Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Students' Criteria for Course Selection: Towards a Metadata Standard for Distributed Higher Education

By 2007, one half of higher education students are expected to enroll in distributed learning courses. Higher education institutions need to attract students searching the Internet for courses and need to provide students with enough information to select courses. Internet resource discovery tools are readily available, however, users have difficulty selecting relevant resources. In part this is due to the lack of a standard for representation of Internet resources. An emerging solution is metadata. In the educational domain, the IEEE Learning Technology Standards Committee (LTSC) has specified a Learning Object Metadata (LOM) standard. This exploratory study (a) determined criteria students think are important for selecting higher education courses, (b) discovered relationships between these criteria and students' demographic characteristics, educational status, and Internet experience, and (c) evaluated these criteria vis-a-vis the IEEE LTSC LOM standard. Web-based questionnaires (N=209) measured (a) the criteria students think are important in the selection of higher education courses and (b) three factors that might influence students' selections. Respondents were principally female (66%), employed full time (57%), and located in the U.S. (89%). The chi square goodness-of-fit test determined 40 criteria students think are important and exploratory factor analysis determined five common factors among the top 21 criteria, three evaluative factors and two descriptive. Results indicated evaluation criteria are very important in course selection. Spearman correlation coefficients and chi-square tests of independence determined the relationships between the importance of selection criteria and demographic characteristics, educational status, and Internet experience. Four profiles emerged representing groups of students with unique concerns. Side by side analysis determined if the IEEE LTSC LOM standard included the criteria of importance to students. The IEEE LOM by itself is not enough to meet students course selection needs. Recommendations include development of a metadata standard for course evaluation and accommodation of group differences in information retrieval systems.
Insider perspectives: Qualitative insight from health visitor practice teachers and managers in 2012/13

This study was conducted to understand the impact of the Health Visitor Implementation Plan on practice in the South West of England from the perspective of practice teachers and managers. A qualitative approach was used; data from practice teachers and managers were collected via semi structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Ten practice teachers and seven managers took part. Increased student numbers following the launch of the implementation plan influenced models of practice supervision, which practice teachers found challenging but also felt had unexpected benefits for the workforce. Managers recognised tensions between newly qualified practitioners and existing staff already providing services using more traditional models. The results reiterate the complex relationship between policy and practice and promote discussion around supervision models and the influence of newly qualified health visitors on the service delivery of the future.
Modulation choices for LPI/LPD communication systems

Summary form only. The need for low probability of intercept/low probability of detection (LPI/LPD) systems has been recognized by the military and civilian agencies. Industry's first attempts at developing such systems were based upon the use of traditional spread spectrum techniques such as frequency hopping and pseudonoise spreading with a lowered transmitted power. Subsequent research and testing has shown that lowering the power on traditional spread spectrum systems does not make them LPI. Research at the Naval Command Control and Ocean Surveillance Center, RDT&E Division Detachment Warminster, PA (NRaD Detachment Warminster) has centered on the development of waveforms that are not detectable using either energy detectors or feature detectors. NRaD has sponsored corporate research and development, as well as performed in house research and development of communication waveforms that are intended to defeat various types of feature detectors. This paper addresses potential threats to communication signals and then discusses the results of various programs to develop waveforms that defeat some of these threats. The detection of LPI/LPD signals will most likely be performed with special advanced detectors, and not simple radio systems. These advanced detectors mostly fall into a category known as feature detectors. As the name implies, feature detectors target certain highly detectable features of the LPI waveform such as the carrier, chip rate, hop rate, etc. Concerns for airborne LPI are also discussed. <<ETX>>
Multi-Perspective Synopsis with Faceted Views of Varying Emphasis

Many datasets have multiple perspectives – e.g. time, space and description – and often summaries are required for these multiple perspectives concurrently. A design challenge is to provide such a concurrent summary of perspectives in ways that neither clutter nor visually overload. We report on a framework that helps us do this. We demonstrate its use with an implementation based on a Crime Pattern Analysis case study that produces synoptic summarises of spatial, temporal and descriptive information in crime reports. Our work with crime analysts suggests that the framework offers some potential for Crime Pattern Analysis.
Transdisciplinary Screening and Intervention for Nutrition, Swallowing, Cognition and Communication: A Case Study

