Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Older patients’ preferences and views related to non-face-to-face diabetes chronic care management: a qualitative study from southeast Louisiana

Background: Management of diabetes may be uniquely challenging for older individuals with multiple chronic conditions. Health systems and policymakers have attempted to reduce barriers to chronic care management (CCM) through incentives to provide non-face-to-face care. This qualitative study aimed to investigate and present views on non-face-to-face care management held by elderly patients with diabetes and other chronic conditions in order to contribute to improved programming for this population. Materials and methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients over the age of 64 who have been diagnosed with diabetes and at least one other chronic health condition. Interview recordings were transcribed and analyzed by experienced researchers using a thematic analytic approach, and an illustrative case study was developed. Results: Thirty individuals participated in this study. Participants were drawn from three health systems in south Louisiana, an area with high rates of morbidity and mortality related to chronic diseases. We identified themes related to lived experiences with diabetes and other medical conditions, perception of personal health status, perceived value of non-face-to-face programs, and support needs for future programming. Additionally, we present one case study describing in detail an individual patient’s experience with non-face-to-face CCM. Conclusion: Health systems should consider intentionally recruiting participants who would benefit most from non-face-to-face care, including higher-need, less self-sufficient patients with resource constraints, while continuing to offer in-person services. Future research should examine whether tailoring non-face-to-face programming and support to address unique barriers can further enhance diabetes care at the population level.
Teaching Reading and Language to the Disadvantaged — What We Have Learned from Research

reorganized to select, test, and evaluate promising but different educational programs for disadvantaged youngsters in the first three grades. Now, nearly ten years later the completed evaluations of Follow Through suggest that one of these programs, the University of Oregon’s Direct Instruction Model, has produced significant gains in measures of positive affect, basic skills, and conceptual reasoning. In this article, Wesley Becker discusses the distinctive features of this model—its underlying assumptions and basic teaching components. He then explores the implications of teaching reading and language skills to economically disadvantaged children and advocates that immediate steps be taken to teach vocabulary systematically throughout the school years. Viewing this goal as essential for compensatory education, he concludes with an analysis of how vocabulary instruction might best be implemented.
Spherical indentation of elastic–plastic solids

The finite–element method is used to perform an accurate numerical study of the normal indentation of an elastic–plastic half–space by a rigid sphere. The effects of elasticity and strain–hardening rate of the half–space are explored, and the role of friction is assessed by analysing the limiting cases of frictionless contact and sticking friction. Indentation maps are constructed with axes of contact radiusa (normalized by the indenter radiusR and the yield strain of the half–space. Competing regimes of deformation mode are determined and are plotted on the indentation map: (i) elastic Hertzian contact; (ii) elastic–plastic deformation; (iii) plastic similarity regime; (iv) finite–deformation elastic contact; and (v) finite–deformation plastic contact. The locations of the boundaries between deformation regimes change only slightly with the degree of strain–hardening rate and of interfacial friction. It is found that the domain of validity of the rigid–strain–hardening similarity solution is rather restricted: it is relevant only for solids with a yield strain of less than 2 x 10−4 anda/R < 0.16. Friction between the indenter and the substrate strongly affects the strain field beneath the indenter, and has a significant effect on the contact size as a function of indent depth. The effect of pre–stress within the half–space is also explored; it is found that the indentation response is hardly affected, except for the case of the elastic–plastic indentation regime.
Acute effects of intense interval training on running mechanics

