bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The elimination of human African trypanosomiasis: Achievements in relation to WHO road map targets for 2020
Authors: Franco Jose R. , Cecchi Giuliano , Paone Massimo , Diarra Abdoulaye , Grout Lise , Kadima Ebeja Augustin , Simarro Pere P. , Zhao Weining , Argaw Daniel
Published: January 2022

Background

In the 20th century, epidemics of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) ravaged communities in a number of African countries. The latest surge in disease transmission was recorded in the late 1990s, with more than 35,000 cases reported annually in 1997 and 1998. In 2013, after more than a decade of sustained control efforts and steady progress, the World Health Assembly resolved to target the elimination of HAT as a public health problem by 2020. We report here on recent progress towards this goal.

Methodology/principal findings

With 992 and 663 cases reported in 2019 and 2020 respectively, the first global target was amply achieved (i.e. fewer than 2,000 HAT cases/year). Areas at moderate or higher risk of HAT, where more than 1 case/10,000 people/year are reported, shrunk to 120,000 km2 for the five-year period 2016–2020. This reduction of 83% from the 2000–2004 baseline (i.e. 709,000 km2) is slightly below the target (i.e. 90% reduction). As a result, the second global target for HAT elimination as a public health problem cannot be considered fully achieved yet. The number of health facilities able to diagnose and treat HAT expanded (+9.6% compared to a 2019 survey), thus reinforcing the capacity for passive detection and improving epidemiological knowledge of the disease. Active surveillance for gambiense HAT was sustained. In particular, 2.8 million people were actively screened in 2019 and 1.6 million in 2020, the decrease in 2020 being mainly caused by COVID-19-related restrictions. Togo and Côte d’Ivoire were the first countries to be validated for achieving elimination of HAT as a public health problem at the national level; applications from three additional countries are under review by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Conclusions/significance

The steady progress towards the elimination of HAT is a testament to the power of multi-stakeholder commitment and coordination. At the end of 2020, the World Health Assembly endorsed a new road map for 2021–2030 that set new bold targets for neglected tropical diseases. While rhodesiense HAT remains among the diseases targeted for elimination as a public health problem, gambiense HAT is targeted for elimination of transmission. The goal for gambiense HAT is expected to be particularly arduous, as it might be hindered by cryptic reservoirs and a number of other challenges (e.g. further integration of HAT surveillance and control into national health systems, availability of skilled health care workers, development of more effective and adapted tools, and funding for and coordination of elimination efforts).
A novel single-feed hybrid reconfigurable microstrip patch antenna for 5G mobile communication and radio frequency energy harvesting applications at 28/38GHz
Authors: Shereen Muhammad Kamran , Khattak Muhammad Irfan , Zubir Farid , Basit Abdul
Published: January 2022

Reconfigurable antennas have received much attention in RF energy harvesting models owing to their selectivity for operating frequency and polarization. The characteristic of having frequency selectivity and polarization selectivity can be termed as frequency diversity and polarization diversity, respectively. This paper investigates a rectenna device with a new proposed topology in order to eliminate coupling between input and output lines and increase the rectification efficiency with the use of single feed hybrid reconfigurable antenna, switch between 28GHz and 38GHz frequency. Moreover, it is designed to charge a rechargeable battery of 1watt(W). The Reconfiguration mechanism is realized by electronically controlling different states of Switches. PIN Diode (as RLC Equivalent circuit) is used as a switch for ON/OFF states. This antenna mainly comprises rectangular shaped patches (28GHz and 38GHz) with Triango-Truncated edge at the corners. Eighteen PIN Diodes are placed symmetrically throughout the antenna presenting as, S1 & S2 for frequency reconfiguration, S3 to S6 & S7 to S10 connects Triango Truncated edge at the corners for polarization reconfiguration, and for radiation pattern reconfiguration at S11 to S14 & S15 to S18 has been used. The proposed antenna model is capable of simultaneously changing, the radiation patterns as clock and anti-clockwise directions at ±90-degree shift in E and H planes, circularly polarized (CP) states among, Linear Polarization (LP), Right Hand Circularly Polarization (RHCP), and Left Hand Circularly Polarization (LHCP). The current design describes using single antenna for energy harvesting and 5G mobile communication application. This would lead to higher output currents, leading to the ability to efficiently charge a wide variety of batteries. A fully functional prototype has been designed, fabricated and its compound reconfiguration characteristics have been validated for simulated and measured results. For validation of results, the experimental results and the simulation results from the proposed mathematical model were made into comparison, and excellent correlation between the measured and simulated results was obtained.
Clinical characteristics and disease course of splanchnic vein thrombosis in gastrointestinal cancers: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Kang Minsu , Suh Koung Jin , Kim Ji-Won , Byun Ja Min , Kim Jin Won , Lee Ji Yun , Lee Jeong-Ok , Bang Soo-Mee , Kim Yu Jung , Kim Se Hyun , Kim Jee Hyun , Lee Jong Seok , Lee Keun-Wook
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Splanchnic vein thrombosis (SpVT) in solid tumors has not been well investigated. Therefore, the treatment guidelines for SpVT are not well established. We aimed to conduct this prospective study to investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors influencing survival in patients with gastrointestinal cancer with SpVT.

Materials and methods

Fifty-one patients with gastrointestinal cancer diagnosed with SpVT were prospectively enrolled. The clinical characteristics and courses of SpVT were analyzed.

