Ideal Family Size and Fertility in Egypt: An Overview of Recent Trends

Egypt is already the most populous Arab country in the world with 93 million citizens in 2016 which may grow to about 120 million by 2030 if the same level of fertility continues. This paper aims to offer an overview of the evolution over time of the ideal number of children in Egypt, assessing previous researches and giving a particular emphasis on most recent data on such topic. In a context of raising fertility, whose causes are still unknown, we test the persistence of a high ideal number of children among younger cohorts

Precision Agriculture Workflow, from Data Collection to Data Management Using FOSS Tools: An Application in Northern Italy Vineyard

In the past decades, technology-based agriculture, also known as Precision Agriculture (PA) or smart farming, has grown, developing new technologies and innovative tools to manage data for the whole agricultural processes. In this framework, geographic information, and spatial data and tools such as UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and multispectral optical sensors play a crucial role in the geomatics as support techniques. PA needs software to store and process spatial data and the Free and Open Software System (FOSS) community kept pace with PA’s needs: several FOSS software tools have been developed for data gathering, analysis, and restitution. The adoption of FOSS solutions, WebGIS platforms, open databases, and spatial data infrastructure to process and store spatial and nonspatial acquired data helps to share information among different actors with user-friendly solutions. Nevertheless, a comprehensive open-source platform that, besides processing UAV data, allows directly storing, visualising, sharing, and querying the final results and the related information does not exist. Indeed, today, the PA’s data elaboration and management with a FOSS approach still require several different software tools. Moreover, although some commercial solutions presented platforms to support management in PA activities, none of these present a complete workflow including data from acquisition phase to processed and stored information. In this scenario, the paper aims to provide UAV and PA users with a FOSS-replicable methodology that can fit farming activities’ operational and management needs. Therefore, this work focuses on developing a totally FOSS workflow to visualise, process, analyse, and manage PA data. In detail, a multidisciplinary approach is adopted for creating an operative web-sharing tool able to manage Very High Resolution (VHR) agricultural multispectral-derived information gathered by UAV systems. A vineyard in Northern Italy is used as an example to show the workflow of data generation and the data structure of the web tool. A UAV survey was carried out using a six-band multispectral camera and the data were elaborated through the Structure from Motion (SfM) technique, resulting in 3 cm resolution orthophoto. A supervised classifier identified the phenological stage of under-row weeds and the rows with a 95% overall accuracy. Then, a set of GIS-developed algorithms allowed Individual Tree Detection (ITD) and spectral indices for monitoring the plant-based phytosanitary conditions. A spatial data structure was implemented to gather the data at canopy scale. The last step of the workflow concerned publishing data in an interactive 3D webGIS, allowing users to update the spatial database. The webGIS can be operated from web browsers and desktop GIS. The final result is a shared open platform obtained with nonproprietary software that can store data of different sources and scales

Exploring solutions to improve antenatal care in resource-limited settings : an expert consultation

BACKGROUND: Shortage or low-quality antenatal care is a complex and "wicked" problem relying heavily on contextual, socio-cultural, environmental and intersectional aspects. We report the outcome of an expert consultation discussing solutions to improve antenatal care quality, access and delivery in low- and middle-income countries, and providing recommendations for implementation. METHODS: The social ecological model was used as an analytical lens to map and interpret discussion points and proposed solutions. In addition, a conceptual framework for maternal and neonatal health innovation based on the building blocks of the World Health Organization health system and the Tanahashi Health Systems Performance Model provided a logical overview of discussed solutions. RESULTS: Many barriers and norms continue to hinder antenatal care access. From values, beliefs, traditions, customs and norms, to poor resource allocation, there is a need of reshaping health systems in order to provide high quality, respectful maternal and childcare. The burden of poor maternal health, morbidity and mortality is concentrated among populations who are vulnerable due to gender and other types of discrimination, have financial constraints and are affected by humanitarian crises. CONCLUSIONS: In order to address maternal health issues, good quality and evidence-based services should be guaranteed. Investments in strengthening health systems, including data and surveillance systems and skilled health workforce, should be considered an essential step towards improving maternal health services

Citizen participation in the digital era: modalities and associated sociodemographic factors

