Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors Associated with Preterm Birth at a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: An Unmatched Case-Control Study

BackgroundPreterm birth contributes to significant neonatal and under-five mortality and morbidities. This study assessed the risk factors associated with preterm births at a tertiary teaching hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. MethodsCase-control study to compare risk factors of preterm birth amongst 140 women with preterm deliveries as cases and 280 women with term deliveries as controls. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done using STATA version 17 software. ResultsThe proportion of preterm deliveries was 17.9%. Women with less than four antenatal visits were three times more likely to have a preterm birth than those with four or more attendances (aOR 3.6, 95% CI 1.95–6.57, P < 0.001). The odds of preterm birth increased among women who experienced antepartum haemorrhage (aOR 25.7, 95% CI 12.72–52.03, P < 0.001), pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (aOR 29.9, 95% CI 7.78–115.41, P < 0.001) and preterm membrane rupture (aOR 62.8; 95% CI 23.51–168.21, P < 0.001). Among multiparous women, short interpregnancy intervals, prior preterm birth, or stillbirth increased the odds of preterm birth.ConclusionPoor antenatal attendance, obstetric complications, and premature rupture of membranes were among the identified risk factors. All could be addressed by quality antenatal care. Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2023;6(3):335-345
Simulation and Analysis of Anodized Aluminum Oxide Membrane Degradation

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based filter with microchannels enables the removal of various microorganisms, including viruses and bacteria, from fluids. Membranes with porous channels can be used as filtration interfaces in MEMS hemofilters or mini-dialyzers. The main problems associated with the filtration process are optimization of membrane geometry and fouling. A nanoporous aluminum oxide membrane was fabricated using an optimized two-step anodization process. Computational strength modeling and analysis of the membrane with specified parameters were performed using the ANSYS structural module. A fuzzy simulation was performed for the numerical analysis of flux through the membrane. The membrane was then incorporated with the prototype for successive filtration. The fluid flux and permeation analysis of the filtration process have been studied. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs of membranes have been obtained before and after the filtration cycles. The SEM results indicate membrane fouling after multiple cycles, and thus the flux is affected. This type of fabricated membrane and setup are suitable for the separation and purification of various fluids. However, after several filtration cycles, the membrane was degraded. It requires a prolonged chemical cleaning. High-density water has been used for filtration purposes, so this MEMS-based filter can also be used as a mini-dialyzer and hemofilter in various applications for filtration. Such a demonstration also opens up a new strategy for maximizing filtration efficiency and reducing energy costs for the filtration process by using a layered membrane setup.
Approaches to Assessing the Ecological Condition of Wetlands Using Soil Indicators

Wetlands occupy a relatively small portion of the earth’s land surface, with estimates of their global extent ranging from 5% to 8%, or between 5.3 and 12.8 million km2. Approximately half of that area has been lost and much of the area that remains is degraded due to human activities (Mitsch and Gosselink 2007). Wetlands provide a suite of ecological functions, generally classified as hydrologic, biogeochemical, or habitat support functions. When these are valued by society, they are generally referred to as ecosystem services and include flood water storage, carbon (C) sequestration, water quality improvements, and habitat provisioning. The realization that wetland ecosystem services are critical for human health and well-being (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005) has illustrated the need for assessment protocols that can provide estimates of the level of service provided, detect the impact of human activities on their ecological condition, and guide us in restoration efforts (Zedler 2003). In this chapter, we review some of the key approaches that have been developed to employ soil characteristics in the assessment of both the ecological condition and the functional capacity of wetlands. Wetlands are among the ecosystems most altered by human activities (Mitsch and Gosselink 2007). Disturbances such as hydrologic alterations, nutrient enrichment, and land use change generate stressors that lead to changes in ecosystem processes and the ecosystem services provided (Figure 17.1). In visualizing this as a dose–response relationship (Figure 17.2), ecological condition is expressed on the y-axis, and represents the extent to which a site departs from the full measure of ecological integrity. Ecological integrity is the ability of an ecosystem to support and maintain its complexity and capacity for CONTENTS
The Student’s Perception of Using ChatGPT for EFL Students

ChatGPT has attracted considerable media and academic attention as one of the latest developments. It has the ability to generate answers to questions and perform other language-related tasks with exceptional accuracy. This is due to its extensive training set, which closely resembles human-produced texts. Many researchers consider ChatGPT to be an interesting tool for improving students' language and knowledge skills, as well as their problem-solving and communication skills. The study discussed some perceptions of the merits of ChatGPT on English student with each representative answering or filling a questionnaire containing their views or responses to ChatGPT conversations using a quantitative descriptive method. It is hoped that the study can learn how English education students feel using small talk, whether it is having a good effect on their performance or whether it is adversely affecting their performance in college. The results of correlation analysis show patterns of relationships between different variables. There is no linear relationship between the level of agree and strongly disagree, but there is a strong and negative correlation between the level of disagree and strongly agree. meanwhile, a strong positive relationship was observed between neutral and strongly disagree levels.
Stress echocardiography in valvular heart disease

