High Myopia and the Complement System: Factor H in Myopic Maculopathy

High myopia (HM) is both a medical problem and refractive error of the eye owing to excessive eyeball length, which progressively makes eye tissue atrophic, and is one of the main causes for diminishing visual acuity in developed countries. Despite its high prevalence and many genetic and proteomic studies, no molecular pattern exists that explain the degenerative process underlying HM, which predisposes patients to other diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment and chorioretinal atrophy that affect the macular area. To determine the relation between complement Factors H (CFH) and D (CFD) and the maculopathy of patients with degenerative myopia, we studied aqueous humor samples that were collected by aspiration from 122 patients during cataract surgery. Eyes were classified according to eyeball axial length as high myopia (axial length > 26 mm), low myopia (axial length 23.5–25.9 mm) and control (axial length ˂ 23.4 mm). The degree of maculopathy was classified according to fundus oculi findings following IMI’s classification. Subfoveal choroid thickness was measured by optical coherence tomography. CFH and CFD measurements were taken by ELISA. CFH levels were significantly high in the high myopia group vs. the low myopia and control groups (p ˂ 0.05). Significantly high CFH values were found in those eyes with choroid atrophy and neovascularization (p ˂ 0.05). In parallel, the CFH concentration correlated inversely with choroid thickness (R = −0.624). CFD levels did not correlate with maculopathy. All the obtained data seem to suggest that CFH plays a key role in myopic pathology.

Integrasi Islam dan Sains: Sebuah Telaah Epistemologi

Abstrak Pemisahan Islam dan sains berakibat pada kemunduran peradaban umat Islam, di satu sisi, dan krisis eksistensial pada sisi yang lain. Integrasi keduanya dapat mengantarkan umat Islam pada prestasi peradaban sekaligus kesempurnaan moral. Upaya Integrasi Islam dan sains telah dimulai oleh para pemikir Muslim baik melalui dewesternisasi ilmu, Islamisasi ilmu, ilmuisasi Islam, dan lain sebagainya. Berbeda dengan tulisan serius para cendekiawan muslim tersebut, tulisan ini hanya akan berupaya mendeskripsikan integrasi bangunan epistemologis Islam dengan sains melalui library research berdasar pada data kepustakaan yang terkait. Fokus tulisan ini dibatasi pada masalah sebab keterpisahan umat Islam dengan sains dan bagaimana pola keselarasan espistemologi Islam dan sains. Tulisan ini menyimpulkan dua hal. Pertama, keterpisahan Islam dengan sains lebih dikarenakan aspek historis, sosiologis, politis dan bukan karena faktor sistem ajaran. Islam sebagai sebuah ajaran yang komprehensif tidak menempatkan “ilmu agama” dan “ilmu umum” dalam posisisi diametral-paradoksial. Kedua, pola keselarasan epistemologi Islam dan sains adalah kulli-juz’i (universal-partikular). Dengan kata lain, sains merupakan salah satu bagian dari ajaran Islam dalam satu keutuhan dan kesatuan sistem yang disebut sebagai way of life (jalan hidup). Kata Kunci: Islam, Sains, Epistemologi Abstract The separation of Islam and science resulted in the decline of Muslim civilization, on the one hand, and an existential crisis on the other. The integration of fatigue can lead Muslims to achievement as well as moral perfection. Efforts to integrate Islam and science have been initiated by Muslim thinkers through the dewesternization of science, the Islamization of science, the science of Islam, and others. In contrast to the serious writings of these Muslim scholars, this paper will only attempt to describe the integration of Islamic epistemological buildings with science through library research based on related library data. The focus of this paper is on the problem of the separation of Muslims from science and how the pattern of harmony between Islamic espistemology and science. This paper concludes two things. First, the separation of Islam and science is based more on historical, sociological, political aspects and not because of the teaching system factor. Islam as a teaching includes not placing "religious knowledge" and "general science" in a diametral-paradoxical position. Second, the pattern of harmony between Islamic and scientific epistemology is kulli-juz'i (universal-particular). In other words, science is a part of Islamic teachings in a whole and unified system known as a way of life. Keywords: Islam, Science, Epistemology

Spatial distribution, source identification, and health risk assessment of fluoride in the drinking groundwater in the Sulin coal district, Northern Anhui Province, China

