bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing a scale for brand competitive positioning: a study in the home appliance industry
Authors: Mahboobi Renani Effat Sadat , Amiri Aghdaie Seyed Fathollah , Mohammad Shafiee Majid , Ansari Azarnoush
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the factors affecting brand competitive positioning (BCP) and its components in the home appliance industry and also to develop a scale for it, considering both the seller’s and the buyer’s side.

Design/methodology/approach

The factors were investigated both qualitatively and quantitatively. Data was collected from findings of previous research as well as interviews with experts in the industry. After conducting thematic analysis, the extracted factors were confirmed by experts. A total of 400 samples was used to test the BCP scale. Respondents were the customers of some selected home appliance brands.

Findings

The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated that seven main factors influenced BCP, including product quality, service quality, perceived price, sales and distribution, marketing communication, market orientation and reputation and background. Also, the five components of BCP are distinctiveness, desirability, credibility, value for money and top of the mind awareness.

Originality/value

Modelling a new scale on BCP is of considerable importance. Using mixed method, the current study presents a new scale named Brand Competitive Positioning Scale.
Eco-efficient management of a feeding system in an automobile assembly-line
Authors: Miranda Montserrat-Ana , Alvarez María Jesús , Briand Cyril , Urenda Moris Matías , Rodríguez Victoria
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study aims to reduce carbon emissions and costs in an automobile production plant by improving the operational management efficiency of a serial assembly line assisted by a feeding electric tow vehicle (ETV).

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-objective function is formulated to minimize the energy consumption of the ETV from which emissions and costs are measured. First, a mixed-integer linear programming model is used to solve the feeding problem for different sizes of the assembly line. Second, a bi-objective optimization (HBOO) model is used to simultaneously minimize the most eco-efficient objectives: the number of completed runs (tours) by the ETV along the assembly line, and the number of visits (stops) made by the ETV to deliver kits of components to workstations.

Findings

The most eco-efficient strategy is always the bi-objective optimal solution regardless of the size of the assembly line, whereas, for single objectives, the optimization strategy differs depending on the size of the assembly line.

Research limitations/implications

Instances of the problem are randomly generated to reproduce real conditions of a particular automotive factory according to a previous case study. The optimization procedure allows managers to assess real scenarios improving the assembly line eco-efficiency. These results promote the implementation of automated control of feeding processes in green manufacturing.

Originality/value

The HBOO-model assesses the assembly line performance with a view to reducing the environmental impact effectively and contributes to reducing the existent gap in the literature. The optimization results define key strategies for manufacturing industries eager to integrate battery-operated motors or to address inefficient traffic of automated transport to curb the carbon footprint.
Retailing technology: do consumers care?
Authors: Valdez Cervantes Alfonso , Franco Ana
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Disruptive retailing technologies improve productivity and cost optimization, but there is a lack of academic literature about their effects on shoppers’ perceptions and behaviors. This paper aims to develop and test a conceptual model regarding the effects of retail technology on store image and purchase intentions and to measure how human interaction services (HIS) moderate this relationship. Two relevant retail technologies are explored.

Design/methodology/approach

The results of this study indicate that retailing technology has notable influences on consumer perceptions. Thus, shopping technologies improve store image perceptions and increase purchase intention, moderated by HIS.

Research limitations/implications

Future field experiments in actual stores should attempt to corroborate the results of this study and offer greater internal validity.

Practical implications

The results should help reduce retailers’ resistance to technology adoption. In-store technology can help retailers leverage their store image and increase purchase intentions. HIS could offer a bridge between consumers and new technology.

Originality/value

This paper is an original research paper, given that few research papers are experimentally based to measure consumer’s reactions to new technology implementation.
Description of the preimaginal stages of the golden native dronefly from Australia, Eristalinus punctulatus (Macquart, 1847) (Diptera: Syrphidae)
Authors: Campoy Andrés , Pérez‐Bañón Celeste , Aznar Daniel , Rojo Santos
Published: September 2020

Eristalinus punctulatus (Macquart, 1847) is a hoverfly (Syrphidae) that is native to Australia. Eristalinus belongs within tribe Eristalini, which is well known for its pollination efficiency. Although there is not much information available about this species, the abundance and floral constancy of this group of flies make E. punctulatus an appropriate candidate for use as pollinating agent. However, like most other eristalines, there is a lack of information regarding basic aspects of its biological cycle, as well as the morphology of the preimaginal stages. In this paper, the morphology of the egg, the first and third larval instars and the puparium of E. punctulatus are described for the first time. A description of the head skeleton is also given to improve understanding of the larval feeding habits of this species. Additionally, a diagnostic key of the third larval instar is provided together with an update of the pupal stage key, including all the Eristalinus species whose preimaginal morphology has already been described. The most noteworthy morphological features of the larva of E. punctulatus are the presence of lappets, the proportions of the anterior spiracles and the number and size of the facets.
Topology Optimization of Linkage Mechanisms Simultaneously Considering Both Kinematic and Compliance Characteristics
Authors: Han Sang Min , Kim Yoon Young
Published: September 2020

