bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SOME INTRIGUING HIGH-THROUGHPUT DNA SEQUENCE VARIANTS PREDICTION OVER PROTEIN FUNCTIONALITY
Authors: Kheirkhah Atabak , Mohd Daud Salwani , Ahmad @ Salleh Noor Azurati , Mohd Sam Suriani , Abas Hafiza , Shariff Sya Azmeela , Md Yusof Yusnaidi
Published: October 2019

This paper intends to review computational methods and high throughput automated tools for precisely prediction various functionalities of uncharacterized proteins based on their desired DNA sequence information alone. Then proposes a hybrid weighted network and Genetic Algorithm to improve prediction purpose. The main advantage of the method is the protein function and DNA sequence prediction can be computed precisely using best fitness parent in genetic algorithm. With the accomplishment of human genome sequencing, the number of sequence-known proteins has increased exponentially and the pace is much slower in determining their biological attributes. The gap between DNA sequence variants and their functionalities has become increasingly large. However, detection of sequences based on protein data bank has become benchmark for many researchers. As amount of DNA sequence data continues to increase, the fundamental problem stay at the front of genome analysis. In the course of developing these methods, the following matters were often needed to consider: benchmark dataset construction, gene sequence prediction, operating algorithm, anticipated accuracy, gene recommender and functional integrations. In this review, we are to discuss each of them, with a different focus on operational algorithms and how to increase the accuracy of DNA sequence variants prediction.
MODELLING THE PREDICTION OF DENGUE OUTBREAK USING SYSTEM DYNAMICS APPROACH
Authors: Jaafar Ibnu Affan , Zainal Abidin Norhaslinda , Mohd Jamil Jastini
Published: October 2019

Dengue virus had become the dominant mosquito-borne disease in Malaysia.  With no positive progress on the development of vaccine, other ways in dealing with the virus is to predict the next outbreak which is also the aim of this paper. This dengue model based on system dynamics approach gives valuable information to decision makers in determining the strategies for vector control. The array of factors involved such as temperature, rainfall and population density that significantly influence virus transmission, give opportunity for a system approach in providing answer to the complicated relationship which exist in dengue system. System dynamics dengue model is able to simulate reasonable and promising results, which can be used as basis for future researcher to model more accurate and detail dengue transmission control system.
MODIFIED PRINTED DIPOLE WITH REFLECTOR AND DIRECTOR
Authors: Abu Hussin Farhana , Ahmad Badrul Hisham , Abd Aziz Mohamad Zoinol Abidin , Kadim Suaidi Mohamad
Published: October 2019

This paper presented the design for dipole antenna at 2.4GHz for wireless local area network (WLAN) application. This design aimed to improve the antenna gains and directivity. The printed dipole with reflector and director was designed and simulated using CST Microwave Studio. In this design, a metallic reflector was added in order to increase the gain. The director was added to the structure to maximize the antenna directivity. The simulation results showed that the antenna achieved a maximum gain of 5dB for the modified design and 6dBi for the directivity. Other antenna parameters were also investigated such as bandwidth, radiation pattern, and return los.
CONDUCTIVITY STUDY ON PLASTICIZED SOLID BIO-ELECTROLYTES CMC-NH¬4BR AND APPLICATION IN SOLID-STATE PROTON BATTERIES
Authors: Samsudin A. S. , Isa M. I. N.
Published: October 2019

This paper present the development of plasticized solid bio-electrolytes (PSBs) which has been accomplished by incorporating various composition of plasticizer namely ethylene carbonate (EC) with carboxy methylcellulose doped NH4Br via solution casting method. The plasticized polymer–salt ionic conduction of PSBs has been analyzed by electrical impedance spectroscopy. Plasticization using EC in PSBs system assists the enhancement of NH4Br dissociation and therefore increases the protonation process in the system. The highest ionic conductivity obtained for CMC−NH4Br containing with 25 wt. % NH4Br was achieved at 1.12 x 10-4 Scm-1 and improved to 3.31 x 10-3 Scm-1 when EC was added in PSBs system. The ionic conductivity-temperature for PSBs system was found to obey the Arrhenius relationships where the ionic conductivity increases with temperature. The solid-state proton batteries were assembled with the formation of Zn + ZnSO4.7H2O || highest conducting PSBs system || MnO2 and achieve with a maximum open circuit voltage (OCV) of 1.48 V at room temperature and showed good in rechargeablity performance with more than 10 cycles.
VIRTUAL MASS OF REGULAR POLYGON AT ANGLE OF ATTACK
Authors: Arai Norio
Published: October 2019

