bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutrition and physical activity intervention for families with familial hypercholesterolaemia: protocol for a pilot randomised controlled feasibility study
Authors: Kinnear Fiona J. , Hamilton-Shield Julian P. , Stensel David J. , Bayly Graham , Searle Aidan , Thackray Alice E. , Lithander Fiona E.
Published: April 2020

Background

Untreated heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) causes high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Despite pharmacological treatment, many treated individuals remain at higher CVD risk than non-affected individuals. This may be due to LDL-C targets not being met and presence of other CVD risk factors. Adhering to dietary and physical activity (PA) recommendations developed for individuals with FH may further reduce CVD risk. However, there is insufficient research to support the efficacy of adhering to these guidelines on LDL-C and other CVD risk factors. The need for studies to investigate the effectiveness of nutrition and PA interventions in the FH population has been widely recognised and recommended. This paper describes the protocol of a pilot, randomised controlled trial designed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a specifically developed nutrition and PA intervention aimed at improving the dietary intakes and PA levels of families with FH.

Methods

A two-arm randomised waitlist-controlled pilot trial will be conducted across three National Health Service (NHS) sites in England, UK. Twenty-four young people with FH, aged 10–18 years, and their affected parent, will be recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention or waitlist and usual care control. The primary aim is to provide evidence for the feasibility and acceptability of delivering the intervention, explored quantitatively (rates of recruitment, retention and outcome measure completeness) and qualitatively (qualitative interviews). The secondary aim is to provide evidence for the potential efficacy of the intervention on dietary intake, PA, sedentary time, body composition, CVD risk factors and quality of life determined at baseline and endpoint assessments. The intervention will involve an hour-long consultation with a dietitian at baseline and four follow-up contacts across the 12-week intervention. It has been specifically developed for use with individuals with FH and incorporates behavioural change techniques to target identified enablers and barriers to adherence in this population.

Discussion

This trial will estimate the feasibility and acceptability of the nutrition and PA intervention delivered to young people and parents with FH. If appropriate, this study can be used to inform the design of an adequately powered definitive trial.

Trial registration

ISRCTN, ISRCTN24880714. Registered 07/06/2018,http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN24880714.
Long-term impact of the expansion of a hospital liaison psychiatry service on patient care and costs following emergency department attendances for self-harm
Authors: Jackson Joni , Nugawela Manjula D. , De Vocht Frank , Moran Paul , Hollingworth William , Knipe Duleeka , Munien Nik , Gunnell David , Redaniel Maria Theresa
Published: April 2020

Background

In September 2014, as part of a national initiative to increase access to liaison psychiatry services, the liaison psychiatry services at Bristol Royal Infirmary received new investment of £250 000 per annum, expanding its availability from 40 to 98 h per week. The long-term impact on patient outcomes and costs, of patients presenting to the emergency department with self-harm, is unknown.

Aims

To assess the long-term impact of the investment on patient care outcomes and costs, of patients presenting to the emergency department with self-harm.

Method

Monthly data for all self-harm emergency department attendances between 1 September 2011 and 30 September 2017 was modelled using Bayesian structural time series to estimate expected outcomes in the absence of expanded operating hours (the counterfactual). The difference between the observed and expected trends for each outcome were interpreted as the effects of the investment.

Results

Over the 3 years after service expansion, the mean number of self-harm attendances increased 13%. Median waiting time from arrival to psychosocial assessment was 2 h shorter (18.6% decrease, 95% Bayesian credible interval (BCI) −30.2% to −2.8%), there were 45 more referrals to other agencies (86.1% increase, 95% BCI 60.6% to 110.9%) and a small increase in the number of psychosocial assessments (11.7% increase, 95% BCI −3.4% to 28.5%) per month. Monthly mean net hospital costs were £34 more per episode (5.3% increase, 95% BCI −11.6% to 25.5%).

Conclusions

Despite annual increases in emergency department attendances, investment was associated with reduced waiting times for psychosocial assessment and more referrals to other agencies, with only a small increase in cost per episode.
Escalating and De-escalating Therapy for Early-Stage HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: File Danielle , Curigliano Giuseppe , Carey Lisa A.
Published: April 2020

Untreated, HER2+ disease is the most aggressive breast cancer phenotype; however, the development of multiple highly effective HER2-targeting drugs has transformed treatment and survival. These drugs include the anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies trastuzumab and pertuzumab; small molecule inhibitors lapatinib, neratinib, and tucatinib; and antibody-drug conjugates trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) and now trastuzumab deroxtecan. More complex regimens using these drugs continue to improve outcomes, but the incremental benefits of these advances are often modest. Improved outcomes came from the addition of HER2-targeted therapies to conventional chemotherapy, beginning with trastuzumab, then pertuzumab added to trastuzumab, or with neratinib given for the year after trastuzumab. Neoadjuvant, or preoperative, administration of chemotherapy plus HER2-targeting allows surgical deescalation and tailoring treatment by pathologic complete response (pCR) to therapy. Patients with pCR after conventional therapy have excellent outcomes; what we now know is that the poorer outcomes associated with residual disease can be ameliorated with adjuvant T-DM1. However, as we have developed more complex, effective, and expensive therapy to maximize outcomes, it is also true that we are overtreating many patients. In stage I HER2+ breast cancer, there are excellent outcomes with paclitaxel plus trastuzumab or T-DM1 alone. Higher clinical stage HER2+ disease is still treated aggressively, although intrinsic subtype or activated immune tumor microenvironment may identify those with augmented treatment response or better outcome. It is likely that future strategies to escalate and de-escalate treatment with less chemotherapy, fewer anti-HER2 drugs, or shorter duration will depend upon integrated clinical and genomic modeling.
The Changing Landscape of Treatment in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Koenig Kristin , Mims Alice , Levis Mark J. , Horowitz Mary M.
Published: April 2020

