bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the geriatric curriculum implemented at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran, since 2017: A qualitative study
Authors: Jaafari Faezeh , Delavari Somayeh , Bazrafkan Leila
Published: October 2019

Background:Recently, there has been an increase in life expectancy due to improvements in nutrition, health, and sanitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the geriatric curriculum in the field of general medicine at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS), Iran to improve the quality of services provided to this population in the community.

Methods:This was a qualitative study­­. Six educational hospitals and ambulatory centers of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences participated in this study. Within these centers, 15 medical education faculty members and educational experts, 6 medical students, 6 elderly patients and 6 nurses working in the university related to the geriatric field were selected using purposive sampling. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussion and field observations in the teaching hospital and ambulatory setting of SUMS from June 2017 to May 2018.  Based on the qualitative research, the data underwent conventional content analysis and the main themes were developed from this.

Results:Three main themes were extracted from the data: effective clinical education, geriatrics curriculum challenges and promotion strategies for geriatric medicine. Subcategories that emerged were a competent curriculum teacher, a challenging program, management of resources, promotion of the program, and the revision required in the curriculum, which were related to other concepts and described in the real-world situation of the geriatric curriculum in the university, as observed in field observations.

Conclusions:This study identified three concepts as main themes that can be used to explain how to implement a geriatric curriculum in a medical university. The main contributing factor to different views of the participants was identified as the revision required to the curriculum for integrative care in a geriatric patient. This should be taken into consideration while planning any programs and decisions aimed at education of medical students on this topic.
Drug Utilization Evaluation of Vancomycin among Patients in Jafar Ibn Auf Pediatric Hospital, 2018
Authors: Salih Tagwa A. M. , Yousef Bashir A. , Salih Mohamed A. M. , Eltom Khalid S.
Published: October 2019

Background: Vancomycin is an antibiotic of growing importance in the treatment of hospital-acquired infections; with a particular emphasis on its value in the fight against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Increasing reports of Vancomycin resistance have raised concerns about the effectiveness of this drug. Drug utilization evaluation has an important role in controlling rational use of antibiotics to prevent the emergence of resistance.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective 6-months study at Jafar Ibn Auf pediatric hospital. Data including patient's demographics, diagnosis, Dosage regimen, and treatment duration were reviewed. The concordance of practice with the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) guidelines and principles of antibiotic therapy was assessed.

Results: 127 medical records were reviewed in this study. Sepsis (29%) and Pneumonia (19.6%) were the most common indications. Culture test was requested in 20.5% of patients. Monitoring of serum creatinine was carried in 81.1% of patients. Based on HICPAC guidelines vancomycin was administered appropriately in 67.7% percent of cases. Considering the infusion rate, most of patients with specific order were received vancomycin in 1 hour.

Conclusions: The results showed that vancomycin was used empirically without subsequent adjustment of the antimicrobial agent according to culture and sensitivity data and lack of paying enough attention to the infusion rate and serum creatinine monitoring.
Precision medicine technology hype or reality? The example of computer-guided dosing
Authors: Polasek Thomas M. , Shakib Sepehr , Rostami-Hodjegan Amin
Published: October 2019

Novel technologies labelled as ‘precision medicine’ are targeting all aspects of clinical care. Whilst some technological advances are undeniably exciting, many doctors at the frontline of healthcare view precision medicine as being out of reach for their patients. Computer-guided dosing is a precision medicine technology that predicts drug concentrations and drug responses based on individual patient characteristics. In this opinion piece, the example of computer-guided dosing is used to illustrate eight features of a precision medicine technology less likely to be hyperbole and more likely to improve patient care. Positive features in this regard include: (1) fitting the definition of ‘precision medicine’; (2) addressing a major clinical problem that negatively impacts patient care; (3) a track record of high-quality medical science published via peer-reviewed literature; (4) well-defined clinical cases for application; (5) quality evidence of benefits measured by various clinical, patient and health economic endpoints; (6) strong economic drivers; (7) user friendliness, including easy integration into clinical workflow, and (8) recognition of importance by patients and their endorsement for broader clinical use. Barriers raised by critics of the approach are given to balance the view. The value of computer-guided dosing will be decided ultimately by the extent to which it can improve cost-effective patient care.
Bayesian evaluation of the performance of three diagnostic tests for Plasmodium falciparum infection in a low-transmission setting in Kilifi County, Kenya
Authors: Mweu Marshal M. , Wambua Juliana , Njuga Fixtan , Bejon Philip , Mwanga Daniel
Published: October 2019

Background: Central to the successful elimination of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, are tests with superior capability of diagnosing low-density parasitaemias. Empirical evidence on the performance of the commonly available diagnostics (light microscopy (LM), rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) is needed to better inform case management and surveillance activities within primary health care settings where elimination of falciparum malaria is targeted. The objective of this study was to estimate the sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) and predictive values of LM, RDT and PCR tests for P. falciparum infection in children, while evaluating the effect of specific covariates on the accuracy of the tests.

