Peculiar flow fields in the zone of avoidance from the near-infrared Tully-Fisher relation

In this thesis, we investigate the flow field in and around the major large-scale structures in the southern Zone of Avoidance as derived from peculiar motions of galaxies. The peculiar velocities were derived from a galaxy sample based on the systematic deep Parkes HI Zone of Avoidance survey (HIZOA) using a newly optimized Near InfraRed (NIR) Tully-Fisher (TF) relation. The NIR imaging data of the HIZOA galaxies were obtained with the Infrared Survey Facility (IRSF) on the 1.4-m telescope at the South African Astronomical Observatory, which allows simultaneous three-colour (J; H; and Ks) imaging. We first calibrate the NIR Tully-Fisher relation for isophotal magnitudes, using the same 888 calibrator galaxies that were used for the derivation of the 2MASS TF relation for total magnitudes. The isophotal NIR TF relation allows for a significant improvement in the scatter of low surface brightness galaxies, and galaxies obscured by dust. We also simulate the effect of dust extinction on the shape of galaxies and derive a correction model. We show the ability of this model to reproduce the intrinsic axial ratio from the observed parameters up to extinction levels of AV ~ 11 mag. We present new narrow-band HI 21-cm observations for 394 selected galaxies from the HIZOA survey with improved velocity resolution. These new observations with high resolution allow a robust measurement of five different types of linewidth. We used a Bayesian mixture model to derive conversion equations between these five widths, which will be used to combine data sets of differently-derived linewidths. We present deep near-infrared (J; H; and Ks bands) observations of 1108 detections from the HIZOA survey. The average seeing, sky background and the isophotal magnitude errors are 1:38 arcsec, 20:1 mag, and 0:02 mag respectively, which are of sufficient accuracy for a Tully-Fisher analysis. Through comparisons with 2MASS and UKIDSS images we demonstrate the reliability of the IRSF photometry. We use these data and the isophotal Tully-Fisher relation to measure distances and peculiar velocities for 287 galaxies, which covers the whole southern ZOA. We derive the HI mass function to make predictions for the Malmquist bias, thus enabling us to correct the measured distances accordingly. The slope of the HI mass function agrees with both HIPASS Bright Galaxy Catalog (BGC) and ALFALFA, whereas the characteristic HI mass aligns more closely with ALFALFA than the HIPASS BGC. We map the velocity field around the major large-scale structures in the southern ZOA, such as the Great Attractor (GA), the Local Void (LV), and the Puppis region. In the GA region, we find a clear infall into the GA from both sides. Our analysis of the LV shows that the void galaxies are moving away from the center which confirms the recent results which show the draining of the LV. We also find outflow from the Puppis region. We present comparisons between the velocity field derived in this thesis, the 2MASS TullyFisher observations (2MTF), the 2MASS Redshift Survey (2MRS), as well as the IRAS Point Source Catalog Redshift Survey (PSCz) reconstructions. We find good agreement at low redshift with the 2MTF observations, better than the 2MRS and the PSCz reconstructions. At high redshift, our results disagree with the 2MTF observations, the 2MRS, and the PSCz reconstructions

Negation and Speculation in NLP: A Survey, Corpora, Methods, and Applications

Negation and speculation are universal linguistic phenomena that affect the performance of Natural Language Processing (NLP) applications, such as those for opinion mining and information retrieval, especially in biomedical data. In this article, we review the corpora annotated with negation and speculation in various natural languages and domains. Furthermore, we discuss the ongoing research into recent rule-based, supervised, and transfer learning techniques for the detection of negating and speculative content. Many English corpora for various domains are now annotated with negation and speculation; moreover, the availability of annotated corpora in other languages has started to increase. However, this growth is insufficient to address these important phenomena in languages with limited resources. The use of cross-lingual models and translation of the well-known languages are acceptable alternatives. We also highlight the lack of consistent annotation guidelines and the shortcomings of the existing techniques, and suggest alternatives that may speed up progress in this research direction. Adding more syntactic features may alleviate the limitations of the existing techniques, such as cue ambiguity and detecting the discontinuous scopes. In some NLP applications, inclusion of a system that is negation- and speculation-aware improves performance, yet this aspect is still not addressed or considered an essential step

A Deep Learning Approach for Vital Signs Compression and Energy Efficient Delivery in mhealth Systems

