bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Response of Very Premature Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia to Inhaled Salbutamol
Authors: Nguyen Ha-Nam , Fitzgerald Dominic , Davis Michael
Published: February 2021

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) is the most common chronic respiratory disease found in premature infants following prolonged supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilation. Although salbutamol, a selective ß2 agonist, is known to relax the hypertrophied smooth muscles around the small airways in adults, earlier literature has suggested that neonates did not have enough peribronchial smooth muscle for constriction and thus lacked a bronchodilatory response to ß2 agonists. The present study was designed to determine whether infants of less than 32 weeks gestational age with elevated lung resistance were responsive to salbutamol. Nineteen premature infants (mean gestational age 26.0 +/- 2.1 weeks and mean birth weight 851.3 +/- 244.4 g) were recruited for the study. Immediately before and 30 minutes after the commencement of nebulized salbutamol administration, a minimum of 15 breaths were measured and analyzed for each patient. From this breath-by-breath analysis, the lung mechanics and Work of Breathing (WOB) were calculated. Results were then compared by paired t-tests. The use of salbutamol resulted in a significant improvement in airway resistance (p = 0.008) and tendency for impedance reduction. These results indicate that very premature infants (< 32 weeks) with BPD respond favorably to bronchodilators. Although the mechanism of action remains to be elucidated, salbutamol most probably achieves its effects through the relaxation of the hypertrophied peribronchial smooth muscle. Early intervention to relieve airway obstruction may promote early weaning from mechanical ventilation and diminish both duration and severity of BPD.
Journal Review of the MJM in the New England Journal of Medicine
Authors: Schwartz Robert
Published: February 2021

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Anoxia at Birth Induces Behaviorally-Relevant Changes in alpha2-Noradrenergic Receptor Binding in the Adult Rat
Authors: Brake Wayne G. , Sharma Shakti
Published: February 2021

Evidence suggests that Caesarean section birth in the rat, with or without an additional period of anoxia, results in long-term changes in brain catecholamine levels as well as reactivity to stress. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether Caesarean birth plus anoxia alters (alpha)2-noradrenergic receptor binding and sensitivity to the (alpha)2 receptor agonist, clonidine, in the Porsolt forced swim test. Sprague Dawley rat dams were decapitated and the uteruses were removed by Caesarean section. Pups were then delivered either immediately (Caesarean Only group), or were immersed in a saline bath for approximately 15 minutes (Caesarean plus Anoxia group) before delivery of the pups. A third group of animals born vaginally served as controls (Vaginally-born group). Four to five months postnatally, the expression of (alpha)2 receptors was measured by receptor autoradiography using [3H]-Rauwolscine binding. Receptor binding was increased in the area of the ventral hypothalamus and decreased in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in animals subjected to Caesarean plus Anoxia at birth. These animals also displayed a subsensitive response to the immobilizing effects of clonidine (100 micrograms/kg, i.p.) in the Porsolt forced swim test. Specifically these data show that Caesarean birth produces long-term changes in (alpha)2 receptor density and that, in animals subjected to Caesarean plus anoxia, these changes are reflected in a behavioral subsensitivity to the (alpha)2 agonist, clonidine. The findings reported here provide further experimental support for the hypothesis that birth complications may contribute to the pathophysiology of disorders such as schizophrenia that involve central catecholamine dysfunction.
Factors Affecting the Prevalence of Schistosomiasis in the Volta Region of Ghana
Authors: Zakhary Kristina
Published: February 2021

The construction of the Akosombo dam in 1964 and the Kpong dam in 1981 on the Volta River created the Volta Lake in Ghana, West Africa. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of dam construction on schistosomiasis prevalence. Several reports from numerous sources which together spanned a period of time from before the dams were built to recent years were analyzed. Four representative villages were chosen based on their locations with respect to the dams. Also examined were the efforts made by local health authorities to combat the current problem and to what degree their efforts have been successful. A marked rise in schistosomiasis prevalence following dam construction is observed in villages located in close proximity to the Volta Lake. In villages where aggressive action has been taken to correct this problem, a significant decrease in disease prevalence can be seen, demonstrating the importance of implementing proper disease control measures.
The MJM and the Student: A Fruitful Union
Authors: Auld Daniel
Published: February 2021

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The Placebo Standard in Regulatory Market Approval: Why the Declaration of Helsinki Has Been Ignored for 35 years
Authors: Villeneuve Patrick James
Published: February 2021

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Epidemiology of Hypertriglyceridemia in the Elderly Taiwanese population
Authors: Lin Cheng-Chieh , Li Tsai-Chung , Lai Shih-Wei , Li Chia-Ing , Wang Kuo-Che , Tan Chee-Keong , Ng Kim-Choy , Liu Chiu-Shong
Published: February 2021

