Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BRNO UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication DOCTORAL THESIS SHORTENED VERSION

Standard procedures of dysphonia diagnosis by a clinical speech therapist have their downsides, mainly because the process is very subjective. Recently, an automatic objective analysis of a speaker’s condition gained in popularity. Researchers successfully based their methods on various machine learning algorithms and handcrafted features. These methods, unfortunately, are not directly scalable to other voice disorders and the process of feature engineering is laborious and thus financially and talent expensive. Based on the previous successes, a deep learning approach might help to ease the problems with scalability and generalization, but an obstacle is a limited amount of training data. This is a common denominator in almost all systems for automated medical data analysis. The main aim of this work is to research new approaches to deep-learning-based predictive modeling using limited audio data sets, focusing especially on voice pathology assessment. This work is the first to experiment with deep learning in this field and on so far the largest combined database of dysphonic voices, which was created in this work. It provides a thorough examination of publicly available data sources and identifies their limitations. It describes the design of novel time-frequency representations based on Gabor transform and it presents a new class of loss functions, that yield target representations beneficial for learning. In numerical experiments, it demonstrates improvements in the performance of convolutional neural networks trained on limited audio data sets using the augmented target loss function and the newly proposed time-frequency representations, namely Gabor and Mel scattering.
Emotions Move Us: Basic Emotions in Music Influence People’s Movement to Music

Listening to music makes us to move in various ways. Several factors can affect the characteristics of these movements, including individual factors and musical features. Additionally, music-induced movement may be shaped by the emotional content of the music. Indeed, the reflection and embodiment of musical emotions through movement is a prevalent assumption within the embodied music cognition framework. This study investigates how music-induced, quasi-spontaneous movement is influenced by the emotional content of music. We recorded the movements of 60 participants (without professional dance background) to popular music using an optical motion capture system, and computationally extracted features from the movement data. Additionally, the emotional content (happiness, anger, sadness, and tenderness) of the stimuli was assessed in a perceptual experiment. A subsequent correlational analysis revealed that different movement features and combinations thereof were characteristic of each emotion, suggesting that body movements reflect perceived emotional qualities of music. Happy music was characterized by body rotation and complex movement, whereas angry music was found to be related to non-fluid movement without rotation. Sad music was embodied by simple movements and tender music by fluid movements of low acceleration and a forward bent torso. The results of this study show similarities to movements of professional musicians and dancers, to emotion-specific non-verbal behavior in general, and can be linked to notions of embodied music
Characterization of Bipolaris sorokiniana and Alternaria sesami isolates obtained from sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) in Egypt

Keeping in view the losses caused by the leaf spot disease of sesame, the present study was carried out to characterize fungal pathogenic causes leaf spot disease of sesame in Egypt. During the current study, Bipolaris sorokiniana and Alternaria sesami isolates were characterized by microscopy, colony characteristic and its pathogenicity. The identities of the fungi were confirmed by analysis of rDNA ITS (internal transcribed spacer). Fourteen RAPD primers were screened with the DNA of the fungal isolates to detect the polymorphism among these isolates. The estimated genetic similarities ranged from 74% to 82% with Bipolaris isolates, and from 85% to 96%with Alternaria isolates revealing very high levels of genetic similarity among the studied accessions. Significant differences in aggressiveness among the isolates of both pathogens were observed after artificial inoculation of sesame plants using spray inoculation methods. The disease reaction of three varieties of sesame to both fungi reveled that, the variety Shandawil-3 showed the highest degree of susceptibility to both pathogens. The host range of the isolates of both pathogens were tested on 11 plant species belonged to three families. All isolates of Bipolaris sorokiniana were pathogenic on tomato, maize, broad bean, bean, sorghum and wheat. On the other hand, the isolates of Alternaria sesami markedly varied in its pathogenicity on tomato, broad bean, bean and sorghum and were nonpathogenic to other tested plant species.In conclusions from our results, the causal pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana is considered the most prefiling pathogen among the sesame leaf spot causal pathogen in Egypt.
Lateral Variations of Interplate Coupling along the Mexican Subduction Interface: Relationships with Long-Term Morphology and Fault Zone Mechanical Properties

