bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recurrent uterine tumors resembling ovarian sex-cord tumors with the growth regulation by estrogen in breast cancer 1-nuclear receptor coactivator 2 fusion gene: a case report and literature review
Authors: Chang Bin , Bai Qianming , Liang Lin , Ge Huijuan , Yao Qianlan
Published: September 2020

Background

Uterine tumors resembling ovarian sex-cord tumors (UTROSCTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms predominantly arising in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. UTROSCTs with growth regulation by estrogen in breast cancer 1 (GREB1)-rearrangement or GREB1-rearranged uterine tumors are exceptionally rare, with only 12 previously reported cases. Here, we report a case of UTROSCT with the GREB1-nuclear receptor coactivator 2 (NCOA2) fusion gene.

Case presentation

A 57-year-old woman presented with a 10.0 cm uterine mass. The tumor was composed of short spindle or epithelioid cells, arranged in diffused sheets, nested, and trabecular/cordlike. The tumor harbored the GREB1-NCOA2 fusion gene, as confirmed by RNA sequencing. The tumor recurred in the pelvis at 30 months after the initial diagnosis. We also compared the clinical and pathologic features of this case with those of the 12 previously published uterine GREB1-rearranged tumors. Of the combined 13 cases (present case and 12 previous cases), the mean age of patients was 64.8 years (range, 51–74 years). Of the nine reported cases of GREB1-rearranged tumor with follow up, four cases recurred or metastasized (44.4%). Microscopically, most tumors (10/12, 83.3%) showed infiltrative growth, and two were well demarcated. Mitotic figures ranged from 0 to 14 per 10 high-power fields (2 mm2; mean: 3.6). Lymphovascular invasion and necrosis were each present in two cases (2/12, 16.7% and 2/7, 28.6%, respectively).

Conclusions

This case provided further evidence that UTROSCTs with GREB1-rearrangement may have a high risk of recurrence/metastasis. Further studies are necessary to clarify the clinical features of this type of tumor, particularly the prognosis, potential treatment, and range of possible molecular events.
Behavioral and neural network abnormalities in human APP transgenic mice resemble those of App knock-in mice and are modulated by familial Alzheimer’s disease mutations but not by inhibition of BACE1
Authors: Johnson Erik C. B. , Ho Kaitlyn , Yu Gui-Qiu , Das Melanie , Sanchez Pascal E. , Djukic Biljana , Lopez Isabel , Yu Xinxing , Gill Michael , Zhang Weiping , Paz Jeanne T. , Palop Jorge J. , Mucke Lennart
Published: September 2020

Background

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most frequent and costly neurodegenerative disorder. Although diverse lines of evidence suggest that the amyloid precursor protein (APP) is involved in its causation, the precise mechanisms remain unknown and no treatments are available to prevent or halt the disease. A favorite hypothesis has been that APP contributes to AD pathogenesis through the cerebral accumulation of the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), which is derived from APP through sequential proteolytic cleavage by BACE1 and γ-secretase. However, inhibitors of these enzymes have failed in clinical trials despite clear evidence for target engagement.

Methods

To further elucidate the roles of APP and its metabolites in AD pathogenesis, we analyzed transgenic mice overexpressing wildtype human APP (hAPP) or hAPP carrying mutations that cause autosomal dominant familial AD (FAD), as well as App knock-in mice that do not overexpress hAPP but have two mouse App alleles with FAD mutations and a humanized Aβ sequence.

Results

Although these lines of mice had marked differences in cortical and hippocampal levels of APP, APP C-terminal fragments, soluble Aβ, Aβ oligomers and age-dependent amyloid deposition, they all developed cognitive deficits as well as non-convulsive epileptiform activity, a type of network dysfunction that also occurs in a substantive proportion of humans with AD. Pharmacological inhibition of BACE1 effectively reduced levels of amyloidogenic APP C-terminal fragments (C99), soluble Aβ, Aβ oligomers, and amyloid deposits in transgenic mice expressing FAD-mutant hAPP, but did not improve their network dysfunction and behavioral abnormalities, even when initiated at early stages before amyloid deposits were detectable.

Conclusions

hAPP transgenic and App knock-in mice develop similar pathophysiological alterations. APP and its metabolites contribute to AD-related functional alterations through complex combinatorial mechanisms that may be difficult to block with BACE inhibitors and, possibly, also with other anti-Aβ treatments.
Efficacy and safety of electro-acupuncture (EA) on insomnia in patients with lung cancer: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yue Hongyu , Zhou Shuang , Wu Huangan , Yin Xuan , Li Shanshan , Liang Tingting , Li Yan , Fang Zhihong , Zhang Xufeng , Wang Linglin , Han Min , Chen Xiaolei , Zhang Ming , Zhang Wei , Zhang Zhangjin , Xu Shifen
Published: September 2020

Background

Cancer-related insomnia (CRI) is one of the most prevalent complaints among cancer survivors and severely impairs patients’ quality of life. As a popular non-pharmacological alternative treatment, acupuncture provides a good clinical curative effect on insomnia. The aim of this trial is to evaluate efficacy and safety of electro-acupuncture on insomnia in patients with lung cancer.

