Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Incidence and predictors of attrition among patients receiving ART in eastern Zimbabwe before, and after the introduction of universal ‘treat-all’ policies: A competing risk analysis

As HIV treatment is expanded, attention is focused on minimizing attrition from care. We evaluated the impact of treat-all policies on the incidence and determinants of attrition amongst clients receiving ART in eastern Zimbabwe. Data were retrospectively collected from the medical records of adult patients (aged≥18 years) enrolled into care from July 2015 to June 2016—pre-treat-all era, and July 2016 to June 2017—treat-all era, selected from 12 purposively sampled health facilities. Attrition was defined as an absence from care >90 days following ART initiation. Survival-time methods were used to derive incidence rates (IRs), and competing risk regression used in bivariate and multivariable modelling. In total, 829 patients had newly initiated ART and were included in the analysis (pre-treat-all 30.6%; treat-all 69.4%). Incidence of attrition (per 1000 person-days) increased between the two time periods (pre-treat-all IR = 1.18 (95%CI: 0.90–1.56) versus treat-all period IR = 1.62 (95%CI: 1.37–1.91)). In crude analysis, patients at increased risk of attrition were those enrolled into care during the treat-all period, <34 years of age, WHO stage I at enrolment, and had initiated ART on the same day as HIV diagnosis. After accounting for mediating clinical characteristics, the difference in attrition between the pre-treat-all, and treat-all periods ceased to be statistically significant. In a full multivariable model, attrition was significantly higher amongst same-day ART initiates (aSHR = 1.47, 95%CI:1.05–2.06). Implementation of treat-all policies was associated with an increased incidence of ART attrition, driven largely by ART initiation on the same day as HIV diagnosis which increased significantly in the treat all period. Differentiated adherence counselling for patients at increased risk of attrition, and improved access to clinical monitoring may improve retention in care.
A Rapid and Efficient Protocol for Adventitious Shoot Regeneration and Genetic Transformation of Manchurian Ash (Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr.) using Hypocotyl Explants

Background: Manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr.) is an endangered hardwood tree species, providing both economic and medicinal benefits. However, observations such as browning of adventitious shoot buds and high rate of somatic embryo abnormality, were presented in protocols of F. mandshurica regeneration. Therefore, a rapid and high-efficiency regeneration system is demanded for mass propagation and genetic transformation of F. mandshurica.Results: We have developed an efficient regeneration system through adventitious shoot organogenesis in F. mandshurica using hypocotyl explants, with which the adventitious shoots are able to elongate and were obtained in an affordable time. Hypocotyls excised from embryos were pre-cultured in the dark on woody plant medium (WPM) supplemented with 6 g L -1 potassium citrate, and then inoculated on WPM medium supplemented with different concentrations of plant growth regulators (PGRs) to induce adventitious shoot bud formation. The induction medium supplemented with a single PGR of 1.0 mg L -1 thidiazuron (TDZ) was the best treatment, showing 86.67% shoot bud induction with a 15-day initial dark culture, followed by culture under a low light condition. The survival rate of regenerated shoot buds reached 70.97% on WPM medium supplemented with 0.025 mg L -1 TDZ and 1.0 mg L -1 gibberellic acid (GA3). Based on this regeneration system, By using the sonication plus vacuum-infiltration method,a protocol for Agrobacterium tumefaciens -mediated transformation of hypocotyls was established,the transformation rate was determined to be 3.57%. Conclusions: Key factors, such as the potassium citrate pretreatment, wound treatment on explants, variable light conditions, and significant PGR interactions, were revealed to affect the induction and elongation of adventitious shoots from F. mandshurica hypocotyls in this study. The adventitious shoots, tissue culture plantlets, and rooted plantlets were obtained at 40, 80-100, and 160 days, respectively. This regeneration system shortens the period of traditional regeneration methods, which require months to induce callus from leaves or stems, and additional several months for organ differentiation. In addition, the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocol established on the basis of this regeneration system provides a foundation for breeding, genetic improvement and genomic studies of F. mandshurica.
Comparison of Balance Ability on the Heel Height and the Habituation to the High Heel

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of the balance ability on the heel height (flat, low heel[3cm], and high heel[7cm]) and high heeled habituation (group A is used to a low heeled shoes (). Thirty-five subjects participated in this study. In this study, the static balance with opened eyes and closed eyes and dynamic balance were measured. Also functional reach test was tested. The results found that the static balance ability was the best in a 7cm heeled shoes with open eyes and closed eyes, but there was not significant difference between group A and Group B. Dynamic balance ability with walking velocity and cadence were significant difference between Group A and B. In the walking velocity, a flat was the fastest, followed by 7cm heel and 3cm heel with Group A while 3cm and 7cm, then a flat with Group B. Also Cadence pattern was similar. Functional balance ability was the highest with a flat, but it was not difference significantly between Group A and B. Therefore, this study demonstrated that the habituation to the high heel altered gait velocity and cadence of dynamic balance ability.
Identification of concrete incompatibilities using cement paste rheology

