Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Advancing student well-being and agency : outline of a 'capabilities-friendly' approach

The article outlines the case for the capabilities-friendly approach in higher education practice, policy and evaluation. According to this normative approach to human well-being and agency, higher education ought to enable the full range of opportunities and achievements for every students, and for diverse students, while also contributing to commitments to the good of others. As such it is an inclusive, social justice friendly approach, concerned with equity in higher education and reducing inequalities in society through the actions of graduates. By drawing on a theoretical approach in the development ethics field rather than only from the higher education literature, the article further seeks to align development with higher education in ways which might benefit both fields. To illustrate the argument for capabilities, the article details the lives of two students and then uses the examples to sketch different approaches to information on and the evaluation of well-being, with the capability approach argued for as the most robust. The article then details the need also for the educational formation of agents who will make ethical contributions to reducing inequalities and poverty in society. Three worthwhile higher education capabilities are advanced: affiliation, critical capacities and ethical citizenship. Finally, some of the gaps in the capability approach are noted.
Understanding accountability in an ever-changing New Zealand health system

The purpose of this research was to understand how the constant adoption of reforms affected accountability understanding and its practices in the New Zealand public health system. This study adopted a qualitative methodology and took a critical hermeneutics approach in order to explore the reasons for, and formats of, public health reform, and the experience of health policy implementers in dealing with reforms, policy changes, and accountability. To develop new insights about accountability and its practices, this study reviewed a range of policy documents and relevant publications, and interviewed senior health managers who were experienced in dealing with reforms. The research evidence is presented in line with Ricoeur’s stages of understanding; these are: preunderstanding, understanding, and finally, comprehensive understanding. The preunderstanding was developed from study of secondary sources, while the understanding was achieved through interviews. A comprehensive understanding results from both review of and reflection on preunderstanding and understanding. The findings are that reform can be described as a ‘means without ends’ because it was continually implemented in a political loop, in which, demand and supply for change were determined by the government’s political interests. Postreform accountability was full of frustrations because of its complexity in practice. Surprisingly, despite that fact, the health managers still believe that accountability per se is essential. This study proposes that postreform accountability can be understood as two sides of the same coin: accountability means being accountable, in a normative sense, and not being able to be accountable, in practice. The adoption of constant reforms has increased the level of organisational complexity. This has affected the notion of accountability and its practices because accountability rests in the organisational structures. This study suggests that accountability cannot be detached from its normative and mechanism perspectives. No matter how much the policy has changed or will change in the future, the possibility of policy implementers facing similar challenges and the same feelings is high because reform produces two identical outcomes for accountability: i.e., hopes and frustrations. The study contributes in three ways to an understanding of accountability in the context of reform. First, it offers valuable insights into the ongoing developments in the public health system and the issues of accountability. Second, it contributes to the wider understanding of the effects reform have on the notion of accountability and its practices. Third, it advances understanding relating to recent discussions on postreform accountability.
Variation in outpatient antibiotic prescribing in the United States.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate variation in outpatient antibiotic utilization among US commercial health plans and the implications of this variation for cost and quality. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS We measured antibiotic utilization rates among 229 US commercial health plans that participated in the 2005 Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set. Rates were adjusted to account for health plan age and sex distribution. To estimate antibiotic costs, we multiplied utilization data for each drug class by national estimates of intraclass distribution of drugs, duration of therapy, and median average wholesale price. RESULTS Antibiotic utilization rates varied markedly among plans, ranging from 0.64 antibiotic fills per member per year (PMPY) at the 5th percentile of plans to 1.08 fills PMPY at the 95th percentile, with a mean of 0.88 (SD +/- 0.15) antibiotic fills PMPY. US census region was the strongest predictor of antibiotic utilization. Antibiotic costs averaged $49 PMPY and ranged from $34 to $63 PMPY among plans at the 5th and 95th percentiles of cost, respectively. If a health plan with 250,000 members at the 90th percentile of antibiotic costs reduced its costs to the 25th percentile, annual drug cost savings would be approximately $4.1 million. CONCLUSIONS Antibiotic utilization varies substantially among commercial health plans and is not accounted for by differences in the age and sex distribution of plan members. Because reducing rates of antibiotic utilization is likely to lower costs and improve quality, high-utilizing plans may reap considerable rewards from investing in programs to reduce the overuse of antibiotics.
COMBINING THE VIEWS OF "BOTH WORLDS": SCIENCE EDUCATION IN NUNAVUT

