Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does Sensory Modality Matter? Not for Speech Perception

Speech by Touch Rick Joy is deaf and blind. But you wouldn’t know this from our conversation. When I ask him questions about his language training, Rick provides detailed answers on how deaf-blind individuals were taught to perceive and produce speech. He then adds “I’m probably one of the last of my kind. ” He explains that he only knows of eight remaining individuals in the United States who have been trained to understand speech the way he understands mine: by touching my face.
Isolation and Identification of Staphylococcus Aureus from Bovine Mastitis Milk and Their Drug Resistance Patterns in Silchar Town Dairy Farms, N.E India

A cross-sectional experimental study was conducted from December 2012 May 2013 to estimate the prevalence of bovine mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus to assess the associated risk factors and to determine the antimicrobial resistance pattern in Silchar town dairy farms, North-East India. A total of 120 milk samples were collected aseptically and subjected towards California Mastitis Test (CMT), White Side Test (WST) and Surf Field Mastitis Test (SFMT) to identify the subclinical mastitis from dairy cows. All the CMT, WST and SRMT high scored and clinically positive samples were investigated microbiologically. Rate of isolation of Staphylococcus aureus was determined and susceptibility of 8 antibiotics was evaluated using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Out of 36 pure isolates of S. aureus, resistance was detected for Norfloxacin (64.28%), Penicillin (76.78%), Ciprofloxacin (73.21%), Vancomycin (94.64%), Nalidixic acid (91.07%) and Ampicillin (50%). The results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that S. aureus was highly susceptible towards Choramphenicol and Gentamicin exhibiting 71.5% and 78.58% susceptibility. In conclusion, this study confirms the importance of S. aureus as a mastitis causing bacterium and identifies the risk factors associated with the disease in the Silchar dairy herd environment.
Role of Bronchoscopy in the early diagnosis of suspected smear negative cases of pulmonary tuberculosis

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed on 50 patients suspected of having active pulmonary tuberculosis, who were either sputum negative or produced no sputum. Bronchial aspirate was smear positive in 28% of cases; bronchial biopsy clinched diagnosis of tuberculosis (on histopathology) in 2 out of 20 patients and post-bronchoscopy sputum was smear positive in 14 out of 50 cases. Combining the three methods, an early diagnosis within 3-4 days was possible in 21 out of 50 patients (42%). When culture report of the above specimens became available the ultimate diagnostic yield increased to 56%. No major complication developed after bronchoscopy.
Health Visitors as Family Nurses: A Discussion of Research, Policy and Practice in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, a recent government consultative document (The Stationary Office, 1998) marked an increased political interest in supporting family well-being. Health visitors are targeted as a key service to promote and implement better family health. This article examines the perception of, and involvement in, families by health visitors as identified by an extensive review of the literature examining policy, practice, and existing research in health visiting. From this analysis, related areas requiring further research are identified.
Does the Severity of Preoperative Symptoms Predict Operative Risk in Mitral Regurgitation

SUMMARY Background Patients with severe degenerative mitral regurgitation (SDMR) referred to surgery present diverse clinical presentations; while some patients are asymptomatic with preserved ventricular function, others have functional class IV dyspnea and systolic dysfunction. Current guidelines are helpful to recognize timing of mitral valve surgery; however, reality is sometimes far from ideal and defines daily practice. Objective To analyze the impact of preoperative functional class (FC) on in-hospital and on long-term outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for SDMR. Material and Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 254 consecutive patients who underwent surgery due to SDMR between July 1997 and July 2007. Patients were divided into two groups according to their NYHA FC for dyspnea. Group 1 included 87 patients in FC I-II and group 2 included 167 patients in FC III-IV. Results Patients in group 1 were more likely to undergo mitral valve repair (56.3% versus 37.7%; p=0.005); conversely, associated myocardial revascularization was less frequent (10.3% versus 27.5%; p=0.002). During postoperative, patients in group 2 presented greater morbidity and mortality rates (27.5% versus 13.7%; p=0.01) and greater in-hospital mortality (9.5% versus 2.3%; p=0.03). Global actuarial survival at 10 years was 92.9% with a median follow-up of 1,182 days/patient. During long-term follow-up, more patients in group 1 were free of associated events (mortality and readmission) than subjects in group 2 (HR 3.3; p=0.01, 95% CI 1.27-8.99). The degree of preoperative dyspnea was an independent predictor of adverse outcomes in multivariate analysis. The sub-analysis of patients without coronary artery disease also demonstrated that the severity of preoperative dyspnea is an independent predictor of in-hospital and long-term morbidity and mortality. Conclusion In patients with SDMR, preoperative FC III-IV dyspnea is associated with worse outcomes during hospitalization and long-term follow-up.
Students Mastery Level on Introduction to Economic Subject in Industrial Engineering Program of South Aceh Polytechnic

