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Introduction: Cultural factors were shown to be particularly relevant for the development and expression of posttraumatic stress. Recently, the concept of cultural scripts of trauma has been introduced, which proposes that trauma sequelae elements may be sequentially linked and specifically associated with cultural factors. Furthermore, a cascade model is proposed, including trauma exposure, demographic characteristics, cultural affiliation, and trauma-related value orientations as influencing factors of posttraumatic development. The purpose of this Network Project is to investigate cultural psychological factors that contribute to the expression of posttraumatic stress.Methods: The present Network Project implements a mixed methods approach and will be conducted in 5 different study sites, including Switzerland, Israel, Georgia, China, and East Africa. In sub-study I, the cultural scripts of traumatic stress inventories (CSTIs) will be developed. These scales provide a pool of trauma sequelae elements for each cultural group. For this purpose, focus groups with trauma survivors and trauma experts will be conducted and analysed using qualitative research methods. Sub-study II implements a validation analysis of the CSTIs and the empirical investigation of a cultural cascade model. This quantitative approach will include a larger sample of individuals who experienced traumatic life events.Discussion: This contribution is timely and enriches the knowledge of trauma and culture. Future publications of this Network Project will address trauma sequelae from a cultural perspective and provide diagnostic and psychotherapeutic implications.

Rationale & Objective: The risk implications of the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) chronic kidney disease classification in older adults are controversial. We evaluated the risk of adverse outcomes in this population across categories of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR). Study Design: Prospective cohort. Settings & Participants: In total, 2,509 participants aged ≥75 years in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT). Exposure: KDIGO eGFR and UACR categories. We combined KDIGO categories G1 and G2, G3b and G4, as well as A2 and A3. Outcomes: Primary SPRINT outcome (composite of myocardial infarction, other acute coronary syndromes, stroke, heart failure, or death from cardiovascular causes), and all-cause death. Analytical Approach: Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. Results: Mean age was 79.8 years, and 37.4% were female. The mean eGFR was 64.0 mL/min/1.73 m2, and the median UACR was 13.1 mg/g. In multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis, compared with participants with eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and UACR 1 g/day were excluded from SPRINT. Conclusion: Among older adults SPRINT participants, low eGFR without albuminuria was associated with higher mortality but not with increased risk of cardiovascular events. Additional studies are needed to evaluate an adapted chronic kidney disease stage-based risk stratification for older adults. Plain-Language Summary: Using data from participants in the SPRINT trial, we evaluated the association of chronic kidney disease stage with adverse clinical outcomes among adults older than 75 years without diabetes. We found that low level of kidney function determined by a low estimated glomerular filtration rate with moderately or severely increased urine albumin excretion was associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. However, low estimated glomerular filtration rate with normal or mildly increased urinary albumin excretion was not consistently associated with these adverse outcomes. This finding supports the need for additional studies to evaluate an age-adapted classification of chronic kidney disease to improve risk stratification among older adults.

Le présent article évalue l’efficacité des mesures répressives prises dans la lutte contre les fraudes douanières en RDC, sous toutes ses formes et cela sous l’égide de la Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises (DGDA). Cette étude a retenu la saisie des marchandises issues de la fraude et l’évolution du paiement des amendes et pénalités des marchandises ayant fait objet du contentieux douanier assorties des arrestations des infracteurs comme indicateurs. D’une manière concrète, la hausse de ces deux indicateurs, toute chose restant égale par ailleurs, est un signal non négligeable de l’efficacité de la lutte précitée. Malheureusement, malgré la présence des scanners, le cumul des formations que le personnel de la DGDA avait suivies ainsi que les partenariats conclus entre la DGDA et les services financiers de l’Union africaine par exemple, n’ont pas permis à cette régie financière d’accroître les recettes issues des contentieux douaniers.

Prosthetic joint infections caused by Campylobacter are uncommon, with the majority of cases being attributed to C. fetus. This case report represents the third instance of a prosthetic hip infection caused by C. coli following an episode of gastroenteritis and, notably, in an immunocompetent patient. The infection was successfully managed by surgical debridement and lavage with retention of the prosthesis and 12 weeks of antibiotics. Furthermore, we present the first whole-genome sequence of a Campylobacter strain responsible for prosthetic joint infection and offer a comprehensive review of the literature on such infections.

