Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Soft systems methodology for implementing clinical practice guidelines in a general hospital: a study protocol

Background: Adhering to Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) serves as the driving force behind making decisions based on the best evidence and making efforts for improving the quality of patient care and outcomes. In 2010, promoting the quality of clinical care through implementing CPGs was turned into a priority health policy in Iran as in many other countries. Despite requiring Iranian hospitals to implement CPGs in January 2017, the concept and implementation method of CPGs remained to be clarified. This action research focuses on acquiring an in-depth understanding of how to define and implement CPGs in a selected general hospital in Iran.Methods: This study employs Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) as a commonly-used approach for tackling complex problems with social, political and human dimensions. Given the inherent roles of technical processes, organizational culture, and personnel’ perspectives in providing clinical care, implementing CPGs was considered a complex problem situation, and conceptualized by use of a purposeful activity model. We will conduct semi-structured in-depth interviews and hold group discussions with different stakeholders to enquire into the situation. Moreover, we will use SSM tools and techniques to identify the main areas of changes, and select necessary measures to facilitate the implementation of CPGs. Flexible qualitative methods of data collection and analysis are utilized throughout the study.Discussion: Applying SSM in implementing CPGs can generate knowledge by recognizing hyper-complexity in healthcare setting, adopting an attitude of inquiry, and fostering dynamic changes in diverse and numerous worldviews of professionals in the accommodation process. This knowledge can provide a model for the successful implementation of CPGs at a macro-system level and facilitate the persuasion process at the hospital mesosystem level. More importantly, adopting SSM can create iterative learning loops over time and thus help the actors of clinical microsystems face future healthcare complexities.
Field Dependent vs. Field Independent EFL Learners’ Perceptions of Their Instructors’ Teaching Methods in English Language Classes

Teachers are the core component of teaching and learning a second or foreign language; therefore, they should know what the learners consider as the most effective teachers’ characteristics which may enhance their learning. Accordingly, the main aim of the present study was to compare field dependent and field independent Iranian learners in terms of their perceptions about effective language teaching. Fifty intermediate Iranian learners of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) participated in this study and three instruments were utilized to collect the data. The first instrument was Oxford Placement Test (OPT, 2001) to test the homogeneity of the EFL learners. The second instrument was Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) to classify field dependent learners from field independent ones and the third instrument was an effective EFL teaching questionnaire to record the participants’ perceptions of effective EFL teaching. The obtained results revealed that field dependent and field independent learners had different expectations in class. That is, for field dependent learners, confidence and open-mindedness in class were important characteristics of an effective teacher while for field independent learners, teachers’ knowledge and proficiency were important. Indeed, there was no significant difference between the perceptions of field dependent participants and the field independent EFL learners about the overall characteristics of an effective teacher. Knowing EFL learners’ cognitive styles can open new insights in the second language (L2) domain and lead to more influential teaching.
Diagnosis of composite materials in aircraft applications: towards a UAV-based active thermography inspection approach

Diagnosis and prognosis of failures for aircrafts’ integrity are some of the most important regular functionalities in complex and safety-critical aircraft structures. Further, development of failure diagnostic tools such as Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques, in particular, for aircraft composite materials, has been seen as a subject of intensive research over the last decades. The need for diagnostic and prognostic tools for composite materials in aircraft applications rises and draws increasing attention. Yet, there is still an ongoing need for developing new failure diagnostic tools to respond to the rapid industrial development and complex machine design. Such tools will ease the early detection and isolation of developing defects and the prediction of damages propagation; thus allowing for early implementation of preventive maintenance and serve as a countermeasure to the potential of catastrophic failure. This paper provides a brief literature review of recent research on failure diagnosis of composite materials with an emphasis on the use of active thermography techniques in the aerospace industry. Furthermore, as the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the remote inspection of large and/or difficult access areas has significantly grown in the last few years thanks to their flexibility of flight and to the possibility to carry one or several measuring sensors, the aim to use a UAV active thermography system for the inspection of large composite aeronautical structures in a continuous dynamic mode is proposed.
Dispersal Mechanism Assessment for Panonychus citri (Acari: Tetranychidae) Secondary Outbreaks