An introduction toeconomics is a course taught in Industrial Engineering Department of South Aceh Polytechnic, the course is taught for second year students as a compulsory subject that must be mastered by students. The writerwho has experiencedthe teaching in Industrial Engineering Department of South Aceh Polytechnic found that there were many students who found it difficult to master the courseespecially in understanding the demandsand offers. Therefore, the writer conducted research on students' mastery in introductory to the economics courseespecially in demands and offered topic of Industrial Engineering Department students. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of student mastery on the demands and offers, various mistakes made by students in understanding the concepts and various factors that cause these mistakes. The research is a qualitative descriptive study. The subject of this study was the second year students of Industrial Engineering Department. Data collection techniques are carried out by conducting tests and interviews. Data obtained and converted into predetermined mastery criteria, and then the data will be analyzed using a percentage formula.
10-Year Wind and Wave Energy Assessment in the North Indian Ocean

With increasing energy shortages and global warming, clean and renewable energy sources, such as wind and wave energy, have gained widespread attention. In this study, the third-generation wave model WAVEWATCH-III (WW3) is used to simulate wave height in the North Indian Ocean (NIO), from 2008 to 2017, using the wind data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Renalysis datasets. The simulated results show good correlation with data obtained from altimetry. Analysis of wind and wave energy resources in the NIO is carried out considering energy density, the exploitable energy, the energy density stability, and monthly and seasonal variability indices. The results show that most areas of the NIO have abundant wind energy and at the Somali Waters are rich in wave energy resources, with wind energy densities above 200 W/m2 and wave energy densities above 15 KW/m. The most energy-rich areas are the Somali Waters, the Arabian Sea, and the southern part of the NIO (wind energy density 350–650 W/m2, wave energy density 9–24 KW/m), followed by the Laccadive sea (wind energy density 150–350 W/m2, wave energy density 6–9 KW/m), while the central part of the NIO is relatively poor (wind energy density less than 150 W/m2, wave energy density below 6 KW/m).
The Relationships among Health Locus of Control and Resilience, Social Support and Health Promoting Behavior in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Coronary Artery Diseases

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships among health locus of control, resilience, social support, and health promoting behavior in patients with coronary artery diseases. Methods: This study utilized a descriptive correlational design using a survey method. The subjects were 165 coronary artery disease patients at the cardiology out-patient clinic of the C university hospital. Data were collected through Health Locus of Control Scale, Resilience Scale, ENRICHD Social Support Instrument, Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient and hierarchial regression. Results: There were significant positive bivariate correlations of health promoting behavior with internal health locus of control, doctors health locus of control, resilience and social support respectively, and correlation between resilience and social support. Among predictors, internal health locus of control (β=.28), social support (β=.28) and resilience (β=.25) had statistically significant influences on health promoting behavior. Conclusion: These results proposed that internal health locus of control, social support and resilience have important influences on health promoting behavior. Nursing interventions to enhance internal health locus of control, resilience and social support might be essential for patients with coronary artery disease in order to promote their health behaviors.
Security and Statistics on Power Grids

Security and Statistics on Power Grids Mauro Cesar Escobar Santoro Improving the functioning and the safety of the electrical grids is a topic of great concern, given its magnitude and importance in today’s world. In this thesis, we focus in these two subjects. In the first part, we study undetectable cyber-physical attacks on power grids, which are attacks that involve physical disruptions, including tripping lines and load modifications, and sensor output alterations. We propose a sophisticated attack model described under the full Alternating Current (AC) power flow equations and show its feasibility on large grids from a test cases library. As counter-measures, we propose different defensive strategies that the network’s controller can apply under a suspected cyber attack. These are random, simple and fast procedures that change the voltages across the network and aim to unmask the current status of the system, assuming that the attacker cannot react against their randomness. Secondly, with access to data collected through Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) by a power utility in the United States, we perform statistical analyses on the frequency and voltage time series that have been recorded at a rate of 30 Hz. We focus on intervals of time where the sampled data shows to be in steady-state conditions and, with the use of appropriate signal processing filters, we are able to extract hidden anomalies such as spatio-temporal correlations between sensors and harmonic distortions.
On the Spatial Resolution of Fault-Location Techniques Based on Full-Fault Transients