Method

This is a protocol for a multicenter randomized single-blinded sham-controlled trial. We will randomly assign 252 eligible patients with lung cancer-related insomnia into two groups at a ratio of 1:1, the treatment group (EA) and the control group (sham EA). All treatment will be given 3 times per week for 8 weeks, and a 12-week follow-up will be conducted. The primary outcome will be measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The secondary outcomes will include sleep parameters recorded from the actigraphy, scores from Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (QLQ-C30), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). All adverse effects during the trial will be assessed by the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS). All analyses will be based on ITT principle and performed with the statistical software SPSS (version 24.0) byttest, rank-sum test, chi-square, and so on. A two-sided significance level will be set at 5%.

Discussion

This large-sample trial protocol will evaluate the efficacy of electro-acupuncture on insomnia in patients with lung cancer. This protocol, if proven to be effective, will contribute to filling the gap in treatment options in the CRI field and provide a promising intervention for insomnia in lung cancer survivors.

Trial registration

ChiCTR ChiCTR1900026395. Registered on 8 October 2019,http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=44068
Meaningful Activities and Recovery (MA&R): the effect of a novel rehabilitation intervention among persons with psychiatric disabilities on activity engagement—study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bjørkedal Siv Therese Bogevik , Bejerholm Ulrika , Eplov Lene Falgaard , Møller Tom
Published: September 2020

Background

Engagement in activities meaningful to the individual may support the process of recovery in those with mental illness. Persons with psychiatric disabilities may reduce their engagement in meaningful activities to various degrees with possible fluctuations over time. We hypothesized that activity engagement can be altered when opportunities and support are offered at an individual and a group peer-based level. Evidence is lacking regarding mental health interventions that enable engagement in meaningful activities, and powered effect studies are warranted.

Methods

We propose an 8-month combined individual and group peer-based intervention, Meaningful Activities and Recovery (MA&R), and a study protocol for a multicentre two-armed parallel randomized controlled trial (RCT). The trial investigates the effects of MA&R in community mental health centres in Copenhagen and municipality services in Denmark. The trial will comprise 128 participants with psychiatric disabilities who will be randomized to one of two groups: (1) MA&R in addition to standard mental healthcare or (2) standard mental healthcare alone. The primary outcome is self-reported activity engagement, measured by Profiles of Engagement in People with Severe Mental Illness. Secondary outcomes are recovery, functioning and quality of life. Data will be collected at baseline and at follow-up at the end of the intervention.

Discussion

This study adds new knowledge to a field with limited evidence, i.e. the clinical effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions among people with psychiatric disabilities, directly targeting activity engagement. The pragmatic design, regarding in- and exclusion criteria and settings, may allow assessment of the intervention’s effect under real-life conditions. The randomization, adequate power and fidelity monitoring allow testing of the intervention’s efficacy. The multicentre study design increases the potential for implementation in various mental health settings if the findings are positive. As the nature of the intervention does not permit blinding of the participants or staff, it may increase the risk of expectancy and performance bias. This must be considered when interpreting the findings.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03963245. Registered on 29 May 2019
Acne keloidalis nuchae and hypertension in black subjects: a case–control study
Authors: Saka Bayaki , Teclessou Julienne Noude , Akakpo Sefako Abla , Pessinaba Soulemane , Gnossike Piham , Mahamadou Garba , Kassang Panawé , Mouhari-Toure Abas , Kombate Koussake , Pitché Palokinam
Published: September 2020

Objective

The aim of this case–control study was to look for an association between hypertension and acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN) in black subjects.

Results

We recruited 303 consenting subjects comprising 101 patients with AKN and 202 controls, case-matched by age (± 5 years). The mean patients age was 34.9 ± 10.7 years versus 35.6 ± 11.2 years for controls. The average duration of AKN progression in cases prior to consultation was 1831 days (5 years). The most frequently observed AKN lesions were papules (73/101; 72.3%), fibrous scars (42/101; 41.6%) and folliculitis/pustules (41/101; 40.6%). In terms of quality of life, the mean score of dermatology life quality index was 8.3 ± 5.2 (extremes: 0 to 22). In multivariate analysis, having a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or more (OR = 4.91; p < 0.001) and having systolic hypertension (OR = 1.22; p = 0.010) were associated with AKN.
Therapeutic application of adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction in diabetic foot
Authors: Zhao Xiansheng , Guo Jiamin , Zhang Fangfang , Zhang Jue , Liu Delin , Hu Wenjun , Yin Han , Jin Liang
Published: September 2020

Diabetic foot is one of the severest complications of diabetes. In severe cases, this disease may be lead to amputation or even death due to secondary infection and ischemic necrosis. Since the ineffectiveness of traditional therapy, autologous stem cell transplantation has been used to treat diabetic foot. This simple, safe, and effective therapy is expected to be applied and promoted in the future.

