Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutrition, Balance and Fear of Falling as Predictors of Risk for Falls Among Filipino Elderly in Nursing Homes: A Structural Equation Model (SEM)

While a number of empirical studies have been conducted regarding risk for falls among the elderly, there is still a paucity of similar studies in a developing country like the Philippines. This study purports to test through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) a model that shows the interaction between and among nutrition, balance, fear of falling, and risk for falls in Filipino elderly in institutionalized settings. Two hundred sixty-nine elderly from various nursing homes in the Philippines participated in this study. A robotfoto was used to obtain the demographic data of the respondents, the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was used to measure nutritional status, the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) was performed to determine balance, the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) was used to measure fear of falling, and the Morse Fall Scale (MFS) was administered to ascertain the risk for falls. The structural equation model revealed that: (a) nutritional status has no influence on balance, (b) a better nutritional status leads to decreased use of ambulatory aids (β = −3.00), (c) a low degree of fear of falling leads to poorer balance (β = .73), (d) a high degree of fear of falling results to lower risk for falls (β = −.89), and (e) a better balance leads to a decreased risk for falls (β = −.16). Findings yielded in this study provide valuable inputs in the development of a comprehensive fall prevention program in nursing homes and other healthcare institutions in the country.
On the feasibility of using pupil diameter to estimate cognitive load changes for in-vehicle spoken dialogues

In a driving simulator study, we explore the feasibility of using pupil diameter to estimate how the cognitive load of the driver changes during a spoken dialogue with a remote conversant. We confirm that it is feasible to use pupil diameter to differentiate between parts of the dialogue that increase the cognitive load of the driver, and those that decrease it. Our long term goal is to build a spoken dialogue system that can adapt its behavior when the driver is under high cognitive load, whether from the driving task or the dialogue task.
EMOTIONAL EXHAUSTION AND TURNOVER INTENTION IN HUMAN SERVICE OCCUPATIONS: THE PROTECTIVE ROLE OF COWORKER SUPPORT

Human services occupations are prone to high rates of burnout and turnover. These outcomes have adverse implications for service providers and the clients in their care. Several studies have assessed the structural causes and consequences of burnout and turnover, but little attention has been paid to the potentially protective role of coworker support. We estimate a structural equation model including job characteristics, coworker support, and workplace justice to predict turnover intention, both directly and indirectly through emotional exhaustion. More than 1,800 substance abuse treatment counselors provided survey data for these analyses. Net of demographic and workload measures, low autonomy, and a lack of distributive justice significantly predicted emotional exhaustion, while coworker support was inversely associated with exhaustion. In turn, exhaustion was a significant predictor of intent to quit. Coworker support exhibited direct inverse effects on intent to quit, while counselors reporting low autonomy and lack of workplace justice were more likely to be contemplating quitting. These findings extend previous research by identifying specific and beneficial effects of coworker support on counselors' job-related affect and well-being.
Adipose Derived Stem Cells and Growth Factors Applied on Hair Transplantation. Follow-Up of Clinical Outcome

Different studies show the need of immature adipose cell to induce the proliferation of bulge stem cells in order to kick off the anagen phase of hair cycle. Furthermore, the adipose derived stem cell, adipose progenitors, and growth factors secreted by mature adipocytes can help the wound heal- ing and the vascular neogenesis. Nowadays, it is not known any protocol of tissue regeneration applied to hair transplantation, especially if aimed to the reconstruction of the main vascular network for the engraftment of transplanted hair and the healing process. The aim of the work is to investigate how the application of autologous cellular suspension obtained by Rigenera system, mechanical fragmentation procedure which allows to obtain a physiological saline solution con- sisting of a heterogeneous pool of cells rich in adipose derived mesenchymalstem cells and growth factors, helps the wound healing and engraftment of the transplanted hair. During hair restoration surgery, the adipose tissue recovered from the discard of follicular slicing, was processed using the Rigenera system. The obtained cell suspension was applied in the area of hair transplantation, in- creasing the natural background of adipocyte lineage and raising the amount of growth factors. In addition, the cellular suspension was applied to the suture on the occipital region. The cell popula- tion was characterized by FACS. The monthly evaluation of hair transplantation follow-up with pho- tos and the patient's impressions demonstrates that there is a faster healing of the micro-wound and a continuous growth of the transplanted hair even two months after the procedure, with a shorten- ing of the dormant phase. In conclusion, this new approach aims to integrate regenerative medicine and hair restoration surgery in order to improve the outcome for the patient. It would be wonderful to continue this research to elaborate on the molecular cause behind this satisfying clinical.
Actin, alpha-actinin, and tropomyosin interaction in the structural organization of actin filaments in nonmuscle cells

