Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of OSHA recordkeeping regulation changes on occupational injury and illness trends in the US: a time-series analysis

Objectives: The Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) logs, indicates that the number of occupational injuries and illnesses in the US has steadily declined by 35.8% between 1992–2003. However, major changes to the OSHA recordkeeping standard occurred in 1995 and 2001. The authors assessed the relation between changes in OSHA recordkeeping regulations and the trend in occupational injuries and illnesses. Methods: SOII data available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for years 1992–2003 were collected. The authors assessed time series data using join-point regression models. Results: Before the first major recordkeeping change in 1995, injuries and illnesses declined annually by 0.5%. In the period 1995–2000 the slope declined by 3.1% annually (95% CI −3.7% to −2.5%), followed by another more precipitous decline occurring in 2001–2003 (−8.3%; 95% CI −10.0% to −6.6%). When stratifying the data, the authors continued to observe significant changes occurring in 1995 and 2001. Conclusions: The substantial declines in the number of injuries and illnesses correspond directly with changes in OSHA recordkeeping rules. Changes in employment, productivity, OSHA enforcement activity and sampling error do not explain the large decline. Based on the baseline slope (join-point regression analysis, 1992–4), the authors expected a decline of 407 964 injuries and illnesses during the period of follow-up if no intervention occurred; they actually observed a decline of 2.4 million injuries and illnesses of which 2 million or 83% of the decline can be attributed to the change in the OSHA recordkeeping rules.
Computational Modeling and Neuroimaging Techniques for Targeting during Deep Brain Stimulation

Accurate surgical localization of the varied targets for deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a process undergoing constant evolution, with increasingly sophisticated techniques to allow for highly precise targeting. However, despite the fastidious placement of electrodes into specific structures within the brain, there is increasing evidence to suggest that the clinical effects of DBS are likely due to the activation of widespread neuronal networks directly and indirectly influenced by the stimulation of a given target. Selective activation of these complex and inter-connected pathways may further improve the outcomes of currently treated diseases by targeting specific fiber tracts responsible for a particular symptom in a patient-specific manner. Moreover, the delivery of such focused stimulation may aid in the discovery of new targets for electrical stimulation to treat additional neurological, psychiatric, and even cognitive disorders. As such, advancements in surgical targeting, computational modeling, engineering designs, and neuroimaging techniques play a critical role in this process. This article reviews the progress of these applications, discussing the importance of target localization for DBS, and the role of computational modeling and novel neuroimaging in improving our understanding of the pathophysiology of diseases, and thus paving the way for improved selective target localization using DBS.
Fludarabine in Comparison to Alkylator-based Regimen as Induction Therapy for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

The superiority of Fludarabine over conventional therapy as primary induction therapy for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has been shown in several studies but no studies have yet reported a pooled estimate of the treatment effect. We performed a systematic review of evidence from 5 randomized controlled trials involving approximately 1300 patients with CLL, comparing Fludarabine with several alkylator-based combination regimens in the primary treatment of CLL. Complete response rate was significantly higher for Fludarabine compared to alkylator-based chemotherapy (RR 1.87, 95% CI 1.10 - 3.19, P = 0.02), while overall response, though superior, did not reach statistical significance (RR 1.22, 95% CI = 0.88 - 1.69, P = 0.24). Overall survival was similar for Fludarabine and alkylator-based therapy (the pooled log hazard ratio of death, HR = − 0.05, 95% CI = − 0.36 - 0.26, P = 0.75). Infection rate was significantly higher (RR 1.58, 95% CI = 1.10 - 2.27, P = 0.01), but there was no significant difference in the incidence of thrombocytopenia, neutropenia and anemia. Therefore, this meta-analysis supports the findings that Fludarabine as an induction agent for patients with CLL yields a better clinical response with acceptable toxicity when compared with alkylator-based combination therapy, but without a survival benefit by 5 - 6 years of follow up.
Mimicry and investigative interviewing: using deliberate mimicry to elicit information and cues to deceit

