Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maternal Hemoglobin Concentrations and Birth Weight, Low Birth Weight (LBW), and Small for Gestational Age (SGA): Findings from a Prospective Study in Northwest China

Birth weight and related outcomes have profound influences on life cycle health, but the effect of maternal hemoglobin concentration during pregnancy on birth weight is still unclear. This study aims to reveal the associations between maternal hemoglobin concentrations in different trimesters of pregnancy and neonatal birth weight, LBW, and SGA. This was a prospective study based on a cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted from July 2015 to December 2019 in rural areas of Northwest China. Information on maternal socio-demographic status, health-related factors, antenatal visits, and neonatal birth outcomes were collected. A total of 3748 women and their babies were included in the final analysis. A total of 65.1% and 46.3% of the participants had anemia or hemoglobin ≥ 130 g/L during pregnancy. In the third trimester, maternal hemoglobin concentration was associated with birth weight in an inverted U-shaped curve and with the risks of LBW and SGA in extended U-shaped curves. The relatively higher birth weight and lower risks for LBW and SGA were observed when hemoglobin concentration was 100–110 g/L. When maternal hemoglobin was <70 g/L or >130 g/L, the neonatal birth weight was more than 100 g lower than that when the maternal hemoglobin was 100 g/L. In conclusion, both low and high hemoglobin concentrations in the third trimester could be adverse to fetal weight growth and increase the risks of LBW and SGA, respectively. In addition to severe anemia, maternal hemoglobin >130 g/L in the third trimester should be paid great attention to in the practice of maternal and child health care.
PERFORMANCE-BASED SEISMIC DESIGN AND ASSESSMENT OF CONCRETE BRIDGE PIERS REINFORCED WITH SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY REBAR

Recent advancements in numerical analysis and computational power have pushed the current bridge design specifications towards a more descriptive performance-based seismic design (PBSD) approach as compared to the conventional force-based method. One major attributes of this PBSD is to keep bridges operational and reduce the repair cost by limiting the global and local deformations of a bridge to acceptable levels under design loads. Shape memory alloy (SMA), with its distinct superelasticity, shape memory effect and hysteretic damping, is a promising material for the application in bridge piers to attain the objectives of PBSD. The objective of this research is to develop a performance-based seismic design guideline for concrete bridge pier reinforced with different types of SMAs. With the aim of providing a comprehensive design guideline, this study started with the experimental investigation of bond behavior of smooth and sand coated SMA rebar in concrete using pushout specimens. The test results were explored to evaluate the influence of concrete strength, bar diameter, embedment length, and surface condition. In addition, a plastic hinge length expression for SMA-RC bridge pier was developed which can be used for calculating the flexural displacement capacity and design of SMA-RC bridge pier. Using Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA), this study developed quantitative damage states corresponding to different performance levels (cracking, yielding, and strength degradation) and specific probabilistic distributions for RC bridge piers reinforced with different types of SMAs. Based on an extensive numerical study, the author proposed residual drift based damage states for SMA-RC pier. Based on the proposed damage states, a sequential procedure for the performance-based design of SMA-RC bridge pier is developed using a combination of residual and maximum drift. Finally, in order to elucidate the potential benefit and applicability of the proposed guideline, fragility curves and seismic hazard curves for different SMA-RC bridge piers are developed considering maximum and residual drift as engineering demand parameters. It is found that the SMA-RC bridge piers designed following the proposed design guideline have very low probability of damage resulting in a lower annual loss which will provide significant financial benefit in the long run.
The Acute Immune Responses of the Common Carp Cyprinus carpio to PLGA Microparticles—The Interactions of a Teleost Fish with a Foreign Material

Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) particles safely and effectively deliver pharmaceutical ingredients, with many applications approved for clinical use in humans. In fishes, PLGA particles are being considered as carriers of therapeutic drugs and vaccine antigens. However, existing studies focus mainly on vaccine antigens, the endpoint immune responses to these (e.g., improved antibody titres), without deeper understanding of whether fishes react to the carrier. To test whether or not PLGA are recognized by or interact at all with the immune system of a teleost fish, we prepared, characterized and injected PLGA microparticles intraperitoneally into common carp. The influx, phenotype of inflammatory leukocytes, and their capacity to produce reactive oxygen species and phagocytose PLGA microparticles were tested by flow cytometry, qPCR, and microscopy. PLGA microparticles were indeed recognized. However, they induced only transient recruitment of inflammatory leukocytes that was resolved 4 days later whereas only the smallest µm-sized particles were phagocytosed. The overall response resembled that described in mammals against foreign materials. Given the similarities between our findings and those described in mammals, PLGA particles can be adapted to play a dual role as both antigen and drug carriers in fishes, depending on the administered dose and their design.
The Concentration of ProAKAP4 and Other Indicators of Cryopotential of Spermatozoa Cryopreserved in Extender with Holothuroidea Extract Addition

