Simple Chart Research Articles

Knowledge and Practice of Safety Protocols among Journalists Serving as Frontline Workers in the COVID-19 Fight in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

This study investigated the knowledge and practice of safety protocols among journalists serving as frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19 in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. Structured questionnaire served as instrument for data collection. The population of the study was all the one hundred and fifty-seven (157) registered journalists in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The study was anchored on the Stages of Change Model and Health Belief Model. Simple percentage, frequency table, bar chart, T-test and Pearson’s chi square tests were used to analyse the research questions whereas t-test and Pearson’s Chi square test was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 significance level. Findings show that whereas majority of the respondents had good knowledge of Coronavirus personal protective measures, they lack the technicalities and personal protective equipment required to serve as frontline health workers in a highly infectious pandemic situation such as Coronavirus. The study recommends special training for journalists who cover pandemics, particularly highly infectious ones of this nature to better equip them with the requisite skills for this genre of special assignment. Journalism training bodies and institutes could also consider the inclusion of pandemic reporting as part of specialised courses in journalism studies. Prioritsing vaccination of journalists who serve as frontline workers during pandemics is also strongly recommended.

Numerical assessment of tip damage during pile installation in boulder-rich soils

The number of incidents worldwide where pile tip damage has occurred during driving has accelerated following the growth of the offshore wind sector, and the expansion into areas with increased risk of embedded boulders or partially weathered soft rocks. The process involving pile–boulder–soil contact can be simulated with advanced three-dimensional (3D) large-deformation dynamic coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian (CEL) finite-element (FE) analysis. However, analyses of this nature are highly time-consuming and computationally expensive. The objective of the paper is to develop a generic framework whereby the potential for denting by a boulder can be assessed a priori. The study encompasses four main components to determine the magnitude of force necessary to create plastic damage of the pile tip and what combination of boulders and soil might generate such reactions during pile installation: (a) a parametric 3D FE structural denting study; (b) a parametric boulder–soil 3D CEL study, where prescribed displacements were applied to the surface of boulders embedded in sand; (c) a range of pile–boulder–soil 3D CEL analyses where a deformable pile and different boulder–soil combinations were simulated; and (d) centrifuge model tests involving tip damage from boulders. Simple relationships and charts have been established from the numerical studies and validated from experimental work.

A Comparative Study of Deep Learning Model and Simple Prediction Charts in Construction Noise Prediction

Construction noise monitoring is crucial to assess the impactsof construction noise onthe workers and surroundings. However, the existing noise prediction methods are time-consuming in which required laborious work for the computation of the noise levels. This study aims to assess the accuracy andreliability of the deep learning model (DL) that adopted the stochastic modelling and artificial neural network (ANN) in construction noise prediction. The artificial neural network was trained with the output of stochastic modelling. The outcome of noiselevel prediction using simple prediction chart (SPC) and DLmodel wasdiscussed and compared to 3 case studies. The case studies were conducted at construction sites located in Semenyih,Selangor,Malaysia. The results of DL model showed high accuracy of predicted noise levels along with an absolute difference of less than 2.3 dBA. Besides, the predicted noise levels are reliable as the R-squared value was high. On that account, DL model is proved to be reliable and accurate in noise level prediction and it has the potential to be utilized as a managerial tool to monitor construction noise more effectively.

Awareness Level of Workers in the Management of Medical Waste Generated from Hospitals in Bayelsa State

