Pilot Model Research Articles

Establishment and Characterization of Advanced Penile Cancer Patient-derived Tumor Xenografts: Paving the Way for Personalized Treatments

BackgroundSystemic treatments for penile squamous cell carcinoma (pSCC) are toxic and inefficient. Patient-based preclinical models are essential to study novel treatments. ObjectiveTo establish a library of patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDX) models of human papillomavirus-positive (HPV+) and -negative (HPV−) pSCC and characterize these at the genomic and histological levels. Design, setting, and participantsEighteen tumor samples from 14 patients with recurrent or metastatic pSCC were implanted in nude mice. A biobank of PDX tumors was established after passaging of patient samples (F0) for three generations (F1, F2, F3) and was characterized using histopathology and targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS). Single-nucleotide polymorphism fingerprinting was used to confirm PDX genealogy. Outcome measurements and statistical analysisThe engraftment rate, overall growth rate, and pSCC histomorphology were checked for each PDX generation. Staining for p40 (a pSCC marker) and p16 (a surrogate for HPV infection) was performed for F0 samples. The mutational profile according to a validated panel of 96 cancer genes was determined for F0 and F3 samples and compared to a larger tNGS database. Results and limitationsIncluding a previously established pilot model, 11 out of 18 tumor samples (61%) successfully engrafted in F1. The mean time from implantation in F1 to completion of F3 was 36 wk (standard deviation 18). Histological fidelity was demonstrated across generations. The patient mutational profiles were preserved in F3 and were representative of 277 pSCC samples in the Foundation Medicine database. The rapid progression of pSCC in patients from our selected high-risk cohort impeded the use of PDXs as avatars. ConclusionsWe successfully established the first library of 11 PDX models of HPV− and HPV+ pSCC. Our PDX models showed high engraftment rates and histological and genomic fidelity to the tumor tissue of origin. These models may help in paving the way towards the development of novel treatments. Patient summaryWe established 11 animal models based on tumor tissue from patients with penile cancer. These models could play a vital role in selection of novel treatments according to genetic mutations. In the future, therapies with confirmed preclinical effects may have a profound impact on the development of personalized treatments in penile cancer.

A Pilot Model for the Treatment of Slaughterhouse Wastewater Using Zeolite or Psidium-Leaf Powder as a Natural Coagulant, Followed by Filtration with Rice Straw, in Comparison with an Inorganic Coagulant

Slaughterhouse wastewater (SHWW) is classified as industrial waste, which is exceptionally harmful to the environment due to its high content of biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and suspended solids, which result from high organic and nutrient loading. This study used a pilot system to treat SHWW from the Kafrelsheikh Governorate slaughterhouse, which includes a three-step process. It started with sedimentation, then coagulation and flocculation using different concentrations of each: natural zeolites (Z) and Psidium guajava-leaf powder (GLP) as green and environmentally friendly agents, and alum (A) as an inorganic coagulant. The final step was filtration with physically treated rice straw (RS). Each step was judged separately by measuring the removal percentages of each analyzed pollutant, and finally, the overall process was evaluated using the same method. A jar test was used to determine the best concentration of each coagulant used. The measured pollutants were physico-chemical, such as COD, BOD, TSS, TKN, and turbidity. The bacteriological examination included TBC, TCC, and FC. The jar-test results determined that Z 1200 mg/L SHWW, GLP 1 g/L, and A 6 g/L were the best concentrations for each coagulant used. In the coagulation step, GLP 1 g/L gave the highest removal percentage of TSS, TKN, EC, and turbidity, while Z 1200 mg/L gave the highest removal percentage of COD, TDS, TBC, and TCC. From these results, it was concluded that a natural coagulant performs better than a chemical one. Finally, judging the overall pilot test system after applying the filtration with physically treated RS, we found that the best removal efficiencies were obtained from Z 1200 mg/L combined with RS. This combination resulted in 90.58, 83.47, 88.75, 54.89, 21.39, 34.49, 84.16, 99.98, and 99.93 removal percentages for BOD, COD, TSS, TKN, EC, turbidity, TBC, and TCC, respectively.

