Not a shot in the dark: Low‐cost demonstration of microseismic feasibility in a high‐risk environment

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Waldron ◽  
Julie Shemeta ◽  
Emmanuel Gaucher ◽  
Suzanne Hunt ◽  
Dennis Cooke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Risk Environment

scholarly journals Crossing a Border for a Low-Cost, High-Risk Environment: Smoking Status and Excessive Drinking among Young Adults in Tijuana

2010 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 466-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Mumford ◽  
Joe G Gitchell ◽  
Tara Kelley-Baker ◽  
Eduardo Romano
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Excessive Drinking ◽  
Risk Environment

scholarly journals Physical and Mechanical Properties of Natural Leaf Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Polyester Composites

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1369
Author(s):  
Sanjeev Kumar ◽  
Lalta Prasad ◽  
Vinay Kumar Patel ◽  
Virendra Kumar ◽  
Anil Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Composite Materials ◽  
Synthetic Fibre ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Natural Fibres ◽  
Risk Environment ◽  
Insulation Property ◽  
Natural Leaf

In recent times, demand for light weight and high strength materials fabricated from natural fibres has increased tremendously. The use of natural fibres has rapidly increased due to their high availability, low density, and renewable capability over synthetic fibre. Natural leaf fibres are easy to extract from the plant (retting process is easy), which offers high stiffness, less energy consumption, less health risk, environment friendly, and better insulation property than the synthetic fibre-based composite. Natural leaf fibre composites have low machining wear with low cost and excellent performance in engineering applications, and hence established as superior reinforcing materials compared to other plant fibres. In this review, the physical and mechanical properties of different natural leaf fibre-based composites are addressed. The influences of fibre loading and fibre length on mechanical properties are discussed for different matrices-based composite materials. The surface modifications of natural fibre also play a crucial role in improving physical and mechanical properties regarding composite materials due to improved fibre/matrix adhesion. Additionally, the present review also deals with the effect of silane-treated leaf fibre-reinforced thermoset composite, which play an important role in enhancing the mechanical and physical properties of the composites.

scholarly journals CHARGE-AF in a national routine primary care electronic health records database in the Netherlands: validation for 5-year risk of atrial fibrillation and implications for patient selection in atrial fibrillation screening

Open Heart ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e001459
Author(s):  
Jelle C L Himmelreich ◽  
Wim A M Lucassen ◽  
Ralf E Harskamp ◽  
Claire Aussems ◽  
Henk C P M van Weert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
High Risk ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Patient Selection ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Calibration Plot ◽  
Primary Care Data ◽  
C Statistic ◽  
Kaplan Meier

AimsTo validate a multivariable risk prediction model (Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology model for atrial fibrillation (CHARGE-AF)) for 5-year risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in routinely collected primary care data and to assess CHARGE-AF’s potential for automated, low-cost selection of patients at high risk for AF based on routine primary care data.MethodsWe included patients aged ≥40 years, free of AF and with complete CHARGE-AF variables at baseline, 1 January 2014, in a representative, nationwide routine primary care database in the Netherlands (Nivel-PCD). We validated CHARGE-AF for 5-year observed AF incidence using the C-statistic for discrimination, and calibration plot and stratified Kaplan-Meier plot for calibration. We compared CHARGE-AF with other predictors and assessed implications of using different CHARGE-AF cut-offs to select high-risk patients.ResultsAmong 111 475 patients free of AF and with complete CHARGE-AF variables at baseline (17.2% of all patients aged ≥40 years and free of AF), mean age was 65.5 years, and 53% were female. Complete CHARGE-AF cases were older and had higher AF incidence and cardiovascular comorbidity rate than incomplete cases. There were 5264 (4.7%) new AF cases during 5-year follow-up among complete cases. CHARGE-AF’s C-statistic for new AF was 0.74 (95% CI 0.73 to 0.74). The calibration plot showed slight risk underestimation in low-risk deciles and overestimation of absolute AF risk in those with highest predicted risk. The Kaplan-Meier plot with categories <2.5%, 2.5%–5% and >5% predicted 5-year risk was highly accurate. CHARGE-AF outperformed CHA2DS2-VASc (Cardiac failure or dysfunction, Hypertension, Age >=75 [Doubled], Diabetes, Stroke [Doubled]-Vascular disease, Age 65-74, and Sex category [Female]) and age alone as predictors for AF. Dichotomisation at cut-offs of 2.5%, 5% and 10% baseline CHARGE-AF risk all showed merits for patient selection in AF screening efforts.ConclusionIn patients with complete baseline CHARGE-AF data through routine Dutch primary care, CHARGE-AF accurately assessed AF risk among older primary care patients, outperformed both CHA2DS2-VASc and age alone as predictors for AF and showed potential for automated, low-cost patient selection in AF screening.

