bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Practical approaches to improve vancomycin-related patient outcomes in pediatrics- an alternative strategy when AUC/MIC is not feasible
Authors: Hussain Kashif , Salat Muhammad Sohail , Rauf Shahzad , Rathi Manoj , Khan Midhat , Naz Fizzah , Khan Wasif Ahmed , Ikram Rahila , Ambreen Gul
Published: August 2022

Background

Anecdotal experience and studies have shown that most pediatric patients fail to reach target therapeutic vancomycin trough levels (VTLs) and required higher total daily doses (TDD). This retrospective study aims to evaluate the frequency of hospitalized children who achieved target VTLs with a vancomycin (VNCO) dosing regimen of 40-60 mg/kg/d q6h and to assess the VNCO-TDD required to attain the target and their effects on clinical outcomes in pediatric patients.

Methods

After ethical approval, patients of 3 month-12 years were evaluated in this chart review study who received ≥ 3 intravenous-VNCO doses and appropriately drawn blood samples of VTLs between October 2019 to June 2020. Data were retrieved for demographic and clinical characteristics, culture reports, VNCO-regimen, subsequent steady-state VTLs, concomitant nephrotoxic medications, and serum creatinine. Clinical pharmacists made interventions in VNCO therapy and higher VNCO-TDD were used. Safety of higher vs standard daily doses and their clinical impact on duration of therapy, hospital stay, and survival were evaluated.

Results

A total of 89 (39.1%) patients achieved target VTLs (SD-group). The smallest proportion (18.2%) of 2–6 years patients achieved target VTLs and reported the lowest mean value of 10.1 ± 0.2 mg/L which was a significant difference (p < 0.05) from all subgroups. Subtherapeutic VTLs were observed in 139 (60.9%) cases (HD-group), who received higher VNCO-TDD of 72 ± 8.9 mg/kg/d q6h to achieve the targets. Duration of therapy in culture-proven septic patients was significantly (p = 0.025) longer in SD-group [18.4 ± 12.2 days] than HD-group [15.1 ± 8.9 days]. Nephrotoxicity and electrolyte imbalance were comparable in groups. Length of hospital stay was significantly (p = 0.011) longer [median 22 (range 8–55) days] in SD-group compared to HD-group [median 16 (range 8–37) days]. Number of patients survived in HD-group were significantly (p = 0.008) higher than SD-group [129 (92.8%) vs 75 (84.3%)].

Conclusion

Initial Vancomycin doses of 72 ± 8.9 mg/kg/day q6h are required to achieve therapeutic target in 3 months to 12 years patients. High doses are not associated with higher nephrotoxicity than reported with low doses. In addition, efficient pharmacist intervention for the use of higher VNCO-TDD may improve clinical outcomes in terms of duration of therapy, hospital stay, and survival.
DPP-4 inhibitors and GLP-1RAs: cardiovascular safety and benefits
Authors: Razavi Michael , Wei Ying-Ying , Rao Xiao-Quan , Zhong Ji-Xin
Published: August 2022

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors are commonly used treatments for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Both anti-diabetic treatments function by playing key modulatory roles in the incretin system. Though these drugs have been deemed effective in treating T2DM, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and some members of the scientific community have questioned the safety of these therapeutics relative to important cardiovascular endpoints. As a result, since 2008, the FDA has required all new drugs for glycemic control in T2DM patients to demonstrate cardiovascular safety. The present review article strives to assess the safety and benefits of incretin-based therapy, a new class of antidiabetic drug, on the health of patient cardiovascular systems. In the process, this review will also provide a physiological overview of the incretin system and how key components function in T2DM.
Coronary stent-graft use to salvage a juxta-anastomotic arterial rupture complicating a case of radio-cephalic fistuloplasty
Authors: Lin Zhiyuan , Kallam Neha , Khurram Ruhaid , Al Midani Ammar , Khalifa Mohamed
Published: August 2022

Background

Stenosis is a common complication of haemodialysis arteriovenous accesses. Endovascular approaches with percutaneous transluminal fistuloplasty have largely replaced open surgical approaches as first line treatment. Vessel rupture is an uncommon complication of fistuloplasty and most reports describe venous rupture. Stent-graft deployment can salvage this, however, its use requires careful assessment of the distal vasculature. Arterial rupture with fistuloplasty has rarely been described in the literature. This is a novel case describing the use of a BeGraft coronary stent-graft to manage juxta-anastomotic arterial rupture and pseudoaneurysm complicating fistuloplasty.

