bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Motivation of University Students Volunteer to Participate in Sportive Activities of Mentally Handicapped Individuals
Authors: Esentürk Oğuz Kaan , Güngör Nuri Berk
Published: June 2020

The general aim of the study is to determine the motivation of volunteers to participate in the sportive activities of mentally handicapped individuals (Study 1) and to reveal the details that can ensure the continuity of these volunteering activities (Study 2). In Study I, a survey model including the qualitative paradigm was used. Study I was carried out with 138 volunteers who participated in the Special Olympics Turkey event for mentally handicapped individuals in Gazi University. In the study I, an open-ended data collection tool with one question was used to determine the reasons for volunteers to participate in the sportive activities of mentally handicapped individuals. In the study I was used thematic analysis. In study I, It was determined that 121 (Female: 76, Male: 45) volunteers were in the internal motivation sub-dimension, 15 (Female: 4, Male: 11) volunteers were in the external motivation sub-dimension and 2 participants were in the non-motivation sub-dimension. In Study II, it was aimed to examine the expressions of volunteers involved in external motivation and non-motivation dimensions for these dimensions in depth. In Study II, a qualitative research approach was used. Study II was carried out with 17 volunteers involved in the dimensions of External Motivation (n: 15) and Non-motivation among volunteers. In Study II, semi-structured interview form was used as data collection tool. Study II shows the categories and frequencies achieved during interviews with individuals, whose voluntary participation motivations are external motivation and non-motivation. In interviews with volunteers in the external motivation sub-dimension, the following categories were obtained: “Occupational anxiety”, “Increasing the Sincerity with Teachers”, “Gaining Social Status/Becoming Popular” and “Rewarding Voluntary Participation”.
Effects of a Devaluation on Trade Balance in Uganda: An ARDL Cointegration Approach
Authors: Kamugisha Godwin , Assoua Joe Eyong
Published: June 2020

Obtaining a trade surplus, an increase in exports over imports, is a major economic indicator and one that developing economies strive to obtain. The devaluation of a country’s currency is expected to be one way to obtain the trade surplus, by making imports expensive and exports cheap in the domestic country. This paper investigates the effects of a devaluation on the trade balance in Uganda in both the short run and long run. We consider two major approaches to trade balance improvement: the absorption approach and the elasticity approach. We employed an autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL) approach to predict the long-term and short-term outcomes of a possible devaluation of Uganda’s currency using gross domestic product as a proxy to income, real exchange rates and trade balances, which are the ratio of exports to imports. Our results suggest that incomes significantly affect trade balances in the long run and short run, while real exchange rates were found to only affect trade balances in the short run.
Optimal Hedging Strategies for Natural Gas
Authors: Zhou Changfeng , Cai Huan
Published: June 2020

This study examines the optimal hedge performance between natural gas market and crude oil, ECO, gold and US-bonds markets. To calculate optimal hedge ratios and hedging effectiveness, we apply several multivariate volatility models, namely CCC, DCC, cDCC and bayesDCC. The empirical results show that crude oil is the best asset to hedge natural gas followed by gold and ECO. This is a new result relative to the existing literature on natural gas prices. Additionally, we find that the bayesDCC model has the best performance on optimal hedge ratios (OHRs) calculation in terms of hedging effectiveness. Our findings will hold important financial risk management implications and asset portfolio for those invest in natural gas market.
Turkish Insurance Companies’ Risk Management Strategies and Structures: A Survey Study
Authors: Ozyuksel Suna , Gezgin Murat
Published: June 2020

Insurance industry is one of the cornerstones of both the financial system and the economy as it undertakes global risks and minimizes losses. The compensation of major losses by insurance companies means rapid recovery and resumption for investors. The insurance sector is very important for the development of the country's economy as it contributes premium volume and its support to investors as for compensation of the losses. However, the insurance sector faces a great deal of risks. Therefore, it is of importance for insurance companies to have a robust risk management system to constitute a basis for the growth of economy. Risk management enables insurance companies to identify measuring and analyzing risks, safeguard their assets, minimize potential risks and take them under control. The aim of this study is the evaluation of the risks assumed by insurance companies in Turkey and their risk management perspectives to struggle such major risks through a survey. This survey makes an evaluation about how insurance companies’ risk management departments are structured, risks that insurance companies foresee, their strategies to deal with such risks. Among the important findings of the survey; Top 10 risks for insurance companies are: “interest rate and foreign exchange rate fluctuation, political risks, economic slowdown, economic crisis, regulations, cyber-attacks, incompliance with the applicable legislation, increasing competition, digitalization/insurtech, business continuity interruption” and the second finding is Turkish insurance industry’s risk management set-up has a robust structure even though it has a small share in global insurance market and Turkish financial sector.
Efficacy of Different Types of Written Corrective Feedback on EFL University Students’ Writing Quality
Authors: Alharbi Sultan H.
Published: June 2020

