Livelihoods analysis of landmine affected communities in Yemen (Volume I: main report)

The government of Yemen is committed to the complete elimination of landmines and explosive remnants of war. The National Mine Action Committee (NMAC) was established in June 1998 to formulate policy, allocate resources, and develop a national mine-action strategy. Furthermore, the Yemen Executive Mine Action Centre (YEMAC) was established in January 1999 as the implementing body of the NMAC with the primary responsibility of coordinating all mine-action activities in the country. The aim of the current Strategic Mine Action Plan is to put an end to the suffering and casualties caused by anti-personnel landmines, by the end of March 2009. As of September 2005, over 240 million square meters of affected land have been surveyed, cleared and returned to the local users. In 2005, the Mid-term Evaluation for strengthening national capacity for mine action in Yemen praised the achievements of YEMAC and NMAC to date, and also recommended that Community Rehabilitation become an integral part of mine action in Yemen in the future. This study was commissioned by YEMAC and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), with the following objectives: 1. To assess the overall socio-economic returns from mine clearance investments; 2. to make a preliminary assessment of complementary development initiatives for mine-affected communities: and 3. to enhance the capacity of YEMAC to conduct future assessments of socio-economic benefits from mine action; assess the community Landmine Impact Scores as a tool for identifying impact and determining priorities for action; advise on how to design and conduct on-going socio-economic surveys relating to ERW; advise on integrating social differentiation within LIS survey protocols, and advise on enhancements to YEMAC’s monitoring and evaluation system

Livelihoods analysis of landmine affected communities in Yemen (Volume 2: annexes 1-11)

The government of Yemen is committed to the complete elimination of landmines and explosive remnants of war. The National Mine Action Committee (NMAC) was established in June 1998 to formulate policy, allocate resources, and develop a national mine-action strategy. Furthermore, the Yemen Executive Mine Action Centre (YEMAC) was established in January 1999 as the implementing body of the NMAC with the primary responsibility of coordinating all mine-action activities in the country. The aim of the current Strategic Mine Action Plan is to put an end to the suffering and casualties caused by anti-personnel landmines, by the end of March 2009. As of September 2005, over 240 million square meters of affected land have been surveyed, cleared and returned to the local users. In 2005, the Mid-term Evaluation for strengthening national capacity for mine action in Yemen praised the achievements of YEMAC and NMAC to date, and also recommended that Community Rehabilitation become an integral part of mine action in Yemen in the future. This study was commissioned by YEMAC and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), with the following objectives: 1. To assess the overall socio-economic returns from mine clearance investments; 2. to make a preliminary assessment of complementary development initiatives for mine-affected communities: and 3. to enhance the capacity of YEMAC to conduct future assessments of socio-economic benefits from mine action; assess the community Landmine Impact Scores as a tool for identifying impact and determining priorities for action; advise on how to design and conduct on-going socio-economic surveys relating to ERW; advise on integrating social differentiation within LIS survey protocols, and advise on enhancements to YEMAC’s monitoring and evaluation system

Total quality index of commercial oyster mushroom Pleurotus sapidus in modified atmosphere packaging

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the strain of oyster mushroom (OM) Pleurotus sapidus cultivated in a local (commercial) farm, and to generate a total quality index (TQI) on the strain using different modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) gas mixtures. Design/methodology/approach A phylogenetic tree was constructed using the MEGA software to identify the specific strain of P. sapidus grown in a local farm. The effects of MAP on fresh fruiting bodies of the identified strain were determined under three conditions: high carbon dioxide packaging (HCP: 20 per cent CO2, 15 per cent O-2), low carbon dioxide packaging (LCP: 2 per cent CO2, 30 per cent O-2) and high nitrogen packaging (HNP: 85 per cent N-2, 15 per cent O-2). All samples were stored at 4 C-o for up to ten days, and subjected to total phenolic content (TPC), colour retention (CR) and sensory analysis. Quality parameters such as chewiness and odour were used to obtain the TQI. Findings From the phylogenetic analysis, a new strain (P. sapidus strain QDR) with 99 per cent similarity to P. sapidus was identified. Among the three MAP treatments, HCP recorded the highest TPC (2.85 mg GAE/g) and CR (60.36) after ten days, although only its CR was significantly different (p lt 0.05) from the control. Feedback from 30 sensory panellists indicated that both HCP and LCP were generally more effective in retaining the colour-odour of OM. The optimum TQI for HCP was obtained based on the observed parameters, which is useful for the large-scale packaging of OM. Originality/value Scientific evidence has revealed that packaging trend for commercially grown OM affects consumer's acceptance

Analysing dimensions and indicators to design energy education framework in Malaysia using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP)