Case presentation

A 77 year old female with end stage renal failure secondary to systemic amyloid light chain type amyloidosis was referred for a suspected radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula stenosis after difficulty cannulating with poor flow during dialysis and clinical reduction in the fistula thrill. Both Doppler ultrasound and intravenous fistulography confirmed a venous stenosis 2 cm distal to the anastomosis. The stenosis was treated by fistuloplasty, however, this was complicated by a rupture of the juxta-anastomotic arterial segment intraoperatively. Intermittent balloon tamponade was used to minimise extravasation although a pseudoaneurysm formed within the damaged arterial segment. The patient’s distal neurovascular status was assessed using the Barbeau test and we sonographically confirmed adequate retrograde arterial flow via a complete palmar arch directing blood from the ulnar artery. After discussion with the renal transplant team, a 4 mm BeGraft coronary stent-graft was deployed to control haemorrhage and bypass the pseudoaneurysm until adequate haemostasis and fistula flow was achieved. Follow-up 3 months post-procedure reported the patient continued with haemodialysis using the stented fistula with no further complications.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first case report describing the application of BeGraft coronary stent-grafts to salvage fistuloplasty of a radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula stenosis complicated by juxta-anastomotic arterial rupture and pseudoaneurysm formation. We demonstrate the safety and short-term efficacy of this technology.
Functional non-glutaraldehyde treated porcine pericardium for anti-coagulation, anti-calcification, and endothelial proliferation bioprosthetic heart valves
Authors: Chen Xiaotong , Yu Tao , Kong Qunshou , Kuang Dajun , Xu Hong , Zhao Zhiyu , Yang Li , Li Gaocan , Fan Haojun , Wang Yunbing
Published: August 2022

In the last decade, the number of transcatheter heart valve replacement for severe heart valve disease has increased exponentially. Although the bioprosthetic artificial heart valve (BHV) has similar fluid dynamics performance to the original heart valve compared with mechanical heart valve so that there is no need to take long-term anticoagulant drugs to prevent thromboembolism, transcatheter BHV replacement are still at risk for thrombosis during the first few months according to the clinical data. However, the use of antithrombotic drugs can also increase the risk of bleeding. Therefore, it is particularly important to improve the anticoagulant properties for the BHV itself. In this work, a kind of non-glutaraldehyde cross-linked BHV material with excellent antithrombotic ability has been prepared from carboxylated oxazolidine treated porcine pericardium (consisting of collagen, elastin and glycoprotein) with the further graft of the anticoagulant heparin sodium via hydrophilic modified chitosan. Along with the similar mechanical properties and collagen stability comparable to the glutaraldehyde cross-linked porcine pericardium (PP), these functional non-glutaraldehyde cross-linked PPs exhibit better biocompatibility, promoted endothelial proliferation and superior anti-calcification ability. More importantly, excellent anticoagulant activity can be observed in the hematological experiments in vivo and in vitro. In summary, these excellent performances make these functional non-glutaraldehyde cross-linked PPs great potentialities in the BHV applications.

Graphical abstract
Usefulness of the SAF score to characterize NAFLD/NASH in non-cirrhotic HCV patients
Authors: El Ray Ahmed , Paradis Valerie , Montasser Ahmed , Elghannam Maged , Shemis Mohamed , Nessim Iris , Abu-Taleb Hoda , Asselah Tarik , Mohamed Ashiq , Poté Nicolas , Akl Maha , Marcellin Patrick
Published: August 2022

Background

The SAF score (steatosis, activity, and fibrosis) has been developed for the assessment of the histological severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of the SAF score in a homogenous cohort of Egyptian patients with chronic HCV infection (CHC) without any alcohol consumption and without cirrhosis. We performed a prospective cross-sectional study including 70 consecutive Egyptian patients with chronic HCV infection to assess the usefulness of the SAF score to characterize NAFLD/NASH in non-cirrhotic HCV patients. The inclusion criteria included positive serum anti-HCV IgG antibody and positive HCVRNA, absence of treatment, and absence of cirrhosis (fibrosis score < F4). Patients were divided into two groups: with metabolic syndrome (MS) and without metabolic syndrome (non-MS). All patients were exposed to thorough history taking, full clinical examination, and laboratory and ultrasound assessment. Histopathologic evaluation of the liver biopsy for the assessment of steatosis, activity, grade, and fibrosis stage was assessed by 2 pathologists with experience in liver diseases.

Results

We found that the degree of fibrosis increases with aging. Liver biopsies from CHC patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) exhibited a significantly higher stage of fibrosis than biopsies from those without MS; however, the grade of inflammation did not differ significantly between the two groups. No significant correlation was found between the SAF score and the body mass index (BMI) or serum HCV RNA. No significant relation between SAF score, fibrosis, and MS. No significant relation was found between the MS and the level of HCV viremia.

Conclusion

We concluded that steatosis was associated with the fibrosis stage, independently of MS. This suggests that in this population, steatosis might be more related to HCV infection than to NAFLD and that fibrosis progression might be related, at least in part, to the steatosis process, i.e., virus-associated fatty liver disease (VAFLD).
Comparison of carotid intima media thickness between women with history of preeclampsia and normal pregnancy: a meta-analysis of systematic review
Authors: Pikir Budi Susetyo , Subagjo Agus , Wardhani Deasy Eka , Andrianto  , Oktaviono Yudi Her , Nugraha Ricardo Adrian
Published: August 2022

Background

On a clinical level, preeclampsia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease share common risk factors. Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) is ultrasound-based imaging, non-invasive, simple, and reproducible method of subclinical atherosclerosis evaluation. Nowadays, there were studies concerning of CIMT among preeclamptic women, although the results were different.

