Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protocol for a Single-Blind, Randomized, Parallel-Group Study of a Nonpharmacological Integrated Care Intervention to Reduce the Impact of Breathlessness in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently experience breathlessness despite maximal medical therapy. Nonpharmacological management is effective in studies enrolling patients with a variety of respiratory diseases; however, the impact on patients with COPD is unclear. Methods: A protocol for a mixed-methods, single-center, observer-blinded, fast-track randomized-controlled, parallel-group trial comparing an immediate eight-week nonpharmacological Westmead Breathlessness Service (WBS) to a standard care control group is described. Population: At least moderate COPD (FEV1:FVC ≤0.7; FEV1%predicted ≤60%) and persistent disabling breathlessness (modified Medical Research Council ≥2). Intervention: Individualized prescription of nonpharmacological breathlessness interventions, including a handheld fan, breathing techniques, postures to relieve breathlessness, relaxation, nutritional advice, energy conservation, and exercise advice delivered by a team including doctors, nurses, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, a dietitian, and speech pathologist. Control: Participants who receive the WBS intervention after an eight-week period while receiving usual care (standard care group). Outcome: Primary outcome—Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ) Mastery subscale. Secondary outcomes include numerical rating scale of breathlessness intensity, unpleasantness, and confidence managing breathlessness; quality of life as measured by other CRQ subscales; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score; daily step count; health resource utilization 12 months pre- and postintervention; and cost-effectiveness. Qualitative analysis of participant interviews will provide additional context for interpreting the quantitative results. Discussion: This study aims to establish the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of an eight-week nonpharmacological breathlessness intervention in patients with COPD. Trial Registration: The Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12617000499381 (06/04/17).
Recent Advances in the Opportunities for Solving Molecular Crystal Structures Directly from Powder Diffraction Data

For those solids that can be prepared only as microcrystalline powders, and are not suitable for investigation by single crystal diffraction methods, it is necessary to carry out structure determination using powder diffraction data. Here we highlight recent developments in the opportunities for solving molecular crystal structures from powder diffraction data, focusing on a direct-space strategy in which a hypersurface based on the powder profile R-factor R wp is searched using a Genetic Algorithm. Recent fundamental developments are described, and the application of the method is illustrated by the structure determination of two oligopeptide materials.
Relationship of natural occlusal plane with different anatomical landmarks.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the parallelism of natural maxillary occlusal plane with inter-pupillary line and ala-tragus line, and to evaluate the anatomic relationship of natural mandibular occlusal plane with retromolar pad among dentate subjects. METHODS The cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2017 to February 2018 at Fatima Jinnah Dental College, Karachi, and comprised front and profile photographs of subjects aged 20-28 years while holding the camper's plane against the maxillary occlusal plane. The photographs were imported in a software and an interpupillary line was drawn and the angle with Camper's plane was measured. On both profile pictures, lines were drawn from base of the ala to the superior, middle and inferior points on the tragus. The angle between ala-tragus line and Camper's plane were measured. Intra-orally, height of the mandibular occlusal plane in relation to the retromolar pad was evaluated using a stainless steel scale. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS Of the 109 subjects with a mean age of 23.03±1.36 years, 76(69.72%) were females. Horizontal parallelism of occlusal plane with inter-pupillary line was observed with a mean angle of 1.17±1.27 degrees. The angle between the occlusal plane and the inferior ala-tragus line was 4.25 degrees on the right side, and 4.50 degrees on the left. Intraorally, mandibular occlusal plane coincided with the inferior 48(44%) and the middle third 48(44%) of the retromolar pad. CONCLUSIONS Inter-pupillary line and retromolar pad area should be used as a guide in the determination of plane of occlusion. The ala-tragus line was not found to be a reliable guide.
Decomposition of toluene in a gliding arc discharge plasma reactor

The decomposition of toluene in a gliding arc discharge (glidarc) was performed and studied. Experimental results indicate that the glidarc technology can effectively decompose toluene molecules and has bright prospects of being applied as an alternative tool to decompose volatile organic compounds. It is found that a change in the electrode material had an insignificant effect on the toluene removal efficiency. The toluene removal efficiency increases with increasing inlet gas temperature. The water vapor present in the gas mixture has a favorable effect on the toluene decomposition in the plasma. The energy efficiency is 29.46 g (kWh−1) at a relative humidity of 50% and a specific energy input of 0.26 kWh m−3, which is higher than other types of non-thermal plasmas. Too much or too little oxygen content does not favor toluene decomposition. The major gas phase products detected by FT-IR from the decomposition of toluene with air participation were CO, CO2, H2O and NO2. Some brown depositions were found on the surface of the electrodes, which were polar oxygenous and nitrogenous compounds determined by the GC-MS analysis, such as benzaldehyde, benzoic acid, quinine and nitrophenol from the reaction of toluene with radicals. A possible mechanism for toluene destruction via glidarc technology is proposed and summarized.
Multifractal analysis of glaciers in the Lombardy region of the Italian Alps

