Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Leukotriene B4 in exhaled breath condensate and sputum supernatant in patients with COPD and asthma.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Some patients with COPD present with significant reversibility of airflow limitation after receiving bronchodilation therapy. Leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of both COPD and asthma. We tested the hypothesis that COPD patients with airflow reversibility and asthmatic patients who smoke might have similar levels of LTB(4) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and sputum supernatant. The repeatability and stability of LTB(4) measurements were additionally studied. DESIGN Prospective, cross-sectional study. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS We studied 30 patients with COPD (15 smokers [FEV(1), 56% predicted; SD, 6% predicted]; 15 patients with significant reversibility in airway obstruction after bronchodilation [FEV(1), 14% predicted; SD, 2% predicted]). Fifteen asthmatic patients who smoked, with similar FEV(1) and reversibility were also studied. Ten healthy smokers served as control subjects. SETTING A hospital research laboratory. INTERVENTIONS Spirometry and reversibility testing were performed on the first visit. On the following day, EBC was collected for the measurement of LTB(4), and induced sputum was collected for differential cell counts and LTB(4) measurement in the sputum supernatant. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS LTB(4) levels in EBC [mean (SD)] were increased in COPD patients (mean, 86.7 pg/mL; SD, 19 pg/mL) and asthmatic patients (mean, 97.5 pg/mL; SD, 15 pg/mL) compared to control subjects (mean, 32.3 pg/mL; SD, 10 pg/mL; p < 0.0001 for both groups). COPD patients with airflow reversibility (mean, 99.8 pg/mL; SD, 12 pg/mL) had values similar to those of asthmatic patients (mean, 97.5 pg/mL; SD, 15 pg/mL; p = 0.2) and higher than those of COPD patients without airflow reversibility (mean, 73.7 pg/mL; SD, 17 pg/mL; p = 0.002). Similar results were observed in the sputum supernatant. Measurements of LTB(4) in EBC and sputum were repeatable on two consecutive days, but measurements in the frozen samples of EBC and sputum were not stable after 3 weeks. CONCLUSIONS Patients with asthma and reversible COPD presented with higher LTB(4) values compared to patients with nonreversible COPD and healthy smokers. This difference may be mainly attributed to the presence of reversibility in airway obstruction, probably as part of a common underlying inflammatory process.
National Guard Service Member Reintegration Experiences: The Transition Back Home

ABSTRACT As citizen-soldiers who maintain military and civilian roles, National Guard service members may experience unique challenges during reintegration. In the current study, 78 Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom National Guard service members completed semistructured interviews on their reintegration experiences. Many soldiers reported smooth reintegration experiences, but others reported challenges. When soldiers reported mental health issues, they usually reported anger problems and alcohol misuse. Help seeking was not frequently reported. The findings highlight the complex interactions among reintegration domains, particularly the influence of family members on help-seeking. Continued efforts are needed to facilitate service delivery and promote smooth reintegration experiences among National Guard service members.
Machine Learning Using Cellular Automata Based Feature Expansion and Reservoir Computing

In this paper, we introduce a novel framework of cellular automata based computing that is capable of long short-term memory. Cellular automaton is used as the reservoir of dynamical systems. Input is randomly projected onto the initial conditions of automaton cells and nonlinear computation is performed on the input via application of a rule in the automaton for a period of time. The evolution of the automaton creates a space-time volume of the automaton state space, and it is used as the feature vector. The proposed framework requires orders of magnitude less computation compared to Echo State Networks. We prove that cellular automaton reservoir holds a distributed representation of attribute statistics, which provides a more effective computation than local representation. It is possible to estimate the kernel for linear cellular automata via metric learning, that enables a much more efficient distance computation in support vector machines framework.
Graduate employees’ generic skills and training needs

Purpose As a response to technological changes, globalization, sector reforms and changes in output demand, there is an increased demand for generic skills in the workplace. The purpose of this paper is to investigate through perceptions of graduate employees and their employers on the extent to which university education in Nigeria is responding to the increased skills requirements of employers. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected by the use of two sets of questionnaires and purposive sampling technique was adopted for sample selection. Past surveys of employers on skills requirements in Nigeria were used as a reference in the selection of the 11 generic skills used in the instrument. Data were analysed using simple percentages, descriptive statistics and χ2. Findings All the listed generic skills are regarded as important by graduate employers. The employed university graduates believed that in terms of generic skills, they were not adequately prepared to meet the requirements of their jobs. Moreover, employers believed that their graduate employees would require further training to a large extent to perform satisfactorily in their jobs. Originality/value Taking a divergent view, the study has established the perceptions of employed university graduates themselves on the extent to which university education has prepared them in meeting the skills requirements of their jobs. Furthermore, apart from confirming the extent of further training required, the study empirically affirms the relative training needs of graduates from different fields of study.
On causal inference in the presence of interference

