Non-Formal Education: A Manual on Organizing Workshops for Training Rural Facilitators

The objective of this manual is to provide guidance for those persons involved in the Nonformal Education Project who will be organizing training workshops for rural facilitators for nonformal education purposes. Since this document is a by-product of a workshop organized for those members of the Center for International Education who were leaving different West African sites during summer in order to conduct rural facilitator training workshops, it is limited in its scope. This is not a workshop report, however. The usefulness of this manual mainly lies in treating it as a possible way of organizing a workshop for facilitator training. Hence it should be comprehended as a process. Details regarding the subject-matter, content, timing, etc. should be looked at as something which demands necessary revisions, additions and deletions. Such adjustments will be determined by several situation factors such as geographical location, audience, human and material resources available, etc. This manual presents just one case study. There are no specific section(s) devoted to bibliography. This is because necessary references have been integrated within the text. For all those interested in the format of the workshop out of which this manual emerged, an appendix on the tentative schedule of the workshop has been included at the end of the manual

Fabrication and Excellent Dielectric Performance of Exfoliated Graphite Sheets

In the present investigation, exfoliated graphite sheets were obtained from the thermo-chemical treatment of natural graphite flakes. In this process, the graphite expands almost 300-350 times of its original volume and takes the shape of worms. These worms can be pressed or rolled into any desired shape without any binder. The exfoliated graphite sheets show excellent electrical properties i.e. high dielectric constant (ε = 6.374 ×107) and comparatively low dielectric loss (tanδ = 138) across the frequency in the range 50 Hz to 30 MHz and temperature in the range 40-300 °C. The products developed from exfoliated graphite can have very good sealing applications in industrial areas, especially for gaskets in the automobile industries

Fabrication and Excellent Dielectric Performance of Exfoliated Graphite Sheets

In the present investigation, exfoliated graphite sheets were obtained from the thermo-chemical treatment of natural graphite flakes. In this process, the graphite expands almost 300-350 times of its original volume and takes the shape of worms. These worms can be pressed or rolled into any desired shape without any binder. The exfoliated graphite sheets show excellent electrical properties i.e. high dielectric constant (ε = 6.374 ×107) and comparatively low dielectric loss (tanδ = 138) across the frequency in the range 50 Hz to 30 MHz and temperature in the range 40-300 °C. The products developed from exfoliated graphite can have very good sealing applications in industrial areas, especially for gaskets in the automobile industries

Efficacy of Natural Inhibitors against PKC: An In silico approach to combat Cancer

Protein Kinase C (PKC), a member of isozyme family plays an important role in cell growth regulation and differentiation and is being considered as a novel target of many anti-cancer drugs. In this study we have explored the affinity and interaction of some natural plant derived compounds against PKCα to find out some important active site amino acid residues that play an important role in the binding of inhibitors with the active site

PERLINDUNGAN HUKUM TERHADAP PEREMPUAN DAN ANAK “Studi Analisis Regulasi, Pemahaman Dan Implementasi Di Kabupaten Jepara”

Penelitian ini berjudul “Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Perempuan Dan Anak Studi Analisis Regulasi, Pemahaman dan Implementasi di Kabupaten Jepara” dalam karya tulis ini peneliti menyuguhkan fakta yang terjadi dewasa ini terkait maraknya pelanggaran-pelanggaran yang dialami oleh perempuan dan anak. Dalam temuan penulis, setidaknya ada beberapa hal menarik yang penulis paparkan, seperti banyaknya pelanggaran-pelanggaran hukum yang dilakukan oleh sekelompok orang, atau seseorang secara individu namun mereka tidak sadar bahwa apa yang dilakukanya adalah perbuatan yang melanggar hukum. Padahal kita ketahui bersama banyak sekali prodak-prodak hukum yang ada, dimulai dari perlindungan hukum atas hak asasi manusia, hak untuk berserikat berkumpul dan berpendapat, perlindungan hukum terhadap kekerasan dalam rumah tangga, perlindungan anak dan banyak lainnya, baik di tingkat Nasional, Provinsi maupun Kabupaten. Namun hal itu belum mampu dirasakan secara utuh atas kehadirannya bagi masyarakat, ketidaktahuan masyarakat ini berdampak pada sikologi masyarakat itu sendiri, maka timbullah sifat inferior terhadap hukum, sehinga kelompok ini cenderung apatis dan selalu berada pada zona yang rentan akan konflik sosial. Karena sampai dewasa ini hukum belum mampu menampakkan wajahnya sebagai pembela kebenaran dan keadilan, yang ada hanya hukum selalu tajam kebawah dan tumpul keatas, hal inilah yang menjadi salah satu hal menarik dalam karya tulis ini yang akan dipaparkan oleh penulis. Dalam penulisan karya tulis ini penulis menggunakan metode kualitatif, Sedangkan metode penelitian ini bersifat deskriptif artinya suatu metode dalam meneliti status sekelompok manusia, suatu objek, suatu kondisi, suatu sistem pemikiran, ataupun suatu peristiwa pada masa sekarang. Tujuan dari penelitian deskriptif ini adalah membuat deskripsi, gambaran atau lukisan secara sistematis, faktual dan aktual mengenai fakta-fakta, sifat-sifat serta hubungan antar fenomena. Adapun Rumusan masalah Adakah Regulasi Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Perempuan dan Anak di Kabupaten Jepara, Bagaimana Pemahaman Pemerintah dan masyarakat terhadap Regulasi Perlindungan Hukum Perhadap Perempuan dan Anak di Kabupaten Jepara,Bagaimana Implementasi Regulasi dan kebijakan Hukum oleh Pemerintah Kabupaten Jepara dengan tujuan penulisan: Untuk Mengetahui Regulasi Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Perempuan dan Anak pada Tingkat Nasional, Provinsi dan Kabupaten Jepara, Untuk Mengetahui Seberapa Jauh Pemahaman Pemerintah dan Masyarakat akan Regulasi Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Perempuan dan Anak di Kabupaten Jepara, Untuk Mengukur Seberapa Jauh Implementasi Regulasi Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Perempuan dan Anak di Kabupaten Jepara