El presente estudio analiza diversas modalidades de participación ciudadana y su relación con el uso de internet. Se investiga la frecuencia y horas de uso de internet, así como también se efectúa un análisis factorial exploratorio que arroja cinco categorías de participación ciudadana. Finalmente se analizan las relaciones entre esas categorías, el uso de internet y determinados factores sociodemográficos como sexo y edad. Se utilizó un cuestionario autoadministrado con 579 personas de la ciudad de Buenos Aires y alrededores que permitió un análisis estadístico descriptivo, para luego hacer los cálculos estadísticos correspondientes a la correlación de variables. Se encontró que la participación en internet correlaciona positivamente con la frecuencia y horas de uso de la red, y son los jóvenes y las mujeres quienes reportan más participación.This study analyzes various forms of citizen participation and its relation to use of internet. We explore frequency and hours of Internet use and make an exploratory factor analysis that yields five categories of citizen participation. We analyze relationships between these categories, use of internet and certain sociodemographic factors such as gender and age. A self-administered questionnaire was used with 579 people from the city of Buenos Aires and surroundings that allowed descriptive and correlational statistical analyzes. Participation in internet positively correlated with the frequency and hours of network use, and young people and women report more participation.Fil: Angeli, Luciano Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Psicología; ArgentinaFil: Delfino, Gisela Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires"; ArgentinaFil: Zubieta, Elena Mercedes. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentin

Del preescolar a la escuela primaria

1 documento en PDF de 10 páginas.A veces la matemática se asocia con estereotipos escolares que están lejos de su esencia: fórmulas, ecuaciones y teoremas que para algunos son solo un aprendizaje memorístico y cálculos sin sentido; todo esto puede producir estupor y manifestaciones de desagrado ligadas a las experiencias de aprendizaje en los años de escuela. Este libro es pensado para ofrecer a los docentes un instrumento útil que los pueda acompañar en un itinerario de reflexión, tanto teórico como práctico, sobre la enseñanza-aprendizaje de la matemática en el preescolar.PREFACIO 1. Una educación matemática significativa en preescolar. Hipótesis teóricas, investigaciones empíricas y experiencias lúdicas Aprendizaje espontáneo de la matemática Algunos ejemplos, para iniciar Modelos mentales que se forman espontáneamente Ayudar a formar modelos correctos Características generales de los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje de la matemática en el preescolar Conocimientos a la base de las estrategias ingenuas que se establecen al hacer matemática Uso de estrategias ingenuas en el hacer matemática Algunas hipótesis de investigación en didáctica de la matemática en el nivel preescolar El “triángulo de la didáctica” Teoría de las situaciones. La microsociedad del salón de clase en el preescolar y las prácticas compartidas Obstáculos Ambientes artificiales de aprendizaje Investigación en didáctica de la matemática, “A” y “B” Referencias. 2. Propuestas de actividad en clase: aritmética y geometría Coplas infantiles y fábulas que incluyen números Números fabulosos La caza del número Números para jugar El calendario, momento de rutina y de matemática Los días del año Viajemos sobre un tapete mágico para descubrir juegos de pavimentación Un viaje a través de países coloridos El viaje continúa en busca de lugares artísticos Juguemos con pentaminos Referencias 3. Propuestas de actividad en clase: geometría, probabilidad, estadística Juegos con sólidos Las cajas abiertas Adivina qué es Pesos y balanzas Una historia, muchas elecciones: construcción de un libro en el cual las elecciones hechas influyen en la continuación del juego Una historia, muchas elecciones (segunda parte): juego con los dados para escoger las rutas adecuadas Camina, camina Las cartas de jueg