Simple Summary Scientists are constantly making efforts to determine the fertilization capacity of sperm after ejaculation. The present research proves that the application of Holothuroidea extract to the semen extender improves its cryostability, and has a positive effect on the biological quality of sperm after the freezing process. Moreover, it has been proven that the proAKAP4 biomarker can be successfully used to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of various extenders for semen cryopreservation. Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of proAKAP4 and other indicators of cryopotential of spermatozoa cryopreserved in extender with Holothuroidea extract addition. Nine Holstein Friesian bulls, 3.5 years old, of known health status, were used for the study. The animals were kept and fed equally. Semen was collected once a week using an artificial vagina. The commercially available Holothuroidea extract was used as a supplement to the commercial extender (0, 2, 4 and 6 µL/mL) before the freezing/thawing process. The viability, motility, motion parameters, and acrosome integrity of the sperm were analyzed with (test) or without (control) extract samples. Furthermore, the concentration of the proAKAP4 biomarker in frozen sperm was assessed. It was shown that the addition of 4 and 6 µL of the extract may have a positive effect on the quality parameters of the sperm after thawing. The results indicate that extender supplementation with the above extract modulates (increases) the concentration of proAKAP4 in sperm at all tested levels. Additionally, this indicator has become helpful in identifying sperm of poor biological quality. Moreover, it has been proven that the proAKAP4 biomarker can be successfully used to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of various extenders for semen cryopreservation.
Influence of Cement Replacement with Sewage Sludge Ash (SSA) on the Heat of Hydration of Cement Mortar

The amount of fly ash from the incineration of sewage sludge is increasing all over the world, and its utilization is becoming a serious environmental problem. In the study, a type of sewage sludge ash (SSA) collected directly from the municipal sewage treatment plant was used. Five levels of cement replacement (2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10% and 20%) and unchanged water-to-binder (w/b) ratio (0.55) were used. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of sewage sludge ash (SSA) on the hydration heat process of cement mortars. The heat of the hydration of cement mortars was monitored by the isothermal calorimetric method for 7 days at 23 °C. The analysis of chemical composition and particle size distribution was performed on the tested material. The tests carried out have shown that SSA particles have irregular grain morphology and, taking into account the chemical composition consists mainly of oxides such as CaO, P2O5, SiO2 and Al2O3. The concentration of these compounds affects the hydration process of cement mortars doped with SSA. In turn, the content of selected heavy metals in the tested ash should not pose a threat to the environment. Calorimetric studies proved that the hydration process is influenced by the presence of SSA in cement mortars. The studies showed that the rate of heat generation decreased (especially in the initial setting period) with the increasing replacement of cement by SSA, which also reduced the amount of total heat compared to the control cement mortar. With increasing mass of the replacement of cement with SSA up to 20%, the 7-day compressive strength of the mortar samples decreases.
Environmental Fate and Toxicity of Sunscreen-Derived Inorganic Ultraviolet Filters in Aquatic Environments: A Review

An increasing number of inorganic ultraviolet filters (UVFs), such as nanosized zinc oxide (nZnO) and titanium dioxide (nTiO2), are formulated in sunscreens because of their broad UV spectrum sunlight protection and because they limit skin damage. However, sunscreen-derived inorganic UVFs are considered to be emerging contaminants; in particular, nZnO and nTiO2 UVFs have been shown to undergo absorption and bioaccumulation, release metal ions, and generate reactive oxygen species, which cause negative effects on aquatic organisms. We comprehensively reviewed the current study status of the environmental sources, occurrences, behaviors, and impacts of sunscreen-derived inorganic UVFs in aquatic environments. We find that the associated primary nanoparticle characteristics and coating materials significantly affect the environmental behavior and fate of inorganic UVFs. The consequential ecotoxicological risks and underlying mechanisms are discussed at the individual and trophic transfer levels. Due to their persistence and bioaccumulation, more attention and efforts should be redirected to investigating the sources, fate, and trophic transfer of inorganic UVFs in ecosystems.
Development of a Novel Handheld Device for Active Compensation of Physiological Tremor

Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib. uwo.ca/etd Part of the Biomedical Commons, Biomedical Devices and Instrumentation Commons, Computer-Aided Engineering and Design Commons, Controls and Control Theory Commons, Dynamics and Dynamical Systems Commons, Electro-Mechanical Systems Commons, Polymer and Organic Materials Commons, Robotics Commons, Signal Processing Commons, and the Systems and Integrative Engineering Commons
The hidden economy in Jordan: A MIMIC approach

