bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Professionals’ experiences of using an improvement programme: applying quality improvement work in preschool contexts
Authors: Kjellström Sofia , Andersson Ann-Christine , Samuelsson Tobias
Published: August 2020

Background

Improvement work can be used in preschools to enrich outdoor environment for children’s better health. Effective improvement work can facilitate the necessary changes, but little is known about professionals’ experiences of participation in improvement interventions. The aim was to evaluate how preschool staff experience quality improvement work, using the Breakthrough Series Collaborative improvement programme, to enhance outdoor environments.

Methods

An improvement intervention using a breakthrough collaborative was performed at 9 preschools in Sweden and examined with a longitudinal mixed method design. Staff completed questionnaires on 4 occasions (n=45 participants) and interviews took place after the intervention (n=16 participants).

Results

The intervention was successful in the sense that the staff were content with the learning seminars, and they had triggered physical changes in the outdoor environment. They integrated the quality improvement work with their ordinary work and increasingly involved the children. The staff tested improvement tools but did not find them entirely appropriate for their work, because they preferred existing methods for reflection.

Conclusions

The challenges in quality improvement work seem to be similar across contexts. Using the Breakthrough Series Collaborative in a public health intervention is promising but needs to be integrated with preunderstandings, current reflections and quality tools and models.
Priorities to improve the care for chronic conditions and multimorbidity: a survey of patients and stakeholders nested within the ComPaRe e-cohort
Authors: Tran Viet-Thi , Diard Elise , Ravaud Philippe
Published: August 2020

Objective

To set priorities to improve consultations, care structures and the healthcare system from the perspective of patients with chronic conditions, care professionals, hospital administrators and health policy makers.

Methods

Adult patients with chronic conditions recruited from the ComPaRe e-cohort in France ranked their 15 most important areas of improvement among 147 previously defined by patients. Priorities at a population level were obtained by using logit models for sets of ranked items in a data set calibrated to represent the French population of patients with chronic conditions. Care professionals, hospital managers and health policy makers rated the complexity involved in improving the areas identified. We calculated the number of patients who considered as a priority at least one of the areas considered easy to implement.

Results

Between September 2018 and May 2019, 3002 patients (84% women, 47% with multimorbidity) and 149 professionals (including 50 care professionals, 79 hospital directors, 11 health policy decision makers) were recruited. Patients’ top priorities were (1) Transforming care to be holistic and personalised, at a consultation level; (2) Smoothing patients' journey in the care system, increasing their knowledge of their own health and improving care coordination, at a care structure level (3) Training clinicians in better interpersonal skills and knowledge of specific conditions/treatments, reducing stigma and making care more affordable, at a healthcare system level. In total, 48%, 71% and 57% patients ranked in their top priorities one area considered easy to improve by professionals at consultation, care structure and health system levels, respectively.

Conclusion

This is the first comprehensive map of patients’ priorities to improve the management of chronic conditions. Implementing simple actions could benefit a large number of patients.
Changes in pulmonary function and feasibility of portable continuous laryngoscopy during maximal uphill running
Authors: Engan Mette , Hammer Ida Jansrud , Stensrud Trine , Gundersen Hilde , Edvardsen Elisabeth , Clemm Hege Havstad
Published: August 2020

Objective

To evaluate changes in pulmonary function and feasibility of portable continuous laryngoscopy during maximal uphill running.

Methods

Healthy volunteers participated in an uphill race. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were obtained before and 5 and 10 min after finishing the race. Capillary blood lactate concentration ([BLa-]) and Borg score for perceived exertion were registered immediately after the race. One participant wore a portable video-laryngoscope during the race, and the video was assessed for technical performance.

Results

Twenty adult subjects participated with a mean (SD) age of 40.2 (9.7) years. Mean (SD) race duration and post-exercise [BLa-] was 13.9 (2.3) min and 10.7 (2.1) mmol/L, respectively, and the median (range) Borg score for perceived exertion was 9 (5–10).

Mean percentage change (95% CI) 5 and 10 min post-exercise in FEV1were 6.9 (3.7 to 10.2) % and 5.9 (2.7 to 9.0) %, respectively, and in FVC 5.2 (2.3 to 8.1) % and 4.7 (1.6 to 7.9) %, respectively. The recorded video of the larynx was of good quality.

Conclusions

Maximal aerobic field exercise induced bronchodilatation in the majority of the healthy non-asthmatic participants. It is feasible to perform continuous video-laryngoscopy during heavy uphill exercise.
Rehabilitation medicine in palliative care of chronic neurological conditions
Authors: Nair Krishnan P S , Chandler Barbara , Lee Mark , Oliver David , Sansam Kate , King Lenyalo , Paisley Suzanne , Sutton Anthea , Cantrell Anna
Published: August 2020

Background

People living with long-term neurological conditions (LTNC) often require palliative care. Rehabilitation medicine specialists often coordinate the long-term care of these patients.

Objective

The aim of the present review was to undertake systematic literature searches to identify the evidence on palliative care for people with LTNC to guide rehabilitation medicine specialists caring for these patients in the UK.

