A critical systematic review and meta-analyses of risk factors for fertility problems in a globalized world

Globally fertility awareness efforts include well-established risk factors (RFs) for fertility-problems. However, risks disproportionately affecting females in the Global South are neglected. To address this gap, we conducted systematic reviews and meta-analysis of relevant RFs, to examine association between RFs and fertility-problems. We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane library, regional databases and key organizational websites. Three authors screened and extracted data independently. We included studies assessing exposure to risk (clinical, community-based samples) and excluded studies without control groups. Outcome of interest was fertility-problems (inability to achieve pregnancy, live-birth, neonatal death). Newcastle-Ottawa Scale used to assess study quality. We identified 3843 studies, and included 62 (58 in meta-analyses, 115,810 patients). Results revealed nine-fold risk of inability to become pregnant in genital-tuberculosis (OR=8.91, CI=1.89-42.12), almost threefold in HIV (OR=2.93, CI=1.95-4.42) and bacterial-vaginosis (OR=2.81, CI=1.85-4.27). Twofold risk of tubal-factor infertility in Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting–Type II/III (OR=2.06, CI=1.03-4.15) and post-natal mortality in consanguinity (stillbirth, OR=1.28, CI=1.04-1.57; neonatal death, OR=1.57, CI=1.22-2.02). It appears RFs impacted reproductive processes through multiple pathways. Health promotion encompassing relevant health indicators could enhance prevention and early detection of fertility-problems in the Global South and disproportionately affected populations. The multifactorial risk-profile reinforces the need to place fertility within global health initiatives

Understanding the role of objects in cross-disciplinary collaboration

In this paper we make a case for the use of multiple theoretical perspectives – theory on boundary objects, epistemic objects, cultural historical activity theory and objects as infrastructure - to understand the role of objects in cross-disciplinary collaboration. A pluralist approach highlights that objects perform at least three types of work in this context: they motivate collaboration; they allow participants to work across different types of boundaries; and they constitute the fundamental infrastructure of the activity. Building on the results of an empirical study we illustrate the insights that each theoretical lens affords into practices of collaboration and develop a novel analytical framework that organizes objects according to the active work they perform. Our framework can help shed new light on the phenomenon, especially with regards the shifting status of objects and sources of conflict (and change) in collaboration. After discussing these novel insights, we outline directions for future research stemming from a pluralist approach. We conclude by noting the managerial implications of our finding

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

Power factor correction in a voltage source converter

Advancement in power electronics has led to the development of power converters. These converters not only control the power flow, but also improve power quality. The voltage source converter is one such converter which has the ability to control the power factor and can provide bi-directional power flow, and constant dc voltage. It has replaced the use of passive filters for some power quality problems. Within the voltage source converter itself, it is necessary to introduce some form of power factor correction to reduce the harmonic distortion present and also to improve the quality of power transmitted. The use of these voltage source converters has slowly replaced the use of passive filters over the years, due to some power quality problems. Thus in this project, we will look into how we will be able to correct the power factor in the single phase half-wave rectifier as the voltage source converter.Bachelor of Engineerin

Yritysvideo mobiilivideotuotantona

Insinöörityössä oli tarkoituksena selvittää, onko mahdollista poiketa tavanomaisesta ja tuottaa yritysvideoita tehokkaasti ja taloudellisesti mobiililaitteella perinteisen videotuotannon sijasta. Työssä käytiin ensin läpi yritysvideon tuottamista ja videotuotannon vaiheita. Lopuksi perehdyttiin mobiilivideotuotantoon ja sen käytännöllisyyteen yrityksessä. Työn selvityksessä vertailtiin mobiilivideotuotannon hyviä ja huonoja puolia perinteiseen videotuotantoon. Vertailua varten toteutettiin kolme samanlaista videota, joista ensimmäinen kuvattiin järjestelmäkameralla ja editoitiin tietokonepohjaisella ohjelmalla ja toinen ja kolmas video kuvattiin samalla mobiililaitteella, mutta editoitiin eri mobiilieditointisovelluksella. Vertailun tuloksena selvisi, että mobiilivideon kustannukset ovat alhaisemmat, ajankäyttö on tehokkaampaa ja kamerankäyttö käyttäjäystävällisempää kuin perinteisessä videotuotannossa. Mobiilivideotuotanto on kannattava ratkaisu yrityksille, jotka haluavat tuottaa videoita tehokkaasti ja säästää kustannuksia. Videot toteutettiin yhdessä asiakasyrityksen kanssa. Tavoitteena oli toteuttaa sille yritysvideo mobiilivideotuotantona. Yritysvideon tuottaminen onnistui mobiililaitteella, ja videosta saatiin julkaisukelpoinen valmis versio. Työssä esitettiin myös yrityksille eri tapoja sisäiseen mobiilivideotuotantoon. Insinöörityöstä on hyötyä yrityksille, jotka haluavat tuottaa itsenäisesti videoita mobiililaitteella

South Campus Stormwater Detention Facility : Final Design Report

The purpose of this report is to present a detailed design solution for controlling and eliminating flood damage at vulnerable locations in University of British Columbia (UBC). Through hydraulic modeling data, it has been shown that UBC currently does not have adequate infrastructure to manage extreme flood events; in particular, the South Campus may experience extensive flood damage such as property damage, riparian habitat deterioration, cliff erosion, and ultimately cliff failure. The design process consists of an overview of regulatory guidelines, technical standards, and stormwater model simulation results to identify requirements and constraints of the detailed design. The design solution is comprised of two separate stormwater management systems located at Hampton Place and Southwest (SW) Marine Drive. The selected design for both systems is underground, pre-cast concrete stormwater detention tanks connected to the existing stormwater system using gravity mains. This report discusses the design configuration, elevation profiles of storm mains, and the structural and hydraulic capacity of the design. The proposed storm mains are designed based on the locations of the existing stormwater infrastructure and requirements defined by the UBC Technical Guidelines, including velocity and slope restrictions. The reinforced concrete tanks are sized to withstand lateral and surface loading. Finally, the target design lives of the facilities are determined based on the estimated lifetime of facility components, maintenance requirements, and the probability that it will be in use. Several iterations were undertaken to ensure the final design is an optimal solution, meeting all identified requirements. At the Hampton Place facility, stormwater will enter the 1,200 cubic metre detention facility to prevent flooding and protect emergency services in the case of a storm. At the SW Marine Drive facility, a large volume of flooding is anticipated, hence the detention facility has a storage capacity of 3,226 cubic metres. Stormwater collected from an existing storm main running along Wesbrook Mall will be diverted into this facility. When the rainfall intensity decreases, the water will gradually be released back into an existing storm main, eliminating flooding while minimizing pollution. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”Applied Science, Faculty ofCivil Engineering, Department ofUnreviewedUndergraduat

Image analysis system for assessment of immunohistochemically stained proliferative marker (MIB-1) in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

The prognosis of oesophageal cancer patients is related to the portion of MIB-1 positively stained tumour nuclei. In this study, an image analysis system was developed based on LEICA Image Processing and Analysis System to reduce the subjective, tedious and inaccurate manual counting of nuclei staining. Representative oesophageal cancer tissues were collected and immunohistochemical preparations of MIB-1 were made. The MIB-1 positive nuclei in these tumours were assessed by quantitative counting, semi-quantitative counting, and three computer assessment methods using LEICA QWIN PRO. Our results showed that computer assessment methods were reliable and consistent. The procedure using the system could be accomplished within 15 min. Overlapped or missed counting of nuclei by the observer were eliminated. The image analysis system can really assist experts in obtaining reliable data for the prognosis of oesophageal cancer patients quickly