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Language identification (“LI”) is the problem of determining the natural language that a document or part thereof is written in. Automatic LI has been extensively researched for over fifty years. Today, LI is a key part of many text processing pipelines, as text processing techniques generally assume that the language of the input text is known. Research in this area has recently been especially active. This article provides a brief history of LI research, and an extensive survey of the features and methods used in the LI literature. We describe the features and methods using a unified notation, to make the relationships between methods clearer. We discuss evaluation methods, applications of LI, as well as off-the-shelfLI systems that do not require training by the end user. Finally, we identify open issues, survey the work to date on each issue, and propose future directions for research in LI.

Aims: To examine the relationship between average glucose (AG) and HbA1c in patients with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes. Material(s) and Method(s): 43 patients with diabetes and CKD (stages 3-5) with stable glycaemic control, and glucose-lowering and erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA) doses, were prospectively studied for 3 months and compared to 104 age-matched controls with diabetes, without CKD from the ADAG study. Over 3 months, AG was calculated from 7 to 8 point self-monitored blood glucose measurements (SMBG) and from continuous glucose monitoring (CGMS), and mean HbA1c was calculated from 4 measurements. AG and HbA1c relationships were determined using multivariable linear regression analyses. Result(s): The CKD and non-CKD groups were well matched for age and gender. Mean AG tended to be higher (p=0.08) but HbA1c levels were similar (p=0.68) in the CKD compared with non-CKD groups. A linear relationship between AG and HbA1c was observed irrespective of the presence and stage of CKD. The relationship was weaker in patients with stage 4-5 CKD (non-CKD R2=0.75, stage 3 CKD R2=0.79 and stage 4-5 CKD R2=0.34, all p<0.01). The inclusion of ESA use in the model rendered the effect of CKD stage insignificant (R2=0.67, p<0.01). Conclusion(s): In patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD there is a linear relationship between HbA1c and AG that is attenuated by ESA use, suggesting that ESA results in a systematic underestimation of AG derived from HbA1c. © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Aims: To examine the relationship between average glucose (AG) and HbA1c in patients with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes. Material(s) and Method(s): 43 patients with diabetes and CKD (stages 3-5) with stable glycaemic control, and glucose-lowering and erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA) doses, were prospectively studied for 3 months and compared to 104 age-matched controls with diabetes, without CKD from the ADAG study. Over 3 months, AG was calculated from 7 to 8 point self-monitored blood glucose measurements (SMBG) and from continuous glucose monitoring (CGMS), and mean HbA1c was calculated from 4 measurements. AG and HbA1c relationships were determined using multivariable linear regression analyses. Result(s): The CKD and non-CKD groups were well matched for age and gender. Mean AG tended to be higher (p=0.08) but HbA1c levels were similar (p=0.68) in the CKD compared with non-CKD groups. A linear relationship between AG and HbA1c was observed irrespective of the presence and stage of CKD. The relationship was weaker in patients with stage 4-5 CKD (non-CKD R2=0.75, stage 3 CKD R2=0.79 and stage 4-5 CKD R2=0.34, all p<0.01). The inclusion of ESA use in the model rendered the effect of CKD stage insignificant (R2=0.67, p<0.01). Conclusion(s): In patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD there is a linear relationship between HbA1c and AG that is attenuated by ESA use, suggesting that ESA results in a systematic underestimation of AG derived from HbA1c. © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Background: End-stage kidney disease registry data have reported increased mortality in patients with diabetes as compared with those without. Here we examine whether diabetes is independently associated with an increased risk of major cardiovascular events and death in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Method(s): Data from 315 participants with CKD in the Atherosclerosis and Folic Acid Supplementation Trial (ASFAST) were assessed. Primary end-points were fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, stroke, unstable angina, coronary revascularisation and peripheral vascular events assessed both jointly and separately using Cox-proportional hazard models. Result(s): Twenty-three per cent reported diabetes. Median follow up was 3.6years. In those with diabetes, an increased risk for major cardiovascular events was observed, crude hazard ratio (HR) 2.87 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.11-3.90). After adjustment for age, gender, smoking, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, past ischaemic heart disease and use of preventive therapies, diabetes was associated with an HR of 1.83 (1.28-2.61) for major cardiovascular events. The risk for peripheral vascular events was also increased, adjusted HR 6.31 (2.61-15.25). For all-cause death, major coronary and stroke events, the risk in those with diabetes was not significantly increased (all-cause death, adjusted HR 1.31 (95% CI 0.80-2.14); major coronary events, adjusted HR 1.26 (95% CI 0.64-2.49); and major stroke events, adjusted HR 1.28 (95% CI 0.55-2.99)). Conclusion(s): Diabetes significantly increases the risk of major cardiovascular events, especially peripheral vascular events in patients with advanced CKD. Trials of multifactorial management of cardiovascular risk factors are required to determine if outcomes for this population may be improved. © 2011 The Authors. Internal Medicine Journal © 2011 Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Background and aims: Diabetic chronic kidney disease is a growing problem globally. Glycemic control is important for the prevention of adverse kidney outcomes. However, the utility of assessing HbA1c levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unclear. Here we examine the relationship between average plasma glucose (AG) and HbA1c in patients with and without CKD (stages 3 to 5). Material(s) and Method(s): 43 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and CKD (33% stage 3, 23% stage 4 and 44% stage 5) with stable glycemic control, no recent changes in glucose lowering or erythropoietin therapy and no recent blood transfusions were prospectively studied and age-matched to 104 patients without CKD randomly selected from the A1c-Derived Average Glucose study. Over a 3-month period, average plasma glucose (AG) was calculated from 7-8 point self-glucose monitoring (SGM) performed 3-5 days/ week and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) performed for 2-3 days/ month. Mean HbA1c was calculated as the average of levels measured at baseline and then monthly over 3 months. The relationship between AG (calculated separately from SGM and CGM) and HbA1c was analysed using multivariable regression models. Result(s): The CKD and non-CKD groups were well matched for age (61 +/- 4 vs. 63 +/- 9.6 years) and gender (40% vs. 37% were female). Mean AG and HbA1c levels were similar (CKD vs. non-CKD, AG: 9.1+/-2.5 vs. 8.4+/-1.9 mmol/L and HbA1c: 7.1+/-1.4 vs. 7.0+/-1.0 %, both p>0.05). A linear relationship between AG and HbA1c was observed irrespective of the presence and stage of CKD. The relationship was weaker in patients with stage 4-5 CKD (non-CKD R2 0.75, stage 3 CKD R2 0.79 and stage 4-5 CKD R2 0.34). The inclusion of erythropoietin use (EPO) into the model rendered the effect of CKD stage insignificant, suggesting that the treatment of anaemia with EPO results in a systematic underestimation of the AG derived from the HbA1c: AG (mmol/L) = 1.4(HbA1c %) + 1.1 x [EPO yes (1

