bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility and effectiveness of home-based therapy programmes for children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review
Authors: Beckers Laura W M E , Geijen Mellanie M E , Kleijnen Jos , A A Rameckers Eugene , L A P Schnackers Marlous , J E M Smeets Rob , Janssen-Potten Yvonne J M
Published: October 2020

Objective

To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of home-based occupational therapy and physiotherapy programmes in children with cerebral palsy (CP), focusing on the upper extremity and reporting on child-related and/or parent-related outcomes.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

Electronic searches were performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, OTseeker and PEDro, and in ICTRP and CENTRAL trial registers, from inception to 6 June 2019.

Eligible criteria

The review included all types of original studies concerning feasibility or effectiveness of home-based therapy in children aged <18 years with any type of CP. No language, publication status or publication date restrictions were applied.

Data extraction and synthesis

Study and intervention characteristics and the demographics of participating children and their parents were extracted. Feasibility was assessed by outcomes related to acceptability, demand, implementation, practicality, adaptation, expansion or integration. Regarding effectiveness, child-related outcome measures related to any level of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, or parent-related outcomes were investigated. Two authors independently extracted the data. Risk of bias was assessed using the Downs and Black checklist and the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist.

Results

The search resulted in a total of 92 records: 61 studies and 31 conference abstracts. Feasibility studies reported mainly on acceptability and implementation. Overall compliance to home-based training programmes (implementation) was moderate to high, ranging from 56% to 99%. In the effectiveness studies, >40 different child-related outcome measures were found. Overall, an improvement in arm-hand performance within group across time was shown. Only two studies reported on a parent-related outcome measure. No increase in parental stress was found during the intervention.

Conclusions

Based on the results of the included studies, home-based training programmes seem to be feasible. However, conclusions about the effectiveness of home programmes cannot be made due to the large variability in the study, patient and intervention characteristics, comparators, and outcome measures used in the included studies.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42016043743.
Competing risk of mortality on loss to follow-up outcome among patients with HIV on ART: a retrospective cohort study from the Zimbabwe national ART programme
Authors: Matsena Zingoni Zvifadzo , Chirwa Tobias , Todd Jim , Musenge Eustasius
Published: October 2020

Objective

To determine the loss to follow-up (LTFU) rates at different healthcare levels after antiretroviral therapy (ART) services decentralisation among ART patients who initiated ART between 2004 and 2017 using the competing risk model in addition to the Kaplan-Meier and Cox regressions analysis.

Design

A retrospective cohort study.

Setting

The study was done in Zimbabwe using a nationwide routinely collected HIV patient-level data from various health levels of care facilities compiled through the electronic patient management system (ePMS).

Participants

We analysed 390 771 participants aged 15 years and above from 538 health facilities.

Outcomes

The primary endpoint was LTFU defined as a failure of a patient to report for drug refill for at least 90 days from last appointment date or if the patient missed the next scheduled visit date and never showed up again. Mortality was considered a secondary outcome if a patient was reported to have died.

Results

The total exposure time contributed was 1 544 468 person-years. LTFU rate was 5.75 (95% CI 5.71 to 5.78) per 100 person-years. Adjustment for the competing event independently increased LTFU rate ratio in provincial and referral (adjusted sub-HRs (AsHR) 1.22; 95% CI 1.18 to 1.26) and district and mission (AsHR 1.47; 95% CI 1.45 to 1.50) hospitals (reference: primary healthcare); in urban sites (AsHR 1.61; 95% CI 1.59 to 1.63) (reference: rural); and among adolescence and young adults (15–24 years) group (AsHR 1.19; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.21) (reference: 35–44 years). We also detected overwhelming association between LTFU and tuberculosis-infected patients (AsHR 1.53; 95% CI 1.45 to 1.62) (reference: no tuberculosis).

Conclusions

We have observed considerable findings that ‘leakages’ (LTFU) within the ART treatment cascade persist even after the decentralisation of health services. Risk factors for LTFU reflect those found in sub-Saharan African studies. Interventions that retain patients in care by minimising any ‘leakages’ along the treatment cascade are essential in attaining the 90–90–90 UNAIDS fast-track targets.
Mixed-method evaluation of a community-based postpartum support program: a study protocol
Authors: Etowa Josephine , Johnston Amy , Jama Zahra , Eccles Kristin M , Ashton Alicia
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Becoming a parent is one of the most significant events an individual will experience in their lifetime. The postpartum period can be a difficult time, especially for mothers, who may require extra support during this challenging time. The proposed study seeks to understand the issue of postpartum support for mothers and their families. It will address this aim by using the Mothercraft Ottawa Postpartum Support Drop-in Program as real-life illustration of a community-based service organisation delivering these services.