Региональный опыт поддержки развития сельскохозяйственной потребительской кооперации

The development of agricultural consumer cooperation in Russia is one of the main tasks of national food security. The research objective was to analyze the current state of agricultural consumer cooperation in the Lipetsk region, Altai Territory, and the Republic of Tatarstan, as well as their development prospects
 The research featured agricultural consumer cooperatives and their market environment. It was based on empirical methods, analysis, synthesis, modeling, and abstraction.
 The paper introduces various patterns of formation and development of agricultural cooperation at the regional level. In the Lipetsk region, the number of agricultural consumer cooperatives was found to increase every year. The regional three-level system for managing the development of “region – district – settlement” cooperation proved to be very effective, as did the local cooperation development institutions. The Altai territory appeared to have implemented a pilot model of agricultural consumer cooperation. This model allows cattle farmers who received financial support from the Agrostartup to sell their products to a cooperative. In the Republic of Tatarstan, agricultural consumer cooperation is based on models that are specific for each area.
 The Lipetsk region appeared to be on the cutting edge of cooperation development. The three-level management they use coordinates the efforts of local authorities and regional governments in the chain “settlement – district – region”. This integrated approach provides an effective regional system of agricultural consumer cooperation in the Russian Federation.

Nexus implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs) for sustainable public sector buildings in Pakistan

The United Nations (UN) has introduced 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) intending to achieve a conventional trio of social, economic, and environmental prosperity across the world. Pakistan is making a fair contribution to SDG achievement under its ‘Vision 2025’. However, the introduced strategy for SDG implementation is a sectoral based approach which leads to severe resource inefficiency. The objective of this study is the development and implementation of a nexus strategy of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action) in Pakistan due to their indepth interlinkage and interdependence, to achieve sustainability in Energy, Water, and Environment. This study comprises an onfield Energy-Water-Sustainability assessment of 24 public sector premises across Punjab to create a pilot model for future implementation. The Pearson correlation analysis of the SDGs substantiates the argument of the nexus approach. The results of this work show the energy conservation potential of approximately 12.8 MW and renewable energy installation potential of 40.4 MW to achieve SDG 7. Moreover, rainwater harvesting is calculated to be 0.035 million cm3 per annum, contributing to approximately 7% reduction in water use to achieve SDG 6 and minimizing the environmental impact on cities by reducing 14.8 million tons of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) per annum to achieve SDG 11 and 13. The results show that due to indepth interlinkage, the nexus implementation approach enhances the execution process while eliminating resource duplication to reduce inefficiency.

Advanced pilot modeling for prediction of rotorcraft handling qualities in turbulent wind

Turbulent wind is known for potentially deteriorating rotorcraft performance and handling qualities when fulfilling their operation and duties. However, related research is rarely reported and could be possibly attributed to the absence of an effective analytical tool. This paper proposes a pilot model to explore the effect of turbulent wind on rotorcraft handling qualities. It consists of three components: a stabilization control component, a trajectory planning component, and a trajectory tracking component. A slalom task in the turbulent wind is used for the validation of this new pilot model. The simulation results have demonstrated that the new pilot model can not only plan and track a desired trajectory by determining a pilot's guidance strategy, but also predict handling qualities through modeling the effect of the vestibular system. The new pilot model predicts the effect of steady wind component on a pilot's maneuvering aggressiveness and yaw control performance for various ground speeds. It is also capable of predicting the handling qualities in turbulent wind due to increased turbulence intensity and reduced flight control authority.

The golf course as an outdoor classroom—A proof of concept project

AbstractPupils’ learning experience can be improved if part of the teaching takes place in a natural outdoor environment. Golf courses and the land that surrounds them as outdoor classrooms could become particularly important at a time when most of the world's population lives in urban landscapes and when local areas suitable for outdoor activities are becoming scarce. A consequence of the Coronavirus crisis is higher demand for outdoor activities in the urban landscape, including outdoor teaching. The Swedish National Curriculum advocates the development of cognitive as well as affective competencies and skills, which makes outdoor teaching a natural and integrated part of today's school and education, where outdoor and indoor learning activities complement each other. In this project, at Motala Golf Club, in collaboration with the Smedsby School in Motala, methods for outdoor teaching on golf courses and the most suitable areas of the golf course for use as an outdoor classroom were investigated. A training course for participating teachers was held in autumn 2017, and the children visited their new classroom at the golf course in spring 2018. Through this project, Motala Golf Club has become a pilot model for outdoor teaching on golf courses. The concept of the golf course as an outdoor classroom is being implemented in Stockholm municipality and Jönköping municipality.

