bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brain Metastases from Adult Sarcoma: Prognostic Factors and Impact of Treatment. A Retrospective Analysis from the French Sarcoma Group (GSF/GETO)
Authors: Chaigneau Loïc , Patrikidou Anna , Ray-Coquard Isabelle , Valentin Thibaud , Linassier Claude , Bay Jacques Olivier , Moureau Zabotto Laurence , Bompas Emmanuelle , Piperno-Neumann Sophie , Penel Nicolas , Alcindor Thierry , Laigre Maryline , Guillemet Cecile , Salas Sebastien , Hugli Anne , Domont Julien , Sunyach Marie Pierre , Lecesne Axel , Blay Jean Yves , Nerich Virginie , Isambert Nicolas
Published: June 2018

Background

Brain metastases (BM) from adult soft tissue or bone sarcomas are rare, and sparse data exist on their prognostic factors and management.

Subjects, Materials and Methods

A retrospective study was conducted in 15 centers of the French Sarcoma Group, plus one Canadian and one Swiss center, to report on clinical, histological, and treatment characteristics and to identify predictive factors of outcome.

Results

Between 1992 and 2012, 246 patients with a median age of 50 years (range: 16–86) were managed for BM. BM included 221 cerebral and cerebellar metastases and 40 cases of meningeal sarcomatosis. The most frequent histopathological subtype was leiomyosarcoma (18.7%). Histological grade was high in 118 (48%) cases. Surgery of BM was carried out for 38 (15.5%) patients. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy were administered in 168 (68.3%) and 91 (37.0%) patients, respectively. Irrespective of treatment modality, BM were controlled in 113 patients (45.9%), including 31 partial responses (12.6%) and 18 complete responses (7.3%). The median overall survival from diagnosis of brain metastasis was 2.7 months (range: 0–133). In the multivariate analysis, the following parameters influenced overall survival: chemotherapy (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.48), surgery (HR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.22–0.72), stereotactic radiotherapy (HR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.19–0.90), whole-brain radiotherapy (HR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.35–0.76), and grade (HR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.43–0.98).

Conclusion

BM of sarcomas are rare and associated with a dismal outcome. Multidisciplinary management with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery is associated with a better survival.

Implications for Practice

The incidence of brain and meningeal metastasis in bone and soft tissue sarcomas is estimated between 1% and 8%. Published data are derived from small retrospective case series, often in the pediatric population. A prognostic index is important to guide both clinical decision-making and outcomes research, but one such is lacking for adult sarcoma patients with brain metastases. The current study describes brain metastasis in a large cohort of sarcoma patients. This study, conducted within the French Sarcoma Group, describes the natural history of sarcoma brain metastasis and enables the proposal of strategic recommendations for subsequent clinical trials and for the management of such patients.
Effect of confinement on the efficiency of bottle-shaped struts
Authors: Sahoo Dipak Kumar , Varghese Biju P.
Published: June 2018

Isolated strut tests were performed to study the effect of plain concrete lateral confinement on the efficiency of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) bottle-shaped struts. For the 2D struts, thin plain concrete panels of varying width were tested to failure under in-plane compression. For the 3D struts, short square columns of varying cross-section were tested to failure under axial compression. The strut efficiency in short columns was found to increase with cross-section as expected, although the increase became insignificant beyond a certain limit. However, the strut efficiency in the panels increased with an increase in panel width only up to half the panel height and thereafter reduced significantly. Supported by finite-element modelling, the results revealed the hitherto unknown phenomenon that excessive confinement negatively impacts on the efficiency of wide bottle-shaped struts only in planar (plane stress) concrete members.
Simplified seismic demand estimation for existing tall buildings in Thailand
Authors: Najam Fawad Ahmed , Warnitchai Pennung , Qureshi Muhammad Irshad , Mehmood Tahir
Published: June 2018

A study of the performance evaluation of non-seismically designed buildings in Thailand is summarised and a simple methodology for quicker estimation of their seismic demands is presented. Using six case study high-rise buildings (20 to 44 storeys) and different types of input ground motions, it was found that the peak inelastic displacements of taller structures (with natural periods >1 s) can be significantly higher than their elastic counterparts, especially for ground motions with peak spectral acceleration occurring at longer periods. In such cases, use of the equal-displacement assumption may result in significantly non-conservative estimates of seismic demands. A simplified modal pushover analysis was then applied to the case study buildings. The combined seismic demands were determined by combining the peak modal demands obtained from a series of pushover analyses. The target displacement of the first vibration mode was determined by directly applying a modifying factor to the corresponding elastic displacement, while higher vibration modes were assumed to remain elastic. The seismic demands obtained from the detailed non-linear response history analysis procedure were used as benchmarks. The simplified analysis procedure was able to predict overall seismic demands and individual modal contributions of the case study buildings with reasonable accuracy. The method provides a relatively quick analysis option for performance evaluation of a large number of non-seismically designed existing high-rise buildings in Thailand.
Shear strength of steel-fibre-reinforced concrete beams with web reinforcement
Authors: Arslan Guray , Keskin Riza Secer Orkun , Birincioglu Mustafa Irfan
Published: June 2018

