Phenotyping functional brain dynamics:A deep learning prespective on psychiatry

This thesis explores the potential of deep learning (DL) techniques combined with multi-site functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to enable automated diagnosis and biomarker discovery for psychiatric disorders. This marks a shift from the convention in the field of applying standard machine learning techniques on hand-crafted features from a single cohort.To enable this, we have focused on three main strategies: utilizing minimally pre-processed data to maintain spatio-temporal dynamics, developing sample-efficient DL models, and applying emerging DL training techniques like self-supervised and transfer learning to leverage large population-based datasets.Our empirical results suggest that DL models can sometimes outperform existing machine learning methods in diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) from resting-state fMRI data, despite the smaller datasets and the high data dimensionality. Nonetheless, the generalization performance of these models is currently insufficient for clinical use, raising questions about the feasibility of applying supervised DL for diagnosis or biomarker discovery due to the highly heterogeneous nature of the disorders. Our findings suggest that normative modeling on functional brain dynamics provides a promising alternative to the current paradigm

An Integrated Study for Solving High Vibration Problem of A Deep Well Turbine Pump

In this study, a deep well vertical turbine pump experienced extremely high vibrations for a long time although it still being new. It hasn't been in operation for over 6 months. A novel strategy is implemented by using well-conceived techniques. The experimental modal analysis is confirmed a presence of a natural frequency. Modifications are carried out to overcome resonance. Finite element analysis is applied to determine the reed critical frequencies as a powerful tool to identify and mitigate vibration issues. On-site motor balancing is done to remove vibrations due to the residual imbalance. Results reveal decreasing vibration level by about 8% after solving all problems. &nbsp

Nine Revived Records to the Flora of Egypt

Specimens of Asclepias flavida N.E.Br. (Asclepiadaceae), Boscia salicifolia Oliv. (Capparaceae), Cicer arietinum L. (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae), Euphorbia nutans Lag. (Euphorbiaceae), Lepidium virginicum L. (Cruciferae), Oldenlandia fasatigiata Bremek. var. fastigiata, Oldenlandia hedyotoides (Fish. & Mey.) Boiss. (Rubiaceae), Premna resinosa Schauer (Verbenaceae) and Vernonia cinerascens Schultz Bip. (Compositae), collected from Egypt, were located in the two herbaria CAI and CAIM. All nine species were mentioned in earlier floristic treatments, unpublished lists and accounts of excursions carried out in the 1930’s, but were overlooked in subsequent floristic works. The present article revives therecording of the nine species

The impact of self-initiated expatriation experience on the development of global leadership competencies.

The principal aim of this study is to explore how the experience gained by self initiated expatriates (SIEs) during international assignments (IAs) impacts on the development of global leadership competencies (GLC). Although IAs are considered to be the most effective way to develop successful global leaders (Kohonen, 2005; Reichard et al., 2015; Ng et al., 2009; McCall., 2010), evidence is scarce on how these leaders actually develop during an IA (Bonache et al., 2001). The research study seeks to fill this void regarding SIEs’ learning and development of GLC while working abroad. The second aim of this study is to explore the GLC required by a SIE to be efficient within the context of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This thesis develops a conceptual framework by blending three separate but interrelated theories, namely experiential learning (Kolb, 1984), sensemaking (Weick, 1995) and impression management (Goffman, 1959). This conceptual framework is used as a lens to inform the research question. The core research focus is ‘how does an international assignment impact on the development of global leadership competencies of SIEs?’ A qualitative research design was used in the form of 30 semi -structured interviews with top and middle level managers working in MNEs and local organisations within one of the GCC countries. Snowball sampling was used to generate the sample. Moreover, Flanagan’s (1954) critical incident technique (CIT) was chosen in order to frame the subjects narratives. Thematic analysis (TA) was used to analyse the data. The findings indicate that SIEs went through five stages of experiential learning to develop GLC and adjust cross-culturally. Moreover, it was clear from the findings that SIEs from developed countries encountered more serious challenges in comparison with SIEs from developing countries. Such discrepancies are potentially due to the lack of cultural overlap between Western SIEs’ individualist cultural backgrounds and the collectivist cultures in GCC countries. Based on the research findings, the main theoretical contribution of this thesis is the development of a framework for enhancing SIEs’ learning and development of GLC, and achieving cross cultural adjustment, coupled with the empirical study

