Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
‘A second chance at learning but it’s not quite higher education’: experience of a foundation degree

This paper reports on the findings of a recent small scale study into the experiences of mature students of a foundation degree (FD) in health and social care. This was an exploratory study that evaluated one particular FD health and social care programme in order to gain an insight into some of the issues involved in delivering higher education through further education settings, and how mature students ‘make sense’ of themselves as learners on FD programmes. This paper examines the responses of the student interviews which depict them as making sense of themselves as ‘second chance learners’ on an educational programme that is ‘not quite higher education’. Discussion of these themes in terms of Bourdieu’s notions of habitus, field and capital will be offered alongside Weick’s model of sensemaking.
Premature Infant Pain Profile: development and initial validation.

OBJECTIVE Inadequate assessment of pain in premature infants is a persistent clinical problem. The objective of this research was to develop and validate a measure for assessing pain in premature infants that could be used by both clinicians and researchers. DESIGN The Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) was developed and validated using a prospective and retrospective design. Indicators of pain were identified from clinical experts and the literature. Indicators were retrospectively tested using four existing data sets. PATIENTS AND SETTINGS Infants of varying gestational ages undergoing different painful procedures from three different settings were utilized to develop and validate the measure. METHODS AND RESULTS The largest data set (n = 124) was used to develop the PIPP. The development process included determining the factor structure of the data, developing indicators and indicator scales and establishing internal consistency. The remaining three data sets were utilized to establish beginning construct validity. CONCLUSIONS The PIPP is a newly developed pain assessment measure for premature infants with beginning content and construct validity. The practicality and feasibility for using the PIPP in clinical practice will be determined in prospective research in the clinical setting.
Clinicopathologic Features of Synchronous Colorectal Carcinoma: A Distinct Subset Arising From Multiple Sessile Serrated Adenomas and Associated With High Levels of Microsatellite Instability and Favorable Prognosis

Analysis of synchronous colorectal carcinomas can provide a unique model to examine the underlying molecular alterations in colorectal carcinoma, as synchronous tumors arise in a background of common genetic and environmental factors. We analyzed the clinicopathologic and molecular features of synchronous colorectal carcinomas compared with solitary carcinomas to correlate the histologic findings with molecular alterations and to identify the prognostic significance, if any, of synchronous colorectal carcinoma. Of the 4760 primary colorectal carcinomas resected for the years 2002 to 2012 at our institution, 58 patients (1.2%) harbored 2 invasive primary adenocarcinomas and comprise the synchronous colorectal carcinoma study group. A control group of consecutively resected solitary colorectal carcinomas from 109 patients was also analyzed. Compared with solitary colorectal carcinomas, synchronous colorectal carcinomas more frequently were identified in older patients (median age 70 vs. 60 y; P=0.001), involved the right colon (42/58, 72% vs. 47/109, 43%; P=0.0003), were more often microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) (21/58, 36% vs. 13/109, 12%; P=0.0005), and were more frequently associated with precursor sessile serrated adenomas (SSAs) (13/58, 22% vs. 2/109, 2%; P=0.0001). A statistically significant difference in overall survival was identified between patients with synchronous and solitary colorectal carcinomas (5 y overall survival 92% vs. 56%, P=0.02). A unique subgroup of 13 synchronous colorectal carcinomas demonstrated tumors arising from SSAs (SSA-associated). All SSA-associated synchronous colorectal carcinomas were seen in patients above 65 years of age, and 12/13 (92%) occurred in women. Most patients (12/13, 92%) with SSA-associated synchronous colorectal carcinomas demonstrated involvement of the right colon, and tumors were frequently stage I or II (9/13, 69%) and low grade (11/13, 85%). In 12/13 (92%) SSA-associated synchronous colorectal carcinomas, both tumors exhibited loss of MLH1 and PMS2 immunohistochemical expression with concurrent BRAF V600E mutation. Nine of 13 (69%) patients with SSA-associated colorectal carcinoma harbored additional SSAs. Three of 13 (15%) patients with SSA-associated synchronous colorectal carcinoma met the World Health Organization criteria for serrated polyposis. Notably, no patient with SSA-associated synchronous colorectal carcinoma developed disease recurrence or died of disease at last follow-up. In conclusion, synchronous colorectal carcinomas are enriched with MSI-H tumors, particularly those arising from SSAs, which contributes to the overall improved survival for patients with synchronous tumors compared with patients with solitary tumors. We demonstrate that SSA-associated synchronous colorectal carcinomas have a striking predilection for elderly women, are associated with a favorable prognosis, and are MSI-H and BRAF V600E positive.
On-Line Processing of Summary and Importance Signals in Reading.

