Minimum Infrastructure Research Articles

Identification of Sex-Associated Genetic Markers in Pistacia lentiscus var. chia for Early Male Detection.

Pistacia lentiscus var. chia is a valuable crop for its high-added-value mastic, a resin with proven pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical properties harvested from the male tree trunk. To achieve the maximum economic benefits from the cultivation of male mastic trees, it is important to develop early sex diagnosis molecular tools for distinguishing the sex type. Thus far, the work on sex identification has focused on Pistacia vera with promising results; however, the low transferability rates of these markers in P. lentiscus necessitates the development of species-specific sex-linked markers for P. lentiscus var. chia. To our knowledge, this is the first report regarding: (i) the development of species-specific novel transcriptome-based markers for P. lentiscus var. chia and their assessment on male, female and monoecious individuals using PCR-HRM analysis, thus, introducing a cost-effective method for sex identification with high accuracy that can be applied with minimum infrastructure, (ii) the effective sex identification in mastic tree using a combination of different sex-linked ISSR and SCAR markers with 100% accuracy, and (iii) the impact evaluation of sex type on the genetic diversity of different P. lentiscus var. chia cultivars. The results of this study are expected to provide species-specific markers for accurate sex identification that could contribute to the selection process of male mastic trees at an early stage for mass propagation systems and to facilitate future breeding efforts related to sex-linked productivity and quality of mastic resin.

The MAPSTROKE project: A computational strategy to improve access to acute stroke care.

Global access to acute stroke treatment is variable worldwide, with notable gaps in low and middle-income countries (LMIC), especially in rural areas. Ensuring a standardized method for pinpointing the existing regional coverage and proposing potential sites for new stroke centers is essential to change this scenario. To create and apply computational strategies (CSs) to determine optimal locations for new acute stroke centers (ASCs), with a pilot application in nine Latin American regions/countries. Hospitals treating acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and meeting the minimum infrastructure requirements per structured protocols were categorized as ASCs. Hospitals with emergency departments, noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) scanners, and 24/7 laboratories were identified as potential acute stroke centers (PASCs). Hospital geolocation data were collected and mapped using the OpenStreetMap data set. A 45-min drive radius was considered the ideal coverage area for each hospital based on the drive speeds from the OpenRouteService database. Population data, including demographic density, were obtained from the Kontur Population data sets. The proposed CS assessed the population covered by ASCs and proposed new ASCs or artificial points (APs) settled in densely populated areas to achieve a target population coverage (TPC) of 95%. The observed coverage in the region presented significant disparities, ranging from 0% in the Bahamas to 73.92% in Trinidad and Tobago. No country/region reached the 95% TPC using only its current ASCs or PASCs, leading to the proposal of APs. For example, in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, the introduction of 132 new centers was suggested. Furthermore, it was observed that most ASCs were in major urban hubs or university hospitals, leaving rural areas largely underserved. The MAPSTROKE project has the potential to provide a systematic approach to identify areas with limited access to stroke centers and propose solutions for increasing access to AIS treatment. Data used for this publication are available from the authors upon reasonable request.

Effluent treatment plants for activities with high pollutant-degradation potential: an analysis of compliance with legal requirements

