Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maternal pelvic dimensions and neonatal size

Abstract Patterns of fetal growth predict non-communicable disease risk in adult life, but fetal growth variability appears to have a relatively weak association with maternal nutritional dynamics during pregnancy. This challenges the interpretation of fetal growth variability as ‘adaptation’. We hypothesized that associations of maternal size and nutritional status with neonatal size are mediated by the dimensions of the maternal pelvis. We analysed data on maternal height, body mass index (BMI) and pelvic dimensions (conjugate, inter-spinous and inter-cristal diameters) and neonatal gestational age, weight, length, thorax girth and head girth (n = 224). Multiple regression analysis was used to identify independent maternal predictors of neonatal size, and the mediating role of neonatal head girth in these associations. Pelvic dimensions displaced maternal BMI as a predictor of birth weight, explaining 11.6% of the variance. Maternal conjugate and inter-spinous diameters predicted neonatal length, thorax girth and head girth, whereas inter-cristal diameter only predicted neonatal length. Associations of pelvic dimensions with birth length, but not birth weight, were mediated by neonatal head girth. Pelvic dimensions predicted neonatal size better than maternal BMI, and these associations were mostly independent of maternal height. Sensitivity of fetal growth to pelvic dimensions reduces the risk of cephalo-pelvic disproportion, potentially a strong selective pressure during secular trends in height. Selection on fetal adaptation to relatively inflexible components of maternal phenotype, rather than directly to external ecological conditions, may help explain high levels of growth plasticity during late fetal life and early infancy.
Simple light-emitting electrochemical cell using reduced graphene oxide and a ruthenium (II) complex.

We report the use of conducting substrates from reduced graphene oxide (rGO) applied in light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) in which we used an electroluminescent polymer as a light-emitting layer. The emitting layer was composed of an organic metal complex of tris(2, 2'-bipyridine) ruthenium (II) linked to the sodium tetrafluoroborate anion ([Ru(bpy)3]+2)(BF4)-1. The luminance generated from the electroluminescent device was 6.89 Cd/m2 when applying a voltage of 13.48 V and a current of 10.19 mA. The luminance of this device was kept on almost constant for 36.84 min. The prolonged lifetime of the electrochemical device was achieved by depositing an rGO thin layer with a 161.3 nm thickness inside the LEC structure.
Clinical Importance of Pain and Stress in Preterm Neonates

Clinical and laboratory investigations of neonatal pain suggest that preterm neonates have an increased sensitivity to pain and that acute painful stimuli lead to the development of prolonged periods of hyperalgesia. Non-noxious stimuli during these periods of hyperalgesia may expose preterm neonates to established or chronic pain. Acute physiologic changes caused by painful or stressful stimuli can be implicated as important factors in the causation or subsequent extension of early intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) or the ischemic changes leading to periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). Therapeutic interventions that provide comfort/analgesia in preterm neonates were correlated with a decreased incidence of severe IVH. Long-term follow-up studies of preterm neonates may substantiate the preliminary data associating repetitive painful experiences with some of the neurobehavioral and developmental sequelae resulting from neonatal intensive care.
Vibration sensor: Piezoelectric power generator

This paper offers layout design and simulation of a piezoelectric cantilever beam for electricity harvesting the use of mechanical ambient vibration converted by mean of piezoelectric effect. On this paper designed structure optimum power output in the distinctive piezoelectric substances in a bimorph cantilever beam configuration. The microstructure of the beam was designed by way of using COMSOL 5.1. The Lead zirconate titanate (PZT-5A) and Structural Steel materials used for active bimorph layers of size 21×0.14mm and 21×0.16mm respectively. The cantilever structure Generates maximum power of 1mw and generated voltage of 5.39V turned into received from the harvester at 12kΩ resistive load with the acceleration of 1 g (g = 9.81 m/s2) at resonant frequency of 75.5 Hz. This power harvester can be used for numerous purpose inside the area of MEMS sensors and Wi-Fi sensor networks.
Preference for ethanol in feeding and oviposition in temperate and tropical populations of Drosophila melanogaster

