Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perceptions on Collaborative Learning: A Case Study of Female Community College Instructors

Abstract In the 1980s, academic assessments called for "the ability of individuals and groups to talk, listen judge, and act on issues of common interest" (Morse, 1989, p. 30). More recently, corporate research findings, Are They Ready to Work? Employers' Perspectives on the Basic Knowledge and Applied Skills of New Entrants to the 21st Century U.S. Workforce (The Conference Board, Inc., Partnership for 21st Century Skills, The Corporate Voices for Working Families, & Society for Human Resource Management, 2006), report the workplace is seeking college graduates with skill in collaboration (e.g. build diverse relationships, negotiate, manage conflict). While the interest in collaborative learning has expanded in higher education and business, "sparse application" is reported in the college classroom. In academia, collaborative learning has been dependent on cooperative learning research focused on quantitative student achievement outcomes while faculty perceptions of a nonfoundational social constructivist view of collaborative learning is reported as "hardly begun. " Along with an increased ambiguity in the terms collaborative and cooperative learning, a comprehensive understanding of collaborative learning and its potential uniqueness, if any, has been skewed. The purpose of this study was to describe and explain collaborative learning from the perspective of selected classroom practitioners representing multiple academic disciplines at a learning-centered institution. The exploratory questions guiding this qualitative case study were: (a) what elements constituted community college collaborative learning practitioners classroom experience and (b) what variables influenced the elements. The theoretical framework undergirding this dissertation is social constructivism nested in constructivism. A purposeful sampling of four instructional criteria indicative of a nonfoundational socio-constructivist concept of collaborative learning guided the participant selection process. The limited candidate list consisted of 31 faculty (20 females, 11 males) at the field site, a learning-centered community college with an FTE near 30,000 for the 2009 - 2010 school year. From 22 initial responses, seven faculty participants (6 female, 1 male) were selected and participated in two semi-structured in-depth interviews. The data collection included interviews, institutional and practitioner documents, the researcher's reflective journal, and field notes. The male participant was removed from the study because he did not submit all requested documents. Therefore, though unintended, six case studies of female instructors were analyzed over an eight month period and reduced to four when saturation was reached, no new information was elicited. All four participants fulfilled all four specified instructional criteria. The central finding able to help the college classroom is the strong identified practice of the defined collaborative learning concept with the articulated understanding limited and term interchange and confusion…
SuperAgent: A Customer Service Chatbot for E-commerce Websites

Conventional customer service chatbots are usually based on human dialogue, yet significant issues in terms of data scale and privacy. In this paper, we present SuperAgent, a customer service chatbot that leverages large-scale and publicly available e-commerce data. Distinct from existing counterparts, SuperAgent takes advantage of data from in-page product descriptions as well as user-generated content from e-commerce websites, which is more practical and cost-effective when answering repetitive questions, freeing up human support staff to answer much higher value questions. We demonstrate SuperAgent as an add-on extension to mainstream web browsers and show its usefulness to user’s online shopping experience.
Impact of chemoradiotherapy after disease control with chemotherapy in locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma in GERCOR phase II and III studies.

