Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Obstructed Labour-Still a Tragedy in Developing Countries : An Analysis of 100 Cases

Introduction bstructed labour is still a quite common complication of pregnancy in the developing countries and is one of the major causes of maternal death in Bangladesh. It is also responsible for maternal and fetal morbidity and is a particular problem in a country like Bangladesh, where birth rate is too high, number of trained medical personnel is short, communication and transportation systems are underdeveloped and general financial condition of the nation is poor. In Bangladesh, maternal morbidity rate (MMR) was 480 per thousand live births. The reduction of MMR demanded urgent need for a reappraisal of the existing interventions – which resulted in a decline of MMR to 322 per thousand live births in 2001 and 194 per thousand live births in 2010. This figure is also not up to the satisfactory level and the government has taken initiatives to reduce MMR to 194 per thousand live births by 2015 – a program named Millennium Development Goal 5 (MDG).
Análise térmica e mecânica de argamassas de revestimento com adição de vermiculita expandida em substituição ao agregado

A busca por materiais de construcao que levam a avancos, principalmente quanto ao aspecto de eficiencia energetica de edificios, esta cada vez mais constante na atualidade. No Brasil, a NBR 15575 (2013) estabelece os padroes minimossobre a eficiencia das edificacoes no pais, trazendo, entre criterios de estabilidade estrutural e vida util, as diretrizes para obtencao do conforto termico e acustico e da seguranca contra incendios. Nesse contexto, e crescente o numero de pesquisas voltadas a investigar o emprego de agregados leves, como a vermiculita, que possui importantes propriedades, especificamente baixa condutividade termica e elevada resistencia ao fogo. Desse modo, a presente pesquisa buscou avaliar o desempenho termico de argamassas no traco em volume 1:1:6, com adicao de vermiculita expandida em porcentagens definidas de substituicao ao agregado miudo (25%, 50%, 75% e 100%). O procedimento experimental foi iniciado com a caracterizacao quimica, mineralogica, microestrutural e termica da vermiculita, e com a caracterizacao fisica desta e da areia constituinte. Foi realizada a analise das propriedades de consistencia, retencao de agua, absorcao por capilaridade, porosidade e resistencia mecânica de cada mistura. A fim de determinar a eficiencia energetica do revestimento, foram realizados ensaios de caracterizacao termica. Nos resultados do estado fresco e endurecido constatou-se que as argamassas contendo vermiculita expandida apresentaram maior consumo e retencao de agua, menor densidade, reducao da resistencia mecânica e aumento da absorcao por capilaridade e do indice de vazios. Na analise do desempenho termico, nos sistemas de vedacao com tijolos cerâmicos, quaisquer que sejam as argamassas utilizadas, todos atenderam aos requisitos de transmitância termica exigidos pela NBR 15575 (2013), e apenas a argamassa com 100% de vermiculita nao atendeu ao limite de capacidade termica. No sistema com blocos de concreto, todas foram consideradas adequadas para os limites de capacidade termica, mas para os de transmitância, apenas as argamassas com 75% e 100% estavam apropriadas. Desse modo, admite-se que a adicao de vermiculita expandida resulta em argamassas com bom desempenho termico, sendo a de 25% a mais indicada para utilizacao como revestimento por ter sido a que apresentou os melhores resultados termomecânicos.
FOR WEIGHT CONTROL IN AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN

The purpose of this paper was to review the physical activity, exercise, and nutrition related weight control interventions done with African American women that were published between 2006 and 2010 and suggest ways of enhancing these interventions. A total of 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. The review found significant results with regard to impact of intervention. Twelve of those studies revealed significant increase in physical activity and weight reduction behavior. In terms of use of theory in designing the interventions only five interventions used a theory. In three of those cases social cognitive theory was used. Appropriate sample size was found to be the major strength of most of the interventions. Six interventions used randomized controlled design. Recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of physical activity interventions in African American women are presented.
The Probability of Informed Trading and the Performance of Stock in an Order-Driven Market

