Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Benefits Realisation in Acute Hospitals in England - A Strategic Management Perspective

Purpose of article Benefits realisation (BR) is a term that is applied within the both the private and public sector to try to ensure that IT projects deliver a number of benefits to stakeholders as well as a return on investment. The English NHS views BR as an essential part of their IT enabled transformation programme but whether it is a core organisational capability is not understood. The purpose of this article is to explore whether a benefits realisation approach to IT investment is a strategic organisational capability that is evident in the acute hospital sector. Methodology A survey of all the English NHS acute hospitals was carried out in summer 2013. The questionnaire was sent out to all directors of finance, nursing and IT. The questionnaire was based on research conducted by Ashurst and Hodges (2010) and interpreted to provide an NHS context. Findings Responses were received from 54 per cent of the targeted hospitals and the results indicate that development of the business case remains the place for identification of system benefits although the intended recipients of those benefits are changing from management to patients. Training for benefits realisation is an issue and many hospitals do not appear to have a process in place for developing staff competencies in this area. Implications This research has never been undertaken before within the context of the NHS and would suggest that if benefits realisation is to be useful in delivering successful IT projects then much more needs to be done in developing staff across the hospitals and viewing BR as a core organisational capability. Supplementary files: Data file; Peer Review and Authors' Response
Lessons from Genomic Profiling in AS

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a common cause of chronic inflammatory arthritis worldwide, with a prevalence of 0.2-0.9% in white European populations (Braun et al., 1998), with unknown etiology. The progressive ankylosis of affected joints is currently irreversible and it is, therefore, logical that early diagnosis and treatment offers the best opportunity to improve its prognosis. Several studies have shown a delay of more than 8 years between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis, with consequent delay in starting an effective therapy (Feldtkeller et al., 2003; Hamilton et al., 2011). This is a critical period clinically, with diagnosis frequently occurring after significant irreversible radiological damage has already occurred. Currently, diagnosis of AS relies on a combination of clinical and imaging parameters (van der Linden et al., 1984 and Boonen et al., 2010) with no single blood derived biomarker that by itself is sufficiently sensitive and specific to identify AS cases or to be useful in disease management.
Molecular Basis of Atrial Fibrillation:

Abstract AF is a difficult disease to treat because of the numerous (ischemic, metabolic, inflammatory, structural) mechanisms contributing to its etiology. AF persistence requires both an adequate tissue substrate for reentrant activity and triggers to initiate the arrhythmia. In a few interesting instances, AF may have a monogenic cause. Although there are common electrophysiologic characteristics of myocytes from a variety of AF models and clinical presentations, it is unrealistic to expect that all patients will respond equally to the same interventions. Thus, patients with AF of an inflammatory etiology may respond better to anti-inflammatory therapies, whereas those with enlarged atria secondary to valvular disease may require surgery. Some may respond better to ablation than others. However, the heterogeneity of the substrate does not negate the value of searching for the underlying molecular mechanisms. As we begin to comprehend these mechanisms in greater detail, the dream of using individualized rational therapies will come closer to reality.
The Hodie Method: A Brief Introduction with Summary of Computational Properties

This note describes the new HOOlE method for obtaining high order difference schemes for solving differential equations. Technical details and proofs are omitted. The HOOlE method is useful for boundary value problems or initial value problems with 1, 2 or 3 space variables. This note illustrates the method for second order elliptic boundary value problems. An extensive table of operation counts and storage requirement estimates are given for the HOOlE and competing methods. These indicate the potential superiority of the HODIE method, a superiority which grows rapidly with increasjng dimension or accuracy requirements.
Impact of Admission Hyperglycemia on Stroke-Associated Pneumoniain Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Observational Study

