Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhancing capacity of Zimbabwe’s health system to respond to climate change induced drought: a rapid nutritional assessment

Introduction Zimbabwe experienced the negative effects of the devastating cyclone Idai which affected several districts in the country, and the drought due to low rainfall that has affected the whole country. As a result of these catastrophes, the food and nutrition security situation in the country has deteriorated. For this reason, we carried out a rapid assessment of the health facilities in 19 sampled high global acute malnutrition and high food insecurity districts from the ten provinces of Zimbabwe to ascertain the preparedness of the facilities to respond to drought effects. Methods we conducted a rapid nutritional assessment in 19 purposely selected districts with highest rates of global acute malnutrition from the 10 provinces of Zimbabwe. From these districts, we selected a district hospital and a rural health facility with high number of acute malnutrition cases. We adapted and administered the WHO recommended checklist (Multi-Cluster/Sector Initial Rapid Assessment (MIRA) as the assessment tool. We used STATA to generate frequencies, and proportions. Results about 94% (16/19) of the districts had less than 50% health workers trained to manage acute malnutrition. A total of 26% (5/19) of the district hospitals and 32% (6/19) of the primary health care facilities were not admitting according to integrated management of acute malnutrition (IMAM) protocol. Twelve districts (63%) had none of their staff trained in infant and young child feeding (IYCF), 58% (11/19) had no staff trained in growth monitoring and 63% (12/19) of the districts had no trained staff in baby friendly hospital initiative (BFHI). A total of 60% of the provinces did not have combined mineral vitamin mix stocks, 80% had no resomal stocks, 20% did not have micronutrient powder stocks and 30% had no ready to use supplementary food stocks in all their assessed facilities. Fifty percent (50%) of the health facilities were not adequately stocked with growth monitoring cards. Manicaland had the least (20%) number of health facility with a registration system to notify cases of malnutrition. Conclusion we concluded that the Zimbabwe health delivery system is not adequately prepared to respond to the effects of the current drought as most health workers had inadequate capacity to manage acute malnutrition, the nutrition surveillance was weak and inadequate stocks of commodities and anthropometric equipment was noted. Following this, health workers from six of ten provinces were trained on management of acute malnutrition, procurement of some life -saving therapeutic and supplementary foods was done. We further recommend food fortification as a long-term plan, active screening for early identification of malnutrition cases and continuous training of health workers.
The Effect of Beetroot Ingestion on High-Intensity Interval Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Dietary nitrate supplementation has shown promising ergogenic effects on endurance exercise. However, at present there is no systematic analysis evaluating the effects of acute or chronic nitrate supplementation on performance measures during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training (SIT). The main aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the evidence for supplementation of dietary beetroot—a common source of nitrate—to improve peak and mean power output during HIIT and SIT. A systematic literature search was carried out following PRISMA guidelines and the PICOS framework within the following databases: PubMed, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, and SPORTDiscus. Search terms used were: ((nitrate OR nitrite OR beetroot) AND (HIIT or high intensity or sprint interval or SIT) AND (performance)). A total of 17 studies were included and reviewed independently. Seven studies applied an acute supplementation strategy and ten studies applied chronic supplementation. The standardised mean difference for mean power output showed an overall trivial, non-significant effect in favour of placebo (Hedges’ g = −0.05, 95% CI −0.32 to 0.21, Z = 0.39, p = 0.69). The standardised mean difference for peak power output showed a trivial, non-significant effect in favour of the beetroot juice intervention (Hedges’ g = 0.08, 95% CI −0.14 to 0.30, Z = 0.72, p = 0.47). The present meta-analysis showed trivial statistical heterogeneity in power output, but the variation in the exercise protocols, nitrate dosage, type of beetroot products, supplementation strategy, and duration among studies restricted a firm conclusion of the effect of beetroot supplementation on HIIT performance. Our findings suggest that beetroot supplementation offers no significant improvement to peak or mean power output during HIIT or SIT. Future research could further examine the ergogenic potential by optimising the beetroot supplementation strategy in terms of dosage, timing, and type of beetroot product. The potential combined effect of other ingredients in the beetroot products should not be undermined. Finally, a chronic supplementation protocol with a higher beetroot dosage (>12.9 mmol/day for 6 days) is recommended for future HIIT and SIT study.
The Burden of Cold Agglutinin Disease on Patients’ Daily Life: an Online Survey of 50 American Patients (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Cold agglutinin disease (CAD) is a rare and poorly understood disorder affecting 15% of patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Few studies have assessed CAD symptoms and their impact on daily life, and these did not address the patients’ perspective. OBJECTIVE The aim of this research is to increase the knowledge on CAD through a patient-centric survey and to gain a better understanding of the burden of this disease. METHODS We conducted an internet-based survey in September 2020 among American patients registered on the CAD Unraveled website and members from the Cold Agglutinin Disease Foundation. RESULTS Fifty respondents were included in the study. Ninety percent of patients reported having experienced fatigue. Fatigue was mainly reported on a daily basis, and almost a third said it was constant through the day. It has also been shown that CAD had a great impact on physical well-being, emotional well-being, social life, and patients’ household finances. The disease varies over time, with or without symptoms. Eighty-eight percent of patients reported previous episodes of increased intensity/sensitivity of their CAD symptoms, with a mean number of episodes reported of 4.5 during the past year. More than half of the patients considered their disease as moderate or severe, and over 40% of the study group reported that their symptoms had worsened since the time of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Our study has raised new data on CAD symptoms, in particular on the importance and type of fatigue, and the fluctuation of CAD symptoms.
Deep Learning-Based Activity Detection for Grant-Free Random Access