Methods: The study enrolled 1,563 children presenting with fever (axillary temperature ≥ 37.50C) to the Ngerenya dispensary, Kilifi County between March and December 2014. A Bayesian latent class model (BLCM) was fitted to the participants’ diagnostic data obtained from blood samples that were screened for the presence of P. falciparum using the three tests.

Results: The PCR assay registered a higher Se (97.6% [92.0; 99.7]) than LM (84.0% [74.8; 91.0]) but similar to RDT (92.2% [84.4; 97.0]). However, the assay showed a similar Sp (98.9% [98.2; 99.4]) to both RDT (99.4% [98.9; 99.7]) and LM (99.5% [99.0; 99.8]). Regarding predictive values, the tests yielded statistically similar estimates of positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV). A serial interpretation of the results of RDT and LM raised the PPVs and NPVs to >98%.

Conclusions: LM and RDT afford high Se and Sp in symptomatic care-seeking children in this low P. falciparum prevalence setting. A serial combination of the tests assures high PPV and NPV estimates. These elements, coupled with the wide deployment and affordability of the tests, lend the tests useful for guiding clinical care and surveillance activities for P. falciparum within elimination settings.
The Impact of Historical Gin Stand Technologies on Cotton Fiber and Seed Quality
Authors: Whitelock Derek P. , Buser Michael D. , Armijo Carlos B. , Hughs S. Ed
Published: October 2019

Abstract. The trend in modern gin stand designs to increase gin stand production rate in terms of bales/h was generally achieved by increased width, narrower saw spacing, and higher saw loading. This study examined fiber length reductions, short fiber content, fiber neps, and cottonseed damage associated with five saw gin stands of differing production rates, design, and manufacture that represent a range of gin technologies developed since the 1960s to identify technologies from those earlier designs that may guide future gin stand research. Based on rated ginning rate, the gin stands were classified in two general categories, lower capacity (LC, 5 bales/h and less) and higher capacity (HC, 7.5 bales/h and higher). Fiber from the LC gin stands contained fewer fiber neps, longer fibers, less short fiber, and less foreign matter than fiber from the HC gin stands. In addition, cottonseed from the gin stand with lowest capacity had the highest residual linters content and the lowest overall seed damage which aligned with the short fiber content data. Both the LC gin stands were older models and had wider saw spacing; the oldest of them was substantially different from the other designs with two saw mandrels pulling fiber from the same seed roll position. Study results indicate that there may be historical gin stand technologies and relationships between gin parameters such as ginning rate per saw, saw spacing, and seed roll density, and fiber and seed quality that need to be further investigated. Keywords: Cottonseed quality, Cotton ginning, Fiber quality, Gin stand, Length, Neps, Short fiber content, Upland cotton.
A Python-based GIS Simulation of the Spatial and Temporal Variation in Evapotranspiration
Authors: Mohammed Mohammed G. , Trauth Kathleen M.
Published: October 2019

Abstract.

An assessment of potential evapotranspiration (ET) and direct evaporation is important for informed land management from agriculture to wetlands restoration. These processes vary in space and time, depending on vegetation, soils, and climate throughout the year. Much data has been collected in order to quantify ET for individual plots of land, but means have not been available to provide an integrated view on a landscape scale. A methodology has been developed and an implementing Python script has been written to assess and display the spatial and temporal variability of ET and direct evaporation using a geographic information system (GIS). The methodology utilizes publicly available inputs for broad applicability, and the calculations can be performed for a site with multiple land covers and soil textures. In addition to a visual representation of ET and direct evaporation in space and time, the Python script produces a text file of water losses that could be used in water balance calculations also incorporating precipitation, overland flow and infiltration. The methodology has been demonstrated on a site within Pershing State Park in Linn County, Missouri, and produces results consistent with those expected from hand calculations. All data and code are available in GitHub (https://github.com/TrauthK/Wetlands). Keywords: Evapotranspiration, Evaporation, GIS simulation, Hydrologic modeling, Hydrologic cycle, Python, Raster data, Wetland restoration.
A realização do objeto indireto anafórico de terceira pessoa na variedade do português europeu falado no Funchal (Ilha da Madeira)
Authors: Bazenga Aline Maria
Published: October 2019

A investigação que tem vindo a ser realizada desde 2010 sobre a variação sintática nas variedades do português falado na Ilha da Madeira (Portugal) confirma a sua especificidade no conjunto de variedades geográficas do Português Europeu (PE) e a sua integração, com base em critérios lexicais e fonéticos, num dos três grupos principais e autónomos dos dialetos portugueses, o grupo dos dialetos insulares. Dando continuidade ao estudo sobre a sintaxe madeirense, este trabalho procura investigar as estratégias de realização do objeto indireto (OI) anafórico de terceira pessoa numa variedade insular do PE, a variedade falada no Funchal, na Ilha da Madeira. A metodologia adotada tem por base os pressupostos teórico-metodológicos da sociolinguística quantitativa de base laboviana, aplicados a uma amostra estratificada de entrevistas realizadas junto de 12 informantes madeirenses, residentes no Funchal, capital da ilha da Madeira, selecionada a partir do Corpus Sociolinguístico do Funchal. A análise terá em conta a literatura de referência e será conduzida no sentido de procurar saber quais os fatores linguísticos e extralinguísticos que atuam na variação das formas de expressão da função OI, nomeadamente as seguintes (i) com clítico lhe(s) e (ii) com SP (preposição a e para), unicamente com pronome forte ele(s) e ela(s). Os resultados apontam para a ocorrência dos dois tipos de variantes, quantitativamente diferenciados. Com efeito, não só se atesta o uso da construção com a preposição para, normalmente excluída dos dados do PE, como também a pouca frequência do clítico lhe, tida como variante padrão do PE.
The space at the table between players
Authors: Montanarini Jake
Published: October 2019