Results

SpVT occurred in various clinical situations (at the time of initial cancer diagnosis or tumor recurrence after curative therapy, in the postoperative period, during chemotherapy, or in the period of end-of-life care). Among the total patients, 90.2% had no SpVT-related symptoms at initial SpVT diagnosis, and 82.4% did not receive any anticoagulation therapy. The clinical course of SpVT during the follow-up varied: (1) spontaneous resorption without any anticoagulation (47.1%), (2) resorption with anticoagulation (3.9%), (3) persistent thrombosis without progression (17.6%), and (4) SpVT extension (31.4%). Although the SpVT showed extension in some cases, most of them did not cause symptoms or had little impact on the patient’s cancer treatment course. During the follow-up period, 23 patients died, all of which were caused by tumor progression. In the multivariable analysis, performance status and clinical situation at the time of SpVT diagnosis were significant prognostic factors.

Conclusions

Clinicians could adopt a strategy of close observation for incidentally detected SpVT in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Anticoagulation should be considered only for SpVT cases selected strictly, weighing the risks and benefits.
A platform of assays for the discovery of anti-Zika small-molecules with activity in a 3D-bioprinted outer-blood-retina model
Authors: Dorjsuren Dorjbal , Eastman Richard T. , Song Min Jae , Yasgar Adam , Chen Yuchi , Bharti Kapil , Zakharov Alexey V. , Jadhav Ajit , Ferrer Marc , Shi Pei-Yong , Simeonov Anton
Published: January 2022

The global health emergency posed by the outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV), an arthropod-borne flavivirus causing severe neonatal neurological conditions, has subsided, but there continues to be transmission of ZIKV in endemic regions. As such, there is still a medical need for discovering and developing therapeutical interventions against ZIKV. To identify small-molecule compounds that inhibit ZIKV disease and transmission, we screened multiple small-molecule collections, mostly derived from natural products, for their ability to inhibit wild-type ZIKV. As a primary high-throughput screen, we used a viral cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition assay conducted in Vero cells that was optimized and miniaturized to a 1536-well format. Suitably active compounds identified from the primary screen were tested in a panel of orthogonal assays using recombinant Zika viruses, including a ZIKV Renilla luciferase reporter assay and a ZIKV mCherry reporter system. Compounds that were active in the wild-type ZIKV inhibition and ZIKV reporter assays were further evaluated for their inhibitory effects against other flaviviruses. Lastly, we demonstrated that wild-type ZIKV is able to infect a 3D-bioprinted outer-blood-retina barrier tissue model and disrupt its barrier function, as measured by electrical resistance. One of the identified compounds (3-Acetyl-13-deoxyphomenone, NCGC00380955) was able to prevent the pathological effects of the viral infection on this clinically relevant ZIKV infection model.
Pregnancy health and perinatal outcomes among Pacific Islander women in the United States and US Affiliated Pacific Islands: Protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Suss Rachel , Mahoney Madison , Arslanian Kendall J. , Nyhan Kate , Hawley Nicola L.
Published: January 2022

This scoping review examines the literature on pregnancy and perinatal outcomes among Pacific Islander women in the United States (U.S.) and U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands. Our aim was to identify research that disaggregated Pacific Islanders from other population groups. We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), and PsycINFO (Ovid) databases and a hand-search of grey literature. Forty-eight articles published between January 2010 and June 2020 were included. The majority of studies were conducted in Hawaii and utilized clinical record data. Infant outcomes were more commonly reported than maternal outcomes. We highlighted several limitations of the existing literature that included aggregation of Pacific Islanders with Asian American and other ethnic groups; limited comparison between Pacific Islander sub-groups; inadequate definitions of the nationality and ethnic composition of Pacific Islander groups; a lack of hypothesis-driven primary data collection and clinical trials; and underrepresentation of Pacific Islanders in population-based studies. Researchers should address these limitations to improve pregnancy and perinatal outcomes among Pacific Islanders, who comprise the second fastest growing ethnic minority in the U.S.
Limits to detecting epistasis in the fitness landscape of HIV
Authors: Biswas Avik , Haldane Allan , Levy Ronald M.
Published: January 2022

The rapid evolution of HIV is constrained by interactions between mutations which affect viral fitness. In this work, we explore the role of epistasis in determining the mutational fitness landscape of HIV for multiple drug target proteins, including Protease, Reverse Transcriptase, and Integrase. Epistatic interactions between residues modulate the mutation patterns involved in drug resistance, with unambiguous signatures of epistasis best seen in the comparison of the Potts model predicted and experimental HIV sequence “prevalences” expressed as higher-order marginals (beyond triplets) of the sequence probability distribution. In contrast, experimental measures of fitness such as viral replicative capacities generally probe fitness effects of point mutations in a single background, providing weak evidence for epistasis in viral systems. The detectable effects of epistasis are obscured by higher evolutionary conservation at sites. While double mutant cycles in principle, provide one of the best ways to probe epistatic interactions experimentally without reference to a particular background, we show that the analysis is complicated by the small dynamic range of measurements. Overall, we show that global pairwise interaction Potts models are necessary for predicting the mutational landscape of viral proteins.
Development and utilization of a surrogate SARS-CoV-2 viral neutralization assay to assess mRNA vaccine responses
Authors: Wisnewski Adam V. , Liu Jian , Lucas Carolina , Klein Jon , Iwasaki Akiko , Cantley Linda , Fazen Louis , Campillo Luna Julian , Slade Martin , Redlich Carrie A.
Published: January 2022

