Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intuition, Theory, and Anti-Theory in Ethics

What form, or forms, might ethical knowledge take? In particular, can ethical knowledge take the form either of moral theory, or of moral intuition? If it can, should it? These are central questions for ethics today, and they are the central questions for the philosophical essays collected in this volume. Intuition, Theory, and Anti-Theory in Ethics draws together new work by leading experts in the field, in order to represent as many different perspectives on the discussion as possible. The volume is not built upon any kind of tidy consensus about what 'knowledge', 'theory', and 'intuition' mean. Rather, the idea is to explore as many as possible of the different things that knowledge, theory, and intuition could be in ethics.
Evaluation of apical transportation and centring ability of five thermally treated NiTi rotary systems

AIM To evaluate apical transportation and centring ability during root canal preparation in mesial root canals of mandibular molars associated with ProTaper Gold (PTG), ProDesign S (PDS), Hyflex CM (HCM), Hyflex EDM and ProDesign Logic (PDL). METHODOLOGY Sixty mandibular first molars with two separate canals in the mesial root were selected after root anatomy pairing by microcomputed tomography (microCT). The teeth were randomly divided into five groups (n = 24); the root canal volume was calculated to ensure sample homogeneity. All the root canals were prepared up to size 25 in accordance with the instructions of each rotary system manufacturer. After root canal preparation, the teeth were scanned by microCT to analyse apical transportation, root canal centralization and the pre- and post-preparation root canal volume at the apical and cervical levels. Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests were used for comparisons amongst groups for transportation values. For volume changes, the parametric ANOVA and Tukey's tests were used RESULTS: There were no significant differences in apical transportation amongst the rotary systems (P > 0.05). All the systems created apical transportation; values ranging from 0.031 mm (PDL) to 0.072 mm (PTG), and enlargements between 39% (HCM) and 91.1% (PDS) were observed. In relative to cervical transportation, significant differences were observed amongst the systems (P < 0.05). Mean transportation values between 0.07 mm (HCM) and 0.172 mm (PTG) were found, with enlargements between 35.4% (HCM) and 51.5% (PDS). CONCLUSION All the thermally treated systems resulted in similar apical transportation. In the cervical region, the Hyflex CM and Prodesign Logic systems were associated with more centred preparations.
Rarity of transferable beta-lactamase production by Klebsiella species.

We report a survey of beta-lactamases and their transferability in Klebsiella spp. isolated from blood during 1992-95. beta-Lactamases were characterized by determination of isoelectric point (pI), by hybridization of plasmid DNA preparations with probes for SHV and TEM sequences and by PCR with SHV- or TEM-specific primers. There were 80 isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and 22 isolates of Klebsiella oxytoca. Most isolates of K. pneumoniae had a chromosomally encoded SHV-1 beta-lactamase (or a closely related enzyme); K. oxytoca also produced chromosomal beta-lactamases, but these were distinct from SHV-1. Plasmid-encoded beta-lactamases were rare in Klebsiella spp. , being found in six (7.5%) isolates of K. pneumoniae and in none of the K. oxytoca. beta-Lactamase activities were relatively low (< 100 nmoles nitrocefin hydrolysed per minute per mg of protein) and ampicillin MICs were < or = 128 mg/L for most isolates of both species. However, all isolates of K. pneumoniae with plasmid-encoded beta-lactamases, three other isolates of K. pneumoniae and three isolates of K. oxytoca had high beta-lactamase activities (> 100 nmoles/mg/min) and very high ampicillin MICs (> or = 1024 mg/L).
Clinical comparison of full-field digital mammography and screen-film mammography for detection of breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this work is to compare full-field digital mammography and screen-film mammography for the detection of breast cancer in a screening population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Full-field digital mammography was performed in addition to screen-film mammography in 6736 examinations of women 40 years old and older presenting for screening mammography at either of two institutions. Two views of each breast were acquired with each technique. The digital and screen-film mammograms were each interpreted independently. In addition to a clinical assessment, each finding was assigned a probability of malignancy for use in receiver operating characteristic analysis. In cases in which the digital and screen-film interpretations differed, a side-by-side analysis was performed to determine the reasons for the discrepancy. With few exceptions, findings detected on either technique were evaluated with additional imaging and, if warranted, biopsy. RESULTS Additional evaluation was recommended on at least one technique in 1467 cases. These additional evaluations led to 181 biopsies and the detection of 42 cancers. Nine cancers were detected only on digital mammography, 15 were detected only on screen-film mammography, and 18 were detected on both. The difference in cancer detection is not statistically significant (p > 0.1). Digital mammography resulted in fewer recalls than did screenfilm mammography (799 vs 1007, p < 0.001). The difference between the receiver operating characteristic curve area for digital (0.74) and screen-film (0.80) mammography was not significant (p > 0.1). Reasons for discrepant interpretations of cancer were approximately equally distributed among those relating to lesion conspicuity, lesion appearance, and interpretation. CONCLUSION No significant difference in cancer detection was observed between digital mammography and screen-film mammography. Digital mammography resulted in fewer recalls than did screen-film mammography.
The Medicalization of Male Sexual Dysfunctions: An Analysis of Sex Therapy Journals