The present study sought to examine the relative efficacy of three different types of written corrective feedback, as well as feedback compared with no feedback, in the context of responses to student writing quality. This study involved 60 students from the Department of English Language and Translation in the College of Languages and Translation at King Saud University. The students were divided into three groups of 20 students each. There were two experimental groups (Group A and Group B) and one control group (Group C). Groups A and B received direct and indirect written corrective feedback, respectively, while Group C received minimal written corrective feedback. The subjects were evaluated through pre- and post-tests. The study also aimed to explore the attitudes of the subjects about the different forms of written corrective feedback and attempted to find whether there was any relationship between the subjects’ attitudes and the actual effects of the types of written corrective feedback on their writing. Results showed that among the three types of feedback, direct written corrective feedback was the most effective in improving students’ writing quality, and that this form of feedback was the most preferred by the subjects. The pedagogical implications were discussed, limitations of the study were presented, and suggestions for further research projects were proposed.
Relative Embodiment of Japanese Verbs
Authors: Mochizuki Masaya , Ota Naoto
Published: June 2020

Studies examining visual word recognition have revealed that sensorimotor information is associated with the meaning of and influences the processing of words. In this study, we collected ratings of relative embodiment, which reflects how much physical movement is involved in a word meaning, for 219 Japanese transitive verbs. We then investigated how the ratings affect visual word recognition, using three different tasks: a word-naming task, a lexical decision task, and a syntactic classification task. We found that reaction times were faster and correct rates were higher (in the lexical decision task) for words with higher relative embodiment ratings than for those with lower ratings. These findings indicate that relative embodiment affects processing of Japanese verbs as well as of English verbs.
An Experimental Study of Monthly Electricity Demand (In)elasticity
Authors: Byrne David P. , Nauze Andrea La , Martin Leslie A.
Published: June 2020

We document substantial rigidity in household electricity demand in response to large price shocks. We partnered with an electricity retailer to run a field experiment in which randomly-selected households received discounts of up to 50% on their total electricity bill or up to 95% off their per unit cost of electricity for a full month. We show that the quantity of electricity consumed was unaffected by these discounts. Exploiting rich billing, smart meter, and survey data, we document responses that are much more inelastic than previously observed in scenarios that raise prices for a few hours or raise or lower prices for indefinitely-long periods of time. Our results hold even among subgroups that we ex-ante believed were most likely to respond.
De verdachte is dood, leve het strafproces?
Authors: Moerman E.M. (Eelco) , Bemelmans J.H.B. (Joeri)
Published: June 2020

De verdachte is dood, leve het strafproces?

In deze bijdrage staan de auteurs stil bij de straf(proces)rechtelijke gevolgen van de dood van de verdachte of veroordeelde en de ratio van die gevolgen. Onderzocht wordt welke uitzonderingen er bestaan op het uitgangspunt dat de rechten tot strafvervolging en strafexecutie vervallen door de dood van de verdachte of veroordeelde en of het uitgangspunt en de uitzonderingen daarop een coherent systeem vormen. Voorgesteld wordt om enkele bijzondere sanctiemodaliteiten te schrappen en om een commune maatregel te introduceren waarmee kan worden voorkomen dat in beslag genomen goederen die van misdrijf afkomstig blijken, aan de erfgenamen van de overledene ten deel vallen.
PRO-ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITIES OF RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN THE SCOPE OF REDUCING ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION
Authors: Siedlecka Agnieszka
Published: June 2020

The aim of the article is to provide examples of activities undertaken by rural households in the pursuit of reducing electricity use. Households are one of the economic entities of the economic system that significantly use electricity to meet the needs of their members. Expenses incurred for the purchase of energy constitute one of the significant elements in the structure of total expenses. Households, by limiting the consumption of electricity, firstly, reduce expenses, and secondly, undertake pro-environmental activities. The article uses the results of surveys carried out in a group of 404 households located in rural areas of Poland. In addition, the analysis of primary data was expanded to include data from the Household Budget Survey carried out by the Central Statistical Office. The conducted research has shown that the most common activities aimed at reducing energy consumption were turning off the light in unused rooms as well as the use of energy-saving light bulbs and home appliances. Activities were mainly influenced by the level of ecological awareness, level of education and age.
WITOLD DOBROWOLSKI (1939–2019)
Authors: Żelazowski Jerzy
Published: June 2020

The recollections of Prof. W. Dobrowolski focus
mainly on his activity at the National Museum in Warsaw
(1960–2011) and his scholarly accomplishments. The
creator of modern Etruscology in Poland in the 1960s, he
contributed greatly to promoting knowledge of Etruscan
civilization among Polish society. He won his international
fame with the documentation of Etruscan tombs and their
painterly decoration in the modern period. Furthermore,
W. Dobrowolski was an unquestioned expert in Greek
pottery, particularly from the Vilnius and Gołuchów
collections kept at the National Museum in Warsaw, and was
capable of applying his deepened iconographic analyses to
museum displays. His passion being Greek art as a universal
and topical model for artistic and esthetical values, he was
greatly committed to promoting ancient art in Poland as an
organizer of several dozen exhibitions at local museums,
author of numerous encyclopaedic entries and chapters in
art history textbooks. Moreover, he authored and curated
some big and important exhibitions at the National
Museum in Warsaw, where he also had a significant impact
on the permanent Ancient Art Gallery which existed until
2011. Dobrowolski’s studies in Polish collecting of ancient
historical pieces in the 18th and 19th centuries paved him the
way to important analyses of the presence of the Antiquity
in European and Polish culture that were the academic focus
in the last period of his life.
Strategies for Managing Critical Success Factors of BPM Initiatives in Brazilian Public Organizations: A Qualitative Empirical Study
Authors: Santos Hígor Ricardo Monteiro , Valença George Augusto , Alves Carina Frota
Published: June 2020

