bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
James Buhler, Theories of the Soundtrack
Authors: Smith Jeff
Published: September 2019

James Buhler, Theories of the Soundtrack

New York: Oxford University Press, 2019 [xiv, 318 pp. ISBN: 9780199371082. $35.00 (trade paper)]. Oxford Music/Media Series. Illustration, figures, and index.
Quasi-Perfect Stackelberg Equilibrium
Authors: Marchesi Alberto , Farina Gabriele , Kroer Christian , Gatti Nicola , Sandholm Tuomas
Published: September 2019

Equilibrium refinements are important in extensive-form (i.e., tree-form) games, where they amend weaknesses of the Nash equilibrium concept by requiring sequential rationality and other beneficial properties. One of the most attractive refinement concepts is quasi-perfect equilibrium. While quasiperfection has been studied in extensive-form games, it is poorly understood in Stackelberg settings—that is, settings where a leader can commit to a strategy—which are important for modeling, for example, security games. In this paper, we introduce the axiomatic definition of quasi-perfect Stackelberg equilibrium. We develop a broad class of game perturbation schemes that lead to them in the limit. Our class of perturbation schemes strictly generalizes prior perturbation schemes introduced for the computation of (non-Stackelberg) quasi-perfect equilibria. Based on our perturbation schemes, we develop a branch-and-bound algorithm for computing a quasi-perfect Stackelberg equilibrium. It leverages a perturbed variant of the linear program for computing a Stackelberg extensive-form correlated equilibrium. Experiments show that our algorithm can be used to find an approximate quasi-perfect Stackelberg equilibrium in games with thousands of nodes.
Deception in Finitely Repeated Security Games
Authors: Nguyen Thanh H. , Wang Yongzhao , Sinha Arunesh , Wellman Michael P.
Published: September 2019

Allocating resources to defend targets from attack is often complicated by uncertainty about the attacker’s capabilities, objectives, or other underlying characteristics. In a repeated interaction setting, the defender can collect attack data over time to reduce this uncertainty and learn an effective defense. However, a clever attacker can manipulate the attack data to mislead the defender, influencing the learning process toward its own benefit. We investigate strategic deception on the part of an attacker with private type information, who interacts repeatedly with a defender. We present a detailed computation and analysis of both players’ optimal strategies given the attacker may play deceptively. Computational experiments illuminate conditions conducive to strategic deception, and quantify benefits to the attacker. By taking into account the attacker’s deception capacity, the defender can significantly mitigate loss from misleading attack actions.
On the Optimal Efficiency of Cost-Algebraic A*
Authors: Holte Robert C. , Zilles Sandra
Published: September 2019

Edelkamp et al. (2005) proved that A*, given an admissible heuristic, is guaranteed to return an optimal solution in any cost algebra, not just in the traditional shortest path setting. In this paper, we investigate cost-algebraic A*’s optimal efficiency: in the cost-algebraic setting, under what conditions is A* guaranteed to expand the fewest possible states? In the traditional setting, this question was examined in detail by Dechter & Pearl (1985). They identified five different situations in which A* was optimally efficient. We show that three of them continue to hold in the cost-algebraic setting, but that one does not. We also show that one of them is false, it does not hold even in the traditional setting. We introduce an alternative that does hold in the cost-algebraic setting. Finally, we show that a well-known result due to Nilsson does not hold in the general cost-algebraic setting but does hold in a slightly less general setting.
Real-Time Planning as Decision-Making under Uncertainty
Authors: Mitchell Andrew , Ruml Wheeler , Spaniol Fabian , Hoffmann Jorg , Petrik Marek
Published: September 2019

