Womens Limited Choice and Availability of Modern Contraception at Retail Outlets and Public-Sector Facilities in Luanda, Angola, 2012-2015.

In Angola, many women want to use family planning but lack access to affordable and preferred methods. This article assesses the link between womens choice and availability of contraceptive methods in Luanda, Angola, drawing on data from 3 surveys: a 2012 survey among women ages 15-49 and 2 retail surveys conducted in 2014 and 2015 among outlets and facilities offering contraceptive methods. Descriptive statistics for womens contraceptive knowledge, use, and preferred methods were stratified by age group. We report the percentage of establishments offering different methods and brands of modern contraception, and the mean price, volume of units sold, and value (Angolan Kwanzas) for each brand. Data from the 2 retail surveys are compared to measure changes in availability over time. Results show that 51% of women reported having an unwanted pregnancy. Less than 40% of women knew about long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs). Overall, the method most commonly used was male condoms (32.1%), with a substantial proportion (17.3%) of women not using their preferred contraceptive. Trends in contraceptive use mirror availability: in 2015, condoms were available in 73.6% of outlets/facilities, while LARC methods were available in less than 10%. The availability of different methods also dropped significantly between 2014 and 2015-by up to 15 percentage points-with a subsequent price increase in many brands. To meet womens needs for contraception and make informed choice possible, Angola should reinforce demand creation and contraceptive supply in both the public and private sectors through behavior change programs aimed at both women and providers, improved quality of services, training of health personnel on method options and delivery, and improved supply chain distribution of contraceptives. This will allow women to find the methods and brands that best suit their needs, preferences, and ability to pay

Partner support for family planning and modern contraceptive use in Luanda, Angola

Husband‘s/partner‘s support for family planning may influence a women‘s modern contraceptive use. Socio-demographic factors, couple communication about family planning, and fertility preferences are known to play a role in contraceptive use. We conducted logistic regression analysis to investigate the relationship between perceived husband‘s/partner‘s approval and husband‘s/partner‘s encouragement of modern contraceptive use, adjusting for socio-demographic factors and recent couple communication about family planning. We also examined mediating roles potentially played by perceived contraceptive accessibility and contraceptive self-efficacy (using index created by principal component analysis). Perceived husband‘s/partner‘s approval was associated with triple the odds of women‘s modern contraceptive use and remained significantly associated with 1.6 times the odds, after controlling for contraceptive accessibility and contraceptive self-efficacy. Husband‘s/partner‘s encouragement, while initially significantly associated with contraceptive use, became non-significant after adjustments for socio-demographic factors and couple communication. Perceived husband‘s/partner‘s approval, separate from a woman‘s sense of self-efficacy and perceived accessibility of contraceptives, appears strongly and positively associated with current modern contraceptive use. Increased couple communication may help women identify their husband‘s/partner‘s approval. Difference between the meaning of approval and encouragement should be explored. Interventions involving information education and communication campaigns geared to men and promoting male involvement in family planning could increase contraceptive prevalence.Keywords: Contraception, male involvement, approval, encouragement, sub-Saharan Afric

The number of reduced alignments between two DNA sequences

Background In this study we consider DNA sequences as mathematical strings. Total and reduced alignments between two DNA sequences have been considered in the literature to measure their similarity. Results for explicit representations of some alignments have been already obtained. Results We present exact, explicit and computable formulas for the number of different possible alignments between two DNA sequences and a new formula for a class of reduced alignments. Conclusions A unified approach for a wide class of alignments between two DNA sequences has been provided. The formula is computable and, if complemented by software development, will provide a deeper insight into the theory of sequence alignment and give rise to new comparison methods. AMS Subject Classification Primary 92B05, 33C20, secondary 39A14, 65Q30The authors are grateful to Prof. Marko Petkovs̆ek for helpful comments. The work of I. Area has been partially supported by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain under grant MTM2012–38794–C02–01, co-financed by the European Community fund FEDER. J.J. Nieto also acknowledges partial financial support by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain under grant MTM2010–15314, co-financed by the European Community fund FEDERS

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of 5α,8α-Epidioxycholest-6-en-3β-ol, a Steroidal Endoperoxide Isolated from Aplysia depilans, Based on Bioguided Fractionation and NMR Analysis

