Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Counseling in a Nondispensing Clinic

(~ 12 h), use of the C avg equation to calculate CI, based on a single trough concentration, is associated with unacceptable error. The ability to calculate drug clearance based on a trough serum concentration depends partially on the accuracy of estimating the Yd' The variation in the range of values of the Vd of theophylline is relatively narrow when compared to drugs like digoxin. However, if the volume of distribution is not assumed or known from previous serum concentration-time data, peak and trough serum concentrations cannot be calculated and thus individualization of dosage regimens may be restricted to simply calculating the average steady-state concentration. Alternatively, if you wanted to calculate the elimination rate constant (ke) , as frequently performed for aminoglycosides, the following equation can be used. This equation can be derived in a similar manner to that shown in Appendix I. JOSEPH M. DEVITO, Pharm.D.
An evolving Mamdani-Takagi-Sugeno based neural-fuzzy inference system with improved interpretability-accuracy

This paper presents a novel neural-fuzzy network architecture named the evolving Mamdani-Takagi-Sugeno neural fuzzy inference system (eMTSFIS) that addresses two deficiencies faced by neural-fuzzy systems. Firstly, the dynamic nature of real-world problems demands that neural-fuzzy systems be able to adapt their parameters and evolve their rule-bases to address the time-varying characteristics of their operating environments. Secondly, in practice, having good fuzzy rule-base interpretability and high modeling accuracy are contradictory requirements and one usually prevails over the other based on the modeling objective and fuzzy rule structure employed. The proposed eMTSFIS model is able to achieve life-long learning as it evolves and adapts its knowledge to the dynamics of the underlying environment. This effectively addresses the stability-plasticity dilemma. Also, the proposed eMTSFIS model combines Mamdani and T-S fuzzy modeling approaches, coupled with a localized parameter learning approach, to achieve both improved interpretability and accuracy. Experimental results from two benchmark applications demonstrate the learning robustness and modeling versatility of the proposed eMTSFIS model. The results are encouraging.
Customer Orientation in Higher Education: The Missing Link in International Student Recruitment?

This paper suggests that the service mindset of academia needs attention to ensure that the potential of university–industry linkages for creating value is used strategically in building advantage in the increasingly competitive market for international higher education. Universities should clearly articulate the value of the higher education–employability interface in the context of growing competition for international students. The paper studies university–industry linkages by deconstructing the relationship with a focus on university–industry service interactions in international higher education service delivery and use and by analysing the relationship elements and dynamics that affect the market for international student recruitment, placements and employability. The relationship marketing paradigm is applied to explain that, by adopting a market-driven, customer-oriented mindset, universities could build strategic relationships with industry, communicate their international higher education services to industry better and more forcefully and develop competitive advantage in attracting and retaining international students.
Benchmarking financial services and online innovations

Competition in the provision of financial services has intensified as external change (including technological innovation) has created more opportunities for service delivery and extended the range of potential competitors and forms of competition. At the same time, technological innovation and applications of Information Technology in particular led to new and faster ways of sharing information. Financial service organizations, therefore face a paradox between the co‐operation needed to benchmark and competitive rivalry. Through case studies, the research explores the penetration of best practice benchmarking in financial services and the role of technological innovations in that process, with an emphasis on online applications. Results suggest that changes in performance benchmarks for service delivery resulting from new technology are associated with greater competitive rivalry among financial service organizations. Results also suggest that technological change can provide new and innovative ways to exchange information but even if that is the case, incentives for internal and external co‐operation can remain unchanged.
Customer Loyalty: Influences on Three Types of Retail Stores’ Shoppers

Customer loyalty is a major factor for a firmâ€™s success. Loyal customers are less price sensitive. Furthermore, these customers are likely to purchase more frequently, try the firmsâ€™ other products and bring new customers tothe firm. This study examines the relationship of shoppersâ€™ characteristics and behavior, and customersâ€™ perception of marketing strategy (product, price, place, promotion), customer value (quality, sacrifice) and relationship quality on customer loyalty. Depending on the type of retail store, convenience, department and hypermarket storesâ€™ loyalty is influenced by several factors, including different marketing strategies (price deals, distribution intensity) and relationship quality (customer satisfaction, trust, commitment). The results have particular implications for further research and for marketing managers.
Fast pedestrian detection using a modified WLD detector in salient region