In this review, we described the detailed pathogenesis of diabetic foot and the common clinical treatments currently used. We also revealed vascular remodeling as the potential mechanism of therapeutic functions of adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in treating diabetic foot.
Immune responses upon experimental Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae infection of naïve and vaccinated chickens
Authors: Wattrang Eva , Eriksson Helena , Jinnerot Tomas , Persson Maria , Bagge Elisabeth , Söderlund Robert , Naghizadeh Mohammad , Dalgaard Tina Sørensen
Published: September 2020

Erysipelas, a disease caused byErysipelothrix rhusiopathiae(ER), is an increasing problem in laying hens housed in cage-free systems. This study aimed to monitor immune responses during ER infection of naïve chickens and chickens vaccinated intra muscularly with a commercial inactivated ER vaccine. Chickens were infected intra muscularly with ER at 30 days of age and blood leukocyte counts, serum levels of mannose binding lectin (MBL) and ER-specific IgY were monitored until the experiment was terminated at day 15 after infection. ER was detected in blood from more chickens and at higher bacterial counts in the naïve group (day 1: 1 of 7 chickens; day 3: 6 of 6 chickens) than in the vaccinated group (day 1: 0 of 7 chickens; day 3: 1 of 6 chickens). During the acute phase of infection transient increases in circulating heterophil numbers and serum MBL levels were detected in all ER infected chickens but these responses were prolonged in chickens from the naïve group compared to vaccinated chickens. Before infection IgY titers to ER in vaccinated chickens did not differ significantly from those of naïve chickens but vaccinated chickens showed significantly increased IgY titers to ER earlier after infection compared to chickens in the naïve group. In conclusion, the ER infection elicited prompt acute innate responses in all chickens. Vaccinated chickens did not have high IgY titers to ER prior to infection but did however show lower levels of bacteraemia and their acute immune responses were of shorter duration.
Correction to: Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy of the Lower–Middle Pleistocene boundary of the GSSP, Chiba composite section in the Kokumoto Formation, Kazusa Group, central Japan, and implications for sea-surface environmental changes
Authors: Kameo Koji , Kubota Yoshimi , Haneda Yuki , Suganuma Yusuke , Okada Makoto
Published: September 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Uncertainty promotes information-seeking actions, but what information?
Authors: Keller Ashlynn M. , Taylor Holly A. , Brunyé Tad T.
Published: September 2020

Navigating an unfamiliar city almost certainly brings out uncertainty about getting from place to place. This uncertainty, in turn, triggers information gathering. While navigational uncertainty is common, little is known about what type of information people seek when they are uncertain. The primary choices for information types with environments include landmarks (distal or local), landmark configurations (relation between two or more landmarks), and a distinct geometry, at least for some environments. Uncertainty could lead individuals to more likely seek one of these information types. Extant research informs both predictions about and empirical work exploring this question. This review covers relevant cognitive literature and then suggests empirical approaches to better understand information-seeking actions triggered by uncertainty. Notably, we propose that examining continuous navigation data can provide important insights into information seeking. Benefits of continuous data will be elaborated through one paradigm, spatial reorientation, which intentionally induces uncertainty through disorientation and cue conflict. While this and other methods have been used previously, data have primarily reflected only the final choice. Continuous behavior during a task can better reveal the cognition-action loop contributing to spatial learning and decision making.
Otolith microchemistry reveals the migration patterns of the flathead grey mullet Mugil cephalus (Pisces: Mugilidae) in Korean waters
Authors: Bae Seung Eun , Kim Jin-Koo
Published: September 2020

Background

The flathead grey mullet Mugil cephalus has the widest distribution among mugilid species. Recent studies based on mitochondrial DNA sequences showed that the species comprises at least 14 different groups, three of which occur in the northwest Pacific. We analyzed the otolith microchemistry of M. cephalus at several locations in Korea to improve understanding of migration pattern and population origin.

Results

We collected 123 sagittal otoliths from seven locations and determined their concentrations of eight elements (7Li, 24Mg, 55Mn, 57Fe, 60Ni, 63Cu, 88Sr, and 138Ba) using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Mean otolith elemental ratios differed significantly among the locations. The Sr:Ca, Fe:Ca, and Ba:Ca ratios were significantly higher than others, and useful chemical signatures for investigating the habitat use of M. cephalus populations. We identified five diverse and complicated migration patterns using the otolith data that we collected: estuarine resident (type I), freshwater migrant (type II), estuarine migrant (type III), seawater resident (type IV), and seawater migrant (type V). A canonical discriminant analysis plot revealed separation of two groups (type II in the Yellow Sea vs. other types in remaining locations). Two locations on Jeju Island, despite their close proximity, had fish with quite different migration patterns, corroborating previous molecular studies that distinguished two groups of fishes.

