BACKGROUND:Dietitians-nutritionists (DNs) play a key role in intensive care units (ICUs), yet their scope of practice varies across settings. This study aimed to describe the professional practices of DNs working in ICUs in Latin America and to identify factors associated with their level of professional activity. METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey targeting DNs working in ICUs across 18 Latin American countries. The survey included two questionnaires: one assessing professional functions and responsibilities, and another evaluating practices, dynamics, and resources for nutritional care. RESULTS:A total of 223 responses were obtained, mainly from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Mexico. Respondents reported a median of 10 years of professional experience (interquartile range: 6-16). Most worked in high-complexity public hospitals (141 [63.2%]) and reported ≥40 h workweeks (144 [64.6%]); 137 (61.4%) held postgraduate degrees. Systematic participation in nutritional assessment, intervention, and monitoring was reported by 165 (74.0%), 183 (82.1%), and 168 (75.3%) respondents, respectively. Only 97 (43.5%) were authorized to prescribe nutritional therapy, with institutional policies identified as the main barrier. Academic involvement was limited, with 91 (41.7%) occasionally participating in teaching and 93 (42.1%) in research. The NRS-2002 was the most commonly used screening tool; only 16 (7.2%) reported access to indirect calorimetry, and 120 (53.8%) assessed muscle mass, mainly by anthropometry CONCLUSIONS: DNs in Latin America play an active role in ICU nutritional care but face important limitations in clinical autonomy, access to diagnostic tools, and academic participation.
This research examined the role of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in community transformation through the experiences of six Philippine-based development NGOs and their community partners, who were winners/finalists of the nationwide Galing Pook Citizenship Awards. We used a combination of a backward mapping approach and a multi-case study design in gathering narratives through 16 interviews and 20 focus group discussions with 39 NGO leaders and staff as well as 122 members and leaders of communities who have successfully undergone transformation. Results show that community readiness and buy-in, NGO leadership and brand equity, and support from local government and funding partners helped enable the change. Transformation strategies utilized by the NGOs with the community that catalyzed and helped sustain the change include building trust, empowering the community through capacity building, adhering to standards and constantly monitoring the programs, sustaining responsiveness through emerging programs, and aligning initiatives with local government goals. These responsive and holistic approaches helped enhance the quality of life in the community, enabled community engagement and commitment to change, and institutionalized programs through local government policies/support. The study presents valuable theoretical insights synthesized through a proposed model for engendering community transformation that highlights cocreation and co-ownership of change by NGOs and communities.
Monitoring atmospheric turbulence data of the near-surface sublayer presents a difficult challenge on complex and heterogeneous terrain such as mixed land areas where weather facilities are not always available. This study uses tilt data derived from the flight logs of two hovering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVS) as portable probes (DJI Mavic 2 and DJI Mavic 3 Classic) to compare the turbulence spectral characteristics of two adjacent contrasting surfaces; a built open courtyard and an open grass field. Turbulence spectra were divided into three ranges: E1 (0.05-0.2 Hz), E2 (0.2-1 Hz), and E3 (1-5 Hz). A 30 s moving mean and welch methods were used to filter out noise to ensure that the resulting spectra only showed the small tilts that were derived to show atmospheric turbulence. Normalization was applied to compare spectral shapes. Comparisons were made within platform (M2 vs. M2, M3 vs. M3). Observations show that spectral shapes generally agree. Contrasts were systematic within the energy bands and were not global. The study concludes on the notion that the unobstructed surfaces produce stronger fluctuations at the largest scales, whereas the built environments intensify turbulence at smaller scales.
Sustainable dielectric ceramic capacitors featuring high energy-storage capability, temperature stability, and fatigue resistance have become crucial for advancing energy storage technologies. This study explores the ceramic-interlayer thickness effects of energy storage capability in antiferroelectric NaNbO3 modified 0.7BiFeO(3)-0.3BaTiO(3) multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC). The breakdown electric strength (E-b) was remarkably increased from 350 kV/cm to 600 kV/cm as ceramic-interlayer thickness was reduced from 57 mu m to 18 mu m. Hence, recoverable energy density (W-rec) was enhanced from 3.0 J/cm(3) to 7.0 J/cm(3) with efficiencies >70 %. The energy storage performance in MLCCs with thinner ceramic interlayers was significantly enhanced due to the synergistic effect of multiple phases, nanostructures, and interfacial electric fields at grain boundaries. In addition, MLCCs with thicker ceramic interlayers exhibited enhanced charge-discharge fatigue resistance, maintaining a variation of less than 8 % after 1 & times; 10(4) cycles at a charging electric field of 200 kV/cm. This study demonstrates the potential of NaNbO3 modulated BiFeO3-BaTiO3 multilayer ceramics for advanced capacitive energy storage applications.
Introduction: This study investigated the development-related phenotypes (percent pharate larvae, PPL; hatch rates, HRs; and reproductive outputs, ROs) of Aedes albopictus F1 eggs; with parental eggs collected from selected highland and lowland sites of the major islands in the Philippines (Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao) in 2018–2020. Methodology: Field-trapped parental Aedes eggs were reared and coupled. Ae. albopictus F1 eggs were separately placed inside environmental chambers (18 °C, 25 °C, and 38 °C) for 6 weeks. PPL, HRs, and ROs were determined. Results: Temperature had significant effects on PPL and ROs of F1 eggs of wet season-collected Ae. albopictus; and on PPL, HRs, and ROs of F1 eggs of dry season-collected samples. Temperature had significant effects on PPL, HRs, and ROs across all sites. No seasonal differences were found for PPL, HRs, and ROs. The means of PPL (14.01%) and HR (10.18%) were the highest at 25 °C and lowest at 38 °C (0.64% and 0.00%, respectively); mean RO (2.5) was highest at 18 °C. Pharate larvae of Ae. albopictus at 38 °C were first reported. PPL, HRs, and ROs were similar between highlands and lowlands in Visayas and Mindanao. Conclusions: Temperature influences the development-related phenotypes of Ae. albopictus. F1 eggs can withstand extreme temperatures, hence are public health threats amidst global warming. Both Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti should be included in all-year round vector control strategies against Aedes-borne diseases in the tropics. It is recommended to install water pipelines in the rural mountains to prevent mosquito breeding sites.
