bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
WITHDRAWN: Study On Prevalence Of Bovine Mastitis, Associated Risk Factors, And Isolation Of Staphylococcus Species And Escherichia Coli From Mastitic Milk In Dairy Farms Of Wolaita Sodo Town And Its Suburbs, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Tegegne Hailehizeb , Feleke Melkamu , Ejigu Eyoel , Mengistu Azeb
Published: December 2023

Mastitis is one of the most widespread and costly mammary gland diseases in dairy cattle, causing a great deal of loss of production and having a major economic impact on the dairy industry worldwide. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of bovine mastitis, identifying associated risk factors, and isolating Staphylococcus species and E. coli from the mastitic milk of lactating cows on dairy farms. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to April 2023 on selected dairy farms in Wolaita Sodo town and its suburbs, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 284 lactating cows were selected using a simple random sampling method and examined for the detection of bovine mastitis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the prevalence of bovine mastitis, while the Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to determine the association between the prevalence of bovine mastitis and risk factors. Out of the total animals examined, 30.6% (87/284) had mastitis, while 3.5% (10/284) and 27.1% (77/284) had clinical and subclinical mastitis, respectively. The quarter-level prevalence was 14.4% (164/1136), from which the clinical and subclinical forms were 2.1% (24/1136) and 12.3% (140/1136), respectively, whereas 3.5% (40/1136) of the quarters were blind. There was a significant correlation between the occurrence of mastitis in lactating cows (p < 0.05) and risk factors such as breed, lactation stage, milk yield, previous mastitis history, floor type, and usage of towels. The predominant bacteria isolated in this study were Staphylococcus aureus (35.9%), followed by E. coli (23.5%), coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species (18.7%), Staphylococcus intermedius (12.5%), and Staphylococcus hyicus (9.4%). The current study revealed that mastitis was a major health problem of dairy cows in the study areas. Therefore, enhancing the awareness of dairy farmers, improving hygienic conditions, regular screening of subclinical mastitis, dry cow therapy, culling of chronically infected cows, and further advanced studies on different pathogenic microorganisms and antimicrobial sensitivity testing of those microorganisms that cause mastitis are critically important to control and prevent bovine mastitis in the study area.
Feasibility, quality and added value of unsupervised
at-home spirometry in primary care
Authors: Kocks Janwillem , Rütte Thomas le , Kerkhof Marjan , Gerritsma Yoran , Driessen-Roelfszema Merijn , Bemt Lisette van den , Muris Jean , Riemersma Roland , Sandelowsky Hanna , Stridh Björn
Published: December 2023

At-home spirometry could provide added value for the diagnosis and monitoring of obstructive pulmonary disease in primary care. However, it is unknown whether implementation in a real-world setting is practicable and produces good quality spirometry. We studied feasibility, quality and added value of at-home spirometry in primary care practices in the Netherlands and Sweden. Adults with an asthma- or COPD-related spirometry indication were provided with equipment to perform unsupervised spirometry at- home. Differences in FEV1 and FVC-values from home and general practice were compared, and questionnaires on feasibility were completed by participants and healthcare professionals (HCPs).
Of 140 participants, 89.3% completed a home spirometry session, of whom 59.2% produced acceptable spirometry. Overall, HCPs and participants rated home spirometry as feasible and of added value for asthma and COPD monitoring in primary care, though less helpful for diagnostic purposes. A small mean difference in spirometry results was observed, with FEV1 and FVC at-home being 0.076 L and 0.094 L higher than at the GP office, respectively.
Adolescents’ self-perceived health, life satisfaction and subjective vitality during the COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis based on education level, sex and physical activity status.
Authors: Mata Carlos , Onofre Marcos , Papaioannou Athanasios G. , Martins João
Published: December 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, disruptions to adolescents' routines manifested in increased sedentary behaviors, reduced physical activity (PA), diminished social contacts, and adverse effects on mental health. The study's objective was to analyze and compare adolescents' self-perceptions concerning health, vitality, and life satisfaction based on sex, PA, and education levels during the pandemic's restrictive timeframe before the January 2021 lockdown. A total of 1369 Portuguese students (621 boys and 748 girls; mean age: 14.4 years; SD: 1.74) participated. Group differences were analyzed via ANCOVA, considering age, standardized BMI, socioeconomic status, and daily moderate-to-vigorous PA both pre- and during the pandemic. Only 3.1% of adolescents adhered to international PA guidelines. Results indicated generally low levels of adolescents' health self-perceptions, particularly among girls. The study sheds light on adolescents' self-perceptions of health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the associations between restrictive measures and adolescents' mental health and PA levels. Future studies are necessary to assess students' self-perceptions upon returning to normalcy and understand lingering negative effects on adolescents' mental health and well-being.
Digital Twin-Assisted Vehicles Edge Network Computing Offloading Scheme
Authors: Zhu Lin , Tan Long , Li Bingxian
Published: December 2023

