Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gender Differences in Informal Payments for Healthcare: Evidence from 36 African Countries.

Informal payments are widespread in many healthcare systems and can impede access to healthcare and thwart progress to achieving Universal Health Coverage, a major element of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals. Gender may be an important driver in determining who pays informally for care, but few studies have examined this, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Our study aimed to examine gender disparities in paying informally for healthcare in Africa. We used Afrobarometer Round 7 survey data collected between September 2016 and August 2018 from 34 African countries. The final sample was 44 715 adults. We used multiple logistic regression to evaluate associations between gender and paying informally to obtain healthcare. Our results show that 12% of women and 14% of men reported paying informally for healthcare. Men were more likely to pay informally for healthcare than women in African countries (OR 1.22 [95% CI 1.13-1.31]), irrespective of age, residential location, educational attainment, employment status, occupation, and indicators of poverty. To make meaningful progress towards improving Universal Healthcare Coverage in African countries, we must improve our understanding of the gendered aspects of informal payments in healthcare, which can act as both a barrier to accessing care and a determinant of poor health.
Deciphering the functional nano‐anatomy of the tripartite synapse using stimulated emission depletion microscopy

A major challenge for studying neuron‐astrocyte communication lies in visualizing the tripartite synapse, which is the physical site where astrocytic processes contact and interact with neuronal synapses. While conventional light microscopy cannot resolve the anatomical details of the tripartite synapse, electron microscopy only provides ultrastructural snapshots that tell us little about its living state and dynamics. Stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy is a super‐resolution fluorescence imaging technique that can provide live images of tripartite synapses with nanoscale spatial resolution. It is compatible with physiology experiments and imaging in the intact brain in vivo, opening up new opportunities to link the nanoscale structure of the tripartite system with functional readouts of neurons and astrocytes or even behavior. In this review, we first summarize the findings and insights from previous studies addressing the structure–function relationship of the tripartite synapse using conventional imaging techniques. We then explain the basic principle of STED microscopy and the main challenges facing its application to live‐tissue imaging of fine astrocytic processes. We summarize insights from our recent STED studies, which revealed new aspects of the structure and physiology of the tripartite synapse and the surrounding extracellular space. Finally, we discuss how the STED approach and other advanced optical techniques can illuminate the role of astrocytes for brain physiology and animal behavior.
Sibling Constructs: What Are They, Why Do They Matter, and How Should You Handle Them?

Researchers often study constructs that are conceptually and/or empirically related, but distinct (i.e., “sibling constructs”). In social-personality psychology, as well as psychology more generally, there is little guidance for how to deal with sibling constructs, which can result in researchers ignoring or mishandling them. In this article, we start by situating sibling constructs in the literature on the jingle-jangle fallacies. Then, we outline 10 conceptual and empirical criteria for determining the degree to which, and in what ways, constructs may share a sibling relationship, using self-esteem and grandiose narcissism as a running example. Finally, we discuss strategies for handling sibling constructs in a systematic and transparent way. We hope that the procedures described here will help social-personality psychologists identify sibling constructs, understand when and why they pose problems for their research, and adopt strategies that ameliorate their adverse effects.
Identifying Amygdala-Like Territories in Scyliorhinus canicula (Chondrichthyan): Evidence for a Pallial Amygdala

To identify the putative amygdalar complex in cartilaginous fishes, our first step was to obtain evidence that supports the existence of a pallial amygdala in the catshark Scyliorhinus canicula, at present the prevailing chondrichthyan model in comparative neurobiology and developmental biology. To this end, we analyzed the organization of the lateral walls of the telencephalic hemispheres of adults, juveniles, and early prehatching embryos by immunohistochemistry against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), somatostatin (SOM), Pax6, serotonin (5HT), substance P (SP), and Met-enkephalin (MetEnk), calbindin-28k (CB), and calretinin (CR), and by in situ hybridization against regulatory genes such as Tbr1, Lhx9, Emx1, and Dlx2. Our data were integrated with those available from the literature related to the secondary olfactory projections in this shark species. We have characterized two possible amygdalar territories. One, which may represent a ventropallial component, was identified by its chemical signature (moderate density of Pax6-ir cells, scarce TH-ir and SOM-ir cells, and absence of CR-ir and CB-ir cells) and gene expressions (Tbr1 and Lhx9 expressions in an Emx1 negative domain, as the ventral pallium of amniotes). It is perhaps comparable to the lateral amygdala of amphibians and the pallial amygdala of teleosts. The second was a territory related to the pallial-subpallial boundary with abundant Pax6-ir and CR-ir cells, and 5HT-ir, SP-ir, and MetEnk-ir fibers capping dorsally the area superficialis basalis. This olfactory-related region at the neighborhood of the pallial-subpallial boundary may represent a subpallial amygdala subdivision that possibly contains migrated cells of ventropallial origin.
Maternal Mental Health Disorders Following Very Preterm Birth at 5 Years Post-Birth.

