bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with adverse nutritional status of children in sub‐Saharan Africa: Evidence from the Demographic and Health Surveys from 31 countries
Authors: Adedokun Sulaimon T. , Yaya Sanni 
Published: May 2021

AbstractUndernutrition is linked to almost half of all deaths in under‐five children. In 2019, 144 million under‐five children suffered from stunting and 47 million suffered from wasting. This study examined the factors that influence adverse nutritional status of children in sub‐Saharan Africa. The study used data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) of 31 countries, which involved 189,195 children under age 5. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the relationships between the independent variables and adverse nutritional status of children. About 26% of the children in the 31 countries in sub‐Saharan Africa considered in this study are stunted, 6% are wasted and 21% are underweight. Close to 31% of children whose mothers have no education are stunted, 9% are wasted and 28% are underweight. Adverse nutritional status of children is significantly associated with maternal age, education, household wealth, residence, antenatal care attendance, mass media exposure, child's sex and size of child at birth. This study has shown that adverse nutritional status of children is a major challenge in sub‐Saharan Africa. Efforts at improving nutritional status of children should include poverty alleviation initiatives at individual and household levels, increase in women's educational level and improvement in living conditions in rural areas.
An integrative review on mothers' experiences of online breastfeeding peer support: Motivations, attributes and effects
Authors: Moon Hyojeong , Woo Kyungmi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractInformation on the experiences surrounding online breastfeeding peer support among breastfeeding mothers and its effects on breastfeeding outcomes is growing yet to be synthesized. The aim of this review was to synthesize the evidence of mothers' experiences of online breastfeeding peer support. An integrative review was conducted. Five electronic databases were searched. Two reviewers independently screened the articles for inclusion. The inclusion criteria were (1) involved original data focusing on mothers' experiences of online breastfeeding peer support, (2) participants who were mothers who were breastfeeding or had experiences of breastfeeding and (3) studies focusing on interaction and communication among mothers through online communities. In total, 14 publications met the inclusion criteria. Breastfeeding mothers turned to online groups when they felt isolated, lacked professional support or preferred online support over face‐to‐face support. Online breastfeeding peer support was characterized as a virtual community, with easy access, availability and a wealth of resources from actual experiences of mothers. It empowered breastfeeding mothers and resulted in changes in breastfeeding outcomes and perceptions. The positive aspects of online breastfeeding peer support have recently garnered more attention. This review provided baseline data and evidence to supplement and improve the current breastfeeding support system for breastfeeding mothers. The evidence on the effectiveness of online breastfeeding peer support for influencing breastfeeding outcomes remains inconclusive. Further empirical studies with rigorous study designs are warranted.
Evaluation of an mHealth tool to improve nutritional assessment among infants under 6 months in paediatric development clinics in rural Rwanda: Quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Nemerimana Mathieu , Karambizi Angelique Charlie , Umutoniwase Sabine , Barnhart Dale A. , Beck Kathryn , Bihibindi Vianney Kabundi , Wilson Kim , Nshimyiryo Alphonse , Bradford Jessica , Havugarurema Silas , Uwamahoro Alphonsine , Nsabyamahoro Emmanuel , Kirk Catherine M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractInfants born preterm, low birthweight or with other perinatal complications require frequent and accurate growth monitoring for optimal nutrition and growth. We implemented an mHealth tool to improve growth monitoring and nutritional status assessment of high risk infants. We conducted a pre–post quasi‐experimental study with a concurrent control group among infants enrolled in paediatric development clinics in two rural Rwandan districts. During the pre‐intervention period (August 2017–January 2018), all clinics used standard paper‐based World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts. During the intervention period (August 2018–January 2019), Kirehe district adopted an