The following work looks into how table top games inherently create a space that operates in a tandem reality. Within this space human interaction and connection are played out through a shared narrative experience, practicing the expression of self. Through both a theoretical and practical research approach, the work in this article will set out as an exploration and an assessment of the importance of that space.
La construcción de la evidencia en la búsqueda de los desaparecidos: creencias, testimonios y saberes
Authors: Catoggio María Soledad
Published: October 2019

Este artículo analiza la relación entre la conformación de la evidencia y la creencia colectiva en la condición «viva» de los desaparecidos que atravesó al movimiento de derechos humanos en los años ochenta en la Argentina. Para ello, en primer lugar, llevamos a cabo un recorrido de las relaciones entre verdad, justicia y evidencia en las discusiones teóricas contemporáneas para detenernos en la configuración de estrategias de creencia durante la última dictadura militar argentina. En segundo lugar, a partir de un archivo inédito de una Madre de Plaza de Mayo, analizamos la construcción de enunciados que se perciben como creíbles a través de dos dimensiones: a) las circunstancias de su enunciación, con especial atención al carisma de quién enuncia; b) la configuración informativa del enunciado. En este artículo intentaremos demostrar que el esfuerzo individual y colectivo de búsqueda de Madres de Plaza de Mayo en distintos terrenos, como el científico, el religioso y sus intersecciones, condujo en la práctica al desarrollo de distintos regímenes de verosimilitud cuya confluencia les permitió configurar y sostener en el tiempo las demandas de verdad y justicia.
Habitar el suelo. Aproximaciones estéticas hacia un habitar en relación
Authors: Miranda Berasategi Olaia , Garro Larrañaga Oihana
Published: October 2019

Este texto analiza diferentes materializaciones arquitectónicas y escultóricas contemporáneas que se distinguen por un acercamiento relacional y contingente hacia todo aquello que nos rodea. Desde un acercamiento y articulación sensible hacia lo que coexiste, las configuraciones espaciales expuestas aquí son muestra de una manera de hacer, de una ética y una técnica, que tratan de habitar este mundo en relación. Eso es perceptible en el acercamiento y escucha hacia el entorno de la arquitectura de Junya Ishigami o en la configuración junto a las cosas de la escultura de suelo de Josu Bilbao. Son configuraciones estéticas que exponen, rescatando las palabras de Judith Butler, el carácter irremediablemente relacional y contingente de nuestra existencia. Y desde la interdependencia manifiesta hacia aquello que nos rodea y condiciona, estas configuraciones son ejemplo de lo que Adriana Cavarero propone como «geometría inclinada». Esta autora entiende por inclinación un acercarse que, asomándose fuera de sí, tiende al exterior, en manifiesta interdependencia estructural del sujeto hacia aquello con lo que coexiste. En este texto se expone esa geometría inclinada a través de las configuraciones espaciales de Junya Ishigami, Ryue Nishizawa, Gordon Matta-Clark y Josu Bilbao, como posibilidad de habitar un mundo inestable.
Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Some Coumarin Derivatives
Authors: Ukirde R.D. , Patil R.B. , Sawant S.D.
Published: October 2019

Coumarin derivatives are an important class of heterocyclic compounds, specifically 4-amino substituted
coumarins with antioxidant, anticancer activities. The above observations prompted us to synthesize
new coumarins with various substitutions. The starting material 4-chloro-2H-chromen-2-one was
synthesized by refluxing a mixture of 4-hydroxy-2H-chromen-2-one in phosphoryl chloride. The
4-substituted amine derivatives of coumarin were synthesized by refluxing 4-chloro-2H-chromen-2-
one with 4-substituted amines and anhydrous K2CO3 and methanol. All the eleven 4-substituted amine
derivatives of coumarin were synthesized by replacing chloro group with different amines. These
coumarin derivatives were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activity using quercetin as standard.
Mechanisms for regulating sexual behavior
Authors: Chichinadze K.
Published: October 2019

In the scientific literature quite a lot has been written about the hormonal regulation of sexual behavior in mammals (rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, primates), and not only scientific journals are filled with the problems of sexual behavior of people. However, in our opinion, there are a number of issues that do not fit into more or less generally accepted schemes.
Scuole italiane all’estero: livros de leitura para as escolas italianas no Brasil (São Paulo/SP- 1911-1931)
Authors: Panizzolo Claudia
Published: October 2019

