Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regional Differences in the Optimal Utilisation of Antenatal Care in Nigeria

Many maternal deaths in Nigeria are as a result of pregnancy related complications that are preventable through utilisation of antenatal care facility. The World Health Organisation recommends at least four visits to an antenatal care facility to attain full life saving potentials for pregnant women and their unborn babies. As the deadline for the Millennium Development Goals (MDG 5), which focuses on maternal health and access to health facilities) approaches, it is important to evaluate the optimal utilisation of ANC and impact of regional differences. This study determined factors that affect optimal utilisation of ANC visits. The National Demographic and Health Survey, 2013 dataset on women aged 15-49 years who had their most recent birth in the last 5 years prior the survey was used for the analysis. Optimal utilisation of ANC was defined as four or more visits. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and binary logistic regression models (α=0.05). Mean age of women was 29±7 years and 53% achieved optimal utilisation. The identified predictors of optimal use of ANC were age, wealth index, number of children alive, and region among others. Women in the South-West were about 7 (OR=6.73, 955% CI=5.843, 7.758; p<0.001) times more likely to have had optimal utilisation of ANC than those in the North Central zone. This strength of relationship was retained after other socio-demographic factors were included in the regression model as control. Respondents aged 34-39 years were 2 times more likely to attain optimal utilisation of ANC facility compared to those aged 15-19 years (OR=1.50, 95% CI: 1.152, 1.946). Respondents who belong to the richest wealth quintile were about 3 times more likely to attain optimal utilisation of ANC visits (OR=2.86, 95% CI: 2.162, 3.775) compared to respondents in the poorest quintile. Optimal utilisation of ANC in Nigeria is still poor and differentials exist across the regions. Therefore, regional specific programmes targeting better utilisation of ANC visits among women should be provided particularly in the Northern part of Nigeria.
Pathwise differentiability of reflected diffusions in convex polyhedral domains

Reflected diffusions in convex polyhedral domains arise in a variety of applications, including interacting particle systems, queueing networks, biochemical reaction networks and mathematical finance. Under suitable conditions on the data, we establish pathwise differentiability of such a reflected diffusion with respect to its defining parameters --- namely, its initial condition, drift and diffusion coefficients, and (oblique) directions of reflection along the boundary of the domain. We characterize the right-continuous regularization of a pathwise derivative of the reflected diffusion as the pathwise unique solution to a constrained linear stochastic differential equation with jumps whose drift and diffusion coefficients, domain and directions of reflection depend on the state of the reflected diffusion. The proof of this result relies on properties of directional derivatives of the associated (extended) Skorokhod reflection map and their characterization in terms of a so-called derivative problem, and also involves establishing certain path properties of the reflected diffusion at nonsmooth parts of the boundary of the polyhedral domain, which may be of independent interest. As a corollary, we obtain a probabilistic representation for derivatives of expectations of functionals of reflected diffusions, which is useful for sensitivity analysis of reflected diffusions.
Fertility progression in Germany: an analysis using flexible nonparametric cure survival models

Objective: This paper uses data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP) to study the transition to second and third births. In particular, we seek to distinguish the factors that determine the timing of fertility from the factors that influence ultimate parity progression. Methods: We employ cure survival models, a technique commonly used in epidemiological studies and in the statistical literature but only rarely applied to fertility research. Results: We find that education has a different impact on the timing and the ultimate probability of having a second and a third birth. Furthermore, we show that the shape of the fertility schedule for the total population differs from that of ‘susceptible women’ (i.e., those who have a second or a third child). Conclusions: Standard event history models conflate timing and quantum effects. Our approach overcomes this shortcoming. It estimates separate parameters for the hazard rate of having a next child for the ‘susceptible population’ and the ultimate probability of having another child for the entire population at risk. Contribution: We go beyond standard cure survival models, also known as split population models, used in fertility research by specifying a flexible non-parametric model using Bayesian P-splines for the latent distribution (related to the timing of an extra birth) instead of a parametric model. Our approach is, so far, limited to time-constant covariates, but can be extended to include time-varying covariates as well.
Multiple paternity, reproductive skew and correlates of male reproductive success in a wild population of the Trinidadian guppy

