ethicalabs/Research-Intent-Collab huggingface dataset:
ROBOT-ASSISTED VITREORETINAL SURGERY IMPROVES SURGICAL ACCURACY COMPARED WITH MANUAL SURGERY

Purpose:             To compare manual and robot-assisted vitreoretinal surgery using a virtual-reality surgical simulator.                                   Methods:             Randomized controlled crossover study. Ten experienced vitreoretinal surgeons and 10 novice ophthalmic surgeons were included. The participants were randomized to start with either manual or robot-assisted surgery. Participants completed a test session consisting of three vitreoretinal modules on the Eyesi virtual-reality simulator. The automated metrics of performance supplied by the Eyesi simulator were used as outcome measures. Primary outcome measures were time with instruments inserted (seconds), instrument movement (mm), and tissue treatment (mm2).                                   Results:             Robot-assisted surgery was slower than manual surgery for both novices and vitreoretinal surgeons, 0.24 SD units (P = 0.024) and 0.73 SD units (P &lt; 0.001), respectively. Robot-assisted surgery allowed for greater precision in novices and vitreoretinal surgeons, −0.96 SD units (P &lt; 0.001) and −0.47 SD units (P &lt; 0.001), respectively. Finally, novices using robot-assisted surgery inflicted less tissue damage when compared with that using manual surgery, −0.59 SD units (P = 0.009).                                   Conclusion:             At the cost of time, robot-assisted vitreoretinal surgery seems to improve precision and limit tissue damage compared with that of manual surgery. In particular, the performance of novice surgeons is enhanced with robot-assisted vitreoretinal surgery.
Modelling the role of marine protected area in biodiversity conservation

This study explored the anthropogenic stressors of a coral habitat and predicted the role of a proposed MPA around coral habitat on biodiversity conservation. The study was conducted in the Saint Martin's Island which is located in the south east coastal area of Bangladesh. Data on anthropogenic stressors were collected through intensive stakeholder survey and the role of MPA in biodiversity conservation was explored by utilizing Allometric Trophic Network model. This study identified about 16 anthropogenic stressors for the coral reef ecosystem. Increasing fishing pressure significantly reduced the species biomass while reduced fishing pressure increased the biomass of species. Biomass of the species in the system with no fishing area increased significantly (3-6%) while compared with the species biomass of an area without fishing restriction. Our simulations found that imposing fishing restriction in an exploited system significantly improve the species standing stock. Our model outputs suggest that declaration of MPA is beneficial for conservation of biodiversity. However, for sustainable implementation of conservation initiatives a proper management framework is necessary integrating diverse stakeholders.
The Importance of the Preservation of the Ethical Principle of Equipoise in the Design of Clinical Trials: Relative Impact of the Methodological Quality Domains on the Treatment Effect in Randomized Controlled Trials

Previous research has identified methodological problems in the design and conduct of randomized trials that could, if left unaddressed, lead to biased results. In this report we discuss one such problem, inadequate control intervention, and argue that it can be by far the most important design characteristic of randomized trials in overestimating the effect of new treatments. Current guidelines for the design and reporting of randomized trials, such as the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement, do not address the choice of the comparator intervention. We argue that an adequate control intervention can be selected if people designing a trial explicitly take into consideration the ethical principle of equipoise, also known as "the uncertainty principle."
Simulations of quintessential cold dark matter: beyond the cosmological constant

24 pages, 17 figures. MNRAS in press
Appointment of judges to the Norwegian Supreme Court: Safeguarding judicial independence in light of recent political attacks on the Polish judiciary

Judicial independence is under threat in several democracies, and statutory reforms frequently target appointment of Supreme Court judges. In NOU 2020: 11, the Norwegian Commission of the Courts addressed these issues but suggested only minor changes to the existing Norwegian appointment procedure. This thesis assesses whether the Commission’s recommendations are necessary and sufficient for safeguarding the independence of the Norwegian judiciary. The current Norwegian procedure is analysed in light of international and supranational obligations and functionally comparable aspects of Polish judicial appointments. Through a legal cultural approach, I address the implications of Norwegian and Polish history, judicial review, legal method, public confidence and judicial career for the suggested amendments to the Norwegian procedure. A recurring theme is the complex interplay between democratic legitimacy and judicial independence. Taking all these factors into consideration, it becomes evident that the Commission’s reluctance to blindly follow international recommendations to increase judicial autonomy seems well-founded and indeed sensible.
Integrative Genomic Analyses of Chromatin and Epigenetic Regulation Across Eukaryotes: A Journey from Yeast Transcription to Human Cancer

