bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vector Additive Decomposition for 2D Fractional Diffusion Equation
Authors: Abrashina-Zhadaeva N. , Romanova N.
Published: October 2019

Such physical processes as the diffusion in the environments with fractal geometry and the particles’ subdiffusion lead to the initial value problems for the nonlocal fractional order partial differential equations. These equations are the generalization of the classical integer order differential equations. 
An analytical solution for fractional order differential equation with the constant coefficients is obtained in [1] by using Laplace-Fourier transform. However, nowadays many of the practical problems are described by the models with variable coefficients. 
In this paper we discuss the numerical vector decomposition model which is based on a shifted version of usual Gr¨unwald finite-difference approximation [2] for the non-local fractional order operators. We prove the unconditional stability of the method for the fractional diffusion equation with Dirichlet boundary conditions. Moreover, a numerical example using a finite difference algorithm for 2D fractional order partial differential equations is also presented and compared with the exact analytical solution.
Fuzzy Hammerstein Model of Nonlinear Plant
Authors: Liutkevičius R.
Published: October 2019

This paper presents the synthesis and analysis of the enhanced predictive fuzzy Hammerstein model of the water tank system. Fuzzy Hammerstein model was compared with three other fuzzy models: the first was synthesized using Mamdani type rule base, the second – Takagi-Sugeno type rule base and the third – composed of Mamdani and Takagi-Sugeno rule bases. The synthesized model is invertible so it can be used in the model based control. The fuzzy Hammerstein model was synthesized to eliminate disadvantages of the other fuzzy models. The advantage of the fuzzy Hammerstein model was experimentally proved and presented in this paper.
Association between screen time and body mass index among university students
Authors: Kalirathinam Deivendran , Hui Tan Xin , Jacob Swapneela , Sadagobane Sathish Kumar , Chellappan Martin Ebenezer
Published: October 2019

AIMS: Screen time has been proven to be associated with overweight and obesity among pediatric. However, the relationship between these two variables has not been confirmed among university students in Malaysia who are having increasing screen time. Hence, this study is conducted to examine the association between screen time and body mass index (BMI) among university students.METHODS: A total of 390 university students (female=236, male=154) with a mean age of 20.17 years old were involved in this study. They completed the Screen Time Based Sedentary Behaviour Questionnaire for total screen time assessment. Body height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI).RESULTS: Prevalence of overweight and obesity were not high among university students (12.3% and 4.4%). Male subjects have generally higher BMI compared to female subjects. The smartphone was the most common device owned by subjects (33%). The screen time of subjects was high as there were 97.4% of subjects fell under the category of high screen time (> 2 hours). However, screen time was not significantly associated with BMI (p=0.36). The only variable which associated with screen time was the devices owned by subjects (p=0.001).CONCLUSIONS: Screen time was not significantly associated with BMI among university students. Future study should include the relationship of other factors on BMI among university students.
Effect of high intensity interval training under hypoxic conditions in a normobaric environment on moderately trained university students’ antioxidant status
Authors: Akgul M.S. , Koz M.
Published: October 2019

Purpose: The effects of high intensity interval exercises on antioxidant defence system are not clear. Since there is an evident lack of studies focused on oxidative stress in moderately trained males following high intensity interval training, we investigated oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde [MDA], catalase [CAT], glutathione peroxidase [GPX], superoxide dismutase [SOD]) by completing a high intensity interval training program (HIITP) under hypoxic and normoxic conditions in a normobaric environment. Material: The study was carried out on moderately trained university students who had regular exercising habits. The participants completed 8-week wingate based high intensity interval training under normoxic and hypoxic conditions (2500 m.) in the normobaric environment. They were instructed to maintain their normal dietary practices during the study not to take any antioxidant containing vitamin tablets. Results: The interaction effect (time×group) for SOD (p=0.230), CAT (p=0.736), GPX (p=0.517), and MDA (p=0.596), revealed no significant change in repeated response. Conclusions: Although 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training significantly affected only SOD and GPX (p<0.05), the normoxic and hypoxic conditions did not present any significant change between treatments.
Analysis on the effects of folk dance training on players’ spatial expectation levels
Authors: Kaya M. , Yilmaz A.
Published: October 2019

Background and Study Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects on spatial perception and spatial anticipation levels the effects of control and study groups with 16 week training folk dancing training. Material and Methods: 120 voluntary college students with no folk dancing background, 60 of which is female has participated in the study. The study group had folk dancing training of 16-week whereas control group has not done any training. Brixton Spatial Expectations test was administered to control groups at the first, eighth and sixteenth weeks of the training. Validation of which has previously been done "Prospects Brixton Spatial Test" has been used in the study. A statistical analysis of the data obtained was done with available statistical software (IBM SPSS Statistics 19, SPSS inc., An IBM Co., Somers, NY) and the significance level was taken as 0.05 and 0.01. Similar results were obtained between experimental and control groups in this study. Results: There were not significant differences between groups in terms of measurement time as well as in gender. As a result: Short-term training of folk dancing seems to have no impact on the level of spatial perception. Conclusions: To have a significant effect, a long-term folk dance training is required. In addition, level of spatial perception on folk dance training has no significant difference in terms of gender.
“The Necessary Ornaments of Place”
Authors: Kia Mana
Published: October 2019

