Oleaginous yeast Rhodotorula toruloides biomass effect on the metabolism of Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus)

Sustainability issues arise when using fish oil and vegetable oils in fish feed production for aquaculture purposes. Microbial production of single cell oil is a potential alternative as a lipid ingredient in the production of fish feed. In this study, we replaced the vegetable oils with the oleaginous yeast R. toruloides biomass in the diet of Arctic char (S. alpinus) and investigated the effects on health and composition. Measurement of fish growth parameters showed a higher liver weight and hepatosomatic index in the experimental group of fish fed partly with yeast biomass compared to a control group fed a diet with vegetable oils. No significant differences in the lipid content of muscle and liver tissues were found. The fatty acid profiles in the muscle of both fish groups were similar while the experimental fish group had a higher amount of monounsaturated fatty acids in the liver. Histology of livers showed no significant difference in the number of lipid droplets. The size of hepatic lipid droplets seemed to be related to liver fat content. Quantification of metabolites in the liver revealed no differences between the fish groups while plasma metabolites involved in energy pathways such as alanine, 3-hydroxybutyrate, creatinine, serine, betaine, and choline were significantly higher in the experimental fish group

Oleaginous yeast Rhodotorula toruloides biomass effect on the metabolism of Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus)

Sustainability issues arise when using fish oil and vegetable oils in fish feed production for aquaculture purposes. Microbial production of single cell oil is a potential alternative as a lipid ingredient in the production of fish feed. In this study, we replaced the vegetable oils with the oleaginous yeast R. toruloides biomass in the diet of Arctic char (S. alpinus) and investigated the effects on health and composition. Measurement of fish growth parameters showed a higher liver weight and hepatosomatic index in the experimental group of fish fed partly with yeast biomass compared to a control group fed a diet with vegetable oils. No significant differences in the lipid content of muscle and liver tissues were found. The fatty acid profiles in the muscle of both fish groups were similar while the experimental fish group had a higher amount of monounsaturated fatty acids in the liver. Histology of livers showed no significant difference in the number of lipid droplets. The size of hepatic lipid droplets seemed to be related to liver fat content. Quantification of metabolites in the liver revealed no differences between the fish groups while plasma metabolites involved in energy pathways such as alanine, 3-hydroxybutyrate, creatinine, serine, betaine, and choline were significantly higher in the experimental fish group

Perinatal mortality in rural Burkina Faso: a prospective community-based cohort study

BACKGROUND: There is a scarcity of reliable data on perinatal mortality (PNM) in Sub-Saharan Africa. The PROMISE-EBF trial, during which we promoted exclusive breastfeeding, gave us the opportunity to describe the epidemiology of PNM in Banfora Health District, South-West in Burkina Faso. STUDY OBJECTIVES: To measure the perinatal mortality rate (PNMR) in the PROMISE-EBF cohort in Banfora Health District and to identify potential risk factors for perinatal death. METHODS: We used data collected prospectively during the PROMISE-EBF-trial to estimate the stillbirth rate (SBR) and early neonatal mortality rate (ENMR). We used binomial regression with generalized estimating equations to identify potential risk factors for perinatal death. RESULTS: 895 pregnant women were enrolled for data collection in the EBF trial and followed-up to 7 days after birth. The PNMR, the SBR and the ENMR, were 79 per 1000 (95% CI: 59-99), 54 per 1000 (95% CI: 38-69) and 27 per 1000 (95% CI: 9-44), respectively. In a multivariable analysis, nulliparous women (RR = 2.90, 95% CI: 1.6-5.0), primiparae mothers (RR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.2-3.9), twins (RR = 4.0, 95% CI: 2.3-6.9) and giving birth during the dry season (RR = 2.1 95% CI: 1.3-3.3) were factors associated with increased risk of perinatal death. There was no evidence that risk of perinatal death differed between deliveries at home and at a health centre CONCLUSION: Our study observed the highest PNMR ever reported in Burkina. There is an urgent need for sustainable interventions to improve maternal and newborn health in the country

Термокинетическая ЭДС при обратном фазовом переходе в никелиде титана как способ записи информации

