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Predictors of Stunting, Wasting and Underweight among Tanzanian Children Born to HIV-Infected Women.
No full textChildren born to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women are susceptible to undernutrition, but modifiable risk factors and the time course of the development of undernutrition have not been well characterized. The objective of this study was to identify maternal, socioeconomic and child characteristics that are associated with stunting, wasting and underweight among Tanzanian children born to HIV-infected mothers, followed from 6 weeks of age for 24 months. Maternal and socioeconomic characteristics were recorded during pregnancy, data pertaining to the infant's birth were collected immediately after delivery, morbidity histories and anthropometric measurements were performed monthly. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards methods were used to assess the association between potential predictors and the time to first episode of stunting, wasting and underweight. A total of 2387 infants (54.0% male) were enrolled and followed for a median duration of 21.2 months. The respective prevalence of prematurity (<37 weeks) and low birth weight (<2500 g) was 15.2% and 7.0%; 11.3% of infants were HIV-positive at 6 weeks. Median time to first episode of stunting, wasting and underweight was 8.7, 7.2 and 7.0 months, respectively. Low maternal education, few household possessions, low infant birth weight, child HIV infection and male sex were all independent predictors of stunting, wasting and underweight. In addition, preterm infants were more likely to become wasted and underweight, whereas those with a low Apgar score at birth were more likely to become stunted. Interventions to improve maternal education and nutritional status, reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and increase birth weight may lower the risk of undernutrition among children born to HIV-infected women
Infants born late/moderately preterm are at increased risk for a positive autism screen at 2 years of age
No full textObjectives:
To assess the prevalence of positive screens using the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) questionnaire and follow-up interview in late and moderately preterm (LMPT; 32-36 weeks) infants and term-born controls.
Study design:
Population-based prospective cohort study of 1130 LMPT and 1255 term-born infants. Parents completed the M-CHAT questionnaire at 2-years corrected age. Parents of infants with positive questionnaire screens were followed up with a telephone interview to clarify failed items. The M-CHAT questionnaire was re-scored, and infants were classified as true or false positives. Neurosensory, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes were assessed using parent report.
Results:
Parents of 634 (57%) LMPT and 761 (62%) term-born infants completed the M-CHAT questionnaire. LMPT infants had significantly higher risk of a positive questionnaire screen compared with controls (14.5% vs 9.2%; relative risk [RR] 1.58; 95% CI 1.18, 2.11). After follow-up, significantly more LMPT infants than controls had a true positive screen (2.4% vs 0.5%; RR 4.52; 1.51, 13.56). This remained significant after excluding infants with neurosensory impairments (2.0% vs 0.5%; RR 3.67; 1.19, 11.3).
Conclusions:
LMPT infants are at significantly increased risk for positive autistic screen. An M-CHAT follow-up interview is essential as screening for autism spectrum disorders is especially confounded in preterm populations. Infants with false positive screens are at risk for cognitive and behavioral problems
Born global and born-again global firms: A comparison of internationalization patterns
No full textThis chapter reports the results of research that identifi es and compares two patterns of internationalization that may be found among smaller fi rms: born global fi rms (which internationalize rapidly soon after their founding), and born- again global fi rms (which exist as domestic fi rms for a long time before rapidly internationalizing). Both patterns share the characteristic of rapid and intensive internationalization, but the fi rst type of fi rm enters foreign markets as a new venture, while the latter does so much later in its life cycle.https://catalogue.library.auckland.ac.nz/permalink/f/t37c0t/uoa_alma2115915710000209
Baseline blood chemistry determinations of wild versus colony born common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) maintained in an indoor-outdoor environment
