bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classification of Satellite Imagery for Identifying Land-Cover Objects using ECW Compression Images: The Case of Makassar City Area
Authors: Iswanto B H , Fauzan A , Yudha G D
Published: November 2022

This paper presents a case study on the effect of lossy compression using the Enhanced Compressed Wavelet (ECW) format on remote sensing image classification. ECW was chosen because it is widely used as a standard format for storing aerial and satellite imagery. The case study was conducted on a high-resolution multispectral Pleiades image taken from an area in Makassar, Indonesia. Image classification is performed using the geographic object-based image analysis method, where a simple linear iterative clustering (SLIC) algorithm is implemented for segmentation before classification. Six land cover categories were selected to validate the classification results: water bodies, trees, rice fields, shrubs, and urban areas. The effect of image compression on classification accuracy is studied by varying the compression ratio. Then the results are compared with the original image. Experimental results prove that compression with ECW format does not have much effect on classification accuracy. Even the Random Forest and Gradient Boosting Machine provide higher accuracy with the compressed image compared to the original image. In addition, it can be concluded that Random Forest is the best classifier with the highest accuracy.
Heating Solar and AC 220 V Electricity Based Hybrid Dryer System for Drying Shrimp Crackers by Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
Authors: Sutrisno S , Utomo Z I , Suaidi D A , Laksono Y A , Yogihati C I
Published: November 2022

Most of MSMEs are engaged in food processing, one of them is the production of shrimp crackers. The production of shrimp crackers requires heat energy for drying process which majority of MSMEs still use the conventional method by drying the crackers in an open space under sunlight directly. Conventional method is very dependent on the weather and affects the unhygienic of the products. This research aims to develop a solar hybrid dryer as an alternative dryer to dry shrimp crackers without depending on the weather. This research uses experimental methods with quantitative data analysis techniques to observe the relationship between time and water content of shrimp crackers that are dried using a solar hybrid dryer. Based on the data analysis, the results for the first until the third experiments show the correlation between time and water content of shrimp crackers that are dried using this machine is shown to be a logarithmic graph. The first equation Y1 = -26.18 Ln (X1) + 41.028, R1 = 0.85 for drying crackers weight 1000 grams, and the 2nd equation Y2 = -31.81 Ln (x) + 46.927, R2 = 0.93 for drying crackers weight 3000 grams, and the 3rd equation Y3 = -26.88 Ln (X3) + 41.707, R3 = 0.81 for drying crackers weight 5000 grams. Therefore it can be concluded the more mass of the shrimp crackers that are dried, the more water content evaporates. In about 2 days of drying, the water content in the shrimp crackers has reached according to Indonesian National Standard which is around 12%. The hybrid dryer has a capacity of up to 5000 grams with an average drying temperature is 37.5°C.
Placement Optimization of Infrared Sensors as Non-Invasive Blood Sugar Measurements
Authors: Umiatin U , Stella Y N M
Published: November 2022

In the light of the increasing prevalence of diabetes, research on non-invasive blood sugar measuring devices have begun to be developed, one of which utilizes infrared spectroscopy methods. This method uses a pair of IR LED and photodiode placed in line. In doing so, the location of its placement in the human body has to be considered, thereby enabling the photodiode to capture the light emitted by the IR LED. Therefore, the voltage data generated by the photodiode circuit in several parts of the body is taken as the representation of the ability of the photodiode to absorb infrared light. A higher voltage value is captured in the range of 1 Volt when the sensor is on the finger. Meanwhile, there is no voltage read on the wrist. The results of this study will be used as a reference to determine the location of the sensor placement in the designed blood glucose monitoring device.
Performance Analysis of Emergency Ventilator #BPPT3S-LEN for In-Hospital Use
Authors: Busono P , Riyanto R , Wibowo D K , Febryarto R
Published: November 2022

Covid-19 is a global pandemic that originated in Wuhan, China in 2019. It spread very fast around the globe. Many countries suffer from this disease. About 532.2 million people were confirmed and 6.3 million patients were reported dead globally. People infected by this disease will suffer from breathing problems, ranging from light problems to respiration failure. Mechanical ventilators are commonly used to treat patients with respiration failure. However, the increasing number of Covid-19 patients staying in the hospitals, caused the hospitals to lack mechanical ventilators. The emergency ventilator was a choice need to be developed to respond to the lack of mechanical ventilators in the hospitals. It is easy to develop, electronics and medical components available in the local market. Emergency Ventilator #BPPT3S-LEN is an automatic BVM-based resuscitator. This medical device was developed based on the Emergency Use Ventilator Design Guidance of AAMI/CR501:2020 of the USA and MHRA of the UK. It consists of a mechanical part for squeezing, airbag, breathing circuit, pressure gauge, one-way valve, relief valve, flow sensor, PEEP valve, mask or endotracheal tube. Ventilation parameters need to be set in this device including tidal volume, respiration rate, inspirations/expiration time ratio, and PEEP (positive end-expiratory pressure). Measured parameters were tidal volume, respiration rate, peak inspiratory pressure, inspiration/expiration time ratio. Alarm systems were set for maximum inspiration pressure, minimum battery voltage, AC power failure. Self-calibration software was installed in this device. Medical doctors tested about 5 emergency ventilators in regional public hospital RSUD Dr. Saiful Anwar Malang, Indonesia. It was reported that the devices gave better results than manual bagging for measurement results of tidal volume, respiration rate, and peak inspiratory pressure.
Evaluation of Visceral Fat Volume Extracted from Abdomen CT-Scan Images using Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD)
Authors: Apriyani S W , Saputro A S , Prajitno P , Soejoko D S
Published: November 2022