La littérature abonde sur l’approche typologique des entrepreneurs pour les cerner afin de mieux comprendre leurs actes dans le monde des affaires. A cet effet, Allali (2012) souligne que les recherches de Schumpeter, de Laufer et celles de Laurain et Dussault avaient abouti à présenter une classification des entrepreneurs en fonction d’un certain nombre de facteurs (psychologiques, culturels, sociologiques et émotionnels). Sur cette lancée, nous présentons, dans cet article, une nomenclature typologique des entrepreneurs congolais (RDC) de sorte à permettre une meilleure identification de ceux-ci dans le monde entrepreneurial au regard des caractéristiques saillantes de chaque type dégagé.

L’entrepreneuriat est un des sujets qui polarise l’attention des gens de tout bord : politiciens, enseignants, chômeurs, employés, etc. s’y intéressent. Pris sous l’angle d’une discipline scientifique, beaucoup de recherches en entrepreneuriat ont été produites en RDC. A cet effet, le présent article cherche à faire le mariage entre certaines recherches produites dans le domaine de l’entrepreneuriat avec les trois paradigmes les plus en vue en entrepreneuriat.

Background: Previous studies have shown that smoking tobacco significantly increases both incidence and mortality rates for many diseases. Social media has become one of the most influential platforms for various smoking cessation interventions. However, results from smoking cessation interventions have differed from study to study. Limited studies have summarised cessation outcomes from social media–based interventions. Therefore, the objective of this review is to explore the effectiveness of using social media for smoking cessation. Methods: We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL for articles between June 2008 and June 2018, and also assessed the references of selected articles. We included studies that used social media as intervention platforms, provided a baseline assessment before the intervention, and provided smoking cessation outcomes after the intervention. Results: We identified 13 original studies that enrolled between 16 and 1698 participants; 7-day Point Prevalence Abstinence (PPA) rate was the most frequently used measure of abstinence, with a range of 7%–75%, regardless of the measurement time, study design, and analysis methods. Social media–based smoking cessation interventions were effective, because (1) smokers reported higher 7-day PPA rates after intervention compared to baseline and (2) smokers reported higher 7-day PPA rates in intervention groups than in control groups. Moreover, at each time point, approximately half of all smokers in studies reporting abstinence were found to be biochemically abstinent. There were no significant differences in the effectiveness of smoking cessation outcomes between those that used existing popular social networking platforms (e.g. Pechmann et al 's studies) and those that used individually designed interactive platforms (e.g. MyLastDip, iQuit system, Quitxt system). Conclusions: This review highlights the effectiveness of social media–based smoking cessation intervention studies. Due to the widespread use of social media, as well as its low cost, we suggest embedding smoking cessation interventions within existing popular social media platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundAs a new, unifying approach to mapping the cultural expressions of trauma sequelae, cultural scripts of trauma sequelae are empirically investigated here for the first time in a primarily qualitative study. Elements of Cultural Scripts of Trauma (CST) include the typical symptoms and appraisals of changes of those who have experienced traumatic events. These elements refer to the value orientations in the given culture.AimsTo identify post-traumatic cultural scripts’ elements and their groupings, as expressed by trauma survivors from the East African population, and to explore the cultural values that serve as a reference to such scripts’ elements.MethodsSemi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted in nine focus groups of trauma survivors and trauma experts. Grounded theory was the basis for the content analysis, and MAXQDA was used for coding and grouping. Semi-quantitative analyses of the frequency of groupings followed.ResultsThe study extracted 270 elements of the cultural scripts of trauma. Three stages of cultural scripts’ elements were identified including unspeakable, heart wounds and painful scars and growth. The reported elements are only those in the three last stages and they are grouped into six categories, such as cognitive appraisals, worldview, interpersonal relationships, body-related, positive changes and changes in family interest and management, while the elements of the first stages are not codable as the survivors do not yet get the words of their expressions. The cultural values that served as a reference consisted of holding the sadness, Christianity, community reputation, solidarity, social connectedness, social cynicism, and reproductiveness, among others.DiscussionThis comprehensive study with participants from several countries in East Africa collected a large number of elements of cultural scripts of trauma for this regional area. Notably, these elements were based mostly on man-made traumas, such as the genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda. Further steps in the CST investigation are subject to future studies, such as a more systematic investigation of the relationship with cultural values and the temporal relationships within the scripts.

