Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Lower-Level Health Care Facilities of Dar es Salaam Region in Tanzania: Status towards Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Way Forward

Background: Improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in health care settings is a critical prerequisite for achieving national health goals and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a target for each United Nations member state to reach by 2030. Each member state is required to reach by 2022, 2025 and 2030 at least 60%, 80% and 100%, respectively of basic level of service of the five elements which are water, sanitation, hygiene, waste management and environmental cleaning. Methods: This study aimed to evaluate and document the current state of basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services in all lower-level health care facilities in the Dar es Salaam region of Tanzania as of July 2022. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 99 public dispensaries in the Dar es Salaam region’s five councils: Ubungo, Kigamboni, Kinondoni and Temeke Municipalities, and Ilala City. The interviewee form and observational checklists were both digitalized using the Kobo tool software. The respondents were health care facility in-charges or nurse in-charges. Data were downloaded, validated, and imported to Stata version 15 for analysis. Results: The basic WASH level per JMP is far below the target in 2022. Each member state by 2022 is required to reach at least 60% of the basic level of service of each element. We found a low coverage of basic WASH in the 99 dispensaries included in this study. The basic WASH coverage was met in only 10 (10.1%) of the dispensaries, while the remaining 89 (89.9%) dispensaries fall on limited WASH services. Conclusion: This study revealed lower coverage of basic WASH services in dispensaries. An urgent need is required to improve the status of WASH in all the dispensaries and facilitate the provision of quality health care services, patient safety and reduce health care associated infections.

Comparison of Low Stress Mechanical Properties of Light Weight Wool and Wool Blend Fabrics using the KES-F and FAST Instruments

This study compares the test results of the FAST (Fabric Assurance by Simple Testing) with those of the KES - F (Kawabata Evaluation Systems for Fabrics) for a range of nineteen light weight wool and wool blend fabrics in terms of the low - stress mechanical properties of bending, shear, and tensile deformation. It is found that there are very significant correlations between the corresponding parameters for extensibility and shear rigidity obtained from the test results of the two systems. The correlation between the values of bending rigidity obtained from the two systems is only moderate. Furthermore, for the fabrics tested in this study, the values of bending rigidity, shear rigidity, and extensibility measured using the KES - F instruments are higher than those of the corresponding parameters measured using the FAST instruments. The linear regression equation is given for each pair of corresponding parameter.

Effective Dose Screening of Low Level Red Light in Different Cell Indexes

The low level red light irradiation dose that produced positive response on different cell indexes was selected through experiments.In fibroblast detection model,the low level red light irradiation dose that had positive response to the four indicators of mitochondrial membrane potential,ATP release,cell migration and collagen synthesis was screened.The experimental results showed that low level red light with a irradiation dose of 2 J/cm^(2) had a positive response to the above four indexes in fibroblast.The test model on fibroblast was later transferred to dermal papilla cells for further experimental verification.The results showed that low level red light with a irradiation dose of 2 J/cm^(2) also had a positive response to the four indicators of dermal papilla cells,namely,mitochondrial membrane potential,ATP release,cell proliferation rate and collagen synthesis.It is proved that the low level red light with a irradiation dose of 2 J/cm^(2) could improve the mitochondrial function,cell migration and collagen synthesis of fibroblast and dermal papilla cell,thus providing energy for cell activities,improving cell repair ability and cell anti-aging ability.

Thermal stratification level of low sidewall air supply with air-conditioning system in large space

The thermal stratification level of low sidewall air supply system in large space was defined. Depending on the experiment of low sidewall air supply in summer 2008,the thermal stratification level was studied by simulation. Based on the simulation of experiment condition,the air velocity and vertical temperature distribution in a large space were simulated at different air-outlet velocities,and then the thermal stratification level line was obtained. The simulation results well match with the experimental ones and the average relative error is 3.4%. The thermal stratification level is heightened by increasing the air-outlet velocity with low sidewall air supply mode. It is concluded that when air-outlet velocity is 0.29 m/s,which is the experimental case,a uniform thermal environment in the higher occupied zone and a stable stratification level are formed. When the air-outlet velocity is low,such as 0.05 m/s,the thermal stratification level is too low and the air velocity is too small to meet the human thermal comfort in the occupied zone. So,it would be reasonable that the air-outlet velocity may be designed as 0.31 m/s if the height of the occupied zone is 2 m.

