bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The efficacy of minocycline hydrochloride ointment versus iodoform gauze for alveolar osteitis: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Sun Yu-qi , Sun Rui , Zhao Ji-hong
Published: October 2022

Background

Alveolar osteitis (AO) is one of the most commonly encountered complication following tooth extraction, however, to date there is no standard methods of prevention and treatment. The study aims to investigate the efficiency of minocycline hydrochloride ointment (MHO) for the treatment of alveolar osteitis compared with traditional treatment with iodoform gauze (IG).

Methods/design

STROBE checklist was followed to report this study. All patients underwent tooth extraction either in our department or other hospitals, whom presented with postoperative pain, were screened out to meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria of this study about AO. Patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled in our prospective cohort study, and MHO or IG was administered. The Visual analog scale scores were used to assess the pain score of patients. The healing status of the extraction sockets was followed up. Differences in responses between groups were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U tests. Chi-square test was performed to explore the differences in the teeth position of AO.

Results

Of 41,371 patients underwent tooth extraction with post-operative follow-up in our departments, only 20 patients (0.05%) suffered from AO. 31 patients with AO, whose teeth were extracted in other places, were also enrolled. The incidence of AO was significantly higher in third molars than other teeth (P < 0.01). In 28 patients that were treated with MHO, the pain was relieved substantially on day 3 and almost painless on day 7. And only 25% of cases required dressing change more than once. Whilst 23 patients treated with IG, the pain was relieved on day 5, and 56.5% of cases required multiple dressing change. The difference between the two groups of VAS scores had statistical significance during treatment at 8 h, 24 h, 3d, 5d, and 7d. No allergic reaction or further infection occurred.

Conclusion

MHO has a safer and higher therapeutic effect in the treatment of AO compared with traditional treatment with IG. MHO may become a preferred treatment modality for AO.
Natural language processing for identification of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients from cardiac magnetic resonance reports
Authors: Dewaswala Nakeya , Chen David , Bhopalwala Huzefa , Kaggal Vinod C. , Murphy Sean P. , Bos J. Martijn , Geske Jeffrey B. , Gersh Bernard J. , Ommen Steve R. , Araoz Philip A. , Ackerman Michael J. , Arruda-Olson Adelaide M.
Published: October 2022

Background

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is important for diagnosis and risk stratification of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients. However, collection of information from large numbers of CMR reports by manual review is time-consuming, error-prone and costly. Natural language processing (NLP) is an artificial intelligence method for automated extraction of information from narrative text including text in CMR reports in electronic health records (EHR). Our objective was to assess whether NLP can accurately extract diagnosis of HCM from CMR reports.

Methods

An NLP system with two tiers was developed for information extraction from narrative text in CMR reports; the first tier extracted information regarding HCM diagnosis while the second extracted categorical and numeric concepts for HCM classification. We randomly allocated 200 HCM patients with CMR reports from 2004 to 2018 into training (100 patients with 185 CMR reports) and testing sets (100 patients with 206 reports).

Results

NLP algorithms demonstrated very high performance compared to manual annotation. The algorithm to extract HCM diagnosis had accuracy of 0.99. The accuracy for categorical concepts included HCM morphologic subtype 0.99, systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve 0.96, mitral regurgitation 0.93, left ventricular (LV) obstruction 0.94, location of obstruction 0.92, apical pouch 0.98, LV delayed enhancement 0.93, left atrial enlargement 0.99 and right atrial enlargement 0.98. Accuracy for numeric concepts included maximal LV wall thickness 0.96, LV mass 0.99, LV mass index 0.98, LV ejection fraction 0.98 and right ventricular ejection fraction 0.99.

Conclusions

NLP identified and classified HCM from CMR narrative text reports with very high performance.
Oral arsenic and retinoic acid for high-risk acute promyelocytic leukemia
Authors: Ma Ya-Fang , Lu Ying , Wu Qian , Lou Yin-Jun , Yang Min , Xu Jie-Yu , Sun Cai-Hong , Mao Li-Ping , Xu Gai-Xiang , Li Li , Huang Jian , Wang Huai-Yu , Lou Li-Jiang , Meng Hai-Tao , Qian Jie-Jing , Yu Wen-Juan , Wei Ju-Ying , Li Zhen-Yu , Zhu Xue-Lu , Yan Xiao-Yan , Chen Su-Ning , Jin Jie , Zhu Hong-Hu
Published: October 2022

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has become curable over 95% patients under a complete chemo-free treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide in low-risk patients. Minimizing chemotherapy has proven feasible in high-risk patients. We evaluated oral arsenic and ATRA without chemotherapy as an outpatient consolidation therapy and no maintenance for high-risk APL. We conducted a multicenter, single-arm, phase 2 study with consolidation phases. The consolidation therapy included Realgar–Indigo naturalis formula (60 mg/kg daily in an oral divided dose) in a 4-week-on and 4-week-off regimen for 4 cycles and ATRA (25 mg/m2 daily in an oral divided dose) in a 2-week-on and 2-week-off regimen for 7 cycles. The primary end point was the disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary end points included measurable resident disease, overall survival (OS), and safety. A total of 54 participants were enrolled at seven centers from May 2019. The median age was 40 years. At the median follow-up of 13.8 months (through April 2022), estimated 2-year DFS and OS were 94% and 100% in an intention-to-treat analysis. All the patients achieved complete molecular remission at the end of consolidation phase. Two patients relapsed after consolidation with a cumulative incidence of relapse of 6.2%. The majority of adverse events were grade 1–2, and only three grade 3 adverse events were observed. Oral arsenic plus ATRA without chemotherapy was active as a first-line consolidation therapy for high-risk APL.