The natural habitat of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is fermenting fruits, which can be rich in ethanol. For unknown reasons, temperate populations of this cosmopolitan species have higher ethanol resistance than tropical populations. To determine whether this difference is accompanied by a parallel difference in preference for ethanol, we compared two European and two tropical African populations in feeding and oviposition preference for ethanol‐supplemented medium. Although females of all populations laid significantly more eggs on medium with ethanol than on control medium, preference of European females for ethanol increased as ethanol concentration increased from 2 to 6%, whereas that of African females decreased. In feeding tests, African females preferred control medium over medium with 4% ethanol, whereas European females showed no preference. Males of all populations strongly preferred control medium. The combination of preference for ethanol in oviposition, and avoidance or neutrality in feeding, gives evidence that adults choose breeding sites with ethanol for the benefit of larvae, rather than for their own benefit. The stronger oviposition preference for ethanol of temperate than tropical females suggests that this benefit may be more important in temperate populations. Two possible benefits of ethanol for which there is some experimental evidence are cryoprotection and protection against natural enemies.
An Energy-Efficient Hybrid Precoding Algorithm for Multiuser mmWave Massive MIMO Systems

Millimeter wave (mmWave) systems with large number of antennas are considered as an enabling technology for the fifth generation (5G) cellular networks. For such systems, the traditional fully digital precoding is impractical due to the high cost of radio frequency (RF) chains. To overcome this difficulty, hybrid precoding (HP) is considered. However, in the conventional HP architecture, the number of analog phase shifters (APSs) and RF adders increases linearly with respect to the number of transmit antennas, leading to considerable energy consumption. In this paper, an energy-efficient weighted minimum mean square error (WMMSE) based hybrid precoding algorithm is proposed to maximize the achievable system sum-rate. Through a novel adaptive connection network, a partially-connected HP structure is employed to implement the design of the RF precoder, where each RF chain is connected to only a part of antennas. Given the RF precoder and combiner, we can optimize the baseband precoder and combiner by using WMMSE algorithm. Numerical results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve near optimal sum-rate performance and significantly improve the energy efficiency as compared to the conventional HP algorithm.
Resveratrol ameliorates depressive disorder through the NETRIN1-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinase/cAMP signal transduction pathway.

Depressive disorder is a mental health disorder caused by the dysfunction of nerve regeneration, neuroendocrine and neurobiochemistry, which frequently results in cognitive impairments and disorder. Evidence has shown that resveratrol offers benefits for the treatment of depressive disorder. In the present study, the therapeutic effects of resveratrol were investigated and the potential mechanisms mediated by resveratrol were analyzed in hippocampal neuron cells. The anti‑oxidative stress and anti‑inflammatory properties of resveratrol were also examined in vitro and in vivo. The results revealed that resveratrol administration inhibited the inflammation in hippocampal neuron cells induced by ouabain. Oxidative stress in the hippocampal neuron cells was ameliorated by resveratrol treatment in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the apoptosis of hippocampal neuron cells was inhibited by the upregulation of anti‑apoptotic genes, including P53, B‑cell lymphoma‑2 (Bcl‑2) and Bcl‑2‑associated death promoter, and the downregulation of the cleaved caspase‑3 and caspase‑9. The analysis of the mechanism revealed that that resveratrol treatment suppressed the apoptosis of hippocampal neuron cells through the NETRIN1‑mediated extracellular signal‑regulated kinase/cAMP signal transduction pathway. The results of the in vivo assay showed that resveratrol treatment led to improvements in cognitive competence, learning memory ability and anxiety in a mouse model of depressive disorder induced by ouabain. In conclusion, these results indicated that resveratrol treatment had protective effects against oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory pathogenesis through the NETRIN1‑mediated extracellular signal‑regulated kinase/cAMP signal transduction pathway, suggesting that resveratrol treatment may be a potential antidepressant agent for the treatment of depressive disorder.
Implementation of adaptive methods in early‐phase clinical trials