Glaciers are continuously monitored to detect their spatial extension and time evolution since they are the best witnesses of climate changes. There is a particular interest for Italian glaciers in the Alps as there is evidence that they are melting at a faster rate than those located in other regions of the globe. The determination of the perimeters of glaciers represents an effective method to evaluate the area covered by them. The availability of data for the perimeters encompassing several years suggests the opportunity of correlating the morphological variations in time with the properties of their shrinkage. In this work, we investigate the multifractal properties of the perimeters of the Lombardy glaciers in the Italian Alps. We characterize the area and perimeter distributions of the population of glaciers and we show that the distribution of perimeters exhibits a marked peak, not present in the distribution of areas. We analyze the area-perimeter relation, which is characterized by a power-law behavior that indicates a fractal structure of the perimeters with fractal dimension 1.2, independently from the size of the glaciers. We investigate the multifractal spectra of perimeters and we show that their features are strongly correlated with the area of the glaciers. Finally, we study the time evolution of the area and perimeter of glaciers and we detect the existence of a large class of glaciers whose perimeters increase while their areas decrease. We show that this behavior has a well definite counterpart in their multifractal spectra.
Students’ intention to use high-immersion virtual reality systems for
 learning paragraph structure: a PLS-SEM exploratory study

This short paper reports the findings of a study exploring English for Academic Purposes (EAP) students’ behavioral intention to use a high-immersion Virtual Reality (VR) system for learning paragraph structure. The study measured relationships between variables that may lead to learners’ intention to use the high-immersion VR Reality system through leveraging a hypothesized theoretical framework based upon a widely used technology acceptance model. Quantitative data were collected from 134 Sino-British English as a medium of instruction by university undergraduate students enrolled in EAP classes by means of a post-participation questionnaire. A Partial Least Squares - Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) exploratory analysis was executed. Results suggested that students’ intention to use the high-immersion VR learning environment was primarily determined by its usefulness for learning and not how easy it was to use. Furthermore, the degree to which the learners felt confident in their ability to operate the system had a large impact on how easy they perceived it was to use. And finally, the antecedent conditions of learners had little impact on the students’ perceived usefulness of the VR system.
A socio-cognitive analysis of evaluation and idea generation activities during co-creative design sessions supported by spatial augmented reality

ABSTRACT Co-creation with end-users is gaining an increasing interest in the design industry today. This study investigates the mechanisms by which spatial augmented reality (SAR) technology can affect socio-cognitive processes in groups involved in co-creative design sessions. More precisely, when used in real co-creative design sessions, does a SAR system facilitate the collective creative process, compared to sessions occurring in standard settings? A protocol analysis has been conducted to investigate three different design sessions involving experienced designers and end-users on a product design task: a design session supported by conventional design representations (usual design practices), a design session supported by non-spatial augmented reality (AR), and a session supported by SAR technology. While results do not clearly show that SAR or AR technologies increase end-user’s commitmen t, they illustrate the ability for these technologies to allow browsing through more ideas during a co-creative design session. Furthermore, it tends to reduce time spent on ideas, compared to a traditional session. We also noted that the introduction of this technology does not modify the profiles of the sessions in terms of cognitive activities. This tends to demonstrate that the technology itself does not impair the design activity.
Synthesis, Morphology, and Properties of Segmented Poly(ether amide)s with Uniform Oxalamide-Based Hard Segments

The synthesis, morphology, and properties of segmented poly(ether amide)s based on flexible PTHF segments (Mn = 1.1 × 103 g mol–1) and uniform rigid oxalamide segments were investigated. The amount of oxalamide groups in the hard segment and the spacer length of bisoxalamide-based hydrogen bonded arrays were varied systematically. The segmented poly(ether amide) with single oxalamide groups connecting the polyether blocks was a sticky solid with a melting temperature of ∼25 °C. Incorporation of uniform hard segments consisting of two interconnected oxalamide units provided highly phase-separated thermoplastic elastomers with a broad temperature-independent rubber plateau. By decreasing the aliphatic spacer length separating two oxalamide units from 10 to 2 methylene groups, the melting transitions increased from 140 to 200 °C. FT-IR evidenced strongly hydrogen bonded and highly ordered bisoxalamide hard segments with degrees of ordering between 66 and 90%. AFM revealed the presence of fiber-like nanocryst.
AÇIK KAYNAK İSTİHBARATINDA SOSYAL MEDYANIN ROLÜNÜN ANALİZİ

