Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biochemical markers of nutritional status and childhood malaria severity in Cameroon

To investigate the part played by undernutrition in malaria severity, some biomarkers of nutritional status were assessed in children with severe malarial anaemia (MA) and cerebral malaria (CM) in comparison with healthy children or those with uncomplicated malaria. Undernutrition was assessed using the weight-for-age Z score (WAZ). Retinol was determined by HPLC; lipid profile, Ca, Mg and albumin were determined by spectrophotometry. Severe and moderate undernutritions were more prevalent in children with MA and those with the combined symptoms of CM and MA, but not in those with CM alone. Some perturbations were noticed in the lipid profile, but most of the values remained within the normal ranges. The risk of vitamin A deficiency, as assessed by plasma retinol concentration, was noteworthy in children with severe malaria: 0·48 × 10− 6 and 0·50 × 10− 6 mol/l, respectively, in children with MA and CM (reference value: >0·7 × 10− 6 mol/l). A significant difference was obtained for retinol values after an ANOVA of all the groups (P = 0·0029), with the value in the MA group being significantly low than that in the control group (P < 0·05); likewise, a significant difference was obtained after comparison of all the groups for Mg and albumin (P = 0·0064 and 0·0082, respectively). Despite their low number (n 6), fatal cases of CM had a normal mean WAZ on admission, but low values of retinol, albumin and HDL:LDL ratio. Despite these associations, undernutrition itself did not appear to be a primary factor associated with fatal outcome.
The Characteristics of Millisecond Pulsar Emission. III. From Low to High Frequencies

In this paper we present the first observations of a large sample of millisecond pulsars at frequencies of 2.7 GHz (11 cm) and 4.9 GHz (6 cm). For almost all sources, these represent the first 11 cm observations ever. The new measurements more than double the number of millisecond pulsars studied at 6 cm. Our new flux measurements extend the known spectra for millisecond pulsars to the highest frequencies to date. The coverage of more than a decade of the radio spectrum allows us for the first time to search for spectral breaks, as so often observed in normal pulsars around 1 GHz. The results suggest that, unlike normal pulsars, millisecond pulsar spectra can be largely described by a single power law. We align the observed millisecond pulsar profiles with data from lower frequencies to search for indications of disturbed magnetic fields, and attempt to resolve questions that have been raised in recent literature. Deviations from a dipolar magnetic field structure are not evident, and absolute timing across the wide frequency range with a single dispersion measure is possible. We seem to observe mainly unfilled emission beams, which must originate from a very compact region. The existence of nondipolar field components therefore cannot be excluded. A compact emission region is also suggested by a remarkably constant profile width or component separation over a very wide frequency range. This observed difference from the emission properties of normal pulsars is highly significant. For a few sources, polarization data at 2.7 and 4.9 GHz could also be obtained that indicate that despite the typically larger degree of polarization at lower frequencies, millisecond pulsars are weakly polarized or even unpolarized at frequencies above 3 GHz. The simultaneous decrease in degree of polarization and the constant profile width thus question proposals that link depolarization and decreasing profile width for normal pulsars to the same propagation effect (i.e., birefringence). Comparing the properties of core and conal-like profile components to those of normal pulsars, we find less significant patterns in their spectral evolution for the population of millisecond pulsars. Hence, we suggest that core and conal emission may be created by the same emission process. Given the small change in profile width, the indicated depolarization of the radiation, and the possible simple flux density spectra, MSP emission properties tend to resemble those of normal pulsars, only shifted toward higher frequencies.
Maize yield and nutrition during four years after biochar application to a Colombian savanna

Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853; USA Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT), A.A. 6713 Cali, Colombia (current address: International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, ON K1G 3H9, Canada) Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT), A.A. 6713 Cali, Colombia (current address: Centro de Investigaciones en Palma de Aceite, cra 42 # 33-07 Villavicencio, Colombia) Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853, USA
Mother and Infant Body Mass Index, Breast Milk Leptin and Their Serum Leptin Values

Purpose: This study investigates correlations between mother and infant Body Mass Index (BMI), their serum leptin values and breast milk leptin concentration in early infancy. Subjects and Methods: We determined serum leptin values in 58 healthy infants and leptin values in their mothers’ breast milk, using radioimmunoassay (RIA). Infant and maternal anthropometrics were measured. Results: Median leptin concentration was 3.9 ng/mL (interquartile range (IQR): 2.75) in infant serum, 4.27 ng/mL (IQR: 5.62) in maternal serum and 0.89 ng/mL (IQR: 1.32) in breast milk. Median maternal BMI and weight were 24 kg/m2 (IQR: 4.41) and 64 kg (IQR: 15). Median infant BMI was 15.80 kg/cm2 (IQR: 4.02), while average weight was 5.130 kg (IQR: 1.627). Infants serum leptin values positively correlated with infants’ BMI (p = 0.001; r = 0.213) and breast milk leptin (p = 0.03; r = 0.285). Maternal serum leptin values positively correlated with maternal BMI (p = 0.000, r = 0.449) and breast milk leptin ones (p = 0.026; r = 0.322). Conclusion: Breast milk leptin and maternal BMI could influence infant serum leptin values. Further studies are needed to better elucidate the role of genetics and environment on infant leptin production and risk of obesity later in life.
Characterizing mobile user habits: The case for energy budgeting