This article analyzes representations of place in seventeenth-century texts to consider how early modern Persians made sense of the world. The Persian formulation of alterity stands in contrast to Edward Said’s formulation about Orientalism, by which Europe makes itself into the West. In early modern Persianate Asia, common representations of place appear in geographical and travel writing. These shared features, which I call ornaments, adorned both places that shared a learned Persian language, Muslim rule, and those beyond, in other parts of Asia and Africa. The presence or absence of these ornaments made the world intelligible for early modern Persians, creating categories of similarity and alterity that were partial, diffuse, and aporetic, defying the self-other distinctions of Orientalism. This form of knowledge about the self and the world then generated the possibility for encounters different from both modern colonial power and the nation-state.
Stress Distribution on the Prosthetic Screws in the All-on-4 Concept: A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Oh Ji-Hyeon , Kim Young-Seong , Lim Joong Yeon , Choi Byung-Ho
Published: October 2019

The all-on-4 concept, which is used to rehabilitate edentulous patients, can present with mechanical complications such as screw loosening and fracture. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stress patterns induced in the prosthetic screws by the different prosthetic screw and abutment designs in the all-on-4 concept using finite element analysis. Von Mises stress values on 6 groups of each screw type, including short and narrow screw, short abutment; short and wide screw, short abutment; long and wide screw, short abutment; short and narrow screw, long abutment; short and wide screw, long abutment; and long and wide screw, long abutment, were compared under a cantilever loading of 200 N that was applied on the farther posterior to the position of the connection between the distal implant and the metal framework. Posterior prosthetic screws showed higher stress values than anterior prosthetic screws. The stress values in posterior prosthetic screws decreased as the length and diameter increased. In conclusion, the long and wide screw design offers advantages in stress distribution when compared with the short and narrow design.
Updated Survival Data for a Phase I/II Study of Carboplatin plus Nab-Paclitaxel and Concurrent Radiotherapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Tsuchiya-Kawano Yuko , Sasaki Tomonari , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki , Hirano Katsuya , Horiike Atsushi , Satouchi Miyako , Hosokawa Shinobu , Morinaga Ryotaro , Komiya Kazutoshi , Inoue Koji , Fujita Yuka , Toyozawa Ryo , Kimura Tomoki , Takahashi Kosuke , Nishikawa Kazuo , Kishimoto Junji , Nakanishi Yoichi , Okamoto Isamu
Published: October 2019

Lessons Learned

Updated survival data for a phase I/II study of carboplatin plus nab-paclitaxel and concurrent radiotherapy were collected. In the group of 58 patients who were enrolled at 14 institutions in Japan, the median overall survival was not reached and the 2-year overall survival rate was 66.1% (95% confidence interval, 52.1%–76.8%). Results reveal encouraging feasibility and activity for this regimen.

Background

We report the updated survival data for a phase I/II study of carboplatin plus nab-paclitaxel (nab-P/C) and concurrent radiotherapy (CRT) in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Individuals between 20 and 74 years of age with unresectable NSCLC of stage IIIA or IIIB and a performance status of 0 or 1 were eligible for the study. Patients received weekly nab-paclitaxel at 50 mg/m2 for 6 weeks together with weekly carboplatin at an area under the curve (AUC) of 2 mg/ml/min and concurrent radiotherapy with 60 Gy in 30 fractions. This concurrent phase was followed by a consolidation phase consisting of two 3-week cycles of nab-paclitaxel (100 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15) plus carboplatin (AUC of 6 on day 1). After the treatment, patients were observed off therapy. The primary endpoint of the phase II part of the study was progression-free survival (PFS).

Results

Between October 2014 and November 2016, 58 patients were enrolled at 14 institutions in Japan, with 56 of these individuals being evaluable for treatment efficacy and safety. At the median follow-up time of 26.0 months (range, 4.0–49.6 months), the median overall survival (OS) was not reached (95% confidence interval [CI], 25.3 months to not reached) and the 2-year OS rate was 66.1% (95% CI, 52.1%–76.8%). The median PFS was 11.8 months (95% CI, 8.2–21.0 months), and the 2-year PFS rate was 35.9% (95% CI, 23.1%–48.9%). Subgroup analysis according to tumor histology or patient age revealed no differences in median PFS or OS. Long-term follow-up of toxicities did not identify new safety signals, and no treatment-related deaths occurred during the study period.

Conclusion

Concurrent chemoradiation with nab-P/C was safe and provided a long-term survival benefit for patients with locally advanced NSCLC.
Leadership for management of high-level radioactive waste in Japan
Authors: Takeuchi Maria R H , Hasegawa Tatsuya , Hardie Susie M L , McKinley Linda E , Ishihara Keiichi N
Published: October 2019

High-level radioactive waste (HLW) management in Japan stalled prior to selecting any candidate sites for a literature survey, the first step of a staged programme for selecting a disposal site. The situation deteriorated after the Fukushima Daiichi accident. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan has suffered a loss of national/international credibility in the geological disposal project. In this study, the authors first examine the history of HLW management in Japan, assess how leaders in different key organisations communicated with each other and identify the rationale for the resulting characteristics of the overall programme. The objective is to investigate the problems encountered and the solutions adopted from a perspective that highlights what were, in retrospect, missed opportunities. A further goal is to look to the future and, from lessons learned, to determine a leadership role to allow HLW management to move forward for the next stage of selecting candidate sites. Communication for correct scientific input between leaders of relevant organisations is of critical importance. Alliance with key organisations and commitment by the government are also required. To win credibility and sympathy with geological disposal, ethical responsibilities should be taken by leaders of these organisations. The authors assume that the quality of HLW management could be enhanced by servant leadership.
Trends of Microfinancing in Russia
Authors: Zhigas Margarita , Petrova Irina
Published: October 2019