Our study used data collected in Chung-Hsing Village in Taiwan in May 1998 to evaluate the distribution of triglycerides and the association between hypertriglyceridemia and its correlates in elderly people. All individuals aged 65 and over were recruited as study subjects. A total of 1093 persons, out of 1774 registered residents, were contacted in face-to-face interviews. The response rate was 61.6%. However, only 586 respondents had blood tests and completed questionnaires. Analysis in this study was based on these 586 subjects. To study the significant correlates of hypertriglyceridemia, t-tests, ANOVAs, chi-square analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used. Among the study population, 66.0% were men and 34.0% were women. The mean age was 73.1 ± 5.3 years. The mean triglyceride values were 1.65 ± 0.93 mmol/L in men and 2.02 ± 1.44 mmol/L in women (p < 0.01). The proportions of hypertriglyceridemia were 18.7% in men and 27.6% in women (p < 0.05). After controlling the other covariates, analysis by multivariate logistic regression showed that the factors significantly related to hypertriglyceridemia were high systolic pressure, abnormal glutamic pyruvic transaminase, hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia. Thus, these results support the hypothesis that it is important to examine the other cardiovascular risk factors if one cardiovascular risk factor is observed. The data also suggest one should determine the triglyceride level when abnormal glutamic pyruvic transaminase is identified in an elderly subject.
Ischemia Regulates Endoglin Expression in a Pig Skin Flap Model
Authors: Nimeh Toni , Haghighat-Mortazavi Roya , Khiabani Kayvan , Malek, B.Sc. Noura , Watters Kevin , Philip Anie
Published: February 2021

Endoglin is a transmembrane protein that binds transforming growth factor b (TGF-b) with high affinity. It is thought to modulate TGF-b signaling and responses through interactions on cell surfaces with TGF-b receptors. It is highly expressed on endothelial cells of tissues undergoing angiogenesis. Since ischemia-induced changes such as angiogenesis are in part regulated by TGF-b, it is important to elucidate the precise mechanism by which they occur if we are to influence the effects of ischemia on tissue. Since endoglin is one of the receptors involved in regulating TGF-b signaling, we tested whether endoglin expression will increase in response to ischemic injury. A pig skin flap model was developed and used in our laboratory to study the effect of ischemia on the expression of endoglin and its ligand TGF-b1 using immunohistochemistry. We observed an increased expression of endoglin and TGF-b1 in the epidermal layer, blood vessels, and fibroblasts in ischemic skin flaps as compared to non-ischemic control skin flaps. Given the role of TGF-b and endoglin in angiogenesis, this may represent a mechanism by which ischemia stimulates angiogenesis. Much work remains to be done to delineate the exact mechanisms by which TGF-b acts and the exact role of endoglin in TGF-b signaling. Understanding how to regulate the actions of TGF-b by manipulating the expression of endoglin may provide a therapeutic avenue given the importance of TGF-b in tumour angiogenesis.
The Role of Testosterone in Aggression
Authors: Simpson Katherine
Published: February 2021

This review article explores the evidence that testosterone is significantly correlated with certain forms of aggression in a number of animals, although firm evidence is lacking for humans. Studies have revealed that structures within the limbic system are particularly involved in the elicitation of aggression and are sexually dimorphic. Testosterone can exert its effects in one of two ways: either on androgen receptors after conversion to 5-alpha dihydrotestosterone or on estrogen receptors after aromatization to estradiol. It can act via genomic mechanisms to induce production of proteins or via non genomic mechanisms to modulate neural activity. Androgen and estrogen receptors are also found along neurotransmitter pathways. As such, testosterone is able to modulate levels of various neurotransmitters that show evidence of mediating effects on aggressive behaviour. In addition, recent evidence suggests that these neurotransmitters are involved in processes such as olfaction and arousal and suggestions have been put forward explaining how testosterone may modulate these processes. However there is a critical time period early in life, usually within the first few days after birth, during which testosterone exposure is essential to elicit aggression in adulthood. It is thought that testosterone and its metabolites sensitize an androgen-responsive system, while estrogenic metabolites establish the capacity to fight in response to estrogenic stimulation later in life. Despite this, testosterone is only one of a myriad of factors that influence aggression and the effects of previous experience and environmental stimuli have at times been found to correlate more strongly.
Aging of the Cerebral Cortex
Authors: Wong Tak Pan
Published: February 2021

Significant structural trimming of neuronal structures in the cerebral cortex has long been considered as a primary cause of various age-related cortical dysfunctions. While recent findings provided additional data to support this notion, current understanding of cortical neuronal functions in aging also revealed the relationship of neuronal plasticity and imbalances between different neurotransmitter systems with the formation of age-related cortical dysfunctions. Manipulating these age-related alterations in neuronal function may be a novel therapeutic approach in the treatment of cortical dysfunctions in aging. This review will focus our current understanding of age-related changes in neuronal structures and functions in the cerebral cortex. Implication of these age-related alterations will be discussed.
Detection of Genetically Modified Protein in Soy-containing Foods
Authors: Agostino Trace , Trukus Amanda , Jain Micheal
Published: February 2021