In case of the accelerating motion like a sinusoidal motion, the virtual mass effect should be taken into account in equation of motion. Generally speaking we should find the appropriate mapping functions while they are restricted in some functions. To the author's knowledge, the virtual mass of the regular polygon is not shown by the exact solution, while the regular polygon is used as a sectional shape of the structure like a building, a membrance of a structure and so on. It is shown that the virtual mass of an regular polygon has been calculated by using the exact conformal mapping, in which the angle of attack is taken into account. Results show that it is not dependent from the angle of attack except the flat plat (n=2). It means, although the body shape is not a point symmetry, there is no dependence of angle of attack on virtual mass except the flat plate.
PRELIMINARY STUDY OF ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF THE SKIN SECRETIONS OF MALAYSIAN FROGS
Authors: A. Rahman Zainon , Foong Abdullah Mohamad Faiz , Wan Azmi Wan Mohamad Syahmin , Abdul-Aziz Aziyah
Published: October 2019

Bioactive compounds that exhibit antimicrobial properties in frogs are parts of the animal defense against microbial infections.  The lyophilized frog’s skin secretions containing varies bioactive compounds were subjected to screen for their antimicrobial activity. This study was conducted as part of an effort on the search of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) profiles of Malaysian frogs. The results indicate the collected frog skin secretion has antimicrobial effect against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.  BLAST and standard phylogenetics were used to establish a preliminary identity of the frog samples.
A COMPARISON STUDY BETWEEN B-SPLINE SURFACE FITTING AND RADIAL BASIS FUNCTION SURFACE FITTING ON SCATTERED POINTS
Authors: Khang Jie Liew , Ramli Ahmad , Abd. Majid Ahmad
Published: October 2019

This paper looks in the effectiveness of bicubic B-spline surface fitting and radial basis function, specifically the thin plate spline surface fitting in constructing the surface from the set of scattered data three dimensions (3D) points. Modification of the B-spline approximation algorithm is used to determine the unknown B-spline control points, followed by the construction of the bicubic B-spline surface patch, which can be joined together to form the final surface. The non-interpolation scheme of thin plate spline is also used to fit the data points in this study. The sample of scattered data points is chosen from a specific region in the point set model by using k-nearest neighbour search method. Observation is further carried out to observe the effect of noise in the bicubic B-spline surface fitting and the thin plate spline surface fitting. From the visual aspect, non-interpolation scheme of thin plate spline fits the surface better than bicubic B-spline in the presence of noises.
ODOUR PROFILING FROM DECOMPOSITION OF LOCAL FOOD WASTE
Authors: Mohd Yatim Siti Rohana , Ku Hamid Ku Halim , Ismail Kamariah Noor , Abdul Rashid Zulkifli
Published: October 2019

The aim of this study is to investigate odour emission profiles from storage of local food waste and to assess the potential health risk caused by exposure to volatile compounds. Food waste decomposition process was conducted for 14 days and kept at 20°C and 30°C in self-made bioreactor. VOCs emissions from both samples were collected at different stages of decomposition starting at day 0, day 1, day 3, day 5, day 7, day 10, day 12 and day 14. It was analyzed using TD-GC/MS. Findings showed that various VOCs were released during decomposition of food waste. Compounds produced were influenced by time, temperature and the physico-chemical characteristics of the compounds. The most abundant compound released was dimethyl disulfide. Potential health risk of exposure to this compound is represented by hazard ratio, HR, calculated at 1.6 x 1011. Since HR equal to or less than 1.0 is considered negligible risk, this indicates that the compound posed a potential risk to human health.
THERMAL EFFECTS OF PRENATAL ULTRASOUND EXPOSURE ON THE GROWTH OF YOUNG-AGED ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS
Authors: Iza Nurzawani C. I. , Sulaiman M.
Published: October 2019

Bones are the living tissue that composed of collagen and minerals which can be considered as a framework for a child’s growing body. As ultrasound examination during pregnancy is the most routine procedure, it is worrying that disruption of osteogenesis due to prenatal ultrasound may affect the bone at a young age. This ex-vivo experimental study was conducted using young-aged rabbits, to find the evidence of growth changes related to body length, femoral width and femoral length caused by prenatal ultrasound heating. Pregnant New Zealand White rabbits were exposed to 30, 60 and 90 minutes of prenatal ultrasound at 1st, 2nd and 3rd stage of gestation accordingly. Operating frequency was between 5 to 9 MHz with a free field ISPTA of 0.19 W/cm2, MI and TI of 1.0 and 0.2 respectively. Offspring were assessed at 1-month and 5-months of life. Minimal effects on body length, femoral width and femoral length were observed in both 1-month and 5-months old rabbits. Lowest animals’ growth was recorded in the group exposed to ultrasound at the 2nd stage of gestation for 90 minutes.
EFFECTS OF ETHANOL EXTRACTS OF GYNURA PROCUMBENS ON IN-VIVO PHAGOCYTOSIS OF WISTAR ALBINO RATS
Authors: Wan Yusoff Wan Shahriman Yushdie , Johari Asraf Saufi , Kamarudin Evana , Mastuki Mohd Fahmi , Abu Mohd Nazri , Safarudin Zakiyah
Published: October 2019

