Scientific Gathering Research Articles

The birth of StatPhys: the 1949 Florence conference at the juncture of national and international physics reconstruction after World War II

In spring 1949 about 70 physicists from eight countries met in Florence to discuss recent trends in statistical mechanics. This scientific gathering, co-organized by the Commission on Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) and the Italian Physical Society (SIF), initiated a tradition of IUPAP-sponsored international conferences on statistical mechanics that lasts to this day. In 1977, when this conference series took the name of StatPhys, the foundational role of the Florence conference was recognized by retrospectively naming it StatPhys1. This paper examines the dual scientific and social significance of the conference, situating it in the broader contexts of the post-World War II reconstruction in Italian physics and of the revitalization of the international science organization. Through an analysis of IUPAP archives and Italian records, we illustrate how the event’s success hinged on the aligned objectives of its organizers. Internationally, it was instrumental in defining the scientific and organizational foundations for the activities of IUPAP commissions during a critical phase of IUPAP’s history, when the Union was resurging on the international scene after the inactivity of the interwar period. Nationally, the conference served as a cornerstone in SIF’s strategy to re-establish Italian physics’ international stature and to aid the domestic revitalization of physics through the internationalization of its activities, notably of its flagship journal, Il Nuovo Cimento. This analysis not only sheds light on the conference’s impact but also informs recent discussions in the history of science about the multiple roles of international scientific conferences.

The 36th International Mammalian Genome Conference: A scientific gathering under the cherry blossoms in Tsukuba.

The 36th International Mammalian Genome Conference (IMGC) was held in a hybrid format at the Tsukuba International Congress Center in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan, for 4 days from March 28 to 31, 2023. This international conference on functional genomics of mouse, human, and other mammalian species attracted 246 participants in total, of which 129 were from outside Japan, including Europe, the United States and Asia, and 117 participants were from Japan. The conference included three technical workshops, keynote lectures by domestic researchers, commemorative lectures for the conference awards, 57 oral presentations, and 97 poster presentations. The event was a great success. Topics included the establishment and analysis of disease models using genetically engineered or spontaneous mutant mice, systems genetic analysis using mouse strains such as wild-derived mice and recombinant inbred mouse strains, infectious diseases, immunology, and epigenetics. In addition, as a joint program, a two-day RIKEN Symposium was held, and active discussions continued over the four-day period. Also, there was a trainee symposium, in which young researchers were encouraged to participate, and excellent papers were selected as oral presentations in the main session.

18th Prof. Vladas Gronskas International Scientific Conference: Abstract Book

The conference “18th Prof. Vladas Gronskas International Scientific Conference” is an arena for cooperation and scholarly fellowship, with young researchers, bachelor, master and doctoral students from Lithuania and foreign countries. It is an arena for open discussion where young researches have the opportunity to present and share their scientific insights.
 This conference encourages internationalization and a closer cooperation between science and business. The conference keynote speakers – business representatives – provide participants with new insights and inspiration for further research.
 The main goal of this scientific gathering is to contribute to the reliable, safe, effective and sustainable economy and business development. Encouraging entrepreneurship is a crucial condition for economic growth and this puts forward a new approach to business, creativity, value creation, and the implementation of innovations. It is precisely in this context where business and science should interact.

Romanipe on every road - Varadi Tibor, Đorđević Dragoljub B., Todorović Dragan, editors : Contribution of the Roma to the Culture of the People in Serbia: Proceedings from the scientific gathering held on 22nd October 2021, Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Belgrade, 2022

Romanipe on every road - Varadi Tibor, Đorđević Dragoljub B., Todorović Dragan, editors : Contribution of the Roma to the Culture of the People in Serbia: Proceedings from the scientific gathering held on 22nd October 2021, Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Belgrade, 2022

The 29th Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation Scientific Retreat Report.

The 29th Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) Scientific Retreat was held from October 27 to 29, 2022, at the Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, CA. This was the first-ever hybrid PCF Retreat. The Annual PCF Scientific Retreat is a prominent international scientific gathering centered on groundbreaking, unpublished, and influential studies in basic, translational, and clinical prostate cancer research. It also covers research from related fields with a strong potential for influencing prostate cancer research and patient care. Key areas of research that were focused on at the 2022 PCF Retreat included: (i) the contributions of molecular and genomic factors to prostate cancer disparities; (ii) novel clinical trial updates; (iii) lessons from primary prostate cancer; (iv) lessons from single-cell studies; (v) genetic, epigenetic, epitranscriptomic and posttranslational mechanisms and clinical heterogeneity in prostate cancer; (vi) biology of neuroendocrine and lineage-plastic prostate cancer; (vii) next generation prostate cancer theranostics and combination therapies; (viii) the biology and therapeutic potential of targeting phosphoinositide 3-kinases pathways; (ix) combining immunomodulatory treatments for prostate cancer; (x) novel gamma delta (γδ) T-cell therapy platforms for oncology; and (xi) lessons from other cancers. This article provides a summary of the presentations from the 2022 PCF Scientific Retreat. By disseminating this knowledge, we hope to enhance our understanding of the present research landscape and guide future strides in both prostate cancer research and patient care.

