bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Application of Integral Source Model in The Design of Freeform Optics for Several Multidirectional Light Sources
Authors: Bogdanov Nikolay , Potemin Igor , Zhdanov Dmitry , Wang Yan
Published: December 2020

One of the features of an intelligent transport system is the formation of communication channels between vehicles. Vehicle-to-vehicle communication will help reduce the number of road accidents. Li-Fi technology is considered as a method for communication. Li-Fi uses visible light for data transmission. A single source of radiation may not be sufficient to provide a certain signal level at the receiver, so multiple sources must be used. Also, signal transmission should be in all directions in the horizontal plane. The study addresses the problem of designing optical systems of circular radiation with several multidirectional sources. It proposes the modification of the ray mapping method for the task of designing optical elements for the Li-Fi wireless communication technology between vehicles. Also, it describes the algorithm for calculating optical systems of circular radiation for a signal source and signal receiver. Finally, the results of calculating and virtual prototyping of devices designed by the proposed method.
Data Balancing Method for Training Segmentation Neural Networks
Authors: Kochkarev Alexey , Khvostikov Alexander , Korshunov Dmitry , Krylov Andrey , Boguslavskiy Mikhail
Published: December 2020

Data imbalance is a common problem in machine learning and image processing. The lack of training data for the rarest classes can lead to worse learning ability and negatively affect the quality of segmentation. In this paper, we focus on the problem of data balancing for the task of image segmentation. We review major trends in handling unbalanced data and propose a new method for data balancing, based on Distance Transform. This method is designed for using in segmentation convolutional neural networks (CNNs), but it is universal and can be used with any patch-based segmentation machine learning model. The evaluation of the proposed data balancing method is performed on two datasets. The first is medical dataset LiTS, containing CT images of liver with tumor abnormalities. The second one is a geological dataset, containing of photographs of polished sections of different ores. The proposed algorithm enhances the data balance between classes and improves the overall performance of CNN model.
Light Reflection from Real Surfaces: Probabilistic Model of the Layer Radiance Factor
Authors: Budak Vladimir , Grimailo Anton
Published: December 2020

The article is devoted to the modelling of light reflection from real surfaces. Most of the existing models are often created to solve a certain task and therefore can not be used in other realms. To create a model useful for different purposes, we propose a reflective surface representation as a scattering layer bounded by the diffuse bottom and a randomly rough Fresnel upper boundary. Such an approach allows one to account for light polarization in the scattering layer and slope correlation of the randomly rough boundary which paves the way for the observation of some physical effects that take place in nature (for instance, statistical lens emergence). The first results of the light reflection modelling were taken at such initial parameters as to compare to those obtained in other research. Former occurred to be qualitatively of the same form as the latter. The model needs to undergo further validation in numerous experiments to prove its serviceability for different types of reflective surfaces.
Rare ovarian neoplasm: Primary precursor B-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma involving bilateral ovaries
Authors:   Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Basaveshwara Medical College and Research Hospital, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India, Prajna K S
Published: December 2020

The involvement of the ovary in lymphomatous processes is rare. However, in the female genital tract, the ovary is a frequent site to be involved by the hematological malignancies. Involvement of the ovary by malignant lymphoma can be primary or secondary and is discovered incidentally during a workup for abdominal or pelvic complaints. Most commonly occurring ovarian lymphoma is diffuse large B cell type, whereas the Precursor B Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphomas are extremely rare and previously only 5 cases have been reported. Here, we report a case of clinically suspected malignant ovarian tumor involving bilateral ovaries, which was diagnosed as a primary precursor B-LBL after surgery in a young female. This case highlights the need for careful evaluation of radiologic and morphologic features along with an extensive immunohistochemical panel to arrive at the correct final diagnosis to guide the chemotherapy. Keywords: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma; Primary Ovarian Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma; Primary ovarian lymphoma; Primary ovarian tumors
Knowledge of basic life support among Medical and Dental students: A comparative study
Authors:   Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Basaveshwara Medical College and Hospital, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India, Amrutha AM
Published: December 2020

Basic life support (BLS) is the medical procedures and skills which are used to save the victim from life-threatening emergencies until medical care is provided at the hospital. BLS procedures include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), bleeding control, artificial ventilation and basic airway management. Fatal medical emergencies may occur at any time. However, there are no set standards introduced in India to date. These life-saving maneuvers can be given through the structured resuscitation programs, which are lacking in the academic curriculum. The present study assessed the level of awareness toward basic life support (BLS) among medical and dental students. A cross-sectional study was carried out among dental and medical students in 2019. The study participants were people of the age group between 18-25 years. A convenient sample size of 250 was studied. A total of 250 subjects of age groups 18-25 years were analyzed in the study. The majority of students were not aware of BLS, with medical students fairing slightly better than dental students. The present study demonstrates poor knowledge among medical and dental students regarding BLS and showed the urgent need for continuous refreshing courses for this critical topic. Keywords: Knowledge; basic life support; medical students; dental students
Primary spontaneous complete colporrhexis following vaginal delivery — A rare case
Authors:   Professor and HOD, Department of OBG, BMCH & RC, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India, Geetha H H
Published: December 2020

