Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Management of patients in the intensive care unit: comparison via work sampling analysis of an acute care nurse practitioner and physicians in training.

BACKGROUND Little is known about aspects of practice that differ between acute care nurse practitioners and physicians that might affect patients' outcomes. OBJECTIVE To determine if time spent in work activities differs between an acute care nurse practitioner and physicians in training (pulmonary/critical care fellows) managing patients' care in a step-down medical intensive care unit. METHODS Work sampling techniques were used to collect data when the nurse practitioner had 6 months' or less experience in the role (T1), after the nurse practitioner had 12 months' experience in the role (T2), and when physicians in training provided care on a rotational schedule (nurse practitioner not present, T3). These data were used to estimate the time spent in direct management of patients, coordination of care, and nonunit activities. RESULTS Results for T1 and T2 were similar. When T2 and T3 were compared, the nurse practitioner and the physicians in training spent approximately half their time in activities directly related to management of patients (40% vs 44%, not significantly different). The nurse practitioner spent more time in activities related to coordination of care (45% vs 18%; P < .001) and less time in nonunit activities (15% vs 37%; P < .001). CONCLUSION The nurse practitioner and the physicians in training spent a similar proportion of time performing required tasks. Because of training requirements, physicians spent more time than the nurse practitioner in nonunit activities. Conversely, the nurse practitioner spent more time interacting with patients and patients' families and collaborating with health team members.
Material flow study during friction stir welding process using computational fluid dynamics simulation

This paper describes the application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code, FLUENT, to model friction stir welding process. The objective is to investigate the material flow across the welding joint of material that has been friction stir welded. This will further describe and give better understanding of material properties during friction stir welding process. This paper describes flow around cylindrical tool in 2D using multiple rotating reference frame solver.
The global financial crisis: Testing For Fractional Cointegration Between The Us And Nigerian Stock Markets

ABSTRACT:As a result of the dependency of United States (US) on Nigerian oil exports, coupled with her greatest share in Nigerian foreign direct investment, the recent global financial crisis of 2008/09 which emanated from the country spilled over to the Nigerian capital market, affecting majorly the financial sectors. Since the period of the crisis, the interests of the researchers have been gingered towards studying the interdependencies in financial market series of nations that are trading partners, particularly in relation to technological advanced economies like the US and the United Kingdom. This paper examines the effects of the global financial crisis on the Nigerian stock market. We use daily US stocks (S&P500, Nasdaq and Dow Jones industrial stock indices) and All Share Index (ASI) of Nigerian Stock Exchange, testing for long run equilibrium relationships between the Nigerian ASI and each of the US indices. Apart from the initial nonstationarities displayed by the stock time series, plots of a US stock index and ASI also display the possibility of possible co-movement over time, particularly during the crisis period. That called for possible test for cointegration. However, instead of restricting ourselves to integer degrees of differentiation we allow for the possibility of fractional values. Thus, we test for fractional integration, and the results first indicate that the ASI and the three US stock indices display similar orders of integration, which are all very close to 1. Testing for fractional cointegration, we do not find any significant evidence of a long run equilibrium relationship between the two markets. The lack of fractional cointegration can be due to the presence of breaks in the data that have not been taken into account. This is something very plausible in the context of the global financial crisis. Also, the fact that long-run relationships do not exist between each of the US stocks and the Nigerian stock markets does not imply no contagion effect. Contagion effect may be as forms of returns, shocks or volatility between the US and Nigeria market. This finding therefore calls for alternative testing procedure, other than cointegration, in other to establish the influence of United States economy on the Nigerian capital market.
Compulsory intergenerational family solidarity shaping choices between work and care: Perceptions of informal female carers and local policymakers in Estonia

