Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impacts of a social and behavior change communication program implemented at scale on infant and young feeding practices in Nigeria: Results of a cluster-randomized evaluation

Background Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices are important for child survival and healthy growth, but IYCF practices remain suboptimal in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to measure the impact of Alive & Thrive’s IYCF social and behavior change communication intervention on early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, and minimum dietary diversity in Kaduna and Lagos States. Methods Local government areas were randomly allocated to intervention or comparison. Cross-sectional surveys of households with children aged 0–23 months were conducted [N = 6,266 baseline (2017), N = 7,320 endline (2020)]. Logistic regression was used to calculate difference-in-differences estimates (DDEs) of impact on IYCF practices and to assess within group changes from baseline to endline. Associations between intervention exposures and IYCF practices were tested in both study groups combined. Results In Kaduna, a positive differential effect of the intervention was found for exclusive breastfeeding (adjusted DDE 8.9 pp, P<0.099). Increases in both study groups from baseline to endline were observed in Kaduna for early initiation of breastfeeding (intervention 12.2 pp, P = 0.010; comparison 6.4 pp, P = 0.118) and minimum dietary diversity (intervention 20.0 pp, P<0.001; comparison 19.7 pp, P<0.001), which eliminated differential effects. In Lagos, no differential intervention impacts were found on IYCF practices because changes in early initiation of breastfeeding from baseline to endline were small in both study groups and increases in both study groups from baseline to endline were observed for exclusive breastfeeding (intervention 8.9 pp, P = 0.05; comparison 6.6 pp, P<0.001) and minimum dietary diversity (intervention 18.9 pp, P<0.001; comparison 24.3 pp, P<0.001). Odds of all three IYCF practices increased with exposure to facility-based interpersonal communication in both states and with community mobilization or mass media exposure in Kaduna. Conclusions This evaluation found weak impacts of the Alive & Thrive intervention on IYCF practices in the difference-in-differences analysis because of suspected intervention spillover to the comparison group. Substantial within group increases in IYCF practices from baseline to endline are likely attributable to the intervention, which was the major IYCF promotion activity in both states. This is supported by the association between intervention exposures and IYCF practices. Trial registration The study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02975063).
STATISTICAL PROPERTIES OF LOW-DENSITY TRAFFIC

Abstract : An infinitely long line of traffic moving on a highway without traffic lights or other inhomogeneities is studied. It is assumed that each car travels at a constant speed which is a random variable. A further assumption is that when one car overtakes another, passing is always possible and occurs without change of speed. It is shown that any initial headway distribution must relax to a negative exponential distribution in the limit of t becoming infinite. The statistics of passing events are examined, and it is shown that the probability of passing or being passed by n cars in time t is described by a Poisson distribution. (Author)
On the Zℓ-Rank of Abelian Extensions with Restricted Ramification

Abstract For a prime number l, we consider l-extensions kS of number fields k unramified outside a finite set S⊂Sl of places of k, and we study the Z l-rank of the abelian part of kS/k and the number of relations of the Galois group GS≔Gal(kS/k).
On the construction of an efficient basis for CI calculations: application to a spin forbidden transition in P II

In the calculation of atomic structure using the configuration interaction (CI) approach, very large numbers of terms may be present in important mixing configurations. This causes computational difficulties in, for example, the non-relativistic calculation of low-lying terms in the transition elements which may be serious enough to prohibit or seriously limit investigation of these ions. A method is presented which allows one to proceed in a sequence of progressively more complicated CI calculations while retaining only a relatively small number of terms with little attendant loss in accuracy. The method is demonstrated in a calculation on the simpler ion, P II. Values for the lifetime for the 3s3p3 5S20 level are obtained both in a full relativistic calculation and in a relativistic calculation based on a 'progressive reduction of terms' in preliminary non-relativistic calculations. Sources and magnitudes of errors in the calculation are discussed. The full calculation result of 178 mu s for the lifetime of this level is in good agreement with a recent experimental value of 167+or-12 mu s.
Non-perturbative aspects of Yang-Mills-Higgs theory

