bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CUMHURİYET DÖNEMİNDE SOSYO-KÜLTÜREL DEĞİŞİM VE DÖNÜŞÜMÜN GÖSTERGESİ OLARAK TİYATRO
Authors: GENÇ Hanife
Published: August 2020

Türk Tiyatrosu Tanzimat Tiyatrosu, Meşrutiyet Tiyatrosu ve Cumhuriyet Tiyatrosu olarak üç bölümde değerlendirilebilir. Bu dönemlerin ilki 1839-1908 tarihleri arasını, ikincisi 1908-1923, sonuncusu da 1923’den günümüze kadarki süreci imler. Toplumun düşünce yapısı ve yaşam biçimi, kültürü, batılılaşma anlayışı, sanat ve sanatsal türlere getirilen sansür ve denetim, özgürlükçü ortam, millileşme gibi kavramlar bu dönemlerin belirleyici etkenleri olmuş ve ait oldukları dönemin toplumsal, siyasal, yönetsel, sanatsal ve kültürel anlayışını yansıtmışlardır. Bu dönemler içinde Cumhuriyet Tiyatrosu, Atatürk ve onun ortaya koyduğu ilke ve uygulamalar ışığında gelişmiş ve yeni bir boyut kazanmıştır. Yalnızca bir devlet adamı değil, aynı zamanda gerçek bir sanat adamı olan Atatürk’ün sanat, sanatçı ve tiyatroya olan yaklaşımı ve desteği ile Türk Tiyatrosunun karşı karşıya olduğu engeller ortadan kaldırılmış ve tiyatronun bir kamu hizmeti olduğu bilinci oluşturularak çağdaş uygarlık düzeyine ulaşmada önemli bir ölçüt olduğu ortaya konulmuştur. Atatürk’ün tiyatroya kazandırdığı önemli yeniliklerden birisi de Türk kadının sahnede yer alması ve sesini duyurabilmesine olanak sağlamasıdır. Türkiye’nin ilk dramaturgu olarak kabul edilen Atatürk’ün tiyatro anlayışı üç temel esasa dayanır. İlki halkı eğitmek, ikincisi kültür düzeyini yükseltmek, sonuncusu ise milli tiyatronun gelişimini sağlamaktır. Atatürk döneminde tiyatronun öncelikli amacı eğitimdir. Tiyatronun bir memleketin kültür seviyesinin aynası olduğuna inanan Atatürk bu sanat dalını devlet eliyle destekleyerek kamu hizmeti kapsamında ele alınmasını sağlamıştır. Bu kapsamda Atatürk döneminde belediyelerin tiyatro binası yaptırma ve topluluk bulundurması, Türk Güzel Sanatlar Birliği’nin kurulması, halkevlerinin tiyatro kollarının çalışmaları, tiyatro meslek okulunun açılması, yeni kurumlar ve tiyatro topluluklarının kurulmasına ek olarak devlet tiyatrosu ve konservatuarının etkinlikleriyle Türk Tiyatrosu gelişmiş ve Atatürk’ün önderliğinde günümüzdeki konumunun temelleri atılmıştır.
DELİ BİRÂDER GAZÂLÎ’NİN BİR MECMUADA YER ALAN ŞİİRLERİ
Authors: EREN Abdullah
Published: August 2020

Klasik Türk edebiyatının kaynaklarından olan mecmualar; çoğu dîvânlarda yer alan şiirleri ihtiva etmekle birlikte, başka hiçbir yerde bulunmayan çok sayıda şiirin kaybolmaktan kurtularak günümüze ulaşmasına vesile olmuştur. Mecmualar üzerine yapılan çalışmalarla birlikte bu mahiyetteki birçok şiir gün yüzüne çıkmaya devam etmektedir.
Şiirlerinin çoğu tezkirelerde yer alan Deli Birâder Gazâlî’nin bu çalışmaya konu olan üç şiiri İ.B.B. Atatürk Kitaplığındaki elyazması bir mecmuada bulunmaktadır. Bu şiirlere başka kaynaklarda rastlanmamıştır. Şiirlerden ilki bir gazel olup sevgili ve âşık ile ilgili konuları ihtiva etmektedir. İkincisi on birli bendlerden oluşan tasavvufî-rindâne muhteva ve tarzda bir şiirdir. Üçüncüsü de tasavvufî-rindâne muhteva ve tarzda bir terci-benddir. Çalışmamıza konu ettiğimiz bu üç şiir, tezkirelerde şair hakkında sıklıkla dile getirilen laubali ve şuh mizaç ile hiciv, hezl ve latifecilik vurgusuna dayalı tariflerden uzak olarak kaleme alınmıştır.
Bu çalışmada, Deli Birâder Gazâlî’nin hayatı, sanatı ve eserleri hakkında verilen kısa bilgilerin ardından ilgili şiirlerin önce transkribe, sonrasında da elyazması metni yer almaktadır.
Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Life of Higher Education Students: A Global Perspective
Authors: Aristovnik Aleksander , Keržič Damijana , Ravšelj Dejan , Tomaževič Nina , Umek Lan
Published: August 2020