Background: Transdisciplinary health research and clinical practice is supported by numerous Australian health workforce documents and the broader transdisciplinary research literature. This research assessed the impact of early screening and limited intervention for nutrition, swallowing, cognition, and communication deficits in medical admissions in a large metropolitan hospital. Methods and Findings: Validated screening tools were selected and consensus for interventions were obtained by dietetic and speech pathology disciplines. Intensive training was undertaken to familiarize staff members with the screening documents and project scope. Ethics approval was obtained. Participants included 179 patients aged ≥65 years admitted to the emergency department or medical unit. The project significantly reduced referral time to both disciplines, and time to full assessment in dietetics but not speech pathology. Results found 43% of patients were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, and 14 patients had oral intake ceased due to swallowing difficulties. Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that transdisciplinary screening and intervention may work within dietetics and speech pathology, providing an innovative extension to practice. Further alternatives using this model include the use of allied health assistants or less-experienced clinicians, while opportunities exist for transdisciplinary practices within other healthcare disciplines.
Evaluation of Doxorubicin Cardiomyopathy by Signal Averaged Electrocardiography

Purpose: Signal-averaged electrocardiography detects low-amplitude signals designated as late potentials which are strongly related to myocardial damage. We aimed to search for the possible relation between the myocardial effects of doxorubicin and signal-averaged electrocardiographic parameters. Material and Methods: Fortyeight patients who received doxorubicin included chemotherapy were enrolled. Signalaveraged electrocardiographic parameters were detected by using 3 parameters; filtered QRS (fQRS), the square root of the voltage obtained during the last 40 milliseconds of the duration of fQRS (RMS40), the duration starting from the last 40 miliseconds of fQRS till the decrease of voltage under 40 microvolts. (HFLA40). Ejection fractions of the patients were measured by echocardiographic evaluation. Results: Median age was 44 (27-70) years. Mean cumulative doxorubicin dosage was 475.56±98.45 mg. Mean values of the measured signal-averaged electrocardiographic parameters were as follows; fQRS: 78.27±10.74 miliseconds, RMS40:115.10±50.23 and HFLA was 21.95±8.39 microvolts . The doses of doxorubicin showed a positive correlation with fQRS (r=0.28, p=0.02) and a negative correlation with RMS40 (r=-.31,p=0.03). There was no correlation between the doxorubicin dosage and the ejection fraction of the patients (r=.18, p=0.22). Conclusion: Our results suggested that significant correlations are present between fQRS and RMS40 and cumulative doxorubicin dosages. Therefore, signal-averaged electrocardiographic parameters may be of value for predicting the prognosis of the patients who have received doxorubicin included chemotherapy.
Family In Flux: Benchmarking Family Changes In Hong Kong Society

The paper presented in this chapter investigates individuals' familial practices and family formation processes to understand the change of Hong Kong families. It focuses on the type and structure of families in which individuals exist. The paper also focuses on questions related to individuals' sense of familial mutuality. One set of questions relates to informants' interactions with their relatives. Another set relates to their financial responsibility and perceived obligation towards their parents. The paper suggests that individualization in Hong Kong is compartmentalized in that more individualized lifestyles can be contemplated and practised in some areas without undermining family mutuality or the connection between marriage and parenthood, and certainly without establishing diversified familial life-courses. In this regard, the paper argues that individualization in Hong Kong represents a more flexible way of handling and managing the multifarious practices and obligations of family life. Keywords: financial support; Hong Kong families; individualized lifestyles; parents
Reduction of the dimensionality of dynamic programming: a case study

This paper deals with the reduction of the computational complexity of dynamic programming, the well known curse of dimensionality. We show how it can be overcome by using different reduction techniques. Three of the most significant ones are introduced and compared with an example. The main conclusion is that the computational load can be reduced several orders of magnitude in an easy and intuitive way.
Paradigm shifts and instructional technology : An introduction

In his well-known essay on the nature of scientific revolutions, Kuhn (1972) theorized that scientific research proceeds through long, relatively stable periods of normal science intermittently punctuated by briefer, more tumultuous times in which new paradigms for research may emerge. He characterized normal science as " research firmly based upon one or more past scientific achievements, achievements that some particular scientific community acknowledges for a time as supplying the foundation for its further practice " (p. 10). A scientific achievement represents a paradigm for Kuhn if it raises a compelling set of researchable questions and attracts a following of workers intent on pursuing those questions. The paradigm supplies its practitioners with " topics, tools, methodologies, and premises " (Lehnert, 1984, p. 22). It provides purchase in attacking what might previously have been considered intractable problems. A paradigm is not fixed, however, but is refined and extended through use. In Kuhn's words, it becomes " an object for further articulation and specification under new and stringent conditions " (1972, p. 23). Over time, competing paradigms may emerge, potentially leading to one paradigm's abandonment in favor of another. Such shifts are always revolutionary occurrences. As Kuhn observed, " the transition between competing paradigms cannot be made a step at a time, forced by logic and neutral experience. Like the gestalt switch, it must occur all at once (though not necessarily in an instant) or not at all " (1972, p. 150). One interesting feature of Kuhn's theory of scientific revolutions is what he referred to as the " incommensurability of the pre-and post-revolutionary
Estudio y optimización del almacenamiento de información en una memoria holográfica

