Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preterm Birth: A Prominent Risk Factor for Low Apgar Scores

Objective. To determine predictive risk factors for Apgar scores < 7 at 5 minutes at two hospitals providing tertiary care and secondary care, respectively. Methods. A retrospective registry cohort study of 21126 births (2006–2010) using data from digital medical records. Risk factors were analyzed by logistic regression analyses. Results. AS5min⁡ < 7 was multivariately associated with the following: preterm birth; gestational week 32 + 0–36 + 6, OR = 3.9 (95% CI 2.9–5.3); week 28 + 0–31 + 6, OR = 8 (5–12); week < 28 + 0, OR = 15 (8–29); postterm birth, OR = 2.0 (1.7–2.3); multiple pregnancy, OR = 3.53 (1.79–6.96); previous cesarean section, OR = 3.67 (2.31–5.81); BMI 25–29, OR = 1.30 (1.09–1.55); BMI ≥ 30 OR = 1.70 (1.20–2.41); nonnormal CTG at admission, OR = 1.98 (1.48–2.66). ≥1-para was associated with a decreased risk for AS5min⁡ < 7, OR = 0.34 (0.25–0.47). In the univariate logistic regression analysis AS5min⁡ < 7 was associated with tertiary level care, OR = 1.48 (1.17–1.87); however, in the multivariate analysis there was no significant difference. Conclusion. A number of partially preventable risk factors were identified, preterm birth being the most evident. Further, no significant difference between the two hospital levels regarding the risk for low Apgar scores was detected.
Outcomes of treatment with sirolimus for non-infectious uveitis: a meta-analysis and systematic review

Background Uveitis is a group of intraocular inflammatory diseases whose primary treatment involves immunosuppression. Although corticosteroids (CSs) remain the mainstay therapy, sirolimus is among the recently studied immunomodulatory drugs for treating noninfectious uveitis (NIU). Objective The aim of this review was to assess and summarize the updated evidence on the outcomes of treatment with sirolimus for NIU. Materials and methods Two reviewers conducted a systematic search on November 5, 2018, of electronic databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE, and The Cochrane Library) and clinical trial registers having no restrictions on language or publication date. The primary outcome was uveitis activity as measured by vitreous haze (VH), while the secondary outcomes included central macular thickness (CMT), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), CS-sparing effect, IOP elevation, and other adverse events. A meta-analysis was conducted on selected studies with appropriate clinical and methodological homogeneity. Results Seven studies were included and reviewed. Four randomized clinical trials were eligible for meta-analysis: SAVE 2013, One-year outcomes of the SAVE study, SAVE 2 2016, SAKURA 2016. The pooled proportions of inflammation control (VH improvement) were 38% (95% CI 16.19%–62.66%) during a 6-month follow-up and 49.97% (95% CI 16.19%–83.03%) during a 6- to 12-month follow-up with the latter showing a significantly higher response rate (p=0.0472). BCVA improvement was 62.2% (95% CI 33.17%–87.11%) during a 6-month follow-up and 56.86% (95% CI 20.91%–89.05%) during a 6- to 12-month follow-up with no significant difference between the two (p=0.3705). Increased IOP remained at 7.11% (95% CI 3.46%–12.68%) for both a 6-month follow-up and up to a 12-month follow-up duration. The CS-sparing effect of sirolimus was also well demonstrated. A reduction in CMT was observed, and only minor drug-related adverse events were reported in all the studies reviewed. Conclusion This review provided evidence that sirolimus is a promising treatment option for controlling inflammatory activity, improving visual acuity, and sparing CS use with minor adverse events for NIU.
Intermittent Motion in Desert Locusts: Behavioural Complexity in Simple Environments

Animals can exhibit complex movement patterns that may be the result of interactions with their environment or may be directly the mechanism by which their behaviour is governed. In order to understand the drivers of these patterns we examine the movement behaviour of individual desert locusts in a homogenous experimental arena with minimal external cues. Locust motion is intermittent and we reveal that as pauses become longer, the probability that a locust changes direction from its previous direction of travel increases. Long pauses (of greater than 100 s) can be considered reorientation bouts, while shorter pauses (of less than 6 s) appear to act as periods of resting between displacements. We observe power-law behaviour in the distribution of move and pause lengths of over 1.5 orders of magnitude. While Lévy features do exist, locusts' movement patterns are more fully described by considering moves, pauses and turns in combination. Further analysis reveals that these combinations give rise to two behavioural modes that are organized in time: local search behaviour (long exploratory pauses with short moves) and relocation behaviour (long displacement moves with shorter resting pauses). These findings offer a new perspective on how complex animal movement patterns emerge in nature.
Rivulet formulation in the flow of film down a uniformly heated vertical substrate

