Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigating telemedicine developments in Taiwan: implications for telemedicine program management

Telemedicine development in Taiwan has proliferated considerably since the 1990s, as manifested by its inclusion as a core application area in the National Infrastructure Initiative and other national initiatives. Judged by service volume and sustainability, all existing programs are largely in an experimental stage. The desired transition or advancement to real-world clinical settings requires a host organization addressing important program management challenges. The presented research investigated telemedicine development in Taiwan and analyzed the services provided by representative programs. Based on our analysis results, we discuss important implications for program management that are critical to the ultimate success of telemedicine in a healthcare organization.
Problematic Integration and Family Communication about Decisions at the End of Life

ABSTRACT Making a decision on behalf of a family member at the end of life (EOL) is a highly uncertain and anxiety-ridden experience. To examine how families navigate this complex, emotionally stressful situation, Problematic Integration theory was applied as a lens for understanding EOL decision experiences managed in the context of the family. Drawing on qualitative data from interviews with 22 family members who participated in family conversations about an end-of-life decision, this study demonstrated that family members encounter multiple sources of uncertainty and divergence, including questions regarding whether or not a family member’s life is ending, what the decision should be, and who should make or participate in the decision. Family members’ stories also identified ways in which medical professionals and communication about the wishes of the patient helped family members manage problematic integration. Finally, findings revealed experiences where problematic orientations were not transformed after family members made an EOL decision.
Please Scroll down for Article International Journal of Control on Time-scale Designs for Networks on Time-scale Designs for Networks

This article may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution , reselling , loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material. We motivate the problem of designing a subset of the edge weights in a graph, to shape the spectrum of an associated linear time-invariant dynamics. We address a canonical design problem of this form by applying timescale assignment methods, and give graph-theoretic characterisations of the designed dynamics. 1. Introduction Controller design for the purpose of timescale assignment is a cornerstone of classical and modern control theory. In such controllers, high and/or low gains of various scales are used to assign the eigenvalues of a linear time-invariant (LTI) plant along one or more asymptotic time scales (e. Timescale assignment has proved critical for a family of stabilisation and performance-design tasks. In particular, multiple timescales are fundamentally needed for disturbance rejection (e.g. Ozcetin, Saberi, and Sannuti 1992), and further permit systematic solution of such varied problems as stabilisation/regulation under actuator saturation (e.g. Lin and Saberi 1993), loop transfer recovery (e.g. Saberi et al. 1993) and decentralised controller design (Wan, Roy, Saberi, and Stoorvogel 2008d) among others. The ability to assign eigenvalues along desired timescales is fundamentally related to the linear-system structure, i.e. to the zero dynamics and infinite-zero structure of the plant. As designs for large-scale systems and networks are increasingly needed, however, it is becoming more and more important that timescale assignment capabilities be related to the topological (graph) structure of the system. To clarify this connection, the zero-and infinite-zero structure – and hence the timescale design properties – must be characterised in terms of the topological structure. In a complementary direction, the common presence of multiple timescale dynamics in existing large-scale infrastructure networks has been explained, and the timescale structure has been related to
Funds of High School to College Knowledge: Exploring Low-Income Student Perceptions of College Writing

Abstract This narrative study tracks low-income student perceptions of college writing. The study uses the Funds of Knowledge theoretical framework to suggest that underperforming high schools—like diverse households and families—socialize students into bodies of knowledge that are academically relevant regardless of whether or not they resemble institutional standards. Findings indicate that students are socialized to perceive college writing in ways that stigmatize high school knowledge and reduce postsecondary opportunity.
N-SVM combination and tangent vectors for handwritten alphanumeric character recognition

We propose a system for handwritten alphanumeric character recognition that is based on the learning of tangent similarities. The specific tangent vectors which constitute the a priori knowledge of each class are generated from the training data. Based on these tangent vectors, similarities with respect prototypes of classes are computed to be used as data features. In addition, we investigate the use of N-SVM combination in order to improve the error rate and reduce the runtime compared to the standard SVM. Experiments conducted on a database obtained by combining USPS and C-Cube data indicate that the proposed system gives the best performance in terms of training time and error rate.
Travel In the ’Hood: Ethnic Neighborhoods and Mode Choice