A proposta deste texto é pensar a história da educação privilegiando a investigação acerca da política nacionalista italiana e das propostas educacionais que para cá foram trazidas. Tem como objetivo  investigar os valores veiculados e prescritos para o fomento da italianidade e dos laços com a pátria-mãe nos estudantes, crianças italianas e filhas de italianos, pertencentes ao grupo de imigrantes italianos que se fixou no núcleo colonial de São Caetano- SP, para tanto toma como fonte privilegiada a edição de 1910 do livro de leitura Piccolo Mondo destinado à quarta classe para o ensino de meninos e de meninas da escola elementar criada pela Società di Mutuo Soccorso Principe di Napoli. Este trabalho se insere em uma perspectiva amplamente difundida pela Escola dos Annales que possibilitou a abertura de novas fronteiras interpretativas, a ampliação das fontes documentais e o alargamento de horizontes investigativos, dentre os quais se destaca os estudos da cultura material. Os livros de leitura ao constituírem a cultura da escola, não integram essa cultura de modo arbitrário, pelo contrário, são organizados e utilizados com intencionalidade, como portadores de uma dimensão da cultura social mais ampla.
La espiral de Euler en la montaña rusa
Authors: García-Matos Javier Camilo , Avilán-Vargas Nicolás
Published: October 2019

El diseño de la Montaña Rusa involucra una secuencia de curvas que deben ser unidas suavemente cuya parametrización facilita el estudio de sus propiedades. En este artículo se estudia la curvatura de la trayectoria que seguiría un vehículo en la atracción mecánica.Observando que los cambios discontinuos en la curvatura a lo largo de la trayectoria implican cambios en la aceleración normal que podrían ser inseguros para los pasajeros se buscó una parametrización diferente. Al considerar una trayectoria cuya curvatura cambia linealmente con el desplazamiento se encuentra que la espiral de Euler permite conectar suavemente diferentes segmentos de la trayectoria y diseñar atracciones mecánicas más seguras. Finalmente se compara la parametrización obtenida con la trayectoria de la atracción Doble Loop del parque de diversiones Salitre Mágico de Bogotá, encontrando que su trayectoria está formada por secuencias de arcos de circunferencia y secciones de la espiral de Euler.
RFID en el servicio bibliotecario de la UTM
Authors: Pinargote-Ortega Jenmer Maricela , Cruz-Felipe Marely del Rosario , Demera Ureta Gabriel Primitivo , Escobar-Moreira Rubén Darío , Medranda-Cobeña Gema Isabel
Published: October 2019

La biblioteca central de la Universidad Técnica de Manabí (Ecuador)brinda el servicio de préstamos de equipos electrónicos (portátiles y tabletas), en el que se han presentado hurtos de los mismos. En este artículo se expone la integración de RFID a través de una aplicación web. Para ello, se realizó el levantamiento de requerimientos, análisis de sistemas y de tecnologías de identificación, tomando como base el estudio del arte se describió la metodología de desarrollo, lenguajes de programación, herramientas y tecnologías aplicadas en la solución, se diseñó la arquitectura del sistema con alarma visual/sonora, se desarrolló e implantó el sistema integrador y, finalmente, se ejecutaron pruebas de funcionamiento. Como resultado se evidenció que al utilizar tecnología de código de barras y RFID en el servicio bibliotecario existe un mejor control de entrada y salida de los equipos electrónicos, previniendo de cualquier intento de hurto; a su vez, la comunidad universitaria y general recibe un servicio de calidad y rapidez.
Spatial Distribution of Potential Area for Community Forest Development in Grindulu Watershed
Authors: Miardini Arina , Susanti Pranatasari Dyah
Published: October 2019

The effect of deforestation on environmental degradation shifted the orientation of forest management into carrying capacity of the watershed. Based on Law No. 41/1999 on Forestry, mandates adequacy forest area defined a minimum of 30% of the watershed area which fulfilled by public forest and private forest. State forest area has limitations, so the development of community forests is needs for optimal forest area in a watershed is required. The purpose of this study was to determine the spatial distribution of potential areas for community forest development in Grindulu Watershed. The potential of community forest was examined through an interpretation of Landsat 8 of 2016 Path/Row 119/668 for land availability and the transformation of NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) as the density classifier. The classification of forest density was low density class of 5148.12 hectares or 7.20% (NDVI = 0 to 0.356), moderate density class of 12,076.39 hectares or 16.88% (NDVI = 0.356 to 0.590), and high density class of 54,294.04 ha or 75.92% (NDVI = 0.590 to 0.841). The land available for prioritized community forest development was 37,774.40 hectares (52.82%) in the form of dry-fields, shrubs, grasses, farms, which were located outside the protected areas and production forest. Based on the assessment of field surveys which were conducted proportionally at 89 samples, known good accuracy results by 0.84. Potential area for community forest development was 31,281.54 ha (43.74%) including in Pacitan (9 districts) of 29,111.98 hectares, Ponorogo (5 districts) of 263.29 hectares, and Wonogiri (2 districts) of 1,906.27 hectares.
An algorithm to determining the gear efficiency to a simple planetary train
Authors: Petrescu Florian Ion Tiberiu , Petrescu Relly Victoria Virgil
Published: October 2019