mHealth tool for child growth monitoring and nutritional status assessment. Data on length/height; weight; length/height‐for‐age (L/HFA), weight‐for‐length/height (WFL/H) and weight‐for‐age (WFA) z‐scores; and interval growth were tracked at each visit. We conducted a ‘difference‐in‐difference’ analysis to assess whether the mHealth tool was associated with greater improvements in completion and accuracy of nutritional assessments and nutritional status at 2 and 6 months of age. We observed 3529 visits. mHealth intervention clinics showed significantly greater improvements on completeness for corrected age (endline: 65% vs. 55%; p = 0.036), L/HFA (endline: 82% vs. 57%; p ≤ 0.001), WFA (endline: 93% vs. 67%; p ≤ 0.001) and WFL/H (endline: 90% vs. 59%; p ≤ 0.001) z‐scores compared with control sites. Accuracy of growth monitoring did not improve. Prevalence of stunting, underweight and inadequate interval growth at 6‐months corrected age decreased significantly more in the intervention clinics than in control clinics. Results suggest that integrating mHealth nutrition interventions is feasible and can improve child nutrition outcomes. Improved tool design may better promote accuracy.
Vertical diversity and association pattern of total, abundant and rare microbial communities in deep‐sea sediments
Authors: Zhang Yunhui , Yao Peng , Sun Chuang , Li Sanzhong , Shi Xiaochong , Zhang Xiao‐Hua , Liu Jiwen 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMicrobial abundance and community composition in marine sediments have been widely explored. However, high‐resolution vertical changes of benthic microbial diversity and co‐occurrence patterns are poorly described. The ecological contributions of abundant and rare species in sediments also remain largely unknown. Here, by analysing microbial populations at 14 depth layers of 10 subseafloor sediment cores (water depth 1,250–3,530 m) obtained in the South China Sea, we provided the vertical profiles of microbial β‐diversity and co‐occurrence influenced by subcommunities of different abundance. These 134 sediment samples were clustered into four groups according to sediment depth (1–2, 6–10, 30–90 and 190–790 cm) with obvious shifts in microbial community compositions. The vertical succession of microorganisms was consistent with redox zonation and influenced by terrestrial inputs. Partitioning of vertical β‐diversity showed extremely high species replacement between deep layers and the surface layer, indicating selection‐induced loss of rare species and dispersal of dormant cells and spores. By contrast, for horizontal β‐diversity, richness of rare species became increasingly significant in deep sediments. Accompanying this β‐diversity profile were clear changes in the association pattern, with microorganisms being less connected in deeper sediment layers, probably reflecting reduced syntrophic interactions. Rare species accounted for an indispensable proportion in the co‐occurrence network, and tended to form complex “small worlds.” The rare subcommunity also responded differently to various environmental factors compared with the abundant subcommunity. Our findings expand current knowledge on vertical changes of marine benthic microbial diversity and their association patterns, emphasizing the potential roles of rare species.
Computer‐vision‐based differential remeshing for updating the geometry of finite element model
Authors: Zhang Youqi , Lin Weiwei 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis article presents a method that enables a finite element (FE) model to remesh itself for updating the geometric changes caused by structural damages, using computer vision (CV) techniques and geometric analyses. Currently, there is no mature automatic approach to utilize the information of structural damage detection (SDD) for structural state awareness. Thus, the purpose of this study is to automate the pipeline from the accomplishment of SDD to numerical analyses for fast structural capacity evaluation. CV techniques are used to determine the shapes and dimensions of both structural components and damages. Geometric analyses are used to develop the algorithms for automatically deleting, generating, and splitting the elements of FE models for updating the geometric changes. Experiments are performed on a plate and a C‐shaped steel crossbeam of a bridge to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method and algorithms.
Climate warming dominates over plant genotype in shaping the seasonal trajectory of foliar fungal communities on oak
Authors: Faticov Maria , Abdelfattah Ahmed , Roslin Tomas , Vacher Corinne , Hambäck Peter , Blanchet F. Guillaume , Lindahl Björn D. , Tack Ayco J. M. 
Published: May 2021