Although patterns of interseismic strain accumulation above subduction zones are now routinely characterised using geodetic measurements, their physical origin, persistency through time, and relationships to seismic hazard and long-term deformation are still debated. Here, we use GPS and morphological observations from southern Mexico to explore potential mechanical links between variations in inter-SSE (in between slow slip events) coupling along the Mexico subduction zone and the long-term topography of the coastal regions from Guerrero to Oaxaca. InterSSE coupling solutions for two different geometries of the subduction interface are derived from an inversion of continuous GPS time series corrected from slow slip events. They reveal strong along-strike variations in the shallow coupling (i.e. at depths down to 25 km), with high-coupling zones (coupling [0.7) alternating with low-coupling zones (coupling \0.3). Coupling below the continent is typically strong ([0.7) and transitions to uncoupled, steady slip at a relatively uniform 175-km inland from the trench. Along-strike variations in the coast-to-trench distances are strongly correlated with the GPS-derived forearc coupling variations. To explore a mechanical explanation for this correlation, we apply Coulomb wedge theory, constrained by local topographic, bathymetric, and subducting-slab slopes. Critical state areas, i.e. areas where the inner subduction wedge deforms, are spatially correlated with transitions at shallow depth between uncoupled and coupled areas of the subduction interface. Two end-member models are considered to explain the correlation between coast-totrench distances and along-strike variations in the inter-SSE coupling. The first postulates that the inter-SSE elastic strain is partitioned between slip along the subduction interface and homogeneous plastic permanent deformation of the upper plate. In the second, permanent plastic deformation is postulated to depend on frictional transitions along the subduction plate interface. Based on the location and friction values of the critical state areas identified by our Coulomb wedge analysis, we parameterise frictional transitions in plastic-static models of deformation over several seismic cycles. This predicts strong shear dissipation above frictional transitions on the subduction interface. The comparison of modelled surface displacements over a critical zone at a frictional transition and over a stable area with no internal wedge deformation shows differences of long-term uplift consistent with the observed along-strike variations in the coast-to-trench distances. Our work favours a model in which frictional asperities partly control short-term inter-SSE coupling as measured by geodesy and in which those asperities persist through time.
Electronic Nose and Its Application Prospect in Chinese Medicine Industry

To summarize the application status and prospects of the electronic nose in the Chinese medicine industry.The relevant literatures in recent years were reviewed and analyzed.As a technique of olfactory sensor,electronic nose has been developed quickly for about ten years because of its objectivity,reliability and repeatability.The electronic nose has been preliminary used in quality control of traditional Chinese medicinal materials,Chinese patent drug and their intermediate goods.It also has been shown to be possible to use the electronic nose to quantize empirical index during the processing of Chinese medicine.The electronic nose has broad application prospects in the Chinese medicine industry,and further research is needed.
A comparison between peer-assisted learning and self-study for electrocardiography interpretation in Thai medical students

Introduction: Peer-assisted learning has been shown to be an effective teaching and learning method. However, this technique has not been proven in Thai medical school. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of peer-assisted learning and self-study in interpreting an electrocardiogram in Thai medical students. Methods: This is a prospective, randomized controlled trial, conducted in Chonburi teaching hospital, a community hospital affiliated with Chulalongkorn University. All medical students from the fourth and fifth years, a total of eighty students, were randomly assigned to two groups of peer-assisted learning (PAL) and self-study (SS) via stratified randomization done by computer-generated randomization. The two groups were matched for sex and grade point average. In the PAL group, teaching was performed by the fourth and fifth year medical students. We conducted five weekly study sessions. Different topics of electrocardiogram interpretation were assigned to tutors for teaching. SS group would separately study the same topic on their own. Constructed response questions were used to assess the students at the beginning as a pre-test and after a five-week session as a post-test. Online self-assessment was delivered to students one month after the study. Results: Mean pre-test and post-test score was put into the analysis and compared across groups using t-test. No significant difference in pre-test score was observed between the two groups in the same academic year. There was a significant difference between the mean post-test score between the fourth year PAL and SS groups. Also, the mean difference score in the fourth year PAL group was higher than the fourth year SS group. However, in the fifth year group, there was no significant difference between the PAL and SS groups in the mean post-test score and mean difference score. Conclusion: In conclusion, peer-assisted learning is an interesting method to improve understanding and interpreting skills of basic ECG better than self-study in the early clinical year medical students.
A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Some Factors on Teachers’ Classroom Management Skills

