Traditional methods for sensor scheduling use either sensing coverage or network connectivity, but rarely both. In this paper, we use random scheduling for sensing coverage and then turn on extra sensor nodes, if necessary for network connectivity. Simulation results have demonstrated that the number of extra nodes that is on with upper bound of around 9% is small compared to the total number of deployed sensor nodes. Thus energy consumption for switching on extra sensor node is small.
Relating hearing loss and executive functions to hearing aid users' preference for, and speech recognition with, different combinations of binaural noise reduction and microphone directionality

Knowledge of how executive functions relate to preferred hearing aid (HA) processing is sparse and seemingly inconsistent with related knowledge for speech recognition outcomes. This study thus aimed to find out if (1) performance on a measure of reading span (RS) is related to preferred binaural noise reduction (NR) strength, (2) similar relations exist for two different, non-verbal measures of executive function, (3) pure-tone average hearing loss (PTA), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and microphone directionality (DIR) also influence preferred NR strength, and (4) preference and speech recognition outcomes are similar. Sixty elderly HA users took part. Six HA conditions consisting of omnidirectional or cardioid microphones followed by inactive, moderate, or strong binaural NR as well as linear amplification were tested. Outcome was assessed at fixed SNRs using headphone simulations of a frontal target talker in a busy cafeteria. Analyses showed positive effects of active NR and DIR on preference, and negative and positive effects of, respectively, strong NR and DIR on speech recognition. Also, while moderate NR was the most preferred NR setting overall, preference for strong NR increased with SNR. No relation between RS and preference was found. However, larger PTA was related to weaker preference for inactive NR and stronger preference for strong NR for both microphone modes. Equivalent (but weaker) relations between worse performance on one non-verbal measure of executive function and the HA conditions without DIR were found. For speech recognition, there were relations between HA condition, PTA, and RS, but their pattern differed from that for preference. Altogether, these results indicate that, while moderate NR works well in general, a notable proportion of HA users prefer stronger NR. Furthermore, PTA and executive functions can account for some of the variability in preference for, and speech recognition with, different binaural NR and DIR settings.
Evaluation of 2-norm versus sparsity regularization in spline-based joint reconstruction of epicardial and endocardial potentials from body-surface measurements

Cardiac electrical imaging, reconstruction of cardiac electrical activity from body surface potentials, has gained increasing clinical interest as a noninvasive imaging modality for underlying electrophysiological phenomena. We have previously presented an approach using 1) a transmural regularization to improve the joint reconstruction of electrical potentials on both the inner and outer surface of the ventricles; and 2) a nonlinear low-order dynamic spline-based parameterization to provide temporal regularization. This approach was tested for localizing endocardial pacing locations obtained from healthy hearts during catheter-based stimulation, using imprecise thorax geometry derived from limited computed tomographic scans. Results were promising, but the reconstructed solutions were overly smooth in space and time. Recently, L1-norm based spatial sparsity methods such as total-variation regularization have been reported to return more realistically sharp solutions in cardiac electrical imaging. In this paper, we compare and evaluate the performance of L2-norm based Tikhonov and L1-norm based total-variation regularization in conjunction with the spline parameterization and the transmural regularization. Numerical experiments were conducted on three subjects, each with multiple (~ 20) endocardial pacing sites and evaluated against true pacing locations reported by the CARTO catheter mapping system. Variability was observed in the performance of the two methods across both pacing sites and subjects. However, the dependence of the results on subjects and ventricular pacing locations suggests that there is some correlation between the results and the specific geometry in each case. In our future work, we will investigate the approach of automatically inferring an optimal regularization norm from the data rather than fixing it a priori.
A better recipe for game jams: using the Mechanics Dynamics Aesthetics framework for planning

This position paper explores the application of the Mechanics Dynamics Aesthetics (MDA) framework to the game ideation and design process, as employed during time-limited game jams and hackathons. MDA is a framework for understanding games that attempts to interlink the related disciplines of game design, game development, game criticism, and game research. MDA suggests that the components of a game can be broken down into mechanics, which describe processes and actions available in a game, dynamics, which describe the dynamics of actions reaction to each other in game, and aesthetics, which describe the emotional responses evoked in the player by the game. This paper describes how MDA can be applied in a game jam context in order to focus the design and ideation process, and direct team activities into building a cohesive, playable end result.
Dynamic Capabilities, Talent Development and Firm Performance

All firms aim at high performance which leads to hi gh profits and sustainable competitive advantage. However all firms face a challenge on how to create sustainable competitive advantage especially on the rapid changing environment. This conceptual study paper hence looks at the dyna mic capabilities which have been identified to assist firms in creating and sus taining competitiveness in the ever changing environment. Specifically the paper looks at the nature of the sensing, seizing, transforming and managerial dynamic capabilities and how their interconnection influence firm performance. The study is anchored on the dynamic capability theory. The main objectives of the study are to understand how interconnectivity of various clusters of dynamic ca pabilities influences firm performance. The paper also looks at the role of dy namism in talent development. This conceptual study paper looks at the paradigm shifts in the area of sustainable competitive advantage from resource based view, knowledge based view and dynamic capability view. The paper identifies a number of knowledge and research gaps in relation to performance by reviewing previo us scholarly work in the study area. A conceptual model attempting to address the identified gaps is development and highlights the relationship among various clust ers of dynamic capabilities and their influence to each other and to performance. T he study views dynamic capabilities as an emerging paradigm of the modern business firm that propels sustainable high performance in rapidly changing environment.