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In Kenya, 'Ugali', made from milled whole sifted dry maize (corn) flour, is the popular staple food consumed by nearly 80% of the population. The overreliance on 'Ugali' has posed a major problem s[degrees]Cially, economically and politically. Ugali is generally perceived to have higher energy and satiety compared to other carbohydrate staple foods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using 322 purposefully selected respondents. The objective was to determine the preference ranking of selected commonly consumed carbohydrate energy staple foods by Very Active Manual Workers (VAMW). The VAMW require high energy in order to sustain their very active lifestyle. Three group categories were targeted: VAMW, moderately active Civil servants (CS) and University students (US). Structured questionnaires were administered to respondents to indicate their top ranking and preferred staple foods among six commonly consumed carbohydrate energy foods - Ugali, rice, chapati, Irish potatoes, bananas (Matoke), and 'others' category (foods such as Githeri (mixed maize and beans), cassava, spaghetti, noodles, Sweet potatoes, and bread among many alternatives). The foods were ranked according to the most preferred to the least preferred on a scale of 1 to 6. Results indicated a higher preference for Ugali by all respondent groups. The mean rank for Ugali by VAMW was 1.134[+ or -]0.492, followed by chapati 2.588[+ or -]0.976, third was rice 3.27[+ or -]1.242, fourth was Irish Potatoes 4.299[+ or -]0.970, fifth bananas (matoke) 4.588[+ or -]1.068, and sixth was 'others' 5.165[+ or -]1.296. US preference ranking for Ugali was 1.628[+ or -]1.067, rice 2.5[+ or -]1.085, chapati 2.564[+ or -]1.083, Irish potatoes 4.053[+ or -]0.943, bananas 4.394[+ or -]0.918, and others 5.872[+ or -]0.421; CS ranking for Ugali was 1.471[+ or -]0.930, rice 2.608[+ or -]1.101, chapati 3.09[+ or -]1.264, bananas 4.029[+ or -]1.173, Irish potatoes 4.51[+ or -]0.972, and others 5.284[+ or -]1.396. Combined groups mean was 1.410[+ or -]0.064 and food preference ranking was very significantly different, P < 0.0001. Pairwise comparison of mean ranks indicated a significant difference between rank means of all groups, but there was no significant difference between the ranking for rice versus chapati, and Irish potatoes versus bananas. The VAMW had a higher preference for Ugali compared to the moderately active groups. Key words: 'Ugali,' Preference ranking, Carbohydrate energy staple, Satiety, Very active manual workers, INTRODUCTION Human food preferences and diet have evolved over time and vary within and between ethnicities [1]. Communities around the world have established preferences for specific foods as their main [...]

Individuals of African origin have an increased risk of developing various progressive chronic kidney diseases (CKD). This risk has been attributed to genetic variants (G1, G2) in apolipoprotein-L1 (APOL1) gene. In the pediatric population, especially in children affected by sickle cell disease (SCD), by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or with various glomerular diseases, APOL1 risk variants have been associated with the development of hypertension, albuminuria, and more rapid decline of kidney function. The present review focuses on existing APOL1-related epidemiological data in children with CKD. It also includes data from studies addressing racial disparities in CKD, the APOL1-related innate immunity, and the relationship between APOL1 and CKD and pathogenic pathways mediating APOL1-related kidney injury., Author(s): Pepe M. Ekulu [sup.1] [sup.2] , Agathe B. Nkoy [sup.2] , Oyindamola C. Adebayo [sup.1] , Orly K. Kazadi [sup.2] , Michel N. Aloni [sup.2] , Fanny O. Arcolino [...]

In this article, the authors examine the psychometric properties of the Student Risk Screening Scale (SRSS), including evaluating the concurrent validity of the SRSS to predict results from the Systematic Screening for Behavior Disorders (SSBD) when used to detect school children with externalizing or internalizing behavior concerns at three assessment points during one academic year. Results suggest strong internal consistency and test-retest stability. Analyses of receiver operating characteristics curves also suggest that the SRSS is more accurate for detecting externalizing than internalizing behaviors. The authors conclude by offering recommendations to school site teams and researchers interested in conducing systematic screenings at the elementary level. Limitations and future directions are offered. (Contains 4 tables and 1 figure.)