Background

Tests for SARS-CoV-2 immunity are needed to help assess responses to vaccination, which can be heterogeneous and may wane over time. The plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) is considered the gold standard for measuring serum neutralizing antibodies but requires high level biosafety, live viral cultures and days to complete. We hypothesized that competitive enzyme linked immunoassays (ELISAs) based on SARS-CoV-2 spike protein’s receptor binding domain (RBD) attachment to its host receptor, the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE2r), would correlate with PRNT, given the central role of RBD-ACE2r interactions in infection and published studies to date, and enable evaluation of vaccine responses.

Methods and results

Configuration and development of a competitive ELISA with plate-bound RBD and soluble biotinylated ACE2r was accomplished using pairs of pre/post vaccine serum. When the competitive ELISA was used to evaluate N = 32 samples from COVID-19 patients previously tested by PRNT, excellent correlation in IC50 results were observed (rs = .83, p < 0.0001). When the competitive ELISA was used to evaluate N = 42 vaccinated individuals and an additional N = 13 unvaccinated recovered COVID-19 patients, significant differences in RBD-ACE2r inhibitory activity were associated with prior history of COVID-19 and type of vaccine received. In longitudinal analyses pre and up to 200 days post vaccine, surrogate neutralizing activity increased markedly after primary and booster vaccine doses, but fell substantially, up to <12% maximal levels within 6 months.

Conclusions

A competitive ELISA based on inhibition of RBD-ACE2r attachment correlates well with PRNT, quantifies significantly higher activity among vaccine recipients with prior COVID (vs. those without), and highlights marked declines in surrogate neutralizing activity over a 6 month period post vaccination. The findings raise concern about the duration of vaccine responses and potential need for booster shots.
Family correlates of emotional and behavioral problems in Nepali school children
Authors: Ma Jasmine , Mahat Pashupati , Brøndbo Per Håkan , Handegård Bjørn H. , Kvernmo Siv , Javo Anne Cecilie
Published: January 2022

Background

There is a substantial gap in our knowledge about family correlates of child emotional and behavioral problems in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The present study contributes to filling this gap by examining such correlates in a larger population study in Nepal.

Methods

Our study is a cross-sectional, observational study among 3840 Nepali children aged 6–18 years from 64 schools and 16 districts in the three main geographical regions in the country. We used the Nepali version of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)/6-18 to assess children’s internalizing and externalizing problems and an additional background information questionnaire to assess possible family correlates which included parental education, family structure, migrant worker parents, parental mental and physical illness, family conflicts, and child-rearing. The associations between family variables and child internalizing and externalizing problems were analyzed using bivariate correlations and multiple regression.

Results

Using bivariate analysis, we found that mental and physical illness in parents, conflict in the family, parental disagreement in child-rearing, and physical punishment of child correlated positively with both Internalizing Problems and Externalizing Problems. The same associations were found by using multiple regression analysis. In addition, parental education, family structure, and migrant worker mothers were associated with Externalizing Problems. However, the effect sizes were small.

Conclusion

The results suggest that in Nepal, child mental problems were associated with several family risk factors. Further, the study points to the need of strengthening prevention- and intervention measures to minimize family risk factors of child mental health disorders.
Climate change could reduce and spatially reconfigure cocoa cultivation in the Brazilian Amazon by 2050
Authors: Igawa Tassio Koiti , Toledo Peter Mann de , Anjos Luciano J. S.
Published: January 2022

Cocoa is a plant with origins in northwestern South America with high relevance in the global economy. Evidence indicates that cocoa is sensitive to a dry climate, under which crop production is reduced. Projections for future climate change scenarios suggest a warmer and drier climate in the Amazon basin. In this paper, we quantify the potential effects in cocoa production due to its edaphoclimatic suitability changes to the Brazilian Amazon biome and account for regional differences in planning occupation territories. We modeled the suitability of cocoa’s geographical distribution using an ensemble of 10 correlative models that were run in the “biomod2” library and projected to two future climate scenarios (RCPs 4.5 and 8.5) by 2050. Combining information on climate and soil suitability and installed infrastructure in the macro-regions of the Brazilian Amazon. We defined a zoning system to indicate how cocoa production may respond to climate change according to the current and future suitability model. Our results suggest that a reduction in precipitation and an increase in temperature may promote a reduction in the suitability of cocoa production in the Brazilian Amazon biome. In addition of the areas suitable for cocoa plantation, we found a 37.05% and 73.15% decrease in the areas suitable for intensification and expansion zones under RCP 4.5 and 8.5, respectively, compared with the current scenario. We conclude that there may be a need to expand land to cocoa production in the future, or else it will be necessary to plant a cocoa variety resistant to new climatic conditions. Besides, we recommend procedures to combat illegal deforestation to prevent the most critical climate change scenarios from occurring.
Cytokines and inflammatory mediators: Markers involved in interstitial damage to the pancreas in two dengue fever cases associated with acute pancreatitis
Authors: Alves Felipe de Andrade Vieira , Oliveira Lucca de Lima S. , Salomão Natália Gedeão , Provance David William , Basilio-de-Oliveira Carlos Alberto , Basílio-de-Oliveira Rodrigo , Moragas Leandro Junqueira , de Carvalho Jorge José , Mohana-Borges Ronaldo , Rabelo Kíssila , Paes Marciano Viana
Published: January 2022

