First record of two hard coral species (Faviidae and Siderastreidae) from Qeshm Island (Persian Gulf, Iran)

Abstrak. Moradi M, Kamrani E, Shokri MR, Ranjbar MS, Hesni MA (2009) Rekaman pertama dua spesies karang keras (Faviidae dan Siderastreidae) dari Pulau Qeshm (Teluk Persia, Iran). Nusantara Bioscience 2: 34-37. Dua jenis karang keras termasuk Cyphastrea chalcidicum (Forskal 1775) (Faviidae) dan Coscinaraea monile (Forskal 1775) (Siderastreidae) dikumpulkan dari selatan Pulau Qeshm (Teluk Persia, Iran) pada akhir tahun 2008. Spesies ini sebelumnya dilaporkan terdapat di Teluk Persia selatan, Teluk Aden, Afrika Tenggara dan Indo-Pasifik. Tinjauan literatur pada distribusi kedua jenis mengungkapkan bahwa spesies ini pertama kali tercatat dari Teluk Persia. Temuan ini semakin menunjukkan tingginya keragaman fauna karang di perairan Iran di bagian utara Teluk Persia. Kata kunci: catatan pertama, Coscinaraea monile, Cyphastrea chalcidicum, Qeshm island, Persian gulf

Construction Scene Point Cloud Acquisition, Object Finding and Clutter Removal in Real Time

Within industrial construction, piping can constitute up to 50% of the cost of a typical project. It has been shown that across the activities involved in pipe fabrication, pipe fitting has the highest impact on the critical path. The pipe fitter is responsible for interpreting the isometric drawing and then performing the tack welds on piping components so that the assembly complies with the design. Three main problems in doing this task are identified as: (1) reading and interpreting the isometric drawing is challenging and error prone for spatially complicated assemblies, (2) in assemblies with tight allowable tolerance, a number of iterations will take place to fit the pipes with compliance to the design. These iterations (rework) will remain unrecorded in the production process, and (3) no continuous measurement tool exists to let the fitter check his/her work in progress against the design information and acceptance specifications. Addressing these problems could substantially improve pipe fitters’ productivity. The objective of this research is to develop a software package integrating a threefold solution to simplify complex tasks involved in pipe fabrication: (1) making design information easier to understand, with the use of a tablet, 3D imaging device and an application software, (2) providing visual feedback on the correctness of fabrication between the design intent and the as-built state, and (3) providing frequent feedback on fabrication using a step-by-step assembly and control framework. The step-by-step framework will reduce the number of required iterations for the pipe fitter. A number of challenges were encountered in order to provide a framework to make real time, visual and frequent feedback. For frequent and visual feedback, a real time 3D data acquisition tool with an acceptable level of accuracy should be adopted. This is due to the speed of fabrication in an industrial facility. The second challenge is to find the object of interest in real time, once a point cloud is acquired, and finally, once the object is found, to optimally remove points that are considered as clutter to improve the visual feedback for the pipe fitters. To address the requirement for a reliable and real time acquisition tool, Chapter 3 explores the capabilities and limitations of low cost range cameras. A commercially available 3D imaging tool was utilized to measure its performance for real time point cloud acquisition. The device was used to inspect two pipe spools altered in size. The acquired point clouds were super-imposed on the BIM (Building Information Model) model of the pipe spools to measure the accuracy of the device. Chapter 4 adapts and examines a real time and automatic object finding algorithm to measure its performance with respect to construction challenges. Then, a K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) algorithm was employed to classify points as being clutter or corresponding to the object of interest. Chapter 5 investigates the effect of the threshold value “K” in the K-Nearest Neighbor algorithm and optimizing its value for an improved visual feedback. As a result of the work described in this thesis, along with the work of two other master students and a co-op student, a software package was designed and developed. The software package takes advantage of the investigated real time point cloud acquisition device. While the object finding algorithm proved to be effective, a 3-point matching algorithm was used, as it was more intuitive for the users and took less time. The KNN algorithm was utilized to remove clutter points to provide more accurate visual feedback more accurate to the workers

Integration of 3D Feedback Control Systems for Fabrication of Engineered Assemblies for Industrial Construction Projects

