Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection of alcohol use in the second trimester among low-income pregnant women in the prenatal care settings in Jefferson County, Alabama.

BACKGROUND Prenatal alcohol use, a leading preventable cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities, remains a prevalent public health concern in the United States. This study aims to detect the proportion and correlates of prenatal alcohol use in the prenatal care settings in Alabama. Prenatal care settings were chosen because of their potential as stable locations to screen for and to reduce prenatal alcohol use within a community. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study of 3,046 women in the 22 and 23 weeks of gestation who sought prenatal care in 8 community-based public clinics and participated in the Perinatal Emphasis Research Center project in Jefferson County, Alabama, from 1997 to 2001. Frequency and quantity of alcohol use in the past 3 months were assessed by research nurses during face-to-face interviews. We conducted logistic regression analyses to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of correlates of prenatal alcohol use. RESULTS Participants were predominantly young, African American, and unmarried, 86.5% on Medicaid. The proportion of alcohol use in the second trimester of pregnancy was 5.1%; 0.3% of women reported 4 or more drinks on a drinking day to research nurses. Older maternal age (OR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.08 to 1.15), use of welfare (OR = 1.43; 95% CI = 1.02 to 2.02), and male partner-perpetrated violence (OR = 2.96; 95% CI = 1.92 to 4.56) were positively associated with elevated risk of prenatal alcohol use. Protective factors included higher levels of self-esteem (OR = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.89 to 0.98) and more years of education (OR = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.78 to 0.98). CONCLUSIONS Prenatal alcohol use remains a public health issue among low-income pregnant women in Jefferson County, Alabama. Research nurses detected it in the second trimester. Future studies need to encourage screening for prenatal alcohol use in the prenatal care settings by obstetrician-gynecologists, family physicians, nurses, and midwives. Combined interventions to educate and empower women and strengthen families are needed.
Experience and Outcomes With Carotid Artery Stenting An Analysis of the CHOICE Study (Carotid Stenting for High Surgical-Risk Patients; Evaluating Outcomes Through the Collection of Clinical Evidence)

OBJECTIVES This study sought to examine operator experience measured by time-related variables on outcomes with protected carotid artery stenting (CAS). BACKGROUND Studies on experience have focused on operator and institutional CAS volumes alone in the absence of a better metric. METHODS Using the CHOICE (Carotid Stenting for High Surgical-Risk Patients; Evaluating Outcomes Through the Collection of Clinical Evidence) multicenter prospective data from October 1, 2006 to June 1, 2012, 5,841 evaluable subjects were identi ﬁ ed. Operator experience within this study was assessed using 5 variables for each operator: 1) baseline CAS volume; 2) time from ﬁ rst CAS to each subsequent CAS; 3) time between each CAS; 4) CAS volume in the institution; and 5) medical specialty (cardiology, surgery, or radiology/neurology). Institutional experience was determined by CAS volume within the study. Embolic protection device dwell time was used to assess technical performance, and 30-day death, stroke, or myocardial infarction composed the clinical outcome. Hierarchical logistic regression and linear mixed models were used. RESULTS Cardiologists (p < 0.001) along with operators with longer time interval from ﬁ rst CAS (p < 0.001) had reduced embolic protection device dwell times (technical performance). Increased time interval between CAS was the only independent predictor of 30-day death, stroke, or myocardial infarction (adjusted odds ratio: 1.05, 95% con ﬁ dence interval: 1.02 to 1.09, p ¼ 0.005). Prolonged embolic protection device dwell time was associated with 30-day death, stroke, or myocardial infarction (adjusted odds ratio: 1.08; 95% dence 1.01 1.17;
Measurement of Muscle Fiber Conduction Velocity in Humans: Techniques and Applications

