Policy for increasing feeder stock of Bali cattle (Bos javonicus domesticus) in Kupang District

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 235-248
Author(s):  
Maria Krova ◽  
◽  
M. F. Lalus ◽  
Markus M. Kleden ◽  
◽  
...  

The scarcity of feeder stock of Bali cattle (Bos javonicus domesticus) in Kupang Regency is currently increasing. One of the contributing factors is the difference in management between the fattening business that produces beef cattle and the breeding business that produces feeders and heifers. The research aims to determine: the interaction between actors to increase the supply of feeder; the behavior of feeder population based on actual stock management, and the necessary policy interventions to increase the supply of feeder. The research was conducted by applying a dynamics systems approach. This modelling used ventana systems software. Data and mental models were collected through observation, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews with key informants. The results showed that the interaction between actors was limited to the marketing of cattle for both local and domestic markets. The actual feeders supply management shows that cattle population tends to decline due to low calving rate (70%), high calves mortality (35%), and the high slaughtering of productive females (80%). The necessary policy interventions are to implement various efforts to increase the calving rate to be 80%, reduce the mortality rate by applying 2% feed supplementation, and reduce the sales of productive females to be 50%. The actual supply management of Bali feeders needs to be engineered by increasing stakeholder services that coordinate synergistically for learning innovation and technology. It is necessary to establish a breeder cooperative to suppress the sale of productive cows as the cause of its high slaughtering

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 397-406
Author(s):  
T. E. Chekanova

The presented study examines the problems of integration of the national banking systems of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).Aim. The study aims to examine the major differences in various aspects of functioning of banking systems in the EAEU member states in terms of their impact on integration processes.Tasks. The author identifies the most prominent features of the banking systems of the EAEU states; reveals the depth of the existing differences through a comparative analysis of various indicators of national banking systems; outlines ways of overcoming integration problems associated with differences in the banking sectors of the Union states.Methods. This study is based on universal general scientific methods and elements of comparative, functional, and economic analysis within the framework of a systems approach. The author uses regulatory documents and banking reports of the EAEU states, statistical and analytical materials of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), and data of Moody’s international rating agency.Results. The study identifies a number of aspects that contain the major differences in the functioning of banking systems in the EAEU member states; highlights the disproportions in the scale, level of development, financial stability, and risks of the banking spheres of the Union states; comparatively analyzes the proportion of banking and non-banking structures in the system and the share of the government and non-resident companies in the capital of banks; marks the difference in the pricing of banking services; determines differences in the existing approaches to banking regulation and the established standards; analyzes the major differences in the legislative acts of the central banks and governments of the EAEU member states and in the terms and definitions used. According to the results of the study, the major factors hindering the development of integration processes between the banking systems of the EAEU states are identified.Conclusions. The existing differences between the banking systems of the EAEU countries are diverse and multifaceted. The author states that the aspects addressed in this study have a significant negative impact on the further development of integration processes, describing the major directions and actions of the member states aimed at minimizing the exiting differences, which are required to facilitate the convergence of the states and the transition towards a common financial market.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 350-359
Author(s):  
Jacqueline M. Wallace ◽  
Joeleita P. Agard ◽  
Graham W. Horgan

AbstractPlacental weight is a valuable indicator of its function, predicting both pregnancy outcome and lifelong health. Population-based centile charts of weight-for-gestational-age and parity are useful for identifying extremes of placental weight but fail to consider maternal size. To address this deficit, a multiple regression model was fitted to derive coefficients for predicting normal placental weight using records from healthy pregnancies of nulliparous/multiparous women of differing height and weight (n = 107,170 deliveries, 37–43 weeks gestation). The difference between actual and predicted placental weight generated a z-score/individual centile for the entire cohort including women with pregnancy complications (n = 121,591). The association between maternal BMI and placental weight extremes defined by the new customised versus population-based standard was investigated by logistic regression, as was the association between low placental weight and pregnancy complications. Underweight women had a greater risk of low placental weight [<10thcentile, OR 1.84 (95% CI 1.66, 2.05)] and obese women had a greater risk of high placental weight [>90th centile, OR 1.98 (95% CI 1.88, 2.10)] using a population standard. After customisation, the risk of high placental weight in obese/morbidly obese women was attenuated [OR 1.17 (95% CI 1.09, 1.25)]/no longer significant, while their risk of low placental weight was 59%–129% higher (P < 0.001). The customised placental weight standard was more closely associated with stillbirth, hypertensive disease, placental abruption and neonatal death than the population standard. Our customised placental weight standard reveals higher risk of relative placental growth restriction leading to lower than expected birthweights in obese women, and a stronger association between low placental weight and pregnancy complications generally. Further, it provides an alternative tool for defining placental weight extremes with implications for the placental programming of chronic disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao Ding ◽  
Deshun Yu ◽  
Hefeng Li ◽  
Yueming Ding