El primer objetivo de este trabajo de tesis sera el estudio de capas de materiales fotopolimericos basados en PVA/Acrilamida de diferentes espesores para el caso de almacenar redes de difraccion. Una vez que se tenga caracterizado el material, el montaje y los metodos de almacenaje, un segundo objetivo sera almacenar imagenes de diferentes objetos. Estos objetos tendran diferentes formas, tamanos y resoluciones para comprobar cual es el limite de resolucion que tienen las distintas composiciones del material. Para ello, es imprescindible la incorporacion de pantallas de cristal liquido para utilizarlas como moduladores espaciales de luz, y poder introducir asi los diferentes objetos. La ventaja de la utilizacion de pantallas de cristal liquido es que se pueden reprogramar los datos de almacenamiento que han de ser registrados en el polimero, por lo que resulta de interes tanto para la fabricacion de memorias holograficas como para la obtencion de elementos opticos en fotopolimero que posteriormente seran utilizados en procesado optico y optica difractiva. Y para poder utilizarlas, es necesario disponer de estas pantallas debidamente caracterizadas y calibradas para que actuen como solo modulador de amplitud o como solo modulador de fase.
Cochlear Implant Innovations

Extensive research has improved cochlear implant technology in a number of aspects. New coding strategies are important for better speech understanding and music appreciation. Obstructed cochleas can be implanted due to specially designed electrodes. Hybrid devices permit hearing preservation at the low frequencies which can be amplified with the use a hearing aid. Criteria for cochlear implant candidacy have been expanded from profound to severe sensorineural hearing loss. It is important for the Otolaryngologists to be informed about these advances in cochlear implant technology , in order to provide patients with the best options for hearing loss rehabilitation.
Beyond compression: a survey of functionality derived from still image coding

Research on wavelet image coding yielded the ISO/ITU JPEG 2000 standard. Although JPEG 2000 provides improved compression, the its great are progressive resolutions, bit-rate control (or quality control), and regions of interest. What does this suggest for the future of image coding? Should the old requirements (smaller files, faster transmission) be replaced? Perhaps it is time to view still image coding in the larger context of image communication considering such functionality such as access, enhancement, restoration, editing, understanding, security, indexing, and distribution. This paper surveys recent research with respect to these features and suggests future requirements for image coding systems.
GENETIC INFLUENCE ON THE RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM

Two strains of rats with opposite genetic propensity for hypertension were tested for: (a) the sensitivity to injections of angiotensin and renin, and (b) the influence of their plasma on the reaction velocity of renin and its substrate in vitro. Intact hypertension-prone (S) rats on low salt had higher sensitivity to angiotensin and a lower sensitivity to renin than hypertension-resistant (R) rats. High NaCl diet did not change the response of the R rats to these injections, but increased the response to renin and angiotensin in intact S rats. Bilateral nephrectomy caused increased response to renin and a decreased response to angiotensin in the S rats, so that both strains were equivalent after bilateral nephrectomy. In vitro, plasma from intact S rats inhibited the activity of hog renin. Plasma from R rats showed no inhibition. The inhibitor disappeared after bilateral nephrectomy. It was speculated that renin inhibitor may be involved in the development of hypertension by increasing sensitivity to angiotensin and other hypertensinogenic stimuli.
Enteral nutrition in the critically ill : a mixed-methods study of adherence to evidence-based protocols, nursing responsibility and teamwork