Dengue viral (DENV) infections can lead to acute pancreatitis and associated tissue damage. This study examined the pancreas from two fatal cases of DENV for histopathological changes as well as for the detection of cytokines, and other inflammatory mediators. Tissue sections were prepared for examination by ultrastructural and histopathological techniques. Sections from the pancreas of non-infected individuals were prepared in parallel as a control. The presence of viral replication in macrophages was detected by co-staining for the proteins NS3 and CD68 by immunofluorescence. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect cells that expressed cytokines and inflammatory mediators to characterize the inflammatory response. Edema, acinar necrosis and fibrosis areas associated with a mononuclear infiltrate were found in infected tissues. The major site of virus replication appeared to be macrophages based on their exclusive presentation of the viral protein NS3. Pancreatic tissues from the infected individuals also displayed increased levels of high mobility group box-1, caspase-3, gelatinase B and tumor necrosis factor alpha compared to controls. The presence of virus replicating macrophages in the pancreas was associated with multiple changes in tissue structure that included elevated levels of cytokines and inflammatory markers that may differentiate acute pancreatitis due to DENV infections from other causes.
La literatura nos salva de los avatares de la vida cotidiana
Authors: García Adánez Isabel
Published: January 2022

En esta entrevista, Isabel García Adánez, flamante ganadora del Premio Nacional a la mejor Traducción de 2020, no solo nos habla de la fascinante vida y obra de la premio nobel alemana de origen rumano Herta Müller, sino que además nos explica de forma muy gráfica, amena y sencilla alguno de los retos que plantea la traducción del alemán al español.
Features of the Emergence and Re-Emergence of Infectious Diseases, Geopolitics and Gain-of-Function Research
Authors: Chukwuma Sr Chrysanthus
Published: January 2022

This paper attempts to present the dissemination and transmission dynamics of emerging and reemerging infectious diseases and the underlying features of gain-of-function research and geopolitics in the ambient within and across borders. Research and publication are relevant from perspectives in the management of local and global health because disease is perspicuously a geopolitical issue ostensibly linked to gain-of-function research where health diplomacy undergirds present and future global functionalities regarding the emergence and reemergence of infectious diseases. These have generated vehement reactions with propensity for extreme geopolitics and gain-of-function natural and anthropogenic activities. Geopolitical parameters and gain-of-function issues impact on the social determinants of health and vice versa. The convening and convergence of countries for unprecented epidemic or pandemic treaty settings or other formulations to confront emerging and reemerging infectious diseases will afford considerable opportunities concerning challenges in action, preparedness and response. Provisions are pertinent for legal instruments, effective and efficient systems to curb future threats and outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Contrast-Enhanced, Fluoroscopically Guided Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube Placement for the High-Risk Patient
Authors: Prakash Preeti , Su Andrew , Mason Leona , Tabibian James H.
Published: January 2022

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes can facilitate enteric feeding in patients with severe malnutrition but may be technically challenging to place. We present a man with disseminated tuberculosis and severe cachexia refractory to oral intake and nasogastric tube placement. PEG placement was initially deemed high-risk, through endoscopic, interventional radiologic, or surgical approach, because of severe cachexia and dilated bowel loops interposed between the abdominal wall and stomach. We describe a novel, minimally invasive technique to enhance safety and feasibility of PEG placement, which led to significant improvement in nutritional status and facilitated successful response to tuberculosis therapy.
Pollyanna’s Intergenerational Gladness
Authors: Reese Ashley N.
Published: January 2022

This chapter explores how Pollyanna, placed in the role of the Romantic child, is able to influence her entire community using the glad game. The chapter argues that she does so through consensual solidarity: as Pollyanna enters adulthood, the community expects that her influence will end, and indeed, Pollyanna complies by applying her lessons of positivity to herself. In this way, the two Pollyanna novels reinforce patriarchal standards. This mutual influence, including Pollyanna’s diminishing use of the word “glad,” is supported by the close reading and the distant reading conducted using the digital tool of Voyant.
Crossing the Divide
Authors: Webb Jean
Published: January 2022

An increasingly ageing population across Europe raises the issue of understanding between the young and older generations with respect to the problems emanating from dementia in older people. This chapter demonstrates how selected British fiction for children engages the younger generation in concrete approaches to reducing the generational divide and bringing about greater understanding and solidarity. The texts discussed herein are Anne Fine’s The Granny Project (1983); Melvin Burgess and Lee Hall’s Billy Elliot (2001); Jenny Downham’s Unbecoming (2008); David Walliams’ Grandpa’s Great Escape (2015), and The Dementia Diaries (2016) by Matthew Snyman and the Social Innovation Lab Kent. Each approaches the problems differently but nonetheless have the common intention of showing how intergenerational understanding and solidarity can be developed in living with those suffering from dementia.
Envisioning Solidarity
Authors: Barai Aneesh , Uematsu Nozomi
Published: January 2022

