The Syrian public opinion versus frames in news media

The study aims at analyzing frames used by the media to report news about the Syrian crisis with the aim of understanding whether the Syrian voice -represented in public opinion data- finds its place in the media. The study conducts content analysis of 276 news stories\u27 frames divided across two periods of time -during 2015 (Obama\u27s administration) and 2017 (Trump\u27s administration). A content analysis methodology is applied to three online newspapers: the American New York Times, the Syrian Syria Times and the Russian Russia Beyond The Headlines. Each of these newspapers represents the governmental stance and policies in relation to the Syrian Crisis. The study attempts to have a deeper understanding of the interplay of powerful elites represented by the governments of the three countries and the Syrian people represented in public opinion polls. The media\u27s ultimate goal is serving public interest; however, and per the literature, the media can be used by elites to achieve wider acceptance of their policies regardless of the public interest (and their opinion in the matter)

Role of SARS-COV2 Antigen as a diagnostic test for COVID-19

Background: Successive waves of SARS-CoV-2 infections with increasing transmission rates may burden the laboratories performing molecular diagnostic testing. Alternative diagnostic methods may provide additional diagnostic capacity. Chemiluminescent totally automated antigen detection test for SARS-CoV-2 (Ortho VITROS SARS-CoV-2 antigen test) could be satisfactory replacement for reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for mass screening during outbreaks. Methods: RT- qPCR and the VITROS® SARS-CoV-2 antigen were compared. Antigen detection test was assessed using clinical samples (nasopharyngeal swabs in viral transport medium) withdrawn from 668 patients suspected to have SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results: From 668 samples, 303 showed SARS-CoV-2 antigens positive and 365 SARS-CoV-2 antigens negative in comparison with RT-qPCR, the sensitivity was 89.11% and the specificity was 100.0% (PPV 100.0 and NPV 91.7). Ct value of 16.0 was the limit of detection of the assay. Conclusion: The given results show that VITROS® assay was acceptable for the detection of patients having contagious COVID-19 in the clinical setting. This test showed high sensitivity and specificity in the SARS-CoV-2 detection in samples with a Ct value of 32 or less. Chemiluminescent full automated antigen detection test for SARS-CoV-2 is a feasible substitute to (RT-qPCR) for mass screenin

Studying The Role Of Phase Change Materials In Improving The Thermal Performance Efficiency Of Adaptive Building Envelopes

In the context of unsustainable approaches, buildings are increasingly dependent on mechanical systems to ensure quality requirements of thermal indoor environment, which causes the need for more energy as well as rising the associated greenhouse gas emissions rates. This requires increased awareness towards energy conservation and reduction of energy consumption in conjunction with enhancing buildings sustainability. In this regard, we find that the building envelope plays a crucial role in reducing energy consumption; as well as its role in raising the performance of buildings as the regulating mediator in the reciprocal relationship between the internal and external environment, especially when applying appropriate technical solutions and energy-saving materials within the structure of the envelope, which enhances the concept of passive adaptation to the simultaneous environmental changes. So, Improving the efficiency of energy performance during the operational phases of the building envelope is a vigorous area of research; Organizations and responsible authorities are always seeking to come up with advanced technologies based on renewable energy sources in order to reduce buildings’ dependence on fossil fuels and provide cooling and/or heating energy requirements, as well as improve indoor thermal comfort in a more sustainable and cost-effective manner.In this regard, Thermal Energy Storage Systems (TES) are discussed as one of the most effective advanced technologies in managing the thermal performance of the building envelope with a particular focus on studying the role of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) in raising the efficiency of the building's thermal performance. This study sheds light on the importance of applying phase-changing materials in the building envelope and its role in activating the principle of thermal adaptation to daily fluctuations. by discussing the nature of that category of materials, their types, and their distinctive properties in addition to studying its main working principle, then studying criteria for choosing the most appropriate. focusing on current studies and future scenarios for these materials to monitor their thermal behavior and examine their role in raising the efficiency of the building envelopes performance. The main results indicated that the phase change materials have a significant effect on reducing the cooling/heating load, saving energy and gaining thermal comfort

