bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Design of Medical Waste Treatment in Public Health Center (MWT-P) for Reducing Total Bacteria Count in Banjarbaru
Authors: Irfa'i M. , Arifin Arifin , Kriswandana Ferry , Thohari Imam
Published: November 2020

Introduction: The increase in medical waste in health service facilities in Indonesia is linearly consistent. The quantity of medical waste that causes a complex problem is a high cost of processing clinical waste. Legislation requires medical or clinical waste to be processed not to cause nosocomial and other environmental pollution. Medical or clinical waste treatment requires excessive technology and very high processing expenses. Processing medical waste requires innovation in processing medical waste to be applied easily in health care facilities (Public Health Center). Method: This research was conducted by simulating variations in the stages of processing medical waste used to be the Experiment Pre and Post Test only without Control Group design. Simulation variations used include contact time Chlorine (5 minutes, 10 minutes) and Chlorine Dose Variation (25 ppm, 50 ppm). This research was conducted in the Public Health Center of the City of Banjarbaru in 2018. Result and Discussion: The content of bacteriological numbers in medical waste before processing is, on average, 1,973 MPN / 100 ml; after being treated with MWT-P, the bacteria is reduced to 4 MPN/100 ml. The content of the liquid waste bacterial number of the final processing decreases to 0 MPN/100 ml. Conclusion: The study results concluded that the use of MWT-P decreases the quantity of medic or clinical waste microorganisms or bacteria. The final waste processing with MWT-P resulted in the number of medical waste bacteria in the treatment reaching zero. MWT-P is a low cost and easy to perform medical or clinical waste management tool. MWT-P is a stage of the B3 waste management framework, especially medical waste, in health care facilities.
Management of Expired Liquid Chemicals in Gunung Batu’s Chemistry Laboratory of Health Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health Bandung in 2018
Authors: Arbiana Anantamia , Tsaralatifah Rochana , Nuraeni Novita
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Hazardous waste materials can be generated from laboratory use sourced from expired chemicals. The purpose of this study examines how the management of expired chemicals in Gunung Batu’s chemistry laboratory of Health Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health Bandung. Method: This study used descriptive case study observational design. The study population was all chemistry laboratory managers and all expired liquid chemicals of Health Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health Bandung in 2018 with a total sampling method. The variables studied were volume, the amount based on its characteristics, reduction stage, packaging stage, storage stage, collection stage, utilization stage, processing stage, and accumulation of liquid chemicals. The laboratories studied were the environmental health, nutrition, and health analyst laboratory. The result of interviews and observations collected data collection, and then it was used to analyze. Result and Discussion: The results of the expired liquid chemical volume measurement at Gunung Batu’s chemistry laboratory Health Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health Bandung in 2018, were 108,138 milliliters. The expired liquid chemical measurement results based on their characteristics obtained results as many as 4.2% explosive, 50% flammable, 33.3% corrosive, and 12.5% toxic. According to observations and interviews, the chemistry laboratory has not implemented seven stages of chemical management correctly. Conclusion: The management of expired liquid chemicals in Gunung Batu’s chemistry laboratory at Health Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health Bandung in 2018, does not fulfill the requirements.
Marble Dust Exposure Relationship to Workers‘ Lung Conditions in Marble Industries
Authors: Khoiroh Ummul
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Marbel mining in Tulungagung caused air quality pollution of dust. The level of air pollution in the marble industrial mining area in Besole village, Tulungagung, was a high category. Air pollutions from dust cause fibrosis in the lungs if continuously inhaled. This marble dust belongs to the group of differentiative dust—pulmonary disorders due to dust in the form of restriction, obstruction, or mixture of the two. The study aims to analyze the internal factors related to lung conditions in one of the Besole Village industries, Tulungagung. Method: research that has been done using cross-sectional design through a quantitative approach. Determination of the sample size by simple random sampling. Twenty-four workers consisting of 12 exposed and 12 were not exposed to dust. Result and Discussion: The results of measurements of marble dust levels in the study area were 20,000 mg/m3, which exceeds the specified threshold value. Meanwhile, the statistical test value p= 0.000 means a relationship between dust levels and the condition of workers’ lungs in the exposed area. Most workers’ lung conditions in one of the Besole village industries are quite good. Conclusion: The condition of the lungs is closely related to dust levels that exceed the threshold value. The lungs’ condition is also influenced by work time and poor behavior, namely the habit of not wearing PPE and smoking habits, causing decreased lung function.
Partial Derivative Approach to the Change of Scale Formula for the Function Space Integral
Authors: Kim Young Sik
Published: November 2020

We investigate the behavior of the partial derivative approach to the change of scale formula and prove relationships among the analytic Wiener integral and the analytic Feynman integral of the partial derivative for the function space integral.
Why do Inbreeding Depression and Load Resist Both Purging and Fixation?
Authors: Waller Donald
Published: November 2020

