bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building Information Model as a Collaborative Knowledge Management Tool for Construction Professionals
Authors: Osuji Emmanuel C. , Nkeleme Emmanuel Ifeanyichukwu , Ezeokoli Fidelis Okechukwu
Published: May 2020

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess benefit of BIM as a collaborative knowledge management tool for construction professionals.

Study Design: It was a mixed design research, the study was effected via literature review and a well-structured questionnaire. Likewise, interviews were carried out to substantiate the findings of the questionnaire survey.

Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted in Kaduna State, Nigeria for a period of 2 years.

Methodology: Being a mixed design research, a total of 250 questionnaires were administered and 235 were properly completed and returned representing a percentage response of 94%. Data garnered were analysed using relative importance index and presented in tables and charts.

Results: The study found that 94% of construction industry’s professionals are familiar with the concept of BIM but 94.47% of them never applied it whereas 4.68% rarely apply BIM, while 0.85 often apply BIM. Also, the research identified that all the thirteen areas where BIM can be used as a KM tool for collaboration among construction professionals were significantly important, however, Constructability Reviews and 4D Simulations which involves providing an interface to visualize the entire structure and simulate the construction process stood out as the most important.

Conclusion: The study concludes by recommending that the built environment professional bodies in Nigeria should carry out a proper sensitization programme in-order to train and retrain professionals in Nigerian construction industry as regards BIM tools and its applications. Also, BIM should be introduced as an integral part of the school curriculum for the training of future construction professionals so equipped them with the requisite BIM knowledge.
Frequency of Janus Kinas 2V617F (JAK2V617F) Mutation among Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Zekry Nadia Farouk , Galal Omyma , Hassan Mohammed H. , Sakhr Hala M. , Toghan Rana
Published: May 2020

Background and Objectives: Type 1 Diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a disorder of glucose homeostasis results from the destruction of β- cells of the pancreas with subsequent insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia. Acquired mutation (V617F) affecting the JAK2 gene disrupts the auto-inhibition of JAK2 and results in constitutive activation of the Janus Kinase 2(JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway. Once activated, the JAK/STAT pathway stimulates cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis critically involved in growth control. Studies investigating the possible role of Janus kinas 2V617F (JAK2V617F) mutation and risk of T1DMor development of diabetic complications among such children are very few. So we aimed in this pilot study to estimate the relative frequency of Janus kinas 2V617F (JAK2V617F) mutation among a sample of children with T1DM.

Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 25 Egyptian children with T1DM. Full clinical evaluation, routine laboratory investigations including kidney function, RBG, HbA1C and A/C ratio were done. Determination of JAK 2v617f gene mutation was performed using real time-PCR.

Results: The included diabetic children were 15 males and 10 females. Their mean random blood glucose was 272mg/dl±33 SD. Two cases exhibited mutation in the form of heterozygous type (Aa) representing 8% of the total included diabetic children and the remaining 23 (92%) diabetic children showed normal wild alleles (AA). There was a non-significant correlation between the glycemic control and the presence of JAK 2v617f gene mutation, p˃0.05.

Conclusions: JAK 2v617f gene mutation present in a small percentage of non-complicated T1DM with lack of its correlation with the glycemic control.
Basic Knowledge of Childhood Diarrhea and Health-seeking Practices of Caregivers of Under-five Childrenin Calabar-South, Calabar, Nigeria
Authors: Ogban G. I. , Ndueso E. M. , Iwuafor A. A. , Emanghe U. E. , Ushie S. N. , Ejemot-Nwadiaro R. I.
Published: May 2020

Background: Diarrhea claims the lives of more children than malaria, HIV and measles combined. Prompt identification of symptoms of diarrhea by Caregivers and timely commencement of oral rehydration therapy using oral rehydration solution (ORS) or appropriate home available fluids are recommended corrective measures. This study was to ascertain the basick nowledge of childhood diarrhea and the health-seeking practices among caregivers of under-five children in Calabar- South, Calabar, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: Six wards were chosen from the 12 wards in the study area by casting lot. Ten streets were randomly selected from each of the 6 wards. Eleven compounds were selected randomly per street to give a total of 660 compounds. A household with an under-five child or children was randomly selected per compound and therefore 660 Caregivers were enlisted on giving consent. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data from respondents.

Results: In this study, 638 (98.2%) of respondents had good basic knowledge of childhood diarrhea in under-five children, 12 (1.8%) had fair basic knowledge, no group was rated as having poor basic knowledge. Occurrence of childhood diarrhea was marginally higher among respondents with good knowledge of diarrhea (50.3%) than respondents with fair basic knowledge, (50%). In practice during advent of childhood diarrhea, some caregivers chose to seek health-care from traditional healers 6.1% (19), churches 1.9% (6), pharmacies 16.9% (53), patent drug stores 18.8% (59), hospital, 14.3% (45), or self medication at home 42% (132).

