Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deviant cortical sulcation related to schizophrenia, but not cognitive deficits, likely predate brain development in the second trimester

Objectives Aberrant cortical development, inferred from cortical folding measures, is linked to the risk of schizophrenia. Cortical folds develop in a time-locked fashion during fetal growth. We leveraged this temporal specificity of sulcation to investigate the approximate timing of the prenatal insult linked to schizophrenia as well as the cognitive impairment seen in this illness. Methods Anatomical T1 MRI scans from a publicly available dataset of 68 patients with schizophrenia and 72 controls were used to evaluate the sulcal depth. 5 major primary sulci that are invariable, representing lobar development (calcarine sulcus, superior temporal sulcus, superior frontal sulcus, intraparietal sulcus and inferior frontal sulcus) with formation representing distinct developmental periods were chosen. Sulcal depth was measured using BrainVISA software. Results A repeated measure Analysis of Variance with 5 sulci and 2 hemispheres as within-subject factors and gender, age and intracranial volume as covariates revealed a significant effect of diagnosis (F[1,134]=14.8, p=0.0002). Control subjects had had deeper superior temporal (left t=3.2, p=0.002; right t=2.8, p=0.006), right inferior frontal (t=2.7, p=0.007) and left calcarine (t=2.2, p=0.03) sulci. A deeper superior frontal sulcus predicted better overall cognitive scores (F[1,54]=8.7, p=0.005) among patients. Conclusion Our results suggest that the gestational cortical disruption underlying schizophrenia is likely to predate, if not, coincide with the appearance of calcarine sulcus (early 2nd trimester) and affects frontal, temporal and occipital lobes. Nevertheless, the burden of cognitive deficits may relate specifically to aberrant superior frontal development occurring in late 2nd trimester.
Relativistic Jet Of Markarian 421: Observational Evidences Of Particle Acceleration Mechanisms

Markarian 421 is one the most extreme blazars characterized by a complex, unpredictable timing/spectral variability, strong X-ray outbursts in some epochs, very broad, nonthermal spectral energy distribution (SED) extending over 16–18 orders of frequency and showing a typical two"hump" structure. The lower-energy component, ranging from the radio to X-rays, is widely accepted to be synchrotron radiation emitted by ultra-relativistic electrons, while the origin of the higher-energy emission (the MeV–TeV range) still remains controversial (synchrotron selfCompton, external Compton, hadronic etc.). All these radiative mechanisms need the presence of highly-relativistic particles in the jet, to be initially accelerated via the Blandford-Znajek mechanism and magneto-hydrodynamic processes in the vicinity of the central super-massive black hole. However, particles lose the energy, required for the emission of the KeV photons, very quickly and the source can maintain its flaring state on the daily-weekly timescales if some additional acceleration mechanisms are continuously at work in the jet. According to the different studies and simulations, particles can gain a tremendous energy due to the propagation of relativistic shocks through the jet: by means of first-order Fermi mechanism at the shock front, or by an efficient stochastic (second-order Fermi) acceleration close to the shock, in the turbulent jet medium. Our intensive X-ray spectral study of Mrk 421 has revealed the dominance of these processes in different epochs: in some periods, the spectral curvature and the photon index showed a positive cross-correlation (expected in the framework of energy-dependent acceleration probability scenario: a particular case of first-order Fermi mechanism), and the source generally demonstrated the a spectral behaviour compatible with the stochastic (second-order Fermi) acceleration (low spectral curvature; anti-correlation between the spectral curvature and the position of the synchrotron SED peak). For our target, relativistic magnetic reconnection seems to be more important during the radio-optical flares. A jet-star interaction process could be the case during 2016 April–August when the source showed a soft gamma-ray excess.
Joint Kalman Channel Estimation and Turbo Equalization for MIMO OFDM Systems over Fast Fading Channels

