Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vocational rehabilitation case manager factors associated with vocational rehabilitation service program outcomes for people with disabilities in Taiwan – an exploratory study

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study is to explore whether/which vocational rehabilitation case manager (VRCMer) factors were significantly associated with the vocational rehabilitation service (VRS) program outcomes in Taiwan. Method This study used the 2011 VRS Program for People with Disabilities Database in a metropolitan city in Taiwan (N = 466) to do a secondary data analysis using hierarchical logistic regression. Results This study found that the employment rate and stable employment rate created by the 2011 VRS program in a metropolitan city in Taiwan were 48.7% and 42.1%, respectively. For the predictors of employment/stable employment, “occurrences of the services provided by the VRCMer” variable was definitely dominant. In addition, “level of the disability” was the second-ranking predictor, and was significantly negatively correlated with both employment and stable employment outcomes. Conclusions Vocational rehabilitation case manager factors in this study were significantly correlated with VRS program outcomes for people with disabilities in Taiwan after controlling for the clients’ socio-demographic variables. The results indicate that greater input by VRCMers for people with disabilities equates to better employment outcomes in metropolitan Taiwan. Implications for Rehabilitation This is the first study to build an inferential statistical model in attempt to explain and predict the association between vocational rehabilitation case manager factors and vocational rehabilitation service program outcomes for people with disabilities in Taiwan. In cases of severe disability, a vocational rehabilitation case manager should seek out more in-kind and in-cash resources, and choose a suitable job coach to cooperate in assisting the client to become employed. Based on the findings, government has to continue implementing opportunities for people with disabilities to attain higher and better quality educational levels, for increasing their employment rate. Vocational rehabilitation case managers should raise the referral rate and cooperation with job coaches as this directly affects the quality of services and clients’ employment rate.
The importance of structures and processes in determining outcomes for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: an international perspective.

Annual procedural mortality reports have become mandatory for vascular surgery in England, reflecting a more widespread appetite for transparency and accountability across the National Health Service (NHS) [BMJ 2013;346:f854]. The outcomes of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, in particular, have attracted considerable commentary: from 1999 to 2006, postoperative mortality was higher in England than in many other countries (7.9 vs. 1.9-4.5%) [European Society for Vascular Surgery. 2nd Vascunet Report. 2008]. This stimulated considerable service reconfiguration (centralization), quality improvement initiatives, the uptake of endovascular technology, and the examination of institution-level mortality data [http://www.vascularsociety. org.uk/library/quality-improvement.html], which resulted in a fall in elective AAA mortality to 1.8% by 2012 [http://www.hqip. org.uk/assets/NCAPOP-Library/NCAPOP-2013-2014/Outcomes-after-Elective-Repair-of-Infra-renal-Abdominal-Aortic-Aneurysm.pdf (February 2015)]. Despite improvements at a national level, the outcomes of AAA repair vary considerably between different hospitals in the NHS [Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2014;7:131-141], analogous to interprovider variation that has been reported across a range of emergency medical and surgical conditions [BMC Health Serv Res 2014;14:270]. This suggests that underlying institution structures and processes contribute independently to patients' outcomes. There is also considerable evidence that the outcomes of AAA repair vary in different healthcare systems, both in the elective European Society for Vascular Surgery, 2008 and emergency settings. A consideration of the role of structures and processes in influencing outcomes for AAA repair can be conducted across different institutions or even different healthcare systems. This can help identify which factors are consistently associated with the best outcomes, informing efforts to better organize and deliver services for patients requiring vascular surgery.
Effects of Glycerol and Creatine Hyperhydration on Doping-Relevant Blood Parameters

Glycerol is prohibited as an ergogenic aid by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) due to the potential for its plasma expansion properties to have masking effects. However, the scientific basis of the inclusion of Gly as a “masking agent” remains inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a hyperhydrating supplement containing Gly on doping-relevant blood parameters. Nine trained males ingested a hyperhydrating mixture twice per day for 7 days containing 1.0 g·kg−1 body mass (BM) of Gly, 10.0 g of creatine and 75.0 g of glucose. Blood samples were collected and total hemoglobin (Hb) mass determined using the optimized carbon monoxide (CO) rebreathing method pre- and post-supplementation. BM and total body water (TBW) increased significantly following supplementation by 1.1 ± 1.2 and 1.0 ± 1.2 L (BM, P < 0.01; TBW, P <0.01), respectively. This hyperhydration did not significantly alter plasma volume or any of the doping-relevant blood parameters (e.g., hematocrit, Hb, reticulocytes and total Hb-mass) even when Gly was clearly detectable in urine samples. In conclusion, this study shows that supplementation with hyperhydrating solution containing Gly for 7 days does not significantly alter doping-relevant blood parameters.
Eating and arterial endothelial function: a meta‐analysis of the acute effects of meal consumption on flow‐mediated dilation