Valvular heart disease (VHD) has been a significant health problem, particularly in developed countries, in relation to the aging population. Recent developments in the management of VHD require a more accurate assessment of disease severity to determine the need for transcatheter interventions or open heart surgery. Stress echocardiography is a crucial imaging modality for identifying the underlying pathology of VHD. Optimal administration of exercise or intravenous drugs may reveal hemodynamic abnormalities under stress without posing an invasive risk. Therefore, the implementation of stress echocardiography is recommended for determining interventional indications and risk stratification in mitral regurgitation and aortic stenosis. In addition, recent evidence has accumulated regarding the usefulness of stress echocardiography in various conditions including mitral stenosis, aortic regurgitation, and post-interventional VHD. Here, we summarize the current evidence and future perspectives on stress echocardiography in VHD.
The LIFR Inhibitor EC359 Effectively Targets Type II Endometrial Cancer by Blocking LIF/LIFR Oncogenic Signaling

Endometrial cancer (ECa) is the most common female gynecologic cancer. When comparing the two histological subtypes of endometrial cancer, Type II tumors are biologically more aggressive and have a worse prognosis than Type I tumors. Current treatments for Type II tumors are ineffective, and new targeted therapies are urgently needed. LIFR and its ligand, LIF, have been shown to play a critical role in the progression of multiple solid cancers and therapy resistance. The role of LIF/LIFR in the progression of Type II ECa, on the other hand, is unknown. We investigated the role of LIF/LIFR signaling in Type II ECa and tested the efficacy of EC359, a novel small-molecule LIFR inhibitor, against Type II ECa. The analysis of tumor databases has uncovered a correlation between diminished survival rates and increased expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), suggesting a potential connection between altered LIF expression and unfavorable overall survival in Type II ECa. The results obtained from cell viability and colony formation assays demonstrated a significant decrease in the growth of Type II ECa LIFR knockdown cells in comparison to vector control cells. Furthermore, in both primary and established Type II ECa cells, pharmacological inhibition of the LIF/LIFR axis with EC359 markedly decreased cell viability, long-term cell survival, and invasion, and promoted apoptosis. Additionally, EC359 treatment reduced the activation of pathways driven by LIF/LIFR, such as AKT, mTOR, and STAT3. Tumor progression was markedly inhibited by EC359 treatment in two different patient-derived xenograft models in vivo and patient-derived organoids ex vivo. Collectively, these results suggest LIFR inhibitor EC359 as a possible new small-molecule therapeutics for the management of Type II ECa.
Exploring memorable gastronomic experiences: Automatic topic modelling of TripAdvisor reviews

The article aims to identify memorable gastronomic experiences reported online and verify their relationships with the type of cuisine served and restaurant location. This study used text mining, LDA, Pearson’s chi-squaredtest and sentiment analysis. All 48,378 English reviews posted by TripAdvisor users concerning 155 restaurants in Krakow were scraped. Eight features that characterise MGEs were identified (service/staff, atmosphere,cuisine/food (taste), drinks, local specialities, location/setting, price & value and table booking). There are statistically significant differences in the frequency of the topic experiences depending on the location of restaurants in the city.
Semi-volatile Organic Contaminants in the Urban Atmosphere: Spatial and Seasonal Distributions and Implications for Contaminant Transport

Spatial and temporal patterns of semi-volatile organic contaminant (SVOC) concentrations in air and precipitation were investigated at the urban scale in order to improve our understanding of emission sources and factors affecting intra-urban variability. Toronto, Canada was used as a case study. Advances were made in two methods used to examine intra-urban variability, namely passive air sampling and land use regression analysis. The study showed that these methods are useful for assessing local-scale variability, and that passive air sampler concentrations are most reliable when using homologue-specific sampling rates obtained from a co-located low volume sampler. The results of the spatially and temporally distributed sampling demonstrated that the highest atmospheric concentrations of SVOCs were associated with the highest density regions of the urban area. Temporal patterns of elevated concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in warm seasons were consistent with temperature-related emission processes such as volatilization and/or ventilation of indoor air. Spatial patterns in air concentrations were influenced by local sources on a scale of <5 km and were explained by factors related to human population activities such as building volume (PBDEs), population density (polycyclic musks, or PCMs), iii residential, commercial and transportation infrastructure (PAHs), and chemical inventory (PCBs). Industrial activities were not important factors. The link between elevated environmental concentrations and the in-use stock of banned chemicals, such as PCBs and PBDEs, suggest that efforts to control emissions and reduce environmental concentrations must address the removal of current use products, in addition to the bans on new uses of the SVOCs.
Investigating Incidence and Distribution of Alfalfa-Infecting Viruses in China