Trial registration: chictr.org.cn number, ChiCTR1900023309.
Personality pathology in adolescence: relationship quality with parents and peers as predictors of the level of personality functioning
Authors: Skabeikyte-Norkiene Gabriele , Sharp Carla , Kulesz Paulina Anna , Barkauskiene Rasa
Published: October 2022

Background

The dimensional approach to personality pathology opens up the possibility to investigate adolescence as a significant period for the development of personality pathology. Recent evidence suggests that symptoms of personality pathology may change during adolescence, but the negative consequences such as impaired social functioning persist later on in life. Thus, we think that problems in social functioning may further predict personality impairments. The current study aimed at investigating the role of relationship quality with parents and peers for the prediction of the level of personality functioning across adolescence. We hypothesized that 1) relationship quality with both parents and peers will significantly account for the level of personality functioning in adolescence and 2) the importance of relationship quality with peers for the relation to impairments in personality functioning will increase with age.

Methods

A community sample consisting of 855 adolescents aged 11–18 (M = 14.44, SD = 1.60; 62.5% female) from different regions in Lithuania participated in this study. Self-report questionnaires included the Levels of Personality Functioning Questionnaire to investigate personality impairments and the Network of Relationships Questionnaire to assess the quality of dyadic relationships.

Results

Discord in the parent, but not peer relationships, was related to a more severe level of personality functioning across adolescence. Lower levels of closeness with parents accounted for higher impairments in personality functioning. The importance of closeness with peers for the explanation of the level of personality functioning increased with age.

Conclusions

During the sensitive period for the development of a personality disorder, relationship quality with the closest adults and peers both remain important for the explanation of impairments in personality functioning.
160 Years of aggregate supply and demand in Switzerland
Authors: Stuart Rebecca
Published: October 2022

This paper studies the causes of movements in inflation and output in Switzerland over 160 years between 1855 and 2015. Aggregate supply and demand shocks are identified in a structural VAR, and their evolution and effect on prices and output are discussed. Shocks to the Swiss economy have generally, although not uniformly, declined in magnitude over the sample period. The World Wars, the deflation of the 1920s and the Great Depression represented much larger shocks than either of 1970s break-up of Bretton Woods and move to floating exchange rates or the Global Financial Crisis.
Migraine awareness, prevalence, triggers, and impact on university students: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Rustom Ayah , Audi Fatima , Al Samsam Hind , Nour Raja , Mursi Abeer Mohamed , Mahmoud Ibrahim
Published: October 2022

Background

Migraine is a public health concern, and university students have been found to be particularly susceptible to stress and other factors that trigger migraines. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, awareness, and impact of migraine on University of Sharjah students.

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. The diagnosis of migraine was made according to the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria and the impact on life was calculated through the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) score.

Results

The overall migraine prevalence was 26.35% with 25.3% of migraineurs were unaware of having migraine. The most common reported symptoms during a migraine headache attack were one side headache (82.7%) and pulsating headache (66%). Sleep deprivation (74.7%), stress (58%), and hunger or skipping meals (57.3%), were the most common triggering factors. Almost 60% of the migraineurs had a disability ranging from moderate to severe and hospital admission was needed by 30%.

Conclusions

The prevalence of migraine was high among university students, wherein some students might be unaware of having migraines. Migraine has a deleterious impact on students’ productivity and wellbeing. Well-designed interventions such as screening programs might be needed to help in proper diagnosis and management of migraine attacks as well as special educational programs to raise awareness about migraine.
Assessment of addiction management program and predictors of relapse among inpatients of the Psychiatric Institute at Ain Shams University Hospital
Authors: Nagy Nahla El Sayed , Ella Eman Ibrahim Abo , Shorab Eman Mohamed , Moneam Mohamed Hossam El-Din Abdel , Tohamy Arwa Ahmed
Published: October 2022

Background

Rehabilitation programs targeted to patients with substance use disorder (SUD) following successful detoxification constitute a global public health concern. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a combined pharmacotherapy/cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) model through assessing abstinence/relapse rate and quality of life (QOL) in a sample of patients with SUD. Indeed, we aimed to identify the relapse predictors.

Results

The relapse rate in the inpatient group was 45.33%, compared to 56% in the outpatient group. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients with educational levels less than secondary school, rural residency, being single or divorced, having cravings lasting for 6 weeks from detoxification, legal history, presence of borderline, antisocial and multiple personality disorder could predict relapse in patients with SUD. Moreover, there was a statistically significant difference between the legal, substance, and social domains of ASI (X2= 12.525, p=0.014; X2= 12.525, p=0.023; and X2= 6.335, p=0.042 respectively) and the majority of QOL domains and relapse.