Left Ventricular Wall Reconstruction with Autologous Vascularized Tunica Muscularis of Stomach in a Porcine Pilot Model

Introduction: Surgical replacement of dysfunctional cardiac muscle with regenerative tissue is an important option to combat heart failure. But, current available myocardial prostheses like a Dacron or a pericardium patch neither have a regenerative capacity nor do they actively contribute to the heart’s pump function. This study aimed to show the feasibility of utilizing a vascularized stomach patch for transmural left ventricular wall reconstruction. Methods: A left ventricular transmural myocardial defect was reconstructed by performing transdiaphragmatic autologous transplantation of a vascularized stomach segment in six Lewe minipigs. Three further animals received a conventional Dacron patch as a control treatment. The first 3 animals were followed up for 3 months until planned euthanasia, whereas the observation period for the remaining 3 animals was scheduled 6 months following surgery. Functional assessment of the grafts was carried out via cardiac magnetic resonance tomography and angiography. Physiological remodeling was evaluated histologically and immunohistochemically after heart explantation. Results: Five out of six test animals and all control animals survived the complex surgery and completed the follow-up without clinical complications. One animal died intraoperatively due to excessive bleeding. No animal experienced rupture of the stomach graft. Functional integration of the heterotopically transplanted stomach into the surrounding myocardium was observed. Angiography showed development of connections between the gastric graft vasculature and the coronary system of the host cardiac tissue. Conclusions: The clinical results and the observed physiological integration of gastric grafts into the cardiac structure demonstrate the feasibility of vascularized stomach tissue as myocardial prosthesis. The physiological remodeling indicates a regenerative potential of the graft. Above all, the connection of the gastric vessels with the coronary system constitutes a rationale for the use of vascularized and, therefore, viable stomach tissue for versatile tissue engineering applications.

Reinventing schizophrenia: Updating the construct ‐ Primary schizophrenia 2021 - The road ahead ‐

About hundred years after E. Bleuler (1911) published his monograph 'Dementia Praecox or Group of Schizophrenias' and after intense expert discussions over the decades the concept of schizophrenia kept its position also in the newly revised classification systems DSM-5 and ICD-11. Despite scientific developments between splitting or lumping in the meantime and the critique of continuing with the classical diagnostic categories and ignoring the dimensional nature of overlapping mental disorders both in phenotype and biotype, a true paradigm shift has not been attained. Accordingly, 'schizophrenia spectrum' (DSM-5) or 'primary' schizophrenia (ICD-11) and/or other (primary) psychotic disorders are still around. Hence, the modified schizophrenia construct in 2021 is still alive and viable and may probably improve contemporary clinical practice globally. The revised schizophrenia category from the perspectives of global applicability, utility, reliability and clinical validity has salvaged the construct for clinical practice. A pilot model of a deconstructed schizophrenia version would need to be evaluated on top of and in comparison with the current classification version. Validating a new if not supplanting construct would need adequate scientific strategies and methodologies depending also on the kind of innovation. Further improving treatment and care - either for 'schizophrenia' or for a deconstructed 'disease' version of the 'disorder' - would be of foremost importance.

An Adaptive Human Pilot Model for Adaptively Controlled Systems

Despite their success in handling uncertain dynamical systems that are prone to failure, adaptive controllers are observed to have unfavorable interactions with human pilots in certain applications. To alleviate this problem, we need to evaluate the safety and performance of adaptive controllers in the simulation environment using realistic pilot models before conducting flight tests. While many useful human pilot models exist in the literature, models that are adequate for the prediction of adaptive human-adaptive controller interactions are yet to be available. In this letter, we fill this gap by proposing an adaptive human pilot model suited for the prediction of human behavior in the loop with an adaptive controller. The model can serve as a valuable tool guiding the design of adaptive controllers so as to ensure smooth pilot-controller interactions.

