bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Customer expectation from Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT)
Authors: Seetharaman A. , Patwa Nitin , Saravanan A.S. , Sharma Abhishek
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss how the rush of technological change will consolidate the worldwide reach of the internet with more capacity, specifically to control the physical world, including the machines, industrial facilities and frameworks that characterize cutting-edge technology.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 203 respondents predominantly from emerging economies, specifically India and SEA. Most of the participants are working professionals. Structural equation modelling was used to analyze data, as it is a popular statistical technique because of its ability to model selected independent variables and take into account all possible forms of measurement error to test an entire theory.

Findings

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) platform comprises four fundamental capabilities: connectivity, big data, advanced analytics and application development. The IIOT has the potential to provide a high level of synergies between the 4 Ms of manufacturing, namely, man, machine, material and method.

Research limitations/implications

The collected data are predominately from India and SEA (close to 75 per cent), while contributions from other regions are comparatively less, so the findings cannot be generalized to the global context.

Practical implications

It is in the interest of service providers to collaborate and provide a universal solution to retain legacy systems to minimize the investment and reduce the security threat, which could boost IIOT adoption while ensuring that manufacturers are able to leverage this new technology efficiently.

Originality/value

The framework obtained has good quality of validity and reliability indicators. Thus, an alternative framework has been added to customer expectation which is currently a popular topic in the technological changes.
A risk-based integrated decision-making model for green supplier selection
Authors: Yazdani Morteza , Chatterjee Prasenjit , Pamucar Dragan , Abad Manuel Doval
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Supply chain (SC) environment is surrounded by risk variables. This issue is regarded as an emerging and strategic problem which must be resolved by SC executives. The ability to measuring green supplier’s performance and affecting risk variables to demonstrating effective suppliers list has a potential contribution to be investigated. This paper aims to develop a decision-making model to assess green suppliers under legislation and risk factors. This leads to fewer disruptions in managing the SC and its impact to further improvement. It also presents research concepts forming a new approach for identification, prediction and understating relationship of supply risk.

Design/methodology/approach

At primal stage, different risk factors that influence green suppliers’ performance are indicated and their relationship is analyzed using decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method. At the same time, failure mode and effect analysis is used to determine risk rating of each supplier. Finally, the evaluation based on distance from average solution (EDAS) method ranks suppliers and several comparisons and analysis are performed to test the stability of the results. The approaches include comparison to technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution, multi-attributive border approximation area comparison, Vlse Kriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje and complex proportional assessment methods, followed by analysis of rank reversal, weight sensitivity analysis and effect of dynamic metrics.

Findings

A real-time case study on green supplier selection (GSS) problem of a reputed construction company of Spain has been presented to demonstrate the practical aspects of the proposed method. In practice, though organizations are aware of various risks from local and global suppliers, it is difficult to incorporate these risk factors for ranking the suppliers. This real-case application shows the evaluation and incorporation of risk factors into the supplier selection model.

Practical implications

The proposed multi-criteria decision model quantitatively aids managers in selecting green suppliers considering risk factors.

Originality/value

A new model has been developed to present a sound mathematical model for solving GSS problems which considers the interaction between the supplier selection risk factors by proposing an integrated analytical approach for selecting green suppliers strategically consisting of DEMATEL, FMEA and EDAS methods.
The Rebel Chief Whip: The Role of Leslie Wilson in the Fall of the Lloyd George Coalition, 1922
Authors: Stanley Luke
Published: June 2019

This article explores the crisis within the Conservative Party in 1922 over the continuation of the coalition with Lloyd George's section of the Liberal Party, focusing on the actions of the Conservative chief whip, Leslie Wilson. Previously unused papers relating to Wilson's career shed new light on his role in the fall of the coalition. Wilson co‐ordinated opposition to the continuation of the coalition in its existing form, helping to solidify the group of junior ministers opposed to Lloyd George into a cohesive and powerful faction, which then forced the Conservative Party leader, Austen Chamberlain, into making concessions. Above all, Wilson was influential in forcing Chamberlain to agree to a meeting of MPs at the Carlton Club on 19 October 1922, at which the rebels won a decisive victory, causing the resignation of Chamberlain as party leader and Lloyd George as prime minister, in one of the most important events in modern British political history.
Age, SAPS 3 and female sex are associated with decisions to withdraw or withhold intensive care
Authors: Block Linda , Petzold Max , Syrous Alma Nordenskjöld , Lindqvist Birgitta , Odenstedt Hergès Helena , Naredi Silvana
Published: June 2019

Background

Intensive care treat critically ill patients. When intensive care is not considered beneficial for the patient, decisions to withdraw or withhold treatments are made. We aimed to identify independent patient variables that increase the odds for receiving a decision to withdraw or withhold intensive care.

Methods

Registry study using data from the Swedish Intensive Care Registry (SIR) 2014‐2016. Age, condition at admission, including co‐morbidities (Simplified Acute Physiology Score version 3, SAPS 3), diagnosis, sex, and decisions on treatment limitations were extracted. Patient data were divided into a full care (FC) group, and a withhold or withdraw (WW) treatment group.

