Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Awareness about emergency contraceptives pill in women who came for medical termination of pregnancy

Objective: Emergency contraception, otherwise known as postcoital contraception, refers to a group of birth control modalities that, which can reduce the chance of unintended pregnancy if taken within the specific time limits. The objective of this study was to determine the level of awareness of emergency contraceptive techniques and fertility awareness in a population of pregnant females who were presenting for medical termination of pregnancy. Method: The study was carried out in 150 females requesting an induced abortion by MTP (Medical Termination of Pregnancy) clinic which is run by Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at New Civil Hospital, Suart, over a period of 6 months from November 2009 to April 2010. All the women were interviewed by a trained interviewer with the help of a pre validated & pretested questionnaire. Results: The study comprises of 152 females, and median age was 27 years. 32.89 % were illiterate. Only 36(23.68%) had heard the term ‘ emergency contraceptive’, out of which 3% had exact idea about exact use(it should be taken after unprotected intercourse) of EC pill. The most common source of information was television (100%) in all. Among the users most common method of contraception was condom and oral contraptives (73.68%). Only 7.24% knew the time interval when in the menstrual cycle they were likely to conceive. 30(19.74%) females had previous history of abortion but among them only 17(56.67%) were given education regarding emergency contraceptive use. 9(25%)are in favour of making EC pill available without doctor’s prescription. 116 (76.32%) said, sex education should be made compulsory at school level. Conclusion: Knowledge about emergency contraception and fertility awareness is very low among pregnant females coming for induced abortion in New Civil Hospital, Surat. Efforts should be made to increase awareness of emergency contraceptives.
A Novel Subspace Approach for Bearing-Only Target Localization

A new subspace method is proposed to solve the bearing-only target localization (BOTL) problem. Instead of linearizing the nonlinear bearing equations to form least-squares optimization, we construct a scalar product matrix by making full use of all bearing and intersensor bearing geometric information. After exploiting the dimension and eigenstructure of the scalar product matrix, we devise a subspace algorithm for BOTL with its weights computed from a prior location estimate. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm achieves a mean square error performance close to the Cramér–Rao lower bound, even at high noise levels. Field experiments demonstrate the superiority of the proposed algorithm.
The Role of Morphological Awareness in Vocabulary Acquisition in English of Saudi EFL Learners

This study aimed to assess the impact of explicit morphology instruction on Saudi EFL students’ morphological awareness and vocabulary knowledge. The experimental group received for six weeks in their English class morphological lessons that focused on the basic analytical and synthetic word formation rules to increase students’ morphological awareness and help in improving their vocabulary knowledge. On the other hand, the control group received the regular instruction in their English class. At the end of the instruction period, the preand post-test scores of the experimental group were compared. Then, the experimental group scores were compared to the control group. The results showed that explicit morphology instruction improved students’ morphological awareness and vocabulary knowledge. There was a statistically significant difference between the experimental group scores in the preand post-tests, and a statistically significant difference exists between the experimental group scores and the scores of the control group on the New Vocabulary level test and the Morphological Awareness test. As the results indicated that the intervention (morphology instruction) had a significant impact on the participants performance, this study suggests that teaching morphology plays a significant role in increasing students’ morphological awareness and vocabulary knowledge.
Biomechanical Test Following Removal of a Dynamic Hip Screw: In Vitro Analysis

The objective of this study was to evaluate, by means of a static flexural test, the biomechanical parameters necessary for the occurrence of a proximal femoral fracture in a synthetic bone model after the removal of a dynamic hip screw (DHS) and comparing the results obtained with a reinforcement technique using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Twenty synthetic bones made of the same material and from the same manufacturer were used: ten units as the control group (CG), five units as the test group without reinforcement (TG), and five units as the test group with reinforcement (TGR). The biomechanical analysis was performed simulating a fall over the trochanter using a servo-hydraulic machine. In the control group, the assay was performed with its integrity preserved. In the TG and TGR groups, a DHS model was introduced, and the tests were performed as follows: TG after simple removal of the synthesis material, and in the TGR group, after removal of the synthesis material and filling the orifice of the femoral neck with PMMA. All groups presented with a basicervical fracture of the femoral neck. The CG group presented a mean of 935 newtons (N) of maximum load and 7.0 joules (J) of energy for fracture occurrence. TG and TGR groups presented, respectively, a maximum load of 750 N and 1,068 N, and energy of 6.0 J and 7.3 J. According to the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), there was no significant difference in flow load (p = 0.16), energy to flow (p = 0.16), stiffness (p = 0.28), maximum load (p = 0.10), and energy to fracture (p = 0.54) between the studied groups. The removal of the DHS implant from the synthetic bone did not present a significant increase of the maximum load and the energy necessary for the occurrence of a fracture with the use of the PMMA reinforcement technique.
Benefits of Video Games in Multidisciplinary Scientific Research

