Are adults just big kids? Can the newer paediatric weight estimation systems be used in adults?

Background. The weight of a patient is an important variable that impacts on their medical care. Although some drugs are prescribed on a so-called ‘adult dose’ basis, we know that adults come in all shapes and sizes – a ‘one-dose-fits-all’ approach is not necessarily appropriate. As a measured weight may not always be available, an alternative method of accurately estimating weight is required.Objectives. To assess and compare the accuracy of weight estimations in adults by patient self-estimation, the Mercy method, Buckley method, Broca index and PAWPER XL-MAC (paediatric advanced weight prediction in the emergency room eXtra length/eXtra large mid-arm circumference) method.Methods. This was a prospective, cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary academic hospital in a metropolitan area of Johannesburg, South Africa. Anthropometric variables of height, abdominal circumference, thigh circumference, mid-arm circumference and humeral length were measured. These variables were then applied to the various weight estimation methods and compared with the patient’s actual weight.Results. There were 188 adult patients included in the study. None of the methodologies evaluated in this study achieved the recommended >70% of weight estimations within 10% of the patient’s actual weight (PW10). The Mercy method was the closest to achieving greater than the recommended 95% for weight estimation falling within 20% of the patient’s actual weight (PW20). The PW20 for the Mercy method was 91.5%. The PAWPER XL-MAC and patient self-estimate methods achieved a PW20 of 85.1% and 86.1%, respectively. The Broca and Buckley methods performed poorly overall.Conclusions. None of the evaluated weight estimation methodologies was accurate enough for use in adult weight estimation. The Mercy and PAWPER XL-MAC methodologies both showed significant promise for use in adult weight estimation, but need further refinement. Although patient self-estimates were similarly accurate to those found in previous studies, they were not an accurate option; self-estimations would remain the first choice if the patient was able to provide such an estimation. The Broca index and Buckley method cannot be recommended owing to their poor performance

Improving distributed video coding side information by intelligently combining macro-blocks from multiple algorithms

The performance of distributed video coding (DVC) greatly relies on the quality of Side information (SI). This paper investigates a novel way of producing SI by intelligently combining macroblocks (MB) produced by two SI generation algorithms, namely higher-order piecewise temporal trajectory interpolation (HOPTTI) and adaptive overlapped block motion compensation (AOBMC). The two algorithms address the problem differently. HOPTTI attempts to improve the motion estimation using higher order trajectory interpolation while AOMBC addresses the blocking and overlapping problem caused by inaccurate block matching. By judiciously selecting when to incorporate AOBMC with HOPTTI, it would give a peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) improvement in SI quality. Two switching mechanisms, which exploit the spatial-temporal correlation at the macro-block level, have been investigated and the RST-based intelligent mode switching (IMS) algorithm is found to produce enhanced SI quality. Experimental results show that the basic mode switching algorithm gives a PSNR improvement of up to 1.8dB in SI quality compared to using only HOPTTI. The more intelligent RST-based switching provides a further PSNR enhancement of up to 1.1dB for certain test sequences

AI powered social commerce technology and customer experience: A systematic literature review

Over the last 3 decades, the digital revolution has drastically transformed customer/user experience. Negroponte (1995) described this transformation as a shift from atoms to bits. Schmitt (2019) supported that, in the context of marketing atoms are fast moving consumer goods and their brands, made in factories, advertised through mass media, and sold in stores; bits are information, entertainment and interactive products, often produced instantaneously, promoted through social media and sold online. Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered technologies such as social commerce, Internet of things (IoT), Augmented reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Smart technology, or digital payments technologies have the potential to revolutionize customer or user experience. Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping business, economy, and society by transforming consumers experiences and relationships amongst stakeholders and citizens (Loureiro, Guerreiro and Tussyadiah, 2020).info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

AN AUTOMATED ENERGY METER READING SYSTEM USING GSM TECHNOLOGY

The measurement of the energy consumed by residential and commercial buildings by utility provider is important in billing, control and monitoring of the usage of energy. Traditional metering techniques used for the measurement of energy are not convenient and is prone to different forms of irregularities. These irregularities include inaccuracies in billing due to human error, energy theft, loss of revenue due to corruption and so on. This research study proposed the design and construction of a microcontroller based electric energy metering system using the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) network. This system provides solution to the irregularities posed by the traditional metering technique by allowing the utility provider have access to remote monitoring capabilities, full control over consumer load, and remote power disconnection in the case of energy theft. Proteus simulation software was used to model the system hardware and the software was obtained by using embedded C programming and visual basic. It was observed that the system could remotely take accurate energy readings, provided full control over consumer loads and execute remote disconnection in case of energy theft. The system provides high performance and high accuracy in power monitoring and power management. Keywords: GSM, Automati

Knowledge, attitude and willingness to accept Caesarean Section among women in Ogbomoso , southwest Nigeria

Introduction: Caesarean section (CS) is a common procedure in obstetrics and has contributed immensely to improving maternal and foetal outcome; there are still concerns about the knowledge, attitude and willingness to accept the procedure among women especially those in the developing world.Objective: This study seeks to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and acceptance of women about CS in Ogbomoso. These women were more educated than most of their counterparts in South Sudan but because of the political situation we are unlikely to get similar data from South Sudan and therefore this study is of interest.Methodology: This is a descriptive study which was carried out in four health facilities. Respondents were selected using the systematic random technique with a sample interval of 2. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS), version 16.Results: Of the 410 respondents, 63.2% of the women have a good knowledge of CS as a method of delivery. When CS was compared to vaginal delivery, 33.5% said that CS was preferable to vaginal delivery because the pain involved was much less; this view was however disagreed upon by 54.8% of the respondents. Only 75.6% of the respondents were ready to accept CS if there was a need for it.Conclusion: Mothers should be educated on the process involved in Caesarean delivery, the indication, advantages and complications in order to help them make the right informed decision.Keywords: Women knowledge, attitude, Caesarean section, Nigeri