There has been constant development of novel statistical methods in the design of early‐phase clinical trials since the introduction of model‐based designs, yet the traditional or modified 3+3 algorithmic design remains the most widely used approach in dose‐finding studies. Research has shown the limitations of this traditional design compared with more innovative approaches yet the use of these model‐based designs remains infrequent. This can be attributed to several causes including a poor understanding from clinicians and reviewers into how the designs work, and how best to evaluate the appropriateness of a proposed design. These barriers are likely to be enhanced in the coming years as the recent paradigm of drug development involves a shift to more complex dose‐finding problems. This article reviews relevant information that should be included in clinical trial protocols to aid in the acceptance and approval of novel methods. We provide practical guidance for implementing these efficient designs with the aim of augmenting a broader transition from algorithmic to adaptive model‐guided designs. In addition we highlight issues to consider in the actual implementation of a trial once approval is obtained. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Off-policy reinforcement learning for distributed output synchronization of linear multi-agent systems

In this paper, off-policy reinforcement learning (RL) is used to find a model-free optimal solution to the H∞ output synchronization of heterogeneous multi-agent discrete-time systems. First, the output synchronization problem is formulated as a set of local optimal tracking problems. It is shown that optimal local synchronization control protocols can be found by solving augmented game algebraic Riccati equations (GAREs). The solutions to the GAREs require the state of the leader for all agents and the knowledge of agent dynamics. To obviate this requirement, a distributed adaptive observer is designed to estimate the leader state for all agents without requiring complete knowledge of the leader dynamics. Moreover, off-policy RL algorithm is used to learn the solution to the GAREs using only measured data and without requiring the knowledge of the agent or the leader dynamics. In the proposed approach, in contrast to other model free approaches, the disturbance input does not need to be adjusted in a specific manner. A simulation example is given to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Morphology of Corneal Basal Epithelial Cells by In Vivo Slit-Scanning Confocal Microscopy

Purpose. To determine corneal basal epithelial cell density and morphology in a group of normal corneas and corneas with various conditions. Methods. The central corneas of a group of 20 normal patients and 27 other patients who either had refractive surgery or had documented corneal pathology were examined with an in vivo slit-scanning confocal microscope. For all these patients in whom a well-defined basal epithelial layer was visualized, the basal cell density, area, and number of sides per cell were determined using customized software. Results. The average basal cell density was 5,274 ± 575 cells/mm2, the average cell area was 192 ± 19.6 &mgr;m2, and the average number of cell sides was 5.5 ± 0.1 sides for the group of normal controls. There were no statistically significant differences between basal cell density, cell area, or number of sides between the normal group and any of the other groups in which there were four or more patients. Corneas examined from patients with Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy or bullous keratopathy had hyperreflective basal epithelial cell borders. The measurement of the number of cell sides is not reliable using software developed for endothelial cell counting. Conclusion. Corneal basal epithelial cell density and area were found to be remarkably consistent in the variety of corneal disorders that we examined. This finding is further evidence that this aspect of corneal epithelial cell differentiation and maturation is tightly controlled with little variability between individuals even if a corneal condition is present.
Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom Dimensions as Predictors of Compliance with and Response to Behaviour Therapy: Results from a Controlled Trial

