Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Encapsulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Vascularization of Alginate-Based Scaffolds.

Vascularization of bioartificial tissues can be significantly enhanced by the generation of an arteriovenous (AV) loop. Besides the surgical vascularization, the choice of the scaffold and the applied cells are indispensable cofactors. The combination of alginate dialdehyde and gelatin (ADA-GEL) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a promising approach with regard to biocompatibility, biodegradation, as well as de novo tissue formation. In this study, we targeted the investigation of the vascularization of ADA-GEL with and in the absence of encapsulated MSCs in the AV loop model. A Teflon chamber filled with ADA-GEL microcapsules was placed in the groin of Lewis rats and an AV loop was placed into the chamber. Group A encompassed the ADA-GEL without MSCs, whereas group B contained 2 × 106 DiI-labeled MSCs/mL ADA-GEL. Four weeks postoperatively, tissue formation and vascularization were investigated by histology and microcomputed tomography. We were able to prove vascularization originating from the AV loop in both groups with statistically significant more vessels in group B containing MSCs. Moreover, encapsulated MSCs promoted biodegradation of the ADA-GEL microcapsules. In the present study, we were able to demonstrate for the first time, the successful vascularization of ADA-GEL microcapsules by means of the AV loop. Furthermore, ADA-GEL displayed a good biocompatibility and encapsulation of MSCs into ADA-GEL microcapsule-enhanced vascularization as well as biodegradation.
Listening to the student voice to improve educational software

ABSTRACT Academics often develop software for teaching and learning purposes with the best of intentions, only to be disappointed by the low acceptance rate of the software by their students once it is implemented. In this study, the focus is on software that was designed to enable veterinary students to record their clinical skills. A pilot of the software clearly showed that the program had not been received as well as had been anticipated, and therefore the researchers used a group interview and a questionnaire with closed-ended and open-ended questions to obtain the students’ feedback. The open-ended questions were analysed with conceptual content analysis, and themes were identified. Students made valuable suggestions about what they regarded as important considerations when a new software program is introduced. The most important lesson learnt was that students cannot always predict their needs accurately if they are asked for input prior to the development of software. For that reason student input should be obtained on a continuous and regular basis throughout the design and development phases.
Ethnic differences in macular pigment density and distribution.

PURPOSE Many epidemiologic studies suggest a number of risk factors that may be associated with progression of age-related maculopathy (ARM). In this study, the authors investigate ethnic differences in macular pigment density (MPD) and macular pigment (MP) distribution. METHODS Inclusion criteria were healthy subjects, aged 35 to 49 years, visual acuity >or=20/20, race ethnicity white non-Hispanic (WNH) or African. All subjects underwent the following examinations: best-corrected ETDRS visual acuity (VA), measurements of MPD, and spatial distribution of MP with a modified confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope according to a standard protocol. MPD maps were calculated from autofluorescence images recorded at 488 nm and 514 nm. Central macular pigment density (MPDc) was quantified from MPD maps within 0.5 degrees around the center of the fovea. RESULTS In total, 118 healthy subjects (61 women, 57 men) aged 35 to 49 years (mean, 42.5 +/- 3.6 years) were recruited for the study. Sixty-seven healthy subjects were WNH and 51 were African. Visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to 20/16 in the study eye. Significant differences were found among MPDc between the group of WNH (MPDc, 0.36 +/- 0.13 density units [DU]; P < 0.0001) and African subjects (MPDc, 0.59 +/- 0.14 DU). A parafoveal ring was significantly more frequent in African subjects than in WNH subjects (86% [African] vs. 68% [WNH]; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that ethnicity plays a role in MPD values and in MP distribution. The association of different distribution patterns and their relevance as possible prognostic factors for diseases leading to oxidative retinal damage requires further studies.
Optimization Design and Analysis of Systematic LT codes over AWGN Channel

In this paper, we study systematic Luby Transform (SLT) codes over additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel. We introduce the encoding scheme of SLT codes and give the bipartite graph for iterative belief propagation (BP) decoding algorithm. Similar to low-density parity-check codes, Gaussian approximation (GA) is applied to yield asymptotic performance of SLT codes. Recent work about SLT codes has been focused on providing better encoding and decoding algorithms and design of degree distributions. In our work, we propose a novel linear programming method to optimize the degree distribution. Simulation results show that the proposed distributions can provide better bit-error-ratio (BER) performance. Moreover, we analyze the lower bound of SLT codes and offer closed form expressions.
Learning multiple variable-speed sequences in striatum via cortical tutoring

