Factors Associated with Hemoglobin Level in Pregnant Women

Background: Anemia in pregnancy is defined as a hemoglobin concentration of less than 110 g/L (less than 11 g/dL) in venous blood. It affects more than 56 million women globally, two-thirds of them being from Asia. Anemia increases perinatal risks for mothers and neonates; and increases overall infant mortality. The odds for fetal growth restriction and low birth weight are tripled. The odds for preterm delivery are more than doubled. Even a moderate hemorrhage in an anemic pregnant woman can be fatal. Anemia is the major contributory or sole cause in 20–40% of maternal deaths. Many women go through the entire pregnancy without attaining the minimum required intake of iron. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors associated with hemoglobin level in pregnant women. Subjects and Method: This was a cross-sectional study carried out Karanganyar, Central Java, from February to March 2018. A sample of 200 pregnant women was selected for this study by fixed disease sampling, comprising 50 women with anemia and 150 women without anemia. The dependent variable was hemoglobin level. The independent variables were iron tablet consumption, nutrition intake, dietary culture, and family size. Data on hemoglobin level were taken from medical record. The other variables were measured by questionnaire. The data were analyzed by a multiple linear regression. Results: Hemoglobin level increased with adequate iron tablet consumption (b= 0.38; 95% CI= 10.79 to 11.37; p<0.001) and better nutrition intake (b= 0.46; 95% CI= 0.17 to 0.75; p= 0.002). Hemoglobin level decreased with inhibitory dietary culture (b= -0.28; 95% CI= -0.55 to <0.01; p= 0.050) and larger family size (b= -0.30; 95% CI= -0.63 to 0.03; p= 0.070). Conclusion: Adequate iron tablet consumption and better nutrition intake increase hemoglobin level. Inhibitory dietary culture and larger family size decrease hemoglobin level. Keywords: hemoglobin level, anemia, iron tablet consumption, nutrition intake, family size, pregnant wome

The Mechanism of Rising Tone Merger in Hong Kong Cantonese: An Acoustic Approach

Oral Session W2AHong Kong Cantonese (HKC) stands out from other tone languages in the world by having a rich system of tonal contrast. There are six contrastive tones in standard HKC, namely high level, high rising, mid level, extra-low level, low rising and low level tone. However, this highly complex system is in the process of merging (e.g. Bauer, Cheung and Cheung 2003; Mok and Wong 2010a, 2010b). In a production and perception study on contemporary HKC tones conducted by the first and second authors, it is confirmed that the two rising tones, high rising (HR)[35] and low rising (LR)[23], are merged in a subcommunity of HKC speakers. What remains unclear is the mechanism of the merger. Are the HR tone words transferred to the LR tone or vice versa? What are the acoustic differences of the rising tones produced by the mergers as compared with those by the non-mergers? This paper takes on the above questions by examining the acoustic properties of the two rising tones produced by the mergers as well as the non-mergers of two different age groups .....published_or_final_versio

AN ANALYSIS OF SAFETY CULTURE & SAFETY TRAINING: COMPARING THE IMPACT OF UNION, NON-UNION, AND RIGHT TO WORK CONSTRUCTION VENUES

The construction industry is one of the most dangerous sectors of the US economy. As such, the safety attitudes and climate within small (residential) contracting firms may play a role in providing a safe culture and working environment. The intent of this practitioner-based research study is to compare and determine if there is a difference in safety practices—based on documented field inspections and their related original number of violations observed by OSHA—between union residential carpentry contractors in the St. Louis area and: 1) non-union residential carpentry contractors in the St. Louis area; 2) non-union residential carpentry contractors across Missouri; and 3) non-union carpentry contractors in the four contiguous Right to Work (Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas) states to Missouri, solely under federal OSHA compliance. Three separate T-tests (for independent samples) were utilized to measure the outcomes of the various groups observe