The use of steel-fibre-reinforced concrete, mainly due to its improved mechanical characteristics beyond cracking, has been increasing recently. A particular purpose of using steel fibres is to enhance the shear characteristics of reinforced concrete beams against a brittle shear failure. While a considerable amount of research on the shear behaviour of steel-fibre-reinforced concrete beams without web reinforcement has been conducted, the studies on the shear behaviour of such beams with web reinforcement are still limited. In this study, an experimental programme aiming to examine the effects of steel fibres on the shear behaviour of reinforced concrete beams with web reinforcement was carried out. A total of nine beams having various amounts of steel fibre and web reinforcement were tested under three-point loading. In addition to the experimental study, a number of equations for predicting the shear strength of steel-fibre-reinforced concrete beams with web reinforcement were assessed by using a limited number of beams available in the literature.
Adaptive control of isolated intersections based on sequential signal-stage optimisation
Authors: Zhai Chunjie , Luo Fei , Liu Yonggui , Xu Jianmin
Published: June 2018

Fluctuations in traffic flows at isolated intersections throughout the day have a negative impact on the control effects of certain traffic signal control methods. To solve this problem, adaptive signal control of isolated intersections based on sequential signal-stage optimisation is proposed under a multi-stage optimal decision framework to reduce vehicle delays and increase traffic efficiency. In this paper, to maximise the traffic capacity of an intersection during a signal stage, a primary and secondary control mechanism is designed in which the signal-stage phase (SSP) is composed of primary and secondary compatible phases. The SSP can be dynamically obtained and its maximum duration can be determined in a predictable manner. The terminal conditions are also designed to end the current SSP in a timely manner to increase the traffic throughput of an isolated intersection during a signal cycle. For easier understanding, the adaptive signal control algorithm is elaborated in detail. Numerous simulation experiments were performed in the Vissim 5.4 software program and the simulation results demonstrated that, compared with fixed timing control, segmented timing control and fully actuated control, the proposed control method can clearly reduce the average vehicle delay and the impact on average vehicle stops is acceptable.
Gender-Related Differences in Credit Use and Credit Scores
Authors: Li Geng
Published: June 2018

This note takes advantage of a unique proprietary data set that collects credit payment histories, debt portfolios, credit scores, and demographic information for a sample of consumers.
An Output Gap Measure for the Euro Area: Exploiting Country-Level and Cross-Sectional Data Heterogeneity
Authors: Gonzalez-Astudillo Manuel
Published: June 2018

This paper proposes a methodology to estimate the euro-area output gap by taking advantage of two types of data heterogeneity. On the one hand, the method uses information on real GDP, inflation, and the unemployment rate for each member state; on the other hand, it jointly considers this information for all the euro-area countries to extract an area-wide output gap measure. The setup is an unobserved components model that theorizes a common cycle across euro-area economies in addition to country-specific cyclical components. I estimate the model with Bayesian methods using data for the 19 countries of the euro area from 2000:Q1 through 2017:Q2 and perform model comparisons across different specifications of the output trend. The estimation of the model preferred by the data indicates that, because of negative shocks to trend output during global the financial crisis, output remained slightly above potential in that period, but an output gap of about negative 3½ percent emerged during the European debt crisis. At the end of the sample period, output is estimated to be about 1 percent above potential.
Home Country Interest Rates and International Investment in U.S. Bonds
Authors: Ammer John , Claessens Stijn , Tabova Alexandra , Wroblewski Caleb
Published: June 2018

We analyze how interest rates affect cross-border portfolio investments. Data on U.S. bond holdings by foreign investors from 31 countries for the period 2003 - 2016 and a large variety in movements in interest rates in these countries provide for a unique way to analyze shifts in investment behavior in response to interest rates. We find that low(er) interest rates, now prevailing in many advanced countries, lead to greater investment in general into the United States, with the effects generally driven by investment in (higher yielding) corporate bonds, rather than in Treasury bonds. In addition to affecting overall investments, lower interest rates at home are associated with a greater weight on corporate bonds, consistent with search- for-yield. The results are economically important and robust to controlling for a number of country-specific macroeconomic and financial conditions as well as to sample restrictions and choices of interest rate. Our findings have important policy implications in that they suggest that low interest rates can lead to shifts in the volume and composition of overseas investments.
Türkiye’ye Yönelik Dış Turizm Potansiyelinin Panel Çekim Modeli İle Analizi
Authors: BULUK Buket , DURAN Erol
Published: June 2018

Bu araştırmada, 2016 yılında Türkiye’yi ziyaret eden turistlerden elde edilen yatay kesit verileri kullanılarak panel çekim modeli aracılığıyla Türkiye’nin dış turizm potansiyelini tespit etmek ve bu potansiyeli mevcut turizm pazarları dışındaki farklı pazarlar için de geliştirmek amaçlanmıştır. Çalışma sonucunda, Türkiye’yi ziyaret eden turist sayısının, gelinen ülkenin ekonomik gelişmişliği faktöründen olumlu, ülkenin uzaklığı faktöründen ise olumsuz yönde etkilendiği tespit edilmiştir. Turistlerin geldikleri ülkenin nüfus açısından büyük olması faktörünün ise turist akımı üzerinde bir etkisinin bulunmadığı saptanmıştır. Ayrıca, turistlerin geldikleri ülkenin Türkiye ile birtakım bağlarının (tarihi, kültürel, etnik) veya ortak sınıra sahip olması faktörünün turist rakamları üzerinde artırıcı, ülkenin bir Müslüman ülkesi olması faktörünün ise gelen turist rakamlarını azaltıcı bir etkide bulunduğu görülmüştür. Araştırma, Türkiye’yi belirli ülkelerin ziyaret ettiği ve belirli turizm aktivitelerinin gerçekleştirildiği ülke imajından kurtarabilmesi, Türkiye’nin turist akımını etkileyen faktörleri belirlemesi ve bu doğrultuda da Türkiye’nin dış turizm potansiyelinin tespit edilmesi bağlamında önem taşımaktadır.
19. Yüzyılın İkinci Yarısında Osmanlı Devleti’nde Otel ve Misafirhanelere Dair Düzenlemeler
Authors: ÇETİN Emrah
Published: June 2018