In real-time planning, an agent must select the next action to take within a fixed time bound. Many popular real-time heuristic search methods approach this by expanding nodes using time-limited A* and selecting the action leading toward the frontier node with the lowest f value. In this paper, we reconsider real-time planning as a problem of decision-making under uncertainty. We propose treating heuristic values as uncertain evidence and we explore several backup methods for aggregating this evidence. We then propose a novel lookahead strategy that expands nodes to minimize risk, the expected regret in case a non-optimal action is chosen. We evaluate these methods in a simple synthetic benchmark and the sliding tile puzzle and find that they outperform previous methods. This work illustrates how uncertainty can arise even when solving deterministic planning problems, due to the inherent ignorance of time-limited search algorithms about those portions of the state space that they have not computed, and how an agent can benefit from explicitly metareasoning about this uncertainty.
Evolving Solutions to Community-Structured Satisfiability Formulas
Authors: Neumann Frank , Sutton Andrew M.
Published: September 2019

We study the ability of a simple mutation-only evolutionary algorithm to solve propositional satisfiability formulas with inherent community structure. We show that the community structure translates to good fitness-distance correlation properties, which implies that the objective function provides a strong signal in the search space for evolutionary algorithms to locate a satisfying assignment efficiently. We prove that when the formula clusters into communities of size s ∈ ω(logn) ∩O(nε/(2ε+2)) for some constant 0
Bounded Suboptimal Search with Learned Heuristics for Multi-Agent Systems
Authors: Spies Markus , Todescato Marco , Becker Hannes , Kesper Patrick , Waniek Nicolai , Guo Meng
Published: September 2019

A wide range of discrete planning problems can be solved optimally using graph search algorithms. However, optimal search quickly becomes infeasible with increased complexity of a problem. In such a case, heuristics that guide the planning process towards the goal state can increase performance considerably. Unfortunately, heuristics are often unavailable or need manual and time-consuming engineering. Building upon recent results on applying deep learning to learn generalized reactive policies, we propose to learn heuristics by imitation learning. After learning heuristics based on optimal examples, they are used to guide a classical search algorithm to solve unseen tasks. However, directly applying learned heuristics in search algorithms such as A∗ breaks optimality guarantees, since learned heuristics are not necessarily admissible. Therefore, we (i) propose a novel method that utilizes learned heuristics to guide Focal Search A∗, a variant of A∗ with guarantees on bounded suboptimality; (ii) compare the complexity and performance of jointly learning individual policies for multiple robots with an approach that learns one policy for all robots; (iii) thoroughly examine how learned policies generalize to previously unseen environments and demonstrate considerably improved performance in a simulated complex dynamic coverage problem.
Penetrometer testing in a calcareous silt to explore changes in soil strength
Authors: Chow Shiao Huey , O'Loughlin Conleth D. , Zhou Zefeng , White David J. , Randolph Mark F.
Published: September 2019

This paper describes a centrifuge study using a range of penetrometer tests (T-bar, piezocone and free-fall piezocone) to explore strength changes in a reconstituted, normally consolidated, natural calcareous silt. Various penetrometer test procedures were applied to measure the penetration resistances including monotonic, cyclic and twitch-type movements as well as pauses for pore pressure dissipation. These mobilised combinations of partial or full remoulding, strain softening, consolidation and viscous rate effects. The penetrometer resistance – representing a proxy for strength – reduced by a factor of 4·1 from drained to undrained conditions (at the lowest fully undrained penetration rate). In undrained conditions, viscous enhancement of the penetration resistance raised the tip and shaft resistance in free-fall piezocone tests by ∼2·8 and ∼3·6 times, respectively. The ‘restart’ resistance immediately after the dissipation tests was ∼2·5 times higher than the resistance prior to dissipation, giving an indication of consolidation-induced strength gain. The ‘twitch’ test (using sequential steps decreasing the velocity) captured drainage and viscous rate effects, and also gave a ‘restart’ resistance that showed even greater consolidation effects than from a dissipation test. Overall, the different penetrometer test types and procedures measured resistances in the same soil sample that varied by a factor exceeding 20 from highest to lowest, resulting from different penetration rates and history, due to strain rate, strain level (or remoulding) and consolidation. An expression for the monotonic penetration resistance combining drainage and viscous rate effects was fitted to the response of all tests, spanning >7 orders of magnitude in strain rate.
Effects of Selonsertib in Patients with Diabetic Kidney Disease
Authors: Chertow Glenn M. , Pergola Pablo E. , Chen Fang , Kirby Brian J. , Sundy John S. , Patel Uptal D. ,   for the GS-US-223-1015 Investigators
Published: September 2019

