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Energy has been one of the most important topics of political and social discussion in recent decades. A significant proportion of the country's revenues is derived from energy resources, making it one of the most important and strategic macro policy and sustainable development areas. Energy demand modeling is one of the essential strategies for better managing the energy sector and developing appropriate policies to increase productivity. With the increasing global demand for energy, it is necessary to develop intelligent forecasting methods and algorithms. Different economic and non-economic indicators can be used to estimate the energy demand, including linear and non-linear statistical methods, mathematics, and simulation models. This non-linear relationship between these indicators and energy demand has led researchers to search for intelligent solutions, such as artificial neural networks for non-linear modeling and prediction. The purpose of this study was to use a deep neural network with fuzzy wavelets to predict energy demand in Iran. For the training of the presented components, a hybrid training method incorporating both an inline PSO and a gradient-based algorithm is presented. The provided technique predicts energy consumption in Tehran, Mashhad, Ahvaz, and Urmia from 2010 to 2021. This study shows that the presented method provides high-performance prediction at a lower level of complexity.

The "Third Report on Building Damages" by the Federal Government of Germany in 1996 estimated the costs resulting from mould fungi damages to amount to more than 200 million Euro per year. Different causes, as for example the critical combination of the airtight construction method with insufficient ventilation of the building are given as reasons for the recent increasing occurance of mould fungi in dwellings. Mould fungi do not only occur on the inside surface of external building components, but even inside construction parts. In order to avoid the mould fungus formation in buildings, a strategy has to be set up that focuses on the growth conditions for mould fungi and also considers the complex transient processes of building physics. A prerequisite for preventing mould fungus without the use of biocides is the knowledge of the boundary conditions under which fungus growth takes place. In reference to the boundary conditions for the growth of fungus it turns out that the decisive parameters of influence like temperature, humidity and substrate have to be available over a certain period of time simultaneously in order to enable the formation of mould fungi. The main focus of this paper on hand is to develop a planning instrument from the point of view of an engineer that aims at predicting the formation of mould fungus. A biohygrothermal procedure was developed that makes it possible to predict mould fungus formation and is based on the comparison of the three already mentioned biological prerequisites for the growth of mould fungi and the transient growth conditions occurring in buildings. This procedure consists of two consecutive predictive models, i.e. the Isopleth model and the transient Biohygrothermal model. The Isopleth model makes it possible to determine the germination time of the spores and the mycelium growth on the basis of different isopleth systems that also regard the influence of the substrate for predicting the formation of the mould fungus. The assessment of spore germination on the basis of the Isopleth model has the disadvantage that an interim drying out of the fungi spores cannot be taken into account in case of occurring transient microclimatic boundary conditions. Therefore, a new Biohygrothermal model was developed. This model makes it possible to calculate the moisture balance of a spore in dependence of the transient boundary conditions, thus even to consider interim drying out of the fungus spores. The Biohygrothermal model for predicting the germination of the spores is based on the fundamental idea that a fungus spore has a certain osmotic potential because of the salts, sugar and further substances inherent in the spores. It assumes that humidity absorption first takes place by means of diffusion, until a certain moisture content inside the spore is reached that is needed for starting the metabolism. In order to consider possible influences of the substrate, the Sd values of the spore septum were adjusted in that manner that the spore germination times measured in the Biohygrothermal model correspond with those taken from the isopleth systems in the building material categories. The biohygrothermal process is being validated by observation of plausibility, sensitivity analyses as well as the comparison with the results of laboratory experiments, experiments of outdoor sites, and measurements in occupied dwellings. In all cases great correspondence between the results of the predictive models and the measurements and observations in practice is being observed.

BACKGROUND: Despite the uptake of parasitological testing into policy and practice, appropriate prescription of anti-malarials and artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in accordance with test results is variable. This study describes a National Malaria Control Programme-led capacity building intervention which was implemented in 10 States of Nigeria. Using the experience of Niger State, this study assessed the effect on malaria diagnosis and prescription practices among febrile under-fives in rural health facilities. METHODS: The multicomponent capacity building intervention consisted of revised case management manuals; cascade training from national to state level carried out at the local government area (LGA) level; and on the job capacity development through supportive supervision. The evaluation was conducted in 28, principally government-owned, health facilities in two rural LGAs of Niger State, one in which the intervention case management of malaria was implemented and the other acted as a comparison area with no implementation of the intervention. Three outcomes were considered in the context of rapid diagnostic testing (RDT) for malaria which were: the prevalence of RDT testing in febrile children; appropriate treatment of RDT-positive children; and appropriate treatment of RDT-negative children. Outcomes were compared post-intervention between intervention and comparison areas using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The intervention did not improve appropriate management of under-fives in intervention facilities above that seen for under-fives in comparison facilities. Appropriate treatment with artemisinin-based combinations of RDT-positive and RDT-negative under-fives was equally high in both areas. However, appropriate treatment of RDT-negative children, when defined as receipt of no ACT or any other anti-malarials, was better in comparison areas. In both areas, a small number of RDT-positives were not given ACT, but prescribed an alternative anti-malarial, including artesunate ...

