First Foods Nutrition Curriculum for New Immigrant Families: A Pilot Study

Background: Immigrant families arrive in the US from a variety of nutritional landscapes and educational experiences. Early childhood is a key time to intervene to set children on a healthy path. Creating nutritional education programs tailored for immigrant families may improve nutrition and health outcomes. Objective: To evaluate the First Foods curriculum as a tool for knowledge and behavior change for new immigrant families of young children. Methods: Immigrant caregivers of children less than 2 years old were invited to attend First Foods, a 4-class series. Each series was offered in 1 of 5 different languages (Arabic, Dari, Somali, Burmese, and Nepali). Recruitment occurred through community organizations, primary care clinics and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and classes were held in King County, Washington. The curriculum was developed and taught by a registered pediatric dietitian with input from general pediatricians, all experienced in the care of immigrant families. Classes were interpreted in the relevant language and course materials were translated. The classes were based on 4 themes -- 1) Child Eating and Development, 2) Eating Together, 3) Food Safety, and 4) Health Living -- and incorporated positive parenting and child development. Attendees completed pre- and post-surveys in their respective languages or in English. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared analyses, t-tests, and a multi-level linear regression model were conducted in Stata v14.0. Results: Participants in the classes included 47 caregivers (91% mothers). Nearly one-third had previously lived in a refugee camp. They had lived in the US a mean 5.5 years (95% CI: 3.8-7.2 years), attended a mean 8.6 years of school (95% CI: 7.1-10.1 years), and had a mean of 2.8 children (95% CI: 2.3-3.3 children). Classes ranged in size from 5 to 14 caregivers. Caregivers reported an improved understanding of 2 out of 4 methods to decrease risk of dental caries (drinking tap water, p = \u3c0.001; going to the dentist, p=0.02). They reported a decreased use of food as a reward from the pre- to the post-survey (p=0.027). Additionally, the caregivers reported increased frequency of considering sugar content in family foods (p=0.033), and decreased frequency of purchasing food at a convenience store, after participating in the curriculum (p=0.001). Conversely, there were several domains where caregivers did not show a change in their response. Conclusion: First Foods, a community-tailored, early childhood feeding curriculum for immigrant parents of young children, improved knowledge and behavior among caregivers from a variety of immigrant communities in some domains. In the other domains, there may be opportunities to further optimize the educational messages and approach

The Prevalence of Nocturnal Enuresis among Patients with Vesicoureteral Reflux

Background: To identify the prevalence and other associated factors of nocturnal enuresis in children with vesicoureteral reflux undergoing surgical interventions.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study were the medical records of 40 children with confirmed vesicoureteral reflux were reviewed. Additionally, parents were asked to fill out a questionnaire inquiring about presence, onset & course of nocturnal enuresis as has been defined according to ICD-10.Results: Among the 40 children, 22 children (55%) had nocturnal enuresis before any surgical intervention. However; gender, family history of bedwetting, renal hydronephrosis on ultrasound, positive urine culture, and pre-op creatinine level were found to have statistically insignificant association with nocturnal enuresis. After surgical management only 13 (32.5%) children experienced nocturnal enuresis.Conclusion: This study can conclude that there is a weak correlation between NE and VUR in patients undergoing surgical intervention. Also, the surgical management of VUR did not significantly affect the prevalence of NE. However, it is an essential problem for both families and children in Jordan for which specific guidelines should be developed

Assessing sustainable development goals attainment through energy-environmental efficiency: The case of Latin American and Caribbean countries

This study evaluates the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs) using energy-environmental efficiency as a principal driver. Hicks-Moorsteen Index, based on optimal targets, is utilized to estimate the performance of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries towards SDGs. Performance is decomposed into catch-up efficiency and technological progress. Results show that, compared to 2012, only 15% of the countries evaluated exhibit improved catch-up efficiency in 2020, while 74% of the countries evaluated showed technological progress in 2020 compared to 2012. Improvement in SDGs attainment in LAC results from technological advancement and not catch-up efficiency. Gross catch-up inefficiency appears to obstruct SDGs attainment. The regression elaborates the indirect extrinsic socio-economic dimension of the SDGs accomplishment. Specifically, the results of the fully modified ordinary least squares and generalized method of moments for the examined years support the desired prospects for green productivity among the cross-section of LAC. Moreover, in each of the upper years, the result suggests that environmental performance and renewable energy-induced economic progress are vital for the examined countries' sustainable green productivity. Notably, the result predicts a slow but progressive path toward achieving the SDGs, suggesting more intentional and inclusive effort by the respective economies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Gasless Trans-Umbilical Laparoscopically-Assisted Appendectomy in the Pediatric Population: An Early Experience

