bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the level of knowledge, awareness and management of hypertension and diabetes among adults in Imo and Kaduna states, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Anyanti Jennifer , Akuiyibo Selema Margaret , Fajemisin Oluwole , Idogho Omokhudu , Amoo Babatunde
Published: March 2021

Objectives

This study was designed to assess levels of awareness, knowledge, attitude and practices relating to hypertension and diabetes among adults aged 35 years resident in selected communities in Imo and Kaduna states, Nigeria.

Design

A descriptive cross-sectional study.

Setting

Selected communities across 14 local government areas in Imo and Kaduna states were included.

Participants

In total, 824 adults, aged 35 years or older and resident in selected communities where the Access-N project was being implemented in Imo and Kaduna states participated in the study.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The study assessed the level of hypertension and diabetes knowledge among the participants. Regular blood pressure (BP) and glucose screening practices were also examined as outcome measures.

Results

The mean age of the respondents was 48.32 years. In total, 778 (94.4%) and 746 (90.5%) of the respondents were aware of hypertension and diabetes, respectively. The mean hypertension and diabetes knowledge scores (±SD) were 4.99 (±1.99) and 8.02 (±2.61), respectively. A total of 326 (41.9%) respondents aware of hypertension had a good knowledge of hypertension while 477 (63.9%) of those aware of diabetes had a good knowledge of diabetes. Levels of hypertension and diabetes knowledge were found to be associated with physical activity and the level of education of the respondents. About two-thirds (62.6%) and less than half (41.5%) of the respondents, respectively check their BP and blood glucose (BG) levels regularly (at least once yearly). Statistically significant associations were observed between age and regular BP and BG level checks.

Conclusions

Despite the high awareness rate of hypertension and diabetes observed in this study and a relatively good knowledge about the two conditions, unhealthy lifestyle practices and non-regular routine screening abounds among the respondents. Thus, there is a need to improve access to quality information about hypertension and diabetes aimed at motivating adoption of healthy behaviours.
Background characteristics and anticoagulant usage patterns of elderly non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients in the ANAFIE registry: a prospective, multicentre, observational cohort study in Japan
Authors: Yasaka Masahiro , Yamashita Takeshi , Akao Masaharu , Atarashi Hirotsugu , Ikeda Takanori , Koretsune Yukihiro , Okumura Ken , Shimizu Wataru , Tsutsui Hiroyuki , Toyoda Kazunori , Hirayama Atsushi , Yamaguchi Takenori , Teramukai Satoshi , Kimura Tetsuya , Kaburagi Jumpei , Takita Atsushi , Inoue Hiroshi
Published: March 2021

Objective

To explore anticoagulant usage patterns stratified by stroke and bleeding risk in elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

Design

Prospective, multicentre, observational cohort study.

Setting

The real-world All Nippon AF In the Elderly (ANAFIE) registry.

Participants

Japanese patients aged ≥75 years with NVAF (n=32 726).

Outcome measures

The distribution of stroke and bleeding risk scores, and the selection of anticoagulant regimen for patients at high stroke and bleeding risk.

Results

Overall, 18 185 (55.6%) patients had a high risk of stroke (CHADS2 score ≥3). Of these, 12 561 (38.4% of the total ANAFIE population) had a low bleeding risk (HAS-BLED ≤2) and 5624 (17.2%) had a high bleeding risk (HAS-BLED ≥3). Significant differences were noted between the high versus low bleeding risk groups in sex, height, weight, systolic blood pressure and rates of abnormality of lipid metabolism, gastrointestinal disease, cerebrovascular disorders, chronic kidney disease, angina pectoris, respiratory disease, primary malignant tumour, dementia and fall history within the past year (all p<0.0001). Patients with high stroke and bleeding risks had a lower anticoagulant usage rate versus the low bleeding risk group, and 8.7% and 5.8%, respectively, were not receiving any anticoagulant (p<0.0001). Patients in the high bleeding risk group had a higher usage of warfarin versus the low bleeding risk group (p<0.0001); more patients (14.0%) in the high bleeding risk group receiving warfarin had time in the therapeutic range <40%, versus those in the low bleeding risk group (11.6%, p=0.0146). Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) were used less in the high bleeding risk group, without notable differences in the DOAC dose distribution between the two groups.

Conclusions

In elderly NVAF patients at high stroke risk, significant demographic and clinical differences were observed according to bleeding risk. Administration of low-dose DOACs was frequent, but the dose distribution was unaffected by bleeding risk.

Trial registration number

UMIN000024006 (http://www.umin.ac.jp/).
New optical coherence tomography grading system for macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: how off is off?
Authors: Boden Karl Thomas , Januschowski Kai , Szurman Peter , Seuthe Anna-Maria , Rickmann Annekatrin , Seitz Berthold , Alsharairi Mohammad , Leers Stephan , Wakili Philip
Published: March 2021

Background/Aims

The classification of retinal detachment is currently still based on many objective criteria such as duration of symptoms and funduscopic macular status, which leaves some important questions unanswered. The most important factor is the macular status, which is determined using direct or indirect ophthalmoscopy. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become a standard tool in clinical practice and enables detecting the exact extent of subretinal fluid in macula-off/on retinal detachment. We introduce a new and simple OCT-based grading system for macular detachment to provide a basis for further investigations to determine the optimal timing for surgery.