This study explored paradigm change in sex therapy for male sexual dysfunctions. An analysis of the professional journal literature was used to examine the theories, causes, and treatments utilized to explain and treat erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation between 1967 and 1998. The journals analyzed include the Journal of Sex Education and Therapy, the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, the Journal of Sex Research, and Archives of Sexual Behavior. Sex therapy may be characterized as a multiple paradigm science; the medical and psychological models are reviewed. The medical model includes various approaches such as hormone therapy, herbs, prescription medication, surgery, and vacuum therapy. While the behavioral model is the dominant psychological sex therapy paradigm, the results indicate that the medical model has emerged as the dominant paradigm for the treatment of male sexual dysfunctions. These findings suggest several possibilities for sex therapy: a decline of practitioners without medical training, the development of new roles, and medical and non-medical practitioners working together.
Meanings of Leisure in Coping and Adjustment after Hurricane Katrina among Japanese and Japanese American Survivors in New Orleans

Abstract This study explored the relationships among Hurricane Katrin a-related stressors, coping/adjustment, and leisure among Japanese and Japanese American survivors in New Orleans. Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted in March 2012. Continuous uncertainty, along with Katrina-related stressful events, negatively impacted the survivors' psychological well-being. Leisure had four distinct meanings in their coping and adjustment processes, providing (a) a positive distraction, (b) an opportunity to stay optimistic and hopeful, (c) a source of new normalcy at both societal and individual levels, and (d) a context for positive inner changes. Additionally, Japanese unique perspectives and attitudes (e.g., quietness, humbleness, modesty) facilitated certain coping strategies. Overall, this study provided evidence for the role of leisure in meaning-making as a key function of coping and adjustment.
Distribution of catechol‐O‐methyltransferase expression in human central nervous system

CATECHOL-O-METHYLTRANSFERASE (COMT, EC 2.1.1.6) is a ubiquitous enzyme crucial to catechol metabolism. Two isoforms exist in the human central nervous system (CNS) and they are encoded by two transcripts(1.3 and 1.5 kb) in most human tissues. Using two α-32P-labeled probes, we found only the 1.5 kb transcript in all 16 regions of the human CNS using commercially available Northern blots. Spinal cord had the highest and amygdala had the lowest levels of expression. The other CNS regions shared a similar level of expression. The distributions of COMT gene expression relative to whole brain between both probes were significantly correlated. Our study shows that the expression of the 1.5 kb transcript is crucial for COMT activity in all regions of the human CNS.
A New Adaptive Method for Identification of Multiple Unknown Disturbance Frequencies in HDDs

In hard disk drive (HDD) system, disturbances like rotary vibrations and shocks usually contain frequency components with time-varying phases and magnitudes. The effect of these disturbances has to be attenuated for better servo performance, and the dominant frequencies of these disturbances need to be estimated. In this paper, a new adaptive identification method for frequency estimation is introduced, and adaptive estimation of multiple unknown frequencies has been studied. The proposed adaptive method has been applied to an actual HDD drive, and the experimental results confirm its effectiveness.
Locus of control and regional differences in sickness absence in Sweden

Purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate if there are differences in locus of control (LOC), at a societal level, between two residential areas in Sweden with substantial differences in sickness absence. Method. A postal questionnaire was sent to 1500 randomly selected men and women aged 20 – 64 years. Five hundred questionnaires were sent to people living in Stromsund (a sparsely populated municipality in northern Sweden with high rates of sickness absence) and 1000 questionnaires to people in the Swedish capital of Stockholm, which has a low rate of sickness absence. Results and conclusion. A comparison of LOC in the two study areas supported our hypothesis to a certain extent, external locus being more prominent in Stromsund. When physical and mental health and income were considered, however, the differences disappeared. Consequently, this study did not support the opinion that differences in sickness absence can be explained by LOC at a societal level.
Design-Induced Latency Variation in Modern DRAM Chips

Variation has been shown to exist across the cells within a modern DRAM chip. Prior work has studied and exploited several forms of variation, such as manufacturing-process- or temperature-induced variation. We empirically demonstrate a new form of variation that exists within a real DRAM chip, induced by the design and placement of different components in the DRAM chip: different regions in DRAM, based on their relative distances from the peripheral structures, require different minimum access latencies for reliable operation. In particular, we show that in most real DRAM chips, cells closer to the peripheral structures can be accessed much faster than cells that are farther. We call this phenomenon design-induced variation in DRAM. Our goals are to i) understand design-induced variation that exists in real, state-of-the-art DRAM chips, ii) exploit it to develop low-cost mechanisms that can dynamically find and use the lowest latency at which to operate a DRAM chip reliably, and, thus, iii) improve overall system performance while ensuring reliable system operation. To this end, we first experimentally demonstrate and analyze designed-induced variation in modern DRAM devices by testing and characterizing 96 DIMMs (768 DRAM chips). Our characterization identifies DRAM regions that are vulnerable to errors, if operated at lower latency, and finds consistency in their locations across a given DRAM chip generation, due to design-induced variation. Based on our extensive experimental analysis, we develop two mechanisms that reliably reduce DRAM latency. First, DIVA Profiling uses runtime profiling to dynamically identify the lowest DRAM latency that does not introduce failures. DIVA Profiling exploits design-induced variation and periodically profiles only the vulnerable regions to determine the lowest DRAM latency at low cost. It is the first mechanism to dynamically determine the lowest latency that can be used to operate DRAM reliably. DIVA Profiling reduces the latency of read/write requests by 35.1%/57.8%, respectively, at 55°C. Our second mechanism, DIVA Shuffling, shuffles data such that values stored in vulnerable regions are mapped to multiple error-correcting code (ECC) codewords. As a result, DIVA Shuffling can correct 26% more multi-bit errors than conventional ECC. Combined together, our two mechanisms reduce read/write latency by 40.0%/60.5%, which translates to an overall system performance improvement of 14.7%/13.7%/13.8% (in 2-/4-/8-core systems) across a variety of workloads, while ensuring reliable operation.
Cytoprotection of methionine on hyperthermia‐induced damage in bovine mammary epithelial cells

The protective effects of methionine against hyperthermia‐induced damage in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMEC) were studied. We have investigated the effects of methionine on proliferation, antioxidant activity, and apoptosis of the mammary epithelial cells of dairy cow after heat treatment. The structure of BMEC membrane was damaged by hyperthermia. Methionine (30 and 60 mg/L) efficiently increased cell viability and attenuated morphological damages in hyperthermia‐treated BMEC. It significantly reduced lactate dehydrogenase leakage and malondialdehyde formation, whereas superoxide dismutase activity increased significantly. It also increased cell survival and decreased early apoptosis. Methionine therefore is cytoprotective on hyperthermia‐induced damage in BMEC by increasing intracellular antioxidant levels and decreasing lipid peroxidation.
The Single-Uniprior Index-Coding Problem: The Single-Sender Case and the Multi-Sender Extension

