Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors and Pregnancy Outcome of Preterm Labor

Preterm labor is an increasingly common complex condition with multiple risk factors and has substantial medical, psychological, economic and social impacts. It is the leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality in the United States. Compared with term neonates, mortality rates for preterm (less than 37 weeks) and very preterm infants (less than 32 weeks) are 15-fold and 75-fold higher respectively. The aim of this study is to; determine the risk factors associated with preterm labor and compare pregnancy outcomes between women with preterm labor and those with term labor. A case-control design was selected in carrying out this study and a representative sample of 300 parturient women (150 with preterm labor and 150 with term labor) were recruited for this study. The tools used for data collection were; a structured interview sheet, a clinical assessment form, a summary of labor sheet and a neonatal assessment sheet. The results of the present study revealed that the risk of having preterm labor was significantly increased with maternal age 35 years old and more (p=0.001). In addition, PPROM, multiple gestations, previous PTL and previous abortion were risk factors associated with PTL. Preterm labor also resulted in more CS, primary postpartum hemorrhage and retained placenta. Their newborns had lower Apgar score, very low birth weight, low birth weight, RDS, and more admission to the NICU. It can be concluded that; preterm labor was associated with considerable maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The study recommended that; the nurse should discuss with vulnerable women, preterm labor signs and symptoms, risk factors, the causes of morbidity and mortality of preterm infants, provide counseling and intervention whenever needed beyond simply giving pregnant women a handout or a pamphlet on measures for the prevention of this problem.
Understanding university student media preferences through the discourses of ‘realism’ and ‘quality’

Abstract This article examines two of the explanatory discourses most often used by the youth in explaining their preferences for local or global media – those of ‘realism’ and ‘quality’. The article explores the ‘empiricist’ understanding of realism which seeks a correspondence, at a denotative level, between the ‘realities’ internal and external to the text, and argues that a desire for this correspondence, explains the youth's preference for local productions. However, the article also argues that ironically, in many instances, it is global, rather than local productions which most adequately reflect local lived conditions. The article also explores how many students' preference for global media is premised on the perceived superior ‘quality’ (understood in terms of production techniques) and that the discourse of ‘quality’ is one often used by South African media producers to explain the relatively poor state of the local film and television industries. Finally, the article highlights that an attraction to the ‘quality’ of American productions often coexists with a profound anti-Americanism.
Presynaptic Effects of NMDA in Cerebellar Purkinje Cells and Interneurons

NMDA receptors (NMDARs) are generally believed to mediate exclusively postsynaptic effects at brain synapses. Here we searched for presynaptic effects of NMDA at inhibitory synapses in rat cerebellar slices. In Purkinje cells, application of NMDA enhanced the frequency of miniature IPSCs (mIPSCs) but not that of miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs). This increase in frequency was dependent on the external Mg2+ concentration. In basket and stellate cells, NMDA induced an even larger mIPSC frequency increase than in Purkinje cells, whereas mEPSCs were again not affected. Moreover, NMDA induced an inward current in both types of interneuron, which translated into a small depolarization (∼10 mV for 30 μm NMDA) under current-clamp conditions. In paired recordings of connected basket cell–Purkinje cell synapses, depolarizations of 10–30 mV applied to the basket cell soma enhanced the frequency of postsynaptic mIPSCs, suggesting that somatic depolarization was partially transmitted to the terminals in the presence of tetrodotoxin. However, this effect was small and unlikely to account fully for the effects of NMDA on mIPSCs. Consistent with a small number of dendritic NMDARs, evoked EPSCs in interneurons had a remarkably small NMDA component. Evoked IPSCs at interneuron–interneuron synapses were inhibited by NMDA, and the rate of failures was increased, indicating again a presynaptic site of action. We conclude that activation of NMDARs in interneurons exerts complex presynaptic effects, and that the corresponding receptors are most likely located in the axonal domain of the cell.
Exercise Training Improves Baroreflex Sensitivity Associated With Oxidative Stress Reduction in Ovariectomized Rats