Methods

We searched for evidence for (1) discussion of end of life, (2) planning for end-of-life care, (3) brief specialist palliative care interventions, (4) support for family and carers, (5) training of rehabilitation medicine specialists in palliative care, and (6) commissioning of services. The databases searched were MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, NHS Economic Evaluation Database and Health Technology Assessment Database. Evidence was assimilated using a simplified version of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation method.

Results

We identified 2961 records through database searching for neurological conditions and 1261 additional records through database searches for specific symptoms. We removed duplicate records and conference presentations. We screened 3234 titles and identified 330 potentially relevant abstracts. After reading the abstracts we selected 34 studies for inclusion in the evidence synthesis.

Conclusions

From the evidence reviewed we would like to recommend that we move forward by establishing a closer working relationship with specialists in palliative care and rehabilitation medicine and explore the implications for cross-specialty training.
Mind the methods of determining minimal important differences: three critical issues to consider
Authors: Devji Tahira , Carrasco-Labra Alonso , Guyatt Gordon
Published: August 2020

Objective

Clinical trialists, meta-analysts and clinical guideline developers are increasingly using minimal important differences (MIDs) to enhance the interpretability of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Here, we elucidate three critical issues of which MID users should be aware. Improved understanding of MID concepts and awareness of common pitfalls in methodology and reporting will better inform the application of MIDs in clinical research and decision-making.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review to inform the development of an inventory of anchor-based MID estimates for PROMs. We searched four electronic databases to identify primary studies empirically calculating an anchor-based MID estimate for any PROM in adolescent or adult populations across all clinical areas. Our findings are based on information from 338 studies reporting 3389 MIDs for 358 PROMs published between 1989 and 2015.

Results

We identified three key issues in the MID literature that demand attention. (1) The profusion of terms representing the MID concept adds unnecessary complexity to users’ task in identifying relevant MIDs, requiring meticulous inspection of methodology to ensure estimates offered truly reflect the MID. (2) A multitude of diverse methods for MID estimation that will yield different estimates exist, and whether there are superior options remains unresolved. (3) There are serious issues of incomplete presentation and reporting of key aspects of the design, methodology and results of studies providing anchor-based MIDs, which threatens the optimal use of these estimates for interpretation of intervention effects on PROMs.

Conclusions

Although the MID represents a powerful tool for enhancing the interpretability of PROMs, realising its full value will require improved understanding and reporting of its measurement fundamentals.
Fatalities related to intimate partner violence: towards a comprehensive perspective
Authors: Kafka Julie M , Moracco Kathryn E , Young Belinda-Rose , Taheri Caroline , Graham Laurie M , Macy Rebecca J , Proescholdbell Scott K
Published: August 2020

Background

In 2015, 1350 people in the US were killed by their current or former intimate partner. Intimate partner violence (IPV) can also fatally injure family members or friends, and IPV may be a risk factor for suicide. Without accounting for all these outcomes, policymakers, funders, researchers and public health practitioners may underestimate the role that IPV plays in violent death.

Objective

We sought to enumerate the total contribution of IPV to violent death. Currently, no data holistically report on this problem.

Methods

We used Violent Death Reporting System (VDRS) data to identify all IPV-related violent deaths in North Carolina, 2010–2017. These included intimate partner homicides, corollary deaths, homicide-suicides, single suicides and legal intervention deaths. We used the existing IPV variable in VDRS, linked deaths from the same incident and manually reviewed 2440 suicide narratives where intimate partner problems or stalking were a factor in the death.

Results

IPV contributes to more than 1 in 10 violent deaths (10.3%). This represents an age-adjusted rate of 1.97 per 100 000 persons. Of the IPV-related violent deaths we identified, 39.3% were victims of intimate partner homicide, 17.4% corollary victims, 11.4% suicides in a homicide-suicide event, 29.8% suicides in a suicide-only event and 2.0% legal intervention deaths.

Implications

If researchers only include intimate partner homicides, they may miss over 60% of IPV-related deaths. Our novel study shows the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to prevent IPV and decrease violent deaths. IPV is a risk factor for suicide as well as homicide.
Histopathological findings in fatal COVID-19 severe acute respiratory syndrome: preliminary experience from a series of 10 Spanish patients
Authors: Recalde-Zamacona Borja , García-Tobar Laura , Argueta Alan , Álvarez Laura , De Andrea Carlos Eduardo , Fernández Alonso Mirian , Ezponda Ana , Carmona Torre Francisco , Jordán Iborra Carlota , Quiroga Jorge Augusto , Del Pozo Jose Luis , Zulueta Javier J , Echarri Gema , Landecho Manuel F , Lozano Maria Dolores
Published: August 2020

In December 2019, an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome associated to SARS-CoV2 was reported in Wuhan, China. To date, little is known on histopathological findings in patients infected with the new SARS-CoV2. Lung histopathology shows features of acute and organising diffuse alveolar damage. Subtle cellular inflammatory infiltrate has been found in line with the cytokine storm theory. Medium-size vessel thrombi were frequent, but capillary thrombi were not present. Despite the elevation of biochemical markers of cardiac injury, little histopathological damage could be confirmed. Viral RNA from paraffin sections was detected at least in one organ in 90% patients.
Analysis of β+ decay of 13N nucleus using a modified one-particle approach
Authors: Irgaziev Bakhadir F. , Nabi Jameel-Un , Kabir Abdul
Published: August 2020