Effects of a high-risk environment on edge-drilling behavior: inference from Recent bivalves from the Red Sea

Paleobiology ◽  
10.1666/13024 ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devapriya Chattopadhyay ◽  
Martin Zuschin ◽  
Adam Tomašových
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Red Sea ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Drill Hole ◽  
Predatory Behavior ◽  
Width Ratio ◽  
Substrate Affinity ◽  
Risk Environment ◽  
Temporal And Spatial Distribution ◽  
Predation Intensity

Edge-drilling is an unusual predation pattern in which a predatory gastropod drills a hole on the commissure between the valves of a bivalve. Although it is faster than wall drilling, it involves the potential risk of amputating the drilling organ. We therefore hypothesize that this risky strategy is advantageous only in environments where predators face high competition or predation pressure while feeding. The high frequency of edge-drilling (EDF, relative to the total number of drilled valves) in a diverse Recent bivalve assemblage from the Red Sea enables us to test this hypothesis, predicting (1) a low EDF in infaunal groups, (2) a high EDF in bivalves with elongated shape, (3) high incidence of edge-drilling in groups showing a high wall-drilling frequency, and (4) high EDF in shallow habitats. We evaluate these predictions based on >15,000 bivalve specimens. Among ecological attributes, we found substrate affinity and predation intensity of a species to be good predictors of edge-drilling incidence. Infaunal taxa with high length/width ratio have a low EDF, in accordance with our predictions. Predation intensity is also a significant predictor of edge-drilling; groups with high predation intensity show higher incidence of edge-drilling, confirming our prediction. Although water depth fails to show any significant effect on EDF, this analysis generally supports the high-risk hypothesis of edge-drilling incidence because shallow depths have considerable microhabitat variability. Classically the drill hole site selection has often been linked to predatory behavior. Our study indicates that prey attributes are also crucial in dictating the behavioral traits of a driller such as site selection. This calls for considering such details of the prey to fully understand predation in modern and fossil habitats. Moreover, this perspective is important for tackling the longstanding riddle of the limited temporal and spatial distribution of edge-drilling.

scholarly journals Can wearable technology be used to approximate cardiopulmonary exercise testing metrics?

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Jones ◽  
Laura Tan ◽  
Suzanne Carey-Jones ◽  
Nathan Riddell ◽  
Richard Davies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Oxygen Uptake ◽  
Anaerobic Threshold ◽  
Exercise Testing ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing ◽  
Peak Oxygen Uptake ◽  
Wearable Device ◽  
Cardiopulmonary Exercise

Abstract Background Consumer wrist-worn wearable activity monitors are widely available, low cost and are able to provide a direct measurement of several markers of physical activity. Despite this, there is limited data on their use in perioperative risk prediction. We explored whether these wearables could accurately approximate metrics (anaerobic threshold, peak oxygen uptake and peak work) derived using formalised cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in patients undergoing high-risk surgery. Methods Patients scheduled for major elective intra-abdominal surgery and undergoing CPET were included. Physical activity levels were estimated through direct measures (step count, floors climbed and total distance travelled) obtained through continuous wear of a wrist worn activity monitor (Garmin Vivosmart HR+) for 7 days prior to surgery and self-report through completion of the short International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Correlations and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis explored the relationships between parameters provided by CPET and physical activity. Device selection Our choice of consumer wearable device was made to maximise feasibility outcomes for this study. The Garmin Vivosmart HR+ had the longest battery life and best waterproof characteristics of the available low-cost devices. Results Of 55 patients invited to participate, 49 (mean age 65.3 ± 13.6 years; 32 males) were enrolled; 37 provided complete wearable data for analyses and 36 patients provided full IPAQ data. Floors climbed, total steps and total travelled as measured by the wearable device all showed moderate correlation with CPET parameters of peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) (R = 0.57 (CI 0.29–0.76), R = 0.59 (CI 0.31–0.77) and R = 0.62 (CI 0.35–0.79) respectively), anaerobic threshold (R = 0.37 (CI 0.01–0.64), R = 0.39 (CI 0.04–0.66) and R = 0.42 (CI 0.07–0.68) respectively) and peak work (R = 0.56 (CI 0.27–0.75), R = 0.48 (CI 0.17–0.70) and R = 0.50 (CI 0.2–0.72) respectively). Receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis for direct and self-reported measures of 7-day physical activity could accurately approximate the ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide (VE/VCO2) and the anaerobic threshold. The area under these curves was 0.89 for VE/VCO2 and 0.91 for the anaerobic threshold. For peak VO2 and peak work, models fitted using just the wearable data were 0.93 for peak VO2 and 1.00 for peak work. Conclusions Data recorded by the wearable device was able to consistently approximate CPET results, both with and without the addition of patient reported activity measures via IPAQ scores. This highlights the potential utility of wearable devices in formal assessment of physical functioning and suggests they could play a larger role in pre-operative risk assessment. Ethics This study entitled “uSing wearable TEchnology to Predict perioperative high-riSk patient outcomes (STEPS)” gained favourable ethical opinion on 24 January 2017 from the Welsh Research Ethics Committee 3 reference number 17/WA/0006. It was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov with identifier NCT03328039.

