On Agent Communication in Large Groups

The problem is fundamental and natural, yet deep - to simulate the simplest possible form of communication that can occur within a large multi-agent system. It would be prohibitive to try and survey all of the research on communication in general so we must restrict our focus. We will devote our efforts to synthetic communication occurring within large groups. In particular, we would like to discover a model for communication that will serve as an abstract model, a prototype, for simulating communication within large groups of biological organisms

Does antenatal micronutrient supplementation improve children’s cognitive function? Evidence from the follow-up of a double-blind randomised controlled trial in Nepal

INTRODUCTION: Multiple Micronutrient (MMN) supplementation during pregnancy can decrease the proportion of infants born low birth weight and small for gestational age. Supplementation could also enhance children’s cognitive function by improving access to key nutrients during fetal brain development and increasing birth weight, especially in areas where undernutrition is common. We tested the hypothesis that children whose mothers received MMN supplementation during pregnancy would have higher intelligence in early adolescence compared with those receiving Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) only. METHODS: We followed up children in Nepal, whose mothers took part in a double-blind Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) that compared the effects on birth weight and gestational duration of antenatal MMN versus IFA supplementation. We assessed children’s Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) using the Universal Non-verbal Intelligence Test (UNIT), and their executive function using the counting Stroop test. The parent trial was registered as ISRCTN88625934. RESULTS: We identified 813 (76%) of the 1069 children whose mothers took part in the parent trial. We found no differences in FSIQ at 12 years between MMN and IFA groups (absolute difference in means (diff): 1.25, 95% CI −0.57 to 3.06). Similarly, there were no differences in mean UNIT memory (diff: 1.41, 95% CI −0.48 to 3.30), reasoning (diff: 1.17, 95% CI −0.72 to 3.06), symbolic (diff: 0.97, 95% CI −0.67 to 2.60) or non-symbolic quotients (diff: 1.39, 95% CI −0.60 to 3.38). CONCLUSION: Our follow-up of a double-blind RCT in Nepal found no evidence of benefit from antenatal MMN compared with IFA for children’s overall intelligence and executive function at 12 years

Environ Res

The heavy metals lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants and are known to exert severe adverse impacts on the nervous system even at low concentrations. In contrast, the heavy metal manganese (Mn) is first and foremost an essential nutrient, but it becomes neurotoxic at high levels. Neurotoxic metals also include the less prevalent metalloid arsenic (As) which is found in excessive concentrations in drinking water and food sources in many regions of the world. Males and females often differ in how they respond to environmental exposures and adverse effects on their nervous systems are no exception. Here, we review the different types of sex-specific neurotoxic effects, such as cognitive and motor impairments, that have been attributed to Pb, Hg, Mn, Cd, and As exposure throughout the life course in epidemiological as well as in experimental toxicological studies. We also discuss differential vulnerability to these metals such as distinctions in behaviors and occupations across the sexes. Finally, we explore the different mechanisms hypothesized to account for sex-based differential susceptibility including hormonal, genetic, metabolic, anatomical, neurochemical, and epigenetic perturbations. An understanding of the sex-specific effects of environmental heavy metal neurotoxicity can aid in the development of more efficient systematic approaches in risk assessment and better exposure mitigation strategies with regard to sex-linked susceptibilities and vulnerabilities.F31 ES030973/ES/NIEHS NIH HHSUnited States/R01 ES029971/ES/NIEHS NIH HHSUnited States/R01TS000285/ACL/ACL HHSUnited States/T32 ES007322/ES/NIEHS NIH HHSUnited States/R01 TS000285/TS/ATSDR CDC HHSUnited States/P30 ES009089/ES/NIEHS NIH HHSUnited States/2022-10-01T00:00:00Z34224706PMC847879411962vault:3959

Preparation of affinity membranes using alternative solvents

Dissertação apresentada na Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Mestrado Integrado em Engenharia Química e Bioquímic

Risk factors for inadequate and excessive gestational weight gain in 25 low- and middle-income countries: An individual-level participant meta-analysis

