Study on the Powder-Spreading Process of Walnut Shell/Co-PES Biomass Composite Powder in Additive Manufacturing.

Powder laying is a necessary procedure during powder bed additive manufacturing (PBAM), and the quality of powder bed has an important effect on the performance of products. Because the powder particle motion state during the powder laying process of biomass composites is difficult to observe, and the influence of the powder laying process parameters on the quality of the powder bed is still unclear, a simulation study of the biomass composite powder laying process during powder bed additive manufacturing was conducted using the discrete element method. A discrete element model of walnut shell/Co-PES composite powder was established using the multi-sphere unit method, and the powder-spreading process was numerically simulated using two different powder spreading methods (rollers/scrapers).

Management of uncomplicated malaria among children under five years at public and private sector facilities in Mali.

Background: Prompt and effective malaria diagnosis and treatment is a cornerstone of malaria control. Case management guidelines recommend confirmatory testing of suspected malaria cases, then prescription of specific drugs for uncomplicated malaria and for severe malaria. This study aims to describe case management practices for children aged 1-59 months seeking treatment with current or recent fever from public and private, rural and urban health providers in Mali.

Measuring malaria diagnosis and treatment coverage in population-based surveys: a recall validation study in Mali among caregivers of febrile children under 5 years.

Background: Nationally-representative household surveys are the standard approach to monitor access to and treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) among children under 5 years (U5), however these indicators are dependent on caregivers' recall of the treatment received.

Methods: A prospective case-control study was performed in Mali to validate caregivers' recall of treatment received by U5s when seeking care for fever from rural and urban public health facilities, community health workers and urban private facilities. Clinician-recorded consultation details were the gold standard.

West African female sex workers in Mali: reduction in HIV prevalence and differences in risk profiles of sex workers of differing nationalities of origin.

Background: Female sex workers (FSW) in Mali are highly vulnerable to HIV. Their prevalence in 2009 was 9 times higher (24.2%) than that among pregnant women (2.