Methods

We retrospectively included 155 patients who were treated for retinal detachment. We defined the extent of the macular detachment in six stages based on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grid of the OCT scan.

The outermost ring of the ETDRS grid was defined as zone 1, the middle ring as zone 2 and the inner ring as zone 3. Only zone 3 differed in the retinal detachment height grades (grade a <250 µm vs grade b >250 µm). Retinal detachment heights that could not be measured were considered grade 4 (ungradable) detachments.

Results

Forty-seven patients had no macular involvement (grade 0). Regarding macular detachment, 14 patients had grade 1, 20 had grade 2, 9 had grade 3a, 29 had grade 3b and 36 had grade 4.

Conclusion

The newly developed OCT grading system for macular involvement following retinal detachment is a crucial tool to objectively classify a retinal detachment in order to be able to make better statements in the future, like for defining the optimal time for surgical intervention. A secondary benefit of this grading system would be that it improves predicting postoperative visual acuity.
Reasons for delay in timely administration of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with stage III colon cancer: a multicentre cohort study from the McGill University Department of Oncology
Authors: Elkrief Arielle , Redstone Genevieve , Petruccelli Luca , Ali Alla'a , Thomas Doneal , Fernandez Myriam , Rousseau Caroline , Aleynikova Olga , Anderson Dawn , Ghitulescu Gabriela , Vasilevsky Carol-Ann , Dalfen Richard , Langleben Adrian , Liberman Sender , Kavan Petr , Alcindor Thierry
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Adjuvant chemotherapy within 56 or 84 days following curative resection is globally accepted as the standard of care for stage III colon cancer as it has been associated with improved overall survival. Initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy within this time frame is therefore recommended by clinical practice guidelines, including the European Society for Medical Oncology. The objective of this study was to evaluate adherence to these clinical practice guidelines for patients with stage III colon cancer across the Rossy Cancer Network (RCN); a partnership of McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Jewish General Hospital and St Mary’s Hospital Center.

Patients and methods

187 patients who had been diagnosed with stage III colon cancer and received adjuvant chemotherapy within the RCN partner hospitals from 2012 to 2015 were included. Patient and treatment information was retrospectively determined by chart review. Χ2and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to measure associations and a multivariate Cox regression model was used to determine risk factors contributing to delays in administration of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Results

The median turnaround time between surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy was 69 days. Importantly, only 27% of patients met the 56-day target, and 71% met the 84-day target. Increasing age, having more than one surgical complication and being diagnosed between 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 reduced the likelihood that patients met these targets. Furthermore, delays were observed at most intervals from surgery to first adjuvant chemotherapy treatment.

Conclusion

Our study found that within these academic hospital settings, 27% of patients met the 56-day target, and 71% met the 84-day target. Delays were associated with hospital, surgeon and patient-related factors. Initiatives in quality improvement are needed in order to improve adherence to recommended treatment guidelines for prompt administration of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer.
Early recognition of PIMS-TS: a single centre retrospective review
Authors: Mistry Roshni , Scanlon Nicola , Hibberd James , Fuller Fionnghuala
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Research into paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS) has focused on tertiary level management. This review reports on symptoms and investigations at presentation.

Methods

Single centre retrospective case note analysis of patients fulfilling PIMS-TS diagnostic criteria from March to May 2020 in a London district level university hospital.

Results

Six patients presented in the week prior to their final diagnosis with fever and non-specific symptoms. Raised C-reactive protein (CRP), lymphopenia and hyponatraemia were noted. Kawasaki-like symptoms were under-represented in all patients.

Interpretation

The results suggest that a proportion of children with early PIMS-TS present with a non-specific febrile illness and abnormal blood results. Further research is needed to determine the most appropriate identification and follow-up of these children.
Activated low-density granulocytes in peripheral and intervillous blood and neutrophil inflammation in placentas from SLE pregnancies
Authors: Stockfelt Marit , Larsson Gunilla , Engström Hanna , Puttonen Henri , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Sjöwall Christopher , Strevens Helena , Jönsen Andreas , Bengtsson Anders A , Majczuk Sennström Maria , Zickert Agneta , Svenungsson Elisabet , Gunnarsson Iva , Trysberg Estelle , Jacobsson Bo , Hultgård Ekwall Anna-Karin , Christenson Karin , Bylund Johan , Svensson Mattias N D , Lundell Anna-Carin
Published: March 2021

Objective

Women with SLE face an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes compared with healthy women, but the underlying immunological mechanisms are unknown. Given the recognised association of neutrophil activation with SLE pathogenesis, we examined whether there is increased neutrophil activation and inflammation in blood and placenta in SLE relative to healthy pregnancy.

