South African Solidarity with Palestinians: Motivations, Strategies, and Impact

South African support for Palestine received a compelling articulation in 1990 by the late President Nelson Mandela. This article examines a more recent grassroots activism by South Africans for Palestinian self-determination. It discusses the historical legacy of anti-apartheid resistance as well as current economic and political realities within South Africa that have led to the emergence of a robust popular movement for Palestinian rights since 2005. Both South African civil society organizations and the ANC-led government have responded to the 2005 call by Palestinian civil society for a boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) campaign against the state of Israel. The article discusses the different motivations of these two groups for participating in the BDS movement, presents the scope of BDS within South Africa, and analyzes its symbolic, economic, and political impact for South Africans and Palestinians, in the near and long term. Finally, it addresses the question of why South Africans consider themselves to be central participants in the Palestinian struggle

Extraction de cellulose nanofibrillée à partir de biomasse agricole et étude des applications potentielles

Cette étude est dédiée à l'extraction de la nanocellulose à partir de fibres naturelles telles que celles de carotte, de lin, de chanvre et d'asclépiade. La biomasse a été purifiée à l'aide d'un procédé à étape unique qui comprend par ailleurs divers traitements avec de nombreux produits chimiques. Les NFC et les NCC ont été extraits des déchets de carottes par un broyage à billes suivi d’une hydrolyse acide. L'effet du temps de broyage à billes sur la fibrillation et la morphologie des NFC a été étudié. Les propriétés mécaniques des NFC issus de la carotte ont également été étudiées. Les films de nanocellulose (NF) ont également été préparés en coulant les suspensions extraites (NFC et NCC). Afin d'améliorer caractère hydrophobe, les films de nanocellulose ont été recouverts d'un revêtement TiO2 par technique sol-gel avec et sans oxydation TEMPO. Les NCF purs et oxydés ont été revêtus de dioxyde de titane (TiO2) via approche sol-gel par revêtement par immersion.Abstract: The production of cellulosic materials is increasing tremendously in need to change towards the renewable raw materials and eco-friendly sustainable material. Cellulose is often considered one of the most important natural resource. With the advent of nanotechnology, the researchers and industries focus in the production of nanocellulose in huge quantities. The trailing purpose behind the growth of research in nanocellulose lies in their promising properties such as low density and high mechanical strength. Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), otherwise known as nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC), micro fibrillated cellulose (MFC) or cellulose nanofibers and Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) are the materials with significant barrier, mechanical and colloidal properties. The above properties make nanocellulose promising for applications in such fields as papermaking, composites, packaging, coatings and biomedicine. Cellulose can be found in different sources like wood, natural fibers (agriculture biomass), marine animal (tunicate), algae and fungi. The composition of this lignocellulosic biomass is different for each source. With the ever-increasing demand in renewable resource, the crop waste is meant to be an appropriate material. The recovery of waste makes it possible to protect the environment and to benefit from low cost reinforcements. Agriculture waste biomass is significant resource for the reason it is environmentally friendly, cost next to nothing, high in strength, readily available and renewable. The crop waste constitutes abundant natural fiber. The agriculture waste can be obtained from cotton stalk, pineapple leaf, rice straw, flax, hemp, milkweed, carrot, soy pods, rice husk etc. These materials can be used in multitude applications like paper and textile industry, composites, building, furniture and medical fields. The NFC market is currently emphasized because of the augmented focus of the governments, industries, funding agencies and Universities. The bio-based economy is rapidly increasing resulting in the higher investments. The industries producing NFC are Paperlogic, University of Maine, Borregaard Norway, American Process, Nippon Paper Japan, Innventia Sweden, CTP/FCBA France, Oji Paper, Japan. This study is dedicated to the extraction of nanocellulose from nat6ural fibers viz carrot, flax, hemp and milkweed. The biomass was purified using single step process which otherwise includes various treatments with many chemicals which is discussed under literature review. The very first step in the extraction of nanocellulose is the purification of biomass to remove any traces of lignin, waxes etc. In a usual study, this includes many stages like acid and alkali treatments, bleaching etc. In this research work, the purification of biomass (flax, hemp and milkweed) was achieved in single step using Hydrogen peroxide. The fiber length remained unaffected during the process. The XRD results showed that the crystallinity of the fibers was not affected when purified. NFC and NCC was extracted from carrot waste by ball milling and acid hydrolysis respectively. The effect of ball grinding time on the fibrillation and morphology of the NFC was studied. The mechanical properties of carrot NFC was also studied. The nanocellulose films (NFs) were also prepared by casting the extracted NFC and NCC suspensions. The structural, functional, crystalline and thermal properties of resulted NFC and NCC was characterized. The results exhibited that length and the diameter of the NCC prepared from carrot was in the range of 54 - 610 nm. Significant improvement in crystallinity was observed for NFC (69 %) and NCC (78 %) compared to that of raw fibers (36 %). The nanocellulosic films prepared by using NFC and NCC, optical and morphological properties were analyzed. The films exhibited the significant improvement in the transparency and homogeneity with increase in the grinding time. Generally, the nanocellulose films has low oxygen permeability and high oil resistant due to their dense web like network. However, these films are not stable at high moisture medium. In order to improve the hydrophobic nature of the films, coated with TiO2 sol-gel coating with and without oxidation of TEMPO. The neat and oxidized NCF were coated with Titanium dioxide sol-gel (TiO2) by dip coating. The TiO2 coated NCF was dried at 65 ºC for two hours and then treated at 95 ºC for one hour to form the TiO2 on the surface of the films. The effect of TiO2 coating on neat and oxidized NCF was characterized to understand the morphological, optical, functional, and barrier properties. The contact angle measurement showed that the hydrophobic nature of the non-oxidized TiO2 coated and oxidized TiO2 coated films were increased drastically from 89° to 41° and 29° respectively. Notably, the barrier and optical properties of the coated films were significantly improved compared to that of the neat NCF films. Importantly, the tensile strength and elasticity of the TiO2 coated NCF films were improved considerably compared to neat NCF

