bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ECOTOURISM ROUTES OF ISPARTA AND THEIR INVESTIGATION WITH PESTE ANALYSIS
Authors: SARI GÖK Hatice
Published: September 2022

Ecotourism is a type of tourism whose main motivation is to protect the integrity of the ecosystem with a responsible tourism scientist and should be handled under the umbrella of sustainability. In ecotourism, natural areas are accepted as the home of all of us, with the principles of protecting nature and not destroying nature. In addition, ecotourism is envisaged as a tool for the protection of natural areas and sustainable development. Isparta province is a rich destination in terms of ecotourism activities with its unspoiled nature and rich ecology. Various studies have been carried out on ecotourism in the region and projects related to ecotourism are supported. In the study, firstly, the nature-based ecotourism routes in the destination were discussed, and a focus group interview was conducted to determine the economic, political, socio-cultural, technological and ecological dimensions of ecotourism in the destination with PESTE analysis, which is a strategic and external environment analysis. The opportunities and threats of ecotourism activities in the destination for the region were examined. It has been concluded that strategic ecotourism planning studies should be carried out and these plans should be maintained in a sustainable way in Isparta province, which is a destination rich in nature-based ecotourism routes. It has been concluded that the infrastructure facilities of ecotourism routes should be improved, technological developments should be benefited and environmental destruction on these routes should be prevented. It is thought that the study will contribute to the field of tourism and ecotourism activities and projects to be carried out in the region.
OECD VE AB ÜYESİ ÜLKELERİN İNOVASYON PERFORMANSLARININ MEREC-MARCOS BÜTÜNLEŞİK MODELİ İLE ÖLÇÜMÜ
Authors: ERSOY Nazlı
Published: September 2022

Bu çalışmada, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ve Avrupa Birliği (AB)’ye üye 34 ülkenin inovasyon performansının Çok Kriterli Karar Verme (ÇKKV) yöntemleri ile ölçülmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu doğrultuda, alternatif ve kriterlerin belirlenmesinde ülkeleri inovasyon kapasitelerine ve başarılarına göre sıralayan Küresel İnovasyon Endeksi (KİE) veri tabanı kullanılmıştır. MEthod based on the Removal Effects of Criteria (MEREC) tekniği, kriterlerin ağırlıklandırılması için kullanılırken, Measurement of Alternatives and Ranking according to COmpromise Solution (MARCOS) yöntemi ise alternatiflerin performansları doğrultusunda sıralanması için kullanılmıştır. Sonuçların hassasiyetini ve güvenilirliğini test etmek amacıyla iki aşamalı bir duyarlılık analizi gerçekleştirilmiştir. İlk aşamada farklı tekniklerle (Entropy, Eşit ağırlık) kriter ağırlıkları yeniden hesaplanmış ve analiz tekrarlanmıştır. İkinci aşamada ise MARCOS yöntemi ile elde edilen sonuçlar farklı ÇKKV yöntemleri (Proximity Indexed Value (PIV), Range of Value (ROV), Simple Additive Weighting (SAW), Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo)) ile karşılaştırılmıştır. Farklı kriter ağırlıkları ve farklı yöntemlerle elde edilen sıralamaların birebir aynı olmadığı, küçük sapmalar gösterdiği tespit edilmiştir.
Redistribution and the Monetary–Fiscal Policy Mix
Authors: Bhattarai Saroj , Lee Jae Won , Yang Choongryul
Published: September 2022

We show that the effectiveness of redistribution policy is tied to how much inflation it generates, and thereby, to monetary-fiscal adjustments that ultimately finance the transfers. In the monetary regime, taxes increase to finance transfers while in the fiscal regime, inflation rises, imposing inflation taxes on public debt holders. We show analytically that the fiscal regime generates larger and more persistent inflation than the monetary regime. In a two-sector model, we quantify the effects of the CARES Act in a COVID recession. We find that transfer multipliers are larger, and that moreover, redistribution is Pareto improving, under the fiscal regime.
Defining lightning-safe structures for all socio-economic communities
Authors: Gomes Chandima
Published: September 2022

Four levels of lightning-safe structures are defined based on the protection expected from various lightning injury mechanisms under thunderstorm conditions. This work, therefore, provides clarification for the long-standing issue of determining the most suitable recommendation for lightning safety in various socio-economic layers of society, especially in underprivileged communities. These globally uniform and consistent guidelines will help standard development committees, lightning safety seekers and donors of protection systems, state policy developers on disaster management, the insurance sector and industries that provide lightning protection, in determining the most appropriate lightning safety measures for a given target, based on the safety requirements, societal behaviour and affordability.  Significance: Lightning safety module developers could confidently adopt the definition of safe structures provided here in their guidelines. The ambiguity on both indigenous and commercial lightning safe structures (purpose made) is cleared. Standards could specify the essential features of a structure that can be considered lightning safe.
The future is a zero-carbon building sector: Perspectives from Durban, South Africa
Authors: Elias Naseema , Thambiran Tirusha
Published: September 2022