Conclusion: Although most Caregivers possessed good basic knowledge of childhood diarrhea, there were constrains translating this knowledge into intervention practices due to inadequate presence. Of social amenity framework in the study area. Government and non Governmental authorities should make provision of social amenities such as hospitals, pipe borne water, waste disposal facilities, power supply, water drainagesetc, a priority.
Predictive and Prognostic Value of C-reactive Protein/Albumin and Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio in the Patients Diagnosed with Acute Pancreatitis in Emergency Department
Authors: Kalafat Utku Murat , Dogan Serkan , Bildik Busra , Dorter Melis , Can Doganay , Cander Basar
Published: May 2020

Aims: Acute pancreatitis is a severe inflammation of the pancreas presenting sudden onset with high morbidity and mortality. Simple, accessible, cost-efficient and feasible laboratory tests are still needed to demonstrate the prognosis of the patients. The aim of the present study was to search the efficiency of CRP/Alb ratio as a biochemical marker on mortality and clinical progress in the patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis in correlation with APACHE-2.

Methodology: This prospective case-control study was conducted with the patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis through Atlanta criteria and healthy volunteers as a control group in the emergency department. Demographic characteristics, vital signs, ultrasound reports, clinical outcomes, neutrophil, lymphocyte, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), CRP, albumin and CRP/Alb ratio, APACHE-2 score within control and patient groups were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was performed to distinguish healthy volunteers from acute pancreatitis cases.

Results: There was a statistically significant difference between CRP/Albumin and NLR measurements according to the groups and we found that the measurements of the patient group were significantly higher than the control group. The cut-off point for CRP/Albumin and NLR was found to be respectively 1.08, 4.04 and above. (Respectively; sen: 76.64%, 78.50%; spe: 97.20%, 97.20%; PPV: 96.47%, 96.55%; NPV: 80.62%, 81.89%; the accuracy: 86.92%, 87.85%). APACHE-2 scores ranged from 0 to 16, with a mean of 5.80±3.92. The probability of acute pancreatitis was significantly higher in patients with high CRP/Albumin and NLR.

Conclusion: This study showed that CRP/Alb ratio and NLR were positively correlated with APACHE-2 scores that designed for prognosis in patients with acute pancreatitis.
Aqueous Phase Adsorption of Pb (II) Ions onto Hymenoptera sphecidae (Mud-wasp) Nest
Authors: Kukwa Donald T. , Adie Peter A. , Kukwa Rose E. , Kungur Paula D.
Published: May 2020

Removal of Pb (II) ion from aqueous solution using Hymenoptera sphecidae (mud-wasp) nest was investigated using a batch process. The effect of pH, contact time and adsorbent dose were also investigated. The result showed that the adsorption of Pb (II) ion onto mud-wasp nest was dependent on pH, contact time and adsorbent dose. Adsorption patterns were analysed in terms of three bi-parameter isotherms of Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin. Freundlich isotherm gave the best fit to the adsorption data with a correlation coefficient of 0.992, while monolayer sorption capacity yielded 41.667 mg/g. Lagergren’s pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order kinetic models were used to test the adsorption kinetics. The kinetic data were well described by the pseudo second-order kinetic model, suggesting that the process was chemisorption type.  The results showed that mud-wasp nest can be used as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of Pb (II) ion from aqueous solutions.
Initial Development of Melon when Grown in Different Concentrations of Exhausted Peat Organic Compost
Authors: Espíndola João Vitor Feliciano , Lisboa Lucas Aparecido Manzani , Dias Carlos Eduardo de Oliveira , Ribeiro Gabriel Correia , Meira Gabriel Dumit , Junior Gerson de Souza Carvalho , Espíndola João Vitor Feliciano , Rodrigues Lucas Martins , Silva Roberto Aparecido da , Tavares Thayane Silva , França Vinicius Belmiro
Published: May 2020

Introduction: One of the attributes responsible for the good quality of the seedlings is their cultivation on substrates with good drainage and availability of nutrients, where the use of alternative sources of organic matter makes it a strategy for seedling producers.

Objective: The objective of this work was to evaluate the initial development of melon when grown in different concentrations of exhausted peat organic compost.

Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out in September 2019, at Faculdades Integradas Stella Maris (FISMA), located in the Municipality of Andradina, State of São Paulo, at geographic coordinates 20°53'26,482"S and 51°22'24,822"W and with altitude approximately 396 meters above sea level. A completely randomized design was used, in a 2x5 factorial scheme, with two varieties of melon (V), namely: Goldmine and Imperial interacting with five concentrations of exhausted peat organic compound (C), that is: zero%; 3%; 6%; 13% and 25% and with four repetitions, totaling 40 plots or plastic vases.

Conclusion: It is recommended to use 15% exhausted peat compound in the composition of the substrate in the initial phase of the melon. The melon varieties showed similar responses in terms of exhausted peat compound concentrations.
Existence of Nonoscillation Solutions of Second-order Neutral Dierential Equations
Authors: Yu-Ping Zhao , Hua Fu
Published: May 2020

This paper is concerned with existence of nonoscillation solution for a family of second-order neutral differential equations with positive and negative coefficients. A sufficient conditions for existence of nonoscillation solution is obtained by contraction fixed point theorem, special case of the equation has also been studied.
Rainfall Intensity and Evapotranspiration Patterns Nexus over Nigeria in Different Solar Cycles
Authors: Ajileye O. O. , Otu J. O. , Yusuf Najib , Akinola O. O
Published: May 2020