Visceral fat in the abdomen is one of the leading causes of many health problems. A CT-scan modality is the most precise examination in determining the visceral fat tissue. Still, there are obstacles. The number of images produced by the CT scan to be analyzed is quite a lot. In this study, Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) system was developed using the Thresholding segmentation method, feature extraction based on Gray Level Co-Occurrence Matrix (GLCM) for identifying abdominal fat. Next, the Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) classification process separates the visceral fat area from the subcutaneous fat area. This study uses 665 abdominal CT-scan images divided into 481 images as training data and 184 images as test data that has validated the area and volume of visceral fat by an expert radiographer. The CAD system performance results are the accuracy level with a value of 95.58% for training data and 88.73% for test data. In addition, information was also obtained by the area of the visceral fat area in women, which is 83.71 cm2 with a total volume of visceral fat of 1739.8 cm3. Whereas in men, the area of visceral fat is 70.82 cm3 with a total volume of visceral fat of 1036.23 cm2. Based on the cut-off value in the visceral fat area, the results obtained in this study are said to have a normal visceral fat area (VFA) because it has a normal value < 100 cm2 and there is a minimal risk of metabolic syndrome.
Prediction of Radiation Therapy Dose for Lung Cancer IMRT Technique using Support Vector Regression Model
Authors: Farhatin N , Fadli M , Putranto A M Y , Valerian J , Sihono D S K , Prajitno P
Published: November 2022

Optimal dose distribution in the treatment planning system (TPS) is crucial before being applied to radiotherapy patients. However, TPS still uses optimization methods that are time-consuming and user-dependent. This study aimed to evaluate the automatic dose prediction model, support vector regression (SVR), and compare it with the clinically planned dose of lung cancer patients. Sixty patients treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) were used as the objects in this study. The target dose distribution was evaluated based on the conformity index (CI), and dose homogeneity was evaluated with the homogeneity index (HI). In contrast, the mean and maximum doses were used to evaluate organs at risk (right lung, left lung, heart, and spinal cord). Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon test. A value of <0.05 indicates a significant difference between the two datasets. The mean CI of the SVR and clinical are 1.154±0.003 and 1.181±0.136. The mean HI for SVR and clinical was 0.075±0.016 and 0.083±0.030. the Wilcoxon test showed no statistically significant difference between the two results. The maximum cardiac dose showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.042), while the mean dose and maximum dose of other OARs did not show a statistically significant difference. The study showed no significant difference between the two strategies, except for the maximum heart dose. The model provides information about dose distribution that can be applied clinically to determine the best technique to use in patients.
Focus Control System of a Celestron 2000 Telescope Based on Arduino for Remote Observations in Astronomy Laboratory Department of Physics Universitas Negeri Malang
Authors: Subiyanto A P , Asy’ari M T , Hapsoro C A
Published: November 2022

A star telescope is a device in the field of astronomy that serves to observe celestial objects. The use of telescopes in the Astronomy Laboratory, Department of Physics, State University of Malang, is still conventional. Its use is limited to direct and scheduled observations in the laboratory. The use of such telescopes makes the use of telescopes less effective and efficient, especially during a pandemic when the online learning system is still in effect. This research has been developed with the title “Development of Introductory Astronomy Learning Innovations with Telescope Access Practicum and Online-Based Reporting”. The telescope used in this research is the Celestron 2000 Telescope, one of the telescopes used in astronomical research at the Department of Physics, State University of Malang. Overall, the system in this study was good enough for online-based practicum learning. However, there are still shortcomings, and further improvements need to be made to the camera resolution and focus setting system, which is still manual. Thus, it is necessary to follow up on this research and focus on improving the focus-setting system. The method used is to program the Arduino serial monitor stepper motor so that it can be ordered to move clockwise or counterclockwise. The researcher creates the Windows desktop application with the help of Visual Studio 2022 to make it easier to order Arduino serial monitors without entering the Arduino IDE application. The test results show that the system can produce good image focus by using the commands that have been made. This system is computer-based, so the practice of observing celestial bodies uses the internet network and can be accessed online.
Identification of The Subsurface Structure of The Lemukutan Islands at The Coast and Small Islands of The Western Part of Kalimantan Waters
Authors: Aryanto N C D , Permana H
Published: November 2022