It is known that the calculated values of log(ft) and the half-life of beta decay are less than the measured values when a single-particle approach is used to calculate these quantities. In this article, we discuss the importance of taking into account the spectroscopic factor in the calculation of the half-life and log(ft) beta decay of nuclei containing one nucleon in the outermost shell. We also emphasize the dominant role of the asymptotic normalization coefficient, which takes into account the many-particle effect and allows us to obtain the spectroscopic factor necessary to describe the reaction 13N → 13C + β+ + νe . We find the asymptotic normalization coefficients using the experimental data of the elastic scattering phase-shift of the proton and neutron on 12C. Using overlap functions instead of single-particle functions, we obtain a better comparison with the experimental data. The overlap function is represented as the product of the single-particle function and the root of the corresponding spectroscopic factor.
Nonlinear Free and Forced Vibrations of In-Plane Bi-Directional Functionally Graded Rectangular Plate with Temperature-Dependent Properties
Authors: Hashemi Soheil , Jafari Ali Asghar
Published: August 2020

In this paper, the nonlinear free and forced vibrations analysis of in-plane bi-directional functionally graded (IBFG) rectangular plate with temperature-dependent properties is studied for the first time. For this purpose, with the aid of von Karman nonlinearity strain–displacement relations, the partial differential equations of motion are developed based on the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT). Then, the nonlinear partial differential equations are transformed into the time-dependent nonlinear ordinary differential equations by applying the Galerkin method. The primary and super harmonic resonances are analyzed by the method of multiple scales (MMS). The material properties are assumed to be temperature-dependent and graded in the thickness direction according to the power-law distribution. The effects of some system parameters, such as vibration amplitude, volume fraction indexes, length-to-thickness ratio, temperature and aspect ratio on the nonlinear frequency and also frequency responses curve, are discussed in detail. To validate the analysis, the results of this paper are compared with the published data and good agreements are found.
COGNITIVE ANALYSIS OF RISK FACTORS OF DIABETES MELLITUS IN MOBILE INTERNET ACTIVE POPULATION
Authors: LIN ZHONGYAN , LIU WEIXIA , SONG LIBIN , LI ZUOYONG , CHEN DENGXING , ZHENG DACHUAN
Published: August 2020

Objective: Understand the cognition of mobile internet active population on the risk factors of diabetes. Methods: The internet survey through anonymous questionnaires with independent IP was carried out, in which the mobile internet active population were evaluated on their cognition degree to the risk factors of diabetes. Results: The awareness of the risk factors of diabetes in mobile internet active population is not high, and it is recommended to increase the popularization of risk factors of diabetes in mobile terminals to control and prevent diabetes.
HEALTH OF THINGS MODEL FOR CLASSIFYING HUMAN HEART SOUND SIGNALS USING CO-OCCURRENCE MATRIX AND SPECTROGRAM
Authors: ARORA VINAY , NG EDDIE YIN-KWEE , LEEKHA ROHAN SINGH , VERMA KARUN , GUPTA TAKSHI , SRINIVASAN KATHIRAVAN
Published: August 2020

Cardiovascular diseases have become one of the world’s leading causes of death today. Several decision-making systems have been developed with computer-aided support to help the cardiologists in detecting heart disease and thereby minimizing the mortality rate. This paper uses an unexplored sub-domain related to textural features for classifying phonocardiogram (PCG) as normal or abnormal using Grey Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM). The matrix has been applied to extract features from spectrogram of the PCG signals taken from the Physionet 2016 benchmark dataset. Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, Neural Network, and XGBoost have been applied to assess the status of the human heart using PCG signal spectrogram. The result of GLCM is compared with the two other textural feature extraction methods, viz. structural co-occurrence matrix (SCM), and local binary patterns (LBP). Experimental results have proved that applying machine learning model to classify PCG signal on the dataset where GLCM has extracted the feature-set, the accuracy attained is greater as compared to its peer approaches. Thus, this methodology can go a long way to help the medical specialists in precisely and accurately assessing the heart condition of a patient.
The influence of inter- and intra-channel architecture on deep-water turbidite reservoir performance
Authors: Meirovitz Casey D. , Stright Lisa , Hubbard Stephen M. , Romans Brian W.
Published: August 2020

Bed-scale heterogeneity in channelized deep-water reservoirs can significantly influence reservoir performance, but reservoir simulation typically requires cell sizes much greater than the scale of intra-channel element architecture. Here, bed- to geobody-scale simulations elucidate the influence of bed-scale architecture and channel element stacking on flow and connectivity, informing full-field reservoir model development and evaluation.

Models consist of two channel element segments, each 300 m (985 ft) wide by 14 m (45 ft) thick and 550 m (1805 ft) long, stacked in 12 different stacking arrangements. Bed-scale architecture is captured in six deterministic element fills, highlighting interbedded sandstone and mudstone (thin bed) presence (homogeneous v. heterogeneous elements), position (symmetrical v. asymmetrical), and proportion (low v. high element net-to-gross). Each model is flow simulated to illuminate how element stacking and intra-element heterogeneity impacts reservoir performance.

