Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of readiness for drug abuse treatment on client retention and assessment of process.

AIMS This study examined client motivation as a predictor of retention and therapeutic engagement across the major types of treatment settings represented in the third national drug abuse treatment outcome study (DATOS) conducted in the United States. DESIGN Sequential admissions during 1991-93 to 37 programs provided representative samples of community-based treatment populations. Based on this naturalistic non-experimental evaluation design, hierarchical linear model (HLM) analysis for nested data was used to control for systematic variations in retention rates and client attributes among programs within modalities. SETTING The data were collected from long-term residential (LTR), outpatient methadone (OMT) and outpatient drug-free (ODF) programs located in 11 large cities. PARTICIPANTS A total of 2265 clients in 18 LTR, 981 clients in 13 OMT and 1791 clients in 16 ODF programs were studied. MEASUREMENTS Pre-treatment variables included problem recognition and treatment readiness (two stages of motivation), socio-demographic indicators, drug use history and dependence, criminality, co-morbid psychiatric diagnosis and previous treatment. Retention and engagement (based on ratings of client and counselor relationships) served as outcome criteria. FINDINGS Pre-treatment motivation was related to retention in all three modalities, and the treatment readiness scale was the strongest predictor in LTR and OMT. Higher treatment readiness also was significantly related to early therapeutic engagement in each modality. CONCLUSIONS Indicators of intrinsic motivation--especially readiness for treatment--were not only significant predictors of engagement and retention, but were more important than socio-demographic, drug use and other background variables. Improved assessments and planning of interventions that focus on stages of readiness for change and recovery should help improve treatment systems.
Mathematical Methods for the Study of Systems of Groups

This article presents mathematical methods for analyzing models pertaining to systems of groups. Applying these methods to the models proposed earlier by Coleman and James and by White, we find, for example, that their main conclusions require modification. Coleman and James claim to have derived the truncated-Poisson (T-P) formula for the equilibrium distribution of the sizes of groups in their model of a system of groups, and White claims that a wide variety of such models will have equilibrium size distributions that can be described by the T-P formula. We show here that this formula will not describe the equilibrium size distributions for the models given in these earlier articles, except under very special circumstances. Different formulas are derived herein. Although the models presented by Coleman and James and by White do pertain to systems of groups, we show that their mathematical manipulations did in effect replace these models by other models that do not pertain to systems of groups. In addition, we present a model for a system of groups which is different from those in the earlier literature and which is, in some respects, preferable to the earlier models. We also present statistical methods for analyzing data on the distribution of group sizes. We find, for example, that use of the X2 goodness-of-fit test and related tests can be justified when the model introduced herein is under study, but no such justification can be found for the earlier models.
Supply Contract Competition and Sourcing Policies

Advances in information technology have opened new venues for companies to create flexible supply chains by offering high-speed communication and tight connectivity. A growing number of companies are taking advantage of new opportunities to outsource portions of their production and other operations. Given the importance of the supplier selection process in the ultimate success of a product, a purchasing manager must understand the different sourcing strategies that she or he can use and the suitability of each sourcing arrangements for her or him. This paper provides an overview of the research that has been done in the fields of operations research and economics on the topic of sourcing strategies. In aggregate, this paper provides a blueprint of what market characteristics can heavily influence a buyer-supplier relationship and, hence, are important to identify and incorporate into the supplier selection process.
GAUSSIAN MIXTURE MODEL OF TEXTURE FOR EXTRACTING RESIDENTIAL AREA FROM HIGH-RESOLUTION REMOTELY SENSED IMAGERY

: Using high-resolution remotely sensed imagery to timely detect distribution and expansion of residential area is one of most important jobs of national 1:5 spatial database updating. In view of complicated spatial characters of residential area and working disable of current automatic interpretation methods based on spectral features on high-resolution remotely sensed imagery, a classifier based on Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) of texture is proposed. The combination of co-occurrence texture features (contrast, entropy, mean, standard deviation and correlation included) and edge density are used to substitute for spectral features as classification features. A mixture density function is employed to represent classes’ distribution in texture spaces. And residential areas are extracted through the classification based on GMMs obtained through estimating using Expectation Maximum (EM) algorithm. The proposed method is examined by an IKONOS panchromatic imagery.
Multiple Minorities or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Plurilingual Learners?: Re-envisioning Allophone Immigrant Children and Their Inclusion in French-Language Schools in Ontario