In recent years, computer-based games have been shown to be effective both as a tool for conducting research in a variety of domains and for research on games itself. In this work, we show that implementing games that have a basis in theory and that are combined with the most recent gaming practices result in effective research tools. We demonstrate this via game implementations for three domains. The first implementation is based on new theories in speech pedagogy, and demonstrates the effectiveness of our approach. The second implementation shows that using a game that simulates therapeutic speech practices can aid in the study of rehabilitation. The third implementation shows how using game practices with a large-scale visualization could potentially result in scientific breakthroughs in the biologic community. All three of these implementations show the multidisciplinary use of games in scientific research.
Large-signal vector characterization of LDMOS devices for analysis and design of broadband Doherty high-power amplifiers

Abstract We present a novel broadband large-signal vector characterization technique, suitable for high-power broadband Doherty amplifiers (DPAs). It consists of characterizing the DPA three-port sub-circuit composed of the main and peak power devices that are inter-connected by the input network. We discuss a suitable way to extract the three-port X-parameters of a DPA sub-circuit, which is based on a pair of high-power Silicon Laterally Diffused MOSFETs (LDMOSs) for UHF applications. It is then applied to the analysis of a high-power broadband DPA developed on the basis of the same DPA sub-circuit. This technique permits the broadband analysis of the operation of the DPA, as well as to get insight on the load modulation for both the peak and main devices, while they mutually interact through the input network. Measurements and simulated data in the 700–960 MHz bandwidth are compared so as to demonstrate the feasibility of three-port X-parameters characterization for high-power DPAs in UHF band.
Cyanidin 3-glucoside in diet-induced metabolic syndrome in rats

Metabolic syndrome combines the risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, including obesity, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidaemia and hypertension. Obesity is now understood to be a chronic low-grade inflammatory state with sustained oxidative stress. There are few drug therapies for obesity and all may produce unacceptable adverse effects. Thus, functional foods may serve as a better alternative for treatment of metabolic syndrome. Anthocyanins are purple-coloured polyphenolic compounds found in dark-coloured fruits and vegetables, such as purple carrot, Queen Garnet plum, chokeberry and purple corn. As anthocyanins produce anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory responses, this study investigated whether anthocyanin-rich black rice can reverse the signs of diet-induced metabolic syndrome. This study used high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet-fed male Wistar rats to mimic the symptoms of human metabolic syndrome. Rats developed hypertension, diabetes along with damage to cardiovascular and hepatic systems. However, rats supplemented with cyanidin 3-glucoside rich black rice extract mid-way through the protocol had noticeable overall health improvements. Black rice extract reversed many changes the rats developed while on the diet including reduced body weight (10%), abdominal obesity (6%) and normalising systolic blood pressure; improved hepatic structure (decreased inflammation) and function; (decreased liver enzyme activity) improved cardiovascular structure (decreased inflammation and fibrosis) and function along with reduced overall cholesterol and decreased liver enzyme activity.
Application of exfoliative vaginal cytology in clinical canine reproduction – a review

Exfoliative vaginal cytology is the most popular diagnostic method as a part of the gynaecological examination in the bitch (Dreier, 1975; Gunzel-Apel & Koivisto, 1984; Linde & Karlson, 1984; Soderberg, 1986a,b; Tammer et al., 1994; Johnson, 2006; Wehrend, 2007; Trasch, 2008; Turmalaj et al., 2011; Groppetti et al., 2012; Leigh et al., 2013; Wehrend et al., 2013). It is based on determination of cyclic cellular changes occurring in the vaginal epithelium as a result of reproductive hormone levels, especially estrogens (Wright & Parry, 1989). The method is simple and useful even in physiological or pathological conditions of the bitch reproductive system, most frequently the determination of the estrous cycle stages with respect to the optimal breeding time (Turmalaj et al., 2011).
Resource limitations and competitive interactions affect carnivore community composition at different ecological scales in a temperate island system