Thin bed presence and position have the greatest impact on reservoir connectivity/performance when elements are laterally offset; impacts are minimal when elements are vertically aligned. Impacts are exacerbated when the thin-bed proportion is increased. Where bed-scale architecture is represented, complex flow behaviours generate a significant variability in production timing and the cumulative volumes produced. Simulations consisting of a homogenous element architecture fail to capture complex flow behaviours, producing comparatively optimistic results.
Exacerbated obesogenic response in female mice exposed to early life stress is linked to fat depot-specific upregulation of leptin protein expression
Authors: Leachman Jacqueline R. , Rea Mathew D. , Cohn Dianne M. , Xu Xiu , Fondufe-Mittendorf Yvonne N. , Loria Analia S.
Published: August 2020

Early life stress (ELS) is an independent risk factor for increased BMI and cardiometabolic disease risk later in life. We have previously shown that a mouse model of ELS, maternal separation and early weaning (MSEW), exacerbates high-fat diet (HF)-induced obesity only in adult female mice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate 1) whether the short- and long-term effects of HF on leptin expression are influenced by MSEW in a sex-specific manner and 2) the potential epigenetic mechanisms underlying the MSEW-induced changes in leptin expression. After 1 wk of HF, both MSEW male and female mice displayed increased fat mass compared with controls ( P < 0.05). However, only MSEW female mice showed elevated leptin mRNA expression in gonadal white adipose tissue (gWAT; P < 0.05). After 12 wk of HF, fat mass remained increased only in female mice ( P < 0.05). Moreover, plasma leptin and both leptin mRNA and protein expression in gWAT were augmented in MSEW female mice compered to controls ( P < 0.05), but not in MSEW male mice. This association was not present in subcutaneous WAT. Furthermore, among 16 CpG sites in the leptin promoter, we identified three hypomethylated sites in tissue from HF-fed MSEW female mice compared with controls (3, 15, and 16, P < 0.05). These hypomethylated sites showed greater binding of key adipogenic factors such as PPARγ ( P < 0.05). Taken together, our study reveals that MSEW superimposed to HF increases leptin protein expression in a sex- and fat depot-specific fashion. Our data suggest that the mechanism by which MSEW increases leptin expression could be epigenetic.
(Pro)renin receptor promotes crescent formation via the ERK1/2 and Wnt/β-catenin pathways in glomerulonephritis
Authors: Urushihara Maki , Kondo Shuji , Kinoshita Yukiko , Ozaki Natsuko , Jamba Ariunbold , Nagai Takashi , Fujioka Keisuke , Hattori Tomoki , Kagami Shoji
Published: August 2020

(Pro)renin receptor [(P)RR] has multiple functions, but its regulation and role in the pathogenesis in glomerulonephritis (GN) are poorly defined. The aims of the present study were to determine the effects of direct renin inhibition (DRI) and demonstrate the role of (P)RR on the progression of crescentic GN. The anti-glomerular basement membrane nephritis rat model developed progressive proteinuria (83.64 ± 10.49 mg/day) and glomerular crescent formation (percent glomerular crescent: 62.1 ± 2.3%) accompanied by increased macrophage infiltration and glomerular expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, (P)RR, phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, Wnt4, and active β-catenin. Treatment with DRI ameliorated proteinuria (20.33 ± 5.88 mg/day) and markedly reduced glomerular crescent formation (20.9 ± 2.6%), induction of macrophage infiltration, (P)RR, phospho-ERK1/2, Wnt4, and active β-catenin. Furthermore, primary cultured parietal epithelial cells stimulated by recombinant prorenin showed significant increases in cell proliferation. Notably, while the ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 or (P)RR-specific siRNA treatment abolished the elevation in cell proliferation, DRI treatment did not abrogate this elevation. Moreover, cultured mesangial cells showed an increase in prorenin-induced MCP-1 expression. Interestingly, (P)RR or Wnt4-specific siRNA treatment or the β-catenin antagonist XAV939 inhibited the elevation of MCP-1 expression, whereas DRI did not. These results suggest that (P)RR regulates glomerular crescent formation via the ERK1/2 signaling and Wnt/β-catenin pathways during the course of anti-glomerular basement membrane nephritis and that DRI mitigates the progression of crescentic GN through the reduction of (P)RR expression but not inhibition of prorenin binding to (P)RR.
Expression of Acsm2, a kidney-specific gene, parallels the function and maturation of proximal tubular cells
Authors: Watanabe Hirofumi , Paxton Robert L. , Tolerico Matthew R. , Nagalakshmi Vidya K. , Tanaka Shinji , Okusa Mark D. , Goto Shin , Narita Ichiei , Watanabe Seiji , Sequeira-Lοpez Maria Luisa S. , Gomez R. Ariel
Published: August 2020