OBJECTIVE Mothers of children born very preterm (VP) are at increased risk of developing postnatal depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. However, mental health disorder rates are rarely assessed in this population compared with full-term peers, and it is unclear if postnatal distress symptoms precede higher rates of maternal mental health disorders at 5 years post-birth in both birth groups. METHODS Mothers of children born VP (n = 65; mean [SD] age at birth, 33.9 [5.0]; 72.1% tertiary educated) and full-term (n = 90; mean [SD] age at birth, 33.4 [4.0]; 88.2% tertiary educated) completed questionnaires assessing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma within 4 weeks of birth. At 5 years post-birth, they participated in a structured diagnostic interview assessing mood, anxiety, and trauma-related mental health disorders, both current and over the lifetime. RESULTS There was little evidence for differences between mothers in the VP and full-term groups in rates of any mental health disorder at 5 years (VP = 14%, full-term = 14%) or lifetime (VP = 41%, full-term = 37%). In mothers of children born VP, elevated postnatal post-traumatic stress symptoms were associated with higher rates of mental health disorders at 5 years (odds ratio = 21.5, 95% confidence interval = 1.35-342). CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that preterm birth may not lead to increased odds of later developing maternal mental health disorders, despite known risks of elevated postnatal distress following a VP birth. However, those with post-traumatic stress symptoms following a VP birth could be more vulnerable, and assessment and monitoring is recommended.
Unruptured cerebral aneurysms in elderly patients: key challenges and management

Abstract Unruptured cerebral aneurysms are increasingly identified in elderly patients as the global life expectancy continues to rise and non-invasive vascular imaging becomes more prevalent. The optimal management of unruptured aneurysms in elderly patients remains controversial. Variability in life expectancy, comorbidities and rupture risk coupled with heterogenous endovascular and surgical treatments contribute to a paucity of clear guidelines, and current management is highly individualized. Elderly patients present unique considerations including frailty, cognitive dysfunction, vasculopathy, reduced life expectancy and overall worse prognosis in case of rupture which shape the risks and likelihood of success of endovascular and microsurgical treatment. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of unruptured cerebral aneurysms in the elderly, with a particular focus on the natural history, key challenges associated with advanced age, management and future innovations to further refine treatment. Key Messages The management of unruptured cerebral aneurysms in elderly patients remains controversial. Key challenges including frailty, cognitive dysfunction, reduced life expectancy, vasculopathy and poor prognosis with aneurysm rupture add complexity to endovascular and surgical decision making not encountered with younger demographics. A thorough understanding of available treatment options, likelihood of treatment success and associated risks weighed against the risk of aneurysm rupture informs patient discussion and management.
Your action does matter to me: Examining the role of the co-actor’s action-effects in resolving the self-other discrimination problem

Sharing a task with another person can introduce the need to discriminate representations that refer to our own action from that of the other person’s. The current understanding is that information about the stimulus event drives the self-other discrimination process, as it promotes (via the reactivation of feature codes) the representation that encodes the corresponding action. However, this mechanistic explanation relies on experimental situations in which stimulus event information (e.g., spatial location) is always and directly available. Thus, it remains unclear whether and how we could successfully discriminate between self- and other related action representations in the absence of such information. The present study addressed this unanswered question using a novel joint Simon task-based paradigm. We report the results of three experiments in which we manipulated the availability of stimulus event information into the contralateral space. Our findings demonstrate that participants are able to compensate for the absence of stimulus event information by relying on temporal features of their co-actor’s action-effects (Experiment 1). Even more surprising was that participants continued to monitor the temporal features of their co-actor’s actions even when given a verbal signal by their co-actor (Experiments 2a), or full access to the common workspace (Experiment 2b). Our results are strong evidence that the representation of actions is not purely stimulus driven. They suggest that the temporal dimension of the other person’s actions is able to drive the self-other discrimination process, in the same way as other perceptual dimensions and feature codes that are shared with the stimulus event.
Gaining Faith, Losing Faith: How Education Shapes the Relationship between Religious Transitions and Later Depression