Background: Recent factor-analytic studies in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) identified consistent symptom dimensions. Support for the validity of these dimensions comes from studies of psychiatric comorbidity, functional brain imaging, genetic transmission, and treatment response to medications. This study examined whether previously identified OCD symptom dimensions are associated with treatment compliance and response to behaviour therapy (BT) for OCD. Methods: One hundred and fifty-three OCD outpatients who participated in a multi-centre randomised controlled trial of computer- versus clinician-guided BT for OCD were included in the study. Logistic and multiple regression models tested for significant predictors of compliance with and response to BT and relaxation. Results: The patients studied were phenomenologically comparable (including the presence of ‘pure’ obsessions and mental rituals) to those in previous serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) trials and those in clinical epidemiology studies. High scorers on the ‘hoarding’ dimension were more likely to drop out prematurely from the study and tended to improve less. For those completing treatment, the strongest predictor of outcome was pre-treatment severity. Initial depression scores were unrelated to outcome. After controlling for symptom severity, higher scores on the ‘sexual/religious obsessions’ factor predicted poorer outcome with BT, especially when computer-guided. Conclusions: BT is especially indicated for OCD patients with aggressive/checking, contamination/cleaning and symmetry/ordering symptoms. Previous accounts of unsuccessful BT in patients with hoarding symptoms may be due in part to their propensity to drop out earlier from treatment. Patients with sexual/religious obsessions, but not those with mental rituals, might respond less well to traditional BT techniques. Existing treatments need to be refined and/or new treatments developed to improve these patients’ adherence and response to treatment.
Passively Mode-Locked Fiber Lasers Based on Nonlinearity at 2-μm Band

2-μm fiber lasers are of wide potential applications in the fields of radar, sensing, and free-space communications. We introduced a simple approach to generate passively mode-locked pulse in thulium-doped fiber lasers based on nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR) in our previous work. The high repetition rate of 1.78 GHz is obtained by both NPR and semiconductor saturable absorption mirror. By using a polarization-maintaining fiber in the experiment, a birefringence Lyot filter as a fiber comb filter can be constructed, and then the tuning range of 94 nm can be obtained for the mode-locked laser. In this paper, we also demonstrated our recent research work, a square-wave mode-locked fiber laser at 2-μm band based on nonlinear amplifying loop mirror. The square-wave noiselike pulse (NLP) at longer wavelength of 2-μ m band can be observed. With the increase of the pump power, pulse width can be increased from 0.75 to 1.3 ns. The polarization vector characteristics of the square-wave NLP were analyzed experimentally. In addition, with the increase of the pump power, a kind of square-wave mode-locked pulse with low-intensity multipulse bunches can be observed, and these multipulse bunches can be operated at the multipulse mode-locked state. The side-mode suppression ratio decreased from 50 to 30 dB.
Polymers and biopolymers at interfaces

This review updates recent progress in the understanding of the behaviour of polymers at surfaces and interfaces, highlighting examples in the areas of wetting, dewetting, crystallization, and ‘smart’ materials. Recent developments in analysis tools have yielded a large increase in the study of biological systems, and some of these will also be discussed, focussing on areas where surfaces are important. These areas include molecular binding events and protein adsorption as well as the mapping of the surfaces of cells. Important techniques commonly used for the analysis of surfaces and interfaces are discussed separately to aid the understanding of their application.
Quantified pareto-optimal front comparisons using attainment surfaces

Fonseca and Fleming introduced attainment surfaces over twenty years ago. It was shown that two algorithms could be compared using a grand attainment surface. Grand attainment surfaces show the regions in which one algorithm statistically outperforms another. Knowles and Corne extended the work done by Fonseca and Fleming by introducing a quantitative measure based on the concepts of the grand attainment surfaces. This paper presents an argument that the intersection line generation approach used to calculate the quantitative measure is not well suited for all Pareto-optimal front shapes. An alternative, the weighted POF shaped intersection line generation approach is presented. The new approach is tested along with the old approach against 30 test cases. The results show that the newly proposed weighted POF shaped intersection line generation approach is well suited for all the tested POF shapes and subsequently yield more accurate results.
Association of maternal depression and allergic diseases in Korean children.

