Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dehumanization as an Ethical Issue in the Health Services Sector

What is the main reason for the unethical behavior of workers in the health services sector, whose primary mission is to offer services to people and who have an ancient and strong connection with ethics. Alternatively, what is the main reason for this perception in patients, rather than the absence of such behavior? Does the dominant paradigm in the health sector, which negates the humanity of patients, facilitate unethical behavior in addition to benefits? If so, how can it be resolved? In this study, which seeks to answer these questions, the recently popular concept of dehumanization is investigated from various perspectives based on the literature on business ethics in the health services sector. In this study, a conceptual framework for dehumanization is developed, attitude and perception aspects of the concept is examined, and research methods in the business ethics domain is investigated. Furthermore, animalistic and mechanistic types of dehumanization, vertical and horizontal dimensions of dehumanization, as well as sectoral, organizational, and relational reasons for dehumanization are discussed. Finally, recommendations are proposed to eliminate the negative effects of dehumanization.
Adaptive and reconfigurable flight control using feed-forward action

Indirect adaptive control for reconfigurable flight control is advocated. Specifically, on-line static system identification using a moving window/batch estimation, is used. The ensuing linear regression is augmented with an intercept to address the effects of trim change associated with the occurrence of a control surface failure. Parameter estimate information is used to adjust the inner loop's control gains and a command derived from the intercept estimate is fed forward to retrim the aircraft automatically. The tracking performance of this automatic retrimming method which uses system identification, surpasses the conventional approach of exclusively relying on integral action for automatic retrimming. The novel adaptive and reconfigurable flight control system successfully handles a horizontal tail control surface loss
Anomalous crowd behavior detection and localization in video surveillance

In this paper, we focus on the problem of detection and localization of crowd escape anomalous behaviors in video surveillance systems. The scheme proposed can not only detect the abnormal events which have been studied, but also detect the possible location of abnormal events. People usually instinctively escape from a place where abnormal or dangerous events occur. Based on this inference, a novel algorithm of detecting the divergent center is proposed: The divergent center indicates possible place where abnormal events occur. The model of crowd motion in both the normal and abnormal situations has been made according to the proposed method. Intersections of vector are obtained through solving the straight line equation sets, where the straight line Equation sets are determined by the location and direction of motion vector which are calculated by the optical flow. Then the dense regions of intersection sets, i.e., the divergent center, are obtained by using the distance segmentation method, the threshold method and the graphical method. Escape detection is finally judged according to the speed and energy of motion and the divergent center. Experiments on UMN datasets and other real videos show that the proposed method is valid on crowd escape behavior detection.
Proniosomes derived niosomes: recent advancements in drug delivery and targeting

Abstract Vesicular drug delivery systems have gained wide attention in the field of nanotechnology. Among them proniosomes become the superior over other vesicular carriers. Proniosomes are dry formulations of water soluble nonionic surfactant coated carrier system which immediately forms niosomes upon hydration. They have the capability to overcome the instability problems associated with niosomes and liposomes and have the potential to improve solubility, bioavailability, and absorption of various drugs. Furthermore, they offer versatile drug delivery concept for enormous number of hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. They have the potential to deliver drugs effectively through different routes at specific site of action to achieve controlled release action and reduce toxic effects associated with drugs. This review discusses the general preparation techniques of proniosomes and mainly focus on the applications of proniosomes in drug delivery and targeting. Moreover, this review demonstrates critical appraisal of the literature for proniosomes. Additionally, this review extensively explains the potential of proniosomes in delivering drugs via different routes, such as oral, parenteral, dermal and transdermal, ocular, oral mucosal, vaginal, pulmonary, and intranasal. Finally, the comparison of proniosomes with niosomes manifests the clear distinction between them. Moreover, proniosomes need to be explored for proteins and peptide delivery and in the field of nutraceuticals and develop pilot plant scale up studies to investigate them in industrial set up.
Visualizing the topology and re-analyzing the causes of small-world property of amino acid network

Amino acid network is the reduced representation of protein structure, which benefits the investigation of protein structure. And network paradigm offers an insight into viewing global connectivity of protein and studying the interaction between secondary structures by visualizing amino acid networks. However, there exists some disadvantages in current research. Much research about protein structures are based on protein contact map, but it cannot provide an easy way to present the local regularity and the topology of protein structures. Until current research recently consider primary structure of protein cause small-world property of amino acid network and neglect the effects of secondary structures. In this paper, we present two algorithms RandomSS and RandomSC, and compare them with RandomNN algorithm. We find not only primary structures but also secondary structures play key roles in emergence of small-world property in amino acid network. The secondary structure of protein in amino acid network is regular, and the inherent regularity reinforces small-world property. Moreover, in order to reveal the characteristic patterns of the topology of protein structures and visualize the regular layout of Helix and Sheet structures and the interaction between secondary structures, we use network visualization methods to show amino acid networks. And amino acid network is visualized by macroscopic view and microscopic view to show different regions of protein, which own various roles. This paper also provides a new view to study protein structure by network paradigm.
Environmental Factors That Control Microbial Perchlorate Reduction