The protection from coronary events that young women have is sharply reduced at menopause. Oxidative stress and baroreflex sensitivity impairment of the circulation have been demonstrated to increase cardiovascular risk. On the other hand, exercise training has been indicated as a nonpharmacological treatment for many diseases. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that exercise training can improve baroreflex sensitivity associated with reduction in oxidative stress in ovariectomized rats, an experimental model of menopause. Exercise training was performed on a treadmill for 8 weeks. Arterial pressure and baroreflex sensitivity, which were evaluated by tachycardic and bradycardic responses to changes in arterial pressure, were monitored. Oxidative stress was evaluated by chemiluminescence and superoxide dismutase and catalase antioxidant enzyme activities. Exercise training reduced resting mean arterial pressure (112±2 vs 122±3 mm Hg in the sedentary group) and heart rate (325±4 vs 356±12 bpm in the sedentary group) and also improved baroreflex sensitivity (tachycardic response, 63% and bradycardic response, 58%). Myocardium (25%) and gastrocnemius muscle (48%) chemiluminescence were reduced, and myocardial superoxide dismutase (44%) and gastrocnemius catalase (97%) activities were enhanced in trained rats in comparison with sedentary rats. Myocardium chemiluminescence was positively correlated with systolic arterial pressure (r=0.6) and inversely correlated with baroreflex sensitivity (tachycardic response, r=−0.8 and bradycardic response, r=−0.7). These results indicate that exercise training in ovariectomized rats improves resting hemodynamic status and reflex control of the circulation, probably associated with oxidative stress reduction, suggesting a homeostatic role for exercise training in reducing cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women.
A Learning-Based Path Planning Method for Spatial Robots

Space robots face challenges such as communication delays, unknown environmental information, complex terrain and obstacles, and energy constraints when performing path planning. To address the problem of high path costs in sampling-based path planning algorithms due to random sampling in unknown complex scenes, this paper proposes a learning-based path planning method for space robots. This method enables space robots to perform efficient and low-consumption path planning. It constructs a probabilistic network of end-to-end encoder-decoders, using U-net as the thematic framework. The probability distribution predicted by the network serves as the prior information for optimal path planning. Subsequently, the traditional sampling-based path planning algorithm is employed to plan the optimal path based on the probability guidance. Experimental results demonstrate that the method proposed in this paper exhibits superior overall performance in terms of path length, time cost, and memory utilization compared to the traditional RRTs algorithm and the existing CNN + bidirectional search algorithm.
The Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Reverses Corticosterone-Induced Changes in Cortical Neurons

Background: Chronic exposure to the glucocorticoid hormone corticosterone exerts cellular stress-induced toxic effects that have been associated with neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Docosahexaenoic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that has been shown to be of benefit in stress-related disorders, putatively through protective action in neurons. Methods: We investigated the protective effect of docosahexaenoic acid against glucocorticoid hormone corticosterone-induced cellular changes in cortical cell cultures containing both astrocytes and neurons. Results: We found that glucocorticoid hormone corticosterone (100, 150, 200 μM) at different time points (48 and 72 hours) induced a dose- and time-dependent reduction in cellular viability as assessed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium. Moreover, glucocorticoid hormone corticosterone (200 μM, 72 hours) decreased the percentage composition of neurons while increasing the percentage of astrocytes as assessed by βIII-tubulin and glial fibrillary acidic protein immunostaining, respectively. In contrast, docosahexaenoic acid treatment (6 μM) increased docosahexaenoic acid content and attenuated glucocorticoid hormone corticosterone (200 μM)-induced cell death (72 hours) in cortical cultures. This translates into a capacity for docosahexaenoic acid to prevent neuronal death as well as astrocyte overgrowth following chronic exposure to glucocorticoid hormone corticosterone. Furthermore, docosahexaenoic acid (6 μM) reversed glucocorticoid hormone corticosterone-induced neuronal apoptosis as assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated nick-end labeling and attenuated glucocorticoid hormone corticosterone-induced reductions in brain derived neurotrophic factor mRNA expression in these cultures. Finally, docosahexaenoic acid inhibited glucocorticoid hormone corticosterone-induced downregulation of glucocorticoid receptor expression on βIII- tubulin-positive neurons. Conclusions: This work supports the view that docosahexaenoic acid may be beneficial in ameliorating stress-related cellular changes in the brain and may be of value in psychiatric disorders.
From Spinal Central Pattern Generators to Cortical Network: Integrated BCI for Walking Rehabilitation