Spontaneous trauma to the genital tract during vaginal delivery without instrumentation is very rare. Colporrhexis- rupture of vaginal vault is a very rare type of genital tract injury. A 31 year’s woman P2L2 with a previous one left ectopic pregnancy was referred to our institute within one hour of vaginal delivery as a case of suspected rupture uterus. On Per speculum examination under anaesthesia revealed protrusion of the omentum and intestine into the vagina, colporrhexis of the posterior vaginal wall was suspected which could not be repaired vaginally hence proceeded with laparotomy Opening the abdomen revealed injury of the small intestine also. Total abdominal hysterectomy with the repair of colporrhexis with small bowel resection and anastomosis with temporary ileostomy done. Colporrhexis - a dreadful complication, known to occur both in non-pregnant and pregnant state. It is subdivided into primary or secondary, spontaneous or traumatic, complete or incomplete. We encountered a case of vaginal delivery which had resulted in primary spontaneous complete posterior colporrhexis with small bowel injury
Screening for Diabetes Mellitus risk using Indian Diabetic risk score in an urban slum in Mysuru
Authors:   Professor and HOD, Department of Community Medicine, JSS Medical College, Mysuru, Narayanamurthy M R
Published: December 2020

Globalization of risk factors is the new trend leading to non-communicable diseases and Diabetes ranks fourth. Diabetes owes its major importance to the fact that it is a silent killer which leads to serious sequel reducing the quality of life. Early detection of diabetes by suitable screening methods helps to delay the micro and macrovascular complications, thereby reducing the clinical, social, and economic burden of the diseases. To assess diabetes risk using IDRS and other associated factors. A cross-sectional study was done in an urban slum in Mysuru with 136 participants aged >18 years and no history of diabetes. Data was collected using a pre-designed questionnaire after taking written informed consent. Diabetes risk was assessed using MDRF’s IDRS. Data was entered in MS Excel and analysed using IBM SPSS v24. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Mean age of the study participants was 45.24±15.59 years. BPL card holders were 99 (72.8%). As per IDRS 49 (36.0%), 41 (30.1%) and 46 (33.8%) had a low, moderate and high risk for diabetes mellitus. Age, marital status, education, having BPL card and IDRS score of study participants were statistically significantly associated. According to IDRS 49 (36.0%), 41 (30.1%) and 46 (33.8%) had a low, moderate and high risk for diabetes mellitus, which is moderate to high. Measures like yoga and creating awareness about risk factors need to be taken to reduce the risk. Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; IDRS; risk factor
A brief review on newer Glucagon like Peptide-1 analogues
Authors:   Department of Pharmacology, Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India, Dharmaraj B
Published: December 2020

GLP-1 (Glucagon like Peptide-1) receptor agonists have been shown to be effective in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Although the first GLP-1 receptor agonist, Exenatide, was approved in the year 2000, other agents with a longer duration of action that do not require twice-daily dosing are now being developed. Indeed, Liraglutide, a once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist, was approved in 2010, a once-weekly extended-release formulation of Exenatide (Exenatide ER) was approved in 2011 and now more recently Semaglutide, an oral GLP 1 receptor agonist was approved for medical use in the United States in September 2019 and in the European Union in April 2020. The importance of GLP-1 itself and the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists in T2DM are discussed. An overview of the clinical development of the GLP-1 receptor agonists (Exenatide ER, Liraglutide, Lixisenatide, Albiglutide, Taspoglutide and Semaglutide) is provided and their mechanism of action, efficacy in terms of glycaemic control, weight loss and tolerability are reviewed. Keywords: GLP1 receptor agonist; Liraglutide; Exenatide ER; Lixisenatide; Semaglutide
Congenital Cystic Hygroma — A case report
Authors:   Professor & Head, Department of Anaesthesia, Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India, Megha G H
Published: December 2020

Congenital cystic hygroma is a lymphatic lesion that can affect any anatomic subsite on the human body. But in most of the cases, the head and neck region are prone to cystic hygroma. Within the neck, the posterior triangle tends to be most frequently affected, but there is no significant demographic data. Keywords: Lymphatic; alfa-fetoprotein; vascular endothelial growth factor
Design and Implementation of Efficient 8-Bit SIPO Shift Register
Authors:   Department of Electronics Engineering, Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India., Kakde Sandeep , S Rajesh Thakare ,   Department of Electronics Engineering, Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India., Kamble Shailesh ,   Department of Computer Technology, Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India., Mandawkar Umakant ,   Department of Computer Engineering, Sandip University, Nashik, India., Mali Swapnil ,   Department of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering, College of Engineering, Pune, India.
Published: December 2020

