bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fiero and Flow in Online Competitive Gaming
Authors: Andrews Sharon , Bradbury Robert E. , Crawford Caroline M.
Published: April 2020

This paper explores the concept of fiero as it relates to online competitive gaming, resulting in a framework focused upon levels of fiero and flow, labeled as the gaming engagement framework. More specifically, the paper describes this framework and its supporting methods as can be applied to measure perceived intensity and engagement levels leading to fiero, and concentration and collaboration levels leading to flow, giving an overall prediction of the level of fiero and flow that a game is capable of eliciting. The use of both quantitative and qualitative data in support of the framework offers a mixed-methods approach towards discovery of both weak areas and strong areas of fiero and flow, along with a collection of literal user perceptions. This framework can be applied at the prototyping phase during game development as well as at incrementally advancing levels of product development through pre- and post-production.
Influence of CuO Additive on Density and Dielectric Properties of Ba(Zr0.05Ti0.95)O3 Ceramics Prepared by Molten Salt Method
Authors: Warangkanagool Chompoonuch
Published: April 2020

In this research, the Ba(Zr0.05Ti0.95)O3 powders were prepared by molten salt method. The powders were calcined at 600-1100°C for 3 h with heating rate of 5°C/min. The BZT powders were synthesized by molten salt method to reduce the calcination temperature by up to 300°C. The sintering procedure was carried out at 1250°C for 2 h with a heating/cooling rate of 5°C/min. Phase formation and microstructure were examined by XRD and SEM, respectively. The influence of the CuO additive on density and dielectric properties were investigated. The density of the sintered samples was measured by Archimedes method with distilled water as the fluid medium. Dielectric properties were examined by LCR meter. The BZT+2.0 mol% CuO ceramic sintered at 1250°C showed the highest density of 5.76 g/cm3, and the room temperature dielectric constant and dielectric loss at 1 kHz were 2687 and 0.01, respectively.
Preparation of Mg-Si and Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Nanocomposites for Use as Lithium-Ion Anode
Authors: Jinai Parinya , Autthawong Thanapat , Promanan Theeraporn , Laokawee Viratchara , Sarakonsri Thapanee
Published: April 2020

Si and Mg are good candidates for anode lithium-ion batteries because Si and Mg have high theoretical capacity of 4200 mAh g-1 and 994 mAh g-1, respectively. However, these elements generate high-volume expansion during the charge-discharge process, which can cause the electrode to crack after being used for a few cycles. To solve this problem, the active materials are prepared in a nanosize and composited with a 2D-sheet of nitrogen-doped graphene, as the high mechanical stability and flexibility of nitrogen-doped graphene can support the volume expansion. Preparation of Si-Mg and nitrogen-doped graphene includes two steps. First, the reduction of Mg2+ ions with NaBH4 in ethylene glycol solution and reflux at 350 - 400 °C for 3 hr and Si nanoparticles, which were prepared by magnesiothermic reduction, was conducted. Second, Si and Mg nanoparticles and nitrogen-doped graphene were mixed in ethylene glycol solution and then collected by centrifugation. The obtained Si-Mg nanocomposite particles were well distributed on the nitrogen-doped graphene. The phases were indexed as Si, Mg and nitrogen-doped graphene. The particle sizes were small (approx 21 - 56 nm) with good dispersion on the nitrogen-doped graphene which observed by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Energy dispersive spectrometry results confirmed the existence of Si-Mg. Therefore, Si-Mg and nitrogen-doped graphene nanocomposite materials are expected to contain promising properties that can be used as high-performance anode materials in lithium-ion batteries in the future.
Investigation on Electrochemical Properties of Sugarcane Leaves - Derived Activated Carbon by Steam Activation
Authors: Ukkakimapan Pundita , Ukakimaparn Prapart , Wanchaem Tuntumrong , Yordsri Visittapong , Sattayarut Vichuda , Phonyiem Mayuree , Fujishige Masatsugu , Takeuchi Kenji , Wongwiriyapan Winadda
Published: April 2020

Sugarcane leaves (SLs) are a bio-waste from sugar production industry. To explore the value-added SLs, the SLs were used raw materials of activated carbons (ACs) by steam activation and their electrochemial properties were investigated for supercapacitor applications. The synthesis of ACs from the SLs consisted of two steps; carbonization at 500oC and steam activation. The synthesis condition was optimized by varying activation temperature (800 and 850oC) The porous structures were thoroughly formed on the surface after steam activation and the surface areas were reached to 630 and 639 m2 g-1 at the activation temperature of 800 and 850oC, respectively. The SLs-derived ACs activated at 800oC assembled in coin cell using organic electrolyte showed the highest specific capacitance of approximately 16 F g-1 with a capacitance retention of 62% when the current density increased to 1.5 A g-1. Even though there is a room to improve the electrochemical properties such as optimization of porosity and removal of inorganic component, the SLs show a potential use as raw materials of ACs for supercapacitor applications.
Synergistic Effect of Nickel Nanoparticles and Carbon Nanotubes Buckypaper for Enhancement of Microwave Shielding Properties
Authors: Sukgorn Nuttaya , Yordsri Visittapong , Thanachayanon Chanchana , Horprathum Mati , Chudpooti Nonchanutt , Akkraekthalin Prayoot , Chalapat Khattiya , Wongwiriyapan Winadda
Published: April 2020

