Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using tDCS to improve speech processes in typical speakers and people who stutter

Stuttering is a speech disorder for which treatment options are limited. Brain stimulation methods such as tDCS used as an adjunct to treatments enhance positive effects of intervention. This thesis addressed whether tDCS applied to the left inferior frontal gyrus would improve speech processes in typical speakers (TS) and people who stutter (PWS). Study 1.1 with TS showed that tDCS resulted in enhanced performance (reduction in speech reaction times) for three, but not one, syllable words in a picture naming task. Such interaction between stimuli complexity and tDCS was explored in Study 1.2. A picturenaming task was used with three syllable stimuli. Primes either facilitated the speech plan (low complexity) or required speech-plan reformulation. When anodal tDCS was applied, incongruent trials alone were significantly quicker than sham trials, replicating the effect of difficulty. Study 3 with TS applied tDCS whilst participants repeated tongue twisters. Anodal tDCS resulted in significantly faster tongue twister completion times compared to sham or cathodal stimulation. The studies with TS indicated that tDCS improves speech processes, particularly when task complexity is high. Study 4, applied tDCS to PWS alongside a challenging intervention known to reduce stuttering. There were reductions in stuttering during conversation that trended towards significance (sample size was small). Finally, we examined inferior frontal gyrus neural activity in PWS and TS whilst conversing socially or to a recording. The left inferior frontal gyrus showed significant and unique responses during face-to-face conversation compared to audio conversation. Findings indicated that the left inferior frontal gyrus is differentially involved when PWS communicate in different styles. This thesis demonstrated that tDCS is a promising adjunct for improving speech production processes in TS and PWS to use with challenging tasks and interventions. Further research is required to understand mechanisms of effect and to further refine effects for this promising approach.
Qualitative meta-analysis of propensity to trust measurement

ABSTRACT In a rapidly changing and dynamic world, individuals’ propensity to trust is likely to become an increasingly important facet for understanding human behaviour, yet its measurement has mostly been unexplored. We undertake the first systematic qualitative survey of propensity to trust scales using qualitative meta-analysis methodology to review the literature (1966–2018) and identify 26 measures and their applications in 179 studies. Using content analysis, we thematically organise these scales into six thematic areas and discuss the emerging implications. We find that while most of these scales reflect propensity to trust in terms of a positive belief in human nature, other themes include general trust, role expectations, institutional trust, cautiousness and other personality attributes. We reveal significant methodological concerns regarding several scales and argue for more considered selection of scales for use in research. We examine the case for multidimensionality in measures of propensity to trust used within organisational research. Rather than treating a lack of generalisability of findings in existing organisational studies as purely a problem of measurement design, we instead outline an agenda for further conceptual and empirical study.
An exploratory study into attitudes towards teamwork in the workplace and in the academic environment

Teamwork is becoming an increasingly important skill to have within the workplace. Employers are looking to take on students who can work efficiently and effectively within teams. For this reason, students must partake in teamwork as part of their studies to better prepare them for the workplace. As attitude is an important predictor of behaviour, students who have a positive attitude towards teamwork are more likely to work well within groups. There are many different factors which affect attitudes towards teamwork, and attitudes may also vary depending upon the environment teamwork is being used in. A questionnaire was administered to students regarding their attitude towards teamwork in university and in the workplace. Results showed that students have a more positive attitude towards teamwork in the workplace than the academic environment. Males have a more positive attitude towards teamwork than females. A conventional content analysis showed that some of the factors that affect attitudes towards teamwork include free-riding and the nature of the task. The research will benefit both instructors of teamwork tasks and future employers. Future research should look into factors such as the length of time a group is maintained for.
The Influence of IT on Women's Entrepreneurial Intention in the Saudi Context