Yang-Mills-Higgs theory, being a part of the Standard Model, presents a great opportunity for investigation both from the point of view of theory and phenomenology. It contains regions in the theory’s parameter space which are suitable for Higgs like Physics and QCD like Physics. At the same time it presents a chance to study spectrum of the weak sector. For this purpose the choice of the SU(2) gauge group and scalar field in fundamental SU(2) are considered. The correlation functions are the key for investigation, because at least in principle knowing all the correlation functions gives us all the information about the theory under consideration. For the case of gauge dependent quantities, with the selection of minimal Landau gauge, propagators and three point vertices are considered for investigation in both regions of QCD like Physics and Higgs like Physics. It is found that even when scalar (Higgs) propagator and its vertices with the gauge fields are in agreement with what tree level perturbative calculations suggest, there is a considerable deviation in other propagators and other vertices. For the purpose of exploring spectrum in the theory, 0+ singlet and 1− triplet channels are considered. The decay from 0+ to 1− channel is also studied. There also exists a duality between single particle states and bound states, which is also studied in detail. For the Higgs which is discovered at LHC, the duality is found to exist while for heavier Higgs the existence of duality is no longer observed. Overall, the explored spectra suggest that Yang-Mills-Higgs theory may be a weakly interacting theory possibly till the time when Higgs mass is in TeV scale and the naive picture of a weakly interacting theory breaks down anyway and the theory becomes non-perturbative.
Light scattering from a dense and ultracold atomic gas

The quantum optical response of high-density ultracold atomic systems is important to a wide range of fundamentally and technically important physical processes. We present here a microscopic analysis of the light scattering on such a system and compare it with a corresponding description based on macroscopic Maxwell theory. Results are discussed in the context of the spectral resonance structure of the scattering cross section, the time-dependent response under a range of conditions, and evolution of these quantities as the atomic density is varied. For high atomic densities, the microscopic theoretical treatment reveals a distributed and configuration-dependent narrow resonance structure. This structure is attributed to microcavity spatial structures associated with the dense and ultracold atomic gases.
The α CrB binary system: A new radial velocity curve, apsidal motion, and the alignment of rotation and orbit axes

We present a new radial velocity curve for the two components of the eclipsing spectroscopic binary α CrB. This binary consists of two main-sequence stars of types A and G in a 17.3599-day orbit, according to the data from our robotic TIGRE facility that is located in Guanajuato, Mexico. We used a high-resolution solar spectrum to determine the radial velocities of the weak secondary component by cross-correlation and wavelength referencing with telluric lines for the strongly rotationally broadened primary lines (v sin(i) = 138 km s−1) to obtain radial velocities with an accuracy of a few hundred m/s. We combined our new RV data with older measurements, dating back to 1908 in the case of the primary, to search for evidence of apsidal motion. We find an apsidal motion period between 6600 and 10 600 yr. This value is consistent with the available data for both the primary and secondary and is also consistent with the assumption that the system has aligned orbit and rotation axes.
Invariance of complementary domains of a fixed point set

It is an elementary exercise to verify that g is continuous. By a well-known theorem of M. H. A. Newman [3] (cf. also [1, p. 157]) g cannot be the identity on a nonempty open set. Hence U and f(U) are the only components of M F and f(f(U)) = U, thus proving the Proposition. In the case of (2) the above argument shows that F cannot contain an open set, hence dim F < (dim M) -1, and since F separates M we have dim F = (dim M) -1. In a refinement of Smith Theory, G. Bredon [2] has shown that if M is also orientable then any involution with an odd codimensional fixed point set must reverse the orientation; hence we obtain
High resolution CCD spectra of stars in globular clusters. Part 2: Metals and CNO in M71

