Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maternal sepsis: epidemiology, etiology and outcome

Purpose of review Sepsis is a major cause of maternal death worldwide. Little is known on the incidence of severe maternal morbidity related to sepsis. In this review, we focus on new findings concerning epidemiology, etiology and outcome of maternal sepsis in low-income as well as high-income countries. Recent findings It is estimated that puerperal sepsis causes at least 75 000 maternal deaths every year, mostly in low-income countries. Studies from high-income countries report incidence of maternal morbidity due to sepsis of 0.1–0.6 per 1000 deliveries. The causative microorganisms are generally polymicrobial with β-haemolytic streptococci group A (GAS) often being the cause of severe cases of puerperal fever. The single most important risk factor for postpartum infection seems to be caesarean section, and prophylactic antibiotics during the procedure substantially reduce the infection risk. Improvements in service provision as promoted through the Surviving Sepsis Campaign can reduce the overall risk of mortality and morbidity from maternal sepsis in high-income as well as in low-income countries. Summary Maternal sepsis is an infrequent, but important complication of pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium, resulting in significant maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Improved outcome is possible through improved service provision.
Genome-wide screen of genes imprinted in sorghum endosperm, and the roles of allelic differential cytosine methylation.

Imprinting is an epigenetic phenomenon referring to allele-biased expression of certain genes depending on their parent of origin. Accumulated evidence suggests that, while imprinting is a conserved mechanism across kingdoms, the identities of the imprinted genes are largely species-specific. Using deep RNA sequencing of endosperm 14 days after pollination in sorghum, 5683 genes (29.27% of the total 19 418 expressed genes) were found to harbor diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphisms between two parental lines. The analysis of parent-of-origin expression patterns in the endosperm of a pair of reciprocal F1 hybrids between the two sorghum lines led to identification of 101 genes with ≥ fivefold allelic expression difference in both hybrids, including 85 maternal expressed genes (MEGs) and 16 paternal expressed genes (PEGs). Thirty of these genes were previously identified as imprinted in endosperm of maize (Zea mays), rice (Oryza sativa) or Arabidopsis, while the remaining 71 genes are sorghum-specific imprinted genes relative to these three plant species. Allele-biased expression of virtually all of the 14 tested imprinted genes (nine MEGs and five PEGs) was validated by pyrosequencing using independent sources of RNA from various developmental stages and dissected parts of endosperm. Forty-six imprinted genes (30 MEGs and 16 PEGs) were assayed by quantitative RT-PCR, and the majority of them showed endosperm-specific or preferential expression relative to embryo and other tissues. DNA methylation analysis of the 5' upstream region and gene body for seven imprinted genes indicated that, while three of the four PEGs were associated with hypomethylation of maternal alleles, no MEG was associated with allele-differential methylation.
Cultural practices, gender inequality and inconsistent condom use increase vulnerability to HIV infection: narratives from married and cohabiting women in rural communities in Mpumalanga province, South Africa

ABSTRACT Background: Women in sub-Saharan Africa bear the brunt of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic, and older married women and those in cohabiting relationships are regarded as the largest HIV risk group. Although preventing HIV infection in married or stable relationships is an international HIV prevention priority, little is known about the influence of sociocultural contexts on safe-sex practice by women, particularly older women in rural communities in South Africa. Objectives: This study aimed to examine how older women in a rural patriarchal society negotiate safer sex within marital and long-term cohabitation relationships, and their perceptions and experiences of barriers that influence condom use. Methods: Focus group discussions were conducted with married and cohabiting women aged 40–60 years recruited from primary health facilities in a rural district in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the data. Results: We found that although women reported negotiating safe sex in their relationships, they dreaded the possible consequences of suggesting condom use with their partners. Many factors made negotiating safe sex complex for these women: living in a patriarchal society where women play no part in sexual decision making, the fear of possible consequences of insisting on condom use, women’s inferior social position in marital relationships, cultural practices such as bride price, and gender inequality were the main barriers to practising safer sex. Conclusions: Older married and cohabiting women dreaded negotiating safer sex in this patriarchal society where women’s subordination is legitimized. The findings suggest that the women were at high risk of HIV infection because of their inability to negotiate condom use, or to reject forced sex and non-consensual sex. There is a need for interventions targeting older married and cohabiting couples and key stakeholders within communities to create awareness about cultural practices and beliefs that undermine women and HIV prevention efforts.
Liberal Individualist, Communitarian, or Deliberative? Analyzing Political Discussion on Facebook Based on Three Notions of Democracy