The study employed Mass – Transfer Model (MTM) to estimate evapotranspiration (ET) from 12 selected locations spread across three climatic zones over Nigeria at intervals of 30 years (1988 and 2018) depicted by different solar cycles. Based on this finding the impacts of rainfall intensity on evapotranspiration patterns over Nigeria were investigated. Daily averaged values of wind speed at 2 m from soil, air temperature and relative humidity for 12 selected stations across Nigeria were employed for 1988 and 2018. The actual vapour pressure and saturated vapour pressure were estimated. A correlation between evapotranspiration with rainfall intensity was established to determine impacts of rainfall intensity on evapotranspiration patterns over Nigeria in solar maxima and minima scenarios. The results showed that ET was higher in 2018 than 1988 in 3 out of 4 stations in tropical monsoon; in tropical savannah and only Ibadan and Akure had a reduction in these values when 1988 was compared with 2018. Lowest values of ET was observed between August and October corresponding to the peak of rainy season. 7 stations out of 12 were influenced by solar minima phenomenon namely Port Harcourt, Owerri, Enugu, Ibadan, Minna, Borno and Gusau. The lowest values of ET were recorded at Calabar and Port Harcourt for both 1988 and 2018 while the highest values were observed at Borno for 1988 and Sokoto for 2018. Rainfall intensity had greater impacts on ET values in tropical monsoon than any other climatic zone in Nigeria.
Effect of Preventive Maintenance on the Production Line Machines and Systems Reliability: Case Study
Authors: Badiea A. M. , Adel A. A. , Aamer H. A.
Published: May 2020

The aims of this study are to introduce the appropriate preventive maintenance to the production line machines at the company to increase their reliability and reduction the shutdown, and to obtain more safety. Mean time between failure, mean down time and availability are investigated as the best indicators to generally evaluate all type of maintenance. Pareto diagram and Effect-Cause techniques both have been used for identifying where and what are the problems in the production lines. The big and serious way that the company staff was using was maintenance of run to failure. Many solutions in this paper are introduced to the company to follow the proper preventive maintenance. After one year monitoring to those production lines, their productivity increases by 15.47% and the reliability becomes high.
N-Acetylcysteine Inhibits Lipids Production in Mature Adipocytes through the Inhibition of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor 
Authors: Soto Daniela , Martini Claudia , Frontera Evelyn , Montaldo Laura , Vila Maria C. , Calvo Juan C. , Guerra Liliana N.
Published: May 2020

Aims: Reports regarding the effects of antioxidants in obesity have been contradictory. Antioxidant N-acetylcysteine is usually considered a nutritional supplement. Our aim is to evaluate bioactivity of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on mature adipocytes, which is a close model to in vivo condition.

Study Design: In vitro study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Basic Science (Universidad Nacional de Lujan), Department of Chemical Biology (Universidad de Buenos Aires), CONICET – INEDES and CONICET – IQUIBICEN, between March 2017 and June 2019.

Methodology: We evaluated the bioactivity of different concentrations of NAC for 5 days (0.01 mM to 5 mM) on fully differentiated 3T3-L1 cells (mature adipocytes).

Results: We demonstrated that NAC treatment was not toxic to mature adipocytes. Only 5mM NAC inhibited reactive oxygen species production. 5 mM NAC treatment resulted in a 60% decrease in cellular triglycerides content and inhibited 70% cholesterol accumulation.  We also determined the mRNA and protein expression levels of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor g as well as, mRNA levels of lipid protein Perilipin in NAC treated adipocytes; we observed that 5mM NAC treatment caused nearly 30% decrease in the expression of these parameters.

Conclusion: These results suggest that NAC could avoid lipid accumulation in mature adipocytes; the antioxidant NAC could be beneficial in obesity treatment.
Preliminary Screening of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs); Decabromodiphenyl Ether (BDE-209) and Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA) Flame Retardants in Municipal Dumpsite in Delta State, Nigeria
Authors: Edjere Oghenekohwiroro , Stephen Chukwunonso Elvis
Published: May 2020

Aims: This study is aimed at determining the concentration of two widely used BFRs; Decabromodiphenyl Ether (BDE-209) and Tetrabromo Bisphenol-A (TBBPA) in sediment and leachate samples.

Place and Duration of Study: Field sampling were carried out from five major dumpsites around Warri Municipality, Delta State, Nigeria. Analyte extraction was done in 2017 at the Science laboratory, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun Delta State, Nigeria and quantification done in Switzerland by Bachema Analytical Laboratories in 2017.

Methods: Three soil samples were collected from each site 15cm from the soil surface. Also, three leachate samples from three different trial pits done for each site. Collected soil samples were stored in glass bottles and labelled. While the leachate samples are stored using glass containers and labelled. The BFRs were extracted using Aceton and cyclohexane for each soil matrix and cyclohexane for the leachate samples, then the extract was analysed using GC coupled with an ECD supplied by Thermo Trace GC Ultra, Italy.

Results: The results showed the average concentration for TBBPA in the sediments was 0.0234 g/kg and that of the BDE-209 was recorded as 0.1828 g/kg. Results from the leachate sample were below the detectable range of the analytical equipment, TBBPA (0.02 g/kg) and BDE (0.1 g/kg). There is no statistical difference between the mean concentration of TBBPA for the sediment in each of the locations (P>.05) and no difference (P>.05) for BDE-209 for the sediment in each of the locations (P>.05).