Palomar coude CCD spectra of resolution 0.3 and 0.6 has been used to redetermine abundances in five stars of the relatively metal rich globular cluster M71. The (Fe/H) value is restricted to the limits of -0.6 to -1.0. The largest source of uncertainty is a systematic difference in f-values between those derived via the Holweger-Muller (1974) solar model and the Bell, et al., (1976) solar model. If we use absolute f-values measured by the Oxford group (Blackwell, et al., 1982) we find Fe/H to lie in the range of -0.6 to -0.75, i.e., as given by using the Bell, et al., solar model. The relative abundances of the light elements, i.e., Na through Ca and probably including Ti show an average excess relative to iron of 0.4 dex. The effect of this difference on metal indices derived from broad- and narrow- band photometry is discussed. For three stars we find O/H = -0.6 using absolute f-values. For CN an analysis of individual rotational lines of the 2-0 band of the red system yields lines in the (C/H,N/H) plane that are consistent with either an original C/Fe = N/Fe = 0 or a modest increase in N relative to C duemore » to CN burning and mixing. A search for C-13N was not successful and an uncertain lower limit of C-12/C-13 near 10 was obtained. « less
Magneto-optical response of a periodic metallic nano-structure

When an applied magnetic field has an arbitrary direction with respect to the lattice axes of a periodically nano-structured metal-dielectric metamaterial, the macroscopic or bulk effective permittivity tensor becomes anisotropic and all its components can be nonzero. This effect can be especially strong and significant in the vicinity of surface plasmon and cyclotron resonances (the frequencies of which are also sensitive to the value and direction of the applied external magnetic field). A similar effect for the case of dc effective conductivity is already verified experimentally (since magneto-conductivity tensor can be measured directly). However, this prediction for the permittivity has not yet been tested experimentally (since the permittivity tensor cannot be measured directly). What can be measured directly is the Voigt rotation, for which general exact analytical expressions were not published previously. In this work we have studied analytically and numerically the rotation and ellipticity of polarization of the light propagating through a metamaterial film with periodic nanostructure for arbitrary direction of the applied static magnetic field, including both Voigt and Faraday configurations. In the Voigt configuration we found a strong dependence of the above mentioned effects on the direction of the applied magnetic field.
Parameter Recovery in the Graded Response Model Using MULTILOG

The graded response model can be used to describe test-taking behavior when item responses are classified into ordered categories. In this study, parameter recovery in the graded response model was investigated using the MULTILOG computer program under default conditions. Based on items having five response categories, 36 simulated data sets were generated that varied on true θ distribution, true item discrimination distribution, and calibration sample size. The findings suggest, first, the correlations between the true and estimated parameters were consistently greater than 0.85 with sample sizes of at least 500. Second, the root mean square error differences between true and estimated parameters were comparable with results from binary data parameter recovery studies. Of special note was the finding that the calibration sample size had little influence on the recovery of the true ability parameter but did influence item-parameter recovery. Therefore, it appeared that item-parameter estimation error, due to small calibration samples, did not result in poor person-parameter estimation. It was concluded that at least 500 examinees are needed to achieve an adequate calibration under the graded model.
Cluster observations of fast magnetosonic waves in the terrestrial foreshock

Cluster observations of ULF waves in the terrestrial foreshock are presented. Four spacecraft timing techniques on magnetic field measurements are used with plasma bulk velocity measurements to determine wave properties in the plasma rest frame. Based on the propagation speed and polarisation, the waves are found to be fast magnetosonic. The analysis is complemented by a direct examination of the correlation between plasma and field perturbations; consequently, an unambiguous and comprehensive identification of the wave is achieved. The advantages of the four spacecraft analysis are discussed and in particular, calculations of the propagation direction are compared to single spacecraft minimum variance techniques. The ratio of intermediate to minimum eigenvalues is used to characterise the degree to which the wave is circularly polarised. The results of a preliminary statistical survey indicate that if this ratio is greater than 10, minimum variance techniques agree closely with the four spacecraft technique.
New and rare palaearctic euptyctimous mite species (Acari, Oribatida)

