Nova Institut

Domestic fuel use contributes significantly to household air pollution levels and to the disease burden in low-income households in South Africa. The link between residential fuel stacking and switching, and respiratory health, mediated by household air pollution, remains underexplored, posing challenges to transition to cleaner fuels. This study identified socio-economic determinants of fuel use patterns in two low-income communities of KwaZamokuhle and eMzinoni in South Africa. It also examined the impacts of these patterns on household air pollution levels and respiratory health outcomes. Over half of households relied on dirty fuels across all needs. Average household PM 2.5 levels exceeded national daily standards (40 μg/m 3 ). Education level and employment status were significant factors in determining fuel choice, with employed participants less likely to rely on dirty fuels. Town-specific characteristics also influenced household fuel use patterns. In terms of health, 9.5% of participants had obstructive airways disease and 26.9% tested positive for inhalant allergens. Heating fuels were strongest predictor of obstructive airways disease (>75%) whereas cooking fuels were the main predictor of allergen sensitivity (∼75%). The stepwise introduction of cleaner fuels predicted better respiratory health outcomes. The findings of this study suggest that even the partial adoption of cleaner fuels has health benefits and supports the formulation of context-specific mitigation efforts aiming to address negative health effects associated with household air pollution. • Dirty fuels remain part of the energy mix despite electrification in many places. • Obstructive airways (9.5%) were driven >75% by heating fuels. • Allergen sensitivity (26.9%) was driven ∼75% by cooking fuels. • Households are unlikely to stop fuel stacking in the near future. • Interventions should introduce clean energy sources into fuel stacking practices.

The growing demand for electric vehicles has increased the need for high-performance batteries, where reliable joining of delicate components is essential. Laser technology has emerged as an effective solution, particularly with recent advancements enabling spatial modulation of the beam intensity profile. In this work, a 5 kW multimode, multicore infrared fiber laser is employed to investigate the impact of varying the ring power distributions and welding speed. The study utilizes thin copper and aluminum samples arranged in an overlap configuration to simulate the internal contact between the tabs and the electrode roll. A partial penetration weld is required to prevent damage to the inner battery components, and cross-sectional, mechanical, and electrical analyses are conducted to evaluate the impact of process parameters on bead quality. Additionally, a photodiode-based acquisition system is employed to detect variations in weld classifications and process drifts. The results support the possibility of increasing the resistance area of partially penetrated weld seams by modulating the spatial beam intensity profile across the concentric rings while keeping the core power constant. Experiments show that distributing power toward the external rings is capable of producing weld beads characterized by a peak load of approximately 300 N for both the considered materials. Moreover, the available power enables high productivity rates, allowing welding at speeds where the closest Gaussian beam distribution would be ineffective.

El acceso a los programas de inglés presenta marcadas desigualdades, pues mientras en instituciones privadas se garantiza mayor cobertura, calidad y recursos, en el sector público persisten limitaciones estructurales que restringen las oportunidades de aprendizaje. El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar las desigualdades en el acceso a programas de enseñanza del inglés entre instituciones educativas públicas y privadas. La investigación se desarrolló bajo un enfoque cualitativo y un diseño descriptivo-comparativo de carácter documental, basado en la revisión, análisis e interpretación de estudios académicos recientes publicados en bases de datos confiables. Los programas públicos de inglés en México, Colombia, Ecuador y Chile buscan ampliar la cobertura y mejorar la formación docente, pero enfrentan limitaciones en zonas rurales, en la capacitación y en los recursos disponibles. En contraste, los programas privados como Cambridge English con exámenes CAE, FCE y PET, los cuales no tienen fecha de caducidad en comparación con los exámenes del TOEFL & IELTS que solo tienen una duración de 2 años, Berlitz y Wall Street English ofrecen certificaciones internacionales, metodologías estandarizadas y recursos especializados, lo que garantiza un aprendizaje más consistente y reconocido globalmente. Se concluye que las desigualdades entre los programas públicos y privados refuerzan brechas educativas y socioeconómicas, limitando la equidad y reduciendo las oportunidades de movilidad social y profesional de los estudiantes del sector público.

In this work, we consider tracking an elliptical extended object with adaptive networks. We propose a distributed extended object tracking algorithm for adaptive networks based on the diffusion strategy. The simulation results validate the superior performance as well as the computational efficiency of the proposed DEOT algorithm for adaptive networks.

O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma meta-análise para comparar os desfechos de IRT, medida pela TFG, em crianças com VUP tratadas com duas estratégias terapêuticas distintas: CT seguida de ressecção tardia (RT) e REI. Esta meta-análise comparou a eficácia da cistostomia com ressecção tardia (CTRT) e da ressecção endoscópica isolada (REI) na prevenção de insuficiência renal terminal (IRT) em crianças com válvula de uretra posterior (VUP). Foram incluídos 12 estudos (2011–2023), totalizando 770 pacientes, selecionados após triagem rigorosa de 1.904 registros. Os resultados mostraram que 29,28% das crianças submetidas à CTRT evoluíram para IRT, contra 18,15% no grupo REI, mas sem diferença estatisticamente significativa (diferença absoluta: -11,13%; IC 95%: -33,50% a 11,25%; *p* = 0,306). A análise sugere que ambas as abordagens têm eficácia clínica similar, com a escolha dependendo de fatores como gravidade da obstrução, recursos disponíveis e experiência do cirurgião. Em contextos de recursos limitados, a CTRT pode ser uma alternativa viável, enquanto a REI é preferível em centros especializados. Limitações incluem heterogeneidade dos estudos e falta de dados sobre gravidade da VUP. Conclui-se que a decisão terapêutica deve ser individualizada, reforçando a necessidade de estudos futuros com acompanhamento prolongado.