ABSTRACT As part of a study to elucidate the environmental parameters that control microbial perchlorate respiration, we investigated the reduction of perchlorate by the dissimilatory perchlorate reducer Dechlorosoma suillum under a diverse set of environmental conditions. Our results demonstrated that perchlorate reduction by D. suillum only occurred under anaerobic conditions in the presence of perchlorate and was dependent on the presence of molybdenum. Perchlorate reduction was dependent on the presence of the enzyme chlorite dismutase, which was induced during metabolism of perchlorate. Anaerobic conditions alone were not enough to induce expression of this enzyme. Dissolved oxygen concentrations less than 2 mg liter−1 were enough to inhibit perchlorate reduction by D. suillum. Similarly to oxygen, nitrate also regulated chlorite dismutase expression and repressed perchlorate reduction by D. suillum. Perchlorate-grown cultures of D. suillum preferentially reduced nitrate in media with equimolar amounts of perchlorate and nitrate. In contrast, an extended (40 h) lag phase was observed if a similar nitrate-perchlorate medium was inoculated with a nitrate-grown culture. Perchlorate reduction commenced only when nitrate was completely removed in either of these experiments. In contrast to D. suillum, nitrate had no inhibitory effects on perchlorate reduction by the perchlorate reducer Dechloromonas agitata strain CKB. Nitrate was reduced to nitrite concomitant with perchlorate reduction to chloride. These studies demonstrate that microbial respiration of perchlorate is significantly affected by environmental conditions and perchlorate reduction is directly dependent on bioavailable molybdenum and the presence or absence of competing electron acceptors. A microbial treatment strategy can achieve and maintain perchlorate concentrations below the recommended regulatory level, but only in environments in which the variables described above can be controlled.
Development and initial validation of an inventory to assess grief in caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to develop an empirically based, psychometrically sound instrument for the assessment of grief in caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease. DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 184 statements addressing personal grief reactions were obtained from 45 adult child and 42 spouse caregivers in 16 focus groups representing early, middle, late, and postdeath stages. These were presented to a second sample of 83 adult child and 83 spouse caregivers, who rated them according to their current experience. Also administered were the Beck Depression Inventory, the Anticipatory Grief Scale, the Caregiver Strain Index, the Caregiver Well-Being Scale-Basic Needs, and the Perceived Social Support-Family Questionnaire. RESULTS Factor analysis resulted in a 50-item scale containing three factors: Personal Sacrifice Burden, Heartfelt Sadness and Longing, and Worry and Felt Isolation. Cronbach's alpha scores ranged from.90 to.96, indicating high internal consistency reliability for each factor as well as for their combined total. Correlations of each factor with other measures provide evidence of validity, especially when assessed in the context of the caregiver grief model. IMPLICATIONS Results suggest that caregiver grief is neither a unitary nor a static construct and that a scale such as this may be appropriate for use in supportive, clinical, and research settings.
Structural Stability of India's Export Demand Function

