Pavement infrastructure is vital in providing services and links between various sectors of society. Therefore, thepreservation and maintenance of these roads are critical to attaining a pavement network in good condi...Pavement infrastructure is vital in providing services and links between various sectors of society. Therefore, thepreservation and maintenance of these roads are critical to attaining a pavement network in good conditionthroughout its service life. Various performance indicators like the international roughness index (IRI), pavementcondition index (PCI), and present serviceability rating (PSR) have been used by the state department of transportation (DOT) and highway agencies for evaluating pavement surface conditions and planning future maintenance strategies. Limited data availability, multiple distresses depending on region, lack of correlation of thesecondition indices to maintenance strategies, and data collection limitations pose a challenge for applying theseindices to local conditions. This paper compares condition indices of different states for rigid pavements. Further,using a specific condition index for local conditions is also highlighted. For this purpose, five states and theircorresponding condition indices were evaluated and compared to the Michigan DOT distress index (DI). Thesestates include Virginia, Minnesota, North Dakota, Louisiana, and Oregon. The corresponding distresses of eachcondition index were converted to make them compatible with the MDOT DI. This study used the MDOT'spavement management system (PMS) database to evaluate each condition index for 433 rigid pavement sections.Each distress index was plotted against MDOT DI and compared using a paired t-test. Results show that thecondition indices of Virginia and Minnesota are comparable to DI in terms of the Spearman correlation value. Thet-test results show that except for Virgina, condition indices from other states statistically differ from DI.Therefore, one can't use those directly for local conditions in Michigan. This paper presents the evaluation anddata requirements for each condition index and its impact on selecting a maintenance treatment.展开更多
The adoption of content and language integrated learning(CLIL)practices has expanded in recent years as higher education institutions adopt a top-down English medium of instruction(EMI)language policy in the hope of e...The adoption of content and language integrated learning(CLIL)practices has expanded in recent years as higher education institutions adopt a top-down English medium of instruction(EMI)language policy in the hope of entering the international knowledge market(De Costa et al.,2022;Isidro&Lasagabaster,2019).However,research focusing on the effects of EMI policy on content teachers needing to implement CLIL,especially within trilingual contexts such as Kazakhstan,has been marginal despite drastic alterations to teachers’professional context and expectations(Karabassova,2022b).Such changes may result in teachers’feelings of professional vulnerability-an emotion that often arises when changes in professional expectations and professional context disrupt one’s professional identity and pedagogical practices(Kelchtermans,2009).Our case study focuses on the professional vulnerability experienced by a Kazakhstani in-service teacher as she negotiated a CLIL pedagogy for the first time.Relying on semi-structured interviews,recorded classroom observation,field notes,and developed material,our findings highlight how macro(e.g.,societal)and meso(e.g.,institutional)language policies can affect teachers’lived experiences and pedagogical practices within their classrooms.Lastly,we provide ways in which administrators can assist teachers in overcoming professional vulnerability as institutions adopt language policies such as CLIL.展开更多
The aim of this study is to determine the level to which the public is aware about ITS(intelligent transportation systems)technologies and how they perceive the potential advantages and inhibitors of ITS in Michigan.A...The aim of this study is to determine the level to which the public is aware about ITS(intelligent transportation systems)technologies and how they perceive the potential advantages and inhibitors of ITS in Michigan.A survey was performed with 200 participants living in Michigan,in urban,suburban and rural areas.Questions covered in the survey included how often and how bad traffic congestion occurred,how familiar travelers were with ITS technologies(adaptive traffic signals,real time monitoring of the traffic)and how much support travelers would provide for ITS initiatives.Results reveal that there is a high degree of traffic congestion awareness,there is low public awareness of ITS technologies.While respondents who were aware of ITS solutions had positive views about deploying them,especially in urban areas,they were less supportive of ITS solutions than they were among those who did not know much about these.Factors including area of residence,commute time and age were perceived to influence ITS along with more positive attitudes to ITS amongst urban dwellers and younger respondents.Analysis of key barriers to ITS implementation reflected high initial costs,challenges with technical integration and users’concerns surrounding privacy.展开更多
As universities in Kazakhstan continue to address the challenges that come with developing English-medium instruction(EMI)programs,university Science,Technology,Engineering,and Mathematics(STEM)teachers need to develo...As universities in Kazakhstan continue to address the challenges that come with developing English-medium instruction(EMI)programs,university Science,Technology,Engineering,and Mathematics(STEM)teachers need to develop capacities to teach in English,while their English teacher counterparts need to develop content-specific pedagogical knowledge.Content and Language Integrated Learning(CLIL)pedagogies,defined as the integration of both language and content curricular goals,have emerged as a vehicle to facilitate this development for both types of teachers.However,what it means to be a CLIL teacher may vary considerably as teachers leverage their professional knowledge and personal experiences.We,therefore,explore teachers’conceptions of CLIL and how their disciplinary,linguistic,and pedagogical backgrounds enable or burden them to forge a“CLIL teacher”identity.This qualitative study illustrates the salient points of the journeys taken by two university teachers,one a specialist in oil and gas,the other an English teacher and teacher educator.Drawing on extended one-on-one interviews,we present two teachers’experiences through a series of CLIL-informed workshops.Using a multidisciplinary analytical framework,we map the ways in which the two teacher participants negotiate their identities in relation to CLIL.The findings highlight the importance of understanding teacher experiences,particularly their language learning backgrounds,attitudes toward supporting student learning,and relationships with their colleagues as they work to adapt to teaching English and STEM subjects in university EMI contexts.展开更多
