bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two-size probability-changing cluster algorithm
Authors: Surungan Tasrief , Okabe Yutaka
Published: November 2020

We propose a self-adapted Monte Carlo approach to automatically determine the critical temperature by simulating two systems with different sizes at the same temperature. The temperature is increased or decreased by checking the short-time average of the correlation ratios of the two system sizes. The critical temperature is achieved using the negative feedback mechanism, which can be regarded as an Ehrenfest model for diffusion with a central force. Moreover, the thermal average near the critical temperature can be calculated precisely. The proposed approach is a general method to treat second-order phase transition, first-order phase transition, and Berezinskii–Kosterlitz–Thouless transition on the equal footing.
CCSDS-MHC on Raspberry Pi for Lossless Hyperspectral Image Compression
Authors: Samah N A A , Noor N R M , Bakar E A , Desa M K M
Published: November 2020

This paper is about Consultative Committee for Space Data System for Lossless Multispectral and Hyperspectral Image Compression (CCSDS-MHC) algorithm that is implemented on Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ system using Open Multi-Processing (OpenMP). CCSDS-MHC algorithm along with the full prediction mode is opted due to its best compression ratio (CR) performance. The issue of Hyperspectral Image Compression is the loss of data when compress, thus CCSDS algorithm is used in this research. Besides, with current technologies that require low-power but high-performance devices, Raspberry Pi was chosen to be tested in terms of its performances while being compared to other platforms. AVIRIS (airborne) and Hyperion (spaceborne) are used to test the performance of the system. OpenMP is introduced to simplify the computational operation through parallelization to take advantage of the multi-core architecture of the hardware system. In term of execution time, CCSDS-MHC algorithm when parallelize using OpenMP gave the best performances about 69.4% for AVIRIS 1997 dataset, 69.3% for AVIRIS 2006 dataset and 67.7% for Hyperion dataset. The execution time of performance CCSDS-MHC in Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ comparing with other different multicore platform is validate and the mean parallelize is measured. The result of comparison proves that faster performing task gives the best result due to higher speed of CPU-cores performances. From this research, it is proven that Raspberry Pi which is a low-power embedded platform able to compress the hyperspectral images at optimized speed with the implementation of OpenMP through CCSDS algorithm. Therefore, this research will be useful for further studies in lossless of hyperspectral images.
Monolayer grafting of APTES modified graphene oxide on silica coated magnetite: Synthesis, characterization and application in heavy oil removal
Authors: Ye Wong Chung , Shi Tan Inn , Chee Yew Foo Henry , Kuok Ho Tang Daniel , Hua Tan Yie , Fong Yeong Yin , Kee Lam Man
Published: November 2020

Petroleum industries have been creating negative environmental and ecological impacts due to the formation of oilfield produced water (OPW) during refining processes. Graphene oxide (GO) as a chemical demulsifier was found non-recyclable; hence, it could cause environmental pollution. Thus, magnetic graphene oxide (M-GO) was proposed to prevent any possible contamination. In this work, GO, and M-GO were successfully synthesized and the produced M-GO composites were found coated with silica-coated magnetite (Fe3O4@SiO2) nanoparticles. As such, they possess excellent superparamagnetic properties. The demulsification tests demonstrated that 0.25 wt% of M-GO aqueous suspension achieved 98.53% of demulsification efficiency on the as-prepared crude oil-in-water emulsion, which was more superior than GO as the suspending oil floccules attached to M-GO can be separated effectively using magnetic separation. The optimizations of the demulsification process were conducted, and significant findings were included as the major novelty of this work. The recycling tests have proven that M-GO can be reused to perform demulsification effectively for ten times. Despite being able to reduce the demulsification costs in the industry, this research suggests that the excellent properties of M-GO can minimize the risk of polluting the environment due to leakage of demulsifier through the application of magnetic separation.
Comparison of Soil Erosion Control by Mulch and Cultivated Grass
Authors: Tay A.C. , Ratnam P.
Published: November 2020

Soil erosion has deteriorated water quality and caused land degradation. As human industrialization quickens, the effects of soil erosion are getting worse. Therefore, it is essential to have an effective mitigation measure at hand to solve this problem. In this research, two types of erosion control methods were compared to determine their effectiveness in controlling soil erosion. The two methods used were mulch made from dried grass clippings and grass cultivation grown with Axonopus compressus or more commonly known as cow grass. The plots were placed under five rainfall events together with a control plot. The runoff volume, turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS) from the plot discharges were tested and compared. The effectiveness of each erosion control method under different rainfall conditions were also evaluated. Results indicated that the mulch plot produced a lower runoff volume but the grass plot did manage to improve performance over time. The turbidity of both plots were similar. The TSS produced by the grass plot was lower than the mulch plot in 4 out of the 5 testing periods. The grass plot also performed better in longer duration and high intensity rainfall events. The mulch was able to produce similar results with the grass in short duration, low or moderate intensity rainfall events. As a conclusion, the grass cultivation is a more effective erosion control method when compared to the mulch.
Performance analysis of a modified Savonius hydrokinetic turbine blade for rural application
Authors: Anthony Armand Z. , Roy Sukanta
Published: November 2020