Studies on the topology optimization of linkage mechanisms have thus far focused mainly on mechanism synthesis considering only kinematic characteristics describing a desired path or motion. Here, we propose a new topology optimization method that synthesizes a linkage mechanism considering both kinematic and compliance (K&C) characteristics simultaneously, as compliance characteristics can also significantly affect the linkage mechanism performance; compliance characteristics dictate how elastic components, such as bushings in a vehicle suspension, are deformed by external forces. To achieve our objective, we use the spring-connected rigid block model (SBM) developed earlier for mechanism synthesis considering only kinematic characteristics, but we make it suitable for the simultaneous consideration of K&C characteristics during mechanism synthesis by making its zero-length springs multifunctional. Variable stiffness springs were used to identify the mechanism kinematic configuration only, but now in the proposed approach, they serve to determine not only the mechanism kinematic configuration but also the compliance element distribution. In particular, the ground-anchoring springs used to anchor a linkage mechanism to the ground are functionalized to simulate actual bushings and to identify the desired linkage kinematic chain. After the proposed formulation and numerical implementation are presented, case studies are considered. In particular, the effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated with a simplified two-dimensional vehicle suspension design problem.
Toward a Digital Twin: Time Series Prediction Based on a Hybrid Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition and BO-LSTM Neural Networks
Authors: Hu Weifei , He Yihan , Liu Zhenyu , Tan Jianrong , Yang Ming , Chen Jiancheng
Published: September 2020

Precise time series prediction serves as an important role in constructing a digital twin (DT). The various internal and external interferences result in highly nonlinear and stochastic time series. Although artificial neural networks (ANNs) are often used to forecast time series because of their strong self-learning and nonlinear fitting capabilities, it is a challenging and time-consuming task to obtain the optimal ANN architecture. This paper proposes a hybrid time series prediction model based on an ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD), long short-term memory (LSTM) neural networks, and Bayesian optimization (BO). To improve the predictability of stochastic and nonstationary time series, the EEMD method is implemented to decompose the original time series into several components (each component is a single-frequency and stationary signal) and a residual signal. The decomposed signals are used to train the neural networks, in which the hyperparameters are fine-tuned by the BO algorithm. The following time series data are predicted by summating all the predictions of the decomposed signals based on the trained neural networks. To evaluate the performance of the proposed EEMD-BO-LSTM neural networks, this paper conducts two case studies (the wind speed prediction and the wave height prediction) and implements a comprehensive comparison between the proposed method and other approaches including the persistence model, autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model, LSTM neural networks, BO-LSTM neural networks, and EEMD-LSTM neural networks. The results show an improved prediction accuracy using the proposed method by multiple accuracy metrics.
Analysis of Explosion Load in a Cylindrical Container With Sand Bottom
Authors: Cheng Saiwei , Li Xiaojie , Wang Yuxin , Zhou Dezheng , Yan Honghao , Wang Quan
Published: September 2020

Explosion containment vessels are widely used in many fields. Here, the detonation impact load of explosives in a cylindrical closed explosion containment vessel partially filled with sandy soil was studied. A three-dimensional numerical model of the explosion containment vessel was established by using finite element code ls-dyna. To calibrate this numerical model, we carried out an explosion loading experiment of the explosion containment vessel. Then, the experimental data and the numerical simulation results were compared, and a good agreement between them was obtained. The calibrated numerical model was used to investigate the explosive impact load generated by explosives in a cylindrical explosion containment vessel. The results reveal the attenuation law of shock wave overpressure and the distribution characteristics of the maximum peak overpressure of the shock wave on the inner wall of the cylindrical explosion containment vessel.
Design Principles and Function of Mechanical Fasteners in Nature and Technology
Authors: Jeffries Lindsie , Lentink David
Published: September 2020