Objective

To prove that CIMT among women with histories of preeclampsia was greater compared to normal pregnancy.

Methods

We conducted a meta-analysis of studies that reported CIMT, in women who had preeclampsia and had normal pregnancy. Studies were identified through three databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, and SAGE Journals with publication year of 2010–2020. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. Standardized mean difference was used as measured of effect size.

Results

Nine eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis. This meta-analysis consisted of 439 women with preeclampsia histories and 526 women with normal pregnancy histories. Women who had preeclampsia had significantly higher CIMT compared to those with normal pregnancy with standardized mean difference −0.38 and 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.68 to −0.07 (p=0.02).

Conclusion

CIMT was greater among women with histories of preeclampsia compared to normal pregnancy.

Trial registration

PROSPERO CRD42021228825
A comparative analysis of canal wall reconstruction mastoidectomy over canal wall down mastoidectomy
Authors: Roy Rikta , Gupta Yamini , Roy Pronab Kumar
Published: August 2022

Aim

This study aims to investigate the advantages of canal wall reconstruction mastoidectomy (C.W.R.) over the canal wall down (CWD) mastoidectomy.

Material and method

A prospective study was conducted on sixty patients with cholesteatoma who underwent operation from September 2010 to October 2016. Patients were divided into two groups: “Group A," posterior canal wall reconstruction group (C.W.R.) with 28 patients (28 ears) and “Group B” which included 32 patients (32 ears) in whom canal wall down mastoidectomy (CWD) was done without reconstruction. The patients were followed up at 3 months and 6 months postoperatively with otoendoscopy to look for recurrence or residual disease, the occurrence of any complications, and for hearing assessment.

Results

Group A (C.W.R.) patients were cosmetically better, and none had postoperative cavity problems. While in Group B (CWD), 16 patients (50%) had a cavity problem. Group A CWR group also had early epithelization. Both methods had hearing improvement postoperatively. Group A had more hearing improvement than Group B.

Conclusion

The C.W.R. method is a safe method for eliminating the problem of the mastoid cavity. This surgery can be easily taught and applied universally in all cholesteatoma patients as a primary treatment. The C.W.R. technique provides improved exposure to the middle ear without creating a mastoid bowl, which significantly reduces the incidence of residual and recurrent disease. These results indicate that the C.W.R. method is better than the CWD operation.
Massive ganglioneuroma of the parapharyngeal space in a pediatric patient: a case report
Authors: Jayavelu Swetha , Anderson Raleigh , Low Garren , Asi Karim , Roy Soham
Published: August 2022

Background

Neuroblastic tumors arise from primitive sympathetic ganglion cells and are the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood. Ganglioneuroma is the most well-differentiated, benign subtype and comprises less than 1% of all soft tissue tumors. One to 5% of these occur in the head and neck, including the parapharyngeal space. It is uncommon to find a physically detectable, neoplastic parapharyngeal space mass in a child.

Case report

A 7-year-old boy presented with a painless left neck mass. Imaging revealed a 2.6 × 2.7 × 6.1 cm left parapharyngeal space mass. Fine-needle aspiration suggested a ganglioneuroma. The patient developed compressive symptoms, notably pain, thus the decision was made to surgically resect. The tumor was excised transcervically, preserving the great vessels, phrenic and cranial nerves. Postoperatively, the patient developed a mild ipsilateral Horner’s syndrome, suggesting the mass to be a ganglioneuroma of the sympathetic chain.

Conclusions

Cervical ganglioneuromas typically present as slow-growing masses that cause compressive symptoms or are found incidentally. Resection is reserved for those with significant symptoms and is often complicated by Horner’s syndrome. In the review of literature, there are 23 reported cases of ganglioneuroma in the head/neck with a median age of 17 years. Eight of these occurred in the para/retropharyngeal spaces. Of these, five presented as an asymptomatic neck mass, two presented with compressive symptoms, and one was discovered incidentally. It is important to consider ganglioneuroma in the workup of pediatric neck masses, even in young children. Asymptomatic masses should be monitored for symptomatic transformation, and excision should be considered.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis mimicking acute otitis media in childhood—a case presentation
Authors: Ocal F. Ceyda Akin , Satar Bulent , Bozlar Uğur , Safali Mukerrem
Published: August 2022

Background

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is an abnormal polyclonal proliferation of Langerhans cells that affect different parts of the body. Temporal bone involvement is quite common among the involved sites. The etiology is unknown. Diagnosis is based on symptoms, imaging, and histopathology. Especially LCH in temporal bone is confused with acute or subacute otitis media. There are many treatment options in LCH.

Case presentation

Here, a 2-year-old pediatric patient with pain in the right ear was diagnosed as having LCH as a result of the examinations. MRG revealed multiple lesions in the temporal bone, sphenoid bone, and clivus. She was treated with steroids and vinblastine.

