Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Group B Streptococci Vaginal-Recto Colonization, Vertical Transmission to Newborns, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile and Associated Factors in Selected Health Facilities of Bahir Dar City: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Group B streptococci (GBS) is an important pathogen involved in stillbirths, neonatal deaths and neurological defects, and the occurrence of multi-drug resistance (MDR) is an alarming issue. This study determined the prevalence of GBS colonization in pregnant women and newborns, the proportion of vertical transmission, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of isolates, and the factors associated with colonization and vertical transmission. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021, at selected health facilities of Bahir Dar city. Vaginal-recto swabs from 292 pregnant women and pooled ear, nasal and umbilical swabs from 292 newborns were collected. GBS were identified following standard microbiological protocols. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using modified Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method and interpreted by the accepted 2020 CLSI M100 guidelines. Logistic regression analysis was computed. Results Overall, 54 (18.5%) of pregnant women and 22 (7.5%) of newborns had GBS colonization. The proportion of GBS vertical transmission was 22 (40.7%). Group B Streptococcus isolates scored susceptibility to penicillin, ampicillin and vancomycin with 88.9%, 90.7%, and 96.3% for pregnant women and 86.4%, 90.9% and 95.9% for newborns, respectively. A high percentage of non-susceptibility was found for clindamycin and erythromycin with 33.3% and 25.9% for pregnant women and 31.8% and 22.7% from newborns, respectively. Besides, 19 (35.2%) GBS from pregnant women and 8 (36.4%) from newborns were MDR. Group B streptococci colonization was significantly associated with delivery before 37th week of gestation (AOR=2.77, 95% CI 1.14–6.68) and history of stillbirth (AOR=3.13, 95% CI 1.13–8.70). Conclusion Pregnant women vaginal-recto GBS colonization and transmission to newborns connected with MDR are a matter of concerns. Although non-susceptible GBS isolates are obtained, penicillin and vancomycin are relatively effective. The use of clindamycin, erythromycin and ceftriaxone should be guided by antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Genetic analysis is recommended to exactly identify the epidemiology of GBS strains, vertical transmission and antimicrobial resistance at the country level.
Overcompensation of CoA Trapping by Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP) Metabolites in Livers of Wistar Rats

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is commonly used as a plasticizer in various industrial and household plastic products, ensuring widespread human exposures. Its routine detection in human bio-fluids and the propensity of its monoester metabolite to activate peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPARα) and perturb lipid metabolism implicate it as a metabolic disrupter. In this study we evaluated the effects of DEHP exposure on hepatic levels of free CoA and various CoA esters, while also confirming the metabolic activation to CoA esters and partial β-oxidation of a DEHP metabolite (2-ethyhexanol). Male Wistar rats were exposed via diet to 2% (w/w) DEHP for fourteen-days, following which hepatic levels of free CoA and various CoA esters were identified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. DEHP exposed rats showed significantly elevated free CoA and increased levels of physiological, DEHP-derived and unidentified CoA esters. The physiological CoA ester of malonyl-CoA and DEHP-derived CoA ester of 3-keto-2-ethylhexanoyl-CoA were the most highly elevated, at eighteen- and ninety eight-times respectively. We also detected sixteen unidentified CoA esters which may be derivative of DEHP metabolism or induction of other intermediary metabolism metabolites. Our results demonstrate that DEHP is a metabolic disrupter which affects production and sequestration of CoA, an essential cofactor of oxidative and biosynthetic reactions.
Performance evaluation of wideband bio-impedance spectroscopy using constant voltage source and constant current source

Current sources are widely used in bio-impedance spectroscopy (BIS) measurement systems to maximize current injection for increased signal to noise while keeping within medical safety specifications. High-performance current sources based on the Howland current pump with optimized impedance converters are able to minimize stray capacitance of the cables and setup. This approach is limited at high frequencies primarily due to the deteriorated output impedance of the constant current source when situated in a real measurement system. For this reason, voltage sources have been suggested, but they require a current sensing resistor, and the SNR reduces at low impedance loads due to the lower current required to maintain constant voltage. In this paper, we compare the performance of a current source-based BIS and a voltage source-based BIS, which use common components. The current source BIS is based on a Howland current pump and generalized impedance converters to maintain a high output impedance of more than 1 MΩ at 2 MHz. The voltage source BIS is based on voltage division between an internal current sensing resistor (Rs) and an external sample. To maintain high SNR, Rs is varied so that the source voltage is divided more or less equally. In order to calibrate the systems, we measured the transfer function of the BIS systems with several known resistor and capacitor loads. From this we may estimate the resistance and capacitance of biological tissues using the least-squares method to minimize error between the measured transimpedance excluding the system transfer function and that from an impedance model. When tested on realistic loads including discrete resistors and capacitors, and saline and agar phantoms, the voltage source-based BIS system had a wider bandwidth of 10 Hz to 2.2 MHz with less than 1% deviation from the expected spectra compared to more than 10% with the current source. The voltage source also showed an SNR of at least 60 dB up to 2.2 MHz in comparison to the current source-based BIS system where the SNR drops below 40 dB for frequencies greater than 1 MHz.
Adaptation of the Texas Christian University Organisational Readiness for Change Short Form (TCU-ORC-SF) for use in primary health facilities in South Africa

