Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trends in sickness benefits in Great Britain and the contribution of mental disorders.

BACKGROUND Government benefits paid to those unfit for work or the work market as a result of ill health have been rising dramatically in Great Britain, in parallel with increases throughout Europe and North America. Psychological conditions are known to be an important cause of sickness absence. This study set out to examine trends in government sickness and invalidity benefits in Britain between April 1984 and April 1995. The importance of mental disorders as a cause of 'incapacity' (the condition for which benefits are paid) was examined. METHODS Data from the Department of Social Security were used to chart trends in incapacity according to gender, age group, employment category and cause. An exploratory ecological analysis of associations between regional rates of incapacity and socio-economic and health indices was also undertaken using correlation analysis and multiple regression. RESULTS Steadily increasing rates of incapacity were observed, primarily reflecting increases in the longer-term 'invalidity' benefit. The non-employed made up a rising proportion of recipients. Regional incapacity rate was most strongly associated with socio-economic factors, particularly social class. Mental disorders were the second most numerous causal category and consisted mainly of milder conditions, namely depressive and neurotic disorders. CONCLUSION The dramatic increase in incapacity benefits is unlikely to be attributable to changes in population size or structure. It contrasts with improvements in the objective health status of the population. Mental disorders, and particularly milder conditions, account for a substantial and increasing amount of incapacity. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that sickness benefits increasingly represent disguised unemployment.
Automatic Activation of Sounds by Letters Occurs Early in Development but is not Impaired in Children With Dyslexia

ABSTRACT The automatic letter-sound integration hypothesis proposes that the decoding difficulties seen in dyslexia arise from a specific deficit in establishing automatic letter-sound associations. We report the findings of 2 studies in which we used a priming task to assess automatic letter-sound integration. In Study 1, children between 5 and 7 years of age were faster to respond to a speech-sound when primed by a congruent letter, indicating that automatic activation of sounds by letters emerges relatively early in reading development. However, there was no evidence of a relationship between variations in the speed of activating sounds by letters and reading skill in this large unselected sample. In Study 2, children with dyslexia demonstrated automatic activation of sounds by letters, though they performed slowly overall. Our findings do not support the theory that a deficit in automatic letter-sound integration is an important cause of reading difficulties but do provide further evidence for the importance of phonological skills for learning to read.
Enabling z-Filter updates for self-routing denial-of-service resistant capabilities

Secure in-packet Bloom filters is an approach used to securely forward source routing packets with small forwarding tables making the forwarding fabric resistant to unauthorized traffic. This resistance can be achieved by dynamically computing the link identifiers on the base of the packet content such as path in-out interfaces and keys of forwarding nodes using a cryptographic function. In this paper we extend a recent work to secure the data plane (i.e. forwarding layer) in Information-Centric Networks (ICN) for long lived flows and analyze the scalability of the Topology Manager function in terms of z-Filters creation and the number of required z-Filter updates.
Algorithms for dependable hard real-time systems

Hard real-time code is special purpose code whose worst-case performance (worst-case execution time WCET) needs to be good and easy to predict. Despite these specific demands on the temporal properties of hard real-time code, real-time programmers often use the same algorithms and programming techniques that have proven effective for nonreal-time applications. This paper explains the different temporal requirements imposed on real-time resp. nonreal-time code, and outlines why traditional (nonreal-time) programming tends to produce code that (a) has a high WCET and (b) is hard to analyze for its WCET. Based on these observations, the paper proposes an unconventional programming strategy that avoids the shortcoming of traditional coding and yields code that is well suited for hard real-time system, i.e., its WCET is short and predictable. The evaluation of a number of examples demonstrates the advantages of the proposed programming strategy on WCET and its predictability.
An investigation of TREPAN utilising a continuous oracle model

TREPAN is decision tree algorithm that utilises artificial neural networks (ANNs) in order to improve partitioning conditions when sample data is sparse. When sample sizes are limited during the tree-induction process, TREPAN relies on an ANN oracle in order to create artificial sample instances. The original TREPAN implementation was limited to ANNs that were designed to be classification models. In other words, TREPAN was incapable of building decision trees from ANN models that were continuous in nature. Thus, the objective of this research was to modify the original implementation of TREPAN in order to develop and test decision trees derived from continuous-based ANN models. Though the modification were minor, they are significant because it provides researchers and practitioners an additional strategy to extract knowledge from a trained ANN regardless of its design. This research also explores how TEPAN|s adjustable settings influence predictive performances based on a dataset|s complexity and size.
A community-level fractal property produces power-law species-area relationships