Abstract Secondary population outbreaks of Panonychus citri (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) are triggered by synthetic chemical applications (dose and method), which also elicited a change in mites' behavioral responses. This study aimed to understand the dispersal pattern of P. citri and how changes in dispersal behavior may influence secondary pest outbreaks in the field with or without chemicals. We found positive density and time-dependent dispersal within the inoculated leaflet. Dispersion from inoculated leaflets to the last leaflet depends on initial density and time. A significant difference was observed in the composite dispersal index data and preferred midrib region. The minimum dispersal was observed by P. citri in no direct contact with treated surfaces, whereas attraction was observed on treated surfaces (right). All chemicals gave different dispersal and feed disruption responses depending on the treatment application pattern. The maximum number of mites dispersed and avoid surfaces treated with abamectin and vegetable oil, respectively. Vegetable and EnSpray 99 had a positive impact on toxicity, repellency, and irritancy. The fecundity rate of P. citri boosted with a high dose and direct exposure. Panonychus citri colonization as a single individual or gregarious distribution resulted in a rapid fecundity rate, which may explain why citrus orchards were severely damaged and how suddenly a whole citrus plantation can be highly infested. This study concluded that change in treatment application patterns leads to a change in the behavioral responses in P. citri.
Military Leader Behavior Formation for Sustainable Country Security

The continuous improvement of military leadership identity to maintain excellent performance with respect to the promotion of mission success is a highly desired by the Lithuanian Armed Forces. This study seeks to identify the criteria for effective leadership behavior that is appreciated by Lithuanian servicemen. The validated Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire (LBDQ XII) was used to collect data representing followers’ preferences with respect to commander–leader behavior by assessing twelve leadership behavior criteria. Additionally, commander–leaders were chosen as experts to judge the importance of the criteria by pair-wise assessment. Consequently, the Fuzzy Decision Making (FDM) with Fuzzy Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method based on the new concept of the relationship between the influenced and influencing criteria were employed to analyze the ranking using leadership behavior and to establish the causal relationships among the criteria when the collected data were expressed in trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. This study contributes to military leadership by using a novel approach for identifying and prioritizing the behavior criteria for leaders. The results indicate six “cause” constructs: ability to persuade, taking the lead, result orientation, accurate forecasting, building interpersonal relationships, and cooperation with managers. These findings could assist militaries in designing effective improvement strategies for continuous leadership training.
No evidence of a more aggressive pattern of hepatocellular carcinoma after direct acting antivirals –results from a single center observational study

After great concerns were raised regarding a high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after direct acting antivirals (DAAs) therapy in cirrhotic HCV patients, an avalanche of studies that debated this issue emerged, whose results highlighted also a more aggressive HCC pattern after DAAs. We aimed to assess the pattern and imaging features of HCC in patients with HCV-related liver cirrhosis after DAAs. Material and methods: This is a single-center case-controlled retrospective study in which we included consecutive patients with HCC and HCV-related liver cirrhosis admitted in our clinic between January 1st, 2016 and May 1st, 2018. Results: Sixty-nine patients with HCV-related cirrhosis and HCC were divided into 2 groups depending on the DAAs-treated or untreated status: group I included 15 patients that were previously treated with DAAs and group II included 54 naive patients. Regarding the distribution of HCC, there were no significant differences between the two groups (73.3% of group I patients and 55.5% of group II had unicentric lesion, p=0.215). The tumor size was significantly higher in group II compared to group I, with 66.6% of patients in group I and only 29.6% of patients in group II that have a tumor size less than 3 cm (p=0.009). Supportive treatment without ablation was more frequent in group II (33.3%) than in group I (6.6%) (p=0.047). Conclusions: Our study found no evidence of a more aggressive behavior of HCC after DAAs treatment compared to naive patients. Furthermore, the pattern of HCC after DAAs did not affect the access to curative treatment.
Civil war recurrence and postwar violence: Toward an integrated research agenda

Violence after civil war is a challenge to sustainable peace. Many armed conflicts today are recurrences of previous wars and much of the literature on violence after war explains why armed groups return to the battlefield. But even if peace prevails, many other types of violence take place in postwar environments. This postwar violence is likewise subject to a growing multidisciplinary literature. Using citation network analysis, we show that research on war recurrence and postwar violence has developed in relative isolation from each other—although these phenomena are interrelated. This compartmentalization leads us to overlook important similarities and differences in the drivers of different forms of violence after war. We demonstrate this by reviewing the literature in both of these closely related fields. While war recurrence and postwar violence share a set of common risk factors, some factors can have opposite effects on the two outcomes. Because these insights only emerge when systematically comparing the two strands of literature, we propose a novel framework for the study of violence after wars that aims at overcoming the compartmentalization of research within these two fields. The framework serves both as a conceptual lens and an analytical tool to categorize and compare different forms of violence after war. We then outline how the framework aids scholars in pursuing an integrated research agenda, with concrete suggestions for research questions that should be studied to expand our understanding of violence after wars.
Comparative Effectiveness of Four Nitrification Inhibitors for Mitigating Carbon Dioxide and Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Three Different Textured Soils