In this paper, we collect and analyze data from 85 smartphone users over a 9 month period. Different from existing work, we study device usage patterns in concert with network performance in space and time. Our results uncover predictable mobility patterns, where users are moving between hubs (i.e., home or workplace) and transit locations. In hubs, users are typically connected using Wi-Fi, while in transit locations cellular connectivity dominates with highly varying performance (from EDGE to HSPA+). Interestingly, there are set of apps over time running on user devices, independent of the location, network conditions, and device resources (e.g., battery level). These apps can aggressively use the network, which leads to significant device resource consumption (e.g., energy), as shown by our controlled experiments. We discuss how our findings can be used to budget mobile device available resources and improve user experience.
Motivating first-year university students by interdisciplinary study projects

ABSTRACT In order to increase student commitment from the beginning of students’ university careers, the Technische Universität Darmstadt has introduced interdisciplinary study projects involving first-year students from the engineering, natural, social and history, economics and/or human sciences departments. The didactic concept includes sophisticated task design, individual responsibility and a differentiated support system. Using a self-determination theory framework, this study examined the effects of the projects based on survey findings from two projects with more than 1000 students. The results showed that the projects were successful in fulfilling students’ basic psychological needs and in promoting students’ academic engagement. Basic psychological needs were found to be significant predictors of academic engagement. These findings suggest that interdisciplinary study projects can potentially contribute to improving higher education as they fulfil students’ basic psychological needs for competence, relatedness and autonomy and enhance students’ academic engagement.
Individual Differences and Day-to-Day Fluctuations in Goal Planning and Type 1 Diabetes Management

Objective: To examine whether individual differences and day-to-day fluctuations in diabetes goal planning are associated with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) management during late adolescence, and whether lapses in daily diabetes goal planning are more disruptive to diabetes management among those with poorer executive functioning (EF). Method: Late adolescents with T1D (N = 236, Mage = 17.77 years) completed survey measures assessing individual differences in levels of diabetes goal planning and adherence, as well as survey and performance-based measures of EF; glycemic control was assessed through glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) assays. Participants then completed a 2-week daily diary, rating items measuring daily diabetes goal planning, goal effort, and adherence, and recording blood-glucose tests from their glucometer at the end of each day. Results: Analyses of survey measures indicated that higher individual differences in diabetes goal planning were associated with better adherence and glycemic control. Analyses of daily data using hierarchical linear modeling indicated that adolescents displayed higher daily adherence and lower blood-glucose levels on days when they had higher-than-their-average levels of daily goal planning and daily goal effort. EF moderated the association between daily goal planning and daily adherence, indicating that lapses in daily goal planning were more disruptive for adolescents with poorer EF. Conclusion: Both individual differences and day-to-day fluctuations in diabetes goal planning are associated with diabetes management, highlighting the challenges of managing T1D in daily life. Youth in late adolescence with poorer EF may especially benefit from planning to attain diabetes goals on a daily basis.
Frequency of Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in Tramadol Poisoned Patients; a Brief Report

Introduction: Previous studies have raised the probably of cardiac manifestation in tramadol poisoning. However, conclusive information on electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities of tramadol overdose remains to be explained. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the epidemiology of ECG abnormalities in tramadol poisoned patients. Methods: In a prospective cross-sectional study, all patients with tramadol poisoning, who were admitted to the emergency department of Loghman Hospital during 2012 – 2013, were evaluated. Patients’ baseline characteristics and ECG findings including axis, rate, rhythm, PR interval, QRS duration, QTc interval, evidence of Brugada pattern, and evidence of blocks were recorded. Obtained Data were descriptively analyzed using SPSS 21.0 statistical software. Results: 1402 patients with the mean age of 24 ± 6 years were studied (71.1% male). Sinus tachycardia was detected in 463 (33%) patients, sinus bradycardia in one patient (0.07%), right axis deviation in 340 (24.2), QRS widening in 91 (6.5%), long QTc interval in 259 (18.4%), dominant S wave in either I or aVL lead in 395 (28.1%), and right bundle branch block in 73 (5.2%). Increased PR interval was not detected in any cases. The evidence of Brugada pattern was observed in 2 (0.14%) patients (100% male), both symptomatized with seizure. All abnormalities had same sex distribution. Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, the most common types of ECG changes were sinus tachycardia, a deep S wave in leads I and aVL, right axis deviation, and long QTc interval, respectively. Brugada pattern and sinus bradycardia were rarely presented.
Eye Communication in a Conversational 3D Synthetic Agent