In this paper we estimate the probability of informed trading (Pi) in an order-driven stock market as well as perform a comprehensive analysis on the interrelations among probability of informed trading and three common performance indicators, i.e., liquidity, volatility and efficiency. We find that uninformed traders exhibit price chasing behavior even over very short time interval and that volatility in stock price attracts uninformed traders. Using 3SLS which takes into consideration the endogeneity of the probability of informed trading and the liquidity, volatility and efficiency measures, our empirical results provide new evidence on market microstructure literature. We find that Pi and the volatility and liquidity of stocks are simultaneously determined. Higher Pi leads to lower liquidity and higher volatility, and vice versa. Liquidity can explain volatility and efficiency, while the opposite is not true. Firms with larger size, higher ownership concentration and lower turnover have higher probability of informed trading.
Association of ITPA Gene Polymorphisms and the Risk of Ribavirin-Induced Anemia in HIV/Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-Coinfected Patients Receiving HCV Combination Therapy

ABSTRACT Polymorphisms of the ITPA gene have been associated with anemia during combination therapy in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-monoinfected patients. Our aim was to confirm this association in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. In this prospective, observational study, 73 HIV/HCV-coinfected patients treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin (RBV) were enrolled. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms within or adjacent to the ITPA gene (rs1127354 and rs7270101) were genotyped. The associations between the ITPA genotype and anemia or treatment outcome were examined. Fifty-nine patients (80.8%) had CC at rs1127354, whereas 14 (19.2%) had a CA/AA ITPA genotype. Percent decreases from baseline hemoglobin level were significantly greater in patients with the CC genotype than in those with the CA/AA genotype at week 4 (P = 0.0003), week 12 (P < 0.0001), and week 36 (P = 0.0102) but not at the end of treatment. RBV dose reduction was more often needed in patients with the CC genotype than in those with the CA/AA genotype (odds ratio [OR] = 11.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.45 to 256.17; P = 0.0039), as was erythropoietin therapy (OR = 8.28; 95% CI = 1.04 to 371.12; P = 0.0057). Risk factors independently associated with percent hemoglobin nadir decrease were RBV dose reduction (OR = 11.72; 95% CI = 6.82 to 16.63; P < 0.001), baseline hemoglobin (OR = 1.69; 95% CI = 0.23 to 3.15; P = 0.024), and body mass index (OR = −0.7; 95% CI = −1.43 to 0.03; P = 0.061). ITPA polymorphism was not an independent predictor of sustained virological response. Polymorphisms at rs1127354 in the ITPA gene influence hemoglobin levels during combination HCV therapy and the need for RBV dose reduction and erythropoietin use in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.
Probing intergalactic neutral hydrogen by the Lyman alpha red damping wing of gamma-ray burst 130606A afterglow spectrum at z = 5.913

The unprecedentedly bright optical afterglow of GRB 130606A located by Swift at a redshift close to the reion- ization era (z = 5.913) provides a new opportunity to probe the ionization status of intergalactic medium (IGM). Here we present an analysis of the red Lydamping wing of the afterglow spectrum taken by Subaru/FOCAS dur- ing 10.4-13.2 hr after the burst. We find that the minimal mode l including only the baseline power-law and H I absorption in the host galaxy does not give a good fit, leaving residuals showing concave curvature in 8400-8900 ˚ A with an amplitude of about 0.6% of the flux. Such a curvature i n the short wavelength range cannot be explained either by extinction at the host with standard extinction cu rves, intrinsic curvature of afterglow spectra, or by the known systematic uncertainties in the observed spectrum. The red damping wing by intervening H I gas outside the host can reduce the residual by about 3� statistical significance. We find that a damped Lysystem is not favored as the origin of this intervening H I absorption, from the observed Lyand metal absorption features. Therefore absorption by diffuse IGM remains as a plausible explanation. A fit by a simple uniform IGM model requires H I neutral fraction of fH I � 0.1-0.5 depending on the distance to the GRB host, implying high fH I IGM associated with the observed dark Gunn-Peterson (GP) troughs. This gives a new evidence that the reionization is not yet complete at z � 6.
The metabolism and disposition of GSK2140944 in healthy human subjects