The external factors that influence on the thermokinetic EMF value in the Ti – 50 at.% Ni samples were determined. A method for setting thermokinetic EMF in certain sections of the TiNi wire was developed. The thermokinetic EMF value was measured directly using a digital millivoltmeter MNIPI V7-72. The sections of the Ti – 50 at.% Ni wire samples were subjected to tensile tests on a tensile machine IP 5158-5. On the basis of calorimetric studies, the kinetics of martensitic transformations was investigated. It was found that the direct phase transition affects the thermokinetic EMF value of the Ti – 50 at.% Ni during thermal cycling. Thermal cycling in the temperature range of the complete martensitic transformation causes the thermokinetic EMF value reduction by 0.16 mV by the 15th temperature cycle. The degradation of the thermokinetic EMF value by 0.04 mV took place during thermal cycling in the temperature range of the incomplete martensitic transformation by the 70th thermal cycle. The thermokinetic EMF value was restored to 0.22 mV with increasing temperature to 240 °С, as in the case of annealing at temperatures of 400÷800 °С. The thermokinetic EMF value is associated with a change in physical and mechanical properties of the alloy during thermal cycling. It is characterized by a change in stages of the phase transition and a shift of the characteristic temperatures. On the basis of the obtained experimental data, a method was proposed for a purposeful setting of extended TiNi wire sections with the thermokinetic EMF value from 0 to 0.6 mV, using different methods of influence on its value (thermal cycling, deformation, temperature change in heating zone). The proposed technical solution can be used as a method for information recording.Установлены закономерности влияния внешних факторов на термокинетическую ЭДС в образцах Ti – 50 ат.% Ni, а также разработан способ задания термокинетической ЭДС на определенных участках TiNi-проволоки. Термокинетическую ЭДС измеряли прямым способом с помощью цифрового милливольтметра МНИПИ В7-72. Деформирование участков проволочных образцов Ti – 50 ат.% Ni осуществляли на испытательной машине ИП 5158-5. На основании результатов калориметрических исследований исследовали кинетику мартенситных превращений. Установлено, что на величину термокинетической ЭДС Ti – 50 ат.% Ni при термоциклировании влияет степень прямого фазового перехода. Термоциклирование в интервале температур полного мартенситного превращения к 15-му термоциклу стабилизирует значения термокинетической ЭДС на 0,16 мВ. Тогда как термоциклирование в интервале температур неполного мартенситного превращения приводит к вырождению термокинетической ЭДС: к 70-му термоциклу она составляет 0,04 мВ. Увеличение температуры в зоне нагрева до 240 °С позволяет восстановить значение термокинетической ЭДС до 0,22 мВ, как и для случая отжига при температурах 400÷800 °С. Величина термокинетической ЭДС при термоциклировании связана с изменением физико-механических свойств сплава и характеризуется изменением стадийности и смещением характеристических температур фазового перехода. На основе полученных экспериментальных данных предложен способ целенаправленного задания протяженных участков TiNi-проволоки со значением термокинетической ЭДС от 0 до 0,6 мВ, используя различные способы воздействия (термоциклирование, деформирование, изменение температуры в зоне нагрева) на ее величину. Предлагаемое техническое решение может быть использовано в качестве способа записи информации

State guarantees of the right to education as an element of a social state: a constitutional-comparative analysis

This article presents a comparative constitutional analysis of guaranteeing the right to education in various states. The authors intend to consider various approaches in different states, the constitutional consolidation of the right to education. The corresponding approach corresponds to the idea of the social state as a modern tendency of the state developmen

How many mosquito nets are needed to achieve universal coverage? Recommendations for the quantification and allocation of long-lasting insecticidal nets for mass campaigns

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Long-lasting insecticidal nets are an effective tool for malaria prevention, and "universal coverage" with such nets is increasingly the goal of national malaria control programmes. However, national level campaigns in several countries have run out of nets in the course of distribution, indicating a problem in the method used to estimate the quantity needed.</p> <p>Presentation of hypothesis</p> <p>A major reason for the shortfall in estimation is the mismatch between the quantification factor used to plan procurement and the allocation algorithm used at community level, in particular the effect of needing to add an additional net to households with an odd number of inhabitants. To solve this problem a revised quantification factor is suggested.</p> <p>Testing hypothesis</p> <p>Based on data from a broad range of household surveys across Africa, the effect of odd-numbered households on numbers of nets distributed is estimated via two frequently used allocation methods. The impact of these algorithms on the proportion of households reaching a person to net ratio of 2:1, a frequently used marker of universal coverage is then calculated.</p> <p>Implications</p> <p>In order to avoid stock-outs of nets during national coverage campaigns, it is recommended to use a quantification factor of 1.78 people per net, with an additional allocation factor suggested to account for other common problems at the community level resulting in a final recommended ratio of 1.60 people per net. It is also recommend that community level allocation procedures be aligned with procurement estimates to reduce shortages of nets during campaign distributions. These analyses should enable programme managers to make evidence-based decisions and support a more efficient and effective use of LLIN distribution campaign resources.</p

Motivation and incentives of rural maternal and neonatal health care providers: a comparison of qualitative findings from Burkina Faso, Ghana and Tanzania.

