bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Reliable ACK (ERACK) Scheme for Detecting Misbehaving Nodes in MANETs
Authors: Chandra Mouly D K L V , Subba Rao Dr. Ch D V
Published: December 2020

In Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs), the process of sending end-to-end acknowledgement (ACK) for each packet by the destination, causes unnecessary overhead. This paper proposes an Enhanced Reliable ACK (ERACK) scheme for detecting misbehaving attacks in MANET. Initially, reliable multiple paths are established by measuring the path reliability. For defending the data transferred from the dispatcher, one-way hash chain based Message Authentication Code (MAC) is utilised. If the packet loss count is above a threshold, then Secure ACK (S-ACK) mode is activated which identifies the misbehaving node. The source then generates a Misbehavior Report Authentication (MRA) message which is transmitted to the destination using the path with next higher reliability. By experimental results it is shown that the ERACK method decreases the packet loss and delay while ensuring the successful delivery of MRA to the destination.
Energy Efficient Wireless Sensor Network to Enhance Network Security by Detecting Clone Nodes
Authors: TapasBapu B. R. , Nagaraju V. , Ramesh M. , Rajesh Kanna S. K. , Sailaja P
Published: December 2020

For replica identification and clone detection a centralized system is proposed in this research, where the network has been separated into inspection node and segments. A clone node can be identified by checking the inspection nodes ID along with the Network security (Cryptographic) key. Detection of clone node done using Chord algorithm, where each and every node in the network have assigned with a unique keygenerated at random. Before the data transmission, it has been given with its key and the assigned keys have been verified for the cloned keys already assigned for some other nodes in the network by the witness node. Also the neighbor node ID and it locations have to be listed to those nodes. In this scheme, Energy-Efficient Clustering Protocol (EECP) has been used to implement different energy saving methods.
A Unified Automated Segmentation Technique for the Left Ventricle Segmentation in Cardiac MRI
Authors: Sivakumar K. , Lavanya S. , Himanandini Karna , Keerthana V.
Published: December 2020

Though the technology updated for every minute of time to aid all kinds of problems facing in every day practical life, the technique requires amelioration to solve or support specific kinds of problems like early identification of cardiovascular disease. For the past decades, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the major reason for death. Cardiac MRI is useful for acquiring the anatomical data of the alive heart for the clinical diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. F rom the LV Segmentation on cardiac MRI, the important parameters estimated to diagnose are ejection fraction, left ventricle myocardium mass, stroke volume, etc. Hence segmenting the LV automatically plays a significant role in helping the physician to test cardiac functions quickly since manual segmentation is a time-consuming work. This Automatic Segmentation also eliminates manual errors during evaluation. Therefore, to discuss the problem we propose enhanced techniques that is a unified method to segment the left ventricle automatically from the cardiac MRI image. The algorithm demonstrated in this work is to combine existing segmentations in an efficient way to give even more efficient and accurate results. two performance evaluation techniques namely APD and DICE to quantify the result. Outcomes obtained are then compared with recent segmentation methods to show the efficiency of the unified segmentation technique.
A Comprehensive Study on Shunt Active Power Filters for Grid – Tied wind systems
Authors: Keerthi N. , Pandian A. , Dhanasekaran R.
Published: December 2020

The term power quality (PQ) has got major attention at the distribution side and consumer side in the recent years. Continuous rise of power electronic devices in grid-tied applications, uninterruptable power supplies (UPS) and motor drive applications etc, simplifies the control technology, and makes the system robust and flexible. But, these devices inject the current harmonics into the line which pollutes the electrical system. In addition, it draws more reactive power and creates the unbalance in the system. Initially, passive filtering techniques (inductors and capacitors) were used to lessen the PQ problems. Because of the lacking of the quality performance, the passive filter methods have been replaced with advanced power electronic topologies. Researchers, constantly investigates for better and cost effective solutions to improve system PQ. Shunt active power filter (SAPF) is one of the better solutions for enhancing the power quality by compensating the harmonic currents and other reactive power problems in the grid-tied system. In this paper, the basic structure of SAPF is briefly discussed along with the detailed control system functionalities. This paper provides a concise assessment on SAPF classifications, topologies and comparisons of single-phase, three-phase three-wire (3P3W) and four-wire (3P4W) systems. The features of all the configurations are provided along with their complications, so as to identify the better topology for specific application. The merits and demerits of these configurations are also discussed briefly.
Cobal -A Novel Design of CNN Basedgait Feature Extraction Using Bat-Elm for Human Tracking System
Authors: Harish Ratnala Venkata Siva , Rajesh Kumar P.
Published: December 2020

