Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subgroups of preterm delivery in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study

The preterm deliveries in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort (MoBa) study were divided into subgroups: spontaneous preterm delivery, iatrogenic preterm delivery, multiple pregnancies, congenital malformations and intrauterine fetal deaths (IUFD). Records were linked with the Medical Birth Registry of Norway in order to permit identification of the different subgroups. The first 53,711 included pregnancies in the MoBa study were analyzed. Spontaneous preterm delivery accounted for 42% and iatrogenic preterm delivery for 28% of all preterm deliveries. Other important contributors to preterm delivery were multiple pregnancies (16%), congenital malformations (8.6%) and IUFD (5.2%). In conclusion, the subgroup composition of the preterm population in the MoBa study is similar to previously published data regarding both different and similar populations and is well suited for future studies of this complex obstetric entity.
Persistence of Generalized Roll-Waves under Viscous Perturbation

The purpose of this article is to study the persistence of solution of a hyperbolic system under small viscous perturbation. Here, the solution of the hyperbolic system is supposed to be spatially periodic: it is a periodic perturbation of a roll-wave, which is a periodic wave. So, it has an infinity of shocks. The proof of the persistence is based on an expansion of the viscous solution and estimates on Green's functions.
Use of the Intradermal Tuberculin Test in a Herd of Captive elk (Cervus Elaphus Nelsoni) Naturally Infected with Mycobacterium Bovis

In the United States, tuberculosis of captive cervids, caused by Mycobacterium bovis, attracted attention in 1991 when investigations, prompted by the identification of a tuberculous elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) of U.S. origin exported to Canada, revealed tuberculosis in 10 different elk herds in 8 different states. Based on methods used in cattle, official regulations pertaining to testing and eradication of tuberculosis in captive cervids were added to the U.S. Department of Agriculture bovine tuberculosis eradication effort in 1994. However, little published information exists on the accuracy of intradermal tuberculin testing in naturally infected cervids. Evaluation of a captive herd of 71 animals in Wisconsin included postmortem examination and tissue sample collection from both tuberculin test responders and nonresponders. Within this captive herd, of admittedly small size, results showed the single cervical test to have a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 69%. Evaluation of diagnostic tests in the species of interest is important, as extrapolation of data obtained from other species may not be appropriate.
Optimizing PID Parameters Using Harmony Search

 Abstract — Optimizing the parameters in the controller plays a vital role in the control theory and its applications. Optimizing the PID parameters is finding out the best value from the feasible solutions. Finding the optimal value is an optimization problem. Inverted Pendulum is a very good platform for control engineers to verify and apply different logics in the field of control theory. It is necessary to find an optimization technique for the controller to tune the values automatically in order to minimize the error within the given bounds. In this paper, the algorithmic concepts of Harmony search (HS) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) have been analyzed for the given range of values. The experimental results show that HS performs well than GA.
THE SEGMENTED CLOCK: A TYPICAL PATTERN EN VASCULAR DEMENTIA