Traditional vehicle edge computing research has not fully considered the differences between vehicle tasks and edge server computing resources while often ignoring the use of deep reinforcement learning (DRL), which requires a large amount of training data, and DRL is easy to fall into the problem of local optimality. Therefore, this paper proposed a digital twin (DT) -assisted vehicle edge network computation offloading method. For the problem of DRL requiring a large amount of training data, a real-time data acquisition method based on DT is proposed for vehicle tasks and edge nodes. The differentiability of computing resources proposed a computing model based on deep neural network (DNN) partitioning and early exit mechanism, making full use of the computing resources of edge servers and vehicles, reducing the computation delay and transmission delay of tasks, Aiming at the problem that the asynchronous dominant actor-critic (A3C) algorithm in DRL is easy to fall into the local optimal solution, the dynamic baseline and ε-greedy policy are introduced based on A3C and used to select the channel to reduce the transmission delay further. Experimental results show that this scheme outperforms other comparative methods and can effectively reduce the delay of task offloading in vehicular edge computing.
Sowing summer grain crops early in late winter or spring: Effects on root growth, water use, and yield
Authors: Zhao Dongxue , deVoil Peter , Rognoni Bethany G. , Wilkus Erin , Eyre Joseph X , Broad Ian , Rodriguez Daniel
Published: December 2023

CONTEXT. Drought and extreme heat at flowering are common stresses limiting the yield of summer crops. Adaptation to these stresses could be increased by sowing summer crops early in late winter or spring, to avoid the overlap with critical crop stages around flowering. Though little is known about the effects of cold weather on root growth, water use and final grain yield in sorghum.
OBJECTIVE. To research the effects of cold conditions in early sowing sorghum on crop and root growth and function (i.e., water use), and final grain yield.
METHODS. Two years of field experiments were conducted in the Darling and Eastern Downs region of Qld, Australia. Each trial consisted of three times of sowing (late winter, spring, and summer), two levels of irrigation (i.e., rainfed and supplementary irrigated), four plant population densities (3, 6, 9 and 12 pl m-2), and six commercial sorghum hybrids. Roots and shoots were sampled at the flag leaf stage on three times of sowing, two levels of irrigation, and three replications, for a single hybrid and a single plant population density (9pl m-2). Crop water use and functional root traits were derived from consecutive electromagnetic induction (EMI) surveys around flowering. At maturity crop biomass, yield and yield components were determined across all treatments.
RESULTS. The combinations of seasons, times of sowing and levels of irrigation created large variations in growth conditions that affected the growth and production of the crops. Early sowing increased yield by transferring water use from vegetative to reproductive stages increasing water use efficiency (kg mm-1 available water). The larger yields in the early and spring sown crops were associated to larger grain numbers, particularly in tillers. Cold temperatures in the early sowing times tended to produce smaller crops with smaller rooting systems, smaller root-to-shoot ratios, and larger average root diameters. Total root length and root length density increased with increasing pre-flowering mean air temperatures up to 20°C. Linear relationships were observed between an EMI derived index of root activity and the empirically determined values of root length density (cm cm-3) at flowering.
CONCLUSIONS. Sowing sorghum, a summer crop, early in late winter or spring transferred water use from vegetative stages to flowering and post-flowering stages increasing crop water use efficiency. The higher grain numbers in early sown crops were related to higher grain numbers in tillers. Root length and root length density were reduced by pre-flowering mean temperatures lower than 20°C, indicating a need to increase cold tolerance for early sowing. The EMI derived index of root activity has potential in the development of high throughput root phenotyping applications.
A New Data Augmentation Method for Bayesian Semiparametric Proportional Hazards Model Analyzing Arbitrarily Censored Data
Authors: Zhi Xin , Lin Xiaoyan , Wang Lianming
Published: December 2023

Arbitrarily censored data have a more general data structure than conventional right-censored data or general interval-censored data and thus are more challenging to analyze. In this article, a novel Bayesian approach is developed for analyzing arbitrarily censored data under the semiparametric proportional hazards (PH) model. The proposed method adopts M-splines and I-splines to model the baseline hazard and cumulative baseline hazard functions in the PH model, respectively. A new two-stage data augmentation involving exponential and multinomial latent variables is proposed, leading to a nice form of augmented likelihood. Based on this likelihood, an easy-to-implement Gibbs sampler is developed. Simulation studies show that the proposed method works well in estimating both regression parameters and survival functions. A numerical comparison of our method with existing Bayesian methods is also provided. Two real data sets on colorectal cancer and childhood mortality are analyzed for illustration.
Assessment of Antibacterial Activity of Exopolysaccharide Produced from Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain S16 on Environmental and Clinical Bacteria
Authors: Okorie Ikechukwu , Ogunjobi Adeniyi
Published: December 2023

