Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vaginal misoprostol for cervical ripening and induction of labour

Background Misoprostol (Cytotec, Searle) is a prostaglandin E1 analogue widely used for off-label indications such as induction of abortion and of labour. This is one of a series of reviews of methods of cervical ripening and labour induction using standardised methodology. Objectives To determine the effects of vaginal misoprostol for third trimester cervical ripening or induction of labour. Search methods The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (November 2008) and bibliographies of relevant papers. We updated this search on 15 February 2012 and added the results to the awaiting classification section. Selection criteria Clinical trials comparing vaginal misoprostol used for third trimester cervical ripening or labour induction with placebo/no treatment or other methods listed above it on a predefined list of labour induction methods. Data collection and analysis We developed a strategy to deal with the large volume and complexity of trial data relating to labour induction. This involved a two-stage method of data extraction. We used fixed-effect Mantel-Haenszel meta-analysis for combining dichotomous data. If we identified substantial heterogeneity (I² greater than 50%), we used a random-effects method. Main results We included 121 trials. The risk of bias must be kept in mind as only 13 trials were double blind. Compared to placebo, misoprostol was associated with reduced failure to achieve vaginal delivery within 24 hours (average relative risk (RR) 0.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37 to 0.71). Uterine hyperstimulation, without fetal heart rate (FHR) changes, was increased (RR 3.52 95% CI 1.78 to 6.99). Compared with vaginal prostaglandin E2, intracervical prostaglandin E2 and oxytocin, vaginal misoprostol was associated with less epidural analgesia use, fewer failures to achieve vaginal delivery within 24 hours and more uterine hyperstimulation. Compared with vaginal or intracervical prostaglandin E2, oxytocin augmentation was less common with misoprostol and meconium-stained liquor more common. Lower doses of misoprostol compared to higher doses were associated with more need for oxytocin augmentation and less uterine hyperstimulation, with and without FHR changes. We found no information on women's views. Authors' conclusions Vaginal misoprostol in doses above 25 mcg four-hourly was more effective than conventional methods of labour induction, but with more uterine hyperstimulation. Lower doses (25 mcg four-hourly or less) were similar to conventional methods in effectiveness and risks. The authors request information on cases of uterine rupture known to readers. The vaginal route should not be researched further as another Cochrane review has shown that the oral route of administration is preferable to the vaginal route. Professional and governmental bodies should agree guidelines for the use of misoprostol, based on the best available evidence and local circumstances. [Note: The 27 citations in the awaiting classification section of the review may alter the conclusions of the review once assessed. ]
Distribution of the Immune Inhibitory Molecules CD200 and CD200R in the Normal Central Nervous System and Multiple Sclerosis Lesions Suggests Neuron-Glia and Glia-Glia Interactions

CD200 is a membrane glycoprotein that suppresses immune activity via its receptor, CD200R. CD200-CD200R interactions have recently been considered to contribute to the "immune privileged" status of the central nervous system (CNS). The mechanisms by which these interactions take place are not well understood in part because there is limited detailed information on the distribution of CD200 and CD200R in the CNS. Here, we used immunohistochemistry to characterize the distinct anatomical and cellular distribution of these molecules in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions and controls. CD200 was robustly expressed in gray matter areas including the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, striatum, cerebellum, and spinal cord, where neurons appeared immunopositive. CD200 expression was also detected in oligodendrocytes, but not in astrocytes or microglia. In CNS samples from MS patients, CD200 expression was additionally observed on reactive astrocytes in chronic active plaque centers, despite our previous finding of an overall decrease ofCD200 expression in MS lesions. In contrast to CD200, the immunolocalization pattern of CD200R was very distinct, showing high expression on perivascular macrophages in both gray and white matter. Using flow cytometry, we also found that human primary microglia express low levels of CD200R. These data suggest that CD200-mediated immune suppression may occur not only via neuron-microglia interactions, but also via glia-glia interactions, especially in inflammatory conditions in which an immune-suppressive environment needs to be restored; this may occur as a result of increased CD200 expression on reactive astrocytes.
Locomotion Planning with 3D Character Animations by Combining Reinforcement Learning Based and Fuzzy Motion Planners