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are considered as the most promising materials to solve the electromagnetic interference (EMI) issue. Various forms of CNTs including CNTs/polymer composites, metal nanoparticles-decorated CNTs and freestanding CNT buckypapers (CNT BPs) have been proposed to enhance shielding effectiveness. In this study, the synergistic effect of nickel nanoparticles (NPs) and relatively short CNTs for the enhancement of microwave shielding properties was investigated. CNT BPs were prepared by vacuum filtration of well-dispersed multi-walled CNTs and subsequently nickel was decorated on the CNT BPs (Ni/CNT) by pulsed DC sputtering technique with different deposition times of 0, 5, 10 and 15 min (hereinafter referred to as CNi0, CNi05, CNi10 and CNi15, respectively). The diameter of Ni/CNT increased from 8.74±0.53 to 72.5±3.2 nm and the conductivity improved from 9.57±0.87 to 12.57±0.59 S/cm when the nickel deposition time was 15 min. Nickel NPs were the mixed phases of nickel and nickel oxide with a dominant nickel phase. The shielding effectiveness at the frequency of 9.5 GHz achieved to -34.1 dB for CNi15. The enhancement of shielding effectiveness of CNi15 is attributed to the synergistic effect of CNTs and nickel NPs on wave dissipation
Toxicity Induced by a Bispecific T Cell–Redirecting Protein Is Mediated by Both T Cells and Myeloid Cells in Immunocompetent Mice
Authors: Godbersen-Palmer Claire , Coupet Tiffany A. , Grada Zakaria , Zhang Samuel C. , Sentman Charles L.
Published: April 2020

Bispecific T cell engagers have demonstrated clinical efficacy; however, their use can be accompanied by severe toxicity. Mechanistic understanding of these toxicities is limited by a lack of suitable immunocompetent preclinical models. In this study, we describe an immunocompetent mouse tumor model that exhibits bispecific T cell engager–induced toxicity and recapitulates key features similar to those in human cytokine release syndrome. In this study, toxicity occurred between the second and fourth injections of an NK Group 2D bispecific T cell engager protein. Symptoms were transient, peaking 3–4 h after treatment and resolving by 8 h. Mice developed weight loss, elevated plasma cytokines, a significant reduction in spleen white pulp, and lymphocyte infiltration in the liver. Systemic cellular immune changes also occurred; notably, an increase in CD8+ T cell activation, an increase in myeloid cells in the blood, and a population of Ly-6Cint monocytes (CD11b+Ly-6G−F4/80−) emerged in the liver and spleens of bispecific protein–treated mice. IFN-γ was primarily produced by CD8+ T cells in the spleen and was required for the observed changes in both T cell and myeloid populations. Rag deficiency, IFN-γ deficiency, or depletion of either CD4+ or CD8+ T cells prevented toxicity, whereas perforin deficiency, GM-CSF deficiency, or modulation of the myeloid population through clodronate-mediated depletion showed a partial abrogation of toxicity. Together, these findings reveal that T cell activation by a bispecific T cell engager leads to changes in the host myeloid cell population, both of which contribute to treatment induced toxicity in immunocompetent mice.
Correlation between extreme rainfall and insurance claims due to urban flooding – case study Fredrikstad, Norway
Authors: Torgersen Geir
Published: April 2020

During the last decades an increase in extreme rainfall has led to more urban flooding. This study is based on insurance claims of damages caused by heavy rain during 2006-2012 in Fredrikstad, Norway. Data are analysed using Principal Component Analysis. The purpose has been to find characteristics of extreme rainfall and its influence on the extent of urban flooding. The number of claims seems to be peaked in the late summer period. Furthermore, the precipitation depth the week before an extreme rainfall seems to have significantly influence for the pay out from insurers, and thus the changing in runoff factor due to soil wetness is of importance. Compared to 25-year frequency rainfall with 30 min duration, relatively less intensive, but more stable and long-lasting rain seems to lead to more claims. Experiences from previous events may help to determine the level of flood risk when extreme rainfall is forecasted.
EFFECT OF RECYCLE RATIO AND HYDRAULIC RETENTION TIME ON DENITRIFICATION-NITRIFICATION PROCESS
Authors: Cirik Kevser , Eskikaya Ozan
Published: April 2020

In this study, the elimination of nitrogen compounds from is based on nitrifiication and denitrification. Ammonium released from the mineralization of nitrogen-containing organic compounds is oxidized first to nitrite/nitrate in nitrification process. During denitrification, nitrate is reduced to dinitrogen. The parameters effect this process are pH, temperature, electron donor/accepter ratio, hydraulic retention time nitrate-recycling rate etc. In this study, sequential batch denitrification-nitrification reactor was operated for testing different nitrate recycling ratio (100-700%). The batch reactor was fed with Kahramanmaraş urban wastewater during 80d at constant temperature of 25±0.5°C. The reactor performance was determined by color, ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO-3), nitrite (NO-2), inorganic carbon (IC), total organic carbon (TOC) parameters. According to our results, 100% recycling time was found optimum. Nitrate and ammonium removals were over 99%.
ANAEROBIC BIODEGRADABILITY ENHANCEMENT OF MEAT PROCESSING WASTEWATER SLUDGE BY FENTON PROCESS
Authors: Erden Gulbin , Dambayci Hancioglu Ilknur
Published: April 2020