The paper presents the most comprehensive and large-scale study to date on how students perceive the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on various aspects of their lives on a global level. With a sample of 30,383 students from 62 countries, the study reveals that amid the worldwide lockdown and transition to online learning students were most satisfied with the support provided by teaching staff and their universities’ public relations. Still, deficient computer skills and the perception of a higher workload prevented them from perceiving their own improved performance in the new teaching environment. Students were mainly concerned about issues to do with their future professional career and studies, and experienced boredom, anxiety and frustration. The pandemic has led to the adoption of particular hygienic behaviours (e.g. wearing masks, washing hands) and discouraged certain daily practices (e.g. leaving home, shaking hands). Students were also more satisfied with the role played by hospitals and universities during the epidemic compared to the government and banks. The findings also show that students with selected socio-demographic characteristics (male, part-time, first level, applied sciences, lower living standard, from Africa or Asia) were generally more strongly affected by the pandemic since they were significantly less satisfied with their academic work/life. Key factors influencing students' satisfaction with the role of their university are also identified. Policymakers and higher education institutions around the world may benefit from these findings while formulating policy recommendations and strategies to support students during this and any future pandemics.
An Integrated Approach to Air Passenger Index Prediction: Mutual Information Principle and Support Vector Regression (MI-SVR) Blended Model
Authors: Xiong Honglin , Fan Chongjun , Antwi Collins Opoku , Yang Yun , Fan Xiaomao
Published: August 2020

Air passenger traffic prediction is crucial for the effective operation of civil aviation airports. Despite some progress in this field, the prediction accuracy and methods need further improvement. This paper proposes an integrated approach to the prediction of air passenger index as follows. Firstly, the air passenger index is defined and classified by the K-means clustering method. Based on the mutual information (MI) principle, the information entropy is used to analyze and select the key influencing factors of air passenger travel. By incorporating the MI principle into the support vector regression (SVR) framework, this paper presents an innovative MI-SVR machine learning model used to predict the air passenger index. Finally, the proposed model is validated by passenger throughput data of the Shanghai Pudong International Airport, China. The experimental results prove the model feasibility and effectiveness by comparing them with conventional methods, such as ARIMA, LSTM, and other machine learning models, outperformed by the MI-SVR model. Besides, it is shown that the prediction effect of each model could be improved by introducing influencing factors based on mutual information. The main findings are considered instrumental to the airport operation and air traffic optimization.
A Brief Synthesis on Complex Systems
Authors: Uthamacumaran Abicumaran
Published: August 2020

What is a complex system? The definition of a complex system remains somewhat ambiguous. A complex system can be defined as a system consisting of many interacting parts exhibiting emergent behaviors. The emerging field of complexity science entails a change in the language of scientific research and thinking. As such, the general properties, tools and definitions pertaining to complex systems must be made accessible to multi-disciplinary systems scientists and thinkers. With this intention, this literary survey presents the development and glossary of essential concepts steering complex systems.
Temperature-Dependent Physical Characteristics and Varying Heat Effects on Nonlocal Rotating Nanobeams Due to Dynamic Load
Authors: Abouelregal Ahmed E. , Mohammed F. A. , Moustapha Mohamed V. , Atta Doaa
Published: August 2020

A theoretical nonlocal thermoelastic model for studying the effects of the thermal conductivity variability on a rotating nanobeam has been described in the present article. The theory of thermal stress is employed using the Euler–Bernoulli beam model and generalized heat conduction with phase lags. It is believed that the thermal conductivity of the current model varies linearly according to temperature. Due to variable harmonic heat, the considered nanobeam excited and was subjected to a time-varying exponential decay load. Using the Laplace transform process, the analytical solutions for displacement, deflection, thermodynamic temperature and bending moment of rotating nanobeams are provided in final forms and a numerical example has been taken to address the problem. A comparison of the stated results was displayed and additionally, the influences of non-local parameters and varying load were analyzed and examined. We also investigate how the linear changes in the temperature of physical properties can influence both the static and dynamic responses to the rotating nanobeam.
An Analysis of Energy-related Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Turkish Energy-intensive Sectors
Authors: BEKTAŞ Abdulkadir
Published: August 2020

In recent decades, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been a critical priority of global environmental policy. The leading cause of the increase in GHG triggering global warming in the atmosphere is the continuously growing demand for universal energy due to population and economic growth. Energy efficiency and reduction of CO2 emissions in highly-energy consuming sectors of Turkey are critical in deciding a low-carbon transition. In this study, the change of energy-related CO2 emissions in Turkey’s energy-intensive four sectors from 1998 to 2017 is analyzed based on the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) method. It is used to decompose CO2 equivalent emissions changes in these sectors into five driving forces; changes in economic activity, activity mix, energy intensity, energy mix, and emission factors. Analytical results indicate that economic activity is a vital decisive factor in determining the change in CO2 emissions as well as sectoral energy intensity. The activity effect has raised CO2 emissions, while energy intensity has decreased. This method indicates that the impact of the energy intensity could be the first key determinant of GHG emissions. Turkey's efforts to be taken in these sectors in adopting low carbon growth policies and reducing energy-related emissions to tackle climate change are clarified in detail.
Monitoring Coronavirus COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic using GIS Dashboard: International and Indonesia Context
Authors: Irwansyah Edy , Budiharto Widodo , Widhyatmoko Danu , Istamar Achmad , Putra Panghurian Fepri
Published: August 2020

