Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CRITICAL THINKING in Nursing Education and Practice as Defined in the Literature

Critical thinking is frequently discussed in nursing education and nursing practice literature. This article presents an analysis of the concept of critical thinking as it applies to nursing, differentiating its use in education and practice literature. Three computerized databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, and EBSCO) were searched for the years 1981 to 2002, using the keywords critical thinking. References were stratified into two 11-year periods (1981-1991, 1992-2002) to identify changes in the concept over time and integration of the concept differentially into nursing education and nursing practice. A random sample of literature from each stratum was coded for definitions, attributes, surrogate terms, referents, antecedents, and consequences of critical thinking. Critical thinking as a nursing concept has matured since its first appearance in the literature. It is well defined and has clear characteristics. However, antecedents and consequences are not well defined, and many consequences are identical to attributes and surrogate terms. Additional work is needed to clarify the boundaries of the concept of critical thinking in nursing.
STUDIES ON THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE NUCLEOLI OF THE WALKER TUMOR AND RAT LIVER.

Summary The ultrastructure of nucleoli was studied with ultrathin sections of cells and isolated nucleoli of the Walker tumor and liver. Septa-like extensions apparently penetrate into nucleoli from the nucleolus-associated chromatin at low magnifications. The nucleolonemas appear to be composed of granules, fibers, and small vesicles. At higher magnifications these structures appear to be components of tubular structures.
Learning Coupling Terms for Obstacle Avoidance Submitted by Akshara

Autonomous manipulation in dynamic environments is important for robots to perform everyday tasks. For this, a manipulator should be capable of interpreting the environment and accordingly planning an appropriate movement. At least two possible approaches exist for this in literature. Most commonly, a planning system is used to generate a complex movement. This plan takes all the constraints in the environment into account and finds the globally optimal solution. Alternatively, a simple plan could be chosen and modified with sensory feedback to accommodate additional constraints. One way of doing this is to equip the controller with features that remain dormant most of the time, except when specific situations arise, e.g., invoking obstacle avoidance behaviour on detecting an obstacle in the surrounding. Dynamic Movement Primitives (DMPs) form a robust and versatile starting point for such a controller that can be modified online using a non-linear term, called the coupling term. This can prove to be a fast and reactive way of obstacle avoidance in a human-like fashion. We propose a method to learn this coupling term from human demonstrations using simple features as a starting point and making it more robust to avoid a larger range of obstacles. We also test the ability of our coupling term to model different kinds of obstacle avoidance behaviours in humans and use this learnt coupling term to avoid obstacles in a reactive manner. This line of research aims at pushing the boundary of reactive control strategies to more complex scenarios, such that complex and usually computationally more expensive planning methods can be avoided as much as possible.
An Efficient Energy Harvesting Based Scheduling Technique for Wireless Sensor Networks

The Wireless sensor networks have been deployed in an wide range of applications in environmental monitoring, target tracking, etc. The sensor networks have an major problem concerned with energy efficiency and lifetime of the network. The Energy consumed by the nodes should be less which prevents the earlier death of sensor nodes due to drained energy level. Several techniques have been used to overcome this problem. Energy neutral Clustering algorithm provides an efficient solution by maintaining a neutral state . When the energy in the sensor nodes reaches a particular state it stops it processing and goes to sleep state. The lifetime of the sensor nodes is also an important factor. When the sensor nodes deployed in environments, that are not easily accessed by humans and hence the replacement of battery becomes difficult. In order to overcome this problem, energy harvesting techniques are used. Energy harvesting technique allows the sensor nodes to harvest the energy from the energy harvesting devices present in the network. The neutral state can be maintained when the amount of energy consumed by a sensor should not be greater than the energy harvested by its energy harvesting device at a particular span of time. It increases the lifetime and the efficiency of the network, by overall enhancing the routing and the scheduling techniques in the network. Index terms Data Aggregation, , Energy Efficiency, Energy Harvesting, Energy Neutral Clustering algorithm, Neutral state. ——————————  ——————————
3-D Thin-Wire FDTD Approach for Resistively Loaded Cylindrical Antennas Fed by Coaxial Lines

For the efficient finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) analysis of electrically thin and resistively loaded cylindrical antennas, the 2-D cylindrical thin-wire approach with circular symmetry is extended to the 3-D Cartesian FDTD with non-cubic cells for asymmetric cases. The axial geometry of the antenna is represented as a set of piecewise-linear lumped resistors. And the near fields around the antenna and the coaxial feed aperture are approximated to the quasi-static fields with the cylindrical behavior. From the cylindrical-to-Cartesian coordinate transformation of the quasi-static fields and the contour-path integration along FDTD unit cells in the vicinity of the antenna and its feed, the 3-D Cartesian FDTD equations are derived. These equations may correspond to a full coarse-grid FDTD approach with the equivalent corrections. For some numerical examples, the proposed approach provides comparable accuracy to the reference data with fine-grid resolution. Effects of the cell size and the resistive loading profile are investigated numerically.
Modeling Post-level Sentiment Evolution in Online Forum Threads