This chapter discusses adult-child relations in two Japanese animated fantasy films that are based on English children’s literature, When Marnie Was There and Howl’s Moving Castle, both by Studio Ghibli. Both films draw strongly on the age-bending elements of their source texts, with Marnie transforming from the heroine Anna’s grandmother into her young friend and, in reverse, Sophie transforming from an 18-year-old into an older lady. Through the affordances of animation as a medium, and fantasy as a mode, the chapter argues these two films challenge the separation of adult and child into distinct realms and envision the mutual support that can come from bringing adults and children together into conversation, as equals: for Marnie, this supports both characters through childhood trauma and, for Howl, Sophie’s age-defying identity speaks to an intergenerational push for pacifism.
Nadja Halilbegovich’s My Childhood Under Fire: A Sarajevo Diary
Authors: Ulanowicz Anastasia
Published: January 2022

This chapter draws on a close reading of Nadja Halilbegovich’s My Childhood Under Fire: A Sarajevo Diary (2006) in order to argue that its original entries and subsequent annotations demonstrate Marah Gubar’s kinship model of childhood studies, which privileges the relatedness, rather than the difference, between children and adults. It addresses first the content of Halilbegovich’s diary, which is concerned with charting the creative collaboration of children and adults under siege, and second, its form, which promises a rich negotiation between the author’s earlier childhood voice and the annotations she offers as an adult reader of her original diary.
Gardening and Intergenerational Solidarity in Contemporary American Children’s Literature
Authors: Dybska Aneta
Published: January 2022

This chapter discusses grassroots gardening and farming projects in children’s books authored by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan, Sarah Stewart, Rebecca Elliott and Jacqueline Briggs Martin. The chapter focuses on micro-scale projects that couple the pastoral ideal with the idiom of citizenship, weaving together the community and the nation. Drawing insights from American studies, urban studies, and citizenship studies, the chapter explores the ways in which children’s narratives developed around the theme of neighborhood beautification and growing food to rejuvenate communities, enhance social capital, and, above all, revive the idea of the city as an intergenerational polity of citizens.
The “Lynx-Eyed Sagacity” of the “Schoolboy”
Authors: Roy Malini
Published: January 2022

This chapter discusses the children’s books written by political philosopher and literary figure William Godwin, which he produced for his London-based publishing-cum-bookselling enterprise “Juvenile Library” (1805–1825). According to Godwin, he used to “consult” his own five children in the process of producing these books—a claim whose import has been overlooked in the growing body of critical studies of these books. The “Juvenile Library” books earned State surveillance and public attention in a historical era marked by State repression of free speech during the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815). Criticism has, justifiably, appreciated these books as a development of Godwin’s radical political thought and liberal pedagogies in the 1790s. However, by analyzing Godwin’s children’s biography Life of Lady Jane Grey (1806), this chapter asserts that the provocative nature of these books derives from Godwin’s pioneering initiation of processes of intergenerational dialogue. The chapter shows that Godwin initiates such dialogue by demonstrating to child readers that texts can be read productively in multiple and dissonant ways.
Building Bridges
Authors: Joosen Vanessa
Published: January 2022

This chapter combines genetic criticism and age studies to shed light on the construction of adolescence in Aidan Chambers’s Young Adult novels, in particular The Toll Bridge. His notebooks reveal that he relied both on his memories and on the kinship that he perceived with the midlife crisis to develop adolescence in his books. He wrote The Toll Bridge as a modern “Recognition Story.” In addition, for several novels, Chambers also relied on young readers to get an understanding of the lived experience of adolescence.
Pengalaman Sekolah Penyelenggara Pendidikan Inklusif dalam Menyediakan Pembelajaran Sains
Authors: Suprihatiningrum Jamil
Published: January 2022

This article focuses on the investigations towards challenges and obstacles faced by Schools Providing Inclusive Education (SPIE) in creating inclusive science learning for students with disabilities. Under the qualitative research lense, three SPIE (Sekolah Mutiara, Permata and Berlian) in the Special Province of Yogyakarta were involved and thirteen respondents (principals, science teachers, support teachers) were selected through purposive sampling technique. Data were collected by in-depth interviews and followed by a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with six science teachers. Collected data were then analyzed through coding, categorization, and four themes were generated. The findings show that types of disabilities possessed by students are very diverse, so that teachers need more effort and time to manage class. Support for the teachers and science learning media were limited. Another finding shows that contradictions between policies on inclusive education resulted in the confusion of implementing inclusive education in school level.
Artikel ini membahas tantangan dan hambatan yang ditemui oleh Sekolah Penyelenggara Pendidikan Inklusif (SPPI) dalam menyediakan pembelajaran sains untuk siswa difabel. Tiga SPPI di Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta dicakup dalam penelitian ini, dengan tiga belas responden yang terdiri atas kepala sekolah, guru sains, guru pendamping kelas (GPK). Data dikumpulkan dengan wawancara mendalam dan Focus Group Discussion (FGD) bersama enam guru sains. Hasil analisis data menunjukkan di ketiga SPPI, variasi tipe dan jenis disabilitas yang dimiliki oleh siswa sangat beragam, sehingga guru membutuhkan tenaga dan waktu lebih banyak untuk mengelola pembelajaran. Daya dukung sekolah masih kurang dan perlu ditingkatkan terutama di area jumlah GPK dan media pembelajaran yang sesuai untuk siswa dengan jenis disabilitas tertentu. Sekolah Berlian menunjukkan iklim pembelajaran yang lebih inklusif dibanding yang lain. Ditemukan adanya kontradiksi antar-kebijakan pemerintah mengenai pendidikan inklusif, yang mengakibatkan pelaksana pendidikan inklusif di sekolah mengalami kebingungan.
Strategi Komunikasi Penanganan Perempuan Difabel Korban Kekerasan Seksual di SAPDA Yogyakarta
Authors: Apriyani Tiara , Rahmiaji Lintang Ratri
Published: January 2022