Human gait recognition is one of the promising non-invasive biometric traits. Owing to its uniqueness, effectiveness and possession of rich discriminative features even in low resolution data, it is considered among the popular choicefor authentication purposes. The sensitivity of the model is the challenging attribute in gait recognition. Also, it is difficult to discriminate the view angle and motion of human gait in varying illumination conditions. Addressing these issues, a hybrid Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) adapted evolutionary Bat Optimized Extreme Learning Machine approach is proposed. This hybrid structure works in two folds, such that the novel spatiotemporal features including spatial and morphological features are extracted by the CNN structure. The output of the CNN is incorporated in to the Bat optimized learning scheme as a single feed forward loop to attain classification of gait movements for recognition. Extensive experiments shows reduced error rate, increasing the rate of recognition than most of the existing hybrid algorithms.
An Efficient Number Plate Detection System Based on Indian Traffic Rules
Authors: Maheswari M. , Saranya A. , Aruna S.
Published: December 2020

With the invent of automobile and advances in the world of machinery, there is a notable increase in the number of vehicles, two wheelers and three wheelers in the road transport. With the raise in the number of vehicles there is a lot of traffic violations that is happening in the road system. Based on the Indian traffic road system, monitoring the violation of such a incident is a huge task and also a tedious system. But however steps are taken to monitor the traffic breach that happens in the road transport through License Plate Detection mechanism for the vehicles that involves in over speeding or violating the rules. License plate location is a very important concept in vehicle license plate recognition for intelligent transport systems. Number plates can have different shapes and sizes along with different colors. The most common vehicle number plate in India have the background color as yellow or white with the font color black. Identification of number plate for vehicles in India has been discussed in this paper and the numbers have been segmented to identify them specifically. Our focus here is on two main steps: first is to find the number plate and second the segmentation of the number to identify them specifically. The main objective of this paper is to efficiently design and implement a method for License Plate Recognition (LPR) of Indian License Plates. We have manually acquired the images of various vehicles. Here for the detection point, we have used COCO-API RCNN and K-NEAREST NEIGHBOR.
A review on the measures and techniques adapted for the detection of driver drowsiness
Authors: Femilda Josephin J S , Lakshmi C , Joseph James S
Published: December 2020

Driver drowsiness is one of the recent reasons behind accidents that can cause serious death, injury, and economic loss. Driving for long hours, sleepiness, medication, sleep disorders, and health conditions can cause drowsiness in a driver. It is of social concern since many lives including the passengers, drivers and wayfarers are at high risk due to drowsy driving. Detection of drowsiness and alarming the drivers can prevent a large number of accidents and thus the precious life can be saved. Input parameters like heart rate, pulse rate, vehicle steering movement, lane change, head movement, yawning, eye-closure can help to detect the drowsiness in advance. In the past, much research has been carried out to design an efficient driver drowsiness detection system using various measures to determine the drowsiness of the driver. In this paper firstly, we have reviewed the measures attempted by many researchers which are grouped under physiological, vehicle-based, and behavioral-based measures. Secondly, a detailed review of the deep learning approaches used is carried out along with the accuracy level achieved by each author. This detailed review will give a better insight for the young researchers to carry out prospective research in the specific field.
A Precise Study on Solving the Multi Server Queuing Model through Lpp By Using Python Program
Authors: Vijay Prasad S , Donthi Ranadheer , Challa Mahesh Kumar
Published: December 2020

Queuing systems focuses on waiting lines, the typical examples are, at ticket booking counters, super bazaars and at bank services, at public transport places etc. many people are waiting to receive the services. To reduce these waiting lines, a largernumber of servers are required. Increasing the number of servers means it is expenditure to the service provider, so the waiting linesand the number of servers must be optimized. In order to getting theoptimal solution, the perception of Linear Programming problem plays a significant role. In this article, the alternative techniques are used to solve the multi-server queuing model, for that the total expected cost of the multi-server queuing model problem translated in to linear programing problem subjected to the constraints and solved the linear programing problem with Python program and obtained the required number of servers and estimated number of customers in the system. And also evaluated the mean arrival rate and the mean service rate of the multi-serverqueuing system.
Chemical Reaction, Thermal Stratification Effects on MHD Flow Over A Vertical Stretching Surface With Heat Source
Authors: Venkateshwarlu CH. , Pasupula Maddileti , Thadakamalla Dr. Srinivasulu
Published: December 2020

Abtract. In this study, the fluid with which is viscous and incompressible are studying nonlinear Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) flow using transfer of mass and heat specifications. Considering flow as electrical conducting and has Boussinesq in nature. While considering the chemical reactions and heat stratification investigation carried out on a vertically stretching surface where magnetic field occurs transverse to the flow direction. To solve the flow problem, governing equations in numerical methods considered. Using similarity transformations, non-linear PDEs converted into non-linear ODE. Numerical solution is obtained using values of dimensionless specifications in MATLAB bvp4c package. Results show the existence of magnetic fields, chemical reactions and thermal stratification effects flow field which is presented through graphs.
Trust framework for online products and services using grain level comparison: A solution to boot-strapping problem
Authors: Talib M N , Akhtar M , Jhanjhi NZ , Suseendran G.
Published: December 2020