Upon inbreeding, the architecture of the inbreeding load shifts as selection purges strongly deleterious recessive mutations and drift fixes many milder ones. Most small inbred populations show limited genetic variation while crosses between such populations commonly express pronounced heterosis, confirming fixation. In contrast, purging appears to be limited in that inbred populations often retain substantial inbreeding depression. In addition we have the enigma Darwin noted: purely selfing taxa are unknown. Because both purging and fixation reduce inbreeding depression and load, another mechanism must exist to sustain these. Background selection and the associations that develop among alleles in small inbred populations will shift the architecture of the load potentially creating blocks of recessive mutations linked in repulsion. This would generate pseudo-overdominance that could sustain these “PODs” and inbreeding load. Recombination and crosses between lineages could erode PODs. Crosses between populations fixed for different mutations would generate high pseudo-overdominance, enhancing heterosis and potentially POD formation. New recessive mutations arising within PODs would reinforce overdominance. PODs should generate clear genetic signatures including genomic hotspots of heterozygosity and linkage disequilibrium containing alleles at intermediate frequency generating segregating load. Results from several simulation and empirical studies match these predictions. Further simulations and comparative genomic analyses are needed to rigorously test whether PODs exist in sufficient strength and number to generate persistent inbreeding depression and load in inbred lineages.
Polyamines-A Positive Modulator against Biotic and Abiotic Stresses on Plants: Review of Current Knowledge
Authors: Milon Md Al-Amin , Khatun Mst. lutfa , Islam Md Azizul
Published: November 2020

The biotic and abiotic stresses are the main causes of the loss of agricultural crops productivity, their normal growth and development in the environment. It has been calculated that two-thirds of the major crops are frequently lost due to adverse environmental conditions. The productivity of crops under unfavorable environmental stresses is apparently the main challenge to the breeders and farmers where polyamines (PAs) play diverse roles in environmental stimuli. PAs (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) are low molecular weight positively charge compounds have the active potential power to negative charge molecules (DNA, RNA, and proteins) is widely distributed in all living organisms. Evidence showed that PAs contribute a lot of different physiological and biological functions, such as cell growth and development, controlling the cell cycle, involve in gene expression, cell signaling, replication, transcription, translation, and membrane stabilization. Naturally occurring polyamines activity acuminated to their involvement with different biotic and abiotic stresses and contribute to the survival of the plant in the environment. Here, we have described the potential mechanisms, synthesis, and various roles of PAs during stresses tolerant and disease resistance.
New Developments for Sustainable Exploitation of Ornamental Stone in Carrara Basin
Authors: Vagnon Federico , Dino Giovanna Antonella , Umili Gessica , Cardu Marilena , Ferrero Anna Maria
Published: November 2020

The use of natural stone has a historical and environmental value that makes it strategically valuable for landscape conservation in Europe. Marble, among others, is widely spread on Earth, and it offers high-performance features in architectural applications. However, the complexity of these formations and the rock variability in different ore bodies require detailed studies of the natural and induced stress state, the fracturing degree, and the influence of external factor (such as temperature and/or chemical agents) on the mechanical properties in order to optimize the exploitation processes by reducing extractive waste. This article shows a series of studies conducted by the authors over the last 20 years aimed at making the exploitation of marble blocks in the Carrara basin safer, more efficient, and, therefore, more sustainable. In particular, studies for increasing the knowledge on the natural and the induced stress state through on-site measurements and numerical modeling, studies to improve the quality of the exploited material through improvements of cutting technologies, studies to improve the knowledge of the mechanical behavior of the material under varying loads and temperature conditions and studies to improve the reuse of water materials and their reduction are reported.
Inversion of Distance and Magnetic Permeability Based on Material-Independent and Lift-off Insensitive Algorithms Using Eddy Current Sensor
Authors: Lu Mingyang , Meng Xiaobai , Huang Ruochen , Chen Liming , Peyton Anthony , Yin Wuliang
Published: November 2020

Eddy current sensors can be used to test the characteristics and measure the parameters of the conductive samples. As the main obstacle of the multi-frequency eddy current sensor, the lift-off distance affects the effectiveness and accuracy of the measurement. In this paper, a material-independent algorithm has been proposed for the restoration of the lift-off distance when using the multi-frequency eddy current sensor, which is based on the approximation under the thin-skin effect. Experiment testing on the performance of the proposed method is presented. Results show that from the dual-frequency inductance, the lift-off distance could be restored with a maximum error of 0.24 mm for the distance up to 12 mm. Besides, the derived lift-off distance is used for the inversion of the magnetic permeability. Based on a lift-off insensitive inductance (LII) feature, the magnetic permeability of steels can be inversed in an iterative manner, with an error of less than 0.6 % for the lift-off distance up to 12 mm.
An Investigation on the Use by Academic Researchers of Knowledge from Scientific Social Networking Sites
Authors: Corvello Vincenzo , Chimenti Mariacristina , Giglio Carlo , Verteramo Saverino
Published: November 2020