Abstract This paper uses the Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes (MIMIC) approach to determine the annual size and growth of the hidden economy in Jordan for the period 1980–2018. We find that the key causal variables of the hidden economy in Jordan are: female labor force participation, the inflation rate, the unemployment rate, total tax revenue, and the budget deficit. The growth of these causal variables increases Jordan’s hidden economy. According to our findings, the estimated average of the hidden economy from 1980 to 2018 is 17.6% of the official GDP. Thus, it comprises a large portion of the official GDP. Furthermore, our results suggest an increase in the size of Jordan’s hidden economy from 11.8% in 1980 to 22.4% in 2018. The overall results can assist policymakers in Jordan to combat and reduce the size of the hidden economy.
Re-Discovery of Pyrimidine Salvage as Target in Cancer Therapy

Nucleotides are synthesized through two distinct pathways: de novo synthesis and nucleoside salvage. Whereas the de novo pathway synthesizes nucleotides from amino acids and glucose, the salvage pathway recovers nucleosides or bases formed during DNA or RNA degradation. In contrast to high proliferating non-malignant cells, which are highly dependent on the de novo synthesis, cancer cells can switch to the nucleoside salvage pathways to maintain efficient DNA replication. Pyrimidine de novo synthesis remains the target of interest in cancer therapy and several inhibitors showed promising results in cancer cells and in vivo models. In the 1980s and 1990s, poor responses were however observed in clinical trials with several of the currently existing pyrimidine synthesis inhibitors. To overcome the observed limitations in clinical trials, targeting pyrimidine salvage alone or in combination with pyrimidine de novo inhibitors was suggested. Even though this approach showed initially promising results, it received fresh attention only recently. Here we discuss the re-discovery of targeting pyrimidine salvage pathways for DNA replication alone or in combination with inhibitors of pyrimidine de novo synthesis to overcome limitations of commonly used antimetabolites in various preclinical cancer models and clinical trials. We also highlight newly emerged targets in pyrimidine synthesis as well as pyrimidine salvage as a promising target in immunotherapy.
Hanging Out, Messing Around, and Geeking Out: Kids Living and Learning with New Media [Book Review]

Review(s) of: Hanging Out, Messing Around, and Geeking Out: Kids Living and Learning with New Media, by Ito, Mizuko et al., MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 2009, ISBN 9 7802 6201 3369, xv + 419pp. , US$35.00.
Extreme Heat and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Scoping Review of the Epidemiological Evidence

Background: Extreme heat caused by climate change is a major public health concern, disproportionately affecting poor and racialized communities. Gestational heat exposure is a well-established teratogen in animal studies, with a growing body of literature suggesting human pregnancies are similarly at risk. Characterization of extreme heat as a pregnancy risk is problematic due to nonstandard definitions of heat waves, and variable study designs. To better focus future research in this area, we conducted a scoping review to assess the effects of extreme heat on pregnancy outcomes. Methods: A scoping review of epidemiological studies investigating gestational heat-exposure and published 2010 and 2020, was conducted with an emphasis on study design, gestational windows of sensitivity, adverse pregnancy outcomes and characterization of environmental temperatures. Results: A sample of 84 studies was identified, predominantly set in high-income countries. Preterm birth, birthweight, congenital anomalies and stillbirth were the most common pregnancy outcome variables. Studies reported race/ethnicity and/or socioeconomic variables, however these were not always emphasized in the analysis. Conclusion: Use of precise temperature data by most studies avoided pitfalls of imprecise, regional definitions of heat waves, however inconsistent study design, and exposure windows are a significant challenge to systematic evaluation of this literature. Despite the high risk of extreme heat events and limited mitigation strategies in the global south, there is a significant gap in the epidemiological literature from these regions. Greater consistency in study design and exposure windows would enhance the rigor of this field.
Contingency management for smartphone and social media use: a feasibility study

Abstract Though smartphone and social media use among college students has shown to be related to negative consequences, few interventions exist for modifying smartphone and social media use. The current study investigated the feasibility of implementing contingency management for reducing smartphone and social media use among college students. Contingency management involves offering individuals incentives for providing verifiable behavior change and has shown to be efficacious in modifying a variety of health-risk behaviors (e.g. smoking, cocaine use, physical activity). Participants (N = 32) who self-reported using social media on their iPhones for at least two hours per day completed a battery of health-related questionnaires, learned how to capture electronically smartphone-use data, then participated in contingency management for one week. During the intervention, we asked participants to reduce smartphone use daily from their individual baseline use (with the majority of the reduction deriving from social media use). If participants met daily intervention contingencies, we provided online vouchers to be exchanged for payment. On average, smartphone and social media use decreased during the intervention when participants were offered monetary incentives for reduction, and increased at follow-up assessment, suggesting that contingency management may be a useful experimental tool for intervening with smartphone and social media use among college students. The current study demonstrates that smartphone and social media use are malleable behaviors and can be manipulated using contingency management. Further work on clinical implications of reduced smartphone and social media use among college students is warranted.
Mindfulness-Based Interventions and Body Awareness