The use of genetically modified organisms (GMO) in food is a highly public and controversial issue. We have used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the genetically modified protein 5-enol-pyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase within soy-containing food products from the grocery store. We found that EPSP synthase is detectable in 3 out of 5 food products tested. Of specific interest, we found contamination levels of EPSP synthase (0.36%) in Heinz' Pablum Soya Cereal, which is currently deemed to be free of genetic modifications by the company as well as by Greenpeace Canada. These results demonstrate that genetically modified organisms are present in foods commonly available for human consumption and that the widespread use of this technology may make it difficult to ensure that any given product is free of all traces of genetically modified protein.
Efficacy of Leukotriene Modifiers for the Treatment of Persistent Asthma in Children
Authors: Machado Duarte G.
Published: February 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of the leukotriene modifiers (LTMs), zafirlukast and montelukast, in children with asthma managed by an inner city pediatric pulmonary practice. A retrospective chart review was done of children 6 years of age with persistent asthma seen at Connecticut Children's Medical Center and prescribed LTM drugs. Eighty-three children whose asthma control was adequately assessed both before and after addition of a LTM to his/her treatment regimen was included in the study. There were statistically significant improvements in several parameters of asthma control following initiation of LTM use, including provider assessment score (p = 0.0005), number of hospitalizations and unscheduled visits (clinic or emergency department; p < 0.0001), use of oral corticosteroids (p = 0.0015), spirometry severity score (p = 0.0015), and spirometry test results (FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF, FEF25-75%; p < 0.005 for all). These results suggest that montelukast and zafirlukast help to improve asthma control in young patients with persistent asthma.
Evaluation of tumor viability in Post radiation therapy pediatric brain tumors with 99mTc- glucoheptonate single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
Authors: Barai Sukanta , Bandopadhayaya G. P. , Julka P. K. , K. Naik K. , Haloi A. , Malhotra Arun
Published: February 2021

Brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with 99mTc- glucoheptonate, a blood brain barrier imaging agent, is rapidly regaining interest after it has been shown that the uptake of tumor seeking agents like thallium, tetrofosmin, sestamibi and pertechnate by brain tumors is solely dependent on disruption of the blood brain barrier. Therefore, the use of 99mTc glucoheptonate may yield the same diagnostic information as other agents such as the much more expensive 99mTc-sestamibi. The purpose of the study was to evaluate 99mTc-glucoheptonate as an imaging agent for recurrent primary brain tumors in children. Methods: Fifty-one patients aged 5-18 years were evaluated for tumor recurrence following radiotherapy for primary malignant brain tumors, using brain single photon emission computed tomographies (SPECT) with 99mTc-Glucoheptonate. Contrast enhanced computerized tomography (CT) of brain was performed in all patients within + 1 week of brain SPECT as a diagnostic standard and compared. Results: Recurrent tumors showed avid 99mTc- glucoheptonate concentration and a high 99mTc-glucoheptonate retention index (6.06 + 1.41) compared with post radiation gliosis, which showed no 99mTc-glucoheptonate concentration over the affected site and had a 99mTc-glucoheptonate retention index of 1.10 + 0.18 (p=0.001). 99mTc- glucoheptonate SPECT had a sensitivity of 79.48% and a specificity of 91.66% when compared with contrast-enhanced computed tomography as a gold standard. However, this technique did not show good performance in the differential diagnosis of lesions in posterior fossa. Conclusion: This study suggests that 99mTc-glucoheptonate brain SPECT can be used as a sensitive and specific diagnostic test to differentiate recurrent tumor from post radiation gliosis, with the exception of tumors located in posterior fossa. Further studies should address this limitation before definite protocols are established.
The Evolution, Appreciation and Representation of Music
Authors: Bhat Mamatha , Udupa Sharmila
Published: February 2021

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Pharmaceutical Marketing to Medical Students: The Student Perspective
Authors: Barfett Joseph , Lanting Brent , Lee Julian , Lee Michael , Ng Victor , Simkhovitch Peter
Published: February 2021

It has been estimated that pharmaceutical companies spend $1.7 billion every year promoting their products to physicians in Canada. At least $21 billion are spent every year on drug promotion in the United States. Although pharmaceutical marketing campaigns are primarily directed toward practicing physicians and residents, medical students are targeted as well. The goal of this study was to assess medical student attitudes toward pharmaceutical promotion in a Canadian academic centre. A questionnaire was designed to assess the attitudes of medical students about pharmaceutical promotion, including the acceptability of receiving various gifts and incentives. The survey was administered to first, second, and fourth-year medical students at the University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario, Canada). Statistical methods were employed to compare subpopulations of students based on demographic and socioeconomic data. Some 81% of students were not opposed to interacting with drug companies in medical school. Medical students felt comfortable accepting gifts of low monetary value, such as lunches (75%) and penlights (74%), but were willing to accept gifts of higher monetary value if the gifts served an educational purpose, such as textbooks (65%) and drug company-sponsored educational seminars (66%). 17% of students said that if presented with a choice of drugs identical in terms of price, efficacy, and effectiveness, they would prescribe the drug from the company that provided them with financial incentives. Statistical analysis showed no differences in responses among the different years of medical students. There were some differences in responses between medical students who had a doctor parent compared to those who did not have a doctor parent. Medical students are generally not opposed to interacting with or receiving gifts from pharmaceutical companies. Insights gained from this study raises issues that may be of interest to medical educators concerning the attitudes of the future physicians in Canada.
Evidence Based Medicine at McGill
Authors: Pickering Joyce
Published: February 2021

