Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outcome of planned home and planned hospital births in low risk pregnancies: prospective study in midwifery practices in the Netherlands

Abstract Objective: To investigate the relation between the intended place of birth (home or hospital) and perinatal outcome in women with low risk pregnancies after controlling for parity and social, medical, and obstetric background. Design: Analysis of prospective data from midwives and their clients. Setting: 54 midwifery practices in the province of Gelderland, Netherlands. Subjects: 97 midwives and 1836 women with low risk pregnancies who had planned to give birth at home or in hospital. Main outcome measure: Perinatal outcome index based on “maximal result with minimal intervention” and incorporating 22 items on childbirth, 9 on the condition of the newborn, and 5 on the mother after the birth. Results: There was no relation between the planned place of birth and perinatal outcome in primiparous women when controlling for a favourable or less favourable background. In multiparous women, perinatal outcome was significantly better for planned home births than for planned hospital births, with or without control for background variables. Conclusions: The outcome of planned home births is at least as good as that of planned hospital births in women at low risk receiving midwifery care in the Netherlands.
Ecological damage, human rights and oil: local advocacy NGOs dialogic action and alternative accounting practices

ABSTRACT This study explores why local NGOs in the Niger Delta integrate dialogic action and accounts into their campaigns to protect the human, economic and environmental rights of indigenous communities. The NGOs considered their alternative-accounts effective in problematising the need for greater accountability, giving greater visibilities to unsustainable practices, building the capacity of the indigenous people, creating networks of engagement, giving voice to indigenous communities and addressing some of the power imbalances in this region. NGOs and local community representatives asserted that the production and communication of accounts of their suffering were making a difference and creating hope for future change. HIGHLIGHTS Pollution from oil production has led to the destruction of agricultural land, pollution of drinking water, mangrove forest, rivers and creeks and the relocation of communities from their ancestral homes. The absence of appropriate accountability, transparency and good governance facilitated the production of alternative accounts. Local NGOs in the Niger Delta integrated dialogic action and accounts into their campaigns to protect the human, economic and environmental rights of indigenous communities. Local NGOs considered their alternative accounts as effective in problematising the need for greater accountability and in creating visibilities to unsustainable practices. Local NGOs use distinctive strategies to build the capacity of the indigenous people, build coalition and networks of engagement that enabled the indigenous people to address the power imbalance in the region.
Efficient analysis of the far field pattern of rectangular microstrip patch using the stationary phase method

In this work, the influence of uniaxial anisotropy in the substrate on radiation pattern of a rectangular microstrip patch is investigated using an integral equation formulation. The proposed method for determining the Green's function leads to a concise form of this, diagonalized in the (TM,TE) representation. The stationary phase method is used for computing the far zone field. Numerical results for the effects of uniaxial anisotropy in the substrate on the radiation of the rectangular microstrip structure are presented. A comparison between the radiation of the first two fundamental modes TM/sub 10/ and TM/sub 01/ is also given.
Improving RDS treatment with current drugs