The aims of this study were to determine if there are significant kinematic changes in running pattern after intense interval workouts, whether duration of recovery affects running kinematics, and whether changes in running economy are related to changes in running kinematics. Seven highly trained male endurance runners (VO 2max = 72.3 +/- 3.3 ml kg -1 min -1 ; mean +/- s) performed three interval running workouts of 10 X 400 m at a speed of 5.94 +/- 0.19 m s -1 (356 +/- 11.2 m min -1 ) with a minimum of 4 days recovery between runs. Recovery of 60, 120 or 180 s between each 400 m repetition was assigned at random. Before and after each workout, running economy and several kinematic variables were measured at speeds of 3.33 and 4.47 m s -1 (200 and 268 m min -1 ). Speed was found to have a significant effect on shank angle, knee velocity and stride length (P ≪ 0.05). Correlations between changes pre- and post-test for VO 2 (ml kg -1 min -1 ) and several kinematic variables were not significant (P > 0.05) at both speeds. In general, duration of recovery was not found to adversely affect running economy or the kinematic variables assessed, possibly because of intra-individual adaptations to fatigue.
Cisplatin, mitomycin, and interferon-alpha2a combination chemoimmunotherapy in the treatment of diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To investigate the therapeutic activity and toxicity of combination chemoimmunotherapy with cisplatin, mitomycin, and interferon (IFN)-alpha2a, by comparing the responses in a group of patients with diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma (DMPM) to the responses in a control group of DMPM patients given supportive care alone. DESIGN Patients with histopathologically confirmed DMPM were evaluated for treatment with chemoimmunotherapy. SETTING After the initial evaluation, all patients received either chemoimmunotherapy or supportive care from the Osmangazi University Medical Faculty, Department of Chest Diseases. PATIENTS Forty-three patients with DMPM received chemoimmunotherapy until the end of the survey; 19 patients were given supportive therapy alone after refusing chemoimmunotherapy. INTERVENTIONS Drugs were administered according to the following schedule: IV cisplatin, 30 mg/m2 qd on days 1 and 2; IV mitomycin, 8 mg/m2 on day 1; and subcutaneous IFN-alpha2a, 4.5 million IU twice weekly. The courses were repeated every 4 weeks. RESULTS Overall, 232 chemoimmunotherapy cycles were administered. A total of 10 objective responses (ORs) in 43 patients (23%) were assessed, including 2 complete responses (5%), 4 partial responses, and 4 regressions. Seventeen patients had stable disease, and 16 patients had progression. The median survival time was 11.5 months for the 43 patients who received chemoimmunotherapy and 7.0 months for the 19 patients who received supportive therapy alone. The difference in survival times between the chemoimmunotherapy and supportive therapy groups was not significant. However, the median survival time for the patients who had OR was 21.3 months, which is significantly longer than that of the patients who received supportive care alone and that of patients with progressive disease (6 months). The toxicities associated with the treatment schedule of this study were, for the most part, tolerable. CONCLUSIONS The drug combination used in this study is moderately effective and well tolerated in patients with DMPM, especially in those who responded to the treatment.
Disarming, Demobilising and Reintegrating Whom? Accounting for Diversity Among Ex- Combatants in Colombian DDR

2 This paper contributes to understanding how the Colombian Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) process accounts for a highly diverse ex-combatant population, whose composition will become even more diverse following the prospective peace agreement with the FARC. Analysing Colombian DDR discourse and practices through a gender and diversity-sensitive securitisation lens, I enquire how policymakers, academics, and practitioners understand diversity among ex-combatants, and how this understanding translates into reintegration practices. The analysis unpacks general de-securitisation of all ex-combatants, however with different discursive logics along the lines of diversity. Revealing a nuanced strategy of male desecuritisation in Colombian DDR discourse, the findings contrast with previous studies on gender and DDR. At the same time, this work demonstrates the added value of a more holistic approach to diversity for understanding patterns of inclusion and exclusion in Colombian DDR. In a more policy-oriented discussion, it further points to inter and intra-institutional dynamics that undermine an effective implementation of existing programmatic approaches to gender and diversity in DDR.
Abnormal Audit Fees and Audit Quality : You Get What You Pay For

Are high audit fees a signal that the auditor exerted more effort or a signal that the auditor may be losing her independence? Prior literature offers conflicting evidence. In this paper, we re-examine the issue on a sample of clients who have both the incentive and the ability to use discretionary accruals to meet or beat the consensus earnings forecast. We find a negative relationship between the level of abnormal audit fees paid by the client and the likelihood of using discretionary accruals to meet or beat the consensus analyst forecast. The evidence is consistent with the notion that abnormal audit fees are indicative of greater effort on the engagement. In other words, the results suggest that clients paying abnormally low audit fees are receiving inferior audits. We show that the conflicting evidence in prior research is driven by research design choices.
Determination of degradability of germinated and heated soybean seeds and its proteins fractions