Service-oriented architecture has changed the way that web applications are designed. Today users are more inclined towards online products and services to save time, energy, and cost. However existing frameworks for online purchasing have certain drawbacks and one of the foremost is ‘trust’. Hence the struggle is to build such a system trust that offers commendations to the customer for the products and services even with inadequate resources; consequently building customer’s trust upon the vender as well as the system. Current systems available only utilize trust by providing product features and comparison using the rating system. However, a problem occurs when a “Bootstrapping issue” is raised, i.e., if a new company emerges in the market then the existing system cannot generate a trust rating for it; the same goes for the new product. Such a problem can cause an uncertain situation for the customer to; a) whether go for the existing product or b) the new product of a new company. In this article, we propose a system trust using a novel framework, which can solve the problem of bootstrapping using a ‘grain level approach’. By providing a high level of granularity, the details of the product’s specs and features will be much in-depth, which will offer the customer an enhanced platform to examine and compare the product amongst several other similar products and ultimately coming to a decision to purchase it by trusting it. As a result, the decision-making power of the customers will be strengthened and the system’s trust will be extended.
Investigation on the Appropriateness of Ceramic Waste Materials at Hawassa Ceramics Factory as Partial Replacement of Conventional Aggregate in Concrete Making
Authors: Tadesse Henok Tsegaye
Published: December 2020

Conservation of natural assets and environment is the core of any development. Nowadays, the waste material disposal is the major problem for the development of any technology and industry. As a researcher found that the constructive waste materials are appropriate for the production of concrete, this brings down the cost of concrete and protected disposal of waste materials can be easily achieved. In ceramic industry factories around 30% to 50% of production goes as waste material, which is not recycled. So in this research paper, a laboratory investigation has been conducted to evaluate the suitability of ceramic waste material at Hawassa Ceramics Factory at Hawassa as the major partial replacement of conventional aggregates in concrete making. In the laboratory, both fine and course aggregates are partially replaced by the ceramic scrap. In the case of fine aggregate substitution, 50% of the fine aggregate was replaced, and in the case of coarse aggregate substitution, 33.3% of the course aggregate was replaced. Totally, there were 6 concrete cubes samples casted for both type of aggregate and laboratory test for compressive strength conducted after a curing period of 3 and 7 days. The effectiveness of the partial replacement of both fine and course aggregates of ceramic waste by 50% and 30% discussed in the research study.
Process parameter optimization on EN8 steel in Electric Discharge Machining (EDM) using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) Technique
Authors: Ganapathy S , Palanivendhan M , Balasubramanian P , Suresh M
Published: December 2020

Electric discharge machining (EDM) is widely used in the manufacturing sector due to its exceptional machining attributes and high fastidiousness, which could not be accomplished via other conventional machining. The research work aims at analyzing the optimal machining parameter and to reduce the machining time by varies in an increase material removal rate (MRR) and productivity and low tool wear rate (TWR). The parameters of Peak current, Pulse on time, Di-Electric Pressure and Tool diameter are varied. The usage of variance analysis (ANOVA) optimized parameters are determined by way of doing diverse dry runs the usage of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) approach and the mistake percent can be mounted and parameter contribution for MRR and TWR have been also observed.
Effect of various parameters on the performance of vortex tube cooling system
Authors: Vignesh S , Ramamoorthi R , Aravindkumar N
Published: December 2020

Conventional vapour compression systems prove to be expensive for continual, specialized usage and require maintenance as there are several moving parts. A vortex tube cooling system has no moving parts and operates as a small cooling machine by separating the compressed gas into two different streams namely cold and hot streams. The thermal performance of the system was studied as function of a geometrical parameter i.e. L/D ratio of the vortex chamber, under various inlet pressure conditions. The study was oriented towards obtaining the maximum possible temperature drop across the system. Experiments were carried out by varying the L/D ratio and an inference was drawn on the cold fraction. Results proved that the length to diameter ratio plays an important role in the performance of the vortex tube cooling system.
Fabrication of Paper Cutting Machine Using Eye Mark Sensor
Authors: Arunkumar P M , Priyadharsini S , Akesh R , Dharun M , Gokul M , Gokul Pradeep K S
Published: December 2020

The paper cutting machine using eye-mark sensor is used to cut the papers in equal and accurate dimensions. The main principle of this method is used to reduce the human power and time consumption by eliminating the wastage of the raw materials. Eye-mark sensor is used to sense the colour present on the paper and make the machine to cut on the place where the paper is marked. It has a transmitter and the receiver which the sends the light signal through transmitter and it senses the colour. The sensed signal is received through the receiver. When the signal is received the roller motor is stopped and the cutter motor is started. The cutter motor completes its rotation and again the paper roll is feed. This system can be applicable for paper cutting industry and it is a low cost solution which increases the production process.
Effect of textures on machining of carbon steel under dry cutting condition
Authors: Rajesh Ruban S , Jayaseelan P , Suresh M , RatnaKandavalli Sumanth
Published: December 2020