Area and power are main design constraints in analog and digital circuits. In this paper, a low-power 8-bit shift register is implemented by using true phase single clock (TSPC) D- flip flop which is based on single clock and two clocked transistors. The proposed design successfully solves the long discharge path problem which is bound to occur in conventional type of D-Flip Flop. This paper describes 8 bit serial in parallel out (SIPO) shift register using True Single-Phase Clock(TSPC) technique which reduces an area in terms of transistor count by 85.29%.
The Voluntary Disclosure of Companies Listed on Palestine Exchange and Its Effect on Stock Price
Authors: Alareeni Bahaaeddin , Lulu Mohammed
Published: December 2020

This study aims to measure quality and quantity of the voluntary disclosures (VD) in the annual reports of 45 companies listed in Palestine exchange for the year 2014. It also examines the impact of the VD on the stock price. The inductive approach and content analysis were used to analyze the VD, through a proposed model (Checklist). In addition, the study used regression analysis to examine the impact of the VD level of companies on its stock price. The results showed that the VD level was varied from one industry to another, and even between companies within an industry. The banking sector was the most committed sector to the VD by 70%, and ?the less committed sector was the real estate sector by 36%. Overall, the VD level for sectors as a whole was 54%. Then, this indicates that the companies do not significantly disclose the VD, and need to strengthen and attention. It showed also that the VD level does not significantly effect on the stock price. The study recommended that it is necessary to increase the VD level due the large benefits for several related parties and the companies themselves.
The Role of Organizational Environment in Enhancing Managerial Empowerment in Al-Aqsa Network for Media and Art Production
Authors: Afana Alaa , EL Agha Adeeb
Published: December 2020

This study aims at identifying the role of organizational environment? ?in enhancing the ? managerial ?empowerment of employees at Al-Aqsa Network for Media and Art ?Production. To achieve the objectives of the present study, the researcher used the ?analytical descriptive approach, and a survey was used as the main tool for collecting ?the necessary data. The study sample consisted of (67) employees holding supervisory ?positions who were selected in a complete census method for all employees in ?supervisory positions at Al-Aqsa network for Media and Art production. 67 ?questionnaires were distributed, while the number of recovered questionnaires was ??(61) valid for the purposes of statistical analysis at a response rate of (91%). The ?results showed that there is a statistically significant role at the level of (??0.05) ?between the organizational environment in the following areas (organizational culture, ?organizational structure and organizational resources) and the enhancing the ?administrative empowerment. The organizational structure field was the strongest area ?in association with the organizational environment. In addition, the study concluded ?that the dimensions of organizational environment have a statistically positive and ?significant effect at the level of (??0.05) in enhancing the administrative ?empowerment. ?
Investigating Features of Multilingualism in Ayoade Okedokun’s Mopelola: The Tale of a Beauty Goddess: A Sociolinguistic Appraisal
Authors: Koutchadé Innocent Sourou
Published: December 2020

In most African writings, it is commonly noticed that culture and linguistic background affect the creation of literary idiolects. African writers use the English language in accordance with the situation in which they find themselves; they also make use of multilingual features, thus combining the English language with the linguistic resources they draw from their mother tongue. This paper aims to explore patterns of multilingualism in Mopelola: The Tale of a Beauty Goddess, a play produced by a Nigerian writer, Ayoade Okedokun. The paper mainly focuses on the linguistic and cultural influence of Yoruba that reflect the use of multilingualism features in the play. The analysis shows that there are various instances of borrowing, code-switching and transliteration representing the cultural interferences which are used to accommodate some elements of the writer’s native culture and language into the English language.
Caracterização do sistema familiar de pessoas com deficiência intelectual: Uma análise sociodemográfica
Authors: Medrado Cylene Siqueira , Scali Danyelle Freitas , Pereira-Silva Nara Liana , Rooke Mayse Itagiba , Crolman Sarah Rezende
Published: December 2020

Este artigo tem como objetivo caracterizar pessoas com deficiência intelectual (DI) e suas famílias, a partir de uma análise de dados sociodemográficos e das redes de apoio desse sistema. Foram participantes 71 famílias, cujos responsáveis responderam ao Questionário de Caracterização do Sistema Familiar. Os resultados indicam que a maioria das crianças e adolescentes com DI frequenta escola inclusiva, enquanto os adultos não estudam e não trabalham. Em geral, a mãe é a principal responsável pelas tarefas domésticas e as atividades de lazer são realizadas com todos os membros, havendo uma variedade delas de acordo com a fase de desenvolvimento da pessoa com DI. Entretanto, os adultos com DI são os que apresentam maior restrição de contatos sociais. As crianças com DI são as que mais frequentam serviços especializados em comparação aos adolescentes e aos adultos. Os dados indicam a necessidade de investigações futuras para que se possa implementar programas de intervenção baseados em evidências empíricas dirigidos às famílias.
Quo Vadis, Islamic Banking? Literature Study on Islamic Commercial Banks and Sharia Business Units in Indonesia
Authors: Djuitaningsih Tita
Published: December 2020