Methods

At delivery, peripheral blood, maternal-derived intervillous blood and placentas were collected from 12 SLE and 10 healthy control pregnancies. The proportion of low-density granulocytes (LDGs) and the activation status of LDG and normal-density granulocytes were examined with flow cytometry. The chemokines CXCL8 and CXCL1 were quantified with a cytometric bead-based assay and interferon alpha (IFNα) protein levels with a Simoa method. IFNα-stimulated maternal-derived decidual stromal cells were examined forCXCL8gene expression with qPCR. A pathologist, blinded to the patient background, examined all placentas.

Results

Women with SLE had significantly higher proportions of LDG in peripheral blood compared with controls (p=0.02), and LDG in both peripheral and intervillous blood were more activated in SLE relative to healthy pregnancies (peripheral blood: p=0.002 and intervillous blood: p=0.05). There were higher levels of CXCL8 and CXCL1 in intervillous compared with peripheral blood in women with SLE (p=0.004 and p=<0.0001, respectively) but not in controls. In SLE pregnancy, IFNα was detectable in 6 out of 10 intervillous blood samples but only in one control. Stimulation with IFNα upregulatedCXCL8gene expression in decidual stromal cells from both SLE and healthy pregnancy. Histological chorioamnionitis was present in 6 out of 12 placentas from women with SLE and in 1 out of 10 controls.

Conclusions

In women with SLE, locally produced chemokines in the placenta are increased and may attract and activate neutrophils. This in turn could contribute to placental inflammation and dysfunction and increased risk of placenta-related pregnancy complications.
Reduced cardiorespiratory fitness is a mediator of excess all-cause mortality in rheumatoid arthritis: the Trøndelag Health Study
Authors: Liff Marthe Halsan , Hoff Mari , Wisloff Ulrik , Videm Vibeke
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Investigate if low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) was associated with and acted as a mediator of excess all-cause mortality rate in persons suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with the general population.

Methods

All-cause mortality was analysed using Cox regression modelling in patients with RA (n=348) and controls (n=60 938) who took part in the second (1995–1997) and third (2006–2008) waves of the longitudinal population-based Trøndelag Health Study in Norway. A mediation analysis was performed to investigate if excess relative risk of mortality in RA was mediated by low estimated CRF (eCRF).

Results

During the follow-up until 31 December 2018 (mean 19.3 years), the mortality rate among patients with RA (n=127, 36.5%) was higher than among controls (n=12 942, 21.2%) (p<0.001). Among controls and patients with RA, 51% and 26%, respectively, had eCRF above the median for their age and sex (p<0.001). The final Cox model included RA status and eCRF, adjusted for hypertension, body mass index, smoking, cholesterol, diabetes and creatinine. eCRF below median for sex and age category was associated with increased mortality (p<0.001). The total excess relative risk of mortality in patients with RA was 28% (95% CI 2% to 55%, p=0.035), in which RA itself contributed 5% and the direct and indirect contributions of low eCRF accounted for 23%.

Conclusions

Low eCRF was an important mediator of the increased all-cause mortality rate found in RA. Our data indicate that patients with RA should be given advice to perform physical activity that increases CRF, along with optimised treatment with antirheumatic drugs, from the time of diagnosis.
Optimized frame work for Reiner–Philippoff nanofluid with improved thermal sources and Cattaneo–Christov modifications: A numerical thermal analysis
Authors: Ijaz Khan M. , Usman  , Ghaffari Abuzar , Ullah Khan Sami , Chu Yu-Ming , Qayyum Sumaira
Published: March 2021

This motivating analysis aims to present the thermal mechanism for mixed convection flow of Reiner–Philippoff nanofluid with assessment of entropy generation. The thermal performances of nanomaterials have been modified by utilizing the nonuniform heat source/sink, Ohmic dissipations and thermal radiation consequences. The assumed surface is assumed to be porous with non-Darcian porous medium. The modified Cattaneo–Christov relations are followed to modify the mass and heat equations. The invoking of similarity variables results in differential equations in nonlinear and coupled form. A MATLAB-based shooting algorithm is employed to access the numerical simulations. The physical aspect of thermal model is graphically addressed for endorsed flow parameters. The importance of entropy generation is visualized with associated mathematical relations and physical explanations. The numerical values are obtained for the assessment of heat and mass transfer phenomenon.
Cooper pair trajectories in superconducting slab at self-field conditions
Authors: Talantsev E. F. , Mataira R. C.
Published: March 2021