Despite the increasing enrolment in higher education in sub-Saharan Africa,the systematic understanding of students’academic major satisfaction in these contexts has not received significant research interest.We exam...Despite the increasing enrolment in higher education in sub-Saharan Africa,the systematic understanding of students’academic major satisfaction in these contexts has not received significant research interest.We examined the academic major satisfaction of students in the Nigerian context by the sense of autonomy,competence,and relatedness.Participants were 452 students from Fine and Applied Arts(FAA,n=207,32.9%female,mean age=20.86,SD=3.40)and philosophy(n=245,42.9%female,mean age=21.43,SD=3.38 years)at a large Nigerian public university.They completed the Basic Needs Satisfaction Scale and the Academic Major Satisfaction Scale,as well as a socio-demographic questionnaire.Results following regression analysis and post-hoc t-tests indicated that while FAA students were more satisfied with their major than those in philosophy overall.Philosophy students reported significantly higher relatedness than the FAA students.FAA students did not rate autonomy and competence higher than Philosophy students.Within academic majors,high autonomy was associated with greater academic major satisfaction for only FAA students,whereas FAA and Philosophy students with high competence and relatedness reported increased academic major satisfaction.Findings suggest students self-determine their academic major satisfaction in the Nigerian educational setting by primarily autonomy and competence considerations.展开更多
Healthy behavior has long been linked to mental health outcomes.However,the role of artificial intelligence(AI)literacy in shaping healthy behaviors and its potential impact on mental health remains underexplored.This...Healthy behavior has long been linked to mental health outcomes.However,the role of artificial intelligence(AI)literacy in shaping healthy behaviors and its potential impact on mental health remains underexplored.This paper presents a scoping review offering a novel perspective on the intersection of healthy behaviors,mental health,and AI literacy.By examining how individuals’understanding of AI influences their choices regarding nutrition and their susceptibility to mental health issues,the current study explores emerging trends in health behavior decision-making.This emphasizes the need for integrating AI literacy into mental health and health behaviors education,as well as the development of AI-driven tools to support healthier behavior choices.It highlights that individuals with low AI literacy may misinterpret or overly depend on AI guidance,resulting in maladaptive health choices,while those with high AI literacy may be more likely to engage reflectively and sustain positive behaviors.The paper outlines the importance of inclusive education,user-centered design,and community-based support systems to enhance AI literacy for digitally marginalized groups.AI literacy may be positioned as a key determinant of health equity,better allowing for interdisciplinary strategies that empower individuals to make informed,autonomous decisions that promote both physical and mental health.展开更多
The Joint Commission on Accreditation requires hospitals to conduct peer review to retain accreditation.Despite the intended purpose of improving quality medical care,the peer review process has suffered several setba...The Joint Commission on Accreditation requires hospitals to conduct peer review to retain accreditation.Despite the intended purpose of improving quality medical care,the peer review process has suffered several setbacks throughout its tenure.In the 1980s,abuse of peer review for personal economic interest led to a highly publicized multimillion-dollar verdict by the United States Supreme Court against the perpetrating physicians and hospital.The verdict led to decreased physician participation for fear of possible litigation.Believing that peer review was critical to quality medical care,Congress subsequently enacted the Health Care Quality Improvement Act(HCQIA)granting comprehensive legal immunity for peer reviewers to increase participation.While serving its intended goal,HCQIA has also granted peer reviewers significant immunity likely emboldening abuses resulting in Sham Peer Reviews.While legal reform of HCQIA is necessary to reduce sham peer reviews,further measures including the need for standardization of the peer review process alongside external organizational monitoring are critical to improving peer review and reducing the prevalence of sham peer reviews.展开更多
The purpose for this article is to research the relationship between public transportation and real estate based on the area of East Lansing.Two methods are mainly used to analyze the data:correlation analysis and mea...The purpose for this article is to research the relationship between public transportation and real estate based on the area of East Lansing.Two methods are mainly used to analyze the data:correlation analysis and means analysis with the help of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences(SPSS) data analyzing software.There are two analysis results:(1) the real estate,which is closer to public transportation,will have higher value than that is far from public transportation,and(2) the number of bus in one bus stop has no obvious relation with the value of real estate.Based on these results,real estate developers could build residential real estate close to public transportation or bring public transportation in their real estate community by contract with transportation corporations.In sum,they should reasonably use public transportation as attractive features to convince people to prefer to their houses.展开更多
Purpose: It is now generally accepted that PSA screening identifies many prostate cancers that are low-risk and may not need treatment. PCA3 is a prostate cancer-specific marker with improved diagnostic accuracy when ...Purpose: It is now generally accepted that PSA screening identifies many prostate cancers that are low-risk and may not need treatment. PCA3 is a prostate cancer-specific marker with improved diagnostic accuracy when compared with PSA in research studies. It remains unknown whether PCA3 testing can reduce the unnecessary diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer in routine practice. We evaluated whether the use of PCA3 in clinical practice decreases the number of biopsies being performed in response to PSA testing. Methods: 64 consecutive patients undergoing PCA3 measurement in a single community-based urology practice were analyzed for rates of biopsy performance and prostate cancer detection. Results: Median PSA was 5.0 (range: 0.4 - 38.6) and 50% had undergone prior biopsy without evidence of cancer. Median PCA3 score was 13.6 (range: 1.6 - 133.0) with 14 patients having an elevated PCA3 (>35). Prostate biopsy was avoided in 50 of 64 patients (78%). Of the 11 patients undergoing biopsy for abnormal PCA3, 7 had prostate cancer (64%). At >2-year median follow-up, 39 of the remaining 50 patients (78%) avoided subsequent biopsy. Only 5 prostate cancers were diagnosed during follow-up. Conclusions: When used in routine clinical practice, PCA3 appears to reduce the number of biopsies being performed in response to elevated PSA. Given the increasing interest in strategies to reduce unnecessary prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment, this FDA-approved and widely-available molecular test appears to achieve these goals. Further testing will clarify the role of PCA3 in initial and subsequent prostate cancer screening paradigms.展开更多