XIX. yüzyılda dünyada turizmin gelişimine paralel olarak ticari, dinî, tarihî ve kültürel amaçlarla her geçen sene daha fazla sayıda insan Osmanlı topraklarına gelmeye başlamıştır. Bununla birlikte başta İstanbul olmak üzere liman kenti özelliğine sahip birçok Osmanlı şehrinde çok sayıda otel ve misafirhane açılmaya başlamıştır. Bunların sayısındaki hızlı artış hükümeti bu alanda yasal bir düzenleme yapmaya zorlamıştır. Gerek otel ve misafirhanelerin kuruluşu ve işletmesi gerekse konaklayacak turistlerin kayıt altına alınması ihtiyacını karşılamak adına bazı düzenlemeler yapılmıştır. Bu kapsamda dokuz maddelik bir talimatname hazırlanarak otel ve misafirhanelerle ilgili yasal zemin oluşturulmaya çalışılmıştır. Bu araştırmada; Osmanlı Devleti’nin son döneminde otel ve misafirhanelerle ilgili olarak yapılan düzenlemeler ele alınacaktır. Bu doğrultuda hükümeti konaklama yerleri ile ilgili düzenleme yapmaya zorunlu kılan nedenler, yapılan yasal düzenlemeler, bunların uygulanması ve ortaya çıkan sorunlar ele alınacaktır. Böylelikle Türk turizminin tarihsel gelişimi noktasında birtakım çıkarımlarda bulunma olanağı sağlanacaktır.
Duygusal Emeğin İş-Aile Çatışması Üzerine Etkisi: İzmir Şehir Otelleri Örneği
Authors: PALA Tuğba , TEPECİ Mustafa , TİMUR Alp
Published: June 2018

Bu çalışmada duygusal emek ile iş-aile çatışması arasındaki ilişkinin ortaya çıkarılması amaçlanmıştır. Bu doğrultuda İzmir ilinde bulunan on otelde; 3, 4, 5 yıldızlı ve butik otel çalışanlarından toplanan 302 anketin verileri analizlere tabi tutulmuştur. Analizler sonucunda yüzeysel ve samimi davranış ile zaman temelli iş-aile çatışması; yüzeysel ve derin davranış ile davranış temelli iş-aile çatışması arasında pozitif bir ilişki bulunmuştur. Samimi davranış sergileyen otel çalışanları daha fazla zaman temelli iş-aile çatışması; derin davranış sergileyen çalışanlar daha fazla davranış temelli iş-aile çatışması yaşarken yüzeysel davranış sergileyenler hem zaman hem de davranış temelli iş-aile çatışmasını daha fazla yaşamaktadır. Ayrıca regresyon analizinde yüzeysel davranışın zaman temelli iş-aile çatışması ve davranış temelli iş-aile çatışmasının önceli olduğu ve bu iki değişkeni açıkladığı görülmektedir.
FORMACIÓN INICIAL Y PERMANENTE DE LA FUNCIÓN TUTORIAL.
Authors: González Álvarez María
Published: June 2018

Analizamos las valoraciones que tutores/as de distintas enseñanzas y etapas realizan respecto a su formación. Hemos elaborado una prueba que fue cumplimentada por 1350 tutores y tutoras de todas las comunidades autónomas de España, la cual alcanza un valor de 0.91 en el coeficiente de Cronbach. La formación inicial y permanente recibidas como tutor o tutora alcanza 2.8 y 3.9 puntos respectivamente (escala de 0 a 10 puntos).  Se valoran como importantes para su formación permanente diversos temas, con un recorrido desde 6.6 puntos respecto a la “normativa” hasta un máximo de 8.9 “resolución de conflictos y convivencia”. Se encuentran diferencias: las tutoras valoran mejor dichos temas para su formación que los tutores; el grupo de menor edad; los de centros privados concertados; Educación Primaria y los que emplean seis o más horas semanales en las tareas de tutoría.
IMPLEMENTATION AND PRACTICE OF INDIGENOUS RIGHTS: THE CASE OF THE MAYAN GROUP OF THE STATE OF QUINTANA ROO
Authors: Israel Herrera José
Published: June 2018

Since 1997, the Mexican government has founded in the province of Quintana Roo a traditional style of justice instituted on a previous indigenous Mayan traditional legal system. This article provides a reflection about the way the Mayan justice has been recognized and implemented in the state of Quintana Roo, based on the incorporation of the rights derived from the ILO Convention 169 signed by Mexico in the last century. Mexico possesses and recognizes the Mayan legal system, but with some additions which causes the existence of two different structures the traditional and the new one which coexist in the same social field at the same time.
“It’s Not Equality”: How Race, Class, and Gender Construct the Normative Religious Self among Female Prisoners
Authors: Ellis Rachel
Published: June 2018

