Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fertility Transition: An Update

A major decline in the fertility of de14 veloping countries has occurred in recent decades. This article uses United Nations (UN) data to review the course of the fertility transition since the mid-1960s for less developed countries as a whole, for major regions and individual large countries. * We then examine some specific contributions of the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) toward defining and understanding the recent path of fertility decline. Table 1 shows total fertility rates (TFRs) for various regions of the developing world as calculated over five-year periods, and the decline in those rates. As indicated, the overall TFR for less developed countries declined by 30% in the 15 years between the period ending in mid-1970 and the period ending in mid-1985.t The decline was actually 47% of the difference between the TFR in the earlier survey period (6.01) and the target replacement level fertility (2.1). 4 In 15 years, the world's less developed countries as a whole moved almost halfway toward the fertility level that is the eventual goal for most of them. Calculated on this basis, the decline was no less than 21% in any region, except in SubSaharan Africa. The TFR for less developed countries as a whole was estimated to have fallen only 3% in the 15 years before the 1965-1970 period, but 10% in the five years between the 1965-1970 and 1970-1975 periods,1 supporting the observation that the onset of sustained fertility decline only began in the late 1960s. A 47% overall decline toward replacement-level fertility in 15 years may be considered grossly inadequate by those who feel that more rapid fertility declines are badly needed in these less developed countries. While we do not deny that more rapid fertility declines would be desirable, we view the declines that have occurred as substantial-even remarkable in historical perspective-in view of several considerations. First, few observers were predicting such declines in 1965. The medium projection in 1968 assessment by the UN Population Division provided for a 15% decline in the TFR for less developed countries between the periods of 19651970 and 1980-1985.2 As we report, the decline was 30%. Projections underestimated fertility decline largely because the rates of change in social and economic development and the growth of effective family planning programs that occurred in those countries in which fertility declined were generally unexpected. Second, these declines required massive changes in reproductive behavior believed to be deeply rooted in traditional values and familial institutions. Third, family planning programs were only getting under way in 1965-1970, and, where they were in place, they were in their infancy. In 1960, only India had a national program, and it was proving ineffective. For a major fertility decline in these countries to occur, the proportion of married women of childbearing age using contraception had to increase-as it did-from
[Hand grip strength values in normal Chilean subjects].

BACKGROUND A low hand grip strength is a prognostic factor both in healthy people and hospitalized subjects. Local normal hand grip strength values are needed to define cutoff points of abnormality. AIM To measure handgrip strength in Chilean people aged 20 to 70 years and propose normal values for healthy people in this age range. MATERIAL AND METHODS Handgrip strength was measured using a JAMAR hydraulic dynamometer in 436 males and 465 females aged 20 to 70 years and who were free of disease. They were recruited from waiting rooms in several public and private hospitals and outpatient clinics, under self-evaluation of inclusion criteria. RESULTS The variability of the handgrip strength in women was smaller in than men. Tables containing handgrip strength values by age and sex and the ranges between three standard deviations were prepared. CONCLUSIONS This study contributes with normal handgrip strength values in Chile to be used for the diagnosis and management of various conditions, such sarcopenia, obesity, oncological patients, Intensive Care Unit acquired weakness (ICU-aw) and weaning of mechanical ventilation.
Decrescent intensity training concurrently improves maximal anaerobic power, maximal accumulated oxygen deficit, and maximal oxygen uptake.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a gradually decreasing intensity training from that corresponding to maximal anaerobic power (MAnP) to that of near maximal oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]) (decrescent intensity training) on MAnP, maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD), and [Formula: see text] in untrained young men. Seventeen untrained young men were randomly divided into either a training (TR; n = 9) group or a control (CON; n = 8) group. The TR group performed the decrescent intensity training, whereas the CON group did not perform any exercises. The mean training time per session throughout the training period was 275 ± 135 s. There was a Group × Time interaction for both absolute and relative (p < 0.01) values of [Formula: see text], MAOD, and MAnP. The TR group had significantly increased values for all variables after the 8-week training program, and the relative values of all variables were significantly higher in the TR group than in the CON group. Muscle thicknesses in the anterior and posterior aspects of the thigh and maximal isokinetic knee extension and flexion strengths improved only in the TR group (p < 0.05). A single-exercise training with gradually decreasing intensity from that corresponding to the MAnP to that of approximately 100% [Formula: see text] improves MAnP, MAOD, and [Formula: see text] concurrently, despite the short training time per session.
Characterization of the gut microbiota of Nicaraguan children in a water insecure context

