Effects on milk supply of different systems of livestock feeding

Determining the competitive position of dairy farms depends on several technological, economic and institutional variables. Among them, are remarkable those related to animal feeding in the current context of high variability on prices. In this context, the aim of this study is to analyze the effects on milk supply and the competitiveness of dairy farms with different models of land intensification, with greater reliance on market purchases or self-production of livestock feed. This study is based on an econometric approach to a variable cost function, in a fixed effects model for unbalanced panel data of specialized dairy farms in Navarre (Spain). From this region, we use 3 geographical areas in relation to the availability of grazing land. It has been tested the absence of sample selection bias and satisfaction of regularity conditions. The study shows a flexible milk farm supply with respect to the price of milk and very dependent on the evolution of feed prices. This aspect has been emphasized by the restructuring of farms, characterized by strong size increases and productivity gains based on a greater reliance on purchases of animal feed. The provision of grazing land has an important role in determining the average costs and farm profitability. In addition, grazing land use permits greater exploitation of economies of scale present in the dairy sector.multiproduct cost function, unbalanced panel data, milk supply, animal feed, dairy farms., Livestock Production/Industries, Production Economics, Q12, D24, L25,

Influence of Animal Feeding on Milk Supply in Navarre

Determining the competitive position of dairy farms depends on several technological, economic and institutional variables. Among them, are remarkable those related to animal feeding in the current context of high variability on prices. In this context, the aim of our study is to analyze the effects on milk supply and the competitiveness of dairy farms with different models of land intensification, with greater reliance on market purchases or self production of livestock feed. Our work is based on an econometric approach to a variable cost function, in a fixed effects model for unbalanced panel data of specialized dairy farms in Navarre (Spain). From this region, we use 3 geographical areas in relation to the availability of grazing land. It has been tested the absence of sample selection bias and satisfaction of regularity conditions. The study shows a flexible milk farm supply with respect to the price of milk and very dependent on the evolution of feed prices. This aspect has been emphasized by the restructuring of farms, characterized by strong size increases and productivity gains based on a greater reliance on purchases of animal feed. The provision of grazing land has an important role in determining the average costs and farm profitability. In addition, grazing land use permits greater exploitation of economies of scale present in the dairy sector.multiproduct cost function, panel data, milk, animal feed, dairy farms, Livestock Production/Industries,

Study of the use of lunar materials to produce rocket propellants

The motivation of this thesis is to solve the two main problems of space exploration: the lack of fuel to perform space exploration beyond the Moon or Mars, and the limitations generated by the launching of large amounts of fuel from Earth to perform long distance missions. In this thesis we study the possibility of using lunar resources to produce fuel from them and not needing the raw material from Earth, the location of these resources on the Moon and the different methods to extract them. In order to favor a reliable study, a propulsive characterization test is carried out with a fuel composed only of resources available on the Moon: aluminum and oxygen. For this test, a hybrid rocket will be designed and manufactured to test the fuel. The results of this test will be used to study the effectiveness of this combination of lunar materials as a propellant. Obtaining feasible results in the test would be a milestone in space research, since it is estimated that the use of lunar resources for fuel production would drastically reduce the cost of space missions, thus allowing the possibility of solar system exploration and a future space economy. The fact of being able to obtain fuel from the Moon would expand our frontiers since it opens the door to the idea of being able to obtain it also from different bodies of the solar system. Thus, this thesis is a good starting point for future research on obtaining rocket fuel from the raw materials of other planets or asteroids, and consequently, to the long-term goal of establishing a sustainable presence on the Moo

Solitary pulmonary nodule malignancy predictive models applicable to routine clinical practice: a systematic review

Background: Solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) is a common finding in routine clinical practice when performing chest imaging tests. The vast majority of these nodules are benign, and only a small proportion are malignant. The application of predictive models of nodule malignancy in routine clinical practice would help to achieve better diagnostic management of SPN. The present systematic review was carried out with the purpose of critically assessing studies aimed at developing predictive models of solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) malignancy from SPN incidentally detected in routine clinical practice. Methods: We performed a search of available scientific literature until October 2020 in Pubmed, SCOPUS and Cochrane Central databases. The inclusion criteria were observational studies carried out in low-risk population from 35 years old onwards aimed at constructing predictive models of malignancy of pulmonary solitary nodule detected incidentally in routine clinical practice. Studies had to be published in peer-reviewed journals, either in Spanish, Portuguese or English. Exclusion criteria were non-human studies, or predictive models based in high-risk populations, or models based on computational approaches. Exclusion criteria were non-human studies, or predictive models based in high-risk populations, or models based on computational approaches (such as radiomics). We used The Transparent Reporting of a multivariable Prediction model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) statement, to describe the type of predictive model included in each study, and The Prediction model Risk Of Bias ASsessment Tool (PROBAST) to evaluate the quality of the selected articles. Results: A total of 186 references were retrieved, and after applying the exclusion/inclusion criteria, 15 articles remained for the final review. All studies analysed clinical and radiological variables. The most frequent independent predictors of SPN malignancy were, in order of frequency, age, diameter, spiculated edge, calcification and smoking history. Variables such as race, SPN growth rate, emphysema, fibrosis, apical scarring and exposure to asbestos, uranium and radon were not analysed by the majority of the studies. All studies were classified as high risk of bias due to inadequate study designs, selection bias, insufficient population follow-up and lack of external validation, compromising their applicability for clinical practice. Conclusions: The studies included have been shown to have methodological weaknesses compromising the clinical applicability of the evaluated SPN malignancy predictive models and their potential influence on clinical decisionmaking for the SPN diagnostic managemen

