Extended urbanisation and the spatialities of infectious disease: Demographic change, infrastructure and governance

This paper argues that contemporary processes of extended urbanisation, which include suburbanisation, post-suburbanisation and peri-urbanisation may result in increased vulnerability to infectious disease spread. Through a review of existing literature at the nexus of urbanisation and infectious disease, we consider how this (potential) increased vulnerability to infectious diseases in peri- or suburban areas is in fact dialectically related to socio-material transformations on the metropolitan edge. In particular, we highlight three key factors influencing the spread of infectious disease that have been identified in the literature: demographic change; infrastructure and governance. These have been chosen given both the prominence of these themes and their role in shaping the spread of disease on the urban edge. Further, we suggest how a landscape political ecology framework can be useful for examining the role of socio-ecological transformations in generating increased risk of infectious disease in peri- and suburban areas. To illustrate our arguments we will draw upon examples from various re-emerging infectious disease events and outbreaks around the world to reveal how extended urbanisation in the broadest sense has amplified the conditions necessary for the spread of infectious diseases. We thus call for future research on the spatialities of health and disease to pay attention to how variegated patterns of extended urbanisation may influence possible outbreaks, and the mechanisms through which such risks can be alleviated

Ibn Taymiyyah’s Concept of Tawḥīd and Its Influence on Modern Radicalism

This research is an attempt to examine some of Ibn Taymiyyah’s writings and their influence on the latest radical and extremist movement. Writings by Ibn Taymiyyah had a significant impact on the salafiyah movement, which carries the spirit of tajdīd and iṣlāḥ (renewal). Some of his views are often cited by the latest extremist and radical groups to justify their approach, which tends to be harsh towards fellow Muslims. This study specifically intends to examine Ibn Taymiyyah’s concept of tawḥīd as it relate to his influence on the radical tendencies of some salafiyah groups. The study utilize textual method and conceptual analysis on the works of Ibn Taymiyyah and also the writings of the salafi scholars. The study reveals a definite influence of Ibn Taymiyyah’s ideas on radical groups, particularly in their view of tawḥīd and their categorization of it into three categories. The classification of tawḥīd could be the basis for the tendency of takfiri group to rise amongst Muslims. But reading Ibn Taymiyyah’s texts attentively, thoroughly, and without taking anything literally could prevent one from developing radical or extremist tendencies

Exploring Faculty Mindsets in Equity-Oriented Assessment

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant move to remote learning in 2020-2021 paved the way for deeper conversations about assessment practices in higher education. Over the last two years, there have been an increasing number of discussions about alternative assessments and about equity in assessment. This study examined the impact of a course (entitled “Equity in Assessment”) delivered by the authors on the participants’ understandings of equity and assessment. We used semi-structured interviews to collect data from the participants. Data collected from six interviews were systematically and thematically analysed in line with Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six stages of conducting thematic analyses. The data analysis resulted in three main emergent themes: flexibility, academic rigour, and wellness. The implications of the findings of this project are important for educational developers, institutional leadership, and researchers

Poster 274: Revision Surgery after Plasma Disk Decompression for Treatment of Symptomatic Lumbar Intervertebral Disk Herniations

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146978/1/pmr2s223.pd

Extrapolation Formulas for Neutron EDM Calculations in Lattice QCD

Lattice QCD is rapidly progressing toward being able to reliably compute the electric dipole moment of the neutron as a function of the strong CP-violating parameter theta. Present day calculations are performed at unphysical values of the light quark masses, in volumes that are not exceptionally large and at lattice spacings that are not exceptionally small. We use chiral perturbation theory to determine the leading contributions to the neutron electric dipole moment at finite volume, and in partially-quenched calculations.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figure

The Application of Building Modifications and their Effects on Energy Consumption in Buildings

A huge amount of energy is used for air-conditioning in residential buildings in hot climates. Passive design features such as shading and advanced glazing can help to reduce energy use and carbon emissions, and thus mitigate the impact on climate change. This paper aimed at demonstrating how the application of selected modification devices such as solar films and shading devices affects the energy consumption patterns and levels in a residential building. A model of a building was constructed with VE using “Model IT” module, which was then analysed in a variety of different ways. A Virtual Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES-VE) was used to assess the energy gain and consumption parameters such as solar gains, shading devices, solar cloud and chilli clouds in residential buildings in Tripoli, Libya. The findings indicate that the best way to control and reduce the energy gains pattern in a building is to introduce energy modification devices such as shading device, solar films, emissivity paints and roof slab absorbers among others. In specific terms, the best device would be the application of external solar film, follow by shading device and internal solar film. An application of emissivity paints and roof slab absorbers does not contribute significantly to the energy reduction in the building. The study concludes that the application of modification devices in buildings can reduces the heat gain significantly. This study underscores the need and importance of the applications of energy modification devices in buildings in order to reduce their energy gains in the context of tropical regions. Though the climatological characteristics of tropical regions are similar, the generalisation of the findings in this study requires caution since the findings are limited in geographical context. Future research should also explore the impact of urban forms, street layout and orientation on solar penetration and energy use in buildings. Keywords: Architecture, Buildings, Climate change, Energy consumption, Energy gains, Liby

Predictor of Left Atrial Spontaneous Echocardiographic Contrast in Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis Patients