Conclusion

We successfully showed that the migration patterns of the Korean mullet varied by location. Only fish from the western sector of Jeju had a unique migration pattern, which is likely confined population in this area. Among the eight otolith elements measured, the Sr:Ca ratio was found to be the best indicator of migration pattern and population origin.
Hepatotoxicity and biochemical evaluation of a novel breakfast food produced from the blend of fonio (Digitaria iburua Stapf) and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh) in albino rats
Authors: Babarinde Grace O. , Ebun Akos A. , Adegbola Peter I.
Published: September 2020

Background

The production of novel foods from underutilized nutritious tropical crops is increasing; however, the toxicological studies are sparse. In this study, the safety of the breakfast food produced from the blend of fonio and pigeon pea was examined by evaluating the biochemical and toxicological parameters of the breakfast food using Wistar albino rats. Twenty male Wistar albino rats subdivided into 4 groups of 5 were separately fed with four food samples (100% fonio, 80:20 fonio:pigeon pea, standard rat feed (control) and a commercial brand of corn flake) for 28 days after which the animals were sacrificed and blood samples collected for analyses. Body weight, blood glucose, biochemical, and hematological parameters were examined during the experimental period.

Results

The feeding of rats with the four diets did not cause mortality and adverse toxicity during the experimental period. Steady body weight gain was observed in fonio-pigeon pea fed rats, and slight changes were obtained in percentage blood glucose. There was no significant difference in the levels of white blood cells, lymphocytes, mean corpuscular volume, platelet, high-density lipoprotein, catalase, SOD, and malondialdehyde of the group fed with fonio-pigeon pea diet as compared with the control group. Furthermore, significant (p < 0.05) lower levels of density lipoprotein, triacylglyceride, and cholesterol were observed in the fonio-pigeon pea-fed rats than the control group. The liver function marker of fonio-pigeon pea-fed-rat and the control showed no significant difference.

Conclusion

The study showed no severe toxicity in the test animals, although a mild loss of liver parenchyma and variation in size and shape of nuclei were observed in the group fed with the fonio-pigeon pea diet.
Revascularization of a single-kidney occluded stent for renal salvage complicated by guide wire distal artery perforation and reperfusion injury
Authors: Pastroma Angeliki , Spiliopoulos Stavros , Palialexis Konstantinos , Reppas Lazaros , Brountzos Elias
Published: September 2020

Background

The complexity of the case, including the rarefied simultaneous occurrence of complications—iatrogenic, as well as reperfusion injury, invite reporting and publication.

Case presentation

A 39-year-old woman with a single-functioning left kidney, previous left renal artery stenting (RAS), and known hypercoagulopathy was hospitalized for flash pulmonary edema, elevated serum creatinine (9.7 mg/dl), and refractory hypertension. She was subsequently referred to our center [2] for endovascular treatment of acute renal ischemia (AKI) due to RAS occlusion.

Periprocedural complications of guide-wire arterial perforation and reperfusion injury resulted in life-threatening hemorrhage.

Conclusions

Following more than 48 h of hypoperfusion of the left kidney, revascularization of the thrombosed RAS was successfully attempted with selective, trans-catheter thrombolysis, and balloon angioplasty. Ultra-selective, nephron-sparing coil embolization was successfully performed. The patient’s creatinine level decreased to 2.8 mg/dl at 12 days and to 1.5 mg/dl at 3 months. After 1 year of follow-up, the stent remains patent, and the patient is asymptomatic with stable renal function.
Hip Structural Analysis Reveals Impaired Hip Geometry in Girls With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Joseph Taïsha V , Caksa Signe , Misra Madhusmita , Mitchell Deborah M
Published: September 2020

Context

Among patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), the risk of hip fracture is up to 6-fold greater than that of the general population. However, the cause of this skeletal fragility remains poorly understood.

Objective

To assess differences in hip geometry and imaging-based estimates of bone strength between youth with and without T1D using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-based hip structural analysis.

Design

Cross-sectional comparison.

Participants

Girls ages 10 to 16 years, including n = 62 with T1D and n = 61 controls.

Results

The groups had similar age, bone age, pubertal stage, height, lean mass, and physical activity. Bone mineral density at the femoral neck and total hip did not differ in univariate comparisons but was lower at the femoral neck in T1D after adjusting for bone age, height, and lean mass. Subjects with T1D had significantly lower cross-sectional area, cross-sectional moment of inertia, section modulus, and cortical thickness at the narrow neck, with deficits of 5.7% to 10.3%. Cross-sectional area was also lower at the intertrochanteric region in girls with T1D. Among those T1D subjects with HbA1c greater than the cohort median of 8.5%, deficits in hip geometry and strength estimates were more pronounced.

Conclusions

DXA-based hip structural analysis revealed that girls with T1D have unfavorable geometry and lower estimates of bone strength at the hip, which may contribute to skeletal fragility and excess hip fracture risk in adulthood. Higher average glycemia may exacerbate effects of T1D on hip geometry.
The membrane protein Raw regulates dendrite pruning via the secretory pathway
Authors: Rui Menglong , Bu Shufeng , Chew Liang Yuh , Wang Qiwei , Yu Fengwei
Published: September 2020

