Maternal, Obstetric, and Neonatal Correlates of Short-Term Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Newborn Infants With Intraventricular Hemorrhage

The attempt to identify risk factors or correlates of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) has been constrained by conflicting research findings, changing hypotheses about the etiology of IVH, and by the exceedingly complex nature of this neurological disorder. In addition, few studies have investigated the possibility that antenatal factors might predispose the infant to IVH. Thus, research aimed at identifying IVH correlates from all time periods in which stress could occur to the neonate needs to be undertaken. This study was conducted for the purpose of identifying and quantifying correlates of IVH by constructing an interactive statistical model to predict the occurrence, severity, and onset of IVH. The study sample was composed of inborn neonates admitted to the University of Utah Medical Center\u27s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit from July 1985 to June 1987. Ultrasound brain scans were used to assigned 150 infants into two groups of equal numbers: an IVH group and a nonIVH group. Forty-three maternal, 17 obstetric, and 35 neonatal variables were collected from the infants\u27 and infants\u27 mothers\u27 medical records and included demographic, medical, and behavioral data. The mean birthweights and gestational ages for the IVH and non-IVH groups were 1413 g, 29.9 weeks, and 1573 g 31.3 weeks, respectively. Factors found to be associated with IVH were neonatal hypotension, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, lower hematocrit percent, pulmonary interstitial emphysema, severe respiratory distress syndrome, shorter gestational ages, lower 5-minute Apgar score, pneumothorax, shorter umbilical cord lengths, and lower maternal hemoglobin concentrations. No obstetric factors were found to be related to IVH. A second-order, interactive model used to predict IVH occurrence and severity explained 90.9% of the total variability. The attempt to predict the onset time of IVH was unsuccessful. While the condition of the neonate immediately following birth is the best predictor of IVH, maternal or antenatal factors may interact to contribute to the development of this neurological disorder

Phosphorus drives the biogeographical distribution of sweet and bitter manioc

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 5/1/2024] Manioc (Manihot esculenta Crantz) or cassava comes in two varieties: bitter which is dangerous and sweet which is safe. Three basic questions about this tropical crop remain unanswered decades after they were first asked. First, does a distinct geographical distribution of sweet and bitter manioc exist? That is, are these two varieties partitioned into two discrete regions, or are they so intermixed that neither variety can be assigned to a specific territory? To answer that we compiled the preferences for sweet and bitter manioc among 127 Native Amazonian groups, the largest dataset yet created. Here we establish that sweet and bitter manioc have a well-defined geographical distribution. Second, what causes that distinct distribution? Here we introduce the Phosphorus hypothesis. We explain that distinct distribution in terms of differential levels of phosphorus, the limiting nutrient in Amazonia. And third, why do the majority of Amazonians choose to grow bitter manioc, a poisonous and labor-intensive crop rather than sweet manioc, which is harmless and quickly prepared? We solve this long-standing paradox by demonstrating how the distinct soil types and soil chemistries of different ecological regions play a pivotal role in determining what crops can and cannot be grown in Amazonian soils.Includes bibliographical references

Anthrofest 2015

The University of Pennsylvania anthropology annual undergraduate research conference known as ANTHROFEST brings together undergraduates involved in research across all concentrations in anthropology, as well as faculty and the broader undergraduate and graduate community. Each year, select students present and discuss their original research to the community at Penn. The conference is open to the public