In most species, males have a higher reproductive potential than females, leading to skewed reproductive success, particularly in mating systems where pre- or postcopulatory sexual selection reinforces inequality in male mating success. We investigated multiple paternity, reproductive skew and correlates of male reproductive success in a wild population of the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata). We used nine microsatellite loci to assess the frequency of multiple paternity, number of sires per brood and reproductive skew. Across broods, the frequency of multiple paternity was high with 94% of broods having multiple sires (range: 1-5), resulting in a reproductive skew of 0.14. Variation in male reproductive success was high (range: 0-14 offspring per male), suggesting that there is considerable opportunity for sexual selection. Next, we examined correlations between male reproductive success and sexual coloration, sperm velocity and gonopodium length. Relative area of orange, black, iridescent and total coloration, and sperm velocity were not correlated with reproductive success. However, gonopodium length explained 14% of the variation in reproductive success, suggesting that gonopodium length is likely a sexually selected trait. We discuss these findings in the light of other studies that genetically dissect joint-sex parentage and examine correlates of male reproductive success in wild populations.
The Innovative University: Changing the DNA of Higher Education from the Inside Out

FORUM FOR THE FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION Historically, higher education has avoided competitive disruption. One reason for this past immunity is the power of prestige in the higher education marketplace, where the quality of the product is hard to measure. Now with more focus on outcomes and the steady improvement of low-cost online learning technology, the prospect of competitive disruption is real.
Strong shellability of simplicial complexes

Imposing a strong condition on the linear order of shellable complexes, we introduce strong shellability. Basic properties, including the existence of dimension-decreasing strong shelling orders, are developed with respect to nonpure strongly shellable complexes. Meanwhile, pure strongly shellable complexes can be characterized by the corresponding codimension one graphs. In addition, we show that the facet ideals of pure strongly shellable complexes have linear quotients.
BRAIN OEDEMA: INFLUENCE OF THERAPY

FIG. 1. Twenty-four-hour-old cold lesion in the cat. The Evans Blue discoloration outlines preferential spreading of oedema in the white matter. The numbers point to the location of 1-mm diameter samples in the brain tissue. The specific gravity values less than 1.0450 are classified arbitrarily into slight, medium and severe degrees of oedema intensity. The measurements''show a gradient in intensity of oedema diminishing from the site of cryogenic injury. A slight oedema is also present in the cerebral cortex of the injured gyrus and of the immediately adjacent portions of the neighbouring gyri. (From: Klatzo et al., 1984.)
A Mathematical Model for Simultaneous Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Calcium and Inositol 1 , 4 , 5-Trisphosphate in Madin – Darby Canine Kidney Epithelial Cells

The landmark paper by Hirose et al. (Hirose, K., Kadowaki, S., Tanabe, M., Takeshima, H., Iino, M., Science 284:1527–1530, 1999) presented experimental investigations to show that not only can calcium upregulate IP3, but that it can also have an inhibitory effect on IP3. In this paper, we present a preliminary model, which is consistent with these experiments. This model includes positive and negative feedback between calcium and IP3 and is able to reproduce more precisely the data presented in Hirose et al. (Hirose, K., Kadowaki, S., Tanabe, M., Takeshima, H., Iino, M., Science 284:1527–1530, 1999). In the second part of the paper, the intracellular and intercellular calcium movement in Madin–Darby canine kidney epithelial cells is investigated. With the aid of the model we are able to identify the aspects of IP3 and calcium signalling, which should be studied further experimentally before refining the model.
Net ecosystem carbon exchange of a dry temperate eucalypt forest

Abstract. Forest ecosystems play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle by sequestering a considerable fraction of anthropogenic CO2, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation. However, there is a gap in our understanding about the carbon dynamics of eucalypt (broadleaf evergreen) forests in temperate climates, which might differ from temperate evergreen coniferous or deciduous broadleaved forests given their fundamental differences in physiology, phenology and growth dynamics. To address this gap we undertook a 3-year study (2010–2012) of eddy covariance measurements in a dry temperate eucalypt forest in southeastern Australia. We determined the annual net carbon balance and investigated the temporal (seasonal and inter-annual) variability in and environmental controls of net ecosystem carbon exchange (NEE), gross primary productivity (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER). The forest was a large and constant carbon sink throughout the study period, even in winter, with an overall mean NEE of −1234 ± 109 (SE) g C m−2 yr−1. Estimated annual ER was similar for 2010 and 2011 but decreased in 2012 ranging from 1603 to 1346 g C m−2 yr−1, whereas GPP showed no significant inter-annual variability, with a mean annual estimate of 2728 ± 39 g C m−2 yr−1. All ecosystem carbon fluxes had a pronounced seasonality, with GPP being greatest during spring and summer and ER being highest during summer, whereas peaks in NEE occurred in early spring and again in summer. High NEE in spring was likely caused by a delayed increase in ER due to low temperatures. A strong seasonal pattern in environmental controls of daytime and night-time NEE was revealed. Daytime NEE was equally explained by incoming solar radiation and air temperature, whereas air temperature was the main environmental driver of night-time NEE. The forest experienced unusual above-average annual rainfall during the first 2 years of this 3-year period so that soil water content remained relatively high and the forest was not water limited. Our results show the potential of temperate eucalypt forests to sequester large amounts of carbon when not water limited. However, further studies using bottom-up approaches are needed to validate measurements from the eddy covariance flux tower and to account for a possible underestimation in ER due to advection fluxes.
Design of a Large-scale Self-Experimentation Tool for Scientific Self-Explorations

