scholarly journals Preface

2022 ◽  
Vol 1217 (1) ◽  
pp. 011001
Keyword(s):  
Multidisciplinary Research ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Energy Field ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Scientific World ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Engineering Programme ◽  
Silver Lining ◽  
Energy Engineering

The Material & Energy Engineering for Sustainable Advancement 2021 (MEESA 2021) conference was organized by the Mechanical Engineering Programme, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sabah.The conference was held virtually on the 29thand 30thof September 2021. The 1stMEESA conference was organized to enculturate research and collaborative involvement between researchers in the engineering materials and energy field. Researchers and postgraduate students from multidisciplinary research backgrounds gathered to share new findings and ultimately building a better network for long term collaboration opportunities. The silver lining in organizing this online conference is the participation of international researchers, offering a more diverse network to be built between participants. Twenty-one papers have been presented in MEESA 2021, of which a total of 17 papers was selected for this publication. Four keynote speakers, who are experts in their respective fields were invited.The keynote speakers were Dr. Habibah binti Ghazali (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia), Dr. Ong Hwai Chyuan (University of Technology Sydney), Ir. Dr. Mohd Azlan bin Ismail (Universiti Malaysia Sabah) and Ir. Ts. Dr. Melvin Gan Jet Hong (Universiti Malaysia Sabah).Although this year’s conference was held virtually, we strongly believe that this conference does not reduce the purpose or benefit to the scientific world,in particular,and the general public to share current issues and the latest findings in the field of materials and energy for our environment. All manuscripts published in this proceeding have been vetted through a rigorous review to meet the requirement of high-quality papers.Lastly, we would like to thank the MEESA 2021 Advisor:Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Ismail bin Saad, session chairpersons, and members of the Scientific and Technical Committees for their support and undivided commitment to make the conference possible. The committee would also wish to acknowledge all the keynote speakers, reviewers and all participants for their time and effort in making this conference a success. Warmest Regards, List of Organizing Committee are available in this pdf.

Concussion in sports in children and adolescents – to play or not to play?

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Return To Sport ◽  
Consensus Conference ◽  
Return To School ◽  
The Novel ◽  
International Consensus ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
New Findings

A lot has been published on the topic concussion in sports during the last years, conscience was sharpened, much was structured and defined more precisely, help tools were developed and rules changed. This article summarizes the fifth edition of the recently published guidelines of the “International Consensus Conference on Concussion in Sport”. In addition, new findings regarding gender differences and recovery will be presented, as well as the modified “return-to-sport” and the novel “return-to-school” protocols. Despite increased knowledge many questions remain such as the therapy of persistent symptoms or long-term sequelae of recurrent concussions.

293 Enhancing Your Recovery: A Mobile Application for Patients Undergoing Vascular Surgery

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Hodge ◽  
K Pattabathula ◽  
J Jenkins ◽  
M Ogg
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Surgery ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Outpatient Appointment ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
System A ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Operative Complications ◽  
Remote Consultations ◽  
Healthcare Assessment

Abstract Aim: With increasing demands on the healthcare system, a central (and currently essential) push for remote consultations, and an increasing number of co morbidities in the surgical population, the aim was to create an application that placed the focus on pre-hospital optimisation, education and autonomy – addressing these sector trends to enhance outcomes for patients and ease the burden on healthcare settings. Method After obtaining baseline data, I worked alongside students from the Queensland University of Technology to produce an application suitable for both iOS and android platforms. Results The application has four facets which mirror a patient’s journey from their initial outpatient appointment through to recovery. The application is easy to use, free to download and readily accessible. On opening the application, the user can select their planned operation and navigate along a personalised decision tree. Conclusions The application has been designed to educate and empower a patient to become an active participant in their care, leading to long-term changes in healthcare. Assessment is ongoing but early indications suggest that this will be a valuable tool in optimising outcomes for patients undergoing vascular surgery – leading to fewer post-operative complications and earlier restoration of functional status.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and Its Impact on the Indian Economy

2021 ◽  
pp. 097226292198912
Author(s):  
Vikas Barbate ◽  
Rajesh N. Gade ◽  
Shirish S. Raibagkar
Keyword(s):  
Oil Prices ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Indian Economy ◽  
The Great Depression ◽  
Windfall Gain ◽  
Crude Oil Prices ◽  
Tree Approach ◽  
Silver Lining

Pessimism looms large all over. COVID-19 has been projected as worse than the Great Depression of 1930. Everyday analyst and agency reports are diving into new bottoms of a fall-down in economic activities. Indian economy, however, has a slightly different story to tell at this hour of crisis. The silver lining for the Indian economy comes from a steep fall in the crude oil prices from around $70 per barrel to a record 18 years low of $22 per barrel. This windfall gain can, to some extent, offset the direct losses due to COVID-19. At the same time, dreams like a $5 trillion economy no longer look even a remote possibility. This article takes stock of the likely impact of COVID-19 on the Indian economy in the short term and the long term. A decision-tree approach has been adopted for doing the projections.

