bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Women’s Struggles Against Extractivism in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Muñoz Enara Echart , Villarreal Maria del Carmen
Published: July 2019

Abstract Since Cynthia Enloe asked, ‘Where are the women?’ in 1989, studies about the place of women in International Relations have increased. However, most of the analyses since then have focused on the participation of women in international organisations, events and institutional spaces, making invisible other practices and places occupied by black or indigenous women from the South. This article aims to highlight the role of women at the international level, analysing their performance in disputes over the meanings of development in Latin America and the Caribbean, based on struggles against extractivism. In addition to denouncing the impacts of this development model, these struggles seek to construct alternatives that, although they could be essentially local, have been multiplied and articulated throughout the Latin American and the Caribbean territory, as part of a broader resistance to the dominant extractivism in the region. These struggles will be mapped using a database of 259 conflicts around mining activities, developed by the Research Group on International Relations and Global South (GRISUL).
Gender Issues in the Ivory Tower of Brazilian IR
Authors: Baccarini Mariana Pimenta Oliveira , Minillo Xaman Korai , Alves Elia Elisa Cia
Published: July 2019

Abstract What is the status of women in the discipline of International Relations (IR) in Brazil? This study provides a pioneering map of gender issues in Brazilian IR, focusing on inequality, discrimination and harassment. It includes a literature review as well as the findings of two sets of research: the first a survey of personal and professional issues faced by academic staff in Brazilian IR, and the second a report on the staffing of IR and related departments at private and public academic institutions in Brazil. Our research shows that despite the specificities of the Brazilian higher education system, Brazilian IR academics conform to international trends in respect of gender issues, facing monetary and/or familial inequalities and gender discrimination in their careers. It also shows that 25% of female academics have experienced undesired sexual contact at least once, and that there is a gap between male and female understandings of what constitutes sexual harassment.
Fateful Triangles in Brazil: A Forum on Stuart Hall’s The Fateful Triangle: Race, Ethnicity, Nation, Part II
Authors: Stanley Sharon A. , Urt João Nackle , Braz Thiago
Published: July 2019

Abstract Stuart Hall, a founding scholar in the Birmingham School of cultural studies and eminent theorist of ethnicity, identity and difference in the African diaspora, as well as a leading analyst of the cultural politics of the Thatcher and post-Thatcher years, delivered the W. E. B. Du Bois Lectures at Harvard University in 1994. In the lectures, published after a nearly quarter-century delay as The Fateful Triangle: Race, Ethnicity, Nation (2017), Hall advances the argument that race, at least in North Atlantic contexts, operates as a ‘sliding signifier,’ such that, even after the notion of a biological essence to race has been widely discredited, race-thinking nonetheless renews itself by essentializing other characteristics such as cultural difference. Substituting Michel Foucault’s famous power-knowledge dyad with power-knowledge-difference, Hall argues that thinking through the fateful triangle of race, ethnicity and nation shows us how discursive systems attempt to deal with human difference. In ‘Fateful Triangles in Brazil,’ Part II of Contexto Internacional’s forum on The Fateful Triangle, three scholars work with and against Hall’s arguments from the standpoint of racial politics in Brazil. Sharon Stanley argues that Hall’s account of hybrid identity may encounter difficulties in the Brazilian context, where discourses of racial mixture have, in the name of racial democracy, supported anti-black racism. João Nackle Urt investigates the vexed histories of ‘race,’ ‘ethnicity’ and ‘nation’ in reference to indigenous peoples, particularly Brazilian Indians. Finally, Thiago Braz shows, from a perspective that draws on Afro-Brazilian thinkers, that emphasizing the contingency of becoming in the concept of diaspora may ignore the myriad ways by which Afro-diasporic Brazilians are marked as being black, and thus subject to violence and inequality. Part I of the forum – with contributions by Donna Jones, Kevin Bruyneel and William Garcia – critically examines the promise and potential problems of Hall’s work from the context of North America and western Europe in the wake of #BlackLivesMatter and Brexit.
Toughness in Santa Inês lamb meat has negative impact on consumer evaluation
Authors: OLIVEIRA Giuliana Micai de , ROCHA Yana Jorge Polizer , GALLO Sarita Bonagurio , TRINDADE Marco Antônio , SOUZA Giancarlo de Moura , DELGADO Eduardo Francisquine
Published: July 2019

SUMMARY Meat tenderness is a major attribute for consumers worldwide. However, few studies investigate the importance of lamb meat tenderness for Brazilian consumers. This study assessed consumers’ evaluation of lamb meat with high shear forces. Eight lambs were slaughtered at 32.5±2.5kg of live weight and 5 to 6 months of age. The Longissimus dorsi muscle from both half carcasses was randomly assigned to four different postmortem processes: Tough Meat (TM), obtained by cold shortening, Fresh Meat (FM), Aging for 3 (A3) and 7 (A7) days postmortem . The variables measured were the sarcomere length, shear force (WBSF) and myofibrillar fragmentation index. We also applied the sensory analysis using affective acceptance tests with hedonic scale of nine points to measure texture, juiciness and overall quality of the meat. The postmortem processing for TM resulted in shorter sarcomere and greater shear values (p <0.05) compared to all other samples, while FM, A3 and A7, did not differ between the samples. Myofibrillar fragmentation was greater for A7 compared to TM (p <0.05), while FM and A3 showed intermediate values that did not differ between the treatments. In the sensory analysis, TM samples received significantly lower scores (p <0.01) for all attributes compared to other treatments and the attributes were not different between the post rigor processes. Consumers identified and evaluated negatively the meat samples with high WBSF. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the impact of smaller differences in WBSF, at intermediate values, on consumers’ evaluation.
Resultados perinatais e do primeiro ano de vida segundo cor da pele materna: estudo de coorte
Authors: Oliveira Juliana Eliseu de , Ferrari Anna Paula , Tonete Vera Lúcia Pamplona , Parada Cristina Maria Garcia de Lima
Published: July 2019