During the spreading of a population of rat embryo cells, approximately 40% of the cells develop a strikingly regular network which precedes the formation of the straight actin filament bundles seen in the fully spread out cells. Immunofluorescence studies with antibodies specific for the skeletal muscle structural proteins actin, alpha-actinin, and tropomyosin indicate that this network is composed of foci containing actin and alpha-actinin, connected by tropomyosin-associated actin filaments. Actin filaments, having both tropomyosin and alpha-actinin associated with them, are also seen to extend from the vertices of this network to the edges of the cell. These results demonstrate a specific interaction of alpha-actinin and tropomyosin with actin filaments during the assembly and organization of the actin filament bundles of tissue culture cells. The three-dimensional network they form may be regarded as the structural precursor and the vertices of this network as the organization centers of the ultimately formed actin filament bundles of the fully spread out cells.
Inpatient pulmonary embolism after elective primary total hip and knee arthroplasty in the United States.

BACKGROUND The incidence of inpatient pulmonary embolism in patients who have elective primary hip and knee arthroplasty in the United States is unknown. Prior studies have included patients with cancer, trauma, or revisions. The goal of this study was to determine the incidence and risks of inpatient pulmonary embolism after elective arthroplasty by type of procedure. METHODS We used the 1998 to 2009 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample for this retrospective cohort study. Patients who were sixty years of age or older and underwent elective primary total hip or knee arthroplasty were included. The study variable was the type of arthroplasty: total hip, total knee, or two joints. Inpatient pulmonary embolism was the primary outcome; mortality was secondary. Logistic regression determined the adjusted odds ratios of inpatient pulmonary embolism by procedure, adjusting for age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, atrial fibrillation, and surgical indication. RESULTS Records represented 5,044,403 hospital discharges after primary total hip or knee arthroplasty. Total knee arthroplasty comprised 66% of the admissions. Less than 5% of patients had two joint procedures. The overall incidence of pulmonary embolism was 0.358% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.338, 0.378). The incidence of pulmonary embolism differed by procedure and was highest among patients who had two-joint arthroplasty (0.777%; 95% CI, 0.677, 0.876), was lowest in recipients of total hip arthroplasty (0.201%; 95% CI, 0.179, 0.223), and was intermediate in patients who had total knee arthroplasty (0.400%; 95% CI, 0.377, 0.423). The adjusted odds ratios of pulmonary embolism in patients who had two joint procedures were 3.89 times higher than among patients who had total hip arthroplasty, controlling for other factors. CONCLUSIONS Elective total knee arthroplasty is associated with a higher incidence and odds of inpatient pulmonary embolism than is total hip arthroplasty; multiple procedures pose the highest risk for pulmonary embolism and associated mortality.
Conditional Copulas for Change Detection in Heterogeneous Remote Sensing Images

A new preprocessing technique is presented in this paper to automatically highlight changes in multitemporal strongly heterogeneous remotely sensed images. The proposed technique is devoted to the case where the two acquisitions, before and after a given event, are significantly different, due, for instance, to different sensors, acquisition modalities, or climatic conditions. In a previous study, it was proven that the local statistics of the images acquired at the two dates could be used to extract a relevant change indicator. Nevertheless, this measure is valid when the two observations have been derived from similar acquisitions. When the acquisition modalities differ, local statistics tend to be too different from one image to the other one to be relevant in highlighting the ground evolution without mixing with the changes at ground. The technique proposed in this paper to overcome this limitation is based on the assumption that some dependence indeed exists between the two images in unchanged areas. This dependence is modeled by quantile regression applied according to the copula theory and used to perform an estimation of the local statistics that would have been observed if the acquisition conditions of the first image had been similar to the ones of the second image. The method yields an estimate of the local statistics of the first image through the point of view of the second one. Then, usual Kullback-Leibler-based comparisons of those statistics are applied to define a change measure, which may be analyzed (e.g., by thresholding) in order to detect changes. Experimental results are shown to validate the proposed method by using a pair of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images onboard European Remote Sensing (ERS) Satellite images and a pair of optical-SAR images (from the High Resolution Visible (HRV) sensor onboard Satellite Pour l'Observation de la Terre (SPOT) satellite and from ERS-SAR) acquired before and after a flood.
Capture of carbon dioxide by amine-loaded as-synthesized TiO2 nanotubes