Given that endothelial dysfunction precedes atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, exploring the parameters that modify postprandial flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) is important for public health. The objectives of the study are to estimate the population effect of meal ingestion on FMD and to determine how the effect varied based on patient characteristics and modifiable methodological features. Articles published before June 2015 were located using MEDLINE, PubMed and Web of Science. One hundred fifty‐four effects were derived from 78 articles involving 2,548 subjects were selected. Included articles required measurement of FMD in adults before and after meal ingestion. Effects were analysed using an unstandardized mean gain random effects model, and significant moderators were analysed using meta‐regression. Meal consumption significantly reduced FMD by a heterogeneous mean effect size delta (Δ) of −2.03 (95% CI: [−2.28, −1.77]), an ~2% reduction in FMD. FMD reductions were larger among normal weight individuals, males, those with a cardio‐metabolic disorder, those with elevated baseline FMD, and individuals with impaired glucose tolerance at baseline. Macronutrient meal ingestion significantly reduced FMD, an effect that was moderated by body mass index, sex and two‐way interactions between disease status and both baseline FMD and baseline blood glucose levels.
Diamond: Nesting the Data Center Network With Wireless Rings in 3-D Space

The introduction of wireless transmissions into the data center has shown to be promising in improving cost effectiveness of data center networks (DCNs). For high transmission flexibility and performance, a fundamental challenge is to increase the wireless availability and enable fully hybrid and seamless transmissions over both wired and wireless DCN components. Rather than limiting the number of wireless radios by the size of top-of-rack switches, we propose a novel DCN architecture, Diamond, which nests the wired DCN with radios equipped on all servers. To harvest the gain allowed by the rich reconfigurable wireless resources, we propose the low-cost deployment of scalable 3-D ring reflection spaces (RRSs) which are interconnected with streamlined wired herringbone to enable large number of concurrent wireless transmissions through high-performance multi-reflection of radio signals over metal. To increase the number of concurrent wireless transmissions within each RRS, we propose a precise reflection method to reduce the wireless interference. We build a 60-GHz-based testbed to demonstrate the function and transmission ability of our proposed architecture. We further perform extensive simulations to show the significant performance gain of diamond, in supporting up to five times higher server-to-server capacity, enabling network-wide load balancing, and ensuring high fault tolerance.
Stochastic Approximation for Canonical Correlation Analysis

We propose novel first-order stochastic approximation algorithms for canonical correlation analysis (CCA). Algorithms presented are instances of inexact matrix stochastic gradient (MSG) and inexact matrix exponentiated gradient (MEG), and achieve $\epsilon$-suboptimality in the population objective in $\operatorname{poly}(\frac{1}{\epsilon})$ iterations. We also consider practical variants of the proposed algorithms and compare them with other methods for CCA both theoretically and empirically.
Behavior constrains the dispersal of long-lived spiny lobster larvae

Behavior such as ontogenetic vertical migration (OVM) limits the transport of marine larvae with short pelagic larval durations (PLDs), but its effect on the supposed long-distance disper- sal of larvae with long PLDs is unknown. We conducted laboratory tests of ontogenetic change in lar- val phototaxis and examined size-specific patterns of larval distribution in the plankton to character- ize OVM in the Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus during its long (6 mo) PLD. We then used a coupled biophysical model to explore the consequences of OVM and hydrodynamics on larval P. argus dispersal in the Caribbean Sea. Larvae reared in the laboratory were positively phototatic for the first 2 mo and then avoided light thereafter, similar that seen in the planktonic distribution of same-sized larvae. Simulations of larval dispersal from 13 spawning sites in the Caribbean Sea pre- dicted that twice as many larvae would recruit to nurseries if they displayed OVM compared with passive dispersers. Larvae with OVM typically settled 1000 km away. OVM also produced an asymmetrical bimodal pattern of dispersal dominated by larvae that settled near their origin (~60%), but showed a second peak of larvae that dispersed over long distances (~20%). Hydrodynamics created subregional differ- ences in the potential for self-recruitment. Our findings suggest that (1) larval behavior constrains the dispersal of even long-lived larvae, particularly in tandem with retentive oceanographic environ- ments, and (2) larval sources of P. argus in the Caribbean Sea cannot be estimated from passive trans- port and surface circulation.
Convolutional neural network for video fire and smoke detection