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Level of abstinence mediates heart-rate response to cue-elicited craving in smokers
Authors: Kelly Jared T. , Barrett Sean P. , Pihl Robert O. , Dagher Alain
Published: February 2021

The subjective and autonomic components of nicotine craving were examined in abstinent and non-abstinent smokers using a cue reactivity paradigm. A cigarette abstinent condition was used to examine how smoking deprivation mediates the activity of positive and negative reinforcement mechanisms. Levels of craving and physiologic responses were monitored during the presentation of videotaped neutral and smoking stimuli. Relative to the neutral material, smoking stimuli increased several indices of subjective craving in both abstinent and non-abstinent smokers. Autonomic responses to the smoking stimuli however, appeared to be mediated by the level of abstinence. Non-deprived smokers showed an increase in heart rate during the first minute of the smoking stimuli presentation relative to the first minute of the control video, while abstinent smokers showed no change. The autonomic responses of cigarette craving may be dependent on the perceived reinforcing value of cigarettes, which can be modulated by cigarette abstinence. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that increased heart rate may be a marker for incentive motivation, but also strongly support a multi-dimensional model of nicotine craving. Furthermore, they stress the importance of recognising the condition of the smoker as a critical determinant in craving responses.
Examining Medical Student Attitudes Towards Physician-Assisted Suicide
Authors: Gabel Kevin , Miller Saul , So Jeffrey , Suess Andrew
Published: February 2021

Physician-assisted suicide (PAS) is a highly debated issue. The Sue Rodriguez case highlighted the importance and the contentious nature of this issue in our society today. This study assessed attitudes towards PAS held by first and fourth year medical students at the University of Western Ontario via a 13 question anonymous survey. One hundred and twenty-four surveys were returned with a response rate of 53%. Respondents, especially those in fourth year, were unwilling to aid in PAS in the capacity of physicians (63% overall unwilling; P = 0.004). They wanted PAS to be an option, however, if they were patients themselves (64% overall; P = 0.002). A variety of factors were considered important in making decisions regarding PAS, especially a patient's clear understanding of medical management options. Most respondents welcomed (39%) or were neutral (45%) towards legalization of PAS. Opinions towards PAS tended not to change over the course of medical school (72% overall; P < 0.001). Students generally favoured the concept of PAS as long as they did not have to take part in it themselves. Although no differences between first and fourth year medical students were detected concerning their opinions towards PAS, willingness to participate may be affected by personal experience with patients.
Pregnancy and Its Effect on the Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Van Impe Jeff
Published: February 2021

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The Fall of Titans: The Need to Reassess COX-2 Inhibitors
Authors: Lin Steven
Published: February 2021

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A Brave Old World: An Analysis of Scientific Racism and BiDil®
Authors: Garrod Joel Z.
Published: February 2021

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Choline in Pediatric Depression
Authors: MacMaster Frank P , Kusumakar Vivek
Published: February 2021

Purpose of Study: The prefrontal cortex has been previously implicated in the neuropathology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Hence, we used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) to examine choline levels in the prefrontal cortex of youth with major depression.

Basic Procedures: Twelve age- and sex-matched case-control pairs were examined (age range 10 to 18 years, 7 females and 5 males in each group). All subjects were treatment naive at the time of the scan. A long echo 1H-MRS scan was acquired from the right prefrontal cortex (4cc) in all subjects.

Main Findings: Right prefrontal Choline/Creatine ratios were elevated in the youth with mood disorders (F1, 11 = 10.741, p = 0.007) as compared with healthy controls.

Principal Conclusions: These findings suggest that prefrontal cytosolic choline may be increased in youth with MDD in comparison with healthy controls. This is consistent with reported findings in both adults and adolescents and suggests that MDD in youth is associated with alterations in choline metabolism in the prefrontal cortex.
Occupational risks and risk perception among Hispanic adolescents
Authors: Young Marta , Rischitelli D. Gary
Published: February 2021

Although child labor laws are designed to protect youth from serious injury in the workplace, there are a number of other factors that influence the effectiveness of occupational injury prevention including adolescent risk perception, failure to understand worker rights, and lack of experience. The growing adolescent Hispanic population in the U.S. is of particular concern because cultural and economic barriers have the potential to further influence these young workers' safety. A greater emphasis on research among Hispanic adolescents is crucial to minimizing adolescent worker injury. To propose effective age and culturally appropriate intervention programs, it will be necessary to understand the knowledge, attitude and beliefs regarding occupational risks within the workingadolescent Hispanic community.
Who do I serve?
Authors: Scriver Charles
Published: February 2021

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The medico-legal expertise: Solid medicine, sufficient legal and a measure of common sense
Authors: Sullivan James D.
Published: February 2021

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Understanding the human brain: A lifetime of dedicated pursuit
Authors: Xia Chenjie
Published: February 2021