The paper presents an original algorithm composed by authors in order to determine through exact calculations the efficiency value of a simple planetary mechanism, increasingly used in aerospace, robotics, mechatronics, machine building, and various automation. The calculation program is written in excel and for its simple automation four sign-type switches, are used plus or minus 1, and a logic function for checking the status and choosing the corresponding value. In this way, the program is generalized to be used for any type of simple planetary mechanism for the purpose of accurately determining its yield.
Structural-topological synthesis of space mechanisms with rods and wheels
Authors: Petrescu Relly Victoria Virgil , Petrescu Florian Ion Tiberiu
Published: October 2019

Today, robots are increasingly present in the machine building industry, sometimes even in some sections to replace workers altogether, due to the high quality of their work, repetitive, without stopping or pausing, without any manufacturing and assembly scuffs. In this paper, one presents the mechanisms with bars and gears, which are planetary mechanisms for robot automation and mechatronics, structurally-topological. The gears and bars consist of at least one movable articulated bar and one of the cylindrical, tapered or hipoidal gears. Only gears with circular or straight toothed gears, in which the relative position of the rotation or translation axes does not change, shall be considered. The topological structure of the gears and gears is characterized by a kinematic chain with articulated bars and at least one kinematic chain with gears. The kinematic chain may be chain open (with a fixed rotation joint) or closed chain (with at least two fixed joints). The kinematic chain with gears is attached to the kinematic chain with bars so that at least two gear wheels have centers in the bars of the bars and some wheels may be integral with the bars. In practice, some of these gears with gears and gears are known as planetary gears with cylindrical, conical or hipoidal gears.
Development of a point-of-care test to detect hepatitis B virus DNA threshold relevant for treatment indication
Authors: Pankaew Saran , Pataradilokrat Sittiporn , Kampeera Jantana , Kiatpathomchai Wansika , Ruxrungtham Kiat , Boonyasuppayakorn Siwaporn
Published: October 2019

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been the most prevalent blood-borne pathogen wherein utero transmission has still not been properly managed. Recent practice guidelines suggested that an antiviral drug should be administered to third-trimester pregnancies with significant viremia (>2 × 105 IU/mL).

Objectives

To develop a novel turbidity-based loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) coupled with heat treatment DNA extraction method that is a rapid, cost-effective, and feasible viral load assessment and could be applied to antenatal screening.

Methods

Primers and reagents were designed, turbidity-based platform and heat treatment method were added, and evaluated for optimal efficiency. Assay sensitivity was tested from serially diluted standard HBV DNA. Assay specificity was tested with six standard viral DNAs. Clinical samples were analyzed and the results were compared with those of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) diagnostic records.

Results

The optimized condition was 60°C with no betaine, 1.4 mM deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs) and 6 mM of MgSO4 for 60 min. The assay accurately detected samples with standard HBV DNA at >2 × 105 IU/mL in both distilled water and spiked serum. Results can be interpreted within 31.48 ± 1.41 min in real-time turbidimeter. The amplification is exclusively specific to HBV, but not with the other six human-specific viruses. Moreover, the assay showed comparable performance within 95% confidence interval to the previously developed HBV LAMP toward clinical specimens.

Conclusions

This newly developed method was accurate, affordable, and flexible to further implementation to large-scale third-trimester pregnancy screening.
Sodium glycerophosphate and prescribed calcium concentrations in pediatric parenteral nutrition: a retrospective observational study and economic evaluation
Authors: Siritientong Tippawan , Nimitwongsin Suree
Published: October 2019

Background

The risk of precipitation limits calcium and phosphate concentrations that can be administered parenterally to pediatric patients. As an alternative to dipotassium phosphate, sodium glycerophosphate (NaGlyP) is claimed to reduce the risk of precipitation in solutions for parenteral administration.

Objectives

To determine the calcium concentrations, NaGlyP, and dipotassium phosphate prescribed in pediatric parenteral nutrition orders and the cost–benefit of the organic phosphate.

Methods

We retrospectively collected cross-sectional data for parenteral nutrition orders from September 2014 to August 2015 for pediatric patients including neonates and children aged <18 years who were admitted to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Calcium concentration, calcium concentration adjustments, and costs of phosphate used per bag were analyzed.

Results

Of 2,192 parenteral nutrition orders, NaGlyP was used in 2,128 (97.1%) with calcium concentrations in the range of 0.84–139.91 mmol/L, which were significantly higher than calcium concentrations used with dipotassium phosphate (0.00–12.21 mmol/L, P < 0.001). There was no report of visible precipitation. Median costs of NaGlyP and dipotassium phosphate used per unit bag were not significantly different (35.88 and 41.25 Thai baht [THB] or 1.04 and 1.20 USD per bag, respectively, P>0.99; (1 USD equivalent to 34.241 THB U.S. Federal Reserve Bank G5.A annual average rate 2015).