The challenge of global elimination policies : a case study of malaria and other diseases of poverty

Malaria is a priority disease on the global public health agenda, with between 800 thousand and one million deaths reported annually. The endemic areas most affected by this parasitic disease have high poverty rates across broad population groups. Children and pregnant women suffer the biggest impacts from this disease, which is transmitted by Anopheles spp. mosquitoes. About 90 countries worldwide report indigenous cases with active transmission. Enormous efforts are ongoing to alleviate the disease burden and its devastating effect on health in vulnerable populations. This research presents a combination of methodological, ontological, and axiological approaches in order to further understand the intrinsic and extrinsic components of malaria which affect the dynamics of transmission and control measures. Limitations are inherent in the ability of the researcher, and this document is unlikely to fully present all factors and determinants which interact in the complex system of malaria. Nonetheless, it reflects a major effort to combine paradigms from positivism to historical constructivism. The purpose of this work is to contribute to the understanding of this phenomenon and compare qualitative and quantitative evidence in malaria-endemic areas of Colombia and the Americas. Additional effort is made to reconstruct the trajectories and experiences of control and prevention and recognize elements to improve models of control, considering the specific contexts where malaria and other diseases of poverty persist. In Chapters I and II, the realities and nature of the problem are defined, specifically to establish paradigms as well as ontological, epistemological, axiological and methodological questions, while the objective of the research is defined in terms of variables such as time, people and places. The analysis process begins with a narrative review of gray literature and indexed texts covering the historical transformations of concepts of control, elimination and eradication of malaria. The compilation of sources interprets the effect of political, economic, social and cultural structures on trends of malaria and diseases of poverty. Additionally, the problem of elimination of infectious diseases is followed from a “biologist model” to a more inclusive and broad bio-socio-political context. Malaria is a complex phenomenon, and control/ elimination /eradication strategies should not underestimate the importance of partial achievements from interventions implemented over time. The search for "magic bullets" is a constant and continual process of recognition by all involved actors, including researchers, academic and public-private institutions, as well as sustained active participation by the affected communities. The detailed description of this process is presented in Chapter III, Concepts evolution of malaria control, elimination and eradication. Historical Review, as submitted to the Journal of Malaria. vii In order to correlate and triangulate the primary and secondary evidence, field work to identify epidemiological markers of advancement and a narrative review on the status of elimination of malaria in Colombia and Latin America are analyzed. These findings are reported in Chapter IV, Proportion of fever attributable to malaria in Colombia: Potential indicators for tracking progress towards malaria elimination. A cross-sectional survey descriptive study, conducted in two regions of Colombia, aimed to identify risk factors (epidemiological and socio-demographic) and baseline characteristics related to the dynamics of malaria transmission. These two regions shared similar structural problems with other malaria endemic regions of Latin America. The field results are strongly correlated with the narrative review. Part of the problem is explained through the primary productive sector, which consists of farmers, miners, fishermen, and migrants/displaced persons, reflecting social injustice and inequalities between regions under the same public policies. Poor governance and reduced infrastructure investment for the health and education sectors, combined with scarce development models for rural and peri-urban areas, produce inadequate living conditions which perpetuate diseases of poverty and high rates of maternal and infant mortality. Information systems for early prediction of outbreaks and epidemics are inadequate or non-existent. Recording of cases on a weekly basis and monitoring of therapeutic failures and insecticide resistance are poorly documented. The proportion of asymptomatic individuals, despite the low reported rates, remains a clinical and epidemiological problem. In the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals, the concepts of elimination particularly focused interest on public health programs. In the case of Colombia, other diseases of poverty can be used as epidemiological markers of the goals achieved. Using the example of endemic goiter, the policy of salt iodization has been adapted as the most cost effective strategy for elimination. By 1998, Colombia declared the country free of goiter. Unfortunately, the lack of monitoring and evaluation programs has hindered appropriate follow up to ensure continued iodization of salt. This study indicates that the disease is still prevalent in school children and pregnant women. In Chapter V, entitled Historical review of the current sanitary policy of goiter elimination in Colombia, 1990-2012, a review on the control policy addresses the decline from a constructivism paradigm. In Chapter VI, the impact of this research to improve the policy of elimination, considering local examples which are widely generalizable to other endemic areas in the same region of the Americas, is presented. New research questions for additional operational research and the development of novel interventions which impact on the incidence of disease are articulated. In conclusion, these results confirm the need to define mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation of programs for elimination. Given the complexity of the health problems, strategies of control must consider reducing inequities, social injustice, and, importantly, the gender component, which are consequences of violence in Colombia

Impacts of Food and Exercise on Blood Glucose: A study for predicting glucose concentration in non-invasive monitoring.