Functional informality: crafting social interaction toward scientific productivity at the Gordon Research Conferences, 1950-1980.

In the early and mid-twentieth century, scientific conferences were a popular tool to establish communication between scientists. Organisational efforts, research and funds were spent defining what makes a productive and successful scientific gathering. A unique example of this was the monitoring and evaluation system of the Gordon Research Conferences (GRCs), which conceptualized informal communication in small, specialized meetings as the best method of advancing cutting-edge research. Studying the detailed monitoring reports of the sessions and the evaluation forms filled by the participants, this paper explores how a concrete format of scientific knowledge production and identity formation was created and reproduced. The normative assessment of the participants' interactions is examined in the contexts of (a) their professional affiliations, (b) the conference presentations and discussions and (c) activities related to play. The study of the GRCs exemplifies how scientists actively conceptualised characteristics like academic affiliation, manners, leisure practices and social categories such as gender as ways to understand, describe and measure how knowledge is best produced and transmitted, turning the conferences into a fertile ground for meta-scientific reflections.

Preface

On behalf of the organizing committee, it’s my great pleasure to bring this beautiful collection of research articles which were presented in the 2022 the 8th International Conference on Electrical Engineering, Control and Robotics (EECR 2022) held in fully virtual style during January 13-15, 2022. The papers included in the proceedings seek to highlight the advances in the almost areas of electrical engineering, control and robotics for both industries and academic applications.EECR 2022 brings together a wild range of state-of-the-art research works from electrical engineering, control and robotics disciplines and also seeks to promote the excellence in electrical engineering, control and robotics research related to the recent challenges faced. The conference provides a forum for multidisciplinary discussions with the aim of combining the research ideas in various aspects of electrical engineering, control and robotics technologies.We are glad that experts in the various fields of electrical engineering, control and robotics are presented and discussed their ideas and latest development in the field. The EECR 2022 has received a great response throughout the countries. And the accepted papers were peer-reviewed by reviewers drawn from the committees, external reviewers, and editorial board depending on the subject of the papers. Based on the paper originality, significance and clarity, 44 papers were selected under a rigorous peer-review process.Efforts taken by peer reviewers provided constructive critical comments; improvements and corrections to the authors are gratefully appreciated. We are very grateful to the keynote speakers, invited speakers, advisory committees, session chairs who selflessly contributed to the success of this conference. Also, we are thankful to all the authors who submitted papers, because of which the conference became a story of success. It was the quality of their presentations and their passion to communicate with the other participants that really made this conference series a great success.We wish all attendees of EECR 2022 an enjoyable scientific gathering, even online. We are looking forward to the next International Conference on Electrical Engineering, Control and Robotics. We hope that it will be interesting and enjoying at least as all its predecessors.EECR Organizing CommitteesJanuary 13-15, 2022List of Conference Committee are available in this pdf.