This article discusses the mechanisms enabling spatial resolution in fault location methods based on full transient signals, as opposed to those only using their early-time portion. This idea is found in recent travelling-wave methods (TWM) and those based on electromagnetic time reversal (EMTR). Their spatial resolution is discussed in terms of the sensitivity of a system resonances to change in the fault position and their coherence bandwidth. It is proven that using the entire transient signal it is possible to bypass the Fourier transform uncertainty principle, which limits the spatial resolution of time-domain reflectometry and standard early-time TWM. Super-resolved fault location is shown to be possible only for resonating systems, enabling high spatial resolution without relying on wide-band data. A detailed theoretical analysis for laterals and numerical results for networks and a three-phase line show that significant differences can be observed for the spatial resolution associated to each resonance, most often resulting in a loss of spatial resolution. The interaction between separate resonant structures, such as laterals in networks and coupled conductors in three-phase lines are shown to be the main cause of resolution loss.
Epidemiological Survey of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis due to Leishmania tropica in a New Focus in

Background and purpose: Recently, a high rate of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has been reported in Torbat-e-Jam a town in Khorasan Razavi province, Iran. The aim of the present study was to investigate the epidemiological aspects of CL in this district. Materials and methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in patients referring to health centers of Torbat-e-Jam, during 2009-2011. Diagnosis of CL was made by direct smear and staining was done through Giemsa. Also, specific PCR method was performed for detection of the species of Leishmania spp. Results: Totally 855 individuals were investigated of whom 504 (58.9%) were found positive through direct smears. Among the subjects 291 (57.7%) were male and 213 (42.3%) were female. The majority (40.5%) of the positive cases were observed in 2011. The most highly infected cases were aged 5-10 years (22.3%) and the least rate was seen amongst those aged >40 years of age (2.6%). Also, Leishmania spp isolated from patients were Leishmania tropica by species specific PCR. Conclusion: According to the increasing trend of CL, it is believed that a new endemic focus of Anthroponotic CL (ACL) is gradually developing in Torbat-e-Jam. Humans are the main reservoir of ACL, therefore, early diagnosis and treatment among them are of great importance.
A Miniaturized Butler Matrix Based Switched Beamforming Antenna System in a Two-Layer Hybrid Stackup Substrate for 5G Applications

This work presents a Butler matrix based four-directional switched beamforming antenna system realized in a two-layer hybrid stackup substrate for 28-GHz mm-Wave 5G wireless applications. The hybrid stackup substrate is composed of two layers with different electrical and thermal properties. It is formed by attaching two layers by using prepreg, in which the circuit components are placed in both outer planes and the ground layers are placed in the middle. The upper layer that is used as antenna substrate has εr = 2.17, tanδ = 0.0009 and h = 0.254 mm. The lower layer that is used as a Butler matrix substrate has εr = 6.15, tanδ = 0.0028 and h = 0.254 mm. By realizing the antenna array on the lower-εr layer while the Butler matrix on the higher-εr layer, the Butler matrix dimension is significantly reduced without sacrificing the array antenna performance, leading to significant overall antenna system size reduction. The two-layer substrate approach also significantly suppresses parasitic radiation leaking from the Butler matrix toward the antenna side, allowing overall radiation pattern improvement. The fabricated beamforming antenna is composed of 1 × 4 patch antenna array and a 4 × 4 Butler matrix. The measured return loss is lower than −8 dB at all ports in 28-GHz. It demonstrates the switched beam steering toward four distinct angles of—16°, +36°, −39°, and +7°, with the sidelobe levels of −12, −11.7, −6, and −13.8 dB, respectively. Antenna gain is found to be about 10 dBi. Due to the two-layer hybrid stackup substrate, the total antenna system is realized only in 1. 7λ × 2. 1λ, which shows the smallest form factor compared to similar other works.
Low-boom low-drag solutions through the evaluation of different supersonic business jet concepts

ABSTRACT This paper evaluates six supersonic business jet (SSBJ) concepts in a multidisciplinary design analysis optimisation (MDAO) environment in terms of their aerodynamics and sonic boom intensities. The aerodynamic analysis and sonic boom prediction are investigated by a number of conceptual-level numerical approaches. The panel method PANAIR is integrated to perform automated aerodynamic analysis. The drag coefficient is corrected by the Harris wave drag formula and form factor method. For sonic boom prediction, the near-field pressure is predicted through the Whitham F-function method. The F-function is decomposed to the F-function due to volume and the F-function due to lift to investigate the separate effect on sonic boom. The propagation method for the near-field signature in a stratified windy atmosphere is the waveform parameter method. In this research, using the methods described and publically available data on the concepts, the supersonic drag elements and sonic boom signature due to volume distribution and lift distribution are analysed. Based on the analysis, low-boom and low-drag design principles are identified.
Synergistic application of operational modal analysis and ambient noise deconvolution interferometry for structural and damage identification in historic masonry structures: three case studies of Italian architectural heritage