For rural areas situated in the deep topography of Sarawak, the distance from energy grids and plants are situated too far from the power appliances. Hence, sustainable alternative method of generating energy for the people should be put into consideration. For rural areas rich with riverine streams, the employment of hydrokinetic turbines (HKT) would be a good alternative to meet their daily requirements. The HKTs are fundamentally understood as a turbine that harnesses the kinetic motion of freestreams without the need of head. In the preceding years, the development of HKT turbines has undergone several breakthroughs in terms of efficiency and design. However, at low water depths cluttered with debris, it makes the implementation of certain HKT orientations limited. In such cases, the Savonius style SKTs would be one of the promising deployments in riverine systems. In this paper, a newly developed Savonius blade profile by Roy & Saha was simulated in a fluid medium of water through the CFD software StarCCM+. The two-dimensional unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes equations was solved using the shear stress transport k-co turbulence model at a Reynolds number of 0.71-1.88×105 and water speed ranging from 0.3-0.8 m/s. The maximum power coefficient generated by the modified blade was 0.43 at TSR=1.0 and Re=1.88×105.
Recent Developments in City Logistics Research: A Literature Review
Authors: Istiqomah S , Yuniaristanto  , Sutopo W
Published: November 2020

City logistics is an important problem of the modern urban logistics system that needs to be resolved. In this review, we can integrating economic, environmental, and social dimensions problem to analyze the relevance of urban logistic issues and to identify gaps. This problem require coorperation between several type of stakeholders. The stakeholders have different objectives and decision spaces. We identify some information and research, so this literature review can contribute to the evolution of knowledge management. The literature review can develop opportunities and challenges for understanding about development of city logistics.
Determination of Routes for Daily Newspaper Product Distribution with Saving Matrix Methods
Authors: Adam N A F P , Sari I P , Tasya A , Sutopo W , Yuniaristanto
Published: November 2020

The newspaper industry has several distinctive characteristics that make it stand out from other industries due to tight production and delivery times. The results of a case study in one of the newspaper companies in the city of Surakarta, found several problems, one of which is the slow distribution process due to the determination of the wrong route. The problem of distribution is the problem of the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP). Vehicle Routing Problem is a problem related to determining the optimal distribution route by involving several obstacles to serve a number of agents at the request of each agent. One of the obstacles of the Vehicle Routing Poblem is the capacity of the vehicle. This study applies the Vehicle Routing Problem using the Nearest Neighbor method to optimize the distribution route. The Nearest Neighbor method is used to design routes based on the next closest distance. Distribution efficiency is evaluated based on the total distance, time and load borne by the vehicle fleet. The results showed that the distribution route was divided into two routes with a total distance traveled as far as 27.3 km and a total time of 1 hour 30 minutes in accordance with the time windows policy that is applied daily Solopos. Based on the use of these methods, it can save company expenses of Rp. 134,160.00 per day or Rp. 1,609,920.00 per month in product distribution for the Surakarta City area.
Redesign Production Layout Using Dedicated Storage Method: Case Study of PT.Solo Grafika Utama
Authors: Dianto C , Widiandoko F , Rahmanasari D , Yuniaristanto  , Sutopo W
Published: November 2020

PT. Solo Grafika Utama is one of the companies in the field of newspaper production. The newspaper industry has strict production characteristics. Therefore, it requires a good factory layout in order to create effectiveness and production efficiency. The warehouse layout in PT Solo Grafika Utama still deficient in the application of material handling in warehouses so that it often raises problems. The problem is that the product arrangement in the warehouse is not optimal because there are still products stored in an wrong place. This article aims to provide an effective and efficient proposal to improve warehouse layout in PT Solo Grafika Utama using the dedicated storage method. Dedicated Storage is chosen to improve warehouse arrangement and minimize the distance of product displacement. After the proposed improvement, a better warehouse layout is obtained. In the proposed layout can also minimize the product displacement distance of 23% from the initial distance. Thus it can be said that the proposed layout is better than the initial layout and can be proven to be able to facilitate the handling of materials in the warehouse so that it can make newspaper production more effective and efficient.
A Literature Review: Commercialization Study of Electric Motorcycle Conversion in Indonesia
Authors: Habibie A , Sutopo W
Published: November 2020

The number of motorcycles in Indonesia increased very significant in Indonesia at the last 10 years, reaching 300%. Automatically, its will make carbon pollution in Indonesia increasing. Electric motorcycle is one that can be used to remove carbon pollution. Indonesian government very concern about this by issuing Presidential Regulation Number 55 of 2019 for push and accelerate the electrification all vehicle in Indonesia including motorcycle. The goal of this study is to see the development of research on converting Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) motorcycles into electric motorcycle, both in the world and in Indonesia. The method used is quantitative descriptive statistics through Scopus web. The results of this research are expected to be a reference for research in Indonesia that want to be immediately prepare for electric motorcycle conversion. In this research also give taxonomy and classification based on Goldsmith Model as a technology commercialization model and SWOT analysis for implementation electric motorcycle conversion program in Indonesia.
Supply Chain Performance Analysis Using Hybrid Overall Equipment Effectiveness and Discrete Event Simulation (Case Study: Futura Energy Nusantara)
Authors: Fadhlurrahman Z A , Yuniaristanto  , Hisjam M , Zakaria R
Published: November 2020