Objectives: this study aimed to assess nurses’ practice and perception of their knowledge, responsibility and documentation in relation to enteral nutrition in the critically ill and to explore nurses’ attitudes towards establishing evidence-based practice and teamwork in three health care sectors in Jordan. Background: poor nursing adherence to evidence-based guidelines has negative consequences leading to higher mortality rates, delayed recovery and longer length of stay. Evidence-based practice and team working is the key to minimising complications and discrepancies between nurses. Design and methods: mixed-methods strategies were employed. A cluster randomised sample recruited 253 ICU nurse for the survey. Fourteen nurses were selected purposively for the interviews and fifty five patients were involved in bedside observations. Both statistical and thematic analysis findings were integrated and discussed together. Results: Nurses revealed a tendency to undertake nutritional care despite the recognition clinical nutrition is a secondary role. In terms of nursing processes, nurses showed greater levels of knowledge and responsibility for ‘preventing complications’ and ‘evaluation’ more than ‘assessment’ and ‘identifying goals’. However, female nurses scored higher in taking responsibility for ‘assessment’ and ‘planning’ than male nurses. The internet and clinical experience were the most effective sources of knowledge along with university education and colleagues. Nurses showed inconsistency in assessment tasks such as controlling gastric residual volume and confirming tube placements. Diarrhoea was the most frequent complication followed by abdominal pain, vomiting, tube dislodgment, weight loss. However, nurses realised that the incidences of complications is less likely when applying such evidence-based protocol for enteral nutrition. Multidisciplinary team work was introduced as a source of evidence-based practice and establishing a nutritional team contributes to a greater nursing involvement in decision making. Poor cooperation and interaction within the team prohibits standardized care and increases the imparity in nursing practice. Conclusion: increased nursing awareness of nutritional assessment through providing training programs and surveillance of clinical performance is necessary. Management should be concerned with offering an accessible source of knowledge, the required equipment and documentation systems. Enhancing collaboration between health care providers and offering appropriate counselling should also be emphasized.
An Investigation of Immature Rib Fractures Resultant from both CPR and Abusive Scenarios

The presence of rib fractures in deceased infants is generally considered to be highly specific of non-accidental injury, with some pathologists considering them to be evidence of abuse. Although rib fractures may occur during resuscitative efforts in adults, the general consensus is that such injuries are exceptional in infants owing to inherent plasticity within the thoracic region. The recommendation for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of infants since the year 2000 has been for the use of the ? two-thumb? technique. However, there has been limited biomechanical investigation to what injuries may occur subsequent to this specific form of CPR. The overall aim of this thesis was to determine if two-thumb CPR can cause similar rib injuries to those seen in abusive squeezing cases. In particular, whether or not this CPR technique allows for over excessive levering of the posterior rib over the transverse process of the spine. To this end, physical experimentation simulating both two-thumb CPR and abusive squeezing was performed on an immature swine model of the infant thorax. The results of these tests did not show any significant difference in the force required to compress the thorax by one third its original anterior-posterior diameter in the two scenarios. One third being the recommended depth for CPR compressions. Fractures resultant from the testing were assessed with radiography and computed tomography, techniques commonly used by post-mortem pathologists. The type and nature of the injuries observed were remarkably similar in both scenarios. Rib injuries were primarily seen in the anterior part of the thoracic cage in both CPR and abusive specimens. The specific site of rib fracture was typically close to or within the costochondral joints. There was however an apparent absence of posterior rib fractures in the abusively tested cohort. This is in part due to the slight difference in profile of the neck and head areas within the ribs of the surrogate model. This acts to reduce the mechanical advantage offered by levering over the transverse processes of the spine.This study has shown anterior fractures of the ribs result from two-thumb CPR, challenging the long held belief that CPR cannot produce rib fractures. X-ray CT offered a significant improvement on the ability to detect costochondral junction injuries. This would offer further support to the routine use of X-ray CT in post-mortem examinations of infants where the cause of death is unknown. This has the potential to offer differential interpretation to the cause of rib injuries, especially in cases of sudden unexpected deaths in infancy, where otherwise child abuse may be diagnosed.
Automated software engineering planning with SASEA

Planning for effective software engineering is not easy, and software project managers would usually welcome assistance in this area. Very effective assistance could be provided by automated tools that are decision aids. However, a comprehensive suite of such tools does not yet exist. One area that has been addressed is the selection of a programming language. This paper discusses in detail a decision tool that has been developed for language selection. It also addresses the areas in which other such tools are required.
Pretreatment of web log files

The pretreatment of web data is often the most laborious and requires the most time, this due in particular to the lack of structuration and the large amount of noise present in the raw data. Pretreatment of Web log files is to clean and organize the data contained in these files to prepare them for future analysis. Web log files are often text type, an objective of the pretreatment step is to transfer the data in an easier to use environment (eg in a database). In this paper we will start with the presentation of different formats of web log files, then we will present the different pretreatment methods that we used as cleaning of Web robots queries, removing queries relating to scripts (“.js”, “.css”, ”.swf”) , identifications of users, sessions and visits.
Incrementally Maintaining the Number of l-cliques

The main contribution of this paper is an incremental algorithm to update the number of l-cliques, for l 3, in which each node of a graph is contained, after the deletion of an arbitrary node. The initialization cost is O(nωp+q), where n is the number of nodes, p = b l 3 , q = l (mod 3), and ω = ω(1;1;1) is the exponent of the multiplication of two n n matrices. The amortized updating cost is O(nT (n; p;ε)) for any ε2 [0;1℄, where T (n; p;ε) = minfn 1(np(1+ε)+np(ω(1;ε;1) ε));npω(1; p 1 p ;1)