This paper reports on several phases of a five-year science education development project in Nunavut, Canada. The project, in its entirety, was established as a Pilot Program for Nunavut schools in effort to understand school community aspirations for science education and potential contributors and impediments to fostering the realization of identified goals. This paper focuses on the cases of three Inuit school communities in identifying and achieving their aspirations for science education. This paper describes the goals collaboratively identified and the processes utilized to work towards the realizations of such goals. Of importance is the identification by the school communities to offer an educational experience that combines the knowledge, processes and values of ―both worlds‖ (western science and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit) and to employ both traditional and contemporary methods for implementing and evaluating the success of the project. Finally, based upon the outcomes of this project, suggestions are provided for supporting developments in other jurisdictions aspiring to see the realization of local and Indigenous aspirations for science education. Of critical importance to seeing such efforts realized are the policy and leadership conditions manifest at the school-community, divisional and territorial level for fostering culture-based education programs. 1 This study has been primarily supported financially by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) who have funded the CRYSTAL projects not only at the University of Manitoba but also at four other Centres for Research Youth, Science Teaching and Learning across Canada. The quantitative instrument (SDEINS) described in this study was developed through the support of a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SHHRC) grant. Finally, the development and translation of resources in Inuktitut used in the teaching of two-way science experiences was financed by a Canadian Council for Learning research grant. The authors also acknowledge the contributions made by the school communities and community elders as well as Tuqqassie Killiktee and Brian Yamamura for their contributions to the conceptualization of this project. 2 Editor’s Note: Most of the articles that CJEAP publishes are in the range of 20-25 pages in length, similar to most print journals in education. However, our electronic format does allow us greater flexibility with regard to length and, on occasion, where the content warrants, we may publish longer manuscripts. Issue 98 is one such article.
Impact of variables of the P-selectin – P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 axis on leukocyte-platelet interactions in cardiovascular disease

Summary The formation of leukocyte-platelet aggregates (LPA), through the P-selectin – P-selectin glycoprotein ligand (PSGL)-1 axis, plays a pivotal role in atherothrombosis. In order to investigate the influence of platelet (pP-selectin) and soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin), and of variations in the genes encoding for P-selectin (SELP) and PSGL-1 (SELPLG) on LPA formation, we assessed monocyte (MPA)- and neutrophil-platelet aggregates (NPA) as well as pP-selectin by flow cytometry in 263 patients undergoing angioplasty and stenting. sP-selectin was determined by ELISA, the SELP Pro715 allele and the SELPLG Ile62 allele were determined by allele specific PCR. The Pro715 allele was significantly associated with lower levels of in vivo pP-selectin and sP-selectin, while agonists´ inducible pP-selectin was not influenced by the Pro715 allele. PP-selectin was significantly associated with MPA and NPA formation. The in vivo formation of MPA and NPA depended to 19 % and 7.4 %, respectively, on in vivo pP-selectin, irrespective of the Pro715 allele and the Ile62 allele carrier status. TRAP-6 inducible MPA and NPA depended to 34 % and 27 %, respectively, on TRAP-6 inducible pP-selectin, but were independent of the Pro715 allele carrier status. Carriers of the Ile62 allele showed a stronger correlation between TRAP-6 inducible pP-selectin and TRAP-6 inducible MPA/NPA than non-carriers. Furthermore, TRAP-6 inducible NPA were higher in Ile62 allele carriers, which suggests higher thrombin sensitivity. In conclusion, our findings point to the significant role of pP-selectin for MPA and NPA formation, while other variables like sP-selectin, the SELP Pro715 allele and the SELPLG Ile62 allele have less influence.
Ethnic disparities and liver transplantation rates in hepatocellular carcinoma patients in the recent era: Results from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results registry