Against the background of tightening requirements to the banking sector and globalization of the economy, microfinance becomes an important stake of the countrys financial market. Currently, there appears a high-level need for borrowed resources by small and medium-sized businesses, individual entrepreneurs and the consumers, which creates a demand to be met only by microfinance organizations in case of bank rejections. The article examines the concept and specificity of the microfinance organization activities, considers their functions and the history of appearance in Russia. It makes an analysis of the market microfinancing dynamics at the present stage and substantiates the main trends of its further development. In accordance with the analysis carried out, it specifies and substantiates the problems inherent to the microfinancing activity and offers the way of their solution implementation of which will allow to gain stable development of the microfinancing market and to increase availability and popularization of the finance services.
Topical Trends of Improving Economy of Regions and Municipal Entities in Siberia
Authors: Samarukha Alexey
Published: October 2019

Today, socio-economic development of regions and municipal entities in Russia and, in particular, in Siberia is characterized by getting out of crisis state after overcoming the period of recession, in spite of the increasing sanction policy pursued by the governments of the western developed economies. However, restoration of the pre-crisis level of personal incomes and social security will require significant time and system efforts on the part of regional and municipal authorities. In terms of resource restrictions and, as a rule, insufficiency of financial means, practical stabilization of socio-economic growth in many respects and generally depends on manifestation of legal entrepreneurial activity at the intermunicipal, regional and interregional levels, according to the strategy of new industrialization of Siberia. Respectively, it requires development of the topical trends of improving the economy of regions and municipal entities on the principles of cooperation and interterritorial interaction, including the international cooperation, taking into account the territorial specifics of ecological restrictions. In this regard, the article offers a new approach to implementing the strategic principle - eco-industrialization, on the principles of the financial and budgetary project development.
The Influence of AutoOrder System on Losses of a Trade Enterprise
Authors: Tsaregorodtseva Svetlana , Savin Gleb
Published: October 2019

Today, creation of an efficient inventory management system for trade enterprises, which allows to cut down cumulative logistics costs, is a key task, The experience of large Russian federal retail networks reflects this tendency. It presupposes working through ones own distribution center with the purpose of uninterrupted supply of ones own shops with the required range of goods and optimization of purchase costs before selling these goods in outlets. Today effective work of a distribution center is impossible without modern information systems and application of cloud computing which allows managing not only stocks, but also orders and the range of goods in the operational mode. The article provides examples of goods order calculation both in manual and automatic mode (an example of an algorithm and formulae). Potential influence of AutoOrder on the increase of losses in retail trade is shown.
Developing Positive Time Perspective and Reducing the Level of Hopelessness in Primary Prevention of Suicidal Behavior Among Adolescents
Authors: Kanavina Sofiya
Published: October 2019

The issue of legitimacy and moral side of suicides in terms of history has been under consideration since ancient times. At present, suicide is considered as an acute problems of modern times. The article contains statistic data of adolescent suicides in Russia. It examines the most common foreign prophylactic programs. It highlights a block of protective factors and the factors prompting the suicide. It reveals an idea of necessity of increasing stress resistance in order to rationalize possible suicidal thoughts. It offers a scheme of four-stage process of developing suicidal thoughts and a cognitive scheme of primary prevention of suicidal behavior which based on forming a favorable type of the time perspective for adolescents. The article also emphasizes the most important moments of prophylactic work with adolescents based on use of special video materials: basic stages, criteria of selecting effective films. It gives a definition of the similar method of work - «a film prophylaxis». It shows the decrease of severe and moderate hopelessness level among the students involved in the initial testing of the film prophylaxis method.
Measures of future health, from the nonhuman to the planetary
Authors: Rottenburg Richard , Farman Abou
Published: October 2019

n/a
Kalp seslerini kaydeden ve otomatik S1-S2 dalgası belirleyen sistem tasarımı
Authors: AKŞAHİN Mehmet Feyzi , OLTU Burcu , KARACA Büşra Kübra
Published: October 2019