Futura Energy Nusantara is the first manufacturer of lithium-ion battery cell production in Indonesia. Because highly demand, the company must fill the order and increase production Productivity is one of the most fundamental and important determinants of system production. Productivity measurement help identify the problems and find solutions to improve system performance. OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) is one method used for effective time manufacturing systems related to the existence of equipment in the production system. The Element of OEE is Availability Rate (A), Performance Efficiency (P), and Quality Rate (Q). The study aims to test through the simulation production system in Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIB), by considering factor OEE, with discrete event simulation system. As a result, this study is a model to applicable, for the company to improve Productivity
Review of BIM literature and government initiatives to promote BIM in Malaysia
Authors: Sinoh S S , Ibrahim Z , Othman F , Muhammad N L N
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this paper was to review the current state of building information modelling (BIM) literature in Malaysia. A detailed description of the history and definition of BIM was also presented. A literature search was carried out on the Web of Science Core Collection (WoS CC) on BIM research in Malaysia. Results showed that Malaysian output of BIM research peaked in 2016 and has shown a steady decline since. Most of the research from local affiliations were published in conference proceedings as opposed to academic journals. Also, a search among non-academic sources was conducted to reveal government efforts to promote BIM in Malaysia. Generally, the strategies used by the government to promote BIM include spreading awareness through roadshows, increasing competency through workshops and encouraging higher education institutes to include BIM in their curricula. Current focus should now be shifted to increasing collaboration among construction industry players using BIM as a medium for cooperation. Implications include the need for more peer-reviewed studies and a systematic nationwide study of BIM implementation in Malaysia to facilitate its growth on the national level.
A review of the green building rating systems
Authors: Tang K H D , Foo C Y H , Tan I S
Published: November 2020

Green buildings have received much attention since the early 90s due to increasing concerns over the sustainability of buildings. The rise of green buildings spurred the need to systematically evaluate hence certify those buildings using a set of established criteria. This led to the emergence of numerous green building rating systems. This review compares 10 popular green building rating systems to identify their similarities, differences and the potential future studies in this area. It identifies 17 evaluation criteria as the basis of comparison and ranks the importance of the most common criteria based on their average weights across the rating systems of interest. This review shows that energy efficiency, indoor environment, health and wellbeing, sustainable siting, material efficiency, water efficiency and innovation as the most prevalent evaluation criteria in descending average weights. This study identifies the future need to probe into the implementation of the rating systems and the building performance ensuing such implementation. It is also crucial to understand the barriers in popularizing green building awards or certification. This review contributes to both the knowledge and practices of green building rating.
Simulation on Lighting Energy Consumption based on Building Information Modelling for Energy Efficiency at Highway Rest and Service Areas Malaysia
Authors: Neardey M , Aminudin E , Chung L P , Zin R M , Zakaria R , Che Wahid C M F H , Hamid A R A , Noor Z Z N
Published: November 2020

Building consumes 40% of global energy consumption which contributes for such a majority amount of carbon dioxide emission. Enhancing the energy efficiency strategies in buildings by retrofitting through different approaches is essential for reducing end user on the amount of energy consumption and carbon footprint emission. Previous research shows that only a few studies have been conducted on retrofitting the energy performance on Rest and Service Area yet the result shows that lack of technical feasibility practice was reviewed. Hence, this paper explores the energy efficiency strategy by improving the lighting performance based on 24 hours service building at Rest and Service Area Ayer Keroh Northbound Malaysia. The simulation that was performed in lighting energy consumption was EnergyPLUS software, Autodesk Revit and RELUX Plug in tool in Revit. Preliminary study was conducted to identity the problem on energy performance at Rest and Service Area Ayer Keroh by determine the total energy consumption by sources and Building Energy Intensity [BEI]. The result shows lighting contributes to the most total load consumption due to lack of energy conservation management and energy efficiency strategy practices. The lighting simulation scenarios was created to enhance the energy consumption performance and reduced the irrelevant carbon footprint emission. The simulation in Revit and EnergyPLUS showed 17% and 49% reduction respectively on the end load of lighting energy consumption by reducing the overall time operation and daylight control dimming system.
Conformity assessment of two orthotropic steel deck bridges in Bulgaria according to present requirements
Authors: Georgiev L D , Ivanov S D
Published: November 2020