Significance Statement

Findings in animal models of diabetic kidney disease identified selonsertib, a selective inhibitor of apoptosis signal–regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), as a potential therapeutic agent. In a randomized, dose-ranging, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial evaluating selonsertib’s safety and efficacy in patients with moderate-to-advanced diabetic kidney disease, the authors found that selonsertib appeared safe, with no dose-dependent adverse effects over 48 weeks, including for the 18-mg daily dose thought to maximally inhibit ASK1. Although the trial did not meet its primary efficacy end point of change in eGFR from baseline to week 48, acute effects related to inhibition of creatinine secretion by selonsertib confounded differences in eGFR. Exploratory post hoc analyses accounting for these effects suggest that selonsertib resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in kidney function decline and merits further study.

Background

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) activation in glomerular and tubular cells resulting from oxidative stress may drive kidney disease progression. Findings in animal models identified selonsertib, a selective ASK1 inhibitor, as a potential therapeutic agent.

Methods

In a phase 2 trial evaluating selonsertib’s safety and efficacy in adults with type 2 diabetes and treatment-refractory moderate-to-advanced diabetic kidney disease, we randomly assigned 333 adults in a 1:1:1:1 allocation to selonsertib (oral daily doses of 2, 6, or 18 mg) or placebo. Primary outcome was change from baseline eGFR at 48 weeks.

Results

Selonsertib appeared safe, with no dose-dependent adverse effects over 48 weeks. Although mean eGFR for selonsertib and placebo groups did not differ significantly at 48 weeks, acute effects related to inhibition of creatinine secretion by selonsertib confounded eGFR differences at 48 weeks. Because of this unanticipated effect, we used piecewise linear regression, finding two dose-dependent effects: an acute and more pronounced eGFR decline from 0 to 4 weeks (creatinine secretion effect) and an attenuated eGFR decline between 4 and 48 weeks (therapeutic effect) with higher doses of selonsertib. A post hoc analysis (excluding data for 20 patients from two sites with Good Clinical Practice compliance–related issues) found that between 4 and 48 weeks, rate of eGFR decline was reduced 71% for the 18-mg group relative to placebo (difference 3.11±1.53 ml/min per 1.73 m2 annualized over 1 year; 95% confidence interval, 0.10–6.13; nominal P=0.043). Effects on urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio did not differ between selonsertib and placebo.

Conclusions

Although the trial did not meet its primary endpoint, exploratory post hoc analyses suggest that selonsertib may slow diabetic kidney disease progression.
CKD: A Call for an Age-Adapted Definition
Authors: Delanaye Pierre , Jager Kitty J. , Bökenkamp Arend , Christensson Anders , Dubourg Laurence , Eriksen Bjørn Odvar , Gaillard François , Gambaro Giovanni , van der Giet Markus , Glassock Richard J. , Indridason Olafur S. , van Londen Marco , Mariat Christophe , Melsom Toralf , Moranne Olivier , Nordin Gunnar , Palsson Runolfur , Pottel Hans , Rule Andrew D. , Schaeffner Elke , Taal Maarten W. , White Christine , Grubb Anders , van den Brand Jan A. J. G.
Published: September 2019

