Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Eye Care in Young Children: A Parents’ Perspective of Access and Barriers

Abstract Purpose To evaluate parental perspectives of accessing eye care for children aged under seven years. Methods The survey was conducted during September 2020 to March 2021 using online applications and distributed to parents whose children were between the ages of three and seven years. The survey included parents' background, their knowledge of the provision of eye-care services, and the possible barriers that existed to access eye-care services. The relationship between parents' knowledge, barrier scores, level of parental education, and demographic or socioeconomic status was assessed using nonparametric tests. Results In total, 1037 questionnaires were completed. The respondents were from 50 cities across Saudi regions. The participants' age was 39 ± 7.5 years, and 54% of them had at least one child under the age of seven (n = 564). Further, 47% had not taken their children for vision screening at reception/year one (n = 467). In addition, 65% of them were not aware of the mandatory screening program at reception/year 1; whereas, only 20% (n = 207) knew how to access eye-care services; and only 39% of the children had undergone any kind of eye or vision test. The pathways to eye care and the cost of eye services/glasses were the main limitations. The parents' responses were significantly influenced by their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics (Kruskal Wallis, P < 0.05). Conclusion There was a need for enhancing parent information on how to access eye care for young children and the currently available vision screening programs. Finally, a national protocol to cover the cost of the eye exam as well as spectacle prescription shall be proposed as a mean of incentive.
Predicting resilience during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United Kingdom: Cross-sectional and longitudinal results

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the psychological wellbeing of some people, there is evidence that many have been much less affected. The Ecological Model of Resilience (EMR) may explain why some individuals are not resilient whilst others are. In this study we test the EMR in a comparison of UK survey data collected from the COVID-19 Psychological Research Consortium (C19PRC) longitudinal study of a representative sample of the United Kingdom (UK) adult population and data from an Italian arm of the study. We first compare data from the third wave of the UK arm of the study, collected in July/August 2020, with data from an equivalent sample and stage of the pandemic in Italy in July 2020. Next, using UK longitudinal data collected from C19PRC Waves 1, 3 and 5, collected between March 2020 and April 2021 we identify the proportion of people who were resilient. Finally, we examine which factors, drawn from the EMR, predict resilient and non-resilient outcomes. We find that the 72% of the UK sample was resilient, in line with the Italian study. In the cross-sectional logistic regression model, age and self-esteem were significantly associated with resilience whilst death anxiety thoughts, neuroticism, loneliness, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms related to COVID-19 were significantly associated with Non-Resilient outcomes. In the longitudinal UK analysis, at Wave 5, 80% of the sample was Resilient. Service use, belonging to wider neighbourhood, self-rated health, self-esteem, openness, and externally generated death anxiety were associated with Resilient outcomes. In contrast, PTSD symptoms and loneliness were associated with Non-Resilient outcomes. The EMR effectively explained the results. There were some variables which are amenable to intervention which could increase resilience in the face of similar future challenges.
Severe asthma remaining well‐controlled after mepolizumab discontinuation: A case report and literature review

Mepolizumab, a humanized anti‐IL‐5 monoclonal antibody used for severe asthma, results in a reduced rate of asthma exacerbation, improved lung function, reduced oral corticosteroid use, and improved quality of life. A 62‐year‐old man using high‐dose inhaled corticosteroid visited our hospital because of poorly‐controlled asthma. He had eosinophilia in peripheral blood and sputum, and high levels of fraction of exhaled nitric oxide. Therefore, he was treated with mepolizumab for severe asthma. Mepolizumab treatment resulted in significantly improved pulmonary function and reduced frequencies of asthma exacerbations. Because of his good asthma control, mepolizumab treatment was discontinued after 3 years. Since discontinuing mepolizumab, his asthma control has remained without exacerbation. Previous studies suggest that mepolizumab should be continued to sustain clinical benefits. However, cases of long‐term controlled asthma have not been reported after mepolizumab withdrawal, and our case may be instructive.
Analysis of Variety Yield Trials Using Two-Dimensional Separable ARIMA Processes

