bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combination use of triamcinolone acetonide and immunotherapy as a new therapeutic option in alopecia totalis
Authors: Yoshimasu Takashi , Mikita Naoya , Ikeda Takaharu , Kanazawa Nobuo , Furukawa Fukumi , Jinnin Masatoshi
Published: March 2018

Alopecia totalis (AT) with body hair loss is the most severe type of alopecia areata (AA). The ability to develop hair is suggested to be poor in such severe AA, because AT does not respond to corticosteroid pulses and immunotherapy using squaric acid dibutylester (SADBE) or diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP). The purpose of this study is to assess the possibility of hair regrowth in AT with body hair loss. Ten patients with AT who did not respond to topical immunotherapies, received triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injections. Undiluted or 2-fold diluted solutions of TA were prepared and 0.1–0.2 mL of either of the two solutions was administered to each patient. In total, 2 mL of the selected solution was injected monthly into each area. In cases where vellus hair developed after the injections, we restarted the immunotherapy using SADBE or DPCP and continued the therapies for more than half a year. The development of vellus hair after TA injections was defined as a good response. Complete response rate to the topical injection of TA was 10% (1/10), however the partially good response rate was 60% (6/10). The good responders showed the anagen stage of hair follicle after TA injections. Furthermore, the complete responder to TA showed susceptibility to the subsequent immunotherapy and more regrowth of hair was seen. Even if patients with AT have suffered for a prolonged period since onset, it is possible to recover the hair cycle if they show susceptibility to intralesional corticosteroid and subsequent immunotherapy.
Evaluation of breath alcohol analysers by comparison of breath and blood alcohol concentrations
Authors: Jurič Andreja , Fijačko Andrija , Bakulić Lana , Orešić Tanja , Gmajnički Ines
Published: March 2018

The main goal of this study was to determine the reliability of hand-held breath alcohol analysers currently approved for roadside screening of traffic offenders. The first part of the study included a retrospective data analysis of 714 offence records collected in 2011. Blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) obtained from the offenders 0-303 min after the police had screened them for breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) were back-calculated (cBAC) to assess the accuracy of breathalyser screening. All participants were in the alcohol elimination phase, and our analyses did not reveal any significant differences between cBAC and BrAC. To verify our findings, we performed a controlled drinking study that involved 63 healthy volunteers who consumed alcoholic beverages to simulate real drinking conditions. Immediately after alcohol consumption, BrAC was determined with a Dräger breath alcohol analyser model 6810, and 29 participants gave blood and urine sample for concomitant BAC analysis one hour later. BAC and urine alcohol concentrations were determined with headspace gas chromatography. Again, we found no significant differences between BrAC and BAC. These results confirmed the high reliability of breath alcohol analysers for measuring BrAC as long as police officers perform the measurements according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Role of gene polymorphisms in vitamin D metabolism and in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Elkama Aylin , Karahalil Bensu
Published: March 2018

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) resulting in neurological impairment and disability. There is evidence that adequate vitamin D levels may lower the risk of MS development. The aetiology of MS is complex and involves both genetic and environmental factors. In fact, not one but several genes are believed to lead to the disease. As for environmental factors, one of the most important risk factors is vitamin D deficiency, which, in turn, is closely related to gene polymorphisms that play a role in vitamin D metabolism and regulation. However, information about these gene polymorphisms is quite contradictory. The aim of this review is to discuss the association between some of the vitamin D-related gene variants and MS.
Pre-Service Visual Arts Teachers’ Perceptions of Their Experiences of School Practice: A Case of National Teachers College in Uganda
Authors: Julius Ssegantebuka
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study was to describe and analyse the second year pre-service visual arts teachers’ perceptions of their experiences of school practice. School practice is a fundamental facet of all teacher preparation that strengthens one’s teaching competencies. Pre-service visual arts teachers in National Teacher Colleges (NTCs) in Uganda are trained as generalist on a two-year diploma program, leading to an award of a diploma in secondary education (DSE). During the entire training pre-service visual arts teachers are exposed to twelve weeks of school practice of which six weeks are done in year one and the remaining six weeks of school practice are done in their final second year. The study followed a quantitative research design where a self constructed questionnaire was administered to fifty pre-service visual arts teachers in one of the NTCs. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data collected through the questionnaires. Although the research revealed that pre-service visual arts teachers were satisfied with the general prior preparations for the actual teaching, they needed urgent support in using of a number of assessment strategies; accessing and using tools; selecting and using the most appropriate teaching methods and creating an effective learning environment. It was recommended that NTCs expose pre-service visual arts teachers to the ideal school environment that equips them with the necessary knowledge and skills needed for effective teaching and adaptive skills for any teaching context while still at teacher colleges.
Understanding Health Exposures and Vulnerabilities of Women Workers and their Work Changes
Authors: Mohanty Sukanya
Published: March 2018