Conclusion: Findings from this study holds that the concentration of TBBPA and BDE-209 in sediment is higher when compared with concentrations presented in other literatures studied in this report and this calls for immediate action due to the health risk associated with exposure in these municipalities.
Transfusion Transmitted Infections among Blood Donors at a Tertiary Health Facility in Southwest, Nigeria
Authors: Daramola G. O. , Edogun H. A. , Alex-Abioudun O. , Umukoro Q. M. , Ojerinde A. O. , Ajayi O. D. , Fatoki A. , Egbebi A. H. , Ogunfolakan O. O.
Published: May 2020

It was a major breakthrough for human medicine when Landsteiner discovered the ABO blood group system. But with the discovery of ABO and Rhesus systems, this major hindrance to safe blood transfusion- and by extension surgery- was effectively put behind humanity. Centuries after this, humanity is faced another kind of challenge to safe blood transfusion- transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs), particularly in developing nations of the world. Though lots of infections are transmissible through transfusion, the focus of this study was HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of these TTIs (HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis) among intending blood donors at a tertiary health facility in Ekiti State, southwest, Nigeria. The data of 150 intending blood donors at the said tertiary health facility were retrospectively retrieved and analysed. One hundred and twenty (80%) of the subjects were males, while 30 (20%) were females. The age of the subjects ranged between 18 and 55 years. Thirty-four (22.7%) of the subjects had TTIs, while 116 (77.3%) were negative to all the TTIs of interest for this study (HIV, HBV, HCV and Syphilis). Out of the 34 subjects who had TTIs, 2 (1.3%) tested positive for HIV, 18 (12%) for HBV; 10 (6.7%) for HCV and 4 (2.7%) for syphilis. Twenty-nine (85.3%) of the subjects who had TTIs were males, while 5 (14.7%) were females. An overall TTI sero-prevalence of 2.7% is rather on the high side and should serve as a wake-up call to all concerned authorities in the State to design enlightenment programme that will reduce the sero-prevalence of TTIs.
A Rigorous Homogenization for a Two-Scale Convergence Approach to Piping Flow Erosion with Deposition in a Spatially Heterogeneous Soil
Authors: Sakyi Adu , Amoako-Yirenkyi Peter , Dontwi Isaac Kwame
Published: May 2020

We present a rigorous homogenization approach to modelling piping ow erosion in a spatially heterogeneous soil. The aim is to provide a justication to a formal homogenization approach to piping ow erosion with deposition in a spatially heterogeneous soil. Under the assumption that the soil domain is perforated periodically with cylindrical repeating microstructure, we begin by proving that a solution to the proposed set of microscopic equations exist. Two-scale convergence is then used to study the asymptotic behaviour of solutions to the microscopic problem as the microscopic length scale approaches zero(0). We thus derive rigorously a homogenized model or macro problem as well as explicit formula for the eective coecients. A strong observation from the numerical simulation was that, soil particle concentration in the water/soil mixture decreases but at a decreasing rate whereas soil particle deposition increases at regions with increasing amount of particle concentration in the ow causing a reduction in bare pore spaces across the soil domain.
Screening of Rice Lines (Oryza spp L. 1753) for Salinity Tolerance at Vegetative Stage under Senegal River Valley Conditions
Authors: Maïga Yacine , Mawussi Gbenonchi , Faye Omar Ndaw , Fall Abdoulaye
Published: June 2020

Rice (Oryza spp. L., 1753) is the most staple food cereal in Senegal. However, national production is low and cannot cover the country needs. Salinity limits rice production in Senegal River valley which is main rice growing area in Senegal. This study assessed salinity tolerance of 30 rice lines at vegetative stage in station of Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research (ISRA) at Ndiol in Senegal River valley. Experimental design adopted was alpha lattice with three rehearsals. Observations were performed on plant height, main stem development and number of tillers. The level of salinity and pH in surface water, groundwater and soil were monitored. The results indicate that salinity affects plant height and tillering ability and among 30 lines, four were identified highly tolerant to salinity at vegetative stage. These are the varieties HK11-NDIOL-11-LON-1, D20-ART20-ARS-1, D56-ARS-NCRIB-1-1 and HK72-NIONO-5-1-1. The decision to incorporate these varieties in salinity tolerance breeding programs would depend on salt tolerance screening across all growing stages.
Customers’ Satisfaction that Influences Business Bank Growth (Study Case of an Indonisian Bank)
Authors: Hasibuan Bernard
Published: May 2020