Identification of Concrete Incompatibilities Using Cement Paste Rheology. (May 2009) Se Hoon Jang, B.S., Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea; M.S., Texas A&M University Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee, Dr. Dan G. Zollinger Dr. Anal K. Mukhopadhyay The complex interaction between cement and chemical/mineral admixtures in concrete mixtures sometimes leads to unpredictable concrete performance in the field which is generally defined as concrete incompatibilities. Cement paste rheology measurements instead of traditional workability tests (i.e., slump cone test) can have great potential in detecting those incompatibilities in concrete before the concrete is placed, which can, in turn, avoid related workability problems and setting time as well as heat evolution abnormalities. The objectives of the present study were to examine the applicability of the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) to measure cement paste rheology, and to identify cement and mineral/chemical admixture incompatibilities, based on the determined rheological parameters. The DSR was modified and optimized for cement paste rheology measurements. Two different modes of operations (i.e., static and dynamic methods) with the modified DSR were investigated to measure representative rheological parameters as well as to identify cement and chemical/mineral admixture incompatibility. The conventional plastic viscosity and yield stress are measured in static mode and storage modulus curve, as a function of time, is measured in dynamic mode. The rate of change of plastic viscosity (RPV) as another static rheological parameter and the modeled magnitude parameter α, from the dynamic rheological method,
A computer code for fire protection and risk analysis of nuclear plants

A fire modeling computer code has been developed with sufficient flexibility for accurate representations of geometry, ventilation and other conditions as may be present in cable rooms, control rooms, and other enclosures in nuclear power plants. The computer code is capable of three-dimensional, transient, turbulent flow and heat transfer calculations with chemical reaction and radiation. The code has a modular structure, specifically designed for fire problems. The code employs the latest relevant finite-volume solution techniques. The code has been applied to a series of benchmark problems and a recent fire test problem. This has confirmed the feasibility of the fire code. Considerable further work is needed to enhance the physical models (to improve the realism of predicted solutions) and to validate and document the final code. Specific recommendations are made for Phases II and III of the Project.
Automated Feedback and Situation Awareness in Net-Centric C3

Abstract : The goal of net-centric warfare (NCW) is to give soldiers an information advantage that leads to a war-fighting advantage. However, NCW systems are quite complex and dynamic, characteristics which can lead to impaired situation awareness (SA) and increased mental workload. It has been suggested that an automated alerting system would help Soldiers focus their attention on mission critical events. This series of experiments investigated how automated audio-visual alerts affect user SA and perceived workload. Two similar experiments were conducted. In each experiment, participants viewed a simulation of a net-centric system, the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2), which included an automated alerting system. SA and workload were measured both with the alerting system enabled and disabled. In the second study, the difficulty of the monitoring task was increased and the automated alerts included a pop-up pictorial representation of the critical event. Results indicate that automated alerting systems do not improve user SA, but they also do not impair user SA. However, mental workload was significantly lower when alerts were enabled. These results can be used to aid decisions about whether or not to include automated alerts in NCW systems.
Flexible Working as an Employee Retention Strategy in Developing Countries

Retaining talented employees is a predicament often faced in fast developing countries due to the highlycompetitive nature of their business environment. Since increasing financial benefits is considered as an unsustainable strategy in employee retention, firms have begun to consider flexible working as an alternative tool. The current study is concerned with the situation in the Malaysian banking industry. Using a qualitative approach, the potential effects of five types of flexible working practices - namely flex time, job sharing, flex leave, flex career and flex place - on employee retention were explored. Data gathered from personal interviews with local bank managers help in explaining how contextual factors such as the macro-environment, organisational culture, and human resource management systems can influence the effectiveness of each type of flexible working practice in employee retention. Findings of the study have contributed to a more refined framework of flexible working and employee retention particularly for developing countries and underline the importance of further research comparing societies and organisations of different backgrounds. The study has also raised the need to re-examine organisational culture and human resource management systems in the Malaysian work environment.
The Perceived Urgency of Tactile Patterns

Abstract : The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of stimulus intensity and inter-stimulus interval (ISI) on the perceived urgency and on the detection and identification of tactile patterns. A tactile system that includes an adjustable belt developed by Engineering Acoustics Inc. (EAI) was used to provide tactile stimuli. This adjustable belt, which consists of eight EAI C2 tactors positioned at 45-degree intervals, was worn around each participant? s waist. Participants received tactile patterns at an intensity of either 12 dB or 23.5 dB with an ISI of either 0 ms (no interval) or 500 ms. Participants were asked to identify each tactile pattern that they received and rate how urgent they perceived the pattern to be on a scale of 1 to 10. Results show that participants were able to detect and identify tactile patterns with nearly 100% accuracy. Participants rated patterns that were provided at the 23.5 dB intensity with no ISI as the most urgent. Patterns provided at the 12 dB intensity with a 500 ms ISI were rated the least urgent.
Predicting oak stump sprouting and sprout development in the Missouri Ozarks.