Preface from the Editors

The 4th Life and Environmental Sciences Academics Forum (LEAF) 2020 We are grateful to present the outputs of the 4th Life and Environmental Sciences Academics Forum (LEAF) 2020, an annual event hosted by the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) Universitas Indonesia, in this proceedings. This conference provides a platform for the students, academics and researchers to present and publish their research findings. Additionally, this event also maintains the research spirit and scientific communication as well as the tradition of annual scientific gathering. Considering the importance of this conference, we proceeded to organize this event in a virtual format with Zoom by complying with the Government Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia on Large-scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Indonesia. The importance of this event is also to maintain the research spirit and scientific communication as well as maintaining the tradition of annual scientific gathering. The meeting was held smoothly and successfully implemented, hosted from the FMIPA UI Campus on November 6, 2020. We are relieved that the meeting organizer prioritized the wellbeing and safety of the participants in a pandemic situation.Participants in this meeting also gained valuable insights from the sharing experiences of the honorable Keynote and Invited Speakers, namely Prof. Dr. Iskhaq Iskandar from Sriwijaya University, Indonesia; Prof. Dr. Anhar Riza Antariksawan from National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN), Indonesia; Prof. Dr. Eng. Jun Ohta from Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), Japan; Dr. Riza Arief Putranto, DEA, Head of Research Division, from PT. Riset Perkebunan Nusantara-Indonesia and Dr. M.V. Reddy from Institute of Research Hydro-Québec, Center of Excellence in Energy Storage and Transportation Electrification in Hydro-Québec, Canada. The plenary session took place for one hour for each Keynote Speaker, including 15-20 minutes question and answer session. The participants were very enthusiastic during the Q&A sessions, where it showed from the questions submitted through the chatting feature or raised directly and responded by the Speakers.The exciting articles of current environmental-related issues show the enthusiastic participation from all contributors and are perfectly reflected in this volume. From the one-day conference, 40 papers from FMIPA UI students and academics and other Indonesian Universities were published in this edition. These papers have been carefully selected and strictly reviewed, so this volume offers an excellent illustration of the most updated environmental-related research. Hopefully, this edition will serve its purpose as an essential reference for all the readers.Our utmost gratitude is extended to the continuous support from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI). We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the extraordinary support from the organizing committee for acquiring the manuscripts and assuring an influential conference during a difficult time. Finally, our profound thanks go to the authors for their contribution in submitting their hard work and make the issuance of this informative and enlightening volume possible.List of Organizing Committee, Conference Proceeding Committee, Editorial Board, Scientific Committee are available in this pdf.

Preface

It is our pleasure to welcome you in the forth International Conference on Mathematics and Mathematics Education (ICM2E 2020). Due to the covid 19 outbreak the committee of ICM2E 2020 decides to change the conference mode from direct meeting conference to the virtual meeting on September 5 and September 6, 2020. The committee was standby on the campus FMIPA Universitas Negeri Padang, at Padang City, West Sumatera Province, Indonesia to handle all technical issue on the virtual meeting. The meeting used zoom application as a mode to this conference.The conference presents on behalf of challenges in mathematics and mathematics education in this pandemic era. Therefore the topic of this conference is Integrating Innovative Research in Mathematics and Mathematics Education to Led Sustainable Development. We expect that topic will make educator, practitioners and expert in mathematics and mathematics education have to take part to this era. Therefore, this conference provides researchers the opportunity to exchange information about the latest research results as well as the latest findings of mathematics and mathematics education.We hope you have a nice experience by meeting others researchers to share idea about reforming mathematics and mathematics education. The program consists of invited sessions which held on September 5, 2020 and continued with parallel sessions on September 5, 2020. Every presenter have times for discussion with eminent speakers and presenters covering a wide range of topics in mathematics and mathematics education.We would like to thank the organization staff of Universitas Negeri Padang especially Mathematics and Sciences Faculty, the lecturers and staffs of mathematics department of Universitas Negeri Padang. All members of the committee and the reviewers who work very hard in reviewing papers and making valuable suggestions for authors to improve their work. We also would like to express our gratitude to the external reviewers for providing extra helps in the review process and the authors for contributing their research result to the conference.The organizing and editorial committee of ICM2E 2020 hopes you enjoy to reading this volume of JPCS. Last but not a least, our special thanks go to IOP publishing. We wish all participants on ICM2E 2020 have an enjoyable virtual scientific gathering. We look forward to seeing all of you next year at the next ICM2E conference.Chair of ICM2E 2020Dr. Elita Djusti Djamaan, M.Ed

Origins: Colonies and Statistics

AbstractIn this address, I examine the lexical, geographic, temporal and philosophical origins of two key concepts in modern political thought: colonies and statistics. Beginning with the Latin word colonia, I argue that the modern ideology of settler colonialism is anchored in the claim of “improvement” of both people and land via agrarian labour in John Locke's labour theory of property in seventeenth-century America, through which he sought to provide an ideological justification for both the assimilation and dispossession of Indigenous peoples. This same ideology of colonialism was turned inward a century later by Sir John Sinclair to justify domestic colonies on “waste” land in Scotland—specifically Caithness (the county within which my own grandparents were tenant farmers). Domestic colonialism understood as “improvement” of people (the “idle” poor and mentally ill and disabled) through engagement in agrarian labour on waste land inside explicitly named colonies within the borders of one's own country was first championed not only by Sinclair but also his famous correspondent, Jeremy Bentham, in England. Sinclair simultaneously coined the word statistics and was the first to use it in the English language. He defined it as the scientific gathering of mass survey data to shape state policies. Bentham embraced statistics as well. In both cases, statistics were developed and deployed to support their domestic colony schemes by creating a benchmark and roadmap for the improvement of people and land as well as a tool to measure the colony's capacity to achieve both over time. I conclude that settler colonialism along with the intertwined origins of domestic colonies and statistics have important implications for the study of political science in Canada, the history of colonialism as distinct from imperialism in modern political thought and the role played by intersecting colonialisms in the Canadian polity.

