Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developing a Three-Dimensional (3D) Assessment Method for Clubfoot—A Study Protocol

Background: Congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) or clubfoot is a common pediatric congenital foot deformity that occurs 1 in 1,000 live births. Clubfoot is characterized by four types of foot deformities: hindfoot equinus; midfoot cavus; forefoot adductus; and hindfoot varus. A structured assessment method for clubfoot is essential for quantifying the initial severity of clubfoot deformity and recording the progress of clubfoot intervention. Aim: This study aims to develop a three-dimensional (3D) assessment method to evaluate the initial severity of the clubfoot and monitor the structural changes of the clubfoot after each casting intervention. In addition, this study explores the relationship between the thermophysiological changes in the clubfoot at each stage of the casting intervention and in the normal foot. Methods: In this study, a total of 10 clubfoot children who are <2 years old will be recruited. Also, the data of the unaffected feet of a total of 10 children with unilateral clubfoot will be obtained as a reference for normal feet. A Kinect 3D scanner will be used to collect the 3D images of the clubfoot and normal foot, and an Infrared thermography camera (IRT camera) will be used to collect the thermal images of the clubfoot. Three-dimensional scanning and IR imaging will be performed on the foot once a week before casting. In total, 6–8 scanning sessions will be performed for each child participant. The following parameters will be calculated as outcome measures to predict, monitor, and quantify the severity of the clubfoot: Angles cross section parameters, such as length, width, and the radial distance; distance between selected anatomical landmarks, and skin temperature of the clubfoot and normal foot. The skin temperature will be collected on selected areas (forefoot, mid foot, and hindfoot) to find out the relationship between the thermophysiological changes in the clubfoot at each stage of the casting treatment and in the normal foot. Ethics: The study has been reviewed and approved on 17 August 2016 by the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network Human Research Ethics Committee (SCHN HREC), Sydney, Australia. The Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) registration number for this study is: HREC/16/SCHN/163.
The importance of the behavioural state in biophysical assessment of the term human fetus

Summary. We have examined how the different behavioural states exhibited by 78 healthy fetuses at term influence the result of the nonstress test (NST) and biophysical profile score (BPS). In association with state 1F the average recording time to obtain a satisfactory NST and EPS was 27.0 and 26.3 min respectively, and 52.6% and 44.0% respectively failed to achieve a ‘normal’ result. In contrast, satisfactory results were always obtained in the two active states (2F and 4F), and the average time was 3–5 min. Mature fetuses spend on average one third of the time in state 1F, and knowledge of its characteristics is therefore important, for the interpretation of biophysical tests. Our results suggest that continuation of biophysical recording for at least 40 min is necessary before an unreactive NST or low BPS should be regarded as suspicious. We suggest that interpretation of the NST and BPS should be made in the light of knowledge of normal patterns of behavioural development rather than using an arbitrarily defined scoring system.
Dense B cell infiltrates in paediatric renal transplant biopsies are predictive of allograft loss

Abstract: Recent studies have suggested adverse outcome for renal allograft rejection associated with dense CD20 lymphocytic infiltrates in transplant renal biopsies. We investigated further the relationship between renal allograft survival and CD20+ lymphocytic infiltrates in renal transplant biopsies from children with graft dysfunction. Fifty consecutive unselected renal transplant biopsies were performed for investigation of acute, chronic or acute on chronic renal allograft dysfunction in 48 children aged 1–17 (median 13.1) years, at 0–155 (median 22) months post‐transplantation with median follow up of 24 months post‐biopsy. Seventeen (35%) graft losses occurred at 1–163 (median 49) months post‐transplantation. There was increased graft loss in those with dense (>300 cells/hpf) CD20+ lymphocytic infiltrates present on biopsy (p = 0.043). Dense B‐cell infiltrates were also associated with increased glucocorticoid requirement in those with acute cellular rejection (p = 0.0015). There were no significant differences in age, sex, HLA‐mismatch, type of transplantation, EBV or CMV serology or baseline immunosuppressive regimens between those with or without dense CD20+ infiltrates. Dense CD20+ lymphocytic infiltrates in renal transplant biopsies are associated with adverse clinical outcome, including increased graft loss. This observation raises the possibility of future studies examining the efficacy of B cell depletion therapy in this clinical context.
Role of HtrA in the Virulence and Competence of Streptococcus pneumoniae

ABSTRACT HtrA is a major virulence factor of Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus). Deletion of the gene for HtrA from strain D39 of the pneumococcus completely abolished its virulence in mouse models of pneumonia and bacteremia, while the virulence of a second strain (TIGR4) was dramatically reduced. HtrA-negative mutants induced much less inflammation in the lungs during pneumonia than the wild type. HtrA is involved in the ability of the pneumococcus to grow at high temperatures, to resist oxidative stress, and to undergo genetic transformation. The expression and cellular location of several known virulence factors of the pneumococcus were not affected by the lack of HtrA.
Interleukin 10 (IL-10) upregulates functional high affinity IL-2 receptors on normal and leukemic B lymphocytes

