URBAN REDEVELOPMENT THROUGH CITY-UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS: ENVISIONING AN EDUCATION DISTRICT IN SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS

This thesis examines the impact of planning a potential new urban university campus in Springfield, Massachusetts on the city’s long term goals for urban revitalization. By exploring a collaborative and community-oriented process for higher-educational development, I propose a dynamic model that could work as a catalyst for urban revitalization. The study will focus on the following: developing partnerships between the city of Springfield (government, community, local groups) and major educational institutions (such as the University of Massachusetts system); identifying potential sites suitable for the anticipated urban/mixed-use campus or compound; and studying and analyzing the forces within the city (neighborhoods around site) that would inspire and shape the ideal concept for a campus master plan. I will use four major research strategies: (1) Developing a partnership that is to be both interactive and instructive, (2) selecting and analyzing three or more best practice case studies, (3) analyzing the existing conditions in Springfield, particularity the surroundings of selected sites, and, (4) a critically and professionally developed urban design vision for the right kind of university campus in Springfield that would highlight the main ideas and conclude with a master plan as part of the overall recommendations of this research. Data are collected from books, journals, interviews, newspapers, website sources, and other published reports using a mixed-methods case-study approach. I expect that the study of this topic and the urban design programming and work associated with it would yield a successful model for campus planning and be potentially adopted or adapted by others in the future

Quantitative magnetic resonance angiography for flow quantification of carotid and intracranial stenosis

Carotid and intracranial stenosis are responsible for stroke, which is the third leading cause of death globally. Carotid and intracranial stenting are used in management of stenosis. In-stent stenosis occurs in 25-35% of patients. Stent related artifacts and artificial lumen narrowing are problems during MRI scanning. A potential solution is estimate the flow profile across stenosis. The goal of this project is to optimize and implement quantitative magnetic resonance angiography (QMRA) for flow encoding and flow velocity estimation for better characterizing stenosis and assessing its degrees. We conducted multiple phantom measurements (mimicking normal carotid and middle cerebral anatomy) using phase contrast sequence with implementing different degrees of stenosis. Subsequent volunteer and patients measurements were conducted. In 8 mm tubes, flow was stable till 75 % stenosis while in 4 mm tubes, decline starts at 65% stenosis. In subject measurements, there is flow asymmetry between paired ICAs and MCAs that is not pathologic but within certain range. Patients had reduced flow in stenotic vessels compared to the other side and compared to mean flow in our volunteer subjects. QMRA results demonstrated reduced flow on the exact side detected with conventional MRA, with a strong correlation between QMRA and conventional MRA (R2 =0.7942). The percentage of flow difference between sides varied with the degree of stenosis. QMRA can be used for non-invasive diagnosis of suspected stenosis even if the stenosis itself cannot be visualized

A Cyber-HIL for Investigating Control Systems in Ship Cyber Physical Systems under Communication Issues and Cyber Attacks

This paper presents a novel Cyber-Hardware-in-the-Loop (Cyber-HIL) platform for assessing control operation in ship cyber-physical systems. The proposed platform employs cutting-edge technologies, including Docker containers, real-time simulator $OPAL-RT$, and network emulator $ns3$, to create a secure and controlled testing and deployment environment for investigating the potential impact of cyber attack threats on ship control systems. Real-time experiments were conducted using an advanced load-shedding controller as a control object in both synchronous and asynchronous manners, showcasing the platform's versatility and effectiveness in identifying vulnerabilities and improving overall Ship Cyber Physical System (SCPS) security. Furthermore, the performance of the load-shedding controller under cyber attacks was evaluated by conducting tests with man-in-the-middle (MITM) and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. These attacks were implemented on the communication channels between the controller and the simulated ship system, emulating real-world scenarios. The proposed Cyber-HIL platform provides a comprehensive and effective approach to test and validate the security of ship control systems in the face of cyber threats.Comment: 10 pages, 16 figures, journal under revie