Sparse, sequential patterns of neural activity have been observed in numerous brain areas during timekeeping and motor sequence tasks. Inspired by such observations, we construct a model of the striatum, an all-inhibitory circuit where sequential activity patterns are prominent, addressing the following key challenges: (i) obtaining control over temporal rescaling of the sequence speed, with the ability to generalize to new speeds; (ii) facilitating flexible expression of distinct sequences via selective activation, concatenation, and recycling of specific subsequences; and (iii) enabling the biologically plausible learning of sequences, consistent with the decoupling of learning and execution suggested by lesion studies showing that cortical circuits are necessary for learning, but that subcortical circuits are sufficient to drive learned behaviors. The same mechanisms that we describe can also be applied to circuits with both excitatory and inhibitory populations, and hence may underlie general features of sequential neural activity pattern generation in the brain. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.26084. 001
An Abattoir Based Study on Brucellosis, Bovine Tuberculosis and Paratuberculosis in Buffaloes and Cattle at Faisalabad, Pakistan

Brucellosis is an infectious disease of animals with zoonotic significance [1]. In humans, most of the cases are occupational involving farmers, veterinarians and butchers [2]. There are many species of Brucella involved to cause brucellosis, which manifests in the form of abortion and reproductive disorders [3]. This organism is responsible for causing an abortion, infertility, prolonged calving interval, loss of calves and acute metritis [4] and thus results in economic losses [5]. This organism infects all domestic animals including cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and equine. The infection in animals is transmitted by ingestion and through venereal routes [4]. The entry of the organism into the body is through the digestive system, lungs and skin. The organism spread through blood and lymphatic system to different organs, causing a localized disease [1]. Brucellosis is a consistent problem in areas like the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and parts of Asia [6]. Sero-prevalence of brucellosis has been reported to be 3.25% and 4.4% in different areas of Pakistan [7,8]. The main serological tests used for diagnosis of brucellosis are Rose Bengal Plate test (99%), SAT (95.6%) and ELISA (100%), [9].
Particle Production in Strong Electromagnetic Fields in Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collisions

I review the origin and properties of electromagnetic fields produced in heavy-ion collisions. The field strength immediately after a collision is proportional to the collision energy and reaches ~ at RHIC and ~ at LHC. I demonstrate by explicit analytical calculation that after dropping by about one-two orders of magnitude during the first fm/c of plasma expansion, it freezes out and lasts for as long as quark-gluon plasma lives as a consequence of finite electrical conductivity of the plasma. Magnetic field breaks spherical symmetry in the direction perpendicular to the reaction plane, and therefore all kinetic coefficients are anisotropic. I examine viscosity of QGP and show that magnetic field induces azimuthal anisotropy on plasma flow even in spherically symmetric geometry. Very strong electromagnetic field has an important impact on particle production. I discuss the problem of energy loss and polarization of fast fermions due to synchrotron radiation, consider photon decay induced by magnetic field, elucidate dissociation via Lorentz ionization mechanism, and examine electromagnetic radiation by plasma. I conclude that all processes in QGP are affected by strong electromagnetic field and call for experimental investigation.
Dynamics on geometrically finite hyperbolic manifolds with applications to Apollonian circle packings and beyond

We present recent results on counting and distribution of circles in a given circle packing invariant under a geometrically finite Kleinian group and discuss how the dynamics of flows on geometrically finite hyperbolic $3$ manifolds are related. Our results apply to Apollonian circle packings, Sierpinski curves, Schottky dances, etc.
Cognitive functions and serum cortisol concentration in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women working non-manually.

OBJECTIVES To asses a possible relationship between serum cortisol concentration and cognitive function in peri- and postmenopausal women engaging in non-manual work. METHODS The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to screen women for the study and the Computerized Neurocognitive-assessment Software (CNS) Vital Signs to diagnose cognitive functions. RESULTS Cognitive functions and serum cortisol concentration did not differ between women in early and late perimenopause and postmenopause. The women in the study obtained lower reaction time compared to other cognitive functions studied. Cognitive functions correlated negatively with age and educational level, but not BMI. Serum cortisol concentration correlated negatively to NCI, motor speed, psychomotor speed and reaction time in postmenopausal women, but positively to complex memory in early perimenopausal women and to processing speed in early and late perimenopasal women. CONCLUSION Higher serum cortisol concentration may negatively effect cognitive functions in women post menopause.
An evidence-based review of certolizumab pegol in the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis: place in therapy

Certolizumab pegol (CZP) is a pegylated humanized tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor (TNFi) approved for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in Europe, the USA, and Latin American countries. CZP neutralizes TNF-α at its soluble and membrane portions. Due to the lack of Fc region, it does not induce complement or antibody-dependent cytotoxicity in vitro, unlike other TNFi. RAPID-PsA study, the only randomized clinical trial performed in PsA, is a Phase III clinical trial conducted in 409 PsA patients during 24 weeks. Patients were randomized to CZP (200 mg every 2 weeks or 400 mg every 4 weeks) or placebo. Patients in CZP arms reported improvements in skin disease, joint involvement, dactylitis, enthesitis, and quality of life. Safety profile was similar to that reported for other TNF-α inhibitors in PsA patients. This article summarizes the pharmacology and reviews the efficacy and tolerability of this drug in PsA. CZP is the newest TNFi with proved efficacy in all manifestations of psoriasis disease, except for axial involvement where the evidence has been derived from response to axial spondyloarthritis.
Evaluation of the amoxicillin concentrations in amniotic fluid, placenta, umbilical cord blood and maternal serum two hours after oral administration.