This paper aims to describe the condition of the financing portfolio in Islamic banking that is not following its characteristics, namely profit sharing; identify the cause and contribute to the solution of the problem. The dominance of murabahah financing is shown in proportion to the position on January 31, 2017, which reached 60% of total financing. The macro impact of the domination of murabahah transactions is that the monetary sector moves faster than the real sector which can ultimately lead to an economic crisis. Micro-impact, murabahah financing tends to encourage individual society to be consumptive because the purpose of this financing is more for consumptive matters, while profit-based financing will encourage individuals to be productive because profit-based financing is definitely intended to finance productive things. Broadly speaking, the problem needs to be addressed through two things. The first solution comes from the Government in the form of the availability of supporting institutions and regulations that are conducive to increasing the portfolio of profit-based financing. The second solution is sourced from Islamic banking itself in the form of an increase in the quantity and quality of Islamic human resources in the form of massive but highly selective recruitment and providing training to increase understanding of the concept of Islamic sharia and sharia banking practices in a professional manner.
Menopause Related Health Problems and Quality of Life of Menopausal Women from Urban Slums of Western Maharashtra: An Observational Study
Authors: Anandkumar Vahini , Kotnis Shubhalaxmi D
Published: December 2020

Introduction: During menopause, women may experience vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, as well as sexual dysfunction. Studies on menopausal issues and health demand priority in the Indian scenario due to the growing population of menopausal women as a result of their increased life expectancy.

Materials& Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a predesigned, structured questionnaire based on socio-demographic variables and menopausal symptoms as per the MEN-QOL questionnaire and administered by the investigator. Postmenopausal women coming to UHTC were selected purposively until the sample size was reached and interviewed. Data collected were coded and entered in an Excel sheet. Values were expressed in the form of frequency and percentages.

Results: The mean age at menopause was 48.8 years. Most frequent menopausal symptoms were aching in muscle and joints (72.9%), feeling tired (65%), poor memory (61.4%), lower backache (49%), and difficulty in sleeping (54.3%). The vasomotor and sexual domains complained when compared to physical and psychological domains.

Conclusion: The age at onset of menopause in an urban area of southwestern Maharashtra is 48.8 years which is four years more than the mean menopause age for Indian women. The most frequent menopausal symptoms were aching in muscle and joints, feeling tired and poor memory.
Clinical Spectrum of Pregnancy Related Dermatoses in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Western India
Authors: Agarwal Pooja , Chaudhari Sneha V , Jagati Ashish , Rathod Santoshdev P , Neazee Sabha Talib
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Pregnancy is characterized by altered endocrine, metabolic, and immunologic milieus resulting in multiple cutaneous changes, both physiologic and pathologic. This research was undertaken to study physiological changes of pregnancy and prevalence of various pregnancy specific and non-specific dermatoses. Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted at the dermatology out-patient department of a tertiary care center in western India and data of 308 pregnant patients presenting with dermatoses, in the age-group of 19-35 years was analyzed. Detailed history, clinical examination and necessary investigations were reviewed. Results: Among 308 patients, 302(98.05%) presented with physiological skin changes of pregnancy, 118(38.31%) had pregnancy specific and 185(60.06%) had pregnancy non-specific dermatoses. The most common physiological change was pigmentary changes (n=294). Atopic eruption of pregnancy (n=79) was the most common pregnancy specific dermatoses followed by polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (n=38). In non-specific dermatoses, infectious diseases were more common (fungal, n=128; viral, n=25). Conclusion: Pregnancy non-specific dermatoses were seen more commonly than pregnancy specific dermatoses. Lower socioeconomic strata and overcrowding may be the reasons behind large number of infectious dermatoses that we saw in our study.
Section 1  Design philosophy
Authors: Stanford P. R. , Cormack L. G. , Park R.
Published: December 2020

Seismic design of bridges
Section 2  Design earthquake loading and ductility demand
Authors: Berrill J. B. , Priestley M. J. N. , Chapman H. E.
Published: December 2020

Seismic design of bridges
Comparing the Views on Problem-Based Learning from Medical Education Students in Zhengzhou University in China and the University of Bristol in the UK
Authors: Liu Xiaoyin
Published: December 2020

Problem-based learning (PBL), as a student-centred learning method, refers to students actively participating in a group scenario to solve open-end problems. This study aims to compare the students’ attitudes on PBL in Zhengzhou University and the University of Bristol. This study adopts qualitative methods. By conducting semi-structured interviews with eight participants, four from Zhengzhou University and the others from the University of Bristol. Overall, the results of the study indicated that students from both two universities are overall satisfied with PBL because of its contribution to deeper understanding of medical knowledge and skill development and they all think that the quality of group discussion and the efficiency of PBL classes need to be improved. In terms of the different views from two universities, when it comes to the biggest benefit of PBL, students from Zhengzhou University are more likely to choose clinical thinking, while students from the University of Bristol are more satisfied with the deep understanding on medical knowledge. Unexpectedly, although Zhengzhou University has implemented PBL for fewer years than the University of Bristol, students are more satisfied with and motivated in PBL classes than those of the University of Bristol.
Investigation and Analysis of the Status Quo of Normal University Students’ Teaching Internship——Taking Taishan University as an Example
Authors: Liu Tingting
Published: December 2020