Current criteria for the diagnosis of CKD in adults include persistent signs of kidney damage, such as increased urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio or a GFR below the threshold of 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2. This threshold has important caveats because it does not separate kidney disease from kidney aging, and therefore does not hold for all ages. In an extensive review of the literature, we found that GFR declines with healthy aging without any overt signs of compensation (such as elevated single-nephron GFR) or kidney damage. Older living kidney donors, who are carefully selected based on good health, have a lower predonation GFR compared with younger donors. Furthermore, the results from the large meta-analyses conducted by the CKD Prognosis Consortium and from numerous other studies indicate that the GFR threshold above which the risk of mortality is increased is not consistent across all ages. Among younger persons, mortality is increased at GFR <75 ml/min per 1.73 m2, whereas in elderly people it is increased at levels <45 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Therefore, we suggest that amending the CKD definition to include age-specific thresholds for GFR. The implications of an updated definition are far reaching. Having fewer healthy elderly individuals diagnosed with CKD could help reduce inappropriate care and its associated adverse effects. Global prevalence estimates for CKD would be substantially reduced. Also, using an age-specific threshold for younger persons might lead to earlier identification of CKD onset for such individuals, at a point when progressive kidney damage may still be preventable.
Incidencia de la gestión directiva en instituciones de educación básica y media
Authors: Cucaita–Melo Óscar Fernando
Published: September 2019

El presente artículo identifica y caracteriza los diferentes estilos de gestión directiva que se emplean en las instituciones educativas (denominadas aquí x y y). En cada una se percibe un estilo de dirección y las implicaciones de uso dentro de los procesos de la vida escolar, pues, dados sus contextos específicos, es posible un reconocimiento diferenciado. También analiza las diversas interacciones que aparecen en la cotidianidad institucional, de manera que permite entrever una estrecha conexión entre los estilos de dirección, el liderazgo, la gestión y la comunicación, así como con la personalidad, la formación ética y profesional, el estilo, las fórmulas de tratamiento de quienes dirigen y son dirigidos, factores básicos a la hora de direccionar los destinos de quienes están a su cargo. En este ámbito, la gestación de intereses, conflictos, necesidades, expectativas, actitudes, etc., entre quienes comparten y “conviven” dentro de estas instituciones lleva a una construcción social y cultural propia que beneficia y afecta los procesos de formación que emergen.
Test one v1
Authors: Frolova Monika
Published: September 2019

Here we describe a single-tube bench top protocol for Cleavage Under Targets and Tagmentation (CUT&Tag), an enzyme-tethering strategy that provides efficient high-resolution sequencing libraries for profiling diverse chromatin components. In CUT&Tag, a chromatin protein is bound in situ by a specific antibody, which then tethers a proteinA-Tn5 transposase fusion protein. Activation of the transposase efficiently generates fragment libraries with high resolution and exceptionally low background. All steps from live cells to sequencing-ready libraries can be performed in a single tube on the benchtop or a microwell in a high-throughput pipeline, and the entire procedure can be performed in one day. We have demonstrated the utility of CUT&Tag by profiling histone modifications, RNA Polymerase II and transcription factors on low cell numbers and single cells.
UC Davis - Gross Body Composition (DEXA) v2
Authors: Knotts Trina
Published: September 2019

Summary: Rapid and accurate measures of fat and lean mass will be carried out in isoflurane-anesthetized mice, using a PixiMus dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) device. This approach is especially attractive when it is desirable to utilize the same mice for several phenotypic measurements (e.g., when relatively few mice of a particular genotype are available), and measurements may be taken within ~5 min/mouse. Total bone mineral density (BMD, in gm/cm²) and bone mineral content (BMC, in.mg.) values are obtained automatically from the DEXA scan and will be provided to MMPC clients as part of the dataset. Regional determinations of BMD and BMC can also be provided for a nominal data processing fee by utilizing the region-of-interest (ROI) capability of the PixiMus software. When terminal studies are conducted, whole-animal DEXA data can be complemented by determinations of adiposity (catalog item D4002) by dissection and measurement of adipose depot-specific weights (summed weights of gonadal, retroperitoneal, and femoral subcutaneous fat depots divided by live weight.)
UC Davis - Glutathione Reductase v2
Authors: Havel Peter
Published: September 2019