Opinion propagation analysis in online forum threads is a relatively new research field emerging in the context of the increasing popularity of forums. Many changes occur over time in online forum threads since new users intervene in the discussion and express their opinions. In this paper, we propose a novel task in the analysis of opinion propagation in online forum threads, i.e. the modeling of post-level sentiment evolution in online forum threads. This task consists in the analysis of post-level sentiment evolution in an online forum thread in order to obtain a simplified model of this evolution. Based on opinion mining, graph theory, and post-level sentiment analysis, our method comprises five steps: removal of posts containing only facts, post-level sentiment identification, removal of posts with neutral sentiment, aggregation of parent-child vertices, and aggregation of sibling vertices. We evaluate the proposed method on real-world forum threads, and the results of our experiments are presented in the visualization interfaces.
Memory efficient and constant time 2D-recursive spatial averaging filter for embedded implementations

Spatial Averaging Filters (SAF) are extensively used in image processing for image smoothing and denoising. Their latest implementations have already achieved constant time computational complexity regardless of kernel size. However, all the existing O(1) algorithms require additional memory for temporary data storage. In order to minimize memory usage in embedded systems, we introduce a new two-dimensional recursive SAF. It uses previous resultant pixel values along both rows and columns to calculate the current one. It can achieve constant time computational complexity without using any additional memory usage. Experimental comparisons with previous SAF implementations shows that the proposed 2D-Recursive SAF does not require any additional memory while offering a computational time similar to the most efficient existing SAF algorithm. These features make it especially suitable for embedded systems with limited memory capacity.
Comparison of context-aware predictive modeling approaches: Semantic place in inferring mobile user behavior

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to empirically examine how to best incorporate such contextual data, such as location or the semantic place of mobile users, into mobile user behavior models. Acquiring such data has become technically easier than ever. The proper utilization of these data leads, hypothetically, to better understanding of mobile user behavior and, consequently, to enhanced mobile services. Design/methodology/approach – The paper systematically compares, under multiple experimental settings, the predictive performances of models built with three different approaches (pre-filtering, contextual modeling and post-filtering) used for incorporating contextual data into user behavior models. The comparisons focus on by which approach additional semantic place information can be best utilized for making the most accurate inferences on mobile user behavior. Real-life smartphone usage data are utilized in the analysis. Findings – The results demonstrate that none of the considered approaches unifo.
Assessing the Usability of Institutions Web Pages

The usability of the web pages is assessed using some statistical models. Researchers argue that many usability results and recommendations lack empirical and experimental data. Universities web pages are chosen as subjects for this work. Series of experiments have been conducted to investigate into the usability and design of the universities web pages. Prototype web pages have been developed according to the structured methodologies of web pages design and development. Four universities web pages were evaluated together with the prototype web pages using a questionnaire which was designed according to the Human Computer Interactions (HCI) concepts. The data collected was analyzed using correlation and regression models. The correlation analysis showed that there were significant positive and negative correlations between many items. The regression analysis revealed that the most significant factors (items) that contributed to the best model of the universities web pages design and usability were: multimedia in the web pages, the web pages icons (alone) organization and design, and graphics attractiveness. The results showed some of the limitations of some heuristics used in conventional interface system design and proposed some additional heuristics in web pages design and usability.
How Forces Fold the Cerebral Cortex

Improved understanding of the factors that govern folding of the cerebral cortex is desirable for many reasons. The existence of consistent patterns in folding within and between species suggests a fundamental role in brain function. Abnormal folding patterns found in individuals affected by a diverse array of neurodevelopmental disorders underline the clinical relevance of understanding the folding process. Recent experimental and computational efforts to elucidate the biomechanical forces involved in cerebral cortical folding have converged on a consistent approach. Brain growth is modeled with two components: an expanding outer zone, destined to become the cerebral cortex, is mechanically coupled to an inner zone, destined to become white matter, that grows at a slower rate, perhaps in response to stress induced by expansion from the outer layer. This framework is consistent with experimentally observed internal forces in developing brains, and with observations of the folding process in physical models. In addition, computational simulations based on this foundation can produce folding patterns that recapitulate the characteristics of folding patterns found in gyroencephalic brains. This perspective establishes the importance of mechanical forces in our current understanding of how brains fold, and identifies realistic ranges for specific parameters in biophysical models of developing brain tissue. However, further refinement of this approach is needed. An understanding of mechanical forces that arise during brain development and their cellular-level origins is necessary to interpret the consequences of abnormal brain folding and its role in functional deficits as well as neurodevelopmental disease. Dual Perspectives Companion Paper: How Cells Fold the Cerebral Cortex, by Víctor Borrell
The health of youth. A cross-national survey.