Women with disabilities are a vulnerable group to sexual violence. Handling cases of sexual violence against women with disabilities requires a special approach. SAPDA Yogyakarta is one of the NGOs that focuses on assisting victims of violence among women with disabilities. Using a qualitative approach, this study aims to examine the SAPDA communication strategy as an effort to assist victims. The study revealed that the special communication strategy carried out by SAPDA began by studying the background and condition of the victim to achieve a common understanding. Furthermore, SAPDA cooperates with the victim's family to achieve her consent for counseling. SAPDA also uses non-verbal communication, reduces interpersonal distance, acts as a friend, uses assistive medias, such as images and games, and repeats communication processes. To prevent any cases of sexual violence, SAPDA establishes Peer Counselors with online counseling programs, holds various seminars and trainings and uses SAPDA publications to educate disability issues.
Perempuan difabel adalah kelompok yang rentan mengalami kekerasan seksual. Penanganan kasus kekerasan seksual pada perempuan difabel membutuhkan pendekatan khusus. SAPDA Jogja adalah salah satu NGO yang memiliki fokus pendampingan perempuan difabel korban kekerasan. Dengan pendekatan kualitatif, penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui strategi komunikasi SAPDA sebagai upaya mendampingi korban. Adapun hasil penelitian mengungkapkan strategi komunikasi khusus yang dilakukan SAPDA dimulai dengan mempelajari latar belakang dan kondisi korban untuk membangun pemahaman bersama. Selanjutnya, SAPDA bekerja sama dengan keluarga korban untuk memudahkan penerimaan konseling. SAPDA juga menggunakan komunikasi non verbal, mengurangi jarak inter-personal, dengan berlaku sebagai teman, penggunaan alat bantu gambar serta media permainan, dan proses komunikasi yang dilakukan berulang-ulang. Untuk mencegah terjadinya kekerasan seksual, SAPDA membentuk Konselor Sebaya dengan program konseling-daring, mengadakan berbagai seminar dan pelatihan HKSR serta menggunakan media SAPDA sebagai sarana informasi yang edukatif mengenai isu disabilitas.
PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF CREATING AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WASTE-TO-ENERGY PLANT
Authors:   National Research University “Moscow Power Engineering Institute”, Moscow, Russian Federa-tion, Dudolin A.A. , Efremov A.N.
Published: January 2022

The article consider the main stages in the selection of an environmentally safe structure of thermal and energy solid municipal waste utilization as part of the feasibility study. The article analyses the assessed in-fluence of the fuel component on the structure of a waste-to-energy plant (WTE plant). Recommendations on how to select the optimal energy structure of WTE plant have been developed, an approach to the analy-sis of the ash and slag management scheme has been investigated. The approach to the choice of the struc-ture of the WTE plant gas purification system is selected. The article reveals significant differences in the approach to determining the structure of the energy TPP and WTE plant and provides recommendations on the ways to reduce capi-tal costs while maximizing the extraction of secondary resources. The methodology of the study consists in the analysis of foreign experience in the operation of thermal power plants on MSW with various structural schemes, presented in the literature, reports on the operation of energy complexes, passports for installa-tions. The purpose of creating the methodology is to determine the projected environmental and energy in-dicators of the projected WTE plant and, taking into account external and internal factors of the project, identify possible risks of the project at the stage of feasibility study.
Techno-economic Analysis of Wind Turbines Powering Rural of Malaysia
Authors: Al-Fatlawi Ali Wadi , Al-Baghdadi Maher Ali , Togun Hussein , Ahmadi Goodarz , Rahman Saidur , Rahim Nasrudin Abd
Published: January 2022

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the wind energy potential and energy cost of various types of wind turbines that could be powering rural Areas. The analysis was performed on hourly wind data over three years for five locations measured with a 10 m-high anemometer in Peninsular Malaysia. The performance of wind turbines with varying hub heights and rated power was examined. The economic evaluation of wind energy in all sites was based on an analysis of the annual Levelized cost of energy. Results show that the annual mean wind speeds vary from 1.16 m/s in Sitiswan to 2.9 m/s in Mersing, whereas annual power varies from 3.6 to 51.4 W/m2. Moreover, the results show that the cost of unit energy varies between (4.5-0.38) $/kWh.The most viable site for the use of wind turbines was Mersing, while Sitiawan was the least viable site. A case study examined three wind turbine models operating at Mersing. The study showed that increasing the inflation escalation rate for operating and maintenance from 0-5% led to a decrease in the unit energy cost by about 38%. However, increasing the operating and maintenance escalation rate from 0-10% led to an increase in the unit cost of energy by about 7-8%.
Effect of Dolomite Addition on Fly Ash Based Ceramic Membrane to Reduce COD and BOD of Liquid Waste
Authors: Aprilianti Widiya , Mahatmanti F. Widhi , Alauhdin Mohammad , Jumaeri Jumaeri
Published: January 2022

