Traditional preparations used as uterotonics in Sub‐Saharan Africa and their pharmacologic effects

BackgroundLittle is known about the use of traditional preparations for uterotonic effects at or near delivery in Sub‐Saharan Africa.ObjectiveTo describe (1) use of traditional preparations in Sub‐Saharan Africa intended to have uterotonic effects at or near birth; and (2) results of pharmacologic investigations of the uterotonic properties of such preparations.Search strategyStructured review of 13 databases.Selection criteriaArticles describing use of traditional preparations in Sub‐Saharan Africa with primary data, published in English between January 1, 1980 and June 30, 2010.Data collection and analysisFull‐text review using standard spreadsheet templates.Main resultsObjective 1 analysis identified 208 plant species used for uterotonic effects at or near delivery. The most common use was labor induction/augmentation (n = 185). Other uses were to expel the placenta, shorten the third stage of labor, manage retained placenta (n = 61), and prevent/manage postpartum hemorrhage (n = 20). Objective 2 analysis identified 82 species with uterotonic activity confirmed through pharmacologic evaluation. Studies also identified potentiating/inhibiting effects of extracts on pharmaceutical uterotonics.ConclusionNumerous plants are used for uterotonic effects in Sub‐Saharan Africa; uterotonic activity has been confirmed in many through pharmacologic evaluation. Such use may increase the risk of adverse outcomes. Further research is needed on the uterotonic efficacy of traditional preparations and on interventions to address use during labor.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/135671/1/0-mmc1.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/135671/2/ijgo16.pd

LCEs for Naval Reactor Benchmark Calculations

The purpose of this engineering calculation is to document the MCNP4B2LV evaluations of Laboratory Critical Experiments (LCEs) performed as part of the Disposal Criticality Analysis Methodology program. LCE evaluations documented in this report were performed for 22 different cases with varied design parameters. Some of these LCEs (10) are documented in existing references (Ref. 7.1 and 7.2), but were re-run for this calculation file using more neutron histories. The objective of this analysis is to quantify the MCNP4B2LV code system's ability to accurately calculate the effective neutron multiplication factor (k{sub eff}) for various critical configurations. These LCE evaluations support the development and validation of the neutronics methodology used for criticality analyses involving Naval reactor spent nuclear fuel in a geologic repository

Estimation of effective vaccination rate for pertussis in New Zealand as a case study

In some cases vaccination is unreliable. For example vaccination against pertussis has comparatively high level of primary and secondary failures. To evaluate efficiency of vaccination we introduce the idea of effective vaccination rate and suggest an approach to estimate it. We consider pertussis in New Zealand as a case study. The results indicate that the level of immunity failure for pertussis is considerably higher than was anticipated

Range of Neutronic Parameters for Repository Criticality Analyses

The ''Range of Neutronic Parameters for Repository Criticality Analyses'' technical report contains a summary of the benchmark criticality analyses (including the laboratory critical experiment [LCEs] and the commercial reactor criticals [CRCs]) used to support the validation of the criticality evaluation methods. This report also documents the development of the Critical Limits (CLs) for the repository criticality analyses

Information Systems and Assemblages

International audienceThe theme for the 2014 IFIP WG 8.2 working conference was ‘Information Systems and Global Assemblages: (Re)Configuring Actors, Artefacts, Organizations’. The motivation behind the choice of the conference theme has been the increasing appreciation of notions of emergence, heterogeneity and temporality in IS studies. We found that the conference provided an opportune occasion for inviting scholars interested in exploring these notions, their relevance and promise for IS studies. The concept of the ‘assemblage’ [1], already referenced in IS studies, as will be discussed below, and with significant popularity in other fields, such as anthropology, geography and cultural studies, provided the stepping stone for approaching the heterogeneous, emergent and situated nature of information systems and organization. In particular, we opted for highlighting the ‘global assemblage’[2] as a metaphor to talk about challenging yet often creative tensions that emerge as global imperatives (geographical, intellectual, procedural and others) interact with local arrangements of actors, artefacts and organizations. Here ‘global’ does not mean universal or everywhere, but mobile, abstractable, and capable of recontextualization across diverse social and cultural situations.This book provides a collection of contributions by scholars who responded to our invitation, adding depth and breadth to our understanding of the concept and its value for IS studies. At the same time, some contributors chose to discuss emergence, heterogeneity and situatedness in different terms, drawing upon alternative theoretical traditions and concepts. The result has been an engaging and stimulating mix of ideas that points towards the ‘multiple’ trajectories - current and future - of this exciting stream of research

Standardization, calibration and innovation: a special issue on lithic microwear method

YesThis paper introduces a special issue of the Journal of Archaeological Science that considers the current state and future directions in lithic microwear analysis. There is considerable potential for lithic microwear analysis to reconstruct past human behaviour as it can provide direct insight into past activities. Consequently, it is a technique worthy of significant additional investment and continued development. To further the cause of methodological maturation within microwear analysis and to promote standardization, calibration, and innovation, the following collection of papers present various approaches and perspectives on how greater methodological refinement and increased reliability of results can and should be achieved. Many of these papers were part of a session held at the 2011 Society for American Archaeology Meeting (SAA) in Sacramento, California, while others were selected from the 2012 International Conference on Use-Wear Analysis in Faro, Portugal. The purpose of the SAA session and this special themed issue is essentially two-fold. The first is to promote awareness of the need for methodological standardization, calibration, and continuing innovation. The second is to open a serious dialogue about how these aims could be pursued and achieved.AAE was supported by the AHRC (AH/J007935/1). HJL was supported by L’Équipe Archéometrie at the Laboratoires d’ Archéologie, a part of the Centre Interuniversitaire d’Études sur les Lettres, les Arts et les Traditions (CELAT) at Université Laval. DAM was supported by Fondation Fyssen and the University of Toronto. WJS was supported by Faculty Development Grant from Keene State College