The effect of cutting performance was investigated using uncoated plain andtextured tungsten carbide tools in dry machining of carbon steel. Texture namely straight line,zigzag and plus profiles was created on flank face of the uncoated tungsten carbide tool. This textured tool was designed and fabricated by Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet ND-YAG laser machine. Also it was evident with scanning electron microscopy analysis. In further design of experiment was carried by taguchi method by using L9 orthogonal array for varying cutting speed, feed rate, depth of cut to perform the machining experiment. The cutting force,surface roughness and cutting temperature were measured in which it depicts that microscale textured tools improves the machining characteristics to a greater extent when compared with untextured tool. It can be effective in all manufacturing industries provide an eco friendly environment since no coolant is required due to which it becomes pollution free.
Thermal analysis of pentagonal profiled friction stir welding tool using Ansys
Authors: Jayaseelan P , Rajesh Ruban S , Suresh M , Gowtham NS , Saravanan P
Published: December 2020

In friction stir welding process heat generation in the welding zone is most common due to the friction in between the tool and the weldment. When the heat concentration in the weld zone, then the flow of heat through the tool as well as in the weldment. It is requisite to dissipate the heat in order to weld continuously and to increase the weld distance. It is up to the tool design and tool profiles. By doing the thermal simulation in the tool, the tool temperature distribution and compare the number of tools with respect to temperature and able to finalize the tool which has maximum heat dissipation. In this work, 3 tools are designed in total with a pentagon pin profile with different volumes. Which is modeled in solid works software and converted into the Ansys file, then the material properties to be selected, each tool has different materials. Then it gives the corresponding mesh size and boundary conditions such as Temperature, Convection, etc. The tool has been mesh and found out the solution for all tools. As a result, it is found that tool number 1 has a maximum heat dissipation.
Design and fabrication of Speed Bump for Energy Generation
Authors: Palanivendhan M , Logeshwaran S , Naresh G , Ankush K , Sidhaant A , Shivam S
Published: December 2020

Electricity is a basic part of nature and it is one of the most widely used forms of energy across the globe. Fossil fuels pollute the environment. Nuclear energy requires careful handling of both raw as well as waste material. Therefore, the focus now is shifting more and more towards the renewable sources of energy, which are essential and non-polluting. Energy conservation and conversion are the cheapest new sources of energy. This work includes how to utilize the energy which is wasted when the vehicles passes over a speed breaker. Lots of energy is generated when vehicle passes over it. We can tap the energy generated and produce power by using the speed breaker as power generating unit and installing a rack and pinion mechanism. The vertical force of the moving vehicles will cause the action of rack and pinion mechanism. Then, using a set of gear the produced will be transferred to the generator and power will be generated with its rotation. The energy we save during the day light can be used in the night time for lighting street lights. Such a set-up can be placed independently across city lanes, or along tolls on highways and other inter-city roads, or coupled with speed breakers anywhere in the world. The electricity generated from such a machine can be used to light up street lights, traffic signals etc. In case of busy streets and densely populated areas, it can also be used store energy or charge automobile batteries etc.
Designing a controller for vehicle platooning
Authors: Palanivendhan M , Chandradass J , Naresh G , Bohra V , Kishan Seshu , Raicha Bhagyesh
Published: December 2020

There is an active research in the field of Vehicle following so as to reduce the traffic and increase the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. When the traffic is compared with the previous decade’s traffic the rate has been increased exponentially. This increases the time travel for the passengers and it tends to decrease the fuel efficiency of the vehicle and also wastage of the fuel, hence platooning is used to improve the conditions mentioned above. One way to eliminate the error and the delay is by using a controller. The use of controllers has been common these days for better optimization of the vehicle and its performance. The controller can be used in various parts such as brakes, steering, engine, etc., and one such controller is used in Platooning. The cruise control is used between two vehicles but platooning is used for n number of vehicles. This work is based on the design and simulation of a controller for vehicle platooning. It used the safe distance rule along with the constant time headway policy to eliminate the errors. The performance of Platooning is smoother, which includes faster and better transient time which results in faster traffic flow and better fuel efficiency. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of Vehicle platooning. The conditions for vehicle platooning are the vehicle moves longitudinally and the test is performed on the herd of vehicle moving in straight line as well as no vehicle lefts or joins the rally.
Pan-cancer analyses reveal regulation and clinical outcome association of the shelterin complex in cancer
Authors: Luo Zhenhua , Liu Weijin , Sun Panpan , Wang Feng , Feng Xuyang
Published: December 2020