Summary: Glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2) is a flavoprotein that catalyzes the NADPH- dependent reduction of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) to glutathione (GSH). This enzyme is essential for the GSH redox cycle which maintains adequate levels of reduced cellular GSH. A high GSH/GSSG ratio is essential for protection against oxidative stress. The Cayman Chemical Glutathione Reductase Assay Kit measures GR activity by measuring the rate of NADPH oxidation. The oxidation of NADPH to NADP+ is accompanied by a decrease in absorbance at 340 nm. Since GR is present at rate limiting concentrations, the rate of decrease in the A340 is directly proportional to the GR activity in the sample. The Cayman GR Assay Kit is provided in a convenient 96 well plate format and can be used to measure GR activity inplasma, erythrocyte lysates, tissue homogenates, and cell lysates.
Investigation on Geological Features and Economical Potential of Commercial Marble Around Yarışlı Lake, Burdur (SW Turkey)
Authors: YILMAZ Muhammet , CARAN Şemsettin
Published: September 2019

Limestones,
travertines and dolomites are sedimentary rocks. In marble sector, these
carbonate rocks can be named as commercial marbles in addition to the
geological marbles. Despite the huge reserves of carbonate rocks in Turkey,
there is a limited amount of carbonate reserves that have the desired
properties preferred by the marble sector. Tauride belt in the southern Turkey
has one of the important parts of these reserves. This study has focused on the
geological features of commercial sedimentary marbles represented by dolomite
and limestone deposits around Yarışlı Lake and evaluation of their economical
potential. The Dutdere Limestone occuring within the Lycian nappes is observed around
the Yarışlı Lake and have a special color and texture which are very desirable
in marble industry. The limestones, known as “Sandia” marble, are the only
current source for lightning texture in the marble industry. In this area,
there is also a type of marble named as “Bayulan” marble with smoot cream beige
color that have industrial marble potential.
A Parametric Investigation of Near‐Fault Ground Strains and Rotations Using Finite‐Fault Simulations
Authors: Cao Yenan , Mavroeidis George P.
Published: September 2019

Although previous studies have performed finite‐fault simulations of actual or hypothetical earthquakes to generate time histories of near‐fault ground strains and rotations, no systematic attempt has been made to assess the sensitivity of these motions to variations in seismic source parameters (e.g., fault type, magnitude, rupture velocity, slip velocity, hypocenter location, burial depth). Such a parametric investigation is presented in this article by generating time histories of ground strains and rotations at near‐fault stations and at a dense grid of observation points extending over the causative fault for a suite of hypothetical strike‐slip and dip‐slip earthquakes. The simulation results show that strike‐slip earthquakes produce large shear strain and torsion, whereas dip‐slip earthquakes generate large axial strain and rocking. The time histories of specific components of displacement gradient, strain, and rotation at near‐fault stations may be estimated from those of ground velocities using a simple scaling relation, whereas peak rotational motions in the near‐fault region may be reasonably estimated from peak translational motions using a properly selected scaling factor. The parametric analysis results show that near‐fault ground strains and rotations exhibit strong sensitivity to variations in rupture velocity, slip velocity, and burial depth, whereas a change in hypocenter location significantly alters the spatial distributions of peak ground strains (PGSs) and rotations (PGRs). The presence of a low‐velocity surface layer increases the amplitude and duration of ground strains and rotations, whereas their static offsets are also amplified. Distinct attenuation characteristics are observed for PGSs and PGRs depending on the component of interest, the earthquake magnitude, and the rupture distance. Finally, the spatial distributions of PGSs and PGRs obtained from a stochastically generated variable slip distribution are overall similar to those obtained from a tapered uniform slip distribution, whereas the spatial distributions of the respective static offsets differ significantly.
Dynamic Rupture Simulations of the 1920 Ms 8.5 Haiyuan Earthquake in China
Authors: Xu Xiurong , Zhang Zhenguo , Hu Feng , Chen Xiaofei
Published: September 2019