Methods and analysis

A three-phased mixed-method programme evaluation guided by the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) evaluation framework and the tenets of community-based participatory research. Instrumental case study methodology will be employed to gain an in-depth understanding of what impact(s) the programme is having on mothers, their partners and their families (phase I-qualitative). A questionnaire, regression modelling, and geospatial analysis will be conducted to gain a deeper understanding of specific programme outputs and to generate information that will help inform programme reach (phase II-quantitative). Study phase III will focus on knowledge translation activities to stakeholders and the broader academic community.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was granted by the University of Ottawa Research Ethics Board (H-12-18-1492). The results of this study will be disseminated at a community workshop, in an academic thesis, at academic conferences and in peer-reviewed publications.
Physical activity and health promotion for nursing staff in elderly care: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Otto Ann-Kathrin , Pietschmann Juliane , Appelles Luisa-Marie , Bebenek Michael , Bischoff Laura L , Hildebrand Claudia , Johnen Bettina , Jöllenbeck Thomas , Kemmler Wolfgang , Klotzbier Thomas , Korbus Heide , Rudisch Julian , Schott Nadja , Schoene Daniel , Voelcker-Rehage Claudia , Vogel Oliver , Vogt Lutz , Weigelt Matthias , Wilke Jan , Zwingmann Katharina , Wollesen Bettina
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Nursing staff is burdened by high workload and stress. Furthermore, heavy lifting, as well as transferring nursing home residents, cause lumbar tissue damage and back pain. Exercise intervention studies to reduce work-related problems are rare and the evidence for efficacy of studies among nurses is limited. Studies including targeted analysis of requirements are necessary to generate effective recommendations and tailored interventions for health promotion programmes. The purpose of this multicentred intervention study is to identify work-related problems, to implement health promotion programmes and to evaluate their effectiveness.

Methods and analysis

A randomised controlled trial will be conducted, including a total of 48 nursing home facilities in eight regions of Germany with an estimated sample size of 700 nurses. Standardised ergonomics and posture training (10 weeks, once a week for 20–30 min) and subsequently, back-fitness training (12 weeks, once a week for 45–60 min) will be administered. Following the implementation of standardised health promotion programmes, further demand-oriented interventions can be implemented. The perceived exposure to work-related demands, work-related pain in different parts of the body, health-related quality of life, perceived stress, work-related patterns of behaviour and experience, presentism behaviour, work environment as well as general needs and barriers to health promotion, will be assessed at baseline (pre-test), at 10 weeks (post-test, after ergonomics training), at 22 weeks (post-test, after back-fitness training) and at 34 weeks of the programme (follow-up).

Ethics and dissemination

The study was reviewed and approved by the local ethics committee of the University of Hamburg (AZ: 2018_168). The results of the study will be published in open-access and international journals. Furthermore, the results will be presented in the participating nursing homes and at national and international conferences.

Trial registration number

DRKS.de (DRKS00015241).
Trends of shoulder instability surgery in Finland: a nationwide register study
Authors: Joukainen Antti , Mattila Ville M , Lepola Vesa , Lehtinen Janne , Kukkonen Juha , Paloneva Juha
Published: October 2020

Objective

Rate of shoulder instability surgery (SIS) has increased in different specific populations. We analysed nationwide trend of SIS in adults in Finland between 1997 and 2014.

Design

A retrospective register study.

Setting

National Hospital Discharge Register of Finland.

Participants

A total of 22 550 adult patients with SIS in Finland (1997–2014).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Analysis included appropriate diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases 10) and procedure coding combinations applicable for SIS. The primary outcome variable was the incidence of SIS per 100 000 person-years, and the secondary outcomes were the study year, sex, age groups (18–29, 30–49 and over 50 years of age) and the type of hospital (public or private).

Results

The overall nationwide rate of SIS in adults increased 177% between 1997 and 2014 in Finland. The rate was the lowest (13/100 000 person-years) in 1997, and the peak rate (40/100 000 person-years) was noted in 2007. The increase in rate was rapid between 1997 and 2007, after which the rate became stable. During the study period, the highest increases were noted in the young adults age group (270%), and especially in the middle-aged group who were operated on in private hospitals (930%).

Conclusions

The rate of SIS increased almost threefold in Finland from 1997 to 2014. The increase was most significant in young and middle-aged adults (18–50 years), in men, and in private hospitals.
Longitudinal, multidisciplinary, resident-driven intervention to increase immunisation rates for Medicaid, low-income and uninsured patients
Authors: Cantu Cynthia , Koch Kristopher , Cancino Ramon S
Published: October 2020

Introduction

More payers are closely linking reimbursement to high-value care outcomes such as immunisation rates. Despite this, there remain high rates of pneumonia and influenza-related hospitalisations generating hospital expenditures as high as $11 000 per hospitalisation. Vaccinating the public is an integral part of preventing poor health and utilisation outcomes and is particularly relevant to high-risk patients. As part of a multidisciplinary effort between family and internal medicine residency programmes, our goal was to improve vaccination rates to an average of 76% of eligible Medicaid, low-income and uninsured (MLIU) patients at an academic primary care practice.

