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Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) are a new bio-electrochemical method for converting organic matter to hydrogen gas (H2). Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is hazardous wastewater that is mostly formed during the crude oil extraction process in the palm oil industry. In the present study, POME was used in the MEC system for hydrogen generation as a feasible treatment technology. To enhance biohydrogen generation from POME in the MEC, an empirical model was generated using response surface methodology (RSM). A central composite design (CCD) was utilized to perform twenty experimental runs of MEC given three important variables, namely incubation temperature, initial pH, and influent dilution rate. Experimental results from CCD showed that an average value of 1.16 m3 H2/m3 d for maximum hydrogen production rate (HPR) was produced. A second-order polynomial model was adjusted to the experimental results from CCD. The regression model showed that the quadratic term of all variables tested had a highly significant effect (P

BackgroundsThe use of mosquito nets has shown a significant impact on the reduction to malaria burden; however, the utilisation of this kind prevention measures greatly depend on the community behaviour which is limited to be studied in Indonesia. This study explored the factors associated with the use of mosquito nets in the rural of East Nusa Tenggara Province (ENTP) Indonesia.MethodsThe community-based cross-sectional study to 1503 rural adults was carried out from October to December 2019. Data on the ownership and the utilisation of mosquito nets were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Logistic regression method was applied to determine the factors associated with the use of mosquito nets.ResultsThe ownership (utilisation) of any mosquito nets, long-lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs), and non-LLINs was 95.8% (82.3%), 71.6% (54.8%) and 42.7% (27.6%), respectively. The likelihood of the using of mosquito nets was significantly higher for adults in low malaria endemic settings (MES) than in high MES (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 10.1;95% CI, 6.17 to 16.5 for any mosquito nets, AOR: 11.1;95% CI, 7.32 to 16.7 for non-LLINs). The use of LLINs was significantly higher for adults living in Hills areas (AOR: 2.11;95%CI,1.37 to 3.25).ConclusionThe coverage of the ownership nets was not followed by the utilisation of the nets in this province. To progress to malaria elimination in ENTP, the coverage and the utilisation of any mosquito nets should be high. Public health promotion to improve the awareness of the using of these nets should be prioritized, particularly for those living in high MES.

Autistic adults have higher health needs compared to most, yet they continue to experience barriers to accessing appropriate healthcare. Presently, no qualitative research exists exploring these barriers which impact overall physical and mental health. We conducted a qualitative analysis in Victoria (Australia) of the perceived experiences of healthcare access for autistic adults ( n = 9) and primary caregivers of autistic adults ( n = 7). Specifically, a three-staged phenomenological approach was applied involving: (i) a communicative checklist, (ii) a health status survey and (iii) face-to-face interviews. Elements such as support, responsibilities and protective factors exhibited by caregivers, may impact healthcare access for autistic adults. Results indicate the need for further research exploring interdependent factors that impact healthcare access by caregivers, so evidence-based interventions can be developed to support caregivers in the future.

Co-cultures of different microorganisms are considered promising inocula for treating palm oil mill effluents (POME) and producing value-added bio-products (e.g., biofuels and fatty acid-derived materials). However, the efficiency of yeast-bacteria co-culture for microbial lipid production through bioremediation of wastewater remains a bottleneck. In this study, the performance of a co-culture for lipid accumulation through POME bioremediation was investigated using a yeast (Lipomyces starkeyi) and a bacterium (Bacillus cereus). A maximum biomass of 8.89 ± 0.33 g/L and lipid production of 2.27 ± 0.10 g/L were achieved by the co-culture inoculum, which were substantially higher than those of the monocultures. Besides, the co-culture inoculum attained a maximum chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of 83.66 ± 1.9%, while the individual cultures of B. cereus and L. starkeyi obtained 74.35 ± 1.7% and 69.01 ± 2.3%, respectively. The bioremediation efficiency was confirmed by the seed germination index (GI) of Vigna radiata (Mung bean). It was observed that the co-culture inoculum had a higher GI compared to the untreated POME and even the monoculture-treated POME. We argue that the symbiotic association of a yeast-bacteria co-culture in POME could be an attractive approach for achieving maximum biomass as well as lipid production and simultaneous bioremediation of POME.

