Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How does casualty load affect trauma care in urban bombing incidents? A quantitative analysis.

BACKGROUND The aim of this modeling study was to examine how casualty load affects the level of trauma care in multiple casualty incidents and to define the surge capacity of the hospital trauma assets. METHODS The disaster plan of a U.S. Level I trauma center was translated into a computer model and challenged with simulated casualties based on 223 patients from 22 bombing incidents treated at an Israeli hospital. The model assigns providers and facilities to casualties and computes the level of care for each critical casualty from six variables that reflect the composition of the trauma team and access to facilities. RESULTS The model predicts a sigmoid-shaped relationship between casualty load and the level of care, with the upper flat portion of the curve corresponding to the surge capacity of the trauma assets of the hospital. This capacity is 4.6 critical patients per hour using immediately available assets. A fully deployed disaster plan shifts the curve to the right, increasing the surge capacity to 7.1. Overtriage rates of 50% and 75% shift the curve to the left, decreasing the surge capacity to 3.8 and 2.7, respectively. CONCLUSION This model defines the quantitative relationship between an increasing casualty load and gradual degradation of the level of trauma care in multiple casualty incidents, and defines the surge capacity of the hospital trauma assets as a rate of casualty arrival rather than a number of beds. The study demonstrates the value of dynamic computer modeling as an important tool in disaster planning.
How leaders woo followers in the romance of leadership

This empirical study examines the origins of the romance of leadership from a leader-centric perspective. The impact of Self-Deception and Impression Management on leader perceptions of their leadership was examined to gauge whether leaders hold romantic notions about their leadership. A national survey (N = 2,376) of business executives was conducted and data were analysed using a multiple-method factor approach. The results indicate that leaders distort their self-attributions to reflect romantic or “idealised” images of leadership. We contend that leaders are motivated to transmit these images through impression management to “woo” followers into constructing romantic images of leadership. Thus, leaders play an active role in the development of the romance of leadership. The study considers the practical and theoretical implications and proposes directions for future research. Cette etude empirique s’interesse aux origines de la romance du leadership d’un point de vue centre sur le leader. L’impact des illusions sur soi et du management impressionnant sur la perception qu’ont les leaders de leur propre leadership a ete pris en compte pour savoir si les leaders adheraient a des notions romantiques a propos de leur leadership. Les donnees d’une enquete nationale (N = 2,376) sur des hommes/femmes d’affaires ont ete analysees avec une approche factorielle a methodes multiples. Les resultats montrent que les leaders distordent leurs auto-attributions pour renvoyer des images romantiques ou idealisees du leadership. Nous soutenons que les leaders cherchent a transmettre ces images a travers le management impressionnant pour amener les suiveurs aelaborer des images romantiques du leadership. Les leaders jouent donc un role actif dans le developpement de la romance du leadership. On reflechit aux consequences theoriques et pratiques de cette etude et l’on propose des orientations pour les recherches a venir.
H ∞ synthesis of unknown input observers for non-linear Lipschitz systems

The problem of unknown input observer design for non-linear Lipschitz systems is considered. A new dynamic framework which is a generalization of previously used linear unknown input observers is introduced. The additional degrees of freedom offered by this dynamic framework are used to deal with the Lipschitz non-linearity. The necessary and sufficient condition that ensures asymptotic convergence of the new observer is presented, and the equivalence between this condition and an H ∞ optimal control problem which satisfies the standard regularity assumptions in the H ∞ optimization theory is shown. Based on these results, a design procedure that is solvable using commercially available software is presented. A simulation example is given to illustrate the proposed design.
Antiallergic actions of high topical doses of terbutaline in human nasal airways

It is debatable whether β2‐receptor agonists produce antiallergic effects in human airways. This question has been addressed in the present study by examination of both mast‐cell indices and the physiologic response to allergen challenge in human nasal airways. Twelve asymptomatic patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis were investigated outside the pollen season. Intranasal allergen provocation was carried out with diluent and three increasing doses of allergen. Topical terbutaline sulfate (1.0 mg) was given 5 min prior to each allergen challenge and nasal lavage was carried out 10 min after each challenge. The study design was double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover, and randomized. The allergen challenge‐induced mast‐cell activation and the ensuing physiologic response of the airway tissue were investigated by measuring a mast‐cell‐derived mediator (tryptase) and plasma proteins (albumin and α2 macroglobulin), respectively, in the lavage fluids. Allergen provocation produced dose‐dependent increments of nasal symptoms and lavage fluid levels of tryptase, albumin and α2‐macroglobulin. Both nasal symptoms (p≤0.05) and lavage fluid levels of tryptase (p≤0.05), albumin (p≤0.05), and α2‐macroglobulin (p≤0.01) were reduced by pretreatment with topical terbutaline sulfate. We conclude that high doses of topical terbutaline may produce significant antiallergic effects in human airways by equally reducing both tryptase release and plasma exudation in the acute allergic reaction in human airways. Further studies are now warranted to determine whether microvascular antipermeability effects of (β2‐receptor stimulation contribute to the present observations.
Maternal Smoking and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Offspring: A Meta-analysis