COVID-19 pandemic event requires a rapid response from various organizations at the international and national levels. One important response is the provision of information sharing facilities and monitoring of the spread of cases around the world, JHU CSSE developed the Dashboard in January 2020 and followed by WHO the same month for the WHO COVID-19 dashboard. Both dashboards have distributed information as expected by the user with their respective pros and cons. JHU CSSE Dashboard provides faster information with good access to mobile device users even though the display and color selection are less attractive. Information on the WHO COVID-19 Dashboard is often late but more data appearances and variations and comparisons between countries can be made. In the Indonesian context, ESSC for COVID-19 Geoportal as Esri Indonesia initiative has been developed with the support of data and information from various parties and developed with the principles of big data management which are fully supported by adequate spatial portal developer software from Esri. Particularly in Indonesia, there is not yet an adequate system to support spatial based decision making at the local level, therefore the development of a GIS dashboard to support provincial and district governments is highly recommended.
The management structure of digital educational data systems and organizational approaches to modeling and analysis of educational data in the countries of the world
Authors: Fiofanova Olga Aleksandrovna , Panarin Andrei Aleksandrovich , Klimin Stanislav Valerievich
Published: August 2020

The article presents data from the international analysis of national educational databases. The characterization of educational databases was carried out according to a number of several criteria. Based on the results of the study, conclusions are drawn about the general properties and differences between Digital systems of educational data and educational statistics in different countries and the dependence of differences on a number of factors. The grounds for making managerial decisions based on the analytics of educational data and the distribution system of functions in the management structure of digital educational databases are described.
Human-Wants Detection Based on Electroencephalogram Analysis During Exposure to Music
Authors: Ito Shin-ichi ,   Tokushima University 2-1 Minami-josanjima, Tokushima 770-8506, Japan, Ito Momoyo , Fukumi Minoru
Published: August 2020

We propose a method to detect human wants by using an electroencephalogram (EEG) test and specifying brain activity sensing positions. EEG signals can be analyzed by using various techniques. Recently, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been employed to analyze EEG signals, and these analyses have produced excellent results. Therefore, this paper employs CNN to extract EEG features. Also, support vector machines (SVMs) have shown good results for EEG pattern classification. This paper employs SVMs to classify the human cognition into “wants,” “not wants,” and “other feelings.” In EEG measurements, the electrical activity of the brain is recorded using electrodes placed on the scalp. The sensing positions are related to the frontal cortex and/or temporal cortex activities although the mechanism to create wants is not clear. To specify the sensing positions and detect human wants, we conducted experiments using real EEG data. We confirmed that the mean and standard deviation values of the detection accuracy rate were 99.4% and 0.58%, respectively, when the target sensing positions were related to the frontal and temporal cortex activities. These results prove that both the frontal and temporal cortex activities are relevant for creating wants in the human brain, and that CNN and SVM are effective for the detection of human wants.
EEG Variations During Measurement of Cognitive Functions Using Biosignal Acquisition Toolkit
Authors: Kaji Yoshio ,   Faculty of Science and Engineering, Tokushima Bunri University 1314-1 Shido, Sanuki, Kagawa 769-2193, Japan, Yamamoto Yoshikazu , Kawata Junji , Morimoto Jiro , Fujisawa Shoichiro
Published: August 2020

The occurrence of serious traffic accidents due to driving error has recently become a social issue. The decline in cognitive functions is considered a factor particularly among elderly drivers, for which some corrective measures are urgently needed. Currently, as a measure dealing with elderly drivers, drivers aged 75 years are required by law to examine their cognitive functions when they renew their driver’s license. This examination is conducted to measure memory and power of judgment. In the present study, we used a device that allows simple measurements and attached electrodes to the frontal pole, where it is easy to attach; measure electroencephalograms for the cognitive functions of memory, mental calculations (thinking), and memory recall; and examine the changes in the power spectra to determine how they vary in young and elderly individuals.
Proposal of a Behavioral Model for Robots Supporting Learning According to Learners’ Learning Performance
Authors: Yoshizawa Ryo , Jimenez Felix , Murakami Kazuhito ,   Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Aichi Prefectural University 1522-3 Ibaragabasama, Nagakute-shi, Aichi 480-1198, Japan,   School of Information Science and Technology, Aichi Prefectural University 1522-3 Ibaragabasama, Nagakute-shi, Aichi 480-1198, Japan
Published: August 2020

Educational support robots have been the focus of study in recent years. Studies have reported that robots providing educational support, based on cognitive apprenticeship theory, provided learners with effective collaborative learning. However, the robots were remote controlled, so no behavioral model was constructed of robots operating autonomously to provide educational support. Therefore, in this paper, we construct a behavioral model in which robots autonomously provide educational support based on cognitive apprenticeship theory. In addition, through a comparative experiment with a behavioral model providing educational support in accordance with learner requests, which is a conventional technique, we verify the learning effects of this behavioral model on university students.
Improvement of the Mobility on the Step-Field for a Stair Climbable Robot with Passive Crawlers
Authors: Hirasawa Junji ,   Department of Electronics and Control Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Ibaraki College 866 Nakane, Hitachinaka, Ibaraki 312-8508, Japan
Published: August 2020

