Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of post‐delivery care on neonatal body temperature

A prospective observational study of post‐delivery care and neonatal body temperature, carried out at Kathmandu Maternity Hospital, was followed by a randomized controlled intervention study using three simple methods for maintaining body temperature. There were 500 infants in the initial observation study and 300 in the intervention study. In the observation study, 85% (420/495) of infants had temperatures < 36°C at 2 h and nearly 50% (198/405) had temperatures < 36°C at 24 h (14% were < 35°C). Most of the infants who were cold at 24 h had initially become cold at the time of delivery (only seven infants had been both well dried and wrapped). In the intervention study, all infants were dried and wrapped before random assignment to one of the three methods: the “kangaroo” method, the traditional “oil massage” or a “plastic swaddler”. All three were found to be equally effective. Overall, 38% (114/298) of the infants had temperatures < 36°C at 2 h and 18% (41/231) at 24 h (when none was < 35°C).
Pathophysiology of spastic paresis. II: Emergence of muscle overactivity

In the subacute and chronic stages of spastic paresis, stretch‐sensitive (spastic) muscle overactivity emerges as a third fundamental mechanism of motor impairment, along with paresis and soft tissue contracture. Part II of this review primarily addresses the pathophysiology of the various forms of spastic overactivity. It is argued that muscle contracture is one of the factors that cause excessive responsiveness to stretch, which in turn aggravates contracture. Excessive responsiveness to stretch also impedes voluntary motor neuron recruitment, a concept termed stretch‐sensitive paresis. None of the three mechanisms of impairment (paresis, contracture, and spastic overactivity) is symmetrically distributed between agonists and antagonists, which generates torque imbalance around joints and limb deformities. Thus, each may be best treated focally on an individual muscle‐by‐muscle basis. Intensive motor training of the less overactive muscles should disrupt the cycle of paresis–disuse–paresis, and concomitant use of aggressive stretch and focal weakening agents in their more overactive and shortened antagonists should break the cycle of overactivity–contracture–overactivity. Muscle Nerve, 2005
Antimicrobial activities of lactic acid bacteria isolated from akamu and kunun-zaki (cereal based non-alcoholic beverages) in Nigeria

Three lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolates designated AS 1 , AS 2 and KN 4 isolated from kunun-zaki (a sorghum based non-alcoholic beverage widely consumed in Northern Nigeria) and identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus delbruckii , respectively, produced significant inhibitory compounds in broth. The partially purified inhibitory compounds were screened by agar spot assay method for antagonistic activity against target Gram positive and negative bacteria as well as yeasts associated with food spoilage. The partially purified compounds exhibited strong activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12600, Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli ATCC 11775. The inhibitory compound produced by AS 1 and KN 4 inhibited Bacillus subtilis. Only the inhibitory compound produced by AS 1 affected Candida albicans and Candida krusei. Analysis of variance indicated that there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the susceptibility of the different target organisms to partially purified inhibitory compounds. Gram positive bacteria were affected more than yeasts. Proteolytic enzymes, trypsin and pepsin, but not catalase and α-amylase, completely inactivated antagonistic activity of the compounds demonstrating their proteinacious nature. The inhibitory compounds were fairly heat stable and also stable over broad pH ranges. The use of these or related GRAS isolates in the production of this and related beverage may increase the safety, shelf life and marketing appeal of such beverages Keywords: Bacteriocins, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), target organisms, antimicrobial activity. African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(29) 2977-2984
PAL31, a nuclear protein required for progression to the S phase.

PAL31 is a nuclear protein expressed by various cell types. In the present study, the expression and function of PAL31 were examined in the cytokine-regulated growth of T and B cell lines. Treatment of the cells with mitogens [ovine PRL, recombinant rat placental lactogen-I (PL-I) and human IL-3] caused a dose-dependent increase in the expression of PAL31 mRNA in the PRL-dependent cell line Nb2, and IL-3 dependent cell line BaF3. A time-course study on synchronized Nb2 cells revealed that the expression of PAL31 is specific to the late G1 and S phases. Immunocytological studies revealed that PAL31 accumulates in the nuclei at the S phase. Furthermore, the antisense oligonucleotide for PAL31 severely inhibited the proliferation of Nb2 cells by inhibiting cells progressing to the S phase. Thus, PAL31 is a nuclear protein associated with cell cycle progression.
UWB antenna with reconfigurable band-notched characteristics using ideal switches