The paper investigates a novel detector receiver with Kalman channel information estimator and iterative channel response equalization for MIMO (multi-input multi-output) OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) communication systems in fast multipath fading environments. The performances of the existing linear equalizers (LE) are not good enough over most fast fading multipath channels. The existing adaptive equalizer with decision feedback structure (ADFE) can improve the performance of LE. But error-propagation effect seriously degrades the system performance of the ADFE, especially when operated in fast multipath fading environments. By considering the Kalman channel impulse response estimation for the fast fading multipath channels based on CE-BEM (complex exponential basis expansion) model, the paper proposes the iterative receiver with soft decision feedback equalization (SDFE) structure in the fast multipath fading environments. The proposed SDFE detector receiver combats the error-propagation effect for fast multipath fading channels and outperform the existing LE and ADFE. We demonstrate several simulations to confirm the ability of the proposed iterative receiver over the existing receivers.
A simple semi-Markov model of functioning of agricultural cleaning and transport system

The harvesting process in agriculture with transport provision is considered as the work of a two-element technical system consisting of a harvesting unit and a vehicle defined by the harvest-transport system (TCB). The functioning of such system is a causal change of its states. Transitions of the studied system from one state to another occur at random points in time due to the occurrence of failures of its elements for various reasons (technical, technological, operational, organizational, etc.). The distribution of the waiting time for the transition of a system from one state to another can be either exponential (that is, there is a pure Markov process with discrete states and continuous time), and any other (except exponential). The simplest semi-Markov model has been developed for the stationary mode of the system functioning, which leads to the final values of the probabilities of its states. A systematic, probabilistic-statistical approach and a graph-analytical apparatus of the theory of semi-Markova random processes were used. The obtained semi-Markov model of TCB operation was tested on potato harvesting using the KPK-2-01 potato harvester. The values of the probability-time characteristics of the model confirmed the correctness of the proposed method.
SIGNATURE PSO: MODIFIED PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION DENGAN FUZZY SIGNATURE DAN IMPLEMENTASI PADA OPTIMALISASI KENDALI LQR

Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) merupakan algoritma optimasi yang sederhana dan handal untuk menyelesaikan permasalahan optimisasi. Pada metode tersebut persebaran partikel melalui pencarian global dan pencarian lokal merupakan kunci keberhasilan dalam pencarian dengan algoritma PSO melalui parameter inertia. Pada makalah ini memaparkan metode perubahan bobot inertia pada PSO dengan menggunakan fuzzy signature. Pada makalah ini usulan metode digunakan untuk menyelesaikan permasalahan optimisasi parameter kendali LQR pada stabilisasi double inverted pendulum. Evaluasi performansi dilakukan dengan algoritma perubahan bobot lain. Hasil simulasi menunjukkan bahwa metode yang diusulkan dapat menurunkan Integral Time Absolute Error (ITAE) 7% dibanding dengan algoritma lain. Signature PSO memiliki robustness dan optimal dalam menyelesaiakan permasalahan tersebut.
Selective catalytic degradation of a lignin model compound into phenol over transition metal sulfates

Transition metal salts were employed as the catalysts to improve the selective degradation of the α-O-4 lignin model compound (benzyl phenyl ether (BPE)) in the solvothermal system. The results concluded that most of the transition metal salts could enhance BPE degradation. Among which, NiSO4·6H2O exhibited the highest performance on BPE degradation (90.8%) for 5 h and phenol selectivity (53%) for 4 h at 200 °C. In addition, the GC-MS analysis indicated that the intermediates during BPE degradation included a series of aromatic compounds, such as phenol, benzyl methyl ether and benzyl alcohol. Furthermore, the mechanisms for BPE degradation and phenol selectivity in the NiSO4·6H2O system involved the synergetic effects between the acid catalysis and coordination catalysis, which caused the effective and selective cleavage of the C–O bonds.
Real Time Implementation of CAP Modulation With “Better-Than-Nyquist” Pulse Shaping in Visible Light Communications