RESUMO Objetivo analisar as características maternas e desfechos perinatais e do primeiro ano de vida segundo a cor da pele autorreferida pelas mães. Método estudo de coorte com 507 mães e seus bebês, desenvolvido em município do interior paulista. O seguimento ocorreu de junho de 2015 a fevereiro de 2017. Os dados foram coletados em cinco momentos: no primeiro mês e aos três, seis, nove e 12 meses de vida da criança. Foram incluídas no estudo variáveis sociodemográficas, relativas ao pré-natal e parto. Entre os desfechos perinatais foram analisados o peso ao nascer e a necessidade de internação em unidades neonatais e entre os desfechos do primeiro ano de vida, ocorrência de infecção respiratória e a vigência de aleitamento materno. Resultados mulheres pretas/pardas apresentam situação sociodemográfica desfavorável quando comparadas às brancas. O único desfecho associado à cor da pele foi a vigência de aleitamento materno, mais favorável entre as mulheres pretas/pardas. Conclusão apesar da situação sociodemográfica desfavorável, considerando os desfechos selecionados, mulheres pretas/pardas não tiveram piores resultados. A hipótese de que a qualidade do atendimento pode anular os efeitos negativos de suas condições sociodemográficas precisa ser testada em futuros estudos.
Addressing medical errors: an intervention protocol for nursing professionals
Authors: Pérez Cristina Díaz , Fuentes Paloma Salvadores , García Elena Jiménez
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the types of interventions that should be included in an organizational protocol for responding to serious adverse events involving nursing staff. Method: A descriptive exploratory study was conducted in the Autonomous Community of Madrid, Spain using a questionnaire. Results: 248 nurses have participated. The respondents prioritized the following interventions for inclusion in the protocol: legal advice (86.5% of participants) and counseling (82.4% of participants). Over two-thirds of the nurses (69.3%) showed that they would like to receive guidance on how to record adverse events on the patient’s medical records, while 64.8% showed that they would like to receive advice on assurances and legal safeguards in relation to the health organization’s medical error notification system and 54.5% endorsed refresher training. Compulsory temporary or permanent transfer of nursing staff involved in adverse events was one of the least popular interventions (3.3% of participants). Conclusion: The nurses prioritized counseling, legal advice, training in communication techniques, and refresher training to address the consequences of adverse events and discarded the possibility of compulsory temporary or permanent transfer.
Habilidades adaptativas sociais e conceituais de indivíduos com deficiência intelectual
Authors: Gusmão Elaine Custódio Rodrigues , Matos Genival Silva , Alchieri João Carlos , Chianca Tânia Couto Machado
Published: July 2019

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar as habilidades sociais e conceituais de pessoas com deficiência intelectual. Método Pesquisa descritiva com 100 cuidadores, nove professores e 100 pessoas com deficiência intelectual de uma Instituição Filantrópica de Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil. A idade dos indivíduos que participaram do estudo variou entre 9 e 83 anos. Foram administrados 300 questionários. Os dados foram processados pela Análise Fatorial de Correspondência no programa Tri-Deux-Mots . Resultados Considerando o plano fatorial de correspondência, destaca-se que as habilidades sociais dos alunos na faixa etária entre 21 e 40 anos foram relacionadas a jogar jogos educativos, jogar bola com amigos e namoro. No tocante às habilidades conceituais, os alunos revelaram ter autonomia em relação às atividades escolares, contudo, os cuidadores enfatizaram que eles não possuem autonomia em relação a essas habilidades. Ao perceber as realidades de alunos de turmas diferentes, os professores apresentaram opiniões opostas no tange às questões de dependência e independência. Conclusão Os profissionais da educação e da saúde e os cuidadores podem colaborar de forma mais efetiva para o desenvolvimento da autonomia das pessoas com deficiência intelectual, promovendo um ambiente mais interativo e que proporcione o desenvolvimento de habilidades e o estabelecimento de relações interpessoais sem discriminação, descrédito e preconceito.
The influence of nurse education and training on communication, emotional intelligence, and empathy
Authors: Prado-Gascó Vicente Javier , Giménez-Espert María del Carmen , Valero-Moreno Selene
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the influence of nurse education and training on attitudes towards communication, emotional intelligence, and empathy. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted using three separate instruments to measure attitudes towards communication, empathy, and emotional intelligence, and two questions to determine the academic qualifications of the study participants. The effect of the variables was tested using one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and hierarchical multiple linear regression. Results: The study sample comprised 438 nurses from hospitals in Valencia, Spain. Differences in subscale scores of the instruments according to degree level and specialized training were observed, showing that nurses with only a degree and less specialized training had lower capacity for empathy and emotional intelligence. The strongest correlations were found between the factors of the communication dimensions. Multiple linear regression showed that perspective taking and emotional clarity had the greatest predictive power. Conclusion: Degree level and specialized training were shown to influence the study variables and it is therefore necessary to prioritize education and training programs that promote the development of these skills to ensure improved service quality.
Sexualidade de idosos: conhecimento/atitude de enfermeiros da Estratégia Saúde da Família
Authors: Evangelista Andressa da Rocha , Moreira Andréa Carvalho Araújo , Freitas Cibelly Aliny Siqueira Lima , Val Danielle Rocha do , Diniz Jamylle Lucas , Azevedo Samir Gabriel Vasconcelos
Published: July 2019

