The statistical data on mortality due to COVID-19 has been studied. The weekly cycle of mortality was established. Presumably, the decreased mortality on particular days of the week related to optimized treatment protocols applied on the «favorable days». If the factors reducing mortality on particular days of the week could be identified, their positive effect should be applied to other days of the week to decrease mortality among patients with COVID-19.
We present an algorithm to reduce the number of slices from 2D contour cross sections. The main aim of the algorithm is to filter less significant slices while preserving an acceptable level of output quality and keeping the computational cost to reconstruct surface(s) at a minimal level. This research is motivated mainly by two factors; first 2D cross sections data is often huge in size and high in precisions – the computational cost to reconstruct surface(s) from them is closely related to the size and complexity of this data. Second, we can trades visual fidelity with speed of computations if we can remove visually insignificant data from the original dataset which may contains redundant information. In our algorithm we use the number of contour points on a pair of slices to calculate the distance between them. Selection to retain/reject a slice is based on the value of distance compared against a threshold value. Optimal threshold value is derived to produce set of slices that collectively represent the feature of the dataset. We tested our algorithm over six different set of data, varying in complexities and sizes. The results show slice reduction rate depends on the complexity of the dataset, where highest reduction percentage is achieved for objects with lots of constant local variations. Our derived optimal thresholds seem to be able to produce the right set of slices with the potential of creating surface(s) that traded off the accuracy and speed requirements.
Remanufacturing of used-products is becoming an important activity in many production companies. This paper reviews key remanufacturing process, highlights eight unique characteristics of remanufacturing process environment and proposes a generic conceptual remanufacturing process model that considers the presence and interactions of these eight features. The generic conceptual model could be modified to suit remanufacturing process of any given used products to be remanufactured. Future research can modify the generic remanufacturing model to suit used automotive parts remanufacturing with unique characteristics and apply simulation technique to model and analyse the corresponding remanufacturing process.
Research implementation methodology is an important element in any study. Good data
are obtained from the study that is carefully planned based on an appropriate design, as well as the
approach that is used in the process of obtaining the data. The main objective of the proposed study is
to identify criteria for sustainable construction. Therefore, the right selection of study design and
implementation methodology is very important to ensure that the objectives are successfully achieved.
This manuscript writing presents the description of the design and implementation methodology used
in this study, namely content analysis, to meet the objective. Justification for the selected method to
achieve the objectives of the study is also discussed.
Histology, a branch of anatomy is a correlational science between structure of tissues and their
functions. Knowledge of histology is emphasised for undergraduate medical students as a basic for
clinical knowledge and research. To impart retainable and reproducible knowledge in histology, a new
laboratory manual with images and clinical correlates was introduced to the Year I MBBS students
in the Academic Session 2017/2018 during their general anatomy module. The objective structured
practical examination marks between 101 students of Batches 2016/17 and 2017/18 were analysed.
The difference in marks between both the batches were analysed using SPSS 20. Batch 2017/18
students who used the new lab manual scored better than the previous batch who used the old
manual. Independent t-test was not statistically significant. The students who used the new manual
fared better than their seniors. Since the difference was not statistically significant, it can be concluded
that if existent, drawbacks in the lab manual should be improved and adequate usage of the manual by
the students should be emphasised. Nevertheless, usage of the new lab manual shows that the students
could understand the subject and score better with less study hours.
This paper describes a systematic and practical guide on manuscript writing. A step-by-step approach
as easy as learning ABC to facilitate authors to plan their manuscript writing. Research has shown that
experienced writers plan extensively, in which a writing plan is a road map, without it we will probably
lose our way in circles. Generally, authors start writing a manuscript by introduction, methods, results,
discussion and conclusion. However, this paper proposes a different approach to start writing a
manuscript based on the ABC of manuscript writing worksheet.
Mechanism diagrams exhibit visually the organized parts and operations of a biological mechanism. A mechanism diagram can facilitate mechanistic research by providing a mechanistic explanation of the phenomenon of interest. Much research has been focusing on the mechanistic explanation and the explanatory mechanistic models. As a specific type of scientific diagram, a simple mechanism diagram can be explanatory by drawing on the rich explanatory resources of non-depicted background knowledge. The relationship between the visually depicted and the background knowledge is underexplored. It is unclear how the non-depicted background knowledge of a mechanism diagram contributes to providing a better-informed explanation of the phenomenon of interest in biological sciences. With the aim to explore this relationship, I articulate that a mechanism diagram provides a mechanistic explanation by a process called abstraction-by-aggregation. Through visual cues, the unified relevant background knowledge provides an epistemic access to a better-informed explanation.
Matched MeSH terms: Research/instrumentation*; Research Design*
In this research, sago mill effluent was treated using anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR). Seven HRT from 10 to 1.5 days were tested to evaluate the methane production from sago mill effluent. The findings revealed the highest methane production rate was found at 1.288 L CH4/L reactor. d under HRT of 2 days The results showed that COD removals decreased from 70% to 47% as HRT was reduced from 10 to 2 days. The HRT 1.5 days was found critical for the studied system, which leads to decreased in methane production, yield and COD removal. Overall, ASBR was capable to treat sago mill effluent in producing methane by means of anaerobic digestion.
In this paper we consider solving directly two point boundary value problems (BVPs) for second-order ordinary differential equations (ODEs). We are concerned with solving this problem using multistep method in term of backward difference formula and approximating the solutions with the shooting method. Most of the existence researches involved BVPs will reduce the problem to a system of first order ODEs. This approach is very well established but it obviously will enlarge the system of first order equations. However, the direct multistep method in this paper will be utilised to obtain a series solution of the initial value problems directly without reducing to first order equations. The numerical results show that the proposed method with shooting method can produce good results.
