Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictive analytics in practice: A novel simulation application for addressing patient flow challenges in today's emergency departments

Objectives: To develop a flexible software application that uses predictive analytics to enable emergency department (ED) decision-makers in virtually any environment to predict the effects of operational interventions and enhance continual process improvement efforts. To demonstrate the ability of the application’s core simulation model to recreate and predict sitespecific patient flow in two very different EDs: a large academic center and a freestanding ED. To describe how the application was used by a freestanding ED medical director to match ED resources to patient demand. Methods: The application was developed through a public-private partnership between University of Florida Health and Roundtable Analytics, Inc., supported by a National Science Foundation Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant. The core simulation technology was designed to be quickly adaptable to any ED using data routinely collected by most electronic health record systems. To demonstrate model accuracy, Monte Carlo studies were performed to predict the effects of management interventions in two distinct ED settings. At one ED, the medical director conducted simulation studies to evaluate the sustainability of the current staffing strategy and inform his decision to implement specific interventions that better match ED resources to patient demand. After implementation of one intervention, the fidelity of the model’s predictions was evaluated. Results: A flexible, cloud-based software application enabling ED decision-makers to predict the effects of operational decisions was developed and deployed at two qualitatively distinct EDs. The application accurately recreated each ED’s throughput and faithfully predicted the effects of specific management interventions. At one site, the application was used to identify when increasing arrivals will dictate that the current staffing strategy will be less effective than an alternative strategy. As actual arrivals approached this point, decision-makers used the application to simulate a variety different interventions; this directly informed their decision to implement a new strategy. The observed outcomes resulting from this intervention fell within the range of predictions from the model. Conclusion: This application overcomes technical barriers that have made simulation modeling inaccessible to key decision-makers in emergency departments. Using this technology, ED managers with no programming experience can conduct customized simulation studies regardless of their ED’s volume and complexity. In two very different case studies, the fidelity of the application was established and the application was shown to have a direct positive effect on patient flow. The effective use of simulation modeling promises to replace inefficient trial-anderror approaches and become a useful and accessible tool for healthcare managers challenged to make operational decisions in environments of increasingly scarce resources.
Customer equity considerations in service recovery: a cross‐industry perspective

Service recovery, or “doing things very right the second time” has been identified as a strategic issue in the services marketing and management literature. So far, much of the research on this phenomenon has departed from the disconfirmation paradigm. However, since perceptions of fairness play such an important role in service recovery situations, it seems desirable to supplement extant literature with the equity paradigm. Therefore, we designed an experimental study to assess the impact of customer equity considerations on perceived quality, satisfaction, loyalty and trust with respect to service recovery across different service industries. Our findings reveal that in general, distributional fairness and procedural fairness during the service recovery significantly improve scores for service quality, customer satisfaction, customer loyalty and trust, whereas interactional fairness only enhances customer trust perceptions. Furthermore, our results suggest that the effects of equity considerations in a service recovery situation are idiosyncratic to specific service industries.
A mortar method for energy‐momentum conserving schemes in frictionless dynamic contact problems

In the present work the mortar method is applied to planar large deformation contact problems without friction. In particular, the proposed form of the mortar contact constraints is invariant under translations and rotations. These invariance properties lay the foundation for the design of energy‐momentum time‐stepping schemes for contact–impact problems. The iterative solution procedure is embedded into an active set algorithm. Lagrange multipliers are used to enforce the mortar contact constraints. The solution of generalized saddle point systems is circumvented by applying the discrete null space method. Numerical examples demonstrate the robustness and enhanced numerical stability of the newly developed energy‐momentum scheme. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigating multiple changes in persistence in international yields

Although better information about the dynamics of the yields on financial assets is decisive for both borrowers and lenders alike, it is not uncommon, in the literature, for researchers to employ standard unit-root tests to determine the extent of the persistence, and based on such results, treat the entire series as either stationary or non-stationary. In this paper, using weekly data of yields in four international markets – Canada, the UK, the US and the euro area – from March 1997 to October 2013, and employing an approach which allows us to identify regime switches between periods of I(0) versus I(1) behaviour, we provide empirical evidence for the realistic possibility that yields may, in fact, have changing persistence over time. Our results identify and compare, for each market and several maturities, the time variation properties in the dynamics of the yield curves. Some economic implications of our results are discussed.
Similarity of ground beetle communities of extensively managed orchards depending on management regimes