ABSTRACT Three-dimensional regularized weighted residuals model is developed to study vertical falling film on a uniformly substrate with constant heat flux. The model is verified through linear stability analyses in both the stream and the span directions. It is shown that rivulet formation is due to the dominance of the thermocapillary Marangoni effect in the span direction, i.e., the component in the span direction of the surface temperature gradient is much larger than the component in the stream direction, which results from the different heat transfer modes in the stream and the span directions. Four types of initial disturbance are separately imposed on the film flow. It is shown that the initial disturbance does have an influence on the rivulet formation process, but it has no effect on the eventual film structure. Rivulet formation on the film enhances the heat transfer on a wavy film surface, which is attributed for the most part to the increase in the surface area of the film. On the effect of the Reynolds and the Marangoni numbers on rivulet formation, an increase in the former results in an increase in rivulet width, while an increase in the latter causes an advance in the film rupture.
The fine-scale genetic structure and evolution of the Japanese population

The contemporary Japanese populations largely consist of three genetically distinct groups—Hondo, Ryukyu and Ainu. By principal-component analysis, while the three groups can be clearly separated, the Hondo people, comprising 99% of the Japanese, form one almost indistinguishable cluster. To understand fine-scale genetic structure, we applied powerful haplotype-based statistical methods to genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism data from 1600 Japanese individuals, sampled from eight distinct regions in Japan. We then combined the Japanese data with 26 other Asian populations data to analyze the shared ancestry and genetic differentiation. We found that the Japanese could be separated into nine genetic clusters in our dataset, showing a marked concordance with geography; and that major components of ancestry profile of Japanese were from the Korean and Han Chinese clusters. We also detected and dated admixture in the Japanese. While genetic differentiation between Ryukyu and Hondo was suggested to be caused in part by positive selection, genetic differentiation among the Hondo clusters appeared to result principally from genetic drift. Notably, in Asians, we found the possibility that positive selection accentuated genetic differentiation among distant populations but attenuated genetic differentiation among close populations. These findings are significant for studies of human evolution and medical genetics.
Magnetic drug targeting--biodistribution of the magnetic carrier and the chemotherapeutic agent mitoxantrone after locoregional cancer treatment.