scholarly journals Development of a High-Fidelity, 3D Printed Otoplasty Surgical Simulator

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsey Wallace, M.S. ◽  
Zahra Nourmohammadi, Ph.D. ◽  
David A. Zopf, M.D., M.S.
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Simulation ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Occurrence Rate ◽  
Surgical Simulator ◽  
Risk Environment ◽  
Surgical Simulators ◽  
Protruding Ears ◽  
Surgical Trainees ◽  
Ear Cartilage

Background and Hypothesis: Protruding ears, also known as prominauris, are prevalent worldwide at an occurrence rate of about 5%. Children with prominauris report lower self-esteem and experience increased teasing and social isolation at school. From a functional standpoint, protruding ears can make wearing prescription glasses difficult. This increased stress and anxiety and impaired functionality lead children and families to seek treatment. One of the most effective treatments for protruding ears is otoplasty. This procedure involves an incision in the back of the ear and the placement of non-resorbable sutures to reform the ear. Alternatively, the procedure can be performed using an incisionless technique. As this is an elective procedure done commonly in children, adequate education of medical trainees is critical to ensure the proper level of skill is attained and patient satisfaction is maximized. Currently, teaching otoplasty is done with cadavers and supervised procedures with an attending. Surgical simulators are employed in the instruction of a variety of surgical procedures and allow residents to practice in a zero-risk environment. In addition, 3D printing has facilitated the development of surgical simulators allowing for a more cost-effective, consistent, and anatomically correct simulator. We developed an ear model made from silicone for trainees to practice traditional and incisionless otoplasty. Project Methods: The otoplasty surgical simulator was developed by isolating an ear from a computed-tomography scan in the Materialise software to create a 3D model. This model was then altered to create a negative mold. The mold was printed using fusion deposition printing with 1.75 MM polylactic acid filament. After printing, the mold was filled with Dragon Skin Silicone Shore 20 to simulate ear cartilage. The model was then coated in a layer of Dragon Skin Silicone Shore 10 to simulate a layer of skin. Conclusion and Potential Impact: This otoplasty simulator will next be validated by expert surgeons and then used in a surgical simulation workshop for surgical trainees. Because of the low-cost of the surgical simulator and the ease of manufacturing, this simulator can also be used to train surgeons abroad where access to surgical training may not be readily available. 

Cries in the Dark: Reconstruction after Hurricane Mitch in Honduras

2006 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-38
Author(s):  
Kurt Rhyner
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Natural Phenomenon ◽  
Police Chief ◽  
Hurricane Mitch ◽  
The Public ◽  
Risk Areas ◽  
Mountainous River

Disasters are always caused by a combination of factors, and the natural phenomenon that brings them on is usually just a catalyst. The underlying cause of most disasters is poverty as mostly the poor segments of the population usually live in high risk areas where their shelter all too often cannot withstand even light winds, small inundations or medium earthquakes. When Hurricane Mitch hit Central America in October 1998, all countries were ill prepared. A few weeks earlier, the authorities of the Honduran capital, Tegucigalpa, had attempted to simulate an evacuation, but it had met with a great degree of resistance from the public. When Mitch hit, unprecedented masses of water raced down the mountainous river beds. People were taken by surprise, as no efficient organisation existed. Everybody ran for their lives. Houses slid down hillsides, rivers swept bridges, houses and people with them. Six years later, Tegucigalpa looks very similar to the days before Mitch. The steep hillsides are covered with a potpourri of dwellings, from miserable huts to solid upmarket houses. Regulations were passed in the year 2002 to prohibit construction in high risk areas; however, enforcement is difficult, especially when existing buildings are renovated and even enlarged. Theoretically it is possible to evacuate high risk areas. Nonetheless, such drastic measures are virtually impossible to implement, as no mayor or police chief would survive such an action in office. The paper presents a case study which shows that the underlying problems of poverty and the non-availability of suitable land for people to relocate from high risk areas can usually not be overcome by post-disaster reconstruction programmes. A mitigation strategy is thus to empower inhabitants of high risk areas to improve their own situation by affordable access to information, advice and suitable low cost construction materials through “Building Advisory Services” and Ecomaterials producers within the neighbourhoods.

Is This Program Right for You?

2007 ◽  
pp. 11-16
Author(s):  
Barbara Olasov Rothbaum ◽  
Edna B. Foa ◽  
Elizabeth A. Hembree
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Alcohol Abuse ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Risk Environment ◽  
Alcohol Abuse And Dependence ◽  
Motivation For Treatment

Chapter 2 discusses if the prolonged exposure program is right for you and your symptoms, considering the presence of drug or alcohol abuse and dependence, and if you live or work in a high-risk environment. Processes for enhancing motivation for treatment are also explored.Chapter 2 discusses if the prolonged exposure program is right for you and your symptoms, considering the presence of drug or alcohol abuse and dependence, and if you live or work in a high-risk environment. Processes for enhancing motivation for treatment are also explored.

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