Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hydration class of NANDA International in patients undergoing hemodialysis : a cross-sectional study

Aim: to analyze the association of nursing diagnoses of the Hydration class of NANDA International and its components in hospitalized patients undergoing hemodialysis. Method: This is a cross-sectional study involving 50 patients at a university hospital in a city in northeastern Brazil. The diagnoses inference was performed by specialist nurses. The analysis was made through the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee under Opinion 392,535. Results: of the six diagnoses obtained, two were associated with its components involving an excessive volume of liquid with the following features: pulmonary congestion, edema and adventitious breath sounds, and the willingness to improve the fluid balance with an expressed desire to increase it. Discussion: the identified associations are related to the volume of fluid, and are constantly changing in the investigated patients. Conclusion: The volume of excessive liquids and the willingness to improve the fluid balance showed a significant association with some of its components. Descriptors: Nursing Diagnosis; Signs and Symptoms; Fluid Therapy; Renal Dialysis.
Mandatory audit firm rotation and audit costs: A survey of auditing firms in Bahrain

The Purpose of this paper is to ascertain the perceptions of audit firms on the vexed issue of mandatory rotation of auditors in kingdom of Bahrain. A hand administered questionnaire survey of 102auditors, and accounting professionals was undertaken. Descriptive statistics were used to find out the most common reasons why respondents were agreed or disagreed with the idea of introduction of mandatory rotation of auditors in Bahrain and its effects on audit costs. The findings of the study indicate that there is an association between mandatory rotation of audit firms and audit costs. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) were also conducted to test the possibility of confounding effects arising from participants’ background and experience. None of these variables were found to have a confounding effect on the experimental results. The results also reveal that the adoption of rotation rules wasn’t given enough attention among the auditing firms in Bahrain. Finally, this study contributes to global debate on mandatory rotation of auditors from the view point of an emerging economy.
The Escalada Formation: Characterization of a potential chert supply source in the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain) during prehistory.

A study of the chert nodules found in the Escalada Formation (Carboniferous, Ponga region, Cantabrian Zone) was carried out as a means to characterise a number of lithic raw materials found in several prehistoric sites of the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain). This study comprises fieldwork aimed at locating the outcrops and obtaining samples. Some selected samples from two localities were used for both petrological (macroscopic and microscopic analyses from thin sections) and geochemical (X-ray fluorescence and powder diffraction) analysis. The macroscopic study shows a rather homogeneus coloration and a conchoidal fracture although two extreme types of cherts with a variety of intermediate forms can be differentiated according to the matrix composition. The microscopic analysis shows a high heterogeneity in carbonate versus silica percentage and gentle differences in some other features such as type of silica, origin of carbonates, occurrence of organic matter and type of skeletal components. The results of several geochemical analysis suggest that there are not geochemical features neither in the major elements nor in the traces that allows us to clearly distinguish between the analysed samples. All these studies allow us to define the main features of these chert nodules and to establish several types and varieties among them. Those varieties with high percentage of silica and with a more homogeneous matrix are the most suitable samples for knapping. These results together with the study of the geological and geographical location of archaeological sites suggest that the nodules from the Escalada Formation likely were lithic material supply sources used in knapping activities When aiming to demonstrate the use of these materials at archaeological sites the sole macroscopic analysis of the pieces does not suffice; further analyses, such as those involving thin sections, are necessary. The absence of chert from Escalada Formation in some Mesolithic sites in the area was confirmed via these additional analyses.
Anomalous shear wave delays and surface wave velocities at Yellowstone Caldera, Wyoming

To investigate the effects of a geothermal area on the propagation of intermediate-period (1--30 s) teleseismic body waves and surface waves, a specially designed portable seismograph system was operated in Yellowstone Caldera, Wyoming. Travel time residuals, relative to a station outside the caldera, of up to 2 s for compressional phases are in agreement with short-period residuals for P phases measured by other investigators. Travel time delays for shear arrivals in the intermediate-period band range from 2 to 9 s and decrease with increasing dT/d.delta. Measured Rayleigh wave phase velocities are extremely low, ranging from 3.2 km/s at 27-s period to 2.0 km/s at 7-s period; the estimated uncertainty associated with these values is 15%. We propose a model for compressional and shear velocities and Poisson's ratio beneath the Yellowstone caldera which fits the teleseismic body and surface wave data: it consists of a highly anomalous crust with an average shear velocity of 3.0 km/s overlying an upper mantle with average velocity of 4.1 km/s. The high average value of Poisson's ratio in the crust (0.34) suggests the presence of fluids there; Poisson's ratio in the mantle between 40 and approximately 200 km is more nearly normal (0.29) than inmore » the crust. A discrepancy between normal values of Poisson's ratio in the crust calculated from short-period data and high values calculated from teleseismic data can be resolved by postulating a viscoelastic crustal model with frequency-dependent shear velocity and attenuation. « less
The psychometric validation of the principal practices questionnaire based on item response theory / Corinne Jacqueline Perera, Bambang Sumintono, Jiang Na

