Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multisource feedback in the assessment of physician competencies.

Multisource feedback (MSF), or 360-degree employee evaluation, is a questionnaire-based assessment method in which rates are evaluated by peers, patients, and coworkers on key performance behaviors. Although widely used in industrial settings to assess performance, the method is gaining acceptance as a quality improvement method in health systems. This article describes MSF, identifies the key aspects of MSF program design, summarizes some of the salient empirical research in medicine, and discusses possible limitations for MSF as an assessment tool in health care. In industry and in health care, experience suggests that MSF is most likely to succeed and result in changes in performance when attention is paid to structural and psychometric aspects of program design and implementation. A carefully selected steering committee ensures that the behaviors examined are appropriate, the communication package is clear, and the threats posed to individuals are minimized. The instruments that are developed must be tested to ensure that they are reliable, achieve a generalizability coefficient of Ep2 = . 70, have face and content validity, and examine variance in performance ratings to understand whether ratings are attributable to how the physician performs and not to factors beyond the physician's control (e.g., gender, age, or setting). Research shows that reliable data can be generated with a reasonable number of respondents, and physicians will use the feedback to contemplate and initiate changes in practice. Performance may be affected by familiarity between rater and ratee and sociodemographic and continuing medical education characteristics; however, little of the variance in performance is explained by factors outside the physician's control. MSF is not a replacement for audit when clinical outcomes need to be assessed. However, when interpersonal, communication, professionalism, or teamwork behaviors need to be assessed and guidance given, it is one of the better tools that may be adopted and implemented to provide feedback and guide performance.
Application of behavior-change theories and methods to injury prevention.

Reducing the burden of injury is an international health goal, one that requires an interdisciplinary perspective. Injuries, whether self-inflicted, inflicted by others, or unintentional, have one thing in common: They are largely preventable. Behaviors that give rise to violence and injury are amenable to preventive intervention, just as are many of the behaviors that give rise to diseases. Thus, behavioral science is an integral part of a comprehensive injury prevention strategy. Applications of behavioral science to injury prevention lagged behind other approaches during the last half of the 20th century. Despite recognition by injury control professionals of the importance of behavioral research in injury prevention, behavioral solutions to preventing injury were deemphasized until recently (1, 2). Historically, little scholarly attention has been paid to understanding determinants of injury-related behaviors or how to initiate and sustain behavioral changes. Interventions often seemed to have been based on simplistic assumptions that changing people’s awareness about the injury problem would change their behavior. Many authors have noted the need to improve behavioral interventions by using better empirical data about determinants of behavior as well as theories and frameworks pertaining to change in health behavior (3–6). A growing body of work is emerging that demonstrates the positive impact of using behavioral science approaches in order to both understand and reduce injury risk behaviors (6–10). In this paper, we describe the role of behavior change in injury prevention and illustrate how the application of selected behavior-change theories to injury problems, within the context of a health promotion framework, can contribute to the enhancement of injury prevention programs.
Forward modeling method for microstructure reconstruction using x-ray diffraction microscopy: Single-crystal verification

We describe and illustrate a forward modeling method for quantitatively reconstructing the geometry and orientation of microstructural features inside of bulk samples from high-energy x-ray diffraction microscopy data. Data sets comprise charge-coupled device images of Bragg diffracted beams originating from individual grains in a thin planar section of sample. Our analysis approach first reduces the raw images to a binary data set in which peaks have been thresholded at a fraction of their height after noise reduction processing. We then use a computer simulation of the measurement and the sample microstructure to generate calculated diffraction patterns over the same range of sample orientations used in the experiment. The crystallographic orientation at each of an array of area elements in the sample space is adjusted to optimize overlap between experimental and simulated scattering. In the present verification exercise, data are collected at the Advanced Photon Source beamline 1-ID using microfocused .
Energy efficient mobile relay selection for two-hop wireless networks

In this paper, we propose a relay selection strategy for randomly distributed multiple relays. A single relay is selected for transmitting signal from a fixed source to a fixed destination which requires minimum total transmit power. The lack of perfect channel state information (CSI) at the relay-destination link has been taken into consideration while selecting the relay. We consider the relay movement with low mobility features and evaluate the performance based on the total transmission power requirement. In addition, relay selection region is obtained to improve the overall performance of the system. Simulation results show that a similar performance in terms of total transmit power can be achieved at lower complexity if we select the relay from a specific relay selection region as compared to considering all the relays in the network.
Validation of the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism in general practice database studies.