Neuronal pruning is essential for proper wiring of the nervous systems in invertebrates and vertebrates. Drosophila ddaC sensory neurons selectively prune their larval dendrites to sculpt the nervous system during early metamorphosis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying ddaC dendrite pruning remain elusive. Here, we identify an important and cell-autonomous role of the membrane protein Raw in dendrite pruning of ddaC neurons. Raw appears to regulate dendrite pruning via a novel mechanism, which is independent of JNK signaling. Importantly, we show that Raw promotes endocytosis and downregulation of the conserved L1-type cell-adhesion molecule Neuroglian (Nrg) prior to dendrite pruning. Moreover, Raw is required to modulate the secretory pathway by regulating the integrity of secretory organelles and efficient protein secretion. Mechanistically, Raw facilitates Nrg downregulation and dendrite pruning in part through regulation of the secretory pathway. Thus, this study reveals a JNK-independent role of Raw in regulating the secretory pathway and thereby promoting dendrite pruning.
A Model of Multipass Search: Price Search Across Stores and Time
Authors: Mojir Navid , Sudhir K.
Published: September 2020

In retail settings with price promotions, consumers often search across stores and time. However, the search literature typically only models one pass search across stores, ignoring revisits to stores; the choice literature using scanner data has modeled search across time, but not search across stores in the same model. We develop a multipass search model that jointly endogenizes search in both dimensions; our model nests a finite horizon model of search across stores within an infinite horizon model of intertemporal search. We apply our model to milk purchases at grocery stores; hence, the model also accounts for repeat purchases across time, inventory holding by households, and grocery basket effects. We note that the special case without these additional features can be used to study one-time purchases with repeat store visits as in the case of durable goods and online shopping. We formulate the empirical model as a mathematical program with equilibrium constraints and estimate it allowing for latent class heterogeneity using an iterative expectation-maximization algorithm. In contrast to extant research, we find that omitting the temporal dimension underestimates price elasticity. We attribute this difference to the relative frequency of household stockouts and purchase frequency in the milk category. Interestingly, increasing the promotional frequency (while reducing its depth to maintain the mean and variance of prices across all stores) can increase loyalty to the household’s preferred store.

This paper was accepted by Juanjuan Zhang, marketing.
Komunikasi efektif komunitas rumah baca dalam meningkatkan minat baca pada anak-anak di dusun Kanoman
Authors: Paramitha Aniendhita
Published: September 2020

Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan  dilatar belakangi bahwa minat baca anak-anak di Dusun Kanoman masih rendah. Keberadaan Komunitas Rumah Baca (RBK) sendiri juga di katakan belum berjalan secara efektif. Hal ini dikarenakan Komunitas Rumah Baca (RBK) belum lama berpindah di Dusun Kanoman, volunter yang over load pekerjaan, dan sebagian besar tidak bisa berbahasa Jawa. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui bagaimana komunikasi efektif  Komunitas Rumah Baca (RBK) dalam meningkatkan minat baca pada anak-anak di Dusun Kanoman.Jenis penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif. Teknik pengumpulan data didapatkan dari hasil wawancara, observasi, dan dokumentasi. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini ialah menggunakan model analisis interaktif Miles dan Huberman dengan pendekatan deskriptif analisis.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Komunitas Rumah Baca (RBK) dikatakan mampu meningkatkan minat baca anak-anak di Dusun Kanoman. Hal ini terbukti bahwa anak-anak mulai berkeinginan untuk membaca dan meminjam buku di komunitas. Komunitas juga menerapkan prisip komunikasi efektif yang disingkat REACH. Ada hambatan yang dialami dari pihak komunitas maupun anak-anak, namun hambatan itu dapat diatasi.
Survey of senior frontline clinicians regarding the quality of information technology across the UK
Authors: Deo Sunny
Published: September 2020

Background/Aims

The quality of information technology (IT) services is key to effective healthcare delivery. However, the high aspirations of health ministers for IT services in hospitals may not be aligned with clinicians' perceptions. This study aimed to assess frontline clinicians' perceptions of the quality of IT services in their institutions.

Methods

The British Orthopaedics Directors Society online forum was used to invite a group of trauma and orthopaedic clinical leads from a range of hospitals to complete a short questionnaire regarding their perceptions of IT service quality in their practice.

Results

Negative perceptions of IT service quality were found to be common, with 45% of respondents rating their trusts' overall IT quality as poor or very poor. Of these, 13% deemed their trust's IT service quality to be so poor as to put patients at increased risk. Wide disparities were also reported between respondents' ratings of IT infrastructure quality and institutional responsiveness to concerns.

Conclusions

This small initial evaluation highlights concerning variations in clinicians' perceptions of IT service quality across different trusts. It also suggests the need for further, more detailed assessment and monitoring of IT quality improvement, for which the same questionnaire method may be useful.
Prioritising risk assessment and management for cardiovascular disease
Authors: Bostock Beverley
Published: September 2020

With evidence supporting the link between cardiovascular disease and myriad risk factors, Beverley Bostock considers how best to identify and support at-risk individuals through long-term, multidisciplinary management.
Evaluation of three different techniques for measuring wound area in diabetic foot ulcers: a reproducibility study
Authors: Toygar Ismail , Simsir Ilgin Yildirim , Cetinkalp Sevki
Published: September 2020

Objective:

Wound surface area can be measured with several assessment tools, including a manual planimetric method, ImageJ software and three-dimensional wound measurement (3DWM) methods. This study aimed to determine the advantages of each method as well as the concordance between them.

