Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relationship of maternal–fetal attachment and depression with social support in pregnant women referring to health centers of Tabriz–Iran, 2016

Abstract Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship of maternal–fetal attachment and depression during pregnancy with social support. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 287 primipara women. The data collection tools used included a demographic characteristics questionnaire, Maternal–Fetal Attachment Scale, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Social Support Scale. Pearson’s correlation test and general linear model were used for data analysis. Results: The mean maternal–fetal attachment score was 90.0 (SD: 10.3). The highest score was obtained in the “role taking” domain and the lowest in the “interaction with the fetus” domain. The mean depression score was 8.5 (SD: 4.0). The score of perceived social support was 135.5 (SD: 15.6). Pearson’s correlation test showed a significant positive correlation between social support and maternal–fetal attachment (r = 0.36, p < .001) and a significant negative correlation between social support and depression (r= −0.14, p = .018). Conclusion: The present study found a significant relationship between maternal–fetal attachment, depression and social support. It is recommended to devise plans for increasing the support given to women and to improve the society’s and families’ awareness about these issues in the attempt to have healthy mothers and thereby healthy families and communities.
Galactose decorated PLGA nanoparticles for hepatic delivery of acyclovir

The present study explores prospective of surface tailored nanoparticles for targeted delivery of acyclovir along with the interception of minimal side effects. Acyclovir loaded plain and galactosylated poly lectic co glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles were efficiently prepared and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency. The formulations were evaluated for in vitro drug release and hemolysis. Further, biodistribution study and fluorescent microscopic studies were carried out to determine the targeting potential of formulations. SEM revealed smooth morphology and spherical shape of the nanoparticles. In vitro, the galactosylated nanoparticles were found to be least hemolytic and exhibited a sustained release pattern. In vivo studies exhibited an augmented bioavailability, increased residence time and enhanced delivery of acyclovir to the liver upon galactosylation. It may therefore be concluded that galactose conjugated PLGA nanoparticles can be used suitably as vehicles for delivery of bioactives specifically to the hepatic tissues and may be thus exploited in the effective management of various liver disorders.
Changes in Attitudes toward Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Treatment

As the environment surrounding healthcare continues to evolve, there is a need to revise outcome assessment criteria. A shift is being demanded in diagnosis and treatment outcome assessment practices from objective to subjective assessment and from evaluation by doctors to assessment that is based on the patient’s own perspective. Therefore, lumbar diseases must now be assessed from multiple perspectives. Some major indices for evaluation are pain and numbness, functional status, general health status, disability, and patient satisfaction. An effective assessment method for lumbar spinal stenos is that examines symptoms, quality of life, and healthcare economics as key assessment factor is reviewed.
Response to Open Peer Commentaries on “Biotechnology and the New Right: Neoconservatism's Red Menace”

Although the neoconservative movement has come to dominate American conservatism, this movement has its origins in the old Marxist Left. Communists in their younger days, as the founders of neoconservatism, inverted Marxist doctrine by arguing that moral values and not economic forces were the primary movers of history. Yet the neoconservative critique of biotechnology still borrows heavily from Karl Marx and owes more to the German philosopher Martin Heidegger than to the Scottish philosopher and political economist Adam Smith. Loath to identify these sources--or perhaps unaware of them--neoconservatives do not acknowledge these intellectual underpinnings or their implications. Thus, in the final analysis, their critique is incoherent and even internally inconsistent. By not acknowledging and embracing their intellectual roots, neoconservatives are left with a deeply ambivalent and often confused view of biotechnology and the society that gives rise to it.
Using a complex multi-modal on-body sensor system for activity spotting

This paper describes an approach to real-life task tracking using a multi-modal, on-body sensor system. The specific example that we study is quality inspection in car production. This task is composed of up to 20 activity classes such as checking gaps between parts of the chassis, opening and closing the hood and trunk, moving the driver's seat, and turning the steering wheel. Most of these involve subtle and short movements and have a high degree of variability in the way they are performed. To nonetheless spot those actions in a continuous data stream we use a wearable system composed of 7 motion sensors, 16 force sensing resistors (FSR) for lower arm muscle monitoring and 4 ultra-wide band (UWB) tags for tracking user position. We propose a recognition approach that deals separately with each activity class and then merges the results in a final reasoning step. This allows us to fine-tune the system parameters separately for each activity. It also means that the system can be easily extended to accommodate further activities. To demonstrate the feasibility of our approach we present the results of a study with 8 participants and a total of 2394 activities.
Variable size vector bin packing heuristics - Application to the machine reassignment problem

In this paper, we introduce a generalization of the vector bin packing problem, where the bins have variable sizes. This generalization can be used to model virtual machine placement problems. In particular, we study the machine reassignment problem. We propose several greedy heuristics for the variable size vector bin packing problem and show that they are flexible and can be adapted to handle additional constraints. We highlight some structural properties of the machine reassignment problem and use them to adapt our heuristics. We present numerical results on both randomly generated instances and Google realistic instances for the machine reassignment problem.
Application of tumor markers SCC-Ag, CEA, and TPA in patients with cervical precancerous lesions.