Probabilistic mechanical fasteners are used to provide secure, reversible, and repeatable attachments in both nature and industry. Since the first observation of this mechanism in nature, which led to the creation of hook-and-loop fasteners, there has been a multitude of variations on the basic hook-and-loop design. However, few fastener designs have looked back to nature for inspiration in creating novel products or improving existing fasteners. Given the diverse probabilistic mechanical fasteners employed in nature, there is opportunity to further the research and development of these underdeveloped fasteners. To this end, we present a framework which describes the theory, design considerations, modelling, and mechanical testing required to study probabilistic mechanical fasteners. We further provide a comparison of the performance of existing probabilistic mechanical fasteners found in nature and industry as a reference for novel bio-inspired designs. Finally, we discuss current areas of application and future opportunities for fastener innovation.
Medium amplitude parallel superposition (MAPS) rheology. Part 2: Experimental protocols and data analysis
Authors: Lennon Kyle R. , Geri Michela , McKinley Gareth H. , Swan James W.
Published: September 2020

An experimental protocol is developed to directly measure the new material functions revealed by medium amplitude parallel superposition (MAPS) rheology. This protocol measures the medium amplitude response of a material to a simple shear deformation composed of three sine waves at different frequencies, revealing a rich dataset consisting of up to 19 measurements of the third-order complex modulus at distinct three-frequency coordinates. We discuss how the choice of input frequencies influences the features of the MAPS domain studied by the experiment. A polynomial interpolation method for reducing the bias of measured values from spectral leakage and reducing variance due to noise is discussed, including a derivation of the optimal range of amplitudes for the input signal. This leads to the conclusion that conducting the experiment in a stress-controlled fashion possesses a distinct advantage to the strain-controlled mode. The experimental protocol is demonstrated through measurements of the MAPS response of a model complex fluid: a surfactant solution of wormlike micelles. The resulting dataset is indeed large and feature-rich, while still acquired in a time comparable to similar medium amplitude oscillatory shear (MAOS) experiments. We demonstrate that the data represent measurements of an intrinsic material function by studying its internal consistency, compatibility with low-frequency predictions for Coleman–Noll simple fluids, and agreement with data obtained via MAOS amplitude sweeps. Finally, the data are compared to predictions from the corotational Maxwell model to demonstrate the power of MAPS rheology in determining whether a constitutive model is consistent with a material’s time-dependent response.
Push and Pull Factors in E-Sports Livestreaming: A Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Authors: Qian Tyreal Yizhou , Wang Jerred Junqi , Zhang James Jianhui
Published: September 2020

Shifting from a player-oriented approach, e-sports has increasingly positioned itself as emerging spectator entertainment. In the wake of the growing online viewer market, the industry has made tremendous efforts to innovate marketing strategies and build up a base of passionate fans across the globe. To augment this endeavor, the current study investigated push and pull factors that influence e-sports online viewers’ consumption behaviors (N = 1,309) using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The authors proposed a new way to operationalize push and pull factors that have been relatively overlooked in the literature. The findings indicated that, while push and pull factors had different effects on e-sports consumption behaviors, they should be considered equally important in e-sports livestreaming. The study expanded our understanding of the attractiveness and desirability of e-sports and shed some critical light on management and marketing issues within and beyond the e-sports space.
The Effects of Mobile Texting and Walking Speed on Gait Characteristics of Normal Weight and Obese Adults
Authors: Lim Jongil , Kim Jiyeon , Seo Kyoungho , van Emmerik Richard E.A. , Lee Sukho
Published: September 2020

The aim of this study was to examine how usage of mobile devices while simultaneously walking affects walking characteristics and texting performance of normal weight (NW) and obese (OB) individuals. Thirty-two OB (body mass index [BMI] = 34.4) and NW (BMI = 22.7) adults performed two 60-s walking trials at three-step frequencies along a rectangular walkway in two conditions (No Texting and Texting). Dual-task cost as well as unadjusted spatial and temporal gait characteristics were measured. Dual-task costs for the gait parameters as well as texting performance were not different between the groups, except for the lateral step variability showing a larger variability at the preferred frequency in OB individuals. For the unadjusted variables, OB exhibited longer double support, longer stance time, and lower turn velocity compared with NW. Overall, the results highlight a similar dual-task cost for the OB individuals compared with the NW individuals, in spite of underlying differences in gait mechanics.
Molecular Basis for Substrate Recognition and Catalysis by a Marine Bacterial Laminarinase
Authors: Yang Jian , Xu Yuqun , Miyakawa Takuya , Long Lijuan , Tanokura Masaru
Published: September 2020