Who Is Balancing: Is It RBC or Acid-Base Status?

Hemoglobin is an important intracellular protein buffer present inside the red blood cells (RBC). When the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) is increased, it freely diffuses into the RBC where it reacts with water molecules to form carbonic acid which dissociates to form bicarbonate and hydrogen ions by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase. Hydrogen ions liberated in this reaction are buffered by hemoglobin. Oxyhemoglobin is a stronger acid than deoxyhemoglobin. Oxygenation of hemoglobin causes an increase in net titratable hydrogen ion due to the Haldane effect. As the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (sO2) increases, the base excess is changed in the acidic direction, or as the sO2 decreases, the base excess is changed in alkaline direction. The changes in the level of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase in RBC are related to the changes in pH, pCO2, and bicarbonate levels in the blood. The understanding of the acid-base balance is a challenging task, but at the same time, it has immense clinical value. The relationship of carbonic anhydrase enzyme present inside the RBC in maintaining the acid-base balance to the commonly employed arterial blood gas (ABG) parameters like pH, pCO2 bicarbonate, and base excess may help us for better understanding

Automatic classification of MR brain tumor images using KNN, ANN, SVM and CNN

A brain tumor classification system has been designed and developed. This work presents a new approach to the automated classification of astrocytoma, medulloblastoma, glioma, glioblastoma multiforme and craniopharyngioma type of brain tumors based on first order statistics and gray level co-occurrence matrix, in magnetic resonance images. The magnetic resonance feature image used for the tumor detection consists of T2-weighted magnetic resonance images for each axial slice through the head. To remove the unwanted noises in the magnetic resonance image, median filtering is used. First order statistics and gray level co-occurrence matrix-based features are extracted. Finally, k-nearest neighbor, artificial neural network, support vector machine and convolutional neural networks are used to classify the brain tumor images. The application of the proposed method for tracking tumor is demon­strated to help pathologists distinguish its type of tumor. A classification with an accuracy of 89%, 90%, 91% and 95% has been obtained by, k-nearest neighbor, artificial neural network, support vector machine and convolutional neural networks

Dry sliding wear properties of Jute/polymer composites in high loading applications