Using the life course perspective, we assess the “resources” and “risks” to mental health associated with transitions in religious attendance between early life and midlife and how this process may be influenced by education. Drawing on over 35 years of prospective panel data from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth, baseline models suggest that stable, frequent attendance accumulated between adolescence to midlife and increases to frequent attendance by adulthood are associated with the lowest depression relative to consistent nonattenders. Individuals who declined in their religious participation report higher depression. Education conditioned this association, whereby declines in religious participation negatively impacted the health of those without a college degree more strongly and increases benefitted the well-educated to a greater extent. We combine insights from the life course perspective and work on social stratification and religiosity to interpret our results and offer directives for future research.
Potential of tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide in preventing fibrillation/aggregation of lysozyme: biophysical studies

Abstract A key step in the prevention of neurodegenerative disorders is to inhibit protein aggregation or fibrillation process. Functionality recognition is an essential strategy in developing effective therapeutics in addressing the treatment of amyloidosis. Here, we have focused on an approach based on structure–property energetics correlation associated with tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB), a cationic surfactant that acts as an inhibitor targeting different stages of hen egg-white lysozyme fibrillation. Characterization of amyloid fibrils and the inhibitory capability of 16 mM TTAB surfactant on fibrillation were investigated with the calorimetric, spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. ThT binding fluorescence studies inferred that micellar TTAB exerts its maximum inhibitory effect against amyloid fibrillation than monomer TTAB. The TEM measurements also confirmed complete absence of amyloid fibrils at micellar TTAB. At the same time, the transformation of β-sheet to α-helix under the action of TTAB was confirmed by the Far-UV CD spectroscopy. Although there have been some reports suggesting that cationic surfactants can induce aggregation in proteins, this work suggests that polar interactions between head groups of TTAB and amyloid fibrils are the predominant factors that cause retardation in fibrillation by interrupting/disturbing the intermolecular hydrogen bond of β-sheets. The present finding has explored the knowledge-based details in developing efficient potent inhibitors and provides a platform to treat diseases associated with protein misfolding. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
Spatial and host related genomic variation in partially sympatric cactophagous moth species

Surveys of patterns of genetic variation in natural sympatric and allopatric populations of recently diverged species are necessary to understand the processes driving intra‐ and interspecific diversification. The South American moths Cactoblastis cactorum, Cactoblastis doddi and Cactoblastis bucyrus are specialized in the use of cacti as host plants. These species have partially different geographic ranges and differ in patterns of host plant use. However, there are areas that overlap, particularly, in northwestern Argentina, where they are sympatric. Using a combination of genome‐wide SNPs and mitochondrial data we assessed intra and interspecific genetic variation and investigated the relative roles of geography and host plants on genetic divergence. We also searched for genetic footprints of hybridization between species. We identified three well delimited species and detected signs of hybridization in the area of sympatry. Our results supported a hypothetical scenario of allopatric speciation in the generalist C. cactorum and genetic interchange during secondary geographic contact with the pair of specialists C. bucyrus and C. doddi that probably speciated sympatrically. In both cases, adaptation to new host plants probably played an important role in speciation. The results also suggested the interplay of geography and host plant use as drivers of divergence and limiting gene flow at intra and interspecific levels.
Evidence of cognitive specialization in an insect: proficiency is maintained across elemental and higher-order visual learning but not between sensory modalities in honey bees.

Individuals differing in their cognitive abilities and foraging strategies may confer a valuable benefit to their social groups as variability may help responding flexibly in scenarios with different resource availability. Individual learning proficiency may either be absolute or vary with the complexity or the nature of the problem considered. Determining if learning abilities correlate between tasks of different complexity or between sensory modalities has a high interest for research on brain modularity and task-dependent specialisation of neural circuits. The honeybee Apis mellifera constitutes an attractive model to address this question due to its capacity to successfully learn a large range of tasks in various sensory domains. Here we studied whether the performance of individual bees in a simple visual discrimination task (a discrimination between two visual shapes) is stable over time and correlates with their capacity to solve either a higher-order visual task (a conceptual discrimination based on spatial relations between objects) or an elemental olfactory task (a discrimination between two odorants). We found that individual learning proficiency within a given task was maintained over time and that some individuals performed consistently better than others within the visual modality, thus showing consistent aptitude across visual tasks of different complexity. By contrast, performance in the elemental visual-learning task did not predict performance in the equivalent elemental olfactory task. Overall, our results suggest the existence of cognitive specialisation within the hive, which may contribute to ecological social success.
6-Amino-3-Methyl-4-(2-nitrophenyl)-1,4-Dihydropyrano[2,3-c]Pyrazole-5-Carbonitrile Shows Antihypertensive and Vasorelaxant Action via Calcium Channel Blockade

