Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Cost of Diabetes Care Programs for Type 2 Diabetes in Argentina: A Probabilistic Sensitivity Analysis

Introduction: Structured diabetes care programs in Argentina are scarce and do not inform about their cost using micro costing techniques. Aim: To estimate the incremental costs of a health care program for type 2 diabetes without complications implemented at sub-national level in Argentina during 2005. Methods: United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study and Latin American Diabetes Association guidelines were used to identify which resources should be part of a diabetes program to implement in two Argentinean provinces – Cordoba and Misiones – with high and low socioeconomic characteristics, respectively. A micro costing approach was used to estimate costs from the perspective of a public health payer, taking a province without diabetes program as a comparative scenario. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis following Monte Carlo simulation was used to determine the number of visits and practices, probability of insulin treatment, combination therapy for hypertension, annual number of test strips and unit cost of all resources used. Results: The main component of the annual incremental cost per patient in both provinces was self-monitoring blood glucose (~50%), followed by treatment of diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension. The lowest cost corresponded to human resources ( 90%). Discussion: This study provides original evidence for Argentina that could facilitate the development and further evaluation of diabetes programs and resource use optimization in the public health care subsector in other provinces/ countries with comparable socioeconomic and health care settings.
Phylogenetic Position of Psittacula Parakeet Bird from Enggano Island, Based on Analyses of Mitochondrial Cytochrome B Gene

Enggano Island of Indonesia has Psittacula parakeet bird; namely Psittacula longicauda modesta. Phylogenetically, the position of the bird has not been studied yet. The present study used DNA sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) gene to analyze phylogenetic relationships within Psittacula parakeet birds; especially to reveal the phylogenetic position of Psittacula longicauda modesta. Blood samples were collected from two Psittacula species; Psittacula alexandri from Jawa island, and Psittacula longicauda (Psittacula longicauda modesta from Enggano island and P. l. defontainei from Natuna island). Blood samples were taken from each bird and DNA was extracted from each blood sample. PCR was performed to amplify a single fragment of cyt b gene, by using a pair of nucleotide primer. The DNA targets were then be sequenced. Totally 868-bp of cyt b was used to calculate genetic divergence within and between Psittacula parakeet, and to construct phylogenetic trees. DNA sequence data from others Psittacula species were taken from GenBank. Columba livia, Accipiter, and Cacatua were used as outgroup species. The mean genetic divergence within Psittacula longicauda was 2.16% for P. l. modesta vs P. l. defontainei, 2.37% for P. l. modesta vs P. l. longicauda, and 1.51% for P. l. defontainei vs P. l. longicauda. The mean genetic divergences within Psittacula were 0.0512 ± 0.0051. Both Phylogenetic (NJ and ML) trees showed that P. l. defontainea (Natuna is.) and P. l. longicauda grouped together and to be sister group, while the position of Psittacula parakeet from Enggano island (P. l. modesta) was distant from and as a sister group of (P. l. defontainei and P. l. longicauda). P. longicauda and P. alexandri group together and appeared to be sister group.
Association of Evacuation Dimensions towards Risk Perception of the Malaysian students who studied at Jakarta, Medan, and Acheh in Indonesia

Disasters can strike anywhere at any time that may result in injuries or loss of life for those individuals who are ill-prepared for disaster situations. Evacuation is a vital part of disaster management. Successful evacuation requires involvement of the community by understanding evacuation orders, knowing evacuation routes and timely decision making to evacuate. This study was conducted to measure the relationship between evacuation dimensions (behavioral, organizational, physical hazard, response, social, and warning) and risk perception using questionnaires gathered from the Malaysian students who studied at Jakarta, Medan, and Acheh in Indonesia. The outcomes of SmartPLS path model showed six important findings: firstly, behavioral not significantly correlated with risk perception. Second, organizational significantly correlated with risk perception. Third, physical hazard significantly correlated with risk perception. Fourth, response significantly correlated with risk perception. Fifth, social significantly correlated with risk perception. Sixth, warning significantly correlated with risk perception. Statistically, this result confirms that the implementation of organizational, physical hazard, response, social, and warning have been important determinant of risk perception. Conversely, the implementation of behavioral had not enhanced the risk perception in the organizational sample. In addition, discussion, implications and conclusion are elaborated.
Impact of the Government Funding Reforms on the Research and Development at Malaysian Public Universities