Summary

Leaves interact with a wealth of microorganisms. Among these, fungi are highly diverse and are known to contribute to plant health, leaf senescence and early decomposition. However, patterns and drivers of the seasonal dynamics of foliar fungal communities are poorly understood.

We used a multifactorial experiment to investigate the influence of warming and tree genotype on the foliar fungal community on the pedunculate oak Quercus robur across one growing season.

Fungal species richness increased, evenness tended to decrease, and community composition strongly shifted during the growing season. Yeasts increased in relative abundance as the season progressed, while putative fungal pathogens decreased. Warming decreased species richness, reduced evenness and changed community composition, especially at the end of the growing season. Warming also negatively affected putative fungal pathogens. We only detected a minor imprint of tree genotype and warming × genotype interactions on species richness and community composition.

Overall, our findings demonstrate that warming plays a larger role than plant genotype in shaping the seasonal dynamics of the foliar fungal community on oak. These warming‐induced shifts in the foliar fungal community may have a pronounced impact on plant health, plant–fungal interactions and ecosystem functions.
Differences in biochemical, gas exchange and hydraulic response to water stress in desiccation tolerant and sensitive fronds of the fern Anemia caffrorum
Authors: Nadal Miquel , Brodribb Tim J. , Fernández‐Marín Beatriz , García‐Plazaola José I. , Arzac Miren I. , López‐Pozo Marina , Perera‐Castro Alicia V. , Gulías Javier , Flexas Jaume , Farrant Jill M. 
Published: May 2021

Summary

Desiccation tolerant plants can survive extreme water loss in their vegetative tissues. The fern Anemia caffrorum produces desiccation tolerant (DT) fronds in the dry season and desiccation sensitive (DS) fronds in the wet season, providing a unique opportunity to explore the physiological mechanisms associated with desiccation tolerance.

Anemia caffrorum plants with either DT or DS fronds were acclimated in growth chambers. Photosynthesis, frond structure and anatomy, water relations and minimum conductance to water vapour were measured under well‐watered conditions. Photosynthesis, hydraulics, frond pigments, antioxidants and abscisic acid contents were monitored under water deficit.

A comparison between DT and DS fronds under well‐watered conditions showed that the former presented higher leaf mass per area, minimum conductance, tissue elasticity and lower CO2 assimilation. Water deficit resulted in a similar induction of abscisic acid in both frond types, but DT fronds maintained higher stomatal conductance and upregulated more prominently lipophilic antioxidants.

The seasonal alternation in production of DT and DS fronds in A. caffrorum represents a mechanism by which carbon gain can be maximized during the rainy season, and a greater investment in protective mechanisms occurs during the hot dry season, enabling the exploitation of episodic water availability.
Measurement of screen time among young children aged 0–6 years: A systematic review
Authors: Byrne Rebecca , Terranova Caroline O. , Trost Stewart G. 
Published: May 2021

SummaryThe impact of screen‐based devices on children's health and development cannot be properly understood without valid and reliable tools that measure screen time within the evolving digital landscape. This review aimed to summarize characteristics of measurement tools used to assess screen time in young children; evaluate reporting of psychometric properties; and examine time trends related to measurement and reporting of screen time. A systematic review of articles published in English across three databases from January 2009 to April 2020 was undertaken using PROSPERO protocol (registration: CRD42019132599) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Included articles measured screen time as outcome, exposure, or confounder in children 0–6 years. The search identified 35,868 records, 1035 full‐text articles were screened for eligibility, and 622 met inclusion criteria. Most measures (60%) consisted of one to three items and assessed duration of screen time on a usual day. Few measures assessed content (11%) or coviewing (7%). Only 40% of articles provided a citation for the measure, and only 69 (11%) reported psychometric properties—reliability n = 58, validity n = 19, reliability and validity n = 8. Between 2009 and 2019, the number of published articles increased from 28 to 71. From 2015, there was a notable increase in the proportion of articles published each year that assessed exposure to mobile devices in addition to television. The increasing number of published articles reflects increasing interest in screen time exposure among young children. Measures of screen time have generally evolved to reflect children's contemporary digital landscape; however, the psychometric properties of measurement tools are rarely reported. There is a need for improved measures and reporting to capture the complexity of children's screen time exposures.
Business outcomes of healthy food service initiatives in schools: A systematic review
Authors: Thorpe Courtney P. , Boelsen‐Robinson Tara , Cameron Adrian J. , Blake Miranda R. 
Published: May 2021