[Abstract:] Sea hares of "Aplysia" genus are recognized as a source of a diverse range of metabolites. 5α,8α-Endoperoxides belong to a group of oxidized sterols commonly found in marine organisms and display several bioactivities, including antimicrobial, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory properties. Herein we report the isolation of 5α,8α-epidioxycholest-6-en-3β-ol (EnP(5,8)) from "Aplysia depilans" Gmelin, based on bioguided fractionation and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, as well as the first disclosure of its anti-inflammatory properties. EnP(5,8) revealed capacity to decrease cellular nitric oxide (NO) levels in RAW 264.7 macrophages treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by downregulation of the Nos2 (inducible nitric oxide synthase, iNOS) gene. Moreover, EnP(5,8) also inhibited the LPS-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) at the mRNA and protein levels. Mild selective inhibition of COX-2 enzyme activity was also evidenced. Our findings provide evidence of EnP(5,8) as a potential lead drug molecule for the development of new anti-inflammatory agents.Portugal.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia; UID/QUI/50006/2019Portugal. Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia; PD/BD/113565/201

Ecophysiology performance of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) cv. Castillo in agroforestry systems in Tibacuy, Cundinamarca

Coffee crops under full sun and different tree covers and plantain (Musa AAB) are located in Tibacuy, Cundinamarca, Colombia; however, no studies about interactions between canopy layer and the crop have been carried out. This research is focused in evaluating the ecophysiological performance of coffee bushes cv. Castillo in agroforestry systems (AFS) under three conditions of tree and plantain (Musa AAB) shade: low shade, 0-20%, medium shade, 21-47% and high shade, 48-70%. Five farms by type of shade with coffee plantations in production, aged between 4 and 6 years were selected. In each place, a sampling plot of 1000m2 was established in which three recordings were taken in 2015: rainy season, January, transition period, June, and dry season, July. In each sampling plot, three representative coffee plants were selected, which were representative and in each plant, three leaves were selected: one by vertical strata: low, medium and high. The incident radiation photosynthetically active (PARi), stomatal conductance, transpiration and net assimilation of CO2 were measured with a portable photosynthesis system CIRAS 3. The results show that high levels of shade between 48 and 70% negatively affected the photosynthesis rates of coffee plants; whereas with medium levels of shade up to 47% a similar photosynthetic efficiency than plants under full sun was obtained. These results are important inputs to consider in taking decisions for the establishment and management of coffee production systems regarding shade canopy.En Tibacuy, Cundinamarca, Colombia, se encuentran cultivos de café, tanto a pleno sol como con diferentes coberturas arbóreas y de plátano (Musa AAB); sin embargo, no se han realizado investigaciones que estudien las interacciones entre el dosel de sombra y el cultivo. Esta investigación, se centró en evaluar la respuesta ecofisiológica de plantas de cafeto cv. Castillo en sistemas agroforestales (SAF), con tres niveles de sombra: baja, de 0 a 20%; media, 21 a 47% y alta, de 48 a 70%. Se seleccionaron cinco fincas por condición de sombra, con cafetales de 4 a 6 años. En cada predio, se estableció una parcela de 1.000m2, en la que se realizaron tres muestreos en el 2015: periodo lluvioso-enero, época de transición-junio y época seca-julio. En cada parcela, se seleccionaron tres plantas de café representativas y en cada planta tres hojas, una por estrato vertical: bajo, medio y alto. Se midió la radiación fotosintéticamente activa incidente (RAFAi), conductancia estomática, transpiración y asimilación neta de carbono, con un sistema de fotosíntesis portable CIRAS-3. Los resultados indican que niveles de sombra entre 48 y 70% afectaron negativamente la fotosíntesis de las plantas de café, mientras que con niveles de sombra, hasta de 47%, se obtiene una eficiencia fotosintética similar a plantas de café a pleno sol. Estos resultados son importantes para las decisiones de establecimiento y de manejo de sistemas productivos de café, principalmente, las relacionadas con el dosel de sombra.Incluye referencias bibliográfica

Desarrollo de propuesta de modelo de negocio digital: KARE-Servicios de Cuidado y Enseñanza para Niños.

Dentro de una economía existen diferentes rubros y modelos de negocios que la sostienen y pretenden mantenerse al margen y en un punto de equilibrio capaz de sostener ganancias dentro de un periodo económico. Inicialmente se desarrolla la descripción del presente plan de negocios, planteando ventajas y desarrollando la visión palpable hacia el futuro, con metas y objetivos claros para el sostenimiento de éste. El modelo de negocio lleva por nombre KARE que ofrecerá sus servicios por medio de una plataforma web, los cuales están enfocados en el cuidado de niños menores de 3 a 7 años aportando servicios adicionales de refuerzo académico y enseñanza del idioma inglés. Es un modelo de negocio que se brindará de forma domiciliar, a padres de familia entre 35 y 45 años con ingresos económicos medio-alto. El desarrollo del plan comercial consiste en la implementación de campañas publicitarias por medio de redes sociales y plataformas web, a fin de garantizar la recomendación y fidelización de los clientes. Los beneficiarios directos son los padres de familia, seguido de los niños que reciben este servicio porque aporta a su desarrollo mental y físico. Son beneficiados también los colaboradores en cuanto utilidades y rentabilidad que se espera obtener con la aplicación y desarrollo del proyecto a corto y largo plazo

