Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance Comparison of Structural Stormwater Best Management Practices

This paper describes a method for comparing the pollutant removal of a number of structural stormwater treatment devices, commonly referred to as best management practices (BMPs). Historically, the pollutant removal ability of a BMP has been expressed as a percent reduction in concentration or load. Unfortunately, the calculated percent reduction in pollutant concentration is strongly affected by the influent concentration, with the calculated reduction generally being much lower when the event mean concentrations (EMCs) in the untreated runoff from the test watershed are low. The objective of the proposed methodology is to eliminate this problem by predicting BMP performance for an arbitrary influent concentration, so that BMPs evaluated in different watersheds can be compared as if the influent quality at all sites were the same. This method allows BMPs to be compared based on the quality of effluent produced and the mass reduction. The proposed method uses linear regression as the primary tool to compute the expected effluent concentration from a BMP, given a specific influent concentration of interest and was developed using data collected in the California Department of Transportation BMP Retrofit Pilot Program. This technique reveals that for media filters, the concentration of sediment and other particle‐associated pollutants in treated runoff is generally unrelated to influent quality and is relatively constant. Wet basins with large permanent pool volumes also have effluent concentrations that are constant for most constituents and unrelated to influent concentrations. In these situations, the “percent reduction” in a pollutant EMC is not an inherent characteristic of the BMP, but a function of the influent EMC, because the quality of effluent produced is constant. Predicting the effluent quality of several types of conventional BMPs based on a common influent concentration allows an objective comparison of their performance and the selection of a BMP that addresses specific constituents of concern.
Using Electronic Medical Record Data to Characterize the Level of Medication Use by Age-Groups in a Network of Primary Care Clinics

Purpose: Our primary aim was to characterize the level of medication use across age-groups by examining electronic medical record data for a large number of patients receiving care in primary care clinics. A secondary aim was to identify factors associated with higher levels of medication use or polypharmacy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective query of electronic medical record data from a clinical data warehouse, evaluating 114 012 patients seen in primary care clinics at least once in the previous 6 months. Medication use was evaluated in 3 different categories: level 1 (0-4 medications), level 2 (5-9 medications), and level 3 (≥10 medications). Multivariate analysis was used to analyze different patient demographics and comorbidities for association with level of medication use. Results: At ages 18 to 24 years, 15% (male) to 23% (female) of patients were taking greater than 5 medications, a trend that continued to increase with older cohorts. Female patients were more likely to have level 2 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.76) and level 3 (OR = 2.73) use compared with men. Level 2 and level 3 use was associated with other patient characteristics, including number of patient encounters (level 2 OR = 2.99; level 3 OR = 8.08 for >7 encounters) and common chronic conditions such as chronic pain (level 2 OR = 2.56; level 3 OR = 6.40), diabetes (level 2 OR = 2.4; level 3 OR = 4.61), heart disease (level 2 OR = 1.99; level 3 OR = 3.65), hypertension (level 2 OR = 2.27; level 3 OR = 2.87), and dyslipidemia (level 2 OR = 1.82; level 3 OR = 2.12). Conclusion: Electronic medical record data may be an important tool for providing more comprehensive information regarding medication usage. Medication usage assessed by electronic medical records, even among the youngest cohort, appears to be greater than other sources of medication usage indicate. Higher levels of medication use were associated with a number of factors, including gender, body mass index, number of patient encounters, and comorbid conditions.
I NVESTIGATING SOCIAL MOTIVATION IN AN EDUCATIONAL GAME FOR ACQUIRING INTERCULTURAL SKILLS

Games are increasingly being adapted for use as educational tools. One relatively new use of games is to facilitate learning social or interpersonal skills such as conflict resolution by simulating human behavior with virtual characters. My work investigates students' social goals to understand how they help motivate students to acquire cultural understanding in BiLAT, one such system designed to teach cross-cultural negotiation skills. In previous work, I hypothesized that students who were given explicit social goals (e.g., “Come to understand your partner’s point of view”) would be more successful in learning from the game than students who were given task-focused goals only. The results did not confirm our hypothesis – the group without the explicit (externally-imposed) social goal learned more according to most measures. However, on further investigation, students who reported having social goals in a manipulation check, regardless of whether they were externally imposed, seemed to learn the most. These results combined with my other preliminary work suggest that social goals and interactions are important in learning cultural negotiation, but that setting explicit social goals may not be the right scaffold. In this proposal, I outline a program of research to understand the role of integrative and self-assertive social goals in learning cultural negotiation and how to promote them. First, I will implicitly manipulate students' goals in a culturally-situated game to determine how social goals affect learning. Second, I will develop a model of how social goals are influenced by and interact with learner characteristics such as social intelligence and personality traits. These two strands will results in the development of an in-game intervention that will implicitly scaffold social goals that are beneficial to learning intercultural competence. This work will contribute to the literature on learning sciences, virtual environments, and intercultural competence to provide a better understanding of how people interact socially with virtual humans in a cultural learning context.
An Evaluation of Multisource Feedback (MSF) for Managerial Development in Large-Size Manufacturing Companies in Thailand