Conclusions

Higher calcium concentrations could be achieved without increasing the direct cost per unit bag significantly as a result of using NaGlyP, an alternative to dipotassium phosphate as a source of phosphate for patients who require high amounts of calcium in parenteral nutrition.
Outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with obstructive jaundice with and without preoperative biliary drainage: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Sriussadaporn Suvit , Sriussadaporn Sukanya , Pak-art Rattaplee , Kritayakirana Kritaya , Prichayudh Supparerk , Samorn Pasurachate , Narueponjirakul Natawat
Published: October 2019

Background

Preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) in patients with obstructive jaundice from periampullary neoplasms may reduce the untoward effects of biliary obstruction and subsequent postoperative complications. However, PBD is associated with bile contamination and increases infectious complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

Objectives

To determine whether PBD is associated with more complications after PD.

Methods

Patients with obstructive jaundice from periampullary lesions who underwent PD from 2000 to 2015 at our institution were retrospectively enrolled. The cohort was divided into a group with PBD and a group without. PBD was performed using one of the following methods: endoprosthesis, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, surgical biliary-enteric bypass, or T-tube choledochostomy. PDs were performed by the first author using uniform surgical techniques. Postoperative complications were recorded. Statistical analyses were conducted using an unpaired t, Fisher exact, or chi-squared tests as appropriate.

Results

There were 26 with PBD and 28 patients without. Patients in the 2 groups were similar in age, presenting serum bilirubin level, operative time, operative blood transfusion, and hospital stay. The group with PBD had longer duration of jaundice, more patients presenting with cholangitis, and more patients with carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. The overall complications were higher in patients in the group with PBD than in the group without.

Conclusions

PBD was associated with more complications overall after PD. However, PBD was necessary and lifesaving in certain clinical situations and improved the condition of patients before they underwent PD. Routine PBD in patients with obstructive jaundice without definite indications is not recommended.
Brascamp–Lieb Inequalities on Compact Homogeneous Spaces
Authors: Bramati Roberto
Published: October 2019

We provide a general strategy to construct multilinear inequalities of Brascamp–Lieb type on compact homogeneous spaces of Lie groups. As an application we obtain sharp integral inequalities on the real unit sphere involving functions with some degree of symmetry.
Perceiving that We See and Hear in Aristotle’s de Anima
Authors: Perälä Mika
Published: October 2019

This paper reconsiders a much-discussed passage in de Anima 3.2. In that passage, Aristotle discusses the dilemma whether we perceive that we see by sight or by some other sense. The paper focuses on a problem that arises from the received understanding of the second horn of the dilemma. The problem is why Aristotle takes the hypothetical other sense to perceive not only seeing but also colour even if he claims elsewhere that sight is the only sense that can perceive colour. This problem is particularly severe for those interpreters who understand the dilemma in the way just given, that is, in terms of sensory capacities rather than sense activities. By proposing an alternative understanding of the structure of the dilemma, the aim of the paper is to resolve the problem and hence place the capacity reading on a firmer footing.
Singular Perturbed Vector Field (SPVF) Applied to Complex ODE System with Hidden Hierarchy Application to Turbocharger Engine Model
Authors: Nave OPhir , Sharma Manju
Published: October 2019

In this paper, we present the concept of singularly perturbed vector field (SPVF) method and its application to spark ignition turbocharger engine. Given a mathematical/physical model, which consist of hidden multi-scale variables, the SPVF methods transfer (using the change of coordinates) and decompose such system to fast and slow subsystems. This decomposition enables one to apply different asymptotic methods such as the method of the integral manifold, homotopy analysis method, singular perturbation method, etc. The resulting subsystem enables us to understand better the complex system and to simplify the calculations. In addition, we investigated the stability of the equilibrium points of the model. This analysis has been done due to the SPVF method which reduces the complexity of the mathematical model.
Perspectives on data availability and market approaches to congestion management
Authors: Richter Bent , Staudt Philipp
Published: October 2019

Transmission grid congestion is one of the consequences of an increasing power generation from intermittent renewable capacities. These are often installed in the periphery and have rare generation peaks. It thus becomes more complicated to ensure a balanced grid operation at all times. It is necessary to develop holistic strategies for the management of congestion that consider short and long operating horizons. This paper introduces several congestion management mechanisms along minimal analytical and numerical models. These solutions are then discussed in regard to the necessary data availability and their contribution to an improved congestion management strategy. The paper therefore contributes to the development of a research agenda at the intercept between economists and computer scientists in the area of energy informatics.
DFT/QTAIM analysis of favipiravir adsorption on pristine and silicon doped C20 fullerenes
Authors: Alver Özgür , Parlak Cemal , Umar Yunusa , Ramasami Ponnadurai
Published: October 2019

Fullerenes have received attentions due to their versatile properties. Molecular structures and electronic properties namely binding energy, band gap, electrophilicity index and molecular topological analysis were studied for undoped and silicon doped C20 fullerenes and favipiravir in order to search for possible application of the systems as drug delivery vehicles. Density functional theory (DFT) and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) were used for the research. Molecular structures having the interaction edges of SiC19… OH in water and SiC19…C=O in gas phase were found as those most stable with binding energies of -57.28 kcal/mol and -43.46 kcal/mol correspondingly. The results and parameters found in this research may provide additional insights into drug delivery systems.
Enstranged Strangers: OOO, the Uncanny, and the Gothic
Authors: Bartholomew H.G.
Published: October 2019

