Simple Definition Research Articles

Information System as part of epidemic management in Burkina Faso: from plan to reality (Field Findings)

BackgroundHealth information systems (HIS) in most developing countries face many challenges. In view of the recurrent weaknesses in preparedness and response during the management of epidemics, we have examined the organization and functioning of the health information system in Burkina Faso.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study from January 1, 2020 to March 31, 2020 including a review of HIS documents, key informant interviews and direct observations. The study was conducted at the public primary health care (PHC) and community level of Bama and Soumagou, in the rural health districts of Dandé and Tenkodogo. Study participants included community-based health workers (CBHWs) and health workers in the PHC areas, community-based organization animators (CBOAs), CBO monitoring-evaluation officers and members of the District management team (DMT).ResultsWhile reporting forms used in all health facilities are standardized, they are not necessarily well understood at community level and at the health centers. Reports prepared by CBHWs are often delayed by the head nurse at the primary health care service. Case definitions of epidemic diseases are not always well understood by community-based health workers and front-line health workers.ConclusionThe health information system in Burkina Faso can be improved using simple strategies. There is a need to hold regular training/refresher sessions for agents involved in surveillance and to ensure the development of simplified case definitions for emerging diseases and/or diseases of public health interest for community use. Furthermore, existing epidemic management committees need to be revitalized.

The Slender Rigid Block: Archetype for the Seismic Analysis of Masonry Structures

ABSTRACT The elasto-plastic oscillator, representing the basic model for reinforced concrete and steel structures, shows its inadequacy when dealing with masonry structures. The column, resting on a rigid plane with friction, is shown to be particularly appropriate to model the dynamic behaviour of masonry structures. At this aim, this paper investigates the motion of a slender rigid block (SRB), initially resting in its vertical configuration and hit by a seismic input, represented through a single impulse constituted by a rectangular or sinusoidal half-wave or a simplified sequence of horizontal acceleration pulses, having rectangular or sinusoidal shapes. An accumulation of the rotation of the SRB exists under the action of sequences of opposite acceleration pulses. The dynamic collapse is shown to take place when the column is led to its critical configuration – where the restoring moment of the weight is lost – so that the last pulse can further increase the rotation of the column. Expressing the behaviour of the SRB by means of the force reduction factor, the ratio between the magnitude of the collapse horizontal acceleration and the static strength of the column, the difference between the responses of the column decreases with increasing the number of the pulses of the sequence. A simple definition of the asymptotic failure domain can be obtained with a good approximation with a limited number of pulses. It is possible to evaluate the minimum collapse acceleration intensity of seismic sequences of pulses of any assigned duration able to produce the collapse of the rigid block, representing the seismic strength of the SRB. Finally, the results obtained in the theoretical analysis are compared with the outcomes of more accurate and time-consuming non-linear dynamic or incremental analyses (IDA).

A Study on Multi-Objective Optimization of Large Deformable Elastic Plates

Metallic yielding dampers are damaged early before the main frame during earthquakes and take over the damage of the main frame. Under the assumption of the main frame elasticity, both maximum and residual deformation are expected to be reduced. However, the main frame may be damaged, and the assumption of the main frame elasticity may not hold under major earthquakes. However, large deformable elastic plates have larger yielding deformation than standard steel core plates of the damper and can be used as braces to reduce the seismic response of buildings. This study presents a simple definition of design variables for a topology optimization problem involving large deformable elastic plates with rectangular shapes. As bi-objective functions, yielding deformation and yielding force capacity maximization were used. The optimization results were compared with the findings of a previous study. Finally, the efficacy of the braces was verified by experimental tensile tests. The obtained results are as follows. (1) A distinct trade-off relationship was obtained between tensile yielding deformation and tensile yielding load through muti-objective optimizations using the proposed formulation. (2) The Pareto fronts using the proposed formulation were almost identical to the findings of the previous study. (3) While the experimental test results of yielding tensile load are overestimated by the analysis results by the 10 mm rough grid elements, the test results almost correspond to reanalysis results with the 2.5 mm fine grid elements.