AbstractMarital status has long been recognized as an important prognostic factor for many cancers, however its’ prognostic effect for patients with laryngeal cancer has not been fully examined. We retrospectively analyzed 8834 laryngeal cancer patients in the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database from 2004 to 2010. Patients were divided into four groups: married, widowed, single, and divorced/separated. The difference in overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) of the various marital subgroups were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier curve. Multivariate Cox regression analysis screened for independent prognostic factors. Propensity score matching (PSM) was also conducted to minimize selection bias. We included 8834 eligible patients (4817 married, 894 widowed, 1732 single and 1391 divorced/separated) with laryngeal cancer. The 5-year OS and CSS of married, widowed, single, and separated/divorced patients were examined. Univariate and multivariate analyses found marital status to be an independent predictor of survival. Subgroup survival analysis showed that the OS and CSS rates in widowed patients were always the lowest in the various American Joint Committee on Cancer stages, irrespective of sex. Widowed patients demonstrated worse OS and CSS in the 1:1 matched group analysis. Among patients with laryngeal cancer, widowed patients represented the highest-risk group, with the lowest OS and CSS.


2021 ◽  
Vol 256 ◽  
pp. 19-43
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Castle ◽  
Jurgen A. Doornik ◽  
David F. Hendry

The Covid-19 pandemic has put forecasting under the spotlight, pitting epidemiological models against extrapolative time-series devices. We have been producing real-time short-term forecasts of confirmed cases and deaths using robust statistical models since 20 March 2020. The forecasts are adaptive to abrupt structural change, a major feature of the pandemic data due to data measurement errors, definitional and testing changes, policy interventions, technological advances and rapidly changing trends. The pandemic has also led to abrupt structural change in macroeconomic outcomes. Using the same methods, we forecast aggregate UK unemployment over the pandemic. The forecasts rapidly adapt to the employment policies implemented when the UK entered the first lockdown. The difference between our statistical and theory based forecasts provides a measure of the effect of furlough policies on stabilising unemployment, establishing useful scenarios had furlough policies not been implemented.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1381
Author(s):  
Hun-Ju Yu ◽  
Meng-Ni Chuang ◽  
Chiao-Lun Chu ◽  
Pei-Lin Wu ◽  
Shu-Chen Ho ◽  
...  

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis that primarily affects children under the age of 5 years old. The most significant complication is coronary artery lesions, but several ocular manifestations have also been reported. Recently, one study revealed an increasing incidence of myopia among KD patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the difference in myopic incidence between Kawasaki disease (KD) patients treated with aspirin and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Materials and methods: We carried out a nationwide retrospective cohort study by analyzing the data of KD patients (ICD-9-CM code 4461) from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) during the period of 1996–2013. Results: A total of 14,102 diagnosed KD were found in Taiwan during the study period. After excluded missing data, treatment strategy and age distribution, a total of 1446 KD patients were enrolled for analysis including 53 of which received aspirin (without IVIG) and 1393 of which were treated with IVIG. Patients who had myopia, astigmatism, glaucoma, cataract, etc. prior to their KD diagnosis were excluded. The age range was 0 to 6 years old. According to the cumulative curves, our results demonstrated that the myopic incidence in the IVIG group was significantly lower than the aspirin group (hazard ratio: 0.59, 95% confidence intervals: 0.36~0.96, p = 0.02). Treatment with IVIG for KD patients may have benefit for myopia control. Conclusion: Compared to aspirin, IVIG may decrease the myopic risk in KD patients. However, it needs further investigation including clinical vision survey of myopia due to the limitations of this population-based study.