Prior sociological research has demonstrated that religious selves are gendered. Using the case of female inmates—some of the most disadvantaged Americans—this article shows that dominant messages constructing the religious self are not only gendered, but also deeply intertwined with race and class. Data from 12 months of ethnographic fieldwork on religion inside a U.S. state women’s prison reveal that religious volunteers—predominately middle-class African American women—preached feminine submissiveness and finding a “man of God” to marry to embody religious ideals. However, these messages were largely out of sync with the realities of working class and poor incarcerated women, especially given their temporary isolation from the marriage market and the marital prospects in the socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods to which many would return. These findings suggest that scholars must pay attention to how race, class, and gender define dominant discourses around the religious self and consider the implications for stratification for those who fail to fulfill this dominant ideology.
The Muslim Employment Gap, Human Capital, and Ethno-Religious Penalties: Evidence from Switzerland
Authors: Lindemann Anaïd , Stolz Jörg
Published: June 2018

In Europe, Muslims are more likely to be unemployed than non-Muslims. Many studies try to explain this employment gap by human capital and contextual factors on the one hand, and by ethno-religious penalties (discrimination due to religious affiliation, religiosity, or migration factors) on the other. In these studies, it is normally assumed that human capital mediates the effect of Muslim affiliation, and that controlling for human capital will therefore reduce the odds for Muslims of being unemployed. We replicate the well-known study by Connor and Koenig (2015) along these lines, using the most recent and representative Swiss data from 2014 (N = 16,487). Our key result is that Muslim affiliation does not mediate, but actually moderates, the effect of human capital on unemployment. We find a powerful interaction in that Muslims both with a very low and a very high level of education are disproportionally often unemployed. This is important because it means that raising the human capital of Muslims will not automatically lessen, but may instead actually widen, the employment gap. We discuss possible theoretical mechanisms that might explain this finding.
Systems over Service: Changing Systems of Inequality through Congregational Political Engagement
Authors: Sager Rebecca
Published: June 2018

The role of religious groups in changing inequality has usually been a bottom up approach. Whether it was serving meals to the needy or sheltering the homeless, the vast majority of religious groups have addressed problems of inequality, not by addressing the causes of hunger and homelessness, but rather by offering assistance to those already in need. Rarely have religious groups become engaged in explicitly political activities that challenge structures that create large scale inequality. In this article, I examine the first state level efforts by LA Voice, a congregation-based community group that has worked to ameliorate inequality through political organizing with churches in largely poor minority communities throughout Los Angeles. Drawing on extensive qualitative data from field research and interviews during their first campaign season in 2012, I examine how these religious groups organized around a controversial political issue—an important move away from their traditional community-based organizing—and how their understandings of faith informed this work. Specifically, LA Voice helped pass a state-level initiative that directly challenged systems of inequality; Proposition 30, which raised taxes on the wealthy to fund public education. This political work highlighted long known internal struggles between congregation members who fought these actions and those who recognized the need in their communities and enthusiastically took up this work. This article ends with a discussion of how these early efforts resulted in further engagement by other member congregations.
Analysis of the physical growth and markers of connective tissue dysplasia in patients with Perthes disease
Authors: Lobov Ilia L. , Malkov Aleхander V. , Lobov Nikolay I.
Published: June 2018

Introduction. The pathogenesis of Perthes disease is not fully understood and requires a greater understanding of the physical development, external and internal markers of connective tissue dysplasia.

Objective. To analyze the deviations in physical development and connective tissue dysplasia in children with Perthes disease to determine its phenotypes.

Materials and methods. We examined 52 patients and 36 children (control group) aged of 4–17 years. We estimated and compared their physical and proportional growth by using centile charts and Vervec’s index and defined external and internal manifestations of connective tissue dysplasia in major organs, systems, and topographic regions. Complete genealogical histories were taken by with examining the genealogies of 52 probands, including clinical examination of 136 first and second degree relatives.

Results. Deviations in physical growth were observed in 33 patients (63.5%). The body height of 27 (51.9%) patients aged 4–17 years ranged from 1–2 lines (3–10%) and was significantly lower than that of the control group within 5 lines (p < 0.5). Six (11.6%) children had body lengths higher than the average 7th line (75–90%). Vervec’s index in 34 (65.4%) children ranged from 1.25–0.85 and represented mesomorphy, moderate brachy, or dolichomorphia. The primary pathology of external organs and systems was skeletal anomalies in 36 (69.2%) children, followed by dermal in 23 (44.2%) and organs of vision in 9 (17.3%). Among visceral disorders, the primary pathology was cardiovascular diseases in 17 (32,7%) children followed by surgical and urological pathologies in 7 (13.5%) and digestive system disorders in 5 (9.6%). Disease inheritance was sporadical in 48 (92.3%) children.

