bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the sustainability of differentiated service delivery interventions for stable ART clients in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Okere Nwanneka Ebelechukwu , Urlings Lisa , Naniche Denise , de Wit Tobias F Rinke , Gomez Gabriela B , Hermans Sabine
Published: February 2020

Introduction

In 2015, WHO recommended immediate treatment for people living with HIV (PLHIV). As a result, the number of PLHIV needing antiretroviral therapy (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) doubled from 12 million to over 25 million. This put a strain on already weak health systems and inspired the exploration of innovative service delivery models—differentiated service delivery (DSD). In DSD, services are tailored according to client clinical type and offer much-needed improvement in efficiency. The potential of achieving good outcomes for both clients and the health system plus the promise of sustainability motivates DSD promotion especially in low-income and middle-income countries. This review aims to evaluate the sustainability of DSD interventions.

Methods and analysis

We will systematically review peer-reviewed English literature published between 2000 and 2019 identified by searching PubMed and EMBASE databases. Main inclusion criteria comprise studies describing DSD interventions conducted in SSA focused on stable adult ART clients, whether described alone or compared with clinic-based service delivery. Quality of included studies will be assessed employing the Down and Black’s and Joanne Briggs Institute checklists for quantitative and qualitative studies, respectively. We will apply a comprehensive sustainability framework including 40 individual constructs to evaluate, score and rank each intervention for sustainability. Narrative and quantitative synthesis will be conducted as appropriate.

Ethics and dissemination

No ethical approval is required for this study as it is a review of published or publicly available data. Review results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at international conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019120891.
PERCEPT myeloma: a protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial of exercise prehabilitation before and during autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma
Authors: McCourt Orla , Fisher Abigail , Ramdharry Gita , Roberts Anna L , Land Joanne , Rabin Neil , Yong Kwee
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Myeloma, a blood cancer originating from plasma cells, is the most common indication for autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT). Patients with myeloma undergoing autologous SCT (ASCT) experience treatment-related morbidity and reduction in function and well-being for many months post-treatment. Interventions targeting physical functioning delivered prior to and during SCT have shown promising results in mixed haematological populations and may offer a non-pharmacological solution to physically optimising and preparing patients for SCT. The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of a physiotherapist-led exercise intervention as an integral part of the myeloma ASCT pathway at a UK tertiary centre.

Methods and analysis

PERCEPT is a single-site, pilot randomised controlled trial of an exercise intervention embedded within the myeloma ASCT pathway, compared with usual care. The primary study end points will be feasibility measures of study and intervention delivery including recruitment rates, acceptability of intervention, study completion rate and any adverse events. Secondary end points will evaluate differences between the exercise intervention group and the usual care control group in cancer-related fatigue, quality of life, functional capacity (6 min walk test; handheld dynamometry; a timed sit-to-stand test) and objective and self-reported physical activity. Outcomes will be assessed at four time points, approximately 6–8 weeks prior to SCT, on/around day of SCT, on discharge from SCT hospital admission and 12 weeks post-discharge. The exercise intervention comprises of partly supervised physiotherapist-led aerobic and resistance exercise including behaviour change techniques to promote change in exercise behaviour. The primary outcomes from the trial will be summarised as percentages or mean values with 95% CIs. Group differences for secondary outcomes at each time point will be analysed using appropriate statistical models.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has NHS REC approval (Camden and Kings Cross, 19/LO/0204). Results will be disseminated through publication and presentations at haematology and rehabilitation-related meetings.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN15875290.
Depression: a common comorbidity in women with rheumatoid arthritis—results from an Austrian cross-sectional study
Authors: Sautner Judith , Puchner Rudolf , Alkin Alois , Pieringer Herwig
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Previous research showed that depression is common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the prevalence very much depends on different assessment tools and sociocultural differences, respectively. The main study aim and research question was to investigate the proportion of depressive symptoms in Austrian female patients with RA.

Setting

A nationwide multicentre study with seven secondary care centres all over Austria (hospital-based rheumatological outpatient clinics and private practices).

Participants

319 patients with RA and 306 healthy controls (HCO), all female Caucasians, were asked to complete a Beck’s Depression Inventory–Fast Screen (BDI-FS). Patients and HCO were ≥18 years. Patients had to fulfil the 2010 classification criteria for RA. In addition, disease activity, disability, medication, drinking of alcoholic beverages, smoking and occupational status were evaluated.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

A BDI-FS cut-off value of ≥4, per definition, indicates the presence of a depressive symptomatology.

Results

The return rate of questionnaires was high: 235/319 (73.7%) in patients with RA and 180/306 (58.8%), ending up with 392 complete questionnaires from 223 patients with RA (69.9%) and 169 HCO (55.2%). The BDI-FS was significantly higher in patients with RA (median BDI-FS 2 (IQR 0–4) vs median 1 (IQR 0–2) in HCO, p<0.001). BDI-FS scores from ≥4, which by definition indicate depression, were found in 29.6% of patients with RA and 12.4% of HCO (p<0.001). Depressive symptoms were strongly associated with disease activity (Clinical Disease Activity Index, p<0.001) and disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire, p<0.005). No association of depressive symptoms with age, alcohol consumption, smoking, occupational status or use of medication was found.