Currently attributed to a lack of foetal lung development, respiratory distress syndrome is the eighth largest cause of infant mortality (USA). Corticosteroids have proved successful but are not infallible in this indication having both a 24-hour latency and little effect on surfactant production. In vivo evidence shows a triggering event in vaginal delivery leads to a rapid final preparation of the lungs, accelerating fluid re-adsorption and surfactant production. It may be possible to reproduce accelerated adaptation synergistically with natural and steroidal maturation; however this would require looking again at β-agonists. Vulnerable pregnancies may be better served by corticosteroids, oxytocin tocolytics. A single dose of a β-agonist immediately before delivery may maximise adaptation while avoiding previous failings of this therapy. Trends in premature birth and caesarean section, make prevention of this syndrome increasingly challenging, however room for improvement may be possible with current therapies.
Recombinant LH supplementation to recombinant FSH during the final days of controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization. A multicentre, prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this multicentre, multinational trial was to study whether rLH supplementation to recombinant FSH (rFSH) during the late follicular phase increased pregnancy rates. METHODS After down-regulation with nafarelin, 526 women were randomized on Day 1 of stimulation to use either rFSH (Gonal-F) alone (n = 261) or to continue after Day 6 of stimulation with both rFSH (Gonal-F) and rLH (Luveris) (n = 265) from Day 6. The starting dose of rFSH was 150-225 IU/day according to age below or above 35 years. RESULTS Ongoing pregnancy rate at week 10-12 was 28.7% after rFSH alone and 27.2% after rFSH + rLH. This showed no evidence of a difference. Administration of rLH significantly (P< 0.001) increased serum LH. Ongoing pregnancy rates in patients with low LH levels (<33 percentile) on Days 1 and 6 of stimulation showed no difference between the group treated with rFSH only (23.9% low Day 1 LH; 22.1% low Day 6 LH) versus rFSH + rLH (25.0% low Day 1 LH; 28.9% low Day 6 LH). CONCLUSIONS Supplementing rFSH with daily doses of 75-150 IU of rLH during the second half of the follicular phase showed no evidence of increasing the ongoing pregnancy rates in the general population. (ClinicalTrials.gov, trial number: KF02-035/03).
Cu rich domains and secondary phases in PVD-CdS / PVD-CuIn1−xGaxSe2 heterojunctions

The Cu migration behavior in PVD-CdS/PVD-Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) heterojunctions is investigated by high resolution electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping. The incorporation of Cu into CdS forms Cu-rich domains in the CdS across the heterojunction and has no effect on epitaxy of the CdS film, which is commonly observed in the materials studied. In some cases Cd is completely replaced by Cu, resulting in a Cu-S binary compound epitaxially grown on the CIGS and fully coherent with the surrounding CdS, which is most likely cubic Cu2S by lattice spacing measurement from HREM images and EDS elemental quantification. The presence of a binary Cu-S phase as a heterojunction partner material may have significant impact on the resulting device performance although only modest loss of Voc occurs in the devices studied.
Comparison of language skills of adjudicated and nonadjudicated adolescent males and females.

PURPOSE This study attempted to determine whether there were any differences or similarities in the basic cognitive and language skills of 4 groups of adolescents: adjudicated (a judge's decision to establish responsibility for a delinquent act) and nonadjudicated male and females. METHOD The 4 groups of adolescents were 18 adjudicated females, 18 nonadjudicated females, 14 adjudicated males, and 14 nonadjudicated males. They were evaluated using the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT; A. S. Kaufman & N. L. Kaufman, 1990) as a screener for intelligence and the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals-3 (CELF-3; E. Semel, E. Wiig, & W. Secord, 1995) as a screener for language skills. RESULTS No gender differences were found between the groups for either the K-BIT or the CELF-3. All groups scored within normal limits on the K-BIT subtests, but lower on the vocabulary portion of the K-BIT compared to the matrices (nonverbal) portion. There were differences found between adjudicated and nonadjudicated groups on the CELF-3, with the adjudicated groups having lower scores. IMPLICATIONS As the majority of adjudicated adolescents had not been previously identified as having difficulties with language abilities, this population could benefit from early assessment. Also, children who are at risk for incarceration should be screened for possible language deficits that could contribute to the many difficulties experienced by adolescents.
An Assessment of UK Macroeconomic Volatility: Historical Evidence Using Over Seven Centuries of Data

