bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disability-friendly healthcare at public health facilities in Bangladesh: a mixed-method study to explore the existing situation
Authors: Torsha Nawshin , Rahman Farah Naz , Hossain Md Shafkat , Chowdhury Hasina Akhter , Kim Minjoon , Rahman S. M. Mustafizur , Rahman A. K. M. Fazlur , Rahman Aminur
Published: September 2022

Background

Several strategies and policies are being implemented in Bangladesh to address the healthcare needs of people with disabilities, who comprise about 10% of the country’s total population. However, these measures are not adequate to provide accessible or friendly healthcare to the people with disabilities. This study aimed to explore the disability-friendliness of healthcare facilities, and the challenges of people with disabilities in terms of access to 1) information and communication, 2) access to infrastructure, and 3) providers’ capacity in Bangladesh.

Methods

An explanatory sequential mixed-method study was conducted, including a cross-sectional survey of healthcare facilities, followed by structured-interview with people with disabilities and healthcare managers, and qualitative interviews among people with disabilities or their caregivers, healthcare providers (HCPs), policymakers, and community leaders. Data were collected from 150 public healthcare (primary-to-tertiary) facilities and from 300 people with disabilities in 16 districts across Bangladesh between January-December 2019. An observational checklist and structured questionnaires were used to assess the situation of healthcare facilities, and literature-guided guidelines were used for qualitative interviews. During analysis, the disability-friendliness of healthcare facilities were quantified through a scoring system, and thematic analysis of qualitative data was performed to identify the challenges of implementing disability-friendly healthcare (DFHC).

Results

The score for providing DFHC was low across all the four objectives in the healthcare facilities. The highest score (mean percentage) was observed in the infrastructure domain: 29.3 ± 20.5, followed by communication: 18.2 ± 4.8, and information: 14.6 ± 6.22, and the lowest (0.93 ± 7.1) score was for capacity of the HCPs to provide DFHC. Mean percentage scores for access to 13 infrastructure points were low, and extremely low scores were found in areas such as access to elevators (5.6 ± 5.0), ticket counters (7.3 ± 17.7) and toilets (10.6 ± 9.3). Furthermore, about 59.1% of people with disabilities expressed dissatisfaction regarding access to information and communication. The majority (98.2%) recommended that training of HCPs can improve the situation.

Conclusion

This study revealed that most of the public health facilities in Bangladesh were not disability-friendly. Findings can inform development of a national disability-friendly policy with implementation guidelines.
The noncoding RNAs regulating pyroptosis in colon adenocarcinoma were derived from the construction of a ceRNA network and used to develop a prognostic model
Authors: Chen Yanfeng , Tian Zongbiao , Hou Hebin , Gai Wei
Published: September 2022

Background

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), pyroptosis and tumours are all hot topics in current research, but there are very limited studies on pyroptosis and its regulated ncRNAs in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD).

Methods

The COAD transcription profile dataset from TCGA was used for differential expression analysis. Pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs), the top 200 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNA (circRNAs) were selected from the results to construct an endogenous competitive RNA (ceRNA) network. Moreover, the expression of the ceRNAs was used for consensus cluster analysis of COAD and developing a risk model after combining clinical follow-up data by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method. The stability and independent prognostic ability of the risk model were evaluated. Finally, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and immune score comparisons between the high-risk and low-risk groups were performed.

Results

There were 87 PRGs with significant differences, among which casp3/8, NLRP1/3, and IL-1α/1β were at the core of the interactions. The ceRNA network consisted of 58 lncRNAs, 6 circRNAs, 25 PRGs, and 55 microRNAs. We speculated that KCNQ1OT1-miRNAs-SQSTM1 and HSA_CIRC_0001495-miRNAs-PTEN have great potential and value in the pyroptosis mechanism of COAD. Nine RNAs were involved in the risk score, which had excellent independent prognostic ability. Survival analyses were significant between the high-risk (HR) and low-risk (LR) groups (training cohort:P < 0.001; test cohort:P = 0.037). GSEA was mainly enriched in tumour proliferation and metastasis related pathways, while differences in immune activity showed a bipolar distribution between the HR and LR groups.

Conclusions

The overall mechanism of pyroptosis in COAD was revealed. CeRNAs most closely related to the pyroptosis mechanism of COAD were selected and used to develop a prognostic model. The results may present new regulatory sites and potential targets for COAD pyroptosis mechanisms.
Nut consumption is associated with a shift of the NMR lipoprotein subfraction profile to a less atherogenic pattern among older individuals at high CVD risk
Authors: García-Gavilán Jesús F. , Connelly Margery A. , Babio Nancy , Mantzoros Christos S. , Ros Emilio , Salas-Salvadó Jordi
Published: September 2022

Background

Scientific evidence has accumulated on the beneficial effects of nut consumption on cardiovascular risk and cholesterol reduction, but few studies have examined the effects of nuts on advanced measures of lipoprotein atherogenicity determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. We analyzed associations between the amount and type of of nuts consumed and advanced measures of lipoprotein atherogenity and insulin resistance in older individuals at high cardiovascular risk.