This paper gave an overview introduction about umbrella partnership real estate investment trust (UPREIT) to the readers who are not related to real estate and accounting major. To show how UPREIT defer capital gain t...This paper gave an overview introduction about umbrella partnership real estate investment trust (UPREIT) to the readers who are not related to real estate and accounting major. To show how UPREIT defer capital gain taxes,makes good cash flow and maximize profit in real estate finance,the paper included the theory and structure of UPREIT(real estate investment trust),partnership issues,advantage and disadvantage,and created a proforma to demonstrate how UPREIT works.展开更多
Power system simulations that extend over a time period of minutes,hours,or even longer are called extendedterm simulations.As power systems evolve into complex systems with increasing interdependencies and richer dyn...Power system simulations that extend over a time period of minutes,hours,or even longer are called extendedterm simulations.As power systems evolve into complex systems with increasing interdependencies and richer dynamic behaviors across a wide range of timescales,extendedterm simulation is needed for many power system analysis tasks(e.g.,resilience analysis,renewable energy integration,cascading failures),and there is an urgent need for efficient and robust extendedterm simulation approaches.The conventional approaches are insufficient for dealing with the extendedterm simulation of multitimescale processes.This paper proposes an extendedterm simulation approach based on the semianalytical simulation(SAS)methodology.Its accuracy and computational efficiency are backed by SAS's high accuracy in eventdriven simulation,larger and adaptive time steps,and flexible switching between fulldynamic and quasisteadystate(QSS)models.We used this proposed extendedterm simulation approach to evaluate bulk power system restoration plans,and it demonstrates satisfactory accuracy and efficiency in this complex simulation task.展开更多
The potential association between xenotropic murine leukaemia virus-related gammaretrovirus （XMRV） and prostate cancer （PCa） has been documented since 2006, It is important for furthering our understanding of the ...The potential association between xenotropic murine leukaemia virus-related gammaretrovirus （XMRV） and prostate cancer （PCa） has been documented since 2006, It is important for furthering our understanding of the biological mechanisms of PCa to ascertain whether this association is causal. To summarize the available information on the epidemiological and laboratory findings of the association, we conducted a literature search of the PubMed electronic database （from March 2006 to February 2011） to identify relevant published studies that examined the association between XMRV and PCa, Although several studies showed the positive association between XMRV and PCa, more recent studies did not support this conclusion, The positive findings might be due to contamination of human samples, Further studies are needed to clarify this association,展开更多
Data are scarce regarding surgical and non-surgical education in accredited Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) fellowships in theUnited States. We compared surgical and non-surgical and educatio...Data are scarce regarding surgical and non-surgical education in accredited Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) fellowships in theUnited States. We compared surgical and non-surgical and education among training programs and expected surgical comfort level with pelvic reconstructive procedures from the perspective of the fellow and program director. An online survey was distributed to program directors and fellows from the 39 accredited FPMRS fellowships at the time (2010). Domains evaluated in the survey were academic education requirements;surgical approaches to prolapse and to incontinence;other surgical procedures;and research and publication expectations. In total, forty fellows from 21 programs and directors from 27 programs. The most common surgical procedures performed for apical, anterior, and posterior prolapse were uterosacral ligament suspension, native tissue anterior colporrhaphy, and posterior colporrhaphy, respectively. Differences in perceived surgical comfort level were seen for coccygeus suspension, graftreinforced posterior colporrhaphy, rectus fascial sling, urethral bulking agent, cystoscopic ureteral stent placement and bowel repair. A greater proportion of program directors reported that fellows would be comfortable performing these procedures upon graduation than the proportion reported by the fellows themselves. Differences exist in FPMRS training nationwide, however, responding fellows appeared to be trained in multiple approaches to prolapse repair. Differences were seen in surgical comfort level as perceived by fellows and program directors.展开更多
Objectives: To assess potential knowledge gaps between primary care providers (PCPs) and cancer specialists, Michigan Cancer Consortium guidelines were developed and disseminated statewide. We evaluated the impact of ...Objectives: To assess potential knowledge gaps between primary care providers (PCPs) and cancer specialists, Michigan Cancer Consortium guidelines were developed and disseminated statewide. We evaluated the impact of dissemination of these guidelines on PCP attitudes and beliefs regarding management of prostate cancer (PC) post-treatment sequelae. Methods: Guidelines were disseminated via hard-copy and web-link mailed to 12,000 Michigan PCPs in 2009, and via 5 CME presentations to 181 PCPs in 2010-2011. 132 initial surveys were collected from CME attendees and 549 follow-up surveys were received 20 months after the initial mailing. Results: Surveyed PCPs indicated erectile dysfunction (88%), incontinence (84%), anxiety (54%) and fear of the unknown (50%) as frequent post-treatment sequelae. A minority of PCPs (≤41%) felt “very comfortable” assessing PC patients for ten post-treatment sequelae at the initial survey, which increased by up to 27% on follow-up survey. 93% of PCPs that received guidelines by mail and CME presentation had incorporated them into practice, compared with 72% of PCPs that received guidelines solely by mailing. Similarly, a greater proportion reported practice pattern changes (65% vs. 34%, p = 0.0003). A higher proportion felt CME events (69% vs. 57%) and expert presentations (64% vs. 44%) were “very effective”, when comparing attendees and non-attendees. Conclusions: Guideline distribution resulted in increased comfort with survivorship issues and incorporation into the practices of the majority of PCPs surveyed. A greater impact was observed in PCPs that attended a CME presentation than in those that received guidelines only by mailing.展开更多