Shelterin, a protective complex at telomeres, plays essential roles in cancer. In addition to maintain telomere integrity, shelterin functions in various survival pathways. However, the detailed mechanisms of shelterin regulation in cancer remain elusive. Here, we perform a comprehensive analysis of shelterin in 9125 tumor samples across 33 cancer types using multi-omic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas, and validate some findings in Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas and cancer cell lines from Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia. In the genomic landscape, we identify the amplification of TRF1 and POT1, co-amplification/deletion of TRF2–RAP1–TPP1 as the dominant alteration events. Clustering analysis based on shelterin expression reveals three cancer clusters with different degree of genome instability. To measure overall shelterin activity in cancer, we derive a shelterin score based on shelterin expression. Pathway analysis shows shelterin is positively correlated with E2F targets, while is negatively correlated with p53 pathway. Importantly, shelterin links to tumor immunity and predicts response to PD-1 blockade immune therapy. In-depth miRNA analysis reveals a miRNA–shelterin interaction network, with p53 regulated miRNAs targeting multiple shelterin components. We also identify a significant amount of lncRNAs regulating shelterin expression. In addition, we find shelterin expression could be used to predict patient survival in 24 cancer types. Finally, by mining the connective map database, we discover a number of potential drugs that might target shelterin. In summary, this study provides broad molecular signatures for further functional and therapeutic studies of shelterin, and also represents a systemic approach to characterize key protein complex in cancer.
Incident Non-AIDS Comorbidity Burden Among Women With or at Risk for Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the United States
Authors: Collins Lauren F , Sheth Anandi N , Mehta C Christina , Naggie Susanna , Golub Elizabeth T , Anastos Kathryn , French Audrey L , Kassaye Seble , Taylor Tonya N , Fischl Margaret A , Adimora Adaora A , Kempf Mirjam-Colette , Palella Frank J , Tien Phyllis C , Ofotokun Ighovwerha
Published: December 2020

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection may accelerate development of aging-related non-AIDS comorbidities (NACMs). The incidence of NACMs is poorly characterized among women living with HIV (WLWH).

Methods

WLWH and HIV-seronegative participants followed in the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) through 2009 (when >80% of WLWH used antiretroviral therapy) or onward were included, with outcomes measured through 31 March 2018. Sociodemographics, clinical covariates, and prevalent NACM were determined at enrollment. We used Poisson regression models to determine incident NACM burden (number of NACMs accrued through most recent WIHS visit out of 10 total NACMs assessed) by HIV serostatus and age.

Results

There were 3129 participants (2239 WLWH, 890 HIV seronegative) with 36 589 person-years of follow-up. At enrollment, median age was 37 years, 65% were black, and 47% currently smoked. In fully adjusted analyses, WLWH had a higher incident NACM rate compared with HIV-seronegative women (incidence rate ratio, 1.36 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02–1.81]). Incident NACM burden was higher among WLWH vs HIV-seronegative women in most age strata (HIV × age interaction: P = .0438), and women <25 years old had the greatest incidence rate ratio by HIV serostatus at 1.48 (95% CI, 1.19–1.84) compared with those in older age groups. Incident NACM burden was associated with traditional comorbidity risk factors but not HIV-specific indices.

Conclusions

Incident NACM burden was higher among WLWH than HIV-seronegative women. This difference was most dramatic among women aged <25 years, a group for whom routine comorbidity screening is not prioritized. Established non-HIV comorbidity risk factors were significantly associated with incident NACM burden. More data are needed to inform best practices for NACM screening, prevention, and management among WLWH, particularly young women.
Expression of the ace operon in Escherichia coli is triggered in response to growth rate-dependent flux-signal of ATP
Authors: El-Mansi Mansi , Phue Je-Nie , Shiloach Joseph
Published: December 2020

The signal that triggers the expression of the ace operon and, in turn, the transition of central metabolism's architecture from acetogenic to gluconeogenic in Escherichia coli remains elusive despite extensive research both in vivo and in vitro. Here, with the aid of flux analysis together with measurements of the enzymic activity of isocitrate lyase (ICL) and its aceA-messenger ribonucleuc acid (mRNA) transcripts, we provide credible evidence suggesting that the expression of the ace operon in E. coli is triggered in response to growth rate-dependent threshold flux-signal of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Flux analysis revealed that the shortfall in ATP supply observed as the growth rate ($\mu $) diminishes from µmax to ≤ 0.43h−1 ($ \pm 0.02;n4)\ $is partially redressed by up-regulating flux through succinyl CoA synthetase. Unlike glycerol and glucose, pyruvate cannot feed directly into the two glycolytic ATP-generating reactions catalyzed by phosphoglycerokinase and pyruvate kinase. On the other hand, glycerol, which upon its conversion to D-glyceraldehyde, feeds into the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation parts of glycolysis including the substrate-level phosphorylation-ATP generating reactions, thus preventing ATP flux from dropping to the critical threshold signal required to trigger the acetate-diauxic switch until glycerol is fully consumed. The mRNA transcriptional patterns of key gluconeogenic enzymes, namely, ackA, acetate kinase; pta, phosphotransacetylase; acs, acetyl CoA synthetase and aceA, ICL, suggest that the pyruvate phenotype is better equipped than the glycerol phenotype for the switch from acetogenic to gluconeogenic metabolism.
Development and Testing of a New Simplified Endoscopic Mucosal Assessment for Crohn’s Disease: The SEMA-CD
Authors: Adler Jeremy , Eder Sally J , Gebremariam Acham , French Kelley Rose , Moncion Ila , Singer Andrew A M , Bass Lee M , Moran Christopher J , Picoraro Joseph A , Moses Jonathan , Lewis Jeffery D , Sandberg Kelly C , Mar Shuemein J , Ebach Dawn R , Saeed Shehzad A , Rosh Joel R , Neef Haley C , Kaplan Jess L , Goyal Alka , del Rosario J Fernando , Zacur George M
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Endoscopic mucosal improvement is the gold standard for assessing treatment efficacy in clinical trials of Crohn’s disease. Current endoscopic indices are not routinely used in clinical practice. The lack of endoscopic information in large clinical registries limits their use for research. A quick, easy, and accurate method is needed for assessing mucosal improvement for clinicians in real-world practice. We developed and tested a novel simplified endoscopic mucosal assessment for Crohn’s disease (SEMA-CD).

