Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of sepsis-associated encephalopathy in the ICU: a retrospective observational study

Background Sepsis has an annual incidence of 30 million new cases around worldwide. However, the epidemiological and clinical characteristics in patients with sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) remain understudy.Methods We prospectively enrolled patients with acute critically ill from ICU during 2 years period (2014-2015). The epidemiological and clinical characteristics for critically ill adults with SAE in ICU were analyzed by related statistics.Results Of the 1349 ICU patients with acute critically ill, 748 were enrolled. Among these, the prevalence of sepsis was 48.4% (362/748), with fatality at initial 30 days was 62.4%. The prevalence of SAE accounted for 97.2% of sepsis (352/362), with fatality at initial 30 days was 65.1%. We found that the two strong clinical predictors for SAE were systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) ≥2 (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 0.304- 0.673) and sequential (sepsis-related) organ function assessment (SOFA) score ≥6 (GCS<13)(OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 0.304-0.673); the sensitivity was 67.3% and specificity was 55.3% for SIRS≥2, while the sensitivity was 99.1% and specificity was 99.0% for SOFA score≥6. Cox logistic adjusted analysis revealed that lower mean arterial pressure (OR, 1.504; 95% CI, 1.001-1.707),higher SOFA score (OR, 1.783; 95% CI, 1.145- 1.923), and no using antibiotics treatment in initial 3 hours (OR, 0.683; 95% CI, 0.492-0.947) were the powerful predictors of the risk of death among ICU patients with SAE.Conclusion SAE is a best frequent epidemiological type of sepsis in ICU, with an high hospital fatality. No using antibiotics treatment within initial 3 hours was related to the worse survival SAE.
On short-scale inviscid instabilities in flow past surface-mounted obstacles and other non-parallel motions

Summary A theoretical investigation of short-scale inviscid instability in boundary-layer flow past an obstacle on a surface is described, with the application to trip-wire transition and wall roughness effects in mind. An analytical model and computational results show that the occurrence of an inflexion point in a local velocity profile is necessary but not sufficient for the instability to arise.
An aerodynamic model for flapping-wing flight

Abstract A design-oriented model for the unsteady aerodynamics of a flapping wing has been developed using a modified strip theory approach. Within this constraint, vortex-wake effects are accounted for as well as partial leading edge suction and post stall behaviour. Also, the contributions of sectional mean angle of attack, camber, and friction drag are added, which allows this model to be used for the calculation of the average lift, as well as the thrust, power required, and propulsive efficiency of a flapping wing in equilibrium flight. An example of such calculations is presented in the performance prediction of a mechanical flying pterosaur replica.
Preservice Agricultural Education and Secondary Education Teachers’ Self-Efficacy and Professional Identity

The purpose of this study was to describe the self-efficacy and professional identity of preservice agricultural education teachers and other secondary education preservice teachers. Data were collected from respondents (n = 85) from 13 institutions and included both agricultural education preservice teachers (n = 68) and other secondary education preservice teachers (n = 17). The instrument used in this study was a modified questionnaire that combined two previously established scales, Tschannen-Moran and Woolfolk Hoy’s (2001) Teacher’s Sense of Efficacy Scale and Woo’s (2013) Professional Identity Scale in Counseling. Descriptive statistics revealed that agricultural education preservice teachers possessed a slightly higher level of self-efficacy than other secondary education preservice teachers. Conversely, secondary education preservice teachers possessed a slightly higher level of professional identity than agricultural education preservice teachers. A Spearman’s rho Correlation was used to reveal a negligible relationship between self-efficacy and professional identity among agricultural education preservice teachers. However, there was a small relationship between self-efficacy and professional identity among secondary education preservice teachers. Further research should be conducted to establish the development of self-efficacy and professional identity throughout the teacher career cycle through longitudinal studies.
Hypocalcemia and Other Associated Peri and Early Post-partum Problems of Dairy Cows in North-Western Ethiopia