Conclusions

One-third of female patients with RA showed depressive symptoms. Depression was significantly higher in female patients with RA than in female HCO and was strongly associated with disease activity and disability. It would be of interest to address the same question in male participants.
Safety of inadvertent administration of live zoster vaccine to immunosuppressed individuals in a UK-based observational cohort analysis
Authors: Grint Daniel J , McDonald Helen I , Walker Jemma L , Amirthalingam Gayatri , Andrews Nick , Thomas Sara
Published: January 2020

Objectives

To investigate the safety of live attenuated varicella zoster vaccination when administered to immunosuppressed individuals.

Design

Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting

The study used anonymised data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), comprising a representative sample of routinely collected primary care data in England between 2013 and 2017 and and linked Hospital Episode Statistics data.

Participants

168 767 individuals age-eligible for varicella zoster vaccination registered at a general practice in England contributing data to CPRD.

Main outcome measures

Electronic health records indicating immunosuppression, zoster vaccination, diagnoses of specific varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-related disease and non-specific rash/encephalitis compatible with VZV-related disease.

Results

Between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2017, a period of immunosuppression was identified for 9093/168 767 (5.4%; 95% CI: 5.3%–5.5%) individuals age-eligible for zoster vaccination. The overall rate of vaccination while immunosuppressed was 1742/5251 (33.2 per 100 adjusted person years at risk; 95% CI: 31.9%–34.5%). Follow-up of the 1742 individuals who were inadvertently vaccinated while immunosuppressed identified only two cases of VZV-related disease within 8 weeks of vaccination (0.1%; 95% CI: 0.01%–0.4%), both primary care diagnoses of ‘shingles’, neither with a related hospital admission.

Conclusions

Despite evidence of inadvertent vaccination of immunosuppressed individuals with live zoster vaccination, there is a lack of evidence of severe consequences including hospitalisation. This should reassure primary care staff and encourage vaccination of mildly immunosuppressed individuals who do not meet current thresholds for contraindication. These findings support a review of the extent to which live zoster vaccination is contraindicated among the immunosuppressed.
Opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after surgical discharge: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: El-Kefraoui Charbel , Olleik Ghadeer , Chay Marc-Aurele , Kouyoumdjian Araz , Nguyen-Powanda Philip , Rajabiyazdi Fateme , Do Uyen , Derksen Alexa , Landry Tara , Amar-Zifkin Alexandre , Ramanakumar Agnihotram V. , Martel Marc-Olivier , Baldini Gabriele , Feldman Liane , Fiore Jr Julio F
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Excessive prescribing after surgery has contributed to a public health crisis of opioid addiction and overdose in North America. However, the value of prescribing opioids to manage postoperative pain after surgical discharge remains unclear. We propose a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the extent to which opioid analgesia impact postoperative pain intensity and adverse events in comparison to opioid-free analgesia in patients discharged after surgery.

Methods and analysis

Major electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, AMED, BIOSIS, CINAHL and PsycINFO) will be searched for multi-dose randomised-trials examining the comparative effectiveness of opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after surgical discharge. Studies published from January 1990 to July 2019 will be targeted, with no language restrictions. The search will be re-run before manuscript submission to include most recent literature. We will consider studies involving patients undergoing minor and major surgery. Teams of reviewers will, independently and in duplicate, assess eligibility, extract data and evaluate risk of bias. Our main outcomes of interest are pain intensity and postoperative vomiting. Study results will be pooled using random effects models. When trials report outcomes for a common domain (eg, pain intensity) using different scales, we will convert effect sizes to a common standard metric (eg, Visual Analogue Scale). Minimally important clinical differences reported in previous literature will be considered when interpreting results. Subgroup analyses defined a priori will be conducted to explore heterogeneity. Risk of bias will be assessed according to the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias Tool 2.0. The quality of evidence for all outcomes will be evaluated using the GRADE rating system.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required since this is a systematic review of published studies. Our results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at relevant conferences. Further knowledge dissemination will be sought via public and patient organisations focussed on pain and opioid-related harms.
Double burden of malnutrition among Indian schoolchildren and its measurement: a cross-sectional study in a single school
Authors: Daga Subhashchandra , Mhatre Sameer , Kasbe Abhiram , Dsouza Eric
Published: February 2020

Objective

This cross-sectional study set in a single school on the outskirts of a large city aimed to document the extent of double burden of malnutrition (coexistence of overnutrition and undernutrition) among Indian schoolchildren from lower socioeconomic groups, and to determine if mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) can be used as a proxy for body mass index (BMI).

Subjects

The total number of participants was 1444, comprising 424 girls and 1020 boys belonging to playgroups and grades 1 to 7.

