Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patient-centric workplace culture: a balancing act for nursing leaders

In Australia and globally, developing a patient-centric workplace culture is an ongoing challenge. Nurse managers must reflect on what a balanced functioning of patient-centric workplace culture entails and how to develop it in a context constrained by rising healthcare costs. This study has investigated nurses’ perspective of the association between a patient-centric workplace culture and practical issues such as nurse staffing and perceived quality of nursing care. A mixed methods study design involved sequential (equal status and partially mixed) data gathering from nurses in public hospitals in NSW, Australia. First, a survey questionnaire was employed and yielded 136 responses after adjustment for missing data. This data was analysed using descriptive analysis techniques in SPSS. Then 21 self-nominated nurse managers were interviewed face to face. This qualitative data was transcribed and analysed for recurring themes using a continuous comparative method (CCM). Correlations of patient-centric workplace culture, with nurse staffing (rS = .655) and perceived quality of nursing care (rS = .593) were moderate. Correlation between nurse staffing and perceived quality of nursing care (rS = .410) also existed. Analysis of the interview data resulted in two major themes: the first theme confirmed the association between the three constructs of patient-centric workplace culture, nurse staffing and perceived quality of nursing care. The second theme identified gaps in embedding the espoused patient-centric workplace culture. The study revealed that a patient-centric workplace culture could facilitate positive relationships between nurse staffing and the perceived quality of nursing care. This would happen when patient-centric workplace culture focuses on proactive change management, teamwork and prioritises patient care and adequate nurse staffing. A critical need for nurse managers is to become positive leaders, who can build and embed a patient-centric workplace culture in today’s resource constrained environment.
Floral biology of candeia (Eremanthus erythropappus, Asteraceae)

Floral biology and pollinators of candeia (Eremanthus erythropappus) were analyzed in a natural population. We studied anthesis, flower morphology, stigmatic receptivity, pollen viability and floral visitors. The small flowers (10.17 mm in length) are pink, hermaphrodites and organized in dense capitula (mean = 29 flowers). We observed a large percentage of viable pollen (77.25%) and relatively scarce nectar availability for floral visitors (0.63 μL). The bees Apis mellifera and Trigona sp. were the most frequent visitors. The length of the bud, style and flowers varied significantly among plants. Biologia floral da candeia (Eremanthus erythropappus, Asteraceae) Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi examinar e documentar a biologia floral e os polinizadores da candeia (Eremanthus erythropappus) em uma população natural, sendo estudados a antese, a morfologia floral, a receptividade estigmática, a viabilidade de pólen e os visitantes florais. As flores pequenas (10,17 mm de comprimento) são cor de rosa, hermafroditas e organizadas em densos capítulos (média = 29 flores). Foi observada alta porcentagem de pólen viável (77,25%) e relativamente pouca disponibilidade de néctar para os visitantes florais (0,63 μL). As abelhas Apis mellifera e Trigona sp. foram os visitantes mais frequentes. Os comprimentos dos botões, estiletes e flores variaram significativamente entre plantas. Pesquisa Florestal
Correcting for the Missing Rich: An Application to Wealth Survey Data

It is a well-known criticism that if the distribution of wealth is highly concentrated, survey data are hardly reliable when it comes to analyzing the richest parts of society. This paper addresses this criticism by providing a general rationale of the underlying methodological problem as well as by proposing a specific methodological approach tailored to correcting the arising bias. We illustrate the latter approach by using Austrian data from the Household Finance and Consumption Survey. Specifically, we identify suitable parameter combinations by using a series of maximum-likelihood estimates and appropriate goodness-of-fit tests to avoid arbitrariness with respect to the fitting of the Pareto distribution. Our results suggest that the alleged non-observation bias is considerable, accounting for about one quarter of total net wealth in the case of Austria. The method developed in this paper can easily be applied to other countries where survey data on wealth are available.
Easiest paths for walking and cycling: Combining syntactic and geographic analyses in studying walking and cycling mobility