The acyl-CoA synthetase medium-chain family member 2 ( Acsm2) gene was first identified and cloned by our group as a kidney-specific “ KS” gene. However, its expression pattern and function remain to be clarified. In the present study, we found that the Acsm2 gene was expressed specifically and at a high level in normal adult kidneys. Expression of Acsm2 in kidneys followed a maturational pattern: it was low in newborn mice and increased with kidney development and maturation. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry revealed that Acsm2 was expressed specifically in proximal tubular cells of adult kidneys. Data from the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements database revealed that the Acsm2 gene locus in the mouse has specific histone modifications related to the active transcription of the gene exclusively in kidney cells. Following acute kidney injury, partial unilateral ureteral obstruction, and chronic kidney diseases, expression of Acsm2 in the proximal tubules was significantly decreased. In human samples, the expression pattern of ACSM2A, a homolog of mouse Acsm2, was similar to that in mice, and its expression decreased with several types of renal injuries. These results indicate that the expression of Acsm2 parallels the structural and functional maturation of proximal tubular cells. Downregulation of its expression in several models of kidney disease suggests that Acms2 may serve as a novel marker of proximal tubular injury and/or dysfunction.
Jointly Learning the Discriminative Dictionary and Projection for Face Recognition
Authors: Bi Chao , Yi Yugen , Zhang Lei , Zheng Caixia , Shi Yanjiao , Xie Xiaochun , Wang Jianzhong , Wu Yan
Published: August 2020

Recently, dictionary learning has become an active topic. However, the majority of dictionary learning methods directly employs original or predefined handcrafted features to describe the data, which ignores the intrinsic relationship between the dictionary and features. In this study, we present a method called jointly learning the discriminative dictionary and projection (JLDDP) that can simultaneously learn the discriminative dictionary and projection for both image-based and video-based face recognition. The dictionary can realize a tight correspondence between atoms and class labels. Simultaneously, the projection matrix can extract discriminative information from the original samples. Through adopting the Fisher discrimination criterion, the proposed framework enables a better fit between the learned dictionary and projection. With the representation error and coding coefficients, the classification scheme further improves the discriminative ability of our method. An iterative optimization algorithm is proposed, and the convergence is proved mathematically. Extensive experimental results on seven image-based and video-based face databases demonstrate the validity of JLDDP.
Onp-Hybrid Wardowski Contractions
Authors: Karapınar Erdal , Aydi Hassen , Fulga Andreea
Published: August 2020

The goal of this work is to introduce the concept ofp-hybrid Wardowski contractions. We also prove related fixed-point results. Moreover, some illustrated examples are given.
Comediation of Erythrocyte Haemolysis by Erythrocyte-Derived Microparticles and Complement during Malaria Infection
Authors: Kyeremeh Ransford , Antwi-Baffour Samuel , Annani-Akollor Max , Adjei Jonathan Kofi , Addai-Mensah Otchere , Frempong Margaret
Published: August 2020

Background. Due to the sustained morbidity and mortality that malaria-associated anaemia imposes on patients, malaria is still a global threat, most especially, to residents in sub-Saharan Africa. Merozoite invasion and destruction of erythrocytes, a target for this study, have been necessary due to its unique nature and also since the erythrocytes suffer the most brunt of malarial infection leading to anaemia. The issue of malaria anaemia has to do with why uninfected RBCs get destroyed and even more so than infected ones. Studies have proposed that cytophilic anti-RSP2 (ring surface protein 2—merozoite rhoptry protein 2) antibodies present in sera enhance phagocytosis of RSP2-tagged RBCs by macrophages either directly or via complement, while others have proposed transfer of RSP2 to both infected and uninfected RBCs which may render them susceptible to phagocytosis. What is missing is the agent involved in the transfer of these parasite-induced surface proteins onto the uninfected RBCs, i.e., the mediator molecules. Considering the intracellular location of the parasite in the parasitophorous vacuolar membrane and the absence of a transport mechanism such as the Golgi apparatus within the mature RBC, since the latter has no nucleus, we propose that erythrocyte-derived microparticles (EMPs) may be the possible mediators. Aim. This study aimed at examining the immunological interactions between EMPs released during malarial infections and host erythrocytes that may lead to their lysis possibly through complement mediation. Methods. This was an experimental study during which malarial EMPs were isolated by differential centrifugation of malaria-positive plasma. This was followed by cell-based in vitro assays where malaria-positive EMPs were added to uninfected blood group “O” negative erythrocytes in the presence of complement and haemolysis checked for. Results and Conclusion. At a fixed volume of 50 μL complement, there were statistically significant (p<0.01) increases in mean percentage haemolysis as the volume of EMPs increased. Similarly, at a fixed volume of 50 μL EMPs, there were statistically significant (p<0.01) increases in mean percentage haemolysis with increasing volumes of complement. This was an indication that both complement and EMPs contribute significantly to uninfected erythrocyte haemolysis during malaria infection.
A Secure Data Dissemination in a DHT-Based Routing Paradigm for Wireless Ad Hoc Network
Authors: Kousar Rukhsana , Alhaisoni Majed , Akhtar Shahbaz Abid , Shah Nadir , Qamar Aamir , Karim Ahmad
Published: August 2020