Abstract Background Cancer is a significant public health problem worldwide and constitutes the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease. This study was thus designed to identify new natural compounds from Malagasy medicinal plants traditionally used to treat cancer. Methods In silico analyses by molecular docking to model ligand–protein interactions, and by SwissADME and ADMET webservers to establish the pharmacokinetic profile of the four investigated compounds in interaction with the angiogenesis target protein HIF-1α/breast cancer (PDB ID: 3KCX) and human androgen receptor/prostate cancer (PDB ID: 1E3G) were performed. Results The docking results show that the HIF-1α receptor has the best binding energy when it interacts with compound 1 (1′,4-dihydroxy-2,3′-dimethyl-1,2′-binapthyl-5,5′,8,8′-tetraone: − 8.49 kcal/mol) followed by compound 3 [(E)-5,6-dimethyl-2-(2-methyl-3-(prop-1-enyl)phenyl)-2H-chromene: -8.43 kcal/mol], compound 2 (6′-ethoxy-1′3′-dihydroxy-4,6-dimethyl-1,2′-binaphthyl-2,5′,8,8′-tetraone: − 7.80 kcal/mol) and compound 4 (methyl 10-hydroxy-2,4a,6a,9,12b,14a-hexamethyl-11-oxo-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,11,12b,13,14,14a,14b-tetradecahydropicene-2-carboxylate: − 7.63 kcal/mol). The receptor 1E3G displayed poor binding affinity energy to all tested compounds with energy value above − 11.99 kcal/mol (co-crystal). Based on the H-bonding interaction, ligands 1 and 2 displayed a good pharmacophore profiles to both protein targets 3KCX and 1E3G. Ligand 3 does not interact with the selected receptors via hydrogen bonds. The pharmacokinetic profile of these phyto-compounds revealed that they are orally active and safe. They were isolated and their chemical structures were elucidated previously by our team using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques (LC/MS/NMR). Conclusions The ligands 1 and 2 can be considered as hits since in addition to their thermodynamic stability with the receptors; they presented a good pharmacokinetic profile and could thus be useful as an alternative therapy in breast and prostate cancer. This study offers a strong potential in developing new, cost-effective, and safe plant-based natural drugs against cancer.

Abstract Humanity is facing an increasing health threat caused by a variety of multidrug resistant bacteria. Within this scenario, Staphylococcus aureus, in particular methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA), is responsible for a number of hospital-acquired bacterial infections. The emergence of microbial antibiotic resistance urgently requires the identification of new and innovative strategies to treat antibiotic resistant microorganisms. In this context, structure and function analysis of potential drug targets in metabolic pathways vital for bacteria endurance, such as the vitamin K2 synthesis pathway, becomes interesting. We have solved and refined the crystal structure of the S. aureus DHNA thioesterase (SaDHNA), a key enzyme in the vitamin K2 pathway. The crystallographic structure in combination with small angle X-ray solution scattering data revealed a functional tetramer of SaDHNA. Complementary activity assays of SaDHNA indicated a preference for hydrolysing long acyl chains. Site-directed mutagenesis of SaDHNA confirmed the functional importance of Asp16 and Glu31 for thioesterase activity and substrate binding at the putative active site, respectively. Docking studies were performed and rational designed peptides were synthesized and tested for SaDHNA inhibition activity. The high-resolution structure of SaDHNA and complementary information about substrate binding will support future drug discovery and design investigations to inhibit the vitamin K2 synthesis pathway.