Many behavioral interventions can improve health and wellbeing. However, behavior change is complex and multifaceted, and not all interventions work for everyone. Most evidence for popular interventions is from group-based studies, which poorly predict whether a given intervention would work for a specific individual. One way in which individuals can find out if a given intervention works for them is via self-experimentation using N-of-1 study designs. We are designing Hack Your Health, a self-experimentation tool where individuals can try popular health-promoting activities (e.g., physical activity, meditation) to test whether they improve their psychological well-being. In this work, we describe insights gained through user research and highlight design implications and challenges in self-experimentation in the context of public health interventions.
Planimetric and height accuracy of airborne laserscanner data : User requirements and system performance

Motivated by the primary use for the generation of digital terrain models with a point spacing of a few meters, the precision of airborne laserscanner data has often been specified solely as a height precision. Recent developments in data acquisition systems, however, have caused a strong increase of the point density of airborne laserscanner data. At the same time, the technique is increasingly being used for new applications fields in the generation of 3D GIS information from high density point data. In these applications based on high density datasets, height and planimetric accuracy of the data points are of equal importance. The analysis of laserscanner system components as well as practical tests indicate, that the height precision of airborne laserscanner data is usually significantly better than the planimetric precision. While the height precision of a single ground point is often in the order of 10-15 cm, an almost linear dependence of planimetric precision on flying height above ground can be stated, with a typical precision in the order of 0.5-1.0 meter at a flying height of 1000 meter above ground. Both height and planimetry precision are affected by significant systematic effects, which are often larger than the stochastic errors.
Audit of Diabetes Knowledge among Adults with Diabetes in Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso): A Cross-Sectional Study Prior to Intervention Strategy

Several studies have shown the importance of therapeutic education in the management of diabetes. Its implementation requires a prior assessment of the level of patients’ knowledge. The objective of this study was to assess the level of diabetics’ knowledge about their disease. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between 2013 and 2015; consenting diabetics, followed for at least one year in medicine department of Souro Sanou Hospital, have been surveyed. The data were collected using a 51-item questionnaire, adapted from “Audit of Diabetes Knowledge” and administered by an interviewer. The level of knowledge was satisfactory/good if at least 80% of the set items or a topic were known. Results: A total of 268 diabetics were surveyed. Their mean age was 54.3 ± 1.4 years and the sex ratio 0.8. The majority (80.9%) lived in urban areas and half (50.4%) were uneducated. Type 2 diabetics accounted for 93.3% of the population; the average seniority was 6.0 ± 0.7 years. The level of knowledge was generally insufficient, with an average total score of 25.4 ± 1.0/51. The topics which were not well mastered related to diet (0.8%), glycated haemoglobin (4.5%), and signs of hypoglycemia (7.8%). The main relatively well-known topics related to the effect of physical exercise on glycemia = 37.7%, the effect of food on glycemia = 36.9% and glycemia target = 32.8%. Conclusion: This study revealed a lack of knowledge from diabetic patients who are followed in the medicine department of the Teaching Hospital Souro SANON (CHUSS). The implementation of a therapeutic education program for diabetics is necessary and urgent.
The Impact of Social Media on Student Academic Life in Higher Education

Social media is rapidly changing the communication setting of todayâ€™s social world. The emergent of social media is significantly influencing the academic life of students. Institutions and academician are continually trying with social media technologies hoping to excite critical thinking skills, collaboration, and knowledge construction. Today social media has been accepted by higher institution making it a platform where students connect with their instructors, fellow students and other higher authorities across the board. This therefore called for the study to explore and examine how social media has impacted on studentsâ€™ academic life. The study implored a qualitative approach in assessing these impacts. Ten (10) participants were conveniently sampled and interviewed with a period of two weeks. After studying the phenomena that were of interest to the study, and transcribing the various responses of the participants the results reveals that social media is widely used by students of higher institution and that participant are in support of the idea that social media contribute a significant quota to the development of their academic life.
SPECTRUM OF ACUTE PHARMACEUTICAL AND CHEMICAL POISONING IN NORTHERN BANGLADESH