Research on video analysis for fire detection has become a hot topic in computer vision. However, the conventional algorithms use exclusively rule-based models and features vector to classify whether a frame is fire or not. These features are difficult to define and depend largely on the kind of fire observed. The outcome leads to low detection rate and high false-alarm rate. A different approach for this problem is to use a learning algorithm to extract the useful features instead of using an expert to build them. In this paper, we propose a convolutional neural network (CNN) for identifying fire in videos. Convolutional neural network are shown to perform very well in the area of object classification. This network has the ability to perform feature extraction and classification within the same architecture. Tested on real video sequences, the proposed approach achieves better classification performance as some of relevant conventional video fire detection methods and indicates that using CNN to detect fire in videos is very promising.
Network-scale spatial and temporal variation in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) redd distributions: patterns inferred from spatially continuous replicate surveys

Spatially continuous sampling designs, when temporally replicated, provide analytical flexibility and are unmatched in their ability to provide a dynamic system view. We have compiled such a data set by georeferencing the network-scale distribution of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) redds across a large wilderness basin (7330 km2) in central Idaho for 9 years (19952003). During this time, the population grew at a rate of 5.3 recruits per spawner, and redd numbers increased from 20 to 2271. As abundances increased, fish expanded into portions of the stream network that had recently been unoccupied. Even at the highest escapements, however, distributions remained clustered, and a limited portion of the network contained the majority of redds. The importance of the highest density spawning areas was greatest when abundances were low, suggesting these areas may serve as refugia during demographic bottlenecks. Analysis of variance indicated that redd numbers were strongly affected by local habitats .
The Rise and Fall of Crassostrea Virginica Oyster Reefs: The Role of Disease and Fishing in Their Demise and a Vignette on Their Management

We describe a model designed to simulate the shell carbonate budget of an oyster reef. We identify five parameters descriptive of basic characteristics of the shell carbonate budget of a reef that limit simulation accuracy. Two describe the TAZ (taphonomically-active zone) and the distribution of shell carbonate within it. One is the taphonomic rate in the TAZ. Two determine the volume contribution of shell carbonate and the taphonomic loss rate within the reef framework. For Mid-Atlantic estuaries, model simulations suggest that reef accretion only occurs if oyster abundance is near carrying capacity. Simulations further suggest that reef accretion is infeasible for any estuarine reach where dermo is a controlling influence on population dynamics. We forecast that the oyster disease dermo is a principal antagonist of reef persistence through its ability to limit shell addition. Model simulations suggest that reefs with inadequate shell addition ‘protect themselves’ by limiting the volumetric content of shell carbonate in the TAZ. Thus, a dominant process is the transient expansion and contraction of the shell resource, otherwise termed cultch, within the TAZ, rarely expanding enough to generate reef accretion, yet rarely contracting enough to foster erosion of the reef framework. The loss of framework carbonate thusly is curtailed during periods when the surficial shell layer deteriorates. Stasis, a reef neither accreting nor eroding, is a preferred state. Reef recession requires an inordinately unbalanced shell carbonate budget. Results strongly argue for expanded focus on the dynamics of the shell resource within the TAZ, as this likely fosters a feedback loop with abundance through recruitment, serves as the protective layer for the reef during periods of reef stasis, and establishes the threshold conditions for reef accretion and recession. Model simulations suggest that attaining maximum sustainable yield and maintaining a biomass capable of supporting sufficient shell production for reef accretion are irreconcilable goals over a large component of the oyster’s range. Reef stasis would appear to be the only achievable restoration goal in Mid-Atlantic estuarine reaches where dermo holds sway. Exploitation rates much above 5% of the fishable stock per year restrict availability of surficial shell and foster reef erosion. In contrast, in the Gulf of Mexico at the high-productivity end of the oyster’s range, an enhanced fishery and reef accretion may be compatible goals. 1. Rutgers University, Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences and The New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory, Port Norris, New Jersey, 08349, U.S.A. 2. Corresponding author. email: eric@hsrl.rutgers. edu 3. Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography, Department of Ocean, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, 23508, U.S.A.
Statistical properties of proportional residual energy intake as a new measure of energetic efficiency