Conclusion

Possible tumoral formations should be kept in mind when children complain of otalgia and otitis media-like clinical picture for a long time.
Reduced T-shaped soil domain for nonlinear dynamic soil-bridge interaction analysis
Authors: d’Avila Maria Paola Santisi , Lenti Luca , Gobbi Stefania , Fares Reine
Published: August 2022

The one-directional three-component wave propagation in a T-shaped soil domain (1DT-3C) is a numerical modeling technique, in a finite element scheme, to investigate dynamic soil-structure interaction (SSI) coupled with seismic site effects, under the assumption of vertical propagation of three-component seismic motion along a horizontal multilayered soil. A three-dimensional elasto-plastic model is adopted for soils, characterized using their shear modulus reduction curve.

In this research, the 1DT-3C wave propagation modeling technique is proposed as an efficient tool for bridge design to take into account directly the spatial variability of seismic loading. This approach, in the preliminary phase of bridge study and design, allows the reduction of the soil domain and the easier definition of boundary conditions, using geotechnical parameters obtained with only one borehole investigation for each pier. This leads to a gain in modeling and computational time.
Two hours method for RNA and DNA co-extraction from blood of coronary artery disease patients: Fast, simple and economical technique
Authors: Dandare Abdullahi , Rafiq Muhammad , Liaquat Afrose , Jawad Khan Muhammad
Published: August 2022

Objectives: Extraction of DNA and RNA is the first step in genomics and transcriptomics studies. Phenol-chloroform method for DNA extraction has been the widely used method. However, this method is relatively expensive and time-consuming. The objective of the present study was to validate a cost and time-effective protocol that will reduce the burden of molecular biology-based research and make a difference in laboratories with limited resources.

Methods: A comparative study was conducted at Syed Qamer Alam Research Laboratory, Shifa College of Medicine; from February, 2021 to August, 2021. TRIzolTM method was used to extract RNA from blood samples of coronary artery disease patients and remnant was used to extract DNA. The quantity, purity and integrity of the extracted DNA by both methods (TRIzol and phenol-chloroform) was examined. PCR product amplification was performed with thrombomodulin (THBD) gene to validate the characteristic of the extracted DNA and its efficiency for downstream experiments.

Results: The DNA yield in the TRIzolTM method was three-fold higher than phenol chloroform method. Both methods showed intact genomic DNA on the agarose gel, and extracted DNA was efficient for PCR amplification.

Conclusion: The TRIzolTM method for RNA and DNA co-extraction is fast, simple and economical technique. So, it can be adopted for routine molecular biology analyses in limited resources setup.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.7.5509

How to cite this:Dandare A, Rafiq M, Liaquat A, Khan MJ. Two hours method for RNA and DNA co-extraction from blood of coronary artery disease patients: Fast, simple and economical technique. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(7):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.7.5509

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Clinico-pathological features and related risk factors of Type-2 diabetes mellitus complicated with nonalcoholic fatty liver
Authors: Chen Lisha , Jiang Li
Published: August 2022

Objectives: To analyze the clinicopathological features and risk factors of Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: The data of 145 patients with T2DM who received treatment in our hospital from May 2020 to May 2021 were collected. The patients were diagnosed with NAFLD by abdominal liver Doppler ultrasound; The general data and laboratory examination indexes of T2DM patients with and without NAFLD were compared; To analyze the risk factors of NAFLD in T2DM patients.

Results: According to the results of the ultrasound examination, 71(48.97%) patients were simple T2DM, and 74(51.03%) patients were T2DM with NAFLD. Compared with simple T2DM, T2DM patients with NAFLD had higher BMI, hypertension, fasting plasma glucose(FPG), insulin resistance, triglycerides (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and uric acid(UA) (P<0.05). Further logistic regression analysis showed a higher BMI (OR=1.841, P=0.013), FPG (OR=1.576, P=0.014), insulin resistance (OR=4.195, P<0.001) and elevated TG (OR=4.676, P=0.042) are risk factors for T2DM with NAFLD.

Conclusion: High BMI, BPG, insulin resistance index and TG are independent risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver in T2DM patients. During intervention, attention should be paid to the monitoring of these indicators to effectively prevent the aggravation of the disease.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.7.6289

How to cite this:Chen L, Jiang L. Clinico-pathological features and related risk factors of Type-2 diabetes mellitus complicated with nonalcoholic fatty liver. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(7):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.7.6289

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
rapid course of small cell lung cancer and treatment options - case report
Authors: Łomża Aleksandra , Rodzajewska Anna , Kowaleczko Magda , Łaba Łukasz , Chmielewska Izabela , Milanowski Janusz
Published: August 2022

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a disease with an unfavorable prognosis. Factors contributing to losing prognosis include: systemic disease, many comorbidities, smoking and the patient's low performance status (PS). Early diagnosis and treatment initiation seem to be the most significant in the diagnostic and therapeutic process. However, most of patients are diagnosed in metastatic stage. The basic method of metastatic SCLC treatment is chemotherapy, which, according to the latest research (CASPIAN, IMPower133), can be linked to immunotherapy, which is associated with a major improvement in therapeutic efficiency. We present a case of 64-year-old man with a rapidly progressive course of small cell lung cancer, where the fulminant course of the disease led to death within about one month of the first imaging examinations, equally preventing the initiation of systemic treatment. The presented case shows how important is paying attention to the first symptoms, timely diagnosis of the disease and initiation of effective and targeted therapy in patients with SCLC.
What are the effects of taking 300 pills of sodium valproate? - case report
Authors: Pożarowska Kinga , Brzuszkiewicz Kinga , Rudziński Gracjan , Tchórz Michał
Published: August 2022

INTRODUCTION: Sodium valproate is one of the most important antiepileptic drugs. It can be effective as a preventive treatment for migraine, it has also found use in the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder and acute mania,it is sometimes used in the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia, in the treatment of schizophrenia borderline personality disorder and acquired brain injury, this drug is used off-label. Its overdose can be fatal.