The existence of Rural Banks (BPR) in assisting the development and economic progress of the community, especially in rural areas is very important. The purpose of this article is to examine and analyze impact customer’s satisfaction tobusiness bank growth of conventional rural banks in West Sumatra. The studied Indonesian Bank (Code: X) is a regional bank, formed by a non-governmental organization that is experiencing very rapid growth. Customers’ satisfaction will be achieved if the quality of services provided is in accordance with their needs. Therefore, it is necessary to know the value of the level of customers’ satisfaction with service facilities, priority service improvement can be done through the Potential Gain Customer Value Index. The methods used were the servqual method and the PGCV (Potential Gain Customer Value). The servqual method aimed to see the service quality attributes that need to be improved, and the PGCV method aimed to complete the analysis results of servqual by determining the priority of improvements that had to be done based on the PGCV index. Based on the analysis results, there were two service quality attributes that became the improvements priority, namely the Affordable Credit Interest with the score gap of -1.35, and the Professional Survey Teams with the score gap of -0.57. The PGCV index analysis showed the results with the first improvement proposal, namely the Affordable Credit Interest with the PGGV index of 7.47.Managerial implication of this study is understanding for the bank managers that customer is not merely a customer, they are more then what a banking industry thinks. So they need to understand the factors like service quality, customer services, employee behavior, prompt services, customer relationship management which significantly contribute in customer satisfaction.
Comparative Analysis of Biogas and Methane Yields from Different Sizes of Groundnut Shell in a Batch Reactor at Mesophilic Temperature
Authors: Jekayinfa S. O. , Adebayo A. O. , Oniya O. O. , Olatunji K. O.
Published: May 2020

Aim: To study the effects of different sizes of groundnut shell on biogas and methane yields using batch reactor at mesophilic temperature.

Place and Duration of Study: The laboratory experiment was carried out at the Laboratory of the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria, between August and October, 2018.

Methodology: Batch experiment was set up for a period of 35 days with substrate reduced to 2, 4 and 6 mm sizes. The digesters were subjected to anaerobic digestion at mesophilic condition and the gas produced were collected with graduated gas sampling bottles dipped in measuring cylinders already filled with red liquid. The total gas produced was analyzed using gas analyzer to give the percentage composition of the gas components and Enwuff equation was used to calculate the biogas and methane yields of organic dry matter and fresh mass of the samples.

Results: The total gas volume of 482.5, 605.0 and 732.5 ml were recorded for the sizes 2, 4 and 6 mm respectively. The organic dry matter biogas yields were 357.1, 514.31 and 324.5 lNkg-1oDM for treatment 2, 4 and 6 mm respectively; while organic dry matter methane produced were 222.41, 298.41 and 211.31 CH4kg-1oDM for 2, 4 and 6 mm, respectively. The fresh mass biogas yields were 147.6, 180.7 and 177.3 lNkg-1FM and fresh mass methane yield were 919, 104.8 and 115.4 lNCH4 kg-1FM for 2, 4 and 6 mm, respectively.

Conclusion: Considering the yields recorded, the experiment shows that size reduction had effect on biogas yields and it is an important factor to be considered in biogas production. Treatment with particle size 4 mm seems to be the ideal size when considered the yields in terms of organic dry matter and fresh mass basis.
Chromium (III) Removal from Synthetic Wastewater Using Biochar Produced from Vegetable Tanned Leather Shaving Dust
Authors: Choudhury Tasrina R. , Naher U. H. Bodrun , Akter Sarifa , Begum Bilkis A. , Rahman M. Safiur
Published: May 2020

In recent years, the rapid industrialization leads to increase industrial discharges without any appropriate treatment. The present study deals with the removal of Cr (III) ions from aqueous solutions by ZnCl2 treated biochar produced from vegetable tanned leather shaving dust. Effect of various process parameters like solution pH, adsorbent dose, adsorbent type, initial Cr (III) concentration and temperature have been studied in batch system. The thermal resistivity and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were engaged to perceive the surface morphologies of chemically treated and untreated biochar adsorbent. The experimental data was fitted well to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model and the adsorption efficiency of chromium (III) was found to be maximum (70%) at low values of pH (around 3) for 0.75 g/50 mL dose of ZnCl2 treated biochar adsorbent. The model matrix of 24 full factorial design approach has been applied at a 95% confidence level to find the impact of different variables on removal Cr(III) ions from waste water. This study revealed that three main factors: Adsorbent type (p < 0.0001; 66.39%), pH (p < 0.001; 16.01%) and adsorbent dose (p = 0.032; 12.15%) have significant impact on Cr (III) ions removal efficiency. For using ZnCl2 biochar, Cr(III) ions removal efficiency was increased 66.39% compared to using untreated biochar. Subsequently, two interaction factors: pH-time and adsorbent type-time (α = 0.05, p < 0.05) have shown statistically significant on Cr(III) ions removal efficiency. The ZnCl2 treated biochar adsorbent prepared from vegetable tanned leather shaving dust is efficient and it is proposed that it can be conveniently employed as a low cost alternative in the treatment of industrial waste water.
Visual Outcome of Cataract Surgery Complications Repair at a Cataract Training Centre of Western Central India
Authors: Shah Mehul A. , Shah Shreya M. , Desai Ashit
Published: May 2020

Introduction: Cataract is a major cause of blindness, but it can be eliminated by surgical management. The visual outcome depends upon the competency of the surgeon, and quality training can contribute to the creation of such skilled surgeons.

Methods: This is a retrospective study in which we enrolled all the cataract cases operated between 2004 and 2018, any complication and its repair reported in pretested online form, and all documented post-operative data. All these data were exported to excel sheet from EMR and analysed using SPSS22.