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. After the implementation of the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease system, rates of liver transplantation (LT) for HCC patients increased. However, it is not clear whether this trend has continued into recent times. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry (1998‐2010), we retrospectively analyzed trends for LT among HCC patients in 3 time periods: 1998‐2003, 2004‐2008, and 2009‐2010. A total of 60,772 HCC patients were identified. In the more recent time periods, the proportion of localized‐stage HCC increased (45.0% in 1998‐2003, 50.4% in 2004‐2008, and 51.7% in 2009‐2010; P < 0.001). Although the proportion of HCC patients within the Milan criteria also increased with time (22.8% in 1998‐2003, 31.8% in 2004‐2008, and 37.1% in 2009‐2010; P < 0.001), the proportion of those patients undergoing LT increased from 1998‐2003 to 2004‐2008 but decreased from 2004‐2008 to 2009‐2010. However, the actual frequencies of LT were similar in 2004‐2008 (208.2 per year) and 2009‐2010 (201.5 per year). A multivariate logistic regression, including sex, age, ethnicity, Milan criteria, tumor stage, tumor size and number, and time periods, demonstrated a lower likelihood of LT in 2009‐2010 versus 1998‐2003 [odds ratio (OR) = 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.57‐0.71]. Blacks (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.41‐0.56), Asians (OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.57‐0.73), and Hispanics (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.68‐0.85) were all less likely to undergo LT in comparison with non‐Hispanic whites. Despite the increasing proportion of patients with HCC diagnosed at an earlier stage, LT rates declined in the most recent era. In addition, ethnic minorities were significantly less likely to undergo LT. The growing imbalance between the number of transplant‐eligible HCC patients and the shortage of donor livers emphasizes the need to improve donor availability and curative alternatives to LT. Liver Transpl 20:528–535, 2014. © 2014 AASLD.
Individual patient data-based meta-analysis of patients aged 16 to 60 years with core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia: a survey of the German Acute Myeloid Leukemia Intergroup.

PURPOSE To evaluate prognostic factors for relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) and to assess the impact of different postremission therapies in adult patients with core binding factor (CBF) acute myeloid leukemias (AML). PATIENTS AND METHODS Individual patient data-based meta-analysis was performed on 392 adults (median age, 42 years; range, 16 to 60 years) with CBF AML (t(8;21), n = 191; inv(16), n = 201) treated between 1993 and 2002 in prospective German AML treatment trials. RESULTS RFS was 60% and 58% and OS was 65% and 74% in the t(8;21) and inv(16) groups after 3 years, respectively. For postremission therapy, intention-to-treat analysis revealed no difference between intensive chemotherapy and autologous transplantation in the t(8;21) group and between chemotherapy, autologous, and allogeneic transplantation in the inv(16) group. In the t(8;21) group, significant prognostic variables for longer RFS and OS were lower WBC and higher platelet counts; loss of the Y chromosome in male patients was prognostic for shorter OS. In the inv(16) group, trisomy 22 was a significant prognostic variable for longer RFS. For patients who experienced relapse, second complete remission rate was significantly lower in patients with t(8;21), resulting in a significantly inferior survival duration after relapse compared with patients with inv(16). CONCLUSION We provide novel prognostic factors for CBF AML and show that patients with t(8;21) who experience relapse have an inferior survival duration.
pH and Peptide Supply Can Radically Alter Bacterial Populations and Short-Chain Fatty Acid Ratios within Microbial Communities from the Human Colon