Exploring the links between Speculative Realism, psychoanalysis, and literary criticism, this article examines OOO’s entanglement with the ‘uncanny’. Reading OOO against three notable treatments of the concept - Sigmund Freud’s 1919 essay “The ‘Uncanny’”, Ernst Jentsch’s 1906 paper “On the Psychology of the Uncanny”, and Martin Heidegger’s discussion of uncanniness in his Introduction to Metaphysics (1953) - it argues that OOO reconfigures the ‘uncanny’ as a profoundly ontological concept premised on aesthetic enstrangement. Using E.T.A. Hoffmann’s short story “The Sandman” as a case study, it assesses what the consequences of this reconfiguration are for literary criticism and, in particular, the study of the Gothic. By splicing OOO into the history and practice of Gothic scholarship, this article traces the outline of an “object-oriented uncanny”, pushing the ‘uncanny’ out of Freud’s shadow and into the “great outdoors”.
An experimental study on the micro- and nanocellular foaming of polystyrene/poly(methyl methacrylate) blend composites
Authors: Jahani Davoud , Azimi Hamidreza , Nazari Amin
Published: October 2019

Polystyrene/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS/PMMA) blends in 80:20, 50:50, and 20:80 ratios with and without calcium carbonate nanoparticles were prepared. n-Pentane was then used to foam the samples in an autoclave. After the diffusion of n-pentane gas into the polymer matrix, the samples and the gas were simultaneously cooled to obtain the liquid n-pentane phase. Phase change to liquid provided the required pressure drop for cell nucleation and consequent cell growth. The solubility of n-pentane in the samples was measured. Liquid n-pentane trapped inside created micro- and nanopores, forming a foam with closed cells. Experiments were carried out in different compositions of the materials, with and without nanoparticles, and the cell morphologies were characterized. The results of this work show that nanocellular structures can be achieved when calcium carbonate nanoparticles are added to PS/PMMA blends.
Carbidopa Capsules for Insulinoma Diagnostic: Compounding and Stability Study
Authors: Curti Christophe , Mathias Fanny , Savelli Morane , Garrigue Philippe , Lamy Edouard , Guillet Benjamin , Vanelle Patrice
Published: October 2019

Background

Carbidopa is a drug mainly used to treat Parkinson’s disease. Associations with levodopa or with levodopa/entacapone are commercialized, but there is no oral formulation of carbidopa alone available in Europe. As carbidopa can also be used as premedication of adult patients for insulinoma diagnosis, it must be compounded as single dose mg capsules. The single dose administration of a magistral preparation implies the compounding of only one capsule, or the loss of consequent quantities of active pharmaceutical ingredient. As an alternative solution, carbidopa capsules could be compounded as batches of hospital preparation.

Method

With this objective, a stability-indicating dosing method for 200 mg carbidopa capsules was developed. Then, the compounding process was assessed according to the European Pharmacopeia requirements. Finally, the stability of carbidopa capsules stored protected from light at room temperature was studied for one year.

Results

200 mg carbidopa capsules compounding process was validated on three independent batches. The beyond use date was fixed at one year.

Conclusion

Our work confirms that carbidopa 200 mg capsules can be realized in hospital pharmacy and its stability allows the compounding of large batches.
Konfirmandenarbeit in den USA: Die amerikanische Konfirmandenstudie in europäischer Sicht – Befunde und international-vergleichende Perspektiven
Authors: Schweitzer Friedrich
Published: October 2019

Der Beitrag nimmt den Abschluss des amerikanischen Forschungsprojekts zu Konfirmation und Konfirmandenarbeit zum Ausgangspunkt. Das amerikanische Projekt wurde 2018 mit einer Hauptveröffentlichung sowie einer Konferenz in Princeton abgeschlossen. Diese Studie wird beschrieben, im Blick auf ihr Design sowie die Hauptergebnisse. Darüber hinaus werden Beobachtungen im Blick auf mögliche Vergleiche mit den Ergebnissen der europäischen Parallelstudie vorgestellt. Am Ende werden weiterreichende Hintergrundfaktoren diskutiert, die die Unterschiede zwischen den Studien in den USA und in Europa im Blick auf unterschiedliche Wissenschaftskulturen in Theologie und Christlicher Pädagogik oder Religionspädagogik, aus denen die Studien in den verschiedenen Ländern hervorgegangen sind, erklären könnten.
Causes for professionalization in national sport federations in Switzerland: a multiple-case study
Authors: Ruoranen Kaisa , Clausen Josephine , Nagel Siegfried , Lang Grazia , Klenk Christoffer , Giauque David , Bayle Emmanuel , Schlesinger Torsten
Published: October 2019