The treatment of acute myeloid leukemia is evolving, with increased understanding of molecular pathogenesis allowing better risk stratification and development of new therapies. Tests to identify and drugs to target specific molecular abnormalities are improving remission rates and prolonging survival in patients with high-risk disease. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains an important curative therapy, with advances in donor availability and approaches to reduce transplant-related mortality making it applicable in many more patients. Considerations in identifying appropriate patients for targeted therapy and transplantation are presented.
Current Approaches to the Treatment of Advanced or Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Tenold Matthew , Ravi Praful , Kumar Monika , Bowman Alex , Hammers Hans , Choueiri Toni K. , Lara Primo N.
Published: April 2020

The optimal management approach to advanced or metastatic renal cell cancer of the clear cell type continues to rapidly evolve. Risk stratification of patients into favorable-, intermediate-, and poor-risk categories is now routinely performed. In selected individuals with low-volume indolent disease, active surveillance may be an appropriate option. Cytoreductive nephrectomy and/or surgical metastasectomy may be also be considered for selected patients after evaluation by a multidisciplinary tumor board. Systemic frontline therapy options now include immune checkpoint inhibitor–based combination (IBC) therapies such as pembrolizumab/axitinib, nivolumab/ipilimumab, and avelumab/axitinib. With unusual exceptions, monotherapy with vascular growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors or mTOR inhibitors are no longer appropriate options in the frontline setting. Despite the established efficacy of frontline IBC, most patients will ultimately require additional lines of therapy, and oncologists must think carefully when switching to another therapy, particularly in situations of drug intolerance or apparent disease progression. Systemic therapy options after IBC are generally tyrosine kinase inhibitor–based, and ongoing clinical trials will help optimize the treatment algorithm further. Despite many recent drug approvals for renal cell cancer (RCC), there remains a pressing need to identify new therapeutic targets. Finally, other systemic therapy or supportive care approaches must be considered for special patient populations such as those with poor performance status, end-organ dysfunction, brain metastases, or who have undergone metastasectomy.
Therapeutic Targets and Opportunities in Endometrial Cancer: Update on Endocrine Therapy and Nonimmunotherapy Targeted Options
Authors: MacKay Helen J. , Freixinos Victor Rodriguez , Fleming Gini F.
Published: April 2020

Worldwide, the incidence of endometrial cancer is increasing. Although the prognosis remains good for patients diagnosed with early-stage disease, for those diagnosed with recurrent or metastatic disease, options have been limited, and prognosis is short. Optimizing and identifying new well-tolerated treatments for women living with endometrial cancer is a top priority. A new era is dawning where we are starting to see the integration of clinically relevant genomic and pathologic data to inform and refine treatment strategies for women with endometrial cancer. Here, we focus on reviewing nonimmunotherapy-based targeted treatment options and emerging directions for women with endometrial cancer.
Barriers to Participation in Therapeutic Clinical Trials as Perceived by Community Oncologists
Authors: Wong Andrew R. , Sun Virginia , George Kevin , Liu Jennifer , Padam Simran , Chen Brandon A. , George Thomas , Amini Arya , Li Daneng , Sedrak Mina S.
Published: April 2020

PURPOSE:

Despite considerable research on the barriers to enrollment in cancer therapeutic trials, few studies have elicited barriers from the perspective of community physicians, who provide the majority of cancer care. The purpose of this study was to characterize barriers to and facilitators of cancer therapeutic trials as perceived by oncologists in community practices.

METHODS:

Twenty semistructured interviews were conducted with oncologists at six community sites affiliated with City of Hope National Medical Center from March to June 2018. Responses were recorded digitally and transcribed. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS:

Of the 20 participants, 4 (20%) were women, 13 (65%) had > 10 years of practice experience, and 16 (80%) reported that < 5% of their patients were enrolled in a therapeutic trial. Participants identified four system-level barriers: lack of appropriate trials for community-based settings, insufficient infrastructure support, restrictive eligibility criteria, and financial limitations; three physician-level barriers: lack of awareness of available trials, lack of knowledge of trial details, and lack of time; and two patient-level barriers: patient burden and negative beliefs/attitudes toward research. Efforts aimed to increase trial availability, clinical trial support personnel, and physician knowledge were identified as major facilitators.