Breaking ground from all previous studies, we estimate a time-varying Vector Autoregression model that examines the time-period 1270-2016 - the entire economic history of the U.K. Focusing on permanent and transitory shocks in the economy, we study the fluctuation in conditional volatilities and time-varying long-run responses of output growth and inflation. Unlike all previous studies that use time invariant linear models, our approach reveals that the pre 1600 period is a turbulent economic period of high volatility that is only repeated in the 20th century. The repeating patterns in the conditional volatilities follow the approach of aggregate supply shocks, while most of the inflation responses follow from aggregate demand shocks. Thus, we uncover that despite the technological growth and the various changes in the structure of the U.K. economy in the last century, the recurring patterns call for an examination of the true impact of the various policies to the economy.
Physiologic Determinants of the Response to Inhaled Nitric Oxide in Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Background: The response to inhaled nitric oxide (NO) in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) varies. It is unclear which patients will respond favorably and whether the initial response persists over time. The authors defined a clinically useful response to inhaled NO as an increase of more than 20% of the ratio of the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) to the inspiratory fraction of oxygen (FIO2), a decrease of more than 20% of pulmonary vascular resistance, or both. The authors hypothesized that patients who initially respond favorably are likely to show persistent improvements of gas exchange and hemodynamics after 48 h of NO inhalation. Methods: The medical records and collected research data of 88 patients with ARDS who received 92 trials of NO inhalation between March 1991 and February 1996 were reviewed. Results: Fifty‐three of the 92 trials (58%) produced a clinically significant response to NO. In the responding patients who continued to receive NO therapy (n = 43), the PaO2 /FIO2 ratio remained higher (120 +/‐ 46 vs. 89 +/‐ 32 mmHg before NO; P < 0.01) and the mean pulmonary artery pressure remained lower (35 +/‐ 8 vs. 40 +/‐ 12 mmHg before NO; P < 0.01) at 48 h. Only 33% of the patients with septic shock responded to inhaled NO compared with 64% of those without septic shock (P < 0.02). Conclusions: Most patients with ARDS had clinically useful responses to NO inhalation. Patients with an initial favorable response maintained the improvement at 48 h. Patients with septic shock were less likely to respond favorably.
A critical assessment of work and family life of female entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa: Some fresh evidence from Ghana

The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate how work and family lives of female entrepreneurs in emerging Sub-Saharan countries including Ghana influence their business performance, with focus on criteria such as income, number of outlets, and number of employees the entrepreneur controls. ,A phenomenological qualitative approach to research was adopted for this study to help the researcher gain deeper understanding of experiences of Ghanaian female entrepreneurs with respect to their work and family life and its influence on business performance. With a purposive sampling technique, 25 active women entrepreneurs with family responsibilities were sampled for the study. A multiple case study strategy, in-depth face-to-face interviews, and participant observation were used to solicit responses from participants included in the study. ,The study revealed that a majority of female entrepreneurs involved in the study believe that their roles and responsibilities to their families have a negative impact on both the income they generate from their business and their willingness to expand their outlets. However, it has a positive impact on their willingness to employ additional employees in their businesses. As a consequence, this study reveals that quality family life is essential to these female entrepreneurs and they are willing to put the well-being of their families first, even at the expense of their business growth. ,The study focused solely on the work and family life of women entrepreneurs and its influence on their business performance in Ghana. However, there exist other critical issues that affect women entrepreneurs in the Sub-Saharan region that can be explored to provide more insight on this subject or in different contexts. ,As a first of its kind in the Ghanaian context, little is known in extant literature until now with regard to work and family life of female entrepreneurs and its influence on their business performance. This study therefore seeks to bridge this gap.
Construction of adiponectin-encoding plasmid DNA and gene therapy of non-obese type 2 diabetes mellitus