Success in locomotor rehabilitation programs can be improved with the use of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Although a wealth of research has demonstrated that locomotion is largely controlled by spinal mechanisms, the brain is of utmost importance in monitoring locomotor patterns and therefore contains information regarding central pattern generation functioning. In addition, there is also a tight coordination between the upper and lower limbs, which can also be useful in controlling locomotion. The current paper critically investigates different approaches that are applicable to this field: the use of electroencephalogram (EEG), upper limb electromyogram (EMG), or a hybrid of the two neurophysiological signals to control assistive exoskeletons used in locomotion based on programmable central pattern generators (PCPGs) or dynamic recurrent neural networks (DRNNs). Plantar surface tactile stimulation devices combined with virtual reality may provide the sensation of walking while in a supine position for use of training brain signals generated during locomotion. These methods may exploit mechanisms of brain plasticity and assist in the neurorehabilitation of gait in a variety of clinical conditions, including stroke, spinal trauma, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy.
Temperature-Dependent MRTD Model for Transient Analysis of Coaxial-TGVs in 3D ICs

The coaxial through glass via (coaxial-TGV) offers a promising solution for high-frequency signal transmission in three-dimensional integration through glass substrates. This paper presents a temperature-dependent coaxial-TGV with benzocyclobutene (BCB) as dielectric. A precise wavelet-based numerical multiresolution time domain (MRTD) technique is developed for analyzing crosstalk effects in coupled coaxial-TGVs. The propagation delays and peak crosstalk voltage in CMOS gate driven coupled coaxial-TGVs under both in-phase and out-phase scenarios is determined. The proposed MRTD approach demonstrates superior accuracy when compared to SPICE simulations.
Full-Duplex Delay Diversity Relay Transmission Using Bit-Interleaved Coded OFDM

In this paper, a delay diversity orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (DD OFDM) transmission scheme in amplify-and-forward (AF) full-duplex relay systems is investigated. One direct source-to-destination link, one relay forwarding link, and residual self-interference are considered in the system. The necessary cyclic prefix length is investigated and a suitable AF relay protocol in the full-duplex relay OFDM system is proposed. This paper demonstrates that the AF relay link and the direct source-to-destination link can be combined to provide spatial diversity. The key is that the DD OFDM scheme is used to transform the spatial diversity into increased channel frequency diversity that is further exploited by using the bit-interleaved coding. The bit error rate performance of the proposed system is verified by simulation results.
Communautés de pratique et capacité d´absorption des connaissances dans un contexte inter-organisationnel :: cas des PME marocaines

L’objectif de cet article consiste a mettre en relation les communautes de pratique et l’innovation dans un contexte de relations inter-organisationnelles (RIO) en mettant en exergue le role de la capacite d’absorption des connaissances. Autrement dit, nous montrons, dans un modele de recherche, le processus d’influence positive des communautes de pratique sur l’innovation en considerant la capacite d’absorption comme une variable intermediaire. Les variables relationnelles de confiance et d’engagement sont considerees comme des facteurs explicatifs de la formation des communautes. Pour ce faire, nous sommes partis des theories des ressources, des capacites dynamiques ainsi que du constat du manque de ressources et du management de proximite des PME pour faire apparaitre un modele reliant les variables relationnelles (confiance et engagement), les communautes de pratique, le partage des connaissances, la capacite d’absorption et l’innovation. Nous avons teste les hypotheses de recherche sur un echantillon de 110 PME. Les donnees collectees sont analysees par la methode des equations structurelles (LISREL pour les analyses confirmatoires et PLS pour les tests d’hypotheses). Les resultats montrent l’existence d’une relation positive entre les variables relationnelles et l’innovation a travers les notions de communautes de pratique. Cette relation est renforcee par le role mediateur de la capacite d’absorption des connaissances.
Neutrophil‐mediated cytotoxicity to schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni in vitro: studies on the kinetics of complement and/or antibody‐dependent adherence and killing

