Učinak različitih postupaka upotrebe progesterona na reprodukcijske sposobnosti ovaca izvan sezone mrkanja.

The effect of intra-vaginal Fluorogestone-Acetate (FGA) sponges (a progesterone analogue) +/- eCG (equine chorionic gonadotropin) on the fertility of anestrous ewes was assessed. Ninety-six ewes were divided into 4 groups (24/group). The ewes were exposed to treatment for 6 days (FGA or FGA+eCG groups) and for 12 days (FGA or FGA+eCG groups). Sponges were withdrawn (day 0) and eCG (500 IU) or saline was injected. Ewes were examined for estrus and bred by fertile rams. Pregnancy was diagnosed by progesterone levels and ultrasound scanning. Estrous expression differed only between the FGA-eCG (12 days) and FGA (6 days) groups (P0,05). Intervali od 0. dana do pojave estrusa bili su kraći (P<0,05) u skupini koja je dobivala FGA-KG tijekom 12 dana u odnosu na skupinu koja je dobivala FGA tijekom 12 dana i skupinu koja je dobivala FGA tijekom šest dana. Razine progesterona bile su bazalne u razdoblju od -10. do 5. dana (<0,1 ng/mL) i postupno su se povećavale do 20. dana. Povišene razine progesterona u razdoblju od 20 dana zabilježene su u 50%, 75%, 66,7% i 91,7 % ovaca obrađivanih tijekom 6 dana (FGA i FGA-KG) ili tijekom 12 dana FGA i FGA-KG-om. Razlike u srednjim vrijednostima između skupina koje su dobivale KG u odnosu na ovce koje nisu dobile KG bile su značajne (P<0,01). Od ukupno 68 gravidnih ovaca, 62 su se ojanjile u terminu od 150 dana. Nisu ustanovljene značajne razlike u tijeku gravidnosti, stopi i broju ojanjene janjadi između skupina KG (šest ili 12 dana). Postotak oplodnje iznosio je 70,8%. Zaključno se može reći da postupak dvanaestodnevne primjene spužvica s konjskim korionskim gonadotropinom može poboljšati reprodukcijske rezultate u anestričnih ovaca. S gospodarskog stanovišta taj se postupak može zamijeniti postupkom šestodnevne primjene FG+KG, ali s lošijim rezultatima

Adaptive Load Frequency Control in Power Systems Using Optimization Techniques

At present, simple and classical tuned controllers are widely used in the power system load frequency control (LFC) application. Existing LFC system parameters are usually tuned based on experiences, classical methods, and trial and error approaches, and they are incapable of providing good dynamic performance over a wide range of operating conditions and various load scenarios. Therefore, the novel modeling and control approaches are strongly required, to obtain a new trade-off between efficiency and robustness. Thus, the proposed techniques in this chapter are referred to be an adaptive control technique based on new optimization methods such as Jaya, Practical Swarm Optimization Algorithm, etc., which are used to make an on-line tuning of the LFC parameters in order to face the previous challenges in LFC. The system under study is a small microgrid with a renewable energy source and variable demand load. Digital simulation results are discussed

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Response to the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic Across Africa: Successes, Challenges, and Implications for the Future

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has already claimed considerable lives. There are major concerns in Africa due to existing high prevalence rates for both infectious and non-infectious diseases and limited resources in terms of personnel, beds and equipment. Alongside this, concerns that lockdown and other measures will have on prevention and management of other infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs are an increasing issue with rising morbidity and mortality rates. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that a lack of nets and treatment could result in up to 18 million additional cases of malaria and up to 30,000 additional deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: Document current prevalence and mortality rates from COVID-19 alongside economic and other measures to reduce its spread and impact across Africa. In addition, suggested ways forward among all key stakeholder groups. Our Approach: Contextualise the findings from a wide range of publications including internet-based publications coupled with input from senior-level personnel. Ongoing Activities: Prevalence and mortality rates are currently lower in Africa than among several Western countries and the USA. This could be due to a number of factors including early instigation of lockdown and border closures, the younger age of the population, lack of robust reporting systems and as yet unidentified genetic and other factors. Innovation is accelerating to address concerns with available equipment. There are ongoing steps to address the level of misinformation and its consequences including fines. There are also ongoing initiatives across Africa to start addressing the unintended consequences of COVID-19 activities including lockdown measures and their impact on NCDs including the likely rise in mental health disorders, exacerbated by increasing stigma associated with COVID-19. Strategies include extending prescription lengths, telemedicine and encouraging vaccination. However, these need to be accelerated to prevent increased morbidity and mortality. Conclusion: There are multiple activities across Africa to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and address misinformation, which can have catastrophic consequences, assisted by the WHO and others, which appear to be working in a number of countries. Research is ongoing to clarify the unintended consequences given ongoing concerns to guide future activities. Countries are learning from each other