Conclusions

Socio-demographic data, legal history, craving, and presence of co-morbid personality disorders along with, legal, substance, and social domains of ASI might be implicated in relapse, suggesting that addiction rehabilitation programs targeting these topics would reduce the risk of relapse.
Frequency of Hepatitis A virus as a cause of anicteric hepatitis in children under 5 years: a common yet under-recognized cause
Authors: Yassin Noha A. , El-Houchi Salma Z. , Abd El-Shafy Sarah F. , Soliman Noha S. , Elmonem Mohamed A. , El-Koofy Nehal
Published: October 2022

Background

Hepatitis A is the most common form of acute viral hepatitis in developing countries. In children < 6 years of age, most infections are asymptomatic, and if illness does occur, it is usually anicteric. This study aimed to determine the frequency of HAV in Egyptian children under 5 years presenting with gastroenteritis-like manifestations and to associate the frequency of HAV with social, demographic, and various risk factors.

Results

Among 450 children aged from 6 months to 5 years of both sexes, presenting with gastroenteritis-like manifestations and anicteric hepatitis, 200/450 children had elevated transaminases (ALT, AST) and were recruited in the study. A total number of 24 (12%) out of 200 children were found to have HAV IgM antibodies. Lower maternal and paternal education, poor sanitary and hygienic conditions, crowding, contaminated water, and lack of sanitary facilities were significantly higher in HAV-positive group (p-value < 0.05). ALT and AST were significantly higher in HAV IgM-positive group (p-value < 0.01).

Conclusion

HAV infection is common in Egyptian children with gastroenteritis-like manifestations and anicteric hepatitis. Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable disease.
Experience with Scientific Teaching in Face-to-Face Settings Promoted Usage of Evidence-Based Practices during Emergency Remote Teaching
Authors: Durham Mary , Colclasure Blake , Brooks Tessa Durham
Published: October 2022

Changes in the use of evidence-based teaching practices during the transition to emergency remote teaching in the Spring of 2020 were measured. Usage of all practices declined, and active learning was the most impacted. Follow-up interviews helped shed light on what drove specific changes. Recommendations based on these data are provided.
The effect of imaging modality on the evaluation of the outcome of endodontic surgery
Authors: Rosen Eyal , Salem Rahaf , Kavalerchik Eitan , Kahn Adrian , Tsesis Igor
Published: October 2022

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the imaging modality on the evaluation of the outcome of modern surgical endodontic treatments, based on a systematic review of the literature.

Methods:

Strict inclusion criteria were adopted in order to identify studies that assessed the outcome of surgical endodontic treatments. Treatment success rates were pooled. The effect of the imaging modality used for the outcome assessment, and the methodological quality of the studies (based on the risk of bias (ROB)), were evaluated.

Results:

Nineteen articles were included. The success rates assessed by periapical (PA) radiography were significantly higher than when cases were evaluated by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT; 90 and 35% respectively). This difference was mainly due to a significant proportion of cases that were assessed by CBCT as uncertain healing (48%) compared to only 4% using PA. The success rates ranged between 86 and 92% in low ROB studies, and between 19–100% in high ROB studies.

Conclusions:

Outcome assessment based on CBCT may lead to significantly lower estimates of rate of success, and higher rates of uncertain healing, thus presenting a dilemma in the decision-making following surgical endodontic treatment. The success rates of studies with lower methodological quality are more variable than for high quality studies.
Shell model foundations of the proxy-SU(3) symmetry: Nucleon pairs creating nuclear deformation
Authors: Bonatsos Dennis , Martinou Andriana , Assimakis Ioannis E. , Peroulis Spyridon K. , Sarantopoulou Smaragda , Minkov Nikolay
Published: October 2022

Abstract    Proxy-SU(3) symmetry is an approximation scheme extending the Elliott SU(3) algebra of the sd shell to heavier shells, in order to make possible the application of the symmetry properties in cutting down the size of the required calculations. When introduced in 2017, the approximation had been justified by calculations carried out within the Nilsson model, an elementary shell model based on a 3-dimensional harmonic oscillator with cylindrical symmetry, applicable to deformed nuclei. Recently our group managed to map the cartesian basis of the Elliott SU(3) model onto the spherical shell model basis, fully clarifying the approximations used within the proxy-SU(3) scheme and paving the way for using the proxy-SU(3) approximation in shell model calculations for heavy nuclei. As a by-product, the relation of the 0[110] Nilsson pairs used in proxy-SU(3) to the earlier used de Shalit-Goldhaber pairs and  Federman-Pittel pairs has been clarified. The connection between the proxy-SU(3) scheme and the spherical shell model has also been worked out in the original framework of the Nilsson model, with identical results.
A study of shape transition and bubbleness in Ne isotopes
Authors: Kumar Pankaj , Thakur Virender , Dhiman Shashi K.
Published: October 2022

We have studied shape transition and development of quadrupole deformation in even-even 18-36Ne isotopes by employing covariant density functional theory (CDFT) with density-dependent meson exchange (DD-ME2) and density-dependent point coupling (DD-PC1) parameter sets. A sudden shape transition is observed in the Ne isotopic chain and can be related to the evolution of shell structure of single-particle orbitals. The correlations between shape transition and discontinuity in the other physical observables are also examined. Our results for ground-state properties are in good agreement with the available experimental data and the result of various theoretical models. The present calculations infer the neutron drip line at 34Ne. In addition to shape transition, the bubble structure is also studied for magic nuclei in this chain.
Dose rate assessment of 137Cs to mussels and pelagic fish from the combined use of field measurements, satellite data and the ERICA Assessment Tool
Authors: Mavrokefalou Georgia , Sotiropoulou Maria
Published: October 2022

