Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors that Predict Outpatient Department Utilization amongst Sickle Cell Disease Patients in the USA

Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) frequently present in the emergency room due to various complications that may arise from their condition. Optimal healthcare for people with SCD utilizes outpatient department (OPD) diagnostic and preventive care services. This paper investigates the factors associated with OPD visits compared to Emergency department (ED) visits in patients with SCD. SCD-related OPD visits and ED visits were obtained from the openly available National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) and National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) data for the years 2009-2010. A total of 822,353 weighted visits by people with SCD were analyzed. Descriptive data include patient demographics, geographical location, and socioeconomic status associated with hospital OPD visits. Of the 812,366 weighted visits, 361,024 were made to the ED and 451,342 were made to the OPD. The median predicted probability of using the OPD amongst patients with SCD was 50%. We found that patients with SCD who had a below median probability of using OPD services were mostly female (66.12%), African-American (98.35%), Medicaid-insured (61.98%) and between the ages of 20-30 years old (42.98%). Individuals with SCD residing in neighborhoods with average income below $52,000 (96.69%), more than 10% below poverty level (86.55%) and less than 20% with a bachelor degree or higher (63.87%) made up the majority of people with below median probability of making OPD visits. This study suggests that there are sociodemographic differences in the utilization of outpatient services amongst people with SCD. Efforts at improving OPD use amongst patients with sickle cell disease should target these patients.
Page Engineering 309 Finite Element Method with Edge Elements for Anisotropic Waveguide Problems

This paper presents the finite element analysis of eigenmodes in arbitrarily shaped anisotropic waveguides by using high-order edge elements. The method uses the variational expression of the propagation constant, which is expressed in terms of the transverse components. This variational expression is suited for analyzing dispersive waveguides, in which the medium varies with a frequency such as ferrite. The shape function uses an edge element which has the field components along the edge as unknown parameters which satisfy the tangential continuity condition of the fields across material interfaces. In addition, the use of edge elements can reduce the number of unknown parameters and the time of computation. Hence, the method can yield good accuracy compared with a method that uses a vector shape function. The result of comparison is shown in the example of a dielectric-loaded waveguide. To verify the usefulness of this method, an example of a circular waveguide partially loaded with ferrite where the applied static magnetic field in the longitudinal direction of propagation is demonstrated. The computational results show that the dispersion curves of this method satisfy those of other numerical methods in the past and have a good accuracy.
Calculation of the lateral control of swept and unswept flexible wings of arbitrary stiffness

A method similar to that of NACA rep. 1000 is presented for calculating the effectiveness and the reversal speed of lateral-control devices on swept and unswept wings of arbitrary stiffness. Provision is made for using either stiffness curves and root-rotation constants or structural influence coefficients in the analysis. Computing forms and an illustrative example are included to facilitate calculations by means of the method. The effectiveness of conventional aileron configurations and the margin against aileron reversal are shown to be relatively low for swept wings at all speeds and for all wing plan forms at supersonic speeds.
A simplified analysis for high power microwave bandpass filter structures

A method for computing the peak resonator voltages inside a bandpass filter and multiplexer is introduced based on the general cross-coupled lumped element prototype network of a filter. In this method, the resonator voltages are computed based on the circuit model and are shown to be related to the peak filter cavity voltages through an appropriate scale factor. Being circuit theoretical the method is simple and is considerably faster than techniques based on rigorous field theoretic tools. The proposed method is verified using direct calculation of voltages by commercial FEM software. This voltage estimation procedure would considerably simplify multipaction and power handling studies of critical filter based structures.
Theory of Nernst effect in layered superconductors

We calculate, using the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau (TDGL) equation with thermal noise, the transverse thermoelectric conductivity αxy, describing the Nernst effect, in type-II superconductor in the vortex-liquid regime. The method is an elaboration of the Hartree-Fock. An often made in analytical calculations additional assumption that only the lowest Landau level significantly contributes to αxy in the high field limit is lifted by including all the Landau levels. The resulting values in two dimensions (2D) are significantly lower than the numerical simulation data of the same model, but are in reasonably good quantitative agreement with experimental data on La2SrCuO4 above the irreversibility line (below the irreversibility line at which αxy diverges and theory should be modified by including pinning effects).
RELIABILITY OF KINETIC VARIABLES OF SQUAT JUMPS WITH DIFFERENT STARTING POSITIONS