Teaching internship is an effective form of cooperation between university and primary and middle school. Teaching internship can promote the improvement of the teaching quality of internship primary and secondary schools, and also promote the integration of theoretical knowledge and practical experience by college students, and promote the professional development of college students. In order to grasp the situation pertaining to normal students’ teaching internship, we conducted a questionnaire survey on a sample of normal students. The survey results show that the teaching effect of teaching internship is satisfactory, and through teaching internship, the teaching ability of normal students has also been developed, which has promoted the professional development of normal students.
The Significance of Adult Educators’ Mentoring in the Application of Experiential and Participatory Teaching Techniques
Authors: Koutsoukos Marios , Kiriatzakou Konstantina , Fragoulis Iosif , Valkanos Efthymios
Published: December 2020

The main objective of this research is to investigate the significance of adult educators’ mentoring in the application of experiential and participatory teaching techniques. Bearing in mind that teaching techniques play a major role in adult education, emphasis is given on examining whether adult educators need mentoring for a more effective implementation of these techniques. More specifically, the study focuses on researching a sample of 337 educators’ opinions concerning the extent they need mentoring and in which particularly teaching techniques. According to participants in the research, mentoring process has a significant impact on the effective use of experiential and participatory teaching techniques. Thus, research findings indicate that mentoring can become a useful tool for enhancing their knowledge and skills helping them become “better educators”.
Educational Research Training in Teacher Training Programs: The Views of Future Teachers
Authors: Perines Haylen
Published: December 2020

The objectives of this study were to explore teacher student’s views on the research training they receive and know their suggestions for improving it. This was a qualitative study conducted on students in the teacher training programs of a Chilean public university who were distributed into nine focus groups. The findings showed that the students have a rather critical view about the training they receive, particularly due to the lack of continuity of research-related courses and their limited participation in research activities. Regarding how to improve their training, the students suggest providing one research-related course each year, having researchers as teachers, and giving greater visibility to the educational research produced within their university. The study concludes that it is important to promote participation in educational research and that university teacher educators and the entire university community must adopt a broad-ranging view on this subject.
Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery- A Systematic Review of Open and Endoscopic Approaches
Authors: Orhurhu Vwaire , Orman Sebastian , Peck Jacquelin , Urits Ivan , Orhurhu Mariam Salisu , Jones Mark R. , Manchikanti Laxmaiah , Kaye Alan D. , Odonkor Charles , Hirji Sameer , Cornett Elyse M. , Imani Farnad , Varrassi Giustino , Viswanath Omar
Published: December 2020

Context: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most frequent peripheral compression-induced neuropathy observed in patients worldwide. Surgery is necessary when conservative treatments fail and severe symptoms persist. Traditional Open carpal tunnel release (OCTR) with visualization of carpal tunnel is considered the gold standard for decompression. However, Endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR), a less invasive technique than OCTR is emerging as a standard of care in recent years. Evidence Acquisition: Criteria for this systematic review were derived from Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Two review authors searched PubMed, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Database in May 2018 using the following MeSH terms from 1993-2016: ‘carpal tunnel syndrome,’ ‘median nerve neuropathy,’ ‘endoscopic carpal tunnel release,’ ‘endoscopic surgery,’ ‘open carpal tunnel release,’ ‘open surgery,’ and ‘carpal tunnel surgery.’ Additional sources, including Google Scholar, were added. Also, based on bibliographies and consultation with experts, appropriate publications were identified. The primary outcome measure was pain relief. Results: For this analysis, 27 studies met inclusion criteria. Results indicate that ECTR produced superior post-operative pain outcomes during short-term follow-up. Of the studies meeting inclusion criteria for this analysis, 17 studies evaluated pain as a primary or secondary outcome, and 15 studies evaluated pain, pillar tenderness, or incision tenderness at short-term follow-up. Most studies employed a VAS for assessment, and the majority reported superior short-term pain outcomes following ECTR at intervals ranging from one hour up to 12 weeks. Several additional studies reported equivalent pain outcomes at short-term follow-up as early as one week. No study reported inferior short-term pain outcomes following ECTR. Conclusions: ECTR and OCTR produce satisfactory results in pain relief, symptom resolution, patient satisfaction, time to return to work, and adverse events. There is a growing body of evidence favoring the endoscopic technique for pain relief, functional outcomes, and satisfaction, at least in the early post-operative period, even if this difference disappears over time. Several studies have demonstrated a quicker return to work and activities of daily living with the endoscopic technique.
An Investigation of Natural Background Radiation and Health Risk Assessment in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Iran
Authors: Bagheri Mahmoud , Fouladi Mohammad Reza , Abedi-Firouzjah Razzagh
Published: December 2020