Index coding studies multiterminal source-coding problems where a set of receivers are required to decode multiple (possibly different) messages from a common broadcast, and they each know some messages a priori. In this paper, at the receiver end, we consider a special setting where each receiver knows only one message a priori, and each message is known to only one receiver. At the broadcasting end, we consider a generalized setting where there could be multiple senders, and each sender knows a subset of the messages. The senders collaborate to transmit an index code. This paper looks at minimizing the number of total coded bits the senders are required to transmit. When there is only one sender, we propose a pruning algorithm to find a lower bound on the optimal (i.e., the shortest) index codelength, and show that it is achievable by linear index codes. When there are two or more senders, we propose an appending technique to be used in conjunction with the pruning technique to give a lower bound on the optimal index codelength; we also derive an upper bound based on cyclic codes. While the two bounds do not match in general, for the special case where no two distinct senders know any message in common, the bounds match, giving the optimal index codelength. The results are expressed in terms of strongly connected components in directed graphs that represent the index-coding problems.
Assessment of an innovative seat belt with independent control of the shoulder and lap portions using THOR tests, the THUMS model, and PMHS tests

ABSTRACT Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the potential chest injury benefits and influence on occupant kinematics of a belt system with independent control of the shoulder and lap portions. Methods: This article investigates the kinematics and dynamics of human surrogates in 35 km/h impacts with 2 different restraints: a pretensioning (PT), force-limiting (FL) seat belt, a reference belt system, and a concept design with a split buckle consisting (SB) of 2 separate shoulder and lap belt bands. The study combines mathematical simulations with the THOR dummy and THUMS human body model, and mechanical tests with the THOR dummy and 2 postmortem human surrogate (PMHS) tests of similar age (39 and 42 years) and anthropometry (62 kg, 181 cm vs. 60 kg, 171.5 cm). The test setup consisted of a rigid metallic frame representing a standard seating position of a right front passenger. The THOR dummy model predictions were compared to the mechanical THOR dummy test results. The THUMS-predicted number of fractured ribs were compared to the number of fractured ribs in the PMHS. Results: THOR sled tests showed that the SB seat belt system decreased chest deflection significantly without increasing the forward displacement of the head. The THOR model and the THOR physical dummy predicted a 13- and 7-mm reduction in peak chest deflection, respectively. Peak diagonal belt force in the mechanical test with the reference belt was 5,582 N and the predicted force was 4,770 N. The THOR model also predicted lower belt forces with the SB system than observed in the tests (5,606 vs. 6,085 N). THUMS predicted somewhat increased head displacement for the SB system compared to the reference system. Peak diagonal force with the reference belt was 4,000 N and for the SB system it was 5,200 N. The PMHS test with the SB belt resulted in improved kinematics and a smaller number of rib fractures (2 vs. 5 fractures) compared to the reference belt. Conclusion: Concepts for a belt system that can reduce the load on the chest of the occupant in a crash and thereby reduce the number of injured occupants, in particular the elderly, was proposed.
Hindering factors of beginning teachers' high performance in higher education Pakistan: Case study of IUB

Purpose – The aim of the researchers in this endeavor is to identify the challenges and obstacles faced by beginning teachers in higher education. This study also explores practical implications and what adaptation can be utilized in order to have high performance of the beginning teachers.Design/methodology/approach – Researchers have applied qualitative and quantitative technique to collect and interpret data. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted from the 40 beginning teachers of the case study university in order to identify various hindering factors of high performance.Findings – Research results indicate that by addressing the 11 major hindering factors of beginning teachers' high performance, i.e. less teaching exposure, overburden, strict evaluation, lack of training, insufficient material and supplies, lack of effective communication, student counseling problems, classroom discipline problems, difficulties in assessing students' work, least expectations of career in teaching and misbehavior o.
Clozapine-induced obsessive-compulsive syndromes improve in combination with aripiprazole.