We discuss fundamentals of a new computational approach to configurative analysis and synthesis and present a number of advancements we have made in the direction of computational analysis of walking and cycling mobility. We have scrutinized the notion of distance and addressed it in correspondence with the notion of geodesic or optimum path. We present a new all-inclusive pathfinding algorithm for walking and cycling and show how this pathfinding algorithm can be used as a new basis for a number of conventional network indicators such as closeness and betweenness centrality measures -taking into account the physics of walking/cycling mobility as well as the cognitive aspect of human navigation. To this end, we revisit the meaning of distance and introduce a new notion of geodesic, which we call ‘easiest path’, i.e. a path that is reasonably short, flat and at the same time cognitively simple. Using this new geodesic, we reconstruct betweenness centrality indicator and introduce two new accessibility measures as ‘proximity to any’, ‘vicinity of all’ and a method of zoning as to walking and cycling accessibility. We show how suitability of locations as to their walking/cycling access can be modelled in a way that is immediately understandable for both citizens and urban designers/planners. Models are implemented as a toolkit, available as a freeware application.
Molecular research and genetic engineering of resistance to Verticillium wilt in cotton: A review

Verticillium dahliae, a soil-borne pathogen, causes Verticillium wilt, one of the most serious diseases in cotton, deleteriously influencing crop’s production and quality. Verticillium wilt has become a major obstacle in cotton production since Helicoverpa armigera, the cotton bollworm, became effectively controlled in recent years. The wilt is becoming a key subject of research in cotton-resistance genetics, breeding and plant pathology. This paper reviews the recent research progress on genetic methods of resistance, the status and existing problems, traditional breeding, the main resistance mechanism, molecular markers and genetic engineering of resistance genes. It is hoped that new breeding methods and new varieties resistant to Verticillium wilt will be developed in the very near future.
Assessment of desertification in the agro-pastoral transitional zone in Northern China (1982-2006) using GIMMS NDVI data

The Agro-Pastoral Transitional Zone in Northern China (hereafter APTZNC) is situated in an arid/semi-arid area, and is one of the most vulnerable areas in the world subject to climate change. Annual integrated the NASA Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (hereafter GIMMS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (hereafter ΣNDVI) and annual rainfall were used in this study. Meanwhile, the dynamics of ΣNDVI and rain-use efficiency (hereafter RUE) were predicted during the period, through the use of the Mann-Kendall nonparametric test and linear regression temporal trend analysis. The tendency of desertification under different precipitation scenarios was also analyzed. The results showed that annual ΣNDVI and rainfall were not significantly correlated in most sections of the study area, yet opposite results were observed for a smaller percentage of the study area (p<0.01). Changes in vegetation productivity may increase, whereas a significant decrease in a small pixel proportion was observed. The northeast and central sections of the study area are characterized by positive trends in RUE slope values, contrary to what was observed in the southwestern sections of the study area. The results fit well with the findings through ΣNDVI and RUE. Rainfall in the range of 200-500 mm can be seen as a threshold value as the desertification trend decreases and vegetation restoration capacity is enhanced with increasing rainfall.
Inspiration or defeat: the motivational and evaluative impact of social comparison on dysphoric individuals

People compare themselves to others in order to evaluate their abilities and opinions, yet the literature is mixed on how these social comparisons impact people's emotions, self-evaluation, and motivation. There were two primary aims of the present study. The first aim was to examine the impact of upward social comparisons (i.e., comparing oneself to someone who is believed to be more skilled or more fortunate) on self-evaluation and motivation. The second aim was to examine the influence of dysphoria in the relation between social comparison and both self-evaluation and motivation after partialling out the effects of self-esteem. Undergraduate students varying in levels of dysphoria were asked to read either an impressive student resume (upward comparison) or an average student resume (lateral comparison) prior to answering other- and self-evaluation questions and performing a brief anagram task to assess motivation. We predicted that after partialling out the effects of self-esteem, people who report higher dysphoria will evaluate themselves more negatively following an upward (but not a lateral) comparison than people who report lower dysphoria. We also predicted that after partialling out the effects of self-esteem, people who report higher dysphoria will display less motivation, as evidenced by correctly solving fewer anagrams, following an upward (but not a lateral) comparison than people who report lower dysphoria will. Results did not show a significant interactive effect of dysphoria on either the relation between social comparison and self-evaluation or the relation between social comparison and motivation. However, results did indicate a main effect of self-esteem (s = .71, p < .001) and comparison (s = -.13, p < .05) on self-evaluation.
MPPT Techniques for PV Systems under Different Scenarios: Review