Different methods of measuring human muscle fiber conduction velocity (MFCV) are outlined. A major division can be made between invasive (needle) and noninvasive [surface electromyographic (EMG)] recording techniques. The benefits and limitations associated with the different approaches are discussed. The conduction velocity of individual muscle fibers are measurable with needle recordings on routine EMG apparatus. Velocities measured with electrical stimulation of single fibers or bundle of fibers are in general lower than recordings made during voluntary contraction. With surface EMG, an average estimate of the MFCV from many fibers and motor units can be determined with computerized data analyses— both frequency and time domain approaches. The cross-correlation method is widely used to calculate the time lag between two EMGs recorded along the muscle. Using the surface EMG-based methods, MFCV can be calculated at all contraction levels. Thus, the change in sarcolemmal function during local muscle fatigue can be assessed. Physiological factors influencing the MFCV and the utility of the MFCV estimation in clinical practice are discussed. Compared to nerve conduction velocity studies, the clinical interest in MFCV has been limited.
Broadband parametric wavelength conversion in microstructure fibre with germanosilicate core

Efficient wavelength conversion between telecommunication bands at 0.8 and 1.55 µm would allow these transparency windows to be more fully utilized in fibre network. Parametric wavelength converter based on four-wave mixing (FWM) in a silica microstructure fibre is very promising for solving this problem. The desired dispersion shape with the zero dispersion wavelength (ZDW) in the region of 1–1.1 µm is readily achieved with this fibre [1]. However, the nonlinear coefficient is relatively small for the pure silica fibre with the required dispersion characteristic [2]. With the goal of enhancing the FWM efficiency, we fabricated and studied the microstructure fibre with a germanosilicate core. Our fibre has a technologically simple design of 2 rings of air holes in hexagonal symmetry with the hole diameter of 2.7 µm and the pitch of 3.1 µm. The center of the core region with the diameter of 1.7 µm was doped with 24 mol % GeO2. A dispersion characteristic with ZDW at 1.09 µm allowed us to achieve phase matched anti-Stokes and Stokes wavelengths in the region of 0.8 and 1.55 µm, respectively, upon pumping at 1.064 µm. The measured loss did not exceed 20-30 dB/km in the bands of 0.8 and 1.55 µm. The evaluated nonlinear coefficient was 40 (W km)−1 at λ=1.064 µm (7 times higher than for a fibre with a pure silica core and the same dispersion characteristic [2]).
Interdependent Components for the Development of Accessible XUL Applications for Screen Reader Users

Web applications based on XUL technology have reached great development. This technology enables developers to easily create extensions and add-ons of Mozilla Firefox browser. It is essential to keep in mind accessibility in the development of such applications in order to not discriminate user groups. In this sense, standards and good practices have to be considered. Furthermore, User-Centred Design and Inclusive Design approaches should be followed as they involve users with disabilities in the development process. This paper presents an analysis of XUL accessibility guidelines created by Mozilla Foundation. An accessible XUL application has been designed and developed based on the guidelines. User testing has been conducted by two blind users revealing several important accessibility barriers. In addition, an expert review process was carried on by a blind accessibility consultant. They all used JAWS screen reader. The results obtained show that the existing guidelines conformance is not enough for ensuring accessibility of the application. There are other factors dependent on assistive technologies and user agent that have to be considered in the development of accessible XUL applications.
Inducible expression of a MAP kinase phosphatase‐3‐GFP chimera specifically blunts fibroblast growth and ras‐dependent tumor formation in nude mice