An application section provides tables for easy prediction of the proportion of oak stumps of various species having codominant-or-larger sprouts 5 years after clearcutting. A documentation section gives details of sprout development and equations for estimating sprouting of white, black, scarlet, post, and blackjack oaks.
Relationship between Transversus Abdominis Strength and Lumbar Lordosis in Young Adults

Background: The researchers and clinicians are emphasizing on function of Transverse Abdominis (TrA) which is a deepest abdominal muscles because there is an evidence that TrA is recruited independently of the other abdominal muscles in many different tasks and plays an important role in lumbar stability. Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between TrA muscle strength and lumbar lordosis in young adults. Methods: Total 394 subjects were recruited from the constituent institutions of Sumandeep Vidyapeeth with the age range 18-35years. All the subjects, Lumbar lordosis angle and their TrA strength were measured with the Flexicurve and Pressure Biofeedback Unit respectively. Lumbar lordosis angle was calculated using established formula. Average of 03 trials was considered for TrA strength. Results: Pearson correlation coefficient was -0.18 on correlating Lumbar lordosis angle with TrA strength, -0.09 for age with TrA strength and 0.11 for age with lumbar lordosis angle. Conclusion: This study concludes that there is negative relationship between lumbar lordosis and TrA i.e. as the lumbar lordosis angle increases, the strength of TrA muscle decreases.
Comparison of Continuous Epidural Blockade and Continuous Femoral Nerve Block on Postoperative Pain in Total Knee Replacement Surgeries: A Prospective Randomised Controlled Study

Background: The use of epidural analgesia in the management of postoperative pain following orthopedic surgeries has evolved as a critical component of a multimodal approach to achieve the goal of pain relief, early mobilization, and improved compliance with physiotherapy resulting in overall improved outcomes. Aim: The aim of this study is to compare continuous femoral nerve block with continuous epidural block technique for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing elective total knee replacement surgery.Subjects and Methods:The patients belonging to the ASA I to III scheduled for various knee surgeries under spinal anesthesia were enrolled in this study. They were randomly divided into two equal groups of thirty-three patients each. The Group F patients received continuous femoral nerve blockade and in the Group E patients continuous epidural blocked preoperatively.Results:The analgesic efficacy of both continuous femoral nerve block and continuous epidural nerve block was equal as measured by the visual analogue scores. The incidence of Hypotension was more in the Epidural group. The adverse effects due to the Continuous Femoral Nerve block were lower in comparison with the Continuous Epidural block technique.Conclusion:Continuous femoral nerve blockade provides postoperative analgesia equivalent to that obtained with a continuous epidural blocked but with lesser side effects.
Integrating business value in enterprise architecture modeling and analysis

The aim of this research is to better understand the primary activity of a firm and the source of its survival – value creation, how a firm creates value for the consumer. The approach adopted in this research is to analyze value creation from a process level viewpoint. There is big difference between specifying a value offering to the customer in a board room and implementing it in practice. A common problem which managers face is translating the value creation logic of a firm from strategy to implementation. Process and IT managers in a firm use different modeling techniques to model and understand value creation in the firm. The enterprise architecture (EA) of a firm is an enterprise wide model showing the Business and IT architecture of the firm. EA’s are a unique way of modeling the processes and infrastructure of a firm because they lie at the interface of strategy and process level of abstraction. This research is an attempt to show value creation using EA models. The EA modeling language which has been used for this research is ArchiMate. ArchiMate language consists of different elements which model the business and IT processes of a firm and also the supporting infrastructure. The main research question of the thesis is how value creation can be shown in terms of ArchiMate. This main question has been further divided into three research sub questions. An extensive literature survey is done for building a sound background for answering the research questions. This literature survey is used to formulate a value creation framework at the process level. Then, a mapping is attempted between the framework developed and ArchiMate. The output of this research is a 6 step methodology which will aid managers to model value creation using ArchiMate elements. As a part of the methodology an algorithm is developed which relates a value proposition offered by the firm (to its customers) to processes and infrastructure of the firm which realize it. This algorithm when applied to a given ArchiMate model results in a smaller model which is called the value model for the particular value proposition. This algorithm is implemented in the EA modeling tool, BiZZdesign Architect ®. The deliverables of the methodology are a value creation model and value table. The value creation model can be used for cost benefit, analysis, sensitivity analysis and traceability analysis. These possible uses of the value creation model are discussed in detail. Value tables formed as a part of the methodology, show how the resources and the services acquired from the network can be incorporated in the value model. To explain and demonstrate the methodology a case study is presented. Another example case is used to demonstrate the uses of the value creation model. The merit and applicability of the methodology is evaluated by combination of a survey and personal interview with experienced researchers and practitioners in the field EA modeling.
Sources of Variation in State-Level Food Stamp Participation Rates. Washington, DC: Mathematica Policy Research