Abstract 1. GSK2140944 is a novel bacterial topoisomerase inhibitor in development for the treatment of bacterial infections. The metabolism and disposition in healthy human subjects was investigated. 2. Six male subjects received [14C] GSK2140944 orally (2000 mg) and as a single 2-hour i.v. infusion (1000 mg). Urinary elimination (59%) was major by the i.v. route, whereas fecal elimination (53%) pre-dominated via the oral route. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) was used for the analysis of plasma and bile samples due to the low level of radioactivity in samples (low specific activity of the doses). Unchanged GSK2140944 was the predominant circulating component (>60% DRM), with the main circulating metabolite M4 formed by oxidation of the triazaacenaphthylene moiety representing 10.8% (considered major) and 8.6% drug-related material by the oral and i.v. route, respectively. Approximately 50% of the oral dose was absorbed and eliminated mainly as unchanged GSK2140944 in urine (∼20% of dose). Elimination via metabolism (∼13% of dose) was relatively minor. The facile oxidation of GSK2140944 to metabolite M4 was believed to be a result of activation by adjacent electron withdrawing groups. 3. This study demonstrates the use of AMS to overcome radioprofiling challenges presented by low specific activity resulted from high doses administration.
Characterization and functional activity of thrombin receptors in the human lens.

PURPOSE To investigate the expression of thrombin receptors in the human lens, the activation of downstream signaling pathways, and the ability of thrombin to regulate lens cell growth. METHODS Thrombin receptor function in the human lens was determined first by measuring changes in intracellular calcium in response to thrombin and protease-activated receptor-activating peptides (PAR-APs). In the human capsular bag model, cell growth was assessed by phase microscope inspection of the cell coverage of the posterior capsular surface. In the human lens cell line FHL124, it was assessed by [(3)H]thymidine incorporation. Changes in p42/p44 ERK phosphorylation (p-ERK) and protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) phosphorylation (p-Akt) were monitored by Western blot. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) applied to isolated lens epithelia and ex vivo capsular bag preparations as well as FHL124 cells determined expression of mRNA for the PARs. RESULTS Brief exposures to thrombin (10 nM) and PAR1-AP (10 microM) induced an increase in cytosolic calcium in both anterior and equatorial lens cells, but activating peptides for PAR2, -3, and -4 failed to produce responses. Repeated exposure to thrombin produced a significant increase in cell coverage in the capsular bag model and increased [(3)H]thymidine incorporation into FHL124 cells. In the latter, exposure to thrombin (10 nM) and PAR1-AP (10 microM) induced biphasic increases in the phosphorylation of p42/p44 (p-ERK), with peak responses at 20 minutes and 12 hours. Thrombin also produced a 20-fold increase in p-Akt at 12 hours compared with the control, whereas PAR1-AP (10 microM) induced a much smaller response. PAR1-AP did not induce a significant increase in [(3)H]thymidine incorporation and PAR2-AP, PAR3-AP, and PAR4-AP failed to reproduce any of the thrombin-stimulated effects. mPAR1 and -3 were expressed in native lens cells, and this expression was conserved in ex vivo capsular bag preparations as well as in FHL124 cells. CONCLUSIONS This study identifies thrombin receptors coupled to calcium, ERK, and Akt signaling that modulate growth in native lens tissue and cultured cells, and it appears that the PAR1 subtype is mainly responsible. PAR3 mRNA was also detected, but the receptor itself, if present, was not coupled to the above signaling elements.
Optimal Scaling and Diffusion Limits for the Langevin Algorithm in High Dimensions

The Metropolis-adjusted Langevin (MALA) algorithm is a sampling algorithm which makes local moves by incorporating information about the gradient of the logarithm of the target density. In this paper we study the efficiency of MALA on a natural class of target measures supported on an infinite dimensional Hilbert space. These natural measures have density with respect to a Gaussian random field measure and arise in many applications such as Bayesian nonparametric statistics and the theory of conditioned diffusions. We prove that, started in stationarity, a suitably interpolated and scaled version of the Markov chain corresponding to MALA converges to an infinite dimensional diffusion process. Our results imply that, in stationarity, the MALA algorithm applied to an N-dimensional approximation of the target will take $\mathcal{O}(N^{1/3})$ steps to explore the invariant measure, comparing favorably with the Random Walk Metropolis which was recently shown to require $\mathcal{O}(N)$ steps when applied to the same class of problems.
Rate Optimal Estimation for High Dimensional Spatial Covariance Matrices