PURPOSE The management of locally advanced (LA) pancreatic cancer patients remains controversial. To select patients who could benefit from chemoradiotherapy (CRT), the therapeutic strategy used by the Groupe Coopérateur Multidisciplinaire en Oncologie (GERCOR) consisted of initial chemotherapy (CT) for at least 3 months. The decision to administer CRT or continue CT in nonprogressive patients was the investigator's choice. PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective analysis of outcome in 181 patients with LA pancreatic cancer (76 women and 105 men; mean age, 61 years; range, 37 to 85 years) enrolled onto prospective phase II and III GERCOR studies was performed to compare the survival of patients who received CRT with that of patients who continued CT alone. RESULTS Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) times for the 181 patients were 6.3 and 11.4 months, respectively. Fifty-three patients (29.3%) had metastatic disease after 3 months of CT and were not eligible for CRT. Among the 128 remaining patients (70.3%) who had no disease progression and who were, therefore, eligible for CRT, 72 (56%) received CRT (group A), whereas 56 (44%) continued with CT (group B). The two groups were balanced for initial characteristics (performance status, sex, age, and type of CT), as well as for induction CT results. In groups A and B, the median PFS times were 10.8 and 7.4 months, respectively (P = .005), and the median OS times were 15.0 and 11.7 months, respectively (P = .0009). CONCLUSION These results suggest that, after control of disease by initial CT, CRT could significantly improve survival in patients with LA pancreatic cancer compared with CT alone. A prospective phase III study is ongoing to evaluate this strategy.
Network Management Reconsidered: An Inquiry into Management of Network Structures in Public Sector Service Provision

Although policy and collaborative networks have been studied since the 1970s and 1980s, only recently has the management of these entities come under greater scrutiny. Studies of “network management” are designed to better understand the unique challenges of operating in a context where bureaucracy no longer provides the primary tool for “social steering. ” These studies typically make three assumptions about networks, public managers, and the tasks of network management that empirical evidence from our casework in “Newstatia” suggests are suspect at best. If so, then network management theory needs to be reconsidered. The second half of this article begins this process. We have organized this article into six sections. The first defines policy and collaborative networks and discusses why analyzing them and their management independently is probably flawed. The second presents our data and justifications for believing the assumptions outlined above are oversimplifications. The third section reviews three perspectives and two partial models of network management and points out how the perspectives and models need integration. The fourth section develops a resource dependence framework for network management that can encompass the existing models and our new data on the environment in which network management occurs. The final section outlines a series of propositions that flow from our reconsideration of network management.
Phagocyte Activation by Trp–Lys–Tyr–Met–Val–Met, Acting through FPRL1/LXA4R, is not Affected by Lipoxin A4

Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) has been shown to bind to the leucocyte formyl peptide receptor (FPR) homologue, FPRL1, without triggering the biological activities induced by other FPRL1 agonists. We investigated the direct effect of LXA4 as well as the effect on agonist‐induced biological responses using transfected HL‐60 cells expressing FPR, FPRL1 or FPRL2. LXA4 neither induced an intracellular rise in calcium in these transfectants nor affected the response induced by the peptide Trp–Lys–Tyr–Met–Val–Met (WKYMVM), an agonist that activates cells through FPRL1 and ‐2. Both agonists induced Erk‐2 activation; however, the eicosanoid‐induced activity was independent of FPRL1 and FPRL2. Moreover, LXA4 was unable to trigger neutrophil upregulation of complement receptor 3 and respiratory burst, and it had no effect on the responses induced by triggering with WKYMVM. We conclude that LXA4 is unable to affect the WKYMVM‐induced signalling through FPRL1 and suggest that it acts through a receptor different from FPRL1.
Perceptions of knowledge management: a qualitative analysis

This paper reports on the results of a qualitative study of middle managers’ perceptions of knowledge management (KM) implementation in NZ organizations. Data were collected in a survey of 71 attendees of a KM presentation. The data were analyzed using qualitative coding principles. Two core issues were examined – barriers and drivers of KM. Subcategories under barriers were primarily concerned with factors internal to the organization such as organizational culture, leadership, and education. Drivers were mostly external to the organization and included competition, peer pressure, and the need for increased productivity. The results indicate that the way managers manage themselves and their organizations are perceived to be the biggest barriers to KM implementation.
The effects of the warranty cost on the imperfect EMQ model with general discrete shift distribution