Background: The natural radiation, which comes from the environment, is one of the most important cancer risk sources. Objectives: This study aimed to measure the natural background radiations (BRs) and estimate the annual effective dose (AED), as well as the health risks in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Iran. Methods: background radiations for both indoors and outdoors were measured using a Geiger-Muller detector (X5C plus) in eight cities. Five points were chosen in each city for the BR measurements, and in each point, five stations were randomly selected and measured. Results: The average outdoor and indoor dose rates were obtained 136.9 ± 12.5 and 149.3 ± 19.8 nSv.h-1, respectively. The mean AEDs for adults, children, and infants were 0.17, 0.19, and 0.22 mSv.y-1 resulting from the outdoor exposure, in that order, and these values for indoor irradiation were 0.73, 0.84, and 0.94 mSv.y-1. The percentage of excess lifetime cancer risks due to indoor exposure was 4.6% for whole populations and 3% for adults. The heritable effects risk for these groups were 0.17 and 0.073%, respectively. Conclusions: The findings of the present study indicated that the average value of BR dose rates was higher than the global value. The reason can be due to the high exposure levels of hot springs, igneous rock, and high altitudes in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province.
Evaluation and Comparison of the Characteristics of a Capable Teacher in the Viewpoint of the Students and Professors of the Medical, Dentistry, and Pharmacy Schools of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Authors: Godiny Mostafa , Khavid Atefeh , Zamani Mousavi Seyed Mohammad Hosein
Published: December 2020

Background: The quality of education could be promoted by identifying the characteristics of efficient teachers. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the characteristics of a capable teacher in the viewpoint of students and teachers. Methods: This study was conducted on 234 participants selected from the Medical, Dentistry, and Pharmacy schools of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences in Kermanshah, Iran. Data were collected using a questionnaire with three sections, including the characteristics of the teachers in theoretical teaching, clinical teaching, and evaluation. Results: No significant differences were observed in teachers’ characteristics in theoretical and clinical teaching between the viewpoints of the students and teachers of the dental school, while teachers’ characteristics in theoretical and clinical teaching differed in the viewpoint of the participants of the pharmacy and medicine schools. Conclusions: According to the results, the students of the pharmacy school and the teachers of the dental school placed more emphasis on teachers’ characteristics in theoretical teaching than clinical teaching, and evaluation.
The Identification of Cytochrome B5 Reductase 2 and Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphatase 1 Proteins in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Proteomics Approach
Authors: Najafi Zahra , Mohamadnia Abdolreza , Ahmadi Rahim , Mahmoodi Minoo , Bahrami Naghmeh , Khosravi Adnan , Jamaati Hamid Reza , Tabarsi Payam , Kazempour Dizaji Mehdi , Mosavi Jarrahi Alireza
Published: December 2020

Background: Lung cancer is one of the major causes of death worldwide, with more than a million deaths a year. Despite advanced surgical techniques and combined therapies, lung cancer is still a disease with poor prognosis. According to available reports, the number of patients with lung cancer among Iranian men and women is increasing. In a study, 4,361 deaths from lung cancer have been recorded in Iran, which are 9.80% and 6.07% of all cancer deaths among men and women, respectively. Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the proteomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and comparing them with those of the healthy individuals to detect protein markers for the diagnosis of the disease in the early stages. Methods: According to the sample size estimation, the tissue samples of 30 patients with NSCLC were compared with 30 healthy tissues. Proteomics and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods were used. First, the tissue samples were collected under sterile conditions and then protein was extracted. Next, 2-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry were performed. Finally, with proteomic analysis in patients and healthy individuals, differences in the proteomic pattern of healthy and cancerous tissue were examined. Results: More than 40 differences were revealed in the proteomics pattern of the healthy and cancerous tissues, and 2 different spots were submitted for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/ MS). Then cytochrome b5 reductase 2 (CYB5R2) and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate1 were detected. It has been shown that these proteins down-regulated in cancer tissue compared to healthy tissue. It was also shown molecularly that the expression of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase 1 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and cytochrome b5 reductase 2 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in the cancerous tissue was 0.8 and 0.64 times less than their expression in healthy tissues, respectively. Conclusions: The result of this study, which deals with tumor markers of NSCLC, can be considered as a screening diagnostic test for diagnosis of the disease in the early stages. This research could provide the basis for further research to identify the critical effects of these 2 molecules cytochrome b5 reductase 2 and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate on tissue carcinogenesis. It is recommended to do more thorough research.
The Prevalence and Outcome of Disruptive Behaviors in Nurses and Physicians: A Descriptive Study in Iranian Health Care Context
Authors: Saghaei Mahmoud , Ahmadzadeh Gholamhossein , Haghighat Somayeh
Published: December 2020