Magnetic Drug Targeting means the specific delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to their desired targets, e.g. tumors, by using magnetic nanoparticles (ferrofluids) bound to these agents and an external magnetic field which is focused on the tumor. This type of target directed drug injection attempts to concentrate a pharmacologic agent by enhancing its efficacy while simultaneously minimizing deleterious side effects. In previous studies, we have been able to demonstrate the efficacy of this type of localized intraarterial chemotherapy in VX2 squamous cell carcinoma among rabbits [Alexiou, C. , Arnold, W. , Klein, R.J., Parak, F.G. , Hulin, P., Bergemann, C. , Erhardt, W. , Wagenpfeil, S. and Lübbe, A.S. "Locoregional cancer treatment with Magnetic Drug Targeting", Cancer Res. 60 (2000) 6641-6648]. In the present investigation, we have studied the biodistribution of ferrofluids and chemotherapeutic agent by measuring the amount in the tumor, peritumoral area, various organs and body fluids (e.g. blood and urine), with and without Magnetic Drug Targeting. We compared results to that of administering a chemotherapeutic agent soley. An external magnetic field was directed toward the tumor for 60 min. Biodistribution of ferrofluids in the tumor was investigated using histological cross sections and measured semi-quantitatively using 123I-labeled nanoparticles and quantitatively by the use of radioactive 59Fe-ferrofluids. Mitoxantrone was quantitatively measured using HPLC-analysis. The strength of the external magnetic field was 0.6 Tesla (permanent magnet) in the 123iodine study and 1.7 Tesla (electromagnet) in the 59Fe-study and HPLC-analysis. The concentration of the ferrofluids (FFs) in the tumor region i.e. the tumor tissue and the surrounding area, which was under the influence of an external magnetic field, was found to be much higher than in the absence of one. In contrast to systemic chemotherapy, a much higher concentration of mitoxantrone in the tumor and the peritumoral area (region surrounding the tumor < or = 1 cm), by using only 50% and 20% of the normal dose was seen. Thus, the higher concentration of mitoxantrone could explain the therapeutic efficacy of Magnetic Drug Targeting in treatment of VX2 squamous cell carcinoma in rabbits in our previous studies with the advantage of no adverse clinical side effects.
Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with sorafenib versus TACE for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background The benefits of transarterial chemoembolization plus sorafenib (TACE-S) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) remain controversial. We compared the effectiveness and safety of TACE-S and TACE for HCC with PVTT. Methods The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, Wan Fang, and Sino Med databases were systematically searched for studies of HCC with PVTT treated using TACE-S. Two authors independently extracted study outcomes, including overall survival (OS), time to progression (TTP), objective response (tumor response) and adverse events (AEs). Results Eight high-quality, retrospective studies with 1091 patients (TACE-S=356, TACE=735) were included in the review. Five retrospective studies with 973 patients (TACE-S=238, TACE=735) were included in the meta-analysis. The objective response rate (ORR, OR=3.59, 95% CI=1.74–7.39; I2=21%, P=0.0005) and disease control rate (DCR, OR=4.72, 95% CI=1.75–12.72; I2=56%, P=0.002) favored TACE-S. TACE-S significantly increased 6-month OS (OR=3.47; 95% CI=2.47–4.89; I2=0%, P < 0.00001) and 1-year OS (OR=3.10; 95% CI=2.22–4.33; I2=41%, P < 0.00001). The hazard ratio (HR) for OS (HR=0.62; 95% CI=0.51–0.75; I2=30%, P < 0.00001) also indicated that TACE-S was superior to TACE. TACE-S with PVTT had better outcomes in the first-order portal vein branch and lower-order portal vein branches than in the main portal vein and upper branches to superior mesenteric vein. The most common AEs were hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR, 178; 73%), diarrhea (142; 58%) and alopecia (76; 31%); AEs of grade 3/4 were rare. Conclusions TACE-S may improve OS, ORR, TTP and DCR for HCC patients with PVTT compared to TACE.
Browsing Linked Open Data with Auto Complete

Information in Linked Open Data is incomplete by nature and design. Nevertheless, the more complete information delivered on a subject is, the higher is its value to an end user. With our submission to the Semantic Web Challenge, we show how information, in particular types, can be completed automatically, based on heuristic rule learning. We introduce an approach which employs lazy learning instead of learning a global model, making the approach well scalable to large data, while at the same time providing results at an accuracy of 85.6%. The auto complete function is included in a modular semantic web browser.
Cutting Edge: NF-κB Activating Pattern Recognition and Cytokine Receptors License NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Regulating NLRP3 Expression1

The IL-1 family cytokines are regulated on transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Pattern recognition and cytokine receptors control pro-IL-1β transcription whereas inflammasomes regulate the proteolytic processing of pro-IL-1β. The NLRP3 inflammasome, however, assembles in response to extracellular ATP, pore-forming toxins, or crystals only in the presence of proinflammatory stimuli. How the activation of gene transcription by signaling receptors enables NLRP3 activation remains elusive and controversial. In this study, we show that cell priming through multiple signaling receptors induces NLRP3 expression, which we identified to be a critical checkpoint for NLRP3 activation. Signals provided by NF-κB activators are necessary but not sufficient for NLRP3 activation, and a second stimulus such as ATP or crystal-induced damage is required for NLRP3 activation.
Localized Climate and Surface Energy Flux Alterations across an Urban Gradient in the Central U.S.