Abstract In our daily life, we consume different types of foods. The food we intake greatly balances our blood sugar levels and minimizes highs and lows. It is very important to understand certain food that affects our blood sugar. Maintaining a proper diet can keep our blood sugar within the right range. In this study, we are conducting an analysis of the food that people take in their daily life and how it impacts blood glucose. We have collected data from various sources including National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey performed by CDC(1). We also collected datasets from The Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute (AusDiab) (2). It is hard to get a dataset of the exact same domain. However, we got NHANES 2017-March 2020 Pre-Pandemic Dietary detailed dietary intake information from NHANES participants. The dataset contains types and amounts of foods and beverages (including all types of water) consumed within 24-hr prior to the interview (midnight to midnight) and intakes of energy, nutrients, and other food components from those foods and beverages. Participants were asked questions on salt use, whether the person’s overall intake on the previous day was much more than usual, usual, or much less than usual, and whether the participants is on any type of special diet. The food items were indicated by USDA food code. We merged the USDA food code data and NHANES survey data to prepare our dataset. Also, we dropped the unwanted columns as there are many unnecessary inputs. Finally, we prepared our desired dataset of total sugar, calories, protein, and some other important features. We applied Machine learning algorithms on the dataset to estimate the food types that help to maintain blood glucose levels

Fear for the future: Eco-anxiety and health implications, a systematic review

Background Although there is no standard definition for eco-anxiety, most authors define it as people's emotional reaction of concern, worry, anxiety, and fear in view of global Climate Change (CC) threats and concurrent environmental degradation. This systematic review was carried out to critically evaluate the evidence on eco-anxiety related to CC and its health implications in general populations. Methods We performed a search for scientific articles in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central. Studies were included if they complied with the study objective. Selection of articles and data extraction were carried out independently by 2 reviewers. We used the Axis tool and JBI critical appraisal checklist to assess the quality of the studies. Results A final sample of 12 articles was included in this review. The methodological quality of the studies was limited. A wide variety of eco-anxiety definitions was used in the different studies but further research is needed to provide conceptual clarity of the term eco-anxiety. Eco-anxiety was associated with functional impairment, symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, stress and insomnia, lower self-rated mental health, and reluctance to have children. Moreover, habitual worry about global warming was associated with a pro-ecological worldview, a green self-identity and pro-environmental behavior, strongly suggesting a constructive nature. Indeed, pro-environmental behavior in the form of climate activism would buffer the impact of CCA cognitive-emotional impairment on MDD symptoms. However, sometimes engaging in pro-environmental behavior might not be successful in dealing with eco-anxiety, since individuals might perceive that their efforts do not help to mitigate the CC crisis. Conclusions Results have to be interpreted with caution since the methodological quality of the studies was limited. However, they do suggest a link between eco-anxiety and negative mental health outcomes, mainly in younger generations, women, and poorer countries in the “Global South”. Eco-anxiety may constitute a stressor to mental health, particularly if coping mechanisms are not successfully develope

The Efficacy of Therapeutic Respiratory Muscle Training Interventions in People with Bronchiectasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Respiratory muscle dysfunction is an important health problem with high morbidity and mortality and associated costs in patients with bronchiectasis (BC). The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of therapeutic respiratory muscle training (RMT) interventions on improving sputum clearance, ventilator function, muscle strength and functional capacity in BC. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Two independent investigators searched using several electronic databases. The methodological quality of nine studies was assessed using the PEDro scale. Study selection/eligibility criteria: The following were included: randomised controlled trials, randomised crossover trials and pilot studies of patients with BC that used the intervention as RMT (inspiratory/expiratory) and evaluations of respiratory muscle strength (maximal expiratory pressure/maximal inspiratory pressure). This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42017075101). Nine studies were included, five of which obtained an A recommendation grade, three with B, and one with C. Study quality was poor to good (mean PEDro Score of 6.375 out of 10). Studies had small sample sizes (8-98). Results show improvements on PImax in favour of therapeutic respiratory muscle training intervention (MD = 6.08; 95% CI = 1.38, 10.77; p < 0.01; I-2 = 92%). However, high heterogeneity was identified on meta-analysis