This paper examines the psychometric properties of the Principal Practices Questionnaire (PPQ) for use in school leadership research. The PPQ has been developed as a diagnostic instrument to measure the various dimensions of transformational leadership based on the Rasch Measurement Model. With the growing awareness and importance given to psychometrics, particularly on interval measurement, this paper discusses the development of the PPQ and its psychometric properties based upon the framework of Item Response Theory (IRT). The PPQ was designed to determine the extent to which principals exhibit transformational leadership practices. The PPQ was validated using 290 secondary school teachers to elicit teacher's perceptions about their principals’ leadership practices. The sample comprised practising teachers from six high performing Malaysian public schools. In this study Rasch Model was used to determine the validity of the 30 questionnaire items based on the estimates of item difficulty and psychometrics attribute criteria. The results of this study showed that the PPQ may be supported by evidence as a valid research instrument because of its psychometric properties and internal consistencies. Having shown evidence of high reliability and statistical validity, the PPQ may therefore be used
Spacetime thermodynamics without hidden degrees of freedom

A celebrated result by Jacobson is the derivation of Einstein's equations from Unruh's temperature, the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy and the Clausius relation. This has been repeatedly taken as evidence for an interpretation of Einstein's equations as equations of state for unknown degrees of freedom underlying the metric. We show that a different interpretation of Jacobson result is possible, which does not imply the existence of additional degrees of freedom, and follows only from the quantum properties of gravity. We introduce the notion of quantum gravitational Hadamard states, which give rise to the full local thermodynamics of gravity.
Two-Way Capital Flows and Global Imbalances: A Neoclassical Approach

Financial capital and fixed capital tend to flow in opposite directions between poor and rich countries. Why? What are the implications of such two-way capital flows for global trade imbalances and welfare in the long run? This paper introduces frictions into a standard two- country neoclassical growth model to explain the pattern of two-way capital flows between emerging economies (such as China) and the developed world (such as the United States). We show how underdeveloped credit markets in China can lead to abnormally high rate of returns to fixed capital but excessively low rate of returns to financial capital relative to the U.S., hence driving out household savings (financial capital) on the one hand while simultaneously attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) on the other. When calibrated to match China’s high marginal product of capital and low real interest rate, the model is able to account for the observed rising trends of China’s financial capital outflows and FDI inflows as well as its massive trade imbalances. Despite double heterogeneity in households and firms and a less than 100% capital depreciation rate, our two-country model is analytically tractable with closed form solutions at the micro level, which permits exact aggregation by the law of large numbers, so the general equilibrium of the model can be solved by standard log-linearization or higher order perturbation methods without the need of using numerical computation methods. Our model yield, among other things, three implications that stand in sharp contrast with the existing literature: (i) Global trade imbalances between emerging economies and the developed world are sustainable even in the steady state. (ii) There exists an immiserization effect of FDI --- namely, FDI is beneficial for the sourcing country but harmful to the recipient country under financial frictions. (iii) Our quantitative results cast doubts on the conventional wisdom that the "saving glut" of emerging economies is responsible for the low world interest rate. >
TOTAL INFORMATION ANALYSIS: COMPREHENSIVE DUAL SCALING

The traditional quantification procedure (e.g., dual scaling, correspondence analysis) is extended in order to tap into information which is typically ignored. Noting that the traditional symmetric scaling yields a visual image of distorted data structure and recalling that the widely used practice of looking at data in reduced space may also miss capturing rare but key-information in total space, a method, called total information analysis (TIA), is proposed to subject not only within-set but also between-set relations in total space. Numerical examples are used to explain why TIA offers partial solutions to some theoretical problems inherent in the current practice of multidimensional quantification analysis.
Defining Resilience Using the Substantive Scales of the MMPI-2-RF

