Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Propofol or benzodiazepines for short- and long-term sedation in intensive care units? An economic evaluation based on meta-analytic results

Purpose This evaluation compares propofol and benzodiazepine sedation for mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care units (ICUs) in order to identify the potential economic benefits from different payers’ perspectives. Methods The patient-level simulation model incorporated efficacy estimates from a structured meta-analysis and ICU-related costs from Italy, Germany, France, UK, and the USA. Efficacy outcomes were ICU length of stay (LOS), mechanical ventilation duration, and weaning time. We calculated ICU costs from mechanical ventilation duration and ICU LOS based on national average ICU costs with and without mechanical ventilation. Three scenarios were investigated: 1) long-term sedation >24 hours based on results from randomized controlled trials (RCTs); 2) long-term sedation based on RCT plus non-RCT results; and 3) short-term sedation <24 hours based on RCT results. We tested the model’s robustness for input uncertainties by deterministic (DSA) and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSA). Results In the base case, mean savings with propofol versus benzodiazepines in long-term sedation ranged from €406 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 646 to 164) in Italy to 1,632 € (95% CI: 2,362 to 880) in the USA. Inclusion of non-RCT data corroborated these results. Savings in short-term sedation ranged from €148 (95% CI: 291 to 2) in Italy to €502 (95% CI: 936 to 57) in the USA. Parameters related to ICU and mechanical ventilation had a stronger influence in the DSA than drug-related parameters. In PSA, propofol reduced costs and ICU LOS compared to benzodiazepines in 94%–100% of simulations. The largest savings may be possible in the UK and the USA due to higher ICU costs. Conclusion Current ICU sedation guidelines recommend propofol rather than midazolam for mechanically ventilated patients. This evaluation endorses the recommendation as it may lead to better outcomes and savings for health care systems, especially in countries with higher ICU-related costs.
Assessing height changes in a highly structured forest using regularly acquired aerial image data

In this paper, we demonstrate the effectiveness of digital stereo images and canopy height models (CHMs) derived from them for forest height change assessment. Top heights were derived for 199 terrestrial inventory plots from forest inventories conducted in 2008 and 2013 in a forest near Traunstein, Germany. Semi-Global Matching was applied to two sets of aerial stereo images, acquired in 2009 and 2012, respectively, to compute CHMs. Subsequently, several height percentiles were calculated from the areas in the CHMs that lay within the inventory plot locations. The maximum CHM value (hmax) had the highest correlation with the field-based canopy top heights and was selected for use in all further analysis. Periodic annual increments (PAIs) of forest height were calculated from both the remote sensing and the field data at the inventory plot locations. Scatterplots of the PAIs over top height revealed similar patterns in the results derived from the two data sets. The inventory plots were assigned to three height classes representing various forest successional stages – youth, full vigour and old age. The PAI distributions within the three height classes were significantly different from one another. Our findings suggest that CHMs derived from repeat aerial image surveys can be a viable tool to measure canopy heights and to assess forest height changes over time, even for a highly structured, mixed forest in central Europe.
Comparative Study between Percolation and Ultrasonication for the Extraction of Hibiscus and Jasmine Flowers Utilizing Antibacterial Bioassay

Different extraction techniques can produce extracts of divergent active compounds from plants. Percolation with soxhlet and ultrasonication were used with ethanol solvent to extract hibiscus and jasmine flowers. These extracts were tested for antibacterial effect on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with susceptibility test. The study was conducted by extracting the flowers with soxhlet and ultrasonic apparatus using ethanol as solvent. The extracts were separated from the solvent by evaporating the solvent with rotary evaporator. Discs of 6 mm were prepared from filter paper and were impregnated with the extracts. Sub-cultured test organisms, E. coli and S. aureus were swabbed on Mueller Hinton (MH) agars for susceptibility testing. The prepared discs were placed on the swabbed MH agar plates. Commercially prepared jasmine oil and hibiscus tea extracts’ discs were used as standards. Gentamicin discs were used as positive control and ethanol impregnated discs were used as negative control. Observations were recorded after 24 hours of incubation at 37 0C. Soxhlet and ultrasonic extracts of hibiscus flower showed antibacterial effect on E. coli and S. aureus. The hibiscus standard did not produce any effect on both E. coli and S. aureus. Soxhlet and ultrasonic extracts of jasmine flower showed no effect E. coli. Soxhlet and ultrasonic extracts of jasmine flower showed antibacterial effect on S. aureus. The jasmine standard showed antibacterial effect on both E. coli and S. aureus. Based on the results, it can be concluded that different extraction techniques administered on plants will yield different extracts. These extracts will display varying effects on bacteria like E. coli and S. aureus.
Effects of Vitamin A Supplementation on Reducing Toxicity of Aflatoxin B 1 on the Ovary of Young Female Rats