The Lemukutan Islands, located on the west coast of Singkawang, West Kalimantan, consist of four small islands: Lemukutan Island (the most significant island), Penata Besar, Kabung, and Penata Kecil. The purpose of this study is to reveal various occurrences of subsurface structures around the Lemukutan Islands based on bathymetry and subsurface data which is then compiled with observational data on the mainland of the islands. This information is expected to be input for interested parties in handling mitigation on the coast and small islands. Field observations found a strike-slip fault in the western part of Lemukutan, following the interpretation of DEM and Landsat 457 composite image data. This fault continues to the seabed even to Penata Besar Island in the east with a direction of N160° E. Phenomenon of the structure on the Penata Kecil, and Seluwas island is found on sandstone in the form of a crushed zone that shows the orientation of the block towards N230°E or to the southwest of Penata Besar Island. Traces of the structure are interpreted to have occurred after the Cretaceous period and are no longer active.
Analysis of Soil Dynamics and Seismic Vulnerability in Kalibening District, Banjarnegara Using the HVSR Method
Authors: Saputra F R T , Rosid M S , Fachruddin I , Ali S , Huda S , Wiguna I P A P
Published: November 2022

On April 18, 2018, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.4 Mw struck the Kalibening district, Banjarnegara. The observations on the damage distribution caused by the earthquake showed something unique: the areas that suffered severe damage were concentrated in villages on hills. This observation may indicate a site-effect phenomenon due to local geological conditions. In this study, we carry out microtremor measurements at 30 stations. The measurement area includes areas that have suffered damage due to the 2018 earthquake and also with minimum damage. We analyze the microtremor observation to estimate the site’s characteristics and map the seismic vulnerability based on predominant frequency (f0
) and amplification factor (A0
) using the Horizontal to vertical spectrum ratio (HVSR) method. The results show that the predominant frequency in the Kalibening district area is 0.4 – 3.7 Hz, while the amplification factor is 2.5 – 10.7. The Kalibening Basin has a low f0
(<2.5 Hz) and A0
(<4), which indicates that the Kalibening Basin has a thick and soft soil type but low-density contrast. Areas with a high degree of damage have dominant frequency values in the range of 1.5 – 2.3 Hz and amplification of 5.1 – 9.2. These results suggest that the location has a high-density contrast and thick sediment, causing significant amplification. The seismic vulnerability index (Kg) values are in the range of 3.6 - 46.74. The area around the Kalibening Basin has a low Kg
value, While the damaged areas have a moderate to high seismic vulnerability index.
Characteristics of Marine Heatwaves (2008–2021) in the Savu Sea, East Nusa Tenggara
Authors: Beliyana E , Ningsih N S , Tarya A
Published: November 2022

In this paper, we investigate the characteristics and the mechanism underlying the formation of marine heatwaves (MHWs) in the Savu Sea, known as the richest marine biodiversity area in the world. The focus is on identifying the frequency, intensity, and duration of occurrence MHWs generated by local forcing in the form of net surface heat flux. The study utilizes the remote sensing data from NOAA Optimum Interpolation (OI) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) for SST and The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis v5 (ERA-5) for net surface heat flux components (shortwave radiation, longwave radiation, sensible heat flux, and latent heat flux). All data covers the period for the last 14 years (2008–2021) during the cold phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and then processed by statistical analysis methods. The results showed that the mean frequency, intensity, and duration of occurrence MHWs in the Savu Sea were around two times a year, 1.4–1.6 °C, and 10–12 days, respectively. The highest frequency and intensity MHWs occurred at around 122–124 °E and 8.30–9.30 °S (northern Savu Sea) generated by the most significant net surface heat flux in these areas. This study reveals the most dominant contribution of net surface heat flux in the northern Savu Sea comes from high shortwave radiation (heat gain) and low latent heat flux through the evaporation process (heat loss), thus keeping the ocean warm.
Evolution of Carbon-Oxygen White Dwarf Accreting Helium as One of the Progenitors of Accretion-induced Collapse
Authors: Prawiradilaga M G , Mahasena P
Published: November 2022

Carbon-oxygen white dwarf (CO WD) and helium star binary is one of the ways that can lead to accretion-induced collapse (AIC). The continuous accretion may increase the mass of the white dwarf until at a certain condition, carbon burning off-center might be initiated and alter CO into ONe WD. This paper is intended to analyze the long-term evolution of the CO WD accreting helium material. The stellar evolution code used in this research is MESA (Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics). MESA creates CO WD by evolving ZAMS star with an initial mass of 6 M⊙ to produce 0.9 M⊙ CO WD. The accretion rates are 4×10−6 and 4×10−7 M⊙/year which consist of mostly helium. It shows that for the high accretion rate, the helium burning on the surface of the WD is stable. It is predicted that it will continue to be stable for a very long time because of the high supply of matter. For the lower one, the burning experiences a fluctuation from the beginning of the accretion. For both cases, if carbon burning off-center has occurred, it may lead to the creation of ONe WD and eventually AIC.
Optimization of X-Ray Spectra in Medical Sterilization Accelerator through MCNP
Authors: Rezon K , Satmoko A , Kasmudin
Published: November 2022