Results

Of all 97 095 cases, 47.1% were 61‐80 years old, 41.9% were women and 58.1% men. 14 996 (15.4%) were allocated to the WW group and 82 149 (84.6%) to the FC group. The WW group, compared with the FC group, was older (P < 0.001), had higher SAPS 3 (P < 0.001) and were predominantly female (P < 0.001). Compared to patients 16‐20 years old, patients >81 years old had 11 times higher odds of being allocated to the WW group. Higher SAPS 3 (continuous) increased the odds of being allocated to the WW group by odds ratio [OR] 1.085, (CI 1.084‐1.087). Female sex increased the odds of being allocated to the WW group by 18% (1.18; CI 1.13‐ 1.23).

Conclusion

Older age, higher SAPS 3 at admission and female sex were found to be independent variables that increased the odds to receive a decision to withdraw or withhold intensive care.
Committed or Conditional Democrats? Opposition Dynamics in Electoral Autocracies
Authors: Gandhi Jennifer , Ong Elvin
Published: June 2019

In electoral autocracies, opposition coalition formation offers the best hope of getting to democracy. Yet forming electoral coalitions also entails convincing opposition voters to ignore compromises and engage in the cross‐party voting necessary for opposition victory. To what extent are voters committed to defeating the autocratic incumbent even if it would result in dislikable outcomes? A survey experiment in Malaysia finds that opposition voters overwhelmingly express pretreatment support for the opposition coalition. But when exposed to a treatment vignette about which member party might lead the next government, many voters retract their support. Specifically, voters’ support for the coalition declines when their least preferred member is expected to control the government and when they can vote for a closer ideological alternative outside of the coalition. Although voters are committed to opposition unity and democratic transition, that commitment is sensitive to the anticipated consequences of an opposition victory.
Sustained quality improvement collaboration and composite morbidity reduction in extremely low gestational age newborns
Authors: Kaempf Joseph W. , Morris Mindy , Austin June , Steffen Eileen , Wang Lian , Dunn Michael
Published: June 2019

Aim

Continuous quality improvement has failed to consistently reduce morbidities in extremely low gestational age newborns 23–27 weeks. 10 Vermont Oxford Network NICUs describe a novel, sustained collaboration for progress.

Methods

We emphasised a) commitment to inter‐NICU trust with face‐to‐face meetings, site visits, teleconferences, scrutiny of quality improvement methodology, b) transparent process and outcomes sharing, c) evidence‐based formulation of an orchestrated testing matrix to select potentially better practices, d) family integration, e) benchmarking with a composite mortality–morbidity score (Benefit Metric).

Results

A total of 4709 infants, mean (SD) gestational age 25.8 (1.4) weeks, admitted to 10 NICUs 1.01.2010 to 12.31.2016. The orchestrated matrix offered 45 potentially better practices; NICUs implemented mean 29 (range 19–40). There was widespread adoption of delivery room, respiratory care and infection prevention practices, but no uniform pattern. Our Benefit Metric was significantly greater than the Vermont Oxford Network all seven years (p < 0.001). Six major morbidities decreased, two significantly (p < 0.05), mortality unchanged (14%). 34% of survivors had no morbidities, 35% just one.

Conclusion

Cultivating trust, transparent outcomes sharing, and tailored, potentially better practice selection is associated with encouraging improvement in 23‐ to 27‐week survival without morbidity. Our outcomes are objective but the optimal implementation pathway to sustain progress remains murky, reflective of NICUs as complex adaptive networks.
Natural colorant extraction from Cinnamomum camphora tree leaves of different maturities and its ultrasonic‐assisted extraction process
Authors: Gong Kang , Pan Yi , Rather Luqman Jameel , Wang Wuchao , Zhou Qi , Zhang Tonghua , Li Qing
Published: June 2019

This study investigated natural colorant extraction from camphor tree leaves using a green and effective process. Ethanol, acetic acid, aqueous sodium carbonate and an aqueous solution of cellulase enzyme were used to examine the extraction performance, with and without the assistance of ultrasonics. Results showed that when subjected to changes in frequency and extraction time, ultrasonics is able to accelerate the extraction process and achieve a better yield for chlorophyll and anthocyanin extraction from fresh leaves compared with a traditional heating bath at similar temperatures. However, when an alkaline solvent was used to extract dark brown colorant from the old leaves, a traditional heating bath was found to be more effective than ultrasonic extraction. Cellulase enzyme failed to show its effectiveness in this study when serving as a colorant‐extracting solvent, regardless of the use of ultrasonics.
Reviewing qualitative GIS research—Toward a wider usage of open‐source GIS and reproducible research practices
Authors: Muenchow Jannes , Schäfer Susann , Krüger Eric
Published: June 2019

