The United Nations Fund For Population Activities: Changing The Direction Of The Total Fertility Rate In Developing Nations

This thesis builds on previous United Nations’ research investigating factors affecting the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in six (6) states: Burkina Faso, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, the Philippines, and Uganda. The present research, however, provides a broader assessment of the TFR and the potential causes of its decline by examining countries across nine (9) regions of the world – sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, South Asia, East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, the Caribbean, the Pacific Islands, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, and the former Soviet Socialist Republics of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The present analyses are also conducted over time, specifically from 1960 through 2002. Five (5) primary hypotheses regarding factors affecting the Total Fertility Rate are examined using feasible generalized least squares regression analysis. First, foreign debt is hypothesized to have a positive relationship to TFR. That is, holding all else constant, as foreign debt increases, TFR is expected to increase as well. Foreign debt is operationalized first, as total external debt; second, as long-term debt, and third, as total debt service as a percentage of exports of goods and services. Second, foreign aid, the level of socioeconomic development, and the extent of females’ education are all hypothesized to have negative relationships to TFR. That is, all else constant, as foreign aid increases, TFR is expected to decrease. All else constant, as the level of socioeconomic development increases, TFR is also expected to decrease. All else constant, as the extent of females’ education increases, TFR is also expected to decrease. Foreign aid is operationalized as first, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) loans and International Development Agency (IDA) credits; and second, as official development assistance and official aid. The level of socioeconomic development is operationalized as the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita in terms of purchasing power parity. The extent of females’ education is operationalized as first, the adult female literacy rate (ages 15 and above), and second, as the ratio of young literate females to males (ages 15 – 24). Finally, whereas previous scholars have hypothesized that industrialization reduces TFR (the Western European “demographic transition” hypothesis), the present research proposes that this relationship may not hold in developing countries. This possibility is investigated by analyzing the relationships between TFR and first, the value added of agriculture (as a percentage of GDP); second, the value added of industry (also as a percentage of GDP); third, the value added of manufacturing as a percentage of GDP; and fourth, the value added of services as a percentage of GDP. The findings presented here suggest first, that the foreign debt and foreign aid have differing effects on TFR in different regions of the world. Second, the effects of socioeconomic development and females’ education are more consistent (than foreign debt and foreign aid) across the different regions – but intriguing variations still exist. Finally, it appears that, with very few exceptions, the Western European-based demographic transition model does not hold for non-Western and developing areas. Therefore, new, region-specific models of TFR need to be developed – and public policy needs to be based on these more accurate, more context-appropriate models

Ochratoxin A in Portugal: A Review to Assess Human Exposure

In Portugal, the climate, dietary habits, and food contamination levels present the characteristics for higher population susceptibility to ochratoxin A (OTA), one of the known mycotoxins with the greatest public health and agro-economic importance. In this review, following a brief historical insight on OTA research, a summary of the available data on OTA occurrence in food (cereals, bread, wine, meat) and biological fluids (blood, urine) is made. With this data, an estimation of intake is made to ascertain and update the risk exposure estimation of the Portuguese population, in comparison to previous studies and other populations