CONCLUSION:

Community oncologists face numerous complex, multifaceted barriers to cancer therapeutic trial enrollment. Although expanding clinical research beyond the academic setting allows access to a larger and more diverse patient population, increasing generalizability and relevance of trial findings, there remains a substantial need for new strategies to improve cancer research delivery in the community.
Integrated cardiovascular assessment of atherosclerosis using PET/MRI
Authors: Evans Nicholas R , Tarkin Jason M , Le Elizabeth PV , Sriranjan Rouchelle S , Corovic Andrej , Warburton Elizabeth A , Rudd James HF
Published: April 2020

Atherosclerosis is a systemic inflammatory disease typified by the development of lipid-rich atheroma (plaques), the rupture of which are a major cause of myocardial infarction and stroke. Anatomical evaluation of the plaque considering only the degree of luminal stenosis overlooks features associated with vulnerable plaques, such as high-risk morphological features or pathophysiology, and hence risks missing vulnerable or ruptured non-stenotic plaques. Consequently, there has been interest in identifying these markers of vulnerability using either MRI for morphology, or positron emission tomography (PET) for physiological processes involved in atherogenesis. The advent of hybrid PET/MRI scanners offers the potential to combine the strengths of PET and MRI to allow comprehensive assessment of the atherosclerotic plaque. This review will discuss the principles and technical aspects of hybrid PET/MRI assessment of atherosclerosis, and consider how combining the complementary modalities of PET and MRI has already furthered our understanding of atherogenesis, advanced drug development, and how it may hold potential for clinical application.
Quality of reporting acupuncture interventions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Review of adherence to the STRICTA statement
Authors: Fernández-Jané Carles , Solà-Madurell Mireia , Yu Mingkun , Liang Changhao , Fei Yutong , Sitjà-Rabert Mercè , Úrrutia Gerard
Published: April 2020

Background:The quality of reporting of acupuncture interventions is critical to ensure the applicability and reproducibility of acupuncture clinical trials. In the past, different publications have evaluated the quality of reporting of acupuncture interventions for different clinical situations, such as knee osteoarthritis, neurological diseases or cancer. However, this has not been done for acupuncture trials for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objective:To assess the quality of reporting of acupuncture interventions in trials for COPD.

Methods:A total of 11 English and Chinese databases were screened up until May 2019 for randomised or quasi-randomised control trials of acupuncture for COPD. The STRICTA checklist was used to determine the quality of the reporting of acupuncture interventions.

Results:A total of 28 trials were included in our review. Out of the 16 STRICTA checklist subitems analysed, only 3 were considered appropriately reported in more than 70% of the trials, while 7 were correctly reported in less than 40%.

Conclusion:The adherence to STRICTA guidelines of acupuncture trials for COPD is suboptimal, and future efforts need to be addressed to improve the quality of reporting.
Acceptability and feasibility of genital self-sampling for the diagnosis of female genital schistosomiasis: a cross-sectional study in Zambia
Authors: Rutty Phiri Comfort , Sturt Amy S. , Webb Emily L. , Chola Namakau , Hayes Richard , Shanaube Kwame , Ayles Helen , Hansingo Isaiah , Bustinduy Amaya L. ,   BILHIV study team
Published: April 2020

Background: Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is a neglected and disabling gynaecological disorder that is difficult to diagnose and is part of the wider spectrum of urogenital disease caused by the waterborne parasite Schistosoma haematobium. Over 90% of human schistosomiasis cases are found in sub-Saharan Africa with 3.8 million people infected with schistosomes in Zambia. Reported FGS prevalence ranges from 33-75% of those with urinary schistosomiasis in endemic areas, suggesting a potentially high FGS burden in Zambia alone. The Bilharzia and HIV

(BILHIV) study evaluated home self-sampling genital collection methods for the diagnosis of FGS.

Methods: Eligible participants included non-pregnant, sexually active women aged 18-31 who were previously recruited for the HPTN 071

(PopART) trial in Livingstone, Zambia. Household demographic and symptom questionnaires were administered by community workers. Participants were offered vaginal and cervical self-swabs and a urine cup. Cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) was performed in clinic by midwives. Information was collected from participants on the acceptability and feasibility of genital self-sampling.

Results: From January-August 2018, 603 women were enrolled, and 87.3% (527/603) completed clinic follow up. A high proportion of participants indicated that self-collection of specimens was “easy” or “very easy” on a 5-point Likert scale. A high proportion of women would be willing to self-collect all three specimens again in future: vaginal swab 96.7%

(583/603), cervical swab 96.5% (582/603), and urine 96.2% (580/603). Home-based self-sampling was preferred over provider-based sampling in the clinic due to greater privacy 58.5% (353/603), convenience 46.3%

(279/603) and need for transportation 15.9% (96/603).