The two-dimensional spatial analysis procedure based on separable ARIMA processes, proposed by Cullis and Gleeson (1991 Biometrics 47, 1449-1460), is used to analyze 35 cereal yield trials with incomplete block designs. Models with different large-scale variation components and diverse small-scale variation processes, modeled as one-dimensional and two-dimensional (separable) ARIMA processes, were compared. Nineteen spatial models were considered and two criteria were used to assess spatial model adequacy: (a) the average standard error of the pairwise variety differences (SED) and (b) the mean squared error of prediction (MSE) based on a cross-validation approach. Spatial analysis is more efficient in reducing residual variation than incomplete block analysis. Although there was no one model that best fit all the trials, the two-dimensional firstorder autoregressive model was the most efficient in terms of the SED and MSE criteria (in 21 and 14 trials, respectively).
A minisatellite-based MLVA for deciphering the global epidemiology of the bacterial cassava pathogen Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. manihotis

Cassava Bacterial Blight (CBB) is a destructive disease widely distributed in the different areas where this crop is grown. Populations studies have been performed at local and national scales revealing a geographical genetic structure with temporal variations. A global epidemiology analysis of its causal agent Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. manihotis (Xpm) is needed to better understand the expansion of the disease for improving the monitoring of CBB. We targeted new tandem repeat (TR) loci with large repeat units, i.e. minisatellites, that we multiplexed in a scheme of Multi-Locus Variable number of TR Analysis (MLVA-8). This genotyping scheme separated 31 multilocus haplotypes in three clusters of single-locus variants and a singleton within a worldwide collection of 93 Xpm strains isolated over a period of fifty years. The major MLVA-8 cluster 1 grouped strains originating from all countries, except the unique Chinese strain. On the contrary, all the Xpm strains genotyped using the previously developed MLVA-14 microsatellite scheme were separated as unique haplotypes. We further propose an MLVA-12 scheme which takes advantage of combining TR loci with different mutation rates: the eight minisatellites and four faster evolving microsatellite markers, for global epidemiological surveillance. This MLVA-12 scheme identified 78 haplotypes and separated most of the strains in groups of double-locus variants (DLV) supporting some phylogenetic relationships. DLV groups were subdivided into closely related clusters of strains most often sharing the same geographical origin and isolated over a short period, supporting epidemiological relationships. The main MLVA-12 DLV group#1 was composed by strains from South America and all the African strains. The MLVA-12 scheme combining both minisatellite and microsatellite loci with different discriminatory power is expected to increase the accuracy of the phylogenetic signal and to minimize the homoplasy effects. Further investigation of the global epidemiology of Xpm will be helpful for a better control of CBB worldwide.
Productive and reproductive performance of Dawuro highland sheep managed under community-based breeding program in Ethiopia

The objective of this study was to evaluate growth and reproductive performance of highland Dawuro sheep population managed under a community-based breeding program in Ethiopia. Records used in the study were collected over 6 years (2017–2022). In the current study, 3554 records were considered. Studied traits were birth weight (BWT), 3-month weight (WWT), 6-month weight (SMWT), daily gain from birth to weaning (ADG0-3), daily gains from weaning to 6-month age(ADG3-6), litter size(LS), lambing interval (LI), and annual reproductive rates(ARR). The data were analyzed using general linear models of SAS software. The overall least squares mean (LSM± SE) for BWT, WWT, SMWT, ADG0-3, and ADG3-6 were 2.69±0.02; 14.6±0.49, 22.8±0.22 kg, 128.05±2.27 gram (g), and 71.5±0.23 gram respectively. Site difference exerted significantly on BWT, WWT, and SMWT. The result of WWT and SMWT results of Dawuro sheep were comparable with previously reported known Ethiopian sheep breeds. The overall least squares mean ± standard error of LS, LI and, ARR were 1.67±0.04 lambs, 239±31.91 days, and 2.19±0.06 lambs, respectively. WWT and SMWT traits showed good responses to selection. The general implication of the result to future improvement program was continue selection, strengthening the existing breeder cooperatives, integration of full animal health, feed packages, conservation of prolific flocks, improving the management of animals, expanding the current CBBP to adjacent potential kebele, create market linkage and scaling out the existing best practice to a new sites.
What matters for international consumers’ choice preferences for smartphones: Evidence from a cross-border ecommerce platform