Traditional ratio measures of efficiency, including feed conversion ratio (FCR), gross milk efficiency (GME), gross energy efficiency (GEE) and net energy efficiency (NEE) may have some statistical problems including high correlations with milk yield. Residual energy intake (REI) or residual feed intake (RFI) is another criterion, proposed to overcome the problems attributed to the traditional ratio criteria, but it does not account for production or intake levels. For example, the same REI value could be considerable for low producing and negligible for high producing cows. The aim of this study was to propose a new measure of efficiency to overcome the problems attributed to the previous criteria. A total of 1478 monthly records of 268 lactating Holstein cows were used for this study. In addition to FCR, GME, GEE, NEE and REI, a new criterion called proportional residual energy intake (PREI) was calculated as REI to net energy intake ratio and defined as proportion of net energy intake lost as REI. The PREI had an average of −0·02 and range of −0·36 to 0·27, meaning that the least efficient cow lost 0·27 of her net energy intake as REI, while the most efficient animal saved 0·36 of her net energy intake as less REI. Traditional ratio criteria (FCR, GME, GEE and NEE) had high correlations with milk and fat corrected milk yields (absolute values from 0·469 to 0·816), while the REI and PREI had low correlations (0·000 to 0·069) with milk production. The results showed that the traditional ratio criteria (FCR, GME, GEE and NEE) are highly influenced by production traits, while the REI and PREI are independent of production level. Moreover, the PREI adjusts the REI magnitude for intake level. It seems that the PREI could be considered as a worthwhile measure of efficiency for future studies.
Insertion of intrauterine devices after cesarean section: a systematic review update

Background Women who undergo a cesarean section (CS) are in a unique position to receive the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD). They may also want to use the IUD as a long-acting reversible contraceptive method provided the IUD is safe and effective in the presence of a CS scar. Search strategy We researched and reviewed the MEDLINE, POPLINE, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases from January 1968 to June 2015. Selection criteria Eligible studies reported event rates or practical problems relating to IUD usage in post-placental or interval insertion (>90 days) after CS. Studies with ≥20 subjects were included. Data collection and analysis Analysis of eligible data collected from the search followed the PRISMA guidelines. Main results Twelve eligible studies of post-placental IUD insertion after CS included four randomized controlled trials of post-placental versus delayed insertion. Women randomized to delayed insertion were less likely to receive a device. Six studies examined the problem of missing IUD threads at follow-up with only 30%–60% presence of strings observed. Conclusion The IUD is a long-acting reversible contraceptive method that is suitable for use in all women undergoing CS. The problems of device expulsion, missing threads at follow-up, and the tendency of increased puerperal bleeding need to be solved. Solutions are proposed.
Word Naming in the L1 and L2: A Dynamic Perspective on Automatization and the Degree of Semantic Involvement in Naming

Reaction time data have long been collected in order to gain insight into the underlying mechanisms involved in language processing. Means analyses often attempt to break down what factors relate to what portion of the total reaction time. From a dynamic systems theory perspective or an interaction dominant view of language processing, it is impossible to isolate discrete factors contributing to language processing, since these continually and interactively play a role. Non-linear analyses offer the tools to investigate the underlying process of language use in time, without having to isolate discrete factors. Patterns of variability in reaction time data may disclose the relative contribution of automatic (grapheme-to-phoneme conversion) processing and attention-demanding (semantic) processing. The presence of a fractal structure in the variability of a reaction time series indicates automaticity in the mental structures contributing to a task. A decorrelated pattern of variability will indicate a higher degree of attention-demanding processing. A focus on variability patterns allows us to examine the relative contribution of automatic and attention-demanding processing when a speaker is using the mother tongue (L1) or a second language (L2). A word naming task conducted in the L1 (Dutch) and L2 (English) shows L1 word processing to rely more on automatic spelling-to-sound conversion than L2 word processing. A word naming task with a semantic categorization subtask showed more reliance on attention-demanding semantic processing when using the L2. A comparison to L1 English data shows this was not only due to the amount of language use or language dominance, but also to the difference in orthographic depth between Dutch and English. An important implication of this finding is that when the same task is used to test and compare different languages, one cannot straightforwardly assume the same cognitive sub processes are involved to an equal degree using the same task in different languages.