Full-fat soybean, which contains 40% CP and 17% of fat, is interesting as a source of protein and energy in rations for cows in the first part of lactation (Grummer et al., 1994), but the protein is highly degradable by rumen microbes (Krishnamoorthy et al., 1982). Various chemical and physical processing has been suggested to decrease ruminal protein degradability. Attempts to decrease the rumen degradability of proteins have involved treatment with heat (Mir et al., 1984; Nakamura et al., 1994), formaldehyde (Nishimuta et al.,1974; Thomas et al., 1979; Cooker et al., 1983; Mir et al., 1984), acetic acid (Robinson et al., 1994), tannic acid (Driedger and Hatfield, 1972), lignosulfonate (Windschitl and Stern, 1988; McAllister et al., 1993) and xylose treatments (Harstad and Prestlokken, 2000; Sacakli, 2001; Nobar et al., 2009). Heat processing is the most commonly used physical method (Plegge et al., 1985; Pena et al., 1986). More recently, treatment of SBM by germination was successful in reducing degradation of soybean protein by rumen microorganisms. Germination processes have been developed in some countries to overcome some of the disadvantages associated with ungerminated soybeans, such as undesirable flavour and odour and the presence of trypsin inhibitors (McKinney et al., 1958; Suberbie et al., 1981; Vanderstoep, 1981). Germination may also result in an increase in nutritive value relative to ungerminated seeds (Fordham et al., 1975). Germinated seeds were rated high in protein, appearance, flavor and texture and could be consumed uncooked in salad, boiled in water with suitable seasoning or fried in fat (Smith and Circle, 1978). Also germination can increase amount of vitamin, mineral availability and decreased tannic acid and phytic acid in legumes (Ghavidel and Prakash, 2007; Hussein and Ghanem, 1999; Kaushik et al., 2010). As mentioned earlier, various chemical and physical processing has been suggested to decrease ruminal protein degradability. Heat processing is the most commonly used physical method (Plegge et al., 1985; Pena et al., 1986). This improved production has been attributed primarily to an increase in escape of protein from ruminal degradation, thereby providing more amino acids (AA) for intestinal digestion and absorption (Nasri et al., 2008). Use of SDS-PAGE allows direct visualization of protein degradation, isolation and quantification of feed proteins. Thus it can be used to predict ruminal degradation directly and to assess the type of proteins that will escape the rumen (Messman and Weiss, 1994). Moreover, this technique could detect differences in ruminal degradability of true proteins between untreated and treated protein supplements (Sadeghi et al., 2006). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of germination and heating treatments in the in situ disappearance of the dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) Behruz Alizadeh RaminSalamatdust Hamid Paya KhosroParsaeimehr Determination of degradability of germinated and heated soybean seeds and its proteins fractions
Technological developmentsin assessment

Technological developments in assessment Robert L. Kane and Thomas D. Parsons Cognitive Consults and Technology LLC, Washington Neuropsychology Research Group, Neuropsychology Associates of Fairfax, Fairfax, VA, United States, Director, NetDragon Digital Research Centre, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States, Director, Computational Neuropsychology and Simulation (CNS) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States, Professor, College of Information, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
Physical evaluation of prototype high-performance anti-scatter grids: potential for improved digital radiographic image quality

