Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Erythropoietin Payment Policy on Cardiovascular Outcomes of Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: Observational Study

Background The change in the reimbursement policy of erythropoietin administration to patients receiving peritoneal dialysis by the Taiwan National Health Insurance (NHI) system provided a natural experimental venue to examine whether cardiovascular risk differs when maintaining the hematocrit (Hct) level below or above 30%. Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of loosening the erythropoietin payment criteria for peritoneal dialysis patients on their cardiovascular outcomes. Methods Two cohorts of incident peritoneal dialysis patients were identified according to the time before and after relaxation of the NHI’s erythropoietin payment criteria, designated cohort 1 (n=1759) and cohort 2 (n=2981), respectively. The cohorts were matched according to propensity scores (1754 patients in each cohort) and then followed up for cardiovascular events, which were analyzed with Cox regressions. Results For the composite cardiovascular endpoint, patients in cohort 2 had a significantly lower risk than those in cohort 1. However, subgroup analysis showed that this risk reduction was observed only in patients with diabetes. Conclusions After loosening erythropoietin payment criteria, reduced cardiovascular risks were observed, particularly for patients with diabetes. These results indicate that it is crucial to maintain an Hct level above 30% to reduce the cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes undergoing peritoneal dialysis.
The Effects of Size, Distance, Height and Frequency on Manual Handling Performance

Fifteen second shift male industrial workers from local industries performed 61 variations of lifting, pushing and pulling tasks to investigate the effects of task frequency, height, distance, and box size. A psychophysical methodology was employed whereby the test subject controlled the amount of weight or force being handled. Measurements of heart rate, oxygen consumption, and body size were also taken. The results indicated that size, distance, height and frequency are significant variables to consider when establishing guidelines for maximum acceptable weights.
New Normal: Learning from Home, the Availability of Information Technology and e-Learning Implementation as a Determinant of Accounting Students’ Understanding

This study aims to examines the mediating role of learning from home and the availability of information technology on the relationship between e-learning and accounting students’ understanding during the COVID 19 Pandemic. The sample of this study consist of 413 respondents from 14 universities in Indonesia. The result of the study indicate that during the COVID 19 Pandemic, learning from home and availability of information technology were able to mediate the relationship between e-learning and accounting students’ understanding in Indonesia. This study contributes in expanding the technology acceptance model theory in the context of COVID 19, and adding to the topics and theoretical approaches recommended by forum in the fields of accounting and education. It is also evaluating universities performance in implementing e-learning during COVID 19 Pandemic.
Stochastic pricing formulation for hybrid equity warrants

A warrant is a financial agreement that gives the right but not the responsibility, to buy or sell a security at a specific price prior to expiration. Many researchers inadvertently utilize call option pricing models to price equity warrants, such as the Black Scholes model which had been found to hold many shortcomings. This paper investigates the pricing of equity warrants under a hybrid model of Heston stochastic volatility together with stochastic interest rates from Cox-Ingersoll-Ross model. This work contributes to exploration of the combined effects of stochastic volatility and stochastic interest rates on pricing equity warrants which fills the gap in the current literature. Analytical pricing formulas for hybrid equity warrants are firstly derived using partial differential equation approaches. Further, to implement the pricing formula to realistic contexts, a calibration procedure is performed using local optimization method to estimate all parameters involved. We then conducted an empirical application of our pricing formula, the Black Scholes model, and the Noreen Wolfson model against the real market data. The comparison between these models is presented along with the investigation of the models' accuracy using statistical error measurements. The outcomes revealed that our proposed model gives the best performance which highlights the crucial elements of both stochastic volatility and stochastic interest rates in valuation of equity warrants. We also examine the warrants' moneyness and found that 96.875% of the warrants are in-the-money which gives positive returns to investors. Thus, it is beneficial for warrant holders concerned in purchasing warrants to elect the best warrant with the most profitable and more benefits at a future date.
The Marked Tree Site: Evaluation of Geosynthetic Reinforcements in Flexible Pavements