Methods

The quality improvement project was completed over 3 months by three primary care resident groups. The setting was a suburban academic primary care practice and eligible patients were 18 years of age or older. Our aim was to increase immunisation rates of pneumococcal, influenza, varicella, herpes zoster virus and tetanus and diphtheria vaccination. There were 1690 patients eligible for the vaccination composite metric. Data were derived from the electronic health record and administrative data.

Interventions

Cohort 1 developed an initial intervention that consisted of a vaccine questionnaire for patients to complete while in the waiting room. Cohort 2 modified questionnaire after reviewing results from initial intervention. Cohort 3 recommended elimination of questionnaire and implementation of a bundled intervention approach.

Results

There were minimal improvements in patient immunisation rates after using a patient-directed paper questionnaire. After implementation of multiple interventions via an improvement bundle, there were improvements in immunisation rates which were sustained and the result of special cause variation.

Conclusion

A key to improving immunisation rates for MLIU patients in this clinic was developing relationships with faculty and staff stakeholders. We received feedback from all the medical staff and then applied it to the interventions and made an impact in the average of vaccinations.
Effects of night surgery on postoperative mortality and morbidity: a multicentre cohort study
Authors: Althoff Friederike C , Wachtendorf Luca J , Rostin Paul , Santer Peter , Schaefer Maximilian S , Xu Xinling , Grabitz Stephanie D , Chitilian Hovig , Houle Timothy T , Brat Gabriel A , Akeju Oluwaseun , Eikermann Matthias
Published: October 2020

Background

Surgery at night (incision time 17:00 to 07:00 hours) may lead to increased postoperative mortality and morbidity. Mechanisms explaining this association remain unclear.

Methods

We conducted a multicentre retrospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery with general anaesthesia at two major, competing tertiary care hospital networks. In primary analysis, we imputed missing data and determined whether exposure to night surgery affects 30-day mortality using a mixed-effects model with individual anaesthesia and surgical providers as random effects. Secondary outcomes were 30-day morbidity and the mediating effect of blood transfusion rates and provider handovers on the effect of night surgery on outcomes. We further tested for effect modification by surgical setting.

Results

Among 350 235 participants in the primary imputed cohort, the mortality rate was 0.9% (n=2804/322 327) after day and 3.4% (n=940/27 908) after night surgery. Night surgery was associated with an increased risk of mortality (ORadj1.26, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.38, p<0.001). In secondary analyses, night surgery was associated with increased morbidity (ORadj1.41, 95% CI 1.33 to 1.48, p<0.001). The proportion of patients receiving intraoperative blood transfusion and anaesthesia handovers were higher during night-time, mediating 9.4% (95% CI 4.7% to 14.2%, p<0.001) of the effect of night surgery on 30-day mortality and 8.4% (95% CI 6.7% to 10.1%, p<0.001) of its effect on morbidity. The primary association was modified by the surgical setting (p-for-interaction<0.001), towards a greater effect in patients undergoing ambulatory/same-day surgery (ORadj1.81, 95% CI 1.39 to 2.35) compared with inpatients (ORadj1.17, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.34).

Conclusions

Night surgery was associated with an increased risk of postoperative mortality and morbidity. The effect was independent of case acuity and was mediated by potentially preventable factors: higher blood transfusion rates and more frequent provider handovers.
Prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in adults after atrial switch and role of ventricular filling pressures
Authors: Miranda William R , Jain C Charles , Connolly Heidi M , DuBrock Hilary M , Cetta Frank , Egbe Alexander C , Hagler Donald J
Published: October 2020

Objective

To assess the prevalence of elevated systemic right ventricular (sRV) end-diastolic pressure and pulmonary arterial hypertension in adults with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) who have undergone atrial switch operation.

Methods

Forty-two adults (aged ≥18 years) with complete TGA and atrial switch palliation undergoing cardiac catheterisation between 2004 and 2018 at Mayo Clinic, MN, were identified. Clinical, echocardiographic and invasive haemodynamic data were abstracted from the medical charts and procedure logs.

Results

Mean age was 37.6±7.9 years; 28 were male (67%). The Mustard operation was performed in 91% of individuals. Mean estimated sRV ejection fraction by echocardiography was 33.3%±10.9% and ≥moderate tricuspid (systemic atrioventricular valve) regurgitation was present in 15 patients (36%). Mean sRV end-diastolic pressure was 13.2±5.4 mm Hg. An sRV end-diastolic pressure >15 mm Hg was present in 35% of individuals whereas a pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) >15 mm Hg was seen in 59%. Mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥25 mm Hg was seen in 47.5% of patients with PAWP being >15 mm Hg in all but one patient.

