10,156 research outputs found
Estimating the Effect of Recurrent Infectious Diseases on Nutritional Status: Sampling Frequency, Sample-size, and Bias
There is an ongoing interest in studying the effect of common recurrent infections and conditions, such as diarrhoea, respiratory infections, and fever, on the nutritional status of children at risk of malnutrition. Epidemiological studies exploring this association need to measure infections with sufficient accuracy to minimize bias in the effect estimates. A versatile model of common recurrent infections was used for exploring how many repeated measurements of disease are required to maximize the power and logistical efficiency of studies investigating the effect of infectious diseases on malnutrition without compromising the validity of the estimates. Depending on the prevalence and distribution of disease within a population, 15-30 repeat measurements per child over one year should be sufficient to provide unbiased estimates of the association between infections and nutritional status. Less-frequent measurements lead to a bias in the effect size towards zero, especially if disease is rare. In contrast, recall error can lead to exaggerated effect sizes. Recall periods of three days or shorter may be preferable compared to longer recall periods. The results showed that accurate estimation of the association between recurrent infections and nutritional status required closer follow-up of study participants than studies using recurrent infections as an outcome measure. The findings of the study provide guidance for choosing an appropriate sampling strategy to explore this association
Pinning Transition of Bose-Einstein Condensates in Optical Ring Resonators
We experimentally investigate the dynamic instability of Bose-Einstein
condensates in an optical ring resonator that is asymmetrically pumped in both
directions. We find that, beyond a critical resonator-pump detuning, the system
becomes stable regardless of the pump strength. Phase diagrams and quenching
curves are presented and described by numerical simulations. We discuss a
physical explanation based on a geometric interpretation of the underlying
nonlinear equations of motion.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Magneto-structural properties of the layered quasi-2D triangular-lattice antiferromagnets CsCuClBr for = 0,1,2 and 4
We present a study of the magnetic susceptibility under variable
hydrostatic pressure on single crystals of CsCuClBr. This
includes the border compounds \textit{x} = 0 and 4, known as good realizations
of the distorted triangular-lattice spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet, as
well as the isostructural stoichiometric systems CsCuClBr and
CsCuClBr. For the determination of the exchange coupling
constants and , data were fitted by a
model \cite{Schmidt2015}. Its application, validated for the
border compounds, yields a degree of frustration / = 0.47 for
CsCuClBr and / 0.63 - 0.78 for
CsCuClBr, making these systems particular interesting
representatives of this family. From the evolution of the magnetic
susceptibility under pressure up to about 0.4\,GPa, the maximum pressure
applied, two observations were made for all the compounds investigated here.
First, we find that the overall energy scale, given by +
), increases under pressure, whereas the ratio
/ remains unchanged in this pressure range. These experimental
observations are in accordance with the results of DFT calculations performed
for these materials. Secondly, for the magnetoelastic coupling constants,
extraordinarily small values are obtained. We assign these observations to a
structural peculiarity of this class of materials
Assessing patterns and determinants of latrine use in rural settings: A longitudinal study in Odisha, India.
INTRODUCTION: Monitoring of sanitation programs is often limited to sanitation access and coverage, with little emphasis on use of the facilities despite increasing evidence of widespread non-use. OBJECTIVES: We assessed patterns and determinants of individual latrine use over 12 months in a low- income rural study population that had recently received latrines as part of the Government of India's Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) in coastal Puri district in Odisha, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We surveyed 1938 individuals (>3years) in 310 rural households with latrines from 25 villages over 12 months. Data collection rounds were timed to correspond with the seasons. The primary outcome was reported use by each member of the household over the prior 48h. We classified use into three categories-"never", "sometimes" and "always/usually". We also assessed consistency of use over six days across the three seasons (dry cold, dry hot, rainy). We explored the association between individual and household-level variables and latrine use in any given season and longitudinally using multinomial logistic regression. We also inquired about reasons for non-use. RESULTS: Overall, latrine use was poor and inconsistent. The average response probability at any given round of never use was 43.5% (95% CI=37.9, 49.1), sometimes use was 4.6% (95% CI=3.8, 5.5), and always/usual use was 51.9% (95% CI=46.2, 57.5). Only two-thirds of those who reported always/usually using a latrine in round one reported the same for all three rounds. Across all three rounds, the study population was about equally divided among those who reported never using the latrine (30.1%, 95% CI=23.0, 37.2), sometimes using the latrine (33.2%, 95% CI=28.3, 38.1) and always/usually using the latrine (36.8%, 95% CI=31.8, 41.8). The reported likelihood of always/usually versus never using the latrine was significantly greater in the dry cold season (OR=1.50, 95% CI=1.18, 1.89, p=0.001) and in the rainy season (OR=1.34, 95% CI=1.07, 1.69, p=0.012), than in the dry hot season. Across all three seasons, there was increased likelihood of always/usually and sometimes using the latrine versus never using it among females and where latrines had a door and roof. Older age groups, including those aged 41-59 years and 60+ years, and increase in household size were associated with a decreased likelihood of always/usually using the latrine versus never using it. The leading reason for non-use was a preference for open defecation. CONCLUSION: Results highlight the low and inconsistent use of subsidized latrines built under the TSC in rural Odisha. This study identifies individual and household levels factors that may be used to target behavior change campaigns to drive consistent use of sanitation facilities by all
- …