The electromagnetically induced transparency in the Y-type four-level atom system at low light levels

In this paper a Y-type four-level atom interacting with external fields system is investigated. It is shown that increasing the control field can reduce the probe absorption, the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and gain can be obtained if the parameters are taken appropriately. An interesting phenomenon is found that the system appears to be probe gain in a large region if the external fields Rabi phases are taken appropriately, too.

Addendum to: An Approach to Hierarchical Clustering via Level Surfaces and Convexity

This article is an addendum to the 2001 paper [1] which investigated an approach to hierarchical clustering based on the level sets of a density function induced on data points in a d-dimensional feature space. We refer to this as the “level-sets approach” to hierarchical clustering. The density functions considered in [1] were those formed as the sum of identical radial basis functions centered at the data points, each radial basis function assumed to be continuous, monotone decreasing, convex on every ray, and rising to positive infinity at its center point. Such a framework can be investigated with respect to both the Euclidean (L2) and Manhattan (L1) metrics. The addendum here puts forth some observations and questions about the level-sets approach that go beyond those in [1]. In particular, we detail and ask the following questions. How does the level-sets approach compare with other related approaches? How is the resulting hierarchical clustering affected by the choice of radial basis function? What are the structural properties of a function formed as the sum of radial basis functions? Can the levels-sets approach be theoretically validated? Is there an efficient algorithm to implement the level-sets approach?

Studies on the oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein induced by ultraviolet light and the protective effect of green tea polyphenols

Uitraviolet（UV）light irradiation acting on human low density lipoprotein（LDL）couldgive rise to oxidative modification of LDL.Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances（TBARS）,rela-five electrophorefic mobility（REM）,relative fluorescence intensity at 420 nm（the excitation wavelength was 360nm）and lipid conjugated dienes of UV-irradiated LDL were all elevated withthe increase of irradiation time.Addition of 0.01％ EDTA into the irradiation system could inhi-bit this reaction,but the effect was not so potent as that induced in the Cu2+-PBS-LDLoxidative modification system China green tea polyphenols（CGTP）,on the other hand,had aneffective inhibitory effect with obvious dose-effect relationship.It was proposed that lipidperoxidation of LDL induced by free radicals which were generated from UV-irradiation andthe inhibitory effect of CGTP was attributed to its strong antioxidative action.

Anthropogenic activity,hydrological regime,and light level jointly influence temporal patterns in biosonar activity of the Yangtze finless porpoise at the junction of the Yangtze River and Poyang Lake,China

Under increasing anthropogenic pressure,species with a previously contiguous distribution across their ranges have been reduced to small fragmented populations.The critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise(Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis),once commonly observed in the Yangtze River-Poyang Lake junction,is now rarely seen in the river-lake corridor.In this study,static passive acoustic monitoring techniques were used to detect the biosonar activities of the Yangtze finless porpoise in this unique corridor.Generalized linear models were used to examine the correlation between these activities and anthropogenic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and boat navigation,as well as environmental variables,including hydrological conditions and light levels.Over approximately three consecutive years of monitoring(2020–2022),porpoise biosonar was detected during 93%of logged days,indicating the key role of the corridor for finless porpoise conservation.In addition,porpoise clicks were recorded in 3.80%of minutes,while feeding correlated buzzes were detected in 1.23%of minutes,suggesting the potential existence of localized,small-scale migration.Furthermore,both anthropogenic and environmental variables were significantly correlated with the diel,lunar,monthly,seasonal,and annual variations in porpoise biosonar activities.During the pandemic lockdown period,porpoise sonar detection showed a significant increase.Furthermore,a significant negative correlation was identified between the detection of porpoise click trains and buzzes and boat traffic intensity.In addition to water level and flux,daylight and moonlight exhibited significant correlations with porpoise biosonar activities,with markedly higher detections at night and quarter moon periods.Ensuring the spatiotemporal reduction of anthropogenic activities,implementing vessel speed restrictions(e.g.,during porpoise migration and feeding),and maintaining local natural hydrological regimes are critical factors for sustaining porpoise population viability.