In the last few decades natural fiber composites has gained its importance due to its low cost and their availability as additives with minimal processing. Amongst the various natural sources the Jute fiber is chosen in the present research due to its fiber structure and good physical and mechanical properties. In this background natural fiber composites of unsaturated polyester were reinforced with jute fibers. While most research on green composites focuses on the structural characteristics, the present work investigates the suitability of the material to be used as a tribocomposite. Tailor made hybrid composites were made with chemically treated (NaOH) jute fiber and 2 wt % PTFE filler (tribo lubricant) to obtain the better tribological characteristics in high loading condition. Tribotests were performed on flat on flat configuration where 100Cr6 steel was used as counterface material. A pv limit of 400 MPa-mm/s (10KN and 100 mm/s) was attainedin a flat-on-flat configuration for studying the tribological properties. The static and dynamic coefficient of friction was found to be 0.15 and 0.07 respectively.An exponential increase in temperature was observed throughout the test. The material failure was observed within 500 m of sliding distance where pulverization of matrix due to thermal degradation is evident. Wear mechanisms such as fiber breakage, polymer degradation, fiber thinning and fiber separation was observed. From the present investigation the low cost Jute fabric composites havinglow frictional coefficient seemed to be a alternative to the bearing materials working at higher contact pressure and low velocity

KEEFEKTIFAN MODEL PROBLEM BASED LEARNING (PBL) DISERTAI METODE DIALOG SOCRATES DITINJAU DARI KEMAMPUAN ANALISIS DAN LOKASI SEKOLAH SISWA KELAS X

Rajini. 2017. Keefektifan Model Problem Based Learning (PBL) disertai Metode Dialog Socrates Ditinjau dari Kemampuan Analisis dan Lokasi Sekolah Siswa Kelas X. TESIS. Pembimbing: Dr. Suciati, M.Pd. Kopembimbing: Dr. Mohamad Masykuri, M.Si. Program Studi Magister Pendidikan Sains, Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan, Universitas Sebelas Maret Surakarta. ABSTRAK Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui keefektifan penerapan model PBL disertai metode Dialog Socrates ditinjau dari kemampuan analisis, dan lokasi sekolah siswa kelas X. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kuasi eksperimen. Populasi penelitian adalah seluruh siswa kelas X SMAN 7 Surakarta dan SMAN Kebakkramat. Sampel penelitian ditentukan dengan teknik cluster random sampling terdiri dari empat kelas yang terdiri dari kelas kontrol (X1 SMAN 7 Surakarta dan X4 SMAN Kebakkramat) menggunakan model PBL dan kelas eksperimen (X3 SMAN 7 Surakarta dan X5 SMAN Kebakkramat) menggunakan model PBL dengan metode Dialog Socrates. Pengumpulan data menggunakan 1) soal tes untuk mengambil data hasil belajar kognitif dan kemampuan analisis siswa; 2) lembar observasi untuk mengambil data hasil belajar afektif dan psikomotor; dan 3) lembar wawancara dan alat dokumentasi untuk memperoleh data pendukung. Uji hipotesis menggunakan Anava tiga jalan dengan desain faktorial 2x2x2 dengan mengunakan Software SPSS 18 for Windows. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan: 1) Ada pengaruh antara model pembelajaran terhadap hasil belajar kognitif, afektif dan psikomotorik siswa. Nilai rata-rata hasil belajar model PBL disertai metode Dialog Socrates lebih tinggi daripada model PBL dengan perbedaan nilai pada aspek kognitif = 8,79, afektif = 3,56 dan psikomotor = 3,53; 2) Ada pengaruh antara kemampuan analisis siswa terhadap hasil belajar kognitif, afektif, dan psikomotor. Siswa dengan kemampuan analisis tinggi memiliki hasil belajar yang lebih tinggi daripada siswa dengan kemampuan analisis rendah dengan perbedaan nilai pada aspek kognitif = 11,01, afektif = 2,56 dan psikomotor = 2,56; 3) Ada pengaruh antara lokasi sekolah terhadap hasil belajar kognitif siswa. Siswa dengan tengah kota memiliki hasil belajar kognitif yang lebih baik daripada siswa di sekolah pinggir kota dengan perbedaan nilai pada aspek kognitif = 3,00; 4) Ada interaksi antara model pembelajaran PBL, dan model PBL disertai metode Dialog Socrates dengan kemampuan analisis terhadap hasil belajar kognitif, afektif dan psikomotorik siswa; 5) Ada interaksi antara model pembelajaran PBL dan model PBL disertai metode Dialog Socrates dengan lokasi sekolah terhadap hasil belajar kognitif, afektif dan psikomotorik siswa; 6) Ada interaksi antara kemampuan analisis dengan lokasi sekolah terhadap hasil belajar kognitif, afektif dan psikomotorik siswa; 7) Tidak ada interaksi antara model pembelajaran PBL dan model PBL disertai metode Dialog Socrates dengan kemampuan analisis dan lokasi sekolah terhadap hasil belajar kognitif, afektif, psikomotorik siswa Hasil penelitian tersebut dapat disimpulkan pembelajaran dengan model PBL disertai Dialog Socrates ditinjau dari kemampuan analisis dan lokasi sekolah efektif meningkatkan hasil belajar. Kata kunci: kemampuan analisis, lokasi sekolah, metode dialog socrates, model PBL

