Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trends and Determinants of Dietary Diversity in Children Aged 6–59 Months in Ethiopia: Analysis of 2005–2016 Demographic and Health Survey

ABSTRACT Background Dietary diversity may be associated with health and optimum growth in children. Objectives In this study we analyzed the trends and determinants of minimum dietary diversity (MDD) among Ethiopian children aged 6 to 59 mo. Methods Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey (EDHS) data of 3 consecutive years (2005, 2011, and 2016) were analyzed. A total of n = 2396 (2005), n = 3385 (2011), and n = 3723 (2016) children aged 6 to 59 mo were included for measurement of trends and identification of the determinants of MDD. The associations between the study factors and MDD were investigated using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results The proportion of children who fulfilled the MDD decreased from 2.46% in 2005 to 1.57% in 2011 but sharply increased to 7.82% in 2016. Adjusted regression analysis revealed that exposure of mothers to media, particularly watching television, maternal education, and household wealth were associated with a greater likelihood of mothers providing diversified diets to their children across the 3 y of EDHS data. Conclusions A decrease in MDD was observed from the years 2005 to 2011, after which a sharp increase was noted in 2016. In all 3 y of the EDHS, media exposure, maternal education, and household wealth were the consistent factors positively affecting dietary diversity among children aged 6 to 59 mo. Future intervention programs to increase dietary diversity in children should emphasize improving access to media exposure, education, and antenatal care visits.
Endoscopic Debridement of Post-radiation Nasopharyngeal Necrosis: The Effects of Resurfacing With a Vascularized Flap

Objectives Post-radiation nasopharyngeal necrosis (PRNN) is a serious complication that severely impacts the quality of life and survival of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. Endoscopic debridement is considered the first-line treatment for PRNN. This study aimed to analyze clinical outcomes, focusing on the mucosal resurfacing status and the effectiveness of salvage operations. Methods Twenty-seven patients who underwent endoscopic debridement were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the initial surgical modality: debridement with a nasoseptal flap (NSF; n=21) and debridement only (no NSF; n=6). Clinical features, postoperative mucosal status, internal carotid artery (ICA) rupture, survival, and final mucosal status were evaluated. The NSF group was categorized according to flap viability to analyze risk factors for flap failure. Results Regardless of the initial modality, most patients experienced symptom improvement (96.0% for headache and 100% for foul odor); however, complete cranial nerve palsy did not improve in any patients. In the NSF group, complete healing was observed in 66.7%, while all patients in the no-NSF group underwent salvage surgery because none maintained complete healing. In the NSF group, 19.0% of patients required salvage surgery. After the last operation, favorable symptom improvement was noted (100% for headache and 90.0% for foul odor), and 77.8% had completely healed mucosa, whereas only 14.8% and 7.4% had partial healing and persistent necrotic mucosal status. The necrotic or uncovered NSF subgroup showed statistically non-significant tendencies for old age, advanced necrosis stage, advanced T stage, ICA involvement, high frequency and dose of radiation therapy, diabetes mellitus, and underlying comorbidities. Two ICA ruptures and three deaths occurred. Conclusion Resurfacing the nasopharynx with NSF after endoscopic debridement showed better outcomes than debridement only for PRNN treatment. Despite initial NSF failure, additional resurfacing reconstructive surgery offers advantages in symptom mitigation, quality of life, and survival.
Gypenoside XLIX Ameliorate High-Fat Diet-Induced Atherosclerosis via Regulating Intestinal Microbiota, Alleviating Inflammatory Response and Restraining Oxidative Stress in ApoE−/− Mice