Titanium-based adsorbents for CO2 capture were prepared through impregnating the as-synthesized TiO2 nanotubes (TiNT) with four kinds of amines, namely monoethanolamine (MEA), ethylenediamine (EDA), triethylenetetramine (TETA) and tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA). The resultant samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, low-temperature N2 adsorption as well as transmission electron microscopy. The absorption of CO2 was carried out in a dynamic packed column. The sample impregnated with TEPA showed a better adsorption capacity due to its higher amino groups content. In addition, CO2 adsorption capacity increases as the amount of amine loaded increases. Therefore, TiNT-TEPA-69 showed the highest CO2 adsorption capacity among the three samples impregnated with TETA; approximately 4.10 mmol/g at 30°C. In addition, the dynamic adsorption/desorption performance was investigated. The adsorption capacity of TiNT-TEPA-69 dropped slightly (about 2%) during a total of five cycles. The TiNT-TEPA-69 adsorbent exhibited excellent CO2 adsorption/desorption performance.
Hardening COTS software with generic software wrappers

Numerous techniques exist to augment the security functionality of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) applications and operating systems, making them more suitable for use in mission-critical systems. Although individually useful, as a group these techniques present difficulties to system developers because they are not based on a common framework which might simplify integration and promote portability and reuse. The paper presents techniques for developing Generic Software Wrappers-protected, non-bypassable kernel-resident software extensions for augmenting security without modification of COTS source. We describe the key elements of our work: our high-level Wrapper Definition Language (WDL), and our framework for configuring, activating, and managing wrappers. We also discuss code reuse, automatic management of extensions, a framework for system-building through composition, platform-independence, and our experiences with our Solaris and FreeBSD prototypes.
Low-Income Multigenerational Households

This article compares characteristics of families, mothers, and children on the basis of whether their household is multigenerational, using data from Welfare, Children, and Families: A Three-City Study, which samples low-income culturally diverse families. Few differences were found between multigenerational and nonmultigenerational households, although mothers in multigenerational households reported more internalizing behaviors and fewer positive behaviors in their children. However, interactions between household type, mothers' age, and race/ethnicity reveal that all multigenerational households are not alike. Multigenerational households with younger mothers tend to use less effective parenting and have children who are experiencing more problem behaviors. Race/ethnicity further moderates these associations in models predicting mothers' mental health and children's academic achievement. Possible reasons for these differences by mothers' age and race/ethnicity are discussed.
What Does It Mean to Engage in Identity Exploration and to Hold Identity Commitments? A Methodological Critique of Multidimensional Measures for the Study of Identity Processes

In this article, the processes of identity exploration and commitment are considered in terms of theoretical conceptualizations and the operational definitions used in research. The perspectives of Erikson, Marcia, Luyckx, and Meeus are reviewed with respect to the multiple dimensions of these processes. Attention is focused on four exploration dimensions: (a) exploration in breadth, (b) exploration in depth, (c) reconsideration of commitment, and (d) ruminative exploration, and three dimensions of identity commitment: (a) presence versus absence of commitment, (b) extent of commitment-related activity, and (c) commitment quality. Identity status interviewing, as a methodology for the study of the identity status paradigm, and a variety of multidimensional questionnaires for research on identity, are compared for points of correspondence and divergence. A methodological critique of the Ego Identity Process Questionnaire, the Dimensions of Identity Development Scale, and the Utrecht-Management of Identity Commitments Scale raises concerns that the reported convergence of questionnaire assessments with the identity status paradigm is problematic. Weaknesses in existing questionnaire instruments are identified and a series of proposals for improving measurement are presented.
Early Literacy Gains in Children With Cochlear Implants

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictors of emergent reading skills in children receiving early access to sound with a CI. Study Design Prospective case-control study. Setting Tertiary referral center. Patients Children who received their first cochlear implant (CI) before 24 months of age and had a minimum of 2 years experience. Main Outcome Measures Receptive language skills as measured using the Reynell Developmental Language Scales or the Oral and Written Language Scales; early reading skills including alphabet, conventions, and comprehension skills assessed using the Test of Early Reading Abilities-3 (TERA-3); literacy behaviors in the home, socioeconomic status, and early intervention measures were explored on a parent questionnaire. Results Among 39 participants in the study, there was on average a 12-month delay in receptive language as compared with hearing peers. The study cohort as a group had age-appropriate reading scores. An inverse correlation was found between language delay and early reading performance. While accounting for language delay, girls on average performed better than boys. Daily reading at home and the use of open-ended questions during parent-child reading sessions were both associated with smaller language delays. Conclusion The importance of verbal language to the development of early reading skills and vice verse is evident as is the important influence of literacy behaviors at home. Children with CIs can greatly benefit from intervention services that promote frequent exposure to books at home as well as the use of facilitative strategies during shared reading.
Pedestrian Walking Speeds at Signalized Intersections in Utah

