Thermal Degradation And Mechanical Characteristics Of Sugarcane Bagasse Reinforced Biodegradable Potato Starch Composites

Global pollution due to the overwhelming usage of non-biodegradable plastics is getting severe nowadays. Hence, the aim of this paper is to develop an environmentally friendly composite material from potato starch and sugarcane bagasse. The composites were prepared by hot pressing at 145℃ for 60 min. The composites were characterized for their mechanical and thermal properties. In terms of thermal properties, thermogravimetric analysis shows that incorporation of sugarcane fiber has improved the thermal stability of the composites. Meanwhile, incorporation of sugarcane fibre from 0 to 15 wt.% has significantly improved the tensile (202.7%) and flexural (198%) strength of the composites. Scanning electron micrograph of the tensile fracture showed the fibre fracture and fibre “pull-out” from the composite. Overall, the biodegradable composites have shown improved functional characteristic than the origin material. This finding shows that this Sugarcane/Potato starch composites are potential alternative material for biodegradable product i.e. biodegradable plastic packaging

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

ANALISA PENGARUH IMPLEMENTASI PROGRAM KESELAMATAN KERJA DAN KESEHATAN KERJA (K3) TERHADAP PENINGKATAN PRODUKTIVITAS KERJA

Perkembangan dalam sektor industri di Indonesia yang mengalami kenaikan pesat, ditandai dengan banyaknya perusahaan yang dibangun. Dengan begitu, perusahaan dituntut untuk meningkatkan perlindungan kerja bagi para pekerja agar terhindar dari kecelakaan kerja. Perlindungan ini dapat dilakukan dengan adanya Program Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja, dimana program tersebut harus dimiliki oleh setiap perusahaan. Dalam&nbsp; ipembahasan&nbsp; iini&nbsp; ipenulis&nbsp; imemberikan&nbsp; iinformasi&nbsp; itentang&nbsp; iimplementasi&nbsp; iprogram&nbsp; ikeselamatan&nbsp; idan&nbsp; ikesehatan&nbsp; ikerja&nbsp; idalam&nbsp; ihal&nbsp; iproduktivitas&nbsp; ikerja&nbsp; iserta&nbsp; ipenjelasan&nbsp; i ikendala apa saja yang&nbsp; idialami&nbsp; iperusahaan&nbsp; idalam&nbsp; imenyediakan&nbsp; iperlindungan&nbsp; iK3&nbsp; ibagi&nbsp; itenaga&nbsp; ikerjanya. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah dengan penelitian kepustakaan, dengan mempelajari dan menganalisa literatur atau jurnal yang membahas tema ini. Data yang digunakan merupakan data sekunder, kemudian dijelaskan melalui metode deskriptif dengan cara mendeskripsikan hasil penelitian dan pengamatan. Hasil penelitian bahwa perusahaan yang ingin meningkatkan produktivitas perlu serius untuk meningkatkan penerapan program dan melengkapi faktor-faktor pendukung untuk Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja dan kendala yang dialami kurangntya kesadaran, pertolongan dan keterlibatan administrasi operasi terhadap&nbsp; perjuangan pengendalian ancaman, kemampuan petugas keselamatan kerja&nbsp; dibidang rekayasa operasi, rekayasa keselamatan kerja, administrasi&nbsp; pengendalian&nbsp; ancaman dirasakan sangat kurang

ANALISA PENGARUH IMPLEMENTASI PROGRAM KESELAMATAN KERJA DAN KESEHATAN KERJA (K3) TERHADAP PENINGKATAN PRODUKTIVITAS KERJA