Sewage treatment plants (STPs), despite being fundamental for controlling environmental pollution, are also potential causes of environmental impact, therefore requiring an efficient self-monitoring plan to verify compliance with legal conditions. In this context, this research investigated the situation of Sewage Treatment Stations of enterprises that develop activities with high polluting degrading potential, located in Juazeiro do Norte – CE, in relation to compliance with legal guidelines. To guide this analysis, conditions were considered in resolutions from the Ceará State Environmental Council and municipal laws and decrees that deal with the matter under consideration. At the Municipal Environmental Authority of Juazeiro do Norte (AMAJU), data were collected from licensed enterprises that carried out high PPD activities, from the treatment technologies for effluents generated in each activity, from the STPs self-monitoring programs, and the types and locations of bodies receivers and the operating condition and physical flow of the AMAJU monitoring sector. The processing of data relating to the delivery of self-monitoring reports was carried out using percentages of 50 and 75%. From the analysis of the results, 48 ​​enterprises were identified that carried out high PPD activities, of which 4 were located in areas that had restrictions on this type of use. It was also verified that there was an important battery of public water supply wells surrounded by such projects. It was found that there are 70 high PPD projects that are under the jurisdiction of AMAJU and that the quality of liquid effluents from their STPs is, under specific conditions, in compliance with the release standards established by COEMA Resolution Nº 02/2017. However, it was found that the majority of the enterprises surveyed were non-compliant regarding the quantity and frequency of sending self-monitoring reports to AMAJU. These weaknesses were attributed to the reduced technical staff of the environmental agency and the absence of its minimum infrastructure for the development of the actions necessary for the implementation of an efficient environmental monitoring system. To contribute to the improvement of this system, it was suggested to strengthen AMAJU's technical, financial and institutional support, in addition to establishing a distinction in relation to the requirements regarding the frequency of analyzes and the periodicity of delivery of liquid effluent self-monitoring reports, for enterprises. with different types and classes.

IMPLEMENTATION OF HEALTH PROTOCOLS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN PONDOK PESANTREN IN THE SPECIAL REGION OF YOGYAKARTA

Introduction: COVID-9 is a global pandemic and causes changes in behavior and life. The implementation of health protocols is the most important aspect to prevent the transmission of COVID19, especially in the Islamic boarding schools (Pondok Pesantren) community. The aim of this study is to identify the practice of a clean and healthy lifestyle as well as the application of health protocols in the Pondok Pesantren to control the spread of COVID-19. Methods: The preliminary survey was conducted as a part of training for the healthy student cadre and the establishment of COVID-19 shelters in Pondok Pesantren in The Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Fourteen questions including the name of Pondok Pesantren and multiple-choice questions related to clean and healthy living behaviors comparison before and during the pandemic, health protocol implementation during the pandemic, and provision of COVID-19 prevention and control program. Results: Total sample consisted of 84 students from 18 Pondok Pesantren in The Special Region of Yogyakarta. Among the factors affecting the student’s compliance with health protocol implementation in Pondok Pesantren were the disparity of individual’s understanding and obedience to rules and regulations regarding health protocol implementation (71,8%), inadequate facilities (12,8%), and other factors including that there was no strict supervision and punishment for violation upon regulations. Conclusion: Pondok pesantren is an institution that needs more attention amid the pandemic of COVID-19. Dense population, minimum infrastructure, and relatively poor access to healthcare facilities have made them a vulnerable community.

Evaluation of the Efficiency of Regional Airports Using Data Envelopment Analysis

Background: Small regional airports provide the necessary assistance to enable mobility in isolated areas where access is critical and costly due to poor road infrastructure and geographic constraints. Colombia’s air transportation industry has grown astonishingly quickly and dynamically over the past fifteen years. This period was coincident with the establishment and continued implementation of a public policy intended exclusively for the aviation industry and airports. However, there are currently no methods available to measure the efficiency of airports in Colombia, especially small regional airports. Methods: The research presented in this article aims to evaluate the technical efficiency of small regional airports in Colombia, using data envelopment analysis. This efficiency is achieved by considering the minimum infrastructure required to provide services and the administrative forms or properties that provide appropriate levels of this. Results: The study’s input and output data are identified, a non-parametric data envelopment analysis methodology is used, and the findings are assessed. Conclusions: The factors directly identified in the research affect the airport administration and, in the options, are available to help citizens transport optimally.

디지털 전환을 위한 데이터 밸런스의 중요성에 관한 연구

This study shows the need of data balance by analysis the balance of data collected by the government. As a result of analysis of vehicle recognition data, only 231(3.08%) were significant data, even though 7,500 pieces of diversity were required, and the rest were all listed in the overlapping data. This means that biased artificial intelligence is highly likely to be created. The introduction of artificial intelligence technology is too important and fundamental a change, it cannot be achieved only by the technical efforts of individual companies in quality. Only when the government or public institutions provide necessary standards and provide minimum infrastructure can the competitiveness of companies as well as social stability related to new technologies be secured.