Alfalfa is a primary forage crop in China that occupies a wide planting area and exhibits a variety of beneficial traits such as being nutrient rich and producing high yields. As the planting area continues to expand, alfalfa pests and pathogens are becoming more prolific, especially viral pathogens which negatively impact alfalfa quality and yield significantly. From 2016 to 2019, 516 alfalfa samples exhibiting potential symptoms of viral infection were collected from several major production regions in China, including 13 provinces and 21 collection sites. RT-PCR using special conserved primers designed to detect several common alfalfa-infecting viruses was used to determine the incidence and distribution of these viruses throughout China. AMV, TMV, ToMV, CPMV, BYMV, CMV, YMV, and SMV were detected in alfalfa crops throughout China, with AMV being most prevalent with an incidence rate of 57.6%, while this is the first time that CMV and TMV have been found infecting alfalfa crops in China. This is also the first investigation of the distribution of various alfalfa viruses throughout China, providing theoretical and technical support for early warning and control of viral disease of alfalfa in China.
GRASS COVER, TREE DENSITY, AND LEAF DEVELOPMENT OF MEDITERRANEAN ORCHARDS FROM HIGH RESOLUTION DATA

Abstract. The study focused on Mediterranean orchards and aimed to explore different remote sensing data (Sentinel 2 data (2016–2023), 1 Pleiades image (2022) and the extraction of Google-satellite-hybrid images (GSH,2017)) to compute key variables affecting water requirements such as tree age and density per plot, leaf development, the inter-row management. Surveys were conducted on 22 farms where accurate information on agricultural practices was collected. The results have shown that a thresholding on the NDVI Sentinel 2 in the summer period allowed the identification of young orchards with an accuracy of 98%. The analysis of temporal profiles of FAPAR allowed the identification of key phenological stages such as flowering and fruit set. Supervised classification was employed to separate grassed and non-grassed plots using three spectral bands of Sentinel 2. Classifications performed from GSH images gave more accurate results (81% well classified) compared with Sentinel 2 (79%) and Pleiades (57%) when identifying grassed plots. The methods presented in this study propose methods easily accessible based on free-to-download data, making them applicable in diverse orchard contexts.
Generation of somatic de novo structural variation as a hallmark of cellular senescence in human lung fibroblasts

Cellular senescence is characterized by replication arrest in response to stress stimuli. Senescent cells accumulate in aging tissues and can trigger organ-specific and possibly systemic dysfunction. Although senescent cell populations are heterogeneous, a key feature is that they exhibit epigenetic changes. Epigenetic changes such as loss of repressive constitutive heterochromatin could lead to subsequent LINE-1 derepression, a phenomenon often described in the context of senescence or somatic evolution. LINE-1 elements decode the retroposition machinery and reverse transcription generates cDNA from autonomous and non-autonomous TEs that can potentially reintegrate into genomes and cause structural variants. Another feature of cellular senescence is mitochondrial dysfunction caused by mitochondrial damage. In combination with impaired mitophagy, which is characteristic of senescent cells, this could lead to cytosolic mtDNA accumulation and, as a genomic consequence, integrations of mtDNA into nuclear DNA (nDNA), resulting in mitochondrial pseudogenes called numts. Thus, both phenomena could cause structural variants in aging genomes that go beyond epigenetic changes. We therefore compared proliferating and senescent IMR-90 cells in terms of somatic de novo numts and integrations of a non-autonomous composite retrotransposons - the so-called SVA elements—that hijack the retropositional machinery of LINE-1. We applied a subtractive and kinetic enrichment technique using proliferating cell DNA as a driver and senescent genomes as a tester for the detection of nuclear flanks of de novo SVA integrations. Coupled with deep sequencing we obtained a genomic readout for SVA retrotransposition possibly linked to cellular senescence in the IMR-90 model. Furthermore, we compared the genomes of proliferative and senescent IMR-90 cells by deep sequencing or after enrichment of nuclear DNA using AluScan technology. A total of 1,695 de novo SVA integrations were detected in senescent IMR-90 cells, of which 333 were unique. Moreover, we identified a total of 81 de novo numts with perfect identity to both mtDNA and nuclear hg38 flanks. In summary, we present evidence for possible age-dependent structural genomic changes by paralogization that go beyond epigenetic modifications. We hypothesize, that the structural variants we observe potentially impact processes associated with replicative aging of IMR-90 cells.
The impact of temperature, pH and environmental heterogeneity on prokaryotic diversity in Yellowstone National Park thermal springs