MATERIALS    AND  METHOD:  Patient  information  was  collected  from  hospital  records available in the clinical toxicology department. In addition, we conducted a literature review on sodium valproate treatment, its toxicity, side effects and pharmacokinetics using PubMed.

CASE  REPORT:  A 57-year-old patient with a history of depressive disorders was admitted to the Clinical Department of Toxicology and Cardiology in Lublin for intentional intoxication with the drug Absenor (sodium valproate). The patient had taken 3 packages of Absenor 500 mg (300 tablets in total) for suicidal purposes. The determined concentration of valproic acid was 841 µg/ml, and the patient's condition was very severe. Despite the treatment administered-multiple attempts at gastric lavage, administration of activated charcoal, performance of hemodialysis procedures, administration of infusion of catecholamines, the patient died on the fifth day of hospitalization.

CONCLUSION:  An overdose of sodium valproate can be fatal. Keep this in mind when ordering this drug for patients with a positive history of suicide attempts.
Posture Analysis With REBA And RULA Methods At PT. PAGILARAN Batang Central Java
Authors: Zaini Muhammad Arul
Published: August 2022

Abstract One of the levels of worker productivity is influenced by work posture. Work posture is an important aspect that needs to be considered in the industrial world, especially in the production process activities. Movement errors that are carried out repeatedly over a long period of time will cause fatigue of musculoskeletal disorders (loading errors on muscles and skeleton) and this can reduce the performance of workers in doing their work. So it is necessary to analyze the work posture of workers or employees using the REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) and RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) methods which are work posture research methods to investigate disorders of the limbs. Based on the results of data processing using the REBA method, it can be concluded that the work posture in the wet sorting sector has a score of 9. This work posture really needs to be improved and will cause a high impact / risk if it continues. In the results of data processing using the RULA method, the work posture of the milling station workers has a final score of 7. This means that the work posture needs to be improved. The work posture at the two stations to be improved immediately in order to minimize the fatality that occurs in the worker's body posture
SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT: A REVIEW
Authors: Basuki Mahmud
Published: August 2022

Supply Chain Management (SCM) is a very dynamic upstream to downstream distribution system that aims to produce a service, a better product, and a minimum cost. To achieve this, there are new concepts for the development of SCM, namely Lean Supply Chain (LSC), Supply Chain Quality Management (SCQM), and Supply Chain Network Design. Where LSC applies lean to address waste in the distribution chain, maximizing production, so costs will be reduced, and competitiveness will increase. Whereas SCQM in its application has the term internal dimension, namely quality management and external dimension, namely the context of supply chain management. Then for supply chain network design is a technology that can support the development of SCM to realize the connectivity and integration of distribution data so that all parties must feel benefited, both the producers, the shipping service, and the end users.
Measuring Performance Using Balanced Scorecard
Authors: Setiowati Noni Oktiana , Syukri Siti Husna Ainu
Published: August 2022

Abstract

 

Small and medium enterprises (SME) have become the backbone of Indonesia domestic economy and accountable for Indonesia Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Yogyakarta is known for many metal casting SMEs including SP Aluminium which produce household appliances and crafts. The competition between SMEs that continues to increase will require company performance measurements that are not only based on financial aspects, but also emphasize the balance of other aspects such as the Balanced Scorecard method. Currently, many SMEs such as SP Aluminium have never carried out performance measurements outside financial aspects, while non-financial aspects are also important for business development. The objective of this study is to measure SP Aluminium performance using Balanced Scorecard. The results showed that for the Financial Perspective, SP Aluminium had exceeded ROI and Profit Margin targets, but the Revenue Growth Indicator only reached the company target in 2013. For the Customer Perspective, Customer Profitability had exceeded the target and keeps increasing, but Customer Growth sharply decreased in 2015 and didn’t reach the company target. There are 3 indicators who meet the company target on Internal Business Process Perspective: Product Innovation, Operation Process, and After-sales Process. Meanwhile another indicator, Defective Product Ratio did not meet the company’s target. For Learning & Growth Perspective, Employee Productivity had exceeded the company target since 2013. Meanwhile for Employee Satisfaction indicator, 76,40% of the employees were satisfied working in SP Aluminium. But Work Accident indicator needs more attention because the measurements result showed that the accidents occurred in the company always increased every year and far exceeded the set target.