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar o conhecimento e a atitude dos enfermeiros da Estratégia Saúde da Família sobre sexualidade na velhice. Método Estudo transversal, exploratório-descritivo, de abordagem quantitativa, com enfermeiros da Estratégia Saúde da Família do município de Sobral-CE. Utilizou-se de questionário sociodemográfico e profissional e da Aging Sexual Knowledge And Attitudes Scale , versão brasileira. Os dados foram processados no GraphPad Prism 5®, e estabelecido nível de significância p<0,05. Resultados Participaram 56 enfermeiros, a maioria do sexo feminino, jovens adultas, que se autodeclaram saber orientar sobre sexualidade. A média dos escores do conhecimento foi de 29,95 (DP=2,21), em uma variação de 20 a 60; já para a atitude, a média foi de 27,14 (DP=2,19) na escala, que varia de oito a 40. Os participantes que declararam receber educação permanente em saúde e realizar educação em saúde sobre sexualidade detêm um conhecimento significativamente favorável, mas não foi encontrada atitude significante. Conclusão Os enfermeiros possuem conhecimento adequado sobre a sexualidade na velhice, mas difundem ainda atitudes conservadoras. Investir em processos de educação permanente em saúde pode melhorar o saber e fazer dos enfermeiros.
Life experiences that favor the plenitude and transcendence of the elderly being: a phenomenological-hermeneutical study
Authors: Guerrero-Castañeda Raúl Fernando , Prado Marta Lenise do , Menezes Tânia Maria de Oliva , Galindo-Soto Jonathan Alejandro , Ojeda-Vargas Ma. Guadalupe
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACT Objective: To understand the life experiences that favor the plenitude and transcendence of the elderly being. Method: Qualitative study of hermeneutical phenomenological approach. It was conducted from January 2014 to March 2017 in two social groups for seniors. Selection of participants was by intentional sampling with information saturation. Characteristics of participants: men or women aged 60 years and over. Data collection through a phenomenological interview. Study in compliance with the General Law of Health, Subject of Health Research and the Declaration of Helsinki. Analysis through the Heidegger’s hermeneutic circle: Pre-understanding, understanding and interpretation. Results: Units of meaning arose. Ontologically, seniors are revealed in their historicity and temporality, emphasize fear and anguish in their daily life, and fall into a feeling of nothing with the need to be authentic that is achieved through care. This understanding of the being is transcendence, and its manifestation is enlightenment. Conclusion: Transcendence is favored by care in the life cycle. Nursing as a science of care can promote actions that facilitate the reach of the encounter of seniors at different stages of their lives.
Fatal pulmonary parafilaroidiasis in a free-ranging subantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) coinfected with two gammaherpesviruses and Sarcocystis sp.
Authors: Reisfeld Laura , Sacristán Carlos , Sánchez-Sarmiento Angélica María , Costa-Silva Samira , Díaz-Delgado Josué , Groch Kátia Regina , Marigo Juliana , Ewbank Ana Carolina , Favero Cíntia Maria , Guerra Juliana Mariotti , Réssio Rodrigo Albergaria , Cremer Marta Jussara , Esperón Fernando , Catão-Dias José Luiz
Published: July 2019

Abstract A juvenile subantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) found dead in Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil, presented with disseminated verminous pneumonia due to Parafilaroides sp. A concomitant infection with two different gammaherpesviruses was identified by PCR in different tissues; one of them possibly a novel species (tentatively named Otariid herpesvirus 7). Sarcocystis sp. DNA was identified molecularly in skeletal muscle samples with intrasarcoplasmic bradyzoites and no apparent tissue response. All analyzed samples (mandibular, laryngeal, tracheal, and mesenteric lymph nodes, and lung) were PCR-negative for Brucella spp. The most likely cause of death was severe pulmonary parafilaroidiasis. The pathogenic role of the gammaherpesviruses in several of the tissues was not evident. This study describes the pathogenicity of Parafilaroides sp. in a subantarctic fur seal, widens the host range of herpesvirus in pinnipeds, and reports the first molecular identification of Sarcocystis sp. in this species.
Trypanorhynch cestodes parasitizing Mugil liza (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae) commercialized in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Oliveira João Victor Ferreira de , Kuraiem Bianca Porto , Fonseca Michelle Cristie Gonçalves da , Gomes Delir Corrêa , Knoff Marcelo
Published: July 2019

Abstract The aim of the present study was to identify, through morphological and morphometric analyses, the species of trypanorhynch cestodes found as plerocerci in the intestinal serosa of Mugil liza and to determine their parasitic indices. One hundred and fifty specimens of this mullet collected off the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro were necropsied and the trypanorhynch cestodes found were fixed and preserved as whole mounts for morphological analysis. The plerocerci were identified as Callitetrarhynchus gracilis and Pterobothrium crassicole, both with a prevalence of 0.67%, an intensity of 1 and abundance of 0.0067, in single infections. This is the first record of a trypanorhynch cestode parasitizing M. liza in Brazil. Although the parasitic indexes were low, from a hygienic-sanitary perspective the plerocerci of these species are visible to the naked eye, and thus can disgust consumers and make marketing the fish unfeasible.
New occurrence of Kudoa orbicularis parasitizing the freshwater catfish Trachelyopterus galeatus (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) in the Brazlian Amazon region
Authors: Santos Weverton John Pinheiro dos , Silva Diehgo Tuloza da , Santos Patrícia de Fátima Saco dos , Matos Edilson Rodrigues , Hamoy Igor Guerreiro
Published: July 2019