A huge amount of food waste is being generated every day globally. Usually, India generates ∼350 million tons of food waste every year. Therefore, there is an urgent need to initiate research focusing on the management and hygienic methods of reuse of food waste together with advanced user-friendly methods of converting it into some useful products thereby generating wealth from food waste. A promising approach seems to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from such unutilized food. An alternative clean technology does not rely on the use of toxic chemicals and solvents. It is commonly allied with traditional nanoparticle synthesis processes. In the present work, the peels of two vegetables, pea (Pisum sativum) and bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), were used to generate AgNPs. AgNPs were obtained by dissolving 1.5 ml of the peel extract of each vegetable in 50 ml of silver nitrate (AgNO3) and incubating for 24 h at room temperature. For the confirmation of AgNP production UV–visible spectroscopy was used. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and attenuated total reflection-infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR Analysis) were used to characterize them. Furthermore, AgNPs in different concentrations were used to test antibacterial activity against bacteria Escherichia coli through the disc diffusion method. Thus, our research indicates that AgNPs can be a safe and environmentally beneficial production technology from unutilized vegetable wastes that may play an important role in the management of food waste in the future and has antibacterial potential to preserve vegetables from bacterial contamination.

Molad is simply an interval between two successive new moon timelines with respect to the line joining the Sun and the Earth i.e., with respect to the Sun as seen from the Earth, which in scientific terms is referred as lunation or “synodic lunar month”. Though synodic lunar month may vary by up to ±0.7 days locally, the length of mean synodic lunar month is constant over a long period of time and is a crucial value in determining the luni-solar calendar’s new months similar to Hebrew calendar’s “Rashei Hodesh”. Based on the Metonic cycle the luni-solar Hebrew calendar adds 07 intercalary months in 19 solar years. This hypothesis proposes a new cycle instead of the Metonic cycle towards eliminating the deviation of the calendar incurred in the long course of time. The research analyzed that application of the conventional Metonic cycle to luni-solar calendar is erroneous, which theoretically leads Hebrew calendar to absorb extra 11 days (approx.) by 2053 years after inception. The study pointed out that through the application of 2116 - 2053 lunar-solar years cycle instead of 235 - 228 lunar-solar months based Metonic cycle, formulation of a far better high precession luni-solar calendar is possible and also both lunar and solar sides of the luni-solar calendar became fully balanced and harmonized.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:50:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2022-05-01 Environmental pollution caused by the discharge of raw and partly treated distillery effluent has become a serious and threatening problem due to its high pollution load. The aim of the present study was to assess the physicochemical load in alcohol distillery effluent before and after biomethanation treatment and the cyto- and genotoxicity effects of refractory pollutants emanated in raw/untreated and biomethanated distillery effluent on the ultrastructural and biochemical responses of Allium cepa root tip cells. Physicochemical analysis revealed high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD: 47840-36651 mg L−1), chemical oxygen demand (COD: 93452-84500 mg L−1) and total dissolved solids (TDS: 64251–74652 mg L−1) in raw and biomethanated effluent along with metal(loid)s (Fe: 456.152–346.26; Zn: 1.654–1.465; Cu: 0.648–0.562; Ni: 1.012–0.951, and Pb: 0.264 mg L−1) which were beyond the safe discharge values prescribed by the environmental regulatory agencies. The UV–Visible and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry analyses confirmed the high levels of organic, inorganic, and mixed contaminants discharged in raw and biomethanated distillery effluents. Furthermore, GC–MS analysis characterised chemical contaminants, such as hexadecanoic acid, butanedioic acid, bis(trimethylsilyl) ester; hexadecane, 2,6,11,15-tetramethyl, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol trimethylsilyl ether that have been reported as androgenic-mutagenic, and endocrine disrupting chemicals by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). The cytotoxicity measured by A. cepa showed dose depended inhibition root growth inhibition and simultaneous reduction in mitotic index in tested effluents. The chromosomal aberrations studies resulted in laggard chromosomes, sticky chromosomes, vagrant chromosomes, chromosome loss, c-mitosis, chromosome bridge, abnormal metaphase, and disturbed anaphase as found in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, dose-dependent enhancement in the levels of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and antioxidative enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and catalase were found to be higher in raw effluents treated root cells compared to biomethanated distillery effluent. Analysis of ultrastructural changes in root tip cells by TEM analysis revealed dramatic changes in the morphology of cell organelles and accumulation of metallic elements in and on the surface tissues. The results concluded that the discharged distillery effluents retained certain toxic pollutants which imposed cytotoxic and genotoxic hazards to A. cepa. Thus, for the sake of environmental protection, the raw as well as the disposed biomethanated effluent must be efficiently treated before its dumping into the terrestrial ecosystem. Department of Botany School of Life Sciences Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Chhattisgarh Waste Re-processing Division CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nehru Marg Department of Botany and Microbiology College of Science King Saud University Laboratory for Quantum Semiconductors and Photon-based BioNanotechnology Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty of Engineering Université de Sherbrooke Department of Life Sciences Presidency University 86/1 College Street, West Bengal Enviro Tech Laboratory, Gujarat School of Engineering São Paulo State University (UNESP), Ave. Brasil Sul, number 56, SP Brazil University, Street Carolina Fonseca, number 584, SP Interdisciplinary Centre for Water Research (ICWaR) Indian Institute of Science (IISc) School of Engineering São Paulo State University (UNESP), Ave. Brasil Sul, number 56, SP

