Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of the health system in women's utilisation of maternal health services in Sudan

Background: Maternal mortality and morbidity still pose a significant challenge in Sudan, where no significant improvements in maternal health have been achieved despite the focus on the Millennium Development Goals. Under-utilisation is a major public health concern even though Sudan is among the African countries that have registered poor maternal and child health. Health services in Sudan are generally limited and with poor quality and disparate access. Therefore, there is a need for better understanding of the barriers to the provision and utilisation of maternal health services in order to improve the health and survival of Sudanese mothers. Objectives: This study sought to assess the maternal health system functions and influences on utilisation as well as the social, cultural, and women’s characteristics that may constitute barriers to utilisation. Methodology: The study used an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. A comprehensive analysis was conducted using several quantitative and qualitative data sets, guided by a new framework, the Maternal Health System Performance framework (MHSP) developed as part of this work in order to assess both the three objectives and four functions of the health system on both macro and micro levels. Findings: The study findings provide clear evidence that the Sudan health system is not currently capable of achieving an adequate level of attainment of the health goals or equitable distribution, due to dysfunction of the four health system functions. In addition, the findings draw attention to the important role of the stewardship function in health system performance. This function can play a key role in health system reform, as it influences management of the health system and should work across all elements of the system to ensure a well-functioning health system and efficient use of resources. The findings also underline the important role of health system related factors rather than simply population factors (such as individual, household, and community factors) in the low service utilisation among women in poor settings. While it shows that certain population characteristics such as household income and education do have a significant impact on the utilisation, the health system functions, and in particular the stewardship function, are also demonstrated to be of considerable importance. Implication: These findings have implications for policy and practice, indicating that simply blaming women for not using maternal health services is unhelpful and inappropriate and indicate that decision makers should focus more fully on improving the performance of the health system. According to the comprehensive assessment of the health system performance, the study proposes several recommendations for each health system function to enhance the performance in the context of limited resources, ultimately to improve women’s and community health in Sudan.
Quadrature methods for wind turbine load calculations

Two sources of uncertainty can be distinguished in models for wind turbine calculations. Firstly, the environment the wind turbine has to withstand is uncertain and has a direct impact on the life time of the turbine. Secondly, the models used to predict the forces acting on the turbine contain an unknown error, which can also be modeled as a random variable. This thesis discusses numerical methods based on polynomial approximation to study these two types of uncertainty. In essence the computationally costly model is replaced by a polynomial, which is cheap to evaluate using a computer. The first part of the thesis is mainly focused on computing the loads acting on a wind turbine. The key uncertainties in this case originate from the variability in the environmental conditions (such as the weather). For load cases, the main interest is on integral quantities of the computationally expensive model. For the purpose of computing integral quantities, polynomial approximation is equivalent to smartly constructing interpolatory quadrature rules. Various algorithms are proposed to construct such quadrature rules. Their efficiency is demonstrated by computing loads acting on a turbine using measurement data obtained at the Dutch North Sea. Modeling the uncertainty arising from model error is significantly less trivial. Two different approaches, either based on interpolation using Leja nodes or integration based on quadrature rules, are discussed. Which approach is best in a certain computational test case depends on the specific quantity of interest. Examples of the applicability of all proposed methods are discussed throughout the thesis. A common theme in all results is that high convergence rates are obtained for models that can be approximated well using polynomials, which is usually the case for models arising in the field of wind energy.
The role of intervention debulking surgery in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: an EORTC Gynecological Cancer Cooperative Group study

Chemotherapy is only moderately effective against advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. Patients with large residual tumors after primary surgery seldom attain long-term survival with chemotherapy alone, whereas patients with an optimal primary cytoreduction have a median survival of about 5 years. It is not clear whether the survival benefit associated with optimal cytoreduction is related to the tumor reduction itself or simply to selection of good-prognosis patients. In this prospective, randomized study, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Gynecological Cancer Cooperative Group investigated the effect of intervention debulking surgery on progression-free and overall survival in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. Eligible patients had epithelial ovarian carcinoma, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IIB-IV disease, lesions >1 cm after primary surgery, a performance status ≤2, and were ≤75 years old. After three cycles of cyclophosphamide-cisplatin, patients with stable disease or a response to chemotherapy were randomly assigned to undergo debulking surgery or to undergo no surgery, followed by further cyclophosphamide-cisplatin therapy. The study end-points were progression-free survival and overall survival. Of the 278 patients evaluable for progression-free and overall survival, 140 underwent debulking surgery and 138 did not. All known prognostic factors were well balanced between the two groups. The median follow-up was 3.5 years (maximum, 5.7). At intervention debulking surgery, 65% of the patients had lesions measuring>1 cm. In 45% of these patients, the lesions were surgically reduced to<1 cm. Surgery was not associated with death or severe morbidity. Intraoperative complications were observed in 5% of patients, and mild postoperative complications were observed in 14%. Progression-free and overall survivals were both significantly longer for the patients assigned to intervention debulking surgery (P = 0.01). Median progression-free survival was 18 months for the surgery group and 13 months for the no-surgery group. At 2 years follow-up, 38% of surgery patients and 26% of those who did not have surgery were alive and free of disease progression. Median survivals were 26 months (surgery) and 20 months (no surgery), and the proportion of patients alive at 2 years was 56% and 46%, respectively. Debulking surgery was an independent prognostic factor in the multivariate analysis(P = 0.012). Overall, after adjustment for all prognostic factors, surgery reduced the risk of death by 33% (P = 0.008) and significantly lengthened both progression-free and overall survival.
Commentary Role of Cystatin C in Neuroprotection and Its Therapeutic Implications