Methods

The present observational study was carried out within the framework of the Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea (PREDIMED) trial. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses after 1-year of follow-up were conducted in 196 men and women recruited in the PREDIMED-Reus (Spain) center. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food questionnaire. Baseline and 1-year fasting plasma lipoprotein and metabolite profiling were performed in plasma using NMR spectra Vantera® Clinical Analyzer. Associations by tertiles of nut consumption between baseline and 1-year changes and advanced measures of lipoprotein atherogenicity, branched chain amminoacids, and measures of insulin resistance were tested by multivariable-adjusted ANCOVA models.

Results

Compared to paticipants in the bottom tertile, those in the top tertile of total nut consumption showed higher levels of large HDL particles and HDL-cholesterol, lower levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and GlycA, and reduced lipoprotein insulin resistance and diabetes risk index. Participants in the top tertile of walnut consumption disclosed lower levels of very large VLDL, total LDL particles, LDL-cholesterol, and GlycA. Participants in the top tertile of non-walnut nut consumption displayed higher levels of total HDL particles, HDL-cholesterol and apoliporotein A1, lower BCAA and GlycA, and reduced lipoprotein insulin resistance. Participants in the top tertile of 1-year changes in walnut consumption showed increases in medium-sized HDL particles in comparison to the bottom tertile.

Conclusions

In older individuals at high cardiovascular risk, increasing nut consumption was associated with a shift of the NMR lipoprotein subfraction profile to a less atherogenic pattern, as well as lower circulating concentrations of BCAA and decreased insulin resistance. These results provide novel mechanistic insight into the cardiovascular benefit of nut consumption.

Trial registration ISRCTN35739639; registration date: 05/10/2005; recruitment start date 01/10/2003.
Examining the impact of a symptom assessment application on patient-physician interaction among self-referred walk-in patients in the emergency department (AKUSYM): study protocol for a multi-center, randomized controlled, parallel-group superiority trial
Authors: Napierala Hendrik , Kopka Marvin , Altendorf Maria B. , Bolanaki Myrto , Schmidt Konrad , Piper Sophie K. , Heintze Christoph , Möckel Martin , Balzer Felix , Slagman Anna , Schmieding Malte L.
Published: September 2022

Background

Due to the increasing use of online health information, symptom checkers have been developed to provide an individualized assessment of health complaints and provide potential diagnoses and an urgency estimation. It is assumed that they support patient empowerment and have a positive impact on patient-physician interaction and satisfaction with care. Particularly in the emergency department (ED), symptom checkers could be integrated to bridge waiting times in the ED, and patients as well as physicians could take advantage of potential positive effects. Our study therefore aims to assess the impact of symptom assessment application (SAA) usage compared to no SAA usage on the patient-physician interaction in self-referred walk-in patients in the ED population.

Methods

In this multi-center, 1:1 randomized, controlled, parallel-group superiority trial, 440 self-referred adult walk-in patients with a non-urgent triage category will be recruited in three EDs in Berlin. Eligible participants in the intervention group will use a SAA directly after initial triage. The control group receives standard care without using a SAA. The primary endpoint is patients’ satisfaction with the patient-physician interaction assessed by the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire.

Discussion

The results of this trial could influence the implementation of SAA into acute care to improve the satisfaction with the patient-physician interaction.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Registry DRKS00028598. Registered on 25.03.2022
Quality by design approach for development and validation of a RP-HPLC method for simultaneous estimation of xipamide and valsartan in human plasma
Authors: Sebaiy Mahmoud M. , El-Adl Sobhy M. , Baraka Mohamed M. , Hassan Amira A. , El-Sayed Heba M.
Published: September 2022

A new rapid, simple, and sensitive RP-HPLC method was carried out through applying Quality by Design approach for determination of xipamide and valsartan in Human plasma. Fractional factorial design was used for screening of four independent factors: pH, flow rate, detection wavelength, and % of MeOH. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed that flow rate and % of MeOH were only significant. Chromatographic conditions optimization was carried out through using central composite design. Method analysis was performed using BDS Hypersil C8 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) and an isocratic mobile phase of MeOH and 0.05 M KH2PO4buffer pH 3 (64.5:35.5, v/v) at 1.2 mL/min flow rate with UV detection at 240 nm and 10 μL injection volume. According to FDA guidelines, the method was then validated for the determination of the two drugs clinically in human plasma in respect of future pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence simulation studies. The standard curve was linear in the concentration range of 5–100 µg/mL for both drugs, with a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.999. Also, the average recoveries lied within the range from 99.89 to 100.03%. The proposed method showed good predictability and robustness.
Glycaemic control among type 2 diabetes patients in sub-Saharan Africa from 2012 to 2022: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fina Lubaki Jean-Pierre , Omole Olufemi Babatunde , Francis Joel Msafiri
Published: September 2022

Background

There is an increased burden of diabetes globally including in sub-Saharan Africa. The literature shows that glycaemic control among type 2 diabetes patients is poor in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the factors influencing glycaemic control in this region is therefore important to develop interventions to optimize glycaemic control. We carried out a systematic review to determine the prevalence and factors associated with glycaemic control in sub-Saharan Africa to inform the development of a glycaemic control framework in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Methods

We searched five databases (African Index Medicus, Africa-Wide Information, Global Health, PubMed, and Web of Science) using the following search terms: type-2 diabetes, glycaemic control, and sub-Saharan Africa. Only peer-reviewed articles from January 2012 to May 2022 were eligible for this review. Two reviewers, independently, selected articles, assessed their methodological quality using Joanna Briggs checklists, and extracted data. A meta-analysis was performed to estimate the prevalence of glycaemic control. Factors associated with glycaemic control were presented as a narrative synthesis due to heterogeneity as assessed by the I2.