Abstract Background Previous studies have shown an association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), but it is unclear whether the association is independent of metabolic syndrome. Methods Data from 13,006 participants aged 18 to 74 years in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) without viral hepatitis, excessive alcohol consumption, or high transferrin saturation levels were analyzed. Suspected NAFLD was defined as presence of sex-specific elevations in serum aminotransferase levels (aspartate aminotransferase (AST) > 37 U/L or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 40 U/L for men and AST or ALT > 31 U/L for women). Logistic regression was used to examine cross-sectional associations of elevated serum aminotransferase levels with low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR 17 mg/g in men and > 25 mg/ g in women) in separate models adjusting for demographic characteristics and metabolic syndrome. Results Mean (SD) age was 41 (0.27) years, and 45 % were male. Elevated serum aminotransferase levels were noted in 18.8 % of the population and were associated with greater odds of high UACR (OR = 1.31; 95 % CI = 1.10, 1.56) after adjusting for demographic characteristics; this association became non-significant after adjustment for metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.11, 95 % CI = 0.92, 1.33). In contrast, elevated serum aminotransferase levels were not associated with low eGFR (odds ratio (OR) = 0.73; 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.45, 1.18) after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions In this sample of diverse U.S. Hispanic Latino adults, elevated serum aminotransferase levels were not independently associated with measures of CKD.

The assessment of water quality in Bukavu urban rivers (Kahuwa (KW), Wesha (WS), Tshula (TL), Bwindi (BN), and Nyamuhinga (NG)) was conducted twice a month from 2017 to 2019 at low and high frequencies following standard sampling techniques. Results showed that water temperature (WT), dissolved oxygen (DO), and electrical conductivity (EC) were within WHO standards for surface waters, except pH for some stations on KW and NG rivers, where it was highly alkaline. However, PO43−, NH4+, NO2− and NO3− concentrations increased gradually from upstream to downstream and were very high compared to the WHO standards, which means the river waters were heavily polluted. The highest nutrients concentrations were recorded in the dry season for all rivers, except KW and NG rivers at the midstream and downstream stations. The nutrient average fluxes collected at low-frequency (FLF) and high-frequency (FHF) downstream of each river were 95% correlated. Flux variations regarding PO43−, NH4+, NO2− and NO3− were significant for all rivers except PO43− in the NG river. The number of nutrients exported to Lake Kivu was estimated to average 0.6 t km−2 of PO43−, 2.4 t km−2 of NH4+, 1.0 t km−2 of NO2− and 41.0 t km−2 of NO3− per year. Given the current deterioration status of water quality in Bukavu urban rivers, there is an urgent need to improve liquid and solid waste management strategy in the area, to set up efficient wastewater treatment plants and sewage systems in various catchments to mitigate cumulative pollution of the rivers and the lake.

Abstract Background The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was a major traumatic event affecting nearly all Rwandans. Significant psychological sequels continue to occur in the population 25 years after, with a high prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) found in women. Three groups are typically designated with regard to the Genocide against the Tutsi: those who were targeted and categorized as genocide “survivors,” those who were in the country during the genocide and were the “non-targeted” group, and those who were outside of the country, referred to as the “1959 returnees.” Each group experienced various traumatic events during and in the aftermath of the genocide. Offspring of the designated groups, currently exhibit symptoms of PTSD disregarding of being born in the years following the genocide. A number of studies have described the prevalence of PTSD in the general adult population. There is a lack of research comparing the prevalence of PTSD in women and their offspring among these three target groups, therefore, this study aimed to bridge the gap. Methods We conducted a comparative cross-sectional study with a sample of 432 mothers and 432 children in three categories: genocide survivors, in country non-targeted and 1959 returnees. Participant ages for children were between 14 to 22 years and for mothers, between the ages of 32 to 87 years. The UCLA-PTSD DSM-5, PTSD Check list-5 and Life events Checklist-5 were translated from English to Kinyarwanda and were used to assess exposure to trauma and the prevalence of PTSD symptoms in Rwandan mothers and their offspring. Results Key Results yield a PTSD rate of 18.8, 6.2, 5.2% within survivors, in country non-targeted, and returnees respectively with an average PTSD rate of 43.8% for parents, and 16.5% for offspring. Conclusion PTSD among the mothers’ groups and their offspring have been found, specifically in the offspring of genocide survivors. Considering these adolescents were not born at the time of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the results suggest future studies should explore the precipitating factors contributing to the PTSD symptoms within this specific group.

Foreign aid is necessary to control tropical diseases in endemic countries. Here the authors outline the steps taken to control malaria in Africa since 2000 and present an economic model to propose that US$25−30 per capita will be needed to avoid a disease trap.