Earlier studies have suggested that cystatin C (CysC) is a target for intervention in neurological disorders because its expression increases in response to brain insults, in human neurological disorders, and in animal models of neurodegenerative states. However, these studies did not clarify whether CysC up-regulation is a pathogenic factor in neurodegenerative disorders or whether it represents a neuroprotective compensatory response of the organisms aimed to prevent progression of the disease. Recent reports have shown that CysC protects neuronal cells from toxic insults induced by a variety of stimuli in vitro, 1 suggesting that therapeutic approaches aimed to either increase the levels of CysC or to mimic its action could be beneficial in neurological disorders. However, the in vivo relevance of these findings remained unclear. In this issue of the journal, the article by Kaur et al 2 presents for the first time results supporting the in vivo efficacy of CysC as a neuroprotective protein. Unverricht-Lundborg disease (progressive myoclonic epilepsy type 1 [EPM1]), caused by autosomal recessive loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding cystatin B (CysB, also known as Stefin B), 3 is the most common cause of progressive myoclonus epilepsy worldwide. 3–5 EPM1 is relatively frequent in the western Mediterranean region but is most prevalent around the Baltic Sea. It is a neurodegenerative disorder with age of onset from 6 to 16 years, characterized by stimulus-sensitive myoclonus and tonic-clonic epileptic seizures. Ataxia, loss of coordination, and tremor develop several years after the onset of the disease. Individuals with EPM1 are mentally alert but show depression and mild decline in intellectual performance over time. 6 Cerebellar atrophy and motor cortex degeneration are largely responsible for the loss in equilibrium, correlating with the motor symptoms of the disease. 7 The diagnosis of EPM1 is confirmed by identi
Dietary Intake and Body Composition of Greek Adolescent Wrestlers During Preseason

ABSTRACT The nutritional adequacy of adolescent wrestlers’ diet during preseason was examined. Twelve male adolescent wrestlers at the competitive level, aged from 14 to 17, participated in this study. Anthropometric measurements included weight, height, waist circumference, and four skinfold measurements (tricep, bicep, subscapular, and suprailiac). A 4-day food diary was also recorded for each athlete, including at least one weekend day. Wrestlers’ mean body fat percentage was 20.5%. Nutritional intake consisted of 17.8% protein, 44.9% carbohydrates, 36.9% fats, and 0.4% alcohol. Protein and carbohydrate intake per kilogram of body mass was 1.6 and 4.1 g/kg, respectively. Correlations were found between dietary intake and anthropometric measurements where carbohydrate intake was negatively and fat intake positively correlated with triceps, biceps, and suprailiac skinfold measurements. Wrestlers of this study had higher body-fat values than elite wrestlers and higher-than-recommended fat intake. Protein intake was adequate for this sport; however, carbohydrate intake did not meet the recommended daily values. Two out of the 12 of wrestlers were using dietary supplements, which were protein and electrolyte powders. An educational program about nutrition would be necessary in order to improve body composition and nutritional intake of these athletes.
Gender Disparities in Sentencing

This paper uses the universe of convictions in France between 2000 and 2003 to document the gender gap in sentencing. It reveals three main findings. First, during this period, and after controlling for very precise descriptions of the offences as well as other observable characteristics, women received prison sentences that were 15&#160;days shorter, on average, than those of men who committed comparable offences. This represents a 33% decrease relative to the average sentence length in the sample (45&#160;days in the entire sample). Second, this gender gap is also observed for mixed&#8208;gender pairs of criminals (one man and one woman) who are convicted together, on the same day, by the same person and for the same crime. Finally, this paper presents robust evidence that the gender gap is affected by the gender of the judge, but not that of the prosecutor. Using the evolution of the courts&#8217; composition between 2000 and 2003, the results show that a one&#8208;standard&#8208;deviation increase in the number of women in the court decreases the gender gap by&#160;10%.
Milkability Evaluation of Jersey Dairy Cows by Lactocorder