Environmental and clinical bacteria have developed resistance to the commonly available antibiotics, erstwhile produced to treat diseases caused by them. Indeed, antibiotic resistance has morphed into an issue of worldwide proportions in urgent need of effective remedies. The aim of this study was to assess the antibacterial activity of exopolysaccharide produced from stock culture of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain S16 (accession number OQ734845), which had previously been isolated from soil in the environment, on selected identified environmental and clinical bacteria, which were both antibiotic-resistant and antibiotic-susceptible. Bacterial isolates were initially isolated from both soil and pig faecal matter using serial dilution and pour plate methods, before they were identified through biochemical tests. Screening tests for exopolysaccharide production in these isolates, had shown up S16 and F22 as the best producers of exopolysaccharide; identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain S16 (accession number OQ734845) and Providencia vermicola strain F22 (accession number OQ734846), respectively. The latter was not a pseudomonad and was therefore excluded from the study. The antibacterial properties of the exopolysaccharide were then assessed using agar well diffusion assay and it was observed to be effective only against Staphylococcus aureus SO183 at 0.260 g/L and against identified Klebsiella pneumoniae only at 0.156 g/L.The positive controls used in the study were antibiotic discs containing the class of antibiotics susceptible to each selected identified bacterium. The exopolysaccharide from Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain S16, therefore, proved promising as an alternative antibiotic to the present failing antibiotics in common usage.
Replay Attacks in RPL-Based Internet of Things: Survey and Empirical Comparative Study
Authors: Albinali Hussah , Azzedin Farag
Published: December 2023

RPL was developed as a routing protocol in low-power and lossy network contexts to connect many applications using IP-based communication. However, RPL has been subjected to several attacks, including replay attacks. Replay attacks pose significant challenges as any node can initiate the attack by replaying control messages. These messages play a vital role in establishing and sustaining network topology. However, studies that discourse replay attacks are severely limited. To address this issue, we conducted a comprehensive study on replay attack forms and their impact on RPL networks. Our study includes the latest security countermeasures. According to the literature, most RPL replay attacks rely on replaying DIO messages leading to neighbor, DIO suppression, or copycat attacks. DAO messages are also utilized to launch a replay attack. Nevertheless, the literature lacks any study that analyzes DAO replay attacks. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates DAO replay attacks and includes the route table falsification attack.We conduct a comparative study of these attacks and empirically investigate their impact on networks through extensive evaluation experiments. Our findings verify the harm of replay attacks in terms of packet delivery and latency. The average local delivery ratio dropped to less than 60% under DIO suppression and copycat attacks, and the communication latency increased by 50% under neighbor attacks. These results confirm the threat of replay attacks on RPL networks and the need to design countermeasures to mitigate them.
«The Sigma Awards» data journalism projects: features of visual content
Authors: Solodovnyk Dmytro
Published: December 2023

Introduction. Data visualization plays a crucial role in creating high-quality materials in data journalism; it is precisely the successful way of presenting information that depends on its comprehensibility, accessibility, and “virality” for the audience. The worldwide award, “The Sigma Data Journalism Awards,” winners are a kind of role model and trend indicator in data journalism.
Goal. That is why the study aimed to analyze the key characteristics and elements of data visualization in the noted data journalism projects, as well as to identify changes that may occur in the techniques and methods of data presentation over time.
Research methods. The method of comparative content analysis, methods of synthesis and generalization, as well as logical and chronological methods, were used.
Results. As a result, 21 winners of “The Sigma Data Journalism Awards” chosen over three years (2020, 2022, 2023) were analyzed exclusively from the point of view of data visualization. In developing 3D modeling technologies, editors actively use these methods to improve communication effectiveness with the audience and increase their interest. Gamification is also noted as an innovative tool that increases the interactive component of visual objects. Maps, photographs, diagrams, and audio recordings remain relevant methods in data journalism, while infographics are used less and less in the projects noted. Leading newsrooms that actively create materials in data journalism are The New York Times, ABC News, and Civio, while ProPublica, Pointer, and Texty.org.ua stand out as leading media outlets specializing in the analysis and use of data. According to the study results, the recognized journalists noted in the visualization of data journalism are R. Dottle, Y-H. Law and J. Coburn.
Conclusions. The obtained results can be useful for further research, which consists in conducting a statistical content analysis of the visualization of data journalism in the leading global newsrooms identified in this study (The New York Times, ABC news and Civio).
Scion–Rootstock Combination Determines Pruning Responses in Young Almond Trees
Authors: Montesinos Álvaro , Maldera Francesco , Thorp Grant T. , Rubio-Cabetas María José
Published: December 2023

