bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Core outcome set for preventive intervention trials in chronic and episodic migraine (COSMIG): an international, consensus-derived and multistakeholder initiative
Authors: Haywood Kirstie , Potter Rachel , Froud Robert , Pearce Gemma , Box Barbara , Muldoon Lynne , Lipton Richard , Petrou Stavros , Rendas-Baum Regina , Logan Anne-Marie , Stewart Kimberley , Underwood Martin , Matharu Manjit
Published: November 2021

Objective

Typically, migraine prevention trials focus on reducing migraine days. This narrow focus may not capture all that is important to people with migraine. Inconsistency in outcome selection across trials limits the potential for data pooling and evidence synthesis. In response, we describe the development of core outcome set for migraine (COSMIG).

Design

A two-stage approach sought to achieve international, multistakeholder consensus on both the core domain set and core measurement set. Following construction of a comprehensive list of outcomes, expert panellists (patients, healthcare professionals and researchers) completed a three-round electronic-Delphi study to support a reduction and prioritisation of core domains and outcomes. Participants in a consensus meeting finalised the core domains and methods of assessment. All stages were overseen by an international core team, including patient research partners.

Results

There was a good representation of patients (episodic migraine (n=34) and chronic migraine (n=42)) and healthcare professionals (n=33) with high response and retention rates. The initial list of domains and outcomes was reduced from >50 to 7 core domains for consideration in the consensus meeting, during which a 2-domain core outcome set was agreed.

Conclusion

International and multistakeholder consensus emerged to describe a two-domain core outcome set for reporting research on preventive interventions for chronic and episodic migraine: migraine-specific pain and migraine-specific quality of life. Intensity of migraine pain assessed with an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale and the frequency as the number of headache/migraine days over a specified time period. Migraine-specific quality of life assessed using the Migraine Functional Impact Questionnaire.
Factors associated with attendance at screening for breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mottram Rebecca , Knerr Wendy Lynn , Gallacher Daniel , Fraser Hannah , Al-Khudairy Lena , Ayorinde Abimbola , Williamson Sian , Nduka Chidozie , Uthman Olalekan A , Johnson Samantha , Tsertsvadze Alexander , Stinton Christopher , Taylor-Phillips Sian , Clarke Aileen
Published: November 2021

Objective

Attendance at population-based breast cancer (mammographic) screening varies. This comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis assesses all identified patient-level factors associated with routine population breast screening attendance.

Design

CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, OVID, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched for studies of any design, published January 1987–June 2019, and reporting attendance in relation to at least one patient-level factor.

Data synthesis

Independent reviewers performed screening, data extraction and quality appraisal. OR and 95% CIs were calculated for attendance for each factor and random-effects meta-analysis was undertaken where possible.

Results

Of 19 776 studies, 335 were assessed at full text and 66 studies (n=22 150 922) were included. Risk of bias was generally low. In meta-analysis, increased attendance was associated with higher socioeconomic status (SES) (n=11 studies; OR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.20 to 1.75); higher income (n=5 studies; OR 1.96, 95% CI: 1.68 to 2.29); home ownership (n=3 studies; OR 2.16, 95% CI: 2.08 to 2.23); being non-immigrant (n=7 studies; OR 2.23, 95% CI: 2.00 to 2.48); being married/cohabiting (n=7 studies; OR 1.86, 95% CI: 1.58 to 2.19) and medium (vs low) level of education (n=6 studies; OR 1.24, 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.41). Women with previous false-positive results were less likely to reattend (n=6 studies; OR 0.77, 95% CI: 0.68 to 0.88). There were no differences by age group or by rural versus urban residence.

Conclusions

Attendance was lower in women with lower SES, those who were immigrants, non-homeowners and those with previous false-positive results. Variations in service delivery, screening programmes and study populations may influence findings. Our findings are of univariable associations. Underlying causes of lower uptake such as practical, physical, psychological or financial barriers should be investigated.

Trial registration number

CRD42016051597.
Validity and reliability of the Swedish Functional Health Literacy scale and the Swedish Communicative and Critical Health Literacy scale in patients undergoing bariatric surgery in Sweden: a prospective psychometric evaluation study
Authors: Jaensson Maria , Stenberg Erik , Liang Yuli , Nilsson Ulrica , Dahlberg Karuna
Published: November 2021

Objectives

The aim was to psychometrically test and evaluate the Swedish functional health literacy scale and the Swedish communicative and critical health literacy scale in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Design

A prospective cross-sectional psychometric study.

Setting

Patients from three bariatric centres in Sweden were consecutively included in this study.

Participants

A total of 704 patients undergoing bariatric surgery filled in the questionnaires preoperatively. Inclusion criteria were scheduled for primary bariatric surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy) and greater than 17 years, proficiency in Swedish.

Primary and secondary measures

Psychometric outcomes of the Swedish Functional Health Literacy scale and the Swedish Communicative and Critical Health Literacy scale.

