Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Success of Medicare's Shared Decision Making Mandates Using Implementation Science: Examples Applying the Pragmatic Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM)

Repository Citation Matlock DD, Ito Fukunaga M, Tan A, Knoepke C, McNeal DM, Mazor KM, Glasgow RE. (2020). Enhancing Success of Medicare's Shared Decision Making Mandates Using Implementation Science: Examples Applying the Pragmatic Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM). Open Access Publications by UMMS Authors. https://doi.org/10.1177/2381468320963070. Retrieved from https://escholarship.umassmed. edu/oapubs/4425
Experimental study of natural heat transfer from finned cylinders fixed in variable shape of duct

The work was an experimental study of natural heat transfer from heated cylinders fixed in variable shape air duct, made from Pyrex glass. Two finned cylinders made from mild iron, outer diameter (12) mm, inner diameter (10) mm, 22 rectangle fins with dimensions (70*40*1) mm. The angle of two walls from the duct was changed for five angles α:(0 ° ,3 ° ,5 ° ,10 ° ,15°) with vertical to make converge shape. The cylinders were fixed inside the duct at top, centre and bottom. The cylinders were heated by supply variable power of constant heat flux (88,177,390 and 680) W/m 2 . The study was done with Rayleigh numbers (15x10 3 to 14x10 4 ). The heat was carried by free convection by atmosphere air. The results of experimental work show that the Nusselt number increased with increased the angle of shape at top location until angle 15 ° ,so the Nusselt increased by 20% at ԛ•= 680 W/ m 2 when increased the value of from 0 ° to 15 ° . For centre location, the value of Nusselt number increased by 25 % at ԛ•= 88 W/ m 2 when increased the value of angle from 0° to 3°, and increased by 21 % at ԛ•= 680 W/ m 2 when increased the value of angle from 0° to 10°. For bottom location, the value of Nusselt number increased by 35 % at ԛ•= 88 W/ m 2 when increased the value of angle from 0° to 3°,and increased by 30 % at ԛ•= 680 W/ m 2 when increased the value of angle from 0° to 10°. The best location for the cylinders was at the bottom, and the best angle was 15°.
Analysis of Groundwater Quality in the Coastal Aquifer of the Effutu Municipality, Ghana

The study sought to assess the suitability of groundwater for domestic and drinking purposes in the Effutu Municipality of Ghana. The paper employed laboratory protocols to analyse the water quality parameters’ concentrations for groundwater samples collected from wells. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyse the data and the concentrations of parameters compared with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) permissible limits. Principal component analysis using the varimax rotation was employed to explore the main parameters which express groundwater quality in the municipality. Water quality index employing the weighted arithmetic method was also used to score groundwater suitability for domestic and drinking purposes. The study found that the main parameters determining groundwater quality in the Effutu Municipality are conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, hardness, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and sodium. Except for conductivity, manganese, TDS, total hardness, and calcium, the average concentrations for all studied water quality parameters were within limits proposed by WHO. The study further revealed that 48.15%, 44.44%, and 7.41% of the groundwater had excellent, good, and poor water quality indices, respectively. The investigation so advances that the groundwater resources of the Effutu Municipality are suitable for domestic purposes. Despite this, we recommend that abstracted groundwater should be treated by prioritizing the water quality parameters.
UvA-DARE (Digital Academic Repository) Will the Real Weibo Please Stand Up? Chinese Online Contention and Actor-Network Theory

Social media platforms have become key participants in Chinese political contention. Global media eagerly report on cases involving social media, often celebrating them as signs of political change. This article analyzes the involvement of Sina Weibo in two instances of political contention: one concerns the Huili picture scandal of June 2011, and the other a controversy around the popular rally racer and novelist Han Han that started in December 2011. Drawing inspiration from actor-network theory (ANT), we show how Sina Weibo’s particular technological features, the related user cultures, and the platform’s systematic self-censorship practices, in addition to the occasional government interventions, mutually articulate each other. By tracing how technological features and emerging practices become entangled, we gain insight into how new publics are constituted and how symbolic reconﬁgurations unfold.
An improved understanding of the lifecycle of mixed-phase stratiform clouds through observations and simulation