Biomimetics As An Analogical Reasoning Ideology In Architectural & Interior Design

Biomimetics approaches involve finding solutions to design problems by mimicking the functions and/or processes of biological systems, by applying an analog reasoning strategy from ecosystems to technology in a way that addresses the challenges of architectural and interior design in a more sustainable way. This is due to it is a sustainable creative thinking ideology producing more inspiring solutions that are most restorative and regenerative ecosystems ... The study assumes that mimicking the processes and functions of ecosystems enhances the structural efficiency of the building and stimulates the creation of innovative materials, urging synthesis of innovative materials, as well as providing more sustainable technologies in waste and water management, In addition to reducing energy consumption by adopting mechanisms that passively provide thermal comfort, in conjunction with maximizing the principle of generating energy from renewable sources ... This study was presented to verify the ability of Biomimetics as an analogue ideology in raising the efficiency of the operational building performance from a structural efficiency perspective, and reduce energy consumption.Therefore, this study included evaluating the efficiency of applying that intellectual methodology based on analog transfer of functions and processes of biological systems in providing the building environment with the characteristics of innovation and sustainability, as well as studying the ability of that intellectual methodology to raise the structural efficiency of the building, and discuss the impact of its activation on the synthesis of advanced materials in conjunction with a study of its ability to improve water and waste management, in addition to enhancing the thermoregulation of the indoor environment within a sustainable environmental framework; corresponding to the operational performance of the ecosystem enhanced by the regenerative design in architecture that promotes the repair and renewal of surrounding ecosystems

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was USD 92 492 million using approach 1 and USD 73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was USD 95 004 million using approach 1 and USD 75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially.publishedVersio

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

The global burden of adolescent and young adult cancer in 2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: In estimating the global burden of cancer, adolescents and young adults with cancer are often overlooked, despite being a distinct subgroup with unique epidemiology, clinical care needs, and societal impact. Comprehensive estimates of the global cancer burden in adolescents and young adults (aged 15–39 years) are lacking. To address this gap, we analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, with a focus on the outcome of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), to inform global cancer control measures in adolescents and young adults. Methods: Using the GBD 2019 methodology, international mortality data were collected from vital registration systems, verbal autopsies, and population-based cancer registry inputs modelled with mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs). Incidence was computed with mortality estimates and corresponding MIRs. Prevalence estimates were calculated using modelled survival and multiplied by disability weights to obtain years lived with disability (YLDs). Years of life lost (YLLs) were calculated as age-specific cancer deaths multiplied by the standard life expectancy at the age of death. The main outcome was DALYs (the sum of YLLs and YLDs). Estimates were presented globally and by Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintiles (countries ranked and divided into five equal SDI groups), and all estimates were presented with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). For this analysis, we used the age range of 15–39 years to define adolescents and young adults. Findings: There were 1·19 million (95% UI 1·11–1·28) incident cancer cases and 396 000 (370 000–425 000) deaths due to cancer among people aged 15–39 years worldwide in 2019. The highest age-standardised incidence rates occurred in high SDI (59·6 [54·5–65·7] per 100 000 person-years) and high-middle SDI countries (53·2 [48·8–57·9] per 100 000 person-years), while the highest age-standardised mortality rates were in low-middle SDI (14·2 [12·9–15·6] per 100 000 person-years) and middle SDI (13·6 [12·6–14·8] per 100 000 person-years) countries. In 2019, adolescent and young adult cancers contributed 23·5 million (21·9–25·2) DALYs to the global burden of disease, of which 2·7% (1·9–3·6) came from YLDs and 97·3% (96·4–98·1) from YLLs. Cancer was the fourth leading cause of death and tenth leading cause of DALYs in adolescents and young adults globally. Interpretation: Adolescent and young adult cancers contributed substantially to the overall adolescent and young adult disease burden globally in 2019. These results provide new insights into the distribution and magnitude of the adolescent and young adult cancer burden around the world. With notable differences observed across SDI settings, these estimates can inform global and country-level cancer control efforts. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, St Baldrick's Foundation, and the National Cancer Institute