Power-law relationships appear to characterize many patterns observed in ecology, from the level of individuals to the level of ecosystems (Calder 1984, Gaston and Blackburn 2000). These power laws often hold over scale ranges sufficiently large to justify the search for a unifying theoretical framework explaining the relationship between these patterns. A promising avenue for discovering such a framework is the exploration of the fractal properties from which these power laws derive and their implications for other ecological characteristics. In this vein, Harte and Kinzig (1997) and Harte et al. (1999a) studied the fractal property behind a powerlaw species-area relationship and its implications for other species distribution characteristics. In a recent paper published in Oikos, Lennon et al. (2002) claim that in order to derive a power-law species-area relationship from fractals in the distribution of species, Harte et al. (1999a) assumed that individual species distributions are fractal and that all species patterns have the same fractal dimension D. Inspired by empirical evidence that indicates that fractal dimension tends to vary between species, they then show that in this more realistic case of varying D, the species-area relationship does not follow a power law. Hence Lennon et al. (2002) conclude that, despite Harte et al. (1999a) derivation of the power-law species-area relationship from fractals, a fractal distribution of species is not what produces power-law species-area relationships in nature. We show here the misleading error in Lennon et al.’s (2002) critique. Harte et al. (1999a) did not derive the power-law species-area relationship from fractals at the ‘species-level’, but rather from a ‘community-level’ fractal property that can hold without the presence of ‘species-level’ fractals. Furthermore, this communitylevel fractal property holds in any region where the power-law species-area relationship holds (Harte and Kinzig 1997). Hence this community-level fractal property must be what produces power-law species-area relationships in nature – it is equivalent to it. Lennon et al. are correct that if the species-level fractal property holds for each species in a community, a power-law species-area relationship will result only if the fractal dimension is constant across species. This result was found previously in Harte et al. (2001), where the overall degree of compatibility between the communitylevel and species-level fractal properties was derived. However, as Harte et al. (2001) showed, the community-level fractal property and hence the power-law species-area relationship can exist either if the fractal dimension is constant across species, or if some individual species distributions are not fractal on their own. This does not rule out the possibility that species-level fractals are important in nature. Below we provide a detailed analysis of these issues.
Answering Vague Queries in Fuzzy DL-Lite

Fuzzy Description Logics (fuzzy DLs) allow to describe structured knowledge with vague concepts. Unlike classical DLs, in fuzzy DLs an answer is a set of tuples ranked according to the degree they satisfy the query. In this paper, we consider fuzzy DL-Lite. We show how to compute efficiently the top-k answers of a complex query (i.e. conjunctive queries) over a huge set of instances.
Genome-wide copy number profiling of single cells in S-phase reveals DNA-replication domains

Single-cell genomics is revolutionizing basic genome research and clinical genetic diagnosis. However, none of the current research or clinical methods for single-cell analysis distinguishes between the analysis of a cell in G1-, S- or G2/M-phase of the cell cycle. Here, we demonstrate by means of array comparative genomic hybridization that charting the DNA copy number landscape of a cell in S-phase requires conceptually different approaches to that of a cell in G1- or G2/M-phase. Remarkably, despite single-cell whole-genome amplification artifacts, the log2 intensity ratios of single S-phase cells oscillate according to early and late replication domains, which in turn leads to the detection of significantly more DNA imbalances when compared with a cell in G1- or G2/M-phase. Although these DNA imbalances may, on the one hand, be falsely interpreted as genuine structural aberrations in the S-phase cell’s copy number profile and hence lead to misdiagnosis, on the other hand, the ability to detect replication domains genome wide in one cell has important applications in DNA-replication research. Genome-wide cell-type-specific early and late replicating domains have been identified by analyses of DNA from populations of cells, but cell-to-cell differences in DNA replication may be important in genome stability, disease aetiology and various other cellular processes.
Haptic rendering of interacting dynamic deformable objects simulated in real-time at different frequencies