Perkembangan dalam sektor industri di Indonesia yang mengalami kenaikan pesat, ditandai dengan banyaknya perusahaan yang dibangun. Dengan begitu, perusahaan dituntut untuk meningkatkan perlindungan kerja bagi para pekerja agar terhindar dari kecelakaan kerja. Perlindungan ini dapat dilakukan dengan adanya Program Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja, dimana program tersebut harus dimiliki oleh setiap perusahaan. Dalam&nbsp; ipembahasan&nbsp; iini&nbsp; ipenulis&nbsp; imemberikan&nbsp; iinformasi&nbsp; itentang&nbsp; iimplementasi&nbsp; iprogram&nbsp; ikeselamatan&nbsp; idan&nbsp; ikesehatan&nbsp; ikerja&nbsp; idalam&nbsp; ihal&nbsp; iproduktivitas&nbsp; ikerja&nbsp; iserta&nbsp; ipenjelasan&nbsp; i ikendala apa saja yang&nbsp; idialami&nbsp; iperusahaan&nbsp; idalam&nbsp; imenyediakan&nbsp; iperlindungan&nbsp; iK3&nbsp; ibagi&nbsp; itenaga&nbsp; ikerjanya. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah dengan penelitian kepustakaan, dengan mempelajari dan menganalisa literatur atau jurnal yang membahas tema ini. Data yang digunakan merupakan data sekunder, kemudian dijelaskan melalui metode deskriptif dengan cara mendeskripsikan hasil penelitian dan pengamatan. Hasil penelitian bahwa perusahaan yang ingin meningkatkan produktivitas perlu serius untuk meningkatkan penerapan program dan melengkapi faktor-faktor pendukung untuk Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja dan kendala yang dialami kurangntya kesadaran, pertolongan dan keterlibatan administrasi operasi terhadap&nbsp; perjuangan pengendalian ancaman, kemampuan petugas keselamatan kerja&nbsp; dibidang rekayasa operasi, rekayasa keselamatan kerja, administrasi&nbsp; pengendalian&nbsp; ancaman dirasakan sangat kurang

Coupling GPS with accelerometer to measure physical activity

Measuring and assessing physical activity is essential to determine the quality of certain activity toward human health. This study is to test the combination of Global Positioning System (GPS) with heart rate monitor and accelerometer in determining levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity among university students during their own capability in limited time. 10 male university students (age: 20.7years± 0.82SD) participate in this pilot study. Two different jogging courses used in this physical activity study. Participants were asked to wear GPS watch with chest-strapped heart rate monitor and accelerometer before starting their activity. They were then were asked to exercise (stretching, slow jogging, brisk walking and running) freely according to their own capability in 90 minutes. Data gathered from the devices are process and analyze in specific software. A minimum of 153 kCal used in this 90 minutes activity and maximum used energy is 263.64 kCal. The respondent's movement during exercise from GPS were able to be map and viewed graphically for better analysis. Results suggested, these two devices can be combined to objectively assess physical activity

Interleukin-18 Antagonism Improved Histopathological Conditions of Malaria Infection in Mice

Background: Interleukin 18 (IL-18) exerts pleiotropic roles in many inflammatory-related diseases including parasitic infection. Previous studies have demonstrated the promising therapeutic potential of modulating IL-18 bioactivity in various pathologi­cal conditions. However, its involvement during malaria infection has yet to be established. In this study, we demonstrated the effect of modulating IL-18 on the histopathological conditions of malaria infected mice. Methods: Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection in male ICR mice was used as a model for malaria infection. Modulation of IL-18 release was carried out by treat­ment of malarial mice with recombinant mouse IL-18 (rmIL-18) and recombinant mouse IL-18 Fc chimera (rmIL-18Fc) intravenously. Histopathological study and analysis were performed on major organs including brain, liver, spleen, lungs and kidney. Results: Treatment with rmIL-18Fc resulted in significant improvements on the histopathological conditions of the organs in malaria-infected mice. Conclusion: IL-18 is an important mediator of malaria pathogenesis and targeting IL-18 could prove beneficial in malaria-infected host