Abstract: Background: Hypocalcemia is the most important metabolic problems commonly affect transition dairy cows. (Sub) clinical hypocalcemia also prone the cow to an increased risk of several transition period problems. The current cross sectional study was conducted from January 2018 to May 2018 to estimate prevalence and identify associated risk factors of hypocalcaemia and other peri- and early post-partum period problems of dairy cows in North-Western Ethiopia specifically: Bahir Dar, Debretabor and Gondar. Methods : Data of 1527 cows was collected by face to face interview from 288 dairy farmers by using a semi-structured questionnaire. Serum calcium level was measured from blood samples collected within 12-48 hours of calving from 88 cows that have given birth during the study period. Ordinary and mixed logistic regressions with random herd effect models were used to check the association between the variables. Results : Prevalence of peri- and early post-partum reproductive problems was 80.6% (232/288) and 30.1% (459/1527) at herd and cow level, respectively. At herd level, retention of fetal membrane had the highest prevalence 41.3% followed by clinical mastitis 34.7% and milk fever 25.3%. Prevalence of the rest problems was dystocia 18.1%, clinical metritis 17% and vaginal and uterine prolapse 6.6%. At cow level, retention of fetal membrane 9.7%, clinical mastitis 8.4%, milk fever 5.6%, dystocia 4.1%, clinical metritis (4.3%) and vaginal and uterine prolapse was 1.2%. Subclinical hypocalcemia was confirmed in 26.1% (23/88) of cows. Herd size was significantly associated (p<0.05) with peri- and early post-partum problems at herd level. Milk fever, retained fetal membrane, and clinical mastitis were significantly associated (p<0.05) with milk yield and parity. Clinical metritis was significantly associated (p<0.05) with parity. Subclinical hypocalcemia was significantly associated (p<0.05) with milk yield, parity and body condition score. Conclusion : From this study the prevalence of (sub) clinical hypocalcemia was on the lower border of the intervals reported by most studies. One or more peri- and early post-partum clinical problems were occurred from one third of dairy cows in the study areas. Factors associated with (sub) clinical hypocalcemia are associated with some of peri- and early post-partum problems.
High-Order Mode Cutoff In Rectangular Striplines (Short Papers)

The higher order mode cutoff characteristics of rectangular stripline structures, with thin center conductors, are discussed. Data are given, using an alternative method of presentation, on the normalized cutoff of the first eleven higher order modes. Discussions are included on the physical reasons why cutoff is aftered for some modes, relative to that in rectangular waveguides, but not for others.
Mbojo Character Recognition Using Shearlet Transform and Support Vector Machine

This paper aims to preserve one of the Indonesian culture, Mbojo Character. Mbojo character recognition system will be created by utilizing pattern recognition using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technique with Shearlet Transform method for feature extraction and Support Vector Machine (SVM) for classification. Data used in this study is the image of mbojo words that consist of 2 characters typed using bimambojo.otf font with the size of 9pts for each word and with image size of 50×50 pixels. The training data uses 150 word images which represents all of Mbojo characters where each word has 3 images with 3 different positions of character placement, such as above, in the middle, and below the image field. While the testing data uses 50 word images where each of the character placed randomly in the image. All of the data were preprocessed by using grayscaling, binarization, and centering regions methods. The implementation of centering region method makes the system able to achieve accuracy up to 90%.
Mining High-Resolution KH-9 Panoramic Imagery to Determine Earthquake Deformation: Methods and Applications

Earthquake deformation is crucial for understanding fault kinematics. Modern earthquakes (moment magnitude $M_{w} ≥ 6$ ) have been well documented by geodetic techniques, such as radar interferometry and image correlation with unprecedented accuracy. Nonetheless, many large ( $M_{w} ≥ 7$ ) historical earthquakes remain unexplored due to a lack of preearthquake data. In this article, we provide the first study of using Hexagon KeyHole-9 (KH-9) panoramic imagery to investigate historical earthquakes. We propose patch-based orthorectification and test the method from analog experiments with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photographs. Using the 2013 $M_{w}$ 7.7 Balochistan as a case example, we demonstrate that KH-9 images can be used to retrieve meter-scale horizontal deformation. The displacements, derived from correlating KH-9 (preearthquake) and Sentinel-2 (postearthquake) images, are comparable with published studies. Applying the method to the 1981 $M_{w}$ 7.1 Sirch earthquake, we succeed to measure NS strike-slip motion (up to 5.9 ± 1.6 m) along the 1981 rupture and find that most of the accumulated strain energy may be released by motion along a 25-km-long segment of the Gowk fault. The southward propagation of the rupture may be prevented by the earlier $M_{w}$ 6.6 Golbaf earthquake that released most of the accumulated strain in the south. The rapid decay of slip in the north seems to be associated with a 3-km-long, 1-km-wide step-over, which may have dissipated a large fraction of seismic energy. The KH-9 panoramic images show great potential for determining horizontal deformation, providing useful information about historical earthquakes that occurred before the era of modern geodesy.
Designing Learning Objects for Adaptive Learning Environments