Causes of ADHD are complex, and our meta-analysis revealed that prenatal nicotine exposure may be implicated in the development of ADHD. CONTEXT: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in childhood. Exploring the risk factors for ADHD is helpful in preventing ADHD. OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and the occurrence of ADHD in offspring. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to May 2017 for studies. STUDY SELECTION: Cohort or case-control studies in which the association between maternal smoking and ADHD in offspring were investigated were eligible if they included odds ratios (ORs), hazard ratios, or risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). DATA EXTRACTION: Two investigators independently extracted data on definition of exposure and outcome, number of cases and total sample population, and potential confounders adjusted. Any dose-relationship data for smoking and ADHD risk were also extracted. RESULTS: Fifteen cohort studies and 5 case-control studies with 50 044 cases and 2 998 059 participants were included. Smoking during pregnancy increased the risk of offspring ADHD (OR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.45–1.76). The risk of ADHD was greater for children whose mothers were heavy smokers (OR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.51–2.02) than for those mothers were light smokers (OR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.40–1.70). LIMITATIONS: The limitations of our study included different assessment tools of ADHD and a lack of objective biological measures for maternal smoking. CONCLUSIONS: With our meta-analysis, we provide evidence for an association between maternal smoking and offspring ADHD but do not solve the causality issues concerning potential confounding by other risk factors. More high-quality studies are needed to establish whether the association with smoking is causal.
Project-based learning and students’ motivation: The Singapore context

The Project work (PW) initiative was introduced by the Ministry of Education, Singapore, to provide students with the opportunities to foster collaborative learning skills, to improve both oral and written communication, to practise creative and critical thinking skills, and to develop self-directed inquiry and life-long learning skills (Ministry of Education, 1999). Although PW has been introduced for a few years, there has not been much research done in the Singapore context, especially in terms of its effect on students’ motivation. To fill the empirical gap, this study examined the extent in which PW promoted students’ intrinsic motivation, as well as satisfied students’ needs for competence, choice and relatedness. Specifically, data was collected from 7 classes of Secondary 2 students with the use of a modified version of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI, McAuley, Duncan, & Tammen, 1989) to assess students’ intrinsic motivation and their perceived choice, competence and relatedness in the PW context and in their normal mathematics or science lessons. Comparisons were made to establish whether there was any significant difference in terms of the students’ experiences in the different learning contexts.
Behavioral abnormalities in synapsin II knockout mice implicate a causal factor in schizophrenia

Recent studies on the phosphoprotein synapsin II have revealed reduced expression in postmortem medial prefrontal cortex tissues from subjects with schizophrenia, and chronic antipsychotic drug treatment has resulted in concurrent increases in synapsin II mRNA and protein levels. Collectively, this research suggests a role of synapsin II in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia; however, whether synapsin II plays a causal role in this disease process still remains unclear. Therefore, the goal of this investigation was to examine whether synapsin II knockout mice display behavioral abnormalities commonly expressed in preclinical animal models of schizophrenia, namely deficits in prepulse inhibition (PPI), decreased social behavior, and locomotor hyperactivity. Results indicate that mice with knockout of the synapsin II gene demonstrate deficits in PPI at three prepulse intensities (67, 70, and 73 dB), along with deficits in habituation to startle to a 110 dB acoustic pulse. Knockout animals also expressed decreased social behavior and increased locomotor activity when compared to wildtype and heterozygous populations. Complete knockout of the synapsin II gene was confirmed in postmortem brain tissues via immunoblotting. In conclusion, these results confirm that synapsin II knockout mice display behavioral endophenotypes similar to established preclinical animal models of schizophrenia, and lend support to the notion that abnormalities in synapsin II expression may play a causal role in the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of schizophrenia. Synapse 63:662–672, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Subgroups of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone perikarya defined by computer analyses in the basal forebrain of intact female rats.