The gut microbiota varies across human populations. The first years of life are a critical period in its development. While delivery mode and diet contribute to observed variation, the additional contribution of specific environmental factors remains poorly understood. One factor is waterborne enteric pathogen exposure. In this pilot study, we explore the relationship between household water security and the gut microbiota of children.
MELD Score: The Implementation of Evidence-based Selection Criteria for Allocation of Donor Livers A SPECIAL ARTICLE

The inability of the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) liver status and the C h i l d - Tu rcotte-Pugh (CTP) score to effectively stratify patients in need of liver transplantation led to a search for an objective, evidence-based system for organ allocation. The UNOS Policy 3.6 in November of 2001 redefined liver allocation for patients. The primary principle underlying organ allocation in liver transplanta- tion governs that organs be off e red to the sickest patients based on the severity of liver disease. In early 2002, UNOS implemented this new policy, which bases liver allocation using the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD). The MELD score p rovides the advantage of ranking patients according to the severity of the under- lying liver disease and risk of mort a l i t y.
The Nanoscale Organization of the Plasma Membrane and Its Importance in Signaling: A Proteolipid Perspective1[OPEN]

Virtually all proteins at the plasma membrane are segregated in nanodomains, which are critical for signaling. Plasma membranes provide a highly selective environment for a large number of transmembrane and membrane-associated proteins. Whereas lateral movement of proteins in this lipid bilayer is possible, it is rather limited in turgid and cell wall-shielded plant cells. However, membrane-resident signaling processes occur on subsecond scales that cannot be explained by simple diffusion models. Accordingly, several receptors and other membrane-associated proteins are organized and functional in membrane nanodomains. Although the general presence of membrane nanodomains has become widely accepted as fact, fundamental functional aspects, the roles of individual lipid species and their interplay with proteins, and aspects of nanodomain maintenance and persistence remain poorly understood. Here, we review the current knowledge of nanodomain organization and function, with a particular focus on signaling processes involving proteins, lipids, and their interactions. Furthermore, we propose new and hypothetical aspects of plant membrane biology that we consider important for future research.
Instructional Cues and Parkinsonian Gait: A Pilot Study

&NA; Verbal instruction to increase either arm swing or step length has been shown to improve the overall gait pattern of individuals with Parkinson disease (PD). Presently, the aim was to determine the relative efficacy of these 2 instructions for improving Parkinsonian gait. Six individuals with PD were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 instructional groups: step length (SL) or arm swing (AS). Both groups were given videotape feedback about the prior trial and transitional information (ie, guidelines to improve the next performance). Gait parameters were measured prior to, during, and immediately after training. To determine if improvements were maintained over an extended period of time, a retention test was administered 1 week after training. Findings indicated that both instructional groups improved on gait parameters during training, with more marked change evident for the instructed parameter. Gait velocity, however, increased more for the SL than the AS group. Although the SL group maintained this improvement in gait velocity on the 1‐week retention test, the effects were not consistent across subjects. Rather, subject characteristics seemed to affect the efficacy of instructional cues and the retention of gait changes. The findings from this pilot study will be useful in guiding subject selection in future research.
Effects of omega-O-acylceramide structures and concentrations in healthy and diseased skin barrier lipid membrane models[S]

Ceramides (Cers) with ultralong (∼32-carbon) chains and ω-esterified linoleic acid, composing a subclass called omega-O-acylceramides (acylCers), are indispensable components of the skin barrier. Normal barriers typically contain acylCer concentrations of ∼10 mol%; diminished concentrations, along with altered or missing long periodicity lamellar phase (LPP), and increased permeability accompany an array of skin disorders, including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and ichthyoses. We developed model membranes to investigate the effects of the acylCer structure and concentration on skin lipid organization and permeability. The model membrane systems contained six to nine Cer subclasses as well as fatty acids, cholesterol, and cholesterol sulfate; acylCer content—namely, acylCers containing sphingosine (Cer EOS), dihydrosphingosine (Cer EOdS), and phytosphingosine (Cer EOP) ranged from zero to 30 mol%. Systems with normal physiologic concentrations of acylCer mixture mimicked the permeability and nanostructure of human skin lipids (with regard to LPP, chain order, and lateral packing). The models also showed that the sphingoid base in acylCer significantly affects the membrane architecture and permeability and that Cer EOP, notably, is a weaker barrier component than Cer EOS and Cer EOdS. Membranes with diminished or missing acylCers displayed some of the hallmarks of diseased skin lipid barriers (i.e., lack of LPP, less ordered lipids, less orthorhombic chain packing, and increased permeability). These results could inform the rational design of new and improved strategies for the barrier-targeted treatment of skin diseases.
Variation in Wing Load of Female Spruce Budworms (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) During the Course of an Outbreak: Evidence for Phenotypic Response to Habitat Deterioration in Collapsing Populations