Background: The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility and safety of the single-port gasless trans-umbilical laparoscopically-assisted appendectomy in the pediatric age group at a single center in a tertiary university hospital in Jordan. Methods: Between April 2018 and July 2019, the surgical records of all patients aged between 0 and 13 years treated with trans-umbilical laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy TULAA for a suspected appendicitis following a clinical, laboratory and ultrasound findings were reviewed retrospectively. Baseline characteristics, white blood cell count, operative time, intraoperative findings, need for additional trocars or for conversion, length of hospital stay and surgical complications were reported.Results: 36 cases were included in the study, 23 (64%) were completed successfully using the gasless TULAA technique. Gas insufflation was needed in 10 (28%) cases and only 3 (8%) had to be converted to the three-port laparoscopic appendectomy technique. There was no significant difference between the gaseous and gasless groups in terms of baseline characteristics, BMI, surgery duration, postoperative recovery period or length of stay. However, the group of patients who needed gas insufflation to complete the procedure had a higher white blood cell count compared to the gasless group. The surgery was completed successfully by senior general surgery residents in 27 (75%) cases while the consultant’s intervention was needed in the remaining cases. The gasless TULAA group were less likely to require complex analgesia (i.e., IV analgesia) compared to the gasless group (OR=0.683).Conclusions: Gasless TULAA is a feasible procedure that can be performed safely by surgical residents as an initial approach for all grades of acute appendicitis in the pediatric age group

Parametric Study for Runner Modifications of Die Casted Part with Venting Systems

High-pressure die casting (HPDC) is a process used for creating complex components by injecting the molten metal inside the cavity at high pressure. Failure in die casting may reduce product mechanical properties, surface quality, and life cycle. In this paper, the die-casting process of an inspection instrument – test piece is investigated for parametric study and Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. Parameters used in the die-casting process are important since it affects the molten flow quality inside the cavity. Thus, a parametric study is done to investigate the optimum parameter use in the die-casting process of the test piece. Runner gating system design is also one of the important criteria to maintain the quality of products. This paper also investigated the effect of runner gating system design optimization in reducing gas porosity. The CT scan of the sample mold is included to compare the relationships between gas porosity occurrence with CFD results. This paper proposed a new runner design named outward curvature runner with an air vent that can improve velocity and temperature distributions in reducing die-casting defects. In addition to that, air vents are installed to extend the volume and promote higher suction, to eliminate gas bubbles entrapment inside the cavity

Parametric Study for Runner Modifications of Die Casted Part with Venting Systems

High-pressure die casting (HPDC) is a process used for creating complex components by injecting the molten metal inside the cavity at high pressure. Failure in die casting may reduce product mechanical properties, surface quality, and life cycle. In this paper, the die-casting process of an inspection instrument – test piece is investigated for parametric study and Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. Parameters used in the die-casting process are important since it affects the molten flow quality inside the cavity. Thus, a parametric study is done to investigate the optimum parameter use in the die-casting process of the test piece. Runner gating system design is also one of the important criteria to maintain the quality of products. This paper also investigated the effect of runner gating system design optimization in reducing gas porosity. The CT scan of the sample mold is included to compare the relationships between gas porosity occurrence with CFD results. This paper proposed a new runner design named outward curvature runner with an air vent that can improve velocity and temperature distributions in reducing die-casting defects. In addition to that, air vents are installed to extend the volume and promote higher suction, to eliminate gas bubbles entrapment inside the cavity

An appraisal on occurrence of anopheline species as a marker of malaria transmission rate in irrigation site in Bunkure, Kano Nigeria

