Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of iron deficiency states and risk of haemoconcentration during pregnancy according to initial iron stores and iron supplementation

Abstract Objective To describe the prevalence of iron depletion (ID), iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) and risk of haemoconcentration during pregnancy and at delivery and to assess the influence of initial Fe stores and Fe supplementation on that prevalence. Design Longitudinal study. Setting Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus (Catalonia, Spain). Subjects Two hundred and eighty-five pregnant women. Serum ferritin and Hb were measured in the first, second and third trimesters and at delivery. Women were classified according to initial Fe stores as ID or no ID (serum ferritin ≥12 μg/l) and according to Fe supplement use as supplemented or non-supplemented. Results Initial ID was 16·2 %. At delivery, 45·7 % had ID, 13·5 % IDA and 13·3 % had risk of haemoconcentration. Initial ID and non-supplemented groups had significantly higher prevalences of ID and IDA and lower risk of haemoconcentration at delivery than the other groups. In the multiple logistic models, no initial ID and Fe supplementation exerted a protective effect against ID at delivery (adjusted OR = 0·28; 95 % CI 0·13, 0·58 and adjusted OR = 0·39; 95 % CI 0·22, 0·69, respectively). Moderate Fe supplementation did not seem to clearly prevent IDA (adjusted OR = 0·91; 95 % CI 0·42, 1·96) or to enhance the haemoconcentration (adjusted OR = 1·42; 95 % CI 0·58, 3·50). Conclusions The prevalence of ID and IDA was high in late pregnancy in healthy pregnant women, particularly in those with initial ID and/or those not taking supplements. Starting pregnancy with no ID and/or taking moderate Fe supplementation decreased the likelihood of ID at delivery. The risk of haemoconcentration was high at delivery, but did not seem to be promoted by Fe supplementation. Further research is necessary to determine the most appropriate nutritional advice for pregnant women.
Sarpogrelate Hydrochloride, a Selective 5-HT2A Antagonist, Improves Vascular Function in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is 1 of the major manifestations of atherosclerosis. PAD is associated with endothelial dysfunction. Sarpogrelate hydrochloride, a selective 5-HT2A antagonist, has been widely used as an anti-platelet agent for the treatment of PAD. There is no information on whether endothelial function is improved after initiation of sarpogrelate treatment in patients with PAD. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of sarpogrelate on endothelial function in patients with PAD. We divided PAD patients into 2 groups: those treated with sarpogrelate at a dose of 100 mg 3 times per day orally for 12 weeks (sarpogrelate group, n = 10), and those who remained on conventional therapy (control group, n = 11). Forearm blood flow (FBF) and leg blood flow (LBF) responses to reactive hyperemia (RH) and sublingual administration of nitroglycerin (NTG) were measured using strain-gauge plethysmography. After 12 weeks of sarpogrelate administration, FBF and LBF responses during RH showed significant increases from 13.2 ± 1.7 to 18.1 ± 2.2 mL/min per 100 mL tissue (P < 0.01) and from 8.2 ± 0.9 to 14.2 ± 2.1 mL/min per 100 mL tissue (P < 0.05), respectively. Sarpogrelate-induced augmentation of FBF and LBF responses to RH was maintained at 24 weeks. No change was observed in the control group at each follow-up time point. The changes in FBF and LBF after sublingual NTG were similar during follow-up periods in the 2 groups. These findings suggest that long-term oral administration of sarpogrelate improves vascular function in patients with PAD.
Novel Type of Hepatitis B Virus Mutation: Replacement Mutation Involving a Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1 Binding Site Tandem Repeat in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Genotype E