Die Arbeit diskutiert, ob eine Völkerrechtsverletzung begriffsnotwendiger Inhalt einer "Bedrohung des Friedens" gemäß Art. 39 der UN-Charta ist. Die Frage ist insbesondere im Hinblick auf den internationalen Terrorismus und die Aufrüstung mit Massenvernichtungswaffen von großer praktischer Bedeutung. Der Autor analysiert zunächst die Resolutionen des Sicherheitsrates und nimmt eine Auslegung der UN-Charta vor. Auf Grund des Ergebnisses, dass eine Völkerrechtsverletzung eine Handlungsvoraussetzung darstellt, prüft der Autor im Anschluss die Anforderungen an den Völkerrechtsverstoß, die Auswirkungen auf die Effektivität der Maßnahmen des Sicherheitsrats, sowie eventuelle Ausnahmen von dem Tatbestandsmerkmal. The thesis discusses whether a violation of international law is a necessary element of a "threat to the peace" under Art. 39 of the UN Charter. This question is of great practical importance, particularly in relation to international terrorism and armament with weapons of mass destruction. The author begins with an analysis of the resolutions of the Security Council and an interpretation of the UN Charter. Having come to the conclusion that a violation of international law is a prerequisite for enforcement measures, the author then examines the requirements regarding the violation of international law, effects on the effectiveness of the measures of the Security Council and potential exceptions. Reihe Nomos Universitätsschriften - Recht - Band 840.

Introduction -- Data and Methods -- Puerto Rico Communities Before and After the Hurricanes -- A Strategy for Recovery in Community Planning and Capacity Building -- Appendix A: Community Planning and Capacity Building Courses of Action -- Appendix B: Additional Tables/Figures.

The transition from military dictatorship to an electoral regime has opened limited political spaces for social activism in Myanmar. Some have called the unfolding situation a 'transition to democracy'. But this is far from the reality for some, if not most, of Myanmar's 'rural working people'. This paper explores the trajectory of the national land network called Land in Our Hands (LIOH or Doe Myay), which came into formal existence in 2014. This paper attempts to lay out a more comprehensive account of the historical legacies and internal and external pressures that have been shaping LIOH as a movement building initiative, and in relation to three key dimensions: its identity politics; its ideology and class base; and its political work.

We are living in a period of transformation, with new paradigms arising in the area of human rights, knowledge, and networking. The Persons with Intellectual or Development Disabilities (PwIDDs) face discrimination, denial, stigmatization and they remain as the most marginalized in the society. To change this scenario, co-building is needed for Social Workers to work with caregivers of PwIDDs to bring transformation, by enabling them to recognize the legal capacity to attain social, educational and economic inclusion through social networks. To bring social transformation, the researcher did a study 60 caregivers of PwIDDs at Madurai to initially know the level of awareness on legislative provisions and social networks among caregivers by adopting simple random sampling technique. Quasi Experimental Research design was used. It was found that majority of the caregivers were unaware of legislative provisions and social networks for them. So, an awareness session was conducted for caregivers of PwIDDs, on legal capacity building and they were linked with social networks to benefit each other. The post evaluation results showed that the level of awareness on legal capacity for PwIDDs and social networking was improved among caregivers. The research study suggests that social transformation could be achieved by co-building with caregivers of PwIDDs, for transformation of the marginalized in the society, to have inclusiveness of PwIDDs by building legal capacity and social networks.

To evaluate the teaching effect of a trauma training program in emergency cranial neurosurgery in Cambodia on surgical outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). We analyzed the data of TBI patients who received emergency burr-hole trephination or craniotomy from a prospective, descriptive cohort study at the Military Region 5 Hospital between January 2015 and December 2016. TBI patients who underwent emergency cranial neurosurgery were primarily young men, with acute epidural hematoma (EDH) and acute subdural hematoma (SDH) as the most common diagnoses and with long transfer delay. The incidence of favorable outcomes three months after chronic intracranial hematoma, acute SDH, acute EDH, and acute intracerebral hematoma were 96.28%, 89.2%, 93%, and 97.1%, respectively. Severe traumatic brain injury was associated with long-term unfavorable outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale of 1–3) (OR = 23.9, 95% CI: 3.1–184.4). Surgical outcomes at 3 months appeared acceptable. This program in emergency cranial neurosurgery was successful in the study hospital, as evidenced by the fact that the relevant surgical capacity of the regional hospital increased from zero to an acceptable level.