The main objective of this study is to assess whether the reforms in funding for public universities have facilitated the prioritization of government objectives within the sector. This question is examined through the lens of agency theory, which examines the relationship between agent and principal to facilitate a reduction in goal conflict and/or information asymmetry. This theory is used to examine the government-university relationship on changes in Malaysian Federal Government funding through reductions in goal conflict and/or information asymmetry in Malaysian public universities. This paper presents the findings from the questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistic to answer the research question. The final section ends with presentation of summary and conclusion of the study with a review of overall key findings.
VARIABLE-FREQUENCY PRONY METHOD IN THE ANALYSIS OF ELECTRICAL POWER QUALITY

The article presents a new modification of the the least squares Prony method. The so-called variable-frequency Prony method can be a useful tool for estimating parameters of sinusoidal components, which, in the analyzed signal , are characterized by time-dependent frequencies. The authors propose use of the presented method for testing the quality of electric energy. It allows observation of phenomena which, when using traditional methods, are averaged in the analysis window. The pr oposed modification of least squares Prony method is based on introd uction and specific selection of a frequency matrix. This matrix represents frequencies of estimated components and their variability in time.
Clear bole lengths and crown characteristics of line-planted and naturally-regenerated Shorea leprosula trees: a case study from Kalimantan, Indonesia.

HARDIANSYAH G, RUSLANDI, HIDAYAT D, NUGRAHA A, MAHARDI M & PUTZ FE . 2015. Clear bole lengths and crown characteristics of line-planted and naturally-regenerated Shorea leprosula trees: a case study from Kalimantan, Indonesia. Shorea leprosula seedlings planted at 5-m intervals along 3-m wide cleared lines at 20-m intervals through twice-logged forests in Kalimantan grew rapidly in dbh (diameter at 1.3 m) but at age 14–15 years, had branch-free stems that averaged 11% shorter than those of naturally-regenerated trees of the same dbh (20–40 cm). There was no relationship between clear bole length and terrain slope or current crown exposure. If low branches continue to be maintained until the harvest (planned at 25 years), commercial timber yields will be lower than predicted from allometrical relationships calculated using data from naturally-regenerated trees. Even if low branches on the planted trees are shed before harvest, log values will be reduced due to the presence of large knots. Pruning and manipulation of light exposure are possible ways to avoid long-term branch retention.
An Integrated Approach to Studying Multiplexity in Entrepreneurial Networks

Abstract Multiplexity occurs in entrepreneurial networks when flows interact within and across relationships. It defines how these networks function and evolve and cannot be examined by studying network structure or flows separately. Despite the growing recognition of the importance of multiplexity, related research has remained limited and lacks an integrated approach to simultaneously examine structure and flows, thus restricting our understanding of entrepreneurial networks. We propose an integrated approach for conducting inductive studies into multiplexity, involving an adaptation of the “business networks” conceptual model, the configuration theory perspective, and the Q-analysis method.
Wavelet Analytical Study of Solar Wind Proton Density

The solar wind is plasma, i.e., an ionized gas that fills the solar system. It results from the supersonic expansion of the solar corona. The solar wind consists primarily of electrons and protons with a smattering of alpha particles and other ionic species at low abundance levels. The structure of the heliosphere is strongly affected by the protons produced by the photo-ionization of the interstellar neutral hydrogen and by the charge exchange of the hydrogen atoms. The wavelet is a new analytical tool for turbulent or chaotic data to the physics community. It allows detection and characterization of short-lived structures in turbulence. Proton density fluctuations are studied using discrete wavelet transforms.
Microsite Occupancy and the Spatial Structure of Understorey Regeneration in Three Late-Successional Norway Spruce Forests in Northern Europe