As a pioneer in the field of neuropsychology, Dr. Brenda Milner has contributed to many important landmark discoveries in the study of memory and temporal lobes, the lateralization of hemispheric function in language, as well as the role of frontal lobes in problem-solving. She is a fellow of the Royal Society (London) and the Royal Society of Canada, and a Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Sciences (USA). She has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards throughout her career, the latest of which include the Donald O. Hebb Distinguished Contribution Award in 2001, the Neuroscience Award from the United States National Academy of Science in 2004 and the Gairdner Award in 2005. Dr. Milner received her undergraduate degree at the University of Cambridge in 1939 and completed her PhD under the supervision of Dr. Donald Hebb at McGill University in 1952. She joined the Montreal Neurological Institute in 1950 to work with Dr. Wilder Penfield. Dr. Milner is presently the Dorothy J. Killam Professor of Psychology at the Montreal Neurological Institute and the Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery of McGill University. I spent an afternoon with Dr. Milner on May 12th, 2006, where she shared with me her thoughts on her work, her perspective on the past and future of cognitive neuroscience, as well as her advice for students beginning in research.
The pathophysiology of ischemic injury to developing white matter
Authors: Alix James
Published: February 2021

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Knowledge, attitudes, and practices in reproductive and sexual health
Authors: Beckwith Jessica
Published: February 2021

To help support and direct the Lions Club's construction of a Community Health Clinic specializing in Reproductive and Sexual Health, this descriptive study began in November of 2004 and was completed in May 2005. The sample consists of 552 high school students in Rumiñahui County, and surveys were used to study four principle themes: reproductive and sexual health education, family planning, sexually transmitted infections, and domestic violence. The results show a widespread lack of accurate and adequate information about reproductive and sexual health. Statistically significant variables studied include sex, age, monthly income, and age of first sexual experience. Female sex, younger age, lower monthly income, and younger age of first sexual experience all contribute to a lower quality of reproductive and sexual health, in terms of having less information about and access to these four aspects of reproductive and sexual health.
Frequency of signs and symptoms in children with foreign body aspiration: A retrospective study in Iran
Authors: Gholam-Ali Dashti Khavidaki  , Reza Gharibi
Published: February 2021

Foreign body aspiration is still one of the most important diagnostic and therapeutic items for physicians. The mortality rate and prevalence of diseases caused by foreign bodies are higher in children due to the relatively narrow airway and immature protective mechanisms. Considering the high prevalence of foreign body aspiration in children, as well as the possible complications, we decided to investigate the frequency distribution of signs and symptoms in children with foreign body aspiration. This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on the files of 50 children with foreign body aspiration who referred to Khatam Al-Anbia Hospital in Zahedan, Iran from 2016 to 2018. The files were entered into the study by the census method, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally, demographic factors (age and sex), as well as the type of aspirated object, signs, and symptoms, were examined. The files of 50 children with a foreign body aspiration were reviewed. Among the patients, 27 (54%) were boys and 23 (46%) were girls. The highest frequency was between 1 and 2 years, with 36%. The most common symptom in these patients was cough and respiratory distress with a frequency of 72% and the most common clinical findings were unilateral wheezing with 50% and decreased unilateral respiratory sounds with 18%. Also, the most common types of foreign objects were nuts with a frequency of 44% and supari with 38%. Also, unilateral wheezing had a significant relationship with the type of aspirated foreign body (P = 0.01). Children between the ages of one and two years are more likely to have foreign body aspiration, and in children with symptoms of cough and respiratory distress, as well as clinical findings of unilateral wheezing and decreased unilateral respiratory sounds, foreign body aspiration should be suspected.
Financial controls to control corruption in an African country: insider experts within an enabling environment
Authors: Hopper Trevor , Lassou P , Soobaroyen T
Published: February 2021

© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd This study analyses an implementation of a government accounting reform in Benin directed at redressing fraudulent and corrupt practices. Although reforms to improve public administration and to mitigate corruption in Africa often have disappointing outcomes, our case study involving systems for payment of supplier invoices, payroll matters, and debt certificates had encouraging findings. The systems reduced inefficiencies and corrupt practices. An “enabling environment” (its main elements being emancipatory space, empowered participation, and ethical leadership) encouraged the deeper involvement of committed, expert, and ethical local civil servants in establishing effective financial controls. In the context of anticorruption reforms, this illustrates that public sector organizations in Africa should not invariably be regarded as monolithic bureaucratic top-down entities, staffed by civil servants who are either passive “bystanders,” purely self-interested “players,” or insufficiently expert, and hence in need for more training, and of imported, expensive, accounting systems implemented by foreign consultants. In contrast, the paper argues that, within a suitable environment, granting indigenous experts enough latitude to enact incremental yet substantive accounting changes at the local level may be more effective.
Precariousness, Gender, Resistance and Consent in the Face of Global Production Network’s ‘Reforms’ of Pakistan’s Garment Manufacturing Industry
Authors: Ayaz M , Ashraf MJ , Hopper Trevor
Published: February 2021