Heterotrophic bacterial communities are key players in marine biogeochemical cycling due to their ability to remineralize organic carbon. Processing of complex organic matter requires heterotrophic bacteria to produce extracellular enzymes with precise specificity to depolymerize substrates to sizes sufficiently small for uptake. Thus, extracellular enzymatic hydrolysis initiates microbe-driven heterotrophic carbon cycling. In this study, based on biochemical and structural analyses, we revealed the depolymerization mechanism of β-1,3-glucan, a carbon reserve in algae, by laminarinase from an alga-associated marine
Flavobacterium
. The findings provide new insights into the substrate recognition and catalysis of bacterial laminarinase and promote a better understanding of how extracellular enzymes are involved in organic matter cycling.
Serological Assays Estimate Highly Variable SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody Activity in Recovered COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Luchsinger Larry L. , Ransegnola Brett P. , Jin Daniel K. , Muecksch Frauke , Weisblum Yiska , Bao Weili , George Parakkal Jovvian , Rodriguez Marilis , Tricoche Nancy , Schmidt Fabian , Gao Chengjie , Jawahar Shabnam , Pal Mouli , Schnall Emily , Zhang Huan , Strauss Donna , Yazdanbakhsh Karina , Hillyer Christopher D. , Bieniasz Paul D. , Hatziioannou Theodora
Published: September 2020

The development of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) following infection or vaccination is likely to be critical for the development of sufficient population immunity to drive cessation of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A large number of serologic tests, platforms, and methodologies are being employed to determine seroprevalence in populations to select convalescent plasma samples for therapeutic trials and to guide policies about reopening.
Exposure-age data from across Antarctica reveal mid-Miocene establishment of polar desert climate
Authors: Spector Perry , Balco Greg
Published: September 2020

High-elevation rock surfaces in Antarctica have some of the oldest cosmogenic-nuclide exposure ages on Earth, dating back to the Miocene. A compilation of all available 3He, 10Be, and 21Ne exposure-age data from the Antarctic continent shows that exposure histories recorded by these surfaces extend back to, but not before, the mid-Miocene cooling at 14–15 Ma. At high elevation, this cooling entailed a transition between a climate in which liquid water and biota were present and could contribute to surface weathering and erosion, and a polar desert climate in which virtually all weathering and erosion processes had been shut off. This climate appears to have continued uninterrupted between the mid-Miocene and the present.
Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with circumostial mitomycin C injection, simultaneous limited septoplasty and the use of tissue glue
Authors: Nowak Rafal , Nowak Iwona
Published: September 2020

Epiphora due to nasolacrimal duct obstruction is a common condition worsening one’s quality of life. It requires surgical treatment. We present a combined technique of transnasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with simultaneous limited septoplasty, circumostial mitomycin C injection and the use of tissue glue in a case of a 72-year-old patient with nasolacrimal duct obstruction complicated by septal deviation. The multiprocedure surgery was performed successfully. Follow-up time was 2 years. The patient remained asymptomatic within the observation time. Functional and anatomical success was achieved. We believe that the transnasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy extended by limited endoscopic septoplasty, circumostial mitomycin C injection and the use of fibrin glue may be a solution for selected cases of nasolacrimal obstruction accompanied by significant local septal deviation.
Effects of the re-esterified triglyceride (rTG) form of omega-3 supplements on dry eye following cataract surgery
Authors: Park Jongyeop , Yoo Young-Sik , Shin Eunhae , Han Gyule , Shin Kyungyoon , Lim Dong Hui , Chung Tae-Young
Published: September 2020

Background/Aims

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of the systemic re-esterified triglyceride (rTG) form of omega-3 fatty acids in patients with dry eye symptoms after cataract surgery.

Methods

This prospective comparative cohort study comprised 66 patients complaining of new-onset non-specific typical dry eye 1 month after uncomplicated cataract surgery. Subjects were randomly allocated into control and omega-3 groups based on administration of the systemic rTG form of omega-3 fatty acids for 2 months, in addition to use of artificial teardrop. Ocular surface parameters (Schirmer’s test, tear break-up time, corneal staining score and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)) and subjective questionnaire results (Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI)) and Dry Eye Questionnaire [DEQ]) for dry eye were evaluated before and after omega-3 supplementation.

Results

Two months after omega-3 supplementation, the Oxford score was lower in the omega-3 group than in the control group. There was an improvement of subjective symptom scores of OSDI and DEQ in the omega-3 group (both p<0.05). The ratio of increasing MMP-9 level in the omega-3 group was lower than that in the control group (p=0.027).

Conclusion

The rTG form of omega-3 supplementation might be related to reduction of ocular surface inflammation rather than secretion of tears, and it might be effective for non-specific typical dry eye after uncomplicated cataract surgery.

Trial registration Number

NCT04411615.
Modifiable facilitators and barriers to exercise adherence in older adults with MCI/dementia using the Theoretical Domains Framework: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Zhen Xueting , Wang Lina , Yan Hang , Tao Hong , Cai Yaxiu , Wang Jie , Chen Haiqin , Ge Chenxi
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Exercise has multiple benefits on maintaining or improving cognitive function for people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)/dementia. However, many older adults with MCI/dementia are not sufficiently active to achieve these benefits. Allowing for the current studies on exercise adherence in older adults with MCI/dementia still have some deficiencies. This paper aims: (1) to identify the modifiable facilitators and barriers to exercise adherence for older adults with MCI/dementia in terms of the perspectives of patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals; (2) to organise the identified factors of exercise adherence based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) among included studies.

