Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application of case study methodology in the context of undergraduate critical care nursing education

This study represented an initial effort to investigate how a case study methodology could be used in the context o f critical care nursing education. The study hoped to improve students’ content specific knowledge o f critical care nursing and facilitate critical thinking processes vital to clinical decision making. The study describes the transformation o f a critical care-nursing course from a traditional lecture-based approach to a case study approach. The traditional approach addressed the content through abundant teacher centered lecture, but did not require students to actively engage in discourse or apply critical thinking skills to real nursing problems. The case study approach provided students with opportunities to apply critical thinking processes in the context o f actual critical care nursing situations. A descriptive approach was selected in order to describe how case study methodology, premised on higher order thinking skills and application o f content knowledge, more specifically matched the goals o f the nursing education program and the skills nursing professionals required in their own practice. This study additionally sought to describe how students’ application o f content knowledge and higher order thinking skills were reflected in student writing. Academic nursing faculty that employ case study methodology can expect (a) students to demonstrate knowledge of critical care nursing content through performance on multiple-choice and essay examinations, (b) students to demonstrate critical thinking as reflected in essay examination responses, and (c) that classroom discourse that is increasingly open and student-centered. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Overview and Design of Mixed-Voltage I/O Buffers With Low-Voltage Thin-Oxide CMOS Transistors

Overview on the prior designs of the mixed-voltage I/O buffers is provided in this work. A new 2.5/5-V mixed-voltage I/O buffer realized with only thin gate-oxide devices is proposed. The new proposed mixed-voltage I/O buffer with simpler dynamic n-well bias circuit and gate-tracking circuit can prevent the undesired leakage current paths and the gate-oxide reliability problem, which occur in the conventional CMOS I/O buffer. The new mixed-voltage I/O buffer has been fabricated and verified in a 0.25-mum CMOS process to serve 2.5/5-V I/O interface. Besides, another 2.5/5-V mixed-voltage I/O buffer without the subthreshold leakage problem for high-speed applications is also presented in this work. The speed, power consumption, area, and noise among these mixed-voltage I/O buffers are also compared and discussed. The new proposed mixed-voltage I/O buffers can be easily scaled toward 0.18- mum (or below) CMOS processes to serve other mixed-voltage I/O interfaces, such as 1.8/3.3-V interface
Factors Associated with the Signal Strengths Obtained by Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with the signal strengths (SS, image quality scores) of optic disc and macular images obtained using Cirrus spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods Ninety-two glaucomatous eyes were imaged using the Cirrus OCT macular and optic disc cube modes after pupil dilation. The influences of patient age, spherical equivalent, cataract presence, and cataract and glaucoma severity (visual field mean deviation), on the SS of images obtained using the two cube modes were compared between patients whose images showed high SS (SS ≥7) and low SS (SS <7). Results The signal strength was significantly higher in images obtained using the macular cube compared to the optic disc cube mode (7.8 ± 1.3 vs. 6.9 ± 1.1, respectively; p = 0.001). Age and visual acuity of patients differed significantly between the high- and low-SS groups when data acquired using the optic disc (p = 0.027 and 0.012, respectively) and macular cube modes (p = 0.046 and 0.014, respectively) were analyzed. When the optic disc cube mode was employed, the extent of cataracts was significantly related to SS, whereas when the macular cube mode was used, none of the factors analyzed was significantly associated with SS. Conclusions Age, visual acuity, and the extent of cataracts were significantly associated with images of higher SS when the Cirrus OCT optic disc cube mode was employed.
Harvest Functions: The Norwegian Bottom Trawl Cod Fisheries

A detailed and comprehensive set of catch and effort data for the cod fisheries of 18 Norwegian bottom trawlers have been obtained for the period 1971 85, a period with few binding quota restrictions on vessel operations. Harvest functions have been designed and estimated. The independent variables are hours of trawling per vessel day and biomass of the cod stock (3+). Daily biomass estimates have been calculated by polynomial interpolation of the annual estimates of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). By maximizing the log-likelihood function using numerical methods, parameter estimates and performance indicators of the different models were obtained. The best result was obtained for a harvest model allowing for seasonal changes and with an autocorrelated error term. For this model, the stock-output elasticity is estimated at 0.424, the effort-output elasticity at 1.232, and the technological change at about a 2% annual increase in productivity. The seasonal changes in catchability are significant, with the lowest intra-annual catchability being less than 30% of the annual maximum.
Public Deficits and Surpluses in Federated States: A Review of the Public Choice Empirical Literature