Grid evaluation for a screen-film x-ray system has typically included independent measurement of the opposing contrast improvement factor and Bucky factor. Neither of these metrics, however, is appropriate when assessing grid performance in a digital imaging environment. For digital radiographic systems, the benefit of an anti-scatter grid is well characterized by the quantum signal-to-noise ratio improvement factor (KSNR) provided by the grid. The purpose of this work was to measure KSNR of prototype grids designed for use with digital radiographic systems. The prototype grids had 5 mm tall lead septa, fiber interspace material, line rate N = 25 and 36 cm−1 and ratio r = 15 and 21, respectively. The primary and scatter transmission properties of the grids were measured, and KSNR was evaluated over a phantom thickness range of 10–50 cm. To provide a comparison, the KSNR of similarly constructed N44r15 and N80r15 grids is also reported. KSNR of the prototype grids ranged from 1.4 for the 10 cm phantom to 2.4 for the 50 cm phantom. For the thickest phantom, the SNR improvement factor of the prototype grids was 18–83% higher than that of the N44r15 and N80r15 grids, respectively.
Technical Report 487 Multiple-Pulse Monopulse Accuracy

This report presents results from a simulation of an amplitude comparison monopulse system employing pulse integration (multiple pulses). Maximumlikelihood-angle estimators and approximations to them are derived. The accuracies (precision and bias) of these estimators are obtained by computer simulation for coherent and incoherent processing, and targets located onand off-no re sight. Results are presented as functions of signal-to-noise ratio and number of pulses integrated. The effects of imperfect knowledge of target doppler, phase, and amplitude are included. Theoretical bounds on the precision of the estimators are derived and compared with the simulation results. Accepted for the Air Force Joseph R. Waterman, Lt. Col., USAF Chief, Lincoln Laboratory Project Office
9 Bioleaching of Galena ( PbS )

Microbial leaching of metals from sulfide minerals has been widely studied (Marsden & House, 1992; Brierley e Luinstra, 1993; Partha & Nataraja, 2006; Watling, 2006; Al-Harahssheh et al., 2006). However, few studies have reported on the bacterial oxidation of galena (PbS) to insoluble lead sulfate (Santhiya et al., 2000; Da Silva, 2004a and b). Formation of lead sulfate prevents the recovery of lead from traditional solvent extraction via electrowinning routes (Da Silva, 2004b).
Reduced Expression of an RNA-binding Protein by Prolactin Leads to Translational Silencing of Programmed Cell Death Protein 4 and Apoptosis in Newt Spermatogonia

Recent studies indicate that the balance between cell survival and proapoptotic signals determines which cells commit to life or death. We have shown that the balance between follicle-stimulating hormone and prolactin determines differentiation or apoptosis in 7th generation spermatogonia during newt spermatogenesis; however, the molecular mechanisms specifying their fate are poorly understood. Here we show that the newt RNA-binding protein (nRBP) plays a critical role in determining their fate. nRBP was identified as a clone whose mRNA is decreased by prolactin, resulting in the reduction of the protein, which is otherwise expressed predominantly in the spermatogonia. nRBP protein associated with the mRNA for newt programmed cell death protein 4 (nPdcd4) at the 3′-untranslated region. nRBP reduction increased nPdcd4 mRNA but decreased its protein. In a cell-free system, cytoplasmic extracts containing reduced amounts of nRBP and nPdcd4 protein induced apoptosis, whereas adding nRBP protein to the extracts blocked apoptosis. Furthermore, overexpression of nRBP protected cells from apoptosis, stabilized the chimeric transcript containing the nPdcd4 3′-untranslated region, and accelerated its translation. These data suggest that, in the absence of nRBP, nPdcd4 mRNA is not stabilized and its translation is suppressed, leading to apoptosis in the spermatogonia.
Determine Independent Population Density for Each Maize Hybrid ( ZEA MAYS L . )