Sluggish progress in multilateral trade negotiations has provided an impetus to the growth of bilateral trade agreements the world over. The Indo-Thai Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the first phase of which was operational from September 2004, is one such effort that provides access to the manufacturers of both countries to enter into each others' markets beginning with the phased reduction of tariffs on 82 selected items. Since the signing of the agreement, there have been apprehensions from two Indian industries, namely colour TV & picture tube and auto industry in terms of experiencing likely adverse impact. In this paper, the authors first explore the key provisions of Early Harvest Scheme (EHS) of Indo-Thai FTA and its likely impact on Indian colour TV/colour picture tube and auto industry, especially in post September 2006 era, when the tariffs on 82 items would become zero for both sides. While highlighting the likely impact on Indian industries, the authors have compared and analyzed the import performance of items at HS code-6 and 8 digit levels for 2004 and 2005. A detailed analysis of the short and long term impact on the CTV/CPT and auto industries has been carried out by comparing cost structures, advantages and disadvantages. The paper also includes the major disadvantages being faced by the Indian industries vis-a-vis their Thai counterparts. It concludes with suggestions for Indian manufacturers and policy-makers to counter the likely adverse impact.
Intact sheets of fetal retina transplanted to restore damaged rat retinas.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to establish a model for morphologic retinal reconstruction after destruction of photoreceptors. METHODS Rat embryos were prelabeled by injection of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) into timed pregnant rats on 2 to 6 consecutive days. Pieces of fetal retinas (embryonic day [E] 17 to E22) were embedded in growth factor-reduced matrigel for protection and stored in medium on ice. With the use of a custom-mnade implantation tool, trimmed embedded pieces were placed into the subretinal space of albino rats whose photoreceptors had been damaged by continuous exposure to blue light for 3 to 4 days. RESULTS Donor cells were unequivocally identified by the BrdU label. Approximately 25% of transplants in the subretinal space developed parallel layers, with photoreceptor outer segments facing the host pigment epithelium. Transplants developed rosettes if host pigment epithelium had been damaged, if trauma to the donor tissue occurred during preparation or transplantation, and if the donor tissue was misplaced into the choroid or into the epiretinal space on top of the host retina. If the surgery was performed more than 4 weeks after the light damage, continued degeneration of the host retina caused secondary pigment epithelium damage, and transplants did not develop parallel layers of photoreceptor outer segments. CONCLUSIONS After transplantation to the subretinal space of a degenerated retina, gel-protected fetal retina can develop parallel layers and photoreceptor outer segments in contact with host pigment epithelium. Transplants can develop good fusion with the inner retina of a photoreceptor-deficient recipient.
Revisiting the Strength of Weak Ties: Bangladeshi Migration to Malaysia

Transnational labour migration is a widespread phenomenon in Bangladesh and Malaysia (Wong, 2009). Though the causes for migration of Bangladeshis to Malaysia are diverse, studies have shown that a search for a better future stands out as the main motivational factor (Sultana, 2007; SultanaI, 2008, Sultana-2, 2008)1• Both in Peninsular Malaysia, which is one ofthe fields of this study, as well as in their home countries, the migrants are found engaged in various forms of social networks. They develop these networks as an adaptation strategy to a new social environment, to increase their chances for upward social mobility and to gain citizenship in their host country at last (Sadiq, 2009, 57). While forming these adaptive mechanisms they encounter a dilemma. Their networks can be based on trust-based strong ties, whether or not they will develop weak ties. Since weak ties or distant networks are not risk free, they face a dilemma. As will be shown by empirical data, weak ties often build networks of exploitation. However, if migrants depend only on strong ties they also minimise their chances for upward mobility. Connecting micro and macro level networks, weak ties in fact, play a role as 'bridges' (Granovetter, 1973) that help to be the owners of greater social networks and information. Migrants thus need to find a solution whether they will focus on embedded networks to settle down in the host country and find alternative ways for upward mobility. Being multi-dimensionally embedded within the
Persistent Psychological Distress in Patients Treated for Endocrine Disease

Background: The purpose of the study was to assess the frequency and characteristics of psychological distress, even after adequate treatment, in the heterogeneous population of an endocrine outpatient clinic. Methods: 146 endocrine patients (31 males/115 females; age 39.4 ± 12.5 years), who were cured or in remission, were studied in a university endocrine outpatient clinic. Semistructured clinical interviews to assess psychiatric (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV) and psychological (Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research, DCPR) diagnoses were employed and were supplemented by self-rated instruments (the Psychosocial Index and the Medical Outcome Study short form General Health Survey) which could provide the patients’ perception of their own quality of life. Results: There were 118 patients (81%) who presented with at least 1 psychiatric (DSM-IV) or psychological (DCPR) diagnosis. The most frequent diagnostic findings were generalized anxiety disorder (29%), major depression (26%), irritable mood (46%), demoralization (34%) and persistent somatization (21%). By self-rated instruments, patients with at least 1 DSM-IV or DCPR diagnosis reported significantly more stressful life circumstances, psychological distress and an impaired quality of life compared to those who had none. Conclusions: A high prevalence of psychological distress may be encountered in the long-term follow-up of endocrine patients. A biopsychosocial consideration of the person and his/her quality of life appears to be mandatory for improving therapeutic effectiveness in endocrine disorders.
Omnidirectional Actuation of Magnetically Driven Microtool for Cutting of Oocyte in a Chip

In this paper, we developed and fabricated a magnetically driven microtool (MMT) and installed it on a microfluidic chip for use in the enucleation of oocytes. The fabricated tool is much smaller than a conventional mechanical micromanipulator used for cell manipulation. We succeeded in driving this MMT in two degrees of freedom-in the X- and Y-directions. The MMT works on the principle of noncontact actuation by magnetic force; therefore, the microfluidic-chip part is fully disposable and inexpensive. The MMT consists of a polymer part with a controllable attitude and a rigid metal (Ni) part with good magnetic properties, which are useful for cutting oocytes. We analytically evaluated that the structure for easy attitude control of the polymer part is a four-leg-type configuration. Based on the novel and original design, the MMT and microfluidic chip were fabricated by photolithography. The MMT could generate a force of 3 mN, which is sufficient to cut an oocyte into half. We successfully demonstrated the cutting of an oocyte on a microfluidic chip by using the MMT.
Molecular characterization of penicillin non-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae in Christchurch, New Zealand.

