Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scalp blood lactate for intra‐partum assessment of fetal metabolic acidosis

Objective. To study to what extent the fetal scalp blood lactate concentration during labor correlates with fetal scalp pH and base deficit, and metabolic acidosis at birth, and to suggest lactate cut‐off values to serve as indicators for either reassurance or immediate intervention. Design. A retrospective observational study. Setting. Labor ward at a university medical center. Sample. Fetal scalp and cord blood samples with acid‐base and lactate values from 486 singleton pregnancies beyond 34 weeks’ gestation. Methods. The relation between lactate, pH and base deficit (BD) in fetal scalp blood was tested by Spearman's rho correlation coefficient. Lactate cut‐off values indicating either reassuring fetal status or immediate intervention were estimated using percentile distribution and compared with pH and BD. Main outcome measures. Metabolic acidosis, defined as umbilical cord artery pH below 7.05 and BD calculated for the blood compartment above 12mmol/l. Results. After 127 (21%) exclusions, 486 cases were available for analysis. Fetal lactate values increased with evolving metabolic acidosis. Lactate concentration correlated with both pH (r=−0.50, p<0.01) and BD (r=0.48, p<0.01). Lactate <5.4mmol/l indicated reassuring fetal status, whereas lactate ≥6.6mmol/l indicated metabolic acidosis. Fetal lactate correlated better with either the absence or presence of metabolic acidosis at birth than did fetal pH and BD. Conclusions. In the case of a non‐reassuring fetal heart rate, fetal scalp blood lactate provides more accurate information on fetal acid‐base status than does pH and/or BD.
The Biology of Ewing Sarcoma

Objective. The goal of this study was to review the current literature on the biology of Ewing's sarcoma, including current treatments and the means by which an understanding of biological mechanisms could impact future treatments. Methods. A search of PubMed and The Cochrane Collaboration was performed. Both preclinical and clinical evidence was considered, but specific case reports were not. Primary research articles and reviews were analyzed with an emphasis on recent publications. Results. Ewing sarcoma is associated with specific chromosomal translocations and the resulting transcripts/proteins. Knowledge of the biology of Ewing sarcoma has been growing but has yet to significantly impact or produce new treatments. Localized cases have seen improvements in survival rates, but the same cannot be said of metastatic and recurrent cases. Standard surgical, radiation, and chemotherapy treatments are reaching their efficacy limits. Conclusion. Improving prognosis likely lies in advancing biomarkers and early diagnosis, determining a cell(s) of origin, and developing effective molecular therapeutics and antiangiogenic agents. Preclinical evidence suggests the utility of molecular therapies for Ewing sarcoma. Early clinical results also reveal potential for novel treatments but require further development and evaluation before widespread use can be advocated.
Severe persistent visual field constriction associated with vigabatrin

Editor—Some of the recommendations in Maynard and Bloor’s editorial on regulating the pharmaceutical industry are reminiscent of the days when the government was generally believed to be the best arbiter of how industry should invest its resources. The authors’ faith in the use of cost effectiveness analysis as a rationing mechanism is perhaps not surprising in view of their professional background. But to our knowledge there is no evidence—for example, from the Australian authorities—that the use of such analysis as a rationing mechanism improves public health. Indeed, some people have argued that it does exactly the opposite. It limits access to new interventions and protects established therapeutic regimens, which are never subjected to the same level of rigorous analysis. Moreover, what research there has been suggests that the general public does not support the utilitarian value system inherent in cost effectiveness analyses. A rationing system that allocates resources on the basis of probable outcome rather than need does not seem to sit comfortably with current social values. Furthermore, cost effectiveness varies on a patient by patient basis. A system that blocks access to new treatments for the whole population is not reasonable when there are some patients for whom such an intervention is indeed very cost effective. In a system constrained by costs, economic efficiency should naturally inform decisions on allocation of resources, but not as a blunt instrument of regulation for limiting access across the whole population. Rather, this is part of the general market in information that will allow healthcare professionals to make sensible decisions on how they treat individual patients. The authors’ final suggestion is that there should be government direction of industry’s expenditure on research. Financial penalties would siphon funds which could be directed at universities and the Medical Research Council. Again, where is the evidence that research by universities or the Medical Research Council represents a more effective use of funds than industrial research driven by market mechanisms? Such recommendations bring us back to where we started; fortunately for all of us prospective patients, there is no possibility of such policies being implemented.
The prognostic value of circulating tumor cells lacking cytokeratins in metastatic breast cancer patients.