Spatial covariance matrix estimation is of great significance in many applications in climatology, econometrics and many other fields with complex data structures involving spatial dependencies. High dimensionality brings new challenges to this problem, and no theoretical optimal estimator has been proved for the spatial high-dimensional covariance matrix. Over the past decade, the method of regularization has been introduced to high-dimensional covariance estimation for various structured matrices, to achieve rate optimal estimators. In this paper, we aim to bridge the gap in these two research areas. We use a structure of block bandable covariance matrices to incorporate spatial dependence information, and study rate optimal estimation of this type of structured high dimensional covariance matrices. A double tapering estimator is proposed, and is shown to achieve the asymptotic minimax error bound. Numerical studies on both synthetic and real data are conducted showing the improvement of the double tapering estimator over the sample covariance matrix estimator.
Vascular Basement Membrane Thickening in Diabetic Retinopathy

Vascular basement membrane (BM) thickening is a fundamental structural alteration of small blood vessels in diabetes. Over two decades of research has established hyperglycemia as the primary causal factor mediating this alteration. Various high glucose-induced mechanisms have been investigated and excess synthesis of BM components has been identified as a major contributing factor to BM thickening. Although BM thickening has been long hailed as the histological hallmark of diabetic microangiopathy, the consequences of BM thickening on the functionality of target organs of diabetes remain elusive even today. This review presents an overview of our current understanding of the BM structure and function, and focuses on how capillary BM thickening develops, its effect on retinal vascular function, and potential strategies for preventing the development of BM thickening in diabetic retinopathy.
Exact Solutions of Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations in Mathematical Physics Using

In this paper, we explore new applications of the ( G � G )-expansion method to the nonlinear general Burgers-Fisher, the K(n,n) and the K(n +1 ,n+ 1) equations where the balance numbers of which are not positive integers.Then, exact traveling wave solutions involving param- eters are obtained.When these parameters are taken special values, the solitary waves are derived from the traveling waves. PACS: 03.40. Kf, 02.30. Jr
Interactions of an Essential Bacillus subtilis GTPase, YsxC, with Ribosomes

ABSTRACT YsxC is a small GTPase of Bacillus subtilis with essential but still unknown function, although recent works have suggested that it might be involved in ribosome biogenesis. Here, purified YsxC overexpressed in Escherichia coli was found to be partly associated with high-molecular-weight material, most likely rRNA, and thus eluted from gel filtration as a large complex. In addition, purification of ribosomes from an E. coli strain overexpressing YsxC allowed the copurification of the YsxC protein. Purified YsxC was shown to bind preferentially to the 50S subunit of B. subtilis ribosomes; this interaction was modulated by nucleotides and was stronger in the presence of a nonhydrolyzable GTP analogue than with GTP. Far-Western blotting analysis performed with His6-YsxC and ribosomal proteins separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that YsxC interacted with at least four ribosomal proteins from the 50S subunit. Two of these putative protein partners were identified by mass spectrometry as L1 and L3, while the third reactive band in the one-dimensional gel contained L6 and L10. The fourth band that reacted with YsxC contained a mixture of three proteins, L7/L12, L23, and L27, suggesting that at least one of them binds to YsxC. Coimmobilization assays confirmed that L1, L6, and L7/L12 interact with YsxC. Together, these results suggest that YsxC plays a role in ribosome assembly.
Modeling, simulation, and construction of a furuta pendulum test-bed