In this paper, we investigate the effect of the warranty cost on optimization of the economic manufacturing quality (EMQ). This is done for a deteriorating process where the production process shifts from the in-control state to the out-of-control state following a general discrete probability distribution. Once the production process goes out of control, the production process produces some defective items. The defective item cost includes reworking and warranty costs. Thus, in order to economically operate a production-inventory system with products sold under warranty, the tradeoffs among the production setup, inventory, and defective item cost, including the reworked cost before sale and the warranty cost after sale, needed to be analysed. This objective in this paper is to determine the production lot size while minimizing the total cost per unit of time per unit of time. Various special cases are presented. Two of them are extensions of results obtained previously in the literature. Finally, a numerical example is given which uses a discrete Weibull probability distribution. Sensitivity analysis of the model with respect to cost and time parameters is also performed.
Ultrasonographic measurement of the distal femoral cartilage thickness in patients with unilateral transtibial amputation

Background: Lower limb amputation sometimes predisposes to degenerative secondary disorders. Objectives: To evaluate the distal femoral cartilage thicknesses of patients with unilateral transtibial amputations using ultrasound and to investigate the relationship between cartilage thickness and disease-related parameters. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty-four unilateral transtibial amputees (mean age: 46.4 ± 8.5 years, range: 28–60 years) were evaluated. Duration of prosthesis use (years) and daily walking time with prosthesis (hours) were recorded. Functional status was assessed by gate velocity (m/s), and 6-min walking distance (m) with prosthesis. Ultrasound was used to measure distal femoral cartilage thicknesses bilaterally at medial/lateral condyles and the intercondylar areas. The percentages of cartilage loss (of the amputee-side in comparison with the nonamputee-side) were calculated. Results: Compared to the nonamputee-sides, distal femoral cartilage was significantly thinner at lateral condyles and the intercondylar areas on the amputee-sides (p < 0.05). Significant positive correlations were detected between the percentage of cartilage loss (at all three sites of measurement) and gate velocity, 6-min walking distance, and daily walking time with prosthesis (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Future prospective controlled studies are warranted to determine the principles of optimum prosthetic use regarding its possible effects on the femoral cartilage of amputee patients. Clinical relevance The correlations between the cartilage loss in the amputee extremity with faster gait and longer daily prosthetic use suggest that abnormal gait patterns might increase the loading on the amputated extremity.
Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of multiple myeloma 2005

In 2001, guidelines for the diagnosis and management of myeloma were published by the Guidelines Working Group of the UK Myeloma Forum (UKMF) on behalf of the British Committee for Standards in Haematology (BCSH) (UK Myeloma Forum; British Committee for Standards in Haematology, 2001). That same year, the second edition of guidelines prepared by the Nordic Myeloma Study Group (NMSG) in 1995 was issued (in the Scandinavian languages; http:// www.myeloma-nordic.org). As both sets of guidelines were intended to be evidence based, it was reassuring to note that the recommendations were similar. Subsequently, informal contact between members of the two groups led to the decision to prepare these common, updated guidelines. These revised and updated guidelines include new sections on imaging and the management of skeletal disease, cover new developments in disease classification and staging and the use of new therapeutic approaches, such as thalidomide, bortezomib and reduced-intensity allogeneic transplantation. The guidelines are presented in specific sections as follows:
Safety culture on board six Swedish passenger ships

This paper presents the results of a Swedish study on maritime safety culture. The study aims to increase knowledge about the characteristics of safety culture in the maritime setting and about the relationship between safety culture and organizational climate. Such knowledge can be vital in the process of developing and improving safety culture. The paper reports the results of safety culture assessments on board six Swedish passenger ships in international traffic, using observations, questionnaires, and interviews focussing on 508 employees who completed the questionnaires. The results of the assessments revealed a generally good existing safety culture. Differences in individuals' safety culture perceptions were found between ships, vessel type (high-speed craft versus Ropax), and hierarchical working position. Important relationships between organizational climate and safety culture were also found. A comparison with other transport sectors where the same safety culture assessment had been applied yielded that passenger shipping has an average safety culture score level that falls between air traffic control and airport ground handling. The method of assessment, which can be used by shipping companies and vessel crews, identified specific areas of concern in the safety culture that could support continuous improvements of safety and safety culture.
Philadelphia chromosome‐positive mixed phenotype acute leukemia in the imatinib era