Conclusion. The Perthes disease phenotype was related to the undifferentiated form of collagenopathies.
Treatment approach to shoulder internal rotation deformity in children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy
Authors: Agranovich Olga E. , Oreshkov Anatoly B. , Mikiashvili Evgeniya F.
Published: June 2018

Introduction. Shoulder internal rotation contracture is the most common deformity affecting the shoulder in patients with obstetric brachial plexus palsy because of the subsequent imbalance of the musculature and the abnormal deforming forces that cause dysplasia of the glenohumeral joint.
Aim. To assess the effects of tendon transfers in children with shoulder internal rotation deformity due to obstetric brachial plexus palsy.
Materials and methods. From 2015 to 2017, we examined and treated 15 patients with shoulder internal rotation deformity caused by obstetric brachial plexus palsy. The children ranged in age from 4 to 17 years. We used clinical and radiographic examination methods, including magnetic resonance imaging, electromyography, and electroneuromyography, of the upper limbs.
Results. According to the level of plexus brachialis injury, the patients were divided into 3 groups: level С5–С6 (9 patients), level C5–C7 (5 children), level С5–Th1 (1 patient). All children had secondary shoulder deformities: glenohumeral dysplasia type II, 6 (40%); type III, 5 (34%); type IV, 1 (6%); and type V, 3 (20%). The Mallet score was used for estimation of upper limb function. Surgical treatment was performed in 15 children. After treatment, all patients showed improvement in activities of daily living.
Conclusion. Tendon transfers in patients with shoulder internal rotation deformities due to obstetric brachial plexus palsy improved upper limb function and provided satisfactory cosmetic treatment results without of remodeling of the glenohumeral joint.
Selected aspects of the epidemiology of tumors and tumor-like diseases of the spine and spinal cord in children: A 19-year regional cohort study in the Leningrad region
Authors: Snishuk Viktor P. , Vladovskaya Maria D. , Vissarionov Sergey V. , Krutelev Nikolay A. , Kaminskiy Alexander V. , Petrova Irina S.
Published: June 2018

Background. Statistical analysis of spinal tumors in children is difficult because of its rarity and different morphology. Benign tumor and tumor-like processes are not included in modern oncology literature even though intracanal tumors have the most severe prognosis and influence on a patient’s quality of life.
Aim. To evaluate the incidence, epidemiological structure (anatomical, sex, morphological structure), clinical characteristics, and survival of pediatric patients with tumors and tumor-like diseases of the spine and spinal cord in a single region of Russia.
Materials and methods. The data of 110 children with tumors and tumor-like diseases of the spine and spinal cord from the Leningrad region who received surgical treatment in Leningrad regional children's hospitals between 1998 and 2016 were included in the study. The authors evaluated the incidence, mortality, and survival rates adjusted for age, sex, morphology, and primary site of growth.
Results. The average annual morbidities of pediatric spinal tumors (including the spine and spinal canal) in the Leningradsaya oblast region from 1998 to 2016 were 1.93 per 100 000 pediatric patients and 0.3 per 100 000 for neuro-epithelial tumors of the spinal cord. The mortality rate was 0.2 per 100 000 pediatric patients. Spinal cord tumors of the cranio-vertebral and cervical zones as intramedullary low-malignant and extramedullary malignant metastatic spinal tumors had a negative effect on survival.
Conclusions. The Leningrad regional data were generally comparable with the cancer registry data of other countries. The data suggest that pediatric spinal cord patients should be treated in regional neurosurgical pediatric clinics.
A retrospective study on the risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity in NICU of tertiary care hospital
Authors: K. C. Sundar , Meenakshi K. Devi , Patil Aruna B.
Published: June 2018

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) affects developing retinal vasculature in premature infants. The risk factors for ROP are prematurity, low birth weight, oxygenation, respiratory distress, infection and frequent blood transfusion. Identification of risk factors leading to ROP may help in planning preventive strategies.Methods: A retrospective analysis of records of preterm babies less than 34 weeks of gestation or birth weight less than 1750 grams and between 34 -36 weeks gestation or 1750-2000 grams birth weight associated with risk factors for ROP admitted to NICU of Kilpauk Medical college hospital from August 2015 to July 2016 were evaluated.Results: Out of a total of 166 babies who were screened for ROP, 37 babies were detected to have ROP (22.3 %). Of these 20 (54%) were female and 17 (46%) were male. The mean birth weight of babies with ROP identified in our study was 1480 grams. The mean gestational age of babies with ROP was 32 weeks. By logistic regression analysis for mode of oxygen therapy as a risk factor for ROP it was found that prongs alone showed the strong risk factor towards ROP which was statistically significant. Sepsis, transfusion and shock requiring inotropes individually and statistical significantly contributed to the risk of ROP.Conclusions: ROP was more common in babies <34 weeks. Sepsis, transfusion and shock requiring inotropes significantly contributed to the risk of ROP. Analysis of the mode of oxygen therapy showed that use of prongs significantly increased the risk of ROP.
A qualitative study on perceptions of first time mothers about breastfeeding
Authors: Barik Kanai Lal , Paul Uttam Kumar
Published: June 2018

Background: Breastfeeding is the easiest, cost effective and most successful intervention and the most effective life-saving interventions for the health of the newborn. In spite of profound beneficial effects of breast milk, breastfeeding rates in India are abnormally low. There is lack of qualitative data regarding breastfeeding in India. So, we have planned to assess the perceptions of first time mothers about breastfeeding at this middle part of Bengal.Methods: The study was conducted in the Pediatric department of Burdwan Medical College, Burdwan, West Bengal. The study was one of qualitative descriptive types involving in depth interviews (IDI) of 21 first time mothers. The interviews were translated into English transcripts which were then analysed to find out suitable codes and categories.Results: The results of the in-depth interviews of the 21 first time mothers could be divided into seven categories and each of which is further divided into several codes. The categories are:   Reaction of mother, inadequate breast milk, breast milk causing ailments of the baby, erroneous idea about breastfeeding, lack of time, lack of privacy and breast milk is best for my baby.Conclusions: In this present study we have applied qualitative in-depth interview approach and able to find out different reasons of non-continuation of breastfeeding among the first-time mothers. Though they have to face challenges regarding continuation of breastfeeding but most of them felt that breastfeeding is best for their baby.
A prospective, cross sectional open label clinicoepidemiological study of vitamin B-12 deficiency in adolescent children
Authors: Singh Chaturbhuj , Garg Pukhraj , Sodawat Rishi
Published: June 2018