Conclusion

In adults after atrial switch, elevated sRV end-diastolic pressure was present in only one-third of patients whereas increased PAWP was seen in almost 60%. These findings are most likely related to a combination of decreased pulmonary atrial (functional left atrium) compliance and, in a subset of patients, pulmonary venous baffle obstruction. Elevation in pulmonary pressures was highly prevalent with concomitant elevation in PAWP being present in essentially all patients.
Habitat selection, movement, and food preferences of Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in an agri-forested landscape
Authors: Wallace S.D. , Forbes G.J. , Nocera J.J.
Published: October 2020

Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta (Le Conte, 1830)) can use agricultural fields for basking and feeding, but hayfields can be an ecological trap due to mortality associated with agricultural machinery. It is unclear if hayfields are selected habitat or simply occur adjacent to used waterways. We sought to investigate Wood Turtle habitat selection at the third- and fourth-order scales in an agri-forested landscape and quantify food abundance (berries, fungi, and gastropods–worms) among habitat types. To quantify habitat selection by Wood Turtles, we radio-tracked 23 adults from May to November of 2018. We measured habitat features at each turtle location and three random sites within 50 m. At the third order, turtles primarily selected for edge habitat and selected hayfields over forest. At the fourth order, turtles selected for low canopy cover and presence of woody debris. Earthworms (suborder Lumbricina) were abundant within hayfields, and berries and fungi were abundant in forests. Turtles abandoned hayfields at the end of July, likely due to the emergence of food within the forest. Food availability likely influences their habitat use during the season, and hayfields provide a food source that entices Wood Turtles during the prime hay harvest period, which likely increases the risk of machinery-related mortality.
Strength of the naked singularity in critical collapse
Authors: Guo Jun-Qi , Zhang Lin , Chen Yuewen , Joshi Pankaj S. , Zhang Hongsheng
Published: October 2020

The critical collapse of a scalar field is a threshold solution of black hole formation, in which a naked singularity arises. We study here the curvature strength of this singularity using a numerical ansatz. The behavior of the Jacobi volume forms is examined along a non-spacelike geodesic in the limit of approach to the singularity. These are seen to be vanishing, thus showing that all physical objects will be crushed to zero size near the singularity. Consequently, although the critical collapse is considered to be a fine-tuning problem, the naked singularity forming is gravitationally strong. This implies that the spacetime cannot be extended beyond the singularity, thus making the singularity genuine and physically interesting. These results imply that the nature of critical collapse may need to be examined and explored further.
Lefschetz thimbles and quantum phases in zero-dimensional bosonic models
Authors: Bharathkumar R. , Joseph Anosh
Published: October 2020

In this paper, by analyzing the underlyingLefschetz-thimble structure, we investigate quantum phases (or quantum critical points) in zero-dimensional scalar field theories with complex actions. Using first principles, we derive the thimble equations of these models for various values of the coupling parameters. In the thimble decomposition of complex path integrals, determination of the so-called intersection numbers appears as an important ingredient. In this paper, we obtain the analytic expressions for the combined intersection number of thimbles and anti-thimbles of these zero-dimensional theories. We also derive the conditional expressions involving relations among the coupling parameters of the model, that would help us predict quantum phase transitions in these systems. We see that the underlying thimble structure undergoes a drastic change when the system passes through such a phase transition.
Dark photon dark matter and fast radio bursts
Authors: Landim Ricardo G.
Published: October 2020

The nature of dark matter (DM) is still a mystery that may indicate the necessity for extensions of the Standard Model (SM). Light dark photons (DP) may comprise partially or entirely the observed DM density and existing limits for the DP DM parameter space arise from several cosmological and astrophysical sources. In the present work we investigate DP DM using cosmic transients, specifically fast radio bursts (FRBs). The observed time delay of radio photons with different energies have been used to constrain the photon mass or the Weak Equivalence Principle, for example. Due to the mixing between the visible and the DP, the time delay of photons from these cosmic transients, caused by free electrons in the intergalactic medium, can change and impact those constraints from FRBs. We use five detected FRBs and two associations of FRBs with gamma-ray bursts to investigate the correspondent variation on the time delay caused by the presence of DP DM. The result is virtually independent of the FRB used and this variation is very small, considering the still allowed DP DM parameter space, not jeopardizing current bounds on other contributions of the observed time delay.
A class of Randers metrics of scalar flag curvature
Authors: Cheng Xinyue , Yin Li , Li Tingting
Published: October 2020

One of the most important problems in Finsler geometry is to classify Finsler metrics of scalar flag curvature. In this paper, we study the classification problem of Randers metrics of scalar flag curvature. Under the condition that [Formula: see text] is a Killing 1-form, we obtain some important necessary conditions for Randers metrics to be of scalar flag curvature.
A Comparative Study of Transfer Learning Approaches for Video Anomaly Detection
Authors: Gutoski Matheus , Ribeiro Manassés , Hattori Leandro T. , Romero Marcelo , Lazzaretti André E. , Lopes Heitor S.
Published: October 2020