Orientation and Mobility (O&M) professionals teach people with low vision or blindness to use specialist assistive technologies to support confident travel, but many O&M clients now prefer a smartphone. This study aimed to investigate what technology O&M professionals in Australia and Malaysia have, use, like, and want to support their client work, to inform the development of O&M technologies and build capacity in the international O&M profession. A technology survey was completed by professionals (n = 36) attending O&M workshops in Malaysia. A revised survey was completed online by O&M specialists (n = 31) primarily in Australia. Qualitative data about technology use came from conferences, workshops and interviews with O&M professionals. Descriptive statistics were analysed together with free-text data. Limited awareness of apps used by clients, unaffordability of devices, and inadequate technology training discouraged many O&M professionals from employing existing technologies in client programmes or for broader professional purposes. Professionals needed to learn smartphone accessibility features and travel-related apps, and ways to use technology during O&M client programmes, initial professional training, ongoing professional development and research. Smartphones are now integral to travel with low vision or blindness and early-adopter O&M clients are the travel tech-experts. O&M professionals need better initial training and then regular upskilling in mainstream O&M technologies to expand clients’ travel choices. COVID-19 has created an imperative for technology laggards to upskill for O&M tele-practice. O&M technology could support comprehensive O&M specialist training and practice in Malaysia, to better serve O&M clients with complex needs.Implications for rehabilitationMost orientation and mobility (O&M) clients are travelling with a smartphone, so O&M specialists need to be abreast of mainstream technologies, accessibility features and apps used by clients for orientation, mobility, visual efficiency and social engagement.O&M specialists who are technology laggards need human-guided support to develop confidence in using travel technologies, and O&M clients are the experts. COVID-19 has created an imperative to learn skills for O&M tele-practice.Affordability is a significant barrier to O&M professionals and clients accessing specialist travel technologies in Malaysia, and to O&M professionals upgrading technology in Australia.Comprehensive training for O&M specialists is needed in Malaysia to meet the travel needs of clients with low vision or blindness who also have physical, cognitive, sensory or mental health complications. Most orientation and mobility (O&M) clients are travelling with a smartphone, so O&M specialists need to be abreast of mainstream technologies, accessibility features and apps used by clients for orientation, mobility, visual efficiency and social engagement. O&M specialists who are technology laggards need human-guided support to develop confidence in using travel technologies, and O&M clients are the experts. COVID-19 has created an imperative to learn skills for O&M tele-practice. Affordability is a significant barrier to O&M professionals and clients accessing specialist travel technologies in Malaysia, and to O&M professionals upgrading technology in Australia. Comprehensive training for O&M specialists is needed in Malaysia to meet the travel needs of clients with low vision or blindness who also have physical, cognitive, sensory or mental health complications.