AIMS The study was conducted to determine whether the method for selecting cases of venous thromboembolism (VTE) from general practice databases significantly affected the findings of an epidemiological study. METHODS Cases of VTE were identified from the UK General Practice Research Database (GPRD) by searching for codes for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). These had to be supported by evidence of anticoagulation and be exposed to a combined oral contraceptive (COC) at the time of the event. Additional information about the event was sought from general practitioners who were requested to complete a questionnaire and to supply anonymised copies of hospital letters and discharge summaries. RESULTS Of the 285 cases identified from the GPRD, additional information was available for 177 VTE events. This information showed that 84% of those events were supported by hospital investigations or a death certificate. Using only verified cases, rather than all GPRD identified events, did not alter the results of the epidemiological study. CONCLUSIONS The GPRD provides information of sufficiently high quality to allow valid epidemiological research of VTE events. Excluding cases without a database record of hospital admission would lead to valid events being overlooked, and an under-estimate of the disease incidence.
Kernel information embeddings

We describe a family of embedding algorithms that are based on nonparametric estimates of mutual information (MI). Using Parzen window estimates of the distribution in the joint (input, embedding)-space, we derive a MI-based objective function for dimensionality reduction that can be optimized directly with respect to a set of latent data representatives. Various types of supervision signal can be introduced within the framework by replacing plain MI with several forms of conditional MI. Examples of the semi-(un)supervised algorithms that we obtain this way are a new model for manifold alignment, and a new type of embedding method that performs 'conditional dimensionality reduction'.
Theory of the Diffuse Double Layer

The charge moment expansion for potentials of mean force acting between the ions of an electrolyte is reviewed in a form applicable to surface phases. An integral equation is in this manner derived for approximate determination of the average charge distribution near a planar electrode. The solution of the linearized equation is constructed for an electrolyte consisting of charged hard spheres suspended in a dielectric continuum. For very dilute solutions, the predictions of the linearized Poisson‐Boltzmann equation are verified; at higher concentrations, the average space charge in the neighborhood of the electrode tends to alternate in sign as a result of local latticelike ion arrangement imposed effectively by short range ion repulsions. Predicted values of the ζ potential relative to those of the linear Poisson‐Boltzmann theory are reported.
Molecular Electronics

Molecular electronics describes the field in which molecules are utilized as the active (switching, sensing, etc.) or passive (current rectifiers, surface passivants) elements in electronic devices. This review focuses on experimental aspects of molecular electronics that researchers have elucidated over the past decade or so and that relate to the fabrication of molecular electronic devices in which the molecular components are readily distinguished within the electronic properties of the device. Materials, fabrication methods, and methods for characterizing electrode materials, molecular monolayers, and molecule/electrode interfaces are discussed. A particular focus is on devices in which the molecules or molecular monolayer are sandwiched between two immobile electrodes. Four specific examples of such devices, in which the electron transport characteristics reflect distinctly molecular properties, are discussed. 1 A nn u. R ev . M at er . R es . 2 00 9. 39 :1 -2 3. D ow nl oa de d fr om a rj ou rn al s. an nu al re vi ew s. or g by C al if or ni a In st itu te o f T ec hn ol og y on 1 0/ 09 /0 9. F or p er so na l u se o nl y. ANRV380-MR39-01 ARI 27 May 2009 13:21
Stereo video inpainting

As the production of stereoscopic content increases, so does the need for post-production tools for that content. Video inpainting has become an important tool for rig removal but there has been little consideration of the problem in stereo. This paper presents an algorithm for stereo video inpainting that builds on existing exemplar-based video completion and also considers the issues of view consistency. Given user selected regions in the sequence which may be in the same location in several frames and in both views, the objective is to fill in this area using all the available picture information. Existing algorithms lack temporal consistency, causing flickering and other artefacts. This paper explores the use of long-term picture information across many frames in order to achieve temporal consistency at the same time as exploiting inter-view dependencies within the same framework.
Cross-Layer Optimization of Fast Video Delivery in Cache-Enabled Relaying Networks

This paper investigates the cross-layer optimization of fast video delivery and caching for minimization of the overall video delivery time in a two-hop relaying network. The half-duplex relay nodes are equipped with both a cache and a buffer which facilitate joint scheduling of fetching and delivery to exploit the channel diversity for improving the overall delivery performance. The fast delivery control is formulated as a two-stage functional non-convex optimization problem. By exploiting the underlying convex and quasi-convex structures, the problem can be solved exactly and efficiently by the developed algorithm. Simulation results show that significant caching and buffering gains can be achieved with the proposed framework, which translates into a reduction of the overall video delivery time. Besides, a trade-off between caching and buffering gains is unveiled.
Project Excel: A Demonstration of the Higher Education Transition Model for High-Achieving Students with Disabilities.

