Consumption-Savings Trade-Off in the Allocation of Migrants; Remittances and Economic Growth: The Cases of Burkina Faso and Senegal

The objective of this research is to assess the impact on growth of reallocating migrant remittances for savings investment purposes It focuses on two countries in the West African Economic and Monetary Union WAEMU zone Burkina Faso and Senegal The methodological approach adopted is dynamic Computable General Equilibrium CGE modeling that integrates a procedure for reallocating remittances Simulation results show that an increase in the propensity to save as a result of reallocation of remittances received by households for savings purposes leads to an increase in economic growt

Perspectives on the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation

The establishment of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (GPEDC) created the unique opportunity to bring together and explore synergies between South–South cooperation (SSC) and traditional aid, or North–South cooperation. However, the GPEDC lacks support from both sides due to a lack of trust and misconceptions among partner countries. This article discusses the challenges of operationalising the GPEDC as a truly global and inclusive partnership. This is done by analysing differences between North–South and South–South cooperation and the challenges of bringing them closer. Furthermore, the particular reasons of individual SSC providers, the rising powers in particular, for withholding support for the GPEDC are identified and looked at in the context of fundamental differences between SSC and OECD-DAC aid.Japan International Cooperation Agency Research Institute (JICA

Implementação do Registo Eletrónico de Saúde em África - uma Análise SWOT

A inovação tecnológica em saúde está a revolucionar significativamente a forma como os cuidados de saúde estão a ser prevenidos, diagnosticados e tratados. Apesar dos muitos benefícios destacados, a implementação de EHR requer um grande investimento, não só em recursos tecnológicos, mas também em recursos humanos qualificados. O objetivo principal do estudo é conhecer as forças, oportunidades, fraquezas e ameaças dos registos eletrónicos em saúde nos países africanos. A metodologia baseou-se na realização de uma revisão sistemática para análise SWOT. Com base nos resultados obtidos, o ponto forte com maior relevância esta relacionado com acesso oportuno e rápido das informações. Já a fraqueza mais evidente é a queda da corrente elétrica seguida da fraca conexão a internet. Ter experiência prévia em EHR é a oportunidade identificada com maior relevância na utilização destes sistemas. Por último, a maior ameaça evidenciada é a inexistência de conhecimento prévio em EHR e em informática. Os sistemas implementados na África. os resultados mostram que o sistema EHR Open source como o mais implementado na África em 83,3% em (10/12) artigos que caracterizaram os tipos de sistemas implementados.Technological innovation in healthcare is significantly revolutionising the way healthcare is being prevented, diagnosed and treated. Despite the many benefits highlighted, EHR implementation requires a major investment, not only in technological resources, but also in qualified human resources. The main objective of the study is to know the strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats of electronic health records in African countries. The methodology was based on conducting a systematic review for SWOT analysis. Based on the results obtained, the strong point with the greatest relevance is related to timely and rapid access to information. The most obvious weakness is the power outage followed by poor internet connection. Having previous EHR experience is the most relevant opportunity identified when using these systems. Finally, the greatest threat evidenced is the lack of prior knowledge in EHR and computer science. The systems implemented in África. the results show that the Open source EHR system as the most implemented in África in 83.3% in (10/12)c articles that characterized the types of systems implemented