Despite the growing impact of smartphone use on countries’ economies, the literature has rarely investigated the link between economic context and smartphone purchase trends. Based on 20,556 smartphones sold from a Cross-Border E-Commerce (CBEC) platform, the study reveals that relationships between GDP per capita and Smartphone Choice Preferences (SCP) as well as Purchase Quantities (PUR) are direct and partially mediated by Price (PRI), Read-Only Memory (ROM), and Random-Access Memory (RAM). That means that the economic context highlighted by the GDP plays a substantial role in smartphone choices and purchases. The study suggests that e-sellers and smartphone brands should adapt their marketing and manufacturing strategies to the countries’ economic contexts to leverage the fearless competition in the smartphone industry.
Optimization of electrical stimulation for the treatment of lower limb dysfunction after stroke: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective To compare the treatment effect of five electrical stimulation methods commonly used in the treatment of stroke patients with lower limb dysfunction. Methods We implemented a systematic search of 3915 studies published up to January 2023 from eight databases and two clinical trial registries. First, two independent reviewers critically evaluated trial eligibility according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Next, they selected and extracted data. Then, they assessed the risk of bias. Pairwise meta-analysis and Bayesian network meta-analysis were conducted to estimate the effectiveness and ranking of the five electrical stimulation methods. Results A total of 33 trials with a final total of 2246 subjects were included in the analysis. By combining the comprehensive Rehabilitation Treatment (RT), the treatment effects of using five electrical stimulation methods were surperior to those of using RT only. In the meantime, RT+transcranial Direct Current Stimulation(tDCS) and RT+Functional Electrical Stimulation(FES) could be the optimal electric stimulation schemes for restoring lower limb motor function(SMD 8.35, 95%CI [3.05, 13.34]/ SMD 5.64, 95%CI [3.68, 7.56]), improving balance (SMD 9.80, 95%CI [0.67, 20.93]/ SMD 6.54, 95%CI [3.85, 10.95]) and activities of daily living(SMD 18.95, 95%CI [0.401, 36.9]/ SMD 15.47, 95%CI [7.89, 22.75]), and the treatment effects would be even better using RT+FES+tDCS combination. Conclusion tDCS and FES superior to other electrical stimulation methods based on RT in the treatment of lower limb dysfunction after stroke.
The North American Lightning Detection Network (NALDN)—First Results: 1998–2000

Abstract Cloud-to-ground lightning data have been analyzed for the years 1998–2000 for North America (Canada plus the contiguous United States) for all ground flashes, positive flashes, the percentage of positive lightning, peak currents for negative and positive lightning, and for negative and positive multiplicity. The authors examined a total of 88.7 million flashes divided among the three years: 31.1 million (1998), 29.5 million (1999), and 28.2 million (2000). Annual flash densities are derived from 245–424 km2 regions and are uncorrected for flash detection efficiency. The highest flash densities in Canada are along the U.S.–Canadian border (1–3 flashes km−2), and in the United States along the Gulf of Mexico coast and Florida (exceeding 9 flashes km−2). Maximum annual positive flash densities in Canada generally range primarily from 0.1 to 0.3 flashes km−2, and in the United States to over 0.7 flashes km−2 (areas in the Midwest, the Gulf Coast, and Florida). Areas of greater than 20% positive light.
Possible role of caffeine in nicotine use onset among early adolescents: Evidence from the Young Mountaineer Health Study Cohort