Abstract Reproduction in female spruce budworms, Choristoneura fumiferana, entails sedentary oviposition early in life (gravid females with their heavy abdomen full of eggs are unable to sustain flight), followed by short- and long-range dispersal by females that have laid a portion of their eggs. Body size measurements (wing surface area and dry weight) of gravid females, spent females at death (after all eggs are laid), and inflight females captured at light traps were collected at one location (forest stands near Fredericton in New Brunswick) over multiple years, from the outbreak stage (1976–1979: peak budworm abundance) to late declining phase with collapsing populations (1988–1989, following near two-fold magnitude of decline in adult density after 1987). For both demographic phases, females rarely flew until having laid at least 40% of their eggs, in contradiction to the hypothesis that females in defoliated forest stands can fly upon emergence due to their light-weight abdomen. As expected, the weight and fecundity of females in 1988–1989 was significantly lower than early on; in terms of body size (wing surface area), however, females were larger in late outbreak phase.These trends suggest that females have evolved morphological adaptation to further dispersal from deteriorated habitats.
Optimal sampling design and the accuracy of occupancy models

We present general theoretical limits on the possible accuracy (mean squared error or MSE) of occupancy estimates for a large range of occupancy study designs with imperfect detection and confirm our theoretical results via a simulation study. In particular, we show that for a given total survey effort, the best possible MSE is driven by two design‐related factors: the fraction of visits made at occupied sites (regardless of whether that occupancy status is known or not) and the number of visits made to each site with unknown occupancy status (ie, sites with no detections). The limits reveal that there is very little room for improvement over optimal implementations of the three existing occupancy design paradigms: standard design (visit S sites K times each), removal design (visit S sites up to K times each, halting visits to each site following a positive detection), and conditional design (visit S sites once, then resurvey sites with a positive detection an additional K−1 times). For the small portion of the occupancy‐detection parameter space where improvement can be achieved, we introduce a new hybrid survey design with accuracy closer to the theoretical limit, which we illustrate by reanalyzing an existing coyote (Canis latrans) camera trap dataset. Our results provide new clarity and intuition regarding key factors of occupancy study design.
The European Academy for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia: An initiative of the European Insomnia Network to promote implementation and dissemination of treatment

Insomnia, the most prevalent sleep disorder worldwide, confers marked risks for both physical and mental health. Furthermore, insomnia is associated with considerable direct and indirect healthcare costs. Recent guidelines in the US and Europe unequivocally conclude that cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT‐I) should be the first‐line treatment for the disorder. Current treatment approaches are in stark contrast to these clear recommendations, not least across Europe, where, if any treatment at all is delivered, hypnotic medication still is the dominant therapeutic modality. To address this situation, a Task Force of the European Sleep Research Society and the European Insomnia Network met in May 2018. The Task Force proposed establishing a European CBT‐I Academy that would enable a Europe‐wide system of standardized CBT‐I training and training centre accreditation. This article summarizes the deliberations of the Task Force concerning definition and ingredients of CBT‐I, preconditions for health professionals to teach CBT‐I, the way in which CBT‐I should be taught, who should be taught CBT‐I and to whom CBT‐I should be administered. Furthermore, diverse aspects of CBT‐I care and delivery were discussed and incorporated into a stepped‐care model for insomnia.
Analog-sensitive cell line identifies cellular substrates of CDK9

Transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases regulate all phases of transcription. Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) has been implicated in the regulation of promoter-proximal pausing of RNA polymerase II and more recently in transcription termination. Study of the substrates of CDK9 has mostly been limited to in vitro approaches that lack a quantitative assessment of CDK9 activity. Here we analyzed the cellular phosphoproteome upon inhibition of CDK9 by combining analog-sensitive kinase technology with quantitative phosphoproteomics in Raji B-cells. Our analysis revealed the activity of CDK9 on 1102 phosphosites quantitatively, and we identified 120 potential cellular substrates. Furthermore, a substantial number of CDK9 substrates were described as splicing factors, highlighting the role of CDK9 in transcription-coupled splicing events. Based on comparison to in vitro data, our findings suggest that cellular context fundamentally impacts the activity of CDK9 and specific selection of its substrates.
Prediabetes and structural brain abnormalities: Evidence from observational studies