During 1993-94 the World Health Organizations Regional Office for Europe oversaw the fourth Health Behavior of School-Aged Children (HBSC) Study. Research teams in each participating country followed the same rigorous study protocol to conduct comprehensive surveys of more than 100000 children 11 13 and 15 years old living in Austria Belgium Canada Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greenland Hungary Israel Latvia Lithuania Northern Ireland Norway Poland Russia Scotland Slovakia Spain Sweden Switzerland and Wales. HBSC aims to increase understanding of health-related attitudes and behaviors of youth and the context in which they develop. The ultimate goal is improvement in the quality of health promotion programs and health education for youth. In every country tobacco and alcohol use increased with age. Most 15-year-olds had experimented with both substances. Exercise outside of school decreased with age. Boys exercised more often than girls. Girls were less likely to watch TV and to play computer games than boys. The diet of many youth in all countries did not conform to current nutritional advice. The older the youth the less likely they were to choose nutritious foods particularly for boys. Only in Sweden did most youth consider themselves very healthy. Youth in eastern Europe and the UK were most likely to not consider themselves to be very healthy. Headaches were common. Most youth with any ailment used medication to ease symptoms. Most students felt that they made friends easily had at least two close friends and found it easy to talk to their mother. Yet most students did not consider themselves to be very happy. Almost 30% had an injury requiring medical attention in the last year. Boys were more likely than girls to have injuries. Injuries tended to be sprains strains and broken or dislocated bones. Students satisfied with school had positive attitudes in many areas. Girls were more likely than boys to like school. Bullying behavior at school was common. These preliminary findings had several policy implications which are discussed in the report.
Evaluation of the Effect of Different Contaminants on the Shear Bond Strength of a Two-step Self-etch Adhesive System, One-step, Self-etch Adhesive System and a Total-etch Adhesive System

Background: Adhesive procedures have become an integral part of today’s restorative dental procedures. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of contaminants such as saliva, blood, and hemostatic agents on the shear bond strength of a self-etch adhesive system Clearfil SE Bond, one-step, self-etch adhesive system AdperTM Easy One and a total-etch adhesive system AdperTM Single Bond 2. Materials and Methods: A total of 111 extracted sound human molars were collected and divided into 5 groups for each of the 3 bonding agents. For each adhesive, specimens were divided as follows 5 teeth (control group), 8 teeth contaminated by saliva, 8 teeth contaminated by blood, 8 teeth where Viscostat was used, 8 teeth where Viscostatclear was used. For the control group of Groups I, II, and III adhesive application was done directly followed by composite build-up. Specimens in each group were tested in shear mode using a chisel-shaped rod in a universal testing machine at a cross head speed of 0.05 cm/min. The data for each group was subjected to one-way ANOVA followed by Studentized Newman– Keuls test to make comparisons among the groups. Results: The total-etch adhesive system AdperTM Single Bond 2 showed better bond strength when compared to the one-step self-etch adhesive system, Adper Easy One and self-etch two-step adhesive system, Clearfil SE when contaminants like saliva, blood, hemostatic agents are used. Conclusion: When bonding to contaminated surfaces the totaletch system, AdperTM Single Bond 2 showed better results when compared to the one-step self-etch adhesive system Adper Easy One and self-etch two-step adhesive system, Clearfil SE.
The NeurotroDhins BDNF, NT‐3 and NT‐4/5 Promote Survival and Morphological and Biochemical Differentiation of Striatal Neurons In Vitro

The neurotrophins, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3), neurotrophin 4/5 (NT‐4/5) and nerve growth factor (NGF), were compared for their effects on the survival and differentiation of embryonic rat striatal neurons grown in low‐density cultures. Treatment with BDNF for 8 days resulted in a 40% increase in overall neuronal survival, a 3‐ to 5‐fold increase in the number of calbindin‐immunoreactive neurons, and an 80% increase in GABA‐positive neurons. Treatment with NT‐3 or NT‐4/5 produced a 2‐ to 3‐fold increase in the number of calbindin‐positive neurons and an increase in GABA‐positive cell number similar to that induced by BDNF. BDNF treatment produced a striking morphological differentiation of striatal GABAergic neurons, which was characterized by a doubling of the number of neurite branch points, the total area of arborization and the perikaryal area compared to control cultures. All three of these factors increased high‐affinity GABA uptake 2‐fold. NGF had no effect on any of the parameters examined. Our results show that BDNF, NT‐3 and NT‐4/5 promote the survival and/or differentiation of calbindin‐immunopositive and GABAergic striatal neurons.
Mapping Vegetation-Covered Urban Surfaces Using Seeded Region Growing in Visible-NIR Air Photos