2021 ◽  
Vol 186 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 370-377
Author(s):  
Edward Chaum ◽  
Ernő Lindner

ABSTRACT Background Target-controlled infusion anesthesia is used worldwide to provide user-defined, stable, blood concentrations of propofol for sedation and anesthesia. The drug infusion is controlled by a microprocessor that uses population-based pharmacokinetic data and patient biometrics to estimate the required infusion rate to replace losses from the blood compartment due to drug distribution and metabolism. The objective of the research was to develop and validate a method to detect and quantify propofol levels in the blood, to improve the safety of propofol use, and to demonstrate a pathway for regulatory approval for its use in the USA. Methods We conceptualized and prototyped a novel “smart” biosensor-enabled intravenous catheter capable of quantifying propofol at physiologic levels in the blood, in real time. The clinical embodiment of the platform is comprised of a “smart” biosensor-enabled catheter prototype, a signal generation/detection readout display, and a driving electronics software. The biosensor was validated in vitro using a variety of electrochemical methods in both static and flow systems with biofluids, including blood. Results We present data demonstrating the experimental detection and quantification of propofol at sub-micromolar concentrations using this biosensor and method. Detection of the drug is rapid and stable with negligible biofouling due to the sensor coating. It shows a linear correlation with mass spectroscopy methods. An intuitive graphical user interface was developed to: (1) detect and quantify the propofol sensor signal, (2) determine the difference between targeted and actual propofol concentration, (3) communicate the variance in real time, and (4) use the output of the controller to drive drug delivery from an in-line syringe pump. The automated delivery and maintenance of propofol levels was demonstrated in a modeled benchtop “patient” applying the known pharmacokinetics of the drug using published algorithms. Conclusions We present a proof-of-concept and in vitro validation of accurate electrochemical quantification of propofol directly from the blood and the design and prototyping of a “smart,” indwelling, biosensor-enabled catheter and demonstrate feedback hardware and software architecture permitting accurate measurement of propofol in blood in real time. The controller platform is shown to permit autonomous, “closed-loop” delivery of the drug and maintenance of user-defined propofol levels in a dynamic flow model.


Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 842
Author(s):  
Jun-Hyuk Lee ◽  
A-Ra Cho ◽  
Yong-Jae Lee

Sarcopenia has attracted interest due to its impact on various health problems. Chronic inflammation is an important contributor to sarcopenia. Thus, we aimed to investigate the association between serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which is a novel inflammatory marker, and muscle mass. This study included 15,579 adults from the 2008–2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey. Low skeletal muscle mass index (LSMI) was defined as body mass index-adjusted appendicular skeletal muscle mass less than 0.789 for men and 0.512 for women. Multiple logistic regression revealed that the highest ALP tertile was significantly associated with LSMI compared with the lowest ALP tertile in both men [Odds ratio (OR): 1.41; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04–1.91] and women (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.00–2.10) after adjusting for other confounders. On the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the predictive power was significantly higher for ALP levels than for white blood cell count in women (p < 0.001), whereas the difference was not significant in men (p = 0.515). Our findings suggest the potential use of serum ALP as an inflammatory marker and a predictor of sarcopenia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 296 (4) ◽  
pp. 100-104
Author(s):  
Yaroslav BEREZIVSKYI ◽  

A significant number of scientific economic theories have been identified, which substantiate the essential characteristics of the technological competitiveness of the national economy. The difference between each of the theories is due to the evolution of economic development, conditions and factors of formation, as well as directions and means (tools) to ensure the technological competitiveness of the national economy. The conditions and factors of formation of technological competitiveness of the national economy according to economic theories of competition – blue ocean, global advance of competitors, competitive advantages, cyclical development of economy, neoliberalism, structuring are allocated. In each of the theories of competition as their historical evolution, the technological competitiveness of the economy was considered in the context of access and ability to effectively use technological resources, the formation of the market of innovation and technology, implementation of state policy to stimulate innovation. Taking into account theories of competition allows to clarify the important characteristics of technological competitiveness of the national economy, which relate to determining the influence of society, state, market environment, globalization and informatization on the creation and implementation of technologies in economic processes, economic competitiveness. Analysis of the evolution of scientific views shows the high intensity of changes in the field of competition and provides a wide range of conditions and factors for the formation of technological competitiveness, the development of economic agents. Accordingly, the lack of opportunities for technological and innovative development of national producers should be regarded as the main threat to the competitiveness of the economy. These are market, infrastructural, technological, innovative, intellectual, resource and other trends, in the context of which it becomes possible to effectively use competitive opportunities.