The hypothesis that the basal forebrain population of LHRH perikarya is composed of heterogeneous subgroups was examined in this study. We used three-dimensional computerized reconstruction to examine populations of LHRH-immunopositive neurons detected in noncolchicine treated cycling female rats. Perikarya were detected with two antisera capable of detecting LHRH decapeptide within larger mol wt species, i.e. Millar's (RM) 1076 and Arimura's (AA) 419. No immunopositive perikarya were detected with antiserum AA 422, which requires the fully processed decapeptide for binding. A more broadly distributed population of LHRH neurons was detected in females killed on proestrus than in females killed on estrus or the other days of the cycle. These relationships were observed with both antisera, RM 1076 and AA 419. Subgroups of cells were clearly defined when the population of LHRH neurons detected on proestrus was simultaneously displayed with the population detected on estrus. Strikingly similar subgroups were revealed by simultaneous displays of populations of LHRH neurons detected by the antisera RM 1076 and AA 419 in proestrous females. This study revealed a three-dimensional onion skin-like laminar organization of LHRH subgroups expanding from the ventricle outward laterally and from the diagonal band of Broca to the hypothalamus caudally. We propose that these subgroups vary in their metabolic activity of biosynthesis, processing, transport, or release of LHRH in relation to the proestrous preovulatory release of LH.
Management of ankylosing spondylitis with infliximab

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a systemic inflammatory rheumatic disease responsible for back pain, stiffness and progressive loss of functional capacity with limited therapeutic options. Regular physical exercises together with the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are the two recognized treatment options in AS. Infliximab is a chimeric anti-tumor necrosis factor-α monoclonal antibody that has been demonstrated to be highly effective in the treatment of AS, providing clinical amelioration at both axial and peripheral skeleton. Infliximab also improves quality of life, function, biological parameters (acute phase reactants) and inflammatory lesions of the spine as detected by magnetic resonance imaging. It is given at a 5 mg/kg dosage, as an infusion at weeks 0, 2, 6, and every 6 to 8 weeks after. Open-label and placebo-controlled trials have well demonstrated its high level of efficacy, with an improvement of the disease activity of at least 50% in 60%–80% of patients. In a large placebo-controlled trial, Assessment in Ankylosing Spondylitis Response Criteria (ASAS20) responders were observed in 61.2% of patients receiving infliximab compared to 19.2% of patients under placebo. Long-term efficacy is maintained when infliximab is administered every 6–8 weeks. Consensus international guidelines for the initiation and the use of this expensive treatment are available. Some questions remain, including the long-term safety, in particular the risk of lymphoma, and the potential influence of infliximab on radiological progression which is not currently demonstrated. Despite these concerns, infliximab has revolutionized the management of AS and represents a considerable therapeutic advancement in this disabling disease.
A school-based exercise intervention elicits substantial bone health benefits: a 2-year randomized controlled trial in girls.

OBJECTIVE Childhood weight-bearing physical activity is recognized as an important determinant of peak bone mass, and physical activity intervention may represent a feasible strategy for primary prevention of osteoporosis. Previous school-based exercise interventions have all been of <10 months in duration. We implemented a high-impact, circuit-based, jumping intervention (10 minutes, 3 times a week) over 2 school years and compared changes in bone mineral content (BMC) over 20 months (2 school years) in 9.9 +/- 0.6-year-old intervention girls (N = 32) and controls (10.3 +/- 0.4 years, N = 43). METHODS We measured BMC for the total body, lumbar spine, proximal femur (and femoral neck and trochanteric subregions), and lean and fat mass by dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry (Hologic QDR 4500), and height, sitting height, leg length, and weight at baseline and 20 months. We assessed Tanner stage, general physical activity, and calcium intake by questionnaire. RESULTS Girls were Tanner breast stage 1 to 3 at baseline. There were no significant differences in baseline or 20-month change in body size or composition, average physical activity, or calcium intake between groups. There were substantially greater gains in lumbar spine (41.7% vs 38.0%) and femoral neck (24.8% vs 20.2%) BMC in intervention than in control girls (P <.05, analysis of covariance; covariates were baseline BMC and height, change in height, physical activity, and final Tanner stage). CONCLUSION Three brief sessions of high-impact exercise per week implemented over 2 consecutive years within the elementary school curriculum elicited a substantial bone mineral accrual advantage in pubertal girls.
Pattern of spinal cord injury in Maiduguri, North Eastern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is often associated with lifetime morbidity. There is no data on this injury from this Sub-region. The study examines the pattern of SCI in Maiduguri and its environs with a view to contribute to the emerging national data on the rising incidence of this injury and to highlight the deficiencies in our set up and suggest ways of improving them. METHODS The case notes of SCI patients managed at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital between 1998 and 2002 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS There were 36 patients, 30 males and 6 females (ratio 5:1) with age range of 13-55 years (mean 34.3 +/- 3 years). Road traffic accident (RTA) accounted for 22 (61.1%), while falls resulted in 9 (25%) of the injuries. The most frequent levels of injury were cervical region 14 (38.9%) and thoracolumbar 10 (27.8%). The commonest complications encountered were urinary tract infections (UTI) and bedsores. All the deaths, 3 (8.3%), occurred in patients with complete cervical spine lesion. CONCLUSION The high morbidity associated with SCI could be reduced through public enlightment on road safety measures including use of seat belts, prohibition of carrying goods and passengers together in trucks. and establishment of Spinal Centres equipped to function.
Examining perceptions of sexual harassment among recent female graduates in the workplace