The paper looks at employment shifts of women construction and domestic workers and explores whether social and economic factors as well as processes are adequate in explaining and understanding the reason of health for work changes. It uses the gender model of social determinants of health to explore how women workers differed on the basis of exposures. This paper uses the case studies data of 33 respondents who were purposively selected on the basis of reasons cited for work change from a larger survey sample. The study was conducted in slums of Cuttack city, in Odisha state of India from June 2014 to February 2015.It was found that women’s health exposures were psychosocial and physical in form, wherein both affected each other. Exposures occurred on a daily as well as episode basis. Structural and community level factors of women’s work, living and diet conditions, access of health care and family support were found crucial for her health besides the individual level wherein her predisposition and age factor mattered. Class, gender, age, family support and state support were the reasons of differential experiences of exposures to conditions and vulnerabilities that affected women’s health. Gendered social determinants of health (SDH) along with life course approach helps understand accumulation of health risks over time through the exposures and vulnerabilities as lack of time for recovery, lack of compensation during work loss and challenges of accessing health care invariably led to accumulation of health issues.
Widening the Scope and Scale of Sustainability Assessments in Built Environments: From Passive House to Active Neighbourhood
Authors: Verovsek Spela , Juvancic Matevz , Zupancic Tadeja
Published: March 2018

The paper provide an insight into the research conducted by the University of Ljubljana, and the Urban institute of Slovenia committed to the assessment of the efficiency related to the management of local resources at the level of neighbourhoods. The reduction of energy consumption and energy efficient built environments are key objectives of many sustainability agendas which is followed by suitable assessment methods in urban analytics. However, there are two important hesitations occurring: first, traditional assessment methods that focus solely on the energy reduction and efficiency are often too narrow in their analysis and limited in their scope of impact. According to the recent advances in research worldwide, efforts solely related to reduction of energy consumption will unlikely lead to more responsive environments or rise the living quality. Thus, more comprehensive methodologies for assessing and monitoring the change and transformation in built environments shall be sought for to reach long-term sustainability. Second, to date, the majority of the evaluation methods - whether focusing to energy consumption or broader sustainability issues - are building- or household- oriented, thus systematically examining separate spatial and social entities, but neglecting the spaces between, the holistic aspect and the community aspect. The research develops structured evaluation model, where two main research pillars are addressed: 1) the development of the structured and modular system of indicators; and 2) the development of the methodology to interpret the resulting values. The paper presents first two stages of the research process and subjects the outcomes to the debate.
Definiteness and Indefiniteness of Nouns in English and Albanian: A Contrastive Analysis
Authors: Çanta Agnesa
Published: March 2018

Different languages have different ways of indicating the definiteness and indefiniteness of nouns. In English, as in most languages, the category of definiteness and indefiniteness is not a grammatical category of nouns. It is rather a semantic category that is mainly conveyed by means of two articles: the definite article the and the indefinite article a/an. In Albanian, on the other hand, the category of definiteness and indefiniteness is a grammatical category realised mainly by case endings and the indefinite article një (a/an) which, along with the case endings, is used to indicate only the indefiniteness, as the definiteness relies exclusively on case endings. The main purpose of this paper was to indicate that, in spite of the difference in the ways they express the definiteness and indefiniteness which account for some of their functional differences, definite and indefinite nouns in English and Albanian also show some similarities. The contrastive analysis indicates that the definite nouns in English and Albanian share their main functions, namely the specific reference and the generic reference, although they do not certainly share the cataphoric reference, whereas the indefinite nouns share the descriptive, classifying, and categorising function as well as the numerical function, but they do not share the generic function.
Successful and Efficient Knowledge Management in the Greek Hospitality Industry: Change the Perspective!
Authors: Dimitrios Belias , Ioannis Rossidis , Efstathios Velissariou , Christos Amoiradis , Dimitrios Tsiotas , Labros Sdrolias
Published: March 2018

In a constantly evolving world, new devices and technologies are incorporating. Organizations should follow the technological changes of the rest of the world if they want to keep up. Standards that were valid few years ago are no longer valid. In this new age knowledge has surpassed other traditional factors, such land, labor and capital. This paper approaches the historical evolution of knowledge, as well as the reasons that have made it an influential factor for organizations wishing to survive, using the tourist industry by way of an example. Furthermore, this paper explores how knowledge management can become a useful tool in the process of leveraging a tourist organization. Knowledge Management is a relatively new concept. Nevertheless, it has become a very popular term, which is increasingly used nowadays. Knowledge management focuses on organizational change under specialized guidance. The paper aims to analyze contemporary literature review in order to enhance the apprehension of how knowledge can become a useful tool not only to overcome crisis but also to contribute to the creation of new ideas and innovations. The paper seems to agree with Mantas (2016)’s view that knowledge management can become a tool to overcome the crisis and also to create innovative ideas which will contribute to the further development of tourism. The research outcome indicates that Organizations will be strongly benefited by such an approach.
The International Public Procurement Evolution: New Strategic Challenges Met in Collaboration with Internal Audit Advisory Services
Authors: Baltos Georgios , Doni Leonardo , Balodis Janis
Published: March 2018