The built environment is a critical part of the climate change problem in cities, and urban buildings can act as a scaled response to mitigating anthropogenic climate change. Buildings last for well beyond a hundred years and thus have the potential to provide cities with a healthier and safer environment for urban dwellers well into the future. The role of the building sector toward reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is now better understood, and has resulted in various initiatives globally to move toward being a net-zero carbon sector. The objective of this study was to provide an assessment of the costs in achieving the emissions-reduction potential for each high-emitting sector in the eThekwini Municipality (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) through the determination of a marginal abatement cost curve (MACC). The MACC was developed for 2030, 2040, and 2050 across key sectors and aligned with the approach used by the eThekwini Municipality by employing the GHG Protocol’s BASIC level of reporting that excludes the Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land-use (AFLOU) and Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU) sectors. We found that the building sector offers the lowest cost to mitigate each tonne of GHGs when compared to other sectors in the eThekwini Municipality. Several interventions within the building sector further display positive payback periods throughout its life cycle. The MACC produced in this study is the first of its kind for any municipality in South Africa and will provide insights into the net cost of interventions that would mitigate a tonne of carbon emissions.
Significance:

The MACC produced in this study is the first of its kind for any municipality in South Africa. Developing a MACC adds to an important basket of factors that need to be considered when planning for future climates in cities and is of benefit in prioritising actions in addressing climate change. The MACC in this study demonstrates that energy efficiency interventions in the building sector offer substantial mitigation potential within the most feasible payback periods when compared to other sectors.
The MACC may be replicated by other municipalities, to support the prioritisation of actions needed to address climate change.
An open access geospatial database for the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands
Authors: Rudolph Elizabeth M. , Hedding David W. , De Bruyn P.J. Nico , Nel Werner
Published: September 2022

Researchers of projects at the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands are increasingly considering geospatial data as an essential component in answering scientific questions. A need exists for high-resolution geospatial data in both multi- and transdisciplinary research to better analyse fine-scale biotic–abiotic interactions of the Islands’ landscape and ecosystems within the context of climate change and the impacts of invasive species. However, much of the geospatial data that currently exist have limitations in spatial coverage and/or resolution, are outdated, or are not readily available. To address these issues, we present an online geospatial database for the Prince Edward Islands (both islands) produced from a high-resolution digital surface model and satellite imagery. This database contains vector files, raster data sets, and maps of topographical and hydrological parameters. It is freely available to download from Figshare – an open access data repository. We encourage the South African polar science community to make use of similar platforms for improved data sharing practices.
Significance:

A topographical and hydrological geospatial database – produced from a 1 m x 1 m digital surface model of the Prince Edward Islands – is provided.
These fine-scale geospatial data allow for a more comprehensive assessment of biotic–abiotic interactions at an island scale.
Also included are locality maps specifying place names and established long-term marine mammal monitoring beaches and coastal zones for improved cross-referencing.
The dataset is downloadable from an open access data repository and intended to promote open science and data sharing practices.

Open data set: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.19248626
Therapeutic Effect of Extended Uvulopalatal Flap Surgery in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Kang Jae-Yoon , Im Se Yeon , Sung Han Wool John , Choi Mi-Ra , Park Soo Kyoung , Kim Yong Min
Published: September 2022

Background and Objective Although numerous studies have reported surgical results of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, efficacies of extended uvulopalatal flap (EUPF) surgery have only been reported in a few studies. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the success rate of EUPF and investigate the advantage and practicality of this surgery.Methods Medical records of patients who underwent EUPF surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Through medical record analysis, demographic information was confirmed. Postoperative polysomnography (PSG) results were divided into a surgical ‘success’ group and a ‘failure’ group. Patients’ PSG results, questionnaires, and cephalometry were comparatively analyzed.Results All sleep parameters of PSG except rapid eye movement latency and hypopnea index were significantly improved after surgery. Ten patients were in the success group (success rate, 33.3%) and 20 patients were in the failure group. Among preoperative PSG parameters, apnea-hypopnea index, apnea index, and number of awakenings showed significant differences between the two groups. However, there were no significant differences in results of cephalometry or Friedman stage between the two groups.Conclusions The EUPF surgery can change sleep factors and improve subjective symptoms in obstructive sleep apnea patients. It could be considered as one of the treatment options for patients with surgical indications, although its success rate was only 33.3%.
The Incidence of Renal Cell Carcinoma Is Increased in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Park Hyoung Keun , Choi Woo Suk , Cho Jae Hoon
Published: September 2022