Background Preventing nicotine use onset among children and youth is an important public health goal. One possible contributor that has received little empirical investigation is caffeine use. The goal of this study was to examine the possible contribution of caffeine to nicotine onset during early adolescence. Methods We used data from the Young Mountaineer Health Study Cohort. Survey data were collected from 1,349 (response rate: 80.7%) 6th grade students (mean age at baseline 11.5 years) in 20 middle schools in West Virginia during the fall of 2020 and spring of 2021. We limited our analyses to students reporting never having used any form of nicotine at baseline. Logistic regression was employed in analyses. Results Approximately 8% of participants reported having used nicotine at least once between baseline and the follow-up, and 4.7% reported solely using electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and no other forms of nicotine. In multivariable analyses, we controlled for many environmental, social, and behavioral variables known to influence nicotine use such as alcohol use, peer substance use, and perceived access to nicotine. We formulated our main independent variable, caffeine consumption, as continuous deciles. Any nicotine use, as well as ENDS use only at follow-up, were modeled as dependent variables. Caffeine was significantly associated with nicotine use in both models with ORs of 1.15 (1.04–1.27) and 1.13 (1.00–1.28). Conclusions Caffeine consumption among 6th grade non-nicotine users was associated with nicotine use at approximately 6-months follow-up.
Reply to Schäfers

Dear Colleagues, We thank the authors for their thoughts on our article ‘Once after a full moon: acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) and lunar phases’ [1]. The relation between varying acute illnesses and calendrical, geographical and meteorological phenomena has been investigated extensively lately. In addition to the current article, we have used the NORCAAD registry to investigate the relation between ATAAD and national holidays/weekends and temperature [2, 3]. We observed that weekends and national holidays had a lower incidence of surgery for ATAAD and we found that cold (<-5 C) and warm (>21 C) temperatures seem to be associated with an increase in surgery for ATAAD. Although theoretically intriguing, we wish to be humble and transparent regarding the limited clinical implication of our findings. Hypertension is the strongest risk factor for ATAAD [4] and we believe that increased blood pressure is the common denominator for the findings in our studies. The authors suggest that large seasonal variation in daylight in the Nordic countries may be a potential confounder. However, due to the case-crossover design of the current study, individual time-invariant confounders are adjusted for by design. Control days were selected within the same month and year as the date of surgery and were matched on the day of the week. Therefore, daylight variations are unlikely to have had an effect on our results. We agree that the finding of an increased incidence of ATAAD after full moon could be both fortuitous and unexplainable and therefore sought to find an explanation beyond the lunar phases per se. For instance, Cajochen et al. [5] demonstrated that during full moon, deep sleep was reduced by 30%, time to falling asleep was 5 min longer and total sleep time was reduced by 20 min. In turn, Lusardi et al. [6] showed that sleep deprivation leads to a 5to 15-mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure and a 35% increase in urine levels of norepinephrine in hypertensive patients. Finally, the nature and strength of our findings limits the clinical relevance of the study, and the results should not be regarded as definite but as an inspiration to think beyond the obvious pathophysiological mechanisms of disease. We now realize that our curiosity is shared by others.
Comparison of acute flaccid myelitis and transverse myelitis in children and evaluation of diagnostic criteria

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) and transverse myelitis (TM) are serious conditions that may be difficult to differentiate, especially at onset of disease. In this study, we compared clinical features of pediatric AFM and TM and evaluated current diagnostic criteria, aiming to improve early and accurate diagnosis.
Immunotherapy-related pneumonitis and the synergic impact of thoracic radiation and preexisting interstitial lung disease