A high-fat choline diet (HFCD)-induced atherosclerosis model in ApoE−/− mice was established to explore the anti-atherosclerotic effects of gypenoside XLIX (GPE). It was found that HFCD-induced atherosclerotic index such as dyslipidemia, atherosclerotic plaque, inflammation, and gut microbiota dysfunction could be reduced by GPE treatment. GPE treatment could decrease Verrucomicrobia, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria abundance, and increase Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes population. Moreover, the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio increased significantly after treatment with GPE. After treatment with GPE, the relative abundance of trimethylamine-producing intestinal bacteria Clostridioides and Desulfovibrionaceae decreased while butyrate-producing bacteria such as Eubacterium, Roseburia, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Prevotella increased significantly. The GPE group demonstrated higher SCFAs concentrations in the fecal sample, such as Acetic Acid, Propionic Acid, and Butyric Acid. Further pathway analysis showed that 29 metabolic pathways were appreciably disturbed during GPE treatment, including citrate cycle (TCA cycle); galactose and glycero-lipid-metabolism biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, fatty acid biosynthesis. This study suggests that the anti-atherosclerotic effect of GPE is related to the substantial changes in intestinal microbiota and anti-inflammatory activity.
Short mindfulnessbased relaxation training has no effects on executive functions but may reduce baseline cortisol levels of boys in first grade

: (1) Background: Executive functions are important for academic performance and school readiness. Children’s executive function skills are found to be improved by mindfulness-based interventions, and these programs are also effective in stress reduction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and the effects of a short mindfulness-based relaxation training compared to a passive control condition right before school entry on executive function skills and cortisol levels. (2) Methods: The feasibility and the effects of the intervention before school entry were tested with 61 preschoolers. The ﬁnal sample consisted of 51 participants (M age = 81.90 months, SD = 5.45; 41% male). Short-term memory, executive function skills and cortisol levels before and after the intervention were assessed. Additionally, cortisol levels were assessed one week and one month after school entry. (3) Results: There was a signiﬁcant sex difference in the effects of the intervention on children’s cortisol levels ( p = 0.026, η 2 = 0.134). The mindfulness-based relaxation training applied before school entry prevented a rise in boys’ cortisol levels one week after starting school. (4) Conclusion: A short mindfulness-based intervention before starting school could be effective in fostering physiological stress management in boys.
Combined cell grafting and VPA administration facilitates neural repair through axonal regeneration and synaptogenesis in traumatic brain injury

Neuronal regeneration and functional recovery are severely compromised following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Treatment options, including cell transplantation and drug therapy, have been shown to benefit TBI, although the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, neural stem cells (NSCs) are transplanted into TBI-challenged mice, together with olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) or followed by valproic acid (VPA) treatment. Both OEC grafting and VPA treatment facilitate the differentiation of NSCs into neurons (including endogenous and exogenous neurons) and significantly attenuate neurological functional defects in TBI mice. Combination of NSCs with OECs or VPA administration leads to overt improvement in axonal regeneration, synaptogenesis, and synaptic plasticity in the cerebral cortex in TBI-challenged mice, as shown by retrograde corticospinal tract tracing, electron microscopy, growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43), and synaptophysin (SYN) analyses. However, these beneficial effects of VPA are reversed by local delivery of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) into tissues surrounding the injury epicenter in the cerebral cortex, accompanied by a pronounced drop in axons and synapses in the brain. Our findings reveal that increased axonal regeneration and synaptogenesis evoked by cell grafting and VPA fosters neural repair in a murine model of TBI. Moreover, VPA-induced neuroprotective roles are antagonized by exogenous NMDA administration and its concomitant decrease in the number of neurons of local brain, indicating that increased neurons induced by VPA treatment mediate axonal regeneration and synaptogenesis in mice after TBI operation. Collectively, this study provides new insights into NSC transplantation therapy for TBI.
Relative difference sets