Methods

We developed a 5-point scale for ranking endoscopic severity of ileum and colon based on Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s disease (SES-CD). Central readers were trained to perform SES-CD and SEMA-CD. Pediatric patients with Crohn’s disease undergoing colonoscopy were enrolled. Video recordings of colonoscopies were de-identified and randomly assigned to blinded central readers. The SES-CD and SEMA-CD were scored for each video. The SES-CD was considered the validated standard for comparison. Correlation was assessed with Spearman rho, inter- and intrarater reliability with kappa statistics.

Results

Fifty-seven colonoscopies were read a total of 212 times. Correlation between SEMA-CD and SES-CD was strong (rho = 0.98, P < 0.0001). Inter-rater reliability for SEMA-CD was 0.80, and intrarater reliability was 0.83. Central readers rated SEMA-CD as easier than SES-CD.

Conclusion

The SEMA-CD accurately and reproducibly correlates with the standard SES-CD. Central readers viewed SEMA-CD as easier than SES-CD. Use of SEMA-CD in practice should enable collecting mucosal improvement information in large populations of patients. This will improve the quality of research that can be conducted in clinical registries. External validation is needed.
Growth rates in a European eel Anguilla anguilla (L., 1758) population show a complex relationship with temperature over a seven-decade otolith biochronology
Authors: Vaughan Louise , Brophy Deirdre , O’Toole Ciar , Graham Conor , Ó Maoiléidigh Niall , Poole Russell
Published: December 2020

Environmental and habitat change can have profound and complex impacts on fish. We examined an unexploited population of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) from a West of Ireland catchment. The population is long-lived and slow-growing compared to many other European eel populations. Von Bertalanffy growth curves showed decadal changes, with a trend towards larger K, and t0 values in both males and females and a smaller L∞ in females. A growth biochronology spanning seven decades (1950s–2010s) was constructed using otolith annual increment measurements. We found evidence of high variability in growth over the course of the time series. A decrease in growth occurred after the early 2000s, potentially driven by habitat and climatic changes. Growth was negatively correlated with early spring and winter temperatures, providing strong evidence that the length of the growing season impacts eel growth. Growth was also positively correlated with summer temperatures and the number of days that exceeded 16˚C (GSL16˚C). The response to temperature was age-dependent; at age one the positive relationship with GSL16˚C was most pronounced and the negative relationship with winter temperatures was not evident. This study demonstrates the impact of climate change and highlights the complexities of eel growth strategies in a changing environment.
Infections after spine instrumentation: effectiveness of short antibiotic treatment in a large multicentre cohort
Authors: Benavent Eva , Rodríguez-Pardo Dolors , Ulldemolins Marta , Sobrino-Diaz Beatriz , Bustinduy María Jesús , Escudero-Sanchez Rosa , Nodar Andrés , Sorli Luisa , Del Toro López María Dolores , Bahamonde Alberto , Vilchez Helem H , Duran Joan , Muñez Elena , Rodriguez-Montserrat David , García-País María José , Pellisé Ferran , Núñez-Pereira Susana , Caballero-Martinez Luis F , Cobo Javier , Pérez-Rodríguez María Teresa , Ariza Javier , Pigrau Carlos , Murillo Oscar ,   the REIPI (Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Disease)/GEIO–SEIMC (Group for the Study of Osteoarticular Infections – Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology), Horcajada Juan P , Gómez Reinaldo Espíndola , Riera Melchor , Gasch Oriol , Blanco Silvia , Galindo Nieves Sopena , Rabuñal Ramón , Haddad Sleiman , Gómez-Junyent Joan , Iribarren Jose A , Sousa Adrián , Saló Guillem , Ferrer José Bravo , Ramos Antonio , Abos Sonia Molinos , Lombao Domingo , Garreta Iago , Mellado Juan Amador , Parrondo Susana Alvarez
Published: December 2020

Background and objectives

Available information about infection after spine instrumentation (IASI) and its management are scarce. We aimed to analyse DAIR (debridement, antibiotics and implant retention) prognosis and evaluate effectiveness of short antibiotic courses on early forms.