Rapid detection of

Background The use of antihypertensive medications is critical for controlling high blood pressure. We aimed to investigate associations between socio-demographic factors and antihypertensive medications use, and antihypertensive medications use with different types of drugs use with levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Methods For the present report we derived data from the baseline measurements of a cluster randomised control trial on 307 participants with previously diagnosed hypertension from the rural district of Narial in Bangladesh. We measured the participant’s current blood pressure levels and recorded antihypertensive medications uses. Associated factors included socio-economic status, diabetes, antihypertensive medications use, and types of drugs and doses used for controlling blood pressure. We applied analysis of variance and logistic regression techniques to identify factors associated with blood pressure. Results Of the total participants, 144 (46.9%) were on antihypertensive medications. After multivariate adjustment, binary logistic regression revealed that employees (odds ratio, (95% confidence interval (CI)) (OR 3.58, 95%CI 1.38-9.28) compared to farmers, and people with diabetes (OR 2.43, 95%CI 1.13-5.26) compared to people without diabetes were associated with a higher proportion of antihypertensive medications use. Of 144 participants on antihypertensive medications, 7 (5%) had taken two doses, 114 (79%) had taken one dose per day and the rest were irregular in medication use. The mean (standard deviation) [min, max] SBP and DBP were 149 (19) mmHg [114, 217] and 90 (10) mmHg [75, 126], respectively. Overall, there was no significant difference in SBP (p = 0.10) or DBP (p = 0.67) between participants with or without antihypertensive medications or using any type of medications (p = 0.54 for SBP and 0.76 for DBP). There was no significant association between antihypertensive medications use and elevated BP levels SBP/DBP≥140/90 mmHg (p = 0.42) Conclusion Less than half of the people with hypertension were on medication. Irrespective of the antihypertensive medications use, most of the participant’s blood pressure was high. Further study is needed with a large sample to understand the factors and aetiology of unmanaged hypertension in rural areas of Bangladesh where the prevalence of hypertension is very high.

Background The use of digital interventions for managing chronic diseases is significantly increasing. The aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of ownership of a mobile phone, and factors associated with the ability to read and access SMS delivered health information, and willingness to pay for it among people with hypertension in a rural area in Bangladesh. Methods Data were collected from 307 participants aged 30 to 75 years with hypertension from a rural area in Bangladesh from December 2020 to January 2021. Outcome measures included ownership of a mobile phone, ability to read SMS, willingness to receive and pay for health information by SMS. Associated factors included age, gender, level of education, occupation, and socioeconomic status. We used regression analysis to identify variables associated with the outcome variables. Results Overall, 189 (61.6%) people owned a mobile phone which was higher in men (73.3% vs. 50%, p p Conclusion A significant proportion of people are unable to read SMS. However, people are willing to receive and pay to receive SMS for health information. Education and awareness programs should be conducted among targeted groups, including people with low education and women.

ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate ethnic variation and its association with malaria awareness in the East Nusa Tenggara Province (ENTP), Indonesia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted upon 1495 adults recruited by multi-stage cluster random sampling technique. A malaria awareness related questionnaire was used to collect data alongside a malaria awareness index (MAI). A logistic regression method was applied to quantify the strength of associations of factors associated with the awareness index.ResultsOf total participants, 33% were from Manggarai, 32.3% were from Atoni, 30.2% from Sumba ethnicity. The level of MAI was significantly different between these groups with the highest in Manggarai ethnicity (65.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 59.9 – 70.3) and the lowest in Sumba ethnicity (35%, 95% CI: 27.6 – 42.4). The most prominent factors influencing the MAI in Sumba and Manggarai ethnicity were education level, whilst it was socio-economic status (SES) in Atoni ethnicity. The level of MAI was significantly higher for adults with diploma or above education level (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 21.4, 95% CI: 3.59 – 127.7-for Manggarai ; AOR: 6.94, 95% CI: 1.81 – 26.6 for Sumba). The level of MAI was significantly higher for adults living in high SES in Atoni (AOR 24.48, 95% CI: 8.79 – 68.21).ConclusionsPoorer education levels and low SES were more prominent factors contributing to lower levels of MAI in rural ENTP. Interventions should focus on improving malaria awareness to these groups to support the national commitment of the Indonesian government to achieve malaria elimination zone by 2030.