Interleukin 10 (IL-10) has recently been shown to induce normal human B lymphocytes to proliferate and differentiate into immunoglobulin (Ig)- secreting cells. Herein, we show that IL-10 also promotes DNA synthesis and IgM production by anti-CD40 activated B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). Most strikingly, IL-2 and IL-10 were found to synergize to induce the proliferation and differentiation of B-CLL cells. This synergy between IL-2 and IL-10 was also observed with normal B cells which proliferated strongly and secreted large amounts of IgM, IgG, and IgA. The observed synergy is likely to be due to the IL-10-induced increase of high affinity IL-2 receptors on both normal and leukemic B cells. This increase of high affinity receptor is associated to an increase of Tac/CD25 expression that can be detected by flow cytometric analysis. Taken together, these results indicate that IL-10 permits anti-CD40 activated B cells to respond to IL-2 through an induction of high affinity IL-2 receptors. This effect of IL- 10 may partly explain how T cells, which activate B cells in a CD40- dependent fashion, induce B cell proliferation and differentiation mostly through IL-2.
Viral and Cellular Requirements for the Nuclear Entry of Retroviral Preintegration Nucleoprotein Complexes

Retroviruses integrate their reverse transcribed genomes into host cell chromosomes as an obligate step in virus replication. The nuclear envelope separates the chromosomes from the cell cytoplasm during interphase, and different retroviral groups deal with this physical barrier in different ways. Gammaretroviruses are dependent on the passage of target cells through mitosis, where they are believed to access chromosomes when the nuclear envelope dissolves for cell division. Contrastingly, lentiviruses such as HIV-1 infect non-dividing cells, and are believed to enter the nucleus by passing through the nuclear pore complex. While numerous virally encoded elements have been proposed to be involved in HIV-1 nuclear import, recent evidence has highlighted the importance of HIV-1 capsid. Furthermore, capsid was found to be responsible for the viral requirement of various nuclear transport proteins, including transportin 3 and nucleoporins NUP153 and NUP358, during infection. In this review, we describe our current understanding of retroviral nuclear import, with emphasis on recent developments on the role of the HIV-1 capsid protein.
Continuous Professional Development in the Primary School

Teaching is a professional job. Continuing professional development (CPD) is a key responsibility for teachers and a key element in effective schools and successful education systems. INOVASI, a partnership program between the governments of Indonesia and Australia, is working with partners in the government and non-government sectors to develop a new approach to continuing professional development for Indonesian primary school teachers. This paper discusses the reasons why continuing professional development is so important, what we know about what works in continuing professional development, the INOVASI experience, and the role of the university in continuing professional development for practicing teachers. Keywords— continuous professional development, primary school, teacher, partnership
Irritable bowel syndrome: an international study of symptoms in eight countries

Objectives This report is a preliminary comparative study of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms in eight countries, USA, Mexico, Canada, England, Italy, Israel, India, and China. We also assessed global symptom patterns and correlations and relationships to several psychosocial variables. Methods Two hundred and thirty-nine participants completed a bowel symptom scale composed of four symptoms, abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation as well as two psychosocial questionnaires, quality of relationship and attribution of symptoms to physical or emotional factors. Results Pain score in Italy, with the least urban population, was significantly higher than six of the seven other countries whereas it was lowest in India and England. Bloating was highest in Italy and constipation was highest in Mexico, both significantly higher than five other countries. Diarrhea was higher in China than five other countries. All significance values were P<0.05. Globally, diarrhea was less common than constipation, P<0.001 and bloating significantly correlated with constipation as well with pain, P<0.05. Composite analysis of psychosocial variables and symptoms indicated that family conflict correlated directly, P<0.05, whereas family support correlated indirectly, P<0.01, with pain and bloating. Pain, bloating and diarrhea were significantly attributed to physical etiology, P<0.01, whereas only diarrhea was attributed to emotional cause, P<0.05. Conclusion This study suggests that there are significant variations in irritable bowel syndrome symptoms in different geographic locations around the world. Various hypotheses that may explain our data such as cultural beliefs, gut contamination, urban and rural location, dietary practice, and psychosocial factors should be further investigated.
Laparoscopic gastro-jejunal anastomosis using novel r2 deflectable instruments in an ex vivo model