Pedestrian Walking Speeds at Signalized Intersections in Utah Jordi Jordan Berrett Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, BYU Master of Science The 2009 edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) recommends a pedestrian walking speed of 3.5 feet per second for use in the timing of pedestrian clearance intervals at signalized intersections (reduced from 4.0 feet per second in the 2003 edition). Jurisdictions across the state of Utah continue to maintain pedestrian walking speeds of 4.0 feet per second for normal intersections with guidance on engineering judgement for areas where a lower pedestrian walking speed should be considered. In 2018, it was decided that the current state guidance with regard to pedestrian walking speeds be evaluated for any needed changes, such as adopting the national guidance found in the 2009 MUTCD. To evaluate pedestrian walking speeds at signalized intersections, 15 sites throughout the state of Utah were studied, producing a total of 2,061 observations of pedestrian crossing events. These crossing events were evaluated to calculate walking speeds in relation to pedestrian demographics at each location. Evaluated demographics included pedestrian group size, gender, mobility status, age category, alertness, and potential distractions. Upon completion of data collection, a statistical analysis was conducted to determine mean and 15th percentile pedestrian walking speeds by demographic. The data collection procedure, data analysis, and limited recommendations for pedestrian start-up delay and pedestrian walking speeds as used in signal timing are discussed in this report. The data suggest that Utah continue to maintain its guidance of 4.0 feet per second walking speeds at most signalized intersections, while exercising engineering judgment at locations containing high pedestrian volumes or locations containing high percentages of elderly or disabled pedestrians.
Decomposing Bag of Words Histograms

We aim to decompose a global histogram representation of an image into histograms of its associated objects and regions. This task is formulated as an optimization problem, given a set of linear classifiers, which can effectively discriminate the object categories present in the image. Our decomposition bypasses harder problems associated with accurately localizing and segmenting objects. We evaluate our method on a wide variety of composite histograms, and also compare it with MRF-based solutions. In addition to merely measuring the accuracy of decomposition, we also show the utility of the estimated object and background histograms for the task of image classification on the PASCAL VOC 2007 dataset.
Image Tampering Detection Based on Local Texture Descriptor and Extreme Learning Machine

This paper proposed a new image tampering detection method based on local texture descriptor and extreme learning machine (ELM). The image tampering includes both splicing and copy-move forgery. First, the image was decomposed into three color channels (one luminance and two Chroma), and each channel was divided into non-overlapping blocks. Local textures in the form of local binary pattern (LBP) were extracted from each block. The histograms of the patterns of all the blocks were concatenated to form a feature vector. The feature vector was then fed to an ELM for classification. The ELM is a powerful and fast classification approach. The experiments was performed using two publicly available databases. The experimental results showed that the proposed method achieved a high detection accuracy in both the databases.
Linguistic Androgyny on MySpace

This article examines gender differences in the use of gendered language features in “about me” sections and forum comments on MySpace. Although men and women communicated in more stereotypically gendered ways in the forums, linguistic androgyny prevailed in “about me. ” It is likely that “about me” sections provoke a more gender-neutral style of communication, as they are the self-representation in MySpace. Moreover, presenting oneself androgynously will be more appealing to a wider spectrum of users.
An Investigation into the Relationship between Students’ Conceptions of the Particulate Nature of Matter and their Understanding of Chemical Bonding

A thorough understanding of chemical bonding requires familiarity with the particulate nature of matter. In this study, a two‐tier multiple‐choice diagnostic instrument consisting of ten items (five items involving each of the two concepts) was developed to assess students’ understanding of the particulate nature of matter and chemical bonding so as to identify possible associations between students’ understandings of the two concepts. The instrument was administered to 260 Grades 9 and 10 students (15–16 years old) from a secondary school in Singapore. Analysis of students’ responses revealed several alternative conceptions about the two concepts. In addition, analysis of six pairs of items suggested that students’ limited understanding of the particulate nature of matter influenced their understanding of chemical bonding. The findings provide useful information for challenging students’ alternative conceptions about the particulate nature of matter during classroom instruction in order to enable them to achieve better understanding of chemical bonding.
Developing a News Media Literacy Scale

Using a framework previously applied to other areas of media literacy, this study developed and assessed a measurement scale focused specifically on critical news media literacy. Our scale appears to successfully measure news media literacy as we have conceptualized it based on previous research, demonstrated through assessments of content, construct, and predictive validity. Among our college student sample, a separate media system knowledge index also was a significant predictor of knowledge about topics in the news, which suggests the need for a broader framework. Implications for future work in defining and assessing news media literacy are discussed.