A CPW-fed band-notched Ultra wide band (UWB) antenna that functions as a UWB antenna/ band-notched UWB antenna is proposed. The band-notched function at WiMAX is obtained by etching S-shaped meandered parasitic element within the radiating aperture. Reconfigurability is verified by placing ideal switches across the gaps of the parasitic element. Results show that the proposed antenna with reconfigurable band-notched characteristics operates from 2.5 to 12 GHz.
Interpreting score differences in the Insomnia Severity Index: using health-related outcomes to define the minimally important difference

Abstract Objective: To estimate the minimally important difference (MID) for the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) by examining the association of score differences of the ISI with health-related outcomes including health-related quality of life, productivity, and fatigue. Methods: Data came from a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating the long-term efficacy of eszopiclone for primary insomnia (N = 828). Logistic regression models were used to characterize the relationship between ISI change scores (from baseline to 6 months post-treatment) and outcomes/anchors from the SF-36 Health Survey, Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ), and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Odds ratios were derived from the regression coefficients to calculate the probability of a given outcome being associated with different ISI change scores. Convergence between anchor- and distribution-based estimates was assessed. Results: Higher ISI scores (indicating more severe insomnia) were significantly associated with higher probabilities of negative outcome in all models. Individuals with a 6-point score reduction in ISI scores (which corresponded to 1½ standard deviations) were 48% less likely to report ‘feeling worn out’ (SF-36) at 6 months, 46% less likely to be ‘unable to think clearly’ (WLQ), and 52% less likely to report ‘feeling fatigued’ (FSS). Similar results were found across a broad spectrum of all selected anchors. Conclusions: Based on results of the study, a 6-point reduction is recommended to represent a clinically meaningful improvement in individuals with primary insomnia. Research on generalizability of the recommended MID in this study to other patient populations and other type of treatment interventions is needed.
Uncertainty and Economic Activity: A Global Perspective

The 2007-2008 global financial crisis and the subsequent anemic recovery have rekindled academic interest in quantifying the impact of uncertainty on macroeconomic dynamics. This paper studies the interrelation between financial markets volatility and economic activity assuming that both variables are driven by the same set of unobserved common factors and that these factors affect volatility and economic activity with a time lag of at least a quarter. Under these assumptions, the paper analytically shows that volatility is forward looking and that the output equation of a typical VAR estimated in the literature is mis-specified. The paper empirically documents a statistically significant and economically sizable impact of future output growth on current volatility, and no effect of volatility shocks on business cycles, over and above those driven by the common factors. The evidence is interpreted as suggesting that volatility is a symptom rather than a cause of economic instability.
Lip boundary detection techniques using color and depth information

This paper presents our approach to using a stereo camera to obtain 3-D image data to be used to improve existing lip boundary detection techniques. We show that depth information as provided by our approach can be used to significantly improve boundary detection systems. Our system detects the face and mouth area in the image by using color, geometric location, and additional depth information for the face. Initially, color and depth information can be used to localize the face. Then we can determine the lip region from the intensity information and the detected eye locations. The system has successfully been used to extract approximate lip regions using RGB color information of the mouth area. Merely using color information is not robust because the quality of the results may vary depending on light conditions, background, and the human race. To overcome this problem, we used a stereo camera to obtain 3-D facial images. 3-D data constructed from the depth information along with color information can provide more accurate lip boundary detection results as compared to color only based techniques.
Downscaling Land Surface Temperature in an Arid Area by Using Multiple Remote Sensing Indices with Random Forest Regression

