The effect of the national industrial recovery act on cost accounting.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Boston Universit

Low-rent public housing in Boston: its origin, growth, and future

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Boston Universit

Feasibility of the modified sequential organ function assessment score in a resource-constrained setting: a prospective observational study.

BackgroundSub-Saharan Africa has a great burden of critical illness with limited health care resources. We evaluated the feasibility and utility of the modified Sequential Organ Function Assessment (mSOFA) score in assessing morbidity and mortality in the National Referral Hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) for one year.MethodsWe conducted a prospective, observational cohort study on patients above 12 years of age admitted to the ICU at Mulago Hospital (Kampala, Uganda). All SOFA scores were determined at admission and at 48 h. We modified the SOFA score by replacing the PaO2/FiO2 ratio with SPO2/FiO2. The primary outcome was ICU mortality.ResultsThis ICU cohort of 118 patients had a mean age of 37 years and an ICU mortality rate of 46.6%. Non-survivors had higher initial (7.7 SD 3.8 vs. 5.5 SD 3.3; p = 0.007), mean (8.1 SD 3.9 vs 4.7 SD 2.6; p < 0.001) and highest mSOFA scores (9.4 SD 4.2 vs. 5.8 SD 3.2; p < 0.001), with an increase of 1.0 (SD 3.1) mSOFA on average after 48 h when compared to survivors (p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for each mSOFA category was: initial-0.68, mean-0.76, highest-0.76 and delta mSOFA-0.74. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed no significant association between mSOFA scores and mortality.ConclusionOur results confirm that calculation of the mSOFA score is feasible for an ICU population in a resource-limited country. More data are needed to test for an association between mSOFA and mortality

Simulation of Decadal Precipitation over Nairobi in Kenya

In investigating Kenya rainfall variability and its relationship to other climatic elements it has become imperative to analyze the irregularly distributed rainfall events in time. To meet this requirement, this study used a stepwise regression technique. The study seeks to improve existing rainfall monitoring and prediction in Nairobi. Monthly rainfall data was fitted to several mathematical functions. The best mathematical model which best simulated the March-May (MAM) and October -December (OND) seasonal rainfall over the three stations of analysis was chosen using a stepwise regression technique. The value of R-squared for the best fit was computed to show the percentage of rainfall information that is explained by the variation in the independent (time) variable. From the results obtained, the stepwise regression technique selected the fourth degree polynomial as the best fit for analyzing the March-May (MAM) and October -December (OND) seasonal rainfall data set. Solar cycle period of ten (10) years was employed to get the fourth degree polynomial variables. Hence from the study, it can be deducted that the 4th degree polynomial function can be used to predict the peak and the general pattern of seasonal rainfall over Nairobi, with acceptable error values.  This information can be used in the planning and management of water resources over Nairobi. The same information can be extended to other areas

A Wearable System that Knows Who Wears It

Body-area networks of pervasive wearable devices are increasingly used for health monitoring, personal assistance, entertainment, and home automation. In an ideal world, a user would simply wear their desired set of devices with no configuration necessary: the devices would discover each other, recognize that they are on the same person, construct a secure communications channel, and recognize the user to which they are attached. In this paper we address a portion of this vision by offering a wearable system that unobtrusively recognizes the person wearing it. Because it can recognize the user, our system can properly label sensor data or personalize interactions. \par Our recognition method uses bioimpedance, a measurement of how tissue responds when exposed to an electrical current. By collecting bioimpedance samples using a small wearable device we designed, our system can determine that (a)the wearer is indeed the expected person and (b) the device is physically on the wearer\u27s body. Our recognition method works with 98% balanced-accuracy under a cross-validation of a day\u27s worth of bioimpedance samples from a cohort of 8 volunteer subjects. We also demonstrate that our system continues to recognize a subset of these subjects even several months later. Finally, we measure the energy requirements of our system as implemented on a Nexus S smart phone and custom-designed module for the Shimmer sensing platform

Chromolaena odorata Extracts as a Bio-Organic Treatment for Downy Mildew (Peronospora belbahrii) in Basil (Ocimum basilicum

Downy mildew, caused by Peronospora belbahrii, poses a significant threat to basil (Ocimum basilicum) crops. This study investigates the potential of Chromolaena odorata extract as a bioorganic therapy for Downy Mildew. The goal of this research-based innovation is to determine the long-term and environmentally friendly potential of C. odorata extract as an alternative to synthetic fungicides for controlling Downy Mildew in basil, thereby contributing to SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and 15 (Life on Land). The leaves of C. odorata were collected and extracted, and the bioorganic solution produced was tested for antifungal efficacy against P. belbahrii. Next, C. odorata extracts at their respective concentrations (0.0001 g/mL, 0.0002 g/mL and 0.0003 g/mL were applied to the assigned plants within each block using the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates per treatments. During field investigations, C. odorata extract demonstrated significant antifungal activity against P. belbahrii. The findings suggest that C. odorata extract has potential as a bio-organic treatment for Downy Mildew, which is consistent with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by supporting sustainable farming practices that reduce reliance on chemical inputs. This innovation is vital to modern farmers, particularly social enterprise entrepreneurs, as it facilitates healthy basil cultivation. In a nutshell, the C. odorata extract has been evaluated for its efficacy in controlling mildew disease and has the potential to be commercialized and markete

Recent Decisions

Comments on recent decisions by Cornelius F. Collins, Joseph P. Summers, Michael E. Phenner, Daniel J. Manelli, Ralph H. Witt, Richard C. Wilbur, and Raymond W. Brown