BACKGROUND The prevalence of Crohn’s disease(CD)and ulcerative colitis(UC)is on the rise worldwide.This rising prevalence is concerning as patients with CD and UC may frequently relapse leading to recurrent hospitali...BACKGROUND The prevalence of Crohn’s disease(CD)and ulcerative colitis(UC)is on the rise worldwide.This rising prevalence is concerning as patients with CD and UC may frequently relapse leading to recurrent hospitalizations and increased healthcare utilization.AIM To identify trends and adverse outcomes for 30 d readmissions for CD and UC.METHODS This was a retrospective,interrupted trends study involving all adult(≥18 years)30 d readmissions of CD and UC from the National Readmission Database(NRD)between 2008 and 2018.Patients<18 years,elective,and traumatic hospitalizations were excluded from this study.We identified hospitalization characteristics and readmission rates for each calendar year.Trends of inpatient mortality,mean length of hospital stay(LOS)and mean total hospital cost(THC)were calculated using a multivariate logistic trend analysis adjusting for age,gender,insurance status,comorbidity burden and hospital factors.Furthermore,trends between CD and UC readmissions were compared using regression of the interaction coefficient after adjusting for age and gender to determine relative trends between the two populations.Stata®Version 16 software(StataCorp,TX,United States)was used for statistical analysis and P value≤0.05 were considered statistically significant.RESULTS Total number of 30 d readmissions increased from 6202 in 2010 to 7672 in 2018 for CD and from 3272 in 2010 to 4234 in 2018 for UC.We noted increasing trends for 30-day all-cause readmission rate of CD from 14.9%in 2010 to 17.6%in 2018(P-trend<0.001),CD specific readmission rate from 7.1%in 2010 to 8.2%in 2018(P-trend<0.001),30-day all-cause readmission rate of UC from 14.1%in 2010 to 15.7%in 2018(P-trend=0.003),and UC specific readmission rate from 5.2%in 2010 to 5.6%in 2018(P-trend=0.029).There was no change in the risk adjusted trends of inpatient mortality and mean LOS for CD and UC readmissions.However,we found an increasing trend of mean THC for UC readmissions.After comparison,there was no statistical difference in the trends for 30 d all-cause readmission rate,inpatient mortality,and mean LOS between CD and UC readmissions.CONCLUSION There was an increase in total number of 30 d readmissions for CD and UC with a trend towards increasing 30 d all-cause readmission rates.展开更多
Multi-user detection is one of the important technical problems for moderncommunications. In the field of quantum communication, the multi-access channel onwhich we apply the technology of quantum information processi...Multi-user detection is one of the important technical problems for moderncommunications. In the field of quantum communication, the multi-access channel onwhich we apply the technology of quantum information processing is still an openquestion. In this work, we investigate the multi-user detection problem based on thebinary coherent-state signals whose communication way is supposed to be seen as aquantum channel. A binary phase shift keying model of this multi-access channel isstudied and a novel method of quantum detection proposed according to the conclusionof the quantum measurement theory. As a result, the average interference betweendeferent users is presented and the average error probability of the quantum detection isderived theoretically. Finally, we show the maximum channel capacity of this effectivedetection for a two-access quantum channel.展开更多
CLIL,which stands for Content and Language Integrated Learning,is an instructional approach that gives ample curricular and pedagogical attention to content and language outcomes in multilingual educational settings.I...CLIL,which stands for Content and Language Integrated Learning,is an instructional approach that gives ample curricular and pedagogical attention to content and language outcomes in multilingual educational settings.Increasingly,it is heralded as a way to responsibly enact top-down English-Medium-of-Instruction(EMI)policies at the university level,where teachers and students are tasked with developing their English proficiency while remaining competitive in the international job market.However,teachers and teacher educators hoping to implement this approach in their science,technology,engineering and mathematics(STEM)content courses face significant challenges.This article serves as an introduction to a vip-edited special issue that reports on several aspects related to a project of international collaboration called Project SCILLA,an acronym for“STEM Content Integrated with Language-Learning Activities”.We first provide a brief overview of the project,which was developed and carried out in collaboration between Michigan State University and a consortium of 10 rural universities in Kazakhstan as a way to support STEM educators who wish to adapt their teaching practices to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Education.We then offer an overview of the six articles that comprise the special issue,and call for deliberate and dialogic international collaboration as a way to support teachers responding to language policy demands.展开更多
Transformer models have emerged as pivotal tools within the realm of drug discovery,distinguished by their unique architectural features and exceptional performance in managing intricate data landscapes.Leveraging the...Transformer models have emerged as pivotal tools within the realm of drug discovery,distinguished by their unique architectural features and exceptional performance in managing intricate data landscapes.Leveraging the innate capabilities of transformer architectures to comprehend intricate hierarchical dependencies inherent in sequential data,these models showcase remarkable efficacy across various tasks,including new drug design and drug target identification.The adaptability of pre-trained trans-former-based models renders them indispensable assets for driving data-centric advancements in drug discovery,chemistry,and biology,furnishing a robust framework that expedites innovation and dis-covery within these domains.Beyond their technical prowess,the success of transformer-based models in drug discovery,chemistry,and biology extends to their interdisciplinary potential,seamlessly combining biological,physical,chemical,and pharmacological insights to bridge gaps across diverse disciplines.This integrative approach not only enhances the depth and breadth of research endeavors but also fosters synergistic collaborations and exchange of ideas among disparate fields.In our review,we elucidate the myriad applications of transformers in drug discovery,as well as chemistry and biology,spanning from protein design and protein engineering,to molecular dynamics(MD),drug target iden-tification,transformer-enabled drug virtual screening(VS),drug lead optimization,drug addiction,small data set challenges,chemical and biological image analysis,chemical language understanding,and single cell data.Finally,we conclude the survey by deliberating on promising trends in transformer models within the context of drug discovery and other sciences.展开更多