Although the introduction of imatinib dramatically improved the outcomes for patients with Philadelphia chromosome‐positive B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+BCP‐ALL), the survival benefit of imatinib has not been assessed in the context of Ph+ mixed phenotype acute leukemia (Ph+MPAL). To clarify this important issue, we studied 42 Ph+ acute leukemia (Ph+AL) patients who received intensive chemotherapy and concurrent administration of imatinib. Of the 42 Ph+AL patients, 13 (31%) patients were categorized as Ph+MPAL (positive for both myeloid and B‐cell lineage), 27 (64%) were categorized as Ph+BCP‐ALL, and two (5%) were categorized as Ph+ acute myeloid leukemia. The complete remission rates after the initial induction therapy were not significantly different when comparing Ph+MPAL and Ph+BCP‐ALL patients (100% vs. 85%, respectively, P = 0.14). Likewise, there were no significant differences in the 5‐yr overall survival (OS) or disease‐free survival (DFS) rates when comparing the MPAL and BCP‐ALL groups (OS: 55% vs. 53%, respectively, P = 0.87, DFS: 46% vs. 42%, respectively, P = 0.94). These findings suggest that concurrent imatinib administration with chemotherapy improved the outcomes of Ph+MPAL patients to the level seen in Ph+BCP‐ALL patients and should, therefore, be considered as the standard therapy for these patients.
Capturing volatility and its spillover in South Asian countries

This paper intends to study volatility and its spillover among South Asian Countries through use of Granger causality test. Using the daily closing prices of major index of each country in South Asia, the Granger causality and C GARCH M models asses the impact of recession on the nature of volatility by decomposing the long period into two sub periods. The study finds significant bidirectional causality between Stock market of U.S. and India for both short terms as well as for long term which is not disturbed by recession. But the recession has changed causal relation among other countries. The recession has created higher shock impact on the permanent component of the volatility of stock market of all South Asian countries. It is also observed that volatility of all South Asian countries is of long term nature. In addition, the observed spillover effects are unstable over time in the sense that the spillover changed its nature after beginning of recession.
Predictors of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing among primary care physicians

Background: Inappropriate use of antibiotics promotes antibiotic resistance. Little is known about physician characteristics that may be associated with inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. Our objective was to assess whether physician knowledge, time in practice, place of training and practice volume explain the differences in antibiotic prescribing among physicians. Methods: A historical cohort of 852 primary care physicians in Quebec who became certified between 1990 and 1993 was followed for their first 6–9 years of practice (1990–1998). We evaluated whether inappropriate antibiotic prescribing had occurred during the study period (1990–1998) for viral (prescription of antibiotics) and bacterial (prescription of second-or third-line antibiotics given orally) infections. We used logistic regression to estimate the independent contributions of time in practice, practice volume, place of medical training and scores on licensure examinations. Physician sex and visit setting were controlled for, as were patient age, sex, education, income and geographic area of residence. Results: A total of 104 230 patients who received a diagnosis of a viral infection and 65 304 who received a diagnosis of a bacterial infection were included in our study. International medical graduates were more likely than University of Montréal graduates to prescribe antibiotics for viral respiratory infections (risk ratio [RR] 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30–2.44). Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing increased with time in practice. Physicians with a high practice volume were more likely than those with low practice volume to prescribe antibiotics for viral respiratory infections (RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.09–1.48) and to prescribe second-and third-line antibiotics as first-line treatment (RR 1.20, 95% CI 1.06–1.37). Physician scores on licensure examinations were not predictive of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. Interpretation: International medical graduates, physicians with high-volume practices and those who were in practice longer were more likely to prescribe antibiotics inappropriately. Developing effective interventions will require increased knowledge of the mechanisms that underlie these predictors of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing.
Focal seizures due to chronic localized encephalitis