Patients with schizophrenia often experience comorbid obsessive-compulsive syndromes (OCSs). Within these patients, a significant subgroup developed secondary OCS during treatment with antiserotonergic, atypical antipsychotic agents such as clozapine. Although cognitive behavioral therapy and antiobsessive antidepressants brought up inconsistent results, in some cases, dose reductions of clozapine in combination approaches were able to alleviate OCS. One suggestive agent for antiobsessive add-on treatment is aripiprazole, a partial agonist at dopamine and serotonin receptors.Here, we summarize the courses of 7 patients (6 men; mean age, 37 years; mean duration of psychotic illness, 17 years). They had been treated with clozapine for 9 years. The distressing and treatment-resistant comorbidity with OCS emerged approximately 4 years after the start of clozapine therapy. During combined treatment with mean doses of 22.9 mg of aripiprazole for 9.7 weeks, we assessed a small yet statistically not significant improvement of the psychotic disorder, whereas a marked reduction of obsessions and significant improvements of compulsions could be observed. The mean total Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Rating Scale decreased from 18.7 to 12.4 (P = 0.003). These data support the findings of 2 previous case reports and point toward an antiobsessive potency of aripiprazole. The relevant disabling comorbidities of psychosis and OCS need further investigation with multimodal neurobiological approaches. The proposed strategy should be further evaluated in prospective controlled trials with severity of comorbid OCS as a primary end point.
Relation of body mass index with lipid profile and blood pressure in young healthy students at Ziauddin Medical University.

BACKGROUND This study was conducted to assess serum lipids in healthy young subjects in relation with their BMI. METHODS Students of Ziauddin Medical University were assessed for anthropometric measures, blood pressure and lipid profile at the time of their admission for MBBS program. RESULTS Out of 426 students all parameters were available for 301 students and they were selected for analysis in this study. Mean serum cholesterol in 301 students was 149.3 +/- 31.3 mg/dl, mean LDL-C was 91.3 mg/dl +/- 27.7, mean HDL-C was 40.0 mg/dl +/- 42.2. mean triglycerides were 89.9 mg/dl +/- 42.2. mean systolic blood pressure was 113.1 mmHg +/- 13.5 and mean diastolic blood pressure was 74.0 mmHg +/- 8.1. The mean BMI of students was 21.6 Kg/m2 +/- 4.2. Among 301 students, 88 were underweight, 175 were normal and 38 were overweight according to their BMI. We found no significant difference in mean serum cholesterol and LDL-C while there were significant difference in mean serum HDL-C, triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure among the three BMI groups. CONCLUSION In our study, there are high numbers of at-risk individuals. Therefore, strategies should be designed for weight reduction in children and adults to prevent cardiovascular disease.
A Comparison of the Sexual Concerns of Men and Women with Spinal Cord Injuries

The purpose of this study is to compare sexual concerns and adjustment between men and women with spinal cord injuries. A total of 108 persons (67 men and 41 women), registered to the Spinal Cord Injury Organization or admitted at rehabilitation unit from February 1999 to February 2000, were selected as subjects of the study. Participants answered the questionnaires concerning importance of life events, sexual concern, sexual adjustment, relationship with a sex partner, and depression. The results are as follows : 1) There were no significant differences between men and women in the general characteristics except sexual dysfunction. 2) With respect to eleven different life areas, sex life ranked the fifth among men, whereas it occupied the lowest position for women among the 11 areas. However economic status was the most highly-ranked for both sex. 3) Men took much interest in the "methods and techniques for achieving sexual satisfaction", "Helping a partner cope emotionally with limitations on sexual activity", whereas women were interested in "Helping a partner cope emotionally with limitations on sexual activity" and "Ability to have children". 4) The means of sexual adjustment, relationship with a sex partner, and depression among men were higher than women. But there was no significant difference between two groups. As a result, the study suggests that there are no significant differences in the general characteristics between men and women with spinal cord injuries except sexual dysfunction. Men evaluated the sexual events highly compared to women, and differences were also shown in terms of sexual concerns between men and women. Therefore differential approaches to sexual rehabilitation are required; in both socio-psychological and physical aspects for men and particularly in socio-psychological respect for women.