bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of depression on health service utilisation in men: a prospective cohort study of Australian men aged 35 to 80 years
Authors: Martin Sean , Zajac Ian , Vincent Andrew , Adams Robert J , Appleton Sarah , Wittert Gary A
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To examine the relationship between depression burden, health service utilisation and depression diagnosis in community-based men.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Community-based.

Participants

Men aged 35–80 years at recruitment (2002–2005), randomly selected from the northern and western suburbs of Adelaide, Australia, without depression at baseline, who attended follow-up visits (2007–2010) (n=1464).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Depression symptoms were categorised into high burden (total score of ≥13 for the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) or ≥10 for the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) or low burden (<13 for the BDI or <10 for the CES-D). Diagnosed depression was determined by patient-reported physician diagnosis. Frequent general practitioner (GP) visits were those occurring 5+ times over the preceding year. Use of national medical and prescription services (Medicare Benefit Schedule and Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme; MBS and PBS) was assessed through data linkage.

Results

Frequent attendance and depression diagnosis was more common in men with a high than low burden of depression symptoms (45.9% vs 29.3%–18.7% vs 1.9%, p<0.001). Depression diagnoses were also more common in frequent GP attenders compared with low-average attenders (5.1% vs 2.2%, p<0.001). Among men with high burden of symptoms, there was no age-adjusted or multi-adjusted difference for likelihood of depression diagnosis between non-regular and frequent GP attenders. Annualised MBS and PBS expenditure was highest for men with undiagnosed depression.

Conclusions

Men with a high burden of depression symptoms have commensurate use of health services when compared with those with a low burden, but only half report a physician diagnosis of depression. Undiagnosed depression led to a higher usage of medical and prescription services.
Epley manoeuvre for posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in people with multiple sclerosis: protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: García-Muñoz Cristina , Cortés-Vega María-Dolores , Hernández-Rodríguez Juan Carlos , Palomo-Carrión Rocio , Martín-Valero Rocío , Casuso-Holgado María Jesús
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Vestibular disorders in multiple sclerosis (MS) could have central or peripheral origin. Although the central aetiology is the most expected in MS, peripheral damage is also significant in this disease. The most prevalent effect of vestibular peripheral damage is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Impairments of the posterior semicircular canals represent 60%–90% of cases of BPPV. The standard gold treatment for this syndrome is the Epley manoeuvre (EM), the effectiveness of which has been poorly studied in patients with MS. Only one retrospective research study and a case study have reported encouraging results for EM with regard to resolution of posterior semicircular canal BPPV. The aim of this future randomised controlled trial (RCT) is to assess the effectiveness of EM for BPPV in participants with MS compared with a sham manoeuvre.

Methods and analysis

The current protocol describes an RCT with two-arm, parallel-group design. Randomisation, concealed allocation and double-blinding will be conducted to reduce possible bias. Participants and evaluators will be blinded to group allocation. At least 80 participants who meet all eligibility criteria will be recruited. Participants will have the EM or sham manoeuvre performed within the experimental or control group, respectively. The primary outcome of the study is changes in the Dix Hallpike test. The secondary outcome will be changes in self-perceived scales: Dizziness Handicap Inventory and Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living Scale. The sample will be evaluated at baseline, immediately after the intervention and 48 hours postintervention.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the Andalusian Review Board and Ethics Committee of Virgen Macarena-Virgen del Rocio Hospitals (ID 0107-N-20, 23 July 2020). The results of the research will be disseminated by the investigators to peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT04578262.
Online Bridging Program for new international palliative medicine fellows: development and evaluation
Authors: Al-Mohawes Hanan , Amante Madelaine , Hannon Breffni , Zimmermann Camilla , Kaya Ebru , al-Awamer Ahmed
Published: March 2021

Objectives

International medical graduates (IMGs) who pursue additional training in another country may encounter unique challenges that compromise their learning experience. This paper describes the development of an Online Bridging Program in the Division of Palliative Care at the University Health Network Toronto and examines its effectiveness in improving IMGs’ readiness for Canadian fellowship training.

Methods

The annual Online Bridging Program was developed to help new IMGs transitioning to Canadian palliative fellowship using Kern’s framework for curriculum development. Following a needs assessment, eight online modules with weekly live sessions were developed and underwent external content validation and usability tests. After each iteration, the programme was improved based on participant feedback. Evaluation was conducted first through an online survey immediately on completion of the programme and then through qualitative interviews 6 months into the fellowship. The interviews were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s model for thematic analysis.

Results

Nine IMGs participated in the Online Bridging Program from 2018 to 2020. All nine participated in the survey and eight in the interviews. Responses to the online survey were almost unanimously positive, suggesting its effectiveness in assisting the IMGs’ transitions into fellowship. The interviews revealed four major themes: the importance of combining online modules and live sessions, reducing the fellows’ anxiety and easing the transition into their new role, an improved overall learning experience and recognising online format limitations.