This work explores links between ice crystal nucleation in the immersion mode and the lifecycle of mixed-phase stratiform clouds. A background discussion is included on the general properties of mixed-phase clouds, their influence on climate, observational techniques and numerical studies used to better understand these common cloud layers. Also, an overview of ice nucleation principles and Arctic aerosol characteristics is provided. An observational analysis including thousands of half hour cases of single layer mixed-phase clouds measured using remote sensors at Barrow, Alaska and Eureka, Canada is reviewed. An overview of the techniques used in this effort is provided, including information on the instruments and all implemented retrieval algorithms. These observations show distinct differences between cloud properties at the two locations, as well as clear seasonal patterns in cloud macroand microphysical properties. This dataset is compared with those obtained in previous studies, and implications of the measurements on numerical simulation and cloud detection using other observational platforms are discussed. Utilizing results from these observations, as well as measurements made by others, a hypothesis on ice nucleation in these clouds via immersion freezing is formed, in which the concentration of soluble aerosol mass within liquid droplets results in a freezing point depression. Subsequent growth of these droplets dilutes the concentration of soluble mass, allowing the droplet to freeze. In order to test this hypothesis, an advanced numerical model is utilized. Simulation results show that immersion freezing does contribute significantly to ii ice production within mixed-phase clouds. Additionally, the soluble mass fraction assumed for the aerosol particles impacts simulated clouds via the effect discussed above. However, unlike suggested in the presented hypothesis, nucleation through the immersion mode was not limited to the regions above updrafts in the completed simulations. Instead, a combination of soluble mass fraction and temperature variations resulted in immersion freezing occurring throughout the top of the simulated cloud layer. Application of information on Arctic aerosols and ice nucleus measurements leads to a realistic simulation maintaining a mixed-phase cloud for over 16 hours. Finally, discussions on model uncertainties, future work and a summary are provided.
An asymptotic formula for polynomials orthonormal with respect to a varying weight. II

This paper gives a proof of the theorem announced by the authors in the preceding paper with the same title. The theorem states that asymptotically the behaviour of the polynomials which are orthonormal with respect to the varying weight coincides with the asymptotic behaviour of the Nuttall psi-function, which solves a special boundary-value problem on the relevant hyperelliptic Riemann surface of genus . Here , is a monic polynomial of even degree and is a certain auxiliary polynomial of degree . Bibliography: 23 titles.
Eurographics Symposium on Geometry Processing 2015 Robust Articulated-icp for Real-time Hand Tracking

We present a robust method for capturing articulated hand motions in realtime using a single depth camera. Our system is based on a realtime registration process that accurately reconstructs hand poses by fitting a 3D articulated hand model to depth images. We register the hand model using depth, silhouette, and temporal information. To effectively map low-quality depth maps to realistic hand poses, we regularize the registration with kinematic and temporal priors, as well as a data-driven prior built from a database of realistic hand poses. We present a principled way of integrating such priors into our registration optimization to enable robust tracking without severely restricting the freedom of motion. A core technical contribution is a new method for computing tracking correspondences that directly models occlusions typical of single-camera setups. To ensure reproducibility of our results and facilitate future research, we fully disclose the source code of our implementation.
Eurographics Symposium on Geometry Processing 2009 Rotating Scans for Systematic Error Removal

Optical triangulation laser scanners produce errors at surface discontinuities and sharp features. These systematic errors are anisotropic. We examine the causes of these errors theoretically, and we study the correlation of systematic error with edge size and orientation experimentally. We then present a novel processing method for removing systematic errors, by combining scans taken at several different orientations. We apply an anisotropic filter to the separate scans, and use it to weight the data in a final combination step. Unlike previous approaches, our method does not require access to the scanner's internal data or firmware. We demonstrate the technique on data from laser range scanners by two different manufacturers.
Water quality modeling for the Napa River 100-year Flood Control Project

Abstract : The objective of the study was to compare dissolved oxygen (DO), and other water quality variables between existing and project conditions. The two<Dimensional hydrodynamic and water quality model cE-QUAL-W2 was selected for the study. Constituents simulated included temperature, total suspended solids cr55), salinity, DO, and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). The study consisted of two steps: (1) calibration to existing conditions and (2) comparison of existing and project conditions. The period of simulation extended from July 1 through September 30, 1994. The 100-year flood control project increases the channel conveyance needed to carry flood flows. Increased conveyance is achieved by excavating and widening the channel above the mean-tide level, and creation of a floodway through the city. Temperatures between existing and project conditions were equivalent except for an increase of less than 1 CC in the project reach. TSS and salinity comparisons revealed no differences. DO comparison revealed a DO decrease of less than 1 gm 3in the proposed project reach.
Proceedings of 2005 International Symposium on Intelligent Signal Processing and Communication Systems Intelligent Approach to Timing of Resources Exploration in the Behavior of Firm Using Armax, Bpnn, or Sasvr

We have insight into the importance of resource exploration derived from the quest for sustaining competitive advantage as well as the growth of the firm, which are well-explicated in the resources-based view. However, we really do not know when the firm will seriously commit to this kind of activities. Therefore, this study proposes intelligent approach using auto-regressive moving-average regression (ARMAX), back-propagation neural network (BPNN), or segmented adaptive support vector regression (SASVR) to constitute the relationship among five indicators, the growth rate of long-term investment, the firm size, the return on total asset, the return on common equity, and the return on sales. In such a way, the methods we build can explain the timing of resources exploration in the behavior of firm. Meanwhile, the performance between these methods is compared quantitatively.
Segment and track neurons in 3D by repulsive snake method