Gynura procumbens is a traditional medicinal plant that is commonly used in Southeast Asia for treatment of various ailments. Nonetheless, there is very limited information on the effect of Gynura procumbens on the immune system. This preliminary study evaluates Gynura procumbens immunomodulatory properties of ethanol extracts at four dose levels ranging from 100 to 400 mg/kg body weight by focusing on the effects on phagocytic activity of macrophages on healthy female Wistar albino rat models. Assessments on phagocytosis enhancement were evaluated using carbon clearance test together with the examination on the mortality, behavioral changes, blood cells count, and serum biochemistry. The result from carbon clearance test showed significant increase of phagocytic index (P<0.05) on Gynura procumbens extract treated group of all doses. Furthermore, this study also demonstrates that there were no significant changes in the general condition, haematological counts, and biochemistry values from the Gynura procumbens treated groups in comparison to the control group. These findings demonstrate the potential of Gynura procumbens as an immunomodulatory agent.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY IMPLICATIONS IN AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCT-SERVICE CONTEXT: A LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: Sabbagh Omar , Ab Rahman Mohd Nizam , Ismail Wan Rosmanira , Wan Hussain Wan Mohd Hirwani
Published: October 2019

This article discusses the state of the art of the automotive product-service system (PSS) approaches by conducting a critical and comprehensive review of papers published from 1999 to 2015; it investigates the research methodologies employed to tackle the automotive product-service discipline by analyzing the benefits and drawbacks of each research methodology. It is evident that the quantitative methodology is more popular than other research methodologies and this is attributed to the empirical nature of the collected data and the wide use of various statistical tools. This review forms an immense contribution for the researchers and practitioners who are conducting studies in automotive product-service field as this paper provides insight into the research methods and paradigm.
EVALUATING DESIGN FOR UPGRADABILITY AT THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN STAGE
Authors: Abd Aziz Nurhasyimah , Abd Wahab Dzuraidah , Ramli Rizauddin
Published: October 2019

It is necessary to have an alternative approach in handling end of life vehicle (ELV) other than disposal, due to its adverse impact to the environment. Remanufacturing is the process that can retain the values of used products when they reached the end of their useful life. Product upgradability for multiple lifecycle products (MLPs) is one of the promising methods that can enhance a product’s life and also maintain its value. The focus of this study is to make a pre-assessment on a selected automotive component in order to examine its design conceptualisation for purposes of upgradability. This is to ensure that the product meets the design characteristics of upgradability to accommodate and strive for the generational changes in view of extending the life of the product. Quality Function Deployment (QFD) was used to represent the requirements of a product in terms of physical and functional model at three levels namely Engineering Metric (EM), Component and Structure. Data from QFD is crucial in providing the details of the product for the purpose of developing a new design of the brake caliper model that can has ease-of-upgrade features through the remanufacturing process. A systematic approach for future study is proposed with the aim of developing a formulation through modeling and optimization in order to obtain the optimized upgradable product design.
KELAKUAN DELAMINASI KOMPOSIT LAMINAT HIBRID ANYAMAN GENTIAN MENGKUANG/ GENTIAN ASLI SUTERA/ EPOKSI
Authors: Husin Mohd Azwan , Zulkifli Rozli , Abdullah Shahrum , Wan Daud Wan Ramli
Published: October 2019

Recent advances in research and manufacturing techniques of natural fiber based composites have allowed the manufacturers to use natural fiber based composites in various applications. Natural fiber based composites are fast emerging as viable alternative to traditional materials due to their unique properties. This paper discusses the development of new natural fiber hybrid composites using mengkuang and silk fibre to achieve a unique natural fiber composites. The effects of hybridization between woven mengkuang / natural silk fiber on mode II delamination (GIIC) of laminated composites were investigated by performing the End-Notched Flexure (ENF) test. The composite samples were prepared using hand lay-up method with compression machine. After fabrication, the test specimens were subjected to ENF testing for mode II delamination based on ASTM D790-03 standards. The additional of natural silk fiber in composites fabrication provided an excellent improvement in the rate of critical strain energy release, GIIC. The Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM) images show the delamination behaviour of the samples after failure is based on the arrangement of mengkuang and silk fibre.
COMPUTATIONAL SIMULATION AND EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION OF A TURBOCHARGED DIESEL ENGINE
Authors: Yusof Asrul Syaharani , Mohamed Ishak Saiddi Ali Firdaus , Mohd Sohaimi Risby , Wan Mat Wan Ali
Published: October 2019

Requirements for sustainable development and green technology are motivating car manufacturers to produce newer efficient engines with more power and reduce hazardous emissions. The development of modern engines has certain constraints since prototyping phase requires longer time and is costly. Engine computational modelling now becomes a useful approach and can be used as a predictive tool when developing new engine concepts. The aim of this work is to develop and experimentally validate a turbocharged diesel engine model using one-dimensional GT-Power software. The engine performance parameters in terms of power and torque which are dependent to engine speed are being presented. The predicted performance parameter of the engine model is compared with the data obtained during engine dynamometer experiments. The simulation results show that the engine performances such as engine power and torque are in good agreement with the experiment results within the engine rpm range from 2000 rpm to 3000 rpm (with RMS Error for engine power and torque is 10% and 39%).
The Correlation Between Transformational Leadership Characteristics of School Administrators and School Safety
Authors: Zengin Mevsim , Akan Durdağı
Published: October 2019

