Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attitudes, And Practice Of Shared Decision Making Among Physicians From Guayaquil, Ecuador

Introduction: Shared Decision Making (SDM) is a world known strategy where collaboration between patient and physician engages patients in the decision making process. This study focuses in measuring the attitudes, and practice of SDM among physicians from Guayaquil, Ecuador as a developing country. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out from November 2014 to January 2015 on 152 physicians who were working in secondary and tertiary hospitals as well as in private practice in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The survey consisted of 13 questions, all with fixed responses. Six related to participants demographic characteristics, and seven related to perception and practice of SDM. Results: Among all participants, the majority were men (59.2%), from 25-34 years old (58.6%), with 0-4 years of professional experience (46.7%), no specialty (44.7%), and that worked exclusively in hospitals (35.5%). From the total recruited physicians, 69.1% had heard about SDM before. Conclusions: However, our findings demonstrate that SDM is a known term and it is considered a positive process. Therefore, SDM has a productive field where to be applied; and efforts should be directed to the creation of health policies that advocate SDM as a practice in medical consults.
Determinants of Non-Compliance of Public Procurement Regulations in Kenyan Secondary Schools.

Kenya’s public procurement and disposal Act of 2005 sets out clear rules and procedures for public procurement entities to follow; however this does not seem to be the case. This study sought to examine determinants of Non-compliance to the Public Procurement Regulations in Kenyan Secondary Schools. The study adopted a descriptive survey research. A sample of twelve (12) schools was utilized in this study from a population of thirty three (33) registered public secondary schools in Kitui Central District. The target population was the Public Secondary School Tendering Committees’ members; the suppliers and the principals of the twelve (12) Public Secondary Schools were adopted for this study. Stratified random sampling was adopted in this study. The tendering committees yielded 120 respondents, school principals were 12 and the total number of suppliers was 60. Structured self administered questionnaires, interview guides and document analysis were used in data collection. Findings in this study revealed that most respondents in this study were not familiar with the new procurement rules and regulations. There is need therefore for government and public institutions to lay emphasis on familiarization of the new procurement rules and regulations and to intensify continuous education among the procurement stakeholders in the public procurement process particularly at the secondary school level. Key words: Procurement, compliance, secondary schools, Kenya.
The Enhancement of Confocal Images of Tissues at Bulk Optical Immersion

The purpose of the present work is a theoretical examination of how localized skin-tissue dehydra- tion affects the depth of the confocal probing and what depth of effective detection can be reached with the chemical administration of skin tissues. A semi-infinite multilayer Monte Carlo model is used to estimate spa- tial localization of the output signal offered by a confocal probe. A solution of glycerol is taken in the capacity of innocuous osmotic agent. Diffusion of this bio-compatible chemical agent into the skin temporarily pushes water out of the tissues and results in the matching of the refractive indices of skin structural elements. This temporarily decreases scattering and increases transparency of topical skin layers, which allows for unrestricted light to permeate deeper into the skin. The results of simulation show that signal spatial localization offered by a confocal probe in the skin tissues during their clearing is usable for the monitoring of deep reticular dermis and improving the image contrast and spatial resolution. A discussion of the optical properties of skin tissues and their changes due to diffusion of glycerol into the skin is given. Optical properties of tissues and their changes due to chemical administration are estimated based on the results of experimental in vitro study with rat and human skin.
The Importance of Health Literacy in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Literature Review

The spread of chronic diseases is increasing due to the changing lifestyle in the growing human societies. Understanding and having knowledge of the causes of diseases, which are referred to as health literacy, can be useful in reducing the incidence of chronic diseases, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD). The level of health literacy in chronic diseases such as CKD can play a significant role in reducing the complications of the disease and preventing its progression. Among effective ways to enhance the level of health literacy in patients include creation of an educational program related to their needs, which can have a significant effect on the process and the level of these patients' satisfaction from the treatment as well as encouraging them towards it.
6 Alterations in the Brainstem Preautonomic Circuitry May Contribute to Hypertension Associated with Metabolic Syndrome

Bradley J. Buck1, Lauren K. Nolen2, Lauren G. Koch3, Steven L. Britton4 and Ilan A. Kerman5 1College of Medicine, The University of Toledo, OH, 2 Genetics and Genomic Sciences Theme, Graduate Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, 3Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, 4Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, 5Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
Nonperturbative studies of quantum gravity

