Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
School Functioning Activity of Bengali Thalassemic Children Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital of Eastern India

Introduction: The study was conducted to assess the school activity of thalassemic children and to reveal the relationship between school activity with the socio-demographic factors as well as clinico-therapeutic profile. Methods: A total of 365 admitted thalassemic patients of Burdwan Medical College (ages 5 to 12 years) were participated in this cross sectional descriptive study conducted on from July 2011 to June 2012. Their parents were interviewed using school functioning domain of Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scale. Independent t test or Mann-Whitney U test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) or Kruskal-Wallis test were applied to observe the difference between mean values in accordance to their applicability. Statistically significant factors in bivariate analysis were considered for binary logistic regression. Results: Mean score of school activity was 49.42 ± 15.30 out of 100. 49.3% thalassemic children had fair (50-74.9) school functioning score. Twenty percent of the children were presently not going to school, 11.8% never went to school and the remaining 8.2% were dropped out. Binary logistic regressions revealed that school activity worsened 4 times with the increase in frequency of blood transfusion single time per year. Patients belonging to joint family and family with no positive history of such disease, had 3.4 and 3.9 times worse school activity than nuclear family and family with positive child history respectively. Male children had 2 times more poor school activity than female. Conclusion: School functioning activity of Bengali thalassemic children is generally poor, but counselling of parents and families can improve the situation.
A possible alternate pathway for intravascular thrombosis - Investigation of the circumstantial evidence by microfluidics

In light of the literature, in this hypothesis, we aimed to settle up an experimental procedure and possible mechanism for bacteremia induced disseminated intravascular coagulation via QA. Bacteremia resulting in sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) are known for thrombosis and coagulopathy. DIC, which results in simultaneous activation and consumption of coagulation factors, could be investigated using microfluidics as a tool. Here, we propose the hypothesis that bacteria (e.g. E.coli) mediated DIC results from a collective phenomenon called “quorum acting” (QA). If our hypothesis is true, than the coagulation cascade will be activated before systemic inflammation. To check for QA we propose to perform a hemodynamic experiment where blood is controllably flown over E.coli clusters in a microfluidic device. Further, manipulation of the physical properties (flow rate mimicking condition like venous stasis) and chemical properties (hyperglycaemia as in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus) of blood could be done using microfluidic dev i ce to mimic their etiopathogenesis and to validate our proposed mechanism that quorum acting mediated DIC occurs rapidly in venous stasis and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus respectively.
Complete larval development of the crab Ilia nucleus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Leucosiidae) reared under laboratory conditions

The complete larval development of the crab Ilia nucleus (Linnaeus, 1758) reared under laboratory conditions was obtained. The four zoeal stages and the megalopa are described and illustrated in detail. The larval features observed in I. nucleus fit into the characteristics of the family proposed by Rice (1980) for the zoeal stages and by Quintana (1986) for the megalopa. The morphological characters of larval stages of I. nucleus are compared with previous descriptions, and with those of other known larvae of Leucosiidae (only for subfamilies Ebaliinae and Leucosiinae). The present work supports the hypothesis that the subfamily Ebaliinae is a heterogeneous group. For the correct identification of a zoeal stage of a leucosiid crab, besides counting the number of setae on maxilliped exopods, the antennule as well as the pereiopods development should be used as additional characters.
Observer Variability in Measuring Animal Biometrics and Fluctuating Asymmetry when using Digital Analysis of Photographs

Ecological research using biometric data is only sound if biometrics themselves are accurate and not confounded by measurement error. Given concerns about the accuracy of biometrics taken directly (physical measurement of animals), digital measurement of photographs is often advocated, particularly for small or live specimens. However, there is currently limited understanding of intra- and inter-observer variability of such measurements (i.e. variability of multiple measurements of the same specimen by the same observer, and variability of multiple measurements of the same specimen by different observers, respectively). We took biometrics (two linear, two curvilinear, two angular) from moth photographs using standard image software and calculated two fluctuating asymmetry measures. Inter-observer variability was always higher than intra-observer variability. Measurement error was low for linear/curvilinear measurements (< ∼4%), but high for angular variables (52%) and asymmetry measures (45%). Measurement precision correlated positively with trait size. Variability caused significant differences in mean measurements inter-specifically for half the biometrics; there were no significant intra-specific differences. We discuss the implications of our findings for research using photographically-derived biometrics and offer recommendations for reducing measurement error.
The autoparametric 3:2 resonance in conservative systems