An application of group-based trajectory modeling to define fetal growth phenotypes among small-for-gestational-age births in the LIFECODES Fetal Growth Study

Reductions in fetal growth are associated with adverse outcomes at birth and later in life. However, identifying fetuses with pathologically small growth remains challenging. Definitions of small-for-gestational age are often used as a proxy to identify those experiencing pathologic growth (ie, fetal growth restriction). However, this approach is subject to limitation as most newborns labeled small-for-gestational age are constitutionally, not pathologically, small. Incorporating repeated ultrasound measures to examine fetal growth trajectories may help distinguish pathologic deviations in growth from normal variability, beyond a simple definition of small-for-gestational age. This study aimed to characterize phenotypes of growth using ultrasound trajectories of fetal growth among small-for-gestational-age births. This study identified and described trajectories of fetal growth among small-for-gestational-age births (<10th percentile weight for gestational age; n=245) in the LIFECODES Fetal Growth Study using univariate and multivariate trajectory modeling approaches. Available ultrasound measures of fetal growth (estimated fetal weight, head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length) from health records were abstracted. First, univariate group-based trajectory modeling was used to define trajectories of estimated fetal weight z scores during gestation. Second, group-based multi-trajectory modeling was used to identify trajectories based on concurrent measures of head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length z scores. Last, how these trajectories were related to patient demographics, pregnancy characteristics, and birth outcomes compared with those observed among appropriate-for-gestational-age controls was described. Of note, 3 univariate trajectories of estimated fetal weight and 4 multivariate trajectories of fetal growth among small-for-gestational-age births were identified. In our univariate approach, infants with the smallest estimated fetal weight trajectory throughout pregnancy had poorer outcomes, including the highest risk of neonatal intensive care unit admission. The remaining univariate trajectory groups did not have an elevated risk of adverse birth outcomes relative to appropriate-for-gestational-age controls. In our multivariate approach, 2 groups at increased or moderately increased risk of neonatal intensive care unit admission were identified, including infants that remained extremely small for all parameters throughout pregnancy and those who had disproportionately smaller femur length and abdominal circumference compared with head circumference. The remaining multivariate trajectory groups did not have an elevated risk of adverse birth outcome relative to appropriate-for-gestational-age controls. Latent class group-based trajectory modeling applied to ultrasound measures of fetal growth may help distinguish pathologic vs constitutional growth profiles among newborns born small-for-gestational age. Although trajectories cannot be fully characterized until delivery, limiting the direct clinical application of these methods, they may still contribute to the development of approaches for separating growth restriction from constitutional smallness.

Understanding Loss of (Right To) Use Damages: Defining Fair and Reasonable Compensation for Loss of Use in Light of Historical Origins and Practical Considerations

Loss of use is fundamentally about the denial of property rights regardless of its intended use. Property ownership vests the owner with certain intrinsic rights, including the right to use or not use. When they are deprived of that choice through the tortious conduct of another, that deprivation is compensable. This Article reviews the historical origins of loss of use law to determine that tort victims denied the right to use their property must be compensated regardless of how they would have chosen to use their property. Because these damages do not depend on the owner’s actual use, loss of use should be thought of as loss of right to use. The Article then aims to define fair and reasonable compensation by arguing that the proper measure of damages for loss of right to use is daily market rental value for the period of deprivation. This simplified definition provides courts with a workable measure of damages that alleviates the need for judicial speculation while holding true to the goal of placing tort victims back in their original position.

Deep Learning Based a Comprehensive Analysis for Waste Prediction

In its simplest definition, waste can be defined as any substance that is used, not needed and causes harm to the environment. Waste management covers control activities such as prevention of the formation of waste, reuse, separation according to its characteristics and type, storage, transportation, recycling and disposal. The main purpose of waste management is to leave a livable world to future generations, to create a sustainable environment, to protect natural resources, to save energy and costs, to reduce the rate of pollution and the amount of hazardous waste. In today's world where urbanization and industrialization rates are increasing, waste management is gaining importance. The aim of this study is to utilize waste data from Istanbul, Turkey's largest and fastest growing city, to estimate waste amount using a constructed Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) based deep learning model.&nbsp; The developed LSTM-based model has been compared in practice with k-Nearest Neighbors (kNN), random forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), multi-layered perceptron (MLP) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU). As a result of the comparative and comprehensive analyzes, the experimental results showed that the developed LSTM-based deep learning method is more successful in the waste prediction problem than the other compared models.

Community-based surveillance of infectious diseases: a systematic review of drivers of success

IntroductionCommunity-based surveillance may improve early detection and response to disease outbreaks by leveraging the capacity of community members to carry out surveillance activities within their communities. In 2021, the WHO...

Noise Figure of an Active Antenna Array and Receiver System

Progress has been made in extending traditional antenna terms to complex phased array receivers, but a satisfactory definition for the noise figure of an active antenna and receiver system has not yet been given. This is particularly so for the case of a complex phased array with electronic gains in each signal path and beams formed using digital signal processing. We provide a simple definition for the active antenna and receiver noise figure, which is consistent with existing active antenna terms. The active antenna noise figure can be measured using the antenna Y-factor technique.