In this letter we experimentally verify a real-time implementation of the ‘better-than-Nyquist’ pulse shape in carrier-less amplitude and phase (CAP) modulation in the context of a visible light communications system. We use two National Instruments universal software radio peripherals (USRPs) as a transmitter and receiver working independently. Previously reported experimental work on pulse shaping in CAP is also verified in real time, showing lower error vector magnitudes (EVM) can be obtained at shorter filter lengths using the better-than-Nyquist pulses in place of the conventionally used square-root raised cosine as the basis function of the signal. We show that a real time EVM penalty is an additional 3% EVM in the worst case and is a result of synchronisation offset at the receiver.
Diagnosis of corneal pathologies using deep learning

Corneal pathologies are leading causes of blindness and represent a world health problem according to the world health organization. Early detection of corneal diseases is necessary to prevent blindness. In this paper, we use transfer learning with pretrained deep learning networks to diagnose three common corneal diseases, namely, dry eye, Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy, and keratoconus as well as healthy eyes using only optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. Corneal OCT scans were obtained from 413 eyes of 269 patients and used to train, validate, and test the networks. All networks achieved all-category accuracy values > 99%, categorical area under curve values > 0:99, categorical specificity values > 99%, and categorical sensitivity values > 99% on the training, validation, and testing, respectively. The work in this paper has clinical significance and can potentially be applied in clinical practice to potentially solve a significant world health problem.
To Credit or to Blame? The Asymmetric Impact of Government Responsibility in Economic News

This article studies the asymmetric effects of credit and blame attributions in economic news on government evaluations. We rely on a dataset combining a manual content analysis of Dutch economic news (print, television, online; N = 5,630) with a three-wave panel survey (N = 3,240) that was fielded in 2015. Results show that people who are exposed to news in which the government is blamed for the economy tend to adopt this frame by assigning responsibility to the government for the economic crisis. In addition, exposure to blame attributions leads to more negative government evaluations. This effect is partly mediated through the attribution of crisis responsibility. Credit attributions in the news do not have any effect on public opinion.
Efficient and Robust Neuromorphic Computing Design

In recent years, brain inspired neuromorphic computing system (NCS) has been intensively studied in both circuit level and architecture level. NCS has demonstrated remarkable advantages for its high-energy efficiency, extremely compact space occupation and parallel data processing. However, due to the limited hardware resources, severe IR-Drop and process variation problems for synapse crossbar, and limited synapse device resolution, it’s still a great challenge for hardware NCS design to catch up with the fast development of software deep neural networks (DNNs). This dissertation explores model compression and acceleration methods for deep neural networks to save both memory and computation resources for the hardware implementation of DNNs. Firstly, DNNs’ weights quantization work is presented to use three orthogonal methods to learn synapses with one-level precision, namely, distribution-aware quantization, quantization regularization and bias tuning, to make image classification accuracy comparable to the state-ofthe-art. And then a two-step framework named group scissor, including rank clipping and group connection deletion methods, is presented to address the problems on large synapse crossbar consuming and high routing congestion between crossbars. Results show that after applying weights quantization methods, accuracy drop can be well controlled within negligible level for MNIST and CIFAR-10 dataset, compared to an ideal system without quantization. And for the group scissor framework method, crossbar area and routing area could be reduced to 8% (at most) of original size, indicating that the hardware implementation area has been saved a lot. Furthermore, the system scalability has been improved significantly.
Psychological Attitude of Medical Students towards Course-book Modification: A Case of Text Simplification in ESP Courses