Methods

Multicentre retrospective study of patients with IASI managed surgically (January 2010–December 2016). Risk factors for failure were analysed by multivariate Cox regression and differences between short and long antibiotic treatment were evaluated with a propensity score-matched analysis.

Results

Of the 411 IASI cases, 300 (73%) presented in the first month after surgery, 48 in the second month, 22 in the third and 41 thereafter. Infections within the first 2 months (early cases) occurred mainly to older patients, with local inflammatory signs and predominance of Enterobacteriaceae, unlike those in the later periods. When managed with DAIR, prognosis of early cases was better than later ones (failure rate 10.4% versus 26.1%, respectively; P = 0.02). Risk factors for DAIR failure in early cases were female sex, Charlson Score, large fusions (>6 levels) and polymicrobial infections (adjusted HRs of 2.4, 1.3, 2.6 and 2.26, respectively). Propensity score matching proved shorter courses of antibiotics (4–6 weeks) as effective as longer courses (failure rates 11.4% and 10.5%, respectively; P = 0.870).

Conclusions

IASIs within the first 2 months could be managed effectively with DAIR and shorter antibiotic courses. Clinicians should be cautious when faced with patients with comorbidities, large fusions and/or polymicrobial infections.
Constraining cosmology using galaxy position angle-only cosmic shear
Authors: Whittaker Lee
Published: December 2020

We investigate cosmological parameter inference from realistic simulated weak lensing image data using only galaxy position angles, as opposed to full-ellipticity information. We demonstrate that input shear fields can be accurately reconstructed using only the statistics of source galaxy position angles and that, from these shear fields, we can successfully recover power spectra and infer the input cosmology. This paper builds on previous work on angle-only weak lensing estimation by extending the method to deal with variable and anisotropic point spread function (PSF) convolution and variable shear fields. Previous work employed a weighting scheme to downweight the contribution to shear estimates from sources aligned with the PSF. This work removes the need to downweight sources by convolving them with an image of the PSF rotated by 90○. We show that this successfully undoes the rotation caused by PSF convolution, assuming we have reliable images of the PSF. We find that we can accurately recover the input shear signal from simulated weak lensing data, based loosely on current Stage III missions, using only the position angles to within an overall scale factor, and that the scale factor can be determined using a cosmology independent simulation with noise, galaxy, and PSF properties that match those of the simulated data set. We then demonstrate that we can constrain cosmological parameters using angle-only shear estimates with a constraining power comparable to a basic application of IM3SHAPE, which provides full-shape measurement information.
A comprehensive view of blackbody components in the X-ray spectra of GRBs
Authors: Valan Vlasta , Larsson Josefin
Published: December 2020

A small fraction of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) exhibit blackbody emission in the X-ray spectra, the origin of which is debated. In order to gain a more complete understanding of this phenomenon, we present a search for blackbody components in 116 GRBs with known redshifts observed by Swift X-ray telescope (XRT). A time-resolved spectral analysis is carried out and the significance of the blackbody is assessed with respect to an absorbed power-law model. We report nine new detections and confirm the previously reported blackbody in GRB 171205A. Together with our previous results, there are a total of 19 GRBs with significant blackbody emission in a sample of 199 GRBs observed by Swift over 13 yr. The detections include one short GRB and two low-luminosity GRBs. We estimate fireball parameters from the blackbody components and note that the blackbody luminosity is correlated with the temperature and inferred Lorentz factor. There is a large spread in the properties of the blackbody components and the light curves, which points to different origins for the emission. In about a third of the GRBs, the blackbody is clearly associated with late prompt emission from the jet. The rest of the sample includes cases that are fully consistent with the expectations from a cocoon, as well cases that may be explained by high-latitude emission or more energetic cocoons. These results indicate that thermal emission is associated with all parts of the jet.
Interacting dark energy in a closed universe
Authors: Di Valentino Eleonora , Melchiorri Alessandro , Mena Olga , Pan Supriya , Yang Weiqiang
Published: December 2020

