Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neurophysiologic evaluation of peripheral nerve function in uremic Egyptian children

Abstract Information concerning clinical and sub-clinical peripheral neuropathy in uremic children is still scarce. We aimed to evaluate role of neurophysiologic testing for detection of peripheral nerve dysfunction in asymptomatic uremic Egyptian children. A cohort of 81 uremic children was enrolled from Pediatric Nephrology Unit in Mansoura University Children’s Hospital. It comprised 39 cases on conservative therapy; conservative group (CG) (27 males and 12 females, with mean age 9.8 ± 3.3 years) and 42 cases under regular hemodialysis for at least 6 months; hemodialysis group (HG) (27 males and 15 females, with mean age 11.8 ± 1.6 years). A third group of twenty healthy children was taken as control (12 males, and eight females, with mean age 9.9 ± 2.4 years). Nerve conduction studies including motor and sensory functions were done successfully in most cases; data were analyzed using SPSS version 10.0. Different proportions of abnormal motor and sensory conduction studies were reported in both patients’ groups with reference to pediatric ranges built-in Sierra II software. Comparing these observations to controls, motor peroneal and median conduction velocities as well as sensory ulnar conduction velocity were significantly delayed in HG (38.46 ± 4.49 vs. 48.33 ± 3.35 for peroneal, 50.68 ± 10.87 vs. 57.22 ± 7.13 for median and 32.82 ± 9.8 vs. 52.08 ± 20.12 for ulnar nerve). However, in CG antidromic sensory median conduction was the only significant abnormality detected (41.13 ± 9.63 vs. 53.89 ± 12.32). F wave latencies in CG were almost normal but in HG they were moderately affected compared to controls. We can conclude that sensory dysfunction could be early detected in asymptomatic uremic children by neurophysiologic testing. Further prospective studies should be warranted to evaluate sequential electrophysiological changes in response to hemodialysis.
Challenges for the adoption of ICT for diabetes self‐management in South Africa

The increasing disease burden in developing countries inhibits the provision of quality care to citizens. However, the increased availability of information communication and technology (ICT) tools makes this a viable option for inclusion in primary health care. Even so, barriers are impeding the successful adoption and usage of ICT tools in health care contexts. This research focuses on one such context to identify the challenges and barriers for the adoption of ICT tools for diabetes self‐management in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
RTRobMultiAxisControl: A Framework for Real-Time Multiaxis and Multirobot Control

This paper presents the challenges met in the development of a new framework for multiaxis and multirobot control. The increasing demand for multirobot collaboration and robotic assistance, both in industry and service applications, has raised the level of interactions between robots and humans in a shared environment with real-time constraints. Some scientific and technological issues need to be unlocked to ensure safe human–robot interactions: to guarantee the response time during the robot perception–action process, to cope with dynamic interactions with the robot environment, to secure the collaborations between several machines and humans, and to improve the integration of the robots at home and in open zones of production lines. The specifications of a new hardware and software framework are set with respect to these observations. The framework will meet complex research and industrial issues for the future of multiaxis and multirobot control. Before introducing our approach, a brief survey of existing frameworks and robotic middleware is given. The foundations of our approach are based on the following requirements: the framework must be real time, transferable, maintainable, and multimanufacturer. The framework design has also to guarantee the robustness of the machine interactions in a dynamic and collaborative environment. To evaluate the feasibility of our design strategy and assess its performance, we have developed mechatronic devices with a high level of human–machine collaboration. This paper outlines two robotic applications which require multirobot real-time synchronization and are based on the proposed framework. A temporal analysis demonstrates its robustness for multiaxis and multirobot control. Note to Practitioners—This paper was motivated by the problem of proposing a transferable framework dedicated to real-time multiaxis and multirobot control. Most of the existing middleware solutions do not unify accesses to the axis level and to the robot control level with a common programming approach and with real-time capability. This is a key problem for achieving multirobot synchronization and reaction times compatible with dynamic collaboration. Our framework is based on open robotics and object-oriented programming and implements the industrial standards for motion control. Multirobots control experiments with a high number of synchronized axis and heterogeneous hardware demonstrate the efficiency of the approach.
Understanding and promoting student mental health in Scottish higher education - a mapping exercise

There has been an increase in the incidence of mental health difficulties among HE students over the past decade. Official statistics show that the proportion of undergraduates declaring a mental health difficulty on entry to HE rose from 5 in every 10,000 in 1994-5 to 30 in every 10,000 in 2004-5. Incidence of severe psychological problems has increased, and student mental health is generally worse than that of the general population (for agematched populations). Anxiety and depression are the most commonly noted difficulties. The research review identified a relationship between mental health and the following factors: finances, accommodation, academic issues, university systems and social factors. Academic issues, and specifically coursework, emerged as particularly related to stress levels and mental health issues.
Artificial-Intelligence Method for the Derivation of Generic Aggregated Dynamic Equivalent Models