A framework and methods are presented in this thesis to support integration of 3D feedback control systems to improve dimensional conformance during fabrication of engineered assemblies such as process piping, structural steel, vessels, tanks, and associated instrumentation for industrial construction projects. Fabrication includes processes such as cutting, bending, fitting, welding, and connecting. Companies specializing in these processes are known as fabricators, fabrication shops or fab shops. Typically, fab shops do not use 3D feedback control systems in their measurement and quality control processes. Instead, most measurements are done using manual tools such as tape measures, callipers, bubble levels, straight edges, squares, and templates. Inefficiency and errors ensue, costing the industry tens of billions of dollars per year globally. Improvement is impeded by a complex fabrication industry system dependent on deeply embedded existing processes, inflexible supply chains, and siloed information environments. The goal of this thesis is to address these impediments by developing and validating a new implementation framework including several specific methods. To accomplish this goal, several research objectives must be met: 1. Determine if 3D dimensional control methods are possible for fab shops that do not have access to 3D models corresponding to shop drawings, thus serving as a step toward deploying more integrated, sophisticated and higher performing control systems. 2. Discover ways to solve incompatibility between requested information from fabrication workers and the output information delivered by state-of-the-art 3D inspection systems. 3. Conduct a credible cost-benefit analysis to understand the benefits required to justify the implementation costs, such as training, process change management, and capital expenditures for 3D data acquisition units for fab shops. 4. Investigate ways to compare quality and accuracy of dimensional control data sourced from modern point cloud processing methods, conventional surveying methods, and hand tools. Methodologies used in this research include: (1) an initial literature review to understand the knowledge gaps coupled with informal interviews of practitioners from industrial research partners, which was revisited throughout the development of the dissertation, (2) development of a conceptual framework for 3D fabrication control based on 3D imaging, (3) development and validation of algorithms to address key impediments to implementation of the framework, (4) experiments in the fab shop environment to validate elements of the framework, and (5) analysis to develop conclusions, identify weaknesses in the research, understand its contributions, and make recommendations. By developing and testing the preceding framework, it was discovered that three stages of evolution are necessary for implementation. These stages are: 1. Utilization of 3D digital templates to enable simple scan-vs-3D-model workflows for shops without access to 3D design models. 2. Development of a new language and framework for dimensional control through current ways of thinking and communication of quality control information. 3. Redefining quality control processes based on state-of-the-art tools and technologies, including automated dimensional control systems. With respect to the first stage, and to address the lack of access to 3D models, a framework for developing 3D digital template models was developed for inspecting received parts. The framework was used for developing a library of 600 3D models of piping parts. The library was leveraged to deploy a 3D quality control system that was then tested in an industrial-scale case study. The results of the case study were used to develop a discrete event simulation model. The simulation results from the model and subsequent cost-benefit analysis show that investment in integrating the scan-vs-3D-model quality control systems can have significant cost savings and provide a payback period of less than two years. With respect to the second stage and to bridge the gap between what 3D inspection systems can offer and what is expected by the fabrication workers, the concept of Termination Points was further defined and a framework for measuring and classifying them was developed. The framework was used to developed applications and tools based on the provided set of definitions. Those applications and tools were further analyzed, and the results are reported in each chapter. It is concluded that the methods developed based on the framework can have sufficient accuracy and can add significant value for fabrication quality control

Investigating the Efficacy of Sumac Topical Solution Against Permethrin-resistant Human Head Lice

Background: The present study aimed at determining the efficacy of applying Rhus coriaria (Sumac) solution for the treatment of Permethrin-resistant head louse in patients, who used permethrin for at least 2 consecutive periods, but have not been cured.Methods: This study is a before-after clinical trial performed on 100 patients with pediculosis aged between 2 and 50 years old and both sexes. All patients had used Permethrin at least twice consecutively (with at least 14 days interval) according to correct instructions (on the first and 7th day), but they have not been cured. Each patient received 60ml of Rhus coriaria solution for 3 consecutive days, and the treatment was repeated again for another 3 days; then, the patients were followed-up on the 4th, 10th, and14th days after the treatment.Results: The results showed a significant difference in the severity of head lice infection and itching before the treatment and 14 days after the treatment (P<0.001).Conclusion: Rhus coriaria solution was more effective in eliminating head-louse infestations on 4, 10, and 14 days after the treatment and itching disappeared in most of the patients, while negligible complications were observed