In anatomic pathology laboratories, several processes are still manual. Automated solutions can help standardizing the fabrication/processing of paraffin-embedded tissue blocks (PETBs) for a reliable and more effective diagnosis, in accordance with the requirement to work with unique and heterogeneous biological samples. We present a novel and automated approach to introduce a fiducial marker within PETBs, serving as a reliable reference point. This would assist the clinician in identifying specific regions of biological tissue in paraffin-embedded tissue blocks and paraffin-free tissue slices, in case the patient requires further laboratory analysis on that tissue portion to indicate a tailored treatment (e.g., oncological treatment). Two automated platforms are integrated into the conventional anatomic pathology workflow, according to the proposed strategy. The first one, named “Indexing”, involves the insertion of a fiducial marker into tissue-free areas within PETBs. The second one, named “Virtual marker reconstruction”, is based on image analysis and virtually reconstructs the fiducial marker on the paraffin-free tissue slice. An algorithm that analyzes the similarity of the tissue was also developed to assist in the traceability of the biological tissue along its processing from the embedding to the post-staining phase. Together, these platforms could assist the work of anatomopathologists avoid errors and support the final diagnosis in a future automated laboratory. Note to Practitioners—This research addresses a specific challenge encountered in anatomic pathology laboratories. The manual procedures involved in the fabrication and processing of paraffin-embedded tissue blocks highlight the pressing need for continuous verification and traceability at various stages of tissue processing and analysis. A lack of proper traceability poses challenges for anatomopathologists, leading to difficulties in managing the accurate identification of tissue blocks and slices, which contain unique biological tissues. This deficiency may lead to delayed or inaccurate diagnoses, with severe consequences for patients. We propose an innovative solution that focuses on two automated platforms that can seamlessly integrate into an anatomic pathology laboratory, and provide a way to correctly recognize and monitor biological tissue all along different procedures.

The recent edition of the Carteggio (epistolary) of the abbot Gomes Eanes, from the monastery of Saint Mary of Florence is the pretext to revisit the failed project of introducing the Benedictine observance in Portugal, along with the abbot's participation in the attempts, supported by kings João I (r. 1385-1433) and Duarte (r. 1433-1439), to develop an ecclesiastical reform in the Portuguese realm. A project where the Portuguese kings, the abbot of Florence and the abbot of Alcobaça take an important role, along with the archbishop of Braga, showing different perspectives on religious reform, the resources used to the attempt to introduce Benedictine observance and the obstacles due to a tense relation between the Portuguese monarchs and the Church. At the end, it intends to contribute to the discussion on the historical dynamics linked to the search of religious renewal in late Middle Ages, its connection to wider nets of personal relations and the circulation of people and texts, but also the several forms of resistance to such movements.

Num sentido comum, o pensamento dogmático e/ou ideológico pode ser entendido como uma degeneração de formas de pensamento religioso e/ou político. Neste artigo, argumento que a filosofia tardia de Ludwig Wittgenstein permite fazer sentido desta ideia através das noções de “imagem do mundo” e de “dobradiças”, que explicam o modo como as nossas práticas racionais decorrem contra o pano de fundo de determinados compromissos não-epistémicos. Porque o valor de tais compromissos é dado pela sua capacidade de promover a agência racional, o pensamento dogmático e/ou ideológico distingue-se categorialmente de outras formas de pensamento religioso e/ou político e é condenável filosoficamente. En un sentido común, el pensamiento dogmático y/o ideológico puede entenderse como una degeneración del pensamiento religioso y/o político. En este artículo, sostengo que la filosofía tardía de Ludwig Wittgenstein nos permite dar sentido a esta idea a través de las nociones de "imagen del mundo" y "goznes", que explican cómo nuestras prácticas racionales tienen lugar con el telón de fondo de ciertos compromisos no-epistémicos. Dado que el valor de tales compromisos viene dado por su capacidad de promover la agencia racional, el pensamiento dogmático y/o ideológico se distingue categorialmente de otras formas de pensamiento religioso y/o político y es filosóficamente condenable.

Die ambitionierten Recyclingziele der EU und die wachsenden Anforderungen an die chemische Industrie sowie die Markenhersteller erhöhen den Druck auf den Recyclingsektor. Gleichzeitig steigt die Nachfrage nach erneuerbaren Rohstoffen für Chemikalien und Materialien, was die Frage aufwirft, welche Recyclingtechnologien am besten geeignet sind. Die Advanced Recycling Conference beleuchtet spartenübergreifende Lösungen, während eine neue Studie einen globalen überblick über die Kapazitäten von Advanced Recycling‐Technologien bietet.

In an era where traditional advertising loses credibility, individuals seek to know what their favorite media personas are experiencing. Parasocial relationships thrive in this digital landscape, fostering connections without physical proximity. This phenomenon is notably evident in podcasting, where audiences forge intimate connections with hosts. Having realized this, everyday more marketeers are now choosing this medium to advertise their brands throughout. The influence that parasocial relationships have on podcast ads is a complex interplay where fostering connections and potential consumer manipulation meet. Understanding how and why individuals trust podcast hosts when it comes to their consumer behavior is an advantage point to any brand.