Analysis of Infrastructural Challenges, Cybercrime, and the Cashless Policy in Nigeria

Abstract
 This study makes an analysis of infrastructural challenges and the cashless policy in Kaduna state, Nigeria. A survey was conducted to collect the primary data through a structured questionnaire and interviews with bank customers, bank officials, and security personnel to obtain information on infrastructural challenges since the introduction of the Cashless policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2012. Frequency distribution and simple percentage methods are used to analyze the data. Findings show that infrastructural challenges include network failure and infrastructural deficiency, debiting by Automated Teller Machine (ATM) without disbursing cash to beneficiaries, problems not rectified quickly by the banks, and charging by banks for using electronic banking methods. This leads to fraud, cybercrimes, and reduced confidence in the banking system. It is recommended that banks should be made to provide the minimum infrastructure required for cashless policy to succeed. In addition, there should be adequate cyber security measures implemented by banks and the government.

Raising awareness of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease in light of COVID-19

This paper will discuss acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has highlighted the need to raise awareness of these conditions in the UK. Despite the high global incidence of chronic kidney disease, there are still few prevention and early detection strategies in place, meaning that many do not know they have the condition until it has deteriorated. Acute kidney injury has been noted as a common complication of COVID-19, being present in 24–57% patients admitted to hospital after contracting the virus. There is an urgent need to consider the long-term impact of COVID-19 on kidney function and, more generally, the physical and emotional wellbeing of patients affected by both conditions, as well as the implications for NHS resources. Until the minimum infrastructure required to reduce the burden of kidney disease, with the requisite resources for prevention and management, the associated morbidity and mortality trends will continue to worsen, particularly in the wake of COVID-19. Acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease must be made a health priority by national governments and international organisations alike.

Hash-Chain Fog/Edge: A Mode-Based Hash-Chain for Secured Mutual Authentication Protocol Using Zero-Knowledge Proofs in Fog/Edge.

Authentication is essential for the prevention of various types of attacks in fog/edge computing. Therefore, a novel mode-based hash chain for secure mutual authentication is necessary to address the Internet of Things (IoT) devices’ vulnerability, as there have been several years of growing concerns regarding their security. Therefore, a novel model is designed that is stronger and effective against any kind of unauthorized attack, as IoT devices’ vulnerability is on the rise due to the mass production of IoT devices (embedded processors, camera, sensors, etc.), which ignore the basic security requirements (passwords, secure communication), making them vulnerable and easily accessible. Furthermore, crackable passwords indicate that the security measures taken are insufficient. As per the recent studies, several applications regarding its requirements are the IoT distributed denial of service attack (IDDOS), micro-cloud, secure university, Secure Industry 4.0, secure government, secure country, etc. The problem statement is formulated as the “design and implementation of dynamically interconnecting fog servers and edge devices using the mode-based hash chain for secure mutual authentication protocol”, which is stated to be an NP-complete problem. The hash-chain fog/edge implementation using timestamps, mode-based hash chaining, the zero-knowledge proof property, a distributed database/blockchain, and cryptography techniques can be utilized to establish the connection of smart devices in large numbers securely. The hash-chain fog/edge uses blockchain for identity management only, which is used to store the public keys in distributed ledger form, and all these keys are immutable. In addition, it has no overhead and is highly secure as it performs fewer calculations and requires minimum infrastructure. Therefore, we designed the hash-chain fog/edge (HCFE) protocol, which provides a novel mutual authentication scheme for effective session key agreement (using ZKP properties) with secure protocol communications. The experiment outcomes proved that the hash-chain fog/edge is more efficient at interconnecting various devices and competed favorably in the benchmark comparison.