Body awareness (BA) has long been proposed as a working mechanism of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), yet research on the mediating role of BA is scarce. Hence, the present study assesses the impact of an 8-week MBI on self-reported and indirect measures of BA, investigates the potential mediating role of BA in the relationship between an MBI and symptomatology, evaluates the impact of an MBI on important psychological processes (i.e., experiential avoidance, rumination, self-efficacy, and self-discrepancy), and explores whether these variables act alongside BA in mediating the relationship between an MBI and symptomatology. A non-randomized controlled trial was conducted with 148 participants (n = 89 in the MBI group; n = 59 in the control group) who completed questionnaires assessing BA and the above-mentioned psychological processes before and after an MBI. A sub-sample of participants (n = 86) completed a task that evaluates BA indirectly. Results showed a significant effect of MBI on the self-reported BA but not on the indirect measure of BA. The MBI significantly reduced symptomatology, and this effect was mediated by regulatory and belief-related dimensions of BA. Multiple mediator models showed a significant mediation via various pathways involving improved BA and various transdiagnostic psychological processes.
Associations of Depression and Anxiety with Stigma in a Sample of Patients in Saudi Arabia Who Recovered from COVID-19

Purpose The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak combined with social distancing, isolation, and movement restrictions has had a profound impact on individuals’ physical and psychological well-being. The aim of this study was to examine the associations of depression and anxiety with feelings of stigma among patients in Saudi Arabia who have recovered from COVID-19. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted between July and December 2020. Trained healthcare providers contacted and interviewed participants by phone. Depression, anxiety, and stigma were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaire, and the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue stigma scale (EMIC). Data on sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, and family history of mental illness were also collected. Multiple linear regression models were performed to explore factors associated with depression and anxiety. Results A total of 174 adult participants (≥18 years old) who had recently recovered from COVID-19 were interviewed. The mean PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores were 7.53 (±5.04) and 3.77 (±4.47), respectively. About 68% of the participants had at least mild depression (PHQ-9 score of 5–9), whereas only 29.89% had at least mild anxiety (GAD-7 score of 5–9) during their infections with COVID-19. Multiple linear regression showed that females were more vulnerable to depression and anxiety disorders than their male counterparts were (β=3.071 and β=1.86, respectively). Notably, participants’ stigma scores were significantly associated with higher scores on depression and anxiety. Conclusion These findings highlight the negative consequences of COVID-19 infection on the mental health of recovered patients. Therefore, considerable attention from local and international health authorities is needed to improve the mental well-being of recovered COVID-19 patients.
Muskeget Channel tidal energy test facility

Conceptual designs were investigated for a tidal hydrokinetic device test facility at Muskeget Channel, MA. Six platform concepts were investigated for devices of various sizes: A floating platform, a submerged buoyant platform, a fixed bottom-mounted gravity foundation, a telescoping bottom-mounted gravity foundation, a fixed four-pile group foundation, and a two-pile surface-piercing structure that could raise and lower a device. A natural berth option was also considered. Designs for each concept were developed for structural soundness, dynamic response, vibration, scour, corrosion, bio-fouling, electrical connection, monitoring, operating limits, ease of turbine installation and access, and cost. The floating platform and two-pile platform were found to be the most practical. A floating platform would require less installation work and would be easier to remove at the end of its service life, but would need to be towed to port for extreme weather. A twopile, surface-piercing platform would constitute a more significant infrastructure investment.
Application of Protection Motivation Theory to Quantify the Impact of Pandemic Fear on Anticipated Postpandemic Transit Usage

The COVID-19 pandemic had an unprecedented impact on transit usage, primarily owing to the fear of infection. Social distancing measures, moreover, could alter habitual travel behavior, for example, using transit for commuting. This study explored the relationships among pandemic fear, the adoption of protective measures, changes in travel behavior, and anticipated transit usage in the post-COVID era, through the lens of protection motivation theory. Data containing multidimensional attitudinal responses about transit usage at several pandemic stages were utilized for the investigation. They were collected through a web-based survey in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada. Two structural equation models were estimated to examine the factors influencing anticipated postpandemic transit usage behavior. The results revealed that people taking relatively higher protective measures were comfortable taking a cautious approach such as complying with transit safety policies (TSP) and getting vaccinated to make transit trips. However, the intention to use transit on vaccine availability was found to be lower than in the case of TSP implementation. Conversely, those who were uncomfortable taking transit with caution and who were inclined to avoid travel and rely on e-shopping were most unlikely to return to transit in the future. A similar finding was observed for females, those with vehicle access, and middle-income individuals. However, frequent transit users during the pre-COVID period were more likely to continue to use transit after the pandemic. The study’s findings also indicated that some travelers might be avoiding transit specifically because of the pandemic, implying they are likely to return in the future.