Engineering a microbiosphere to clean up the ocean – inspiration from the plastisphere

Plastic is a ubiquitous material that has become an essential part of our lives. More than one hundred million tons of plastic has accumulated in the world’s oceans as a result of poor waste management. This plastic waste gradually fragments into smaller pieces known as microplastics and nanoplastics. These small plastic particles can cause significant damage to marine ecosystems, and negatively impact human health. According to a recent review of international patents, the majority of ocean-cleaning inventions are limited to microplastics larger than 20 μm. Furthermore, such technologies are ineffective for nanoplastics, which measure less than 1000 nm, or even fibrous plastics. Alternative solutions need to be considered for the large-scale in situ removal of microplastics and nanoplastics from the ocean. In this perspective, we present the concept of engineering a microbial ecosystem, which we term the microbiosphere. The concept is based on key observations that have been made for natural plastic-based ecosystems known as plastispheres. These observations relate to the solid support material, self-sustainability, attachment to plastic, degradation of plastic, and risk of pathogenicity. Inspiration can be taken from the plastisphere whereby a novel microbial ecosystem could be designed and engineered as a bioremediation tool to rid the ocean of micro- and nanoplastics. Such an engineered system could outcompete pathogens for marine plastic waste and potentially reduce the risk of infectious diseases

Correlation Between Anti-cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibodies and the Severity of Clinical Manifestation, Laboratory Manifestation, and Radiological Joint Destruction in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Background. The second generation anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide test (CCP2) displays sensitivity comparable to that of rheumatoid factor (RF) (approximately 80%) but with superior specificity (98%) . Several observations have indicated that early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with positive anti-CCP may develop a more erosive disease than those without anti-CCP.Objective. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the correlation between anti-CCP antibodies and clinical and laboratory parameters and radiological joint destruction in RA patients.Methods. We studied 31 patients with RA fulfilling the 1987 revised criteria of American College of Rheumatology in Rheumatology Clinic of Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia. Clinical parameters were collected such as age, sex, visual analog scale,disease duration and diseases activity score (DAS28-3(CRP)). Laboratory parameters were WBC, hemoglobin, platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and Creactive protein. Analyzed autoantibody profiles were RF and anti-CCP (ELISA methode). Radiological jointdestruction was evaluated from bilateral postero-anterior manus x ray (Sharp score).Results. Anti-CCP antibodies were detected in 48.4% of RA patients with mean antibody concentration was 291.24±143.67 (range 16-523.8) units. Anti CCP level was significantly correlated with duration of RA (month) (p=0.04, r=0.371), RF level (p=0.002, r=0.542) andSharp score (p=0.048, r=0.358), but was not significantly correlated with other clinical and laboratory parameters.Conclusion. Anti-CCP level was correlated with duration of disease, RF, and Sharp score

Is Inflation Regressive or Progressive? Long Run & Short Run Evidence from Pakistan

The present paper investigates an answer to a key question “is inflation regressive or progressive?†by utilizing time series data from 1971 up to 2005 with reference to Pakistan. The main focus of the study is on the inflation-inequality puzzle but other control variables are also included in the model that affect income distribution. We have utilized the most advanced technique FMOLS (Fully-Modified Ordinary Least Square) for long run and ECM (Error Correction Model) for short run dynamics. Our findings suggest that inflation is progressive in the case of Pakistan but with low magnitude. There is also a prevalence of a U-shaped relationship between inflation and income inequality in non-linear or non-monotonic phenomenon, but it is insignificant. Per capita income deteriorates income distribution, and seems to provide gains to non-poor individuals in the economy. Remittances as share of GDP, and human capital, also appear to increase income inequality in both periods but large size of the government seems to worsen income distribution in the long run. International trade and income inequality are positively correlated that confirms the existence of Leontief paradox in Pakistan not only in short run, but also in long run. Financial development declines income inequality insignificantly. Inverted U-shaped curve (Lafer-Curve) indicates an association of trade and income inequality in non-linear fashion insignificantly. This effort provides some new insights for policy makers and development planners in Pakistan.   Keywords: Inflation; inequality; fully modifed ordinary least square; Pakistan.

Cultural Theories of Postpartum Bleeding in Matlab, Bangladesh: Implications for Community Health Intervention

Early recognition can reduce maternal disability and deaths due to postpartum haemorrhage. This study identified cultural theories of postpartum bleeding that may lead to inappropriate recognition and delayed care-seeking. Qualitative and quantitative data obtained through structured interviews with 149 participants living in Matlab, Bangladesh, including women aged 18-49 years, women aged 50+ years, traditional birth attendants (TBAs), and skilled birth attendants (SBAs), were subjected to cultural domain. General consensus existed among the TBAs and lay women regarding signs, causes, and treatments of postpartum bleeding (eigenvalue ratio 5.9, mean competence 0.59, and standard deviation 0.15). Excessive bleeding appeared to be distinguished by flow characteristics, not colour or quantity. Yet, the TBAs and lay women differed significantly from the SBAs in beliefs about normalcy of blood loss, causal role of the retained placenta and malevolent spirits, and care practices critical to survival. Cultural domain analysis captures variation in theories with specificity and representativeness necessary to inform community health intervention