In the past decade, advances in high-throughput DNA sequencing have enabled unprecedented insights into the complex and often highly entangled mechanisms of epigenetics and chromatin regulation. However, many studies have been limited by sequencing costs or informatic complexities of high-throughput sequencing analyses. Oftentimes, only one aspect of chromatin can be investigated at once, limiting the full scope and understanding of epigenetic regulation mechanisms. Large scale consortia, though, such as The Epigenome Roadmap, ENCODE, and The Cancer Genome Atlas, began to pioneer the integration of multiple assays and analytical methods. These efforts have proven fruitful, and revealed many critical mutations, regulatory pathways, and chromatin-based processes that are central to cellular biology and human disease. In the chapters that follow, we take inspiration from these large consortia and describe the use of integrated technologies and analytical methods to reveal chromatin-based dynamics in yeast, in particular that of the histone post-translational modification H3K36me3 and its associated histone methyltransferase, Set2. We demonstrate that H3K36me3 deposition is a directed process, where H3K36me3 removal is a more stochastic process throughout the cell. We also reveal the consequences of losing Set2 and H3K36me3, which limits a yeast cell’s ability to properly respond to nutrient deprivation and results is misregulation of transcriptional fidelity. We use mouse models of congenital heart defects to elucidate how mutations in NuRD, a nucleosome remodeling complex, result in aberrant smooth and skeletal muscle isoform expression in cardiac tissues. We also examine how mutations in the nucleosome remodeling complex SWI/SNF members are conducive for non-small cell lung cancer and clear cell renal cell carcinoma development, from remodeling of nucleosomes at transcription start sites to the activation of oncogenic transcription factors that lead to the establishment of de novo enhancers associated with downstream tumorigenic pathways. Taken together, these studies expand our knowledge of epigenetic regulation mechanisms that could have only been elucidated by the integration of various genome-wide assays and informatics.
The effect of mode of nursing care delivery and skill mix on quality and patient safety outcomes

Aims: This study examined the effect of various components of a model of nursing care delivery, the mode of nursing care delivery and nursing skill mix on (a) quality of nursing care (i.e., nurse reported quality of nursing care and nursing tasks left undone), (b) patient adverse events, and (c) nurse outcomes (i.e., job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion) after controlling for nurse demographic characteristics, work environment and workload factors. This study also explores the moderating effects of mode of nursing care delivery and skill mix on the relationship between workload factors and the five outcome variables. Background: Research into redesigning care delivery has typically focused on only one care delivery component at a time (e.g., skill mix). There exists little research focusing on both components, and controlling for one factor while the other is investigated to determine quality of nursing care delivery and nurse and patient outcomes. Method: This cross-sectional exploratory correlational survey study drew upon secondary data from 416 direct care registered nurses (RNs) from medical-surgical settings. Results: Nurses working in a team-based mode of care delivery reported a greater number of nursing tasks left undone compared to those working in a total patient care mode of delivery. Nurses working in a skill mix with licensed practical nurses (LPNs) reported a higher frequency of patient adverse events compared to those working in a skill mix without LPNs. Two moderating effects were found. At higher levels of acuity, nurses in a team-based mode of care delivery reported a higher frequency of patient adverse events than did nurses in a total patient care mode of delivery. At higher levels of acuity, nurses working in a skill mix with LPNs reported lower levels of emotional exhaustion than nurses in a skill mix without LPNs. Conclusion: Models of nursing care delivery components influenced quality and safety outcomes. Implications: To be effective, a team-based mode of care delivery requires collaborative teamwork. Policy makers, administrators and healthcare providers should work together to clarify and optimize the scopes of practice for RNs and LPNs.
The Role of Judicial Associations in Resisting Rule of Law Backsliding: Hidden Pathways of Protecting Judicial Independence Amidst Rule of Law Decay