Business Process Management involves theoretical and operational elements from areas such as Production Engineering, Management and Informatics. In previous studies, we identified critical success factors of BPM initiatives in Brazilian Public Organizations through two multiple case studies. In this work, we intend to investigate how to manage these factors. To achieve this goal, we conducted two focus groups. Five professionals group with experience (specialists) in BPM initiatives in the public sector attended the first focus. The second was performed in a public organization that is conducting a three-year old BPM initiative. It was evidenced that many strategies suggested by specialists are being applied by the public organization investigated in the second focus group. In addition, other strategies were cited to manage the FCS. The main contribution of this study is to investigate from a practical perspective the critical success factors for BPM initiatives in public organizations.
SIGDENGUE: Um Sistema de Informação para o Acompanhamento e Gestão de Ações sobre Dengue com Enfoque às Atividades de Notificação, Raio e Bloqueio
Authors: Rizzi Claudia Brandelero , Brun André Luiz , Galante Guilherme , Rizzi Rogério Luis
Published: June 2020

A dengue é uma doença infecciosa causada por diferentes sorotipos de vírus cujo vetor principal no Brasil é o mosquito Aedes aegypti. Em decorrência da inexistência de vacina eficaz contra ela, ações são realizadas objetivando o controle do vetor. No Brasil, o Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN), o Levantamento Rápido do Índice de Infestação por Aedes aegypti (LIRAa) e o Sistema do Programa Nacional de Controle da Dengue (SISPNCD) são os Sistemas
de Informações mais utilizados para armazenamento de dados relativos à doença. Estes, no entanto, não estão integrados e geralmente são subutilizados para fins de gestão. É neste contexto que se insere o Sistema de Informação para Aquisição, Manipulação e Tratamento de Dados sobre a
Dengue (SIGDENGUE). Suas principais funcionalidades são apresentadas bem como um experimento realizado em
que se acompanhou as ações realizadas pelo Controle de Endemias do município de Cascavel/PR, desde a notificação do caso suspeito até o término das ações necessárias e decorrentes, utilizando-se o Sistema. Concluiu-se, dentre outros aspectos, que o SIGDENGUE foi efetivo no que diz respeito ao planejamento estratégico das ações realizadas bem como na agilização do trabalho de campo, fator decisivo na prevenção do espalhamento da doença.
A Method Based on Naming Similarity to Identify Reuse Opportunities
Authors: Oliveira Johnatan , Fernandes Eduardo , Souza Maurício , Figueiredo Eduardo
Published: June 2020

Software reuse is a development strategy in which existing software components are used to implement new software systems. There are many advantages of applying software reuse, such as minimization of development efforts and improvement of software quality. Few methods have been proposed in the literature for recommendation of reuse opportunities. In this paper, we propose a method for identification and recommendation of reuse opportunities based on the similarity of the names of classes. Our method, called JReuse, computes a similarity function to identify similarly named classes from a set of software systems from a specific domain. The identified classes compose a repository with reuse opportunities. We also present a prototype tool to support the proposed method. We applied our method, through the tool, to 72 software systems mined from GitHub, in 4 different domains: accounting, restaurant, hospital, and e-commerce. In total, these systems have 1,567,337 lines of code, 57,017 methods, and 12,598 classes. As a result, we observe that JReuse is able to identify the main classes that are frequent in each selected domain.
Comércio Eletrônico: Comportamento do Consumidor na Internet
Authors: Raitz Daniela , Aguiar Jairo Leonardi de , Godarth Kellerman Augusto Lemes
Published: June 2020

Este estudo teve como principal objetivo identificar as variáveis que influenciam no processo de decisão de compra no comércio eletrônico, feito a partir da identificação das características demográficas, hábitos de utilização, benefícios e barreiras e riscos do uso do comércio eletrônico. Quanto à forma de abordagem, a pesquisa caracterizou-se como de cunho quantitativo, com a aplicação de questionário estruturado junto a uma amostra de 78 alunos de pós-graduação vinculados ao Centro de Ciências Sociais Aplicadas da Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná – Campus de Francisco Beltrão. Quanto às características da amostra, o estudo identificou uma predominância de jovens adultos, do gênero feminino e com renda elevada, os quais possuem hábitos diários de utilização da Internet, há mais de cinco anos. Em relação às variáveis que influenciam o processo de compra, na categoria benefícios percebidos, destaca-se a comodidade e a possibilidade de comparar preços e produtos online. Já em relação às barreiras quanto ao uso do comércio eletrônico, as mais importantes foram a falta de contato pessoal e a pouca informação sobre o produto. Finalmente, em relação aos riscos do comércio online, as variáveis apontadas foram a possibilidade de clonagem das informações pessoais na Internet e o arrependimento posterior à realização da compra online.
Uma Análise sobre a Produção de Conhecimento Científico nas Pesquisas Publicadas nos Primeiros 10 anos da iSys (2008-2017)
Authors: Araujo Renata , Fornazin Marcelo , Pimentel Mariano
Published: June 2020

