A source of inspiration: ATC for visually impaired students at the Islamic University of Gaza

In the age driven by information technology, each university has a mission to equip its students with the necessary tools. The Islamic University of Gaza (IUG) offers all of its student access to the computing world and online classes. In order not to leave anyone behind, IUG established an Assistive Technology Center (ATC) for the visually impaired students. In this paper, the ATC is presented as a case study. The structure, resources, achievements, problems, future plans and project are displayed

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Green Class Community (Semester Unknown) IPRO 358: GreengClassCommunity IPRO358MidTermPresentationF10

Our purpose is to seek a union between living comfortably and living sustainably at an affordable price. Our design, for the community of Evanston, will first minimizes its energy consumption and then uses the most sustainable methods to fulfill the remaining needs of the inhabitants. Ideally we will design a model community which will challenge conventions within the fields of design, planning, engineering, and everyday living. This community will also serve as an example to Chicago-area municipalities about the benefits of affordable sustainable planning, design, and living. It will also be an attractive marketable solution to the current home buyers within our given demographic.Deliverable

Green Class Community (Semester Unknown) IPRO 358: GreengClassCommunity IPRO358FinalReport1F10

Our purpose is to seek a union between living comfortably and living sustainably at an affordable price. Our design, for the community of Evanston, will first minimizes its energy consumption and then uses the most sustainable methods to fulfill the remaining needs of the inhabitants. Ideally we will design a model community which will challenge conventions within the fields of design, planning, engineering, and everyday living. This community will also serve as an example to Chicago-area municipalities about the benefits of affordable sustainable planning, design, and living. It will also be an attractive marketable solution to the current home buyers within our given demographic.Deliverable

Green Class Community (Semester Unknown) IPRO 358: GreengClassCommunity IPRO358Poster3F10

Our purpose is to seek a union between living comfortably and living sustainably at an affordable price. Our design, for the community of Evanston, will first minimizes its energy consumption and then uses the most sustainable methods to fulfill the remaining needs of the inhabitants. Ideally we will design a model community which will challenge conventions within the fields of design, planning, engineering, and everyday living. This community will also serve as an example to Chicago-area municipalities about the benefits of affordable sustainable planning, design, and living. It will also be an attractive marketable solution to the current home buyers within our given demographic.Deliverable

Green Class Community (Semester Unknown) IPRO 358: GreengClassCommunity IPRO358ProjectPlanF10

Our purpose is to seek a union between living comfortably and living sustainably at an affordable price. Our design, for the community of Evanston, will first minimizes its energy consumption and then uses the most sustainable methods to fulfill the remaining needs of the inhabitants. Ideally we will design a model community which will challenge conventions within the fields of design, planning, engineering, and everyday living. This community will also serve as an example to Chicago-area municipalities about the benefits of affordable sustainable planning, design, and living. It will also be an attractive marketable solution to the current home buyers within our given demographic.Deliverable

Green Class Community (Semester Unknown) IPRO 358: GreengClassCommunity IPRO358Brochure1F10

Our purpose is to seek a union between living comfortably and living sustainably at an affordable price. Our design, for the community of Evanston, will first minimizes its energy consumption and then uses the most sustainable methods to fulfill the remaining needs of the inhabitants. Ideally we will design a model community which will challenge conventions within the fields of design, planning, engineering, and everyday living. This community will also serve as an example to Chicago-area municipalities about the benefits of affordable sustainable planning, design, and living. It will also be an attractive marketable solution to the current home buyers within our given demographic.Deliverable

Green Class Community (Semester Unknown) IPRO 358: GreengClassCommunity IPRO358FinalPresentationF10

Our purpose is to seek a union between living comfortably and living sustainably at an affordable price. Our design, for the community of Evanston, will first minimizes its energy consumption and then uses the most sustainable methods to fulfill the remaining needs of the inhabitants. Ideally we will design a model community which will challenge conventions within the fields of design, planning, engineering, and everyday living. This community will also serve as an example to Chicago-area municipalities about the benefits of affordable sustainable planning, design, and living. It will also be an attractive marketable solution to the current home buyers within our given demographic.Deliverable

Green Class Community (Semester Unknown) IPRO 358: GreengClassCommunity IPRO358Poster1F10

Our purpose is to seek a union between living comfortably and living sustainably at an affordable price. Our design, for the community of Evanston, will first minimizes its energy consumption and then uses the most sustainable methods to fulfill the remaining needs of the inhabitants. Ideally we will design a model community which will challenge conventions within the fields of design, planning, engineering, and everyday living. This community will also serve as an example to Chicago-area municipalities about the benefits of affordable sustainable planning, design, and living. It will also be an attractive marketable solution to the current home buyers within our given demographic.Deliverable