Four out of five immigrants to Canada speak a language other than English or French as a first language. Immigration is increasingly transforming francophone minority communities. Allophone children acquire minority status on multiple levels within French-language schools, where they can become both a linguistic minority and a cultural minority within an official francophone minority in Canada. This article examines how culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) allophones have been constructed historically through official language and multiculturalism policies in Canada and how this political framing limits language rights and schooling for allophone immigrant children. By examining recent language policies, this article argues that the ways in which policy makers, educators, and researchers conceptualize CLD children shape their integration into Canada. This article draws upon a case study of teachers' practices with allophone learners in one French-language school to highlight the potential for transformative third-space practices to support CLD children in French-language schools.
Genetic algorithm for summarizing news stories

This paper presents a new approach summarizing broadcast news using Genetic Algorithms. We propose to segment the news programs into stories, and then summarize stories by selecting from every one of them frames considered important to obtain an informative pictorial abstract. The summaries can help viewers to estimate the importance of the news video. Indeed, by consulting stories summaries we can affirm if the news_video_contain_desired_topics.
Miller (1983) Revisited: A Reflection on EO Research and Some Suggestions for the Future

Using Miller (1983) as a starting point, this article reviews the literature on entrepreneurial orientation or “EO. ” It summarizes Miller's major points before recapping some of the subsequent literature and assessing why EO has become such a prominent topic. It identifies weaknesses in the literature, some of which, paradoxically, Miller wrote his article to guard against. It then makes recommendations for extending conceptually, and improving methodologically, future research on EO, arguing the importance of linking EO to current theories in strategy, organization theory, and economics. Methodological reorientations are also suggested to arrive at more cumulative and practical findings.
Estimating functions of probability distributions from a finite set of samples.

Part II: Bayes Estimators for Mutual Information, Chi-Squared, Covariance, and other Statistics. This paper is the second in a series of two on the problem of estimating a function of a probability distribution from a finite set of samples of that distribution. In the first paper, the Bayes estimator for a function of a probability distribution was introduced, the optimal properties of the Bayes estimator were discussed, and Bayes and frequency-counts estimators for the Shannon entropy were derived and graphically contrasted. In the current paper the analysis of the first paper is extended by the derivation of Bayes estimators for several other functions of interest in statistics and information theory. These functions are (powers of) the mutual information, chisquared for tests of independence, variance, covariance, and average. Finding Bayes estimators for several of these functions requires extensions to the analytical techniques developed in the first paper, and these extensions form the main body of this paper. This paper extends the analysis in other ways as well, for example by enlarging the class of potential priors beyond the uniform prior assumed in the first paper. In particular, the use of the entropic and Dirichlet priors is considered.
An amplitude constrained FxLMS algorithm for narrow-band active noise control applications

Annoying noises generated by industrial equipment (such as engines, transformers, fans, etc.) might persist in some environment, resulting in a comfort decrease for people present in that area. Active noise control solutions could improve environment sound quality significantly, especially at low frequencies where standard passive solutions would be much bulky and expensive. Narrow-band approaches have been widely discussed in the past because of their simplicity and effectiveness in the cancellation of tonal noises. In this paper the authors propose a novel adaptive algorithm based on narrow-band Filtered-x Least Mean Square algorithm which, instead of adapting two taps per tone simultaneously, updates only one tap at a time and derives the other one from the knowledge of the adapted tap and the a-priori known amplitude of the disturbing tone. Proposed solution implicitly prevents instability conditions of standard two-taps solutions, avoiding consequent high comfort deterioration and hardware breakups. Experimental simulations have been carried out to show proposed algorithm behaviors under stress conditions, proving that its performances are comparable with those of classic narrow-band algorithm.
Geometrical interpretation and architecture selection of MLP

A geometrical interpretation of the multilayer perceptron (MLP) is suggested in this paper. Some general guidelines for selecting the architecture of the MLP, i.e., the number of the hidden neurons and the hidden layers, are proposed based upon this interpretation and the controversial issue of whether four-layered MLP is superior to the three-layered MLP is also carefully examined.
Combination therapy with fluconazole and flucytosine in the murine model of cryptococcal meningitis

This study elucidates the role of combined fluconazole and flucytosine as therapy for cryptococcosis in the murine model of meningitis. Three strains of Cryptococcus neoformans for which the range of fluconazole MICs was wide--2 microg/ml (susceptible strain), 8 microg/ml (moderately susceptible strain), and 32 microg/ml (resistant strain)--were used for infection. One day postinfection, the mice were randomized into eight treatment groups: placebo; flucytosine (40 mg/kg of body weight/day); fluconazole at 3 mg/kg/day (low dosage), 10 mg/kg/day (moderate dosage), or 20 mg/kg/day (high dosage); and combined flucytosine and fluconazole at low, moderate, or high doses of fluconazole. Three major findings were demonstrated: (i) correlation between the MICs for the isolates and the in vivo effectiveness of fluconazole as assessed by the reduction in cryptococcal brain burden, (ii) a dose-response curve (a higher dose of fluconazole was significantly more efficacious than a lower dose [P < 0.001]), and (iii) synergism between fluconazole and flucytosine (therapy with a combination of fluconazole and flucytosine was superior to therapy with either agent alone [P < 0.01]).
MMAE terrain reference navigation for underwater vehicles using PCA