Cesium-137 (137Cs) is the most important indicator of radioactive pollution in the marine environment due to its half-life (Tph: 30.2 years), its high fission yield, its solubility (70% in ionic form) and its bioavailability (similar to potassium). Soluble radionuclides, like 137Cs, in the seawater are associated with physicogeochemical and biological parameters of the marine environment (e.g. temperature, water density, biota exchange processes, water mass translocation etc.). Considering this characteristic, we investigate the potential relation between 137Cs activity concentration and sea surface temperature (SST). The parameter of SST is selected, as the element of cesium in the seawater is conservative and its horizontal and vertical dispersion depends on the water mass translocation and water currents. Water mass translocation and water currents are processes that are both governed by the SST. SST also influences the uptake of 137Cs in some marine organisms as it makes it more bioavailable and affects the biological retention time and the elimination rate. The study area is the Gulf of Corinth (Greece). Cs-137 in the Gulf of Corinth originates from water runnoff from the land (Chernobyl fallout from 1986) and a small influence exists from the Ionian and Aegean Sea water currents. A total of 17 measurements spanning 2004-2005, of 137Cs activity concentrations were retrieved from the Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory (ERL) database of NCSR “D”. Furthermore, SST measurements issued from NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Databases of 137Cs activity concentrations and SST are used for regression analysis and definition of a linear model. The estimated 137Cs activity concentrations obtained by the model are then compared with the newest measured values obtained by seawater samples from September and November 2018 (a total of 8 seawater samples). Estimated concentrations present a relative difference of about 9% to the measured values. In order to conduct the risk assessment analysis in the studied area, the dose rates are calculated for marine organisms. The selected marine organisms are mussels and pelagic fish that are abundant in the area and have significant commercial value, with mussels also being an important bioindicator of marine pollution. The total dose rates in these organisms (resulting by both the internal and external exposure) vary from 3.30 × 101 to 5.40 × 101 μGy/year for the mussels and from 2.97 × 10-1 to 4.86 × 10-1 μGy/year for pelagic fish, which are much lower that the intervention levels, indicating low impact due to the 137Cs exposure.
The Giant Monopole and Dipole Resonances within the Constrained Molecular Dynamics (CoMD) Framework
Authors: Depastas Teo , Souliotis Georgios , Palli Konstantina , Bonasera Aldo , Zheng Hua
Published: October 2022

The Constrained Molecular Dynamics (CoMD) model is used to describe the collective motion of various nuclear systems. A CoMD-inspired phenomenology for the GDR is developed. In addition, the dependence of the GDR upon the effective interaction parameters is studied. Furthermore, both the monopole and dipole main and soft modes of 68Ni are reliably reproduced. We conclude that a hard EoS with K=308 MeV increases the GDR energy, without altering the GMR energy. Thus, this EoS gives rather consistent results in both the monopole and dipole giant resonances.
The s and d bosons into the Shell Model SU(3) wave functions
Authors: Martinou Andriana
Published: October 2022

The Shell Model SU(3) symmetry was discovered by Elliott in 1958 and since then has been the algebraic realization of the Nuclear Shell Model. It is considered to be a fermionic nuclear model, since it tackles with the occupancies of the orbitals by nucleons. Elliott proved that the SU(3) symmetry appears in the LS (spin-orbit) coupling scheme of the nucleons. On the other side the Interacting Boson Model was proposed by Arima and Iachello in 1975 and it is a boson model. The bosons in the Interacting Boson Model are being derived by nucleon pairs. But the mapping (Otsuka-Arima-Iachello mapping) of the nucleon pairs into bosons is functional only in the jj coupling scheme and so it is applicable only in the U(5) and O(6) limits of the Interacting Boson Model. But what is the origin of the s and d bosons in the SU(3) limit of the Interacting Boson Model? Hereby I demonstrate that the s and d bosons are present into the spatial Shell Model SU(3) wave functions and that they derive from pairs of harmonic oscillator quanta.
Nuclear Structure Investigations in Yb isotopes
Authors: Zyriliou Aikaterini , Mertzimekis Theo J. , Chalil Achment , Vasileiou Polytimos , Pelonis Stefanos , Efstathiou Margarita , Stan Lucian , Turturica Andrei , Costache Cristian , Mihai Radu , Borcea Ruxandra , Ujeniuc Sorin , Toma Sebastian , Clisu Cristina , Oprea Andreea , Ionescu Alina , Gheorghe Ioana , Boromiza Marian , Mihai Constantin , Sotty Christophe , Nita Christina , Marginean Nicolae , Marginean Raluca , Florea Nicoleta , Dinescu Irina , Bucurescu Dorel , Filipescu Dan , Lica Razvan , Stroe Lucian , Suvaila Rares
Published: October 2022

