Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experiences of family caregivers in caring for patients with heart failure at Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: a qualitative study

Background: Heart failure (HF) continues to be a global health problem with its ramifications more pronounced in underdeveloped countries. Family members play a pivotal part in patient management which may influence the patients overall quality of life. Prolonged delay in attendance to health care facilities among patients indicates ineffective support from family caregivers. In the Tanzanian context, there is limited information about the experiences of family caregivers in caring for patients with HF. This study explored family caregivers' experiences in caring for HF patients. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study design was conducted at Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the potential participants. A sample size of 10 family caregivers of patients with HF was included in the study. Thematic analysis was used to derive the main theme and sub-themes. Results: Three major themes were identified: demands for supportive care, new caring role and lifestyle, and professional support in caring for patients with HF. Caregivers needed social and financial support to facilitate the caring process. Learning to provide the required care at the right time was the new role acquired by caregivers while failing to participate in social events and caregiving in an unfavourable environment were reported as challenges in caregiving. However, compliance with instruction and effective interaction among the nurses and caregivers were considered to be positive professional support. Conclusion: Caregivers need social and financial support to provide effective care to their patients. Caregiving is a learning process that needs continuous educational support to adapt to the new caring roles and challenges. Nurses should conduct regular assessments to explore caregivers needs, challenges, and concerns and provide timely counselling that can facilitate coping.
Fuzzy-Logic-Based Closed-Loop Optimal Law for Homing Missiles Guidance

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Reason and Associated Factors for Nonuse of Contraceptives Among Ethiopian Rural Married Women: A Multilevel Mixed Effect Analysis

Introduction Contraception has a clear impact on the health of women and families in developing countries. This study aims to identify multilevel determinants of nonuse of modern contraceptives among Ethiopian rural married women in their productive age group. Method The study relied on data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys. A multilevel logistic regression model was used for analysis. Result In rural areas, nonuse of modern contraceptives is surprising high (81.7%), primarily due to fear of side effects (12.89%) and breastfeeding (8.2%). Among women aged 35 to 49 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.540.81), husbands with secondary and above education levels (AOR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.7–1), those in the high wealth index (AOR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.51–0.72), and those who have had 1 to 2 children in the past 5 years (AOR = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.24–0.33), there was a lower chance of not using contraception. Muslims are less likely to want to use modern contraceptives (AOR = 1.2; 95% CI: 0.96–1.4). Women living in Afar (AOR = 20.9; 95% CI: 9.6–44.7), Oromia (AOR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.01–2.3), Somali (AOR = 71.1; 95% CI: 24.1–209.2), Gambela (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.4–3.9), Harari (AOR = 4.4; 95% CI: 2.24–8.72), and Dire Dawa (AOR = 3.2; 95% CI: 1.5–6.9), regional states, were less likely to want to use modern contraceptives as compared to those in Tigray. Conclusion Family planning interventions should target younger women, women living in rural areas, the poor, and Muslim women. In order to maximize the effectiveness of family planning promotion policies, it's important to address the reasons for nonuse of contraceptives identified in each region and contextual differences regarding women of reproductive age.
Feedback Stabilization of Metriplectic Systems

Abstract This paper considers the problem of stabilizing control affine systems where the drift dynamics is generated by a metriplectic structure. These systems can be viewed as an extension of generalized (or dissipative) Hamiltonian systems, where two potentials, interpreted as generalized energy and entropy, are generating the dynamics. The proposed approach consists in generating, by homotopy centered at an equilibrium of the system, a mixed potential for the metriplectic system, and in using the obtained potential to construct a damping state feedback controller. Stability of the closed-loop system is then considered.
New observations and a frequency analysis of the extremely peculiar rapidly oscillating AP star HD 101065

Les nouvelles observations photometriques de l'etoile HD 101065 obtenues au telescope 1-m de l'Observatoire SAAO sont presentees. Ces observations revelent au moins 3 frequences de pulsation proches de 1.37 mHz qui ne peuvent pas toutes etre identifiees avec des harmoniques consecutifs. Une application des techniques d'astroseismologie indique que HD 101065 n'est que legerement en-dehors de la sequence principale d'âge zero et suggere que son rayon, sa masse, et sa luminosite sont similaires a ceux des autres etoiles Ap. Une variation seculaire significative est trouvee dans la frequence principale et on suggere qu'elle ne peut pas etre interpretee par les effets d'evolution dans cette etoile. La possibilite qu'une frequence non resolue est impliquee est ensuite examinee et on montre qu'un modele de binaire dans laquelle un compagnon de faible masse orbite autour de HD 101065 est compatible avec les observations disponibles.
Deterministic Maximum Likelihood Approach for 3-D Near Field Source Localization