The research of pedestrian detection has attracted more and more attention in recent years. This paper proposes a fast pedestrian detection method using a modified Weber local descriptor (MWLD) and salient region detection. Significantly different from the previous pedestrian detection methods which usually scan the whole image with the sliding window, our method only scans the salient region, which can speed up the pedestrian detection. Inspired by the HOG method and Weber local descriptor (WLD), we present a MWLD method to character the sliding window for pedestrian detection. Experimental results on INRIA pedestrian dataset and Daimler Chrysler (DC) pedestrian Benchmark dataset validate the effectiveness of our proposed MWLD detector. Comparing with the HOG and HOG-LBP methods, our MWLD method performs better. Furthermore, we also validate that using saliency detection is effective for speeding up the pedestrian detection.
Anaerobic methanethiol degradation in upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactors at high salinity (≥0.5 M Na+)

The feasibility of anaerobic methanethiol (MT) degradation at elevated sodium concentrations was investigated in a mesophilic (30°C) lab‐scale upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor, inoculated with estuarine sediment originating from the Wadden Sea (The Netherlands). MT was almost completely degraded (>95%) to sulfide, methane and carbon dioxide at volumetric loading rates up to 37 mmol MT·L−1·day−1, 0.5 M sodium (NaCl or NaHCO3) and between pH 7.3 and 8.4. Batch experiments revealed that inhibition of MT degradation started at sodium (both NaCl and NaHCO3) concentrations exceeding 0.8 M. Sulfide inhibited MT degradation already around 3 mM (pH 8.3). Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007; 98: 91–100. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Should the Government Prepare Individual Income Tax Returns?

Some analysts have argued that return-free filing systems, such as those used in other countries and in California, could substantially reduce the costs for many individual taxpayers with relatively simple returns at little or no net administrative cost to the government. There is substantial uncertainty as to how a federal return-free system would affect the costs of government and individual tax filers. California’s program appears to have reduced the state’s administrative costs, but the net savings are largely attributable to e-filing rather than to the return-free system itself. The vast majority of California’s eligible filers have declined to use it (only 3.2 percent do), suggesting that most people believe the savings they would realize in time and out-of-pocket spending would be outweighed by the costs, including risks to privacy and security. A return-free tax system would increase third-party tax compliance costs - those of employers, financial institutions and other payers of income to individuals - largely because reporting deadlines would have to be advanced in order to provide timely returns and tax refunds. Calculations of such costs range from $500 million to as much as $5 billion, offsetting or exceeding any potential savings for taxpayers or for government. Added costs would fall disproportionally on small businesses. Return-free filing would introduce policy concerns including: conflict of interest for the IRS in functioning as tax preparer and enforcer; increased risks of error; taxpayers becoming less cognizant of the tax code and their personal finances; taxpayers unwilling to challenge an IRS document retaining liability for errors; privacy; security; and reduced incentives for investment in innovation.
Native and Non-Native Supergeneralist Bee Species Have Different Effects on Plant-Bee Networks

Supergeneralists, defined as species that interact with multiple groups of species in ecological networks, can act as important connectors of otherwise disconnected species subsets. In Brazil, there are two supergeneralist bees: the honeybee Apis mellifera, a non-native species, and Trigona spinipes, a native stingless bee. We compared the role of both species and the effect of geographic and local factors on networks by addressing three questions: 1) Do both species have similar abundance and interaction patterns (degree and strength) in plant-bee networks? 2) Are both species equally influential to the network structure (nestedness, connectance, and plant and bee niche overlap)? 3) How are these species affected by geographic (altitude, temperature, precipitation) and local (natural vs. disturbed habitat) factors? We analyzed 21 plant-bee weighted interaction networks, encompassing most of the main biomes in Brazil. We found no significant difference between both species in abundance, in the number of plant species with which each bee species interacts (degree), and in the sum of their dependencies (strength). Structural equation models revealed the effect of A. mellifera and T. spinipes, respectively, on the interaction network pattern (nestedness) and in the similarity in bee’s interactive partners (bee niche overlap). It is most likely that the recent invasion of A. mellifera resulted in its rapid settlement inside the core of species that retain the largest number of interactions, resulting in a strong influence on nestedness. However, the long-term interaction between native T. spinipes and other bees most likely has a more direct effect on their interactive behavior. Moreover, temperature negatively affected A. mellifera bees, whereas disturbed habitats positively affected T. spinipes. Conversely, precipitation showed no effect. Being positively (T. spinipes) or indifferently (A. mellifera) affected by disturbed habitats makes these species prone to pollinate plant species in these areas, which are potentially poor in pollinators.
Comparative analysis of extension services of agricultural development programme in Edo and Osun States, Nigeria