Epidural hematoma in computed tomography scan-based scoring systems of traumatic brain injury

Dear Editor Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a harmful condition that permanently or temporarily damages brain functions and imposes enormous costs on health systems. Computed tomography (CT) scan is the preferred modality to detect injuries and determine TBI patients' prognoses in emergency departments. Thus far, some scoring systems have been introduced for grading TBI based on CT scan findings, including the Marshal,[1] Rotterdam,[2] Helsinki,[3] Stockholm,[4] and NeuroImaging Radiological Interpretation System (NIRIS) [Table 1].[5] This letter aims to briefly raise issues regarding the scoring of epidural hematoma (EDH) in CT scan-based scoring systems of TBI.Epidural hematoma is the gathering of blood between the dura mater and the skull. This intracranial hematoma usually occurs following the bleeding from the middle meningeal artery and, less commonly, from the dural venous sinuses.[6] Some studies have shown that EDH positively affects the outcome, so patients with EDH would have a better overall prognosis.[2] A typical EDH's prognosis is good if diagnosed early and managed before deterioration. Gennarelli et al., showed that the EDH death rate is approximately one-tenth of subdural hematoma.[7] Bricolo et al., reported that mortality should be zero in uncomplicated EDH.[8]On the other hand, EDH can be potentially life-threatening. EDH of venous origin can gradually spread, and its findings may appear late, leading to a delayed diagnosis and treatment. Consequently, EDH expansion can lead to herniation, permanent neurological damage, and death.[9] EDH with a size greater than 30 ml or a midline shift of more than 10 mm does not have a good prognosis.[9] The swirl sign indicating active bleeding also worsens the prognosis.[10]The presence or absence of EDH is evaluated in four CT scan-based scoring systems of TBI [Table 1]. Three scoring systems, including Rotterdam, Helsinki, and Stockholm, consider the presence of EDH as a favorable prognostic factor, i.e., patients with EDH on their brain CT scans get a lower score. However, in the NIRIS, EDH is scored as an adverse prognostic factor based on its volume, leading to a higher score.Hence, EDH cannot always be a favorable prognostic indicator. For instance, the presence of EDH along with diffuse axonal injury (DAI) worsens the outcome.[11] However, according to Rotterdam, Helsinki, and Stockholm systems, the association of EDH with DAI would have a lower score than DAI alone. Besides, high-volume EDH can worsen the situation by causing a midline shift and brain herniation.[9] Nonetheless, the specific size of EDH is not checked in any of these three systems.The scoring systems have been developed from the statistical weighting of variables. However, it is necessary to look at the issue more dynamically and comprehensively for a more accurate outcome prediction. Adjusting CT scoring systems with clinical characteristics and scales such as the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and head injury biomechanics may also be helpful

MWCNTs-TiO2 incorporated-Mg composites to improve the mechanical, corrosion and biological characteristics for use in biomedical fields

This study attempts to synthesize MgZn/TiO2-MWCNTs composites with varying TiO2-MWCNT concentrations using mechanical alloying and a semi-powder metallurgy process coupled with spark plasma sintering. It also aims to investigate the mechanical, corrosion, and antibacterial properties of these composites. When compared to the MgZn composite, the microhardness and compressive strength of the MgZn/TiO2-MWCNTs composites were enhanced to 79 HV and 269 MPa, respectively. The results of cell culture and viability experiments revealed that incorporating TiO2-MWCNTs increased osteoblast proliferation and attachment and enhanced the biocompatibility of the TiO2-MWCNTs nanocomposite. It was observed that the corrosion resistance of the Mg-based composite was improved and the corrosion rate was reduced to about 2.1 mm/y with the addition of 10 wt% TiO2-1 wt% MWCNTs. In vitro testing for up to 14 days revealed a reduced degradation rate following the incorporation of TiO2-MWCNTs reinforcement into a MgZn matrix alloy. Antibacterial evaluations revealed that the composite had antibacterial activity, with an inhibition zone of 3.7 mm against Staphylococcus aureus. The MgZn/TiO2-MWCNTs composite structure has great potential for use in orthopedic fracture fixation devices