Background: Previously conducted researches showed that presence of SEC in the left atrium can constitute a risk factor for thrombus formation. Some previous studies have also reported that in addition to atrial fibrillation and blood stasis in the left atrium, the pathophysiology of left atrial thrombus and SEC occurring in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis exhibits some other mechanisms, such as autoimmunity, inflammation and increased thrombotic activity. Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted between July 2015 to July 2017 in patient who admitted to Haji Adam Malik Hospital due to rheumatic mitral stenosis. They were divided into two groups according to presence of left atrial SEC. Result: From 104 patients, 52 (mean age 40 ± 11 years; 71,2% women) were in the left atrial SEC-negative group and 52 patients (mean age 40 ± 10 years; 73,1% women) were in the left atrial SEC-positive group. There were no significant differences in the leucocyte, 8,06±1,54 were in the left atrial SEC-negative group and 7,37±1,76 were in the left atrial SEC-positive group. In multivariate analysis, atrial fibrillation (OR = 51,311, 95% CI 3,723 – 707,100, p = 0,003) neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (OR = 21,641, 95% CI 5,174 – 90,528, p < 0,001), mitral valve area (OR = 14,423, 95% CI 1,665 – 124,908, p = 0,015), and RDW (OR = 5,743, 95% CI 1,349 – 24,445, p = 0,018), These study show that neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio with cut off point of >3,2 had sensitivity, spesificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value to predict left atrial SEC is the same 81%, respectively. Conclusion: Atrial fibrillation, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, RDW and mitral valve area can predict left atrial spontaneous echocardiographic contrast in rheumatic mitral stenosis patients.   Abstrak Latar Belakang: Penelitian sebelumnya menunjukkan adanya SEC di atrium kiri menjadi faktor risiko untuk pembentukan trombus. Pada pasien stenosis mitral rematik, risiko trombosis dan perkembangan SEC di atrium kiri tinggi. Beberapa penelitian sebelumnya melaporkan bahwa patofisiologi trombus dan SEC di atrium kiri selain fibrilasi atrium dan stasis aliran darah di atrium kiri juga adanya beberapa mekanisme lain seperti respon imun, inflamasi dan peningkatan aktifitas trombotik. Metode: Ini adalah penelitian observasional yang bersifat cross sectional, dilakukan dari Juli 2015 sampai Juli 2017 terhadap pasien stenosis mitral rematik yang datang ke rumah sakit Haji Adam Malik. Pasien dibagi 2 kelompok berdasarkan kehadiran SEC di atrium kiri menurut hasil pemeriksaan ekokardiografi. Hasil: Didapatkan 104 pasien, dimana 52 pasien (usia rata-rata 40 ± 11 tahun, 71% wanita) merupakan kelompok tanpa SEC, dan 52 pasien (usia rata-rata 40 ± 10 tahun, 73% wanita) merupakan kelompok dengan SEC. Tidak ada perbedaan bermakna pada lekosit, dimana kelompok tanpa SEC (8,06±1,54) dan kelompok dengan SEC (7,37±1,76). Dari analisis multivariat regresi logistik, didapatkan fibrilasi atrium (OR = 51,311, nilai IK 95% antara 3,723 – 707,100, p = 0,003) rasio netrofil/limfosit (OR = 21,641, nilai IK 95% antara 5,174 – 90,528, nilai p < 0,001), area katup mitral (OR = 14,423, nilai IK 95% antara 1,665 – 124,908, nilai p = 0,015), dan RDW (OR = 5,743, nilai IK 95% antara 1,349 – 24,445, nilai p = 0,018), merupakan prediktor independen untuk terjadinya SEC. Titik potong untuk nilai rasio N/L > 3,2 memiliki angka sensitivitas, sensitifitas, nilai prediktif positif dan nilai prediktif negatif yang sama yaitu masing-masing 81% untuk memprediksi kejadian SEC di atrium kiri pada pasien stenosis mitral rematik. Kesimpulan: Fibrilasi atrium, rasio netrofil/limfosit, RDW dan area katup mitral dapat menjadi prediktor SEC di atrium kiri pada pasien stenosis mitral rematik

Midterm outcome of total knee arthroplasty in East Coast population of Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan Kuantan

Introduction: Total knee replacement (TKR) is an excellent advancement in medical treatment which gives good joint function and pain relief for degenerative diseases of joint since it was introduced in Malaysia since 1970. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the midterm functional outcome of patients undergone TKR using the NexGen LPS Flex prosthesis between January 2005 until April 2006 in primary osteoarthritis patients in our local east coast population. Materials and Methods: Forty six patients, 87% female (n=40) and 13% male (n=6), aged 54 to 81 (mean, 69±5.69) years underwent primary TKR using the hi-flex knee prosthesis (Zimmer) performed by two different surgeons were followed up for a minimal of five years. All used the same technique of surgery, medial parapatellar incision, cruciate substitute and cemented. Assesment were made based on the quality of life outcome score (SF-36) and the Oxford-12 knee scoring system questionnaires. Results: Oxford-12 revealed that patients had mild problems in terms of function and pain with the average function and pain score of 14.35±4.21 and 9.28±3.01 compared to a maximum possible score of 35 and 25 respectively. For eight health domains of SF-36, patients had the highest score (i.e. good health) for role emotional (RE), followed by mental health (MH), and social functioning (SF). This resulted in a higher score for mental component summary (MCS) than physical component summary (PCS). Since a low score of Oxford-12 indicates a better state of health compared to high score for SF-36, negative correlation between them was expected. Conclusion: The NexGen LPS-Flex TKR had good midterm functional outcome. Overall, TKR were found to be effective in terms of improvement in health-related quality-of-life dimensions