Arquitectura de superfícies - do processo aparente à aparência do projecto

A participação no projeto de uma torre residencial a ser construída em AbuDhabi, aquando do meu intercâmbio realizado na Argentina, revelou-se um pontode partida para a presente dissertação; despoletando um conjunto de questõesfundamentais à análise do processo metodológico arquitetónico contemporâneoque, neste momento e ao longo do meu percurso profissional, pretendo realizar.Por um lado, envolto num contexto de globalização, revela-se pertinenterefletir sobre a tipologia arranha-céus como modelo arquitetónico, que se enraízacomo novo paradigma universal. O qual, através da mera escala e complexidade,se manifesta capaz de anular o reportório clássico da arquitetura e assim colocar,desde outra perspetiva toda uma envolvente, seja ela física ou abstrata. Por outrolado, a breve experiência projetual, em contexto profissional, permitiu exporuma realidade onde a crescente propagação e consequente domínio da imagemtem o poder de influenciar fortemente, a metodologia do projeto, invadindo ecunhando de modo notável a esfera do arquiteto.Uma condição que nos remete para uma possível conjuntura, onde aarquitetura se encontra dependente da imagem, onde os arquitetos assumemo processo de estetização como consequência necessária - aparência doprocesso. O que, por sua vez, nos pode encaminhar para uma realidade decenários simulados e descontextualizados, moldados por novos critériosde superficialidade que descuidam por completo do esforço projetual deidentificação das carências e valências do lugar. Um mundo subjugado pelaaparência, pela primeira impressão, pela necessidade do efeito imediato que,consequentemente, provoca uma cultura de consumo irrefletido, de menorconsciência crítica, sem espaço para discursos significativos. Um mundo, ondena arquitetura, se venera a forma pela forma, se utiliza a teoria como fachadaintelectual, se vedetiza o arquiteto segundo o seu êxito comercial, se estetiza ehomogeneíza o sentido de útil e, por conseguinte, se abandona uma dimensãosocial e política da disciplina, reduzindo-a à performance enquanto imagemdo objeto arquitetónico - processo aparente.Associando a análise ao processo projetual da Torre em Abu Dhabi, aoconfronto da questão da tipologia arranha-céus com a da superficialidade naarquitetura, surge um conjunto de questões que nos expõem uma desconfortávelincerteza quanto aos modos de produção arquitetónica. Desde logo, quais asconsequências deste modelo e da hegemonia do sentido da visão, tanto nametodologia projetual arquitetónica, como na própria sociedade? Que valoresarquitetónicos 'de sempre' - conceptuais - permanecerão? Até quando? Até onde?I participated in a project which entailed the construction of a residentialtower in Abu Dhabi, during my exchange in Argentina. This being the startingpoint of my dissertation; by proposing a set of fundamental questions to theanalysis of the contemporary, methodological, architectural process that Iintend to achieve throughout my professional career.In terms of globalization it is pertinent to reflect on the typology of askyscraper as an architectural model, which is considered to be the newuniversal paradigm. Accordingly, this typology through mere scale andcomplexity, manifests itself capable of overriding the classic repertoire ofarchitecture and thus placing, from another perspective, a whole surrounding,whether physical or abstract. On the other hand, in a professional contextthe project gave me an insight as to the exposure of a reality where theincreasing propagation and consequent mastery of the image has the powerto strongly influence the project methodology, invading and notably sizingthe architect's sphere.A condition that refers to us as a possible conjuncture where architectureis dependent on the image, therefore architects assume the process ofaesthetization as a necessary consequence - process appearance. This, inturn, can lead us to a reality of simulated and decontextualized scenarios,molded by new criteria of superficiality that completely neglects the designeffort to identify the needs and valences of the place. A world dominatedby appearance, first impression, necessity of immediate effect which,consequently, gives rise to a culture of unreflective consumption and lesscritical consciousness, without space for elaborate discussions. A world,which in architecture, form is venerated by form, theory is used as anintellectual facade. If the architect is blinded by his commercial success, asense of usefulness is aesthetic and homogeneous, and therefore a social andpolitical discipline dimension is abandoned, reducing it to the performanceof the architectural object - apparent process.Associating the analysis with the Tower's design process in Abu Dhabi,confronting the question of the skyscraper typology with that of superficialityin architecture, a set of issues arise that expose us to an uncomfortableuncertainty about the future. First of all, what are the consequences of thismodel and the hegemony of the sense of vision, both in architectural designmethodology and in society itself? Which architectural values 'always' -conceptual - will remain? Until when? Until where

