Obstetric Violence and Postpartum Adjustment: Exploration of Risk and Resilience Factors

Obstetric violence includes acts of abuse, coercion, or disrespect that occur during the labor process. The present study explores how obstetric violence impacts a person’s postpartum psychosocial adjustment. This study used a subset of data (N = 339) from a larger online study, which attempted to explore multiple facets of a person’s postpartum health. The psychological constructs examined are postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. Additional constructs assessed were protective and risk factors: self-compassion and medical mistrust. Self-compassion and medical mistrust were examined by using moderation models. Additional analyses were completed using simple regression models to explore whether obstetric violence predicts either postpartum anxiety or postpartum depression. Results yielded non-significant moderations for all constructs; however, obstetric violence predicted both postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression. This study was the first to examine how self-compassion and medical mistrust relate to the onset of postpartum anxiety and depression following an experience of obstetric violence

The Current State of Prenatal Detection of Genetic Conditions in Congenital Heart Defects

The incidence of congenital heart defect (CHD) has increased over the past fifty years, partly attributed to routine fetal anatomical examination by sonography during obstetric care and improvements in ultrasound technology and technique. Fetal findings on ultrasound in addition to maternal biomarkers are the backbone of first- and second-trimester screening for common genetic conditions, namely aneuploidy. Since the introduction of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) using next-generation sequencing to sequence cell-free fetal DNA, the detection rate of common trisomies as well as sex chromosomal aneuploidies have markedly increased. As the use of NIPT continues to broaden, the best means of incorporating NIPT into prenatal care is less clear and complicated by misunderstanding of the limitations and non-diagnostic role of NIPT by clinicians and families. In other advancements in prenatal genetic testing, recommendations on the role of chromosomal microarray (CMA) for prenatal diagnosis has led to its increasing use to identify genetic conditions in fetuses diagnosed with CHD. Lastly, as whole exome sequencing (WES) becomes more available and affordable, the next clinical application of next-generation sequencing in prenatal diagnostic testing is on the horizon. While newer genetic tests may provide answers in terms of genetic diagnosis, even more questions will likely ensue for clinicians, researchers, and parents. The objective of this review is to provide the perspective of the evolution of maternal and fetal obstetric care against the backdrop of advancing genetic technology and its impact on families and clinicians

Multimode quantum limits to the linewidth of an atom laser

The linewidth of an atom laser can be limited by excitation of higher energy modes in the source Bose-Einstein condensate, energy shifts in that condensate due to the atomic interactions, or phase diffusion of the lasing mode due to those interactions. The first two are effects that can be described with a semiclassical model, and have been studied in detail for both pumped and unpumped atom lasers. The third is a purely quantum statistical effect, and has been studied only in zero dimensional models. We examine an unpumped atom laser in one dimension using a quantum field theory using stochastic methods based on the truncated Wigner approach. This allows spatial and statistical effects to be examined simultaneously, and the linewidth limit for unpumped atom lasers is quantified in various limits.Comment: 8 Figure

Gender Mainstreaming: Who Wins? Gender & Irrigated Urban Vegetable Production in West Africa

Gender roles in agriculture can be quite specific, not only in view of particular labor inputs during the production cycle but also in terms of who farms and who trades certain crops. Using data collected over ten years in West Africa, this study looked at market-oriented urban vegetable production in West Africa and Ghana in particular. Gender disaggregated data on key issues such as access and control of resources, division of tasks, decision-making process and challenges faced was collected from farmers and traders. With several exceptions, a clear gender distinction emerged across the sub-region: men dominate urban vegetable farming, while women manage vegetable marketing. The general differentiation is attributed to societal norms, but other factors play a role as well. Female farmers, for example, feel constrained by existing irrigation practices that are energy-intensive and conflict with household duties. Male farmers, on the other hand, feel significantly oppressed by their dependency on credit and prices dictated by market women, and feel disadvantaged when entering the vegetable retail market. Improved irrigation technology could facilitate a better gender balance on the farm, but mainstreaming gender balance in vegetable wholesale and retail is likely to disadvantage women

Optimal sizing of a hybrid photovoltaic/fuel cell grid-connected power system including hydrogen storage

The global energy demand is enormous, yet nonrenewable resources such as fossil fuels, and nuclear power are insufficient to satisfy it. Renewable energy will eventually be the better option. This study investigates the design and optimization of a hybrid photovoltaic / fuel cell (PV/FC) energy system with an H2 tank linked to the grid. The primary objective of this research is to design and size a PV/FC energy system with an H2 storage tank to supply the energy needs of a university ICT center that is connected to an inconsistent grid. HOMER's energy-balance algorithms were used to determine the best design architecture. Using mean solar radiation data (22 years) obtained for the University of Benin ICT Center, hourly simulations were performed to determine the optimum configuration in terms of size, cost, and performance of the energy system. Findings revealed that a hybrid PV/FC power system with a 400 kW solar array, a 250 kW FC, a 240 kW inverter, and a 150 kW electrolyzer with an H2 tank of 700 kg will reliably supplement the inconsistent grid with a high proportion (92%) of renewable resources at $0.1052/kWh. An energy cost reduction of approximately 88 percent and a return on investment of 200 percent with a present value of$98,251,110 could be obtained in less than 2 years over the traditional grid/diesel systems. Using an ideally sized PV/FC hybrid system will alleviate Nigeria's electrical challenges, impeding the country's economic growth. Furthermore, hybrid PV/FC power systems can reduce CO2 emissions, resulting in a more environmentally friendly and sustainable environment