The purpose of this paper is to review the empirical Public Choice literature explaining deficits levels in federated states. First, I descritbe theoretical constructs, showing how new theories are developed by releasing one of the basic Ricardo-Barro assumptions. Empirical results bearing on the federated states of Australia, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States are then reviewed to assess which hypothesis, in which setting, is confirmed by systematic observation. On the whole, this literature shows that economic cycles have an impact on budget balances. It also shows that deficits are higher in election years in German Lander, Canadian provinces, and American states, but not in Australian states nor in Swiss cantons. In addition, the literature tends to support the hypothesis that the stringency of budgetary rules is related to higher budget balances in Canada, Switzerland, and in the United States. Finally, government fragmentation has no impact on the budget balances of federated states and parties of the left do not have higher deficits than parties of the right, except in Switzerland where empirical evidence is mixed. Rather, parties of the center or of the right do have higher deficits in German Lander and in Canadian provinces. In the concluding section, I discuss two issues: the impact of rules, and the partisan cycle hypothesis.
A Model-Based Controller for Interactive Delayed Force Feedback Virtual Environments

This paper addresses the stability of time-delayed force-re(cid:176)ecting displays used in virtual reality interactive systems. A novel predictive-like approach is proposed. The developed solution is stable and robust. Neither time delay estimation nor time delay behavior’s knowledge are required. The controller applies to constant or time-varying delays without any adaptation. In this research, eﬁorts are devoted towards making results easy to implement in commercial haptic libraries and interface build-in controllers. Moreover, although this study focuses on virtual environments haptics, it can easily spreads to force feedback teleoperators.
Chunking-based Question Type Identification for Multi-Sentence Queries

This paper describes a technique of question type identification for multi-sentence queries in open domain questionanswering. Based on observations of queries in real questionanswering services on the Web, we propose a method to decompose a multi-sentence query into question items and to identify their question types. The proposed method is an efficient sentence-chunking based technique by using a machine learning method, namely Conditional Random Fields. Our method can handle a multisentence query comprising multiple question items, as well as traditional single sentence queries in the same framework. Based on the evaluation results, we discuss possible enhancement to improve the accuracy and robustness.
Mapping the Future of Reminiscence: A Conceptual Guide for Research and Practice

Nearly 50 years after Butler’s seminal 1963 contribution, the field of reminiscence and life review is entering a more mature stage. Isolated examples of increasingly sophisticated studies have recently emerged that can serve as a sound, cumulative data base. However, the field lacks an overarching conceptual model describing emerging trends, neglected domains, and key linkages among component parts. In the present article, the authors selectively, yet critically, review prior limitations and promising developments and then describe a comprehensive, multifaceted conceptual model that can guide future research and practice. The authors initially situate their model within a particular theoretical orientation (i.e., life-span psychology). They then describe a heuristic model that identifies and discusses triggers, modes, contexts, moderators, functions, and outcomes. Finally, the authors illustrate how these interactive factors influence both theoretical and applied areas.
Indoor Air Pollutants and Health in the United Arab Emirates

Background: Comprehensive global data on the health effects of indoor air pollutants are lacking. There are few large population-based multi–air pollutant health assessments. Further, little is known about indoor air health risks in the Middle East, especially in countries undergoing rapid economic development. Objectives: To provide multifactorial indoor air exposure and health data, we conducted a population-based study of indoor air pollution and health in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a population-based sample of 628 households in the UAE. Indoor air pollutants [sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), formaldehyde (HCHO), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter] were measured using passive samplers over a 7-day period. Health information was collected from 1,590 household members via in-person interviews. Results: Participants in households with quantified SO2, NO2, and H2S (i.e., with measured concentrations above the limit of quantification) were twice as likely to report doctor-diagnosed asthma. Participants in homes with quantified SO2 were more likely to report wheezing symptoms {ever wheezing, prevalence odds ratio [POR] 1.79 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05, 3.05]; speech-limiting wheeze, POR 3.53 (95% CI: 1.06, 11.74)}. NO2 and H2S were similarly associated with wheezing symptoms. Quantified HCHO was associated with neurologic symptoms (difficulty concentrating POR 1.47; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.13). Burning incense daily was associated with increased headaches (POR 1.87; 95% CI: 1.09, 3.21), difficulty concentrating (POR 3.08; 95% CI: 1.70, 5.58), and forgetfulness (POR 2.68: 95% CI: 1.47, 4.89). Conclusions: This study provides new information regarding potential health risks from pollutants commonly found in indoor environments in the UAE and other countries. Multipollutant exposure and health assessments in cohort studies are needed to better characterize health effects of indoor air pollutants.
Complex Events Recognition under Uncertainty in a Sensor Network