Background: Megaloblastic anemia is becoming most common forms of anemia in adolescents during recent years. In India limited studies are available on megaloblastic anemia. The main aim of the study was to determine the incidence, prevalence, and various morphological patters and complications of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia in adolescents.Methods: Hospital based cross sectional observational study of 100 adolescents anaemic patients (excluding anemia of bone marrow failure, haemolytic anemia associated with jaundice and organomegaly, aplastic anemia, leukaemia and anemia associated with chronic inflammatory disease) admitted in paediatric ward from 2016 to2017 was done. In every case detailed history, examination along with blood investigation done including complete blood count, blood indices and peripheral blood smear for morphology. In every case serum B12 level was estimated.Results: Out of 100 cases 38% were deficient with female dominance. Significant association (p<0.05) was  found between B12 deficiency and  vegetarian diet, macrocytic peripheral film, pancytopenia, knuckle pigmentation and neurological symptoms.Conclusions: Deficiency of B12 deficiency is common among the adolescents, which is common in vegetarian’s diet patterns. Supplementation through implemented nutritional programmes and education regarding diet patterns may overcome this deficiency.
Spectrum of congenital heart disease in neonates in a tertiary care centre of Northern India
Authors: Qazi Mahvish , Saqib Najmus
Published: June 2018

Background: Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are an important cause of mortality and morbidity in children representing a major global health burden. Not much of Indian data is available particularly from this part of the country. So, authors conduct a retrospective study to know the spectrum of congenital heart disease in our set up.Methods: A retrospective hospital based study was carried out in the neonatal intensive care unit of SMGS Hospital, Jammu from January 2017 until December 2017 to see the spectrum of CHD.Results: There were 5552 neonates admitted during the study period out of which 68 were found to have CHD. The prevalence was 12.24 per 1000 admitted neonates. Out of 68 admitted neonates, 41were males (60.3 %) and 27 females (39.7%). Clinically Respiratory distress (51.47%) was the commonest presenting symptom followed by Cyanosis (16.18%), refusal of feed (13.23%) and murmer (10.3%).46 (67.65%) newborn had acyanotic and 22 (32.35%) cyanotic congenital heart lesions. Ventricular septal defect (27.94%) was the commonest acyanotic congenital heart defects whereas Tetrology of Fallot (14.70%) was the commonest cyanotic congenital heart diseases. Cleft lip and Cleft Palate was found in 12.5% followed by Down’s syndrome in 3.57% of cases of newborns with CHD. The mode of delivery was spontaneous in 64.71% followed by Elective LSCS were 23.53% and Emergency LSCS were 11.76%.Conclusions: There is an urgent need for government and non‑government organizations to establish well‑equipped cardiothoracic surgical centers across the country especially in Jammu to cater for children with CHDs.
Low plasma ghrelin levels in children with severe protein energy malnutrition
Authors: V. Harikrishnan , Kumar Rakesh , Sachdeva Naresh , Dayal Devi
Published: June 2018

Background: Children with primary protein energy malnutrition (PEM) have significant loss of appetite which makes their nutritional rehabilitation difficult. Trials in patients with anorexia nervosa and cancer cachexia have shown short term efficacy of supplementing ghrelin to increase appetite. However, literature on ghrelin hormone status in children with PEM is scarce. We planned to study plasma ghrelin hormone levels in children with PEM and difference in plasma ghrelin levels among children having PEM of different grades.Methods: Cross-sectional observational study was conducted over one year period. All hospitalised children during the study period and fulfilling the inclusion criteria for primary PEM (WHO criteria for malnutrition) were enrolled as cases. The cases (59 children) were divided into 2 groups – (Group 1 -severe PEM, group 2 - mild to moderate PEM) and were compared with 19 healthy children as controls (Group 3). Plasma fasting ghrelin levels were measured using enzyme immunoassay. The results were analysed using Mann-Whitney U Test.Results: Median plasma ghrelin level among severe PEM group was 1.942ng/ml (interquartile range (IQR): 0.064, 9.506), mild to moderate PEM - 17.662 ng/ml (IQR: 1.658, 40.129) and controls - 17.525 ng/ml (IQR: 0.626, 27.361). Median ghrelin value was significantly lower in severe PEM group as compared to mild to moderate PEM (p value- 0.027).Conclusions: Plasma ghrelin levels are significantly reduced in children with severe PEM as compared with mild to moderate PEM and healthy controls.
Perception of pregnant women on maternity care services at the Volta Regional Hospital, Ghana
Authors: Konlan Kennedy Diema , Kombat Joseph M. , Japiong Milipaak , Konlan Kennedy Dodam
Published: June 2018