Dizajniranje i sinteza novih derivata tiofenkarbohidrazida, tienopirazola i tienopirimidina s antioksidativnim i antitumorskim djelovanjem

2-Amino-5-acetyl-4-methyl-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (1) and 5-acetyl-2-amino-4-methylthiophene-3-carbohydrazide (2) were synthesized and used as starting materials for the synthesis of new series of 1-(5-amino-4-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-1-carbonyl)-3-methylthiophen-2-yl) ethanone (3a), 1-(5-amino-4-(4-chloro-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-1-carbonyl)-3-methylthiophen-2-yl) ethanone (3b), 1-(4-methyl-2-amino-5-acetylthiophene-3-carbonyl) pyrazolidine-3,5-dione (4), (Z)-N\u27-(4-methyl-2-amino-5-acetylthiophene-3-carbonyl) formohydrazonic acid (5a), (Z)-ethyl-N\u27-(4-methyl-2-amino-5-acetylthiophene-3-carbonylformo hydrazonate (5b), 6-acetyl-3-amino-2,5-dimethylthieno2,3-dpyrimidin-4(3H)-one (8), 5-methyl-3-amino-2-mercapto-6-acetylthieno2,3-dpyrimidin-4(3H)-one (10) and 5-methyl-6-acetyl-2-thioxo-2,3-dihydrothieno2,3-dpyrimidin-4(1H)-one (12) as potential antioxidant and antitumor agents. Pharmacological results showed that compounds 6a, 6b, 8, 10 and 12 exhibited promising antitumor and antioxidant activity.Etilni ester 2-amino-5-acetil-4-metil-tiofen-3-karboksilne kiseline (1) i 5-acetil-2-amino-4-metiltiofen-3-karbohidrazid (2) sintetizirani su i upotrebljeni kao reaktanti u sintezi novih spojeva 1-(5-amino-4-(3,5-dimetil-1H-pirazol-1-karbonil)-3-metiltiofen-2-il) etanona (3a), 1-(5-amino-4-(4-klor-3,5-dimetil-1H-pirazol-1-karbonil)-3-metiltiofen-2-il) etanona (3b), 1-(4-metil-2-amino-5-acetiltiofen-3-karbonil) pirazolidin-3,5-diona (4), (Z)-N\u27-(4-metil-2-amino-5-acetiltiofen-3-karbonil) formohidrazonske kiseline (5a), (Z)-etil-N\u27-(4-metil-2-amino-5-acetiltiofen-3-karbonilformo hidrazonata (5b), 6-acetil-3-amino-2,5-dimetiltieno2,3-dpirimidin-4(3H)-one (8), 5-metil-3-amino-2-merkapto-6-acetiltieno2,3-dpirimidin-4(3H)-ona (10) i 5-metil-6-acetil-2-tiokso-2,3-dihidrotieno2,3-dpirimidin-4(1H)-ona (12) kao potencijalnih antioksidansa i citostatika. Farmakološka ispitivanja ukazuju na to da spojevi 6a, 6b, 8, 10 i 12 imaju značajno antitumorsko i antioksidativno djelovanje

An Empirical Investigation of Corporate Voluntary Disclosure of Management\u27s Responsibilities for Financial Reporting

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 mandates senior management to certify under oath that information contained in SEC filings is accurate and complete, and attest to the effectiveness of the internal control system. This study examines the factors that influenced senior management to voluntarily issue a statement of responsibilities in annual reports for a five-year period prior to this legislation. Exploring these factors sheds light on three major issues: (1) identifying the environment under which the new legislation would better achieve its objectives; (2) probing into the concerns of firms that must comply with the new legislation; and (3) highlighting implications for the external auditor in planning the audit and assessing audit risk. We hypothesize that confidence in internal control and monitoring mechanisms at larger firms, corporate profitability, business risk and volatility, ownership structure, leverage, and governance monitoring are critical factors in management\u27s decision to report on its responsibilities in financial statements. The results reveal that senior management at larger firms were more likely to voluntarily disclose its responsibilities, ostensibly to maintain credibility with third parties and mitigate sensitivity to political costs. Moreover, management presiding over more-profitable firms were forthcoming with such disclosures, demonstrating a desire to signal its successful stewardship and organizational success. Lastly, senior management of firms in more volatile or uncertain environments displayed an aversion to risk that negatively influenced its disclosure decision. Monitoring by institutional owners, audit committees, and independent auditors displayed little influence on management\u27s disclosure decision