There is an increase awareness of the public on the dangers associated with the improper disposal of medical waste in this country predominantly waste contaminated with communicable disease agent. Given the general lack of knowledge and effective practice of medical waste documentation about the composition of bio-hazardous waste and the large amount generated, it becomes so difficult to evaluate strategies for waste reduction. The present work presents awareness level of workers in the management of medical waste generated from hospitals in Bayelsa State. The study aimed at assessing the awareness levels and knowledge on the documentation of medical waste among healthcare workers in the various healthcare institutions. The waste generated were weighed kg at source (various unit) for days, week monthly for a period of 3nonths at various unit in the health facilities. Other relevant data were obtained via well-structured questionnaire, and considering the Cochran formula, a sample size of 300 was obtained. Data were further analysed using simple percentage, frequency and charts. Result indicated that there was very poor awareness level of workers in the management of medical waste generated from hospitals in Bayelsa State, and that the level of knowledge on waste documentation as a practice of medical waste management was poor and supercilious in a twenty first century medical waste management process. Thus, it was recommended that the concern government agency should carry out sensitization, awareness, training and retraining of medical workers at the various healthcare institutions on effective medical waste management. Staff of the various hospitals should be properly trained on significance of documentation of waste generated in the various unit on the health facility and there should be provision of all medical waste management infrastructures to cushion the likely impact of these wastes on the on the workers and the general environment.

Risk Assessment and the Impacts of Cultism Crisis in the Selected Communities in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria

Cultism irrespective of several actions at lessening it, emanated from Nigeria's communities. Cultism has projected despair over the peaceful and communal co-existence within our communities. It therefore became overbearing to thoroughly review the issue of cultism in our Communities where great moral values childhood should control over feeling. Without a doubt, the issue has expected sickening extent as cultic violence flourishes considerably more. The fundamental reason for this study is to evaluate the risk and the effect of cultism emergency in the selected Communities in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State Nigeria. The aim of this study is to assess the risk and the impact of cultism crisis in the selected Communities in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State Nigeria. Both primary and secondary data sources were employed in this study. A descriptive statistics such as simple bar chart in percentages was used through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20.2 and Microsoft Excel 2007 software to analyse the information generated. The instrument utilized were structured and closed ended questionnaire. Conclusively, we can say that there must be an improved facilities and improved living conditions in these selected communities so as to minimize perceived strain in the social system which underlines cultism crisis in the study area. The administrative authorities of these selected communities must show doggedness in their determination to stamp out cultism. They must brace up to the challenges of cultism, which has become one of the most potent evils of the recent time.

Managing Waste Disposal System through Household Identification and Billing System (HIBS)

This paper explores the methodology of managing waste disposal system in Abeokuta metropolis. It investigated if the current waste disposal system can guarantee sustainable healthy environment. The study examined waste disposal practices of 400 household in the Abeokuta Central Business District in line with the existing government approved waste management system using a self-developed questionnaire and a simple frequency distribution and bar charts to analyze data. It found that majority of the households explore their own ways of disposing waste without minding the effect on their health and the environment. The study therefore recommends a better and more effective way of managing waste in the metropolis through household identification and billing system (HIBS).

Three-Dimensional Control Charts for Regulating Processes Described by a Two-Dimensional Normal Distribution

In the statistical management of processes in the initial phase, the stability of the technological process is determined based on the available samples. If the process is not stable, eliminating possible causes is brought into a statistically controlled position. At the same time, simple Shewhart control charts are used. In practice, some methods bring the process to a stable state (ISO standards, standards of various states). After the process has become stable, the boundaries of control charts are found for further management. Then, with the help of new samples, the process is managed. The article considers a process modeled by a two-dimensional normal distribution. New control charts have been found to check the normality and correlation of two-dimensional random variable components. The process is regulated using these charts, preserving the shape of the density of the individual components of the normal vector and linearity of these components. When constructing control charts, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov type agreement criterion and the Fisher criterion on the strength of the linear coupling of components were used. A concrete example shows the course of the introduction of these charts in production. The work results can be used in the initial phase of regulation and during the control check of the process under study. We used these control charts to assess product quality and quality control coming from the machine that produces the sleeves. It presents statistical methods for analyzing problems in factory practice and solutions for their elimination.