Measurements

Anthropometric measurements, such as participants’ MUAC, height and weight were measured using standard techniques. Descriptive statistics for BMI and MUAC were obtained based on gender; z-scores were computed using age-specific and sex-specific WHO reference data. The distribution of variables was calculated for three groups: girls, boys and all participants. Homogeneous subsets for BMI and MUAC were identified in the three groups. Age-wise comparisons of BMI and MUAC were conducted for each gender.

Main outcome measures

(1) To know if MUAC and BMI are correlated among boys and girls. (2) To study BMI and MUAC z-score distribution among the participants.

Results

MUAC was positively correlated with BMI in both boys and girls. The following BMI z-score distribution was observed: severe acute malnutrition (SAM), 5 (0.3%); moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), 146 (10.1%) and undernourished, at risk of MAM/SAM, 141 (9.8%); obese, 21 (1.5%); overweight, 36 (2.5%) and pre-obese, 136 (9.4%). The distribution of categories of children based on MUAC z-scores was: SAM, 7 (0.5%); MAM, 181 (12.5%) and undernourished, at risk of MAM/SAM, 181 (12.5%); obese, 19 (1.3%); overweight, 178 (12.3%) and pre-obese, 135 (9.3%).

Conclusions

SAM/MAM/undernourished states and obesity/overweight/pre-obese states, indicating undernutrition more than overweight, coexist among Indian schoolchildren from lower middle/lower socioeconomic categories. BMI and MUAC were significantly correlated. MUAC identifies both undernutrition and overnutrition by early detection of aberrant growth.
Identifying diabetes management opportunity areas in the USA
Authors: Topmiller Michael , Shaak Kyle , Mallow Peter J , Kieber-Emmons Autumn M
Published: January 2020

Using adherence to diabetes management guidelines as a case study, this paper applied a novel geospatial hot-spot and cold-spot methodology to identify priority counties to target interventions. Data for this study were obtained from the Dartmouth Atlas of Healthcare, the United States Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and the University of Wisconsin County Health Rankings. A geospatial approach was used to identify four tiers of priority counties for diabetes preventive and management services: diabetes management cold-spots, clusters of counties with low rates of adherence to diabetes preventive and management services (Tier D); Medicare spending hot-spots, clusters of counties with high rates of spending and were diabetes management cold-spots (Tier C); preventable hospitalisation hot-spots, clusters of counties with high rates of spending and are diabetes management cold-spots (Tier B); and counties that were located in a diabetes management cold-spot cluster, preventable hospitalisation hot-spot cluster and Medicare spending hot-spot cluster (Tier A). The four tiers of priority counties were geographically concentrated in Texas and Oklahoma, the Southeast and central Appalachia. Of these tiers, there were 62 Tier A counties. Rates of preventable hospitalisations and Medicare spending were higher in Tier A counties compared with national averages. These same counties had much lower rates of adherence to diabetes preventive and management services. The novel geospatial mapping approach used in this study may allow practitioners and policy makers to target interventions in areas that have the highest need. Further refinement of this approach is necessary before making policy recommendations.
Is gastric cancer becoming a rare disease? A global assessment of predicted incidence trends to 2035
Authors: Arnold Melina , Park Jin Young , Camargo M Constanza , Lunet Nuno , Forman David , Soerjomataram Isabelle
Published: January 2020

Objectives

The incidence of gastric cancer continues to decrease globally, approaching levels that in some populations could define it as a rare disease. To explore this on a wider scale, we predict its future burden in 34 countries with long-standing population-based data.

Methods

Data on gastric cancer incidence by year of diagnosis, sex and age were extracted for 92 cancer registries in 34 countries included inCancer Incidence in Five ContinentsPlus. Numbers of new cases and age-standardised incidence rates (ASR per 100 000) were predicted up to 2035 by fitting and extrapolating age–period–cohort models.

Results

Overall gastric cancer incidence rates are predicted to continue falling in the future in the majority of countries, including high-incidence countries such as Japan (ASR 36 in 2010 vs ASR 30 in 2035) but also low-incidence countries such as Australia (ASR 5.1 in 2010 vs ASR 4.6 in 2035). A total of 16 countries are predicted to fall below the rare disease threshold (defined as 6 per 100 000 person-years) by 2035, while the number of newly diagnosed cases remains high and is predicted to continue growing. In contrast, incidence increases were seen in younger age groups (below age 50 years) in both low-incidence and high-incidence populations.

Conclusions

While gastric cancer is predicted to become a rare disease in a growing number of countries, incidence levels remain high in some regions, and increasing risks have been observed in younger generations. The predicted growing number of new cases highlights that gastric cancer remains a major challenge to public health on a global scale.
Exercise and myocardial injury in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Cramer G Etienne , Gommans D H Frank , Dieker Hendrik-Jan , Michels Michelle , Verheugt Freek , de Boer Menko-Jan , Bakker Jeannette , Fouraux Michael A , Timmermans Janneke , Kofflard Marcel , Brouwer Marc
Published: January 2020

Objective

Troponin and high signal intensity on T2-weighted (HighT2) cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMRi) are both markers of myocardial injury in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The interplay between exercise and disease development remains uncertain in HCM. We sought to assess the occurrence of postexercise troponin rises and its determinants.

