Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE STUDY ON HUMAN RESOURCE PRACTICES AND AMO MODEL AND ITS IMPACT ON EMPLOYEE COMMITMENT AMONG GEN Y SMEs EMPLOYEES IN SELANGOR, MALAYSIA

Researchers and practitioners have been very enthusiastic and spend the most determinations to study all possible means in order to grab the most advantage from their human resources (HR) especially the Gen Y employees. These employees are pertinent to the part of organisation’s strategic business plan and contribute to the organisation’s performance as well as sustainable competitive advantage. Hence, employee commitment remains a key challenge especially in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship of compensation, training, employee involvement as well as the ability, motivation and opportunity (AMO) model towards employee commitment. The study also seeks to provide the theory-based empirical evidence that the role of AMO model as a mediator in achieving the commitment of employees and used Social Exchange Theory (SET) in order to explain the theoretical rationale of the study model. A total of 168 Gen Y employees representing SMEs service sectors in Selangor, Malaysia participated in this study. Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was utilised in order to explain the relationship among HR practices towards employee commitment as well as AMO model as a mediator. A key finding that emerged from the analysis showed that only training has direct relationship toward the employee commitment and AMO model plays an important role in gaining employee commitment as it mediates the relationship of employee involvement. However, compensation has no effect in any relationship. Particularly, this study has helped to place the human resource practices, AMO model and employee commitment in the SET by giving a new perspective theoretically that the correct approach of gaining commitment of employees by providing the appropriate practices that employee will reciprocate in return. Also, it showed that Gen Y employees are seeking more involvement than compensation in order to commit themselves. SMEs should involve employees in their daily activities or any decision-making and offers other recognition programs, as money and remuneration are no longer a motivational urge for employees to become committed. Moreover, the findings could therefore serve as a turning point for SMEs to start concentrating and provide more job-related training so that employees can upgrade their skills particularly in this Industrial 4.0 era, where everything changes greatly in the way they deal with others.
Impaction Bone Grafting for the Treatment of Vancouver Type B3 Periprosthetic Femoral Fractures. Survivorship and Complication Rate Analysis

AbstrAct Aims: Because the gold standard for the treatment of Vancouver type B3 periprosthetic femoral fractures (PFFs) is yet to be defined, we sought to analyze the complication rate of the impaction bone grafting (IBG) technique with a cemented stem for the treatment of this fractures. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively studied 33 B3 PFFs treated with the IBG technique operated between 2000 and 2016, analyzing the complication rate. The median follow-up was 75 months (interquartile range [IQR], 36-111). The median age was 78 years (IQR, 74-83). The median grade of EndoKlink femoral bone defect was 3 (IQR, 3-3). We performed a multiple regression analysis to determine risk factors for complications, including the following variables: number of previous surgeries, femoral head diameter, and femoral bone defect. results: As for infection outcomes, 2-stage revision surgery was performed in 4 patients. We registered 5 implant failures and 2 dislocations in the whole series. Multiple regression analysis showed a significant association between the grade of EndoKlink femoral bone defect and complication rate (P=0.04). conclusion: Femoral reconstruction with the IBG technique evidenced a high complication rate for the treatment of B3 PFF.
Prediction of Low-Temperature Cracking of Asphalt Concrete Mixtures with Thermal Stress Restrained Specimen Test Results

A deterministic model and a probabilistic model were developed to predict low-temperature crack spacing as a function of time using thermal stress restrained specimen test results, pavement thickness and bulk density, pavement restraint conditions, and air temperature. The effect of aging on pavement properties was incorporated in the models by predicting the field aging with long-term oven aging treatment in the laboratory. The calculation of the crack spacing is based on the theory that the pavement slab cracks when the pavement temperature reaches the cracking temperature of the mixture and the slab is fully restrained. The deterministic model predicts crack spacing with time, whereas the probabilistic model predicts crack spacing and its variation with time and yields the reliability of the design with regard to a minimum acceptable crack spacing criterion defined by road authorities. The probabilistic model is recommended for use in predicting the low-temperature cracking of asphalt concrete mixtures.
Inpatient pediatric chaplain service utilization among children with chronic, non-cancer diseases

Abstract Despite the broad importance of pediatric spiritual care, most research focuses on oncologic and palliative care contexts. We aim to describe the utilization of pediatric chaplain services by children hospitalized for non-cancer chronic illnesses and to identify factors that predict utilization of chaplain services. Among 629 patients with 915 admissions, we found chaplain services were utilized in 5.0% of admissions. Utilization was similar between religiously affiliated patients (7.5%, 95%CI [5.3–10.6%]) and un-affiliated patients (6.4%, [3.6–11.0%]). Christian patients (7.3% [5.1–10.5%]) demonstrated similar utilization as non-Christian patients (7.0% [4.3–11.2%]). Utilization was significantly higher among patients with LOS >2 days (10.8% [7.9–14.6%]), compared to LOS ≤2 (1.7% [0.9–3.1%]). These results may represent an addressable gap in spiritual care, and they highlight an opportunity for pediatric chaplains to play a larger role in the holistic care of hospitalized children with chronic diseases, regardless of religious affiliation.
The Effects of Hyperemesis Gravidarum on the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Values and Gestational Diabetes.