This study investigates trends in extreme precipitation events(EPEs)across Antarctica from 1979 to 2023,analyzing changes in EPE frequency,intensity,and the proportion of extreme to total precipitation.Using Self-Orga...This study investigates trends in extreme precipitation events(EPEs)across Antarctica from 1979 to 2023,analyzing changes in EPE frequency,intensity,and the proportion of extreme to total precipitation.Using Self-Organizing Map(SOM)techniques,the study distinguishes the contributions from thermodynamic,dynamic,and interaction components in explaining these trends.Positive EPE occurrence trends are observed across the Bellingshausen and Weddell Seas,Dronning Maud Land,and parts of the Southern Ocean,with declines limited to Queen Mary Land.Thermodynamic factors,responsible for 96.0%of the overall trend,are driven by increased water vapor content in polar air masses.Dynamic contributions,representing 10.8%,are linked to a strengthened Amundsen Sea Low(ASL)associated with the Southern Annular Mode(SAM)and Pacific South American(PSA)trends.Interaction effects make a slightly negative contribution(-6.8%)to the overall trend.Variations in water vapor transport and vertical velocity tied to annual 500-hPa geopotential height anomalies further explain EPE trends.These findings provide insight into the atmospheric processes that influence Antarctic EPEs,with implications for understanding the climatic impact on the polar environment.展开更多
文摘Pavement infrastructure is vital in providing services and links between various sectors of society. Therefore, thepreservation and maintenance of these roads are critical to attaining a pavement network in good conditionthroughout its service life. Various performance indicators like the international roughness index (IRI), pavementcondition index (PCI), and present serviceability rating (PSR) have been used by the state department of transportation (DOT) and highway agencies for evaluating pavement surface conditions and planning future maintenance strategies. Limited data availability, multiple distresses depending on region, lack of correlation of thesecondition indices to maintenance strategies, and data collection limitations pose a challenge for applying theseindices to local conditions. This paper compares condition indices of different states for rigid pavements. Further,using a specific condition index for local conditions is also highlighted. For this purpose, five states and theircorresponding condition indices were evaluated and compared to the Michigan DOT distress index (DI). Thesestates include Virginia, Minnesota, North Dakota, Louisiana, and Oregon. The corresponding distresses of eachcondition index were converted to make them compatible with the MDOT DI. This study used the MDOT'spavement management system (PMS) database to evaluate each condition index for 433 rigid pavement sections.Each distress index was plotted against MDOT DI and compared using a paired t-test. Results show that thecondition indices of Virginia and Minnesota are comparable to DI in terms of the Spearman correlation value. Thet-test results show that except for Virgina, condition indices from other states statistically differ from DI.Therefore, one can't use those directly for local conditions in Michigan. This paper presents the evaluation anddata requirements for each condition index and its impact on selecting a maintenance treatment.
基金funding from the U.S.-Kazakhstan University Partnerships program funded by the U.S.Mission to Kazakhstan and administered by American Councils[Award number SKZ100-19-CA-0149].
文摘The adoption of content and language integrated learning(CLIL)practices has expanded in recent years as higher education institutions adopt a top-down English medium of instruction(EMI)language policy in the hope of entering the international knowledge market(De Costa et al.,2022;Isidro&Lasagabaster,2019).However,research focusing on the effects of EMI policy on content teachers needing to implement CLIL,especially within trilingual contexts such as Kazakhstan,has been marginal despite drastic alterations to teachers’professional context and expectations(Karabassova,2022b).Such changes may result in teachers’feelings of professional vulnerability-an emotion that often arises when changes in professional expectations and professional context disrupt one’s professional identity and pedagogical practices(Kelchtermans,2009).Our case study focuses on the professional vulnerability experienced by a Kazakhstani in-service teacher as she negotiated a CLIL pedagogy for the first time.Relying on semi-structured interviews,recorded classroom observation,field notes,and developed material,our findings highlight how macro(e.g.,societal)and meso(e.g.,institutional)language policies can affect teachers’lived experiences and pedagogical practices within their classrooms.Lastly,we provide ways in which administrators can assist teachers in overcoming professional vulnerability as institutions adopt language policies such as CLIL.
文摘The aim of this study is to determine the level to which the public is aware about ITS(intelligent transportation systems)technologies and how they perceive the potential advantages and inhibitors of ITS in Michigan.A survey was performed with 200 participants living in Michigan,in urban,suburban and rural areas.Questions covered in the survey included how often and how bad traffic congestion occurred,how familiar travelers were with ITS technologies(adaptive traffic signals,real time monitoring of the traffic)and how much support travelers would provide for ITS initiatives.Results reveal that there is a high degree of traffic congestion awareness,there is low public awareness of ITS technologies.While respondents who were aware of ITS solutions had positive views about deploying them,especially in urban areas,they were less supportive of ITS solutions than they were among those who did not know much about these.Factors including area of residence,commute time and age were perceived to influence ITS along with more positive attitudes to ITS amongst urban dwellers and younger respondents.Analysis of key barriers to ITS implementation reflected high initial costs,challenges with technical integration and users’concerns surrounding privacy.
基金funding from the U.S.-Kazakhstan University Partnerships program funded by the U.S.Mission to Kazakhstan and administered by American Councils[Award number SKZ100-19-CA-0149].
文摘As universities in Kazakhstan continue to address the challenges that come with developing English-medium instruction(EMI)programs,university Science,Technology,Engineering,and Mathematics(STEM)teachers need to develop capacities to teach in English,while their English teacher counterparts need to develop content-specific pedagogical knowledge.Content and Language Integrated Learning(CLIL)pedagogies,defined as the integration of both language and content curricular goals,have emerged as a vehicle to facilitate this development for both types of teachers.However,what it means to be a CLIL teacher may vary considerably as teachers leverage their professional knowledge and personal experiences.We,therefore,explore teachers’conceptions of CLIL and how their disciplinary,linguistic,and pedagogical backgrounds enable or burden them to forge a“CLIL teacher”identity.This qualitative study illustrates the salient points of the journeys taken by two university teachers,one a specialist in oil and gas,the other an English teacher and teacher educator.Drawing on extended one-on-one interviews,we present two teachers’experiences through a series of CLIL-informed workshops.Using a multidisciplinary analytical framework,we map the ways in which the two teacher participants negotiate their identities in relation to CLIL.The findings highlight the importance of understanding teacher experiences,particularly their language learning backgrounds,attitudes toward supporting student learning,and relationships with their colleagues as they work to adapt to teaching English and STEM subjects in university EMI contexts.