Conclusion

The Online Bridging Program effectively eased IMG palliative medicine fellows’ transition into training and enhanced their learning experience.
Non-invasive ventilation for SARS-CoV-2 acute respiratory failure: a subanalysis from the HOPE COVID-19 registry
Authors: Bertaina Maurizio , Nuñez-Gil Ivan J , Franchin Luca , Fernández Rozas Inmaculada , Arroyo-Espliguero Ramón , Viana-Llamas María C , Romero Rodolfo , Maroun Eid Charbel , Uribarri Aitor , Becerra-Muñoz Víctor Manuel , Huang Jia , Alfonso Emilio , Marmol-Mosquera Fernando , Ugo Fabrizio , Cerrato Enrico , Fernandez-Presa Lucia , Raposeiras Roubin Sergio , Feltes Guzman Gisela , Gonzalez Adelina , Abumayyaleh Mohammad , Fernandez-Ortiz Antonio , Macaya Carlos , Estrada Vicente
Published: March 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously challenged worldwide healthcare systems and limited intensive care facilities, leading to physicians considering the use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) for managing SARS-CoV-2-related acute respiratory failure (ARF).

Methods

We conducted an interim analysis of the international, multicentre HOPE COVID-19 registry including patients admitted for a confirmed or highly suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection until 18 April 2020. Those treated with NIV were considered. The primary endpoint was a composite of death or need for intubation. The components of the composite endpoint were the secondary outcomes. Unadjusted and adjusted predictors of the primary endpoint within those initially treated with NIV were investigated.

Results

1933 patients who were included in the registry during the study period had data on oxygen support type. Among them, 390 patients (20%) were treated with NIV. Compared with those receiving other non-invasive oxygen strategy, patients receiving NIV showed significantly worse clinical and laboratory signs of ARF at presentation. Of the 390 patients treated with NIV, 173 patients (44.4%) met the composite endpoint. In-hospital death was the main determinant (147, 37.7%), while 62 patients (15.9%) needed invasive ventilation. Those requiring invasive ventilation had the lowest survival rate (41.9%). After adjustment, age (adjusted OR (adj(OR)) for 5-year increase: 1.37, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.63, p<0.001), hypertension (adj(OR) 2.95, 95% CI 1.14 to 7.61, p=0.03), room air O2saturation <92% at presentation (adj(OR) 3.05, 95% CI 1.28 to 7.28, p=0.01), lymphocytopenia (adj(OR) 3.55, 95% CI 1.16 to 10.85, p=0.03) and in-hospital use of antibiotic therapy (adj(OR) 4.91, 95% CI 1.69 to 14.26, p=0.003) were independently associated with the composite endpoint.

Conclusion

NIV was used in a significant proportion of patients within our cohort, and more than half of these patients survived without the need for intubation. NIV may represent a viable strategy particularly in case of overcrowded and limited intensive care resources, but prompt identification of failure is mandatory to avoid harm. Further studies are required to better clarify our hypothesis.

Trial registration numbers

NCT04334291/EUPAS34399.
Behavioral Health Clinicians Endorse Stellate Ganglion Block as a Valuable Intervention in the Treatment of Trauma-Related Disorders
Authors: Lynch James H , Muench Peter D , Okiishi John C , Means Gary E , Mulvaney Sean W
Published: March 2021

The stellate ganglion block (SGB) procedure has been used successfully for over 10 years to treat post-traumatic stress symptoms in thousands of US military service members, civilians, and veterans in select hospitals in Europe and North America. Primarily through targeting the autonomic nervous system, the SGB procedure serves as an invaluable adjunct to trauma-focused psychotherapy. Without published best practices for emerging therapies, clinicians are left on their own to determine how best to apply new treatments to their patient populations. The aim of this qualitative research was to compile attitudes and recommendations from therapists with expertise in using SGB for treating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, so that their experiences could be disseminated widely to clinicians without SGB expertise. An 18-item survey was developed and distributed electronically to a group of behavioral health professionals of various specialties between May and June 2020. Of surveyed behavioral health clinicians with personal experience incorporating SGB into their trauma-focused psychotherapy, 95% of respondents would recommend SGB to a colleague as a useful tool for the treatment of trauma-related disorders. SGB was rated at least as useful as the most valuable interventions listed in the American Psychological Association Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder with 100% of respondents characterizing SGB as ‘Very Beneficial’ or ‘Somewhat Beneficial’, and 0 respondents characterizing SGB as ‘Not Helpful’ or ‘Harmful’. Given the feedback from this study, behavioral health providers should consider using SGB in conjunction with standard trauma-focused care.
Dural venous system: angiographic technique and correlation with ex vivo investigations
Authors: Shapiro Maksim , Raz Eytan , Nossek Erez , Srivatanakul Kittipong , Walker Melanie , Mir Osman , Nelson Peter Kim
Published: March 2021

Background

The dural vasculature plays a key role in several important conditions, including dural fistulas and subdural collections. While in vivo investigations of intrinsic dural arterial angioarchitecture are rare, no angiographic studies of dural venous drainage exist to our knowledge.

Objective

To describe methods by which dural venous drainage might be visualized with current angiographic equipment and technique, and to correlate our results with existing ex vivo literature.

Methods

Digital subtraction angiography and 3D angiography (rotational and Dyna CT) of dural neurovasculature were acquired in the context of subdural hematoma embolization and normal dura. Protocols for visualization of dural venous drainage were established, and findings correlated with ex vivo studies.

