Factors Associated with Stunting among Pre-school Children in Southern Highlands of Tanzania

Stunting is a major public health problem in Africa and is associated with poor child survival and development. We investigate factors associated to child stunting in three Tanzanian regions. A cross-sectional two-stage cluster sampling survey was conducted among children aged 6-59 months. The sample included 1360 children aged 6-23 months and 1904 children aged 24-59 months. Descriptive statistics and binary and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. Our main results are: in the younger group, stunting was associated with male sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.17; confidence interval [CI]: 1.52-3.09), maternal absence (AOR: 1.93; CI: 1.21-3.07) and household diet diversity (AOR: 0.61; CI: 0.41-0.92). Among older children, stunting was associated with male sex (AOR: 1.28; CI: 1.00-1.64), age of 4 and 5 (AOR: 0.71; CI: 0.54-0.95; AOR: 0.60; CI: 0.44-0.83), access to improved water source (AOR: 0.70; CI: 0.52-0.93) and to a functioning water station (AOR: 0.63; CI: 0.40–0.98) and mother breastfeeding (AOR: 1.97; CI: 1.18-3.29). Interventions that increase household wealth and improve water and sanitation conditions should be implemented to reduce stunting. Family planning activities and programmes supporting mothers during pregnancy and lactation can positively affect both newborns and older siblings

Carcinoma-associated fucosylated antigens are markers of the epithelial state and can contribute to cell adhesion through CLEC17A (Prolectin)

International audienceTerminal fucosylated motifs of glycoproteins and glycolipid chains are often altered in cancer cells. We investigated the link between fucosylation changes and critical steps in cancer progression: epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and lymph node metastasis. Using mammary cell lines, we demonstrate that during EMT, expression of some fucosylated antigens (e.g.: Lewis Y) is decreased as a result of repression of the fucosyltransferase genes FUT1 and FUT3. Moreover, we identify the fucose-binding bacterial lectin BC2L-C-Nt as a specific probe for the epithelial state. Prolectin (CLEC17A), a human lectin found on lymph node B cells, shares ligand specificities with BC2L-C-Nt. It binds preferentially to epithelial rather than to mesenchymal cells, and microfluidic experiments showed that prolectin behaves as a cell adhesion molecule for epithelial cells. Comparison of paired primary tumors/ lymph node metastases revealed an increase of prolectin staining in metastasis and high FUT1 and FUT3 mRNA expression was associated with poor prognosis. Our data suggest that tumor cells invading the lymph nodes and expressing fucosylated motifs associated with the epithelial state could use prolectin as a colonization factor

Comparison of Analytical and Numerical Methods for the Evaluation of the Flow Forces in Conical Poppet Valves with Direct and Reverse Flow

Different methods for the evaluation of the flow forces in conical poppet valves are analyzed. The equation derived from the conservation of the fluid momentum is contrasted with a formulation obtained from the Bernoulli's equation and with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations performed through two commercial codes, PumpLinx and Flow Simulation. Three different poppet angles and two flow directions are analyzed. In some operating conditions, a significant difference was found between the analytical formulation and the outcomes of the CFD simulations in case of reverse flow

Photochemical Implications of Changes in the Spectral Properties of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter: A Model Assessment for Surface Waters

Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) is the main sunlight absorber in surface waters and a very important photosensitiser towards the generation of photochemically produced reactive intermediates (PPRIs), which take part in pollutant degradation. The absorption spectrum of CDOM (ACDOM(λ), unitless) can be described by an exponential function that decays with increasing wavelength: ACDOM(λ) = 100 d DOC Ao e− Sλ, where d [m] is water depth, DOC [mgC L−1] is dissolved organic carbon, Ao [L mgC−1 cm−1] is a pre-exponential factor, and S [nm−1] is the spectral slope. Sunlight absorption by CDOM is higher when Ao and DOC are higher and S is lower, and vice versa. By the use of models, here we investigate the impact of changes in CDOM spectral parameters (Ao and S) on the steady-state concentrations of three PPRIs: the hydroxyl radical (•OH), the carbonate radical (CO3•−), and CDOM excited triplet states (3CDOM*). A first finding is that variations in both Ao and S have impacts comparable to DOC variations on the photochemistry of CDOM, when reasonable parameter values are considered. Therefore, natural variability of the spectral parameters or their modifications cannot be neglected. In the natural environment, spectral parameters could, for instance, change because of photobleaching (prolonged exposure of CDOM to sunlight, which decreases Ao and increases S) or of the complex and still poorly predictable effects of climate change. A second finding is that, while the steady-state [3CDOM*] would increase with increasing ACDOM (increasing Ao, decreasing S), the effect of spectral parameters on [•OH] and [CO3•−] depends on the relative roles of CDOM vs. NO3− and NO2− as photochemical •OH sources