Methods and analysis

A systematic computerised literature search will be performed in the following online databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wan Fang Database, which published between January 1990 and June 2020. We will identify peer-reviewed publications which examined facilitators and barriers to exercise adherence. Searches will have no limitation in language publications using search terms related to exercise interventions, adherence and MCI/dementia. Two independent reviewers will screen titles, abstracts and full-text articles according to the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. We will use the statistical software Nvivo V.12 to manage the information. Basing on the TDF, we will map identified modifiable facilitators and barriers of literature to the domains of TDF.

Ethics and dissemination

This review will summarise modifiable facilitators and barriers to exercise adherence for older adults with MCI/dementia for the first time. Ethical approval is not required as no primary data are collected. We are going to disseminate our findings to the scientific and medical community in peer-reviewed journals. The review findings will facilitate adequate and accurate access to care and treatment to help older adults with MCI/dementia have a broader adoption to exercise.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019117725.
Comparison of the CHU-9D and the EQ-5D-Y instruments in children and young people with cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ryan Jennifer M , McKay Ellen , Anokye Nana , Noorkoiv Marika , Theis Nicola , Lavelle Grace
Published: September 2020

Objective

To compare the performance of the EuroQol 5D youth (EQ-5D-Y) and child health utility 9D (CHU-9D) for assessing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and young people (CYP) with cerebral palsy (CP).

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

England.

Participants

Sixty-four CYP with CP aged 10–19 years in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I–III.

Main outcome measures

Missing data were examined to assess feasibility. Associations between utility values and individual dimensions on each instrument were examined to assess convergent validity. Associations between utility values and GMFCS level were examined to assess known-group differences.

Results

Missing data were <5% for both instruments. Twenty participants (32.3%) and 11 participants (18.0%) reported full health for the EQ-5D-Y and CHU-9D, respectively. There was poor agreement between utilities from the two instruments (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.62; 95% limits of agreement −0.58 to 0.29). Correlations between EQ-5D-Y and CHU-9D dimensions were weak to moderate (r=0.25 to 0.59). GMFCS level was associated with EQ-5D-Y utility values but not CHU-9D utility values.

Conclusion

The EQ-5D-Y and CHU-9D are feasible measures of HRQoL in CYP with CP. However, the two instruments demonstrate poor agreement and should not be used to measure and value HRQoL in CYP with CP interchangeably. We propose that the CHU-9D may be preferable to use in this population as it assesses concepts that influence HRQoL among CYP with CP and provides less extreme utility values than the EQ-5D-Y.
Predictors of chronic pain and level of physical function in total knee arthroplasty: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Olsen Unni , Lindberg Maren Falch , Denison Eva Marie-Louise , Rose Christopher James , Gay Caryl Lynn , Aamodt Arild , Brox Jens Ivar , Skare Øystein , Furnes Ove , Lee Kathryn A , Lerdal Anners
Published: September 2020

Introduction

One in five patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) experience unchanged or worse pain and physical function 1 year after surgery. Identifying risk factors for unfavourable outcomes is necessary to develop tailored interventions to minimise risk. There is a need to review more current literature with updated methodology that addresses the limitations of earlier systematic reviews and meta-analyses. We present a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols compliant protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of predictors of chronic pain and impaired function after TKA.

Methods and analysis

This review will include prospective longitudinal observational studies, or randomised trials (including cluster and crossover designs) that report arm-wise predictors of chronic postsurgical pain or impaired physical function at 3 months, 6 months or 12 months. A comprehensive literature search of studies published between 2000 and 2019 will be performed in Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and PEDro. Blinded assessment with consensus agreement will be applied for inclusion of studies, data extraction and assessment of bias risk (Quality in Prognosis Studies tool). The co-primary outcomes, pain and impaired function, at 12 months after TKA will be analysed separately. Estimates of association between each outcome and any preoperative or intraoperative factor that may predict chronic pain or impaired physical function will be extracted from the included studies, where possible. For randomised studies, results will only be extracted from TKA arms (or the first period of crossover trials). Estimates of association from the primary evidence will be synthesised narratively, and quantitatively using multivariate meta-analysis to provide ‘pooled’ estimates of association. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses will be performed. Certainty of evidence for each predictor will be derived from the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework.