Results

Meningeal arteries supply both the skull and dura. Normal dural enhancement is accentuated by the presence of hypervascular membranes. Intrinsic meningeal veins/sinuses parallel outer layer arteries with well-known tram-tracking appearance. Dura adjacent to main arterial trunks drains via skull base foramina into the pterygopalatine venous plexus, or via emissary veins into the temporalis venous plexus. Dura near the sinuses drains into venous pouches adjacent to the sinus, before emptying into the sinus proper—possibly the same pouches implicated in the angioarchitecture of dural fistulas. Finally, posterior temporoparietal convexity dura, situated in a watershed-like region between middle and posterior meningeal territories, frequently empties into diploic and emissary veins of the skull. Wide variation in balance is expected between these three routes. Drainage patterns appear to correlate with venous embryologic investigations of Padget and ex vivo studies in adults.

Conclusions

Continued attention to dural venous drainage may prove useful in the diagnosis and management of dural-based vascular diseases.
China Antihypertensive Trial in Acute Ischemic Stroke II (CATIS-2): rationale and design
Authors: Liu Liping , Wang Yilong , Xie Xuewei , Liu Dacheng , Wang Aili , Wang Penglian , Shen Suwen , Zhong Chongke , Wei Yufei , Xu Tan , Pan Yuesong , Jiang Yong , Meng Xia , Wang David , Zhang Yonghong , He Jiang , Wang Yongjun
Published: March 2021

Backgrounds

Increased blood pressure (BP) for patients who had an acute ischaemic stroke is associated with poor functional outcome, however the optimal timing of antihypertensive therapy is unknown.

Aims

We aim to compare early antihypertensive treatment to delayed antihypertensive treatment for reducing the risk of composite major disability and mortality at 3 months in acute ischaemic stroke.

Design

The China Antihypertensive Trial in Acute Ischemic Stroke II (CATIS-2) trial is a multicentre, randomised, open-label, blinded-endpoints trial that will be conducted in 100 hospitals in China. The primary outcome is the composite of death and major disability (modified Rankin Scale score ≥3) at 3 months of randomisation. Antihypertensive treatment will be received immediately after randomisation in the early treatment group, aimed at average systolic BP by 10%–20% reduction within the first 24 hours, and achieving an average BP level of <140/90 mm Hg within 5 days. Patients in the delayed treatment group will discontinue any antihypertension medications for the first 7 days of randomisation, and will receive antihypertensive therapy achieving a BP goal of <140/90 mm Hg after 7 days.

Conclusion

The CATIS-2 trial will be testing the hypotheses that early BP lowering leads to improved functional outcome without any other harms, and developing clinical guidelines of the BP management for patients who had an acute ischaemic stroke.

Trial registration number

NCT03479554.
A new generation of sensors and monitoring tools to support climate-smart forestry practices
Authors: Torresan Chiara , Benito Garzón Marta , O’Grady Michael , Robson Thomas Matthew , Picchi Gianni , Panzacchi Pietro , Tomelleri Enrico , Smith Melanie , Marshall John , Wingate Lisa , Tognetti Roberto , Rustad Lindsey E. , Kneeshaw Dan
Published: March 2021

Climate-smart forestry (CSF) is an emerging branch of sustainable adaptive forest management aimed at enhancing the potential of forests to adapt to and mitigate climate change. It relies on much higher data requirements than traditional forestry. These data requirements can be met by new devices that support continuous, in situ monitoring of forest conditions in real time. We propose a comprehensive network of sensors, i.e., a wireless sensor network (WSN), that can be part of a worldwide network of interconnected uniquely addressable objects, an Internet of Things (IoT), which can make data available in near real time to multiple stakeholders, including scientists, foresters, and forest managers, and may partially motivate citizens to participate in big data collection. The use of in situ sources of monitoring data as ground-truthed training data for remotely sensed data can boost forest monitoring by increasing the spatial and temporal scales of the monitoring, leading to a better understanding of forest processes and potential threats. Here, some of the key developments and applications of these sensors are outlined, together with guidelines for data management. Examples are given of their deployment to detect early warning signals (EWS) of ecosystem regime shifts in terms of forest productivity, health, and biodiversity. Analysis of the strategic use of these tools highlights the opportunities for engaging citizens and forest managers in this new generation of forest monitoring.
Study of the threshold anomaly effect in the reaction $$^{7}$$Li+$$^{208}$$Pb at energies around the Coulomb barrier
Authors: Vardaci E. , Rath P. K. , Mazzocco M. , Nitto A. Di , Rana G. La , Parascandolo C. , Pierroutsakou D. , Romoli M. , Boiano A. , Vanzanella A. , Cinausero M. , Prete G. , Gelli N. , Lucarelli F. , Mazzocchi C. , Commara M. La , Fortunato L. , Guglielmetti A. , Soramel F. , Stroe L. , Signorini C.
Published: March 2021

The elastic scattering in the reaction $$^{7}$$

7

Li+$$^{208}$$

208

Pb was investigated in the bombarding energy range from 25 to 39 MeV. The real and imaginary parts of the optical potential were analyzed by using a phenomenological potential. A dispersion relation analysis is presented in order to investigate the threshold anomaly effect. It is concluded that $$^{7}$$

7

Li has an intermediate behavior between the tightly bound nuclei such as $$^{16}$$