A Bremsstrahlung converter for medical apparatuses sterilization has been designed using tantalum and stainless-steel frame for a high energy electron accelerator operating at an incident electron energy of 7.5 MeV. Optimization of the x-ray spectra of the converter is investigated in this paper by adding a beam hardening filter from copper, aluminum, and stainless steel. The MCNP code is used to simulate the particle transport through the converter design. To survey the effect of each filtered spectra, angular dose distribution in the air is measured at radial distances of 50, 75, and 100 cm from the tantalum for the angle of 0° to 90°. A comparison between the unfiltered and the filtered spectra shows a marked decrease in low energy photon intensity up to the energy of 100 keV by all three filter materials with a greater reduction and hardening when combining the filter materials. These findings result in the angular dose distribution of the produced x-ray having a lower intensity at closer radial distances to the target due to the decreased intensity of x-rays with low energy, denoting a better dose homogeneity over the irradiated material.
Determination of Optimum Materials Thickness for Converting E-Beam Energy into Bremsstrahlung X-Rays on a 10 MeV High Energy Electron Accelerator Using MCNP
Authors: Kasmudin K , Rezon K , Satmoko A
Published: November 2022

The e-beam produced by the high-energy electron accelerator has a relatively small penetrating power. To increase the penetrating power, a converter must convert the e-beam energy into bremsstrahlung x-rays. This research aims to determine the optimum thickness of tantalum, tungsten, and lead as a converter of e-beam energy into bremsstrahlung x-rays at a 10 MeV high-energy electron accelerator. The optimum thickness of tantalum, tungsten, and lead is determined using simulation with MCNPX software. The electron source modeling with an energy of 10 MeV is made in the form of a flat plane with a size of 120 cm by 10 cm at a distance of 1 mm from the converter. The converter has dimensions of 160 cm by 24 cm and its thickness varies from 1 - 7.5 mm. Then two planar detectors are placed at a distance of 2 cm in front and behind the converter. The simulation results show that the optimum thickness for tantalum, tungsten, and lead converter is 2.0 mm, 1.8 mm, and 2.8 mm respectively. The maximum forward scattered bremsstrahlung x-rays energy are 2.1137 MeV, 2.1287 MeV, and 2.1850 MeV, respectively. And the maximum conversion efficiency is 21.137%, 21.287%, and 21.850%, respectively. These results can be used as a reference in the design of the converter for the 10 MeV high-energy electron accelerator.
Quantum Dynamics of Two Nitrogen-Vacancy Center Ensembles Coupled to a Driven Superconducting Quantum Circuit
Authors: Iradat R D , Majidi M A , Said R S
Published: November 2022

We theoretically model and simulate the dynamics of a hybrid quantum system consisting of two non-local ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy center and a superconducting transmon qubit mediated by two transmission line resonators. We apply a time-dependent external field to enhance this system’s speed and fidelity to function as a controlled-phase gate. Our simulation result shows that a high-fidelity entangled state of two non-local NV spins is 92%. It is achievable under realistic parameter regimes within a timescale of 1.1 nanoseconds. Our result paves the way to improving potential quantum computing and sensing applications.
Characterization of Activated Carbon of Rice Husk and Clay Soil Materials for Proton Exchange Membrane of Microbial Fuel Cell
Authors: Rustana C E , Nugroho P A L , Khaerudini D S
Published: November 2022

Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM), which can currently work well on Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC), cannot be produced efficiently. This is due to its high cost and properties such as high oxygen diffusion, presence of toxic sulphides, and a potential translucent substrate. Alternatively, clay mixed with activated Carbon will be used to produce PEM. This is because the crystalline clay content has characteristics that are useful in the manufacture of PEM. To produce cheap PEM, this research was conducted to produce rice husk activated Carbon (ACIRH) which was synthesized with sulfuric acid activator solution. In this case, ACIRH is activated by a two-step activation method. The two stages of the activation process were carried out by carbonizing ACIRH at a temperature of 500°C then impregnated with 2M of phosphoric acid solution with a weight ratio of 5:1 for 20 minutes resulting in an ACIRH surface area of 109.885 m2/gram. It was obtained using the method of Brunauer, Emmet, Teller (BET) with an Automated Chemisorption/Physisorption Surface Area Analyzer. ACRH pore size of 96 nm was obtained by applying the method of Density Function Theory (DFT). These results were confirmed by FESEM images showing the porous ACRH mesopore size. Meanwhile, X-Ray Diffraction Test and Rietveld Analysis showed that ACIRH contains 42.3% of Silica and 57.7% of Carbon. While the clay consists of 95.6% of Quartz (SiO2), 1.3% of Annite (KFe3
2+AlSi3O10(OH)2), 1.0% of Portlandite (Ca(OH)2), 0 9% of Brucite (Mg(OH)2), and 1.2% of Rutile (TiO2).
The Use of Science Learning Resources in Physics Subjects at Secondary Schools in Enggano as The Outermost Island of Indonesia
Authors: Johan H , Karyadi B , Farid M , Sipriyadi S , Johan S , Fitri E A , Opilah B S
Published: November 2022