Abstract In the paper, we present ptyctimous mite species collected from Norway, Spain, France, Italy, India, and South Korea. Two new species, Acrotritia quasiparadikra Niedbała sp. nov. from India and Phthiracarus paralentulus Niedbała sp. nov. from South Korea are described. In addition, we provide the supplementary descriptions of ten species belonging to six genera, i.e., Austrotritia dentata Aoki, 1980, Acrotritia furcata Bayoumi et Mahunka, 1979, A. koreensis (Mahunka, 1997), Microtritia minima (Berlese, 1904), Phthiracarus clemens Aoki, 1980, P. crenophilus Willmann, 1951, P. similis Niedbała, 1981, Steganacarus (Steganacarus) carusoi Bernini et Avanzati, 1989, S. (S.) doumandji Niedbała, 1986, and Austrophthiracarus maritimus (Pérez-Íñigo et Pérez-Íñigo, 1996). We also include information and comments on the distribution of investigated species.
Simplifying Optimal Strategies in Stochastic Games

We deal with zero-sum limiting average stochastic games. We show that the existence of arbitrary optimal strategies implies the existence of stationary $\varepsilon $-optimal strategies, for all $\varepsilon >0$, and the existence of Markov optimal strategies. We present such a construction for which we do not even need to know these optimal strategies. Furthermore, an example demonstrates that the existence of stationary optimal strategies is not implied by the existence of optimal strategies, so the result is sharp. More generally, one can evaluate a strategy $\pi $ for the maximizing player, player 1, by the reward $\phi _s(\pi )$ that $\pi $ guarantees to him when starting in state s. A strategy $\pi $ is called nonimproving if $\phi _s(\pi )\geq \phi _s(\pi [h])$ for all s and for all finite histories h with final state s, where $\pi [h]$ is the strategy $\pi $ conditional on the history h. Using the evaluation $\phi $, we may define the relation "$\varepsilon $-better" between strategies. A strategy $\pi ^1 $ is called $\varepsilon $-better than $\pi ^2$ if $\phi _s(\pi ^1)\geq \phi _s(\pi ^2)-\varepsilon $ for all $s$. We show that for any nonimproving strategy $\pi $, for all $\varepsilon >0$, there exists an $% \varepsilon $-better stationary strategy and a (0-)better Markov strategy as well. Since all optimal strategies are nonimproving, this result can be regarded as a generalization of the above result for optimal strategies. Finally, we briefly discuss some other extensions. Among others, we indicate possible simplifications of strategies that are only optimal for particular initial states by "almost stationary" $\varepsilon $-optimal strategies, for all $\varepsilon >0$, and by "almost Markov" optimal strategies. We also discuss the validity of the above results for other reward functions. Several examples clarify these issues.
The Mini-TRH Test

Abstract Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), at doses lower than those needed to stimulate prolactin secretion directly, can almost completely antagonize dopamine inhibition of prolactin release. In normal men, prolactin increases 15 min following an i. v. bolus of 12.5 µg TRH (the mini-TRH test), but not the maximal prolactin response to TRH or basal prolactin, positively correlated with prolactin response to haloperidol and negatively with 24-h urinary excretion of homovanillic acid (HVA). These results suggest that the mini-TRH test is a better estimate of dopamine inhibition of prolactin release than the maximal prolactin response or basal prolactin level. A recent neuroimaging study suggested that in schizophrenia, there is a widely distributed defect in extrastriatal dopamine release, but the patients were not in the most acute phase of psychosis. The evidence is reviewed that this defect extends to tuberoinfundibular dopamine (TIDA) and which symptoms are associated with the test. In patients with acute nonaffective psychosis, the mini-TRH test positively correlated with nonparanoid delusions and memory dysfunction, indicating decreased dopamine transmission in association with these symptoms. In patients with acute drug-naïve first-episode schizophrenia, the mini-TRH test negatively correlated with negative disorganization symptoms and with basal prolactin. The latter correlation suggests the contribution of factors related to maximal prolactin stimulation by TRH; therefore, an alternative dose of 6.25 μg TRH could be used for the mini-TRH test in first-episode patients, allowed by increased sensitivity of the present prolactin tests. Future studies are needed to investigate whether the mini-TRH test could help in finding the optimal antipsychotic medication.
Till evolution do us part: The diversity of symbiotic associations across populations of Philaenus spittlebugs