In this study, an advanced oxidation process of Fenton Process was applied to meat prosessing wastewater sludge for the purpose of sludge disintegration before anaerobic digestion. Fenton Process was applied to the meat processing wastewater sludge samples were taken from a treatment plant located in Denizli, Turkey. In the first stage of the study, experiments were carried out to optimize the process conditions in terms of disintegration using Box-Wilson Statistical Design. Ferrous iron and hydrogen peroxide concentrations were chosen as process variable and disintegration degree parameter based on soluble chemical oxygen demand calculations used as process response. 13% of disintegration degree was obtained at 90 gH2O2/ kg Dried Solids and 3 g Fe(III)/kg Dried Solids. After optimization studies for disintegration, sludge digestion studies were carried out using Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) Test. BMP test results showed that Fenton Process can be used as a sludge disintegration purpose and application of Fenton Process before anaerobic digestion causes 33% higher methane gas production comparing the non-pretreated sludge.
INTER-RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ERODIBILITY, SOIL TOLERANCE AND PYSICAL-CHEMICAL ATTRIBUTES ON NORTHWEST OF SÃO PAULO STATE
Authors: Lima César Gustavo Rocha , Marques Sâmia Momesso , Lollo José Augusto de , Costa Nídia Raquel , Carvalho Morel de Passos e
Published: April 2020

Erosive processes are major environmental problems in soils and constitute a great conservation planning challenge. The knowledge of erodibility and soil loss tolerance, as well as their interactions with physical and chemical attributes of the soil may allow an important diagnostic for sustainable management. The aim of this study was to determine soil erodibility (K) and soil loss tolerance (T) for 32 kinds of soil in the Northwest Region of São Paulo State and assess the linear and spatial correlations between these factors and physical-chemical attributes. The evaluated attributes were: textural relationship (TR), particle density (PD), bulk density (BD), total porosity (TP), macro porosity (MA), micro porosity (MI), water capacity storage (WCS), organic matter (OM) and soil pH (pH). The results showed that K factor ranged from 0.0094 to 0.0758 Mg/ ha MJ mm, while T values ranged from 3.09 to 14.79 Mg /ha year. The erodibility and loss tolerance present significant interaction with the soil physical and chemical attributes, especially with the WCS and the TR that showed the best regression adjustments. In geostatistical point of view, the erodibility and soil loss tolerance also showed considerable spatial correlations with most soil physical properties, especially interactions with the TP and the TR, allowing the best mappings using cokriging technique. Thus, simple and relatively low cost approach preliminary soil erodibility can be adopted for large areas without complexes surveys and in situ tests. As well as long term climate data series, a common situation in large areas in less developed countries.
IDENTIFICATION OF URBAN HEAT ISLAND SPREADING TO CONCENTRATION OF NO2, O3, AND PM10 POLLUTANT IN DKI JAKARTA
Authors: Fitriani Alfiyah Nur , Dewi Kania , Tursilowati Laras
Published: April 2020

Urban Heat Island is usually caused by Land use Land-Cover Changes (LULCC), including in Jakarta-Indonesia. Rapid development in Jakarta causes green open space to decrease and increase surface temperature in urban areas. In addition, Urban Heat Island also affects the spread of pollutants due to increased turbulence. Therefore, this study aims to find the link between temperature rise in DKI Jakarta which is influenced by land cover changes to pollutant spread such as NO2, PM10, and O3.

This research begins with data processing observation of average temperature of DKI Jakarta area with meteorology station Tangerang, Banten for spatial calculation from year 2011-2016. In addition, LANDSAT 8 satellite image data is processed for spatial land and temperature encapsulation with Remote Sensing software from 2013-2015. As a result, in 2013 and 2015 there is a reduction in the area of vegetation that turns into non-vegetation (residential and industrial areas) that affect the temperature of the DKI Jakarta region is increasing. After that, sought the linkage between Urban Heat Island and the spread of pollutant concentrations in DKI Jakarta in 2013 and 2015. As a result, the increase of Jakarta area temperature, especially in pollutant observation area at five points, influenced the distribution of pollutant NO2, O3, and PM10 pollutant concentration balance with the dominan area such as roadside, industry, settlement in the time and area study in DKI Jakarta.
OPTIMIZATION OF COAGULATION PRETREATMENT OF A REAL DAIRY EFFLUENT USING A RESPONSE SURFACE METHOD
Authors: Moulai-Mostefa Nadji , Madjdoub Radia
Published: April 2020