 

Keyword: SME, Balanced Scorecard, Performance Measurement
GARMENT PRODUCT COST CALCULATIONS BY METHOD FULL COSTING
Authors: Darsini Darsini
Published: August 2022

PT. XXX is a large company in the garment industry, which carries out production activities based on orders. The calculation of the cost of products that has been carried out by the company still has the classification of production costs that are not exactly in accordance with the existing theory, therefore it is necessary to have a full costing method to determine an effective product selling price. By conducting this research, we can find out whether there is a difference between the full costing method of calculating the Cost of Product and the calculations that have been done by the company. This study took 4 clothing models to be examined, including the rob shirt, top blouse, trauser elli and mash jumpsuit. The results of previous research that the rob shirt model gained a profit of 10.8%, after using the full costing method it became 41.6%, the previous top blouse model gained a profit of 0.7%, after using the full costing method it became 35.8%, the Elli model The previous trauser made a profit of 24.8%, after using the full costing method it became 88.3%, the previous mash jumpsuit model gained a profit of 1.4%, after using the full costing method it was 36.6%. These results are proven, that using the full costing method the company gets greater profits than before, because the calculated costs for calculating the cost of goods are more detailed and carried out effectively according to the needs for production.
SIMULATION OF FLUID FLOW THROUGH A STAINLESS STEEL GLOBE VALVE USING ENGINEERING FLUID DYNAMICS
Authors: Tho Nguyen Huu
Published: August 2022

Globe valves are often used in many practical application of industry with the aim of controlling the fluid flow through the valve. Valve design ensuring an operation capacity plays an important role for engineers. This paper presents the design and simulation of fluid flow through the globe valve using CAD/CAE tools such as Autodesk CFD. Besides, design of experiment technique Box-Behnken is used to integrate the CFD simulation to identify the optimal design parameters of the globe valve. These parameters are inlet pressure, orifice diameter, and outlet clearance. The results showed that the optimal parameters are appropriate to improve the valve design to ensure the maximum fluid flow rate.
OPTIMUM DESIGN AND RAPID PROTOTYPING OF MECHANICSM BASED ON CAD/CAE SYSTEM AND FUSED DEPOSITION MODELING 3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY
Authors: Ly Thanh-Hung , Chau Thi-Than , Nguyen H Tho , Le Thanh-Long , Nguyen Vu-Anh-Duy
Published: August 2022

Materials’ optimization for the product structure makes its weight smaller and easy to transport after manufacturing but still ensure the criteria of its strength, hardness, and capacity of good operation. These properties are extermely important and criteria need to be obtained in many field of aerospace, automotive, ship and other industries, etc. Besides, the optimization of product mass will save the materials and bring significant benefits for manufacturers and improve the environment. Thus, this paper presents the design and optimization based on the topology principles for machine mechanism and its rapid prototyping using CAD/CAE and FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D printing technology/additive manufacturing (AM). The machine elements or links are manufactured by PLA material on 3D Delta printer. The results showed that designed machine mechanism have the optimized geometry, reduced materials and satisfied the operation capacity.
Identification of discontinuous parameters in double phase obstacle problems
Authors: Zeng Shengda , Bai Yunru , Winkert Patrick , Yao Jen-Chih
Published: August 2022

In this article, we investigate the inverse problem of identification of a discontinuous parameter and a discontinuous boundary datum to an elliptic inclusion problem involving a double phase differential operator, a multivalued convection term (a multivalued reaction term depending on the gradient), a multivalued boundary condition and an obstacle constraint. First, we apply a surjectivity theorem for multivalued mappings, which is formulated by the sum of a maximal monotone multivalued operator and a multivalued pseudomonotone mapping to examine the existence of a nontrivial solution to the double phase obstacle problem, which exactly relies on the first eigenvalue of the Steklov eigenvalue problem for the

p

p

-Laplacian. Then, a nonlinear inverse problem driven by the double phase obstacle equation is considered. Finally, by introducing the parameter-to-solution-map, we establish a continuous result of Kuratowski type and prove the solvability of the inverse problem.
Global boundedness to a 3D chemotaxis-Stokes system with porous medium cell diffusion and general sensitivity
Authors: Tian Yu , Xiang Zhaoyin
Published: August 2022

In this article, we will develop an analytical approach to construct the global bounded weak solutions to the initial-boundary value problem of a three-dimensional chemotaxis-Stokes system with porous medium cell diffusion

Δ

n

m

\Delta {n}^{m}

for

m
≥

65

63

m\ge \frac{65}{63}

and general sensitivity. In particular, this extended the precedent results which asserted global solvability within the larger range

m
>

7

6

m\gt \frac{7}{6}

for general sensitivity (M. Winkler, Boundedness and large time behavior in a three-dimensional chemotaxis-Stokes system with nonlinear diffusion and general sensitivity, Calc. Var. 54 (2015), 3789–3828) or

m
>

9

8

m\gt \frac{9}{8}

for scalar sensitivity (M. Winkler, Global existence and stabilization in a degenerate chemotaxis-Stokes system with mildly strong diffusion enhancement, J. Differ. Equ. 264 (2018), 6109–6151). Our proof is based on a new observation on the quasi-energy-type functional and on an induction argument.
On regular solutions to compressible radiation hydrodynamic equations with far field vacuum
Authors: Li Hao , Zhu Shengguo
Published: August 2022