Summary In this paper, maximum likelihood estimator is proposed for passive localization of narrowband sources in the spherical coordinates (azimuth, elevation, and range). We adapt Expectation/Maximization iterative method to solve the complicated multi-parameter optimization problem appearing on the 3-D localization problem. The proposed algorithm is based on maximum likelihood criterion which employs the source signals recorded by 2-D array under near-field assumption. Expectation/Maximization algorithm decomposes the observed data into its components and then estimates the parameters of each signal component separately providing computationally efficient solution to the resulting optimization problem. Performance analysis of the proposed algorithm is then carried out through the evaluation of Cramer-Rao bounds. Finally, the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is illustrated by some numerical simulations.
Expectation–maximization algorithm for regression, deconvolution and smoothing of shot‐noise limited data

A simple algorithm for deconvolution and regression of shot‐noise‐limited data is illustrated in this paper. The algorithm is easily adapted to almost any model and converges to the global optimum. Multiple‐component spectrum regression, spectrum deconvolution and smoothing examples are used to illustrate the algorithm. The algorithm and a method for determining uncertainties in the parameters based on the Fisher information matrix are given and illustrated with three examples. An experimental example of spectrograph grating order compensation of a diode array solar spectroradiometer is given to illustrate the use of this technique in environmental analysis. The major advantages of the EM algorithm are found to be its stability, simplicity, conservation of data magnitude and guaranteed convergence.
Mask-friendly OPC for a reduced mask cost and writing time

In this work, the reduction of the shot count of the mask data is studied. This shot count reduction is achieved by reducing of the number of jogs resulting from the Model-Based Optical Proximity Correction (MBOPC) stage. To reduce the number of OPC-jogs, we study the impact of aligning very small jogs on the shot count as well as their effect on the residual Edge Placement Error (EPE). The OPC-jog alignment phase is made during OPC and not after it, so that the post alignment OPC iterations are responsible for the correction of any residual average EPE resulting from the jogs alignment. The results of this approach show a reduction of the total shot count in the mask fabrication stage by 18%, while the EPE distribution is still almost the same compared to the standard OPC approach, promising for a nice enhancement in the OPC flow to be more fracture friendly expected to decrease the data size of the fracturing, the mask writing time as well as the mask costs.
Short- and medium-range structure of amorphous zircon from molecular dynamics simulations

We have obtained new insights into the structure of amorphous zircon using classical molecular dynamics simulations with a partial charge model. We present detailed structural characterizations of the simulated high and low density amorphous zircon and compare our results with available neutron diffraction, EXAFS, NMR and other experimental results. The results show that amorphization leads to polymerization of the silicon-oxygen network and the formation of regions rich in zirconium. The average n value of Qn species is 1.6-1.8. A considerable percentage of the oxygen ions (around 20%) have only zirconium in the first coordination shell (free oxygen) in amorphous zircon. The Zr-O bond length (around 2.10? ) is shorter and the oxygen coordination number around zirconium smaller (6-7) than those in crystalline zircon, in good agreement with the EXAFS results. The total structure factors of simulated amorphous zircon also agree well with neutron diffraction results. We have examined the effects of the simulation cell size and relative density on the amorphous structure. The general features such as polymerization of silicon-oxygen network and the formation of clustered zirconium rich regions appear to be independent of system size and volume expansion in the range of 11 to 18%. Based on the obtained amorphousmore » zircon structure, experimentally observed lower chemical durability of amorphous zircon compared to its crystalline form can be explained by the existence of the silicon-oxygen networks and zirconium rich regions in amorphous zircon that provides diffusion channels and eases dissolution processes. Battelle operates PNNL for the USDOE« less
The battle of crops against drought: Genetic dissection and improvement.