Dissipative-free electric current flow is one of the most fascinating and practically important properties of superconductors. Theoretical consideration of the charge carriers flow in infinitely long rectangular slab of superconductor in the absence of external magnetic field (so called, self-field) is based on an assumption that the charge carriers have rectilinear trajectories in the direction of the current flow whereas the current density and magnetic flux density are decaying towards superconducting slab with London penetration depth as characteristic length. Here, we calculate charge particle trajectories (as single electron/hole, as Cooper pair) at self-field conditions and find that charge carriers do not follow intuitive rectilinear trajectories along the slab surface, but instead ones have meander shape trajectories cross the whole thickness of the slab. Moreover, if the particle velocity is below some value, the charge moves in opposite direction to nominal current flow. This disturbance of the canonical magnetic flux density distribution and backward movement of Cooper pairs can be entire mechanism for power dissipation in superconductors.
HISTORICAL FORECASTING OF INTEREST RATE MEAN AND VOLATILITY OF THE UNITED STATES: IS THERE A ROLE OF UNCERTAINTY?
Authors: HASSANI HOSSEIN , YEGANEGI MOHAMMAD REZA , GUPTA RANGAN
Published: March 2021

Uncertainty is known to have negative impact on financial markets through its effects on investors’ decisions. In the wake of the “Great Recession”, quite a few recent studies have highlighted the role of uncertainty in predicting in-sample movements of interest rates. Since in-sample predictability does not guarantee out-of-sample forecasting gains, in this paper, we used historical daily and monthly data for the US to forecast mean and volatility of interest rate. The results show that changes in uncertainty measure movements fail to add any significant statistical gains to the forecast of interest rates for the US. In other words, policy makers in the US are not likely to improve their accuracy of future movements of the policy rate’s mean and volatility by incorporating information derived from changes in metrics of uncertainty.
Antifungal Potential of Phytochemicals against Mauginiella scaettae, the Plant Pathogen Causing Inflorescence Rot of Date Palm
Authors: Bouhlali Eimad Dine Tariq , Derouich Mgal , Meziani Reda , Essarioui Adil
Published: March 2021

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) inflorescence rot caused by Mauginiella scaettae poses a serious threat to date palm in Morocco. The present study aims to determine the antifungal activity of five plant extracts against M. scaettae, including Acacia cyanophylla, Cupressus atlantica, Eucalyptus torquata, Nerium oleander, and Schinus molle and link this effect to their content in phenolics and flavonoids, as well as their antioxidant properties. Plant extracts exhibited significant discrepancies regarding their antifungal activity (p<0.05). The extracts of E. torquata and C. atlantica had the strongest and dose-dependent manner inhibitory effect against mycelial growth and spore germination. E. torquata and S. molle caused the greatest sporulation reductions of about 88.05% and 36.11%, respectively. In addition, there were significant differences among the examined plant extracts with respect to their total polyphenols (14.52–76.68 mg GAE/g DW), flavonoids (8.75–57.78 g RE/100 g DW), and antioxidant properties as measured by TEAC (74.77–391.23 mmol TE/g DW) and FRAP assays (87.18–474.04 mmol TE/g DW). Strong correlations were found between phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity suggesting that polyphenols play a key role in the observed antioxidant and antifungal activities.
Population Characteristics and Their Implications on the Benefit Basket of National Social Health Insurance Scheme in Sierra Leone: A Prospective View
Authors: Isiaka Jimmy Abraham , Anarfi Boateng Kwabena , Twum Peter , Larbie Deborah , Bangura Abdul , Milton Conteh Hassan , Agyei-Baffour Peter
Published: March 2021

Background. The government of Sierra Leone introduced social health insurance (SHI) scheme to provide universal health coverage to people. This study was carried out to assess the population characteristics and their implications on the benefit basket of the proposed national health insurance scheme. Methods. A cross-sectional study design was employed in six selected districts in Sierra Leone. Quantitative data were collected for this study through the use of semistructured questionnaires with a sample of 1,185 respondents. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistical analysis was run at 5% significant level using Stata 14.0 software. Results. The study found that most (83.54%) of the respondents affirmed that children below 18 years should be excluded from premium payments and as high as 71.65% also stated that pregnant women should be excluded as well. The majority, 63.69%, of the respondents want lactating mothers to be excluded from premium payments. Also, 79.87% of respondents wanted mentally challenged persons not to pay premium, while a significant proportion (84.26%) of respondents further affirmed that the aged (above 70 yrs) should also be excluded from premium payment. Most household heads (89.71%) preferred the accreditation of public health facilities. Regarding the level at which healthcare services should be covered by the scheme, 61.45% preferred the primary care services, 89% mentioned secondary care services, and 98.93% affirmed the provision of tertiary care under the scheme. As for the type of care that should be covered by the scheme, 98.66% and 99.73% affirmed outpatient and inpatient care, respectively. Conclusion. From the findings on population characteristics and their implications on the benefit basket for the proposed nation social health in Sierra Leone, most of the household heads want exemptions from paying premium for a section of the population. This provides a clear insight for policy makers into the formulation of the benefit basket.
A Diophantine Problem with Unlike Powers of Primes
Authors: Mu Quanwu , Xi Liyan
Published: March 2021