The integration of a feature based positioning sensor, rooted on principal component analysis, with a multi-model adaptive estimator is proposed and discussed in detail as the solution to terrain reference navigation systems for underwater vehicles. The adequacy on the use of the proposed feature based non-linear positioning sensor is studied, the error sources are enumerated, a stochastic characterization is performed, and the attainable performance is discussed, based on the results from a series of experiments for a large set of synthesized terrains. Resorting to a non-linear Lyapunov transformation, the synthesis and analysis of a multiple-model multirate adaptive estimator (MMAE) in the stochastic setting is also presented, with overall guaranteed stability and optimal performance over equilibrium trajectories. Finally, results from Monte Carlo simulations to assess the performance of the overall system are included.
Progress and Prospects in the Psychology of Moral Development

This commentary on the psychology of moral development provides a critical analysis of some important theoretical trends and empirical advances marking past progress and also discusses some future prospects for the field. The primary concern is that contemporary moral psychology suffers from a conceptual skew that is evidenced by a theoretical and empirical focus on moral cognition as applied to interpersonal problems and the consequent inattention to moral personality and other intrapsychic aspects of the domain. A priority for the field is to move beyond single-variable models to ones that specify a more coherent and comprehensive account of moral functioning. Among other things, such accounts should entail a realistic depiction of moral maturity, meaningfully incorporate character traits and virtues, identify early childhood precursors, and address the significance of religion and spirituality in moral functioning.
Passive Acoustics as a Tool in Fisheries Science

Abstract Many fishery biologists that are interested in documenting fish habitat and following the movements and behavior of fishes use acoustic tags. Because over 700 fish species naturally produce low-frequency, species-specific sounds, these can be used as natural acoustic tags. Passive acoustic approaches (monitoring sound-producing fishes with hydrophones) show great promise for gathering data in a noninvasive and continuous manner. In this special section, authors review past studies and contribute new findings based on the concept of passive acoustics, in which the sounds produced by fish are used to identify the species present and quantify their relative abundance. Fish have long been known to produce low-frequency sounds, especially members of the families Sciaenidae, Gadidae, Ictaluridae, Cyprinidae, Batrachoididae, Haemulidae, Lutjanidae, and Serranidae. Passive acoustic methods include the use of low-frequency hydrophones, digital recorders, autonomous recording sonobuoys and data loggers, an.
Analyse des variables temporelles du français spontané

Abstract This paper reviews the inherent time variables of speech and then discusses the importance of these variables for spontaneous speech activities in French. A comparison with English shows that the French speak faster than the English, this being mainly due to the smaller number of pauses introduced into their discourse, not to the rate of articulation, nor to the length of pauses. Moreover, it follows from the analysis of the syntactic distribution of unfilled pauses that 75 % occur at the end of sense groups (60 % at the end of clauses) and that pauses inside clauses are shorter (median 0.40 sec) than final ones (median 0.50 sec). Finally, the investigation of secondary variables (other hesitation pauses) shows the importance of ‘articulation’ pauses (which consist of filled pauses and of drawls) and the prime role played by grammatical words in the categories: drawls, repetitions and false starts.
Promoting peace through intergenerational tourism.

This article advocates the concept of intergenerational tourism as a means of promoting peace, and provides a specific example of this concept put into practice. During the spring 1998 semester, Israel Arab and Jewish elders, together with Jewish and Arab college students, and Arab girls aged 12 and 13 joined together to participate in a programme of recreational activities which included a variety of games and other activities. Pre-test questionnaires were administered to control and experimental groups in February, and again in June. The results of the research indicate that the programme had a significantly positive effect on the attitudes of Arabs and Jews towards each other. The Jewish elders in the programme displayed a significant readiness to invite Arabs to their home, and decrease in hatred towards Arabs. The attitudes of the Arab elders toward Jews also showed lower hatred towards Jews. This study provides evidence that a programme of ‘intergenerational tourism’ of this nature can indeed have p.
Energy-Aware System Synthesis for Reconfigurable Chip Multiprocessors