This study identifies and evaluates some of the major procurement issues met currently by international organizations both in private and public sectors. It deals with strategic procurement decision-making like outsourcing and market globalization, concessions set up, business continuity and contracting typology transformations. Such dynamic changes are deployed in a context of increased concern about the application of liberal procurement principles, which drive towards a series of improvements at the procedures and documentation level. The authors relate this evolution with the Internal Audit consulting perspective, which is still a recent endeavor, but in progress and dynamically expanding. European Union and related Agencies and Institutions are usually spearheading towards this direction offering lessons learned for further consideration.
Superluminous Devices Versus Low-Level Laser for Temporomandibular Disorders
Authors: Sveshtarov Vasil , Nencheva-Sveshtarova S. , Grozdanova R. , Prodanova K.
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study is to compare the pain intensity reduction between the mean radiation doses per session of gallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAIAs) laser with superluminous diodes (SLD) in four of the most common pain-related chronic temporomandibular disorders (TMD) - local myalgia, myofascial pain, myofascial pain with a referral, and arthralgia. This study was implemented on 124 patients with pain-related temporomandibular disorders according to the DC/TMD criteria. We applied trigger point oriented near-infrared laser (785 nm, 100 s, 8 J/cm2) and SLD cluster sessions (the cluster is composed of 49 SLDs with a combination of visible red (633 nm) and infrared (880 nm) diodes, 200 mW, 300 s, 8 J/cm2) for the temporomandibular joints and the affected muscles. Patients were evaluated at the start of the treatment, and after the 6th session of combined phototherapy. The pain intensity scores were measured according to the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Our results show that the most statistically manifested pain reduction is found for the SLD dose, р = 0,000118, followed by the overall dose (laser plus SLD); р = 0,001031, and the laser dose; р = 0,030942 (ANOVA dispersion analyses). Consequently, it can be concluded that myalgia is better treated through lower doses of red light compared to infrared laser doses because SLDs combine the prooxidative effect of photons with 633 nm wavelength, a large area of exposure, sufficient tissue penetration, and some positive warming thermal impact of the SLD clusters.
Minimal positive realizations of linear continuous-time fractional descriptor systems: Two cases of an input-output digraph structure
Authors: Markowski Konrad Andrzej
Published: March 2018

In the last two decades, fractional calculus has become a subject of great interest in various areas of physics, biology, economics and other sciences. The idea of such a generalization was mentioned by Leibniz and L’Hospital. Fractional calculus has been found to be a very useful tool for modeling linear systems. In this paper, a method for computation of a set of a minimal positive realization of a given transfer function of linear fractional continuous-time descriptor systems has been presented. The proposed method is based on digraph theory. Also, two cases of a possible input-output digraph structure are investigated and discussed. It should be noted that a digraph mask is introduced and used for the first time to solve a minimal positive realization problem. For the presented method, an algorithm was also constructed. The proposed solution allows minimal digraph construction for any one-dimensional fractional positive system. The proposed method is discussed and illustrated in detail with some numerical examples.
Active fault tolerance control of a wind turbine system using an unknown input observer with an actuator fault
Authors: Li Shanzhi , Wang Haoping , Aitouche Abdel , Tian Yang , Christov Nicolai
Published: March 2018

This paper proposes a fault tolerant control scheme based on an unknown input observer for a wind turbine system subject to an actuator fault and disturbance. Firstly, an unknown input observer for state estimation and fault detection using a linear parameter varying model is developed. By solving linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) and linear matrix equalities (LMEs), the gains of the unknown input observer are obtained. The convergence of the unknown input observer is also analysed with Lyapunov theory. Secondly, using fault estimation, an active fault tolerant controller is applied to a wind turbine system. Finally, a simulation of a wind turbine benchmark with an actuator fault is tested for the proposed method. The simulation results indicate that the proposed FTC scheme is efficient.
Multi-layer health-aware economic predictive control of a pasteurization pilot plant
Authors: Pour Fatemeh Karimi , Puig Vicenç , Ocampo-Martinez Carlos
Published: March 2018

This paper proposes two different health-aware economic predictive control strategies that aim at minimizing the damage of components in a pasteurization plant. The damage is assessed with a rainflow-counting algorithm that allows estimating the components’ fatigue. By using the results obtained from this algorithm, a simplified model that characterizes the health of the system is developed and integrated into the predictive controller. The overall control objective is modified by adding an extra criterion that takes into account the accumulated damage. The first strategy is a single-layer predictive controller with an integral action to eliminate the steady-state error that appears when adding the extra criterion. In order to achieve the best minimal accumulated damage and operational costs, the single-layer approach is improved with a multi-layer control scheme, where the solution of the dynamic optimization problem is obtained from the model in two different time scales. Finally, to achieve the advisable trade-off between minimal accumulated damage and operational costs, both control strategies are compared in simulation over a utility-scale pasteurization plant.
Boundary controllability of nonlinear stochastic fractional systems in Hilbert spaces
Authors: Lizzy Rajendran Mabel , Balachandran Krishnan
Published: March 2018