Abstract Objective A novel 5 mm steerable instrument system (r2-DRIVE) was developed with active tip deflection and tip and shaft rotation. The feasibility and training effect of the r2 instruments were determined in a phantom model. Material and methods Experienced laparoscopic surgeons and untrained novices performed laparoscopic gastro-jejunal anastomoses using porcine tissue and r2 DRIVE-instruments. Mean anastomosis time, anastomosis width and burst pressure were measured. Number of stitches, skipped stitches and dropped needles were counted. Results of trained and untrained subjects were compared. Results Mean time for suturing decreased rapidly for all participants, but was more evident for untrained persons. After five anastomoses no relevant improvement in anastomotic time was seen for the skilled group. The ease of use, efficacy of manipulation and swift training effect with the novel r2 instruments for both experienced laparoscopic surgeons and untrained non-surgeons could be demonstrated and after few cases stable anastomosis times and a fast learning curve were obtained. Conclusions This study demonstrates the ease of use, efficacy of manipulation and swift training effect with the novel r2 instruments for both experienced laparoscopic surgeons and untrained non-surgeons. After few cases stable anastomosis times and a fast learning curve were obtained.
Teacher perceptions of gifted and talented certification practices in a Southern California school district: A replication study

ABSTRACT This study focused on a partial replication of a mixed-methods study of teachers regarding certification practices in Gifted and Talented Education (GATE). Data sources included Likert survey questions as well as openended questions with current teachers at seven schools within a Southern California school district. Since completion of the original study in 2006, there have been changes in new local control funding formulas that affect Gifted Education. In light of these changes, a partial replication study measuring current teacher perceptions of GATE certification practices compared findings with previous perceptions in the district. The survey sample (N = 93) included faculty from the originally sampled k-12 schools. Results indicate that perceptions of gifted identification and characteristics vary according to GATE certification status of the teacher, but not according to grade level taught. Teacher perceptions of the necessity for GATE certification and/or training have changed since the original study was conducted. Teachers indicated that training is valuable, but not necessary for all teachers. When compared to the previous study, findings indicate positive growth in teachers’ perceptual knowledge regarding gifted student characteristics and the value of teacher training.
Determinants of rehabilitation outcome in geriatric patients admitted to skilled nursing facilities after stroke: a Dutch multi-centre cohort study.

OBJECTIVE to identify important demographic, clinical and functional determinants of successful discharge of geriatric patients from skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), particularly the role of multi-morbidity. DESIGN prospective cohort study with data collection at baseline and at discharge. SETTING fifteen SNFs in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS of 378 eligible patients, 186 were included. METHODS multi-disciplinary teams recorded demographic and disease characteristics, as well as functional status, cognitive functioning and multi-morbidity on admission. The study outcomes were discharge to an independent living situation within 1 year of admission and functional status at discharge (Barthel index). RESULTS of the included 186 patients, 175 were followed up. Of these patients, 123 (70%) were successfully discharged. High Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Star Cancellation test (SCT) scores independently contributed to 48% of the variance of functional status at discharge, while low age, high BBS and SCT scores were independently related to successful discharge, explaining 33% of the variance. Multi-morbidity was not an independent determinant of rehabilitation outcome. CONCLUSION geriatric patients admitted for 'low intensity' rehabilitation in SNFs after stroke appeared to have a fair prognosis for being successfully discharged. Postural control was an important determinant of both outcome measures.
Exendin-4 Ameliorates Lipotoxicity-induced Glomerular Endothelial Cell Injury by Improving ABC Transporter A1-mediated Cholesterol Efflux in Diabetic apoE Knockout Mice*

ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), which promotes cholesterol efflux from cells and inhibits inflammatory responses, is highly expressed in the kidney. Research has shown that exendin-4, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist, promotes ABCA1 expression in multiple tissues and organs; however, the mechanisms underlying exendin-4 induction of ABCA1 expression in glomerular endothelial cells are not fully understood. In this study we investigated the effect of exendin-4 on ABCA1 in glomerular endothelial cells of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and the possible mechanism. We observed a marked increase in glomerular lipid deposits in tissues of patients with DKD and diabetic apolipoprotein E knock-out (apoE−/−) mice by Oil Red O staining and biochemical analysis of cholesterol. We found significantly decreased ABCA1 expression in glomerular endothelial cells of diabetic apoE−/− mice and increased renal lipid, cholesterol, and inflammatory cytokine levels. Exendin-4 decreased renal cholesterol accumulation and inflammation and increased cholesterol efflux by up-regulating ABCA1. In human glomerular endothelial cells, GLP-1R-mediated signaling pathways (e.g. Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, cAMP/PKA, PI3K/AKT, and ERK1/2) were involved in cholesterol efflux and inflammatory responses by regulating ABCA1 expression. We propose that exendin-4 increases ABCA1 expression in glomerular endothelial cells, which plays an important role in alleviating renal lipid accumulation, inflammation, and proteinuria in mice with type 2 diabetes.
Nonneutralizing human antibody fragments against hepatitis C virus E2 glycoprotein modulate neutralization of binding activity of human recombinant Fabs.