Scientific social networking sites like Researchgate or Academia.edu have become part of the work practice of academic researchers. These digital platforms have been designed precisely to encourage the exchange of knowledge between scholars and to help the expansion of collaborative networks among them. Even if studies on this topic have multiplied in recent years, there is a dearth of research on the actual impact of these platforms on scientific production. The goal of this study is to investigate the relation between the attitude of researchers towards scientific social networks and the use of knowledge in their scientific work. Data from users of the scientific social networking site Researchgate were collected. A total of 143 valid responses were received and structural equation modeling was applied for data analysis. Findings of this study confirmed that researchers use knowledge obtained from scientific social networking sites both incorporating it within their research products and to acquire new competences. In particular approaching the platform as a scientific community with a shared language and a shared vision was found to have a positive impact on knowledge use. To the best knowledge of the authors this is the first study investigating the actual use of knowledge from scientific social networking sites by academic researchers. Results help to understand the impact of these platforms on the work practice of a strategic sector like scientific research.
Impact of Pre-Exam Anxiety on the Academic Performance of Final Year Medical Students
Authors: Sohail Hamza , Hassan Syeda Maria , Ali Basma , Irfan Sana , Siddiqui Humza Faisal , Bansari Kanwal , Afroz Maham Noor , Batool Zoha , Shaukat Faizan
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Exams are a relatively stressful period for all students, especially undergraduate medical students. Exams bring anxiety and stress for the students. Some students experience such high stress that it hinders their academic productivity and reduces their exam performance. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of pre-exam anxiety on the academic performance of medical students. Methods: Two hundred and twenty-five final year medical students completed Westside Test Anxiety (WTA) Scale one month before their exams. Grade Point Average (GPA) of these students was noted when the results were announced. Data was processed and analyzed using SPSS v 22.0Results: The mean anxiety score on WTA scale was 3.46 ± 0.87. All students (100%) who scored ≤ 2.50 GPA were highly-extremely highly anxious. In the 2.51-3.00 GPA group, 46% were highly-extremely highly anxious, 32% were moderately anxious, and 21% had low to normal anxiety. In the 3.01-3.50 GPA group, 30% were highly-extremely highly anxious, 30% were moderately anxious, and 39% had low to normal anxiety. In the 3.51-4.00 GPA group, 29% were highly-extremely highly anxious, 23% were moderately anxious, and 47% had low to normal anxiety. The correlation coefficient between GPA and test anxiety of students was -.314 which shows inverse relationship.Conclusion: Pre-exam anxiety and stress imparts negative effects on the exam performance of final year medical students. Poor academic performance was associated with high to extremely high pre-exam anxiety while high achievers had relatively lower anxiety levels.
Strategies to Improve Chimeric Antigen Receptors Therapies for Neuroblastoma
Authors: Sawaisorn Piamsiri , Atjanasuppat Korakot , Anurathapan Usanarat , Chutipongtanate Somchai , Hongeng Suradej
Published: November 2020

Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) is one of the curative immunotherapeutic approaches that exploit the antigen specificity and cytotoxicity function of potent immune cells against cancers. Neuroblastoma, the most common extracranial pediatric solid tumors with diverse comportment, could be a promising candidate for using CARs therapies. Several methods harness CARs modified cells in neuroblastoma to increase therapeutic efficiency, albeit the assessment has still been less successful. Regarding the improvement of CARs, various trials have been launched to overcome insufficient capacity. However, the reason behind the inadequate response against neuroblastoma of CARs modified cells are still not well understood. It is essential to update the present reveal of comprehension of CARs to improve the efficiency of CARs therapies. This review summarizes the crucial features of CARs and its design for neuroblastoma, discusses challenges that impact the outcomes of the immunotherapeutic competence, and focuses on devising strategies currently investigated to improve the efficacy of CARs for neuroblastoma immunotherapy.
Prognostic Impact of Acute Kidney Injury on Decompensated Heart Failure
Authors: Batista Layane , Barbosa Roberto , Carrera Caroline , Curcio Gabriella , Lima Pietro , Astolpho Vinicius , Sylvestre Rodolfo , De Barros Lucas , Serpa Renato , Calil Osmar , Barbosa Luiz Fernando
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Decompensated heart failure (HF) is a complex and debilitating syndrome, which constitutes a severe emergency condition with high morbidity and mortality. The kidneys play fundamental roles in the pathophysiology of HF and, in the context of decompensations, acute kidney injury (AKI) has a bilateral cause-and-effect relationship, which can significantly worsen prognosis. However, the interaction between AKI and decompensated HF is poorly understood. Objective: This study aimed to assess the occurrence of AKI in patients hospitalized due to decompensated HF and to analyze its prognostic impact during hospitalization. Methods: Prospective single-center observational study that included patients hospitalized due to decompensated HF in a tertiary-level teaching hospital, conducted between July 2017 and January 2020. Patients who developed AKI during hospitalization were compared with those who did not develop it, until hospital discharge or death. AKI was defined as a serum creatinine increase greater than or equal to 0.3 mg/dl in 48 hours, a 1.5-fold increase in baseline creatinine in seven days or urinary volume <0.5 ml/kg/h during six hours, according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria. The endpoints analyzed were death, need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and length of hospital stay. The Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney and unpaired student t tests were used. Results: Ninety-nine patients were included, with a mean age of 65.4 ± 14 years, of which 47 (47.5%) were male and 52 (52.5%) were female. Reduced ejection fraction was observed in 77.8% of patients, whilst 22.2% had a diagnosis of HF with preserved EF. The decompensation clinical classifications were: dry and warm = 7 (7.1%), wet and warm = 72 (72.7%), wet and cold = 15 (15.1%) and dry and cold = 5 (5.1%). The average left ventricular ejection fraction was 38.3% ± 15. AKI ocurred in 22 patients (22.2%). Comparison between patients who evolved with and without AKI showed higher mortality (36.4% vs 10.4%, p = 0.004) and the need for IMV (54.5% vs 13%, p = 0.0001) in the first group. There was no significant difference regarding the length of in-hospital stay (22.9 ± 19 vs 18.8 ± 16 days, p = 0.26). Conclusions: The occurrence of AKI was frequent in patients with decompensated HF requiring hospitalization, affecting approximately one out of five patients. This complication was significantly associated with increased mortality and the need for IMV during hospitalization.
CoMnO2-Decorated Polyimide-Based Carbon Fiber Electrodes for Wire-Type Asymmetric Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Cho Young-Hun , Seong Jae-Gyoung , Noh Jae-Hyun , Kim Da-Young , Chung Yong-Sik , Ko Tae Hoon , Kim Byoung-Suhk
Published: November 2020