The p42/p44 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway participates in a wide range of cellular programs including proliferation, migration, differentiation, and survival. Specific pharmacological inhibitors, like PD98059 and U0126, are often used to inhibit p42/p44 MAPK signaling. However, these inhibitors are not appropriate to study the function of these kinases in whole organisms. We thus developed an inducible system designed to inhibit p42/p44 MAPK activity through the expression of a phosphatase specific for these two kinases, the MAPK phosphatase 3 (MKP‐3). A fibroblast cell line was established in which MKP‐3 expression is controlled by tetracycline. Tetracycline‐induced MKP‐3 resulted in partial de‐phosphorylation of p42/p44 MAPKs in serum‐stimulated cells. However, we could improve MKP‐3 stability and thereby the rate of MAPK de‐phosphorylation, when the C‐terminal end of MKP‐3 was fused to the green fluorescent protein (GFP). Importantly, the fusion of GFP to MKP‐3 did not alter the specificity of the phosphatase towards its MAPK substrates. We further show that conditional expression of MKP‐3‐GFP in this fibroblast cell line results in the inhibition of: (a) the phosphorylation of the p42/p44 MAPK substrates Elk1 and HIF‐1α, (b) vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cyclin D1, and c‐fos gene transcription in response to MAPK pathway activation, and (c) cell proliferation. Finally, the MKP‐3‐GFP inducible cell line was transformed by Ha‐ras and injected into nude mice. Treatment of mice with the tetracycline analog doxycycline resulted in a large delay in tumor emergence and growth as compared to the untreated control group, indicating that MKP‐3‐GFP activity is maintained in vivo. Altogether, these results show that inducible expression of MKP‐3‐GFP constitutes a valuable tool to study the role of p42/p44 MAPKs in various cellular responses in both cultured cell and animal models, a tool that may also be used to block unwanted cell growth in pathological conditions. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Putting the Joy in Driving: Investigating the Use of a Joystick as an Alternative to Traditional Controls within Future Autonomous Vehicles

Unencumbered by the need to provide permanent manual control, future autonomous vehicles may be absent of traditional driving elements, such as a steering wheel and foot-pedals. While this provides additional space/comfort for drivers, an alternative device/s, that enables quick and effective manual control recovery, may still be required. Twenty participants, comprising an equal number of 'Drivers' and 'Non-Drivers', undertook two drives utilising a medium-fidelity simulator in which the original steering wheel and pedal-set were removed/deactivated. Participants controlled the vehicle using a centrally-mounted joystick in 2 scenarios: following an unexpected take-over request and during an extended period of manual driving. Results show that both groups rated the technology positively and were generally capable of manoeuvring the vehicle. Nevertheless, the groups differed in the way that performance was effected. For example, significant differences were evident in visual behaviour, resulting in 50% (n=5) of Non-Drivers colliding with another vehicle following transfer of control.
Impaired health‐related quality of life in Addison's disease – impact of replacement therapy, comorbidities and socio‐economic factors

Patients with Addison's disease (AD) on conventional replacement therapy have impaired health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). It is possible that lower hydrocortisone (HC) doses recommended by current guidelines could restore HRQoL. We compared HRQoL in AD patients treated according to current HC recommendations to that of the age‐ and gender‐standardized general population.
CYBERKNIFE STEREOTACTIC RADIOTHERAPY FOR SPINAL TUMORS: VALUE OF COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC MYELOGRAPHY IN SPINAL CORD DELINEATION

OBJECTIVEFor para- and intraspinal tumors, precise spinal cord delineation is critical for CyberKnife (Accuray, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) stereotactic radiotherapy. We evaluated whether computed tomographic (CT) myelography is superior to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for accurate spinal cord delineation. Treatment parameters and short-term outcome and toxicity are also presented. METHODSThe planning CT scan, the gadolinium-enhanced, T1-weighted, 3-dimensional (3D) fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition MRI scan, and the CT myelogram were fused before volume-of-interest delineation. The planning target volume margin was less than 1 mm using the Xsight Spine tracking system (Accuray). We present data from 11 heavily pretreated patients who underwent CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery between November 2006 and January 2008. RESULTSSpatial resolution was 0.46 and 0.93 mm/pixel for CT myelography and 3D-fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition MRI, respectively. The contrast between cerebrospinal fluid and spinal cord was excellent with CT myelography. A transient postmyelography headache occurred in 1 patient. The mean gross tumor volume was 51.1 mL. The mean prescribed dose was 34 Gy in 4 fractions (range, 2–7 fractions) with 147 beams (range, 79–232 beams) to the 75% reference isodose line (range, 68–80%), covering 95% (range, 86–99%) of the gross tumor volume with a mean conformity index of 1.4 (range, 1.1–1.8). No short-term toxicity on the spinal cord was noted at 1- to 6-months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONCT myelography was more accurate for spinal cord delineation than 3D-fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition MRI (used for its myelographic effect), particularly in the presence of ferromagnetic artifacts in heavily pretreated patients or in patients with severe spinal compression. Because other MRI sequences (T2 and gadolinium-enhanced T1) provide excellent tumor characterization, we suggest trimodality imaging for spinal tumor treatment to yield submillimetric delineation accuracy. Combined with CyberKnife technology, CT myelography can improve the feasibility of dose escalation or reirradiation of spinal tumors in selected patients, thereby increasing local control while avoiding myelopathy. Further follow-up and prospective studies are warranted.
Analysis of primate renal allografts after T-cell depletion with anti-CD3-CRM9.