As performance appraisal method known as multisource feedback (MSF) or 360° feedback was popular in Western organizations for decades, it is questionable if the practice will offer similar benefits at international level. In this article, the literature on multisource feedback and comparative culture is reviewed. Based upon practices suggested by recent literature, a research was conducted at the two large-size organizations in Thailand. This research found that managers can accept the multisource feedback for development purpose. Negative cultural implications can be avoided while maintaining the merits of multisource feedback for employee development. Keywords: Human Resource Management, Performance Appraisal, Human Resource Development, culture, Thailand
Correlation algorithm of Microwave Staring correlated imaging based on multigrid and CGLS

This paper focuses on the correlation algorithm to realize high-resolution microwave staring correlated imaging (MSCI) in condition of large imaging area. Firstly, the imaging model applied in remote sensing is established, and the reduction of resolution caused by large imaging area is analysed. To solve the problem, we use multigrid (MG) method to solve the imaging equation in different scales, which can decrease the error of iteration. Furthermore, we apply the conjugate gradient least squares (CGLS) as iterative algorithm to solve the large scale equation. We name the new correlation algorithm as MG-CGLS. Simulation results show that MG-CGLS can increase the resolution in condition of large imaging area compared with existing correlation algorithm.
Carbon Dioxide Laser Treatment Using Methylene Blue-Assisted Sinus Tract Identification in Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Grimstad, O. & Ingvarsson, G. (2016). Carbon Dioxide Laser Treatment Using Methylene Blue-Assisted Sinus Tract Identification in Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Dermatologic Surgery, 42(11), 1304-1304. https://doi.org/10.1097/DSS.0000000000000824, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1097/DSS.0000000000000824 . This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.
Branch-Line Couplers With Arbitrary Coupling Value Through the Electrical Length Variation With Fixed Line Impedances

A new method is presented to obtain arbitrary coupling levels of the branch-line couplers through the simple modification of the 3-dB coupler. It is shown that the coupling of the conventional 3-dB branch-line coupler can be adjusted to arbitrary values by varying the electrical length of the branches without changing the impedances. A very wide range of coupling values can easily be obtained using the same line impedances as the conventional 3-dB couplers based on the proposed method.
Empirical Investigation into the Determinants of Compliance with IFRS 7 Disclosure Requirements

The purpose of this paper is to assess the quality of disclosures related to financial instruments provided in annual financial statements of Macedonian listed companies and empirically investigate factors that have the potential to influence the quality of these disclosures in accordance with IFRS 7 requirements. Based on the postulates and the results of the empirical investigations of prior IAS compliance studies I have constructed a disclosure index for each listed company and performed regression analysis with independent variables representing some characteristics of listed companies investigated, such as their size, industry, type of auditor engaged, ownership concentration, profitability and leverage. My regression analysis results supported the conclusion that the level of compliance with IFRS 7 requirements is related to the type of auditor engaged and ownership concentration in investigated companies. The results of my research will contribute the large body of empirical studies on IFRS disclosure and compliance, providing evidence from South- East European Transitional Economy that adopted IFRS as national financial reporting framework.
Handling product range complexity A case study on re-engineering demand forecasting

Studies the problem of forecasting demand on the article level in a competitive consumer goods market. First the conventional approach to forecasting is discussed. A number of weak points of the demand forecasting unit approach are identified. Next, a new approach to forecasting based on applying scaling models, is presented. The method is then tried out and evaluated in the context of a real life business case. Shows that the advantage of the assortment forecasting process is its simplicity and strong means for feedback. Combined with a strong focus on consumer values, the method has potential to produce reliable forecast based on promotion and assortment change inputs.
Family-Friendly Human Resource Practices and Organisational Commitment

This study investigated the relationship between family-friendly human resource policies and practices (FFHRPs) and organisational commitment. Three aspects of FFHRPs were measured (i.e. knowledge, use and perceived value) as were three components of organisational commitment (affective, continuance and normative commitment). Survey responses from randomly selected employees in a large multinational company were collected using an online survey (n = 146; response rate = 65%). After examining the psychometric properties of the scales, hierarchical multiple regression analysis was utilised to address the research propositions. The results suggest that the way in which employees value particular FFHRPs explains significant variance in affective commitment to the organisation but not to other components of commitment. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Simultaneous Analysis of Corporate Investment, Dividend, and Finance: Empirical Evidence Under High Uncertainty

