Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

7 Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders Professor Alan Hedge DEA325/651 Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (NIOSH, 1997) ! 32% (705,800) of work-related injuries arise from overexertion or repetitive motion: # 367,424 injuries due to overexertion in lifting (65% back injuries) # 93,325 due to overexertion in pushing/pulling (52% back injuries) # 68,992 due to overexertion in holding, carrying or turning objects (58% back injuries) # 47,861 shoulder injuries # 83,483 unspecified overexertion injuries # 92,576 repetitive motion injuries (including typing, key entry, repetitive hand tool use, repetitive grasping etc.) 55% affect the wrist, 7% affect the shoulder and 6% affect the back Workplace Injuries (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1998) ! Sprains and strains, by far, are the leading occupational injuries (between 30% 50% for any industry). Injuries most commonly occur to the back and upper limbs. Repetitive motions, such as typing, resulted in the longest absences from work. Carpal tunnel syndrome has the highest median days away from work. Workplace Injuries (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1998) ! Sprains and strains are the leading occupational injuries (34% 51% depending on the industry). OSHA "We are compelled to act. Employees are getting hurt. Workers are being sent home. People are suffering. "
Resolution par une methode d'equations integrales d'un probleme de diffraction d'ondes elastiques transitoires par une fissure

A long terme, le but de cette etude est la detection de fissures dans un milieu isotrope recouvert d'un materiau anisotrope. La these se divise en trois parties. La premiere partie rappelle les proprietes classiques de la propagation d'ondes elastiques. La seconde et principale partie concerne l'etude de la diffrction d'une onde elastique transitoire par une fissure dans un milieu homogene isotrope infini. La methode des equations integrales est bien adaptee aux problemes de diffraction car elle prend en compte le comportement a l'infini par l'intermediaire de la solution fondamentale et elle ramene a un probleme pose sur la frontiere ce qui fait gagner une dimension d'espace. L'equation integrale peut etre resolue numeriquement soit a l'aide d'une methode de collocation (la plus souvent utilisee) soit a l'aide d'une methode variationnelle. C'est cette derniere methode que nous avons choisie car elle permet d'obtenir une analyse mathematique et numerique et elle s'adapte mieux a un couplage avec la methode des elements finis. La partie b est donc consacree a l'obtention de la formulation variationnelle espace-temps, a son analyse (existence, unicite, traitement du noyau hypersingulier), a sa discretisation et aux resultats numeriques. La troisieme partie contient quelques resultats en milieu anisotrope. En vue d'utiliser des elements finis dans un milieu orthotrope non borne, nous introduisons, suivant une demarche classique, des conditions absorbantes dans ce milieu. Enfin, le dernier chapitre generalise, au cas ou le milieu est anisotrope, la methode de regularisation decrite dans la partie b
Non-Performing Loans and Bank Efficiency of Conventional and Islamic Banks in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Countries

This paper investigates the inter-temporal relationships between bank efficiency and problem loans as well as financing of conventional and Islamic banks as proposed by Berger and DeYoung (1997). The efficiency level and the managerial behavior of conventional and Islamic banks in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries divided into the regions: Asian, African, Middle East and Turkey are investigated during the period 1993-2007. The findings show that cost efficiency is higher than profit efficiency for the sampled banks in the OIC countries. As for the inter-temporal relationships between bank efficiency and problem loans and financing, suggests that there is no evidence for ‘bad luck’ of conventional banks in all regions, but support the ‘bad management’ and ‘skimping’ except in the African region. On the other hand for Islamic banks, there is evidence of ‘bad luck’ in Asia, the Middle East and Turkey, and support for ‘bad management’ in African and Middle East region and Turkey, except in Asia. All regions support ‘skimping’ behavior for Islamic banks. These findings imply that the increase of non-performing loans of conventional banks is mainly caused by poor management rather than external factors, but the increase of non-performing financing of Islamic banks are caused by both internal and external factors. JEL Classification Code : G23, 24, 28, 34, Z12
Strategic segmentation in front-line services: matching customers, employees and human resource systems

This paper examines variation in the use of high involvement work practices in service and sales operations. I argue that the relationship between the customer and front-line service provider is a central feature that distinguishes production-level service activities from manufacturing. In particular, through strategic segmentation, firms are able to segment customers by their demand characteristics and to match the complexity and potential revenue stream of the customer to the skills of employees and the human resource system that shapes the customer–employee interface. Unlike manufacturing, where high involvement systems have emerged in a wide variety of product markets, therefore, service organizations are likely to use high involvement systems only to serve higher value-added customers because of the high costs of these systems and the labour-intensive nature of services. Data from a nationally random sample of 354 call centres in US telecommunications documents this pattern: from classic mass production approaches for back office workers and increasingly for front office residential service agents, to greater involvement for small business service providers and high involvement practices for middle-market service agents.
Potential Role of Endogenous Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Long-Term Neuronal Reorganization of the Superior Colliculus after Bilateral Visual Deprivation