Background: Maternity period is crucial and sensitive in the life of women due to various physiological changes that take place in the body during pregnancy and after. These changes need close monitoring to help optimize maternal and foetal health. This study explored pregnant women’s perceptions of maternity care services in the Volta Regional Hospital.Methods: Multiparous women (170) in the Ante Natal Clinic responded to a pretested questionnaire. The sample size was determined using Fischer’s formula for sample size calculation. Respondents were chosen using the convenient sampling method. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 in to descriptive statistics.Results: This study identified that women (42.5%) were never encouraged by health care providers to bring their partners during antenatal visits. Pregnant women (62.9%) reported that health care professionals did not allow their support persons including their husbands to be with them during labour. Women (34.1%) during labour were sometimes assaulted while 2.9% were always assaulted. Majority (74.2%) of the women received this five cardinal services that included vitamin K, eye care, cord care, bathing and immunization during the post natal period as 60.7% were introduced to family planning by midwives.Conclusions: Partner involvement in maternal health care needs to be encouraged by midwives to improve support from partners during pregnancy, labour and the post natal period. Support persons should be allowed to stay with women during labour to give the necessary support and encouragement and also take part in decision making concerning women’s care.
Malaria and malnutrition co-existence among under-five children of tribal dense regions of Odisha: a community based study
Authors: Mahapatra Ashish , Mohapatra Sabyasachi , Mitter Niloy , Dash Sushree Swagata , Mishra Rudra Prasanna , Satapathy Durga Madhab
Published: June 2018

Background: “Malaria and malnutrition are closely related in the months of hunger gap when malnutrition is at its peak often coincides with rainy season when the number of malaria cases shoot up. The disease combines in a vicious circle. Children sick with malaria are more likely to become dangerously malnourished”. Severely malnourished children with malaria infection may have no fever, or be hypothermic. Proactive screening for malaria in severely malnourished children is needed even if the child has no symptoms of malaria. The objectives of the study were to estimate prevalence of “malaria and malnutrition” co-existence in under 5 children of tribal dense regions and to determine if any significant difference between this co-existent condition against the disease alone.Methods: Eight villages were selected based on their inaccessibility and demography spread across Bamnipal and Sukinda region. Malaria testing using antigen based RDK and nutritional assessment using MUAC tapes were conducted in of 6 months to <5 yrs children.Results: A total of 224 children of under 5 yrs age group were screened. 50.4% of them were suffering from malaria, 38% of the children were at risk or suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Of the 113 children with malaria, 45% were having malnutrition. Out of 86 malnourished children 59% were diagnosed with malaria. 22.7% of children were found to have malaria and malnutrition together.Conclusions: Malaria and Malnutrition are co-existent and synergistic to each other.
Social interaction game to promote empathy among first year medical students: a pilot study
Authors: Johnson Liaquat R. , Raja Ramiz
Published: June 2018

Background: Empathy is integral to professionalism, but is lacking in medical students. There are few interventions that promote empathy. This pilot study describes the first use of a novel intervention to promote empathy.Methods: A novel social interaction game was developed and administered to first MBBS students. It provided an experiential simulation of persons belonging to lower socioeconomic strata over 4 simulated ‘days’. This cross-sectional study assessed the impact of the intervention on empathy using a 5-point Likert scale to score self-perceptions across several domains. The data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (RMANOVA).Results: There was a statistically significant decline in scale scores on all days following Day 1 (p<0.05). This was true across all domains. Cronbach’s alpha for internal reliability was 0.91 for Day 1; and 0.97 for Day 1 through Day 4. Open ended comments indicated empathic feelings were generated due to the intervention.Conclusions: A simulation experience like the social interaction game described here, may be used to improve the attitudes and empathy of medical students towards persons from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
La explicación causal en economía
Authors: S.-B. Luis Lorente
Published: June 2018

La teoría económica rehúye las explicaciones de tipo causal y adopta relaciones funcionales y soluciones de equilibrio que suponen alguna forma de simetría entre las variables involucradas. Sin embargo, la causalidad es un supuesto inherente a toda política o decisión económica, que se defiende y adopta solo porque se espera de ella un determinado efecto. La desconfianza proviene de que, en ausencia de un método experimental que aísle unos fenómenos de su entorno y garantice su repetibilidad, es posible imaginar numerosas causas, incluso teleológicas, que interfieren mutuamente y ofrecen un exceso de explicaciones alternativas, sin un criterio claro para escoger entre ellas. Pero existen circunstancias que permiten deducir regularidades de tipo causal en un contexto de cambio dinámico, innovación y desequilibrio permanente. Este artículo desarrolla varios ejemplos sencillos que tienen consecuencias importantes para la teoría económica y sugieren ajustes de fondo en algunas políticas.
Albert Hirschman, Lauchlin Currie, la teoría de los “eslabonamientos” Rosenstein Rodan y el “gran impulso” de Paul Rosenstein-Rodan
Authors: Sandilands Roger J.
Published: June 2018

Este escrito presenta un trabajo inédito de 1970 del distinguido economista del desarrollo Lauchlin Currie (1902-1993) sobre el famoso artículo de 1944 acerca del “Gran Impulso” de Paul Rosenstein-Rodan, que llevó al debate del crecimiento balanceado y desbalanceado en el que Albert Hirschman (1915 - 2012) fue un partícipe importante. Tanto Currie como Hirschman fueron asesores económicos del gobierno colombiano y aquí se contrastan sus respectivos puntos de vista sobre la planeación del desarrollo. En particular, se muestra que el artículo de Currie de1970 esclarece la teoría que sirve de base al Plan Nacional 1971-1974 de Colombia, que él diseñó y ayudó a ejecutar, y cuyas innovaciones institucionales han tenido un impacto duradero en la historia económica reciente de Colombia.
La Nueva Historia y sus predecesores
Authors: Cataño Gonzalo
Published: June 2018