Results

There was a higher proportion of females (74.4%, n=523) to males (25.6%, n=180). The mean age was 42 years (SD 11.5). Limited functional health literacy and limited communicative and critical health literacy (including both inadequate and problematic health literacy) was reported in 55% (n=390) and 40% (n=285), respectively. Cronbach alpha for the Swedish Functional Health Literacy scale was α=0.86 and for the Swedish Communicative and Critical Health Literacy scale, α=0.87. Construct validity showed weak to negative correlations between the Swedish Functional Health Literacy scale and income, education and SF-36/RAND36 summary scores. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a one-factor solution for the Swedish Functional Health Literacy scale and a two-factor solution for the Swedish Communicative and Critical Health Literacy scale.

Conclusions

The Swedish Functional Health Literacy scale and the Swedish Communicative and Critical Health Literacy scale are valid and reliable to use for patients undergoing bariatric surgery in a Swedish context. Measuring dimensions of health literacy can be used as a guide for the development of health literacy friendly patient information in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.
Improved COVID-19 outcomes in a large non-invasive respiratory support cohort despite emergence of the alpha variant
Authors: Turnbull Chris D , Porter Benedict M L , Evans Sarah B , Smith Oliver , Lardner Rachel , Hallifax Robert , Bettinson Henry V , Talbot Nicholas P , Bafadhel Mona , Rahman Najib M , Petousi Nayia
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Respiratory high-dependency units (rHDUs) are used to manage respiratory failure in COVID-19 outside of the intensive care unit (ICU). The alpha variant of COVID-19 has been linked to increased rates of mortality and admission to ICU; however, its impact on a rHDU population is not known. We aimed to compare rHDU outcomes between the two main UK waves of COVID-19 infection and evaluate the impact of the alpha variant on second wave outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a single-centre, retrospective analysis of all patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 admitted to the rHDU of our teaching hospital for respiratory support during the first and second main UK waves.

Results

In total, 348 patients were admitted to rHDU. In the second wave, mortality (26.7% s vs 50.7% first wave, χ2=14.7, df=1, p=0.0001) and intubation rates in those eligible (24.3% s vs 58.8% first wave, χ2=17.3, df=2, p=0.0002) were improved compared with the first wave. In the second wave, the alpha variant had no effect on mortality (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.60 to 2.32, p=0.64). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) (89.5%) and awake proning (85.6%) were used in most patients in the second wave.

Discussion

Our single-centre experience shows that rHDU mortality and intubation rates have improved over time in spite of the emergence of the alpha variant. Our data support the use of CPAP and awake proning, although improvements in outcome are likely to be multifactorial.
Adherence to protective measures among healthcare workers in the UK: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Smith Louise E , Serfioti Danai , Weston Dale , Greenberg Neil , Rubin G James
Published: November 2021

Background

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are frontline responders to emergency infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19. To avoid the rapid spread of disease, adherence to protective measures is paramount. We investigated rates of correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hand hygiene and physical distancing in UK HCWs who had been to their workplace at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and factors associated with adherence.

Methods

We used an online cross-sectional survey of 1035 UK healthcare professionals (data collected 12–16 June 2020). We excluded those who had not been to their workplace in the previous 6 weeks, leaving us with a sample size of 831. Respondents were asked about their use of PPE, hand hygiene and physical distancing in the workplace. Frequency of uptake was reported descriptively; adjusted logistic regressions were used to separately investigate factors associated with adherence to use of PPE, maintaining good hand hygiene and physical distancing from colleagues.

Results

Adherence to personal protective measures was suboptimal (PPE use: 80.0%, 95% CI 77.3 to 82.8; hand hygiene: 67.8%, 95% CI 64.6 to 71.0; coming into close contact with colleagues: 74.7%, 95% CI 71.7 to 77.7). Adherence to PPE use was associated with having received training about health and safety in the workplace for COVID-19, greater perceived social pressure to adopt the behaviour and availability of PPE. Non-adherence was associated with fatalism about COVID-19 and greater perceived difficulty of adopting protective measures. Workplace design using markings to facilitate distancing was associated with adherence to physical distancing.

Conclusions

Uptake of personal protective behaviours among UK HCWs at the start of the pandemic was variable. Factors associated with adherence provide insight into ways to support HCWs to adopt personal protective behaviours, such as ensuring that adequate PPE is available and designing workplaces to facilitate physical distancing.
Retrospective Evaluation of Patients with and without 14-Day Readmissions following Hospitalization for COVID-19
Authors: Subramoney Kavitha , Elsheikh Omar , Butt Saira , Romano Daniel , Reese Lindsey , Kara Areeba
Published: November 2021

Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 must have a safe discharge plan to prevent readmissions. We assessed patients with COVID-19 admitted to hospitals belonging to a single health system between April 2020 and June 2020. Demographics, vitals and laboratory data were obtained by electronic data query and discharge processes were reviewed by manual abstraction. Over the study period, 94 out of 912 (10.3%) patients were readmitted within 14 days of discharge. Readmitted patients were older and spent more time in the intensive care unit (p<0.01). Statistical differences were noted in discharge-day heart rates, temperatures, platelet counts, and neutrophil and lymphocyte percentages between the readmitted and non-readmitted groups. Readmitted patients were less likely to be discharged home and to receive complete discharge instructions or home oxygen (p<0.01). Age, duration of intensive care unit stay, disposition destinations other than home, incomplete discharge planning and no arrangement for home oxygen may be associated with 14-day readmissions in patients with COVID-19. Certain clinical parameters on discharge day, while statistically different, may not reach clinically discriminant thresholds. Structured discharge processes may improve outcomes.
A prospective longitudinal study of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis in pulmonary tuberculosis in Indonesia (APICAL)
Authors: Setianingrum Findra , Rozaliyani Anna , Adawiyah Robiatul , Syam Ridhawati , Tugiran Mulyati , Sari Cut Yulia Indah , Nandipinto Finny , Ramnath Johannes , Arifin Arief Riadi , Handayani Diah , Burhan Erlina , Rumende Martin , Wahyuningsih Retno , Rautemaa-Richardson Riina , Denning David W
Published: November 2021

Objectives

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) can complicate recovery from pulmonary TB. CPA may also be misdiagnosed as bacteriologically negative TB. This study aimed to determine the incidence of CPA in patients treated for TB in Indonesia, a country with a high incidence of TB.

Methods

In this prospective, longitudinal cohort study in patients treated for pulmonary TB, clinical, radiological and laboratory findings were analysed. Sputum was collected for fungal culture and TB PCR. Patients were assessed at baseline (0–8 weeks) and at the end (5–6 months) of TB therapy. CPA diagnosis was based on symptoms (≥3 months), characteristic radiological features and positiveAspergillusserology, and categorised as proven, probable and possible.

Results

Of the 216 patients recruited, 128 (59%) were followed up until end of TB therapy. At baseline, 91 (42%) had microbiological evidence for TB.Aspergillus-specific IgG was positive in 64 (30%) patients and went from negative to positive in 16 (13%) patients during TB therapy. The incidence rates of proven and probable CPA at baseline were 6% (n=12) and 2% (n=5) and end of TB therapy 8% (n=10) and 5% (n=7), respectively. Six patients (two with confirmed TB) developed an aspergilloma. Diabetes mellitus was a significant risk factor for CPA (p=0.040). Persistent cough (n=5, 50%; p=0.005) and fatigue (n=6, 60%; p=0.001) were the most common symptoms in CPA.

Conclusion

CPA should be considered a relatively frequent differential diagnosis in patients with possible or proven TB in Indonesia. Lack of awareness and limited access toAspergillus-specific IgG tests and CT imaging are obstacles in establishing a CPA diagnosis.
Exploring requirements and detector solutions for FCC-ee
Authors: Azzi Patrizia , Perez Emmanuel
Published: November 2021

Circular colliders have the advantage of delivering collisions to multiple interaction points, which allow different detector designs to be studied and optimised—up to four for FCC-ee. On the one hand, the detectors must satisfy the constraints imposed by the invasive interaction region layout. On the other hand, the performance of heavy-flavour tagging, of particle identification, of tracking and particle-flow reconstruction, and of lepton, jet, missing energy and angular resolution, need to match the physics programme and the exquisite statistical precision offered by FCC-ee. During the FCC feasibility study (2021–2025), benchmark physics processes will be used to determine, via appropriate simulations, the requirements on the detector performance or design that must be satisfied to ensure that the systematic uncertainties of the measurements are commensurate with their statistical precision. The usage of the data themselves, in order to reach the challenging goals on the stability and on the alignment of the detector, in particular for the programme at and around the Z peak, will also be studied. In addition, the potential for discovering very weakly coupled new particles, in decays of Z or Higgs bosons, could motivate dedicated detector designs that would increase the efficiency for reconstructing the unusual signatures of such processes. These studies are crucial input to the further optimisation of the two concepts described in the FCC-ee conceptual design report, CLD and IDEA, and to the development of new concepts which might actually prove to be better adapted to the FCC-ee physics programme, or parts thereof.
Surface effect on two nanocracks emanating from an electrically semi-permeable regular 2n-polygon nanohole in one-dimensional hexagonal piezoelectric quasicrystals under anti-plane shear
Authors: Wu Zhilin , Liu Guanting , Yang Dongsheng
Published: November 2021

In this paper, the conformal mapping from a regular 2[Formula: see text]-polygon hole with two collinear asymmetric cracks into a circle is constructed. Based on the Gurtin–Murdoch surface/ interface model and complex potential theory, two collinear asymmetric nanocracks emanating from an electrically semi-permeable regular 2[Formula: see text]-polygon nanohole embedded in an infinite one-dimensional hexagonal piezoelectric quasicrystals with surface effect are investigated. The size-dependent stress intensity factors of phonon field and phason field, electric displacement intensity factor at the nanocrack tip are derived for electrically semi-permeable boundary condition. Numerical examples are illustrated to show that the size of the hole, mechanical load, electric load, cracks relative size change with stress intensity factor of phonon field and electric displacement intensity factor. Also analyzed the change of the electric displacement intensity factor with different electric permeability at the nanocrack tip and the dimensionless intensity factor with [Formula: see text].
An Experimental Study of a Single-Degree-of-Freedom Impact Oscillator
Authors: Zhong Shun , Tan Jingyuan , Cui Zhicheng , Xu Tanghong , Li Liqing
Published: November 2021