Dünyadaki
en önemli ölüm sebeplerinden ikincisi kardiyovasküler hastalıklardır.
Kardiyovasküler hastalıkların büyük çoğunluğuna, kalp seslerinin uzman hekimler
tarafından dinlenmesiyle (oskültasyon yöntemi) teşhis konulmaktadır. Bununla
birlikte oskültasyon yöntemi kişinin tecrübesine ve duyma becerisine bağlı
olduğundan sübjektif sonuçlar ortaya çıkarabilir. Dolayısıyla kalp seslerinin
sayısallaştırılması ve görselleştirilmesi, kardiyovasküler hastalıkların,
özellikle kalp kapak hastalıklarının teşhisinin doğru, hızlı ve ekonomik olmasını
sağlar. Bu amaç doğrultusunda yapılan çalışmanın ilk aşamasında kalp seslerini
vücuttan alan, yükselten, filtreleyen ve bilgisayara aktararak kaydedebilen cihaz
prototipi tasarımı yapılmıştır. Tasarlanan cihazın çalışma doğruluğunun test
edilmesi için etik kurul izniyle birlikte klinik uygulamalar yapılmış, bu
uygulama sonucunda 5 farklı hastalık grubuna ait (mitral yetmezliği,
mitral-aort yetmezliği, mitral-triküspit yetmezliği, mitral-aort-triküspit
yetmezliği ve sağlıklı kalp sesi kayıtları) 15 kalp sesi kaydı toplanmış ve
elde edilen kayıtlar incelenmiştir. Kalp kapak hastalıklarının teşhisi için en
etkili parametre S1-S2 kalp seslerinin lokasyonudur. Bu nedenle çalışmanın
ikinci aşamasında, hekimlere teşhislerinde yardımcı olmak için S1-S2
lokasyonlarını belirleyen tıbbi karar destek sistemi oluşturulmuştur. Bu
bağlamda öncelikle, kalp sesleri ayrık dalgacık dönüşümü yöntemiyle
filtrelenmiştir. Ardından filtrelenen sinyaldeki S1-S2 dalgaları, teager enerji
operatörü ve kural tabanlı algoritma ile belirgin hale getirilmiştir. Sonuç
olarak normal ve patolojik verilerdeki S1-S2 lokasyonları ortalama % 98,67
hassasiyet, % 97,69 özgüllük ve % 98,18 doğruluk değerleriyle tespit
edilmiştir.
Erzincan Değirmenliköy Kilisesi apsis hasarının teknik olarak araştırılması
Authors: ASLAY Semi Emrah , OKUYUCU Dilek
Published: October 2019

Erzincan ili yakın tarihi boyunca çok sayıda
yıkıcı deprem yaşamış bir Anadolu şehridir. Bu depremlerde ayakta kalan nadir
tarihi yığma yapılardan birisi Erzincan Değirmenliköy Kilisesi’ dir. Yapının
ana gövdesi bütünüyle ayakta olmakla birlikte; apsis kısmının 1939 Erzincan
Depremi’ nde yıkıldığı rivayet edilmektedir. Makale yazarları bu rivayetin
doğruluğunu teknik açıdan incelemek üzere bu çalışmayı gerçekleştirmişlerdir. Kilise
hakkında teknik bilgi toplanmış, makro modelleme tekniği kullanılarak yapısal
model oluşturulmuştur. Yapısal model; operasyonel modal analiz çalışması
neticesinde kalibre edilmiş ve yıkık olan apsis kısmı kurgulanarak modele
eklenmiştir. Apsis eklentili model üzerinde deprem kayıtları kullanılarak dinamik
analizler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırma neticesinde; kilise apsisinin
depremde yapı gövdesi ile birleşim noktasından hasar almış ve daha sonra
yapıdan ayrılmış olabileceği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
Atık yumurta kabuklarından sentezlenen hidroksiapatitin Remazol N.Blue RGB boyarmaddesinin adsorpsiyonunda değerlendirilmesi
Authors: OKUR Müjgan , ESLEK KOYUNCU Dilşad Dolunay
Published: October 2019

Bu
çalışmada Remazol N.Blue RGB (RB203) boyar maddesinin sulardan giderimi için
hidroksiapatit malzemesi hazırlanmıştır. Hidroksiapatit malzemesinin sentezinde
kalsiyum kaynağı olarak atık yumurta kabukları değerlendirilmiştir.
Hidroksiapatit sentezi çöktürme metoduyla üç farklı pH’ta (pH 9, 10 ve 11)
gerçekleştirilmiştir. Kalsinasyon öncesi ve sonrası yumurta kabuklarına XRF,
XRD ve SEM analizleri yapılmıştır. Sentezlenen hidroksiapatit TGA-DTA, XRD ve
FTIR analizleriyle karakterize edilmiştir. Karakterizasyon çalışmaları
sonucunda, pH 10 ortamında hidroksiapatit (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2)
yapısının daha iyi elde edildiği belirlenmiş ve adsorpsiyon çalışmaları bu
pH’ta hazırlanan malzeme ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Hidroksiapatit ile RB203
adsorpsiyonuna pH (2-12), sorbent miktarı (2-10 g/L) ve boyar madde derişiminin
(25-200 mg/L) etkisi incelenmiştir. Adsorpsiyon mekanizmasını belirleyebilmek
için Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin ve Henry izoterm eşitliklerinden
yararlanılmıştır. Adsorpsiyon izoterm modelleri korelasyon katsayıları (R2)
açısından karşılaştırıldığında, Langmuir, Freundlich ve Temkin izoterm
modellerinin deney verileriyle uyum içinde olduğu görülmüştür. Langmuir izoterm
modelinden elde edilen maksimum adsorpsiyon kapasitesi 27,93 mg/g olarak elde
edilmiştir. Adsorpsiyon kinetiğini incelemek için Yalancı birinci ve ikinci derece
kinetik eşitlikler kullanılmıştır. Adsorpsiyon kinetiği sonuçları RB203’ün
hidroksiapatit ile adsorpsiyonunun Yalancı ikinci derece kinetik eşitlik ile
daha iyi ifade edildiğini göstermektedir. Bu çalışma, atık kalsine yumurta kabuklarından sentezlenen
hidroksiapatitin boyarmadde adsorpsiyonu için umut veren bir sorbent
olabileceğini göstermiştir.
İçme suyu havzası koruma sınırlarının belirlenmesine yeni yöntem önerisi: Kırklareli barajı içme suyu havzası örneği
Authors: KURU Azem , TEZER Azime
Published: October 2019