Solar power being the primary source of energy is of main focus in field of energy conversion. The techniques to generate maximum power from simple PV-module are the major challenge. Power electronics have helped to obtain the goal to a greater extent. In this paper attempt have been made to study and analyze different MPPT techniques used in different scenarios to make it simple to choose a particular methodology for particular situation.
School Education, Learning-by-Doing, and Fertility in Economic Development

We examine the policy implications of relaxing constraints on the educational choice of individuals for economic development. Distinguishing human capital accumulation through schooling and through learning-by-doing and knowledge spillovers, we show that in the earlier stages of development, mitigating and eventually eliminating constraints on school education would be necessary for even further economic development. Expanded school education increases the income of individuals and encourages physical capital accumulation, which enlarges productive knowledge through implementation and operations. The increased labor productivity thus boosts economic growth. In the process, the fertility rate will decline because of the increased education cost per child.
Algorithm for fingerprint verification system

Extraction of minutiae based features from good quality fingerprint images is more effective for fingerprint recognition in comparison with features from low quality fingerprint. In this paper, a new technique for fingerprint feature extraction based on ridge pattern is proposed. Robust features are extracted from fingerprint image notwithstanding the quality of the image. The variation within different person fingerprint is established using centre of gravity of the fingerprint image as the reference point for effective classification. Similarity measure in term of Euclidean distance is compute for test fingerprint images
CHARACTERIZATION OF MICROCRACKING IN VERY EARLY AGE CONCRETE SUBJECTED TO ELEVATED TEMPERATURE BY AE

AE technique was used to characterize microcracking in concrete from the age of 1.5hrs, under temperature from 20 to 60 o C. Microcracks occurred considerably in the cooling period. Driving force induced by incompatibility of deformation between mortar and coarse aggregate. The tendency of tensile strength loss agreed with AE results. Damage in GGBFS concrete was severer than that in OPC concrete due to larger number of small microcracks. Concrete was deteriorated considerably under cyclic temperature. Mitigating measures by using LWA and coarse aggregate of suitable type and size were proposed.
Numerical Modelling of Island Ripening

The Tarr and Mulheran growth rate equation for island ripening on a material substrate has been studied here with the continuity equation that contains the growth rate equation which describes the evolution of an island and the distribution function representing the spread of islands on the material surface. We have numerically solved the resulting conservation equation for the absolute distribution function using a non-standard L-W like central difference numerical method with three different initial conditions. Previous work on growth rate equations, including the Tarr and Mulheran growth rate equation, have only been concerned with a scaling solution calculated from scaled variables in the quasi-steady state since an analytic solution can be found which has always yielded an asymptotic solution. Here, we look at the early stages of evolution and to see if an asymptotic state is reached by the absolute distribution function using both the numerical scheme and the characteristic equations giving a part numerical and part analytic solution. A scaling solution is also looked at with a different growth rate equation but using the same arguments used by Tarr and Mulheran to calculate the scaled distribution function. Acknowledgements I would like to thank my supervisors Professor Mike Baines and Dr Paul Mulheran for all their support and helpful discussions throughout this dissertation. I would also like to thank the Department of Mathematics and my fellow students for their support and encouragement throughout this long and difficult year. Finally to my parents for all their love and support for which I am eternally grateful. I am also grateful to the EPSRC for their financial support this year. I confirm that this is my own work and the use of all material from other sources has been properly and fully acknowledged.
Determination of Optimum Planar Imaging Parameters for Small Structures with Diameters Less Than the Resolution of the Gamma Camera