The SWIFT Model for Lichen Sclerosus Among Premenarchal Girls.

Delay in diagnosis of childhood lichen sclerosus (LS) can be ameliorated with an efficient evaluation tool. We sought to create a useful prognostic tool for rapid and accurate risk stratification for LS in premenarchal girls. We conducted a retrospective chart review at a single institution of premenarchal girls presenting with vulvovaginal complaints at a specialty pediatric and adolescent gynecology clinic at a major academic center. Sixty-nine patients seen between July 2019 and September 2020 were used as a pilot study to create a model for LS based on 18 signs and symptoms. Accuracy of the pilot model was confirmed in a larger data set (additional 105 patients, seen between January 2017 and December 2020), and model parameters were refined through cluster-based analytics. Pilot study yielded 5 predictors for LS: soreness (S), whitening (W), urinary incontinence (I), fissures (F), and thickening of the clitoral hood (T)-SWIFT. The final refined model is given as log odds (LS) = -7 + 3·S + 17·W + 3·I + 3·F + 18·T. This model yielded a >97% accuracy in predicting LS among 174 unique patients (LS prevalence = 18%). The SWIFT model accurately predicts clinical diagnosis of LS in premenarchal girls. Replication in other patient populations is highly encouraged. Awareness of LS is paramount, and an efficient, accurate evaluation tool will prove invaluable in assuring timely diagnosis and treatment for premenarchal patients.

Sensor Data Based Anomaly Detection in Autonomous Vehicles using Modified Convolutional Neural Network

Automated Vehicles (AVs) reform the automotive industry by enabling real-time and efficient data exchange between the vehicles. While connectivity and automation of the vehicles deliver a slew of benefits, they may also introduce new safety, security, and privacy risks. Further, AVs rely entirely on the sensor data and the data from other vehicles too. On the other hand, the sensor data is susceptible to anomalies caused by cyber-attacks, errors, and faults, resulting in accidents and fatalities. Hence, it is essential to create techniques for detecting anomalies and identifying their sources before the wide adoption of AVs. This paper proposes an anomaly detection model using a Modified-Convolutional Neural Network (M-CNN) with Safety Pilot Model Deployment (SPMD) dataset. The M-CNN model comprises specifically trained layers involving the ReLU activation function for feature extraction and detection of AV anomalies. Furthermore, the Adam is used as the optimization algorithm to train the model. The detection accuracy of the proposed model is compared with Isolation Forest (IF) and Support Vector Machine (SVM). The experimental result reveals that the proposed model outperforms the other models with an accuracy of 99.40% in AV anomaly detection.

A pilot model of a public-private partnership for implementation of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnostic testing program to facilitate a safe school reopening.

We developed an implementation plan to integrate diagnostic testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) into a public school system. Implementation barriers were identified and strategies were mapped to overcome them. A COVID-19 diagnostic testing program leveraging a public-private partnership was developed for a public school system. A suburban school district and a local hospital during the 2020-2021 academic year. Using Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) constructs and evidenced-based implementation strategies, the program was designed as a "closed system" and was adapted based on stakeholder feedback. Implementation barriers and facilitators were identified and mapped to CFIR constructs to provide insights into factors influencing program adoption. Preimplementation stages of engagement, feasibility, and readiness planning were completed. The program did not progress to implementation due to multiple factors, including changes in school leadership (inner setting and process-level constructs), improved access to outside testing, and lack of an existing paradigm for in-school testing (external constructs). Limited support from key stakeholders and opinion leaders was also a barrier (process-level construct). Although this locally initiated program did not progress beyond the preimplementation stage, the processes developed and barriers identified may be useful to inform planning efforts in other testing programs within public school systems. Future programs may consider incorporating multiplex diagnostic testing for influenza in addition to COVID-19. With relaxation of infection control measures, the prevalence of other respiratory viruses will increase. Actionable results will be needed to inform decisions about closures and quarantines.