Almond growers are seeking ways to reduce costs but maintain yield. Intensive planting systems with greater planting densities using trees on growth-controlling rootstocks, combined with mechanical pruning and shake-and-catch harvesting are becoming popular. In this study we examined the responses of six almond cultivars with distinctive architecture grafted onto five rootstocks with varying degrees of vigor control. Trees were planted in 2018 in a nursery row and left to grow without pruning until Winter 2021. Pruning involved a rudimentary hedging treatment akin to mechanical pruning. Branching and tree structure were recorded in 2020, before pruning, and again at the end of 2021, after one season’s growth following pruning. A rating system was developed to record qualitative data on central leader dominance and the number, length, basal diameter, and, in some cases, branching angle of axillary shoots and including scaffold branches. Relatively few changes were recorded in the basic growth habit of these trees in response to pruning. Before pruning, the most common rootstock effect was on axillary shoot production. After pruning, the most common rootstock effects were on scaffold branching and the length of subterminal axillary shoots. Further studies are required to determine how these differences produced by the interaction between pruning and rootstock may affect the productivity of fruit-bearing trees. Although in this study with young trees we were not able to record crop yield, the results highlight that it is mainly the scion–rootstock combination, with or without pruning, that determines the potential productivity of fruiting canopies. Scion–rootstock combinations that produce narrow upright canopies naturally with strong central leader dominance and highly branched canopies are preferred for superintensive growing systems with or without use of mechanical hedging.
Features of arrhythmic syndrome in children with nonspecific connective tissue disorder
Authors: Nechaeva G. I. , Dakuko A. N. , Loginova E. N. , Bogatyrev I. V. , Sharun I. V.
Published: December 2023

Introduction. In case of nonspecific connective tissue disorder (NCTD), the most significant in terms of prognosis for life is arrhythmic syndrome. Therefore, it remains important to introduce modern diagnostic methods into practice to prevent fatal events in childhood and young people.

Aim. To study the features of arrhythmic syndrome in children with NCTD in relation to the level of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and structural changes in the heart.

Materials and methods. A total of 45 children aged 10–17 years with arrhythmic syndrome due to NCTD and 20 children with normal heart rhythm and isolated presentations of NCTD (control group) were enrolled in the study. NSDT phenotypic markers, NT-proBNP levels, electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring findings and speckle-tracking echocardiography data were studied.

Results and discussion. Children with arrhythmic syndrome and NCTD had more frequently dolichostenomelia, arachnodactyly, keeled chest deformity of II–III-degree, spinal scoliosis of II–III-degree, joint hypermobility, blue sclera. The structure of the arrhythmic syndrome in children with NCTD is – ventricular and supraventricular extrasystoles, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Speckle-tracking echocardiography showed a left ventricular strain in anterior basal segment and global longitudinal strain. There was association between a local longitudinal strain in the anterior basal segment and keeled chest deformity of II–III-degree, mitral valve prolapse, longitudinal flatfoot, asthenic shape of the chest, pectus excavatum deformity of II–III degree. There was association between the NT-proBNP level and the diagnostic threshold for NCTD. Patients with arrhythmic syndrome and NCTD had a direct, medium-degree significant correlation between the NT-proBNP level and heart rate, mitral valve prolapse and cardiac arrhythmia such as ventricular extrasystoles.

Conclusion. The results of the study will be implemented in the future in the individual programs for the management of patients with NCTD.
Trend in rainfall associated with tropical cyclones in Mexico attributed to climate change and variability
Authors: Sánchez Martínez Sinuhé Alejandro , González Villarreal Fernando J. , Mora Ramón Domínguez , Arganis Juárez Maritza Liliana
Published: December 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the existence and the magnitude of trend in different areas and durations of rainfall associated with tropical cyclones (TCR). To achieve this objective, a mixed-method approach was employed using depth–area–duration (DAD) and areal reduction factor (ARFs) curves that can be described as a logarithm equation to generate time series that allows the application of statistical methods such as the Mann–Kendall (MK) and Spearman Rho (SR) to detect trends. Time series are generated by substituting different areas in the logarithmic equations. The evidence presented shows that in Mexico, the TCR lasting 24 h shows an increasing trend for maximum areas between 300 and 1,700 km2 according to the MK and SR tests, respectively; according to these same tests for durations of 48 h, upward trends were observed up to maximum areas between 5,700 and 6,900 km2. The Sen's slope reports annual increases between 0.76 and 1.32 mm and between 1.15 and 2.06 for a duration of 24 and 48 h, respectively. In contrast, no trends were observed in the time series obtained from the ARFs. Finally, the Pettitt test reports an abrupt jump from the year 1997 in all cases.
Evaluating groundwater quality using health risk assessment and irrigation indexes: Saveh Aquifer, Iran
Authors: Shahmirnoori Alireza , Hasani Zonoozi Maryam , Samadi Mehrshad
Published: December 2023