What makes bicyclists comfortable? Insights from a visual preference survey of casual and prospective bicyclists

• Comfort in different bicycling environments measured using a visual preference survey. • Bike infrastructure and low traffic speeds generate higher comfort ratings. • People without a predisposition to bicycle are unlikely to feel comfortable with even the best-designed on-road facilities. • Planning for a “design person” and setting a minimum infrastructure standard could increase comfort for all. Understanding what environments are comfortable (and perceived as safe) for bicyclists is essential for increasing bicycling, particularly for non-experienced riders. Surveys probing people’s qualitative perceptions about bicycling environments can inform bicycle planning in important ways. In this study we use survey data from an on-line video experiment to analyze bicycling comfort and its relationship with person-level and road-level variables. We use an existing survey of students, faculty, and staff at UC Davis (n = 3089) who rated video clips of bicycling facilities in different environments based on their perceived comfort as a part of the annual UC Davis Campus Travel Survey (CTS). The video clips come from a variety of urban and semi-rural roads around the San Francisco Bay Area where bicycling rates vary. Our results indicate considerable effects of socio-demographics and attitudes on absolute video ratings, but we find relative agreement about which videos are most comfortable and uncomfortable across our sample population segments. Presence of bike infrastructure and low speed roads are especially important in generating higher comfort ratings. However, our results suggest that even the best designed on-road bike facilities (according to attributes in our data) are unlikely to provide a comfortable bicycling environment for those without a predisposition to bicycle. Nonetheless, our results provide guidance for improving roads with on-street bike facilities where protected or separated facilities may not be suitable. We discuss these results in the context of design standards for bicycling and methods for prioritizing bike infrastructure investments.

A SIMPLE METHOD OF DNA EXTRACTION OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS FROM SPUTUM CULTURES FOR SEQUENCING ANALYSIS.

Background:Concern has been raised about DNA extraction from Mycobacterium tuberculosis due to its complex procedure. This study demonstrates a simple and fast DNA extraction method of mycobacterial genome to subsequent molecular investigation, such as Polymerization Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification, with species-specific primers and sequencing.Materials and Methods:Total DNA was isolated from M. tuberculosis cultured by using boil method. DNA was evaluated via measures of DNA quantity and quality (absorbance at 230, 260 and 280 nm), DNA integrity (electrophoresis). Molecular tests were tested namely PCR and sequencing.Conclusions:The quality of DNA obtained is acceptable for PCR and sequencing analysis. These findings demonstrate that the method used is inexpensive and suitable for minimum infrastructure facilities.

A SIMPLE METHOD OF DNA EXTRACTION OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS FROM SPUTUM CULTURES FOR SEQUENCING ANALYSIS

Background: Concern has been raised about DNA extraction from Mycobacterium tuberculosis due to its complex procedure. This study demonstrates a simple and fast DNA extraction method of mycobacterial genome to subsequent molecular investigation, such as Polymerization Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification, with species-specific primers and sequencing. Materials and Methods: Total DNA was isolated from M. tuberculosis cultured by using boil method. DNA was evaluated via measures of DNA quantity and quality (absorbance at 230, 260 and 280 nm), DNA integrity (electrophoresis). Molecular tests were tested namely PCR and sequencing. Conclusions: The quality of DNA obtained is acceptable for PCR and sequencing analysis. These findings demonstrate that the method used is inexpensive and suitable for minimum infrastructure facilities.

Anticoagulation Clinical Pharmacist: Anticoagulation Care between the Headset and the Dial Pad

Anticoagulant is a class of medication that saves lives while carries an intrinsic risk of harm. The American College of Chest Physicians Consensus Conference on Antithrombotic Therapy for the first time in 1995 endorsed the setting of specialized anticoagulation clinics instead of usual medical care. Recently telemedicine is not a brand-new method of patient care, yet, telemedicine utilization has increased dramatically during the last year to comply with the curfew that most cities of the world had to apply to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Telemedicine and especially anticoagulation care need careful systems, the minimum infrastructure of patient records including telephone contact number, facility telephone, and clinic appointment system. The top three challenges when applying telehealth are payment, confidentiality, and un-updated patients’ information.

A quality improvement project on adherence to antibiotic policy in acute admissions from a tertiary care hospital in south India

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in clinical practice may be an independent risk factor for the development of antimicrobial resistance. To combat this, our hospital implemented a hospital antibiotic policy which outlines the appropriate antibiotic to be used in an acute admission, based on a continuously updated local antibiogram. However, we felt that compliance with the policy was poor and hence carried out a quality improvement project (QIP) to assess and increase compliance. We show that a simple QIP model combined with the use of a mobile application can serve to improve compliance even in a low-resource setting with minimum infrastructure. This model could be easily extrapolated into similar settings.