This paper describes about improvements in the mobility of a stair climbable mobile robot on a step-field. A step-field, standardized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is a simulated artificial rough terrain used for testing rescue robots. Its use was popularized worldwide in the RoboCup Rescue contest, but a method for evaluating test results from it has yet to be established sufficiently. The author of this paper attempts to evaluate the mobility of stair climbable mobile robots on step-fields. A novel method using the 2 parameters of yaw-angle error and lateral position error is proposed. Two actual robots, SMART-IV type A and SMART-IV type B, are constructed and evaluated on small step-fields. The test results indicate that both robots can traverse the step-field under some appropriate conditions, but a comparison of the results indicates that the proposed design changes may be declared an improvement of the robot.
Hammering Acoustic Analysis Using Machine Learning Techniques for Piping Inspection
Authors: Ikeda Kou ,   National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8560, Japan, Kamimura Akiya
Published: August 2020

In Japan, the deterioration of industrial plants built during the period of high economic growth in the middle of the 20th century has recently become a social concern. Corrosion under insulation (CUI) of piping in such plants is a pressing problem. X-ray and ultrasound inspections are conventional methods for detecting CUI; however, these methods are time-consuming and expensive. Therefore, rapid and low-cost screening techniques for CUI are required. We develop a hammering-type inspection robot system that moves inside the piping and records hammering sounds. Furthermore, we propose an acoustic analysis method to identify anomalous parts from the hammering sound using machine learning techniques. Using three testing pipes, we can successfully identify anomalous parts through acoustic analysis using a deep neural network as a supervised learning method. However, in practical piping inspections, the detection of anomalies without training data is required for further applications. Therefore, we investigate unsupervised learning anomaly detection using an autoencoder and a variational autoencoder and report the results.
Effects of Gait Inducing Assist for Patients with Parkinson’s Disease on Double Support Phase During Gait
Authors: Higuchi Ai , Shiraishi Junichiro , Kurita Yuichi , Shibata Tomohiro ,   Graduate School of Life Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology 2-4 Hibikino, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 808-0196, Japan,   University of Occupational and Environmental Health 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan,   Graduate School of Engineering, Hiroshima University 1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan,   JST PRESTO  7 Gobancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0076, Japan
Published: August 2020

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects a wide range of motor and non-motor symptoms. Freezing of gait (FOG) is such a motor symptom of PD that frequently results in falling, and almost half of PD patients suffer from FOG. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of a robotic assistance system called UPS-PD, which was developed to suppress FOG. The double limb support phase (DLS) in a 10-m straight-line walking task, the gait time and step counts were measured in five PD subjects. In addition, the safety of the UPS-PD in a healthy person was investigated using OpenSim, and the DLS parameters in four healthy elderly subjects were evaluated. In the experiment with the PD patients, the DLS parameters of two subjects showed an improvement. Furthermore, the step length of one subject and the step length and walking speed of the other subject were improved. Moreover, there were no problems in terms of instability of gait in both the PD patients. The UPS-PD did not adversely affect the gait of healthy elderly subjects and the walking of a healthy subject model in the simulation. Therefore, the UPS-PD is considered to be a useful device for improving walking in PD patients.
Novel Method for Analyzing Flexible Locomotion Patterns of Animals by Using Polar Histogram
Authors: Naniwa Keisuke , Sugimoto Yasuhiro , Osuka Koichi , Aonuma Hitoshi ,   Hokkaido University Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0812, Japan,   Osaka University 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
Published: August 2020

In general, legged robots are designed to walk with a fixed rhythmic pattern. However, most animals can adapt their limb movements while walking. It is necessary to understand the mechanism of adaptability during locomotion when designing bio-inspired legged robots. In this paper, we propose an approach to analyze the flexible locomotion pattern of animals using a polar histogram. Field crickets were used to investigate variations in leg movement of insects depending on the environment. Crickets have a tripod gait; however, their leg movement changes depending on the texture of the ground. There was a significant difference between the leg movement when walking and when swimming. Our approach can explain how animals move their legs during locomotion. This study is useful for evaluating the movements of legged robots.
Free-Flow Tunnel Inspection Support Devices Aiming at Labor Saving of Visual Checking
Authors: Hosotani Kazunori ,   National Institute of Technology, Tsuyama College 624-1 Numa, Tsuyama, Okayama 708-8509, Japan, Yamamoto Hirofumi
Published: August 2020