Um dos desafios da comunidade científica brasileira de Sistemas de Informação (SI) ligada à Computação tem sido endereçar a pesquisa em SI, que vai além da construção de tecnologias computacionais. O avanço da produção do conhecimento científico em SI passa pelo domínio e aplicação de teorias, multiplicidade de paradigmas e métodos de pesquisa que ainda são pouco explorados. Realizamos uma análise das pesquisas publicadas na iSys, ao longo dos primeiros 10 anos, com o intuito de refletir sobre possíveis caminhos teóricos, epistemológicos e metodológicos para as pesquisas de SI. A análise se baseou em tipologias empregadas pela literatura internacional, compreendendo quatro eixos de análise: i) concepção do artefato TI, ii) paradigma de pesquisa, iii) teorização, e iv) métodos de pesquisa. Como principais conclusões desta análise, observamos por parte da comunidade de pesquisa em SI na iSys, a produção de conhecimento científico com forte ênfase positivista e experimental. A análise aponta para caminhos e oportunidades para robustecer a produção de conhecimento nacional que incluem a abertura a paradigmas epistemológicos que compreendam a complexidade e a multiplicidade do mundo real e a formulação de um campo teórico consistente para a área.
Um Modelo de Gerenciamento de Riscos para Projetos de Software com Equipes Distribuídas
Authors: Filippetto Alexsandro Souza , Lima Robson , Barbosa Jorge
Published: June 2020

Nos últimos anos observa-se um avanço em direção à globalização dos negócios refletindo-se na área de sistemas de informação. O desenvolvimento distribuído de software (DDS) surge como uma alternativa que proporciona presença global às empresas, aproximando suas equipes dessa nova realidade. O DDS se beneficia por comportar equipes localizadas em diferentes locais geográficos, mas pode também contribuir para maior ocorrência de riscos em projetos, devido à maior complexidade de coordenação e comunicação entre os seus integrantes. O gerenciamento adequado dos riscos, através da análise dos históricos dos projetos desenvolvidos, reduz o risco quanto a desvios do planejamento em relação a tempo, custo e qualidade do projeto. Entendendo os benefícios da prática correta da disciplina de gestão de riscos, este artigo propõe um modelo, intitulado Átropos, para auxiliar as equipes a identificar e acompanhar riscos em diferentes momentos do ciclo de vida dos projetos. A avaliação do trabalho foi conduzida através de um estudo de caso em uma equipe distribuída de software, com o uso de uma base de dados histórica de projetos, com 463 projetos desenvolvidos durante os anos de 2017 e 2018.
Aplicabilidade do Global Media Transmission Protocol (GMTP)
Authors: Soares Wendell , Costa Mário André , Leite Joilnen , De Sales Leandro , Freitas André
Published: June 2020

Os sistemas para transmiss˜ao de mídias ao vivo na Internet atuais dependem de vários middlewares, pois eles precisam de servic¸os de rede específicos. Isso favorece o aumento do consumo de recursos de rede e dificulta a implementação de sistemas de streaming ao vivo que possam cooperar entre si. O Global Media Transmission Protocol (GMTP) aborda este problema, propondo um protocolo de distribuição de mídias ao vivo pela Internet. No GMTP, utilizam-se algoritmos P2P a nível de socket, a fim de construir uma rede de favores constituída entre roteadores. A rede de favores é gerenciada pelos servidores de streaming, que orquestram parcerias entre roteadores com base na capacidade de cada canal de transmiss˜ao. Neste trabalho apresentam-se um estudo da aplicabilidade do GMTP através da implementação do protocolo em um sistema operacional e uma avaliação da implantação e desempenho do GMTP.
GEODYNAMIC PROCESSES DURING ASCENT OF A PLUME WITH INTERMEDIATE THERMAL POWER THROUGH THE CONTINENTAL LITHOSPHERE AND DURING ITS ERUPTION ON THE SURFACE
Authors: Kirdyashkin A. G. , Kirdyashkin A. A. , Distanov V. E. , Gladkov I. N.
Published: June 2020

The study is focused on thermochemical mantle plumes with intermediate thermal power (1.15 < Ka < 1.9). Previously we have shown that these plumes are diamondiferous. Based on the laboratory modeling data, the flow structure of a melt in a plume conduit is represented. A plume melts out and ascends from the core – mantle boundary to the bottom of the continental lithosphere. The plume roof moves upwards in the lithosphere because of melting of the lithospheric matter at the plume roof and due to the effect of superlithostatic pressure on the roof, which causes motion in the lithosphere block above the plume roof. The latter manifests itself by uplifting of the ground surface above the plume. As the plume ascends through the lithosphere, the elevation of the surface increases until the plume ascends to critical level xкр, where an eruption conduit is formed. In our model, plume ascent velocity uпл is the rate of melting at the plume roof. Values of uпл and the ascent velocity of a spherical plume roof due to superlithostatic pressure U are calculated. Relationships are found between these velocities and the plume roof depth. The dependence of the velocity of the surface’s rise on the dynamic viscosity of the lithosphere block above the plume is obtained. A relationship is determined between the maximum surface elevation and the lithosphere viscosity. The elevation values are determined for different times and different lithosphere viscosities.