Interference is said to be present when the exposure or treatment received by one individual may affect the outcomes of other individuals. Such interference can arise in settings in which the outcomes of the various individuals come about through social interactions. When interference is present, causal inference is rendered considerably more complex, and the literature on causal inference in the presence of interference has just recently begun to develop. In this article we summarise some of the concepts and results from the existing literature and extend that literature in considering new results for finite sample inference, new inverse probability weighting estimators in the presence of interference and new causal estimands of interest.
The energy metabolism in infants with growth failure due to maternal deprivation, undernutrition, or causes unknown. Metabolic rate calculated from the insensible loss of weight.

The energy metabolism of 37 infants with growth failure and malnutrition was investigated, by use of the insensible loss of weight (IL) as the index of metabolic rate. The IL was measured 4 to 6 (standard IL) and 12 hours (basal IL) after a regular meal, while asleep. Twenty infants were tested repeatedly throughout the recovery period. Control values for the IL, obtained in 27 normal infants, agreed well with established norms for IL and for basal metabolic rate, calculated from oxygen consumption. The initial standard and basal IL of the infants with growth failure fell between the regression lines on height of normal controls representing ±3 SE. , but were above normal when related to body weight. The basal IL remained essentially within this range throughout the recovery period. By contrast, the standard IL rose upon realimentation with a high caloric diet sufficient to cause weight gain and declined during periods of weight loss or no weight gain. This rise, representing postprandial heat production in excess of basal (EHP), was greater than normal (up to 96%) for a period following realimentation. Peak values for EHP showed a near linear correlation with the average daily protein intake. This correlation appeared to be induced by the supply of sufficient calories, since the EHP was in a low range on admission and upon recovery regardless of the average daily protein intake. EHP did not correlate with the protein content of the meal given prior to measurement of the standard IL; therefore, factors other than those generally implicated in the specific dynamic action of food seem to be operative.
Fatty acid and fat-soluble antioxidant concentrations in milk from high- and low-input conventional and organic systems: seasonal variation

BACKGROUND: Previous studies showed differences in fatty acid (FA) and antioxidant profiles between organic and conventional milk. However, they did not (a) investigate seasonal differences, (b) include non-organic, lowinput systems or (c) compare individual carotenoids, stereoisomers of α-tocopherol or isomers of conjugated linoleic acid. This survey-based study compares milk from three production systems: (i) high-input, conventional (10 farms); (ii) low-input, organic (10 farms); and (iii) low-input non-organic (5 farms). Samples were taken during the outdoor grazing (78 samples) and indoor periods (31 samples). RESULTS: During the outdoor grazing period, on average, milk from the low-input systems had lower saturated FAs, but higher mono- and polyunsaturated FA concentrations compared with milk from the high-input system. Milk from both the low-input organic and non-organic systems had significantly higher concentrations of nutritionally desirable FAs and antioxidants ‐ conjugated linoleic (60% and 99%, respectively) and α-linolenic (39% and 31%, respectively) acids, α-tocopherol (33% and 50%, respectively) and carotenoids (33% and 80%, respectively) ‐ compared with milk from the high-input system. Milk composition differed significantly between the two low-input systems during the second half of the grazing period only; with milk from non-organic cows being higher in antioxidants, and conjugated linoleic acid, and that from organic cows in α-linolenic acid. In contrast, few significant differences in composition were detected between high-input and low-input organic systems when cows were housed. CONCLUSIONS: Milk composition is affected by production systems by mechanisms likely to be linked to the stage and length of the grazing period, and diet composition, which will influence subsequent processing, and sensory and potential nutritional qualities of the milk.  2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Personality traits, perception of primary place of assignment and gender as predictors of work adjustment among corps members in Ife Federal Constituency, Nigeria