We examined the effect of deliberate mimicry on eliciting (accurate) information and cues to deceit. Mimicry is considered to facilitate cooperation and compliance in truth tellers, whereas liars are constrained to provide detail. We therefore expected truth tellers to be more detailed than liars, particularly after being mimicked. A total of 165 participants told the truth or lied about a meeting they attended. During the interview, an interviewer mimicked half of the participants. Truth tellers were more detailed than liars, but only in the ‘mimicry present’ condition. Truth tellers also gave more accurate units of information than liars, and the difference was most pronounced in the ‘mimicry present’ condition. Mimicry as a tool for eliciting information and cues to deceit fits well with the emerging ‘interviewing to detect deception’ literature, particularly in the ‘encouraging interviewees to say more’ approach.
Fourier decomposition algorithm for leaky modes of fibres with arbitrary geometry.

A new algorithm for calculating the confinement loss of leaky modes in arbitrary fibre structures is presented within the scalar wave approximation. The algorithm uses a polar-coordinate Fourier decomposition method with adjustable boundary conditions (ABC-FDM) to model the outward radiating . elds. Leaky modes are calculated for different examples of microstructured fibres with various shaped holes.
Association Of Serum Total Bilirubin Level With Diabetic Retinopathy In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND Serum bilirubin has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunological properties. It is considered a protective substance against atherosclerotic and microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). This study was designed to find the association between total serum bilirubin concentration and diabetic retinopathy (DR). METHODS This case control study was conducted in the Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. Type-2 DM patients more than 18 years of age of either gender with duration of T2DM more than 6 months were included and sub categorized in two groups. Cases (DM with DR) and Controls (DM without DR) while patients with acute and chronic liver diseases, haemolytic anaemia, history of chronic alcohol consumption, use of hepatotoxic drugs (anti-tuberculous, anti-epileptic), women on oral contraceptive pills were excluded. All participants underwent ophthalmic examination at diabetic retinopathy screening clinic followed by pre designed set of investigations. RESULTS A total of 152 patients, 76 cases and 76 controls were included. Serum bilirubin concentration was found inversely and independently (p 0.000) associated and inversely co related (r -0.345and p 0.000) with prevalence of DR. Cases were concentrated in the lower quartiles of serum bilirubin concentration and vice versa. Low haemoglobin (p 0.00) and longer duration of DM (0.003) were independently and directly associated with prevalence of DR. CONCLUSIONS Serum bilirubin concentration is inversely and independently associated and inversely correlated with the prevalence of DR and may predict progression of DR over time.
THE DUAL ROLE OF SELF-ENHANCEMENT: PROTECTION AND STIGMA