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have become an indispensable tool in all fields dealing with geographic data in academia as well as the public and private sector. After some initial reservations, human geography and other social sciences have also embraced GIS technologies especially by extending and adjusting the available data models for qualitative data. The result was coined qualitative GIS. Given the diversity and fragmentation of the research in which qualitative GIS have been applied, a comprehensive literature review is overdue. Therefore, we retrieved all articles that dealt with qualitative GIS from the ISI Web of Science. From the resulting 380 relevant manuscripts, we extracted study‐specific information and analyzed it by means of descriptive statistics, text mining, detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), and k‐means clustering. Our results reveal four major thematic domains within which qualitative GIS research takes place, namely, “conceptual contributions to qualitative GIS,” “theory and empiricism of public participation GIS,” “health, youth, and the urban environment,” and “ecosystem services, landscapes, and tourism”. Some of these trends are popular in specific regions (e.g., “ecosystem services, landscapes, and tourism” research in Australia). Furthermore, we found that a large body of studies lacks clear information on the used software packages and that the share of free open‐source GIS software is negligible. Overall, we would encourage more transparency, a wider use of open‐source software, and interdisciplinary collaboration to even further advance and promote qualitative GIS research. To put our recommendations into practice, we made the data used in this manuscript and the corresponding analysis publicly accessible (https://github.com/jannes‐m/qual_gis). To further facilitate the replication of our results, we exclusively used open‐source software, namely, R, leaflet, and PostgreSQL. These and other open‐source software packages, for example, Python and QGIS, might have the potential to fundamentally change the way to conduct qualitative GIS research. This is equally true for methods borrowed from other fields such as ordinations, cluster algorithms, and interactive web mapping, which might be promising tools in human geography and the social sciences.
HOW NINETEENTH‐CENTURY GERMAN CLASSICISTS WROTE THE JEWS OUT OF ANCIENT HISTORY
Authors: KURTZ PAUL MICHAEL
Published: June 2019

This essay considers why Jewish antiquity largely fell outside the purview of ancient historians in the Germanies for over half a century, between 1820 and 1880, and examines the nature of those portraits that did, in fact, arise. To do so, it interrogates discussions of Jewish antiquity in this half‐century against the background of those political and national values that were consolidating across the German states. Ultimately, the article claims that ancient Jewish history did not provide a compelling model for the dominant (Protestant) German scholars of the age, which then prompted the decline of antique Judaism as a field of interest. This investigation into the political and national dimensions of ancient history both supplements previous lines of inquiry and complicates accounts that assign too much explanatory power to a regnant anti‐Judaism or anti‐Semitism in the period and place. First, the analysis considers why so little attention was granted to Jewish history by ancient historians in the first place, as opposed to its relative prominence before ca. 1820. Second, the essay examines representations of ancient Judaism as fashioned by those historians who did consider the subject in this period. Surveying works composed not only for the upper echelons of scholarship but also for adolescents, women, and the laity, it scrutinizes a series of arguments advanced and assumptions embedded in universal histories, histories of the ancient world, textbooks of history, and histories dedicated to either Greece or Rome. Finally, the article asserts the Jewish past did not conform to the values of cultural ascendancy, political autonomy, national identity, and religious liberty increasingly hallowed across the Germanies of the nineteenth century, on the one hand, and inscribed into the very enterprise of historiography, on the other. The perceived national and political failures of ancient Jews—alongside the ethnic or religious ones discerned by others—thus made antique Judaism an unattractive object of study in this period.
THE HISTORIAN AS A PUBLIC MORALIST: ON THE ROMAN ORIGINS OF A SCHOLARLY PERSONA
Authors: Paul Herman
Published: June 2019

In her recent book, Virtus Romana, Catalina Balmaceda provides a fascinating analysis of the concept of virtus in Roman historiography. Although virtus, which translates as courage or more generally as virtue, meant different things to different Roman historians, Balmaceda shows that disagreement was never about whether historians should provide readers with examples of virtue. Historians' differences of opinion focused rather on where such models were to be found and what they should look like. This review essay summarizes Balmaceda's main arguments, raises a question about historians' own virtus, and draws some implications from the book for the study of scholarly personae. Did the persona of the historian as a public moralist, such as is known from nineteenth‐century Europe, originate in ancient Rome?
WHAT REMAINS AFTER POSTMODERNISM?
Authors: Mitrović Branko
Published: June 2019

Tor Egil F⊘rland's book Values, Objectivity, and Explanation in Historiography surveys a series of topics that theories of historiography have to face in the aftermath of postmodernism. The book challenges the appropriateness of the association of anti‐objectivism in historiography with left‐wing politics and, by defending objectivist perspectives on historical research, takes a strong stance against cultural relativism and theories of situated truth. F⊘rland also analyzes the implications of dilemmas about ontological and methodological individualism for historical research and proposes an interesting application of the views of Margaret Gilbert to the problem of the explanation of contradictory beliefs of historical figures. The book has been published at a very appropriate moment, and it will help open questions and dilemmas that have received insufficient attention in the past due to the domination of postmodernist perspectives.
In situ synthesis mechanism of ZrC‐ZrB2/Cu composites prepared by SHS‐casting method
Authors: Zhang Mengxian , Zhao Xianrui , Yao Hailong , Wang Hongtao , Li Shibin , Yang Chao , Chen Qingyu , Bai Xiaobo
Published: June 2019

