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Research is presented on the onset of growth spurt among adolescent Japanese based on data accumulated since 1915. Timing of maximum growth has decreased for both sexes, with the onset for growth spurts among boys decreasing and for girls remaining mostly constant, occurring generally between 6 and 8 years of age.

Growth patterns in Japanese boys and girls between 1943 and 1978 are examined, focusing on measurements in leg growth. Results indicate an accelerated growth rate for those born between 1943 and 1963 and a subsequent slowing in growth rate.

The growth rates in height and weight among Japanese boys and girls are examined, focusing on maximum increment age and changes occurring between 1893 and 1990. Particular attention is paid to increasing growth rates evident in the years after World War II.

Background: Accurate birthweight is critical to inform clinical care at the individual level and tracking progress towards national/global targets at the population level. Low birthweight (LBW) < 2500 g affects over 20.5 million newborns annually. However, data are lacking and may be affected by heaping. This paper evaluates birthweight measurement within the Every Newborn Birth Indicators Research Tracking in Hospitals (EN-BIRTH) study.Methods: The EN-BIRTH study took place in five hospitals in Bangladesh, Nepal and Tanzania (2017-2018). Clinical observers collected time-stamped data (gold standard) for weighing at birth. We compared accuracy for two data sources: routine hospital registers and women's report at exit interview survey. We calculated absolute differences and individual-level validation metrics. We analysed birthweight coverage and quality gaps including timing and heaping. Qualitative data explored barriers and enablers for routine register data recording.Results: Among 23,471 observed births, 98.8% were weighed. Exit interview survey-reported weighing coverage was 94.3% (90.2-97.3%), sensitivity 95.0% (91.3-97.8%). Register-reported coverage was 96.6% (93.2-98.9%), sensitivity 97.1% (94.3-99%). Routine registers were complete (> 98% for four hospitals) and legible > 99.9%. Weighing of stillbirths varied by hospital, ranging from 12.5-89.0%. Observed LBW rate was 15.6%; survey-reported rate 14.3% (8.9-20.9%), sensitivity 82.9% (75.1-89.4%), specificity 96.1% (93.5-98.5%); register-recorded rate 14.9%, sensitivity 90.8% (85.9-94.8%), specificity 98.5% (98-99.0%). In surveys, "don't know" responses for birthweight measured were 4.7%, and 2.9% for knowing the actual weight. 95.9% of observed babies were weighed within 1 h of birth, only 14.7% with a digital scale. Weight heaping indices were around two-fold lower using digital scales compared to analogue. Observed heaping was almost 5% higher for births during the night than day. Survey-report further increased observed birthweight heaping, especially for LBW babies. Enablers to register birthweight measurement in qualitative interviews included digital scale availability and adequate staffing.Conclusions: Hospital registers captured birthweight and LBW prevalence more accurately than women's survey report. Even in large hospitals, digital scales were not always available and stillborn babies not always weighed. Birthweight data are being captured in hospitals and investment is required to further improve data quality, researching of data flow in routine systems and use of data at every level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Umbilical cord hygiene prevents sepsis, a leading cause of neonatal mortality. The World Health Organization recommends 7.1% chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) application to the umbilicus after home birth in high mortality contexts. In Bangladesh and Nepal, national policies recommend CHX use for all facility births. Population-based household surveys include optional questions on CHX use, but indicator validation studies are lacking. The Every Newborn Birth Indicators Research Tracking in Hospitals (EN-BIRTH) was an observational study assessing measurement validity for maternal and newborn indicators. This paper reports results regarding CHX.Methods: The EN-BIRTH study (July 2017-July 2018) included three public hospitals in Bangladesh and Nepal where CHX cord application is routine. Clinical-observers collected tablet-based, time-stamped data regarding cord care during admission to labour and delivery wards as the gold standard to assess accuracy of women's report at exit survey, and of routine-register data. We calculated validity ratios and individual-level validation metrics; analysed coverage, quality and measurement gaps. We conducted qualitative interviews to assess barriers and enablers to routine