Effectiveness of Beauty Culture Trainings towards Sustainable Livelihood

Sustainable livelihood emerges at the intersection of development and environmental studies to offer a new way to think about work, especially the work of vulnerable populations. The term reflects a concern with extending the focus of poverty studies beyond the physical manifestations of poverty to include also vulnerability and social exclusion. Trainings help them in securing a better livelihood. Beauty culture is one of such avenues for self-employment, which require less of basic and technical education, minimum infrastructure and moderate financial needs. The study was conducted in Hisar district in Haryana state purposively with 120 respondents selected randomly from four training centers under PMKVY. Effectiveness of training was assessed in terms of utility and coverage. Results showed that maximum utility score was for hygiene in makeup aspect, good grooming in personality development and makeup in beauty services. Also, it was found that age, education and monthly income of family were found to be significantly associated with effectiveness of training. Also, it was found that training was considered highly useful in providing knowledge and skill on makeup.

Computational Thinking Lesson in Improving Digital Literacy for Rural Area Children via CS Unplugged

The advantage of computational tools over human brains is the speed, but the initiative ability of human brains is not owned by computational tools. The perfect combination of thinking and computing lays the foundation of science and gives birth to a series of achievements in technology. The introduction of technology through the subjects of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in schools nowadays is just limited to using the applications. Computational thinking gives knowledge that builds structural thinking, critical power, and creativity by learning the computing process itself. These are what people need to enhance digital literacy. The way to learn it could be in many strategies. CS Unplugged was used in this research to deliver computational thinking in a simple way related to minimum infrastructure in the remote area for the children at elementary schools. Some activities were done as kinaesthetic learning in certain topics of CS Unplugged. This kind of method does not need some computer devices to get children closer to computer science. A challenge was given to assess the ability of ICT learning which is computational thinking. The children show their enthusiasm for learning, proved by their final score in a challenge. The children’s score significantly improved in learning ICT by using CS Unplugged.

Evaluation of Truenat RT PCR for diagnosis of SARS CoV2 infection- An observational study

In December 2019, Wuhan, a province in China, reported an outbreak of pneumonia which was said to be due to a novel strain of Coronavirus. Initially, it was named as 2019-nCoV by WHO and later as SARS CoV -2. Early and accurate detection of SARS CoV 2 is necessary for isolating and treating the infected individuals. WHO has recommended molecular methods as the method of choice for detection of SARS CoV 2 viral infection. Recently, ICMR, the apex body for medical research and validation of methods, recommended an indigenous Truenat RTPCR (Molbio diagnostics)system for screening of SARS CoV2 infection to NABL accredited private laboratories. This observational study was carried out in the molecular biology department of our diagnostic centre between 11 May to 12 June 2020. A total of 1000 Patients of all ages and both sexes were included in the study. There were 604 (60.4%) males and 396 females (39.6%) with a male to female ratio of 1.52:1. A total of 63 males (67.7%) and 30 females (32.2%) were positive for E gene. Out of total 93 E gene positive patients, 73 were positive by a confirmatory test with an overall detection rate of 7.3%. Out of the 73 confirmed SARS CoV 2 patients, symptomatic cases accounted for 63% of overall positive patients, followed by asymptomatic (24.6%) and preoperative patients (3.45%), 2.7% each of follow up positive cases and contacts of positive patients and 1.36% in pregnant females. Truenat RTPCR is one such promising indigenous equipment which is cost effective and can be used to diagnose Corona infection in small laboratories and community centres with minimum infrastructure. This will help in reducing the burden on government laboratories.