Method:

This reproducibility study included adult patient volunteers with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Wounds with ambiguous borders were excluded. All included wounds were sequentially assessed with each of the three measurement methods, and the time for each measurement was recorded with a chronometer. SPSS and MedCalc package software were used for all statistical analyses.

Results:

A total of 20 patients with 20 DFUs took part in the study. According to the measurement method, the average wound area was 6.41cm2 by the manual planimetric method, 6.53cm2 by ImageJ and 6.32cm2 by 3DWM. Correlation analyses revealed correlation coefficients of 0.997 between the manual planimetric method and ImageJ, 0.929 between the manual planimetric method and 3DWM, and 0.929 between ImageJ and 3DWM. Bland–Altman analysis was used to determine whether these three measurement methods could be used interchangeably. There was no significant difference between the three measurement methods and, therefore, it was concluded that they could be used interchangeably. Wound area measurement times were 173.35±19.38 seconds by the manual planimetric method, 61.60±9.21 seconds by ImageJ and 36.90±6.91 seconds by the 3DWM method.

Conclusion:

The three measurement methods studied can be used interchangeably, as each method is highly concordant with the other two. The fastest method was 3DWM and the manual planimetric method was the slowest.
Understanding wound care from a venous and lymphatic perspective
Authors: Melin M. Mark
Published: September 2020

The uncertainty due to COVID-19 surrounding live events has remained present and persistent. Therefore, this year, the American Vein & Lymphatic Society (AVLS) Annual Congress will be a virtual-only event that will take place on 15 October 2020. It will include a live-streamed session will complement the fundamental knowledge of providing wound care for patients. On-demand content will allow attendees to participate at their own pace, watching as much or as little as they want each day, potentially earning AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM
VLF Dielectric Response and HF Localized Dielectric Discharge Measurement for Rotating Machine Insulation Assessment
Authors: Nimsanong P. , Pattanadech N.
Published: September 2020

This paper represents the very low frequency (VLF) dielectric response and high frequency (HF) localized dielectric discharge measurement for rotating machine insulation assessment. The integral conditions of stator winding insulation, the so-called aging condition, were investigated by the dielectric response measuring technique. The polarization and depolarization currents in the VLF range from 0.0001 to 1 Hz were measured under an external step electric field. The local conditions of stator winding insulation, the so-called weak spot condition, were examined by the partial discharge (PD) measuring technique. The PD pulse currents were detected by a capacitive sensor in a wide-band range, where the bandwidth of the measuring system was set between 30 kHz and 30 MHz. The medium voltage rotating machine rated 6.6 kV and 240 to 2,270 kW under different service conditions, i.e., new stator winding, moisture contamination, dirt contamination as well as thermally and severely aged insulation, was studied. Besides, four case studies on measuring the PD in service rotating machines rated 11–15 kV, 7100 to 211,000 kW as well as the attenuation of the PD pulses were conducted and demonstrated. With several case studies, this paper introduces new dielectric parameters, the so-called charge ratio (QR) and charge difference gradient (QDG), to identify the dielectric mechanism occurring in the stator winding insulation caused by the polarization and conduction processes. It can be concluded that the proposed parameters are a valuable tool for assessing the aging condition. In the case of the PD measurement, it was found that the PD pulse is strongly attenuated in the slot section. This paper also introduces the combination of both the dielectric response and PD measurement results, which can be very useful for assessing a complete insulation condition in the rotating machine. Moreover, the criteria for insulation conditions are suggested in this paper to evaluate the integral and local conditions for the rotating machine insulation. The local discharge in the machine causes electromagnetic waves, which may get released from the non-perfect characteristics of the enclosure. This signal may interfere with the functioning of other nearby electronic devices, especially the communication equipment. Therefore, maintaining the excellent condition of the insulation system by the proposed technique detailed in this paper will support the highly effective operational efficiency of the communication system as well.
Exterior Car Parking Assistance Algorithm Based on Reconfigurable System for Future Industry
Authors: Prongnuch Sethakarn , Sitjongsataporn Suchada
Published: September 2020

A car accident while parking the car is caused by the car driver, who is invisible around the car. However, there are no solutions for parking assistance when the driver is outside the car. The objective of this paper is to propose a reconfigurable embedded system design by voice controlled parking assistance system for a prototype electric vehicle connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth. Hardware and software co-design using the Xilinx VIVADO as a software design tool is introduced. We design the hardware and software on an ARM multicore processor and the reconfigurable system board model ZYBO: XC7Z010 by considering it as hardware accelerator. The hardware of the proposed voice controlled exterior car parking assistance system is installed on the miniature electric vehicle. The experiments are tested successfully at the parking area for both reverse parking and reverse parallel parking. This proposed system is better suited for users so that they can control their car comfortably while parking safely.
A Novel Dual Magnetodiode for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Sutthinet Chalin , Poyai Amporn , Phetchakul Toempong
Published: September 2020