Gunumuzde bireylerin disinda devlet kurumlari, ticari sirketler, sivil toplum kuruluslari, teror orgutleri gibi bircok aktor, acik kaynak bilgisi yonunden cok zengin olan sosyal medya platformlarindan kendi amaclari dogrultusunda istifade etmektedirler. Her gecen gun gelisen ve buyuyen internet aglarinin ortaya cikarttigi devasa bilgi havuzlariysa kisiler, gruplar, orgutler, devletler hakkinda detayli bilgi toplanmasinin onunu acmistir. Sosyal medyadan elde edilen istihbarat sayesinde ticari kazanc gudumu olan kuruluslar da musterilerinin beklentileri ve ihtiyaclari dogrultusunda kendilerini gelistirmektedir. Devletler ise uluslararasi sistemdeki diger aktorler hakkinda bilgi sahibi olmak, propaganda faaliyetlerini onlemek, suc motivasyonlarini ve suclu profillerini ortaya cikartmak, toplum refahini tehdit edebilecek eylemleri onceden tespit edip onlemek veya gerceklestirilmis bir suc faaliyeti sonrasinda ipuclari elde ederek varsa diger baglantilara ulasmak gibi bircok amac icin sosyal medya uzerinden istihbarat faaliyetlerini surdurmektedir. Istihbarat birimleri icinse sosyal medyada acik sekilde bulunan verileri toplayip istihbarat bilgisi elde etmek onemli bir arac haline gelmektedir. Ancak sosyal medyada propaganda amacli ve gercegi yansitmayan bilgilerin de bulundugu goz ardi edilmemelidir. Buna bagli olarak rafine bir istihbarat bilgisi icin gerekli olan teknolojiler gelistirilmeli ve egitimli kisiler yetistirilmelidir. Bu baglamda calismasinin amaci acik kaynak istihbaratinda sosyal medyadan elde edilen buyuk verilerin guvenlik, saglik, teknoloji, ekonomi, ticaret gibi farkli alanlarda ortaya cikartabilecegi potansiyel faydalari analiz etmektir.
Blunt trauma of the extracranial carotid arteries and its operative management

1 Assistant Prof. of Vascular Surgery, Department of Experimental and Clinical Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt 2 Prof. of Vascular Surgery, Vascular Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt 3 Lecturer of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt 4 Assistant Prof. of Vascular Surgery, Vascular Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt
Determinants of Labour Force Participation in the Philippines

This empirical study identifies the main determinants of labour force participation in the Philippines. The results demonstrate that the decision to participate in the labour force is influenced by location, sex, age, marital status and educational level. The rural man, single individual, who is older and possesses a higher educational level is more likely to participate in the labour force. Furthermore, difference in labour force participation rates between the rural and urban areas is due primarily to differences in behavioural responses to variables explaining participation (the coefficient effect) and not so much to differences in sub-population characteristics.
Navigation and Mapping in Forest Environment Using Sparse Point Clouds

Odometry during forest operations is demanding, involving limited field of vision (FOV), back-and-forth work cycle movements, and occasional close obstacles, which create problems for state-of-the-art systems. We propose a two-phase on-board process, where tree stem registration produces a sparse point cloud (PC) which is then used for simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM). A field test was carried out using a harvester with a laser scanner and a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) performing forest thinning over a 520 m strip route. Two SLAM methods are used: The proposed sparse SLAM (sSLAM) and a standard method, LeGO-LOAM (LLOAM). A generic SLAM post-processing method is presented, which improves the odometric accuracy with a small additional processing cost. The sSLAM method uses only tree stem centers, reducing the allocated memory to approximately 1% of the total PC size. Odometry and mapping comparisons between sSLAM and LLOAM are presented. Both methods show 85% agreement in registration within 15 m of the strip road and odometric accuracy of 0.5 m per 100 m. Accuracy is evaluated by comparing the harvester location derived through odometry to locations collected by a GNSS receiver mounted on the harvester.
Creative Decision-Making Processes in Parametric Design

Decision-making in design is a cognitive process wherein alternatives are generated and evaluated, potentially enabling a more creative design process. In recent years parametric design’s heightened capacity for automatically generating and evaluating options has been celebrated by researchers and designers, but it has also placed an increased emphasis on decision-making activities which have not previously been studied in this context. This paper conducts the first in-depth protocol analysis of the decision-making process (DMP) in parametric design. Using empirical data, it identifies three parametric DMPs at the conceptual design stage: (i) “conclusive” DMP, (ii) “confirmative” DMP, and (iii) “simulative” DMP. The results of this research indicate that while conclusive DMP generates and evaluates design alternatives, its “forward incrementation” approach has only limited potential for creativity. The confirmative DMP develops three creative operation loops in parametric design, suggesting it may be an important creative process. The simulative DMP simultaneously addresses divergent and convergent thinking, also indicating potential creative operations and outcomes. The identification and analysis of these DMPs contributes to developing new knowledge about the processes used in parametric design and their capacity to support creative results.
Adjudication Forums, Specialization, and Case Duration: Evidence from Brazilian Federal Courts

