HMIS Assessment in Mtwara Region and Proposal for Strengthening the MTUHA System

The assessment of the current status of the Health Information System (MTUHA) is a requirement of the Three Regions Health Study in Tanzania. However, because numerous similar assessments and reports have been compiled, this report focuses its attention on the development of a comprehensive plan for strengthening the MTUHA information system. The evaluation component was thus scaled back to provide a quick assessment of the status of the information system in one of the regions (Mtwara). The report briefly describes the methodology (Section 2) utilised in the preparation of the report, and then assesses the key components of an efficient information system (Section 3). Five main areas are assessed, namely the data flow policy, essential data set, human resources for information systems, and access to hardware and software, and then describes the information processing cycle and the steps involved in this cycle. The Recommendations Section (Section 4), while mirroring the structure of the previous section, introduces two new aspects – that of creating a culture of information use, and some detail on the requirements to develop an integrated, long term approach to the development of information systems. This we believe is the main contribution that this report makes to the Tanzanian health sector, The main findings and recommendations are highlighted for the five areas of the assessment. In each section, the findings are briefly described, followed by the\ud recommendations, and comments on the implementation steps\u

Fibrin – Fibrinogen scaffold structural modification by phytochemicals and phytoproteases contained in an aqueous extract of Ageratum conyzoides Linn.

Based on mechanisms of fibrin clot polymerization and dissolution, it is possible to modulate fibrin formation and removal. Ageratum conyzoides Linn. (Asteraceae) is an annual herb with a long history of traditional medicine. There is high variability in the secondary metabolites of this plant which include flavonoids, and these molecules belong to a class of serine proteases inhibitors. Several plant enzymes belonging to the classes of serine proteases were observed to be active on the cascade of coagulation pathways. The aim of this study was to observe if even Ageratum conyzoides Linn. aqueous leaves extract contained proteases which could structurally modify the fibrin clot formation. To prepare plant extracts, dry leaves of the plant were extracted with distilled water. Fibrin gels were prepared by mixtures containing fibrinogen and thrombin with or without extract. Fibrin networks were disrupted by a denaturation buffer. Samples were deposited in 8% polyacrylamide gel and Coomassie blue was used to reveal migration. Our extract contained phytochemicals class flavonoids which are thrombin inhibitors. But our results support the evidence that the same extract contained plant serine proteases, specifically a fibrinogenase which hydrolyzed fibrinogen but not like thrombin.Keywords: Fibrin/Fibrinogen, structural modification, Ageratum conyzoides Linn., phytoproteases

Spatial and temporal patterns of surface-atmosphere energy exchange in a dense urban environment using scintillometry

Spatially-integrated measurements of the surface energy balance (SEB) are needed in urban areas to evaluate urban climate models and satellite observations. Scintillometers allow observations of sensible heat flux (QH) over much larger areas than techniques such as eddy covariance (EC), however methods are needed to partition between remaining unmeasured SEB terms. This is the first study to use observed spatial and temporal patterns of QH from a scintillometer network to constrain estimates of remaining SEB terms in a dense, heterogeneous urban environment. Results show that QH dominates the surface energy balance in central London throughout the year, with expected diurnal courses and seasonal trends in QH magnitude related to solar radiation input. Measurements also reveal a clear anthropogenic component of QH with winter (summer) weekday QH values 11.7% (5.1%) higher than weekends. Spatially, QH magnitude is correlated with vegetation and building land cover fraction in the measurement source areas. Spatial analysis provides additional evidence of anthropogenic influence with highest weekday/weekend ratios (1.55) from the City of London. Spatial differences are used to estimate horizontal advection and a novel method to estimate monthly latent heat flux is developed based on observed land cover and wet-dry surface variations in normalized QH. Annual anthropogenic heat emissions are estimated to be 46.3 W m−2 using an energy balance residual approach. The methods presented here have potential to significantly enhance understanding of urban areas, particularly in areas with tall buildings where there is little observational data