The self‐propogating high‐temperature syntheis (SHS) experiments in the glove box indicated that the combustion temperature decreased and the ignition time increased with increasing B4C size in Cu‐Zr‐B4C system. Once B4C size exceeded 28 μm, the full conversion of ZrC and ZrB2 failed. In situ ZrC and ZrB2 ceramic particle‐reinforced Cu matrix composites were produced by the self‐propagating high‐temperature synthesis reaction of Cu‐Zr‐B4C system in molten Cu. Moreover, the phase formation mechanism was investigated by the combustion wave quenching experiment of Cu‐Zr‐B4C powder compact in Cu liquid. Results showed that ZrC and ZrB2 were mainly formed by the dissolution‐reaction‐precipitation mechanism. A developed method arresting the combustion front of a reactant in molten metal was proposed.
Enhancing photoluminescence properties of Mn4+‐activated Sr4−xBaxAl14O25 red phosphors for plant cultivation LEDs
Authors: Wu Xianbo , Yang Yimei , Gai Shujie , Liu Longhai , Zhou Zhipeng , Li Minghui , Zhong Yuan , Xia Mao , Zhou Nan , Zhou Zhi
Published: June 2019

Non–rare earth Mn4+‐activated strontium aluminate phosphor is considered to be a promising material for plant cultivation field owing to their advantage of inexpensively, environment friendly, nontoxic, and appropriate spectral range. In this paper, a Sr4−xBaxAl13.99O25:0.01Mn4+,1.4H3BO3 strontium aluminate phosphor is synthesized by a convenient high‐temperature solid‐state reaction. The photoluminescence spectra located at red region with a peak at 655 nm in the range of 600 to 750 nm that can be excited under the excitation of ultraviolet (~346 nm) or blue light (~450 nm). The shape emission band at 655 nm is attributed to the transition of 2Eg‐4A2g. Furthermore, the emission intensity of Sr4−xBaxAl13.99O25: 0.01Mn4+,1.4H3BO3 phosphor is conducted in detail with the variety of Ba2+ doping concentration and the intensity can be enhanced to 140.9% than the Sr4Al13.99O25:0.01Mn4+,1.4H3BO3 when the value of Ba2+ concentration equal to 0.1 mol. In addition, the X‐ray diffraction spectra, element mapping, composition modifying, optical properties, FT‐IR spectra, diffuse reflectance spectra, thermal stability, and fluorescence lifetime are systematically investigated. According to the electro‐luminescent spectra of as‐packaged LED, indicating that the Sr3.9Ba0.1Al13.99O25:0.01Mn4+,1.4H3BO3 phosphor will become a great candidate for plant cultivation LEDs due to the emission spectra match well the plant pigment spectrum.
Patterns of objectively measured sedentary behaviour in adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Harris Leanne , McGarty Arlene M. , Hilgenkamp Thessa , Mitchell Fiona , Melville Craig A.
Published: June 2019

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate the patterns of objectively measured sedentary behaviour in adults with intellectual disabilities.

Methods

Baseline accelerometer data were pooled from two randomized controlled trials of lifestyle behaviour change programmes for adults with intellectual disabilities. Patterns of sedentary behaviours were computed including total volume, number, and duration of bouts and breaks.

Results

Participants spent >70% of the day sedentary (8 hr), which was generally accumulated in short sedentary bouts (<10 min). Participants were engaged in significantly more sedentary time during the morning, although differences between time of day were small (mean bout duration range: 19.8–22.3 min).

Conclusions

The findings add valuable insight into the patterns of sedentary behaviours among adults with intellectual disabilities. Further research investigating the patterns and context of sedentary behaviour is required to develop targeted interventions to reduce total sedentary time in adults with intellectual disabilities.
Reply to: Deprescribing Attitudes of Older Adults Receiving Medication Management Support from Home‐Based Nurses
Authors: Reeve Emily , Low Lee‐Fay , Hilmer Sarah N.
Published: June 2019

This letter comments on the letter by Major et al.
Deprescribing Attitudes of Older Adults Receiving Medication Management Support From Home‐Based Nurses
Authors: Major Georgia L. , Mills Amber , Lowthian Judy A
Published: June 2019

This editorial comments on the article by Juraschek et al.
Including Palliative Care in the Assessment of Accountable Care Organizations for End‐of‐Life Care
Authors: Kwak Min Ji , Lee Rebecca W.
Published: June 2019

See the Reply by Kim et al.
How can previous knowledge about food science/technology and received information affect consumer perception of processed orange juice?
Authors: Honorio Alice R. , Pereira Geovanna S. , Lopes Carla M. A. , Gasparetto Bruna R. , Nunes de Lima Diana C. , Tribst Alline A. L.
Published: June 2019

This article evaluates the perception of whether orange juice processing is different between lay and nonlay (people who studied or study food science/technology/engineering) consumers. It also assesses how it is influenced by the received information about the products. More than 1,000 lay and 340 nonlay consumers responded to blind and informed online questionnaires about fresh and processed orange juices. The results showed a consensual positive evaluation for fresh juice and negative for powdered drink mix in both questionnaires. Other categories of processed juices were evaluated as a little (concentrated) or very different (“processed,” “pasteurized,” and “sterilized”) among lay and nonlay consumers in blind questionnaires, where product aversion was more frequent among the lay participants. In contrast, information changed the participants' perception about processed juices (especially “pasteurized” and “sterilized” products), resulting in a more consensual evaluation among lay and nonlay participants. Therefore, access to correct information allows consumers (especially lay ones) to make more conscious choices about their juices.