This study attempts to comparatively explore the correlation between transformational leadership characteristics of school administrators and school safety in teachers’ views. The sample of the research with a survey model consists of a total of 744 teachers employed in the central districts of the province of Mersin. In the research, the “Transformational Leadership Scale” and the “School Safety Scale” are incorporated as data gathering instruments. Arithmetic mean, standard deviation, pearson’s product-moment correlation and multiple linear regression analysis technique are employed for the analysis of the data obtained from the study. It has been concluded that the transformational leadership characteristics of the participant school administrators are significant predictors of school safety in the participant teachers’ views.
Three new vagrant eriophyoid species (Acari: Trombidiformes: Eriophyoidea) associated to Rosaceae species from South Khorasan province, East Iran

Authors: Honarmand Arash , Namaghi Hussein Sadeghi , Lillo Enrico De
Published: October 2019

During the field surveys on eriophyoid mites associated with plant species of the Rosaceae family in semi-arid and arid environments in East Iran (Birjand, South Khorasan, Iran 2016-2017), three new vagrant species (Acari: Eriophyoidea) were found. They are Epitrimerus vulgarubi sp. nov. on Rubus vulgaris Weihe & Nees, Phyllocoptes trilobos sp. nov. on Rosa persica Michx. ex Juss., Rhyncaphytoptus birrosa sp. nov. on Rosa canina L. which are described and illustrated herein. No symptom was observed on their infested host plants.
Direct laser writing of birefringent photonic crystals for the infrared spectral range
Authors: Lata Marc , Li Yanzeng , Park Serang , McLamb Micheal J. , Hofmann Tino
Published: October 2019

Infrared optical photonic crystals fabricated using direct laser writing, which is based on the two-photon polymerization of suitable monomers, have received substantial interest since the emergence of this process. Two-photon polymerization could be a disruptive technology for the fabrication of all-dielectric photonic crystals in the infrared spectral range, as it allows the synthesis of large scale arrays of uniform structures with arbitrary geometries and arrangements. However, all-dielectric photonic crystals that provide birefringent optical responses in the infrared spectral range have not yet been demonstrated using direct laser writing techniques. Here, the authors explore the form birefringence observed in photonic crystals composed of arrays of subwavelength-sized slanted polymer microwires. The photonic crystals investigated here were fabricated in a single fabrication step using direct laser writing of an infrared transparent photoresist (IP-Dip). A strong contrast of the cross-polarized reflectance of photonic crystals as a function of the in-plane orientation is observed in the mid-infrared spectral range at λ≈6.5μm. This observation is indicative of an anisotropic optical behavior. Finite element based techniques corroborate the experimentally observed responses qualitatively.
A 35,000 yr fire history from the Oregon Coast Range, USA
Authors: Long Colin J. , Power Mitchell J. , Grigg Laurie D.
Published: October 2019

We extend a published 9000 yr fire history record from Little Lake, in the Oregon Coast Range, to 35,000 yr and compare it with the established pollen record from the site. The fire history is based on a high-resolution analysis of charcoal preserved in lake sediments, providing a fire history record that spans the Last Glacial Maximum in North America. The data enabled us to address questions regarding the interactions between large-scale climate changes associated with the shift from glacial to interglacial conditions and the accompanying changes in forest vegetation and fire regimes. The vegetation history indicates a change from open subalpine forests to closed western hemlock and Douglas fir forests as climate moved from cold and dry full glacial to warm and wet Holocene conditions. The fire history indicates that although there was more biomass burned in the Holocene, the frequency of fires between glacial and interglacial conditions was not significantly different, and the fire frequency did not change in concert with regional shifts in vegetation. This suggests that fire is a product of seasonal or multiyear variations in climate that may not cause significant shifts in vegetation. Also, as this short-term climate variability becomes more common in the near future, conditions for fires in these mesic forests may become more common as well.
Records of late Quaternary environmental change from high-elevation lakes in the Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt Range, Nevada
Authors: Munroe* Jeffrey S. , Bigl Matthew F. , Silverman Annika E. , Laabs Benjamin J.C.
Published: October 2019