Results

A total of 74 studies, involving 21,133 participants were included in the review. The pooled prevalence of good glycaemic control was 30% (95% CI:27.6–32.9). The glycaemic control prevalence ranged from 10–60%. Younger and older age, gender, lower income, absence of health insurance, low level of education, place of residence, family history of diabetes, longer duration of diabetes, pill burden, treatment regimen, side effects, use of statins or antihypertensives, alcohol consumption, smoking, presence of comorbidities/complications, and poor management were associated with poor glycaemic control. On the other hand, positive perceived family support, adequate coping strategies, high diabetes health literacy, dietary adherence, exercise practice, attendance to follow-up, and medication adherence were associated with good glycaemic control.

Conclusion

Suboptimal glycaemic control is pervasive among patients with type-2 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa and poses a significant public health challenge. While urgent interventions are required to optimize glycaemic control in this region, these should consider sociodemographic, lifestyle, clinical, and treatment-related factors. This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol is registered in PROSPERO under CRD 42021237941.
Impact of pain severity on functioning domains, sleep, and cognition in painful diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy patients
Authors: Abo-Elfetoh Noha M. , Farag Andrew I. , Gabra Romany H.
Published: September 2022

Background

Several studies have observed that painful diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy (PDPN) had an impact on the level of functioning domains and quality of sleep as well as cognitive functions. This study is aimed to explore the relationship between severity of pain and level of functioning, sleep quality, and cognitive functions among these patients. We recruited 100 diabetics with a mean HbA1C% of 7.3±0.9, diagnosed with PDPN, and included in the study with a mean age of 51±12.8 years and disease duration of 10.2±7.4 years. The following assessment was done for each patient; clinical and neurophysiology assessment, routine laboratory assessment, measuring pain severity, and average pain severity interference scores using pain visual analog scale (VAS) and brief pain inventory (BPI) short form, respectively, sleep quality assessment using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Montreal cognitive function assessment (MOCA) scales.

Results

Moderate to severe pain was recorded in 71% of patients according to the VAS pain score. The severe pain group recorded the significant highest average pain severity and interference scores in BPI and domains compared to other less pain groups with average pain intensity scores of 7.5±0.6 vs 5.3±0.8 in the moderate and 3.3±0.4 in mild pain groups. Poor sleep quality and pattern were observed in these patients with a mean PSQI score of 6.8±3.1, and the severe pain group had a significant highest score of 9.4±2.3 compared to other less group scores of 7±2.3 and 3.7±1.8. Their mean MOCA score was low 24.2±2.2. Out of them 48/100 patients had mild cognitive impairment and recorded high frequency in the severe pain group (28/32) followed by the moderate pain (15/39) group. There is a significant correlation between the score of VAS and PSQI as well as MOCA.

Conclusions

Painful DPN patients had a poor level of functioning and sleep quality as well as cognitive impairment based on pain intensity.

Trial registration

This study was registered on a clinical trial with registration number NCT03275233 on 7 September 2017.
Promoting validation and cross-phylogenetic integration in model organism research
Authors: Cheng Keith C. , Burdine Rebecca D. , Dickinson Mary E. , Ekker Stephen C. , Lin Alex Y. , Lloyd K. C. Kent , Lutz Cathleen M. , MacRae Calum A. , Morrison John H. , O'Connor David H. , Postlethwait John H. , Rogers Crystal D. , Sanchez Susan , Simpson Julie H. , Talbot William S. , Wallace Douglas C. , Weimer Jill M. , Bellen Hugo J.
Published: September 2022

Model organism (MO) research provides a basic understanding of biology and disease due to the evolutionary conservation of the molecular and cellular language of life. MOs have been used to identify and understand the function of orthologous genes, proteins, cells and tissues involved in biological processes, to develop and evaluate techniques and methods, and to perform whole-organism-based chemical screens to test drug efficacy and toxicity. However, a growing richness of datasets and the rising power of computation raise an important question: How do we maximize the value of MOs? In-depth discussions in over 50 virtual presentations organized by the National Institutes of Health across more than 10 weeks yielded important suggestions for improving the rigor, validation, reproducibility and translatability of MO research. The effort clarified challenges and opportunities for developing and integrating tools and resources. Maintenance of critical existing infrastructure and the implementation of suggested improvements will play important roles in maintaining productivity and facilitating the validation of animal models of human biology and disease.
Use of a cow-side oestrus detection test for fertility management in Kenyan smallholder dairy herds.
Authors: Peters Andrew R. , Wong Johanna T. , Williams Erin J. , Muasa Bridgit S. , Makoni Nathaniel F. , Ngige Chris M. , Allan Fiona K. , Christian Michael , Ball Peter J.H.
Published: September 2022

Background: The use of artificial insemination (AI) has great potential to improve smallholder dairy herds in Africa, however poor success and, in some situations, high costs in Kenya, have been discouraging.  Effective AI requires accurate oestrus detection and the measurement of progesterone (P4) can be used to indicate oestrus as well as non-pregnancy.  A cow-side progesterone lateral flow test, P4 Rapid, was evaluated as an aid to detect oestrus and non-pregnancy in Kenyan dairy cows, and assessed for association with AI efficiency. 