The aim of the study was to assess water quality in the Saveh aquifer for drinking, public health, and agricultural uses. The heavy metal pollution index (HPI), hazard index (HI) using non-carcinogenic health risk assessment, sodium percentage, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), irrigation water quality index (IWQI), and a Piper diagram were used. The HPI exceeded 3,300, much higher than the WHO critical value, which is 100. The aquifer is severely contaminated with heavy metals and unsuitable for drinking. The heavy metal concentrations also caused the water to have cumulative HI > 1 in 54 and 77% of sampling wells, respectively, for adults and children. For agriculture, both %NA and IWQI were stricter than SAR. Most of the aquifer was deemed suitable for irrigation using SAR, while %Na showed most parts unreliable, and IWQI represented almost all areas unsuitable for irrigation. The Piper diagram showed that the dominant water type was N–Cl, followed by Na–HCO3 and Ca–HCO3, indicating high aquifer salinity. Generally, the Saveh aquifer is saline and heavily polluted with heavy metals, so its use for drinking and/or irrigation carries many risks.
Comparison of depression, anxiety, sleep quality and quality of life among benign paroxysmal positional vertigo with or without tinnitus
Authors: ŞİMŞEKOĞLU Ruken , ÇAKMAK Sümeyye
Published: December 2023

Aim: Patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) may be accompanied by tinnitus, less frequently and mildly than vertigo secondary to other vestibular disorders. In this study, we aimed to separate patients with BPPV into two different groups, those with and without tinnitus, and to examine and compare depression, anxiety, disability, sleep quality, and quality of life in these patient groups.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 20 BPPV patients without an acute attack who were referred from the emergency department to the neurology outpatient clinic between April 2022 and July 2022. Beck anxiety scale was used for anxiety, Beck depression inventory was used for depression, Pitsburg sleep quality scale was used for sleep quality, the dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) was used for disability caused by dizziness, and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used for quality of life.

Results: 20 BPPV patients were included in the study. While 12 of 20 patients (7 Female, 5 Male) were not accompanied by tinnitus, 8 (5F, 3M) were accompanied by tinnitus. No significant difference was detected between BPVV groups with and without tinnitus. A positive correlation was found between sleep quality and quality of life and its subparameters in BPPV patients. A direct relationship was observed between DHI and its subparameters, physical, functional, and emotional parameters, and quality of life.

Conclusion: No significant relationship was found between the presence or absence of tinnitus and depression, anxiety, sleep quality, disability, and quality of life in BPVV patients.
Inversion method of consistency measure estimation expert opinions
Authors: Zhigirev N. N. , Bochkov A. V. , Kuzminova A. V.
Published: December 2023

Aim.The problem of collective choice is the problem of combining several individual experts’ opinions about the order of preference of objects (alternatives) being compared into a single “group” preference. The complexity of collective choice consists in the requirement of processing the ratings of the compared alternatives set by different experts in their own private scales. The paper presents an original algorithm for processing expert preferences in respect to the problem of collective choice based on the concept of the overall “error” of the experts and measuring their contribution to the collective measure of their consistency. The presented materials include the necessary theoretical part consisting of basic definitions and rules, the definition of the problem and the method itself that is based on the majority rule, but in the group order of objects.
Near-Net-Shape HIP Manufacturing for sCO2 Turbomachinery Cost Reduction
Authors: Huang S.
Published: December 2023

Abstract. sCO2 turbomachinery that operates above 650°C requires the use of γ′ strengthened Ni-based superalloys, leading to high cost and barrier of market adoption. Near-net-shape (NNS) HIP manufacturing with 282® alloy powder is being developed for sCO2 turbine components, with a significant estimated cost reduction. Tensile, creep, low cycle fatigue properties of argon gas atomized and plasma atomized powders were evaluated and compared to sand cast HAYNES® 282®. While tensile strength and fatigue life outperformed sand cast material, a 10~25% debit in the creep stress capability was observed due to the fine grain size and presence of prior particle boundaries (PPBs). Finite element model calibrated by powder rheological properties accurately predicted the nonuniform shrinkage during HIP, providing HIP tooling design to achieve the target dimension. A 20 lbs. turbine nozzle ring was successfully demonstrated within 0.01 inch dimensional tolerance at the vanes. A 1700lbs. turbine casing with complex internal struts and manifolds was also demonstrated being close to the target dimension.
Computational Modeling of PM-HIP Capsule Filling and Consolidation by DEM-FEA Coupling
Authors: Sobhani S.
Published: December 2023

Abstract. Power Metallurgy Hot Isostatic Pressing (PM-HIP) is a manufacturing process, capable of producing net shape or near net shape components with complicated geometries from materials that are often difficult to cast and/or deform. However, the post-HIP quality and requirement of any additional process, such as machining, depends on the design and geometric complexity of the capsule. First of a kind geometry often requires several iterations of prototype builds. Considering the cost and long durations of HIP cycles, usage of computer models in order to predict parameters for an optimal capsule design of a PM-HIP process which produces a sound product in the first trial is extremely valuable. In this study, the pre-consolidation capsule filling process is simulated by Discrete Element Method (DEM) to capture the initial relative density. Finite element analysis (FEA) modeling of HIP, which includes a combined constitutive model based on compressive and consolidative mechanical behavior of powder uses the DEM results as input. Accuracy of the simulation tool is confirmed by comparing against a corresponding physical PM capsule fabrication and HIP experiment with pre- and post-HIP 3D scanning. The result shows that consolidation occurs as the model predicts, with negligible deviations on sharp edges.
A New Constitutive Modeling for Hot Isostatic Pressing of Powders
Authors: Aryanpour G.
Published: December 2023