Many downscaling algorithms have been proposed to address the issue of coarse-resolution land surface temperature (LST) derived from available satellite-borne sensors. However, few studies have focused on improving LST downscaling in arid regions (especially in deserts) because of inaccurate remote sensing LST products. In this study, LST was downscaled by a random forest model between LST and multiple remote sensing indices (such as soil-adjusted vegetation index, normalized multi-band drought index, modified normalized difference water index, and normalized difference building index) in an arid region with an oasis–desert ecotone. The proposed downscaling approach, which involves the selection of remote sensing indices, was evaluated using LST derived from the MODIS LST product of Zhangye City in Heihe Basin. The spatial resolution of MODIS LST was downscaled from 1 km to 500 m. Results of visual and quantitative analyses show that the distribution of downscaled LST matched that of the oasis and desert ecosystem. The lowest (approximately 22 °C) and highest temperatures (higher than 37 °C) were detected in the middle oasis and desert regions, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed approach achieves relatively satisfactory downscaling results, with coefficient of determination and root mean square error of 0.84 and 2.42 °C, respectively. The proposed approach shows higher accuracy and minimization of the MODIS LST in the desert region compared with other methods. Optimal availability occurs in the vegetated region during summer and autumn. In addition, the approach is also efficient and reliable for LST downscaling of Landsat images. Future tasks include reliable LST downscaling in challenging regions.
Development of resistance to cephalosporins in clinical strains of Citrobacter spp

The predominant beta-lactam antibiogram of Citrobacter freundii resembles that of Enterobacter cloacae in demonstrating resistance to cephalothin and cefoxitin with susceptibility to the newer cephalosporins. Four representative strains of C. freundii were reversibly induced to high-level beta-lactamase production by cefoxitin, and mutants with stable, high-level production were selected with cefamandole. The mutants were resistant to several second- and third-generation cephalosporins. Comparisons of isoelectric points and substrate profiles of beta-lactamases from wild-type, induced wild-type, and mutant organisms suggested a close relationship to those from E. cloacae and indicated that C. freundii mutants, like those of E. cloacae, were derepressed for production of beta-lactamase. One primary isolate of C. freundii resembled the mutants in all characteristics. In contrast, most strains of Citrobacter diversus were susceptible to all cephalosporins, and two representative strains showed neither inducible nor mutational resistance. Cefoxitin induction to enhanced beta-lactamase production was demonstrated in a cephalothin-resistant isolate, and a derepressed mutant was selected with cefotaxime. The beta-lactamase from this C. diversus strain differed substantially in substrate profile from that of E. cloacae and C. freundii.
Interaction between localized and delocalized surface plasmon polariton modes in a metallic photonic crystal

We experimentally and theoretically study the controlled coupling between localized and delocalized surface plasmon modes supported by a multilayer metallic photonic crystal slab. The model system to visualize the interaction phenomena consists of a gold nanowire grating and a spatially separated homogeneous silver film. We show that plasmon‐plasmon coupling leads to drastic modification of the optical properties in dependence on the chosen geometrical parameters. Strong coupling and plasmon hybridization can be clearly observed. The numerical calculations reveal excellent agreement with the experiments. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Herschel : the first science highlights Special feature L etter to the E ditor The Herschel Virgo Cluster Survey V . Star-forming dwarf galaxies – dust in metal-poor environments

We present the dust properties of a small sample of Virgo cluster dwarf galaxies drawn from the science demonstration phase data set of the Herschel Virgo Cluster Survey. These galaxies have low metallicities (7.8 < 12 + log(O/H) < 8.3) and star-formation rates <∼10−1 M yr−1. We measure the spectral energy distribution (SED) from 100 to 500 μm and derive dust temperatures and dust masses. The SEDs are fitted by a cool component of temperature T ∼< 20 K, implying dust masses around 105 M and dust-to-gas ratiosDwithin the range 10−3−10−2. The completion of the full survey will yield a larger set of galaxies, which will provide more stringent constraints on the dust content of star-forming dwarf galaxies.
High Prevalence of Diabetes in Young Pima Indians: Evidence of Phenotypic Variation in a Genetically Isolated Population