Two orthotropic steel deck (OSD) bridges along “Hemus” highway in Republic of Bulgaria are discussed in the paper. They are built at 1985 and are in exploitation over 30 years up to present times. The first of the bridge superstructures is with closed section trapezoidal longitudinal ribs of the OSD and steel plated main girders with 72,45 m span. The second bridge superstructure is with open type section longitudinal ribs of the OSD and steel box main girder with 162m span. Visual inspection and some measurements are performed for evaluation of the overall condition of these bridges. It must be mention that the traffic has considerably increased. Some checks for fatigue for the second bridge are performed in accordance with Eurocode. The condition in respect to fatigue behaviour in accordance with the used structural details in the OSD and the prescriptions of the present design standards is analysed and discussed.
Technical solution for frame rail viaduct that can guarantee durability and safety exploitation
Authors: Jiponov A K
Published: November 2020

Bridge constructions with frame static scheme are proven solution for railway viaducts, which guarantees durability, trouble – free maintenance, appropriate behaviour ensuring the assumption and transmission of vertical and horizontal efforts, redistribution of deformations occurring during the exploitation. The lack of bearings and expansion joints, makes them extremely reliable and adaptable to both the loads and the deformations that occur during the exploitation. An example of such a construction, with a seamless period of operation for more than 30 years, is the bridge in railway area of Station – Poduyane. It is a 3 spans frame structure, with a total length of 105m, with 18 track lines at the Railway Yard Area. In the current article, 2 railway viaducts will be presented – part of the Modernization of the Railway line Sofia – Plovdiv, railway section Elin Pelin – Ihtiman. Specific issues of the design process have been considered, with particular attention to the element stiffness proportion ratio, details of the joints, the effects of temperature, the shrinkage and creeping of the concrete, isolating the abutments from the soil effects / pressure.
Movement, Encounter Rate, and Collective Behavior in Ant Colonies
Authors: Gordon Deborah M
Published: November 2020

Spatial patterns of movement regulate many aspects of social insect behavior, because how workers move around, and how many are there, determines how often they meet and interact. Interactions are usually olfactory; for example, in ants, by means of antennal contact in which one worker assesses the cuticular hydrocarbons of another. Encounter rates may be a simple outcome of local density: a worker experiences more encounters, the more other workers there are around it. This means that encounter rate can be used as a cue for overall density even though no individual can assess global density. Encounter rate as a cue for local density regulates many aspects of social insect behavior, including collective search, task allocation, nest choice, and traffic flow. As colonies grow older and larger, encounter rates change, which leads to changes in task allocation. Nest size affects local density and movement patterns, which influences encounter rate, so that nest size and connectivity influence colony behavior. However, encounter rate is not a simple function of local density when individuals change their movement in response to encounters, thus influencing further encounter rates. Natural selection on the regulation of collective behavior can draw on variation within and among colonies in the relation of movement patterns, encounter rate, and response to encounters.
Correlation of 24-Hour Average Heart Rate With Early Renal Damage in Patients With Initial Diagnosis of Hypertension
Authors: Huang Su-lan , Kuang Ze-min , Ge Liang-qing , Liang Li , Guo Ning , Yu Zhen-qiu , Zhou Quan
Published: November 2020

Background

To investigate the correlation of 24-hour average heart rate (HR) with early renal damage in patients with initial diagnosis of hypertension.

Methods

A total of 456 outpatients with initial diagnosis of hypertension were recruited between November 2015 and May 2017. Ambulatory electrocardiogram and blood pressure (BP) were monitored in all patients. According to the 24-hour average HR, patients were divided into fast HR group (24-hour average HR >75 beats/minute, n = 203) and nonfast HR group (24-hour average HR ≤75 beats/minute, n = 253). HR, renal function, and urinary microalbumin were analyzed.

Results

Albumin-to-creatinine ratio, eGFR, body mass index, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 24-hour average HR, night and day average HR, diastolic BP, and daytime systolic BP were higher, while nocturnal BP drop rate was lower in patients with fast HR group than those in nonfast HR group (all P < 0.05). Twenty-four-hour HR and albumin-to-creatinine ratio increased significantly with increases of office BP (P < 0.05). albumin-to-creatinine ratio and eGFR in high-risk group and extremely high-risk group were significantly higher, while eGFR was lower than those in low- and middle-risk group (all P < 0.05). The 24-hour average HR and resting HR were positively correlated with the level of microalbuminuria (r = 0.169, 0.265, respectively, both P < 0.01). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the level of BP (B = 17.798), nocturnal BP drop rate (B = −1.766), and 24-hour average HR (B = 0.564) were correlated with microalbuminuria (all P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The 24-hour average HR is associated with the early renal damage in patients with initial diagnosis of hypertension.
Correlation of Circular RNA hsa_circ_0001946, hsa_circ_0125589, and Environmental Factors With Hypertension
Authors: Liu Wan-yue , Sun Yi , Huang Shu-na , Lin Yu-zhen , Guo Hong-yan , Fang Jing , Zhang Gao-man , Li Huang-yuan , Wu Si-ying
Published: November 2020

Background

To investigate the main environmental factors of hypertension and the relationship between hypertension and circular RNAs in peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Methods

This was a case–control study. A total of 681 hypertension patients and 485 subjects without hypertension were recruited between April 2017 and October 2018. All participations completed the questionnaire investigation, physical examination, and laboratory detection. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze circRNAs (hsa_circ_0001946 and hsa_circ_0125589) in peripheral blood leukocytes in 84 hypertensives and 84 controls. Multivariate logistic regression and crossover analysis were used to analyze the interaction and association between environmental factors and circRNAs in hypertension.