Long-term urban and rural climate data spanning January 1995 through October 2013 were analyzed to investigate the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect in a representative mid-sized city of the central US. Locally distributed climate data were also collected at nested low density urban, recently developed, and high density urban monitoring sites from June through September 2013 to improve mechanistic understanding of spatial variability of the UHI effect based upon urban land use intensity. Long-term analyses (1995–2013) indicate significant differences ( p < 0.001) between average air temperature (13.47 and 12.89 °C, at the urban and rural site respectively), relative humidity (69.11% and 72.51%, urban and rural respectively), and average wind speed (2.05 and 3.15 m/s urban and rural respectively). Significant differences ( p < 0.001) between urban monitoring sites indicate an urban microclimate gradient for all climate variables except precipitation. Results of analysis of net radiation and soil heat flux data suggest distinct localized alterations in urban energy budgets due to land use intensity. Study results hold important implications for urban planners and land managers seeking to improve and implement better urban management practices. Results also reinforce the need for distributed urban energy balance investigations.
Platelet-derived Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Phosphorylation Requires Protein Geranylgeranylation but not Farnesylation*

We have used specific inhibitors for farnesyltransferase (FTase) and geranylgeranyltransferase (GGTase) I as well as combinations of lovastatin with geranylgeraniol (GGOH) or farnesol (FOH) to investigate the role of protein prenylation in platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced PDGF receptor tyrosine phosphorylation. NIH-3T3 cells treated with the highly specific FTase inhibitor FTI-277 had no effect on PDGF receptor tyrosine phosphorylation or PDGF activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) at doses that completely inhibit FTase-dependent processing. In contrast, treatment of these cells with GGTase I inhibitor GGTI-298 strongly inhibited receptor tyrosine phosphorylation, and co-treatment with FTI-277 had no additional effect. Interestingly, the inhibitory effect of GGTI-298 on PDGF activation of MAPK was only partial. Furthermore, although lovastatin, which inhibits both protein geranylgeranylation and protein farnesylation, blocked PDGF receptor tyrosine phosphorylation, co-treatment with GGOH, but not FOH, reversed the lovastatin block. In addition, although lovastatin was observed to block MAPK activation by PDGF, co-treatment with GGOH, but not FOH, restored its activation. Further investigations indicated that inhibition of receptor tyrosine phosphorylation was not due to decreased expression of the receptor or to inhibition of GGTase II. Thus, these results demonstrate that PDGF receptor tyrosine phosphorylation requires protein geranylgeranylation but not protein farnesylation and that the tyrosine phosphorylation levels of the receptor are modulated by a protein that is a substrate for GGTase I.
Imperceptible Visible Watermarking Scheme Using Color Distribution Modulation

Visible watermarking mechanism often used to claim the copyright of the protected media from the human visual perception. As a result of the visible logo superposes the media content, the visible logo inevitable distorts the content and degrades the readability of digital media. To diminish the visual distortion but preserve the advantages of visible watermarking technique, in this paper, we proposed an imperceptible visible watermarking approach. The new approach disguises the visible watermark into the protected image with the color distribution interval. From the visual perception of the concealed watermarked image, the appearance is similar to the original image. This can avoid degrading the image content and can satisfy the readability requirement. Furthermore, the receiver can recognize the visible watermark while adjusting the color distribution interval of the watermarked image without the traditional watermark extracting procedure. That is, the proposed imperceptible visible watermarking approach can achieve the advantages of both visible watermarking and invisible watermarking techniques to protect the digital image.
Targeting cell-free HIV and virally-infected cells with anti-HLA-DR immunoliposomes containing amphotericin B

ObjectiveTo evaluate the ability of liposomes bearing anti-HLA-DR Fab′ fragments (immunoliposomes) and containing amphotericin B (AmB) to target and neutralize cell-free HIV-1 particles and virally-infected cells. MethodsThe effect of AmB on the attachment and fusion of HIV-1NL4−3to Jurkat E6.1 cells has been evaluated using a p24 enzymatic assay. The ability of AmB to inhibit HIV-1-based luciferase reporter viruses pseudotyped with HXB2, AML-V and VSV-G envelopes has been evaluated in Jurkat E6.1 cells. The efficacy of free and immunoliposomal AmB to inhibit cell-free HIV, that have incorporated or not HLA-DR molecules, has been evaluated in HLA-DR/negative (NEG) 1G5 T cells and HLA-DR/positive (POS) Mono Mac 1 cells. ResultsAmB inhibited HIV infectivity independently of the nature of viral envelope proteins. Pretreatment of HIV with AmB had no major effect on viral attachment and fusion process to Jurkat E6.1 cells. Immunoliposomal AmB (0.5 μg/ml) led to a 77% inhibition of replication of HLA-DR/POS HIV-1 with no cell toxicity, whereas free AmB had no significant antiviral activity at this concentration. A complete inhibition of viral replication was observed following incubation of viruses with immunoliposomal AmB (2.5 μg/ml). Anti-HLA-DR immunoliposomes containing AmB had no effect on the infectivity of HLA-DR/NEG HIV-1 particles in HLA-DR/NEG T lymphoid cells but completely inhibited replication of viruses in an HLA-DR/POS monocytic cell line. ConclusionThe incorporation of neutralizing agents in anti-HLA-DR immunoliposomes could represent a novel therapeutic strategy to specifically target cell-free HIV particles and virally-infected cells to treat HIV infection more efficiently.
Characteristics of Complex Socio-Technical Systems and Guidelines for their Management : the role of resilience