Background and Objective Many studies have indicated that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to the development of cancer. However, there have been few studies about the link between OSA and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This study investigated the relationship between OSA and RCC by analyzing the data from the Korea National Health Insurance Service.Methods 198574 patients (≥ 20 years of age) newly diagnosed with OSA from 2007 to 2014 were included and 992870 control groups were selected through propensity score matching according to sex and age. The average follow-up period was 4.6 years. The primary outcome was newly diagnosed RCC. The hazard ratio for RCC in patients with OSA was compared to that in the control group.Results The incidence of RCC was significantly higher among patients with OSA than among controls (hazard ratio, 1.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.41–1.93).Conclusions OSA may be a potential risk factor for RCC.
Operational and tactical requirements for the construction and operation of a tactical-level geoinformation system
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Pysarenko R.
Published: September 2022

The sharp increase, circulation, accumulation by organizations of large enough volumes of spatial data used in geographic information systems to solve problems of updating and creating maps, require systematization and proper use, the task of systematization, processing and visualization of geodata for geographic information systems tactical level. Using the capabilities of GIS in the processing of geodatabases to obtain the necessary information, in turn, increases the efficiency of decision-making. This article is devoted to the development of requirements for the construction and operation of a geographic information system of the tactical level. The functional structure of the GIS of the tactical level of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is determined by the list of basic functions that this system implements. In addition, functionally, depending on the scope and content of GIS tasks is divided into two levels: operational and tactical, tactical. In turn, at each of the defined levels of the system, the common main functions implemented by GIS are: data entry and updating; data storage and retrieval; data analysis; output and presentation of data and results. Based on this GIS tactical level of the Armed Forces of Ukraine functionally consists of four subsystems: data collection, input and updating; data storage and retrieval; data analysis; output and presentation of data and results. At present, the topographic service of the tactical unit is not able to fully provide the lower level headquarters with electronic maps and prepare a detailed analysis of the necessary properties of the area. The use of information technology in the tactical chain of command of troops and weapons is possible only after improving the technical and organizational components of the topographic service of the connection. A significant step towards increasing the efficiency of geospatial data use and simplifying access to them is the implementation of portal solutions at the level of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Category "military property" as an object of administrative and legal regulation
Authors:   The National Defence University of Ukraine named after Ivan Chernyakhovskyi, Kapinus О.
Published: September 2022

The article identifies categories and concepts as forms of human thinking and, in accordance with the laws of logic, analyzes how "property" and "military property" are related as legal categories. It is proved that the property, as a general rule, has the following qualifications: civil / economic nature, value determination and accounting in the form prescribed by law. With regard to military property, along with the above features, there are specific ones that indicate the administrative and legal nature of military property, especially given the relationship which is the subject of such property. These are: political conditionality; centralization of military property management; imperative regulation of military property; prevalence of coercive measures; special legal regime of military property. It is noted that the legislator in the concept of the legal regime of property includes the concept of property, the list of bodies that manage this property, the peculiarities of its status, the order of registration and write-off of military property, rules for its formation and alienation. Emphasis is placed on the fact that "legal category" – is a generic concept for a set of legal phenomena, facts, elements of content and forms which give each category characteristic legal features and separate it from other categories. It is concluded that such a legal category as military property is a generic cross-sectoral concept. It is determined that military property as a legal category is a state material good with certain economic, economic utility and inherent characteristics, which is temporarily or permanently transferred to military units, institutions and organizations to ensure the tasks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
ANALYSIS OF THE COLLISION EFFECT FOR ADJACENT STRUCTURES IN THE TIME-FREQUENCY DOMAIN
Authors: SAK Ömer Fatih , BEYEN Kemal
Published: September 2022

Many reinforced concrete structures are built side by side in our cities. There are very few applications of earthquake joints in adjacent apartment buildings, most of them were constructed completely adjacent. Adjoining buildings or any property should be protected from damage or collapse during construction, restoration and demolition work. In case of the static condition, protection must be supplied for foundations, walls and roofs. We have already observed many building collapses in Turkey with a great number of life lost. For the constructed buildings, there is a need to understand the structural system of an existing building to manage risk. In case of earthquakes like dynamic loading, earthquake joints are essential. The Turkish Building Earthquake Code (TBEC) 2018 requires calculations of vertical joints for some types of structures. Earthquake joints should be left in the gap calculated for structures of some height. It is thought that this gap will prevent the structures from colliding. However, it has been the subject of research how the performance of the building will change when it is produced adjacent or when floor offsets cause collisions at earthquake joints. In this study, structures of different heights were analyzed in the time domain for specific earthquake motions. Collision situations of more than two buildings are discussed by making a street model. Structural performances of discrete and adjacent structures obtained from nonlinear analysis were compared. The motion parameters obtained from the structures were analyzed in the time-frequency domain by wavelet and Hilbert transforms. To determine the effects of earthquake joints, condition assessment and damage detection studies were carried out and the sufficiency of seismic joints was discussed.
Religious Courts in Indonesia and Malaysia: History, Structure, and Jurisdiction
Authors: Azzahra Raihan , Shuaib Farid Sufian
Published: September 2022