Practical Applications

Consumers' rejection regarding processed juices is growing due to associating them with processed food and adverse health effects. The comparison of the perception of lay and nonlay consumers about fresh and processed orange juices showed two practical applications: (a) the juice industry needs to improve consumers' access to information about product ingredients and process characteristics, aiming to improve product acceptance and (b) nonlay consumers have different perceptions of processed products than lay ones, therefore data collected from nonlay consumers (common in research carried out at universities) need to be used with caution.
Clear cell papulosis: Dermatoscopic findings and literature review
Authors: Leerunyakul Kanchana , Kanokrungsee Silada , Rutnin Suthinee
Published: June 2019

Clear cell papulosis is a rare skin condition that predominantly develops in patients of Asian background during their early childhood. We present a new case of clear cell papulosis of a 1‐year‐old Thai girl presented with multiple hypopigmented macules and papules on the lower abdomen and pubic area for 3 months and also review the previous 41 cases published in the literature since 1987. Herein, for the first time, we report the dermatoscopic features of clear cell papulosis that represents as depigmented homogenous structureless lesions. This would be beneficial for distinguishing clear cell papulosis from its differential diagnoses.
Comprehensive assessment of handwashing and faecal contamination among elementary school children in an urban slum of Indonesia
Authors: Otsuka Yumiko , Agestika Lina , Harada Hidenori , Sriwuryandari Lies , Sintawardani Neni , Yamauchi Taro
Published: June 2019

Objective

Globally, the challenge of handwashing with soap (HWWS) still exists despite the importance of HWWS being shown previously. This study aimed to evaluate faecal contamination on the hands of children and to find factors related to faecal contamination from handwashing techniques, HWWS, knowledge and awareness of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and a comprehensive WASH index.

Methods

The study was conducted at two elementary schools with 169 children in a densely populated area of Bandung, Indonesia. The survey involved handwashing observation using a checklist, hand bacteria sampling and questionnaires.

Results

Most children (98.7%) had faecal contamination. Girls had significantly fewer Escherichia coli than boys (P < 0.05). Ability in handwashing techniques, HWWS, and knowledge and awareness of WASH were poor in the lower grades. Escherichia coli counts were negatively correlated with handwashing technique (r = −0.171, P < 0.05), HWWS (r = −0.225, P < 0.01) and the WASH index (r = −0.205, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Proper handwashing technique and HWWS at appropriate times can reduce faecal contamination. Moreover, it is important that both grade‐based and gender‐based handwashing education be considered in elementary school education.
Trade, migration costs and asymmetric migration patterns
Authors: Acharyya Rajat , Beladi Hamid , Kar Saibal
Published: June 2019

Increase in trade has an asymmetric impact on emigration by skill types for a developing country. Cost of migration is a dynamic function of the type of emigration, and it determines a complementary relation between emigration of skilled workers and expansion of trade. Emigration of unskilled workers is a substitute, however, and these outcomes coexist with endogenously determined emigration rates that depend crucially on wage responses among the own skill types at the source. Additionally, asymmetric emigration patterns increase wage inequality.
Correctional nurse education and training for the care and support of prisoners with dementia: a systematic review of text and opinion protocol
Authors: Gaston Sherryl , Porritt Kylie , Jordan Zoe
Published: June 2019

Review objective/questions:

The objective of this systematic review is to synthesize the best available evidence on the perceived education and training required for correctional nurses to care for and support prisoners with dementia in the Australian context. The review questions are:
Evolutionary Multi-Objective Optimization Under Uncertainty Through Adaptive Kriging in Augmented Input Space
Authors: Zhang J. , Taflanidis A. A.
Published: June 2019

This paper presents a surrogate model-based computationally efficient optimization scheme for design problems with multiple, probabilistic objectives estimated through stochastic simulation. It examines the extension of the previously developed MODU-AIM (Multi-Objective Design under Uncertainty with Augmented Input Metamodels) algorithm, which performs well for bi-objective problem but encounters scalability difficulties for applications with more than two objectives. Computational efficiency is achieved by using a single surrogate model, adaptively refined within an iterative optimization setting, to simultaneously support the uncertainty quantification and the design optimization, and the MODU-AIM extension is established by replacing the originally used epsilon-constraint optimizer with a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA). This requires various modifications to accommodate MOEA’s unique traits. For uncertainty quantification, a clustering-based importance sampling density selection is introduced to mitigate MOEA’s lack of direct control on Pareto solution density. To address the potentially large solution set of MOEAs, both the termination criterion of the iterative optimization scheme and the design of experiment (DoE) strategy for refinement of the surrogate model are modified, leveraging efficient performance comparison indicators. The importance of each objective in the different parts of the Pareto front is further integrated in the DoE to improve the adaptive selection of experiments.
Satellites see hurricane winds despite military signal tweaks
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: June 2019