This "relative difference set" will be denoted by R(m, n, , d). It is to be understood that R(m, n,/c, d) is in a group G of order mn relative to a normal subgroup H of order n unless the group and normal subgroup are specified explicitly. If n 1, R is an ordinary difference set with parameters (m, k, d), and this will be denoted by D(m, ]c, d). Difference sets in a cyclic group have been studied extensively by such authors as Marshall Hall [5], E. Lehmer [6], and H. B. Mann [7] to name only very few, and more recently this concept has been extended to an arbitrary group by R. H. Bruck [1], H. B. Mann [8], and P. Kesava Menon [10]. The concept of a relative difference set was introduced by A. T. Butson [2]. He considered the cyclic group, and obtained a class of cyclic relative difference sets. He also gave a necessary condition for the existence of cyclic R(m, n, ]c, d). In this paper, we consider relative difference sets in an arbitrary group. We first show that the existence of an R(m, n, k d) implies the existence of a D(m, , ) where k nd; and, in this case, the R(m, n, tc, d) will be called an extension of the D(m,/c, k). In Sections 3 and 4, R(pN, p, pN, p-l) and R(p2, p2, p, p-2) are constructed in an elementary Abelian p-group, where p is an odd prime. In the elementary Abelian 2-group, two classes of R(22N, 2, 2, 2-1) are constructed. It will be shown in Section 6 that a relative difference set in an elementary Abelian 2-group is, necessarily, an R(22, 28, 2, 2N-8), (unless it is an R(26, 2, 36, 10)). For cyclic groups, we are able to enlarge the class described in [2]. We also show, in direct contrast to the situation in elementary Abelian groups, that no cyclic R(m, n, m, d), nd m, n > 1, m > 2, exists. In Section 7, we prove a "Multiplier Theorem" for relative difference sets. The proof generalizes H. B. Mann’s proof of Marshall Hall’s "Multiplier Theorem" for difference sets. In Section 8, further results for multipliers
WIC Participants’ Perceptions of the Cash-Value Benefit Increase during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Recent changes to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Cash-Value Benefit (CVB), which provides participants with money to spend on fruits and vegetables, have the potential to reduce disparities in healthy food access and food insecurity that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, few studies have examined how the changes to the CVB allotment that occurred during the pandemic influenced WIC participants’ perceptions of the benefit or their fruit and vegetable purchasing and consumption. To address this gap, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 51 WIC participants in Wilmington, Delaware. Survey measures included demographic questions, the Hunger Vital Sign food insecurity screener, and open-ended questions regarding perceptions of the CVB increase and its influence on participants’ fruit and vegetable purchasing and consumption. Data were analyzed using a hybrid inductive and deductive coding approach. The results demonstrate that higher CVB allotments increased WIC participants’ purchasing and consumption of fruits and vegetables, increased the frequency of their shopping occasions, and enhanced their dietary variety. Our findings also suggest that WIC participants highly value the increased CVB. Consequently, maintaining the increased CVB allotment could improve the nutritional outcomes of low-income mothers, infants, and children participating in WIC.
The impact of COVID-19 in South Africa during the first year of the crisis: Evidence from the NIDS-CRAM survey

ABSTRACT This paper provides an introduction to this Special Issue of Development Southern Africa that evaluates the impact of COVID-19 in South Africa, one year into the pandemic. All of the papers use evidence from the National Income Dynamics Study – Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (NIDS-CRAM), a five-wave longitudinal survey conducted from April 2020 to July 2021. As we write this article in June 2022, South Africa has just returned to the same level of GDP that it had at the end of 2019. This two-year period marks one of the most tumultuous in the country’s economic history. We showcase results pertaining to employment, income support, hunger, schooling, early childhood development, mental health, and vaccine hesitancy. We also reflect on the policy learnings that can be gleaned in each of these domains and draw on some of the international lessons learnt to point to the way forward.
Ethnomycological Study of Macrofungi from Mpanga Forest in Mpigi District, Central Uganda