Factors Associated with Stunting in Children Under Five in Karawang, West Java

Background: Despite global efforts, stunting remains a public health problem in several developing countries. It is estimated that globally in 2016, 24% of children under age five were still stunted. Stunting during childhood can lead to reduced immunity, increased susceptibility to non-communicable diseases, impaired physical and mental development, and reduced productivity. This study aimed to analyze factors associated with stunting in children under five in Karawang, West Java. Subjects and Method: A case control study was conducted in 5 community health centers in Karawang, West Java, from April to May 2018. A sample 225 children under five consisting of 75 stunted children and 150 normal children was selected by fixed disease sampling. The dependent variable was stunting. The independent variables were maternal height, low birthweight, exclusive breast¬feeding, complementary feeding, and history of infectious disease. Data on children body height were measured by infantometer or microtoise. The other data were collected by questionnaire. The data were analyzed by a multiple logistic regression. Results: The risk of stunting increased with low birth weight (OR= 4.61; 95% CI= 1.73 to 12.24; p<0.001) and history of infectious illness (OR= 4.77; 95% CI= 1.95 to 11.69; p= 0.001). The risk of stunting reduced with maternal height ≥150 cm(OR= 0.20; 95% CI= 0.08 to 0.49; p<0.001), exclusive breastfeeding (OR= 0.39; 95% CI= 0.17 to 0.88; p= 0.024), and appropriate complementary feeding (OR= 0.24; 95% CI= 0.11 to 0.54; p= 0.001). Conclusion: The risk of stunting increases with low birth weight and history of infectious illness, but reduces with maternal height ≥150 cm, exclusive breastfeeding, and appropriate complementary feeding. Keywords: stunting, low birth weight, exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding, infectious illnes

Predictors of Intra-Uterine Device Uptake: Application of Theory of Planned Behavior and Path Analysis

Background: Promotion of family planning and ensuring access to preferred contraceptive methods for women and couples is essential to securing the well-being and autonomy of women, while supporting the health and development of communities.Contrary to popular misconception, intrauterine device (IUD) is a safe and highly effective contraceptive for women who have never been pregnant. IUDs are a great option for a woman who may want to become pregnant in the future but also desires long-term, highly effective pregnancy prevention. As many as 214 million women of reproductive age in developing countries who want to avoid pregnancy are not using a modern contraceptive method such as IUD. This study aimed to investigate predictors of intrauterine device uptake using Theory of Planned Behavior and path analysis. Subjects and Method: A case-control study was carried out in Boyolali, Central Java, from April to June 2018. A sample of 200 women was selected by sim¬ple random sampling. The dependent variable was IUD uptake. The independent variables were age, family income, intention, attitude, perceived behavior control, and husband support. The data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by path analysis. Results:Strong intention (b= 1.14; 95%CI= 0.36 to 1.92; p= 0.004), strong perceived behaviour control (b= 2.16; 95%CI= 1.36 to 2.97; p<0.001), and higher family income (b= 2.59; 95%95%= 1.79 to 3.39; p<0.001), positively predicted IUD uptake. The use of IUD was indirectly affected by husband support, maternal education, and attitude. Conclusion: Strong intention, strong perceived behaviour control, and higher family income, positively predict IUD uptake. The use of IUD is indirectly affected by husband support, maternal education, and attitude. Keywords: intrauterine device uptake,Theory of Planned Behavior, path analysi

Sperm death and dumping in Drosophila

Mating with more than one male is the norm for females of many species. In addition to generating competition between the ejaculates of different males, multiple mating may allow females to bias sperm use. In Drosophila melanogaster, the last male to inseminate a female sires approximately 80% of subsequent progeny. Both sperm displacement, where resident sperm are removed from storage by the incoming ejaculate of the copulating male, and sperm incapacitation, where incoming seminal fluids supposedly interfere with resident sperm, have been implicated in this pattern of sperm use. But the idea of incapacitation is problematic because there are no known mechanisms by which an individual could damage rival sperm and not their own. Females also influence the process of sperm use, but exactly how is unclear. Here we show that seminal fluids do not kill rival sperm and that any 'incapacitation' is probably due to sperm ageing during sperm storage. We also show that females release stored sperm from the reproductive tract (sperm dumping) after copulation with a second male and that this requires neither incoming sperm nor seminal fluids. Instead, males may cause stored sperm to be dumped or females may differentially eject sperm from the previous mating

Cardiac troponin and natriuretic peptide analytical interferences from hemolysis and biotin: educational aids from the IFCC Committee on Cardiac Biomarkers (IFCC C-CB).