Medical records of the Pima Indian population aged 0–24 yr were reviewed for a diagnosis of diabetes before initiation of glucose tolerance testing. None of 1556 subjects below age 15, but 6 of 657 aged 15–24, had a previous diagnosis. Of the six known diabetics, five had been treated with insulin and four had had ketoacidosis. Subsequently, plasma glucose levels were determined after a 75-g oral carbohydrate load in 1712 subjects aged 5–24 yr, which is about 78% of the eligible population. Previously diagnosed diabetes and asymptomatic hyperglycemia were more frequent in subjects 15–24 yr old than were reported in other populations. Glucose intolerance in young Pimas was associated with obesity. In Pima offspring, the presence of diabetes in both parents was related to glucose tolerance in those above but not below the age of 15 yr. Both asymptomatic hyperglycemia and insulin-requiring diabetes occurred frequently in young Pimas, suggesting that these syndromes represent the clinical spectrum of a single disease in the Pima Indian.
Heterodimers of Placenta Growth Factor/Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

Here we show that the Escherichia coli expressed monomers of placenta growth factor (PLGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can be re-folded in vitro to form PLGF/VEGF heterodimers. The purified recombinant PLGF/VEGF heterodimers and VEGF homodimers have potent mitogenic and chemotactic effects on endothelial cells. However, PLGF/VEGF heterodimers display 20-50-fold less mitogenic activity than VEGF homodimers. In contrast, PLGF homodimers have little or no effect in these in vitro assays. We also demonstrate the presence of natural PLGF/VEGF heterodimers in the conditioned media of various human tumor cell lines. While PLGF/VEGF heterodimers bind with high affinity to a soluble Flk-1/KDR receptor, PLGF homodimers fail to bind to this receptor. Cross-linking of I-ligands to human umbilical vein endothelial cells reveals that PLGF/VEGF heterodimers and VEGF homodimers, but not PLGF homodimers, form complexes with membrane receptors. VEGF homodimers and PLGF/VEGF heterodimers stimulate tyrosine phosphorylation of a 220-kDa protein, the expected size for the KDR receptor in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, whereas PLGF homodimers are unable to induce tyrosine phosphorylation of this protein. These data indicate that PLGF may modulate VEGF-induced angiogenesis by the formation of PLGF/VEGF heterodimers in cells producing both factors.
Propriospinal and supraspinal projections to the motor nuclei in the cat spinal cord

Propriospinal and supraspinal projections to the motor nuclei of L3–S1 were examined with light and electron microscopy in cats surviving complete transection of L2 for periods of 1–12 days. Light microscopy revealed maximal Nauta‐Gygax and Fink‐Heimer degeneration in the motor nuclei of L3–L5 at three days survival. Maximal degeneration in the motor nuclei of L6–S1 did not appear until six days post‐operatively. In the three and four day animals, electron microscopy revealed degenerating synaptic knobs, making axo‐dendritic and axo‐somatic contacts, and many phagocytosed degenerating synaptic knobs, in the motor nuclei of L3–L5; no synaptic degeneration was observed in the motor nuclei of more caudal segments. In the six to eight day animals, degenerating axo‐dendritic knobs and many phagocytosed degenerating knobs were found in the motor nuclei of S1; no synaptic degeneration and very few phagocytosed degenerating knobs were present in the motor nuclei of L3–L5 at these survival times. Because of the rapid phagocytosis of degenerating knobs in the motor nuclei of the early and late post‐operative animals, it was difficult to attribute the various degenerating knobs to a particular synpatic type.
The Comparison of (Ag,Cu)(In,Ga)Se$_{\bf 2}$ and Cu(In,Ga)Se$_{\bf 2}$ Thin Films Deposited by Three-Stage Coevaporation

(Ag,Cu)(In,Ga)Se2 and Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin-films with bandgap ~1.35 eV were deposited by a three-stage elemental coevaporation process. The depositions were conducted at substrate temperatures of 580 °C and 650 °C to understand the effects of Ag alloying and high growth temperature on material properties. Ag/(Ag+Cu) and Ga/(In+Ga) gradients were observed and were reduced with higher growth temperature. Grain size was quantified and found to be enhanced by Ag and high growth temperature, while film texture showed no significant change with different deposition conditions.
Analysis of IDH mutation, 1p/19q deletion, and PTEN loss delineates prognosis in clinical low-grade diffuse gliomas.