This study compares the extension activities of Agricultural Development Programmes of Osun and Edo States. A multi-state random sampling method was used in selecting zones blocks, cells and the farmers. And interview schedule was designed to obtain data on the respondents demographic characteristics and extension activities. Data were gathered from 160 farmers from the two states. The result shows that majority of the farmers in both states have been farming for more than 6 years but Osun State has more experienced farmers than Edo State. In both states rentage and purchase accounted for about 26.3% of farm land. The study also shows that Osun State ADP rendered farm services more than Edo State in relation to equipment, but in Edo State most farmers get equipment from the Ministry of Agriculture and Public Hiring Unit. Farmers from Osun State intensively cultivate and have larger farms than Edo State. Farmers in both states acknowledged the assistance of ADP in the supply of improved planting materials and other inputs. In the area of infrastructure (Construction of dams roads processing unit and bore holes) both farmers and enclave communities benefited. Ttest analysis shows that there is no significant difference between the extension services of the two states (t = 3.71, P>0.05).
A longitudinal study of perceived level of stress, coping and self-esteem of undergraduate nursing students: an Australian case study.

AIM The aim of this study was to investigate the perception and sources of stress, coping mechanisms used, and self-esteem in nursing students during 3 years of their undergraduate nursing programme. METHODS The sample consisted of a cohort of nursing students going through 3 years of a nursing programme. The method was a descriptive correlational design. The questionnaire consisted of demographic data, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), Self-esteem Scale, and the modified Ways of Coping Scale. Data were analysed using frequency distributions, content analysis, and measures of correlation. RESULTS Results indicated that students in year 1 experienced significantly less transient stress as compared with year 2; students in year 3 had more positive self-esteem than year 2 students. There were no significant differences with regard to chronic stress, avoidance and proactive coping, and negative self-esteem. Chronic and transient stress, as measured by GHQ, were significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with avoidance coping behaviours, and negative self-esteem. Positive self-esteem was significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with proactive coping behaviours. The four main stressors in the last three years for this cohort of students, in descending order are nursing studies, finance, family and health. They coped by using both problem-focused and emotion-focused coping skills. There is a need to review the nursing curriculum and evaluate what impacts on students' stress levels, and also introduce strategies to reduce the stress levels of nursing students.
Study of firm's innovation synergy and the evolvement model

Based on the innovation theory and Synergetics, by investigation of the seventeen years of Zhongxing Tongxun's development, the article studies of firm's innovation synergy and its evolvement from theoretical and positive views. And three synergic modes: technology innovation domination, institution innovation domination and co-innovation of technology and institution domination and their evolvement model are brought forward in the article.
Comparative Study of Development Level on China National Sustainable Communities

To build China national sustainable communities(CNSCs) is an important action in the sustainable development strategy carried on in China.The general situation of the development of CNSC and thecalculating method of sustainable development level are summaried.Taking 14 prefectural-level cities for example,choosing 19 assessment indices from four aspects of economic,social,resource and environment,this paper calculated the developing indexes about every subsystem,the degree of coordination and the sustainable development level.According to the degree of coordination and sustainable development level of every city,three different sustainable development types are distinguished by adopting the method of clustering analysis,those are:(1) the degree of coordination and sustainable development levels are all higher than others(ChSh);(2) the levels are all lower than others(CLSL);(3) the levels are in the middle of ChSh and CLSL(CmSm). The CmSm is further divided into two subtypes by the economic and social development level,the one is very prominent,the other is almost balanced.The geographical distribution of the different patterns is also illustrated and the leading direction of future development is suggested at last about different types of CNSCs.
Intervention versus Aggressive Medical Therapy for Cognition in Severe Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Asymptomatic carotid stenosis of ≥70% increases the incidence of microembolism and/or chronic hypoperfusion, which may consequently impair neurocognition and brain connections. We sought controlled evidence for any cognitive benefit of aggressive medical therapy and combined carotid revascularization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with asymptomatic, unilateral, ≧70% stenosis of the extracranial ICA chose either aggressive medical therapy alone or in combination with carotid artery stent placement in this nonrandomized controlled study. They were examined with a battery of neuropsychological tests, structural MR imaging, DTI, and resting-state fMRI before and 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: Forty patients were included with 15 in the medical group and 25 in the stent-placement group. Among them, 13 and 21 in the respective groups completed neuroimaging follow-up. The baseline characteristics and the changes in cognitive performance during 3 months showed no differences between treatment groups. Nevertheless, compared with the medical group, the stent-placement group showed subjective dizziness alleviation (P = .045) and a small increase in fractional anisotropy at the splenium of the corpus callosum and the posterior periventricular white matter ipsilateral to carotid artery stent placement. Moreover, only the stent-placement group showed interval improvement in immediate memory and visuospatial performance, which was accompanied by an increase of functional connectivity at the insular cortex of the dorsal attention network and the medial prefrontal cortex of the default mode network. CONCLUSIONS: Both aggressive medical therapy alone and combined carotid revascularization in ≧70% asymptomatic carotid stenosis similarly preserved cognition during 3-month follow-up, though the latter had the potential for dizziness alleviation and cognitive and connectivity enhancement.
Enabling Effective Alliance Capability Building