The aims of the study were to compare dynamic variables (impulse, peak force, peak power and rate of force development) derived from squat jumps starting from self-selected and 90 degree knee angles as well as determining the reliability of these variables in the two conditions. Fourteen male junior volleyball players performed three Squat Jumps on a force platform while starting from each position. Intraclass Correlation Coefficients were calculated and t-tests were used to identify differences between the starting positions. In both conditions, most variables showed ICC coefficients greater than 0.85 and no significant differences between the starting conditions were found. It can be concluded that both conditions lead to reliable dynamic data without significant differences and therefore standardized knee angle is not necessary.
The impact of politically-connected executives in fraudulent financial reporting: Evidence based on the H shares 1

This study tries to investigate fraudulent financial reporting in China based firms listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange which has a high degree of officials’ involvement of China mainland and impact on audit quality and corporate governance. It intends to find out the motives behind fraudulent financial reporting and the opportunity which permits such kind of reporting; and whether the presence of politically-connected executives would likely provide an environment which would be more conducive for fraudulent financial reporting. This study hypothesizes the associations between fraudulent financial reporting and the corporate environment (from the perspectives of economic, ownership, political pressures and audit quality). These were measured by unsigned discretionary accruals, after controlling several characteristics of firm from the samples selected from a number of China based firms listed on the Main Board of the HKSE. The results show that the corporate environment that mostly leads to fraudulent financial reporting is characterized by accounting practices that are already pushing to earnings management. It is also found that firms involved in fraudulent financial reporting have significantly poor corporate governance structures, where the audit quality is lower and outside directors seem over-committed. However, no evidence was found that firm’s political connection factor or the level of board independence plays a significant role in fraudulent financial reporting. The findings of this study would lead to an understanding of corporate behaviors relating to fraudulent financial reporting, and the development of such an understanding is important for preventing frauds and improving better corporate compliance with financial reporting regulations.
Bearing fault diagnosis based on intrinsic time-scale decomposition and extreme learning machine

Fault diagnosis for bearings is a focus and difficulty in diagnosis research area, so an intelligent diagnosis method using intrinsic time-scale decomposition(ITD) and extreme learning machine (ELM) is proposed in this paper. ITD is a relatively practical non-stationary signal decomposition method, which can decompose non-stationary signal into several components. Then, coefficient of kurtosis was extracted, which was acquired to reduce feature dimensions. Last, in order to reduce man-made interference and increase diagnostic accuracy, ELM was applied to identify and classify bearing states. The experimental result shown that above methods work well in classification and diagnosis for bearings state timely.
Fast Removal of Citalopram Drug from Waste Water Using Magnetic Nanoparticles Modified with Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Followed by UV-Spectrometry

A simple and sensitive, solid-phase extraction method for the removal of Citalopram drug from waste water has been developed by using magnetic nanoparticles modified with surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate. These magnetic nanoparticles have shown great adsorptive tendency towards Citalopram drug. The effect of different parameters influencing the extraction efficiency of this drug were investigated and optimized including the pH, amount of the surfactant, contact time and temperature. The extracts were analyzed by ultraviolet spectrophotometry at 239nm. Under these conditions, the related standard deviation (RSD %) of the method at two concentrations (5 and 50µg.mL -1 ) was in the range of (3.14–3.75) % (n = 8). The calibration curve was linear in the range of 2-100 µg. mL -1 of Citalopram drug with a correlation coefficient of >0.99.
STUDY OF OXIDATIVE STRESS & ROLE OF ANTIOXIDANTS IN SENILE CATARACT

OBJECTIVE: Senile cataract is by far commonest cause of visual impairment and blindness globally and also in developing countries like India . It has been hypothesized that oxidative damage may be involved in the pathogenesis of cataract . The aim of our present study is to evaluate the role of oxidative stress in cataract. METHODS: We tried to assess the role of oxidative stress in patients by estimating the levels of lipid peroxidation assessing plasma Malondialdehyde(MDA) levels and antioxidant status by reduced glutathione(GSH), Serum Glutathione-S-Transferase(GST) and Vitamin-C in blood. For this, we have taken 80 cases of senile cataract patients compared with 100 age matched controls. RESULTS: A significant increase in the levels of Serum MDA, whereas significant decrease in the levels of reduced glutathione, Serum GST and Vit-C were observed. CONCLUSION: This suggests that oxidative stress and reduced anti oxidant defense mechanism play an important role in the pathogenesis of Senile cataract which needs further studies.
Mathematical modeling and optimization of weld bead geometry in cladding by flux cored arc welding