Background: Hyperglycemia is always seen amongst acute intra-cerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and usually has been reported in literature and studied in relation to mortality and poor recovery. However, literature specific to stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) on this topic is very small. Further, how to differentiate the predictive value of hyperglycemia with and without abnormal HbA1C in such patients is still a matter of debate and no universal consensus. We evaluated hyperglycemia as a marker for SAP in patients with ICH to assess its usefulness as a potential predictor. Materials and methods: Clinical characteristics for a sample of 551 patients with acute ICH were collected from the Beijing Tiantan Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. Possible associated risk factors of SAP were reviewed. Hyperglycemia and HbA1C on admission were the main hypothetic predictor, SAP occurring within the first 7 days is the primary outcome. Results: The cohort study includes 551 hospitalized patients. The prevalence of hyperglycemia was 52.5% and SAP occurred in 147 (26.7%). The incidence of SAP was higher in the group with hyperglycemia than those without hyperglycemia (37.7% versus 14.5%, p 6.5) (OR, 1.57; 95%CI, 0.81 - 3.23) had not been shown to be associated with SAP. Conclusions: In this hospital-based cohort of patients presenting with acute intra-hemorrhage, hyperglycemia on admission was associated significantly with SAP. The association was stronger for hyperglycemia with normal HgbA1C than for hyperglycemia with high HgbA1C. Hyperglycemia with normal HgbA1C might be a more sensitive predictor of early acute complication, such as SAP.
Approaches to Training and Development

Remembering Dugan Laird (Martin M. Broadwell) Why This Book? Why Have a Training and Development Department? What Do T & D Officers Do? Where Is the T & D Department Located? How Do you Find Training Needs? How Do You Respond To Individual Training Needs? What Do You Do When You Dont Give Training? Learning Objectives: Who Needs Them? How Do People Learn? What Methods Shall We Use? How Important is Teaching Technique What Should Training Rooms Be Like? What About Visual Aids? Whats Special About Training and Development Budgets? How Can We Measure Training and Development?
Making word-mathematical problem-solving accessible to students with dyslexia in Cyprus : a web-based approach

This study was designed to explore how the use of computers can facilitate and make accessible word-mathematical problem solving for students with dyslexia in Cyprus, given their learning difficulties; that the available ICT resources in Cyprus are restricted; and that the IT skills of the majority of students and teachers are limited, in two different settings: the wholeclassrooms of students with dyslexia and on an individual level. Web-based learning environments (WBLEs) were designed in collaboration with participating teachers with the use of simple tools that do not demand specialized IT knowledge. Several word-based mathematical problems were chosen. The WBLEs guided the students following five steps. The guidance was facilitated by navigation buttons, audio instructions, pictures, and diagrams, etc. Six whole-classroom implementations were conducted where the students (including a student with dyslexia) collaborated in groups with the use of a computer. Also, eight individual implementations were conducted with two other students with dyslexia; four implementations respectively. Data were collected through observations, interviews, tests, and computer screen capturing, and these were analysed by following thematic analysis. It was found that the computer-assisted environment can support students with dyslexia in WMPS to a great extent. The facilities provided by the WBLEs, the benefits of collaborative and individualized learning support with the use of WBLEs, the continuous guidance and feedback provided by teachers, peers and WBLEs, can support students with dyslexia in such tasks. The short-lasting impact is an indication of the need for more frequent use of the computer for this purpose. Also, despite the limited available ICT resources in Cypriot mainstream classrooms, as well as a lack of suitable software for WMPS for students with dyslexia, and limited IT skills of students and even teachers, ICT can be embedded in the instruction with additional learning value for students, by creating simple WBLEs.
Genome-based analysis of infrequent Salmonella serotypes through the Thai pork production chain