Recent research has shown that features obtained from pretrained Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models can be promptly applied to a variety of problems they were not originally designed to solve. This concept, often referred to as Transfer Learning (TL), is a common practice when labeled data is limited. In some fields, such as video anomaly detection, TL is still an underexplored subject in the sense that it is not clear whether the architecture of the pretrained CNN model impacts on the video anomaly detection performance. In order to clarify this issue, we perform an extensive benchmark using 12 different pretrained CNN models on ImageNet as feature extractors and apply the features obtained to seven video anomaly detection benchmark datasets. This work presents some interesting findings about video anomaly detection using TL. The highlights of our findings were revealed by our experiments, which have shown that a simple classification process using One-Class Support Vector Machines yields similar results to state-of-the-art models. Moreover, a statistical analysis suggests that architectural differences are negligible when choosing a pretrained model for video anomaly detection, since all models presented similar performance. At last, we present an in-depth visual analysis of the Avenue dataset, and reveal several aspects that may be limiting the performance of state-of-the-art video anomaly detection methods.
Resolving Hubble tension with the Milne model
Authors: Vishwakarma Ram Gopal
Published: October 2020

The recent measurements of the Hubble constant based on the standard [Formula: see text]CDM cosmology reveal an underlying disagreement between the early-Universe estimates and the late-time measurements. Moreover, as these measurements improve, the discrepancy not only persists but becomes even more significant and harder to ignore. The present situation places the standard cosmology in jeopardy and provides a tantalizing hint that the problem results from some new physics beyond the [Formula: see text]CDM model.

It is shown that a nonconventional theory — the Milne model — which introduces a different evolution dynamics for the Universe, alleviates the Hubble tension significantly. Moreover, the model also averts some long-standing problems of the standard cosmology, for instance, the problems related with the cosmological constant, the horizon, the flatness, the Big Bang singularity, the age of the Universe and the nonconservation of energy.
Quantum Markov chains: A unification approach
Authors: Accardi Luigi , Souissi Abdessatar , Soueidy El Gheteb
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we study a unified approach for quantum Markov chains (QMCs). A new quantum Markov property that generalizes the old one, is discussed. We introduce Markov states and chains on general local algebras, possessing a generic algebraic property. We stress that this kind of algebras includes both Boson and Fermi algebras. Our main results concern two reconstruction theorems for quantum Markov chains and for quantum Markov states. Namely, we illustrate the results through examples.
Non-Extra Pixel Interpolation
Authors: Rukundo Olivier
Published: October 2020

A non-extra pixel interpolation NPI is introduced for efficient image upscaling purposes. The NPI algorithm uses extended-triangular and linear scaling functions to match the pixel coordinates. The triangular function uses a modulo-operator with only two variables representing image pixels and scaling ratio. Every two variables of the linear scaling function represent the source/destination image pixels and scaling ratio. The traditional ceil function is used to round off non-integer pixel coordinates. The circshift and padarray functions are used to circularly shift the elements in array output by [Formula: see text]-amount in each dimension and pad elements of the [Formula: see text]th columns/rows by g-padsize in the shifted array, respectively. The [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] values are determined with respect to integer scaling ratios by a vector of [Formula: see text]-elements. The Exactness, Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Signal-to-Noise Ratio and Discrete Fourier Transform techniques were used for objective evaluation purposes. Experiments demonstrated comparable results as well as the need for further researches.
Locally finite complexes, modules and generalized information systems
Authors: Chiaselotti G. , Infusino F.
Published: October 2020

Simplicial complexes (here briefly complexes) are set systems on an arbitrary set which are object of study in many areas of both mathematics and theoretical computer science. Usually, they are investigated over finite sets.

However, in general, when we consider an arbitrary set [Formula: see text] (not necessarily finite) and a complex [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text], the most natural property related to finiteness is the following: for any subset [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], if [Formula: see text] for all finite subsets [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text]. We call locally finite any complex [Formula: see text] having such a property.

Bearing in mind some motivations and constructions derived from the analysis of information systems in rough set theory, in this paper we associate with any locally finite complex [Formula: see text] a corresponding pre-closure operator [Formula: see text] and, through it, we establish several properties of [Formula: see text].

