Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Empirical Study of the Toxic Capsule Crisis in China: Risk Perceptions and Behavioral Responses

The outbreak of the toxic capsule crisis during April 2012 aroused widespread public concern about the risk of chromium‐contaminated capsules and drug safety in China. In this article, we develop a conceptual model to investigate risk perceptions of the pharmaceutical drug capsules and behavioral responses to the toxic capsule crisis and the relationship between associated factors and these two variables. An online survey was conducted to test the model, including questions on the measures of perceived efficacy of the countermeasures, trust in the State FDA (Food and Drug Administration), trust in the pharmaceutical companies, trust in the pharmaceutical capsule producers, risk perception, concern, need for information, information seeking, and risk avoidance. In general, participants reported higher levels of risk perception, concern, and risk avoidance, and lower levels of trust in the three different stakeholders. The results from the structural equation modeling procedure suggest that perceived efficacy of the countermeasures is a predictor of each of the three trust variables; however, only trust in the State FDA has a dampening impact on risk perception. Both risk perception and information seeking are significant determinants of risk avoidance. Risk perception is also positively related to concern. Information seeking is positively related to both concern and need for information. The theoretical and policy implications are also discussed.
State of the Art in Risk Analysis of Workforce Criticality Influencing Disaster Preparedness for Interdependent Systems

The objective of this article is to discuss a needed paradigm shift in disaster risk analysis to emphasize the role of the workforce in managing the recovery of interdependent infrastructure and economic systems. Much of the work that has been done on disaster risk analysis has focused primarily on preparedness and recovery strategies for disrupted infrastructure systems. The reliability of systems such as transportation, electric power, and telecommunications is crucial in sustaining business processes, supply chains, and regional livelihoods, as well as ensuring the availability of vital services in the aftermath of disasters. There has been a growing momentum in recognizing workforce criticality in the aftermath of disasters; nevertheless, significant gaps still remain in modeling, assessing, and managing workforce disruptions and their associated ripple effects to other interdependent systems. The workforce plays a pivotal role in ensuring that a disrupted region continues to function and subsequently recover from the adverse effects of disasters. With this in mind, this article presents a review of recent studies that have underscored the criticality of workforce sectors in formulating synergistic preparedness and recovery policies for interdependent infrastructure and regional economic systems.
A Responsibility to Chemically Help Patients with Relationships and Love?

In “The Medicalization of Love,” Earp, Sandberg, and Savulescu argue that the medicalization of human relationships and love may not necessarily be bad, on balance, and that therefore research into potential pharmaceutical interventions toward their neuromodulation should not be prohibited. 1 The value and usefulness of these pharmaceuticals are their predicted conduciveness to improving human well-being. This commentary raises an interesting implication that the authors’ argument may have on the ethical responsibilities of medical professionals. Assuming that certain conditions of permissibility are met, we argue, it is reasonable to hold that clinicians may have an ethical responsibility to patients to prescribe pharmaceutical interventions for neuromodulation of human relationships.
The prevalence of frailty and its association with clinical outcomes in general surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives to investigate the prevalence and impact of frailty for general surgical patients. Research design and methods we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. Studies published between 1 January 1980 and 31 August 2017 were searched from seven databases. Incidence of clinical outcomes (mortality at Days 30 and 90; readmission at Day 30, surgical complications and length of stay) were estimated by frailty subgroup (not-frail, pre-frail and frail). Results 2,281 participants from nine observational studies were included, 49.3% (1013/2055) were males. Mean age ranged from 61 to 77 years old. Eight studies provided outcome data and were quality assessed and of fair or good quality, and one study only provided an estimate of prevalence and was not quality assessed. The prevalence estimate ranged between 31.3 and 45.8% for pre-frailty, and 10.4 and 37.0% for frailty. After pooling, Day 30 mortality was 8% (95% CI: 4-12%; I2 = 0%) for frail compared to 1% for non-frail patients (95% CI: 0-2%; I2 = 75%). Due to heterogeneity the Day 90 mortality was not pooled. Readmission rates were lower in the non-frail groups but were not pooled. Complications for the frail patients were 24%, (95% CI: 20-31%; I2 = 92%), pre-frail subgroup 9% (95% CI: 5-14%; I2 = 82%) and non-frail 5% (95% CI: 3-7%; I2 = 70%). The mean length of stay in frail people was 9.6 days (95% CI: 6.2-12.9) and 6.4 days (4.9-7.9) non-frail. Conclusions frailty is associated with adverse post-operative outcomes in general surgery.
Neural Generators of the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials

During the past 30 years, sensory evoked potentials have gained increased use for diagnostic purposes and in intraoperative neurophysiological moni tor ing . The general use of such potentials became possible t h rough the deve lopment of digital compute r s that m a d e signal averaging a practical m e t h o d for enhanc ing signals in noise. Of the various forms of auditory evoked potentials , bra ins tem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) and electrocochleographic (ECoG) potentials have the greatest impor tance in present-day medicine. As is the case for o the r modalities of evoked potentials, it is impor tan t to know the genera tors of the various componen t s of the BAEPs in o rde r to obtain the most benefit from their use. T h e r e are several reasons why it is impor tan t to know how and where the different componen t s of shortlatency auditory evoked potentials (BAEP and ECoG potentials) are genera ted . Not only does such knowledge enable topical diagnosis on the basis of abnormali t ies in these potentials , bu t it is also impor tan t for the use of BAEPs in intraoperative monitoring. This article concerns the neura l generators of the BAEP and o ther short-latency auditory evoked potentials. AUDITORY EVOKED POTENTIALS
Diesel Engine Exhaust and Lung Cancer Mortality: Time‐Related Factors in Exposure and Risk

To develop a quantitative exposure‐response relationship between concentrations and durations of inhaled diesel engine exhaust (DEE) and increases in lung cancer risks, we examined the role of temporal factors in modifying the estimated effects of exposure to DEE on lung cancer mortality and characterized risk by mine type in the Diesel Exhaust in Miners Study (DEMS) cohort, which followed 12,315 workers through December 1997. We analyzed the data using parametric functions based on concepts of multistage carcinogenesis to directly estimate the hazard functions associated with estimated exposure to a surrogate marker of DEE, respirable elemental carbon (REC). The REC‐associated risk of lung cancer mortality in DEMS is driven by increased risk in only one of four mine types (limestone), with statistically significant heterogeneity by mine type and no significant exposure‐response relationship after removal of the limestone mine workers. Temporal factors, such as duration of exposure, play an important role in determining the risk of lung cancer mortality following exposure to REC, and the relative risk declines after exposure to REC stops. There is evidence of effect modification of risk by attained age. The modifying impact of temporal factors and effect modification by age should be addressed in any quantitative risk assessment (QRA) of DEE. Until there is a better understanding of why the risk appears to be confined to a single mine type, data from DEMS cannot reliably be used for QRA.
A Farm Transmission Model for Salmonella in Pigs, Applicable to E.U. Member States

The burden of Salmonella entering pig slaughterhouses across the European Union is considered a primary food safety concern. To assist E.U. member states with the development of national control plans, we have developed a farm transmission model applicable to all member states. It is an individual‐based stochastic susceptible‐infected model that takes into account four different sources of infection of pigs (sows, feed, external contaminants such as rodents, and new stock) and various management practices linked to Salmonella transmission/protection (housing, flooring, feed, all‐in‐all‐out production). A novel development within the model is the assessment of dynamic shedding rates. The results of the model, parameterized for two case study member states (one high and one low prevalence) suggest that breeding herd prevalence is a strong indicator of slaughter pig prevalence. Until a member state's’ breeding herd prevalence is brought below 10%, the sow will be the dominant source of infection to pigs raised for meat production; below this level of breeding herd prevalence, feed becomes the dominant force of infection.
Workers’ Risk Tolerance and Occupational Injuries

This study explores the relationship between individuals’ risk tolerance and occupational injuries. We analyze data from a national representative survey of U.S. workers that includes information about injuries, risk tolerance, cognitive and noncognitive attributes, and risky behaviors. We measure risk tolerance through questions regarding individuals’ willingness to gamble on their lifetime income. We estimate zero‐inflated count models to assess the role played by such measures on workers’ recurrent injuries. We discuss some implications of our results for future research and occupational safety policies.
'I never realised that doctors were into feelings too': changing student perceptions through interprofessional education.