Ethics and dissemination

No ethical issues are associated with this project. The results from this review will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42018079069.
Effectiveness of integrated chronic care interventions for older people with different frailty levels: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Khan Nimra , Hewson David , Randhawa Gurch
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Frailty poses a huge burden to individuals, their families and to healthcare systems. Several interventions have been evaluated for the improvement of outcomes for older people with frailty, including integrated care interventions. Reviews synthesising evidence on the effectiveness of integrated care for older people with frailty have treated them as a single population, without considering the heterogeneity between different frailty levels such as non-frail, mild frailty, moderate frailty and severe frailty. Findings from these studies have shown inconsistent results on the various outcomes assessed. People with different frailty status have different care needs, which should be addressed accordingly. The aim of this study is to synthesise evidence on the effectiveness of integrated care interventions on older people with different frailty status who are community dwelling or living in retirement housing or residential setting but not in care homes or in nursing homes.

Methods and analysis

This is a protocol for a systematic review assessing the effectiveness of integrated chronic care interventions on older people with different frailty status. A literature search will be conducted on the databases Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and clinical trial registers. Two authors will independently conduct search and screening for eligible studies. Full-text screening will be used to include only studies that fulfil the inclusion criteria. Data extraction will be done on a data extraction form and methodological quality of studies will be assessed using the Effective Practice and Organisation of Care risk of bias tool. The interventions will be described following Wagner’s Chronic Care Model.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Institute for Health Research Ethics Committee of the University of Bedfordshire (IHREC934). The results of the review will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal article, conferences and also with local provider and user stakeholders.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020166908.
Home-modification interventions addressing falls and participation in activities of daily living among older adults: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Georlee Gifty M , U Abiram , Dat Pham Ngoc , Tuan Nguyen Khac , Mehrotra Shashank
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Falls are the second leading reason for incidental or unexpected deaths worldwide. Many older adults who fall, regardless of whether they are injured or not, tend to experience fear of fall and this can lead to decreased participation in activities of daily living (ADLs). Subsequent falls lead to weakness, a decline in physical functioning, increased chances of falling and a negative impact on the instrumental ADLs. Here, we present our scoping review protocol to appraise the literature to describe and explain the home-modification interventions used by occupational therapists to address falls and participation in ADLs among community-dwelling older adults. We are aiming to review the available home-modification intervention protocols, facilitators and barriers to such interventions, and the experiences of occupational therapists and clients after receiving these interventions.

Methods and analysis

This scoping review protocol follows existing guidelines for scoping reviews with a particular attention on Arksey and O’Malley (2005) and Colquhoun et al (2014). We will include the following databases: Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Google Scholar. We plan to conduct the literature search from August 16, 2020 to September 15, 2020. Two reviewers will independently screen eligible studies for inclusion. We will extract the bibliographic data, study design, details of the intervention provided, outcomes and experiences of occupational therapists and clients, and further organise them for better understanding.

Ethics and dissemination

As secondary data analysis, this scoping review does not require ethics approval. Results will summarise and disseminate the existing literature related to home-modification interventions provided by occupational therapists addressing falls and participation in ADLs among community-dwelling older adults. We plan to disseminate the results through peer-reviewed journals and conferences, targeting occupational therapists, other rehabilitation workers, researchers and policy makers.
Prevalence, determinants and knowledge about herbal medicine and non-hospital utilisation in southwest Nigeria: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Aina Olujimi , Gautam Lata , Simkhada Padam , Hall Sarah
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To examine the prevalence, determinants, safety perceptions, effectiveness and knowledge of herbal medicines (HMs) and reasons for non-hospital utilisation.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Ekiti state, southwest Nigeria.

Participants

A representative sample (n=1600) of adults (18 years or above) currently living in Ekiti state, southwest Nigeria for at least 2 years, at the time of study.

Results

The majority of the respondents (85% n=1265) have used HMs in the last 2 years. Across economic classes use, middle income (88.3%) was the highest (p<0.001), suggesting poverty is not a major factor, even with income inequality. Their use was the most common among respondents with a primary level of education (91.4%, p=0.001); and 100% use (p=0.009) of respondents practising African traditional religion; farmers and those 70 years or above. Our study also reveals more men (p<0.001) used HMs (89.9%) than women (78.6%) and effectiveness was a major reason for use (39.6%) followed by affordability (31.9%). Although the majority of the respondents (90%) knew the difference between certified and uncertified HMs, uncertified ones were the most commonly used (37.3%) in the population.