Influence of some chemicals and solvents on the lytic activity and the adsorption of bacteriophages on Pectobacterium carotovoroum Subsp. carotovorum

Recently, bacteriophages have been used to control hazardous bacterial soft rot disease on crops. However, agricultural plants are frequently treated with different chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides and solvents), so we assessed the effect of some commonly used chemicals and solvents on the lytic activity of tested bacteriophages and their adsorption potential. This study reports the isolation of three specific phages against the Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum DSM 30170 strain, designated as ?PC1, ?PC2 and ?PC3, then partially characterized using electron microscopy and genome size. The 3 isolated phages belong to the Myoviridae family. The results obtained were based on the plaque-forming unit observed after incubation. By increasing the chemical concentrations (from 0.1 to 0.5 mM), calcium chloride (CaCl2) and potassium chloride (KCl) showed a significant increase in the lytic activity of the phages. Copper sulphate (CuSO4) and copper chloride (CuCl2) showed a substantial decrease in the activity of ?PC3; however, such a decrease was insignificant for ?PC1 and ?PC2. By increasing the solvent concentrations (from 30 % v/v to 70 % v/v), propanol, ethanol and methanol showed a significant decrease in the count of the three isolated phages, ?PC1, ?PC2 and ?PC3, compared to the control. Chloroform was the only solvent that did not reduce the phage titer. Our findings offer significant information for developing a strategy to combat the P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum caused bacterial soft rot disease. avoiding copper compounds and alcoholic solvents such as propanol, ethanol and methanol in plots where phages are applied seems advisable

Effect of viral load on hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B patients: assessed by fibroscan

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a severe worldwide health problem and a primary cause of chronic hepatitis, hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular cancer. In Egypt, the prevalence of HBsAg is of intermediate endemicity (2–8%). It has been known that the viral load and degree of hepatic fibrosis are considered independent factors that predict clinical outcomes after persistent HBV infection. However, the exact relationship between viral load and hepatic fibrosis is not well studied. Objectives: Our objective was to investigate the clinical effects of viral load on the severity of hepatic fibrosis. Patients and methods: Sixty patients with evident chronic HBV infection were enrolled. Using transient elastography, the patients were divided into two groups. Group 1: low fibrosis stage F1–2, and Group 2: high or significant fibrosis stage (F3–F4). Both groups were statistically compared for HBV-DNA viremia (PCR), clinical, and laboratory tests. Results: Serum bilirubin (p = 0.048), international normalised ratio (p 0.0001), and albumin (p = 0.01) were significantly increased in patients with higher grades of liver fibrosis on top of CHB. In addition, the viral load was found to be considerably greater in individuals who had higher grades of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis (P = 0.03). Conclusions: During follow-up, an obvious increase in the viraemia level may indicate significant hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic HBV infection. Our results could influence the decision about liver biopsy or treatment at that point

Redefining America’s Postwar Urban Renewal at the Northgate of Springfield, MA

This project presents visions for an underutilized and overlooked district in Springfield, MA, developed by the Graduate Urban Design Studio in the spring of 2014. The area between downtown and the North End neighborhood has undergone major transformations in the 1950’s and 1960’s during America’s era of postwar urban renewal. Residential blocks were replaced by large office buildings and oversized streets left a ”no-man’s land”. The current rehabilitation of the Springfield’s Union Station into an intermodal transportation hub should draw new attention to the area as the northern gateway to downtown - the “Northgate”. Five visionary design proposals rethink and redefine America’s postwar urban renewal and show possible future scenarios to re-imagine and revitalize a unique urban district close to the heart of the City. The design strategies include new urban greenways and recreation, sustainable green infrastructure adaptations, urban agriculture and farming, housing and mixed-use commercial opportunities

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Village Midwives Regarding HCV in Khartoum State, Sudan; 2014