How do readers respond to signals in a text that certain information is relevant? Subjects in Experiment 1 read texts a sentence at a time while their reading times were recorded for specific target sentences. Subjects took longer to read a summary sentence if the preceding sentence signaled it as a summary than if no preceding signal was provided. Further, the effect of signaling a summary was larger for poor readers than for good readers. There was no corresponding effect of signaling on reading times for sentences marked as important statements, but Experiment 2 demonstrated that recall of important text information was enhanced if the information was signaled rather than unsignaled. The results demonstrate that experienced readers use text signals to guide their attention to relevant information in a text.
Catatonia in Alzheimer's disease: The role of the amygdalo-hippocampal circuits

The intrinsic merit of Northoff's model lies primarily in the fact that it integrates data concerned with different levels of organization of the brain. This approach implicitly argues against reductionism, although, apparently, its rather simplistic assumption gives too many degrees of freedom. In considering that a symptom from two different syndromes indicates a common neural alteration, we grossly disregard neural plasticity.
Over-the-Top Content Delivery: State of the Art and Challenges Ahead

In this tutorial we present state of the art and challenges ahead in over-the-top content delivery. It particular, the goal of this tutorial is to provide an overview of adaptive media delivery, specifically in the context of HTTP adaptive streaming (HAS) including the recently ratified MPEG-DASH standard. The main focus of the tutorial will be on the common problems in HAS deployments such as client design, QoE optimization, multi-screen and hybrid delivery scenarios, and synchronization issues. For each problem, we will examine proposed solutions along with their pros and cons. In the last part of the tutorial, we will look into the open issues and review the work-in-progress and future research directions.
A Small-Area Low-Power Current Readout Circuit Using Two-Stage Conversion Method for 64-Channel CNT Sensor Arrays

In this paper, a small-area and low-power current readout circuit with a novel two-stage conversion method is presented for 64-channel CNT (carbon nanotube) sensor arrays. In the first stage, current of each CNT sensor is amplified by 64 active input current mirrors (AICMs). In the second stage, the amplified current is converted to a voltage level through the shared variable gain amplifier (S-VGA). Then the S-VGA output is digitalized by successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter (SAR-ADC). The proposed readout circuit significantly reduces chip area and power consumption, since VGA is shared over 64 channels and passive elements are used only in S-VGA. Fabricated chip area is 0.173 mm2 in 0.13 μm CMOS technology. Measured power consumption and linearity error are 73.06 μW and 5.3%, respectively, at the input current range of 10 nA-10 μA and conversion rate of 640 samples/s. A prototype real-time CNT sensor system was implemented using the fabricated readout circuit, and successfully detected alcohol reaction.
The creativity advantage ‐ is your organization the leader of the pack?

Success in product and service innovation depends on creativity as a key input. Without a healthy and continuing supply of ideas, most organizations would cease to exist. A fundamental challenge facing leaders in the twenty‐first century is how to profit from individual potential and then leverage it so that it produces organizational innovation and excellence. This article takes a strategic view of creativity as a key element of competitive advantage. It outlines the conditions for creativity to flourish and is supported through the use of a number of case studies. Creativity is not predominantly something that can be “forced” through creativity “techniques”. It depends crucially on the setting of an appropriate context for ideas to emerge and their subsequent mobilisation into innovative products and services. When the context is right techniques can play their part in raising the level and type of creativity within organizations.
Tuberculosis and homelessness in the United States, 1994-2003.