We compared microsite occupancy and three spatial structure of regeneration in three primeval late-successional Norway spruce dominated forests. One area lay in the middle boreal zone in Russia (Dvina-Pinega) where larger-scale disturbance from bark beetles and drought had occurred; the other areas lay in the northern boreal zone, one in Finland (Pallas-Yllas) had encountered only small-scale disturbance, and one in Russia (Kazkim) had been influenced by fire. We mapped all spruce (Picea abies) and birch (Betula pendula and Betula pubescens) trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 10 cm on 40 m × 400 m plots, and those with DBH < 10 cm on 2 m or 4 m × 400 m subplots. On the subplots we also recorded microsite occupancy and estimated microsite availability. At all study areas small seedlings (h < 0.3 m) of both spruce and birch were found largely on disturbance-related microsites. Birch saplings (h ≥ 1.3 m, DBH < 10 cm) disproportionately occupied deadwood-related microsites at Dvina-Pinega. In contrast, spruce saplings at all study areas, and birch saplings at Kazkim and Pallas-Yllas, showed less, or no, preference. Our results thus confirm the importance of disturbance-related microsites for regeneration establishment, but not necessarily for longterm survival. No spatial segregation between the overstorey (DBH ≥ 10 cm) and saplings (h ≥ 1.3 m, DBH < 10 cm) or seedlings (h < 1.3 m) was found at Pallas-Yllas or Kazkim, and only three instances of very weak segregation were found at Dvina-Pinega. This suggests that the regeneration gap concept may not be useful for describing the regeneration dynamics of primeval boreal forests.
A multiagent approach to evaluate labor policies

In this paper, we introduce the WorkSim model, a novel agent-based framework to study labor markets. The first objective of the model is to reproduce the gross flows between the important states: employment (distinguishing fixed term contracts and open ended contracts), unemployment and inactivity, and the ratios of individuals in these states. The novelty of the model is that it simulates the flows on the basis of the rational decisions of individual heterogeneous agents. Once the model is calibrated, the second objective is to characterize the nature of the labor market under study. This is done, first by examining the patterns of flows and stocks at the aggregate level and at the levels of different categories of labor, and second by sensitivity experiments, modifying some exogenous parameters and variables such as the demand for the good. Finally the model once calibrated is a tool for experimenting labor market policies, including changes in the labor law in France.
Searching for Rotational and Activity Signals in M Dwarf Stars

We search for signals coming from M dwarf stars through variations caused by stellar surface activity. The aims of this work are to find the stellar rotation period of M dwarf stars and check them against known planetary signals. We used photometric ASAS data for 36 M dwarf stars with literature rotation periods. We used our own noise filtering code and the Systemic Console program to identify the significant signals. In addition, we investigate the correlation between the M dwarf rotation and chromospheric emission, represented by Hα and CaII H&K lines. This research has provided valuable information regarding how to identify correct stellar rotation periods. We show a good agreement between our photometric rotation periods and corresponding photometric periods in the literature. On the other hand we only find agreement for 8 out of 20 targets where a spectroscopic rotation periods is in the literature. We confirm that several planetary signals of candidate planets reported in the literature are very different to the stellar rotation periods of host stars. For early M dwarfs with periods of less than 40 days we find a relationship between the level of activity as measured by Hα and CaII H&K lines and the photometric rotation period.
Radiocontrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Following Coronary Angiography and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Despite the remarkable technological advances in coronary angiography (CA)/percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease, the contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is always an important cause of hospital-acquired AKI. Most local CI-AKI studies in Vietnam had small sample sizes and short-term follow-up of only 24-48 hours following CA or PCI intervention, resulting in controversial conclusions. We conducted a study of the incidence of CI-AKI during a longer follow-up time period and associated risk factors among adult patients undergoing CA/ PCI at Nguyen Tri Phuong University Public Hospital and Tam Duc Private Cardiology Center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam between January 2014 and March 2015. All 320 patients with CA/PCI at the two hospitals were enrolled in a retrospective cohort study. Information on demographic data, treatment, and laboratory test results was collected from the patients’ records. The total cumulative incidence of CI-AKI at 24, 48, 72 and ≥72 hours following CA/PCI was 6.7%, 12%, 14% and 16.9% respectively. Prognostic factors for CI-AKI included an increase by 1 ml/min/1,73m² in clearance creatinine before the intervention (P = 0.006, Hazard Ratio (HR) = 0.970, 95%CI 0.949 – 0.991) and an increase by 1% in ejection fraction (P = 0.023, HR = 0.984, 95%CI 0.970 – 0.998). Delayed CI-AKI was not rare after CA/PCI intervention. Therefore, it is pivotal to monitor serum creatinine in a longer time after the intervention to timely detect CI-AKI. Also, information on risk factors such as emergency interventions, chronic kidney disease, and ejection fraction < 45% could assist in predicting CI-AKI development.
Evolution of BL Lacertae host galaxies