Background Many women experience suboptimal gestational weight gain (GWG) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), but our understanding of risk factors associated with GWG in these settings is limited. We investigated the relationships between demographic, anthropometric, lifestyle, and clinical factors and GWG in prospectively collected data from LMICs. Methods and findings We conducted an individual participant-level meta-analysis of risk factors for GWG outcomes among 138,286 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies in 55 studies (27 randomized controlled trials and 28 prospective cohorts from 25 LMICs). Data sources were identified through PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science searches for articles published from January 2000 to March 2019. Titles and abstracts of articles identified in all databases were independently screened by 2 team members according to the following eligibility criteria: following inclusion criteria: (1) GWG data collection took place in an LMIC; (2) the study was a prospective cohort or randomized trial; (3) study participants were pregnant; and (4) the study was not conducted exclusively among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women or women with other health conditions that could limit the generalizability of the results. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) body mass index (BMI)-specific guidelines were used to determine the adequacy of GWG, which we calculated as the ratio of the total observed weight gain over the mean recommended weight gain. Study outcomes included severely inadequate GWG (percent adequacy of GWG &lt;70), inadequate GWG (percent adequacy of GWG &lt;90, inclusive of severely inadequate), and excessive GWG (percent adequacy of GWG &gt;125). Multivariable estimates from each study were pooled using fixed-effects meta-analysis. Study-specific regression models for each risk factor included all other demographic risk factors measured in a particular study as potential confounders, as well as BMI, maternal height, pre-pregnancy smoking, and chronic hypertension. Risk factors occurring during pregnancy were further adjusted for receipt of study intervention (if any) and 3-month calendar period. The INTERGROWTH-21st standard was used to define high and low GWG among normal weight women in a sensitivity analysis. The prevalence of inadequate GWG was 54%, while the prevalence of excessive weight gain was 22%. In multivariable models, factors that were associated with a higher risk of inadequate GWG included short maternal stature (&lt;145 cm), tobacco smoking, and HIV infection. A mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of ≥28.1 cm was associated with the largest increase in risk for excessive GWG (risk ratio (RR) 3.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) [2.86, 3.19]). The estimated pooled difference in absolute risk between those with MUAC of ≥28.1 cm compared to those with a MUAC of 24 to 28.09 cm was 5.8% (95% CI 3.1% to 8.4%). Higher levels of education and age &lt;20 years were also associated with an increased risk of excessive GWG. Results using the INTERGROWTH-21st standard among normal weight women were similar but attenuated compared to the results using the IOM guidelines among normal weight women. Limitations of the study’s methodology include differences in the availability of risk factors and potential confounders measured in each individual dataset; not all risk factors or potential confounders of interest were available across datasets and data on potential confounders collected across studies. Conclusions Inadequate GWG is a significant public health concern in LMICs. We identified diverse nutritional, behavioral, and clinical risk factors for inadequate GWG, highlighting the need for integrated approaches to optimizing GWG in LMICs. The prevalence of excessive GWG suggests that attention to the emerging burden of excessive GWG in LMICs is also warranted. </jats:sec

Prevention of Low Birthweight Infants Among Pregnant Women in Rural Bangladesh: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

The low birthweight (LBW) prevalence in Bangladesh varies between 22-50%, which positioned Bangladesh 4th globally among the countries having highest burden of LBW. LBW imposes greater risk of mortality and morbidities among children under five and creates a long-term negative impact on development and wellbeing in adolescence and adulthood. Therefore, the objective of the research was to investigate the effects of ‘balanced plate nutrition education’ (nutrition education on balanced diet with practical demonstration of balanced plate) in combination with engagement of family decision makers, to reduce incidences of LBW infants among pregnant women by increasing birthweight. The specific objectives included developing the ‘balanced plate nutrition education’ intervention for rural pregnant women and measuring the effect of the intervention on birthweight of infants and incidences of LBW, and exploring the barriers of and household coping strategies related to compliance. It also examined the association of household food insecurity and size of infants at birth. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were applied for this research. For the quantitative analysis, primary data were derived from a randomized controlled trial conducted in rural Bangladesh (Chapter 4) and secondary data from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2011 (Chapter 6). Statistical analyses were performed using multivariable linear and binomial regression with log link function. We adjusted for the clustered randomisation using generalised estimating equations (GEE). We constructed survey-weighted logistic regression models for BDHS data to account for different sampling probabilities and different response rate. A qualitative study was conducted in the trial area among the balanced plate nutrition education intervention recipients. We conducted in-depth interviews (n=10) with mothers of infants (0-6 months), focus group discussions (n=2) with their husbands and older women in the family and key informant interviews (n=4) with Shasthya Kormi (community health workers) of BRAC (an NGO in Bangladesh, formerly known as Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee). Interviews were audio-recorded during collection, later transcribed in Bangla, and translated into English. The transcripts were manually coded and analysed using the thematic approach. Chapter 4 demonstrated that pregnant women who received balanced plate nutrition education had heavier infants compared to those received standard nutrition education. The incidence of low birthweight (LBW) was also lower among women in the balanced plate group compared to the latter. The mean birthweight increased by 125.3 g (95% confidence interval (CI) 5·7, 244·9; p=0·04) and the risk of LBW was reduced by 54% (relative risk (RR) 0·46; 95% CI 0·28, 0·78; p=0·004) in the intervention compared to the comparison group. The effect of intervention was greater among adolescent mothers in terms of birthweight and incidence of LBW than the non-adolescent mothers mean difference 297·3 g; 95% CI 85·0, 509·6; p=0·006 and RR 0·31; 95% CI 0·12, 0·77; p=0·01). Chapter 5 exhibited that accessing animal source food was the greatest barrier in practicing balanced diet. Perceived gap in understanding appropriate portion size and importance of diversified food for a pregnant woman were the other reported barriers. Mothers-in-law’s authority and control over pregnant women’s diet led to intrahousehold food mal-distribution with less nutritious food share for them. Active engagement of the family decision makers (husbands and elderly women in the family) in the nutrition counseling and demonstration session created an agreement on balanced diet for pregnant women. Husbands were inclined to finance more for purchasing nutritious foods such as cheap fishes, milk and fruits. Women were selfmotivated to increase consumption of vegetables and animal source foods with right proportion of rice. Mothers-in-law’s approval and husbands’ voluntary contribution enabled women to practice the balanced diet. Chapter 6 showed an inverse association between household food insecurity and perceived birth size of infants in Bangladesh. Infants from food insecure household were 36% more at risk of being small at birth compared to infants born in food secure households, which was aggravated by less utilization of antenatal care and first birth. There was an obvious regional variation of prevalence of smaller infants in geographically hard to reach areas; women in Sylhet and Chittagong districts were more vulnerable to give birth to smaller infants than mothers living in Barisal. In conclusion, balanced plate nutrition education in pregnancy impacted on the birthweight of infants and incidence of LBW in rural Bangladesh. Practical demonstration of making balanced plate in combination with family engagement can create an enabling environment for pregnant women to adopt a balanced diet with self-motivation. Household food insecurity is major driver in determining fetal growth and subsequent size of infants at birth. The insights from this research will help to design nutrition behaviour change communications for pregnant women and target household with greatest need to improve perinatal nutrition for better child survival, growth, development and productivity in Bangladesh and other LMICs