Self-reported assessment of physical activity (PA) is commonly used in public health research. The present study investigated the concordance of self-reported PA assessed using the global physical activity questionnaire (GPAQ) and two different measurement approaches. Participants (n = 307, aged 30–75 years with hypertension) were recruited from a rural area in Bangladesh. We analyzed the difference between the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations of more than 600 metabolic-equivalent time-minutes (MET-min) and the self-reported active hours, at least 2.5 h per week. Tests of sensitivity and specificity were conducted to determine concordance between the two measures. According to the WHO criteria, 255 (83%) participants were active more than 600 MET-min per week and 172 (56%) people were physically active 2.5 h or more per week, indicating a 27% difference in self-reported PA. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and concordance between the two measures were 64%, 92%, 98%, 34% and 70%, respectively. Considering the WHO MET-min as the appropriate measure, 89 (35%) were false negative (FN). Older age, professionals and businesspersons were associated with a higher proportion of FN. There is a gap between self-reported PA, thus a better estimate of PA may result from combining two criteria to measure PA levels.

The current work explored the dimensionality and convergent validity of responses to Barrera et al.’s (2015) 29-item Formal Thought Disorder–Self Scale (FTD-SS) obtained in two non-clinical samples. Exploratory factor analyses were conducted in Sample 1 (n = 324), yielding evidence of three correlated factors, although simple structure was not achieved until nine items were removed. Support for the correlated three factors model of responses to the revised 20-item scale (FTD-SS-R) was replicated when a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted in Sample 2 (n = 610). Finally, convergent associations were found between FTD-SS-R scores and scores from other schizotypy measures across both samples, though these measures only explained half of the variance in FTD-SS-R scores. Additional research is needed to evaluate the appropriateness of the items and incremental validity of the scale in non-clinical samples.

A novel nanomaterial, bacterial cellulose (BC), has become noteworthy recently due to its better physicochemical properties and biodegradability, which are desirable for various applications. Since cost is a significant limitation in the production of cellulose, current efforts are focused on the use of industrial waste as a cost-effective substrate for the synthesis of BC or microbial cellulose. The utilization of industrial wastes and byproduct streams as fermentation media could improve the cost-competitiveness of BC production. This paper examines the feasibility of using typical wastes generated by industry sectors as sources of nutrients (carbon and nitrogen) for the commercial-scale production of BC. Numerous preliminary findings in the literature data have revealed the potential to yield a high concentration of BC from various industrial wastes. These findings indicated the need to optimize culture conditions, aiming for improved large-scale production of BC from waste streams.

Background High blood pressure is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is a major cause of disability and death. Managing a healthy lifestyle has been shown to reduce blood pressure and improve health outcomes. We aim to investigate the effectiveness of a lifestyle modification intervention program for lowering blood pressure in a rural area of Bangladesh. Methods A single-center cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT). The study will be conducted for 6 months, a total of 300 participants of age 30 to 75 years with 150 adults in each of the intervention and the control arms. The intervention arm will involve the delivery of a blended learning education program on lifestyle changes for the management of high blood pressure. The education program comprises evidence-based information with pictures, fact sheets, and published literature about the effects of high blood pressure on CVD development, increased physical activity, and the role of a healthy diet in blood pressure management. The control group involves providing information booklets and general advice at the baseline data collection point. The primary outcome will be the absolute difference in clinic SBP and DBP. Secondary outcomes include the difference in the percentage of people adopting regular exercise habits, cessation of smoking and reducing sodium chloride intake, health literacy of all participants, and the perceived barriers and enablers to adopt behavior changes by collecting qualitative data. Analyses will include analysis of covariance to report the mean difference in blood pressure between the control and the intervention group and the difference in change in blood pressure due to the intervention. Discussion The study will assess the effects of physical activity and lifestyle modification in controlling high blood pressure. This study will develop new evidence as to whether a simple lifestyle program implemented in a rural region of a low- and middle-income country will improve blood pressure parameters for people with different chronic diseases by engaging community people. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04505150. Registered on 7 August 2020

