Da’wah as an Alternative Approach in Covid-19 Health Protocol Campaign

<p class="abstrak">This research aims to elaborate the communication strategy of Islamic Religious Counselors because communication strategies are an important aspect in the process of effectively transferring messages to the audiences. Islamic Religious Counselors are civil servant preachers who carry the mandate from the government to campaign for the Covid-19 health protocols through the da’wah (Islamic communication/propagation) approach. Da’wah and health materials are two different materials that pose challenges for Islamic Religious Counselors, especially in the communication patterns used. The research method used qualitative approach and multi-track communication theory by Thomas Tufte and Paolo Mefalopulos. Data were collected through structured interviews with six informants of Islamic Religious Counselor in Kalasan District and non-participant observations on each of their da’wah activities. The results showed that the preaching activities include recitation, socialization, social service and building relationships carried out with a multi-track communication strategy through a combination of a dialogic and one-step flow communication. Da’wah through a multi-track communication strategy has an impact on the affective side of religious congregations including attitudes, knowledge and awareness. Actualization of Islamic Religious Counselor is a viable alternative approach of the government and community in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.</p><p class="abstrak" align="left"><em>Penyuluh Agama Islam adalah pendakwah aparatur sipil negara yang mengemban amanah dari pemerintah untuk dapat mengampanyekan protokol kesehatan Covid-19 melalui pendekatan dakwah. Materi dakwah dan kesehatan merupakan dua materi berbeda yang menimbulkan tantangan bagi Penyuluh Agama Islam khususnya dalam pola komunikasi yang digunakan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengelaborasi strategi komunikasi Penyuluh Agama Islam karena strategi komunikasi merupakan aspek penting dalam proses transfer pesan kepada khalayak secara efektif. Metode penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dan menggunakan teori komunikasi multi-track dari Thomas Tufte dan Paolo Mefalopulos. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara terstruktur dengan informan berjumlah 6 orang Penyuluh Agama Islam di Kecamatan Kalasan dan observasi non-partisipan pada setiap kegiatan dakwah. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa aktivitas dakwah Penyuluh Agama Islam meliputi pengajian, sosialisasi, bakti sosial dan membangun relasi dilakukan dengan strategi komunikasi multi-track melalui kombinasi pendekatan komunikasi dialogis dan pendekatan satu arah. Dakwah melalui strategi komunikasi multi-track berdampak pada sisi afektif jama’ah meliputi sikap, pengetahuan dan kesadaran. Aktualisasi Penyuluh Agama Islam memberikan sebuah kontribusi sebagai alternatif pendekatan pemerintah maupun komunitas dalam menangani bencana Covid-19.</em></p>

Surface Morphology and Microstructure Evolution of Single Crystal Diamond during Different Homoepitaxial Growth Stages

Homoepitaxial growth of step-flow single crystal diamond was performed by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition system on high-pressure high-temperature diamond substrate. A coarse surface morphology with isolated particles was firstly deposited on diamond substrate as an interlayer under hillock growth model. Then, the growth model was changed to step-flow growth model for growing step-flow single crystal diamond layer on this hillock interlayer. Furthermore, the surface morphology evolution, cross-section and surface microstructure, and crystal quality of grown diamond were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microcopy, and Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy. It was found that the surface morphology varied with deposition time under step-flow growth parameters. The cross-section topography exhibited obvious inhomogeneity in crystal structure. Additionally, the diamond growth mechanism from the microscopic point of view was revealed to illustrate the morphological and structural evolution.

High fibrinogen γ′ levels in patient plasma increase clot formation at arterial and venous shear

Fibrinogen γ' accounts for 3% to 40% of plasma fibrinogen. Earlier studies indicated that fibrinogen γ' forms altered fibrin clots under static conditions, whereas clinically, altered plasma γ' levels are associated with arterial and venous thrombosis. However, the effects of static vs flow conditions on the role of γ′ throughout the pathophysiological range is unknown. This study explores the effects of γ' levels on clot formation and structure in static and flow conditions. Coagulation of plasma samples with low (n = 41; 3%), normal (n = 45; 10%), or high (n = 33; 30%) γ′ levels were compared with that of purified fibrinogen mixtures with increasing ratios of γ′ (3%, 10%, 30%). Clots were analyzed by confocal microscopy, permeation, turbidity, and lysis techniques. In a novel 2-step flow-perfusion model, fibrinogen-deficient plasma repleted with increasing ratios of γ′ (3%, 10%, 30%) or plasmas with low (n = 5, 3%) or high (n = 5, 30%) γ′ were flowed over preformed platelet aggregates at arterial (500 s−1) and venous (150 s−1) shear rates. Increasing γ′ percentages within the pathophysiological range (3%-30%) did not result in any change in clot-formation rates; however, it led to significantly higher clot density, thinner fibers, and slower lysis in static conditions. Under flow at arterial shear, high γ′ (30%) led to faster (+44.1%-75.3%) and increased (+104%-123%) fibrin deposition, with clots exhibiting a larger volume (+253%-655%) and height (+130%-146%). These trends were magnified at venous shear. Overall, our findings demonstrate the significant impact of pathophysiological fibrinogen γ′ levels on clot structure and provide new flow-dependent mechanisms to explain how γ′ increases thrombosis risk.

Direct freezing of whole blood enables analysis of leucocyte markers by flow cytometry: a proof-of-concept study

Aim: A new one-step flow cytometry procedure has been recently demonstrated for identifying subjects with infections, but only for fresh whole blood samples. The goal of this study was to assess its applicability on frozen samples, by proposing a new method to perform the sample freezing directly and easily. Methods: Fresh blood was tested, then frozen either directly or with dimethylsulfoxide and serum. Common markers of white blood cells as well as infection-related biomarkers were tested. Results: All percentages of leucocyte subsets and levels of infection-related biomarkers were significantly correlated between frozen and fresh samples. Conclusion: The direct freezing method enables an accurate assessment of common cellular sub-populations and of levels of important infectious biomarkers via flow cytometry.