Over the past decade, distributed hash table- (DHT-) based routing protocols have been adopted in wireless ad hoc networks (WANETs) to achieve scalability in the route discovery phase by avoiding the flooding mechanism. The security aspects of the routing protocols based on the DHT mechanism are crucial to address and have not been discussed in the existing literature. Therefore, addressing the security issues in DHT-based routing protocols would prevent the service disruption, decrease the traffic overhead, and reduce the packet loss in the network. In this paper, several security issues are identified and elaborated through an example scenario. Moreover, a novel DHT-based routing protocol is proposed that uses a digital signature and the user’s trust in order to swap securely the logical identifiers (LIDs). Trust between nodes is established by the user’s acquaintance and the first visual contact. The proposed protocol vindicates its effectiveness via simulation results in terms of computation time, normalized overhead, percent improvement, and packet delivery ratio.
Experimental and Numerical Evaluation of Shear Strength of Directly and Indirectly Loaded Flanged Recycled Self-Compacted Reinforced Concrete Deep Beams
Authors: Hussein Amer Alhussein Thamer , Abdul Samad Khudhair Jamal
Published: August 2020

Experimental and numerical investigations of the behavior of directly and indirectly loaded flanged reinforced concrete (RC) deep beams cast with self-compacted concrete (SCC) containing recycled concrete as coarse aggregate (RCA) were conducted in this research. Seventeen RC deep flanged beams were designed to fail in shear. These beams were divided into three groups: twelve indirectly loaded beams without shear reinforcement; three directly loaded beams without stirrups; and two indirectly loaded beams with vertical stirrups. These beams were also classified according to the RCA ratio and shear span-to-effective depth (a/d) ratio, which will be detailed later. The RCA ranged from 0% to 75%, while the a/d ratio was taken as 1.0, 1.35, and 1.7. Experimental results show that the use of RCA reduces the cracking and ultimate capacities, and this finding complies with the conclusions of several research studies in the literature as will be detailed later. It was observed that beams with higher RCA exhibited higher deflection, strain, and crack width. Furthermore, by increasing the a/d ratio, the ultimate load was decreased due to the lower contribution of arch action shear transfer in the beam. A web reinforcement spaced at 100 mm and 50 mm increases the ultimate load by 35% and 48%, respectively. Strut and tie model (STM) presented by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) 318-14 and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO LRFD 2012) was used to predict the ultimate shear capacity of the beams. STM predicted lower beam capacity than the experimental result. The ultimate strength calculated using ACI318-14 and AASHTO LRFD 2012 was on average 38% and 52% lower than the experimental data, respectively, which reflects the conservative nature of this approach. Finally, 3D finite element models were created to investigate the responses of the beams. The FE results showed very good agreement with the experimental data, where FE-predicted shear capacities were on average 9% higher than the experimental results.
Anatomy of Rouviere’s Sulcus and Its Association with Complication of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Authors: Kumar Abhijeet , Shah Rupesh , Pandit Narendra , Sah Suresh Prasad , Gupta Rakesh Kumar
Published: August 2020

Background and Objective(s). Rouviere’s sulcus (RS) is an important anatomical landmark. The aim of this study was to find the distribution of anatomical characteristics of RS seen during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the population of our part of the world and its association with complications. Methods. This is a prospective observational study involving patients of age ≥16 years who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for uncomplicated gall stone at BPKIHS between May and July 2019. Result. 230 cases were analyzed, and RS was present in 90.4%. Open sulcus type was the commonest (54%), followed by scar type (22.9%), closed sulcus type (12.5%), and slit type (10.6%), respectively. In 59.1% of cases, it was oblique to the anterior, inferior, and external edge of the liver, while in the remaining cases, it was transverse. The mean ± SD values for operative time and duration of hospital stay in the RS visible and the RS not visible groups were 29.16 ± 8.736 and 42.9 ± 23.646 minutes, and 1.26 ± 0.440 and 1.90 ± 0.910 days, respectively (p value ≤0.001). One minor complication occurred in each group: RS initially visible group and RS visible on the adhesion release group, while 3 minor complications occurred in the RS not visible group. Only one major complication occurred in the RS not visible group. Conclusion. Identification of RS by operating surgeons is a predictor of safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Surface Integrity of AISI 52100 Steel during Hard Turning in Different Near‐Dry Environments
Authors: Chavan Ajay , Sargade Vikas
Published: August 2020

AISI 52100 hardened bearing steel is popular in many industrial applications due to its excellent wear resistance and high strength. Therefore, a high level of surface integrity of the same is the utmost important requirement to enhance fatigue life. Machining of hardened AISI 52100 steel is difficult because severe plastic deformation and generation of high temperature alter the surface metallurgy of the machined component and hamper the tool life. The present investigation includes a comparative analysis of surface integrity of AISI 52100 bearing steel during hard turning under different near‐dry environments, namely, dry, Minimum Quantity Cooling and Lubrication (MQCL), Compressed Chilled Air by Vortex Tube (CCAVT), and Hybrid Nanofluid Minimum Quantity Cooling and Lubrication (Hybrid NF‐MQCL). Soyabean (a vegetable) oil is used as cutting fluid in MQCL and base fluid in Hybrid NF‐MQCL environments. To prepare hybrid nanofluid, two different nanoparticles Al2O3 and MWCNT, are used. The chilled air is generated through a vortex tube. The surface integrity of AISI 52100 steel was studied in terms of microhardness, the thickness of the white layer, surface roughness (Ra), and residual stresses. Higher cutting speed and feed show positive and negative correlation on surface integrity of AISI 52100 steel, respectively. Hybrid nanofluid MQCL exhibits the lowest surface roughness (0.34 μm), microhardness (625 Hv0.1), compressive residual stresses (−168 MPa), and thin white layer (0.9 μm) in contrast, and dry machining shows higher surface roughness, microhardness, tensile residual stress, and thick white layer. In comparison, MQCL and CCAVT are found to be intermediate. It is found that hybrid nanofluid MQCL enhances the overall performance of the machined surface as compared to other near‐dry techniques.
Assessment of Health Workers’ Knowledge, Beliefs, Attitudes, and Use of Personal Protective Equipment for Prevention of COVID-19 Infection in Low-Resource Settings
Authors: Alao M. A. , Durodola A. O. , Ibrahim O. R. , Asinobi O. A.
Published: August 2020