Introduction: The limited spatial resolution of the gamma camera hinders the absolute quantification of planar images of small structures. The imaged structures are affected by partial volume effects (PVEs), which can spread activity and lead to underestimation of the regional distribution. The use of optimum planar parameters reduces the impact of the limited spatial resolution of the gamma camera and the statistical noise inherent to low photon count, thus improving quantification. In this study, we aimed to determine the optimum planar imaging parameters for small structures. Materials and Methods: A thyroid protocol was used to acquire planar images of the spheres A, B, and C (16 mm, 12 mm, and 11 mm in diameter, respectively) whilst filled with a targeted activity concentration of technetium-99m. One sphere was mounted at the centre of the Jaszczak Phantom and the other two adjacent to its walls using capillary stems fitted on the spheres. The phantom was filled with distilled water. The targeted activity concentrations used were 74 kBq/mL, 100 kBq/mL, 150 kBq/mL, and 300 kBq/mL. Images of the same count per pixel were acquired on 64 64, 128 128, 256 256, 512 512, and 1024 1024 pixels using a vertical detector mounted 5 cm above the phantom. All the images were quantified using ImageJ software, version 1.48a, Java 1. 70_51 [64-bit]. Results: The optimum planar imaging parameters established were a matrix size of 128 128 pixels and technetium-99m solution of activity concentration of 300 kBq/ml. Conclusion: The use of optimal imaging parameters reduces the impact of PVEs, leading to improved quantitative accuracy.
A Neural Network Algorithm for Complex Pattern Classification Problems

This work presents an application of neural networks in pattern classification. A new algorithm for automatic classification of data is presented. That algorithm make use of a competitive neural network to aid the classification process. The algorithm gets a data set D and segment it into clusters. The only a priori information given is a number of auxiliary centers and a threshold distance. The algorithm uses the Mahalanobismetrics to cluster the data and find itself the number of classes.
Productivity Spillovers from Multinational Corporations in Portugal: Vulnerability to Deficient Estimation

Evidence on productivity spillovers from FDI to domestic firms is ambiguous. Incorrect estimation procedures may be one of the sources for the contradictory results obtained in empirical studies on this subject. We observe that inadequacy of the estimation procedures leads to a severe underestimation of the spillover effect. An appropriated econometric methodology is discussed taking into consideration the possible simultaneity of FDI and other explanatory variables and endogeneity related to firm unobserved heterogeneity. Robust inference is also addressed. Our findings for the Portuguese case seem sufficient clear to warn about spillover results obtained with a non-judicious application of the classical panel data methods.
MAXIMISING WOODLAND BIRD DIVERSITY IN BRIGALOW BELT FORESTS

This fact sheet written by Alison Howes and Dr Martine Maron presents findings from a project undertaken in the Brigalow Belt bioregion in central Queensland. Primary study sites were on Bush Heritage Australia’s Carnarvon Station Reserve and the adjoining Carnarvon National Park. This project aimed to determine the interactions among fire, grazing and habitat structure, and their influence on noisy miner presence and woodland bird assemblages. Outcomes from the study will aid in development of land management principles and intuitive, user-friendly decision-support tools with the potential for application across the Brigalow Belt region
Looking for Genetic Diversity in Iranian Apple Cultivars (Malus × domestica Borkh.)