polygraphically evaluated numbers of apnea per hour (apnea index: AI), number of hypopneas per hour (hypopnea index: HI), and apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) as a summation of A1 and HI. We calculated %A1 (AVAHI X 100) and %HI (HVAHI x 100). Duration in which nocturnal oxygen saturation (SaOJ decreased below 90% (duration of SaO, < 900/,) was measured with pulse oximetry. SAS was diagnosed when AH1 was greater than We measured heart rate during the 10-second-epoch soon before and after apnea/ hypopnea termination on polysomnography recording. Cardiac arousal was defined when heart rate increased at a termination of apneahypopnea by 10% or more. We calculated number of apneahypopneas per hour associated with cardiac arousal (XI). %Cardiac arousal was assessed with the ratio of XI to AH1 (XVAHI X 100). EEG arousal was defined according to the report of 1992 American Sleep Disorders As~ociation. ~ We calculated number of apneahypopneas per hour with EEG arousal (YI). %EEG arousal was assessed with the ratio of YI to AH1 (YVAHI x 100). Between middle-aged and older patients, we did not find any significant differences in height, weight, body mass index, AHI, or the ratio of occurrence of central apneas to total episodes of apneahypopnea. %Cardiac and %EEG arousal, %A1 and duration of Sa02 < 90% were greater in middleaged than in older patients. In contrast, %HI was significantly greater in older than middle-aged patients (Table 1). %Cardiac and %EEG arousal significantly correlated with AI, AHI, and the duration of SaO, < 90% in middle-aged patients, and with A1 and AH1 in older patients. We summarized the characteristics of sleep disordered breathing in older, compared with middle-aged, patients with SAS as follows: (1) arousal response at a termination of apnea/hypopnea was more suppressed in older patients; (2) contribution of hypopneas to sleep disordered breathing was greater; (3) severity of nocturnal oxygen desaturation was milder.
Neuropsychological and Behavioural Short-Term Effects of Cognitive Remediation Therapy in Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) aims to strengthen weak cognitive flexibility and central coherence in adult and adolescent anorexia nervosa (AN). Currently, there are no studies in adolescents with AN that control for learning effects because of re-testing while evaluating CRT. METHOD Twenty in- and outpatients with AN aged 12 to 18 years received CRT. Assessment took place directly before and after the intervention. Performance was compared to 20 age-, gender-, IQ-, and test-retest interval matched healthy controls, which did not receive CRT. RESULTS AN patients showed an improvement in flexibility on neuropsychological assessment directly after CRT, whereas HC did not improve over time. Self-report assessment of flexibility, as well as central coherence, did not show significant improvement after CRT. DISCUSSION Results suggest that CRT may be beneficial for enhancing flexibility in adolescents with AN. However, randomized controlled studies are essential to determine the actual efficacy of this intervention.
Fabrication of self-aligned 90-nm fully depleted SOI CMOS SLOTFETs

We have developed a novel sub-100-nm fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (SOI) CMOS fabrication process, in which conventional 248-nm optical lithography and nitride spacer technology are used to define slots in a sacrificial layer (SLOTFET process). This process features a locally thinned SOI channel with raised source-drain regions, and a low-resistance T-shaped poly-Si gate; Both n- and p-channel MOSFETs with 90-nm gate length have been demonstrated. At a 0.5 V bias voltage, ring-oscillator propagation delay of less than 50 ps per stage has been measured.
Modulation of calcium signals by intracellular pH in isolated rat pancreatic acinar cells

1 We have investigated the interactions between intracellular pH (pHi) and the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in isolated rat pancreatic acinar cells. The fluorescent dyes fura‐2 and BCECF were used to measure [Ca2+]i and pHi, respectively. 2 Sodium acetate and ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) were used to acidify and alkalinize pHi, respectively. Cytosolic acidification had no effect on [Ca2+]i in resting pancreatic acinar cells, whereas cytosolic alkalinization released Ca2+ from intracellular stores. 3 Cytosolic acidification using either acetate or a CO2‐HCO3−‐buffered medium enhanced Ca2+ signals evoked by acetylcholine (ACh) and cholecystokinin (CCK). In contrast, both NH4Cl and trimethylamine (TMA) inhibited Ca2+ signals during stimulation with either ACh or CCK. This inhibitory effect was also observed in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, and was therefore not due to changes in Ca2+ entry. 4 Calcium oscillations evoked by physiological concentrations of CCK were enhanced by cytosolic acidification and inhibited by cytosolic alkalinization. 5 In order to determine the effects of pHi upon Ca2+ handling by intracellular Ca2+ stores, intraorganellar [Ca2+] was monitored using the low affinity Ca2+ indicator mag‐fura‐2 in permeabilized cells. Addition of NH4Cl, which is expected to alkalinize intraorganellar pH, did not alter intraorganellar [Ca2+] in permeabilized cells, suggesting that changing intraorganellar pH does not release Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Addition of NH4Cl or acetate also did not affect the rate of Ca2+ release induced by inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (InsP3). 6 Modification of extraorganellar (‘cytosolic’) pH did not affect the rate of ATP‐dependent Ca2+ uptake into stores, but did modify the rate of Ca2+ release evoked by submaximal concentrations of InsP3. The rate of Ca2+ release was increased at more alkaline extraorganellar pHs. These results would suggest that manipulation of intraorganellar pH does not affect Ca2+ handling by the intracellular stores. In contrast, extraorganellar (‘cytosolic’) pH does affect InsP3‐induced Ca2+ release from the stores. 7 In conclusion, changes in intracellular pH in pancreatic acinar cells can profoundly alter cytosolic [Ca2+]. This may shed light on earlier observations whereby cell‐permeant weak acids and bases can modulate fluid secretion in epithelia.
Cognitive Support for Rebel Agents : Social Awareness and Counternarrative Intelligence