Background. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly infectious disease with a potential for healthcare workers (HCWs) getting infected due to inadequate protection while attending to patients. Effective use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is key to mitigating the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare settings. Hence, there is a need to understand HCWs’ use of PPE in resource-limited settings and how closely the currently recommended guidelines for PPE are followed. This study assessed the HCWs’ knowledge about, attitudes towards, beliefs on, and use of PPE to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection in a resource-limited setting. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2020 in Southwest and Northwest Nigeria. The selection of participants was performed via the snowball sampling technique using a 33-item, web-based, self-administered questionnaire via a social media network. We obtained relevant sociodemographic data and information on participants’ occupations and knowledge about, attitudes towards, beliefs on, and use of PPE. We analysed the data using SPSS version 23.0 for Windows (IBM, Armonk, New York, USA). A p values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results. A total of 290 subjects responded to the questionnaire, and 18 (6.2%) were excluded because of incomplete data. The mean age of the respondents was 32.3 ± 9.9 years. There were 116 males (42.6%). The majority of the respondents were medical doctors (114, 41.9%), followed by nurses and clinical students. Of the 272 respondents in this survey, only 70 (25.7%) had adequate knowledge about PPE. Of the respondents who presumed they had adequate knowledge about donning and doffing PPE, 94 (56%) were incorrect. The predictors of good knowledge were ages younger than 45 years (p=0.046) and practice location (p=0.009). Conclusion. This study showed that HCWs’ knowledge about, attitudes towards, and beliefs on PPE and their PPE skill in practice in Nigeria were remarkably poor. There is an urgent need for nationwide practical training on PPE use to curtail the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs.
Measurement and Prediction of Thermal Conductivity of Volcanic Basalt Rocks from Warsak Area
Authors: Zeb Aurang , Abid Muhammad , Zeb Misbah Aurang , Qureshi Muhammad Omer , Younas Usman , Batool Irem
Published: August 2020

Accurate values of thermal properties of rocks are needed for a number of engineering applications starting from heat losses in buildings to underground geothermal modeling. Igneous rocks are one of the major constituents of the Earth’s crust and are formed by the crystallization and solidification of molten magma. In this work, the thermal transport properties of porous igneous basalt rocks are measured using Transient Plane Source (TPS) technique under ambient conditions with air as saturant in pore spaces. Data are presented for fifteen samples of volcanic basalt rocks having different porosity values ranging from 0.267% to 9.432% by volume, taken from the place of Warsak near Peshawar city, located in the north of Pakistan. The porosity and density parameters are measured using the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The mineral compositions of the samples are analyzed by X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) technique. The specific gravity is predicted using the chemical composition of basalts and is compared with the experimental results. The thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity values of the measured samples are also predicted using the mixing law and empirical models and results are compared with the measured data. Results show that the thermal conductivity of the studies of basalt samples decreases with the increase in porosity values, whereas no significant change has been observed in the thermal diffusivity data. Measured data are significant for geothermal modeling and in predicting heat losses in buildings wherever basalt rocks are used.
Inverse Jacobian Adaptive Tracking Control of Robot Manipulators with Kinematic, Dynamic, and Actuator Uncertainties
Authors: Zhou Bing , Yang Liang , Wang Chengdong , Chen Yong , Chen Kairui
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we mainly solve the adaptive control problem of robot manipulators with uncertain kinematics, dynamics, and actuators parameters, which has been a long-standing, yet unsolved problem in the robotics field, because of the technical difficulties in handling highly coupled effect between control torque and the mentioned uncertainties. To overcome the difficulties, we propose a new Lyapunov-based adaptive control methodology, which effectively fuses the inverse Jacobian technique and the actuator adaptation law, with which the chattering in tracking errors caused by actuator parameter perturbation is well suppressed. It is demonstrated that the asymptotic convergence of all closed-loop signals is guaranteed. Moreover, the effectiveness of our control scheme is illustrated through simulation studies.
Nontrivial Solutions for a System of Second-Order Discrete Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Su Hua , Wang Yongqing , Xu Jiafa
Published: August 2020

In this work, we shall study the existence of nontrivial solutions for a system of second-order discrete boundary value problems. Under some conditions concerning the eigenvalues of relevant linear operator, we use the topological degree theory to obtain our main results.
A Mathematical Model and Self-Adaptive NSGA-II for a Multiobjective IPPS Problem Subject to Delivery Time
Authors: Ba Li , Yang Mingshun , Gao Xinqin , Liu Yong , Han Zhoupeng , Xu Erbao , Li Yan
Published: August 2020