This document presents findings from a three-year, full-scale, field research project aimed at determining the benefits of using geosynthetic reinforcements to improve the performance of flexible pavements constructed over poor subgrade soils. The test site, known as the Marked Tree site, is an 850-ft (258-m) long segment of low-volume frontage road along Highway 63 in the town of Marked Tree, Arkansas. The site, constructed in 2005, consists of seventeen 50-ft (15.2-m) long flexible pavement test sections with various types of geosynthetic reinforcements (woven and nonwoven geotextiles, and geogrids), which were all positioned at the base-subgrade interface, and two different nominal base course thicknesses [6-in. (15.2-cm) and 10-in. (25.4-cm)]. One section in each nominal base course sector was left unreinforced to allow for monitoring of the relative performance between reinforced and unreinforced sections of like basal thicknesses. The different sections were evaluated in this study using deflection-based, surficial testing conducted between 2008 and 2011, as well as subsurface forensic investigations conducted in October 2010. Signs of serious pavement distress appeared in some of the test sections in the Spring of 2010. Distress surveys revealed that all of the “failed” sections [defined herein as sections with average rut depths > 0.5 in. (1.3 cm)] had nominal base thicknesses of 6-in. (15.2-cm) and were reinforced with various geosynthetics. None of the sections with 10-in. (25.4-cm) nominal base thicknesses had “failed” despite receiving more than twice the number of equivalent single axle loads (ESALs) as the 6-in. (15.2-cm) sections. The impact of base course thickness was easily observed in the deflection-based test results and rutting measurements. However, it was difficult to discern a consistent, clear trend of better pavement performance relative to the various geosynthetic types in each nominal base course thickness. Irrespective of geosynthetic reinforcement type (or lack thereof) all of the sections that “failed” with respect to excessive rutting were the sections with the least combined total pavement thickness (i.e., combined asphalt and base course thickness).
Differential Settlement of a Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Abutment : Full-Scale investigation : Summary Report

The Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Integrated Bridge System (GRS-IBS) uses alternating layers of closely spaced geosynthetic reinforcement and well-compacted granular fill to support the bridge superstructure and form an integrated roadway approach. This system offers simple and rapid construction, lower costs than traditional alternatives, and reduction or elimination of the bump at the end of the bridge. However, like all shallow foundations, GRS-IBS can be vulnerable to differential settlements beneath the foundation. This report summarizes the final project report by Kost et al. (2015) that describes research into the behavior of GRS abutments subjected to differential settlements, which may be due to compressible soils beneath the foundation or to scour undermining. A field-scale model was constructed and subjected to carefully controlled differential settlements, and a comprehensive instrumentation program monitored the response of the abutment. The robust response of the abutment under the large differential settlements imposed in these tests indicated that GRS abutments will perform well under the smaller levels of differential settlement that would be expected in field applications. However, if large enough differential settlements occur such that the facing blocks separate, then hydraulic forces could pose a significant hazard to the abutment if the reinforced fill is not adequately protected. Three measures to reduce the vulnerability of the reinforced fill are presented, and a predictive equation was developed to estimate the settlement of the abutment’s facing blocks in response to differential foundation settlement. The predictive equation is specific to the conditions of the field-scale test. The authors recommend that the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Structure and Bridge Division consider GRS-IBS as a viable bridge technology. For crossings over water, the authors agree with the recommendation of Adams et al. (2011) that GRS-IBS should be considered only if scour concerns can be adequately addressed. In addition, the authors suggest that GRS-IBS designers consider additional measures to protect the reinforced fill in the event of unanticipated settlements.
Turnover

The aim of this research is to determine the effect of compensation on turnover intention with job satisfaction as the mediating variable on PG Kebon Agung. This research is explanatory research that involves a sample of 76 full-time employees of PG Kebon Agung using probability sampling method (random sampling). The tests used to examine research instruments are validity and reliability testing. Hypotheses test is done through path analysis which is the development of multiple linear regression analysis to test the classical assumptions like normality test, multicollinearity, linearity test, and heteroscedasticity test. Based on the results of this research compensation shows significant and negative effect on turnover intention. Further, job satisfaction does not have significant effect on turnover intention; yet compensation has a significant and positive effect on job satisfaction. The result of path analysis implies that job satisfaction can-not mediate the relationship between compensation and turnover intention.
Checklist interruption and resumption: A linguistic study

This study forms part of a project investigating the relationships among the formal structure of aviation procedures, the ways in which the crew members are taught to execute them, and the ways in which thet are actually performed in flight. Specifically, this report examines the interactions between the performance of checklists and interruptions, considering both interruptions by radio communications and by other crew members. The data consists of 14 crews' performance of a full mission simulation of a higher ratio of checklist speech acts to all speech acts within the span of the performance of the checklist. Further, it is not number of interruptions but length of interruptions which is associated with crew performance quality. Use of explicit holds is also associated with crew performance.
Petrography

