Appropriate technologies in food: conceptual framework for their generation and transfer in Central America and Panama]

A conceptual framework is presented, expressing the relationship between food availability and the food and nutritional status of a population. As element of the model, the generation and transfer of appropriate food technologies were included. Based on the conceptual framework, three successful cases of food technology transfer in the Central American area were analyzed. The most important aspects of each case were identified, and a critical review of the characteristics and conditions required to generate and transfer appropriate technologies, was carried out. An inventory was made of those factors which are essential for a food technology to be appropriate; this analysis resulted in the postulation of a model describing the life cycle of appropriate food technologies. On these bases, several guidelines are postulated, which could constitute a conceptual framework to help guide actions in the generation and transference of appropriate food technologies in Central America and Panama. Essential elements of the proposed framework are: identification and characterization of the problem of the group of "users" of the technology; problem solution by a multidisciplinary group; test of the technology and evaluation of its feasibility (technical, economical, political, social and cultural), and controlled transference to the group of "users".     

Nutritional anthropometry and dietary intake of children from the Las Cuevas region of the Dominican Republic

A nutritional survey was conducted in the "Las Cuevas" watershed located in the southwestern region of the Dominican Republic to assess the nutritional status of preschool children. Height, weight, mid-arm circumference and triceps skinfold measurements were taken of 280 children between 6 to 54 months of age. Dietary recall was elicited from mothers or care givers. Results compared with the National Center for Health Statistics reference data indicate that these children: 1) experience growth failure and poor nutritional status as indicated by low weight for age; 2) suffer chronic malnutrition as revealed by low height for age and reduced muscle mass of the mid-arm; and 3) have appropriate weight for height measurements. A food frequency survey revealed that these children consume a diet high in carbohydrates and low in animal protein. Breast feeding is a common practice although cow's milk was introduced early in 25% of the sample. The mean age at weaning is 12 months. The results indicate that these children experience the greatest growth deficits in the second year of life and that these deficits are indicative of chronic undernutrition rather than acute food shortage or recent disease episodes. This study was carried out to establish baseline data for a resource management project initiated by the Secretariat of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic.     

Description of a methodology to identify and quantify groups of poor and malnourished families in the Republic of Panama

The methodology used to identify and quantify existing data on the magnitude of nutrition and health damage in different political-administrative areas and families of Panama, is described. The purpose of the present paper is to orient governmental actions of the social field toward the most affected areas and families facing food and nutrition problems. The existing information sources used were the National Nutrition Survey carried out in 1980, the National Census on School Children's Height, of 1980, and the Vital Statistics of 1982. A score determined according to the expected data reliability was applied, by district, to the preschool height retardation data of the 1980 survey, to the data compiled through the school children's height retardation census of 1982 and to the infant and one-to-four year-old children's mortality data. The districts with the highest health and nutrition damage received the lowest score. Following this procedure, 28 districts, 204 "corregimientos" and six priority family groups were selected for social action. The usefulness of this procedure to orient governmental resources toward the poor and malnourished populations is discussed, as well as the technical possibility of carrying it out, on periodical bases, in order to orient program planning and know the impact they have on health and nutrition of the population.     

Advances in the Management of Central Nervous System Metastases from Breast Cancer

Central nervous system (CNS) metastases are common in breast cancer (BC) patients and are particularly relevant as new treatments for BC are prolonging survival. Here, we review advances in the treatment of CNS metastases from BC, including radiotherapy, systemic therapies, and the evolving role of immunotherapy. The use of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is the cornerstone of treatment for CNS metastases. However, new targeted therapies have recently been developed, including anti-HER2 agents and antibody–drug conjugates that have presented promising results for the treatment of these patients.     

Determination of aflatoxin and aflatoxin-producing cultures in recently ginned cottonseed in Central America

Aflatoxins were found in four of the 99 samples of recently ginned cottonseed analyzed. From these same 99 samples, four cultures ofAspergillus and one ofPenicillium capable of producing aflatoxin were isolated. In only one case was an aflatoxin producer isolated from an aflatoxin contaminated sample.     