In this paper, an attempt is made to determine input-output relationships of the cladding by flux cored arc welding process using regression analysis based on the a three factor, five level central composite experimental design with six centre points. After measuring bead width, depth of penetration and reinforcement; based on simple assumptions on the shape of bead geometry, other relevant bead geometry parameters are calculated. Several linear and curvilinear regression analyses are employed to establish the inputoutput relations and the best set of equations is then selected. Finally simulated annealing has been applied for parametric optimization of this welding technique.
Measuring the Systematic Risk of Stocks Using the Capital Asset Pricing Model

Among the paramount information in the stock market is the awareness of the systematic risk of stocks which plays essential role in investment choices. This paper measured the systematic risk of seven stocks on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) using monthly closing prices and the 91 day T-bill from the period 2011 to 2015. The CAPM was employed in measuring the systematic risk of the stocks. The results revealed that, CAL, FML and TLW were defensive stocks since each had a market beta less than one (1). PBC, CLYD, EGL and UNIL had the same systematic risk as the market since each recorded a market beta of one (1). All the seven stocks each had a positive market beta implying that they move in a similar manner as the market. The compensation for investing in each of the stock was approximately at 3%. The diversifiable risk associated with each of the stock was very low since few of the returns were scattered along the regression line.
AnMPS-BNSMixed Strategy Based on Game Theory for Wireless Mesh Networks

To achieve a valid effect of wirelessmesh networks against sel�sh nodes and sel�sh behaviors in the packets forwarding, an approach namedmixedMPS-BNS strategy is proposed in this paper. e proposed strategy is based on theMaximum Payoff Strategy (MPS) and the Best Neighbor Strategy (BNS). In this strategy, every node plays a packet forwarding game with its neighbors and records the total payoff of the game. Aer one round of play, each player chooses the MPS or BNS strategy for certain probabilities and updates the strategy accordingly. In MPS strategy, each node chooses a strategy that will get the maximum payoff according to its neighbor’s strategy. In BNS strategy, each node follows the strategy of its neighbor with the maximum total payoff and then enters the next round of play. e simulation analysis has shown thatMPS-BNS strategy is able to evolve to themaximum expected level of average payoff with faster speed than the pure BNS strategy, especially in the packets forwarding beginning with a low cooperation level. It is concluded that MPS-BNS strategy is effective in �ghting against sel�shness in different levels and can achieve a preferable performance.
Methotrexate-induced gingival ulceration in a young patient suffering from juvenile idiopathic arthritis: A review of the literature and clinical report

This literature review and clinical report presents a case of a 14-year-old boy with gingival ulceration and associated recession. The patient had been diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and was medicated with methotrexate and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The patient reported that his oral ulceration became significantly worse after beginning medical treatment for the condition. Once the dose of his medication was adjusted, the patient did not suffer from further gingival ulceration and remained orally and periodontally stable. This report summarises the mechanisms of action of methotrexate, its side effects and describes the potential for the occurrence of methotrexate-induced gingival ulceration and recession.
Measuring Satisfaction of Algerian Social Insured: A PLS-SEM Approach

This study presents a quantitative survey to measure the different factors that affect users’ satisfaction in the Algerian Social Insurance Fund. The research uses structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze and confirm the conceptual model proposed in the study. The findings show that (1) reliability, insurance, relations and ethics have a significant effect on user satisfaction; (2) transparency and tangibility have no significant effect on social insured satisfaction. These findings can help decision makers in public service sector to keep monitoring performance and improving service quality.
ON MACROECONOMICS , ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND RETURNS TO KNOWLEDGE

The first essay studies the effects of exogenous and endogenous shocks on output sustainability in Central Eastern Europe and Russia during the 2000s. It expands traditional vector autoregressive model to a multi-country model that relates bank real lending, the cyclical component of output and spreads and accounts for cross-sectional dependence across the countries. Impulse response functions show that exogenous positive shock lead to a drop in output sustainability for nine over twelve Central Eastern European countries, when the endogenous shock is mild and ambiguous. Moreover the effect of the exogenous shock is more significant in the aftermath the
Protocol for Identifying the Presence of and Understanding the Nature of Soluble, Non-pertechnetate Technetium in Hanford Tank Supernatants