CONTEXT Tuberculosis (TB) rates among US homeless persons cannot be calculated because they are not included in the US Census. However, homelessness is often associated with TB. OBJECTIVES To describe homeless persons with TB and to compare risk factors and disease characteristics between homeless and nonhomeless persons with TB. DESIGN AND SETTING Cross-sectional analysis of all verified TB cases reported into the National TB Surveillance System from the 50 states and the District of Columbia from 1994 through 2003. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Number and proportion of TB cases associated with homelessness, demographic characteristics, risk factors, disease characteristics, treatment, and outcomes. RESULTS Of 185,870 cases of TB disease reported between 1994 and 2003, 11,369 were among persons classified as homeless during the 12 months before diagnosis. The annual proportion of cases associated with homelessness was stable (6.1%-6.7%). Regional differences occurred with a higher proportion of TB cases associated with homelessness in western and some southern states. Most homeless persons with TB were male (87%) and aged 30 to 59 years. Black individuals represented the highest proportion of TB cases among the homeless and nonhomeless. The proportion of homeless persons with TB who were born outside the United States (18%) was lower than that for nonhomeless persons with TB (44%). At the time of TB diagnosis, 9% of homeless persons were incarcerated, usually in a local jail; 3% of nonhomeless persons with TB were incarcerated. Compared with nonhomeless persons, homeless persons with TB had a higher prevalence of substance use (54% alcohol abuse, 29.5% noninjected drug use, and 14% injected drug use), and 34% of those tested had coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus. Compared with nonhomeless persons, TB disease in homeless persons was more likely to be infectious but not more likely to be drug resistant. Health departments managed 81% of TB cases in homeless persons. Directly observed therapy, used for 86% of homeless patients, was associated with timely completion of therapy. A similar proportion in both groups (9%) died from any cause during therapy. CONCLUSIONS Individual TB risk factors often overlap with risk factors for homelessness, and the social contexts in which TB occurs are often complex and important to consider in planning TB treatment. Nevertheless, given good case management, homeless persons with TB can achieve excellent treatment outcomes.
How do we perceive atonal music? Suggestions for a theoretical approach

In the discussion that follows, I will attempt to formulate some propositions for a model of the perception and mnemonic encoding of atonal music. These propositions aim to address the psychological paradox on which, at least at the outset, Schoenberg and his pupils founded their theoretical work, that of the suppression of hierarchical tonal functions at the heart of musical structure. It is a psychological paradox to the extent that today we know that there is no visual or auditory perception without there being a hierarchical organisation of the information, which at the same time allows for economical storage in memory regardless of the complexity of the information. We must then suppose that in the case of an atonal work the listener himself constructs new hierarchical rules which are substituted for tonal rules, and the coherence of the musical work depends on the listener's capacity to treat the musical information outside the conventions he has acquired by listening to tonal works. More exactly, i.
Technology for improve cyber security using turbo codes

A technology of improving the security of telecommunications systems is offered. The main features of the technology is the adaptation of turbo codes in conditions of jamming, which give rise to uncertainties in the process of decoding turbo codes, and the use of encryption algorithms and protection against network attacks. This technology can significantly improve the stability of the system to the heterogeneous sources of interference.
The Verriest Lecture 2009: Recent progress in understanding mammalian color vision