Background: In the past 26 years since the genocide against the Tutsi, mental illness continues to be the greatest challenges facing the Rwandan population. In the context of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi, there are three different survival status within Rwandan women. Those who were targeted by the genocide referred to as ‘survivors’, those who were in the country during the genocide but were not targeted referred to as ‘non-targeted’, and those who were outside the country referred to as ‘1959 returnees’. All these groups experienced the traumatic events differently. The literature shows that traumatic stress exposure is associated with depression. Objectives: To demonstrate differences in trauma exposure in a sample of mothers and daughters according to their genocide survival status. To examine differences in depression prevalence between these three groups of mothers and daughters as a function of their genocide survival status and place of residence. To examine the relationship between major depression, survival status, place of residence, and trauma exposure in sample of mothers and daughters, including the relationship between mothers’ depression and daughters’ depression. Methods: A sample of 309 dyads of mothers and daughters was recruited. Data were collected using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Life Events Questionnaire and the Social Demographics Questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, logistic regression, and one-way ANOVA. Results: There is a significant difference in trauma exposure in three survival categories of mothers and daughters. A 23% of mothers and 18.4% of daughters met criteria for major depression, with urban participants twice as likely to meet criteria as participants from rural areas. Depression was associated with trauma exposure and place of residence in mothers’ and daughters’ samples. Maternal depression was associated with depression in daughters. Conclusions: Family support counselling services and research to identify factors of intergenerational depression are needed.

In this work, we analyze the legal requirements on how cookie banners are supposed to be implemented to be fully compliant with the ePrivacy Directive and the GDPR. Our contribution resides in the definition of 17 operational and fine-grained requirements on cookie banner design that are legally compliant, and moreover, we define whether and when the verification of compliance of each requirement is technically feasible. The definition of requirements emerges from a joint interdisciplinary analysis composed of lawyers and computer scientists in the domain of web tracking technologies. As such, while some requirements are provided by explicitly codified legal sources, others result from the domain-expertise of computer scientists. In our work, we match each requirement against existing cookie banners design of websites. For each requirement, we exemplify with compliant and non-compliant cookie banners. As an outcome of a technical assessment, we verify per requirement if technical (with computer science tools) or manual (with any human operator) verification is needed to assess compliance of consent and we also show which requirements are impossible to verify with certainty in the current architecture of the Web. For example, we explain how the GDPR’s requirement for revocable consent could be implemented in practice: when consent is revoked, the publisher should delete the consent cookie and communicate the withdrawal to all third parties who have previously received consent. With this approach we aim to support practically-minded parties (compliance officers, regulators, privacy NGOs, researchers, and computer scientists) to assess compliance and detect violations in cookie banners’ design and implementation, specially under the current revision of the EU ePrivacy framework.

We hypothesized that Cholera (Vibrio cholerae) that appeared along Lake Kivu in the African Rift in the seventies, might be controlled by volcano-tectonic activity, which, by increasing surface water and groundwater salinity and temperature, may partly rule the water characteristics of Lake Kivu and promote V. cholerae proliferation. Volcanic activity (assessed weekly by the SO2 flux of Nyiragongo volcano plume over the 2007-2012 period) is highly positively correlated with the water conductivity, salinity and temperature of the Kivu lake. Over the 2007-2012 period, these three parameters were highly positively correlated with the temporal dynamics of cholera cases in the Katana health zone that border the lake. Meteorological variables (air temperature and rainfall), and the other water characteristics (namely pH and dissolved oxygen concentration in lake water) were unrelated to cholera dynamics over the same period. Over the 2016-2018 period, we sampled weekly lake water salinity and conductivity, and twice a month vibrio occurrence in lake water and fish. The abundance of V. cholerae in the lake was positively correlated with lake salinity, temperature, and the number of cholera cases in the population of the Katana health zone. V. cholerae abundance in fishes was positively correlated with V. cholerae abundance in lake water, suggesting that their consumption directly contaminate humans. The activity of the volcano, by controlling the physico-chemical characteristics of Lake Kivu, is therefore a major determinant of the presence of the bacillus in the lake. SO2 fluxes in the volcano plume can be used as a tool to predict epidemic risks.