Despite the availability of effective treatment options for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), these treatments are highly under-utilized. One of the most cited barriers to treatment among people with PTSD symptoms is public stigma. In fact, the majority of the population experiences a potentially traumatic event (PTE) in their lifetime and should contribute to an assumption of a lack of stigma toward people with PTSD symptoms. Yet, it may be that the stigma perceived by people with PTSD symptoms is more nuanced than what is seen in stigma for other disorders. More often than not, people who experience a PTE will be resilient to its effects. Of particular interest is whether people who are resilient against PTEs may harbor stigmatizing attitudes toward people who develop PTSD. Resilience research has demonstrated that although self-enhancement—a tendency to evaluate oneself in an overly positive manner—promotes resilience and protects against PTSD development, it also leads to negative social interactions. Self-enhancers tend to focus on others’ flaws as a way of bolstering their own self-image. As such, self-enhancement may be a key variable in understanding the nature of stigma attitudes toward people with a diagnosis of PTSD. Due to the relative lack of research into public stigma behaviors toward people diagnosed with PTSD, the current study was designed to examine whether self-enhancement contributes to the creation of stigmatizing behaviors toward people diagnosed with PTSD. A total of 114 college students were randomly assigned to read one of two vignettes which varied in the perceived responsibility for the PTE, and completed measures of trauma history, PTSD symptoms, resilience, self-enhancement, personal stigma, and social distance. All participants endorsed at least one historic PTE. Selfenhancement moderated the relationship between PTE and PTSD development such that high self-enhancers with relatively few PTE experienced fewer PTSD symptoms—at high levels of PTE, the effects of self-enhancement fell away. That is, as the number of PTEs increased, high self-enhancers were just as likely to endorse PTSD symptoms as low self-enhancers. Perceived controllability moderated the relationship between selfenhancement and personal stigma, but only for females. Additionally, self-enhancement demonstrated a moderate positive relationship with personal stigma toward and desired social distance from people with PTSD symptoms. When observing others’ experience of distress, self-enhancers may view those people as weak and engage in stigmatizing behaviors as a result. These findings suggest that by tailoring anti-stigma programs to address characteristics of self-enhancement that contribute to stigmatizing attitudes, the success of such programs could be increased. Reduction of stigma could increase treatment utilization, thereby decreasing the potential impact of PTSD for the individual and society. THE DUAL ROLE OF SELF-ENHANCEMENT: PROTECTION AND STIGMA
Interindividual‐intergroup discontinuity as a joint function of acting as a group and interacting with a group

An experiment assessed the prisoner's dilemma game (PDG) choices of a set of three persons who interacted with another supposed set of three persons. There were four conditions: (1) group-on-group (both three-person sets constrained by a majority vote), (2) group-on-one (only own three-person set constrained by a majority vote), (3) one-on-group (only other three-person set constrained by a majority vote), (4) one-on-one (neither three-person set constrained by a majority vote). The four conditions were compared with three orthogonal contrasts. Consistent with the assumption that interindividual interactions are less competitive than interactions involving groups, the first contrast indicated that there were fewer competitive choices in the one-on-one condition than in the other three conditions pooled. Consistent with the assumption that competitiveness can flow either from acting as a group or interacting with a group, the second contrast found no significant difference between the group-on-one and one-on-group conditions. Finally, consistent with the assumption that the interindividual-intergroup discontinuity effect is a joint function of acting as a group and interacting with a group, the third contrast revealed that there were more competitive choices in the group-on-group condition than in the one-on-group and group-on-one conditions pooled. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Capturing the Visitor Profile for a Personalized Mobile Museum Experience: an Indirect Approach

An increasing number of museums and cultural institutions around the world use personalized, mostly mobile, museum guides to enhance visitor experiences. However since a typical museum visit may last a few minutes and visitors might only visit once, the personalization processes need to be quick and efficient, ensuring the engagement of the visitor. In this paper we investigate the use of indirect profiling methods through a visitor quiz, in order to provide the visitor with specific museum content. Building on our experience of a first study aimed at the design, implementation and user testing of a short quiz version at the Acropolis Museum, a second parallel study was devised. This paper introduces this research, which collected and analyzed data from two environments: the Acropolis Museum and social media (i.e. Facebook). Key profiling issues are identified, results are presented, and guidelines towards a generalized approach for the profiling needs of cultural institutions are discussed.
Omental Plugging for Large-sized Duodenal Peptic Perforations: A Prospective Randomized Study of 100 Patients

Background: Due to friable margins and the moribund state of the patient, managing giant duodenal perforations (>20 mm in diameter) is a challenging task. Methods: A prospective randomized study of 100 patients with large-sized (> 20 mm) duodenal peptic perforation comparing omental plugging (study group) with omentopexy (control group) was carried out. Results: Size of the perforation varied between 20 to 30 mm. No study group patients developed a postoperative perforation site leak, as compared with 6 patients in the control group. Gastric outlet obstruction was significantly less at 6 weeks and 5 years in the study group as compared with the control group, and mortality was significantly less in the study group. Conclusion: It was concluded that omental plugging was a safe and reliable method of treatment for large-sized duodenal peptic perforations.
Physical Activity, Physical Fitness and Overweight in Early Schoolchildren