Hepatitis is a disease of liver that can be caused by chemicals or viruses. The objective of this study is to study level of knowledge, attitude and practice among village midwives regarding HCV, Khartoum State, Sudan, 2014. This study was a descriptive study. Three hundred thirty five village midwives were surveyed. Data was collected through questionaire which was composed of 20 questions; 11 for knowledge, 6 for attitude and 3 for practice. Variables were computed using SPSS version 20. The results shows that most of respondents were in age group less than 49 years (68.4%). Seventy seven percent were educated. About half of them had duration of work for more than twenty years. They had poor knowledge (33.7%) and attitude (42.4%); but they had moderate level of positive practice (61.2%). There was no significant statistical association between knowledge and age, education, or duration of work; no significant statistical association between attitude and age or duration of work, while there was significant statistical association of attitude with education; and no statistical association between practice and age, while there was significant statistical association between practice and education and duration of work. There was a poor level of knowledge and attitude; but there was moderate level of positive practice.There was significant statistical association between attitude and education; between practice and education and duration of work. Health education is highly recommended

Insecticide resistance in the sand fly, Phlebotomus papatasi from Khartoum State, Sudan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Phlebotomus papatasi </it>the vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is the most widely spread sand fly in Sudan. No data has previously been collected on insecticide susceptibility and/or resistance of this vector, and a first study to establish a baseline data is reported here.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sand flies were collected from Surogia village, (Khartoum State), Rahad Game Reserve (eastern Sudan) and White Nile area (Central Sudan) using light traps. Sand flies were reared in the Tropical Medicine Research Institute laboratory. The insecticide susceptibility status of first progeny (F1) of <it>P. papatasi </it>of each population was tested using WHO insecticide kits. Also, <it>P. papatasi </it>specimens from Surogia village and Rahad Game Reserve were assayed for activities of enzyme systems involved in insecticide resistance (acetylcholinesterase (AChE), non-specific carboxylesterases (EST), glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) and cytochrome p450 monooxygenases (Cyt p450).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Populations of <it>P. papatasi </it>from White Nile and Rahad Game Reserve were sensitive to dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), permethrin, malathion, and propoxur. However, the <it>P. papatasi </it>population from Surogia village was sensitive to DDT and permethrin but highly resistant to malathion and propoxur. Furthermore, <it>P. papatasi </it>of Surogia village had significantly higher insecticide detoxification enzyme activity than of those of Rahad Game Reserve. The sand fly population in Surogia displayed high AChE activity and only three specimens had elevated levels for EST and GST.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The study provided evidence for malathion and propoxur resistance in the sand fly population of Surogia village, which probably resulted from anti-malarial control activities carried out in the area during the past 50 years.</p

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

Metal-Bound Methisazone; Novel Drugs Targeting Prophylaxis and Treatment of SARS-CoV-2, a Molecular Docking Study.

SARS-CoV-2 currently lacks effective first-line drug treatment. We present promising data from in silico docking studies of new Methisazone compounds (modified with calcium, Ca; iron, Fe; magnesium, Mg; manganese, Mn; or zinc, Zn) designed to bind more strongly to key proteins involved in replication of SARS-CoV-2. In this in silico molecular docking study, we investigated the inhibiting role of Methisazone and the modified drugs against SARS-CoV-2 proteins: ribonucleic acid (RNA)-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), spike protein, papain-like protease (PlPr), and main protease (MPro). We found that the highest binding interactions were found with the spike protein (6VYB), with the highest overall binding being observed with Mn-bound Methisazone at -8.3 kcal/mol, followed by Zn and Ca at -8.0 kcal/mol, and Fe and Mg at -7.9 kcal/mol. We also found that the metal-modified Methisazone had higher affinity for PlPr and MPro. In addition, we identified multiple binding pockets that could be singly or multiply occupied on all proteins tested. The best binding energy was with Mn-Methisazone versus spike protein, and the largest cumulative increases in binding energies were found with PlPr. We suggest that further studies are warranted to identify whether these compounds may be effective for treatment and/or prophylaxis