Volcanic activity is always accompanied by the transfer of heat from the Earth’s crust to the atmosphere. This heat can be measured from space and its measurement is a very useful tool for detecting volcanic activity on a global scale. MIROVA (Middle Infrared Observation of Volcanic Activity) is an automatic volcano hot spot detection system, based on the analysis of MODIS data (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer). The system is able to detect, locate and quantify thermal anomalies in near real-time, by providing, on a dedicated website (www.mirovaweb.it), infrared images and thermal flux time-series on over 200 volcanoes worldwide. Thanks to its simple interface and intuitive representation of the data, MIROVA is currently used by several volcano observatories for daily monitoring activities and reporting. In this paper, we present the architecture of the system and we provide a state of the art on satellite thermal data usage for operational volcano monitoring and research. In particular, we describe the contribution that the thermal data have provided in order to detect volcanic unrest, to forecast eruptions and to depict trends and patterns during eruptive crisis. The current limits and requirements to improve the quality of the data, their distribution and interpretation are also discussed, in the light of the experience gained in recent years within the volcanological community. The results presented clearly demonstrate how the open access of satellite thermal data and the sharing of derived products allow a better understanding of ongoing volcanic phenomena, and therefore constitute an essential requirement for the assessment of volcanic hazards.

Abstract Background Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of teen deaths in spite of preventive efforts. Prevention strategies could be advanced through new analytic approaches that allow us to better conceptualize the complex processes underlying teen crash risk. This may help policymakers design appropriate interventions and evaluate their impacts. Methods System Dynamics methodology was used as a new way of representing factors involved in the underlying process of teen crash risk. Systems dynamics modeling is relatively new to public health analytics and is a promising tool to examine relative influence of multiple interacting factors in predicting a health outcome. Dynamics models use explicit statements about the process being studied and depict how the elements within the system interact; this usually leads to discussion and improved insight. A Teen Driver System Model was developed by following an iterative process where causal hypotheses were translated into systems of differential equations. These equations were then simulated to test whether they can reproduce historical teen driving data. The Teen Driver System Model that we developed was calibrated on 47 newly-licensed teen drivers. These teens were recruited and followed over a period of 5-months. A video recording system was used to gather data on their driving events (elevated g-force, near-crash, and crash events) and miles traveled. Results The analysis suggests that natural risky driving improvement curve follows a course of a slow improvement, then a faster improvement, and finally a plateau: that is, an S-shaped decline in driving events. Individual risky driving behavior depends on initial risk and driving exposure. Our analysis also suggests that teen risky driving improvement curve is created endogenously by several feedback mechanisms. A feedback mechanism is a chain of variables interacting with each other in such a way they form a closed path of cause and effect relationships. Conclusions Teen risky driving improvement process is created endogenously by several feedback mechanisms. The model proposed in the present article to reflect this improvement process can spark discussion, which may pinpoint to additional processes that can benefit from further empirical research and result in improved insight.

We report ferroelectric behaviors in electrochemically polymerized 5,10,15,20 tetra(4-hydroxyphenyl)-porphyrin. The ferroelectric behaviors are due to conformational changes that occur during the reduction and oxidation of the polymer under electric field. The conformational changes were studied by in situ Raman spectroscopy and frequency response analysis. The present findings will open up an alternative route for organic ferroelectrics which is presently in urgent need of approaches and materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Outbreaks of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) such as dengue and malaria can overwhelm health systems in resource-poor countries. Environmental management strategies that reduce or eliminate vector breeding sites combined with improved personal prevention strategies can help to significantly reduce transmission of these infections. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of residents in western Jamaica regarding control of mosquito vectors and protection from mosquito bites. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between May and August 2010 among patients or family members of patients waiting to be seen at hospitals in western Jamaica. Participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire on sociodemographic factors and KAPs regarding VBDs. KAP scores were calculated and categorized as high or low based on the number of correct or positive responses. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of KAP and linear regression analysis conducted to determine if knowledge and attitude scores predicted practice scores. Findings: In all, 361 (85 men and 276 women) people participated in the study. Most participants (87%) scored low on knowledge and practice items (78%). Conversely, 78% scored high on attitude items. By multivariate logistic regression, housewives were 82% less likely than laborers to have high attitude scores; homeowners were 65% less likely than renters to have high attitude scores. Participants from households with 1 to 2 children were 3.4 times more likely to have high attitude scores compared with those from households with no children. Participants from households with at least 5 people were 65% less likely than those from households with fewer than 5 people to have high practice scores. By multivariable linear regression knowledge and attitude scores were significant predictors of practice score. Conclusion: The study revealed poor knowledge of VBDs and poor prevention practices among participants. It identified specific groups that can be targeted with vector control and personal protection interventions to decrease transmission of the infections.