Next, we investigate the main features of the specific sub-class of locally finite complexes [Formula: see text] for which [Formula: see text] is a closure operator. We call these complexes closable and exhibit a particular family of closable locally finite complexes using left-modules on rings with identity. Finally, we establish a representation result according to which we can associate a pairing structure with any closable locally finite complex.
Experimental demonstration of optimized quantum process tomography on the IBM quantum experience
Authors: Gaikwad Akshay , Shende Krishna , Dorai Kavita
Published: October 2020

We experimentally performed complete and optimized quantum process tomography of quantum gates implemented on superconducting qubit-based IBM QX2 quantum processor via two constrained convex optimization (CCO) techniques: least squares optimization and compressed sensing optimization. We studied the performance of these methods by comparing the experimental complexity involved and the experimental fidelities obtained. We experimentally characterized several two-qubit quantum gates: identity gate, a controlled-NOT gate, and a SWAP gate. The general quantum circuit is efficient in the sense that the data needed to perform CCO-based process tomography can be directly acquired by measuring only a single qubit. The quantum circuit can be extended to higher dimensions and is also valid for other experimental platforms.
On curves in 3-dimensional normal almost contact metric manifolds
Authors: Yıldırım Abdullah
Published: October 2020

The characterization of curves plays an important role in both geometry and topology of almost contact manifolds. Olszak found the equation [Formula: see text] on normal almost contact manifolds. The pair [Formula: see text] denotes the type of these manifolds. In this study, we obtained the curvatures of non-geodesic Frenet curves on [Formula: see text]-dimensional normal almost contact manifolds without neglecting [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], and provided the results of their characterization. We exemplified these results with examples.
An Enhanced Sentiment Analysis Framework Based on Pre-Trained Word Embedding
Authors: Mohamed Ensaf Hussein , Moussa Mohammed ElSaid , Haggag Mohamed Hassan
Published: October 2020

Sentiment analysis (SA) is a technique that lets people in different fields such as business, economy, research, government, and politics to know about people’s opinions, which greatly affects the process of decision-making. SA techniques are classified into: lexicon-based techniques, machine learning techniques, and a hybrid between both approaches. Each approach has its limitations and drawbacks, the machine learning approach depends on manual feature extraction, lexicon-based approach relies on sentiment lexicons that are usually unscalable, unreliable, and manually annotated by human experts. Nowadays, word-embedding techniques have been commonly used in SA classification. Currently, Word2Vec and GloVe are some of the most accurate and usable word embedding techniques, which can transform words into meaningful semantic vectors. However, these techniques ignore sentiment information of texts and require a huge corpus of texts for training and generating accurate vectors, which are used as inputs of deep learning models.

In this paper, we propose an enhanced ensemble classifier framework. Our framework is based on our previously published lexicon-based method, bag-of-words, and pre-trained word embedding, first the sentence is preprocessed by removing stop-words, POS tagging, stemming and lemmatization, shortening exaggerated word. Second, the processed sentence is passed to three modules, our previous lexicon-based method (Sum Votes), bag-of-words module and semantic module (Word2Vec and Glove) and produced feature vectors. Finally, the previous features vectors are fed into 11 different classifiers.

The proposed framework is tested and evaluated over four datasets with five different lexicons, the experiment results show that our proposed model outperforms the previous lexicon based and the machine learning methods individually.
Influence of Large Amplitude Vibration on Geometrically Imperfect Sandwich Curved Panels Embedded with Gradient Metallic Cellular Core
Authors: Amir Mohammad , Talha Mohammad
Published: October 2020

This study investigates the influence of large amplitude vibration on geometrically imperfect sandwich curved panels embedded with gradient metallic cellular (GMC) core using an efficient nonlinear finite element formulation based on higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT). The cores of the sandwich curved panels are assumed to have three distinct porosity distributions. The material properties of the sandwich curved panel’s GMC core layer vary in the thickness direction as a function of porosity coefficient and mass density. The present nonlinear finite element model is validated with limited results available in the open literature, and few new results are also computed that can be used as a benchmark solution. The influence of porosity coefficient, porosity distribution type, amplitude ratio, imperfection amplitude, and curvature ratio on the free vibration characteristics of the geometrically imperfect sandwich curved panels with the GMC core are studied in detail.
Time-Dependent Deflection Responses of Porous FGM Structure Including Pattern and Porosity
Authors: Ramteke Prashik Malhari , Patel Brijesh , Panda Subrata Kumar
Published: October 2020

The transient deflections of the functionally graded structure considering various types of patterns (power-law, sigmoid and exponential) are computed in this paper numerically using a higher-order shear deformation model. Also, the model includes variable distribution of porosity, i.e., the even and the uneven types, through the thickness direction ([Formula: see text]-axis) of the graded panel. The transient deflection data are obtained computationally via a customized computer code prepared in MATLAB in association with Newmark’s constant acceleration-type time-integration technique. The model accuracy is checked by comparing the present time-dependent data with the published transient deflection values and the simulated results (modeled through a commercial package, ANSYS). Further, the effects of several design parameters (aspect ratio, thickness ratio, power exponent, porosity index, type of porosity, geometry and end-support conditions) on the transient deflection responses of the graded structure are computed through the derived numerical model.
The Interrelated Mechanics of Poroelastic Gels in Time- and Frequency-Domain Detected by Indentation
Authors: Maningding Alvin , Azadi Mojtaba
Published: October 2020