IT entrepreneurship is becoming an increasingly vital source for promoting socio-economic growth, innovation and job opportunities. Despite the increasing awareness of this importance, evidence indicates that women participation in entrepreneurship with a particular focus on technological entrepreneurship remains low. Furthermore, there has been minimal research about female entrepreneurship from a technological point of view. Our goal in this study is to propose a model that extends the theory of planned behavior by incorporating the technological factors into established entrepreneurial models. Investigating such factors is beneficial for motivating a new generation of women entrepreneurs in the IT context. In addition, it helps to provide a further understanding to IS researchers and practitioners.
A Cognitive, Self-Monitoring Intervention for Handwriting with Second-Grade Students

ABSTRACT A pre-test post-test design was used to deliver the Size Matters Handwriting Program to 19 second-grade students using an occupational therapist-teacher collaborative teaching model. Outcomes from the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment indicate statistically and clinically significant gains for students in legibility, form, alignment, size, and spacing. Students’ perceptions of self-monitoring, collected via a brief self-report measure, reveal that most students agreed that self-monitoring played an important role in their learning by understanding the rules of handwriting and learning proper spacing strategies when writing. These results support the effectiveness of employing the Size Matters Handwriting Program and teaching self-monitoring strategies.
Disordered Gambling and Health Functioning in Individuals Receiving Disability Benefits

Objectives:This preliminary study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for disordered gambling in participants receiving disability benefits (PRDB). Further, this study examined the relationship between gambling behavior severity and health functioning in this population. Materials and Methods:The sample consisted of 769 participants from the Leisure, Lifestyle, and Lifecycle Project, which included components of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (Short Form) and Canadian Community Health Survey, Short Form Health Survey (SF-8), and the Canadian Problem Gambling Index. Results:PRDB (n=39) had a significantly higher prevalence of disordered gambling compared with participants not receiving disability benefits (15.8% vs. 3.5%, P=0.002). Significant risk factors for disordered gambling among PRDB included: fair/poor general health scores (SF-8) (odds ratio, 7.14; 95% confidence interval: 1.04, 47.42), and physical limitation scores (SF-8) (odds ratio, 10.80; 95% confidence interval: 1.54, 75.70). Among PRDB, increased gambling severity was associated with decreased general health scores (SF-8) (F4,38=2.92, P=0.04) and increased physical limitation scores (SF-8) (F4,38=4.74, P=0.005). Conclusions:These data indicate that PRDB have a higher rate of disordered gambling and that increased gambling severity is associated with decreased health functioning. Together, this suggests that PRDB may be at increased need of screening for disordered gambling and that disordered gamblers receiving disability benefits may have an increased need for treatments that reduce gambling and its associated problems.
Injury Prevention for Throwing Athletes Part I: Baseball Bat Training to Enhance Medial Elbow Dynamic Stability

SUMMARY BASEBALL PITCHERS' ELBOWS ARE EXPOSED TO MEDIAL TRACTION, LATERAL COMPRESSION, AND POSTERIOMEDIAL SHEAR FORCES. FACTORS ATTRIBUTED TO INJURY SEVERITY INCLUDE OVERUSE, POOR THROWING MECHANICS, ORTHOPEDIC MATURITY, AND REDUCED MUSCLE STRENGTH. THE ANTERIOR BAND OF THE ULNAR COLLATERAL LIGAMENT (UCL) IS THE MAIN STRUCTURE TO WITHSTAND TENSILE STRESS IN PITCHERS. WHEN OVERWHELMED, LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION IS REQUIRED THROUGH A PROCEDURE KNOWN AS TOMMY JOHN SURGERY. PART I OF THE 2 PART SERIES PRESENTS A BASEBALL BAT TRAINING STRATEGY TO IMPROVE MUSCULAR SUPPORT FOR THE PITCHING ELBOW IN PROTECTING THE UCL.
The structural transformation of the public sphere : an inquiry into a category of bourgeois society

