Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modest maternal caffeine exposure affects developing embryonic cardiovascular function and growth.

Caffeine consumption during pregnancy is reported to increase the risk of in utero growth restriction and spontaneous abortion. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that modest maternal caffeine exposure affects in utero developing embryonic cardiovascular (CV) function and growth without altering maternal hemodynamics. Caffeine (10 mg.kg(-1). day(-1) subcutaneous) was administered daily to pregnant CD-1 mice from embryonic days (EDs) 9.5 to 18.5 of a 21-day gestation. We assessed maternal and embryonic CV function at baseline and at peak maternal serum caffeine concentration using high-resolution echocardiography on EDs 9.5, 11.5, 13.5, and 18.5. Maternal caffeine exposure did not influence maternal body weight gain, maternal CV function, or embryo resorption. However, crown-rump length and body weight were reduced in maternal caffeine treated embryos by ED 18.5 (P < 0.05). At peak maternal serum caffeine concentration, embryonic carotid artery, dorsal aorta, and umbilical artery flows transiently decreased from baseline at ED 11.5 (P < 0.05). By ED 13.5, embryonic aortic and umbilical artery flows were insensitive to the peak maternal caffeine concentration; however, the carotid artery flow remained affected. By ED 18.5, baseline embryonic carotid artery flow increased and descending aortic flow decreased versus non-caffeine-exposed embryos. Maternal treatment with the adenosine A(2A) receptor inhibitor reproduced the embryonic hemodynamic effects of maternal caffeine exposure. Adenosine A(2A) receptor gene expression levels of ED 11.5 embryo and ED 18.5 uterus were decreased. Results suggest that modest maternal caffeine exposure has adverse effects on developing embryonic CV function and growth, possibly mediated via adenosine A(2A) receptor blockade.
A systematic review of computer-based patient record systems and quality of care: more randomized clinical trials or a broader approach?

PURPOSE To analyse the impact of computer-based patient record systems (CBPRS) on medical practice, quality of care, and user and patient satisfaction. DATA SOURCES Manual and electronic search of the Medline, Cochrane, and Embase databases. STUDY SELECTION Selected articles were published from 2000 to March 2003. CBPRS was defined as computer software designed to be used by clinicians as a direct aid in clinical decision making. To be included, the systems should have recorded patient characteristics and offered online advice, or information or reminders specific to clinicians during the consultation. DATA EXTRACTION Keywords used for the search were: electronic record, informatic record, electronic medical record, electronic patient record, patient order entry, computer-based patient system, clinical decision support systems, and evaluation. RESULTS Twenty-six articles were selected. Use of a CBPRS was perceived favourably by physicians, with studies of satisfaction being mainly positive. A positive impact of CBPRS on preventive care was observed in all three studies where this criterion was examined. The 12 studies evaluating the impact on medical practice and guidelines compliance showed that positive experiences were as frequent as experiences showing no benefit. None of the six studies analysing the impact of CBPRS on patient outcomes reported any benefit. CONCLUSIONS CBPRS increased user and patient satisfaction, which might lead to significant improvements in medical care practices. However, the studies on the impact of CBPRS on patient outcomes and quality of care were not conclusive. Alternative approaches considering social, cultural, and organizational factors may be needed to evaluate the usefulness of CBPRS.
The influence of school orientation to learning on teachers' professional learning change

This article presents a theoretical argument for assuming that schools have an orientation to learning that influences both whether teachers learn and also whether they change professionally as a result of the learning. This school-level orientation to learning is hypothesized to consist of beliefs and practices about learning. Results from a structural equation modeling process of 1,126 teacher survey responses in England show that schools have an orientation to learning that includes beliefs about learning, systems and supports for learning, and collective capacity for learning. The practices constituting the school-level orientation to learning have a strong to moderate influence, via path analysis, on teacher learning change defined as a composite outcome of change in beliefs, practices, and students. The beliefs that constitute a school-level orientation have a weak, but still significant, influence on teacher learning change.
Competitive Groups as Cognitive Communities: The Case of Scottish Knitwear Manufacturers Revisited

This article explores how the mental models of organizational strategists determine perceptions of competing organizations and responses to competitive conditions. We first outline a cognitive perspective for discussing competitive strategy, and then use this framework to analyse the particular case of the Scottish knitwear industry. We show how the structure of that industry both determines and is determined by managerial perceptions of the environment. We conclude by drawing out a few general implications of our framework for research and theory on competitive strategy.
Update on the Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Individuals with Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is a disorder characterized by extreme fear and/or avoidance of social or performance situations that involve evaluation or possible scrutiny by others. This disorder encompasses both isolated performance anxiety and generalized fears of many social encounters, leading to significant impairment and dysfunction in social, family, educational, and occupational functioning. It is often complicated by the presence of comorbid mood disorders, such as depression, and alcohol and substance use disorders. This article reviews the epidemiology, associated impairment, comorbidity, and treatment of social anxiety disorder, including pharmacotherapy and psychosocial therapies.
Pathological Role of Tonsillar B Cells in IgA Nephropathy