Enggano is one of the outer islands of Indonesia in the province of Bengkulu. Enggano Island has one junior high school and one high school as educational facilities. This study aims to analyze science learning resources in physics subjects at secondary schools in Enggano, the outermost island of Indonesia. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method. The data collection instruments used were questionnaires for students, teacher interview guidelines, and document analysis of teaching materials. Based on the study results, it is known that the infrastructure for learning activities on the island of Enggano has little variety. The teaching materials used are only sourced from the main textbook. Students do not have textbooks to study independently outside the classroom. Learning resources based on the local potential of the island of Enggano are not yet available. The results of the analysis of teaching materials documents show that students are only facilitated by using the main textbook during learning activities in the classroom. Class-based learning activities are often constrained by natural conditions and road access from residential areas to schools. The interview results show that teachers still need support in providing varied teaching materials and need training activities to develop teaching materials for classroom-based and blended learning activities. Thus, it can be concluded that learning resources in high school on the island of Enggano still require development and require training to increase teacher competence in developing science and physics teaching materials.
Newton’s Gravity Interactive Simulation to Improve 10th-Grade Students’ Learning Outcome
Authors: Susanti D , Yaqiina M H , Maulana S
Published: November 2022

This research aims to develop interactive simulations of Newton’s gravity concept that can improve student learning outcomes. This research is research and development. The research model referred to is the ADDIE model. This research has produced educational products in the form of interactive simulations of Newton’s concept of gravity. The educational product developed assists students in visualizing Newton’s concept of gravity. The results of theoretical validation obtained an average score of 91.3% with very good criteria. The score indicates that the research product that has been developed in general has a very good feasibility. The details for the material aspect are 93.8% and the media are 89.2%, with very good feasibility for each aspect. This shows that the interactive simulation of Newton’s gravity concept that has been developed has very good material quality, excellent media quality, and can be used in the learning process very well. The results of the implementation show that the educational product that has been successfully developed is also proven to improve student learning outcomes, especially in the Newtonian concept of gravity. The large increase that occurs after using the simulation is medium. It can be concluded that this research has produced educational products in the form of interactive simulations that are feasible to use and proven to be able to improve student learning outcomes on the Newtonian concept of gravity.
Stochastic resetting in a networked multiparticle system with correlated transitions
Authors: Artime Oriol
Published: November 2022

The state of many physical, biological and socio-technical systems evolves by combining smooth local transitions and abrupt resetting events to a set of reference values. The inclusion of the resetting mechanism not only provides the possibility of modeling a wide variety of realistic systems but also leads to interesting novel phenomenology not present in reset-free cases. However, most models where stochastic resetting is studied address the case of a finite number of uncorrelated variables, commonly a single one, such as the position of non-interacting random walkers. Here we overcome this limitation by framing the process of network growth with node deletion as a stochastic resetting problem where an arbitrarily large number of degrees of freedom are coupled and influence each other, both in the resetting and non-resetting (growth) events. We find the exact, full-time solution of the model, and several out-of-equilibrium properties are characterized as function of the growth and resetting rates, such as the emergence of a time-dependent percolation-like phase transition, and first-passage statistics. Coupled multiparticle systems subjected to resetting are a necessary generalization in the theory of stochastic resetting, and the model presented herein serves as an illustrative, natural and solvable example of such a generalization.
Impact of Undernutrition on Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes in India: A Multicenter, Prospective, Cohort Analysis
Authors: Sinha Pranay , Ponnuraja Chinnaiyan , Gupte Nikhil , Prakash Babu Senbagavalli , Cox Samyra R , Sarkar Sonali , Mave Vidya , Paradkar Mandar , Cintron Chelsie , Govindarajan S , Kinikar Aarti , Priya Nadesan , Gaikwad Sanjay , Thangakunam Balamugesh , Devarajan Arutselvi , Dhanasekaran Mythili , Tornheim Jeffrey A , Gupta Amita , Salgame Padmini , Christopher Devashyam Jesudas , Kornfeld Hardy , Viswanathan Vijay , Ellner Jerrold J , Horsburgh C Robert , Gupte Akshay N , Padmapriyadarsini Chandrasekaran , Hochberg Natasha S
Published: November 2022

Background

Undernutrition is the leading risk factor for tuberculosis (TB) globally. Its impact on treatment outcomes is poorly defined.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort analysis of adults with drug-sensitive pulmonary TB at 5 sites from 2015–2019. Using multivariable Poisson regression, we assessed associations between unfavorable outcomes and nutritional status based on body mass index (BMI) nutritional status at treatment initiation, BMI prior to TB disease, stunting, and stagnant or declining BMI after 2 months of TB treatment. Unfavorable outcome was defined as a composite of treatment failure, death, or relapse within 6 months of treatment completion.