Salmonella is a prevalent zoonotic foodborne pathogen. Swine and pork are implicated as important sources of salmonellosis in humans. In Chiang Mai and Lamphun Provinces in northern Thailand, there has been a high prevalence of Salmonella persistence for over a decade. Infection is usually with dominant S. enterica serotypes, including serotypes Rissen and 1,4,[5],12:i:-. However, other serotypes also contribute to disease but are less well characterized. The whole genome sequencing data of 43 S. enterica serotypes isolated from pork production chain through 2011–2014, were used to evaluate genetic diversity and ascertain the possible source of Salmonella contamination based on Core Genome Multilocus Sequence Typing (cgMLST) approach. The Salmonella serotypes recovered from farms and slaughterhouses were re-circulating by swine environmental contamination. Conversely, the Salmonella contamination in the retail market represents cross-contamination from multiple sources, including contaminated foodstuffs. Salmonella contamination in the pork production chain has the competency for host cell adhesion, host cell invasion, and intracellular survival, which is enough for the pathogenicity of salmonellosis. In addition, all of these isolates were multi-drug resistant Salmonella, which contained at least 10 antimicrobial resistance genes. This result indicated that these S. enterica serotypes also pose a significant public health risk. Our findings support the need for appropriate surveillance of food-animal products going to market to reduce public exposure to highly pathogenic, multi-drug resistant Salmonella. Acquiring information would motivate all stakeholders to reinforce sanitation standards throughout the pork production chain in order to eradicate Salmonella contamination and reduce the risk of salmonellosis in humans.
KI Essence extract (a spleen-tonifying formula) promotes neurite outgrowth, alleviates oxidative stress and hypomyelination, and modulates microbiome in maternal immune activation offspring

Mushrooms and Chinese traditional herbs have bioactive nutraceuticals with multiple therapeutic functions, including antioxidant and antibacterial activities and microbiome modulation properties. Mushroom-derived bioactive compounds are used in medicines for the treatment of neurological disorders with abnormal brain–gut–microbiome axis. This study examined the effects of KI Essence extract, a spleen-tonifying formula, on neurite growth, antioxidant activity, hypomyelination modulation, and the microbiome profile in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced maternal immune activation (MIA) offspring. The KI Essence extract induced PC12 cell neurite growth by increasing extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, promoting 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, reducing the level of tert-butylhydroperoxide–induced lipid peroxidation in brain homogenates, protecting PC12 cells from H2O2-induced cell death (through the inhibition of ERK phosphorylation), alleviating hypomyelination, and downregulating interleukin‐1β through LPS-activated microglia production; moreover, the numbers of Enterobacteriaceae, Actinobacteria, Peptostreptococcaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, and Bifidobacterium bacteria in MIA offspring increased. In summary, the KI Essence extract promotes neurite outgrowth, alleviates oxidative stress and hypomyelination, and modulates microbiota dysbiosis in MIA offspring.
The Bleaching Syndrome: The Role of Educational Intervention

Per the Bleaching Syndrome, people of color, including African, Asian, and Latino Americans, are both victims and perpetrators of color discrimination. The Bleaching Syndrome encompasses perceptual, psychological, and behavioral sectors that affect students' schooling experiences. Education professionals, including teachers, administrators, and counselors, must address these factors to promote mental and emotional health among learners. In this article, I discuss how the Bleaching Syndrome and color bias affects dark-complexioned African American children in contemporary US schools.
CONSTRAINTS IN ADOPTION OF IMPROVED DAIRY FARMING PRACTICES RECOMMENDED THROUGH INSTITUTION VILLAGE LINKAGE PROGRAMME OF N.D.R.I.

The study was conducted in adopted villages of TAR/IVIP, NDRI in the district of Karnal, to identify the major constraints faced by dairy farmers in adoption of improved dairy farming practices. It was found that, the high cost and non availability of quality feeds, low conception rate, repeat breeding, non-availability of vaccines, high cost of veterinary medicine, problems of mastitis in crossbred animals, non availability and high cost of fodder seeds were major constraints faced by dairy farmers in adoption of improved dairy farmning practices.
Abuse of psychotropic substances -a survey of some first and second cycle institutions in the Bosomtwi and Atwima-Kwanwoma Districts in Ashanti Region of Ghana

