Increasing the imaging capabilities of multimode fibers by exploiting the properties of highly scattering media

We present a novel design that exploits the focusing properties of scattering media to increase the resolution and the working distance of multimode fiber based imaging devices. Placing a highly scattering medium in front of the distal tip of the multimode fiber enables the formation of smaller sized foci at increased working distances away from the fiber tip. We perform a parametric study of the effect of the working distance and the separation between the fiber and the scattering medium on the focus size. We experimentally demonstrate submicron focused spots as far away as 800{\mu}m with 532nm light.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Faktor Lingkungan Yang Dapat Meningkatkan Risiko Kejadian Lupus Erithematosus Di Rsup Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Manado

FAKTOR LINGKUNGAN YANG DAPAT MENINGKATKAN RISIKO KEJADIAN Lupus Erithematosus DI RSUP PROF. DR. R. D. KANDOU MANADO Nur Salma1), Billy J. Kepel1), Sulaemana Engkeng1) 1)Fakultas Kesehatan Masyarakat Universitas Sam Ratulangi Manado ABSTRACT The incidence of Lupus Erithematosus in Indonesia were continuing increase based on data of Indonesia's Lupus Foundation, total numbers of odapus in 2012 were 12.700 on April 2013 increased to 13.300 people, as well as going on Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Hospital in 2012 there were 2 patients then in 2013 until 2014 increased to 34 patients. This research aims to know Environment factors that may increase risk of Lupus Erithematosus incident at Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Hospital Manado.This research was a qualitative research and used indepth interview as a research instrument. Informants in this research were patients with lupus erithematosus who came to Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Hospital to get treat on November to January 2016, with the number of informants as many as 5 persons.The results of this research show that sunlight exposure can affect the risk of increased lupus erithematosus, prolonged stress, and often consume drugs like paracetamol, ampicillin, amoxicillin, and CTM can also increase the risk of incidence of lupus. Meanwhile, the knowledge of lupus is still lacking with the results obtained from five informants didn't know about Lupus before diagnosed. The exposure of sunlight, stress and drugs consume like antibiotics, and analgesic can increase the risk of Lupus Incidence. Health workers should improve the quality of care by health promotion and epidemiological surveillance about lupus erithematosus. Key Words: Sunlight Exposure, Stress, Drugs Consume, Lupus Erithematosus. ABSTRAK Kasus Lupus Erithematosus Indonesia terus meningkat hal ini didasarkan pada data Yayasan Lupus Indonesia, jumlah odapus pada tahun 2012 sebanyak 12.700 pada April 2013 meningkat menjadi 13.300 jiwa, begitu juga yang terjadi di RSUP Prof. Dr. R. D Kandou pada tahun 2012 terdapat 2 penderita, kemudian pada tahun 2013 sampai pada tahun 2014 meningkat menjadi 34 penderita. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui faktor lingkungan yang dapat meningkatkan risiko kejadian lupus erithematosus di RSUP Prof Dr. R. D. Kandou Manado. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kualitatif dengan menggunakan indepth interview sebagai instrumen penelitian. Informan dalam penelitian ini adalah penderita lupus erithematosus yang datang berobat ke RSUP Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou pada periode November–Januari 2016 dengan jumlah informan sebanyak 5 orang. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa paparan sinar matahari, stres yang berkepanjangan serta penggunaan obat-obatan berupa paracetamol, ampicilin, amoxicillin, serta CTM, dapat berpengaruh terhadap risiko peningkatan kejadian Lupus erithematosus. Sedangkan pengetahuan tentang lupus masih sangat kurang dengan hasil yang didapat dari 5 orang informan tidak ada yang mengetahui lupus sebelum didiagnosis. Paparan sinar matahari, stres serta penggunaan obat berupa anti-biotik, dan analgesik dapat meningkatkan risiko kejadian lupus. Petugas kesehatan harus meningkatkan kualitas pelayanan dengan melakukan penyuluhan kesehatan dan surveillance epidemiologi tentang lupus erithematosus

Microteaching in Pakistan: Perspectives of Novice Higher Education Faculty about the Contribution of Microteaching to their Learning and Practice