Conclusions: Home based genital self-sampling for FGS diagnosis is highly acceptable. This scalable method may inform future efforts for community-based diagnosis of FGS.
Formation of Readership and Creative Development of Primary School Children Based on the Discrete Reading Method
Authors: Kreslavskaya T.
Published: April 2020

The article discusses the method of discrete reading in literary reading lessons in primary school as an effective means of shaping readership, the ability to analyze the information contained in the texts, and the development of children’s creative abilities. The characteristic of the content and technology of discrete reading at the first stage of the development of reading activity by students of the first or second grades is given: intermittent reading; separate reading; fractional reading. The rules for implementing discrete reading are presented: “Imagine, Relive, Understand what you read.” The methodology of teacher guidance for schoolchildren performing creative tasks, features of the teacher’s work, which organizes creative interpretations of literary works in the form of illustrations, dramatization, retelling of the text with its optional addition-continuation, theatricalization, and staging games, are disclosed.
Formation of Functional Literacy of Primary School Children in the Field of Healthy and Safe Lifestyle
Authors: Artyuhova Irina
Published: April 2020

The article discusses the basic principles and specifics of the organization of activities of primary school teachers in the formation of students’

knowledge in the field of safe behavior and healthy lifestyle, as well as their development of practical skills in relevant situations. Questions of

didactic support are highlighted, target methodological modules are marked. As an example of their use, the development of classes on the topic “My safety when riding a scooter and crossing the roadway” is presented.
Expectativas semi-adaptativas en los modelos macroeconómicos multi-agentes: Una aplicación al análisis de la fragilidad financiera empresarial
Authors: Stellian Rémi , Danna-Buitrago Jenny Paola , Londoño Bedoya David Andrés
Published: April 2020

Este artículo propone una nueva clase de expectativas para los modelos macroeconómicos multi-agentes. Se modifican las expectativas adaptativas, las cuales constituyen la norma en la modelación macroeconómica multi-agentes, para convertirlas en expectativas semi-adaptativas. Este nuevo mecanismo de expectativas se caracterizada por una volatilidad en relación con la influencia de los sentimientos de optimismo/pesimismo en la cognición de los agentes. Entonces, las expectativas semi-adaptativas son integradas en un modelo macroeconómico multi-agentes para ilustrar su impacto en la fragilidad financiera de las empresas. Entre los resultados obtenidos, se evidencia que las empresas pueden limitar la magnitud de su fragilidad financiera si formulan sus expectativas de ingresos con un grado máximo de volatilidad alrededor de una expectativa inicial que sirve de casi-referencia de largo plazo.
Skills, Efficiency, and Timing in a Simple Attack and Defense Model
Authors: Dimitri Nicola
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we consider a simple two-player attack and defense model, focusing on the role of players’ abilities and choice timing. Abilities are divided into skills and efficiency, where the former is an absolute notion and the latter a relative notion of ability. Timing is investigated by comparing players’ investments in a simultaneous and a Stackelberg game. In the simultaneous game, the Nash Equilibrium investment level in attack and defense resources is symmetric, increasing in the skills but non-monotonic in the relative efficiency. In the Stackelberg game, the equilibrium investment levels are asymmetric, increasing in the skills, but with their ranking affected only by the relative efficiency. Therefore, interestingly, players’ choice is mostly characterized by players’ relative efficiency rather than by their skills, in regards to timing.
Every day's a school day!
Authors: Gillies Stephanie
Published: April 2020

Dental nurse Stephanie Gillies considers lifelong learning and development
Making dentistry her business
Authors: Fairhall Megan
Published: April 2020

Dental hygienist, entrepreneur and key opinion leader Megan Fairhall on how her role as a dental nurse sparked a lifelong passion for this industry
Current concepts and outcomes in cemented femoral stem design and cementation techniques: the argument for a new classification system
Authors: Cassar-Gheiti Adrian J. , McColgan Rosie , Kelly Martin , Cassar-Gheiti Theresa M. , Kenny Paddy , Murphy Colin G.
Published: April 2020

Cemented implant fixation design principles have evolved since the 1950s, and various femoral stem designs are currently in use to provide a stable construct between the implant–cement and cement–bone interfaces. Cemented stems have classically been classified into two broad categories: taper slip or force closed, and composite beams or shaped closed designs. While these simplifications are acceptable general categories, there are other important surgical details that need to be taken into consideration such as different broaching techniques, cementing techniques and mantle thickness. With the evolution of cemented implants, the introduction of newer implants which have hybrid properties, and the use of different broaching techniques, the classification of a very heterogenous group of implants into simple binary categories becomes increasingly difficult. A more comprehensive classification system would aid in comparison of results and better understanding of the implants’ biomechanics. We review these differing stem designs, their respective cementing techniques and geometries. We then propose a simple four-part classification system and summarize the long-term outcomes and international registry data for each respective type of cemented prosthesis.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:241-252. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.190034
Graft choice in combined anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament reconstruction
Authors: Figueroa Francisco , Figueroa David , Calvo Rafael , Vaisman Alex , Espregueira-Mendes João
Published: April 2020

There is a concern regarding which grafts should be used in combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) reconstructions, with a paucity of recommendations focused on this specific topic. Expert opinions suggest the use of allograft-only reconstructions to limit donor-site morbidity or using at least one allograft and one autograft. When a hamstring tendon autograft is harvested, techniques that maintain both the integrity of the sartorius fascia and the gracilis are recommended because of the role that the ST-G-S (semitendinosus-gracilis-sartorius) complex plays in valgus stability in the setting of an MCL-deficient knee.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:221-225. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.190049
How Feasible are Jack Ma's Proposals for Computerized Planning?
Authors: Cockshott Paul
Published: April 2020