From April 1995 to November 1997 investigations were carried out in orchards in South-West Germany (48°36'N/9°23'E): data were collected on the type and frequency of grassland use and data on the carabid fauna. 17 sample plots were selected. Part of the plots had 25 years of unchanged management regimes which were three-cutting meadows (3), two-cutting meadows (3), mulched meadows (4), abandoned meadows (3), a horse pasture, a sheep pasture with rotational grazing, a continuously grazed sheep pasture, and a sheep pasture abandoned in 1994. On nearly all studied plots the relative frequency of dominant species changed. 3-cutting meadows frequently show a one-sided activity dominance structure. A cluster analysis depending on Wainstein Index demonstrates: the carabid communities of plots under succession and 3-cutting meadows were distinct and hardly similar to other cultivation plots. The composition of the carabid communities was less constant on the plots compared to the vegetation community. The communities of neighbouring study plots with different management treatment were therefore often more similar compared to plots which had the same management treatment but were further apart. The management of sub growing in orchards and its influence on ground beetle communities is briefly discussed.
A review of leakage current mechanism in nitride based light emitting diode

We review the dominant mechanism and characteristics of it which gave rise to the existence of forward and reverse leakage current in nitride based light emitting diode (LED). LED is one of the promising device to be used as a lighting source because it does not contain mercury unlike fluorescent lamps. However, the existence of leakage current can affect the reliability and efficiency of LED. Hence, its importance to understand the mechanism that responsible for its existence. The occurrence of leakage current is divided into three main parameters: 1) low bias; 2) medium or high bias; 3) temperature dependence. In low reverse bias, Poole-Frenkel is the dominant mechanism while tunneling is the dominant mechanism in high bias region. Furthermore, in forward bias, defect assisted tunneling is most likely the dominant mechanism. In low forward bias, electrons are the dominant carriers in defect assisted tunneling while in medium forward bias, holes are the dominant carriers. Moreover, Variable Range Hopping (VRH) is reported to be dominant when the temperature of conduction is below 200K.
Trends in introductory programming courses in Australian universities: languages, environments and pedagogy

This paper reports the results of a study of 44 introductory programming courses in 28 Australian universities, conducted in the latter months of 2010. Results of this study are compared with two censuses previously conducted during 2001 and 2003, to identify trends in student numbers, programming language and environment/tool use and the reasons for choice of these, paradigms taught, instructor experience, text used and time spent on problem solving strategies in lectures and tutorials. Measures of mental effort experienced during the solution of novice programming problems were also examined.
Need for the Rational Use of Antibacterial in Paediatric Population

Necessary use of antibiotics helps to facilitate the treatment of numerous infectious diseases. With the expansion and the development of new antibiotics, the rising incidence of microbial resistance among pathogens is alarming. The efficacy of various effective antibiotics is questionable. We are continuously exposed with the challenge to provide useful regimen to our patients who do not further facilitate resistance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate common diseases, determining the ratio of conducting culture sensitivity tests and finding the correct consistency of antibiotics during the use by evaluating numerous parameters such as length of therapy, dose and frequency of dosing. We collected the data from various hospital settings of Karachi, Pakistan. Data was gathered from 90 paediatric residents during August to December, 2009. Results showed that acute gastro enteritis is the most common disease found among paediatric residents. Culture sensitivity test was not performed in majority of cases while inappropriateness related to the period of therapy and prescribed dose is mostly seen during the study as compared to frequency of dosing. It is essential that there should be a patterned guideline for the treatment of the common diseases that help the providers of health care team to treat different diseases and to suitably prescribed antibiotics.
Study of thermal conductivity design for thermal loaded geomaterials.

Soil thermal conductivity plays preponderant role in many geoengineering projects involving thermal effects, such as high voltage underground power cables, oil and gas pipelines, nuclear waste disposal facilities, ground heat energy storage and heat exchanger piles. A thorough understanding of thermal conductivity is necessary in heat transfer modelling. Depending upon the application and desired purpose of such projects, materials with either high or low thermal conductivity are used. Materials with high thermal conductivity are desirable in cases such as high voltage underground power cables to dissipate the generated heat rapidly to the surrounding soil. On the other hand, ground heat energy storage needs materials with low thermal conductivity and high heat capacity to hinder the heat energy loss.
A graph-theoretical approach for comparison of observational galaxy distributions with cosmological N-body simulations