The force response of poroelastic materials including poroelastic gels to indentation is known to be time- and space-dependent (i.e., a function of indenter shape and size). Despite the complexity of the poroelastic response and in contrast to viscoelastic mechanics, poroelastic mechanics can be captured in terms of several intrinsic mechanical properties, such as elasticity, permeability, and Poisson ratio. While these intrinsic properties can be found from time-domain or frequency-domain master curves, indentation is usually conducted and analyzed only in the time domain using stress-relaxation or creep experiments. This paper advocates using frequency-domain analysis of poroelastic gels by reviewing and analyzing the relevant works of the literature. The analysis and methods, proposed here, enable researchers to characterize dynamic moduli of poroelastic gels in frequency domain using only a few experimental defining parameters. The authors have intentionally provided extensive details and background, to make this work useful for researchers who consider using frequency-domain analysis for the first time. This work reviews and explains the instantaneous elastic modulus, depicted over normalized time as a unifying and understandable set of master curves for time-domain stress relaxation tests on poroelastic gels for cylindrical, conical, and spherical indenters. The dynamic elastic modulus, depicted over normalized frequency, are derived symbolically and numerically and explained for the first time as master curves with simple transfer function in the frequency domain for presenting poroelastic mechanics of gels.
Codes from incidence matrices of some regular graphs
Authors: Saranya R. , Durairajan C.
Published: October 2020

We examine the [Formula: see text]-ary linear codes with respect to Lee metric from incidence matrix of the Lee graph with vertex set [Formula: see text] and two vertices being adjacent if their Lee distance is one. All the main parameters of the codes are obtained as [Formula: see text] if [Formula: see text] is odd and [Formula: see text] if [Formula: see text] is even. We examine also the [Formula: see text]-ary linear codes with respect to Hamming metric from incidence matrices of Desargues graph, Pappus graph, Folkman graph and the main parameters of the codes are [Formula: see text], respectively. Any transitive subgroup of automorphism groups of these graphs can be used for full permutation decoding using the corresponding codes. All the above codes can be used for full error correction by permutation decoding.
How successful have the lockdowns been in controlling the (COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2) pandemic — A simulation-based analysis
Authors: Kumar Anup , Viswakarma Niraj Kr. , Adlakha Amit , Mukherjee Kampan
Published: October 2020

The total number of infections (epidemic size), and the time needed for the infection to die out (epidemic duration), represent two of the main indicators for the measuring gravity of infectious disease epidemics in humans. A few attempts have been made to address the problem of controlling both the epidemic size and duration simultaneously from a theoretical point of view, by primarily using the Optimal control theory. In this study, a multi-objective optimal control problem has been simulated to gauge the success of the lockdowns in India. To accomplish this objective, a system dynamics modeling was used to simulate the Susceptible–Infected–Quarantined–Removed epidemic model. A set of sensitivity experiments for different scenarios allows illustrating the model’s behavior and its value for decision-makers regarding the lockdown intensity. The simulation of the model presents various scenarios, wherein the cost–benefit analysis of lockdown was done. Notably, the lockdown success intensity was defined, post which, the findings indicate that the states of Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Panjab, Jammu, Kashmir, Haryana, and Bihar have achieved more than 90% lockdown success intensity. Further, it was observed that these states could effectively implement lockdowns by strictly enforcing social distancing measures during the early stages of the virus spread, which in turn resulted in the high success rate of lockdowns.
Significance of Health Information Technology (HIT) in Context to COVID-19 Pandemic: Potential Roles and Challenges
Authors: Singh Ravi Pratap , Javaid Mohd , Haleem Abid , Vaishya Raju , Bahl Shashi
Published: October 2020

Health information technology (HIT) refers to the concept of applying cloud-based services, internet, connected network, etc. in healthcare. It mainly utilizes electronic health records, information, and data related to the patients for providing the treatment and services in a more effective and advanced manner. This study attempts to propose roles and applications and identify the impact of the concept of HIT on serving the patients during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic period. This paper also assesses the significant impact of HIT in the healthcare sector during the COVID-19 crisis. The medical decision support, e-sign-off tools, bar-coding approach, advanced medicine dispensing, e-patient portals, etc. are numerous data-sharing and network system-based HIT services. It has many capabilities to shift the working culture of medical facilities while serving and treating patients with a higher care level and impressive satisfaction, especially so during this COVID-19 pandemic. Interoperability and tele-healthcare have also become practicable with the proposed HIT approach.
Automation of Economic Activity Management of High-Tech Structures of Innovation-Oriented Clusters
Authors: Batova Marina , Baranov Vyacheslav , Mayorov Sergey
Published: October 2020