Our goal is to create an ‘intelligent’ 3D agent able to send complex, ‘natural’ messages to users and, in the future, to converse with them. We look at the relationship between the agent's communicative intentions and the way that these intentions are expressed into verbal and nonverbal messages. In this paper, we concentrate on the study and generation of coordinated linguistic and gaze communicative acts. In this view we analyse gaze signals according to their functional meaning rather than to their physical actions. We propose a formalism where a communicative act is represented by two elements: a meaning (that corresponds to a set of goals and beliefs that the agent has the purpose to transmit to the interlocutor) and a signal, that is the nonverbal expression of that meaning. We also outline a methodology to generate messages that coordinate verbal with nonverbal signals.
Does (Non-)Meaningful Sensori-Motor Engagement Promote Learning With Animated Physical Systems?

Previous research indicates that sensori-motor experience with physical systems can have a positive effect on learning. However, it is not clear whether this effect is caused by mere bodily engagement or the intrinsically meaningful information that such interaction affords in performing the learning task. We investigated (N = 74), through the use of a Wii Balance Board, whether different forms of physical engagement that was either meaningfully, non-meaningfully, or minimally related to the learning content would be beneficial (or detrimental) to learning about the workings of seesaws from instructional animations. The results were inconclusive, indicating that motoric competency on lever problem solving did not significantly differ between conditions, nor were response speed and transfer performance affected. These findings suggest that adult's implicit and explicit knowledge about physical systems is stable and not easily affected by (contradictory) sensori-motor experiences. Implications for embodied learning are discussed.
Efficacy and Safety of Traditional Medical Therapies for Chronic Constipation: Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES:Constipation is common, and its treatment is unsatisfactory. Although many agents have been tried, there are limited data to support their use. Our aim was to undertake a systematic review of the efficacy and safety of traditional medical therapies for chronic constipation and to make evidence-based recommendations.METHODS:We searched the English literature for drug trials evaluating treatment of constipation by using MEDLINE and PUBMED databases from 1966 to 2003. Only studies that were randomized, conducted on adult subjects, and published as full manuscripts were included. Studies were assigned a quality score based on published methodology. Standard forms were used to abstract data regarding study design, duration, outcome measures, and adverse events. By using the cumulative evidence of published data for each agent, recommendations were made regarding their use following the United States Preventive Services Task Force guidelines.RESULTS:Good evidence (Grade A) was found to support the use of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and tegaserod. Moderate evidence (Grade B) was found to support the use of psyllium, and lactulose. There was a paucity of quality data regarding many commonly used agents including milk of magnesia, senna, bisacodyl, and stool softeners.CONCLUSIONS:There is good evidence to support the use of PEG, tegaserod, lactulose, and psyllium. Surprisingly, there is a paucity of trials for many commonly used agents. These aspects should be considered when designing trials comparing new agents with traditional therapies because their use may not be well validated.
Drug resistance in influenza A virus: the epidemiology and management

Influenza A virus (IAV) is the sole cause of the unpredictable influenza pandemics and deadly zoonotic outbreaks and constitutes at least half of the cause of regular annual influenza epidemics in humans. Two classes of anti-IAV drugs, adamantanes and neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors (NAIs) targeting the viral components M2 ion channel and NA, respectively, have been approved to treat IAV infections. However, IAV rapidly acquired resistance against both classes of drugs by mutating these viral components. The adamantane-resistant IAV has established itself in nature, and a majority of the IAV subtypes, especially the most common H1N1 and H3N2, circulating globally are resistant to adamantanes. Consequently, adamantanes have become practically obsolete as anti-IAV drugs. Similarly, up to 100% of the globally circulating IAV H1N1 subtypes were resistant to oseltamivir, the most commonly used NAI, until 2009. However, the 2009 pandemic IAV H1N1 subtype, which was sensitive to NAIs and has now become one of the dominant seasonal influenza virus strains, has replaced the pre-2009 oseltamivir-resistant H1N1 variants. This review traces the epidemiology of both adamantane- and NAI-resistant IAV subtypes since the approval of these drugs and highlights the susceptibility status of currently circulating IAV subtypes to NAIs. Further, it provides an overview of currently and soon to be available control measures to manage current and emerging drug-resistant IAV. Finally, this review outlines the research directions that should be undertaken to manage the circulation of IAV in intermediate hosts and develop effective and alternative anti-IAV therapies.
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Integrating Psychological and Neurobiological Considerations regarding the Development and Maintenance of Specific Internet-use Disorders: an Interaction of Person-affect-cognition-execution (i-pace) Model