16

O and the loosely bound nuclei such as $$^{6}$$

6

Li where the lack of the threshold anomaly is unambiguously observed. Reaction cross sections are also extracted from the elastic scattering data and its comparison with the ones of other systems has been performed to draw hints on the effect of the breakup channel.
A spectroscopical study of H$$_{2}$$ emission in a simply magnetized toroidal plasma
Authors: Barni R. , Alex P. , Ghorbanpour E. , Riccardi C.
Published: March 2021

A noninvasive diagnostic technique relying on optical emission spectroscopy is used for studying plasma confined in a purely toroidal magnetic field. Visible emission lines of molecular hydrogen were specifically targeted. Bi-dimensional structures and poloidal plasma profiles were reconstructed from the emissivity distribution of hydrogen Fulcher system using a tomographic method. A few details concerning the methods employed to capture different emission viewlines, data reduction and tomographic reconstruction techniques are also addressed. We report also the first measurement of the excitation temperature of the $$\text {H}_2$$

H
2

[3c] level in the center of the plasma column, $$T_{\mathrm{exc}}=0.67 \pm 0.11$$

T
exc

=
0.67
±
0.11

eV.

Graphic Abstract
3D-Printing Hands that Feel
Authors: Akhtar Aadeel
Published: March 2021

Amputation is always a devastating experience. In addition to the loss of function or sensation, the lowered body image leaves deeper emotional impacts on the victims and their loved ones. For various reasons, traumatic injuries and vascular diseases like diabetes [4] are common for particularly upper limb loss. According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 10 million people with hand amputations worldwide, 80% of whom are in developing countries. Unfortunately, only less than 3% have access to affordable prostheses [1-3]. Over the past few decades, there have been major advances in commercial prosthetic hands, enabling control over six degrees of freedom (flexion/extension in all five digits and thumb rotation).
Sonicprint
Authors: Rathore Aditya Singh , Xu Chenhan , Xu Wenyao
Published: March 2021

Although fingerprint technology holds great promise for user authentication, commercial scanners face significant challenges in terms of security (e.g., fake finger) and adoptability (e.g., wearables). SonicPrint pushes the boundary of fingerprint biometrics beyond smartphones to any smart devices without the need for specialized hardware. To achieve this, it listens for fingerprintinduced sonic effect (FiSe) caused when a user swipes his/her fingertip on smart device surface. Compared to other biometrics including physiological patterns and passive sensing, SonicPrint is a low-cost, privacyoriented and secure approach to identify users across smart devices of unique form-factors.
Review of Network Flow Algorithms David P. Williamson
Authors: Nagaraj S.V.
Published: March 2021

This book is on algorithms for network flows. Network flow problems are optimization problems where given a flow network, the aim is to construct a flow that respects the capacity constraints of the edges of the network, so that incoming flow equals the outgoing flow for all vertices of the network except designated vertices known as the source and the sink. Network flow algorithms solve many real-world problems. This book is intended to serve graduate students and as a reference. The book is also available in eBook (ISBN 9781316952894/US$ 32.00), and hardback (ISBN 9781107185890/US$99.99) formats. The book has a companion web site www.networkflowalgs.com where a pre-publication version of the book can be downloaded gratis.
Review of The Theory of Quantum Information John Watrous
Authors: Fenner Stephen A.
Published: March 2021

This is an extremely clear, carefully written book that covers the most important results in the sprawling field of quantum information. It is perfect for a reference, self-study, or a graduate course in quantum information. It makes no attempt to be broad or encyclopedic, but instead goes deep into the core topics. The definitions and theorems are all precisely worded, and (starting in Chapter 2) all results have complete proofs, making the book largely self-contained. The book focuses heavily on the mathematical results and nuts-and-bolts techniques underpinning current research, and as such gives the reader a thorough and flexible toolkit for proving new results. If you are just looking for a broad but cursory survey of the field, then this is probably not the book for you. If, however, you want a working knowledge of the core results and proof techniques of quantum information with an eye toward doing cutting-edge research in the field, then this book will be an indispensable addition to your library.

The mathematical theory of quantum information studies the ultimate abilities and limits of transmitting and processing information using the laws of quantum mechanics. It owes much of its motivation to classical information theory, which was largely developed by Claude Shannon in the mid 20th century, and to quantum mechanics itself (of course). It addresses basic questions like: how much information can be transmitted through quantum channels, noisy or otherwise, and how entanglement helps. The theory informs, and is informed by, its sister disciplines of quantum computation and quantum communication (which overlap with physics and computer science), although in some sense it is more fundamental. Though he occasionally mentions applications to these other areas, Watrous seats his book squarely in the realm of pure mathematics.
Iteration vs. Recursion
Authors: Chen Li
Published: March 2021

Iteration and recursion are two essential approaches in Algorithm Design and Computer Programming. Both iteration and recursion are needed for repetitive processes in computing. An iterative structure is a loop in which a collection of instructions and statements will be repeated. A recursive structure is formed by a procedure that calls itself to make a complete performance, which is an alternate way to repeat the process.
Submarine Landslides and Their Tsunami Hazard
Authors: Tappin David R.
Published: March 2021

