Digital supportive supervision (DiSS) of maternal health, child health and nutrition (MCHN) service delivery in Rajasthan, India: study protocol for impact evaluation and cost-effectiveness analysis.

Background: A digital supportive supervision (DiSS) tool was developed and implemented in Rajasthan, India, to enhance the coverage and quality of maternal health, child health and nutrition (MCHN) services. This study aims to assess the impact and cost-effectiveness of DiSS compared to traditional paper-based supportive supervision.

Methods And Analysis: A quasi-experimental research design incorporating interrupted time series regression analysis will be employed to evaluate the impact of DiSS.

Light Flux Density and Photoperiod Affect Growth and Secondary Metabolism in Fully Expanded Basil Plants.

Indoor production of basil ( L.) is influenced by light spectrum, photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), and the photoperiod. To investigate the effects of different lighting on growth, chlorophyll content, and secondary metabolism, basil plants were grown from seedlings to fully expanded plants in microcosm devices under different light conditions: (a) white light at 250 and 380 μmol·m·s under 16/8 h light/dark and (b) white light at 380 μmol·m·s under 16/8 and 24/0 h light/dark.

Effects of White and Blue-Red Light on Growth and Metabolism of Basil Grown under Microcosm Conditions.

Indoor farming of basil ( L.) under artificial lighting to support year-round produce demand is an area of increasing interest. Literature data indicate that diverse light regimes differently affect downstream metabolic pathways which influence basil growth, development and metabolism.

Challenges in Accessing and Delivering Maternal and Child Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Rapid Survey from Six States of India.

Background/objectives: Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic and its prevention and control policies have impacted maternal and child health (MCH) services. This study documents the challenges faced by patients in accessing MCH services, and the experiences of health care providers in delivering those services during the COVID-19 outbreak, explicitly focusing on the lockdown period in India.

Methods: A cross-sectional study (rapid survey) was conducted in 18 districts from 6 states of India during March to June, 2020.

Indian Academy of Pediatrics Position Paper on Nurturing Care for Early Childhood Development.

Early childhood development (ECD) refers to the physical, motor, socio-emotional, cognitive, and linguistic development of a young child. The 'Countdown to 2030' global distribution of 'children at risk of poor development' indicates the need for urgent action and investment in ECD. Nurturing care enhances ECD, even in the presence of adversities.

Introducing a sector-wide pooled fund in a fragile context: mixed-methods evaluation of the health transition fund in Zimbabwe.

Introduction: Aid effectiveness and improving its impact is a central policy matter for donors and international organisations. Pooled funding is a mechanism, whereby donors provide financial contributions towards a common set of broad objectives by channelling finance through one instrument. The results of pooled funds as an aid mechanism are mixed, and there is limited data on both methodology for, and results of, assessment of effectiveness of pooled funding.

Effect of cerium on growth and antioxidant metabolism of Lemna minor L.

An increasing input rate of rare earth elements in the environment is expected because of the intense extraction of such elements form their ores to face human technological needs. In this study Lemna minor L. plants were grown under laboratory conditions and treated with increasing concentrations of cerium (Ce) ions to investigate the effects on plant growth and antioxidant systems.

Implementing the WHO integrated tool to assess quality of care for mothers, newborns and children: results and lessons learnt from five districts in Malawi.

Background: In 2014 the World Health Organization (WHO) developed a new tool to be used to assess the quality of care for mothers, newborns and children provided at healthcare facility level. This paper reports on the feasibility of using the tool, its limitations and strengths.

Methods: Across 5 districts in Malawi, 35 healthcare facilities were assessed.

Effect of some light rare earth elements on seed germination, seedling growth and antioxidant metabolism in Triticum durum.

Rare earth elements (REEs) enriched fertilizers have been commonly used in China since the 1980s, thus inducing a growing concern about their environmental impact in agriculture. In this work, the effect of some light REEs nitrate mixture and La(3+) nitrate on seed germination, seedling growth and antioxidant metabolism in Triticum durum was investigated with the aim of clarifying the potential benefits or damages of REEs on plants. Seed pre-soaking for 8 h with La(3+) and REEs nitrate inhibited seed germination at low concentrations (0.