Methods: A total of 527 cows were enrolled in the study, from two counties in central and southern Kenya.  Cattle in the test group (n = 308) were presented when suspected to be in oestrus and tested with the P4 Rapid (low P4 = oestrus, medium P4 = inconclusive, high P4 = not in oestrus/pregnant).  Cattle with low P4 were inseminated.  Cattle in the control group (n = 219) were inseminated when oestrus behaviour was detected i.e. standard practice.

Results: Of the total P4 Rapid tests performed (n = 745), 1.5% were inconclusive, with the true accuracy of the test between 87-97%.  Conception rates were not significantly higher in the test group (83.9%) compared to the control group (77.9%). Abortion rates were not significantly different between the control (9.5%) and test groups (8.2%).  In the test group, 6.2% (19/308) cows showed a medium or high P4 level on day 0 and nine of these were subsequently found to have been already pregnant.

Conclusions: The data indicated that the P4 Rapid test can be a useful tool to assist farmer decision-making in the confirmation of correct timing for AI, and importantly may avoid unnecessary inseminations in pregnant animals, thus reducing the risk of AI-induced abortion.
Characterising processes and outcomes of tailoring implementation strategies in healthcare: a protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Riordan Fiona , Kerins Claire , Pallin Nickola , Albers Bianca , Clack Lauren , Morrissey Eimear , Curran Geoffrey M. , Lewis Cara C. , Powell Byron J. , Presseau Justin , Wolfenden Luke , McHugh Sheena M.
Published: September 2022

Background: Tailoring strategies to target the salient barriers to and enablers of implementation is considered a critical step in supporting successful delivery of evidence based interventions in healthcare. Theory, evidence, and stakeholder engagement are considered key ingredients in the process however, these ingredients can be combined in different ways. There is no consensus on the definition of tailoring or single method for tailoring strategies to optimize impact, ensure transparency, and facilitate replication.

Aim: The purpose of this scoping review is to describe how tailoring has been undertaken within healthcare to answer questions about how it has been conceptualised, described, and conducted in practice, and to identify research gaps.

Methods: The review will be conducted in accordance with best practice guidelines and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) will be used to guide the reporting. Searches will be conducted of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, from 2005 to present. Reference lists of included articles will be searched. Grey literature will be searched on Google Scholar. Screening and data extraction will be conducted by two or more members of the research team, with any discrepancies resolved by consensus discussion with a third reviewer. Initial analysis will be quantitative involving a descriptive numerical summary of the characteristics of the studies and the tailoring process. Qualitative content analysis aligned to the research questions will also be conducted, and data managed  using NVivo where applicable. This scoping review is pre-registered with the Open Science Framework.

Conclusions: The findings will serve a resource for implementation researchers and practitioners to guide future research in this field and facilitate systematic, transparent, and replicable development of tailored implementation strategies.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and associated risk in rural South Africa: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Fabian June , Gondwe Mwawi , Mayindi Nokthula , Chipungu Shingirai , Khoza Bongekile , Gaylard Petra , Wade Alisha N , Gómez-Olivé F. Xavier , Tomlinson Laurie A , Ramsay Michele , Tollman Stephen , Winkler Cheryl , George Jaya A , Naicker Saraladevi
Published: September 2022

Background: In Africa, true prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unknown, and associated clinical and genetic risk factors remain understudied. This population-based cohort study aimed to investigate CKD prevalence and associated risk factors in rural South Africa.

Methods: A total 2021 adults aged 20-79 years were recruited between 2017-2018 from the Agincourt Health and Socio-Demographic Surveillance System in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, South Africa. The following were collected: sociodemographic, anthropometric, and clinical data; venous blood samples for creatinine, hepatitis B serology; DNA extraction; spot urine samples for dipstick testing and urine albumin: creatinine ratio (UACR) measurement. Point-of-care screening determined prevalent HIV infection, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia. DNA was used to test for apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) kidney risk variants. Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria were used to diagnose CKD as low eGFR (<60mL/min/1.73m2) and /or albuminuria (UACR ≥ 3.0mg/mmol) confirmed with follow up screening after at least three months. eGFR was calculated using the CKD-EPI(creatinine) equation 2009 with no ethnicity adjustment. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model CKD risk.

Results: The WHO age-adjusted population prevalence of CKD was 6.7% (95% CI 5.4 - 7.9), mostly from persistent albuminuria. In the fully adjusted model, APOL1 high-risk genotypes (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.3 - 3.4); HIV infection (OR 1.8; 1.1 - 2.8); hypertension (OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.8 - 4.3), and diabetes (OR 4.1; 95% CI 2.0 - 8.4) were risk factors. There was no association with age, sex, level of education, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, or hepatitis B infection. Sensitivity analyses showed that CKD risk factor associations were driven by persistent albuminuria, and not low eGFR. One third of those with CKD did not have any of these risk factors.

