Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Solving Linear Second-Order Singularly Perturbed Differential Difference Equations via Initial Value Method

In this paper, an initial value method for solving a class of linear second-order singularly perturbed differential difference equation containing mixed shifts is proposed. In doing so, first, the given problem is modified in to an equivalent singularly perturbed problem by approximating the term containing the delay and advance parameters using Taylor series expansion. From the modified problem, two explicit initial value problems which are independent of the perturbation parameter are produced; namely, the reduced problem and the boundary layer correction problem. These problems are then solved analytically and/or numerically, and those solutions are combined to give an approximate solution to the original problem. An error estimate for this method is derived using maximum norm. Several test problems are considered to illustrate the theoretical results. It is observed that the present method approximates the exact solution very well.
Screening of peripheral arterial disease in primary health care

Background and purpose: The screening tool for diagnosing lower extremity arterial disease is the assessment of the ankle-brachial index (ABI), which is widely used in general practice. However, resting ABI can easily produce a false negative result. In light of this, our goal was to determine the proportion of de ﬁ nitive diagnoses (peripheral arterial disease [PAD] con ﬁ rmed or refuted) among patients screened in general practice, and the rate of cases in which the need for further specialized examination is necessary, with special attention to groups having non-compressible arteries and ABI negative symptomatic status. The aim of our work is to improve the ef ﬁ ciency of primary health care screening in PAD and reduce the extremely high domestic amputation ratio. Patients and methods: Eight hundred and sixteen patients were screened. We used the Edinburgh Questionnaire and recorded medical histories, major risk factors, current complaints, and medication. Physical examinations were performed, including ABI testing. Results: Thirty-three percent complained about lower extremity claudication; 23% had abnormal ABI values; 13% of the patients within the normal ABI range had complaints of dysbasia; and 12% were in the non-compressible artery group. The ABI-negative symptomatic group ’ s risk factor pro ﬁ le showed a close similarity to the clear PAD-positive and non-compressible artery groups. Conclusion: The percentage of PAD could be higher than the number of patients diagnosed by ABI screening. Nearly a quarter of the population fell into the non-compressible artery and ABI-negative symptomatic groups, together de ﬁ ned as the “ murky zone ” . When screening purposely for PAD, these patients deserve special attention due to the insuf ﬁ cient selectivity and sensitivity of measurements. If there is high clinical suspicion of PAD in spite of normal ABI values, further assessment may be considered.
Crystallinity and Preferred Orientation of Phases in Gabbroic Shergottite NWA 6963

Introduction: Northwest Africa 6963 (NWA 6963) is a basaltic Shergottite notable for having a gabbroic texture (Figure 1), pyroxene with strong shape-preferred orientation, and quartz-alkali feldspar intergrowths (with graphic texture) that are inferred to represent a late-stage granitic melt [1, 2]. We are investigating the crystallinity and orientation of phases in NWA 6963 using FTIR micro-spectroscopy to better understand the processes that have influenced or affected this rock. Pyroxene spectra exhibit crystallographic orientation effects, and we are in the process of determining whether there is a preferred orientation. The spectra of the graphic intergrowths reveal them to be amorphous, indicating that they were additionally processed after crystallization. We find that maskelynite shows no residual crystalline features, constraining shock pressure.
HUMAN CAPITAL INITIATIVES AND VALUE CREATION IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA

The importance attached to the role played by Universities in realization of the vision 2030 Kenya is anchored in the social economic pillar of the vision’s strategic plan. Universities are charged with creation and dissemination of knowledge for development. At the heart of knowledge creation is the human capital as a valued resources that manipulates other organizational resources to achieve the goals and objectives of the institution. The study focused on Human Capital initiatives among public universities in Kenya on value creation. The study was guided by the following objective: To examine the relationship between human capital initiatives and value creation in public universities. The study adopted a mixed research design and was therefore both quantitative and qualitative in nature. A survey was conducted among public universities charted before the year 2010. The study employed a questionnaire administered to academic staff who hold managerial positions. The sampling procedure was purposive in nature. A questionnaire was administered to respondents by means of drop and pick. Descriptive analysis generated percentage distribution, means and standard deviations. Diagnostics tests were performed to determine the suitability and adequacy of the sample represented for further tests. This included linearity, multicollinearity, heteroscedacity and normality tests. Linear regression analysis, analysis of variance, coefficients and multiple regression were employed to examine the nature of the relationship between variables. The study established a strong positive significant relationship between Human Capital and Value Creation in public universities. From the findings drawn, there is a need for knowledge intensive institutions to strategically develop human capital initiatives that result in leveraging value creation. Universities are encouraged to invest further in their human capital initiatives given its strong positive significant influence on value creation. Value generated provides confidence among stakeholders and to lure investors by providing sufficient evidence on information necessary to make informed choices and decisions on partnerships, collaborations and funding.
Capabilities for Change: Trust and Involvement in Organization Development