An Introduction to Data Analysis in Asteroseismology

A practical guide is presented to some of the main data analysis concepts and techniques employed contemporarily in the asteroseismic study of stars exhibiting solar-like oscillations. The subjects of digital signal processing and spectral analysis are introduced first. These concern the acquisition of continuous physical signals to be subsequently digitally analyzed. A number of specific concepts and techniques relevant to asteroseismology are then presented as we follow the typical workflow of the data analysis process, namely, the extraction of global asteroseismic parameters and individual mode parameters (also known as peak-bagging) from the oscillation spectrum.Comment: Lecture presented at the IVth Azores International Advanced School in Space Sciences on "Asteroseismology and Exoplanets: Listening to the Stars and Searching for New Worlds" (arXiv:1709.00645), which took place in Horta, Azores Islands, Portugal in July 201

Transverse spin dynamics in a spin-polarized Fermi liquid

The linear equations for transverse spin dynamics in weakly polarised degenerate Fermi liquid with arbitrary relationship between temperature and polarization are derived from Landau-Silin phenomenological kinetic equation with general form of two-particle collision integral. The temperature and polarization dependence of the spin current relaxation time is established. It is found in particular that at finite polarization transverse spin wave damping has a finite value at T=0. The analogy between temperature dependences of spin waves attenuation and ultrasound absorption in degenerate Fermi liquid at arbitrary temperature is presented. We also discuss spin-polarized Fermi liquid in the general context of the Fermi-liquid theory and compare it with "Fermi liquid" with spontaneous magnetization.Comment: 10 page

Evaluation of Percent Cover Requirements for Revegetation of Disturbed Sites on Alaska's North Slope

On the North Slope of Alaska, attempts have been made to revegetate areas damaged by development. Some revegetation projects strive to achieve specific performance standards based on percent vegetation cover. This study uses data collected from 60 sites over 16 years to compare revegetating sites and natural reference sites. Results demonstrate that percent cover in most revegetation settings has the potential to reach levels comparable to those of reference sites, depending on how cover is defined. Linear models that explain between 48% and 84% of the variability in data show that planting cultivar seeds and fertilizing can increase cover (p < 0.05 for all models) and that cover continues to increase over time (p < 0.05 for all models), provided that cover is defined to include all live plants and plant litter. Ordination analysis separates reference sites from most revegetating sites along two significant axes (Monte Carlo tests, p < 0.01 with 100 randomizations). Comparison of ordination results with plots of change in plant cover over time shows that plant cover offers only limited insight into plant community development. If percent cover is to be used as a performance standard, it should be clearly defined, and the link between percent cover and restoration objectives should be carefully considered. Although this paper focuses on North Slope revegetation projects, the issues that are addressed have implications for all projects with performance standards calling for specific percent cover by vegetation.Le versant Nord de l'Alaska a fait l'objet de tentatives de reverdissement dans des zones endommagées par l'exploitation. Certains projets de remise en état s'efforcent d'atteindre des normes de rendement spécifiques qui s'appuient sur le pourcentage de tapis végétal. Cette étude fait appel aux données collectées à 60 emplacements sur une durée de 16 ans afin de comparer les sites de reverdissement avec des sites témoins laissés à l'état naturel. Les résultats montrent qu'à la plupart des endroits de reverdissement, le pourcentage de tapis végétal a le potentiel d'atteindre des niveaux comparables à ceux des sites témoins, selon la définition du tapis végétal. Les modèles linéaires, qui expliquent entre 48 et 84 % de la variabilité dans les données, montrent que le fait de planter des semences de cultivars et de mettre de l'engrais peut accroître le tapis (p < 0,05 pour tous les modèles) et que ce dernier continue d'augmenter au fil du temps (p < 0,05 pour tous les modèles), à condition d'inclure toutes les plantes vivantes et la litière végétale dans la définition du tapis végétal. L'analyse d'ordination permet de distinguer les sites témoins de la majorité des sites reverdis selon deux grands axes (tests de Monte Carlo, p < 0,01 avec 100 randomisations). La comparaison des résultats de l'ordination avec les courbes de changement dans la couverture végétale en fonction du temps révèle que la couverture n'offre qu'un aperçu limité de l'évolution du peuplement végétal. Si le pourcentage de tapis doit servir de norme de rendement, il faut en donner une définition précise, et examiner en détail le lien entre le pourcentage de tapis et les objectifs de restauration. Si cet article se concentre sur les projets de remise en état du versant Nord, les questions qu'il soulève ont des implications pour tous les projets où les normes de rendement prévoient un pourcentage spécifique de tapis végétal

A motif-based approach to network epidemics

Networks have become an indispensable tool in modelling infectious diseases, with the structure of epidemiologically relevant contacts known to affect both the dynamics of the infection process and the efficacy of intervention strategies. One of the key reasons for this is the presence of clustering in contact networks, which is typically analysed in terms of prevalence of triangles in the network. We present a more general approach, based on the prevalence of different four-motifs, in the context of ODE approximations to network dynamics. This is shown to outperform existing models for a range of small world networks