Objectives The Texas Christian University Organisational Readiness for Change Scale (TCU-ORC) assesses factors influencing adoption of evidence-based practices. It has not been validated in low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC). This study assessed its psychometric properties in a South African setting with the aim of adapting it into a shorter measure. Methods This study was conducted in 24 South African primary healthcare clinics in the Western Cape Province. The TCU-ORC and two other measures, the Organisational Readiness to Change Assessment (ORCA) and the Checklist for Assessing Readiness for Implementation (CARI) were administered. The questionnaire was readministered after 2 weeks to obtain data on test–retest reliability. Three hundred and ninety-five surveys were completed: 281 participants completed the first survey, and 118 recompleted the assessments. Results We used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to identify latent dimensions represented in the data. Cronbach’s alpha for each subscale was assessed and we examined the extent to which the subscales and total scale scores for the first and retest surveys correlated. Convergent validity was assessed by the correlation coefficient between the TCU-ORC, ORCA and CARI total scale scores. EFA resulted in a three-factor solution. The three subscales proposed are Clinic Organisational Climate (8 items), Motivational Readiness for Change (13 items) and Individual Change Efficacy (5 items) (26 items total). Cronbach’s alpha for each subscale was >0.80. The overall shortened scale had a test–retest correlation of r=0.80, p<0.01, acceptable convergent validity with the ORCA scale (r=0.56, p<0.05), moderate convergence with the CARI (r=39, p<0.05) and strong correlation with the original scale (r=0.79, p<0.05). Conclusions This study presents the first psychometric data on the TCU-ORC from an LMIC. The proposed shortened tool may be more feasible for use in LMICs. Trial registration number Results stage. Project MIND trial. Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry. PACTR201610001825405.
A Comparison of Mixed Gas Foams With N2 and C02 Foam Fracturing Fluids on a Flow Loop Viscometer

A study of the rheological properties of mixed-gas foams was conducted on a flow-loop viscometer. The variables studied included different ratios of N{sub 2} and CO{sub 2} in 70%-quality foams, base gel concentration, crosslinking agent, and temperature. The rheological properties of mixed-gas foams are very similar to the rheologies of N{sub 2} and CO{sub 2} foams. This finding was anticipated, because the rheologies of N{sub 2} and CO{sub 2} foams are similar. The exact static stability behavior of these foams was not anticipated. Pure CO{sub 2} 70%-quality foams have four to five times the static half-life as pure N{sub 2} 70%-quality foams. Replacement of CO{sub 2} by N{sub 2} in a 70%-quality foam decreases the half-life of the foam. The inclusion of only 20%-quality N{sub 2} in a 70%-quality mixed-gas foam decreases the half-life of the foam. The inclusion of only 20%-quality N{sub 2} in a 7%-quality mixed-gas foam decreases the foam stability to equal a pure N{sub 2} 70%-quality foam. The authors saw no evidence that addition of N{sub 2} to a CO{sub 2} foam improved its stability. Fluid loss characteristics of mixed-gas foams were found to be the same as for N{sub 2} or CO{sub 2} foams.
Franklin D. Roosevelt and the American Theatre Standard: The low vowels

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s accent is often used as an illustration of the elite pronunciation heard among the north-eastern US upper classes until roughly the mid 20th century. Known under several names and often considered a mixture of British and American features, this variety is frequently identified with the American Theatre Standard, a norm popularized by acting schools in the early 20th century. Working on the assumption that Roosevelt is an exemplar of the north-eastern standard, the aim of the current study is a preliminary acoustic exploration of his accent with the aim of assessing the plausibility of such comparisons, focusing on the dress, trap, bath, start and lot vowels. Density plots created based on F1 and F2 measured in eight radio speeches were used to examine the relative position of these vowels in the vowel space. Linear mixed-effects regression was then used to model F1 and F2 in selected pairs of vowels to determine whether the differences along the two formant dimensions are significant. The results confirm a conclusion reached in an earlier auditory study (Brandenburg, Braden 1952) according to which Roosevelt’s bath was variable between [æ] and a lower and retracted [a], a vowel quality found in Eastern New England and in American Theatre Pronunciation. At the same time, a merged start/lot vowel in Roosevelt’s speech makes it unjustified to fully identify his accent with the latter variety.
Fabrication and Memory Behaviour of Al (6 mol%) Doped PbTiO 3 Thin Film Devices