Automated extraction of semantic information from a network of sensors for cognitive analysis and human-like reasoning is a desired capability in future ground surveillance systems. We tackle the problem of complex decision making under uncertainty in network information environment, where lack of effective visual processing tools, incomplete domain knowledge frequently cause uncertainty in the visual primitives, leading to sub-optimal decisions. While state-of-the-art vision techniques exist in detecting visual entities (humans, vehicles and scene elements) in an image, a missing functionality is the ability to merge the information to reveal meaningful information for high level inference. In this work, we develop a probabilistic first order predicate logic(FOPL) based reasoning system for recognizing complex events in synchronized stream of videos, acquired from sensors with non-overlapping fields of view. We adopt Markov Logic Network(MLN) as a tool to model uncertainty in observations, and fuse information extracted from heterogeneous data in a probabilistically consistent way. MLN overcomes strong dependence on pure empirical learning by incorporating domain knowledge, in the form of user-defined rules and confidences associated with them. This work demonstrates that the MLN based decision control system can be made scalable to model statistical relations between a variety of entities and over long video sequences. Experiments with real-world data, under a variety of settings, illustrate the mathematical soundness and wide-ranging applicability of our approach.
Sonographic and Clinical Features of Upper Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis in Critical Care Patients

Background-Aim. Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) is an increasingly recognized problem in the critically ill. We sought to identify the prevalence of and risk factors for UEDVT, and to characterize sonographically detected thrombi in the critical care setting. Patients and Methods. Three hundred and twenty patients receiving a subclavian or internal jugular central venous catheter (CVC) were included. When an UEDVT was detected, therapeutic anticoagulation was started. Additionally, a standardized ultrasound scan was performed to detect the extent of the thrombus. Images were interpreted offline by two independent readers. Results. Thirty-six (11.25%) patients had UEDVT and a complete scan was performed. One (2.7%) of these patients died, and 2 had pulmonary embolism (5.5%). Risk factors associated with UEDVT were presence of CVC [(odds ratio (OR) 2.716, P = 0.007)], malignancy (OR 1.483, P = 0.036), total parenteral nutrition (OR 1.399, P = 0.035), hypercoagulable state (OR 1.284, P = 0.045), and obesity (OR 1.191, P = 0.049). Eight thrombi were chronic, and 28 were acute. We describe a new sonographic sign which characterized acute thrombosis: a double hyperechoic line at the interface between the thrombus and the venous wall; but its clinical significance remains to be defined. Conclusion. Presence of CVC was a strong predictor for the development of UEDVT in a cohort of critical care patients; however, the rate of subsequent PE and related mortality was low.
On the capacity of Write-Constrained Memories

Rivest and Shamir introduced Write-Once Memory (WOM), a model of storage devices whose storage elements have restrictions on state transitions, and they presented some coding methods to reuse WOM. An interesting question about WOM is how efficiently we can reuse it with the best coding method, and as an answer to the question, Fu and Han Vinck determined the capacity of Fiat and Shamir's generalized WOM. In this paper, we extend their results, introducing Write-Constrained Memory (WCM) that considers state transition cost, and determining the capacity of WCM under a certain type of cost constraints.
Lipopolysaccharide‐induced down‐regulation of Ca2+ release‐activated Ca2+ currents (ICRAC) but not Ca2+‐activated TRPM4‐like currents (ICAN) in cultured mouse microglial cells

Microglia are the main immunocompetent cells of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). Activation of cultured microglial cells and subsequent release of nitric oxide and cytokines critically depends on intracellular calcium levels. Since microglia undergo dramatic morphological, biochemical and electrophysiological changes in response to pathological events in the CNS, we investigated temporal changes in expression levels of ion channels involved in cellular calcium homeostasis in mouse cortical microglial cells in culture. Specifically, we assessed the inward and delayed outward rectifier potassium currents (IIRK and IDRK), calcium (Ca2+) release‐activated Ca2+ currents (ICRAC) and Ca2+‐activated TRPM4‐like currents (ICAN) in non‐activated microglia and cells that were activated by exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) between 3 and 48 h. Unstimulated microglial cells, subcultured from an astrocyte coculture, typically exhibited a ramified, rod‐shaped morphology. During the first 3 days of culture cell size and shape were maintained, but the percentage of cells showing prominent IIRK went up and those expressing IDRK went down. Cells retaining IDRK exhibited smaller amplitudes, whereas those of IIRK and ICRAC were not affected. However, after 24 h of exposure to 1 μg ml−1 LPS, most cells showed an amoeboid (‘fried egg’‐shaped) morphology with a 62% increase in cell capacitance. At that point in time, only 14% of the cells revealed IIRK and 3% had IDRK exclusively, whereas the majority of cells expressed both currents. The amplitudes of ICRAC and IIRK progressively decreased after stimulation, whereas IDRK transiently reached a maximum after 6 h of LPS exposure and then returned to pre‐stimulation expression levels. Cultured microglia also revealed TRPM4‐like, Ca2+‐activated non‐selective currents (ICAN) with an EC50 of 1.2 μm[Ca2+]i. The expression levels of this current did not change significantly during and after 24 h of LPS exposure. We propose that LPS‐induced down‐regulation of IIRK and ICRAC will reduce the cell's capacity to produce significant calcium influx upon receptor activation and result in decreased sensitivity to exogenous stimulation. In this scenario, ICAN expression would remain constant, although its activity would automatically be reduced due to the diminished calcium influx capacity of the cell.
A Simple Dynamical Model with Features of Convective Momentum Transport