A random survey using semi-structured questionnaires was conducted in 13 selected first and second cycle schools in the Bosomtwi and Atwima Kwanwoma Districts of Ashanti Region to ascertain the effects of increased abuse of psychotropic substances on the academic performances of 600 students interviewed at random. The psychotropic drugs identified to be abused by the students include: amphetamines; coffee; cigarette; cocaine; marijuana; alcohol and heroine. Majority (94%) of pupils abuse both coffee and alcohol and 31% of pupils abuse marijuana, amphetamine, cocaine and heroine. Although majority (about 56%) of them claim the use of these drugs had improved their academic performances, about 11% of them rather developed truant behavioral problems with abysmal academic performances in the long run. The majority (about 61%) of them also got introduced to the drugs by their families and friends. Ninety six percent of the pupils were exposed to the problem of psychotropic substances abuse at an average age of about 11.5 years. This problem is worst in pupils with single parents or divorcees and also when adolescents are in serious financial problems. Parent remittances were the main source of money for the purchase of drugs. Majority (51%) of the student drug abusers were males although females constitute 45% of the population in these schools. However, the likelihood ratio of abuse amongst male and female students were either asymptotically insignificant (P<0.07) or linearly insignificant (P<0.4). The study generally revealed little improvement in academic performances in schools with increased drug use and the District Education Oversight Committees (DEOCs) as well as Parent Teacher Associations in the two Districts need to seriously get involved in school management programs to assist the implementation of child care monitoring programmes at home and schools in order to find a lasting solution to the rampant drug abuse problem.
Computation Framework for Lesion Detection and Response Assessment Based Upon Physiological Imaging for Supporting Radiation Therapy of Brain Metastases.

Brain metastases are the most prevalent form of cancer in the central nervous system and up to 45% of cancer patients eventually develop brain metastases during their illness. Selection of whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) versus stereotactic radiosurgery, two routine treatments for brain metastases, highly depends on the number and size of metastatic lesions in a patient. Our clinical investigations reveal that up to 40% of brain metastases with a diameter <5mm could be missed in a routine clinical diagnosis using contrast-enhanced MRI. Hence, this dissertation initially describes the development of a template-matching based computer-aided detection (CAD) system for automatic detection of small lesions in post-Gd T1-weighted MRI to assist radiological diagnosis. Our results showed a significant improvement in detecting small lesions using the proposed methodology. When a cancer patient is given a treatment, it is very important to assess the tumor response to therapy early. This is traditionally performed by measuring a change in the gross tumor volume. However, changes in tumor physiology, which happen earlier than the volumetric changes, have the potential to provide a better means in prediction of tumor response to therapy and also could be used for therapy guidance. But, there are several challenges in assessment of tumor response to therapy, especially due to the heterogeneous distribution pattern of the physiological parameters in a tumor, image mis-registration issues caused by tumor shrinkage/increase across the time of followups, lack of methodologies combining information from different physiological viewpoints, and etc. Hence, this dissertation mainly focused on development of techniques overcoming these challenges using information from two important aspects of tumor physiology: tumor vascular and cellularity properties derived from dynamic contrast-enhance and diffusion-weighted MRI. Our proposed techniques were evaluated with lesions treated by either WBRT alone or combined with Bortezomib as a radiation sensitizer. We found that changes in both tumor vascular and cellularity properties play an important but different role for predicting tumor response to therapy, depending on the tumor types and underlying treatment. Also, we found that combing the two parameters provides a better tool for response assessment.
Health-related quality of life and adjustment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract The overall purpose of this thesis were to explore the impact of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL), the significant predictors of adjustment outcomes, as well as to establish an adjustment model in patients with HCC. This thesis included three studies: systematic review, qualitative and quantitative study. Systematic review. HCC and HRQOL relevant keywords were combined and 36 articles were recruited in this review. The main finding indicated patients with HCC had worse physical, emotional, and functional HRQOL; but better social/family HRQOL than the general population. The medical and physical variables associated with HRQOL also identified. Qualitative study. Thirty-three patients with HCC in Taiwan were recruited, and semi-structured interview was used to collect data to explore patients’ experience in illness journey. Four themes were identified, including the impact of disease, the illness perceptions of HCC, the information needs and the coping strategies. A preliminary model of illness adjustment was also developed. Quantitative study. Standardized questionnaires were used to measure HRQOL, anxiety and depression, illness perceptions, coping, and social support; and demographic and physical variables were also collected (n=286). Patients with HCC had worse global HRQOL, physical, role, cognitive, social functioning, and more higher levels of depression than the general population; and the prevalence of anxiety, depression and emotional distress were 11.27%, 25.44%, and 20.14% respectively. Physical variables explained a significant amount of variance in all EORTC and HADS scores (R2=.17-.62). Illness perceptions explained an additional 4.33%-31.80% of the variance in the EORTC and HADS scores after controlling for ECOG and α-FP. Cognitive representations mediated the effects of ECOG on the EORTC and HADS scores, and coping mediated the effects of cognitive representations on psychological aspects of adjustment outcomes. An adjustment model with multiple pathways was developed based on both quantitative and qualitative findings. Suggestions are made for improving clinical care for patients with HCC and future studies.
Coding for frequency hopped spread spectrum satellite communications