Motion and locomotion planning have a wide area of usage in different fields. Locomotion planning with premade character animations has been highly noticed in recent years. Reinforcement Learning presents promising ways to create motion planners using premade character animations. Although RL-based motion planners offer great ways to control character animations but they have some problems that make them hard to be used in practice, including high dimensionality and environment dependency. In this paper we present a motion planner which can fulfill its motion tasks by selecting its best animation sequences in different environments without any previous knowledge of the environment. We combined reinforcement learning with a fuzzy motion planer to fulfill motion tasks. The fuzzy control system commands the agent to seek the goal in environment and avoid obstacles and based on these commands, the agent select its best animation sequences. The motion planner is taught through a reinforcement learning process to find optimal policy for selecting its best animation sequences. To validate our motion planner’s performance, we implemented our method and compared it with a pure RL-based motion planner.
Development of a System To Study CD4+-T-Cell Responses to Transgenic Ovalbumin-Expressing Toxoplasma gondii during Toxoplasmosis

ABSTRACT The study of the immune response to Toxoplasma gondii has provided numerous insights into the role of T cells in resistance to intracellular infections. However, the complexity of this eukaryote pathogen has made it difficult to characterize immunodominant epitopes that would allow the identification of T cells with a known specificity for parasite antigens. As a consequence, analysis of T-cell responses to T. gondii has been based on characterization of the percentage of T cells that express an activated phenotype during infection and on the ability of these cells to produce cytokines in response to complex mixtures of parasite antigens. In order to study specific CD4+ T cells responses to T. gondii, recombinant parasites that express a truncated ovalbumin (OVA) protein, in either a cytosolic or a secreted form, were engineered. In vitro and in vivo studies reveal that transgenic parasites expressing secreted OVA are able to stimulate T-cell receptor-transgenic OVA-specific CD4+ T cells to proliferate, express an activated phenotype, and produce gamma interferon (IFN-γ). Furthermore, the adoptive transfer of OVA-specific T cells into IFN-γ−/− mice provided enhanced protection against infection with the OVA-transgenic (but not parental) parasites. Together, these studies establish the utility of this transgenic system to study CD4+-T-cell responses during toxoplasmosis.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Optimal grip on affordances in architectural design practices : an ethnography

In this article we move beyond the problematic distinction between ‘higher’ and ‘lower’ cognition by accounting for so-called ‘higher’ cognitive capacities in terms of skillful activities in practices, and in terms of the affordances exploited in those practices. Through ethnographic research we aim to further develop the new notion of skilled intentionality by turning to the phenomenon of the tendency towards an optimal grip on a situation in real-life situations in the field of architecture. Tending towards an optimal grip is an inherently affective and dynamic phenomenon. It has been under explored in philosophy, despite its central place in Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology. When the architects experience discontent, attention is typically solicited by the affordances through which possible ways of continuing the improvement of the design can be explored. In various ways this tension or disequilibrium fueling a tendency towards an optimal grip is encountered in the complex architectural design practices that we observed. Based on our field material we distinguish between: a) grip in visual perception, b) grip on the design, and c) grip on ‘how to design’. The move towards an optimal grip takes shape by joining forces with a landscape of affordances. This landscape includes, for instance, affordances for grasping a cup of coffee, affordances provided by a cardboard model to improve it, as well as for engaging with a person who is not physically present. Because they are skilled, the architects can be responsive to these different affordances in similar ways. Furthermore, in practice the architects are responsive to multiple affordances simultaneously. Through our analysis of the tendency towards an optimal grip we show that our surroundings contribute to skillful action and cognition in a far more complex way than is currently acknowledged in philosophy and cognitive science. Phenom Cogn Sci (2017) 16:545–564 DOI 10.1007/s11097-016-9475-x * Erik Rietveld d.w. rietveld@amc.uva. nl 1 Department of Philosophy/ILLC/Amsterdam Brain & Cognition/AMC, University of Amsterdam, Oude Turfmarkt 141, 1012 GC Amsterdam, The Netherlands 2 Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Oude Turfmarkt 141, 1012 GC Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The oxidation of oxyhaemoglobin by glyceraldehyde and other simple monosaccharides.