Abstract Convective momentum transport (CMT) plays a central role in interactions across multiple space and time scales. However, because of the multiscale nature of CMT, quantifying and parameterizing its effects is often a challenge. Here a simple dynamic model with features of CMT is systematically derived and studied. The model includes interactions between a large-scale zonal mean flow and convectively coupled gravity waves, and convection is parameterized using a multicloud model. The moist convective wave–mean flow interactions shown here have several interesting features that distinguish them from other classical wave–mean flow settings. First an intraseasonal oscillation of the mean flow and convectively coupled waves (CCWs) is described. The mean flow oscillates due to both upscale and downscale CMT, and the CCWs weaken, change their propagation direction, and strengthen as the mean flow oscillates. The basic mechanisms of this oscillation are corroborated by linear stability theory with differe.
Knockout mouse model for Fxr2: a model for mental retardation.

Fragile X syndrome is a common form of mental retardation caused by the absence of the FMR1 protein, FMRP. Fmr1 knockout mice exhibit a phenotype with some similarities to humans, such as macro-orchidism and behavioral abnormalities. Two homologs of FMRP have been identified, FXR1P and FXR2P. These proteins show high sequence similarity, including all functional domains identified in FMRP, such as RNA binding domains. They have an overlap in tissue distribution to that of FMRP. Interactions between the three FXR proteins have also been described. FXR2P shows high expression in brain and testis, like FMRP. To study the function of FXR2P, we generated an Fxr2 knockout mouse model. No pathological differences between knockout and wild-type mice were found in brain or testis. Given the behavioral phenotype in fragile X patients and the phenotype previously reported for the Fmr1 knockout mouse, we performed a thorough evaluation of the Fxr2 knockout phenotype using a behavioral test battery. Fxr2 knockout mice were hyperactive (i.e. traveled a greater distance, spent more time moving and moved faster) in the open-field test, impaired on the rotarod test, had reduced levels of prepulse inhibition, displayed less contextual conditioned fear, impaired at locating the hidden platform in the Morris water task and were less sensitive to a heat stimulus. Interestingly, there are some behavioral phenotypes in Fxr2 knockout mice which are similar to those observed in Fmr1 knockout mice, but there are also some different behavioral abnormalities that are only observed in the Fxr2 mutant mice. The findings implicate a role for Fxr2 in central nervous system function.
Interleukin 34: a new modulator of human and experimental inflammatory bowel disease

IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), where CD (Crohn's disease) and UC (ulcerative colitis) represent the two main forms, are chronic inflammatory conditions of the intestine. Macrophages play a central role in IBD pathogenesis and are regulated by major differentiation factors such as CSF-1 (colony-stimulating factor 1) in homoeostasis and inflammation. IL (interleukin)-34 has recently been discovered as a second ligand for CSF-1R (CSF-1 receptor). However, expression and involvement of IL-34 in IBD remain unknown. In the present paper, we investigated the expression of IL34, CSF1 and their shared receptor CSF1R in normal human ileum and colon, in inflamed and non-inflamed tissues of CD and UC patients, and in a mouse model of experimental colitis. We found distinct expression patterns of IL34 and CSF1 in ileum and colon, with higher IL34 in ileum and, in contrast, higher CSF1 in colon. Furthermore, IL34 and CSF1 expression was increased with inflammation in IBD patients and in experimental colitis. In humans, infiltrating cells of the lamina propria and intestinal epithelial cells expressed IL-34, and TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor α) regulated IL-34 expression in intestinal epithelial cells through the NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) pathway. These data demonstrate the expression pattern of IL-34 in ileum and colon and suggest IL-34 as a new modulator of inflammation in IBD.
Tracing EFL students’ flipped classroom journey in a writing class: Lessons from Malaysia

ABSTRACT The study explored English as a Foreign Language (EFL) low proficiency students’ reflections and experience of learning in a structured flipped writing program, in a foreign university branch campus in Malaysia. It investigated the areas in which students showed improvement after flipped classroom learning. Qualitative data collected from semi-structured interviews of a sample of 18 students revealed that most students had positive experiences of the use of flipped classroom, reporting that they had greater time preparation before class; increased practice, engagement, interaction, motivation and immediate feedback during class, and a higher level of self-efficacy after class. Some shortcomings of this approach included the feeling of boredom and that it was time-consuming.