Aplicabilidade da ressonância magnética na avaliação do trato urinário fetal

Introdução: As Anomalias congênitas genitourinárias constituem 14-40% das anomalias detectadas à ultrassonografia pré-natal e são responsáveis por aproximadamente 40% dos casos de insuficiência renal na infância. O método de escolha para a avaliação do trato urinário fetal é a ultrassonografia, porém existem algumas situações onde sua utilização é limitada, como na oligodraminia, que frequentemente associa-se a patologias urinárias fetais. Nestes casos a Ressonância Magnética (RM) assume importância expressiva, complementando e oferecendo imagens adicionais da estrutura fetal. Objetivo: Avaliar as sequências da RM mais eficientes no diagnóstico de patologias renais em um grupo seleto de pacientes onde a ultrassonografia foi inconclusiva, verificar as anomalias e as patologias associadas mais frequentes neste grupo e propor recomendações para a avaliação de fetos com suspeita de anomalia do trato urinário. Materiais e Métodos: Estudo de análise seccional descritiva com a patologia do trato urinário como fator de desfecho, conduzido na Clínica de Diagnóstico por Imagem, Rio de Janeiro, durante 30 meses. Gestantes foram avaliadas pela RM para elucidação diagnóstica de fetos com suspeição de patologia do trato urinário. Os exames foram realizados com aparelhos Magnetom Avanto e Magnetom Aera de 1,5 teslas (Siemens; Alemanha) através de sequencias pesadas T2, TRUFI e T1. Cada exame de RM foi revisado de forma independente por dois radiologistas experientes, que avaliaram sistematicamente o trato urinário fetal e definiram por consenso a patologia urinária fetal encontrada. Uma análise detalhada também foi realizada nos demais órgãos e sistemas para identificação de possíveis patologias associadas. Resultados: Dos 41 fetos estudados, 7(17,1%) apresentavam displasia renal, 6 (14,6%) tinham agenesia renal bilateral, 5 (12,2%) válvula de uretra posterior, 5 (12,2%) agenesia renal unilateral, 5 (12,2%) ectopia renal, 4 (9,7%) duplicidade do sistema pielocaliciano, 3 (7,3%) doença policística autossômica recessiva, 2 (4,8%) estenose de junção ureteropélvica, 2 (4,8%) rim multicístico displásico e 2 (4,8%) hidroureteronefrose bilateral sem sinais de obstrução vesical. Conclusões: Na avaliação de patologias do trato urinário fetal, sequências de RM rápidas ponderadas em T2 e, especialmente, nos casos de hidronefrose, a sequência TRUFI 3D permitem confirmar os achados da ultrassonografia e acrescentar informações pertinentes a patologia ou a sua repercussão no desenvolvimento do feto e no prognóstico pós-natal. As sequências ponderadas em T1 são complementares na avaliação do restante da anatomia fetal em especial do trato gastrointestinal e fígadoIntroduction: Genitourinary congenital anomalies constitute 14-40% of abnormalities detected on prenatal ultrasound and are responsible for approximately 40% of cases of renal failure in childhood The primary imaging modality for evaluation of the fetal kidney is US, but there are some situations in which their use is limited, as in oligohydramnios as it is often associated with fetal urinary pathologies. In these cases the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is of significant importance, complementing and offering additional images of the fetal structure. Objective: To evaluate the most efficient sequences of MRI in the diagnosis of renal pathologies in a select group of patients where ultrasound was inconclusive, verify anomalies and pathologies more frequently associated in this group and to propose recommendations for the evaluation of fetuses with suspected urinary tract abnormality. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional analysis of the pathology of the urinary tract as an outcome factor, conducted at the Clinic of Diagnostic Imaging, Rio de Janeiro, for 30 months. Patients were evaluated by MRI for diagnostic investigation of fetuses with suspected urinary tract pathology. The examinations were performed with a Magnetom Avanto and Magnetom Aera 1.5 tesla (Siemens, Germany) using T2, TRUFI and T1 images. Each MRI was reviewed independently by two experienced radiologists who systematically evaluated the fetal urinary tract and defined by consensus fetal urinary pathology. A detailed analysis was also performed in other organs and systems to identify possible associated pathologies. Results: Of the 41 fetuses, 7 (17.1%) had renal dysplasia, 6 (14.6%) had bilateral renal agenesis, 5 (12.2%) posterior urethral valve, 5 (12.2%) unilateral renal agenesis, 5 (12.2%) renal ectopia, 4 (9.7%) duplicity of the pieloureteral system, 3 (7.3%) autosomal recessive polycystic disease, 2 (4.8%) stenosis of the ureteropelvic junction, 2 (4.8%), multicystic dysplastic kidney, and 2 (4.8%) bilateral hidroureteronefrose and no signs of bladder outlet obstruction. Conclusions: In the evaluation of the fetal urinary tract pathologies, MRI sequences T2-weighted fast and especially in cases of hydronephrosis, the TRUFI 3D sequence allow to confirm sonographic findings, add relevant information of the pathology or its impact on the development of fetal and postnatal prognosis. The T1 images are complementary in the evaluation of the rest of the fetal anatomy in particular the gastrointestinal tract and liver83f

Active Power Filters Under Marketing Aspect

This paper presents some active power filters and their solutions with equipment based on power electronics. A short marketing study concerning the shunt, hybrid and series active power filters isdescribed showing their main schemes, and principles of operation. These active power filters are used for reduction of high harmonics in the supply current and are studied under marketing aspect

Prenatal Diagnosis of Caroli Disease Associated With Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease by 3-D Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

BACKGROUND: Caroli disease is a very rare congenital anomaly characterized by non-obstructive saccular or fusiform dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts. It is associated with bile stagnation and hepatolithiasis, which explain the recurrent cholangitis and portal hypertension as a consequence of congenital liver fibrosis. Although there are several reports of diagnosis in childhood and adult life, the prenatal diagnosis using conventional 2-D ultrasound is rare, with few reports in the literature