We present a snake (active contour) model based on repulsive force to segment neurons obtained from microscopy. Based on these segmentation results, we track the neurons in 3D image to look for its branch structure. These segmentation results allow user to study morphology of neurons to further investigate neuronal function and connectivity. This repulsive snake model can successfully segment two or multiple neurons that are close to each other by some alternating repulsive force generated from the neighboring objects. We apply our results on real data to demonstrate the performance of our method.
The nature of the relationship between personality traits and political attitudes

Building upon a series of works by Thomas J. Bouchard, Lindon J. Eaves, Hans J. Eysenck and other contemporaries, we present strong evidence that the assumed causal relationship between personality and left–right ideology is too simplistic. We suggest the relationship is not predictive and instead is better understood by dividing the overarching left–right ideological spectrum into more meaningful attitude dimensions. In doing so, we find that Psychoticism is strongly related to conservative positions on Punishment, Religious, and Sex attitudes, whereas Social Desirability is related to liberal positions on the same attitudes. Furthermore, the nature of the covariance between Psychoticism and social attitudes is due to a common genetic influence, while covariance between Social Desirability and these attitudes in females is largely a function of common shared environmental covariance. 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Occurrence and removal of emerging contaminants in wastewaters

ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . iii TABLE OF CONTENTS . iv LIST OF TABLES . viii LIST OF FIGURES . x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS, UNITS AND SYMBOLS . xiii LIST OF PUBLICATIONS . xvi Chapter One: Introduction . 1 1.
Teacher-Student Learning on Complexity in Intelligent Routing

Customer service is often the most time-consuming aspect for e-commerce websites, with each contact typically taking 10-15 minutes. Effectively routing customers to appropriate agents without transfers is therefore crucial for e-commerce success. To this end, we have developed a machine learning framework that predicts the complexity of customer contacts and routes them to appropriate agents accordingly. The framework consists of two parts. First, we train a teacher model to score the complexity of a contact based on the post-contact transcripts. Then, we use the teacher model as a data annotator to provide labels to train a student model that predicts the complexity based on pre-contact data only. Our experiments show that such a framework is successful and can significantly improve customer experience. We also propose a useful metric called complexity AUC that evaluates the effectiveness of customer service at a statistical level.
3D Synthetic Aperture Radar Simulation for Interpreting Complex Urban Reflection Scenarios

The visual interpretation of high resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data of urban areas is challenging due to distortion effects, which are related to the imaging principle of the radar sensor. Thus, a 3D simulator, named RaySAR, has been developed within the framework of this thesis in order to analyze the nature of deterministic signatures in SAR images. Specifically, the inversion of the radar imaging system is simulated which requires the availability of 3D object models of high detail. In different case studies, it is shown that a large number of signatures lack in correspondence to the geometry of imaged objects. Moreover, RaySAR enables to support methods for the localization of salient scatterers in real SAR data.
Forecasting the onset of Cloud-Ground Lightning Using Layered Vertically Integrated Liquid Water

Abstract : Accurate forecasting of cloud-ground (CG) lightning onset at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida is critical for personnel safety, but presents a difficult problem. Current methods for predicting CG lightning onset rely on radar analyses that require a reflectivity threshold to be exceeded at a specified temperature level. Although the requisite temperature level used in lightning forecasting lies within the critical region of convection for lightning initiation (-10 to -20 degrees C), current methods of prediction do not employ a complete description of the storm structure. This thesis hypothesizes that diagnosing the storm structure within the -10 to -20 degrees C layer is a key element in forecasting lightning onset. This storm structure can readily be described by the variation of the liquid water content, termed layered vertically integrated liquid (LVIL), within two layers in the supercooled region (-10 to -15 degrees C and -15 to -20 degrees C). An LVIL value for each layer, described together as a threshold pair, quantifies the minimum vertical structure required for lightning onset. The optimal threshold pair follows from weighting measures of forecast skill; in order of importance, they are probability of detection (POD), Kuipers skill score (KSS) and false alarm rate (FAR). LVIL amounts of 0.5 mm in the -10 to -15 degrees C layer coinciding with amounts of 0.25 mm in the -15 to -20 degrees C layer indicate that lightning is imminent, with a POD of 96%, a KSS of 51% and a FAR of 21%. This two-layer approach is superior to one-parameter methods currently in use at the KSC.
Productivity and Efficiency of Farmers Growing Four Popular Wheat Varieties in Punjab, Pakistan. HarvestPlus Working Paper 15