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of personal, professional and organizational factors on teacher’s classroom management skills in the Turkish context. Meta-analyses were performed to find out the effect sizes and understand the trend in substantive findings across classroom management skills studies. Data consisted of articles, master theses, and dissertations which were retrieved from the Turkish Higher Education Council (THEC) National Theses Center, ULAKBIM (a database for articles indexed by TUBITAK-ULAKBIM), THEC Academic, and Google Scholar databases. The main dataset in this study consisted of 59 independent studies. Findings revealed that the effect of personality traits of teachers, professional, and organizational factors on teachers’ classroom management skills was found at medium level. Emotional traits of teachers’, sub-dimension of personality traits, produced a greater effect size than cognitive skills and personality type. Teachers, who feel satisfied with their job, work in a positive school climate, get motivated by their top managers and share common values and culture with their colleagues, tend to use CMSs more effectively. While occupational burnout, low teaching performance, and poor organizational communication have a negative but significant effect, job satisfaction, school climate, organizational motivation, shared organizational values and rules have a moderately positive and significant effect on teachers’ CMSs.
Current concepts in evaluation and management of proximal humeral fractures

Proximal humeral fractures are common injuries. A dramatic increase in the number of fractures is expected because of the increase in osteoporosis in an aging population. Treatment of displaced fractures may be complicated and a variety of factors impact the outcome. Recent advances in the knowledge of the pathophysiology and newer techniques of fracture management have improved the outcomes of treatment of these injuries.
Learning Global Additive Explanations of Black-Box Models

Interpretability has largely focused on local explanations, i.e. explaining why a model made a particular prediction for a sample. These explanations are appealing due to their simplicity and local fidelity, but do not provide information about the overall behavior of the model. We propose to use distillation to learn global additive explanations that describe the relationship between input features and model predictions. Unlike other global explanation methods, distillation allows us to learn explanations in a discriminative manner, minimizing the fidelity error between the black-box model and the explanation while preserving the explanation’s interpretability. These global additive explanations take the form of feature shapes, which are more expressive than feature attributions. Through careful experimentation, including a user study on expert users, we show qualitatively and quantitatively that learned global additive explanations are able to describe model behavior and yield insights about black-box models.
DESIGN OF LOW POWER NOVEL GATE

Reversible logic gate design recovers the output from the input itself which is the novel gate for low power. This technology is widely used in VLSI design due to its low power. To achieve this, the number of input and outputs in the gate is equal. The function of the logic gates purely depends on the quantum cost function. Garbage output of the gates is ignored. Varieties of logic gates are available in the VLSI design. In this paper, different reversible logic gate functions are discussed. Also, it compares different adders with different gates.
Two Patients With Resistant Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura and Portal Hypertension Treated Safely With Laparoscopic Splenectomy: A Case Series Report and Literature Review

Immune thrombocytopenia (previously called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)) is characterized by an autoimmune destruction and clearance of platelets and megakaryocytes by reticuloendothelial system including liver and spleen. Most of the time, it occurs in the absence of any obvious stimulus. Secondary immune thrombocytopenia coexists with an underlying disease such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or can occur following exposure to certain drugs such as heparin or quinidine. Medical treatment includes corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulins and rituximab. Splenectomy is reserved for patients who fail medical therapy. Laparoscopic splenectomy is safer than open splenectomy. The main surgical complication of splenectomy is intra-abdominal bleeding. Additional risk factors for post-operative bleeding such as portal hypertension can alter treatment decision in regard to splenectomy. J Curr Surg. 2019;9(4):61-65 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jcs399
Leadership strategies of mobilisation and demobilisation in Sudan

A Sudanese Revolution overthrew the sitting regime in 2019, and a transitional government is in place. This article explores Sudanese respondents’ take on how the former regime managed to stay in power for so long. The National Congress Party in Sudan held on to power for three decades against all odds after taking over in a coup in 1989. Widely unpopular, the regime relied on repression and coercive tactics to stay in power. Based on interview data from three locations in Sudan 2011 and 2012, respondents’ accounts of the NCP leadership strategies for staying in power are explored in this article. The interview data speaks to two highly intertwined processes. First, to the mobilisation of support from those the government needed in key positions around the country, in the elite, and the security forces. Second, the data speaks to the demobilisation of people in general. Respondents point at five strategies deployed by the NCP to stay in power: Creating a secure repressive base; divide and rule strategies; controlling the media; creating a confusing and closed system and, lastly, not pushing people too far. For each tactic, it seems the regime attempted to demobilise people at large, but also tried to mobilise those it needed. These five strategies are in this study seen in light of leadership, identities and collective action, and the analysis emphasises agency through the concepts of group efficacy and illiberal statebuilding. The study contributes to developing a psychology of demobilisation as it explores the attempted hindering of collective action. Exploring these issues in a non-Western conflict case like Sudan is a particularly important addition to understanding leadership demobilisation in conflict settings. Seeing this in light of the more recent processes of people’s power in Sudan makes it even more relevant.
Significance of Patch Testing in Patients with Hand Eczema