Sedimentary records were analyzed from three lakes in the Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt Range of northeastern Nevada. Lakes are rare in the arid Great Basin, and these represent the highest-elevation lacustrine records from this region. The three cores cover overlapping time intervals: One, from a lake located just beyond a moraine, is interpreted to represent the Last Glacial Maximum, extending back to 26 cal ka; another extends to deglaciation ca. 14 cal ka; and the third extends to deposition of the Mazama ash, ca. 7.7 cal ka. Multiproxy analysis focused on measurements of bulk density, organic matter content, C:N ratio, biogenic silica abundance, and grain-size distribution. Depth-age models were developed using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, along with accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C dating of terrestrial macrofossils (wood and conifer needles), charcoal, and pollen concentrates (for deep sediment in one lake). Collectively, the three lakes record a series of discrete intervals spanning an unusually long stretch of time. These include the local Last Glacial Maximum (26.0–18.5 cal ka), local deglaciation (18.5–13.8 cal ka), the onset of biologic productivity (13.8–11.3 cal ka), early Holocene aridity (11.3–7.8 cal ka), deposition and reworking of the Mazama ash (7.8–5.5 cal ka), a neopluvial interval (5.5–3.8 cal ka), a variable late Holocene climate (3.8–0.25 cal ka), and a latest Holocene productivity spike (250 yr B.P. to the present) that may be anthropogenic. Data from all three lakes are presented, and the collective record of climate and environmental change for the Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt Range is compared with other paleorecords from the Great Basin.
Geomorphic controls on sedimentation in Pleistocene Lake Bonneville, eastern Great Basin
Authors: (Jack) Oviatt* Charles G.
Published: October 2019

The most common and widespread sedimentary facies of Pleistocene Lake Bonneville, in the eastern Great Basin of North America, is marl, which consists of a mixture of fine-grained endogenic calcium carbonate that precipitated in the epilimnion of the lake and then settled onto the lake floor and mixed with fine-grained clastic sediments. Primary sources of clastic sediment were inflowing rivers, wave activity in shore zones, and ice rafting. The thickness of deposits in cores and outcrops is largely dependent on the proportion of clastic sediment, although the rate of endogenic calcium carbonate precipitation probably also varied temporally and spatially. Net sediment-accumulation rate in the marl, as measured in outcrops and cores, ranges from a low of 4 cm/1000 yr, in the middle of the lake basin far from sources of clastic input, to over 100 cm/1000 yr near clastic-sediment sources.

Underflow deposits, derived from higher-density river water loaded with suspended sediment, are thick and extensive near the mouths of major rivers that drained glaciated mountains. Net sediment-accumulation rates in suspended-load underflow deposits were much greater than those in contemporaneously deposited marl. The largest underflow-sediment accumulations, which have a fan shape in plan view, have been referred to as deltas (as at the mouths of the Sevier, Provo, Weber, and Bear Rivers). True Gilbert-type deltas composed of gravel, with topset, foreset, and bottomset beds, are uncommon in the basin.

Variability in the sedimentary characteristics of the Bonneville deposits is determined by geomorphic factors, such as wave energy, composition of surficial material in the shore zone (e.g., resistant bedrock vs. unconsolidated alluvium), slope, and proximity to river mouths and active shore zones.
Characteristics of landslide-formed lakes of central Idaho: High-resolution archives of watershed productivity and clastic sediment delivery
Authors: Shapley Mark D. , Finney Bruce P. , Krueger Charles R.
Published: October 2019

Failure-prone Cenozoic volcanic rocks distributed across central Idaho, USA, promote large landslides, consequent drainage impoundment, and the formation of regionally asynchronous landslide-dammed lakes. Examination of sedimentary records shows that extant lakes formed in this way exhibit high primary productivity relative to other lakes in the region, apparently sustained through relatively elevated watershed phosphorous loading and the contribution of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria. The resulting high rates of sediment and carbon accumulation exceed those found in regional lakes formed by other processes and underlain by other bedrock lithologies lower in phosphorous. These unusually high biogenic sediment accumulation rates produce highly resolved, often annually laminated sedimentary sequences. The result is a high-resolution temporal matrix for the runoff-intensity signal of episodically delivered, watershed-derived clastic sediment. Elemental analysis by core-scanning X-ray fluorescence (XRF) effectively highlights these clastic pulses, and spectral analysis of lithogenic elemental intensities indicates they carry spectral power (including significant harmonic signals) concentrated in the 3–5 yr period. Patterns shown by episodic sediment delivery events support winter snowpack as a modulator of late Holocene sediment export from these watersheds.
Geomorphic and sedimentologic evidence for pluvial Lake Carrizo, San Luis Obispo County, California
Authors: Rhodes Dallas D. , Negrini Robert M. , Arrowsmith J Ramon , Wigand Peter E. , Forman Steven L. , Palacios-Fest Manuel R. , Davis Owen K.
Published: October 2019