The role of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the BDNF receptor (TrkB), and the glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67) after neonatal, bilateral nerve deafferentiation during postnatal development was investigated in the rat superior colliculus (SC). BDNF and GAD67 mRNA expression were significantly increased in optic (Op) and intermediate gray (InG) layers at 5, 8, 15, and 21 days after birth, but not in adult animals. However, TrkB mRNA expression was not modified at any time tested. At 15 days, where changes in BDNF and GAD67 mRNAs were more evident, an upregulation of the NMDAR(1A) mRNA glutamate receptor in the Op and InG, a modification in the pattern of synaptic zinc in the superficial layers of SC, and an increased synaptophysin immunoreactivity in the Op was found. This indicates the existence of a synergic mechanism between BDNF and NMDA to determine refinement of connections after the loss of visual input in SC.
Dynamic Template Preparing and Application on FLIR Target Recognition

Template matching technology has been widely used in FLIR guiding. When using FLIR guiding weapon attack targets, the target imaging in the FLIR lens will be distorted by size and shape. In order to prepare the corresponding dynamic template, it proposes a new target dynamic template preparation method using the simulated 3-D scene of the target and the weapon flight track. Based on that method, an experiment of template preparation and IR real-time picture matching is completed. The results of the experiment show that the matching templates prepared using that method can realize relatively high successful-matching probability. Furthermore, that method can be widely applied for all types of targets; the reader can refer to and benefit from it when facing FLIR target recognition problems.
An Overview of C. Elegans Trafficking Mutants

It is almost 40 years since Sydney Brenner introduced Caenorhabditis elegans as a model genetic system. During that time mutants with defects in intracellular trafficking have been identified in a diverse range of screens for abnormalities. This should, of course, come as no surprise as it is hard to imagine any biological process in which the regulated movement of vesicles within the cells is not critical at some step. Almost all of these genes have mammalian homologs, and yet the role of many of these homologs has not been investigated. Perhaps the protein that regulates your favorite trafficking step has already been identified in C. elegans? Here I provide a brief overview of those trafficking mutants identified in C. elegans and where you can read more about them.
Stimulation of Smad1 Transcriptional Activity by Ras‐Extracellular Signal‐Regulated Kinase Pathway: A Possible Mechanism for Collagen‐Dependent Osteoblastic Differentiation

Signals from bone morphogenetic protein receptors (BMPRs) and cell adhesion to type I collagen are both important for osteoblastic differentiation and functions. BMP signals are mediated mostly by Smad and collagen signals are transduced by integrins to activate focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and its downstream molecules. This study was undertaken to clarify how extracellular matrix collagen signals converge with BMP actions. We show that integrin activation by collagen was involved in BMP signals because disruption of either collagen synthesis or collagen‐α2β1‐integrin binding inhibited the stimulatory effect of BMP‐2 on osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells. Downstream signals of collagen‐integrin might be FAK‐Ras‐extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) in osteoblastic cells. We further show that Ras‐ERK signals enhanced the transcriptional activity of Smad1 in response to BMP in these cells transiently transfected with expression plasmids for a constitutively active mutant RasV12, a dominant negative mutant RasN17, and an ERK phosphatase CL100. Ras‐ERK signals did not augment the transcriptional activity of Smad3 in response to transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) receptor activation but that of Smad1 in response to BMPR activation as examined in COS‐1 cells. These observations suggest that the Ras‐ERK pathway downstream of integrin‐FAK is involved in Smad1 signals activated by BMP and provide a possible mechanism for cooperation between intracellular signals activated by integrin and BMPRs in osteoblastic cells.
Cholesterol lowering for all: a closer look.

The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) 1 has done an admirable job of calling the attention of physicians and the public to the importance of cholesterol level as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The target for this message remains the high-risk individual younger than 60 years. What has been lost in the fine print and the hype is the cautionary note that for individuals older than 60 years the recommendation for intervention should be based on the judgment of the physician and the preference of the patient. Patient preferences vary. Individuals younger than 60 years might be less motivated in the absence of symptoms to modify behavior or take medications, whereas individuals older than 60 years are more likely to be symptomatic and thus to be motivated. Clinical judgment regarding treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia must be based on current scientific evidence. Certainly, no one will argue that diet and
A Defect Tolerance Scheme for Nanotechnology Circuits

