Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contraception: from accessibility to efficiency.

BACKGROUND Despite the widespread use of medical contraception in France, the prevalence of abortion remains stable. A cross-sectional population-based survey was designed to study the characteristics of current contraceptive use in France, the different types of contraceptive failure, and the reasons reported for not using contraception. METHODS A representative sample of 14 704 French households was randomly selected from the telephone directory. All women who in the last 5 years had had an abortion or whose last pregnancy was unintended were selected (n = 1034), whilst a fraction (n = 1829) of the other women were randomly selected. Altogether, 2863 women answered the questionnaire. RESULTS Only 2.7% of the women aged 18-44 years who did not wish to conceive and were sexually active did not use any contraception. However, 33% of pregnancies were estimated to be unplanned, of which 50% ended in an abortion. A total of 65% of the reported unplanned pregnancies occurred among women using contraception (21% the pill, 9% IUD, 12% condoms, 23% other method). The main reasons given for these contraceptive failures were the misuse of the methods or the failure of the partner to withdraw. Reasons for not using any contraception go beyond a simple lack of information. CONCLUSIONS The importance of-and the reasons mentioned for-contraceptive failure show a misadaptation between women's contraceptive needs and the method they use. Improving the training of family planning providers remains a major goal to ensure that women use a contraceptive method that fits their social and sexual lifestyle.
Comparison of Differential Evolution and Genetic Algorithm in the design of permanent magnet Generators

The inherent complex structure of electrical machines makes an optimum design a challenging task. The Genetic Algorithm (GA) is a benchmark in machine design optimization due to its gradient-free nature and its ability to efficiently find global optima. The Differential Evolution (DE) Algorithm is a population-based, combinatorial algorithm and like the GA, is able to find the global minimum of non differentiable, discontinuous and non-linear functions. This paper uses the design of a Radial Flux Permanent Magnet Generator (RFPMG), with the analytical model as a benchmark and compares the performance of the GA and the DE in terms of their accuracy, their robustness to the population size, the number of generations and computational efficiency. Experimental results show that the DE has advantages over the GA and can effectively improve the convergence speed and optimal quality, hence showing excellent characteristics in the optimum design of electrical machines.
Lessons learned from the clinical development and market authorization of Glybera.

Bryant and colleagues follow the development of Glybera (alipogene tiparvovec), the first gene therapy product approved in the European Union, from early preclinical studies through the approval process. They review key data from human and animal studies with an emphasis on issues that will be critical to other gene therapy products. The article concludes with an analysis of the complex review process that eventually led to Glybera's approval.
An Adjustment Process for an Economy with Linear Production Technologies

In this paper an adjustment process for a general equilibrium model with linear production technologies is given. The process reaches an equilibrium in the economy by simultaneous adaptations of prices and activity levels. Initially the prices of the commodities in excess demand are relatively increased and the prices of the commodities in excess supply are relatively decreased. Firms have only a positive activity level when they make zero profit.An important feature of the process is that it keeps track of the location of the starting price vector throughout its operation. Furthermore, the choice of the starting price vector is only limited by economic considerations. Besides, the process converges under rather weak conditions and possesses an appealing economic interpretation.
Optimal Control of a Stochastic Processing System Driven by a Fractional Brownian Motion Input

We consider a stochastic control model driven by a fractional Brownian motion. This model is a formal approximation to a queueing network with an ON-OFF input process. We study stochastic control problems associated with the long-run average cost, the infinite-horizon discounted cost, and the finite-horizon cost. In addition, we find a solution to a constrained minimization problem as an application of our solution to the long-run average cost problem. We also establish Abelian limit relationships among the value functions of the above control problems.
Use of Avian Lymphocytes to Detect Toxicity: Effects of a Commonly Utilized Deltamethrin Preparation

In building upon the increasing utility of avian immunology as an alternative to the use of mammalian systems for assessing immunotoxic potentials of environmentally and/or occupationally encountered chemicals, in vitro studies were performed to determine if easily obtainable freshly harvested cells from White Leghorn chickens could be used to detect effects on a critical immune cell type by any given toxicant. These studies also sought to determine if these cells could also potentially provide a vehicle to elucidate potential mechanisms underlying effects previously described for the test agent in in vivo investigations. Here, specifically, the toxic effect (and thus, ultimately, the potential to be an immunotoxicant in situ) of a commonly used commercially available form of deltamethrin on Leghorn lymphocytes was examined. The toxicity of this synthetic pyrethroid was evaluated by assaying both lymphoproliferation and apoptosis after exposure. A significant (p < 0.05) inhibitory effect of deltamethrin on mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes was observed at 10− 5 M. Apoptosis was detected using DNA ladder analyses; annexin-V binding assays incorporating an immunoperoxidase technique were used to identify translocated phosphatidylserine; and, electron microscopy, including both scanning and transmission types, were used to detect ultrastructural changes (e.g., chromatin condensation, membrane blebbing and phagocytosis) in deltamethrin-treated cells. Our results indicated that deltamethrin, even at a very low dose, could give rise to potential immunotoxicities in situ by inducing toxicity (i.e., apoptosis) in immunogenic cells. Our results also show that this particular in vitro system may be used as an alternative to standard laboratory animals for the performance of immunotoxicity experiments involving pesticides.
Mechanism of cell surface expression of the Streptococcus mitis platelet binding proteins PblA and PblB