Application of Nonlinear Correction Method for Attitude Control and Landing Oscillations Prevention

The purpose of this work is to demonstrate the application of the nonlinear correction method to prevent attitude oscillations of flying vehicles. This paper investigates the complications of manual control tasks in aeronautics caused by employing the integral component in the control loop. If the actuators of aircraft controlling surfaces reach their rate limits, the aircraft oscillations can appear for both manually and automatically piloted cases. In this paper, the oscillations alleviation problem is solved using the nonlinear correction method. A general methodology for pilot-induced oscillations prevention is described briefly by the example of an aircraft pitch control system. The obtained pilot model parameters are used for altitude control system examination. The nonlinear systems analysis is carried out by calculating the generalized sensitivity function for the control and disturbance input signal. In the second part, the application of the nonlinear correction method to prevent aircraft and satellite oscillations caused by integrator windup. A comparative analysis of the nonlinear correction and the customary anti-windup feedback is carried out. The results obtained demonstrate that a sequential nonlinear corrective device can be efficiently used to suppress pilot-induced and integrator windup oscillations.

Water management strategies for desirable IWRM implementation and application to the initiative projects, Korea

K-water has led national policymaking in South Korea through a master plan established in 2015 to raise national awareness on integrated water resources management (IWRM). It has promoted leading pilot projects as a short-term plan. Since the construction of the initial dam on the Seomjin River in 1928, inefficient water management has persisted. There was a jumble of agreements, treaties, regulations, and various institutions that could not keep up with the changing conditions in dam operation and water use caused by the construction of the new dam and auxiliary spillways on the river. Also, there were four agencies designated as dam usage rightholders: Two more were added to the original two dam licensees. Accordingly, the initiative project established a consensus on the need to streamline dam operations and promoted deriving social agreements through a council composed of the field-level departments of each water management agency. After government mediation, dam management regulations were revised to determine adjustments in the dam usage rights and the basic priorities in water use. This IWRM pilot model, which promotes the rational use of a dam by multiple users, successfully satisfied each stakeholder’s agreed-upon rights in 2019, the first project year.

Telemedicine: is the new normal fit for purpose?

The COVID-19 pandemic forced health-care providers to pivot to virtual models of care, and this trend seems set to continue. At the start of this year, NHS England recommended that at least 25% of outpatient appointments should be by telephone or video for the foreseeable future. But although the time and cost-saving advantages to both health systems and patients are clear, the suitability of telemedicine to rheumatological services remains uncertain. More worryingly, evidence increasingly suggests this new normal risks deepening existing health disparities already made worse by the pandemic. While telehealth offers a potential solution to a variety of health system pressures, it's not yet fully fit for purpose. Most patients with rheumatic diseases in the UK said they were dissatisfied with telemedicine, rating it worse than face-to-face care in every category (except for convenience) in a recent survey. The respondents were particularly concerned about building trust in the medical relationship and the accuracy of assessments. Although a minority of patients said that telemedicine had sped up communication with their doctor, worryingly, some patients said that they didn't have their usual access to emergency appointments—leading to feelings of insecurity. What's more, evidence suggests that telehealth will mostly benefit those who already enjoy good health care. The UK survey showed that barriers to remote appointments place certain groups at a disadvantage, including those who were early in their disease journey, those from socioeconomically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, and patients for whom English is not their first language. Similar barriers exist in in the USA, with additional blocks for patients without health insurance. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated pre-existing racial and socioeconomic inequalities, some of which are associated with individuals' living conditions. In the USA, at least, large urban centres initially bore the highest burden of COVID-19 but as the pandemic progressed, cases and deaths disproportionately affected rural communities (151 vs 175 deaths per 100 000 residents). With telemedicine, physical distance also plays a key role—further distance from a clinic increased the likelihood of patients using telemedicine, but only to some degree. Patients too far away from a clinic often lack access to high-speed internet, effectively eliminating telemedicine as an option. Clinicians too, have expressed doubt that telemedicine is a panacea for delivering rheumatological services. Indeed, two-thirds of paediatric rheumatology providers surveyed by the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) said that telehealth visits did not provide enough information to make a complete clinical assessment. At the same time, just over a third of respondents reported that roll out of telehealth services had increased their feelings of burnout—a sentiment also conveyed by clinicians in the UK survey. It's not that telemedicine doesn't have the potential to work if done well. Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases who experience fatigue, for example, fared better with a telephone cognitive behavioural programme than those simply provided educational materials. But it seems that not all patients are equally suited to telemedicine—those with widespread pain, for example might benefit less than others. Whereas telehealth seemed well-suited to the assessment of tender and swollen joints for many patients with rheumatoid arthritis (with patient and clinical assessments largely in agreement), those with widespread pain tended to rate their tender and swollen joints more disparately from their doctor. Some are touting telemedicine as a potential solution for the lack of adequate specialist care—there is less than one rheumatologist to 100 000 people in many high-income countries and none in some low-income countries. Not only can telemedicine help to relieve access constraints for patients, but it can also be used to virtually educate general physicians (GPs). Most GPs were in favour of a piloted care model that provided virtual access to an autoinflammatory specialist, offering them guidance from an expert for complicated cases not routinely seen in their everyday practice. Telemedicine ticks a lot of potential boxes—convenience, reduced costs, and mitigation of the paucity of clinical staff and specialists, to name a few. Nevertheless, as communities continue to suffer from the inequalities widened by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is incumbent on policy makers and health systems to ensure that the solution doesn't exacerbate the problem. For the data on COVID19 mortality in the USA see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/COVID-data/investigations-discovery/hospitalization-death-by-race-ethnicity.html For the data on COVID19 mortality in the USA see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/COVID-data/investigations-discovery/hospitalization-death-by-race-ethnicity.html