使命与探索（下）--2013年第二届中国中部设计艺术国际研讨会讲座纪要

在千年瓷都景德镇,在中国唯一的以陶瓷命名的陶瓷艺术院--景德镇陶瓷学院,来自于海内外从事艺术设计和陶瓷艺术的专家学者们齐聚一堂,共同参加2013年第二届中国中部艺术设计国际研讨会。这次会议是继2011年首届中国中部艺术设计国际研讨会之后的又一次盛会。学者们国际的视野、智慧的头脑风暴、科学的实战、前瞻性的预言,对于我国艺术设计学科的研究发展有着举足轻重的意义。     

第九届Charles J.Parise国际建筑密封、密封胶及防水科技报告会简介

介绍了第九届国际建筑密封，密封胶及防水科技报告会的基本情况，分析了国际密封胶发展趋势，对ASTM及其密封胶专业委员会也进行了简要描述。     

COVID-19, Vaccination,and Female Fertility in the Czech Republic

The fast-track process to approve vaccines against COVID-19 has raised questions about their safety, especially in relation to fertility. Over the last 2 years, studies have appeared monitoring female fertility, especially from assisted reproduction centers or in animal experiments. However, studies monitoring healthy populations are still limited. The aim of our study was to monitor the relevant parameters of female fertility (sex and other steroids, LH, FSH, SHBG, Antimüllerian hormone and antral follicle count) before and then 2–4 months after the third dose of vaccination against COVID-19 in a group of 25 healthy fertile woman. In addition, anti-SARS-CoV-2 and anti-SARS-CoV-2S antibodies were determined. We did not observe significant changes in the measured parameters before and after the third dose of vaccination. By comparing levels of the analytes with antibodies indicating a prior COVID-19 infection, we found that women who had experienced the disease had statistically lower levels of estrone, estradiol, SHBG and 5α-dihydroprogesterone, and conversely, higher levels of androgen active dehydroepiandrosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Our results confirm that vaccination does not affect female fertility, and that what fertile women should be worried about is not vaccination, but rather COVID-19 infection itself.     

Effects of Plant Flavonoids on Fecundity, Survival, and Feeding of the Formosan Subterranean Termite

Fecundity, mortality, and food consumption of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, were evaluated in response to five plant flavonoids (genistein, biochanin A, apigenin, quercetin, and glyceollin). Apigenin fed at 50 g/primary reproductive pair proved to be the most toxic flavonoid. Biochanin A was most effective in reducing fecundity. Subsequently, these two flavonoids were tested through oral feeding and topical application at 100-g dose. Significant reduction in the numbers of progeny was evident for biochanin A in both treatment methods. Choice feeding tests with termite workers showed that initially termites were attracted to filter paper treated with biochanin A, but over a period of 72 hr, consumed significantly less material when compared to controls. Biochanin A is a promising phytochemical with ability to reduce fecundity in primary reproductives of the Formosan subterranean termite, but it does not elicit phagostimulant activity.     

Contribution to the clarification of surface water from the Moringa oleifera: Case M’Poko River to Bangui,Central African Republic

Moringa seeds can be effective in the treatment of water because they contain a cationic electrolyte. They can then replace the sulfate of alumina or other flocculants. In this study, we opted for the clarification of surface water from the river M’Poko using seeds of Moringa oleifera dried and transformed into powder. In the literature, we can find very different quantities of seeds used. We have used a method of experimental design to optimize the treatment of our samples of raw water with the seeds of Moringa. The experimental design used is a full factorial design that determines the importance of various factors and also the relationship between these factors so as to identify the best conditions to meet the target set by this study, which is to clarify a maximum quantity of raw water from the river. Another problem, met in the use of Moringa, is the important contribution of organic matter in the water treated by this natural coagulant. To avoid a bacterial proliferation, in time, in the water so treated, we used sand/coal filtration, which proved to be very effective. The water, treated by Moringa and filtered, possesses turbidity and a quantity of organic matter corresponding to the required standards. Such water can thus, be disinfected by chlorination for human consumption.     

Feeding deterrent compounds to the boll weevil,Anthonomus grandis Boheman in Rose-of-Sharon,Hibiscus syriacus L.

The Rose-of-Sharon,Hibiscus syriacus (L.), can be a significant alternate host plant for the boll weevil,Anthonomus gradis (Boh.). Boll weevils are known to be deterred from feeding and ovipositing in the buds unless the calyx is removed. This investigation was initiated to identify calyx allelochemicals that deter feeding with the eventual strategy of breeding for cotton lines high in these allelochemicals in the appropriate tissues. The feeding deterrency of calyx tissue from the buds of Rose-of-Sharon for the boll weevil was confirmed. The most active deterrent fraction was found to contain mostly fatty acids and their methyl esters. Saturated fatty acids and their methyl esters were generally found to be stimulatory, while the unsaturated species were found to be deterrent. Higher quantities of the fatty acids, particularly the unsaturated species, were found in Rose-of-Sharon calyx tissue than in the buds without calyx. This supports the hypothesis developed through the isolational work and testing of standards that the unsaturated fatty acids are significant deterrents of boll weevil feeding.Coleoptera: Curculionidae.Malvales: Malvaceae.Mention of a commercial or proprietary product in this paper does not constitute endorsement of this product by Delta State University or USDA.