Purpose. Impacts appear in a wide range of mechanical systems. To study the dynamical behavior introduced by impact in practical way, a single-degree-of-freedom impact oscillator rig is designed. Originality. A simple piece-wise linear system with symmetrical flexible constraints is designed and manufactured to carry out a wide range of experimental dynamic analysis and ultimately to validate piece-wise models. The new design choice is based on the following criteria: accuracy in representing the mathematical model, manufacturing simplicity, flexibility in terms of parameter changes and cost effectiveness as well avoidance of the delay introduced by the structure. Meanwhile, the new design provides the possibility of the applications of the complex control algorithms. Design/methodology/approach. The design process is described in detail. The initial experimental results of the rig as well as numerical simulation results are given. In this rig, the mass driven force is generated by electromagnet, which can be adjusted and control easily. Also, most of the physical parameters can be varied in a certain range to enhance flexibility of the system allowing to observe subtle phenomena. Findings. Compared with the simulation results, the designed rig is proved to be validated. Then, the initial experimental results demonstrate potentials of this rig to study fundamental impact phenomena, which have been observed in various engineering systems. They also indicate that this rig can be a good platform for investigating nonlinear control methods.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Polyurea-Coated Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) Column Under Lateral Impact Loading
Authors: Gao Bin , Wu Jun , Jia Pengcheng , Li Shutao , Yan Qiushi , Xu Shilin
Published: November 2021

It was found that polyurea coating could improve the integrity and the corresponding durability of the structural components. However, the strengthening effect of polyurea coatings for structures built with emerging ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is still unknown due to the lack of studies. Therefore, this paper investigated the effect of the polyurea coating on the lateral impact resistance of UHPC columns through a combined numerical and experimental study. A total of five specimens were fabricated, including two UHPC columns and three UHPC columns with polyurea coating. To better characterize the structural response under dynamic loading, impact cases with different drop weight impact heights and axial force ratios were employed. The results showed that the UHPC column with polyurea coating exhibited superior lateral impact resistance compared to the UHPC column. The presence of the axial force increased the lateral impact stiffness and further reduced the deflection of the specimen. In contrast, the polyurea coating improved the specimen’s ductility and mitigated the peak impact force, thereby maintaining the specimen’s integrity without sudden shear failure. A three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of polyurea-coated UHPC columns under impact loading was then established and confirmed the experimental results. With the validated FE model, an intensive parametric study was conducted to investigate the effects of polyurea thickness, axial force ratio and impact energy on the lateral impact resistance of the UHPC column. The presence of the polyurea coating could significantly improve the lateral impact resistance of the specimen, thereby preventing the shear failure of the UHPC column, and thus, the effective thickness of the polyurea layer for the UHPC column was determined to be 2–6[Formula: see text]mm. The outcome of this research demonstrates the great merits of polyurea coating in improving the ductility and integrity of the UHPC column under lateral impact loading.
Nonautonomous attractors and Young measures
Authors: Flandoli Franco , Pappalettera Umberto , Tonello Elisa
Published: November 2021

Motivated by the problem of identifying a mathematical framework for the formal definition of concepts such as weather, climate and connections between them, we discuss a question of convergence of short-time time averages for random nonautonomous dynamical systems depending on a parameter. The problem is formulated by means of Young measures. Using the notion of pull-back attractor, we prove a general theorem giving a sufficient condition for the tightness of the law of the approximating problems. In a specific example, we show that the theorem applies and we characterize the unique limit point.
Knowledge Sharing for Maternal Health at a Public Hospital in South Africa
Authors: Nkunkwane Nkateko Nikiwe , Fombad MC
Published: November 2021