Making sense of shaky data in humanitarian crises

Humanitarian decision-making occurs in volatile and politically charged environments where information is often incomplete, outdated, or conflicting. Effective humanitarian response often requires interpreting poor-quality data to guide interventions, allocate resources, and assess impact. Despite advances in evidence generation, knowledge gaps persist, and decisions are frequently influenced by political and organizational factors rather than by data. This paper argues that data interpretation is an area of weakness in humanitarian response. Data availability and quality vary across crises, with methodological challenges and political sensitivities further complicating interpretation. The three examples of Darfur (Sudan), Yemen and Ethiopia illustrate how conflicting information and ambiguous interpretation can negatively impact critical decisions with far-reaching consequences on the affected communities. This paper concludes with suggestions for making better interpretation and use of data in humanitarian crises

The Working Hydraulics of Valve-Controlled Mobile Machines: Classification and Review

Productivity, reliability, controllability, flexibility and affordable costs represent key aspects in mobile machines. Additionally, due to the high fuel price and to the introduction of stringent emission regulations for diesel engines, the reduction of fuel consumption while persevering the existing performance is the current demand. In order to satisfy and maximize the above requirements, different hydraulic system architectures have been developed during the last decades. Both academia and industry have been investing considerable resources delivering numerous outcomes that require a classification. This review paper closes this gap by analyzing and classifying the working hydraulics of non-hybrid, valve-controlled mobile machines starting from the 1980s to the state-of-the-art. Hydraulic layouts are addressed and categorized by both discussing their fundamentals and evolutions, and by pointing out their pros and cons in a way to provide the readers with a comprehensive overview of the systems currently available on the market and at the research stage

Effect of phosphorus on the attenuation of lead and chromium

This study analyses the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cr(III) in soils. These metals are commonly found together in nature in urban wastes or industrial spillages, and the theoretical approach of the work was to evaluate the response of the soil to continuous Cr and Pb spillages to soil in terms of several physicochemical parameters. The influence of an anthropogenic input of phosphorus was evaluated. Continuous flow experiments were run in duplicates in acrylic columns (25 cm × 3.2 cm). The influent Cr(III) and Pb(II) solutions of 10 mg l−1 and 25 mg l−1 at pH 5 were pumped upward through the bottom of the columns to ensure saturation flow conditions. Also, successive experiments were run with the above concentrations of Cr(III) and Pb(II) and NaH2PO4, keeping metal to phosphorus ratio of 1:0, 1:0.1 and 1:1. Modelling parameters included Freundlich and Langmuir equations, together with the Two-site adsorption model using CXTFIT code. Results obtained allowed concluding that Pb(II) adsorption presents a certain degree of irreversibility and the continued spillages over soil increment the fraction which is not easily desorbed. Cr(III) desorption was almost complete, evidencing its high mobility in nature. The presence of an anthropogenic input of phosphorus leads to a marked increase of both Pb(II) and Cr(III) adsorption in soils. Z-potential measurements allow to discard the electrostatic attraction of Cr(III) and Pb(II) with the surface charged soil as the dominant process of metal sorption. Instead, CheaqsPro simulation allows to identify PbH2PO4 +, PbHPO4 (aq) and CrHPO4 + as the dominant species which regulate Cr(III) and Pb(II) transport in soils.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologi

Knowledge Awareness of Mental Health Risk Factors in Youths Among Healthcare Providers in an Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic in Miami, Florida: A Quality Improvement Project

It is globally estimated that one in seven youths between the ages of 10-19 years old experience a mental health disorder, yet many of those are largely unrecognized and untreated. Psychiatric risk factors are associated with the development of mental illnesses. However, not all healthcare providers understand the causative factors of psychiatric illnesses in youths. The inadequacy in knowledge makes it hard for them to guide youths on the best measures to adopt to realize a community that is free from mental illnesses. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase knowledge awareness of mental health risk factors in youths among healthcare providers in an outpatient psychiatric clinic in Miami, Florida. A descriptive, cross-sectional, pre- and posttest study design was used to conduct this quality improvement project. A convenience sampling method was employed to recruit ten participants and access data at an outpatient psychiatric clinic in Miami, Florida. The project, including the research-based educational intervention, was conducted remotely, and participants completed pre- and post- test surveys using Qualtrics and the modified Mental Health Literacy Tool for Educators (MHL-ED) to assess their knowledge of mental health risk factors in youth. Results revealed a significant difference between pre- and posttest results, with an overall increase in knowledge awareness among healthcare providers after an educational intervention, t(9) = 3.62, p = 0.006, (p \u3c 0.05). Healthcare providers should be further educated and provided resources to increase knowledge awareness of mental health risk factors in youths to provide the best care consistent with the identified risks