Background: Disruptive behavior is any inappropriate behavior, verbal-physical abuse, and threats that a therapist performs unprofessionally that leads to a significant negative impact on clinical outcomes of patient care and staff collaboration. Objectives: This study was done to investigate the prevalence of disruptive behavior among nurses and physicians and its effects on the health care context. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 248 medical staff in teaching medical centers affiliated with the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences participated. Data were collected employing a questionnaire with convenience sampling and analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistics. Results: Data revealed that 85.5% of the participants had experience disruptive behaviors from nurses and physicians. Also, 74 participants stated that the highest prevalence of disruptive behaviors by nurses and physicians were observed weekly, and 87% believed that these behaviors negatively influenced the treatment process. The probability of emerging problems, dangerous events, medical errors, the impaired patients’ safety, and a decrease in treatment quality sometimes occurs, though it often leads to dissatisfaction of the physician, nurse, and patient. In addition, 71% of the participants stated that there is no behavioral statute, and 89.1% believed that even if such a statute exists, there is no executive support. Conclusions: Due to the negative effects of disruptive behaviors and the prevalence of such behaviors among physicians and nurses, it is recommended to have a statute and management system that guarantees its implementation and train all the staff.
Correlation Between Breast Tumor Size and Lymph Node Involvement in Patients Referring to the Pathology Department of Rasoul Akram Hospital in Iran
Authors: Mohammadhosseini Maryam , Majd Ahmad , Mirzaei Hamidreza , Farhadi Mona , Shayanfar Nasrin
Published: December 2020

Background: Breast cancer has the highest mortality rate, second to gastric cancer, among Iranian women and is one of the most common cancers in the world. The incidence of breast cancer in women is increasing gradually. Meanwhile, ductal breast carcinoma experiences more increases than other malignancies and is one of the most important health problems. Objectives: This study aimed at evaluating women with ductal breast carcinoma because of the significance of pathological factors and their association with breast cancer progression. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted using data of ductal breast carcinoma women during the years 2018 and 2019. In this cross-sectional study, demographic data (age, sex, and pathology of breast mass) of 50 patients referring to Rasoul Akram hospital (Tehran, Iran) were gathered. Then, the data were analyzed by SPSS 26 software using the t test and Levene's test. The results were presented using descriptive statistics. Results: Fifty patients with ductal carcinoma were assessed based on their pathological information. The examination of factors including tumor size, involvement/non-involvement of lymph nodes, histological grade, and age of patients revealed a significant direct relationship between tumor size and lymph node involvement (P
Emergency Keynesianism 2.0: The political economy of fiscal policy in Europe during the Corona Crisis
Authors: Ban Cornel
Published: December 2020

Fiscal policy is the sum of decisions on taxation and spending that one takes in an economy, particularly in times of crisis. As such, it is of existential importance in the life of a society. Known for its recent waves of spending cuts and tax increases (austerity) during recessions (Blyth, 2013), 2020 Europe has had a more expansionary fiscal policy than ever before. How do we make sense of this shift? To answer this question, let us draw on select insights from three political economy literatures on fiscal crisis management. The first is the literature on learning. For its proponents, changes in fiscal policy are powered by evidence-based, yet politically mediated cognitive updating in the corridors of power. Plainly put, policymakers are keen students of what changes in their environment. This literature has showed that a great deal of learning took place in the EU since 2010 in particular (Schmidt, 2020; Kahkhaji and Radaelli, 2017; Dunlop and Radaelli, 2019). Its main implication for fiscal policy under corona is that between 2010 and 2015 the EU leaders learned about the limits of austerity and the virtues of more spending and tax cuts in a recession. Consequently, one would expect that when a deep recession arrives again (and it did in the spring of 2020), they would not be tempted to do a rerun of the self-defeating policies of the 2010-2012 period. As Keynes put it, “when the facts change, I change my mind.”
Efter finanskrisen og den nuværende pandemi – tilbage til gamle keynesianske dyder?*
Authors: Olesen Finn
Published: December 2020

Mange heterodokse økonomer vejrede en del morgenluft, da de alvorlige økonomiske konsekvenser af den seneste internationale recession gik op for alle. Var det nu på tide at erstatte den moderne makroøkonomiske mainstream-tænkning med noget nyt? Burde der ikke være et større fokus på en mere traditionel keynesiansk politik forståelse? Og nu midt i COVID-9-pandemien, hvor alle lande har gennemført massive finanspolitiske tiltag, er det så ikke et yderligere tegn på keynesianisme? I nærværende artikel er fokus på netop den keynesianske tankegangs nuværende status.
Atypisk beskæftigede i atypiske tider: Regeringens coronahjælpepakker og deres effekter
Authors: Larsen Trine P. , Ilsøe Anna , Bach Emma Steffensen
Published: December 2020