The cellular Internet of Things wireless network is a promising solution to provide massive connectivity for machine-type devices. However, designing grant-free random access (GF-RA) protocols to manage such connections is challenging, since they must operate in interference-aware scenarios with sporadic device activation patterns and a shortage of mutually orthogonal resources. Supervised machine learning models have provided efficient solutions for activity detection, noncoherent data detection, and nonorthogonal preamble design in scenarios with massive connectivity. In this article, we develop two deep learning (DL) sparse support recovery algorithms to detect active devices in massive machine-type communication random access. The DL algorithms, developed to deploy GF-RA protocols, are based on the deep multilayer perceptron and the convolutional neural network models. Unlike previous works, we investigate the impact of the type of sequences for preamble design on the activity detection accuracy. Our results reveal that preambles based on the Zadoff–Chu sequences, which present good correlation properties, achieve better activity detection accuracy with the proposed algorithms than random sequences. Besides, we demonstrate that our DL algorithms achieve activity detection accuracy comparable to state-of-the-art techniques with extremely low computational complexity.
Rich feature hierarchies for accurate object detection and semantic segmentation

Formulation of the problem. Over the past few years, there has been little progress in object detection techniques. The most efficient are complex computational ensemble methods, which usually combine several low-level image properties with high-level properties. However, every day interest in artificial intelligence is growing, and the idea of using neural networks on board a spacecraft, with the possibility of making decisions and issuing one-time commands, is very promising, since it makes it possible to analyze a large data stream in real time without resorting to ground station, thereby not losing information when transmitting a packet. The purpose of the work is to conduct research on the possibility of effective use of modern models of neural networks, to develop a methodology for their use in the problem of object detection and analysis of the element base for hardware implementation with the possibility of using convolutional neural networks for thermovideotelemetry on board a spacecraft. Results of work. An approach has been formulated that combines two key ideas: 1) application of high-throughput convolutional neural networks for downward processing of image regions in order to localize and segment objects; 2) preliminary training for the auxiliary task, followed by fine tuning of the domain, which gives a significant increase in performance in the case when the training data is insufficient. The analysis of the element base for the possibility of hardware implementation of neural networks on board a spacecraft using electrical radio products of domestic and foreign production is carried out. Practical significance. The efficiency of preliminary network training for an auxiliary task is shown, followed by fine tuning of the subject area. A technique is described that makes it possible to increase the average accuracy of detecting objects in an image by more than 30%. The analysis of the existing element base, the possibility of hardware implementation of neural networks on board the spacecraft using electrical radio products of domestic and foreign production, as well as the criteria for selecting key elements.
Tracing Poly(Vinyl Acetate) Emulsions by Infrared and Raman Spectroscopies: Identification of Spectral Markers

Vinyl emulsions started to be used by artists in paintings at least since the early 1960s, being now present in several artworks worldwide. However, different vinyl formulations can result in distinct behaviours over time, and if some artworks are currently showing a good condition, others already show damages due to the use of compositions more susceptible to degradation. For this reason, it is fundamental to identify the main components in the vinyl acetate-based (VAc-based) emulsion. This work focuses on the molecular study of VAc-based emulsions by infrared and Raman spectroscopies. It aims at deepening the knowledge on the variability of the composite formulation and on the identification of characteristic bands and spectral profiles (identified as spectral markers) for both polymer and additives. To this end, a broad set of vinyl emulsions was gathered, including reference materials, historical commercial brands in use by Portuguese artists, and commercial brands collected from industrial companies. The entire set includes vinyl homopolymers produced for the purpose of the study and known formulations of vinyl homopolymers and copolymers, with and without plasticisers, according to technical data sheets and previous studies. Furthermore, unknown formulations have been included to validate the usefulness of the identified spectral markers. This set has been studied in the form of solid films deposited in glass slides by infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflection mode (ATR-FTIR) and micro-Raman spectroscopy (µ-Raman), both conducted in situ. As conclusions, the combined use of ATR-FTIR and µ-Raman proved to be very useful as different spectral markers were detected by each technique, confirming their complementarity. Besides the clear identification of vinyl acetate-based emulsions by both techniques, it was also possible to suggest spectral markers for the copolymerisation of vinyl acetate with vinyl versatate by µ-Raman, the stabilisation of the emulsion with poly(vinyl alcohol) by ATR-FTIR, and the addition of phthalates or benzoates plasticisers by both ATR-FTIR and µ-Raman.
Destination Brand Experience: A Study Case in Touristic Context of the Peneda-Gerês National Park

