Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gestational Thrombocytopenia: Does it cause any Maternal and/or Perinatal Morbidity?

The Authors conducted a retrospective study concerning maternal platelet count fluctuation during pregnancy and puerperium and its correlation with the newborn’s platelet level in a group of 36 patients referred to the haematologyclinic of the Santo Bambino Hospital, c/o Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele, Catania, Italy, for gestational thrombocytopenia (GT) and who delivered at the same hospital during a period of 4 years, from January 2006 to December 2009. Mothers and their related foetuses-newborns were evaluated retrospectively for symptoms and/or signs of external and internal haemorrhage throughout pregnancy and early puerperium, even in relationship with mode of delivery (caesarean section versus spontaneous vaginal delivery). This study according to the literature confirm that all observed cases of GT have an uncomplicated course with no related perinatal and maternal morbidity even in patients with initial platelet count <75,000/ml independently from the route of delivery.
A global synthesis of seasonal temperature–size responses in copepods

Aim Body size is a master trait with significant ecological importance. Seasonal changes in body size within diverse ectothermic species can result from different environmental conditions experienced during ontogeny in subsequent generations. Whilst intraspecific changes in adult size have been well studied under controlled experimental conditions and across geographical ranges, comprehensive analyses of temporal changes are lacking, and there remains considerable unexplained variation in body size responses within aquatic taxa. Using planktonic copepods as an exemplar taxon, we quantify variation in adult body mass within seasonally varying marine and freshwater environments. We describe how size variation relates to temperature, food concentration (chlorophyll-a) and life-history characteristics, including feeding strategy. Location Global. Methods Using a meta-analytic approach we extract quantitative data from published literature on seasonal size responses of copepods. We analyse competing models to determine the best predictors of these responses, and compare the relative importance of temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration in explaining variation in body size. Results We quantify 140 seasonal size responses from 33 different global locations, representing 48 planktonic copepod species from four taxonomic orders. We find that temperature (r2 = 0.50), rather than food (r2 = 0.22), is the dominant explanatory variable of changes in adult body size across seasons. A striking outcome is that calanoid copepods, which utilize feeding currents to capture prey, exhibit a four-fold greater reduction in adult body mass per °C (−3.66%) compared with cyclopoid copepods (−0.91%), which are ambush feeders. By contrast, species body size or reproductive strategy did not explain variation in the seasonal temperature–size response. Main conclusions Our findings lead us to suggest that feeding strategies may play a significant role in dictating the magnitude of seasonal temperature–size responses in copepods, with potential implications for other ectotherms with diverse feeding methods. Seasonal temperature–size responses were typically much more variable than responses in laboratory studies that provided excess food, suggesting that field conditions modify the temperature–size response.
Using technology to change adult sedentary behaviour, physical activity levels and total wellness

This thesis studied technology’s role in promoting and supporting active lifestyles through behavioural strategies to reduce sedentary time and increase physical activity. The five studies included (1) development of a self-report instrument quantifying daily sedentary behaviour and light-intensity physical activity; (2) establishment of instrument validity and reliability; (3) use of an online personal activity monitor to successfully reduce sedentary time and increase physical activity; (4) identification of positive differences in total wellness as related to high/low levels of sitting time combined with insufficient/sufficient physical activity; and (5) improvement of total wellness through positive changes in sedentary behaviour and physical activity.
Journal of Developing Economies

Trade facilitation is an effort of simplification and harmonization of international trade procedures. Trade facilitation that manifested in the form of policy packages that aim to reduce trade costs and improve export growth. Export growth can be sourced from the level of diversity of exported goods (extensive margin) and the volume of exported goods (intensive margin). This study aims to analyze the effect of trade facilitation on the extensive and intensive margin of trade eight member countries of ACFTA during the years 2006-2014. Trade facilitation indicators used in this study consisted of exporters and importers port efficiency. This study uses gravity model and estimation techniques Random Effect Model. The results showed that exporter port efficiency have a positive and significant effect on the extensive margin while importer port efficiency has a positive and significant effect on the intensive margin.
On the Design and Modeling of a Full-Range Piezoelectric MEMS Loudspeaker for In-Ear Applications