Caracterização de lixiviados gerados a partir da banana rachis (Musaceae paradisiaca l)

This work evaluated the microbiological and physicochemical content of the leachate product of the banana rachis composting, coming from farms in three municipalities of Meta, Colombia: Granada, Fuente de Oro and Villavicencio. The characterization of fungi and bacteria was performed by microscopic examination, in which some of its structures were observed, additionally photographs were taken and later compared with what was reported in the literature, the genus of the microorganism was defined, taking into account the appearance of the colony. For the physicochemical characterization, multivariate analysis was performed using Pearson correlations, while the biodegradability of the leachate was evaluated using the Tukey test with a 95% reliability. An order Actinomycete bacteria was identified with four genera Clavibacter, Erwinia, Pseudomonas, Agrobacterium and five genera of fungi Fusarium, Aspergillium, Mucor, Rhizopus and Geomyces, distributed in the three locations with different frequency. In the physicochemical characterization of the leachate, according to the Tukey test there were no differences (P>0.05); the pH and total solids (ST) of the leachate, that is to say the suspended or sedimentable dissolved matter, varied between 8,3 and 17.666 mg/L for the materials of Fuente de Oro, and 8.9 and 18.882 mg/L for those of Villavicencio, presenting alkaline pH in all cases; in addition, there was a high alkalinity of the leachate that varied around 13.529 mg CaCO3/L for those of Fuente de Oro and 14100 mg CaCO3/L for those of Granada; on the other hand the turbidity of the samples varied between 130 NTU in Villavicencio materials and 231 NTU in those of Fuente de Oro; the potassium (K) contents of the leachate were high varying between 4.620 and 5.300 mg/L in Villavicencio and Granada respectively, indicating that the leachate from the three zones is not very biodegradable; according to Pearson's correlations, leachates due to their high potassium content require a longer maturation time to reduce hardness and alkalinity, thus reducing the presence of bicarbonate, carbonate, magnesium and calcium ions in the samples. Pearson's correlations indicated that the pH of leachate was positively correlated with the ST (r=0.99), alkalinity (r=0.94), iron (Fe) (r=0.93) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) (r=1.0); the pH was negatively correlated with turbidity (r=-0.99) and total hardness (r=-0.94). The leachates from Fuente de Oro and Granada were closer in terms of physicochemical characterization results, indicating greater biodegradability of them (30%), compared to those of Villavicencio (20%).Este trabajo evaluó el contenido microbiológico y fisicoquímico del lixiviado producto del compostaje de raquis del plátano, proveniente de fincas de tres municipios del Meta, Colombia: Granada, Fuente de Oro y Villavicencio. La caracterización de hongos y bacterias fue realizada mediante examen microscópico, en el que se observaron algunas de sus estructuras, adicionalmente se tomaron fotografías y posteriormente comparando con lo reportado en la literatura, se definió el género del microorganismo, teniendo en cuenta el aspecto de la colonia. Para la caracterización fisicoquímica se realizó análisis de tipo multivariado mediante correlaciones de Pearson, mientras que la biodegradabilidad de los lixiviados se evaluó mediante la prueba de Tukey con una confiabilidad del 95%. Se identificó un orden bacterias Actinomicetos con cuatro géneros Clavibacter, Erwinia, Pseudomonas, Agrobacterium y cinco géneros de hongos Fusarium, Aspergillium, Mucor, Rhizopus y Geomyces, distribuidos en las tres localidades con diferente frecuencia. En la caracterización físicoquímica de los lixiviados, según el test de Tukey no se presentaron diferencias (P>0.05); el pH y los sólidos totales (ST) de los lixiviados, es decir la materia suspendida o disuelta sedimentable, variaron entre 8,3 y 17.666 mg/L para los