Efficacy of super-pulsed 905 nm Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in the management of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): A case study

Traumatic brain injury is a major health concern worldwide with massive financial and social impact. Conventional treatments primarily focus on the prevention of further damage to the brain parenchyma, while failing to address the already existent symptoms. Previous clinical studies have shown that Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) can significantly reduce pain and induce temporary vasodilation in capillaries, which the authors hypothesize can be used to improve the quality of life in TBI patients by treating their current symptoms, which are predominately migraine-like headaches. This case report illustrates the use of LLLT in the treatment of a patient with a TBI and the great clinical success achieved in the reduction of pain, as measured by VAS—achievable within five treatments of 10 minutes in duration.

Induction of Autologous Bone-Marrow Stem Cells by Low-Level Laser Therapy Has Beneficial Effects on the Kidneys Post-Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in the Rat

Acute renal failure has a 50% - 80% mortality rate. Currently, treatment options for this life-threatening disease are limited. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been found to modulate biological activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible beneficial effects of laser application to stem cells in the bone marrow, on the kidneys of rats that had undergone ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). IRI was induced by occlusion of the renal artery to 3- and 7-month-old rats for 15 or 30 minutes. In an additional experiment IRI was applied to both kidneys for 20 min each in 2-3-month-old rats. Rats were then divided randomly into two groups of control and laser-treated. Laser therapy (Ga-Al-As 810 nm, 200 mW output for 2 min) was applied to the bone marrow 1 and 7 days post-IRI to the kidneys, and rats were sacrificed 2 weeks later. Histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry were performed on kidney sections and blood markers for kidney function. Quantitative histomorphometric analysis revealed a reduction in dilatation of the renal tubules, restored structural integrity of the renal tubules, and reduced necrosis in the laser-treated rats as compared to the control, non-laser-irradiated group. C-kit positive cell density in kidneys post-IRI and laser-treatment was significantly (p = 0.015) 3.2-fold higher compared to the control group. Creatinine and blood urea nitrogen content were significantly lower in the laser-treated rats as compared to control. It is concluded that LLLT application to the bone marrow (BM) causes a significant increase in the density of mesenchymal stem cells in the kidneys post-IRI, probably by induction of stem cells in the BM, which subsequently migrate to the IRI kidney, significantly reducing the pathological features of the kidney and increasing kidney function post IRI.

Silymarin in non alcoholic fatty liver disease

AIM: This study was undertaken to evaluate the hepatic effects of silybum marianum on non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: In 72 patients affected by NAFLD, main metabolic, hepatic and anti-inflammatory parameters were assayed after 3 mo of a restricted diet and before silymarin treatment (twice a day orally). The brightness of liver echography texture (hepatorenal ratio brightness) was also defined at same time. These evaluations were repeated after 6 mo of treatment. RESULTS: Serum levels of some metabolic and anti-inflammatory data nonsignificantly lowered after 6 mo of silymarin. On the contrary, Steato test, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase were significantly (P < 0.001) reduced. Instead, the AST/ALT ratio unchanged. Finally, the hepatorenal brightness ratio, as an index of hepatic steatosis, significantly (P < 0.05) dropped. CONCLUSION: The obtained results indicate that silymarin appears to be effective to reduce the biochemical, inflammatory and ultrasonic indices of hepatic steatosis. Some parameters indicative of early stage of atherosclerosis were also lowered.

Design of a low-sidelobe-level and wideband dielectric resonator antenna array for 60 GHz millimeter wave communication

A low-sidelobe-level( SLL) and wideband linear dielectric resonator antenna( DRA) array is proposed for 60 GHz millimeter wave communication. The array consists of 10 wideband DRAs which work at 60 GHz and it is fed by a Chebyshev feeding network to get a low SLL. To avoid the influence from the feeding network,a U-shaped substrate and a conformal ground are used,which can separate the DRA array and the feeding network. The parameter analysis and simulated results are presented.