Small and medium-sized hydroelectric power plants are scattered in mountainous areas of Japan. Many tunnels that have been constructed for the purpose of introducing water have been in operation for decades, and inspections to aging deterioration are indispensable, however checks and maintenance work within the tunnels where the ceiling is low and water is flowing is very burdensome. This research aims at labor saving of visual check work of an inspector who moves through a narrow tunnel and searches for a deformed portion, and a simple imaging support device with a camera on a walking aid and autonomous operation at a constant speed in the tunnel. In this article, a prototype of a walking assist type inspection device and a self-propelled monitoring robot that creates a developed image of the wall surface are described. The prototype device is tested in a free-flow tunnel at the Tsukuyone Hydroelectric Power Station in Tottori Prefecture where water intake into the tunnel is stopped due to renewal work from 2018 to 2019, and its practicality is evaluated.
PENGARUH MODEL PEMBELAJARAN BERBASIS TEKNOLOGI DAN TEKNIK ASESMEN TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR TERMODINAMIKA
Authors: Makahinda Tineke
Published: August 2020

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk melihat pengaruh model pembelajaran berbasis teknologi dan teknik asesmen terhadap hasil belajar Termodinamika, setelah mengontrol intelegensi mahasiswa. Penelitian ini adalah eksperimen dengan desain faktorial 2 x 2. Sampel penelitian ini ditentukan dengan cluster random sampling dengan jumlah responden 80 mahasiswa. Hasil penelitian ini setelah mengontrol inteligensi mahasiswa menunjukkan bahwa: 1) hasil belajar Termodinamika mahasiswa yang diajar dengan model pembelajaran pemanfaatan lingkungan lebih tinggi dari hasil belajar Termodinamika yang diajar dengan model pembelajaran animasi simulasi, 2) hasil belajar Termodinamika yang dinilai dengan asesmen proyek lebih tinggi dari hasil belajar yang dinilai dengan asesmen portofolio, 3) terdapat pengaruh interaksi antara model pembelajaran berbasis teknologi dan teknik asesmen terhadap hasil belajar Termodinamika mahasiswa, 4) hasil belajar Termodinamika mahasiswa yang diajar dengan model pembelajaran pemanfaatan lingkungan diberi asesmen proyek lebih tinggi dari hasil belajar Termodinamika mahasiswa yang diajar dengan model pembelajaran animasi simulasi diberi asesmen portofolio, dan 5) hasil belajar Termodinamika mahasiswa yang diajar dengan model pembelajaran pemanfaatan lingkungan diberi asesmen proyek lebih tinggi dari hasil belajar Termodinamika mahasiswa yang diajar dengan model pembelajaran pemanfaatan lingkungan diberi asesmen portofolio.
PENGEMBANGAN INSTRUMEN PENILAIAN KINERJA SISWA PADA PRAKTIKUM FISIKA GETARAN DI SMP
Authors: Almuflichan Rhys Mauludin
Published: August 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan sebuah instrumen yang mengukur kinerja siswa SMP pada kegiatan praktikum Fisika pokok bahasan getaran. Teknik pengambilan sampel pada penelitian ini adalah acak bertahap (multistage random sampling). Pengembangan butir pernyataan berdasarkan uji teoretik pada pakar dan panelis. Skala yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah rating scale. Berdasarkan uji pakar dan panelis, menghasilkan 20 butir pernyataan. Uji coba dilakukan dua tahap pada 190 siswa SMP di Kecamatan Babat, Kabupaten Lamongan, Provinsi Jawa Timur. Analisis data menggunakan model persamaan struktural (SEM). Hasil uji coba pertama, butir yag direduksi sebanyak 2 butir. Setelah sebelumnya model diperbaiki (respesifikasi), pada uji coba kedua berdasarkan uji kecocokan model, sudah memenuhi kriteria sebagai model fit dan tidak perlu diperbaiki lagi. Dengan butir yang direduksi sebanyak 2 butir pernyataan, sehingga instrumen akhir terdiri dari 18 butir. Setelah dilakukan uji validitas dan reliabilitas, maka dapat disimpulkan instrumen ini sudah valid dan reliabel. Uji coba selanjutnya masih diperlukan dengan jumlah sampel yang lebih banyak dan lebih beragam untuk menghasilkan instrumen yang baku.
Total Scapholunate Extrusion Into the Forearm in a Transscaphoid, Transcapitate Perilunate Fracture Dislocation
Authors: Wu Kitty , Athwal George S. , Ross Douglas
Published: August 2020

Case:

A 50-year-old woman involved in a motorcycle accident sustained a transscaphoid transcapitate perilunate fracture dislocation with complete extrusion of the proximal scaphoid pole and lunate as a unit into the forearm. The patient underwent urgent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with screw fixation of the capitate and Kirschner wire fixation of the scaphoid, midcarpal joint, and lunotriquetral intervals. At 1-year postoperatively, radiographs confirm healing of capitate and scaphoid fractures, with no signs of avascular necrosis of the lunate.