This paper proposes a pretreatment of a real dairy effluent by coagulation and decantation using two types of coagulants, aluminum sulfate (Al2(SO4)3) and ferric chloride (FeCl3). In order to optimize the best coagulation conditions leading to maximums of COD and turbidity removals, response surface method (RSM) was employed. The analysis of variance showed that the values of the correlation coefficients (R2) for the reduction of turbidity and COD were found equal respectively to 0.959 and 0.840, which gives an idea about the validity of the quadratic developed models and their predictive qualities. The results predicted by the models were 98.18 and 77.06% of turbidity and COD removals, at Al2(SO4)3 concentration of 1200mg/L and time of treatment of 38.57min. These results are in agreement with those obtained experimentally.
INVESTIGATION ON THE VALIANTZAS’ EVAPOTRANSPIRATION MODELS FOR PENINSULAR MALAYSIA
Authors: Binti Ahmad Nor Farah Atiqah , Harun Sobri , Hamed Haza Nuzly Abdull , Askari Muhamad , Ibrahim Zulkiflee , Hanapi Muhammad Nassir , Ali Md Hazrat
Published: April 2020

The search for an accurate evapotranspiration (ET) continues when the world has responsibility to cope with the water scarcity issue, population outgrown and uncertain change of weather. Measuring actual evapotranspiration (ETa) can be tedious and requires a lot of time and cost. Therefore, numbers of empirical ET models have been developed to overcome this problem. The Valiantzas’ models are quite familiar to the hydrologist community as it has been developed based on Penman evaporation equation. This paper presents the evaluation on the selected six Valiantzas’ models by comparing to Food and Agricultural Organization Penman-Montieth (FAO-PM) empirical model in estimating ET in the Peninsular Malaysia. Seventeen meteorological stations around Peninsular Malaysia with data gathered from 1987 till 2003 were tested. The performance for each model was evaluated by root mean square error (RMSE), coefficient of determination (R2), percentage error (PE) and mean bias error (MBE). All the six models showed good agreement to FAO-PM with R2> 0.90. The PETval2 model which gave R2 of 0.97 was the best performer with the lowest RMSE, PE and MBE of 0.26, 5.5% and 0.14, respectively. The good and sensible performance on the ET estimation displayed by Valiantzas’ model may promise an accurate method for calculation on the water management for irrigation and catchment studies.
NEURAL NETWORKS FOR THE PREDICTION OF FRESH PROPERTIES AND COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF FLOWABLE CONCRETE
Authors: Jayaseelan Revathy , Pandulu Gajalskshmi , G Ashwini
Published: April 2020

This paper presents the prediction of fresh concrete properties and compressive strength of flowable concrete through neural network approach. A comprehensive data set was generated from the experiments performed in the laboratory under standard conditions. The flowable concrete was made with two different types of micro particles and with single nano particles. The input parameter was chosen for the neural network model as cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, superplasticizer, water-cement ratio, micro aluminium oxide particles, micro titanium oxide particles, and nano silica. The output parameter includes the slump Flow, L-Box flow, V Funnel flow and compressive strength of the flowable concrete. To develop a suitable neural network model, several training algorithms were used such as BFGS Quasi- Newton back propagation, Fletcher-Powell conjugate gradient back propagation, Polak - Ribiere conjugate gradient back propagation, Gradient descent with adaptive linear back propagation and Levenberg-Marquardt back propagation. It was found that BFGS Quasi- Newton back propagation and Levenberg-Marquardt back propagation algorithm provides more than 90% on the prediction accuracy. Hence, the model performance was agreeable for prediction purposes for the fresh properties and compressive strength of flowable concrete.
DEVELOPMENT OF MODELS FOR ASSESSING HYDRO-ENERGETIC LOSSES IN WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS
Authors: Rego Augusto da Gama , Pereira Rodrigues José Almir , Pimentel Almeida Santos Aline Christian
Published: April 2020

Current tools and methods for assessing water supply systems no longer meet the new sustainability challenges, mainly the balance of the close relationship between water and energy in the perspective of unsustainable use of water resources and energy crisis. In this context, this study aimed to develop a model for hydro-energetic assessment of water supply systems, based on the systemic approach and diagnostic and simulation actions of the operation of water flows and electricity consumption. The analysis was developed in two steps, namely the development of the model and its formulations and subsequent application to the water supply system using synthetic data. The results showed that the developed model was effective in assessing the proposal, demonstrated easy practical applicability in any unit arrangement, promoted systemic understanding of water and electricity losses in the units in the stages of production, processing and distribution and in the system as a whole, and provided decision making for corrective actions with greater systemic impact. Finally, the proposed model represents an important technology in the search for improved social, economic and environmental sustainability of water supply systems
Writing therapy
Authors: Ellis Chris
Published: April 2020

No abstract available.
Changes to the South African Family Practice Journal
Authors: Mash Bob
Published: April 2020

No abstract available.
Central obesity is an independent risk factor of poor glycaemic control at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital
Authors: Mashele Tsakani Stanford , Mogale Motetelo Alfred , Towobola Olakunle Adewunmi , Moshesh Mmampenani Florence
Published: April 2020