BACKGROUND FN18-CRM9 is a CD3-specific immunotoxin that is capable of depleting CD3+ T cells. Pretreatment of rhesus monkeys with this agent before transplantation can induce donor-specific tolerance and "split tolerance" to renal allografts. METHODS Heterotopic renal transplants were performed on monkeys that received posttransplant FN18-CRM9. Histological and immunohistological staining, as well as analysis of the intragraft cytokine profile by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, was performed on percutaneous allograft biopsies. RESULTS Experimental monkeys had significant prolongation of allograft survival. Although an interstitial, mononuclear cell infiltrate was seen in all of the renal transplants, there was minimal evidence of acute cellular rejection. Histological evidence of alloantibody-mediated damage was detected 3 to 5 months after transplantation in the monkeys treated with FN18-CRM9. Immunohistology demonstrated the reappearance of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells, as well as CD20+ B cells, in the grafts. Cytokine analysis demonstrated expression of interferon-gamma. An intact anti-donor IgG response was seen. CONCLUSION Treatment of monkeys with FN18-CRM9 immediately after transplantation significantly prolongs renal allograft survival. Allograft biopsies demonstrate a lack of acute cellular rejection; however, alloantibody-mediated graft damage and rejection occur, with an intact anti-donor IgG response. The intragraft expression of the interferon-gamma may reflect this ongoing humoral rejection. These data suggest that even a brief period of T-cell allosensitization may lead to humorally mediated allograft damage. Efforts to achieve tolerance with posttransplant FN18-CRM9 will require modification of the protocol to deplete T cells before allosensitization exposure or to supplement the posttransplant immunomodification strategy.
Testing weak exogeneity in multiplicative error models

Empirical market microstructure literature widely employs the non-linear and non-Gaussian multiplicative error class of models (MEMs) in modelling the dynamics of trading duration and financial marks. It routinely maintains the weak exogeneity of duration vis-à-vis marks in estimations. However, microstructure theory states that trade duration, volume and transaction prices are simultaneously determined. We propose Lagrange-multiplier (LM) tests for weak exogeneity for the MEMs. Our LM tests are extensions of the weak exogeneity tests applicable to VAR or VECM models with Gaussian distributions. Empirical assessments show that (i) weak exogeneity is widely rejected by the data in the MEMs and (ii) the failure of weak exogeneity seriously biases parameter estimates. We hope our tests will be of interest in future empirical applications.
Relationships between the Public and Crimmigration Entities in North Carolina: A 287(g) Program Focus

How does local law enforcement, with the aid of city and county governments, respond to racialized immigrant threat through policy implementation, namely, through adoption of intergovernmental agreements? More specifically, how is this response tailored for Latino immigrant communities, particularly in new destination communities? Across the country, scholars, activists, and politicians note the increasing use of local law enforcement to implement federal immigration enforcement measures through intergovernmental agreements, emphasizing the disproportionate impact on the Latino, more specifically the foreign-born Mexican, population. One such intergovernmental partnership is the 287(g) agreement between local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Yet little is known about the process through which counties adopt, implement, and maintain such intergovernmental partnerships and the state actors that make it all possible.
Efficacy of combined metformin-letrozole in comparison with metformin-clomiphene citrate in clomiphene-resistant infertile women with polycystic ovarian disease.