The technology of deductive database is now mature enough due to the considerable research efforts that have been made on the field for the last ten years. This achievement is demonstrated by the emergence of efficient and easy to use systems with their capability of supporting a declarative, rule based style of expressing queries and applications on databases. This paper describes an overview of architecture of a query evaluation system for deductive databases that has been developed.
Teknologi pangkalan data deduktif sudah matang hasil daripada penyelidikan yang telah banyak dilakukan dalam tempoh 10 tahun yang lepas. Pencapaian ini dibuktikan melalui kemunculan sistem yang cekap dan mudah guna serta mempunyai keupayaan untuk mengungkap pertanyaan dan penggunaan ke atas pangkalan data secara deklaratif menerusi penggunaan petua. Dalam kertas ini diterangkan suatu ringkasan mengenai senibina sistem penilaian pertanyaan untuk pangkalan data deduktif yang sudah dibangunkan.
Many sampling methods have been suggested for estimating the population median. In the situation when the sampling units in a study can be easily ranked than quantified, the ranked set sampling methods are found to be more efficient and cost effective as compared to the simple random sampling. In this paper, the superiority of several ranked set sampling methods over the simple random sampling are illustrated through some simulation study. In addition, some new research topics under ranked set sampling are suggested.
This research develops a new non-standard scheme based on the Adomian decomposition method (ADM) to solve nonlinear equations. The ADM was adopted to solve the nonlinear differential equation resulting from the discretization of the differential equation. The new scheme does not need to linearize or non-locally linearize the nonlinear term of the differential equation. Two examples are given to demonstrate the efficiency of this scheme.
In this paper, the differential transformation method (DTM) is employed to find the semi-analytical solutions of SIS and SI
epidemic models for constant population. Firstly, the theoretical background of DTM is studied and followed by constructing
the solutions of SIS and SI epidemic models. Furthermore, the convergence analysis of DTM is proven by proposing two
theorems. Finally, numerical computations are made and compared with the exact solutions. From the numerical results,
the solutions produced by DTM approach the exact solutions which agreed with the proposed theorems. It can be seen that
the DTM is an alternative technique to be considered in solving many practical problems involving differential equations.
Left-truncated and censored survival data are commonly encountered in medical studies. However, traditional inferential methods that heavily rely on normality assumptions often fail when lifetimes of observations in a study are both truncated and censored. Thus, it is important to develop alternative inferential procedures that ease the assumptions of normality and unconventionally relies on the distribution of data in hand. In this research, a three parameter log-normal parametric survival model was extended to incorporate left-truncated and right censored medical data with covariates. Following that, bootstrap inferential procedures using non-parametric and parametric bootstrap samples were applied to the parameters of this model. The performance of the parameter estimates was assessed at various combinations of truncation and censoring levels via a simulation study. The recommended bootstrap intervals were applied to a lung cancer survival data.
Work-related upper-extremity disorders (WRUEDs) are frequently occurring among workers in general. Various researches support the empirical results of the Autogenic factors related to such problems of health and safety. Research shows the association of different aspects of work organization strengthen the possibilities of work-related stress and other psychosocial factors, which may lead towards adverse health conditions. To review the previous work done for finding the association between psychosocial factors and upper extremity disorders. Findings from different studies have been reviewed to examine the psychosocial factors association in developing WRUEDs. Published studies, which were primarily focused on WRUEDs and psychosocial factors association, were reviewed. Various studies have shown the relationship between psychosocial factors and UEDs. Due to the different nature of epidemiology of the disorder and variable differences, findings from different studies contradicts. Finally, this review presents the limitations in existing studies, and further research has been proposed for future.
An increasing number of health researchers are recognizing the benefits of crowdsourcing. Web-based discussion forums are well suited for collecting qualitative research data with tinnitus participants and forum posts can be evaluated using thematic analysis. The present study reports an innovative use of such qualitative data contributed by a group of 148 people with tinnitus and tinnitus professionals through the crowdsourcing platform Tinnitus Talk. While the primary research question was focused on defining symptom concepts, discussions were broad-ranging and extended far beyond this topic. Thematic analysis of the discussion conducted by two analysts identified three novel emerging themes and these were not pre-planned according to the moderator's script. These were (i) the lived experience of tinnitus, (ii) perspectives on interventions for tinnitus, and (iii) the experience of participating in a web discussion forum. These unexpected themes contribute to a richer and more in-depth understanding of tinnitus seen through the eyes of those who experience it on a daily basis. Findings are important since spontaneous themes presumably reflect issues that are of personal relevance and importance to the participants. They therefore give insights into future research directions and have implications for patient-centered counseling strategies that could be effective in clinic.
Each year the British Journal of Biomedical Science publishes a 'What have we learned' editorial designed to introduce readers within the major disciplines of laboratory medicine to developments outside their immediate area. In addition it is designed to inform a wider readership of the advances in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. To this end, in 2020 the journal published 39 articles covering the disciplines within Biomedical Science in the 4 issues comprising volume 77. These included a review of COVID-19 in this issue, 27 original articles, 6 Biomedical Science 'In Brief' and 4 case histories. 27 of the articles involved molecular techniques, with one of these comparing results with a mass spectrometry based method. The preponderance of molecular genetic studies gives us a good idea of the likely future direction of the disciplines.