The National Health Service (NHS) has called for the 'eradication of demarcation lines between healthcare professionals' in the UK. Educational institutions are therefore striving to achieve this outcome through integrative interprofessional initiatives. This article discusses the effects of an integrative training course for medical and nursing students in 'breaking bad news' to patients. Triangulation of the qualitative methods enabled the researchers to gather student perspectives on this experience. Data analysis revealed that the 34 student volunteers challenged misconceptions of professional roles through this interprofessional programmes. Questionnaire demonstrated that although most students had enrolled on the course to develop communication skills, the interprofessional aspect of the course was one of the main educational benefits. While outcomes were largely positive, some students were anxious about a holistic interprofessional curriculum. Undergraduate healthcare students may need to collaborate earlier, and for longer time-periods, to enhance professional understanding and relationships.
Modeling of Salmonella Contamination in the Pig Slaughterhouse

In this article we present a model for Salmonella contamination of pig carcasses in the slaughterhouse. This model forms part of a larger QMRA (quantitative microbial risk assessment) on Salmonella in slaughter and breeder pigs, which uses a generic model framework that can be parameterized for European member states, to describe the entire chain from farm‐to‐consumption and the resultant human illness. We focus on model construction, giving mathematical formulae to describe Salmonella concentrations on individual pigs and slaughter equipment at different stages of the slaughter process. Variability among individual pigs and over slaughterhouses is incorporated using statistical distributions, and simulated by Monte Carlo iteration. We present the results over the various slaughter stages and show that such a framework is especially suitable to investigate the effect of various interventions. In this article we present the results of the slaughterhouse module for two case study member states. The model outcome represents an increase in average prevalence of Salmonella contamination and Salmonella numbers at dehairing and a decrease of Salmonella numbers at scalding. These results show good agreement when compared to several other QMRAs and microbiological studies.
Applications of the Semi-Definite Method to the Turán Density Problem for 3-Graphs

In this paper, we prove several new Turán density results for 3-graphs with independent neighbourhoods. We show: \begin{align*} \pi (K_4^-, C_5, F_{3,2})=12/49, \pi (K_4^-, F_{3,2})=5/18 \textrm {and} \pi (J_4, F_{3,2})=\pi (J_5, F_{3,2})=3/8, \end{align*} where Jt is the 3-graph consisting of a single vertex x together with a disjoint set A of size t and all $\binom{|A|}{2}$ 3-edges containing x. We also prove two Turán density results where we forbid certain induced subgraphs: \begin{align*} \pi (F_{3,2}, \textrm { induced }K_4^-)=3/8 \textrm {and} \pi (K_5, 5\textrm {-set spanning exactly 8 edges})=3/4. \end{align*} The latter result is an analogue for K5 of Razborov's result that \begin{align*} \pi (K_4, 4\textrm {-set spanning exactly 1 edge})=5/9. \end{align*} We give several new constructions, conjectures and bounds for Turán densities of 3-graphs which should be of interest to researchers in the area. Our main tool is ‘Flagmatic’, an implementation of Razborov's semi-definite method, which we are making publicly available. In a bid to make the power of Razborov's method more widely accessible, we have tried to make Flagmatic as user-friendly as possible, hoping to remove thereby the major hurdle that needs to be cleared before using the semi-definite method. Finally, we spend some time reflecting on the limitations of our approach, and in particular on which problems we may be unable to solve. Our discussion of the ‘complexity barrier’ for the semi-definite method may be of general interest.
Information Presentation in Decision and Risk Analysis: Answered, Partly Answered, and Unanswered Questions