The results of laboratory modeling of flow structure at the plume conduit/eruption conduit interface are presented. The flow was photographed (1) in the plane passing through the axes of the plume conduit and the eruption conduit; and (2) in case of the line-focus beam perpendicular to the axial plane. The photographs were used for measuring the flow velocities in the plume conduit and the eruption conduit. Corresponding Reynolds numbers and flow regimes are determined. The relation of dynamic pressure in the eruption conduit to that in the plume conduit is found for intermediate-power plumes. The melt flow velocity in the eruption conduit depends on superlithostatic pressure on the plume roof, plume diameter and kinematic viscosity of the melt. Its values are determined for different kinematic viscosities of melt.
Feasibility of Nasogastric Tube Insertion in Conscious Patients: Conventional Method vs. SORT Method
Authors: Afsharjoo Hamed , Mahmoodpoor Ata , Shahsavarinia Kavous , Rahmani Farzad
Published: June 2020

Background: Nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion is one of the most common procedures in the Emergency Department (EDs). Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the ease of NGT installation using the conventional method and the SORT method. Methods: We conducted a randomized clinical trial in a university hospital on 200 patients who required NGT insertion during Mar-Sep, 2019. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of 100 patients each, receiving the SORT and conventional methods. Finally, the feasibility of NGT insertion was examined in the two groups using the frequency of NGT insertion attempts, pain during insertion (based on the VAS score of 1 - 10), patient satisfaction with the procedure (rating of 1 - 10), and incidence of complications. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, body mass index, sex, and history of NGT use. However, the mean patient satisfaction score was higher (P < 0.05), whereas the mean pain score was lower (P < 0.05) in the group receiving the conventional method compared to the other group. Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference in complications (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The study showed that using the conventional method in comparison with the SORT method was significantly better for NGT insertion in conscious patients in terms of patient satisfaction and pain relief. Therefore, it is recommended not to use the SORT method in conscious patients.
Nitroglycerin Plus Morphine on Iv Patient Controlled Analgesia for Abdominal Surgery: The Effect on Postoperative Pain
Authors: Karbasy Seyyed Hasan , Sekhavati Azadeh , Sabertanha Amir , Shakhsemampour BibiFatemeh
Published: June 2020

Background: Some studies have reported the effect of nitroglycerin on the reduction of pain after surgery. Objectives: The primary goal of the current study was to evaluate the addition of nitroglycerin (as a nitric oxide donor) to morphine in patient-controlled analgesia. Besides, its effects on the reduction of pain and stability in hemodynamic indices after abdominal surgery are also investigated. Methods: The current study was performed on 60 patients as candidates for abdominal surgery. Morphine (0.75 mg/mL) and nitroglycerin plus morphine (morphine 0.5 mg/mL + TNG 15 μg/mL) infusions were used for control and case groups, respectively, with the same induction of anesthesia. The severity of postoperative pain, hemodynamic indices of systolic blood pressure, diastolic pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and nausea were measured after surgery (immediately, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery). Results: The pain score decreased for both groups almost similarly. The mean systolic blood pressure was highly reduced in both groups. However, the mean diastolic blood pressure in the control group was considerably lower than that of the case group. Besides, the respiratory rate in the case group dramatically diminished and approached the normal value. Conclusions: Combined administration of nitroglycerin and morphine had no synergistic effects on reducing postoperative pain. However, it led to more stable hemodynamic indices and improved breathing, without any side effects.
A Study of Surgical Complications of Ventilation Tube Insertion in Children in Central Iran
Authors: Vahedian Mostafa , Salimi Amrollah , Garkaz Omid , Abdi Seyedeh Tasnim , Donyadideh Somayeh , Alizadeh Narges
Published: June 2020

Background: Middle ear inflammation and fluid accumulation are one of the most common childhood diseases. Untreated or chronic ear inflammation can lead to more serious complications, including hearing loss, eardrum rupture, adhesive otitis media, tympanosclerosis, temporal bone necrosis, and cholesteatoma. Ventilation tube insertion is one of the best treatments to cure these diseases. Objectives: This aimed to observe children suffering from ear inflammation who were candidates for VT insertion surgery and study surgical complications. Methods: A historical cohort study was performed, and 205 VT surgeries were studied. Demographic information of children (like age, sex, and family medical history) was gathered through their medical records and probable complications, including otorrhea, tympanosclerosis, atrophy, and eardrum rupture were noticed through medical examinations and interviews. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, independent t-test, Fisher’s exact, and Mann-Whitney U-test. Results: The results showed that 57% of surgery cases were boys, and 43% were girls, both having no family medical history. Serous otitis with tonsillar hypertrophy was reported in 200 cases (97.6%), which had concurrent adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy. The frequency of otorrhea, tympanosclerosis, atrophy, perforation, and serous otitis recurrence was 2%, 12.2%, 6.8%, 1.5%, and 14.1%, respectively. Serous otitis recurrence was reported in 3.9% of cases with T-tube insertion. Conclusions: The findings of this study show no significant difference in surgical complications between the two groups of girls and boys. But studying the relationship between the age of patients and the timing of surgery shows that the mean age of girls is significantly higher.
Diagnostic Evaluation of Streptococcus gallolyticus Infection in Patients with Colon Diseases by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Culturing Methods
Authors: Eshaghi Foroogh , Bashi Zadeh Fakhar Haniyeh , Ghane Masood , Shokry Javad
Published: June 2020