The polycrystalline perovskite structure of PbTi(1-x)Al(x)O 3 (x=0.06), PTA6, was obtained by high temperature solid state reaction route. For the ferroelectric characterization and non-volatile memory effect, 100 kHz thermal hysteresis loops were observed by Sawyer-Tower circuit. The electrical properties, I-V tracing was measured and low voltage resistance (LVR), maximum diode current (I max ) and threshold voltage (V TH) were studied. From ln I-V linear relationship, ideality factor (η) and zero- bias voltage barrier high (φbo ) were calculated. The C-V tracing was studied at 100 kHz under biased voltage from -4 V to 4 V. From the detail analysis, PTA6 layer on Si is quite acceptable for single capacitor (1C) of non-volatile ferroelectric random access memory device applications.
The Effect of Whole-Body Vibration on Proprioception and Motor Function for Individuals with Moderate Parkinson Disease: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction Previous studies have shown that whole-body vibration (WBV) may have a potential impact on gait and balance in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, this body of work has proven inconclusive due to the diverse disease progression and broad age range associated with PD. The effects of WBV on proprioception, a sense frequently affected by PD, has rarely been studied. Objective To investigate the short-term effect of WBV on proprioception and motor function for individual with moderate PD. Design A single-blind randomized controlled trial. Setting. A hospital and a laboratory. Participants. 32 participants with moderate PD were recruited and randomly assigned into either the WBV or conventional therapy groups. Interventions. For the WBV group, each treatment session included five, one-minute bouts of whole-body vibration paired with one-minute rest (frequency: 6 Hz; amplitude: 3 mm). Each conventional therapy participant received balance and mobility training for 10 minutes. Main Outcome Measures. Outcome measures included proprioceptive sensitivity of the upper limb, position sense of the knee joint, Unified Parkinson's disease rating scale : motor section (UPDRS-motor), functional reach test (FRT), and the timed up and go test (TUG). Results No statistically significant difference was found between groups. However, both groups showed a significant improvement in motor function after treatment, including UPDRS-motor (P = 0.04), less affected side of FRT (P = 0.019), and TUG (P = 0.006). Conclusions Although the effect of WBV was not superior to the conventional therapy, it provided a passive and safe clinical intervention as an alternative treatment, especially for individuals with motor impairment or poor balance function.
Low-cost, high-precision measurement system for capacitive sensors

This paper describes a low-cost realization of a precision capacitance measurement instrument. The method is based on synchronous modulation and demodulation operating at a frequency of 100 kHz. A two-channel multiplying digital-to-analogue converter is used to generate a sinusoidal drive voltage and to perform multiplication with the demodulation signal. The modulation and demodulation signals are generated using a direct digital synthesizer, which is implemented using a field programmable gate array. Experimental results show a reproducibility of better than in the range from 50 pF to 600 pF.
The National Centers for System of Systems Engineering: A Case Study on Shifting the Paradigm for System of Systems

Introduction Based on literature and interest encountered in practice, there is a clear and consistent increase in System of Systems Engineering (SOSE). SOSE is being used in organizations such as Lockheed Martin, Concurrent Technologies Corporation, and the Joint Forces Command, all providing a service or solution for complex, distributed problems. However, a quick scan of literature, publications, and websites show that the approaches being presented do not necessarily subscribe to a common theme or methodology for solving, or defi ning SOS type problems. For example:  Lockheed Martin (CIAD 2006) proposes a unifi ed discipline methodology that integrates the practitioners needed to provide SOS solutions.  Concurrent Technologies Corporation (www.sosece. org), that operates the System of Systems Center of Excellence, suggests that System of Systems Engineering is an emergent condition of Systems Engineering and builds on current techniques.  Joint Forces Command, Standing Joint Task Force (MECS report 2006) focus on System of System Analysis, which is used to defi ne service capabilities in the process of providing for a Joint Force capability.
Going Agile, a Post-Pandemic Universal Work Paradigm - A Theoretical Narrative Review