Estonians are obliged by law to provide maintenance for family members who are unable to cope by themselves. As a result, 80% of fragile older people receive informal care. Whether this is because the carers themselves feel solidarity and choose informal caring or because they lack alternatives is the question. We applied the cultural approach for explaining the construction of compulsory family solidarity in care provision to older people through the perceptions of informal carers and policy actors. Our interest is in how filial norms framed by individual responsibilities of care provision required by law can influence (i) informal carers’ perceptions concerning their choices between work and care and (ii) impact policy actors’ perceptions concerning eldercare service provision. Analysing the empirical data produced during focus groups with female carers and interviews with policy actors, we demonstrate the triple-fold pressure to informal caregiving as an expression of compulsory family solidarity. Key Practitioner Message: • The article demonstrates how the national Family Law Act constitutes a compulsory requirement of family solidarity in society; • The compulsory family solidarity norm influences local-level policymaking and inhibits the development of formal care services for older people; • Informal carers’ choices between work and care are shaped by their personal filial norms, familialistic policymaking, and pressure exerted by older people.
Public attitudes towards bacterial resistance: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES Behaviour of members of the public contributes to bacterial resistance. For behavioural change to occur, individuals need to perceive the issue as important to them and feel able to make a valuable contribution. Public campaigns have, so far, not been informed by detailed understanding of public attitudes to the problem. We therefore set out to explore the attitudes of members of the public to bacterial resistance. METHODS A qualitative grounded theory interview study was undertaken. A purposive maximum variation sample included 32 (70%) women and 14 (30%) men, aged from 18 to 89 years, from areas of high, average and low deprivation. RESULTS Participants were uncertain about bacterial resistance and their explanations were generally incongruent with prevailing biomedical concepts. Perceived importance and personal threat were low. The media was the main information source and it left the impression that dirty hospitals are the main cause. Some participants dreaded hospitalization because they feared resistant infections. Few recognized resistant infections as a problem in the community. Less than a quarter indicated that they could positively influence the situation by expecting antibiotic prescriptions less often, or taking antibiotics according to instructions, and even fewer through their own hand washing behaviour. CONCLUSIONS Although members of the public can contribute to containing bacterial resistance, most do not feel that they have a personal role in either the problem or its solution. Campaigns should identify bacterial resistance as both a hospital and a community problem that individuals have the power to influence through specific actions.
Hispines (Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae) of La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica

Abstract Survey work from 1992–2001 identified 139 species of hispines at the lowland part of La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica. The tribe Cephaloleiini was the most speciose with 58 species (41.7%) followed by the Chalepini with 55 (39.5%). The fauna is most closely related to that in South America but with some genera which are more speciose in the Nearctic Region. Plant associations are known for 88 (63.3%) of the species but many of these are merely collecting records, not host plant associations. The first plant associations are reported for Alurnus ornatus, Alurnus salvini, and Acentroptera nevermanni.
Frequency-dependent success of aggressive mimics in a cleaning symbiosis

Batesian mimics—palatable organisms that resemble unpalatable ones—are usually maintained in populations by frequency-dependent selection. We tested whether this mechanism was also responsible for the maintenance of aggressive mimicry in natural populations of coral reef fishes. The attack success of bluestriped fangblennies (Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos), which mimic juvenile bluestreaked cleaner wrasses (Labroides dimidiatus) in colour but tear flesh and scales from fishes instead of removing ectoparasites, was frequency-dependent, increasing as mimics became rarer relative to their model. However, cleaner mimics were also more successful on reefs with higher densities of potential victims, perhaps because a dilution-like effect creates few opportunities for potential victims to learn to avoid mimics. Further studies should reveal whether this second mechanism is specific to aggressive mimicry.
Asymmetric stochastic volatility models

This dissertation focuses on the analysis of Stochastic Volatility (SV) models with leverage effect. We propose a general family of asymmetric SV (GASV) models and consider in detail two particular specifications within this family. The first one is the Threshold GASV (T-GASV) model which nests some of the most famous asymmetric SV models available in the literature with the errors being either Normal or GED.We also propose score driven GASV models with different assumptions about the error distribution, namely the Normal, Student-t or GED distributions, where the volatility is driven by the score of the lagged return distribution conditional on the volatility. Closed-form expressions of some statistical moments of interest of these two GASV models are derived and analyzed. We show that some of the parameters of these models cannot be properly identified by the moments usually considered when describing the stylized facts of financial returns, namely, excess kurtosis, autocorrelations of squares and cross-correlations between returns and future squared returns. As a byproduct, we obtain the statistical properties of those nested popular asymmetric SV models, some of which were previously unknown in the literature. By comparing the properties of these models, we are able to establish the advantages and limitations of each of them and give some guidelines about which model to implement in practice. We also propose the Stochastic News Impact Surface (SNIS) to represent the asymmetric response of volatility to positive and negative shocks in the context of SV models. The SNIS is useful to show the added flexibility of SV models over GARCH models when representing conditionally heteroscedastic time series with leverage effect. Analyzing the SNIS, we find that the asymmetric impact of the level disturbance on the volatility can be different depending on the volatility disturbance. Finally, we analyze the finite sample properties of a MCMC estimator of the parameters and volatilities of some restricted GASV models. Furthermore, estimating the restricted T-GASV model using this MCMC estimator, we show that one can correctly identify the true nested specifications which are popularly implemented in empirical applications. All the results are illustrated by Monte Carlo experiments and by fitting the models to both daily and weekly financial returns.
Evolution of genome size in Carex (Cyperaceae) in relation to chromosome number and genomic base composition.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The genus Carex exhibits karyological peculiarities related to holocentrism, specifically extremely broad and almost continual variation in chromosome number. However, the effect of these peculiarities on the evolution of the genome (genome size, base composition) remains unknown. While in monocentrics, determining the arithmetic relationship between the chromosome numbers of related species is usually sufficient for the detection of particular modes of karyotype evolution (i.e. polyploidy and dysploidy), in holocentrics where chromosomal fission and fusion occur such detection requires knowledge of the DNA content. METHODS The genome size and GC content were estimated in 157 taxa using flow cytometry. The exact chromosome numbers were known for 96 measured samples and were taken from the available literature for other taxa. All relationships were tested in a phylogenetic framework using the ITS tree of 105 species. KEY RESULTS The 1C genome size varied between 0·24 and 1·64 pg in Carex secalina and C. cuspidata, respectively. The genomic GC content varied from 34·8 % to 40·6 % from C. secalina to C. firma. Both genomic parameters were positively correlated. Seven polyploid and two potentially polyploid taxa were detected in the core Carex clade. A strong negative correlation between genome size and chromosome number was documented in non-polyploid taxa. Non-polyploid taxa of the core Carex clade exhibited a higher rate of genome-size evolution compared with the Vignea clade. Three dioecious taxa exhibited larger genomes, larger chromosomes, and a higher GC content than their hermaphrodite relatives. CONCLUSIONS Genomes of Carex are relatively small and very GC-poor compared with other angiosperms. We conclude that the evolution of genome and karyotype in Carex is promoted by frequent chromosomal fissions/fusions, rare polyploidy and common repetitive DNA proliferation/removal.
Early postpartum lactation effects of cesarean and vaginal birth.