Ceramic membrane technology plays an essential role in separation fields such as wastewater treatment. Fly ash as a membrane material has proven to be very effective for many separation processes, including water and air purification, as well as industrial and environmental resource recovery. This study aims to develop a microfiltration ceramic membrane based on fly ash with the addition of dolomite. The synthesized ceramic membranes were then characterized using XRD, SEM, and TGA. Ceramic membranes are used to reduce COD and BOD levels in tofu industrial wastewater. The results showed that the value of membrane porosity tends to increase with the addition of dolomite 0% (D0) to 30% (D30). The increase in the porosity value in the membrane was followed by a decrease in the average pore size, namely 1.6994 m at D0 and 1.1730 m at D30. The membrane with 30% dolomite composition has the best mechanical properties with a compressive strength of 35.29 MPa and superior thermal resistance. This is very beneficial for the use of membranes in the long term. Meanwhile, the membrane filtration ability and the ability of the membrane to reduce COD and BOD levels of waste increased with the addition of dolomite from 0% to 30%. However, the decrease in COD and BOD was smaller in the membrane with 45% dolomite. D30 membrane can reduce COD 80% and BOD up to 71.44%. D30 membrane is the most effective fly ash and dolomite composition in forming pores on the membrane with the best COD and BOD reduction performance.
Effectiveness and Isotherm Models of Lewatit Monoplus S-108 on Lithium Adsorption Process from Bledug Kuwu Brine with Continuous Flow
Authors: Rohmah Miftakhur , Suharyanto Ariyo , Lalasari Latifa Hanum , Soedarsono Johny Wahyuadi
Published: January 2022

Sorption of a series of alkali metals (Ca, Mg, Li, and K) from Bledug Kuwu’s Brine into Lewatit MonoPlus S-108 resins has been studied. Bledug Kuwu’s Brine comprised 15.11 ppm Li, 179.91 ppm K, 72.01 ppm Ca, and 29.76 ppm Mg. The adsorption was carried out by varying pH of brine (4, 6, 8, and 10) and contact time (1, 2, and 4 hours) with continuous flow in column test at room temperature. The result showed the quantity adsorbate in outer resin: K>Li>Ca>Mg in all conditions, which is 0.038–0.043 mmol/g lithium, 0.087–0.09 mmol/g potassium, 0.031–0.035 mmol/g calcium, and 0.023–0.024 mmol/g magnesium into outer resin surface. The selectivity factor to lithium followed Mg/Li > K/Li> Ca/Li in all conditions. Contact time variable provided high lithium separation after the adsorption process for 2–3 hours, while pH had little effect. FTIR results affirm that resin was changed at new peaks M-O-M at low wavenumber with polystyrene crosslinked-divinylbenzene matrix and contains the sulfonic type. The results obtained from ICP were fitted to isotherm models in ion exchange, as follows: Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevic models. The best model of lithium adsorption into Lewatit S-108 is represented by Freundlich and Temkin Model (R2 ≥ 0.82) with 1.0056 mg/g of adsorption capacity (Kf) and 64.885 J/mol of heat process of sorption.
Oncogene mutational analysis in imatinib naive population of gastrointestinal stromal tumor patients
Authors: Ali Abuderman Abdul Wahab , M. Aldakheel Fahad
Published: January 2022

There are very scanty reports on gastro-intestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), a very common tumor of mesenchymal cells in GIT track primary resistance to imatinib. This comprehensive study identifies the prevalence, clinical presentation and GIST genotype association in the imatinib naí¯ve population. Prospectively a record of anthropometric, baseline demographic data and clinical details for the patients diagnosed with GIST were scrutinized. Pathological information included the presence or absence of necrosis, tumor size, mitotic counts, immune-histochemical staining for CD 34, CD 117 and DOG1 was performed using biopsy sample. Selected exon genes of KIT, PDGFRA and BRAF were amplified and subjected to mutation analysis by direct sequencing. Appropriate statistical analyses were performed. The male/female ratio was 1.8:1 among 54 patients with GIST. The mean GIST size was comparatively bigger in females (2.49±0.855) than males (2.26±1.13). The stomach was the most common site for GIST followed by the Small bowel and rectum. The majority of the tumours were spindle cell. This study reports 12 different types of mutation among 39 KIT, 8 PDGFRA and 7 BRAF mutations. In KIT, the most prevalent was exon 11 mutation with the KITdelinc557/558 (14/30) being the major exon 11 type mutation. In PDGRFA, five exons 18 with p.D842V substitution and three exons 12 deletion mutation was reported. Seven patients had strong or diffuse BRAF staining having V600E type mutation as major BRAF type mutation. Drug-resistant GIST due to acquired mutations remains a serious issue, therefore genetic information of such mutational related to drug-resistant may provide the imperative clue for diagnosis and clinical treatment. These mutations are pivotal for prognosis and associated with imatinib as not all of them but only a few are reported resistant to the imatinib.
Regulation of NLRP3 by non-coding RNAs in different cancers: interplay between non-coding RNAs and NLRP3 in carcinogenesis and metastasis
Authors: Farooqi Ammad Ahmad , Attar Rukset , Tanriover Gamze , Sabitaliyevich Uteuliyev Yerzhan , Zhailganov Azamat , Rabandiyarov Marat
Published: January 2022