Performance of various types of error correcting codes is examined under partial band noise jamming and multitone jamming using the fast frequency hopping, noncoherent M-ary frequency-shift-keying technique. Some results are compared to those previously published to ensure the reliability of the software package developed. Several errors in previously published results, some of which are not trivial, are identified and corrected. As a prelude to implementing more complex codes, we report on the hardware implementation of the well known (24,12) extended Golay code. t --001\111VIUNI UT! O U CANADA 'MCIà. 1987 LIBRARY BIBLIOTIliMBE
Besançon, Saint-Jean (Doubs) : structures en fosses et puits en contextes laténien et gallo-romain (Ier siècle avant J.-C. - Ier siècle après J.-C.)

L'occupation du site de Saint-Jean a Besancon, mise en evidence par une fouille de sauvetage en 1981-82, couvre la periode allant de la fin de l'Âge du Fer jusqu'a la periode romaine (du I er s. av. J.-C. au milieu du I er s. ap. J.-C.). Fosses-depotoirs, bassins cuveles, alignements de pierres et de pieux composent cet ensemble. La bonne conservation des bois d'architecture (comme les poutres, les planches, les pieux.), a permis de realiser des datations dendrochronologiques. L'etude de la ceramique permet d'etablir un cadre typochronologique et, avec la faune, de mieux cerner les habitudes culinaires durant l'epoque pre-romaine, puis romaine. Le paleoenvironnement du site est evoque a travers les analyses polliniques. L'ensemble des informations recueillies, concernant cette occupation et sa chronologie, est mise en perspective avec le contexte de la ville.
Preventing Adolescent Depression in Mauritius: A Universal School-Based Program.

BACKGROUND This study evaluated the efficacy of a universal prevention program for adolescent depresssion implemented by school teachers in Mauritius. METHOD 160 adolescents were randomly assigned to the prevention program or wait-list. RESULTS Decreased depressive symptoms for the intervention condition were found post-intervention, but not at follow-up. Significant changes in self-esteem and coping skills were seen both post-intervention and at the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The results, drawing from a culturally diverse population, suggest that universal programs such as RAP-A may be better seen as promoting positive mental health, rather than having direct prevention or intervention effects on clinical problems.
Gearbox Simulation Models with Gear and Bearing Faults

Simulation is an effective tool for understanding the complex interaction of transmission components in dynamic environment. Vibro-dynamics simulation of faulty gears and rolling element bearings allows the analyst to study the effect of damaged components in controlled manners and gather the data without bearing the cost of actual failures or the expenses associated with an experiment that requires a large number of seeded fault specimens. The fault simulation can be used to provide the data required in training Neural network based diagnostic/prognostic processes.