© The Author(s) 2019. This case study of the restructuring of Pakistan’s garment manufacturing industry explores how attempts to increase capital’s control over the labour process intersect with local patriarchal structures and trigger workers’ reflexivity and agency causing unanticipated consequences. Using Archer’s notion of agency, the article examines the theoretical space where capitalism meets patriarchy, and both are reproduced. The focus on reflexivity, anchored between objective contexts and agents’ personal concerns, helps theorize capital–labour–gender relations in global supply chains and explains workers’ impactful resistance to protect a supposedly precarious work regime. Our findings challenge the notion that globalization reduces workers’ agency and their potential for impactful resistance.
Conceptual Model of Enterprise Financial Management System with the Application of Modern Information Technologies
Authors: Kishkovich Yu. P.
Published: February 2021

In modern conditions of information technology development, the business management regime has changed. The sphere of management has expanded from internal to external. The innovation model of corporate Finance management must also adapt to this change. In an era of the global implementation of information systems and management tools, the innovation of the corporate financial management regime is not only in the rational planning and use of the company’s own resources but also in the inclusion of various categories of social resources necessary for the company’s operations in the category of corporate financial management and delivery to the enterprise. The purpose of the article is to consider the conceptual model of the financial management system of enterprises using modern information technologies. In the study, the author used a systematic approach to the enterprise’s financial management and methods of economic and deterministic factor analysis, synthesis, and grouping as well.
Index-based Approach to Evaluate City Resilience in Flooding Scenarios
Authors: Barreiro João , Lopes Ruth , Ferreira Filipa , Matos José Saldanha
Published: February 2021

Intense rainfall events combined with high tide levels frequently result in urban floods in riverine or coastal cities. Their increasing variability and uncertainty demand urgent but sustained responses. Thus, resilience-driven approaches are emerging in contrast to the traditional technical-economic frameworks, as urban resilience reflects the overall capacity of a city to survive, adapt and thrive when experiencing stresses and shocks. This paper presents a simplified index-based methodology for the evaluation and quantification of urban resilience to flooding, based on the works developed in the EU H2020 RESCCUE project. A set of five indicators are proposed to compute the Integrated Urban Resilience Index (IURI), allowing to classify resilience according to a proposed range of rankings. This methodology considers simultaneously a multisectoral approach, reflecting services interdependences, and a sectorial approach, applying 1D/2D computational modelling of the urban drainage network. It was applied to the study case of Lisbon downtown, involving the analysis of interdependencies between 124 infrastructures of 10 urban services. Two scenarios were considered, respecting the current and future situations, considering climate changes. Results enhance the usefulness, practicability, and potential of the proposed approach, and improvement opportunities were also identified for future developments. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091647 Full Text: PDF
Joint Shear Deformation and Beam Rotation in RC Beam-Column Eccentric Connections
Authors: Ullah Rooh , Fahim Muhammad , Nouman Muhammad
Published: February 2021

This paper discusses joint shear deformation and beam rotation for RC beam-column eccentric connections. Two eccentric connections were designed according to ACI 318-14 and ACI-352 and their half scaled models were constructed sequentially to introduce a cold joint at the beam column interface. Specimen having eccentricity equal to bc/8 (12.5% of column width) and bc/4 (25% of column width) were named as specimen 1 and specimen 2 respectively. The specimens were tested under quasi static full cyclic loading. The results are presented in the form of beam rotation versus drift and beam rotation versus lateral load plots. In addition, joint shear deformation versus drift is also plotted for both specimens. Careful observation of the damage pattern revealed that bond slip occurred at 2.5% drift in both specimens with no yielding of beam longitudinal bars in the joint core due to the presence of construction joint. An increase in out of plane rotation was observed with increase in eccentricity. However, in plane rotation was more in specimen 1 as compared to specimen 2, primarily due to negligible out of plane rotations. Furthermore, joint shear deformation increased with increase in eccentricity. However, it was negligible due to slab contribution as well as bond slippage with minimum load transfer to the joint core. It is concluded that bond slippage is the principal failure pattern whereas out of plan rotation increases with eccentricity without significant contribution to the final failure pattern. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091650 Full Text: PDF
Reliability of Clinical Rating Scale in Evaluation of Head Control in children with Cerebral Palsy
Authors:   Department of Physiotherapy, National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria, Abdullahi Adamu Yakubu , Abdullahi Auwal ,   Department of Physiotherapy, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
Published: February 2021

Introduction The clinical rating scale for head control assesses control of head/neck in children with neurological conditions. Head control is important for activities of daily living and quality of life in children. Objectives The aim of the study was to determine the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the scale in children with Cerebral Palsy. Method The study was a cross-sectional study approved by Research ethics committees of Kano State Ministry of Health and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital involving children with CP. Three independent raters assessed the children using Clinical Rating Scale for Head Control at two different times, and the intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities were analyzed using kappa statistics and Bland-Altman analysis. Results Fifty children with CP with mean age, 24.17±12.17 months participated in the study. The result of the study showed that there were very good agreement in all the test positions for the three raters and between the first and the second ratings and in all the test positions between the three raters respectively (k>0.8). Similarly, there was no proportional bias between ratings in 24 of the measurements (p>0.05). Conclusion Clinical rating scale for head control seems to be a reliable instrument. Thus, it can be used to monitor the progress of rehabilitation in CP patients to help improve their quality of life.
HOTS LEARNING MODEL IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION
Authors: Tyas E. Handayani , Naibaho Lamhot
Published: February 2021