This study explores the democratic value of political discussion on Facebook using theory triangulation and operationalizing three models of democracy. It aims to determine which democratic model offers the best account of the benefits of Facebook discussions and to explore whether this varies according to the ideology and history of the political party hosting them. An analysis of 2,800 comments published on the Facebook websites of four Spanish political parties reveals that the discussions generally serve communitarian and deliberative purposes and, to a much smaller extent, liberal individualist goals. Results highlight significant differences related to the parties’ ideology and history. Discussions on right-wing websites lean more liberal individualist, whereas those on left-wing parties’ sites favor a more communitarian dynamic. Moreover, conversations hosted by new political parties are more communitarian and civil in tone than those hosted by traditional parties.
Effect of taurine and caffeine on plasma c-reactive protein and calcium in Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND Caffeine is a component of several beverages such as coffee and tea. It has been shown to possess psychoactive properties because it increases alertness, energy and ability to concentrate at moderate doses. Taurine on the other hand, is an amino acid which has the capacity to promote neural development, osmoregulation and neuroprotection. There is paucity of information on the effect of the combined administration of taurine and caffeine on C-reactive protein (CRP)--a marker of inflammation and plasma calcium level in rats. AIM The present study was designed to investigate the effects of combined taurine and caffeine on the plasma level of CRP, Ca2+ as well as the effect of nifedipine on calcium level. METHOD Fifty four rats weighing 120-140 g were used for these studies. The animals were divided into nine groups consisting of six animals each. Group 1 was treated with 10 m/kg of normal saline, Groups 2 and 3 were given 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of taurine respectively, groups 4 and 5 received 7.5 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg of caffeine respectively while group 6 was administered taurine (200 mg/kg) and caffeine (15 mg/kg), groups 7 and 8 were treated with taurine (200 mg/kg) plus nifedipine (10 mg/kg) and taurine (200 mg/kg)plus furosemide (20 mg/kg) respectively while group 9 was given taurine plu caffeine plus nifdipine plus furosemide. Treatment was done once daily for 21 days and blood was finally collected via cardiac puncture for the assay of CRP and calcium while the animals were under anaesthesia. RESULTS The results showed that CRP was significantly decreased in five of the treated groups compared with the control with the exception of the group treated with taurine alone (Group 2), and that treated with combined taurine and caffeine (Group 6). The Ca2+ level of groups treated with caffeine (11.70 ± 0.29 mg/dL) and taurine with caffeine (11.64 ± 0.15 mg/dL) were significantly (p < 0.05) increased compared with the control (10.70 ± 0.29 mg/dL). However, treatment with taurine and nifedipine (Group 7) led to significant (p < 0.05) reduction in plasma Ca2+ level. CONCLUSION The results have shown that combined caffeine and taurine can boost plasma calcium level and decrease plasma CRP level. Moreover, taurine combined with nifedipine but not furosemide can act synergistically to lower both plasma Ca2+ and CRP levels, a result which may have implication for the treatment of hypertension.
Association between obesity and asthma in Japanese preschool children

To cite this article: Okabe Y, Adachi Y, Itazawa T, Yoshida K, Ohya Y, Odajima H, Akasawa A, Miyawaki T. Association between obesity and asthma in Japanese preschool children. Pediatric Allergy Immunology 2012: 23: 550–555.
Inhibitory Effect of Heterologous Ribosome Recycling Factor on Growth of Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Ribosome recycling factor (RRF) of Thermotoga maritimawas expressed in Escherichia coli from the cloned T. maritima RRF gene and purified. Expression of T. maritima RRF inhibited growth of the E. coli host in a dose-dependent manner, an effect counteracted by the overexpression of E. coli RRF. T. maritima RRF also inhibited the E. coli RRF reaction in vitro. Genes encoding RRFs fromStreptococcus pneumoniae and Helicobacter pylori have been cloned, and they also impair growth of E. coli, although the inhibitory effect of these RRFs was less pronounced than that of T. maritima RRF. The amino acid sequence at positions 57 to 62, 74 to 78, 118 to 122, 154 to 160, and 172 to 176 in T. maritima RRF differed totally from that ofE. coli RRF. This suggests that these regions are important for the inhibitory effect of heterologous RRF. We further suggest that bending and stretching of the RRF molecule at the hinge between two domains may be critical for RRF activity and therefore responsible forT. maritima RRF inhibition of the E. coli RRF reaction.
Bay K 8644 is a Negative Inotrope in the Presence of Arachidonic Acid but not Eicosapentaenoic Acid