This study focused on the documentation of wild macrofungi species used by village communities living around Mpanga Forest in Mpigi District, Central Uganda. In order to determine the variability of knowledge and the modes of use of macrofungi by the local communities, a total of 100 people, distributed in 4 villages (Kalagala, Nakigudde, Mpambire, and Lwanga) including 25 people in each, were interviewed following a semi-structured survey. The information focused on vernacular names, different species of macrofungi used, different categories of uses (food, medicinal, commercial, mythical, and traditional beliefs), Seasonality, habitat, preservation, and preparation methods. The diversity of macrofungi was assessed by combining visits in Mpanga forest and ethnomycological surveys. Ethnomycological indices such as Total Use Value (TUV), Diversity Index (DI), Pielou Regularity Index (EI), and Sorensen's K test were calculated to analyze the use differences between the 4 village communities. To determine the influence of age, gender and literacy level on the mycological knowledge held by village communities, one-way ANOVA and t-tests were used. The field collections associated with the ethnomycological surveys made it possible to identify a total of 35 species useful for the local communities among which, 29 are edible, 14 are medicinal, 5 are used for income and 4 are used for mythical and traditional beliefs. Due to their higher total use value (TUV>1), species such as Leucoagaricus rubrotinctus (Ggudu), Termitomyces sp.1 (Bubbala) and Termitomyces sp.2 (Nakyebowa) are the most exploited by local communities. The study revealed that ethnomycological knowledge is held by a minority of respondents (IE<0.5) within each village community, a consistency homogeneity of this knowledge within this minority (DI<DImax/2), but high variability in the use of macrofungi between village communities as indicated by TUV values ​​and Sorensen's K test. The study also shown that the distribution of mycological knowledge of local communities was significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by gender, age and level of education. The results of this study provided information that could, in the future, be used in the domestication of wild macrofungi species and in mycomedecine to contribute to food security and improve public health care.
Proteomic profile of serum from patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

This article describes the most likely classes of proteins and molecular processes that specifically characterize schizophrenic spectrum disorders such as simple and paranoid schizophrenia, schizotypal disorder, and acute polymorphic psychotic disorder (APPD). The identification of patients’ serum proteins was carried out using mass spectrometry. For patients with paranoid schizophrenia, the proteins responsible for translation and transcription are characteristic. A significant part of the proteins of patients with simple schizophrenia regulate the cell’s main metabolic and transport processes. These are proteins of the receptor system, vesicular transport, and extracellular matrix, which mainly carry out catabolic processes. The proteins of patients with schizotypal disorder mostly coincided with the classes of other patients, apart from chaperone proteins, which were not found in other studied groups. These proteins are mainly involved in anabolic processes. The main classes of proteins found in patients with APPD are responsible for the metabolism of nucleic acids. Active apoptosis processes were also revealed in these patients. These results from our basic knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of the pathogenesis of these disorders.
From luminance to brightness: A data-driven approach to support brightness assessments in open plan offices

People can instantly distinguish a brighter from a darker environment, but it is still unknown how to estimate brightness from the luminance distribution in complex visual scenes. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis of three experiments in which participants assessed brightness in an open plan office environment. Experiment 1 varied the luminance distribution on the wall, Experiment 2 varied the desk illuminance and Experiment 3 varied the ceiling illumination. Correlating various measures derived from high-resolution luminance images with participants’ brightness ratings, we investigated to what extent brightness could be predicted. In particular, we focused on 19 different luminance distribution characteristics calculated over 11 different areas of the visual field. In line with earlier work, participants could be grouped in two categories, one consisting of participants who substantially and consistently varied in their brightness assessments for the different settings, and the other consisting of participants who responded more evenly, regardless of the setting. Based on the brightness-responsive group of participants, brightness could be best modelled with the logarithm of the median luminance calculated over a 60° horizontal band in the field of view or with the logarithm of the 95th percentile over the median calculated over the 40° horizontal band, explaining, respectively, 38% and 35% of the variance in brightness perception.
The role of attachment in sexualised polydrug use among LGBT+ male Chemsex users and the impact on Neuropsychology: Clinical implications for the use of Mentalisation Based Therapy (MBT)