One of several possibilities to construct a quantum theory of gravity is employing the Feynman path integral. This approach is plagued by some problems: the integration measure is not uniquely defined, the Einstein-Hilbert action unbounded, and perturbation theory nonrenormalizable. To make the path integral tractable one can approximate the continuous geometry of spacetime by a simplicial complex. The edge lengths of this lattice are considered as the dynamical degrees of freedom and Regge calculus is applied. In this work, numerical simulations using the Regge-Einstein action and a "compact" action show the occurence of a phase transition. The strength of this transition, separating a well-defined phase with finite expectation values from an ill-defined phase, is weaker for the compact action, which might be important for the continuum limit. To analyze the interaction mechanism of this formulation of quantum gravity, correlation functions between geometrical quantities like edge lengths, volume elements, and local curvatures have been computed. Our results for the two-point functions seem to prefer exchange particles with an effective mass. To ease treatment of quantum gravity a new approach is proposed consisting in a transformation of the path integral to the partition function of a spin system. This facilitates analytical and numerical calculations considerably. First results for the phase structure in two as in four dimensions are presented and indicate promising similarities to the original Regge theory.
Recent empirical findings suggest the existence of a positive relation between the level of trust in a society and several economic performance

We investigate experimentally whether higher trust leads to increased performance by relying on simple trust games. Our results show that trust and performance are positively related but not as strong as suggested in the investment game. As a side result, we observe that the rewards of the subjects’ investment decisions are more equally shared than in the standard investment game. JEL classification : (1) GESTE, ENGEES CEMAGREF, 1, quai Koch 67070, Strasbourg, France, mbchir@engees.unistra. fr (2) GESTE, ENGEES CEMAGREF, 1, quai Koch 67070, Strasbourg, France, anne.rozan@engees.unistra. fr (3) LAMETA, Université de Montpellier 1, Institut Universitaire de France, Avenue Raymond Dugrand, CS. 79606, 34960 Montpellier CEDEX 2, marc.willinger@lameta.univ-montp1.fr * corresponding author
AD-A 272 060 I III III Standard ML Signatures for a Protocol Stack

This paper describes the design of a protocol stack implemented in Standard ML. Standard ML's signatures are a language construct which can be used to specify or constrain the interface of a module. The design includes both a generic signature which generalizes all the protocol modules, and individual signatures specific to each protocol module. The specific signatures all inherit from the generic signature. The implementation of each protocol is parametrized, so protocols can be composed into custom protocol stacks. The parameter to each protocol is constrained only by the generic signature, and this lets any protocol instance satisfying a specific signature be used as the parameter to any other protocol. As a result, the design and implementation are highly modular, and syntactic compatibility between modules is checked by the compiler. To provide some context for the discussion of the signatures, some of the details of the implementation are also presented. Authors' electronic mail addresses are; Edoardo. Biagionitcs. emu. edu, Robert. HarperCcs. emu. edu, and Peter. LeeCcs. emu.edu. D.iC liuALITY mß? aCTED 5
Neuroscientific Contextualization of Conscious Experience and Its Philosophical Implication

Abstract This paper makes a significant contribution to the debate on the nature of conscious experience as caused, or not caused, by external objects by providing further arguments for the position that perceptual objects are determined by the causal antecedents of our perceptual experience. This paper shows that it is wrong to seek for a theory of mind purely on a priori ground, and in the same vein, psychologists and neuroscientists are guilty of thinking that they could account for perceptual awareness of physical objects in terms of brain functions or identification of neural correlates of conscious experience alone. While acknowledging the fact that the explanation of the relation between physical objects and their qualities involves a priori consideration, the fact also remains that physical descriptions of conscious experience cannot be ruled out. Neither a descriptive nor a priori method of explanation of the relation between physical objects and their qualities suffices when conceived exclusively of each other.
On the Possibility of Intensity Based Registration for Metric Resolution SAR and Optical Imagery

Multimodal image registration is a key to many remote sensing tasks like fusion, change detection, GIS overlay operations, 3D visualization etc. With advancements in research, intensity based similarity metrics namely mutual information (MI) and cluster reward algorithm (CRA) have been utilized for intricate multimodal registration problem. The computation of these metrics involves estimating the joint histogram directly from image intensity values, which might have been generated from different sensor geometries and/or modalities (e.g. SAR and optical). Modern day satellites like TerraSAR-X and IKONOS provide high resolution images generating enormous data volume along with very different image radiometric properties (especially in urban areas) not observed ever before. Thus, performance evaluation of intensity based registration techniques for metric resolution imagery becomes an interesting case study. In this paper, we analyze the performance of similarity metrics namely, mutual information and cluster reward algorithm for metric resolution images acquired over both plain and urban/semi-urban areas. Techniques for handling the generated enormous data volume and influence of really different sensor geometries over images especially acquired over urban areas have also been proposed and rightfully analyzed. Our findings from three carefully selected datasets indicate that the intensity based techniques can still be utilized for high resolution imagery but certain adaptations (like compression and segmentation) become useful for meaningful registration results.
After recruitment, then what? Five executives' experiences seen in relation to organizational culture