Rebel agents are intelligent agents that can oppose goals or plans assigned to them, or the general attitudes and/or behavior of other agents. They can serve purposes such as ethics, safety, and task execution correctness; enhance social co-creativity, and provide or support diverse points of view. We previously proposed a framework for AI rebellion and explored various scenarios that have positive AI rebels as protagonists. In recognition of the fact that, in human psychology, noncompliance has profound socio-cognitive implications, we now explore several mechanisms that could further support rebellion in cognitively-complex AI agents. We focus specifically on social awareness and counternarrative intelligence: a new term we propose that refers to an agent’s ability to produce and use alternative narratives that support, express, and/or justify rebellion, either sincerely or deceptively.
Artificial skin. I. Preparation and properties of pluronic F-127 gels for treatment of burns.

The preparation of block polymer surface-active agents derived solely from propylene oxide and ethylene oxide is described. The physical properties of a nonionic surfactant of 12,500 molecular weight, Pluronic F-127, are presented. The toxicity data of the polymeric series is reviewed. The preparation of cold aqueous solutions of the F-127 solution, to which silver salts and other medicaments are then added, is described. By raising the temperature, these fluid liquids are then converted to strong “ringing” gels or viscous ointments which are suitable for application to a burn wound or abraded skin area. The factors involved in altering the yield strength of the gel are presented.
Is body mass index associated with patellofemoral pain and patellofemoral osteoarthritis? A systematic review and meta-regression and analysis

Background Patellofemoral pain (PFP) occurs frequently, and may be related to patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA). Obesity is associated with increased risk of knee OA. This systematic review involves a meta-regression and analysis to determine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and PFP and PFOA, and to determine the link between BMI and interventional outcomes. Methods We searched seven electronic databases and reference lists of relevant papers and systematic reviews, for cross-sectional, prospective, human-based observational and interventional studies reporting BMI in individuals with PFP or PFOA compared to healthy controls. Two independent reviewers appraised methodological quality (epidemiological appraisal instrument). Where possible, data from prospective studies were pooled to conduct meta-regression and case–control, and intervention studies to conduct meta-analysis using the following categories: adolescents with PFP, adults with PFP and PFOA. Results 52 studies were included. We found greater BMI in adults with PFP (standardised mean difference: 0.24, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.36) and PFOA (0.73, 0.46 to 0.99) compared to healthy controls, but not in adolescents with PFP (−0.19, −0.56 to 0.18). We also observed statistical trends (p<0.10) towards higher BMI being a predictor for development of PFP in adults (0.34, −0.04 to 0.71). No significant link between BMI and intervention outcomes in adults with PFP was identified. Conclusions Higher BMI is present in PFP and PFOA, but not in adolescents with PFP. PROSPERO registration number CRD42015024812.
Automated cell colony counting and analysis using the circular Hough image transform algorithm (CHiTA)