There have been significant advances in our understanding of mammalian color vision over the past 15 years. This paper reviews a number of topics that have been central to these recent efforts, including: (1) the extent and nature of ultraviolet vision in mammals, (2) the evolutionary loss of short‐wavelength‐sensitive cones in some mammals, (3) the possible roles of rod signals in mammalian color vision, (4) the evolution of mammalian color vision, and (5) recent laboratory investigations of animal color vision. Successes in linking opsin genes and photopigments to color vision have been key to the progress made on each of these issues.
Other Book Reviews : Erkki Asp and Heikki Uhmavaara (eds.): Corporate Culture and European Integra tion. Series A No. 19. Turku: University of Turku, Department of Sociology and Political Research, 1992

approach, not to break totally new empirical ground. The advanced reader may find that the chapters subsequent to Thelen and Steinmo’s excellent introductory essay have ntle use, save than to confirm the theories put forward by the editors on how institutions change. However, for other readers the volume is an exceptional collection. The instructor searching for a collection of readings that deals with western politics and public policy from a historical institutionalist perspective will find that Structurrng Politics is an ideal answer to his or her needs.
On modelling the interaction between two rotating bodies with statistically distributed features: an application to dressing of grinding wheels

The mechanisms of interaction between bodies with statistically arranged features present characteristics common to different abrasive processes, such as dressing of abrasive tools. In contrast with the current empirical approach used to estimate the results of operations based on attritive interactions, the method we present in this paper allows us to predict the output forces and the topography of a simulated grinding wheel for a set of specific operational parameters (speed ratio and radial feed-rate), providing a thorough understanding of the complex mechanisms regulating these processes. In modelling the dressing mechanisms, the abrasive characteristics of both bodies (grain size, geometry, inter-space and protrusion) are first simulated; thus, their interaction is simulated in terms of grain collisions. Exploiting a specifically designed contact/impact evaluation algorithm, the model simulates the collisional effects of the dresser abrasives on the grinding wheel topography (grain fracture/break-out). The method has been tested for the case of a diamond rotary dresser, predicting output forces within less than 10% error and obtaining experimentally validated grinding wheel topographies. The study provides a fundamental understanding of the dressing operation, enabling the improvement of its performance in an industrial scenario, while being of general interest in modelling collision-based processes involving statistically distributed elements.
A New Kernel Based on Weighted Cross-Correlation Coefficient for SVMs and Its Application on Prediction of T-cell Epitopes

T-cell epitopes play vital roles in immune response. Its recognition by T-cell receptors is a precondition for the activation of T-cell clone. This recognition is antigen-specific. Therefore, identifying the pattern of a MHC restricted T-cell epitopes is of great importance for immunotherapy and vaccine design. In this paper, we designed a new kernel based on weighted cross-correlation coefficients for support vector machine and applied it to the direct prediction of T-cell epitopes. The experiment was carried on an MHC type I restricted T-cell clone LAU203-1.5. The results showed that this approach is efficient and promising
A Tractable Paraconsistent Fuzzy Description Logic

In this paper, we introduce the tractable pf-EL++ logic, a paraconsistent version of the fuzzy logic f-EL++. Within pf-EL++, it is possible to tolerate contradictions under incomplete and vague knowledge. pf-EL++ extends the f-EL++ language with a paraconsistent negation in order to represent contradictions. This paraconsistent negation is defined under Belnap's bilattices. It is important to observe that pf -EL++ is a conservative extension of f-EL++, thus assuring that the polynomial-time reasoning algorithm used in f-EL++ can also be used in pf -EL++.
Using a Three-Step Decoding Strategy With Constant Time Delay to Teach Word Reading to Students With Mild and Moderate Mental Retardation

The use of a three-step decoding strategy with constant time delay for teaching decoding and word reading to students with mild and moderate mental retardation was investigated in this study. A multiple probe design was used to examine the percentage of words correctly decoded and read as well as the percentage of sounds correctly decoded. The data indicate that all five students learned to read words using the three-step decoding strategy with constant time delay. This was replicated with increased learning efficiency using a second set of phonetically similar words. Implications of this study on phonological memory and reading ability are discussed.
Backstepping trajectory tracking control of a quadrotor with disturbance rejection