In this work, we report the carbon fiber-based wire-type asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs). The highly conductive carbon fibers were prepared by the carbonized and graphitized process using the polyimide (PI) as a carbon fiber precursor. To assemble the ASC device, the CoMnO2-coated and Fe2O3-coated carbon fibers were used as the cathode and the anode materials, respectively. FE-SEM analysis confirmed that the CoMnO2-coated carbon fiber electrode exhibited the porous hierarchical interconnected nanosheet structures, depending on the added amounts of ammonium persulfate (APS) as an oxidizing agent, and Fe2O3-coated carbon fiber electrode showed a uniform distribution of porous Fe2O3 nanorods over the surface of carbon fibers. The nanostructured CoMnO2 were directly deposited onto carbon fibers by a chemical oxidation route without high temperature treatments. In particular, the electrochemical properties of the CoMnO2-coated carbon fiber with the concentration of 6 mmol APS presented the enhanced electrochemical activity, probably due to its porous morphologies and good conductivity. Further, to reduce the interfacial contact resistance as well as improve the adhesion between transition metal nanostructures and carbon fibers, the carbon fibers were pre-coated with the Ni layer as a seed layer using an electrochemical deposition method. The fabricated ASC device delivered a specific capacitance of 221 F g-1 at 0.7 A g-1 and good rate capability of 34.8% at 4.9 A g-1. Moreover, the wire-type device displayed the superior energy density of 60.16 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 490 W kg-1 and excellent capacitance retention of 95% up to 3,000 charge/discharge cycles.
Pathological Test Type and Chemical Detection Using Deep Neural Networks: A Case Study Using ELISA and LFA Assays
Authors: Tania Marzia  Hoque , Kaiser M. Shamim , Abu-Hassan Kamal J. , Hossain M A
Published: November 2020

Purpose The gradual increase in geriatric issues and global imbalance of the ratio between patients and healthcare professionals has created a demand for intelligent systems with the least error-prone diagnosis results to be used by less medically trained persons and save clinical time. This paper aims at investigating the development of an image-based colourimetric analysis. The purpose of recognising such tests is to support wider users to begin a colourimetric test to be used at homecare settings, telepathology, etc. Design/methodology/approach The concept of an automatic colourimetric assay detection is delivered by utilising two cases. Training Deep Learning (DL) models on thousands of images of these tests using transfer learning, this paper i) classifies the type of the assay, and ii) classifies the colourimetric results. Findings This paper demonstrated that the assay type can be recognised using DL techniques with 100% accuracy within a fraction of a second. Some of the advantages of the pre-trained model over the calibration-based approach are robustness, readiness and suitability to deploy for similar applications within a shorter period of time. Originality/value To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to provide Colourimetric Assay Type Classification (CATC) using DL. Humans are capable to learn thousands of visual classifications in their life. Object recognition may be a trivial task for humans, due to photometric and geometric variabilities along with the high degree of intra-class variabilities it can be a challenging task for machines. However, transforming visual knowledge into machines, as proposed, can support non-experts to better manage their health and reduce some of the burdens on experts.
Interaction of Thalassia testudinum Metabolites with Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and Its Effects on Benzo(a)pyrene-Induced Mutagenicity
Authors: Delgado-Roche Livan , Santes-Palacios Rebeca , Herrera José A. , Hernández Sandra L. , Riera Mario , Fernández Miguel D. , Mesta Fernando , Garrido Gabino , Rodeiro Idania , Espinosa-Aguirre Javier J.
Published: November 2020