Abstract    Both Hungary and Poland have been in the spotlight regarding their democratic backsliding, with Executives exerting control over supposedly independent pillars of democracy, such as courts or the media. While the concerns about these countries also voiced by leaders of European institutions were similar, the resistance against the systematic erosion of judicial independence comes in different forms. Using comparative longitudinal case study methodology, this article shows that a defining characteristic in the potential, visibility and feasibility of what judges did or could do under the current threats depends on the role judicial associations, understood as representative collegial judicial bodies. More precisely, the format, organisation and operative tools of judicial associations contribute to their influence on prior judicial reforms and their capacity to withstand ongoing efforts in curtailing their independence from political actors. Empirically, the article reviews multiple judicial changes in the 1992–2015 period in both countries and assesses how judicial associations then shaped the divergent responses to recent attempts at limiting judicial independence. The differences in the legal framework, organisation and network reliance explains variance in resistance. Overall, the article broadens the theoretical and empirical framework for studying the role of courts and judges with considerations regarding professional association organisation and co-ordination, as a potential layer of studying judicial resistance.
The Philosophy of Semar as an Ethical Framework for the Use of Artificial Intelligence

&lt;div&gt;Artificial intelligence (AI) is a multidimensional phenomenon that profoundly impacts various aspects of&amp;nbsp;&lt;span style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;modern human life. While global discussions on AI ethics have predominantly centered on Western&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;perspectives, this study explores ethical AI development through the lens of Semar philosophy,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;representing the local wisdom of Nusantara. Employing library research with a philosophical approach,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;this research analyzes some sources on Semar philosophy and its relevance to AI ethics. The findings reveal&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;that: 1) The Ojo Dumeh principle promotes humility in AI use and development, preventing technological&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;arrogance and misuse. The Eling principle emphasizes awareness of AI’s intended purpose and its socio-environmental consequences, fostering responsible innovation. The Waspada principle highlights the&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;importance of risk mitigation, addressing challenges such as algorithmic bias, privacy concerns, and&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;unequal access to technology. 2) The integration of these ethical values presents an opportunity for&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;strategic collaboration among developers, users, and policymakers to craft regulations that harmonize&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;global standards with local wisdom, reinforcing the importance of culture-based ethics education. 3) Key&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;challenges in implementation include limited cultural awareness in AI ethics discourse, resource&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;constraints, and difficulties in aligning local ethical values with global regulatory frameworks. This study&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;contributes to the ongoing discourse on AI ethics by introducing a localized ethical framework that balances&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;technological advancements with cultural values. Further research is recommended to develop a&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;structured implementation framework and an adaptive strategy for global integration, ensuring that local&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 1rem;"&gt;philosophical perspectives contribute to a more humane, inclusive, and ethically responsible AI ecosystem&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
Network structure of multivariate time series

Our understanding of a variety of phenomena in physics, biology and economics crucially depends on the analysis of multivariate time series. While a wide range of tools and techniques for time series analysis already exist, the increasing availability of massive data structures calls for new approaches for multidimensional signal processing. We present here a non-parametric method to analyse multivariate time series, based on the mapping of a multidimensional time series into a multilayer network, which allows to extract information on a high dimensional dynamical system through the analysis of the structure of the associated multiplex network. The method is simple to implement, general, scalable, does not require ad hoc phase space partitioning, and is thus suitable for the analysis of large, heterogeneous and non-stationary time series. We show that simple structural descriptors of the associated multiplex networks allow to extract and quantify nontrivial properties of coupled chaotic maps, including the transition between different dynamical phases and the onset of various types of synchronization. As a concrete example we then study financial time series, showing that a multiplex network analysis can efficiently discriminate crises from periods of financial stability, where standard methods based on time-series symbolization often fail.
Derivation of the Lorentz Force Law and the Magnetic Field Concept using an Invariant Formulation of the Lorentz Transformation