The more capable an organization is in changing, the better the result. However, up to 75% of change initiatives still fail. Previous research suggests that trust is a key factor for success, both with regards to trust in managers and in the change itself. One way of creating trust is through employee involvement, which also supports innovation and creation of change since it allows organizations to access the collective knowledge and enable co-creation. How trust and employee involvement are related to capabilities for change is still an under-researched issue that calls for more development of both theoretical and practical knowledge. This thesis is focused on change with high degrees of employee involvement and explores capabilities for change and the role of trust in change efforts. The basis for discussion is the three appended papers: (1) “Strategy workshops - trust as an enabler”, (2) “Change in Tightly Coupled Systems: Middle Manager Role and Action” and (3) “Locally driven change in a tightly coupled system: challenges and enablers”. The thesis departs in the view of capabilities as operational or dynamic – the first supporting current business and the latter supporting change. This licentiate thesis questions this distinction of opposites. Instead, I propose that change capabilities should be viewed on a scale spanning both operational and dynamic. From this perspective organizations need to consider their internal and external context in order to target and develop the change capabilities that supports them. A differentiating factor found in the studied organizations was their ability to create trust. In this thesis I suggest that trust acts as a facilitator and can enhance the quality of change work. I propose that the ability to create trust should be treated as a capability for change. Implications for the thesis include a suggestion for organizations to consciously develop the capability to create trust, as well as suggestions for how further research can approach different aspects of change capabilities.
Micro Gas Dynamics Modeled by Regularized 13-Moment-Equations

We summarize our recent contributions to the development of macroscopic continuum transport equations for micro gas flows. Within kinetic theory of gases a combination of the Chapman-Enskog expansion and Grad’s moment method yields the regularized 13 moment equations (R13 equations) which are of high approximation order. A complete set of boundary conditions is derived from the boundary conditions of the Boltzmann equations. The R13 equations are linearly stable and their results for moderate Knudsen numbers stand in excellent agreement to DSMC simulations.
Investigation of Relationship between Entrepreneurship and Individual Innovativeness in Nurse Academicians

Background: There is little evidence to guide the relationship between entrepreneurship and individual innovativeness for nurse academicians, crucial to t he implementation . Objectives: This descriptive research was carry out to analyze the correlations between entrepreneurial characteristics and individual qualities of innovat i eness among nurse academicians in Turkey. Methodology: The sample of the descriptive study consisted of 2 16 nurse academicians. The data were collected using the “Information Form”, “Entrepreneurship Sca le”, “Individual Innovativeness Scale”. Results: It was found a statistically weak but positive cor relation between the overall entrepreneurship scale and the overall innovativeness scale. Accordingly, as t he overall entrepreneurship score increased, the in dividual innovativeness level increased as well. In addition , statistically positive relationships between gene ral entrepreneurship sub-dimensions such as management and organizational incentives, individual motivatio n, transparency and openness, individual competence, c onstructive business environment, innovation incent iv s, development and general individual innovativeness w ere found to be significant. Conclusions: It was determined that individual innovativeness le ve s were effective in increasing entrepreneurship in nurses academicians. Also it wa s found there were significant relations between va riables and they were effective on individual innovativenes s dimensions although not entrepreneurial dimension s were all.
The Comparison of the Effects of Remifentanil in Combination with Sevoflurane, Desflurane or Propofol on Cognitive Functions in Elective Surgical Procedures

Cognitive functions are affected by varying degrees after general anaesthesia. We aimed to compare the effects of remifentanil in combination with sevoflurane, desflurane or propofol on haemodynamic variables, post anaesthesia recovery and cognitive functions in patients for whom head and neck surgery were planned
Effect of Supplementation of Malted Ragi Flour on the Nutritional and Sensorial Quality Characteristics of Cake