Results: Our cohort involved 2998(2.49%) cases out of 120,000 total cataract operated cases. Out of complications documented for45.5% did not require surgical intervention, 30% eyes required secondary implant and remaining cases required other surgeries. Intervention medical and surgical has made significant difference in visual outcome. (p=0.002) 43.9% complications reported during stage of cortical clean up.

Primary surgery and trainee categories did not cause significant differences in the visual outcome.

Conclusion: Cataract surgeries done by trainee surgeons caused complications at various stages. However, interventions by vitreo-retinal surgeons led to a significant difference in the final visual outcome.
Lived Experience, Coping Strategies and Social Network of Street-working Children
Authors: Ferdous Ashfaq , Nila Sabiha Mahfuz
Published: May 2020

Background: Street children are exposed to the harshest of living experience. They start experiencing the cruelest form of life from an age when they are supposed to be raised amidst nothing but care and love.

Aims: This study attempts to understand the lived experience of street-working children, the daily challenges they face, their coping strategies, and the social network they maintain for a living.

Methodology: Using a quantitative, and to some extent, ethnographic method, a sample of 110 street-working children aged 5-15 years was drawn from Dhaka University campus and surrounding areas: Shahbag, New Market, Chankharpool and Ramna in Dhaka city. A structured questionnaire with a series of close-ended questions was used for interview schedules.

Results: Analysis of data revealed that most of the children came to Dhaka in pursuit of a better living standard. They are mostly engaged in flower, water or chocolate-selling. The amount of their daily earnings is very low and is hardly enough to manage three meals a day. Most of them sleep on the pavements and those places are not even fixed. They keep changing places depending on wherever they find a place. Sleeping on filthy places under open sky, no wonder they suffer from different skin diseases and are vulnerable to various other diseases. They live through continuous change of coping strategies. Their parents, siblings, relatives and peer groups are at the center of their social network relying on which they survive in the city.

Conclusion: To put it simply, sufferings of street-working children know no bounds. They fight much more hardship than we can even imagine from the outside.
Ultrasound Detection of Calcinosis and Association With Ulnar Artery Occlusion in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Fairchild Robert , Chung Melody , Sharpless Laurel , Li Shufeng , Chung Lorinda
Published: May 2020

Objective

To investigate the ability of ultrasound (US) compared to radiographs to detect calcinosis in hands/wrists of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and to assess US markers of pathologic perfusion.

Methods

Patients with SSc were evaluated for calcinosis in the hands/wrists by radiograph and US. The presence or absence of calcinosis was recorded by patient, hand, and anatomic zone; sensitivity and specificity for calcinosis detection by US versus radiographs was determined. Bilateral US vascular measurements of ulnar artery occlusion (UAO) and finger pulp blood flow (FPBF) were obtained. For each hand, associations between markers of pathologic blood flow (UAO, FPBF, and a composite severity score of UAO and FPBF) and the presence of calcinosis were assessed using generalized estimating equations.

Results

Of 43 patients with SSc (19 diffuse, 24 limited), 39.5% had calcinosis on radiographs compared to 30.2% on US. Sensitivity and specificity for US, respectively, were 61% and 95% by zone, 78% and 98% by hand, and 76% and 100% by patient. UAO was seen in 30% and 28% of left and right hands, respectively; FPBF was absent in ≥1 digit of the left and right hands in 49% and 44%, respectively. UAO was associated with radiograph‐identified calcinosis by hand (odds ratio [OR] 8.08 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.45–26.60], P < 0.001), whereas FPBF and the composite severity score were not significant. UAO was associated with calcinosis even in the absence of digital ulcers (OR 33.00 [95% CI 3.39–321.09], P = 0.003).

Conclusion

US was sensitive and highly specific in detecting calcinosis in SSc. UAO was strongly associated with radiograph‐identified calcinosis.
Comparative Risks of Cardiovascular Disease in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Diabetes Mellitus, and in General Medicaid Recipients
Authors: Barbhaiya Medha , Feldman Candace H. , Chen Sarah K. , Guan Hongshu , Fischer Michael A. , Everett Brendan M. , Costenbader Karen H.
Published: May 2020

Objective

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is elevated in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and diabetes mellitus (DM), but whether risk of CVD in patients with SLE is as high as in those with DM is unknown. The present study was undertaken to compare CVD risks between patients with SLE and DM and general population US Medicaid recipients.

Methods

In a cohort study, we identified age‐ and sex‐matched adults (1:2:4) with SLE or DM and those from the general population using Medicaid Analytic eXtract, 2007–2010. We collected data on baseline sociodemographic factors, comorbidities, and medications. We used Cox regression models to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) of hospitalized nonfatal CVD events (combined myocardial infarction [MI] and stroke) and MI and stroke separately, accounting for competing risk of death and adjusting for covariates. We compared risks in age‐stratified models.

Results

We identified 40,212 SLE patients, 80,424 DM patients, and 160,848 general population patients; 92.5% were female, and the mean ± SD age was 40.3 ± 12.1 years. Nonfatal CVD incidence rate per 1,000 person‐years was 8.99 for patients with SLE, 7.07 for those with DM, and 2.36 for the general population. Nonfatal CVD risk was higher in SLE compared to DM (HR 1.27 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.15–1.40]), driven by excess risk at ages 18–39 years (HR 2.22 [95% CI 1.81–2.71]). Patients with SLE had higher risk of CVD compared to the general population (HR 2.67 [95% CI 2.38–2.99]).