Preface

The relevancy of the 4th International Symposium on Current Progress in Functional Materials conference theme -Functional Materials for Technologies Development- to an extensive various kinds of disciplines is depicted in this Conference Proceedings volume. We are honored to present this volume to the authors, readers, and all contributors. Hopefully, this volume serves its purpose to offer valuable scientific research findings in an exciting and inspiring manner.It was in the 6-7 Nov 2019, the conference held in the beautiful Sakala Resort, Bali. The view and scenery were breathtaking, and it is safe to say that the participants have enjoyed the gathering and gained a scientifically rewarding experience in this place. The conference is an annual program organized by the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI). We continue to maintain the tradition in bringing the academics, students, and researchers together in a suitable platform, where they can share their scientific works and explore new horizons of innovative discoveries to recognize current global challenges and define the best adaptable solutions. The conference standard is to enable the exchange of ideas, methods, and approaches that will preserve and promote the integration as well as a possibility of collaboration in the future.Prof. Angel Cuesta Ciscar from the University of Aberdeen, UK, introduced the first plenary session, followed by Prof. Hsiang Lin Liu from National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), Taiwan. On the second day, Prof. Yoshitaka Kitamoto from Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan opened the session and followed by Prof. Hoeil Chung from Hanyang University, Korea, in the next session. Their lectures have been delivered, and the audiences have gained newfound knowledge and information in a lively and accessible way. Not enough thanks can be expressed for all keynote speakers who have shared their valuable insights on each subject.It has been an honor to receive more than one hundred abstracts on the conference’s website and welcome the participants from Indonesia and foreign countries who have attended the conference. We recorded no less than 90 papers from many respectable institutions. This number demonstrates the popularity of the ISCPFM conference as a scientific gathering. The editorial teams have enjoyed the call of papers, review, and finalize the process of the papers to be included in this volume.Our highest appreciation is extended for the Universitas Indonesia, which has generously supported the conference financially. We valued the funds, which makes this conference possible. Our gratitude is also shared for the technical organizing committee to secure a substantial input of papers and ensure a successful conference. Finally, we would like to express our thanks to the authors. Without their works, there will be no effectual conference.We wish all the contributors to the ISCPFM 2019 conference a memorable event in Bali, Indonesia. We are looking forward to the next ISCPFM conference – which hopefully as fruitful and inspiring as 2019’s year event.Depok, June 2020Editors, Ivandini T Anggraningrum Young-ill Lee Yan Mulyana A Denny Handoko Djoko Triyono

Preface from the Editors

With deep satisfaction, we would like to present the conference proceedings of the 3rd Life and Environmental Sciences Academics Forum (LEAF) 2019 to the contributors, authors, and readers. These proceedings contain a permanent record of what has been presented at the conference. We hope that you will find these proceedings volume inspiring, beneficial, and exciting.The conference itself was held at The Margo Hotel in Depok, Indonesia, on July 11, 2019. With the full support from Universitas Indonesia, the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, FMIPA UI, as the organizer of the conference, continues the tradition to successfully bringing together the researchers, students, and academics from Indonesia and abroad. One of the primary purposes of the meeting is as a response to the global critical environmental challenge. The conference covers all environmental-related subjects, including Biosciences, Geosciences, and Geography. Another essential purpose of the event is to offer a convenient platform for the students and researchers to share and exchange their results findings and discuss the practical challenges and the solution provided.For a one-day conference, the responses to the papers’ call had been overwhelming – both from Indonesia and abroad. Nearly eighty articles have been uploaded to the conference system. After a strict double-blind peer review process on the articles, 78 manuscripts will be presented in these proceedings. We would like to extend our great appreciation for all the reviewers who-amid their busy schedule-supported us in maintaining the papers’ high quality.The inclusion of three Keynote Speakers by Ir. Tandya Tjahjana, M.Si. from Directorate General of Natural Resources Conservation and Ecosystem, Ministry of Environment and Forestry Indonesia, Dr. Suzie Sheehy from University of Oxford, United Kingdom and Prof. Ir. Mega Fatimah Rosana, M.Sc., Ph.D. from Universitas Padjajaran, Indonesia, as well as four Invited Speakers by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd. Hasmadi Ismail from Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia, Dr. Chanida Suwanprasit from Chiang Mai University, Thailand, Dr. Arief Darmawan from Universitas Lampung, Indonesia and Dr. Hawis H. Madduppa, S.Pi., M.Si. from Institut Pertanian Bogor, Indonesia, has been highly acknowledged. Their lectures have been presented to share ideas and newfound knowledge to the audience in a lively and accessible way.Our utmost appreciation for the generous financial support goes to Universitas Indonesia. The funds are greatly valued and enable us to organize this conference. We are incredibly grateful for the assistance of the technical organizing committee in securing a substantial input of papers and ensuring a useful event. Finally, we would like to extend our gratitude to the authors, whose without their works there will be no successful conference.We wish all the participants of the LEAF 2019 conference a fruitful scientific gathering in Depok, Indonesia. We are looking forward to the next LEAF conference – which hopefully as enjoying and inspiring as the previous event.Depok, June 2020Editors, Ratna Yuniati Chris Margules Ryota Nagasawa Mohd. Hasmadi Ismail Abdul Haris