Mudanças climáticas e avanço tecnológico: impactos na produtividade da cana-de-açúcar na região centro-sul do Brasil

As projeções climáticas para este século indicam a possibilidade de graves conseqüências para a humanidade, especialmente para a agricultura, com efeitos adversos nas produtividades das culturas e no agronegócio como um todo. Neste estudo, foi utilizado um modelo agrometeorológico para estimar a produtividade da cana-de-açúcar na região de Piracicaba, SP, Brasil, baseado nos cenários futuros do clima A1B, apresentados no quarto relatório do Painel Intergovernamental sobre Mudanças Climáticas, de 2007. A produtividade da cana-de-açúcar foi avaliada nos anos de 2020, 2050 e 2080, levando-se em consideração as possíveis alterações de temperatura, precipitação, insolação e concentração de CO2 na atmosfera, assim como os avanços tecnológicos. O aumento da temperatura acarretará no aumento da produtividade potencial (PP), já que essa variável afeta positivamente a eficiência do processo fotossintético das plantas C4; entretanto, as alterações na radiação solar e na chuva terão menores impactos na produtividade. A PP aumentará cerca de 15% em relação à condição atual em 2020, de 33% em 2050 e de 47% em 2080. Com relação à produtividade real (AP), o aumento da PP compensará o efeito negativo causado pelo aumento projetado para o déficit hídrico. A AP aumentará cerca de 12% em relação à condição atual em 2020, de 32% em 2050 e de 47% em 2080. O aumento da produtividade da cana-de-açúcar observado na ocorrência dos cenários futuros avaliados terá impactos importantes no setor canavieiro.The climatic projections for this century indicate the possibility of severe consequences for human beings, especially for agriculture where adverse effects to productivity of crops and to agribusiness as a whole may occur. An agrometeorological model was used to estimate sugarcane yield in tropical southern Brazil, based on future A1B climatic scenarios presented in the fourth Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, in 2007. Sugarcane yield was evaluated for 2020, 2050, and 2080 considering the possible impacts caused by changes in temperature, precipitation, sunshine hours and CO2 concentration in the atmosphere, as well as technological advances. Increasingly higher temperatures will cause an increase of the potential productivity (PP), since this variable positively affects the efficiency of the photosynthetic processes of C4 plants. Changes in solar radiation and rainfall, however, will have less impact. PP will increase by 15% in relation to the present condition in 2020, by 33% in 2050 and by 47% in 2080. Regarding the actual productivities (AP), the increase observed in PP will compensate for the negative effect of the projected increase in water deficit. AP will increase by 12% in relation to the present condition in 2020, by 32% in 2050 and by 47% in 2080. The increase in sugarcane productivity resulting from the projected scenarios will have important impacts on the sugarcane sector

Rendimiento técnico y condición aeróbica en jugadores aficionados de pádel con diferentes niveles de práctica

. The aim of this study is to compare the precision of low and high-level padel players in a closed task and its relationships with the heart rate responses to the exercise. A sample of 49 male players of two practice levels (age, 36.73±1.50) was selected to participate in this study. Technical performance was analysed through the Groundstroke Padel Accuracy Test (GPA) and heart rate during and after the task was monitored. There were no statistically significant differences in the GPA test, but even so the results showed a heart rate recovery at 60 and 120 sec were significantly higher for the high-level group [HRR1, U = 189, p = 0,026, d = 0,32 (moderate effect); HRR2, U = 186,50, p = 0,023 d = 0,32 (moderate effect)]. We conclude that it would be relevant to measure other product variables in order to make this field test (GPA) even more effective in the evaluation the real technical level of padel players. Additionally, high-level players recuperate faster after the effort, which appear to indicate that they may be better aerobically prepared.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Photodynamic therapy offers a novel approach to managing miltefosine-resistant cutaneous leishmaniasis