Many urban planners promote mixed-use developments as one component of a broader sustainable development strategy. Scholars and advocates argue that these neighborhoods have the potential to reduce traffic congestion by promoting fewer trips, shorter travel distances, and alternative modes of travel. With their mix of ethnic residents, businesses, services, and community institutions, many ethnic neighborhoods are mixed-use neighborhoods. We hypothesize, therefore, that residents of these ethnic neighborhoods will exhibit different travel behavior than those living outside of ethnic neighborhoods. Drawing on data from the 2000 U.S. Census, we examine whether residents of ethnic neighborhoods are more likely to commute by carpool and public transit than other workers. We find a significant relationship between residential location in ethnic clusters and travel behavior. The findings provide insight into the relationship among social networks, land use, and travel behavior.
The Effects of Topographical Patterns and Sizes on Neural Stem Cell Behavior

Engineered topographical manipulation, a paralleling approach with conventional biochemical cues, has recently attracted the growing interests in utilizations to control stem cell fate. In this study, effects of topological parameters, pattern and size are emphasized on the proliferation and differentiation of adult neural stem cells (ANSCs). We fabricate micro-scale topographical Si wafers with two different feature sizes. These topographical patterns present linear micro-pattern (LMP), circular micro-pattern (CMP) and dot micro-pattern (DMP). The results show that the three topography substrates are suitable for ANSC growth, while they all depress ANSC proliferation when compared to non-patterned substrates (control). Meanwhile, LMP and CMP with two feature sizes can both significantly enhance ANSC differentiation to neurons compared to control. The smaller the feature size is, the better upregulation applies to ANSC for the differentiated neurons. The underlying mechanisms of topography-enhanced neuronal differentiation are further revealed by directing suppression of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signaling-regulated kinase (MAPK/Erk) signaling pathway in ANSC using U0126, known to inhibit the activation of Erk. The statistical results suggest MAPK/Erk pathway is partially involved in topography-induced differentiation. These observations provide a better understanding on the different roles of topographical cues on stem cell behavior, especially on the selective differentiation, and facilitate to advance the field of stem cell therapy.
Who Do You Know ? A Simulation Study of Infectious Disease Control Through Contact Tracing

Contact tracing (also known as partner notification) is a primary means of controlling infectious diseases such as tuberculosis (TB), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The effectiveness of contact tracing depends on a number of factors including the contact tracing policy used, the social mixing network, and characteristics of the disease (e.g., the transmission mechanism, variability in infectiousness over time and across individuals, and the rate at which symptoms develop). We develop a simulation model for contact tracing and use it to explore the effectiveness of different contact tracing policies in a budget constrained setting. We evaluate several alternative contact tracing policies. We then introduce a cost-effectiveness framework and show how it can be used to determine the optimal level of investment in contact tracing. We first assume that the only incremental disease control is contact tracing. We then extend the analysis to consider the optimal allocation of a budget between contact tracing and screening for exogenous infections.
The Osteology and Affinities of Anomoiodon liliensterni, A Procolophonid Reptile from the Lower Triassic Bundsandstein of Germany

The procolophonid reptile Anomoiodon liliensterni was found in the Triassic Bundsandstein of Thuringia, Germany, from the lower layers of the Chirotherium sandstone horizon in the sum mer of 1937 by a local bricklayer (Huene, 1939). Anomoiodon is represented by a specimen that consists of two closely associated skeletons that are preserved as natural molds in a block of me dium-grained sandstone (Fig. 1A). These skeletons were de scribed in 1939 from plaster casts, which revealed little detail (Huene 1939) and subsequently the original specimen was mis placed. This was unfortunate because interest in Anomoiodon has been renewed after suggestions that it might be the senior synonym of Kapes (Spencer and Storrs, 2002). The latter genus is known from several specimens from the Triassic of both Russia and the United Kingdom, where it has been used as an informal stratigraphic index taxon (Spencer and Benton, 2000; Spencer and Storrs, 2002). Fortunately, the natural molds of the Anomoi odon skeletons recently resurfaced in the Museum fur Naturkunde, Berlin, and high-fidelity silicone rubber casts of the specimen were produced (Fig. 1B). These reveal the anatomy of Anomoiodon in considerably more detail than was available in 1939, allowing a comprehensive comparison with Kapes and the inclusion of Anomoiodon into a phylogenetic analysis of Procol ophonoidea. A formal diagnosis for Anomoiodon liliensterni is also provided for the first time. Institutional Abbreviations-BP, Bernard Price Institute for Paleontological Research, University of the Witwaterstrand, Jo
Contribution of polymorphisms in UDP-glucuronosyltransferase and CYP2D6 to the individual variation in disposition of carvedilol.