Methods

Multicentre project on patients with HCM and mutation carriers without hypertrophy (controls). Participants performed a symptom limited bicycle test with hs-cTnT assessment pre-exercise and 6 hours postexercise. Pre-exercise CMRi was performed in patients with HCM to assess measures of hypertrophy and myocardial injury. Depending on baseline troponin (< or>13 ng/L), a rise was defined as a >50% or >20% increase, respectively.

Results

Troponin rises occurred in 18% (23/127) of patients with HCM and 4% (2/53) in mutation carriers (p=0.01). Comparing patients with HCM with and without a postexercise troponin rise, maximum heart rates (157±19 vs 143±23, p=0.004) and maximal wall thickness (20 mm vs 17 mm, p=0.023) were higher in the former, as was the presence of late gadolinium enhancement (85% vs 57%, p=0.02). HighT2 was seen in 65% (13/20) and 19% (15/79), respectively (p<0.001). HighT2 was the only independent predictor of troponin rise (adjusted odds ratio 7.9; 95% CI 2.7 to 23.3; p<0.001).

Conclusions

Postexercise troponin rises were seen in about 20% of patients with HCM, almost five times more frequent than in mutation carriers. HighT2 on CMRi may identify a group of particularly vulnerable patients, supporting the concept that HighT2 reflects an active disease state, prone to additional injury after a short episode of high oxygen demand.
Whole genome sequence-based haplotypes reveal a single origin of the 1393 bp HBB deletion
Authors: Wang Xunde , Xu Julia Z , Conrey Anna , Mendelsohn Laurel , Shriner Daniel , Pirooznia Mehdi , Thein Swee Lay
Published: January 2020

Background

Mutations of HBB give rise to two prevalent haemoglobin disorders—sickle cell disease (SCD) and β-thalassaemia. While SCD is caused by a single base substitution, nearly 300 mutations that downregulate expression of HBB have been described. The vast majority of β-thalassaemia alleles are point mutations or small insertion/deletions within the HBB gene; deletions causing β-thalassaemia are very rare. We have identified three individuals with haemoglobin Sβ0-thalassaemia in which the β0-thalassaemia mutation is caused by a large deletion.

Objective

To use whole genome sequence data to determine whether these deletions arose from a single origin.

Methods

We used two approaches to confirm unrelatedness: pairwise comparison of SNPs and identity by descent analysis. Eagle, V.2.4, was used to generate phased haplotypes for the 683 individuals. The Neighbor-Net method implemented in SplitsTree V.4.13.1 was used to construct the network of haplotypes.

Results

All three deletions involved 1393 bp, encompassing the β-promoter, exons 1 and 2, and part of intron 2, with identical breakpoints. The cases were confirmed to be unrelated. Haplotypes based on 29 SNPs in the HBB cluster showed that the three individuals harboured different βS haplotypes. In contrast, the haplotype harbouring the 1393 bp deletion was the same in all three individuals.

Conclusion

We suggest that all the reported cases of the 1393 bp HBB deletion, including the three cases here, are likely to be of the same ancestral origin.
Effects of acupressure at the P6 and LI4 points on the anxiety level of soldiers in the Iranian military
Authors: Amini Rarani Saeid , Rajai N , Sharififar S
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Military service is a stressful environment. Methods to reduce stress may result in the mental health promotion of military forces. There are various methods for relieving anxiety. Acupressure is one of them. Hence, this study was carried out to explore effects of acupressure at the P6 and LI4 acupressure points on the anxiety level of army soldiers.

Methods

A randomised double-blind design was undertaken. A total of 120 Iranian army soldiers were randomly assigned to three groups, namely P6, LI4 and control. The P6 and LI4 acupressure points are effective in lowering the anxiety level. In the intervention groups, acupressure was applied at the P6 and LI4 points three times for 10 min at 30 min intervals. In the control group, the thumb pad, which is not an acupressure point, was pressed. The anxiety level of the subjects was measured before the intervention and 30 min after the last intervention. The instruments included a demographics questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

Results

There was no significant difference between the three groups with respect to the anxiety level in the preintervention phase. However, the mean anxiety score in the P6 group decreased significantly from 53.35±9.7 to 49.02±9.3 (p=0.005). The mean anxiety score in the LI4 group also decreased significantly from 53.37±8.39 to 45.47±8.16 (p<0.001). In the control group, there was no significant difference between the preintervention and postintervention phases (p=0.16). In the postintervention phase, the analysis of variance test showed a significant difference between the three groups in terms of the anxiety level (p=0.04).

Conclusions

Acupressure can reduce soldiers’ anxiety at the acupressure points, especially at the LI4 point. It is recommended that this simple and cost-effective intervention be used to relieve soldiers’ anxiety in stressful situations.