Transitional countries face the challenge of balancing rapid and sustainable development. IT-industry is very important for sustainable development due to its penetration into many other industries. It is necessary that the IT knowledge force produced by the universities in those countries meet the demands of the IT-industry in terms of knowledge and skills. Learning objects and e-learning systems can be used to produce courses to meet this objective, and many universities have started using e-learning as a means of course delivery. Identifying that there is a need for a theory that encompasses usefulness, usage and usability, i.e., the three “U”s, of the learning objects that are used to produce IT-courses, we engaged in a case study research with a design science philosophy to build a theory. Gaining insight from the case study and the literature, a theory that takes into account the three “U”s of the learning objects is formulated. Three indexes are identified to support the development of courses using learning objects to match the knowledge and skills required for the employability of graduating students. A course development approach that incorporates this theory is also presented.
An electrostatic microresonant power conversion device

An electrostatically driven microstructure suitable for use in a monolithic resonant DC-DC converter is presented. The device can be manufactured using existing integrated circuit processing techniques, permitting integration with, switching devices in silicon. The mechanical resonant structure is used in place of an LC tank and in place of a transformer, avoiding the complexity of manufacturing integrated magnetic elements. A monolithic resonant converter using this technology offering high power density is proposed. The device can potentially be driven in a zero-voltage-switched (ZVS) mode, scaling well to higher operating frequencies. <<ETX>>
The Possibilities of Aloneness and Solitude: Developing an Understanding Framed through the Lens of Human Motivation and Needs

We review literature and experimental data to distinguish solitude from other situations where people are alone but preoccupied by external activities or presence of other people. We further explore meaningful factors shaping solitary experiences, including the reasons for which we find ourselves alone, the activities that we engage in, and the characteristics of solitude that feel authentic and true to ourselves. Thus, this chapter aims to advance understanding of the nuances around our solitary experiences and emphasises the importance of exploring the nuances of solitude instead of treating it as a unidimensional phenomenon.
Pandemics meet democracy. Experimental evidence from the COVID-19 crisis in Spain

The COVID-19 outbreak poses an unprecedented challenge for contemporary democracies. Despite the global scale of the problem, the response has been mainly national, and global coordination has been so far extremely weak. All over the world governments are making use of exceptional powers to enforce lockdowns, often sacrificing civil liberties and profoundly altering the pre-existing power balance, which nurtures fears of an authoritarian turn. Relief packages to mitigate the economic consequences of the lockdowns are being discussed, and there is little doubt that the forthcoming recession will have important distributive consequences. In this paper we study citizens' responses to these democratic dilemmas. We present results from a set of survey experiments run in Spain from March 20 to March 28, together with longitudinal evidence from a panel survey fielded right before and after the virus outbreak. Our findings reveal a strong preference for a national as opposed to a European/international response. The national bias is much stronger for the COVID-19 crisis than for other global problems, such as climate change or international terrorism. We also find widespread demand for strong leadership, willingness to give up individual freedom, and a sharp increase in support for technocratic governance. As such, we document the initial switch in mass public preferences towards technocratic and authoritarian government caused by the pandemic. We discuss to what extent this crisis may contribute to a shift towards a new, self-enforcing political equilibrium.
Radionuclide imaging of neuroendocrine tumors

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are relatively rare and heterogeneous with a variaty of clinical expression. They derive from the sensory and secretory neuroendocrine cells mainly within the pulmonary and gastrointestinal tract. They comprise less than 2% of all malignancies. On the basis of clinical behavior, histology, and proliferation rate, they are devided into well differentiated (low grade to intermediate grade) and poorly differentiated (high grade) neuroendocrine carcinoma. Tumor stage and grade have the impact on treatment and prognosis. The treatment of choice is surgery. More than 50% of the patients present metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis, thus the systemic treatment should be considered including somatostatin analogs, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). For the diagnosis and follow-up of these tumors, various radiological methods are used (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound) as well as endoscopy. Nuclear medicine methods are used in order to exploit their unique properties mainly amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation system characteristics, as well as the expression of somatostatin receptors. These methods enable whole body examination, staging, selection of patient for PRRT and treatment monitoring as well. Imaging can be performed with gamma camera (SPECT, SPECT/CT) or positron emission tomography (PET/ CT). Radiopharmaceuticals used for imaging with gamma camera are usually 99mTc-(V)-DMSA, 99mTc-MIBI, 99mTc-HYNIC TOC, 111In-pentetreotide and 131I-MIBG/123I-MIBG. Positron emitting radiopharmaceuticals has superior spatial resolution and faster imaging, such as 68Ga-DOTA-somatostatin analogues, 18F-FDG (particularly for high-grade tumors), 18F-L-DOPA/11C-L-DOPA and 11C-5-hydroxytryptophan that have demonstrated excellent imaging results. The new targeted agents present a challenge in the evaluation procedure of treatment and, therefore, new imaging techniques and an improvement of currently available techniques are mandatory. In this mini-review, the most frequent methods and radiopharmaceuticals are presented, as well as potential development.
Open Here The Art Of Instructional Design