The Eichigt granite is one of two apical intrusions forming the concealed massif of Eichigt−Schönbrunn in the Erzgebirge−Vogtland metallogenic province of Germany. It represents a peraluminuous, medium-grained, Si-rich biotite monzoto syenogranite of aluminuous A-type affinity and post-collisional (-orogenic) tectonic setting, which belongs to the group of medium-F, low-P Variscan granites of the Erzgebirge. Mineralogically and geochemically, the Eichigt granite shows the closest affinity to the Gottesberg subvolcanic microgranite/rhyolite complex some 25 km north-east of the massif. The granites contain phenocrysts of quartz and K-feldspar and sporadically accessory topaz and andalusite. A special feature is the presence of accessory primary fergusonite-(Y) and secondary synchysite-(Ce). Minor amounts of quartz, K-feldspar, and siderophyllite likely represent antecrysts, i.e., crystallized from a lesser silicic forerunner magma. These observations attest to the operation of magma mingling during the formation of the Eichigt granite. Calculation of Th−U−total Pb uraninite ages proves that the Eichigt and Schönbrunn granites are coeval and emplaced at about 306 ± 3 Ma (2σ), i.e., were formed during the same magmatic episode as the northwesterly Henneberg granite in Thuringia und the microgranite/rhyolith suite at Gottesberg and the Seiffen granite in the Erzgebirge−Vogtland. Geochemical data and mineralogical features do not lend support a genetical relation between the Eichigt−Schönbrunn granites and the spatially associated Sn-polymetallic veins.
Determination of the Optimal Parameters in Brass Turning Process by Taguchi method

This research is a study of the turning process by testing with brass material. There are three control factors: spindle of speed, feed rate, and depth of cut respectively. The turning process requires variable control,affect the quality of production productivity and production costplanning an experiment with the Taguchi Method help in theexperiment the analysis of variance, orthogonal array, and signal and noise ratios were considered as an experiment and survey of brass turning characteristics to determine the lowest material removal rate.The results obtained from the experiment were used to repeat the experiment for confirmation. This requires the turning process to be reliable and optimized
Behavioral Issues Associated With Long Duration Space Expeditions: Review and Analysis of Astronaut Journals

Personal journals maintained by NASA astronauts during six-month expeditions onboard the International Space Station were analyzed to obtain information concerning a wide range of behavioral and human factors issues. Astronauts wrote most about their work, followed by outside communications (with mission control, family, and friends), adjustment to the conditions, interactions with crew mates, recreation/leisure, equipment (installation, maintenance), events (launches, docking, hurricanes, etc.), organization/management, sleep, and food. The study found evidence of a decline in morale during the third quarters of the missions and identified key factors that contribute to sustained adjustment and optimal performance during long-duration space expeditions. Astronauts reported that they benefited personally from writing in their journals because it helped maintain perspective on their work and relations with others. Responses to questions asked before, during, and after the expeditions show that living and working onboard the ISS is not as difficult as the astronauts anticipate before starting their six-month tours of duty. Recommendations include application of study results and continuation of the experiment to obtain additional data as crew size increases and operations evolve.
Estimating model discrepancy

A quantity, λ2 is defined as the discrepancy between an actual and an assumed statistical model. An estimator is developed for the case in which data are grouped. The estimator is based on Pearson's X 2 goodness-of-fit statistic, and permits comparisons of lack of fit among data sets having dissimilar sample sizes (N's) or numbers of bins (n's). Although is equivalent to X 2/N when N is large and n is fixed, it is less biased and has smaller variance than X 2/N. These effects are most pronounced in small samples and in sparse-data situations. Use and interpretation of as a data-analytic tool are discussed, and an example involving several sets of data from particle-scattering experiments is presented.
A field assessment of central Appalachian hardwood log bucking and merchandising practices.

An assessment of central Appalachian hardwood log bucking was conducted on six sites across West Virginia. Data were collected from crews using chain saw felling and cable skidding or feller-buncher and grapple skidder systems. A total of 300 stems were measured in the field including mostly red oak species (Quercus spp.), yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), and black cherry (Prunus serotina). Diameter and shape of each stem were recorded at 4-foot increments along the stem. Defect type, size, and location were also recorded. Number of logs bucked per stem, total log volume and value, stem utilization, product type, and bucking sequences were analyzed among species, stem size, and bucker's experience. Average log volume ranged from 12.6 to 1,275 board feet in Doyle scale. Log utilization per stem length ranged from 42.2 to 100 percent, while log utilization per total height ranged from 18.6 to 85.7 percent. Sawlogs were bucked as the first log 63.3 percent of the time followed by peeler logs at 31 percent. Sawlogs and peeler logs were bucked at a high percentage until the fifth and sixth logs from a stem. Species, tree stem dimension, defects, and bucker's experience all significantly affected log bucking and merchandising practices in the region.
Psychophysical testing of garment size variation using three-dimensional virtual try-on technology