Most tsunamis are generated by earthquakes, but in 1998, a seabed slump offshore of northern Papua New Guinea (PNG) generated a tsunami up to 15 m high that killed more than 2,200 people. The event changed our understanding of tsunami mechanisms and was the forerunner to two decades of major tsunamis that included those in Turkey, the Indian Ocean, Japan, and Sulawesi and Anak Krakatau in Indonesia. PNG provided a context to better understand these tsunamis as well as older submarine landslide events, such as Storegga (8150 BP); Alika 2 in Hawaii (120,000 BP), and Grand Banks, Canada (1929), together with those from dual earthquake/landslide mechanisms, such as Messina (1908), Puerto Rico (1928), and Japan (2011). PNG proved that submarine landslides generate devastating tsunamis from failure mechanisms that can be very different, whether singly or in combination with earthquakes. It demonstrated the critical importance of seabed mapping to identify these mechanisms as well as stimulated the development of new numerical tsunami modeling methodologies. In combination with other recent tsunamis, PNG demonstrated the critical importance of these events in advancing our understanding of tsunami hazard and risk. This review recounts how, since 1998, understanding of the tsunami hazard from submarine landslides has progressed far beyond anything considered possible at that time. ▪  For submarine landslide tsunamis, advances in understanding take place incrementally, usually in response to major, sometimes catastrophic, events. ▪  The Papua New Guinea tsunami in 1998, when more than 2,200 people perished, was a turning point in first recognizing the significant tsunami hazard from submarine landslides. ▪  Over the past 2 to 3 years advances have also been made mainly because of improvements in numerical modeling based on older tsunamis such as Grand Banks in 1929, Messina in 1908, and Storegga at 8150 BP. ▪  Two recent tsunamis in late 2018, in Sulawesi and Anak Krakatau, Indonesia, where several hundred people died, were from very unusual landslide mechanisms—dual (strike-slip and landslide) and volcanic collapse—and provide new motivations for understanding these tsunami mechanisms. ▪  This is a timely, state of the art review of landslide tsunamis based on recent well-studied events and new research on older ones, which provide an important context for the recent tsunamis in Indonesia in 2018.
Synthesis of Polyfluorinated Azobenzene Intercalated Tantalum Tungstate Nanocomposite for Determination of Dopamine and Ascorbic Acid
Authors: Wu Shining , Wang Haoran , Cao Tongtong , Fan Zichun , Ma Juanjuan , Liu Lin , Tong Zhiwei
Published: March 2021

A sandwich-structured C3F7-azo+-TaWO6 nanocomposite used as an electrochemical sensor for simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA) and ascorbic acid (AA) was synthesized by guest-guest exchange method. n-PrNH3
+-TaWO6 precursor was ion-exchanged with cationic polyfluorinated azo dye, trans-[2-(2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutylamino)ethyl]-{2-[4-(4-hexyphenylazo)-phenoxy]ethyl} dimethylammonium bromide (abbreviated as C3F7-azo+Br−). The structure and morphology were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive spectrometer analysis (EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to test the electrochemical properties of C3F7-azo+-TaWO6 nanocomposite. The experimental results show that C3F7-azo+-TaWO6/GCE can detect AA and DA at the same time, with the potential difference reaching 356 mV. Moreover, electrochemical sensing toward DA and AA on C3F7-azo+-TaWO6/ GCE exhibits low detection limits of 0.81 μM and 1.6 μM, respectively, each in a linear range of 0.05 to 0.31 mM.
Determinants Influencing the Adoption of Rice Intensification System among Smallholders in Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kenya
Authors: Kadipo Kaloi Francis , Isaboke Hezron Nyarindo , Onyari Charles Nyambane , Njeru Lucy Karega
Published: March 2021

Rice farming has received considerable attention in developing countries and particularly in Kenya due to its impact on smallholders’ income and food security. Irrigated rice is the largest consumer of water, and its sustainability is threatened by water shortage. This has necessitated the development of alternative irrigation water technologies, such as the system of rice intensification (SRI), which are efficient in water use with improved yields. This study analyzed the determinants of adoption of SRI in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme where stratified sampling was used to obtain 364 smallholder rice farmers. A semistructured questionnaire was used to collect primary data, which was then analyzed using a binary logistic regression model. The results showed that age (−0.3%) was significant but with a negative effect on adoption of SRI. Farm size (2.499%), household size (1.895%), distance from the canal (1.354%), off-farm work (3.953%), access to credit services (8.714%), access to extension services (7.809%), and years in rice farming (0.409%) were found positively and significantly influencing factors to the adoption of SRI. Therefore, this study concludes that smallholders attempt to improve rice productivity through adoption of SRI should give a special priority to all significant factors.
Analysis of Open Architecture 6R Robot Forward and Inverse Kinematics Adaptive to Structural Variations
Authors: Wang Chong , Liu Dongxue , Sun Qun , Wang Tong
Published: March 2021