This paper presents a trajectory tracking controller based on the backstepping technique. To avoid the increasing complexity of analytically calculating the derivatives of the virtual control signals in standard backstepping control, a command filtered backstepping approach is utilized. The command filtered backstepping controller is modified to include integral action to increase robustness against external disturbances and unmodeled dynamics. The stability proof of the command filtered integral backstepping approach is presented based on Lyapunov's theorem. The controller is implemented on a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle in simulation and compared to a standard integral backstepping controller. Simulation results show that the presented controller yields an improvement in the tracking performance of the quadrotor in the presence of constant disturbances and unmodeled actuator dynamics with lower control effort.
Note on Sex Differences in Causal Attribution

16 male and 16 female subjects made causal attributions for four types of responses ostensibly made by other people—positive and negative manifest and positive and negative subjective. Females more often than males attributed subjective responses to the external stimulus, and they more often than males attributed manifest responses to the external circumstances. Some implications of these results for understanding sex differences in attributions for performance in achievement-related situations are discussed.
Treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis with ketoconazole cream

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic in many countries. It has been recognized as a major public health problem in Iran. Many drugs have been suggested for the treatment of CL but most of them used intramuscularly or intravenously. Recently, a ketoconazole tablet has been used for the treatment of CL. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of ketoconazole cream with placebo in the treatment of CL. METHODS: The study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients with proven CL were treated with ketoconazole cream or placebo cream. The duration of treatment was 21 days and the patients were visited on days 7, 14 and 21. Follow-up was for 1 month after the end of treatment. RESULTS: The study was completed in 73 patients (45 male, 28 female). The mean age of the patients was 19.9 years. A total of 38 patients received ketoconazole and 35 patients were treated with the placebo cream. At the end of treatment (day 21), complete healing had occurred in 15.7% of the ketoconazole group in comparison with 14.3% of the patients who were treated with the placebo cream ( p =0.86). One month after the end of treatment the lesions in 28.9% of the ketoconazole group and 22.8% of the placebo group were healed ( p =0.55). CONCLUSION: Although the ketoconazole tablet has been reported to be effective in the treatment of some cases of CL, the low response rate in patients receiving ketoconazole cream indicates that it cannot be used as the single agent in the treatment of CL patients.
Characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis at a tertiary care hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan

Objectives: To determine characteristics and treatment outcomes of multidrugs resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients and risk factors for poor outcomes in MDR-TB patients in a tertiary care hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant TB Unit, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, Pakistan and included all MDR-TB patients registered between January 2012 and December 2012. A special proforma was used for data collection. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 16, after exporting data from the proforma. Differences in proportions were assessed using Pearson’s Chi square test whereas for predictors of poor outcomes, multivariate logistic regression analysis with Wald Statistical criteria using backward elimination method was performed. Results: The treatment success rate was 74.3%. In univariate analysis, poor outcomes were associated in patients with age ≥44 years (odds ratio [OR]=0.250; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.114-0.519, p=0.001), rural residence (OR=0.417; 95% CI: 0.18-0.937, p=0.03), lung cavitation (OR=0.22; 95% CI, 0.007-0.067, p=0.001), resistance to second line drugs (SLD) (OR=3.441; 95% CI: 1.579-7.497, p=0.001), and resistance to ofloxacin (OR=2.944; 95% CI: 1.361-6.365, p=0.005); whereas multivariate logistic regression analysis, poor outcomes were associated in patients with age ≥44 years (OR=0.249, 95% CI: 0.075-0.828, p=0.023), rural residence (OR=0.143, 95% CI: 0.052-0.774, p=0.032), and cavitatory lungs (OR=0.022, 95% CI: 0.007-0.072, p=0.000). Conclusion: The MDR-TB patient needs special attention for better treatment outcomes. The presence of older age, rural area residence, resistance to ofloxacin, SLD resistance, and cavitary disease are independent prognostic factors for poor outcome in patients with MDR-TB.