文摘Despite the increasing enrolment in higher education in sub-Saharan Africa,the systematic understanding of students’academic major satisfaction in these contexts has not received significant research interest.We examined the academic major satisfaction of students in the Nigerian context by the sense of autonomy,competence,and relatedness.Participants were 452 students from Fine and Applied Arts(FAA,n=207,32.9%female,mean age=20.86,SD=3.40)and philosophy(n=245,42.9%female,mean age=21.43,SD=3.38 years)at a large Nigerian public university.They completed the Basic Needs Satisfaction Scale and the Academic Major Satisfaction Scale,as well as a socio-demographic questionnaire.Results following regression analysis and post-hoc t-tests indicated that while FAA students were more satisfied with their major than those in philosophy overall.Philosophy students reported significantly higher relatedness than the FAA students.FAA students did not rate autonomy and competence higher than Philosophy students.Within academic majors,high autonomy was associated with greater academic major satisfaction for only FAA students,whereas FAA and Philosophy students with high competence and relatedness reported increased academic major satisfaction.Findings suggest students self-determine their academic major satisfaction in the Nigerian educational setting by primarily autonomy and competence considerations.
文摘Healthy behavior has long been linked to mental health outcomes.However,the role of artificial intelligence(AI)literacy in shaping healthy behaviors and its potential impact on mental health remains underexplored.This paper presents a scoping review offering a novel perspective on the intersection of healthy behaviors,mental health,and AI literacy.By examining how individuals’understanding of AI influences their choices regarding nutrition and their susceptibility to mental health issues,the current study explores emerging trends in health behavior decision-making.This emphasizes the need for integrating AI literacy into mental health and health behaviors education,as well as the development of AI-driven tools to support healthier behavior choices.It highlights that individuals with low AI literacy may misinterpret or overly depend on AI guidance,resulting in maladaptive health choices,while those with high AI literacy may be more likely to engage reflectively and sustain positive behaviors.The paper outlines the importance of inclusive education,user-centered design,and community-based support systems to enhance AI literacy for digitally marginalized groups.AI literacy may be positioned as a key determinant of health equity,better allowing for interdisciplinary strategies that empower individuals to make informed,autonomous decisions that promote both physical and mental health.
文摘The Joint Commission on Accreditation requires hospitals to conduct peer review to retain accreditation.Despite the intended purpose of improving quality medical care,the peer review process has suffered several setbacks throughout its tenure.In the 1980s,abuse of peer review for personal economic interest led to a highly publicized multimillion-dollar verdict by the United States Supreme Court against the perpetrating physicians and hospital.The verdict led to decreased physician participation for fear of possible litigation.Believing that peer review was critical to quality medical care,Congress subsequently enacted the Health Care Quality Improvement Act(HCQIA)granting comprehensive legal immunity for peer reviewers to increase participation.While serving its intended goal,HCQIA has also granted peer reviewers significant immunity likely emboldening abuses resulting in Sham Peer Reviews.While legal reform of HCQIA is necessary to reduce sham peer reviews,further measures including the need for standardization of the peer review process alongside external organizational monitoring are critical to improving peer review and reducing the prevalence of sham peer reviews.
文摘The purpose for this article is to research the relationship between public transportation and real estate based on the area of East Lansing.Two methods are mainly used to analyze the data:correlation analysis and means analysis with the help of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences(SPSS) data analyzing software.There are two analysis results:(1) the real estate,which is closer to public transportation,will have higher value than that is far from public transportation,and(2) the number of bus in one bus stop has no obvious relation with the value of real estate.Based on these results,real estate developers could build residential real estate close to public transportation or bring public transportation in their real estate community by contract with transportation corporations.In sum,they should reasonably use public transportation as attractive features to convince people to prefer to their houses.
文摘Purpose: It is now generally accepted that PSA screening identifies many prostate cancers that are low-risk and may not need treatment. PCA3 is a prostate cancer-specific marker with improved diagnostic accuracy when compared with PSA in research studies. It remains unknown whether PCA3 testing can reduce the unnecessary diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer in routine practice. We evaluated whether the use of PCA3 in clinical practice decreases the number of biopsies being performed in response to PSA testing. Methods: 64 consecutive patients undergoing PCA3 measurement in a single community-based urology practice were analyzed for rates of biopsy performance and prostate cancer detection. Results: Median PSA was 5.0 (range: 0.4 - 38.6) and 50% had undergone prior biopsy without evidence of cancer. Median PCA3 score was 13.6 (range: 1.6 - 133.0) with 14 patients having an elevated PCA3 (>35). Prostate biopsy was avoided in 50 of 64 patients (78%). Of the 11 patients undergoing biopsy for abnormal PCA3, 7 had prostate cancer (64%). At >2-year median follow-up, 39 of the remaining 50 patients (78%) avoided subsequent biopsy. Only 5 prostate cancers were diagnosed during follow-up. Conclusions: When used in routine clinical practice, PCA3 appears to reduce the number of biopsies being performed in response to elevated PSA. Given the increasing interest in strategies to reduce unnecessary prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment, this FDA-approved and widely-available molecular test appears to achieve these goals. Further testing will clarify the role of PCA3 in initial and subsequent prostate cancer screening paradigms.
文摘This paper gave an overview introduction about umbrella partnership real estate investment trust (UPREIT) to the readers who are not related to real estate and accounting major. To show how UPREIT defer capital gain taxes,makes good cash flow and maximize profit in real estate finance,the paper included the theory and structure of UPREIT(real estate investment trust),partnership issues,advantage and disadvantage,and created a proforma to demonstrate how UPREIT works.
基金supported by the lab-directed research&develop-ment(LDRD)program of Argonne National Laboratory and U.S.DOE Advanced Grid Modeling Program grant DE-OE0000875.