CE-542-04 EASY-WPW: A NOVEL ECG-ALGORITHM FOR EASY AND RELIABLE LOCALIZATION OF MANIFEST ACCESSORY PATHWAYS IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS

Accessory pathway (AP) ablation is a standard procedure for the treatment of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW). 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) based delta wave analysis is essential for predicting ablation sites. Previous algorithms have shown to be complex, time-consuming and often unprecise because of variable anatomical heart axis especially in children. Our study aimed to retrospectively develop and prospectively validate a new, simple ECG-based algorithm considering the patients’ heart axis allowing an exact localization of APs in patients undergoing ablation for WPW. Our study included 109 patients undergoing ablation of a single manifest AP due to WPW between 2013 and 2021. For the exact determination of delta wave axis profound analyses of 12-lead ECGs were performed. The new algorithm (EASY WPW) includes a 2-step (left side) and 3-step-identification (right side) of the AP region, respectively. First we validated our algorithm comparing its efficacy to two established ones (Pambrun and Arruda). Then the new algorithm was tested also prospectively focusing on the accuracy of pathway region prediction. In all patients (29±18 years old, 45% female) pathway ablation was performed successfully. 12-lead ECG-based prediction of accurate AP localization using EASY-WPW was correct in 102 patients (94%) (sensitivity 93%, specificity 99%, PPV 97%, NPV 99%). Our algorithm was particularly useful in correctly localizing antero-septal/-lateral (sensitivity and specificity 100%) and posteroseptal (sensitivity 100%, specificity 91%) AP in proximity to the tricuspid valve. The accuracy (percentage of patients with an exact prediction of AP localization) of EASY-WPW was superior compared to the Pambrun (94% vs. 84%, p=0.049*) and the Arruda algorithm (94% vs. 75%, p<0.001*). A subgroup analysis of children (n=40, 11±4 years old, 45% female) revealed significant superiority to the Arruda algorithm (p=0.004*). Our novel 12-lead ECG-based algorithm enables reliable and accurate pre-interventional ablation site determination in WPW patients. Only two steps are necessary to locate left-sided AP and three steps to determine right-sided AP. This can be done with the help of a simple flow chart or, in the future, with the help of an app.

Appraisal of Challenges to Sustainable Forest Management in Abia State, Nigeria

The sustainability of the forest estate is largely dependent on the available manpower and proper funding for maximum utilisation and productivity of the forest estate. This study, therefore, examined the challenges to sustainable forest management in Abia State, Nigeria for the period of ten years (2008-2017). Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with key members of the Department of Forestry in the State. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the obtained variables using simple percentages, charts, and correlation. A total of one hundred (100) copies of questionnaires were administered to the randomly selected respondents to investigate budgetary allocation in each year and identify the problems militating against forest service. Results from the study show that there are nineteen (19) Forest reserves in Abia State (Four (4) natural forests and fifteen (15) plantation forest reserves). The highest budget allocation in the past ten (10) years was observed in 2012 with 12 million and the least was recorded in 2017 with 2.3 million with inconsistency in trend within the ten years which could be as a result of government policies and change in the government. the major problems facing forest estate in the State are lack of funding (87%), logistics (96%), staff recruitment/training (62.5%) and lack of consistent government policies from the State government. There is urgent need for proper funding, staff recruitment/training, policies, and federal government intervention for the forest estate in Abia State for sustainability.

Basic Surveillance Parameters Improve the Prediction of Delayed Cerebral Infarction After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

BackgroundTo establish a practical risk chart for prediction of delayed cerebral infarction (DCI) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) by using information that is available until day 5 after ictus.MethodsWe assessed all consecutive patients with aSAH admitted to our service between September 2008 and September 2015 (n = 417). The data set was randomly split into thirds. Two-thirds were used for model development and one-third was used for validation. Characteristics that were present between the bleeding event and day 5 (i.e., prior to >95% of DCI diagnoses) were assessed to predict DCI by using logistic regression models. A simple risk chart was established and validated.ResultsThe amount of cisternal and ventricular blood on admission CT (Hijdra sum score), early sonographic vasospasm (i.e., mean flow velocity of either intracranial artery >160 cm/s until day 5), and a simplified binary level of consciousness score until day 5 were the strongest predictors of DCI. A model combining these predictors delivered a high predictive accuracy [the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) curve of 0.82, Nagelkerke's R2 0.34 in the development cohort]. Validation of the model demonstrated a high discriminative capacity with the AUC of 0.82, Nagelkerke's R2 0.30 in the validation cohort.ConclusionAdding level of consciousness and sonographic vasospasm between admission and postbleed day 5 to the initial blood amount allows for simple and precise prediction of DCI. The suggested risk chart may prove useful for selection of appropriate candidates for interventions to prevent DCI.