This paper analyzes interdependence of three financial policies, investment decision, financing decision, and dividend policy. Interdependent relationship between the three has been extensively debated within literature of finance. While many studies have been conducted to normal economic condition, this paper, however, attempts to examine the relationships between the three policies in uncertainty conditions. Three-stage least square and seemingly unrelated regressions are complementarily used to this study because there are partially simultaneity problems. Two major research findings can be summarized as follows. First, there is partially interdependence of financial policies. Investment decision positively influences financing decision, there is negative relationship between financing and dividend decisions, and dividend decision negatively influences investment decision. Second, pecking order theory is superior to agency theory in explaining the managerial behavior in making financial policies.
Modulating STDP Balance Impacts the Dendritic Mosaic

The ability for cortical neurons to adapt their input/output characteristics and information processing capabilities ultimately relies on the interplay between synaptic plasticity, synapse location, and the nonlinear properties of the dendrite. Collectively, they shape both the strengths and spatial arrangements of convergent afferent inputs to neuronal dendrites. Recent experimental and theoretical studies support a clustered plasticity model, a view that synaptic plasticity promotes the formation of clusters or hotspots of synapses sharing similar properties. We have previously shown that spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) can lead to synaptic efficacies being arranged into spatially segregated clusters. This effectively partitions the dendritic tree into a tessellated imprint which we have called a dendritic mosaic. Here, using a biophysically detailed neuron model of a reconstructed layer 2/3 pyramidal cell and STDP learning, we investigated the impact of altered STDP balance on forming such a spatial organization. We show that cluster formation and extend depend on several factors, including the balance between potentiation and depression, the afferents' mean firing rate and crucially on the dendritic morphology. We find that STDP balance has an important role to play for this emergent mode of spatial organization since any imbalances lead to severe degradation- and in some case even destruction- of the mosaic. Our model suggests that, over a broad range of of STDP parameters, synaptic plasticity shapes the spatial arrangement of synapses, favoring the formation of clustered efficacy engrams.
Preferences for access to the GP: a discrete choice experiment.

BACKGROUND Access to primary care services is one of the key components of the NHS Plan which states that patients should be able to see a health professional within 24 hours and a GP within 48 hours. However, it is not clear how patients value speed of access in comparison with other aspects of primary care. AIM To investigate patient preferences when making an routine appointment for a GP, and to describe the trade-offs and relationships between speed of access, choice of time and choice of doctor in different patient groups. DESIGN OF STUDY Discrete choice experiment. SETTING Adults consulting a GP in six general practices in Sunderland. METHOD Choice sets based on three attributes (time to appointment, choice of time, choice of doctor) were presented in a self-completion questionnaire. RESULTS We obtained 6985 observations from 1153 patients. We found that the waiting time to make an appointment was only important if the appointment is for a child or when attending for a new health problem. Other responders would trade-off a shorter waiting time and be willing to wait in order to either see their own choice of doctor or attend an appointment at their own choice of time. For responders who work, choice of time is six times more important than a shorter waiting time and they are willing to wait up to 1 day extra for this. Those with a long-standing illness value seeing their own GP more than seven times as much as having a shorter waiting time for an appointment and will wait an extra 1 day for an appointment with the GP of their choice, women will wait an extra 2 days, and older patients an extra 2.5 days. CONCLUSION Speed of access is of limited importance to patients accessing their GP, and for many is outweighed by choice of GP or convenience of appointment.
Injury‐Related Factors and Conditions Down‐Regulate the Thrombin Receptor (PAR‐1) in a Human Neuronal Cell Line