Adiponectin (ADN), an insulin-sensitizing adipokine, stimulates glucose uptake, inhibits gluconeogenesis, and plays an important role in improving insulin sensitivity. Since blood levels of ADN are low in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), this study was designed to investigate the therapeutic effectiveness of increasing the ADN level through injection of plasmid DNA encoding ADN in type 2 DM. A non-obese type 2 DM mouse model was established via combined administration of streptozotocin with nicotinamide and exhibited significantly higher plasma glucose concentration and insulin resistance compared with normal controls according to oral glucose tolerance and insulin challenge tests. Plasmid DNA encoding mouse ADN from differentiated NIH3T3 adipocytes was constructed in pVAX1 (pVAX/ADN). Transfection of pVAX/ADN into various cell lines including HeLa, HT22, HEK293, HepG2, and SK-Hep1 cells, increased ADN mRNA expression levels in a dose-dependent manner. The administration of pVAX/ADN into non-obese type 2 DM mice via tail vein significantly increased the blood level of ADN and decreased the plasma glucose concentration. Moreover, the parameters related to insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and insulin sensitivity (QUICKI) were significantly improved. These results suggest that ADN gene therapy could be a clinically effective tool for the treatment of type 2 DM.
Impact of Donor Age and Year of Transplant on Graft Survival in Liver Transplant Recipients with Chronic Hepatitis C

Studies suggest donor age and year of transplantation are associated with low graft survival in liver transplant recipients with hepatitis C. We sought to determine if advanced donor age and recent year of transplantation are associated with graft survival in hepatitis C recipients and to determine if the effect of donor age on graft survival is specific to hepatitis C. We analyzed the United Network for Organ Sharing liver transplant database from 1994 to 2002. Six thousand four hundred and four subjects transplanted for end‐stage liver disease from chronic hepatitis C met our criteria. One‐year graft survival in hepatitis C recipients with organs from donors <40 years old and ≥60 years old was 84% and 73%, p = 0.003, respectively. These rates in recipients with cholestatic liver disease and alcoholic liver disease were 85% and 82%, respectively, p = 0.11 and 82% and 78%, respectively, p = 0.14. Three‐year graft survival in hepatitis C recipients transplanted from 1994 to 1995 and 1996 to 1999 was 67% and 69%, respectively, p = 0.10. Graft survival in hepatitis C recipients has not declined in recent years. Older donor age is associated with lower short‐term graft survival in recipients with hepatitis C, but not in recipients with cholestatic or alcoholic liver disease.
Expression and prognostic significance of survivin splice variants in diffusely infiltrating astrocytoma

Background Alternative splicing of survivin (BIRC5) pre-mRNA generates the common isoform survivin and five additional splice variants: survivin2B, survivinΔEx3, survivin2α, survivin3B and survivin3α. Although the common isoform survivin has been shown to be involved in tumourigenesis and progression of various tumours, including diffusely infiltrating astrocytoma, the expression of other survivin splice variants in astrocytoma has not been fully investigated. Aims To evaluate the expression status and particularly prognostic significance of survivin splice variants in diffusely infiltrating astrocytoma. Methods mRNA expression of the six survivin variants in 73 diffusely infiltrating astrocytoma and 18 normal brain tissue samples was investigated by using reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), and the total survivin protein expression by western analysis and immunohistochemistry. Association of survivin and its splice variants with tumour grade and prognosis was examined by statistical and survival analysis. Results The survivin, survivinΔEx3, survivin2B and survivin2α splice variants were significantly elevated in diffusely infiltrating astrocytoma, and were barely detectable or not detectable at all in normal brain tissue. Survivin3B and survivin3α were not detected in these samples. The positive rates of the expressed four variants increased with astrocytoma grade. Significantly, expression of these splice variants was associated with much poorer disease-specific and progression-free survival (Kaplan–Meier analysis, p≤0.002). Cox regression model further indicated survivin2α mRNA expression and nuclear survivin immunostaining to be significant independent negative prognostic factors. Conclusions The survivin, survivinΔEx3, survivin2B and survivin2α splice variants were significantly elevated in astrocytoma, and were associated with tumour grade and poorer prognosis.
Comparison of the Activities of the Truncated Halichondrin B Analog NSC 707389 (E7389) with Those of the Parent Compound and a Proposed Binding Site on Tubulin