Sufficient conditions for the controllability of nonlinear stochastic fractional boundary control systems are established. The equivalent integral equations are derived for both linear and nonlinear systems, and the control function is given in terms of the pseudoinverse operator. The Banach contraction mapping theorem is used to obtain the result. A controllability result for nonlinear stochastic fractional integrodifferential systems is also attained. Examples are included to illustrate the theory.
Bobillier Formula for the Elliptical Harmonic Motion
Authors: Dundar Furkan Semih , Ersoy Soley , Pereira Nuno T. Sá
Published: March 2018

In this study, we have considered the elliptical harmonic motion which is the superposition of two simple harmonic motions in perpendicular directions with the same angular frequency and phase difference of π/2 . It is commonly recognized that a convenient formulation for problems in planar kinematics is obtained by using number systems. Here the elliptical numbers are used to derive the Bobillier formula with two different methods for aforesaid motion; the first method depends on the Euler-Savary formula and the second one uses the usual relations of the velocities and accelerations.
Managed Play: The Media’s Impact on Play in the Australian Football League
Authors: Duncan Samuel Keith
Published: March 2018

No industry has influenced the transformation of the Australian Football League (AFL) into a professional, commercial business more than the media. Today, the AFL players are paid more than ever and are used as marketing tools to promote and sell the game, often to new fans in new markets of Australia - namely New South Wales and Queensland - who haven’t traditionally played Australian Football, preferring the rugby codes instead. But perhaps the biggest change in the AFL is that the play element is now used as function of business. Put simply, winning leads to more money. As such, the play element is now manipulated more than ever. The game has more coaches implementing more tactics, strategies, game plans and set plays than ever before. These changes can be linked back to the media’s influence on the game. This paper utilises the combined observations and theories of Johan Huizinga and Pierre Bourdieu to create a theoretical lens through which we can understand the media’s growing influence in sport and its impact on play’s transformation. The theory will then be expounded through an extensive analysis of the media’s influence in the AFL, particularly its play element. This analysis will be supported with insights and views from AFL fans, members, commentators and theorists.
Effect of Social Intelligence on OCB and EB, with Effect on Social Capital as a Mediating Variable, in a Sport Organization in Iran
Authors: Mirsafian Hamidreza
Published: March 2018

This study aimed to measure the effect of social intelligence on organizational citizenship behavior and entrepreneurial behaviors among staff members in a sport organization in Iran, with the effect on social capital as a mediating variable. The method of this study was survey, and 205 staff members were selected using stratified random sampling. The instrument in this study included four standard questionnaires measuring social intelligence (Silvera, Martinussen & Dahl, 2001), social capital (Nahapiet & Ghoshal, 1998), OCB (Organ, 1988), and EB (Mirsafian & Salimi, 2016). The data was analyzed by employing SPSS and AMOS Graphics software. The results indicated that the staff’s social intelligence had a direct effect on improving the social capital of the organization (β = 0.63). Also, social capital had a direct effect on increasing the staff’s OCB (β = 0.20) and EB (β = 0.25). Furthermore, the staff’s social intelligence had an indirect effect on increasing the social capital and improved their OCB (β = 0.51) and EB (β = 0.44). Hence, trying to increase the staff’s social intelligence in sport organizations in Iran led to improving the staff’s extra role behaviors as well as entrepreneurial behaviors at the organization, in addition to the effect of increasing the social capital in those organizations.
The Effect of Aerobic and Core Exercises on Forced Vital Capacity
Authors: Çiçek Güner , Güllü Abdullah , Güllü Esin , Yamaner Faruk
Published: March 2018

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of aerobic and core strength exercises on forced vital capacity in sedentary women. A total of 40 healthy sedentary women (20 in an aerobic-step group and 20 in a core strength exercise group) with a mean age of 34.4±2.4 years participated voluntarily in this study. Two different exercises were applied to the women for 12 weeks, 4 days a week, at the intensity of 70% for 60 minutes. The women's resting heart rate (RHR), maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced air volume in the first second of forced expiration (FEV1) were measured before and after exercise. For statistical analysis, the Paired Samples-t test was used for intra-group evaluations, and the Independent Samples-t test was used for inter-group evaluations. After the exercise program, significant increases were found in the VO2max, FVC, and FEV1 values, while both groups experienced a decreased RHR (p<0.01). Since the aerobic and forced vital capacities of the sedentary women show a parallel increase as a result of the applied 12-week aerobic and core strength exercises, it can be said that the RHR, VO2maxmax, FEV, and FEV1 respiratory parameters also improved in a positive manner. For this reason, it may be advisable to apply both exercise types for the development of the aerobic and vital capacities of sedentary women.
3. Similarities Across the Centuries: A Comparison Between Two Vocal Works by Barbara Strozzi and Peter Maxwell Davies
Authors: Marisi Rossella
Published: March 2018

Musical creativity may be expressed by composers in diverse ways: sometimes they compose fully original works, which are characterized by specific features making them unique. Other times, musicians may feel a particular affinity with colleagues who lived centuries before, or identify peculiar resemblances between the time they live in, and a previous epoch, such as similar cultural climate and approach to life: in these cases, composers may author pieces which show surprising similarities with those of some predecessors. The present study compares a work of the seventeenth century, composed by Barbara Strozzi, and one composed in the 1960s by Peter Maxwell Davies, highlighting their similarities.
6. The Interdisciplinary Dimension of the Vocalchoral Culture of the Pupil in the Music School
Authors: Glebov Ana
Published: March 2018