Coronapandemien udløste en historisk økonomisk krise, der havde store konsekvenser for det danske arbejdsmarked. Historier om jobtab og hjælpepakker fyldte godt i medielandskabet, hvor mange af dem, der mistede beskæftigelsen, ofte var atypisk beskæftigede, dvs. personer uden fast fuldtidsjob. Regeringen søgte derfor at nå så bredt ud som muligt med hjælpepakkerne – også til de atypisk beskæftigede. Dette gav os forskere en unik mulighed for at følge og evaluere tiltag målrettet netop dem. Den første spæde kortlægning peger på, at nogle former for hjælpepakker har været bedre end andre til at rumme de atypisk beskæftigede.
Når virkeligheden rystes i sin grundvold – effekter af nedlukningen
Authors: Winthereik Brit Ross , Pape de Neergaard Katja , Munk Anders Kristian
Published: December 2020

Nærværende artikel bidrager med en præsentation af forskningsprojektet Deltagelsens Grammatik: Hverdagens Digitalisering under Coronakrisen, som havde til formål med kort varsel at indsamle kvalitative data om hverdagens digitalisering under Danmarks nedlukning fra april til midt juni 2020. Artiklen præsenterer projektets design, de anvendte metoder og dets begrebsmæssige ramme, der anskuer coronakrisen som en anledning til at undersøge ˮforstyrrelserˮ eller ˮrystelserˮ og efterfølgende ˮdigitale genordningerˮ af hverdagen under nedlukningen i Danmark. I artiklen peger vi på, hvordan digitalisering går hånd i hånd med analogisering. Vi argumenterer for, at i en situation, hvor mennesker er blevet rystet i deres grundvold og syn på verdens beskaffenhed, sker der både digital nytænkning og overvejelser om, at det digitale ikke skal blive for altomfattende. Resultatet af denne foreløbige analyse er følgende: Hverdagens digitalisering må anskues som en effekt af en begivenhed, som er radikal. Effekterne er mangesidige og overraskende. Hvis vi anskuer coronakrisen som anledning til en simpel optimering af aktiviteter og processer, som på en gang blev tvunget online, går vi glip af muligheden for en reel gentænkning af, hvad det digitale kan bidrage med, når hverdagslivet udfolder sig på tværs af analoge og digitale rum.
A Shot at a Healthy Future
Authors: Nielsen Stine Hauberg , Andersen Rikke Sand , Tørring Marie Louise
Published: December 2020

In this article, we present an extended case analysis of the unruly reception of the HPV vaccine in Denmark. More specifically, we explore what happens to visions of a healthy future when high levels of social trust in a public vaccination programme are suddenly infused with uncertainty and doubt. Capturing the Danish public in 2013-2015, national news and social media platforms shared dra-matic stories of young women confined to their beds following their HPV vaccinations. The Danish healthcare authorities reacted to this seemingly accelerating problem by setting up HPV clinics to care for the women. Simultaneously, HPV vaccination uptake plunged. Based on long-term ethno-graphic field research, we present the experiences of two main interlocutors, who both find them-selves in difficult situations and having to revise their visions of the future: Sophie, a young woman with suspected HPV vaccine side effects and Martin, a physician working in an HPV clinic. Overall, their accounts shed light on situations emerging during a challenging period in the 2010s in which the Danish healthcare system was adjusting to a new information and media landscape. We show that the promise of a healthy future – sustained by welfare and vaccine technologies – is indeed a communal venture that is vulnerable to suspension and even collapse. When sufferings (such as pain or fatigue) were publicly paired and un-paired with the vaccine, it generated and sustained pervasive uncertainties and painful feelings of being doubted by others – reflecting and highlighting inherent tensions of preventative medicine and the Danish welfare society, including the subtle acts of power and resistance that occur within it.
Tracing Uncertainties in New Prognostics of Consciousness
Authors: Andersen Lise Marie , Boelsbjerg Hanne Bess , Høybye Mette Terp
Published: December 2020

Uncertainty is a basic condition of medicine - in research, in the clinic and in the intersection between the two domains. Prognostics is in its very nature an attempt to address and manage the uncertainty of the future. New technologies are continuously developed in order to make prognostics more precise and hence make the future more predictable. However, such technologies may not always serve to decrease uncertainty, but rather enhance or introduce new uncertainties, and thereby open other futures than those imagined. Our study follows an interdisciplinary Danish research group currently seeking to advance methods of neuroimaging in prognostics for unresponsive patients with uncertain consciousness due to anoxic brain injury after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Applying an interdisciplinary approach combining ethnographic methods and philosophical analysis we trace the experience of uncertainty in this context of tool development at the intersection of scientific and clinical reasoning around disorders of consciousness. Specifically, we employ and develop the three-dimensional framework of uncertainty developed by Han, Klein and Arora (2011). We identify salient uncertainties from the perspective of the researchers and show how these lead to different uncertainties experienced by the clinicians. Additionally, we show that while ambiguity may be the source of different kinds of uncertainty, the context determines the nature of the source. Our investigation has a descriptive and theoretical focus, however, uncovering these details may serve as a basis for normative discussions of strategies for uncertainty management, as well as evidence evaluation in research and the clinic in the future.