Introduction- Hand eczema has multifactorial etiology and can be aggravated by exogenous agents. Therefore identification and avoidance of the external contactants is of paramount importance in appropriate management. Aim- To identify the allergen and to assess the significance of patch testing as a diagnostic tool in hand eczema Materials and methods- Patch testing was performed in 100 patients of hand eczema with Indian standard series and as it is (ASIS) was done only for selected cases. Patches were applied on the back and reading was done on 2nd, 4th and 7thday according to International Contact Dermatitis Research group (ICDRG) guidelines. Results- In our study maximum numbers of patients were in the age group of 21-30 years with slight male preponderance. Housewives (35%) were the most commonly affected group followed by cement workers (9%) and students (9%). Hyperkeratotic eczema (44%) and housewife eczema (20%) were most common morphological types. Patch test was positive in 49% cases. Fragrance mix (26.5%) emerged as most common allergen followed by thiuram mix (18.4%); potassium bichromate (16.32%); nickel sulphate and Paraphenyldiamine each 14.2%. Thiuram (30%) was most common allergen in men while fragrance mix (31.5%) was in females. ASIS was done in 10 patients, was negative in 9 and 1 showed irritant reaction. Conclusion- Significant correlation was seen between hyperkeratotic eczema and paraphenyldiamine, fingertip eczema and fragrance mix, wear and tear eczema and neomycin, patchy vesiculosquamous eczema with neomycin sulphate, peru balsam, mercaptobenzothiazole and formaldehyde, ring eczema and paraphenyldiamine.
The Mediating Role of Organizational Identification on the Relationship between Job Satisfaction and Organizational Citizenship Behavior: A Research in the Finance Industry

This study aims to examine the relationship between job satisfaction, organizational identification and organizational citizenship behavior of the employees in the finance industry. Also, it is aimed to reveal the mediating role of organizational identification on the relationship between job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior. The convenience sampling method was used in the study. The questionnaires were distributed to 355 personnel working in the finance industry and the responses obtained from these participants were analyzed. The correlations between the variables were found statistically significant and hierarchical regression analysis was used.
Prototype demonstration of the broadband anti-reflection coating on sapphire using a sub-wavelength structure

We report the development of the broadband antireflection (AR) coating on sapphire using a sub-wavelength structure for a cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization experiment. One of the challenges in the CMB polarization experiment is to disentangle the sources of the polarized emission among the CMB and the galactic emissions from our Galaxy. This leads a need of a cryogenically compatible broadband AR coating on a millimeter wave optical element used in a CMB telescope. We design and fabricate the AR subwavelength structure using a laser machining on a sapphire plate, which is a commonly used material as a half-wave plate at millimeter wavelength. We fabricate a prototype sample and evaluate the transmittance of an SWS AR sapphire for the fractional bandwidth of about 1.5. We show the agreement between the measured transmittance and the prediction based on the fabricated shape. The projected transmittance based on the measurement achieves above 90% above 50 GHz. We finally discuss the room of the improvement and the applicability for this technology for a future CMB polarization experiment.
Role of FDG-PET/CT in Assessing the Correlation Between Blood Pressure and Myocardial Metabolic Uptake

Objective(s): We aimed to assess the association between blood pressure and LV myocardial uptake of FDG, hypothesizing that subjects with raised blood pressure would have higher FDG uptake. Methods: We analyzed 86 healthy controls who underwent PET/CT imaging 180 minutes following FDG (4 MBq/Kg) administration. LV myocardial analysis was performed on axial sections using standard operator guided computer software (OsiriX MD). The average LV myocardial SUVmean (MSUVmean) was calculated for each subject. Subjects were assessed according to the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines for high blood pressure in adults. Mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) was calculated for each patient. Regression models were employed for statistical analysis. Results: The association of MSUVmean was more pronounced with DP (r=0.32, p=0.003) than SP (r=0.28, p=0.010); MABP was comparable (r=0.33, p=0.002). Correlations of MSUVmean with categorized BPs were: normal SP (r=0.27, p=0.010), elevated SP (r=0.28, p=0.009), stage 1 SP (r=0.27, p=0.010), stage 2 SP (r=0.28, p=0.008); normal DP (r=0.33, p=0.001), stage 1 DP (r=0.34, p=0.001), stage 2 DP (r=0.35, p=0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated DP (p=0.006), MABP (p=0.007), and SP (0.026). Conclusion: LV myocardial FDG uptake was higher in subjects with elevated blood pressure and correlated positively with SBP and in particular DBP and MABP.