Many individuals will experience trauma at some point in their lifetime (Connor, 2006). The ability to adapt and function well post-trauma is a dimensional, adaptive trait, commonly referred to as resilience (Masten, 2001). Research on this construct is in abundance, but there is little agreement on how to conceptualize it. The current project focused on exploring the ability for resilience to be conceptualized as a personality trait. Furthermore, we hope to show that resilience can aid in an individual’s ability to adjust effectively after the experience of trauma symptoms and lessen the opportunity for distress, life dissatisfaction, and dysfunctional mental health problems. Results were based on data from a sample of college students (N=199) who completed surveys on the CD-RISC, the PCL-C, and the MMPI-2-RF were used in the analyses for dimensional scales of resilience, trauma, and psychological distress (RCd). Results supported our notion that resilience could be associated to personality traits. Further analyses revealed that there was an interaction between trauma and resilience, but resilience did not seem to moderate the association between trauma and demoralization. Those who endorsed higher trauma symptoms also had higher scores on demoralization. However, there is no differences between these individuals based on their resiliency. Results supported the relationship between resilience and dysfunction in personality constructs. Future research should work to better develop the construct working towards a universal definition and more precise measurement tools for use in high-stress occupations.
First high-resolution radio study of the supernova remnant G338.3-0.0 associated with the gamma-ray source HESS J1640-465

Aims: We perform a multifrequency radio study of the supernova remnant (SNR) G338.3-0.0, in positional coincidence with the TeV source HESS J1640 - 465. We study the morphological and spectral properties of this remnant and its surroundings searching for plausible radio counterparts to the gamma-ray emission. Methods: We observed the SNR G338.3-0.0 using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at 235, 610, and 1280 MHz. We also reprocessed archival data from the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) at 1290 and 2300 MHz. We conducted a search for radio pulsations towards a central point-like source, using the GMRT antennas at 610 and 1280 MHz. The molecular material in the region of the SNR was investigated based on observations made with the NANTEN telescope in the 12CO (J = 1-0) emission line. Results: The new radio observations revealed a remnant with a bilateral morphology, which at 235 MHz has a western wing that is completely attenuated because of absorption caused by foreground ionized gas. The quality of these new images allows us to provide accurate estimates of the total radio flux density of the whole SNR at different radio frequencies. From both these new and existing flux density estimates between 235 MHz and 5000 MHz, we derived for the whole remnant a spectral index α = -0.51 ± 0.06 with a local free-free continuum optical depth at 235 MHz of τ235 = 0.9 ± 0.3. No radio pulsations were detected towards the only radio point-like source within the HESS error circle. We derived upper limits of 2.0 mJy and 1.0 mJy at 610 MHz and 1280 MHz, respectively, for the pulsed flux towards this source. No radio counterpart was found for the pulsar wind nebula discovered in X-rays. The inspection of the interstellar molecular gas towards G338.3-0.0 and its surroundings indicates that there is no associated dense cloud that might explain a hadronic origin for the TeV detection.
1 Interest Rate Surprises and Stock Prices

This paper examines the impact of unexpected changes in the federal funds target on stock prices from 1988 to 2001. Measures of interest rate surprises are constructed from survey data and changes in the 3-month T-bill yield. I find that surprises associated with decreases in the target cause stock prices to rise significantly. Surprises associated with increases in the target increase stock market volatility on the announcement day, with volatility reverting to pre-surprise levels on the day after the announcement. This volatility pattern is only evident since 1994. An implication is that concerns about immediate disclosure causing persistent and heightened stock market volatility might be misplaced.
Diagnosing angina using a simple neural network architecture

The aim of the study was to research the use of a simple neural network in diagnosing angina in patients complaining of chest pain. A total of 887 records were extracted from the electronic medical record system (EMR) in Selayang Hospital, Malaysia. Simple neural networks (simple perceptrons) were built and trained using a subset of 470 records with and without pre-processing using principal components analysis (PCA). These were subsequently tested on another subset of 417 records. Average sensitivity of 80.75% (95% CI 79.54%, 81.96%), specificity of 41.64% (95% CI 40.13%, 43.15%), PPV of 46.73% (95% CI 45.20%, 48.26%) and NPV of 77.39% (95% CI 76.11%, 78.67%) were achieved with the simple perceptron. When PCA pre-processing was used, the perceptrons had a sensitivity of 1.43% (95% CI 1.06%, 1.80%), specificity of 98.32% (95% CI 97.92%, 98.72%), PPV of 32.95% (95% CI 31.51%, 34.39%) and NPV of 61.33% (95% CI 59.84%, 62.82%). These results show that it is possible for a simple neural network to have respectable sensitivity and specificity levels for angina. (JUMMEC 2006; 9(1): 39-43)
FDI LOCATION AND EXCHANGE RATES. IS THERE REALLY A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO

The exchange rate led foreign direct investment (FDI), FDI led exchange rates and feedback effect hypotheses summarise the literature around the nature of the relationship between FDI and exchange rates. So many authors on this subject over a long period have been found to generally side with of the above-mentioned hypothesis or another without a consensus. Despite this lack of consensus with regard to the exact nature of the causal relation between these two variables, what is coming out clearly from the literature is that there indeed exist a relationship between FDI and exchange rates. The lack of consensus has prompted this current study that used the ARDL (Autoregressive distributed lag)-bounds testing approach. The study revealed the existence of causality from (1) the rand value to FDI in the long run and (2) FDI to the rand value only in the short run in South Africa. The author recommends that policies which strengthen the value of the rand should be put in place in order to attract FDI in the long run. The flow of FDI into South Africa will in turn not only stabilises the value of the rand.
Impact of subsoil water use on wheat yield