Abstract. Regarding the fact that a major deformation and thus densification of powder takes place during both ramp and holding stages in the process of hot isostatic pressing, a more precise model must be applied to describe the inelastic behavior of powder. For this aim, a plastic-viscoplastic modeling is developed in this work. This modeling is based on considering two logical phenomena, one is the strain hardening of powder particles during isostatic pressing and the other one is the increase in relative density following the particle deformation. Based on these facts, the plastic-viscoplastic model is formulated for the isostatic pressing. Finally, the numerical and experimental results will be compared and discussed.
Effect of Experimental Determination Process on Shear Stress Coefficient of Green Equation Describing HIP
Authors: Raisson G.
Published: December 2023

Abstract. Despite the uniformity of the boundary conditions on the surface of the HIP capsule during the HIP Cycle (Pressure, Temperature) and full uniformity of stresses inside the powder material at the end of the cycle (isotropic tensor), the compressive deformation of the capsules with powder has a substantial shear component that can be described as distortion or non-uniformity. Accounting the values of shear deformation is the subject of HIP modeling and HIP tooling design. To determine the functions that adequately describe deformation of capsules with the given powder material during HIP, it is important to carry out experiments so that the values of the deformation tensor are close to those in the powder during a real HIP process. The adequacy of 3 deformation conditions for a combination TA6-4 powder and 304L capsule was evaluated for the database generation: HIP in capsules with different stiffness (deformation close to flat); Uni-directional upsetting of porous samples; Upsetting in a rigid die (uni-direction deformation). After homogenization of full dense material and capsule material, coefficients of Green’s equation have been calculated for TA6-4 powder in a 304L capsule. Unidirectional densification and HIP dilatometer give similar results when upsetting results are apart. Analysis of results shows that, in actual conditions of HIP cycle, only a small portion of ellipsoidal plasticity surface given by Green’s equation is used. Unidirectional pressing and HIP dilatometer condition are on the actual portion of ellipse. Upsetting of porous material is out of the useful zone and seems not convenient to determine shear stress coefficients.
dördüncül koruma ve aşırı medikalizasyon
Authors: BÜYÜKOKUDAN Uğur , AVCI Kadriye
Published: December 2023

Dördüncül koruma, aşırı tıbbi medikalizasyon riski altındaki kişilerin belirlenmesi ve hastaların gereksiz tıbbi müdahalelere karşı korunmalarını içerir. Günümüzde gelişen teknoloji ve artan sağlık hizmeti kullanımıyla beraber, hastalara gereksiz aşırı teşhis ve aşırı tedavi uygulanabilmektedir. Aşırı medikalizasyon kavramı ise, hastalara sağladığı faydalar açısından doğrulanmamış, potansiyel olarak zararlı ve bu nedenle gereksiz maliyetlere yol açan tıbbi uygulamalar olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Bunlar hastalarda sosyal, psikolojik ve ekonomik yönden olumsuz etkilenme; sağlık sisteminde ise memnuniyetsizlik ve ekonomik yükü arttırmaktadır. İnsanların tüm yaşamları boyunca tıbbi müdahalelerden zarar görebileceği düşünüldüğünde, dördüncül koruma ve aşırı medikalizasyon kavramı bu bağlamda büyük önem taşımaktadır. Aşırı medikalizasyonu azaltmak ve dördüncül korumayı sağlamak için; hastaların karar verme sürecine katılımı ve ortak karar alma, güvenilir hasta-hekim ilişkisi kurulması, birinci basamak sağlık hizmetlerinin teşvik edilmesi ve sevk sisteminin düzenlenmesi önem taşımaktadır.
Digestibility Values of Feed Available in Bangkalan Regency For Beef Cattle
Authors: Kusmartono Kusmartono , Mashudi Mashudi , Ndaru Poespitasari Hazanah , Kartika Aprilia Dwi , Saputro Trio Angger
Published: December 2023

A great attention to improve Madura cattle has been given by government of East Java, especially the one related to nutrition, reproduction and health. This study only focussed on evaluating digestibility values of feeds currently available in Bangkalan regency using an in vitro approach. A purposive sampling involving 40 farmers was done for two weeks to obtain information of feeds offered, and samples of the feed were taken to the laboratory for nutrients content and digestibility evaluation. Six feed treatments were applied, included A1-A3 rations practised by farmers for cows (A1), bulls (A2) and crossbred Limousin (A3), and B1-B3 formulated rations using local materials taken from the Bangkalan farmers for cows (B1), bulls (B2) and crossbred Limousin (B3). Rumen fluid samples were collected from abattoir at three different collection times for in vitro evaluation.
Diseño de experimentos y análisis de conjunto
Authors: Rosero Barzola Christian
Published: December 2023