Increasing demands in the market create a need for retaining highly qualified leaders in companies today. The undesirable consequences and high costs of a mismatch between a new hire and a new company underline the need for an investment of time and resources in the recruitment of potential employees. This leads into the aim of this study, which is to investigate what executives consider to be important aspects in their recruitment, position and new companies. The aspects emphasized will then be presented, analyzed and discussed in relation to theoretical concepts in the field under study. Research on organizational culture is introduced and seen in relation to aspects such as recruitment, innovation and creativity. The concept of leadership is also discussed, followed by an account of some of its different facets. A qualitative inquiry method is used, entailing in-depth interviews with five executives with different types of positions and from diverse companies. The results show that various aspects, such as the perceived level of procedural justice in the new company, the level of influence and decision-making, the quality of the superior-subordinate relationship and the overall organizational culture, have an effect on the executives' abilities to perform their work responsibilities, as well as on their contentment with their position and company. Key words: Organizational culture, Leadership, Executives, Procedural justice, Superior-subordinate relationship, Decision-making, Influence
Statistical Analysis of Bed Surfaces in Sand Bed Rivers

This paper presents results from a preliminary investigation of the applicability of the random field approach to describe bed geometry in sand bed rivers. The investigations are based on high-resolution bed surface data of a physical bed load model of a longitudinal section of the river Odra. The first four statistical moments are used to describe differences in bed geometry which arise due to different river maintenance strategies and discharges. The results show the potential of the standard elevation of bed elevations as an indicator for vertical bed form dimension. It is shown that σz is correlated to discharge and may be used to describe bed form dynamical behavior during a flood wave. The average migration velocity of bed forms is estimated using cross correlation function.
Literature Review on Dynamics and Determinants of Dividend Policy inPakistan Evidences from Pakistan

The natural approach is undertaken by all the researchers regarding critical literature review is to make a target oriented attempt to categorize all the existing writings in to different relevant groups or classifications that fall within our area of interest and to find out main pillars of our discussion to support our research gaps as a point of helping argument in our study. Identifying all the principal authors of different research works by “backtracking” from a well-known, recent contribution to the oldest contributions in the same area of work. Same is the case with the present study, where literature review of all relevant work has been rigorously attempted to find out research gaps or research questions.
The Economic Value of Education by Race and Ethnicity

Using data from the U.S. Census and the National Longitudinal Surveys, the authors find little evidence of differences in the economic value of education across racial and ethnic groups, even with attempts to control for ability and measurement error biases. As a result, they argue, policies that increase education among the low-skilled, who are disproportionately African American and Hispanic, have a good possibility of increasing their economic well-being and reducing inequality.
BOARD DIVERSITY IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF FINANCIAL DISTRESS: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM THE NETHERLANDS

This paper analyses the relationship between board diversity (in gender and in nationality) and financial distress. A summary of the theory behind board diversity precedes an overview of the empirical evidence on the relationship between diversity and company performance. The paper presents empirical research on the relationship between a negative performance measure, financial distress, and diversity on the board. The results show a positive relationship between the presence of foreign non-executive directors and financial distress. It is suggested that this is caused by negative communication and misunderstandings. No relationship is found between the gender of a director and financial distress. On a micro-level, the data do not show evidence for the glass cliff hypothesis.
hepatocarcinoma cells through caspase-3 activation , decreased Bcl-2 levels , increased p 53 expression and PARP cleavage

Please cite this article as: Catarina Vizetto-Duarte , Luı́sa Custódio , Katkam N. Gangadhar , João Henrique G. Lago , Catarina Dias , Ana Marta Matos , Nuno Neng , José Manuel Florêncio Nogueira , Luı́sa Barreira , Fernando Albericio , Amelia P. Rauter , Joao Varela , Isololiolide, a carotenoid metabolite isolated from the brown alga Cystoseira tamariscifolia, is cytotoxic and able to induce apoptosis in hepatocarcinoma cells through caspase-3 activation, decreased Bcl-2 levels, increased p53 expression and PARP cleavage, Phytomedicine (2016), doi: 10.1016/j.phymed. 2016.02. 008
Constellation and Mapping Optimization of APSK Modulations used in DVB-S2