Based on the scientific literature, this paper emphasises the destination brand experience (DBE) (multidimensional construct and second-order factor) in order to analyse the implications it plays regarding visitors’ satisfaction, their intentions to revisit and their intentions to recommend it. In terms of methodology, a confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the model and the research hypotheses. The sample was composed of 507 tourists who visited the Peneda-Gerês National Park in Northern Portugal. Results showed an acceptable fit. The items of each construct were very strong. Positive significant results were found for all the considered hypotheses, particularly regarding the association of sensory DBE and behavioural DBE (subdimensions of the DBE scale) with satisfaction. The sensory DBE and affective DBE subdimensions of the DBE scale were meaningfully associated with visitors’ intentions to recommend. Satisfaction was a strong mediator for sensory DBE impact on their intention to revisit and to recommend, and a less strong effect was found for satisfaction as a mediator for behavioural DBE impact on intentions to revisit and to recommend. The theoretical contribution of this study aimed to deepen the analysis of the DBE construct in its multidimensional aspect and its relationship with other constructs. The results are discussed in relation to their theoretical and practical relevance.
Effect on integrated nutrient management on finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.): A review

Millets, one of the ancient foods known to mankind, are often referred to as the crops of the future due to its adaptability to harsh soil and climatic conditions and ability to support sustainable diets. Among millets, finger millet, recognised as Ragi ranks fourth in importance. In spite of multi-farious benefits, millets are cultivated as rainfed crops in marginal lands with few or no external inputs. Therefore, nutrient management assumes paramount importance in boosting the productivity of the crop. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and organic nutrition are two means for achieving these goals of sustainability. It was found that INM had significant effect on finger millet in terms of growth and growth attributes, yield attributes and yield, nutritional quality of the grains, nutrient uptake, nitrogen ue efficiency indices, soil nutrient status and economics. Several studies have also brought out the positive effects of adopting organic nutrition in finger millet.
Formalisation of organisational structure as a subject of path dependency: an example from Central and Eastern Europe

This study examines the characteristics of organisational structures in Central and Eastern Europe using the example of Estonia. In particular, the formalisation level of the structures as a subject of path-dependent developments is observed. Quantitative and qualitative research methods are combined for the empirical evidence and data from three different sources are employed: the European Social Survey, the survey of Estonian managers and interviews with managers from Estonian software companies. The authors show that the communist past still affects organisational life today. The path this past created affects the organisational structures in the present in two ways: first, a kind of structural inertia can be observed, where the Soviet style of management with its high formalisation is still present today and limits employees' freedom to deal with their work. Second, an opposite trend can be revealed for the other actors in the same game, the managers, as another kind of path dependency exists – a process where the past has caused a powerful response, forcing the actors to react against the Soviet management style. We demonstrate that this path dependency can be perceived differently by different actors in an organisation and we show that the path dependency is a complex issue with many nuances within it.
A clinicomycological study on chronic dermatophytosis in a tertiary care hospital in North India: An observational study

Background: Chronic dermatophytosis is a considerable challenge in routine clinical practice. There is, however, scarce information available in the literature on its extent and characteristics. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the host-related factors of chronic dermatophytosis and to identify the common fungal isolates. Methods: The study enrolled a total of 145 cases of chronic dermatophytosis attending the out-patient department of a tertiary care hospital in Jammu from November 2017 through October 2018. A detailed history was taken, followed by a clinical examination and investigations such as routine baseline investigations, an absolute eosinophil count, a wet mount for direct microscopy, and a fungal culture. Results: The most common presentation was tinea corporis with tinea cruris (33.1%), followed by tinea corporis alone. The majority of the patients (54.5%) had more than 20% of the body surface area involved. Most of the patients were manual workers (n = 44; 30.3%). The number of hours of sun exposure varied between 1 to 8.5 hours (mean ± SD: 3.53 ± 1.75 h). The fungal culture was positive in 65 (44.8%) patients. The most frequent isolates were Trichophyton mentagrophytes (53.8%), followed by Trichophyton rubrum (38.5%). Conclusion: We found Trichophyton mentagrophytes the predominant pathogen in chronic dermatophytosis, followed by Trichophyton rubrum, which demonstrates a changing trend as far as the causative organism is considered. Besides, various risk factors for chronicity such as prolonged sun exposure, lack of proper hygiene, wearing tight-fitting synthetic clothes, the use of topical steroids, and non-compliance to treatment were identified.
A pilot study to characterize hand-to-mouth transfer efficiency of organophosphate flame retardants identified in infant products