We present an automated cell colony counting method that is flexible, robust and capable of providing more in-depth clonogenic analysis than existing manual and automated approaches. The full form of the Hough transform without approximation has been implemented, for the first time. Improvements in computing speed have facilitated this approach. Colony identification was achieved by pre-processing the raw images of the colonies in situ in the flask, including images of the flask edges, by erosion, dilation and Gaussian smoothing processes. Colony edges were then identified by intensity gradient field discrimination. Our technique eliminates the need for specialized hardware for image capture and enables the use of a standard desktop scanner for distortion-free image acquisition. Additional parameters evaluated included regional colony counts, average colony area, nearest neighbour distances and radial distribution. This spatial and qualitative information extends the utility of the clonogenic assay, allowing analysis of spatially-variant cytotoxic effects. To test the automated system, two flask types and three cell lines with different morphology, cell size and plating density were examined. A novel Monte Carlo method of simulating cell colony images, as well as manual counting, were used to quantify algorithm accuracy. The method was able to identify colonies with unusual morphology, to successfully resolve merged colonies and to correctly count colonies adjacent to flask edges.
Periodontal conditions of individuals with Sjögren's syndrome.

BACKGROUND Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) is a systemic autoimmune disease that might lead to hyposalivation and negatively affect the oral environment. The evidence with regard to the periodontal conditions in this group of subjects is still controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the periodontal clinical conditions and inflammatory markers in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SjS [P]) or secondary Sjögren's syndrome (SjS [S]) compared to a control group. METHODS Nineteen individuals with SjS (11 SjS [P] and eight SjS [S]) and 19 controls, matched for gender, age, and tobacco exposure, were selected from two private clinics and a hospital. The groups were compared for stimulated whole saliva (SWS) flow rate, plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), clinical attachment level (CAL), and total amount of interleukin (IL)-1beta and total elastase activity in the GCF. Generalized estimating equations were used for data analysis. RESULTS Individuals with SjS had a significantly lower SWS flow rate and higher mean PI, GI, PD, CAL, and BOP than controls. After adjustment for plaque, GI remained significantly higher in patients with SjS. Patients with SjS (S) had significantly higher mean CAL and PD than patients with SjS (P), and CAL and BOP remained significantly higher in this subgroup after adjustment. No differences were observed with regard to the GCF inflammatory markers. After adjusting for PD, subjects with SjS (P) showed lower levels of IL-1beta compared to controls. CONCLUSION SjS seemed to negatively affect the periodontal condition because gingival inflammation was more evident in the individuals with SjS, particularly those with SjS (S).
Deep Capillary Macular Perfusion Indices Obtained with OCT Angiography Correlate with Degree of Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose To evaluate the integrity of macular and temporomacular vasculature in nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) with noninvasive optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and correlate perfusion indices with degree of NPDR. Methods In this prospective observational cross-sectional study, 102 eyes with newly diagnosed NPDR (mild NPDR, 36; moderate NPDR, 21; severe NPDR, 13; NPDR with diabetic macular edema [DME], 32) underwent OCTA. Sixty eyes of normal subjects served as control. Degree of NPDR (based on Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study criteria) was confirmed with fluorescein angiography. Automated OCTA/split-spectrum amplitude decorrelation angiography software generated perfusion indices (vessel density and flow index) from images of the retina. The perfusion index of superficial and deep retinal plexuses was obtained in both perifoveal (central 1-3 mm) and parafoveal (3-6 mm) areas. Results Deep plexus parafoveal vessel density was 25.23% (±6.1) in mild NPDR, 20.16% (±6.16) in moderate NPDR, 11.16% (±4.16) in severe NPDR, and 17.91% (±4.42) in NPDR + DME compared to normal subjects (36.93% [±8.1]; (p<0.01). Spearman correlation coefficient (rs) between vessel density and level of NPDR severity in the parafoveal region showed inverse correlation for both superficial (rs -0.87; p = 0.083) and deep (rs -0.96; p = 0.017) plexus. Similarly, when vessel density of the perifoveal region was compared with level of NPDR severity, inverse correlation was noted in both superficial (rs -0.85; p = 0.08) and deep (rs -0.98; p = 0.011) plexus. Conclusions Optical coherence tomography angiography clearly delineated the retinal microcirculation and allowed quantification of vascular perfusion of each layer. As diabetic retinopathy progressed, a decrease in perfusion index is more pronounced in the deep retinal plexus and precedes changes in superficial plexus.
Donor blood monocytes but not T or B cells facilitate long-term allograft survival after total lymphoid irradiation.