In order to progress towards a more sustainable energy future, Malaysia should reduce its reliance on fossil-based energy sources and shifting to green and renewable energy. Therefore, focus on energy education awareness programmes emphasising sustainable behaviours and frameworks are required. These programmes connect with Sustainable Development Goal 7 of the United Nations, which is to provide affordable and clean energy. In this study, dimensions and indicators of a framework for energy education were studied and evaluated in an effort to improve decision making. This study systematic approach comprised a review of relevant literature and consultation with an ad hoc panel of energy education experts via surveys, interviews, and questionnaires. This study also included an analytic hierarchy process to evaluate the framework’s criteria selection, alternative indicators, and priority or weights. The results indicated that the “Aim to minimise climate change” dimension is deemed the most essential criterion for selecting energy education dimension criteria. On the other hand, “National policy makers” is the most essential stakeholder across all parties. It has been determined that the use of analytic hierarchy process to the design of the framework for energy education in Malaysia could help simplifies a systematic decision-making process

Fruiting-body-base flour from an oyster mushroom – a waste source of antioxidative flour for developing potential functional cookies and steamed-bun

In a commercial oyster mushroom farm, fruiting body base (FBB) was not harvested compared to the common cap and stem of the fruiting body parts, and thus remained as waste. In the present study, unused FBB was powdered and subjected to proximate analysis as floured FBB (FFBB). FFBB was found to contain 71.2% carbohydrate, 8.93% moisture, 7.18% fibre, 5.72% ash, 5.57% protein, and 1.4% fat, while raw-FBB (RFBB) contained 7.57% carbohydrate, 84.4% moisture, 5.17% fibre, 5.72% ash, 1.54% protein, and 0.85% fat. The high carbohydrate content of FFBB was subjected to hot-water extraction and yielded 7.40 g of FFBB polysaccharide (FFBBP). Total phenolic content (TPC) of FFBBP contained 1.80 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g, exhibiting the reducing activity of 1.74 mM Fe(II)/g by ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, and reduced the stable 2,2’-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate radical forms at IC50 of 25.08 mg/mL, which was comparable with other parts of oyster mushroom species. Different percentages of FFBB mixtures were utilized in the production of cookies (10% and 20%) and steamed buns (10%, 20% and 30%). Thirty-seven panellists were selected for sensory testing, which showed that 10% of FFBB in a steamed bun was more acceptable than 30% of FFBB, while the overall acceptance of cookies with 10% FBB was insignificant (p > 0.05) but 20% FFBB in cookies was significantly different from control (p < 0.05). This study indicates that potential value of FFBB as an economical antioxidative flour in the development of functional foods

Effect of sugar-pectin-citric acid pre-commercialization formulation on the physicochemical, sensory, and shelf-life properties of Musa cavendish banana jam

Cavendish banana is the second most cultivated species in Malaysia due to its high potassium and vitamin B6 content. However, there has been little commercialisation of Cavendish banana in jam making to date because of its unappealing physical characteristics and unsavoury taste. In the present study, response surface methodology was used to determine the optimum quantity of sugar (175-275 g)-pectin (3-7 g)-citric acid (150-234 mL) (SPC) on water activity, °Brix, colour analysis, pH, total titratable acidity (TTA), and sensory attributes of formulated banana jams. The amount of sugarpectin-citric acid was found to have an effect on the TTA and pH of the banana jams. Conversely, water activity and °Brix were only affected by the amount of sugar. The lightness, L* of the banana jams was influenced by the quantity of pectin and the volume of citric acid added. Sensory analysis using 30 panellists showed that there were changes in the colour, taste, aroma, texture, and overall acceptability of banana jam depending on the amount of sugar used. In a shelf life study, banana jams stored at 4 °C were found to have a longer shelf life compared to those stored at 25 °C. Overall, the optimal formulation for a high-quality banana jam was 281.79 g of sugar, 4.13 g of pectin, and 264.66 mL of citric acid. This study constitutes the first report on the potential pre-commercialisation formulation for Cavendish banana jam production

Evaluation of commercial soy sauce koji strains of Aspergillus oryzae for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production

In this study, four selected commercial strains of Aspergillus oryzae were collected from soy sauce koji. These A. oryzae strains designated as NSK, NSZ, NSJ and NST shared similar morphological characteristics with the reference strain (A. oryzae FRR 1675) which confirmed them as A. oryzae species. They were further evaluated for their ability to produce γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) by cultivating the spore suspension in a broth medium containing 0.4 % (w/v) of glutamic acid as a substrate for GABA production. The results showed that these strains were capable of producing GABA; however, the concentrations differed significantly (P < 0.05) among themselves. Based on the A. oryzae strains, highest GABA concentration was obtained from NSK (194 mg/L) followed by NSZ (63 mg/L), NSJ (51.53 mg/L) and NST (31.66 mg/L). Therefore, A. oryzae NSK was characterized and the sequence was found to be similar to A. oryzae and A. flavus with 99 % similarity. The evolutionary distance (K nuc) between sequences of identical fungal species was calculated and a phylogenetic tree prepared from the K nuc data showed that the isolate belonged to the A. oryzae species. This finding may allow the development of GABA-rich ingredients using A. oryzae NSK as a starter culture for soy sauce production