The Carrizo Plain, the only closed basin in California’s Southern Coast Ranges, preserves landforms and deposits that record both climate change and tectonic activity. An extensive system of clay dunes documents the elevations of late Pleistocene and Holocene pans. Clay dune elevations, drowned shorelines, eroded anticlinal ridges, and zones of perturbed soil chemistry provide evidence of two lake levels higher than today’s (currently 581 m above sea level [masl]), one at ~591 masl at ca. 20 ka and another at ~585 masl that existed at ca. 10 ka, based on optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dates on clay dune sediment. Two cores from the abandoned floor of the lake provide additional evidence of a long-lived lake in the Carrizo Plain during the late Pleistocene. The longer of the two cores (~42 m) was sampled for palynology, environmental magnetism, and scanning electron microscope–petrography. The magnetic susceptibility signal contains two notable features corresponding to sedimentary materials consistent with reducing conditions. The higher of these features occurs near the surface, and the lower occurs at ~18 m depth. A 14C date on charcoal from the upper reduced zone places the top of this zone at no older than 22.6–20.9 cal ka. This date is consistent with the OSL date on geomorphic features associated with a highstand above ~591 masl. Assuming that reducing conditions correspond to at least a few meters’ depth of relatively fresh water, the new 14C date suggests that the upper reduced zone represents a marine isotope stage (MIS) 2 pluvial maximum lake in the Carrizo Plain. Pollen and ostracodes from the reduced sediments indicate a wetter and cooler climate than today. These conditions would have been capable of sustaining a lake with water much less saline than that of the modern lake. The timing of the oldest documented highstand (no later than 20 ka) is consistent with a modified jet stream migration model and is not consistent with a tropical incursion model. Northeast-to-southwest asymmetry across the lake floor may be consistent with southwestward tilting driven by Coast Range shortening normal to the San Andreas fault, as is seen throughout the region.
Simvastatin as a neuroprotective treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD STAT): protocol for a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled futility study
Authors: Carroll Camille B , Webb Douglas , Stevens Kara Nicola , Vickery Jane , Eyre Vicky , Ball Susan , Wyse Richard , Webber Mike , Foggo Andy , Zajicek John , Whone Alan , Creanor Siobhan
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition affecting approximately 185,000 people in the UK. No drug has been proven to slow disease progression. Epidemiological and pre-clinical data support simvastatin, a widely used cholesterol-lowering drug with a well-established safety profile, having neuroprotective properties. The aim of this study (Simvastatin as a neuroprotective treatment for PD (PD STAT)) is to determine whether simvastatin has the potential to slow PD progression. The study is part of the International Linked Clinical Trials initiative coordinated by The Cure Parkinson’s Trust. This paper describes the protocol for the PD STAT study.

Methods and analysis

PD STAT is a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, multi-centre, parallel group, futility trial in patients with PD of mild–moderate severity. 235 participants have been recruited and randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive either oral simvastatin or matched placebo. Treatment involves a 1-month low-dose phase (40 mg daily), followed by a 23-month high-dose phase (80 mg daily) and ends with a 2-month washout period. Participants are reviewed at clinic visits at 1 month, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 26 months post-baseline, with interim telephone follow-up to monitor for adverse events.

The primary outcome is the change in the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III motor subscale score in the practically defined OFF medication state (OFF state) between baseline and 24 months. Primary analysis will be on a modified intention to treat basis and will include only those participants who progress to the high-dose phase of the study.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol has been approved by the North East–Newcastle and North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee. The results will be disseminated via research articles in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at local, national and international scientific meetings, as well as disseminated via patient groups, websites and networks. A summary of the study findings will be posted to participants at the end of the study.

Trial Registration

ISRCTN16108482(prospectively registered); EudraCT 2015-000148-40; ClinicalTrials.govNCT02787590; Pre-results.
Gendered relationship between HIV stigma and HIV testing among men and women in Mozambique: a cross-sectional study to inform a stigma reduction and male-targeted HIV testing intervention
Authors: Ha Judy H , Van Lith Lynn M , Mallalieu Elizabeth C , Chidassicua Jose , Pinho Maria Dirce , Devos Patrick , Wirtz Andrea L
Published: October 2019

Objectives

Increasing and sustaining engagement in HIV care for people living with HIV are critical to both individual therapeutic benefit and epidemic control. Men are less likely to test for HIV compared with women in sub-Saharan African countries, and ultimately have delayed entry to HIV care. Stigma is known to impede such engagement, placing an importance on understanding and addressing stigma to improve HIV testing and care outcomes. This study aimed to assess the gendered differences in the relationship between stigma and HIV testing.

Design and setting

A cross-sectional, household probability survey was implemented between November and December 2016 in the Sofala province of Mozambique.

Participants

Data were restricted to men and women participants who reported no prior diagnosis of HIV infection (N=2731).

Measures

Measures of sociodemographic characteristics, stigma and past exposure to HIV interventions were included in gender-stratified logistic regression models to estimate the relationship between stigma and recent testing for HIV, as well as to identify other relevant correlates.

Results

Significantly fewer men (38.3%) than women (47.6%; p<0.001) had recently tested for HIV. Men who reported previous engagement in community group discussions about HIV had an increased odds of testing in the past 12 months compared to those who had not participated (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.92; 95% CI 1.51 to 2.44). Concerns about stigma were not a commonly reported barrier to HIV testing; however, men who expressed anticipated individual HIV stigma had a 35% lower odds of recent HIV testing (aOR=0.65; 95% CI 0.44 to 0.96). This association was not observed among women.