scholarly journals “We’re on a Merry-Go-Round”: Reflections of Patients and Carers after Completing Treatment for Sarcoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 3003-3014
Author(s):  
Rhys Weaver ◽  
Moira O’Connor ◽  
Richard Carey Smith ◽  
Dianne Sheppard ◽  
Georgia K. B. Halkett
Keyword(s):  
Social Constructionist ◽  
Rare Cancer ◽  
Family Carers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Previously Treated ◽  
Sarcoma Treatment ◽  
Silver Lining

Sarcoma is a rare cancer that has a significant impact on patients’ and carers’ quality of life. Despite this, there has been a paucity of research exploring the diverse experiences of patients and carers following sarcoma treatment. The aim of this study was to explore patients’ and carers’ reflections on life after treatment for sarcoma. A qualitative research design with a social constructionist epistemology was used. Participants included patients previously treated for sarcoma (n = 21) and family carers of patients treated for sarcoma (n = 16). Participants completed semi-structured interviews which were analysed using thematic analysis. Three primary themes were identified: “This journey is never going to be over”, “But what happens when I am better?”, and finding a silver lining. Participants represented sarcoma as having a long-term, and sometimes indefinite, threat on their life that they had limited control over. Conclusions: This study highlight the heterogeneous and ongoing needs of sarcoma survivors and their families. Patients and carers strove to translate their experiences in a meaningful way, such as by improving outcomes for other people affected by sarcoma. Parental carers in particular attempted to protect the patient from the ongoing stress of managing the disease.

An International Appraisal of the Minimum Duration of Chronic Animal Toxicity Studies

1992 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia E. Lumley ◽  
Christopher Parkinson ◽  
Stuart R. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Data Base ◽  
Toxicity Tests ◽  
Repeat Dose ◽  
Carcinogenic Potential ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Regulatory Guidelines ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Adequate Data ◽  
Pathology Data

1 There are international differences in regulatory guidelines for the appropriate duration of chronic, two species repeat-dose animal tests for new medicines intended for long-term use in man, ranging from 6 months in Europe to 12 months in Japan and the USA.1 2 An adequate data base is necessary to support any challenge to the scientific rationale behind regulatory guidelines with regard to the design, duration and relevance of toxicity tests of new medicines. 3 The Centre for Medicines Research has established an international toxicology data base which has been expanded to enable a comparison of data obtained within 6 months, with information from longer periods, for 154 studies. 4 Although new findings were revealed after 6 months for 9/75 cases for which pathology data are available at 6 and 12 months or longer, and 21/80 with data at 1 or 3 (but not 6 months) and 12 months or longer, in no instance did these influence the decision to drop or further develop the compounds in question. 5 These data suggest that a 6-month period of dosing is all that is routinely required for evaluating the chronic toxic (excluding carcinogenic) potential of a new chemical entity intended for therapeutic use.

Marketization of Public Universities: Lessons from a Developing Economy

2021 ◽  
pp. 227853372110215
Author(s):  
Andy Fred Wali ◽  
AGYO Atswenbuma ◽  
Emmanuel A. Amangala ◽  
Obabuike Ikeni Nkpurukwe
Keyword(s):  
Public Universities ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Developing Economy ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Template Analysis ◽  
New Findings ◽  
The Government ◽  
Group Interviews

This study investigates the marketization of public universities in a developing economy with the aim of providing findings for repositioning public universities for global attraction. It adopts a qualitative approach, and the sample population comprise undergraduate and postgraduate students from four public universities (two federal- and two state-owned) in Nigeria. Purposive sampling was used to identify the students selected from each of these universities, and focus group interviews were conducted. We employed content and thematic template analysis techniques to analyze the generated data with NVivo 11. The findings show that the key themes that shape interviewees’ experiences include: infrastructure deficit, poor tutor commitment, unprofessionalism, and inadequate training. Policy recommendations were suggested for the tripartite work relationship between the government, university leadership and the academic staff union for repositioning public universities. The study is limited to a single research paradigm but offers future research opportunities using alternative strategy for strengthening emerging themes and new findings.

scholarly journals Do antipsychotic drugs lose their efficacy for relapse prevention over time?

2017 ◽  
Vol 211 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Leucht ◽  
John M. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Relapse Prevention ◽  
Antipsychotic Drugs ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Term Treatment ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Brain Volume Loss ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Long Term Treatment ◽  
Long Term Follow Up

SummaryThere is a debate about long-term treatment of schizophrenia with antipsychotic drugs, with some experts suggesting that these drugs should be discontinued. In this issue, Takeuchi et al demonstrated by a meta-analysis of 11 trials that antipsychotic drugs maintained their efficacy for relapse prevention for 1 year, whereas patients on placebo kept getting worse. We consider these findings in the light of the current discussion about possible dose-related brain volume loss, supersensitivity psychosis, the high variability of results in long-term follow-up studies and recent approaches to discontinue antipsychotics in patients with a first-episode. The new findings speak in favour of continuing antipsychotics at the same dose, at least in patients whose condition is chronic, but the topic is complex.