This study is aimed at determination whether pregnant women who develop hyperemesis gravidarum in the first trimester have a tendency to develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). It is also aimed at identification of effects of hyperemesis gravidarum and GDM on prenatal and neonatal status in case they were detected together. Hyperemesis gravidarum diagnose was based on the following signs and symptoms. To diagnose GDM, first trimester fasting blood glucose measurement and subsequent blood glucose monitoring and 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were performed in the second trimester. A total of 949 singleton pregnant women (95 with and 852 without hyperemesis gravidarum) who met our criteria were included in the study. In the first trimester, plasma blood glucose and positive GDM screening were found to be significantly higher in the hyperemesis gravidarum group compared to the control group (p=0.042 and p<0.001, respectively). However, actual GDM cases were similar between both groups. The positive predictive value was significantly lower in the hyperemesis gravidarum group (28.5% vs. 72.7%, p=0.003). In the second trimester, the prevalence of GDM was 6.6% in the hyperemesis gravidarum group and 7.3% in the control group, with no significant difference (p=0.218) between-groups. In this study, hyperemesis gravidarum was found to cause changes in maternal metabolism in the first trimester of pregnancy due to limited calorie intake and fasting; in the presence of hyperemesis gravidarum, it should be known that the positive predictive value of first trimester gestational diabetes screening may decrease and the diagnosis of pseudo-GDM may increase.
An algorithm for thermal unit maintenance scheduling through combined use of GA, SA and TS

This paper describes a method of solving a large scale long-term thermal generating unit maintenance scheduling problem. In the solution algorithm, the genetic algorithm (GA), simulated annealing (SA) and the tabu search (TS) method are used cooperatively. The solution algorithm keeps the advantages of the individual algorithms and shows a reasonable combination of local and global searches. The method takes the maintenance class and several consecutive years scheduling into consideration. Several real-scale numerical examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Consumer direction in the field of digital technologies and people with dementia: a literature review

Abstract Purpose Digital technologies have a great potential to improve the quality of life of people with dementia. However, this group is usually not involved in their development and dissemination. A consumer-directed role in the delivery of digital technologies could allow this group to regain autonomy and certain independence. This article aims to conceptualise the components of the Consumer Direction theory in the context of digital technologies and people with dementia. Method A literature review was conducted. We searched for studies within the aforementioned context in five relevant databases, covering the years 2012–2020. Identified studies were screened and assessed for inclusion. The data were categorised using two-stage qualitative content analysis. Results Forty articles were included. The results provide definitions of the four components of the Consumer Direction theory in the context of this study. Namely, what it means for people with dementia to be (1) in control of technology use, (2) offered a variety of technological options, (3) informed and supported regarding the use and training of digital technologies, and (4) actively participating in systems design. These can lead to the empowerment of people with dementia. Conclusion The four theoretical components of the Consumer Direction theory are conceptualised differently in the context of this study. By providing new definitions, this paper contributes to research and practice. We expect the definitions to be deployed by researchers, practitioners, and policymakers for the creation of a more consumer-directed delivery of digital technologies to people with dementia. Implications for rehabilitation Digital technologies have a great potential to improve the quality of life of people with dementia. A consumer-directed role in the delivery of digital technologies could empower people with dementia and give them the opportunity to take control over the offered services as well as maintain a degree of independence. The Consumer Direction theory and its components should be conceptualised differently in the context of digital technologies and people with dementia than in previous contexts that used the theory. The new definitions can be utilised by researchers, practitioners and policymakers for the creation of a more consumer-directed delivery of digital technologies to people with dementia.
Diffusely abnormal white matter converts to T2 lesion volume in the absence of acute inflammation