MEMS loudspeakers are emerging as very promising solutions to meet the ever-increasing requirements for modern audio devices to become smaller, lighter and potentially more power efficient. The piezoelectric actuation principle, thanks to the relatively large driving force achievable at low voltages, represents the most promising implementation of loudspeakers at the microscale. Despite a significant number of new structures have been proposed in the last years, research work is still needed both at the design level, in order to obtain full-range microspeakers with good sound quality, and at the simulation level, to accurately capture the linear and nonlinear responses of these type of devices. We here propose the design, modeling and characterization of a high performance piezoelectric MEMS speaker for in-ear applications, based on a piston-like movement of the microspeaker central component, connected to the actuators through a set of folded springs. The device features a Sound Pressure Level (SPL) greater than <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathrm {107 \text {dB}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> from <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathrm {500 \text {Hz}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> onwards for actuation voltages of 30 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{V}_{\text {pp}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and a compact footprint of qtyproduct [product-units = power]4.5 x 4.5 m m. A Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) smaller than <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathrm {1 \%}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> has also been observed at <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathrm {1 \text {k} \text {Hz} }$ </tex-math></inline-formula> at <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathrm {94 dBSPL}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. Therefore, even if at the prototype stage, the proposed device represents a promising solution towards a new set of high performances piezo-MEMS speakers that do not require further additional closing membranes to minimize acoustic losses. An excellent numerical-experimental matching in terms of SPL was also proved, thus opening the path to a new systematic design procedure for this class of MEMS structures. [2023-0113]
A review of the glacial environment arthropod trace fossils Umfolozia and Warvichnium with the description of new ichnotaxa

Trace fossils are important records of the presence and behaviour of animals in the past, especially in deposits where few body fossils are preserved. They tend to provide the main palaeobiological record for past glacial environments, and are thus very important for understanding the ecology of these palaeoenvironments. Two ichnogenera are common in glacial sediments: Umfolozia and Warvichnium. Both Umfolozia and Warvichnium are attributed to arthropods; the former occurs across the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age (LPIA) and the latter occurs during both the LPIA and the Quaternary glacial event. Here, we review the stratigraphic record, ichnotaxonomy, palaeoecology, palaeoenvironments and possible tracemakers of these two ichnogenera. In addition to assessing morphological ichnotaxobases, we use multivariate morphometric analysis and inferential statistical tests to support our ichnotaxonomic revisions. The diagnosis of Umfolozia is revised, with the description of a new ichnospecies, Umfolozia terere, and the emendation of Umfolozia riojana (formerly Umfolozia longula). We revised Warvichnium, maintaining the original Warvichnium ulbrichi and allocating two morphologies to the ichnogenus Irichnus: Irichnus saltatorius and I. paripinnatus isp. nov. These trace fossils record several behaviours, and have implications for palaeoenvironmental interpretations and the evolution of invertebrate ecosystems. Using Umfolozia and Warvichnium as case studies, we demonstrate the application of morphometric analysis in ichnotaxonomy and highlight this as a tool that may be applied to other trace‐fossil groups.
Optimizing soil erosion estimates of RUSLE model by analyzing land use/cover dynamics in upper Awash River Basin, Central Ethiopia

Abstract The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) is the most widely used erosion model for decision making on conservation priority. However, interpreting estimates of the mean annual soil loss alone could not accurately depict the spatial variation of soil erosion severity due to its inherent mathematical errors. This study aims to optimize the model’s outputs through detailed analysis of land use/cover dynamics in Upper Awash River Basin, central Ethiopia (7815.1 km2). The analysis include annual rate of change, net gain or loss, and conversion pathways. Results of the estimated mean annual soil loss in the basin varies between 4.1 t/ha/y and 5.1 t/ha/y during three consecutive decades (1990-2000, 2000-2010, and 2010-2020). The cultivated land cover exhibits slight erosion severity (< 5 t/ha/y), while contributing up to 59% the total annual soil loss (3198.8 Mt/ha). Although the net loss of cultivated land cover outweighing the gain during these decades, it progressively encroaches forests (142.2 km2), shrubs (780.8 km2), and grasslands (274.5 km2). Such net loss of protective land covers will inevitably increase the soil erosion risk. Findings from the study would be useful, enabling conservation practitioners to understand the overall severity of soil erosion and make informed decisions.
Ethanol Reduces GABA A (cid:1) 1 Subunit Receptor Surface Expression by a Protein Kinase C (cid:2) -Dependent Mechanism in Cultured Cerebral Cortical Neurons