A study on micronucleus frequency in cervical smear as biomarker for genetic damage in polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial endocrine disorder with metabolic and reproductive consequences. Genomic damage and susceptibility to cancer are noteworthy concerns in PCOS. Relationship between PCOS and endometrial and ovarian cancer has already been established. The presence of high body mass index, excess triglycerides, oxidative stress and occurrence of metabolic syndrome is a frequent occurrence in PCOS. This may succeed into genetic damage and susceptibility to cervical cancer as they are also known risk factors of the same. The aim of the study was to estimate the frequency of micronuclei in cervical smear and to determine if it can be used as a biomarker of genomic instability and susceptibility to cervical changes in the future in PCOS.Methods: This observational case control study included 38 subjects diagnosed with PCOS by Rotterdam’s criteria and 38 controls and was conducted between September 2018 to March 2020 in VIMS and RC. Data regarding age and anthropometric details and cervical smear samples was collected from all the subjects. The frequency of micronuclei in cervical smears was expressed as mean±standard deviation (SD). Differences between the PCOS group and the control group were examined for statistical significance using two-sample independent t-test. A p value of ≤0.05 denoted statistically signifi­cant difference.Results: The mean±SD of micronuclei frequencies in cervical smears was observed to be 1.69±0.69 and 0.33±0.18 (p value <0.0001) in the subjects with PCOS and control group, respectively.Conclusions: Micronuclei frequency was found to be elevated in cervical smears of women with PCOS when compared to controls indicating genetic instability and probable susceptibility to cervical cancer in the future in women with PCOS.

The study of arterial and venous Doppler in high risk pregnancies and its role in perinatal outcome

Background: Antepartum foetal surveillance is the corner stone in the management of high risk pregnancies, aimed at reducing maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. This study was conducted to analyse the blood flow in umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, umbilical vein and ductus venous using doppler ultrasound in high risk pregnancies.Methods: This was a prospective study conducted in pregnant patients with high risk factors after 28 weeks of gestation who got admitted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Care Hospital, Hyderabad during the period from October 2013 to December 2014.Results: Patients were divided into two groups, first with normal Doppler and second with abnormal Doppler, containing 76 and 20 patients respectively. Group 2 is again 4 sub-groups according to the vessel affected. Group A included the cases with affected umbilical artery, Group B included the cases with affected middle cerebral artery, Group C included the cases with both affected umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery (UA+MCA), Group D included the Cases with the affected umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery and Ductus Venosus (UA+MCA+DV) containing 12, 2, 4 and 2 patients respectively. There were more number of emergency caesarean sections than vaginal deliveries which is statistically significant (p <0.034), there were more number of sick babies than healthy babies and there are more number of still births which is statistically significant (p <0.0001), there are more number of low birth weight babies in comparison to normal weight, which is statistically significant (p <0.0037). Distribution of cases with abnormal Doppler depending on vessel abnormality according to gestational age at the time of delivery, mode of delivery, perinatal outcome, birth weight, which was statistically significant. The sensitivity and specificity of abnormal Doppler in predicting perinatal outcome is 45% with (95% CI 26.9-64.0) and 89.5% with (95% CI 79.0-95.3) respectively. The positive predictive value is 65% with (95% CI 40.9-83.6) and negative predictive value is 78.9% with (95% CI 67.7-87.1).Conclusions: This study recommends that all high risk pregnant women should undergo serial foetal monitoring. When doppler abnormalities are detected, delivery should be conducted at a tertiary care centre where facilities for caesarean section and NICU are present

International Epidemics: Interdisciplinary Thinking and Global Citizenship

The Honors College aims to serve as a crucible for curricular innovation by enriching and deepening classroom study with on-the-ground learning. The symposium is a year-long course, with the winter session field trip giving students a two-week immersion in the details of HIV/AIDS health care delivery in one province of South Africa. Upon return, students volunteer at health centers or nonprofits exploring related topics, while continuing to study the complexity of South Africa’s history and its attitudes and approaches toward HIV/AIDS at the medical, cultural, economic, and social levels