Process in the context of the vocal-choral culture of the students of the music school. The concept of interdisciplinary is considered as a symbiosis of two or more academic disciplines in the formation of the vocal-choral culture of pupils in the musical-artistic field. In this case, interdisciplinary occurs in integrating the knowledge, capabilities and aptitudes formed, taking into account significant specific factors. Thus, the interdisciplinary approach is carried out through such disciplines as solfeggio, history of music, instrument, ensemble, but also the integration into the vocal-choral of the method of interiorizing the music through the philosophical, musical and psycho-pedagogical aspects.
Hepatotoxic Assessment of Pecralima nitida Seeds Supplemented Diet in Wistar Rats.
Authors: S. Ezekwe Ahamefula C. Chukwu Ezinne, U. Osuocha Kelechi
Published: March 2018

This study assessed phytochemical constituents of Pecralima nitida seed extract and its effect on liver enzymes activities of male albino rats fed Pecralima nitida seed supplemented diet. A total of twenty male albino rats were used for this study and were randomly divided into four groups of five rats each. Group I was fed with normal rat feed and water, group II was fed with 50% pecralima nitida seed and 50% normal rat feed, group III was fed with  70%  pecralima nitida seed and 30% normal rat feed while group IV was fed with 90% sample and 10% normal rat feed for a period of twenty eight days. The preliminary phytochemical profile showed the presence of flavoniod, saponin, tainins, glycoside, alkaloid, phenol and steroid. These bioactive compounds may contribute to the reputed medicinal efficacy of pecralima nitida seed. Liver enzymes activities such as AST showed no significant difference between the control (24.39 ± 3.6IU/L) and group II (25.88 ± 3.7IU/L) but significantly increased in group III (37.38 ± 7.2IU/L) and group IV (42.19±2.1IU/L). The other enzymes ALT and ALP showed significant statistical increase in groups II-IV (P<0.05). The histological evaluation shows that group III and IV had evidence of degenerative tissues induced by 70% sample and 30% normal rat feed and 90% and 10% normal rat feed.  This however showed and suggested that irrespective of the reputed medicinal relevance of pecralima nitida seed, care should be taken in the quantity of these extract that is consumed as this may exhibit cumulative toxicity leading to functional  impairment in the integrity of the liver.
Effects of Some Insecticides on Foraging honeybees on Onion Flowers under Field Condition
Authors: Melisie Dawit , Damte Tebkew
Published: March 2018

In Ethiopia onion is an important condiment, vegetable and cash crop. Various insects attack the onion in fields, and is a major threat to onion cultivation. To overcome insect infestation problem, the use of different insecticides is a major controlling mechanism. However, the uses of these insecticides against insect pests have dangerous effects on beneficial insects like honeybees (Apis mellifera L.). In this investigation, we report insecticides effects on honeybees that forage on onion flower under field condition. Bombay red onion variety was used to assess the side-effects of profenofos 750 EC, lambda-cyhalothrin 5 EC, deltamethrin 2.5 EC, diazinon 60 EC, malathion 50 EC and endosulfan 35 EC at recommended rate on honeybees foraging on onion flowers. All the tested insecticides were found to be toxic to honeybees and caused mortality within 6 h after spraying.
Body Weight Prediction in Nigeria Goats using Body Measurements of Different Age, Sex and Breeds
Authors: Shoyombo A.J. , Musa A. A. , Wheto M.
Published: March 2018

Data collected from 900 goats sampled from Borno, Sokoto and Ogun States from three different breeds on the following metric characters: Body Weight (BW), Age, Horn Length (HL), Ear length (EL), Shoulder width (SW), Neck circumference (NC), body length (BL), Withers Height (WH), Heart Girth (HG), Pouch Girth (PG), Tail Length (TL) and Scrotal circumference (SC) were subjected to stepwise multiple linear regression. Results obtained showed Live weight changes with body measurements were poorly to highly predictable with R2 values ranging between 0.000 - 0.031 in animals < 1 year old, 0.000-0.241in animals 1-2 years and 0.000-0.658 in animals 2 years and above. It was thus concluded that the low, moderate and high predictive power obtained from this study might be due to instability of regression coefficient at different ages and points also to decreasing environmental impact on growth with increase in age.
Effectiveness of the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy for Treating Low Back Pain: Literature Review With Meta-analysis
Authors: Lam Olivier T. , Strenger David M. , Chan-Fee Matthew , Pham Paul Thuong , Preuss Richard A. , Robbins Shawn M.
Published: March 2018

Study Design

Literature review with meta-analysis.

Background

The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), a classification-based system, was designed to classify patients into homogeneous subgroups to direct treatment.

Objectives

To examine the effectiveness of MDT for improving pain and disability in patients with either acute (less than 12 weeks in duration) or chronic (greater than 12 weeks in duration) low back pain (LBP).

Methods

Randomized controlled trials examining MDT in patients with LBP were identified from 6 databases. Independent investigators assessed the studies for exclusion, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval were calculated to compare the effects of MDT to those of other interventions in patients with acute or chronic LBP.