Using a graph-theoretical approach, we compared the galaxy distributions in a flux-limited galaxy sample extracted from the Lyon-Meudon Extragalactic Database ("the LEDA subsample") with those in cosmological N-body simulations. To derive information on the density parameter of our Universe, we used CDM simulations with (Ω0, λ0) = (0.1, 0.9), (0.5, 0.5), (1.0, 0.0), and prepared artificial samples. Constellation graphs were constructed from the galaxy distributions in the LEDA subsample and those in these artificial samples, and graph theory was applied. For statistical comparison, the mean absolute deviations of the distribution functions of the eigenvalues of the adjacency matrices were calculated. From our analysis we found that a low-density parameter is preferable, although the LEDA subsample we used in this study is not deep enough to provide a definite estimate of the cosmological parameter set of the Universe.
The efficiency of metacognitive development embedded within a motivating lab regarding pre-service science teachers’ learning outcomes

The aim of this study was to improve pre-service science teachers’ science process skills and attitude towards chemistry by developing their metacognitive skills embedded within a motivating chemistry laboratory. The sample of the study was 54 pre-service science teachers who took the first year chemistry lab course at Marmara University. Both the control (n=27) and the experimental group (n=27) carried out 11 experiments, each of which was performed over a lab course. The students comprising the control group performed the experiments following the instructions described in the laboratory manual. However, in the experimental group, pre- and post-discussions about the design of the experiments were held in order to create metacognitive awareness of the experimental design. The students in the experimental group were supported and encouraged during the course and were given four semi-structured reflective interview forms developed by the authors. As opposed to the control group, the students in the experimental group were asked to inquire of the researcher what subjects they should study. While the students in the control group were provided no feedback on their reports, the students in the experimental group were consistently provided positive feedback. The findings showed that the experimental group outperformed the control group in the Science Process Skill Test, particularly in the categories of identifying variables and operationally defining. The first and the last interview forms, which were given at the beginning and the end of the semester, were used for a deeper analysis of the students’ metacognitive skills, motivation and attitude towards the course. The second and the third reflective forms were used to create metacognitive awareness in students. Although the students reflected very positive feedback on the last interview form, the results of the t-test analysis showed that no significant gain was achieved either in the control or experimental group in terms of their attitudes towards chemistry. The results of the analyses seem to be in favor of the experimental group in terms of the development of science process skills, motivational beliefs and metacognitive learning strategies.
THE DILUTION EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING INFORMATION

Riset ini meneliti efek gabungan antara kejutan-kejutan dividen dan laba. Dengan menggunakan belief-adjustment theory yang dikenalkan oleh Hogarth and Einhorn’s (1992), riset ini menguji perilaku dari reaksi investor terhadap waktu (timing) dari pengumuman-pengumuman dividen dan laba. Teori ini memprediksi bahwa untuk kejutankejutan konsisten yang terjadi pada waktu bersamaan, mereka mempunyai pengaruh yang lebih kecil di return saham dibandingkan dengan kejutan-kejutan konsisten yang terjadi secara berurutan (hipotesis ini disebut dengan hipotesis efek dilusi atau the dilution effect hypothesis).
Biology Student Teacher’s Critical Thinking: An Exploration Study

Critical thinking is incorporated in learning outcomes to enable student teacher to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information in the new era of information and technology era. It is very important for the preparation and understanding of their future profession as a teacher who was crucial in setting up the community of critical thinkers. This study aimed to determine the critical thinking ability of Biology student teachers. The method used is descriptive analysis with the total research subject is 98 sophomores in Biology Education at State University of Malang. The instrument used is critical thinking test consisting of 25 multiple choice questions which refer to Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA). Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 for Windows with descriptive statistic. The result showed that only 35 students (35.71%) who have achieved critical thinking ability with the average of 61.39. Ability to evaluate the argument has the highest average (X=79.39) and make inference has the lowest average (X=27.14). Efforts to overcome the lack of critical thinking ability can be done by training the students to solve problems from multiple resources, one of them is through a challenge based learning.
MOTIVATIONAL CHALLENGES IN INSURANCE MARKET OF INDIA

In any organization selling and marketing of their products is key to success. This research paper attempts to provide some facts to insurance industry of India regarding challenges in marketing of insurance plans. It is about the some facts and factors, present as challenges in setting-up of insurance plans/schemes, calculation of premium of insurance policy. LPG model leads to innovative ideas due to competition. Global competition helps insurance industry to cover untapped market and enhance the scope of business by innovative ideas. In study researcher uses the some research papers and observations of secondary market to identify the available challenges in context of India. Paper is providing some suggestions and remedies to curbs the challenges of Indian insurance market.
Review of Policies and Programs for Reducing Maternal Mortality and Promoting Maternal Health in Cross River State, Nigeria