Literature Review of Areas of Application of Supply Chain Management in Construction Industry

Construction projects are becoming increasingly complex and the conventional methods of managing them have plateaued over the years. The complexity could be traced to the complexity of designs, which requires inputs from different suppliers/contractors. This has led to fragmentation where suppliers/ contractors specialize in a given project and are contracted to deliver only on their area of expertise. The aim of this paper is to produce evidence of the areas of application of supply chain management (SCM) in the construction industry. The aim was achieved by a thorough literature review of works done in the area. The results showed that all the selected research on the SCM falls within eight major areas. They are procurement, logistics, models application, information, performance evaluation, customer relationship, environmental management and sustainability. Other subfields can be derived from the areas

AN AUTOMATED ENERGY BILL METERING SYSTEM BASED ON GSM TECHNOLOGY

The measurement of the energy consumed by residential and commercial buildings by utility provider is important in billing, control, and monitoring of the usage of energy. Traditional metering techniques used for the measurement of energy are not convenient and is prone to different forms of irregularities. These irregularities include meter failure, meter tampering, inaccuracies in billing due to human error, energy theft, and loss of revenue due to corruption, etc. This research study proposed the design and construction of a microcontroller-based electric energy metering system using the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) network. This system provides a solution to the irregularities posed by the traditional metering technique by allowing the utility provider have access to remote monitoring capabilities, full control over consumer load, and remote power disconnection in the case of energy theft. Proteus simulation software was used to model the system hardware and the software was obtained by using embedded C programming and visual basic. It was observed that the system could remotely take accurate energy readings, provided full control over consumer loads and execute remote disconnection in case of energy theft. The system provides high performance and high accuracy in power monitoring and power management.   &nbsp

MEAT QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF IMPROVED INDIGENOUS CHICKENS (FUNAAB-ALPHA) FED TURMERIC (Curcuma longa) OR CLOVE (Syzygium aromaticum) AS FEED ADDITIVES

The experiment was conducted to investigate meat quality of improved indigenous chickens (FUNAAB alpha) fed diet containing turmeric (Curcuma longa) and clove (Syzigium aromaticum) powders. One hundred and thirty-five (135) mixed sexed day-old improved indigenous FUNAAB alpha chicks were brooded collectively for two weeks, and assigned into three (3) treatment groups. Each treatment was replicated three times, consisting of fifteen (15) birds. Feed and water were provided ad-libitum through the duration of experiment. The control group was fed the basal diet at starter and  finisher phases (T1), while the other groups were fed clove (Syzygium aromaticum) powder at 3 g/kg (T2) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) (T3) powder at 4 g/kg respectively as additives.   Data obtained were subjected to a One – Way Analysis of Variance in a Completely Randomised Design. Muscle obtained after evisceration was subjected to quality analysis. Proximate composition of meat obtained from chickens fed the basal diet had the highest (p<0.05) moisture content value of 75.45% compared to other treatments. Water absorptive capacity and cook loss of meat obtained from chickens fed 4 g/kg dietary turmeric showed (p<0.05) values of 3% and 16.4% respectively. Meat sensory properties analysed revealed (p<0.05) score in groups fed 3g/kg and 4 g/kg clove and turmeric powders respectively, for tenderness (6.14) and overall acceptability (7.19). Meanwhile (p<0.05) lipoprotein profile was observed in group fed 4 g/kg turmeric powder. Inclusion, turmeric and clove had beneficial effects on FUNAAB Alpha. &nbsp

Experimental analytical design of CNC machine tool SCFC based on electro-pneumatic system simulation

AbstractA Smart Clamping Force Control (SCFC) is adapted to hold sensitive workpiece using magnetic proximity switch during a machining operation on the CNC machine tool. It has been ascertained that work-holding of different workpiece materials and shapes during machining operation is one of the problems encountered during CNC milling machining operations. This work proposes a novel clamping strategy for workpieces with the aid of SCFC. The purpose of the study is to adjust the forward movement of the clamp and reduce the damage caused by the clamp on the workpiece, this depends on the material of the work-piece. The speed of the clamp is reduced using the inlet flow control throttle valve and a magnetic proximity switch (MPS). It provides careful handling of workpiece and prevent it from damage and as well optimizes the forward movement of the cylinder. The proposed strategy is based on dynamic machine loading in which the impact of applied forces were monitored to optimize the clamping control system of the machine tool. The mode of operation and performance of the SCFC were simulated in the FluidSIM® software, and the validated results was presented on Festo workstation. This work therefore further elucidate the fundamental design criterion for machine tool clamping forces and the sustainable manufacture of its components

DATA ARCHITECTURE OF BUILDING MATERIALS USING WEB-BASED TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL MANAGEMENT

Construction materials are vital resources in the running of the construction industry, whereas, the issues of unavailability, over-supply, storage of materials and construction waste have dire consequences for the environment. The study aimed to evaluate the concept of data architecture of building materials using web-based technologies with a view to ensuring sustainable material management. The study made use of a web-based system developed using HTML, PHP programming language and a database system through MySQL. An evaluation of the system showed the capabilities of using the web-based system to estimate building materials to be used on the construction project. The system showed the proficiency of storing the total inventory of building materials on a construction project. Finally, the web-based system is able to use raw data from the building materials to generate reports that can be used to achieve sustainable material management. Construction professionals are able to compare actual materials used on their projects versus the estimated values. These information can be useful in effective and efficient planning and decision making on ongoing projects and future developments