Results

Severe undernutrition (BMI <16 kg/m2) at treatment initiation and severe undernutrition before the onset of TB disease were both associated with unfavorable outcomes (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR], 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.42–2.91 and aIRR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.16–3.94, respectively). Additionally, lack of BMI increase after treatment initiation was associated with increased unfavorable outcomes (aIRR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.27–2.61). Severe stunting (height-for-age z score <−3) was associated with unfavorable outcomes (aIRR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.00–2.24). Severe undernutrition at treatment initiation and lack of BMI increase during treatment were associated with a 4- and 5-fold higher rate of death, respectively.

Conclusions

Premorbid undernutrition, undernutrition at treatment initiation, lack of BMI increase after intensive therapy, and severe stunting are associated with unfavorable TB treatment outcomes. These data highlight the need to address this widely prevalent TB comorbidity. Nutritional assessment should be integrated into standard TB care.
Barriers to assessing vulnerability in pregnant women. A cross-sectional survey in Danish general practice
Authors: Brygger Venø Louise , Jarbøl Dorte Ejg , Ertmann Ruth Kirk , Søndergaard Jens , Pedersen Line Bjørnskov
Published: November 2022

Background

Undetected vulnerability in pregnancy contributes to inequality in maternal and perinatal health and is associated with negative birth outcomes and adverse child outcomes. Nationwide reports indicate important barriers to assessing vulnerability among Danish general practitioners.

Objective

To explore general practitioners perceived barriers to vulnerability assessment in pregnant women and whether the barriers are associated with practice organization of antenatal care, general practitioner, and practice characteristics.

Methods

The questionnaire was sent to all Danish general practitioners (N = 3,465). Descriptive statistics described the barriers to assessing vulnerability in pregnant women. Analytical statistics with ordered logistic regression models were used to describe the association between selected barriers to vulnerability assessment and antenatal care organization, and general practitioner and practice characteristics.

Results

760 general practitioners (22%) answered. Barriers to vulnerability assessment were related to lacking routines for addressing vulnerability, lacking attention to and record-keeping on vulnerability indicators, an insufficient overview of vulnerable pregnant women, and perceived insufficient remuneration for antenatal care consultations. Not prioritizing extra time when caring for vulnerable pregnant women was associated with experiencing more barriers. Always prioritizing continuity of care was associated with experiencing fewer barriers. General practitioners of either young age, male gender, or who did not prioritize extra time to care for vulnerable pregnant women experienced more barriers.

Conclusion

Barriers to vulnerability assessment among pregnant women do exist in general practice and are associated with organizational characteristics such as lacking prioritization of extra time and continuity in antenatal care consultations. Also, general practitioner characteristics like male gender and relatively young age are associated with barriers to vulnerability assessment.
Early season soil microbiome best predicts wheat grain quality
Authors: Asad Numan Ibne , Wang Xiao-Bo , Dozois Jessica , Azarbad Hamed , Constant Philippe , Yergeau Etienne
Published: November 2022

Previous studies have shown that it is possible to accurately predict wheat grain quality and yields using microbial indicators. However, it is uncertain what the best timing for sampling is. For optimal usefulness of this modeling approach, microbial indicators from samples taken early in the season should have the best predictive power. Here, we sampled a field every two weeks across a single growing season and measured a wide array of microbial parameters (amplicon sequencing, abundance of N-cycle related functional genes, and microbial carbon usage) to find the moment when the microbial predictive power for wheat grain baking quality is highest. We found that the highest predictive power for wheat grain quality was for microbial data derived from samples taken early in the season (May–June), which coincides roughly with the seedling and tillering growth stages, that are important for wheat N nutrition. Our models based on LASSO regression also highlighted a set of microbial parameters highly coherent with our previous surveys, including alpha- and beta-diversity indices and N-cycle genes. Taken together, our results suggest that measuring microbial parameters early in the wheat growing season could help farmers better predict wheat grain quality.
Derivation of a minimal functional XIST by combining human and mouse interaction domains
Authors: Navarro-Cobos Maria Jose , Morales-Guzman Suria Itzel , Baldry Sarah E L , Brown Carolyn J
Published: November 2022