Conclusions:  In rural South Africa, CKD is prevalent, dominated by persistent albuminuria, and associated with APOL1 high-risk genotypes, hypertension, diabetes, and HIV infection.
GroundsWell: Community-engaged and data-informed systems transformation of Urban Green and Blue Space for population health – a new initiative
Authors: Hunter Ruth F. , Rodgers Sarah E. , Hilton Jeremy , Clarke Mike , Garcia Leandro , Ward Thompson Catharine , Geary Rebecca , Green Mark A. , O'Neill Ciaran , Longo Alberto , Lovell Rebecca , Nurse Alex , Wheeler Benedict W. , Clement Sarah , Porroche-Escudero Ana , Mitchell Rich , Barr Ben , Barry John , Bell Sarah , Bryan Dominic , Buchan Iain , Butters Olly , Clemens Tom , Clewley Natalie , Corcoran Rhiannon , Elliott Lewis , Ellis Geraint , Guell Cornelia , Jurek-Loughrey Anna , Kee Frank , Maguire Aideen , Maskell Simon , Murtagh Brendan , Smith Grahame , Taylor Timothy , Jepson Ruth ,   GroundsWell Consortium
Published: September 2022

Natural environments, such as parks, woodlands and lakes, have positive impacts on health and wellbeing. Urban Green and Blue Spaces (UGBS), and the activities that take place in them, can significantly influence the health outcomes of all communities, and reduce health inequalities. Improving access and quality of UGBS needs understanding of the range of systems (e.g. planning, transport, environment, community) in which UGBS are located. UGBS offers an ideal exemplar for testing systems innovations as it reflects place-based and whole society processes, with potential to reduce non-communicable disease (NCD) risk and associated social inequalities in health. UGBS can impact multiple behavioural and environmental aetiological pathways. However, the systems which desire, design, develop, and deliver UGBS are fragmented and siloed, with ineffective mechanisms for data generation, knowledge exchange and mobilisation. Further, UGBS need to be co-designed with and by those whose health could benefit most from them, so they are appropriate, accessible, valued and used well.

This paper describes a major new prevention research programme and partnership, GroundsWell, which aims to transform UGBS-related systems by improving how we plan, design, evaluate and manage UGBS so that it benefits all communities, especially those who are in poorest health. We use a broad definition of health to include physical, mental, social wellbeing and quality of life. Our objectives are to transform systems so that UGBS are planned, developed, implemented, maintained and evaluated with our communities and data systems to enhance health and reduce inequalities.

GroundsWell will use interdisciplinary, problem-solving approaches to accelerate and optimise community collaborations among citizens, users, implementers, policymakers and researchers to impact research, policy, practice and active citizenship. GroundsWell will be shaped and developed in three pioneer cities (Belfast, Edinburgh, Liverpool) and their regional contexts, with embedded translational mechanisms to ensure that outputs and impact have UK-wide and international application.
EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL STUDY ON EFP PENETRATING UNDERWATER DOUBLE-LAYER TARGETS
Authors: QI YUXUAN , MAO LIANG , JIANG CHUNLAN , HU RONG , LU SHIWEI , WANG BAOLIN , LEI WENXING
Published: September 2022

In order to investigate the damage efficiency of smart micro torpedo armed with EFP warhead, and to reveal its penetration ability, experiment and simulation of EFP forming and penetrating underwater double-layer targets are carried on. In this paper, influence of the distance between EFP warhead and targets underwater is studied, which covers 0, 40, 120, 200, 280mm depth of water. In addition, a penetrator is exceeded by different kinds of buffer materials. The experiments show that, compared with EFP in the air, EFP formed by underwater weapon results in smaller holes on the double-layer target. With the increase of the depth of water, the projectile loses its mass and velocity and damage diameter of the target remains an approximate constant first and then decreases. Interestingly, the simulation demonstrates a unique damage mechanism different from that in the air, which affected by the penetrator and underwater shock wave
EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF TERMINAL BALLISTIC IMPACT OF GELATIN
Authors: CHAPLIN RAYMOND , MINISI MARK , JENSEN MORTEN RIKARD , KHANNA KSHITIZ , SPICKERT-FULTON SHAWN
Published: September 2022

Knowledge of wound ballistics is essential to protect our warfighters. The presented work achieves this goal by studying impact into 10% ballistic gelatin. Experiments were carried out with steel spheres for three different velocities. Decay curves are recorded to give the complete picture of this complex event. As the background for numerical modeling of the experiments, a comprehensive literature study was done on this topic, especially related to numerical algorithms, and applied constitutive models for gelatin. The γSPH solver in the IMPETUS Afea Solver Suite is used to model the gelatin utilizing GPU technology for computational efficiency. Power-law plasticity, non-linear elasticity, and simple fluid constitutive models were tested, and results are compared with the experiments. The simple fluid model seems to yield the best results, and in general, all results are within a margin of 10% error.
INVESTIGATE THE PENETRATION CHARACTERISTICS OF A FOLLOWING KINETIC ENERGY PROJECTILE TO CONCRETE WITH A PRE-DRILLED CAVITY
Authors: MA BIN , HUANG ZHENGXIANG , XIAO QIANGQIANG , JIA XIN , ZU XUDONG
Published: September 2022