Abstract Since there is not enough data about milkability of the Jersey cows, the aim of this paper is to show basic milkability traits of this cattle breed depending on the parity and milk flow curve types. Cows had average daily production (DMY) of 22.23 kg, milk yield per milking (MYM) of 9.72 kg, and average and maximum milk flow about 1.66 and 2.49 kg/min, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that DMY and MYM of the cows in 4th parity was significantly (p<0.05) higher comparing to cows in 1st and 3th parity. The duration of entirely milking is similar regarding the paritiesand only the cows in 3th and 4th differ significantly (p<0.05). Regarding the effect of milk flow curve, the significant (p<0.05) difference between unspecified and rectangular milk flow curve has been found for the average milk flow (AMF) and descending phase of the milk flow curve (TD). Cows with unspecified milk flow curve, have significantly (p<0.05) lower AMF and longer TD compared to cows with rectangular curve. Cows with bimodal milk flow curve have significantly (p<0.05) longer duration of the ascending phase compering to: unspecified, descending and rectangular. The results of this study have shown that Jersey cows have lower production and milk flow compared to other dairy cattle breeds. Nonetheless, they have uniform milkability traits, and a large representation of desirable milk flow curves which are associated with a beneficial effect on the udder health.
Ultrasonic Hepatic Venous Waveform Pattern and its Association with Disease Severity and Related Complications in Patients with Cirrhosis

Background: Advanced imaging modalities such as Color Doppler Ultrasound (CDUS) are widely used for the clinical evaluation of liver cirrhosis and port hypertension using assessment of ultrasonic hepatic venous waveform patterns. The present study aimed to assess the usefulness of CDUS in evaluating patients with cirrhosis and also for predicting portal hypertension and esophageal varices as important life threatening consequences of cirrhosis. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 31 consecutive patients with cirrhosis. Ultrasonic hepatic venous waveform pattern were determined and categorized as monophasic, biphasic and triphasic. The Damping and Splenoportal indices were also measured. Results: There was no association of ultrasonic hepatic venous waveform pattern with cirrhosis-related complications including liver encephalopathy (p = 0.817), esophageal varices (p = 0.372), and ascites (p = 0.471). We showed also no association between hepatic venous waveform pattern and liver disease severity based on the Child's classification (p = 0.331). The mean of Damping index was similar in the patients with and without each cirrhosis-related complications including liver encephalopathy (p = 0.134), esophageal varices, and ascites. Similar findings were revealed between Splenoportal index and the presence or absence on each complication. We found no difference in the mean of two Damping and Splenoportal indices across the different categorizes of liver disease severity. Conclusion: The record of the monophasic and biphasic patterns is predictable in most patients with cirrhosis and in a small number of healthy subjects without cirrhotic disorders. Also, recording these patterns together with the increase in two Damping and Splenoportal indices does not predict the severity of cirrhosis or its complications
Total Variation Regularization of Geodetically Constrained Block Models in Southwest Taiwan

Rapid convergence between the Eurasian plate and the Philippine Sea Plate makes Taiwan one of the most active tectonic regions in the world, and this strain is accommodated on a complex network of thrust and strike‐slip faulting. Here, we use ascending and descending Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data integrated with continuous GPS measurements to monitor interseismic deformation in southwest Taiwan. Geodetic observations show rapid (20–40 mm/year) southwestward motion in the Pingtung plain in south Taiwan and more than 10 mm/year uplift in the southern part of the Western Foothills. We use combined InSAR and CGPS measurements from 2004 to 2010 to constrain a block model of horizontal interseismic crustal deformation. Total variation regularization (TVR) serves as a tool for block model selection to algorithmically assess the block model geometry based on geodetic observations, simultaneously estimating block rotations and fault slip rates on block‐bounding faults. The block model results suggest that the margins of the Western Foothills accommodate most of the interseismic deformation in southwestern Taiwan. Thirty‐five independent blocks are required to explain interseismic crustal deformation with a mean residual velocity of 3.6 mm/year. Based on this horizontal model, we then forward predict vertical displacement and find good consistency between the predicted uplift and the geodetic observations. Our approach shows an efficient and objective way to estimate fault activities and seismic hazards in the interseismic period based on dense geodetic measurements and their uncertainties.
Semi-Lagrangian Vlasov simulation of the interaction between femtosecond chirped and double laser pulses with a thin plasma slab