Results

After adjusted by gender, age and marital status, overweight/obesity (odds ratio (OR) = 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24–2.22), abdominal obesity (OR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.54–3.04), anxiety (OR = 2.15, 95% CI 1.41–3.28), family history of hypertension (OR = 4.26, 95% CI 3.18–5.70), and higher levels of hsa_circ_0001946 (OR = 4.13, 95% CI 1.85–9.21) were risk factors for hypertension, while levels of hsa_circ_0125589 were not associated with hypertension. Crossover analysis showed that the risk of hypertension was 13.12 times higher (95% CI 3.89–44.23) in overweight subjects with high hsa_circ_0001946 levels compared with normal weight subjects with low hsa_circ_0001946 levels. Further, the risk of hypertension was 17.78 times higher (95% CI 1.88–168.61) in subjects with anxiety and high hsa_circ_0001946 levels.

Conclusions

Hypertension is the result of both environmental factors and genetic factors. Higher hsa_circ_0001946 levels, overweight and anxiety may increase the risk of hypertension, while hsa_circ_0125589 levels are not related to hypertension.
Chapter One Didymus and epic poetry
Authors: Pagani Lara
Published: November 2020

This chapter studies Didymus’ scholarly activity on epic poetry, especially on Homer, in relation to both his own exegetical efforts and his work about the textual recension of Aristarchus of Samothrace. It provides a critical survey of the fragments of Didymus’ Homeric commentaries, with an overview on the subjects they covered. As for the treatise on Aristarchus’ diorthōsis, which is much more significant for the exegetical tradition on Homer, it discusses the scholia that convey his reasonings, the relationship of this work with the work of Aristonicus, the sources used by Didymus, the information Didymus gives us about Aristarchus’ works and ecdotic method, and finally the methods employed by Didymus himself in handling the work of his predecessors.
abPOA: an SIMD-based C library for fast partial order alignment using adaptive band
Authors: Gao Yan , Liu Yongzhuang , Ma Yanmei , Liu Bo , Wang Yadong , Xing Yi
Published: November 2020

Partial order alignment, which aligns a sequence to a directed acyclic graph, is now frequently used as a key component in long-read error correction and assembly. We present abPOA (adaptive banded Partial Order Alignment), a Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD)-based C library for fast partial order alignment using adaptive banded dynamic programming. It can work as a stand-alone multiple sequence alignment and consensus calling tool or be easily integrated into any long-read error correction and assembly workflow. Compared to a state-of-the-art tool (SPOA), abPOA is up to 10 times faster with a comparable alignment accuracy.

Availability and implementation

abPOA is implemented in C. A stand-alone tool and a C/Python software interface are freely available at https://github.com/yangao07/abPOA.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The Artist and her Work in Carol Ann Duffy’s Poetry
Authors: Brown Paul Tolliver
Published: November 2020

The author analyses Carol Ann Duffy’s dramatic monologues and revisionist myths in Standing Female Nude and The World’s Wife that centre on speakers who are either fashioned into objects of art or that become artists themselves. In the process, the author demonstrates that Duffy deconstructs the practice of objectification and undermines humanist philosophy. At the same time, Duffy appears to reconcile the postmodern dispersal of the subject with a sense of creative agency and autonomy, unmaking archetypes while weaving together an inclusive plurality of voices engaged in both social critique and creative praxis.
Cardiac pacing in severe recurrent reflex syncope and tilt-induced asystole
Authors: Brignole Michele , Russo Vincenzo , Arabia Francesco , Oliveira Mario , Pedrote Alonso , Aerts Arnaud , Rapacciuolo Antonio , Boveda Serge , Deharo Jean Claude , Maglia Giampiero , Nigro Gerardo , Giacopelli Daniele , Gargaro Alessio , Tomaino Marco ,   for the BioSync CLS trial Investigators
Published: November 2020

Aim

The benefit of cardiac pacing in patients with severe recurrent reflex syncope and asystole induced by tilt testing has not been established. The usefulness of tilt-table test to select candidates for cardiac pacing is controversial.

Methods and results

We randomly assigned patients aged 40 years or older who had at least two episodes of unpredictable severe reflex syncope during the last year and a tilt-induced syncope with an asystolic pause longer than 3 s, to receive either an active (pacing ON; 63 patients) or an inactive (pacing OFF; 64 patients) dual-chamber pacemaker with closed loop stimulation (CLS). The primary endpoint was the time to first recurrence of syncope. Patients and independent outcome assessors were blinded to the assigned treatment. After a median follow-up of 11.2 months, syncope occurred in significantly fewer patients in the pacing group than in the control group [10 (16%) vs. 34 (53%); hazard ratio, 0.23; P = 0.00005]. The estimated syncope recurrence rate at 1 year was 19% (pacing) and 53% (control) and at 2 years, 22% (pacing) and 68% (control). A combined endpoint of syncope or presyncope occurred in significantly fewer patients in the pacing group [23 (37%) vs. 40 (63%); hazard ratio, 0.44; P = 0.002]. Minor device-related adverse events were reported in five patients (4%).