The use of linear optimization for the construction of economic plans was first introduced by Kantorovich with an algorithm similar to those later developed in the West by Danzig. In recent years linear optimization packages have become readily available on desktop computers, an example being the lp-solve system. In this paper I first show how the lp-solve package can be used to construct macro-economic plans starting from information in IO table. I then examine the empirical computational complexity of the package in dealing with this sort of problem. This will show that the complexity is too great to allow the package to be applied to highly disaggregated IO tables. As an alternative to lp-solve I explain the Harmony algorithm and how that can be extended to the problem of multi-year plans. Performance measurements are given which indicated that the Harmony algorithm has a markedly lower computational complexity than lp-solve, making it more suitable for highly disaggregated plans.
Aesthetics and the Economic Beauty of Socialism
Authors: Li Linan
Published: April 2020

Some scholars have studied economic beauty with the lack of overall, systematic ideas. Basing on the previous research, this article focuses on the economic beauty and socialist economic beauty, and discusses the concept and characteristics of economic beauty. According to the definition and characteristics of economic beauty, the alienation of economic beauty appears in capitalist economic activities, which is rooted in capitalist production relations, and existed in its economic activities. Socialist economy avoids the problem of alienation of capitalist economic beauty. The value, humanistic care, and belief in truth, goodness and beauty in socialist economy are of great theoretical and practical significance.
In Search of “Greener Pitches”: African Footballers and Labor Market Migration in European Football
Authors: Okwechime Iwebunor , Adetiloye Olumide A.
Published: April 2020

This article examines the migration of African, including Nigerian, footballers to Europe in search of better professional opportunities. The paper situates the migration of Nigerian footballers to European football clubs in the political economy of international football and the location of African footballers in that context. The search for “greener pitches” among African footballers is, the paper argues, largely a product of a combination of political and economic factors, central to which is the neoliberal market ideology underlain by globalization and the technological breakthroughs in information and communications technology, and the massive developments that the world has witnessed in the transportation system. The paper highlights how the role of international organizations like FIFA, UEFA and CAF has led to the emergence of unscrupulous elements whose activities have served to undermine the growth and development of African football. By way of conclusion, the article suggests that unless these apex governing bodies of world football join forces, the exploitation of aspiring young African footballers seeking to migrate to Europe will persist, with grave implications for the development of the “beautiful game” in Africa.
Remembering Geoff Davis
Authors: Lindfors Bernth
Published: April 2020

A tribute to the warm personality of Geoff Davis and his pioneering work in postcolonial studies.
Geoffrey Davis: Interactions with Australia, Its Literature and Its Culture
Authors: McDougall Russell
Published: April 2020

A description of Geoff Davis’s wide interest in Australian Studies, in particular war literature and indigeneity.
Homage from the Universitat de Barcelona
Authors: Macdermott Doireann
Published: April 2020

Homage to Geoff Davis from the Universitat de Barcelona.
Tribute to Geoff Davis
Authors: Birns Nicholas
Published: April 2020

A tribute to Geoff Davis.
Comprehensive analysis on the assembly of a dielectric-filled crossed compound parabolic concentrator and a concentrator photovoltaic module
Authors: Lee Pei-Shan , Wong Chee-Woon , Tan Ming-Hui , Chong Kok-Keong
Published: April 2020

A comprehensive analysis on assembly of dielectric-filled 3D crossed compound parabolic concentrator (CCPC) and concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) module is presented by embracing the consideration of spectral irradiance, incident angles, and breakdown optical losses. The theoretical modeling is supported by experimental validation to evaluate the optical efficiency of the CCPC-CPV module. From our analysis, Fresnel reflection loss of 11.27%, absorption loss of 11.59%, and other losses of 4.79% are obtained to reach the total loss of 27.65% or equivalent solar concentration ratio (SCR) of 4.65 suns out of a geometrical concentration ratio (GCR) of 5.998 suns. Then, indoor and outdoor measurements prove the actual SCR of 4.57 and 4.48 suns, respectively.
Optimized Gaussian model for non-uniform heating compensation in pulsed thermography
Authors: Erazo-Aux Jorge , Loaiza-Correa H. , Restrepo-Giron A. D. , Alfonso-Morales W.
Published: April 2020

This paper presents a new, to the best of our knowledge, methodology for the thermal compensation of background heating in thermograms of composites. The technique analyzes the spatial data of the thermal images obtained from a pulsed thermography inspection and automatically calculates the optimal parameters of a predefined objective function. These parameters are obtained by curve fitting using the least squares method and model the temperature distribution of the image background using the proposed objective function. To verify the methodology, we use real and synthetic images of a sample of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) with defects, with diameter/depth ratios that range between 15.0 and 75.0 and between 1.7 and 90.0, respectively. The performance of the method is tested using a local and a global definition of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and is statistically validated by analysis of variance. The average performance values obtained were