Introduction: The current study sought to investigate the impact of linguistic modification of medical textbooks on reading comprehension ability of medical students and their attitude towards text simplification. Materials and Methods: 150 male and female medical students coming from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences participated in this study. The homogeneity of the participants was attained through passing a placement test, followed by completing the pre-requisite and general English courses. For the purpose of modifying the texts, the framework proposed by Van Den Branden (2000) was adopted. Moreover, the questionnaire developed by Saito, Horwitz, and Garza (1999) called Foreign Language Reading Anxiety Scale (FLRAS) was used. Results: Data analysis was conducted, using one-way analysis of variances (ANOVA). Concerning the major research question, analysis of the data indicated that there were significant differences between the participants’ performance on the four reading tests. Thus, the major null-hypothesis as “lexical modification, grammatical modification, and lexical and grammatical modification in comparison with no modification of input do not significantly affect the reading comprehension ability of Iranian medical students differently” was rejected. The last research question deals with medical students’ perceptions towards different types of input modifications Conclusion: The overwhelming majority of the interviewees chose lexically and grammatically modified texts. However, “not modified text” was regarded as the most boring one. Also, the participants believed that grammatically modified texts were best for improving students’ work knowledge. Moreover, the interviewees mentioned that grammatically modified texts with fewer complicated structures were more straightforward for them.
Sources of information used by paediatric occupational therapists in Chile to make clinical decisions

vi Declaration by author . ix Publications during candidature . x Publications included in this thesis . x Contributions by others to the thesis . xi Statement of parts of the thesis submitted to qualify for the award of another degree . xi Acknowledgements . xii Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classifications (ANZSRC) . xiv Fields of Research (FoR) Classification . xiv List of figures and tables . xviii List of abbreviations used in the thesis . xix CHAPTER ONE . 1
A study of cutaneous adverse drug reactions in the outpatient department of Dermatology at a tertiary care center in Gujarat, India

Background: The data for adverse cutaneous drug reactions (ACDRs) is limited in Gujarat. The ACDRs are one of the frequent ADRs and cause of significant morbidity and mortality in patients of all areas of healthcare today. They are responsible for significant number of hospital admissions. Thus, the present study emphasises on the need and importance of an effective pharmacovigilance programme. Methods: A prospective study was undertaken in a 183 cases tertiary care teaching hospital of India. Male to female ratio, most common class of drug, individual drug causing ACDR, common types of ACDRs Parameters were studied. Other Parameters like Causality, preventability and severe or non-severe reactions were analyzed. Results: Majority of the patients (48%) with CADR belonged to the age group 25-44 followed by 45-64 (28%). Most frequent adverse cutaneous drug reactions reported were Urticaria (40%), Maculopapular rash (25%) & Fixed drug eruptions (21%) in decreasing order of frequency. Majority of reactions (96%) were Bizarre/Unpredictable in nature. As a group, antimicrobials (46%) were most frequently associated with CADR followed by NSAIDs (31%) and antiepileptics (11%). Most of the reactions (93%) were mild-moderate and probable (77%) in nature. Approximately 60% of ACDRs reported in this study were preventable. Conclusions: There was slight male preponderance except acneiform eruptions. Cotrimoxazole being the most common offending drug then after Ibuprofen, Phenytoin among the anti-inflammatory, analgesics, antiepileptics class. Causality assessment resulted in high score 77% of probable category.
Noninvasive measurement of detrusor muscle contraction using radiofrequency ultrasound strain imaging

Hypothesis / aims of study Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are divided into storage phase, voiding phase or post micturition phase symptoms. Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is characterized by increased detrusor pressure with decreased urine flow rate during voiding. Twenty five percent of men >60 y require surgical treatment for BOO. Overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in the storage phase are often associated with detrusor overactivity (DO). OAB is highly prevalent in the western community, 13% of women and 11% of men >18 y have OAB symptoms [1]. Pressure flow studies and filling cystometry are currently the standard diagnostic urodynamic tests for BOO and OAB, respectively. However, these tests are invasive with potential morbidity. A non-invasive method to quantify detrusor activity could make diagnostic procedures more patient friendly. With radiofrequency (RF) ultrasound it is possible to estimate deformation (strain) in biological tissue under compression [2]. This technique has also been used to measure contractions in skeletal muscles and the heart. To investigate the use of ultrasound strain imaging in monitoring detrusor activity we applied this technique in four men, two asymptomatic volunteers and two patients with LUTS/BPH.
Dashboard Meta-Model for Knowledge Management in Technological Ecosystem: A Case Study in Healthcare