Günümüzde nüfus artışıyla birlikte insan
faaliyetlerinin artması çevresel kaynakların sürdürülebilirliğinin
sağlanmasında yoğun baskılar ve olumsuz etkiler oluşturmaktadır. Ekonomik
kalkınma amaçlı gerçekleştirilen arazi kullanım değişiklikleri, özellikle
hassas ekosistemler üzerindeki baskıları arttırmaktadır. Bununla birlikte doğal
eşiklerin yeteri kadar dikkate alınamadığı idari sınırlar içerisinde
gerçekleştirilen planlama faaliyetleri ise hassas ekosistemlerin koruma -
kullanma dengesini sağlayamamaktadır. İçme suyu havzaları, yüksek nüfuslu
kentsel yerleşimler için vazgeçilmez ekolojik birimlerdendir. Türkiye’de havza
yönetimi yapısında koruma esasları kuş uçuşu mesafeler dikkate alınarak
gerçekleştirilmekte ve her bir havzanın kendine özgü durumu
değerlendirilmemektedir. Bu konuda her bir havzaya özgü gerçekleştirilen koruma
planları ve özel hükümlerde havzalara özgü ekolojik niteliklere yönelik kapsam
günümüzdeki uygulamalarda yeni yeni ele alınmaktadır. Bu çalışma kapsamında öncelikle; Kırklareli
kentinin içme suyunun tamamını sağlayan Kırklareli Barajı su toplama havzasının
arazi kullanım değişiklikleri 1990, 2000 ve 2012 dönemlerine ait CORINE arazi
kullanımı/arazi örtüsü verileri esas alınarak değerlendirilmiştir.  İkinci
aşamada kirletici unsurların olumsuz etkilerinin yüzey suyuna ulaşma durumunu
etkileyen veri seti derlenmiş ve mesafeye dayalı yaklaşıma alternatif alana
özgü su kalitesi mekânsal kontrol yaklaşımı sunulmaya çalışılmıştır. Bununla
birlikte havza planlama çalışmalarında havzanın sahip olduğu diğer ekolojik
değerlerin de dikkate alınması zorunluluğu bulunmaktadır. Bu amaçla ekosistem
servisleri yaklaşımı da, bu çalışmaya dahil edilmiştir. Bu çalışma ile mesafeye
dayalı havza koruma alanlarının belirlenmesi yaklaşımı yerine; havzanın
morfolojik özelliklerine ve ekosistem servisleri potansiyeline dayalı
bütünleşik havza alt-koruma alanları belirleme yaklaşımı Kırklareli Barajı
Havzası için oluşturulmuştur.
HTAPP_Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining protocol of OCT frozen tissue v1
Authors: Lako Ana , Rodig Scott
Published: October 2019

The goal of this protocol is to generate a Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain of an OCT frozen tissue sectioned on a slide. H&Es allow us to distinguish tumor histology/morphology/tumor infiltrating lymphocytes.
Knowledge and Attitudes of Jordanian Dentists toward Speech Language Pathology
Authors: Mahmoud Hana Nawaf , Mahmoud Abdelhameed N.
Published: October 2019

This study was conducted to assess dentists’ knowledge of normal speech-language development (NSLD), speech-language disorders (SLD), and speech-language pathology (SLPy) and to determine their general attitudes toward speech-language pathology (SLPy). A self-administered, web-based questionnaire was emailed to all members of the Jordanian Dental Association Council. 191 completed questionnaire were entered in excel sheet and statistically analyzed with IBM SPSS version 20 software. The respondents demonstrated insufficient knowledge regarding normal speech-language development and speech-language disorders. Additionally, the major¬ity of respondents reported a general impression that the speech-language pathologist has an important role in a health profession team (86.8%). However, they did poorly on the normal speech-language development questions (26%) as well as the speech-language disorders questions (18%). There were no statistically significant differences between different variables - age, gender, years of practice, place of practice and specialty of dentists and dentists’ knowledge of speech-language pathology.
Evaluation of Visualisation of Scanpath Trend Analysis (ViSTA) Tool
Authors: ERASLAN Şükrü , Karabulut Serkan , Atalay Mehmet Can , YEŞİLADA Yeliz
Published: October 2019

Eye tracking plays a key role in user behaviour understanding and usability studies. We previously proposed an algorithm called STA (Scanpath Trend Analysis) that analyses multiple individual scanpaths on a web page to discover their trending path in terms of the areas of interest (AOIs). This algorithm provides the most representative path of multiple users and compared to other algorithms (i.e., provides the most similar path to individual scanpaths). However, its current implementation has no graphical user interface and provides a sequence of characters that represent AOIs. Some external modules should also be installed in advance to run it. In our previous work, we presented the first web-based visualisation tool for the STA algorithm called ViSTA along with its initial evaluation. This tool allows to visualise individual scanpaths on a particular web page with gaze plots, visually draw AOIs, apply the STA algorithm, and visualise the result of the algorithm. In this paper, we present the extended version of ViSTA with a follow up user evaluation. The first version of ViSTA uses the STA algorithm which identifies trending AOIs based on all individual scanpaths. However, the extended one uses the STA algorithm with the tolerance level parameter which means trending elements can be identified based on a subset of individual scanpaths for discovering a more representative path. Both of our initial and follow up evaluations show that the workload in terms of NASA Task Load Index (TLX) is lower with ViSTA compared to the current implementation of the STA algorithm.
Activist-Research in Black: An Interdisciplinary, Transnational Roundtable
Authors: Sneed Chriss , Oliveira Jess , Ramos-Pereira Andiara , De Souza-Reis Larissa , Farias Marcio , Medeiros-Oliveira Amanda , Da Silva Ariana Mara
Published: October 2019