Nitrification inhibitors (NIs) can be used to reduce both NO3−-N leaching and N2O-N emissions. However, the comparative efficacies of NIs can be strongly affected by soil type. Therefore, the efficacies of four nitrification inhibitors (dicyandiamide (DCD), 3, 4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP), nitrogenous mineral fertilizers containing the DMPP ammonium stabilizer (ENTEC) and active ingredients: 3.00–3.25% 1, 2, 4-triazole and 1.50–1.65% 3-methylpyrazole (PIADIN)) were investigated in three different textured N-fertilized (0.5 g NH4+-N kg−1 soil) soils of Schleswig-Holstein, namely, Marsch (clayey), Östliches Hügelland (loamy) and Geest (sandy) under a controlled environment. Total CO2-C and N2O-N emissions were significantly higher from Marsch than Östliches Hügelland and Geest. In Marsch, DMPP showed the highest inhibitory effect on CO2-C emission (50%), followed by PIADIN (32%) and ENTEC (16%). In Östliches Hügelland, DCD and PIADIN showed the highest and equal inhibitory effect on CO2-C emission (73%), followed by DMPP (64%) and ENTEC (36%). In Marsch and Östliches Hügelland, DCD showed the stronger inhibitory effect on N2O-N emission (86% and 47%) than DMPP (56% and 30%) and PIADIN (54% and 16%). In Geest, DMPP was more effective in reducing N2O-N emission (88%) than PIADIN (70%) and DCD (33%). Thus, it can be concluded that DCD is a better NI for clay and loamy soils, while DMPP and PIADIN are better for sandy soils to inhibit soil nitrification and gaseous emissions.
Performance analysis of diamond-based masers

Masers, the microwave analog of lasers, are an important class of devices that can be used to generate highly coherent and stable microwave signals as well as quantum-limited amplification of microwave photons. Recently, the interest in such devices has increased, probably owing to experiments demonstrating the successful operation at room temperature of solid-state maser employing defects in diamond. These defects, called nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers, are comprised of a negatively charged substitutional nitrogen that replaces one of the diamond crystal lattice’s carbons and a vacancy adjacent to the excluded carbon atom. The performance of diamond-based masers, in terms of gain, noise, bandwidth, frequency of operation, and saturation, greatly depends upon the specific diamond crystal composition and its geometry in the respective microwave device. The currently available data on these issues are scarce and sometimes conflicting. It is, therefore, important to provide additional experimental data, complemented by theoretical analysis, to further optimize the required diamond material and thus enhance the capabilities of diamond-based maser technology. The latter is currently limited to operate only as an oscillator at very small bandwidths, with low saturation power. Here, we provide experimental results on a set of important parameters affecting diamond maser operation, such as the population and linewidth of the electron spin energy levels of the NVs under light illumination, as well as their relaxation times for several different diamond material compositions. These results are then used to point out which diamond material compositions and crystal geometry may be best suitable for maser-type applications.
Daily macronutrient uptake patterns in relation to plant age in hydroponic lettuce

ABSTRACT A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study and quantify the daily uptake rate of nitrate, ammonium, phosphoric acid, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfate (NO3−, NH4+, H2PO4−, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and SO42−) and to characterize the uptake daily pattern at different plant ages in a lettuce crop. The uptake rates per gram of plant fresh weight were calculated at 2-hour intervals through sampling the nutrient solution and analyzing it by NO3−/NH4+ conductivity and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The uptake rate of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N, P and K) per unit mass of plant decreased with plant age following a reduction in plant relative growth rate. No significant differences were found in the absorption of Ca, Mg and sulfur (S) between the different weeks of growth. The daily absorption patterns showed no preference for the absorption of any of the ions during the daytime. A significant reduction in the absorption peaks of all the ions with increasing plant age was observed.
The utility of deep brain stimulation surgery for treating eating disorders: A systematic review

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has demonstrated preliminary success as a treatment for neuropsychological disorders including obsessive-compulsive disorder and substance use disorder. This systematic review aims to assess the use of DBS in treating eating disorders (EDs) to determine its utility and the extent of adverse effects. Methods: A PubMed search following PRISMA guidelines was executed to find studies encompassing DBS as a treatment of ED. Outcomes were extracted from the literature and summarized while a review of quality was also performed. Results: From a search yielding 299 publications, 11 studies published between 2010 and 2020 were found to fit the inclusion criteria. Out of 53 patients who began with an abnormal BMI before treatment, 22 patients (41.5%) achieved normal BMI on follow-up. Significant neuropsychological improvement was seen in most patients as measured by neuropsychiatric testing and questionnaires. Conclusion: DBS as a treatment for ED may result in significant objective and psychological benefits. Further studies should aim to increase the sample size, standardize follow-up protocol, and standardize the neuropsychiatric tests used to determine psychological and physiological benefits.
Teores de antocianinas, carotenoides e clorofilas em germoplasma de alface roxa e verde a partir de imagens obtidas com aeronave remotamente pilotada