The medium-to-heavy mass ytterbium isotopes (70Yb) in the rare-earth mass region are known to be well-deformed nuclei, which can be populated to very high spin, and are predicted to exhibit interesting phenomena, such as shape coexistence. The lack of any experimental information on the structure of the neutron-rich 180Yb isotope and the lifetime of the 21+ state of 178Yb have greatly motivated this study, which can offer useful information for the collective behavior of neutrons and protons in neutron-rich Yb isotopes. A measurement was performed to investigate the population of excited states and a first measurement of the unknown 21+ lifetime of 178Yb by means of a two neutron-transfer reaction 176Yb(18O,16O)178Yb at energies 68-74 MeV using the ROSPHERE array at IFIN-HH, Romania.
Preparing Phase 4 of the n_TOF/CERN facility
Authors: Stamati Maria-Elisso , Patronis Nikolas , Bacak Michael , Amaducci Simone , Casanovas Hoste Adria , Garcia Infantes Francisco , Manna Alice , Mengoni Alberto , Pavon Rodriguez Jose Antonio , Praena Rodriguez Antonio Javier , Spelta Michele
Published: October 2022

After CERN’s Long Shutdown 2, the n_TOF facility infrastructure was largely upgraded. The biggest change is the installation of a new lead spallation target, the performance of which needs to be carefully examined. During Summer 2021, the facility’s two flight paths were characterised in terms of neutron beam energy distribution, profile and resolution. In this work, the characterisation of the facility is described and the first results are given.
NEAR at n_TOF/CERN: Preparing the first multi-foil activation measurement
Authors: Goula Styliani , Patronis Nikolas , Stamati Maria-Elisso , Chasapoglou Sotirios , Diakaki Maria , Colonna Nicola , Eleme Zinovia , Georgali Efstathia , Kokkoris Michael , Mengoni Alberto , Michalopoulou Veatriki , Peoviti Maria , Vlastou Rosa
Published: October 2022

The n_TOF facility at CERN is a neutron Time-Of-Flight facility based on a spallation neutron source. During the Second Long Shutdown (LS2) , a new experimental zone was designed and delivered. This new experimental area -the NEAR station - is located very close to the lead spallation target, at a distance of just ~3m. In this way, the high luminosity of the n_TOF neutron spallation source can be fully exploited. Towards the characterization of the new experimental area as well for the benchmarking of the performed simulations, the multi-foil activation measurement will be implemented. Eleven threshold and seven capture reference reactions will be utilized for the unfolding of the NEAR neutron beam energy spectrum that stretches from the meV to the GeV region.
Study of the Elastic Scattering in the d + 11B system for EBS purposes
Authors: Tsakiris Theofanis , Kokkoris Michael , Maragkos Fotis , Ziagkova Anastasia , Dimitrakopoulos Nikolaos , Krmpotić Matea , Cosic Donny , Provatas Georgios , Lagoyannis Anastasios
Published: October 2022

The implementation of boron in several fields, such as in the creation of p-type semiconductors in electronics, has created the need for the accurate quantitative determination of its depth profile concentrations in near surface layers of various matrices. In the framework of IBA techniques a combination of Elastic Backscattering Spectroscopy, along with Nuclear Reaction Analysis, has been proposed in order to address the current needs for boron depth profiling, focusing on the use of proton beams. Deuteron beams however offer superior mass resolution with similar stopping power values and simultaneous excitation of most light elements. Unfortunately, the lack of experimental datasets concerning the deuteron elastic scattering on boron impedes their use. Thus, in the present work, the first set of measurements for the 11B(d,d0) differential cross section covering the Ed,lab=1300-1860 keV energy range for the backscattering angles of 150ο, 160ο and 170ο were carried out. The study was conducted at the 5.5 MV Tandem Accelerator of the Institute of Nuclear and Particle Physics, in the National Center of Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece. The target was a thin, self-supporting aluminum foil, upon which a thin natB (isotopic ratio: 11B 80.1%, 10B 19.9%) layer was deposited using the sputtering technique at RBI, Zagreb, Croatia, followed by the evaporation of an ultra-thin layer of 197Au on top for normalization and wear protection purposes. The outgoing particles were detected using silicon surface barrier (S.S.B.) detectors and the differential cross sections for elastic scattering were determined from the resulting spectra via the relative technique
Bridging the knowledge gap on the distribution and typology of vermetid bioconstructions along the Maltese coastline: an updated assessment
Authors: FRANZITTA GIULIO , MARRONE ALEESIO , GAUCI ADAM , GALDIES JOHANN , MANGANO MARIA CRISTINA , SARA GIANLUCA , DEIDUN ALAN
Published: October 2022