This study investigated the level of garment size variation that viewers could perceive with three-dimensional (3D) virtual try-on technology and examined how accurately the technology allowed viewers to perceive the size variations. The viewers’ perceptions were measured by two psychophysical experiments, rating tests and ranking tests. The stimulus was a set of 3D virtual pants in 11 different sizes, simulated on a virtual model of the same size. Participants evaluated the size differences of the test pants compared to the control pants on a rating scale. They also ranked the six pants, in random order, from the smallest to the largest size. The results showed that the viewers could rate larger sizes as larger and smaller sizes as smaller, proportionally. In addition, the technology allowed the viewers to rank different sizes of virtual pants in the correct order. Overall, the virtual try-on technology had the capacity of showing size variations clearly enough for viewers to perceive and discriminate the size differences.
Antecedents and consequences of relationship commitment: an empirical study in Taiwan

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the causal influences on the construct, relationship commitment. A better understanding of relationship marketing is an underpinning goal of this study. Design/methodology/approach – Chunghwa Telecom is a Taiwan-based telecommunications firm that enjoys Taiwan’s largest domestic market share of asymmetric digital subscriber line market. Data from Chunghwa Telecom’s subscribers were obtained, and 265 qualified observations were collected. A structural equation modeling approach was used. Findings – Relationship commitment is understood as dependent on positive affective commitment and involuntary continuance commitment. Positive affective commitment, namely, voluntary continuance commitment, enhances customer loyalty. On the contrary, involuntary continuance commitment has negative impacts on customer loyalty. It is discovered that relationship quality, corporate reputation and switching costs have significant effects on relationship commitment. Satisfactory relationshi.
Beauty, Productivity and Discrimination: Lawyers&Apos; Looks and Lucre

We propose several models in which an ascriptive characteristic generates earnings differentials and is sorted across sectors. The general approach shows how to distinguish the ultimate sources of labor-market returns to such characteristics; the specific example uses longitudinal data on a large sample of attorneys who graduated from one law school. Beauty is measured by ratings of their matriculation photographs. 1) Better-looking attorneys who graduated in the 1970s earned more after 5 years of practice than their worse- looking classmates, other things equal, an effect that grew even larger by the fifteenth year of practice. There is no impact of beauty on earnings among 1980s graduates. 2) Attorneys in the private sector are better-looking than those in the public sector, with the differences rising as workers sort across sector based on their beauty. 3) Male attorneys' probability of attaining an early partnership rises with beauty. The results support a theory of dynamic sorting and the role of customer behavior. We cannot determine whether this is because clients discriminate or because better-looking lawyers are able to obtain greater pecuniary gains for their clients.
Background Frequency Patterns in Standard Electroencephalography During Targeted Temperature Management as an Early Prognostic Tool in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Survivors: a retrospective cohort study

Background Electroencephalography is a widely used tool for detecting epileptiform and assessing neurological outcomes after cardiac arrest. We investigated the prognostic value of standard electroencephalography during early post-cardiac arrest period and evaluated the performance of electroencephalography findings combined with other clinical features for predicting good outcome. Methods This observational registry-based study was conducted at tertiary care hospital in Korea. Data of all consecutive adult comatose out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors who underwent electroencephalography during targeted temperature management between 2010 and 2018 were extracted. Electroencephalography findings, classiﬁed according to the American Clinical Neurophysiological Society critical care electroencephalography terminology, and good neurologic outcome-related clinical features were identified via multivariable logistic analysis. Results Good outcomes were observed in 36.5% of 170 patients. Median electroencephalography time was 22.0 hours. Electroencephalography background, voltage and other findings (burst suppression, reactivity to pain stimuli) significantly differed between good and poor outcome groups. Electroencephalography background with dominant alpha and theta waves had the highest odds ratio of 9.8 (95% confidence interval 3.9-24.9) in multivariable logistic analysis. Electroencephalography background frequency enabled identification of a good neurologic outcome (sensitivity, 83.87%; specificity, 75.93%). Combination of other clinical features (age<65 years, initial shockable rhythm, resuscitation duration<20 min) with electroencephalography findings increased predictive performance for good neurologic outcomes (sensitivity, 95.2%; specificity, 100%). ConclusionsBackground frequency patterns of standard electroencephalography during targeted temperature management may play a role as an early prognostic tool in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.
Implementing lean in construction: Lean construction and BIM-CIRIA Guide C725

Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Lean construction have existed as two different initiatives to improve construction, with distinct communities and interests. In the last 10 years or so, both have started to diffuse into advanced practice, with accelerating speed. However, recently the insight has gained strength, first among pioneering practitioners and then among academics, that these two initiatives have a considerable mutual synergy and that it is highly advantageous to implement them jointly. In view of this, there are increasing needs to make BIM champions and users aware of Lean principles, methods and tools, as well as Lean champions and implementers aware of the functionalities of BIM. This guide is intended to provide a means to fulfill these needs.