PARALLEL CLASSIFICATION WITH TWO-STAGE BAGGING CLASSIFIERS

The bootstrapped aggregation of classifiers, also referred to as bagging, is a classic meta-classification algorithm. We extend it to a two-stage architecture consisting of an initial voting amongst one-versus-all classifiers or single-class recognizers, and a second stage of one-versus-one classifiers or two-class discriminators used for disambiguation. Since our method constructs an ensemble of elementary classifiers, it lends itself very well to parallelization. We describe a static workload balancing strategy for embarrassingly parallel classifier construction as well as a parallelization of the classification process with the message passing interface. We evaluate our approach both in terms of classification performance and speed-up and demonstrate the utility of our approach

Speech and language therapy versus placebo or no intervention for speech problems in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease patients commonly suffer from speech and vocal problems including dysarthric speech, reduced loudness and loss of articulation. These symptoms increase in frequency and intensity with progression of the disease). Speech and language therapy (SLT) aims to improve the intelligibility of speech with behavioural treatment techniques or instrumental aids

Lee Silverman voice treatment versus standard NHS speech and language therapy versus control in Parkinson's disease (PD COMM pilot):study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Parkinson’s disease is a common movement disorder affecting approximately 127,000 people in the UK, with an estimated two thirds having speech-related problems. Currently there is no preferred approach to speech and language therapy within the NHS and there is little evidence for the effectiveness of standard NHS therapy or Lee Silverman voice treatment. This trial aims to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of randomizing people with Parkinson’s disease-related speech or voice problems to Lee Silverman voice treatment or standard speech and language therapy compared to a no-intervention control. Methods/Design: The PD COMM pilot is a three arm, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Randomization will be computer-generated with participants randomized at a ratio of 1:1:1. Participants randomized to intervention arms will be immediately referred to the appropriate speech and language therapist. The target population are patients with a confirmed diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease who have problems with their speech or voice. The Lee Silverman voice treatment intervention group will receive the standard regime of 16 sessions between 50 and 60 minutes in length over four weeks, with extra home practice. The standard speech and language therapy intervention group will receive a dose determined by patients’ individual needs, but not exceeding eight weeks of treatment. The control group will receive standard care with no speech and language therapy input for at least six months post-randomization. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline (pre-randomization) and post- randomization at three, six, and 12 months. The outcome measures include patient-reported voice measures, quality of life, resource use, and assessor-rated speech recordings. The recruitment aim is at least 60 participants over 21 months from 11 sites, equating to at least 20 participants in each arm of the trial. This trial is ongoing and recruitment commenced in May 2012. Discussion: This study will provide information on the feasibility and acceptability of randomizing participants to different speech and language therapies or control/deferred treatment. The findings relating to recruitment, treatment compliance, outcome measures, and effect size will inform a future phase III randomized controlled trial

Infants\u27 Intermodal Knowledge of Gender Using Faces and Voices

Infants begin to use intermodal knowledge to match male and female faces to the corresponding voice, in their first year of life. Infants have more experience with female faces which should lead to greater intermodal knowledge of female faces. Previous studies have found inconsistent results. This could be due to the type of stimuli used. This study uses several pairs of static and dynamic faces to investigate how methodological differences may impact infants\u27 performance.https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/durep_posters/1087/thumbnail.jp

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment versus standard speech and language therapy versus control in Parkinson’s disease: preliminary cost-consequence analysis of the PD COMM pilot randomised controlled trial

Additional file 1: Table S1. Speech and language therapy (SLT) set-up costs. Table S2. Derivation of unit costs: sources and assumptions. Table S3. Resource use per patient over 12 months (NHS and social care funded). Table S4. Mean medication costs by drug type over 12 months, per patient (2014/15 costs). Table S5. Resource use per patient over 12 months (privately funded). Table S6. Patient funded care costs and out of pocket expenses over 12 months, per patient. Table S7. Convergence between index scores of EQ-5D-3L and ICECAP-O dimensions (Spearman’s rank correlation). Table S8. Convergence between index scores of PDQ39 dimensions and ICECAP-O responses (Spearman’s rank correlation). Table S9. Convergence between index scores of PDQ39 dimensions and EQ-5D-3L responses (Spearman’s rank correlation

Acceptor Comment of PostPlacental Copper T380A Intrauterine Device

Objective: To describe the characteristics of subjective complaints reported by post-placental inserted intrauterine device (IUD) acceptor, especially those who used Copper T380A (CU T380A) type of IUD. Methods: Seventy-two-married women whose age ranged from 19 to 44 years old and received post-placental IUD in Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, were included in this study. Subjective complaints regarding the use of CU T380A IUD were evaluated twice including during the puerperium and six months afterwards by a direct interview. Results: Most respondents were 20-35 years old, 50% of whom were primiparous (n=36). There were 42% respondents reporting pain during insertion, 32% respondents reporting abdominal pain during the use, 22% respondents reporting menstrual disorder, 18% respondents reporting vaginal discharge, and 3% respondents complaining of having IUD repulsion. Conclusion: There are variety of subjective complaints reported after post-placental IUD use. However, most of the respondents does not complain anything. [Indones J Obstet Gynecol 2017; 5-1: 19-22] Keywords: complication, contraception, intrauterine device (IUD) post-placental, postpartu