X-inactive specific transcript (XIST) is a 17–19 kb long non-coding ribonucleic acid (RNA) critical for X-chromosome inactivation. Tandem repeats within the RNA serve as functional domains involved in the cis-limited recruitment of heterochromatic changes and silencing. To explore the sufficiency of these domains while generating a functional mini-XIST for targeted silencing approaches, we tested inducible constructs integrated into 8p in a male cell line. Previous results suggested silencing could be accomplished with a transgene comprised of the repeat A, which is highly conserved and critical for silencing; the repeat F that overlaps regulatory elements and the repeat E that contributes to XIST localization by binding proteins such as CIZ1 (AFE). As polycomb-repressive complex 1 (PRC1) is recruited through HNRNPK binding of repeats B–C–D, we included a second ‘mini-XIST’ comprising AFE with the mouse Polycomb Interaction Domain (PID), a 660-nucleotide region known to recruit PRC1. Silencing of an adjacent gene was possible with and without PID; however, silencing more distally required the addition of PID. The recruitment of heterochromatic marks, evaluated by immunofluorescence combined with RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization, revealed that the AFE domains were sufficient only for CIZ1 recruitment. However, mini-XIST transgene recruited all marks, albeit not to full XIST levels. The ability of the PID domain to facilitate silencing and heterochromatic mark recruitment was unexpected, and inhibition of PRC1 suggested that many of these are PRC1 independent. These results suggest that the addition of this small region allowed the partial recruitment of all the features induced by a full XIST, demonstrating the feasibility of finding a minimal functional XIST.
Antisense oligonucleotide induced pseudoexon skipping and restoration of functional protein for Fukuyama muscular dystrophy caused by a deep-intronic variant
Authors: Enkhjargal Sarantuya , Sugahara Kana , Khaledian Behnoush , Nagasaka Miwako , Inagaki Hidehito , Kurahashi Hiroki , Koshimizu Hisatsugu , Toda Tatsushi , Taniguchi-Ikeda Mariko
Published: November 2022

Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by fukutin (FKTN) gene mutations. FCMD is the second most common form of childhood muscular dystrophy in Japan, and the most patients possess a homozygous retrotransposal SINE-VNTR-Alu insertion in the 3′-untranslated region of FKTN. A deep-intronic variant (DIV) was previously identified as the second most prevalent loss-of-function mutation in Japanese patients with FCMD. The DIV creates a new splicing donor site in intron 5 that causes aberrant splicing and the formation of a 64-base pair pseudoexon in the mature mRNA, resulting in a truncated nonfunctional protein. Patients with FCMD carrying the DIV present a more severe symptoms, and currently, there is no radical therapy available for this disorder. In the present study, we describe in vitro evaluation of antisense oligonucleotide mediated skipping of pseudoexon inclusion and restoration of functional FKTN protein. A total of 16 19–26-mer antisense oligonucleotide sequences were designed with a 2’-O-methyl backbone and were screened in patient-derived fibroblasts, lymphoblast cells and minigene splice assays. One antisense oligonucleotide targeting the exonic splice enhancer region significantly induced pseudoexon skipping and increased the expression of normal mRNA. It also rescued FKTN protein production in lymphoblast cells and restored functional O-mannosyl glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan in patient-derived myotubes. Based on our results, antisense oligonucleotide-based splicing correction should be investigated further as a potential treatment for patients with FCMD carrying the DIV.

 

One Sentence Summary Antisense oligonucleotide treatment restored normal FKTN protein production and functional O-mannosyl glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan via pseudoexon skipping in patient-derived cells carrying the compound heterozygous deep-intronic variant of Fukuyama muscular dystrophy.
Research on fault-tolerant consensus of heterogeneous multi-agent systems based on adaptive robust sliding mode observer
Authors: Wang Jun , Yang Ronglian
Published: November 2022

The fault-tolerant consensus control for heterogeneous multi-agent systems with actuator faults and external disturbances is studied in this paper. Firstly, considering the unknown actuator fault information and the influence of external disturbance on the observer, a robust sliding mode observer with adaptive laws modification was proposed to realize the actuator fault reconstruction. Secondly, a fault-tolerant controller is designed based on the reconstructed values obtained from the adaptive robust sliding mode observer, and the original heterogeneous complex dynamic high-dimensional system is converted into two low-dimensional closed-loop error systems by decoupling method. Furthermore, Lyapunov and Ricatti theories are used to obtain the controller gain solution method. Finally, a simulation experiment of fault-tolerant consensus control for heterogeneous multi-agent systems is carried out with one leading agent and four following agents, and the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method are verified.
‘Women’s right to health in detention’: United Nations Committee Observations since the adoption of the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (Bangkok Rules)
Authors: Van Hout Marie Claire , Fleißner Simon , Stöver Heino
Published: November 2022

Approximately 11.7 million people are detained globally, with an observed rise in the female prison population in recent years. A range of human rights treaties, and non-binding minimum standards of care (2016 Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Mandela Rules), 2010 Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (the Bangkok Rules)) protect the rights of prisoners. States however have discretion in defining humane treatment and adequate medical care in detention settings.

In this Review Essay, we focus on the right to health of detained women based on an environment conducive to adequate health, and access to gender-responsive, non-discriminatory healthcare in detention equivalent to that in the community. We scrutinized all United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and Committee against Torture Concluding Observations published since 2010, and provide a global illustration of violations of women’s health rights in detention settings to date. We document the inadequate accommodation and standards of detention of women, and inadequate access to healthcare services while detained, particularly relating to HIV and reproductive health, and mental health and drug dependence treatment in some countries. Human rights violations identified in the Concluding Observations reflect 39 countries and are presented as: the United Nations Committee description of their concern pertaining to a country’s treatment of women in detention; and collectively in terms of the particular Bangkok Rule (5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 14–16, 34, 35, 48 and 51).