PURPOSE An association between childhood allergic disease and parental psychological disorders has been reported. However, little is known about the relationship between childhood allergic disease and maternal depression. This study was performed to determine if there is an association between childhood allergic disease and maternal depression. METHODS Data were acquired from 13,782 subjects (8091 mothers) ages < 18 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, which was conducted from 2007 to 2014. The presence of allergic disease (asthma or atopic dermatitis) and depression was based on self-reported physician diagnosis in the health interview surveys. RESULTS Logistic regression analyses showed maternal depression was significantly associated with single marital status (separated or divorced, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.204 [95% confidence interval {CI},1.256-3.867]), less than middle school graduated level (aOR 2.959 [95% CI, 1.514-5.781]), middle school graduated educational level (aOR 2.420 [95% CI, 1.355-4.319]), being a current smoker (aOR 2.257 [95% CI, 1.481-3.438]), being an ex-smoker (aOR 2.533 [95% CI, 1.506-4.260]), maternal asthma (aOR 2.786 [95% CI, 1.453-5.344]), and maternal hypertension (aOR 1.942 [95% CI, 1.106-3.408]). Maternal depression was significantly associated with children's asthma (aOR 2.028 [95% CI, 1.234-3.335]) and children's atopic dermatitis (aOR 1.755 [95% CI, 1.183-2.602]). CONCLUSION The present study showed maternal depression might be a risk factor for the clinical diagnosis of asthma and atopic dermatitis in Korean children.
Tournament ABC analysis of the western Palaearctic population history of an oak gall wasp, Synergus umbraculus

Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) is a powerful and widely used approach in inference of population history. However, the computational effort required to discriminate among alternative historical scenarios often limits the set that is compared to those considered more likely a priori. While often justifiable, this approach will fail to consider unexpected but well‐supported population histories. We used a hierarchical tournament approach, in which subsets of scenarios are compared in a first round of ABC analyses and the winners are compared in a second analysis, to reconstruct the population history of an oak gall wasp, Synergus umbraculus (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) across the Western Palaearctic. We used 4,233 bp of sequence data across seven loci to explore the relationships between four putative Pleistocene refuge populations in Iberia, Italy, the Balkans and Western Asia. We compared support for 148 alternative scenarios in eight pools, each pool comprising all possible rearrangements of four populations over a given topology of relationships, with or without founding of one population by admixture and with or without an unsampled “ghost” population. We found very little support for the directional “out of the east” scenario previously inferred for other gall wasp community members. Instead, the best‐supported models identified Iberia as the first‐regional population to diverge from the others in the late Pleistocene, followed by divergence between the Balkans and Western Asia, and founding of the Italian population through late Pleistocene admixture from Iberia and the Balkans. We compare these results with what is known for other members of the oak gall community, and consider the strengths and weaknesses of using a tournament approach to explore phylogeographic model space.
Augmentation of Mitochondrial Reduced Glutathione by S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine Administration in Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury of the Rat Steatotic Liver Induced by Choline-Methionine-Deficient Diet

We examined whether warm ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) damage of the rat steatotic liver can be reduced by administration of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe). We examined the effect of SAMe on the mitochondrial reduced-glutathione (GSH) pool. Sixty minutes of partial left lobar vascular clamping followed by 2 h of reperfusion were employed for a model of hepatic warm ischemia. Either 5% dextrose or SAMe was injected intraperitoneally 2 h before I/R in steatotic rats (S-D5% or S-SAMe group). Serum liver enzyme concentrations 2 h after reperfusion were significantly lower in the S-SAMe group than in the S-D5% group. The cytosolic and mitochondrial GSH concentrations after I/R were significantly higher in the S-SAMe group than in the S-D5% group (p < 0.05). The cytosolic and mitochondrial oxidized-glutathione/GSH ratios after I/R were significantly greater in the S-D5% group than in the S-SAMe group (p < 0.01). The adenosine triphosphate concentration was higher in the S-SAMe group than in the S-D5% group (p = 0.0515). These results show that hepatocellular and mitochondrial oxidative stress after I/R in the steatotic liver can be reduced by administration of SAMe. The results also show that mitochondrial function and hepatocellular integrity can be restored by administration of SAMe in steatotic rats.