Abstract This study aimed to determine levels of flame retardants (FRs) in infant products, and to characterize potential for hand-to-mouth transfer efficiency from these products. Select FR concentrations were found in polyurethane foam (PUF) in ten infant products. We examined dermal loading and hand-to-mouth transfer efficiency by simulating handling of two products by participants (n = 9), one of which was handled with and without a fabric covering. Tris (1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP) was detected in all infant products. The total TCIPP mass transferred to hands was higher for products without covers; however, the relative transfer efficiency (TE) from hands to saliva was higher after handling the product with the cover. Average TCIPP dermal loading was significantly higher without the cover, indicating that these materials may act as a barrier for FR transfer from the PUF to the skin. Estimated highest average daily TCIPP ingestion in infants and children resulting from hand-to-mouth transfer during normal use was 9390 ng/day (1570 ng/kg bw-day) for the uncovered bath product, assuming 100% TE. This study indicates that further research is needed to understand factors that influence individual variability of dermal loading and transfer efficiency, variability of FR concentrations in PUF, and to elucidate the role of fabric coverings on dermal transfer.
Marketplace Expansion through Marquee Seller Adoption: Externalities and Quality Implications

In the race to establish themselves, many early-stage marketplaces choose to accelerate their growth by adding marquee (established brand name) sellers. We study the implications of marquee seller adoption on smaller, lesser-known unbranded sellers in the marketplace. While recent literature has shown that higherquality unbranded sellers fare better than their lower-quality peers, we posit that this tendency may depend on the quality of entering marquee sellers. To this end, we collaborate with a B2B platform and exploit its two marquee sellers’ adoptions of contrasting qualities. Using a difference-in-differences framework, we causally identify the effect. We find that while higher-quality unbranded seller revenues increase relative to low-quality unbranded sellers when the entering marquee seller is of high quality (consistent with the literature), the effect is reversed when the entering marquee seller is of low quality. Further, unbranded sellers change their supply quantities such that their average supply quality shifts in the direction of marquee entrant quality. Using a stylized theoretical model, we identify two mechanisms that drive our findings – (i) new buyers brought in as a result of the marquee’s entry disproportionately favoring unbranded sellers of neighboring quality, and (ii) the unbranded seller’s ability to adjust their supply quantities. Our findings have implications on marquee sellers’ adoption strategies for marketplaces where sellers strategically set their supply quantity (a key feature of several marketplaces, including many gig-economy marketplaces). The choice of marquee sellers, examined through the lens of their externality on unbranded sellers, can foster or undermine the platform’s long-term growth objectives.
Effective Antimicrobial Solutions for Eradicating Multi-Resistant and β-Lactamase-Producing Nosocomial Gram-Negative Pathogens

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains one of the greatest public health-perturbing crises of the 21st century, where species have evolved a myriad of defence strategies to resist conventional therapy. The production of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), AmpC and carbapenemases in Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) is one such mechanism that currently poses a significant threat to the continuity of first-line and last-line β-lactam agents, where multi-drug-resistant GNB currently warrant a pandemic on their own merit. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has long recognised the need for an improved and coordinated global effort to contain these pathogens, where two factors in particular, international travel and exposure to antimicrobials, play an important role in the emergence and dissemination of antibiotic-resistant genes. Studies described herein assess the resistance patterns of isolated nosocomial pathogens, where levels of resistance were detected using recognised in vitro methods. Additionally, studies conducted extensively investigated alternative biocide (namely peracetic acid, triameen and benzalkonium chloride) and therapeutic options (specifically 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione), where the levels of induced endotoxin from E. coli were also studied for the latter. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed there was a significant association between multi-drug resistance and ESBL production, where the WHO critical-priority pathogens, namely E. coli, K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa, exhibited among the greatest levels of multi-drug resistance. Novel compound 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (phendione) shows promising antimicrobial activity, with MICs determined for all bacterial species, where levels of induced endotoxin varied depending on the concentration used. Tested biocide agents show potential to act as intermediate-level disinfectants in hospital settings, where all tested clinical isolates were susceptible to treatment.