文摘Power system simulations that extend over a time period of minutes,hours,or even longer are called extendedterm simulations.As power systems evolve into complex systems with increasing interdependencies and richer dynamic behaviors across a wide range of timescales,extendedterm simulation is needed for many power system analysis tasks(e.g.,resilience analysis,renewable energy integration,cascading failures),and there is an urgent need for efficient and robust extendedterm simulation approaches.The conventional approaches are insufficient for dealing with the extendedterm simulation of multitimescale processes.This paper proposes an extendedterm simulation approach based on the semianalytical simulation(SAS)methodology.Its accuracy and computational efficiency are backed by SAS's high accuracy in eventdriven simulation,larger and adaptive time steps,and flexible switching between fulldynamic and quasisteadystate(QSS)models.We used this proposed extendedterm simulation approach to evaluate bulk power system restoration plans,and it demonstrates satisfactory accuracy and efficiency in this complex simulation task.
基金ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This work was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （No. 30801354 and No. 30970791） and Jilin Provincial Science and Technology Department, China （grant No. 20080154）.
文摘The potential association between xenotropic murine leukaemia virus-related gammaretrovirus （XMRV） and prostate cancer （PCa） has been documented since 2006, It is important for furthering our understanding of the biological mechanisms of PCa to ascertain whether this association is causal. To summarize the available information on the epidemiological and laboratory findings of the association, we conducted a literature search of the PubMed electronic database （from March 2006 to February 2011） to identify relevant published studies that examined the association between XMRV and PCa, Although several studies showed the positive association between XMRV and PCa, more recent studies did not support this conclusion, The positive findings might be due to contamination of human samples, Further studies are needed to clarify this association,
文摘Data are scarce regarding surgical and non-surgical education in accredited Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) fellowships in theUnited States. We compared surgical and non-surgical and education among training programs and expected surgical comfort level with pelvic reconstructive procedures from the perspective of the fellow and program director. An online survey was distributed to program directors and fellows from the 39 accredited FPMRS fellowships at the time (2010). Domains evaluated in the survey were academic education requirements;surgical approaches to prolapse and to incontinence;other surgical procedures;and research and publication expectations. In total, forty fellows from 21 programs and directors from 27 programs. The most common surgical procedures performed for apical, anterior, and posterior prolapse were uterosacral ligament suspension, native tissue anterior colporrhaphy, and posterior colporrhaphy, respectively. Differences in perceived surgical comfort level were seen for coccygeus suspension, graftreinforced posterior colporrhaphy, rectus fascial sling, urethral bulking agent, cystoscopic ureteral stent placement and bowel repair. A greater proportion of program directors reported that fellows would be comfortable performing these procedures upon graduation than the proportion reported by the fellows themselves. Differences exist in FPMRS training nationwide, however, responding fellows appeared to be trained in multiple approaches to prolapse repair. Differences were seen in surgical comfort level as perceived by fellows and program directors.
文摘Objectives: To assess potential knowledge gaps between primary care providers (PCPs) and cancer specialists, Michigan Cancer Consortium guidelines were developed and disseminated statewide. We evaluated the impact of dissemination of these guidelines on PCP attitudes and beliefs regarding management of prostate cancer (PC) post-treatment sequelae. Methods: Guidelines were disseminated via hard-copy and web-link mailed to 12,000 Michigan PCPs in 2009, and via 5 CME presentations to 181 PCPs in 2010-2011. 132 initial surveys were collected from CME attendees and 549 follow-up surveys were received 20 months after the initial mailing. Results: Surveyed PCPs indicated erectile dysfunction (88%), incontinence (84%), anxiety (54%) and fear of the unknown (50%) as frequent post-treatment sequelae. A minority of PCPs (≤41%) felt “very comfortable” assessing PC patients for ten post-treatment sequelae at the initial survey, which increased by up to 27% on follow-up survey. 93% of PCPs that received guidelines by mail and CME presentation had incorporated them into practice, compared with 72% of PCPs that received guidelines solely by mailing. Similarly, a greater proportion reported practice pattern changes (65% vs. 34%, p = 0.0003). A higher proportion felt CME events (69% vs. 57%) and expert presentations (64% vs. 44%) were “very effective”, when comparing attendees and non-attendees. Conclusions: Guideline distribution resulted in increased comfort with survivorship issues and incorporation into the practices of the majority of PCPs surveyed. A greater impact was observed in PCPs that attended a CME presentation than in those that received guidelines only by mailing.
文摘BACKGROUND The prevalence of Crohn’s disease(CD)and ulcerative colitis(UC)is on the rise worldwide.This rising prevalence is concerning as patients with CD and UC may frequently relapse leading to recurrent hospitalizations and increased healthcare utilization.AIM To identify trends and adverse outcomes for 30 d readmissions for CD and UC.METHODS This was a retrospective,interrupted trends study involving all adult(≥18 years)30 d readmissions of CD and UC from the National Readmission Database(NRD)between 2008 and 2018.Patients<18 years,elective,and traumatic hospitalizations were excluded from this study.We identified hospitalization characteristics and readmission rates for each calendar year.Trends of inpatient mortality,mean length of hospital stay(LOS)and mean total hospital cost(THC)were calculated using a multivariate logistic trend analysis adjusting for age,gender,insurance status,comorbidity burden and hospital factors.Furthermore,trends between CD and UC readmissions were compared using regression of the interaction coefficient after adjusting for age and gender to determine relative trends between the two populations.Stata®Version 16 software(StataCorp,TX,United States)was used for statistical analysis and P value≤0.05 were considered statistically significant.RESULTS Total number of 30 d readmissions increased from 6202 in 2010 to 7672 in 2018 for CD and from 3272 in 2010 to 4234 in 2018 for UC.We noted increasing trends for 30-day all-cause readmission rate of CD from 14.9%in 2010 to 17.6%in 2018(P-trend<0.001),CD specific readmission rate from 7.1%in 2010 to 8.2%in 2018(P-trend<0.001),30-day all-cause readmission rate of UC from 14.1%in 2010 to 15.7%in 2018(P-trend=0.003),and UC specific readmission rate from 5.2%in 2010 to 5.6%in 2018(P-trend=0.029).There was no change in the risk adjusted trends of inpatient mortality and mean LOS for CD and UC readmissions.However,we found an increasing trend of mean THC for UC readmissions.After comparison,there was no statistical difference in the trends for 30 d all-cause readmission rate,inpatient mortality,and mean LOS between CD and UC readmissions.CONCLUSION There was an increase in total number of 30 d readmissions for CD and UC with a trend towards increasing 30 d all-cause readmission rates.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of Chinaunder Grant Nos. 61501247, 61373131 and 61702277the Six Talent Peaks Project ofJiangsu Province (Grant No. 2015-XXRJ-013)+2 种基金Natural Science Foundation of JiangsuProvince (Grant No. BK20171458)the Natural Science Foundation of the HigherEducation Institutions of Jiangsu Province (China under Grant No. 16KJB520030)theNUIST Research Foundation for Talented Scholars under Grant Nos. 2015r014, PAPDand CICAEET funds.