Conclusion

SLE patients had a 27% higher risk of nonfatal CVD events compared to age‐ and sex‐matched patients with DM and more than twice the risk of the Medicaid general population. The highest relative risk occurred at ages 18–39 years. These high risks merit aggressive evaluation for modifiable factors and research to identify prevention strategies.
Long‐Term Safety of Rituximab in Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis and in Microscopic Polyangiitis
Authors: Merkel Peter A. , Niles John L. , Mertz Lester E. , Lehane Patricia B. , Pordeli Pooneh , Erblang Félix
Published: May 2020

Objective

The present study was undertaken to conduct a phase IV, open‐label, prospective study to characterize the long‐term safety of rituximab in a 4‐year observational registry of adult patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) or microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) within the US.

Methods

Patients initiating treatment with rituximab were evaluated every 6 months for up to 4 years. Outcomes included the incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs), infusion‐related reactions (IRRs), and SAEs of specific interest, including serious infections, serious cardiac events, serious vascular events, and malignancies.

Results

Overall, 97 patients (72 with GPA and 25 with MPA) received rituximab through a median of 8 (range 1–28) infusions and were followed up for a median of 3.94 years (range 0.05–4.32 years). The estimated incidence rates (95% confidence interval [95% CI]) of serious infections, serious cardiac events, and serious vascular events were 7.11 (4.55–10.58), 5.03 (2.93–8.06), and 2.37 (1.02–4.67) per 100 patient‐years (PYs), respectively. No IRRs or SAEs occurred within 24 hours of an infusion of rituximab. None of the 9 deaths reported (crude mortality rate 2.67 [95% CI 1.22–5.06] per 100 PYs) were considered to be related to use of rituximab.

Conclusion

The safety profile of long‐term treatment with rituximab in patients with GPA or MPA was consistent with that of rituximab administered for shorter durations and with rituximab’s known safety profile in other autoimmune diseases for which it has received regulatory approval. These findings provide clinicians with long‐term, practice‐level safety data for rituximab in the treatment of GPA or MPA.
Early Joint Replacement in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Trend Over Time and Factors Influencing Implant Survival
Authors: Marino Achille , Pontikaki Irene , Truzzi Marcello , Menon Alessandra , Artusi Carolina , Di Marco Marco , Randelli Pietro S. , Cimaz Rolando , Viganò Roberto
Published: May 2020

Objective

To describe early prosthesis implantations in a cohort of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) followed in a tertiary referral hospital and to analyze possible factors influencing implant survival.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study. Charts of all patients with JIA who underwent total joint replacement at Gaetano Pini Hospital, Milan, Italy from January 1992 to June 2019 were retrieved, and relevant data were analyzed.

Results

Eighty‐five patients met the inclusion criteria for this study, with a median follow‐up period of 17.2 years. The median age at first prosthesis was 22.7 years. The total number of replaced joints was 198 over a period of 27 years. The hip was the most frequently replaced joint, accounting for almost two‐thirds of the total number of implants; the other one‐third refers mostly to knee implants. Polyarticular JIA and systemic JIA were the most represented JIA categories in the study cohort. A significant upward trend of the age at arthroplasty and of disease duration before arthroplasty over decades was found. The rates of implant survival at 5, 10, and 15 years were comparable (from 84% to 89%); 50% of implants lasted ≥20 years.

Conclusion

We reported retrospective data on early joint replacement in a cohort of patients with JIA. We observed a progressive and significant upward trend of both age at arthroplasty and disease duration before the first arthroplasty over time. The JIA category, year of implant, and presence of complications significantly affected implant survivorship.
Incidence, Prevalence, and Burden of Gout in the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Helget Lindsay N. , England Bryant R. , Roul Punyasha , Sayles Harlan , Petro Alison D. , Michaud Kaleb , Mikuls Ted R.
Published: May 2020

Objective

To determine the prevalence, incidence, and burden of gout in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) from 2005 to 2014.

Methods

We used national VHA data from January 1999 to December 2014 to determine the annual incidence and prevalence of gout in the VHA. Gout burden to the VHA was determined by the proportion of patients with an encounter related to gout. Rates of urate‐lowering therapy (ULT) and opiate use were determined annually. Characteristics of those with and without gout were compared using 2014 data.

Results

From 2005 to 2014, gout prevalence in the VHA increased from 4.2% to 5.8%, while disease incidence ranged from 5.8 to 7.4 cases per 1,000 patient‐years. Gout prevalence was highest among men, older patients, and non‐Hispanic black patients. During 2014, 4.0% of all inpatient or outpatient encounters and 1.3% of hospitalizations were gout related. Administration of ULT remained stable over the 10‐year period, with 46% of gout patients receiving ULT in 2014. In contrast, 16.4% of prevalent gout patients were receiving a weak opioid in 2014, nearly doubling the prescription rate of weak opioids in 2005, while the use of stronger opioids did not change significantly over this period. Patients with gout had greater comorbidity and health care utilization than patients without gout.