Conclusion:

Despite a complex fracture-dislocation pattern, treatment with ORIF can successfully lead to scaphoid and capitate union and lunate revascularization.
Lack of Bone-on-Bone Arthritis Is Not a Strict Contraindication for Mobile-Bearing Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Carlson Samuel W. , Vargas-Hernandez Juan S. , Carlson Bayard C. , Sierra Rafael J.
Published: August 2020

Background:

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is a viable option for patients with symptomatic knee arthritis isolated to 1 compartment. Previous articles have suggested that mobile-bearing UKA should not be performed in patients without bone-on-bone arthritis. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes and survivorship of mobile-bearing UKA in patients with severe osteoarthritis with bone-on-bone contact and patients with severe osteoarthritis but without bone-on-bone contact.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed a single surgeon’s experience with medial compartment mobile-bearing UKA in 219 patients (271 knees) who underwent the procedure between 2007 and 2015. Anteroposterior and posteroanterior radiographs were reviewed, and arthritis was graded using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) grading system. Only patients with grade D (severe arthritis) were studied. Of the patients who had grade-D arthritis, there were 81 patients (94 knees) with bone-on-bone arthritis and 82 patients (91 knees) without bone-on-bone contact. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Knee Society pain and function scores. Survivorship free of revision in these 2 groups was determined using Kaplan-Meier curves at 8 years.

Results:

There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of age (p = 0.91), sex (p = 0.21), or body mass index (p = 0.63). At the time of the final follow-up, there was no significant difference in Knee Society pain scores (p = 0.59) or Knee Society function scores (p = 0.9) between the 2 groups. There were 5 revisions in the group with bone-on-bone contact and 2 revisions in the group without bone-on-bone contact. The survivorship free of revision at 8 years was 95% for the group with bone-on-bone contact and 98% for the group without bone-on-bone contact (p = 0.45).

Conclusions:

Patients with severe knee arthritis (IKDC grade D) without bone-on-bone contact had similar outcomes of mobile-bearing UKA compared with patients with bone-on-bone contact. UKA is a safe and reliable option in patients with severe osteoarthritis who do not have bone-on-bone contact on preoperative radiographs and it should therefore not be considered a contraindication for mobile-bearing UKA as long as the patient’s symptoms are severe enough to warrant surgical intervention.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Availability and Readability of Online Patient Information on Osteosarcoma
Authors: Young Jason , Dee Edward Christopher , May Collin
Published: August 2020

Background:

Online patient information (OPI) plays an important role in pediatric orthopaedic patient/caregiver education and decision-making. We assessed the availability and readability of OPI about osteosarcoma found at pediatric hospital and U.S. National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center (NCIDCC) websites.

Methods:

The websites of all NCIDCCs and the top 50 pediatric hospitals identified using U.S. News & World Report were included. The names of NCIDCCs and pediatric hospitals along with the terms “osteosarcoma,” “bone sarcoma,” and “sarcoma” were entered into Google.com, and were classified according to the availability of osteosarcoma-specific web pages. Unpaid monthly visits were assessed using the Ahrefs.com Organic Traffic Score (OTS) metric. Readability was assessed using 5 validated metrics and the composite grade level (CGL), the rounded mean of the 5 metrics.

Results:

Of the 71 NCIDCCs and 50 pediatric hospitals, 48 (67.6%) and 18 (36.0%), respectively, did not have at least 1 web page dedicated to osteosarcoma-specific OPI. The mean OTS for all 116 NCIDCC and pediatric hospital osteosarcoma-specific web pages assessed was 177 estimated visits per month, which was less than the mean OTS for the top 10 Google.com “osteosarcoma” search results (3,287.9; p < 0.001). The 52 NCIDCC web pages with osteosarcoma OPI (representing 23 centers) had an average CGL of 12.9, representing a readability level of at least a high school degree. The mean CGL for the 64 pediatric hospital web pages with osteosarcoma OPI (representing 32 hospitals) was 12.8, also representing readability of at least a high school degree. Only 8 (12.5%) of the 64 web pages were written at a seventh or eighth-grade level.

Conclusions:

Taken together, the majority of NCIDCCs and pediatric hospitals did not have a dedicated page of OPI for osteosarcoma. Of those that did, NCIDCC and pediatric hospital sites were visited much less frequently than sites visited through the most common Google.com searches. None of the osteosarcoma web pages offering OPI from NCIDCCs and pediatric hospitals met the American Medical Association readability recommendation (sixth-grade reading level). Therefore, greater effort must be made to create and direct patients and parents toward high-quality OPI of the appropriate level.

Clinical Relevance:

The clinical relevance of this study lies in its evaluation of OPI and its ability to impact the patient experience of clinical care.
Mechanics of SAGD Efficiency Improvement Using Combination of Chemicals: An Experimental Analysis through 2D Visual Models
Authors: Huang Jingjing , Babadagli Tayfun
Published: August 2020

Steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) is (and will be) a dominating method for in-situ recovery of heavy oil and bitumen in Canada. Its efficiency, however, has been a chronic problem due to the excess use of water and energy causing inflated costs. Solutions are needed to both maintain the production, especially at the late stages, and reduce the amount of steam. One method to improve efficiency is injection of chemicals with steam. This study addresses this problem by focusing on three critical aspects of SAGD: sweep improvement (faster and larger chamber growth), better displacement efficiency (lower residual oil), and reducing the amount of steam (lower steam/oil ratio and lowered steam temperature). By addressing these issues, we provide answers for the proper formulation of chemical blends, optimal injection strategies (continuous or slug), and the right time to introduce chemicals (beginning, midstream, or mature phase).