The wakefield generation and electrons acceleration in the interaction of femtosecond chirped and double laser pulses with an underdense thin plasma slab is examined by numerical solution of the relativistic Vlasov-Maxwell system of equations using the backward semi-Lagrangian method (BSL). Unlike particle-in-cell methods, the BSL method is free of numerical noise and provides an accurate representation of the distribution function, even in very low density regions of phase space where acceleration and trapping occur. The effect of density fluctuations in low density regions of phase space are important, since they affect the acceleration processes over the following interactions. Therefore, a detailed structure of the distribution function is needed to investigate this process in these regions, which only can be obtained by Vlasov codes. Excitation of wakefields by chirped, chirp free, and double pulse lasers in an underdense plasma slab are simulated using the BSL code and the results are compared. It is shown that by making use of chirped laser pulses, the mean kinetic energy of plasma electrons can be enhanced up to 40% compared with the chirp free case. The investigation of wakefield generation by double laser pulses with a time repetition equal to one plasma period, exhibits amplification of wakefield amplitude after the entrance of the second laser pulse into plasma slab.
Yoga Plus Talk Therapy for Depression: A Case Study of a Six Week Group

Yoga is increasingly becoming a popular method of addressing mental health symptoms. While there is research to support the use of yoga for depression, there is limited literature examining yoga in combination with talk therapy groups as a treatment for depression. The results of this case study series (n=4) provide support for the clinical efficacy of yoga in combination with talk therapy. Treatment consisted of 6 weeks of group sessions (90-min sessions each week) with weekly home practice. Each group consisted of yoga, meditation, breathwork, and emotional processing. Decreases in depressive symptoms and increases in self-compassion were found. The findings of the case study are relevant because growing numbers of clients are presenting with depression and seeking alternative treatments.
A Study on Sustaining Corporate Innovation with E-Commerce in China

Previous research indicates that information technology promotes innovation in general. The mechanisms of how information technology, such as e-commerce, can promote corporate innovation have not yet been fully recognized. The empirical results show that e-commerce promotes corporate innovation by improving the regional informatization level and the local commercial circulation system. The evidence from Chinese firms implies that it is necessary to strengthen the construction of information infrastructure, encourage the transformation and upgrading of traditional commercial circulation, and promote innovation of traditional business in combination with e-commerce.
Biometric Indicators, Testicular Parameters and Semen Characteristics in Peripubertal and Postpubertal Pleven Blackhead Rams

| The aim of this study was to investigate basic biometric indicators, testicular parameters, semen characteristics and testicular parenchymal echogenicity in peripubertal and postpubertal Pleven Blackhead rams. The animals were separated in two groups: group I (peripubertal rams, aged 5 8 months; n=8) and group II (postpubertal rams, aged 14 22 months; n=8). The biometric indicators age, body weight and scrotal circumference were determined by the routine methods. Semen was collected by electroejaculation and evaluated for volume of ejaculate, concentration of the spermatozoa and mass motility. Transversal diameters of the testes were measured by the electronic calipers of the ultrasound scanner. Testicular parenchymal echogenicity and pixel heterogeneity were assessed by measuring numerical pixel values (NPVs) and standard deviation of NPVs using Image ProPlus 7.0 analytical software. The results were statistically processed by t-test and correlation analysis. The current study indicated significantly (P < 0.05) higher mean values of scrotal circumference (30.7 ± 4.4 cm vs. 18.8 ± 5.9 cm), total transversal diameter (5.1 ± 0.5 cm vs. 2.9 ± 0.94 cm) and testicular parenchyma echogenicity (110.4 ± 14.2 vs. 74.8 ± 32.5) in postpubertal than peripubertal rams, but no effect of these parameters on concentration of the spermatozoa and mass motility was found. The age and the body weight correlated positively (P < 0.05) to scrotal circumference and total transversal diameter. Testicular parenchymal echogenicity showed a strong positive relationship (R = 0.92; P < 0.05) with pixel heterogeneity. In conclusion, the period between peripubertal and postpubertal age in rams is associated with significant alterations of scrotal circumference, transversal diameter of the testes and testicular parenchymal echogenicity with no effect on concentration of the spermatozoa and their mass motility. Computer-assisted quantitative analysis of the testicular echotexture may be introduced in a system for early assessment of the sexual maturity in rams.
The effects of PSL team characteristics and players’ performance on fans’ emotions and behavioral intention

Article history: Received 22 March 2019 Received in revised form 25 October 2019 Accepted 27 October 2019 Pakistan Super League is a successful cricket sporting event now entering its 4th season. Understanding the fans' emotions and behavioral intentions is less understood in this particular context. In this study, we investigated the influence of fans' emotions and behavioral intentions using the team characteristics and players' performance framework. The methodology of the study was a quantitative approach, a cross-sectional research design, and survey-based data collection. We generated a usable sample of 140 using the convenience sampling approach. We used the Cronbach alpha and composite reliability for calculating the reliability; while convergent validity and discriminant validity are established using the average variance extracted and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) based factor loading of individual items. Overall, we found satisfactory reliability and validity for the measures adopted. The CFA results also show that team characteristics and player's performance have significant effects on fans' emotions including anxiety, anger, dejection, happiness, and excitement. Furthermore, the fans' emotions have significant effects on fans' behavioral intentions of attending future games. Our results have implications for the marketers of the PSL teams.