Diffusely abnormal white matter (DAWM), characterised by biochemical changes of myelin in the absence of frank demyelination, has been associated with clinical progression in secondary progressive MS (SPMS). However, little is known about changes of DAWM over time and their relation to focal white matter lesions (FWML). The objectives of this work were: 1) To characterize the longitudinal evolution of FWML, DAWM, and DAWM that transforms into FWML, and 2) To determine whether gadolinium enhancement, known to be associated with the development of new FWML, is also related to DAWM voxels that transform into FWML. Our data included 4220 MRI scans of 689 SPMS participants, followed for 156 weeks and 2677 scans of 686 RRMS participants, followed for 96 weeks. FWML and DAWM were segmented using a previously validated, automatic thresholding technique based on normalized T2 intensity values. Using longitudinally registered images, DAWM voxels at each visit that transformed into FWML on the last MRI scan as well as their overlap with gadolinium enhancing lesion masks were identified. Our results showed that the average yearly rate of conversion of DAWM-to-FWML was 1.27cc for SPMS and 0.80cc for RRMS. FWML in SPMS participants significantly increased (t=3.9; p=0.0001) while DAWM significantly decreased (t=-4.3 p<0.0001) and the ratio FWML:DAWM increased (t=12.7; p<0.00001). RRMS participants also showed an increase in the FWML:DAWM Ratio (t=6.9; p<0.00001) but without a significant change of the individual volumes. Gadolinium enhancement was associated with 7.3% and 18.7% of focal New T2 lesion formation in the infrequent scans of the RRMS and SPMS cohorts, respectively. In comparison, only 0.1% and 0.0% of DAWM-to-FWML voxels overlapped with gadolinium enhancement. We conclude that DAWM transforms into FWML over time, in both RRMS and SPMS. DAWM appears to represent a form of pre-lesional pathology that contributes to T2 lesion volume increase over time, independent of new focal inflammation and gadolinium enhancement.
Multisensory responses in a belt region of the dorsal auditory cortical pathway

A basic function of the cerebral cortex is to receive and integrate information from different sensory modalities into a comprehensive percept of the environment. Neurons that demonstrate multisensory convergence occur across the necortex but are especially prevalent in higher order association areas. However, a recent study of a cat higher order auditory area, the dorsal zone (DZ) of auditory cortex, did not observe any multisensory features. Therefore, the goal of the present investigation was to address this conflict using recording and testing methodologies that are established for exposing and studying multisensory neuronal processing. Among the 482 neurons studied, we found that 76.6% were influenced by non‐auditory stimuli. Of these neurons, 99% were affected by visual stimulation, but only 11% by somatosensory. Furthermore, a large proportion of the multisensory neurons showed integrated responses to multisensory stimulation, constituted a majority of the excitatory and inhibitory neurons encountered (as identified by the duration of their waveshape) and exhibited a distinct spatial distribution within DZ. These findings demonstrate that the DZ of auditory cortex robustly exhibits multisensory properties and that the proportions of multisensory neurons encountered are consistent with those identified in other higher order cortices.
An Enhanced Control Technique for the Elimination of Residual Vibrations in Flexible-Joint Manipulators

One method used to reduce or eliminate residual vibrations is to modify the input signal by using previously determined system parameters. In order to eliminate the residual vibration completely, these system parameters must be very accurately determined. In real systems, achieving such accuracy may not always be possible. To address this problem and to provide a solution, a new residual vibration elimination method is introduced in this study, which has proven to be useful especially in cases of uncertain parameters of estimated or predicted systems. It is shown that the technique is capable of handling high levels of uncertainty and is able to successfully eliminate or reduce residual vibrations in flexible systems. In this approach, the desired position of the system is primarily divided into two equal parts, and the generated input signal is used to eliminate vibration. This study presents theoretical and experimental results of the techniques applied to a flexible mechanical system; a comparative study of robustness performance is also provided. Simulation and experimental results show that the oscillations are considerably decreased with a high degree of robustness in the presence of uncertainty regarding system parameters.
A 16 channel high resolution (<11 ps RMS) Time-to-Digital Converter in a Field Programmable Gate Array

A 16-channel Time-to-Digital Converter (TDC) was implemented in a general purpose Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The fine time calculations are achieved by using the dedicated carry-chain lines. The coarse counter defines the coarse time stamp. In order to overcome the negative effects of temperature and power supply dependency bin-by-bin calibration is applied. The time interval measurements are done using 2 channels. The time resolution of channels are calculated for 1 clock cycle and a minimum of 10.3 ps RMS on two channels, yielding 7.3 ps RMS (10.3 ps/√2) on a single channel is achieved.
Non‐Hispanic Black and Hispanic Patients Have Worse Outcomes Than White Patients Within Similar Stages of Peripheral Artery Disease