We present and discuss deep, high-resolution I -band images of 24 BL Lac objects between $z = 0.3$ and 1.3 taken with the Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT) and the ESO-NTT and VLT telescopes. In addition, new redshifts for the BL Lac objects PKS 0406+121, PKS 0426–380 and PKS 1519–273 are reported. In 17/24 (71%) of the BL Lac objects, we detected an underlying nebulosity, in 11/17 for the first time. We assigned the underlying nebulosity to the BL Lac host galaxy in 11 cases spanning the redshift range $z = 0.3{-}1$. The remaining 6 BL Lac objects have either intervening galaxies (S4 0218+35, PKS 0426–380), no redshift (MH 2133–449) or are probably misidentified (Q 0230+3429, B2 0937+26, MS 2347.4+1924). Restricting ourselves to the 11 BL Lac objects ($\langle z \rangle $ $= 0.6$), where a core and host galaxy was detected, we find that their host galaxies are luminous ($M_I = -25.2\pm 0.8$) and large ($r_{\rm e} = 10.5\pm 7$ kpc). They are on average about 0.6 mag brighter than BL Lac host galaxies at $z \sim 0.3$ indicative of evolution, whereas their half-light radii are similar. By combining our data with literature data at low-redshift and applying evolutionary models to them, we show that the properties of the host galaxies of BL Lac objects up to $z \sim 1$ are compatible with passively evolving elliptical galaxies formed at a redshift of $z \sim 2$ (13 Gyrs ago in our adopted cosmology). Our results, however, are affected by an unavoidable luminosity bias and need to be confirmed. Future prospects are described. If they could be confirmed, host galaxies of low-luminosity radio-loud AGN (BL Lac/FR I) have very similar properties to the hosts of radio-quiet QSOs and high-luminosity radio-loud AGN (radio-loud QSO/FR II) over a wide redshift range. This supports the picture of the “Grand Unification” in which AGN activity is a transient phenomenon in galaxy evolution.
Comprehensive approach for building outline extraction from LiDAR data with accent to a sparse laser scanning point cloud

The method of building outline extraction based on segmentation of airborne laser scanning data is proposed and tested on a dataset comprising 1,400 buildings typical for residential and industrial urban areas. The algorithm starts with setting a special threshold to separate building from bare earth points and low objects. Next, local planes are fitted to each point using RANSAC and further refined by least squares adjustment. A normal vector is assigned to each point. Similarities among normal vectors are evaluated in order to assemble planar or curved roof segments. Finally, building outlines are formed from detected segments using the a-shapes algorithm and further regularized. The extracted outlines were compared with reference polygons manually derived from the processed laser scanning point cloud and orthoimages. Area-based evaluation of accuracy of the proposed method revealed completeness and correctness of 87 % and 97 %, respectively, for the test dataset. The influence of parameters like number of points per roof segment, complexity of the roof structure, roof type, and overlap with vegetation on accuracy was evaluated and discussed.
Count Regression Models with an Application to Zoological Data Containing Structural Zeros