Preface

It is our pleasure to welcome you in the third International Conference on Mathematics and Mathematics Education (ICM2E 2019) in Padang, West Sumatera, Indonesia. The conference presents on behalf of challenges in industrial revolution 4.0 that makes educator, practitioners and expert in mathematics and mathematics education have to take part to this era. Therefore, this conference provides researchers the opportunity to exchange information about the latest research results as well as the latest findings of mathematics and mathematics education in the era of industrial revolution 4.0.We hope you have a nice experience by meeting others researchers to share idea about reforming mathematics and mathematics education in facing this era. Do not miss the opportunity to explore and to take a sample of the many diverse attractions in Padang, West Sumatera, Indonesia.The program consists of invited sessions and parallel sessions and discussion with eminent speakers covering a wide range of topics in mathematics and mathematics education. We hope you enjoy joining this conference.We would like to thank the organization staff of Universitas Negeri Padang especially Mathematics and Sciences Faculty, the lecturers and staffs of mathematics department of Universitas Negeri Padang. All members of the committee and the reviewers who work very hard in reviewing papers and making valuable suggestions for authors to improve their work. We also would like to express our gratitude to the external reviewers for providing extra helps in the review process and the authors for contributing their research result to the conference. Last but not a least, our special thanks go to IOP publishing. We wish all participants on ICM2E 2019 have an enjoyable scientific gathering in Padang, West Sumatera, Indonesia. We look forward to seeing all of you next year at the next ICM2E conference.Chair of ICM2E 2019Dr. Dony Permana, M.Si

How a conference focused on algorithms balances serious math with computational whimsy

In 1998, a few dozen computer scientists and mathematicians gathered at a picturesque seaside resort on the Tuscan island of Elba off the west coast of Italy. They were there to attend a scientific gathering unlike any other. Computer scientist Erik Demaine and his collaborators proved, mathematically, that it’s possible to create any shape by folding a piece of paper and making exactly one straight cut. This work became a presentation at the first FUN with Algorithms conference. Image credit: Erik Demaine (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA). The 17 presentations suggested peculiar offerings. One explored an algorithmic answer to the question, “What if mathematicians were asked to diffuse bombs?” Using an idea from abstract number theory, the researchers described a generalized solution to a problem posed in the 1995 movie, Die Hard with a Vengeance. Another presentation focused on how to help a baker optimize his bagel selection to maximize profits. Still another carefully delineated the rules requisite for a trick, popularized by magician Harry Houdini in the 1920s, that entails folding a piece of paper, making one straight cut with scissors, and producing a recognizable shape. It was the first meeting of the FUN with Algorithms conference, and every gathering since has strived for the same mix of creativity and rigor. Attendees delight in concocting algorithms, generally defined as mathematical recipes—often translated into code and executed by a computer—that can produce solutions to a problem. Last year’s conference, the ninth, included presentations on the complexity of the 2016 video game The Witness , an analysis of “Perversely Awful Randomized Algorithms,” and a discussion of conspiratorial strategies in Secret Santa gift exchanges (1). Most scientific conferences focus on advances that can push a field forward. FUN with Algorithms instead highlights the creativity and amusement that comes with solving …