On The Unconditional Run Length Distribution and Percentiles for The &lt;img src=image/13425757_02.gif&gt;-chart When The In-control Process Parameter Is Estimated

It is well known that the median is a better measure of location in skewed distributions. Run-length (RL) distribution is a skewed distribution, hence, median run-length measures chart performance better than the average run length. Some authors have advocated examination of the entire percentiles of the RL distribution in assessing chart performance. Such works already exist for Shewhart <img src=image/13425757_01.gif>−chart, CUSUM chart, CUSUM and EWMA charts, Hotelling's chi-square, and the two simple Shewhart multivariate non-parametric charts. Similar work on <img src=image/13425757_02.gif>-chart for one- and two-sided lacks in the literature. This work stands in the gap. Therefore, a detailed and comparative study of the one-sided upper and the two-sided <img src=image/13425757_02.gif>-control charts for some m reference samples at fixed sample size and false alarm rate will be considered here using the information from the unconditional RL cdf curve and its percentiles (mainly median). The order of the RL cdf curves of the one-sided upper <img src=image/13425757_02.gif>-chart is independent of the state of the process unlike in the two-sided one. The one-sided upper chart outperformed the two-sided one both in the in-control and in detecting positive shifts. The two-sided <img src=image/13425757_02.gif>-chart is more sensitive in detecting incremental shifts than to decremental shifts.

Mesh size and gear type in riparian communities of Amassoma and Ogoubiri at Igbedi Creek, Bayelsa State

Fisheries resources exploitation is an open access business in Nigeria and the instrument or gear utilized come in various forms, sizes and shapes. The mesh sizes and gear types were investigated in riparian communities of Amassoma and Ogoubiri at Igbedi creek, Bayelsa State with the objectives to note the mesh sizes and gear types utilized in these communities. A total of 100 structured questionnaires was administered and retrieved from active fishers in the landing sites. Descriptive statistics such as simple percentage method, tables and charts were used to examine the mesh size and gear types utilized in the study area. The results obtained from the study revealed that the mesh sizes used ranges from 19 mm to 105 mm with a mean of 59.9±24.3 and 56.8±25.8 in Ogoubiri and Amassoma respectively. The types of gear recorded were gillnet (45.6%), cast net (7.7%), purse seine net (5.3%), beach seine net (14.7%), drift net (1.5%), hook and line (10.4%) and traps (14.8%). The length of nets utilized ranged from 68 m to 200 m at the study area. The study established that mesh sizes and gear types in use at the study area may lead to overexploitation of fish species in the study area. The survey of the mesh sizes and gear types used for fishing in riparian communities of Amassoma and Ogoubiri landing sites in Igbedi creek call for urgent need for intervention on the part of Government for policy review and implementation, so as to ensure sustainable use of the aquatic resources.

Therapeutic Misconception about Research Procedures: Does a Simple Information Chart Improve Understanding?

In phase I trials, some biospecimens are used both for research and patient care and some for research only. Some research participants have therapeutic misconception, assuming all biospecimens are for patient care. This study's aim was to test if a simple information chart would improve understanding of nontherapeutic research procedures. A two-arm study was conducted. Participants in the control group (C) were asked whether biospecimens were for their care, for research only, or for both. The experimental group (E) was asked the same questions but provided with a study-specific information chart labeling the purpose of each biospecimen. One hundred one patients were interviewed. In both arms, understanding that pretreatment blood draws were for patient care and research was moderate (49% for C and 62% for E). Understanding that posttreatment blood draws were for research only was significantly higher in the experimental arm (16% for C and 44% for E; p = 0.002). Providing a simple information chart may help alleviate this aspect of therapeutic misconception.