Abstract: Previous studies have demonstrated that thrombin can induce potent effects on neural cell morphology, biochemistry, and viability. Nearly all of these effects are mediated by proteolytic activation of the thrombin receptor (PAR‐1). Mechanisms of PAR‐1 regulation in several nonneural cell types have been shown to be novel and cell type specific; however, little is known about PAR‐1 regulation in neural cells. In the present study, PAR‐1 cell surface expression and regulation were examined in a transformed retinoblast (Ad12 HER 10) cell line using radioiodinated anti‐PAR‐1 monoclonal antibodies ATAP2, which recognizes intact and cleaved receptors, and SPAN12, which is specific for the intact form of the receptor. Scatchard analysis revealed high‐affinity, specific binding to a single affinity class of receptors: KD = 3.13 and 5.25 nM, Bmax = 190.1 and 67.8 fmol/mg of protein for 125I‐ATAP2 and 125I‐SPAN12, respectively. Specificity for PAR‐1 was confirmed by demonstrating rapid and near complete decreases for both antibodies following treatment with thrombin or PAR‐1 activating peptide (SFLLRN). Differential antibody binding was used to demonstrate rapid and near complete thrombin‐induced PAR‐1 cleavage and internalization, with protein synthesis‐dependent replacement of intact receptors occurring over longer time intervals, but only minimal recycling of cleaved receptors. A variety of factors and conditions were screened for their effects on PAR‐1 expression. Significant decreases in PAR‐1 expression were induced by the protein kinase C activator phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (87% at 3 h), the phospholipid inflammatory mediator lysophosphatidic acid (32% at 3 h), and the injury‐related condition hypoglycemia (64 and 100% at 24 h in the absence and presence of dibutyryl cyclic AMP, respectively). The effect of hypoglycemia was shown by RNase protection to be at least partially pretranslational. Finally, thrombin's ability to enhance hypoglycemia‐induced cell killing correlated temporally with PAR‐1 cell surface expression.
Towards a comprehensive climate impacts assessment of solar geoengineering

Despite a growing literature on the climate response to solar geoengineering—proposals to cool the planet by increasing the planetary albedo—there has been little published on the impacts of solar geoengineering on natural and human systems such as agriculture, health, water resources, and ecosystems. An understanding of the impacts of different scenarios of solar geoengineering deployment will be crucial for informing decisions on whether and how to deploy it. Here we review the current state of knowledge about impacts of a solar‐geoengineered climate and identify the major research gaps. We suggest that a thorough assessment of the climate impacts of a range of scenarios of solar geoengineering deployment is needed and can be built upon existing frameworks. However, solar geoengineering poses a novel challenge for climate impacts research as the manner of deployment could be tailored to pursue different objectives making possible a wide range of climate outcomes. We present a number of ideas for approaches to extend the survey of climate impacts beyond standard scenarios of solar geoengineering deployment to address this challenge. Reducing the impacts of climate change is the fundamental motivator for emissions reductions and for considering whether and how to deploy solar geoengineering. This means that the active engagement of the climate impacts research community will be important for improving the overall understanding of the opportunities, challenges, and risks presented by solar geoengineering.
The nature and extent of college student hazing

Abstract Background: This study explored the nature and extent of college student hazing in the USA. Hazing, a form of interpersonal violence, can jeopardize the health and safety of students. Methods: Using a web-based survey, data were collected from 11,482 undergraduate students, aged 18–25 years, who attended one of 53 colleges and universities. Additionally, researchers interviewed 300 students and staff at 18 of the campuses. Results: Results reveal hazing among USA college students is widespread and involves a range of student organizations and athletic teams. Alcohol consumption, humiliation, isolation, sleep-deprivation and sex acts are hazing practices common across student groups. Furthermore, there is a large gap between the number of students who report experience with hazing behaviors and those that label their experience as hazing. Conclusions: To date, hazing prevention efforts in post-secondary education have focused largely on students in fraternities/sororities and intercollegiate athletes. Findings from this study can inform development of more comprehensive and research-based hazing prevention efforts that target a wider range of student groups. Further, data can serve as a baseline from which to measure changes in college student hazing over time.
The real value of statistics in health informatics. An introduction to Bayesian methods

The article aims to introduce the Bayesian paradigm of statistical inference and to illustrate, in a very broad manner some of the ways in which these techniques can be applied in medical informatics. It is assumed that the reader has some basic familiarity with the "classical" method of statistical inference and throughout the article the Bayesian techniques are contrasted with their frequentist alternatives.
A study of the Microwave Sounding Unit on the NOAA-12 satellite

The Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU) on the NOAA series of polar-orbiting satellites is a four-channel Dicke radiometer with the channels centered at 50.30, 53.74, 54.96, and 57.95 GHz. Onboard blackbody and the cold space calibrations are performed for each scan line. The MSU data are used for atmospheric temperature retrieval and climatological studies. In this study, the author examined the MSU data from NOAA-12, which was launched on May 14, 1991. Variations in the blackbody and space counts, temperature changes in the blackbody and Dicke loads during an orbit, and the effect of gain shift on the retrieved temperatures were investigated. The pre-launch calibration data were re-analyzed to provide a new set of nonlinearity coefficients, which can reduce the antenna brightness temperature by 0.6 K. <<ETX>>