Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tensions and teamwork in nursing and midwifery relationships.

OBJECTIVE To explore the practice of midwifery within a busy urban tertiary hospital birth setting and to present findings on the relationships between nurses and midwives in providing maternity care. DESIGN/METHOD A focused ethnography on midwifery practice conducted over 2 years (2004-2006) in a teaching hospital serving a primarily Medicaid-eligible population in Northern California. Data were collected through participant observations and in-depth interviews with midwives (N=11) and nurses (N=14). Practices and relationships among the midwives and nurses were examined in an ethnographic framework through thematic analysis. FINDINGS Two themes described the nature of nursing-midwifery relationships: tension and teamwork. Tension existed in philosophic approaches to care, definitions of safe practice, communication, and respect. Teamwork existed when the midwives and nurses worked in partnership with the woman to develop a plan of care. Changes were brought about to improve the midwife-nurse relationship during the conduct of the study. CONCLUSIONS Midwives and nurses experienced day-to-day challenges in providing optimal care for childbearing women. The power of effective teamwork was profound, as was the tension when communication broke down. Failure to include nurses resulted in impaired translation of evidence into practice. All stakeholders in birth practices and policy development must be involved in future research in order to develop effective maternity care models.
Reduced hippocampal functional connectivity in Alzheimer disease.

OBJECTIVE To determine if functional connectivity of the hippocampus is reduced in patients with Alzheimer disease. DESIGN Functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging was used to investigate coherence in the magnetic resonance signal between the hippocampus and all other regions of the brain. PARTICIPANTS Eight patients with probable Alzheimer disease and 8 healthy volunteers. RESULTS Control subjects showed hippocampal functional connectivity with diffuse cortical, subcortical, and cerebellar sites, while patients demonstrated markedly reduced functional connectivity, including an absence of connectivity with the frontal lobes. CONCLUSION These findings suggest a functional disconnection between the hippocampus and other brain regions in patients with Alzheimer disease.
Electrolyte concentration during haemodialysis and QT interval prolongation in uraemic patients.

AIMS To assess the effect of different combinations of potassium and calcium concentrations on QT interval in the dialysis bath in uraemic patients. METHODS AND RESULTS Sixteen haemodialysis (HD) patients underwent a 24 h Holter recording before and during HD sessions with six randomized combinations of electrolytes concentrations of the dialysis bath (K(+), 2 and 3 mmol/L; Ca(2+), 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75 mmol/L). The effect of different dialysis baths on QT interval was significant (P < 0.05). The longest mean QTc was observed with the lowest K(+) (2 mmol/L) and Ca(2+) concentrations (1.25 mmol/L), whereas the shortest mean QTc was observed with the highest K(+) (3 mmol/L) and Ca(2+) concentrations (1.75 mmol/L). QTc was >440 ms in 9 of 16 patients (56%) at the lowest Ca(2+) and K(+) concentrations, and in 3 of 16 patients (18%) at the highest electrolytes level. Changes in QTc during the HD sessions were inversely correlated with that in total Ca and Ca(2+) plasma concentrations (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Changes in ventricular repolarization duration associated with HD largely depend on the concentrations of Ca(2+) and K(+) in the dialysis bath. These findings may have important implications for the choice of the electrolytes concentration of the dialysis bath during the HD session.
A Survey on Unit Testing Practices and Problems

Unit testing is a common practice where developers write test cases together with regular code. Automation frameworks such as JUnit for Java have popularised this approach, allowing frequent and automatic execution of unit test suites. Despite the appraisals of unit testing in practice, software engineering researchers see potential for improvement and investigate advanced techniques such as automated unit test generation. To align such research with the needs of practitioners, we conducted a survey amongst 225 software developers, covering different programming languages and 29 countries, using a global online marketing research platform. The survey responses confirm that unit testing is an important factor in software development, and suggest that there is indeed potential and need for research on automation of unit testing. The results help us to identify areas of importance on which further research will be necessary (e.g., Maintenance of unit tests), and also provide insights into the suitability of online marketing research platforms for software engineering surveys.
SATISFACTION, PAY-OFF AND LEARNING: AN EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS

On the basis of a cognitive and evolutionary framework, this paper proposes an experimental analysis aimed at analysing individual satisfaction in a organizational task. Participants’ level of satisfaction was measured by explicitly asking them. In experimental analysis, this methodology has almost never been used. There are, in fact, in general, few papers dealing with this subject, even if it is probably very important in understanding human reasoning (according to the model of procedural rationality proposed by Herbert Simon) and it could be relevant for itself. The main result of the experimental analysis is that learning processes seem able to change individual level of satisfaction.
Exosomes derived from miR-140-5p-overexpressing human synovial mesenchymal stem cells enhance cartilage tissue regeneration and prevent osteoarthritis of the knee in a rat model