Aggregated equivalent models for the dynamic analysis of active distribution networks (ADNs) can be efficiently developed using dynamic responses recorded through field measurements. However, equivalent model parameters are highly affected from the time-varying composition of power system loads and the stochastic behavior of distributed generators. Thus, equivalent models, developed through in situ measurements, are valid only for the operating conditions from which they have been derived. To overcome this issue, in this paper, a new method is proposed for the derivation of generic aggregated dynamic equivalent models, i.e., for equivalent models that can be used for the dynamic analysis of a wide range of network conditions. The method incorporates clustering and artificial neural network techniques to derive robust sets of parameters for a variable-order dynamic equivalent model. The effectiveness of the proposed method is evaluated using measurements recorded on a laboratory-scale ADN, while its performance is compared with a conventional technique. The corresponding results reveal the applicability of the proposed approach for the analysis and simulation of a wide range of distinct network conditions.
The influences of Thai Buddhist culture on cultivating compassionate relationships with equanimity between nurses, patients and relatives : a grounded theory approach

Thai Buddhist people, especially elderly patients, usually apply Buddhist teachings to deal with illness and death. This grounded theory research was developed to explore the influences of Buddhist culture on nurse-patient-relative relationships in Thailand. The purposes were to highlight the importance of the spiritual dimension in nursing care and examine ways in which nurses can use Buddhist principles to improve nursing care. Seventeen registered nurses, 14 patients and 16 relatives were purposely selected. The semi-structured interviews and audio tape recording took place in Thailand from October 2003 to March 2004. Three steps of analysis: open, axial and selective coding (Strauss & Corbin, 1998) were conducted. "The Cultivation of Compassionate Relationships with Equanimity between Nurses, Patients and Relatives" emerged as the basic social process, which were composed of the three co-processes including: 1) facing suffering/understanding the nature of suffering, 2) applying Dhamma (Buddhist beliefs and practices), personal/local wisdom, and traditional healing, and 3) embodying compassion with equanimity. Such relationships showed influences of Buddhism and Thai culture, and highlighted patient-relative centred care. Personal, professional and organisational factors as well as cultural and religious aspects that promote and inhibit compassionate relationships are discussed. Implications are discussed for nursing practice, education, management and research.
Values Driving Organic Food Purchase Intention: A Comparative Analysis between a Developing Eastern Country (Iran) and a Developed Western Country (US)

Abstract This study examines the salient organic food related values driving consumers’ attitude and purchase intentions in a developing country (Iran) and a developed country (US). Additionally, we explain and compare the role of subjective norms in organic food purchase intention between these countries. To examine, the organic food values and patterns of consumers’ organic food choices, we collected data from 217 and 210 respondents in Iran and the US, respectively. Our findings show that “Price” in Iran and “Authenticity/naturalness” in the US were the strongest predictors of attitude toward the organic food. Eating culture, consumer’s knowledge, perceptions, and concerns in society could be the underlying reason for the differences in importance of values between two societies. We also found the relationship of subjective norms with purchase intention varies across societies. At the end of this study, we discuss the implications for international marketing campaigns and for policy makers in each country.
Digital neural network for managing financial risk in business due to real options in the financial and economic system

The purpose of the study was to suggest and prove the hypothesis that a neural network, taking into account the dynamics of financial risk and VIX index, makes it possible to develop a profit forecast for organizations of the financial and economic system. For the purpose, the following tasks have been set and solved. On the basis of the OWL technology, the ontology of the financial risk concept in the financial and economic system has been created in the program Untitled-ontology-3. The essence of the “real options” concept, their types and cost estimation procedure using the Black-Scholes and CoxRoss-Rubinstein models has been investigated. The theoretical foundations of risk management in the operation of the financial and economic system in terms of digitalization have been investigated. The main trends in the development of technologies of a new technological mode (NTM) have been revealed. The theoretical bases of artificial intelligence systems used in organizations of the real sector of the economy and other spheres have been investigated. Based on the Deductor platform, there has been created a neural network, Kohonen Map that takes into account the dynamics of financial risk and VIX option and allows developing a profit forecast for organizations of the financial and economic system. Based on the neural network, a profit forecast for a socioeconomic system has been made. The scientific study required monographic, designcalculation and artificial intelligence methods applied. The main factors that determine the level of financial risk in releasing innovative products in the context of market uncertainty have been identified. The main conclusions that reflect the study results have been formulated and consist in the fact that in modern conditions of market uncertainty and risk, it is important to study the problems associated with the further development of entrepreneurship and innovation not only in the financial sector, but also in the real economy. Keywordsfinancial risk, artificial intelligence, Kohonen map, VIX-index, Big Data, real option
Dynamic re-weighted total variation technique and statistic Iterative reconstruction method for x-ray CT metal artifact reduction