ABSTRACT The effects of changes in the gut environment upon the human colonic microbiota are poorly understood. The response of human fecal microbial communities from two donors to alterations in pH (5.5 or 6.5) and peptides (0.6 or 0.1%) was studied here in anaerobic continuous cultures supplied with a mixed carbohydrate source. Final butyrate concentrations were markedly higher at pH 5.5 (0.6% peptide mean, 24.9 mM; 0.1% peptide mean, 13.8 mM) than at pH 6.5 (0.6% peptide mean, 5.3 mM; 0.1% peptide mean, 7.6 mM). At pH 5.5 and 0.6% peptide input, a high butyrate production coincided with decreasing acetate concentrations. The highest propionate concentrations (mean, 20.6 mM) occurred at pH 6.5 and 0.6% peptide input. In parallel, major bacterial groups were monitored by using fluorescence in situ hybridization with a panel of specific 16S rRNA probes. Bacteroides levels increased from ca. 20 to 75% of total eubacteria after a shift from pH 5.5 to 6.5, at 0.6% peptide, coinciding with high propionate formation. Conversely, populations of the butyrate-producing Roseburia group were highest (11 to 19%) at pH 5.5 but fell at pH 6.5, a finding that correlates with butyrate formation. When tested in batch culture, three Bacteroides species grew well at pH 6.7 but poorly at pH 5.5, which is consistent with the behavior observed for the mixed community. Two Roseburia isolates grew equally well at pH 6.7 and 5.5. These findings suggest that a lowering of pH resulting from substrate fermentation in the colon may boost butyrate production and populations of butyrate-producing bacteria, while at the same time curtailing the growth of Bacteroides spp.
Destination Image Components and Word-of-Mouth Intentions in Urban Tourism: A Multigroup Approach

The purpose of this study was to explore differences among three distinct groups, namely local residents, past tourists, and prospective tourists, in their perceptions of cognitive, affective, and overall image of a city destination and their future behavior. Analysis of data generally confirmed previously established structural relationships of cognitive and affective image, overall destination image, and word-of-mouth intentions. However, differences were identified among the three groups in terms of their destination image perceptions and their behavioral intentions to engage in word-of-mouth communications. Specifically, residents who engaged in word-of-mouth were primarily influenced by the cognitive and affective destination image components, while tourists relied on overall image perceptions.
Detection, Containment and Scaling Relations of Near Source Explosionsin Granite Through Moment Tensor Representations

80 Motivation . 81 Experiment Site . 85 Instrumentation and Data . 86 Theory . 87 Velocity Model . 92 Inversions . 94 Moment, Yield Scaling and Source Models . 98 Source Interpretation . 101 Conclusions . 101 TABLES . 105 FIGURES . 110 REFERENCES . 125 CHAPTER 3 . 129 Abstract . 129. 129 Motivation . 130 Experiment Site . 137 Instrumentation and Data . 140 Theory . 140
Observations on generalized glycogenosis with emphasis on electrocardiographic changes.

Clinical, laboratory, and postmortem studies on two cases of generalized glycogenosis diagnosed, and studies during life, and the family history of a third case are presented. An instance of consanguinity and of an afflicted brother and sister are noted in this small series. Serial electrocardiograms of both infants showed progressive left ventricular hypertrophy and variability in P, Q, S-T, and T waves over a period of months. Tracings of one patient revealed shifting atrial foci, ventricular coupling, and slight aberration in some of the ventricular complexes. Unexplained mild fructosuria was noted in one patient. Staining of circulating leukocytes for glycogen appears to be an unreliable diagnostic test.
Beyond Information: The Role of Territory in Privacy Management Behavior on Social Networking Sites

This study draws on communication privacy management theory to explore aspects of social networking sites (SNSs) that may influence individual privacy management behaviors and conceptualizes two behaviors for managing privacy on SNSs: private disclosure (for managing information privacy) and territory coordination (for managing territory privacy). Evidence from two studies of SNS members indicates that perceptions of trespassing over agreed-upon virtual boundaries within SNSs affects risk beliefs regarding information privacy and territory privacy differently. These distinct privacy risk beliefs, in turn, influence two privacy management behaviors. Theoretically, this study demonstrates that a more complete conceptualization of individual privacy management on SNSs should consider both information privacy and territory privacy; and that territory coordination is a more significant indicator of privacy management behaviors on SNSs than private disclosure. From a practical standpoint, this study provides guidance to SNS platform organizations on how to reduce individuals’ privacy risk beliefs, encourage users to share private information, and potentially build larger online communities.
A comparative study on scalar and vector control of Induction motor drives