OBJECTIVES Breastfeeding has positive effects for both, the mother and the infant. The purpose of the study was to ex-amine how cesarean delivery and vaginal delivery influenced subsequent breastfeeding. The study was conducted at the Kırıkkale University Medical School. MATERIAL AND METHODS Breastfeeding outcomes after an elective cesarean delivery and after a planned vaginal delivery were compared. The study included 169 consenting mothers who gave birth to healthy infants (86 cesarean deliveries and 83 vaginal deliveries) between March and September 2001. All cesarean deliveries were performed under regional anesthesia. RESULTS Elective cesarean delivery was performed at a significantly earlier gestational age as compared to vaginal delivery (p = 0.001). Maternal age in the planned vaginal delivery group was significantly lower (p = 0.003). As for the change in prolactin levels, the results were similar but not statistically significant (p = 0.21). The frequency of breastfeeding per day did not differ significantly between the groups (p = 0.20). However, women after cesarean delivery tended to breastfeed more often than after vaginal delivery (p = 0.003). Mean number of points recorded at the first breastfeeding session, according to the LATCH charting system, was lower in the group after cesarean delivery as compared to vaginal labor. The difference between the average point scores of vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery mothers was found to be meaningful in favor of the women after vaginal delivery (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Elective cesarean section has negative effects on breastfeeding. Our results indicate that cesarean section constitutes a risk factor for delayed lactogenesis.
Mummified daughters of King Tutankhamun: archeologic and CT studies.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to use MDCT to examine two mummies found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun to estimate their gestational ages at mummification, to determine the mummification method, and to investigate the congenital deformities of one of the mummies that had been suspected at previous medical examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS MDCT was performed on the mummies of the daughters of King Tutankhamun (article numbers 317a and 317b), and the images were reconstructed and subjected to forensic imaging analysis. RESULTS The gestational ages at mummification of mummies 317a and 317b were estimated to be approximately 24.7 and 36.78 weeks. The skeletal congenital anomalies of mummy 317b suggested at past radiographic analysis were ruled out. CONCLUSION The results of this study may set a precedent for use of CT and forensic image analysis in the study of ancient mummified fetuses.
A Novel Chase Based Multiuser Detector for MIMO-CDMA Systems

This paper proposes a new chase based multiuser detection scheme for MIMO-CDMA systems. The proposed approach provides performance gain by concentrating on improving the detection accuracy of the weakest symbol. Compared to the layered space-time multiuser detector (LAST-MUD), the proposed scheme can achieve substantial performance improvement, especially, when the number of transmit antennas is equal to the number of receive antennas. The comparison between our scheme and another chase based scheme, the B-Chase detector, which was originally proposed for improving the performance of the vertical Bell Laboratories layered space-time (V-BLAST) system, is also presented. The problem existing in the B-Chase detector is the criterion for selecting the weakest symbol. In our scheme, a more reasonable selection criterion is proposed. We show that the proposed scheme has less complexity than the B-Chase detector but with the tendency of achieving better performance at high SNR.
Codebook Adaptation for Quantized MIMO Beamforming Systems