Part 1 Introduction - preliminary demarcation of a type of Bourgeois Public Sphere: the initial question remarks on the type representative publicness on the genesis of the Bourgois Public Sphere. Part 2 Social structures of the Public Sphere: the basic blueprint institutions of the public sphere the Bourgois family and the institutionalization of a privateness oriented to an audience the public sphere in the world of letters in relation to the public sphere in the political realm. Part 3 Political functions of the public sphere: the model case of British development the continental variants civil society as the sphere of private autonomy: private law and a liberalized market the contradictory institutionalization of the public sphere in the Bourgeois constitutional state. Part 4 The bourgeois public sphere - idea and ideology: publicity as the bridging principle between politics and morality, Kant on the dialectic of the public sphere, Hegel and Marx the ambivalent view of the public sphere in the theory of liberalism, John Stuart Mill and Alexis de Tocqueville. Part 5 The social-structural transformation of the public sphere: the tendency toward a mutual infiltration of public and private spheres the polarization of the social sphere and the intimate sphere from a culture-debating (kulturrasonierend) public to a culture-consuming public the blurred blueprint - developmental pathways in the disintegration of the bourgeois public sphere. Part 6 the transformation of the public sphere's political function: from the journalism of private men of letters to the public consumer services of the mass media - the public sphere as a platform for advertising the transmitted function of the principle of publicity manufactured publicity and nonpublic opinions - the voting behaviour of the population the political public sphere and the transformation of the liberal constitutional state into a social-welfare state. Part 7 On the concept of public opinion: public opinion as a fiction of constitutional law-and the social-psychological liquidation of the concept a sociological attempt at clarification.
Automatic framework to aid therapists to diagnose children who stutter

This thesis studies the feasibility of developing an automated framework that provides an indication of the severity level of stuttering for children who stutter. Diagnosing this condition early is extremely important to ensure adequate therapeutic treatment while a child is still young. However, correct diagnoses depend heavily on the availability of expert therapists and on their painstaking manual work to record, transcribe and then count different kinds of speech disfluency. Where such expertise is rare, an automated framework would be immensely helpful. The main challenge facing the development of such a system is the scarcity of available training data. Whereas speech corpora of children’s speech are limited, corpora of children’s stuttering speech are extremely limited, such that certain direct machine-learning techniques could not be used, for lack of training data. Furthermore, the best available stuttering data set is not fully transcribed. Our proposed solution deploys a number of approaches that make best use of all the available data. We combine a standard children’s corpus (PF-Star) with a small corpus of stuttering speech (UCLASS), the latter which we transcribe. We focus on automatic speech recognition (ASR) methods to decode stuttering utterances, making best use of frequency information to segment the speech into words and part-words. We compare two methods, one based on training a conventional ASR whose language model is augmented with extra stuttering events, such as pseudo-words and repetitions; and the other based on task-specific lattices derived from the original reading prompt, with manually-tuned stuttering arcs. We then focus on autocorrelation methods to detect cases of prolongation, making best use of time information, in relation to the subject’s speaking rate. We also investigate a number of approaches to identifying different kinds of stuttering event in transcriptions (both manual and produced by ASR), comparing conditional random field (CRF) and bi-directional long short-term memory (BLSTM) detectors. Finally, we use an algorithm based on Guitar, Yairi and Ambrose’s classification of stuttering severity, to partition all subjects into three classes: normal disfluency, borderline stuttering and beginning stuttering. The resulting diagnoses were evaluated by comparing them against diagnoses made by two UK-registered speech language therapists, and ranged from 72% to 100% accurate (after tuning). The benefits of the work include: supporting speech therapists by automatically transcribing recorded sessions, identifying stuttering events and providing an accurate early indication of a diagnosis. This could help children receive suitable therapy, commensurate with the severity of their stuttering. If deployed in the Cloud, this work could help in the remote diagnosis of children in areas where expertise is limited. In this setting, research benefits would include the further collection of stuttering data.
Effects of Isoflavone and Cynanchum wilfordii Supplementation on Premenstrual Syndrome, Dysmenorrhea - Focus on 20’s Women -