ABSTRACT The genetic diversity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) strains has evolved through mutations such as point mutations, deletions or insertions, and recombination. We identified and characterized a novel type of mutation which is a complex of external insertion, deletion, and internal duplication in sequences from one of six patients with chronic hepatitis B virus genotype E (HBV/E). We provisionally named this mutation a “replacement mutation”; the core promoter upstream regulatory sequence/basic core promoter was replaced with a part of the S1 promoter covering the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 (HNF1) binding site, followed by a tandem repeat of the HNF1 site. A longitudinal analysis of the HBV population over 6 years showed the clonal change from wild-type HBV/E to replacement-mutant type, resulting in a lower hepatitis B (HB) e antigen titer, a high HBV DNA level in serum, and progression of liver fibrosis. In an in vitro study using a replication model, the replacement-mutant HBV showed higher replication levels than the wild-type HBV/E replicon, probably mediated by altered transcription factor binding. Additionally, this HNF1 site replacement mutation was associated with excessive HB nucleocapsid protein expression in hepatocytes, in both in vivo and in vitro studies. This novel mutation may be specific to HBV genotype E, and its prevalence requires further investigation.
Safety of Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the benefits and harms of vaginal birth after cesarean compared with repeat cesarean delivery. DATA SOURCES: The computerized databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, HealthSTAR, Cochrane CENTRAL, and National Centre for Reviews and Dissemination Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness, along with reference lists and national experts, were used to conduct this review. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: All studies that reported data for maternal or infant outcomes in women with prior cesarean delivery were eligible. Methodological quality was evaluated for each study with the criteria of the United States Preventive Services Task Force and the National Health Service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. Twenty of 6,828 potentially relevant articles (55,506 patients) were included in the analysis. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Two authors independently abstracted information on study design, sample size, participant characteristics, and maternal and fetal health outcomes by using a standardized protocol. Rates of vaginal delivery in women undergoing a trial of labor ranged from 60% to 82%. There was no significant difference in maternal deaths or hysterectomy between trial of labor and repeat cesarean. Uterine rupture was more common in the trial-of-labor group, but rates of asymptomatic uterine dehiscence did not differ. Studies conflicted on the effect of induction of labor on these outcomes. Data regarding infant outcomes were poor. CONCLUSION: Safety in childbirth for women with prior cesarean is a major public health concern. Methodological deficiencies in the literature evaluating the relative safety of vaginal birth after cesarean compared with repeat cesarean delivery are striking. The identification of high-risk and low-risk groups of women and settings for morbidity remains a key research priority.
GeoSec: quarantine zones for mobile ad hoc networks

With their wireless and infrastructureless nature, mobile ad hoc networks offer new possibilities for communication, but also new possibilities for attacks. An intrusion detection system combined with intrusion response mechanisms is a promising approach which mitigates the effects of attacks, but cannot be taken directly from wired or infrastructure-based environments. In this paper, we propose an intrusion response mechanism for mobile ad hoc networks that excludes detected adversaries from the network based on their geographical position. To this end, we establish geographical quarantine zones, which block communication around misbehaving nodes. Thus, we depart from the assumption that attacks can be uniquely bound to addresses. Without loss of generality, we show how our approach can be used together with the AODV routing protocol to provide an intrusion response to a combination of Blackhole and Sybil attacks. In a series of simulation studies, we compare our approach with a ‘traditional’, address-based intrusion response strategy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Throughput Optimization for Energy Harvesting Cognitive Radio Networks with Save-Then-Transmit Protocol

In this paper, we consider a time-slotted energy harvesting cognitive radio network with the savethen-transmit protocol, in which the secondary user (SU) is powered by energy harvested from the ambient environment. The primary concern of this study is to design an optimal harvesting-access policy to maximize the throughput of the SU, where the harvesting part of the policy specify the time duration allocated for harvesting energy, and the access part of the policy specify the power level to be used upon transmission. Jointly considering the presence of primary users, diversity of channel quality, time and energy consumption for the sensing process as well as sensing errors, we formulate the above design problem as an infinite-horizon Markov decision process, and propose an algorithm to find the optimal harvesting-access policy using the value iteration. We then investigate the relationship between the throughput, the available energy in the battery and the battery capacity. It is indicated that the achievable throughput is monotonously increases with the available energy in the battery if the available energy is under a threshold, which is determined by the battery capacity. Next, in order to reduce the computational complexity, we propose an optimal myopic policy with a closed-form expression. Finally, the performance of the proposed policies and the impacts of system parameters are evaluated through numerical results.
Error probabilities for adaptive multichannel reception of binary signals

Description and performance are given for two slightly different forms of an adaptive receiver that is used with binary signaling in a multichannel communication system. Each channel has a non-dispersive, nonfading propagation path and additive white gaussian noise that is independent of, and equal in intensity to, the other channel noises. Either phase-independent orthogonal signaling (such as FSK) or phase-reversal-comparison signaling is employed to convey to the receiver both the message and information about the path strengths and phases. The receiver measures the path parameters and applies the results to the detection processing as though they were perfectly accurate; it is shown that this procedure is a natural extension of non-adaptive reception. Results are given without derivation for the probability of binary decision error, which depends on the type of signaling, the ratio of the total noise-exclusive signaling energy received to the noise intensity, the number of channels, and the ratio of the effective measurement time to the binary signal duration. The distribution of the received signaling energy among the channels is immaterial. Graphs of error probability are presented for selected system parameters. A novel by-product of the study is an error-probability expression for non-adaptive multichannel reception of quite general binary signaling. Optimal adjustment of the adaptive receiver for fading-path situations is also considered, but corresponding error probabilities have not yet been derived.
29P. Exploring the Impact of Knowledge Management Capabilities on Organizational Effectiveness