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of Thalassia testudinum hydroethanolic extract, its polyphenolic fraction, and thalassiolin B on the activity of phase I metabolizing enzymes as well as their antimutagenic effects. Spectrofluorometric techniques were used to evaluate the effect of tested products on rat and human CYP1A and CYP2B activity. The antimutagenic effect of tested products was evaluated in benzo[a]pyrene (BP)-induced mutagenicity assay by Ames test. Finally, the antimutagenic effect of Thalassia testudinum (100 mg/kg) was assessed in a BP-induced mutagenesis in mice. The tested products significantly (p<0.05) inhibit rat CYP1A1 activity, acting as mixed-type inhibitors of rat CYP1A1 (Ki = 54.16±9.09 μg/mL, 5.96±1.55 μg/mL and 3.05±0.89 μg/mL, respectively). Inhibition of human CYP1A1 was also observed (Ki = 197.1±63.40 μg/mL and 203.10±17.29 μg/mL for the polyphenolic fraction and for thalassiolin B, respectively). In addition, the evaluated products significantly inhibit (p<0.05) benzo[a]pyrene (BP)-induced mutagenicity in vitro. Furthermore, oral doses of Thalassia testudinum (100 mg/kg) significantly reduced (p<0.05) the BP-induced micronuclei and oxidative damage, together with an increase of glutathione, in mice. In summary, Thalassia testudinum metabolites exhibit antigenotoxic activity mediated, at least, by the inhibition of CYP1A1-mediated BP biotransformation. Thus, the metabolites of T. testudinum may represent a potential source of chemopreventive compounds for adjuvant therapy of cancer.
Whether Supercritical Extracts from the Aerial Parts of Helianthus salicifolius and Helianthus tuberosus May be Regarded as a Potential Raw Materials for Non-bioenergy Purposes?
Authors: Malm Anna , Grzegorczyk Agnieszka , Biernasiuk Anna , Baj Tomasz , Rój Edward , Tyśkiewicz Katarzyna , Dębczak Agnieszka , Stolarski Mariusz Jerzy , Krzyżaniak Michał , Olba-Zięty Ewelina
Published: November 2020

The extracts from the aerial parts of Helianthus salicifolius A. Dietr and Helianthus tuberosus L. collected in June were obtained using carbon dioxide supercritical fluid extraction with water as co-solvent. The antimicrobial activity in vitro of these extracts were determined against the reference species of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi, representing by the yeast species of Candida spp. The following parameters were estimated: minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) or minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC). Both extracts were found to possess antimicrobial activity with MIC = 0.62-5 mg mL-1 for bacteria and MIC = 5-10 mg mL-1 for yeasts, showing bactericidal (MBC/MIC = 2-4) or fungicidal effect (MFC/MIC = 1-2 ). The highest activity was observed against S. aureus ATCC 29213 (MIC = 0.62 mg mL-1 for H. salicifolius extract; MIC = 2.5 mg mL-1 for H. tuberosus extract). Bactericidal effect of both extracts against S. aureus ATCC 29213 was confirmed by time-kill assay. Higher antioxidant activity was found for H. tuberosus extract (EC50 = 0.332 mg mL-1) as compared to that of H. salicifolius (EC50 = 0.609 mg mL-1). The total polyphenol content (TPC) expressed as gallic acid equivalents (GAE) was 13.75 ± 0.50 mg GAE (g of H. salicifolius extract)-1 and 33.06 ± 0.80 mg GAE (g of H. tuberosus extract)-1. There was a correlation between the antioxidant potential of both extracts and TPC but not between antistaphylococcal activity and TPC. The obtained data suggest potential application of these extracts as the natural preparations with the biocidal activity, including those with antistaphylococcal activity. Besides, both extracts may be regarded as potential natural conservants in cosmetics as well as natural preservatives in food.
Learning Dyadic Data and Predicting Unaccomplished Co-Occurrent Values by Mixture Model
Authors: Nguyen Loc
Published: November 2020

Dyadic data which is also called co-occurrence data (COD) contains co-occurrences of objects. Searching for statistical models to represent dyadic data is necessary. Fortunately, finite mixture model is a solid statistical model to learn and make inference on dyadic data because mixture model is built smoothly and reliably by expectation maximization (EM) algorithm which is suitable to inherent spareness of dyadic data. This research summarizes mixture models for dyadic data. When each co-occurrence in dyadic data is associated with a value, there are many unaccomplished values because a lot of co-occurrences are inexistent. In this research, these unaccomplished values are estimated as mean (expectation) of random variable given partial probabilistic distributions inside dyadic mixture model.
Simulation of contact interaction of electromagnetic accelerator elements using domain decomposition method
Authors: Galanin Mikhail Pavlovich , Rodin Aleksandr Sergeevich
Published: November 2020

The problem of contact interaction of elements of the electromagnetic accelerator barrel is considered. Two-dimensional elastic approximation is used. Design area includes rail, insulator and overwrap. It is believed that they are made of isotropic materials that differ significantly in their properties. To solve the problem, a two-level Schwartz additive method is used, using which the problem in the entire domain is reduced to solving a number of local contact problems in the entered sub- domains. The results of calculations for two versions of contact conditions are presented: adhesion conditions and sliding conditions without friction. Comparative analysis of stress-strain state of accelerator barrel for each case was carried out.
Compensation strategies in speaking activities for non-English department students: poor and competent speakers
Authors: Syafryadin Syafryadin , Martina Feny , Salniwati Salniwati
Published: November 2020

