MAPPING OF BLUE CARBON ECOSYSTEMS: EFFECT OF PROXIMITY, ACTIVITY TYPES AND FREQUENCY OF VISITS IN THE ACCURACY OF PARTICIPATORY MAPS

Interest in blue carbon has drastically increased in recent years, particularly in improving the coastal resource carbon storage estimates and the development of methodology for identifying and monitoring such resources. In coastal resource mapping, participatory mapping techniques have the potential to provide a level of granularity and detail by taking advantage of local knowledge. In this work, we aim to evaluate the agreement between blue carbon ecosystem status obtained from participatory mapping versus the ones discriminated from satellite images, as well as assess how “relative proximity” to landmarks affects the accuracy. Results showed that the accuracy of mapped mangrove extents, evaluated as intersection-over-union, is positively correlated with frequency of visits. It is also found that maps generated by participants who have jobs or activities that nurture awareness about mangroves and seagrasses tend to agree better with remotely-sensed maps. The participants were even able to identify small patches of mangroves and seagrasses that are not present in the classified satellite images. While our initial work explores factors that impact the consistency between these sources, there is a need to establish a baseline for which both sources of information are evaluated against; and define relevant accuracy metrics. Our final goal is to systematically combine these two sources of information for an accurate holistic coastal resource map

Soil-transmitted helminth infections and nutritional indices among Filipino schoolchildren

BACKGROUND: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are still prevalent among schoolchildren in the Philippines. We evaluated the risk factors associated with STH and the relationship between STH and nutritional indices among schoolchildren aged 9-10 years in Laguna province, the Philippines. METHODS: We used the baseline data from 40 schools enrolled in a randomised controlled trial of the Magic Glasses Philippines health education package. Data on demographic and socio-economic variables, and STH related knowledge, attitudes and practices, were obtained through a questionnaire. Stool samples were collected and assessed for STH egg presence using the Kato-Katz technique. Haemoglobin levels and height and weight of study participants were also determined. The generalized estimating equations approach was used to construct logistic regression models to assess STH-associated risk factors, and the association between any STH infection and anaemia, child stunting, wasting and being underweight. The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12616000508471). FINDINGS: Among 1,689 schoolchildren, the prevalence of any STH was 23%. The prevalence of anaemia, stunting, being underweight and wasting was 13%, 20.2%, 19% and 9.5%, respectively. Age, socio-economic status, rural/urban classification of schools and knowledge of STH were significant risk factors for acquiring a STH infection. Moreover, infections with any STH were significantly associated with stunting (P = <0.001) and being underweight (P = <0.003), but not wasting (P = 0.375) or anaemia (P = 0.462) after controlling for confounding covariates. CONCLUSION: The study findings emphasise the need for sustainable deworming in tandem with other measures such as the provision of health education, improvements in sanitation and hygiene, and nutritional programs in order to control STH infections and improve morbidity outcomes in schoolchildren. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12616000508471)

Effects of fluoxetine on functional outcomes after acute stroke (FOCUS): a pragmatic, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial

Background Results of small trials indicate that fluoxetine might improve functional outcomes after stroke. The FOCUS trial aimed to provide a precise estimate of these effects. Methods FOCUS was a pragmatic, multicentre, parallel group, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial done at 103 hospitals in the UK. Patients were eligible if they were aged 18 years or older, had a clinical stroke diagnosis, were enrolled and randomly assigned between 2 days and 15 days after onset, and had focal neurological deficits. Patients were randomly allocated fluoxetine 20 mg or matching placebo orally once daily for 6 months via a web-based system by use of a minimisation algorithm. The primary outcome was functional status, measured with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), at 6 months. Patients, carers, health-care staff, and the trial team were masked to treatment allocation. Functional status was assessed at 6 months and 12 months after randomisation. Patients were analysed according to their treatment allocation. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN83290762. Findings Between Sept 10, 2012, and March 31, 2017, 3127 patients were recruited. 1564 patients were allocated fluoxetine and 1563 allocated placebo. mRS data at 6 months were available for 1553 (99·3%) patients in each treatment group. The distribution across mRS categories at 6 months was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (common odds ratio adjusted for minimisation variables 0·951 [95% CI 0·839–1·079]; p=0·439). Patients allocated fluoxetine were less likely than those allocated placebo to develop new depression by 6 months (210 [13·43%] patients vs 269 [17·21%]; difference 3·78% [95% CI 1·26–6·30]; p=0·0033), but they had more bone fractures (45 [2·88%] vs 23 [1·47%]; difference 1·41% [95% CI 0·38–2·43]; p=0·0070). There were no significant differences in any other event at 6 or 12 months. Interpretation Fluoxetine 20 mg given daily for 6 months after acute stroke does not seem to improve functional outcomes. Although the treatment reduced the occurrence of depression, it increased the frequency of bone fractures. These results do not support the routine use of fluoxetine either for the prevention of post-stroke depression or to promote recovery of function. Funding UK Stroke Association and NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme

Frequency domain analysis in VGA\u27s used in automatic gain control applications

This paper presents measurement of a variable gain amplifier gain parameters using Frequency Domain Analysis technique to provide a precise amplitude measurement of a 35mVpp AC signal. It also introduces a noise-free small signal measurement. This is a proposed methodology to address the measurement error induced by a high frequent noise riding on the signal to be measured. By using an appropriate analytical tool, the key process input variables were easily determined; critical points connrted to quality points were identified; planned design was properly executed and improvement was implemented. All of the objectives were met, a precise gain measurement to a more precise with accuracy measurement and immune to noise effect into a noise-free measurement approach. This methodology is a beat measurement approach that enhances quality of testing. These are the benefits that were gained lo implementing the introduced methodology this paper

Measuring the Impact of Financial Factors on Corporate Restructuring Among Selected Corporations in the Philippines: A Comprehensive Analysis using a Multinomial Logistic Regression Model

The study is considered as a correlational and causal research combined, for it aims to determine the relationship of the independent variables to the corporate restructuring activities. Specifically, it focuses on identifying and measuring the impact of both financial and non-financial factors on the restructuring decisions made by distressed firms. The study is written to assist investors and other stakeholders in making sound decisions while dealing with distressed firms. It enumerates different variables which defines the strategies of firms given a five-year time period. The results of the study show that numerous factors indeed have a significant impact on corporate restructuring such as the cash position, the leverage, the profitability ratios, and the non-financial variables. Moreover, the variables have a different effect for each mode of corporate restructuring, as well as for the survival of the firms. However, there are also variables which prove to be insignificant for all cases like the liquidity of the firms. These results showcase the significance of the study to the various stakeholders involved and it would enable the stakeholders to make strategic investment decisions. Keywords: correlational, causal, corporate restructuring, distressed firms, financial factors, non-financial factors, investment decisions while dealing with the distresses firms. It enumerates different variables which defines the strategies of firms given a five-year time period. The results of the study that numerous factors indeed have a significant impact on corporate restructuring such as the cash position, the leverage, the profitability ratios, and the non-financial variables. Moreover, the variables have a different effect for each mode of corporate restructuring, as well as for the survival of the firms. However, there are also variables which prove to be insignificant foe all cases like the liquidity of the firms. These results showcase the significance of the significance of the study to the various stakeholders involved and it would enabled the stakeholders to make strategic investment decisions