It is demonstrated how the right hand sides of the Lorentz Transformation equations may be written, in a Lorentz invariant manner, as 4--vector scalar products. The formalism is shown to provide a short derivation, in which the 4--vector electromagnetic potential plays a crucial role, of the Lorentz force law of classical electrodynamics, and the conventional definition of the magnetic field in terms spatial derivatives of the 4--vector potential. The time component of the relativistic generalisation of the Lorentz force law is discussed. An important physical distinction between the space-time and energy-momentum 4--vectors is also pointed out.
Utilization of Machine Learning in Supporting Occupational Safety and Health Decisions in Hospital Workplace

The prediction of possible future incidents or accidents and the efficiency assessment of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) interventions are essential for the effective protection of healthcare workers, as the occupational risks in their workplace are multiple and diverse. Machine learning algorithms have been utilized for classifying post-incident and post-accident data into the following 5 classes of events: Needlestick/Cut, Falling, Incident, Accident, and Safety. 476 event reports from Metaxa Cancer Hospital (Greece), during 2014-2019, were used to train the machine learning models. The developed models showed high predictive performance, with area under the curve range 0.950-0.990 and average accuracy of 93% on the 10-fold cross set, compared to the safety engineer’s study reports. The proposed DSS model can contribute to the prediction of incidents or accidents and efficiency evaluation of OSH interventions.
Educational background of nurses and their perceptions of the quality and safety of patient care

Background: International health systems research confirms the critical role that nurses play in ensuring the delivery of high quality patient care and subsequent patient safety. It is therefore important that the education of nurses should prepare them for the provision of safe care of a high quality. The South African healthcare system is made up of public and private hospitals that employ various categories of nurses. The perceptions of the various categories of nurses with reference to quality of care and patient safety are unknown in South Africa (SA).Objective: To determine the relationship between the educational background of nurses and their perceptions of quality of care and patient safety in private surgical units in SA.Methods: A descriptive correlational design was used. A questionnaire was used for data collection, after which hierarchical linear modelling was utilised to determine the relationships amongst the variables.Results: Both the registered- and enrolled nurses seemed satisfied with the quality of care and patient safety in the units were they work. Enrolled nurses (ENs) indicated that current efforts to prevent errors are adequate, whilst the registered nurses (RNs) obtained high scores in reporting incidents in surgical wards.Conclusion: From the results it was evident that perceptions of RNs and ENs related to the quality of care and patient safety differed. There seemed to be a statistically-significant difference between RNs and ENs perceptions of the prevention of errors in the unit, losing patient information between shifts and patient incidents related to medication errors, pressure ulcers and falls with injury.
Niebuhrian Takeaways on Humanitarian Intervention and the Responsibility to Protect

Abstract                This chapter considers a Niebuhrian take on humanitarian intervention and the responsibility to protect (or R2P). Following an introduction to the evolution of the norms of humanitarian intervention and R2P, the study considers several cases from Niebuhr’s lifetime that he wrote about and that are related to what we now call humanitarian intervention and R2P. I conclude that Niebuhr would commiserate with those of us, like Samantha Power, who are saddened by the world’s cold willingness to ignore genocide and other atrocities and to stand by and do nothing in so many cases. Niebuhr would have found solace in the rise in international acceptance of the R2P principle. Niebuhr embraced the principles of what we know as R2P as a moral imperative for individuals and nations, even while recognizing the difficulty of mobilizing such goodwill and social action both socially and politically.
A Survey on Knowledge Graph-based Methods for Automated Driving

Automated driving is one of the most active research areas in computer science. Deep learning methods have made remarkable breakthroughs in machine learning in general and in automated driving (AD)in particular. However, there are still unsolved problems to guarantee reliability and safety of automated systems, especially to effectively incorporate all available information and knowledge in the driving task. Knowledge graphs (KG) have recently gained significant attention from both industry and academia for applications that benefit by exploiting structured, dynamic, and relational data. The complexity of graph-structured data with complex relationships and inter-dependencies between objects has posed significant challenges to existing machine learning algorithms. However, recent progress in knowledge graph embeddings and graph neural networks allows to applying machine learning to graph-structured data. Therefore, we motivate and discuss the potential benefit of KGs applied to the main tasks of AD including 1) ontologies 2) perception, 3) scene understanding, 4) motion planning, and 5) validation. Then, we survey, analyze and categorize ontologies and KG-based approaches for AD. We discuss current research challenges and propose promising future research directions for KG-based solutions for AD.