Let

k

be an integer with

4
≤
k
≤
6

and

η

be any real number. Suppose that

λ

1

,

λ

2

,
…
,

λ

5

are nonzero real numbers, not all of them have the same sign, and

λ

1

/

λ

2

is irrational. It is proved that the inequality

λ

1

p

1

+

λ

2

p
2
2

+

λ

3

p
3
3

+

λ

4

p
4
4

+

λ

5

p
5
k

+
η

<

max

1
≤
j
≤
5

p

j

−
σ

k

has infinitely many solutions in prime variables

p

1

,

p

2

,

p

3

,

p

4

,
 and 

p

5

, where

0
<
σ

4

<
1
/

36

,
0
<
σ

5

<

4
/

189

, and

0
<
σ

6

<
1
/

54

. This gives an improvement of the recent results.
A Secured Frame Selection Based Video Watermarking Technique to Address Quality Loss of Data: Combining Graph Based Transform, Singular Valued Decomposition, and Hyperchaotic Encryption
Authors: Sharma Chirag , Amandeep Bagga , Sobti Rajeev , Lohani Tarun Kumar , Shabaz Mohammad
Published: March 2021

The advancement of Internet technologies has led to the availability of audios, images, and videos in different forms. The unauthorized users are exploiting the use of multimedia by transmitting them on various Internet sites to earn money unethically without the intervention of the original copyright holder. Watermarking is a technique used to hide the signal known as watermark inside multimedia data that is not visible to the intruder to manipulate any information. In this paper, a secured watermarking approach is developed to tackle issues related to copyright protection and ownership identification. A Secured Graph Based Transform, Singular Valued Decomposition, and Hyperchaotic Encryption hybrid techniques are proposed. The watermark cannot be embedded in every frame of the video as it adds to the size of the video and watermark can be easily retrieved by an intruder. Therefore, the frame selection algorithm has been proposed in the given work. Adding watermark in the frame adds to the challenge of quality loss. The quality loss is addressed in this work. Various attacks have been applied on the watermarked frames to calculate the performance of the proposed technique using quality metrics: Peak Signal to Noise Ratio, Structural Similarity Index, Normalized Correlation, and Bit Error Rate. The results indicate that the proposed technique is effective against various attack scenarios.
Study of Two Kinds of Quasi AG-Neutrosophic Extended Triplet Loops
Authors: An Xiaogang , Chen Mingming
Published: March 2021

Abel-Grassmann’s groupoid and neutrosophic extended triplet loop are two important algebraic structures that describe two kinds of generalized symmetries. In this paper, we investigate quasi AG-neutrosophic extended triplet loop, which is a fusion structure of the two kinds of algebraic structures mentioned above. We propose new notions of AG-(l,r)-Loop and AG-(r,l)-Loop, deeply study their basic properties and structural characteristics, and prove strictly the following statements: (1) each strong AG-(l,r)-Loop can be represented as the union of its disjoint sub-AG-groups, (2) the concepts of strong AG-(l,r)-Loop, strong AG-(l,l)-Loop, and AG-(l,lr)-Loop are equivalent, and (3) the concepts of strong AG-(r,l)-Loop and strong AG-(r,r)-Loop are equivalent.
Identification and Antibacterial Characterization of Endophytic Fungi from Artemisia sieberi
Authors: Ababutain Ibtisam Mohammed , Aldosary Sahar Khamees , Aljuraifani Amal Abdulaziz , Alghamdi Azzah Ibrahim , Alabdalall Amira Hassan , Al-Khaldi Eida Marshid , Aldakeel Sumayh A. , Almandil Noor B. , AbdulAzeez Sayed , Borgio J. Francis
Published: March 2021

Endophytic fungi serve as a reservoir for important secondary metabolites. The current study focused on the antibacterial properties of endophytic fungi isolated from Artemisia sieberi. Initially, six endophytic fungi were isolated and purified from the stem of A. sieberi. Endophytic fungi were identified by morphological characteristics, as well as by molecular identification using 18S rRNA gene sequencing method. All the six isolates were subjected to the preliminary screening for their antibacterial activity against nine important pathogenic bacteria using the disk-diffusion method. Crude extracts of the most active isolate were obtained using ethyl acetate. Antibacterial activity of the ethyl acetate extract was evaluated using well diffusion method on the selected isolate. The antibacterial efficiency of the selected isolate was evaluated by determining the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). MIC values were in appreciable quantity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria ranging from 3.125 to 6.25 µg/mL and 12.5 to 50 µg/mL, respectively. This result indicated that Gram-positive bacteria were more susceptible to the endophytic fungi extract. Moreover, the molecular identification results revealed that all the isolates belong to Ascomycota and represented Aspergillus and Penicillium genera and three species: A. oryzae (three isolates), A. niger (one isolate), and P. chrysogenum (two isolates). All six endophytic fungi were able to inhibit the growth of at least two of the tested bacteria. Among the isolated strains, isolate AS2, which identified as P. chrysogenum, exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against all nine tested bacteria and was higher than or equal to the positive control against most of the tested bacteria. Future studies are required to isolate and identify these bioactive substances, which can be considered as a potential source for the synthesis of new antibacterial drugs to treat infectious diseases.
Determination of the Temperature-Dependent Thermal Material Properties in the Cooling Process of Steel Plates
Authors: Rothermel Dimitri , Schuster Thomas , Schorr Roland , Peglow Martin
Published: March 2021