Predictive Value of Serum pgRNA on HBeAg Clearance in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B with Low HBeAg Levels Treated with Pegylated Interferon

Objective:To study the predictive value of serum pregenomic RNA(pgRNA)on HBeAg clearance in patients with chronic hepatitis B with low HBeAg levels during pegylated interferon therapy.Methods:Twenty chronic hepatitis B patients with HBeAg positive and quantitative<50S/CO were selected for this study.The subjects underwent pegylated interferon therapy for 48-96 weeks and were followed up in the outpatient clinic after treatment.The patients were then divided into groups based on whether their HbeAg turned negative.The predictive ability of each indicator for HBeAg negative conversion was evaluated in the HBeAg negative group and the HBeAg positive group.Results:The results of logistic regression analysis suggested that pgRNA and HBcrAg were better indicators for predicting the clearance of HBeAg after treatment.Conclusion:For patients with chronic hepatitis B with low HBeAg levels,pgRNA is a good indicator in predicting HBeAg clearance during pegylated interferon therapy.

Effect of autologous mesenchymal stem cells induced by low level laser therapy on cardiogenesis in the infarcted area following myocardial infarction in rats

In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that photobiostimulation by low-energy laser therapy (LLLT) applied to the bone marrow (BM) of myocardial infarcted rats may attenuate the scarring processes that follow myocardial infarction (MI). Wistar rats underwent experimental MI. LLLT (Ga-Al-As diode laser) was applied to the BM of the exposed tibia at different time intervals post-MI (4 hrs, 48 hrs and 5 days). Sham-operated infarcted rats served as control. Infarct size was significantly reduced (55%) in the laser-treated rats as compared to the control non-treated rats, at 2 weeks post-MI. A significant 3-fold increase was observed in the density of desmin immunopositive stained cells 14 days post-MI in the infarcted area of the laser-treated rats as compared to the non-laser-treated controls. The electron microscopy from the control infarcted rat hearts revealed a typical interphase area between the intact myocardium and the infarcted area, with conspicuous fibroblasts with collagen deposition dispersed among them. In rats that were laser treated (to BM), the interphase zone demonstrated cells with different intracellular structures. There was also a significant increase in the percentage of c-kit positive cells and macrophages in the circulating blood of the laser treated rats as compared to control non treated ones. In the majority of the cells clusters of myofibrils anchored to well-developed Z-lines and structures resembling the morphological characteristics of mature intact cardiomyocytes were evident. In conclusion, LLLT to the BM of rats post-MI induces cardiogenesis mainly at the borders of the infarcted area in the heart.

Design of Irregular QC-LDPC Code Based Multi-Level Coded Modulation Scheme for High Speed Optical Communication Systems

In this paper, we focus on the design of irregular QC-LDPC code based multi-level coded modulation(MLCM) scheme by jointly optimizing the component code rate and the degree distribution of the irregular QC-LDPC component code. Firstly, the sub-channel capacities of MLCM systems is analyzed and discussed, based on which the optimal component code rate can be obtained. Secondly, an extrinsic information transfer chart based two-stage searching algorithm is proposed to find the good irregular QC-LDPC code ensembles with optimal component code rates for their corresponding sub-channels. Finally, by constructing the irregular QC-LDPC component codes from the designed ensembles with the aim of possibly enlarging the girth and reducing the number of the shortest cycles, the designed irregular QC-LDPC code based 16QAM and 64QAM MLCM systems can achieve 0.4 dB and 1.2 dB net coding gain, respectively, compared with the recently proposed regular QC-LDPC code based 16QAM and 64QAM MLCM systems.