As Muslim-majority countries, Religious Court plays an important role in resolving disputes among Muslims both in Indonesia and Malaysia. This doctrinal legal study employs comparative approach. Comparison is made between the Indonesian Religious Court and the Malaysian Religious Court, particularly in terms of history, structure, and jurisdiction. The result of this study shows that there are some commonalities and differences. Regarding the commonalities, Religious Courts from both countries have a long evolution in three various periods of history, both countries' Religious Courts are mostly organized into three levels, and they both share the same jurisdiction of the courts that only Muslims are subjected to their jurisdictions. For the differences, the history of Religious Courts in Indonesia and Malaysia were influenced by different colonials, all Religious Courts in Indonesia have an integrated and hierarchical structure, while in Malaysia, the structure is separated from one state to another, and the jurisdiction indicates that Indonesia has law uniformity, whereas Malaysia is not uniform in all states
Ranitidine use in pediatrics: current evidence-based review and recommendations
Authors: Pai Uday A. , Kesavelu Dhanasekhar , Shah Abhay K. , Manglik Arun K. , Wadhwa Arun , Acharya Bhaswati , Goyal Deepak , Bharadia Lalit , Verma Lalit , Franklyn Nithya , Shah Raju C. , H. R. Somashekara , Bhattacharyya Subhashish
Published: September 2022

Ranitidine plays a pivotal role in routine pediatric practice. The multi-dimensional use and safety of ranitidine are not supported by any practical guidelines, which led to recommendations convened by a group of experts based on evidence and the clinical experience of experts. A group of general pediatricians and pediatric gastroenterologists from India were part of this panel. This group of experts reviewed the literature on topics that were unanimously agreed upon, for which no recommendations were available. The Delphi method was implemented to reach unified decisions, which led to the development of evidence-based recommendations. Gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are common conditions seen in pediatric practice. Ranitidine has a rapid onset of action compared to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). It is a preferred drug for on-demand use for gastritis and managing stress-induced gastric lesions in critically ill pediatric patients. Ranitidine has an established role in the management of GERD, and it also prevents nocturnal acid reflux effectively. It helps in reducing gastric fluid volume when used as preoperative prophylaxis. Also, ranitidine has a better safety profile in comparison to PPIs. Recommendations on the use and safety of ranitidine in pediatrics were developed which will be a guiding tool for all practicing clinicians, highlighting the strength and benefits of ranitidine as a better and safe alternative to PPIs in short-term acid suppression for multiple indications.
A prospective study on the relevance of crush or squash cytology of central nervous system lesions, in the present-day surgery
Authors: Singh Roma , Saproo Nipun
Published: September 2022

Background: The intra-operative cytology in the evaluation of central nervous system (CNS) lesions is a simple and rapid technique, and a useful tool. There is not much literature available on the value of crush cytology during the operation. The current study was planned to assess the feasibility and efficacy of intra-operative squash cytology as standalone method in the rapid intra-operative diagnosis of intracranial tumor.Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out in the department of neurology in collaboration with department of pathology, Medanta: The Medicity, Gurugram, for a period of six months from January 2019 to June 2019, on randomly selected 60 patients, aged: 18 years and above. Two to three tissue bits, from different sites of the mass, were taken to prepare squash cytology smear.Results: Out of 60 patients operated, 54 had neoplastic and 6 had non-neoplastic lesions. Neoplastic benign lesions were observed in 41 patients and neoplastic malignant lesions were diagnosed in 13 patients. There was 17.67% offering a wrong diagnosis on crush cytology. Out of the 13 cases of meningioma, there was a discrepancy in 3 (three) cases.Conclusions: Crush cytology is a useful adjunct to the diagnosis in neurosurgical practice. This study suggests and confirms the reliability of squash cytology, but further multicentre studies with larger number of patients may help to decide its use in clinical practice.
An atypical presentation of scrub typhus
Authors: Shetty Vishranth N. , Rao Gurukanth , B. Jayaprakash
Published: September 2022

Scrub typhus is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, characterised by focal or disseminated vasculitis and perivasculitis which may involve the lungs, heart, liver, spleen and central nervous system. The clinical picture and severity of the symptoms varies widely. The neurological manifestations of scrub typhus are diverse. Meningoencephalitis is classical manifestation of scrub typhus but cerebellitis, cranial nerve palsies, plexopathy, transverse myelitis, neuroleptic malignant syndrome and Guillain-Barre syndrome are other manifestations reported in literature. The availability of literature on the neurological manifestations of scrub typhus is limited to case reports mainly. This article shows a case report of neurological manifestations of scrub typhus.
Congenital cholesteatoma: a review
Authors: Swain Santosh Kumar
Published: September 2022