Purpose: This paper investigates knowledge sharing for maternal health in one of the major public referral hospitals in South Africa–the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH). Poor knowledge on maternal health continues to present a global challenge, particularly in developing countries where maternal mortality remains very high. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative study and case study design were conducted to obtain an in-depth understanding of knowledge sharing for maternal health in one of the major public referral hospitals in South Africa. Convenience sampling of 35 pregnant women was undertaken. In-depth face-to-face interviews were employed to the point of saturation. Findings: The findings revealed elementary knowledge sharing for maternal health and several challenges to knowledge sharing. Limitations: This paper focuses on knowledge sharing at the antenatal care unit. Although effective knowledge sharing during antenatal phase may enhance post-natal care, it will have been beneficial to also understand the post-natal perspective of knowledge sharing. Furthermore, issues of representativeness may result from the use of convenience sampling. However, the purpose of this study is not to generalise the results but to provide an in-depth understanding of knowledge sharing for maternal health in a public hospital in South Africa and suggests a dynamic interactive strategy to enhance knowledge sharing that may effectively improve maternal health. Practical implication: Strategies for knowledge sharing for maternal health were established. The paper concluded that increasing knowledge sharing on safe motherhood practices would translate into safer pregnancy outcomes and would subsequently lead to lower maternal mortality. Knowledge sharing is critical in improving maternal health in a developing country like South Africa, where maternal deaths during pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium remain a significant public health issue. Goal 3 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) developed in 2015 seeks to promote good health and well-being and to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) to fewer than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. Knowledge sharing is crucial in reducing the MMR. Originality/value: Studies conducted on knowledge sharing in the health sector have focused mainly on health professionals and the use of technology for mobile health. This paper adds to the body of knowledge-on-knowledge management and healthcare services, with specific focus on knowledge sharing and maternal care. Knowledge sharing for maternal health will reduce pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood-related health risks.
THE VALUE OF EXPERIENCE-BASED SIMULATION IN GARNERING SUPPORT FOR RADICALLY NEW CONCEPTS
Authors: BAUER JULIAN , SCHWEITZER FIONA , HEIDENREICH SVEN , ROETH TOBIAS
Published: November 2021

Radically new concepts (RNCs) are often killed off early in the new product development (NPD) process because they do not get the required support, such as financial resources from senior managers or input from technical experts. One reason is that the potential value of fledgling RNCs is often difficult for internal audiences to imagine when evaluating them. Our experimental study with 125 RNC evaluators investigates how experience-based simulation may increase their imaginative capability and support for an RNC. It increases imaginative capability in evaluators with positive preconceptions of RNCs (i.e., low cognitive resistance), thus strengthening their support. However, those with negative preconceptions (high cognitive resistance) become less supportive of RNCs in an experience-based simulation than in other settings. We draw from information-processing and construal level theory to explain the positive and negative effects of experience-based simulation. We also provide suggestions for NPD practitioners seeking internal support to progress their RNCs.
Existence, uniqueness, variation-of-constant formula and controllability for linear dynamic equations with Perron Δ-integrals
Authors: Andrade da Silva F. , Federson M. , Toon E.
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we investigate the existence and uniqueness of a solution for a linear Volterra-Stieltjes integral equation of the second kind, as well as for a homogeneous and a nonhomogeneous linear dynamic equations on time scales, whose integral forms contain Perron [Formula: see text]-integrals defined in Banach spaces. We also provide a variation-of-constant formula for a nonhomogeneous linear dynamic equations on time scales and we establish results on controllability for linear dynamic equations. Since we work in the framework of Perron [Formula: see text]-integrals, we can handle functions not only having many discontinuities, but also being highly oscillating. Our results require weaker conditions than those in the literature. We include some examples to illustrate our main results.
Estimates of late Albian atmospheric CO
2
based on stomata of
Pseudofrenelopsis
from Jilin Province, NE China
Authors: Li Ting , Yang Xiao-Ju , Zhu Yan-Bin
Published: November 2021

Stomata characteristics of two extinct conifer Cheirolepidiaceae species,
Pseudofrenelopsis gansuensis
and
Pseudofrenelopsis dalatzensis
, were used to reconstruct the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration levels during the late Albian of the Cretaceous. A sequence of fossil samples was collected from five beds in the Dalazi Formation in the Zhixin and Luozigou basins of Jilin Province, northeastern China. The stomatal index was used to estimate the palaeo-
p
CO
2.
The average stomatal index value of the two species was 4.1 and the atmospheric CO
2
content was
c.
1200 ppmv by the average of Recent standardization and Carboniferous standardization. During the short interval from 104.8 ± 0.5 Ma to 104.0 ± 0.4 Ma in the late Albian, the atmospheric CO
2
content presents a decreasing tendency, with the highest value being
c.
1300 ppmv in the Luozigou Basin. In addition, the higher atmospheric CO
2
values of the late Albian are likely linked to a ‘greenhouse climate’ during the time of Oceanic Anoxic Event 1c (OAE1c).
A Blind Watermarking Model of the 3D Object and the Polygonal Mesh Objects for Securing Copyright
Authors: Al-Saadi Hanan S. , Ghareeb A. , Elhadad Ahmed
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we propose a novel model for 3D object watermarking. The proposed method is based on the properties of the discrete cosine transform (DCT) of the 3D object vertices to embed a secret grayscale image three times. The watermarking process takes place by using the vertices coefficients and the encrypted image pixels. Moreover, the extraction process is totally blind based on the reverse steps of the embedding process to recover the secret grayscale image. Various performance aspects of the method are measured and compared between the original 3D object and the watermarked one using Euclidean distance, Manhattan distance, cosine distance, and correlation distance. The obtained results show that the proposed model provides better performances in terms of execution time and invisibility.
Research on Lightweight Infrared Pedestrian Detection Model Algorithm for Embedded Platform
Authors: Wu Zhaoli , Wang Xin , Chen Chao
Published: November 2021