OBJECTIVES To determine the epidemiological relationship between non-invasive penicillin non-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates collected in the Christchurch community between 1997 and 2001. METHODS One hundred and ninety-seven pneumococcal isolates were examined by macrorestriction profile analysis of SmaI-digested genomic DNA separated by PFGE and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of penicillin binding protein genes. RESULTS Four major clonal lineages were identified, the largest and most homogeneous containing 95 (48.2%) of the isolates, the bulk of which (93.7%), had identical macrorestriction patterns. Members of this clonal group were multidrug-resistant and exhibited high resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, with MICs > or =8.0 mg/L not uncommon (23.1%). Two of the clonal groups, each containing 24 (12.2%) isolates, appeared indistinguishable from the globally widespread Spain23F-1 and France9V-3 strains, respectively. The fourth (12.7% of isolates) multidrug-resistant clone possessed intermediate penicillin susceptibility (MIC 0.12 mg/L). CONCLUSIONS This study shows that several distinct penicillin-resistant pneumococcal clones are present in the Christchurch community, most of which appear to have been imported into New Zealand.
Path-planning algorithm for transportation of molecules through protein tunnel bottlenecks

We present a simple and fast path planning algorithm for transportation of a set of tightly connected sphere objects (a small molecule) through a narrow gap. In our approach we are using common sampling-based path planning, however, instead of sampling the entire configuration space, we estimate which subsets of this space must be crossed on the desired path. In comparison with other methods using minimal bounding volumes, we improve the algorithm accuracy for arbitrary shaped molecules and significantly reduce the number of generated samples as well as time cost of path planning. We have accomplished a number of tests on scenes formed by proteins and ligand molecules. The results suggest that the proposed method works well in practice and the number of generated samples is substantially lower then the proved upper bound.
Encapsulation of Hemoglobin in Mesoporous Silica (FSM)—Enhanced Thermal Stability and Resistance to Denaturants

Hemoblogin (Hb), which is a typical oligomeric protein, was introduced into the pores of mesoporous silica (FSM: folded‐sheet mesoporous material) that had a diameter of 7.5 nm. Soret CD spectra of Hb–FSM‐7.5 conjugates showed a peak that was identical to that of free Hb. This suggests that Hb retained its highly ordered structure in the mesoporous silica. In addition, the UV‐visible absorption spectrum showed that Hb had an increased resistance to heat denaturation in the silica. Even after heat treatment at 85 °C, Hb–FSM‐7.5 retained its ligand‐binding activity. The stability of Hb–FSM‐7.5 was examined further by measuring its peroxidase‐like activity. Encapsulation of Hb resulted in the retention of activity in the presence of high NaCl or Gdn‐HCl levels. This suggests that encapsulation prevented dissociation and denaturing. Thus, it seems that the mesopores created a favorable environment for the oligomeric protein to perform its function, even under harsh conditions.
Autism: research into causes and intervention

Autism spectrum conditions are neuro-developmental syndromes with strong heritability. Cognitive theories have had some success in explaining why the cluster of features should co-occur. Empathizing deficits have the potential to make sense of one triad of impairments (social difficulties, communication difficulties and imagining others’ minds), and may have a brain basis in the amygdala and left medial frontal cortex. A strong systemizing drive may account for a distinct triad of strengths (good attention to detail, deep, narrow interests and islets of ability). The brain basis of systemizing is yet to be understood. Family genetics studies suggest that these same cognitive dimensions (reduced empathizing alongside a strong drive to systemize) may also characterize the ‘broader phenotype’ among first-degree relatives. Molecular genetic studies are underway and any candidate genes for autism will ultimately need to be tested in relation to the observed differences in the brain, cognition and behaviour. The ethics of genetic screening or gene therapy should be thought about well ahead of these becoming available, since there is by no means any consensus that these would be desirable given the wide range of phenotypic traits, not all of which are disabling. Future research will need to focus on evaluating the extent to which any form of intervention reduces the triad of impairments whilst supporting the triad of strengths.