Evidence from clinical and experimental studies indicates that hepatitis C virus E2 (HCV/E2) glycoprotein is the major target of a putatively protective immune response. However, even in the presence of a vigorous production of anti-HCV/E2 antibodies, reinfection can occur. Dissection of the human immune response against HCV/E2 indicated that blocking of binding of HCV/E2 to target cells [neutralization of binding (NOB) activity] varies widely among antibody clones. Moreover, in vivo, simultaneous binding of antibodies to distinct epitopes can induce conformational changes and synergies that may be relevant to understanding the anti-HCV immune response. In this study, human recombinant Fabs were generated by affinity-selecting a phage display repertoire library with antibody-coated HCV/E2. These Fabs, which share the same complementarity-determining region DNA sequences, had higher affinity than other anti-HCV/E2 Fabs but showed no NOB activity even at the highest concentrations. Binding of Fabs to HCV/E2 caused conformational changes modifying Fab-binding patterns and reducing, with a negative synergistic effect, Fab-mediated NOB activity. These data suggest that some antibody clones have the potential to modify HCV/E2 conformation and that, in this state, binding of this glycoprotein to its cellular target is less prone to inhibition by some antibody clones. This can explain why high anti-HCV/E2 antibody titers do not directly correlate with protection from infection. Information on the interactions among different antibody clones can contribute to understanding virus-host interplay and developing more effective vaccines.
Effects of metallic caps for liquid metal in substrate integrated waveguide antenna

A frequency-switchable half-mode substrate integrated waveguide (HMSIW) antenna with different cases of metallic caps is proposed. The resonant frequency of the HMSIW antenna is widely switched when liquid metal (eutectic gallium indium; EGaIn) is injected into a single vertical fluidic hole. The position and dimensions of the fluidic hole are chosen in order to maximize the tuning range and peak gain. The radiation performance of the antenna is demonstrated through full-wave simulation and measurement. The resonant frequency is successfully switched from 2.33 to 3.35 GHz by injecting EGaIn into the vertical fluidic hole while maintaining the peak gain higher than 6 dBi.
Flexible silicon-polymer neural probe rigidified by dissolvable insertion vehicle for high-resolution neural recording with improved duration

This study reports on a novel concept for silicon (Si)-based intracortical neural probes with improved mechanical flexibility and reduced dimensions. Microelectrode arrays with cross-sections as small as 50 × 120 μm2 and polyimide ribbon cables of similar width but a thickness of only 11 μm are assembled into slender, flexible recording systems. As their interfacing section is reduced to the width of the probe shank, the Si-based electrode array can be completely implanted into brain tissue while the cable creates the interface to the external instrumentation. This hybrid probe concept allows the reduction of the implanted volume and probe stiffness by factors of ca. 5 and 1400, respectively, compared to conventional Si probes. As a consequence, the stability of neural recording is expected to be increased. For probe implantation, the probe is stiffened by a bio-dissolvable polymer mold around the probe using the centrifuge-based molding of polyethylene glycol.
Solvency and Wholesale Funding Cost Interactions at UK Banks

We study the interaction between solvency and funding costs at UK banks. We use the market-based leverage ratio as a proxy for market participants’ perceptions of bank solvency. We investigate the impact that changes in this ratio have on banks’ CDS premia, which are a proxy for their marginal cost of wholesale funding. We find that a negative shock to market participants’ perception of banks’ solvency leads to an increase in banks’ marginal cost of wholesale funding. We find evidence that this negative relationship is nonlinear, ie the responsiveness of funding costs to a shock to solvency is greater at lower initial levels of solvency.
Free viewpoint video synthesis using multi-view depth and color cameras

In this paper, we propose an approach for generating free viewpoint videos based on multiple depth and color cameras to resolve issues encountered with traditional color cameras techniques. Our system is based on consumer products such as Kinect that does not provide satisfying quality in terms of resolution and noise. Our contribution is then to propose a full pipeline for enhancing the depth maps and finally improving the quality of the novel viewpoint generated.
Mobile Money and Financial Inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa: the Moderating Role of Social Networks

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article is to test the moderating effect of social networks in the relationship between mobile money usage and financial inclusion in rural Uganda. The results revealed that there is a significant and positive moderating effect of social networks in the relationship between mobile money usage and financial inclusion in rural Uganda. Besides, mobile money usage and social networks have direct and significant effects on financial inclusion in rural Uganda. Thus, the findings suggest that existence of social networks of strong and weak ties among mobile money users promote financial inclusion in rural Uganda. Previous studies have concentrated only on investigating the impact of mobile money in promoting financial inclusion in developing economies, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, this particular study introduces the moderating effect of social networks in the relationship between mobile money usage and financial inclusion in rural Uganda, which seems to be sparse and lacking in literature.