No full textTypescript (photocopy).The objective of this study was to present reliable and quality controlled reference values for the hematological and serum constituents of the adult normal cotton-eared marmoset, and to note the differences, if any between sex and group (wild-born and colony-born). The compendium of baseline values should be valuable in providing reference data for clinical, biochemical and biomedical researchers. An indoor-outdoor colony of common marmosets was established at Texas A&M University in 1975. Over a three year period, hematological, serum constituents and vitamin values were collected from a representative group of apparently normal adult animals held under constant nutritional and environmental conditions. Reference values were obtained for hematological values, calcium, phosphorus, blood urea nitrogen, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, creatinine phosphokinase, creatinine, total protein, albumin, cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, glucose, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, thiamin, and retinol. Leukocytes, serum glucose and triglycerides were found to be significantly higher in the wild-born animal. The colony-born animals were found to have a significantly higher weight, blood urea nitrogen, and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activity than the wild-born animal. The mean cholesterol was found to be significantly lower in the female marmoset. The mean serum glucose was found to be 205.9 mg/dl, twice as high as that found for humans. A mean of 0.98 mg/dl was observed for ascorbic acid and a mean of 20.4 (mu)l/dl was observed for retinol. The mean activity coefficient of the in vitro stimulation of erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity was 1.0. Erythrocyte transketolase activity of the marmoset was three times higher than that found for humans or rats. "Chronic waster" marmosets were identified in the Texas A&M University marmoset colony. Low serum glucose and albumin was observed in the "waster" animals. These animals also exhibited an abnormal serum uptake of glucose for the test dosage of glucose. It was found that neither juvenile nor adult normal animals were able to hydrolyze lactose
Simulation of thermal plant optimization and hydraulic aspects of thermal distribution loops for large campuses
No full textFollowing an introduction, the author describes Texas A&M University and its utilities system. After that, the author presents how to construct simulation models for chilled water and heating hot water distribution systems. The simulation model was used in a $2.3 million Ross Street chilled water pipe replacement project at Texas A&M University. A second project conducted at the University of Texas at San Antonio was used as an example to demonstrate how to identify and design an optimal distribution system by using a simulation model. The author found that the minor losses of these closed loop thermal distribution systems are significantly higher than potable water distribution systems. In the second part of the report, the author presents the latest development of software called the Plant Optimization Program, which can simulate cogeneration plant operation, estimate its operation cost and provide optimized operation suggestions. The author also developed detailed simulation models for a gas turbine and heat recovery steam generator and identified significant potential savings. Finally, the author also used a steam turbine as an example to present a multi-regression method on constructing simulation models by using basic statistics and optimization algorithms. This report presents a survey of the author??s working experience at the Energy Systems Laboratory (ESL) at Texas A&M University during the period of January 2002 through March 2004. The purpose of the above work was to allow the author to become familiar with the practice of engineering. The result is that the author knows how to complete a project from start to finish and understands how both technical and nontechnical aspects of a project need to be considered in order to ensure a quality deliverable and bring a project to successful completion. This report concludes that the objectives of the internship were successfully accomplished and that the requirements for the degree of Degree of Engineering have been satisfied
International Standards for the Induction Motor Efficiency Evaluation: a Critical Analysis of the Stray-Load Losses Determination
No full textMotor efficiency has to be measured or calculated in accordance with international standards. The most important standards are the IEEE 112-B, IEC 34-2, and JEC 3 . In this paper, a comparison of the measurement procedures defined by these international standards is reported, together with some comments on the prescribed methodologies. The comparison is based on experimental results obtained by tests on four general-purpose three-phase induction motors. The stray-load loss measurement represents a critical key for the correct evaluation of the motor efficiency. For this reason, a critical analysis of this type of losses has been performed. In particular, in order to understand which are the most critical quantities that influence their evaluation, the stray-load loss sensitivity to the measurement errors is analyzed. In the final part of the paper the temperature influence, on the conventional iron losses, is experimentally analyzed. The performed tests show that the temperature difference between the no-load test and the motor real operative conditions is not negligible
Intern experience at CH���M Hill, Inc.: an internship report
No full textIncludes author's vita"Submitted to the College of Engineering of Texas A&M University in partial
fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Engineering."Includes bibliographical referencesA review of the author's internship experience with CH���M HILL, Inc.