OBJECTIVES Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotic. Due to its low toxicity, it is commonly used in obstetrics. The objective of this study was to assess amoxicillin concentrations in amniotic fluid, umbilical blood, placenta and maternal serum two hours following oral administration among pregnant women at term and to assess obstetric and non-obstetric factors that might affect amoxicillin's penetration of these tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 30 full-term pregnant women who qualified for elective Caesarean delivery were included in the study. Amoxicillin at a dose of 500 mg was administered prior to surgery. Amoxicillin levels were determined by diffusion microbial assay. RESULTS The maternal serum, placental, umbilical blood and amniotic fluid levels of amoxicillin two hours after oral administration were 2.18±1.30 µg/g, 1.00±0.71 µg/g, 1.00±0.73 µg/g, and 0.67±0.59 µg/g, respectively (Table 2). Maternal serum levels of amoxicillin were significantly higher compared to other tissues (p<0.05). CONCLUSION If the target tissues for the use of antibiotic drugs in pregnant patients are the fetus and/or the placenta, the drug should be administered in a higher-than-standard dose than that used to treat infections in non-pregnant patients. Considering that there is a maximum absorbable dose following oral administration, intravenous administration should be considered to prevent failure of antibiotic treatment. A higher dose of amoxicillin should be considered in obese mothers.
Strengthening Community Networks for Vital Event Reporting: Community-Based Reporting of Vital Events in Rural Mali

Background Like many developing countries, Mali has few sources of mortality data. High quality mortality estimates are available from household surveys, such as the demographic and health surveys (DHS), approximately every five years, making it difficult to track progress in reducing mortality. The Rapid Mortality Monitoring (RMM) project in Mali aimed to address this issue by testing a community-based approach to measuring under-five mortality on a yearly basis. Methods and Findings Seventy-eight community-based workers (relais) were identified in 20 villages comprising approximately 5,300 households. The relais reported pregnancies, births, and under-five deaths from July, 2012 to November, 2013. Data were double-entered, reconciled, cleaned, and analyzed monthly. In November-December 2013, we administered a full pregnancy history (FPH) to women of reproductive age in a census of the households in the project villages. We assessed the completeness of the counts of births and deaths, and the validity of under-five, infant, and neonatal mortality rates from the community-based method against the retrospective FPH for two rolling twelve-month periods. Monthly reporting by relais was high, with reports on pregnancies, births, and deaths consistently provided from all 78 relais catchment areas. Relais reported 1,660 live births and 276 under-five deaths from July, 2012 to November, 2013. The under-five mortality rate calculated from the relais data was similar to that estimated using the validation survey, where the overall ratios of the community-based to FPH-based mortality rates for the reporting periods were 100.4 (95% CI: 80.4, 120.5) and 100.8 (95% CI: 79.5, 122.0). Conclusions On a small scale, the community-based method in Mali produced estimates of annualized under-five mortality rates that were consistent with those obtained from a FPH. The community-based method should be considered for scale-up in Mali, with appropriate measures to ensure community engagement, data quality, and cross-validation with comparable FPHs.
$H_\infty$ Fuzzy Control for a Class of Nonlinear Coupled ODE-PDE Systems With Input Constraint