SummaryFear of unfavorable business outcomes, including negative financial impacts, deters implementation of school food service initiatives to support healthy student eating behaviors. There have been no systematic reviews to guide feasible long‐term healthy school food initiatives. This review aimed to synthesize evidence on the effect of school food service initiatives on business outcomes, including commercial viability, stakeholder perceptions, customer perceptions, and initiative maintenance and scale‐up. Business, education, and health peer‐reviewed databases, and grey literature were systematically searched. Eligible studies reported on the business impact of initiatives encouraging sales of healthier foods within school cafeterias, canteens, vending machines, or online canteens. Synthesis incorporated a count of studies addressing business outcomes, health behavior outcomes, and the favorability of those outcomes. Of 5173 studies screened, 16 studies were included for analysis. Commercial viability was the most frequent theme (n = 12/16 studies), followed by stakeholder perceptions (n = 9/16), customer perceptions (n = 6/16), and initiative maintenance and scale‐up (n = 2/16). Favorable business outcomes were identified in cafeterias/canteens (n = 8/10) and online canteens (n = 1/1). All vending machine initiatives (n = 7/7) reported unfavorable, mixed, or neutral outcomes. Future research should determine which types of healthy food retail initiatives deliver the most favorable business outcomes long‐term for schools while optimizing student nutrition outcomes.
Ocular biometry in children and adolescents from 4 to 17 years: a cross‐sectional study in central Germany
Authors: Rauscher Franziska G , Francke Mike , Hiemisch Andreas , Kiess Wieland , Michael Ralph 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate ocular biometry in a large paediatric population as a function of age and sex in children of European descent.MethodsChildren were examined as part of the LIFE Child Study (Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Disease), a population‐based study in Leipzig, Germany. Altogether, 1907 children, aged from 4 to 17 years, were examined with the Lenstar LS 900. Data from the right eye was analysed for axial length, central corneal thickness, flat and steep corneal radii, aqueous depth, lens thickness and vitreous depth. Wavefront‐based autorefraction was employed for analysis.ResultsAxial length increased in girls from 21.6 mm (4 years) up to 23.4 mm (17 years); this increase (0.174 mm per year) was statistically significant up to age 14 (23.3 mm). Axial length increased in boys from 22.2 mm (4 years) up to 23.9 mm (17 years); this increase (0.178 mm per year) was statistically significant up to age 10 (23.3 mm). No change was observed for central corneal thickness (average: girls 550 µm; boys 554 µm). Corneal curvature in girls was somewhat flatter at age 4 (7.70 mm) compared to age 10 (7.78 mm), whereas it was constant in boys (7.89 mm). Aqueous depth at age 4 was 2.73 mm for girls and 2.86 mm for boys, with the same rate of increase per year (girls: 0.046 mm; boys: 0.047 mm) from age 4 to 10. At age 17, aqueous depth was 3.06 mm in girls and 3.20 mm in boys. Lens thickness was reduced from age 4 (3.75 mm) to age 10 (3.47 mm) in girls and from age 4 (3.73 mm) to age 10 (3.44 mm) in boys, with the same rate of decrease per year of 0.046 and 0.047 mm, respectively. At age 17, lens thickness was 3.52 mm in girls and 3.50 mm in boys. Vitreous depth at age 4 was 14.51 mm for girls and 15.08 mm for boys; with 0.156 mm (girls) or 0.140 mm (boys) increase per year until age 14 (girls: 16.08 mm; boys: 16.48 mm). At age 17, vitreous depth was 16.29 mm in girls and 16.62 mm in boys.ConclusionsEye growth (axial length) in girls showed a lag of about four years compared to boys. Aqueous depth increase matches the lens thickness decrease from ages 4 to 10 years in girls and boys. Lens thickness minimum is reached at 11 years in girls and at 12 years in boys. All dimensions of the optical ocular components are closely correlated with axial length. These data may serve as normative values for the assessment of eye growth in central European children and will provide a basis for monitoring refractive error development.