BACKGROUND Grades II and III gliomas have unpredictable rates of progression, making management decisions difficult. Currently, several clinical and radiological characteristics are utilized to predict progression and survival but collectively are suboptimal. METHODS In this study, we analyzed a set of 108 nonenhancing hemispheric grade II-III gliomas. Demographic variables, including patient age, tumor diameter, extent of resection, and performance status, were combined with molecular data (IDH mutation status [mIDH], 1p/19q codeletion, PTEN deletion, and EGFR amplification). A complete dataset for all variables was compiled for 70 of the 108 patients. Both univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to determine whether the molecular data singly or in combination offer advantages over tumor type and grade for prediction of overall survival (OS) and/or progression-free rate (PFR). RESULTS Patient age, clinical variables (tumor diameter, extent of resection, performance status), and pathology (tumor type and grade) were not predictive of OS or PFR. IDH mutation status alone was predictive of longer OS and PFR for the entire group of tumors; 1p/19q deletion alone was predictive of OS but not PFR. In the multivariable analysis, none of the clinical or demographic factors were predictive of OS or PFR. IDH mutation status, 1p/19q codeletion, and PTEN deletion were predictive of OS (P = .003, P = .005, P = .02, respectively). Both mIDH (P < .001) and the interaction term of 1p/19q and PTEN (P < .001) were found to be predictive of PFR. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the combination of mIDH, 1p/19q codeletion, and PTEN deletion may be particularly effective in discriminating good prognosis from poor prognosis hemispheric gliomas. We propose that such a scheme merits testing on larger prospective cohorts. Should our findings be confirmed, routine clinical analysis of hemispheric gliomas for mIDH, 1p/19q codeletion, and PTEN deletion would be justified.
Targeting of an A Kinase-anchoring Protein, AKAP79, to an Inwardly Rectifying Potassium Channel, Kir2.1*

Protein kinase A (PKA) is targeted to discrete subcellular locations close to its intended substrates through interaction with A kinase-anchoringproteins (AKAPs). Ion channels represent a diverse and important group of kinase substrates, and it has been shown that membrane targeting of PKA through association with AKAPs facilitates PKA-mediated phosphorylation and regulation of several classes of ion channel. Here, we investigate the effect of AKAP79, a membrane-associated multivalent-anchoring protein, upon the function and modulation of the strong inwardly rectifying potassium channel, Kir2.1. Functionally, the presence of AKAP79 enhanced the response of Kir2.1 to elevated intracellular cAMP, suggesting a requirement for a pool of PKA anchored close to the channel. Antibodies directed against a hemagglutinin epitope tag on Kir2.1 coimmunoprecipitated AKAP79, indicating that the two proteins exist together in a complex within intact cells. In support of this, glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins of both the intracellular N and C domains of Kir2.1 isolated AKAP79 from cell lysates, while glutathioneS-transferase alone failed to interact with AKAP79. Together, these findings suggest that AKAP79 associates directly with the Kir2.1 ion channel and may serve to anchor kinase enzymes in close proximity to key channel phosphorylation sites.
Effects of fish-oil ingestion on cardiovascular risk factors in hyperlipidemic subjects in Israel : a randomized , double-blind crossover study 13

Effects ofa daily fish-oil supplement on serum lipids, apolipoproteins, and some platelet functions and hemorheologic variables were examined in 27 hyperlipidemic subjects in a randomized, controlled, double-blind, crossover fashion with an identically encapsulated vegetable oil serving as the control treatment. Despite the habitual high linoleic acid intake of the study population, significant incorporation ofn-3 ( ,-3) fatty acids into the serum, platelet, and erythrocyte lipids was observed after the fish-oil supplement. Ingestion of fish oil resulted in a 40% decrease in the triglyceride concentration, a 1 2% increase in HDL cholesterol, and a significant decrease in plasma viscosity, whereas the vegetable-oil placebo had no significant effect. We conclude that a moderate intake of fish oil (1 5 g/d) is a feasible treatment for hypertriglyceridemia even in patients with a background of high linoleic acid intake and that it may have a beneficial effect on several cardiovascular risk factors. Am J Clin Nuir 1990;52: 1 1 18-24.