Symbiotic bacteria have played crucial roles in the evolution of sap-feeding insects and can strongly affect host function. However, their diversity and distribution within species are not well understood; we don’t know to what extent environmental factors or associations with other species may affect microbial community profiles. Here, we sequenced host and bacterial marker gene amplicons to survey the bacterial community composition across multiple populations of Philaenus spittlebugs. Host mitochondrial sequence data confirmed morphology-based identification of 6 species and revealed two divergent clades of Philaenus spumarius. All of them hosted the primary symbiont Sulcia that was almost always accompanied by Sodalis. Interestingly, populations and individuals often differed in the presence of Sodalis sequence variants, suggestive of intra-genome 16S rRNA variant polymorphism combined with rapid genome evolution and/or recent additional infections or replacements of the co-primary symbiont. The prevalence of facultative endosymbionts, including Wolbachia, Rickettsia, and Spiroplasma, varied among populations. Notably, COI amplicon data also showed that nearly a quarter of P. spumarius were infected by parasitoid flies (Verralia aucta). One of the Wolbachia OTUs was exclusively present in Verralia-parasitized specimens, suggestive of parasitoids as their source and highlighting the utility of host gene amplicon sequencing in microbiome studies.
Application of Physiological and Pathological Wall Shear Stress to Endocardial Endothelial Cells Triggers Complex Signaling Pathways

Discrete subaortic stenosis (DSS) is a congenital heart disease characterized by the formation of a fibrotic membrane below the aortic valve. The underlying cellular mechanisms of this disease are currently unknown. As one of the distinguishing features of DSS is the elevated pressure gradient in the left ventricular outflow tract, it is theorized that the membrane formation is caused by elevated wall shear stress applied to the endocardial endothelial cells (EECs), triggering fibrosis. To relate shear stress to an EEC fibrotic phenotype, we applied fluid shear stress to EECs at physiological and pathological shear rates using a cone-and-plate device. Upon characterization of the EECs after the shear experiments, elevated shear stress triggered cell alignment as well as endothelial-to-mesenchymal transformation (EndMT) signaling pathways driven by upregulation of SNAI1 gene expression. The EECs were then treated with a small molecule inhibitor of Snail1 protein, CYD19, to attempt to attenuate EndMT signaling, and subsequently subjected to pathological shear stress. We found the Snail1 inhibitor did downregulate selected markers of EndMT signaling, although only transiently. Interestingly, the application of shear stress had a far greater effect on the EEC gene and protein expression in comparison to the Snail1 inhibition. Our findings are the first insight to EEC specific response to high shear stress. Further study should reveal the mechanisms that drive fibrosis and the formation of the DSS membrane.
Involuntary Online Learners and the Library: How the Pandemic Closures Affected College Students’ Library Research

Abstract As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, college students across the United States temporarily became online learners regardless of their learning modality preferences. Academic libraries and the student support they offer also went entirely online for extended periods. How did this involuntary online environment affect students’ library research? Using qualitative and quantitative survey data, this study explores the impact of the closures on students’ perceived helpfulness of librarian-led instruction, motivation to conduct research, barriers experienced, and preferred online help-seeking methods. The findings highlight the importance of academic libraries being proactive and flexible in supporting reluctant online learners.