AIM OF STUDY In this study, we detected epithelial circulating tumor cells (CTCs) that expressed cytokeratins and potential circulating tumor cells (pCTCs) that had lost expression of cytokeratins in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of these two kinds of CTCs in MBC patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS We detected CTCs and pCTCs from 66 MBC patients using MACS immunomagnetic enrichment technology combined with immunocytochemistry (ICC). A cutoff score of 5 CTCs (or pCTCs) was set as a benchmark for prognosis in patients. Progression free survival (PFS) was calculated and analyzed during the following 24 months. RESULTS We evaluated the sensitivity of this method and recovery rates of the CTCs by spiking experiments. The loss number of tumor cells by our method was 0-15. The population with fewer than 5 CTCs showed significantly higher PFS than the group with 5 or more CTCs. The difference in PFS between the patients with 5 or more pCTCs and those with fewer than 5 pCTCs was statistically significant. The presence of these pCTCs more accurately predicted poor prognosis than the CTCs that express cytokeratins. CONCLUSIONS There is a subset of CTCs that lose epithelial markers such as pCTCs. Due to the heterogeneity of the expression of epithelial antigens in CTCs, different subtypes of CTCs exist. Independently of CTCs, the groups of patients with pCTCs had poorer prognoses.
Direct cortical stimulation of human posteromedial cortex

Background: The posteromedial cortex (PMC) is a collective term for an anatomically heterogeneous area of the brain constituting a core node of the human default mode network (DMN), which is engaged during internally focused subjective cognition such as autobiographical memory. Methods: We explored the effects of causal perturbations of PMC with direct electric brain stimulation (EBS) during presurgical epilepsy monitoring with intracranial EEG electrodes. Results: Data were collected from 885 stimulations in 25 patients implanted with intracranial electrodes across the PMC. While EBS of regions immediately dorsal or ventral to the PMC reliably produced somatomotor or visual effects, respectively, we found no observable behavioral or subjectively reported effects when sites within the boundaries of PMC were electrically perturbed. In each patient, null effects of PMC stimulation were observed for sites in which intracranial recordings had clearly demonstrated electrophysiologic responses during autobiographical recall. Conclusions: Direct electric modulation of the human PMC produced null effects when standard functional mapping methods were used. More sophisticated stimulation paradigms (e.g., EBS during experimental cognitive tests) will be required for testing the causal contribution of PMC to human cognition and subjective experience. Nonetheless, our findings suggest that some extant theories of PMC and DMN contribution to human awareness and subjective conscious states require cautious re-examination.
Topological Insulator in Two-Dimensional SiGe Induced by Biaxial Tensile Strain

Strain-engineered two-dimensional (2D) SiGe is predicted to be a topological insulator (TI) based on first-principle calculations. The dynamical and thermal stabilities were ascertained through phonon spectra and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. 2D SiGe remains dynamically stable under tensile strains of 4 and 6%. A band inversion was observed at the Γ-point with a band gap of 25 meV for 6% strain due to spin–orbit coupling interactions. Nontrivial of the TI phase was determined by its topological invariant (υ = 1). For SiGe nanoribbon with edge states, the valence band and conduction band cross at the Γ-point to create a topologically protected Dirac cone inside the bulk gap. We found that hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) with high dielectric constant and band gap can be a very stable support to experimentally fabricate 2D SiGe as the h-BN layer does not alter its nontrivial topological character. Unlike other heavy-metal-based 2D systems, because SiGe has a sufficiently large gap, it can be utilized for spintronics and quantum spin Hall-based applications under ambient condition.
Application of dynamic programming to evaluate the slope stability of a vertical extension to a balefill

The slope-stability of a proposed vertical extension of a balefill was investigated in the present study, in an attempt to determine a geotechnically conservative design, compliant with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulations, to maximize the utilization of unclaimed disposal capacity. Conventional geotechnical analytical methods are generally limited to well-defined failure modes, which may not occur in landfills or balefills due to the presence of preferential slip surfaces. In addition, these models assume an a priori stress distribution to solve essentially indeterminate problems. In this work, a different approach has been applied, which avoids several of the drawbacks of conventional methods. Specifically, the analysis was performed in a two-stage process: (a) calculation of stress distribution, and (b) application of an optimization technique to identify the most probable failure surface. The stress analysis was performed using a finite element formulation and the location of the failure surface was located by dynamic programming optimization method. A sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of the various waste strength parameters of the underlying mathematical model on the results, namely the factor of safety of the landfill. Although this study focuses on the stability investigation of an expanded balefill, the methodology presented can easily be applied to general geotechnical investigations.
Sex Offender Mobility: An Application of Crime Pattern Theory Among Child Sex Offenders