Over the years, the X-ray computed tomography (CT) has been successfully used in clinical diagnosis. However, when the body of the patient to be examined contains metal objects, the image reconstructed would be polluted by severe metal artifacts, which affect the doctor’s diagnosis of disease. In this work, we proposed a dynamic re-weighted total variation (DRWTV) technique combined with the statistic iterative reconstruction (SIR) method to reduce the artifacts. The DRWTV method is based on the total variation (TV) and re-weighted total variation (RWTV) techniques, but it provides a sparser representation than TV and protects the tissue details better than RWTV. Besides, the DRWTV can suppress the artifacts and noise, and the SIR convergence speed is also accelerated. The performance of the algorithm is tested on both simulated phantom dataset and clinical dataset, which are the teeth phantom with two metal implants and the skull with three metal implants, respectively. The proposed algorithm (SIR-DRWTV) is compared with two traditional iterative algorithms, which are SIR and SIR constrained by RWTV regulation (SIR-RWTV). The results show that the proposed algorithm has the best performance in reducing metal artifacts and protecting tissue details.
System Identification, Diagnosis, and Built-In Self-Test of High Switching Frequency DC-DC Converters

Complex electronic systems include multiple power domains and drastically varying dynamic power consumption patterns, requiring the use of multiple power conversion and regulation units. High frequency switching converters have been gaining prominence in the DC-DC converter market due to smaller solution size (higher power density) and higher efficiency. As the filter components become smaller in value and size, they are unfortunately also subject to higher process variations and worse degradation profiles jeopardizing stable operation of the power supply. This dissertation presents techniques to track changes in the dynamic loop characteristics of the DC-DC converters without disturbing the normal mode of operation. A digital pseudo-noise (PN) based stimulus is used to excite the DC-DC system at various circuit nodes to calculate the corresponding closed-loop impulse response. The test signal energy is spread over a wide bandwidth and the signal analysis is achieved by correlating the PN input sequence with the disturbed output generated, thereby accumulating the desired behavior over time. A mixed-signal cross-correlation circuit is used to derive on-chip impulse responses, with smaller memory and lower computational requirement in comparison to a digital correlator approach. Model reference based parametric and non-parametric techniques are discussed to analyze the impulse response results in both time and frequency domain. The proposed techniques can extract open-loop phase margin and closed-loop unity-gain frequency within 5.2% and 4.1% error, respectively, for the load current range of 30-200mA. Converter parameters such as natural frequency (ωn), quality factor (Q), and center frequency (ωc) can be estimated within 3.6%, 4.7%, and 3.8% error respectively, over load inductance of 4.7-10. 3μH, and filter capacitance of 200400nF. A 5-MHz switching frequency, 5-8.125V input voltage range, voltage-mode con-
Relative and Incremental Value Relevance of Accounting Information under the Integrated Reporting Approach: Evidence from South Africa

The current system of corporate reporting expects to convey effectively company information to the stakeholders regarding value creation for the short, medium, and long term. This study aims to investigate the effect of implementation of the integrated reporting (IR) approach on the value relevance of accounting information by observing the relative and incremental value relevance before and after implementation of IR. This empirical study was conducted using unbalanced panel data to ensure a wide range of the sample. The regression analysis was performed on 3.138 observations from 338 companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in 12 periods (six preand six post-IR periods). The financial data was collected from Datastreams Thomson Reuters. The results of regression show that accounting information has value relevance, thus supporting the view that the IR approach has a significant impact on the value relevance of accounting information in South African companies. This finding could help with the implementation of IR in many countries, both developed and developing, to ensure they use advanced corporate reporting models to support sustainability by implementing integrated thinking and action. Keywords— integrated reporting, value relevance, corporate
Property Rights, Political Connections, and Corporate Investment

Despite the literature on rural land property rights, studies on urban land property rights are rare. This paper studies the impact of an urban land titling program on firm investment. It finds that the program leads to increased investment rate for titling firms, and the positive effect holds only for politically connected firms. The effects are likely causal, because they are more pronounced for firms that are more likely to benefit from strengthened property rights. Connected titling firms experienced fewer disputes than nonconnected titling firms after the program, and the results remain robust when using instrumental variable estimation.
Different Methods to Estimating the Cost of Equity: An Analysis on a Sample of Too Big to Fail Banks

In this study, a comparison was made between the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), the most widely used methodology, and an actuarial method with the use of credit default swaps (CDSs) and the method based on the inverse of the multiple P/E. These three models are used to estimate the cost of equity. The comparison was made on a sample of 24 banks selected among the largest for assets in the world (too big to fail banks) belonging to 11 different countries. The results show that the CAPM estimates a premium for the higher risk than the one obtained with the actuarial method and the method based on the inverse of the P/E (except for 2013).
Euro Area Quantitative Easing in a Portfolio Balance Model with Heterogeneous Agents and Assets