Results

Of the 17 studies that met the inclusion criteria, 11 yielded valid data for analysis. In patients with acute LBP, there was no significant difference in pain resolution (P = .11) and disability (P = .61) between MDT and other interventions. In patients with chronic LBP, there was a significant difference in disability (SMD, −0.45), with results favoring MDT compared to exercise alone. There were no significant differences between MDT and manual therapy plus exercise (P>.05) for pain and disability outcomes.

Conclusion

There is moderate- to high-quality evidence that MDT is not superior to other rehabilitation interventions for reducing pain and disability in patients with acute LBP. In patients with chronic LBP, there is moderate- to high-quality evidence that MDT is superior to other rehabilitation interventions for reducing pain and disability; however, this depends on the type of intervention being compared to MDT.

Level of Evidence

Therapy, level 1a. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2018;48(6):476–490. Epub 30 Mar 2018. doi:10.2519/jospt.2018.7562
Rasch Analysis of the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale in Older Adults Seeking Outpatient Rehabilitation Services
Authors: Wang Ying-Chih , Sindhu Bhagwant , Lehman Leigh , Li Xiaoyan , Yen Sheng-Che , Kapellusch Jay
Published: March 2018

Background

The Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale measures confidence in performing various ambulatory activities without falling or experiencing a sense of unsteadiness.

Objectives

This study (1) examined the ABC scale (0–100) using Rasch analysis, (2) assessed statistically reliable change, and (3) developed a functional staging to guide clinical interpretation of a patient's improvement.

Methods

The authors examined rating-scale structure, item difficulty hierarchy, item fit, person-item match, separation index, differential item functioning, test precision, and unidimensionality. Additionally, this cross-sectional study of 5012 older patients seeking outpatient rehabilitation therapy in 123 clinics estimated the minimal detectable change and developed a functional staging.

Results

The item “walk outside on icy sidewalks” was the most difficult item, while the item “reach for a small can off a shelf at eye level” was the easiest item. Overall, average patient ability estimates of 56.2 ± 20.3 were slightly higher than the average item difficulty estimates of 45.9 ± 7.8. With a separation index equal to 3.65, the ABC scale items can differentiate individuals into 5.2 statistically distinct strata. Most ABC scale items were free of differential item functioning. For example, “walk outside on icy sidewalks” was easier for patients who were underweight. Results supported unidimensionality of the ABC scale, with the first factor explaining 77% of the total variance. The estimated minimal detectable change was 15 points. The authors provided an example of functional staging application.

Conclusion

Results supported sound psychometric properties and clinical usage of the ABC scale for older adults seeking outpatient rehabilitation therapy. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2018;48(7):574–583. Epub 30 Mar 2018. doi:10.2519/jospt.2018.8023
Gender Discrimination in Orhan Pamuk's 'Snow' and Khaled Hosseini's 'A Thousand Splendid Suns'
Authors: Sugianti Iis
Published: March 2018

Women's life without discrimination or violence is the freedom and entitlement of women's rights. The objective of the study is to achieve the idea. Dealing with it, the researcher applies feminism approach proposed by Damewood's theory of gender discrimination. Gender discrimination refers to the practice of granting or denying rights or privilege to a person based on his/her gender that is longstanding and acceptable to both genders. The novel `Snow` and `A Thousand Splendid Suns` focus on gender discrimination, violence, oppression, and struggle to fight against them. The researcher explores how gender discrimination, patriarchy culture and most of violence and oppression happened in family and country. The phenomenon of violence is not only a discrimination done by husbands who do gender discrimination in family, but also a fight done by a wife to fight against them, it depends on its case. In `Snow`, the women character faced many problems related to their headscarves. They are discriminated by their government and parents. Kadife is depicted as a brave woman. She tries to defend women‟s right in Kars to keep on using their headscarves. While in A `Thousand Splendid Suns`, the limitation of women`s activity happened. Women are banned to get education and they should stay at home. Mariam and Laila get oppression and violence by their husband. Their struggle is shown in the murder of their husband, Rasheed. The unstable practice of gender discrimination was continuously preserved by the culture, not religion. It was like a patriarchal culture that is one of clear examples of the women phenomena in the world and it can be in the form of prohibition and limitation of the role of women in the public area.
Fabrication, Mechanical Characterization and Interfacial Properties of Okra Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composites
Authors: Rahman A.N.M. Masudur , Alimuzzaman Shah , Khan Ruhul Amin , Khan Md. Ershad , Hoque Sheikh Nazmul
Published: March 2018