Abstract The aim of this was describe an infection by Kudoa orbicularis in freshwater catfish Trachelyopterus galeatus. A sample of 80 specimens of T. galeatus was collected in the municipality of Cachoeira do Arari, Marajó Island, in the state of Pará, Brazil. Pseudocysts were found in the muscle fibers of the epaxial and hypaxial regions of 85.0% of the specimens analyzed, reflecting a high infection rate. The pseudocysts contained spores that were pseudo-square in shape, with a mean length of 4.65 µm (range: 4.04–5.54) and mean width of 1.53 µm (1.56–1.74). Analyses on the morphology of the spores and a partial 934-bp sequence of the SSU rDNA gene confirmed that the microparasite was Kudoa orbicularis. This is the second record of this microparasite in a siluriform host in the Brazilian Amazon region.
Helminth parasites in two populations of Astronotus ocellatus (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) from the eastern Amazon, Northern Brazil
Authors: Pinheiro Raul Henrique da Silva , Tavares-Dias Marcos , Giese Elane Guerreiro
Published: July 2019

Abstract This study compared the structure of helminth parasite communities in two populations of Astronotus ocellatus from two localities in Pará State, eastern Amazon (Brazil). Hosts from the Tapajós River were infected by Posthodiplostomum sp. metacercarie, larvae of Contracaecum sp. and Pseudoproleptus sp., with predominance of Contracaecum sp. Hosts from Iara Lake were infected by Procamallanus spiculastriatus, Proteocephalus sp. and Acanthocephala gen. sp., with predominance of P. spiculastriatus. Parasites had an aggregated dispersion and there were differences in Shannon diversity index and the evenness between both host populations, because the parasite component community showed no similarity. The existence of variation in infracommunity and community of parasites for A. ocellatus from different localities indicates the presence of an uneven distribution in terms of species and density of parasites, as well as of intermediate hosts in the localities surveyed.
Parasitism of the nasal mite Sternostoma tracheacolum Lawrence, 1948 (Mesostigmata: Rhinonyssidae) in captive birds in Brazil
Authors: Bassini-Silva Ricardo , Jacinavicius Fernando de Castro , Pereira Josivania Soares , Werther Karin , Spicer Greg Sherwood , Barros-Battesti Darci Moraes
Published: July 2019

Abstract Nasal mites (Mesostigmata: Rhinonyssidae) are obligatory endoparasites of birds, and the resulting parasitism can be harmful to the host’s respiratory system. The nasal mite Sternostoma tracheacolum Lawrence has caused significant respiratory issues, including serious injuries that possibly cause death of the host. In this study, we report two cases of captive birds parasitized by S. tracheacolum. The first case is a histopathological description of S. tracheacolum parasitizing the Gouldian Finch (Chloebia gouldiae) in the southeast region of Brazil, that showed partially or totally absence of the characteristic respiratory epithelium in trachea lumen. The other describes, for the first time, the parasitism of this species in a canary (Serinus canaria) in the northeast region of the country.
Ortaokul Öğrencilerinin Cümle, Paragraf ve Metin Oluşturma Düzeyi Üzerinde Etkili Olan Değişkenler
Authors: BAHŞİ Niymet , SİS Nesrin
Published: July 2019

Bu
çalışmada, ortaokul öğrencilerinin cümle, paragraf ve metin oluşturma düzeyleri
üzerinde etkisi olan değişkenler tespit edilmiştir. Bu araştırmanın örneklemini
Malatya merkez ilçe ortaokullarında öğrenim gören 5 ve 8. sınıf öğrencileri
oluşturmuştur. Araştırmada veri toplama aracı olarak “Kişisel Bilgi Formu” ve
araştırmacı tarafından geliştirilen “Yazılı Anlatım Düzeyini Belirlemek İçin
Kullanılan Dereceli Puanlama Anahtarı” kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada,
öğrencilerin yazılı anlatımlarında nicel değerlendirme yapılmıştır. Araştırmada
elde edilen veriler araştırmanın alt amaçları doğrultusunda parametrik testler
olan tek yönlü ANOVA ve ilişkisiz (bağımsız) örneklemler için t-testi analizleri kullanılarak test
edilmiştir. Söz konusu bulgular neticesinde 5 ve 8.sınıf düzeyinde öğrenim gören öğrencilerin yazılı anlatım
düzeyleri üzerinde cinsiyetin, sınıf düzeyinin, evlerinde kitaplık olma
durumunun, sosyo- ekonomik durumun, annenin eğitim düzeyinin, babanın eğitim
düzeyinin ve eve süreli yayın alma sıklığının anlamlı etkisinin olduğu tespit
edilmiştir
Türk Dili ve Edebiyatı Öğretmeni Adaylarının Etkinlik Geliştirme Süreçlerinde Kazanım Seçimi ve Uyumu
Authors: BAŞ Bayram , UCUZSATAR Nil
Published: July 2019

