Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interfering of antihypertensive effect of Aliskiren and Nebivolol combination with Renin-Angiotensin and sympatic systems suppression

The objective of the study was to compare efficacy of aliskiren alone, nebivolol alone, and aliskiren and nebivolol in combination in essential hypertension patients. Methods: The study evolved 123 patients (68 males) aged 48 to 62 years with moderate-to-severe arterial hypertension. Aliskirten alone was prescribed for 41 subjects in daily doses 150-300 mg orally (1str group). Nebivolol was given for
Cross-lingual pronunciation modelling for indonesian speech recognition

The resources necessary to produce Automatic Speech Recognition systems for a new language are considerable, and for many languages these resources are not available. This emphasizes the need for the development of generic techniques which overcome this data shortage. Indonesian is one language which suffers from this problem and whose population and importance suggest it could benefit from speech enabled technology. Accordingly, we investigate using English acoustic models to recognize Indonesian speech. The mapping process, where the symbolic representation of the Source language acoustic models is equated to the Target language phonetic units, has typically been achieved using one to one mapping techniques. This mapping method does not allow for the incorporation of predictable allophonic variation in the lexicon. Accordingly, in this paper we present the use of cross-lingual pronunciation modelling to extract context dependant mapping rules, which are subsequently used to produce a more accurate cross lingual lexicon.
Fractal Art Generation using GPUs

Fractal image generation algorithms exhibit extreme parallelizability. Using general purpose graphics processing unit (GPU) programming to implement escape-time algorithms for Julia sets of functions,parallel methods generate visually attractive fractal images much faster than traditional methods. Vastly improved speeds are achieved using this method of computation, which allow real-time generation and display of images. A comparison is made between sequential and parallel implementations of the algorithm. An application created by the authors demonstrates using the increased speed to create dynamic imaging of fractals where the user may explore paths of parameter values corresponding to a given function's Mandelbrot set. Examples are given of artistic and mathematical insights gained by experiencing fractals interactively and from the ability to sample the parameter space quickly and comprehensively.
NBER WORKING PAPER SERIES THE AGGREGATE IMPLICATIONS OF REGIONAL BUSINESS CYCLES

Making inferences about aggregate business cycles from regional variation alone is diffcult because of economic channels and shocks that differ between regional and aggregate economies. However, we argue that regional business cycles contain valuable information that can help discipline models of aggregate fluctuations. We begin by documenting a strong relationship across US states between local employment and wage growth during the Great Recession. This relationship is much weaker in US aggregates. Then, we present a methodology that combines such regional and aggregate data in order to estimate a medium-scale New Keynesian DSGE model. We find that aggregate demand shocks were important drivers of aggregate employment during the Great Recession, but the wage stickiness necessary for them to account for the slow employment recovery and the modest fall in aggregate wages is inconsistent with the flexibility of wages we observe across US states. Finally, we show that our methodology yields different conclusions about the causes of aggregate employment and wage dynamics between 2007 and 2014 than either estimating our model with aggregate data alone or performing back-of-the-envelope calculations that directly extrapolate from well-identified regional elasticities. Martin Beraja Department of Economics MIT 50 Memorial Drive Cambridge, MA 02142 and NBER martinberaja@gmail.com Erik Hurst Booth School of Business University of Chicago Harper Center Chicago, IL 60637 and NBER erik.hurst@chicagobooth.edu Juan Ospina Banco de la Republica de Colombia juan.jose. ospina@gmail.com
Creating Treaty-based local governance in New Zealand: Māori and Pākehā views

ABSTRACT This article explores the need for Treaty-based local governance, raised to national prominence by the 2014 outrage against New Plymouth Mayor Andrew Judd, who advocated a Māori ward for 2016. The Treaty of Waitangi influenced the creation of Māori seats in Parliament in the nineteenth century, and a provision for Māori seats in local councils in 2001. There has been limited uptake of the latter and Māori remain significantly under-represented. Innovations in governing arrangements have allowed non-elected Māori to take up advisory roles and, in some cases, decision-making roles. We argue that these do not ensure fair and effective Māori representation. Ad hoc and unpredictable structures have failed to deliver fair and effective representation to all New Zealanders. There is a pressing need for a New Zealand constitutional debate – a conversation among Māori and non-Māori – to devise a governance model that addresses the Treaty of Waitangi as New Zealand’s founding document.
Formal Methods in Cross Layer Modeling and Optimization of Wireless Networks: State of the Art and Future Directions