This paper presents a new magnetodiode, the so-called dual magnetodiode, for wireless sensor application. The device is a current mode which can be integrated with a chip compatible with modern low power, low voltage integrated circuit (IC). The structure and operation are completely different from a conventional magnetodiode. The structure is composed of two p–n junctions in that one region is common and the others are split terminals for output of differential current. The underlying mechanism is carrier deflection by induced force from a magnetic field. The carriers are injected from the common region by forward bias. The defection carriers diffuse, deflect, and recombine along substrate through split terminals according to direction and density of the magnetic field linearly and symmetrically. From the comparison of complementary structure of the split cathode and the split anode structure of LD = 50 μm, the bias current 1 mA and magnetic field 0.5 T, the relative sensitivities (SR) are 11.01 and 11.19 T−1, respectively. This device is a simple p–n junction structure which is compatible with all micro/nanotechnology.
A Conceptual Model of E-Commerce Taxation Using a Circular Model for E-Commerce Sustainability
Authors: Noamna Somkeit , Kiattisin Supaporn
Published: September 2020

E-Commerce tax is among the most crucial factors affecting E-Commerce growth and information and communication technology, including playing a vital role in facilitating the global commerce market. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ICT development by using the ICT development index (IDI) and E-Commerce diffusion is an effect on E-Commerce taxation principles. The paper was proposed as a new approach and initiatives for implementing E-Commerce development through the circular model for E-Commerce sustainability (CMES). The online questionnaires for the survey were used to gather data via social media, i.e. Facebook, Line and Instagram. The data were gathered from a sample of 308 people who sell products and services through online commerce in Thailand. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to validate and measure the construction of the questionnaires. The relationship among the ICT development index, E-Commerce diffusion and the E-Commerce taxation principles was proved to apply successfully to the structural equation modelling (SEM) technique. The results showed that the ICT development index (IDI) has a positive influence on E-Commerce diffusion and E-Commerce taxation principles. Further, the results indicated that E-Commerce diffusion has a positive effect on E-Commerce taxation principles, and hence are significant.
Empirical Model for Total Precipitable Water Retrieval from Ground-based GNSS Observations in Thailand
Authors: Phasamak Weeranat , Soisuvarn Seubson , Rangsanseri Yuttapong
Published: September 2020

Retrieval of Total Precipitable Water (TPW) using ground-based Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observations is a challenging task due to its real‐time and high temporal resolution. In this paper, we present a method for establishing an analytic model for retrieving the total precipitable water (TPW) based on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observations over one-year period from 12 distributed stations across Thailand. The derived zenith total delay (ZTD) at all stations agrees well with the TPW data available from Global Data Assimilation System (GDAS) Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model. At first, a unique relationship between the ZTD and the TPW was established by taking into account of the variation of station altitudes. In addition, the bias correction technique using probability distribution function (PDF) matching was also applied to improve the final model. The inversion model of TPW from ZTD is then easily obtained using a numerical technique. The performance of our method has been successfully evaluated on an independent test data. This model can be useful in the further near real-time TPW measurements from widely available GNSS receivers.
Distributed Machine Learning Using Data Parallelism on Mobile Platform
Authors: Szabó Máté
Published: September 2020

Machine learning has many challenges, and one of them is to deal with large datasets, because the size of them grows continuously year by year. One solution to this problem is data parallelism. This paper investigates the expansion of data parallelism to mobile, which became the most popular platform. Special client-server architecture was created for this purpose. The software implementation of this problem measures the mobile devices training capabilities and the efficiency of the whole system. The results show that doing distributed training on mobile cluster is possible and safe, but its performance depends on the algorithm’s implementation.
GENERALIZED SYNTHETIC ESTIMATOR FOR DOMAIN MEAN IN TWO PHASE SAMPLING USING SINGLE AUXILIARY CHARACTER
Authors: Ashutosh  , Khare B. B. , Khare S.
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we have proposed a two phase sampling estimator for domain mean using auxiliary character with unknown X a domain mean. Also discussed properties of the proposed estimator for domain mean ps a T ,γ , using auxiliary character. Simulation study of the proposed estimator ps a T ,γ , has been made with conventional ratio synthetic estimator for domain mean ps a T ,−1, using auxiliary character in terms of simulated relative standard error (SRSE) and absolute relative bias (ARB). Simulation study shows that under synthetic assumption proposed estimator is more efficient than conventional ratio synthetic estimator for domain mean using auxiliary character.
HYBRID EXPONENTIALLY WEIGHTED MOVING AVERAGE (HEWMA) CONTROL CHART BASED ON EXPONENTIAL TYPE ESTIMATOR OF MEAN
Authors: Raza Syed Muhammad Muslim , Sial Maqbool Hussain , Haider Muhammad , Butt Muhammad Moeen
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we have proposed a Hybrid Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (HEWMA) control chart. The proposed control chart is based on the exponential type estimator for mean using two auxiliary variables (cf. Noor-ul-Amin and Hanif, 2012). We call it an EHEWMA control chart because it is based on the exponential estimator of the mean. From this study, the fact is revealed that E-HEWMA control chart shows more efficient results as compared to traditional/simple EWMA chart and DS.EWMA control chart (cf. Raza and Butt, 2018). The comparison of the E-HEWMA control chart is also performed with the DS-EWMA chart. The proposed chart also outperforms the other control chartsin comparison. The E-HEWMA chart can be used for efficient monitoring of the production process in manufacturing industries.A simulated example has been used to compare the proposed and traditional/simple EWMA charts and DS.EWMA control chart. The control charts' performance is measured using the average run length-out of control (ARL1). It is observed that the proposed chart performs better than existing EWMA control charts.
ESTIMATION OF POPULATION VARIANCE IN LOG – PRODUCT TYPE ESTIMATORS UNDER DOUBLE SAMPLING SCHEME
Authors: Mishra Prabhakar , Singh Rajesh , Khare Supriya
Published: September 2020