Conservation techniques within the framework of structural health monitoring, particularly through dynamic measurements and operational modal analysis, are becoming popular for condition-based maintenance and decision-making in historic structures. Nonetheless, while effective for giving insight into the overall behaviour of structures, these techniques may fail at detecting local damages with limited effects on the modal features of the system. In this regard, the analysis of propagating waves throughout the structure poses an attractive alternative for data-driven damage identification. Specifically, some encouraging results have been reported on the application of seismic interferometry to reinforced concrete structures, albeit the number of works concerning ambient vibrations is far scarce, and practically nonexistent in the realm of historic structures. In this light, this article explores the synergistic application of operational modal analysis and ambient noise deconvolution interferometry for the structural identification of historic structures through three different case studies, namely the Sciri Tower in Perugia, the Consoli Palace in Gubbio and the bell-tower of the Basilica of San Pietro in Perugia. The first case study represents a typical example of a masonry tower inserted into a building aggregate, while the second one constitutes a particular case of a monumental masonry palace. The presented results and discussion cover diverse aspects of the identification of wave velocities, signal processing strategies, effects of dispersion and robustness of the identification. Finally, the case study of the bell-tower of the Basilica of San Pietro illustrates the application of operational modal analysis and deconvolution interferometry for damage identification. To do so, two different ambient vibration tests conducted before and after the 2016 Central Italy seismic sequence are studied. The results show concentrated reductions in the wave velocities in the area of the belfry, which demonstrates that deconvolution interferometry constitutes a complementary technique to operational modal analysis for damage localization and, to some extent, damage quantification.
Investigation of the effect of cerebrolysin on patients with head trauma and diffuse axonal injury

Traumatic brain injury is one of the main causes of death and disability in America and Iran and every year about of 53,000 people die in America because of this. Moderate to severe brain damage causes of death and disability in physical and cognitive activities. Cerebrolysin improves performance and accelerates regeneration of damaged nerve cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cerebrolysin in patients with head trauma and diffuse axonal injury. In a clinical trail study that perfored in Neurosurgery department of Tabriz University of Medical Scienences on patients head trauma that had diffuse axonal injury, the effect of the effect of cerebrolysin in patients with head trauma and diffuse axonal injury evaluated. Twenty five patients underwent tratment by cerebrolysin and 28 patients evaluated in control group. Mean age of patients in control group was 30.53±16.54 year and in case group was 27.84±15.24 year(P=0.542). Mean Admission day count in control group patients was 15.82±13.19 day and in control group was 23.72±21.91 day(P=0.114). Mean Admission GCS score of patients in control group was 6.78±0.91 in case group was 6.72± 0.84(P=0.788). Mean Discharge time GCS score of patients in control group was 9.57±4.96 in case group was 13.32±3.31(P=0.002). Mean Discharge time GOS score of patients in control group was 2.96±1.59 in case group was 4.08±1.11(P=0.005). Significant increase was found in GCS score of patients in both group but mean increase rate of GCS in control group was 2.78± 4.98 and in case group was 6.60±3.26 that significantly higher in case group than control group. Eight patient of control group and 2 patients of case group, died due to the severity of the trauma. Although the mortality rate in the control group was approximately four times more than the case group but the difference was not statistically significant. KEYWORDS
Quadratic buck–boost converter with reduced input current ripple and wide conversion range

This study introduces an advanced DC-DC power converter with two main objectives, (i) to achieve a wide range of voltage gain, which means the converter may work over a wide range of input voltage for a fixed desired output voltage and (ii) to achieve a reduced input current ripple. Those features are highly desired in renewable energy applications, for example with photovoltaic panels and fuel cells. The proposed converter was designed in a structure in which the input voltage is composed by the difference of two inductor currents, the currents through inductors are driven with transistors that may have different duty cycle, this allows the current ripple cancellation. In addition, the structure of the converter provides a quadratic type voltage gain, which leads to a wide range of operation voltage. The converter achieves both the wire range of voltage gain and current ripple cancellation, nonetheless, the buck-boost capability is also provided. The input current ripple reduction helps preserve the renewable energy sources since they suffer deterioration when current with considerable ripple is drawn from them. Dynamic and steady-state analysis are performed along with the components sizing. Simulation and experimental results are provided to demonstrate the principle of the proposition.