Este ensayo resume las características de la Nueva Historia, el movimiento historiográfico que dejó atrás la investigación tradicional del pasado en Colombia. Describe sus antecedentes a finales del siglo XIX, cuando se discutió el proyecto de hacer de la historia una disciplina científica. Menciona sus investigaciones, sus logros y sus adalides. Señala, además, las limitaciones de la Nueva Historia, cuyo énfasis en los fundamentos económicos de la sociedad y en el papel de las instituciones tendió a oscurecer el papel de las personalidades y la presencia de los “imaginarios”. Asímismo, desdibujó el peso de las ideas, las actitudes y los valores; de la religión, la cultura y los modos de vida.
Bajos impuestos al suelo e inoperancia del instrumento tributario
Authors: Bonilla Sebá Edna Cristina
Published: June 2018

Este artículo muestra que los tributos al suelo, en especial el impuesto predial, son muy bajos en Colombia, a pesar de la potencialidad fiscal de los municipios. Los avalúos están atrasados y, aun así, la tarifa efectiva del impuesto predial no llega al 3 por mil. Además, la estructura de estos impuestos es muy desordenada, y varía considerablemente entre municipios. Muestra la poca relevancia de los impuestos como instrumento para modificar las relaciones factoriales y mejorar la eficiencia de la producción, sobre todo en el campo. Con base en los datos del Censo Nacional Agropecuario 2014 constata la alta concentración de la tenencia de tierra, en área y en unidades productivas, y así como la importancia de la pequeña producción agropecuaria. Señala, además, que el diseño de los impuestos al suelo no contribuye a mejorar la productividad agropecuaria.
Clinical use of specific markers TAS, TOS, PON and IL-6 by the evaluation of kidney damage in patients receiving SWL treatment
Authors: YUVANC Ercan , TUGLU Devrim , GUR Serhan , OZAN Tunc , KISA Üçler , BATİSLAM Ertan , YILMAZ Erdal
Published: June 2018

Aim: Beside efficacy of the shock wave
lithotripsy (SWL) procedure, also its negative effects on the kidneys, its relation
with the oxidant/antioxidant balance and the search after biomarkers for the
detection of this negative effect gained interest in the recent years. The aim
of the study is to investigate the possible usage of  total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant
status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), Paraoxonase-1    (PON-1) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) parameters
as biomarkers for renal injury/trauma  in
the early period by patients undergoing SWL due to kidney stones.

Material
and Methods: Forty patients receiving SWL therapy due to kidney stones were
included to study by collecting their blood samples
before and 2 hours after the procedure.

Results: It was observed that SWL therapy has
deteriorated the oxidant/antioxidant balance in terms of the oxidants by analyzing
the increase of IL-6 (P <0,01) and
decrease in PON-1 (P = 0.049). There
was no change observed in TAS (P =
0.178) and TOS (P = 0.175) and OSI (P = 0.551) parameters.

Conclusion:
This has shown
that IL-6 and PON-1 may be more sensitive markers of renal injury after SWL in
early period.
PAZARLAMADA PARADİGMİK DEĞİŞİM -GİRİŞİMCİ PAZARLAMA DAVRANIŞLARININ BELİRLENMESİ VE GİRİŞİMCİ YÖNLÜLÜĞÜN ROLÜ: BİR ARAŞTIRMA- THE PARADIGMATIC CHANGE IN MARKETING - THE ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION AND THE DETERMINATION OF ENTREPRENEURIAL MARKETING BEHAVIOURS: A RESEARCH -
Authors: HAMŞIOĞLU Ahmet Buğra
Published: June 2018

Bu çalışma, Ankara ili orta boy imalat işletme listesine bağlı olarak 225 işletmeye anket yöntemi kullanılarak girişimci pazarlama davranışlarının belirlenmesi ve girişimci yönlülüğün rolünü belirlemeye yönelik amprik bir çalışmadır. Çalışmada, ilk olarak, girişimci pazarlama davranışlarının bir sınıflandırılması ve girişimci yönlülük teorik olarak incelenmiş. İkinci olarak, girişimci yönlülüğün girişimci pazarlama üzerindeki etkisi ve girişimci yönlülük boyutlarının girişimci pazarlama boyutları üzerindeki etkisinin belirlenmesi amacıyla kısmi en küçük kareler yöntemi ile model testi gerçekleştirilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgularda, girişimci yönlülüğün girişimci pazarlama üzerinde güçlü ve pozitif bir etkisinin olduğu, ayrıca girişimci yönlülük boyutlarının bağımsız olarak girişimci pazarlama boyutlarının tamamı üzerinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ve pozitif etkilerinin olduğu görülmüştür. Bu çalışmada, işletmelerin girişimci pazarlama uygulamaları ile girişimci yönlülük arasındaki ilişki incelenmiştir. Girişimci yönlülük, girişimci pazarlamanın bir öncülü olduğunu ve araştırmacılara işletmelerin girişimci pazarlama uygulamalarını ölçerken girişimci yönlülüğün çok boyutlu bir yapı olarak ele alınmasını önermektedir. Türkçe yazında, girişimci pazarlama ve girişimci yönlülüğü bu şekilde ele alıp inceleyen bir çalışmaya rastlanmamıştır. Dolayısıyla çalışma sonucunda elde edilen bulgular hem uygulamacılara hem de akademisyenlere önemli sonuçlar sunmakta ve yazına katkı sağlamaktadır.