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate physical activity and physical fitness levels in children 7-8 years old with different body mass index (BMI). Methods: Eighty nine children (age 7.6 ± 0.4) participated in this study. BMI was used as obesity indicator and children were categorized in normal-weight and overweight/obese groups. Daily physical activity was assessed by RT3 accelerometer (Stayhealthy Inc, Monrovia, CA) and physical fitness was assessed using the European physical fitness test battery (Eurofit). Results: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated no significant differences in the average daily total counts of physical activity and in scores of four fitness tests between the overweight/obese and normal-weight group (p>0.05). However, boys were significantly more physically active than girls (p<0.05) and the level of physical activity was higher on weekdays than on weekend for both BMI groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that physical activity is not the main contributing factor for childhood overweight at this age. Sufficient levels of daily physical activity were also shown to lead in good physical performance.
8-point algorithm revisited: factorized 8-point algorithm

In this paper, a novel algorithm for the fundamental matrix estimation, called factorized 8-point algorithm, is presented. The factorized 8-point algorithm is composed of three steps: (1) The measurement matrix in the traditional 8-point algorithm is decomposed into two factor matrices; (2) By introducing some auxiliary variables, a new linear minimization problem is formed, where every element of its associated measurement matrix is simply either a measurement datum or a constant; (3) The fundamental matrix is determined by solving this minimization problem by a least squares method. Like the traditional 8-point algorithm and Hartley's normalized 8-point algorithm, the factorized 8-point algorithm is also completely linear. But unlike the normalized 8-point algorithm, the factorized 8-point algorithm does not need any pre-normalization step. Since every element of the measurement matrix in the factorized 8-point algorithm is a measurement datum or a constant, no amplification of measurement error is involved; the factorized 8-point algorithm can boost effectively the robustness of the estimation. Large numbers of experiments show that the factorized 8-point algorithm consistently outperforms the traditional 8-point algorithm. In addition, although the factorized 8-point algorithm is specially designed for fundamental matrix estimation, its basic principle can be generalized to other estimation problems in computer vision, such as camera projection matrix estimation, homography estimation, focus of expansion estimation, and trifocal tensor estimation.
Low Power and High Speed Comparator Design in Quantum-dot Cellular Automata

Quantum-dot Cellular Automata is a novel nanocomputing technology that allows the designing of extraordinarily low-power and highly dense circuits with very high operating frequencies. Digital comparators are utilized in many devices, including Central Processing Units, microcontrollers, servo motors and process controllers, to address data comparisons and other arithmetic operations. This work presents an energy-efficient and high-speed optimized QCA comparator design. The proposed comparator design utilizes two XOR gates with parallel input feed and two majority gates. The proposed design achieves considerable improvements in total energy dissipation, QCA cell count and latency compared to the preliminary designs. The results are also compared based on the Efficient Complexity Function, area usage and certain other metrics.
Plasma Hydrogen Peroxide Production in Human Essential Hypertension: Role of Heredity, Gender, and Ethnicity

Oxygen free radicals, including hydrogen peroxide, may mediate oxidative stress in target organ tissues and contribute to cardiovascular complications in hypertension. To examine heritability of hydrogen peroxide production, we investigated this trait in a family-based cohort consisting of family members (n=236) ascertained through probands (n=57) with essential hypertension. Significant effects on hydrogen peroxide production were found for gender and ethnicity, with men having greater values than women (P <0.001) and white subjects having greater values than black subjects (P =0.025). Hydrogen peroxide production correlated directly with plasma renin activity (P =0.015), suggesting an important interaction between circulating oxygen radicals and the renin-angiotensin system and a potential mechanism for lower hydrogen peroxide values observed in blacks. Heritability estimates from familial correlations revealed that approximately 20% to 35% of the observed variance in hydrogen peroxide production could be attributed to genetic factors, suggesting a substantial heritable component to the overall determination of this trait. Hydrogen peroxide production negatively correlated with cardiac contractility (r =−0.214, P =0.001) and renal function (r =−0.194, P =0.003). In conclusion, these results indicate that hydrogen peroxide production is heritable and is related to target organ function in essential hypertension. Genetic loci influencing hydrogen peroxide production may represent logical candidates to investigate as susceptibility genes for cardiovascular target organ injury.
Bioluminescence Color Determinants of Phrixothrix Railroad‐worm Luciferases: Chimeric Luciferases, Site‐directed Mutagenesis of Arg 215 and Guanidine effect ¶