The aim of the study was to examine perceptions of sexual harassment among recent female graduates in Johannesburg. A qualitative methodology was used to assess participants' perception of sexual harassment in the workplace. There were eight black unmarried women who volunteered to participate in the study. The snowballing technique was used to recruit participants. Participants were graduates from universities and tertiary colleges. The women were interviewed and the data was analysed qualitatively using thematic content analysis. The results showed that sexual harassment was perceived negatively as a violation of human rights, even though the concept was understood differently by participants. Directions for future research could focus on enablers and inhibitors of reporting sexual harassment among recent graduates in the workplace.
Absconding Among Juvenile Parolees in Arizona

Absconding refers to the active or passive avoidance of contact with correctional supervisory agencies by offenders. Absconders are problematic because their whereabouts are unknown and their threat to the public is elevated. The aim of this study was to construct and validate an actuarial instrument designed to assess risk for absconding among juvenile parolees that accounts for gendered differences. The data were gathered from 1,063 juveniles released from the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections into community settings in 2008 and 2009. Juveniles were randomly subdivided into construction and validation samples to assess the validity of the instrument. Twelve risk factors were identified to construct the instrument, three of which were found to operate differently for male and female juveniles. Upon application to the validation sample, the instrument correctly classified 70% of juvenile parolees, and a corresponding r value of . 37 was observed. The author discusses the substantive and practical implications for assessing absconding risk and modeling gender differences when supervising offenders in community settings.
Mutagenesis of murine cytomegalovirus using a Tn3-based transposon.

A transposon derived from Escherichia coli Tn3 was introduced into the genome of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) to generate a pool of viral mutants. We analyzed three of the constructed recombinant viruses that contained the transposon within the M25, M27, and m155 open reading frames. Our studies provide the first direct evidence to suggest that M25 and M27 are not essential for viral replication in mouse NIH 3T3 cells. Studies in cultured cells and Balb/c mice indicated that the transposon insertion is stable during viral propagation both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover the virus that contained the insertion mutation in M25 exhibited a titer similar to that of the wild-type virus in the salivary glands, lungs, livers, spleens, and kidneys of the Balb/c mice that were intraperitoneally infected with these viruses. These results suggest that M25 is dispensable for viral growth in these organs and the presence of the transposon sequence in the viral genome does not significantly affect viral replication in vivo. The Tn3-based system can be used as a mutagenesis approach for studying the function of MCMV genes in both tissue culture and in animals.
Incorporating eye tracking into cognitive interviewing to pretest survey questions

In this study, we investigated whether incorporating eye tracking into cognitive interviewing is effective when pretesting survey questions. In the control condition, a cognitive interview was conducted using a standardized interview protocol that included pre-defined probing questions for about one-quarter of the questions in a 52-item questionnaire. In the experimental condition, participants’ eye movements were tracked while they completed an online version of the questionnaire. Simultaneously, their reading patterns were monitored for evidence of response problems. Afterward, a cognitive interview was conducted using an interview protocol identical to that in the control condition. We compared both approaches with regard to the number and types of problems they detected. We found support for our hypothesis that cognitive interviewing and eye tracking complement each other effectively. As expected, the hybrid method was more productive in identifying both questionnaire problems and problematic questions than applying cognitive interviewing alone.
An Optimal Trajectory Planner for a Robotic Batting Task: The Table Tennis Example

This paper presents an optimal trajectory planner for a robotic batting task . The specific case of a table tennis game performed by a robot is considered. Given an estimation of the trajectory of the ball during the free flight, the method addresses the determination of the paddle configuration (pose and velocity) to return the ball at a desired position with a desired spin. The implemented algorithm takes into account the hybrid dynamic model of the ball in free flight as well as the state transition at the impact (the reset map). An optimal trajectory that minimizes the acceleration functional is generated for the paddle to reach the desired impact position, velocity and orientation. Simulations of different case studies further bolster the approach along with a comparison with state-of-the-art methods.