Conclusion

Although there is a cultural history of HM use within the study population, the choice of use was based on their effectiveness. Therefore, a scientifically valid analysis of this claim within the study population may help achieve a cheaper and affordable healthcare alternative which will be safe. This is important, considering that uncertified HMs were chosen over certified ones, even though a large majority of respondents were aware of differences and likely consequences. This study highlights the need for further investment by the government, individuals and corporate stakeholders in HM research and improvement of conventional healthcare system. This is in addition to public health awareness on the danger of use of uncertified herbal products.
Out of the silos: embedding injury prevention into the Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Ma Tracey , Peden Amy E , Peden Margaret , Hyder Adnan A , Jagnoor Jagnoor , Duan Leilei , Brown Julie , Passmore Jonathon , Clapham Kathleen , Tian Maoyi , Rahman A K M Fazlur , Ivers Rebecca Q
Published: September 2020

Globally, unintentional injuries contribute significantly to disability and death. Prevention efforts have traditionally focused on individual injury mechanisms and their specific risk factors, which has resulted in slow progress in reducing the burden. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a global agenda for promoting human prosperity while respecting planetary boundaries. While injury prevention is currently only recognised in the SDG agenda via two road safety targets, the relevance of the SDGs for injury prevention is much broader. In this State of the Art Review, we illustrate how unintentional injury prevention efforts can be advanced substantially within a broad range of SDG goals and advocate for the integration of safety considerations across all sectors and stakeholders. This review uncovers injury prevention opportunities within broader global priorities such as urbanisation, population shifts, water safeguarding and corporate social responsibility. We demonstrate the relevance of injury prevention efforts to the SDG agenda beyond the health goal (SDG 3) and the two specific road safety targets (SDG 3.6 and SDG 11.2), highlighting 13 additional SDGs of relevance. We argue that all involved in injury prevention are at a critical juncture where we can continue with the status quo and expect to see more of the same, or mobilise the global community in an ‘Injury Prevention in All Policies’ approach.
Primary tonsillar histiocytic sarcoma in two dogs
Authors: Llanos Cesar , Lara Ana , Elliott James
Published: September 2020

An eight‐year‐old, female‐spayed Golden Retriever was presented with a tonsillar mass, which was diagnosed as histiocytic sarcoma (HS), following tonsillectomy. Clinical staging revealed no regional lymph node or distant metastasis. Following adjuvant lomustine treatment, the patient remains alive with no evidence of tumour recurrence 18 months after diagnosis. Additionally, a five‐year‐old, male‐entire Golden Retriever presented with an enlarged retropharyngeal lymph node was also diagnosed with HS. A primary tonsillar mass, extensive regional lymph node involvement and suspected early pulmonary metastasis were discovered following clinical staging. After a cytoreductive surgery and no adjuvant chemotherapy, the dog was euthanased two months following diagnosis with progressive distant metastasis. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report documenting primary tonsillar HS in the dog. This case report illustrates an excellent outcome of a dog with localised HS following surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. However, prognosis remains guarded for dogs with disseminated disease, especially when chemotherapy is not used.
The effect of maternal protein restriction during perinatal life on the inflammatory response in pediatric rats
Authors: Veldhuizen Ruud A.W. , Baer Brandon , McCaig Lynda A. , Solomon Lauren A. , Cameron Lisa , Hardy Daniel B.
Published: September 2020