Trial registration number

20150715023216N4.
Ten tips for foundation doctors when making inpatient referrals to surgical specialties
Authors: Ong Elena Ying Ern , Ong Daniel Ying Yao , Waduud Mohammed Abdul , Choong Wen Ling
Published: January 2020

Making referrals to another specialty is an underemphasised skill in the undergraduate medical curriculum. As a result, many new foundation doctors find themselves ill-equipped to make effective referrals to other specialties as part of their day-to-day responsibilities. This can often be frustrating to the foundation doctor, the specialist and contribute to critical delays in patient care. Surgical registrars are required to triage patients (for urgent review or even to take to theatre) often under time and high patient volume pressures. As such, it is imperative for foundation doctors to make referrals as efficiently as possible to facilitate surgical specialty decision making and, ultimately, to expedite medical care to patients. In this article, we describe 10 tips for the foundation doctor in making inpatient referrals to surgical specialties.
Sclerotherapy treatment of an assumed aneurysmal bone cyst in a dog
Authors: Anson Agustina , Soler Marta , Martinez Miryam , Murciano Jose , Agut Amalia
Published: January 2020

A 3‐month‐old, 18 kg, female St Bernard breed dog was presented with recurrent left forelimb lameness and painful swelling of the antebrachium. A large expansile lytic lesion within the left ulna was observed on radiographs. Ultrasound examination revealed a cyst‐like structure. Sanguineous fluid was obtained in association with ultrasound guidance. A presumptive diagnosis of aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) was made. Percutaneous sclerotherapy (PS) with ethanol 95 per cent was performed. Follow‐up radiographic examinations showed progressive remodelling. Limb function was normal after 9 months. PS with ethanol was a safe alternative to conventional surgery for the treatment of an ABC in this case.
Spatiotemporal patterns in trophic niche overlap among five salmonines in Lake Michigan, USA
Authors: Kornis Matthew S. , Bunnell David B. , Swanson Heidi K. , Bronte Charles R.
Published: February 2020

Native lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and introduced Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and brown trout (Salmo trutta) are major predators in Lake Michigan’s complex ecosystem and collectively support a valuable recreational fishery, but declines in their primary prey, alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), have raised ecological and management concerns about competition and prey allocation. We applied niche overlap analysis to evaluate competition among salmonine predators during rapid forage base change in Lake Michigan. δ13C and δ15N stable isotope ratios indicated that lake trout had a unique trophic niche from inclusion of offshore and benthic prey, with <29% lake-wide niche overlap with Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead. Brown trout had moderate overlap with other species (45%–91%), while Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead had high overlap (71%–98%). Regional differences in isotopic signatures highlighted the potential importance of subsystem differences in fish diets in large aquatic systems. The uniqueness of the lake trout niche, and broadness of brown trout and steelhead niches, suggest these species may be resilient to forage base changes. This study further demonstrates how niche overlap analysis can be applied to tease apart competitive interactions and their response to ecosystem change.
The level of relatedness affects self/nonself discrimination inEucalyptus urophyllaseedlings
Authors: Bertoli Suzana Chiari , Neris Daniel Moreira , Sala Hélida Regina , Vieira Willyam De Lima , Souza Gustavo Maia
Published: January 2020

Plants can develop differentially because of their ability of self/nonself discrimination and the degree of kinship among them. Here, we evaluate the ability of self/nonself discrimination of Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake roots in plant groups with different levels of relatedness. We used three plant groups: clonal, half-siblings, and population. Split-root plants were grown in pots containing either two roots of the same plant (SD) or of two different plants (NSD). The growth of root and leaves of the half-siblings and population plants was decreased in NSDin relation to SD, whereas this response was not observed in the clonal group. The multivariate analysis indicated that there was a progressive increase in plant responses likely caused by competitive interaction of roots, as the level of relatedness between individuals was lower. Our results suggest that the group of clonal plants minimized the competitive interaction among them, indicating low ability to discriminate from each other. However, half-sibling and populational plants reduced growth as a result of root competition, showing high capacity of self discrimination. Thus, a minimum degree of genetic variation between plants seems necessary for kin recognition to be expressed.
Analysis of dynamic characteristics of bubble rise under a free surface
Authors: Zhang Ying , Liu Qiang , Li Wenbin , Lian Xiaolong , Li Jinglun , Rao Xixin
Published: January 2020

The rising process of a bubble occurs in several natural and industrial apparatuses. This process is computationally studied using the front tracking method for a moving interface whose surface properties are solved in terms of an immersed-boundary method. The results show that the free interface does not influence the bubble before the centroid velocity of the bubble reaches the terminal velocity, which reaches a stable value or fluctuates at it, with the distance h (between the centroid of the bubble and the free surface) reaching a certain value. When the Reynolds number increases, the time to reach terminal velocity will decrease, and the influence of the viscous factor on the terminal velocity is also weakened. The dramatic interaction between a bubble and free surface is beneficial to accelerate film draining out. It is also shown that the shape of the bubble gradually becomes an ellipse as the Weber number (We) decreases, and it is beneficial to reduce the resistance of the bubble. The free surface could accelerate the bubble breaking at high We values.
One-, two- and three-soliton, periodic and cross-kink solutions to the (2 + 1)-D variable-coefficient KP equation
Authors: Huang Meihua , Murad Muhammad Amin S. , Ilhan Onur Alp , Manafian Jalil
Published: February 2020