The dynamic response of deformable bodies varies significantly in dependence on mechanical properties of the objects: while the dynamics of a stiff and light object (e. g. wire or needle) involves high-frequency phenomena such as vibrations, much lower frequencies are sufficient for capturing the dynamic response of an object composed of a soft tissue. Yet, when simulating mechanical interactions between soft and stiff deformable models, a single time-step in the time integration is usually employed to compute the dynamics of both objects. However, this can be a serious issue when the haptic rendering of complex scenes composed of various bodies is considered. In this paper, we present a novel method allowing for the haptic simulation of a scene composed of colliding objects modeled at different frequencies: typically, the dynamics of soft objects is calculated at a frequency of about 50Hz, while the dynamics of stiff object is simulated at 1 kHz, being directly connected to the computation of the haptic force feedback. The collision response is performed at both low and high frequencies employing data structures which describe the actual constraints and are shared between the high and low frequency loops. We show that during the simulation we show that the objects behave according to two mechanical principles: non-inter-penetration and action-reaction principles. Examples showing the scenes involving different bodies in interaction are given, demonstrating the benefits of the proposed method.
Effect of Collaterals on Clinical Presentation, Baseline Imaging, Complications, and Outcome in Acute Stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Good CTA collaterals independently predict good outcome in acute ischemic stroke. Our aim was to evaluate the role of collateral circulation and its added benefit over CTP-derived total ischemic volume as a predictor of baseline NIHSS score, total ischemic volume, hemorrhagic transformation, final infarct size, and a modified Rankin Scale score >2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 395 patients with stroke dichotomized by recanalization (recanalization positive/recanalization negative) and collateral status. Clot burden score was quantified on baseline CTA. Total ischemic volumes were derived from thresholded CTP maps. Final infarct size was assessed on follow-up CT/MRI. We performed uni-/multivariate analyses for each outcome, adjusting for rtPA status, using general linear (continuous variables) and logistic (binary variables) regression. Model comparison with collateral score and total ischemic volume was performed using the F or likelihood ratio test. RESULTS: Collateral presence independently and inversely predicted all outcomes except hemorrhagic transformation in patients who were recanalization negative and mRS >2 in patients who were recanalization positive. The greatest collateral benefit occurred in patients who were recanalization negative, contributing 16.5% and 19.2% of the variability for final infarct size and mRS >2. The collateral score model is superior to the total ischemic volume for mRS >2 prediction, but a combination of total ischemic volume and collateral score is superior for mRS >2 and final infarct prediction (24% and 28% variability, respectively). In patients who were recanalization positive, a model including collateral score and total ischemic volume was superior to that of total ischemic volume for hemorrhagic transformation and final infarct prediction but was muted compared with patients who were recanalization negative (11.3% and 16.9% variability). CONCLUSIONS: Collateral circulation is an independent predictor of all outcomes, but the magnitude of significance varies, greater in patients who were recanalization negative versus recanalization positive. Total ischemic volume assessment is complementary to collateral score in many cases.
Nursing Perspective Crucial to Successful Implementation of Technology for Medication Management Safety by Carol Dueck RN BScN MCE

Improved interconnectivity of computer programs, development of robust infrastructures to support an Electronic Health Record and a recognition of the role of patient safety has sparked an interest in projects for medication management. The adoption of programs such as Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) and bar-coding medications for Electronic Medication Records (eMAR) with bedside medication validation (BMV), automated dispensing devices (ADD), and smart pump technology are common examples. Compelling supportive data reports significant reduction in medication errors by presenting prescribers and clinicians with options that guide better decisions, a reduction in lack of clarity related to handwriting or incomplete orders, better compliance to formulary approved medications and standardized order sets, decreased turnaround times, and improved work flow. Canadian Nursing Informatics Journal Vol 2 No 1, p. 22 32 Page 2 of 11 Although this technology is a welcome addition to patient safety, it significantly impacts the routine work flow patterns and communication of all healthcare providers. Attention to work flow and promoting adoption strategies that include change management principles with an emphasis on a systems approach is pivotal for successful implementation of the medication management components of the electronic health record.
Depressive Symptoms Correlate with Disability and Disease Course in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: An Italian Multi-Center Study Using the Beck Depression Inventory

Background Depression occurs in about 50% of patients with multiple sclerosis. The aims of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in a multicenter MS population using the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI II) and to identify possible correlations between the BDI II score and demographic and clinical variables. Methods Data were collected in a multi-center, cross-sectional study over a period of six months in six MS centers in Italy using BDI II. Results 1,011 MS patients participated in the study. 676 subjects were female, with a mean age of 34 years (SD 10.8), mean EDSS of 3.3 (0–8.5) and mean disease duration of 10.3 years (range 1–50 years). 668 (%) subjects scored lower than 14 on the BDI II and 343 (33.9%) scored greater than 14 (14 cut-off score). For patients with BDI>14 multivariate analysis showed a significant difference between EDSS and disease course. BDI II scores for subjects with secondary progressive (SP) MS were significantly different from primary progressive (PP) patients (p < 0.001) but similar to relapsing-remitting (RR) patients. Considering subjects with moderate to severe depressive symptoms (BDI II score from 20–63), in relation to disease course, 11.7% (83/710) had RR MS, 40.7% (96/236) SP and 13.6% (6/44) PP. Conclusions Using the BDI II, 30% of the current sample had depressive symptoms. BDI II score correlates with disability and disease course, particularly in subjects with SP MS. The BDI II scale can be a useful tool in clinical practice to screen depressive symptoms in people with MS.
Release of both preformed and newly synthesized tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)/cachectin by mouse mast cells stimulated via the Fc epsilon RI. A mechanism for the sustained action of mast cell-derived TNF-alpha during IgE-dependent biological responses