Data from CYGNSS satellites could sharpen storm forecasts.
Gut microbes metabolize Parkinson's disease drug
Authors: O'Neill Cora
Published: June 2019

A gut bacterial pathway that degrades the drug levodopa is identified and can be inhibited
A marine chemical defense partnership
Authors: Mascuch Samantha , Kubanek Julia
Published: June 2019

A flavobacterium protects a green alga and sea slug from predation
Rational Design of Zika Virus Subunit Vaccine with Enhanced Efficacy
Authors: Tai Wanbo , Chen Jiawei , Zhao Guangyu , Geng Qibin , He Lei , Chen Yuehong , Zhou Yusen , Li Fang , Du Lanying
Published: June 2019

Viral subunit vaccines generally show low efficacy. In this study, we revealed an intrinsic limitation of subunit vaccine designs: artificially exposed surfaces of subunit vaccines contain epitopes unfavorable for vaccine efficacy. More specifically, we identified an epitope on Zika virus (ZIKV) envelope protein domain III (EDIII) that is buried in the full-length envelope protein but becomes exposed in recombinant EDIII. We further shielded this epitope with a glycan, and the resulting mutant EDIII vaccine demonstrated significantly enhanced efficacy over the wild-type EDIII vaccine in protecting animal models from ZIKV infections. Therefore, the intrinsic limitation of subunit vaccines can be overcome through shielding these artificially exposed unfavorable epitopes. The engineered EDIII vaccine generated in this study is a promising vaccine candidate that can be further developed to battle ZIKV infections.
Successful prospective quality improvement programme for the identification and management of patients at risk of sepsis in hospital
Authors: Gallagher Kevin , Blackwell Nicky , Thomas Ben , Trail Matthew , Stewart Lorraine , Paterson Ross
Published: June 2019

Objective

This audit aimed to improve the speed and completeness of delivery of treatment to urology patients at risk of sepsis in the hospital.

Patients and methods

Patients were prospectively included if they developed a new-onset systemic inflammatory response syndrome, were reviewed by a doctor who thought this was due to infection and prescribed antibiotics. We measured median time to antibiotic administration (TTABx) as the primary outcome. Factors associated with delays in management were identified, targeted quality improvement interventions implemented and then reaudited.

Results

There were 74 patients in the baseline cohort and 69 following interventions. Median TTABx fell from 3.6 (1.9–6.9) hours to 1.7 (1.0–3.8) p<0.001 hours after interventions. In the baseline cohort, factors significantly associated with a delay in TTABx were: an Early Warning Score less than the medical review trigger level; a temperature less than 38°C; having had surgery versus not. Interventions included: reduced medical review trigger thresholds, education sessions, communication aids, a department-specific sepsis protocol. There were significant improvements in the speed and completeness of sepsis management. Improvements were most marked in postoperative patients. Improvement longevity was achieved through continued work by permanent ward nurse practitioners.

Conclusion

A period of baseline prospective study, followed by tailored quality improvement initiatives, can significantly improve the speed and quality of sepsis management for inpatients on an acute hospital ward.
Financial incentives linked to quality improvement projects in Swedish primary care: a model for improving quality of care
Authors: Fernholm Rita , Arvidsson Eva , Wettermark Björn
Published: June 2019

Background

Quality improvement (QI) is necessary in all healthcare, but quality of healthcare is hard to measure. To use financial incentives to improve care is difficult and may even be harmful. However, conducting QI projects is a well-established way to increase quality in healthcare.

Problem

In 2015, there were few QI projects conducted in primary care in the Stockholm Region, Sweden. There was no structured support or way to share the QI projects with other general practitioner (GP) practices. To use financial incentives could increase the number of projects performed and could possibly improve the quality of care. The aim was to increase the number of GP practices performing QI projects in the Stockholm Region through financial incentives.

Method

To study QI projects performed during 2016 and 2017 in the Region Stockholm. This was compared with 2015 in Stockholm and with the Region Jönköping in Sweden during 2016 and 2017.

Interventions

First, the healthcare administration started to reimburse GP practices for conducting and reporting QI projects in 2016. Second, a 4-hour course in QI was offered. Third, feedback on plans for QI projects was given. The year after the projects were prerformed, they were published online to stimulate sharing and inspiration between the GP practices.

Results

For 2016, there were 166 (80%) of the GP practices that presented a QI project and in 2017, 164 (79%) did so. The number of projects in Stockholm increased almost by 100 per years compared with 2015.

Conclusion

QI work has increased in Stockholm since 2016, probably because of the financial incentives from the Stockholm Region.
Improving the safety of high-concentration potassium chloride injection
Authors: Nakatani Kaoru , Nakagami-Yamaguchi Etsuko , Shinoda Yoshikatsu , Tomita Shuhei , Nakatani Tatsuya
Published: June 2019

Objectives

Serious adverse effects, including arrhythmia and cardiac arrest, result from rapid intravenous high concentration of potassium chloride (KCl). We aimed to eliminate prescription of undiluted KCl and encourage dilution of KCl to 400 mEq/L and 40 mEq/L in the intensive care units (ICUs) and general and outpatient departments, respectively.