Innovation, Entrepreneurship and their effect on Economic growth

This research paper aims to investigate innovation and entrepreneurship as two concepts that have spread in the recent period and to show the relationship between them. This study is based on the descriptive approach to achieve the objectives of the study, as through a review of previous studies and articles in this regard, I tried to provide a simplified definition of the terms “innovation and entrepreneurship”, and then clarify the relationship between them and their types according to recent studies, so that the matter does not get mixed up. As is common, the impact of each of them on the economy has been determined. The review of selected previous studies showed that the concept of innovation and entrepreneurship did not take a sufficient percentage of studies and research, so related topics were added to stimulate work on them in the future. The results of the research indicated that entrepreneurship and innovation have an important impact on the economic performance of countries. This study recommends that innovation and entrepreneurship should be given greater attention by policy makers in countries, especially in Arab countries.

Recommendation System of Component Selection for Aquascape With SMART Method

AbstractThe increasing enthusiasm of aquascape hobbyists is one of the factors in the development of the beauty industry of artificial underwater ecosystems in the aquarium. The aesthetic value offered by aquascape is one of the allures for its connoisseurs. The art of organizing ecosystems in water is a simple definition of an aquascape. The complexity of the arrangement can then be described through the presence of various themes. The selection of tools, flora and fauna, and other ornaments to form a unified ecosystem are things that are of concern so that an ecosystem in artificial water has good aesthetic value and can be categorized in a certain theme. By using a decision support system (DSS) or decision-making system, the results can provide better decisions and minimize the possibility of errors. One method of decision making in the scope of decision support system (DSS) or decision making system is Simple Multi Attribute Rating Technique (SMART), where this method can determine product recommendations based on several product variants offered as a form of marketing analysis. This method is able to provide recommendations for more than one decision and provide results with the best accuracy. System testing was conducted to 50 users and it was found that the recommendation system based on the questionnaire application was able to provide a good percentage of conformity between the user's wishes and the recommendations given. That is, 51% of correspondents rated it very appropriate, 27.5% of correspondents rated accordingly, 19.5% of correspondents rated neutral, and only 2% of correspondents rated it inappropriateKeywords: Aquascape, Decision Support System, SMART, Recommendation

Hello, world! VIVA+: A human body model lineup to evaluate sex-differences in crash protection.

Finite element Human Body Models are increasingly becoming vital tools for injury assessment and are expected to play an important role in virtual vehicle safety testing. With the aim of realizing models to study sex-differences seen in the injury- and fatality-risks from epidemiology, we developed models that represent an average female and an average male. The models were developed with an objective to allow tissue-based skeletal injury assessment, and thus non-skeletal organs and joints were defined with simplified characterizations to enhance computational efficiency and robustness. The model lineup comprises female and male representations of (seated) vehicle occupants and (standing) vulnerable road users, enabling the safety assessment of broader segments of the road user population. In addition, a new workflow utilized in the model development is presented. In this workflow, one model (the seated female) served as the base model while all the other models were generated as closely-linked derivative models, differing only in terms of node coordinates and mass distribution. This approach opens new possibilities to develop and maintain further models as part of the model lineup, representing different types of road users to reflect the ongoing transitions in mobility patterns (like bicyclists and e-scooter users). In this paper, we evaluate the kinetic and kinematic responses of the occupant and standing models to blunt impacts, mainly on the torso, in different directions (front, lateral, and back). The front and lateral impacts to the thorax showed responses comparable to the experiments, while the back impact varied with the location of impact (T1 and T8). Abdomen bar impact showed a stiffer load-deflection response at higher intrusions beyond 40 mm, because of simplified representation of internal organs. The lateral shoulder impact responses were also slightly stiffer, presumably from the simplified shoulder joint definition. This paper is the first in a series describing the development and validation of the new Human Body Model lineup, VIVA+. With the inclusion of an average-sized female model as a standard model in the lineup, we seek to foster an equitable injury evaluation in future virtual safety assessments.

Comparison of treatment outcome definitions in drug-resistant tuberculosis patients with high incidence of acquired second-line drug resistance.