Although impaired immune regulation along the mucosa-bone marrow axis has been postulated to play an important role, the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is unknown; thus, no disease-specific therapy for this disease exists. The therapeutic efficacy of tonsillectomy or tonsillectomy in combination with steroid pulse therapy for IgAN has been discussed. Although randomized control trials for these therapies are ongoing in Japan, the scientific rationale for these therapies remains obscure. It is now widely accepted that abnormally glycosylated IgA1 and its related immune complex (IC) are probably key molecules for the pathogenesis, and are thus considered possible noninvasive biomarkers for this disease. Emerging evidence indicates that B cells in mucosal infections, particularly in tonsillitis, may produce the nephritogenic IgA. In this paper, we briefly summarize characteristics of the nephritogenic IgA/IgA IC, responsible B cells, and underlying mechanisms. This clinical and experimental information may provide important clues for a therapeutic rationale.
Mapping the emergence of interpersonal values during transgression: Inputs to teaching Filipino psychology and values education

This study aimed to identify the interpersonal values that emerge during transgression. Using the Filipino indigenous concept of kapwa (shared identity with others), specifically the ibang-tao/hindi ibang-tao (not one of us/ one of us) dimensions, the respondents were given two vignette stories whose transgressor is characterized in the two dimensions. They were asked to free list the values that they think can be identified in the vignette stories. Using thematic analysis the values were segregated based on ibang-tao (not one of us) and hindi ibang-tao (one of us) types of relationships. Results reveal that more interpersonal values are aroused in the hindi ibang-tao (one of us) type of relationship than the ibang-tao (not one of us) type. Specific interpersonal values were presented and discussed. Relationships formed were deemed important and values related to understanding and forgiving the person became salient. Implications to teaching values education with regard concepts of forgiveness and relationships, and Sikolohiyang Pilipino in relation to indigenizing concepts courses were mapped out.
Adaptive maritime video surveillance

Maritime assets such as ports, harbors, and vessels are vulnerable to a variety of near-shore threats such as small-boat attacks. Currently, such vulnerabilities are addressed predominantly by watchstanders and manual video surveillance, which is manpower intensive. Automatic maritime video surveillance techniques are being introduced to reduce manpower costs, but they have limited functionality and performance. For example, they only detect simple events such as perimeter breaches and cannot predict emerging threats. They also generate too many false alerts and cannot explain their reasoning. To overcome these limitations, we are developing the Maritime Activity Analysis Workbench (MAAW), which will be a mixed-initiative real-time maritime video surveillance tool that uses an integrated supervised machine learning approach to label independent and coordinated maritime activities. It uses the same information to predict anomalous behavior and explain its reasoning; this is an important capability for watchstander training and for collecting performance feedback. In this paper, we describe MAAW's functional architecture, which includes the following pipeline of components: (1) a video acquisition and preprocessing component that detects and tracks vessels in video images, (2) a vessel categorization and activity labeling component that uses standard and relational supervised machine learning methods to label maritime activities, and (3) an ontology-guided vessel and maritime activity annotator to enable subject matter experts (e.g., watchstanders) to provide feedback and supervision to the system. We report our findings from a preliminary system evaluation on river traffic video.
Clinical and immunologic aspects of egg donation pregnancies: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND Egg donation (ED) makes it possible for subfertile women to conceive. Pregnancies achieved using ED with unrelated donors are unique, since the entire fetal genome is allogeneic to the mother. The aims of this review were to evaluate the consequences of ED pregnancies and to place them in the special context of their atypical immunologic relationships. METHODS This review comprised an online search of English language publications listed in Pubmed/Medline, up to 29 January 2010. Seventy-nine papers met inclusion criteria. Using the literature and the authors' own experience, the relevant data on pregnancy outcome and complications, placental pathology and immunology were evaluated. RESULTS Multiple studies document that ED pregnancies are associated with a higher incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension and placental pathology. The incidence of other perinatal complications, such as intrauterine growth restriction, prematurity and congenital malformations, is comparable to conventional IVF. During pregnancy, both local and systemic immunologic changes occur and in ED pregnancies these changes are more pronounced. There is almost no information in the literature on the long-term complications of ED pregnancies for the mother. CONCLUSIONS ED pregnancies have a higher risk of maternal morbidity. Owing to the high degree of antigenic dissimilarity, ED pregnancies represent an interesting model to study complex immunologic interactions, as the fully allogeneic fetus is not rejected but tolerated by the pregnant woman. Knowledge of the immune system in ED pregnancies has broader significance, as it may also give insight into immunologic aspects of tolerance in solid organ transplantation.
Self-Reported Narcissism and Perfectionism: An Ego-Psychological Perspective and the Continuum Hypothesis