Cake is one of the most popular bakery product. Generally it is prepared from refined wheat flour and is a rich source of protein, fat and carbohydrates but limiting in minerals and dietary fibres. Malted ragi flour is rich in minerals like iron, calcium, phosphorus, fibre and vitamin contents. In the present study the mineral and fibre contents of cake samples were improved by the use of various blends of wheat flour and malted ragi flour (80:20; 60:40; 50:50; 40:60 and 30:70) with other ingredients. The results showed that cake samples enriched with malted ragi flour were rich in mineral contents like calcium, iron, phosphorus and crude fibre as compared to the control sample. Sensory scores of cake sample prepared with 50% wheat flour and 50% malted ragi flour was same as the control. The cake prepared with 70% malted ragi flour had highest mineral and fibre content, but the sensory score was low due to the loss in sponginess and increased intensity of brown colour. These cakes may be beneficial for growing children, teenagers and pregnant and lactating women due to its high nutritive value.
Migration and Integration in France. Academic Careers of Immigrants’ Children in Lower and Upper Secondary School

The aim of this paper is to study the educational attainment of immigrants’ children in the French lower and upper secondary school, taking advantage of the 1989 French National Education Longitudinal Study (Panel national 1989 d’élèves du second degré), a panel study of over 22,000 pupils who entered lower secondary school (form 1) at about the age of 11 in September 1989. Our previous research on this survey had already established that immigrants’ children performed less well than their schoolmates in standardized tests administered in 1989 and that in 1991 immigrant families expressed stronger educational aspirations for their child than native families with similar socio-demographic characteristics. Using as a criterion the success in the baccalauréat examination after seven years in secondary school (or after seven, eight or nine years), we show that immigrants’ children are more successful in the French secondary school than native children with the same social background and family environment. We also show that, ceteris paribus, immigrants’ children are more persevering in the direction of success when they face school difficulties and that the strong educational aspirations immigrant families expressed have a mediating effect and partly explain the more favorable school trajectories of their children. We conclude that some similarity exists between these results and previous research on longitudinal surveys in Australia and the United States. Although they are strongly disadvantaged by their class location and their level of education, immigrant parents in France invest in the educational system to improve their children’s future, they develop strong educational aspirations for them and, in return, these socio-psychological factors have a key role in explaining the educational attainment of immigrants’ children in the French lower and upper secondary school. Paper prepared for the ESF Conference “ European Societies or European Society? Migrations and Inter-Ethnic Relations in Europe ” Obernai, September 23-28 1999 Session “ Migrants and Educational Success ” First version 1999-09-20. Comments invited.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE ADOPTION OF E- PROCUREMENT IN KISUMU COUNTY, KENYA

Estimates by the Treasury showed that the government losses more than Sh70 billion annually due to fraudulent manipulations in procurement process. This is due to the use of manual procurement system which does no enhance accountability. This study analyses factors affecting the adoption of eprocurement in Kisumu County. The study was guided by objectives such as to establish how performance expectancy affects adoption of electronic procurement implementation in Kisumu County government, to determine how user attitude affects electronic procurement adoption in Kisumu County government and to find out whether technical capabilities affect electronic procurement adoption in Kisumu County government. The study concluded that there is need for the institutions to adopt a clear performance expectancy guideline to ensure her employees understand what is expected of them in terms of delivery as an institution adopts a technological system like eprocurement. The study also concluded that the organization should have a training policy that provides guidelines on training of employees on eprocurement, an aspect most respondents agreed to, as training improved the acceptance of e-procurement system and changed the attitude towards E-procurement system. Finally, the study concluded that technical capabilities stand out a key component for successful adoption of eprocurement. It therefore prudent for the two institutions to invest on the necessary structure required for smooth running of eprocurement system.
Association between Parvovirus B19 and anemia in HIV-infected patients

Background: Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) can cause anemia in some patients, including those with compromised immunity system. There are a few studies on molecular epidemiology of B19V and its association with anemia in Iran. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the B19V DNA, IgM, IgG, genotyping, and viral load in HIV patients in different groups of pregnant women, general population, injection drug users (IDU), and Elite controllers. Also, the possible association of B19V with anemia was studied. Methods: In this case-control study, B19V DNA, anti-B19V IgM, anti-B19V IgG, viral load, and hemoglobin level were assessed in 113 HIV positive patients and 72 healthy controls. Also, CD4+ T cell counts and HIV load were measured in the patients’ group. All statistical analyses were done using STATA 14.2 software (Stata Corporation, College Station, Texas, USA). P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among HIV patients, 19 (16.8%) cases had B19V DNA, 3 (2.7%) had B19V IgM, and 7 (6.2%) had B19V IgG. In control group, the prevalence of B19V DNA, IgM, and IgG was 6 (8.33%), 7(9.7%), and 19 (26.4%), respectively. In subpopulations based on transmission routes, general population had the highest B19V IgG and DNA positivity prevalence and viral load level. There was no significant association between B19V antibodies and DNA with anemia. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that B19V infection cannot be considered as a high-risk factor for anemia in adult HIV patients. However, further studies are needed to determine the exact role of B19V infection in HIV patients.
The transformation of the Radical Right Gender Gap: The case of the 2014 EP Election