HarvestPlus seeks to select one or more wheat varieties in Pakistan to biofortify with zinc to improve the health of the Pakistani population, especially women and children. The choice of varieties to enrich, and their diffusion patterns, will influence the productivity and efficiency of wheat production. This analysis seeks to (1) compare the relative productivity and efficiency of farmers currently growing the most widely diffused wheat varieties, and (2) update our understanding of factors that influence productivity and efficiency of wheat production. We estimate a stochastic production function model with data from a survey of wheat farmers conducted in Punjab, Pakistan, in 2011. We find no differences in technical inefficiency effects associated with farmers growing the top four varieties, either alone or in combination with other varieties. With respect to human capital, older farmers tend to be more technically inefficient than younger farmers, but education has no statistical significance. Wheat farmers with access to extension advice are more efficient. Smaller-scale farmers and those in the mixed production zone tend to be more technically inefficient. Later adopters were not less efficient than earlier adopters, but time to varietal change is negatively related to the efficiency of wheat production. Farmers growing wheat in the rice-wheat and cotton-wheat zones tend to be less productive (but more efficient) than farmers from the mixed zone. Finally, farmers whose land suffered from severe salinity or severe toxicity are less productive and efficient than other farmers. 1 The authors are Adjunct Associate Professor, UNE Business School, University of New England, Armidale, NSW Australia; Research Fellow, Pakistan Strategy Support Program of the International Food Policy Research Institute, Islamabad, Pakistan; and, Professor of International Development, Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA. We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of José Funes from HarvestPlus in providing the GIS data on soil salinity and toxicity from the FAO database.
Effects of Composite Rheology on Plate‐Like Behavior in Global‐Scale Mantle Convection

Earth's upper mantle rheology controls lithosphere‐asthenosphere coupling and thus surface tectonics. Rock deformation experiments and seismic anisotropy measurements indicate that composite rheology (co‐existing diffusion and dislocation creep) occurs in the Earth's uppermost mantle, potentially affecting convection and surface tectonics. Here, we investigate how the spatio‐temporal distribution of dislocation creep in an otherwise diffusion‐creep‐controlled mantle impacts the planform of convection and the planetary tectonic regime as a function of the lithospheric yield strength in numerical models of mantle convection self‐generating plate‐like tectonics. The low upper‐mantle viscosities caused by zones of substantial dislocation creep produce contrasting effects on surface dynamics. For strong lithosphere (yield strength > 35 MPa), the large lithosphere‐asthenosphere viscosity contrasts promote stagnant‐lid convection. In contrast, the increase of upper mantle convective vigor enhances plate mobility for lithospheric strength <35 MPa. For the here‐used model assumptions, composite rheology does not facilitate the onset of plate‐like behavior at large lithospheric strength.
'Everything has its price' : conservation, development and Bedu in St Katherine Protectorate, South Sinai

This study describes the development of South Sinai, Egypt, including the role played in it by conservation. South Sinai has great ecological, cultural and strategic significance. Its central highlands, sacred to three faiths, form the St Katherine Protectorate, and its indigenous population consists of Bedu from eight tribes or confederations. The 1967 Six Day War resulted in intense transformation and intervention, first by Israel and then by Egypt. Before 1967 core bedouin livelihoods were agropastoral, but sedentarization and economic change made them uneconomic, increasing bedouin dependence on paid work. Since 1982 Egyptian policy has focussed on populating Sinai with Nile Valley Egyptians and developing it through its tourist industry. Both processes exclude Bedu, who have become a marginalized minority. Conservation policy has contributed to this outcome.I argue that Egypt? s conservation agenda in Sinai permits the claim that ? something is being done? to combat environmental degradation caused by settlement and tourism. However, underfunding of conservation ensures destructive development continues unopposed, while Bedu are strictly regulated. I examine Egyptian environmental and conservation policies and then their application to St Katherine in its European and Egyptian management phases. I investigate the ? Bedouin overgrazing? narratives that have informed conservation policy. These attribute vegetation loss to Bedu, ignoring alternative evidence, and providing a rationale for their ? re-education? Second I examine the impact of post-1967 interventions upon bedouin livelihoods, demonstrating a 95% decline in flock size from the 1960s to the present day, and the loss of viability of pastoralism. I illustrate growing polarization within bedouin society, and demonstrate lower access by Bedu to most goods and services compared to the general population. For half my sample (122 individuals in 82 households) income falls at or below $1 per person per day. 80% of Bedu are shown to experience food poverty compared with 44% of Egyptians. Official data on Bedu are not collected, and their poverty thus ignored by planners. I believe this is the first time their poverty has been demonstrated. Finally I examine how the Bedu have responded to marginalization and inequality. I argue that bedouin identity is eroded by their inequality as citizens, especially in town where it is most apparent. Attempts to revalidate themselves as Bedu crystallize around dissatisfaction with the Protectorate. As an act of resistance, Bedu have ? reinvented? an identity as guardians of nature, just as their actual dependence on nature declines.