The objective of this report is to propose a method to evaluate the presence and extent of soluble, non-pertechnetate Tc in Hanford tank supernatants as well as methods that might be used to gain insight as to the nature of the specie(s) that make up this fraction. This study will then provide a recommendation as to the preferred approach for identifying and quantifying the presence of Hanford tank supernatant-soluble, non-pertechnetate, technetium. The recommendation will also describe an approach to address the issue of whether inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis, which is useful as a monitoring tool for Tc, may be confounded by the presence of other mass 99 species.
Effects of Airfoil Geometry and Mechanical Characteristics on the Onset of Flutter (As a Basis for Future Work on the Effects of Structural Polynomial Nonlinearities on the Flutter Boundary)

This paper derives linear 2nd order ordinary differential equations describing the motion of a 2 dimensional airfoil allowing for 3 spatial Degrees of Freedom in airfoil angular rotation, vertical movement and control surface rotation. The equations of motion are derived from a conservative EulerLagrange formulation with the non-dissipative forcing functions arising from steady, incompressible, inviscid 2 dimensional aerodynamics incorporating results from Thin Airfoil Theory. The resulting model predicts undamped, increasing oscillations below a critical airflow speed called the flutter boundary. The paper shows how this speed can be predicted from the eigenvalues of the system. By changing certain airfoil geometrical and mechanical properties, it is demonstrated that it is possible to aeroelastically tailor the airfoil such that flutter is avoided for a given flight regime. The model adopted has been found deficient in its ability to predict a realistic flutter boundary. This problem is due to the absence of dissipative forces in the aerodynamics of the model. It has been suggested that the model can be made more realistic by incorporating unsteadiness into the aerodynamics of the system using results from Peters’ finite state theory.
Antiradical and Cytotoxic Activities of Varying Polarity Extracts of the Aerial Part of Euphorbia hirta L.

Euphorbia hirta is a well-known ethnomedicinal plant with diverse biological activities. The aim of the present study is to investigate the antiradical activities of various solvent extracts of the aerial part of E. hirta as well as to determine the possible cytotoxicity of these extracts. The aerial part of E. hirta was extracted with different solvent systems in order to increase polarity. The solvents used were hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EA), ethanol (EtOH), and methanol (MeOH). The contents of total phenols and total flavonoids were analyzed by UV spectrophotometry, whereas the potential free radical-scavenging activities of the extracts were evaluated using the stable free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), the β-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching system, and reducing power. The EtOH extract exhibited the highest total phenolic content ( mg GAE/g), and DCM extract scored the highest total flavonoid content ( mg CE/g). The MeOH extract showed a potent free radical-scavenging activity as evidenced by low EC50 at 42.81 µg/mL. Interestingly, the EtOH extract demonstrated the highest reducing power activity with EC50 value of 6.18 µg/mL. In β-carotene-linoleic acid assay, oxidation of linoleic acid was effectively inhibited by DCM extract with %. All the extracts showed no cytotoxic activity against Vero cells.
Antecedents of union loyalty: The influence of individual dispositions and organizational context

Previous research has consistently found relationships between union loyalty and the antecedent variables of demographics, job related variables, and union related variables. However, little or no research has investigated the relationship between union loyalty and individual dispositions and organizational context. The purpose of this study was to test a causal model which evaluated the influence of individual dispositions and organizational context in predicting union loyalty controlling for the effects of demographics, job related, and union related variables. Contextual data were collected from 405 schools and matched with union loyalty and other attitudinal data from 838 public school teachers in a large U.S. Midwestern city. The LISREL results indicate that the individual dispositions of positive and negative affectivity and the contextual variables of attendance rate, school type, race homogeneity and socio‐economic status had significant total causal effects on union loyalty. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Effect of Temperature on the Expression of I-Type Lysozyme cDNA from Oyster (Crassostrea Hongkongensis)

An experiment was conducted to analyze thei-type lysozyme cDNA cloned from oyster (Crassostrea hongkongensis) and study the effect of temperature on the gene expression in an indoor, controlled constant-temperature environment. The cDNA was 634 bp with a 420-bp open reading frame, encoding 139 amino acids. A new conserved amino acid sequence, HNGGPRGC, was found in the protein sequence of the i-type lysozyme from C. hongkongensis. Real-time quantitative PCR (RTQ-PCR) was used to assess the expression of the i-type lysozyme gene in the digestive gland, smooth muscle, gills, mantle and labial palps of C. hongkongensis. The expression was the highest in the digestive gland and the lowest in the muscle. A thermal stress experiment was performed to study the effect of temperature on the expression of the i-type lysozyme gene. The expression was stable when water temperature ranged from 200C to 250C. The level of expression tended to decrease at 60C or 130C. A conclusion was drawed that the variations in temperature affect i-type lysozyme gene and immune function of C. hongkongensis.