Editorial Board and Table of Contents

In keeping with the scholarly traditions of Vilnius University Kaunas Faculty, the 14th “Prof. Vladas Gronskas International Scientific Conference” was held in December 2019. This international conference is an arena for cooperation and scholarly fellowship, with young researchers, master and doctoral students from Lithuania as well as Latvia, Ukraine, India, Bulgaria, Hungary, Turkey, Russia, Israel, Nigeria participating in the different conference sections and poster session. The main goal of this scientific gathering has always been to contribute to the reliable, safe, effective and sustainable economy and business development. Thus, the organizing committee strives to create a suitable platform for well‐grounded and open discussion where young researchers have the opportunity to present and share their insights.Encouraging entrepreneurship is a crucial condition for economic growth and this puts forward a new approach to business, creativity, value creation, and the implementation of innovations. It is precisely in this context where business and science should interact. To reinforce this relevant bond, the guest speakers of the plenary session were selected amongst experienced practitioners and scholars. This conference encourages internationalization and a closer cooperation between science and business. In 2019, the conference is going to expand the range of themes and invite not only the young but also experienced scientists to present their scientific findings. Hopefully, there has been some useful take‐away for both academia and business conference participants: new insights and inspirations for further scientific research and possible solutions to boost Lithuanian economy.
 On behalf of the Scientific CommitteeAssoc. Prof. Dr Ingrida Šarkiūnaitė

Subclinical Antibody-Mediated Rejection

Subclinical Antibody-Mediated Rejection

Offline: The dark heart of the wood

“A family reunion that keeps us connected to the outside world.” So said Mamdouh Aker, a Trustee of Birzeit University, as he opened the annual scientific gathering of The Lancet Palestinian Health Alliance (LPHA), which last week returned in its eighth year to the home of its birth. Birzeit is one of the State of Palestine's most prestigious global universities. The LPHA is a loose network of Palestinian, regional, and international researchers committed to the highest scientific standards in describing, analysing, and evaluating the health and health care of Palestinians—contributing to the global scientific literature and developing local evidence-based policy and practice. The alliance is supported by universities, such as Birzeit and the American University of Beirut, multilateral organisations (WHO and the UN Relief and Works Agency), and charities (Medical Aid for Palestinians). This year's meeting was the strongest yet. Over 400 people attended, a record in a region of restricted travel opportunities. The largest source of high-quality work came from the Gaza Strip, another record. Only 9 of 19 young Gazan researchers who applied to present their findings were granted permits. The aim of the LPHA is to advance the health of all Palestinian people, those living in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, together with Palestinian refugees in neighbouring countries. What we heard at Birzeit offered a manifesto for immediate action. Here is a snapshot of what we learned (first authors follow). The 5-year survival rate for women diagnosed with breast cancer is only 54%, but screening mammography without appropriate access to surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy is an ineffective use of resources (Shyma Al-Waheidi). Prevalence of anaemia in pre-school children in the Gaza Strip is high at 31%, with likely severe implications for childhood development (Jehad Elhissi). Stroke units and guidelines for managing patients with acute ischaemic stroke are urgently needed (Amir Abukaresh). Too often there is poor adherence to the best standards of care for patients diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia—again, guidelines are needed, together with better clinical audit (Said Alyacoubi). Many health providers seem to have a poor understanding of infection control, but these omissions can be substantially rectified with better education (Nasser Abu-El-Noor). Cardiovascular health in urban, rural, and refugee settings is suboptimal, reflecting the rapid epidemiological transition affecting Palestinians (Fida Zeidan). Herbal remedies are commonly—and worryingly—used by large numbers of women with breast cancer (Nidal Amin Jaradat). Acute poisoning with drugs and organophosphates is increasing in the Gaza Strip, and poison control and treatment facilities, together with better drug information services, are needed (Mohammed Kamel El-Habil). Multidrug-resistant bacteria are a growing public health challenge in the State of Palestine (Adham Abu Taha). Mental ill-health is common among patients with physical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes (Khaled Abu Saman). Adolescent health is a disappointingly neglected issue (Maysoun Turban). And patients living with degenerative neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, often have a very poor quality of life (Doaa Tarifi). I met Palestine's Minister of Health, Dr Jawad Awwad, to discuss these findings. Trained in Kiev and specialising in dermatology, he seems to have an impossibly tough assignment. Managing the health sector in Palestine is a permanent emergency, he emphasised. Still, there were priorities. He needed more health workers. He hoped the health research community could do more to provide solutions, not merely describe in ever better ways the problems he already knew he faced. But he didn't wish to portray Palestine as a passive victim. He was proud of his country's humanitarian assistance to Ecuador and Mauritania. The State of Palestine is a regional source of expertise, not only in disaster management, but also in addressing non-communicable diseases. I left Ramallah, a cosmopolitan, exciting, and ever more vibrant city, wondering whether health research really does have a part to play in promoting peace and justice in times of conflict? It would be reckless and hubristic to over claim. But I do believe, I hope not naively, that enabling a nation to tell its story through health enhances the agency, dignity, resilience, and self-determination of its citizens and communities. We meet again in Beirut in 2018.