The Complexity of Decreased Work Ability: Individuals' Perceptions of Factors That Affect Returning to Work after Sickness Absence.

Much of what has been written about decreased work ability is based on quantitative studies and has been written from the perspective of professionals, service providers or authorities. In our qualitative study, we sought to understand how affected individuals themselves perceive and experience the multifaceted factors that are related to their decreased work ability. Sixteen individuals in Finland with musculoskeletal diseases (MSD) participated in semi-structured interviews. The participants were potential clients of a multi-professional service pilot model, the TOIKE Work Ability Centre. Narrative and thematic analyses were utilised. The study found that individuals with decreased work ability have differing perspectives towards returning to work and often complex life situations. Five distinctive groups were identified based on self-assessed health, work ability and orientation towards work or pension: (1) the Successful; (2) the Persevering; (3) the Forward-looking; (4) the Stuck; and (5) the Pension-oriented. Health problems, unemployment, age discrimination, financial difficulties and skill deficits were the major challenges of the interviewees. Furthermore, they perceived the service and benefit systems as complicated. The TOIKE service proved useful to some of them. However, many had not utilised it due to a lack of understanding of its purpose. Identifying the distinctive groups and their needs may improve interventions. Ultimately, this may help to achieve Target 8.5 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which advocates the right to employment for all ages and for those with disabilities.

Existential migration during the pandemic in Latvia: insight into solutions at the intersection of religious science and human geography

Recent research trends related to the understanding of the meaning of philosophy and its use in interdisciplinary research in human geography. Therefore, the article aims to demonstrate a pilot model of an innovative methodology that forms the interface between human geography and philosophy. The terms “home experience” and “existential migration”, conceptualized by psychotherapist and philosopher Greg Madison, have been used to summarize interviews with migrants who have voluntarily chosen to integrate into another country, society, and culture in order to find a place to live in harmony with their individual being. Research on authenticity of life as a motive for migration has not developed so far, but it makes it possible to link the analysis of human experience, which is the focus of phenomenology, with empirical data sources. The mediation of human geography findings and axiological theory ensures that concepts of a philosophical nature form the architecture of a unified system of knowledge, in which empirical data are organically incorporated. In this case, they are the data from the many large-scale studies conducted in Latvia on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly of the lockdown, on the population of Latvia. They all form a single text, which is examined by qualitative content analysis and cohort methods, revealing the nature of interpersonal relations in Latvian society, which are important in solving migration issues.