MicroRNAs involvement in fludarabine refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Fludarabine, is one of the most active single agents in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Over time, however, virtually all CLL patients become fludarabine-refractory. To elucidate whether microRNAs are involved in the development of fludarabine resistance, we analyzed the expression of 723 human miRNAs before and 5-days after fludarabine mono-therapy in 17 CLL patients which were classified as responder or refractory to fludarabine treatment based on NCI criteria.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>By comparing the expression profiles of these two groups of patients, we identified a microRNA signature able to distinguish refractory from sensitive CLLs. The expression of some microRNAs was also able to predict fludarabine resistance of 12 independent CLL patients. Among the identified microRNAs, miR-148a, miR-222 and miR-21 exhibited a significantly higher expression in non-responder patients either before and after fludarabine treatment. After performing messenger RNA expression profile of the same patients, the activation of p53-responsive genes was detected in fludarabine responsive cases only, therefore suggesting a possible mechanism linked to microRNA deregulation in non-responder patients. Importantly, inhibition of miR-21 and miR-222 by anti-miRNA oligonucleotides induced a significant increase in caspase activity in fludarabine-treated p53-mutant MEG-01 cells, suggesting that miR-21 and miR-222 up-regulation may be involved in the establishment of fludarabine resistance.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This is the first report that reveals the existence of a microRNA profile that differentiate refractory and sensitive CLLs, either before and after fludarabine mono-therapy. A p53 dysfunctional pathway emerged in refractory CLLs and could contribute in explaining the observed miRNA profile. Moreover, this work indicates that specific microRNAs can be used to predict fludarabine resistance and may potentially be used as therapeutic targets, therefore establishing an important starting point for future studies.</p

Fibrosis progression in paired liver biopsies from HIV/HCV co-infected patients

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis C is more aggressive during HIV infection. Available data about risk factors of liver fibrosis in HIV/HCV co-infected patients derive from studies based on a single liver biopsy. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the risk factors of liver fibrosis progression (LFP) and to investigate the role of antiretroviral therapy (ARV) in HIV/HCV patients who underwent paired liver biopsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 58 patients followed at two Infectious Diseases Departments in Northern Italy during the period 1988-2005. All specimens were double-blinded and centrally examined by two pathologists. LFP was defined when an increase of at least one stage occurred in the second biopsy, according to the Ishak-Knodell classification. RESULTS: In a univariate analysis, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 150 IU/L at the first biopsy (P = 0.02), and a > 20% decrease in CD4+ cell count between the two biopsies (P = 0.007), were significantly associated with LFP. In multivariate analysis, a > 20% decrease in CD4+ cell count remained independently associated to LFP (Odds Ratio, 3.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-12.76; P < 0.02). Analysis of life survival curves confirmed the correlation between CD4+ cell count and LFP. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight that in HIV/HCV coinfected patients, an effective antiretroviral therapy that assures a good immune-virological profile contributes to reducing the risk of LF

CXCR3 and α_Eβ₇ integrin identify a subset of CD8+ mature thymocytes that share phenotypic and functional properties with CD8+ gut intraepithelial lymphocytes

Background: We previously demonstrated the existence of two distinct subsets of T cell receptor (TCR)αβ+CD8αβ+ single positive (SP) cells in human postnatal thymus which express the chemokine receptor CCR7 or CXCR3 and migrate in vitro in response to their specific ligands. Aim: To investigate whether these two CD8+ thymocyte subsets had distinct peripheral colonisation. Methods: TCRαβ+CD8+ SP cells were obtained from normal postnatal thymus, mesenteric lymph node (LNs), small bowel, and peripheral blood (PB) specimens. Cells were then evaluated for expression of surface molecules, cytolytic potential, telomere length, and profile of cytokine production. Results: CD8+CCR7+CXCR3− thymocytes exhibited CD62L, in common with those which localise to LNs. In contrast, CD8+CCR7−CXCR3+ thymocytes lacked CD62L but exhibited CD103, similar to intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) present in the gut mucosa where the CXCR3 ligand, CXCL10, and the CD103 ligand, E-cadherin, are highly and consistently expressed. In addition, thymocytes and gut CD8+CXCR3+CD103+ cells showed comparable telomere length, which was higher than that of PB CXCR3+CD8+ T cells. However, both of these populations contained perforin and granzyme A, and displayed the ability to produce interferon γ and interleukin 2. Of note, CXCR3 deficient, in comparison with wild-type C57Black/6, mice showed decreased proportions of CD3+CD8αβ+ and increased proportions of CD3+CD8αα+ lymphocytes at gut level. Moreover, adoptive transfer of CD3+CD8αβ+ thymocytes from wild-type into CXCR3 deficient mice resulted in a significant increase in CD3+CD8αβ+ T cells in the gut mucosa but not in other tissues. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate the existence of a previously unrecognised subset of TCRαβ+CD8αβ+ SP CXCR3+CD103+ thymocytes which share phenotypic and functional features with CD8+ IELs, thus suggesting the possibility of their direct colonisation of the gut mucosa