La experimentación se utiliza para revelar el comportamiento de un proceso o sistema en particular, puede definirse como una prueba o una serie de pruebas en las que se efectúan cambios deliberados en las variables de entrada para identificar las razones de las variaciones que se puedan observar en la respuesta de la variable de salida. El objetivo principal del diseño de un experimento es desarrollar un proceso robusto, es decir, que no pueda ser afectado por los factores externos y poder observar directamente los resultados que se proponen en una investigación. El principal propósito de este libro es abordar teóricamente los diferentes diseños experimentales y corroborar su aplicación, con el fin de tener una guía que asegure la validez y confiabilidad de los procesos de investigación. El análisis conjunto es una técnica de investigación multivariada en donde el principal objetivo es comprender de qué manera las personas toman decisiones y lo que valoran de los productos y/o servicios. A este método también se lo conoce como estimación discreta de elección o investigación de preferencias declaradas. Esta herramienta permite presentar diferentes opciones a las personas y luego analizar cuáles fueron los impulsores de sus decisiones, también es denominado modelo de descomposición porque puede desagregar las preferencias para determinar el valor de cada atributo del factor. Esta técnica difiere de otras herramientas multivariantes en tres áreas distintas: (a) su naturaleza de técnica de descomposición, (b) el hecho de que las estimaciones pueden hacerse a nivel individual, y (c) su flexibilidad en términos de relaciones entre variables dependientes e independientes.
Factors Influencing Telehealth Service Use and Health Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis: Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Praha Nattaya , Sriyuktasuth Aurawamon , Puwarawuttipanit Wimolrat , Chuengsaman Piyatida , Kusakunniran Worapan
Published: December 2023

Background

Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy and user acceptance of telehealth in managing patients with chronic conditions, including continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). However, the rates of telehealth service use in various patient groups have been low and have declined over time, which may affect important health outcomes. Telehealth service use in patients undergoing CAPD has been recognized as a key challenge that needs to be examined further.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the rates of telehealth service use over 4 months, identify factors influencing its use, and examine the relationship between telehealth service use and health outcomes in Thai people undergoing CAPD.

Methods

This cross-sectional study, which was a part of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial study, was conducted at a dialysis center in Bangkok, Thailand. The study included patients who were undergoing CAPD. These patients were randomly enrolled in the intervention group to receive telehealth service and additional standard care for 4 months. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires, including a demographic form, Functional, Communicative, and Critical Health Literacy Scale, Perceived Usefulness Questionnaire, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire, and Kidney Disease Quality of Life 36 Questionnaire. Additionally, Google Analytics was used to obtain data on the actual use of the telehealth service. These data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, repeated-measures ANOVA, and regression analyses.

Results

A total of 159 patients were included in this study. The mean rate of telehealth service use throughout the period of 4 months was 62.06 (SD 49.71) times. The rate of telehealth service use was the highest in the first month (mean 23.48, SD 16.28 times) and the lowest in the third month (mean 11.09, SD 11.48 times). Independent variables explained 27.6% of the sample variances in telehealth service use. Older age (β=.221; P=.002), higher perceived usefulness (β=.414; P<.001), unemployment (β=−.155; P=.03), and positive illness perception (β=−.205; P=.004) were associated with a significantly higher rate of telehealth service use. Regarding the relationship between telehealth service use and health outcomes, higher rates of telehealth service use were linked to better quality of life (β=.241; P=.002) and lower peritonitis (odds ratio 0.980, 95% CI 0.962-0.997; P=.03).

Conclusions

This study provides valuable insights into factors impacting telehealth service use, which in turn affect health outcomes in patients undergoing CAPD.
Effectiveness and User Experience of Virtual Reality for Social Anxiety Disorder: Systematic Review
Authors: Shahid Simon , Kelson Joshua , Saliba Anthony
Published: December 2023

Background

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a debilitating psychiatric disorder that affects occupational and social functioning. Virtual reality (VR) therapies can provide effective treatment for people with SAD. However, with rapid innovations in immersive VR technology, more contemporary research is required to examine the effectiveness and concomitant user experience outcomes (ie, safety, usability, acceptability, and attrition) of emerging VR interventions for SAD.

Objective

The aim of this systematic review was to examine the effectiveness and user experience of contemporary VR interventions among people with SAD.

Methods

The Cochrane Library, Emcare, PsycINFO, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched between January 1, 2012, and April 26, 2022. Deduplicated search results were screened based on title and abstract information. Full-text examination was conducted on 71 articles. Studies of all designs and comparator groups were included if they appraised the effectiveness and user experience outcomes of any immersive VR intervention among people with SAD. A standardized coding sheet was used to extract data on key participant, intervention, comparator, outcome, and study design items.