Multiactividades desde una perspectiva agroecológica: contribuciones a los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible

Este artigo tem por objetivo socializar multiatividades planejadas e vivenciadas nas perspectivas agroecológica, multidisciplinar e integrativa que buscam disseminar os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável. As multiatividades foram realizadas, no ano de 2019, pelo Projeto de Extensão Educação para Transformação: Meio Ambiente e Saúde da Universidade do Vale do Itajaí/SC (Univali). O público-alvo são mulheres agricultoras da região do Vale do Itajaí/SC, sendo ampliado para docentes, acadêmicos, professores e alunos das escolas estaduais tendo o apoio da Coordenadoria Regional de Educação (CRE) de Itajaí e comunidade em geral, atingindo aproximadamente 2.500 pessoas diretamente e 12.000 pessoas indiretamente. A abordagem metodológica baseou-se na sistemática do Círculo de Cultura freiriano, por meio de Rodas de Diálogo. Optou-se por elucidar as multiatividades, com a intenção de qualificar as variadas estratégias utilizadas, inferindo-se que essas contribuíram para o fortalecimento, a autonomia, o empoderamento e o protagonismo do público envolvido na construção dos saberes agroecológicos. O processo de organização e gestão dos produtos agroecológicos provenientes dos cultivos das mulheres agricultoras na Feira de Economia Solidária e nas cestas dos produtos a partir do modelo de Comunidade que Sustenta a Agricultura (CSA) proporcionaram segurança e soberania alimentar, emancipação financeira e inclusão social. A gestão de resíduos reduziu em mais de noventa toneladas de resíduos sólidos orgânicos minimizando impactos ambientais. O sistema agrícola baseado em princípios agroecológicos apresenta altos níveis de diversidade e resiliência e tem um potencial localmente grande de produzir alimentos saudáveis e necessários para as comunidades rurais e urbanas.This article presents the findings of an activity that combined agro-ecological, multidisciplinary, and inclusive aspects, undertaken with the aim of disseminating the goals of sustainable development. The work was carried out in 2019 by the Education for Transformation Extension Project: Environment and Health, of the University of Vale do Itajaí (Univali), Santa Catarina State, Brazil. The target groups were female agriculturalists from the Vale do Itajaí region, as well as academics, teachers, and students from state schools. The work received the support of the Coordination for Regional Education (CRE) of Itajaí and the community in general, reaching approximately 2,500 people directly and 12,000 people indirectly. The methodological approach was based on Freire´s culture circle system employing discussion wheels. The activities were evaluated to elucidate the impacts of the different activities, with the aim of validating the various strategies adopted. It could be inferred that they contributed to the strengthening of autonomy, stimulating active participation of the public involved in the construction of knowledge concerning sustainable agriculture. Organizing and managing the sales of agroecological products from the cultivations of women farmers in the Solidarity Economy Fair, as well as in product baskets based on the model of the Community that Sustains Agriculture (CSA), provided food security and independence, financial emancipation, and social inclusion. The management of wastes reduced solid organic waste by more than ninety tons, minimizing environmental impacts. The agricultural system based on agroecological principles provides high levels of diversity and resilience, with excellent potential for the local production of healthy foods that are essential for rural and urban communities.El objetivo de este artículo es socializar las multiactividades planificadas y experimentadas desde las perspectivas agroecológica, multidisciplinar e integradora que buscan difundir los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible. Las multiactividades fueron realizadas, en 2019, por el Proyecto de Extensión Educación para la Transformación: Medio Ambiente y Salud de la Universidad de Vale do Itajaí / SC (Univali). El público objetivo son mujeres agricultoras de la región Vale do Itajaí / SC, ampliándose a docentes, académicos, maestros y estudiantes de escuelas estatales con el apoyo de la Coordinación Regional de Educación (CRE) de Itajaí y la comunidad en general, llegando aproximadamente a 2.500 personas directamente y 12.000 personas indirectamente. El enfoque metodológico se basó en la sistemática del Círculo de Cultura Freiriana, a través de Rodas de Diálogo. Se optó por dilucidar las multiactividades, con la intención de calificar las diversas estrategias empleadas, infiriendo que estas contribuyeron al fortalecimiento, autonomía, empoderamiento y protagonismo del público involucrado en la construcción del conocimiento agroecológico. El proceso de organización y el manejo de productos agroecológicos a partir del cultivo de mujeres agricultoras en la Feria de Economía Solidaria y en canastas de productos basado en el modelo de Agricultura Sostenible Comunitaria (CSA) ha proporcionado seguridad y soberanía alimentaria, emancipación financiera e inclusión social. La gestión de residuos ha reducido en más de noventa toneladas los residuos orgánicos sólidos, minimizando los impactos ambientales. El sistema agrícola basado en principios agroecológicos presenta altos niveles de diversidad y resiliencia y tiene un gran potencial a nivel local para producir alimentos saludables y necesarios para las comunidades rurales y urbanas