Ruma kaupunki? : teollisuusalueiden ja -rakennusten säilyttäminen

Tämän opinnäytteen tavoitteena on tuoda teollisuusalueet niille kuuluvan arvostuksen piiriin ja näin toivottavasti edistää niiden säilymistä. Ajatuksena ei ole niinkään antaa valmiita vastauksia mihinkään kysymyksiin vaan pikemminkin esittää kysymyksiä. Vaikka tämä työ restauroinnin koulutusohjelman työnä on ensisijaisesti keskittyvä rakennuksiin ja rakennettuun ympäristöön, ohjaa teollisuusalueiden monipuolisuus ilmiönä hieman laajempaankin pohdintaan. Työ lähtee liikkeelle aiheen taustoittamisesta lyhyillä katsauksilla teollistumisen historiaan ja teollisen toiminnan sijoittumiseen Suomessa. Seuraavaksi paneudutaan tutkimuskysymyksiin ja tiedonhankintatapoihin, joista selviää se mitä on tutkittu ja miten. Työ vastaa siis kysymyksiin mitä, miksi ja miten. Ensin käydään läpi säilyttämisen kohdetta eli sitä moninaista ilmiötä, jota kutsutaan arkkitehtuuriksi. Arkkitehtuuriin tutustutaan ensin yleisenä käsitteenä, sitten pohditaan sen suhdetta teollisuuteen ja lopuksi perehdytään lyhyesti teollisuusarkkitehtuurin historiaan. Kun on selvitetty mitä ensisijaisesti säilytetään, voidaan siirtyä käsittelemään säilyttämisen syitä eli sitä miksi säilytetään. Säilyttämistä puoltavat erilaiset arvot, joita rakennuksilla on ja joita me niille annamme. Tämä arvojoukko on yhtä lailla vastaus kysymykseen miksi, mutta myös kysymykseen mitä, sillä ne määrittävät sen säilytetäänkö, mutta myös sen mitä säilytetään. Kun tiedämme mitä ja miksi säilytämme, voimme tutustua säilyttämistapoihin. Säilyttäminen on monitahoista ja -tasoista. Työssä käydään läpi säilyttämisen ja suojelun tapoja ja pohditaan niiden heikkouksia ja vahvuuksia. Työ päätyy siihen, että mikään laki tai määräys ei suojele tai säilytä rakennuskantaamme, jollei kansalaisilla ole tahtoa sen toteuttamiseen. Tätä tahtoa kohottamaan tarvitaan tietoa ja siksi tämän työn liiteosioksi on tehty sarja arkkitehtuurikierroksia Turun teollisuusalueille.The aim of this thesis was to lift the industrial areas to the level of respect that they deserve and thus promote the conservation of them. The idea was not to give any strict answers but to ask the questions. Although this thesis as a work of Degree programme in Building restoration mainly focused on buildings and to the build environment, the versatility of industrial areas as phenomenon led to the study to be more wide. To begin with there are short chapters of the history of industrialization and the locations of industry in Finland. Then follows the introduction of the frame of the work with the main questions and the presentation of the research methods used in the work. This thesis answers to the questions what, why and how to preserve. At first the subject of preservation the diverse phenomenon known as architecture was pondered. The relationship between architecture and industrial areas and the history of architecture of industrial buildings in Finland was pondered on. Now that the primary subject of the preservation has been revealed the question why to preserve may be answered. The preservation is promoted by the values that the buildings have naturally or that are given by us. As these values answer to the question why to preserve they are also the target of preservation. Now having an idea of what to preserve and why, it’s time go through the methods of it. There are many ways and many quarters in preservation and this work presents and evaluates them. The conclusion of this thesis was that there is no law or order that can preserve our building heritage if there is no will to do it. To promote this will knowledge is needed and therefore as an appendix there is series of architectural tours to industrial areas of Turku

Saunan suunnittelu hirsinavettaan

Tämän työn tavoitteena on suunnitella sauna kesämökkikäytössä olevalle Kankaisten metsätilalle. Työssä tutustaan ensin lyhyesti Kankaisten tilan miljööseen ja saunan historiaa, jonka jälkeen selvitetään tavoite sekä tutkimus- ja työskentelymenetelmät. Seuraava osio kertoo työn dokumentointiosuuden tuloksista esitellen Kankaisten navetan sanoin ja kuvin viitaten myöskin liitteenä oleviin mittapiirustuksiin. Kun suunnitelmien kohde on näin tullut tutuksi ja tarvittavat piirustukset luotu siirrytään itse suunnitteluprosessiin. Ensin käydään läpi saunan suunnittelua rajaavat tekijät kyseessä olevan kohteen kannalta. Sitten käydään läpi luonnoksista valikoituneen suunnitelman materiaalit ja tilajärjestelyt sanoin ja kuvin unohtamatta liitteenä olevia varsinaisia rakennuspiirustuksia. Viimeisessä osiossa pohditaan työn tuloksia verraten niitä tavoitteisiin. Tämän työn on tarkoitus tarjota apua myös muille vastaavanlaista projektia harkitseville ja toteuttaville tahoille.The aim of this thesis was to plan a sauna for the Kankainen forest estate that is in summer cottage use. First, there is a brief section where Kankainen as a milieu is described and the history of Finnish sauna is outlined by the main turns of its course. After this the aim and the means of research and exploration are introduced. In the second part the results of the documentation of the cowshed are described by writing and pictures also referring to the documentation drawings in the appendices. As the subject of the planning project is thoroughly presented, the next step is to present the planning process. First, the physical and abstract limitations for the planning are determined. Then the plan, chosen to be developed from a selection of sketches, is presented in writing, pictures and in the actual drawings in the appendices. Finally, the results are evaluated and related to the aims. This thesis is meant to provide help to anyone planning or realizing similar projects

Tercer Congreso de Estudios Vascos.

Digitalización Vitoria-Gasteiz Archivos y Bibliotecas Julio 1995 19-4

Nomadic Tibetan women's reproductive health: findings from cross-sectional surveys with a hard-to-reach population.

BackgroundWestern China has undergone substantial sociodemographic change, yet little is known about the health status of ethnic minority populations living in these areas.MethodsWe report findings from two cross-sectional surveys conducted with female Tibetan nomads living in rural areas of Western China/Eastern Tibet. We present results of descriptive analyses of data collected from reproductive-aged females who attended community health fairs in 2014 (n = 193) and 2016 (n = 298).ResultsOn average, sexual debut preceded marriage among study participants, with fertility near replacement levels (2.7 and 2.1 in 2014 and 2016, respectively). Contraceptive use was common, and dominated by use of IUDs and female sterilization. Although over three-quarters (76%) of 2016 survey participants reported ever having at least one sexually transmitted infection (STI) symptom, there was low awareness of STIs (59%) and action to prevent STIs (21%). Younger women (< 40) were more likely to report having had had an STI symptom, as compared to older women (84% versus 71%; p < 0.05).ConclusionsWe demonstrate feasibility of collecting data with this hard-to-reach population. Reporting of STI symptoms warrants further investigation to identify and address health conditions in this population of Tibetan nomadic women, especially amidst broader social and contextual changes that may affect the Tibetan population