Project Excel, a six-week summer transition program for high-achieving students with disabilities at the University of Arkansas, demonstrated the usefulness of the Higher Education Transition Model as an organizational concept and framework for the administration of the transition process. The model includes psychosocial adjustment, academic development, and university and community orientation as essential considerations for students with disabilities as they enter and adjust to college life. The twelve students who participated in Project Excel received academic advising and personal counseling, enrolled in six hours of college credit, and participated in a wide range of social and recreational activities. Overall, students rated the program as a good- to -excellent college preparatory experience. The process of transition from childhood to adulthood has been a topic of keen interest among educators and social scientists for many years. Recent initiatives within special education and rehabilitation service delivery systems for individuals with disabilities suggest that students with disabilities require more support than their nondisabled peers to progress through the often traumatic adolescent years. School-to work transition programs coordinate educational and vocational rehabilitation services for youths with disabilities, which enables them to initiate the career development process within school curricula (Turner & Szymanski, 1990). Unfortunately, that transition model has not yet been fully applied to higher education, where students with disabilities often encounter a void in vocational rehabilitation where special education left off, with inadequate institutionalized services in place to meet their college transition needs. In other words, choosing to attend college rather than going directly to work after high school puts the student with a disability at a disadvantage, because no formalized transition policies have been established to address the former option.
Ribosomal Protein L23 Activates p53 by Inhibiting MDM2 Function in Response to Ribosomal Perturbation but Not to Translation Inhibition

ABSTRACT The p53-MDM2 feedback loop is vital for cell growth control and is subjected to multiple regulations in response to various stress signals. Here we report another regulator of this loop. Using an immunoaffinity method, we purified an MDM2-associated protein complex that contains the ribosomal protein L23. L23 interacted with MDM2, forming a complex independent of the 80S ribosome and polysome. The interaction of L23 with MDM2 was enhanced by treatment with actinomycin D but not by gamma-irradiation, leading to p53 activation. This activation was inhibited by small interfering RNA against L23. Ectopic expression of L23 reduced MDM2-mediated p53 ubiquitination and also induced p53 activity and G1 arrest in p53-proficient U2OS cells but not in p53-deficient Saos-2 cells. These results reveal that L23 is another regulator of the p53-MDM2 feedback regulation.
Generation and performance evaluation of reconfigurable random routing algorithm for 2D-mesh NoCs

Present design methodologies are integrating 10 to 100 embedded functional and storage blocks in a single system on chip and the number is going to increase in the near future. The bus based interconnections are not a suitable choice for MPSoC because of power and latency issue. To address the bus bottleneck for multi core chips, Networks on Chip (NoCs) emerges as an effective and promising alternative. Fault tolerance and quality of service are the potential challenges for NoCs designed for deep submicron era. It was observed that as the system grows, so does the complexity of integrating various components on a chip. In this paper we have proposed a random routing algorithm that has solved deadlock problem along with livelock and packet drop that remains unattended in most NoCs discussion available in literature. This algorithm does handle both single busy node and multiple busy nodes within 2D mesh using reconfigurable paths.
Soil Resources Influence Vegetation and Response to Fire and Fire-Surrogate Treatments in Sagebrush-Steppe Ecosystems

Abstract Current paradigm suggests that spatial and temporal competition for resources limit an exotic invader, cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.), which once established, alters fire regimes and can result in annual grass dominance in sagebrush steppe. Prescribed fire and fire surrogate treatments (mowing, tebuthiuron, and imazapic) are used to reduce woody fuels and increase resistance to exotic annuals, but may alter resource availability and inadvertently favor invasive species. We used four study sites within the Sagebrush Steppe Treatment Evaluation Project (SageSTEP) to evaluate 1) how vegetation and soil resources were affected by treatment, and 2) how soil resources influenced native herbaceous perennial and exotic annual grass cover before and following treatment. Treatments increased resin exchangeable NH4+, NO3−, H2PO4−, and K+, with the largest increases caused by prescribed fire and prolonged by application of imazapic. Burning with imazapic application also increased the number of wet growing degree days. Tebuthiuron and imazapic reduced exotic annual grass cover, but imazapic also reduced herbaceous perennial cover when used with prescribed fire. Native perennial herbaceous species cover was higher where mean annual precipitation and soil water resources were relatively high. Exotic annual grass cover was higher where resin exchangeable H2PO4− was high and gaps between perennial plants were large. Prescribed fire, mowing, and tebuthiuron were successful at increasing perennial herbaceous cover, but the results were often ephemeral and inconsistent among sites. Locations with sandy soil, low mean annual precipitation, or low soil water holding capacity were more likely to experience increased exotic annual grass cover after treatment, and treatments that result in slow release of resources are needed on these sites. This is one of few studies that correlate abiotic variables to native and exotic species cover across a broad geographic setting, and that demonstrates how soil resources potentially influence the outcome of management treatments.
Reconfigurable interlocking furniture