In this study, an attempt has been taken to manufacture okra fiber (OF) composites with varying the fiber content ranging from 25-65% on total weight of the composites and polypropylene (PP) was preferred as matrix material. To fabricate the composites untreated and mercerized fibers were selected. A systematic study was done to observe the mechanical behaviors of the composites such as tensile, impact and bending properties. It was found that treated (mercerized) fiber composites exhibited improved mechanical properties than that of untreated fiber composites. Maximum tensile strength (TS) and bending strength (BS) was examined 38.5 MPa and 72.5 MPa respectively, whereas the highest tensile modulus (TM) and bending modulus (BM) was observed 675 MPa and 5.4 GPa respectively. The optimum impact strength (IS) and hardness value was found to be 22.87 KJ/m2 and 97 (Shore-A) for mercerized fiber composites containing 45% fiber. The composite samples were exposed to different intensities of γ radiation (2.5 kGy–10.0 kGy) and found significant improvement in the mechanical properties up to 5.0 kGy dose. Water absorption, degradation properties due to heat and soil medium of the composites were also performed. The interfacial property was examined by Microscopic Projector and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and found that the interfacial bonding between matrix material and fiber was enhanced due to the treatment of fibers which authenticate the found mechanical characteristics of the composites.
Dynamic Response Mechanics of 45 Degree Angled Layered Cross-Laminated Timber
Authors: Mallik Avijit , Azad Md Samdani , Rashid Fazlur , Hoque Md Emdadul
Published: March 2018

This research is directed on dynamic properties of cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels constructed with alternate angled layers. All panels were manufactured using a modified industrial CLT production line, and the timber lamellas were glued and pressed together in a single step procedure to form the CLT panels. The paper also presents that the CLT with 45° configuration can be industrially produced at the same material quantity in comparison with standard production. Tests showed that the 45°-configured panels had 30% higher compression stiffness and 15% higher compression strength when compared to the 90° configuration. The results showed that the achieved mechanical properties of the new configuration can be utilized as a suitable construction material.
Universidad Nacional de Concepción
Authors: Nacional de Concepción Universidad
Published: March 2018

Hoy día la institución de Educación Superior se entrecruza en la compleja vida social, las instituciones universitarias irrumpen con el signo del cambio, lo cual compromete a asumir una nueva misión de la Universidad congruente con las grandes innovaciones de nuestro tiempo. Para ello, es preciso estudiarla, caracterizarla en su realidad actual y tomar decisiones compartidas, por y para el bien común.
Una aproximación a la realidad de las instituciones de Asunción
Authors: Zavala María Victoria
Published: March 2018

La investigación versó sobre la caracterización de las universidades con sede en Asunción en cuanto a sus dimensiones institucional-organizacional, infraestructura, ofertas, investigación, extensión e innovación, vinculación interinstitucional y financiamiento.
Estilos de Paternidad y Conducta Violenta de Jóvenes de la Educación Media
Authors: Silberstein Miriam
Published: March 2018

El propósito del estudio ha sido determinar si los estilos de paternidad se relacionan con la conducta violenta de jóvenes de la Educación Media, describiendo actitudes violentas de padres y estudiantes, caracterizando los estilos que generan violencia y determinando la percepción que jóvenes y docentes tienen acerca de la violencia familiar, identificando hábitos que incrementan la violencia. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de instrumentos construidos teniendo en cuenta la matriz de operacionalización de las variables del problema. La aplicación a la población de alumnos con muestra representativa intencionalmente seleccionada, se realizó en octubre de 2010 en cuatro colegios de gestión privada de Asunción. Entre los resultados se  encontraron coincidencias en los tipos de agresión verbal y física empleados por los jóvenes. Se concluyó que tanto los padres como los hijos utilizan actitudes violentas físicas y verbales; se identificaron los estilos autoritario y permisivo como generadores de conductas violentas; la percepción de los jóvenes y de los docentes es que existe violencia intrafamiliar y los hábitos que favorecen dichas conductas se traducen en frecuentar entornos inadecuados y el consumo de drogas. Resulta propicio el estilo autoritario y el estilo permisivo para fomentar conductas violentas en los jóvenes.
Beneficios que obtienen empresas paraguayas al certificar su Sistema de Gestión de la Calidad con la Norma ISO 9001
Authors: González Zavala Santos Adolfo Mario
Published: March 2018

La certificación de Sistemas de Gestión de la calidad en conformidad con las normas ISO 9000 tuvo su inicio en el Paraguay a finales de los años 90. Desde esa tiempo hasta nuestros días, más de 130 empresas han certificado y mantenido la certificación ISO 9001, invirtiendo recursos económicos, organizacionales y humanos para lograrlo y alcanzar la mejora continua de sus productos, procesos y sistemas, sin conocer los beneficios que obtienen al hacerlo. Se realizó una investigación para determinar el impacto que la implementación y certificación de sistemas ISO 9001:2000/2008 sobre beneficios estructurales, de mercado, de gestión de personas y económicos, previamente identificados. Para llevar a cabo esta investigación, se elaboró un instrumento de colecta de datos, que se aplicó a 44 empresas u organizaciones seleccionadas aleatoriamente de un universo de 131 empresas u organizaciones con certificación activa a enero de 2011. Los principales resultados obtenidos confirman la hipótesis de que la certificación del sistema de gestión de la calidad en empresas u organizaciones paraguayas proporciona, a un altoporcentaje de ellas, beneficios estructurales, de mercado, de gestión de personas y económicos.
Gasto promedio de los estudiantes en la Ciudad de Villarrica, que cursan las diferentes carreras que ofrece la Universidad Nacional de Villarrica del Espíritu Santo
Authors: Sisul Luís , González Dolly
Published: March 2018