Due to digital transformation, technology advancements, telework, we can no longer pretend that traditional work offers high incentives and efficiency, but on the contrary, traditional work falls behind each year, deeming organizations and individuals to adopt the agile work. Rapid technological developments have altered the way businesses operate, with the goal of producing viable solutions in an environment fraught with unpredictability. This paper is a theoretical narrative review on the general topic of agile work. The present paper addresses the issue of determining the best international practices for implementing agile methodology at work, carrying out a theoretical narrative review. Basing on literature on present-day theory the authors make an attempt to explain the implications of implementing agile methodologies into organizational culture, summarize existing approaches to classifying the main effects on implementing agile methodologies at work, consolidate and document best international practices for agile methodologies development among employers. After defining the concepts of agile method tailoring and agile maturity, the data obtained in the theoretical narrative analysis reveal that the implementing agile methodologies have a direct impact on management style, on teams, on learning environments, and on employee’s mental health. An overall conclusions and discussions section is presented along with the personal opinion of authors. This work is intended to open a post-pandemic agile work research methodology, since there are no systematic approaches to this topic.
Acceleration of target production in co‐culture by enhancing intermediate consumption through adaptive laboratory evolution

Co‐culture is a promising way to alleviate metabolic burden by dividing the metabolic pathways into several modules and sharing the conversion processes with multiple strains. Since an intermediate is passed from the donor to the recipient via the extracellular environment, it is inevitably diluted. Therefore, enhancing the intermediate consumption rate is important for increasing target productivity. In the present study, we demonstrated the enhancement of mevalonate consumption in Escherichia coli by adaptive laboratory evolution and applied the evolved strain to isoprenol production in an E. coli (upstream: glucose to mevalonate)–E. coli (downstream: mevalonate to isoprenol) co‐culture. An engineered mevalonate auxotroph strain was repeatedly sub‐cultured in a synthetic medium supplemented with mevalonate, where the mevalonate concentration was decreased stepwise from 100 to 20 µM. In five parallel evolution experiments, all growth rates gradually increased, resulting in five evolved strains. Whole‐genome re‐sequencing and reverse engineering identified three mutations involved in enhancing mevalonate consumption. After introducing nudF gene for producing isoprenol, the isoprenol‐producing parental and evolved strains were respectively co‐cultured with a mevalonate‐producing strain. At an inoculation ratio of 1:3 (upstream:downstream), isoprenol production using the evolved strain was 3.3 times higher than that using the parental strain.
Muscle Fatigue Revisited – Insights From Optically Pumped Magnetometers

Muscle fatigue is well characterized electromyographically, nevertheless only information about summed potential differences is detectable. In contrast, recently developed quantum sensors optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) offer the advantage of recording both the electrical current propagation in the muscle as well as its geometry, by measuring the magnetic field generated by the muscular action potentials. Magnetomyographic investigation of muscle fatigue is still lacking and it is an open question whether fatigue is characterized similarly in magnetomyography (MMG) compared to electromyography (EMG). Herein, we investigated the muscle fatigue during a 3×1-min strong isometric contraction of the rectus femoris muscle of 12 healthy subjects using simultaneous EMG-MMG (4-channel surface EMG and 4 OPM along the rectus femoris muscle). Both EMG and MMG showed the characteristic frequency decrease in the signal magnitude during isometric contraction, which is typical for muscle fatigue. In addition, it was shown that the main part of this frequency decrease seems to occur in the circular component of the magnetic field around the muscle fibers and less longitudinally along the muscle fibers. Overall, these results show not only that magnetomyography is capable of reproducing the electromyographic standards in identifying muscular fatigue, but it also adds relevant information about the spatial characterization of the signal. Therefore, OPM-MMG offers new insights for the study of muscular activity and might serve as a new, supplementary neurophysiological method.
Power relations and the negotiation of meanings in a Community of Practice in the field of Mathematics Education

This article aims to identify and analyze power relations in the negotiation of meanings in a Community of Practice, called the “Observatório da Educação Matemática” da Bahia (OEM-BA), formed by academics from the university and teachers of Basic Education, who came together to produce educational math curriculum materials. The research carried out was of a qualitative nature and the data were produced through observations of the activities carried out by OEM-BA. To support the analysis, we used Etienne Wenger's Social Theory of Learning and Basil Bernstein's Theory of Codes. By analyzing the data, we identify power relations between academic and non-academic discourses, as well as interdisciplinary and interdisciplinary discourses. This happened when members negotiated meanings relative to teaching and learning content operations with whole numbers and quantities directly and inversely proportional. The results of this research gave visibility to variations in the principles and hierarchies underlying the meeting between academics and scholars.
Guaranteeing feasibility in constrained stable generalised predictive control

Input constraints present a major difficulty in the design of stable predictive controllers. A convenient way to guarantee stability is to ensure short-term feasibility, that is to ensure the existence of a set of future controls which are within input constraints and meet suitable terminal constraints. Earlier algorithms use terminal constraints which depend on the setpoint and hence short-term feasibility can be lost due to excessive setpoint changes. In the paper a simple algorithm is proposed which retains short-term feasibility by allowing the terminal constraint to change, but still guarantees convergence while at the same time optimising a cost function which is related to actual input/output predicted performance.