BACKGROUND Previous studies showed that a combination of posttransplant total lymphoid irradiation (TLI), rabbit antithymocyte globulin (ATG), and a single donor blood transfusion induced tolerance to ACI heart allografts in Lewis rats. All three modalities were required to achieve tolerance. The objective of the current study was to determine the subset(s) of cells in the donor blood that facilitated long-term allograft survival. METHODS Lewis hosts received TLI, ATG, and donor cell infusion after heart transplantation. Graft survival, mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR), and intragraft cytokine mRNA were studied. RESULTS The intravenous injection of 25 x 10(6) ACI peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) significantly prolonged graft survival as compared with that of Lewis hosts given TLI and ATG alone. Injection of highly enriched blood T cells or splenic B cells adjusted for the number contained in 25 x 10(6) PBMC failed to induce significant graft prolongation. Unexpectedly, depletion of monocytes (CD11b+ cells) from PBMC resulted in the loss of graft prolongation activity. Enriched populations of monocytes obtained by plastic adherence were more efficient in prolonging graft survival than PBMC on a per cell basis. Hosts with long-term grafts (>100-day survival) showed evidence of immune deviation, because the MLR to ACI stimulator cells was vigorous, but secretion of interferon-gamma in the MLR was markedly reduced. In situ hybridization studies of long-term grafts showed markedly reduced levels of interferon-gamma mRNA as compared with rejecting grafts. CONCLUSION Infusion of donor monocytes facilitated graft prolongation via immune deviation.
Effect of Thyroid Hormone on the Gene Expression of Myostatin in Rat Skeletal Muscle

Modification of thyroid hormone levels has a profound effect on skeletal muscle differentiation, predominantly through direct regulation involving thyroid hormone receptors. Nevertheless, little is known about the regulation of myostatin gene expression in skeletal muscle due to altered concentrations of thyroid hormone. Thus, the goal of our study was to find out whether altered thyroid states could change the gene expression of myostatin, the most powerful inhibitor of skeletal muscle development. A hyperthyroid state was induced in rats by daily injections of L-thyroxine 20 mg/100 g body weight for 14 days, while a hypothyroid state was induced in another group of rats by administering methimazole (0.04%) in drinking water for 14 days. After a period of 14 days of L-thyroxine treatment we observed a significant increase of myostatin expression both in mRNA and protein level. However, decreased expression of myostatin mRNA and protein were observed in hypothyroid rats. Furthermore, our studies demonstrated that the upregulation of myostatin gene expression might be responsible for the loss of body weight induced by altered thyroid hormone levels. We concluded that myostatin played a role in a metabolic process in muscle that was regulated by thyroid hormone.
Moment error minimized direct control allocation for redundant reaction wheel configurations

Direct control allocation, which solves moment error minimization problem, for redundant reaction wheel configurations in spacecraft attitude control is considered. Based on the position of given command moment with respect to the moment envelope, the proposed direct control allocation strategy is performed in three successive steps. Firstly, a modified generalized inverse, which provides the greatest volume of moments, is calculated to help produce analytical solutions when the magnitude of command moment is relatively small. If some elements of these solutions break predefined moment limits, l∞ norm optimal solutions are then obtained on the premise that command moment still lies within the moment envelope. Finally, if the preceding steps failed in generating desired results, l2 norm optimal solutions that meet the requirement for moment error minimization are retrieved by utilizing the geometrical relationship between the command moment and the convex hull of moment space. Numerical simulations illustrate the presented control allocation strategy and show its advantages over other methods in acquiring optimal solutions.