El resultado de esta investigación de mercado nos dará informaciones significativas sobre el impacto parcial4 de la UNVES en la economía guaíreña. El valor de estas informaciones servirá de guía para los interesados, que podrían ser la dministración Central, la Gobernación o la Municipalidad, para diseñar nuevas políticas públicas (Infraestructuras físicas y social) y estrategias académicas que apunten a un desarrollo sustentable y sostenible de la Comunidad Guaireña y/o Regional. Asimismo se podrá obtener una estimación de la demanda generada por los alumnos que indicaría hacia donde podría orientarse la inversión privada y/o pública para satisfacer dichas demandas.
A Comparison of Bicyclist Attitudes in Two Urban Areas in USA and Italy
Authors: Stamatiadis Nikiforos , Pappalardo Giuseppina , Cafiso Salvatore
Published: March 2018

Over the past 40 years, the number of people using bicycles as their primary means of transportation has increased significantly. Transportation agencies around the world now promote bicycling as a way to reduce pollution and traffic congestion. However, the lack of bicycling infrastructure in many cities could significantly impede the future growth of bicycle usage. This paper used a web survey to evaluate the attitudes and preferences of bicyclists in two cities: Lexington, Kentucky, USA and Catania, Sicily, Italy. The goal of the survey was to document impediments to bicycling in both cities, determine how infrastructure could be improved, and identify features of smartphone app to aid bicyclists in route selection. Descriptive statistics and test of hypothesis were applied to the survey data to analyze participant responses and their level of agreement. Confirming previous research, respondents in both cities overwhelmingly cited lack of infrastructure as a major obstacle to bicycling more often. Respondents indicated that improving bicycle infrastructure and pavement conditions would result in an increased number of bicycle trips. Participants expressed a strong desire for a smartphone app that contains information on route safety level, a feature not currently available in any apps, which mainly provide route geometry information and distance between origin-destination pairs. While the survey findings lend support to the idea that bicyclists around the world harbor similar attitudes about what improvements are needed to increase cycling and enhance their experiences, local conditions and practices also influence perceptions about the relevance of specific issue.
GELİŞMEKTE OLAN ÜLKELERDE DÖVİZ KURLARI VE HİSSE SENEDİ ENDEKSLERİ ARASINDAKİ ETKİLEŞİM
Authors: ÇETİNER Müge , ÇİLİNGİRTÜRK Ahmet Mete , ZEHİR Emre
Published: March 2018

Döviz kurlarının hisse
senedi piyasalarındaki oynaklığa etkisini araştıran bu çalışma, Ocak 2000  - Aralık 2016 yılları arasında 22 ülkenin para
birimlerinin ABD Dolarına karşı değerleri ve hisse senedi endekslerinin aylık
verileri kullanılarak sabit ve rasgele etki modellerinin test edilmesiyle
gerçekleştirilmiştir. Sabit etki modeli endeksler ile döviz kurları arasında
bir korelasyon olduğunu gösterirken rasgele etki modeline göre herhangi bir
korelasyon bulunamamıştır. Breusch ve Pagan LR testi kullanılarak ülkelere özgü
hisse senedi getirilerinin varyansları hesaplanmış ve ülkelere özgü oynaklık
riski bulunamamış olup, hisse senedi endeksleri ve döviz kuru arasındaki
varyans sıfırdır. Buna ek olarak rasgele etki modeli hisse senedi endeks
getirileri ve döviz kurları arasındaki ilişkiyi açıklamak için uygundur. Bu
uygunluk, modelde herhangi bir ülkeye özgü etki olmadığından dolayı orta ve
uzun vadede uluslararası işlemlerde herhangi bir arbitraj fırsatı olmadığı
anlamında yorumlanabilir. Son olarak döviz kurundaki değişimin endeksler
üzerinde negatif bir etkisi olduğu gözlenmiştir. Yapılan AR ve MA terimlerine göre
geçmiş ay endeks getirilerinin endeks getirileri üzerinde herhangi bir etkiye
sahip olmadıkları anlaşılmıştır. Bütün bunlara ek olarak günlük modellerde kısa
süreli arbitraj imkânı bulunsa da uluslararası döviz piyasaları ve hisse senedi
piyasaları aylık bazda herhangi bir arbitraj fırsatına olanak sağlamayacak
şekilde birlikte hareket etmektedir.
Examining Mother Teresa’s narrative as prophetic: A case study
Authors: Majocha Kristen
Published: March 2018

This paper examines a rhetorical case - Mother Teresa's narrative - for evidence of prophetic qualities, including social calls to action. Mother Teresa's story is considered through established methods of investigating prophecy, such as themes of announcements of judgment and reason and the Messenger formula. Her rhetoric is also examined through the theoretical lens of Walter Fisher's narrative coherence for evidence of biblical ideals and body language. Her lived experiences are also considered evidence of her prophetic nature. Mother Teresa's narrative is read and better valued as part of a wider context of social action consistent with prophecy.