Conclusion

In patients aged 40 years or older, affected by severe recurrent reflex syncope and tilt-induced asystole, dual-chamber pacemaker with CLS is highly effective in reducing the recurrences of syncope. Our findings support the inclusion of tilt testing as a useful method to select candidates for cardiac pacing.

Study registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02324920, Eudamed number CIV-05-013546.
Clinical learnings from a virtual primary care program monitoring mild to moderate COVID-19 patients at home
Authors: Pimlott Nicholas , Agarwal Payal , McCarthy Lisa M , Luke Miles J , Hum Susan , Gill Sumeet , Heisey Ruth
Published: November 2020

Background

Virtual consults have replaced in-person visits for many home-isolated patients with COVID-19 disease.

Objectives

To describe the natural history, clinical management and outcomes of community-dwelling patients with COVID-19, who received support from a family medicine-led, virtual CovidCare@Home program in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Methods

Observational, descriptive study conducted by retrospective chart review of 98 patients enrolled during the first 5 weeks of program implementation (8 April–11 May 2020); 73 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, with symptom onset ≤ 14 days before initial consult were included for analysis. Patients were classified as mild, moderate or severe based on WHO Criteria.

Results

All patients in the program experienced mild (88%) or moderate (12.3%) disease. No patients were hospitalized or died. Patients were mainly female (70%); with mean age of 43.3 years. Most patients (82.2%) worked in higher risk, healthcare settings. Almost 40% had no medical co-morbidities. Common symptoms were cough (65.8%), fatigue (60.3%), headache (42.5%) and myalgia (39.7%), followed by fever (32.9%), sore throat (21.9%), nasal congestion (21.9%) and rhinorrhea (20.5%). Headache (51%) and anosmia (45.1%) were common among females; fever and breathlessness among males (40.9%). Nine patients (12.3%) experienced worsening of symptoms (mainly respiratory) or exacerbation of co-morbidities, which required care outside the virtual service.

Conclusion

Patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 disease can be managed safely and effectively in a family medicine-led virtual program. Some sex differences in symptoms were observed. Future work should focus on long-term follow up in view of the existence of so-called ‘long-haulers’.
Safeguarding the fragile rice–wheat ecosystem of the Indo-Gangetic Plains through bio-priming and bioaugmentation interventions
Authors: Sarkar Deepranjan , Rakshit Amitava
Published: November 2020

Managing agrochemicals for crop production always remains a classic challenge for us to maintain the doctrine of sustainability. Intensively cultivated rice–wheat production system without using the organics (organic amendments, manures, biofertilizers) has a tremendous impact on soil characteristics (physical, chemical, and biological), environmental quality (water, air), input use efficiency, ecosystem biodiversity, and nutritional security. Consequently, crop productivity is found to be either decreasing or stagnating. Rice–wheat cropping system is the major agroecosystem in India feeding millions of people, which is widely practiced in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). Microorganisms as key players in the soil system can restore the degraded ecosystems using a variety of mechanisms. Here, we propose how delivery systems (i.e., the introduction of microbes in seed, soil, and crop through bio-priming and/or bioaugmentation) can help us in eradicating food scarcity and maintaining sustainability without compromising the ecosystem services. Both bio-priming and bioaugmentation are efficient techniques to utilize bio-agents judiciously for successful crop production by enhancing phytohormones, nutrition status, and stress tolerance levels in plants (including mitigating of abiotic stresses and biocontrol of pests/pathogens). However, there are some differences in application methods, and the latter one also includes the aspects of bioremediation or soil detoxification. Overall, we have highlighted different perspectives on applying biological solutions in the IGP to sustain the dominant (rice–wheat) cropping sequence.
NKCC1: Newly Found as a Human Disease-Causing Ion Transporter
Authors: Koumangoye Rainelli , Bastarache Lisa , Delpire Eric
Published: November 2020