Fetal growth restriction can affect health outcomes in postnatal life. This study tested the hypothesis that the response to an inflammatory pulmonary insult is altered in pediatric fetal growth restricted rats. Using a low-protein diet during gestation and postnatal life, growth-restricted male and female rats and healthy control rats were exposed to an inflammatory insult via the intratracheal instillation of heat-killed bacteria. After 6 h, animal lungs were examined for lung inflammation and status of the surfactant system. The results showed that in response to an inflammatory insult, neutrophil infiltration was decreased in both male and female rats in the growth-restricted animals compared with the control rats. The amount of surfactant was increased in the growth-restricted animals compared with the control rats, regardless of the inflammatory insult. It is concluded that fetal growth restriction results in increased surfactant and altered neutrophil responses following pulmonary insult.
The action mechanism of rotor–stator interaction on the hydraulic and hydroacoustic characteristics of the guide vane in a jet centrifugal pump
Authors: Guo Rong , Li Rennian , Zhang Renhui , Han Wei
Published: September 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the action mechanism of the rotor–stator interaction (RSI) in the transient flow field and hydrodynamic noise field of the guide vane in jet centrifugal pumps (JCPs). The numerical method of CFD (computational fluid dynamics), coupled with CFA (computational fluid acoustics), was used to analyze the correlation between the impeller parameters and the flow/sound characteristics of the guide vane. The results show that on the inlet surface of the guide vane, an impeller with fewer blades, a smaller wrap angle, a smaller outlet angle and a smaller outlet diameter is beneficial for reducing the pressure fluctuation intensity. When the guide vane geometry is constant, the evolution processes of the transient flow field inside the static and dynamic cascades are mainly related to the blade number and speed of the impeller. An impeller with more blades, a larger wrap angle, a smaller outlet angle and a smaller outlet diameter is beneficial for improving the flow field distribution in the dynamic and static cascades. The hydrodynamic noise in the interior field is mainly related to the fluctuation characteristics of the transient flow field, but that in the exterior field is related not only to the fluctuation characteristics of the transient flow field, but also to the structural properties of the JCP pump body. The hydrodynamic noise in the exterior field presents an obvious dipole symmetrical distribution on the meridional plane, and the minimum value appears in the direction of the rotation axis because of the symmetrical structural characteristics of the pump body. The modal-shaped features of the JCP lead to a sidelobe phenomenon on the sagittal plane.
Bound-state solitons for a non-linear Schrödinger system with the negatively coherent coupling in a weakly birefringent fiber
Authors: Zhang Jie , Tian Bo , Qu Qi-Xing , Zhang Chen-Rong , Du Xia-Xia , Chen Su-Su
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we study a non-linear Schrödinger system with the negatively coherent coupling in a weakly birefringent fiber for two orthogonally polarized optical pulses. With respect to the slowly-varying envelopes of two interacting optical modes and based on the existing binary Darboux transformation, we obtain four types of the bound-state solitons: degenerate-I, degenerate-II, degenerate–non-degenerate, and non-degenerate–non-degenerate bound-state solitons. We graphically analyze the interactions between the degenerate or non-degenerate solitons and four types of the bound-state solitons. When the degenerate solitons interact with the bound-state solitons, amplitudes and widths of the degenerate solitons remain unchanged. When the non-degenerate solitons interact with the bound-state solitons, amplitudes and widths of the bound-state solitons remain unchanged.
Decomposition analysis of camellia oil under electric fields: An experimental and molecular simulation study
Authors: Li Changheng , Liu Tianqin , Wang Qiang , Huang Zhengyong , Xiang Chenmeng
Published: September 2020

As an environmental vegetable insulation oil, camellia oil will be decomposed into dissolvable gases in the presence of electric field. In this work, the characteristic gases of camellia oil were measured by experiments with partial discharge and breakdown discharge, and the decomposition process of triglyceride, which is the main component of camellia oil, was investigated using molecular simulations (MSs). The experimental results demonstrate that H2 is the main characteristic gas caused by the partial discharge while C2H2 is the main decomposition products for the breakdown discharge. According to the MS results, the C–O bond connected to the center carbon in glycerol breaks initially when the electric field strength is lower, and the C–(O–C) bond in the triglyceride molecule breaks while the electric field strength exceeded critical value with increase of voltage. The decomposition gas generates gradually through decomposition and recombination of radicals, H2 and CH4 are the main gas products generated by triglyceride with low electric field strength, while the C2H2 increases gradually and becomes the main gas product with the energy of the system accumulated.
Coronavirus Disease 2019: Community Risk Mitigation Strategies in China
Authors: Jiang Benran , Li Wei , Yuan Ting
Published: September 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a global health emergency. In the absence of effective pharmaceutical interventions and vaccine, long-term community risk mitigation strategies are crucial to prevent and control the resurgence of the epidemic in China. A multi-level, region-specific and dynamic approach has been applied to ensure early detection, quick response, effective contact tracing and management, and targeted prevention and control on the basis of risk levels. Science popularization of the public health measures in the community is also an important strategy to curb the risk of pandemic.
FOS
Authors: Vaishnav Anuj , Pham Khoa Dang , Powell Joseph , Koch Dirk
Published: September 2020

With FPGAs now being deployed in the cloud and at the edge, there is a need for scalable design methods that can incorporate the heterogeneity present in the hardware and software components of FPGA systems. Moreover, these FPGA systems need to be maintainable and adaptable to changing workloads while improving accessibility for the application developers. However, current FPGA systems fail to achieve modularity and support for multi-tenancy due to dependencies between system components and the lack of standardised abstraction layers. To solve this, we introduce a modular FPGA operating system – FOS, which adopts a modular FPGA development flow to allow each system component to be changed and be agnostic to the heterogeneity of EDA tool versions, hardware and software layers. Further, to dynamically maximise the utilisation transparently from the users, FOS employs resource-elastic scheduling to arbitrate the FPGA resources in both time and spatial domain for any type of accelerators. Our evaluation on different FPGA boards shows that FOS can provide performance improvements in both single-tenant and multi-tenant environments while substantially reducing the development time and, at the same time, improving flexibility.