Relación entre la innovación y el performance en empresas de base tecnológica (ebts) del sector de tecnologías de información en Colombia

El presente trabajo busca contribuir mediante el examen de los procesos de innovación a nivel microeconómico, a la identificación de las dificultades e incentivos de las empresas para emprender esfuerzos de innovación, y los efectos que tienen sobre el desempeño de las firmas que emprenden esos procesos de innovación. En el contexto relacionado de los procesos de innovación, las organizaciones buscan mantener o desarrollar ventajas competitivas que les permitan aprovechar y lograr un posicionamiento estratégico en el entorno socio económico al cual pertenecen. Estas ventajas competitivas se vinculan habitualmente con los recursos y capacidades empresariales u organizativos que desarrolla cada firma en la región geográfica donde se ubica. De aquí se deriva la importancia que cobra analizar el potencial impacto de las actividades encaminadas a generar e implantar innovaciones sobre la “performance” o desempeño empresarial. En este sentido, el impacto de la innovación sobre la performance empresarial suele medirse por medio del grado de evolución, transformación, cambios o mejoras en productos y servicios de la empresa, que permitan incrementar la eficiencia en la gestión e impulsar su competitividad basados en las capacidades y recursos empresariales. La relación entre la innovación y la “performance” empresarial constituye precisamente el núcleo de esta tesis doctoral, la cual se centra en una modalidad empresarial de gran relevancia y proyección como son las Empresas de Base Tecnológica (EBTs). Así pues, la presente investigación se propone estudiar el desempeño y las estrategias de innovación de las Empresas de Base Tecnológica (EBTs) frente a las demás empresas (No-EBTs) en 143 firmas del sector de las Tecnologías de la Información (TI) en Colombia. La importancia de la segmentación de la muestra entre EBTs y No-EBTs se desprende del interés público en la capacidad que es atribuida a las EBTs para generar mayores tasas de crecimiento del empleo (Evangelista y Savona, 2003) y el desarrollo de ventajas competitivas de largo plazo. En cuanto a la estructura de contenidos, el presente documento está organizado en cuatro capítulos. El capítulo I presenta una revisión de reciente literatura teórica y empírica sobre innovación, EBTs, recursos y capacidades, performance empresarial, la relación entre la innovación y el desempeño empresarial, la relación entre el concepto de EBTs y el performance, y la relación entre el emprededurismo con el concepto de EBTs, incluyendo algunos efectos moderadores relevantes para economías emergentes. El capítulo II describe el análisis empírico junto a las hipótesis, el modelo de estudio, las principales variables, el diseño metodológico, la información de la encuesta y toda la descripción de los modelos utilizados en la investigación. El capítulo III ofrece los resultados, comenzando con un análisis descriptivo, para presentar a continuación los principales resultados obtenidos de la muestra de empresas del sector TI en Colombia. El IV y último capítulo discute los principales resultados y conclusiones obtenidos para conciliarlos con la literatura existente y presenta una propuesta de futuras líneas de investigación

Downsizing the electric machines of energy-efficient electro-hydraulic drives for mobile hydraulics

The poor energy efficiency of state-of-the-art mobile hydraulics affects the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere and the operating costs. These crucial factors require urgent improvements that can be addressed by the electrification of fluid power. This approach has already generated electro-hydraulic drives that remove flow throttling and enable energy recovery. However, the entire power managed by the actuators of conventional systems must pass through the electric machines. This characteristic is unfeasible for medium-to-high power applications since they need electric motors and electronics with high power ratings and large onboard generation of electricity. Thus, this paper applies to a hydraulic excavator’s boom the idea of splitting the power being transferred to/from the actuator between the hydraulic and electric domains (i.e., a centralized hydraulic power supply is involved). The objective is downsizing the power rating of the boom’s electric components while maintaining the highpower output of the hydraulic actuator. The results show the expected behavior of the hybrid excavator in terms of motion control, but only 57% of the boom’s peak power is now exchanged electrically. The resulting electric machine with 61% downsizing favors the system’s cost and compactness supporting the electrification process that is aligned with the low-carbon economy