Among the electroneutral Na+-dependent chloride transporters, NKCC1 had until now evaded identification as a protein causing human diseases. The closely related SLC12A transporters, NKCC2 and NCC have been identified some 25 years ago as responsible for Bartter and Gitelman syndromes: two renal-dependent salt wasting disorders. Absence of disease was most surprising since the NKCC1 knockout mouse was shown in 1999 to be viable, albeit with a wide range of deleterious phenotypes. Here we summarize the work of the past 5 years that introduced us to clinical cases involving NKCC1. The most striking cases are of 3 children with inherited mutations, who have complete absence of NKCC1 expression. These cases establish that lack of NKCC1 causes deafness; CFTR-like secretory defects with mucus accumulation in lung and intestine; severe xerostomia, hypotonia, dysmorphic facial features, and severe neurodevelopmental disorder. Another intriguing case is of a patient with a dominant deleterious SLC12A2 allele. This de novo mutation introduced a premature stop codon leading to a truncated protein. This mutant transporter seems to exert dominant-negative effect on wild-type transporter only in epithelial cells. The patient who suffers from lung, bladder, intestine, pancreas, and multiple endocrine abnormalities has, however, normal hearing and cognition. Finally, new reports substantiate the haploinsufficiency prediction of the SLC12A2 gene. Cases with single allele mutations in SLC12A2 have been linked to hearing loss and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Intrinsic Exercise Capacity and Mitochondrial DNA Lead to Opposing Vascular-Associated Risks
Authors: Roy Shaunak , Edwards Jonnelle M , Tomcho Jeremy C , Schreckenberger Zachary , Bearss Nicole R , Zhang Youjie , Morgan Eric E , Cheng Xi , Spegele Adam C , Vijay-Kumar Matam , McCarthy Cameron G , Koch Lauren G , Joe Bina , Wenceslau Camilla Ferreira
Published: November 2020

Exercise capacity is a strong predictor of all-cause morbidity and mortality in humans. However, the associated hemodynamic traits that link this valuable indicator to its subsequent disease risks are numerable. Additionally, exercise capacity has a substantial heritable component and genome-wide screening indicates a vast amount of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers are significantly associated with traits of physical performance. A long-term selection experiment in rats confirms a divide for cardiovascular risks between low- and high-capacity runners (LCR and HCR, respectively), equipping us with a preclinical animal model to uncover new mechanisms. Here, we evaluated the LCR and HCR rat model system for differences in vascular function at the arterial resistance level. Consistent with the known divide between health and disease, we observed that LCR rats present with resistance artery and perivascular adipose tissue dysfunction compared to HCR rats that mimic qualities important for health, including improved vascular relaxation. Uniquely, we show by generating conplastic strains, which LCR males with mtDNA of female HCR (LCR-mtHCR/Tol) present with improved vascular function. Conversely, HCR-mtLCR/Tol rats displayed indices for cardiac dysfunction. The outcome of this study suggests that the interplay between the nuclear genome and the maternally inherited mitochondrial genome with high intrinsic exercise capacity is a significant factor for improved vascular physiology, and animal models developed on an interaction between nuclear and mtDNA are valuable new tools for probing vascular risk factors in the offspring.
On the heterogeneity of the earthquake rupture
Authors: Malagnini Luca , Dreger Douglas S , Nadeau Robert M , Munafò Irene , Cocco Massimo
Published: November 2020

The scaling of earthquake parameters with seismic moment and its interpretation in terms of self-similarity is still debated in the literature. We address this question by examining a worldwide compilation of corner frequency-based and elastic rebound theory (ERT)-based fault slip, area and stress drop values for earthquakes ranging in magnitude from −0.7 to 7.8. We find that corner frequency estimates of slip (and stress drop) scale differently than those inferred from the ERT approach, where the latter deviates from the generally accepted constant stress drop behaviour of so-called self-similar scaling models. We also find that average slips from finite-source models are consistent with corner frequency scaling, whereas peak slip values are more consistent with the ERT scaling. The different scaling of corner frequency- and ERT-based estimates of slip and stress drop with earthquake size is interpreted in terms of heterogeneity of the rupture process. ERT-based estimates of stress drop decrease with seismic moment suggesting a self-affine behaviour. Despite the inferred heterogeneity at all scales, we do not observe a clear effect on the Brune stress drop scaling with earthquake size.
Diffracted wavefield decomposition and multidimensional site effects in the Argostoli valley, Greece
Authors: Imtiaz A , Cornou C , Bard P-Y , Hobiger M
Published: November 2020