OBJECTIVES: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease throughout the world. Exosomes derived from miR-140-5p-overexpressing synovial mesenchymal stem cells (SMSC-140s) may be effective in treating OA. We hypothesized that exosomes derived from SMSC-140 (SMSC-140-Exos) would enhance the proliferation and migration abilities of articular chondrocytes (ACs) without harming extracellular matrix (ECM) secretion. METHODS: SMSCs were transfected with or without miR-140-5p. Exosomes derived from SMSCs or SMSC-140s (SMSC-Exos or SMSC-140-Exos) were isolated and identified. Proliferation, migration and ECM secretion were measured in vitro and compared between groups. The mechanism involving alternative Wnt signalling and activation of Yes-associated protein (YAP) was investigated using lentivirus, oligonucleotides or chemical drugs. The preventative effect of exosomes in vivo was measured using Safranin-O and Fast green staining and immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Wnt5a and Wnt5b carried by exosomes activated YAP via the alternative Wnt signalling pathway and enhanced proliferation and migration of chondrocytes with the side-effect of significantly decreasing ECM secretion. Highly-expressed miR-140-5p blocked this side-effect via RalA. SMSC-140-Exos enhanced the proliferation and migration of ACs without damaging ECM secretion in vitro, while in vivo, SMSC-140-Exos successfully prevented OA in a rat model. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the promising potential of SMSC-140-Exos in preventing OA. We first found a potential source of exosomes and studied their merits and shortcomings. Based on our understanding of the molecular mechanism, we overcame the shortcomings by modifying the exosomes. Such exosomes derived from modified cells hold potential as future therapeutic strategies.
Cardioactive neuropeptide Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2 (FMRFamide) and novel related peptides are encoded in multiple copies by a single gene in the snail Lymnaea stagnalis

The neuropeptide Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2 (FMRFamide) is a potent cardioactive neuropeptide in Lymnaea stagnalis. Isolation and sequencing of 2 cDNAs and a genomic clone shows that a single gene encodes a precursor protein which contains 9 copies of the FMRFamide peptide, 2 copies of the related peptide Phe-Leu-Arg-Phe-NH2 (FLRFamide), and single copies of the putative pentapeptides Gln-Phe- Tyr-Arg-lle-NH2 (posttranslationally modified to pQFYRlamide) and Glu- Phe-Leu-Arg-lle-NH2 (EFLRlamide). The gene is transcribed in the CNS and gives rise to a single RNA of 1.7 kb in size. The organization of the Lymnaea gene is significant with respect to the evolution of FMRFamide and related peptides in other organisms.
The Development and Psychometric Assessment of a Scale to Measure the Severity of Examination Anxiety among Undergraduate University Students

The study reported here aimed to develop and psychometrically assess aninstrument to measure examination anxiety among undergraduate universitystudents. Based on empirical evidence and recent literature review wedeveloped a 1 2 item scale to measure the severity of examination anxiety. Theinstrument was administered to students, two weeks before they wrote theirexaminations. Experts (n=1 0) participated in a validation process of theinstrument before it was administered to students (n= 40). Internal consistencyreliability for the instrument was 0. 82 (Cronbach's alpha) and there was 92 %overall agreement between experts about the relevance of the instruments’items to measure students’ examination anxiety, providing evidence for contentvalidity. Factor analysis resulted in three cohesive and theoretically meaningfulfactors. There is evidence for content and convergent validity. The developedinstrument is a reliable, valid and empirical measure to assess the severity ofexamination anxiety. The scale will take five minutes to complete.
The development and pilot testing of a school-based prevention programme for eating disorders

3! Table of figures . 9! Table of tables . 11! Papers and conference presentations associated with this thesis . 13! Declaration of the candidate’s role in each of the studies . 14! Acknowledgements . 16! CHAPTER 1: THE PREVENTION OF EATING DISORDERS . 17! Eating disorders as candidates for preventative efforts . 18! The nature and prevalence of eating disorders . 18! The costs associated with eating disorders . 21! The course of eating disorders . 23! Summary . 24! The current state of eating disorder prevention . 24! Prevention terminology . 24! Approaches to eating disorder prevention . 24! Psycho-education approaches . 26! CBT approaches . 27! Media literacy & sociocultural approaches . 28! Self-esteem & life skills approaches . 30! Theatre and drama approaches . 32! Family-based approaches . 33! Diet & exercise approaches . 34! Cognitive dissonance approaches . 35! Summary: What do we know and what don’t we know about what works for whom? 37! The case for universal teacher-delivered prevention in secondary schools . 38! Secondary schools as promising settings for intervention . 39! The challenge of how to recruit into selective programmes . 39! A theoretical drive for universal prevention . 40! A challenge for universal prevention . 41!
Site-Specific Labeling of scVEGF with Fluorine-18 for Positron Emission Tomography Imaging