Two interferences recently brought to the forefront as patient safety issues include hemolysis (hemoglobin) and biotin (vitamin B7). The International Federation for Clinical Chemistry Committee on Cardiac Biomarkers (IFCC-CB) obtained input from a majority of cTn and NP assay manufacturers to collate information related to high-sensitivity (hs)-cTnI, hs-cTnT, contemporary, and POC cTn assays, and NP assays interferences due to hemolysis and biotin. The information contained in these tables was designed as educational tools to aid laboratory professionals and clinicians in troubleshooting cardiac biomarker analytical results that are discordant with the clinical situation

In This Issue . . .

In this issue of Culture Society and Praxis, we return to our reflections on War, Culture, and the Future. Jeff Kasik entertains a very difficult question for people in the US today. It is the question of the ethical dimension of the use of military force around the world, and also of the use of professional, disciplinary based knowledge in practices of war that allow combatant forces to engage effectively in killing the enemy. Easier said than done; Kasik faces the difficult task of putting into words what it is often impossible to articulate, particularly for those that have faced the need to pull the trigger. Chad Roberts\u27 piece brings us to another kind of war, one that we can certainly live with but one that often people simply do not know how to frame: it is the Graffiti Wars. His piece brings the magic of the insider\u27s perspective, and challenges our readers to consider the true dimension of this sociological phenomenon of global proportions. Hand in hand with the topic of sense of belonging, Violeta Mendoza Wagner writes a carefully framed reflection on the importance of Bilingual Education. Mendoza Wagner takes a strong stance in favor of considering Bilingual Education as an important tool to ensure the integration of the migrant population. Ana Moran contributes to this issue a short piece of undeniable power. Her article challenges the reader with a direct question: Tell me if I pass and if I am worth it! The reader would agree that this rhetorical question is responded by Moran with a resounding and well articulated reflection on the importance of identity. Her piece is a clever and vivid reflection on the difficulties and importance of identity, and where class, gender and ethnicity intersect. This time we have in the midst of our writers a coveted author that has written extensively and is one of the most renowned specialists in the history of Vietnam. David Anderson\u27s piece takes us back to the questions that are difficult to answer, related to War, Peace and the Future. We are honored to have this guest piece and we hope our readers find it as relevant to the current issue as we think it is

Editorial

Our journal is entering into a new year with renewed energy, and with a whole new editorial team. When the endeavor was initiated a few years back, Culture, Society & Praxis was envisioned first and foremost as a student online journal. The founding group identified as its mission to provide a space for students as intellectuals ready to envision transformative ideas through critical thinking. We think that we know what this means but, what does this really mean? In a nutshell, it means that it is a space for students that firmly believe that the world can be transformed, but that it needs to be transformed as a result of an exercise of critical reflection triggered into action. This journal is about Praxis. At a more practical level, Culture Society and Praxis is a venue for presentation and collaboration. Praxis is about bringing theoretical concepts to an everyday life horizon and applying them to real world situations. We want to think of this as a humanizing endeavor. Getting involved with this journal as a reader, author, editor or reviewer is to have an opportunity for creation. This is who we are, and this is the moment we are living in. This journal is a great contribution to the advancement of scholastic endeavors and it is your tool for putting ideas into action. Our audience is wide but it is intended particularly for students and professionals interested in the transformation of culture and society. Our goal is to make an academic journal that includes voices from those who want to be heard. CS&P is multi-lingual, multicultural, inclusive, and experimental. CS&P is coordinated by CSUMB students but it is open and is interested in generating curiosity and participation beyond our campus. It is also a peer-reviewed journal that allows students to be hands-on in the process of publication. Submissions are assigned to student reviewers that will consider the materials in an unbiased professional process of review. Here is a difference: while we aspire to high quality work, we do not reject materials. As we learn how to produce a professional journal, we work with the authors until we get it right, or close to right: we work in collaboration with the authors to polish their ideas with the expectations that such dedication will result in a publication. Rejecting an article is for us silencing. Working with an author to get the idea out is empowering. This journal aims for the future, bringing about a new look and moving forward to providing academic success for its participants. Our hopes and ambitions are to take a community based effort and put it into this journal in order to give a voice to students that may otherwise have been left unheard. Our intentions are focused around the journal being a platform for student success. CS&P is important because it has permitted us to grow as students of this University. It is pleasing to know we are part of an intellectual group that provides students with the opportunity to express their issues of concern. We are experimenting; perhaps we are creating a space for change to occur