Abstract Several 4H-pyran derivatives were designed and synthesized previously as vasorelaxant agents for potential antihypertensive drugs. In this context, the objective of the present investigation was to determine the functional mechanism of vasorelaxant action of 6-amino-3-methyl-4-(2-nitrophenyl)-1,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole-5-carbonitrile (1) and its in vivo antihypertensive effect. Thus, compound 1 showed significant vasorelaxant action on isolated aorta rat rings pre-contracted with serotonin or noradrenaline, and the effect was not endothelium-dependent. Compound 1 induced a significant relaxant effect when aortic rings were contracted with KCl (80 mM), indicating that the main mechanism of action is related to L-type calcium channel blockade. Last was corroborated since compound 1 induced a significant concentration-dependent lowering of contraction provoked by cumulative CaCl2 adding. Moreover, compound 1 was capable to block the contraction induced by FPL 64176, a specific L-type calcium channel agonist, in a concentration-dependent manner. On the other hand, docking studies revealed that compound 1 interacts on two possible sites of the L-type calcium channel and it had better affinity energy (−7.80+/−0.00 kcal/mol on the best poses) than nifedipine (−6.86+/−0.14 kcal/mol). Finally, compound 1 (50 mg/kg) showed significant antihypertensive activity, lowering the systolic and diastolic blood pressure on spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) without modifying heart rate.
Auxetic vibration behaviours of periodic tetrahedral units with a shared edge

A very low-frequency mode supported within an auxetic structure is presented. We propose a constrained periodic framework with corner-to-corner and edge-to-edge sharing of tetrahedra and develop a kinematic model incorporating two types of linear springs to calculate the momentum term under infinitesimal transformations. The modal analysis shows that the microstructure with its two degrees of freedom has both low- and high-frequency modes under auxetic transformations. The low-frequency mode approaches zero frequency when the corresponding spring constant tends to zero. With regard to coupled eigenmodes, the stress–strain relationship of the uniaxial forced vibration covers a wide range. When excited, a very slow motion is clearly observed along with a structural expansion for almost zero values of the linear elastic modulus.
Factors Influencing Dephosphorization of Low Carbon Steel in Converter

A 300-metric ton converter in a steel plant in China was studied. The influence of factors such as slag composition and temperature in the smelting process on the dephosphorization effect was statistically analyzed. The dephosphorization ability of slag increased firstly and then decreased with the increase of temperature, basicity and FeO content. Low-temperature, high-basicity and high-oxidizing slag are thermodynamically beneficial to promote the dephosphorization reaction, but the basicity is higher than 4.0, and the temperature is higher than 1640 °C are not conducive to the slag to obtain better fluidity. At the same time, too high FeO content will increase the activity coefficient of P2O5, thereby increasing its activity, which is not conducive to the progress of the dephosphorization reaction. As the end point content of carbon decreases, the oxygen content increases and the phosphorus content decreases. A very low carbon content is not conducive to metal yield and temperature control.
SMART: screen-based gesture recognition on commodity mobile devices

In-air gesture control extends a touch screen and enables contact-less interaction, thus has become a popular research direction in the past few years. Prior work has implemented this functionality based on cameras, acoustic signals, and Wi-Fi via existing hardware on commercial devices. However, these methods have low user acceptance. Solutions based on cameras and acoustic signals raise privacy concerns, while WiFi-based solutions are vulnerable to background noise. As a result, these methods are not commercialized and recent flagship smartphones have implemented in-air gesture recognition by adding extra hardware on-board, such as mmWave radar and depth camera. The question is, can we support in-air gesture control on legacy devices without any hardware modifications? To answer this question, in this work, we propose SMART, an in-air gesture recognition system leveraging the screen and ambient light sensor (ALS), which are ordinary modalities on mobile devices. For the transmitter side, we design a screen display mechanism to embed spatial information and preserve the viewing experience; for the receiver side, we develop a framework to recognize gestures from low-quality ALS readings. We implement and evaluate SMART on both a tablet and several smartphones. Results show that SMART can recognize 9 types of frequently used in-air gestures with an average accuracy of 96.1%.
Robust indoor localization with ADS-B

Similar to satellite-based localization systems, messages sent by aircraft with the ADS-B protocol can be used to estimate the location of a mobile receiver. However, for a robust localization using a least-squares approach, ADS-B messages have to be collected over a long time. We propose a localization method based on matching the received signal with known ADS-B messages from distributed receivers. Our proposed method only requires three seconds of recording. Compared to satellite-based localization methods, this approach also works indoors as the signals sent by aircraft are much stronger.