Aflatoxins are highly toxic, mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic compounds produced by some species of Aspergillus, especially A. flavus and A. parasiticus. This study was designed to investigate the possible therapeutic dose of Vit. A on ovary of young female rats treated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Animals were divided into 5 equal groups each group contains 6 rats. Group I animals of this group had been kept as normal without any treatment and considered as controls. Group 2: Animals of this group were orally administered vehicle 50% DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide) alone . Group3: Animals of this group were orally administered vehicle with Vitamin A (132 IU double the human therapeutic dose). Group4: Animals of this group were orally administered . 0.05 μg AFB1 per kg dissolved in 50% DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide) . Group 5: Animals of this group were orally administered 0.05 μg AFB1 per kg with Vitamin A (132IU double the human therapeutic dose). The experiment lasted for 14 weeks, animals were dissected 24 hours after last doss. Ovarin sections of treated female rats showed pathological changes represented by reduction number and deformed follicles, with Absence of mature follicles. In addition, semithin ovarian sections exhibited, follicles without oocytes, residual in zona granulosa cells with reduction in theca layer. Also serum follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), luteinizing hormone(LH) levels were decreased and estradiol level was increased. Vitamin A showed a partial improvement of histopathological as regards ovary sections observed with numerous follicles in various stages of development (primary, secondary and Graafian follicle ,corpora lutea), with presence of some deformed follicles. Also serum follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), luteinizing hormone(LH)and estradiol levels were improved with supplementation of vitamin A. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that AFB1 adversely indirectly damages ovarian tissue through increasing estradiol , while vitamin A treatment effectively attenuates the toxic effect of AFB1 in the ovary [Ismail, N. H. Effects of Vitamin A Supplementation on the Ovary to Reduced Toxicity of Aflatoxin B1 on Young Female Rats. L Sci J 2012; 9(3):603-312]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 85
South Africa's Exports Performance: Any Role for Structural Factors?

Despite a substantial and prolonged exchange rate depreciation, South Africa's export performance has disappointed since the global financial crisis. In this paper we focus on the role of structural factors in reducing the responsiveness of South African exports to the real exchange rate depreciation. To this end, we construct a unique database of export performance at the firm level. Our analysis suggests that electricity bottlenecks, limited product market competition, and labor market constraints have reduced the responsiveness of firms' exports to the rand depreciation. On the other hand, a firm's ability to diversify its exports has helped it benefit more from currency movements.
Meta-Path Guided Embedding for Heterogeneous Information Networks Consolidation

Most real-world data can be modeled as heterogeneous information networks (HINs) consisting of vertices of multiple types and their relationships. However, current HINs can only be constructed from structured meta-data while much richer unstructured data is not leveraged. To tackle this issue, we propose a new task, heterogeneous information networks consolidation, which aims to enhance existing HINs with attributes extracted from unstructured data. Our proposed framework models vertices as low-dimensional vectors to explore similarities embedded in the network structure. To accommodate user preferences at defining similarity semantics, it accepts user-defined meta-paths as guidance to learn vertex vectors in a user-preferred embedding space. Moreover, an efficient and parallel sampling-based optimization algorithm is developed to learn embeddings in large-scale HINs. After the embeddings of nodes in the HINs are learned, a parallel learning to match algorithm is utilized to consolidate the existing HINs with seed attributes discovered from unstructured text data. Extensive experiments on real-world large-scale HINs demonstrate the effectiveness of our framework over several state-of-the-art algorithms as well as its scalability.
Laboratory Earthquakes in Large‐Scale Rock Experiments Reveal Singular Crack‐Like Rupture Dynamics

Slip initiation along natural faults is mediated through propagating rupture fronts. What mechanisms drive these ruptures, how fast they propagate, and what makes them stop are central questions of earthquakes source mechanics. Xu et al. (2019, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JB016797) and Kammer and McLaskey (2019, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2019.01.031) study rapid rupture propagation in large‐scale rock experiments. Their detailed high‐speed strain measurements reveal that rupture fronts are analogous to shear cracks, driven by singular fields at their tip. By comparing these measurements with simulations and analytical fracture mechanics solutions, the authors provide estimates of the fracture energy and frictional properties that regularize these singularities. Building on that, the fracture mechanics framework has been successfully employed to describe rupture arrest and propagation.
The efficacy of modified neutrophil alkaline phosphatase score, serum IL-6, IL-18 and CC16 levels on the prognosis of moderate and severe COPD patients