Informal caregivers play an important role in healthcare systems in many countries. They have a high impact on reducing care costs related to dependent persons because their support prevents institutionalization. A technological ecosystem has been defined to support informal caregivers using psychoeducation techniques. This ecosystem should include a dashboard to support decision-making processes related to the wellbeing of patients and caregivers. A dashboard meta-model was used to obtain a concrete model for the presented context. This meta-model allows defining dashboards adapted to the users’ needs and specific data domains.
Cognitive process dimension in K-13 e-textbooks for 4th grade students

Cognitive dimensions development is one of the objective of education. This research aimed to identify the structure, evaluate the focus, analyze the conformity toward the referred adoption standard, and evaluate the emphasis of thinking skill order of cognitive processes in the e-textbook for 4th grade students. Evaluation was carried out for the curriculum 2013 e-textbooks published in 2014, including theme 2, 3 and 4. Identification of cognitive process dimensions was carried out using revised Bloom’s taxonomy, while the conformity was anayzed using Alzu’bi’s preference. Statistical analysis was carried out with chi-square test. The result showed that the structure of cognitive dimensions in three examined e-textbooks were not consistent one another. Theme 2 emphasized on the high order thinking skill focused on the creating dimension. Theme 3 emphasized on the low order thinking skill focused on the understanding dimension. While theme 3 facilitated both thinking skill orders with a little tendency to the evaluating dimension. There was no conformity of the cognitive dimensions structure of the three themes toward the referred adoption standard. Statistical analysis showed that there was significant difference on the structure of cognitive dimensions between themes, and between each themes and the referred adoption standard.
Color Doppler Ultrasound (CDU) Surveillance of Hemodialysis Vascular Access

15. Windus DW. Permanent vascular access: a nephrologist’s view. Am J Kidney Dis 1993; 21: 457-71. 16. Anain P, Shenoy S, O’Brien-Irr M, Harris LM, Dryjski M. Balloon angioplasty for arteriovenous graft stenosis. J Endovasc Ther 2001; 8: 167-72. 17. Patel RI, Peck SH, Cooper SG, et al. Patency of Wallstents placed across the venous anastomosis of hemodialysis grafts after percutaneous recanalization. Radiology 1998; 209: 365-70. 18. Turmel-Rodrigues L, Pengloan J, Bourquelot P. Interventional radiology in hemodialysis fistulae and grafts: a multidisciplinary approach. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 2002; 25: 3-16.
Rapid progression of chronic kidney disease in five years prior to haemodialysis initiation in Central Australia

The Northern Territory has the highest Australian incidence rate per population of haemodialysis (HD)-dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our aim was to describe the average annual estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline in the previous five years for adults commencing HD in Central Australia in 2012. No patients were started on peritoneal dialysis in Central Australia in this period. Central Australian clinical databases were retrospectively audited for serum creatinine (sCR), albuminuria (ACR), glycated Hb (HbA1c), and eGFR for the five years preceding HD-start. All results were included for the audit duration (from the earliest date for five years (audit entry, AE) prior to HD-start); an average annual eGFR decline was calculated using the CKD epidemiology collaborative (CKD-EPI) equation. Forty-nine clients initiated HD in 2012 (96% Indigenous, 65% female, age 45 years, diabetes primary renal disease 80%). The median (IQR) audit duration was 3.8 (2.5, 4.6) years. At audit-entry, the mean ACR and eGFR were 157 mg/mmol and 51 ml/min/1.73m2 respectively, corresponding to 91% clients having macroalbuminuria (ACR >30 mg/mmol), and 15% having an eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73m2. The average annual eGFR decline was 14 ml/min/1.73m2. We observed rapid CKD progression in Central Australian clients commencing HD in 2012, and related to macroalbuminuria with moderately impaired eGFR at audit entry. Slowing CKD progression in this region requires adequately supported clinical systems identifying and tracking clients with high CKD risk.