In Australia and New Zealand the prevalence and incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has increased. In Australia alone the financial burden is estimated to reach $500 million by 2007 (data from the National Chronic Kidney Disease Strategy Workshop Report 2005). The leading cause of ESRD in Australia and New Zealand, and throughout the developed world, is type 2 diabetes, having overtaken glomerulonephritis in 2004.1 To date, management of patients with diabetes and ESRD has been, according to guidelines, given for patients without ESRD. This commentary raises three important emerging concerns in the clinical care of these patients: (i) the lack of reliable tools to measure glycaemic control; (ii) limitations of the current data set supporting a relationship between outcome and glycaemic control in ESRD; and (iii) lack of studies examining the effect of intensive diabetes care and glucose control in patients with ESRD. © 2007 The Authors.

Background: End-stage kidney disease registry data have reported increased mortality in patients with diabetes as compared with those without. Here we examine whether diabetes is independently associated with an increased risk of major cardiovascular events and death in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Method(s): Data from 315 participants with CKD in the Atherosclerosis and Folic Acid Supplementation Trial (ASFAST) were assessed. Primary end-points were fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, stroke, unstable angina, coronary revascularisation and peripheral vascular events assessed both jointly and separately using Cox-proportional hazard models. Result(s): Twenty-three per cent reported diabetes. Median follow up was 3.6years. In those with diabetes, an increased risk for major cardiovascular events was observed, crude hazard ratio (HR) 2.87 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.11-3.90). After adjustment for age, gender, smoking, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, past ischaemic heart disease and use of preventive therapies, diabetes was associated with an HR of 1.83 (1.28-2.61) for major cardiovascular events. The risk for peripheral vascular events was also increased, adjusted HR 6.31 (2.61-15.25). For all-cause death, major coronary and stroke events, the risk in those with diabetes was not significantly increased (all-cause death, adjusted HR 1.31 (95% CI 0.80-2.14); major coronary events, adjusted HR 1.26 (95% CI 0.64-2.49); and major stroke events, adjusted HR 1.28 (95% CI 0.55-2.99)). Conclusion(s): Diabetes significantly increases the risk of major cardiovascular events, especially peripheral vascular events in patients with advanced CKD. Trials of multifactorial management of cardiovascular risk factors are required to determine if outcomes for this population may be improved. © 2011 The Authors. Internal Medicine Journal © 2011 Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