Quantized multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) beamforming systems use predesigned codebooks for the quantization of transmit beamforming vectors. The quantized vector, which is conveyed to the transmitter using a low-rate feedback channel, is used for transmission to provide significant diversity and array gain. The codebook for quantization is a function of the channel distribution, and is typically designed for fixed channel distributions. In this paper, we propose a channel adaptive feedback strategy for arbitrary channel distributions, and present a simple codebook design methodology based on the channel statistics. The codebook for quantization is dynamically chosen rom a structured set of pre-designed codebooks, called the code set, wherein all codebooks are derived from one mother codebook. Simulations illustrate that the proposed method can improve error rate performance in correlated and/or channels with strongly line-of-sight components
Climate Change Effect from Black Carbon Emission: Open Burning of Corn Residues in Thailand

— This study focuses on emission of black carbon (BC) from field open burning of corn residues. Real-time BC concentration was measured by Micro Aethalometer from field burning and simulated open burning in a chamber (SOC) experiments. The average concentration of BC was 1.18±0.47 mg/m 3 in the field and 0.89±0.63 mg/m 3 in the SOC. The deduced emission factor from field experiments was 0.50±0.20 g BC /kg dm , and 0.56±0.33 g BC /kg dm from SOC experiment, which are in good agreement with other studies. In 2007, the total burned area of corn crop was 8,000 ha, resulting in an emission load of BC 20 ton corresponding to 44.5 million kg CO 2 equivalent. Therefore, the control of open burning in corn field represents a significant global warming reduction option. at the We measured wet weight of corn residues the the to consider calculate
Charismatic leadership in IT firms in Taiwan: an empirical study

Abstract This study aims to look at charismatic leadership and management innovation in a sample of Information Technology firms in Taiwan. The literature on such leadership was examined because it reveals how leaders serve as key agents who stimulate others with their vision of the potential of an innovation. Theoretically, we suggest that charismatic leadership behaviour can help management innovation but only when certain conditions are met. Empirically, we find that charismatic leaders must create a higher level of trust in their subordinates at all levels of the organizational hierarchy, based on common perceptions of the firm as a trustworthy entity.
Risk factors for Opisthorchis viverrini Infection in Nong Khai Province, Thailand.

BACKGROUND Opisthorchis viverrini (OV) infection is the main risk factor for cholangiocarcinoma and is often found in Northeastern Thailand. The prevalence of OV infection and the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma are major public health problems in this region. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to identify factors associated with OV infection among people in Nong Khai Province in order to develop a prevention programme in the community. MATERIALS AND METHODS The data were collected in July 2013. Stool specimens were examined for intestinal parasites within hours after collection using a normal saline wet preparation and the modified Kato- Katz technique. A case-control study was conducted to collect information about demographic data, the habit of eating unsafely prepared fish, the safe disposal of waste food, and the practice of defaecating in fields. Structured questionnaires were used to interview 351 participants (117 cases and 234 controls) in a random selection of 30 villages across Nong Khai Province. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for OV infection. RESULTS In the multivariate analysis, the results showed that the factors which had a statistically significant association with OV infection were the habit of consuming unsafely prepared fish (ORadj=5.17, 95%CI=2.49- 10.74), the similar habit of family members (ORadj=3.25, 95%CI=1.63-6.49) , a history of O. viverrini infection (ORadj=5.64, 95%CI=2.10-15.18), a history of taking praziquantel (ORadj=5.66, 95%CI=3.11-10.29), and the unsafe disposal of waste food (ORadj=2.1, 95%CI=1.10-3.80). CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study highlight the features on which a community programme should focus in order to reduce the prevalence of opisthorchiasis and incidence of bile duct cancer.
Assessment of the potential effects of population changes in attitudes, awareness and beliefs on self-reporting of occupational ill-health.

BACKGROUND It is important to take account of the effects of population changes in attitudes, awareness and beliefs when interpreting temporal trends in self-reported occupational ill-health. Aim To assess how changes in population attitudes, awareness and beliefs have influenced trends in the self-reporting of occupational and other types of ill-health. METHOD A review of relevant literature was carried out. The criterion for inclusion was that papers must be based on empirical evidence; theoretical discussion papers were included only where empirical examples were included. RESULTS Several examples were identified where raised awareness of a health problem following intended or unintended publicity was followed by an increase in self-reports of this problem. The magnitude of the increase varied widely according to the situation. One example was identified where self-reports decreased following a publicity programme designed to prevent the occurrence and worsening of the problem in the population. Potential mechanisms identified as influencing changes in self-reporting of ill-health following raised awareness included changes in symptom/illness management, perception of symptoms, tolerance of symptoms, recognition and diagnosis of illness, attribution of illness; social desirability and legitimacy and recall. CONCLUSION The effects of changes in population attitudes, awareness and beliefs on trends in self-reports of occupational and other illness are difficult to predict for any given situation.