In 2004, the term « Radical Right Gender Gap » was coined to capture the greater reluctance of women to vote for these parties in Europe (Givens, 2004). Several lines of explanation were put forward: women were more educated, less exposed by the types of jobs they held to competition with immigrants, less supportive of political violence and extremism, more religious, etc. Yet systematic analysis of survey data shows large variations in the gap from one country to another (Immerzeel, Coffé and van der Lippe, 2013). In addition, even where this gap existed, things might be changing (Barisione and Mayer, 2013), as Radical Right Parties present themselves as women friendly and target Islam and Muslims in the name of democratic values and women’s rights (Akkerman and Haggelund, 2007; de Lange and Mügge, 2015). Using the 2014 European Election Studies dataset, this paper revisits the RRGG in a comparative perspective, analyzing gender as a predictor of vote choice for Radical Right Parties in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Netherlands and Sweden. While the gender gap persists once controlled for education, age, religion and occupation, the interaction of gender with political attitudes and leftright ideology significantly affects electoral support for RR parties in the six cases studied. And the RRGG appears tightly entangled with the “traditional gender gap” on the one side and the “modern gender-generation gap” on the other. Paper presented at the 4 European Conference on Politics and Gender (ECPR – European Consortium for Political Research), Uppsala University, Sweden, June 11– 13, 2015 and at the 22nd International Conference of Europeanists (CES Council for European Studies) Conference, Sciences Po, Paris, July 8-10, 2015
League of Legends: A Study of Early Game Impact

This study analyses the early game (first 10 minutes) performance of players in the multi-player online battle arena game “League of Legends”. We characterise performance through 4 features: experience earned, gold, damage taken and creep score (the number of minions and monsters they kill). Using publicly available data provided by Riot Games detailing 5v5 ranked games, we verify the impact of the early game performance in the end game result of each individual player, the overall team performance, as well as the match outcome. To this extent, we analyse the correlation between player performance in the early and end game; subsequently, we build a predictive model based on the early game features of each of the 5 player roles identified to determine the game outcome. We find a medium correlation between early game and end game performance of each player role, but a weaker one when the early game and the overall team results are compared. Our predictive model achieves 62% accuracy and is therefore comparable with the state of the art. Applications of our system can be extended to player feedback and skill improvement, as well as possible game adjustments for best player experience from the beginning of the game.
The Relationship Between Coping Styles and Avoidance on Posttraumatic Growth in Type II Diabetes Patients

Although there is a great deal of literature dedicated to the adverse effects of diabetes-related stress in these patients, the concept of posttraumatic growth has been studied in a few studies. The present study aims to examine the possible associations of the stressfulness of event, coping strategies, number of hospitalizations, number of children, and income on the posttraumatic growth in patients with diabetes. For this purpose, patients with Type-II diabetes (n=218) were recruited from various hospitals in Turkey. The model which is based on the “Life Crises and Personal Growth Model” of Schaefer and Moos was tested. Results revealed that when the effect of the number of hospitalizations, number of children, and income were controlled, higher problem-focused coping, seeking social support, avoidance coping styles, and cognitive avoidance were associated with higher posttraumatic growth. Considering the interventions to patients with diabetes in clinical settings, professionals specifically focus on problem-focused coping, seeking social support and avoidance.
Income Distribution, Household Heterogeneity And Consumption Insurance In The UK: A Mixture Model Approach

This paper uses data from the FES to examine the changing joint distribution of income and consumption from 1968 to 1999. The analysis is given structure by the assumption that households are of three possible types. Within each type there is no permanent heterogeneity but some may have higher current income due to idiosyncratic shocks. This simple idea allows us to estimate the mean income of each group and its variance. This variance will be the variance of the temporary shock. With the further assumption that macro shocks are the same for each group of households, we can then predict the distribution of consumption and the relationship between income and consumption according to the lifecycle model (where current consumption is only a function of permanent income). These predictions are then compared against the data and against the predictions of a “no smoothing” extreme where households simply consume out of current income. Our results are as follows. Firstly, the income estimates illustrate quite starkly the idea of polarisation, the middle income groups are shown to be declining in mass and in relative income. Secondly, neither extreme model fits the data exactly, but the fit of the life-cycle model with 3 types of heterogeneity seems to improve over time; this gives further support to the idea that part of the increase in inequality is due to risk – not to permanent differences – and that capital markets appear to be improving households’ insurance mechanism against it.