Global, regional, and national burden of diabetes from 1990 to 2021, with projections of prevalence to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, and affects people regardless of country, age group, or sex. Using the most recent evidentiary and analytical framework from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD), we produced location-specific, age-specific, and sex-specific estimates of diabetes prevalence and burden from 1990 to 2021, the proportion of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in 2021, the proportion of the type 2 diabetes burden attributable to selected risk factors, and projections of diabetes prevalence through 2050. Methods: Estimates of diabetes prevalence and burden were computed in 204 countries and territories, across 25 age groups, for males and females separately and combined; these estimates comprised lost years of healthy life, measured in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs; defined as the sum of years of life lost [YLLs] and years lived with disability [YLDs]). We used the Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm) approach to estimate deaths due to diabetes, incorporating 25 666 location-years of data from vital registration and verbal autopsy reports in separate total (including both type 1 and type 2 diabetes) and type-specific models. Other forms of diabetes, including gestational and monogenic diabetes, were not explicitly modelled. Total and type 1 diabetes prevalence was estimated by use of a Bayesian meta-regression modelling tool, DisMod-MR 2.1, to analyse 1527 location-years of data from the scientific literature, survey microdata, and insurance claims; type 2 diabetes estimates were computed by subtracting type 1 diabetes from total estimates. Mortality and prevalence estimates, along with standard life expectancy and disability weights, were used to calculate YLLs, YLDs, and DALYs. When appropriate, we extrapolated estimates to a hypothetical population with a standardised age structure to allow comparison in populations with different age structures. We used the comparative risk assessment framework to estimate the risk-attributable type 2 diabetes burden for 16 risk factors falling under risk categories including environmental and occupational factors, tobacco use, high alcohol use, high body-mass index (BMI), dietary factors, and low physical activity. Using a regression framework, we forecast type 1 and type 2 diabetes prevalence through 2050 with Socio-demographic Index (SDI) and high BMI as predictors, respectively. Findings: In 2021, there were 529 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 500-564) people living with diabetes worldwide, and the global age-standardised total diabetes prevalence was 6·1% (5·8-6·5). At the super-region level, the highest age-standardised rates were observed in north Africa and the Middle East (9·3% [8·7-9·9]) and, at the regional level, in Oceania (12·3% [11·5-13·0]). Nationally, Qatar had the world's highest age-specific prevalence of diabetes, at 76·1% (73·1-79·5) in individuals aged 75-79 years. Total diabetes prevalence-especially among older adults-primarily reflects type 2 diabetes, which in 2021 accounted for 96·0% (95·1-96·8) of diabetes cases and 95·4% (94·9-95·9) of diabetes DALYs worldwide. In 2021, 52·2% (25·5-71·8) of global type 2 diabetes DALYs were attributable to high BMI. The contribution of high BMI to type 2 diabetes DALYs rose by 24·3% (18·5-30·4) worldwide between 1990 and 2021. By 2050, more than 1·31 billion (1·22-1·39) people are projected to have diabetes, with expected age-standardised total diabetes prevalence rates greater than 10% in two super-regions: 16·8% (16·1-17·6) in north Africa and the Middle East and 11·3% (10·8-11·9) in Latin America and Caribbean. By 2050, 89 (43·6%) of 204 countries and territories will have an age-standardised rate greater than 10%. Interpretation: Diabetes remains a substantial public health issue. Type 2 diabetes, which makes up the bulk of diabetes cases, is largely preventable and, in some cases, potentially reversible if identified and managed early in the disease course. However, all evidence indicates that diabetes prevalence is increasing worldwide, primarily due to a rise in obesity caused by multiple factors. Preventing and controlling type 2 diabetes remains an ongoing challenge. It is essential to better understand disparities in risk factor profiles and diabetes burden across populations, to inform strategies to successfully control diabetes risk factors within the context of multiple and complex drivers. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Reduction of cardiac imaging tests during the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of Italy. Findings from the IAEA Non-invasive Cardiology Protocol Survey on COVID-19 (INCAPS COVID)

Background: In early 2020, COVID-19 massively hit Italy, earlier and harder than any other European country. This caused a series of strict containment measures, aimed at blocking the spread of the pandemic. Healthcare delivery was also affected when resources were diverted towards care of COVID-19 patients, including intensive care wards. Aim of the study: The aim is assessing the impact of COVID-19 on cardiac imaging in Italy, compare to the Rest of Europe (RoE) and the World (RoW). Methods: A global survey was conducted in May–June 2020 worldwide, through a questionnaire distributed online. The survey covered three periods: March and April 2020, and March 2019. Data from 52 Italian centres, a subset of the 909 participating centres from 108 countries, were analyzed. Results: In Italy, volumes decreased by 67% in March 2020, compared to March 2019, as opposed to a significantly lower decrease (p &lt; 0.001) in RoE and RoW (41% and 40%, respectively). A further decrease from March 2020 to April 2020 summed up to 76% for the North, 77% for the Centre and 86% for the South. When compared to the RoE and RoW, this further decrease from March 2020 to April 2020 in Italy was significantly less (p = 0.005), most likely reflecting the earlier effects of the containment measures in Italy, taken earlier than anywhere else in the West. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic massively hit Italy and caused a disruption of healthcare services, including cardiac imaging studies. This raises concern about the medium- and long-term consequences for the high number of patients who were denied timely diagnoses and the subsequent lifesaving therapies and procedures