Research on knowledge management success often focuses on aggregate concepts of knowledge management capabilities when assessing their impact on organizational effectiveness. As such, little is known about the role of the individual resources that make up an organization's knowledge management capability and their impact on organizational effectiveness. To better understand these relationships, this study investigates a component model of knowledge management capabilities. Data collected from 189 managers and structural equation modeling are used to assess the research model. The results show that individual resources are differentially related to organizational effectiveness, with only some resources (e.g. organizational structure) having significant relationships vis-a-vis organizational effectiveness and others exhibiting null effects. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Critical Current of Mechanically Loaded ${\rm Nb}_{3}{\rm Sn}$ Superconducting Multi-Strand Cable

We developed a novel critical current and stability experimental setup utilizing a closed electric circuit with a multi-stand superconducting cable. The feature of this setup is transverse mechanical loading implied to the multi-strand cable in the transverse direction. It was reported that Lorentz force caused degradation of critical current in the ITER-TFMC conductor. Furthermore, these phenomena were only observed in the ITER full size conductors with large Lorentz forces under high magnetic field. The advantage of our setup is a critical current measurement with comparable mechanical stress under high magnetic field. Employing an inductive critical current measurement technique, we conducted the experiment with transport current of around 10 kA without any power supply nor current lead. As experimental results, we observed significant degradation due to compressive stress of around 30 MPa. This degradation was found irreversible, when it was unloaded.
A survey on realistic mobility models for Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs)

In order to conduct a successful simulation of wireless ad hoc networks and in particular VANETs, appropriate mobility models should be included and applied in the simulation. This is important because mobility is the main feature of VANETs; it affects routing protocols, packet delivery and leads to communication and channel disruption. In this paper, main realistic mobility models are surveyed and categorized based on the approach used to construct the model. Couples of examples about each category were presented as well. The main aspects of realism in each model were highlighted in addition to their effects on network connectivity and performance. The paper aims at providing new researchers with an idea about the different methods and approaches available, to allow new proposed models to build their work on solid realistic models. This will help ensuring that the main features are incorporated in the model and will help in developing new approaches as well.
Coupling the T7 A1 Promoter to the Runaway‐Replication Vector as an Efficient Method for Stringent Control and High‐Level Expression of lacZ

An expression vector characterized by tight regulation and high expression of cloned genes appears to be indispensable for the engineering need. To achieve this goal, in association with lacI the T7 A1 promoter containing two synthetic lac operators was constructed into a runaway‐replication vector. To further examine this vector system, lacZ was subcloned and placed under the control of the T7 A1 promoter on the plasmid. With the application of the thermal induction alone, the Escherichia coli strain harboring the recombinant plasmid was able to produce 15,000 Miller units of β‐galactosidase, while it yielded the recombinant protein with 45,000−50,000 Miller units upon both thermal and chemical induction. In sharp contrast, only 60−90 Miller units of β‐galactosidase was obtained for the cell at an uninduced state. As a result, the production yield of β‐galactosidase over the background level is amplified approximately 170‐fold by thermal induction and 500‐fold by thermal and chemical induction. To produce the recombinant protein on a large scale, an approach by connecting two fermenters in series was newly developed. By applying the three‐stage temperature shift in this dual fermenter system, 55,000 Miller units of β‐galactosidase was obtained. Overall, it shows the potential use of the vector system developed here for its tight control and high production of recombinant proteins.
Disparities in the Magnitude of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-related Opportunistic Infections Between High and Low/Middle-income Countries: Is Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Changing the Trend?

Opportunistic infections (OIs) cause significant morbidity/mortality in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals globally. Disparities between high-income countries (HICs) and low/middle-income countries (LMICs) in the magnitude of HIV-related OIs in pre-highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) populations was reviewed, and HAART-induced decline in OIs was further compared between the two settings. Studies published in English from onset of HIV epidemic up to December 2013 were searched in PubMed, Google, Google Scholar, and African Journal online. An article was included if (a) the study was conducted in HIC or LMIC, (b) the age of the participants was ≥12 years, (c) the HAART status of the participants was stated, and (d) various types of OIs were investigated. In predominantly pre-HAART populations, the incidence and prevalence of overall HIV-related OIs in HIC ranged from 5.5 to 50.0 per 100 person-years (PY) and 27.4-56.7%, respectively. In LMIC, the respective overall incidence and prevalence of OIs were 12.2-93.9 per 100 PY and 32.0-77.7%. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, candidiasis, Cytomegalovirus disease, Mycobacterium avium complex disease, and Kaposi′s sarcoma were the most frequent OIs in HICs while tuberculosis, candidiasis, chronic diarrhea, and cryptococcosis were predominant in LMICs. The introduction of HAART led to substantial reduction in the incidence of OIs with more impressive percentage decline in HICs (43-97%) compared to 30-79% in LMICs. Disparities in the magnitude of HIV-related OIs between HICs and LMICs are evident both in the pre-HAART and post-HAART era. Efforts to optimize HAART-induced decline in HIV-related OIs should become a global health priority irrespective of prevailing socioeconomic circumstances.
Bariatric Surgery Does not Interfere With Sperm Quality—A Preliminary Long-Term Study