BACKGROUND Adding metformin to clomiphene citrate in clomiphene-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients increases ovulatory response. However, because of anti-estrogenic effects of clomiphene it may be associated with lower pregnancy rate, offsetting the ovulation rate benefit. Letrozole is an aromatase inhibitor which induces ovulation without anti-estrogenic effects. METHODS Infertile women with PCOS were randomly divided into metformin-letrozole (29 patients) and metformin-clomiphene groups (30 patients). After an initial 6-8 weeks of metformin, they received either letrozole (2.5 mg) or clomiphene (100 mg) from day 3-7 of their menstrual cycle. Estradiol (E2) levels, number of follicles, pregnancy rates and endometrial thickness were measured on the day of HCG administration. RESULTS Mean total E2 and E2 per mature follicle were significantly higher in clomiphene group without a difference in mean number of mature follicles >18 mm and ovulation rate. Endometrial thickness was significantly higher in letrozole group. The pregnancy rate in letrozole group (10 patients, 34.50%) as compared with clomiphene group (5 patients, 16.67%) did not show significant difference, whereas full-term pregnancies were higher in letrozole group [10 patients (34.50%) versus 3 patients (10%)]. CONCLUSION In clomiphene-resistant PCOS patients, the combination of letrozole and metformin leads to higher full-term pregnancies.
Heritability of flight and resting metabolic rates in the Glanville fritillary butterfly

Dispersal capacity is a key life‐history trait especially in species inhabiting fragmented landscapes. Evolutionary models predict that, given sufficient heritable variation, dispersal rate responds to natural selection imposed by habitat loss and fragmentation. Here, we estimate phenotypic variance components and heritability of flight and resting metabolic rates (RMRs) in an ecological model species, the Glanville fritillary butterfly, in which flight metabolic rate (FMR) is known to correlate strongly with dispersal rate. We modelled a two‐generation pedigree with the animal model to distinguish additive genetic variance from maternal and common environmental effects. The results show that FMR is significantly heritable, with additive genetic variance accounting for about 40% of total phenotypic variance; thus, FMR has the potential to respond to selection on dispersal capacity. Maternal influences on flight metabolism were negligible. Heritability of flight metabolism was context dependent, as in stressful thermal conditions, environmentally induced variation dominated over additive genetic effects. There was no heritability in RMR, which was instead strongly influenced by maternal effects. This study contributes to a mechanistic understanding of the evolution of dispersal‐related traits, a pressing question in view of the challenges posed to many species by changing climate and fragmentation of natural habitats.
Determinants of Price to Earnings Multiple Around the World. Recent Findings

This article deals with the functioning of capital markets, notably the impact of financial crisis on earnings’ pricing rationality. Through a global market based analysis it intends to test the effects of dividend ratios and other fundamentals on P/E multiple, in order to show some recent useful evidences. Starting from a classic theoretical premise (SHV Dividend Discount Model), the article sets out some consequent hypotheses and develops a linear multivariate econometric model to detect (for major quoted companies from US, Australia / New Zealand / Canada, Europe, Japan and Emerging Markets) the actual role of the most important relative valuation multiple determinants during a ‘critical period’. Indeed, the analysis refers to 2010, a peculiar year (immediately after the explosion of the Global Financial Crisis) which shows signals of both a weak recovery and a persisting uncertainty. Our findings, likely due to some distortions created by the crisis aftermath, do not fully confirm the SHV-DDM theoretical conjectures about the above said determinants. While the conjectured negative association between P/E and dividend yields seems to be confirmed, the positive association between P/E and payouts does not. Other relevant indicators (risk, roe/growth, leverage and corporate tax rate) are considered in the empirical model as control variables to complete the exploratory analysis. In sum, the paper may appear timely to ascertain the extent of the first and leading effects of the recent global crisis on the rational earnings’ pricing models.