International Impact of COVID-19 on the Diagnosis of Heart Disease

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has adversely affected diagnosis and treatment of noncommunicable diseases. Its effects on delivery of diagnostic care for cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death worldwide, have not been quantified. Objectives: The study sought to assess COVID-19's impact on global cardiovascular diagnostic procedural volumes and safety practices. Methods: The International Atomic Energy Agency conducted a worldwide survey assessing alterations in cardiovascular procedure volumes and safety practices resulting from COVID-19. Noninvasive and invasive cardiac testing volumes were obtained from participating sites for March and April 2020 and compared with those from March 2019. Availability of personal protective equipment and pandemic-related testing practice changes were ascertained. Results: Surveys were submitted from 909 inpatient and outpatient centers performing cardiac diagnostic procedures, in 108 countries. Procedure volumes decreased 42% from March 2019 to March 2020, and 64% from March 2019 to April 2020. Transthoracic echocardiography decreased by 59%, transesophageal echocardiography 76%, and stress tests 78%, which varied between stress modalities. Coronary angiography (invasive or computed tomography) decreased 55% (p &lt; 0.001 for each procedure). In multivariable regression, significantly greater reduction in procedures occurred for centers in countries with lower gross domestic product. Location in a low-income and lower–middle-income country was associated with an additional 22% reduction in cardiac procedures and less availability of personal protective equipment and telehealth. Conclusions: COVID-19 was associated with a significant and abrupt reduction in cardiovascular diagnostic testing across the globe, especially affecting the world's economically challenged. Further study of cardiovascular outcomes and COVID-19–related changes in care delivery is warranted

Impact of COVID-19 on Diagnostic Cardiac Procedural Volume in Oceania: The IAEA Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocol Survey on COVID-19 (INCAPS COVID)

Objectives: The INCAPS COVID Oceania study aimed to assess the impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiac procedure volume provided in the Oceania region. Methods: A retrospective survey was performed comparing procedure volumes within March 2019 (pre-COVID-19) with April 2020 (during first wave of COVID-19 pandemic). Sixty-three (63) health care facilities within Oceania that perform cardiac diagnostic procedures were surveyed, including a mixture of metropolitan and regional, hospital and outpatient, public and private sites, and 846 facilities outside of Oceania. The percentage change in procedure volume was measured between March 2019 and April 2020, compared by test type and by facility. Results: In Oceania, the total cardiac diagnostic procedure volume was reduced by 52.2% from March 2019 to April 2020, compared to a reduction of 75.9% seen in the rest of the world (p&lt;0.001). Within Oceania sites, this reduction varied significantly between procedure types, but not between types of health care facility. All procedure types (other than stress cardiac magnetic resonance [CMR] and positron emission tomography [PET]) saw significant reductions in volume over this time period (p&lt;0.001). In Oceania, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) decreased by 51.6%, transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) by 74.0%, and stress tests by 65% overall, which was more pronounced for stress electrocardiograph (ECG) (81.8%) and stress echocardiography (76.7%) compared to stress single-photon emission computerised tomography (SPECT) (44.3%). Invasive coronary angiography decreased by 36.7% in Oceania. Conclusion: A significant reduction in cardiac diagnostic procedure volume was seen across all facility types in Oceania and was likely a function of recommendations from cardiac societies and directives from government to minimise spread of COVID-19 amongst patients and staff. Longer term evaluation is important to assess for negative patient outcomes which may relate to deferral of usual models of care within cardiology