文摘Multi-user detection is one of the important technical problems for moderncommunications. In the field of quantum communication, the multi-access channel onwhich we apply the technology of quantum information processing is still an openquestion. In this work, we investigate the multi-user detection problem based on thebinary coherent-state signals whose communication way is supposed to be seen as aquantum channel. A binary phase shift keying model of this multi-access channel isstudied and a novel method of quantum detection proposed according to the conclusionof the quantum measurement theory. As a result, the average interference betweendeferent users is presented and the average error probability of the quantum detection isderived theoretically. Finally, we show the maximum channel capacity of this effectivedetection for a two-access quantum channel.
基金funding from the U.S.-Kazakhstan University Partnerships program funded by the U.S.Mission to Kazakhstan and administered by American Councils[Award number SKZ100-19-CA-0149].
文摘CLIL,which stands for Content and Language Integrated Learning,is an instructional approach that gives ample curricular and pedagogical attention to content and language outcomes in multilingual educational settings.Increasingly,it is heralded as a way to responsibly enact top-down English-Medium-of-Instruction(EMI)policies at the university level,where teachers and students are tasked with developing their English proficiency while remaining competitive in the international job market.However,teachers and teacher educators hoping to implement this approach in their science,technology,engineering and mathematics(STEM)content courses face significant challenges.This article serves as an introduction to a vip-edited special issue that reports on several aspects related to a project of international collaboration called Project SCILLA,an acronym for“STEM Content Integrated with Language-Learning Activities”.We first provide a brief overview of the project,which was developed and carried out in collaboration between Michigan State University and a consortium of 10 rural universities in Kazakhstan as a way to support STEM educators who wish to adapt their teaching practices to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Education.We then offer an overview of the six articles that comprise the special issue,and call for deliberate and dialogic international collaboration as a way to support teachers responding to language policy demands.
基金supported in part by National Institute of Health(NIH),USA(Grant Nos.:R01GM126189,R01AI164266,and R35GM148196)the National Science Foundation,USA(Grant Nos.DMS2052983,DMS-1761320,and IIS-1900473)+3 种基金National Aero-nautics and Space Administration(NASA),USA(Grant No.:80NSSC21M0023)Michigan State University(MSU)Foundation,USA,Bristol-Myers Squibb(Grant No.:65109)USA,and Pfizer,USAsupported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.:11971367,12271416,and 11972266).
文摘Transformer models have emerged as pivotal tools within the realm of drug discovery,distinguished by their unique architectural features and exceptional performance in managing intricate data landscapes.Leveraging the innate capabilities of transformer architectures to comprehend intricate hierarchical dependencies inherent in sequential data,these models showcase remarkable efficacy across various tasks,including new drug design and drug target identification.The adaptability of pre-trained trans-former-based models renders them indispensable assets for driving data-centric advancements in drug discovery,chemistry,and biology,furnishing a robust framework that expedites innovation and dis-covery within these domains.Beyond their technical prowess,the success of transformer-based models in drug discovery,chemistry,and biology extends to their interdisciplinary potential,seamlessly combining biological,physical,chemical,and pharmacological insights to bridge gaps across diverse disciplines.This integrative approach not only enhances the depth and breadth of research endeavors but also fosters synergistic collaborations and exchange of ideas among disparate fields.In our review,we elucidate the myriad applications of transformers in drug discovery,as well as chemistry and biology,spanning from protein design and protein engineering,to molecular dynamics(MD),drug target iden-tification,transformer-enabled drug virtual screening(VS),drug lead optimization,drug addiction,small data set challenges,chemical and biological image analysis,chemical language understanding,and single cell data.Finally,we conclude the survey by deliberating on promising trends in transformer models within the context of drug discovery and other sciences.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFE0106300)Norges Forskningsråd(328886).
文摘This study investigates trends in extreme precipitation events(EPEs)across Antarctica from 1979 to 2023,analyzing changes in EPE frequency,intensity,and the proportion of extreme to total precipitation.Using Self-Organizing Map(SOM)techniques,the study distinguishes the contributions from thermodynamic,dynamic,and interaction components in explaining these trends.Positive EPE occurrence trends are observed across the Bellingshausen and Weddell Seas,Dronning Maud Land,and parts of the Southern Ocean,with declines limited to Queen Mary Land.Thermodynamic factors,responsible for 96.0%of the overall trend,are driven by increased water vapor content in polar air masses.Dynamic contributions,representing 10.8%,are linked to a strengthened Amundsen Sea Low(ASL)associated with the Southern Annular Mode(SAM)and Pacific South American(PSA)trends.Interaction effects make a slightly negative contribution(-6.8%)to the overall trend.Variations in water vapor transport and vertical velocity tied to annual 500-hPa geopotential height anomalies further explain EPE trends.These findings provide insight into the atmospheric processes that influence Antarctic EPEs,with implications for understanding the climatic impact on the polar environment.