Congenital cholesteatoma (CC) is a whitish mass lesion found in the middle ear cleft behind the intact tympanic membrane in early life. It is a relatively uncommon disease and shows its growth and extension over a period of time. CC is evidenced with no prior history of tympanic membrane perforation, otorrhea, previous otologic procedures, normal pars tensa, and pars flaccida. The etiopathogenesis of CC is still controversial; however, the epithelial cell rest theory is the most commonly accepted one. The most common sites of CC are the anterior-superior and posterior-superior quadrants of the tympanic cavity. The most common clinical presentation of CC is conductive hearing loss. Early detection and intervention are needed to avoid the complications of CC. The treatment of choice in CC is still surgical. The frequency of recurrence seems to be lower in patients with CC than in acquired cholesteatoma. Rapid progression of the CC may occur in older children and the recurrence has been associated with advanced progression of the cholesteatoma. There are very few reports for CC available in the medical literature This objective of this review article is to discuss the prevalence, etiopathology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment.
Hematoma of the parotid cavity revealing Eagles syndrome: a case report
Authors: Faty Aliou , Balde Djibril , Zounon Alexis Arnaud Wilfrid Comlan Do Santos , Loum Birame , Tall Hady , Diallo Bay Karim
Published: September 2022

Eagle's syndrome is characterized by elongation of the styloid process or calcification of the stylohyoid ligament, which irritates and disturbs adjacent anatomical structures. Its symptomatology is polymorphic. However, neurovascular manifestations may exceptionally be noted. We report a case of incidental discovery during an exploration for spontaneous retro-mandibular hematoma. The patient was 70 years old, Parkinsonian, with a history of untreated and chronic right retro-mandibular pain. He was admitted to the emergency room for a spontaneous retro-mandibular hematoma. A cervical CT confirmed the hematoma and revealed bilateral styloid process hypertrophy measuring 4.7 cm on the right and 4.3 cm on the left. Eagle's syndrome is a rare disease with many clinical manifestations ranging from discomfort to severe complications. In this case, it was a spontaneous hematoma whose probable cause could be related to the long styloid process. It is important to remain attentive in cases of chronic neck pain. Any diagnostic doubt should be resolved by CT measurement of the styloid process.

 
Philosophical problems of the Metaverse. How real is the Virtual World and how Virtual is the real one?
Authors: Segal Alexander
Published: September 2022

With this article, the authors propose to temporarily complete the cycle of texts devoted to metaverses and virtual reality – before "retiring to the study room" to systematize new data and new phenomena in this area, because in any study, the time naturally comes to test the hypothesis. This does not mean avoiding the study of the problem – on the contrary, it is about the development of research together with the qualitative development of the topic itself. And the fact that there is a qualitative change in the subject and process of research is evident from several signs that the authors have tried to reveal in this article.
Legal and psychological grounds for determining information as harmful to the health and development of children
Authors: Koneva Elena V. , Simonova Snezhana V.
Published: September 2022

The article is devoted to the study of the psychological and legal aspects of the content of the harm category as a criterion for evaluating information, the consumers of which are minors. Based on the analysis of Russian legislation in the field of children’ information security, we made a conclusion about the absence at the regulatory level of certain, but at the same time necessary and sufficient criteria for isolating information harmful to children. The paper contents proposals to introduce the labeling content of informational products in Russia, as well as to take into account the conditions of informational distribution as a factor used for age marking of informational products and defining content as creating risks for children’ informational safety. One of the promising directions in the development of legal regulation of relations in the field of protecting children from destructive information is proposed to be a risk-based approach to assessing the likelihood of harm to the child’s psyche by disseminating information. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the content of mentally harmful content for children. At the same time, the authors substantiate the expediency of using such a more accurate criterion for evaluating information as the criterion of "the negative impact of information on the child’s mental development". The paper points out that information products, ideally, should contribute to the formation of mental formations of the age of consumers, or at least not prevent this. On the example of the tasks of the children’ mental development in certain age periods, the paper illustrates the shortcomings of the current age-related categorization of information products and suggests options for its improvement.
Memories on Professor V. S. Filatov and my distribution to Yaroslavl State University
Authors: Zhuravlev Anatoly L.
Published: September 2022

The history of acquaintance of A.L. Zhuravlev, a fifth-year student of the Faculty of Psychology of the Leningrad State University, with the founders of the Faculty of Psychology of the Yaroslavl State University (the head of the department, professor V.S. Filatov and dean, associate professor V.V. Novikov) in the autumn of 1971 is described. The events that followed Zhuravlev’s consent to go to work at YarSU are given: a trip to Yaroslavl, the work of the commission for the distribution of graduates, preparations for teaching the course "Psychology of Personality". The details of the meeting of the Department of General Psychology of the YarSU, which became the last for professor Filatov, are considered. Zhuravlev shares in detail his impressions of interaction with the professor and a sincere person.
Las directrices de naciones unidas sobre protección al consumidor y lo establecido en el código de protección y defensa del consumidor del Perú
Authors: Tassano Velaochaga Hebert
Published: September 2022