This mixed-methods research documents the self-reports of novice higher education faculty of Pakistan about the contribution of the microteaching module of Master Trainer Faculty Professional Development Program (MT-FPDP) as well as the factors that either supported or hindered faculty in using their new knowledge and skills. My literature review on microteaching, which until recently had been a neglected field for two decades, includes higher education development needs as ‘adults-teaching-adults,’ microteaching as a response to novice teaching issues, and a contextual analysis of the model in different settings. I analyze and interpret the findings using a conceptual framework that synthesizes adult learning, self-efficacy, and reflective practices. This research finds that the opportunities to practice their teaching skills, with an intentional reflective feedback mechanism, allowed the novice faculty to prepare themselves in a safe and collaborative environment during MT-FPDP. However, microteaching content, activities, and supplementary material were neither closely relevant to varied teaching contexts of Pakistan nor appropriate in its application at the higher education level. Moreover, the lack of supervisors’ expertise to facilitate the microteaching processes, and mentor the novices discouraged the participation. Despite these hindrances, the novices reported behavior modification, self-efficacy, and use of reflective practices in their classrooms. However, discouraging organizational culture/policies, lack of collegial, administrative, and technical support, and geopolitical factors are the primary barriers to the implementation of the knowledge and skills. The Heads of Department (HoDs)/Deans confirmed the carryover from MT-FPDP to classroom teaching, and acknowledged these institutional supports and barriers. This research argues that the microteaching content and model must be adapted to the context of Pakistan, and the microteaching skills should be prioritized based on the higher education faculty needs. The Learning Innovation Division (LID) of the Pakistan Higher Education Commission (HEC) needs to appoint expert, unbiased, and culturally sensitive supervisors who can provide novices more self-directed, transformative, and reflective learning opportunities during MT-FPDP. LID/HEC should provide avenues for collaboration and coordination by establishing the informal “communities of practice” to foster collegial support within an institution and within a province

Pengaruh Sponsorship dalam Meningkatkan Brand Awareness (Studi pada Sponsorship Garuda Indonesia terhadap Liverpool Fc sebagai Global Official Airline Partner)

Garuda Indonesia is the first and the only airline in Indonesia that implement sponsorship programs with International soccer club, Liverpool FC. This study uses sponsorship dimension consisting of target audience reach, compatibility with the company\u27s or brand positioning, and message capacity. This research applies quantitative approach and involves 83 respondents as samples collected by non-probability and snowball sampling techniques. The results suggest that sponsorship has a strong effects towards brand awareness. Futher, multiple regression analysis also indicates that the dimensions of sponsorship compatibility with the company\u27s or brand positioning have the biggest influence towards brand awareness than the other two dimensions

REPRESENTASI BUDAYA TATA RIAS PENGANTIN MALANG KEPUTREN DAN MALANG KEPRABON

Penelitian pendahulu oleh HARPI Melati Malang menghasilkan tata upacara dan tata rias pengantin Malang Keputren dan Malang Keprabon. Namun, representasi budaya dan makna tata rias belum terungkap. Penelitian lanjutan ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan:(1) proses penggalian dan pembakuan, (2) budaya pembentuk, dan (3) makna tata rias Pengantin Malang Keputren dan Malang Keprabon. Jenis penelitian ini adalah deskriptif kualitatif dengan metode pengumpulan data wawancara, observasi, dan dokumentasi. Teknik analisis data dilakukan sebelum, saat, dan setelah di lapangan. Proses untuk memperoleh keabsahan data dilakukan dengan cara trianggulasi metode yaitu cross check hasil wawancara, observasi, dan dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian adalah: (1) proses penggalian tata rias pengantin Malang terdiri dari : penggalian pertama menghasilkan tata rias pengantin Langse namun tidak berhasil dibakukan, penggalian kedua menghasilkan tata rias pengantin Malang Keputren dibakukan tahun 1996, dan penggalian ketiga menghasilkan tata rias pengantin Malang Keprabon dibakukan tahun 1998, (2) budaya pembentuk tata rias pengantin Malang Keputren dan Malang Keprabon adalah budaya asli Malang meliputi kerajaan Singosari, karakter masyarakat, dan kekayaan alam, dan (3) makna tata rias pengantin Malang Keputren dan Malang Keprabon adalah keseimbangan hubungan dengan sesama manusia dan hubungan dengan Tuhan untuk menjadi manusia paripurna dalam membangun keluarga yang langgeng. Dapat disimpulkan bahwa proses penggalian tata rias pengantin Malang berhasil membakukan Malang Keputren dan Malang Keprabon yang dibentuk oleh budaya asli Malang dan bermakna harapan untuk terbentuknya keluarga yang langgeng. Kata Kunci:Budaya, Tata Rias Pengantin Malang, Penggalian, Pembakuan, Makna Abstract Research predecessor by HARPI Melati Malang produce rites and forms of Malang Keputren and Malang Keprabon bridal makeup. However, the  representation of culture and meaning of these make up still not revealed. This further research’s aims to describe:(1) the process of extracting and standardizing, (2) the cultural that forming, and (3) the meaning of Malang Keputren and Malang Keprabon bridal makeup. This research is descriptive qualitative method with data collection method using interviews, observation, and documentation. Techniques of data analysis performed before, during, and after the field. Process to obtain the validity of the data made by triangulation method is cross checking the results of interviews, observation and documentation. The research results are:(1) the process of extracting Malang bridal makeup consists of:the first excavation produces Langse bridal makeup but failed standardized, second excavation produces Malang Keputren bridal makeup, standardized in 1996, and the third excavation produces Malang Keprabon bridal make up standardized in 1998, (2) the cultural that form Malang Keputren and Malang Keprabon bridal makeup are native culture of Malang include Singosari kingdom, social character, and natural richness factors, and (3) the meaning of Malang Keputren and Malang Keprabon bridal makeup is the balance between human relationship and God relationship toward achieving a perfect human build an eternal family. Can be summarized that excavation process of Malang Bridal success standardized Malang Keputren and Malang Keprabon that formed by native culture of Malang and had meaning a hope for building eternal family. Keywords: Culture, Malang Bridal Makeup, Excavation, Standardization, Meaning