Within Rothstein's ego-psychological framework, the pursuit of perfection is central to self-esteem regulation along a narcissistic spectrum of self-functioning [1]. In a test of this perspective, the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), and other measures of narcissism were administered to 400 undergraduates. Self- and Other-Oriented Perfectionism predicted greater self-esteem, but this effect was mediated by the apparently more adaptive NPI factors. Self-functioning variables displayed systematic linkages with perfectionism; and a rough “spectrum” of functioning was evident in the effects of partial correlations controlling for healthy self-esteem, for more adaptive narcissism, or for more maladaptive narcissism. These data supported a previously articulated hypothesis that at least some conscious representations of the self may vary along a continuum of self-esteem regulation.
Compressed Sensing using Generative Models

The goal of compressed sensing is to estimate a vector from an underdetermined system of noisy linear measurements, by making use of prior knowledge on the structure of vectors in the relevant domain. For almost all results in this literature, the structure is represented by sparsity in a well-chosen basis. We show how to achieve guarantees similar to standard compressed sensing but without employing sparsity at all. Instead, we suppose that vectors lie near the range of a generative model G : ℝk → ℝn. Our main theorem is that, if G is L-Lipschitz, then roughly O(k log L) random Gaussian measurements suffice for an l2/l2 recovery guarantee. We demonstrate our results using generative models from published variational autoencoder and generative adversarial networks. Our method can use 5-10x fewer measurements than Lasso for the same accuracy.
Applications of Community Informatics for Building Community and Enhancing Civic Society

Community informatics provides new ways of approaching old problems of community development and enhancing civic society. Building on a theoretical analysis, this article discusses research in the area of the efforts of community networks in the USA to achieve outcomes in these two areas using the tools of community telecommunications and networking. The analysis matches the theoretical arguments for how community building and civic society are achieved against the practice of community networks trying to implement the new communications technologies. The analysis shows that achieving these goals is difficult for community information networks and that a full understanding of the nature of community information infrastructures could likely be very helpful in this task.
Applying the Developmental Family Therapy Model to Issues of Migrating Families

Migration creates a substantial amount of stress for relocating families. Families lose the predictability of familiar surroundings and they often find themselves without the support systems that existed in their previous homes. Especially, they experience tensions between the primary values of the old and new cultures. This stress and the absence of support can lead to developmental problems for both the adults and children in the family. Developmental family therapy has grown out of individual and family developmental theories (Erickson, 1963; Duvall, 1977; Carter & McGoldrick, 1989; Steinglass, Bennett, Wolin, & Reiss, 1987). This model assumes that problems develop when family patterns block normal development of the family and its members. Family therapy then assists families to make changes in those dysfunctional patterns in order to promote the normal growth of the members. Developmental Family Therapy can help families successfully manage the transition between cultures. This paper first examines .
Altering the Strands of the Fabric: A Preliminary Look at Domestic Violence in Ghana

A UTUMN 1990. The Fall brings the shedding of dead leaves, of old, dead ideas. I shed my own dead leaves, my belief that nothing could be done about wife beating in my native Ghana, as my ambition to work for disadvantaged women is fired by the decision in the Lavallee case (R v. Lavallee 1990). In the spring of that year, Justice Wilson had delivered the judgment of the Supreme Court of Canada in favor of Lyn Lavallee, who had shot her battering husband. Accused of murder, Lavallee successfully pleaded self-defense, claiming to be suffering from Battered Woman's Syndrome.1 The full implications of this case hit me when I realized that any number of women in Ghana could have responded to their husband's beatings in the same way as Lavallee. The difference was that they would not qualify as "battered women," much less as having any "syndrome," for by definition there is no battering in Ghana. I decided then to write about the possibility of invoking the Battered Woman's Syndrome in Ghana as a legal defense in the event of a woman killing her battering husband. Yet I ran into problems almost immediately. My earliest challenges came from my African colleagues in Canada:
Newer treatments for decompensated heart failure: focus on levosimendan