In the Maltese Islands, insufficient attention has been paid to vermetid reefs, endemic Mediterranean bioconstructions widely distributed along the southern part of the basin. As a result, this is a largely-overlooked coastal ecosystem despite the multitude ofecosystem services it provides. The perennial urban development in the Maltese Islands calls for the adoption of urgent action to protect coastal habitats, in particular bioconstructions that increase biodiversity and contribute to mitigating the effects of climatechange. The objective of our study was to extensively document the presence and typology of the vermetid reef ecosystems alongthe coast of Malta and Gozo, assessing the occurrence of putative anthropogenic threats on the same ecosystem. Quantitative measurements were additionally taken to morphologically characterize the recorded bioconstructions. Furthermore, we tested thehuman pressure effect on the density of vermetid individuals and associated biodiversity. “True” trottoirs were only documentedalong the south-east coast of Malta, where unfortunately land reclamation projects are expected to be implemented. Although no direct relation between a number of assessed human activities and the density of vermetid individuals was reported in the current study, we suggest the conduction of further studies to investigate the influence of specific disturbances on the conservation status of this ecosystem. This study expands the existing knowledge on the status of vermetid reefs in the Maltese Islands and calls for management and conservation actions to preserve this bioconstruction.
The ability of Anopheles funestus and A. arabiensis to penetrate LLINs and its effect on their mortality
Authors: Meza Felician Clement , Muyaga Letus L , Limwagu Alex  Julius , Lwetoijera Dickson Wilson
Published: October 2022

Background: Variation in mosquito body size and the ability to penetrate long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) remains unknown. This study evaluated the ability of Anopheles funestus and A. arabiensis to penetrate commercially available treated and untreated bednets and how this behaviour affects mosquito mortality.

Methods: Three types of LLINs; DawaPlus 2.0, PermaNet 2.0, Olyset 2.0, and untreated (Safi Net) were tested inside a semi-field system. One hundred 3–5-day-old female A. funestus and A. arabiensis were released in a chamber with a sleeping adult volunteer under a treated or untreated bednet. Mosquitoes that penetrated inside the nets were collected every two hours using a mouth aspirator. Live mosquitoes were put in paper cups, fed on glucose ad libitum and their mortality rate was monitored for 48 h.

Results: The ability of A. funestus to penetrate treated and untreated bednets was significantly higher than for A. arabiensis for all three LLIN net types (P<0.001). For both species the penetration rate was higher for untreated bednets than treated ones except for the Olyset net. Of all mosquitoes that penetrated the net, regardless of the species, >90% successfully blood-fed on the sleeping volunteer. Compared to A. arabiensis, significant mortality was recorded for A. funestus that were caught inside Olyset nets within 48 hrs of monitoring (P<0.001).

Conclusions:

These findings demonstrate the ability of A. funestus and A. arabiensis mosquitoes to penetrate the human-occupied treated and untreated bednets. Despite this ability, mosquitoes that penetrated the bednet succumbed to death within two days.
Performance measurement and evaluation of the property in regional cities in Slovakia and the Czech Republic in the context of their local economic development: comparative study
Authors: Dvořák Marek , Vavrek Roman , Papcunová Viera , Mižičková Jarmila
Published: October 2022

Motivation: Property is an important part of the economic development of local governments. Not only from the point of view of its use for providing services to inhabitants, but also from the point of view of generating income for local budgets. However, the evaluation of its use is very complicated, since cities first of all use it for non-market purposes and only then for market purposes. There are very few studies devoted to the evaluation of property utilization at the level of local self-governments.
Aim: The financing of cities in Slovakia and Czechia is strongly linked to the state budget, and a large part of these financial resources are earmarked. One of the possibilities for obtaining additional financial resources, as well as increasing their competitiveness, is the efficient use of municipal property. The aim of this paper is to look at the competitiveness of regional cities by evaluating the use of property in Slovakia and Czechia, in the time series 2000–2019 and based on selected indicators.
Results: The results of the analysis showed significant differences between regional cities in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Prague is overcapitalized, whereas Bratislava is undercapitalized in selected indicators. At the same time, in the Czech Republic we observe the significant dominance of large cities, while the results of the others cities do not show significant differences. Property as its own economic resource is becoming an important part of the competitiveness of cities. Municipal property consists of things owned by the municipality, which are primarily immovable (land, buildings, individual components of the technical infrastructure), and it is this property that significantly affects the development of cities. The research method represents a new way to evaluate the efficiency of municipal property. Municipal property, which is made up primarily of long-term intangible property, represents an important element of the competitiveness of cities, because cities can use it as a tool to attract investors to the territory, thereby increasing the overall socio-economic development of the territory.
Statistical methods as a tool to identify bid-rigging: the case of local authorities
Authors: Ziarko Łukasz
Published: October 2022

Motivation: Disclosure of bid-rigging is not a trivial process. The main difficulty lies in the secrecy of such an agreement. Also, the signals of collusion can be ambiguous. It, therefore, appears that only a tiny percentage of such collusive agreements are disclosed. Of the disclosed conspiracies, a significant proportion was identified due to information from contracting authorities. We have a catalogue of indicators for collusion, and statistical methods are particularly effective. What is the role of statistical methods in revealing bid-rigging? What determines their use in practice? In order to answer these questions, a questionnaire study was carried out. The survey covered local government units — the dominating group of contracting authorities.

Aim: The research aimed to identify the factors characterising local government units that foster statistical methods as a standard bid evaluation tool.