Development of Capecitabine Floating Tablet Dosage Forms for Treating Stomach Cancer

Objective: In the present research work, oral gastro retentive dosage forms (GRDFs) of capecitabine (CPC) were formulated using floating concept. Methods: GRDFs were formulated using hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC K4M and K15M) as drug release retardant, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as gas generating agents, and micro crystalline cellulose (MCC), dicalcium phosphate (DCP), spray dried lactose (SDL), and pre gelatinized starch (PGS) as fillers. The tablets were prepared by direct compression method and evaluated for various parameters. The GRDFs were also characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results and Discussion: All the formulations were subjected for pre and post compression parameters, shows all the data within the limits. The lag times of GRDFs has decreased significantly for formulations containing calcium carbonate when compared to sodium bicarbonate as gas generating agent. In vitro drug release studies indicate that higher polymer concentration delayed the CPC release, and the sustaining effect was in the order K4M > K15M > LVCR 100. Addition of MCC, DCP, SDL, and PGS as fillers further affected the lag time and in turn the CPC release rates. Conclusion: The formulation (F9) containing 10%w/w HPMC K4M as the release retardant, microcrystalline cellulose as filler and 20%w/w CaCO3 as gas generating agent fulfilled regulatory requirements in terms of percent drug release at the end of 24h. Keywords: Capecitabine, Gastro retentive floating tablets, floating drug delivery systems, FTIR, DSC

Evaluation of fungicides, biocontrol agents and botanicals for management of damping-off in cabbage seedlings caused by Fursarium moniliforme sheld

The antagonistic effect of 10 fungicides, four biocontrol agents and 10 locally available botanicals in controlling the growth and sporulation of Fusarium moniliforme in vitro were tested. A pot culture experiment was also conducted to study the effect of seed treatment and soil treatment alone or in combination on germination and seedling vigour of cabbage. In vitro evaluation of ten fungicides by poisoned food technique showed that all the fungicides efficiently inhibited complete inhibition of the linear growth of the fungus was observed with Thiophenate methyl, Carbendazim, Mancozeb, Difenconazole, Propiconazole, Hexaconazole, Sixer and Tricyclazole. Sporulation was completely inhibited by all the fungicides evaluated. In dual culture technique of the fungus and biocontrol agents, of the four biocontrol agents evaluated the antagonists, T. hamatum completely overgrew the pathogen, T. harzianum colonized on half of the growth of the pathogen, T. viride remained locked with the fungus at the point of contact and P. citrinum formed inhibition zone with the fungus. Sporulation was completely inhibited by all the four antagonists. Among the ten locally available botanicals tested by poisoned food technique in vitro, garlic extract showed maximum fungitoxic propertyfollowed wild sage (Lantana camara), onion (Allium cepa), neem (Azadirachta indica), goat weed (Ageratum conyzoides) and marigold (Tagetes erecta) . In pot culture experiment, the least disease incidence was recorded in soil treatment with carbendazim (26%) followed by T. harzianum (29%) and P. glabrum (29.7%). However,considering the various drawbacks and hazardous effects resulting from use of chemicals, biocontrol agents and plant extracts can be recommended to use in raising healthy seedlings free from pre- and post-emergence damping-off