Effects of seismic ground motion induced by surface geology and geometry are known to be associated with the generation of a substantial proportion of surface waves. As a consequence, surface waves significantly contribute to ground-motion variability and site amplification. There is a growing body of literature recognizing that an understanding of physical patterns of the wavefield crossing a site is the key aspect to characterize and quantify them. However, this task remains technically challenging due to the complexity of such effects as well as the limitations of geophysical investigations, especially in case of small sedimentary valleys. The present study attempts to investigate the waves propagating across two 2-D dense seismic arrays from a number of earthquakes and explore the extent to which they are contributing to the multidimensional site effects. The arrays were deployed in the small-size, shallow alluvial valley of Koutavos-Argostoli, located in Cephalonia Island, Greece, and consisted of three-component velocimeters with interstation distances ranging from 5 to 160 m. A set of 46 earthquakes, with magnitudes between 2 and 5 and epicentral distances up to 200 km, was analysed by using an advanced seismic array processing technique, MUSIQUE. The phase velocity, backazimuth and energy of the dominant waves crossing the array were extracted, and their identification as Love or prograde/retrograde Rayleigh waves was obtained. The results clearly indicate a predominance of scattered surface waves (up to 60 per cent of total energy), mainly from the closest valley edges, above the fundamental frequency (∼1.5 Hz) of the valley. Love waves dominate the low-frequency wavefield (<3 Hz) while Rayleigh waves dominate some high-frequency bands. An excellent consistency is observed, in a given frequency range, among the dominance of the type of diffracted surface waves, group velocities estimated from the ground velocity structure and site amplification. The outcomes of this research provide a better understanding of the contribution of edge-diffracted surface waves and the 2-D/3-D site amplification at small and shallow alluvium valleys like Argostoli. The method applied here can be used to calibrate and validate 3-D models for simulating seismic ground motion.
How to reduce household costs for people with tuberculosis: a longitudinal costing survey in Nepal
Authors: Gurung Suman Chandra , Rai Bhola , Dixit Kritika , Worrall Eve , Paudel Puskar Raj , Dhital Raghu , Sah Manoj Kumar , Pandit Ram Narayan , Aryal Tara Prasad , Majhi Govinda , Wingfield Tom , Squire Bertie , Lönnroth Knut , Levy Jens W , Viney Kerri , van Rest Job , Ramsay Andrew , Santos da Costa Rafaely Marcia , Basnyat Buddha , Thapa Anil , Mishra Gokul , Moreira Pescarini Julia , Caws Maxine , Teixeira de Siqueira-Filha Noemia
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study was to compare costs and socio-economic impact of tuberculosis (TB) for patients diagnosed through active (ACF) and passive case finding (PCF) in Nepal. A longitudinal costing survey was conducted in four districts of Nepal from April 2018 to October 2019. Costs were collected using the WHO TB Patient Costs Survey at three time points: intensive phase of treatment, continuation phase of treatment and at treatment completion. Direct and indirect costs and socio-economic impact (poverty headcount, employment status and coping strategies) were evaluated throughout the treatment. Prevalence of catastrophic costs was estimated using the WHO threshold. Logistic regression and generalized estimating equation were used to evaluate risk of incurring high costs, catastrophic costs and socio-economic impact of TB over time. A total of 111 ACF and 110 PCF patients were included. ACF patients were more likely to have no education (75% vs 57%, P = 0.006) and informal employment (42% vs 24%, P = 0.005) Compared with the PCF group, ACF patients incurred lower costs during the pretreatment period (mean total cost: US$55 vs US$87, P < 0.001) and during the pretreatment plus treatment periods (mean total direct costs: US$72 vs US$101, P < 0.001). Socio-economic impact was severe for both groups throughout the whole treatment, with 32% of households incurring catastrophic costs. Catastrophic costs were associated with ‘no education’ status [odds ratio = 2.53(95% confidence interval = 1.16–5.50)]. There is a severe and sustained socio-economic impact of TB on affected households in Nepal. The community-based ACF approach mitigated costs and reached the most vulnerable patients. Alongside ACF, social protection policies must be extended to achieve the zero catastrophic costs milestone of the End TB strategy.
Cost of scaling-up comprehensive primary health care in India: Implications for universal health coverage
Authors: Singh Diksha , Prinja Shankar , Bahuguna Pankaj , Chauhan Akashdeep Singh , Guinness Lorna , Sharma Sameer , Lakshmi P V M
Published: November 2020

India has announced the ambitious program to transform the current primary healthcare facilities to health and wellness centres (HWCs) for provision of comprehensive primary health care (CPHC). We undertook this study to assess the cost of this scale-up to inform decisions on budgetary allocation, as well as to set the norms for capitation-based payments. The scale-up cost was assessed from both a financial and an economic perspective. Primary data on resources used to provide services in 93 sub-health centres (SHCs) and 38 primary health care centres (PHCs) were obtained from the National Health System Cost Database. The cost of additional infrastructure and human resources was assessed against the normative guidelines of Indian Public Health Standards and the HWC. The cost of other inputs (drugs, consumables, etc.) was determined by undertaking the need estimation based on disease burden or programme guidelines, standard treatment guidelines and extent and pattern of care utilization from nationally representative sample surveys. The financial cost is reported in terms of the annual incremental cost at health facility level, as well as its implications at national level, given the planned scale-up path. Secondly, economic cost is assessed as the total annual as well as annual per capita cost of services at HWC level. Bootstrapping technique was undertaken to estimate 95% confidence intervals for cost estimations. Scaling to CPHC through HWC would require an additional ₹ 721 509 (US$10 178) million allocation of funds for primary healthcare >5 years from 2019 to 2023. The scale-up would imply an addition to Government of India’s health budget of 2.5% in 2019 to 12.1% in 2023. Our findings suggest a scale-up cost of 0.15% of gross domestic product (GDP) for full provision of CPHC which compares with current public health spending of 1.28% of GDP and a commitment of 2.5% of GDP by 2025 in the National Health Policy. If a capitation-based payment system was used to pay providers, provision of CPHC would need to be paid at between ₹ 333 (US$4.70) and ₹ 253 (US$3.57) per person covered for SHC and PHC, respectively.