【Menstrual problem (premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and dysmenorrhea) is a common gynecological complaints among women in reproductive age. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of isoflavone and Cynanchum wilfordii for improvement of premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea. Subjects were 30 college women in Busan, divided into three groups (CG; control group, n=10; IS group; isoflavone supplement group, n=10; CS group; Cynanchum wilfordii supplement group, n=10). They showed 5.0 or higher for menstrual pain when tested by the VAS. IS group was allocated a isoflavone pill (500 mg/day) for 8 weeks, and CS group was allocated a Cynanchum wilfordii pill (6 g/day) for 8 weeks. We administered a menstrual distress questionnaire (MDQ), and visual analogue scale(VAS). There were no differences among the three groups in general characteristics, nutrients intake, MDQ, or VAS. In the CG group, there were no differences in MDQ, or VAS after 8 weeks. In the IS group, negative emotions, behavioral changes, concentration, pain, autonomic nervous system response, water retention, and skin changes significantly improved (P】
Timed Up and Go test no rastreamento da sarcopenia em idosos residentes na comunidade

Abstract Objective : to evaluate the performance of the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) as a screening tool for sarcopenia in elderly persons living in a city in the south of Brazil. Method: A cross-sectional, home-based study was conducted with 322 elderly persons. The diagnosis of sarcopenia was based on the criteria proposed by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EGWSOP). A Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to assess the discriminatory power of the TUG on sarcopenia screening. Results: With a cutoff point of 7.5 seconds, the test had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.66 (CI 0.56-0.76; p =0.002) and adequate sensitivity and negative predictive values (88.9% and 93.2%, respectively). Conclusion: Due to its ease of use and rapid execution, in addition to its low cost, this test is useful for the screening of sarcopenia, especially among elderly persons with good physical and cognitive abilities. The early identification of individuals with probable sarcopenia may allow for preventive or directive interventions for the management of this geriatric syndrome.
Pricing Institutions and the Welfare Cost of Adverse Selection

To mitigate adverse selection in insurance markets, individuals are often mandated to buy at least a baseline plan, but may choose to opt into a premium plan. In some markets, such as US health exchanges, each plan is responsible for the full expenses of those who buy it ("total pricing"). In other markets, such as the privately supplied "Medigap" top-ups to traditional government-provided Medicare, premium providers are only responsible for the incremental expenses they top up ("incremental pricing"). For parameter values calibrated to health exchanges, the shift from total to incremental pricing reduces the welfare loss from adverse selection by an order of magnitude.
Promoting Sustainable Regional Health Care in Japan

To supply sustainable health care to cancer patients, it is important to continuously deliver appropriate information regarding community health care resources and to develop an accessible medical system. We developed an information-sharing system using geographical data called the “Resource Map for Community Cooperation in Cancer Care” (http://cancerqa.scchr.jp/shizuoka/ganmap/). This system is based on registered public data available in Shizuoka Prefecture and provides the user with information concerning more than 7,000 medically related facilities (e.g., hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies). The system’s information database was derived from existing official regional data. After a probation period, we identified three factors that promote Information technology (IT) system usage for sustainable health care management: (1) visual presentation of information and usability, (2) information management, and (3) contribution to social innovation.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF H1 RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST CETIRIZINE IN ANIMAL MODELS