Conclusions

Men have lower uptake of HIV testing in Mozambique when compared to women. Even amidst the beneficial effects of HIV messaging, individual stigma is negatively associated with recent HIV testing among men. Intervention efforts that target the unique challenges and needs of men are essential in promoting men’s engagement into the HIV care continuum in sub-Saharan Africa.
Validation study of health administrative data algorithms to identify individuals experiencing homelessness and estimate population prevalence of homelessness in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Richard Lucie , Hwang Stephen W , Forchuk Cheryl , Nisenbaum Rosane , Clemens Kristin , Wiens Kathryn , Booth Richard , Azimaee Mahmoud , Shariff Salimah Z
Published: October 2019

Objectives

To validate case ascertainment algorithms for identifying individuals experiencing homelessness in health administrative databases between 2007 and 2014; and to estimate homelessness prevalence trends in Ontario, Canada, between 2007 and 2016.

Design

A population-based retrospective validation study.

Setting

Ontario, Canada, from 2007 to 2014 (validation) and 2007 to 2016 (estimation).

Participants

Our reference standard was the known housing status of a longitudinal cohort of housed (n=137 200) and homeless or vulnerably housed (n=686) individuals. Two reference standard definitions of homelessness were adopted: the housing episode and the annual housing experience (any homelessness within a calendar year).

Main outcome measures

Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and positive likelihood ratios of 30 case ascertainment algorithms for detecting homelessness using up to eight health service databases.

Results

Sensitivity estimates ranged from 10.8% to 28.9% (housing episode definition) and 18.5% to 35.6% (annual housing experience definition). Specificities exceeded 99% and positive likelihood ratios were high using both definitions. The most optimal algorithm estimates that 59 974 (95% CI 55 231 to 65 208) Ontarians (0.53% of the adult population) experienced homelessness in 2016, a 67.3% increase from 2007.

Conclusions

In Ontario, case ascertainment algorithms for identifying homelessness had low sensitivity but very high specificity and positive likelihood ratio. The use of health administrative databases may offer opportunities to track individuals experiencing homelessness over time and inform efforts to improve housing and health status in this vulnerable population.
Communities as ‘renewable energy’ for healthcare services? a multimethods study into the form, scale and role of voluntary support for community hospitals in England
Authors: Ellis Paine Angela , Kamerāde Daiga , Mohan John , Davidson Deborah
Published: October 2019

Objective

To examine the forms, scale and role of community and voluntary support for community hospitals in England.

Design

A multimethods study. Quantitative analysis of Charity Commission data on levels of volunteering and voluntary income for charities supporting community hospitals. Nine qualitative case studies of community hospitals and their surrounding communities, including interviews and focus groups.

Setting

Community hospitals in England and their surrounding communities.

Participants

Charity Commission data for 245 community hospital Leagues of Friends. Interviews with staff (89), patients (60), carers (28), volunteers (35), community representatives (20), managers and commissioners (9). Focus groups with multidisciplinary teams (8 groups across nine sites, involving 43 respondents), volunteers (6 groups, 33 respondents) and community stakeholders (8 groups, 54 respondents).

Results

Communities support community hospitals through: human resources (average=24 volunteers a year per hospital); financial resources (median voluntary income = £15 632); practical resources through services and activities provided by voluntary and community groups; and intellectual resources (eg, consultation and coproduction). Communities provide valuable supplementary resources to the National Health Service, enhancing community hospital services, patient experience, staff morale and volunteer well-being. Such resources, however, vary in level and form from hospital to hospital and over time: voluntary income is on the decline, as is membership of League of Friends, and it can be hard to recruit regular, active volunteers.

Conclusions

Communities can be a significant resource for healthcare services, in ways which can enhance patient experience and service quality. Harnessing that resource, however, is not straight forward and there is a perception that it might be becoming more difficult questioning the extent to which it can be considered sustainable or ‘renewable’.
Effectiveness of social egg freezing: protocol for systematic review and meta-analyses
Authors: Wang Alex , Kumsa Fekede Asefa , Kaan Iain , Li Zhuoyang , Sullivan Elizabeth , Farquhar Cynthia M
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Social egg freezing is storing egg for the purpose of preserving fertility and delayed childbearing. Currently, little is known about the utilisation and effectiveness of this approach. This review aims to determine (1) the proportion of women who used their stored eggs, and (2) the egg survival rate through vitrification, and the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate per 100 women partaking in the procedure, and among women who stored their eggs for medical reasons.

Methods and analyses

This systematic review will be done according to the items listed in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and the Cochrane Library and Health Technology Assessment databases will be searched to identify eligible studies published since 2012. Two reviewers will independently appraise the eligibility and quality of the studies based on preset checklists and extract the data using a data extraction template. Outcomes of interest are proportion of women who used their stored eggs, egg survival rate, pregnancy rate and live birth rates. We will determine the presence heterogeneity among studies using the Cochrane’s Q test. The percentage of total variation across studies, which is due to statistical heterogeneity, will be calculated using the I2statistics. Outcomes of interest will be pooled together using metaprop programme STATA V.14.

