Laplace hyperfunctions via \v{C}ech-Dolbeault cohomology

The paper studies several properties of Laplace hyperfunctions introduced by H.~Komatsu in the one dimensional case and by the authors in the higher dimensional cases from the viewpoint of \v{C}ech-Dolbeault cohomology theory, which enables us, for example, to construct the Laplace transformation and its inverse in a simple way. We also give some applications to a system of PDEs with constant coefficients

Prevalence and Predictors of "Small Size" Babies in Ethiopia: In-depth Analysis of the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey, 2011

BACKGROUND: Low Birth Weight (LBW) babies account for nearly 80% of neonatal deaths globally. In Ethiopia, only 5% of them are weighed at birth. This study analyzes the prevalence and key proximate determinants of reported infant size, and its validity to use as a proxy indicator for low birth weight inthe Ethiopian context.METHODS: In-depth analysis of the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey dataset was conducted using representative data collected from all regions in the country. Considering reported fetal size at birth as an outcome variable, key predicting variables from socio-demographic, household, child and obstetric characteristics were employed for analyses. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression model were used to determine predictors at p value < 0.05.RESULTS: An average of 29.1% of Ethiopian babies were reported ''small'' at birth in 2011. various variables from socio-demographic, household, child and maternal reproductive characteristics were identified as key predictors. Women who develop anemia and not attending antenatal care during pregnancy had 15% and 41% more risk of giving birth to the reported ''small size'' babies than their counterparts (AoR = 1.15, and 1.41, 95% CI (1.02, 1.64 and 1.06, 1.88) respectively. Maternal age at delivery, maternal literacy level, paternal educational status and presence of radio or television in the household and other factors were also other key predictors identified.CONCLUSION: The prevalence of small size babies in Ethiopia is high but comparable to regional estimates of LBW. It is recommend that improving maternal nutritional and socio-economic status is a timely intervention to tackle the problem.KEYWORDS: Prevalence, Small size, Validit

Properties of hadron screening masses at small baryonic density

The properties of hadron screening masses around the deconfinement phase transition at finite baryonic density can be studied by evaluating the Taylor coefficients with respect to the iso-scalar and iso-vector chemical potentials. We simulate 2-flavour lattice QCD with staggered fermions on a 12*12*24*6 lattice with ma = 0.05 and 0.10 and report investigations of nucleon, pseudo-scalar and vector mesons. We present new, strong evidence that in the confining phase, the screening masses at vanishing chemical potential have significant temperature dependence, but the effect of the iso-scalar chemical potential is very small. Above the critical temperature, the second derivative terms of mesons rapidly increase as contrasted to the case of baryon. We also study the responses of the screening masses to an iso-vector chemical potential and discuss some of the issues related to the properties of hadron masses at finite density.Comment: 7 pages with 5 figures; added two new references, the title of article and the section 'Concluding Remarks' are slightly change

Effect of zinc intake on serum/plasma zinc status in infants: A meta-analysis

A systematic review and meta-analysis of available RCTs was conducted to evaluate the effect of zinc (Zn) intake on serum/plasma Zn status in infants. Out of 5500 studies identified through electronic searches and reference lists, 9 RCTs were selected after applying the exclusion/inclusion criteria. The influence of zinc intake on serum/plasma Zn concentration was considered in the overall meta-analysis. Other variables were also taken into account as possible effect modifiers: doses of zinc intake, intervention duration, nutritional status and risk of bias. From each selected study, final measures of serum/plasma Zn were assessed. RESULTS: The pooled β of status was 0.09 (95%CI 0.06 to 0.12). However, a substantial heterogeneity was present in the analyses (I2=95%; p=0.00001). When we performed a meta-regression, the effect of Zn intake on serum/plasma Zn status changed depending on the duration of the intervention, the dose of supplementation and the nutritional situation (p ANCOVA= 0.005; 20 weeks). A positive effect was seen also when doses ranged from 8.1 to 12 mg/day. In all cases, the pooled β showed high evidence of heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: Zinc supplementation increases serum/plasma Zn status in infants, although high evidence of heterogeneity was found. Further standardized research is urgently needed to reach evidence-based conclusions to clarify the role of zinc supplementation upon infant serum/plasma Zn status, particularly in Europe

Demographic and Health-related Risk Factors of Subclinical Vitamin A Deficiency in Ethiopia

The study was conducted to determine the demographic and health-related risk factors of subclinical vitamin A deficiency in Ethiopia. Blood samples were collected from 996 children in 210 clusters across the nation for analysis of serum retinol. Interviews were conducted with the respective mothers of the 996 children on presumed risk factors of vitamin A deficiency. A higher subclinical vitamin A deficiency was associated with: not receiving vitamin A supplement over the year, having been ill during the two weeks preceding the survey, no or incomplete vaccination, belonging to a mother with high parity, and low levels of awareness of vitamin A. Moreover, being from Muslim household was strongly associated with higher levels of subclinical vitamin A deficiency. Among the risk factors identified, low levels of vaccination, high parity, and low levels of maternal awareness of vitamin A contributed to higher risks of vitamin A deficiency among Muslim children. The findings underscore the need for creation of strengthened awareness of family planning and importance of vitamin A, promotion of vaccination and child health, intensification of vitamin A supplementation, and in-depth investigation on factors contributing to increased vulnerability of Muslim children

On the theory of Laplace hyperfunctions in several variables (Algebraic analytic methods in complex partial differential equations)

We survey the theory of Laplace hyperfunctions in several variables in [1, 2, 9]. A Laplace hyperfunction in one variable was first introduced by H. Komatsu ([3]-[8]) to consider the Laplace transform for a hyperfunction. We here construct Laplace hyperfunctions in several variables and their Laplace transform