Due to the limitation of energy consumption and power consumption, the embedded platform cannot meet the real-time requirements of the far-infrared image pedestrian detection algorithm. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a new real-time infrared pedestrian detection algorithm (RepVGG-YOLOv4, Rep-YOLO), which uses RepVGG to reconstruct the YOLOv4 backbone network, reduces the amount of model parameters and calculations, and improves the speed of target detection; using space spatial pyramid pooling (SPP) obtains different receptive field information to improve the accuracy of model detection; using the channel pruning compression method reduces redundant parameters, model size, and computational complexity. The experimental results show that compared with the YOLOv4 target detection algorithm, the Rep-YOLO algorithm reduces the model volume by 90%, the floating-point calculation is reduced by 93.4%, the reasoning speed is increased by 4 times, and the model detection accuracy after compression reaches 93.25%.
A Novel Game-Based Intelligent Test for Detecting Elderly Cognitive Function Impairment
Authors: Lin Chih-Wei , Mao Tso-Yen , Huang Chun-Feng
Published: November 2021

Purposes. This research explores the game-based intelligent test (GBIT), predicts the possibilities of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores and the risk of cognitive impairment, and then verifies GBIT as one of the reliable and valid cognitive assessment tools. Methods. This study recruited 117 elderly subjects in Taiwan (average age is79.92±8.68, average height is156.91±8.01, average weight is59.14±9.67, and average MMSE score is23.33±6.16). A multiple regression model was used to analyze the GBIT parameters of the elderly’s reaction, attention, coordination, and memory to predict their MMSE performance. The binary logistic regression was then utilized to predict their risk of cognitive impairment. The statistical significance level was set asα=0.05. Results. Multiple regression analysis showed that gender, the correct number of reactions, and the correct number of memory have a significantly positive predictive power on MMSE of the elderly (F=37.60,R2=0.69, andp<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis noted that the correct average number of reactions falls by one question, and the ratio of cognitive dysfunction risk increases 1.09 times (p<0.05); the correct average number of memory drops by one question, the ratio of cognitive dysfunction risk increases 3.76 times (p<0.05), and the overall model predictive power is 88.20% (sensitivity: 84.00%; specificity: 92.30%). Conclusions. This study verifies that GBIT is reliable and can effectively predict the cognitive function and risk of cognitive impairment in the elderly. Therefore, GBIT can be used as one of the feasible tools for evaluating older people’s cognitive function.
Research and Development of an IoT-Based Remote Asthma Patient Monitoring System
Authors: Anan Safayat Reza , Hossain Md. Azizul , Milky Md. Zubayer , Khan Mohammad Monirujjaman , Masud Mehedi , Aljahdali Sultan
Published: November 2021

This paper presents the research and development of an Internet of Things- (IoT-) based remote health monitoring system for asthmatic patients. Asthma is an inflammatory disease. Asthma causes the lungs to swell and get narrower, making it difficult to carry air in and out of the lungs. This situation makes breathing very difficult. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is a method of collecting health-related data from patients who are in a remote location and electronically transmitting it to healthcare providers for evaluation and consultation. The aim of this study is to design a monitoring system that allows doctors to monitor asthmatic patients from a remote area. The proposed system will allow patients to measure oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate, body temperature, humidity, volatile gases, room temperature, and electrocardiogram (ECG) using various sensors, which will be displayed in an application. This data is then sent to the doctor to monitor the patient’s condition and suggest appropriate actions. Overall, the system consists of an Android application, a website, and various sensors. The Android studio and Java programming language were used to develop the application. For the frontend, the website was built using Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), JavaScript, and jQuery. The system also uses Django, a Python-based open-source web framework, for the backend. The system developed the various sensors using an ESP8266 microcontroller compatible with the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The system uses a MAX30100 pulse oximeter and heart rate sensor, a GY-906 MLX90614 noncontact precision thermometer, a DHT11 humidity and temperature sensor, a MQ-135 gas and air quality sensor, and an AD8232 ECG sensor for collecting various parameters that may trigger asthma attacks. Finally, the system developed the Asthma Tracker app and the Asthma Tracker website for remote health monitoring. The system was initially tested on demo patients and later deployed and tested on seven real human test subjects. Overall, the monitoring system produced satisfactory results. The data acquired by the sensors has a high level of accuracy. The system also maintained user-friendliness and low cost.
Detection of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Influence on Perinatal Outcomes from B-Mode Ultrasound Images Using Deep Neural Network
Authors: Liu Yuhui , Wang Yu , Zhang Yang , Cheng Rulei
Published: November 2021

The study was intended to explore the risk factors of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their influence on perinatal outcomes through deep neural network (DNN)-based Doppler color ultrasound (B-mode ultrasound) images. Specifically, 75 women with GDM were selected as the experimental group, and 75 healthy pregnant women were selected as the control (Ctrl) group. DNN uses the unsupervised method to pretrain layer by layer and then uses the supervised method to accumulate parameters of each layer, which can obtain good performance. In this study, the risk factors of GDM and their influence on the perinatal outcomes were analyzed by DNN-based B-mode ultrasound images. It was found that pregnancy age was a risk factor for GDM (OR = 2.566), preference for sweets was a risk factor for GDM (OR = 1.678,