This paper presents a Furuta pendulum as a test-bed to experimentally validate automatic control strategies or theoretical concepts associated with nonlinear systems. Herein, the modeling, simulation, and construction of a Furuta pendulum test-bed are introduced step-by-step. The development of the Furuta pendulum mathematical model is achieved by using Lagrange equations of motion. In contrast with other works, the development of this model includes an analysis of the system kinematics. Also, a numerical simulation of the mathematical model is performed via Matlab-Simulink. Furthermore, with the purpose of presenting a different tool for the modeling and simulation of dynamic systems, a graphical model and a graphical simulation of the Furuta pendulum are carried out by means of Working Model 3D. Moreover, a computer aided design of the system under study is accomplished through SolidWorks, based on such a design a test-bed is built. With the intention of verifying that the test-bed built behaves according to the models (numerical one and graphical one) presented herein, experiments with the test-bed in open-loop are carried out by using Matlab-Simulink, ControlDesk, and a DS1104 board from dSPACE.
Surgical Resection of Tumors Infiltrating Left Insula and Perisylvian Opercula — Utility of Anatomic Landmarks Implemented by Intraoperative Functional Brain Mapping

Tumors involving the insular lobe and perisylvian opercula of the dominant hemisphere are frequently managed conservatively regardless of their nature and clinical evolution, even if impending infiltration of nearby eloquent areas endangers their function. Our and other authors’ experience (Duffau 2009, Duffau et al, 2000; 2001; 2006; 2009; Lang et al, 2001; Kim et al, 2002; Moshel et al, 2008; Saito et al, 2010; Sanai et al, 2010; Signorelli et al, 2010; 2011; Simon et al, 2009; Skrap et al, 2012; Yasargil et al, 1992; Wu et al, 2011; Zentner et al, 1996) demonstrate that wide surgical resection of these lesions are nonetheless feasible since tumor burden often displaces eloquent sites at the tumor boundaries (Duffau 2000; Duffau et al, 2000; 2001; 2006; 2009; Signorelli et al, 2010; 2011) and compensatory areas take over the lost function of infiltrated nervous tissue. However, accurate anatomic and functional knowledge of the sylvian fissure and structures located nearby is essential to perform any surgical act in this area, in order to decrease the risks of postoperative permanent deficits (Duffau 2009; Duffau et al, 2009; Moshel et al, 2009; Signorelli et al, 2010; 2011). Here we report our recent experience with tumors infiltrating left insula and perisylvian opercula and point out technical details helpful in guiding surgery through this region, with the purpose of locating and respecting neural and vascular structures and eloquent sites.
Smoking behavior on the first day of a quit attempt predicts long-term abstinence.

BACKGROUND The nicotine patch has been widely used for smoking cessation, but not all smokers quit using the patch. Knowing which smokers are likely to succeed with the nicotine patch may improve the efficiency of nicotine patch use. OBJECTIVE To identify predictors of smoking abstinence using baseline characteristics, smoking behavior, and withdrawal symptoms. METHODS Using 2 randomized clinical trials of pharmacologic treatment, brief counseling, and quit date formats in the outpatient research clinic setting, predictors of smoking cessation were derived in 1 sample (n = 159), then prospectively validated in an independent sample (n = 48). Subjects smoked 1 pack of cigarettes per day or more and were motivated to quit smoking. Self-report of abstinence at 6 months verified by exhaled carbon monoxide of 8 ppm or less was used. RESULTS Abstinence at 6 months was 24% in the derivation set and 25% in the validation set. Using logistic regression, a model containing quit date abstinence (odds ratio, 10.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.9-38.7) and baseline nicotine dependence (odds ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.6-1.0 per unit increase in Fagerstrom score) provided the optimal predictive ability and was validated in the independent set. Quit date abstinence improved the likelihood of 6-month abstinence by 4.1 over baseline (95% CI, 2.6-6.4) for low-nicotine-dependent smokers and 1.2 (95% CI, 0.6-2.2) for high-nicotine-dependent smokers. Quit date smoking altered the likelihood of 6-month abstinence by 0.2 (95% CI, 0.0-0.8) for low-dependent smokers and 0.1 for high-dependent smokers (95% CI, 0.0-0.6). CONCLUSIONS Abstinence on the quit date and low-nicotine dependence improve the likelihood of smoking abstinence at 6 months. Smoking on the quit date may be an indication for postponing the cessation attempt or adjusting the therapy for smoking cessation.