Determinant Factors of Stunting in Under-Five Children

BACKGROUND: The high rate of stunting cases is a serious nutritious problem that still persists in Indonesia. The problem is potentially impactful on the quality of the country’s human resources. AIM: This present study aimed to analyze the determinant factors of stunting cases in 24–59-month-old children in the working area of Puskesmas or Community Health Center in Kota Tengah, Gorontalo. METHOD: The case-control survey analytical research involved a case population of 34 people and a control population of 34 people. All the participants were 24–59 months old. All case populations were treated as the research subject, while the control population was calculated based on the formula. A simple random sampling technique was employed to acquire the sample in the control group. The study involved independent variables of birth length, birth weight, provision of exclusive breastfeeding, and the number of siblings. Meanwhile, the dependent variable was the stunting cases in 24–59-month-old children. The data were analyzed by Chi-square (χ2) and multiple logistic regression statistical tests. RESULTS: The bivariate analysis that used the Chi-square suggested that the birth length (0.001) < (0.05), birth weight (0.003) < (0.05), and provision of exclusive breastfeeding (0.000) < (0.05) were the factors of stunting cases. Meanwhile, parity (1.72) > (0.05) was not a factor of stunting. Moreover, the multivariate analysis involving multiple logistic regression tests indicated that the provision of exclusive breastfeeding (0.006) served as the determinant factor of stunting cases. CONCLUSIONS: The provision of exclusive breastfeeding is the most significant determinant factor of stunting cases.

Gender Inequality in Latin America: A Multidimensional Analysis Based on ECLAC Indicators

This article analyzes the behavior of gender indicators on the economic, physical, and decision-making autonomy of Latin-American women, based on data compiled and published in 2020 by the Gender Equality Observatory of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), for 17 countries. Using the HJ-Biplot multivariate technique, it is concluded that the three evaluated areas interact with each other, in such a way that they cannot be interpreted in isolation because their relationships and interdependencies explain the differences in the participation of men and women in the socioeconomic and political environment of the nations in the region. Additionally, it is concluded that in countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Bolivia, and Ecuador, greater public policy actions are required to seek the economic empowerment of women; while in Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, laws are necessary to regulate violence against women. It is necessary to continue promoting gender equality in the region as a determinant factor in methodological frameworks and transformational policies to enable moving towards the construction of sustainable societies and economies.

BEHIND THE CHANGE OF THE NATIONAL EXAMINATION POLICY IN INDONESIA

This study aimed to find out the mapping of difficulties in mathematics National Examination (NE) in Senior High School along with changes in NE policy in Indonesia in the last 10 years. Researcher conducted descriptive explorative analysis to find out the scope of material, the absorption, and mapping the difficulties faced by students in mathematics. Data analysis carried out by examining the data of each material and indicators. It grouped into two, namely low (<50%) and high absorption (≥ 50%). The results showed that the overall absorption of the NE had decreased significantly over the past 5 years (2013 to 2017). There did not find out of difficult material before implementation of curriculum 2013. However, the last 5 years (after the period of implementation curriculum 2013) have found several difficulties. Moreover, since 2015, almost all the materials on mathematics NE were categorized as difficult after the changing in the status of the NE (not a determinant factor of students’ graduation) and implementation the computer-based test. The difficult materials were probability, geometry transformations, space geometry, calculus, circles, linear programs, and statistics. Generally, the difficulties were in narrative problem-solving questions or using real-world contexts. Also, the results showed non-cognitive impacts (students’ motivation) as the result of the policy changing, especially the status and technical implementation of the NE.

Transferring Knowledge on Motor Development to Socially Vulnerable Parents of Infants: The Practice of Health Visitors

Parents are a determinant factor in a child’s development of motor skills. Studies show that programmes in which health visitors supervise parents may improve infants’ motor skills. This study examines which factors health visitors have found to enhance and hamper the implementation of a motor development programme among socially vulnerable parents of infants. The data consist of three group interviews with 4 health visitors in each (12 health visitors in total) and a subsequent member check with 27 health visitors. All were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and a thematic analysis was conducted. The results show that according to the health visitors, the programme increases the ability and willingness of parents to engage in co-producing its implementation. In particular, the materials that they hand out to the parents enhance the implementation. On the other hand, they perceive the limited time provided for the implementation, together with the many pressing needs of the families, as hampering the implementation. Consequently, the study can inform future policies and programmes for frontline workers and socially vulnerable parents of infants.

THE INTERNET AS A DETERMINING FACTOR IN ECONOMIC CONVERGENCE ACROSS COUNTRIES

This paper examines whether the Internet is a determining factor in explaining economic growth and convergence across countries when it acts as a channel of information and knowledge diffusion. Literature has identified around 140 possible growth factors, therefore given the contradictory results obtained from previous empirical studies it is crucial we understand the actual role of the Internet. Using the conditional convergence theory and a Bayesian panel data model averaging method from a sample of 100 countries between 1994 and 2017, our results demonstrate that an increase in access to the Internet is a non-determinant factor in economic convergence, being its probability of inclusion in the true growth model conditioned by the regressors included in the estimates and the time span analysed.