Purpose of review Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are the frontline of therapy for most cancers. Although ICIs are sometimes considered to be less harmful than systemic chemotherapies, ICIs may cause immune-related adverse events, which are cases of off-target inflammation in healthy tissues. Pneumonitis, an immune-related adverse event, is the leading cause of therapy-related mortality with ICIs. The aim of this review is to discuss how preexisting interstitial lung disease (ILD) and thoracic radiation increase the risk for ICI-pneumonitis. We discuss potential mechanisms of lung injury and how pneumonitis may impact cancer treatments. Recent findings Preexisting ILD and thoracic radiation are major risk factors for ICI-pneumonitis. The mechanisms of injury are still not fully understood but may involve the same inflammatory and profibrotic cytokines as those seen in sporadic ILD. Thoracic radiation increases the risk for ICI-pneumonitis and may synergize with preexisting ILD to worsen toxicity. Summary Preexisting ILD and thoracic radiation may increase the risk for the future development of ICI-pneumonitis. However, while these should not preclude potentially life-saving immunotherapy, in some cases, an alternative treatment strategy may be advisable. A multidisciplinary approach is required involving oncologists, pulmonologists, and radiation oncologists to guide in the selection of cancer treatment and in the diagnosis and treatment of pneumonitis.
Modulation of the velocity gradient tensor by concurrent large-scale velocity fluctuations in a turbulent mixing layer

The modulation of small-scale velocity and velocity gradient quantities by concurrent large-scale velocity fluctuations is observed by consideration of the Kullback–Leibler divergence. This is a measure that quantifies the loss of information in modelling a statistical distribution of small-scale quantities conditioned on concurrent positive large-scale fluctuations by that conditioned on negative large-scale fluctuations. It is observed that the small-scale turbulence is appreciably ‘rougher’ when the concurrent large-scale fluctuation is positive in the low-speed side of a fully developed turbulent mixing layer, which gives further evidence to the convective scale modulation argument of Buxton & Ganapathisubramani (Phys. Fluids, vol. 26, 2014, 125106, 1–19). The definition of the small scales is varied, and regardless of whether the small-scale fluctuations are dominated by dissipation or have the characteristic features of inertial range turbulence they are shown to be modulated by the concurrent large-scale fluctuations. The modulation is observed to persist even when there is a large gap in wavenumber space between the small and large scales, although local maxima are observed at intermediate length scales that are significantly larger than the predefined small scales. Finally, it is observed that the modulation of small-scale dissipation is greater than that for enstrophy with the modulation of the vortex stretching term, indicative of the interaction between strain rate and rotation, being intermediate between the two.
Kisspeptin regulates airway hyperresponsiveness and remodeling in a mouse model of asthma

Asthma is a multifactorial disease of origin characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and airway remodeling. Several pieces of evidence from other pathologies suggest that Kisspeptins (Kp) regulate cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, mechanisms that are highly relevant to asthma. Our recent in vitro studies show Kp‐10 (active peptide of Kp), via its receptor, KISS1R, inhibits human airway smooth muscle cell proliferation. Here, we hypothesize a crucial role for Kp‐10 in regulating AHR and airway remodeling in vivo. Utilizing C57BL/6J mice, we assessed the effect of chronic intranasal Kp‐10 exposure on mixed allergen (MA)‐induced mouse model of asthma. MA‐challenged mice showed significant deterioration of lung function compared to those exposed to vehicle (DPBS); Kp‐10 treatment significantly improved the MA‐altered lung functions. Mice treated with Kp‐10 alone did not show any notable changes in lung functions. MA‐exposed mice showed a significant reduction in KISS1R expression as compared to vehicle alone. MA‐challenged mice showed significant alterations in immune cell infiltration in the airways and remodeling changes. Proinflammatory cytokines were significantly increased upon MA exposure, an effect abrogated by Kp‐10 treatment. Furthermore, biochemical and histological studies showed Kp‐10 exposure significantly reduced MA‐induced smooth muscle mass and soluble collagen in the lung. Overall, our findings highlight the effect of chronic Kp‐10 exposure in regulating MA‐induced AHR and remodeling. © 2023 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.