Occasional specimens of scarred, atrophic brain removed for the relief of focal cerebral seizures at the Montreal Neurological Institute have shown striking perivascular collections of round cells, particularly in less severely damaged areas of these specimens. In the past this perivascular cuffing has been attributed to the effect on the brain of recurring seizures, with recognition, however, that this was a rather unsatisfactory explanation since the great majority of surgical specimens removed from patients with equally frequent focal seizures do not show this change. Histologic studies of surgical specimens from three children recently operated upon for intractable focal seizures suggest that this microscopic picture may indicate the presence of an unsuspected, more or less localized, chronic encephalitis that has smoldered along over a period of years. The clinical and histologic data on these three children will be reported in some detail. the entity “Rasmussen encephalitis. ”
Stock Price Volatility, Ordinary Dividends, and Other Cash Flows to Shareholders

This paper shows that the results of variance-bound tests depend on how cash distributions to shareholders are measured. As in prior studies, the authors find apparent evidence of excess volatility when a narrow definition of cash flow (dividends only) is applied. However, they are unable to reject the hypothesis of market efficiency when the cash flow measure also includes share repurchases and takeover distributions in addition to ordinary cash dividends. Copyright 1993 by American Finance Association.
Education, globalization and catch-up: Scandinavia in the Swedish mirror

Abstract In a previous paper in this Review, we argued that the vast majority of Sweden's spectacular catch-up on the late nineteenth century leaders was due to what today would be called globalization forces. Sweden's catch-up on Britain and the United States between 1870 and World War 1 was due mostly to mass migration. international capital flows and trade. This paper asks two additional questions. First, how important was schooling to this performance compared with open economy forces? The answer is »modest». Second, can the Swedish explanation be extended to the rest ofScandinavia? The answer is »yes».
Evidence in support of a role for anti-angiogenic factors in preterm prelabor rupture of membranes

Objective. Vaginal bleeding, placental abruption, and defective placentation are frequently observed in patients with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM). Recently, a role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor, VEGF receptor (VEGFR)- 1 has been implicated in the mechanisms of membrane rupture. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the soluble form of VEGFR-1 and -2 concentrations in amniotic fluid (AF) change with preterm PROM, intra-amniotic infection/inflammation (IAI), or parturition. Study design. This cross-sectional study included 544 patients in the following groups: (1) midtrimester (MT) (n = 48); (2) preterm labor (PTL) leading to term delivery (n = 143); (3) PTL resulting in preterm delivery with (n = 72) and without IAI (n = 100); (4) preterm PROM with (n = 46) and without IAI (n = 42); (5) term in labor (n = 48); and (6) term not in labor (n = 45). The concentrations of sVEGFR-1 and sVEGFR-2 were determined by ELISA. Non-parametric statistics and logistic regression analysis were applied. Results. (1) Preterm PROM (with and without IAI) had a lower median AF concentration of sVEGFR-1 than patients with PTL who delivered at term (p < 0.001 for each comparison); (2) A decrease in AFsVEGFR-1 concentrations per each quartile was associated with PROM after adjusting for confounders (OR 1.8; 95%CI 1.4–2.3); (3) IAI, regardless of the membrane status, was not associated with a change in the median AF concentrations of sVEGFR-1 and sVEGFR-2 (p > 0.05 for each comparison); and (4) Spontaneous term and PTL did not change the median sVEGFR-1 and sVEGFR-2 concentrations (p > 0.05 for each comparison). Conclusion. (1) This is the first evidence that preterm PROM is associated with a lower AF concentration of sVEGFR-1 than patients with PTL intact membranes. These findings cannot be attributed to gestational age, labor, or IAI; and (2) AF concentrations of sVEGFR-2 did not change with preterm PROM, IAI, or labor at term and preterm.