In this paper we present an overview of the contingencies that enable effective alliance capability development. Our research goal is to determinate those factors that contribute to an effective alliance knowledge management system. We consider both organizationspecific elements and external environmental factors and analyze how these factors drive the way in which alliances are effectively managed. Our hypotheses are tested on a sample of 140 Belgian companies using lineair regression. We find that the top management team’s involvement with the company’s alliances has the strongest impact on the development of alliance management knowledge systems
The Psychiatric Consequences of Child and Adolescent Sexual Abuse.

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychiatric consequences of sexual abuse and its associated factors in children and adolescents referred to our child and adolescent psychiatry clinic from official medico-legal units. METHODS All victims of sexual abuse (n=590) aged 1-18 (mean: 13.56±3.38) referred from forensic units to Ondokuz Mayis University Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic over a period of 2 years [boys: 83 (14.1%); girls: 507 (85.9%)] were included. Child and adolescent psychiatry and forensic medicine specialists evaluated all the cases. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised Form (WISC-R) and the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version-Turkish Version (K-SADS-PL-T) were applied. RESULTS Abuse-related psychiatric diagnoses (of which 45.9% were major depressive disorder and 31.7% were post-traumatic stress disorder cases) were made in 75.2% of the cases. In 80.3% of the cases, the perpetrators were known to their victims [incest, n=91 (15.1%)], and intercourse took place in 48.8%. Although gender and age were not significantly associated with the appearance of any psychiatric disorders, severity of abuse (e.g., intercourse; p=.006), additional physical assault (p<.001), and incest (p<.001) had a significant correlation with psychiatric disorders. To explore the predictive value of multiple factors in the appearance of any sexual assault-related psychiatric disorder, a logistic regression model was used to determine the best linear combination of age, gender, abuse severity, incest, involvement of any other victim, additional physical assault, and length of time from first abuse to first psychiatric evaluation. This combination of variables (occurrence of incest, additional physical assault, and a long duration from first abuse to first psychiatric evaluation) significantly predicted the appearance of a psychiatric disorder of any kind (χ2=55.42; df=7; n=522; p<.001). CONCLUSION Our findings reveal that the occurrence of incest, additional physical assault, and a long duration from first abuse to first psychiatric evaluation predict higher rates of sexual abuse-related psychiatric disorders.
Dynamic Pricing Design for Demand Response Integration in Power Distribution Networks

This paper presents optimal pricing design for demand response (DR) integration in the distribution network. In particular, we study the energy scheduling problem for a load serving entity (LSE) that serves two types of loads, namely inflexible and flexible loads. Inflexible loads are charged under a regular pricing tariff while flexible loads enjoy a dynamic pricing tariff that ensures cost saving for them. Moreover, flexible loads are assumed to be aggregated by several DR aggregators. The interaction between the LSE and its customers is formulated as a bilevel optimization problem where the LSE is the leader and DR aggregators are the followers. The optimal solution of this problem corresponds to the optimal pricing tariff for flexible loads. The key advantage of the proposed model is that it can be readily implemented thanks to its compatibility with existing pricing structures in the retail market. Extensive numerical results show that the proposed approach provides a win-win solution for both the LSE and its customers.
“We Make the Path by Walking It”: Building an Academic Community Partnership With Boston Chinatown

Background: The potential for academic community partnerships are challenged in places where there is a history of conflict and mistrust. Addressing Disparities in Asian Populations through Translational Research (ADAPT) represents an academic community partnership between researchers and clinicians from Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University and community partners from Boston Chinatown. Based in principles of community-based participatory research and partnership research, this partnership is seeking to build a trusting relationship between Tufts and Boston Chinatown.Objectives: This case study aims to provides a narrative story of the development and formation of ADAPT as well as discuss challenges to its future viability.Methods: Using case study research tools, this study draws upon a variety of data sources including interviews, program evaluation data and documents.Results: Several contextual factors laid the foundation for ADAPT. Weaving these factors together helped to create synergy and led to ADAPT’s formation. In its first year, ADAPT has conducted formative research, piloted an educational program for community partners and held stakeholder forums to build a broad base of support. Conclusions: ADAPT recognizes that long term sustainability requires bringing multiple stakeholders to the table even before a funding opportunity is released and attempting to build a diversified funding base.