The capacity of rat peritoneal neutrophils to adhere to and kill schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni in vitro has been investigated. Neutrophils adhere readily to schistosomula in the presence of antibody plus complement (C) (fresh immune rat serum), antibody alone (heat‐inactivated immune rat serum) and C alone (fresh normal rat serum), but not with heat‐inactivated normal rat serum. However, schistosomular killing is only achieved with neutrophils and fIRS or MRS. In the presence of hiIRS the cells detach after 6 h without producing a significant level of parasite death. The system involving neutrophils plus fIRS is the most efficient in terms of serum dilution and the rate of schistosomular killing. The complement‐dependent antibody involved in this system belongs to the class IgG and occurs in rat serum at peak titres, 6–8 wk after a primary schistosome infection. Neutrophil adherence in the presence of MRS depends upon the generation of C3b molecules at the parasite surface via the alternative pathway of C activation. Studies on the antibody alone system indicate that the lack of significant schistosomular killing might result from the absence of factors which stimulate cell migration, since if a chemokinetic agent is introduced into the assay a 30% increase in mortality is recorded. The possible participation of neutrophils in the destruction of a primary and/or challenge infection in vivo is discussed.
Prediction of visual function in eyes with mild to moderate posterior pole residua of retinopathy of prematurity. Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity Cooperative Group.

OBJECTIVE The Multicenter Trial of Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity (CRYO-ROP) assigned eyes with macular heterotopia to the "favorable" outcome category and eyes with retinal fold involving the macula to the "unfavorable" outcome category. This binary assignment did not agree well with measured visual acuity outcome. We tested the hypothesis that rating structural outcome on a continuum from less to more severe would improve prediction of visual acuity in eyes with macular heterotopia or retinal fold. DESIGN Fundus photographs of the 69 eyes in the CRYO-ROP trial that had macular heterotopia (n = 55) or retinal fold (n = 14) at the 1-year follow-up were analyzed for severity of macular heterotopia, macular elevation, and pigmentary disturbances. Each physician author estimated each eye's predicted Snellen acuity, based on the photographic findings and clinical expertise. These results were compared with the grating acuity obtained at ages 1 and 3 1/2 years with the Teller Acuity Card procedure and with letter acuity obtained at age 3 1/2 years with the crowded HOTV test. PATIENTS The 69 eyes were from 59 patients in the randomized portion of the CRYO-ROP trial. RESULTS Although eyes with retinal fold tended to have greater visual impairment than eyes with macular heterotopia, there was a wide variation in acuity in both groups, and physicians were unable to predict visual acuity from retinal appearance. CONCLUSION The physician cannot reliably predict either grating acuity or letter acuity in eyes with macular heterotopia or macular fold due to retinopathy of prematurity. There is no substitute for periodic visual acuity testing in these eyes.
On the Analysis of Model Poisoning Attacks Against Blockchain-Based Federated Learning

Undoubtedly, Machine Learning (ML) has revolutionized many applications in recent years. A vast amount of heterogeneous data distributed globally is being used to build efficient and robust prediction models. This has led to the need for decentralized ML paradigms. Federated Learning (FL) has emerged as a decentralized ML paradigm that creates global models from multiple privately trained local datasets. Nevertheless, FL comes with some challenges, such as using a central server, leading to a single point of failure and trust issues. Blockchain-based Federated learning (BFL) has been proposed to resolve these challenges. However, due to the openness of the Blockchain system, malicious clients can access critical information, such as the number of participating clients, and launch attacks on the BFL system. This paper presents a practicable model poisoning attack on BFL systems. Several experiments are conducted with different attack scenarios and settings explored. The evaluations and results show the efficacy and impact of the model poisoning.
Pippy Search: Anomaly Traffic Clustering