Unreliability involved in the extraction of shaded vegetation-covered surfaces (VS) is a common problem in urban vegetation mapping. Serving as a solution to it, a novel method named Nonlinear Fitting-based Seeded Region Growing (NFSRG) is explored. With NFSRG, a series of classified results are organized by a seeded-region-growing process. In order to adapt to the variable separability between VS and background, the growing is limited in several weighted buffers defined by some nonlinear fitting relationships. When searching new VS members (member means both pixel and patch) within such a buffer, a gradually reduced weight makes the buffer width continually narrowed as the separability worsens. To avoid unexpected entrances of water and smooth shaded background members, a during-growing constraint, named expansion rate, is proposed. Accuracy assessments reveal that more than 96% of VS members can be accurately extracted by the proposed method.
An Arbitrary Point Tracking using Multi-scale Refined Optical Flow

This paper describes an algorithm for an arbitrary point tracking using multi-scale refined optical flow. Spatio-temporal approach used for optical flow estimation has been often criticized because of their limitations in handling large motions. We propose a novel method how to adapt it in a multi-scale refined strategy in this paper. In order to calculate optical flow which is sensitive to small and big motion, multi-scale representation is used and when combining two methods, Lucas-Kanade's optical flow estimation and multi-scale representation, refined method is used to prevent estimation error from increasing as the pyramid level goes down from top level. In addition, an accuracy of estimation is enhanced using optical flow constraints and also it makes possible to track points which has no characteristics of edge or corner using surrounded optical flow information of the point in an image. The proposed algorithm is implemented and primary results are shown in this paper.
Clinical value of mitochondrial mutations in colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE Prognostic factors that could select high-risk recurrence colorectal cancer patients and predict chemosensitivity are needed. Since mutations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been described in different types of cancers and since they may play a role in response to anticancer agents, we investigated in a population-based series of colorectal cancer patients the clinical value of mtDNA mutations. PATIENTS AND METHODS The displacement loop (D-loop) region of mtDNA was sequenced on a series of 365 patients recorded in the Digestive Cancer Registry of Côte-d'Or (France) between 1998 and 2000. Clinicopathologic characteristics were correlated to the presence of a D-loop mutation. Survival rates were compared with the log-rank test. A multivariate survival analysis was performed. RESULTS D-loop mutations were found in 38.3% of the tumors. The 3-year survival rate was 53.5% in patients with D-loop mutation versus 62.1% in patients without (P = .05). After adjustment for age, stage, and microsatellite instability status, the relative risk of death in patients with D-loop mutation was 1.40 (95% CI, 1.02 to 1.93; P = .034) as compared with those without. In stage III colon cancers, adjuvant chemotherapy was beneficial only for patients without D-loop mutation (3-year survival, 78.3% v 45.4%, P < .02). In those with D-loop mutation who received adjuvant chemotherapy, the relative risk of death was 4.30 (95% CI, 1.23 to 15.00; P < .02). CONCLUSION The D-loop region is a hotspot for somatic mutations in colorectal tumors. Moreover, presence of tumor D-loop mutation appears to be a factor of poor prognosis in colorectal patients and a factor of resistance to fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy in stage III colon cancers.
Mortality and Cause of Death after Hospital Discharge in 10,981 Patients with Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the 1-year cumulative mortality rate and cause of death, and to identify the predictive factors for death after hospital discharge following ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) using data from the Japan Multicenter Stroke Investigators’ Collaboration study. Methods: We prospectively registered 16,922 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke or TIA from May 1999 to April 2000 in 156 Japanese hospitals. We mailed a questionnaire to the 15,322 patients who were alive at hospital discharge. Results: 10,981 patients (6,945 men, 4,036 women, age 70 ± 11 years, median 71, range 19–100 years) were enrolled in the follow-up study. The mean follow-up period was 271 ± 110 days (median 272 days; range 1–487 days). The 1-year cumulative mortality was 6.8% (7.0% for 10,234 stroke patients and 3.5% for 747 TIA patients). The causes of death were: cerebrovascular disease, 24.1%; pneumonia, 22.6%; heart disease, 18.1%; cancer, 11.0%, and miscellaneous causes, 24.1%. Multivariate analysis suggested that male gender, age, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, history of stroke, nonlacunar stroke, functional disability and transfer to another hospital or nursing home on discharge were significant independent predictors of death during the follow-up period. Conclusions: The major causes of death after hospital discharge were found to be cerebrovascular diseases, pneumonia and heart diseases. Thus, in order to improve survival after hospital discharge, in addition to appropriate management of vascular risk factors following stroke, it appears to be important to take measures to prevent pneumonia and to discharge patients to their own home, if possible.