© 2013 IEEE. Due to the increasing number of chronic disease patients, continuous health monitoring has become the top priority for health-care providers and has posed a major stimulus for the development of scalable and energy efficient mobile health systems. Collected data in such systems are highly critical and can be affected by wireless network conditions, which in return, motivates the need for a preprocessing stage that optimizes data delivery in an adaptive manner with respect to network dynamics. We present in this paper adaptive single and multiple modality data compression schemes based on deep learning approach, which consider acquired data characteristics and network dynamics for providing energy efficient data delivery. Results indicate that: 1) the proposed adaptive single modality compression scheme outperforms conventional compression methods by 13.24% and 43.75% reductions in distortion and processing time, respectively; 2) the proposed adaptive multiple modality compression further decreases the distortion by 3.71% and 72.37% when compared with the proposed single modality scheme and conventional methods through leveraging inter-modality correlations; and 3) adaptive multiple modality compression demonstrates its efficiency in terms of energy consumption, computational complexity, and responding to different network states. Hence, our approach is suitable for mobile health applications (mHealth), where the smart preprocessing of vital signs can enhance energy consumption, reduce storage, and cut down transmission delays to the mHealth cloud.This work was supported by NPRP through the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of the Qatar Foundation) under Grant 7-684-1-127

Prevalencija i kardiovaskularni ishodi kod dijabetičke kardiomiopatije u egipatskih bolesnika s dijabetesom tipa 2: presječna multicentrična studija u bolničkom okružju

A multicenter study to evaluate the prevalence and cardiovascular outcomes of diabetic cardiomyopathy in type II diabetic patients. Two hundred participants with type II diabetes mellitus (DM) were included, while participants with coronary artery disease (CAD), valvular heart disease, or history of alcohol or drug abuse were excluded. Participants were subjected to history taking for age, gender, body mass index, smoking, dyslipidemia, medications, DM, Framingham diagnostic criteria of heart failure (HF), comprehensive clinical examination, 12 leads resting electrocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiography and one of the following laboratory investigations: glycated hemoglobin, random blood sugar, fasting blood sugar, or 2-hour 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test. The prevalence of diabetic cardiomyopathy versus (vs) no diabetic cardiomyopathy, left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction grade II and III, systolic dysfunction, and hypertrophy in the study population was 23.0% vs 77.0%, 18.5%, 5.0%, and 8.0%, respectively. There was a highly significant difference between LV diastolic dysfunction grade II and III, systolic dysfunction, and hypertrophy in the diabetic cardiomyopathy group vs no diabetic cardiomyopathy group, with an absolute risk increase of 80%, 22%, and 35% in the diabetic cardiomyopathy group, respectively. There was a highly significant difference between the mean ejection fraction (EF) in the diabetic cardiomyopathy group vs the no diabetic cardiomyopathy group. The mean EF for the diabetic cardiomyopathy group was 5.5% lower than the mean EF for the no diabetic cardiomyopathy group. The prevalence of HF and pre-clinical HF in the diabetic cardiomyopathy group was 65% and 35%, respectively. The mean age for HF was 4.1 years older than the mean age for pre-clinical HF in the diabetic cardiomyopathy group. Smoking was significantly and strongly associated with HF vs pre-clinical HF in the diabetic cardiomyopathy group. Diabetic cardiomyopathy was prevalent in an Egyptian type II diabetic patient population and could be considered a primary myocardial disease predisposing to HF in type II DM.Cilj: Proveli smo multicentričnu studiju kako bismo odredili prevalenciju i kardiovaskularne ishode kod dijabetičke kardiomiopatije (DCM) u bolesnika s dijabetesom tipa 2. Metode: U istraživanje je bilo uključeno dvjesto ispitanika s dijabetesom tipa 2 (DM). Isključeni su ispitanici s koronarnom bolesti srca (CAD), valvularnom bolesti srca ili anamnestičkim podatcima o zlouporabi droga ili alkohola. Nakon anamnestičkih podataka utvrđeni su indeks tjelesne mase, učestalost pušenja, dislipidemije, DM-a, uporaba lijekova te su provedeni procjena dijagnostičkih kriterija zatajivanja srca (HF) prema Framinghamskoj studiji, klinički pregled, 12-kanaln elektrokardiogram u mirovanju, transtorakalna ehokardiografija te jedna od laboratorijskih varijabli: HbA1c, nasumične ili natašte izmjerene vrijednost glukoze u krvi ili rezultat dvosatnog testa oralne podnošljivosti glukoze. Rezultati: Prevalencija u usporedbi s odsutnošću DCM-a, dijastolička disfunkcija lijeve klijetke (LV) II. i III. stupnja, sistolička disfunkcija i hipertrofija u istraživanoj skupini iznosile su, redom: 23,0 % prema 77,0 %, 18,5 %, 5,0 % i 8,0 %. U skupini s DCMom postojala je značajna razlika u učestalosti dijastoličke disfunkcije LV-a II. i III. stupnja, sistoličke disfunkcije i hipertrofiji u usporedi sa skupinom ispitanika bez DCM-a, s apsolutnim povećanjem rizika u skupini s DCM-om za ta stanja od, redom, 80 %, 22 % i 35 %. Pronađena je i signifikantna razlika u prosječnoj vrijednosti ejekcijske frakcije (EF) između skupina s DCM-om i bez DCM-a. Prosječna EF u skupini s DCM-om bila je za 5,5 % niža nego u skupini bez DCM-a. Zastupljenost HF-a i pretkliničke HF u skupini s DCM-om iznosila je 65 % i 35 %. U skupni s DCM-om prosječna je dob kod HF-a bila 4 ,1 godinu viša nego prosječna dob za pretklinički HF. Pušenje je bilo izrazito i značajno povezano s HF-om u odnosu prema predkliničkom HF-u u skupni s DCM-om. Zaključci: DCM je bio zastupljen u egipatskih bolesnika s dijabetesom tipa 2 te se može smatrati primarnom miokardijalnom bolešću koja uzrokuje predispoziciju za HF kod dijabetesa tipa 2