Türk Dili ve Edebiyatı dersleri
öğrenme alanları doğrultusunda yapılandırmacı yaklaşım ekseninde ve etkinlik
yaklaşımı aracılığı ile gerçekleştirilmektedir. Bu sebeple dersin öğretmen
adaylarının ders planı geliştirebilmeleri için öğrenme alanlarına göre ve
kazanımlara uygun olarak etkinlik hazırlayabilmeleri beklenmektedir. Bu araştırmada
Türk Dili ve Edebiyatı öğretmeni adaylarının öğrenme alanları doğrultusunda
hazırladıkları etkinliklerde tercih ettikleri kazanımlar ve bu kazanımların
etkinlik süreci ile uyumunu tespit etmek amaçlanmıştır. Araştırma, nitel
araştırma yöntemlerinden durum çalışması ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışma
grubunu Türk Dili ve Edebiyatı öğretmeni adayı olan ve 2017-2018 eğitim-öğretim
yılında Yıldız Teknik Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesinde Pedagojik Formasyon
Eğitimi programı kapsamında Özel Öğretim Yöntemleri dersi alan 30 kişi
oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmadaki inceleme nesneleri çalışma grubundaki öğretmen
adayları tarafından hazırlanmış okuma, yazma ve sözlü iletişim
(dinleme/konuşma) etkinlikleridir. Öğretmen adaylarından etkinlik
geliştirebilmeleri için ortaöğretim 100 temel eser içerisinden istedikleri bir
örneği seçmeleri ve etkinliğe yönelik eğitim ortamlarında bu örneklerden
yararlanmaları istenmiştir. Eser seçme, kazanım seçme ve sınıf düzeyi belirleme
hususlarında öğretmen adayları serbest bırakılmıştır. Doküman incelemesi ile
toplanan veriler içerik analizi ile değerlendirilmiştir.  Etkinlik süreci ile kazanımların uyumu üç
alan uzmanı tarafından “uyumlu”, “kısmen uyumlu” ve “uyumsuz” olarak
değerlendirilmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda öğretmen adaylarının kazanım
seçimlerinde ve kazanımları etkinlik süreciyle eşleştirmede sınırlı oldukları
belirlenmiştir. 4 saatlik bir içeriği olan özel öğretim yöntemleri dersini alan
öğretmen adaylarının öğrenme alanlarını tanıyabilmeleri ve bu doğrultuda
etkinlik geliştirebilmeleri için Türk Dili ve Edebiyatı eğitimine yönelik
farklı dersler de almaları gerektiği düşünülmektedir.
Evaluation of Posterior Ocular Structures in Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: KÜÇÜK Bekir , KARAASLAN Özgül , HACIMUSALAR Yunus , BAYHAN Seray Aslan , BAYHAN Hasan Ali
Published: July 2019

Purpose: We
aimed to evaluate the effects of schizophrenia
on posterior ocular structures including the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL),
central macular thickness (CMT), choroidal thickness (CT) and lamina cribrosa
(LC) measurements.Methods:
A
total of 35 patients with schizophrenia and 35 healthy individuals were
enrolled. Only the right eye of each participant was tested. RNFL thickness in
all quadrants, CT, CMT, LC thickness, and LC depth (LCD) measurements were
performed using Fourier domain optic coherence tomography (OCT), and each
variable was compared between groups.Results:
The mean age and sex distributions were similar between groups (p=0.528
and p=0.299, respectively). The
average, superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal RNFL thicknesses were significantly
lower in schizophrenia patients than in controls (p<0.001, p<0.001,
p=0.001, p=0.002
and p<0.001, respectively). The mean subfoveal and
perifoveal CT were not significantly different between the groups (subfoveal; p=0.676,
1.5 mm nasal; p=0.632, 3 mm nasal; p=1.000, 1.5 mm temporal; p=0.811, 3 mm temporal; p=0.145). The mean CMT was
similar among the groups (p=0.678).
LC thickness and LCD were not statistically significant between groups (p=0.816 and p=0.161).Conclusions:
We
demonstrated that RNFL thicknesses in all quadrants were significantly lower in
schizophrenia patients than in control subjects. However, there were no
significant differences in the CMT, perifoveal and subfoveal CT, LC thickness,
and LCD between the groups. These
results suggest that OCT can be used to image neuronal loss by
evaluating the RNFL in patients with schizophrenia.

Keywords: Schizophrenia;
retinal nerve fiber layer; choroidal thickness; lamina cribrosa thickness;
macular thickness
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation meta-analysis of time-to-event data v1
Authors: Frank Roh Hyunsuk , Kim Chang-Guk , Chon Soon-Ho , Mogg Kim Jung
Published: July 2019

Background Time-to-event data of hazard ratios were used to generate a forest plot of all-cause mortality on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in both overall and individual indications of cardiopulmonary disease in adults. Methods A systemic search was conducted in PubMed from 1975 to 2018. Among 4,121articles, a total of 35 clinical reports comprising 20,610patients (1,631of the patients who underwent ECMO and 18,979of the patients who did not undergo ECMO) met the inclusion criteria. Results The pooled hazard ratio (HR) of 1.2828(95% confidence interval (CI): 0.9649, 1.7054)suggests that the ECMO group was not significantly associated with a reduction in mortality compared with the no-ECMO group in the overall ECMO indications. With respect to the individual indication of respiratory failure as a subgroup analysis, the ECMO group showed significantly improved patient survival, with a pooled HR of 0.6308 (95% CI: 0.5037, 0.7900). Conclusions Most of the included studies are retrospective, which diminishes the significance of the findings due to a higher risk of selection bias, which was exemplified by the allocation of ECMO based on the patients’ severity condition. Greater attention to designing the randomized controlled trials and reporting HRs of ECMO outcomes are needed.
Analyzes of Flyback DC-DC Converter for Submodule Level Maximum Power Point Tracking in Off-grid Photovoltaic Systems
Authors: Başoğlu Mustafa Engin
Published: July 2019