This paper deals with [Formula: see text]-soliton solution of the (2[Formula: see text]+[Formula: see text]1)-dimensional variable-coefficient Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation by virtue of the Hirota bilinear operator method. The obtained solutions for solving the current equation represent some localized waves including soliton, periodic and cross-kink solutions, which have been investigated by the approach of the bilinear method. Mainly, by choosing specific parameter constraints in the [Formula: see text]-soliton solutions, all cases of the periodic and cross-kink solutions can be captured from the one-, two- and three-soliton solutions. The obtained solutions are extended with numerical simulation to analyze graphically, which results into one-, two- and three-soliton solutions and also periodic and cross-kink solutions profiles. That will be extensively used to report many attractive physical phenomena in the fields of acoustics, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, classical mechanics and so on.
Wave vector filtering effect for electrons in magnetically and electrically confined semiconductor heterostructure
Authors: Huang Meng-Rou , Lu Mao-Wang , Huang Xin-Hong , Liang Dong-Hui , Cao Zeng-Lin
Published: February 2020

Wave vector filtering effect is explored for electrons in magnetically and electrically confined semiconductor heterostructure, which can be realized experimentally by depositing a ferromagnetic stripe and a Schottky metal stripe in parallel configuration on the surface of [Formula: see text] heterostructure. Adopting improved transfer matrix method to solve Schrödinger equation, electronic transmission coefficient is calculated exactly, and then wave vector filtering efficiency is obtained by differentiating transmission probability over longitudinal wave vector. An obvious wave vector filtering effect appears, due to an essentially two-dimensional process for electron transmission through a magnetic nanostructure. Besides, wave vector filtering efficiency is associated closely with width, position and externally applied voltage of Schottky metal stripe, which makes wave vector filtering effect become controllable and results in a manipulable momentum filter for nanoelectronics.
Public-key quantum signature based on phase shift operation
Authors: Qin Huawang , Xu Hao , Tang Wallace K. S.
Published: February 2020

A public-key quantum signature (QS) scheme is proposed, in which the phase shift is the private key and the quantum state after the phase shift operation is the public key. The signatory uses the private key to encode the quantum state, and uses the Bell measurement to generate the signature. The receiver performs the unitary operation according to the signature, and then compares the quantum state with the public key to verify the signature. Our scheme does not need a trusted arbitrator, and the signature can be verified by the receiver publicly. Compared to the existing arbitrated QS scheme, our scheme will be more practical.
Novel Implementation Approach with Enhanced Memory Access Performance of MGS Algorithm for VLIW Architecture
Authors: Najoui Mohamed , Hatim Anas , Belkouch Said , Chabini Noureddine
Published: January 2020

Modified Gram–Schmidt (MGS) algorithm is one of the most-known forms of QR decomposition (QRD) algorithms. It has been used in many signal and image processing applications to solve least square problem and linear equations or to invert matrices. However, QRD is well-thought-out as a computationally expensive technique, and its sequential implementation fails to meet the requirements of many real-time applications. In this paper, we suggest a new parallel version of MGS algorithm that uses VLIW (Very Long Instruction Word) resources in an efficient way to get more performance. The presented parallel MGS is based on compact VLIW kernels that have been designed for each algorithm step taking into account architectural and algorithmic constraints. Based on instruction scheduling and software pipelining techniques, the proposed kernels exploit efficiently data, instruction and loop levels parallelism. Additionally, cache memory properties were used efficiently to enhance parallel memory access and to avoid cache misses. The robustness, accuracy and rapidity of the introduced parallel MGS implementation on VLIW enhance significantly the performance of systems under severe rea-time and low power constraints. Experimental results show great improvements over the optimized vendor QRD implementation and the state of art.
Switched Capacitor-Coupled Inductor DC–DC Converter for Grid-Connected PV System using LFCSO-Based Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System
Authors: Kumar J. K. Mohan , Rauf H. Abdul , Umamaheswari R.
Published: January 2020