Malaria is an Anopheline mosquito-borne parasitic disease endemic to sub – Saharan Africa, which causes nearly 600,000 deaths every year. The distribution and transmission pattern are known to be affected by the ecological condition of the environment especially water and mesophilic conditions. Accordingly, irrigation-based rice producing system at Bunkure local government area of Kano state, Nigeria was followed up to assess malaria transmission rates. Four hundred and twenty-four (424) adult female Anopheles mosquitoes attracted to man were collected between August, 2010 and January, 2011 in wet and dry seasons in Bunkure Kano State. They were identified with a hand lens and taxonomic keys. The frequency of isolated Anopheline species constitutes 170 (33.2%) Anopheles gambiae and 129 (25.2%) Anopheles funestus for the wet season (August to October) vis-à-vis 72 (32.6%) Anopheles gambiae and 53(23.9%) Anopheles funestus for the dry season (November to January). Anopheline abundance were found in wet season. Mosquitoes that received blood meal were used to determine man biting rate. Blood fed were seen in both mosquitoes’ species in irrigation system with man biting rate (MBR) per day, per month and per year 8.03, 240.6 and 2887.2 respectively. It was concluded that Bunkure LGA irrigation system area has high malaria transmission rate. The main entomological factors influenced malaria transmissions were the vector abundance, human blood index and daily survival rate. These factors were influenced by temperature, humidity, rainfall etc. This study provides information required for formulating vector control programmes to curtail malaria transmission in irrigated areas.Keywords: Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles funestus, Man biting rate, Irrigation, Sites, Malaria transmissio

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes eggs of public health importance in house-hold dogs presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State

Dogs have a close association with humans providing companionship, security and a source of dietary protein. However, dogs are also potential carriers of zoonotic pathogens. To determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths eggs in faeces of house-hold dogs presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, ninety-eight (98) faecal samples were collected and processed by formol-ether concentration technique and examined for helminths eggs. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths eggs in dogs presented was 22.4% (22/98). The Gastrointestinal helminths eggs observed from the study comprises of Ancylostoma caninum (4.1%), Strongyloides stercoralis (2.0%), Toxocara canis (8.2%) and Dipylidium caninum (8.2%). Higher prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths eggs was observed in male dogs (31.0%) than in female dogs (10.0%). Also, higher prevalence was observed in dogs less than six (6) months of age (23.1%) than in dogs of at least six (6) months (22.2%). The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths eggs was 26.7% and 23.1% for local and exotic breeds of dogs respectively. Higher prevalence was observed in dogs with diarrhoeic faeces (25.0%) and in dogs non-confined (33.3%). This study has shown the presence of zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths eggs in dogs presented to the VTH ABU, Zaria which is of public health significance. Therefore, clinicians, pet owners, animal handlers and laboratory technicians need to be aware of the risk of contracting an infection in the course of handling dogs or their faecal samples.Keywords: Dogs, eggs, faeces, formol-ether, Gastrointestinal helminths, zoonotic helminth

Modeling and analytical simulation of high-temperature gas filtration combustion

High temperature filtration in combustion and gasification processes is a highly interdisciplinary field. Thus, particle technology in general has to be supported by elements of physics, chemistry, thermodynamics and heat and mass transfer processes. Presented in this paper is the analytical method for describing hightemperature gas filtration combustion in an inert porous medium. We assume the porous media is highly permeable and both the contact time between the phases and the rate of oxidizer diffusion through the gas stream to the surface of the solid particles where the reaction occurs are not large. Also, we assume that the initial temperatures increase lengthwise. The coupled nonlinear partial differential equations describing the phenomenon have been decoupled using the parameter-expanding method and solved analytically using eigenfunctions expansion technique. The results obtained revealed that the combustion wave is propagated and oxidizer is consumed. A self-oscillating mode of gas filtration combustion was found with variation in the values of interfacial heat transfer.Keywords: Analytical method, filtration combustion, fuel, oxidizer, porous medium, temperatur

Assessment of the relation of violence and burnout among physicians working in the emergency departments in Turkey

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Violence and burnout are frequently seen among medical doctors; however, the relation is not clear. This study aimed to assess the violence and its possible effects on burnout in physicians working in emergency units