It is experienced that auxiliary information when suitably incorporated yields more efficient and precise estimates. Mishra et al. (2017) have introduced a log type estimator for estimating unknown population mean using ancillary information in simple random sampling. Here we propose an improved log-product type estimator for population variance under double sampling. Properties of the estimators are studied both mathematically and numerically.
The Strength of Considering Tie Strength in Social Interest Profiling
Authors: Chader Asma , Haddadou Hamid , Hamdad Leila , Hidouci Walid-Khaled
Published: September 2020

With the emergence of social networking platforms and great amount of generated content, analyzing people interactions and behaviour raises new opportunities for several applications such as user interest profiling. In this context, this paper highlights the importance of considering relationship strength to infer more refined and relevant interests from user’s direct neighbourhood. We propose WeiCoBSP, a Weight-aware Community-Based Social Profiling approach that leverages strength of ego-friend and friend-friend relationships. The former, describing connections with the profiled user, allows to identify most relevant people from whom to infer worthwhile interests. The latter qualifies connections among user’s neighbourhood and enables depicting the most realistic community structure of the network. We present an empirical evaluation performed on real world co-authorship networks, validating our approach. Experimental results demonstrate the ability of WeiCoBSP to infer user’s interest accurately, improving greatly the unweighted CoBSP process but also results of experiments assessing separately ego-friend and friend-friend relationships strength.
Verification of the Instantiation and Integration of Security Patterns
Authors: Peng Tu , Wang Shuliang , Geng Jing , Wang Qinsi , Yang Yun , Zhang Kang
Published: September 2020

As software applications suffer from increasing malicious attacks, security becomes a critically important issue for software development. To avoid security problems and increase efficiency, a large software system design may reuse good security solutions for existing security patterns. While security patterns document expert solutions to common security problems and capture well-examined practices on secure software design, implementing them in a particular context (pattern instantiation) and composing them with other related patterns (pattern integration) are prone to flaws and may break expected security properties. In this paper, we present an approach to verify security patterns instantiation and integration automatically. We offer formal definitions for security pattern instantiation and integration, and establish rules to transform sequence diagrams (representing the behaviors of security patterns) to expressions in Milner’s Calculus of Communicating Systems (CCS). We prove the correctness of the proposed transformation, and propose an algorithm to carry out this transformation automatically. In particular, we formally specify the alternative flows of UML sequence diagrams guarded by constraint conditions, which allows us to model choice making behaviors of security patterns precisely. The properties of the instantiation and integration can be verified by model checking against their CCS expressions. Flaws of instantiation and integration can, therefore, be discovered early in the design stage. We use two case studies to illustrate our approach and show the capability to prove security in integration and detect design errors in instantiation respectively.
Intraguide mode conversions of silica-on-silicon transfer waveguides and SOI tapered structures for highly efficient chip-fiber butt coupling
Authors: Yu Ting , Sun DeGui , Chen Zhuo , Li Tiancheng
Published: September 2020

An advanced fiber-waveguide coupling scheme is crucial to the effective developments and applications of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) waveguide photonic integrated chips. In this paper, a regime of the mode conversions within guided channels is investigated to realize a highly efficient fiber-chip coupling with a silica-on-silicon (SOS) transfer waveguide that can be realized with the local oxidation of silicon (LOCOS) technique. With this regime, the optical-field overlap process of two optical guided modes between the fiber and the SOI waveguide through a gap is simplified to the two loss contributions: (i) the ultralow coupling loss of the fiber-SOS transfer waveguide and (ii) the Fresnel loss of the SOS transfer waveguide and an SOI tapered structure. As a result, all the mode conversions in this system are operated within the guided channels, so it is referred to as an intraguide mode conversion. Further, the overall mode conversion efficiency of such a fiber-SOS-SOI system is modeled, in which the three key processes, the fiber-SOS gap mode conversion, the SOS-SOI interface mode conversion, and the SOI taper profile mode conversion, are individually investigated and optimized. The simulation values and the experimental results are agreeable with each other for both fiber-SOS waveguide coupling loss and fiber-SOI waveguide coupling loss. Consequently, a fiber-chip butt-coupling loss of 0.8–1.0 dB/facet is demonstrated. Finally, the conditions for realizing the effective LOCOS structure and process are discussed.