This paper presents a kinematic analysis for an open architecture 6R robot controller, which is designed to control robots made by domestic manufactures with structural variations. Usually, robot kinematic studies are often introduced for specific robot types, and therefore, difficult to apply the kinematic model from one to another robot. This study incorporates most of the robot structural variations in one model so that it is convenient to switch robot types by modifying model parameters. By combining an adequate set of parameters, the kinematic models, especially the inverse kinematics, are derived. The kinematic models are proved to be suitable for many classic industrial robot types, such as Puma560, ABB IRB120/1600, KAWASAKI RS003N/RS010N, FANUC M6iB/M10iA, and therefore be applicable to those with similar structures. The analysis and derivation of the forward and inverse kinematic models are presented, and the results are proven to be accurate.
On Distance-Based Topological Descriptors of Chemical Interconnection Networks
Authors: Hu Min , Ali Haidar , Binyamin Muhammad Ahsan , Ali Bilal , Liu Jia-Bao , Fan Chengmei
Published: March 2021

Structure-based topological descriptors of chemical networks enable us the prediction of physico-chemical properties and the bioactivities of compounds through QSAR/QSPR methods. Topological indices are the numerical values to represent a graph which characterises the graph. One of the latest distance-based topological index is the Mostar index. In this paper, we study the Mostar index, Szeged index, PI index,ABCGGindex, andNGGindex, for chain oxide networkCOXn, chain silicate networkCSn, ortho chainSn, and para chainQn, for the first time. Moreover, analytically closed formulae for these structures are determined.
Comparative Analgesic Efficacies of Ropivacaine and Bupivacaine for Postoperative Rectus Sheath Block in Paediatric Abdominal Surgery: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trial and Retrospective Cohort Studies
Authors: Winnie Lan , Kao Yi-Hsuan , Liao Chien-Chang , Tamura Takahiro , Chang Ming-Long , Hsieh Kun-Yi
Published: March 2021

Background. The optimal dose and concentration of analgesic efficacy of ropivacaine (RPV) and bupivacaine (BPV) for postoperative pain relief in paediatric abdominal surgery patients is still unclear. Therefore, this meta-analysis compared the efficacy of these analgesics, their administered modes (ultrasound-guided RSB versus LAI) for postoperative pain relief, and side effects. Methods. Three databases, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, were exhaustively searched with predefined keywords. Eight randomized clinical trials and retrospective studies were selected. Analgesic effect, postoperative pain score, level of side effect, applied dose, and concentration of drug were analysed. Results. Drug dose ranged from 0.5–2.5 mL/kg of 0.2 to 0.5% concentrations. Male participant for RSB and LAI treatment groups varied from 40–62% and 25–83%, respectively. Mean age of RSB and LAI groups ranged from 3.8–11.65 years and 4.3–11.27 years, respectively. Our meta-analysis revealed that RSB could reduce total opioid use postoperatively (WMD = −0.02, 95% CI: −0.02, −0.02), with I2 value of 15%. We found that the RPV (0.25%, 2.5 ml/kg) was optimal in suppressing the pain. Its lower concentration (0.2%) was ineffective, whereas higher one (0.375%) seems to increase risk of systemic toxicity. Similarly, BPV (0.25%, 2.5 mg/kg) efficaciously reduced the pain score, while its lower concentration was ineffective. The combined postoperative pain score in the RPV-treated group was found to be significantly reduced (

p
<
0.01

) with I2 value of 85% indicating high heterogeneity. Conclusion. Both RPV and BPV were significantly effective in reducing postoperative pain score. It appears that RSB could be a preferred choice to deliver analgesia, due to reduced opiate dose requirement and improved clinical safety without significant postoperative adverse events.
SM22α Loss Contributes to Apoptosis of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via Macrophage‐Derived circRasGEF1B
Authors: Lv Pin , Yin Ya-Juan , Kong Peng , Cao Li , Xi Hao , Wang Ning , Yang Hong-Chao , Lv Yu-Hong , Chen Ning , Wang Rong , Dou Yong-Qing , Wang Hai-Yue , Ma Xiao-Ting , Lin Yan-Ling , Nie Lei , Zhang Yan , Zhang Fan , Han Mei
Published: March 2021

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) apoptosis is a major defining feature of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and mainly caused by inflammatory cell infiltration. Smooth muscle (SM) 22α prevents AAA formation through suppressing NF‐κB activation. However, the role of SM22α in VSMC apoptosis is controversial. Here, we identified that SM22α loss contributed to apoptosis of VSMCs via activation of macrophages. Firstly, deficiency of SM22α enhanced the interaction of VSMCs with macrophages. Macrophages were retained and activated by Sm22α-/- VSMCs via upregulating VCAM‐1 expression. The ratio of apoptosis was increased by 1.62‐fold in VSMCs treated with the conditional media (CM) from activated RAW264.7 cells, compared to that of the control CM (P < 0.01), and apoptosis of Sm22α-/- VSMCs was higher than that of WT VSMCs (P < 0.001). Next, circRasGEF1B from activated macrophages was delivered into VSMCs promoting ZFP36 expression via stabilization of ZFP36 mRNA. Importantly, circRasGEF1B, as a scaffold, guided ZFP36 to preferentially bind to and decay Bcl‐2 mRNA in a sequence‐specific manner and triggered apoptosis of VSMCs, especially in Sm22α-/- VSMCs. These findings reveal a novel mechanism by which the circRasGEF1B‐ZFP36 axis mediates macrophage‐induced VSMC apoptosis via decay of Bcl‐2 mRNA, whereas Sm22α-/- VSMCs have a higher sensitivity to apoptosis.
Step-Counting Function of Adolescent Physical Training APP Based on Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Du Cong
Published: March 2021