DEVELOPMENT OF A SIMPLE DESIGN CHART AS AN EVALUATION OF SLOPE STABILITY

Landslides can damage public facilities and also have a negative impact on the community. This impact will be able to minimize when knowing the slope stability by carrying out the analysis to determine the factor of safety against landslide. The most accurate results usually get from calculation through computer software, but sometime it will take time and also not all of the designer have the sophisticated software. Another method in predicting the slope stability is using design chart as carried out in this study. The aim of this study is as a sustainable development of a simple chart to help the designer in predicting the landslide possibility. The graph will consist of the relationship between the slope height and the factor of safety for several soil strength parameter and slope angles. The slope stability analysis method will be based on LEM (Limit Equilibrium Method) through Bishop’s equation. The result is then being tested through case study and comparing with the other existing design chart and show a satisfactory result.

Compatibility of prolonged infusion antibiotics during Y-site administration.

Antimicrobial resistance is a threat to global public health. The use of prolonged infusions in the hospital setting for certain antimicrobials is widely increasing in order to improve their efficacy and safety, including resistance development. Due to limited vascular access, it is important to clarify whether they can be infused through the same line with other drugs during Y-site administration. The aim of this review is to update and summarize the evidence on Y-site compatibility of antibacterial agents administered as prolonged infusions in intensive care units (ICUs). A literature review of PubMed, EMBASE and Trissel's Handbook on Injectable Drugs databases was conducted on the compatibility of selected antimicrobials administered simultaneously at a Y-site connection with parenteral nutrition and other widely used drugs in ICUs. All articles published up to October 30, 2021, in English or Spanish were included, regardless of the type of publication (original articles, case reports, letters, etc.). Eligible antimicrobials were those that can be administered as prolonged infusions: ceftazidime, cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam, meropenem, ceftolozane/tazobactam, ceftaroline, cloxacillin, ceftobiprole, vancomycin and fosfomycin. A total of 1302 drug-to-drug potential combinations were explored, 196 (15.05%) were found to be incompatible, and in 541 (41.55%), data were not available. The results were presented in a simple 2-dimensional consultation chart as a quick reference for health care professionals. This review provides useful and reliable information on the compatibility of antimicrobials administered as Y-site infusion with other drugs commonly used in the critical setting. This review contributes to patient safety in nursing practice. To our knowledge, this is the first review on Y-site compatibility of antimicrobials used as prolonged infusions with other commonly used drugs, including anti-emetics, analgesics and anti-epileptic and parenteral nutrition. The results of the current review need to be addressed to promote the knowledge sharing between health professionals and improve the quality and safety of patients. We believe that this review may serve as a simple and effective 2-dimensional updated drug-to-drug compatibility reference chart for critical care nurses.

Initial findings on changing the background in pseudo-isochromatic charts

Color vision deficiency is a common affliction for males, impacting about 8% of the population. The effects of this &#x2013; colloquial &#x2013; color blindness is the inability or limited ability to distinguish colors. A typical problem might be that a color changing LED, changing between red and green to indicate two states, will not be differentiated. There are multiple ways to detect and distinguish color deficient people, ranging from genetic testing, to simple pseudo-isochromatic charts, as exemplified by the likely most known Ishihara charts, to elaborate color matching and color sorting tests, as exemplified by the Farnsworth-Munsell 100 Hue test. In this talk describe initial experimental data on changing the background color &#x2013; or the color &#x201C;in between the dots&#x201D; - for a pseudo-isochromatic chart color deficiency test. For the experiment, we replaced the white background with 4 different neutral gray-level values and measured the performance of known color deficient observers on these charts as a function of the new background. Though preliminary, the data show a significant difference in the performance of color deficient observers, despite the main pseudo-isochromatic colors staying the same.

A COVINDEX based on a GAM beta regression model with an application to the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy.