BACKGROUND To determine the potential clinical utility of tumor markers CEA, TPA, and SCC-Ag for early detection of cervical precancerous lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS A case-control study was carried out on 120 women (46 patients with histologically confirmed cervical precancerous lesions and 74 healthy controls). The significance of serum selected tumor markers in early detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) were assessed. RESULTS Of the case group, the rates of CIN I, II, III, was 69.6%, 23.9%, and 6.5%, respectively. According to the manufacturer's cut-off values of 2 ng/ml, 5 ng/ml, and 70 U/ml for SCC-Ag, CEA and TPA tests, in that order, SCC-Ag test had a sensitivity of 13%, but CEA and TPA tests could not distinguish between case and control groups. The diagnostic sensitivities were highest at cut-off values of 0.55 ng/ml for SCC-Ag, 2.6 ng/ ml for CEA, and 25.5 U/ml for TPA which were 93%, 61%, and 50%, respectively. However, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was the largest for SCC-Ag (0.95 vs. 0.61 and 0.60 for CEA and TPA, respectively). Moreover, there was a highly significant direct correlation between SCC-Ag concentration and the degree of cervical precancerous lesions (r=0.847, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The new cutoff of 0.5 for SCC-Ag test might be useful as a tumor marker in Iranian patients with CIN and it needs to be more evaluated by studies with larger populationa.
Performance modelling of asynchronous replica distribution technique on distributed database systems

In distributed database systems, replication is the most widely used approach to offering high data availability, increased fault tolerance, and improved scalability of the overall system. However, the primary concern with this technique is not only to provide high availability and reliability but also to boost the performance of data replication, i.e. to minimize response time and maximize throughput. We propose an analytical model for asynchronous replication technique (ART) by copying the data and replicating it to remote sites on a continuous basis. A remote copy of the data is created at a subsequent time after the primary copy is updated. The model is based on the M/G/1 queuing system by taking into account intersite communication between sites in the systems.
Multi-loops control design for a new Sheppard-Taylor based Power Factor Corrector with model-nonlinearity compensation

In this paper, a new nonlinearity compensation control is developed and applied for a single-phase Power Factor Corrector (PFC) based on the combination of the Sheppard-Taylor and SEPIC topologies. Compared to conventional buck, boost or buck-boost PFCs, this topology allows a better current tracking at the AC side, with a relatively reduced voltage at the DC side. Based on the exact linearization of the converterpsilas averaged model, and on the use of a fixed-frequency carrier to generate the Pulse-Width-Modulated (PWM) gate signal, the control system is designed to ensure unity power factor at the rectifier AC-side and regulated voltage at the rectifier DC-side. The performance of the proposed control scheme is tested through simulations, and evaluated in terms of source current Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), input power factor and DC-voltage regulation.
Transcriptional profiling of human glioblastoma vessels indicates a key role of VEGF‐A and TGFβ2 in vascular abnormalization

Glioblastoma are aggressive astrocytic brain tumours characterized by microvascular proliferation and an abnormal vasculature, giving rise to brain oedema and increased patient morbidity. Here, we have characterized the transcriptome of tumour‐associated blood vessels and describe a gene signature clearly associated with pleomorphic, pathologically altered vessels in human glioblastoma (grade IV glioma). We identified 95 genes differentially expressed in glioblastoma vessels, while no significant differences in gene expression were detected between vessels in non‐malignant brain and grade II glioma. Differential vascular expression of ANGPT2, CD93, ESM1, ELTD1, FILIP1L and TENC1 in human glioblastoma was validated by immunohistochemistry, using a tissue microarray. Through qPCR analysis of gene induction in primary endothelial cells, we provide evidence that increased VEGF‐A and TGFβ2 signalling in the tumour microenvironment is sufficient to invoke many of the changes in gene expression noted in glioblastoma vessels. Notably, we found an enrichment of Smad target genes within the distinct gene signature of glioblastoma vessels and a significant increase of Smad signalling complexes in the vasculature of human glioblastoma in situ. This indicates a key role of TGFβ signalling in regulating vascular phenotype and suggests that, in addition to VEGF‐A, TGFβ2 may represent a new target for vascular normalization therapy. Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid transformant selection by human complement using HRF20 (CD59) cDNA as a selection marker