Accelerated cooling (ACC) is a key technology in producing thermomechanically controlled processed (TMCP) steel plates. In a TMCP process, hot plates are subjected to a strong cooling resulting in a complex microstructure leading to increased strength and fracture toughness. The microstructure, residual stresses, and flatness deformations are strongly affected by the temperature evolution during the cooling process. Therefore, the full control (quantification) of the temperature evolution is essential regarding plate design and processing. It can only be achieved by a thermophysical characterization of the material and the cooling system. In this paper, the focus is on the thermophysical characterization of the material properties which govern the heat conduction behavior inside of the plates. Mathematically, this work considers a specific inverse heat conduction problem (IHCP) utilizing inner temperature measurements. The temperature evolution of a heated steel plate passing through the cooling device is modeled by a 1D nonlinear partial differential equation with temperature-dependent material parameters which describe the characteristics of the underlying material. Usually, the material parameters considered in IHCPs are often defined as functions of the space and/or time variables only. Since the measured data (the effect) and the unknown material properties (the cause) depend on temperature, the cause-to-effect relationship cannot be decoupled. Hence, the parameter-to-solution operator can only be defined implicitly. By proposing a parametrization approach via piecewise interpolation, this problem can be resolved. Lastly, using simulated measurement data, the presentation of the numerical procedure shows the ability to identify the material parameters (up to some canonical ambiguity) without any a priori information.
Identification of Pivotal MicroRNAs and Target Genes Associated with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Based on Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Xiao Shengjue , Zhou Yufei , Liu Qiaozhi , Zhang TianTian , Pan Defeng
Published: March 2021

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common supraventricular arrhythmias worldwide. However, the specific molecular mechanism underlying AF remains unclear. Our study is aimed at identifying pivotal microRNAs (miRNAs) and targeting genes associated with persistent AF (pAF) using bioinformatics analysis. Three gene expression array datasets (GSE31821, GSE41177, and GSE79768) and an miRNA expression array dataset (GSE68475) associated with pAF were downloaded. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the LIMMA package, and differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were screened from GSE68475. Target genes for DEMs were predicted using the miRTarBase database, and intersections between these target genes and DEGs were selected for further analysis, including the generation of protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, miRNA–transcription factor–target regulatory network, and drug–gene network. A total of 264 DEGs and 40 DEMs were identified between the pAF and control groups. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses of up- and downregulated DEGs were performed. The common genes (CGs) were primarily enriched in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase- (PI3K-) protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, negative regulation of cell division, and response to hypoxia. The PPI network, miRNA–transcription factor–target regulatory network, and drug–gene network were constructed using Cytoscape. The present study revealed several novel miRNAs and genes involved in pAF. We speculated that miR-4298, miR-3125, miR-4306, and miR-671-5p could represent significant miRNAs that act on the target gene superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) during the development of pAF and may serve as essential biomarkers for pAF diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, MYC might function in pAF pathogenesis through the PI3K–Akt signaling pathway.
Implementation of decision tree algorithm on FPGA devices
Authors: Malhotra Kritika , Prakash Singh Amit
Published: March 2021

Machine learning techniques are rapidly emerging in large number of fields from robotics to computer vision to finance and biology. One important step of machine learning is classification which is the process of finding out to which category a new encountered observation belongs based on predefined categories. There are various existing solutions to classification and one of them is decision tree classification (DTC) which can achieve high accuracy while handling the large datasets. But DTC is computationally intensive algorithm and as the size of the dataset increases its running time also increases which could be from some hours to days even. But thanks to field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) which could be used for large datasets to achieve high performance implementation with low energy consumption. Along with FPGA’s, python is used for accelerating the application development and python is leveraged by using python productivity for zynq (PYNQ), a python development environment for application development. This paper provides the literature review of an implementation of DTC for FPGA devices along with future work that can be done.
Virtual machine migration in MEC based artificial intelligence technique
Authors: OUACHA Ali , EL Ghmary Mohamed
Published: March 2021

The whole world is inundated with smaller devices equipped with wireless communication interfaces. At the same time, the amount of data generated by these devices is becoming more important. The smaller size of these devices has the disadvantage of being short of processing and storage resources (memory, processes, energy,...), especially when it needs to process larger amounts of data. In order to overcome this weakness and process massive data, devices must help each other. A low-resource node can delegate the execution of a set of computionly heavy tasks to another machine in the network to process them for it. The machine with sufficient computational resources must also deposit the appropriate environment represented by the adapted virtual machine. Thus, in this paper, in order to migrate the virtual machine to an edge server in a mobile edge computing environment, we have proposed an approach based on artificial intelligence. More specifically, the main idea of this paper is to cut a virtual machine into several small pieces and then send them to an appropriate target node (Edge Server) using the ant colony algorithm. In order to test and prove the effectiveness of our approach, several simulations are made by NS3. The obtained results show that our approach is well adapted to mobile environments.
Plant disease prediction using classification algorithms
Authors: Morgan Maria , Blank Carla , Seetan Raed
Published: March 2021