Detecting changes in COVID-19 disease transmission over time is a key indicator of epidemic growth. Near real-time monitoring of the pandemic growth is crucial for policy makers and public health officials who need to make informed decisions about whether to enforce lockdowns or allow certain activities. The effective reproduction number R_t is the standard index used in many countries for this goal. However, it is known that due to the delays between infection and case registration, its use for decision making is somewhat limited. In this paper a near real-time COVINDEX is proposed for monitoring the evolution of the pandemic. The index is computed from predictions obtained from a GAM beta regression for modelling the test positive rate as a function of time. The proposal is illustrated using data on COVID-19 pandemic in Italy and compared with R_t. A simple chart is also proposed for monitoring local and national outbreaks by policy makers and public health officials.

Noise prediction for infrastructure construction activities using simple prediction chart technique

Construction noise is one of the most severe pollutions in the environment and causes different physical and psychological damages to human beings. In recent years, the research archetype has transposed towards the prediction of construction noise for its adverse effects on the environment and construction workers. Hence, a reliable noise prediction method is mandatory to control, mitigate, and abate the potential hazardous noise. This study aims to validate the results between the predicted and actual noise levels of construction activities mainly on infrastructure works by using the simple prediction chart technique. This study was carried out by using the sound power levels emitted by an individual machine during different infrastructure construction activities to predict the noise levels at different locations. The results showed a high accuracy of predicted noise levels along with an absolute difference of less than 3.0 dBA and a relative error of less than 4.0 %. Besides, the predicted noise levels are reliable as the R-squared value was high. On that account, the simple prediction chart method technique has the potential to be utilized as a managerial tool that may help to reduce the negative impacts of environmental noise to the surroundings and occupational noise to the workers.

Visual Arrangements of Bar Charts Influence Comparisons in Viewer Takeaways.

Well-designed data visualizations can lead to more powerful and intuitive processing by a viewer. To help a viewer intuitively compare values to quickly generate key takeaways, visualization designers can manipulate how data values are arranged in a chart to afford particular comparisons. Using simple bar charts as a case study, we empirically tested the comparison affordances of four common arrangements: vertically juxtaposed, horizontally juxtaposed, overlaid, and stacked. We asked participants to type out what patterns they perceived in a chart and we coded their takeaways into types of comparisons. In a second study, we asked data visualization design experts to predict which arrangement they would use to afford each type of comparison and found both alignments and mismatches with our findings. These results provide concrete guidelines for how both human designers and automatic chart recommendation systems can make visualizations that help viewers extract the "right" takeaway.

Buckling analysis of pile foundation in liquefiable soil deposit with sandwiched non-liquefiable layer

Many past earthquakes have shown failure of structures with pile foundations attributed to liquefaction. Various experimental tests have also shown that buckling is one of the credible reasons for the failure of such pile foundations, which gets insignificant lateral support due to seismic liquefaction of surrounding soil. In nature, liquefiable and non-liquefiable soil can occur in alternate layers. However, while estimating the buckling capacity of a pile, there are no specific guidelines available, to the best of the author's knowledge, to reasonably estimate its buckling capacity considering the effect of sandwiched non-liquefiable layer. Some studies recommend to ignore the sandwiched non-liquefiable layer present within a liquefiable deposit and consider it as a full liquefiable layer, which can become too conservative in many situations when both the strength and the depth of non-liquefied sandwiched soil layer are high.In the present work, a rational method of estimating the buckling capacity of pile foundation in liquefiable soil with a sandwiched non-liquefiable layer is proposed through a detailed numerical investigation. The developed numerical model (using Beam on Non-linear Winkler Foundation approach) is validated against the centrifuge results. The model considers the initial imperfection of pile and material nonlinearity of pile and soil. The P-delta effect is also considered in the analysis. Detailed parametric study for major influential parameters on the buckling capacity of the pile foundation has been considered in terms of (a) sandwiched non-liquefiable soil layer's type, thickness, and position, (b) pile length above the ground level, and (c) liquefiable soil's initial relative density and thickness. Based on this study, an effective length factor (β) has been introduced, which can be easily used in standard Euler's buckling equation to find out the buckling capacity of the pile in such layered soil profile. A simple chart has been developed for β, and a step-wise methodology has been proposed with explanatory examples for the estimation of buckling capacity of pile foundation in liquefiable soil having sandwiched non-liquefiable layer, with reference to various influential parameters.