Methods

Before the first intervention, we collected data regarding high-concentration KCl and interviewed representatives of physicians prescribing high-concentration KCl. Based on the guidelines in other countries on safely used concentrations of KCl (400 mEq/L), we negotiated with physicians to dilute KCl below 400 mEq/L. In the first intervention, we made rules based on surveys above. In the second intervention, we revised the rules based on opinions from physicians and pharmacists and investigated the change in the number of prescriptions of KCl concentration in each department. Continuing efforts with the safety manager ensured compliance of the rules by physicians and nurses in all departments.

Results

After the first and second interventions, prescriptions for undiluted KCl in ICUs and general wards were eliminated (median=0). Prescriptions for <400 mEq/L KCl increased to 110 (median) after the first intervention and to 137 (median) after the second. In the general ward, 7 months after the first intervention, prescriptions for <400 mEq/L KCl had not increased. Compliance with our rules was high, and more than 72% of physicians and nurses were aware of the rules.

Conclusions

The rules for administration of high-dose KCl successfully eliminated prescription of undiluted KCl, which was maintained using two plan-do-study-act cycles. Our intervention process could be useful in countries where prediluted formulations are unavailable or where prescriptions are not matched and undiluted ampules are used.
Primary and Secondary Instability Region Analysis of Rotating Carbon Nanotube–Reinforced Non-Uniform Hybrid Composite Plates
Authors: Lakshmipathi Jakkamuti , Rajamohan Vasudevan , Rahatekar S. Sameer
Published: June 2019

In this work, the primary and secondary instability region analysis of rotating multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced non-uniform hybrid composite plates (CNT-FRP) under uniaxial periodic loads is performed. First-order shear deformation theory has been used to derive the kinetic and potential energy equations of the various configurations of non-uniform composite plates by including the effect of rotary inertia, shear deformation, varying centrifugal stiffness and non-uniformity along the transverse direction of the plate. The governing differential equations of motion are derived in the form of Mathieu–Hill equations using the Hamilton’s principle. The efficacy of the developed finite-element formulation has been verified by comparing the natural frequencies of the rotating composite plates evaluated using the numerical simulation with the experimental results and available literature. This study also investigates the influence of the CNT vol%, CNT aspect ratio, angular rotation of plate and static load on the primary and secondary instability region of various non-uniform configurations of CNT-FRP hybrid composite plates. It was noticed that the primary and secondary regions of parametric instability of CNT-FRP hybrid composite plates shift upward when CNT vol% increases from 0 to 2%. It was further noticed that primary and secondary instability regions of various non-uniform configurations shift to the lower excitation frequency when MWCNT vol% increases beyond the saturation limit. It was observed that the effect of angular rotation and static load is significant on the primary and secondary regions of instability.
CLASSIFICATION OF UNSEGMENTED HEART SOUND RECORDING USING KNN CLASSIFIER
Authors: SINGH SINAM AJITKUMAR , MAJUMDER SWANIRBHAR
Published: June 2019

Due to low physical workout, high-calorie intake, and bad behavioral character, people were affected by cardiological disorders. Every instant, one out of four deaths are due to heart-related ailments. Hence, the early diagnosis of a heart is essential. Most of the approaches for automated classification of the heart sound need segmentation of Phonocardiograms (PCG) signal. The main aim of this study was to decline the segmentation process and to estimate the utility for accurate and detailed classification of short unsegmented PCG recording. Based on wavelet decomposition, Hilbert transform, homomorphic filtering, and power spectral density (PSD), the features had been obtained using the beginning 5 second PCG recording. The extracted features were classified using nearest neighbors with Euclidean distances for different values of [Formula: see text] by bootstrapping 50% PCG recording for training and 50% for testing over 100 iterations. The overall accuracy of 100%, 85%, 80.95%, 81.4%, and 98.13% had been achieved for five different datasets using KNN classifiers. The classification performance for analyzing the whole datasets is 90% accuracy with 93% sensitivity and 90% specificity. The classification of unsegmented PCG recording based on an efficient feature extraction is necessary. This paper presents a promising classification performance as compared with the state-of-the-art approaches in short time less complexity.
Management of Psychosis in Neuropsychiatric Lupus
Authors: Kang Di , Mok Chi Chiu
Published: June 2019

Manifestations of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) are heterogeneous. Acute psychosis is an uncommon but well-recognized manifestation of NPSLE. With no specific biomarkers to date, the diagnosis of NPSLE relies on clinical acumen for circumstantial evidence and exclusion of important differential diagnoses. The attribution of psychosis to NPSLE is facilitated by the application attribution models. In particular, the American College of Rheumatology nomenclature, Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics attribution models and Italian algorithm for the attribution of psychosis to NPSLE are revisited. The mainstay of treatment for psychosis attributable to NPSLE is immunosuppression and symptomatic control. In refractory cases, immunomodulatory and emerging biological agents may be considered. This article reviews the diagnostic dilemma, pathogenic mechanisms and treatment of psychosis in SLE patients.
Dealing with different forensic targets: geoscientists at crime scenes
Authors: Barone P. M. , Di Maggio R. M.
Published: June 2019

Normally, when geoscientific methods are involved in forensic investigations, they are used to search for and excavate buried bodies.