The Cauchy problem for three-dimensional (3D) isentropic compressible radiation hydrodynamic equations is considered. When both shear and bulk viscosity coefficients depend on the mass density

ρ

\rho

in a power law

ρ

δ

{\rho }^{\delta }

(with

0
<
δ
<
1

0\lt \delta \lt 1

), based on some elaborate analysis of this system’s intrinsic singular structures, we establish the local-in-time well-posedness of regular solution with arbitrarily large initial data and far field vacuum in some inhomogeneous Sobolev spaces by introducing some new variables and initial compatibility conditions. Note that due to the appearance of the vacuum, the momentum equations are degenerate both in the time evolution and viscous stress tensor, which, along with the strong coupling between the fluid and the radiation field, make the study on corresponding well-posedness challenging. For proving the existence, we first introduce an enlarged reformulated structure by considering some new variables, which can transfer the degeneracies of the radiation hydrodynamic equations to the possible singularities of some special source terms, and then carry out some singularly weighted energy estimates carefully designed for this reformulated system.
Early Bilingual Vocabulary Development Among Low-SES Ethnic Minority Learners in China: The Case of Uyghur and Kazak Children
Authors: Li Guofang , Yin Xiaorong , Ji Xuejun (Ryan)
Published: August 2022

Vocabulary knowledge is one of the most important aspects of language development. For bilingual students, early vocabulary development often predicts their future bilingual success. This paper examines early bilingual receptive vocabulary knowledge of ethnic minority children (N=135) from two large ethnic language communities (Uyghur and Kazak) in three national-level poverty-stricken counties in Xinjiang, China. The children’s bilingual vocabulary knowledge was assessed using translated versions of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-IV (PPTV-IV) in Putonghua (PTH) and their mother tongue (MT) Uyghur or Kazak. Data were analyzed through four General Linear Models (GLM). The analyses showed that both groups scored higher in MT vocabulary knowledge than that in their PTH, although the Kazak students’ MT vocabulary scores were lower than those of the Uyghurs. While gender, age, L1, or residence location were not significant factors in differences across the two groups in PTH, among the Kazak children, the main effect of age was significant in MT; and among Uyghur children, residence location had a significant effect. The two groups also differed in patterns of acquisition in different parts of speech (nouns, verbs, and attributes) with Uyghur children performing strongest in MT and PTH verbs. The findings have important implications for ensuring the quality of early bilingual education among impoverished Chinese minority communities.
Research on the Students’ Attitudes Towards Multilingualism: Li Minority Students in Hainan
Authors: Yue Mei , Fan Xujie
Published: August 2022

Recent research has emphasized that attitude is key to language learners’ learning outcomes. More specifically, language learners’ feelings about languages and language learning may affect their study behavior and willingness to engage with a second or foreign language. Few studies on language attitudes have been conducted with ethnic minority groups in China. As such, influencing factors (e.g., gender, language proficiency) have not gained sufficient attention. The present study aims to explore language attitudes, especially towards multilingualism, among members of the Li minority group in Hainan, China. First, we conceptualized and validated a questionnaire on attitudes towards multilingualism. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis verified the survey’s validity. Then, we examined how selected sociodemographic variables (e. g., gender and language proficiency) influenced students’ attitudes towards multilingualism. Hierarchical regression was performed to ascertain the contribution of each predictor variable to learners’ attitudes towards multilingualism. Results revealed no significant relationship between gender and language attitudes but found a significant impact of students’ language proficiency level on their attitudes towards multilingualism. Implications for minority students’ multilingual learning were discussed based on the findings.
English Teachers’ Beliefs About Multilingual Awareness in L3 Learning and Their Teaching Practice in Chinese EFL Context
Authors: Wu Baiyinna
Published: August 2022

Teachers’ beliefs toward multilingual awareness in target language learning play a significant role in shaping learners’ attitudes to language awareness, affect learners’ linguistic behavior and teachers’ teaching practice. Therefore, the present study was aimed to explore English teachers’ beliefs about Inner Mongolian university students’ multilingual awareness in L3 learning and their teaching practice in Chinese EFL context. One hundred English teachers from six universities in Inner Mongolia, China, participated in this investigation. The data was collected through a questionnaire and teacher interviews. The results indicate that English teachers hold positive attitudes to multilingual awareness in general; however, there are belief differences between Mongolian and Han teachers; there exist discrepancies between English teachers’ beliefs about multilingual awareness and their teaching practice, and social-cultural environment, family language policy, teacher identity, learning experience, teaching materials, and, more importantly, teachers’ lack of awareness of fostering learners’ multilingual awareness lead to the discrepancies. The present research highlights the necessity of raising teacher awareness of cultivating multilingual awareness in future teacher development and emphasizes the significance of exploring the potential cognitive advantages of multilingualism in promoting L3 learning and developing English learners’ multilingual competence in the EFL context in China.
Developing Students’ Intercultural Communicative Competence Through Threads of Personal Experiences: A Reflective Approach
Authors: Liu Yi
Published: August 2022