PblA and PblB are prophage‐encoded proteins of Streptococcus mitis strain SF100 that mediate binding to human platelets. The mechanism for surface expression of these proteins has been unknown, as they do not contain signal sequences or cell wall sorting motifs. We therefore assessed whether expression of these proteins was linked the lytic cycle of the prophage. Deletion of either the holin or lysin gene resulted in retention of PblA and PblB in the cytoplasm, and loss of these proteins from the cell wall. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that induction of phage replication in SF100 produced a subpopulation of cells with increased permeability. This effect was abrogated by disruption of the holin and lysin genes. Treatment of these mutants with exogenous PblA and PblB restored surface expression, apparently via binding of the proteins to cell wall choline. Loss of PblA and PblB expression was associated with decreased platelet binding in vitro, and reduced virulence in an animal model of endocarditis. Thus, expression of PblA and PblB occurs via a novel mechanism, whereby phage induction increases bacterial permeability and release of the proteins, followed by their binding to surface of viable cells. This mechanism may be important for endovascular infection.
Cloning and nucleotide sequence analysis of a gene encoding an OXA-derived beta-lactamase in Acinetobacter baumannii

A clinical strain of Acinetobacter baumannii (strain Ab41) that was resistant to all beta-lactam antibiotics tested except ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, ceftizoxime, and imipenem produced three beta-lactamases: a presumptive chromosomal cephalosporinase, a TEM-1-like beta-lactamase (pI 5.4), and a novel OXA-derived beta-lactamase named OXA-21 (pI 7.0). The gene encoding OXA-21 was located in an integron. The nucleotide sequence showed three mutations compared with the sequence of OXA-3, with two being silent; the nonsilent mutation generated a substitution of Ile-217 to Met.
The mitochondrial unfolded protein response activator ATFS-1 protects cells from inhibition of the mevalonate pathway

Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs that inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of cholesterol via the mevalonate pathway. This pathway also produces coenzyme Q (a component of the respiratory chain), dolichols (important for protein glycosylation), and isoprenoids (lipid moieties responsible for the membrane association of small GTPases). We previously showed that the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is useful to study the noncholesterol effects of statins because its mevalonate pathway lacks the sterol synthesis branch but retains all other branches. Here, from a screen of 150,000 mutagenized genomes, we isolated four C. elegans mutants resistant to statins by virtue of gain-of-function mutations within the first six amino acids of the protein ATFS-1, the key regulator of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response that includes activation of the chaperones HSP-6 and HSP-60. The atfs-1 gain-of-function mutants are also resistant to ibandronate, an inhibitor of an enzyme downstream of HMG-CoA reductase, and to gliotoxin, an inhibitor acting on a subbranch of the pathway important for protein prenylation, and showed improved mitochondrial function and protein prenylation in the presence of statins. Additionally, preinduction of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response in wild-type worms using ethidium bromide or paraquat triggered statin resistance, and similar observations were made in Schizosaccharomyces pombe and in a mammalian cell line. We conclude that statin resistance through maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis is conserved across species, and that the cell-lethal effects of statins are caused primarily through impaired protein prenylation that results in mitochondria dysfunction.
Growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality of bulls and heifers slaughtered at different ages

The effects of sex and slaughter age on growth, feed intake, carcass composition and meat quality attributes of musculus longissimus lumborum were investigated in Charolais × Simmental bulls (n = 12) and heifers (n = 12) reared and finished under identical management conditions. The animals entered the experi- ment at similar age (251 days) and were slaughtered at 14 or 18 months of age. Bulls gained more rapidly (P < 0.001), consumed more dry matter daily (P < 0.05), and had a higher killing-out proportion (P < 0.05). The sex × slaughter age interaction was significant (P < 0.01) for feed conversion ratio, which deteriorated mark - edly more in heifers than in bulls as slaughter age increased. Bulls produced leaner carcasses with a higher proportion of total meat (P < 0.001). While bulls contributed to high-priced meat by a higher proportion of meat from the shoulder (P < 0.01), heifers had higher proportions of meat from the rump and loin (P < 0.05). Older animals were generally fatter and their carcasses contained lower proportions of high-priced meat (P < 0.01) and bones (P < 0.05). Bulls exhibited lower contents of dry matter (P < 0.001), protein (P < 0.05) and intramuscular fat (P < 0.001), and a higher content of collagen (P < 0.001) in musculus longissimus lumborum than hei-fers. The meat from heifers was assessed by the sensory panel as more tender and, when aged for 11 days, more acceptable than the meat from bulls. Older animals obtained higher scores for beef flavour intensity (P < 0.01), tenderness (P < 0.001), juiciness (P < 0.05), and overall acceptance (P < 0.001).
Outcome after carpal tunnel release impact of factors related to metabolic syndrome