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a major cause of hospitalizations. Severe dyspnea, pulmonary congestion and low cardiac output with peripheral vasoconstriction and renal hypoperfusion is a main form of clinical presentation. Most patients with acute worsening have a pre-existing decompensated chronic heart failure (ADCHF), but AHF may also occur as a first manifestation of a previously unknown heart disease. Myocardial ischemia, cardiac arrhythmias, non-compliance with medication and infections are frequent precipitating factors. Management of AHF depends on the underlying heart disease and cause of decompensation. In patients with ADCHF vasodilators and iv diuretics are first-line drugs for rapid reduction of dyspnea and congestion. In patients with signs of low cardiac output and oliguria, inotropic agents are also often administered to prevent further deterioration. Beta-adrenergic agents and phosphodiesterase inhibitors correct the hemodynamic disturbance, but may also induce arrhythmias and worsen myocardial ischemia. Inotropic therapy therefore remains controversial. A novel class of drugs, the calcium sensitizers, represent a new therapeutic option. Levosimendan was shown to improve myocardial contractility without increasing oxygen requirements and to produce peripheral and coronary vasodilation. Its therapeutic effects and tolerance have been tested in several trials. The present review focuses on the clinical pharmacology and therapeutic utility of levosimendan in patients with ADCHF.
Risk factors for fracture in nonosteoporotic men and women.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE It is not known which factors are associated with fracture in nonosteoporotic elderly. The aim of this study was to assess the association between fall-related risk factors and fracture risk in men and women without osteoporosis. DESIGN This study was part of the ongoing Dubbo Osteoporosis Epidemiology Study, which was designed as a prospective population-based cohort investigation. PARTICIPANTS At baseline, 924 women and 723 men aged 60+ yr did not have osteoporosis [bone mineral density (BMD) T-scores > -2.5]. The individuals have been followed for up to 15 yr. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Atraumatic fractures were prospectively identified through radiologists' reports. RISK FACTORS At baseline, femoral neck BMD (FNBMD) was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA); history of fall, postural stability, and quadriceps strength was obtained. RESULTS During the follow-up period, among the nonosteoporotic group, 221 women and 105 men had sustained a fracture, accounting for 55 and 74% of total fractures in the entire Dubbo Osteoporosis Epidemiology Study sample, respectively. The following factors were independent risk factors for any fracture: in women, age per sd (hazard ratio, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0-1.3), postural sway per sd (1.1, 1.0-1.2), FNBMD per sd (1.6, 1.3-1.9), fall in the previous 12 months (2.1, 1.6-2.7), and prior fracture (1.8, 1.2-2.7); in men, age (1.4, 1.1-1.6), postural sway (1.2, 1.0-1.3), FNBMD (1.2, 1.0-1.5), and fall in the previous 12 months (1.9, 1.2-3.0). Exposure to at least one of the risk factors could account for 49% (women) and 39% (men) of any fractures in this population. CONCLUSION In nonosteoporotic elderly, the combination of low BMD, advancing age, fall during the last 12 months, and prior fracture could identify a subgroup of individuals with high risk of fracture.
Mind the Gap! Students' Understanding and Application of Social Work Values

This paper discusses a research project that explored the development of student social workers' values during the first year of professional education at one Scottish university. Questionnaires, based on a vignette, and focus groups established baseline information at the outset of the study. These methods were reapplied a year later to identify the extent to which students' values framework had developed, and the factors that had supported this. The study revealed that, by the end of that year, students could both identify and apply values to support them in their work with individuals to a greater extent than they could those to help them challenge structural discrimination. The study also highlighted the need for university-based teaching, and practice learning experiences, to provide more opportunities for reflection and discussion to support the development of values in student social workers.
Evaluation of antioxidant properties of a new compound, pyrogallol-phloroglucinol-6,6'-bieckol isolated from brown algae, Ecklonia cava

In this study, antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of the natural antioxidative compound, pyrogallol-phloroglucinol-6,6'-bieckol (PPB) isolated from brown algae, Ecklonia cava was assessed in vitro by measuring the radical scavenging activities (DPPH, alkyl, hydroxyl, and superoxide) using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity, and DNA damage assay. According to the results of these experiments, the scavenging activity PPB against difference radicals was in the following order: DPPH, alkyl, hydroxyl, and superoxide radicals (IC50; 0.90, 2.54, 62.93 and 109.05 µM). The antioxidant activities of PPB were higher than that of the commercial antioxidant, ascorbic acid. Furthermore, PPB effectively inhibited DNA damage induced by H2O2. These results suggest that the natural antioxidative compound, PPB, can be used by the natural food industry.
Agents’ beliefs and the evolution of institutions for common-pool resource management

The joint exploitation of open-access natural resources is often modeled as a social dilemma with no escape for rational actors. Nevertheless, real individuals are not helplessly trapped in this dilemma and are often able to sustainably manage their commons by building endogenous institutions. This paper proposes both a simple analytical model and a more complex agent-based one designed to study common-pool resource management problems with a specific focus on the relation between agents’ beliefs and institutions. The conditions where agents are allowed to build management institutions lead to much better outcomes than the ones where agents can only rely on individual beliefs in order to limit the resource consumption. This happens despite the fact that agents act in a competitive environment favoring high resource consumers.