Results: The survey results indicate that using a statistical method as standard practice in the process of bids evaluation is related to the level of staff’s professional expertise, the size of the procurement team and the size of the local authority. Concerning the risk of collusive bidding, respondents recognise it but believe that it does not significantly impact the achievement of procurement policy objectives. Despite a sense of responsibility for combating bid-rigging, respondents are reluctant to use statistical methods on a daily basis.
Latín lappa, árabe labb, español Lepe (Huelva): nota a Mela 3.5.
Authors: Correa Rodríguez José Antonio
Published: October 2022

Se propone por razones lingüísticas y geográficas corregir Mela 3.5 Onolappa en Ono Lappa. Este segundo topónimo se ha arabizado en Labb y, de aquí, se ha castellanizado en Lepe.
La enfermedad mental en las Homilías sobre el Evangelio de San Juan de Juan Crisóstomo.
Authors: y Espinós Jesús Ángel
Published: October 2022

En el presente artículo hemos estudiado la locura en la obra Homilías sobre el Evangelio de San Juan de Juan Crisóstomo. Nos hemos centrado en las críticas del autor en relación con el comportamiento del pueblo judío, de aquellos que se desvían de la fe y de cuantos sienten excesivo apego a los bienes materiales. En los tres casos, la enfermedad mental es la culpable de su proceder herético.
Los cartagineses como figuras negativas en el cine italiano: manipulación y construcción del enemigo africano-oriental.
Authors: Dávila Vargas-Machuca Miguel
Published: October 2022

El cine italiano ha creado numerosos estereotipos relacionados con la Antigüedad con influencia en otras filmografías e incluso en el imaginario colectivo mundial. La manipulación maniquea de la representación de Cartago y los cartagineses en las películas italianas les otorgaba unas características más orientales que africanas, incluyendo elementos anacrónicos árabes, musulmanes o judíos. Este texto sigue la creación y desarrollo de esta visión negativa de lo cartaginés en el cine italiano, atendiendo a la doble perspectiva del cine histórico sobre la Antigüedad, que no solo retrata el pasado, sino que también refleja de manera implícita el presente.
COMUNIDAD, SOCIEDAD RURAL Y CULTURA TRADICIONAL EN EL IMAGINARIO DEL PRIMER ESTUDIO DE ANTROPOLOGÍA SOBRE ANDALUCÍA.
Authors: Agudo Torrico Juan
Published: October 2022

En 1963-64 tuvo lugar el trabajo de campo dentro del proyecto Etnología de Andalucía Occidental, considerado pionero en los estudios antropológicos sobre Andalucía. Nunca se publicaron sus resultados, pero se ha conservado un extraordinario material (fotografías, fichas, Memoria) que se analiza en el presente trabajo, en relación con el marco teórico-metodológico en que se fundamentó.
VALORES ANCESTRAIS, ESCOLARIZAÇÃO E ETNOIDENTIDADE ENTRE OS GUARANI MBYA DO BRASIL.
Authors: Lobo de Arruda Campos Alzira , Gomes Ghizzi Godoy Marília , Farias Coleho Patrícia Margarida
Published: October 2022

Por meio de uma reflexão sobre a etnoidentidade Guarani Mbya procura-se contribuir para o entendimento da escola em uma sociedade em que os espaços são todos de aprendizagem, com o objetivo de verificar os processos de interculturalidade para os povos originários do Brasil. Os conceitos sobre os direitos indígenas à autonomia são postos em confronto com as políticas educacionais destinadas aos índios, tomando como continente empírico as escolas CECI, que abrigam em suas práticas os saberes tradicionais indígenas com a cultura inclusiva, visando à interculturalidade, tornada inevitável nas circunstâncias históricas da colonização europeia no Novo Mundo. Com base teórica em trabalhos que veem as CECI como lugares de produção, troca e consumo de bens simbólicos e culturais das comunidades Guarani, analisando a atuação de educadores indígenas, nas fronteiras interculturais e étnicas Vinicius Tupã Mirim Werá das aldeias guarani, procura-se avaliar o impacto da “educação cidadã” nos entre lugares das escolas/ aldeias indígenas do Município de São Paulo. Os resultados auferidos demonstram que os Guarani Mbya conseguem aclimatar a escolarização aos seus valores tradicionais e estão, na contemporaneidade, conquistando o poder de fala em suas relações com a sociedade não-indígena.
Data-Driven Ranking and Selection Under Input Uncertainty
Authors: Wu Di , Wang Yuhao , Zhou Enlu
Published: October 2022

In many applications, input data are collected frequently to update the simulation model of the system, whereas simulation is run to compare different designs/strategies to identify the best one with a high confidence. In “Data-Driven Ranking and Selection Under Input Uncertainty,” Wu, Wang, and Zhou consider such a simulation-based ranking and selection (R&S) problem, in which the input distribution is estimated and updated with input data arriving in batches over time. Unlike most existing works of R&S that conduct simulation under a fixed distribution, in this data-driven setting, simulation outputs are generated under different input distributions over time. A moving average estimator is introduced to aggregate simulation outputs generated under heterogenous distributions. Then, two sequential elimination procedures are devised by establishing exact and asymptotic confidence bands for the estimator. The efficiency of the procedures can be further boosted by incorporating the “indifference zone” idea and optimizing the “drop rate” parameter of the moving average estimator.
Temporomandibular disorders. Part 6: related irreversible restorative interventions
Authors: James Martin , Crawford Charles , Clarke Peter , Oluwajana Funmi , Foster-Thomas Emma , Satterthwaite Julian
Published: October 2022