The study was designed to determine the status of maternal health in Cross River State, a state in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria with high rate of maternal mortality. The study consisted of analysis of clinical data, desk reviews of published and unpublished materials and interviews with policymakers and service providers. The results show that although 75.6% of pregnant women in the state attend at least one antenatal visit, only 34.8% are attended to by skilled birth attendants when in labour. Hospital based maternal mortality rate in the state over 11 years (1999-2009) averaged 1,513.4 per 100,000 live births. Human resources for health are 12 Doctors and 47.4 Nurse/midwives per 100,000 of the population. Obstetrics hemorrhage remains the most common cause of maternal mortality, while type III delay is the leading social cause of death. The state has relevant policies that address maternal health such as Free Maternal and Child Health and the national Midwives Service Scheme. However, budgetary allocation for maternal health is small. Deliberate efforts must be made to increase allocation and improve political commitment to reduce the high rate of maternal mortality in Cross River State ( Afr. J. Reprod. Health 2010; 14[3]: 37-42). Résumé des révisions des documents publiés et des interviews avec des décisionnaires et les dispensateurs des services. Les résultats ont montré que bien que 75,6% des femmes enceintes dans l’état aillent au moins une fois à la Clinique prénatale, seules 34,8% sont soignées par les accoucheuses qualifiées pendant le travail. Le taux de mortalité maternelle qui se produit à l’hôpital dans l’état au cours de onze ans (1999-2000) était en moyenne 1,513,4 contre 100,000 naissances-vivantes. Les ressources humaines pour la santé étaient 12 médecins et 47,4 infirmières/sages-femmes par 100.000 habitants. L’hémorragie obstétrique demeure la cause la plus commune de la mortalité maternelle alors que le délai de type 111 est la cause sociale principale de la mort. L’état a des politiques pertinentes qui s’adressent à la santé maternelle tels les services de santé maternelle et infantile gratuits et le programme de services nationaux des sages-femmes. Néanmoins, les allocations budgétaires pour la santé maternelle sont minces. Il faut faire des efforts conscients pour augmenter les allocations et pour améliorer l’engagement politique qui permettront de réduire le taux élevé de la mortalité maternelle dans l’état de Cross River ( Afr. J. Reprod. Health 2010; 14[3]: 37-42).
Engaging smallholder farmers with seasonal climate forecasts for sustainable crop production in semi-arid areas of Zimbabwe

Small holder farmers in the semi-arid areas have not been able to utilize seasonal climate forecasts in making crop management decisions due to limited exposure as well as failure to interpret it. Three participatory meetings were held with farmers in Lower Gweru and Lupane Districts of Zimbabwe soon after the release of the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 seasonal climate forecast in September of each season. This was done to solicit for farmers’ prediction of the coming rainy season and come up with field test crop management practices. Farmers have their sets of indicators that they rely on to forecast seasonal rainfall which are based on generations of past experience that include environmental, biological, and traditional beliefs. There is however, need to investigate how their indicators compare with the scientific forecast in making farming decisions. Farmers claimed that the rains were starting later and finishing earlier whilst analysis of the rainfall record showed that starting rains have been later by 5 to 10 days in the last five years. There was an increase in the number of dry spells in the rainy season in the last five years compared to the period 1980 to 2008. Adding recommended amounts of fertilizers resulted in yield increases of 40% compared to adding half the recommended amounts. Growing long season varieties resulted in higher yields (22%) than growing short season varieties in the 2009/2010 wetter season while growing of shorter season variety had yield advantage (36%) over the long season variety in the 2009/2010 which was relatively dry. Frequent weeding resulted in about 8% increase in maize yields compared to weeding once in a season. The study demonstrates that knowledge of the coming season assists smallholder farmers in coming up with adaptive strategies for climate variability and change. Key words:
Increased prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance in a representative rural population from Deleni, Romania

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in a cross-section of the adult rural population of the village Deleni in northeast Romania. We observed a IGT in 25.9% and diabetes in 14.55% of the general population, and only 60% of randomly selected subjects with a normal glucose tolerance. With regards to gender, we observed slightly higher values in female patients (28.3% with IGT, 17.3% with diabetes), as compared to 10.47% with diabetes and 20.95% with IGT in males. Our report reveals a high prevalence of diabetes and IGT among the rural population of Deleni, Romania. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an increased awareness of diabetes and for an energetic intervention against diabetes and similar lifestyle-related diseases in the rural areas of Romania.
Brief review: dangers of the electronic medical record

In 2009 then president-elect Barack Obama said he planned to continue the Bush administration's push for the federal government to invest in electronic medical records (EMR) so all were digitized within five years. "This will cut waste, eliminate red tape, and reduce the need to repeat expensive medical tests," he said, adding that the switch also would "save lives by reducing the number of errors in medicine"(1). Now over 5 years on, it might be time to examine how EMR has impacted medicine.