Background Racial and ethnic disparities in outcomes following lower limb revascularization for peripheral artery disease have been ascribed to disease severity at presentation for surgery. Methods and Results We calculated 1‐year risk of major adverse limb events (MALEs), major amputation, and death for patients undergoing elective revascularization for claudication or chronic limb‐threatening ischemia in the Vascular Quality Initiative data (2011–2018). We report hazard ratios according to race and ethnicity using Cox (death) or Fine and Gray subdistribution hazards models (MALE and major amputation, treating death as a competing event), adjusted for patient, treatment, and anatomic factors associated with disease severity. Among 88 599 patients (age, 69 years; 37% women), 1‐year risk of MALE (major amputation and death) was 12.8% (95% CI, 12.5–13.0) in 67 651 White patients, 16.5% (95% CI, 5.8–7.8) in 15 442 Black patients, and 17.2% (95% CI, 5.6–6.9) in 5506 Hispanic patients. Compared with White patients, we observed an increased hazard of poor limb outcomes among Black (MALE: 1.17; 95% CI, 1.12–1.22; amputation: 1.52; 95% CI, 1.39–1.65) and Hispanic (MALE: 1.22; 95% CI, 1.14–1.31; amputation: 1.45; 95% CI, 1.28–1.64) patients. However, Black and Hispanic patients had a hazard of death of 0.85 (95% CI, 0.79–0.91) and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.63–0.79) times the hazard among White patients, respectively. Worse limb outcomes were observed among Black and Hispanic patients across subcohorts of claudication and chronic limb‐threatening ischemia. Conclusions Black and Hispanic patients undergoing infrainguinal revascularization for chronic limb‐threatening ischemia and claudication had worse limb outcomes compared with White patients, even with similar disease severity at presentation. Additional investigation aimed at eliminating disparate limb outcomes is needed.
Ultrasonic Characterization of Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Thyroid

To identify the ultrasonographic characteristics of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid (PSCCT), and to assess the value of the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guideline and 2017 American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (TI‐RADS) in the evaluation of this disease.
Compulsory and voluntary admissions in comparison: A 9-year long observational study

Background: Few studies, so far, have been specifically designed to highlight the features related to Compulsory Admissions (CA) and Voluntary Admissions (VA) in Italian psychiatric emergency wards. Aims: The main purpose of this observational study was to compare the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of VA and CA and to explore possible predictors of re-admissions. Methods: During a 6-month Index Period (February, the 1st–July, the 31st 2008) all psychiatric admissions were documented and then followed-up through all available informatic systems for the next 9 years. Results: Out of 390 hospitalizations, 101 (25.9%) were compulsory (CA rate was 2.79 per 10,000 inhabitants per year, mean duration of hospitalizations of 7.33 ± 7.84 days). Diagnoses were recorded for the 325 patients who had been hospitalized during index period: schizophrenic psychoses ([p = .042], in particular schizophrenia [p = .027]), manic episode (p = .044), and delusional disorders (p = .009) were associated with CA; conversely, the diagnosis of unipolar major depression (p = .005) and personality disorders (p = .048) were significantly more frequent in VA. The 325 admitted patients were followed up for 1,801 person-years. No significant differences were found in terms of drop-outs, transferring, and discharge rates, and mortality rates due to both natural causes and suicides. Factors associated with at least one compulsory readmission were younger age and having had a previous CA (p = .011); conversely having been engaged with psychiatric services for over 1 year prior to index hospitalization was protective for a subsequent CA (p = .013). Conclusions: After a 40-year old political reform, the current study shows that, in a context of integrated outpatient and inpatient services, engagement with outpatient care may be protective for compulsory rehospitalization.
Retreatability of calcium silicate-based root canal sealer using reciprocating instrumentation with different irrigation activation techniques in single-rooted canals.

This study analysed the bioceramic sealer cleaning ability of two chemo-mechanical systems in intact and restored teeth. Thirty-two single-rooted teeth were used, and half of them restored with a pre-endodontic composite restoration (PCR). All samples were instrumented with a size 40 Reciproc Blue file and filled with BioRoot RCS. Canals were retreated using the R40 and then R50 Reciproc Blue. The samples were divided into four experimental groups (n = 8): intact teeth/passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) (G1), intact teeth/shock wave-enhanced emission photoacoustic streaming (SWEEPS) (G2), PCR/PUI (G3) and PCR/SWEEPS (G4). The samples were scanned by micro-CT before and after retreatment, and the volume of remaining filling material was evaluated. The minor percentage of residues were observed in G2, with a volume of 0.447 ± 0.356% of the endodontic space (P < 0.001). The Reciproc/SWEEPS technique showed the better performance in intact teeth compared with PUI technique. Pre-endodontic restoration did not significantly affect the effectiveness of sealer removal.
MicroSMD-a wafer level chip scale package

This paper outlines National Semiconductor's concept of wafer level chip scale package-also known as microSMD. This new packaging technology has been demonstrated using an 8 I/O package with 0.5 mm bump pitch, and is ideally tailored for low pin count analog and wireless devices. Product extensions to higher pin count (up to 48) are under various stages of qualification. The package construction, process flow, and package reliability are described, together with board level assembly processes and interconnect reliability.