Recently, count regression models have been used to model over- dispersed and zero-inflated count response variable that is affected by one or more covariates. Generalized Poisson (GP) and negative binomial (NB) regression models have been suggested to deal with over-dispersion. Zero- inflated count regression models such as the zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP), zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) and zero-inflated generalized Pois- son (ZIGP) regression models have been used to handle count data with many zeros. The aim of this study is to model the number of C. caretta hatchlings dying from exposure to the sun. We present an evaluation frame- work to the suitability of applying the Poisson, NB, GP, ZIP and ZIGP to zoological data set where the count data may exhibit evidence of many zeros and over-dispersion. Estimation of the model parameters using the method of maximum likelihood (ML) is provided. Based on the score test and the goodness of fit measure for zoological data, the GP regression model performs better than other count regression models.
Effect of the aminopeptidase from Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 948 on synthetic bitter peptides, bitter hydrolysate of UHT milk proteins and on the ripening of Italian Caciotta type cheese

Effet de l'aminopeptidase de Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 948 sur les peptides amers synthetiques, les hydrolysats de proteines du lait UHT et sur l'affinage du fromage italien de type caciotta. On a etudie l'activite de l'aminopeptidase purifiee de Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 948 sur les peptides amers synthetiques, les hydrolysats amers des proteines du lait UHT et sur l'affinage du fromage italien de type caciotta. L'aminopeptidase a presque totalement hydrolyse le pentapeptide amer H-Leu-Trp-Met-Arg-Phe-OH et libere Val du tetrapeptide amer H-Val-Pro-Leu-Leu-OH. Aucun clivage de la liaison Pro n'a ete observe. Dans le lait UHT, dans lequel l'hydrolyse des proteines a ete provoquee par addition d'une proteinase, l'aminopeptidase a produit une concentration d'acides amines libres environ 8 fois plus elevee que celles determinees sur le lait UHT non hydrolyse et non amer (211,3 contre 25,3 μg/ml respectivement). Glu, Leu, Met, Trp et Val ont ete les plus abondants. L'enzyme a presente 44% de son activite maximale a la temperature de conservation du lait UHT (20°C). L'aminopeptidase a ete stable pendant l'affinage de la caciotta : aucune activite n'a ete perdue pendant 2 mois. Au terme de 45 jours d'affinage, le fromage contenant l'aminopeptidase presentait un niveau d'acides amines plus eleve (990,2 μg/ml) que le controle non traite (591,1 μg/ml). Le profil des acides amines du fromage traite refletait l'activite de l'aminopeptidase. L'hydrolyse specifique des liaisons peptidiques impliquant des acides amines (Leu, Trp et Val) habituellement identifies comme etant les principaux composants des peptides amers indique probablement une activite d'elimination de l'amertume de cette aminopeptidase.
Predicting Competitive Response to a Major Policy Change: Combining Game-Theoretic and Empirical Analyses

This research uses Procter & Gamble's value pricing initiative as a context for testing whether actual competitor and retailer response to a major policy change can be predicted using a game-theoretic model. We first estimate demand functions for P&G and competitor brands from the period before value pricing was initiated. We then formulate a dynamic manufacturer-retailer Stackelberg model that includes P&G, a national-brand competitor, and a retailer. The model takes P&G's move as given and prescribes the price and promotion response of the competitors and the retailer. We substitute the estimated demand parameters into the model to obtain prescriptions for each competitor and the retailer, and see whether these prescriptions are related to the actual response. We find that the dynamic game-theoretic model calibrated with empirical estimates of demand parameters has significant predictive power. We also test the predictive power of two benchmark models. The first is based on the reaction function approach of Leeflang and Wittink Leeflang, Peter S. H. , Wittink, Dick R. 1992. Diagnosing competitive reactions using aggregated scanner data. Internat. J. Res. Marketing9 39-57. , and the second is a simplification of our dynamic model where the retailer is not strategic. The dynamic game-theoretic model performs better than either benchmark.