Mast cell-associated mediators are generally classified into two groups: the preformed mediators, which are stored in the cells' cytoplasmic granules and are released upon exocytosis, and the newly synthesized mediators, which are not stored but are produced and secreted only after appropriate stimulation of the cell. We now report that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)/cachectin represents a new type of mast cell-associated mediator, in that IgE-dependent mast cell activation results in the rapid release of preformed stores of the cytokine followed by the synthesis and sustained release of large quantities of newly formed TNF-alpha. We also demonstrate that challenge with specific antigen induces higher levels of TNF-alpha mRNA at skin sites sensitized with IgE in normal mice or mast cell- reconstituted genetically mast cell-deficient WBB6F1-W/W1' mice than at identically treated sites in WBB6F1-W/W1' mice that are devoid of mast cells. These findings identify mast cells as a biologically significant source of TNF-alpha/cachectin during IgE-dependent responses and define a mechanism whereby stimulation of mast cells via the FC epsilon RI can account for both the rapid and sustained release of this cytokine.
Human Visual System Models in Digital Image Watermarking

In this paper some Human Visual System (HVS) models used in digital image watermarking are presented. Four different HVS models, which exploit various properties of human eye, are described. Two of them operate in transform domain of Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) and Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT). HVS model in DCT domain consists of Just Noticeable Difference thresholds for corresponding DCT basis functions corrected by luminance sensitivity and selfor neighborhood contrast masking. HVS model in DWT domain is based on different HVS sensitivity in various DWT subbands. The third presented HVS model is composed of contrast thresholds as a function of spatial frequency and eye’s eccentricity. We present also a way of combining these three basic models to get better tradeoff between conflicting requirements of digital watermarks. The fourth HVS model is based on noise visibility in an image and is described by so called Noise Visibility Function (NVF). The possible ways of exploiting of the described HVS models in digital image watermarking are also briefly discussed.
InEar BioFeedController: a headset for hands-free and eyes-free interaction with mobile devices

Nowadays control of a mobile device usually requires the use of a touch screen. In everyday life, while engaged in real world tasks, it is sometimes impossible to control a device with one's hands. Speech control is the most common solution to tackle this problem, but it is still error prone, uncomfortable and works poorly when ambient noise is present. Alternative control concepts must work in everyday surroundings with significant levels of noise and should not make use of the hands or require visual focus on the device itself. The prototype presented here is an attempt to provide a better solution to such situations: a headset that enables hands-free and eyes-free interaction for incoming phone calls as well as music player control. It enables safe control of the device in mobile situations as it neither requires the user to come to a standstill, nor does it distract his visual focus.
Is the smartphone a performance killer? : The effect of the frequency and intrusiveness of smartphone alerts on the task performance of University students

Abstract Aim. The aim of this research is to answer the research question: “What is the effect of smartphone alert’s interruption frequency and the alert’s intrusiveness on the task performance of University students and how does this effect differ depending on the type of task that has to be performed? ” Background. The research was conducted because the problem of multitasking is becoming more and more problematic, especially while studying. University students are increasingly interrupted by their smartphones, which is thought to decrease task performance. Design and method. The research consisted of a 2x2x2 design, with the variables interruption frequency and interruption intrusiveness measured in two the different tasks. An experiment was used where University students had to carry out a task and were interrupted by a smartphone in the meantime. Results. The outcomes show that interruption frequency increases the completion time, the interruption’s intrusiveness leads to a higher number of errors, and the type of task also influences the completion time. Conclusion and implications. Results have confirmed that the number of smartphone alerts and the alert’s intrusiveness decrease task performance. Children, University students and employees must be educated on the fact that studying and using smartphones decreases task performance.
Psychosocial Profiles among Persons with Substance Use Disorder Undergoing Islamic-Based Inabah Program in Kelantan, Malaysia

ABSTRACT Psychosocial profiles among a convenience sample of 37 Malay Muslim participants of Inabah program were measured using the Psychological Measure of Islamic Religiousness (PMIR). Data were analysed using SPSS 23.0. Positive relations with others emerged as the best-scored subscale whereas anger trait and depressed mood were minimal. Single and divorced respondents demonstrated significantly higher score for purpose in life. More favorable social desirability was reported by participants with no previous treatment. Less anger and depression were expressed by those not detained before. Essentially, psychosocial status of persons with substance use disorder undergoing Inabah program was moderate with some influences of sociodemographic factors.