Uno de los principios fundamentales de la llamada Constitución económica es el deber del Estado peruano de garantizar y defender los intereses de los consumidores y usuarios. Tutelar el derecho de acceso a información clara, veraz, sencilla y oportuna, sobre los bienes y/o servicios a su disposición en el mercado. Introducir en estos últimos años un cambio de visión en cuanto a los conceptos de consumidor y relaciones de consumo tradicionales. Por ello, hoy se abarcan ámbitos más amplios a través de la promoción de una actuación preventiva, proactiva, y coordinada con diversas instituciones del Estado, ciudadanos y los agentes económicos. Por ello, además, en 2010, se aprobó el Código de Protección y Defensa del Consumidor (CDPC), mediante la Ley 29571, que desarrolla los derechos de los consumidores y los deberes generales de los proveedores, los contratos de consumo, los métodos comerciales abusivos, la protección en productos o servicios específicos, las responsabilidades y sanciones a los agentes económicos que incumplen las disposiciones contenidas en este cuerpo normativo, la defensa colectiva de los consumidores y el Sistema Nacional Integrado de Protección del Consumidor. Asimismo, el Instituto Nacional de Defensa de la Competencia y de la Protección de la Propiedad Intelectual (Indecopi) es la autoridad nacional que, en aplicación del código, hace efectiva la protección y defensa de los consumidores, además de encargarse de las controversias entre consumidores y proveedores en temas consumo. Por otro lado, existen las directrices de las Naciones Unidas para la Protección del Consumidor, las cuales «son un conjunto valioso de principios que establecen las principales características que deben tener las leyes de Protección del Consumidor, las instituciones encargadas de aplicarlas y los sistemas de compensación para que sean eficaces». En este sentido, debemos comprender que el CDPC y el Indecopi sintonizan y desarrollan los criterios y estándares establecidos en las directrices, elaboradas con una alta exigencia. Por lo tanto, el CDPC y el Indecopi realizan una buena labor y el CDPC contiene un marco legal propicio para garantizar un equilibrio en las relaciones de consumo en el mercado.
The Relationship between the Empowerment of Women and Preferences Related to Fertility in Pakistan
Authors: Mubeen Sadaf , Shahid Muhammad Hassam , Hye Qazi Muhammad Adnan
Published: September 2022

This study examines the relationship between women's empowerment and reproductive choices among married Pakistani women aged 15 to 49. The study utilized the most recent Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017–2018 data. Four proxies were used to measure women's empowerment: spending on husbands' earnings, visits to family, major family purchases, and health care decisions. Health care choices and spending on the husband's salary are both greatly influenced by fertility. Binary logistic regression reveals a substantial and unfavorable link in connection with empowerment and the various education levels of children, males, and spouses. By focusing on this topic, this study can see beyond the constraints that currently exist in the relationship between women's empowerment and fertility preferences. The findings of this study suggest that female participation in the labor force is essential to preserving balanced reproduction and decision-making regarding the home.
Effect of Gallery Walk Learning Strategy on Clinical Performance of Audiology Students Compared to Traditional Learning Strategy
Authors: Taheri Fatemeh , Bayat Arash , Moradi Negin , Tavakoli Mojtaba , Delphi Maryam , Shomeil Shushtari Sahar , Amiri Marzieh
Published: September 2022

Background and Aim: Gallery walk is an active learning strategy in form of discussion that enables students to be more active in learning process. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of this strategy on the clinical performance of audiology students.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 fourth-year undergraduate students in audiology participated. They were assigned into two groups of traditional learning and gallery walk.  The educational content of both groups was similar and was related to the adult care clinical practicum. The assessments included Eustachian tube function test, site-of-lesion tests, and clinical masking. The clinical knowledge, and satisfaction level of students were compared before and after intervention.
Results: Before the intervention, the difference in clinical knowledge was not statistically significant between the two study groups (p>0.05). After the intervention, we observed a considerable improvement in knowledge scores in both groups, mostly in the gallery walk group. The mean scores of site-of-lesion tests, and total score of knowledge were also significantly higher in the gallery walk group (p<0.05). The satisfaction level of students was above the average level (mean score=3.9±0.74).
Conclusion: The gallery walk strategy has more positive effects on clinical practice of audiology students compared to traditional learning strategy.
Keywords: Gallery walk; clinical education; audiology; satisfaction
Success	Rate of Revision Myringoplasty Using Temporalis Fascia Graft
Authors: Alhiraki Ismail Abdulnasser
Published: September 2022