Food stamp participation rates vary substantially from state to state. This report looks at the two factors most likely to cause this variationâ€”the characteristics of those eligible to receive food stamps, as well as the economic and policy conditions, in each state. The authors found that differences across states in the characteristics of those eligible to participate contribute to differences in participation rates. However, these differences are not the only explanation for variation in state participation ratesâ€”even if the characteristics of those eligible to receive food stamps were identical from state to state, participation rates would still vary. However, there is little evidence that this remaining variation is explained by differences in state economic and policy conditions.
Error-induced beam degradation in Fermilab's accelerators

In Part I, three independent models of Fermilab’s Booster synchrotron are presented. All three models are constructed to investigate and explore the effects of unavoidable machine errors on a proton beam under the influence of space-charge effects. The first is astochastic noise model . Electric current fluctuations arising from power supplies are ubiquitous and unavoidable and are a source of instabilities in accelerators of all types. A new noise module for generating the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (O-U) stochastic noise is first created and incorporated into the existing Object-oriented Ring Beam Injection and Tracking (ORBIT-FNAL) package. After being convinced with a preliminary model that the noise, particularly non-white noise, does matter to beam quality, we proceeded to measure directly current ripples and common-mode voltages from all four Gradient Magnet Power Supplies (GMPS). Then, the current signals are Fourier-analyzed. Based upon the power spectra of current signals, we tune up the Ornstein-Uhlnbeck noise model. As a result, we are able to closely match the frequency spectra between current measurements and the modeled O-U stochastic noise. The stochastic noise modeled upon measurements is applied to the Booster beam in the presence of the full space-charge effects. This noise model, accompanied by a suite of beam diagnostic calculations, manifests that the stochastic noise, impinging upon the beam and coupled to the space-charge effects, can substantially enhance the beam degradation process throughout the injection period. The second model is a magnet misalignment model . It is the first time to utilize the latest beamline survey data for building a magnet-by-magnet misalignment model. Given as-found survey fiducial coordinates, we calculate all types of magnet alignment errors (station error, pitch, yaw, roll, twists, etc.) are implemented in the model. We then follow up with statistical analysis to understand how each type of alignment errors are currently distributed around the Booster ring. The ORBIT-FNAL simulations with space charge
Fiscal Multipliers and Oil Price Fluctuations in Oil-Exporting Countries: Evidence from Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of fiscal policy on non-oil GDP within the framework of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The paper explores asymmetries related to oil price changes (increase vs. decrease) and the state of the business cycle (expansion vs. recession). We used panel structural vector autoregressive (VAR) model, augmented by exogenous ‘dummy’ variables to estimate fiscal multipliers within a nonlinear framework.The results suggest that (i) linear multipliers are moderate and in line with those found in previous studies; (ii) the multipliers are larger for capital than for current expenditures; (iii) when controlling for oil price changes, the expenditure multipliers are higher during oil market downturns (oil price busts); (iv) spending multipliers are significantly larger when the output gap is negative. The importance of these findings lies on their policy suggestions. These findings indicate that fiscal policy should be designed based on oil price movements and economic fluctuations.
A knowledge-based flight status monitor for real-time application in digital avionics systems

The Dryden Flight Research Facility of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center (Ames-Dryden) is the principal NASA facility for the flight testing and evaluation of new and complex avionics systems. To aid in the interpretation of system health and status data, a knowledge-based flight status monitor was designed. The monitor was designed to use fault indicators from the onboard system which are telemetered to the ground and processed by a rule-based model of the aircraft failure management system to give timely advice and recommendations in the mission control room. One of the important constraints on the flight status monitor is the need to operate in real time, and to pursue this aspect, a joint research activity between NASA Ames-Dryden and the Royal Aerospace Establishment (RAE) on real-time knowledge-based systems was established. Under this agreement, the original LISP knowledge base for the flight status monitor was reimplemented using the intelligent knowledge-based system toolkit, MUSE, which was developed under RAE sponsorship. Details of the flight status monitor and the MUSE implementation are presented.