Corps members are fresh graduates from tertiary institutions in Nigeria who are on a year compulsory service to the Nation courtesy of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. This category of workers are experiencing the world of work for the first time by virtue of deployment into various Primary Place of Assignment (PPA), hence the need for their work adjustment. Thus, the study examined the influence of personality traits and gender as well as perception of primary place of assignment on work adjustment among Corps members in Ife Federal Constituency. This was done with a view to explaining the nature and the probable factors that can predict work adjustment among Corps members. This will help in determining their preparation levels and the pace at which they settle down for work when permanently employed. The study employed a descriptive survey research design. The data were collected from 222 Corps members, drawn using multi-stage sampling technique from four Local Government Areas (Ife-South, Ife-North, Ife-East, and Ife Central) in Ife Federal Constituency, Osun State, Nigeria. Three standardized psychological instruments namely: the Big Five Personality Inventory (BFI), Perception Change of Place of Primary Assignment Scale (PCPPAS), and Work Adjustment Assessment (WAA), were used to collect data from the respondents. Data collected were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. The results showed that personality traits had significant influence on Corps members‟ work adjustment. Perception of change of PPA has significant influence on Corps members‟ work adjustment. However, there was no significant gender difference among Corps members‟ work adjustment. The study concluded that personality traits and perception of change of primary place of assignment had influence on Corps members‟ work adjustment, while gender had no significant influence on their work adjustment.
3746 VENTILATION , HUMIDITY , AND CONDENSATION IN MANUFACTURED HOUSES DURING WINTER

Many manufactured homes have lower natural ventila­ tion rates than those in site-built houses. This, combined with high occupancy levels, may lead to moisture problems, which can cause structural damage and health problems. The objectives of this study were to (1) obtain information on the moisture behavior of manufactured houses and moisture release from occupants and other sources and (2) evaluate the effect of mechanical ventilation. We measured the ventilation and indoor humidity in six manufactured houses during winter. The measurements indicate that ventilation in manufactured homes is often less than recom­ mended. Using a mathematical model, the average moisture release and moisture storage rates were determined and the effect of mechanical ventilation with controls on humidity and comfort, condensation, and energy consumption during winter was analyzed. Results show that the average mois­ ture release is similar to documented rates and that manu­ factured houses appear to store less moisture than site-built houses. However. moisture storage in manufactured houses is enough to reduce the potential for condensation during winter. To prevent significant condensation, natural ventila­ tion is usually sufficient and mechanical ventilation is needed only in we of high occupancy and moisture loads or in an airtight house with negligible natural ventilation. ASHRAE’s minimum ventilation requirements usually exceed the level needed to prevent condensation. and in cold winter climates. these minimum ventilation levels without humidifi­ cation will cause the indoor air to be uncomfortably dry. To improve ventilation, manufactured houses should be supplied with balanced mechanical ventilation with an automatic control and manual override. In the absence of a better inexpensive alternative, a humidistat control may be used during winter lo prevent condensation without exces­ sive heat or comfort loss. However, a humidistat control does not ensure that ASHRAE minimum ventilation levels
Examining the Differences in After-Sale Service Quality Perceptions between Managers and Customers in the Automobile Industry and Their Impact on Customer Satisfaction

The purpose of this study was to explore how service managers and their customers perceive the after-sale service quality provided by automobile service centers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with a goal to identify the existence of gaps, if any, between their perceptions and how they can impact customer satisfaction level. A qualitative phenomenological method was implemented to gather a description of the participants’ actual experiences, and data were collected using semi-structured interviews with seven service mangers and 20 customers. The structure of the managers’ interview questions was designed to go beyond identifying the most important factors that customers insist on having and focus on the methods that managers use to gather customer data, the obstacles that prevent meeting customers’ needs, frequent customer complaints, and the effectiveness of aligning managers’ and customers’ perceptions to increase customer satisfaction. The questions used to interview customers were also designed to collect in-depth feedback regarding how they evaluate service managers’ understanding of their needs and how that can have a crucial impact on their future transactions. Existing literature on the same topic did not fully address the issues of having different perceptions between service managers and customers. The findings of this study endorse the need for service managers to discover the hidden and underestimated customer requirements that prevent them from having aligned perceptions between both parties. This study makes an important contribution to the literature by expanding and enriching the existing knowledge of the after-sale service quality in the UAE automobile industry. EXAMINING DIFFERENCES IN AFTER-SALE SERVICE QUALITY PERCEPTIONS 4
Waiting and Weighting: Public Transportation Model Sensitivity to Waiting Time and Schedule Deviation