Background Simplified drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) treatment outcome definitions, mostly centred around receipt of treatment and sputum culture status at 6 months after treatment initiation, have been proposed, but have not been widely evaluated in resource-limited settings. Objectives To compare DR-TB treatment outcomes, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) at the time of treatment, with simplified definitions. Methods We performed retrospective folder reviews of a cohort of 246 South African DR-TB patients, most of whom developed second-line drug resistance. Sequential treatment outcomes were assigned retrospectively using both simplified Tuberculosis Network European Trials Group (TBNET)-based and 2013 WHO-based definitions. Results Of 246 patients, 40% were HIV-positive, and 88% developed second-line drug resistance. Patients were observed for a median of 38 (interquartile range 24 - 63) months from DR-TB treatment initiation. Using WHO-based definitions, 93% of patients had >1 sequential outcome, whereas with simplified definitions, 25% of patients had >1 outcome. Fewer outcomes of cure (3% v. 9%) and more outcomes of treatment failure (42% v. 22%) were assigned using simplified definitions. Conclusion Simplified outcome definitions applied to real-world patients with long, often complex treatment histories resulted in underestimating cures and overestimating treatment failures compared with WHO-based definitions. Simplified definitions may identify more individuals at higher risk for treatment failure than WHO-based definitions, but without consistent programmatic follow-up it may be difficult to distinguish cure, failure and loss to follow-up.

An XFEM‐strain gradient damage model for efficient modeling of materials with reinforcement particles

A coupling of extended finite element method (XFEM) and strain gradient enhanced damage method is proposed to model damage initiation and growth in the materials with reinforcement particles. The proposed model inherits the advantages of both methods i.e., simple definition of reinforcement particles from XFEM and numerical stability during damage evolution from the strain gradient damage model. The capability of the proposed XFEM-strain gradient damage model has been demonstrated by simulating mode-I, mode-II, and the mix-mode failure mechanism in the SENB, SEN, and L-shaped specimen with reinforcement particles respectively. The numerical simulations are performed by considering hard and soft reinforcement particles in a matrix. Mesh-sensitivity and particle-sensitivity analysis are performed to quantify effect of various parameters like mesh size, particle size and volume fraction on behavior of SENB specimen. The proposed XFEM model is at least 10% efficient (at higher mesh densities) than the standard FEM model for solving the SENB specimen with reinforcement particles. In the particle sensitivity analysis, proposed XFEM model used only one mesh density (unlike FEM model that needs different conformal meshes) to simulate set of 400 realizations with random spatial distribution of reinforcement particles. The analysis shows that the computational demand for the creation of conformal mesh is alleviated with the use of XFEM for defining reinforcement particles. The mesh-sensitivity analysis shows that difference in the solution obtained using proposed XFEM model and standard FEM model is negligible (less than 1% at higher mesh densities). Therefore, the proposed XFEM-strain gradient damage model can substitute FEM-strain gradient damage model with above mentioned efficiencies.

Automata column

For the Automata Theory Column, we have an article by B. Srivathsan on the reachability problem in timed automata. Ever since timed automata were introduced by Alur and Dill, they have been widely used in the verification of real-time systems. Their appeal comes from a simple definition that couples expressiveness with computational tractability. The control state reachability problem, which asks if there is a computation of a given timed automaton that reaches a given control state, is an important problem in this context and was shown to be decidable in PSPACE by Alur and Dill in their seminal paper. However, because of the central role this problem plays in verification, it has been extensively studied in the past 30 years. In this issue, Srivathsan lucidly articulates the main principles underlying modern approaches to solving this problem.

Embracing heterogeneity: Why plural understandings strengthen interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity

Abstract Interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity are seen as promising ways to address societies’ grand challenges and so have become important topics in academic and policy discourses, particularly as part of discussions about mission-oriented knowledge production and research funding processes. However, there is an important disconnect between the way these terms are defined and used in the academic literature and the way they are defined and used in the policy literature. Academic writing on interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity offers plural understandings of both terms, whereas policy documents argue for concrete and simplified definitions. In this paper, we analyse the implications of these differences for research and funding. On the basis of an extensive literature review, we argue that the heterogeneity of understandings in interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity constitutes an asset. We advocate for the plurality of understandings to be used constructively in order to strengthen and promote effective research and research funding.

Moving up the stream beyond resistance to counter move

In the following paper, we aim for an extended understanding of the most crucial phenomena itself, the generation of meaning in the interaction with—what we describe as reality. The cultural psychological core principles are re-introduced and connected to a new more holistic construction, elaborating the generation of new meaning. In the same context, new terminology will be introduced, crucial for the understanding of the from phenomenology generated perspective toward cognitive processes and their interrelation with the everyday life. Borders not only as separator but also as deep connector of meaning are for this purpose explored and reintroduced. A procedure that led to central understandings that go far beyond the simple definitions accessible in dictionaries. As significant organic metaphor the river and the meadow (Towards a wholistic model of identity: Why not a meadow? Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science, 55(1), 112–127. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12124-020-09588-3) will be used and extended by the rabbit hole, a triggered process extending the imagination of individuals by the central counter movement against streams and Gegenstände.