RETRACTED: Experimental Study of Operational Parameters on Product Size Distribution of Tumbling Mill

To assess the effects of the mill operating parameters such as mill speed, ball filling, slurry concentration and slurry filling on grinding process and size distribution of mill product, it was endeavored to build a pilot model with smaller size than the mill. For this aim, a pilot mill with 1 m × 0.5 m was implemented. There are 15 lifters with 50 mm height and face angle of 30˚. In the present work, the combination of the balls (40% of the balls with 60 mm diameter, 40% of the balls with 40 mm diameter and 20% of the balls with 25 mm diameter) was used as grinding media with 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% of the total volume of the mill. The experiments were carried out at 60%, 70%, 80% and 90% of the critical speed. The feed of the mill is copper ore with the size smaller than 25.4 mm, which d80 and d50 of them are 12.7 and 8 mm, respectively and slurries with 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% and 80% of solid and the slurry filling between 0.5 and 2.5. The results showed that the best grinding and grading occurs at 70–80% of the critical speed and ball filling of 20–25%. Optimized grinding was observed when the slurry volume is 1–1.5 times of the ball bed voidage volume and the slurry concentration is between 60% and 70%. The mill grinding mechanism in this work is a combination of both impact and abrasion mechanisms.

A pilot to promote early child development within health systems in Mozambique: a qualitative evaluation.

Health systems offer unique opportunities for integrating services to promote early child development (ECD). However, there is limited knowledge about the implementation experiences of using health services to target nurturing care and ECD, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted a qualitative implementation evaluation to assess the delivery, acceptability, perceived changes, and barriers and facilitators associated with a pilot strategy that integrated developmental monitoring, nutritional screening, and early learning and nutrition counseling into the existing health facility, and community-based services for young children in rural Mozambique. We completed individual interviews with caregivers (N=36), providers (N=27), and district stakeholders (N=10), and nine facility observational visits at three primary health facilities in October-November 2020. We analyzed data using thematic content analysis. Results supported fidelity to the intended pilot model and acceptability of nurturing care services. Respondents expressed various program benefits, including strengthened health system capacity and improved knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding nurturing care and ECD. Government leadership and supportive supervision were key facilitators, whereas health system resource constraints were key barriers. We conclude that health systems are promising platforms for supporting ECD and discuss several programmatic recommendations for enhancing service delivery and maximizing potential impacts on nurturing care and ECD outcomes.

Effect of transgenic Leishmania major expressing mLLO-Bax-Smac fusion gene in the apoptosis of the infected macrophages.

Objective(s):Leishmaniasis is a complex infection against which no confirmed vaccine has been reported so far. Transgenic expression of proteins involved in macrophage apoptosis-like BAX through the parasite itself accelerates infected macrophage apoptosis and prevents Leishmania differentiation. So, in the present research, the impact of the transgenic Leishmania major including mLLO-BAX-SMAC proapoptotic proteins was assayed in macrophage apoptosis acceleration. Materials and Methods: The coding sequence mLLO-Bax-Smac was designed and integrated into the pLexyNeo2 plasmid. The designed sequence was inserted under the 18srRNA locus into the L. major genome using homologous recombination. Then, mLLO-BAX-SMAC expression was studied using the Western blot, and the transgenic parasite pathogenesis was investigated compared with wild-type L. major in vitro and also in vivo. Results:Western blot and PCR results approved mLLO-BAX-SMAC expression and proper integration of the mLLO-Bax-Smac fragment under the 18srRNA locus of L. major, respectively. The flow cytometry results revealed faster apoptosis of transgenic Leishmania-infected macrophages compared with wild-type parasite-infected macrophages. Also, the mild lesion with the less parasitic burden of the spleen was observed only in transgenic Leishmania-infected mice. The delayed progression of leishmaniasis was obtained in transgenic strain-injected mice after challenging with wild-type Leishmania. Conclusion:This study recommended transgenic L. major including mLLO-BAX-SMAC construct as a pilot model for providing a protective vaccine against leishmaniasis.