Objective: Our objective is to analyse the efficacy of modified Neutrophil Alkaline Phosphatase (NAP) score, serum Interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-18 and human Clara cell secretory 16-kD protein (CC16) on the prognosis of moderate and severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients, which provides a reference to predict the prognosis of COPD patients. Methods: 182 moderate and severe COPD patients admitted in our hospital during April 2012 to April 2015 were included in the observation group, and 150 healthy people were included in the control group for prospective analysis. Serum IL-6, IL-18 and CC16 levels were detected and the differences were analysed. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to analyse the correlation of modified NAP score, serum IL-6, IL-18 and CC16 levels with pulmonary function, 2 y acute exacerbation times and 6 min walk distance in moderate and severe COPD patients (P<0.05). Results: The serum IL-6 and IL-18 in the observation group were higher than the control group, and CC16 was lower than the control group, which were statistically significant (P<0.05). In the observation group, NAP score was normal in 104 patients and abnormal in 78 patients, the second day serum IL-6, IL-18 and CC16 were statistically different between patients with normal and abnormal NAP scores (P<0.05). Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that NAP score, IL-6 and IL-18 were positively correlated with the 2 y acute exacerbation times, and negatively correlated with FEV1, FEV1/FVC and 6 min walk distance. CC16 was negatively correlated with the 2 y acute exacerbation times, and positively correlated with FEV1, FEV1/FVC and 6 min walk distance (P<0.05). Conclusion: Modified NAP score, serum IL-6, IL-18 and CC16 levels are closely correlated to the prognosis of moderate and severe COPD patients. Evaluation of the patient prognosis and actively intervention based on this can improve the life quality of patients.
Obesity at Menopause: An Expanding Problem

Major changes in fat distribution and function occur throughout life [2]. Fat tissue mass increases though middle age and declines in old age, with menopause transition being associated with significant weight gain of 2-2.5 kg over 3 years on average [17]. The prevalence of overweight or obesity in middle-aged women, around and after menopause is high and is rising worldwide, more rapidly in women over the age of 40 years, with up to 65% being either overweight or obese and up to 30% or more being obese [1,3,20-22].
Isolation and Characterization of Indigenous Microorganism (Imo) from Ifugao Bamboo (Phyllostachys Aurea) Forest

This investigation was conducted to isolate and characterized samples of indigenous microorganism (IMO) collected from bamboo forest in Ifugao province Philippines. Plate count was used to determine the relative proportion of different types of microbes in the sample, either as bacteria, fungi or yeast. The samples were serially diluted and the dilutions (10 10) were plated on selective media. Microbial isolates showed high bacterial population compared to normal soil population. Eight (8) bacterial isolates as pure culture were relatively the dominant microbes with population ranging from (1.4 x 10 to 5.5 x 10 CFU/g). Bacterial and fungal isolates exhibited distinctive cultural characteristics (color, shape, colony size (mm), texture, elevation, appearance, optical property). Based on the findings of this present investigation, the authors concludes that useful potential bacteria and fungi as indigenous microorganism can be collected from bamboo forest in Alfonso Lista, Ifugao Philippines which can be isolated and used for further studies on bioconversion of farm waste into organic fertilizer.
INVERSE AND OPTIMAL OUTPUT FEEDBACK CONTROL PROBLEMS FOR INFINITE DIMENSIONAL DETERMINISTIC AND STOCHASTIC SYSTEMS WITH UNCERTAIN SEMIGROUP GENERATORS

This paper is concerned with inverse problems and optimal output feedback control problems for semilinear innite dimensional uncertain systems. We present several interesting typical and nontypical control problems and their solutions. The nontypical problems are related to control of the evolution of measures. We prove existence of optimal feedback control laws for these systems in the presence of uncertainty of the principal oper- ator. We consider both deterministic and stochastic systems. In the last section we present the necessary conditions of optimality for the uncertain stochastic feedback control problem.
How Do Second Grade Students in Primary Schools Use and Perceive Tablets

In the life of students who are named digitally born in this era, tablets have a crucial role. The aim of this study, which is designed as a case study model, is to determine the use of tablet by second grade students and it aims to reveal their perception towards tablets via metaphors. 63-second grade students are participated in this study in spring semester in 2015-2016 in Mugla regarding convenient sampling method. The data for the study is gathered via a written form including students' background information and open-ended questions that is developed by the researchers of this study. The data are analyzed via content analysis methods. As a result of the study, it is determined that parents mostly restrict the use of tablets by their children; moreover students prefer reading printed books to digital ones and they prefer playing with their friends in parks to playing games in their tablets; additionally it is determined that the students in this study use tablets for the aim of playing games, searching, watching videos and doing homework, however they rarely use tablets in order to read books, listen to music and take photographs. Besides, it is seen that the students have a positive aspect for using tablets, and they develops 24 metaphors under 4 main themes.
E-commerce adoption among the elderly people