With ongoing global climate change, water scarcity-induced drought stress remains a major threat to agricultural productivity. Plants undergo a series of physiological and morphological changes to cope with drought stress, including stomatal closure to reduce transpiration and changes in root architecture to optimize water uptake. Combined phenotypic and multi-omics studies have recently identified a number of drought-related genetic resources in different crop species. The functional dissection of these genes using molecular techniques has enriched our understanding of drought responses in crops and has provided genetic targets for enhancing resistance to drought. Here, we review recent advances in the cloning and functional analysis of drought resistance genes and the development of technologies to mitigate the threat of drought to crop production. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Strongly asymptotically optimal design and control of production and service systems

In this paper we consider production and service systems that can be modeled as single or multiple stage queueing networks. We provide a formal definition of strong asymptotic optimality in the context of design and control of such queueing systems. We describe a simple approach to obtain strongly asymptotically optimal design and control policies for these systems. We illustrate our approach through some examples. In particular we obtain a strongly asymptotically optimal workload allocation for a multiple center service system modeled by the open Jackson network. The objective here is to minimize the expected total holding cost. A simple counter example shows that the much celebrated balanced workload allocation is not even asymptotically optimal for minimizing the expected number of jobs in the system. We show that an index policy is strongly asymptotically optimal for the scheduling control problem in a single stage (G/GI/1) service system. We also obtain a strongly asymptotically optimal allocation of classes of customers to a multiple center service system. This allocation agrees with the traditional wisdom of forming service stations to process similar tasks that reduce fluctuations in processing times. Suggestions for further work on this topic are summarized as well.
The ERAD system is restricted by elevated ceramides

Misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are removed through a process known as ER-associated degradation (ERAD). ERAD occurs through an integral membrane protein quality control system that recognizes substrates, retrotranslocates the substrates across the membrane, and ubiquitinates and extracts the substrates from the membrane for degradation at the cytosolic proteasome. While ERAD systems are known to regulate lipid biosynthetic enzymes, the regulation of ERAD systems by the lipid composition of cellular membranes remains unexplored. Here, we report that the ER membrane composition influences ERAD function by incapacitating substrate extraction. Unbiased lipidomic profiling revealed that elevation of specific very-long-chain ceramides leads to a marked increase in the level of ubiquitinated substrates in the ER membrane and concomitantly reduces extracted substrates in the cytoplasm. This work reveals a previously unrecognized mechanism in which ER membrane lipid remodeling changes the activity of ERAD.
Extended wavelength InGaAs infrared detector arrays based on three types of material structures grown by MBE

Extended wavelength InGaAs infrared detector arrays in 1.0~2. 5μm spectral rang based on three types of material structures grown by MBE were studied. The first type InGaAs detectors, marked by sample 1#, were fabricated using Pi- N epitaxial materials, mesa etching technique, side-wall and surface passivating film. The second type InGaAs detectors, marked by sample 2#, were fabricated using N-i-P epitaxial materials, mesa etching technique, side-wall and surface passivating film. The third type InGaAs detectors, marked by sample 3#, were fabricated using n-i-n epitaxial materials, planar diffusion process and surface passivating coating. I-V curves, low frequency noise and response spectra of these detectors were measured at the different temperature. The response spectra of these detectors cover 1.0~2. 5μm wavelength range. The dark current density of three types InGaAs detectors are 28nA/cm2, 2μA/cm2, 9μA/cm2 at 200K and -10mV bias voltage, respectively. Compared to Sample 2# and Sample 3#, sample 1# presents the lower dark current at the same temperature and the same bias voltage, which mainly results in the improvement of surface passivation film and the depth of mesa etching. The frequency spectrum of the noise of sample 1# has an inflection point at about 10Hz frequency, 1/f noise play an obviously role in the detectors below the 10Hz frequency.
Evaluation of Dose Calculation Based on Cone-Beam CT Using Different Measuring Correction Methods for Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Purpose: To investigate and compare 2 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) correction methods for CBCT-based dose calculation. Materials and Methods: Routine CBCT image sets of 12 head and neck cancer patients who received volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatment were retrospectively analyzed. The CBCT images obtained using an on-board imager (OBI) at the first treatment fraction were firstly deformable registered and padded with the kVCT images to provide enough anatomical information about the tissues for dose calculation. Then, 2 CBCT correction methods were developed and applied to correct CBCT Hounsfield unit (HU) values. One method (HD method) is based on protocol-specific CBCT HU to physical density (HD) curve, and the other method (HM method) is based on histogram matching (HM) of HU value. The corrected CBCT images (CBCTHD and CBCTHM for HD and HM methods) were imported into the original planning system for dose calculation based on the HD curve of kVCT (the planning CT). The dose computation result was analyzed and discussed to compare these 2 CBCT-correction methods. Results: Dosimetric parameters, such as the Dmean, Dmax and D5% of the target volume in CBCT plan doses, were higher than those in the kVCT plan doses; however, the deviations were less than 2%. The D2%, in parallel organs such as the parotid glands, the deviations from the CBCTHM plan dose were less than those of the CBCTHD plan dose. The differences were statistically significant (P < .05). Meanwhile, the V30 value based on the HM method was better than that based on the HD method in the oral cavity region (P = .016). In addition, we also compared the γ passing rates of kVCT plan doses with the 2 CBCT plan doses, and negligible differences were found. Conclusion: The HM method was more suitable for head and neck cancer patients than the HD one. Furthermore, with the CBCTHM-based method, the dose calculation result better matches the kVCT-based dose calculation.
Comparison of an ultrasonic interferometer manometer and a static expansion system using a capacitance diaphragm gauge

