Neural Field Model of VSD Optical Imaging Signals

In this report we propose a solution to the direct problem of VSD optical imaging based on a neural field model of a cortical area and reproduce optical signals observed in various mammals cortices. We first present a biophysical approach to neural fields and show that these easily integrate the biological knowledge on cortical structure, especially horizontal and vertical connectivity patterns. After having introduced the reader to VSD optical imaging, we propose a biophysical formula expressing the optical imaging signal in terms of the activity of the field. Then, we simulate optical signals that have been observed by experimentalists. We have chosen two experimental sets: the line-motion illusion in the visual cortex of mammals (jancke, chavane, et al. 2004} and the spread of activity in the rat barrel cortex (petersen, grinvald, et al. 2003). We begin with a structural description of both areas, with a focus on horizontal connectivity. Finally we simulate the corresponding neural field equations and extract the optical signal using the direct problem formula developed in the preceding sections. We have been able to reproduce the main experimental results with these models

Inequalities in Maternal and Child Health in Mozambique: A Historical Overview

Inequity in access and utilisation of health-care services contribute to bad health outcomes, particularly among high risk groups such women and children. Since the declaration of independence in Mozambique in 1975, the newly formed government established, as a priority, maternal and child health (MCH) and the fight against the inequity between the rural and urban areas of residence. In the following years, Mozambique witnessed the improvement of access to and utilisation of the MCH services throughout the country. With the aim to examine the degree of inequity on MCH access, utilisation and outcomes across the country and among different determinants, we conducted a desk review, founded mainly on nationwide surveys such as Demographic and Health Surveys, the Multi-indicator Cluster Survey and the Aids and Malaria Indicators Survey in addition to evidence from articles published in peer reviewed journals, Ministry of Health data bases and reports, International Agencies Reports and other grey literature. We conclude that there are signs of inequity reduction in the MCH health indicators. Areas requiring further investment include the need to reduce the geographical differences to access and utilisation of health services, and the need to continue investing in women’s education as key to improving the health of mothers and children.Economic and Social Research CouncilDepartment for International Developmen

Optical brain imaging using a semi-transparent organic light-emitting diode

We report optical brain imaging using a semi-transparent organic light-emitting diode (OLED) based on the orange light-emitting polymer (LEP) Livilux PDO-124. The OLED serves as a compact, extended light source which is capable of uniformly illuminating the cortical surface when placed across a burr hole in the skull. Since all layers of the OLED are substantially transparent to photons with energies below the optical gap of the LEP, light emitted or reflected by the cortical surface may be efficiently transmitted through the OLED and into the objective lens of a low magnification microscope ('macroscope'). The OLED may be placed close to the cortical surface, providing efficient coupling of incident light into the brain cavity; furthermore, the macroscope may be placed close to the upper surface of the OLED, enabling efficient collection of reflected/emitted light from the cortical surface. Hence the use of a semi-transparent OLED simplifies the optical setup, while at the same time maintaining high sensitivity. The OLED is applied here to one of the most demanding forms of optical brain imaging, namely extrinsic optical imaging involving a voltage sensitive dye (VSD). Specifically, we carry out functional imaging of the primary visual cortex (V1) of a rat, using the voltage sensitive dye RH-1691 as a reporter. Imaging through the OLED light-source, we are able to resolve small (~ 0.1 %) changes in the fluorescence intensity of the dye due to changes in the neuronal membrane potential following a visual stimulus. Results are obtained on a single trial basis -- i.e. without averaging over multiple measurements -- with a time-resolution of ten milliseconds

Assessing women's satisfaction with family planning services in Mozambique

Background: The contraceptive prevalence rate in Mozambique was estimated as 11.3% in the last Demographic and Health Survey. The impact of family planning (FP) on women's health and on the reduction of maternal mortality is well known. Methods: Acknowledging the importance of user satisfaction in the utilisation of health services, exit interviews were used to assess women's satisfaction with FP services in Mozambique. The survey, conducted in 174 health facilities, was representative at the national level, covered all provinces, and both urban and rural areas. Results: Overall, 86% of respondents were satisfied with FP services, but issues such as insufficient supplies of oral contraceptives and the low quality of healthcare provider/client interactions were given as reasons for women's dissatisfaction. Conclusion: Defined actions at the level of health service provision are needed to tackle the identified issues and ensure improved satisfaction with, and better utilisation of, FP services in Mozambique

Assessing women\u27s satisfaction with family planning services in Mozambique

Background: The contraceptive prevalence rate in Mozambique was estimated as 11.3% in the last Demographic and Health Survey. The impact of family planning (FP) on women’s health and on the reduction of maternal mortality is well known. Methods: Acknowledging the importance of user satisfaction in the utilisation of health services, exit interviews were used to assess women’s satisfaction with FP services in Mozambique. The survey, conducted in 174 health facilities, was representative at the national level, covered all provinces, and both urban and rural areas. Results: Overall, 86% of respondents were satisfied with FP services, but issues such as insufficient supplies of oral contraceptives and the low quality of healthcare provider/client interactions were given as reasons for women’s dissatisfaction. Conclusion: Defined actions at the level of health service provision are needed to tackle the identified issues and ensure improved satisfaction with, and better utilisation of, FP services in Mozambique

Maternal death and delays in accessing emergency obstetric care in Mozambique

Background: Despite declining trends maternal mortality remains an important public health issue in Mozambique. The delays to reach an appropriate health facility and receive care faced by woman with pregnancy related complications play an important role in the occurrence of these deaths. This study aims to examine the contribution of the delays in relation to the causes of maternal death in facilities in Mozambique. Methods: Secondary analysis was performed on data from a national assessment on maternal and neonatal health that included in-depth maternal death reviews, using patient files and facility records with the most comprehensive information available. Statistical models were used to assess the association between delay to reach the health facility that provides emergency obstetric care (delay type II) and delay in receiving appropriate care once reaching the health facility providing emergency obstetric care (delay type III) and the cause of maternal death within the health facility. Results: Data were available for 712 of 2,198 maternal deaths. Delay type II was observed in 40.4% of maternal deaths and delay type III in 14.2%.and 13.9% had both delays. Women who died of a direct obstetric complication were more likely to have experienced a delay type III than women who died due to indirect causes. Women who experienced delay type II were less likely to have also delay type III and vice versa. Conclusions: The delays in reaching and receiving appropriate facility-based care for women facing pregnancy related complications in Mozambique contribute significantly to maternal mortality. Securing referral linkages and health facility readiness for rapid and correct patient management are needed to reduce the impact of these delays within the health system

Mapping maternal mortality rate via spatial zero-inflated models for count data : a case study of facility-based maternal deaths from Mozambique

Maternal mortality remains very high in Mozambique, with estimates from 2015 showing a maternal mortality ratio of 489 deaths per 100,000 live births, even though the rates tend to decrease since 1990. Pregnancy related hemorrhage, gestational hypertension and diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS are amongst the leading causes of maternal death in Mozambique, and a significant number of these deaths occur within health facilities. Often, the analysis of data on maternal mortality involves the use of counts of maternal deaths as outcome variable. Previously we showed that a class of hierarchical zero-inflated models were very successful in dealing with overdispersion and clustered counts when analyzing data on maternal deaths and related risk factors within health facilities in Mozambique. This paper aims at providing additional insights over previous analyses and presents an extension of such models to account for spatial variation in a disease mapping framework of facility-based maternal mortality in Mozambique