In this paper, the Levy flight-based chicken swarm optimization (LFCSO) is proposed to follow the highest power of grid-joined photovoltaic (PV) framework. To analyze the grid-associated PV framework, the characteristics of current, power, voltage, and irradiance are determined. Because of the low yield voltage of the source PV, a big advance up converter with big productivity is required when the source PV is associated with the matrix power. A tale great advance up converter dependent on the exchanged capacitor and inductor is illustrated in this paper. The LFCSO algorithm with the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system is used to generate the control pulses of the transformer-coupled inductor DC–DC converter-less switched capacitor. While using the switched capacitor-coupled inductor, the voltage addition is expanded in the DC–DC converter and the power of PV is maximized. Here, the normal CSO algorithm is updated with the help of Levy flight functions to generate optimal results. To get the accurate optimal results, the output of the proposed LFCSO algorithm is given as the input of the ANFIS technique. After that, the optimal results are generated and they provide the pulses for the system. The working guideline is analyzed and the voltage addition is derived with the utilization of the proposed technique. From that point forward, it predicts the exact maximum power of the converter according to its inputs. Under the variety of solar irradiance and partial shading conditions (PSCs), the PV system is tested and its characteristics are analyzed in different time instants. The proposed LFCSO with ANFIS method is actualized in Simulink/MATLABstage, and the tracking executing is examined with a traditional method such as genetic algorithm (GA), perturb and observe (P&O) technique–neuro-fuzzy controller (NFC) and fuzzy logic controller (FLC) technique.
Labels instead of coefficients: A label bracket ⋅ℒ which dominates the Jones polynomial 𝒳 ⋅, the Kuperberg bracket ⋅A2, and the normalized arrow polynomial 𝒲⋅
Authors: Akimova Alyona A. , Manturov Vassily O.
Published: January 2020

In the present paper, we develop a picture formalism which gives rise to an invariant that dominates several known invariants of classical and virtual knots: the Jones polynomial [Formula: see text], the Kuperberg bracket [Formula: see text], and the normalized arrow polynomial [Formula: see text].
The Tutte polynomial of symmetric hyperplane arrangements
Authors: Randriamaro Hery
Published: January 2020

The Tutte polynomial is originally a bivariate polynomial which enumerates the colorings of a graph and of its dual graph. Ardila extended in 2007 the definition of the Tutte polynomial on the real hyperplane arrangements. He particularly computed the Tutte polynomials of the hyperplane arrangements associated to the classical Weyl groups. Those associated to the exceptional Weyl groups were computed by De Concini and Procesi one year later. This paper has two objectives: On the one side, we extend the Tutte polynomial computing to the complex hyperplane arrangements. On the other side, we introduce a wider class of hyperplane arrangements which is that of the symmetric hyperplane arrangements. Computing the Tutte polynomial of a symmetric hyperplane arrangement permits us to deduce the Tutte polynomials of some hyperplane arrangements, particularly of those associated to the imprimitive reflection groups.
Catastrophe Pre-Warning of Multi-Modular Floating Platforms with Ordinal Partition Networks
Authors: Yang Guangyu , Xu Daolin , Zhang Haicheng
Published: January 2020

Use of artificial networks to signify the onset of dynamic catastrophes in engineering systems is a simple and efficient strategy. Here an ordinal partition network and its construction from time series are introduced. The selection of mapping parameter is discussed in detail, which may significantly enhance the performance of the proposed method. Topological properties of the resulting network can sensitively detect the dynamic changes of original underlying systems, making the strategy workable. A Catastrophe Prediction Index (CPI) is proposed to serve as a monitoring indicator for pre-warning catastrophe events. The numerical results verify the feasibility of the proposed method.
Performance Assessment Using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Water Utilities: A Primer
Authors: Berg Sanford V.
Published: January 2020

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are widely recognized as a basis for evaluating water utility operations in developing countries and for designing both regulatory and managerial incentives that improve performance. A number of methodolgies can be used for assessing performance, with KPIs and overall performance indicators serving as more comprehensible and potentially more comprehensive than more technical empirical benchmarking studies. Data initiatives in low and middle income countries require resources that could be used for other activities with more immediate payoffs. However, regulatory oversight requires data analysis of trends, current performance, and realistic targets. Quantitative studies can provide clues regarding the extent of economies of scale, scope, and density, but policy-makers need much more detail and specificity than most scholars provide. Here, the focus is on information systems that provide accurate, reliable, and relevant data. KPIs represent the foundation for those developing, implementing, and responding to public policy — incentivizing water utilities in developing (and developed) countries to contain costs, improve service quality, and expand water access over the long run.
How C++ Templates Are Used for Generic Programming
Authors: Chen Lin , Wu Di , Ma Wanwangying , Zhou Yuming , Xu Baowen , Leung Hareton
Published: January 2020

Generic programming is a key paradigm for developing reusable software components. The inherent support for generic constructs is therefore important in programming languages. As for C++, the generic construct, templates, has been supported since the language was first released. However, little is currently known about how C++ templates are actually used in developing real software. In this study, we conduct an experiment to investigate the use of templates in practice. We analyze 1,267 historical revisions of 50 open source systems, consisting of 566 million lines of C++ code, to collect the data of the practical use of templates. We perform statistical analyses on the collected data and produce many interesting results. We uncover the following important findings: (1) templates are practically used to prevent code duplication, but this benefit is largely confined to a few highly used templates; (2) function templates do not effectively replace C-style generics, and developers with a C background do not show significant preference between the two language constructs; (3) developers seldom convert dynamic polymorphism to static polymorphism by using CRTP (Curiously Recursive Template Pattern); (4) the use of templates follows a power-law distribution in most cases, and C++ developers who prefer using templates are those without other language background; (5) C developer background seems to override C++ project guidelines. These findings are helpful not only for researchers to understand the tendency of template use but also for tool builders to implement better tools to support generic programming.
Inferring Lifetime Status of Point-of-Interest
Authors: Lu Xinjiang , Yu Zhiwen , Liu Chuanren , Liu Yanchi , Xiong Hui , Guo Bin
Published: February 2020