This study investigated the compensation strategies which were used by competent and poor speakers to avoid communication gap in speaking activities. This study used descriptive quantitative desaign. The use of descriptive method because of this study was not searching about compararison or  making prediction, but only finding out about mostly strategies used either competent or poor speakers in developing their speaking activities to avoid communication gap. Descriptive research is also chosen because it explores and catches social situation particularly in the class wholisticly, widely and deeply. Data collection used an observation sheet and a questionnaire. Population of this study was 83 students categorized as competent and poor speakers of semester 4 at English Study Program in one of the universities in Kendari. The findings of this study showed that the strategy which dominant used by either competent speakers or poor speakers as their group tendencies that was selecting the topic with the same overall average score of 4.0; competent speakers mostly used selecting the topic with the overall average of 4.0, adjusting or approximating the message with the overall average of 3.6 and using mime or gesture with the overall average of 3.5; poor speakers also mostly used selecting the topic with the overall average of 4.0 and coining word of 3.5. Competent speakers much more used compensation strategies than poor speakers. Thus, its major implication for pedagogy is that compensation strategies are extremely useful as guidance to avoid communication gap in speaking activities
Using reading while listening in English as a foreign language (EFL) learning context
Authors: Asrimawati Inayati Fitriyah , Margana Margana
Published: November 2020

The benefits of reading while listening for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners have been investigated in different EFL learning contexts. Some studies found that simultaneous reading while listening promotes positive impacts on students’ reading and listening skills. It also helps L2 learners’ fluency and comprehension of reading and listening. Moreover, it can assist L2 learners in acquiring new language input in a new learning environment. Hence, this article reviews some research papers related to the implementation of reading while listening (RWL) program in EFL learning context. Furthermore, to answer the research questions: 1) What is reading while listening?; 2) What are the effects of using reading while listening for EFL learners? How to apply the reading while listening program within the EFL classroom? To answer these questions, this article examines the use of RWL for EFL learners based on the research methodology, subject, instrument used, result and suggestion, including the principles of implementing simultaneous reading and listening within the EFL classroom.  

HIGHLISGHTS

Highlights

Reading While Listening (RWL)simultaneously can support students with low reading or listening fluency rate.

Simultaneous reading while listening  affects students reading and listening skills for a long period of time.

A guideline of RWL program implementation based on ER/EL principles is discussed thoroughly.
Self-organized learning environment teaching strategy for ELT in Merdeka Belajar concept for high school students in Indonesia
Authors: Anis Muhammad , Anwar Choiril
Published: November 2020

As the development of the industrial revolution takes place, disruptions are happening constantly in almost every major sector of the current industries. Companies and organizations complained about the competencies of the graduates entering the work force. This matter questions the readiness of the education system in preparing the students for the real world. Problems in education such as the regulations, strict policies and instructions from the government are undermining the role of the teachers to do what they think best for their students. This standardization has harmed the motivation and enthusiasm to learn, especially in English language class. Lack of motivation and English Language competency could harm students’ opportunity in accessing the vast global network of knowledge. Merdeka Belajar and SOLE are the promising alternatives in improving ELT. This article is somewhat a position paper trying to clear one side of a debatable opinion about a hot issue. It aims to persuade the reader that our opinion is valid and defensible. In doing so, we then separate the discussion into several parts regarding the analysis of concepts of Merdeka Belajar and SOLE (Self-Organized Learning Environment) related to ELT and motivation in language learning, as well as innovation in education.

HIGHLIGHTS:

SOLE (Self-Organized Learning Environment) is a concept developed by Sugata Mitra, and the researchers at the SOLE Centre in Newcastle University.

SOLE with its highly influenced Constructivism approach lets the learners to take steer of their learning process gives them the ability to make meaning of the subject on their own.

Merdeka Belajar (Freedom to Learn) is a new concept that needs to be tread carefully to direct the discussion objectively.
Self-directed learning in spoken grammar activities using poster presentation
Authors: Marlina Neni , Dewi Nita Sari Narulita , Supriyono Yusup
Published: November 2020

Looking for opportunities to let learners take charge of their learning autonomously is a pivotal responsibility for the teacher. This study aims at visualizing learners’ self-directed learning in grammar in spoken discourse classroom through poster presentation. Poster presentations which are given to a small group repeatedly has contribution to cultivate not only their speaking opportunities but also self-directed learning, , critical reflection, and independent action. A small group poster presenter consisting of 4 members is recruited as participants of the study. Learners’ journals and a 45 minute-video observation are analyzed using thematic analysis dealing with learners’ self-directed learning. The findings reveal that through poster presentation, the learners’ self-directed learning is portrayed as they select appropriate activities and strategies to present the material by searching from a number of resources, prepare their performance when they want to present, and handle questions or arguments from visitors. Those findings learners’ self-motivation, self- responsibility, and also self-management in learning. This study provides information that the learners should be given opportunities to experience learning meaningfully that fosters their learning autonomy to achieve meaningful learning success. HIGHLIGHTS: Learners need meaningful tasks that facilitate their learning autonomy. Poster presentation fosters learners’ motivation, self-responsibility, and self-management learning as foundations of learners’ self-directed learning. The use of poster presentations should continue to be used and developed in order to provide many benefits for learners.
Challenging modernity: The Luntas, modern ludruk and young audiences’ acceptance
Authors: Rachmasari Firtha Ayu , Permatasari Delmarrich Bilga Ayu
Published: November 2020