Submodule level
maximum power point tracking (MPPT) systems have become popular due to its
outstanding performance in partial shading conditions (PSCs) and basic
algorithm requirement. MPPT is realized by DC-DC converters. They are power
processing units between photovoltaic (PV) module and load. Among DC-DC
converter topologies, flyback is a proper choice since it can either increase
or decrease the voltage. Furthermore, power level is small in submodule level
MPPT applications. In this study, analyzes and power circuit design of flyback
converter for continuous conduction mode (CCM) are carried out firstly. Then, performance
of flyback converter on submodule level MPPT system and its superiority over
the module level MPPT is shown by using same converter topology and perturb and
observe (P&O) algorithm. In order to validate the superior performance of
submodule level MPPT, it is compared with module level MPPT in MATLAB/Simulink
environment. Results show that submodule level MPPT guarantees global MPPT in
any PSCs with any kind of basic MPPT algorithm. On the other hand, module level
MPPT fails in many PSCs with the same algorithm. According to simulation
results, submodule level MPPT generated more power by 61.2% in average than
module level MPPT systems in simulation studies.
Multi-loop Model Reference Adaptive PID Control for Fault-Tolerance
Authors: ALAGÖZ Barış Baykant , KAVURAN Gürkan , ATEŞ Abdullah , YEROĞLU Celaleddin , Alisoy Hafız
Published: July 2019

This study demonstrates application of multi-loop model reference adaptive control (MRAC) structure to enhance fault tolerance performance of closed-loop PID control systems. The proposed multi-loop MRAC-PID structure can transform a conventional PID control system to an adaptive control system by combining an outer adaptation loop that employs MIT rule. This control structure can be used to improvement of fault tolerance and fault detection performance of the existing closed-loop PID control systems. One of the advantages of this structure originates from the reference input shaping technique that allows adaptive control without modifying any coefficients of the existing PID controllers. Numerical and experimental studies are presented to illustrate the application of the multi-loop MRAC-PID control structure for rotor control applications.
Perspectives of health care professionals on artificial insemination of donor semen: appraising their knowledge and perceptions. A single institution study in Nigeria
Authors: Abiola Olajide O. , Ajao Akinlabi E. , Ogunlaja Olumuyiwa A. , Adeoye Sunday O. , Ojo Ayodeji A.
Published: July 2019

Background: Artificial inseminations of donor semen (AID) involve use of heterologous donated semen for conception in infertile couple when indicated or in a single woman desirous of pregnancy. Its practice often requires regulation to address possible ethical and legal issues which may arise. In formulating acceptable guidelines/policies, the perspectives of health professionals and the participants should be considered. Therefore, we sought to explore the knowledge and perception of semen donation for artificial insemination among health professionals.Methods: A cross sectional study conducted on consenting health workers in a single health institution using a structured questionnaire to assess their knowledge and perception on artificial insemination of donor semen (AID). Descriptive and analytical statistics were applied to the data collected with a statistically significant value of <0.05.Results: One hundred and twenty-one health professionals completed the questionnaires. The mean age of the respondents was 27.58±5.5years. Sixty of the respondents were males while 61 were females. Eighty-four of the respondents (69.4%) demonstrated good knowledge of AID while 37 (30.6%) had poor knowledge. Cadre of health professionals and marital status influenced the knowledge of respondents. Perceptions on AID varied among the respondents mostly influenced by psycho-social factors and possible legal disputes on third party reproductive process. None of the male respondents has ever donated semen and willingness to donate semen was low; with anonymity preferred by the willing donors.Conclusions: Substantial knowledge gap of AIDS existed among health professionals which were influenced by cadre and marital status. Psycho-social factors and possible legal disputes influenced their perceptions of AID.
Comparison of efficiency between RMI1 and RMI2 in diagnosing ovarian malignancy
Authors: Shalagar Rashmi R. , Kabadi Narayan Y.
Published: July 2019

Background: This study was conducted in department of obstetrics and gynaecology, to know the efficiency of risk of malignancy index (RMI) to differentiate a malignant from a benign tumor and to compare the efficiency of risk of malignancy index 1 and 2 (RMI1 and RMI2). The study was conducted from June 2012 to August 2013 in women who got admitted with adnexal tumor.Methods: It was a prospective study. A proforma was designed for each patient which included, name, age, complaints, menopausal status, parity, past and family history and associated medical condition were asked. Indivisual parameters namely ultrasound score, CA125 and menopausal status and risk of malignancy index was calculated and compared with final histopathological diagnosis and sensitivity specificity and positive predictive value was calculated for each.Results: : The sensitivity of RMI1 is 87.95%, specificity is 75%, positive predictive value is 94.8%, negative predictive value is 54.54%, percentage of false negative is 12.04% and percentage of false positive is 25%. The sensitivity of RMI2 is 86.74%, specificity is 81.25%, positive predictive value is 96%, negative predictive value is 54.16%, percentage of false negative is 13.25% and percentage of false positive is 18.75%.Conclusions: The efficiency of RMI was definitely better than indivisual parameters and efficiency of RMI 1 and RMI2 are similar.
Mirena: a novel alternative to hysterectomy
Authors: Hangekar Parag M. , Mhaske Ganesh , Shekhawat Gulabsingh
Published: July 2019