Even though state-of-the-art FPGAs present new opportunities in exploring low-cost high-performance architectures for floating-point scientific applications, they also pose serious challenges. Multiprocessors-on-a-ProgrammableChip (MPoPCs), which integrate both softwareprogrammability and hardware-reconfigurability, provide substantial flexibility that can result in programming ease and high performance. This paper presents an application-oriented system design methodology for HERA (HEterogeneous Reconfigurable Architecture), an in-house developed MPoPC that targets applications involving large matrices. HERA is a mixed computing-mode multiprocessor supporting simultaneous execution in SIMD (Single-Instruction, MultipleData), MIMD (Multiple-Instruction, Multiple-Data), and multiple-SIMD for chosen groups of processors. Given an application with specific energy-performance objectives, our design methodology aims to customize HERA to match the diverse computation and communication characteristics of tasks in the application. Appropriate analysis of the application guides system synthesis that employs a parameterized hardware component library (PHCL) of function units with predictable performance and power dissipation. Extensive experimental results for parallel power-flow analysis are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of our design methodology.
Validity and Reliability of the Japanese Version of the Caregiver Reaction Assessment Scale (CRA-J) for Community-Dwelling Cancer Patients

Background: The aim of this study was to validate the Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA) among caregivers of community-dwelling advanced cancer patients in Japan. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to advanced cancer patients and their caregivers who were cared for at day hospices and home palliative care services. We translated the CRA into Japanese, and then verified factor validity, reliability, construct validity, concurrent validity, and known groups’ validity. To address construct and concurrent validity, we calculated Pearson’s correlation coefficient between the Japanese version of the CRA and the Burden Index of Caregivers (BIC). To address known groups’ validity, we used the t test or analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: A total of 57 caregivers participated in the study. Five factors were extracted (‘‘impact on schedule,’’ ‘‘caregiver’s self-esteem,’’ ‘‘lack of family support,’’ ‘‘impact on health,’’ and ‘‘impact on finances’’) and reliability was good. Construct and concurrent validity among the subscales of the BIC were good. Regarding known groups validity, the subscale score of ‘‘impact on schedule’’ for the groups that cared 6 hours or more per day was higher than the other group (P = .04). Conclusion: The CRA-J is valid and reliable. This scale is useful for caregivers of cancer patients in Japan.
Using QAA subject benchmark information: an academic teacher’s perspective

This paper describes, with examples, the writing of aims and intended learning outcomes for a broad range of engineering degree programmes at various levels including undergraduate masters. The relevance and helpfulness, to this process, of the engineering benchmark statement are discussed in the context of the range of other attempts at setting out standards for engineering degrees over several decades, mainly by professional bodies. The discussion also includes the implications, for delivery and assessment, of setting threshold standards, and the importance of clear presentation of intended learning for the successful introduction of PDP.
Generic Skills in Audit Education

The academic literature and higher education benchmark statements identify groups of skills that are desirable both for students seeking employment and for employers seeking to recruit students. Professional accounting education pronouncements also stipulate skills that are necessary for an individual to possess in order to act as a competent accountant and auditor. Through a questionnaire survey, this research examines: (i) which of these skills audit and accounting practitioners expect UK universities to teach; (ii) which skills audit and accounting academics believe are important for students to acquire; (iii) which skills audit academics believe that employers require; and (iv) which skills audit academics teach in the UK. Institutional theory is used to develop and interpret this research.
Sophisticated Players and Sophisticated Agents

A sophisticated player is an individual who takes the action of the opponents, in a strategic situation, as determined by decision of rational opponents, and acts accordingly. A sophisticated agent is rational in the choice of his action, but ignores the fact that he is part of a strategic situation. We discuss a notion of equilibrium with sophisticated agents, we provide conditions for its existence, and argue that it differs systematically from the Nash equilibrium.
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among Jordanian dental technicians: Prevalence and associated factors.

BACKGROUND Dental technology is a profession that requires precise manual skills and dexterous handling of small tools. There is an abundance research on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) affecting dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants, yet very few articles investigated WMSDs among dental technicians. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to determine the prevalence of WMSDs among Jordanian dental technicians and their associated factors. METHODS A cross-sectional design was conducted. A sample of Jordanian dental technicians (n = 81) were asked to complete a validated structured self-administrated questionnaire to measure WMSDs and its associated factors. RESULTS A sample of 81 dental technicians completed the survey (50.6% younger than 30 years, 61.7 were males). Pain complains were significantly higher in female, younger technicians, and with increased workload. All participants reported WMSDs in at least one body part in the last 12 months. The most common pain areas reported were in the neck (70.4%) and shoulders (71.6%). CONCLUSION This study found a high prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints in dental technicians. Future studies are indicated to investigate the actual mechanisms causing WMSDs among dental technicians.