Low temperature-mediated repression and far-red light-mediated induction determine morning FLOWERING LOCUS T expression levels

In order to flower in the appropriate season,plants monitor light and temperature changes and alter downstream pathways that regulate florigen genes such as Arabidopsis(Arabidopsis thaliana)FLOWERING LOCUS T(FT).In Arabidopsis,FT messenger RNA levels peak in the morning and evening under natural long-day conditions(LDs).However,the regulatory mechanisms governing morning FT induction remain poorly understood.The morning FT peak is absent in typical laboratory LDs characterized by high red:far-red light(R:FR)ratios and constant temperatures.Here,we demonstrate that ZEITLUPE(ZTL)interacts with the FT repressors TARGET OF EATs(TOEs),thereby repressing morning FT expression in natural environments.Under LDs with simulated sunlight(R:FR=1.0)and daily temperature cycles,which are natural LD-mimicking environmental conditions,FT transcript levels in the ztl mutant were high specifically in the morning,a pattern that was mirrored in the toe1 toe2 double mutant.Low night-to-morning temperatures increased the inhibitory effect of ZTL on morning FT expression by increasing ZTL protein levels early in the morning.Far-red light counteracted ZTL activity by decreasing its abundance(possibly via phytochrome A(phyA))while increasing GIGANTEA(GI)levels and negatively affecting the formation of the ZTL-GI complex in the morning.Therefore,the phyA-mediated high-irradiance response and GI play pivotal roles in morning FT induction.Our findings suggest that the delicate balance between low temperature-mediated ZTL activity and the far-red light-mediated functions of phyA and GI offers plants flexibility in fine-tuning their flowering time by controlling FT expression in the morning.

HIV Drug Resistance Profiles and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Viremia Maintained at Very Low Levels

We describe an observational study of clinical, virologic and drug resistance profiles in HIV-positive antiretroviral adherent subjects with stable low level viremia (LLV) 50 - 1000 copies/mL for more than 12 months. Subjects were followed from time of first detectable viral load (VL). In total, 102 episodes of LLV were detected among 80 individuals. The median (mean, range) HIV copy number at genotyping was 250 (486, - 3900) copies/mL after 14 (17.9, 0 - 58) months of LLV. Few patients maintained LLV for the entire 9 years period of observation, with half (52%) experiencing viremic progression following a stable period of LLV either spontaneously or after treatment interruption or failed regimen intensification. In the setting of prolonged periods of sustained LLV, mean duration 22 (range 8 - 106) months, drug resistance (DR) was almost universal. Resistance to ≥1 on-treatment drugs was defined in 97% of specimens and DR to all drugs in the treatment regimen in over half of all patients. Evolution of DR mutations during the period of LLV was observed in 20/28 (71%) subjects with specimens available for follow-up testing. This evolution was associated with viremic progression to levels >1000 copies/mL (p = 0.03). Our data suggest that DR present in patients with LLV is likely to impact long term clinical outcomes, highlighting the importance of optimizing techniques to detect the presence of drug resistant HIV in the setting of LLV and the need for larger prospective studies to assess the emergence of DR in the setting of sustained LLV and the impact of this DR on treatment outcomes.

Simulation of Quantum Noise in the Low-Light-Level Imaging System

A mathematical model of quantum noise having much effect on the low light imaging system is set up. To simulate the quantum noise, the random numbers obeying noise distribution must be formed and are weighted on the basis of the model created. Three uniform random sequences are built by the linear congruential method, of which two are used to form integer number and decimal fraction parts of the new random sequence respectively and the third to shuffle the new sequence. And then a Gauss sequence is formed out of uniform distribution by a function transforming method. It actualizes the simulation in real time of quantum noise in the low light imaging system, where video flow is extracted in real time, the noise summed up and played back side by side with the original video signs by a simulation software.

MRPⅡ/ERP中混合型物料需求计划的研究与实现

在企业MRPⅡ/ERP管理中,缩短最终产品的累计提前期以提高响应客户需求的反应速度和降低物料库存是两个相互矛盾的目标.以部分企业的实际问题为应用背景,指出了典型的MRPⅡ/ERP系统在应用于生产半定制型产品的企业时MPS和MRP失效的问题,并且分析了失效的原因.提出了一种把“订货点法”、“物料需求计划(MRP)”和“制造资源计划(MRPⅡ)”这些管理模式相互融合的新的物料管理方法,同时使用面向对象的技术和UML建模工具,对混合型的物料需求计划系统的核心部分给出了详细的设计和实现方案,也针对在实际工程设计过程中比较重要以及较难解决的问题提出了很好的解决方案.