The 20 kDa homologous restriction factor (HRF20, CD59) prevents formation of membrane attack complexes of human complement. Transfection of the cDNA of HRF20 to heterologous cells, which are sensitive to human complement, thereby renders these cells resistant to human complement attack. This property can then be used as a selection marker of transfection. In addition, the procedure is short and can be performed within 8 h. Since only 1 h is required for incubation with complement, the damage to the transfected cells is limited compared with damage resulting from selection for drug resistance which requires 10 days or more of incubation in the presence of harmful agents.
Effects of a single administration of acarbose on postprandial glucose excursion and endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized crossover study.

CONTEXT Postprandial hyperglycemia has been reported to elicit endothelial dysfunction and provoke future cardiovascular complications. A reduction of postprandial blood glucose levels by the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor acarbose was associated with a risk reduction of cardiovascular complications, but effects of acarbose on endothelial function have never been elucidated. DESIGN This study was aimed to assess the efficacy of acarbose on postprandial metabolic parameters and endothelial function in type 2 diabetic patients. Postprandial peakglucose (14.47 +/- 1.27 vs. 8.50 +/- 0.53 mmol/liter), plasma glucose excursion (PPGE), and change in the area under the curve (DeltaAUC)glucose after a single loading of test meal (total 450 kcal; protein 15.3%; fat 33.3%; carbohydrate 51.4%) were significantly higher in diet-treated type 2 diabetic patients (n = 14) than age- and sex-matched controls (n = 12). RESULTS The peak forearm blood flow response and total reactive hyperemic flow (flow debt repayment) during reactive hyperemia, indices of resistance artery endothelial function on strain-gauge plethysmography, were unchanged before and after meal loading in controls. But those of diabetics were significantly decreased 120 and 240 min after the test meal. A prior administration of acarbose decreased postprandial peakglucose, PPGE, and DeltaAUCglucose. The peak forearm blood flow and flow debt repayment were inversely well correlated with peakglucose, PPGE, and DeltaAUCglucose but not with DeltaAUCinsulin or the other lipid parameters. CONCLUSIONS Even a single loading of test meal was shown to impair endothelial function in type 2 diabetic patients, and the postprandial endothelial dysfunction was improved by a prior use of acarbose. Acarbose might reduce macrovascular complication by avoiding endothelial injury in postprandial hyperglycemic status.
Enrichment Analysis for Discovering Biological Associations in Phenotypic Screens

A phenotypic screen (PS) is used to identify compounds causing a desired phenotype in a complex biological system where mechanisms and targets are largely unknown. Deconvoluting the mechanism of action of actives and identification of relevant targets and pathways remains a formidable challenge. Current methods fail to use the rich information available regarding compounds and their targets in a systematic way for this deconvolution. We have developed an enrichment analysis algorithm to identify targets associated with the desired phenotype in a rigorous data-driven manner using actives and hundreds of thousands of inactives in a PS, as well as results of thousands of available legacy target-based screens in an institution. Our method quantifies association between the PS and targets while reducing sampling bias, which leads to identification of novel targets, additional chemical matter, and appropriate assays. Its use is illustrated using two examples from our laboratories: TRAIL and DNA fragmentation. Enrichment analysis of these PSs is discussed using both biological pathway analysis and known cell biology to demonstrate the value of our method. We believe this enrichment analysis method is an indispensable tool for the analysis of PSs.
DNA Double-stranded Breaks Induce Histone H2AX Phosphorylation on Serine 139*

When mammalian cell cultures or mice are exposed to ionizing radiation in survivable or lethal amounts, novel mass components are found in the histone H2A region of two-dimensional gels. Collectively referred to as γ, these components are formed in vivo by several procedures that introduce double-stranded breaks into DNA. γ-Components, which appeared to be the only major novel components detected by mass or 32PO4incorporation on acetic acid-urea-Triton X-100-acetic acid-urea-cetyltrimethylammonium bromide or SDS-acetic acid-urea-cetyltrimethylammonium bromide gels after exposure of cells to ionizing radiation, are shown to be histone H2AX species that have been phosphorylated specifically at serine 139. γ-H2AX appears rapidly after exposure of cell cultures to ionizing radiation; half-maximal amounts are reached by 1 min and maximal amounts by 10 min. At the maximum, approximately 1% of the H2AX becomes γ-phosphorylated per gray of ionizing radiation, a finding that indicates that 35 DNA double-stranded breaks, the number introduced by each gray into the 6 × 109 base pairs of a mammalian G1 genome, leads to the γ-phosphorylation of H2AX distributed over 1% of the chromatin. Thus, about 0.03% of the chromatin appears to be involved per DNA double-stranded break. This value, which corresponds to about 2 × 106 base pairs of DNA per double-stranded break, indicates that large amounts of chromatin are involved with each DNA double-stranded break. Thus, γ-H2AX formation is a rapid and sensitive cellular response to the presence of DNA double-stranded breaks, a response that may provide insight into higher order chromatin structures.
Research of Spectral Clustering on Trend of Big Time Series