Computational Robotics: An Alternative Approach for Predicting Terrorist Networks

Increasing terrorist activities globally have attracted the attention of many researchers, policy makers and security agencies towards counterterrorism. The clandestine nature of terrorist networks have made them difficult for detection. Existing works have failed to explore computational characterization to design an efficient threat-mining surveillance system. In this paper, a computationally-aware surveillance robot that auto-generates threat information, and transmit same to the cloud-analytics engine is developed. The system offers hidden intelligence to security agencies without any form of interception by terrorist elements. A miniaturized surveillance robot with Hidden Markov Model (MSRHMM) for terrorist computational dissection is then derived. Also, the computational framework for MERHMM is discussed while showing the adjacency matrix of terrorist network as a determinant factor for its operation. The model indicates that the terrorist network have a property of symmetric adjacency matrix while the social network have both asymmetric and symmetric adjacency matrix. Similarly, the characteristic determinant of adjacency matrix as an important operator for terrorist network is computed to be -1 while that of a symmetric and an asymmetric in social network is 0 and 1 respectively. In conclusion, it was observed that the unique properties of terrorist networks such as symmetric and idempotent property conferred a special protection for the terrorist network resilience. Computational robotics is shown to have the capability of utilizing the hidden intelligence in attack prediction of terrorist elements. This concept is expected to contribute in national security challenges, defense and military intelligence.

Baseline hypocapnia is associated with intubation in COVID-19 diagnosed patients

ABSTRACT Introduction Hypocapnia may be one of the several factors predefining the need for intubation of patients needing hospitalization for COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods A retrospective evaluation of patient files hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia from October 2020 until January 2021. Univariate and multivariate regression was used, as well as a multinomial regression to account for multiple endpoints (discharge, intubation, death). Results Hypocapnia was strongly associated with intubation (OR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.76, 0.97). Additionally, last pCO2 (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.16), baseline FiO2 (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.07) as well as last FiO2 (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.46), total severity score on admission (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.37) and last pO2 (OR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.85, 0.92) were found to have a significant impact on intubation. Incorporation of deceased patients withheld the negative association with pCO2 levels (OR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.78, 0.98). Conclusion The dissociation between respiratory failure and a clinically comfortable patient is partly due to decreased carbon dioxide levels and clinicians should bare it in mind when handling patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Hypocapnia seems to be a determinant factor of intubation in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in this study.

Evaluation of Smoke Free Area Policy in Enrekang Regency

Public policy evaluation is a process of activities that are planned to assess the overall effectiveness of the program and it is deemed necessary to make changes to policies that have been carried out in order to achieve objectives. The objectives of this study are (i) How is the performance of the smoke-free area policy in Bone-bone village, Baraka sub-district, Enrekang district? (ii) What is the determinant factor in implementing the smoke-free area policy in Bone-bone village, Baraka sub-district, Enrekang district? This type of research is a descriptive study with a qualitative research design. Data collection techniques are carried out through observation, interviews and documentation. The data analysis technique used consists of data condensation, data presentation and drawing conclusions.The results of this study indicate that (i) the performance of the smoke-free area policy in Bone-bone village, Baraka sub- district, Enrekang district is quite effective, judged by the policy evaluation indicators by William N Dunn including effectiveness, efficiency, adequacy, leveling, responsiveness, and leveling. (ii) the determinant factors of the application of smoke-free areas, namely the existence of a leader or agent, a religious community, and the existence of sanctions.

Pengaruh Kemiringan Lereng terhadap Kerusakan Tanah di Giritontro, Wonogiri

The Effect of Slope Gradient of land on the Soil Damage in Giritontro, Wonogiri. Soil degradation is one of the problems in agriculture that affects the level of quality and carrying capacity of the soil for certain land uses. This study aims to analyse the status of soil degradation, the effect of slope, the determinant factor, and recommendation for land management.It was conducted in Giritontro District, Wonogiri Regencywith survey methods by field verification, taking soil samples and laboratoryanalysis based on Regulation of The Government of Indonesia Number 150 of 2000. Analysis unit is land map unit (LMU) which obtained from an overlay of mapssoil types, slope, rainfall, and land use. There were 12 LMU, and repeated 3 site samplings in each it. The result shows that the status of soil degradation was classified as slightly degraded (R.I) in all area research of 5.016.37 ha. The slope has a very significant effect on soil degradation. Slope 26-40% has significant highest score of soil degradration. Determinant factors were soil bulk density and porosity, therefore giving organic matter and optimizing tillage were recommended to improve land quality.

Influence of Examiners’ Experience and Region of Interest Location on Semiquantitative Elastography Validity and Reliability

Semi-quantitative elastography is a promising imaging technique to evaluate tissue stiffness differences, providing data regarding relative stiffness differences between two targets. The aims of this study were to assess the validity, inter-examiner reliability and variability of semi-quantitative elastography for calculating strain ratios (SR) in a homogeneous gel phantom in different locations within the image. A diagnostic accuracy study was performed in a homogeneous stiffness phantom. Four examiners participated (two novice and two experienced). Each examiner assessed the SR in two locations. Difference between examiners, variability of measurements, SR error and absolute error, mean error of the measurements and coefficient of variation were calculated. The agreement between examiners, validity and variability of measurements were higher in the central area than the lateral areas of the images. Thus, the experience of the examiner was relevant for the concordance of the measurements in the lateral areas of the images (SR difference of 0.14 ± 0.05; p < 0.001), but not for the central area (SR difference of 0.05 ± 0.02; p > 0.05). Our data suggested that semi-quantitative elastography is an accurate tool for assessing small magnitude stiffness differences within the same image in central areas, but the experience of the examiner is a determinant factor.