Glyceraldehyde and other simple monosaccharides oxidize oxyhaemoglobin to methaemoglobin in phosphate buffer at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C, with the concomitant production of H2O2 and an alpha-oxo aldehyde derivative of the monosaccharide. Simple monosaccharides also reduce methaemoglobin to ferrohaemichromes (non-intact haemoglobin) at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C. Carbonmonoxyhaemoglobin is unreactive towards oxidation by autoxidizing glyceraldehyde. Free-radical production from autoxidizing monosaccharides with haemoglobins was observed by the e.s. r. technique of spin trapping with the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-l-pyrroline N-oxide. Hydroxyl and l-hydroxyalkyl radical production observed from monosaccharide autoxidation was quenched in the presence of oxyhaemoglobin and methaemoglobin. The haemoglobins appear to quench the free radicals by reaction with the free radicals and/or the ene-diol precursor of the free radical.
02 02 04 9 v 1 4 F eb 2 00 2 Detecting WIMPs in the Microwave Sky

The hierarchical clustering observed in cold dark matter simulations result in highly clumped galactic halos. If the dark matter in our Halo is made of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), their annihilation products should be detectable in the higher density and nearby clumps. We consider WIMPs to be neutralinos and calculate the synchrotron flux from their annihilation products in the presence of the Galactic magnetic field. We derive a self-consistent emission spectrum including pair annihilation, synchrotron self-absorption, and synchrotron self-Compton reactions. The resulting radiation spans microwave frequencies that can be observed over the anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background. These synchrotron sources should be identifiable as WIMP clumps, either by their angular intensity profile or by their distinctive radio spectrum.
Individual differences in thermoregulatory control, a review

Humans show a marked variation in their thermoregulatory behaviour. In this review, an attempt was made to determine in how far this variation is caused by differences in sex, age, anthropometric measures, hydration state and circadian rhythm and to which underlying parameters their effect can be ascribed. For the following factors (in approximate ranking order of significance), such parameters have been found: - State of acclimatization The state of acclimatization is defined by the sweat characteristics (high state of acclimatization implies high maximal sweat rate, high gain and/or low setpoint for sweat rate-Tcore relation. improved sweat distribution) and by the circulatory capacity (high state of acclimatization: more constant blood pressure and blood volume; lower heart frequency; high stroke volume). Physical fitness The effect of physical fitness on determined by circulatory capacity. As the state of acclimatization, it is acclimatization are strongly related. - Hydration state thermoregulation is mainly this is also a parameter for obvious that fitness and The influence of the state of hydration on thermoregulatory function is determined by two parameters: 1 Plasma osmolality: the plasma osmolality affects either the thermoregulatory centres in the brain or directly the function of the sweat gland. These effects may be ion specific ( Na+ • ca++). 2 Plasma volume: changes in plasma volume and consequently blood viscosity influence cardiac efficiency and through this the strain of the body during heat stress. - Anthropometric measures These will have a physical influence through: heat exchange surface area (body surface), insulation (fat) and weight load (inactive body mass). - Time of day The influence of the time of day on thermoregulation is determined by the related variations in sweat characteristics, skin blood flow and body temperature. In how far this also influences body heat strain and heat tolerance is yet unknown. The factors sex and age are supposed to be of little importance for the reactions to heat stress, as effects ascribed to these factors can be described by the above mentioned factors with their parameters. At the end of this report, the findings will be expressed in propositions for the determination of the selected factors and parameters.
Infectivity to mosquitoes of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum under various conditions.