Background: Results of previous studies on the effect on glycaemic control of anthropometric measures of obesity, some economic status variables and the presence of metabolic syndrome are not consistent and appear to differ among health institutions. The status of glycaemic control and some of its determinants was investigated among adult black patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH).Method: A random sample of 176 adult black South African patients with T2DM attending the diabetic clinic at DGMAH was investigated in the current study. Fasting blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile components levels as well as anthropometric measures of obesity were measured using standard measuring procedures for these variables. The presence of metabolic syndrome was assessed according to the International Diabetic Federation criteria. Information related to patients’ socioeconomic status was collected by means of a structured questionnaire. Associations between these factors and poor glycaemic control were assessed by means of binary and multivariate logistic analysis.Results: Glycaemic control was found to be very poor at DGMAH. As low as 16.6% of the study subjects achieved SEMDSA’s 2012 recommended target HbA1c value of less than 7.0%. Whereas binary logistic analysis revealed that marital status, matriculation, increase waist circumference and duration of diabetes 5 years may lead to poor glycaemic control, multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that only increased waist circumference was independently associated with poor glycaemic control at DGMAH.Conclusions: Central obesity appears to be an independent risk factor for poor glycaemic control among T2DM patients at DGMAH.
Mastering your Fellowship
Authors: Von Pressentin Klaus B. , Naidoo Mergan , Ras Tasleem , Steinberg Hannes
Published: April 2020

The series, “Mastering your Fellowship”, provides examples of the question format encountered in the FCFP(SA) examination. The series aims to help family medicine registrars and their supervisors prepare for this examination. Model answers are available online.
The elderly with a fractured hip – analgesia
Authors: Sethusa M. E.
Published: April 2020

No abstract available.
A Practical Approach to Anaesthesia for the Child with Musculoskeletal Disease
Authors: Kay J.
Published: April 2020

No abstract available.
Difficult paediatric airway
Authors: Mogane P.
Published: April 2020

No abstract available.
CPR: ABC or CAB
Authors: Witt J.
Published: April 2020

No abstract available.
Susceptibility to hepatitis B infection, hepatitis B/HIV co-infections and hepatitis B immunity in HIV-positive patients starting HAART in Durban, South Africa
Authors: Chonco F. M. , Rangiah S.
Published: April 2020

Background: HIV/HBV co-infection remains a global threat to HIV management despite the available effective hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B covering antiretroviral therapy. Many studies done in South Africa and internationally showed high prevalence of HIV/hepatitis B co-infection, which mandated routine screening for both infections before initiating HAART. Fewer studies have highlighted the prevalence of hepatitis B susceptibility in the general population starting HAART and most of them were limited to children and high-risk groups. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the extent of hepatitis B susceptibility, hepatitis B/HIV co-infections and hepatitis B immunity in general HIV-infected patients.Method: This was a retrospective review of 1 066 randomly sampled files of patients initiated on HAART between January 2012 and December 2014 at two Durban hospitals. Data collection included demographic characteristic, CD4 counts and hepatitis B serology. Data were analysed for the prevalence of hepatitis B susceptibility, HIV/HBV co-infection and hepatitis B immunity, while correlations between age, CD4 count and these three groups were demonstrated. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS version 9.3.Results: Total prevalence of HBV susceptibility was 69.7%, HBV immunity was 26.9% and true chronic HIV/HBV co-infection was 3.4%, while HBVsAg positivity accounted for 8.4% of the participants. Adults were more susceptible to HBV than children, with a median age of 36 years. Stratified for age, children were more immune (90%) to HBV than adults.Conclusion: This study demonstrated a significantly high number of HIV-infected persons who were susceptible to hepatitis B infection in Durban, South Africa, where both HIV and HBV are endemic, co-infection is high, and safe and effective HBV vaccine is available. Hepatitis B vaccination of the hepatitis B susceptible patients initiating HAART in South Africa is recommended to prevent further HIV/HBV co-infection.
On being relationship-centred
Authors: Von Pressentin Klaus B.
Published: April 2020

No abstract available.
Professor Gboyega Adebola Ogunbanjo
Authors: Family Practice SA
Published: April 2020

No abstract available.
A review of the management and outcome of patients admitted with cryptococcal meningitis at a regional hospital in KwaZulu-Natal province
Authors: Ross Andrew J. , Ndayishimiye Egide
Published: April 2020

Background: South Africa has 7.06 million people who are HIV-positive, with those having a low CD4 count being susceptible to cryptococcal meningitis (CCM), which has an estimated mortality of 30–50%. This study aimed to establish the outcome of patients admitted with CCM to a regional hospital in Durban between June 2015 and May 2016, and the extent to which the National Department of Health (NDoH) protocol was adhered to in managing their condition.Method: This retrospective observational descriptive study reviewed the records of patients ≥ 12 years old admitted with CCM between June 2015 and May 2016, from which their demographic and medical data were extracted.Results: Seventy-six complete records were found of which 49 were men and 27 were women. The average CD4 count was 55.9 cells/mm3, 85.5% were treated with intravenous amphotericin B and high-dose oral fluconazole, 6.7% received only amphotericin B and 5.2% received only fluconazole. There was an in-hospital mortality of 31.6%, and the NDoH protocol was adhered to in 72.4% (55/76) of patients. There was, however, no significant difference in outcome between those who were and were not managed as per the protocol (p = 0.177).Discussion and conclusion: In-hospital mortality for CCM continues to be significant despite high rates of adherence to the NDoH protocol in the majority of patients. For this to be addressed, early diagnosis of HIV and initiation of ART to prevent the profound immunosuppression is essential.
The potential impact of dietary supplement adulteration on patient assessment and treatment from a healthcare provider’s perspective
Authors: Gabriels Gary , Irhuma Mohamed
Published: April 2020