The layering principle has been long identified as a way to increase the interoperability and to improve the design of telecommunication protocols, where each layer offers services to adjacent upper layers and requires functionalities from adjacent lower ones. In the past, layering has enabled fast development of interoperable systems, but at the same time limited the performance of the overall architecture, due to the lack of coordination among layers. This issue is particularly relevant for wireless networks, where the very physical nature of the transmission medium introduces several performance limitations for protocols designed for wired networks. To overcome these limitations, a modification of the layering paradigm has been proposed, namely, cross-layer design, or “cross-layering. ” Several cross-layering approaches have been proposed in the literature so far. Nevertheless, little formal characterization of the cross-layer interaction among different levels of the protocol stack is available yet. A clear need exists for identifying approaches able to analyze and provide quantitative guidelines for the design of cross-layer solutions, and, more importantly, to decide, in each case, whether cross-layering represents an effective solution or not. This chapter provides a detailed survey of the state-of-the-art and future directions in the usage of formal methods for cross-layer modeling and optimization of wireless networks. The text starts by detailing the principles of layered (ISO/OSI and TCP/IP) protocol stacks as well as the cross-layer paradigm. An overview of the architectures of existDOI: 10.4018/978-1-60566-108-7.ch001
Teaching Reading in Rukwangali: How Children Learn to Read---A Case Study

This paper looks at how children learn to read. It draws on the cognitive constructivist view and the schemata theory which inform the teaching of reading. This is a qualitative case study carried out in an interpretive paradigm as it seeks to understand the meaning people attach to human actions. Participants were selected purposefully and in terms of convenience.The data was collected from four grade three teachers at three schools in Rundu, Kavango Region of Namibia. Qualitative research methods were employed and data was triangulated to enhance validity.The study reveals that teachers use multiple methods that include phonics and syllabification to help struggling learners to decode difficult and long words; look-and-say method for whole word recognition; and thematic approach to expand learner’s vocabulary and enhance their understanding. The study also found that lack of reading books written in Rukwangali and large classrooms constrain the teachers from teaching in a more learner-centred way.
Venus: Constraining Crustal Evolution from Orbit Via High-Resolution Geophysical and Geological Reconnaissance

Sushil Atreya (University of Michigan) Bruce Campbell (Smithsonian Center for Earth and Planetary Studies) Don Campbell (Cornell University) Peter Ford (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Walter Kiefer (Lunar and Planetary Institute) Frank Lemoine (NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center) Greg Neumann (NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center) Roger Phillips (Southwest Research Institute) Keith Raney (Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Laboratory)
A modified cross coupled rectifier based charge pump for energy harvesting using RF to DC conversion

This paper presents a CMOS based RF-to-DC converter using a proposed cross-coupled charge pump for energy harvesting. Extraction of high DC voltages from rectifier block in the charge pumps is always a serious bottleneck for RF energy scavenging. One of the dominant obstacles is the threshold voltage (Vth) of the MOS transistor. In this work we are proposing a simple mechanism to eliminate the Vth dependence in MOS transistor, which inherently improves the DC extraction ability of charge pump. The proposed system is implemented in 180nm CMOS technology and simulated using Cadence Spectre. The extracted DC voltage from RF energy is selected as Figure of Merit. It is found using simulation that the modified charge pump shows a high efficiency in DC extraction from RF signal than the conventional cross coupled rectifier based charge pump.
PROFIL KETERAMPILAN BERPIKIR KRITIS SISWA MENGGUNAKAN PEMBELAJARAN DISCOVERY INQUIRY PADA KONSEP KOLOID

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis keterampilan berpikir kritis siswa setelah proses pembelajaran. Metode penelitian kelas digunakan dalam penelitian ini untuk memperbaiki kualitas pembelajaran di kelas melalui penerapan pembelajaran discovery inquiry. Subjek penelitian ini adalah 42 siswa kelas XI IPA di salah satu Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) di Jawa Barat. Instrumen yang digunakan adalah deskripsi pembelajaran, lembar kerja siswa, tes keterampilan berpikir kritis, dan pedoman observasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan keterampilan berpikir kritis siswa setelah pembelajaran secara keseluruhan termasuk pada kategori sangat baik (nilai 81). Pencapaian keterampilan berpikir kritis tertinggi pada indikator mengidentifikasi contoh (89) dan terendah pada indikator membuat kesimpulan (72). Kelompok prestasi tinggi pencapaiannya tertinggi (90), sedangkan kelompok prestasi rendah pencapaiannya paling rendah (73).
Constraining Movement as a Basis for DMI Design and Performance