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most important mediators of angiogenesis. Single-chain (sc)-VEGF protein containing an N-terminal Cys-tag has been designed for site-specific modification with a variety of imaging and therapeutic moieties. Site-specific labeling of scVEGF with thiol-reactive prosthetic group, N-[2-(4-18F-fluorobenzamido) ethyl] maleimide ([18F]FBEM) for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of VEFGR may provide a new tracer which has great potential for clinical translation. Methods: [18F]FBEM-scVEGF was synthesized by site-specific conjugation of 18F-FBEM to a thiol group in Cys-tag of scVEGF at room temperature. The functional activity after labeling was tested by immunofluorescence staining, cellular uptake and efflux. The tumor targeting and in vivo properties were evaluated by biodistribution and microPET studies in tumor-bearing mice. Results: The radiolabeling yield and specific activity of [18F]FBEM-scVEGF were 20.6 ± 15.1% (based on starting [18F]FBEM, uncorrected, n = 5) and 58.8 ± 12.4 GBq/µmol, respectively. Noninvasive microPET and direct tissue sampling experiments demonstrated that [18F]FBEM-scVEGF had VEGFR specific tumor uptake in MDA-MB-435, U87MG and 4T1 xenograft models. The optimal tumor uptake was achieved at 2 h p.i. , which can be partially, but significantly blocked by co-injection of non-labeled scVEGF protein. Overall, [18F]FBEM-scVEGF showed VEGFR specific tumor uptake. Conclusion: The scVEGF was site-specifically labeled with 18F via [18F]FBEM prosthetic group and the tracer [18F]FBEM-scVEGF exhibited high receptor binding affinity and tumor targeting efficacy. Further study of [18F] FBEM-scVEGF to evaluate angiogenesis in cancer and other disease types is warranted.
Health-seeking behaviour for schistosomiasis: a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative literature

Schistosomiasis is a chronic and debilitating parasitic disease acquired through contact with infested freshwater. An essential component of its control is passive case finding, which, in order to be effective, requires a detailed understanding of health-seeking behaviour. This study aimed to systematically review evidence on health-seeking behaviour for schistosomiasis, in order to determine factors influencing use or non-use of modern health services for the infection. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed method studies reporting on factors related to seeking treatment from modern health services for schistosomiasis were obtained, combining electronic and hand searching. Data extraction and quality assessment of the included articles were performed, with all studies qualitatively analysed using thematic synthesis. A total of 19 studies were included in the review. Six themes were identified from the analysis: biomedical knowledge on schistosomiasis, perceptions of modern treatment and health services, financial considerations of treatment, perceptions on the symptoms, stigma of the infection, and physical location and community. These findings were consistent across studies of different design, setting and quality. Many of the themes identified echo existing literature on health-seeking behaviour. The synthesis also highlighted the role of stigma, and aspects of the physical location and community that may affect treatment-seeking for schistosomiasis. Health education programmes that intend to improve the utilisation of modern health services for the infection need to acknowledge the multiple determinants influencing their use. Future research should move beyond describing health-seeking behaviour to identifying the factors that underlay such behaviour.
Undergraduates' Use of Social Media as Information Sources

Social media have become increasingly popular among different user groups. Although used for social purposes, some social media platforms (such as Wikipedia) have been emerging as important information sources. Focusing on undergraduate students, a survey was conducted to investigate the following: (1) which social media platforms are used as information sources; (2) what are the main reasons for using these social media platforms for information seeking; and (3) what kinds of actions are taken to evaluate the quality of the information gained from such sources. The study provides a snapshot of current trends in terms of the use of social media as information sources. It also sheds lights on the actions that the undergraduate students took to evaluate information from social media, including social networking and video sharing sites that have rarely been studied previously. Based on the findings, suggestions are made for information literacy programs and roles of librarians and educators.
Wideband LC-VCO design for LTE/LTE-A standards

This paper presents the design of two wideband LC-VCOs dedicated to LTE/LTE-A standards. The first oscillator employs an improved MIM + NMOS-switch varactors to achieve wideband frequency tuning. The second oscillator employs in addition an “8-shaped” inductor to reduce the electromagnetic (EM) interactions involving the oscillator and a dual-Gm start-up boost technique to compensate the losses increase caused by the “8-shaped” inductor. The boost principle is based on a novel way of connecting an auxiliary bipolar transconductance (Gm') to the oscillator's tank in order to enhance the global transconductance and boost the oscillation start-up while reducing the total power consumption. The two LC-VCOs are designed in 0.25-μm BiCMOS process. The first oscillator version provides 67.3% tuning-range (4856-9779 MHz), below than -116 dBc/Hz phase noise at 1-MHz offset and 20 mW power consumption from 1.2 V supply voltage. The second oscillator offers 68.7% tuning-range (4821-9867 MHz), a phase noise at 1-MHz offset varying from -121 dBc/Hz to -115 dBc/Hz, at minimum and maximum LTE/LTE-A frequencies, respectively. The maximum power consumption is 18.6 mW from a 1.2 V supply voltage.
Restricted expression of N- and R-cadherin on neurites of the developing chicken CNS