Recent measurements of the Cosmic Microwave Anisotropies power spectra measured by the Planck satellite show a preference for a closed universe at more than $99 {{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ confidence level (CL). Such a scenario is however in disagreement with several low redshift observables, including luminosity distances of Type Ia supernovae. Here we show that interacting dark energy (IDE) models can ease the discrepancies between Planck and supernovae Ia data in a closed Universe, leading to a preference for both a coupling and a curvature different from zero above the 99 per cent CL. Therefore IDE cosmologies remain as very appealing scenarios, as they can provide the solution to a number of observational tensions in different fiducial cosmologies. The results presented here strongly favour broader analyses of cosmological data, and suggest that relaxing the usual flatness and vacuum energy assumptions can lead to a much better agreement among theory and observations.
Safeguarding Curricular Self-Experiences in Undergraduate Music Therapy Education and Training
Authors: Hiller James , Belt Courtney , Gardstrom Susan , Willenbrink-Conte Joy
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this paper is to put forth a model to support the psychological safety of undergraduate students as they engage in a form of experiential learning called self-experiences (SEs). SEs pair active engagement in learning episodes with learner self-inquiry. The need to safeguard curricular SEs is grounded in the American Music Therapy Association’s Professional Competencies and Code of Ethics and the Certification Board for Music Therapists’ Board Certification Domains. We first explicate several types and benefits of SEs and identify potential risks and contraindications that may compromise learners’ psychological safety and even cause harm. Next, we describe the steps we took in developing the model and gaining administrative approval. We outline major tenets and describe specific safeguarding practices at various levels of implementation. We offer a hypothetical vignette to contextualize the information, address certain challenges in implementing this model, and offer recommendations for future research related to undergraduate experiential learning. Educators, clinical trainers, and supervisors who employ SEs are encouraged to implement safeguards toward upholding professional ethics and supporting learners’ personal and professional development.
Psychometric Properties of the Polish Version of the Self-care of Hypertension Inventory
Authors: Świątoniowska-Lonc Natalia , Polański Jacek , Jankowska-Polańska Beata
Published: December 2020

Background

According to evidence-based guidelines, adherence to blood pressure–lowering medication and lifestyle modifications is a crucial part of hypertension management. Self-care is an effective method for secondary prevention. However, patients continue to exhibit major deficits in terms of adherence, self-control, and self-care. Standardized instruments for the effective monitoring of patients' self-care abilities are still lacking.

Objective

The objectives of this study were to produce a translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Self-care of Hypertension Inventory (SC-HI) and to evaluate the psychometric properties of its Polish version.

Methods

The scale underwent translation and psychometric assessment using the standard methodology (forward-backward translation, review, psychometric analysis, criterion validity). The study included 250 patients, with a mean age of 61.23 ± 14.34 years, treated in a hypertension clinic.

Results

Mean self-care levels were evaluated in 3 domains: self-care maintenance (56.73 ± 18.57), self-care management (64.17 ± 21.18), and self-care confidence (62.47 ± 24.39). The Cronbach α for each domain showed satisfactory parameters: 0.755 for maintenance, 0.746 for management, and 0.892 for confidence. In the Polish version, the 3-factor structure of the SC-HI was not directly confirmed. Therefore, so-called modification indices were applied to obtain a standardized root mean square residual value less than 0.09 and a root mean square error of approximation value less than 0.06.

Conclusions

The SC-HI has been successfully translated and adapted for Polish settings, and is suitable for application among patients with hypertension.
Firm, Dome-Shaped Nodule on Right Great Toe
Authors: Saldana Irene , Gust Peter , Jacob Sharon E.
Published: December 2020

This is a case of firm, dome-shaped nodule found on the medial side of the right great toe.
Experiences of Parents of Infants Diagnosed With Mild or Severe Grades of Congenital Muscular Torticollis
Authors: Oledzka Magdalena M. , Sweeney Jane K. , Evans-Rogers Debbie L. , Coulter Colleen , Kaplan Sandra L.
Published: December 2020

Purpose:

The primary purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of parents of infants diagnosed with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT). A secondary purpose was to compare the experiences of parents of infants with mild grades versus severe grades of involvement based on the CMT severity classification system.

Methods:

Through semistructured interviews, a qualitative phenomenological approach of inquiry was used to investigate the lived experiences of 12 parents.

Results:

Eight themes common to both groups of parents were identified. Findings indicated having an infant with CMT has a significant effect on the parents and other caregivers. Two themes were unique to parents of the infants with severe CMT.

Conclusions:

Parents are faced with a diagnosis that requires regular therapy visits and a challenging home program. A multimodal approach by clinicians for teaching and supporting parents during the episode of care may best address their unique challenges and stresses.
Associations Between Congenital Muscular Torticollis Severity and Physical Therapy Episode
Authors: Knudsen Kathryn C. R. , Jacobson Ryan P. , Kaplan Sandra L.
Published: December 2020

Purpose:

To determine how physical therapy utilization varies with Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT) Severity Grading Scale, considering episode of care and clinical practice guidelines.

Methods:

A 3-year retrospective medical record review was conducted. Data were collected for 81 infants receiving physical therapy for CMT. Sample and service characteristics are described; 46 complete records (infants 6 months or younger) were analyzed to determine how physical therapy utilization varied across severity grades.

Results and Conclusions:

Of the 46 infants with complete care episodes, half had fully resolved all asymmetries. Units billed, episode duration, and total visits each increased across CMT severity grades 1 to 3. Cervical rotation restrictions correlated with total units billed, indicating a positive relationship between CMT severity and service utilization.

What This Adds to the Evidence:

This study supports that as CMT severity increases, physical therapy utilization increases for grades 1 to 3 of the 2018 CMT Severity Grading Scale.