55.0

dB

and

7.0

dB

on synthetic images and real images, respectively. The proposed method provides superior and statistically significant differences compared to techniques reported in the literature for contrast enhancement [e.g., differential absolute contrast (DAC) and background thermal compensation by filtering (BTCF)]. Unlike contrast normalization (CN), the proposed technique stands out since it does not need to predefine variables, select reference regions, have prior knowledge of the partial (or complete) state of the material, or analyze totally (or partially) the temporal evolution of the temperature or any characteristic derived from it.
Compact spatially heterodyned static interferometer
Authors: McCormack E. A. , Hugh Mortimer A. , Ciaffoni L.
Published: April 2020

This paper presents a novel, to the best of our knowledge, and simple technique for achieving a higher spectral resolution in classical static Fourier transform spectrometers. This is achieved by heterodyning the frequency of a standard interferogram to a lower spatial frequency by placing a single transmission grating at the image plane of two mutually coherent beams produced by the interferometer. The grating splits the beams into diffraction orders, which overlap to produce the heterodyned interferogram, similar to that seen in techniques such as spatial heterodyne spectroscopy. The increase in spectral resolution for such a system is shown to be related to the angle between the beams and the groove period of the transmission grating. The theoretical performance of this design is compared with a proof-of-concept system built using off-the-shelf components and tested at visible wavelengths. The experimental results agree well with those produced from a theoretical simulation.
Dynamic prediction of optical and chromatic performances for a light-emitting diode array based on a thermal-electrical-spectral model
Authors: Fan Jiajie , Chen Wei , Yuan Weiyi , Fan Xuejun , Zhang Guoqi
Published: April 2020

Light-emitting diode (LED) arrays have attracted increased attention in the area of high power intelligent automotive headlamps because of their superiority in disposing of the power limit of an individual LED package and controllably luminous intensity and illumination pattern. The optical and chromatic performances of an LED array do not equal to the sum of individual LED packages’ performances, as the thermal interactions between individual LED packages can’t be ignored in the actual application. This paper presents a thermal-electrical-spectral (TES) model to dynamically predict the optical and chromatic performances of the LED array. The thermal-electrical (TE) model considering the thermal coupling effect in the LED array is firstly proposed to predict the case temperature of each individual LED package, and the Spectral power distributions (SPDs) of individual LED package is then decomposed by the extended Asym2sig model to extract the spectral characteristic parameters. Finally, the experimental measurements of the designed LED arrays operated under usage conditions are used to verify the TES model. Some validation case studies show that the prediction accuracy of the proposed TES model, which is expressed as a quadratic polynomial function of current and case temperature, can be achieved higher than 95%. Therefore, it can be concluded that this TES model offers a convenient method with high accuracy to dynamically predict the optical and chromatic performances of LED arrays at real usages.
2π-space uniform-backscattering metasurfaces enabled with geometric phase and magnetic resonance in visible light
Authors: Chen Kuixian , Deng Juan , Zhou Nan , Liang Congling , Ren Renyuan , Deng Liangui , Zhou Zhou , Tao Jin , Li Zile , Zheng Guoxing
Published: April 2020

Metasurfaces have shown unusual abilities to modulate the phase, amplitude and polarization of an incident lightwave with spatial resolution at the subwavelength scale. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a dielectric metasurface enabled with both geometric phase and magnetic resonance that scatters an incident light beam filling the full reflective 2π-space with high-uniformity. Specifically, by delicately reconfiguring the orientations of dielectric nanobricks acting as nano-half-waveplates in a metasurface, the optical power of phase-modulated output light is almost equally allocated to all diffraction orders filling the full reflection space. The measured beam non-uniformity in the full hemispheric space, defined as the relative standard deviation (RSD) of all scattered optical power, is only around 0.25. More interestingly, since the target intensity distribution in a uniform design is rotationally centrosymmetric, the diffraction results are identical under arbitrary polarization states, e.g., circularly polarized, linearly polarized or even unpolarized light, which brings great convenience in practical applications. The proposed uniform-backscattering metasurface enjoys the advantages including polarization insensitivity, high-integration-density and high-stability, which has great potential in sensing, lighting, laser ranging, free-space optical communication and so on.
Lab on D-shaped fiber excited via azimuthally polarized vector beam for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Min , Zhang Wending , Meng Chao , Zhang Guanghong , Zhang Lu , Mao Dong , Mei Ting
Published: April 2020

We present a method for Raman examination using a silver-nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) coated D-shaped fiber (DSF) internally excited via an in-fiber azimuthally polarized beam (APB) generated by an acoustically induced fiber grating. Simulation results show that an electric-field intensity enhancement factor can be effectively improved under APB excitation compared with the linear polarization beam (LPB) excitation, because the strong gap-mode is uniformly generated between two adjacent Ag NPs on the surface of the DSF planar side. Experimental results show that the Raman signal intensity of the methylene blue (MB) detected by DSF in the case of APB excitation is ∼4.5 times as strong as that of LPB excitation, and the Raman detection sensitivity is ∼10−9 M. The time stability of this method is also tested to be guaranteed.
Second harmonic generation in ferroelectric Ba2EuFeNb4O15-based epitaxial thin films
Authors: Hajlaoui Thameur , Pinsard Maxime , Kalhori Hossein , Légaré François , Pignolet Alain
Published: April 2020