Results

The findings were tabulated and discussed using a narrative synthesis. A total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria.

Conclusions

The findings showed that VR exposure therapy–based interventions can generally provide effective, safe, usable, and acceptable treatments for adults with SAD. The average attrition rate from VR treatment was low (11.36%) despite some reported user experience difficulties, including potential simulator sickness, exposure-based emotional distress, and problems with managing treatment delivered in a synchronous group setting. This review also revealed several research gaps, including a lack of VR treatment studies on children and adolescents with SAD as well as a paucity of standardized assessments of VR user experience interactions. More studies are required to address these issues.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO CRD42022353891; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=353891
Introducing a Regulatory Sandbox Into the Indonesian Health System Using e-Malaria as a Use Case: Participatory Action Study (Preprint)
Authors: Fuad Anis , Tiara Agi , Kusumasari Rizqiani Amalia , Rimawati Rimawati , Murhandarwati E Elsa Herdiana
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

Regulatory sandboxes offer an alternative solution to address regulatory challenges in adopting disruptive technologies. Although regulatory sandboxes have been widely implemented in the financial sector across more than 50 countries, their application to the health sector remains limited.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore stakeholders’ perspectives on introducing a regulatory sandbox into the Indonesian health system using e-malaria as a use case.

METHODS

Using a participatory action research approach, this study conducted qualitative research, including desk reviews, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews with stakeholders. This study sought to understand stakeholders’ concerns and interests regarding the regulatory sandbox and to collaboratively develop a regulatory sandbox model to support the malaria program.

RESULTS

The study revealed that most stakeholders had limited awareness of the regulatory sandbox concept. Concerns have been raised regarding the time required to establish regulations, knowledge gaps among stakeholders, data protection issues, and limited digital infrastructure in malaria endemic areas. Existing regulations have been found to be inadequate to accommodate disruptive healthtech for malaria. Nevertheless, through a collaborative process, stakeholders successfully developed a regulatory sandbox model specifically for e-malaria, with the crucial support of the Ministry of Health.

CONCLUSIONS

The regulatory sandbox holds the potential for adoption in the Indonesian health system to address the limited legal framework and to facilitate the rapid and safe adoption of disruptive healthtech in support of the malaria elimination program. Through stakeholder involvement, guidelines for implementing the regulatory sandbox were developed and innovators were successfully invited to participate in the first-ever trial of a health regulatory sandbox for e-malaria in Indonesia. Future studies should provide further insights into the challenges encountered during the e-malaria regulatory sandbox pilot study, offering a detailed account of the implementation process.
Self-Explainable Graph Neural Network for Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias Risk Prediction: Algorithm Development and Validation Study (Preprint)
Authors: Hu Xinyue , Sun Zenan , Nian Yi , Wang Yichen , Dang Yifang , Li Fang , Feng Jingna , Yu Evan , Tao Cui
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD) rank as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, underlining the importance of accurate ADRD risk prediction. While recent advancements in ADRD risk prediction have primarily relied on imaging analysis, not all patients undergo medical imaging before an ADRD diagnosis. Merging machine learning with claims data can reveal additional risk factors and uncover interconnections among diverse medical codes.

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to use graph neural networks (GNNs) with claim data for ADRD risk prediction. Addressing the lack of human-interpretable reasons behind these predictions, we introduce an innovative, self-explainable method to evaluate relationship importance and its influence on ADRD risk prediction.

METHODS

We used a variationally regularized encoder-decoder GNN (variational GNN [VGNN]) integrated with our proposed relation importance method for estimating ADRD likelihood. This self-explainable method can provide a feature-important explanation in the context of ADRD risk prediction, leveraging relational information within a graph. Three scenarios with 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year prediction windows were created to assess the model’s efficiency, respectively. Random forest (RF) and light gradient boost machine (LGBM) were used as baselines. By using this method, we further clarify the key relationships for ADRD risk prediction.

RESULTS

In scenario 1, the VGNN model showed area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) scores of 0.7272 and 0.7480 for the small subset and the matched cohort data set. It outperforms RF and LGBM by 10.6% and 9.1%, respectively, on average. In scenario 2, it achieved AUROC scores of 0.7125 and 0.7281, surpassing the other models by 10.5% and 8.9%, respectively. Similarly, in scenario 3, AUROC scores of 0.7001 and 0.7187 were obtained, exceeding 10.1% and 8.5% than the baseline models, respectively. These results clearly demonstrate the significant superiority of the graph-based approach over the tree-based models (RF and LGBM) in predicting ADRD. Furthermore, the integration of the VGNN model and our relation importance interpretation could provide valuable insight into paired factors that may contribute to or delay ADRD progression.

CONCLUSIONS

Using our innovative self-explainable method with claims data enhances ADRD risk prediction and provides insights into the impact of interconnected medical code relationships. This methodology not only enables ADRD risk modeling but also shows potential for other image analysis predictions using claims data.