Aim and design: This study explores causes for professionalization in Swiss national sport federations (NSFs). We conducted a multiple-case study employing a qualitative approach with interviews and documents from seven NSFs. A three-level framework guided the analysis in distinguishing NSF endogenous causes, and causes in their external and internal environment.Results: Causes for professionalization were widely similar in the NSFs. Conflicts on the board, unclear decision-making competences and initiatives of key persons have prominently triggered professionalization, particularly for differentiation of strategic boards and executive headquarters, specialization and paid staff. The Swiss government, Swiss Olympic Association and sponsors (external environment) have brought about considerable adaptations in NSFs’ strategies, accountability issues and commercialization, whereas expectations of NSFs’ member organizations (internal environment) have had little impact on their professionalization in general. Rather, the NSFs view them as necessities they themselves do not perceive. Our analysis revealed additional NSF-specific factors (e.g., popularity, financial resources, attitude of individuals towards professionalization) that have an impact on pace and continuity of the process once it has been initiated.Conclusion: Our analysis is a first step towards understanding the professionalization process in Swiss NSFs. Referring to the similar causes for professionalization, uncertainty and competing for resources may have led some NSFs to mimic those NSFs they deem successful, leading to similar conditions that call for professionalization (e.g., with respect to workload and internal expectations). Respective networks between motivated people in the NSFs and stakeholders could support a deliberate professionalization. NSF endogenous and NSF external causes for professionalization seem to be reciprocal. This should be considered more specifically in the analysis of professionalization in NSFs. Single-case studies would be useful to understand the mechanisms and eventual phases more clearly, to identify eventual barriers and avoid unintended consequences to, finally, support NSFs’ professionalization in an efficient manner.
Approaches and methods used for measuring organizational performance in national sport governing bodies from 1986 to 2014. A systematized review
Authors: Barth Michael , Emrich Eike , Daumann Frank
Published: October 2019

In a changing environment, new challenges and demands facing management in sports associations and sports politics are emerging, including the question of how to measure/assess the organizational performance (OP) in national sport governing bodies (NSGB). The characterization of NSGB shows that they are not to be understood as rational systems, but rather as natural and open ones. An examination of existing approaches for measuring OP in private non-profit organizations, which have the central characteristics of NSGB, reveals several problems/deviations, with regard to how organizations are (and should be) understood and analyzed. Based on a systematic review, the paper presents the theoretical approaches and the methods used for measuring OP in NSGB. 20 studies could be identified, and in the vast majority of them, a multi-dimensional approach is applied. The strategic constituencies approach is the one most often used, but interestingly, further analysis shows that most assessments are carried out only by internal stakeholders. The identification of the fact that, in most cases, (internal) individuals assess the variables at organizational/macro level, underlines the need to pay more attention to potential measurement bias. Giving greater consideration to the micro level is not only required in the attempt to detect potential bias, but also due to the necessity of considering agents’ discretionary decision, thereby enabling NSGB to be considered as open and natural systems. Therefore, approaches that can consider both levels (e.g., multi-level modelling) seem to be promising, not only in providing more reliable results, but also in enhancing our understanding of OP, and thus also how to manage it. A further important development is the consideration of the (public) value that organizations contribute to society within the concept of OP.
Effects of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery on Olfactory and Taste Functions
Authors: Erdem Kemalettin , Ucaroglu Erhan Renan , Sehitogullari Abidin , Yuksel Ahmet , Tekce Hikmet , Velioglu Yusuf , Demirhan Abdullah , Korkmaz Ufuk Turan Kursat , Borulu Ferhat , Unal Osman , Ulku Aynur , Calisir Ebru
Published: October 2019

Background: Olfactory and taste sensations have a high impact on the quality of life. Impaired olfactory and taste functions may have a negative effect on physical and mental well-being, personal hygiene, and nutritional satisfaction, leading to the occurrence of depressive symptoms and impaired quality of life. Therefore, the recovery period of patients with disturbed olfactory and taste functions may be prolonged, and return to active life may be delayed. We designed this study to determine whether on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgeries have any effects on olfactory and taste functions and compare these functions between the surgical groups.
Methods: A total of 60 patients, who underwent elective isolated first-time CABG, were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups as Off-Pump and On-Pump CABG groups with 30 patients in each group. In addition to patients' primary clinical and laboratory data, olfactory and taste functions were evaluated pre- and postoperatively in both groups separately, and then these functions were compared between the groups. Olfactory functions were evaluated by the Brief Smell Identification Test, while taste functions by the Burghart Taste test.
Results: Olfactory functions significantly were disrupted in the postoperative period in patients undergoing on-pump CABG (P value < .05), while these functions significantly were not affected in patients undergoing off-pump CABG (P value > .05). During the preoperative period, advanced age and smoking were detected to be independent predictors of impaired olfactory function for the study population. During the postoperative period, smoking, amount of postoperative bleeding and serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level were found to be independent predictors of impaired olfactory function for just the On-Pump CABG Group. In both groups, no significant deterioration in taste functions occurred during the postoperative period (P value > .05).
Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that olfactory function was impaired in patients, who underwent on-pump CABG in the postoperative period, and significant impairment in taste function was present in neither off-pump nor on-pump CABG patients. However, the results of our study should be supported by more comprehensive, prospective, randomized controlled trials with more extensive patient series and by further tests.