PENGARUH UPAH MINIMUM REGIONAL DAN RASIO INFRASTRUKTUR TERHADAPKESENJANGAN DISTRIBUSI PENDAPATAN DI INDONESIA

This study aims to examine the impact of region minimum wage and infrastructure ratio onIncomeDistribution Gap in Indonesia. This study uses panel data for the period 2011-2017 and consists of 33provinces, except North Kalimantan Province because it is a new province. By using fixed effectpanel data regression analysis, with dependent variable is gini index. While independent variable areregional minimum wage and infrastructure ratio.On the one hand, based on hypothetical test, theresults show that the regional minimum wage and infrastructure ratio have a negative and significanteffect on the income distribution gap in Indonesia. On the other hand, based on the individual effectstest, the large islands such as Sumatera, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali, Maluku, and Papua have apositive effect on the gini ratio. This shows that there is an impact of the infrastructure ratio functionand regional minimum wages in increasing the distribution of income as measured by the gini index.

Effect of ultrasonic irradiation power on sonochemical synthesis of gold nanoparticles

In this work, optimized size distribution and optical properties in the colloidal synthesis of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were obtained using a proposed ultrasonic irradiation assisted Turkevich-Frens method. The effect of three nominal ultrasound (20 kHz) irradiation powers: 60, 150, and 210 W have been analyzed as size and shape control parameters. The GNPs colloidal solutions were obtained from chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) and trisodium citrate (C6H5Na3O7·2H2O) under continuous irradiation for 1 h without any additional heat or stirring. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was monitored in the UV–Vis spectra every 10 min to found the optimal time for localized SPR wavelength (λLSPR), and the 210 sample procedure has reduced the λLSPR localization at 20 min, while 150 and 60 samples have showed λLSPR at 60 min. The nucleation and growth of GNPs showed changes in shape and size distribution associated with physical (cavitation, temperature) and chemical (radical generation, pH) conditions in the aqueous solution. The results showed quasi-spherical GNPs as pentakis dodecahedron (λLSPR = 560 nm), triakis icosahedron (λLSPR = 535 nm), and tetrakis hexahedron (λLSPR = 525 nm) in a size range from 12 to 16 nm. Chemical effects of ultrasound irradiation were suggested in the disproportionation process, electrons of AuCl2− are rapidly exchanged through the gold surface. After AuCl4− and Cl− were desorbed, a tetrachloroaurate complex was recycled for the two-electron reduction by citrate, aurophilic interaction between complexes AuCl2−, electrons exchange, and gold seeds, the deposition of new gold atoms on the surface promoting the growth of GNPs. These mechanisms are enhanced by the effects of ultrasound, such as cavitation and transmitted energy into the solution. These results show that the plasmonic response from the reported GNPs can be tuned using a simple methodology with minimum infrastructure requirements. Moreover, the production method could be easily scalable to meet industrial manufacturing needs.

Various Disinfecting Methods of Orthodontic Pliers in Daily Clinical Practice: A comparative Study

Introduction: Orthodontic pliers are essential armamentarium in every orthodontic office and should be used
 once for one patient, then autoclaved before next use. Clinical orthodontics with higher volume of patients,
 requires a quick chair side disinfection method for pliers, also in rural centres with minimum infrastructure
 it is a challenge to maintain sterilisation protocols. Various disinfecting agents include alcohols , quaternary
 ammonium salts, formaldehyde, chloramine, sodium hypochlorite, spirit, glutaraldehyde etc. are available.
 Out of these we compared the commonly available disinfectants including ethyl alcohol, 5% glutaraldehyde,
 and 6% sodium hypochlorite to assess their disinfection efficacy after clinical use.
 Materials and method: 20 orthodontic pliers were inoculated with Coagulase negative streptococci. The
 pliers were divided in 4 groups with 5 pliers in each group. Each group was subjected to different disinfectant
 solution with one group aiding as control. The disinfectants used were: spirit (group 1), 5% glutaraldehyde
 (group 2), 2% sodium hypochlorite (group 3) and distilled water (control group).
 Results: spirit and 5% glutaraldehyde have shown to be potent disinfectants.
 Conclusions: Based on these results, we concluded that among the tested methods, disinfection of orthodontic
 pliers with spirit and 5% glutaraldehyde are the efficient methods for chair-side disinfection.