In the resonance model, high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) are supposed to be a consequence of nonlinear resonance between modes of oscillations occurring within the innermost parts of an accretion disk. Several models with a prescribed mode–mode interaction were proposed in order to explain the characteristic properties of the resonance in QPO sources. In this paper, we examine nonlinear oscillations of a system having a quadratic nonlinearity and we show that this case is particularly relevant for QPOs. We present a very convenient way how to study autoparametric resonances of a fully general system using the method of multiple scales. We concentrate to conservative systems and discuss their behavior near the 3:2 parametric resonance. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of feeding whole or ground wheat grain on the weight of the gizzard and pH of digesta in broiler chickens

In an experiment carried out on 384 broiler chickens, the following parameters were compared: weight of the gizzard, pH of the digesta in the gizzard and in the small intestine, as well as the extent of digesta disintegration in this part of the digestive tract. The birds were fed diets containing either whole or ground wheat grain. In addition, the effect of an enzymatic preparation containing xylanase on the examined parameters was determined. It was found that whole grain fed to broiler chickens increased the weight of the gizzard, decreased the pH of the digesta in the gizzard and increased the pH in the small intestine. The physical form of the wheat grain was not found to influence the degree of digesta disintegration in the small intestine.
Arsenic Occurrence and Fate in the Environment; A Geochemical Perspective

The arsenic minerals in the environment constitute the primary source of the environmentally occurring arsenic. The As minerals interact with the environment and this renders either their dissolution or the formation of secondary minerals, or both. The distribution of the environmental arsenic is determined by the biogeochemical transformations with respect to the redox conditions, the pH, the availability of ions, the adsorption-desorption, dissolution and the biological activity. The arsenic in the environment is sorbed primarily by metal oxides, especially the ones of iron (Fe), aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn). These are thought to bind As(+5) readily than As(+3). The overall adsorption depends greatly on pH. Metal oxides such as the ones of hydrous ferric, manganese and aluminum are additional important sinks of arsenic that is adsorbed or co-precipitated. Their dissolution depends also on pH. The redox potential and the microbial activity. Final result is the release of arsenic chemical species into the environment. This review presents a systematic compilation of the major geochemical processes that govern arsenic fate in the environment. The paper attempts to compile the removal capacity of constituents which could be useful for the purpose of As remediation.
Prioritising, downplaying and self-preservation: Processes significant to coping in advanced cancer patients

To date there has been little research that describes the relation between the individual and their environment as the foundation for the coping process in advanced cancer patients. The aim of the study was to identify and describe, from a patient perspective, processes that are significant to coping with advanced cancer. We used the method Grounded Theory as described by Strauss and Corbin. Data were generated through qualitative interviews. A total of 18 interviews were conducted. The central theme was “The struggle to be a participant in one’s own life”. This theme involved three processes: prioritising, downplaying and self-preservation, each of which in different ways endeavours to either maintain or re-establish the feeling of being a participant. The awareness of the processes complement existing knowledge about coping in advanced cancer patients, by showing how patients make use of meaning-based coping efforts to increase their experience of being a participant in their own lives.
Art therapy and political violence : with art, without illusion

Debra Kalmanowitz, Bobby Lloyd, With Art, Without Illusion: Art Therapy and Political Violence. Anna Kalin, Julie Murphy, 'The Moment In and Out of Time': Reflections on Context and Timing in Art Therapy Interventions in Kosovo. Miriam Nabarro, Feast of Colour: Creating Something Out of Very Little: Art Making as Psycho-social Intervention with Children of a Forgotten War, Sudan. Siobhan McElroy, A Soldier's Story: Art Therapy Intervention in Sri Lanka. Tamar Hazut, From Dark Black to Bright Pink: The Power of Art Expression and Creation in Coping with Life Under Threat, Israel 2001-2002. Imelda McGeehan, Creativity from Chaos: An Art Therapist's Account of Art Work Produced in the Aftermath of a Bombing in her Community, Omagh, Northern Ireland. Stephanie Wise, A Time for Healing: Art Therapy for Children, Post-September 11, New York. Rajia Abusway, Rana Nashashibi, Remal Salah, Reema Shweiki, Expressive Arts Therapy: Healing the Traumatised: The Palestinian Experience. Hayley Berman, Transforming Objects in a Transforming South Africa. Debra Kalmanowitz, Bobby Lloyd, Portable Studio: Towards Relocating Home in the Mind, Former Yugoslavia. Diana Brandeburger, Silence in Exile: A Case Study of an Adolescent Asylum Seeker in London. Geertuida Helena Wertheim-Cahen, Art Therapy and Trauma, a Different Context, a Different Approach: Interventions in the Netherlands and Former Yugoslavia.
Breeding behavior and pup development of the Caspian seal, Pusa caspica