Automatic discrimination of big time series trends is researched in this paper. We focus on the three steps of traditional spectral clustering, that are similarity matrix construction, eigenvalue decomposition and eigenvector selection, and K-means clustering of the selected eigenvector, an algorithm based on MapReduce framework is designed. In order to achieve the goal for automatic identification of trends, we used the method of manually specifying the center point to guide the rest of the data to cluster into six typical trends. Based on the real data of Chinese stock market, the algorithm is proved to be feasible and effective.
Multicriteria optimization and evaluation in complex products design

This study is related to the application of Artificial Intelligence approaches to the design of complex products. The purpose is to help designers to choose design parameters according to technical specifications and customer's needs. Because of the high number of parameters and possible combinations, two heuristic based approaches are proposed for optimization activity when the task is a multiple objective combinatorial one. A first algorithm based on Tabu Search guided by an objective function, and retaining the non dominated solutions is effective when a preference order can be defined for criteria to optimize. When those criteria cannot be weighted, a Hybrid Search approach based on some heuristic mechanisms is proposed for optimization without resuming the multiple objective search to a single-objective one. The two specified algorithms derive the not dominated solution set: the Pareto front, from the possible solutions set according to the design parameters. Self-Organizing Maps are then used to analyze and evaluate the obtained front. Our approach is fully illustrated in the case of the design of a 2-Degrees Of Freedom robot.
Bacterial co-expression of human Tau protein with protein kinase A and 14-3-3 for studies of 14-3-3/phospho-Tau interaction

Abundant regulatory 14-3-3 proteins have an extremely wide interactome and coordinate multiple cellular events via interaction with specifically phosphorylated partner proteins. Notwithstanding the key role of 14-3-3/phosphotarget interactions in many physiological and pathological processes, they are dramatically underexplored. Here, we focused on the 14-3-3 interaction with human Tau protein associated with the development of several neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Among many known phosphorylation sites within Tau, protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylates several key residues of Tau and induces its tight interaction with 14-3-3 proteins. However, the stoichiometry and mechanism of 14-3-3 interaction with phosphorylated Tau (pTau) are not clearly elucidated. In this work, we describe a simple bacterial co-expression system aimed to facilitate biochemical and structural studies on the 14-3-3/pTau interaction. We show that dual co-expression of human fetal Tau with PKA in Escherichia coli results in multisite Tau phosphorylation including also naturally occurring sites which were not previously considered in the context of 14-3-3 binding. Tau protein co-expressed with PKA displays tight functional interaction with 14-3-3 isoforms of a different type. Upon triple co-expression with 14-3-3 and PKA, Tau protein could be co-purified with 14-3-3 and demonstrates complex which is similar to that formed in vitro between individual 14-3-3 and pTau obtained from dual co-expression. Although used in this study for the specific case of the previously known 14-3-3/pTau interaction, our co-expression system may be useful to study of other selected 14-3-3/phosphotarget interactions and for validations of 14-3-3 complexes identified by other methods.
A new proposal for trust management in wireless sensor networks based on validation

Due to their many advantages, WSNs are getting more and more important in the field of monitoring and control systems. Despite their many advantages WSNs have some disadvantages that need to be solved. Trust-based networking can be applied to WSNs in order to get better their performance. In this paper, we proposed a new model for trust management between sensor nodes in a WSN based on false alarms they produced. The existence of validators in the WSN supports the node to determine if the alarm is a false positive. A communication model is proposed and its messages are described. Furthermore, we have performed several tests to validate the benefits of our proposal, measuring the energy consumed by the network and each individual node in the network in five scenarios. They showed us that not trusting all of the nodes in a WSN, can have better results in the total energy consumption of the network. However, having a high number of malicious nodes causes an increment of energy consumption in the rest of the nodes.