The paper describes the results of a comparison of two primary low-pressure standards, (i) the Ultrasonic Interferometer Manometer (UIM) and (ii) the Static Expansion Apparatus (SEA), maintained at the National Physical Laboratory (NPLI), India. The comparison was carried out by employing a capacitance diaphragm gauge (CDG) of 1333 Pa full-scale range as the transfer standard over the pressure range 1 Pa to 1000 Pa. For pressures of 20 Pa and above, the values of the calibration factor of the CDG obtained on the SEA deviate 0,10 % from the values by the thermal transpiration equation and this deviation increases to over 0,4 % for pressures lower than 20 Pa. For the UIM, the deviation is found below 0,05 % at pressures of 100 Pa and above, but increases to 0,8 % for pressures as low as 1 Pa. The comparison (i) establishes the mutual compatibility of the two primary standards in the region of pressure overlap and (ii) sets limits to the uncertainty of measurements made on the two systems, which are 0,2 % at 1000 Pa and 1,0 % at 10-4 Pa for the SEA and 0,0014 % at 1000 Pa and 1,4 % at 1 Pa for the UIM.
Weakly nonlinear dynamics and the 8 parameter

The amplitude of cosmological density fluctuations, �8, has been studied and estimated by analysing many cosmological observations. The values of the estimates vary considerably between the various probes. However, different estimators probe the value of �8 in different cosmological scales and do not take into account the nonlinear evolution of the parameter at late times. We show that estimates of the amplitude of cosmological density fluctuations derived from cosmic flows are systematically higher than those inferred at early epochs from the CMB because of nonlinear evolution at later times. We discuss the past and future evolution of linear and nonlinear perturbations, derive corrections to the value of �8 and compare amplitudes after accounting for these differences.
One Health challenges for pig reproduction

The current state of the world challenges pig reproduction as an important part of One Health, which involves interrelationships between animal, human and environmental health. The One Health concept underlines a comparative aspect in reproductive physiology and disease occurrence, bridging knowledge from one species to another. Seasonal changes in the environment affect pig reproduction and climate change may further strengthen those effects. Endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and specifically phthalates and heavy metals, interfere with endocrine function, and thereby sexual behavior, fertilization capacity and steroidogenesis. Reproductive infections and extended semen storage are important indications for antimicrobial use. Innovative solutions are needed to explore alternatives to antimicrobials. Efforts to ensure reproductive efficiency have prolonged farrowing as litter size has doubled over the past three decades, compromising immune transfer and welfare. Physiological, metabolic and programming related events around parturition are key areas for future One Health research in pig reproduction. In conclusion, climate change challenges reproductive management and breeding. More resilient pigs that can tolerate harsh environment but maintain high reproductive performance are needed. EDCs continue to grow as an environmental challenge for reproductive management and alternatives to antibiotics will be required.
Reconfiguration of Personal Computers' Internal Equipment for Improved Protection Against Penetrating EM Pulses

In this paper a thorough investigation of EM pulse penetration into personal computers through intended apertures (CD ROM, floppy drive) is achieved using Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method. Electric field distribution on the mainboard and CPU is obtained for different incident wave polarizations and different orientations of internal equipment. It has been shown that by altering conventional orientation of internal boards, the configuration of CPU cooling system and optimizing the implementation of intended apertures, the maximum amplitude of induced electric field on the mainboard can be reduced and a smoother field distribution will be achieved. It is observed that the tangential component of induced electric field due to external radiation on the CPU in the optimized configuration will be half as much as that of conventional case boxes.