The Caspian seal, Pusa caspica, is an ice-breeding phocid endemic to the Caspian Sea. The breeding behavior of this species is poorly documented. Here, we report behavioral observations of 518 mother–pup pairs (MPs) and 210 lone pups (LPs), made from the bridge of icebreakers traversing seal breeding grounds while servicing oil installations in the northeastern Caspian Sea, during 34 trips from late January to early March, 2006–2012. The breeding habitat of Caspian seals is land-fast or drift ice, usually at least 20 cm thick, overlying water 3–5 m deep. Pregnant females formed pairs or small groups. They were not observed to use lairs, but preferentially pupped beside ice ridges or ice-slab piles that afforded shelter to pups. In years when there were few natural leads into the ice-field, females often gave birth on the edge of artificial leads formed by shipping channels. Pups were categorized into stages from 1) newborn, 2) white-coat, 3) molting, and 4) molted, with stage 3 and 4 pups appearing from mid- to late February. The nursing period lasted at least 3 weeks and neighboring MPs appeared to be mutually tolerant. Mothers left their pups alone or at nursery sites, presumably to forage. Most white-coat pups moved over the ice while avoiding water in response to disturbance from vessels. MPs maintained contact while moving across the ice by a combination of the pup's following response and diligent chaperoning by the mother. During disturbances, some LPs sought refuge in shelters under ice slabs, whereas others followed a neighboring MP away from the vessel. Male–female pairing occurred in late season with no male–male competition observed on the ice. While breeding and pup-rearing behavior of Caspian seals has some features in common with that of other Holarctic seals, it is largely distinct and adapted to the unique conditions of the Caspian environment, in particular the paucity of snow cover on the ice.
Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists’ Perception of Simulation as a Positive Reinforcement to Classroom Lecture in Handling a Difficult Airway

ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . iv DEDICATION . v LIST OF TABLES . x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . xi CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION . 1 Background . 1 Significance and Needs Assessment . 2 Clinical Question . 3 Problem Statement . 3 Purpose and Theoretical Background . 3 Doctorate of Nursing Practice Essentials . 5 Essential I: Scientific Underpinnings for Practice . 5 Essential II: Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking. 5 Essential III: Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice . 5 Essential IV: Information Systems/Technology and Patient Care Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Health Care . 6
Using Coefficient to Distinguish Ambient/Focal Visual Attention During Cartographic Tasks

We demonstrate the use of the ambient/focal coefficient Κ for studying the dynamics of visual behavior when performing cartographic tasks. Participants viewed a cartographic map and satellite image of Barcelona while performing a number of map-related tasks. Cartographic maps can be viewed as summary representations of reality, while satellite images are typically more veridical, and contain considerably more information. Our analysis of traditional eye movement metrics suggests that the satellite representation facilitates longer fixation durations, requiring greater scrutiny of the map. The cartographic map affords greater peripheral scanning, as evidenced by larger saccade amplitudes. Evaluation of Κ elucidates task dependence of ambient/focal attention dynamics when working with geographic visualizations: localization progresses from ambient to focal attention; route planning fluctuates in an ambient-focalambient pattern characteristic of the three stages of route end point localization, route following, and route confirmation.
Evolution of snow slope stability during storms 1 This preprint was prepared with AGU's latex macros

The evolution of snow slope stability during storms is investigated using simple models to calculate the shear strength of Ž . Ž . a buried layer from its density and the imposed shear stress from the weight of the overburden . There is a competition between the rate of loading from new snowfall and the rate of strengthening of buried layers. In theory, unstable conditions Ž . Ž will occur when the stability index S t the ratio of the shear strength of a buried weak layer at depth z to the shear stress z . Ž . Ž imposed by the overburden approaches 1.0. A related index of practical interest is the expected time to failure t t the f Ž . time when S t will become critical if the current conditions continue . The model is tested using measurements and z observations of avalanche activity during three storm cycles at Snoqualmie Pass in the Washington Cascades. In two cases, Ž . the avalanche activity was high while in the other, few avalanches released. t t proved to be a better discriminator between f Ž . stable and unstable conditions than S t . This is because it contains information about both the magnitude and the present z Ž . Ž . trend of S t . Even if S t is close to critical, if it is not decreasing then slopes will remain stable. Results indicate the z z model may prove useful for forecasting avalanches during storms. The model is suitable for operational use because the Ž . required input hourly measurements of precipitation, air temperature and new snow density is routinely measured at many study sites. q 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Thermal comfort properties of single jersey fabrics made from recycled polyester and cotton blended yarns