Considering the complex biopsychosocial nature of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), irreversible interventions of any kind should be used with extreme caution. Frequently they are reserved for those patients who have not achieved adequate control with reversible measures and in whom a significant improvement is anticipated. Irreversible restorative interventions range from the simple adjustment of a single restoration or tooth up to an occlusal equilibration, and may use a subtractive, additive or combined approach. This article, the last in a series of six, reviews the available evidence in the use of irreversible restorative interventions in the management of TMD, demonstrates some of the commonly used techniques and provides some guidance for the general dental practitioner (GDP) considering this approach.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: The GDP needs to be aware of when to, and more importantly when not to, consider making irreversible changes to a patient's dentition with the aim of managing their TMD.
Why does patient mental health matter? Part 1: The scope of psychiatry within dentistry
Authors: Elliott Emma , Marshall Catherine
Published: October 2022

This is the first article in a series looking at psychiatric presentations in dentistry. This article explores the scope of psychiatry within dentistry including oral presentations associated with common mental disorders. A fictionalized case-based discussion is used as an example to illustrate the presentation of deliberate oral self-harm (DOSH) and how the dentist proceeds.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: This article relays the links between psychiatry and dentistry for the GDP and highlights the clinical impact of psychiatric conditions.
Management of patients on systemic steroids: An oral surgery perspective
Authors: Patel Vikash , Nathwani Shrina , Rahman Naomi
Published: October 2022

Corticosteroids are a common pharmacological treatment option used in a diverse range of clinical conditions. The diversity of guidance on their use has inevitably led to conflicting management plans between dental clinicians. For patients on long-term steroid cover, several guidelines highlight the importance of additional steroid prescribing during ‘stressful’ procedures. However, guidance on the definition of ‘stressful’ varies, as well as the recommended protocols. This article explores the existing evidence regarding steroid cover in patients taking long-term steroids, and proposes a protocol to help manage these patients in the dental environment.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: An understanding of the clinical implications of long-term steroid use in patients requiring dental treatment, as well as the appropriate management protocols is important.
Unpacking the Impacts of Westernisation on Bhutan’s Education Policies -A Call for the Infusion of Core Bhutanese Values in the Education Reform
Authors:   School of Public Policy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, Wangdi Phuntsho
Published: October 2022

ABSTRACT Bhutan’s developmental priorities have evolved to attune with the national needs and global environment. The education policies have also changed, as evident from several policy documents and guidelines. It is apparent that the education policies and practices are primarily influenced by Western thoughts and ideologies. This transpired from the country’s emerging engagements with the international actors and its resultant phenomenon of policy borrowing and emulations of best practices. While sharing educational philosophies and policies are pervasive, without careful attention to the critical ideas of contextualisation and appropriate recognition of local values, policy borrowing can be counterproductive to national aspirations. With the rapid socio-economic development in the country as it emerges as an active participant in global affairs, the Bhutanese youths are exposed to foreign influences and cultures. There is a potential risk of losing the country’s rich repository of value systems if the education policies are not adapted to re-emphasise on inculcation of core Bhutanese values in education systems. Given the education reform agenda espoused by His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the 5th King of Bhutan, this paper reviews the national education policy documents with specific reference to the Quarterly Education Policy Guidelines from 1988 to 2020, which is considered an equivalent of policy directives in the absence of an Education Act. The paper populates on an apparent loss of the local values to the burgeoning Western models for educational efficiencies. It renews an emphasis on the traditional values in the education reform policies for Bhutan. Keywords: Globalization, local values, national ideologies, education, reform
Assessment of Indoor Air Pollutants Exposure in Hair Salons of Lahore
Authors:   Department of Zoology University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan, Saleem Irfan , Ali Zulfiqar ,   Department of Zoology University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan, Hussain Ali ,   Department of Wildlife and Ecology University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pattoki, Pakistan
Published: October 2022

Abstract Hairdressing activities release indoor air pollutants which are hazardous for human health. The present study was, therefore, conducted to determine indoor air pollutants exposure in hair salons of Lahore. The study period was from August to September 2019. Four hair salons were selected for sampling the indoor air pollutants during working hours and before it. Total working employees, working area, clients per day and ventilation facilities were noted on a designed proforma. The parameters of indoor air pollutants included volatile organic compounds (VOCs), coarse particulate matter (PM10), ozone (O3), carbon dioxide (CO2), relative humidity (RH%) and temperature (°C). PM10 was monitored through DustTrak aerosol monitors (model 8520, TSI Inc.). Similarly, VOCs, O3, RH% and temperature were measured through a portable aeroqual series 500 after using relevant sensors. The sampling period for all pollutants were 8-hours. The concentration levels of VOCs, O3 and PM10 were higher during working hours as compared to the before. Only the level of in all selected hair salons was above the recommended exposure limits (> 0.20-0.50 ppm). The ventilation system was insufficient. Indoor air pollutants exposure level in hair salons was higher during working hours as compared to the before. However, all pollutants were within the prescribed exposure limits except VOCs. Uses of less hazardous chemical products, regular biological monitoring, and proper ventilation system along with large sample size of hair salons are recommended for further studies. Keywords: Particulate matter, Environmental pollutants, Volatile organic compounds, Ozone, Carbon dioxide