NLRP3 (NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3) inflammasomes are multitasking intracellular sensors having characteristically unique ability to detect myriad of microbial motifs and endogenous danger signals which promote structural assembly of NLRP3 inflammasome thus enabling it to perform instrumental roles. Detailed mechanistic insights revealed that molecularly assembled NLRP3 inflammasomes stimulated caspase-1-driven release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines. NLRP3 has been shown to play fundamental role in the regulation of cancer progression and metastasis. Recently emerging cutting-edge research-works have started to shed light on the involvement of non-coding RNAs in the regulation of NLRP3 in different cancers. MicroRNAs, lncRNAs and circular RNAs have been shown to modulate NLRP3 in different diseases. However, we still have incomplete information about regulation of NLRP3 by circular RNAs in various cancers. In this review, we will comprehensively analyze how different microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs modulate NLRP3 in human cancers. Emerging evidence has started to scratch the surface of the participation of miRNAs and lncRNAs in the regulation of NLRP3. Xenografted mice-based studies have also enabled us to develop a better comprehension of interplay between miRNAs, lncRNAs and NLRP3. Hopefully, detailed analysis of contextual regulation of NLRP3 by oncogenic and tumor suppressor miRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs will be helpful in getting a step closer to the personalized medicine.
External quality assessment providers’ services appear to more impact the immunohaematology performance of laboratories than national regulatory and economic conditions
Authors: Buchta Christoph , Coucke Wim , Huf Wolfgang , Griesmacher Andrea , Müller Mathias M. , Mayr Wolfgang R. , Flesland Øystein , Politis Constantina , Wiersum-Osselton Johanna , Aburto Andrés , Badrick Tony , Bouacida Lobna , Budina Marek , Duenas Joseph A. , Geilenkeuser Wolf-Jochen , Guimarães André V.P. , Hecimovic Ana , Jutzi Markus , Lee Chang-Keun , Lim Young Ae , Mammen Joy , Molnár Petra Magdolna , Mokhtari Azita , Morabito Giuseppa , Muñiz-Diaz Eduardo , Niekerk Truscha , Pakkanen Anja , Pezzati Paola , Popa Razvan , Sárkány Erika , Siest Jean-Pascal , Suvagandha Dhitiwass , Thelen Marc , Ullhagen Jenny , Vitkus Dalius , Körmöczi Günther F.
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Medical laboratories may, at their own discretion, exceed but not undercut regulatory quality requirements. Available economic resources, however, may drive or hinder eagerness to exceed minimum requirements. Depending on the respective scopes of regulatory and economic framework conditions, differing levels of quality efforts to safeguard laboratory performance can be anticipated. However, this has not yet been investigated.

Methods

Immunohaematology external quality assessment (EQA) results collected by 26 EQA providers from their participant laboratories in 73 countries from 2004 to 2019 were evaluated. Error rates were aggregated in groups according to the respective national regulatory and economic framework conditions, to whether or not expert advice was provided in case of incorrect results, and the frequency of EQA samples.

Results

These representative data indicate no association between national regulatory (mandatory participation in EQA, monitoring of performance of individual laboratories by authorities, financial consequences of incorrect results) and economic (level of national income, share of national health expenditure) conditions to the quality performance of medical laboratories in immunohaematology. However, EQA providers’ support for laboratories in the event of incorrect results appear to be associated with lower error rates, but a high EQA sample frequency with higher error rates.

Conclusions

Further research into the impact of introducing or changing services of EQA providers is needed to confirm the results found in this first of its kind study.
Labile glycated hemoglobin: an underestimated laboratory marker of short term glycemia
Authors: Delanghe Joris R. , Lambrecht Stijn , Fiers Tom , Speeckaert Marijn M.
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a key laboratory parameter in the management of diabetes patients. However, in diabetes monitoring, interpretation of HbA1c results is hampered by the important interindividual variation in red blood cell (RBC) life span. Furthermore, HbA1c only slowly responds to changes in glucose metabolism. Besides HbA1c, there exists a labile HbA1c fraction (l-HbA1c), exhibiting much faster kinetics. As both HbA1c and l-HbA1c are measured by modern standard chromatography, we explored the possibilities of using the l-HbA1c fraction for monitoring glycemia.

Methods

l-HbA1c and HbA1c fractions were simultaneously assayed on a Tosoh G8 analyzer and expressed as %. l-HbA1c results were compared with serum glucose and HbA1c. Concomitantly, RBC distribution width (RDW) was determined on a Sysmex SN analyzer as a marker for erythrocyte life span.

Results

l-HbA1c could be measured with between-run coefficient of variations (CVs) between 2.2 and 2.3%. l-HbA1c correlated with both glycemia (r=0.80) and HbA1c results (r=0.73). In a multiple regression model (r2=0.752), glycemia and HbA1c were the most determining factors. To a lesser extent, RDW correlated with l-HbA1c (r=0.158). Furthermore, the l-HbA1c/HbA1c ratio weakly positively correlated with RDW (r=0.247).

Conclusions

L-HBA1c represents an additional marker for monitoring the rapid occurrence of glycemic disorders that escape detection when using only HbA1c and blood glucose. RDW can be used as an indicator of atypical RBCs life span, in which the l-HbA1c fraction may be helpful.