The penetration characteristic of a following kinetic energy projectile to the concrete with a pre-drilled cavity is investigated through the theory and numerical simulations. With the precondition of the equivalent volume of the pre-drilled cavity, the results are compared in terms of the kinetic parameters of the penetration process, the depth of penetration of the following kinetic energy projectile. A theoretical model is then employed to assess the depth of penetration of the following kinetic energy projectile at the condition of variation of the diameter and the depth but the volume of the pre-drilled cavity being invariant. In addition, the numerical simulation is carried out to present the penetration process of the following kinetic energy projectile to the concrete with a pre-drilled cavity. The results show that the existence of the pre-drilled cavity is conducive to increase the depth of penetration of the following kinetic energy projectile on the concrete. In case of the same volume of the pre-drilled cavity, the depth of penetration of the following kinetic energy projectile on concreter increases initially and decreases afterwards with increase of the diameter of the pre-drilled cavity. The theoretical results correlate with the simulation results reasonably well.
BALLISTIC PERFORMANCE OF ADHESIVELY BONDED JOINTS
Authors: ERCAN M. EMIN , KADIOGLU FERHAT , KAYA MUSTAFA , ELFARRA MUNIR
Published: September 2022

In this study, ballistic performance of adhesively-bonded Single Lap Joints is investigated experimentally and numerically. Using a specially-designed experimental set-up, a projectile with mass of 1.25 gr and density of 11.3 gr/cm3 was fired to the joints at a velocity of 288 m/s. The joints with a thickness of 4 mm and two different overlap lengths, 15 mm and 25 mm, were first subjected to the ballistic and then to the quasi-static tensile tests. When the impacted joints were compared to the non-impacted ones, it was found that while the joints with the 15 mm overlap length mechanically deteriorated, those with the 25 mm length were not affected. These results were validated numerically via the ABAQUS package program. Johnson Cook behaviors of the materials were used as input data in the analysis.
METHODOLOGY TO SELECT ROD PARAMETERS FOR MAXIMIZING DAMAGE AT HYPERVELOCITY IMPACT
Authors: DHOTE K. D. , VERMA P. N. , NAIK G. D.
Published: September 2022

Damage assessment is essential when a threat missile payload is intercepted by a missile carrying high explosive warhead. In near miss condition, projectiles (i.e. rods, pellets or fragments) deployed by the warhead impact on a threat missile. Selecting a rod parameter is a challenging task as its effectiveness depends on impact conditions, which varies with various engagement scenarios. Extent of damage depends on target specifications, impact conditions and rod parameters. To resolve this challenge, first simulations are validated for a few experimental data. Using validated simulation model, the data is generated regarding extent of damage caused by changing rod parameters for a set of impact conditions. Then, a methodology to select optimum rod parameter is worked out. Wherein, artificial neural networks (ANN) are built using the discrete set of simulation data and then based on probability of impact conditions, Monte Carlo simulations are performed to obtain probability of successful damage cases. The proposed methodology helps in selecting an optimum rod for the given range of impact conditions.
MESOSCALE STUDY ON THE DYNAMIC MECHANICAL BEHAVIORS OF AL-PTFE-W REACTIVE MATERIALS
Authors: SUN TAO , ANG LE , GUO HUANGUO , WANG HAIFU
Published: September 2022

Mesoscale simulations were conducted to investigate the dynamic mechanical behavior of Al-PTFE-W reactive materials. Based on stress-strain curves and microstructural evolution of the materials, the dynamic response mechanism of the materials was revealed, and the effects of W content and temperature on the dynamic mechanical properties of the materials were analyzed. The results demonstrate that the failure of the materials is a process of damage accumulation, in which microvoids generate and develop to form cracks. Two forms, dislocation between metal particles in contact as well as matrix fracture due to extrusion or shearing of metal particles on either side, induce the microvoids. Addition of W with high strength improves the compressive resistance of the materials, but excessive W particles destroy the continuity of matrix, which is easy to cause premature failure of the materials. The thermal effect simultaneously reduces the strength of metal particles and matrix, thus reducing the compressive resistance of the materials and promoting the matrix cracking.
BALLISTIC LIMIT RESEARCH OF REACTIVE PROJECTILE IMPACTING THIN ALUMINUM PLATE
Authors: ZHANG JIAHAO , ZHAO HONGWEI , ZHOU SHENG , YU QINGBO
Published: September 2022

There exists a ballistic limit velocity when projectile impact on plate, which is a widely recognized terminal effect of projectiles in previous studies. However, it is often difficult to analyze the impact process of the reactive projectile on the plate. Its complexity lies in the fact that the process of the reactive projectile penetrating the plate depends not only on its kinetic energy, but also on the chemical energy released by the reactive material under strong transient load. In this paper, Ballistic limit behavior of reactive projectile impacting thin aluminum plate was studied, ANSYS/LSDYNA was used to obtain the ballistic limit of reactive projectile impacting thin aluminum plate. Meanwhile, based on the critical stress/strain rate activation hypothesis of reactive materials, the ballistic limit of reactive projectile is analyzed by one-dimensional shock wave theory. The simulation results are in good agreement with the theoretical calculation.
BALLISTIC TESTS OF BULLET IMPACT INTO WATER
Authors: PACEK DAWID , BADUROWICZ PRZEMYSLAW , SIDELNIK PRZEMYSLAW S , SZCZUROWSKI KRZYSZTOF
Published: September 2022