The efficiency of a single chemical additive in recovery improvement is limited because it serves for only one of the mechanisms previously listed. For a better performance, blending chemicals with different functionalities was proposed in this study. Additives showing the highest microscopic oil displacement efficiency (heptane, Novelfroth® 190) and the highest areal sweep efficiency EA [LTS-18, silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticle, Tween™ 80, deep eutectic solvent (DES) 11] in our previous studies were selected. Eleven different combinations of these six chemical additives were tested for different injection strategies, and the SAGD process was visualized on Hele-Shaw cells filled with heavy oil. The interaction between different chemical additives was determined by analyzing emulsification, wettability alteration, and the growth and shape of the steam chamber. The optimal formulation and ideal injection strategy were selected by analyzing ultimate EA, microscopic oil displacement efficiency, ultimate oil recovery, energy and water consumption, and the price of chemical additives.

The interaction rule of combined chemical additives and their contribution to the recovery during SAGD were clarified, and the optimal injection strategies (best blends and proper time to introduce chemicals) were identified to provide a reference for chemical selection for field applications. This is a critical attempt to reduce the steam/oil ratio (particularly the amount of steam used) in SAGD applications, especially at mature stages.
An Equivalent Representation of Multiple Hydraulic Fractures with a Fewer Number of Fractures
Authors: Dontsov Egor , Suarez-Rivera Roberto
Published: August 2020

Multiple hydraulic fractures are often generated simultaneously from a wellbore to increase efficiency of reservoir stimulation. Numerical modeling of such a system of fractures is computationally costly, especially if the goal is to simulate numerous stages, each containing multiple fractures, on different wells, which is the current trend in the petroleum industry. To address the challenge, this study defines a method and a workflow to represent the simultaneous propagation of multiple fractures with a reduced number of equivalent fractures that accurately describes the overall fracture geometry, the created surface area, the propped surface area, the fluid leakoff, and the resulting induced stresses, as resulting from the original configuration. A hybrid approach is used, in which a combination of physical modeling and data science is involved. We first develop a database of numerical solutions using a fully coupled hydraulic fracturing simulator. The equivalent fracture representation is quantified for each set of problem parameters presented in the database. Then, the results of the database solutions are used to tackle more general cases with field pumping schedules and rock properties. Several numerical examples are presented to validate and illustrate the developed concept.
Dental care for drug users in Norway: Dental professionals’ attitudes to treatment and experiences with interprofessional collaboration
Authors: Hovden Ewa , Ansteinsson Vibeke , Klepaker Ingrid Volden , Widström Eeva , Skudutyte-Rystad Rasa
Published: August 2020

Background: The present study aimed to assess dental professionals’ attitudes and experiences related to the dental treatment of drug users and to interprofessional collaboration with the rehabilitation institutions (RIs). Methods: The study population comprised 141 dentists and dental hygienists (response rate 73%) working in the Public Dental Service (PDS) in three counties in Norway. All of the participants completed an electronically distributed questionnaire on existing practices and experiences regarding dental treatment for drug users and interprofessional collaboration with RIs. The Norwegian Centre for Research Data (NSD) approved the study.Results: Thirty-five percent of the dentists and 10% of the dental hygienists had treated five or more drug users per month (p < 0.05). The majority of dentists and dental hygienists used more time for examination and treatment of drug users compared to other patient groups. Over 70% of dental clinicians considered drug users as demanding patients due to fear, missing appointments, and poor compliance with oral hygiene advice. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that attitudes and experiences with dental treatment of drug users were significantly associated with background characteristics of professionals. The overall perception was that drug users often had higher expectations of dental treatment than what could be defined as necessary care and provided by the PDS. One-third of dental professionals reported that they were satisfied with the collaboration they had with RIs . Most of the respondents agreed that personnel from RIs could positively influence interprofessional collaboration by having sufficient knowledge of drug users statutory rights to free of charge dental treatment, as well as by close follow-up and motivation of patients before dental treatment.Conclusions: Dental professionals perceived the management of drug users as demanding due to dental fear, difficulties in coping with appointments, poor compliance to preventive measures, and disagreement between dental treatment defined as necessary and drug users’ expectations. Attitudes and experiences related to dental treatment of drug users were significantly associated with background characteristics of clinicians. Organizational barriers regarding leadership, accessibility, and collaborative routines, as well as lack of interprofessional communication, suggest current models of health care delivery to drug users need reviewing.
Younger age of patients with myocardial infarction is associated with a higher number of relatives with a history of premature atherosclerosis.
Authors: Ambroziak Michał , Niewczas-Wieprzowska Katarzyna , Maicka Agnieszka , Budaj Andrzej
Published: August 2020