Previously, systematic studies of distribution, sources, and health risks of high F− groundwater used as a drinking-water source in the Sulin coal district, northern Anhui Province of China have not been carried out. In this study, 30 groundwater samples were collected in May 2019, and the data were analyzed using geographic information system, factor analysis, positive matrix factorization, and risk-based corrective action models. The results indicated that the F− concentration of the groundwater samples ranged from 0.16 to 2.06 mg/L, with a mean value of 1.10 mg/L. The F− concentrations of 53.33% of the groundwater samples exceeded China's maximum permissible limit for drinking water (1.00 mg/L). Quantificational source apportionment revealed that the weathering of F-bearing minerals is the main source (66.20%). Cation exchange (16.30%), agricultural activities (13.20%), and natural geological processes (4.30%) were the other sources of F−. The percentages of infants, children, teens, male adults, and female adults that face health risks due to excess F− intake were approximately 20.00%, 70.00%, 6.67%, 20.00%, and 10.00%, respectively. This research provided useful insights into the proper management of groundwater extraction to mitigate health problems associated with excessive F− intake.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF THE HIGH POTENTIAL INCIDENT IN ANDALS OIL OF INDONESIA

The oil and gas industry involves latent risks which are considered as one of the most severe consequences. This circumstance mainly due to the existence of intrinsic hazards involved. As part of process safety management, past incidents analysis should be performed to eliminate the potential of significant accident occurrence. It is crucial to identify the root cause of the incidents. This research discloses the degree of importance of causal factors in contributing to an incident. The methodology based on regression analysis and path analysis is performed to identify the degree of importance of incident causes. A case study is performed at Andals Oil of Indonesia to demonstrate the most significant factor leading to an incident. As the baseline for this research, incident data are gathered from Andals Oil's database during 2006 – 2018. The statistics describe the most frequent type of incident that occurs during the oil and gas field operations. Three major root causes in the oil and gas industry are evaluated: 1. Organizational system factor; 2. Job factor leading to unsafe working conditions; 3. Human-behavioral factor. Based on the regression analysis and path analysis, it is concluded that the number of High potential incidents is directly affected by Job factor leading to unsafe condition and Human-behavioral factor. Although the Organizational system factor may not significantly affect the number of High potential incidents, this factor still directly engenders unsafe working condition by affecting variable Job factors.

Productive longevity of Holstein cows of the Leningrad population with different systems of housing

To identify the advantages of a tethering system (TS) or loose-housing system (LHS), a comparative analysis of the level of milk productivity and the duration of productive longevity of cows in the Leningrad Region was carried out for a livestock of 4,272 cows that left in 2015–2019. The following indicators were calculated: period of productive use (PPU) – age in days from the first calving to the retirement of the cow, lifetime milk yield (LTMY); milk yield (kg) for 1 milking day, for 1 day of PPU and 1 day of life (Efficiency of Milk Production – EMP) – calculated by dividing lifetime milk yield by the number of milk days, PPU or life. With TS the LTMY is higher by 10,634 kg, which is obtained for 107 additional days of their productive use, milk production for 1 day of milking, the day of use, EMP is higher by 8,2 kg, 6,7 kg and 4,6 kg, respectively, the majority of cows have an EMP level in the ranges of 10,01–15,00 kg of milk (32,0%) and 15,01–20,00 kg (38,2%), and 11,0% of animals have reached an EMP level of more than 20,00 kg of milk. With LHS mainly cows are concentrated in the ranges of 5,01–10,00 kg of milk (43,6%) and 10,01–15,00 kg of milk (46,6%). Desirable cows with LTMY over 30 thousand kg, and in this range, the EMP is almost 10 times higher with TS (43,9 instead of 4,5%). The results obtained cannot be attributed to the advantages of TS. This is confirmed by the great influence of the father on the EMP (factor «Sire» – 0,679) or the inherent genetic potential of productivity, and only by 0,268 system (factor «System of housing») and by 0,296 (factor «Farm») housing conditions on the farm. The «System of housing» influences more on milk yield per 1 day of PPU than on EMP and LTMY (0,342 instead of 0,268 and 0,110, respectively). The effectiveness of LHS is evidenced by the fact that when comparing animals with the same level of EMP under this system, they are used for a longer time and, accordingly, produce more milk per life. So, with a level of 5,01–10,00 kg of milk, cows have a LTMY of 18,1% more with LHS, which were used for 0,54 lactation with PPU for 211 days longer than analogs with TS. A similar trend is observed at the level of 10,01–15,00 kg (+20,8%, +1,17 lact., +461 days) and at the level of 15,01–20,00 kg (+11,3%, +1,18 lact., +499 days). Therefore, for profitable dairy production with a LTMY of more than 30 thousand kg of milk during the PPU of Holstein cows with a LHS, attention should be paid to the level of the inherent genetic potential of productivity (according to the analyzed sample, at least 8000 kg of milk), that is, to select bulls with high breeding qualities.