Objective The standard surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), with an open carpal tunnel release, is reported to relieve symptoms in most patients. In a retrospective observational study, we evaluated outcome after open carpal tunnel release focusing on factors related to the metabolic syndrome: diabetes, hypertension, obesity (BMI ≥ 30) and statin treatment.
Integrating automatic and interactive brain tumor segmentation

This paper integrates automatic segmentation based on supervised learning with an interactive multi-scale watershed segmentation method. The combined method automatically provides an initial segmentation that applies the building blocks that the user can use in the interactive method. Thereby the two approaches are seamlessly integrated and the combined method can be used on the full range of problems from very easy to very difficult segmentation tasks resulting in different levels of interaction needed. The method is evaluated for the segmentation of brain tumors.
Recombination in animal mitochondrial DNA.

1 Rb7 . 2 Rn8 . 3 Rc6 . 4 Ra1 . 5 Rd5 . 6 Rd4 . 7 Rr2 . 8 Rr3 . AF205088 AF205087 AF205089 AF205094 AF205090 AF205091 AF205093 AF205092 R. plancyi R. nigromaculata R. catesbeiana R. amurensis R. dybowskii R. dybowskii R. rugosa R. rugosa Previous attempts to demonstrate, or refute, the occurrence of recombination in mitochondria have used tests designed to measure relatively frequent recombination between rather similar sequences: for example, the homoplasy test (Maynard Smith and Smith 1998) and the regression of linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci with distance along the chromosome (Awadalla, Eyre-Walker, and Maynard Smith 1999). Recently, Ladoukakis and Zouros (2001; subsequently LZ) have attempted to demonstrate rare recombination events between sequences differing at 10% or more of nucleotides. The aim of this note is, first, to evaluate the statistical support for their conclusion and, second, briefly to discuss its significance. LZ analyze three published data sets consisting of 1,140-bp sequences of cytochrome b from eight individuals of Rana and 10 of Apodemus, and 366 bp of cytochrome oxidase I from 10 individuals of Gammarus: the Rana sequences come from different species and their origin is given in table 1. For each set, they first examined a matrix of the variable, informative amino acids (20–23 per set) and identified, by visual inspection, one potential crossover event, involving two parents (a, c) and a recombinant (b), and two break points identifying a central recombinant piece, in which b resembles c, and two flanking regions in which b resembles a (see fig. 1). Thus the proposed event is the transfer of a short central region from a donor, c, to a recipient, a, yielding sequence b. These putative events are not themselves statistically significant. They are best regarded as hypotheses, whose statistical significance can be tested by examining the full nucleotide sequences. As a measure of recombination, LZ use the ‘‘postrecombination divergence,’’ prd (see fig. 1): this is a number which would be zero if the two ‘‘parents’’ and a recombinant were sequenced before any further variation had arisen and which would then increase by mutation. When all trace of a recombinant has disappeared, the observed value of prd will be no greater than the value calculated if the sequence of sites is randomized. LZ performed 1,000 random permutations, retaining the frequencies of each nucleotide at each site but randomizing their sequence. They report that in no case was the value of prd for the random sequence as low as that for the actual sequence. However, it is not clear from their paper just how this calculation was performed. In particular, did their
Antennule morphology and flicking kinematics facilitate odor sampling by the spiny lobster, Panulirus argus

SUMMARY Many arthropod olfactory appendages bear arrays of hair-like chemosensory sensillae. Odor molecules in the fluid around the animal must reach the surfaces of those hairs to be sensed. We used the lateral flagellum of the olfactory antennule of the spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, as a system to study how the morphology, orientation, and motion of sensilla-bearing appendages affects the small-scale water flow within the hair array. We tested whether antennule flicking enables lobsters to take discrete odor samples by measuring flow fields through an aesthetasc array on a dynamically scaled physical model of a P. argus antennule. Particle image velocimetry revealed that the magnitude and duration of velocity through the aesthetasc array during the rapid flick downstroke is just enough to allow complete replacement of the fluid entrained within the hair array. The complex zig-zag arrangement of aesthetascs hairs, combined with their offset orientation along the antennule, generates flow velocities that are uniform along the length of the hairs. This increases fluid exchange during the flick and reduces the boundary layer thickness surrounding the hairs. The return stroke occurs at about a quarter the speed of the flick, but the velocity of the fluid between the aesthetascs is approximately 25 times slower. The retained fluid during the return stroke remains virtually unstirred and sufficient time occurs for odor molecules to diffuse to aesthetasc surfaces.
Diabetic ketoacidosis due to fulminant type 1 diabetes: A rare subtype of type 1 diabetes leading to unusual sequelae