Some of the most interesting studies in human malaria in which I have participated have concerned factors of importance in the epidemiology of the disease, especially the conditions under which the infection is transmissible to mosquitoes, and the possible alteration of this transmissibility through the judicious selection and use of antimalarial drugs. One who is engaged in this field of research soon discovers that these conditions can be quite complex and puzzling. For example, the correlation between gametocyte densities in the human host and the infectivity to mosquitoes may be extremely variable, depending on the stage of the infection, the species—or even the strain—of parasite, and many other factors. It is felt that an understanding of these conditions is of considerable importance as an aid to the efforts now underway toward eradication of the disease.
Interaction of c-Src with Gap Junction Protein Connexin-43

Cell-cell communication via connexin-43 (Cx43)-based gap junctions is transiently inhibited by certain mitogens, but the underlying regulatory mechanisms are incompletely understood. Our previous studies have implicated the c-Src tyrosine kinase in mediating transient closure of Cx43-based gap junctions in normal fibroblasts. Here we show that activated c-Src (c-SrcK+) phosphorylates the COOH-terminal tail of Cx43, both in vitro and in intact cells. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments reveal that Cx43 associates with c-SrcK+ and, to a lesser extent, with wild-type c-Src, but not with kinase-dead c-Src. Mutation of residue Cx43 Tyr265 (Cx43-Y265F mutant) abolishes both tyrosine phosphorylation of Cx43 and its coprecipitation with c-Src. Expression of c-SrcK+ in Rat-1 cells disrupts gap junctional communication. Strikingly, the communication-defective phenotype is bypassed after coexpression of the Cx43-Y265F mutant or a COOH-terminally truncated version of Cx43 (Cx43Δ263) that lacks residue Tyr265. Our results support a model in which activated c-Src phosphorylates the COOH-terminal tail of Cx43 on residue Tyr265, resulting in a stable interaction between both proteins leading to inhibition of gap junctional communication.
Diversity of rice and related wild species in Africa.

(eds M.C.S. Wopereis et al.) 87 O. glaberrima, both of which are diploid (genome AA, 2n = 24). Oryza sativa was introduced to East Africa, probably in the first century AD, via traders from India (Harlan and Stemler, 1976; Ng et al., 1991) and subsequently to West Africa by the Portuguese in about AD 1500 (Portères, 1962). According to Portères (1962, 1976), O. glaberrima was first domesticated from the wild ancestor O. barthii (formerly known as O. breviligulata) by people living in the inland delta of the upper Niger River about 3500 years BP. The species spread to two secondary centres of domestication, one along the coast of The Gambia, Casamance (Senegal) and Guinea-Bissau and the second in the Guinea forest between Sierra Leone and the western part of Côte d’Ivoire. However, Harlan and Stemler (1976) suggest that O. glaberrima was domesticated from O. barthii in several different localities within the vast forest and savannah areas. Many studies have confirmed that O. barthii is the progenitor of O. glaberrima and both are restricted to West Africa, while O. longistaminata (from which O. barthii is derived) is widely distributed in Africa (Brar and Khush, 2003). Introduction
Paradoxical Elevation of High–Molecular Weight Adiponectin in Acquired Extreme Insulin Resistance Due to Insulin Receptor Antibodies

Total plasma adiponectin and high–molecular weight (HMW) polymeric adiponectin are strongly positively correlated with insulin sensitivity. However, we have recently reported paradoxical hyperadiponectinemia in patients with severe insulin resistance due to genetically defective insulin receptors. This implies either that the insulin receptor has a critical physiological role in controlling adiponectin production and/or clearance or that constitutive insulin receptor dysfunction influences adiponectin levels through developmental effects. The aim of the current study was to distinguish between these possibilities using a human model of reversible antibody-mediated insulin receptor dysfunction and to refine the previous observations by determining adiponectin complex distribution. Cross-sectional and longitudinal determination of fasting plasma adiponectin and adiponectin complex distribution was undertaken in patients with extreme insulin resistance due to insulin receptor mutations, anti-insulin receptor antibodies (type B insulin resistance), or an undefined cause. Despite extreme insulin resistance, patients with type B insulin resistance (all women; mean age 42 years [range 12–54]) had dramatically elevated total plasma adiponectin compared with the general population (mean 43.0 mg/l [range 31.3–54.2] vs. 8.9 mg/l [1.5–28.5 for BMI <25 kg/m2]), which was accounted for largely by HMW polymers. Hyperadiponectinemia resolved in parallel with reduction of insulin receptor antibodies and clinical resolution of insulin resistance. Although the well-established inverse relationship between plasma insulin and adiponectin levels may, in part, reflect positive effects of adiponectin on insulin sensitivity, these data suggest that the magnitude of the effect of insulin action on adiponectin levels may have been underestimated.
OF THE EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF BEHAVIOR CONDITIONED REINFORCEMENT AND CHOICE