The Luntas, a modern ludruk group from Surabaya, is bringing back ludrukwith a new style. This is an effort and strategy to attract urban communities, especially young people. This study aims to determine whether the strategies and efforts of The Luntas are successful. The researcher explores the audience’s acceptance by using Stuart Hall’s theory of how the message is conveyed (encoding) and the attitude of receiving the message (decoding). The data was collected through in-depth interviews with the founders of The Luntas as the encoder and the audience as the decoder. The process of selecting audiences as informants must meet several criteria: the informant is the audience for the show “Arti Sebuah JAS” performance; age between 15 to 30 years old; has watched The Luntas live performance more aged between 15 and 30 years; have watched The Luntas live performance more than once; have watched other ludruk shows besides The Luntas at least once. Based on these criteria, the researcher found nine informants. The study results found that five informants in accordance with the dominant-hegemonic category agreed with and accepted The Luntas strategy. Meanwhile, four other informants understood the strategy but tended to negotiate.
Joint Distraction Combined with Mesenchymal Stem Cell Intra-articular Injection Attenuates Osteoarthritis
Authors: Chen Yuanfeng , Sun Chuanwei , Liu Wenping , Sun Yuxin , Lin Sien , She Guorong , Pan Xiaohua , Zheng Qiujian , Ho Kiwai Kevin , Li Gang
Published: November 2020

Background: Conservative treatments of osteoarthritis (OA) are limited to symptom relief and novel methods to attenuate OA progression are lacking.Objective: In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of knee joint distraction (KJD) combined with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) intra-articular injection (KJD+MSCs) in OA rat model.Methods: OA rat model was established by anterior cruciate ligament transection plus medial meniscus resection in right knee in SD rat. The KJD+MSCs treatment started 3 weeks after the OA surgery. There were two other groups as knee joint distraction only (KJD) and no treat (OA). Three weeks after the treatment, distraction external fixators were removed and rats were kept for further 3 weeks. The rats were then terminated, samples were subject to micro-CT and histology examinations to evaluate the changes of the articular cartilage tissues, subchondral bone and the secondary inflammation.Results: Safranin-O/fast green staining showed that articular cartilage injury was most obvious in the OA group than that in the KJD group and the least in the KJD+MSCs group. Immunohistochemistry examinations showed that the KJD+MSCs group had the lowest percentage of MMP13 or ColX positive chondrocytes comparing to other groups. Micro-CT data indicated that the abnormal change in the subchondral region of the tibia in the KJD+MSCs group was significantly less than that in the KJD group or OA group. Finally, immunohistochemistry result showed that the knee joint in the KJD+MSCs group had the least number of CD68-positive cells among all the groups.Conclusions: Joint distraction combined with mesenchymal stem cells injection alleviated cartilage degradation, reduced irregular ossification of subchondral bone and secondary inflammation, suggesting it could be a new method to halt the OA progression.
Correlation Analysis of Malaria Cases and Meteorological Factors in Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Onasanya Oluwatosin Omobolaji , Ibrahim Muhammad Sani , Adebowale Ayo Stephen , Adewole Adefisoye Oluwaseun , Balogun Muhammad Shakir , Nguku Patrick Mboya , Ajumobi Olufemi , Ajayi Ikeoluwapo Oyeneye
Published: November 2020

BackgroundMalaria transmission affects malaria infection rates. There are several potential drivers of malaria transmission. A suitable meteorological factor such as rainfall, temperature, and relative humidity encourages the breeding of the vector. This improves the survival of the parasite in the host. The female Plasmodium falciparum plays a crucial role in the variability of malaria prevalence. Lagos State is a coastal malaria-endemic area in Nigeria. This study presents a correlation analysis of malaria cases and meteorological factors between the periods of January 2015 to April 2018 in Lagos state.MethodsThe study was a secondary data analysis of meteorological variables and records of malaria cases reported by health facilities in Lagos state. We accessed weather variables through free access “weather underground.com” a meteorological data sharing service system (MDSSS). The MDSSS provides real-time online weather information from four meteorological monitoring stations in Lagos state. We accessed the malaria cases through the district health information system 2 databases. It is used to report cases of malaria by all the private and public health facilities in the state. We performed the correlation analyses to show the relationship between temperature, humidity, rainfall, and malaria cases at a 5% level of significance. We analysed data using the statistical package for social sciences version 25.ResultsMalaria cases peaked between the period of July to November 2016 and the period of April to May 2017 and declined between March to May 2017. The temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall showed a positive correlation with malaria cases. The temperature is most correlated with the occurrence of malaria cases (r = 0.65, p< 0.02).ConclusionThis correlation analysis provides an approach for studying the impact of meteorological variability on the prevalence of malaria cases. This can help to forecast the malaria epidemic while preparing for the elimination of malaria in Lagos state.
Variation in Neutrophil Levels and Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapy Efficacy in West-africa
Authors: Djimde Moussa , Tshiongo Japhet Kabalu , Kayentao Kassoum , Fofana Bakary , Arama Charles , Sodiomo Siriman , Ouedraogo Jean Bosco , Beavogui Abdoul Habib , Sagara Issaka , Dicko Alassane , Mens Petra F. , Schallig Henk D. F. H. , Djimde Abdoulaye
Published: November 2020