Background: Different types of Streptococcus gallolyticus are associated with malignant bowel cancer. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare two culture and molecular methods in identifying Streptococcus gallolyticus in patients with colon diseases. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted to detect Streptococcus gallolyticus in 55 patients with colon diseases referring to hospitals in Babol and Chalus, Iran. A polymerase chain reaction and culture technique were performed. Detection of Streptococcus gallolyticus after deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction from designed primers (PCO3, PCO4) was used for SODA gene. From the general culture medium, brain heart infusion (BHI) broth and specific medium for bacterial growth and detection were used. Then, the characteristics of the two methods were evaluated. Results: Of 55 biopsy samples of patients with colon diseases, 3 samples (5.5%) with 95% confidence interval were positive and 52 (94.5%) were reported negative in terms of DNA of Streptococcus gallolyticus. According to the culture test, 9 (16.4%) were positive and 46 (83.6%) were negative for diagnosis of Streptococcus gallolyticus bacteria. Based on the diagnostic agreement between the two methods, the ratio of 9 positive cases of culture method to 3 positive cases by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method (3.6%) were reported positive both in terms of molecular and positive culture, and 7 (12.7%) out of 9 (16.4%) were negative. To investigate the agreement between the culture and PCR methods, the Kappa test was used, which was statistically significant (P < 0.015). Other studies which have been conducted using the culture method, reported a significant relationship between the family history of colorectal cancer, diabetes, and the presence of Streptococcus gallolyticus bacteria. Conclusions: Considering the advantages, disadvantages, and the characteristics of both methods, none of them can be considered as a comprehensive, standard test at present. The simultaneous use of the two methods is recommended in cases where achieving fast results prevails, or when there is a likelihood of sample infection or late-growing microorganisms.
Protection of Health Workers From Tuberculosis
Authors: Acun Aysun
Published: June 2020

: Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacillus-type bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis), primarily affecting the lungs in countless individuals on a daily basis. Healthcare professionals are the most significantly affected group by this infection, especially at the points where healthcare is provided to infected individuals. In order to protect healthcare professionals from tuberculosis, it is very important to eliminate the lack of knowledge and to provide the necessary personal protective equipment. In this context, there are important tasks for both healthcare system managers and employees for protection from tuberculosis. Specifically, there are administrative, environmental, and respiratory tract measures.
Effectiveness of a Snoezelen Room on Fear, Anxiety, and Satisfaction of Nulliparous Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Momeni Mariyam , Jamshidimanesh Mansoureh , Ranjbar Hadi
Published: June 2020

Background: Pregnancy and childbirth are natural phenomena in a women’s life, associated with stress and anxiety, leading to adverse effects in the mother and fetus. Using complementary medicine, such as aromatherapy, music, light radiation, and aquariums in an environment that engage a person’s multiple senses can make mothers relax through mental deviations. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a Snoezelen room on fear, anxiety, and satisfaction of childbirth’s nulliparous women. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was carried out on 130 eligible women in a selected hospital affiliated to the Iran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran. One hundred thirty women were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 65) and control (n = 65) groups using six modes blocks using the convenient sampling method. The delivery room was designed to distract women’s minds in the intervention group. Data were collected using a demographic characteristics form, Harman’s Childbirth Attitude questionnaire (CAQ), Visual Analogue scale (VAS) to measure childbirth anxiety, and the Mackey Childbirth Satisfaction Rating scale. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16 using independent t-test, repeated measures analysis of variance, and Bonferroni and chi-square tests. Results: The results showed a significant reduction in fear in the active phase and postpartum in the intervention group compared with the control group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Anxiety showed a significant difference and was lower at dilatation of 6 to 7 and 7 to 8 cm, and after childbirth in the interventional group. The satisfaction of childbirth significantly increased in the interventional group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: These results confirmed the importance of a Snoezelen room in the childbirth of nulliparous women, which can promote vaginal childbirth.
Aesthetics as Mass Culture in Indian Antiquity
Authors: Sukla A.C. ,   Polish Academy of Sciences
Published: June 2020

Aesthetics originated in ancient India (4th c. B.C.) as a descriptive account of the drama which was meant for both entertainment and education of the mass. If the drama was a mass medium, aesthetics — its account — represented the mass culture. Philosophical thinking, rigorous ethical practices and the dramatic art had a common aim — experience of the Reality as a whole. The difference was that while the first two were accessible to only a few elite or intellectuals, the third one was meant for all. The mass was experiencing the representation of Reality in the drama by a dehghtful emotional response. The sensibihty necessary for such response was technically called "like-heartedness" which was also a necessary qualification for a healthy social life.
Aesthetic Perception and Cultural Identity of Nepal
Authors: Dikshit Madan M. ,   Polish Academy of Sciences
Published: June 2020