In this paper speed control of an Induction Motor using Indirect Field Oriented Control (IFOC) method has been developed and simulated. In this work the complete mathematical model of field oriented controlled Induction Motor is described and simulated in MATLAB/SIMULINK. For studies a 200 HP(150kw ) squirrel cage type IM has been considered. The comparative study of IFOC and conventional V/f control of IM is done in this work. The IFOC induction motor drive involves decoupling of the stator current components which produces torque and flux. It is seen that it provides smooth speed control, can generate full torque at zero speed and capable of fast acceleration and deceleration compared to V/f control.
Variability of realized stock returns and trading volume

ABSTRACT Using monthly data for 2005–2014 time period, this article documents the relationship between lagged stock returns and trading volume. We show that the dispersion of stock returns in a market portfolio positively affects future trading volume. We also show that extreme negative returns lead to high future trading volume while extreme positive returns have little effect on future trading. Dividing our sample into several sub-samples based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) divisions leads to similar results for most of the SIC divisions.
MEASUREMENTS OF NEUTRON EFFECTIVE DOSES AND ATTENUATION LENGTHS FOR SHIELDING MATERIALS AT THE HEAVY-ION MEDICAL ACCELERATOR IN CHIBA

The effective doses and attenuation lengths for concrete and iron were measured for the design of heavy ion facilities. Neutrons were produced through the reaction of copper, carbon, and lead bombarded by carbon ions at 230 and 400 MeV·A, neon ions at 400 and 600 MeV·A, and silicon ions at 600 and 800 MeV·A. The detectors used were a Linus and a Andersson-Braun-type rem counter and a detector based on the activation of a plastic scintillator. Representative effective dose rates (in units of 10−8 &mgr;Sv h−1 pps−1 at 1 m from the incident target surface, where pps means particles per second) and the attenuation lengths (in units of m) were 9.4 × 104, 0.46 for carbon ions at 230 MeV·A; 8.9 × 105, 0.48 for carbon ions at 400 MeV·A; 9.3 × 105, 0.48 for neon ions at 400 MeV·A; 3.8 × 106, 0.50 for neon ions at 600 MeV·A; 3.9 × 106, 0.50 for silicon ions at 600 MeV·A; and 1.1 × 107, 0.51 for silicon ions at 800 MeV·A. The attenuation provided by an iron plate approximately 20 cm thick (nearly equal to the attenuation length) corresponded to that of a 50-cm block of concrete in the present energy range. Miscellaneous results, such as the angular distributions of the neutron effective dose, narrow beam attenuation experiments, decay of gamma-ray doses after the bombardment of targets, doses around an irradiation room, order effects in the multi-layer (concrete and iron) shielding, the doses from different targets, the doses measured with a scintillator activation detector, the gamma-ray doses out of walls and the ratio of the response between the Andersson-Braun-type and the Linus rem counters are also reported.
The Collateral Value of Housing: Evidence from Servicemember Pension Choice

We evaluate the effect of personal characteristics and house prices on the choice made by servicemembers -- between 2001-09 -- among pension options that vary in the time-profile of cash flows. Servicemembers' personal discount rates (PDRs) vary through time and are larger during crisis years. Due to the collateral value of housing, an increase in house prices is associated with a lower propensity of servicemembers choosing immediate liquidity. The effect of house prices on pension choices is robust to controlling for macroeconomic factors including GDP growth, per capita income growth, changes in the state coincident index, unemployment rate, interest rates, stock returns and the net percentage of banks tightening loan standards.