We develop a portfolio balance model to study the effects of Quantitative Easing (QE) on international financial asset returns through the portfolio balance channel. Our two-country model features heterogeneity in assets and investor preferences. Both are crucial for a meaningful model-based impact assessment of QE. Preferences for asset maturity, asset class (bonds, equities and currencies) and whether an asset is issued at home or abroad influence the substitutability of assets, which drives the portfolio balance effect of central bank asset purchases. We calibrate the two countries in our model to the euro area and a representative sample of rest-of-the-world (ROW) countries in order to estimate the international impact of the ECB’s asset purchase program announced in January 2015. When simulating our model, we find that central bank asset purchases decrease both domestic and foreign yields. While the effects of QE on domestic yields and the exchange rate are rather modest and smaller than commonly assumed in the literature, domestic stock prices increase substantially.
Latente Strukturen in geolinguistischen Korpora

Den Ausgangspunkt dieses Texts bildet das Desiderat, grose geolinguistische Korpora effizient auszuwerten, ohne dabei bedeutende Teile der Variation unberucksichtigt zu lassen. Ziel ist es, umfassende Datenmengen zur diatopischen Variation (d. h. komplette Atlasprojekte oder ihre Teilkorpora) aus einem Blickwinkel zu betrachten, der sowohl die Gesamtvariation als auch die Besonderheiten einzelner Varianten angemessen berucksichtigt, und dabei Strukturen aufzudecken, die dem blosen Auge der Dialektologin/des Dialektologen aufgrund der Unuberschaubarkeit der Daten verschlossen bleiben. Die Suche nach diesen latenten Strukturen ist im Zuge der quantitativen Dialektologie bzw. Dialektometrie in eine paradoxe Situation geraten. Zwar entstehen durch die Aggregation groser Datenmengen hierarchisch hochrangige Darstellungen der Variation; welche Variablen dabei fur welche Strukturen verantwortlich gemacht werden konnen, bleibt aber unklar. Ebenso besteht das Problem, dass die Wahl der zugrundegelegten Datenbasis das Resultat pradeterminiert. Bezuglich des ersten Punkts findet sich etwa bei GOEBL (2005: 500) folgende Passage:
Chemical, Sensory and Microbiological Assessment of Some Local and Imported Jam in the Egyptian Market

In this study, a survey was carried out on some jam types in the Egyptian market, such as vitrac (strawberry, apricot and fig jam), El Rashidi El Mizan (strawberry, apricot and fig jam), Halwani Bros (apricot and fig jam) Hero (strawberry, apricot and fig jam) . Futher more, some imported jam in the Egyptian market, such as such as Menz Gasser (apricot and strawberry jam) from Italian, Hartleys apricot jam from England, Altunsa strawberry jam from Turky and Al Rakyzen quince jam from Iraqi. Chemical and physiochemical properties were analysis, the Altunsa strawberry jam from Turky was higher in moisture content 37.47%, while the least was Hartleys apricot jam from England 30.50%, also Altunsa strawberry jam from Turky was higher in total sugars 58.536% and the least was Menz Gasser apricot jam from Italian 54.24%. On the other hand,the local and imported generality jam samples acceptable in sensory evaluation of the overall acceptability ranged from 84.82 to 91.00%. All local and imported jams were not detected in heavy metals such as cadmium, mercury, arsenic, lead, tin and cobalt. The results showed that most of the pesticide residues were not detected for all local and imported jam samples. Also, local and imported jam samples were microbiological safety fortotal bacterial count, coliform group bacteria and total yeastsandmolds. The results showed that all local and imported jam samples were not detected for coliform group, that due to the high temperatue during manufacture of jam. Finally, these results its clear that local jam was better than imported jam and both of them jams meet with the Egyptian standards and the CODEX standards.
The /el/-/æl/ merger in Australian English: Acoustic and articulatory insights

This paper investigates a merger-in-progress of /e//æ/ in prelateral contexts for speakers of Australian English in Victoria. Twelve participants (7F, 5M) were recorded producing a wordlist resulting in acoustic and concurrent articulatory data via stabilised mid-sagittal ultrasound tongue imaging. Focusing on a subset of the data comprising short front vowels /ɪ, e, æ/ in /hVt/ and /hVl/ contexts, findings show that there are robust acoustic differences between /e/ and /æ/ preceding /t/, as anticipated. However, individual differences emerge for /e/ and /æ/ preceding /l/, with highly gradient production patterns across the speakers, ranging from speakers who exhibit merger behaviour to those who maintain categorical distinctions. The evidence for merging behaviour across speakers is similar, but does not map directly, across both the acoustic and articulatory data, and illustrates the value of incorporating a range of data types in investigating a merger-in-progress.