For the last 30 years, researchers in risk analysis, decision analysis, and economics have consistently proven that decisionmakers employ different processes for evaluating and combining anticipated and actual losses, gains, delays, and surprises. Although rational models generally prescribe a consistent response, people's heuristic processes will sometimes lead them to be inconsistent in the way they respond to information presented in theoretically equivalent ways. We point out several promising future research directions by listing and detailing a series of answered, partly answered, and unanswered questions.
The Total External Branch Length of Beta-Coalescents†

For 1 < α < 2 we derive the asymptotic distribution of the total length of external branches of a Beta(2 − α, α)-coalescent as the number n of leaves becomes large. It turns out that the fluctuations of the external branch length follow those of τn2−α over the entire parameter regime, where τn denotes the random number of coalescences that bring the n lineages down to one. This is in contrast to the fluctuation behaviour of the total branch length, which exhibits a transition at $\alpha_0 = (1+\sqrt 5)/2$ ([18]).
Inhibition of salivary peroxidase by cigarette smoke

ABSTRACT Saliva is the first biological fluid to encounter many dangerous chemicals present in cigarette smoke. The oral peroxidase system is respon-sible for the antioxidant capacity of saliva. In this research, the interaction of cigarette smoke and oral peroxidase in smokers and non-smoers was compared. It was found that after smoking one cigarette, oral peroxidase activity was de-creased in both groups: 42.5% in smokers and 58.5% in non-smokers ( p < 0.05). After 30 min, the level of activity returned to 90-100% of the pre- smoking level, mainly due to the secretion of new saliva. Keywords: Cigarette Smoke; Oxidative Stress; Peroxidase, Saliva; Free Radicals. 1. INTRODUCTION In addition to its local toxic effect in the oral cavity, tobacco smoke is involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases of other body systems, including cardiovascular and respiratory. The noxious effects of smoke compounds explain the reason for high incidence of periodontal diseases, caries, and neoplastic diseases of oral tissues in smokers. Cigarette smoke is seriously injurious to the oral cavity and is associated with several periodontal diseases and cancer. More than 4000 different chemicals have been detected in cigarette smoke, 1/10th of which are known carcinogens. Tobacco smoke also contains potent oxidants such as oxygen free radicals and volatile aldehydes [1,2]. The oxidizing agents can seriously damage biomolecules such as proteins and enzymes leading to various physio- logical problems. Saliva is the first biological fluid to encounter the cigarette smoke. Saliva is well known for its highly protective functions against deleterious agents such as microorganisms, toxins and various oxidants [3]. It has been known that the antioxidant capacity and reducing power of saliva may be diminished by various factors [4]. It has been shown that
Endoneurial edema in sural nerve may indicate recent onset inflammatory neuropathy

Introduction: Sural nerve biopsy is an important means of establishing the diagnosis of inflammatory neuropathies. We investigated the diagnostic value of endoneurial edema. Methods: Diagnostic sural nerve biopsies from 42 patients with inflammatory and 28 patients with noninflammatory neuropathies were re‐evaluated for the presence of endoneurial edema. Edema was assessed on hematoxylin‐eosin stained paraffin and frozen sections and on azure II‐methylene blue stained semithin sections. We determined the area of endoneurial edema on digitized images in relation to the entire endoneurial area of each fascicle. Results: Edema was more extensive in neuropathies with short disease duration (≤12 months) as compared to long duration (>12 months; P < 0.01). Edema in inflammatory neuropathies of ≤12 months duration covered a larger area than in noninflammatory neuropathies (P < 0.01), and the extent of edema correlated negatively with disease duration (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Endoneurial edema may be a useful additional disease marker in inflammatory neuropathies of recent onset. Muscle Nerve 53: 705–710, 2016
In vitro fertilization in inbred BALB/c mice I: isotonic osmolarity and increased calcium-enhanced sperm penetration through the zona pellucida and male pronuclear formation