In Australia and New Zealand the prevalence and incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has increased. In Australia alone the financial burden is estimated to reach $500 million by 2007 (data from the National Chronic Kidney Disease Strategy Workshop Report 2005). The leading cause of ESRD in Australia and New Zealand, and throughout the developed world, is type 2 diabetes, having overtaken glomerulonephritis in 2004.1 To date, management of patients with diabetes and ESRD has been, according to guidelines, given for patients without ESRD. This commentary raises three important emerging concerns in the clinical care of these patients: (i) the lack of reliable tools to measure glycaemic control; (ii) limitations of the current data set supporting a relationship between outcome and glycaemic control in ESRD; and (iii) lack of studies examining the effect of intensive diabetes care and glucose control in patients with ESRD. © 2007 The Authors.

Background and aims: Diabetic chronic kidney disease is a growing problem globally. Glycemic control is important for the prevention of adverse kidney outcomes. However, the utility of assessing HbA1c levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unclear. Here we examine the relationship between average plasma glucose (AG) and HbA1c in patients with and without CKD (stages 3 to 5). Material(s) and Method(s): 43 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and CKD (33% stage 3, 23% stage 4 and 44% stage 5) with stable glycemic control, no recent changes in glucose lowering or erythropoietin therapy and no recent blood transfusions were prospectively studied and age-matched to 104 patients without CKD randomly selected from the A1c-Derived Average Glucose study. Over a 3-month period, average plasma glucose (AG) was calculated from 7-8 point self-glucose monitoring (SGM) performed 3-5 days/ week and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) performed for 2-3 days/ month. Mean HbA1c was calculated as the average of levels measured at baseline and then monthly over 3 months. The relationship between AG (calculated separately from SGM and CGM) and HbA1c was analysed using multivariable regression models. Result(s): The CKD and non-CKD groups were well matched for age (61 +/- 4 vs. 63 +/- 9.6 years) and gender (40% vs. 37% were female). Mean AG and HbA1c levels were similar (CKD vs. non-CKD, AG: 9.1+/-2.5 vs. 8.4+/-1.9 mmol/L and HbA1c: 7.1+/-1.4 vs. 7.0+/-1.0 %, both p>0.05). A linear relationship between AG and HbA1c was observed irrespective of the presence and stage of CKD. The relationship was weaker in patients with stage 4-5 CKD (non-CKD R2 0.75, stage 3 CKD R2 0.79 and stage 4-5 CKD R2 0.34). The inclusion of erythropoietin use (EPO) into the model rendered the effect of CKD stage insignificant, suggesting that the treatment of anaemia with EPO results in a systematic underestimation of the AG derived from the HbA1c: AG (mmol/L) = 1.4(HbA1c %) + 1.1 x [EPO yes (1

Congenital midline cervical cleft (CMCC) is an uncommon malformation. We report a case of a baby girl aged 3 days with a CMCC associated with a cyst reported as a bronchogenic cyst (BC). The pathology is not specific. The association of BC and CMCC is extremely rare and only five cases have been found in the literature. We report our case and review the relevant literature.

The main question asked in this study is what are the perceived information needs of clinical professionals working in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) that can usefully be accommodated with a Web-based Information Service? The study seeks to examine the perceptions of the service provision over a period of time during which the Web-based Information Systems (WBIS) was introduced. This study aims to compare the views of two key groups of individuals that is the Professional end-users in ICUs as well as the WBIS Development Team in regards to the perceived usefulness of a Health Information Service over a 9 month period. This thesis then is seeking to identify the efficient solutions using the Q-methodology and Activity Theory to improve the WBIS and communication within and among ICUs and to provide easy access for users. The approach taken here is to obtain guidance from users on the additional growth paths the WBIS can take, which may include new features and functions in order to encourage, attract and provide better service to clinical and public users who require access to ICU related information.

The main question asked in this study is what are the perceived information needs of clinical professionals working in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) that can usefully be accommodated with a Web-based Information Service? The study seeks to examine the perceptions of the service provision over a period of time during which the Web-based Information Systems (WBIS) was introduced. This study aims to compare the views of two key groups of individuals that is the Professional end-users in ICUs as well as the WBIS Development Team in regards to the perceived usefulness of a Health Information Service over a 9 month period. This thesis then is seeking to identify the efficient solutions using the Q-methodology and Activity Theory to improve the WBIS and communication within and among ICUs and to provide easy access for users. The approach taken here is to obtain guidance from users on the additional growth paths the WBIS can take, which may include new features and functions in order to encourage, attract and provide better service to clinical and public users who require access to ICU related information.