This paper reviews extant literature on e-commerce adoption by the elderly. The main findings are that existing research has defined ‘elderly’ differently due to the lack of consensus on what age one becomes ‘elderly’. The review also found that the reported extent of e-commerce adoption varies widely, within and across different countries of the world. Further, there are many existing studies which have investigated technology adoption by the elderly people compared to e-commerce adoption. In terms of the uses of e-commerce by the elderly, it was found that it is mostly used for buying and no evidence was found on whether the elderly uses e-commerce for selling. Finally, the review also found that there are very few studies which have investigated the determinants of e-commerce adoption by the elderly. Overall, the findings of this literature review revealed that we know very little about e-commerce adoption by the elderly. The study therefore recommends that it is important for academics to begin by resolving the issue of who is the elderly since this may currently and potentially in future, affect the consistency of the reported results.
Regulatory Preferences and Two-Part Tariffs: The Case of Electricity

The purpose of this paper is to develop and demonstrate a method for deriving and testing regulatory preferences within and across customer classes, and to assess the impact of these preferences on price structures and regulatory effectiveness in the electric utility industry. The method extends a technique described in both Nelson and Ross for uncovering interclass preferences in a uniform price framework [24; 33; 34]. By employing a two-part tariff framework, the extension enables the derivation of both interclass and intraclass preferences. Intraclass preferences can be derived in a two-part tariff framework because regulators can discriminate not only between customer classes, as with uniform prices, but also within a customer class. Two-part tariffs are also introduced because actual price structures in the electric utility industry are better approximated by two-part tariffs than by uniform prices. ' Models of optimal two-part tariffs, particularly those of Schmalensee, and Sherman and Visscher, are extended to allow regulatory preferences to vary across and within heterogeneous customer classes [36; 37; 13; 27; 11; 25; 19; 18; 22]. 2 These variable preferences are incorporated into a weighted social surplus function which regulators are assumed to maximize. Given this model of regulatory behavior, preference weights can be derived for the electric utility industry with information on the markups of both per-unit prices over marginal costs of kWh output and fixed charges over the marginal costs of customer connection, and on output and connection demand elasticities.
Early metalinguistic awareness of derivational morphology: Observations from a comparison of English and French

This cross-linguistic comparison of metalinguistic development in French and English examines early ability to manipulate derivational suffixes in oral language games as a function of chronological age, receptive vocabulary, and year of schooling. Data from judgment and production tasks are presented for children aged between 5 and 8 years in their first, second, or third school year in the United Kingdom and France. The results suggest that metamorphological development is accelerated in French relative to English. The French advantage encompasses knowledge of a broader range of suffixes and a markedly greater facility for generalizing morphological knowledge to novel contexts. These findings are interpreted in relation to the word formation systems of English and French, and the educational context in each country.
Estimation of Random Coecient Demand Models: Two Empiricists' Perspective Job Market Paper Forthcoming in The Review of Economics and Statistics

We document the numerical challenges we experienced estimating random-coecient Logit demand models introduced in the seminal work of Berry et al. (1995). We use two widely known datasets, various optimization algorithms, a large number of starting values, and dierent tolerances of the xed-point iterations to document such challenges. We show that the optimization algorithms converge at points where the rstand second-order optimality conditions fail. We also provide cases of convergence
BTSA Program Directors' Perceptions on the Relationship between Components of Mentor Assessment and Effectiveness.

California’s Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment program (BTSA) is a high stakes induction program; a new teacher’s completion of a BTSA induction program leads to the California clear credential. The cornerstone of the BTSA induction program is the mentor, also known as a support provider. Mentors provide a variety of services to new teachers including individualized formative assessment of practice and ongoing reflection on teaching skills. Effective mentors are critical to the success of new teachers and foundational to the induction program. Although BTSA programs are mandated by state induction standards to assess the quality of services provided by their support providers, the standards do not define quality. BTSA programs are free to create their own assessment criteria and assessment methods. This qualitative, descriptive study (a) examined the perceptions of BTSA program directors on the relationship between established forms of mentor criteria, methods of formative assessment, and formative feedback provided to mentors and (b) identified those components of mentor assessment that are perceived by BTSA program directors to be valuable in assessing mentor effectiveness. The study found that BTSA directors placed import on assessing mentors for personal dispositions, such as attitude and responsibility, as well as the quality of their work with their novice teachers. Directors perceived that formative feedback from either the BTSA director or peers was important in increasing mentor effectiveness. The directors’ perceptions of valued components of mentor assessment were shaped not only by the requirements regarding mentor assessment contained within Induction Standard 3 (California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, 2008), but by local culture, district goals, and existing models of educator assessments within each organization.