LGBT+ individuals still experience systemic, cultural, and personal discrimination in modern society, the impacts of which may impact not only on their mental wellbeing, but also their interpersonal functioning. Within LGBT+ men Chemsex is becoming of increasing interest in the literature. Current research into Chemsex explores the engagement through an epidemiological lens, exploring factors related to likelihood of engaging in Chemsex. Seldom however, outside of standard treatment protocols for addiction, has literature been submitted with recommendations on how best to support the needs of these individuals who are seeking support for their Chemsex use. Standard drug treatments may be lacking in understanding the unique phenomenology of LGBT+ men, resultant of the discrimination they may face within society, their homes, with their peers or other relationships. The purpose of this paper is to examine how the experiences of LGBT+ men may impact on their psychological wellbeing through insecure attachments and subsequent mentalising capabilities. Based on the current evidence base with regards to attachment and mentalisation within LGBT+ men, it is being proposed that Mentalisation Based Therapy (MBT) may be an effective treatment model for LGBT+ men who view their Chemsex use as problematic.
Tsunamis -- the propagation of long waves onto a shelf

The various aspects of the propagation of long waves onto a shelf (i.e., reflection, transmission and propagation on the shelf) are examined experimentally and theoretically. The results are applied to tsunamis propagating onto the continental shelf. A numerical method of solving the one-dimensional Boussinesq equations for constant depth using finite element techniques is presented. The method is extended to the case of an arbitrary variation in depth (i.e., gradually to abruptly varying depth) in the direction of wave propagation. The scheme is applied to the propagation of solitary waves over a slope onto a shelf and is confirmed by experiments. A theory is developed for the generation in the laboratory of long waves of permanent form, i.e., solitary and cnoidal waves. The theory, which incorporates the nonlinear aspects of the problem, applies to wave generators which consist of a vertical plate which moves horizontally. Experiments have been conducted and the results agree well with the generation theory. In addition, these results are used to compare the shape, celerity and damping characteristics of the generated waves with the long wave theories. The solution of the linear nondispersive theory for harmonic waves of a single frequency propagating over a slope onto a shelf is extended to the case of solitary waves. Comparisons of this analysis with the nonlinear dispersive theory and experiments are presented. Comparisons of experiments with solitary and cnoidal waves with the predictions of the various theories indicate that, apart from propagation, the reflection of waves from a change in depth is a linear process except in extreme cases. However, the transmission and the propagation of both the transmitted and the reflected waves in general are nonlinear processes. Exceptions are waves with heights which are very small compared to the depth. For these waves, the entire process of propagation onto a shelf in the vicinity of the shelf is linear . Tsunamis propagating from the deep ocean onto the continental shelf probably fall in this class.
Forward and reverse evolution of multivariate responses to cyanobacteria in experimental waterflea populations

Studies of rapid evolution under changing environments are important for understanding the evolutionary fate of populations and the future of biodiversity. We used experimental evolution to test whether the presence of toxic cyanobacteria and its subsequent removal could lead to rapid forward and reverse genetic changes in multiple traits of the zooplankter Ceriodaphnia cornuta. In the forward selection experiment, the covariant pattern in multivariate trait space provided strong evidence of adaptive evolution in multiple traits at two selection levels, in the presence of toxic cyanobacteria. The C. cornuta population under high selection pressure showed higher tolerance than those under low selection pressure. The total trait change generated through evolutionary responses (constitutive evolution and evolution of plasticity) ranged from 0.2% to 32.2%, depending on the trait and selection level. After the relaxation of selection, almost all evolved traits were restored to their original state when the C. cornuta population were fed pure green algae. That is, the toxin‐tolerant phenotypes were culled off from the population in the absence of the selection pressure, suggesting a heavy cost of maintaining tolerance. The genotype dynamics indicated that asymmetric intraspecific competition may be the main force driving the rapid reverse evolution. These results suggest that the change in cyanobacteria biomass, from proliferation to decline, resulted in rapid forward and reverse evolution of multivariate phenotypic responses in the freshwater zooplankton grazer C. cornuta.