Ba2EuFeNb4O15-based epitaxial ferroelectric thin films with tetragonal tungsten bronze crystal structures are shown to have nonlinear optical properties at room temperature and are promising candidates for integrated optical frequency convertors and related applications. High quality epitaxial ferroelectric thin films of tetragonal tungsten bronze Ba2EuFeNb4O15 have been synthesized on MgO(100) by pulsed laser deposition. Structural investigation reveals that the c-oriented films are rotated in plane by ±18.4° and ±31° with respect to the substrate structure. Stable ferroelectric properties were obtained by microelectromechanical characterization. Second harmonic generation related to the spontaneous polarization in the films was studied and the independent components of the nonlinear susceptibility were determined. Ferroelectric films of Ba2EuFeNb4O15 having a tetragonal tungsten bronze structure are new candidate for room temperature nonlinear optical applications.
Field-portable microsphere-assisted high resolution digital holographic microscopy in compact and 3D-printed Mach-Zehnder Interferometer
Authors: O’Connor Timothy , Anand Arun , Javidi Bahram
Published: April 2020

We present a compact and field-portable system for high resolution microsphere-assisted digital holographic microscopy using a 3D-printed Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Microsphere assisted microscopy inserts a glass microsphere between the sample and magnifying objective lens to increase both lateral resolution and magnification factor by acquiring a single hologram. Our system is verified by reconstruction of a grating structure, which has a patterned surface unresolvable by the native imaging system to confirm the resolution enhancement. Furthermore, the system is analyzed for field portability and practically demonstrated for cell visualization and identification by classification of different animal red blood cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a low cost and field-portable system for microsphere-assisted digital holographic microscopy.
Design and fabrication of a SiN-Si dual-layer optical phased array chip
Authors: Wang Pengfei , Luo Guangzhen , Xu Yang , Li Yajie , Su Yanmei , Ma Jianbin , Wang Ruiting , Yang Zhengxia , Zhou Xuliang , Zhang Yejin , Pan Jiaoqing
Published: April 2020

A SiN-Si dual-layer optical phased array (OPA) chip is designed and fabricated. It combines the low loss of SiN with the excellent modulation performance of Si, which improves the performance of Si single-layer OPA. A novel optical antenna and an improved phase modulation method are also proposed, and a two-dimensional scanning range of

96
°
×
14
°

is achieved, which makes the OPA chip more practical.
The 2nd Annual Conference of EATSA. Euro-Asia Tourism Studies Association, 2016
Authors: Santos Norberto , Moreira Claudete Oliveira
Published: April 2020

2º Congresso Anual da EATSA (Euro-Asia Tourism Studies Association – Associação Euro-Asiática de Estudos de Turismo) que teve lugar entre os dias 26 e 30 de Junho, de 2016.
Heavy metal levels in milk and fermented milk products produced in the Almaty region, Kazakhstan
Authors: Sarsembayeva N. B. , Abdigaliyeva T. B. , Utepova Z. A. , Biltebay A. N. , Zhumagulova S. Zh.
Published: April 2020

Background and Aim: Monitoring food quality and safety remain a pressing issue. The intermediate results of the study on the residual amounts of heavy and toxic elements in food products are presented herein. The aim of this study was the determination of heavy metals in milk and fermented milk products from basic farms in the Almaty region, Kazakhstan.

Materials and Methods: A total of 120 raw milk samples and 80 cottage cheese samples were analyzed. The milk and cottage cheese samples were subjected to mineralization during the analysis to remove organic impurities and determine the heavy metal concentrations using atomic absorption spectrometry.

Results: The contents of cadmium, lead, and arsenic in all raw materials and food products did not exceed the maximum permissible concentrations.

Conclusion: The dairy samples showed low contents of cadmium, mercury, lead, and arsenic that did not exceed the allowable concentrations for basic farms in the Almaty region.
Planning and Restoration of Environmental Values in Nigeria Dysfunctional Societies
Authors: Basorun J. O , Ayeni D.A
Published: April 2020

Urban centers in Nigeria are becoming dysfunctional – a situation that threatens ourenvironmental values. This study, examines the pattern, process and problems of thesesocieties which experience rapid urban development pressure on account of highpopulation growth and decentralization of governance in the form of states and localgovernment creations. The study adopts extensive review of literature and findings revealthat Nigeria records very high level of urbanization and pollution, lacks effective culturaland physical planning policies, mismanages its urban open spaces, without adequatepersonnel to plan and organize the urban environments. Recommendations were madeon ways of restoring these environmental values through effective planning of urbancenters in Nigeria.
Analyzing Primary Social Studies Curriculum of Turkey in Terms of UNESCO Educational for Sustainable Development Theme
Authors: YALÇINKAYA Elvan
Published: April 2020