In this paper I intend to present a preliminary account of the development and sources of aesthetic perception and cuhural identity of the people of Nepal. The paper consists mainly of two sections. In the first section I have tried to explore our country's topographical, sociocultural, historical and religious perspectives which provided the background scenario and basis for the development of the emerged cultural and aesthetic picture. The second section tries to show how the aesthetic sense finds an expression in Nepalese cultural identity. At the very outset, I would hke to submit to this august gathering that the views expressed in this regard are based on my own personal experience and observations, and that they need to be confirmed with further studies in this field.
The Russian Simulacrum
Authors: Mankovskaya Nadia ,   Polish Academy of Sciences
Published: June 2020

This comparative analysis of multiple variants of the aesthetics of simulacrum as equal and autonomous participants in the postmodern polylogue presents a principle of creation of a 'third reality', which unites foreign and Russian elements. Making an artifact out of an artifact leads to a theory of artistic relativism. This type of simulacra give artistic cross-cultural results with an additional aesthetic effect representing fragments of a postmodern mosaic culture.
The Aesthetics of Nature and the Art of Gardening in Japan
Authors: Ortland Eherhard ,   Polish Academy of Sciences
Published: June 2020

A Japanese garden is an artistically shaped piece of the environment as well as a representation of nature. In the aesthetic experience of Japanese gardens it is possible to conceive of the relation between nature and art in a way different from anything accessible within the horizon of European aesthetics alone. In a Japanese garden the artificially shaped nature does not suffer a loss of its proper quality of naturalness, but seems to be even more natural according to the criteria underlying the aesthetic appreciation of the beauty of nature itself. These gardens demonstrate human labor as something which does not necessarily collide with natural beauty. Here, a work of art can be experienced as bemg potentially reconciled with the very idea of nature in its most beautiful state of self-realization.
Differential accumulation of storage bodies with aging defines discrete subsets of microglia in the healthy brain
Authors: Burns Jeremy Carlos , Cotleur Bunny , Walther Dirk M , Bajrami Bekim , Rubino Stephen J , Wei Ru , Franchimont Nathalie , Cotman Susan L , Ransohoff Richard M , Mingueneau Michael
Published: June 2020

To date, microglia subsets in the healthy CNS have not been identified. Utilizing autofluorescence (AF) as a discriminating parameter, we identified two novel microglia subsets in both mice and non-human primates, termed autofluorescence-positive (AF+) and negative (AF−). While their proportion remained constant throughout most adult life, the AF signal linearly and specifically increased in AF+ microglia with age and correlated with a commensurate increase in size and complexity of lysosomal storage bodies, as detected by transmission electron microscopy and LAMP1 levels. Post-depletion repopulation kinetics revealed AF− cells as likely precursors of AF+ microglia. At the molecular level, the proteome of AF+ microglia showed overrepresentation of endolysosomal, autophagic, catabolic, and mTOR-related proteins. Mimicking the effect of advanced aging, genetic disruption of lysosomal function accelerated the accumulation of storage bodies in AF+ cells and led to impaired microglia physiology and cell death, suggestive of a mechanistic convergence between aging and lysosomal storage disorders.
Underlying Equity Discourses of the World Health Organization
Authors: Amri Michelle M. , Siddiqi Arjumand , O’Campo Patricia , Enright Theresa , Di Ruggiero Erica
Published: June 2020

Background: Globally, increasing attention has been paid to the concept of equity in the context of health, largely stemming from the work of the World Health Organization (WHO) beginning in the late 1970s with the Declaration of Alma-Ata (WHO, 1978) and more recently following the Commission on the Social Determinants of Health (CSDH, 2008) and their final report in 2008. Despite increasing attention to this issue, there is global ambiguity on the true definition of “health inequity”, “health inequalities”, or “health disparities” (Braveman, 2006, p. 167; Braveman & Gruskin, 2003).

Methods/Design: This original scoping review clarifies how the WHO conceptualizes equity. It also identifies the theoretical underpinnings guiding the WHO’s approach to equity and its broader implications. This protocol followed the PRISMA guidelines for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) (Tricco et al., 2018), with details discussed in the full protocol.

Discussion: To date, much of the research on health equity globally has been restricted to chronological discussions over time or specific research fields (Borde & Hernández, 2018, p. 3). Therefore, researching the WHO’s approach to equity in terms of alignment with theory and broader normative standpoint(s) becomes increasingly important in addressing a gap in the literature. In addition, because the definition of equity in the context of health has practical implications for its operationalization (Guerra, Borde, & Salgado De Snyder, 2016), this work seeks to clarify in the concept of equity used by the WHO in hopes of moving towards a shared understanding to bridge action [e.g. in measurement and accountability (Braveman & Gruskin, 2003)].
Abuse Experienced by Persons with Severe Mental Illness
Authors: Rani Akanksha , Raman Janaki , Antony Sojan , Thirumoorthy Ammapattian , Thirumoorthy Ammapattian , Basavarajappa Chethan
Published: June 2020

Background: Abuse among person with severe mental illness is a serious public health concern and over the several decades researchers have focused on violence perpetrated by person with mental illness giving little consideration to the fact that severity and chronicity of mental disorder makes a person susceptible to all kinds of abuse. The current study attempts to identify three types of abuse-physical, sexual and psychological by using socio-ecological framework which takes into consideration individual, family and socio-cultural factors which acts as a risk or protective factors against abuse.