Background White blood cells, including abundant neutrophils, constitute the first line of innate defence against pathogens. Neutrophils are involved in pathogen clearance by phagocytosis. However, their role on malaria parasite clearance and on the efficacy of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) are poorly understood.MethodsIn a prospective longitudinal in vivo study, conducted from 2010 to 2014 in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, in which 5360 malaria cases were enrolled, neutrophil rates were compared with malaria carriage after treatment with different ACTs. i.e. Artemether - lumefantrine (AL), Artesunate - amodiaquine (ASAQ), Dihydroartemisinin - piperaquine (DHAPQ) or Pyronaridine artesunate (PA). Depending on the level of neutrophils in the blood, study cases were classified as having neutropenia, normal neutrophils level or neutrophilia. A secondary analysis on data of 4845 cases was performed using R ggplot2 statistical package to compare the post treatment neutrophil levels means and standard deviation between different treatment arms at subsequent malaria episodes.ResultsMicroscopy showed that at day 7 only 4 patients in the neutropenia group and treated with AL had a malaria positive blood smear. At Day 28, rate of recurrent parasitemia in the AL arm was significantly higher in cases with neutropenia (50.9%) versus in cases with normal rates of neutrophils (43.1%) and in patients with neutrophilia (6%) (p<0.001). For patients treated with ASAQ, the rate of recurrent parasitemia was 58.8% in the neutropenia group versus 29.4% in patients with normal rates of neutrophils and 11.8% in patients with neutrophilia (p<0.001). No patient treated with DHAPQ with normal neutrophil counts or neutrophilia was carrying malaria parasites at Day 28. Compared to adults, under 5 years old children were shown to be at risk of malaria parasite reappearance at post treatment Day 28 (OR = 5.64, p = 0.04). Regardless of the ACT used in this study, we observed a significant decrease of neutrophil levels at day 3 post-treatment. Furthermore, regardless the ACT used, an increase in the prevalence of gametocytemia was found in the neutropenic group.ConclusionPatients with neutropenia had higher rates of recurrent parasitemia after artemisinin-based combination therapy. Parasite recurrence in patients with neutropenia was faster after treatment with AL.
Low pH Hypromellose (Taffix™) nasal powder spray reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection rate post mass-gathering event at a highly endemic community: An observational prospective open label user survey
Authors: Shmuel Klang , Barbara Mann , Dalia Megiddo , Tair Lapidot , Yaakov Napartek
Published: November 2020

The city of Bney Brak, Israel, (population 210,000 mostly ultra-orthodox Jews) tops Israel list of COVID-19 infection rate and mortality. In mid-September before the Jewish New Year (an intensive two day gathering for prayers ) PCR positivity rates were 17.6% and those climbed to 28.1% two weeks later.Taffix - is an innovative nasal powder inhaler that creates a protective gel layer over the nasal mucosa and effectively blocks viruses from infecting the nasal cells. Taffix is approved for use in Europe and Israel. In vitro studies demonstrated that Taffix blocks viruses (including SARS- CoV-2) from infecting human cells (<99% ). It is well established that the nose is the main gateway of SARS- CoV-2 to the body. Taffix™ was developed as an additional virus protective tool beyond the currently recommended preventive measures.In a prospective users survey, 243 members of a Jewish ultra-orthodox synagogue community in Bney Brak that participated in the two days holidays prayers (7 hours spent daily in the synagogue) were followed up for the following 14 days to measure the effect of Taffix in this potentially “super spread” ( post mass gathering) event . 83 collected and used Taffix throughout Rosh Hashana prayers and for the following two weeks (intention to treat group, ITT) . 81 of them used it regularly as instructed ( per protocol, PP) while two used it rarely if at all. The remaining 160 did not use Taffix .At the end of the two weeks follow up - in the ITT population, 2/83 (2.4%) of the Taffix users and 16/160 (10%) of the Taffix non users were infected. The odds ratio for SARS-CoV-2 infection in Taffix users were 0.22 (0.05-0.99, Mid P exact =0.028), a reduction of 78% (95%CI 1%-95%) in odds of infection. No side effects were reported.We suggest that Taffix can be an additional powerful tool against COVID19 spread. To our knowledge this is the first time that any measure to prevent infection in SARS-CoV-2 virus, beyond the use of masks. was proven effective.