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Abstract Background Light microscopy is often used for malaria diagnosis in the field. However, it is time-consuming and quality of the results depends heavily on the skill of microscopists. Automating malaria light microscopy is a promising solution, but it still remains a challenge and an active area of research. Current tools are often expensive and involve sophisticated hardware components, which makes it hard to deploy them in resource-limited areas. Results We designed an Android mobile application called Malaria Screener, which makes smartphones an affordable yet effective solution for automated malaria light microscopy. The mobile app utilizes high-resolution cameras and computing power of modern smartphones to screen both thin and thick blood smear images for P. falciparum parasites. Malaria Screener combines image acquisition, smear image analysis, and result visualization in its slide screening process, and is equipped with a database to provide easy access to the acquired data. Conclusion Malaria Screener makes the screening process faster, more consistent, and less dependent on human expertise. The app is modular, allowing other research groups to integrate their methods and models for image processing and machine learning, while acquiring and analyzing their data.

The use of phthalates as a plasticizer in plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) always poses the threat of migration of phthalates into the environment through medical equipment. Phthalates can be used with natural-based plasticizers, such as Epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) known as phthalate’s scavenger and PVC stabilizers. PVC formulations were characterized by different combinations of di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) 30-40% with 5% ESBO. PVC flexibility increased significantly in the presence of ESBO, without a change in strength (tensile test). The decrease of the Tg temperature by adding ESBO in Differential Scanning Calorimetry indicated that ESBO preserved DEHP in the polymer. Also, it was shown that the sterilization process with Ethylene Oxide, similar to ESBO, decreased the Tg of polymer. DEHP migration was evaluated at a maximum level to the environment using the Gas Chromatography test. Samples containing ESBO showed less hemolysis. ABSTRAK: Penggunaan phthalates sebagai plasticizer dalam plastik polyvinyl chloride (PVC) selalu menimbulkan ancaman penghijrahan phthalates ke alam sekitar melalui peralatan perubatan. Phthalates boleh digunakan dengan plasticizer berasaskan semula jadi, seperti minyak kacang soya Epoxidized (ESBO) yang dikenali sebagai pemulung phthalate dan penstabil PVC. Formulasi PVC dicirikan oleh kombinasi yang berbeza di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) 30-40% dengan 5% ESBO. Fleksibiliti PVC meningkat dengan ketara di hadapan ESBO, tanpa perubahan kekuatan (ujian tegangan). Penurunan suhu Tg dengan menambahkan ESBO dalam Calorimetri Pengimbasan Berbeza menunjukkan bahawa ESBO mengekalkan DEHP dalam polimer. Juga, ditunjukkan bahawa proses pensterilan dengan Etilena Oksida, serupa dengan ESBO, menurunkan Tg polimer. Penghijrahan DEHP dinilai pada tahap maksimum ke lingkungan menggunakan uji Kromatografi Gas. Sampel yang mengandungi ESBO menunjukkan kurang hemolisis.

Self-assessment of driving fitness is mandatory in the United Kingdom. A paucity of data on visual function among drivers exists. We report prevalence of elderly drivers below legal visual acuity (VA) standard from a population study (The Bridlington Eye Assessment Project (BEAP)) conducted from 2002 to 2006. All residents aged ≥65 years were invited, 3459 undergoing structured interviews/ophthalmic examinations. Driving status was recorded, VA measured, and visual field (VF) testing performed. Outcomes were prevalence and characteristics of drivers below VA legal standard and prevalence of bilateral VF defects. Conditions causing reduced VA were explored and those with treatable conditions allowing visual improvement identified. Duration since last optometry review was recorded. Associations were explored using unpaired t-tests for continuous and chi-squared for discrete variables. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis and to determine odd ratios in the final adjusted model. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata 14.0 (Stata Corp, Tx). Within this sample, 7.1% (95% CI 6.0–8.3) of drivers fell below the VA legal driving standard (6/12) in their better eye, with 20% not having seen an optometrist for 2 years, including 8.2% who had not attended for over 5 years. The percentage of drivers falling below the VA minimum increases with age reaching 22.8% (95% CI 13.7–35.3) among those aged 85–89 years. 7.2% (95% CI 6.2–8.6) of drivers had bilateral visual field defects. 93% of drivers with reduced VA below legal standard had a cataract, refractive error or both in at least one eye. Significant numbers of elderly drive with VA below legal standard, most having easily correctable causes. Poor attendance with optometrists appears commonplace. Public education raised awareness of legal driving standards and encouraged compliance are required. Regular eye tests, appropriate refractive correction, and cataract surgery when needed should be encouraged.

The process of mechanically stirred membrane reactor containing the suspension of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) immobilized on synthesized nanocomposite (Tau-SiO2@Fe3O4-GO) was designed for continuous degradation of tetracycline. The immobilized HRP was characterized in terms of kinetic parameters and catalytic activities as these parameters were improved highly through immobilization. The stability indices including pH and temperature were investigated in parallel. The immobilized HRP was more tolerable to pH changes as compared to free HRP and the optimum temperature obtained at 40 °C. The reusability of HRP was promoted by immobilization as far as 70% of initial activity after ten cycles. The enzymatic degradation of optimum concentration of tetracycline was carried out in batch condition and 100% of tetracycline removed after 30 min. The results also showed that higher concentration of H2O2 exhibited more oxidation of tetracycline. The optimal ratio of HRP/H2O2 was also obtained at 0.005. The simultaneous process including separation and the biocatalytic degradation established in the membrane stirrer reactor concluded that no amount of tetracycline was observed in the permeate stream coming from the membrane after 30 min of operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]