Sex offenders are a heterogeneous group and exhibit various offense patterns. Often the location where the offender committed the offense is different from where the offender encountered their victim. Applying crime pattern theory, this study sought to understand if the type of location, victim, and situational characteristics could predict whether an offender would commit the sexual offense in a different and more secluded location than where he first encountered the victim. Among a sample of 114 incarcerated sex offenders, the results showed that offenders who contacted their victims in locations where children are known to congregate were more than 4 times more likely to travel to a more secluded location to complete the sexual offense. Those who used noncoercive strategies (e.g., bribes, seduction) during the offense process were approximately 7 times more likely to travel to a more secluded location that those who did not. Policy implications of the findings are discussed.
Mediterranean Diet and cancer risk: an open issue

Abstract The traditional Mediterranean Diet of the early 1960s meets the characteristics of an anticancer diet defined by the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AIRC). A diet rich of whole grains, pulses, vegetables and fruits, limited in high-calorie foods (foods high in sugar or fat), red meat and foods high in salt, without sugary drinks and processed meat is recommended by the WCRF/AIRC experts to reduce the risk of cancer. The aim of this review was to examine whether Mediterranean Diet is protective or not against cancer risk. Three meta-analyses of cohort studies reported that a high adherence to the Mediterranean Diet significantly reduces the risk of cancer incidence and/or mortality. Nevertheless, the Mediterranean dietary pattern defined in the studies’ part of the meta-analyses has qualitative and/or quantitative differences compared to the Mediterranean Diet of the early 1960s. Therefore, the protective role of the Mediterranean Diet against cancer has not definitely been established. In epidemiological studies, a universal definition of the Mediterranean Diet, possibly the traditional Mediterranean Diet of the early 1960s, could be useful to understand the role of this dietary pattern in cancer prevention.
Novel Use of Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Data in PreDiabetes and Diabetes

Diabetes in its various forms is a global health problem and contributes directly and indirectly to a significant portion of healthcare expenses. 90% or more of diabetes cases are of the insulin-resistance variety and there is no known cure for the well-established type 2 diabetes except for cases of spontaneous remission after bariatric surgery. Pre-diabetic states (impaired glucose tolerance, IGT and impaired fasting glucose, IFG) are generally not treated although a significant proportion (about 1/3) progress to T2DM and they are associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity. Pre-diabetes can be reverted to normal much easier than diabetes. Our study proposes a novel way of assessing the pre-diabetic and diabetic states via oral glucose tolerance test – OGTT – and a new metric calculated from its 3 data points: the glucose metabolic index or GMI. Inferences about insulin secretion and sensitivity can be made accurately using GMI, which can be a very useful tool in guiding therapy in both new and established patients with diabetes and offers more prompt and ample information than the measurement of glycated hemoglobin.
Conflict and Societal Change in Late Prehistoric Eastern North America

As recently as the 1980s, archeologists focusing on prehistoric eastern North America paid little attention to intergroup conflict. Today the situation is quite different, as indicated by this Special Issue. Archeologists now face three principal challenges: to document the temporal and spatial distribution of evidence of conflict; to identify the cultural and environmental conditions associated with variation in the nature and frequency of warfare over long periods of time and large geographical areas; and to determine the extent to which intergroup tensions contributed to or resulted from changes in sociopolitical complexity, economic systems, and population size and distribution. We present data from habitation and mortuary sites in the Eastern Woodlands, notably the midcontinent, that touch on all three issues. Palisaded sites and victims of attacks indicate the intensity of conflicts varied over time and space. Centuries‐long intervals of either high or low intergroup tensions can be attributed to an intensification or relaxation of pressure on resources that arose in several ways, such as changes in local population density; technological innovations, including subsistence practices; and the natural environment.
Unraveling the Effect of Textured Contact Lenses on Iris Recognition

The presence of a contact lens, particularly a textured cosmetic lens, poses a challenge to iris recognition as it obfuscates the natural iris patterns. The main contribution of this paper is to present an in-depth analysis of the effect of contact lenses on iris recognition. Two databases, namely, the IIIT-D Iris Contact Lens database and the ND-Contact Lens database, are prepared to analyze the variations caused due to contact lenses. We also present a novel lens detection algorithm that can be used to reduce the effect of contact lenses. The proposed approach outperforms other lens detection algorithms on the two databases and shows improved iris recognition performance.
Dual-wavelength Nd:CALGO laser based on an intracavity birefringent filter