The development of managerial mechanisms to ensure a technological breakthrough in the Russian economy

The paper is devoted to improving managerial tools to ensure the effective implementation of technological breakthrough in the Russian economy. Solving the tasks of socio-economic development of the country, improving the quality of life of the population, ensuring its geopolitical position is impossible without accelerated economic growth. To ensure it, a technological breakthrough is needed in the Russian economy. In order to create appropriate conditions, new management mechanisms are needed in high-tech corporations. The methodological base of the study is based on the provisions of the theory of corporate governance, system, factor, functional and statistical analysis. The paper analyzes the experience of organizations of accelerated technological development and concludes on the effective structure of the managerial apparatus, which coordinates and monitors the activities of corporations. The main directions of state policy to ensure economic growth are identified, a factor analysis of its effectiveness and mechanisms for the formation of the conditions for the implementation of technological breakthrough are carried out. The domestic scientific potential of providing a technological breakthrough in the Russian economy is shown, the effectiveness of mechanisms for converting scientific achievements into breakthrough technologies is considered. The analysis results carried out in the work indicate the absence of a system of concentration of scientific potential for the creation of high-tech innovations. The structure of the scientific and technical platform for generating knowledge and its transformation into competitive technologies in priority sectors of the real sector of the economy is proposed, its organizational form is determined. The work results can be used in solving strategic problems of modernization of high-tech manufacturing industries.

Exploring the Determinants of Antenatal Care Services Uptake: A Qualitative Study among Women in a Rural Community in Northern Ghana

Background. Global evidence has shown significant contribution of Antenatal care (ANC) in the detection and treatment of pregnancy related complications. Over the years, many areas in Ghana have recorded high uptake of ANC. However, this is not the case for Binduri district in Northern Ghana where only 37.4% of pregnant women utilised the services of ANC during their period of pregnancy compared to a national figure of 87%. We therefore sought to explore the determinants of ANC uptake among women who failed to utilise ANC services during their period of pregnancy in Binduri District in Northern Ghana. Methodology. The study was an exploratory descriptive study using purposive sampling technique. A total of 15 women who met the inclusion criteria for the study were recruited for a face-to-face interview. The data were analysed using the procedure of inductive thematic analysis. Results. The study findings showed that several factors hindered the use of ANC among our participants. The individual factors that were responsible for nonutilisation of ANC included financial constraints hindering registration with the national health insurance scheme, excuses of being busy, perception that pregnancy was not sickness and concentration on work. Perceived poor attitude of nurses was the only health system factor that contributed to non utilisation of ANC services. Conclusion. There is the need for establishment of registration centres of the national health insurance in all communities to make the scheme more accessible. There should also be intensive public education on importance of attending ANC.

ANALISIS FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI KINERJA TENTARA NASIONAL INDONESIA DI KOMANDO DISTRIK MILITER 0618/BS KOTA BANDUNG

The Indonesian National Army performance in 0618/BS Military District Command of Bandung City is influenced by many factors. The purpose of this research is to find out the most dominant factors influencing the Indonesian National Army performance in 0618/BS Military District Command of Bandung City. The method of this research is the mixed method that the researchers use two methods, namely quantitative and qualitative methods. The techniques of data collection are observation, questionnaires using Likert’s scale, interview, and literature study. In this research, the researchers analyze five factors, namely personal factor, leadership factor, team factor, system factor, and contextual factor. Based on five factors, the results of the analysis indicate that the most dominant factor is the personal factor. It means that the Indonesian National Army is an idealized work and the members of the Indonesian National Army happily conduct the work. Moreover, the second factor that dominantly influences the performance is the leadership factor. It means that the leader mostly influences the Indonesian National Army performance in 0618/BS Military District Command.Keywords: Employee Performance, Performance Factors, TNI.