materiales de Fuente de Oro, y 8,9 y 18.882 mg/L para los de Villavicencio, presentando pH alcalinos en todos los casos; además se presentó una alta alcalinidad de los lixiviados que varió alrededor de 13.529 mgCaCO3/L para los de Fuente de Oro y 14100 mgCaCO3/L para los de Granada; por otra parte la turbidez de las muestras varió entre 130 NTU en los materiales de Villavicencio y 231 NTU en los de Fuente de Oro; los contenidos de potasio (K) de los lixiviados fueron altos variando entre 4.620 y 5.300 mg/L en Villavicencio y Granada respectivamente, indicando que los lixiviados de las tres zonas son poco biodegradables; según las correlaciones de Pearson los lixiviados por sus altos contenidos en potasio requieren de un mayor tiempo de maduración para disminuir la dureza y la alcalinidad, reduciéndose así la presencia de los iones bicarbonato, carbonato, magnesio y calcio en las muestras. Las correlaciones de Pearson indicaron que el pH de los lixiviados estuvo positivamente correlacionado con los ST (r=0.99), la alcalinidad (r=0.94), el hierro (Fe) (r=0.93) y la demanda química de oxígeno (DQO) (r=1.0); el pH guardo una correlación negativa con la turbidez (r=-0.99) y la dureza total (r= -0.94). Los lixiviados de Fuente de Oro y Granada estuvieron más cercanos en cuanto a los resultados de caracterización fisicoquímica, indicando mayor biodegradabilidad de los mismos (30%), comparados con los de Villavicencio (20%).Este trabalho avaliou o conteúdo microbiológico e físico-químico do produto lixiviado da compostagem de banana rachis, proveniente de fazendas em três municípios de Meta, Colômbia: Granada, Fuente de Oro e Villavicencio. A caracterização de fungos e bactérias foi realizada por exame microscópico, no qual foram observadas algumas de suas estruturas, além disso, foram tiradas fotografias e, posteriormente, comparado ao relatado na literatura, foi definido o gênero do microrganismo, levando em consideração a aparência da colônia. Para a caracterização físico-química, a análise multivariada foi realizada por meio das correlações de Pearson, enquanto a biodegradabilidade do lixiviado foi avaliada pelo teste de Tukey, com 95% de confiabilidade. Uma ordem de bactéria Actinomycete foi identificada com quatro gêneros Clavibacter, Erwinia, Pseudomonas, Agrobacterium e cinco gêneros de fungos Fusarium, Aspergillium, Mucor, Rhizopus e Geomyces, distribuídos nos três locais com frequência diferente. Na caracterização físico-química do lixiviado, de acordo com o teste de tukey, não houve diferenças (P>0.05); o pH e os sólidos totais (ST) do lixiviado, ou seja, a matéria dissolvida em suspensão ou sedimentável, variaram entre 8,3 e 17.666 mg/L para os materiais da Fonte de Ouro e 8,9 e 18.882 mg/ L para os de Villavicencio, apresentando pH alcalino em todos os casos; além disso, houve uma alta alcalinidade do lixiviado que variou em torno de 13.529 mg de CaCO3/L para os de Fuente de Oro e 14100 mg de CaCO3/L para os de Granada; por outro lado, a turbidez das amostras variou entre 130 NTU em materiais Villavicencio e 231 NTU em Fuente de Oro; o teor de potássio (K) do lixiviado foi alto, variando entre 4.620 e 5.300 mg/L em Villavicencio e Granada, respectivamente, indicando que o lixiviado das três zonas não é muito biodegradável; De acordo com as correlações de Pearson, os lixiviados, devido ao seu alto teor de potássio, requerem um tempo de maturação mais longo para reduzir a dureza e a alcalinidade, reduzindo a presença de íons bicarbonato, carbonato, magnésio e cálcio nas amostras. As correlações de Pearson indicaram que o pH do lixiviado estava positivamente correlacionado com ST (r = 0.99), alcalinidade (r = 0.94), ferro (Fe) (r = 0.93) e demanda química de oxigênio (DQO). (r = 1.0); o pH foi negativamente correlacionado com turbidez (r = -0.99) e dureza total (r = -0.94). Os lixiviados de Fuente de Oro e Granada foram mais próximos em termos de resultados de caracterização físico-química, indicando maior biodegradabilidade deles (30%), em comparação com os de Villavicencio (20%)