Research works described in the paper, were performed within the framework of the project: Laboratory stand for stopping high-energy projectiles (Agreement no. DOBBIO10/ 04/02/2019). Methods used nowadays in forensic laboratories allow to stop some kinds of projectiles with degree of deformation which lets to use them for comparing traces to bullets found on the crime scene. However they are not useful for every type of projectiles. The aim of the research is to elaborate methods which allow to slow down and gently stop high-energy susceptible to deformation bullets in a way that does not cause their deformation or possibly limit it. The paper presents the results of ballistic tests of impact of various types of projectiles into water. The behavior of bullets of various calibers, with different kinetic energy and different construction was analyzed. On the basis of the obtained results, the projectiles with the highest susceptibility to deformation were identified.
CATEGORIZING BALLISTIC PERFORATION MECHANISMS OF DUCTILE METALLIC PLATES USING DIMENSIONLESS PARAMETERS
Authors: GUO ZHERUI
Published: September 2022

In this work, two dimensionless parameters were derived organically from impact mechanics equations to remove the need for empirical constants. These two dimensionless parameters effectively collapse the ballistic performance of ductile metal plates along two distinct loci, depending on the projectile geometry and the corresponding failure mode. Projectiles that initiate ductile hole enlargement via cavity expansion fall along a linear curve, while shear-plugging failure modes tend to fall along a cubic curve. Results were demonstrated for various projectiles of different calibers impacting aluminum and Ti-6Al- 4V alloys. The main advantage of the approach in this work is to drastically reduce the number of features for input into machine learning algorithms.
THE ROLE OF TANGENTIAL VELOCITY IN EXPLOSIVE INITIATION BY FRAGMENT IMPACT
Authors: LEUS VITALY , CEDER ROY , OGNEV VALENTIN , MAYSELESS MEIR
Published: September 2022

An initiation study is presented in which we examine the effect of the normal and the tangential velocity components of a fragment that impacts a covered and a bare Comp-B explosive. The study is based on calibrated numerical Lagrangian simulations using the LS-Dyna hydrocode. The influence of the fragment strength and the steel cover thickness on the detonation threshold were also examined, for different impact angles. The velocity threshold results are presented and compared to a modified Jacobs-Roslund initiation model, obtained by substituting the orientation angle by the impact angle. Up to a certain impact angle value the modification appears to fit the results of the simulations.
IMPACT TESTS WITH SINGLE OR MULTI IMPACTORS USING A GAS GUN TO REPRODUCE IEDS’ AND UNCOMMON THREAT
Authors: MESPOULET JEROME , ABDULHAMID HAKIM , DECONINCK PAUL
Published: September 2022

This paper deals with the ability to launch single impactor, sometimes with controlled angles, or synchronized multi-fragments using guns so as to reproduce Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDS) threats. This is done for a wide range of materials from aluminum and steel (light weight tactical wheel vehicle or fragments in detonation chamber [1]) to tungsten heavy alloys (rear face of heavy vehicle, hypervelocity events or hydrodynamic experiments [2][3]). Velocities spectrum is relatively large and englobes aeronautical subsonic regime (<300m/s), common ballistic regime (300-1400m/s) or warheads and hypervelocity regimes (>1400m/s).
Face to face
Authors: Della Casa Martina
Published: September 2022

FACE TO FACE: FRANCO BELTRAMETTI AND JUDITH DANCIGER: A COUPLE OF TRANSLATORS In 1973 Franco Beltrametti, a Swiss author strictly connected to both the authors of the Beat Generation and to those of the Italian neo-avant-garde (Gruppo 63), published a bilingual collection of poems in Italian and English that he significantly titled Face to face (Grosseteste, England). As stated in the book itself, the English versions are translations by the author and his American wife, Judith Danciger. They were later checked and revised by Cid Corman to whom the book is dedicated. By taking into consideration the different versions of these poems which are preserved in the Swiss Literary Archives (Bern), this paper continues a previous research on this still little known and studied author and aims to examine the different phases of this work between languages by the couple. Face to face emerges as strongly representative of the multilingual and collaborative dimension of the author’s work.
Traductrice amoureuse ?
Authors: Rucińska Anna « Rita »
Published: September 2022

TRANSLATOR IN LOVE? CORRESPODENCE BETWEEN JOANNA GUZE AND ALBERT CAMUS

We may recognize at least two loves in Joanna Guze’s life: for French language and for Albert Camus, who was her favourite author and whose work she was fortunate to translate. They met once in Paris. Between 1957 and 1958, they exchanged a few letters while Guze, on her own initiative, was translating The Rebel, despite the risk involved in translating or even possessing works of literature from anti-communist countries. As early as in 1960, after Camus’s death, Guze decided to devote a book to him, which was published 44 years later. The aim of this article is to introduce Joanna Guze and her relation with the French Nobel prize winner based on the letters they exchanged.
An Algorithm for Maximizing a Convex Function Based on Its Minimum
Authors: Ben-Tal Aharon , Roos Ernst
Published: September 2022

In this paper, an algorithm for maximizing a convex function over a convex feasible set is proposed. The algorithm, called CoMax, consists of two phases: in phase 1, a feasible starting point is obtained that is used in a gradient ascent algorithm in phase 2. The main contribution of the paper is connected to phase 1; five different methods are used to approximate the original NP-hard problem of maximizing a convex function (MCF) by a tractable convex optimization problem. All the methods use the minimizer of the convex objective function in their construction. In phase 2, the gradient ascent algorithm yields stationary points to the MCF problem. The performance of CoMax is tested on a wide variety of MCF problems, demonstrating its efficiency.