Abstract Exploring a large-scale case-level dataset from Brazilian federal courts, we offer empirical insight into the implications of the organizational structure and jurisdictional specialization of in-court adjudication forums for case duration, a measure of tribunal efficacy. Federal trial courts in Brazil are organized into offices, with each office further divided into a titled and a substitute judgeship. Random case assignment between judgeships within the offices and between same-jurisdiction offices within the courts facilitates the estimation of causal effects of different adjudicatory forums on case duration. Titled judgeships on average exhibit a modest efficacy advantage over substitute judgeships, although substitute judgeships are more efficacious than titled judgeships in some of the court offices. Case duration differences between same-jurisdiction offices can be considerable, an indication of inequities in recourse to justice. Estimates exploiting variation in court offices' jurisdictional specialization suggest that office specialization reduces case duration only if offices are either specialized with respect to procedure or fully specialized with respect to issue, or both. Partial specialization in issue does not exhibit an effect on case duration. Because specialization of in-court adjudication forums is a common organizational feature of many justice systems worldwide, our findings are relevant beyond Brazilian borders.
Fallacies and Possible Remedies of the SYNTAX Score

Quite a few studies have revealed the clinical values regarding the outcome predictions in the cohort of the Synergy between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) trial and decision-making with the SYNTAX score. The Evaluation of Xience Everolimus-Eluting Stent Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery for Effectiveness of Left-Main Revascularization (EXCEL) and Nordic-Baltic-British left main revascularization (NOBLE) studies are the largest international randomized studies so far, comparing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) in the treatment of left main coronary artery disease. Unfortunately, both studies failed to validate the value of the SYNTAX score in the selection of revascularization strategies for patients with coronary artery diseases (CAD). This scenario prompted us to reconsider the inherent fallacies of the SYNTAX score in its derivation. We pointed out eight fallacies for the SYNTAX score in this paper. A recently developed Coronary Artery Tree description and Lesion EvaluaTion (CatLet) score, available at http://www.catletscore. com, a novel angiographic scoring system, could be the remedies for the SYNTAX score.
Personalized Online Advertisements as A Means of Enhancing Purchase Intention:The Mediating Effect of Advertising Value

The high number of online shopping transactions and the rapid increase in internet users in Indonesia has encouraged many marketers to advertise their products online. The growth of online advertising can no longer be limited or dammed, so efforts to increase the effectiveness of online advertising is a big challenge for marketers. Personalized advertising is one of the innovations that aim to increase the effectiveness of online advertising. This study combines models of web advertising, traditional advertising, smartphone advertising, personalization, and advertising value to understand how the process of personalization in online advertising influences purchase intention. Based on the results of the integration, researchers hypothesize that the advertising value mediates the relationship between personalization of online advertising and purchase intention. This study involved 327 respondents consisting of internet users in Jabodetabek by distributing questionnaires online. Data were analyzed by regression analysis using SPSS 22.0. The results show that personalization significantly influences purchase intention, personalization is significantly related to advertising value, advertising value is significantly related to purchase intention and the relationship between personalization and purchase intention is fully mediated by advertising value.
Can you hear me now? A review of signal transmission and experimental evidence for the acoustic adaptation hypothesis

ABSTRACT The Acoustic Adaptation Hypothesis (AAH) posits that animal acoustic signals used in long-range communication should be adapted to transmit well within the habitats in which they evolved. However, comparative studies of signal form indicate mixed support for predictions of the AAH. Several studies have employed experimental playback approaches to testing signal transmission which can complement comparative studies. Here, we summarise these experimental playback tests of the AAH in birds, mammals, insects, and anurans, we describe the methodologies used in these tests, and we assess the evidence for habitat-specific signal degradation and species-specific acoustic fidelity (i.e. whether signals propagate best in native versus foreign habitats). Experimental evidence, like comparative evidence, varies across habitats and taxa. Although transmission properties consistently differed by habitat, with closed habitats degrading signals more than open habitats, animal signals were not always adapted to propagate best within their native habitats. Researchers felt they had convincing evidence for species-specific acoustic fidelity in less than half of the 67 reviewed studies, with the most support found for birds and the least for anurans. We discuss potential explanations for differences within and between habitats and taxa and conclude with suggestions for standardised methodology and areas of future research.