These three terms have been used at website of UNESCO: Sustainable development(SD), education for sustainable development (ESD) and the United Nations Decade ofEducation for Sustainable Development (DESD). In this website, it is mentioned that thethree terms have the same goal; creating abetter world for this generation and futuregenerations of all living things on planet Earth. The aim of this study is to analyzePrimary Social Studies Curriculum of Turkeyin terms of UNESCO ESD Theme. Datawas obtained from Social Studies Curriculum. Inthis study, Social Studies Curriculum ofTurkey was discussed in terms of three perspectives which are stated in UNESCO’sFramework for the United Nations Decadeof Education for Sustainable DevelopmentInternational Implementation Scheme (DESD). These three perspectives are; socio-cultural, environmental and economic perspectives. As a result, in this study, it isconcluded that Social StudiesCurriculum should be improvedin terms of ESD. It issuggested that authorities, academics, program developers, teachers should consider themultidisciplinary feature of both Social Studies Curriculum, and education for sustainabledevelopment
Effects of Remittances on Poverty among Rural Households in Nigeria
Authors: Olowa Olatomide Waheed , Awoyemi Taiwo Timothy , Shittu Musediku Adebayo a , Olowa Omowumi Ayodele
Published: April 2020

Poverty in Nigeria is more prevalent in therural sector due to dwindling and inequitabledistribution of real income. Remittances (money and goods sent by migrants to relativesback home) can be poverty reducing. However,the extent to which remittances affectpoverty and income inequality has not been adequately documented inNigeria.This paperuses a large, nationally-representative household survey to analyse the impact of domesticremittances (from Nigeria) and foreign remittances (from African and other countries) onpoverty in rural Nigeria. The socioeconomic characteristics showed that on the average,households that received foreign remittanceshad older heads (61.7± 19.7 years), smallerhousehold size (4.0 ± 2.5), bigger land size(18.53±26.5 ha), higherliteracy rate (0.50 ±0.5) and non-poor (0.08 ±0.3) with higher annual per capita expenditure (₦111,768 ±₦179,868). Poverty analysis showed that both types of remittances reduce the level,depth and severity of poverty in rural Nigeria.However, the size of the poverty reductiondepends on how poverty is being measured. The paper finds that poverty is reduced morewhen domestic, as opposed to foreign remittances are included inhousehold income, andwhen poverty is measured by the more sensitive poverty measures: poverty gap andsquared poverty gap. At a poverty line of₦23,733 per annum, a 10%increase in domesticremittances decreased Poverty Incidence(PI), Poverty Gap (PG) and Squared PovertyGap (SPG) by 1.80%, 1.60% and 1.60% while10% rise in foreign remittances reducedpoverty incidence (PI), Poverty gap (PG) and Squared poverty gap (SPG) by 0.86%,0.62% and0.62% respectively in rural Nigeria. Across GPZs, While 10% increase inforeign remittances reduced PI (-0.88%) in North-Central (NC) it had no effect in NE(0.00%). Same increase in domestic remittances reduced PI, PG, SPG most in the SS (-0.29%, -1.85% and -0.75%) and leastin NE (-0.09%, -0.82% and -0.22%
The Effects of the Price Change, on the Demand of Agricultural Products During Summer Time
Authors: SULI Dudi , Xhabija Gjergji
Published: April 2020

A fall in the price of a good has two effects. First, consumers enjoy an increase in realpurchasing power, they are better of because can buy the same amount of the good forless money, and thus have money left overfor additional purchases. The will tend toconsume more of the good that has became cheaper and less of those goods that are nowrelatively more expensive. Both effects happen simultaneously, but it will be useful todistinguish between them in our analysis. The Demand Functionand Slutsky Equationduring the summer time in our products,tomato and cucumber confirms the economictheory of chain effect in the agricultural products. Our research is based to the face-to-face questions about the prices that consumersreceive, and to the theoretical approach toidentify these effects. The demand function for this product gives us the solution of howindividual’s utility-maximizing choices respondto changes in income and in the prices oftomatoes and cucumbers.
Government Spending and Real Exchange Rate Case of Albania
Authors: Cakrani Edmira , Resulaj Pranvera , Koprencka (Kabello) Luciana
Published: April 2020

Various studies have found that governmentspending can lead to overestimation orunderestimation of the real exchange rate, depending on the composition of theseexpenditures. The purpose of this paper is toassess the impact of government spendingon real exchange rate in Albania. In this paper is used a log liner model with quarterlydata. Other explanatory variables in this model are: foreign direct investment, remittances,real GDP per capita, openness. Variables are tested for unit root and cointegration. Theresults indicate that government spendingis associated with overvaluation of realexchange rate in Albania.JEL Classification: E62; F31Various studies have found that governmentspending can lead to overestimation orunderestimation of the real exchange rate, depending on the composition of theseexpenditures. The purpose of this paper is toassess the impact of government spendingon real exchange rate in Albania. In this paper is used a log liner model with quarterlydata. Other explanatory variables in this model are: foreign direct investment, remittances,real GDP per capita, openness. Variables are tested for unit root and cointegration. Theresults indicate that government spendingis associated with overvaluation of realexchange rate in Albania.