Neurotrophins and Proneurotrophins: Focus on Synaptic Activity and Plasticity in the Brain

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 587-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Gibon ◽  
Philip A. Barker
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Synaptic Activity ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Neurotrophin 3 ◽  
New Findings ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Brain

Neurotrophins have been intensively studied and have multiple roles in the brain. Neurotrophins are first synthetized as proneurotrophins and then cleaved intracellularly and extracellularly. Increasing evidences demonstrate that proneurotrophins and mature neurotrophins exerts opposing role in the central nervous system. In the present review, we explore the role of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin 3 (NT3), and neurotrophin 4 (NT4) and their respective proform in cellular processes related to learning and memory. We focused on their roles in synaptic activity and plasticity in the brain with an emphasis on long-term potentiation, long-term depression, and basal synaptic transmission in the hippocampus and the temporal lobe area. We also discuss new findings on the role of the Val66Met polymorphism on the BDNF propeptide on synaptic activity.

scholarly journals 191 Early weaning in pigs induces long-term alterations in intestinal nutrient transporter function and expression partially via beta adrenergic enteric neural receptors

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 112-113
Author(s):  
Yihang Li ◽  
Karina Matos ◽  
Mrigendra Rajput ◽  
Adam James Moeser
Keyword(s):  
Adrenergic Receptor ◽  
Glucose Transporter ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Na Channel ◽  
Early Weaning ◽  
Ileal Mucosa ◽  
Ussing Chambers ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Nutrient Transporter

Abstract Early weaning (EW) has negative impacts on performance and health that persist from wean-to-finish. The mechanisms linking EW and lifetime performance reductions are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate whether EW influences the long-term development of intestinal epithelial nutrient transporter function and expression and the potential mechanisms. Yorkshire gilts were split-weaned from their sows at 15 d (EW) or 28 d of age (Late Weaning; LW) and transferred to an on-site nursery room. All pigs received the same diets in a standard phase feeding program and were euthanized at 75 d of age. Mid-jejunum and distal ileum were mounted on Ussing chambers to evaluate Na+-dependent glucose and amino acid (AA) transporter function, measured as nutrient-induced changes in short circuit current (Isc). EW gilts exhibited reduced capacity for electrogenic transport of glucose (by ~30%; P < 0.05) and glutamate, glutamine, and alanine by (~ 30–35%; P < 0.05), compared with LW pigs. In contrast, jejunal and ileal lysine transporter function was upregulated (by 110% and 25%, respectively; P < 0.05) in EW pigs. Epithelial expression for glucose transporter (SGLT1) was reduced (P < 0.05) while glucose/fructose transporter (GLUT2), fructose transporter (GLUT5) and lysine transporters (B0AT1, CAT1, and ATB0, +) were enhanced in the EW jejunum. No differences observed in villus morphology between EW and LW pigs. Pretreatment of ileal mucosa on Ussing chambers with the Na+ channel blocker (Tetrodotoxin) or the β-adrenergic receptor blocker (Propranolol) augmented glucose, lysine and alanine transporter function in EW but not LW pigs. Together, these data show that EW in gilts induces lasting and divergent alterations in intestinal nutrient transporter function and expression which is mediated in part by the enteric nervous system and β-adrenergic receptor pathways. These new findings may explain why EW pigs exhibit lasting deleterious impacts on performance. Further mechanism-based investigations could reveal new targets for optimizing performance in EW pigs throughout the production lifespan.

scholarly journals Data Stewardship – addressing disciplinary data management needs

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Teperek ◽  
Maria J. Cruz ◽  
Ellen Verbakel ◽  
Jasmin K. Böhmer ◽  
Alastair Dunning
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Common Denominator ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Research Institutions ◽  
Multidisciplinary Research ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Address Data ◽  
Subject Specific ◽  
Data Stewardship ◽  
The Common

One of the biggest challenges for multidisciplinary research institutions which provide data management support to researchers is addressing disciplinary differences1. Centralised services need to be general enough to cater for all the different flavours of research conducted in an institution. At the same time, focusing on the common denominator means that subject-specific differences and needs may not be effectively addressed. In 2017, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) embarked on an ambitious Data Stewardship project, aiming to comprehensively address data management needs across a multi-disciplinary campus. In this practice paper, we describe the principles behind the Data Stewardship project at TU Delft, the progress so far, we identify the key challenges and explain our plans for the future.

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