Funding: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council of the UK (grants EP/R035164/1 and EP/L015110/1) and the Scottish Funding Council (ODA GCRF fund grant SFC/AN/12/2017).Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected disease caused by Leishmania parasites. The oral drug miltefosine is effective, but there is a growing problem of drug resistance, which has led to increasing treatment failure rates and relapse of infections. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) combines a light source and a photoactive drug to promote cell death by oxidative stress. Although PDT is effective against several pathogens, its use against drug resistant Leishmania parasites remains unexplored. Herein, we investigated the potential of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) as wearable light sources, which would enable at-home use or ambulatory treatment of CL. We also assessed its impact on combating miltefosine resistance in Leishmania amazonensis-induced CL in mice. Thein vitro activity of OLEDs combined with 1,9-dimethyl-methylene blue (DMMB) (OLED-PDT) was evaluated against wild-type and miltefosine-resistant L. amazonensis strains in promastigote (EC50 = 0.034 μM for both strains) and amastigote forms (EC50 = 0.052 μM and 0.077 μM, respectively). Cytotoxicity in macrophages and fibroblasts was also evaluated. In vivo, we investigated the potential of OLED-PDT in combination with miltefosine using different protocols. Our results demonstrate that OLED-PDT is effective in killing both strains of L. amazonensis by increasing reactive oxygen species and stimulating nitric oxide production. Moreover, OLED-PDT showed great antileishmanial activity in vivo, allowing the reduction of miltefosine dose by half in infected mice using a light dose of 7.8 J/cm2 and 1.5 μM DMMB concentration. In conclusion, OLED-PDT emerges as a new avenue for at-home care and allows a combination therapy to overcome drug resistance in cutaneous leishmaniasis.Peer reviewe

Organic light-emitting diodes as an innovative approach for treating cutaneous leishmaniasis

Funding: UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (Grant Number(s): EP/L015110/1).Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (APDT) has been studied as a non-invasive therapy for treating cutaneous leishmaniasis to overcome challenges with current treatment, such as toxicity, resistance and need for in-patient hospital treatment. Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have emerged as an attractive technology that can provide wearable light-emitting materials that are conformable to human skin. This makes OLEDs ideal candidates for APDT by light-bandages for ambulatory care. In this work, we successfully develop suitable OLEDs to match the absorbance of three photosensitizers: methylene blue, new methylene blue, and 1,9-dimethyl-methylene blue to inactivate two Leishmania species in vitro: Leishmania major and Leishmania amazonensis. Parasites are treated either by LED (20 mWcm-2) or OLED (6.5 mWcm-2) at increasing photosensitizer concentrations at a radiant exposure of 50 Jcm-2. 1,9-Dimethyl-methylene blue is the most potent photosensitizer, killing both strains at nanomolar concentrations. We also explore the effect of different intensities from the OLEDs (0.7, 1.5, and 6.5 mWcm-2) and show that effective killing of Leishmania occurs even at very low intensity. These findings demonstrate the great potential of OLEDs as a new approach for ambulatory treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis by APDT.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Ensuring Aquatic Food Security in the Philippines

The human population of the Philippines is expected to reach 158 million by the year 2050, or an increase of 37% relative to 2022. This implies increased demand for aquatic food (or “fish” hereafter). This begs the question of whether the Philippines can meet the expected increase in fish demand. We estimate that even if the Philippines can maintain its current fish production, the Philippines will still require 1.67 million metric tons more fish per year by 2050 to at least maintain its current per capita fish consumption of 34.27 kg per year. Continued mismanagement of inland and marine fisheries will further widen the gap in fish supply. However, we argue that simultaneously rebuilding overfished fisheries, restoring degraded habitats crucial to supporting productive fisheries, addressing current threats to fisheries sustainability, and expanding sustainable marine aquaculture (or mariculture) have the potential to meet future fish demand in the Philippines. Sustainably expanding mariculture requires careful siting and management of mariculture development areas so that mariculture can improve food security without disenfranchising and marginalizing local coastal communities