History: Accepted by Antonio Frangioni, Area Editor for Design & Analysis of Algorithms–Continuous.

Funding: This work was supported by the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek [Grant 406.17.511].

Supplemental Material: The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplementary Information [ https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/suppl/10.1287/ijoc.2022.1238 ] or is available from the IJOC GitHub software repository ( https://github.com/INFORMSJoC ) at [ http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6884872 ].
Iterative framework for a high accuracy aberration estimation with one-shot wavefront sensing
Authors: Yang Sen , Li Xiaofeng
Published: September 2022

Deep neural networks have contributed to the progress of image-based wavefront sensing adaptive optics (AO) with the non-iterative regression of aberration. However, algorithms relying on the one-shot point spread function (PSF) typically yield less accuracy. Thus, this paper proposes an iterative closed-loop framework for wavefront aberration estimation outperforming the non-iterative baseline methods with the same computation. Specifically, we simulate the defocus PSF concerning the estimation of the Zernike coefficients and input it into the backbone network with the ground-truth defocus PSF. The difference between the ground-truth and estimated Zernike coefficients is used as a new label for training the model. The prediction updates the estimation, and the accuracy refined through iterations. The experimental results demonstrate that the iterative framework improves the accuracy of the existing networks. Furthermore, we challenge our scheme with the multi-shot phase diversity method trained with baseline networks, highlighting that the framework improves the one-shot accuracy to the multi-shot level without noise.
CMOS-compatible compact optical isolator based on space-time modulated coupled resonators
Authors: Mock Adam
Published: September 2022

This work shows how phase-shifted time-modulations applied to two or more near-field coupled resonators can be engineered to achieve magnet-free optical isolation in a compact footprint. Because of the strong light-matter interaction afforded by high quality factor resonant cavities, only modest modulation amplitudes are required. A coupled mode theory model is developed which is subject to simulated annealing to optimize device performance. Then it is shown via finite-difference time-domain simulation how the device may be implemented in a one dimensional photonic crystal geometry etched in a silicon ridge waveguide. These devices can be implemented in native silicon with standard electrical contacts thereby maintaining CMOS-compatible fabrication without the need for additional specialized materials. Isolation ratios of over 40 dB with insertion loss less than 1 dB using modulation frequencies under 25 GHz are achievable in this device platform.
The Canadian Mother-Child Cohort Active Surveillance Initiative (CAMCCO): Comparisons between Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta
Authors: Bérard Anick , Kaul Padma , Eltonsy Sherif , Winquist Brandace , Chateau Dan , Hawken Steven , Sprague Ann , Walker Mark , Bernatsky Sasha , Abrahamowicz Michal , Soares de Moura Cristiano , Vinet Évelyne , Carleton Bruce , Hanley Gillian , Oberlander Tim , Sheehy Odile , Gomez Yessica Haydee , Gorgui Jessica , Savu Anamaria
Published: September 2022

Background

Given that pregnant women taking medications are excluded from clinical trials, real-world evidence is essential. We aimed to build a Canadian Mother-Child Cohort Active Surveillance Initiative (CAMCCO) and compare frequency of prematurity, low-birth-weight (LBW), major malformations, multiplicity, and gestational medication use across four provinces.

Methods

CAMCCO is a collaborative research infrastructure that uses real-world data from large provincial health care databases in Canada; developed with standardized methods to similarly construct population-based pregnancy/child cohorts with longitudinal follow-up by linking administrative/hospital/birth databases. CAMCCO also includes a common repository to i) share algorithms and case definitions based on diagnostic and procedural codes for research/training purpose, and ii) download aggregate data relevant to primary care providers, researchers, and decision makers. For this study, data from Quebec (1998–2015), Manitoba (1995–2019), Saskatchewan (1996–2020), and Alberta (2005–2018) are compared (Chi-square tests, p-values), and trends are calculated using Cochran-Armitage trend tests.

Results

Almost two-thirds (61%) of women took medications during pregnancy, mostly antibiotics (26%), asthma drugs (8%), and antidepressants (4%). Differences in the prevalence of prematurity (5.9–6.8%), LBW (4.0–5.2%), and multiplicity (1.0–2.5%) were statistically significant between provinces (p<0.001). Frequency of major malformations increased over time in Quebec (7–11%; p<0.001), Saskatchewan (5–11%; p<0.001), and Alberta (from 7–8%; p<0.001), and decreased in Manitoba (5–3%; p<0.001). Cardiovascular and musculoskeletal malformations were the most prevalent.

Interpretation

Medications are often used among Canadian pregnancies but adverse pregnancy outcomes vary across provinces. Digitized health data may help researchers and care providers understand the risk-benefit ratios related to gestational medication use, as well as province-specific trends.