The complex marine natural product halichondrin B was compared with NSC 707389 (E7389), a structurally simplified, synthetic macrocyclic ketone analog, which has been selected for clinical trials in human patients. NSC 707389 was invariably more potent than halichondrin B in its interactions with tubulin. Both compounds inhibited tubulin assembly, inhibited nucleotide exchange on β-tubulin, and were noncompetitive inhibitors of the binding of radiolabeled vinblastine and dolastatin 10 to tubulin. Neither compound seemed to induce an aberrant tubulin assembly reaction, as occurs with vinblastine (tight spirals) or dolastatin 10 (aggregated rings and spirals). We modeled the two compounds into a shared binding site on tubulin consistent with their biochemical properties. Of the two tubulin structures available, we selected for modeling the complex of a stathmin fragment with two tubulin heterodimers with two bound colchicinoid molecules and a single bound vinblastine between the two heterodimers (Nature (Lond) 435:519-522, 2005). Halichondrin B and NSC 707389 fit snugly between the two heterodimers adjacent to the exchangeable site nucleotide. Fitting the compounds into this site, which was also close to the vinblastine site, resulted in enough movement of amino acid residues at the vinblastine site to cause the latter compound to bind less well to tubulin. The model suggests that halichondrin B and NSC 707389 most likely form highly unstable, small aberrant tubulin polymers rather than the massive stable structures observed with vinca alkaloids and antimitotic peptides.
Tempus Fugit: Time Pressure in Risky Decisions [Dataset]

We study the effects of time pressure on risky decisions for pure gain prospects, pure loss prospects, and mixed prospects involving both gains and losses. In two experiments we find that time pressure has no effect on risk attitudes for gains, but increases risk aversion for losses. For mixed prospects, subjects become simultaneously more loss averse and more gain seeking under time pressure, depending on the framing of the prospects. The results suggest the importance of aspiration levels, and thus the overall probability to break even, under time pressure. We discuss the implications of our findings for decision-making situations that involve time pressure.
Differential expression of the skeletal muscle proteome in mdx mice at different ages

The mdx mouse is the most commonly used animal model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a disease caused by the absence of dystrophin. Although much has been done to elucidate the structure and function of dystrophin and the dystrophin‐associated glycoprotein complex (DGC), little is known about the cascade of molecular events triggered by the absence of dystrophin that lead to muscle degeneration. To study the molecular basis of DMD, we decided to systematically study the skeletal muscle proteome in mdx mice at different ages. By using two‐dimensional (2‐D) gel electrophoresis, we defined changes in the protein expression pattern between mdx and control muscles. Approximately 46 differentially expressed proteins from the cytosolic fraction of mdx hindlimb muscles at three months of age were detected by 2‐D gel analysis, of which 24 were identified by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization‐ mass spectrometry. Most of the proteins fell into five groups of functionally related proteins. These functional categories are (i) metabolism and energy production, (ii) serine protease inhibitor family, (iii) growth and differentiation, (iv) calcium homeostasis, and (v) cytoskeletal reorganization and biogenesis. The potential roles of the differentially expressed proteins are discussed in the context of the mdx phenotype. Finally, we analyzed alterations of protein expression in mdx mice at one and six months of age to determine how protein expression changes with disease progression.
Combined innovation and export strategies of KIBS in different regional settings

ABSTRACT This paper examines how KIBS establishments combine innovation and exports, and which factors are associated with these combinations. In particular, we hypothesize that KIBS establishments which both export and innovate will be over-represented in metropolitan regions, and under-represented in peripheral regions. Our analysis draws upon a sample of 429 innovative KIBS establishments in the province of Quebec (Canada). We show that strategies differ across space (but not as expected – metropolitan and peripheral strategies are similar), that T-KIBS’ strategies are associated with non-market information sources, and that P-KIBS' strategies are associated with information purchasing. P-KIBS’ and T-KIBS’ strategies vary with the performance of in-house R&D. Taken together, these results suggest that whereas KIBS’ choice of export and innovation strategies do not reflect their ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ nature, the factors associated with this choice do. The similarity between metropolitan and peripheral regions reflects the fact that Quebec’s resource-based peripheral economy is international and innovative.