Recently, geoscientific methods have become relevant to not only finding the perpetrators in homicide cases including those in which there are buried bodies, but also in cases involving crimes against the environment, cultural sites and vandalism. Additionally, there are cases in which the discovery of an unexpected burial complicates an investigation.

Analytical techniques developed throughout the twentieth century form the basis for recent advances that allow for the forensic geosciences to aid in such investigations. Case examples that demonstrate these advances will be presented.
Epidemic Situation of Brucellosis in Jinzhou City of China and Prediction Using the ARIMA Model
Authors: Wang Lulu , Liang Chen , Wu Wei , Wu Shengwen , Yang Jinghua , Lu Xiaobo , Cai Yuan , Jin Cuihong
Published: June 2019

Objective. This study aimed to investigate the specific epidemiological characteristics and epidemic situation of brucellosis in Jinzhou City of China so as to establish a suitable prediction model potentially applied as a decision-supportive tool for reasonably assigning health interventions and health delivery. Methods. Monthly morbidity data from 2004 to 2013 were selected to construct the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model using SPSS 13.0 software. Moreover, stability analysis and sequence tranquilization, model recognition, parameter test, and model diagnostic were also carried out. Finally, the fitting and prediction accuracy of the ARIMA model were evaluated using the monthly morbidity data in 2014. Results. A total of 3078 cases affected by brucellosis were reported from January 1998 to December 2015 in Jinzhou City. The incidence of brucellosis had shown a fluctuating growth gradually. Moreover, the ARIMA(1,1,1)(0,1,1)12 model was finally selected among quite a few plausible ARIMA models based upon the parameter test, correlation analysis, and Box–Ljung test. Notably, the incidence from 2005 to 2014 forecasted using this ARIMA model fitted well with the actual incidence data. Notably, the actual morbidity in 2014 fell within the scope of 95% confidence limit of values predicted by the ARIMA(1,1,1)(0,1,1)12 model, with the absolute error between the predicted and the actual values in 2014 ranging from 0.02 to 0.74. Meanwhile, the MAPE was 19.83%. Conclusion. It is suitable to predict the incidence of brucellosis in Jinzhou City of China using the ARIMA(1,1,1)(0,1,1)12 model.
Bidirectional Multi‐Input and Multi‐Output Energy Equalization Circuit for the Li‐Ion Battery String Based on the Game Theory
Authors: Wang Jiayu , Dai Shuailong , Chen Xi , Zhang Xiang , Shan Zhifei
Published: June 2019

Energy inconsistency among Li‐ion battery cells widely exists in energy storage systems, which contributes to the continuous deterioration of the system durability and overall performance. Researchers have proposed various kinds of battery energy equalizers to reduce such inconsistency. Among them, the inductor equalizer is a predominant type in fast equalization applications. However, it requires relatively more complex control than other types of equalizers. In order to reduce the control complexity of inductor equalizers, a bidirectional multi‐input and multi‐output energy equalization circuit based on the game theory is proposed in the present work. The proposed equalizer has the modularized circuit topology and the mutually independent working principle. A static game model is developed and exploited for the mathematical description and control analysis of an energy equalization circuit comprised of these equalizers. The feasible control of each equalizer was obtained by solving a series of linear equations for the Nash Equilibrium of the model among the states of charge of the battery cells. The complexity of equations grows linearly with the cell number. The equivalent simulation model for the four‐cell equalization is established in the PISM software, where the operational data and simulation results justify the static game model and verify the control validation, respectively. It is concluded that the proposed inductor equalizer is suitable for large‐scale battery strings in energy storage systems, electrical vehicles, and new energy power generation applications.
Decreased Expression of CD14 in MSU-Mediated Inflammation May Be Associated with Spontaneous Remission of Acute Gout
Authors: Duan Lihua , Luo Jiao , Fu Qiang , Shang Ke , Wei Yingying , Wang Youlian , Li Yan , Chen Jie
Published: June 2019

Gout is a common metabolic disease in humans, and it is due to persistently elevated levels of uric acid in the blood. At high levels, uric acid crystallizes and the crystals deposit in joints and surrounding tissues, resulting in an attack of gout. Interestingly, the gout attack can spontaneously resolve within a few days. However, the self-limited mechanism of gout remains elusive. It has been demonstrated that CD14 plays an important role in self-remission of gout. In this study, we found that the proportion of CD14-positive PBMCs was decreased in gout patients when compared with healthy controls and the serum sCD14 level was also considerably decreased in gout patients in comparison to healthy controls. In addition, sCD14 levels were positively correlated with CRP levels. Furthermore, the effect of MSU on the levels of CD14 in healthy volunteer’s PBMC was explored in in vitro experiment. The results showed that CD14 expression on macrophage and sCD14 levels in the culture supernatants were significantly decreased after MSU treatment. However, there was no significance in the levels of membrane CD14 and sCD14 in healthy volunteer’s PBMC stimulated by LPS. Taken together, these results suggest that CD14 might play an important role in self-remission of gout.