This paper assessed the variability and projected trends of solar irradiance and temperature in the East of Burundi. Observed temperature from meteorological stations and the MERRA-2 data set provided by NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center are used over the historical period 1976−2005. In addition, solar irradiance data provided by SoDa database were considered. Furthermore, projection data from eight Regional Climate Models were used over the periods 2026−2045 and 2066−2085. The variability analysis was performed using a standardized index. Projected trends and changes in the future climate were respectively detected through Mann-Kendall and t-tests. The findings over the historical period revealed increase temperature and decrease in solar irradiance over the last decades of the 20th century. At a monthly scale, the variability analysis showed that excesses in solar irradiance coincide with the dry season, which led to the conclusion that it may be a period of high production for solar energy. In the future climate, upward trends in temperature are expected over the two future periods, while no significant trends are forecasted in solar irradiance over the entire studied region. However, slight decreases and significant changes in solar irradiance have been detected over all regions.

Background. Antenatal care (ANC) attendance helps pregnant women to benefit from preventive and curative services. Methods. Determinants for ANC attendance were identified through a cross-sectional survey in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sociocultural bottlenecks were assessed via focus groups discussion of married men and women. Results. In this survey, 28 of the 500 interviewed pregnant women (5.6%) did not attend ANC services and 82.4% booked over the first trimester. The first visit is positively influenced by the reproductive age (OR: 0.52, 95% CI(0.28–0.95), p

L'ictère néonatal, bien qu'il soit souvent très banal, ne doit pas pour autant être négligé car il peut relever des étiologies variées et avoir des significations différentes au point de devenir pathologique. Au cours d'une étude rétro-prospective descriptive, les auteurs analysent les aspects épidemio-cliniques, thérapeutiques et évolutifs des ictères néonataux pathologiques à l'Unité des Urgences Néonatales de Bonzola à Mbuji-Mayi (RD Congo) sur une période de 5 ans. La fréquence est de 4,9% avec une incidence annuelle de 24 cas/an. La prédominance masculine est notée avec un sexe ratio de 1,1. Ces ictères sont précoces (31,1%) et tardif (17,5%). Les principales causes sont dans 81,6% des cas dominées par les infections (42,5%) et, incompatibilité féto-maternelle (39,1 %). La symptomatologie habituelle est notée: ictère franc et pâleur cutanéo-muqueuse (100 %), urines jaunes foncées (62,5%), signes neurologiques (42,5%) et généraux (47,5%). Le traitement était à la fois étiologique (60%) et symptomatique ou d'appoint (40 %) et a consisté dans l'association antibiotiques avec transfusion et/ou exsanguino-transfusion (24,2%), antibiothérapie seule (35,8%), inducteurs enzymatiques (35%) et photothérapie (5%). L'évolution a été bonne dans 82,3% des cas contre 9,3 % des décès.

Traditional narratives of external imbalances have focused on the analysis of national accounts, trade flows, and financial flows. They have generated two opposing views of the current situation of the world economy: on one side, a prudent, if not pessimistic view considers large imbalances as evidence of problems with the international monetary and financial system, and symptoms of domestic distortions (mainly in the United States and China). On the other side, a relaxed, if not optimistic view suggests that global imbalances are not anomalies but simply the predictable outcome of a world with increasingly globalized financial flows in search of the right mix of risks and returns. This paper offers a critical analysis of these competing explanations of the United States-China imbalances and suggests a way of reconciling them. The paper uses Hegel’s parable of the development of self-consciousness to explain the dynamics between the two countries. Hegel may not have been a great philosopher of history but his study of lordship and bondage provides a good framework for analyzing the dialectics of recognition and acknowledgement that currently characterizes the macroeconomic relationships between the United States and China.