Emergent Disability and the Limits of Equality: A Critical Reading of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities marks a shift in international legal relationships to, and conceptions of, disability. The Convention is the first binding international instrument of its kind related to disability. Its premises differ from the earlier World Programme on Disability, and more closely integrate the frameworks of U.S. domestic equal protection and disability civil rights law. Drawing on critical race and feminist theory, this Article critically examines the implications of internationalizing a U.S. disability law framework, with particular attention to the problem of emergent disability, or disability which is specifically produced as a consequence of social inequity or state violence

Natural Selection, Adaptive Evolution and Diversity in Computational Ecosystems

The central goal of this thesis is to provide additional criteria towards implementing open-ended evolution in an artificial system. Methods inspired by biological evolution are frequently applied to generate autonomous agents too complex to design by hand. Despite substantial progress in the area of evolutionary computation, additional efforts are needed to identify a coherent set of requirements for a system capable of exhibiting open-ended evolutionary dynamics. The thesis provides an extensive discussion of existing models and of the major considerations for designing a computational model of evolution by natural selection. Thus, the work in this thesis constitutes a further step towards determining the requirements for such a system and introduces a concrete implementation of an artificial evolution system to evaluate the developed suggestions. The proposed system improves upon existing models with respect to easy interpretability of agent behaviour, high structural freedom, and a low-level sensor and effector model to allow numerous long-term evolutionary gradients. In a series of experiments, the evolutionary dynamics of the system are examined against the set objectives and, where appropriate, compared with existing systems. Typical agent behaviours are introduced to convey a general overview of the system dynamics. These behaviours are related to properties of the respective agent populations and their evolved morphologies. It is shown that an intuitive classification of observed behaviours coincides with a more formal classification based on morphology. The evolutionary dynamics of the system are evaluated and shown to be unbounded according to the classification provided by Bedau and Packard’s measures of evolutionary activity. Further, it is analysed how observed behavioural complexity relates to the complexity of the agent-side mechanisms subserving these behaviours. It is shown that for the concrete definition of complexity applied, the average complexity continually increases for extended periods of evolutionary time. In combination, these two findings show how the observed behaviours are the result of an ongoing and lasting adaptive evolutionary process as opposed to being artifacts of the seeding process. Finally, the effect of variation in the system on the diversity of evolved behaviour is investigated. It is shown that coupling individual survival and reproductive success can restrict the available evolutionary trajectories in more than the trivial sense of removing another dimension, and conversely, decoupling individual survival from reproductive success can increase the number of evolutionary trajectories. The effect of different reproductive mechanisms is contrasted with that of variation in environmental conditions. The diversity of evolved strategies turns out to be sensitive to the reproductive mechanism while being remarkably robust to the variation of environmental conditions. These findings emphasize the importance of being explicit about the abstractions and assumptions underlying an artificial evolution system, particularly if the system is intended to model aspects of biological evolution

Merchant mothers and fishermen fathers : parental investment and subsistence work among the boat-dwelling Shodagor of rural Bangladesh

This dissertation addresses three general research questions. First, what are the socioecological conditions that lead Shodagor families to employ particular strategies in order to balance subsistence work and childcare? Second, why do Shodagor men and women pursue particular occupational strategies that are cross-culturally unusual while others divide labor in ways that are more in line with other societies? And third, how do Shodagor subsistence and childcare strategies, all of which are concentrated within the nuclear family and influenced by the constraints of the Shodagor socioecology, influence nutritional outcomes for children and parents? I find that the concentration of resource sharing and childcare duties within the nuclear family is associated with husbands and wives cooperating in order to fulfill a family's subsistence and childcare needs. I also find that specific aspects of the ecology -- how far an individual lives from a major market, and how far he or she lives from the Meghna River -- as well as a family's childcare needs play key roles in determining the specific strategies families will employ in order to meet those needs. Finally, I show that while some factors concentrated within the nuclear family influence Shodagor health outcomes within the family in accordance with theoretical and cross-cultural predictions, others do not. These findings have implications for human behavioral ecological theory, which are discussed