Objectives: This study investigated associations between ethnicity and malaria awareness in East Nusa Tenggara Province (ENTP), Indonesia.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted upon 1503 adults recruited by multi-stage cluster random sampling. A malaria awareness questionnaire was used to collect data, according to which participants were classified as aware or unaware of malaria. Logistic regression was applied to quantify the strength of associations of factors with malaria awareness.Results: The participation rate in this study was high (99.5%). The participants were distributed relatively evenly among the Manggarai, Atoni, and Sumba ethnicities (33.0, 32.3, and 30.2%, respectively). Malaria awareness was significantly different amongst these groups; it was most common in the Manggarai ethnicity (65.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 59.9 to 70.3) and least common in the Sumba ethnicity (35.0%; 95% CI, 27.6 to 42.4). The most prominent factor influencing the malaria awareness in the Sumba and Manggarai ethnicities was education level, whilst it was socioeconomic status (SES) in the Atoni ethnicity. The likelihood of malaria awareness was significantly higher in adults with an education level of diploma or above (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 21.4; 95% CI, 3.59 to 127.7 for Manggarai; aOR, 6.94; 95% CI, 1.81 to 26.6 for Sumba). Malaria awareness was significantly more common amongst high-SES adults in the Atoni group (aOR, 24.48; 95% CI, 8.79 to 68.21).Conclusions: Low education levels and low SES were prominent contributors to lower levels of malaria awareness in rural ENTP. Interventions should focus on improving malaria awareness to these groups to support the Indonesian government’s national commitment to achieve a malaria elimination zone by 2030.

Background. Tobacco smoking and use of smokeless tobacco are the most preventable cause of death in Bangladesh. The prevalence of psychological distress is increasing globally. This paper reports the smoking status and their association with psychological distress and other factors in a rural district, Narail, of Bangladesh. Materials and Methods. Data were collected from 2425 adults of age 18–90 years. Smoking status along with sociodemographic characteristics and measures of psychological distress using the Kessler 10-item questionnaire were collected using a face-to-face data collection method. Results. The crude (age-standardized) prevalence of ever smoking was 27.1 (24.3)% that includes current 25.6 (23.7) and smoker 1.5 (0.6)%, and the prevalence of smokeless tobacco (SLT) was 23.5 (13.4)%. The prevalence of ever smoking was the highest in daily labourers (62.9%) and SLT use was the highest in widowed people (47.2%). After adjustment for covariates, no education (odds ratio (OR): 3.78, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.57–9.07 for females and OR: 2.69, 95% CI: 1.87–3.87 for males) compared to at least secondary level of education and daily labours (OR: 6.66, 95% CI: 1.67–26.6 for females and OR: 5.12, 95% CI: 1.30–20.19 for males) compared to housework were associated with higher prevalence of ever smoking. Any level of psychological distress, such as mild psychological distress, was associated with at least double the prevalence of tobacco smoking in females (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.67–3.83) but not in males (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.80–1.56). Psychological distress was not associated with SLT use. Conclusions. Prevalence of both smoking and SLT use was high, particularly in daily labourers, people with no education, and females with psychological distress in rural Bangladesh. Appropriate intervention programs should especially target those of low levels of education and laborious occupations for increasing awareness for the cessation of smoking in rural Bangladesh.