Highlights of the 8th International Conference on Vaccines for Enteric Diseases: the Scottish Encounter To Defeat Diarrheal Diseases.

Infectious diarrhea is a leading cause of morbidity and of mortality; the burden of disease affects individuals of all ages but particularly young children, especially those living in poor regions where the disease is endemic. It is also a health concern for international travelers to these areas. Experts on vaccines and enteric infections and advocates for global health improvement gathered in Scotland from 8 to 10 July 2015 to discuss recent advances in the assessment and understanding of the burden of enteric diseases and progress in the development and implementation of strategies to prevent these infections. Highlights of the meeting included description of advances in molecular assays to estimate pathogen-specific prevalence, methods to model epidemiologic trends, novel approaches to generate broad-spectrum vaccines, new initiatives to evaluate vaccine performance where they are most needed, renewed interest in human challenge models, immunological readouts as predictors of vaccine efficacy, maternal immunization to prevent enteric infections, and the impact of maternal immunity on the vaccine take of infants. A follow-up scientific gathering to advance Shigella and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) vaccine efforts will be held from 28 to 30 June 2016 in Washington, DC.

Intellectual disability and the ICD-11: towards clinical utility?

Purpose – The 11th revision of the International Classification of diseases which sets global standards for defining, reporting and managing health conditions is under way. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) underpinning principle of clinical utility is currently poor for persons with Disorders of Intellectual Development (DID) and mental disorders. This impedes access to healthcare resources; services and social inclusion thereby further aggravating their vulnerability. The purpose of this paper is to present a critical overview and evidence informed recommendations within the context of an international collaborative programme, undertaken by the Faculty of Psychiatry of Intellectual Disability, Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO). Design/methodology/approach – The authors carried out: first, a systematic review (SR) of literature, using PRISMA guidelines regarding the reliability, validity and utility of the ICD-10/Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnostic criteria in people with DID (PWDID); second, a national and international consultation exercise with partners, stakeholders and experts; third, a multicentric survey of problem behaviours in PWDID; and finally, information dissemination/dialogues including presentations and workshops at key scientific events, consultation networking, data gathering and consensus building. Findings – The SR revealed a dearth of robust studies – most consisting of weak research methodologies. Significant difficulties were highlighted regarding the application of diagnostic criteria in the current classificatory systems – particularly in people with severe/moderate DID. Recommendations supported the introduction WHERE APPROPRIATE of modifications based on observed phenomena (signs) in PWDID in lieu of reported symptoms to facilitate DIAGNOSIS AND better access to healthcare and the community. Heterogeneity precluded quantitative pooling and meta-analysis. The consensus building exercise globally revealed that problem behaviours were the commonest reasons for referral to healthcare services with significant numbers without a diagnosed mental disorder being prescribed psychoactive medication. Research limitations/implications – The consensus gathering exercise WAS SELECTIVE AND did not cover all of the 194 member states of WHO due to resource and time constraints and this constitutes the main limitation of our study. Based on the SR and expert consensus, the authors submitted evidence informed pragmatic proposals to the WHO aimed at addressing the shortcomings of the ICD-10. The key recommendations focused on improving clinical utility within the context of epistemic iteration which would consolidate and strengthen the future evidence base. It was also recommended that self-injurious behaviour should form a standalone sub category in view of its relevance for healthcare services and resources which underpin clinical utility. Practical implications – The ICD-11 is a global, multidisciplinary and multilingual development for public health benefit with 70 per cent of the world's health expenditures assigned using this system for resource allocation. Currently mental disorders in PWDID can be misinterpreted, unrecognised and under reported resulting in barriers to access to treatment and healthcare resources. Conversely disorders may be over diagnosed when the inherent discrepancies between the chronological age and the developmental level of functioning are not considered. Conclusions and recommendations from this study will result in better diagnosis of mental disorders and healthcare resources in this population. Social implications – PWDID are a vulnerable sector of the population with an increased prevalence of mental health problems who are marginalised and discriminated by society. Early detection, treatment and management of these conditions will prevent further decompensation and stigmatisation. Originality/value – To the best of the authors knowledge this is the first comprehensive, large-scale study which evaluates the ICD classificatory system within the context of clinical utility for PWDID, including experts and stakeholders from both lower/middle- and high-income countries. The international consultation/consensus building process culminating in the formulation of evidence informed recommendations, aimed at improving the clinical utility of the ICD-11 for this population, has the potential to improve access to appropriate healthcare and treatment and consequent enhancement of their quality of life.