P
<
0.001

), and family history of DM was also a risk factor for GDM (OR = 12.789,

P
<
0.001

). The incidence of complications in the experimental group was higher than that in the Ctrl group (

P
<
0.05

). Therefore, the true positive recognition (TPR) rate of DNN was significantly higher than that of the traditional method, and the pregnancy age, the preference for sweets before pregnancy, and the family history of DM may be risk factors for GDM; also, GDM was an influencing factor for pregnancy outcome, neonatal outcome, and complications.
A TOPSIS-Based Model for Evaluating the Performance of the Intellectual Property Value Strategies of Science and Technology Enterprises
Authors: Lei Qiuyuan , Liu Cheng , Xie Wenjing , Bao Xinzhong
Published: November 2021

Intellectual property comes with risks such as value evaluation and externalities. It is an intangible asset involving a large investment and a long return period; however, it plays an important role in enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises. Some companies see intellectual property as being a long-term development strategy, which makes evaluating the performance of corporate intellectual property particularly important. The TOPSIS method is widely used to evaluate the pros and cons, as well as the performance of various programs. It can make full use of the data to accurately reflect the gaps in various programs. This paper uses the TOPSIS method to evaluate the performance of the intellectual property value strategy of six typical technology companies based on three dimensions: financial performance, external performance, and value chain performance. The study found that the value chain performance was the most important in the performance evaluation of the intellectual property value strategy, followed by the external performance, and then by the financial performance. There were also significant differences in the intellectual property value strategy of the six technology companies.
Impact of the Reduction of VAT Rate on Southeast Coastal Real Estate Enterprises
Authors: Liu Yu , Kong Linghui , Zhang Yanhua
Published: November 2021

This paper takes the southeast coastal real estate listed enterprises that have been at the forefront of China’s reform for many years as the research object. Through theoretical analysis and descriptive statistical analysis, it studies the impact of the reduction of VAT (value-added tax) rate in 2019 on the southeast coastal listed real estate enterprises from the perspectives of sales revenue, costs, tax burden, profit, and cash flow. The overall operating tax rate has shown a volatile downward trend; the average operating income level has shown a volatile upward trend; the purchase cost has decreased slightly and the change was not significant; the total profits of enterprises have shown a cyclical upward trend. Due to the impact of the real estate purchase restriction policy and financing environment in recent years, the reduction of tax rate has an effective but not significant impact on the enterprise cash flow. Overall, the tax rate reduction still has a positive impact on enterprises. Combined with the problems in the process of policy implementation, this paper puts forward that those enterprises should make scientific and reasonable tax planning, pay attention to the management of purchase and sales contracts and the mode of cooperation with upstream enterprises, regulate taxation to reduce tax-related risks, improve the management level of enterprises, and establish an industry finance integration system. At the national policy level, there is limited room and effect for the reduction of the VAT rate, and more preferential tax relief policies should be given directly, not limited to VAT, but can be extended to corporate income tax. In this way, that could improve the effectiveness of the tax reduction policy in the southeast coastal real estate industry and provide a reference for relevant industries in other regions to solve similar problems.
Ubiquitous e‐Teaching and e‐Learning: China’s Massive Adoption of Online Education and Launching MOOCs Internationally during the COVID‐19 Outbreak
Authors: Xiong Yong , Ling Que , Li Xiaoli
Published: November 2021

China had made a remarkable headway in online education provision during the first quarter of 2020 due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) outbreak, a global public health crisis that acted as a catalyst for the uptake in online education as a method for students’ e‐learning and teachers’ e‐teaching at a vast number of institutions worldwide. China’s launching of XuetangX Global and iCourse International, two massive online open course (MOOC) platforms in April 2020 to provide distant e‐learning solutions to global learners at a time they were most needed, proves to be a timely move as the global challenge caused by this pandemic turned out to be an opportunity in disguise for online education internationally. This article centers around China’s opportune development in online education and launching university MOOCs internationally in the height of the worsening COVID‐19 pandemic in early 2020 and examines its preparedness, implementation, and impact.
Simultaneous Coexistence of Thyrotropin-Prolactin-Secreting Adenoma and Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Safi Somaya , Benabdelfedil Yousra , Derrou Sara , El Guendouz Faycal
Published: November 2021