Thermal comfort properties of single jersey fabrics made from recycled polyester and cotton blended yarns have been studied. Single jerseys knitted fabrics are prepared with different recycled polyester blend ratios, linear density and loop lengths. Box and Behnken, a three level three variable factorial design technique has been used to study the interaction effects of the variables on the characteristics of fabrics. The influence of these variables on thermal comfort properties of fabrics is studied, their response surface equations are derived and design variables are optimized. Fabric becomes thinner, lighter and more porous with the increase in recycled polyester in blend ratio and loop length, whereas thicker, heavier and less porous fabric is resulted with the increase in linear density. Similarly, the increase of linear density results in thicker, heavier and less porous fabric with higher thermal conductivity, lesser air permeability and thermal resistance and high relative water-vapor permeability at medium linear densities. Loose structure results in thinner, lighter and more porous fabric with higher thermal resistance, air permeability and relative water-vapor permeability, and lesser thermal conductivity.
Effects of audit quality on earnings quality and cost of equity capital: evidence from India

In this paper, using a large sample covering the 10 years from 1998 to 2009, we examine the role of audit quality in earnings quality (discretionary accruals and income smoothing) and cost of equity capital of Indian firms. We find evidence that firms employing high quality auditors experience higher earnings quality and lower cost of equity capital. We find that firms belonging to business groups have higher earnings quality and lower cost of equity capital than their non-business group counterparts. The results do not change after utilising alternative proxies for audit quality, earnings quality and cost of equity. Our findings contribute significantly to the literature on the role of audit quality as an effective monitoring mechanism as reflected in firm level earnings quality and cost of equity capital of listed firms in India which has distinct institutional features in relation to ownership structures and operations.
Low YM, Srinil N. VIV fatigue reliability analysis of marine risers with uncertainties in the wake oscillator model. Engineering Structures 2016, 106, 96-108

Uncertainties are rife in the fatigue life prediction of marine risers subjected to vortex-induced vibration (VIV). Industry deals with this issue by imposing large factors of safety that may not be properly justified, resulting in over-conservative riser designs in general. One important source of uncertainty arises from the VIV prediction models. This paper focusses on identifying the uncertainties of a wake oscillator model which approximates the fluctuating hydrodynamic force coupled with the riser equation of motion for nonlinear fluid-structure interaction analysis. This van der Pol-type oscillator relies on two wake coefficients which are described deterministically by empirical equations obtained via curve-fitting. However, the underlying data exhibit wide scatter; thus, it is proposed to model the two key coefficients as random variables. Based on experimental data, the joint probability density function of the variables is approximated. A new fast reliability approach is proposed for the VIV fatigue reliability analysis, while Monte Carlo simulations are performed for comparisons. Case studies of a vertical riser in a uniform flow show that the proposed method compares favorably with Monte Carlo in terms of predicting the failure probability as well as safety factors conforming to prescribed reliability levels. Moreover, this study reveals that the randomness of wake coefficients leads to large variability in the riser fatigue damage. The correlation between the coefficients should be properly incorporated as it affects the fatigue reliability of risers experiencing VIV.
Market Reaction to Financial Statement Restatement: A Study on the Information and Insurance Role of Auditors

Although researches have extensively studied the relationship between audit quality and financial reporting, little has been said about the consequences to auditors of financial reporting failure in terms of impairment of the audit information role. Based in Taiwanâ€™s unique setting, we documents the information role of audit by examining the market reaction to the annual reports of the other clients of auditors associated with restatements. We find that market reaction to clients audited by auditors associated with restatements is significantly more negative than that of clients audited by auditors not associated with restatements, especially for Big-Four auditors. While the results of non-restatement-related group complies with the literature that suggested significantly more positive market reactions for Big-Four clients, abnormal returns are more negative for Big-Four clients of restatement-related auditors. We conclude that an additional penalty for reports audited by Big-Four auditors associated with restatements impairs the perception of their information role.
Trend Inflation and Exchange Rate Dynamics: A New Keynesian Approach

The paper studies exchange rate implications of trend inflation within a two-country New Keynesian (NK) model under incomplete international financial markets. A NK Phillips curve generalized by trend inflation with a positive long-run mean implies an expectational difference equation of inflation with higher-order leads of expected inflation. The resulting two-country inflation differential is smoother, more persistent, and more insensitive to a real exchange rate. General equilibrium then yields (i) a persistent real exchange rate with an autoregressive root close to one, (ii) a hump-shaped impulse response of a real exchange rate with a half-life longer than four years, (iii) a volatile real exchange rate relative to cross-country inflation differential, (iv) an almost perfect co-movement between real and nominal exchange rates and (v) a sharp rise in the volatility of a real exchange rate from a managed nominal exchange rate regime to a flexible one within an otherwise standard two-country NK model. Trend inflation, therefore, approaches empirical puzzles of exchange rates dynamics.