Mapping 123 million neonatal, infant and child deaths between 2000 and 2017

Since 2000, many countries have achieved considerable success in improving child survival, but localized progress remains unclear. To inform efforts towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.2—to end preventable child deaths by 2030—we need consistently estimated data at the subnational level regarding child mortality rates and trends. Here we quantified, for the period 2000–2017, the subnational variation in mortality rates and number of deaths of neonates, infants and children under 5 years of age within 99 low- and middle-income countries using a geostatistical survival model. We estimated that 32% of children under 5 in these countries lived in districts that had attained rates of 25 or fewer child deaths per 1,000 live births by 2017, and that 58% of child deaths between 2000 and 2017 in these countries could have been averted in the absence of geographical inequality. This study enables the identification of high-mortality clusters, patterns of progress and geographical inequalities to inform appropriate investments and implementations that will help to improve the health of all populations

Global, regional, and national cancer incidence, mortality, years of life lost, years lived with disability, and disability-Adjusted life-years for 29 cancer groups, 1990 to 2017 : A systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study

Importance: Cancer and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are now widely recognized as a threat to global development. The latest United Nations high-level meeting on NCDs reaffirmed this observation and also highlighted the slow progress in meeting the 2011 Political Declaration on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases and the third Sustainable Development Goal. Lack of situational analyses, priority setting, and budgeting have been identified as major obstacles in achieving these goals. All of these have in common that they require information on the local cancer epidemiology. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study is uniquely poised to provide these crucial data. Objective: To describe cancer burden for 29 cancer groups in 195 countries from 1990 through 2017 to provide data needed for cancer control planning. Evidence Review: We used the GBD study estimation methods to describe cancer incidence, mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, and disability-Adjusted life-years (DALYs). Results are presented at the national level as well as by Socio-demographic Index (SDI), a composite indicator of income, educational attainment, and total fertility rate. We also analyzed the influence of the epidemiological vs the demographic transition on cancer incidence. Findings: In 2017, there were 24.5 million incident cancer cases worldwide (16.8 million without nonmelanoma skin cancer [NMSC]) and 9.6 million cancer deaths. The majority of cancer DALYs came from years of life lost (97%), and only 3% came from years lived with disability. The odds of developing cancer were the lowest in the low SDI quintile (1 in 7) and the highest in the high SDI quintile (1 in 2) for both sexes. In 2017, the most common incident cancers in men were NMSC (4.3 million incident cases); tracheal, bronchus, and lung (TBL) cancer (1.5 million incident cases); and prostate cancer (1.3 million incident cases). The most common causes of cancer deaths and DALYs for men were TBL cancer (1.3 million deaths and 28.4 million DALYs), liver cancer (572000 deaths and 15.2 million DALYs), and stomach cancer (542000 deaths and 12.2 million DALYs). For women in 2017, the most common incident cancers were NMSC (3.3 million incident cases), breast cancer (1.9 million incident cases), and colorectal cancer (819000 incident cases). The leading causes of cancer deaths and DALYs for women were breast cancer (601000 deaths and 17.4 million DALYs), TBL cancer (596000 deaths and 12.6 million DALYs), and colorectal cancer (414000 deaths and 8.3 million DALYs). Conclusions and Relevance: The national epidemiological profiles of cancer burden in the GBD study show large heterogeneities, which are a reflection of different exposures to risk factors, economic settings, lifestyles, and access to care and screening. The GBD study can be used by policy makers and other stakeholders to develop and improve national and local cancer control in order to achieve the global targets and improve equity in cancer care. © 2019 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Global injury morbidity and mortality from 1990 to 2017 : results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Correction:Background Past research in population health trends has shown that injuries form a substantial burden of population health loss. Regular updates to injury burden assessments are critical. We report Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 Study estimates on morbidity and mortality for all injuries. Methods We reviewed results for injuries from the GBD 2017 study. GBD 2017 measured injury-specific mortality and years of life lost (YLLs) using the Cause of Death Ensemble model. To measure non-fatal injuries, GBD 2017 modelled injury-specific incidence and converted this to prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs). YLLs and YLDs were summed to calculate disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Findings In 1990, there were 4 260 493 (4 085 700 to 4 396 138) injury deaths, which increased to 4 484 722 (4 332 010 to 4 585 554) deaths in 2017, while age-standardised mortality decreased from 1079 (1073 to 1086) to 738 (730 to 745) per 100 000. In 1990, there were 354 064 302 (95% uncertainty interval: 338 174 876 to 371 610 802) new cases of injury globally, which increased to 520 710 288 (493 430 247 to 547 988 635) new cases in 2017. During this time, age-standardised incidence decreased non-significantly from 6824 (6534 to 7147) to 6763 (6412 to 7118) per 100 000. Between 1990 and 2017, age-standardised DALYs decreased from 4947 (4655 to 5233) per 100 000 to 3267 (3058 to 3505). Interpretation Injuries are an important cause of health loss globally, though mortality has declined between 1990 and 2017. Future research in injury burden should focus on prevention in high-burden populations, improving data collection and ensuring access to medical care.Peer reviewe