To evaluate the teaching effect of a trauma training program in emergency cranial neurosurgery in Cambodia on surgical outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). We analyzed the data of TBI patients who received emergency burr-hole trephination or craniotomy from a prospective, descriptive cohort study at the Military Region 5 Hospital between January 2015 and December 2016. TBI patients who underwent emergency cranial neurosurgery were primarily young men, with acute epidural hematoma (EDH) and acute subdural hematoma (SDH) as the most common diagnoses and with long transfer delay. The incidence of favorable outcomes three months after chronic intracranial hematoma, acute SDH, acute EDH, and acute intracerebral hematoma were 96.28%, 89.2%, 93%, and 97.1%, respectively. Severe traumatic brain injury was associated with long-term unfavorable outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale of 1–3) (OR = 23.9, 95% CI: 3.1–184.4). Surgical outcomes at 3 months appeared acceptable. This program in emergency cranial neurosurgery was successful in the study hospital, as evidenced by the fact that the relevant surgical capacity of the regional hospital increased from zero to an acceptable level.

BACKGROUND: Community health workers (CHWs) are widely recognized as essential to addressing disparities in health care delivery and outcomes in US vulnerable populations. In the state of Arizona, the sustainability of the workforce is threatened by low wages, poor job security, and limited opportunities for training and advancement within the profession. CHW voluntary certification offers an avenue to increase the recognition, compensation, training, and standardization of the workforce. However, passing voluntary certification legislation in an anti-regulatory state such as Arizona posed a major challenge that required a robust advocacy effort. CASE PRESENTATION: In this article, we describe the process of unifying the two major CHW workforces in Arizona, promotoras de salud in US-Mexico border communities and community health representatives (CHRs) serving American Indian communities. Differences in the origins, financing, and even language of the population-served contributed to historically divergent interests between CHRs and promotoras. In order to move forward as a collective workforce, it was imperative to integrate the perspectives of CHRs, who have a regular funding stream and work closely through the Indian Health Services, with those of promotoras, who are more likely to be grant-funded in community-based efforts. As a unified workforce, CHWs were better positioned to gain advocacy support from key health care providers and health insurance companies with policy influence. We seek to elucidate the lessons learned in our process that may be relevant to CHWs representing diverse communities across the US and internationally. CONCLUSIONS: Legislated voluntary certification provides a pathway for further professionalization of the CHW workforce by establishing a standard definition and set of core competencies. Voluntary certification also provides guidance to organizations in developing appropriate training and job activities, as well as ongoing professional development opportunities. In developing ...

OBJECTIVE: In Peru, the past three decades have witnessed impressive growth in biomedical research catalyzed from a single research university and its investigators who secured international partnerships and funding. We conducted a bibliometric analysis of publications by Peruvian authors to understand the roots of this growth and the spread of research networks within the country. METHODS: For 1997–2016, publications from Web of Science with at least one author affiliated with a Peruvian institution were examined by year, author affiliations, funding agencies, co-authorship linkages, and research topics. RESULTS: From 1997–2016, the annual number of publications from Peru increased 9-fold from 75 to 672 totaling 6032. Of these, 56% of the articles had co-authors from the US, 13% from the UK, 12% from Brazil, and 10% from Spain. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) was clearly the lead research institution noted on one-third of publications. Of the 20 most published authors, 15 were Peruvians, 14 trained at some point at UPCH, and 13 received advanced training abroad. Plotting co-authorships documented the growth of institutional collaborations, the robust links between investigators and some lineages of mentorship. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis suggests that international training of Peruvian physician-scientists who built and sustained longstanding international partnerships with funding accelerated quality research on diseases of local importance. The role of a single research university, UPCH, was critical to advance a culture of biomedical research. Increased funding from the Peruvian Government and its Council for Science, Technology and Innovation will be needed to sustain this growth in the future. Middle-income countries might consider the Peruvian experience where long-term research and training partnerships yielded impressive advances to address key health priorities of the country.

Abstract
The absence of an upward trend in normalized building damage in Australian bushfires may reflect reduced vulnerability (due to improved weather forecasts and other factors) offsetting increases in the frequency or intensity of bushfires.