Background and Aim: To evaluate the success rate of revision myringoplasty using temporalis fascia graft and to assess the effect of potential influencing factors on closure of tympanic membrane (TM) and hearing outcome such as size and site of perforation, whether the patient is smoking or not and condition of contralateral ear.
Methods: Thirty patients were included in this prospective study, who underwent revision myringoplasty for chronic otitis media without cholesteatoma in the period between 2017- 2019 in the Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat-Head and Neck Surgery in Almowasat University Hospital. Data of all patients: perforation size and site, middle ear status, surgical approach, graft material, pre and postoperative morphological and functional results were assessed. The temporal fascia was used for the reconstruction of TM. The interrelation between multiple preoperative parameters and postoperative morphological (closure of the perforation) and functional (hearing level) outcomes were assessed.
Results: Successful closure rate of the TM perforation was 86.66% and failure rate was 13.34% in revision myringoplasty. The improvement of the air bone gap between 10-20 dB was 76.66% while the air bone gap between 20-30 dB was unchanged 23.33%.
Conclusion: Revision myringoplasty can offer reasonably good chances for postoperative graft healing and hearing improvement with a high success rate. This gives the patient a good benefit in protecting the ear from developing complications that may have poor structural changes in the middle ear (ossicular necrosis and tympanosclerosis) which in turn leads to hearing loss.
Keywords: Revision myringoplasty; temporalis fascia; tympanic membrane perforation
Updates on Optical Strategies of Myopia Control
Authors: Khorrami-Nejad Masoud , Gheibi Ali , Naghdi Taghi , Heirani Mohsen
Published: September 2022

Myopia has become a pandemic disease in the past few years and its sight-threatening consequences associated with high myopia have been a challenging issue for most public health societies. Controlling myopia progression has also become a global concern for many people particularly, parents of myopic children. Accordingly, a large body of work has been devoted to considering different optical and non-optical methods to prevent   or retard myopia progression. Different optical strategies such as sunder correction, monofocal spectacles or contact lenses, bifocal or progressive spectacle lenses, multifocal contact lenses, gas-permeable (GP) contact lenses, and orthokeratology (ortho-K) have been proposed to slow down the myopia progression. Although the effectiveness of these treatment strategies has been vastly studied, there are some debates concerning the most efficient method in controlling myopia progression. The present study reviewed the current optical therapies to control the progression of myopia. A literature review revealed that optical strategies, such as myopic under correction, monofocal spectacles or contact lenses, GP contact lenses, and bifocal and multifocal spectacle lenses did not provide a clinically significant reduction in myopia progression. In contrast, ortho-K and newly introduced multifocal soft contact lenses may significantly slow myopia progression.
Hip Adductor, Abductor Muscles Strength, and Performance in Participants with and without Low Back Pain
Authors: Jamalipour Soheyl , ShahAli Shabnam , Abdolhamidi Javad , Salehi Saman
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Weakness of hip muscles is common in individuals with chronic non- specific low back pain (CNSLBP). Also, hip joint performance can be influenced by the weakness of hip muscles. This study aimed to compare the strength and performance of hip adductor and abductor muscles between subjects with and without CNSLBP and to investigate their association with disability level.
Materials and Methods: This case-control study included 41 participants with CNSLBP and 41 healthy participants. The strength of hip abductor and adductor muscles were measured using a dynamometer and their performance was assessed using the one-leg hop test. The disability level in the CNSLBP group was assessed using the oswestry disability index (ODI). Data were analyzed using an independent sample t test and Pearson correlation coefficient.
Results: No significant differences were observed between groups for hip muscle strength. One-leg hop test scores of the left lower extremity in the lateral direction were significantly higher in the CNSLBP group compared to the control group. Also, no significant relationships were observed between the total score of ODI and hip muscle strength or performance in the CNSLBP group.
Conclusion: It’s recommended that evaluation and exercise therapy of participants with CNSLBP be performed during functional performance tasks.
Quantitative Changes in Gait Parameters after Cycling among Multiple Sclerosis Patients withAtaxia:APilot Study
Authors: Rahimibarghani Sarvenaz , Emami-Razavi Seyedeh Zahra , Moghadasi Abdorreza Naser , Azadvari Mohaddeseh , Shojaee Fard Mahya , Rahimi-Dehgolan Shahram
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Cerebellar ataxia is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly in progressive forms, where gait and balance problems are the most debilitating symptoms.  Exercise  training  is  a  critical  component  of  rehabilitation  in managing equilibrium dysfunction, and stationary  bicycling  is  a  safe,  feasible,  and effective method to reduce the symptom. Clinical walking performance tests are typically used to assess gait in these patients. However, gait analysis technologies are more sensitive and accurate at detecting subtle and subclinical changes. The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in gait parameters in MS patients with ataxic gait after using a stationary bicycle.
Materials and Methods: Ten  secondary progressive MS patients with ataxic gait and  a mean expanded disability status scale (EDSS) of four were recruited. The participants cycled on a stationary bike. Gait analysis was performed before and after 12 sessions of cycling. It included spatiotemporal and balance parameter measurements.
Results: Gait analysis showed statistically significant changes in spatiotemporal parameters, including speed (P=0.02, r=-0.51), and stride length (P=0.01, r=-0.63). Of balance-related indices, the mediolateral (ML) center of pressure (COP) displacement, anterior and posterior COP overshoot, and COP velocity changes were statistically remarkable after the intervention respectively. (P=0.01, r=-0.63), (P=0.02, r=-0.51), (P=0.03, r=-0.49), (P=0.01, r=-0.54).
Conclusion: Gait analysis is applicable to track changes following rehabilitation in individuals with MS. The results indicate that using a stationary bicycle can improve some spatiotemporal and COP-related parameters.
Evaluation of Frequency Pattern of Risk Factors for Decreased Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women Referred to the Bone Mineral Density Assessment Center of Al-Zahra Hospital in Isfahan during Years 2018 and 2019
Authors: Pakzad Bahram , Parsaei Golareh , Karimi Jalal
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease in which the internal structure and ability of bone to repair its daily damage is impaired. Menopause is a vital period that affects bone health, causing rapid loss of bone mass, which in turn increases the risk of fractures in postmenopausal women. The present study was performed to evaluate the frequency pattern of risk factors for decreased bone mineral density in postmenopausal women referred to the bone mineral density assessment center of Al-Zahra Hospital in Isfahan in years 2018 and 2020.
Methods: Among postmenopausal women referred to the Bone Density Assessment Center of Al-Zahra Hospital from March 2018 to March 2020, 384 people were included in the study using simple random sampling method. Patients’ information was extracted from their files. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 software.
Results: In this study, the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women was 46.1% and 41.1%, respectively. The results showed that with increasing age, diabetes, use of corticosteroids, autoimmune disease and a previous history of femoral fracture, the chance of osteopenia and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women increased sharply. Among the known risk factors for decreased bone density, diabetes was the most common in postmenopausal women and followed by corticosteroids consumption.
Conclusion: This study showed that 87.2% of postmenopausal women had decreased bone mineral density. Osteoporosis as one of the main problems of women's health requires proper planning and preventive measures.
Changes in Color of Urine in the Patients on Concoctive (Munzij) Therapy - An Observational Study
Authors: Subhan Nabila , Nadeem Khan Tariq , Nayab Mohd
Published: September 2022