The expression of two cadherins, N- and R-cadherin, was mapped in the CNS of chicken embryos of 6–11 d incubation, focusing on the sensory and motor fiber systems. In the spinal cord, the laterally located fibers of the dorsal funiculus express N-cadherin while the medially located fibers do not. These two fiber systems have a different course within the CNS but associate to form the spinal dorsal roots. In the hindbrain, N-cadherin is expressed by the descending trigeminal (general somatic sensory) tract, which is contiguous with the N- cadherin-positive zone of the dorsal funiculus of the spinal cord. R- cadherin is not expressed by sensory fibers, but is expressed by the visceral motor system of the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves, which are N-cadherin negative. The motor neurites expressing R-cadherin have a different course within the brain than the sensory neurites expressing N-cadherin, although they form the common sensory/motor roots of the vagus nerve at the surface of the brain. The possibility that N-cadherin provides a guidance cue for sensory axon migration within the CNS by a homophilic adhesion mechanism was investigated in vitro. Explants from sensory spinal ganglia expressing N-cadherin were placed on N-cadherin-transfected neuroblastoma cells, and axon outgrowth was visualized. Results showed that the sensory axons defasciculate and closely follow the cell-cell boundaries between transfected cells where high levels of N-cadherin are expressed. These results show that the two cadherins, like members of the immunoglobulin superfamily of molecules, are expressed in a topographically restricted fashion during chick brain development. They furthermore suggest that N- cadherin expression by neurites may play a role in guiding these neurites along CNS paths that express the same molecule.
Secure Lossy Transmission of Vector Gaussian Sources

We study the secure lossy transmission of a vector Gaussian source to a legitimate user in the presence of an eavesdropper, where both the legitimate user and the eavesdropper have vector Gaussian side information. The aim of the transmitter is to describe the source to the legitimate user in a way that the legitimate user can reconstruct the source within a certain distortion level while the eavesdropper is kept ignorant of the source as much as possible as measured by the equivocation. We obtain an outer bound for the rate, equivocation and distortion region of this secure lossy transmission problem. This outer bound is tight when the transmission rate constraint is removed. In other words, we obtain the maximum equivocation at the eavesdropper when the legitimate user needs to reconstruct the source within a fixed distortion level while there is no constraint on the transmission rate. This characterization of the maximum equivocation involves two auxiliary random variables. We show that a nontrivial selection for both random variables may be necessary in general. The necessity of two auxiliary random variables also implies that, in general, Wyner-Ziv coding is suboptimal in the presence of an eavesdropper. In addition, we show that, even when there is no rate constraint on the legitimate link, uncoded transmission (deterministic or stochastic) is suboptimal; the presence of an eavesdropper necessitates the use of a coded scheme to attain the maximum equivocation.
Differential levels of regulatory T-cells and T-helper-17 cells in women with early and advanced endometriosis.

CONTEXT Regulatory T (Treg)-cells and T-helper-17 (Th17) cells have been reported to involve in the growth of endometriosis. Information on the pattern of change in the percentages of Treg cells and Th17 cells in the peripheral blood (PB) and peritoneal fluid (PF) of women with early and advanced endometriosis is unclear. OBJECTIVE To investigate the pattern of change in the percentages of Treg and Th17 cells in the PB and PF of women with early and advanced endometriosis. METHODS Thirty one women with laparoscopically and histologically confirmed revised ASRM stage I-II endometriosis, 39 women with stage III-IV endometriosis and 36 control women without visible endometriosis were recruited. Peripheral blood and PF were collected and T cell subpopulations were analyzed by flow cytometry using specific monoclonal antibodies recognizing CD4+, CD25+, FOXP3+, and IL-17A+ markers. Peritoneal fluid concentration of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and interleukin (IL)-17 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The percentages of CD25+FOXP3+Treg cells within CD4+ T cell population was significantly higher in the PF of women with advanced endometriosis than in either early endometriosis (p<0.05) or in control women (p<0.05). A persistently lower percentage of CD4+IL-17A+ Th17 cells was found in both PB and PF of women with early and advanced endometriosis. Comparing to IL-17 levels, PF levels of TGF-β was significantly higher in women with endometriosis (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS Our findings re-confirmed the current speculation that endometriosis is related to alteration of Treg cells and Th17 cells in pelvis causing survival and implantation of ectopic endometrial lesions.