during the period September 1975 through May 1976 is presented. During this nine month
internship the author worked as an Engineer II in the Industrial Processes discipline of this
large consulting engineering firm... The author's prime responsibility was as one of three
lead design engineers on the design of a large wastewater treatment facility for a pulp mill
in Hoquiam, Washington owned by ITT Rayonier Inc. The work generally consisted of the design
of individual treatment units and associated piping and pumping. The purpose of the project
was to provide wastewater treatment capabilities that would satisfy the effluent limitations
(standards) imposed upon the mill by the State of Washington Department of Ecology and the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The author's assignment also entailed necessary
interaction with the project manager and other CH���M HILL design engineers and support staff
members, the client's representatives, and representatives of two other consulting engineering
firms working on the project. Thus, the internship position at CH���M HILL provided considerable
experience coordinating the author's work with the work of other engineers, guiding the design
and administrative efforts of a support staff, and interacting regularly with the client and
other consulting firms. This broad exposure to a variety of engineering and organizational
problems provided a valuable educational experience
Intern experience at the Texas Transportation Institute: an internship report
No full text"Submitted to the College of Engineering of Texas A&M University in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Engineering."Includes vita (leaf 91)Includes bibliographical references (leaf 57)This report discusses the author's engineering experience at the Texas
Transportation Institute (TTI), Texas A&M University from March 1974 through July 1977. A
report of this experience plus twelve additional hours of academic course work were
substituted for an internship according to requirements established by the College of
Engineering. Although the author could not retroactively establish objectives of the type
associated with a typical internship, the work experience gained could be related to the two
general objectives of an intership: 1. To demonstrate an identifiable contribution to the
organization in which the intern served, and 2. To enable the intern to become aware of the
non-technical aspects of working as an engineer in a non-academic environment. While a member
of the Texas Transportation Institute staff, the author worked on a number of projects in the
areas of highway traffic engineering research and the preparation of continuing education
courses for transportation engineering officials. These assignments were contained within the
Urban Transportation Systems Division of TTI. This report delineates the author's contribution
to four particular projects and discusses the technical as well as non-technical experience
gained from each. Having been exposed to more engineering situations than many of the other
Doctor of Engineering students, the author has already formulated some rather specific
milestones for the future. The Doctor of Engineering program is discussed in conjunction with
its potential for helping the author attain these career goals and objectives. Also, some
thoughts are presented regarding the Doctor of Engineering as a viable alternative to the
Ph.D. in preparing for a career in engineering higher education
Patterns of intended and actual fertility among subgroups of foreign-born and native-born Latinas
No full textExplanations for Latinas high fertility levels have been centered in terms of current or actual fertility, as measured by children ever born (CEB). However, studies of this nature have failed to utilize methods appropriate for evaluating a count variable, such as CEB. Even fewer analyses have incorporated "ideal" fertility as an explanatory factor of actual fertility, particularly in the case of Latinas. In this thesis, multiple Poisson and zero-inflated Poisson regression models are used to assess the impact of independent factors on ideal and actual fertility among Latinas, as compared to white women. In the comparative analyses of ideal and actual fertility (CEB), the independent variables in demographic composition (marital status), socialization factors (mother's CEB and church attendance), socioeconomic and employment status (education and employment) and fertility history and intentions (abortions) are found to be consistently, significantly related to both ideal and actual fertility. More importantly, women have higher intended than actual fertility. The fact that Mexican women have been able to realize their fertility intentions provides a better understanding of the fertility behavior of Latinas. This means that Latinas actually want the larger numbers of children that they are having
VALUE CREATION THROUGH M&A: AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY AND STELLANTIS CASE
No full textreservedMergers and acquisitions (M&A) have traditionally represented one of the favourite ways for the automotive firms to pursue growth and development goals. Considering the diffused M&A deals, the issue of whether value creation or destruction is generated from such activities still creates controversy in the literature. This thesis contributes to this discussion and answers such a relevant question, considering the case of Stellantis, born from the merger between FCA and PSA. The research is prefaced with an overview of the automotive industry evolution, considering historic events, current market dynamics, and prospects, competitive scenario, and recent trends. Further on, it identifies those factors contributing to value creation and those leading to value destruction. It then proceeds to the empirical analysis of Stellantis, trying to find out the strategic logical reason behind its creation and if value has been actually created by the merger. Through this investigation, the thesis seeks to provide a clear answer to the research question: does Stellantis create or destroy value?Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have traditionally represented one of the favourite ways for the automotive firms to pursue growth and development goals. Considering the diffused M&A deals, the issue of whether value creation or destruction is generated from such activities still creates controversy in the literature. This thesis contributes to this discussion and answers such a relevant question, considering the case of Stellantis, born from the merger between FCA and PSA. The research is prefaced with an overview of the automotive industry evolution, considering historic events, current market dynamics, and prospects, competitive scenario, and recent trends. Further on, it identifies those factors contributing to value creation and those leading to value destruction. It then proceeds to the empirical analysis of Stellantis, trying to find out the strategic logical reason behind its creation and if value has been actually created by the merger. Through this investigation, the thesis seeks to provide a clear answer to the research question: does Stellantis create or destroy value
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