Our investigation raises general questions around the continued lack of resourcing of female detention settings and gender-responsive healthcare programming, the lack of data and advocacy on behalf of detained women, and the lack of routine scrutiny of the unique health rights assurances of women within independent monitoring and inspection in detention settings all over the world.
National policies for delivering tuberculosis, HIV and hepatitis B and C virus infection services for refugees and migrants among Member States of the WHO European Region
Authors: Baggaley Rebecca F , Nazareth Joshua , Divall Pip , Pan Daniel , Martin Christopher A , Volik Mikhail , Seguy Nicole S , Yedilbayev Askar , Reinap Marge , Vovc Elena , Mozalevskis Antons , Dadu Andrei , Waagensen Elisabeth , Kruja Krista , Sy Tyrone Reden , Nellums Laura , Pareek Manish
Published: November 2022

Background/objective

Refugees and migrants to the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region are disproportionately affected by infections, including tuberculosis (TB), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B and C (HBV/HCV) compared with the host population. There are inequities in the accessibility and quality of health services available to refugees and migrants in the Region. This has consequences for health outcomes and will ultimately impact the ability to meet Regional infection elimination targets.

Methods

We reviewed academic and grey literature to identify national policies and guidelines for TB/HIV/HBV/HCV specific to refugees and migrants in the Member States of the WHO European Region and to identify: (i) evidence informing policy and (ii) barriers and facilitators to policy implementation.

Results

Relatively few primary national policy/guideline documents were identified which related to refugees and migrants and TB [14 of 53 Member States (26%), HIV (n = 15, 28%) and HBV/HCV (n = 3, 6%)], which often did not align with the WHO recommendations, and for some countries, violated refugees' and migrants’ human rights. We found extreme heterogeneity in the implementation of the WHO- and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)-advocated policies and recommendations on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care of TB/HIV/HBV/HCV infection among migrants across the Member States of the WHO European Region.

There is great heterogeneity in implementation of WHO- and ECDC-advocated policies on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care of TB/HIV/HBV/HCV infection in refugees and migrants across the Member States in the Region.

Conclusion

More transparent and accessible reporting of national policies and guidelines are required, together with the evidence base upon which these policy decisions are based. Political engagement is essential to drive the changes in national legislation to ensure equitable and universal access to the diagnosis and care for infectious diseases.
Out-of-Court vs Court-Supervised Restructurings
Authors: Olivares-Caminal Rodrigo , Guynn Randall D , Kornberg Alan W , Paterson Sarah , Singh Dalvinder
Published: November 2022

Chapter 3 highlights the various avenues through which restructurings can occur in the UK and US, and provides the reader with a framework for understanding both the out-of-court and in-court restructuring process. This chapter discusses typical out-of-court approaches in the UK and US and the advantages and disadvantages of such tactics. Chapter 3 includes a detailed summary of the court-supervised chapter 11 process in the US, including events that typically lead to a chapter 11 filing, the chapter 11 plan and confirmation process, section 363 sales, and COVID-19’s effects on restructurings. It also includes a detailed analysis of the multiple restructuring tools available in the UK, including new tools which have been introduced by the Corporate Governance and Insolvency Act 2020.
Article 1
Authors: Byrnes Andrew , Kapai Puja
Published: November 2022

This chapter examines Article 1 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The concept of discrimination is the core of the Convention and runs through its overall scheme and its individual provisions. It requires taking into account gendered power relationships within societies and to identify their negative effects on women. The CEDAW Committee has been sensitive to the many different forms of discrimination against women based on sex and gender and the ways in which they may interact with discrimination based on other categories, something reflected in its consistent engagement with intersectionality and a focus on the need to ensure that the particular circumstances of disadvantaged groups of women are recognized and addressed by States parties. The Article 1 definition is the link that guarantees women protection against discrimination in relation to all human rights, not just those listed in the Convention, and the Committee has developed this to include important areas such as emergencies and humanitarian disasters, climate change, and women, peace, and security within the scope of the Convention. Moreover, the Committee has adopted a dynamic interpretation to respond to new forms and arenas of gender-based discrimination and thus brought within the Convention’s practical coverage discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Article 3
Authors: Chinkin Christine , Gormley Lisa
Published: November 2022

This chapter focuses on Article 3 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Article 3 is an unusual provision in the Convention in that it does not explicitly identify elimination of discrimination against women as its goal; rather, it emphasizes States parties’ obligations to take positive steps to ensure the full development and advancement of women on a basis of equality with men. While it has not been explicitly used by the CEDAW Committee on many occasions as the basis for imposing free-standing obligations (with the exception of General Recommendation No 18 on Disabled Women), Article 3 has been relied upon (in conjunction with other articles of the Convention) as the basis for asserting States parties’ obligations with respect to violence against women, removing reservations, and establishing effective national processes and mechanisms for the achievement of the Convention’s objectives, particularly effective coordination of State initiatives to implement the full range of women’s human rights and setting up ‘national machinery’ for the advancement of women. Its open-ended wording confers a residual capacity allowing for the inclusion of matters which do not come within the express wording of other articles.