Process planning and scheduling are two important components of manufacturing systems. This paper deals with a multiobjective just-in-time integrated process planning and scheduling (MOJIT-IPPS) problem. Delivery time and machine workload are considered to make IPPS problem more suitable for manufacturing environments. The earliness/tardiness penalty, maximum machine workload, and total machine workload are objectives that are minimized. The decoding method is a crucial part that significantly influences the scheduling results. We develop a self-adaptive decoding method to obtain better results. A nondominated sorting genetic algorithm with self-adaptive decoding (SD-NSGA-II) is proposed for solving MOJIT-IPPS. Finally, the model and algorithm are proven through an example. Furthermore, different scale examples are tested to prove the good performance of the proposed method.
Single Snapshot DOA Estimation by Minimizing the Fraction Function in Sparse Recovery
Authors: Wang Changlong , Che Jibin , Zhou Feng , Hou Jinyong , Li Chen
Published: August 2020

Sparse recovery is one of the most important methods for single snapshot DOA estimation. Due to fact that the original l0-minimization problem is a NP-hard problem, we design a new alternative fraction function to solve DOA estimation problem. First, we discuss the theoretical guarantee about the new alternative model for solving DOA estimation problem. The equivalence between the alternative model and the original model is proved. Second, we present the optimal property about this new model and a fixed point algorithm with convergence conclusion are given. Finally, some simulation experiments are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new algorithm compared with the classic sparse recovery method.
Topographic Relationship with a Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Defect Differs betweenβ-Zone andγ-Zone Parapapillary Atrophy
Authors: Jung Eun Hye , Lee Eun Ji , Kim Tae-Woo
Published: August 2020

Introduction.γ-Zone parapapillary atrophy (PPA), an associated feature in myopic tilted optic disc, is considered to be relevant with glaucomatous optic nerve damage in myopic eyes. This study determines the topographic relationship ofγ-zone PPA with a retinal nerve fiber layer defect.Purpose. To determine the topographic relationship ofγ-zone PPA with a RNFL defect and to compare it with that ofβ-zone PPA.Design. Cross-sectional, observational study.Participants. Eighty-nine eyes from 89 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma who hadβ-zone PPA (n = 49) orγ-zone PPA (n = 40) and a single localized RNFL defect.Methods. PPA was classified according to the presence or absence of Bruch’s membrane on the PPA bed in spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The angular location of the point of maximum radial extent of PPA (PMRE) and the RNFL defect was measured with the fovea-disc axis set at 0° in color and red-free fundus photographs.Main Outcome Measures. Angular distance between the RNFL defect and the PMRE.Results. There was no significant intergroup difference in the extent of the RNFL defect (P=0.920). The angular distance between the RNFL defect and the PMRE was significantly greater inγ-zone thanβ-zone PPA (26.49 ± 17.27° vs. 60.31 ± 17.12°,P<0.001). The angular location of the PMRE was significantly correlated with the location of the RNFL defect in theβ-zone group (r = 0.822,P<0.001) but not in theγ-zone group. The RNFL defect was mostly located near the edge ofγ-zone PPA in theγ-zone group (10.56 ± 9.47°).Conclusions. An RNFL defect was observed near the edge of PPA in eyes withγ-zone PPA, in contrast to it being close to the PMRE in eyes withβ-zone PPA.
Numerical Shear Tests on the Scale Effect of Rock Joints under CNL and CND Conditions
Authors: Liu Xige , Zhu Wancheng , Li Lankun
Published: August 2020

The scale effect of rock joint shear behavior is an important subject in the field of rock mechanics. There is yet a lack of consensus regarding whether the shear strength of rock joints increases, decreases, or remains unchanged as the joint size increases. To explore this issue, a series of repeated and enlarged numerical joint models were established in this study using the particle flow code (PFC2D). The microparameters were calibrated by uniaxial compression tests and shear tests on the concrete material under the constant normal loading (CNL) condition. Three different normal stresses were adopted in numerical shear tests with joint specimen lengths ranging from 100 mm to 800 mm. In addition to the commonly used CNL, the constant normal displacement (CND) condition was established for the purposes of this study; the CND can be considered an extreme case of the constant normal stiffness (CNS) condition. The shear stress‐shear displacement curves changed from brittle failure to ductile failure alongside a gradual decrease in peak shear strength as joint length increased. That is, an overall negative scale effect was observed. Positive scale effect or no scale effect is also possible within a limited joint length range. A positive correlation was also observed between the peak shear displacement and joint length, and a negative correlation between shear stiffness and joint length. These above statements are applicable to both repeated and enlarged joints under either CNL or CND conditions. When the normal stress is sufficiently high and shear dilatancy displacement is very small, the shear behavior of rock joints under CNL and CND conditions seems to be consistent. However, for shear tests under low initial normal stress, the peak shear strength achieved under the CND condition is much higher than that under the CNL condition, as the normal stresses of enlarged joints increase to greater extent than the repeated ones during shearing.