Public transport (PT) is not famed for its dependability, yet current PT accessibility models presume that the schedule is an adequate reflection of reality. Consequently, it is implicit that PT vehicles always operate according to their schedule, and that all passengers arrive at random rather than plan their arrival. In reality, such assumptions do not always hold. The sensitivity of model results to such assumptions is largely untested. This thesis seeks to determine to what extent PT accessibility models based on the schedule are robust to substitution by automatic vehicle location (AVL) data on the real arrival times of PT vehicles. The inclusion of this high resolution data on punctuality enables the relaxation of assumptions about the random arrival of passengers, and the enumeration of expected waiting time in the presence of uncertain PT arrival time. Using an open standard for the publication of public transit information (the General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS)), this thesis develops a number of models ofWellington’s transit system, assuming that passengers arrive at random, and vehicles arrive punctually. Equivalent models are then built with AVL data from the Greater Wellington Regional Council’s real-time information (RTI) system. This information is used to determine actual service headways, headway variability, probability of service arrival over an interval, and realistic vehicle travel times. Results of pairwise comparisons of accessibility model outcomes indicate that for every definition of accessibility model considered, GTFS and AVL sources of information do not predict similar travel times. The magnitude and the direction of differences varied between model types, but in all cases were highly statistically significant. The results of the research are of use to transportation and accessibility modellers, who previously could not estimate travel time error associated with making assumptions about PT reliability and passenger arrival behaviour (implied by the use of PT schedules in models).
Assessment of University Residence Foodservice Using Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA): Student Perspective (A Case Study of Sadat City University)

University residence foodservice aspects which need to be prioritized for improvements have not been assessed yet via Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) approach although it has been broadly applied in numerous fields and environments. Therefore, this study investigates the student perceptions of university residence foodservice aspects (i.e. food, service, ambiance, sanitation, and management supervision) using IPA. It also explores which foodservice aspects influence student satisfaction. In addition, this study examines whether management supervision affects the other residence foodservice aspects or not. A questionnaire was developed to achieve these objectives. The IPA and regression analysis were used to analyze the returned 435 questionnaire forms collected from Sadat City University students. The IPA shows that food, service, and sanitation are three key areas where improvement efforts should be made. Moreover, the regression analysis identifies that only three aspects (i.e. service, food, and management supervision) were found to significantly affect student satisfaction, respectively. The study highlights an additional key finding that management supervision has a significant effect on the other foodservice aspects, particularly sanitation. Thus, university management should reasonably allocate their limited resources to residence foodservice attributes based on their contributions to student satisfaction.
Effect of Employees’ Work Experience on Performance within Hotel Industry: A Case of Amber Hotel, Kenya.

vii LIST OF TABLES . xi LIST OF FIGURES . xii CHAPTER 1 . 1 1.0. INTRODUCTION. 1 1.1. Background to the Study . 1 1.2. Problem Statement . 6 1.3. Purpose of the study . 7 1.4. Research Questions . 8 1.5. Significance of the study . 8 1.6. Scope of the Study. 10 1.7. Definition of Terms . 10 1.8. Chapter Summary . 12 CHAPTER 2 . 13 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW . 13 2.
The everyday functioning of joint health and safety committees in unionized workplaces: a labour perspective

Abstract Worker participation in the form of involvement in joint health and safety committees (JHSCs) has been associated with improvements in workplace safety and health. JHSC efficacy has been conceived in terms of outcomes such as compensation claims or lost time injury rates and existing research has focused on measuring their effectiveness and on identifying determinants and correlates. This administrative and system-level research focus means that little is known or understood about their everyday processes or about the experiences of JHSC members. We use qualitative data from 54 participants across three case studies of unionized workplaces in the healthcare, hospitality, and communication sectors to shed light on these micro‐social processes. Our findings suggest that social and power relationships can create inertia, even in unionized contexts, and that models of equal partnerships in workplace health should be developed to consider structural constraints.
Prognostic impact of concordant and discordant cytomorphology of bone marrow involvement in patients with diffuse, large, B-cell lymphoma treated with R-CHOP

Background Bone marrow involvement confers a poor prognosis in patients with diffuse, large, B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, the prognostic significance of concordant and discordant bone marrow involvement in these cases differs. We analysed this further in patients treated with R-CHOP (rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) at a single institute. Design and Methods The cytomorphology of bone marrow involvement was evaluated in 632 patients who were diagnosed with DLBCL in primary tissues and had received R-CHOP therapy. Bone marrow trephine biopsies and clot sections were analysed, along with the immunohistochemical analysis of CD20, CD79a and CD3. Results Bone marrow involvement was identified in 80 of our DLBCL patient subjects (12.7%). Of these, 32 (40%) showed discordant bone marrow involvement, and 48 (60%) showed concordant involvement. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that progression-free survival and overall survival was poorer in the concordant group (p<0.001). Multivariate analysis, adjusted for the International Prognostic Index score, showed that concordant involvement was an independent predictor of progression-free survival (p<0.001) and overall survival (p=0.011). Discordant involvement was not a negative prognostic factor independent of the International Prognostic Index. Conclusions Prognostication based on bone marrow involvement cytomorphology is a useful indicator of progression-free survival and overall survival, independent of the International Prognostic Index score, in DLBCL patients. Accurate staging based on morphology should thus be included in bone marrow examinations of such cases.