Richard (Rick) Francis Langler Memorial Issue

This issue of the Australian Journal of Chemistry is a tribute to the life and work of Professor Richard Francis Langler who died on 3 February 2014 in Bedford, Nova Scotia. Rick was a dedicated and inspirational teacher, and a rigorous researcher and steadfast mentor, especially for undergraduate researchers at Mount Allison University. He was one of those rare professors who had an enormous impact on his students, scientifically and pedagogically driven by the most sincere passion for organic chemistry (Fig. 1.) Rick has published an impressive 129 papers over his academic career (35 in Aust. J. Chem.) and contributed to textbooks. Rick’s attention to scientific detail was complemented with his thorough, direct nature and dry sense of humour, and reflected in his ability to ask the pointed and important questions at any scientific gathering. Rick was born in Sarnia, Ontario in 1945. In 1957, he received his honours degree in chemistry from Dalhousie University. He obtained his Master’s degree in chemistry from the University of NewBrunswick, working in the area of aminoheterocycles and bisnorquassin derivatives. In 1975, he received his doctorate from Dalhousie University, studying a new dithiochelate and the synthetic consequences of the sulfohaloform reaction. Rick spent time as a visiting lecturer at the University of Toronto before undertaking post-doctorate research at Dalhousie University. Rick was an Assistant Professor at Mount Allison University and Saint Mary’s University, and, after tenure and Associate Professorship at the Florida Institute of Technology, he returned to Mount Allison for the remainder of his career. Rick spentmore than 30 years (especially 7–12 pmon Friday nights) training undergraduate students in research areas ranging from organosulfur chemistry tomolecular orbital theory and often resulting in first authorship on several papers before graduating. Rick last published in this Journal on implementing perturbational expressions for the development of a novel set of approaches to embedding. Papers for this issue have been contributed bymany of Rick’s former students, colleagues, and friends from all over the world. As a tribute to Rick, this issue covers research in various areas of organic and organometallic synthesis and structure determination as well as computation and catalysis (inorganic and enzyme). Rick’s former student, Christopher Graves from AlbrightCollege, alongwith his researchgroup, including several undergraduate researchers, synthesised and characterised several aluminum-amidate complexes and further demonstrated that the complexes were pre-catalysts for both theMPV reduction of carbonyls and the Oppenauer oxidation of alcohols. Rick’s former undergraduate research student, Stephanie MacQuarrie (Cape Breton University) and colleagues, including three undergraduate research students, report on the stabilisation and improved catalysis of the enzyme phenylalanine ammonium lyase. Diane A. Dickie (University of New Mexico), another former student inspired by Rick’s teaching and high standards, along with her colleagues describe their synthesis and characterisation of zwitterionic CS2 adducts of bis(dialkylphosphino) amines. Catalytic asymmetric C–C formation implementing terminal alkyl-metal nucleophiles in tandem hydrometallation– isomerisation is reported by Stephen Fletcher and his research students from the University of Oxford. Stephen obtained his undergraduate honours degree working in Rick’s research laboratory developing potent antifungal disulfides. Stacey Wetmore, a former student and colleague of Rick’s, along with her research team present an article characterising and analysing the interactions between the side chains of Ser and Cys and DNA or protein p–rings in nature. Paul Hayes is another former undergraduate student inspired by Rick to follow an academic path and pursue scientific research. Along with his co-workers from the University of Lethbridge, Paul describes the synthesis and characterisation of several sterically hindered bis(phosphinimine) dibenzofuran ligands followed by zinc metalation. It is appropriate that long-time colleagues of Rick’s, Steve Westcott, Christopher Vogels, Andreas Decken, and Felix Baerlocher, in addition to several undergraduate researchers, conclude this memorial issue with an article on the synthesis, characterisation, and antifungal activity of eight new fluoroand methoxysubstituted benzodiazaborines.