Ethics and dissemination

For this review, ethical committee approval is not required. We will use publically available data from previously published studies. The final report of the review will be disseminated through publication on national or international journal, and it will be presented on different scientific conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42018114254.
Patient perspectives on hypertension management in health system of Sri Lanka: a qualitative study
Authors: Perera Manuja , de Silva Chamini Kanatiwela , Tavajoh Saeideh , Kasturiratne Anuradhani , Luke Nathathasa Vihangi , Ediriweera Dileepa Senajith , Ranasinha Channa D , Legido-Quigley Helena , de Silva H Asita , Jafar Tazeen H
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Uncontrolled hypertension is the leading risk factor for mortality globally, including low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, pathways for seeking hypertension care and patients’ experience with the utilisation of health services for hypertension in LMICs are not well understood.

Objectives

This study aimed to explore patients’ perspectives on different dimensions of accessibility and availability of healthcare for the management of uncontrolled hypertension in Sri Lanka.

Setting

Primary care in rural areas in Sri Lanka.

Participants

20 patients with hypertension were purposively sampled from an ongoing study of Control of Blood Pressure and Risk Attenuation in rural Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.

Method

We conducted in-depth interviews with patients. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed into local language (Sinhala) and translated to English. Thematic analysis was used and patient pathways on their experiences accessing care from government and private clinics are mapped out.

Results

Overall, most patients alluded to the fact that their hypertension was diagnosed accidentally in an unrelated visit to a healthcare provider and revealed lack of adherence and consuming alternatives as barriers to control hypertension. Referring to the theme ‘Accessibility and availability of hypertension care’, patients complained of distance to the hospitals, long waiting time and shortage of medicine supplies at government clinics as the main barriers to accessing health services. They often resorted to private physicians and paid out of pocket when they experienced acute symptoms attributable to hypertension. Considering the theme ‘Approachability and ability to perceive’, the majority of patients mentioned increasing public awareness, training healthcare professionals for effective communication as areas of improvement. Under the theme ‘Appropriateness and ability to engage’, few patients were aware of the names or purpose of their medications and reportedly missed doses frequently. Reminders from family members were considered a major facilitator to adherence to antihypertensive medications. Patients welcomed the idea of outreach services for hypertension and health education closer to home in the theme ‘Things the patients reported to improve the system’.

Conclusion

Patients identified several barriers to accessing hypertension care in Sri Lanka. Measures recommended improving hypertension management in Sri Lanka including public education on hypertension, better communication between healthcare professionals and patients, and efforts to improve access and understanding of antihypertensive medications.

Trial registration number

NCT02657746.
Effectiveness of a multicomponent safe surgery intervention on improving surgical quality in Tanzania’s Lake Zone: protocol for a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Alidina Shehnaz , Kuchukhidze Salome , Menon Gopal , Citron Isabelle , Lama Tenzing N , Meara John , Barash David , Hellar Augustino , Kapologwe Ntuli A , Maina Erastus , Reynolds Cheri , Staffa Steven J , Troxel Alena , Varghese Asha , Zurakowski David , Ulisubisya Mpoki , Maongezi Sarah
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Effective, scalable strategies for improving surgical quality are urgently needed in low-income and middle-income countries; however, there is a dearth of evidence about what strategies are most effective. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Safe Surgery 2020, a multicomponent intervention focused on strengthening five areas: leadership and teamwork, safe surgical and anaesthesia practices, sterilisation, data quality and infrastructure to improve surgical quality in Tanzania. We hypothesise that Safe Surgery 2020 will (1) increase adherence to surgical quality processes around safety, teamwork and communication and data quality in the short term and (2) reduce complications from surgical site infections, postoperative sepsis and maternal sepsis in the medium term.

Methods and analysis

Our design is a prospective, longitudinal, quasi-experimental study with 10 intervention and 10 control facilities in Tanzania’s Lake Zone. Participants will be surgical providers, surgical patients and postnatal inpatients at study facilities. Trained Tanzanian medical data collectors will collect data over a 3-month preintervention and postintervention period. Adherence to safety as well as teamwork and communication processes will be measured through direct observation in the operating room. Surgical site infections, postoperative sepsis and maternal sepsis will be identified prospectively through daily surveillance and completeness of their patient files, retrospectively, through the chart review. We will use difference-in-differences to analyse the impact of the Safe Surgery 2020 intervention on surgical quality processes and complications. We will use interviews with leadership and surgical team members in intervention facilities to illuminate the factors that facilitate higher performance.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has received ethical approval from Harvard Medical School and Tanzania’s National Institute for Medical Research. We will report results in peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. If effective, the Safe Surgery 2020 intervention could be a promising approach to improve surgical quality in Tanzania’s Lake Zone region and other similar contexts.