In this paper we describe the application of a movementbased design process for digital musical instruments (DMIs) which led to the development of a prototype DMI named the Twister. The development is described in two parts. Firstly, we consider the design of the interface or physical controller. Following this we describe the development of a specific sonic character, mapping approach and performance. In both these parts an explicit consideration of the type of movement we would like the device to engender in performance drove the design choices. By considering these two parts separately we draw attention to two di↵erent levels at which movement might be considered in the design of DMIs; at a general level of ranges of movement in the creation of the controller and a more specific, but still quite open, level in the creation of the final instrument and a particular performance. In light of the results of this process the limitations of existing representations of movement within the DMI design discourse is discussed. Further, the utility of a movement focused design approach is discussed.
Retrieval of stratospheric aerosol size information from OSIRIS limb scattered sunlight spectra

Recent work has shown that the retrieval of stratospheric aerosol vertical profiles is possible using limb scattered sunlight measurements at optical wavelengths. The aerosol number density profile is retrieved for an assumed particle size distribution and composition. This result can be used to derive the extinction at the measured wavelength. However, large systematic error can result from the uncertainty in the assumed size distribution when the result is used to estimate the extinction at other wavelengths. It is shown in this work that the addition of information obtained from the near infrared limb radiance profile at 1530 nm measured by the imaging module of the OSIRIS instrument yields an indication of the aerosol size distribution profile that can be used to improve the fidelity of the retrievals. A comparison of the estimated extinction profile at 1020 nm with two coincident occultation measurements demonstrates agreement to within approximately 15% from 12 to 27 km altitude.
Discovering alternate internet paths to enhance end-to-end quality of service

In the next generation Internet, the network should evolve from a plain communication medium into an endless source of services available to the end-systems. These services (i.e. Overlay Applications) would be composed of multiple cooperative distributed software elements that would build dynamic communication mesh (i.e. an Overlay Association). We propose an unstructured Super-Peer architecture (SPAD) to provide enhanced Quality of Service (QoS) between end-points within an Overlay Association.
Establishment of an immortalized cell line derived from the prairie vole via lentivirus-mediated transduction of mutant cyclin-dependent kinase 4, cyclin D, and telomerase reverse transcriptase

The prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) shows social behaviors such as monogamy and parenting of infants with pair bonding. These social behaviors are specific to the prairie vole and have not been observed in other types of voles, such as mountain voles. Although the prairie vole has several unique characteristics, an in vitro cell culture system has not been established for this species. Furthermore, establishment of cultured cells derived from the prairie vole may be beneficial based on the three Rs (i.e., Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) concept. Therefore, in this study, we attempted to establish an immortalized cell line derived from the prairie vole. Our previous research has shown that transduction with mutant forms of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), cyclin D, and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) could efficiently immortalize cells from multiple species, including humans, cattle, pigs, and monkeys. Here, we introduced these three genes into prairie vole-derived muscle fibroblasts. The expression of mutant CDK4 and cyclin D proteins was confirmed by western blotting, and telomerase activity was detected in immortalized vole muscle-derived fibroblasts (VMF-K4DT cells or VMFs) by stretch PCR. Population doubling analysis showed that the introduction of mutant CDK4, cyclin D, and TERT extended the lifespan of VMFs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the establishment of an immortalized cell line derived from the prairie vole through the expression of mutant CDK4, cyclin D, and human TERT.
A General Framework for Distributional Similarity

We present a general framework for distributional similarity based on the concepts of precision and recall. Different parameter settings within this framework approximate different existing similarity measures as well as many more which have, until now, been unexplored. We show that optimal parameter settings outperform two existing state-of-the-art similarity measures on two evaluation tasks for high and low frequency nouns.
Phonological and phonetic marking of information status in Foreign Accent Syndrome.