Chimeric proteins were produced using the green light–emitting luciferase of Phrixothrix vivianii (PxGr: λmax= 548 nm) and the red light–emitting luciferase of Phrixothrix hirtus (PxRe: λmax= 623 nm). Constructs containing residues 1–344 of the red light–emitting luciferase with residues 345–545 of the green light emitting one emitted red light (PxReGr; λmax= 613 nm), while the reverse emitted green light (PxGrRe; λmax= 552 nm). From these results we conclude that the region 1–344 determines the color of bioluminescence (BL) in railroad‐worm luciferases, and that residues above 344 are not involved. The substitution R215S in the green light–emitting luciferase (PxGr) resulted in a ∼40 nm redshift on the BL spectrum (λmax= 585 nm) and an associated decrease of activity, whereas the same mutation in PxRe luciferase had little effect. Guanidine was shown to cause blueshifts in the BL spectra and stimulate the activity of the red‐emitting luciferases (from λmax= 623 to λmax= 600 nm) and in PxGr R215S (from λmax= 585 to λmax= 560 nm) mutant luciferase, but not in the green‐emitting luciferases, suggesting that guanidine can simulate positively charged residues involved in BL color determination.
Beyond Identity: the Dynamic Self at the Intersection of Performance Philosophy and the Philosophy of Science

In this article we advocate the methodological feedback loop in the study of the dynamical self at the crossroads of performance philosophy, (artistic) performance, and the philosophy of science. We point to the importance of the dynamics of methodology transfer between arts and sciences and the "interactive continuum" proposed by Newman & Benz in 1998. In the first part of this paper we give a comparative review of the research context relevant for our field of study, and we explain our research hubs in approaching the concept of "performance". We suggest the possibility to define our filed of research in three equally legitimate ways: as philosophy-of-performance, philosophy-as-performance and performance-as-philosophy. In our recent work we are primarily interested in artistic performances that incorporate elements of artistic practice in the methodology of research output (Frayling 1993), as well as in the potentials of performative aspects of scientific praxis and methodology. However, the conceptual background relevant for this paper is in the field of process philosophy and its relation to science (Birkhard's "interactivist model" 2009; Campbell's "process-based model for an interactive ontology" 2009). We attribute particular importance to the notion of "autopoietic feedback" (Maturana and Varela 1974; Luhmann 1990). The second part addresses the issue of transcending identity in the representations of the self and the other; the relationship between Theory-Theory (TT) and Simulation Theory (ST), as well as some recent attempts at combining different theories of mind (e.g. Barlassina 2013). We also deal with the notion of "embodied praxis" (Gallagher and Meltzoff 1996); we mention some neuroscientific insights into the similar phenomena, and - commenting on the importance of the dialogue between neuroscientists and philosophers (Changeux and Ricour) - we give an example of an enactive approach to understanding acting (Zarrilli 2007). In the third part of this article, we critique the notion of "interpassivity" (Žižek 1997; Pfaller 2000). In the concluding part we mention the importance of exploring the concept of "expanded self" (Gallagher 2000; Jeannerod 2003; Kim and Johnson 2013). Being aware of the impossibility to reach final conclusions in the scientific approach to the dynamics of the self, instead of a formal conclusion, we offer a quote from Yeats' poem "Balloons of Mind".