Methods/Design: The study will screen severity of mental illness and abuse among men and women by using standardized screening tools. The first phase of the study focuses on developing risk and protective factors checklist through in-depth interviews and focused group discussions. The second phase of the study is identifying risk and protective factors of abuse by administering the checklist on 257 persons with severe mental illness. Qualitative data will be analyzed by using thematic analysis and quantitative data will be analyzed by testing for normality and accordingly using parametric and non-parametric test.  Logistic regression model will be used to identify risk and protective factors for the abuse.

Discussion: This study would help to understand abuse from ecological perspective and develop a framework for risk management by capitalizing on what people know, what they can do, where they can go and how they can utilize indigenous resources to buffer the effect of abuse.
Restriction point regulation at the crossroads between quiescence and cell proliferation
Authors: Pennycook Betheney R. , Barr Alexis R.
Published: June 2020

The coordination of cell proliferation with reversible cell cycle exit into quiescence is crucial for the development of multicellular organisms and for tissue homeostasis in the adult. The decision between quiescence and proliferation occurs at the restriction point, which is widely thought to be located in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, when cells integrate accumulated extracellular and intracellular signals to drive this binary cellular decision. On the molecular level, decision‐making is exerted through the activation of cyclin‐dependent kinases (CDKs). CDKs phosphorylate the retinoblastoma (Rb) transcriptional repressor to regulate the expression of cell cycle genes. Recently, the classical view of restriction point regulation has been challenged. Here, we review the latest findings on the activation of CDKs, Rb phosphorylation and the nature and position of the restriction point within the cell cycle.
Current status of proximal gastrectomy for gastric and esophagogastric junctional cancer: A review
Authors: Nunobe Souya , Ida Satoshi
Published: June 2020

Proximal gastrectomy (PG) is one of the function‐preserving surgical methods for the treatment of upper gastric cancer. Favorable postoperative results have been reported in comparison with total gastrectomy. However, because there are challenges, such as postoperative reflux esophagitis, anastomotic stenosis, and residual food, appropriate selection of a reconstruction method is crucial. Some methods include esophagogastric anastomosis, including simple esophagogastrostomy, tube‐like stomach esophagogastrostomy, side overlap with fundoplication by Yamashita, and double‐flap technique, and reconstruction using the small intestine, including double‐tract methods, jejunal interposition, and jejunal pouch interposition. However, standard reconstruction methods are yet to be established. PG has also been employed in early gastric cancer of the upper third of the stomach, and indications have also been extended to esophagogastric junction cancer, which has shown an increase in recent years. Although many retrospective studies have revealed the functional benefits or oncological safety of PG, the characteristics of each surgical procedure should be understood so that an appropriate reconstruction method, with a reflux prevention mechanism and minimal postoperative injury, can be selected.
TUBB3 E410K syndrome: Case report and review of the clinical spectrum of TUBB3 mutations
Authors: Dentici Maria L. , Maglione Vittorio , Agolini Emanuele , Catena Gino , Capolino Rossella , Lanari Valentina , Novelli Antonio , Sinibaldi Lorenzo , Vecchio Davide , Gonfiantini Michaela V. , Macchiaiolo Marina , Digilio Maria C. , Dallapiccola Bruno , Bartuli Andrea
Published: June 2020

The tubulinopathies refer to a wide range of brain malformations caused by mutations in one of the seven genes encoding different tubulin's isotypes. The β‐tubulin isotype III (TUBB3) gene has a primary function in nervous system development and axon generation and maintenance, due to its neuron‐specific expression pattern. A recurrent heterozygous mutation, c.1228G > A; p.E410K, in TUBB3 gene is responsible of a rare disorder clinically characterized by congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscle type 3 (CFEOM3), intellectual disability and a wide range of neurological and endocrine abnormalities. Other mutations have been described spanning the entire gene and genotype–phenotype correlations have been proposed. We report on a 3‐year‐old boy in whom clinical exome sequencing allowed to identify a de novo TUBB3 E410K mutation as the molecular cause underlying a complex phenotype characterized by a severe bilateral palpebral ptosis refractory to eye surgery, psychomotor delay, absent speech, hypogonadism, celiac disease, and cyclic vomiting. Brain MRI revealed thinning of the corpus callosum with no evidence of malformation cortical dysplasia. We reviewed available records of patients with TUBB3 E410K mutation and compared their phenotype with the clinical outcome of patients with other mutations in TUBB3 gene. The present study confirms that TUBB3 E410K results in a clinically recognizable phenotype, unassociated to the distinct cortical dysplasia caused by other mutations in the same gene. Early molecular characterization of TUBB3 E410K syndrome is critical for targeted genetic counseling and prompt prospective care in term of neurological, ophthalmological, endocrine, and gastrointestinal follow‐up.