The seismic reflection Moho across the mid-Norwegian continental rifted margin

The Moho – defined as the boundary that separates the Earth’s crust from the underlying upper mantle at depths of about 5 to 7 km beneath the oceans and 30 to 40 km below continents – has been difficult to pin down with observations. Different methods have yield a variety of results, suggesting that this simple definition may be misleading. Here, we present high-resolution and deep penetrating seismic reflection data that image the whole margin basement of the mid-Norwegian rift system, including the lower basement, Moho and upper mantle, from the proximal to the outer margin domains. We propose a determination of the seismic reflection Moho in this modern rifted margin context and describe its structural heterogeneity along the margin. Finally, the seismic facies, reflectivity, geometries and structural details of the seismic reflection Moho are described and discussed in terms of tectonic deformation pattern.

We should abandon the Brighton Collaboration criteria for vaccine-associated anaphylaxis

We should abandon the Brighton Collaboration criteria for vaccine-associated anaphylaxis

How Americans Define Health for Food and Beverages

ObjectivesTo assess how American adults consider and define healthfulness of food and beverages. MethodsIn Fall 2021, a national sample of 1,878 adults balanced by age (18–34 years, 35–49, 50–64, 65+), sex, race/ethnicity (Non-Hispanic White, Hispanic/Latinx, Non-Hispanic Black, Asian/other), and annual income, completed an online survey asking about demographics and priorities for food businesses and product purchases, including select-all and agreement rated items on definitions of healthfulness for food and beverages. Pearson’s r and Jaccard Index were used to assess correlation (PCC) and choice similarity, respectively. ResultsAmong 12 definitions of healthfulness, respondents most commonly chose nutritionally balanced (67%); all natural (56%); supports health outcomes (55%); and full of vitamins and minerals (52%); followed by organic (41%); safe to eat (41%); specific nutrient profile (38%); locally grown/culturally relevant (27%); supports weight loss (25%); non-GMO (23%); aids athletic/physical performance (16%); popular diet (13%). These perceptions varied by race/ethnicity and age. Nutritionally balanced was selected by 78% of Asian/other adults and 82% of 65 + y adults, vs. White (69%), Black (64%), or Hispanic/Latinx (61%) adults; or 50–65 y (75%), 35–49 y (59%), 18–34 y (57%). Findings were more similar by income. PCC was highest for nutritionally balanced and: full of vitamins (0.81); supports health outcomes (0.80); and all natural (0.76). Jaccard similarity was < 0.55 for all definition pairs except organic and safe to eat (0.99). ConclusionsIn a large, diverse national sample of US adults, consumers most defined healthfulness of food and beverages as nutritionally balanced, all natural, or supports health outcomes. Organic, supports weight loss, and non-GMO were much less reported as definitions of product healthfulness. No single definition was selected by >2/3of US adults; and combined with low Jaccard values, suggests a lack of consensus on simple definitions of healthfulness. Concepts were prioritized differently by age and race/ethnicity, but much less by income. These novel findings have implications for health communications, education, and guidance aimed at reducing consumer confusion about healthier food and beverage choices. Funding SourcesVail Innovative Global Research; NIFA National Needs Fellowship.

On How Certain Films and Songs Contain Otherness

This article comes as a sort of voyage in the sense that it tries to go beyond the simple definitions that pin video clips down to being a mere form of entertainment and a mode of commercialization and instead shows them to be part and parcel of a well-established concourse of texts which repeat themselves with a difference. The study is thus an exploratory odyssey in the quest for the insinuations, intimations and nuances which impregnate a host of video clips made in and presumably about Morocco by a myriad of American and European artists whose works, considered in entirety, give way to what Barthes labels as the mythical, a phraseology studded with the stereotypical, which is no less insidious than the myth with its grand narratives as encapsulated in film or prose. Based on a qualitative approach, Babel, Marrakech Express, and Sex and the City are the three film samples we will set out to explore in juxtaposition with several singles: Do it Again by The Chemical Brothers, The World I Know by Collective Soul, Yalla by Inna, Marrakesh Express by Nash, Crosby, and Stills, Misere Mani by Era, and Nothing to Fear by Chris Rea