For a high-tech enterprise of an innovation-oriented cluster, an applied automated information system was needed to support decision-making in economic problems. In the research, requirements were formed for such a system. The target function of the efficiency of business process management of innovative projects was formed. The function is based on an original economic and mathematical model reflecting the special characteristics of an enterprise’s project activities. A sequence of steps for the implementation of the model was formed. An algorithm to calculate the integral result of the project was proposed. A set of indicators has been identified that helps in assessing the reliability of the relationship management system of a high-tech enterprise with consumers and suppliers. An algorithm for implementing a model of relationships between a high-tech enterprise and consumers of product innovations and resource suppliers was proposed. A software application that provides the choice of the best design solutions was developed. A user interface containing a set of windows reflecting the results of implementing the algorithm for introducing and correcting the initial data was designed. A graphical interpretation of the calculation results is proposed, providing for the display of the results and the happened errors.
Perspective—Electrodeposition of Graphene Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites for Enhanced Mechanical and Physical Properties: A Review
Authors: Biswal Hrudaya Jyoti , Vundavilli Pandu R. , Gupta Ankur
Published: October 2020

Graphene, a two-dimensional material consisting of carbon sheets with exceptionally superior mechanical, electrical and thermal properties, presents itself as an effective second phase reinforcement option for composites and functionally graded materials. Although polymer matrix composites reinforced with graphene have been explored extensively, metal/graphene composite is a comparatively new field of research. This perspective article reviews electrochemical deposition as a strategy to fabricate well-dispersed metal/graphene composites for their potential to enhance mechanical and physical characteristics. The recent state of the art research works has been discussed along with the challenges that are being encountered and their possible solutions.
Sequential paracrine mechanisms are necessary for the therapeutic benefits of stem cell therapy
Authors: Sun Hualing , Pratt Richard E. , Hodgkinson Conrad P. , Dzau Victor J.
Published: October 2020

Stem cell injections are an attractive therapeutic tool. It has been demonstrated that injected stem cells promote tissue repair and regeneration via paracrine mechanisms. However, the effects of injected stem cells continue for far longer than they are present. We hypothesized that the effects of injected stem cells are prolonged because of a sequential paracrine relay mechanism. Conditioned media was collected from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) after 24 h. This media was then added to RAW264.7. Media was collected from the macrophages after 24 h and was then added to endothelial cells (ECs). This conditioned macrophage media, but not control media, promoted wound healing and induced EC differentiation. Similar results were observed with primary macrophages. To identify the active paracrine factors released by macrophages in response to stimulation by MSC conditioned media we used an antibody array, identifying increased expression of the angiogenesis-related proteins stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). Knockdown of either protein inhibited the ability of conditioned media derived from MSC paracrine factor-stimulated macrophages to induce EC differentiation both in vitro and in vivo. Conditioned media derived from postnatal day 7 (P7) mouse macrophages induced EC differentiation. Moreover, SDF1 and PAI-1 levels were >120 higher in P7 macrophages compared with adult macrophages, suggesting that MSC paracrine factors promote adult macrophages to adopt a juvenile phenotype. These results indicate that MSC paracrine factors induce macrophages to secrete SDF1 and PAI-1, in-turn inducing endothelial cells to differentiate. Identification of a sequential paracrine mechanism opens new therapeutic avenues for stem cell therapy.
Amplitude modulation encoding in the auditory cortex: comparisons between the primary and middle lateral belt regions
Authors: Johnson Jeffrey S. , Niwa Mamiko , O’Connor Kevin N. , Sutter Mitchell L.
Published: October 2020

ML neurons synchronized less than A1 neurons, consistent with a hierarchical temporal-to-rate transformation. Both A1 and ML had a class of modulation transfer functions previously unreported in the cortex with a low-modulation-frequency (MF) peak, a middle-MF trough, and responses similar to unmodulated noise responses at high MFs. The results support a hierarchical shift toward a two-pool opponent code, where subtraction of neural activity between two populations of oppositely tuned neurons encodes AM.
Can auditory brain stem response accurately reflect the cochlear function?
Authors: Ding Dalian , Zhang Jianhui , Li Wenjuan , Li Dong , Yu Jintao , Wu Xuewen , Qi Weidong , Liu Fang , Jiang Haiyan , Shi Haibo , Sun Hong , Li Peng , Huang Weiluo , Salvi Richard
Published: October 2020

Auditory brain stem response (ABR) is more commonly used to evaluate cochlear lesions than cochlear compound action potential (CAP). In a noise-induced cochlear damage model, we found that the reduced CAP and enhanced ABR caused the threshold difference. In a unilateral cochlear destruction model, a shadow curve of the ABR from the contralateral healthy ear masked the hearing loss in the destroyed ear.
Dynamic shifts of visual and saccadic signals in prefrontal cortical regions 8Ar and FEF
Authors: Khanna Sanjeev B. , Scott Jonathan A. , Smith Matthew A.
Published: October 2020

A central question in neuroscience is how the brain transitions from sensory representations to motor outputs. The prefrontal cortex contains neurons that have long been implicated as important in this transition and in working memory. We found evidence for rich and diverse tuning in these neurons, which was often spatially misaligned between visual and saccadic responses. This feature may play an important role in flexible working memory capabilities.