Dietary supplements have been manufactured and supplied to the market with the objective of enhancing the overall health of the general population and optimising the performance of athletes. The perceived intention of dietary supplementation is to increase the nutritional content of a normal diet, and to fill a dietary need and/or presumed deficiency. The usage and popularity of dietary supplements, however, raises concerns from a health benefit and risk perspective. Moreover, safety and efficacy of these supplements have generally not been established by the Medicines Regulatory Authorities, both nationally and internationally. The exponential increase in supplement sales can, however, be attributed to aggressive marketing by manufacturers, rather than the development of more effective nutritional supplements. These supplements may contain adulterated substances that may potentially have harmful short- and long-term health consequences for the patient. In addition, a large spectrum of drug interactions may render the use of such supplements risky, without proper medical and scientific assessment.
Health care is all about relationships
Authors: Govender I.
Published: April 2020

No abstract available.
Improving the quality of clinical training in the workplace: implementing formative assessment visits
Authors: Mash Robert , Malan Zelra , Blitz Julia , Edwards Jill
Published: April 2020

Family physicians have a key role to play in strengthening district health services in South Africa. There are a number of barriers to the supply of these specialists in family medicine, one of which is the quality of workplace-based training and low pass rate in the national exit examination. The South African Academy of Family Physicians in collaboration with the Royal College of General Practitioners has adopted a short course to train clinical trainers and a process of formative assessment visits (FAVs) for clinical trainers in the workplace. Training programmes have struggled to implement the FAVs and this article reports on the experience at Stellenbosch University and the issues identified. Clinical trainers who participated in FAVs mostly set developmental goals for themselves that focused on improving the learning environment and consolidating personal skills in training and assessment. The FAVs were beneficial for the family physician trainers, their managers and the academic family physicians at the university. The tools and process for conducting the FAVs may be of value to other programmes.
Profile of adult patients admitted with drug-induced liver injury at a district hospital in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
Authors: Naicker K. , Rangiah S.
Published: April 2020

Background: Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) can be prevented if diagnosed and treated timeously. The identification and primary prevention of DILI risk factors presents the rational means of reducing hospital costs and mortality.Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of clinical in-patient records of all adult patients admitted to Northdale Hospital (NDH) with a diagnosis of DILI. Patients with pre-existing liver disease were excluded.Results: A total of 95 patient files with DILI were reviewed. The burden of DILI at NDH over the two-year period was 0.19%. The average age was 38 years, with a slightly higher female preponderance (62.1%). A lower serum albumin level (mean 21.35 g/dl) was significantly associated with DILI (p 0.001). Forty-six patients had a history of alcohol consumption, which increased the risk of DILI (OR 2.1). Of the patients reviewed, 62 (65%) were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) whereas 41 (43%) were on tuberculosis treatment (TBT) at presentation. The most common co-morbidities associated with DILI were HIV (75.7%), TB (43.2%), renal disease (34.7%) and malnutrition (31.6%). The most common hepatotoxins, apart from ART and TBT, were paracetamol (46.3%), cotrimoxazole (32.6%), alcohol (48.4%) and traditional medication (27.4%).Conclusion: This study demonstrated associations with the development of DILI and being female gender, younger age group, hypoalbuminaemia and renal failure. The use of alcohol, traditional medication and the overzealous use and prescription of paracetamol to patients who present with DILI is concerning. The case fatality rate of 14.7% demonstrates the importance of identifying these potential risk factors timeously.
Global weak solvability, continuous dependence on data, and large time growth of swelling moving interfaces
Authors: Kumazaki Kota , Muntean Adrian
Published: April 2020

We prove a global existence result for weak solutions to a free boundary problem with flux boundary conditions describing swelling along a halfline. Additionally, we show that solutions are not only unique but also depend continuously on data and parameters. The key observation is that the structure of our system of partial differential equations allows us to show that the moving
a priori
unknown interface never disappears. As main ingredients of the global existence proof, we rely on a local weak solvability result for our problem (as reported in [7]), uniform energy estimates of the solution, integral estimates on quantities defined at the free boundary, as well as a fine pointwise lower bound for the position of the moving boundary. Some of the estimates are time independent. They allow us to explore the large-time behavior of the position of the moving boundary. The approach is specific to one-dimensional settings.
Well-posedness for degenerate elliptic PDE arising in optimal learning strategies
Authors: Laux Tim , Villas-Boas J. Miguel
Published: April 2020

We derive a comparison principle for a degenerate elliptic partial differential equation without boundary conditions which arises naturally in optimal learning strategies. Our argument is direct and exploits the degeneracy of the differential operator to construct (logarithmically) diverging barriers.
Limiting distribution of eigenvalues in the large sieve matrix
Authors: Boca Florin P. , Radziwiłł Maksym
Published: April 2020