Prevalence and indications for caesarean section in Enugu state, Nigeria

Background: Caesarean section (C/S) is one of the commonly performed surgical procedures in obstetrics. This procedure has been on the increase in the past decade, creating a public health concern. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of C/S delivery in a tertiary health facility in Nigeria.Methods: A prospective cohort study conducted at a tertiary health facility in Nigeria. Data was retrieved from the delivery cards of the mothers. Data was analysed using SPSS version 25 and variables were presented as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviation. Chi-square test was performed with the level of significance set at p≤0.05. Binary logistic regression was used to determine factors that predicted C/S delivery.Results: The prevalence of C/S was 48.3%. Commonest indication for C/S was 2 or more previous C/S. Mothers aged >30 years, employed, higher educational level, higher parity and delivered preterm predicted C/S delivery on logistic regression.Conclusions: The prevalence of C/S was high. Higher maternal age, employment, higher educational level, higher parity and preterm delivery were positively associated with C/S delivery

Still birth in a tertiary health facility in Enugu state South-East Nigeria: a hidden tragedy

Background: Stillbirth is one of the common adverse outcomes of pregnancy that occur worldwide. The prevalence differs in different continents of the world and even within different localities in the same country. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and social determinants of health that affect still birth in Enugu state, Nigeria.Methods: The study was a prospective hospital-based study conducted at the obstetrics and gynecology department of a tertiary health facility in Nigeria. All the data were retrieved from the ante natal and delivery card of all the women that delivered at the unit within the time of data collection. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 and variables were presented as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviation. Bivariate analysis was done using chi-square test. The level of significance was set at p value≤0.05.Results: The mean age of the mothers was 29.76±4.69 while most of them were aged 21-30 years 431(56.0%). Majority of them were employed 529 (68.7%) and had tertiary education 484 (62.9%). The prevalence of still birth was 40.3 per 1000 births. Maternal age, marital status, educational levels and booking status affected the prevalence of still birth.On logistic regression, un-booked mothers had 25 times odds of having still birth when compared to those that booked after 28 weeks gestationConclusions: The prevalence of still birth is high in Enugu state with un-booked mothers contributing about 88.6%. Early booking helps to detect possible complications early with timely interventions

Assessing Indigenous Communities Socio-Economic Status as Catalyst for Forest Resources Conservation in Akamkpa Local Government Area, Nigeria.

Forest resource exploitation is one of the major issues that has generated serious attention by various scholars due to its implications in the forest ecosystem. This paper attempt a critical assessment of the influence of socio-economic status on indigenous people awareness and attitude towards forest resource conservation. However, one hundred copies of questionnaire were administered to ten communities in order to evaluate community awareness and attitude towards forest resource conservation. Findings reveal that the socio­economic status of the people significantly influences the people's awareness as evidence in the data analyses which shows a high significant level. Therefore, if the forest resources must be conserved , adequate measures must be put in place to tackle excessive exploitation of the forest resources. Key Words: Attitude, awareness, conservation, forest, resources

Optimal sizing of a hybrid photovoltaic/fuel cell grid-connected power system including hydrogen storage

The global energy demand is enormous, yet nonrenewable resources such as fossil fuels, and nuclear power are insufficient to satisfy it. Renewable energy will eventually be the better option. This study investigates the design and optimization of a hybrid photovoltaic / fuel cell (PV/FC) energy system with an H2 tank linked to the grid. The primary objective of this research is to design and size a PV/FC energy system with an H2 storage tank to supply the energy needs of a university ICT center that is connected to an inconsistent grid. HOMER's energy-balance algorithms were used to determine the best design architecture. Using mean solar radiation data (22 years) obtained for the University of Benin ICT Center, hourly simulations were performed to determine the optimum configuration in terms of size, cost, and performance of the energy system. Findings revealed that a hybrid PV/FC power system with a 400 kW solar array, a 250 kW FC, a 240 kW inverter, and a 150 kW electrolyzer with an H2 tank of 700 kg will reliably supplement the inconsistent grid with a high proportion (92%) of renewable resources at $0.1052/kWh. An energy cost reduction of approximately 88 percent and a return on investment of 200 percent with a present value of$98,251,110 could be obtained in less than 2 years over the traditional grid/diesel systems. Using an ideally sized PV/FC hybrid system will alleviate Nigeria's electrical challenges, impeding the country's economic growth. Furthermore, hybrid PV/FC power systems can reduce CO2 emissions, resulting in a more environmentally friendly and sustainable environment

General limit to non-destructive optical detection of atoms

We demonstrate that there is a fundamental limit to the sensitivity of phase-based detection of atoms with light for a given maximum level of allowable spontaneous emission. This is a generalisation of previous results for two-level and three-level atoms. The limit is due to an upper bound on the phase shift that can be imparted on a laser beam for a given excited state population. Specifially, we show that no single-pass optical technique using classical light, based on any number of lasers or coherences between any number of levels, can exceed the limit imposed by the two-level atom. This puts significant restrictions on potential non-destructive optical measurement schemes.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figur