This paper investigates the capability of six existing classification algorithms (Artificial Neural Network, Naïve Bayes, k-Nearest Neighbor, Support Vector Machine, Decision Tree and Random Forest) in classifying and predicting diseases in soybean and mushroom datasets using datasets with numerical or categorical attributes. While many similar studies have been conducted on datasets of images to predict plant diseases, the main objective of this study is to suggest classification methods that can be used for disease classification and prediction in datasets that contain raw measurements instead of images. A fungus and a plant dataset, which had many differences, were chosen so that the findings in this paper could be applied to future research for disease prediction and classification in a variety of datasets which contain raw measurements. A key difference between the two datasets, other than one being a fungus and one being a plant, is that the mushroom dataset is balanced and only contained two classes while the soybean dataset is imbalanced and contained eighteen classes. All six algorithms performed well on the mushroom dataset, while the Artificial Neural Network and k-Nearest Neighbor algorithms performed best on the soybean dataset. The findings of this paper can be applied to future research on disease classification and prediction in a variety of dataset types such as fungi, plants, humans, and animals.
Design and analysis of a multi-agent e-learning system using prometheus design tool
Authors: E. Ehimwenma Kennedy , Krishnamoorthy Sujatha
Published: March 2021

Agent unified modeling languages (AUML) are agent-oriented approaches that supports the specification, design, visualization and documentation of an agent-based system. This paper presents the use of prometheus AUML approach for the modeling of a Pre-assessment System of five interactive agents. The Pre-assessment System, as previously reported, is a multi-agent-based e-learning system that is developed to support the assessment of prior learning skills in students so as to classify their skills and make recommendation for their learning. This paper discusses the detailed design approach of the system in a step-by-step manner; and domain knowledge abstraction and organization in the system. In addition, the analysis of the data collated and models of prediction for future pre-assessment results are also presented.
Expert role in image classification using CNN for hard to identify object: distinguishing batik and its imitation
Authors: Widyantoko Zohanto , Purwati Widowati Titik , Isnaini Isnaini , Trapsiladi Paras
Published: March 2021

In this research we try to solve the recognition problem in differentiating between batik and its imitation. Batik is an Indonesian heritage of process in making traditional textile product that is now endangered by the existence of imitation products. We try to compare two popular CNN model to classify batik products into five classes. The classes are tulis, cap, print warna, print malam, cabut warna. Tulis and cap are genuine batik, and the other three are an imitation. We realize that this problem is go beyond the recognition of fine grained image problem, it is a hard to identify image problem because even the batik experts is having a hard time identifying batik and its imitation if only based on its picture. The two CNN models, inceptionV3 and mobilenetV2 were trained on three types of image. One type is a freely taken image, the other two were taken based on the experts suggestion. The accuracy score shows that the model trained with the suggestion based picture perform better than the one trained with the random picture.
The development and policies of ICT supporting educational technology in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar
Authors: Machmud Muhammad Takwin , Widiyan Agung Purwa , Ramadhani Noer Risky
Published: March 2021

This study has an objective to identify the development and policies of educational technology application in ASEAN countries. Through the literature review and analysis, this recent study has compared the issue of educational technology development and policies in ASEAN countries. The reviewing country has been chosen based on the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) index amongst the ASEAN countries, that are Singapore (as the highest rank), Thailand & Indonesia (as the middle rank), and Myanmar (as the lowest rank). The result of the study shows that the majority of the countries focused to improve network capabilities in supporting online learning, and the policies of each country showed a similarity in improving the technology equity for the learner. However, Singapore shows more advance technological implementation such as the application of broader Artificial Intelligence in classroom activity, while the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Thailand and Indonesia still in developing progress. In conclusion, the technology education development in ASEAN countries has moved forward through the past year and the policies of educational technology for each country have been similar in strengthening the ASEAN plan.
The concept of professional identity: Kindergarten teachers’ professionalism requirement in Malaysian preschool curriculum
Authors: Halim Masnan Abdul , Haziq Mohd Sharif Muhammad , Dzainuddin Masayu , Mokhzani Ibrahim Mohd , Yahaya Asmayati , Nidzam Che Ahmad Che , Taha Hafsah , Ramli Saipolbarin , Taib Rosfizah Md , Siraj Saedah , Che Mustafa Mazlina
Published: March 2021

This study aimed to determine the professional identity concept based on professionalism requirement in Malaysia’s new preschool curriculum. Three professional identities identified through works of literature such as professional qualifications, experience and professional development were verified based on the constructed hypothesis to validate the concept of professional identity. The analysis findings showed a significant difference between professional qualifications. The same analysis, however, demonstrated that there was no significant difference on the preschool curriculum knowledge with regards to experience, but there was a significant indication of interaction between professional qualifications and experience on preschool curriculum knowledge. Meanwhile, for the one-way ANOVA test, there was a significant difference in the preschool curriculum knowledge based on professional development. The findings of this study confirmed that professional knowledge and professional development respectively hold a direct impact on the preschool curriculum, while experience acts as a support for professional qualifications.
A systematic review of the relationship between motivational constructs and self-regulated learning
Authors: Lim Sook Ling , Yeo Kee Jiar
Published: March 2021