We demonstrated continuous-wave dual-wavelength (DW) operation of a Nd:CALGO laser using a single birefringent filter (BRF) plate. Owing to a new mechanism of the BRF loss action, the equal lasing thresholds at two wavelengths could be provided by a single transmission peak of the filter and wavelength separation was not limited to the free-spectral range (FSR) of the filter. A wide range of DW pairs with wavelength separation from sub-nm up to ~4 nm with adjustable spectral intensity ratio was experimentally demonstrated using a single 2 mm-thick BRF plate.
Diet Evolution and Clade Richness in Hexapoda: A Phylogenetic Study of Higher Taxa

Hexapoda, the insects and their relatives, includes over half of all described species. Because large proportions of this diversity cluster within a small set of phytophagous groups, dietary substrates have been proposed to shape patterns of richness within the clade through antagonistic coevolution and zones of ecological opportunity. Here we explore these processes in the context of a recent dated phylogeny of Hexapod families. Our results indicate phylogenetic clustering of specialized ecologies, such as phytophagy and parasitism, but reveal no consistent associations between the use of particular dietary substrates and clade richness. We also find no evidence that diets expected to promote antagonistic coevolution are consistently associated with elevated species richness or that sister clades differing in dietary state are associated with greater-than-expected differences in richness. We do, however, identify variation in the age of, and transition rates among, dietary states that are likely to play a role in the observed heterogeneity in richness among dietary classes. Based on these findings, we suggest remaining circumspect about the generality of adaptive zones based on broad dietary groupings as an explanation for hexapod richness and suggest that richness heterogeneity may be better explained by origination and transition rates as well as variation within dietary categories.
Apps of Steel: Are Exercise Apps Providing Consumers With Realistic Expectations?

Objective. To quantify the presence of health behavior theory constructs in iPhone apps targeting physical activity. Methods. This study used a content analysis of 127 apps from Apple’s (App Store) Health & Fitness category. Coders downloaded the apps and then used an established theory-based instrument to rate each app’s inclusion of theoretical constructs from prominent behavior change theories. Five common items were used to measure 20 theoretical constructs, for a total of 100 items. A theory score was calculated for each app. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with higher theory scores. Results. Apps were generally observed to be lacking in theoretical content. Theory scores ranged from 1 to 28 on a 100-point scale. The health belief model was the most prevalent theory, accounting for 32% of all constructs. Regression analyses indicated that higher priced apps and apps that addressed a broader activity spectrum were associated with higher total theory scores. Conclusion. It is not unexpected that apps contained only minimal theoretical content, given that app developers come from a variety of backgrounds and many are not trained in the application of health behavior theory. The relationship between price and theory score corroborates research indicating that higher quality apps are more expensive. There is an opportunity for health and behavior change experts to partner with app developers to incorporate behavior change theories into the development of apps. These future collaborations between health behavior change experts and app developers could foster apps superior in both theory and programming possibly resulting in better health outcomes.
The rising star of 2D black phosphorus beyond graphene: synthesis, properties and electronic applications

Black phosphorus, which is a relatively rare allotrope of phosphorus, was first discovered by Bridgman in 1914. Since the advent of two-dimensional (2D) black phosphorus (which is known as phosphorene due to its resembling graphene sheets) in early 2014, research interest in the arena of black phosphorus was reignited in the scientific and technological communities. Henceforth, a myriad of research studies on this new member of the 2D world have been extensively emerged. Fascinatingly, 2D black phosphorus exhibits a distinctive wrinkled structure with the high hole mobility up to 1000 cm2 V−1 s−1, excellent mechanical properties, tunable band structures, anisotropic thermal, electrical and optical properties, thus leading to its marvelous prospects in device applications. This review firstly introduces the state-of-the-art development, structural properties and preparation routes of black phosphorus. In particular, anisotropy involved in mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, carrier transport as well as optical properties is comprehensively discussed. Apart from discussing the recent progress in black phosphorus which is applied to devices (i.e. field effect transistors and optoelectronic), the review also highlights the bottlenecks encountered by the society and finally casts an invigorating perspective and insightful outlook on the future direction of the next-generation 2D black phosphorus by harnessing its remarkable characteristics for energy production.
The NCBI BioSystems database

The NCBI BioSystems database, found at http://www.ncbi. nlm.nih. gov/biosystems/, centralizes and cross-links existing biological systems databases, increasing their utility and target audience by integrating their pathways and systems into NCBI resources. This integration allows users of NCBI’s Entrez databases to quickly categorize proteins, genes and small molecules by metabolic pathway, disease state or other BioSystem type, without requiring time-consuming inference of biological relationships from the literature or multiple experimental datasets.