A Point-of-Interest (POI) refers to a specific location that people may find useful or interesting. In modern cities, a large number of POIs emerge, grow, stabilize for a period, then finally disappear. The stages (e.g., emerge and grow) in this process are called lifetime statuses of a POI. While a large body of research has been devoted to identifying and recommending POIs, there are few studies on inferring the lifetime status of POIs. Indeed, the predictive analytics of POI lifetime status can be valuable for various tasks, such as urban planning, business site selection, and real estate appraisal. In this article, we propose a multitask learning approach, named inferring POI lifetime status, to inferring the POI lifetime status with multifaceted data sources. Specifically, we first define three types of POI lifetime status, i.e., booming, decaying, and stable. Then, we formulate a serial classification problem to predict the sequential/successive lifetime statuses of POIs over time. Leveraging geographical data and human mobility data, we examine and integrate three aspects of features related to the prosperity of POIs, i.e., region popularity, region demands, and peer competitiveness. Next, as the booming/decaying POIs are relatively rare in our data, we perform stable class decomposition to alleviate the imbalance between stable POIs and booming/decaying POIs. Finally, we develop a POI lifetime status classifier by exploiting the multitask learning framework as well as the multiclass kernel-based vector machines. We perform extensive experiments using large-scale and real-world datasets of New York City. The experimental results validate the effectiveness of our approach to automatically inferring POI lifetime status.
In-Bed Body Motion Detection and Classification System
Authors: Alaziz Musaab , Jia Zhenhua , Howard Richard , Lin Xiaodong , Zhang Yanyong
Published: January 2020

In-bed motion detection and classification are important techniques that can enable an array of applications, among which are sleep monitoring and abnormal movement detection. In this article, we present a low-cost, low-overhead, and highly robust system for in-bed movement detection and classification that uses low-end load cells. To detect movements, we have designed a feature that we refer to as Log-Peak, which can be extracted from load cell data that is collected through wireless links in an energy-efficient manner. After detection, we set out to achieve a precise body motion classification. Toward this goal, we define nine classes of movements, and design a machine learning algorithm using Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, and XGBoost techniques to classify a movement into one of nine classes. For every movement, we have extracted 24 features and used them in our model. This movement detection/classification system was evaluated on data collected from 40 subjects who performed 35 predefined movements in each experiment. We have applied multiple tree topologies for each technique to reach their best results. After examining various combinations, we have achieved a final classification accuracy of 91.5%. This system can be used conveniently for long-term home monitoring.
RETRACTED: A Facile Photoelectrochemical Sensor for High Sensitive Dopamine and Ascorbic Acid Detection Based on Bi surface Plasmon Resonance-Promoted BiVO4 Microspheres
Authors: Cheng Yajie , Chen Chengjin , Hu Shengnan , Liu Xuebing , Zhang Li , Huang Wangqiang , Song Shaodong , Xia Lingyun
Published: January 2020

In this work, BiVO4/Bi-X (X represented the quality of adding NaNH4, X = 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5) are synthesized through two-step hydrothermal methods. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) experiments demonstrate that the PEC properties of BiVO4/Bi-0.3 bear the best PEC performance compared with other materials. Meanwhile, UV–vis Diffuse reflection spectra (DRS) and photoluminescence (PL) also affirm that the Bi metal SPR effect is able to improve the energy conversion efficiency. For this reason, the PEC sensors based on a bifunctional BiVO4/Bi-0.3 are fabricated, which demonstrates a broad linear range from 0.2–118 μM and 0.05–100 μM for sensing ascorbic acid (AA) and Dopamine (DA).
Dynamic Eco-Driving on Signalized Arterial Corridors during the Green Phase for the Connected Vehicles
Authors: Zhao Xiangmo , Wu Xia , Xin Qi , Sun Kang , Yu Shaowei
Published: January 2020

Inappropriate driving behaviours can result in additional fuel consumption and emissions. Drivers can be informed of the accurate signal phase and timing (SPaT) and distance information of the current intersection and downstream intersections via vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications. The real-time information has been utilized to assist drivers in taking reasonable manoeuvres and gain lots of benefits on fuel consumption and emissions in some existing studies. In order to cooperatively address the optimization problem on the signalized arterial corridors, this paper presents an eco-driving optimization model considering preceding SPaT and position information. This model can be applied to pass two successive traffic signals cooperatively during green phase. In this study, a multi-stage optimal approach is proposed to minimize the fuel consumption. Field experiments are carried out for comparative analysis between the connected vehicle with speed advisory and the uninformed vehicle without speed advisory. The results indicate that the fuel saving of the connected vehicle guided by the dynamic optimization algorithm shows significant improvement. In addition, the rolling optimization among three signalized intersections is conducted and the results show that a considerable improvement can be obtained compared with the one-by-one optimization.