Vegetable pigments such as anthocyanin, chlorophyll and carotenoids have a strong antioxidant action and demonstrate beneficial effects on human health, acting in the prevention of diseases and infections. To favor the consumption of these compounds, the development of biofortified lettuce cultivars is desirable, due to the low cost and popularity of this hardwood. In the present study, the content of anthocyanin, carotenoids, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll was evaluated in thirty genotypes of purple lettuce, in addition to the SPAD index and vegetation indexes (CIG, CVI, GNDVI and NDVI), aiming the validation of phenotyping for high performance. The vegetation indexes were calculated using images of the canopy of the plants obtained with a remotely piloted aircraft coupled with a camera in the red, green and near infrared channels. When the plants reached the commercial point, the SPAD index and leaf pigments were measured using traditional laboratory methodologies, which are costly and time-consuming. The genetic variability between the genotypes for leaf pigments was confirmed by the Scott-Knott test (p <0.05) and by the UPGMA dendrogram based on the Euclidean distance matrix. The anthocyanin was the pigment that most contributed to genetic diversity and showed high correlations with CIG, CVI and GNDVI. These three indexes also showed moderate correlations with chlorophylls and carotenoids. Genotypes with higher pigment content, especially anthocyanin, showed more intense CIG, CVI and GNDVI indexes. Therefore, the high performance phenotyping technique was correlated with traditional methodology and can provide an alternative for indirect selection of plants with high levels of leaf pigments, mainly anthocyanin, in purple lettuce.
SNS Sample Activation Calculator Flux Recommendations and Validation

The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) uses the Sample Activation Calculator (SAC) to calculate the activation of a sample after the sample has been exposed to the neutron beam in one of the SNS beamlines. The SAC webpage takes user inputs (choice of beamline, the mass, composition and area of the sample, irradiation time, decay time, etc.) and calculates the activation for the sample. In recent years, the SAC has been incorporated into the user proposal and sample handling process, and instrument teams and users have noticed discrepancies in the predicted activation of their samples. The Neutronics Analysis Team validated SAC by performing measurements on select beamlines and confirmed the discrepancies seen by the instrument teams and users. The conclusions were that the discrepancies were a result of a combination of faulty neutron flux spectra for the instruments, improper inputs supplied by SAC (1.12), and a mishandling of cross section data in the Sample Activation Program for Easy Use (SAPEU) (1.1.2). This report focuses on the conclusion that the SAPEU (1.1.2) beamline neutron flux spectra have errors and are a significant contributor to the activation discrepancies. The results of the analysis of the SAPEU (1.1.2)more » flux spectra for all beamlines will be discussed in detail. The recommendations for the implementation of improved neutron flux spectra in SAPEU (1.1.3) are also discussed. « less
Exotic Brittle Star Interactions With Native Octocoral Epizoites: An Endemic Benthic Ctenophore in Peril?

Widespread and large populations of the exotic eastern Pacific ophiuroid brittle star Opthiothela mirabilis now occur in southeastern Florida, extending the range of this recently introduced species from southern Brazil northward to the eastern Caribbean Sea and Florida. The Florida brittle stars, representing two lineages, are epibionts on shallow (3-18 m depth), tropical/subtropical plexaurid (e.g., Eunicea spp., Muricea elongata) and gorgoniid (Antillogorgia spp.) octocorals. The scope of this study includes recent distributional records of O. mirabilis in south Florida, field abundances in relation to the cohabiting endemic ctenophore Coeloplana waltoni, behavioral observations of the ophiuroid, ctenophore and the predatory amphipod Caprella penantis, as well as a laboratory experiment testing the effects of the alien ophiuroid on the native ctenophore. Individuals of O. mirabilis have been collected near St. Lucie Inlet, extending its northern-most range by about 110 km since 2019. Two years of field sampling have demonstrated significant declines of the native, benthic ctenophore with increasing abundances of the exotic ophiuroid. Evidence suggests that the ophiuroid is negatively affecting the abundances of the ctenophore through interference competition, greatly aided by its abrasive armature of calcareous spines, plates and hooks. Sporadic and intense predation by a caprellid amphipod (Caprella penantis) also probably contributes to the ctenophore’s decline, but to a lesser extent than that caused by the ophiuroid. Adding to the risk of extinction of C. waltoni is its narrow requirement of living octocorals as hosts and restricted distribution in southeast Florida and the Bahamas.