There are various causes of diseases but retention of morbid matter (mawad-e-fasida) in the body is one of the main causes and these morbid matters must be evacuated from the body to regain health. Concoction (nuḍj) and evacuation (tanqiya) are the two prime methods that ancient physicians described and recommended for the treatment of such diseases. Concoction is a process of moderation and modification in the viscosity of morbid matter to make them suitable for evacuation conveniently from their sites of lodgement. Several indices of concoction can be seen in the pulse, urine, and stool, which help to find out level and stages of concoction. Drugs, which appropriately alter the consistency of morbid matter to render them easily eliminable from the body, are known as concoctive (Munzijat). A total of 125 eligible participants, after getting their written informed consent, were enrolled in the study and 50 participants completed the study. They were advised to take a decoction of phlegmatic concoctive drugs once in the morning before breakfast for 15 days. Three urine samples of each patient were collected: before starting the concoctive therapy, at 5th day and 12th day. The changes in the color intensity of urine were observed by photoelectric colorimeter at a wavelength of 580 nm (yellow filter). The patients were advised to refrain from such diets and drugs which tend to change the color of urine during the entire study period. Statistical analysis was restricted to those patients who completed the study. The Mean ± SD of optical density at 0 day was 0.0872 ± 0.0284; while it was 0.0782 ± 0.0275 at 5th day which was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The Mean ± SD of optical density on 12th day was 0.0484 ± 0.0196 which was found statistically significant (p < 0.01) in comparison to baseline values. Concoction is a continuous process of medicatrix naturae (tabiyat) which is facilitated by humour specified concoctive drugs. The statistically significant change in urine color indicates the effect of concoctive drugs on body humours.
Turkish Adaptation of the Mental Health Literacy Scale for Healthcare Students: A Study of Validity and Reliability
Authors: PALANBEK YAVAŞ Seher , BAYSAN Caner , ÖNAL Ayşe Emel , AYVAZ Özkan
Published: September 2022

Objective: This study has aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Mental Health Literacy in Healthcare Students (MHLS-HS).
Method: The study sample comprises 275 students at Istanbul Medical Faculty between the ages of 18 and 27. Data were collected using the MHLS-HS, the Beliefs about Mental Illness Scale (BMI), and the Positive Mental Health Scale (PMS). For language adaptation, translation, back translation, expert comments, and a trial application were conducted. Validity was determined using the content validity index and confirmatory factor analysis, while reliability was determined using Cronbach's alpha analysis and the test-retest method.
Results: The content validity index of the scale was found to be 0.99 and the item loads were found to be 0.38-0.94 according to confirmatory factor analysis. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was found to be 0.79 for the whole scale and between 0.60-0.89 for the five sub-dimensions. In equivalent criterion validity, it was determined that BMI had a weak negative correlation (r=-0.391, p