Lithography-based integrated circuit fabrication is rapidly approaching its limit in terms of feature size. The current alternative is nanotechnology-based fabrication, which relies on self-assembly of nanotubes or nanowires. Such a process is subject to a high defect rate, which can be tolerated using carefully crafted defect tolerance techniques. This paper presents an algorithm for reconfiguration-based defect tolerance in nanotechnology switches. The algorithm offers an average switch density improvement of 50% to 100% to most recently published techniques. The algorithm is also consistent in improving the yield through minimizing false rejects as the results show over a large sample. The improvement percentage varies depending on the manufactured switch size and the desired defect-free size with the improvement in efficiency directly proportional to the size of the switch.
An Empirical Investigation of Models Versus Prototypes in Systems Development

It is generally accepted that models are useful in systems development and a variety of modeling tools and techniques are taught in information technology academic programs and used by software professionals. However, the recent emergence of agile systems development approaches, including extreme programming, SCRUM, and pair programming is challenging the value of modeling. Surprisingly, other than anecdotal evidence, there is little empirical data to support or refute the conventional wisdom that models are useful in systems development. This paper reports the results of a pilot study that examined the preference for diagrammatic models and a working prototype among student subjects, who participated as potential end users of a stock trading system. Surprisingly, the results show that non-technical users found the models to be more useful than the prototype. Implications of the study are discussed, and planned modifications for a follow-up experiment that addresses the limitations of the pilot study are presented.
Relationship between MYCN copy number and expression in rhabdomyosarcomas and correlation with adverse prognosis in the alveolar subtype.

PURPOSE Amplification of the transcription factor MYCN is an important molecular diagnostic tool in stratifying treatment for neuroblastoma. Increased copy number and overexpression of MYCN in the pediatric cancer rhabdomyosarcoma has been described in a number of small studies with conflicting conclusions about its association with clinicopathologic characteristics. We aimed to study the phenomenon in the largest series to date. PATIENTS AND METHODS Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we measured MYCN copy number and expression levels in rhabdomyosarcoma samples from 113 and 92 individuals with a confirmed diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma, respectively. RESULTS Increased copy number of MYCN was found to be a feature of both the embryonal and alveolar subtypes. The copy number and expression levels were significantly greater in the alveolar subtype, although the range of expression in both subtypes spanned several orders of magnitude. MYCN copy number showed a significant correlation with expression in the alveolar subtype; this relationship between copy number and expression could be modeled as a logarithmic function. It is notable that relatively high expression frequently occurred in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma without high copy number and that low expression was found in some cases with high copy number. In patients with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, overexpression (greater than median) or gain of genomic copies of MYCN were significantly associated with adverse outcome. CONCLUSION MYCN deregulation is a feature of rhabdomyosarcoma tumorigenesis, defines groups of patients with a poor prognosis, and is a potential target for novel therapies.
Mergers and Acquisition by Indian Firms

Mergers and acquisition (M&A) has been a dominant form of firm growth strategy and a very potent tool of securing strategic growth in business landscape. However, M&As have generally been attributed with a significant amount of failure and value destruction. The author in this exploratory research undertook 24 in-depth interviews using a semi-structured open-ended questionnaire with M&A experts to understand the reasons for value creation and destruction in Indian M&A context. The data was content analyzed for thematic analysis. The results indicated in the Indian context, M&A initiatives provided quick market growth, access to strategic resources, and such benefits. While M&A failures occurred because of the lack of understanding on decision criteria regarding whether to from SA or do a M&A, strategic clarity, cultural insensitivity, lack of due diligence, and poor M&A post management capabilities.
Continuity and Fragmentation of Antenatal and Delivery Care in the Volta Region of Ghana

iii Dedication . vi Acknowledgement . vii List of Abbreviations . xvi Operational Definitions . xix 1 Chapter 1: Introduction and Background . 1 1.0 Background . 1 1.1 Maternal and Child Health. 6 1.2 Continuity of Care . 10 1.3 Fragmentation of Care . 11 1.4 NHIS and Continuity of Care . 12 1.5 Problem Statement . 15 1.6 General Objective . 17 1.6. 1 Specific objectives. 17 1.7 Research Questions . 18 1.8 Justification . 18 1.9 Conceptual framework for measuring continuity and fragmentation of care . 19 Chapter 2: Literature Review . 23 2.1 Review of NHIS Literature in Ghana. 23 2.1.1 Claims Data . 23 2.1.2 Maternal and Child Health . 27 2.1.3 General Studies . 31
Clinico-morphological pattern of intracranial tumors in children.