This paper aims to describe that the HOTS learning model can improve the quality of education. Quality education is an absolute prerequisite for the progress of a country, both at the regional, national, and especially international levels. The fourth industrial revolution has changed the way we live, work and collaborate with others. The technology developed in the fourth industrial revolution combines the physical, digital and biological worlds, which on the one hand opens up great opportunities for progress, but on the other hand, also raises no small potential dangers. To answer such a huge challenge, we as education observers will immediately take steps and use the right strategy, namely by implementing a learning model based on Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS). The importance of HOTS in the XXI century and the era of the industrial revolution 4.0 and why HOTS should be because the characteristics of HOTS learning are learning that can develop creativity. Learning to think critically and make decisions, learning to solve problems. This research uses a qualitative approach with a research library design. The findings of this study are that the HOTS learning model is suitable for improving the quality of learning, both in schools and universities, in other words, the HOTS learning model improves the quality of the education.
Sveučilište i tehnosfera: Kraj humanistike i mogućnosti obrata?
Authors: Paić Žarko
Published: February 2021

U članku se tematizira odnos između sveučilišta kao ideje ozbiljenja znanstveno-tehničkih mogućnosti „napretka“ i „razvitka“ čovjeka na kraju metafizike i onog što proizlazi iz razumijevanja tehnosfere kao vladavine „umjetne inteligencije“ i „umjetnoga života“ analizom četiriju temeljnih pojmova kibernetike: informacije ‒ povratne sprege (feedback) ‒ kontrole ‒ komunikacije. Kritičkom analizom mjerodavnih pristupa tom problemu unutar poststrukturalističkog kruga mišljenja od Jeana-Franҫoisa Lyotarda do Jacquesa Derridae autor pokazuje da se očuvanje „biti“ onoga što nazivamo humanistikom kao mišljenjem ‒ kazivanjem „na“ egzistencijalnu otvorenost čovjeka može izvesti jedino obratom u samoj „biti“ života izvan redukcije na njegove biogenetske procese. Kada život u svojoj posljednjoj mogućnosti produhovljenja postaje autopoietički sustav koji u tehnologiziranju bitka gubi značajke jednokratnosti i neizvjesnosti, a umjesto toga biva singularnošću i proračunljivošću, znanje „o“ kibernetičkoj razlici čovjeka i svijeta iziskuje radikalnu transformaciju. Ali ne više znanosti i njihova povijesno-epohalnoga mjesta odvijanja svjetske povijesti kao što je to ideja sveučilišta od Humboldta do tzv. Bolonjske reforme. Posljednja transformacija s kojom zapadnjačka metafizika kao onto-teo-kozmo-antropologija gubi vlastitu „bit“ odnosi se na ozbiljenje mogućnosti onog što je Friedrich W. Nietzsche namijenio ideji čovjeka ‒ da bude most između „životinje“ i „nadčovjeka“. Članak ima za nakanu ekstenzivnom analizom autorova pojma tehnosfere, kako je to izvedeno u petoknjižju istoimena naziva (Tehnosfera I-V) pokušati promisliti konzekvencije nove paradigme tehnoznanstvene konstrukcije „umjetnoga života“ za budućnost ideje sveučilišta i moguće nove „misije“ humanistike u tom sklopu.
Glomerular hyperfiltration in Yemeni children with sickle cell disease
Authors: Abdul-Wahab M Al-Saqladi , Fatima E Al-Musawa
Published: February 2021

Background: Glomerular hyperfiltration (GH) is a common feature of sickle cell nephropathy (SCN) starting at infancy and represents an early marker of incipient glomerular injury and renal dysfunction. Methods: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of GH among children (≤ 16 years) with sickle cell disease (SCD) at their steady state, recruited over 6 months at the Pediatric Outpatient Clinic in Al-Sadaqa General Teaching Hospital, Aden, Yemen. Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was estimated using the Schwartz formula. Data on clinical history, anthropometry, blood pressure (BP) and laboratory investigations were collected. Results: Of 101 children (mean age 7.2 ± 3.9 years), 65 (64.4%) were males. The prevalence of GH was observed in 36 (35.6%) children, who were significantly older (10.7 ± 3.2 vs. 5.2 ± 2.7 years, p < 0.001) and had a lower fetal Hb level (5 ± 3.3 vs. 9 ± 7.1, p = 0.02). All children were normotensive, but hyperfiltrating children showed significantly higher systolic (97.2 ± 7.3 vs. 89.7 ± 5.2 mmHg) and diastolic pressure (55.1 ± 5.0 vs. 49 ± 4.3 mmHg) (all p < 0.001). Among evaluated children, 25.7% had hyperfiltration alone, whereas 9.9% had an associated microalbuminuria (MA), and no significant difference in eGFR between those with and without MA (158.4 ± 33.7 vs. 160.7 ± 29.8 ml/min/173m2, p = 0.84). Conclusion: This study demonstrated a relatively high prevalence of GH in Yemeni children with SCD that increased with age. Recognition of hyperfiltration and other early markers of nephropathy in this population could help to develop renal protective strategies to prevent progressive loss of kidney function.
Pelatihan Online Dasar HTML untuk ASN dan non ASN Pemerintah Kota Bekasi
Authors: Putra Mardi Yudhi , Fatmaningtyas Intan Dwi , Muis Indra , Arifin Rita Wahyuni , Setiyadi Didik
Published: February 2021