Resilience engineering (RE) has been widely promoted as a safety management paradigm particularly suitable for complex sociotechnical systems (CSTSs). However, the reasons for that assumption have been often taken for granted. This paper contributes to the identification of the links between RE and the nature of CSTSs, by discussing three questions: (a) how do the characteristics of CSTSs affect the system ́s resilience? (b) how does the guideline of creating an environment that supports resilience interact with other guidelines for managing CSTSs? (c) how are the characteristics of CSTSs affected by actions aimed at creating an environment that supports resilience?
Common-mode charge control in a pipelined charge-domain signal-processing circuit

Differential Bucket-Brigade Device (BBD) in a pipeline, common in the acceptable range on each pipeline stage - need to have the correct circuit functions to maintain the charge mode. Embodiment of the present invention includes a differential charge-mode provides a reduction of the charge change-domain common to the pipeline. At a given stage of the pipeline to convey common-mode differential charge - it is regulated depending on one or more measured characteristics to control the common mode charge with domain pipeline. Differential pipeline stage, the common-mode charges and the reference voltage, the differential charge-transfer, a comparator, a control circuit, copying control circuit, the control signal, duplication control signal
Fault-tolerant Control of Uncertain Time-delay Discrete-time Systems Using T-S Model

The investigated control problem of nonlinear time-delay discrete-time systems is addressed using Takagi-Sugeno model. Parametric uncertainty and time-delay terms are employed in building the Takagi-Sugeno model for the controlled plant for the purpose of close representation of the original plant system. The integrity and robustness are guaranteed for the closed-loop fuzzy system in sense of Lyapunov stability method via fuzzy state observers. Sufficient conditions for the fuzzy system to possess integrity against actuator failures and sensor failures in the closed-loop are derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities under assumption of known bounds on uncertainties. The results for trailer-truck example are used to illustrate the effectiveness of the method.
A bootstrapped analog switch for rail-to-rail sampling

Bootstrapped switches are used in a variety of applications such as pipelined analog-to-digital converters and high voltage switches, and drivers. This paper proposes a novel bootstrapped switching scheme for rail-to-rail sampling circuit. The implemented switch using new scheme can sample full-spread (0-5 V) signals under 5 V supplies. The new switch well eliminates the standard CMOS bulk effect, and performs a SNR of 87 dB at 10 MHz sampling frequency with an input signal of 1 MHz bandwidth.
ANTIBACTERIAL EFFICACY OF GRAPE SEED EXTRACT CONTAINING 2.9% TANNIN AGAINST ENTEROCOCCUS FAECALIS BIOFILM

Objective: The aim of this study was to observe the antibacterial efficacy of grape seed extract (GSE) against Enterococcus faecalis biofilm.Methods: A biofilm of E. faecalis American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) 29212 strain was prepared using sterile cellulose nitrate filter membraneincubated on brain heart infusion agar at 37°C for 72 h under aerobic condition. Each membrane containing E. faecalis biofilm was added to threetubes of phosphate-buffered saline (control), three tubes of GSE, and three tubes of 2% clorhexidine. The number of viable DNA cells was measuredusing real-time polymerase chain reaction. The data were statistically analyzed using non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test and Mann–Whitney U-test.Results: GSE had antibacterial efficacy against E. faecalis biofilm. The difference in the amount of E. faecalis DNA between all groups was statisticallysignificant (p=0.05). Conclusion: GSE has antibacterial efficacy against E. faecalis biofilm.