Background: To study the awareness and efficacy of Mirena (Levonorgestrel intrauterine system) in treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding.Methods: A prospective analytical study was conducted from January 2012 to June 2018 at Smt. Kashibai Navale medical college and general hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India. Total 30 women between age of 35 to 45 yrs age were included in the study. Mirena was inserted post-menstrually in the operation room under sedation was done. The women were called for follow-up after 1 month, then 4 months, and then yearly (for maximum 2 years); and asked regarding the relief they have obtained from the antecedent menstrual complaints.Results: At end of study, Overall satisfaction rate among women was 76.67% and decrease menstrual blood flow observed in 20 (74.07%) cases. Most common side effect observed was irregular menses in 6 (22.22%) cases. Hysterectomy was required in 3 (11.11%) cases.Conclusions: Menorrhagia is a common gynaecologic problem often needing hysterectomy. The LNG-IUS reduces bleeding in women with menorrhagia due to benign causes. The patient acceptance and satisfaction is high. Main problem is irregular bleeding especially for the first 3 months after insertion. If the patients can be counseled before insertion, continuation rates for LNG-IUS are high. It has the potential to replace hysterectomy as treatment of choice in certain patients.
Maternal mortality by direct obstetric causes in an urban referral hospital: case of Boulmiougou District Hospital in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Authors: Sawadogo Yobi Alexis , Zamané Hyacinthe , Kiemtoré Sibraogo , Sib Sansan Rodrigue , Kain Dantola Paul , Ouédraogo Issa , Ouattara Adama , Ouédraogo Charlemagne , Ouédraogo Ali
Published: July 2019

Background: Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the leading causes of death and disability for women of childbearing age. Objective of this study was to study maternal mortality of direct obstetric origin at the Boulmiougou district hospital from 2010 to 2014.Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study of maternal deaths by direct obstetric cause at the maternity ward of Boulmiougou District Hospital during the period from January 1st 2010 to December 31st, 2014, i.e. 5 years.Results: The maternal mortality rate by direct obstetric cause of 147.68 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. The average age of the patients was 27.09 years old. The direct causes of maternal death were hemorrhage (47.06%), hypertensive disorders (20.59%), infections (14.71%) and unsafe abortion (11.76%). Contributing factors to maternal deaths were delay in evacuation (47.06%) and delay in care (38.23%).Conclusions: Maternal mortality remains high in the Boulmiougou District Hospital. To effectively combat maternal mortality, it is important to focus on the continuous training of staff and the strengthening of the technical platform.
Correlation of placental thickness with gestational age in antenatal women
Authors: Verma Priyanka , Gupta Monika , Verma Shraddha
Published: July 2019

Background: Accurate estimation of gestational age and fetal wellbeing is mandatory to ensure safe pregnancy and healthy delivery. With recent development in USG, basic scan, Doppler imaging and interventional radiology helped greatly in accurate estimation of gestational age and delivering timely care. The objectives of this study was to determine the USG placental thickness at the level of insertion of cord in antenatal women from gestational age 11 to 40 weeks. To correlate placental thickness with gestational age. To calculate composite gestational age from USG parameters; CRL, BPD, HC, AC, FL. To compare the relationship of menstrual gestational age with placental thickness and composite gestational age separatelyMethods: It is a comparative study of 2 years duration. Total 322 patients were included. Gestational age was determined from LMP. Patient’s routine obstetric USG was done and composite gestational age was calculated from fetal parameters like BPD, HC, AC and FL (CRL in 11 to 14 weeks). At the same time placental thickness was determined at the level of insertion of umbilical cord. The plane of USG image was adjusted so that the thickness measured from cord insertion is perpendicular to the margin of uterine wall.Results: The following parameters were noted: correlation of period of gestation (weeks) with composite gestational age (weeks) correlation of period of gestation (weeks) with gestational age calculated by placental thickness (weeks).Conclusions: Placental thickness can give an estimation of gestational age. The linear correlation and statistical compatibility of placental thickness makes it an alternate parameter for gestational age. Knowledge of correct gestational age helps in delivering proper antenatal care, assessing fetal wellbeing, identifying pathology at the earliest and timely decision of termination and providing safe motherhood.
The use of C-reactive protein in case of preterm labor with intact membranes
Authors: Ratsiatosika Tanjona A. , Romuald Randriamahavonjy , Valérie Rajaonarivony Marie , Lantonirina Rainibarijaona A. , Tahiana Rakotonirainy , Ando-Miora Rakotonirina , La Croix Rasolonjatovo Jean de
Published: July 2019

Background: Preterm labor, defined as delivery between 22 and 37WA, is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Through this study, we wanted to know if the high CRP rate in preterm labor with intact membranes could be a risk factor for poor prognosis on pregnancy and the newborn.Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study from November 1, 2018 to April 31, 2019 at Befelatanana University Hospital of Gynecology-Obstetrics on singleton pregnancies with preterm labor and intact membranes. The population is divided in two groups according to the rate of CRP and we have chosen as a pathological threshold a CRP ≥7 mg/l.Results: We included 71 cases of MAP over 1735 births, or 4.09%, of which 47% had a CRP≥7mg / l (group I) and 51% a CRP <7mg / l (group II). There was a significant difference in the persistence of uterine contraction after 48h of tocolysis in group I and II [p = 0.0013, RR 5.20 (1.63-16.55)] as well as within of delivery (7.68±5.33 versus 21.36±11.30 days, p <0.05). There was no difference in the occurrence of neonatal asphyxia and neonatal infection between the 2 groups. However, the risk of prematurity is high in the group with a high CRP level [RR 1.34 (1.06-1.70)] (p = 0.02).Conclusions: In the case of preterm labor with intact membrane, CRP is a determinant of delivery delay, failure of tocolysis, and occurrence of preterm delivery.
An intronic polymorphism of the gene Plakophilin-3 is associated with IVF failure
Authors: Joha Mohamad Sami , Soukkarieh Chadi , Alhalabi Marwan
Published: July 2019