The cultivated apple (Malus domestica) is one of the most important fruit crops cultivated in different regions of the world including Iran. For production and breeding of high quality apple, the knowledge of genetic diversity of the cultivated apples is necessary. Therefore we studied genetic diversity of 25 genotypes by using ISSR molecular markers. In present study, ten ISSR primers produced 85% polymorphism. (AGC)5GG and (GA)9C primers produced the highest number of bands, while primers (GA)9A, (GA)9A and UBC 807 produced the lowest number. Some of the genotypes showed presence of specific bands. PCoA (principal co-ordinate analysis) plot of genotypes based on geographical origin (Netherland, France, Lebonan and Iran) grouped cultivars from different geographical regions together and intermixed. UPGMA (unweighted paired group method with arithmetic average) and NJ (Neighbor Joining) dendrograms produced 4 major clusters with few subclusters in each of them indicating intra-group genetic diversity. AMOVA (Analysis of molecular variance) test performed on molecular features of the genotypes present in the 4 clusters revealed significant difference among the clusters. This high value of within clusters genetic variation is in agreement with subclusters formed in each major cluster due to intra-population group variation. STRUCTURE plots of k = 2-7 were obtained and the best groupings was done by k =7. It indicated differences in allelic composition and frequency of the subclusters. The results showed presence of high level of genetic diversity in apple samples studied which can be used in planning further selection and hybridization of apple trees.
Design and Implementation of Out-of-band Storage Virtualization

—Storage virtualization is the most applied word in the industry due to its importance. Now a day's data become more import, to hold and to extract needful information. Datacenter become an integral part of any organization, so its management too. For best and efficient result as well as proper storage utilization and management we need storage area network (SAN). In the environment of SAN, there is the compatibility issue with the different vendors and their drivers, so we are going for storage virtualization. Storage virtualization is applied in SAN environment. The classical techniques! 1] to achieve storage virtualization is suffering from many problems like improper disk utilization, high latency, power consumption, different attacks and security issues. In this paper we design and implement storage virtualization technique EC2S2 to get. better yield in terms of security, high throughput, efficient management and least latency. Through the security and performance analysis we show that our method is secure and efficient.
Hyperspectral Images Classification via Weighted Spatial-Spectral Principle Component Analysis

In order to improve the Hyperspectral images (HSI) classification accuracy and to preprocess HSI by fully using the spatial and spectral information, a new spatial-spectral dimensionality reduction method, Weighted Spatial and Spectral Principle Component Analysis (WSSPCA), was proposed. This algorithm reconstructed the HSI by using the physical characters of HSI. Then, principle Component Analysis (PCA) was utilized to reduce dimensionality of HSI. The new method not only can lower the influence of singular point in HSI, but also reduce the redundancy between bands, which improves the HSI classification accuracy efficiently. The benchmark tests on Indian Pines and PaviaU demonstrate that the performance of WSSPCA is better than PCA and LPP when 10%, 5% samples in each class. The best values of kappa coefficient obtained by WSSPCA are 89.61% and 95.59% respectively on the HSI datasets, exceeding the baseline 20.5% and 19.38%.
Triple-Band CPW-Fed Monopole Antenna for WLAN/WiMAX Applications

—In this letter, a new coplanar waveguide (CPW)-fed monopole antenna with equilateral-triangular shape is presented and experimentally investigated. The structure under study generates three diﬀerent center frequencies corresponding to the lower, middle, and upper bands for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) and worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) applications. The proposed antenna is analyzed using the Computer Simulation Technology (CST) Software. To validate the simulation results, an experimental prototype of the proposed design is fabricated, tested and measured. The experimental results show a good agreement with the simulated ones.
Title: Age Composition in the Schools of Juvenile Yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata Associated with Drifting Seaweeds in the East China Sea

Title Age, Growth, and Sexual Development in the Self-fertilizing Hermaphroditic Fish Rivulus marmoratus Author(s) Sakakura, Yoshitaka; Noakes, David L. G. Citation Environmental Biology of Fishes, 59(3), pp.309-317; 2000 Issue Date 2000-11 URL http://hdl.handle. net/10069/35743 Right © 2000 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands. ; The final publication is available at link.springer. com NAOSITE: Nagasaki University's Academic Output SITE