Purpose: Positive impact of weight loss on sexual function and hormones has been demonstrated, and male fertility in this scenario is to be better defined. We evaluated the impact of lifestyle modifications and gastric bypass on sperm quality. Methods: We prospectively studied 20 morbidly obese men during 24 months, randomized for intervention: lifestyle modifications (exercise and diet) for 4 months and subsequently gastric bypass (n = 10); and control: follow-up (n = 10). All patients underwent International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire, serum estradiol, prolactin (PRL), luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones (LH and FSH), free and total testosterones (FT and TT) and semen analysis at baseline (time 0), surgery 4 months later baseline (time 1) and final evaluation 24 months (time 2). Results: Intervention group presented significant reduction in body mass index (BMI) at times 1 and 2, compared to control. There were no significant differences among sperm parameters between groups at times 0, 1, and 2 and among times 0, 1, and 2 in each group. Increases in IIEF-5 score (P = .0469), TT (P = .0349), and FSH (P = .0025) and reduction in PRL (P < .0001) were observed in the intervention group from times 0 to 2 and 1 to 2. Comparing groups at time 2, IIEF-5, TT, and FT increased significantly in the intervention group (P = .0224, P = .0043, and P = .0149, respectively). Conclusions: Surgery-induced massive weight loss does not interfere with sperm quality, while it increased the quality of sexual function, TT, FT and FSH and reduced PRL. Lifestyle modifications impacted merely the BMI. New studies are warranted, mostly considering birth rate as primary end point and including infertile men.
Diachronic patterns of change in structural properties of the femur in the prehistoric American Southwest.

Diachronic patterns of change in the femoral diaphysis are examined in archaeological skeletal samples from the American Southwest. Three cultural periods differing in subsistence-settlement strategies are represented: Early Villages (A.D. 500-1150), Abandonments (A.D. 1150-1300), and Aggregated Villages (A.D. 1300-1540). Relevant properties of cross-sectional geometry and bone density were obtained using computerized tomography. Temporal trends in geometry suggest that activity levels increased between Early Villages and Abandonments, then declined during Aggregated Villages. In both sexes, femoral shape became more circular, and bending stresses were reduced in the a-p plane through time. Compared to the other periods, bone density was the lowest during Abandonments in both sexes. The reduction in bone density may reflect declining nutritional quality through time that was especially poor during the Abandonments period. Patternings in sexual dimorphism suggest that Abandonments males may have been more sensitive to nutritional stress than contemporary females.
A prospective, randomized comparison of Oxyglobin (HB-200) and packed red blood cell transfusion for canine babesiosis.

OBJECTIVE To establish the efficacy of Oxyglobin (HB-200) in canine babesiosis and compare it to standard therapy, packed red blood cell transfusion (pRBCT) with respect to improvements in specific parameters of blood gas, acid-base, blood pressure, and subjective evaluations. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, clinical trial. SETTING Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital. ANIMALS Twelve dogs (8-25 kg) naturally infected with Babesia rossi and a hematocrit of 0.1-0.2 L/L (10-20%). INTERVENTIONS Treatment groups were randomized to receive either 20 mL/kg of Oxyglobin or pRBCT over 4 hours via a central venous catheter. Transfusions were followed by lactated Ringer's solution infusion. Rectal temperature, femoral arterial and mixed venous blood sampling, oscillometric blood pressure, and subjective assessment of patient status (habitus), and appetite were performed at time points 0, 1, 4, 8, 24, 48, and 72 hours. MAIN RESULTS Dogs presented with a hypoalbuminemic alkalosis; hyperchloremic, dilutional acidosis; normotensive tachycardia; pyrexia; depression; and anorexia. Both treatments produced similar results, with the exception of significant differences in pH (4 h); PCO(2) (4 h); hemoglobin (8 h, 24 h); mean arterial pressure (48 h); albumin (4 h, 8 h); habitus (8 h, 48 h); and appetite (24 h). Arterial O(2) content was higher for pRBCT than Oxyglobin at 72 hours, but central venous PO(2) did not differ between groups or over time and was consistently subnormal. CONCLUSIONS Oxyglobin provides similar overall improvements to pRBCT in dogs with anemia from babesiosis, with respect to blood gas, acid-base and blood pressure, although patients receiving packed cells tended to have more rapid normalization of habitus and appetite.