Conclusion

The burden posed by gout in the VHA is considerable and increased between 2005 and 2014. While the use of ULT has remained stable, the use of opioid therapy has increased among patients with gout.
Obesity and the Risk of Incident Chronic Opioid Use in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Baker Joshua F. , Stokes Andrew , Pedro Sofia , Mikuls Ted R. , George Michael , England Bryant R. , Sayles Harlan , Wolfe Fred , Michaud Kaleb
Published: May 2020

Objective

The present study was undertaken to evaluate whether the rate of incident chronic opioid use is higher in obese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Participants with RA in the FORWARD databank were asked about their use of weak and strong opioid medications on semiannual surveys. Incident chronic opioid use was defined as new reported use extending over 2 contiguous surveys (~7–12 months). Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate associations between body mass index (BMI) at enrollment and incident chronic opioid use (overall use and strong opioid use). Models adjusted for demographics, smoking, disease duration, RA treatments, household income, and education level. The predicted 5‐year cumulative incidence was calculated from Cox models.

Results

Among 19,794 participants, 2,802 experienced an incident episode of chronic opioid use over 93,254 person‐years of follow‐up. Higher BMI was associated with higher risk of chronic opioid use. Severe obesity (BMI >35 kg/m2) was associated with a higher risk of overall use (adjusted hazard ratio [HRadj] 1.74 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.72–2.04], P < 0.0001) and strong opioid use (HRadj 2.11 [95% CI 1.64–2.71], P < 0.001) compared to normal BMI. This association was partially explained by greater comorbidity, pain, and disability in obese groups. The attributable risk for obesity was 15% of overall opioid use and 24% of strong opioid use.

Conclusion

Obesity is associated with a substantially higher risk of incident chronic opioid use. Approximately 1 in 4 cases of incident use of strong opioids may be attributable to obesity, suggesting a major public health impact. Interventions to prevent or reduce obesity could have an important impact on the use of opioids.
Preferences for Self‐Management and Support Services in Patients With Inflammatory Joint Disease: A Danish Nationwide Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Hammer Nanna Maria , Flurey Caroline A. , Jensen Kim Vilbæk , Andersen Lena , Esbensen Bente Appel
Published: May 2020

Objective

To explore preferences for self‐management and support services in patients with inflammatory joint disease (IJD) and to investigate whether these preferences differ by age, sex, diagnosis, and disease duration.

Methods

We used a nationwide cross‐sectional online survey for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and axial spondyloarthritis. Descriptive statistics were applied to explore preferences and to test for differences according to the different subgroups of patients.

Results

The questionnaire was completed by 664 patients. Younger patients indicated greater interest in 1‐to‐1 discussions with psychologists or another patient, educational sessions, events, and online services, and older patients indicated greater interest in talks by researchers. More women than men indicated interest in health professionals’ 1‐to‐1 discussions, occupational therapists’ question‐and‐answer (Q and A) sessions, physical activity, and informational websites. Patients with axial spondyloarthritis tended to indicate the most interest in the different services, and patients with rheumatoid arthritis the least interest, reaching statistical significance regarding discussion groups about IJD experiences, 1‐to‐1 discussions with psychologists or another patient, Q and A with another patient, stress/anger management, and online patient communication. More patients with short rather than long disease duration indicated interest in 1‐to‐1 discussions with rheumatologists or nurses, organized talks with experienced patients, and online services for patient communication and stories.

Conclusion

Patients with IJD report various needs regarding self‐management and support services, including 1‐to‐1 services traditionally delivered as part of usual care, but also talks, physical activity, and educational and online services. Although preferences differed across age, sex, diagnosis, and disease duration, all subgroups indicated great need for support, with only small differences in their top preferences.
Sexual dimorphism and growth inAlouatta palliatabased on 20+ years of field data
Authors: Runestad Connour Jacqueline , Glander Kenneth E.
Published: May 2020

Objectives

Alouatta palliatapatterns of growth and sexual dimorphism are evaluated using 20 plus years of field data. Comparisons are made to other species ofAlouattaand other New World primates.

Materials and methods

Records of 92A. palliatafrom Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica, were used to generate growth curves for body mass and linear measurements. Timing of growth for the properties was compared, and males and females were contrasted. Slopes and elevations for periods of rapid growth were evaluated. Growth allometry and proportion ratios were also explored.

Results

Body mass growth is rapid during the first 2 years. Males and females begin to diverge around a year of age as male growth increases and female growth slows. Adult mass for both is reached about 4 years of age. Linear measurements show rapid growth the first 18 months for both sexes. Differences develop as males continue the same rate of linear growth while female growth slows. Adult size is reached for head and body length around 3 years, and for hind‐foot and tail lengths around 2 years.

Discussion

A. palliatamales grow in mass more rapidly than females, while both grow similarly in linear dimensions, so that dimorphism is more pronounced in mass. This pattern is seen in other dimorphic New World primates. MaleA. palliatamay grow more rapidly thanA. seniculus, reflecting earlier emigration forA. palliatamales. Linear dimensions reach adult proportions earlier than body mass. For hind‐foot and tail, this is probably an adaptation for gripping.