Prolonged ethanol exposure causes central nervous system hyperexcitability that involves a loss of GABAergic inhibition. We previously demonstrated that long-term ethanol exposure enhances the internalization of synaptic GABA A receptors composed of (cid:1) 1 (cid:3) 2/3 (cid:2) 2 subunits. However, the mechanisms of ethanol-mediated internalization are unknown. This study ex- plored the effect of ethanol on surface expression of GABA A (cid:1) 1 subunit-containing receptors in cultured cerebral cortical neu- rons and the role of protein kinase C (PKC) (cid:3) , (cid:2) , and (cid:4) isoforms in their trafficking. Cultured neurons were prepared from rat pups on postnatal day 1 and maintained for 18 days. Cells were exposed to ethanol, and surface receptors were isolated by biotinylation and P2 fractionation, whereas functional analysis was conducted by whole-cell patch-clamp recording of GABA- and zolpidem-evoked responses. Ethanol exposure for 4 h decreased biotinylated surface expression of GABA A receptor (cid:1) 1 subunits and reduced zolpidem (100 nM) enhancement of GABA-evoked currents. The PKC activator phorbol-12,13- dibutyrate mimicked the effect of ethanol, and the selective PKC inhibitor calphostin C prevented ethanol-induced internal- ization of these receptors. Ethanol exposure for 4 h also increased the colocalization and coimmunoprecipitation of PKC (cid:2) with (cid:1) 1 subunits, whereas PKC (cid:3) / (cid:1) 1 association and PKC (cid:4) / (cid:1) 1 colocalization were not altered by ethanol exposure. Selective PKC (cid:2) inhibition by transfection of selective PKC (cid:2) small interfering RNAs blocked ethanol-induced internalization of GABA A receptor (cid:1) 1 subunits, whereas PKC (cid:3) inhibition using pseudo-PKC (cid:3) had no effect. These findings suggest that ethanol exposure selectively alters PKC (cid:2) translocation to GABA A recep- tors and PKC (cid:2) regulates GABA A (cid:1) 1 receptor trafficking after ethanol exposure.
Tactical Vehicle Routing Planning with Application to Milk Collection and Distribution

In this paper, we consider a deterministic multi-attribute vehicle routing problem derived from a real-life milk collection system. This problem is characterized by the presence of a heterogeneous fleet of vehicles, multiple depots, and several resource constraints. A branch-and-price methodology is proposed to tackle the problem. In this methodology, di↵erent branching strategies, adapted to the special structure of the problem, are implemented and compared. The computational results show that the branch-and-price algorithm performs well in terms of solution quality and computational e ciency.
Early impact of COVID-19 on individuals with self-reported eating disorders: a survey of similar to 1,000 individuals in the United States and the Netherlands

Objective: We evaluated the early impact of COVID-19 on people with self-reported eating disorders. Method: Participants in the United States (US, N = 511) and the Netherlands (NL, N = 510), recruited through ongoing studies and social media, completed an online survey that included both quantitative measures and free-text responses assessing the impact of COVID-19 on situational circumstances, eating disorder symptoms, eating disorder treatment, and general well-being. Results: Results revealed strong and wide-ranging effects on eating disorder concerns and illness behaviors that were consistent with eating disorder type. Participants with anorexia nervosa (US 62% of sample; NL 69%) reported increased restriction and fears about being able to find foods consistent with their meal plan. Individuals with bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder (US 30% of sample; NL 15%) reported increases in their binge-eating episodes and urges to binge. Respondents noted marked increases in anxiety since 2019 and reported greater concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on their mental health than physical health. Although many participants acknowledged and appreciated the transition to telehealth, limitations of this treatment modality for this population were raised. Individuals with past histories of eating disorders noted concerns about relapse related to COVID-19 circumstances. Encouragingly, respondents also noted positive effects including greater connection with family, more time for self-care, and motivation to recover. Discussions: COVID-19 is associated with increased anxiety and poses specific disorder-related challenges for individuals with eating disorders that require attention by healthcare professionals and carers.
Aalborg Universitet Interference Helps to Equalize the Read Range and Reduce False Positives of Passive RFID

In various applications of RFID systems a reader should reliably get the ID of the tags that are within a bounded proximity region, termed the interrogation zone. This gives rise to two types of errors 1) False Negative Detections (FNDs), when tags within the intended interrogation zone cannot be read and 2) False Positive Detections (FPDs), when tags outside the zone can be read. The detuning effect experienced from the object a tag is attached to exacerbates the occurrence of FND. Solving FNDs by increasing the reader power increase the probability of FPDs for tags outside the zone. Hence, the design of an interrogation zone poses a trade-off between readability inside versus outside the desired zone. We present a novel method to reduce the probability of FNDs and FPDs, and practically equalize the achievable range for tags experiencing detuning. We propose to impose intentional interference on the communication between reader and tag. The expected effects of the proposed method are evaluated using experimental measurements. The results are positive, showing a sharp edge of the interrogation zone, and a strong equalization of the range of tuned and detuned tags. Hence it is concluded that by imposing interference enables design of well-defined interrogation zones for passive RFID systems.
Whether sutures reduce the graft laceration caused by interference 1 screw in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction? A biomechanical 2 study in vitro