Background: Implantation failure is determined when transferred embryos fail to implant following in vitro fertilization (IVF). In recent years, many studies suggest that implantation failure could be related to several genetic factors. In the current study, authors aimed to investigate the association of PKP3 rs10902158 (G>A) polymorphisms with the risk of implantation failure after ICSI treatment.Methods: 97 women, who underwent ICSI treatment owing to male factor infertility, were prospectively recruited in this cross-sectional study. Genomic DNA was prepared from peripheral blood samples in order to analyze the polymorphism (rs10902158) at the PKP3 gene by PCR-RFLP. The Results were presented as a genotype (GG, GA, and AA), and their relationship to IVF outcome was analyzed.Results: The patients were divided into two groups according to clinical pregnancy: the pregnant group included 51 patients (53%) and the non-pregnant group included 46 patients (47%). The clinical pregnancy outcome was significantly different between genotypes, which was 0%, 45.8% and 58.8% in the patients having the genotype AA, GA and GG respectively (p-value = 0.03).Conclusions: The presence of the allele A of the PKP3 SNP rs10902158 is associated with a reduced clinical pregnancy outcome in the patients undergoing ICSI treatment and may be helpful predictor for implantation failure.
Fetomaternal outcome in caesarean section at full dilatation
Authors: Gupta Kavita , Garg Apurva
Published: July 2019

Background: To study indications, intraoperative and postoperative complications and fetomaternal outcome in cesarean sections done at full dilatation.Methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional study which was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, RNT medical college, Udaipur from November 2018 to April 2019. 100 cases of caesarean sections at full dilatation which were performed during this period were analyzed for indications and maternal and fetal morbidity.Results: Among these 100 cesarean sections, majority of cases were in the age group of 21-30 years (46%), booked and  Primigravida(81%).Most common indications were cephalo-pelvic disproportion (27%) and fetal distress (21%). Most commonly baby was delivered either by vertex (44%) or by Patwardhan (31%). Intraoperative complications were higher in terms of hematuria in 41%, Atonic PPH in 35%, uterine incision extension in 28% of cases. In one case bladder injury was noticed. Increased incidence of post-operative febrile illness and wound infection were noted. 44% baby’s required nursery admission, most commonly due to birth asphyxia (16%) and RDS (11%).Conclusions: Cesarean section in the 2nd stage of labor is associated with significantly increased maternal morbidity, Neonatal morbidity and mortality. So proper monitoring during labor and involvement of skilled obstetrician in decision making and delivery is crucial to minimize fetomaternal complications.
Hindi translated version of menopausal rating score questionnaire: a method to evaluate post menopausal symptoms in India
Authors: Malik Renuka , Pokaria Chanderkala , Singh Swati , Khera Kaveri
Published: July 2019

Background: There are large number of post menopausal patients in India deserving more care and attention than is given at present.MRS questionnaire in Hindi (MRS-H), a translated and validated version of original MRS Scale (MRS-E), self assessed by patients in their own native language. This tool can be used to assess and document current quality of life as well as improvement with treatment of severe post menopausal symptoms, in Indian population.Methods: 30 bilingual English and Hindi speaking postmenopausal patients were recruited for this study.MRS Questionnaire has 11 questions covering somatic, pschycological and genitourinary symptoms of menopause. The scoring system is simple. Hindi translation of MRS Questionare was done from English (MRS-E) to Hindi (MRS-H) by 4 independent translations using standard protocol. The MRS-H was tested for internal validity and also compared with MRS - E.Results: Quality of life is a subjective perception modified by the cultural habitat in which one lives. MRS-H showed high validity and good co-relation with MRS-E. The MRS-H possessed good convergent and discriminant validity. MRS-H showed anICC (Intraclass coefficient) was more than 0.5 and cronbach alpha more than0.5. There was found to be strong correlation between MRS-E and MRS-H questionnaire with all correlation value above 0.7.Conclusions: The authors recommend the use of the self assessed MRS-H in Hindi should be used to assess menopausal complaints and relief with treatment in India.
An observational study of maternal and fetal outcome in pregnant women with Hepatitis E
Authors: Mishra Ranjana , Nayak Arun H. , Mehendale Madhuri
Published: July 2019

Background: Hepatitis E in pregnancy has been a subject of interest in the recent years as the available research work is very limited and conflicting especially in pregnant women as compared to infection in men and non- pregnant women in which the disease is usually self- limiting. The mechanism of liver injury in hepatitis E is not clear and no conclusive theories about the exact pathogenesis are available. This study was done to gain insight into the effects of hepatitis E virus on pregnancy in terms of maternal and fetal outcome.Methods: Total of 40 pregnant women with Hepatitis E Virus IgM antibodies was included in the study. Hepatitis cases due to other viral and non-infective causes were excluded. Maternal outcomes in terms of mode of delivery, complications like PPH, hepatic encephalopathy, fulminant hepatic failure, coagulopathy and maternal mortality was studied. Fetal outcomes in terms of intrauterine fetal deaths, stillbirth, live births, and neonatal deaths were studied.Results: This study showed high mortality rates (42.5%) in pregnant women with hepatitis E. The most common obstetric complication was IUFD (45%) followed by preterm labor (32.5%) and postpartum hemorrhage (22.5%). Hepatic encephalopathy (62.5%) was the commonest medical complication followed by coagulopathy (25%). A statistically significant association was found between the presence of medical complications and poor maternal outcome.Conclusions: Hepatitis E virus infection in pregnancy often has a fulminant course with poor maternal and fetal outcome. Its management therefore requires an early diagnosis, and a multidisciplinary approach.