This paper deals with the problem of H∞ fuzzy control design with an input constraint for a class of coupled systems, which consist of an n-dimensional nonlinear subsystem of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and a scalar linear parabolic subsystem of partial differential equation (PDE) connected in feedback. Initially, the nonlinear coupled system is represented by a Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy-coupled ODE-PDE model. Then, based on the fuzzy model and parallel distributed compensation scheme, a fuzzy state feedback control design is developed via Lyapunov's direct method, such that the resulting closed-loop fuzzy-coupled system is exponentially stable, and a prescribed H∞ performance of disturbance attenuation is satisfied. The existing condition of the proposed H∞ fuzzy controllers is given in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Moreover, in order to make the attenuation level as small as possible while the input constraint is respected to avoid the high magnitude, a suboptimal H∞-constrained fuzzy control problem is also addressed, which is formulated as an LMI optimization problem. Finally, the proposed method is applied to the control of a hypersonic rocket car to illustrate its effectiveness.
Information and Communication Technology Use Among Low-Income Pregnant and Postpartum Women by Race and Ethnicity: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Pregnancy and the postpartum period provide windows of opportunity to impact perinatal and lifelong preventive health behavior for women and their families, but these opportunities are often missed. Understanding racial/ethnic differences in information and communication technology (ICT) use could inform technology-based interventions in diverse populations. Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate differences in the use of ICT between racial and ethnic groups as well as by English language proficiency. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 246 women who were aged 18 years or older and pregnant or within 1 year of delivery. They were recruited from 4 hospital-based outpatient clinics and completed a self-administered survey. We used multivariate regression analysis to evaluate the association between race/ethnicity and ICT (mobile phone/short message service [SMS] text message, Internet, and social network) usage by race/ethnicity and perceived English language proficiency after adjusting for age, income, marital status, and insurance status. Results In all, 28% (69/246) of participants were Latina, 40% (98/246) were African American, 23% (56/246) were white, and 9% (23/246) from other racial/ethnic groups. Of the Latinas, 84% (58/69) reported limited English language proficiency and 59% (41/69) were uninsured. More than 90% of all participants reported mobile phone use, but more than 25% (65/246) had changed phone numbers 2 or more times in the past year. Compared to white women, African American women were less likely to SMS text message (OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.01-0.63) and Latinas were less likely to use the Internet to find others with similar concerns (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.08-0.73). Women with limited English language proficiency were less likely to use the Internet overall (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.09-0.99) or use email (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.08-0.63) compared to women with adequate English language proficiency. Conclusions Mobile phones are widely available for the delivery of health interventions to low-income, racially diverse pregnant and postpartum women, but disparities in Internet use and SMS text messaging exist. Interventions or programs requiring Web-based apps may have lower uptake unless alternatives are available, such as those adapted for limited English proficiency populations.
Joint Attention and Brain Functional Connectivity in Infants and Toddlers

Abstract Initiating joint attention (IJA), the behavioral instigation of coordinated focus of 2 people on an object, emerges over the first 2 years of life and supports social‐communicative functioning related to the healthy development of aspects of language, empathy, and theory of mind. Deficits in IJA provide strong early indicators for autism spectrum disorder, and therapies targeting joint attention have shown tremendous promise. However, the brain systems underlying IJA in early childhood are poorly understood, due in part to significant methodological challenges in imaging localized brain function that supports social behaviors during the first 2 years of life. Herein, we show that the functional organization of the brain is intimately related to the emergence of IJA using functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging and dimensional behavioral assessments in a large semilongitudinal cohort of infants and toddlers. In particular, though functional connections spanning the brain are involved in IJA, the strongest brain‐behavior associations cluster within connections between a small subset of functional brain networks; namely between the visual network and dorsal attention network and between the visual network and posterior cingulate aspects of the default mode network. These observations mark the earliest known description of how functional brain systems underlie a burgeoning fundamental social behavior, may help improve the design of targeted therapies for neurodevelopmental disorders, and, more generally, elucidate physiological mechanisms essential to healthy social behavior development.
Spatial–Spectral-Graph-Regularized Low-Rank Tensor Decomposition for Multispectral and Hyperspectral Image Fusion

Hyperspectral (HS) and multispectral (MS) image fusion aims at producing high-resolution HS (HRHS) images. However, the existing methods could not simultaneously consider the structures in both the spatial and spectral domains of the HS cube. In order to effectively preserve spatial–spectral structures in HRHS images, we propose a new low-resolution HS (LRHS) and high-resolution MS (HRMS) image fusion method based on spatial–spectral-graph-regularized low-rank tensor decomposition (SSGLRTD) in this paper. First, we reformulate the image fusion problem as a low-rank tensor decomposition model to utilize the low-rank property in the HS image. Then, two graphs are constructed in spatial and spectral domains, respectively. One of them is derived from the HRMS image for the spatial consistency, and the other is inferred from the LRHS image for spectral smoothness. Finally, the SSGLRTD fusion framework is established by combining all regularizers. With these two graphs, the spatial correlation and the spectral structure in the fused HRHS images are efficiently preserved. The experimental results on different datasets reveal that the proposed fusion method outperforms several existing fusion methods in terms of visual analysis and numerical comparison.
Factors determining quality of care in family planning services in Africa: a systematic review protocol.

REVIEW OBJECTIVE AND QUESTIONS The objective of this systematic review is to identify and synthesize the best available quantitative and qualitative evidence to understand the factors determining quality of care in family planning services in Africa.The review question for the quantitative component of the review is:What factors, including facility, provider and client characteristics, are associated with quality of care in family planning services in Africa? The review question for the qualitative component of the review is:What are client and provider experiences and/or perceptions of factors that affect quality of care in family planning services in Africa?