OBJECTIVE The objective of present study was to observe the histopathological pattern of intracranial tumors in children (< 15 yrs) and to correlate the site of lesion along with the histological diagnosis. SETTING The study included consecutive cases of intracranial tumors diagnosed in children (< 15 yrs.) in the section of histopathology at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi during the period of three years. METHODS The initial histological evaluation of these lesions was performed on H and E stained section of paraffin embedded tissue. Special stains and immunohistochemical analysis was done whenever indicated. RESULTS During the study period, fifty-four cases of intracranial tumors were diagnosed in children. The age ranged from 1-1/2 years to 4 years with male to female ratio of 1.1:1. Astrocytoma comprised 39% of all intracranial tumors of childhood. Medulloblastoma (18.6%) ranked the second most prevalent brain tumor followed by empendymoma (13%), oligodendroglioma 7.5% while non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, primitive neuroblastoma 3.7% and ganglioglioma 3.7% while non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumors, mixed germ cell tumor, pineoblastoma, choroid plexus carcinoma and malignant meningioma constituted 1.8% each. CONCLUSION Astrocytoma was the most common pediatric brain tumor. Medulloblastoma was more common in males while pilocytic astrocytoma was more frequent in females. Posterior cranial fossa was the most common site (43.5%) of pediatric brain tumors. Low grade astrocytoma was more prevalent in posterior cranial fossa as compared to high grade astrocytoma which was more frequent in the supratentorial region.
Reactions to music of autistic (schizophrenic) children.

Reactions to music of 3 autistic children, 2 of them identical twins, were studied. There is considerable evidence that unique musical reactions constitute a general finding in autistic children. Investigations on 3 autistic children indicate that musical reactions are intimately bound with psychopathology; that reactions consist of a preoccupation and unusual absorption in music, a rote memory for melodies, a preference for singing over speech, a use of singing occasionally as a communicative means but more generally as an expression of an emotional state, and a response to music heard with rhythmical motions and easing of anxiety. There was also some evidence that improvement was associated with a decrease in intensity of interest in music. The possibility that the investigation of such musical reactions might provide further clues to the psychopathology involved, as well as new leads for therapeutic approaches, was discussed. These preliminary findings indicate a need for further investigation of an im.
Integrating road carrying capacity and traffic congestion into the excess commuting framework: The case of Los Angeles

The excess commuting framework has advanced a series of metrics through which a city or a region’s jobs-housing balance and commuting efficiency can be measured. This study seeks to add to the conceptual development and extension of the excess commuting framework. Specifically, it considers the carrying capacity (of links) and related congestion issues in the excess commuting framework and demonstrates that overlooking these characteristics has important implications for excess commuting metrics. Drawing on an empirical case study, it shows that when carrying capacity and traffic congestion are accounted for, the observed commute is longer than otherwise. Excess commuting tends to be higher than its counterparts in previous excess commuting studies. The findings suggest that future excess commuting studies should take account of carrying capacity and congestion in determining excess commuting metrics. Moreover, high-quality connections (preferably via public transport) between jobs and housing allied with sufficient carrying capacity of popular links/routes for commuters are crucial preconditions for cities and regions to harvest the full benefits of jobs-housing balance policies targeted at the reduction of the average commute distance and vehicle miles travelled.
Human factor and information security in higher education

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the association of lack of awareness and human factors and the association of lack of awareness and significant attacks that threat computer security in higher education. , – Five human factors and nine attacks are considered to investigate their relationship. A field research is conducted on Greek employees in higher education to identify the human factors that affect information security. The sample is consisted of 103 employees that use computers at work. Pearson correlation analysis between lack of awareness and nine (9) computer security risks is performed. , – Examining the association of lack of awareness with these attacks that threat the security of computers, all nine factors of important attacks exert significant and positive effect, apart from phishing. Considering the relationship of lack of awareness to human factors, all five human factors used are significantly and positively correlated with lack of awareness. Moreover, all nine important attacks, apart from one, exert a significant and positive effect. , – The paper extends understanding of the relationship of the human factors, the lack of awareness and information security. The study has focused on employees of the Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Athens, namely, teachers, administrators and working post-graduate students. , – The paper has used weighted factors based on data collection in higher education to calculate a global index for lack of awareness, as the result of the weighted aggregation of nine (9) risks, and extends the analysis performed in the literature to evaluate the effectiveness of security awareness in computer risk management.
Public health assessment of dioxin-contaminated fish at former US airbase, Bien Hoa, Vietnam

Ponds at the former US airbase at Ben Hoa, Vietnam are contaminated with Agent Orange. The ponds had been used for aquaculture, and in all likelihood, fish from those ponds have been sold to the public. We assessed human exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) in fish samples from the ponds. For on-base tilapia, muscle concentrations 2,3,7,8-TCDD ranged from 1.4 to 32.7 pg/g. Fat concentrations ranged from 73.3 to 3990 pg/g. Estimated human exposure doses exceed international guidelines and exceed 2,3,7,8-TCDD’s lowest adverse effect levels. The Bien Hoa fishponds are a completed human pathway for TCDD exposure.