The main question asked in this study is what are the perceived information needs of clinical professionals working in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) that can usefully be accommodated with a Web-based Information Service? The study seeks to examine the perceptions of the service provision over a period of time during which the Web-based Information Systems (WBIS) was introduced. This study aims to compare the views of two key groups of individuals that is the Professional end-users in ICUs as well as the WBIS Development Team in regards to the perceived usefulness of a Health Information Service over a 9 month period. This thesis then is seeking to identify the efficient solutions using the Q-methodology and Activity Theory to improve the WBIS and communication within and among ICUs and to provide easy access for users. The approach taken here is to obtain guidance from users on the additional growth paths the WBIS can take, which may include new features and functions in order to encourage, attract and provide better service to clinical and public users who require access to ICU related information.

Positron lifetime technique and photoluminescence (PL) were employed to study the vacancy type defects in p-type Zn-doped and undoped GaSb samples. In the positron lifetime study, Ga vacancy related defect was identified in these materials and it was found to anneal out at temperature of about 350 deg C. For the PL measurement on the as-grown undoped sample performed at 10 K, a transition peak having a photon energy of about 777 meV was observed. This transition peak was observed to disappear after a 400 deg C annealing. Our results is consistent wide the general belief that the 777 meV transition is related to the V(sub Ga)Ga(sub sb) defect, which is the proposed residual acceptor of GaSb., Pub in: Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings, Volume 692. This article is from ADA405047 Progress in Semiconductor Materials for Optoelectronic Applications Symposium held in Boston, Massachusetts on November 26-29, 2001.

The main results of a structural analysis program concerning a conventional submarine pressure hull configuration consisting of a rib-stiffened cylindrical shell with a reinforced circular penetration under hydrostatic pressure are discussed. The mathematical solution in series form has been obtained by superposing the analytical solutions for a long, unstiffened, and unperforated circular cylindrical thin shell, closed at the ends, under external hydrostatic pressure, a long, unstiffened, and unperforated circular cylindrical thin shell under a prescribed number of arbitrary radial line loads, and a long, unstiffened, circular cylindrical shallow thin shell under arbitrary loading along the boundary of a circular penetration. During the computation, following truncation of the series, the method of least squares is employed in solving for the integration constants determined by the boundary conditions prescribed along the ribs and the reinforced penetration. The analysis has been coded and the numerical results generated by the use of a digital computer for an unstiffened as well as a rib-stiffened shell with a reinforced penetration are presented and compared graphically with experimental data available from certain photo-elastic model tests. The corresponding zone of influence of the penetration and the state of stress concentration about it are delineated.

China experiences frequent coastal flooding, with nearly US$ 77 billion of direct economic losses and over 7,000 fatalities reported from 1989 to 2014. Flood damages are likely to grow due to climate change induced sea-level rise and increasing exposure if no further adaptation measures are taken. This paper quantifies potential damage and adaptation costs of coastal flooding in China over the 21st Century, including the effects of sea-level rise. It develops and utilises a new, detailed coastal database of China developed within the Dynamic Interactive Vulnerability Assessment (DIVA) model framework. The refined database provides a more realistic spatial representation of coasts, with more than 2,700 coastal segments, covering 28,966 km of coastline. Over 50% of China’s coast is artificial, representing defended coast and/or claimed land. Coastal flood damage and adaptation costs for China are assessed for different Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) and Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSP) combinations representing climate change and socio-economic change and two adaptation strategies: no upgrade of currently existing defences and maintaining current protection levels. By 2100, 0.7-20.0 million people may be flooded/yr and US$ 67-3,308 billion damages/yr are projected without upgrade to defences. In contrast, maintaining the current protection level would reduce those numbers to 0.2-0.4 million people flooded/yr and US$ 22-60 billion/yr flood costs by 2100, with a protection investment costs of US$ 8-17 billion/yr. In 2100, maintaining current protection levels, dikes costs are two orders of magnitude smaller than flood costs across all scenarios, even without accounting for indirect damages. This research improves on earlier national assessments of China by generating a wider range of projections, based on improved datasets. The information delivered in this study will help governments, policy-makers, insurance companies and local communities in China und