To evaluate the performance of three modern maize hybrids under the different plant population densities, to determine the benefits from using population density and the suitable plant density for hybrid maize, this work was undertaken. Therefore, two field experiments were carried out in the farm of the Faculty of Agriculture (Saba Basha), Alexandria University, during the summer growing seasons of 20012 and 2013. The experimental design was split plot with three replicates. Three plant spacing (population densities) were, 30 cm = (53332 plants/ha.), 25 cm = (64000 plants/ha.), and 20 cm = (80000 plants/ha.) were tested with four yellow hybrids of maize, i.e., Three way cross 352 (T.W.C.352), Single cross 168 (S.C.168), Single cross 173 (S.C.173), and Single cross 166 (S.C.166) which were occupied in the subplot units. However, four hybrids exhibited such variations in their plant height (cm), the yield and its components, namely; Ear length (cm), number of row/ear, number of kernels/row, 100kernel weight (g), Stover yield Mg/ha. , grain yield Mg/ha. , and protein %. However, plant population 64000 plant/ha. , gave the highest mean values for most studied characters and protein %. , and reduced weeds spread. Also, hybrid “TWC 352” recorded the highest values of most studied parameters under Alexandria conditions.
A Case Study of Preservice Science Teachers with Different Argumentation Understandings : Their Views and Practices of Using Representations in Argumentation

Representations are fundamental tools to support argumentation in science learning. However, little is known about how preservice science teachers (PSTs) with different argumentation understandings view and use representations in argumentation. Therefore, the purpose of this case study was to explore the views and practices of PSTs’ use of representations for argumentation purposes. The participants were six graduate students enrolled in an argumentation course in a northeastern university in Turkey. Data was collected through videotaped lessons, the PSTs’ artifacts and semi-structured interviews. Video analysis and content analysis were used to investigate research questions. Results indicated that with the increased argumentation understandings the PSTs showed a sophisticated understanding of using representations for argumentation. Moreover, with the increased argumentation understanding the PSTs used representations for multiple purposes during argumentation and used visual-graphical representations as rebuttals and counterarguments. Implications include the explicit teaching of the purpose of multiple representations in argumentation, integration of representational and argumentation practices in teacher education programs, and enriching argumentation experiences by providing learners with multiple representations.
Increasing ATM Efficiency withAssistant Based Speech Recognition

Abstract—Initiatives to integrate Automatic Speech Recognition into Air Traffic Management (ATM) exists at least since the late 90s. Some success to replace pseudo pilots have been reported, but its integration into controller assistant tools is missing. German Aerospace Center (DLR) and Saarland University developed Assistant Based Speech Recognition (ABSR) enabling command recognition rates better than 95%. However, good recognition rates are no convincing argument for decision makers. Therefore, we conducted an ABSR validation study with eight air traffic controllers to quantify the benefits with respect to workload and efficiency. The study validates that ABSR does not just reduce controllers’ workload, which would already be a lot, but this paper presents that ABSR significantly increases ATM efficiency. Fuel reductions of 60 liters (16 gallons) per flight and a throughput increase by two arrivals per hour are possible.
Total Variation Regularization Algorithms for Images Corrupted with Different Noise Models: A Review

Total Variation (TV) regularization has evolved from an image denoising method for images corrupted with Gaussian noise into a more general technique for inverse problems such as deblurring, blind deconvolution, and inpainting, which also encompasses the Impulse, Poisson, Speckle, and mixed noise models. This paper focuses on giving a summary of the most relevant TV numerical algorithms for solving the restoration problem for grayscale/color images corrupted with several noise models, that is, Gaussian, Salt & Pepper, Poisson, and Speckle (Gamma) noise models as well as for the mixed noise scenarios, such the mixed Gaussian and impulsemodel. We also include the description of themaximum a posteriori (MAP) estimator for each model as well as a summary of general optimization procedures that are typically used to solve the TV problem.
Seasonal Variation of Landfill Methane and Carbon Dioxide Emissions in a Tropical Climate

Landfill gas (LFG) emissions were measured in a landfill in tropical conditions in Malaysia to investigate seasonal variations in methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The study results showed that CH4 and CO2 emissions were ranged from 0 to 1,602 g m d and 5 to 2,753 g m d during wet and dry seasons, respectively, and higher CH4 and CO2 emissions were found during the wet season than in the dry season. It is concluded that special consideration must be given to landfill cover soil in order to enhance CH4 oxidation and, thereby, reduce CH4 emissions.