The Algebraic Creativity in The Neutrosophic Square Matrices‏

The objective of this paper is to study algebraic properties of neutrosophic matrices, where a necessary and sufficient condition for the invertibility of a square neutrosophic matrix is presented by defining the neutrosophic determinant. On the other hand, this work introduces the concept of neutrosophic Eigen values and vectors with an easy algorithm to compute them. Also, this article finds a necessary and sufficient condition for the diagonalization of a neutrosophic matrix

Investigating the effect of classroom-based feedback on speaking assessment: a multifaceted Rasch analysis

Due to subjectivity in oral assessment, much concentration has been put on obtaining a satisfactory measure of consistency among raters. However, the process for obtaining more consistency might not result in valid decisions. One matter that is at the core of both reliability and validity in oral assessment is rater training. Recently, multifaceted Rasch measurement (MFRM) has been adopted to address the problem of rater bias and inconsistency in scoring; however, no research has incorporated the facets of test takers’ ability, raters’ severity, task difficulty, group expertise, scale criterion category, and test version together in a piece of research along with their two-sided impacts. Moreover, little research has investigated how long rater training effects last. Consequently, this study explored the influence of the training program and feedback by having 20 raters score the oral production produced by 300 test-takers in three phases. The results indicated that training can lead to more degrees of interrater reliability and diminished measures of severity/leniency, and biasedness. However, it will not lead the raters into total unanimity, except for making them more self-consistent. Even though rater training might result in higher internal consistency among raters, it cannot simply eradicate individual differences related to their characteristics. That is, experienced raters, due to their idiosyncratic characteristics, did not benefit as much as inexperienced ones. This study also showed that the outcome of training might not endure in long term after training; thus, it requires ongoing training throughout the rating period letting raters regain consistency

The sample of choice for detecting Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in asymptomatic dromedary camels using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction

The newly identified Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which causes severe respiratory disease, particularly in people with comorbidities, requires further investigation. Studies in Qatar and elsewhere have provided evidence that dromedary camels are a reservoir for the virus, but the exact modes of transmission of MERS-CoV to humans remain unclear. In February 2014, an assessment was made of the suitability and sensitivity of different types of sample for the detection of MERS-CoV by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for three gene targets: UpE (upstream of the E gene), the N (nucleocapsid) gene and open reading frame (ORF) 1a. Fifty-three animals presented for slaughter were sampled. A high percentage of the sampled camels (79% [95% confidence interval 66.9-91.5%, standard error 0.0625]; 42 out of 53) were shown to be shedding MERS-CoV at the time of slaughter, yet all the animals were apparently healthy. Among the virus-positive animals, nasal swabs were most often positive (97.6%). Oral swabs were the second most frequently positive (35.7%), followed by rectal swabs (28.5%). In addition, the highest viral load, expressed as a cycle threshold (Ct) value of 11.27, was obtained from a nasal swab. These findings lead to the conclusion that nasal swabs are the candidate sample of choice for detecting MERS-CoV using RT-PCR technology in apparently healthy camels

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020