The aim of this review was to identify the motivational constructs which were mostly associated with self-regulated learning and how these motivational constructs were related to self-regulated learning. There were 20 studies (N=8,759) met inclusion criteria for this review. In overall, the evidence of the included studies showed that motivational constructs such as self-efficacy, intrinsic goal orientation, task value, and control of learning beliefs were positively and significantly related to and in predicting self-regulated learning; test anxiety was negatively and insignificantly related to and in predicting self-regulated learning; inconsistent results were observed for extrinsic goal orientation as it could be positively or negatively related to and in predicting self-regulated learning.
Comparative analysis on different software piracy prevention techniques
Authors: Hassan Ahmad Mohammad , John Ayuba
Published: March 2021

Numerous type of software piracy known today, have several prevention techniques which has been established against them. Although, different software piracy techniques have been established, but the choice of which one should be the best to develop any software is the challenge for most software developers. Consequently, example of the types of piracy in software development can be categorise as follows: cracks and serials, softlifting and hard disk loading, internet piracy and software forging, mischaneling, reverse engineering, and tampering. We have several types of prevention techniques which aimed to resolved piracy in software development, although the methods have been wrecked. In this work a critical analysis has been carryout on different software piracy techniques and a simple model software was designed using the best technique to validate the results of the analysis.
Impact of home quarantine due to COVID-19 among Bangladeshi population
Authors: Kamal S. M. Mustofa , Kabir Md. Feroz , Rahman Mohammad Habibur , Uddin Jalal , Hosen Md. Sujon , Shumi Shahida Sultana , Mukit Md. Ahnaf Al
Published: March 2021

COVID-19 is an emergency public health issue and home quarantine can prevent the transmission. Quarantine restricts the people’s mobility and it has a silent impact on physical, psychological and economical aspect. The purpose was to explore the impact of home quarantine among the general population in Bangladesh. This was a descriptive type of cross sectional survey with 600 samples from different district of Bangladesh by convenient sampling with a structured and language validated questionnaire. The results indicate the huge impact of home quarantine. Among 600 participants, 71.7% (n=430) showed impact on their psychological health, 48.5% (n=291) physical health and 82.5% (n=495) on their economy. Study showed strong association between gender and psychological impact (p<0.01) and very strong association between living area and their psychological impact (p<0.00).There has also very strong association between their occupation and impact on their economy (p<0.00). Home quarantine has a progressive negative impact on the individual’s psychological health, physical health and their economy. Individual’s gender, living area and occupations are strongly associated with those negative impacts due to home quarantine. Supporting agency should take initiative to mitigate this all negative impacts of home quarantine and need to develop protocol for maintaining for health during quarantine time.
Association Between Increased Hospital Reimbursement for Cardiac Rehabilitation and Utilization of Cardiac Rehabilitation by Medicare Beneficiaries
Authors: Fletcher Dana R. , Grunwald Gary K. , Battaglia Catherine , Ho P. Michael , Lindrooth Richard C. , Peterson Pamela N.
Published: March 2021

Background:

Although cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a Class I Guideline recommendation, and has been shown to be a cost-effective intervention after a cardiac event, it has been reimbursed at levels insufficient to cover hospital operating costs. In January 2011, Medicare increased payment for CR in hospital outpatient settings by ≈180%. We evaluated the association between this payment increase and participation in CR of eligible Medicare beneficiaries to better understand the relationship between reimbursement policy and CR utilization.

Methods:

From a 5% Medicare claims sample, we identified patients with acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass surgery, percutaneous coronary intervention, or cardiac valve surgery between January 1, 2009 and September 30, 2012, alive 30 days after their event, with continuous enrollment in Medicare fee-for-service, Part A/B for 4 months. Trends and changes in CR participation were estimated using an interrupted time series approach with a hierarchical logistic model, hospital random intercepts, adjusted for patient, hospital, market, and seasonality factors. Estimates were expressed using average marginal effects on a percent scale.

Results:

Among 76 695 eligible patients, average annual CR participation was 19.5% overall. In the period before payment increase, adjusted annual participation grew by 1.1 percentage points (95% CI, 0.48–2.4). No immediate change occurred in CR participation when the new payment was implemented. In the period after payment increase, on average, 20% of patients participated in CR annually. The annual growth rate in CR participation slowed in the post-period by 1.3 percentage points (95% CI, −2.4 to −0.12) compared with the prior period. Results were somewhat sensitive to time window variations.

Conclusions:

The 2011 increase in Medicare reimbursement for CR was not associated with an increase in participation. Future studies should evaluate whether payment did not reach a threshold to incentivize hospitals or if hospitals were not sensitive to reimbursement changes.