This study investigated the use of diagrammatic representation as an aid for recalling a past event for 30 4-5-year-olds in their preschool year prior to commencing primary school. The children were randomly placed into one of two groups: "talkers" (verbal memory) or "drawers" (diagrammatic memory). They were interviewed individually, both one day and one month after the event that involved making a much-needed tool for a game at their preschool. Both interviews were conducted by a familiar adult through three different levels of engagement--neutral, verbal and visual. Results showed that a combination of drawing and specific questioning ("verbal" level of engagement) facilitated better recall of detail than either drawing or talking independently. No significant differences regarding accuracy of responses were found between the two groups. (Contains 1 table.)

This article presents an exploratory study into the use of diagrammatic representation to aid problem-solving. It consists of a case study of one preschooler (3.9 years) who over a 12-month period was encouraged to use drawing as a way of reasoning about daily problems or issues. For this child, diagrammatic representation was found to facilitate effective reasoning as well as the use of metacognitive strategies. The implications for educational practice are discussed. (Contains 4 drawings.)

Objective: This prospective study characterizes trajectories of symptoms and impairment in pediatric patients with abdominal pain not associated with identifiable organic disease. Method: The Children's Somatization Inventory and the Functional Disability Inventory were administered four times over 5 years to 132 patients (6-18 years old) seen in a pediatric gastroenterology clinic. Individual trajectories were empirically grouped and correlates of trajectory group membership at baseline were evaluated. Results: A model with three unique trajectories was found to adequately fit both symptom and impairment data. Two trajectories indicated relatively long-term improvement and one indicated continued high levels of symptoms and impairment. At baseline, the long-term risk group did not have the most severe pain but had significantly more anxiety, depression, lower perceived self-worth, and more negative life events. Conclusions: These results indicate that several distinct trajectories of relatively long-term outcomes may exist in children with functional abdominal pain. One trajectory indicated long-term risk for a high level of symptoms and impairment. Psychosocial correlates of long-term risk for physical symptoms and impairment, such as child-reported stress and internalizing symptoms, may be useful for treatment planning. (Contains 2 figures and 3 tables.)

This paper describes a longitudinal study undertaken with 40 pre-schoolers during their last six months in an early childhood centre and their first six months at school. The study presents an investigation of the pathways that child drawers and painters make towards representational depictions. As such its primary focus is on cognitive processes. Monthly samples of 40 children's drawings and paintings were collected over a 12-month period that included the children's transition into formal schooling. CrossTabs analysis showed that the relevant cognitive abilities tended to present in clusters and that patterning may be a serious component both in its own right, as well as in facilitating representational depictions, as previously claimed by Booth. (Contains 4 tables and 15 figures.)

This study examines interventions designed to improve communication between individuals who take care of children with ADHD. A teacher rating of 6,171 elementary school children identifies 1,573 children with ADHD or with high risk for ADHD. Parent interviews and information from teachers are collected on 243 children who are randomized into treatment and control conditions and followed for 39 months. The interventions consisted of group workshops and single one-on-one tutorials with parents, teachers, and providers about the evaluation and treatment of ADHD that stressed the need for communication between the three parties. There are few significant effects on communication that are short lived. Results suggest that the interventions are insufficient to cause significant increase in communication. Future attempts to improve parent-teacher-provider coordination should be continuing rather than single-session interventions. (Contains 6 tables and 4 figures.)

This study describes the use of content analysis to develop a framework for analysing children's animated television programs (in this case, "Bob the Builder") and as such represents the initial stage of a larger project. Results indicate this popular TV series for preschoolers presents contradictory social messages about the roles of men and women as depicted through the two main characters, Bob and Wendy. (Contains 1 diagram and 2 tables.)

In order to determine whether expenditures for mental health could be reduced and quality improved, Congress mandated that the Department of Defense conduct a demonstration project utilizing a wraparound mental health service system for child and adolescent military dependents. A longitudinal quasiexperimental design was used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the demonstration. The results showed that children in the Wraparound Group received more wraparound services than those in the treatment as usual (TAU) Comparison Group. These services included case management, in-home treatment, and other nontraditional services. The Demonstration also provided better continuity of care. Multiple methods were used to investigate the impact of wraparound. Both groups showed some improvement on some measures but there were no differences between the groups in functioning, symptoms, life satisfaction, positive functioning, or sentinel events. Regardless of which statistical model was used to estimate costs, the Demonstration was also more expensive. The higher level of expenditures for the Wraparound group was a result of some expensive traditional care and the addition of nontraditional services. Several possible explanations of these results are provided.