AIM: The present study was designed to study anti-inflammatory activity of Cetirizine in albino rats and compare with standard drug Diclofenac. MATERIAL & METHODS: 1. Carrageenin induced rat paw edema method (Acute inflammation): 5 animals in each group (3groups) received orally 4% Gum acacia, Diclofenac sodium and Cetirizine respectively one hour before carrageenin injection into right paw. The rat paw edema was measured with plethysmograph after 3 hours and percentage inhibition of edema was calculated in each group. 2. Rexin pellet granuloma method (Chronic inflammation): Four rexin pellets were implanted into dorsum skin of each rat of 3 groups (n=5), which include control, Diclofenac and Cetirizine respectively. The animals were treated with fixed doses of drugs once a day for 7 days including the day of implantation of pellets and on 8th day rexin pellets were removed after sacrificing animals. Rexin pellets were kept in incubator at 600C overnight. Pellets were then weighed and percent inhibition of granuloma tissue was calculated. 3. Study of Mast cell counts. RESULT: Cetirizine showed significant anti-inflammatory activity both in acute and chronic animal models. CONCLUSION: Cetirizine may be used as potential drug for both acute and chronic inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory property.
The Effect of Process Parameter on Metal Matrix Composite ( Al + 4 % Cu + 5 % Sic ) By Stir Casting

During the last two decades, metal matrix composites (MMCs) have emerged as an important class of materials for structural, wear, thermal, transportation and electrical applications. Metal matrix composites (MMCs) possess significantly improved properties including high specific strength; specific modulus, damping capacity and good wear resistance compared to unreinforced alloys. There are several techniques to produce composites, such as liquid state, solid state and semi-solid state production route. Among the entire liquid state production route stir casting route are simplest and cheapest. The aim of our project is to produce a composite with cheap and simple production route i.e. stir casting method. We have chosen 5% SiC as the reinforcement material and balanced Al + 4% Cu as matrix phase. In this thesis, the grit sizes of SiC have been changed 400, 600 and 800 mesh and tried to observe that the effect of grit sizes of SiC on mechanical properties with vary pouring temperatures 700, 725 and 750C. The best value of BHN, Impact and UTS has been obtained at optimum pouring temperature 725C. The pouring rate kept constant at 2.5cm/s for all composites. The mechanical properties as hardness, impact and tensile strength were enhanced with increasing grit size (400, 600 and 800 mesh) of reinforcement SiC particles. Using SPSS 17.0.
Exploring the role of identity configuration in decision-making towards behaviour change

There is a link between identity and decision-making. In this study four focus group discussions were held with female participants to explore the role of identity configuration in decision-making towards behaviour change. The study was conducted within the context of the Demand Renewable Oil Programme (DROP) project, which is a household bio-fuel project in South Africa that aims to collect used cooking oil to convert it to bio-fuel. However, the Tlokwe and Castello communities have been reluctant to partake in this project. This reluctance was subsequently explored. Following inductive analysis, six themes were identified that relate strongly to the notion of “ubuntu. ” The community members believe strongly in defining themselves according to group membership. Communal living and belonging are deeply entrenched in the Tlokwe and Castello communities.
The Performance of Emerging Hedge Fund Managers

This paper provides the first systematic analysis of performance patterns for emerging funds and managers in the hedge fund industry. Emerging funds and managers have particularly strong financial incentives to create investment performance and, because of their size, may be more nimble than established ones. Performance measurement, however, needs to control for the usual biases afflicting hedge fund databases. After adjusting for such biases and using a novel event time approach, we find strong evidence of outperformance during the first two to three years of existence. Each additional year of age decreases performance by 42 basis points, on average. Cross-sectionally, early performance by individual funds is quite persistent, with early strong performance lasting for up to five years.
Management of Acute Stroke by Cardiologists

Every year in the US, nearly 800,000 patients experience an acute stroke. Stroke is the number one cause of adult disability in the US and poses a serious financial burden. Current treatments focus on re-establishing blood flow to the ischaemic territory or reperfusion, with intravenous thrombolytics, intra-arterial endovascular thrombolytics or mechanical clot retrievers. Comprehensive stroke centres offer the best opportunity for assessment and treatment of stroke patients. However, the number of well-trained neuroendovascular specialists (including neurosurgeons, radiologists, and neurologists) cannot offer 24/7 acute stroke coverage at all of the major centres across the US. One solution that has been proposed and is in fact being utilised at some centres is the use of an interventional cardiologist to treat acute stroke. In this article the background, pitfalls and requirements of cardiologists treating acute stroke are discussed.