In Burkina Faso, Ghana and Tanzania strong efforts are being made to improve the quality of maternal and neonatal health (MNH) care. However, progress is impeded by challenges, especially in the area of human resources. All three countries are striving not only to scale up the number of available health staff, but also to improve performance by raising skill levels and enhancing provider motivation. In-depth interviews were used to explore MNH provider views about motivation and incentives at primary care level in rural Burkina Faso, Ghana and Tanzania. Interviews were held with 25 MNH providers, 8 facility and district managers, and 2 policy-makers in each country. Across the three countries some differences were found in the reasons why people became health workers. Commitment to remaining a health worker was generally high. The readiness to remain at a rural facility was far less, although in all settings there were some providers that were willing to stay. In Burkina Faso it appeared to be particularly difficult to recruit female MNH providers to rural areas. There were indications that MNH providers in all the settings sometimes failed to treat their patients well. This was shown to be interlinked with differences in how the term 'motivation' was understood, and in the views held about remuneration and the status of rural health work. Job satisfaction was shown to be quite high, and was particularly linked to community appreciation. With some important exceptions, there was a strong level of agreement regarding the financial and non-financial incentives that were suggested by these providers, but there were clear country preferences as to whether incentives should be for individuals or teams. Understandings of the terms and concepts pertaining to motivation differed between the three countries. The findings from Burkina Faso underline the importance of gender-sensitive health workforce planning. The training that all levels of MNH providers receive in professional ethics, and the way this is reinforced in practice require closer attention. The differences in the findings across the three settings underscore the importance of in-depth country-level research to tailor the development of incentives schemes

Влияние термообработки на величину термокинетической ЭДС при обратном фазовом переходе в никелиде титана

The effect of duration and annealing temperature in the range of 400–800 °C on the thermokinetic EMF value in titanium nickelide, the composition of which is close to the equi-atomic one, at a reverse phase transition was investigated. Thermokinetic EMF was measured directly using a digital millivoltmeter MNIPI V7-72. The phase and elemental composition of the alloy and the kinetics of thermoelastic phase transformations have been checked by X-ray diffraction and calorimetric studies, and X-ray microanalysis. Annealing at temperatures of 500 and 800 °C leads to an increase in the thermokinetic EMF value from 0.22 to 0.25 mV. Removal of the oxide layer from the sample surface annealed at 700 °C for 0.5 h leads to an increase in the thermokinetic EMF value from 0.22 to 0.26 mV for the 1-st thermal cycle. It was found that thermal cycling causes a decrease in the thermokinetic EMF values down to 0.98 mV for the 20th thermal cycle for the samples without an oxide layer and to 0.3 mV for the samples with an oxide layer, respectively. With the increase in annealing time up to 20 h at 700 °C, the decrease in the thermokinetic emf value to 0.16 mV was observed. The thermokinetic EMF value after heat treatment is associated with changes in the physical and mechanical properties of the alloy and characterized by a shift of the characteristic temperatures of the phase transition. The research results are important for understanding the physics of thermoelectric phenomena in shape memory alloys during nonstationary heating and can be used both to control the homogeneity of their physical and mechanical properties and to design smart actuators and sensors, mechanisms of control systems.Определена зависимость термокинетической ЭДС при обратном фазовом переходе в никелиде титана состава, близкого к эквиатомному, от продолжительности и температуры отжига в интервале 400÷800 °С. Термокинетическую ЭДС измеряли прямым способом с помощью цифрового милливольтметра МНИПИ В7-72. Анализ фазового, элементного состава сплава и кинетику термоупругих фазовых превращений проводили на основании результатов рентгеноструктурных и калориметрических исследований, микрорентгеноспектрального анализа. Установлено, что отжиг при температуре 500 и 800 °С приводит к росту термокинетической ЭДС от 0,22 до 0,25 мВ. Удаление оксидного слоя с поверхности образца после отжига при 700 °С в течение 0,5 ч приводит к росту величины термокинетической ЭДС в первом термоцикле от 0,22 до 0,26 мВ. Термоциклирование образцов без оксидного слоя вызывает уменьшение термокинетической ЭДС за 20 термоциклов до 0,98 мВ, а при наличии оксидного слоя – до 0,3мВ. Увеличение времени отжига при 700 °С до 20 ч приводит к снижению термокинетической ЭДС до 0,16 мВ. Величина термокинетической ЭДС после термообработки связана с изменением физико-механических свойств сплава и характеризуется смещением характеристических температур фазового перехода. Результаты исследований важны для понимания физики протекания термоэлектрических явлений в сплавах с эффектом памяти формы при нестационарном нагреве и могут быть использованы как для контроля однородности их физико-механических свойств, так и при проектировании исполнительных элементов, интеллектуальных датчиков и механизмов систем управления