Memahami dan mempelajari aplikasi berbasis website merupakan sebuah peluang di masa revolusi industri 4.0. Kemampuan penguasaaan teknologi dan informasi khususnya pada para ASN dan Non ASN Pemerintah Kota Bekasi dalam penguasaan HTML dan CSS sangat diperlukan mengingat dalam hal pelayanan administratif didukung dengan teknologi informasi dan komunikasi dalam menjalankan proses bisnis pemerintahan yang terintegrasi. Permasalahan yang terjadi pada saat ini adalah kurangnya memahami konsep dasar HTML (HyperText Markup Language), Kurangnya memahami konsep CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) dan kurangnya memahami pembuatan website dinamis. Pelaksanaan pelatihan Basic HTML dilakukan secara online melalui media www.zoom.us, www.youtube.com dan media sosial www.instagram.com. Kegiatan ini diikuti oleh 98 peserta dengan hasil akhir memberikan hasil yang positif yang terlihat dari umpan balik peserta terhadap materi yaitu pada nilai 4 (Bagus) 49,3% dan nilai 5 (Sangat Bagus) 42.2%.
Workshop of Web Analytics and Google My Business as Digital Marketing Tools
Authors: Natasuwarna Amar P.
Published: February 2021

 Web analytics can raise online sales. Businesspeople take advantage provided by the Google platform named Google My Business to promote their products online. As part of the implementation of Community Service, a workshop was held in collaboration with SMK Negeri 5 Pontianak on the use of web analytics and Google My Business. The participants took part were 30 students of the Culinary Art Department. This workshop was seized to increase students’ knowledge and skills in using web analytics tools and Google My Business so that they who were already in business be able to utilize these skills on online selling. Web analytics -including the two most popular tools used by businesses, namely Ubersuggest and Google Trends- were introduced. During the introduction of Google My Business, students directly practiced the online registration and feature introduction. A questionnaire was used to find out the attainment of knowledge. The results showed an increase in students’ knowledge in the important terms of Ubersuggest, Google Trends, and Google My Business. Moreover, students are expecting to develop their learning in using web analytics and Google My Business after practicing what has been learned in this workshop. Supposing they run digital marketing, this knowledge is worth accelerating sales performance, as well as escalating visitor traffic of the student’s fan page. 
The structure and porosity of plasma coatings
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geology, Sokolov V.N. , Chernov M.S. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geology, Kalita V.I. ,   Baikov Institute of metallurgy and materials science of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Komlev D.I. ,   Baikov Institute of metallurgy and materials science of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Radyuk A.A. ,   Baikov Institute of metallurgy and materials science of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: February 2021

Porous coatings are actively used in engineering practice. The porous coating determines the reliability of the operation of the intricostal implant, the heat transfer process when the aggregate state of the refrigerant is changed. The choice of method for quantitative analysis of porosity is determined by the structure of the coating. In this study, plasma coatings sprayed from powders were analyzed. A porosity of 10.3% inside the alumina coating was analyzed by mercury porosimetry. The main volume of the porosity of the coating is formed by pores ranging in size from 0.13 to 0.36 μm; their share in the total volume is 68.29%. The remaining volume is distributed in sizes of 0.04-0.12 mm, 0.58-4.66 mm, and 5.66-18.2 mm. Micro tomography allows you to get a more complete general idea of the macro- and microstructure of coatings, establishing the mechanisms of its formation, and allows you to obtain data on the real shape of the pores. A quantitative description of the visible pores of three-dimensional capillary-porous 3CaO·Al2O3 coatings in the form of ridges and depressions was determined by raster image analysis using special STIMAN programs. The porosity of this coating is 39.7% of the distribution over four pore groups: 0.74-3.56, 4.34-11.57, 14.08-55.65, 67.73-267.71 mm.
Decanaling of high-energy particles from planar channels of crystal. Elastic and inelastic scattering processes
Authors:   Baikov Institute of metallurgy and materials science of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kashlev Yu.A. , Maslyaev S.A. ,   Baikov Institute of metallurgy and materials science of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: February 2021

Based on the principles of nonequilibrium statistical thermodynamics, the kinetic theory of de-channeling of high-energy particles from planar channels of a crystal have been deduced. The de-channeling rate coefficient is considered from the point of view of the transition of a fast particle from the directional motion mode to the state of chaotic motion. The corresponding equation have been obtained that takes into account both the coherent nature of the diffraction of a particle beam in a regular single crystal and the inelastic scattering of channeled particles by electrons and phonons. An analytical solution of this equation have been obtained on the class of confluent hypergeometric function using which the de-channeling rate constant Re have been calculated. It have been shown that up to second-order terms in terms of the interaction potential the constant Re is inversely proportional to the relaxation time of the system tph. In calculating tph the polarization of space by a fast charged particle is not taken into account. The temperature and isotopic dependences of the de-channeling rate have been obtained.