The large sieve inequality is equivalent to the bound

\lambda_1 \leq N + Q^2-1

for the largest eigenvalue

\lambda_1

of the

N \times N

matrix

A^*A

, naturally associated to the positive definite quadratic form arising in the inequality. For arithmetic applications the most interesting range is

N \asymp Q^2

. Based on his numerical data Ramaré conjectured that when

N \sim \alpha Q^2

as

Q \to \infty

for some finite positive constant

\alpha

, the limiting distribution of the eigenvalues of

A^*A

, scaled by

1/N

, exists and is non-degenerate. In this paper we prove this conjecture by establishing the convergence of all moments of the eigenvalues of

A^*A

as

Q\to\infty

. Previously only the second moment was known, due to Ramaré. Furthermore, we obtain an explicit description of the moments of the limiting distribution, and establish that they vary continuously with

\alpha

. Some of the main ingredients in our proof include the large-sieve inequality and results on

n

-correlations of Farey fractions.
A Visible and Infrared Fusion Based Visual Odometry for Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Zhou Yunfei , Yin Zhishuai
Published: April 2020

An accurate and timely positioning of the vehicle is required at all times for autonomous driving. The global navigation satellite system (GNSS), even when integrated with costly inertial measurement units (IMUs), would often fail to provide high-accuracy positioning due to GNSS-challenged environments such as urban canyons. As a result, visual odometry is proposed as an effective complimentary approach. Although it’s widely recognized that visual odometry should be developed based on both visible and infrared images to address issues such as frequent changes in ambient lightening conditions, the mechanism of visible-infrared fusion is often poorly designed. This study proposes a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) based model comprises a generator, which aims to produce a fused image combining infrared intensities and visible gradients, and a discriminator whose target is to force the fused image to retain as many details that exist mostly in visible images as possible. Based on the fused image, the Features from Accelerated Segment Test (FAST) algorithm is adopted to extract feature points which are then traced with the Lucas-Kanade (LK) algorithm in subsequent images. Furthermore, to remove mismatched feature points, the Random Sample Consensus (RANSAC) method is employed to detect the outliers iteratively and to compute the essential matrix. Experiments are conducted utilizing the KAIST benchmark dataset. A significant improve in positioning accuracy is observed from experimental results, as compared to visual odometry built upon visible and infrared images only. The proposed visual odometry can provide high-accuracy positioning when the GNSS is challenged.
On Perception Safety Requirements and Multi Sensor Systems for Automated Driving Systems
Authors: Cassel Anders , Bergenhem Carl , Christensen Ole Martin , Heyn Hans-Martin , Leadersson-Olsson Susanna , Majdandzic Mario , Sun Peng , Thorsén Anders , Trygvesson Jörgen
Published: April 2020

One major challenge in designing SAE level 3-5 Automated Driving Systems (ADS) is to define requirements for the perception system that would enable argumentation for safe operation. The safety requirements on the perception system can only be fulfilled through redundancy in the sensor hardware. It is, however, a challenge to specify the redundancy that is required in the sensor system. Safe operation for an ADS is significantly more difficult compared to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The safety argumentation for ADAS typically argues that in case of a failure in the sensor array a fail-silent behavior is acceptable because the human driver can take control of the vehicle back. This argumentation however is not possible when developing level 4 or higher automation. This paper investigates prerequisites for applying a systematic methodology for analyzing redundancy in a multi-sensor system and the relation to a conceptual ADS functional architecture. This analysis must address the complexity that comes with partially overlapping sensor data from different sensors and considers variations in performance and characteristics due to changes in the environmental conditions. The paper introduces the term incomplete redundancy and presents a systematic methodology for analyzing redundancy. The aim is to provide arguments for how several sensors in a system, when appropriately combined, meet an assigned safety requirement on a higher level. Each sensor will then be assigned a certain responsibility and contributes with a sub-set of information. A set of questions of importance to address as a foundation for such a methodology are defined and discussed. The definitions of redundancy and independence between sensors are discussed as well as contract-based functional safety to adapt to different environmental and operating conditions.
Facility for Complete Characterization of Suspension Kinematic and Compliance Properties of Wheeled Military Vehicles
Authors: Andreatta Dale , Heydinger Gary , Sidhu Anmol , Zagorski Scott
Published: April 2020