With the development of world globalization, English works as a lingua franca for intercultural communication among different cultures in the world. This shift implies that introducing solely English native speaking cultures to students is not sufficient for their needs. This paper depicts the reflective teaching process of my ten years of experience of teaching intercultural communication. The paper describes how the teacher systematically reflects on the practice of teaching, continuously revises the curriculum, and finally formulates an efficient model of integrating students’ personal experiences into developing students’ intercultural communicative competence and awareness. This reflective study attempts to provide some pedagogical implications for intercultural communication education.
Effects of Written Corrective Feedback on College EFL Students’ Writing Accuracy and Linguistic Knowledge Acquisition
Authors: Sun Haiyang , QI Wenbo
Published: August 2022

Set at the interface between second language acquisition and second language writing, this study examines how different types of written corrective feedback (WCF) influence the writing accuracy of Chinese college students learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and whether WCF facilitates the students’ grasp of the focused linguistic knowledge. The participants (n = 60) were divided into direct correction group (n = 20), indirect error-coding group (n = 20) and metalinguistic explanation group (n = 20). The three groups wrote four essays in two months and received WCF for the first three essays on the five targeted error types, namely tense errors, confusion of different forms of a word, word (articles, prepositions, etc.) missing, errors in subject-verb agreement and inappropriate verb-noun collocations. The results show that all three types of WCF improved students’ writing accuracy but none of them had any statistical advantage, and the metalinguistic WCF was more effective than the other two forms in facilitating the acquisition of the targeted linguistic features. These results shed some light on teaching and consolidation of language points through writing in EFL contexts.
A rare but troublesome complication of cesarean section: the uterocutaneous fistula. Report of two cases and review of literature
Authors: Cicinelli Rossana , Cicinelli Ettore , Crupano Francesco , Vinciguerra Marina , Lamanna Bruno , Vimercati Antonella
Published: August 2022

Objectives

The occurrence of a uterocutaneous fistula (UCF) as an uncommon and severe complication of caesarean section (CS). The aim of this study was to describe two cases of UCFs after CS and to discuss about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Case presentation

Both women few days after CS had surgical site infection, fever and elevation of lab inflammation markers. bacterial culture of the wound drainage was positive for Escherichia Coli and Enterococcus Faecalis.

Conclusions

Fistula between uterine and skin is a rare condition but should be considered with signs of inflammation after cesarean section; 2D/3D ultrasound evaluation appears to be useful for diagnosis of UCFs when combined with CT fistulography and MRI in order to obtain early diagnosis and, consequently, a conservative surgery.
Chagasic heart failure in a pregnant woman in a non-endemic area: case report and long-term follow-up
Authors: Gastañaga-Holguera Teresa , González-González Virginia , Merino-Amador Paloma
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Chagas disease (CD) is caused by infection with the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite that nests in various tissues, causing irreversible cardiac damage in 30% of patients with chronic disease and neurological or digestive lesions in 10%. CD is now found in areas receiving migrant populations where no vector-borne transmission occurs. Chagasic cardiomyopathy (CC) is the most serious complication of the chronic phase of CD and the major cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with CD.

Case presentation

Bolivian woman at 38 weeks of gestation was admitted at the emergency room with the diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Cesarean section was performed and maternal hypotension and uterine atony occurred. Dilated myocardiopathy with severe left ventricle dysfunction was diagnosed. The patient referred positive serology for T. cruzi and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was positive so benznidazole therapy was started. She was discharged due to progressive improvement with cardiological treatment and implantable cardioverter defibrillator was placed 5 years later for the prevention of sudden cardiac death.

Conclusions

The diagnosis of CC in non-endemic areas requires a high index of suspicion and it is based on serology. Antiparasitic drugs are almost 100% effective in infected newborn babies and highly effective in the treatment of patients in the acute stage of the disease. However, the efficacy of both drugs decreases the longer a person has been infected. Treatment of CC that causes chronic heart failure is similar to that in non-Chagasic etiology.
Bubble Column Bioreactor using native non-genetically modified organisms: a remediation alternative by hydrocarbon-polluted water from the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Castañeda-Chávez María del Refugio , Isidoro-Pio Angel de Jesús , Lango-Reynoso Fabiola , Lizardi-Jiménez Manuel Alejandro
Published: August 2022

Notwithstanding the benefits that oil provides as a source of energy, society also recognizes the environmental problems caused by its use. We evaluated eight coastal sites in the central area of the Gulf of Mexico. At these sites, 14 hydrocarbons were detected which belong to compounds formed by carbons ranging from C9 to C27. The hydrocarbons with the highest concentrations were n-nonane (3.07 ± 1.60 mg L−1), carbazole (0.93 ± 0.12 mg L−1) and benzo [a] pyrene (1.33 ± 0.71 mg L−1). The hydrocarbons found belong mostly to medium fraction hydrocarbons, which are mostly found in fuels such as diesel. Therefore, this fuel was used as a carbon source or substrate in bubble column bioreactors. The capacity of non-genetically modified organisms to degrade microbial hydrocarbons was evaluated using a mineral medium for a period of 14 days. Suspended solids increased from 0.8 to 2.94 g L−1. Diesel consumption was achieved in 12 days of operation.