register-recording.Results: Umbilical cord care was observed for 12,379 live births. Observer-assessed CHX coverage was very high at 89.3-99.4% in all 3 hospitals, although slightly lower after caesarean births in Azimpur (86.8%), Bangladesh. Exit survey-reported coverage (0.4-45.9%) underestimated the observed coverage with substantial "don't know" responses (55.5-79.4%). Survey-reported validity ratios were all poor (0.01 to 0.38). Register-recorded coverage in the specific column in Bangladesh was underestimated by 0.2% in Kushtia but overestimated by 9.0% in Azimpur. Register-recorded validity ratios were good (0.9 to 1.1) in Bangladesh, and poor (0.8) in Nepal. The non-specific register column in Pokhara, Nepal substantially underestimated coverage (20.7%).Conclusions: Exit survey-report highly underestimated observed CHX coverage in all three hospitals. Routine register-recorded coverage was closer to observer-assessed coverage than survey reports in all hospitals, including for caesarean births, and was more accurately captured in hospitals with a specific register column. Inclusion of CHX cord care into registers, and tallied into health management information system platforms, is justified in countries with national policies for facility-based use, but requires implementation research to assess register design and data flow within health information systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various order of implicit method has been formulated for solving initial value problems having an initial singular point. The method provides better result than those obtained by used implicit formulae developed based on Euler and Runge-Kutta methods. Romberg scheme has been used for obtaining more accurate result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review focuses on catalytic applications of niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) and niobic acid (Nb2O5 ⋅ nH2O). These materials serve as heterogeneous acid catalysts that show excellent activity and selectivity for various types of reactions including hydrations, dehydrations, and oxidations. Most recently, they have been used for dehydration reactions of polyols and nucleophilic substitution reactions of carboxylic acid derivatives. A special focus is placed on the latter reactions, where superficial Nb5+ cations act as Lewis‐acidic sites that activate oxygen‐containing functional groups of substrates even in the presence of basic inhibitors such as water or amines. This unique behavior of Nb‐oxide‐based catalysts is a consequence of their Lewis acidity, which is characterized by their ability to simultaneously activate C=O bonds but not to engage in strong competitive adsorption of base molecules. Both experimental and theoretical investigations are presented in order to assess the characteristic features of the Nb‐oxide‐based catalysts together with their structural features. Note well the niobium: Catalytic properties of niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) and niobic acid (Nb2O5 ⋅ nH2O) are reviewed. A special focus is placed on the role of superficial Nb5+ cations that act as Lewis‐acidic sites activating oxygen‐containing functional groups of substrates even in the presence of basic inhibitors such as water or amines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of integrated management of stem canker and black scurf disease affecting the potato plant. The integrated management options were: T1 = Poultry manure (PM) + seed trématent (ST) with Azoxystrobin (0.05%), T2 = PM + STAzoxystrobin (0.10%), T3= PM+ST-Boric acid (3.0%), T4 = PM + ST-Carboxin (0.20%), T5 = PM + ST- Carbendazim (0.10%), T6 = PM + soil drenching (SD) - Azoxystrobin (0.05%), T7 = PM + SD-Azoxystrobin (0.10%), T8 = PM + SD-Carboxin (0.20%), T9 = PM + SD-Carbendazim (0.10%) and T10 = Untreated control. The integrated management significantly influenced the disease incidence, yield attributes and yield of potato. The lowest disease incidence (11.2%) and percentage of disease index (4.58) were found in T7 (poultry manure at 5 t ha-1 before 25 days of planting, DAP + soil drenching with Azoxystrobin at 0.10% during sowing and 45 DAP) followed by T6 (PM 5 t ha-1 + soil drenching with Azoxystrobin at 0.05%). The minimum weight of russet (480 g plot-1), deformed (450 g plot-1) and Sclerotia infected (150 g plot-1) tubers were also recorded in T7. The highest healthy tuber (1900.05 g plot-1) and tuber yield (22.4 t ha-1) were found in the same treatment. Therefore, poultry manure 5 t ha-1 before 25 DAP + soils drenching with Azoxystrobin at 0.10% during sowing and 45 DAP can be recommended to produce healthy tubers and maximum tuber yield of potato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]