20 Background: Interference screw is commonly used for graft fixation in anterior 21 cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. However, previous studies had reported that 22 the insertion of interference screws significantly caused graft laceration. The purpose 23 of this study was to determine whether sutures reduced the graft laceration from the 24 insertion of interference screws in ACL reconstruction. 25 Methods: Porcine tibias and bovine extensor tendons were used for establishing a 26 knee model of ACL reconstruction in vitro. The ends of grafts were sutured using 27 three different sutures, including the bioabsorbable, Ethibond and ultra-high 28 molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) sutures. Poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) 29 interference screws were used for tibial fixation. Biomechanical tests were performed 30 to investigate the protective effects of different sutures on grafts. 31 Results: All prepared tendons and bone specimens showed similar characteristics 32 (length, weight, and pre-tension of the tendons, tibial bone mineral density) among all 33 groups ( P ＞ 0.05). The biomechanical tests demonstrated that PEEK interference 34 screws significantly caused the graft laceration ( P ＜ 0.05). However, all sutures (the 35 bioabsorbable, Ethibond and UHMWPE sutures) did not reduce the graft laceration in 36 ACL reconstruction ( P ＞ 0.05). 37 Conclusions: PEEK interference screws significantly weakened the biomechanical 38 properties of grafts during tibial fixation in ACL reconstruction. Absorbable, Ethibond 39 and UHMWPE sutures did not provide protective effects on grafts during ACL 40 reconstruction. 41
Challenges of Digital Entrepreneurship on Development of Africa

There is no doubt about the fact that the globe is turning toward digitalization in all aspects of activities and businesses, which affects the development of countries. The recent thriving in technological development and advancement has opened various opportunities for entrepreneurs, thereby making digital entrepreneurship become a contemporary topic. Since majority of the countries in Africa are still developing, digital entrepreneurship should be seen as an essential tool towards positive economic development. However, it is easier said than done. Hence, this paper aims to explore the challenges of digital entrepreneurs in Africa and how these challenges affect its development. The top three biggest economies in Africa were selected (Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa) using data between 1992 to 2021 (30 years). Gross Domestic Product was used to measure the development, while the explanatory variables were measured using patent application, trademark application, secured internet access, mobile subscription, and access to electricity. The data were analyzed using regression analysis by EViews, and the ﬁndings show a signiﬁcant relationship between the development of a country and technology. This implies that the inadequate technological facility in African countries hinders the development of digital entrepreneurship and hence affects development .
Environmental disclosures and corporate attributes, from the lens of legitimacy theory: a longitudinal analysis on a developing country

Purpose – The study seeks to evaluate the extent and quality of environmental reporting following a longitudinal analysis and covering a wide spectrum of industries in a single frame. The study also attempts to identify the set of most favored environmental reporting items by firms and items which are least disclosed. Furthermore, the study attempts to test whether certain corporate attributes such as firm size, age of the firm, leverage ratio, profitability, presence of independent directors in the board and gender diversity have any influencing power over environmental disclosure practices. The whole study has been carried out from legitimacy theory setting. Design/methodology/approach – Thestudyfollowslongitudinalanalysistoidentifytheextentandquality of environmental disclosures. A self-constructed checklist of 12 environmental reporting items has been developed analyzing the annual report and content analysis method is followed to measure the extent and quality of environmental disclosures and identify environmental reporting items which are mostly disclosed and which are least disclosed. The study further uses panel data regression analysis to investigate whether certain corporate attributes have any impact on environmental disclosures using multiple linear regression. Total of 345 annual reports of listed financial and nonfinancial institutions have been observed in this study ranging from 2015 to 2019. Findings – The key finding suggests that strict enforcement of Green Banking Rules 2011 fosters country ’ s commercial banks to invest more to protect the environment and commercial banks encourage nonfinancial institutions for environmental performance and related disclosures through finance. Therefore, almost 50% of sample firms disclose their environmental performance through reporting in either narrative, quantitative or monetaryformatwhich was only 2.23%in the last decade. Findingsalso reveal that tree plantationis the most
Shedding light on molecular and cellular consequences of NCX 1 palmitoylation

Palmitoylation is the post-translational, covalent and reversible conjugation of a 16C saturated fatty acid to cysteine residues of proteins. The sodium calcium exchanger NCX1 is palmitoylated at a single cysteine residue in its large regulatory intracellular loop. Inactivation, mediated by the NCX1 inhibitory region XIP, is drastically impaired in unpalmitoylatable NCX1. The ability of XIP to bind and inactivate NCX1 is largely determined by NCX1 palmitoylation, which induces local conformational changes in the NCX1 intracellular loop to enable XIP to engage its binding site. Consequently, NCX1 palmitoylation regulates intracellular calcium by changing NCX1 sensitivity to inactivation. NCX1 palmitoylation is a dynamic phenomenon which is catalyzed by the palmitoyl acyl transferase zDHHC5 and reversed by the thioesterase APT1, with the switch between palmitoylated and depalmitoylated states, which has profound effects on NCX1 lipid interactions, influenced by NCX1 conformational poise. Herein we review the molecular and cellular consequences of NCX1 palmitoylation and its physiological relevance and highlight the importance of palmitoylation for NCX1 activity. We discuss the cellular control of protein palmitoylation and depalmitoylation, the relationship between lipid microdomains and lipidated and phospholipid binding proteins, and highlight the important unanswered questions in this emerging field.