Type 2 diabetes mellitus has been linked to structural brain abnormalities, but evidence of the association among prediabetes and structural brain abnormalities has not been systematically evaluated. Comprehensive searching strategies and relevant studies were systematically retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Medline and web of science. Twelve articles were included overall. Stratified analyses and regression analyses were performed. A total of 104 468 individuals were included. The risk of infarct was associated with continuous glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.19 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05‐1.34)], or prediabetes [adjusted OR 1.13 (95% CI: 1.00‐1.27)]. The corresponding ORs associated with white matter hyperintensities were 1.08 (95%CI: 1.04‐1.13) for prediabetes, and 1.10 (95%CI: 1.08‐1.12) for HbA1c. The association was significant between the decreased risk of brain volume with continuous HbA1c (the combined OR 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87‐0.98). Grey matter volume and white matter volume were inversely associated with prediabetes [weighted mean deviation (WMD), −9.65 (95%CI: −15.25 to −4.04) vs WMD, −9.25 (95%CI: −15.03 to −3.47)]. There were no significant association among cerebral microbleeds, hippocampal volume, continuous total brain volume, and prediabetes. Our findings demonstrated that (a) both prediabetes and continuous HbA1c were significantly associated with increasing risk of infarct or white matter hyperintensities; (b) continuous HbA1c was associated with a decreased risk of brain volume; (c) prediabetes was inversely associated with grey matter volume and white matter volume. To confirm these findings, further studies on early diabetes onset and structural brain abnormalities are needed.
Skills at Masters’ level in Geography Higher Education: teaching, learning and applying

Abstract The perceptions of ‘skills’ at taught Masters level between course directors (teaching of skills), alumni (learning and use of skills) and employers (the skills requirements) were compared within the field of development and environment. The findings underline the importance of peer learning, both within and outside the class setting, and also some discrepancies between what is taught, what is used and what is required in terms of skills. In light of the growing numbers of taught Masters courses, the paper also highlights the lack of pedagogic literature on taught postgraduate level teaching and learning, and the need for support for staff development programmes.
Cross-sectional study on patient-physician aggression in Belgium: physician characteristics and aggression types

Objectives The aim of this Belgian research study was to describe the characteristics of physicians who are at increased risk for patient-physician aggression. Second, aggression subtypes were described and data were provided on the prevalence of patient-physician aggression in Belgium. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Primary and secondary care inside and outside hospitals. Participants Any physician who had worked in Belgium for the preceding 12 months was eligible to participate (n=34 648). Main outcome measures An online, original questionnaire was used to obtain physician characteristics (eg, age, sex, native language), department, working conditions and contact with aggressive patients during their career and during the preceding 12 months. Results The questionnaire was completed by 4930 participants and 3726 (76%) were valid to take into account for statistics. During the preceding 12 months, 37% had been victims of aggression: 33% experienced verbal aggression, 30% psychological, 14% physical and 10% sexual. Multiple answers were allowed. Women and younger physicians were more likely to experience aggression. Psychiatric departments and emergency departments were the settings most commonly associated with aggression. Physicians who provided primarily outpatient care were more subject to aggression. Conclusion Belgian physicians experience several forms of aggression. Those most at-risk of aggression are young and female physicians who work in outpatient, emergency or psychiatric settings.
[Quality of life among frail older people].

BACKGROUND Frailty has a great impact in the wellbeing of older people. AIM To evaluate the quality of life of older people with and without frailty. MATERIAL AND METHODS We assessed sociodemographic variables, health, integral geriatric assessment, quality of life using the WHOQoL-BREF questionnaire and the level of fragility using the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) in 538 participants. RESULTS Three hundred and five participants aged 73 ± 7 years (229 women) were classified as fragile and 233 aged 72 ± 6 years (125 women) as not having frailty. Compared with their non-fragile counterparts, frail participants had a lower number of years attending school (5.9 and 7.4 respectively), a lower Barther index (93.6 and 98.3 respectively), a lower mini mental score (21.9 and 22.8 respectively) and a higher Yessavage depression score (2.0 and 0.8 respectively). Also, frail participants had a significantly lower total quality of life score and significantly lower scores in the physical and psychological domains. No differences were observed for the social and environmental domains. Older frail participants used health services more frequently than their non-fragile counterparts. CONCLUSIONS In this sample, frailty was associated with a lower quality of life and worse scores in several geriatric assessment tools.