Background: Acute poisoning is a major public health problem in Bangladesh. It is a common method for suicide. A clear picture regarding clinical presentation, most commonly used toxic agents, background factors and outcome of poisoned patients is necessary in every region. The aim of this study was to investigate frequency and outcome of acute pharmaceutical and chemical poisoning cases in Northern Bangladesh. Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study on poisoned patients with 18 years of age and above who were admitted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital during 1st December 2011 to 30th November 2012. Results: During the study period, a total of 956 patients were investigated. Males slightly outnumbered females (51.6%). The majority of patients (92%) were in the 18-40 year age-group. Regarding occupation, housewives were the most frequent (33.6%) followed by farmers (31.7%) and students (20.9%). Organophosphate compounds (OPC) were the most commonly used toxic agents (73.5%). Most of poisoning cases occurred following suicidal attempts (88%). Familial disharmony was the main cause of suicidal attempts (92.3%). Univariate Analysis showed that age less than 40 years, being married, living in rural areas and educational attainment below secondary level were significantly associated with an increased risk of poisoning (P<0.001). Conclusion: All tertiary hospitals should be well equipped with antidotes of OPCs and other supportive treatments in Bangladesh. Furthermore, strong rules must be applied to prevent the distribution of benzodiazepines without prescription. In addition, people with age of less than 40 years, housewives and farmers, rural residents and those with less educational attainment should be targeted for prevention and educational programs against deliberate self-poisoning.
Molecular Detection and Seasonal Prevalence of Trypanosoma brucei and its Effect on Hematobiochemical Parameters in Donkeys from Dera Ghazi Khan District in Southern Punjab , Pakistan

The present study was designed to report the prevalenceof Trypanosoma brucei in blood samples of donkeys (n=283) collected from Dera Ghazi Khan District in Punjab (Pakistan) through PCR amplification of their maxicircle kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) during four seasons in 2013 and to demonstrate the effect of this parasite on complete blood count (CBC) and selected parameters of serum. Out of 283 blood samples, 19 (6.71%) generated a 164 bp DNA fragment specific for T. brucei. Only 7 blood samples (2.5%) were found Trypanosome sp. positive through microscopic examination of blood smears while 13 (4.6%) were found positive by microhematocrit centrifugation technique. Parasite prevalence was 4.76% (3/65) in spring, 8.22% (6/73) in summer, 8.45% (6/71) in autumn and 5.41% (4/74) in winter, detected by PCR. Analysis of results revealed no significant association of T. brucei prevalence with age (P > 0.05) and gender (P > 0.05) of animals. Comparison of hematobiochemical profile revealed a significant increase in white blood cell count (P = 0.002), neutrophil count (P < 0.001), neutrophil [%] (P < 0.001) and ALT (P = 0.019) while decrease in red blood cell count (P < 0.001), hemoglobin (P = 0.003), packed cell volume (P = 0.003) lymphocytes (P < 0.001) and lymphocytes [%] (P < 0.001) in T. brucei positive animals as compared to the animals where parasite was not detected in blood through PCR. We concluded that PCR is more reliable and sensitive technique for the detection of T. brucei in blood samples from donkeys than blood smear screening and microhematocrit centrifugation techniques . It is recommended to be used for the detection of this parasite in order to minimize economic losses.
Memory-assisted measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution

A protocol with the potential of beating the existing distance records for conventional quantum key distribution (QKD) systems is proposed. It borrows ideas from quantum repeaters by using memories in the middle of the link, and that of measurement-device-independent QKD, which only requires optical source equipment at the userʼs end. For certain memories with short access times, our scheme allows a higher repetition rate than that of quantum repeaters with single-mode memories, thereby requiring lower coherence times. By accounting for various sources of nonideality, such as memory decoherence, dark counts, misalignment errors, and background noise, as well as timing issues with memories, we develop a mathematical framework within which we can compare QKD systems with and without memories. In particular, we show that with the state-of-the-art technology for quantum memories, it is potentially possible to devise memory-assisted QKD systems that, at certain distances of practical interest, outperform current QKD implementations.
Salivary Cortisol in Relation to the Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in School-Aged Children

Long periods of use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) may raise strong emotions and lead to cog-nitive fatigue. The current study focused on the impact of ICT use the preceding day on the next-day salivary cortisol pattern in 72 school-aged children (39 at the age ten and 33 at the age 13). Salivary cortisol levels were measured at five time points from awakening to bedtime. Time spent in different ICT activities the day before salivary sampling was measured by an activity diary. Results showed that the participants who had used ICT on an average three hours the preceding day showed a significantly reduced cortisol increase one hour after awakening (awakening response) com-pared to those who had used ICT not at all or less than one hour after controlling for pubertal status and the level of depression. The results suggest a stress response as a consequence of a long period of ICT use.