1997 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Enlund ◽  
O Mentell ◽  
L Edmark ◽  
G Ronquist

Activity of strictly intracellular enzymes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may indicate leakage from dysfunctional brain cells. Increased activity of adenylate kinase (AK) in the CSF is indicative of brain cell injury arising from several sources, among them orthognathic surgery. The mechanism in the latter case is obscure, but the use of an oscillating saw which generates vibrations, and the site of surgery close to the brain may be contributing factors. Anaesthesia may also play a role. In the present study, CSF-AK activity was measured after hysterectomy and was compared with activity after orthognathic surgery in two other studies. Four of 19 patients (21%) in the present study expressed pathological activity, compared with 34 of 47 (72%) orthognathic patients in the two other studies. No firm conclusion may be drawn from historical comparisons, and the difference in activity seen between the two types of surgery might not necessarily be the result of surgical factors. Until this is investigated further, however, we conclude that there may be a difference in postoperative CSF-AK activity between orthognathic and lower abdominal surgery.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011418S0033
Author(s):  
Karan Malhotra ◽  
Oliver Chan ◽  
Nicholas Cullen ◽  
Matthew Welck ◽  
Andrew Goldberg ◽  
...  

Category: Other Introduction/Purpose: Gastrocnemius tightness (GT) is thought to predispose patients to multiple musculoskeletal pathologies including back pain, plantar fasciitis, and metatarsalgia. It is thought to be especially prevalent in patients with foot and ankle pathology (FAP) and consequently there is an emerging trend to perform lengthening / release procedures in this patient group. However, it is not clear what proportion of the normal population has GT and how this differs in patients with FAP. We set out to investigate what the incidence and degree of GT in the foot and ankle population is compared to the normal population. Methods: This was a prospective study comparing GT in a cohort of patients with FAP with GT in controls matched for age, gender, and ethnicity. The control group consisted of healthy adult volunteers and the FAP group consisted of patients presenting to our Foot & Ankle unit. Patients with previous surgery, tendoachilles tightness, or ankle arthritis were excluded. GT was measured using a digital inclinometer and the lunge test. It was calculated as the difference between maximal ankle dorsiflexion with the knee extended and with the knee flexed. Data on the control group was collected first and a power calculation suggested a FAP cohort size of 91 feet was required to detect a 2° difference in GT (a= 0.05, ß = 0.05, Ratio 3:1). Results: After case-matching 97 FAP cases were paired with 291 controls for analysis. Mean GT was 8.0° ±5.7° (range: 0-21°) in FAP patients versus 6.0° ±3.5° (range: 0-16°) in controls (p<0.001). Regression analysis demonstrated demographics including BMI and activity level were not significant determinants of GT in the FAP group (r=0.141, p=0.599). Subgroup analysis of the FAP group revealed a mean GT of 10.3° ±6.0° in patients with forefoot pathology (FoP) versus 6.9° ±5.3° in the other FAP patients (NFoP) (p=0.008). When comparing the NFoP group to the controls, there was no difference in GT (p=0.188). In total 21 FAP patients (21.6%) and 12 FoP patients (37.5%) had GT greater than 2 standard deviations of the control group (Figure 1). Conclusion: This population based study demonstrates increased GT in the FAP population versus the normal population; however, in patients without forefoot pathology, this difference may not be clinically relevant. Over a third of patients with forefoot pathology have GT which is greater than the normal population range. We conclude that not all patients with foot and ankle pathology have inherently increased GT, compared with the normal population, but it is reasonably common in patients with forefoot pathology. Further work is required to define what degree of GT may be considered significant, to determine which patients will benefit from surgical treatment.


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