Summary: The inotropic and radioligand binding characteristics of arachidonic acid (AA) and the fish oil derivative, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), were studied. A A alone was a concentration-dependent negative inotrope in isolated hamster papillary muscles. The negative inotropic effect of AA was enhanced 500-fold by the coadministration of indomethacin (cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor) and caffeic acid (lipoxygenase inhibitor). The dihydropyridine calcium channel agonist Bay K 8644 (BK) was a concentration-dependent positive inotrope. BK in the presence of AA was a concentration-dependent negative inotrope. The negative inotropic effect of BK in the presence of AA was blocked by caffeic acid but not indomethacin. EPA alone was a concentration-dependent negative inotrope. EPA had no effect on the positive inotropic effect of BK. Scatchard analyses of [3H]nitrendipine (dihydropyridine) binding to cardiac membranes in the presence of AA or EPA resulted in a decrease in the KD (-1/slope) with no effect on Bmax (x intercept). Kinetic studies further revealed that both AA and EPA enhanced the off rate of [3H]nitrendipine binding. These data suggest that both AA and EPA mediate similar direct negative inotropic effects through cardiac sarcolemmal calcium channels. A unique effect on E-C coupling by AA, not shared by EPA, is mediated through the lipoxygenase pathway (leukotrienes). AA and its eicosanoid products may play critically important roles in regulating myocardial contractility during acute and chronic myocardial ischemia. Differences between AA and EPA may contribute to the beneficial effects of dietary fish oils enriched in EPA.
The Economic Impact of Electricity Losses

Although electricity losses constitute an important, but inevitable, amount of wasted resources (and a share that has to be funded), they remain one of the lesser known parts of an electricity system, and this despite the fact that the decisions of generators, transmission and distribution system operators and consumers all impact on them. In this paper we analyse the effects of such losses from two perspectives: from that of consumption or outflows and from that of generation or inflows. Given that end-user consumption varies across the day, consumption has direct implications for electricity losses. Indeed, demand-side management policies seek to encourage consumers to use less energy during peak hours and to reduce network congestion. At the same time, from the perspective of generation, the recent growth in distributed generation has modified the traditional, unidirectional, downward flows in electricity systems. This affects losses as energy is produced in the lower voltage network, which is closer to points of consumption. In this paper we evaluate the impact of consumption patterns and different generation technologies on energy losses. To do so, we draw on data from a real electricity system with a high level of renewable penetration, namely, that of Spain between 2011 and 2013. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper to analyse the real impact of consumption and the effect of each generation technology on energy losses, offering an opportunity to evaluate the potential benefits of demand-side management policies and distributed generation. Based on our results, we make a number of regulatory recommendations aimed at exploiting to the full these potential benefits. Our results should serve as a baseline for countries that are in the early stages of implementing these policies.
LEADER - an approach to innovative and suitable solutions in rural areas?

The research presented is part of the evaluation of Rural Development Programmes (RDP) in seven German “Lander” (federal states). Innovation is often mentioned as an important pillar of the development of rural areas. One part of Rural Development Programmes, which explicitly addresses innovation, is LEADER: a bottom up-oriented, participatory approach with cooperation by local actors in rural areas. In LEADER, a Local Action Group (LAG) with stakeholders of different institutions and origins comes together as a kind of a public-private partnership and decides about the financial support for regional projects. The LAG can be seen as a kind of new “network of practice. ” In this context it is important for the LAGs to assemble people with various backgrounds and to foster a good communication and cooperative climate. A survey of LAG-members shows positive results: there are improvements in the “cooperation beyond administrative borders” (respectively, narrow village boundaries), in the “improving of understanding views from other groups” and in the „cooperation between different groups. ” Thus LEADER is an example of how an external programme can connect actors from different interest groups who would, without this programme, in part not have met. In addition, LEADER offers the possibility to try out new approaches, as the regions have access to their “own” funding budget to implement their ideas. But in practice the possibilities of funding experimental or innovative projects via LEADER depend very much on the extent to which the RDPs are able to provide a suitable framework to fund projects outside the standard menu of measures. The assessments of the LAG-managers show that the real possibilities are limited, particularly compared with the former funding period (LEADER+). But despite these limitations, we found LEADER- projects fostering innovation in very different fields.
Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy assessment of brain function in experimental animals and man

This paper introduces the basic principles and techniques of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and spectroscopy (MRS). Examples are given of single event human fMRI studies on control subjects, and a graded activation protocol applied to Parkinsonian patients. Possibilities are discussed for using fMRI techniques to study the neural substrate of various pharmacological agents, including drugs of abuse.The application of these pharmacological MRI (phMRI) studies to animal models and the associated technical issues are also addressed. The use of MRS in studying brain status and function is reviewed, with particular emphasis on 13C isotopic labelling studies.
Hyperdimensional Computing Approach to Word Sense Disambiguation