With the rapid development of the information age, Internet and other technologies have been making progress, people’s fitness awareness has been gradually enhanced, and sports fitness app has emerged as the times require. This paper mainly studies the step-counting function of physical training app for teenagers based on artificial intelligence. This paper uses the modular development method to achieve the functional requirements of the system as the goal, respectively, for parameter management, website configuration, system log, interface security settings, SMS configuration, WeChat template message and several functional modules to achieve system configuration. In this paper, three types of sensors are used to analyze the data changes in the process of walking through three types of data, and different weights are given as the results of step-counting. When the peak value of sensor data is measured, only the peak value of the primary axial data of each sensor is analyzed, which should be determined according to the actual axial value of the sensor. In this paper, the users’ evaluation indexes of sports fitness app are divided into two groups: importance and satisfaction, so the obtained data are directly divided into two groups: importance and satisfaction of user experience indexes of sports fitness app, and the two groups of data are matched with the sample t test to ensure the scientific conclusion. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of the user experience of college students’ sports fitness app are analyzed through IPA analysis. Heuristic evaluation is carried out on the step app to score the second-level usability index of the app. The first-level usability index score and the total usability score of the step app are obtained by calculation. There is not much difference between male and female students who use sports apps. Among them, 288 are male students, accounting for 58.2% of the total and 16.4% are female students. The results show that the use of artificial intelligence technology can reduce the overall energy consumption of step-counting algorithm, so as to achieve an energy-saving step-counting algorithm.
Image Processing Technology Based on Internet of Things in Intelligent Pig Breeding
Authors: Hua Shan , Han Kaiyuan , Xu Zhifu , Xu Minjie , Ye Hongbao , Zhou Cheng Quan
Published: March 2021

In recent years, with the continuous innovation of the Internet of Things technology, the image processing technology in the Internet of Things technology has become more and more mature. Automated pig raising will become the mainstream pig raising technology, making the research of image processing technology in the intelligent pig breeding face a change. It has become more and more important. The traditional pig raising model cannot provide a suitable growth and development environment for the pigs. The pigs are disturbed by diseases and environmental discomforts during the growth process, which increases the mortality of the pig breeding process and cannot provide consumers with a guarantee. In order to solve the problem of unfavorable factors during the growth of live pigs, this article uses image processing technology to analyze data through images obtained through automated monitoring and management, uses the system to conduct intelligent, digitized, and standardized management of pig breeding data, and reports to the corresponding. The control module issues instructions to improve the corresponding environmental information and realize the intelligent management of pig breeding. This article will use image processing technology to monitor the growth of pigs in intelligent pig breeding. Studies have shown that the use of image processing technology to realize the intelligent management of pig breeding can help pig farms to carry out manual management to improve production efficiency and management efficiency. The management mode of the pig industry has changed from fuzzy to refined. The breeding cost of pig farms and a lot of manpower and material resources should be reduced, reducing the probability of pigs getting sick and the impact of the environment, reducing the mortality of pigs, improving their economic benefits, and providing consumers with a strong guarantee.
Anomalous Behavior Detection Framework Using HTM-Based Semantic Folding Technique
Authors: Khan Hamid Masood , Khan Fazal Masud , Khan Aurangzeb , Asghar Muhammad Zubair , Alghazzawi Daniyal M.
Published: March 2021

Upon the working principles of the human neocortex, the Hierarchical Temporal Memory model has been developed which is a proposed theoretical framework for sequence learning. Both categorical and numerical types of data are handled by HTM. Semantic Folding Theory (SFT) is based on HTM to represent a data stream for processing in the form of sparse distributed representation (SDR). For natural language perception and production, SFT delivers a solid structural background for semantic evidence description to the fundamentals of the semantic foundation during the phase of language learning. Anomalies are the patterns from data streams that do not follow the expected behavior. Any stream of data patterns could have a number of anomaly types. In a data stream, a single pattern or combination of closely related patterns that diverges and deviates from standard, normal, or expected is called a static (spatial) anomaly. A temporal anomaly is a set of unexpected changes between patterns. When a change first appears, this is recorded as an anomaly. If this change looks a number of times, then it is set to a “new normal” and terminated as an anomaly. An HTM system detects the anomaly, and due to continuous learning nature, it quickly learns when they become the new normal. A robust anomalous behavior detection framework using HTM-based SFT for improving decision-making (SDR-ABDF/P2) is a proposed framework or model in this research. The researcher claims that the proposed model would be able to learn the order of several variables continuously in temporal sequences by using an unsupervised learning rule.
The Impact of Smoking on Clinical Outcomes after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Women Compared to Men
Authors: Mohammadi Seyyed Saeed , Zibaeenezhad Mohammad Javad , Sayadi Mehrab , Khorshidi Soorena , Hadiyan Ehsan , Razeghian-Jahromi Iman
Published: March 2021