Abstract Selective pressures (i.e. resource limitation and competitive interaction) that drive the composition of ecological communities vary, and often operate on different ecological scales (ecological variables across varying spatial scales) than observed patterns. We studied the drivers of distribution and abundance of the American marten (Martes americana) and the carnivore community at three ecological scales on a Great Lakes island archipelago using camera traps. We found different drivers appeared important at each ecological scale and studying any of the three scales alone would give a biased understanding of the process driving the system. Island biogeography (resource limitation) was most important for carnivore richness, with higher richness on larger islands and lower richness as distance from the mainland increased. Marten presence on individual islands appeared to be driven by island size (resource limitation) and human avoidance (competitive interaction). Marten abundance at camera trap sites was driven by the cascading effect of coyotes (Canis latrans) on fishers (Pekania pennanti) (competitive interaction). Incorporating three ecological scales gave novel insights into the varying effects of resource limitation and competitive interaction processes. Our data suggests that ecological communities are structured through multiple competing ecological forces, and effective management and conservation relies on our ability to understand ecological forces operating at multiple ecological scales.
Blind source separation and tracking using nonlinear PCA criterion: a least-squares approach

In standard blind source separation, one tries to extract unknown source signals from their instantaneous linear mixtures by using minimum a priori information. We have recently shown that certain nonlinear PCA type neural learning rules can be successfully applied to this problem. In this paper, we introduce computationally efficient least-squares type algorithms for the basic blind source separation problem. The proposed algorithms can still be regarded neural, and they have a close relationship to our previous algorithms. The new algorithms converge faster and provide more accurate final results than our previous instantaneous stochastic gradient type learning algorithms. We also consider blind tracking of sources from nonstationary mixtures.
Model‐independent consensus control of Euler‐Lagrange agents with interconnecting delays

In this paper, we introduce, for the first time, a proportional‐integral‐derivative controller to solve the consensus problem for networked Euler‐Lagrange agents. The proposed control scheme solves both the leaderless and the leader‐follower consensus problems without requiring the exact knowledge of any part of the agent model. Contrary to the previous studies in the literature, we do not require either to cancel any part of the agent model, which renders robust our approach, nor employ discontinuous controllers. It is proven that both consensus problems are solved globally and asymptotically and the presence of bounded time‐varying communicating delays is considered.
Senescence and costs of reproduction in the life history of a small precocial species

Abstract Species following a fast life history are expected to express fitness costs mainly as increased mortality, while slow‐lived species should suffer fertility costs. Because observational studies have limited power to disentangle intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing senescence, we manipulated reproductive effort experimentally in the cavy (Cavia aperea) which produces extremely precocial young. We created two experimental groups: One was allowed continuous reproduction (CR) and the other intermittent reproduction (IR) by removing males at regular intervals. We predicted that the CR females should senesce (and die) earlier and produce either fewer and/or smaller, slower growing offspring per litter than those of the IR group. CR females had 16% more litters during three years than IR females. CR females increased mass and body condition more steeply and both remained higher until the experiment ended. Female survival showed no group difference. Reproductive senescence in litter size, litter mass, and reproductive effort (litter mass/maternal mass) began after about 600 days and was slightly stronger in CR than IR females. Litter size, litter mass, and offspring survival declined with maternal age and were influenced by seasonality. IR females decreased reproductive effort less during cold seasons and only at higher age than CR females. Nevertheless, offspring winter mortality was higher in IR females. Our results show small costs of reproduction despite high reproductive effort, suggesting that under ad libitum food conditions costs depend largely on internal regulation of allocation decisions.
Biochemical and Immunogenetic Diagnostic Markers Less Commonly Used forPredicting the Efficacy of Chronic Hepatitis C Etiotropic Therapy

Introduction: 1,7% of the population of Latvia in 2008 was HCV RNA positive, thus approximately 38 thousands required the CHC antiviral therapy. The objective of the study was to evaluate some biochemical and immunogenetic parameters allowing predicting the efficacy of the etiotropic therapy for CHC patients. Material and methods: Medical records of 213 CHC patients were analyzed. HCV RNA, anti-HCV, concentration of HA, GGT activity were detected and immunogenetic investigations were performed. Results and discussion: Evaluation of GGT activity showed increase in 46,81% of non-responders and in only 21,57% responders. HA level in responders was significantly lower than in non-responders. Correlation between the incidence of HLA class II gene alleles in CHC patients and the type of CHC therapy was found. The results of the study confirmed the hypothesis that some biochemical and immunogenetic parameters characterizing the condition of the macro organism had an essential role in the efficacy of the CHC therapy. Conclusions: The non-efficacy of the CHC etiotropic therapy was associated with increased GGT and HA levels upon the start of the therapy. The efficacy of PEG IFN+RBV combination therapy in comparison with the efficacy of Realdiron therapy was associated with different MHC HLA class II gene alleles.
Tropical Cyclones and Climate Change Assessment: Part I: Detection and Attribution