In this panel, a group of Black scholars gathers to discuss political, intellectual, and practical meanings of activist research in the Americas. Talking across the Atlantic, the authors generate responses to questions related to the following topics: knowledge and epistemological orientations, theory, positionality and power, and the alternatives in which socially-engaged research and change are offered. Calling on ruminations from research and personal experience, this article considers how Blackness augments the processes by which scholar activism has been created and understood by the authors. These comments seek to highlight not only the precarity in which such work is defined, but the opportunities that stand to be gained in understanding racial, sexual, and gendered elements of historical and contemporary social life through interdisciplinary and transnational perspectives.
An impact of pneumococcal vaccination on exacerbations of occupational lung diseases
Authors: Ignatova G. L. , Rodionova O. V. , Antonov V. N. , Kandakov S. G. , Brovman N. M.
Published: October 2019

Dust-related diseases are the most common occupational diseases with significant economic burden. The purpose of this study was to assess an impact of pneumococcal vaccination on exacerbation rate of occupational lung diseases. Methods. Patients with occupational lung diseases were vaccinated with pneumococcal polysaccharide 23-valent vaccine (PPV23) or pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and then were followed-up for long time. We analyzed the rate of exacerbations of occupational lung diseases at baseline and during 5 years after the vaccination. The immune status, anti-IgG antibodies and antibodies against PPV23 polysaccharides were measured in blood; lactoferrin and IgA were measured in saliva. Exacerbations were determined retrospectively based on outpatient medical records. Results. A rate of exacerbations significantly decreased over two years after the vaccination with PPV-23 followed by an increase to the end of the third year and a significant increase to the end the fourth year; the latter exceeded the pre-vaccination exacerbation rate. After re-vaccination with PPV23, the exacerbation rate decreased and reached the lowest rate two years after the revaccination. This result was maintained over five years with a slight transient decrease during the fourth year. This could be explained by lack of immune memory cells after the re-vaccination compared to primary vaccination and to the risk of B-cell pool depletion. When PCV13 vaccine was used for re-vaccination a year after primary vaccination with PPV23, the exacerbation rate sharply decreased a year after the re-vaccination with maintenance of the effect during three subsequent years and a significant decrease to the end of the fourth year. In a subgroup of patients with pneumoconiosis who were primarily vaccinates with PCV13 without further re-vaccination, the exacerbation rate significantly reduced a year after the vaccination with further reduction during five years. The exacerbation rates were similar in this subgroup and in patients vaccinated sequentially with PCV13 and PPV23. Conclusion. The long-term immune response could be provided by conjugation caused the memory cell formation compared to PPV23 vaccine.
Clinical, instrumental and pharmacological comparisons of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma in real clinical practice
Authors: Vizel’ I. Yu. , Salakhova I. N. , Vafina A. R. , Vizel’ A. A. , Rakhmatullina N. M. , Kudryavtseva E. Z. , Shakirova G. R.
Published: October 2019

The objective of this study was to compare demographic, clinical, functional, laboratory data, and therapy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma who seek for medical aid at medical institutions of Kazan’. Methods. The study involved 153 patients with COPD aged 33 to 89 years and 229 patients with asthma aged 18 to 87 years. Clinical status, rate of exacerbations, spirometric data, treatment and compliance during the previous year were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS-18 software. Results. COPD patients were older (64.1 ± 0,7 vs 55.4 ± 0,9 years in asthma patients; p < 0,01), more often were males (98.7% vs 1.3%, p < 0.001) and smokers. Coronary heart disease (39.0% vs 25.3%; p < 0.010) and chronic heart failure (35.7% vs 17.5%; p < 0.001) were more common in patients with COPD, while rhinitis (42.4 % vs 3.9%; p < 0.001) and chronic kidney disease (13.1% vs 4.5%; p < 0.001) were more common in asthma patients. Allergic disease was 5-fold more often in asthma patients. Morning symptoms affected daily activity in 77.3% of COPD patients compared to 66.8% of asthma patients (p < 0.05). Generally, daytime activity was impaired in 55.2% of patients with COPD and in 12.7% of patients with asthma (p < 0.05). Excessive use of short-acting bronchodilators was noted at nighttime in 89.6% with COPD and 70.7% with asthma (p < 0.001). Other treatment was in line with guidelines for each the disease. The most convenient inhalational drug delivery device for COPD patients was a metered dosed inhaler, while patients with asthma preferred dry powder inhalers. Compliance of asthma patients was significantly higher than that of COPD patients (57.2% vs 27.8%; p < 0.001). The level of compliance did not change while fixed and free combinations of ICS and LABA or different inhalational devices were used in patients with COPD or asthma. Conclusion. There is a number of clinical signs to distinguish COPD and asthma quite easily in primary care facilities. Excessive use of short-acting bronchodilators and a low compliance of patients are issues requiring to be improved.
Levonorgesterel releasing intra uterine system in the control of heavy menstrual bleeding. Is it an alternative to hysterectomy?
Authors: Nair Sobha S. , Nayar Jayashree , Kurien Ann John , Seth Isha
Published: October 2019