As part of their ongoing efforts to model and predict vehicle dynamics behavior, the US Army’s Ground Vehicle Systems Center procured a facility in two phases. The facility is called the Suspension Parameter Identification and Evaluation Rig (SPIdER) and has a capacity covering all of the military’s wheeled vehicles, with vehicle weights up to 100,000 lbs (45,400 kg), up to 150 inches wide, with any number of axles. The initial phase had the ability to measure bounce and roll kinematic and compliance properties. The SPIdER is the companion machine to the Vehicle Inertia Parameter Measuring Device (VIPER) which measures the inertia properties of vehicles of similar size. In 2015, the final phase of the SPIdER was completed. This phase includes ground plane wheel pad motion so that lateral, longitudinal, and aligning moment compliance and kinematic properties can be measured. These capabilities greatly enhance the SPIdER’s features, giving it the ability for making complete suspension and steering system kinematic and compliance measurements. Horizontal forces and aligning moments can be applied up to the limits of tire slip. Longitudinal forces are applied at the ground plane. The vehicle is driven onto the SPIdER and the body is restrained to a rigid T-bed. The test sequence can be performed in a few hours, and is done with the vehicle body stationary and the ground plane moving under the tires. The slight vehicle body motions are measured and this motion is accounted for in the calculations of suspension parameters. This paper describes the new capabilities of the SPIdER, including an overview of the new design features, control schemes, and measured quantities. Results from a sampling of various SPIdER tests are presented.
Process Development of Dissimilar Clinch Joints in Cross-Tension Specimens of AA5052 and TP-CFRP Sheets
Authors: Lin Pai-Chen , Fang Gavin , Lin Chia-Wei , Ching Yern Chee
Published: April 2020

This paper studied the process development of dissimilar clinch joints in cross-tension specimens of aluminum alloy 5052-H32 (AA5052-H32)/thermoplastic carbon fiber reinforced plastic (TP-CFRP) sheets. The AA5052-H32 and TP-CFRP sheets with a thickness of 1.6 mm were used. The important processing parameters for AA5052/TP-CFRP clinch joints, such as the punching load, heating mode, heating temperature, and die depth, were considered. The failure loads, failure modes, and metallographic micrographs of AA5052/TP-CFRP clinch joints were analyzed to determine an available processing parameter set for fatigue tests. Finally, the fatigue performance and failure mode of AA5052/TP-CFRP clinch joints were obtained.
Electrical Heated Epoxy Tool for Rotational Moulding Application
Authors: Gandhi Sorna Rajendran , Patil Amit S
Published: April 2020

The conventional method of making rotational moulding part is by heating the cast aluminium mould or sheet metal mould by hot air medium which has its own limitation on energy loss, the other means is by direct heating and cooling of mould by passing hot oil/water in the mould to have better energy efficiency but leakage and safety problems associated with pumping pressurized hot oil/water. There is no solution available for prototyping rotational moulding parts using design intended material. The current practice of prototyping with the conventional method is expensive and time-consuming. In this work, a simple method is presented to produce a rotational moulded part with a breakthrough in-mould construction, which is Composite Mould Technology (CMT) with glass fibre reinforced epoxy resin built-in with electrical heaters. The project focuses were on proving CMT in comparison with the current production method. CMT reduce the cost by 90% and time to build Protomould by 85%. This electrical heated CMT can be used for new product development (NPD) and very low volume production as the cycle time of the part development was observed very high and life mould is yet to be tested. A deeper study of the life of the mould and associated electrical heater parameters to provide deployment for higher volume production with the improved cost of operation.
Quasi-Dimensional Multi-Zone Combustion Diagnostic Tool for SI Engines with Novel NOx and CO Emissions Models
Authors: Michos Konstantinos N. , Bikas Georgios
Published: April 2020

In this work a quasi-dimensional multi-zone combustion diagnostic tool for homogeneous charge Spark Ignition (SI) engines is analytically developed for the evaluation of heat release, flame propagation, combustion velocities as well as engine-out NOx and CO emissions, based on in-cylinder pressure data analysis. The tool can be used to assess the effects of fuel, design and operating parameters on the SI engine combustion and NOx and CO emissions formation processes.

Certain novel features are included in the presently developed combustion diagnostic tool. Firstly, combustion chambers of any shape and spark plug position can be considered due to an advanced model for the calculation of the geometric interaction between a spherically expanding flame and a general combustion chamber geometry. Also, the temperature stratification of the burned gas developed during the combustion phase, which has to be captured for the theoretically realistic estimation of the in-cylinder formation of pollutant emissions, is taken into account by a multi-zone thermodynamic treatment. According to this, multiple spherically allocated burned zones are sequentially generated at specified (user-defined) crank angle intervals, forming overlapping shells. Moreover, complex chemical equilibrium compositions are computed, which can include any user-defined mixture of species in the combustion products, using an advanced modular method based on the minimization of Gibbs energy. Furthermore, NOx and CO engine-out emissions are calculated based on novel in-cylinder formation models presented by the authors in the past. Specifically, NOx emissions are evaluated by a global algebraic NOx emissions formation model, accounting for both thermal and N2O pathway NO formation, based on the calculation of the characteristic timescales of the relevant NO formation mechanisms. CO emissions are assessed using a new kinetics-based model, consisting of a single Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE) that can be analytically integrated. The CO emissions model is derived considering the dynamics of a representative pool of active radicals in post-flame gases and explicitly describes the CO oxidation quenching process.

The combustion diagnostic tool is applied to a lean burn gas engine at various engine speeds under full load conditions and constant lambda value. Various combustion and NOx and CO emissions related results are presented and discussed to illustrate the capabilities of the tool for combustion diagnosis, while at the same time calculated engine-out NOx and CO emissions are found to be in satisfactory agreement with measured ones.