Background. The thyrotropin-secreting adenomas are very rare and even more rare when they simultaneously coexist with thyroid carcinoma. So far, only sixteen cases have been reported in the literature. Here, we present a unique case of successful management of a concurrent case of thyrotropin-prolactinoma with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Case Presentation. A 50-year-old Moroccan woman underwent a total thyroidectomy and complementary totalization by iratherapy for papillary thyroid carcinoma, who presented persistence of an inappropriate secretion of the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH > 4 mUI/L) despite of levothyroxine suppressive therapy (300 μg/d). After eliminating noncompliance, interfering medicines, and thyroid malabsorption, a pituitary adenoma (12 mm) was documented at magnetic resonance imaging. The patient has had transsphenoidal pituitary adenomectomy with histology confirming a thyrotropin-prolactin-secreting adenoma. After surgery and lanreotide treatment failures, we noted a complete response (TSH < 0.5) with cabergoline treatment (3 mg/week). Conclusion. The unusual association of thyroid adenocarcinoma and TSHoma enriches the hypothesis of a potential link between thyrotropic hypersecretion and thyroid carcinogenesis. Our case also illustrates the difficulty of monitoring thyroid carcinoma in nonremission of a TSHoma.
Innovative Research on the Development of Online Education Mode of Internet Thinking Based on the Discrimination of Learning Attention under the Analysis of Head Posture
Authors: Song Su , Wang Fangzheng
Published: November 2021

With the rapid development of Internet technology and the popularity of 5G and broadband, online education in China, especially mobile online education, is in full swing. Based on the development status of online education in China, this paper analyzes the innovative application of learning attention discrimination based on head posture analysis in the development of online education mode of Internet thinking. Learning attention is an important factor of students’ learning efficiency, which directly affects students’ learning effect. In order to effectively monitor students’ learning attention in online teaching, a method of distinguishing students’ learning attention based on head posture recognition is proposed. In the tracking process, as long as the head angle of the current frame is close to the head angle of the key frame in a certain scale model, the visual angle apparent model can reduce the error accumulation in large-scale tracking. A Dynamic Bayesian Network (DBN) model is used to reason students’ Learning Attention Goal (LAG), which combines the relationships among multiple LAGs, multiple students’ positions, multicamera face images, and so on. We measure the head posture through the similarity vector between the face image and multiple face categories without explicitly calculating the specific head posture value. The test results show that the proposed model can effectively detect students’ learning attention and has a good application prospect.
Modelling and Simulation on Acoustic Channel of Underwater Sensor Networks
Authors: Li Li , Jin Xiaoke , Lu Chenhe , Wei Zongbo , Li Jin
Published: November 2021

The reliability of the modelling system mainly depends on the simulation of underwater acoustic channel characteristics. The reliability of simulator is improved because of the use of Bellhop in NS‐Miracle. World Ocean Simulation System (WOSS) can retrieve the data of marine environment by accessing the database of seabed depth, sound speed profile and seabed sediment, and transmit them to Bellhop simulator automatically, so that the model is closer to the actual underwater acoustic transmission channel than not using WOSS. In order to verify the reliability of NS2/NS‐Miracle simulation system with WOSS, a centralized underwater sensor network with five nodes is simulated on the integrated simulation system. The characteristic empirical model, Bellhop Ray‐Tracing model, and WOSS combined with Bellhop model are, respectively, adopted to simulate underwater acoustic channel. The results of three types of simulation, such as average throughput, average delay, and packet error rate, and simulation time are very close under the same condition. It proves that the accuracy of integrated simulation system is as excellent as that of NS‐Miracle. However, WOSS can automatically acquire the actual sea environment parameters and provide them to the simulator, which can improve the authenticity of the simulation system. Furthermore, three MAC protocols, Aloha‐CS, CSMA/CA, and DACAP, are simulated on the integrated simulation system under the same condition including ocean environment, network topology, and parameters. The results show that the performance of CSMA/CA is greater than the other protocols in such networks. It also proves that the integrated simulation system can accurately simulate the relevant characteristics of the MAC protocol.
Short‐Term IoT Data Forecast of Urban Public Bicycle Based on the DBSCAN‐TCN Model for Social Governance
Authors: Li Dazhou , Lin Chuan , Gao Wei , Yu Guangbao , Gao Jian , Xia Wenbo
Published: November 2021

Internet of Things will play a vital role in the public transport systems to achieve the concepts of smart cities, urban brains, etc., by mining continuously generated data from sensors deployed in public transportation. In this sense, smart cities applied artificial intelligence techniques to offload data for social governance. Bicycle sharing is the last mile of urban transport. The number of the bike in the sharing stations, to be rented in future periods, is predicted to get the vehicles ready for deployment. It is an important tool for the implementation of smart cities using artificial intelligence technologies. We propose a DBSCAN‐TCN model for predicting the number of rentals at shared bicycle stations. The proposed model first clusters all shared bicycle stations using the DBSCAN clustering algorithm. Based on the results of the clustering, the data on the number of shared bicycle rentals are fed into a TCN neural network. The TCN neural network structure is optimized. The effects of convolution kernel size and Dropout rate on the model performance are discussed. Finally, the proposed DBSCAN‐TCN model is compared with the LSTM model, Kalman filtering model, and autoregressive moving average model. Through experimental validation, the proposed DBSCAN‐TCN model outperforms the traditional three models in terms of two metrics, root mean squared logarithmic error, and error rate, in terms of prediction performance.