Analyzes key assumptions behind Vygotsky's writing on children's play. Argues that Vygotsky's writings about play do not constitute a psychological theory, and would be better acknowledged as part of the historical evolution of ideas about children's play. Maintains that theoretical significance of Vygotsky's opinion about play can be questioned based on current research in the area. (Author/KB)

This study demonstrates the usefulness of cluster analytic patterns of care in a sample of 979 children receiving federal mental health services. Six patterns were identified. These service-utilization clusters provide a useful and easily understood way to summarize children's quantity of use of various mental health services. (SLD)

The Parent and Youth Vanderbilt Functioning Indexes are functioning problem indexes for children and adolescents that require neither clinicians nor trained raters. Their low cost of administration permits adequate sample sizes in outcome evaluations of large numbers of students. The development of these instruments is described. (SLD)

The relationship of 18 parolee characteristics to outcome of parole was investigated (N=254). Three variables predicted likelihood of parole violation: length of sentence; parole officer's assessment of risk; and previous parole (negative relationship). This study is discussed within labeling theory and its model of deviant career development. (EMK)

A waveguide based noninvasive procedure to measure the complex permittivity of epoxy resins and catalysts normally employed in the composite industry is presented. The proposed method combines an analytical approach with a numerical optimization technique, and is based on the injection of the liquid under test beforehand into a cuvette (disposable container) with rectangular cross section. The cuvette filled with the liquid specimen is positioned at the center of a WR-340 rectangular waveguide for measuring the scattering coefficient data in the S-band. The approximate value of the complex permittivity of the specimen is reconstructed from the measured scattering coefficient data using the newly proposed analytical closed-form relations. These analytical expressions are based on derivation of the transcendental equation for the multilayered partially filled waveguide structure using the transverse resonance method. In order to determine quite accurate values of dielectric parameters of the liquid specimen, the experimental setup is simulated with the help of a 3-D full-wave electromagnetic field simulator and accordingly theoretical values of the scattering coefficients are computed. The complex permittivity of the liquid specimen in this case is determined using an optimization algorithm, which minimizes the error between the theoretical and measured values of scattering coefficients. To avoid the local minima problem commonly encountered with optimization routines and to increase the convergence rate, the complex permittivity of the specimen reconstructed using the analytical approach is used as the initial guess. The applicability of the overall procedure is determined by measuring a number of liquid specimens used in the composite industry. Index Terms--Complex relative permittivity, dielectric materials, electromagnetic heating, microwave measurements, partially filled rectangular waveguides, waveguide discontinuities.

Background: Young adults with intellectual disability (ID) are experiencing early mortality, and it is suggested that they are living with undiagnosed cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors (hereafter referred to as cardiometabolic). Methods: We investigated the association between modifiable risk factors and cardiometabolic health profile in adults with ID aged 18–45 years through clinical evaluation of traditional cardiometabolic parameters, and assessment of physical activity levels, diet and associated health knowledge. Results: We found that young adults with ID have an increased obesity (mean body mass index; ID group: 32.9 ± 8.6 vs. control group: 26.2 ± 5.5, P = 0.001), are engaging in less physical activity than the age‐matched general population (total activity minutes per week; ID group: 172.2 ± 148.9 vs. control group: 416.4 ± 277.1, P < 0.001), and overall have unhealthier diets. Additionally, knowledge about nutrition and physical activity appears to be an important predictor of cardiometabolic risk in this population. If young people with ID are to improve their cardiometabolic health to reduce morbidity and early mortality, we need to further explore how to consistently apply health messaging to get lasting behavioural change in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In South Africa (SA), it has been estimated that one-third of boys and 25% of girls under the age of 5 years are stunted, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Multicentre Growth Reference Study. During the past decade, research in developed and developing countries has shown that the international growth standard overestimates stunting and/or wasting when compared with population-specific growth references. Population-specific growth references typically incorporate genetic and environmental factors and can therefore better inform public health by identifying children who may be at risk for malnutrition, or who may be ill. Using the universal growth standard in SA may not be accurately assessing growth. In this article, environmental and genetic factors, and their influence on growth, are reviewed. These points are illustrated through a brief history of the peopling of SA, with an understanding of the socioeconomic and political climate -- past and present. We discuss the uniqueness of certain population groups in SA, with contributions regarding some of the shortest peoples in the world and a history of sociopolitical inequities, which may mean that children from certain population groups who are perfectly healthy would underperform using the universal growth standard. Therefore, we suggest that a local population-specific growth reference would serve to better inform public health policies, and address childhood health equity and physical developmental pathways to adult health risk status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]