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of type 1 diabetes (T1D), which without treatment leads to death. Fulminant type 1 diabetes (FT1D) is a subtype characterised by a markedly rapid and almost complete destruction of pancreatic β-cells, with acute onset leading to severe metabolic derangement and commonly ICU admission. We present a case of an 18-year-old male presenting with FT1D with two rare complications of pneumomediastinum and stress-induced cardiomyopathy (SIC) with significant myocardial necrosis. We also discuss the aetiology of the pneumomediastinum; the latest thoughts on SIC: moving beyond the simple description of ‘Takotsubo cardiomyopathy’; the role of troponins in critical illness; and genetic predisposition for DKA due to FT1D.
Wine drinking and essential tremor: A possible protective role

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible association of cigarette smoking, coffee drinking, and wine consumption with essential tremor using a matched case–control design. Cases and controls were enrolled from 6 Movement Disorder centers in central‐southern Italy. Essential tremor was diagnosed according to Bain's criteria. Three unrelated healthy controls (not affected by neurological disorders) per each enrolled case, matched by sex and age (±5 years), were selected. A standardized questionnaire was administered to record demographic, epidemiological, and clinical data. All cases and controls underwent a standard neurological examination. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using conditional logistic regression for the matched cases and controls. Eighty‐three patients with essential tremor (38 men and 45 women; mean age, 68.2 ± 8.6 years) and 245 matched control subjects (113 men and 132 women; mean age, 68.4 ± 9.7 years) were enrolled in the study. Multivariate analysis showed a significant negative association between essential tremor and wine consumption preceding the onset of disease (adjusted odds ratio, 0.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.08–0.64; P = .0005) with a significant dose effect (1–2 glass of wine per day: odds ratio, 0.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.10–0.95; P = .04; more than 3 glass of wine per day: odds ratio, 0.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.03–0.62; P = .01). In our sample no association between essential tremor and cigarette smoking or coffee drinking was found. Our data suggest a negative association between wine drinking and essential tremor, which could be explained by the long‐term neuroprotective effect of its antioxidant components. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Risk factors for cervical human papillomavirus and herpes simplex virus infections in Greenland and Denmark: a population-based study.

Risk factors for genital human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6/11 and 16/18 and any HPV type as well as for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infections were investigated in a population-based study of 1,600 randomly selected women (20-39 years) from Godthåb (native, Nuuk), Greenland, and Nykøbing Falster, Denmark. A total of 586 Greenlandic women and 661 Danish women were included, respectively. They all had a personal interview and a gynecologic examination with cervical smear and swab for HPV analysis (filter in situ hybridization). Moreover, a blood sample was obtained for analysis for HSV-2 antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In view of the general concept of HPV as a sexually transmitted virus, it is unexpected that women with "multiple" partners revealed a significantly lower risk for all types of HPV than did women with "few" partners, the odds ratio (OR) being 40-60% decreased in women with greater than or equal to 30 partners compared with women who had 0-4 sexual partners. In contrast, the risk for HSV-2 infection was significantly increased among women with early age at first sexual intercourse (OR = 2.9 for age less than or equal to 13 vs. 14-16 years) and multiple partners (OR = 2.6 for greater than or equal to 20 vs. 0-4 partners) (hereafter referred to as "high sexual activity" as well as with an increasing number of sexually active years with an unprotected cervix (i.e., without the use of barrier contraceptives) (OR = 2.0 for greater than or equal to 15 vs. 0-9 years). The results of this study thus demonstrate a surprising risk pattern for HPV types 6/11 and 16/18, but a pattern for HSV-2 in line with that to be expected for a sexually transmitted virus. This could indicate the existence of factors, especially in women with high sexual activity, which interfere with the expression of HPV or with the ability to detect it and/or that HPV may be transmitted by means other than sexual contact.
Distributed Synchronization on Weakly Connected Networks

Distributed synchronization for wireless networks is based on the mutual exchange of the same chirp-signature by nodes. Collisions of these signatures drive the system toward time and (carrier) frequency synchronization using distributed consensus algorithms. This letter investigates the convergence and the asymptotic distortion properties on noisy networks when neighboring clusters of nodes are weakly connected to each other only through a subset of nodes and bridging links. These heavily connected clusters act as macroagents, and the consensus properties of the ensemble depend on the number of bridge links between them. The convergence rate and mean square synchronization deviation are derived as functions of the number of bridge links for different examples of weakly connected noisy networks via the analytic calculation of Laplacian spectra. Our approach facilitates the study of network topology optimization for distributed synchronization.