COVID-19 trajectories among 57 million adults in England: a cohort study using electronic health records

BACKGROUND: Updatable estimates of COVID-19 onset, progression, and trajectories underpin pandemic mitigation efforts. To identify and characterise disease trajectories, we aimed to define and validate ten COVID-19 phenotypes from nationwide linked electronic health records (EHR) using an extensible framework. METHODS: In this cohort study, we used eight linked National Health Service (NHS) datasets for people in England alive on Jan 23, 2020. Data on COVID-19 testing, vaccination, primary and secondary care records, and death registrations were collected until Nov 30, 2021. We defined ten COVID-19 phenotypes reflecting clinically relevant stages of disease severity and encompassing five categories: positive SARS-CoV-2 test, primary care diagnosis, hospital admission, ventilation modality (four phenotypes), and death (three phenotypes). We constructed patient trajectories illustrating transition frequency and duration between phenotypes. Analyses were stratified by pandemic waves and vaccination status. FINDINGS: Among 57 032 174 individuals included in the cohort, 13 990 423 COVID-19 events were identified in 7 244 925 individuals, equating to an infection rate of 12·7% during the study period. Of 7 244 925 individuals, 460 737 (6·4%) were admitted to hospital and 158 020 (2·2%) died. Of 460 737 individuals who were admitted to hospital, 48 847 (10·6%) were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), 69 090 (15·0%) received non-invasive ventilation, and 25 928 (5·6%) received invasive ventilation. Among 384 135 patients who were admitted to hospital but did not require ventilation, mortality was higher in wave 1 (23 485 [30·4%] of 77 202 patients) than wave 2 (44 220 [23·1%] of 191 528 patients), but remained unchanged for patients admitted to the ICU. Mortality was highest among patients who received ventilatory support outside of the ICU in wave 1 (2569 [50·7%] of 5063 patients). 15 486 (9·8%) of 158 020 COVID-19-related deaths occurred within 28 days of the first COVID-19 event without a COVID-19 diagnoses on the death certificate. 10 884 (6·9%) of 158 020 deaths were identified exclusively from mortality data with no previous COVID-19 phenotype recorded. We observed longer patient trajectories in wave 2 than wave 1. INTERPRETATION: Our analyses illustrate the wide spectrum of disease trajectories as shown by differences in incidence, survival, and clinical pathways. We have provided a modular analytical framework that can be used to monitor the impact of the pandemic and generate evidence of clinical and policy relevance using multiple EHR sources. FUNDING: British Heart Foundation Data Science Centre, led by Health Data Research UK

Linked electronic health records for research on a nationwide cohort of more than 54 million people in England: data resource

Abstract: Objective: To describe a novel England-wide electronic health record (EHR) resource enabling whole population research on covid-19 and cardiovascular disease while ensuring data security and privacy and maintaining public trust. Design: Data resource comprising linked person level records from national healthcare settings for the English population, accessible within NHS Digital’s new trusted research environment. Setting: EHRs from primary care, hospital episodes, death registry, covid-19 laboratory test results, and community dispensing data, with further enrichment planned from specialist intensive care, cardiovascular, and covid-19 vaccination data. Participants: 54.4 million people alive on 1 January 2020 and registered with an NHS general practitioner in England. Main measures of interest: Confirmed and suspected covid-19 diagnoses, exemplar cardiovascular conditions (incident stroke or transient ischaemic attack and incident myocardial infarction) and all cause mortality between 1 January and 31 October 2020. Results: The linked cohort includes more than 96% of the English population. By combining person level data across national healthcare settings, data on age, sex, and ethnicity are complete for around 95% of the population. Among 53.3 million people with no previous diagnosis of stroke or transient ischaemic attack, 98 721 had a first ever incident stroke or transient ischaemic attack between 1 January and 31 October 2020, of which 30% were recorded only in primary care and 4% only in death registry records. Among 53.2 million people with no previous diagnosis of myocardial infarction, 62 966 had an incident myocardial infarction during follow-up, of which 8% were recorded only in primary care and 12% only in death registry records. A total of 959 470 people had a confirmed or suspected covid-19 diagnosis (714 162 in primary care data, 126 349 in hospital admission records, 776 503 in covid-19 laboratory test data, and 50 504 in death registry records). Although 58% of these were recorded in both primary care and covid-19 laboratory test data, 15% and 18%, respectively, were recorded in only one. Conclusions: This population-wide resource shows the importance of linking person level data across health settings to maximise completeness of key characteristics and to ascertain cardiovascular events and covid-19 diagnoses. Although this resource was initially established to support research on covid-19 and cardiovascular disease to benefit clinical care and public health and to inform healthcare policy, it can broaden further to enable a wide range of research