Background. For decades, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have been known as men’s disease. However, recent research studies showed that they have become more common in women. Smoking is a strong risk factor for CVD especially that of coronary artery disease (CAD). Several studies reported that women are more susceptible to drastic sequels of smoking than men. There is limited data regarding the impact of smoking on post-revascularization clinical events stratified by gender. This study aimed to investigate if gender significantly changes the incidence of adverse clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) among those with history of smoking. Methods. Participants were selected from two hospitals from 2003 to 2019. Among patients who had PCI (index PCI), those with stable CAD who underwent elective PCI were included. Exclusion criteria were defined as primary PCI and those with multiple prior revascularizations. Participants were followed up seeking for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including revascularization (PCI or coronary artery bypass grafting), myocardial infarction, and coronary death in three time intervals according to the time of index PCI (short term: up to 24 hours, mid-term: 24 hours to less than 6 months, and long term: more than 6 months). Results. Of the 1799 patients, 61% were men and 47.08% had history of smoking (75% of the smokers were men). At the time of index PCI, smokers were significantly younger than nonsmokers. Also, MACE were significantly higher in smokers than nonsmokers, which was particularly pronounced at the long-term interval. In the nonsmokers group, there was no difference in MACE occurrence between men and women. However, of the smokers, women showed significantly higher MACE rate compared with men peers. Conclusion. Smoking makes women more prone to MACE in comparison to men among patients with stable CAD after PCI with drug-eluting stent.
Germinal Matrix-Intraventricular Hemorrhage: A Tale of Preterm Infants
Authors: Egesa Walufu Ivan , Odoch Simon , Odong Richard Justin , Nakalema Gloria , Asiimwe Daniel , Ekuk Eddymond , Twesigemukama Sabinah , Turyasiima Munanura , Lokengama Rachel Kwambele , Waibi William Mugowa , Abdirashid Said , Kajoba Dickson , Kumbakulu Patrick Kumbowi
Published: March 2021

Germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage (GM-IVH) is a common intracranial complication in preterm infants, especially those born before 32 weeks of gestation and very-low-birth-weight infants. Hemorrhage originates in the fragile capillary network of the subependymal germinal matrix of the developing brain and may disrupt the ependymal lining and progress into the lateral cerebral ventricle. GM-IVH is associated with increased mortality and abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes such as posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, severe cognitive impairment, and visual and hearing impairment. Most affected neonates are asymptomatic, and thus, diagnosis is usually made using real-time transfontanellar ultrasound. The present review provides a synopsis of the pathogenesis, grading, incidence, risk factors, and diagnosis of GM-IVH in preterm neonates. We explore brief literature related to outcomes, management interventions, and pharmacological and nonpharmacological prevention strategies for GM-IVH and posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus.
Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis Causing Back Pain and Leg Weakness: An Unusual Presentation of Hyperthyroidism
Authors: Elenius Henrik , Cesa Marie , Nava Suarez Corina C. , Nimkar Abhishek , Basak Prasanta , Sinha Nandita
Published: March 2021

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a rare muscular disorder, characterized by muscle weakness and hypokalemia triggered by thyrotoxicosis. In Asian populations, 2% of patients with thyrotoxicosis are affected, compared to only 0.1–0.2% of non-Asians. The vast majority of patients are male. Muscle weakness ranges in severity from very mild to life-threatening, due to respiratory compromise. We present a case of a previously healthy 39-year-old Hispanic male who presented with sudden quadriparesis and quickly recovered after being treated for hypokalemia and thyrotoxicosis. TPP, although unusual, is important to recognize as it is a potentially fatal condition that requires close monitoring and is readily reversible with appropriate therapy. Any cause of thyroid hormone excess can cause TPP, with Graves’ disease being the most common etiology. Acute treatment includes potassium repletion, while long-term management focuses on determining and treating the cause of thyrotoxicosis, since maintaining a euthyroid state will prevent further episodes of TPP.
The Role of Silicon Heterojunction and TCO Barriers on the Operation of Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells: Comparison between Theory and Experiment
Authors: Abdulraheem Yaser , Ghannam Moustafa , Radhakrishnan Hariharsudan Sivaramakrishnan , Gordon Ivan
Published: March 2021

Photovoltaic devices based on amorphous silicon/crystalline silicon (a-Si:H/c-Si) heterojunction interfaces hold the highest efficiency as of date in the class of silicon-based devices with efficiencies exceeding 26% and are regarded as a promising technology for large-scale terrestrial PV applications. The detailed understanding behind the operation of this type of device is crucial to improving and optimizing its performance. SHJ solar cells have primarily two main interfaces that play a major role in their operation: the transparent conductive oxide (TCO)/a-Si:H interface and the a-Si:H/c-Si heterojunction interface. In the work presented here, a detailed analytical description is provided for the impact of both interfaces on the performance of such devices and especially on the device fill factor (

FF

). It has been found that the TCO work function can dramatically impact the

FF

by introducing a series resistance element in addition to limiting the forward biased current under illumination causing the well-known S-shape characteristic in the I-V curve of such devices. On the other hand, it is shown that the thermionic emission barrier at the heterojunction interface can play a major role in introducing an added series resistance factor due to the intrinsic a-Si:H buffer layer that is usually introduced to improve surface passivation. Theoretical explanation on the role of both interfaces on device operation based on 1D device simulation is experimentally verified. The I-V characteristics of fabricated devices were compared to the curves produced by simulation, and the observed degradation in the

FF

of fabricated devices was explained in light of analytical findings from simulation.