Background: Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) affects 10 to 35% of women. Studies indicate LNG-IUS which releases controlled amounts of levonorgestrel (LNG) is effective in non- surgical treatment for HMB and has fewer side effects when compared to the conventional pharmacological agents. It also improves the quality of life. Levonorgesterel releasing intra uterine system can be an alternative to hysterectomy in the control of HMB.Methods: Retrospective study of 2 years in a tertiary care centre, Kochi. 170 women with abnormal uterine bleeding were enrolled in the study. Clinical examination, routine investigations and imaging was done.  Endometrial sampling done and followed with HPE reports in indicated cases.Results: Mean age was 41 years. 30.6% had menorrhagia. Adenomyosis in 44% and endometrial hyperplasia in 19. 4%. Lost follow up in 12.9% cases and expulsion in 3.6%. 4.1% were unsatisfied and had hysterectomy. The uterine width in adenomyosis was significantly reduced p <0.012. The mean ET in endometrial hyperplasia cases also significantly reduced with p <0.01. Satisfaction rate was 97%.Conclusions: LNG-IUS is having a high success rate in controlling menstrual symptoms, thereby improving the quality of life and avoiding hysterectomy in women with abnormal uterine bleeding. It is highly efficient in symptomatic relief of adenomyosis and reduction in the uterine volume (width). Endometrial hyperplasia showed complete regression with LNG-IUS.
Comparison of maternal and fetal morbidity between Patwardhan method of second stage lower segment caesarean section and conventional "push and pull" method
Authors: Hol Kishorkumar , Trivedi Sneha , Jaiswal Shruti , Darawade Sameer Popat
Published: October 2019

Background: To compare Maternal and fetal morbidity between Patwardhan method of second stage LSCS and conventional "push and pull" method.Methods: A retrospective study of all LSCS performed in second stage of labour consisted of all cases delivered by Patwardhan method compared with cases delivered by Push method during 3 years from January 2016 to December 2018 in Smt. Kashibai Navale Medical College Pune, Maharashtra, India.Results: A total of 89 patients underwent second stage LSCS from January 2016 to December 2018. A total of 37 patients were delivered by Patwardhan’s method and 52 patients were delivered by Push method. Uterine incision extension was more in the push and pull method when compared to Patwardhan technique. Same was true for the traumatic PPH blood transfusion which was significantly high in push and pull method as compared. Neonatal morbidity was significantly less in Patwardhan’s method as compared to Push method.Conclusions: As the maternal and fetal complications are seen to be considerably less in Patwardhan’s method than the conventional Push method our study concludes that Patwardhan’s method for delivering baby in second stage LSCS confers greater advantage.
Caesarean scar pregnancy: a case report with review of management options
Authors: Rani Vandana , Jain Shaveta , Malhotra Vani , Chauhan Meenakshi B. , Gautam Sarika , Nanda Smiti , Sangwan Neetu
Published: October 2019

Cesarean scar pregnancy is a rare but life-threatening complication. It is the abnormal implantation of gestational sac into myometrium and fibrous scar of previous cesarean section. Its incidence is on rising trend due to increase in rate of cesarean section all over the world. A thirty years old second gravida presented at eight weeks of gestation with complaints of bleeding per vaginum and pain lower abdomen. She was diagnosed as a case of cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) on ultrasonography and confirmation of diagnosis was done on magnetic resonance imaging. Medical management of scar pregnancy was done successfully with combination of mifepristone and methotrexate. Cesarean scar pregnancy could be catastrophic, if not managed well in time. Management includes both surgical and medical options. Treatment has to be individualized depending on patient’s hemodynamic profile, size of gestational sac, desire for future fertility, compliance for follow up and availability of interventional radiology.
Case series of pubic bone diastasis causing severe pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy
Authors: Gupta Pooja , Malik Renuka
Published: October 2019

Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is a pregnancy discomfort that causes pain and limitation of mobility and functioning in any of the three pelvic joints. The patient usually presents antenatally with persistent suprapubic pain which is exaggerated during moving, walking or climbing stairs. Intrapartum, this could be associated with disruption of sacroiliac joint, hematuria and bladder dysfunction in severe cases. Pelvic X-rays, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging aid in confirmation of diagnosis by measuring the degree of separation of symphysis. Treatment modalities range from conservative management to orthopedic interventions in form of pelvic strapping, open reduction and internal fixation. Postpartum pain often masks clinicians to make the diagnosis of pubic symphysis diastasis. A case series of three cases which were diagnosed and confirmed with ultrasound and managed with orthopedic consultation. till their delivery and in post-partum period till recovery. Although there is still no specific consensus on treatment guideline, management generally of conservative management to surgical in the form of pelvic bracing or strapping. Awareness of this rare condition can help in management of pain and associated disability which improves post-delivery.
Pattern of antenatal care among antenatal clinic attendees at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Nigeria
Authors: Oliobi Wendy Chinwe , Nwafor Johnbosco Ifunanya , Ikeotuonye Arinze Chidiebere , Nweke Nnenna Assumpta , Uche Nwidagu Bridget Nkiruka , Okoye Paschal Chijioke , Onyema Malachy Chizoba
Published: October 2019