Terrible network environment is damaging the critical infrastructure and the interests of internet users. In order to ensure the protection and resilience of attack, it is important to better analyze and observe network traffic for discovering anomaly. This paper presents a clustering algorithm by using network-layer and transport-layer statistical feature to classify anomaly traffic. Experiments with public datasets show the proposed algorithm has a significant effectiveness of traffic clustering quality.
FXYD Proteins: New Tissue‐ and Isoform‐Specific Regulators of Na,K‐ATPase

Abstract: The recently defined FXYD protein family contains seven members that are small, single‐span membrane proteins characterized by a signature sequence containing an FXYD motif and three other conserved amino acid residues. Until recently, the functional role of FXYD proteins was largely unknown, with the exception of the γ subunit of Na,K‐ATPase, which was shown to be a specific regulator of renal α1‐β1 isozymes. We have investigated whether other members of the FXYD family may have a similar role as the γ subunit and have found that CHIF (corticosteroid hormone‐induced factor, FXYD4), FXYD7, as well as phospholemman (FXYD1) specifically associate with Na,K‐ATPase and preferentially with α1‐β isozymes in native tissues, and produce distinct effects on the transport properties of Na,K‐ATPase that are adapted to the physiological demands of the tissues in which they are expressed. These results provide evidence for a unique and novel mode of regulation of Na,K‐ATPase by FXYD proteins that involves a tissue‐specific expression of an auxiliary subunit of distinct Na,K‐ATPase isozymes.
Evaluating and Modeling Virtualization Performance Overhead for Cloud Environments

Due to trends like Cloud Computing and Green IT, virtualization technologies are gaining increasing importance. They promise energy and cost savings by sharing physical resources, thus making resource usage more efficient. However, resource sharing and other factors have direct effects on system performance, which are not yet well-understood. Hence, performance prediction and performance management of services deployed in virtualized environments like public and private Clouds is a challenging task. Because of the large variety of virtualization solutions, a generic approach to predict the performance overhead of services running on virtualization platforms is highly desirable. In this paper, we present experimental results on two popular state-of-the-art virtualization platforms, Citrix XenServer 5.5 and VMware ESX 4.0, as representatives of the two major hypervisor architectures. Based on these results, we propose a basic, generic performance prediction model for the two different types of hypervisor architectures. The target is to predict the performance overhead for executing services on virtualized platforms.
STRATEGIES FOR ENGAGING ADOLESCENT GIRLS AT AN EMERGENCY SHELTER IN A THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP: RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE GIRLS THEMSELVES

Engaging clients is an extremely important part of the therapeutic process. Although there is a literature on adult engagement, few articles discuss adolescent engagement. Those articles that do discuss adolescent engagement have been conducted from the perspective of adults. The purpose of this study was to explore, from the client's perspective, ways to engage and build a positive therapeutic alliance with adolescent girls. A focus group (N = 5) was conducted with residents of an emergency shelter for adolescent girls in an urban area. Clients were asked three questions: ‘If you could tell a counselor anything, what would you tell her/him? ’ . ‘What do counselors need to know? ’ and ‘How can a counselor get you to talk? ’ Seven messages emerged from the clients' responses, which focused on a request to be respected, listened to, and not judged. More specifically, themes included ‘Treat me like I'm on your level’, ‘Tell me a little about yourself’, ‘Ask my permission to take notes’, ‘Pay attention to what I'm saying’, ‘Tell me what you're doing’, ‘Don't tell me what's in my file’, and ‘Don't call me names’. Clients provided concrete ways in which social workers and other counseling professionals could better work with them.