Coping with the ambiguous meanings of words has long been a hurdle for information retrieval and natural language processing systems. This paper presents a new word sense disambiguation approach using high-dimensional binary vectors, which encode meanings of words based on the different contexts in which they occur. In our approach, a randomly constructed vector is assigned to each ambiguous term, and another to each sense of this term. In the context of a sense-annotated training set, a reversible vector transformation is used to combine these vectors, such that both the term and the sense assigned to a context in which the term occurs are encoded into vectors representing the surrounding terms in this context. When a new context is encountered, the information required to disambiguate this term is extracted from the trained semantic vectors for the terms in this context by reversing the vector transformation to recover the correct sense of the term. On repeated experiments using ten-fold cross-validation and a standard test set, we obtained results comparable to the best obtained in previous studies. These results demonstrate the potential of our methodology, and suggest directions for future research.
Improved Broiler Performance Associated with Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale Vaccination in Breeders

SUMMARY. During a field study in 2010 the daily growth, feed conversion, first-week mortality, broiler loss due to mortality and slaughterhouse condemnation, and production index were monitored in 100 broiler flocks derived from four breeder farms vaccinated with Nobilis OR inac and four Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale–unvaccinated breeder farms of the same organization in Belgium. Other parameters related to the broiler flocks, such as flock size, season, age of the breeders, and corresponding breeder farms, were also noted. All gathered data were examined with ANOVA, linear correlation, and linear regression analyses. Results demonstrated a significant 22.3% lower broiler loss and a significant 3.9% higher production index in the broiler flocks derived from breeders vaccinated with Nobilis OR inac. These results confirm field observations obtained in 1999, thereby providing further evidence for an effect of O. rhinotracheale vaccination in breeders with regard to the improved performance of broilers. RESUMEN. Mejora del rendimiento del pollo de engorde asociado con la vacunación contra Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale en aves reproductoras. Durante un estudio de campo en el año 2010, se analizaron el crecimiento diario, la conversión alimenticia, la mortalidad a la primera semana, la pérdida de pollos por mortalidad, los decomisos en la planta de procesamiento, y el índice de la producción, en 100 lotes de pollos de engorde procedentes de cuatro granjas de reproductoras inmunizadas con la vacuna Nobilis OR inac. y en cuatro granjas de reproductores no vacunadas contra Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale de la misma compañía en Bélgica. Otros parámetros relacionados con las parvadas de pollos de engorde, tales como el tamaño de la parvada, la estación, la edad de las reproductoras y las granjas de reproductoras correspondientes, también fueron registrados. Todos los datos obtenidos se analizaron mediante los métodos de análisis de varianza, correlación lineal y análisis de regresión lineal. Los resultados demostraron una pérdida significativamente menor en un 22.3% y un índice de producción significativamente mayor en un 3.9% en las parvadas de pollos procedentes de reproductoras vacunadas con Nobilis OR inac. Estos resultados confirman las observaciones de campo obtenidas en el año 1999, proporcionando mayor evidencia del efecto de la vacunación contra O. rhinotracheale en reproductoras relacionado con la mejora del rendimiento de pollos de engorde.
Democracy and political participation in Nigeria: The case of imo state in the 2007 general elections

One of the contributions of democratic practices has been the development of a system of checks and balances to ensure that political power is dispersed and decentralized. It is a system founded on the deeply held belief that government is best when its potentials for abuse are curbed and when it is held as close to the people as possible. That is the reason why democracy as a system of government is now the most central and ascendant idea in world politics. Democracy is a culture that is lived out through participation. As a culture, it is patterned by the people, environment and the regulatory instruments of the people. The study tried to find out why people.s participation which should be the hallmark of democracy is only minimally witnessed during general elections in Nigeria by evaluating people.s participation in the 2007 general elections in Imo State.The study revealed that many people within the voting age did not vote and were not adequately mobilized to do so. It also showed that almost all the political activities before, during and after the general elections were carried out by the political party members other than the people or masses. Again, most political actions were carried out without taking into consideration the constitutional provisions for such.The paper concludes that Nigerian democracy not only lacks people.s participation in all those political activities that gave meaning to democracy but also flouts some democratic principles. Keywords : Democracy, Elections, Political Participation and Evaluation
A review of Australian publications in educational leadership journals

Educational leadership research activity has a long history in Australia dating back to the pioneering work of Bill Walker. One measure of such activity is publications and in the contemporary policy environment of higher education in which assessment and ranking is tied to research outputs and income, the imperative to publish is arguably at its greatest. In this paper, using the data from an audit of 18 different educational leadership journals, I argue that the Australian contribution to the field of educational leadership is in need of critical reflection. Although Australians play a prominent role in some international arenas, the bulk of the work comes from a relatively small group of academics published in a small set of journals. If the Australian educational leadership voice is to reach the lofty heights of the leading field, it requires a period of self-reflection and a commitment to undertaking work that is of both theoretical and methodological importance. This paper is meant as a starting point for such a conversation to