Racial and ethnic differences in left atrial appendage occlusion wait time, complications, and periprocedural management
Authors: Haddad Abdullah , Bocchese Matthew , Garber Rebecca , O'Neill Brian , Yesenosky George A. , Patil Pravin , Keane Martin G. , Islam Sabrina , Sherrer Jacqueline M. , Basil Anuj , Gangireddy Chethan , Cooper Joshua M. , Cronin Edmond M. , Whitman Isaac R. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPurposeNon‐white patients are underrepresented in left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) trials, and racial disparities in LAAO periprocedural management are unknown.MethodsWe assessed sociodemographics and comorbidities of consecutive patients at our institution undergoing LAAO between 2015 and 2020, then in adjusted analyses, compared procedural wait time, procedural complications, and post‐procedure oral anticoagulation (OAC) use in whites versus non‐whites.ResultsAmong 109 patients undergoing LAAO (45% white), whites had lower CHA2DS2VASc scores, on average, than non‐whites (4.0 vs. 4.8, p = .006). There was no difference in median time from index event (IE) or initial outpatient cardiology encounter to LAAO procedure (whites 10.5 vs. non‐whites 13.7 months, p = .9; 1.9 vs. 1.8 months, p = .6, respectively), and there was no difference in procedural complications (whites 4% vs. non‐whites 5%, p = .33). After adjusting for CHA2DS2VASc score, OAC use at discharge tended to be higher in whites (OR 2.4, 95% CI [0.9‐6.0], p = .07). When restricting the analysis to those with prior gastrointestinal (GI) bleed, adjusting for CHA2DS2VASc score and GI bleed severity, whites had a nearly five‐fold odds of being discharged on OAC (OR 4.6, 95% CI [1‐21.8], p = 0.05). The association between race and discharge OAC was not mediated through income category (total mediation effect 19% 95% CI [‐.04‐0.11], p = .38).ConclusionDespite an increased prevalence of comorbidities amongst non‐whites, wait time for LAAO and procedural complications were similar in whites versus non‐whites. Among those with prior GI bleed, whites were nearly five‐fold more likely to be discharged on OAC than non‐whites, independent of income.
Effect of early‐life antibiotic exposure and IL‐13 polymorphism on atopic dermatitis phenotype
Authors: Park Min Jee , Lee So‐Yeon , Lee Si Hyeon , Kang Mi‐Jin , Song Kun Baek , Jung Sungsu , Yoon Ji‐sun , Suh Dong In , Shin Youn Ho , Kim Kyung Won , Ahn Kangmo , Hong Soo‐Jong 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundAlthough atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with certain gene variants, the rapidly increasing incidence of AD suggests that environmental factors contribute to disease development. In this study, we investigated the association of AD incidence and phenotype with antibiotic exposure within 6 months of age, considering the dose administered and genetic risk.MethodsThis study included 1637 children from the COCOA cohort. Pediatric allergists assessed the presence of AD at each visit and obtained information about antibiotic exposure for more than 3 days. IL‐13 (rs20541) polymorphism was genotyped by the TaqMan method. We stratified the AD phenotypes into four groups and used multinomial logistic regression models for analysis.ResultsAntibiotic exposure within 6 months of age was found to increase the risk of AD within 3 years of life (aOR = 1.40; 95% CI, 1.09–1.81) in dose‐dependent manner. Antibiotic exposure more than twice increased the risk of the early‐persistent AD phenotype (aOR = 2.50; 95% CI, 1.35–4.63). There was a weak interaction between genetic polymorphisms and environmental factors on the development of AD (p for interaction = 0.06). Children with the IL‐13 (rs20541) GA + AA genotype have a higher risk of the early‐persistent AD phenotype when exposed to antibiotics more than twice than those with the IL‐13 (rs20541) GG genotype and without exposure to antibiotics (aOR = 4.73; 95% CI, 2.01–11.14).ConclusionAntibiotic exposure within 6 months was related to the incidence of early‐persistent AD and a dose‐dependent increase in the incidence of AD in childhood, whose effect was modified by the IL‐13 (rs20541) genotype.