Background. Premature coronary artery disease is one of the most pressing global issues in modern cardiology. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of family history of premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients aged <50 years with myocardial infarction (MI) compared to that in patients aged ≥50 years with MI and to that in young people without MI (no-MI<50). Methods. The studied group (MI<50) consisted of 240 patients aged 26-49 years with MI. The control groups consisted of 240 patients (MI≥50) with MI aged 50-92 years and 240 healthy people aged 30-49 years without a history of MI (no-MI<50). Results. There were statistically significant differences between the MI<50 and MI≥50 and no-MI<50 groups regarding the family history of premature MI/ischaemic stroke and the percentage of patients with ≥2 relatives affected (10.8%, 2.9%, and 3.7%, respectively; p<0.0001). There was a statistically significant difference in the patient age at the first MI occurrence among patients without a family history of premature CVD, those with 1 affected relative, and those with ≥2 affected first-degree relatives (56.6, 48.6 and 41.8 years, respectively) as well as those with affected first- and second-degree relatives (56.5, 50.7 and 47.0 years, respectively). Conclusions. A younger age of patients with myocardial infarction is associated with a higher number of relatives with a history of premature MI/ischaemic stroke. Thus, the family history of premature atherosclerosis involving not only first- but also second-degree relatives seems to be a valuable factor in CVD risk evaluation in young people.
Molecular epidemiology and risk factors of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections in a Chinese teaching hospital
Authors: Duan Zhongliang , Qin Juanxiu , Liu Yao , Li Cui , Ying Chunmei
Published: August 2020

Background: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia) is an important opportunistic pathogen that can be isolated in hospitals. With the abuse of broad spectrum antibiotics and invasive surgical devices, the rate of S. maltophilia infection is increasing every year. This study is an epidemiological analysis of the clinical and molecular characteristics of S. maltophilia infection in a Chinese teaching hospital. The goal is to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the status of S. maltophilia infection in order to provide strong epidemiological data for the prevention and treatment of S. maltophilia infection.Results: A total of 93 isolates from Renji Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine were included, in which 62 isolates were from male patients and 81 isolates were isolated from sputum samples. A total of 86 patients had underlying diseases. All of the patients had received antibiotic therapeutics. The multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis indicated that 61 different sequence types (STs) were found (including 45 novel STs), and the MLST did not show significantly dominant STs. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) results showed the 93 isolates could be divided into 73 clusters, and they also showed weak genetic linkage between isolates. The resistant rates to Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) and levofloxacin were 9.7% and 4.3%, respectively, and all of the isolates were susceptible to minocycline. The positive rates of the four virulence genes Stmpr1, Stmpr2, Smf-1, and Smlt3773 locus were 79.6%, 91.4%, 94.6%, and 52.7%, respectively. The positive rates of the three biofilm genes rmlA, spgM, and rpfF were 82.8%, 92.5%, and 64.5%, respectively. The mean biofilm forming level of OD492 was 0.54 ± 0.49, and there was no significant difference between different genders and different age groups. Data from patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) and the control group were analyzed retrospectively, and the independent risk factors of those who were infected in the ICU included immunosuppression and the increased of the antibiotics usage.Conclusions: Most of the patients had prior medical usage histories and baseline diseases. The positive rate of virulence genes was high, the drug resistance rate of S. maltophilia was low, and the biofilm formation ability was strong. The increased use of antibiotics was an independent risk factor for S. maltophilia infection, which should receive more attention. No obvious clonal transmission was found in the same department.
Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio as a predictor for diagnosis of early Periprosthetic Joint Infection
Authors: Yu BaoZhan , Fu Jun , Chai Wei , Hao LiBo , Chen Jiying
Published: August 2020

Background: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a catastrophic complication after total knee or hip arthroplasty. Thediagnosis of PJI is very difficult, especially in the early postoperative period . The value of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is useful for diagnosing infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the accuracy of the NLR for the diagnosis of early PJI after total knee or hip arthroplasty. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated consecutive primary total knee or hip arthroplasty and identified the patients who readmitted within the first 90 days postoperatively between January 2011 and October 2018.There were 20 cases diagnosed early PJI and 101 uninfected cases on the basis of the modified Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria. The serum parameters including C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood-cell (WBC) count, NLR, interleukin-6 (IL-6) were compared between the two groups. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to estimate the optimal cutoff values for each parameter.The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for each parameter were calculated. Results: The CRP, ESR, WBC, NLR and IL-6 values were all significally higher in the infected group than the uninfected group. The median of CRP was 66.6 mg/l in the infected group and 8.6mg/l in the uninfected group (p<0.001). The median of ESR was 34.8 mm/hr in the infected group and 17.4mm/hr in the uninfected group (p<0.001). In the infected group and uninfected group, the median of WBC was 8.2X10 9 /L and 6.1 X10 9 /L (p = 0.002), respectively; while the median of NLR was 5.2 and 2.1 (p<0.001). The median of IL-6 was 46pg/ml and 6.4pg/ml (p<0.001),respectively.The best parameter for the diagnosis of early PJI was IL-6 (AUC=0.814) followed by the NLR (AUC =0.802), CRP (AUC =0.793), ESR (AUC =0.744) and WBC (AUC = 0.632). Conclusions: This study is the first to show that NLR values are more accurate than CRP and may be considered as useful parameters for the diagnosis of early PJI because it is a cheap and convenient parameter to be calculated in daily practice without extra costs.