Keywords: Internet addiction Internet-gaming disorder Internet-use disorders Cue-reactivity Inhibitory control Executive functions a b s t r a c t Within the last two decades, many studies have addressed the clinical phenomenon of Internet-use disorders , with a particular focus on Internet-gaming disorder. Based on previous theoretical considerations and empirical findings, we suggest an Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model of specific Internet-use disorders. The I-PACE model is a theoretical framework for the processes underlying the development and maintenance of an addictive use of certain Internet applications or sites promoting gaming, gambling, pornography viewing, shopping, or communication. The model is composed as a process model. Specific Internet-use disorders are considered to be the consequence of interactions between predisposing factors, such as neurobiological and psychological constitutions, moderators, such as coping styles and Internet-related cognitive biases, and mediators, such as affective and cognitive responses to situational triggers in combination with reduced executive functioning. Conditioning processes may strengthen these associations within an addiction process. Although the hypotheses regarding the mechanisms underlying the development and maintenance of specific Internet-use disorders, summarized in the I-PACE model, must be further tested empirically, implications for treatment interventions are suggested.
Soundscapes, human restoration and quality of life

There is increasing interest in the notion that acoustic environments may affect human health, not only at high exposure levels, but also where the acoustic environment is pleasant and of high quality. In this paper we explore the notion that access to high quality acoustic environments may have a role in quality of life. This can be intrinsically, or by way of mediation for people otherwise exposed to adverse environments, through some restorative and health promoting mechanism(s). First the limited literature on soundscapes and restoration, and their interconnection, is discussed. Next, the results of secondary analysis on several data sets are presented. It is concluded that evidence on the intrinsic positive value of areas with high acoustic quality (green-blue areas) for restoration, by way of an immediate pathway, is limited. Temporary respite from environmental noise can mitigate the negative effects on health and wellbeing, but the long-term effects have scarcely been studied. Based on the secondary analysis key determinants of perceived soundscapes and overall evaluation of sound quality in different conditions are presented. Next, the evaluation of overall sound quality and perceived soundscapes is linked to restoration at places which people frequent to relax, socialize or for physical exercise.
Dual Task Interference in Parkinson's Disease

Performing two tasks simultaneously (dual task performance) is a frequent activity in human life. Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) commonly have more difficulty performing dual tasks than healthy people. To date, research on the mechanisms of dual task interference in PD remains sparse. A recent study by Wu and Hallett in 2008 investigated the central neural correlates of dual task interference in PD, and demonstrated that dual task interference in PD is due to multiple reasons. First, the limitation of capacity of attentional resources is exceeded; second, PD patients perform tasks less automatically compared with normal subjects; and third, the central executive may be defective. However, our knowledge of this phenomenon is still far from complete and needs further investigation.
Can the EPIC food-frequency questionnaire be used in adolescent populations?

Abstract Objective: To assess the validity of the food-frequency questionnaire used in the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC FFQ) for estimating nutrient intake in an adolescent population. Design: Sixty-seven schoolchildren (mean age: 12.3±0.3 years) were recruited to complete a 7-day weighed dietary record (7-day WDR), the EPIC FFQ and supply one 24-hour urine collection. Setting: Harris Academy in Dundee (UK). Results: Fifty subjects completed both dietary assessment methods. Thirteen of these were classified as underreporters with energy intake/basal metabolic rate<1.14. The EPIC FFQ showed higher estimates than the 7-day WDR for all nutrients. The median Spearman correlation coefficient for the nutrients examined was found to be 0.31 and increased to 0.48 after adjustment for total energy. The limits of agreement were as far apart as 13.4 MJ, 120 g, 270 g, 120 g and 1170 mg for energy, fat, sugar, protein and calcium, respectively. Correlations between urine and 7-day WDR dietary nitrogen and potassium were found to be statistically significant with r = 0.45 (P<0.05) and r = 0.78 (P<0.001), respectively. The median proportion of subjects that appeared in the same and opposite third of intake was found to be 45.9% and 10.8%, respectively. Conclusions: The EPIC FFQ seems adequate to correctly classify low, medium and high consumers and might therefore be used to identify adolescent population groups at risk or for differences between populations. However, agreement between the EPIC FFQ and the 7-day WDR was very poor on both a group and an individual basis, and demonstrates that the EPIC FFQ is not an appropriate method for estimating absolute intakes in this age group.