BACKGROUND Foreign Accent Syndrome (FAS) is a motor speech disorder in which a variety of segmental and suprasegmental errors lead to the perception of a new accent in speech. Whilst changes in intonation have been identified to contribute considerably to the perceived alteration in accent, research has rarely focused on how these changes impact on the pragmatic use of intonation. However, a greater understanding of the role of intonational changes in FAS and its impact on the functional use of intonation is fundamental to developing appropriate assessment and subsequently treatment strategies for FAS. AIMS This study investigated intonation patterns in speakers with FAS and matched control participants with regard to their ability to signal new and given information (information status) within sentences. A phonetic and phonological perspective was taken with the aim of identifying the characteristics that were compromised in FAS to convey this linguistic function. METHODS & PROCEDURES Four speakers with FAS and four control participants participated in the speech production experiment. The speech data were assessed perceptually, and examined in relation to the use of the phonetic parameters fundamental frequency (f0), intensity and duration as well as phonological categories, i.e. pitch accents and de-accentuation, using the autosegmental-metrical (AM) framework of intonational analysis. OUTCOMES & RESULTS Both speaker groups employed all three phonetic parameters to differentiate between new and given information. However, groups differed regarding the use of phonological markers, with speakers with FAS frequently placing pitch accents on given information instead of de-accenting these elements. According to the perceptual evaluation, three of the four speakers with FAS had problems signalling information status. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS The fact that speakers with FAS marked information status similarly to control speakers at the phonetic level, but failed to do so using phonological categories highlights the importance of assessing phonetic as well as phonological features to gain detailed information about the functional use of intonation in FAS.
Unsupervised estimation of the language model scaling factor

This paper addresses the adjustment of the language model (LM) scaling factor of an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system for a new domain using only un-transcribed speech. The main idea is to replace the (unavailable) reference transcript with an automatic transcript generated by an independent ASR system, and adjust parameters using this sloppy reference . It is shown that despite its fairly high error rate (ca. 35%), choosing the scaling factor to minimize disagreement with the erroneous transcripts is still an effective recipe for model selection. This effectiveness is demonstrated by adjusting an ASR system trained on Broadcast News to transcribe the MIT Lectures corpus. An ASR system for telephone speech produces the sloppy reference, and optimizing towards it yields a nearly optimal LM scaling factor for the MIT Lectures corpus.
The Cognitive Neuroscience of Human Memory Synchronous Neural Oscillations and Working Memory in Light of the Sternberg Memory Scanning Task

The discipline of cognitive neuroscience seeks to u nderstand how processes observed in the brain give rise to known cognitive processes. In th e last decade, there has been a major progress in relating the dynamics of cognitive proc esses such as memory, attention and even conciousness, to the large-scale oscillatory activi ty of the brain, as revealed by electroencephlogram (EEG) and magneto-encephlogram (MEG) r ecordings.
RnR: Extracting Rationale from Online Reviews and Ratings

Review mining is a part of web mining which focuses on getting main information from user review. State of the art review mining systems focus on identifying semantic orientation of reviews and providing sentences or feature scores. There has been little focus on understanding the rationale for the ratings that are provided. This paper presents our proposed RnR system for extracting rationale from online reviews and ratings. We have implemented the system for evaluation on online reviews for hotels from TripAdvisor.com and present extensive experimental evaluation that demonstrates the improved computational performance of our approach and the accuracy in terms of identifying the rationale. This RnR system is available for testing from http://rnrsystem.com/RnRSystem
Pulsar science with the Five hundred metre Aperture Spherical Telescope

With a collecting area of 70 000 m 2 , the Five hundred metre Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) will allow for great advances in pulsar astronomy. We have performed simulations to estimate the number of previously unknown pulsars FAST will find with its 19-beam or possibly 100-beam receivers for different survey strategies. With the 19-beam receiver, a total of 5200 previously unknown pulsars could be discovered in the Galactic plane, including about 460 millisecond pulsars (MSPs). Such a survey would take just over 200 days with eight hours survey time per day. We also estimate that, with about 80 six-hour days, a survey of M 31 and M 33 could yield 50–100 extra-Galactic pulsars. A 19-beam receiver would produce just under 500 MB of data per second and requires about 9 tera-ops to perform the major part of a real time analysis. We also simulate the logistics of high-precision timing of MSPs with FAST. Timing of the 50 brightest MSPs to a signal-to-noise of 500 would take about 24 h per epoch.
Content-Based Image Classification : A Non-Parametric Approach

— The rise of the amount imagery on the Internet, as well as in multimedia systems, has motivated research work on visual information retrieval (VIR) systems and on automatic analysis of image databases. In this work, we develop a classification system that allows to recognize and recover the class of a query image based on its content. Such systems are called Content-Based Image Retrieval (CBIR). CBIR systems describe each image (either the query or the ones in the database) by a set of features that are automatically extracted. Then, the feature vectors are fed into a classifier. In this thesis, the processes of image feature selection and extraction uses descriptors and techniques such as Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT), Bag-of-Words (BoW) and Spatial Histograms (SP). For the classifier, we employ the Naive Bayes Nearest Neighbor (NBNN) algorithm, which belongs to the category of non-parametric classifiers. We also present a brief description of other classifiers used in image classification. In addition, our work herein described tests and compares the image-to-class and image-to-image distances, in order to decide which leads to better performance.