Water stored deep in the soil profile is generally considered valuable to crop yield because it becomes available during grain filling, but the value of subsoil water for grain yield has not been isolated and quantified in the field. We used rainout shelters with irrigation to control the water supply to wheat crops that had different amounts of subsoil water available to isolate and quantify the efficiency with which the subsoil water was converted to grain yield. Under moderate post-anthesis stress, 10.5 mm of additional subsoil water used in the 1.35-1.85 m layer after anthesis increased grain yield by 0.62 t/ha, representing an efficiency of 59 kg/ha.mm. The additional yield resulted from a period of higher assimilation 12-27 days after anthesis and was related to an increase in grain size rather than other yield components. Under more severe stress with earlier onset, extra water use below 1.25 m was accompanied by additional water use in upper soil layers and it was more difficult to isolate and quantify the benefit of deep water to grain yield. The additional water used from all layers from the time the stress was imposed was converted to grain at 30-40 kg/ha.mm, but this increased to 60 kg/ha.mm for water used after anthesis. The high efficiency for subsoil water use is 3 times that typically expected for total seasonal water use, and twice that previously estimated for total post-anthesis water use in a similar environment. The results demonstrate that relatively small amounts of subsoil water can be highly valuable to grain yield.
The Correlation Between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hypothyroidism

Background and purpose: Based on the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism and different disorders from their coincidence, the present study was designed to determine the correlation between type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism. Materials and methods: In this case-control study, 103 type 2 diabetic patients were compared with 103 healthy subjects. Age, gender and family history of thyroid disease were matched between the two groups. For all patients, anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (Anti-TPO), FBS, Triglyceride, Cholesterol, HDL and LDL were measured. Descriptive analysis, T-test and X 2 were used for data analysis. Results: In each group, 14 (%13.59) cases were men and 89 (%86.4) cases were women. The prevalence of hypothyroidism in the case group and the control group were %17.5 and %26.2, respectively, which was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Twenty eight percent of hypothyroid patients in diabetic group and 55% in the control group had autoimmune hypothyroidism (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the prevalence of hypothyroidism in type 2 diabetic patients is as high as normal population. Because of the interaction between diabetic mellitus and hypothyroidism, screening of hypothyroidism and suitable treatment in diabetic patients is recommended.
Native plant species richness in non-native Pinus contorta forest

Pinus contorta (lodgepole pine) is invasive in many southern hemisphere countries, having spread extensively from original plantings. It is widely controlled to limit its spread and negative impacts, and is generally assumed to have little value for native plant biodiversity. We surveyed vegetation in two stands of montane wilding P. contorta forest, and recorded a subcanopy of more than 50 native plant species from 35 genera, including trees, shrubs, ferns, and orchids. Canopy openness ranged between 5 and 20% and was positively related to native plant species richness at both sites. Native plant species richness was negatively related to P. contorta stem density at one site but not the other, where richness was positively related to soil available phosphorus concentrations. A diverse native subcanopy in wilding P. contorta forest may represent an important seed source for further native regeneration in invaded areas. Pinus contorta control methods that minimise disturbance to the native subcanopy may be prudent if a return to native vegetation is a long-term management goal.
The Optimal Control Problem of Nonlinear Duffing Oscillator Solved by the Lie-Group Adaptive Method

In the optimal control theory, the Hamiltonian formalism is a famous one to find an optimal solution. However, when the performance index is complicated or for a degenerate case with a non-convexity of the Hamiltonian function with respect to the control force the Hamiltonian method does not work to find the solution. In this paper we will address this important issue via a quite different approach, which uses the optimal control problem of nonlinear Duffing oscillator as a demonstrative example. The optimally controlled vibration problem of nonlinear oscillator is recast into a nonlinear inverse problem by identifying the unknown heat source in a nonlinear parabolic partial differential equation (PDE). Then through a semi-discretization of the resultant PDE, the inverse problem is further reformulated to be a system of n-dimensional ODEs with n unknown pointwise sources, which allows a Lie-group adaptive method (LGAM) to recover the point-wise sources. The present method has three-fold advantages: it can easily minimize a complicated performance index to find an optimal control force of the nonlinear vibration system, it is effective for highly nonlinear optimal control problem, and it does not resort on the classical Hamiltonian formulation, which provides only a necessary condition, but not a sufficient condition, for the optimality of the control law. Numerical examples show that the LGAM may find a better performance than the classical one.