Reconfigurable assemblies consist of a common set of parts that can be assembled into different forms for use in different situations. Designing these assemblies is a complex problem, since it requires a compatible decomposition of shapes with correspondence across forms, and a planning of well-matched joints to connect parts in each form. This paper presents computational methods as tools to assist the design and construction of reconfigurable assemblies, typically for furniture. There are three key contributions in this work. First, we present the compatible decomposition as a weakly-constrained dissection problem, and derive its solution based on a dynamic bipartite graph to construct parts across multiple forms; particularly, we optimize the parts reuse and preserve the geometric semantics. Second, we develop a joint connection graph to model the solution space of reconfigurable assemblies with part and joint compatibility across different forms. Third, we formulate the backward interlocking and multi-key interlocking models, with which we iteratively plan the joints consistently over multiple forms. We show the applicability of our approach by constructing reconfigurable furniture of various complexities, extend it with recursive connections to generate extensible and hierarchical structures, and fabricate a number of results using 3D printing, 2D laser cutting, and woodworking.
BALANCE ACCELEROMETRY MEASURE VS. BALANCE ERROR SCORING SYSTEM IN CHILDREN AFTER CONCUSSION

Concussion, also known as mild traumatic brain injury, can cause dizziness and impaired balance. Sports-related concussions are very common in the U.S., especially in high-school and college. An assessment of balance can provide useful information for estimating prognosis following concussion. Low-technology methods of assessing balance such as the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) are fast, inexpensive, and easy to use in children, but not very precise. Recently, a low-cost, higher-technology, accelerometer system called the Balance Accelerometry Measure (BAM) has been used to study high-school aged children with concussion. This study tested the hypothesis that the BAM is more sensitive to change over time than the BESS as children recover from concussion. This study also tested the hypothesis that the BAM has context validity based on correlations with the BESS and with subjective measures of dizziness and balance. Subjects included nine persons between the ages of 13 and 17 years who had experienced a concussion between 1 and 16 days prior to their initial evaluation and who were tested twice at about a 2-week interval. The acceleration data from the BAM were processed to compute the normalized anterior-posterior path length of sway. BESS testing was videotaped for later scoring. Subjective measures included the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, Global Rating of Change and the Post-concussion Symptoms Score from the ImPACT test. Results indicated that effect sizes for the BESS were larger than they were for the BAM. The effect size for the easiest BAM conditions was negative, indicating greater sway on the second evaluation. The BAM had good context validity regarding the BESS and poor context validity regarding subjective measures of dizziness and balance. This small n study of postural sway using the BAM suggested that an easily administered, low-cost test could be used in children to monitor recovery from concussion. A potentially novel finding using the BAM was that children with concussion may increase their exploratory sway behavior as they recover from concussion.
&#8220;Ferrite Route&#8221; Preparation of Iron Nanoparticles and Their Encapsulation in Styrene-GMA Co-Polymer for Biomedical Applications

The novel "ferrite route" was developed for synthesis of iron nanoparticles. Precursor Fe3O4+delta nanoparticles were synthesized by coprecipitation oxidation from aqueous solutions of xFeCl2 +(1-x)/FeCl3 (0lesxles1), which were reduced by hydrazine at 90degC. Under optimum conditions of x=0.66, the iron nanoparticles were 15plusmn3.7 nm in diameter and had a saturation magnetization of 110 emu/g. The nanoparticle yield was ca. 5 g/experiment, which is about ten times better than the ca. 0.4 g/experiment produced by the polyol-reduction method. Mini-emulsion copolymerization was used to encapsulate the iron nanoparticles in a copolymer of polystyrene and poly-glycidyl methacrylate that exhibits minimal nonspecific protein adsorption, thus suppressing biomolecular contamination. The polymer-coated iron beads were 80-120 nm in diameter and had a saturation magnetization of 51 emu/g, which is a value close to the 60 emu/g obtained when the core iron nanoparticles were synthesized by our previous polyol-reduction method
Direct integration of field effect transistors as electro mechanical transducer for stress

The detection of motion with an active electrical device like a transistor allows to shrink the transducer to a few micrometers and to integrate it into a CMOS-process. A promising method for that is using the piezoresistive effect in the channel of a transistor. We have investigated the fundamental behavior of strain sensitive transistors with respect to different transistor parameters. Therefore the transistors have been simulated by using a modified BSIM3.3 model. The simulations showed an increase of the drain current between 3.5 % and 5.8 % for a 60 MPa stress and an acceptable shift of threshold voltage and almost no increase of leakage current. For metrological characterization pressure sensitive silicon membranes have been fabricated as strain inducing elements. First measurements with elongated membranes confirmed the simulation results.