Background: Antenatal care is a core component of safe motherhood initiative and it helps indirectly in reducing maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Despite the obvious benefits of antenatal care, utilization of this service is very poor in our environment. Therefore, this study sought to assess the gestational age at booking, the reason for booking and determine the factors responsible for late booking among antenatal attendees at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki.Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted 5th May 2016 and 10th June 2016 among 258 consecutive pregnant women who presented for booking at the antenatal clinic of the hospital, using self-administered, pre-tested questionnaires. Statistical analysis was done using Epi Info 7.2.1.Results: The mean gestational age at booking was 21.5±4.8 weeks. The mean age of the respondents was 28.2±3.8 years while the mean parity was 1.5±1.6 years. Most of the women booked after the first trimester of pregnancy, only 61(24.8%) of the respondents booked in the first trimester of pregnancy. Majority of the women had no problem at booking 36.7%. Women aged 20-34 years booked late compared to women aged less than 20 years and those above 34 years and the difference was statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference in maternal parity, education, marital status and religion with regards timing of booking. However, women who were sick during the first trimester were more likely to book early as well as women who booked early in their previous pregnancy.Conclusions: Late booking was common in our environment. There is an urgent need for increase awareness of the benefits of early booking to pregnancy outcome.
A prospective observational study to evaluate the role of restaging transurethral resection of bladder tumour in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Raj Kishan K. , Taneja Yogesh , Ramdev Prateek , Dhaked Santosh K. , Singh Charan K. , Shekar Ashwin P.
Published: October 2019

Background: Transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) is the primary treatment modality for Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Restaging transurethral resection of bladder tumour (RETURBT) is indicated to reduce risk of residual disease and correct staging errors after primary TURBT. The aim of the study is to evaluate the risk of residual tumour and upstaging in NMIBC after TURBT and to investigate the risk factors for the same.Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out over 4 years and 87 patients were included in the study. Patients with NMIBC underwent RETURBT after 2-6 weeks of primary TURBT. The incidence of residual tumour and upstaging in RETUBRT was correlated with various histopathological and morphological parameters in primary TURBT.Results: Out of 87 patients, who underwent RETURBT, residual disease was present in 51 patients (58.6%) and upstaging occurred in 22 patients (25.2%).On univariate analysis, T1 stage (p=0.01), high grade (p=0.01), Carcinoma in situ(CIS) (p=0.01) and multifocality (p=0.05) were predictive for residual disease in RETURBT. High grade (p=0.01), CIS (p=0.01) and absence of detrusor muscle in specimen (p=0.03) were risk factors for upstaging in RETURBT.Conclusions: NMIBC have high incidence of residual disease and upstaging after primary TURBT. T1 stage, high tumour grade, CIS, and multifocality are risk factors for residual disease after primary TURBT. High tumour grade, CIS and absence of detrusor muscle are strongly associated with upstaging during RETURBT.
Detection of microvascular complications of diabetes by EZSCAN method and their correlation with metabolic indices
Authors: Tiwari Alankar , Pandey Saumya
Published: October 2019

Background: EZSCAN is a new, non-invasive technique to detect sudomotor dysfunction and thus neuropathy in diabetes patients at an early stage. It further predicts chances of development of other microvascular complications. In this study we evaluated EZSCAN for detection of microvascular complications in Type 2 diabetes patients and assessed their correlation with various metabolic parameters.Methods: 104 known diabetes patients, 56 males and 48 females, were studied. All cases underwent the EZSCAN test, Body mass index measurement, fasting and postprandial blood glucose, HbA1c tests. Diabetes related complications were thereafter correlated with various metabolic indices.Results: Strong correlation was found between HbA1c, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and post-prandial blood glucose (PPBG) with diabetes related microvascular complications assessed by EZSCAN, strongest being with FBG (r=0.755) and weakest with BMI(r=0.232).Conclusions: Microvascular complications of diabetes as detected by EZSCAN method correlate strongly with metbolic indices of the patient and thus EZSCAN can be used as a simple, non-invasive and quick method to detect microvascular complications of diabetes.
Evaluation of efficacy of submucosal tramadol after mandibular third molar surgery: a prospective pilot study
Authors: Panchal Karan V. , Shah Navin S. , Agrawal Pratik , Shah Parshwa N.
Published: October 2019

Background: Surgical extraction of mandibular third molar is one of the most commonly performed procedure in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Its removal causes swelling, trismus, and moderate to severe pain which can be treated with various NSAID’s drugs, which have numerous side effects and gastric disturbances. In order to bypass such disturbances, Tramadol may be considered as an alternative for such patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate analgesic efficacy of submucosal tramadol and its implication over swelling and mouth opening after mandibular third molar surgery.Methods: This is a prospective study where in after post-surgical extraction of mandibular third molar, efficacy of submucosal injection of tramadol is evaluated in terms of pain and its implication over swelling and mouth opening.Results: The present study suggested there was statistically significant VAS score for pain after submucosally injecting tramadol post-surgical extraction of mandibular third molar in the following visits- 4hourly, 8hourly and 24hourly. In respect to swelling, statistically significant values was noted during 24hr and 72 h our post extraction. Also in case of mouth opening, statistically significant values were found 24 hourly.Conclusions: The present pilot study concluded that submucosal tramadol post mandibular third molar extraction has been effective in reducing pain, limiting post-extraction swelling and less impacting mouth opening by inducing less complications thereby bypassing gastric disturbances.