This article represents the algorithms of APSK constellation and mapping optimization. The dependencies of the symbol error probability P s on the parameters of the 16APSK and 32APSK constellations are examined and several options that satisfy the requirements to the minimum value of P s are selected. Mapping optimization is carried out for the selected APSK constellations. BER characteristics of the satellite DVB-S2 channels are represented when using optimized and standard 16APSK and 32APSK constellations and a comparative analysis of the results achieved is made.
Komninos, Andreas and Nicol, Emma and Dunlop, Mark (2014) Reflections on design workshops with older adults for touchscreen

On touchscreen devices such as smartphones and tablets, text entry remains key to many tasks and is an important factor in the usability of such devices. The physical and cognitive issues associated with ageing can make the known problems of text entry particularly acute for older adults. Poor usability can present a significant problem for older adults where accessing services and social activities are concerned, both of which have implications for exclusion. In a study of mobile text entry where we aimed to develop novel keyboard layouts to address the particular requirements of this group of users we employed a variety of participatory design techniques. We report on our experiences from employing these methods and the methodological implications for further research in this area.
Valeur diagnostique de deux bandelettes réactives ( Multistix ® 8 SG et Combur ® 2 LN ) dans l ’ infection spontanée du liquide d ’ ascite et

Results — Four hundred and forty three paracentesis were performed in 116 patients including 46 samples of ascitic fluid with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis occurring in 25 patients and 20 samples of ascitic fluid with symptomatic bacterascites occurring in 17 patients. Forty two percent of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis were culture-negative neutrocytic ascites, gram-positive pathogens and enterobacteriaceae were responsible for 36% and 21% episodes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and 71% and 29% episodes of symptomatic bacterascites respectively. Fifty seven percent of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis had polymorphonuclear cell count < 1000/mm3. For spontaneous bacterial peritonitis diagnosis, grade 1 positive Multistix® and Combur® tests had a sensitivity of 69.6% and 80.4% respectively, and a negative predictive value of 96% and 97.3%. Grade 2 positivity increased specificity to 98% and 99.2% and positive predictive value to 75% and 91% for the two strips respectively. Grade 1 positive tests had a sensitivity of 100% and 90% and a negative predictive value of 100% and 99.4% respectively for diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis with polymorphonuclear count > 1000/mm3. For symptomatic bacterascites diagnosis, grade 1 positive tests had a sensitivity of 22.4% and 44.4% respectively and a negative predictive value of 96% and 97%. Conclusion — Although Combur® had a higher sensitivity than Multistix® for the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, sensitivity of the two strips remains low with polymorphonuclear cell count < 1000/mm3. Grade 2 positive Combur® test had an acceptable positive predictive value. Sensitivity of both strips is insufficient for diagnosis of symptomatic bacterascites. Rapid cyto-bacteriological analysis of ascitic fluid remains necessary for diagnosis of these complications. RÉSUMÉ
A Good Family History , the First Step in Reaching a Diagnosis

The authors review the utility of genetic testing in ophthalmic disorders – precise diagnosis, accurate prognosis, genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, and entry into gene-specific therapeutic trials. The prerequisites for a successful outcome of a genetic test are an accurate clinical diagnosis, a careful family history that guides which genes to study, and genetic counseling (both pretest and post-test). The common eye disorders for which genetic testing is commonly requested are briefly discussed – anophthalmia, microphthalmia, coloboma, anterior segment dysgenesis, corneal dystrophies, cataracts, optic atrophy, congenital glaucoma, congenital amaurosis, retinitis pigmentosa, color blindness, juvenile retinoshisis, retinoblastoma etc. A protocol for genetic testing is presented. If specific mutations in a gene are common, they should form the first tier test, as the mutations in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. If mutations in one gene are likely, sequencing of that gene should be carried out, e.g. GALT gene in galactosemia, RS1 gene in retinoshisis. Disorders with genetic heterogeneity require multi-gene panel tests, and if these show no abnormality, then deletion / duplication or microarray studies are recommended, followed in sequence by clinical exome (5000 to 6000 genes), full exome (about 20,000 genes or whole genome studies (includes all introns). It is fortunate that most genetic tests in ophthalmology are available in India, including gene panel and whole exome/genome sequencing tests.