PURPOSE It has been reported that carvedilol, which has beta-adrenergic blocking and vasodilating activities, is mainly metabolized by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1, UGT2B4, UGT2B7 and CYP2D6. The aim of this study was to determine whether the activity of glucuronidation has an influence on the area under the curve (AUC) of carvedilol and whether polymorphisms in UGTs and CYP2D6 contribute to individual variation in disposition of carvedilol in Japanese. METHODS Plasma concentrations of carvedilol and its glucuronide were determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Genotyping of UGT1A1, UGT2B4 and UGT2B7 genes was carried out by the direct sequence method. CYP2D6 genotyping was carried out using an amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) assay and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). RESULTS The level of carvedilol glucuronidation ability in the high-level AUC group was significantly lower than that in the low-level group. The frequencies of UGT1A1*6, UGT2B7*3 and CYP2D6*10 in the low level ability of glucuronidation group were significantly higher than those in the high level group, and the same tendency was found in the frequency of CYP2D6*5, though there was no significant difference. CONCLUSION Polymorphisms of UGT1A1, UGT2B7 and CYP2D6 strongly affect the pharmacokinetics and disposition of carvedilol in Japanese.
Social identity and environmental citizenship in multinational corporations: an exploratory investigation and future research directions

ABSTRACT Adapting to a ‘green’ agenda requires active engagement of all relevant stakeholders such as societies, national, international and multinational corporations. Within organizations, leaders need to create a conducive organizational culture and identity to inculcate prosocial behaviours for becoming environmentally sensitive and responsible among employees through environmental citizenship. It can be argued that environmental citizenship among employees can enhance an organization’s environmental performance and impacts. Linking the notions and theories of social identity and environmental citizenship, this exploratory study examines the perceptions, attitudes and values of managers on engaging employees in green involvement. We also explore the organizational factors that were implemented across the workplace and its underpinning sustainable strategies for green engagement with an overarching research question: How can organizations promote green behaviour and identity among employees and engage them in meeting green targets for organizations? We employed a qualitative method by designing a focus group study. Our findings help us explore factors for promoting a social identity and environmental citizenship in business organizations and to understand speciﬁc methods that motivate green behaviours among employees, so that a culture and identity of being green becomes prominent and extends to the homes and wider society of employees.
Do Science and Money Go Together? The Case of the French Biotech Industry

Developing technological applications, entering exploitation alliances, and choosing between a research- or service-focused strategic orientation are decisions that high-tech firms must manage concurrently. This paper explores systematically the contrasting effects of these strategic determinants on rent-generation and rent-appropriation using the entire population of French biotech firms (1994-2002). Findings indicate that science and money do not go unconditionally together - the direct relationship between rent-accruing resources (e.g., patents or articles) and rent appropriation varies depending on the type of resources and the strategic orientation. Moreover, the effects of strategic determinants differ for rent-generation vs. rent-appropriation: 1) technological application diversity undermines a firm's capacity to appropriate rents - in particular for research-oriented firms; 2) exploitation alliances favor rent generation but hinder rent appropriation; 3) service-oriented firms exhibit significantly better performance than research-oriented firms. Such evidence challenges the emergence in the biotechnology industry of a 'one-best' strategic trajectory, as represented by research-intensive start-ups funded by private money engaged in publishing and patenting races.
Systemic Administration of Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells Ameliorates Murine Inflammatory Arthritis

The expression of various cell surface molecules and the production of certain cytokines are important mechanisms by which dendritic cells (DC) are able to bias immune responses. This paper describes the effects of the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α on DC phenotype and function. TNF-α treatment resulted in upregulation of MHC class II and CD86 in the absence of increased cell surface CD40 and CD80 or the production of IL-12. Additionally TNF-α treated cells were able to bias T cell responses towards an anti-inflammatory profile. On a note of caution this tolerogenic phenotype of the DC was not stable upon subsequent TLR-4 ligation as a 4 hour pulse of the TNF-α treated DC with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) resulted in the restoration of IL-12 production and an enhancement of their T cell stimulatory capacity which resulted in an increased IFN-γ production. However, TNF-α treated DC, when administered in vivo, were shown to ameliorate disease in collagen induced arthritis, an experimental model of inflammatory joint disease. Mice receiving TNF-α treated DC but not LPS matured DC had a delayed onset, and significantly reduced severity, of arthritis. Disease suppression was associated with reduced levels of collagen specific IgG2a and decreased inflammatory cell infiltration into affected joints. In summary the treatment of DC with TNF-α generates an antigen presenting cell with a phenotype that can reduce the pro-inflammatory response and direct the immune system towards a disease modifying, anti-inflammatory state.
Ideal or an ordeal for organizations?: The spectrum of co-worker reactions to idiosyncratic deals