In a series of three experiments, rats were exposed to successive schedule components arranged on two levers, in which lever pressing produced a light, and nose-key pressing produced water in 50% of the light periods. When one auditory signal was presented only during those light periods correlated with water on one lever, and a different signal was presented only during those light periods correlated with nonreinforcement on the other lever, the former lever was preferred in choice trials, and higher rates of responding were maintained on the former lever in nonchoice (forced) trials. Thus, the rats preferred a schedule component that included a conditioned reinforcer over one that did not, with the schedules of primary reinforcement and the information value of the signals equated. Preferences were maintained when one or the other of the auditory signals was deleted, but were not established in naive subjects when training began with either the positive or negative signal only. Discriminative control of nose-key pressing by the auditory signals was highly variable across subjects and was not correlated with choice.
Generalized targets detection and counting in dense wireless sensors networks

This paper applies the Compressed Sensing (CS) the targets detection in small scale dense Wireless Sensors Networks (WSN). The monitored area is partitioned into cells, each equipped by one sensor. The CS application aims to locate targets from a reduced subset of sensors measurements. A generalized version of a recently proposed Greedy Matching Pursuit algorithm (GMP), designed for point events joint detection and counting, is derived, which is denoted by gGMP. This generalization enables the identification of several active cells at each iteration. Also, an optimized deterministic sensors subset selection scheme, based on the maximum energy is envisaged and shown to outperform the random choice scheme.
On a Scale Invariant Model of Statistical Mechanics and Invariant forms of Conservation Equations

A scale-invariant model of statistical mechanics is described and applied to introduce the invariant Boltzmann equation and the corresponding invariant Enskog equation of change. The invariant modified as well as classical forms of mass, thermal energy, linear momentum, and angular momentum conservation equations are derived. Also, an invariant definition of reaction rate is introduced that is consistent with the fact that by definition fluids can only support compressive normal forces. Solutions of modified forms of conservation equations are determination to describe hydro-thermo-diffusive structure of normal shock in pure gas. Also, exact solution of modified form of equation of motion for the problems of laminar and turbulent flow over a flat plate are described and shown to be in close agreement with experimental data in literature. Finally, the solution of the modified Helm holtz vorticity equation for the problem of flow within a droplet located at the stagnation point of opposed cylindrically- symmetric gaseous finite jets is presented.
This item is the archived peer-reviewed author-version of: Brief report : the association between adolescents' characteristics and engagement in sexting

The potential emotional and legal consequences of adolescents’ engagement in sending sexually explicit pictures through the internet or the mobile phone (i.e., sexting) have caused significant concern about the behavior among practitioners and academics. The present study compares the characteristics of students who engage in sexting to those who do not. A survey among 1028 adolescents of 11 secondary schools in Belgium was administered. Logistic regression analyses suggest that sexting is significantly linked with sensation seeking, experiential thinking styles and depression, while controlling for gender, age, family status and students’ response to economic stress. The results are of importance to practitioners who could adapt their prevention and intervention campaigns to better reach this complex youth. Differences with the findings of previous studies highlight the importance of continuing research on sexting and the need to pay attention to the specific context in which adolescent sexting takes place.