Summary To optimize IVF conditions for BALB/c mice, which are known to have poor in vitro fertilizability, the requirements for sperm–ova interaction were studied by use of modified simplex optimization medium (mKSOM) as a basic medium. Modified human tubal fluid (mHTF) was used for sperm preincubation and acted as a positive control. When the two media were compared, neither capacitation nor fertilization was supported in mKSOM. Increasing the calcium concentration in mKSOM to 5 mM or more during sperm: ova coincubation improved zona penetration but not male pronuclear (MPN) formation to the same level as those cells incubated in mHTF. When medium osmolarity was varied from 230–305 mOsmol by NaCl at 5 mM CaCl2, MPN formation improved at 280 mOsmol or higher osmolarity to the same level as that found when using mHTF. When NaCl equivalent to 25–75 mOsmol was substituted with trehalose, no significant reduction in fertilization was observed. Substitution of NaCl equivalent to 75 mOsmol with other osmotic reagents (sucrose, choline chloride and sorbitol) resulted in similar levels of fertilization as found with mHTF, except for sorbitol, which reduced fertilization significantly caused by its detrimental effect on sperm viability. At isotonic osmolarity (305 mOsmol), maximum fertilization was observed at 5 mM CaCl2; lower or higher concentrations of CaCl2 resulted in reduced fertilization. Calcium and osmolarity, therefore, are important for sperm : ova interaction in BALB/c mice and the increases in calcium to 5 mM and osmolarity to 305 mOsmol are optimal for BALB/c sperm to penetrate through the zona and to form MPN.
Observation of the embryonic development in Pseudoplatystoma coruscans (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) under light and scanning electron microscopy

Summary Pseudoplatystoma coruscans is a very popular species for tropical fish culture as it has boneless meat of delicate taste and firm texture. Few studies on fish reproductive biology refer to the morphological features of eggs. The goal, therefore, of this present work was to perform a structural and ultrastructural analysis of fertilization and embryonic development in P. coruscans. The incubation period, from fertilization to hatching, lasts 13 h at 28/29 °C and 18 h at 27 °C. The oocytes had a mean diameter of 0.95 mm and hatched larvae were 2.55 mm in diameter. Analysing their development, we observed round, yellow oocytes that bore a double chorion membrane and a single micropyle. At 10 s after fertilization, several spermatozoa were detected attached to the oocyte surface. After 1 min of development, a fertilization cone that obstructed the micropyle could be observed. Segmentation started between 20 and 30 min after fertilization, when the egg cell was then formed. The first cleavage occurred between 30 and 45 min after fertilization, prior to reaching the morula stage (75 and 90 min after fertilization). The epiboly movement started at 120 and 180 min after fertilization and ended at 360 and 480 min after fertilization. Differentiation between cephalic and caudal region was detected after 420 and 600 min after fertilization and larvae hatched between 780 and 1080 min after fertilization. Seven main embryonic development stages were identified: egg cell, cleavage, morula, blastula, gastrula, segmentation with differentiation between cephalic and caudal regions, and hatching.
Nutritional Knowledge and Behavior Among Students Practicing Sports: Comparison Between Two Countries

SUMMARY Nutrition plays a very important role in every physical fitness program. Despite many advances in nutritional knowledge and dietary practices, sports nutrition-associated issues are still a challenge. The aim of this study was to determine and compare nutritional knowledge and behavior among the youth practicing sports situated in two different European countries. Young athletes (n=84), aged 18-40 years from two different schools of medicine, situated in Turin (Italy) and Niš (Serbia), were included in the study. The participants completed two-part questionnaire about nutritional knowledge and behavior. The collected data was coded and used for evaluation. The results revealed that the overall nutritional knowledge score of the Italian students (49% of all examinees) practicing sports was 66.7% compared to the Serbian students who also had good nutritional knowledge - 63%. The average number of meals was four per day, with lunch as the most frequent meal and about 30% of all examinees ate out “more than four times a week”. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups concerning the sources from which the students obtained nutritional information: 26% of the Italian students obtained nutrition-related information from parents and 21% of them from their trainers. The main sources of obtaining nutrition information among Serbian participants were internet (29%) and school (24%). Besides a positive attitude towards nutrition, good nutritional knowledge was observed in students practicing sports in Italy and Serbia.