Idiosyncratic deals (i-deals) are individualized employment arrangements negotiated between organizations and particular employees (“i-dealers”). Most prior research has focused on the two parties to the i-deal, but in the current work, we focus on the co-workers of i-dealers who are often affected by the i-deals of others in ways that have additional and sometimes unexpected implications for organizations. We present a theoretically grounded framework that integrates cognitive, affective, and contextual processes to better understand when and why co-workers develop positive, neutral, or negative reactions to such arrangements. We predict that a range of reactions can occur, and may vary in valence (positive, neutral, or no reaction, or negative), degree of activation (active or passive), and target of the reaction (the organization, the i-dealer, or self). The nature of the reaction mirrors the emotions of the co-worker in response to self- and other-oriented cognitive appraisals of the i-deal by the co-worker. The nature of the reaction is also shaped by the consistency of the i-deal with the organization’s norms for differential treatment of employees. In the concluding section, we discuss future extensions and research implications of our model, and a number of potential managerial considerations that derive from our theorizing.
Spontaneous breaking of translational invariance in one-dimensional stationary states on a ring

We consider a model in which positive and negative particles diffuse in an asymmetric, CP-invariant way on a ring. The positive particles hop clockwise, the negative counter-clockwise and oppositely-charged adjacent particles may swap positions. Monte Carlo simulations and analytic calculations suggest that the model has three phases; a `pure' phase in which one has three pinned blocks of only positive, negative particles and vacancies, and in which translational invariance is spontaneously broken, a `mixed' phase with a non-vanishing current in which the three blocks are positive, negative and neutral, and a disordered phase without blocks.
Physical-Verbal Aggression and Depression in Adolescents: The Role of Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies

The present study examined the relationships between the use of cognitive emotion regulation strategies, physical-verbal aggression and depression in a sample of 248 adolescents. Specific emotion regulation strategies such as acceptance, rumination and catastrophizing explained significant variance in depression in adolescents. With respect to physical-verbal aggression, our results showed that the use of self-blame and rumination only predicted levels of aggression in boys but not girls. Regarding gender differences, girls tend to ruminate and to report more catastrophic thoughts than boys. Our findings suggest a profile of cognitive emotion regulation strategies related to physical-verbal aggression and depressive symptoms which might be taken into account in future socio-emotional learning programs for adolescents.
Gaze and face-to-face communication between a human speaker and an animated conversational agent - Mutual attention and multimodal deixis

In the context of synthetic generation and decoding of linguistic information, not only the audible component but also the visual component of speech conveys valuable information. We address gaze as an important modality to enhance speech and to convey additional information. Gaze is an important deictic gesture as well as it plays various roles in the organization of dialogue and social interaction. In a first experiment, we investigated how the gaze of a talking head can be used as a deictic gesture in an on-screen search and retrieval task. We found that such gestures are appropriate to reduce processing time as well as cognitive load. Multimodal gestures incorporating speech in a coherent way showed to be more efficient than only visual gestures. In a second experiment, we investigated the relations between the gaze of a target subject and different elements of conversational interaction. We defined different stages in the dialogic exchange of information and found that these are related to the variations in the measured gaze behavior. Based on the observed characteristics we propose a model to control the gaze of an embodied conversational agent in close dyadic interaction.
Combining emotional history through multimodal fusion methods

Continuity, one of the important characteristics of emotion, implies us that the emotional history may provide useful information for emotion recognition. Meanwhile, classification-based multimodal fusion methods show effective results in multimedia analysis tasks. In this study, two-stage classification method is proposed and emotional history is combined by the support vector machine fusion method. Evaluations on the Audio Sub-Challenge of the 2011 Audio/Visual Emotion Challenge dataset show that: (i) combining emotional history to recognition improves the accuracy significantly, (ii) classification-based multimodal fusion methods can effectively combine emotional history.