Yellowstone National Park (YNP) is one of the largest and most diverse hydrothermal areas on Earth. Extensive culture-independent studies in YNP thermal springs have shown dramatic taxonomic and metabolic diversity in microbial communities. We conducted a survey of bacterial communities along temperature gradients in three alkaline springs with similar geochemistries at the local scale. With these data, we investigated the influence of environmental variables on bacterial community diversity and assemblages along a broad temperature range using high throughput 454 pyrosequencing. Previous studies have suggested that pH is the driver of microbial diversity in thermal springs among geographical regions or at the global scale, whereas the temperature is an important factor controlling microbial diversity in springs within a similar pH range or within an individual geographical region. Our results revealed that temperature was the most important environmental variable to shape the structure of bacterial communities at the local scale. Similar community structure was observed in the sites with similar temperatures, irrespective of the origin of the thermal spring. The results of this study expand our current knowledge of the role of temperature in controlling community structure in YNP alkaline thermal springs.
Utilizing the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) to Assess Health Literacy at a Regional Academic Medical Center's Family Medicine Clinic

Researchers examined the correlation between the physician's subjective assessment of health literacy rates and actual health literacy rates among patients as determined by the Newest Vital Sign (NVS). A sample of n = 150 patients, 18 years of age or older, were verbally interviewed using NVS tool before seeing their physician. After the physician met with the patient, the physician was asked to measure that patient's level of health literacy on a Likert-type scale and a “yes/no” scale. Frequency and percentage statistics were performed in SPSS to describe the distributions of patient and physician responses. Between-subjects statistics were used. Analysis of the patient surveys revealed one in 4 patients has a high likelihood of low health literacy. Analysis revealed there were significant positive correlations between physician response to perception of a patient's low health literacy risk and NVS survey responses. Despite the risk of limited literacy, 97.3% of physicians perceived the patient to understand what the physician was saying. Physicians should use teach-back and other health literacy principles with each patient, regardless of perceived risk.
Are postprandial glucose responses sufficiently person-specific to use in personalized dietary advice? Design of the RepEAT study: a fully controlled dietary intervention to determine the variation in glucose responses

Introduction An elevated postprandial glucose response is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Existing research suggests large heterogeneity in the postprandial glucose responses to identical meals and food products between individuals, but the effect of other consumed meals during the day and the order of meals during the day on the heterogeneity in postprandial glucose responses still needs to be investigated. In addition, the robustness of the glucose responses to meals or foods is still unknown. Objectives The overall aim of the project is to assess whether the glucose response to a meal is sufficiently person-specific to use in personalized dietary advice. We aim to answer the question: “How replicable are glucose responses to meals within individuals and how consistent is the variation in glucose responses between individuals? ” Methods The question will be assessed under standardized conditions of a 9-week fully controlled dietary intervention in which all meals are the same between individuals and consumed in a fixed order at a fixed time. 63 apparently healthy men and women with a BMI of 25–40 kg/m2 and aged 45–75 years were enrolled in the RepEAT study (NCT05456815), of whom 53 participants completed the study. The RepEAT study comprised a fully controlled dietary intervention of nine weeks, consisting of three repetitive periods of three weeks. Within each three-week period, a variety of meals and food products were offered during breakfast, lunch, dinner and in between meal snacks. Throughout the dietary intervention, glucose was continuously monitored using Freestyle Libre Pro IQ monitors. Physical activity was monitored using the ActiGraph and ActivPAL. To measure the association between glucose responses and an individual’s phenotype, various measurements were performed before the start of the dietary intervention including an oral glucose tolerance test, a high-fat mixed meal challenge, assessment of body fat distribution including liver fat (MRI/MRS), and cardiometabolic markers. Discussion The repetitive and fully controlled nature of the dietary study allows detailed assessment of the replicability of the glucose responses to meals and food products within individuals. Furthermore, the consistency of the variation between individuals independent of insulin resistance will be determined.
Focusing Multistatic GEO SAR With Two Stationary Receivers Based on Spectrum Gap Alignment and Recovery

Multistatic synthetic aperture radar (SAR) composed of a geosynchronous SAR illuminator and two stationary receivers has the ability to continuously monitor areas of interest. The spatially variant azimuth wavenumber spectrum gap caused by the limited synthetic aperture time may result in a high sidelobe level, which leads to artifacts in the image. This article exploits the spatial invariance of the gap length and proposes a new imaging method to fill the spectrum gap via gap alignment and data recovery. The spectrum gaps of all the targets are aligned based on spectrum shifting, and the full spectrum is recovered using spectrum estimation. Simulation results of point targets and extended targets verify the superiority of the proposed method compared to existing algorithms.