Open Here: The Art of Instructional Design displays an entertaining array of the most ingenious, stupid, beautiful, and horrible visual solutions that instruction designers and illustrators have invented to help us handle modern technology and everyday products.These works of art show us how to floss out teeth properly, where to insert the printer cartridge, which button to press to transfer a phone call, how to use chopsticks, how to open a milk carton, and how to exit the plane in case of an emergency landing. Open Here also includes a diverse sampling of images: the finest cut-away drawing of a truck's diesel engine, a revealing expanded view of a model airplane, and detailed full-color photographs of a sewing machine in a 19th-century manual.Open Here also includes an overview of the basic elements of visual instructions: the baffling yet remarkable drawings, cartoons and symbols that tell us where to cut, where to twist, how to repeat, and also how not to do all of the above.
Development of Software for Predicting the Acoustic Attenuation Performance of Expansion Chambers in Duct Systems

Abstract Noise produced by air duct distribution systems in buildings is always a nuisance to occupants. The expansion chamber is one of major items used by engineers to alleviate duct-borne noise problems. Numerical techniques such as the Boundary Element Method (BEM) are commonly used to predict the performance of mufflers used in duct distribution systems in terms of Transmission Loss (TL). In this paper, computer software based on a 2-dimensional BEM and a 3-point method is developed for calculating the TL of a simple axisymmetric expansion chamber muffler. Computed values of the TL obtained by the software are compared with published experimental data. The effect of the length of the chamber on its acoustic attenuation performance is shown.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND NUTRIENT CONTENTS OF THREE EDIBLE SUMMER SQUASH (CUCURBITA PEPO L.) VARIETIES SEEDS

Some physical properties and nutrient contents of three edible squash seed varieties (Cerezlik Kabak, Cercevelik and Hanim Tirnagi, which are edible squash seeds local populations) were determined and compared in terms of linear dimensions, seed weight, thousand seed weight, volume, sphericity, projected area, true and bulk densities, porosity, repose angle, terminal velocity, rupture force, geometric mean diameter of edible squash seeds and kernel, dry matter, some minerals i.e. K, P, Ca, Mg, Na, Mn, Fe, Zn and Cu contents of kernels. All the properties of edible squash seeds and kernels that provide useful data to engineers in the design of processing machines were generally found to be statistically different in the three edible squash seeds populations. These differences could be attributed to the individual characteristics of these varieties and environmental and growing conditions.
ETUDE DE STRUCTURES D'INTEGRATION DES SYSTEMES DE GENERATION DECENTRALISEE : APPLICATION AUX MICRORESEAUX

L'etude realisee dans cette these s'est portee sur un concept original de microreseau et son utilisation pour faciliter l'integration des systemes a base d'energies renouvelables (EnR) dans le reseau. Ce microreseau est constitue des generateurs a base d'EnR ainsi que de systemes de soutien qui incorporent des fonctionnalites additionnelles de facon a en ameliorer l'integration. Sur la base de ce concept propose, deux differentes applications types de microreseaux on ete etudiees en detail : un microreseau residentiel ilotable et un parc eolien muni de systemes DFACTS (STATCOM et DVR). Dans les deux applications, des structures de controle/commande a differents niveaux et appliquees aux differents composants du microreseau ont ete developpees, analysees en simulation off line et finalement validees sur un banc experimental hybride temps reel avec des prototypes a echelle reduite.
Terrain identification methods for planetary exploration rovers

Autonomous mobility in rough terrain is becoming increasingly important for planetary exploration rovers. Increased knowledge of local terrain properties is critical to ensure a rover's safety, especially when driving on slopes or rough surfaces. This thesis presents two methods for using on-board sensors to identify local terrain conditions. The first method visually measures sinkage of a rover wheel into deformable terrain, based on a single color or grayscale image from a camera with a view of the wheelterrain interface. Grayscale intensity is computed along the rim of the wheel, and the wheel-terrain interface is identified as the location with maximum change in intensity. The algorithm has been shown experimentally to give accurate results in identifying the terrain characteristics under a wide range of conditions. The second method classifies terrain based on vibrations induced in the rover structure by rover-terrain interaction during driving. Vibrations are measured using an accelerometer on the rover structure. The method uses a supervised learning approach to train a classifier to recognize terrain based on representative vibration signals during an off-line learning phase. Real-time terrain classification uses linear discriminant analysis in the frequency domain to identify gross terrain classes such as sand, gravel, or clay. The algorithm is experimentally validated on a laboratory testbed and on a rover in outdoor conditions. Results demonstrate the robustness of the algorithm on both systems. Thesis Supervisor: Steven Dubowsky Title: Professor of Mechanical Engineering