Asset-building payments for ecosystem services:Assessing landowner perceptions of reforestation incentives in Lebanon

Aim of study: Incentivising landowners to supply ecosystem services remains challenging, especially when this requires long-term investments such as reforestation. We investigated how landowners perceive, and would respond to, distinct types of incentives for planting diverse native trees on private lands in Lebanon. Our aim was to understand landowners’ attitudes towards hypothetical Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) contracts options; their likely participation; and the potential additionality they would provide.  Area of study: Highland villages situated within eight of Lebanon’s 20 Important Plant Areas  Materials and methods: Mixed-methods surveys were conducted with 34 landowners to determine past, present and future land-use strategies. Study participants were presented with three differently structured reforestation contract options (or schemes). The three schemes (results-based loan, action-based grant, and results-based payments) differed in their expected risks and benefits to landowners. Qualitative debriefing questions followed each of the schemes presented.  Main results: Although the results-based loan did deter uptake relative to the lower risk action-based grant, results-based payments did not significantly increase uptake or planting area, suggesting asymmetric attitudes to risk. Qualitative probing revealed economic, social (e.g. trust) and institutional factors (e.g. legal implications of planting forest trees on private land) that limited willingness to participate in the results-based contract option.  Research highlights: This study demonstrates the importance of combining qualitative and quantitative methods to better understand landowner perceptions of incentives and risks, particularly in challenging socio-political contexts

Some Immunologic Evaluations of Toxoplasmosis in Iraqi Aborted Females

Forty-eight aborted women (Iraqi Arab Muslims) at the first trimester with a serological evidence of toxoplasmosis were investigated. Two age- and ethnic-matched control groups were included: 40 aborted women due to accidental events (Control I), and 40 unmarried (virgin) women (Control II). The subjects were evaluated for the following parameters: HLA-class I antigens (A, B and Cw), blood groups, total and differential counts of leukocytes, lymphocyte subpopulations (CD3+, CD4+ and CD20+ cells), phagocytosis of heat-killed yeast (phagocytic index and NBT index), and total serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM) and complement components (C3 and C4). The HLA-A2 and -Cw8 antigens were significantly increased in the patients, while A3 antigen was significantly decreased. Blood group phenotypes in patients and controls also showed significant variations. The total and differential counts of leukocytes showed no significant differences between patients and controls, with the exception of lymphocytes, which showed a significant decreased count in the patients compared to control II. However, the lymphocyte subpopulations showed a significant increased percentage in patients. The phagocytic index was approximated in patients and controls, while NBT index was significantly decreased. Total serum level of IgG was significantly increased in the patients, while IgA, IgM, C3 and C4 levels did not maintain such variation

Capacity Building Mitra Dalam Ceruk Pasar Kerajinan Untuk Meningkatkan Exposure Produk Etnik

Bisnis UKM mampu tetap berdiri tegak dan perlahan membantu negara untuk membangkitkan perekonomiannya pada kondisi ekonomi negara yang sempat mengalami keterpurukan akibat pandemi Covid-19. Banyak UKM yang mulai dikembangkan oleh masyarakat Indonesia pada bidang kerajinan salah satunya di Jember adalah Zayyan Art Design. Selama sepuluh tahun menjalankan bisnis ini, terdapat beberapa permasalahn yang dialami oleh Zayyan Art Design. Permasalahan tersebut utamanya terkait bidang pemasaran. Berdasarkan permasalahan yang dihadapi oleh mitra, maka solusi yang akan dilakukan melalui upaya menargetkan pasar serta pelanggan baru dan memasuki sistem penjualan baru. Upaya tersebut dilakukan dengan cara melakukan analisis segmentasi pasar untuk mengidentifikasi pelanggan potensial. Selain itu upaya memasuki sistem penjualan baru dilakukan sebagai upaya untuk memasuki dunia bisnis baru yakni ke pemasaran online. Upaya ini dilakukan dengan memanfaatkan marketplace online yang sudah ada dan dengan strategi peningkatan SEO (Search Engine Optimization) untuk memudahkan pelanggan dunia maya menemukan produk mitra yang dipasarkan. Video promosi Zayyan art Design digunakan sebagai upaya untuk peningkatan exposure produk mitra. Semakin produk mitra banyak diketahui oleh khalayak masyarakat, diharapkan dapat semakin meningkatkan potensi penjualannya yang pada akhirnya memperbesar bisnis mitra