An assessment was made of whether detectable changes in tropical cyclone (TC) activity are identifiable in observations and whether any changes can be attributed to anthropogenic climate change. Overall, historical data suggest detectable TC activity changes in some regions associated with TC track changes, while data quality and quantity issues create greater challenges for analyses based on TC intensity and frequency. A number of specific published conclusions (case studies) about possible detectable anthropogenic influence on TCs were assessed using the conventional approach of preferentially avoiding type I errors (i.e., overstating anthropogenic influence or detection). We conclude there is at least low to medium confidence that the observed poleward migration of the latitude of maximum intensity in the western North Pacific is detectable, or highly unusual compared to expected natural variability. Opinion on the author team was divided on whether any observed TC changes demonstrate discernible anthropogenic influence, or whether any other observed changes represent detectable changes. The issue was then reframed by assessing evidence for detectable anthropogenic influence while seeking to reduce the chance of type II errors (i.e., missing or understating anthropogenic influence or detection). For this purpose, we used a much weaker “balance of evidence” criterion for assessment. This leads to a number of more speculative TC detection and/or attribution statements, which we recognize have substantial potential for being false alarms (i.e., overstating anthropogenic influence or detection) but which may be useful for risk assessment. Several examples of these alternative statements, derived using this approach, are presented in the report.
A possible role for epigenetic feedback regulation in the dynamics of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)

The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) often plays a critical role in cancer metastasis and chemoresistance, and decoding its dynamics is crucial to design effective therapeutics. EMT is regulated at multiple levels—transcriptional, translational, protein stability and epigenetics; the mechanisms by which epigenetic regulation can alter the dynamics of EMT remain elusive. Here, to identify the possible effects of epigenetic regulation in EMT, we incorporate a feedback term in our previously proposed model of EMT regulation of the miR-200/ZEB/miR-34/SNAIL circuit. This epigenetic feedback that stabilizes long-term transcriptional activity can alter the relative stability and distribution of states in a given cell population, particularly when incorporated in the inhibitory effect on miR-200 from ZEB. This feedback can stabilize the mesenchymal state, thus making transitions out of that state difficult. Conversely, epigenetic regulation of the self-activation of ZEB has only minor effects. Our model predicts that this effect could be seen in experiments, when epithelial cells are treated with an external EMT-inducing signal for a sufficiently long period of time and then allowed to recover. Our preliminary experimental data indicates that a chronic TGF-β exposure gives rise to irreveversible EMT state; i.e. unable to reverse back to the epithelial state. Thus, this integrated theoretical-experimental approach yields insights into how an epigenetic feedback may alter the dynamics of EMT.
Energy-Efficient Boundary Detection of Continuous Objects in IoT Sensing Networks

Sensing network of the Internet of Things (IoT) has become the infrastructure to facilitate the near real-time monitoring of potential events, where the accuracy and energy-efficiency are essential factors to be considered when determining the boundary of continuous objects. This paper proposes an energy-efficient boundary detection mechanism in IoT sensing networks. Specifically, a sleeping mechanism is adapted to detect the relatively coarse boundary through applying the convex hull algorithm, where only the relay nodes are activated. Leveraging the analysis of the relation for corresponding boundary nodes, the boundary area around a boundary node is categorized as three types of sub-areas with the descending possibility of event occurrence, i.e., the most possible, possible, and impossible areas. An optimized greedy algorithm is adapted to selectively activate certain numbers of one-hop neighboring IoT nodes in respective sub-areas, to avoid the activation of all one-hop neighboring nodes in a flooding manner. Consequently, the boundary is refined and optimized according to sensory data of these activated IoT nodes. The experimental results demonstrate that this technique can achieve a better detection accuracy, while reducing energy consumption to a large extent, than the state of art’s techniques.
A Study of Characteristics Variation of Thermally Expandable Microspheres in Post-polymerization Treatment by Various Initiators

Thermally expandable microspheres were used as post-treatment initiators of potassium persulfate, sodium bisulfite, and sodium sulfide in order to improve the foaming ability and whiteness when foaming a mixture of thermally expandable microsphers and poly(vinyl chloride). Potassium persulfate showed no significant influence on the foaming behavior, foam expansion, whiteness, and yellowing, whereas in the case of using sodium bisulfite. In particular, sodium bisulfite demonstrated the best efficiency with 2 wt% treatment. The thermally expandable microspheres prepared herein can provide excellent foamability and whiteness, and are expected to be applicable in various fields such as general coating and wallpaper.