Global, regional, and national burden of traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) are increasingly recognised as global health priorities in view of the preventability of most injuries and the complex and expensive medical care they necessitate. We aimed to measure the incidence, prevalence, and years of life lived with disability (YLDs) for TBI and SCI from all causes of injury in every country, to describe how these measures have changed between 1990 and 2016, and to estimate the proportion of TBI and SCI cases caused by different types of injury. METHODS: We used results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) Study 2016 to measure the global, regional, and national burden of TBI and SCI by age and sex. We measured the incidence and prevalence of all causes of injury requiring medical care in inpatient and outpatient records, literature studies, and survey data. By use of clinical record data, we estimated the proportion of each cause of injury that required medical care that would result in TBI or SCI being considered as the nature of injury. We used literature studies to establish standardised mortality ratios and applied differential equations to convert incidence to prevalence of long-term disability. Finally, we applied GBD disability weights to calculate YLDs. We used a Bayesian meta-regression tool for epidemiological modelling, used cause-specific mortality rates for non-fatal estimation, and adjusted our results for disability experienced with comorbid conditions. We also analysed results on the basis of the Socio-demographic Index, a compound measure of income per capita, education, and fertility. FINDINGS: In 2016, there were 27·08 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 24·30-30·30 million) new cases of TBI and 0·93 million (0·78-1·16 million) new cases of SCI, with age-standardised incidence rates of 369 (331-412) per 100 000 population for TBI and 13 (11-16) per 100 000 for SCI. In 2016, the number of prevalent cases of TBI was 55·50 million (53·40-57·62 million) and of SCI was 27·04 million (24·98-30·15 million). From 1990 to 2016, the age-standardised prevalence of TBI increased by 8·4% (95% UI 7·7 to 9·2), whereas that of SCI did not change significantly (-0·2% [-2·1 to 2·7]). Age-standardised incidence rates increased by 3·6% (1·8 to 5·5) for TBI, but did not change significantly for SCI (-3·6% [-7·4 to 4·0]). TBI caused 8·1 million (95% UI 6·0-10·4 million) YLDs and SCI caused 9·5 million (6·7-12·4 million) YLDs in 2016, corresponding to age-standardised rates of 111 (82-141) per 100 000 for TBI and 130 (90-170) per 100 000 for SCI. Falls and road injuries were the leading causes of new cases of TBI and SCI in most regions. INTERPRETATION: TBI and SCI constitute a considerable portion of the global injury burden and are caused primarily by falls and road injuries. The increase in incidence of TBI over time might continue in view of increases in population density, population ageing, and increasing use of motor vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles. The number of individuals living with SCI is expected to increase in view of population growth, which is concerning because of the specialised care that people with SCI can require. Our study was limited by data sparsity in some regions, and it will be important to invest greater resources in collection of data for TBI and SCI to improve the accuracy of future assessments