Incidencia de los stakeholders en la planeación estratégica de Arturo Calle

Anexo A Enlace E-Book Código de ética para la empresa ARTURO CALLE. Figura 1. Mapa de procesos de la Empresa Arturo calle. Figura 2. Matriz DOFA de la Empresa Arturo Calle .Figura 3. Modelo EFQM de excelencia .Figura 4. Matriz de los Stakeholders de la Empresa Arturo Calle .Figura 5. Matriz de incidencia Poder Vs. InterésLa responsabilidad social empresarial se puede definir como la implementación de acciones y compromisos sociales, económicos y ambientales que realizan las empresas para sus grupos de interés tanto del entorno interno como del externo, con el fin de ir más allá de las metas organizacionales y así ser éticos, justos y prudentes con dichos grupos, pero sin olvidar nunca los objetivos empresariales que siempre deberán ser medibles y confiables buscando así el equilibrio entre el desarrollo empresarial, el desarrollo económico sostenible y social. Actualmente las empresas buscan asegurar que su compromiso empresarial esté ligado siempre a su comportamiento en general, por eso es importante que cada empresa considere y estudie cada una de sus dimensiones y contextos e inicien esta larga tarea, precisando los valores éticos y principios que regirán la empresa, considerando e implementando internamente códigos de conducta confiables y concretos, definiendo la gobernabilidad corporativa de la empresa para que esta cumpla satisfactoriamente con todas las responsabilidades frente a sus accionistas y grupos interesados, así mismo incorporando medidas que manejen y reduzcan los impactos ambientales directos de la empresa, de igual modo monitoreando sistemáticamente el ciclo productivo desde el o los proveedores hasta el consumidor o consumidores finales, como también indagando formas innovadoras de relacionarse solidariamente con la comunidad en general buscando así el bienestar económico y social mutuo.Corporate social responsibility can be defined as the implementation of social, economic and environmental actions and commitments that companies carry out for their stakeholders both internally and externally, in order to go beyond the objectives of the organization and, therefore, be ethical, fair and prudent with these groups, but never forgetting the commercial objectives that must always be measurable and reliable, thus seeking the balance between business development, sustainable development and social economic development. Currently, companies seek to ensure that their commercial commitment is always linked to their overall behavior, so it is important that each company considers and studies each of its dimensions and contexts and begins this long task, specifying ethical values and principles. to govern the company, considering and internally implementing reliable and specific codes of conduct, defining the corporate governance of the company so that it satisfactorily fulfills all the responsibilities towards its shareholders and interested groups, as well as incorporating measures that manage and reduce direct environmental impacts of the company, in the same way that it systematically monitors the production cycle from the supplier or suppliers to the consumer or final consumers, as well as investigates innovative ways of relating in solidarity with the community in general, thus seeking mutual economic and social well

Miradas colectivas del departamento del choco y Antioquia municipio de Quibdó y Turbo

Los trabajos investigativos realizados a lo largo del diplomado, se centraron en la observación participante de diversas comunidades, cuatro de ellas ubicadas en la ciudad de Quibdo y una en la ciudad de Turbo. Las comunidades objeto de observación fueron una entidad financiera (Bancolombia), un colegio en básica primaria (kínder catalina), comunidad Inmuprog, comunidad barrios Jardín y la comunidad barrios de Buenaños. El proceso de observación y de recolección de información, se realizó por medio de la técnica de árbol de problemas, con la finalidad de tener una mirada más objetiva de las causas y consecuencias de estas problemáticas, de manos de las fuentes directamente afectadas, siendo en este caso la propia comunidad. Dentro de estas comunidades, se evidenciaron diversas problemáticas, las cuales generaban una afectación directa al interior de las mismas, lo que propiciaba en la mayoría de los casos a una vulneración de muchos de los derechos fundamentales de sus individuos. Una vez analizadas las causas, la problemática central y sus consecuencias, nos encamínanos a la búsqueda de posibles alternativas de solución, que lograran disminuir el impacto generado por dichas problemáticas, encontrando que muchas de las soluciones que podrían cortar la problemática de raíz dependen de la creación y monitoreo del correcto funcionamiento de políticas públicas encaminadas a la comunidad, las cuales en la realidad se quedan cortas. En este documento encontramos mapa situacional de la ubicación de los integrantes del grupo colaborativo, así como un análisis detallado de cada uno de los procesos investigativos realizados al interior de las comunidades y por último la descripción de los proyectos.The research work carried out throughout the course focused on the participant observation of several communities, four of them located in the city of Quibdo and one in the city of Turbo. The communities under observation were a financial institution (Bancolombia), a primary school (Kinder Catalina), Inmuprog community, community neighborhoods Garden and community neighborhoods of Buenaños. The process of observation and information gathering was carried out using the problem tree technique, in order to have a more objective view of the causes and consequences of these problems, from the hands of the directly affected sources, being in This case the community itself. Within these communities, several problems were evident, which generated a direct affection within the same, which in most cases led to a violation of many of the fundamental rights of their individuals. Once we analyze the causes, the central problem and its consequences, we are going to search for possible solutions alternatives, which will reduce the impact generated by these problems, finding that many of the solutions that could cut the root problem depend on the Creation and monitoring of the correct functioning of public policies aimed at the community, which in reality are short. In this document we find a situational map of the location of the members of the collaborative group, as well as a detailed analysis of each of the investigative processes carried out within the communities and finally the description of the projects