The Haiyuan fault is a major seismogenic fault on the northeastern edge of the Tibetan–Qinghai plateau. The 16 December 1920 Ms 8.5 Haiyuan, China, earthquake is the largest and most recent event along the eastern Haiyuan fault (the Haiyuan fault in the article). Because only a few near‐field seismic recordings are available, the rupture process remains unclear. To understand the source process and intensity distribution of the 1920 Haiyuan earthquake, we simulated the dynamic rupture and strong ground motion of said earthquake using the 3D curved‐grid finite‐difference method. Considering the differences in epicenter locations among various catalogs, we constructed two models with different source points. For each model, three versions with different fault geometries were investigated: one continuous fault model and two discontinuous fault models with different stepover widths (1.8 and 2.5 km, respectively). A dynamic rupture source model with a final slip distribution similar to that observed on the ground surface was found. The maximum displacement on the ground surface was ∼6.5  m. Based on the dynamic rupture model, we also simulated the strong ground motion and estimated the theoretical intensity distribution. The maximum value of the horizontal peak ground velocity occurs near Haiyuan County, where the intensity reaches XI. Without considering the site conditions, the intensity values in most regions, based on the dynamic scenarios, are smaller than the values from field investigation. In this work, we present physically based insights into the 1920 Haiyuan earthquake, which is important for understanding rupture processes and preventing seismic hazards on the northeastern boundary of the Tibetan plateau.
Adenomyosis and its impact on fertility
Authors: Khan Jaanam Altaf , Wang Xia , Wang Xiuli
Published: September 2019

Adenomyosis is an estrogen dependent benign gynecological disease affecting women of reproductive age causing them to have an adverse effect. Symptoms in these patients include pelvic pain, menorrhagia, abnormal uterine bleeding and infertility. It has a negative impact on a woman’s reproductive ability. The gold standard treatment for adenomyosis is hysterectomy for whom fertility is not an issue and for whom future pregnancy has no concerns, however females who wish to retain uterus for child bearing purposes the treatment seems to be very challenging. In this literature we will focus on how adenomyosis affects the reproductive outcome in women and what is its impact on the pregnancy rate also we will enlighten the pregnancy outcomes and pregnancy rate in patient with adenomyosis after various treatment Including the medical, surgical and in-vitro fertilization.
A study of surgical site infections with and without the use of pre-operative antibiotics
Authors: Gupta Arun Kumar , Mittal Seema , Singh Dall Tejinder , Bansal Darpan
Published: September 2019

Background: In spite of advances in infection control, infection still remains the major limitor of surgical horizons. After urinary tract infection, surgical site infection is a main factor contributing to morbidity and mortality.Methods: The present study was carried out in the department of General Surgery and Microbiology at Shri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Vallah, Sri Amritsar. In this study 100 patients were selected undergoing clean or clean contaminated surgeries out of which 50 patients were not given pre-operative antibiotics (first group) and remaining 50 patients (second group) were given preoperative antibiotics.Results: Sample consisted of 100 patients with mean age of patients was 36.97 years. Total number of males was 57 and females were 43. 25 (50%) of patients who had not received prophylaxis developed SSI (group A) and 28 (56%) patients who received prophylaxis developed SSI (group B). Most common bacteria isolated from SSI was Staphylococcus aureus for both the groups. 10 (52.63%) Gram positive bacteria were isolated from microscopic examination of infected sample (A) and 25 (73.52%) were gram negative bacteria. 25 (73.52%) were Gram positive bacteria in group (b) and 9 (26.47%) were Gram negative isolates.Conclusions: It can be concluded from the present study that there is no need to give antibiotic prophylaxis prior to surgery in order to reduce the incidence of surgical site infection.
A clinical study of hemodynamically significant arrhythmias and QTc interval associated with thrombolysed and non thrombolysed acute myocardial infarction patients
Authors: Mohanani Laxmi , Deopujari Kuldeep , Singh Meena Rangvendra , Dubey T. N.
Published: September 2019

Background: Arrhythmias are a common occurrence in acute myocardial infarction. Objectives of this study the hemodynamically significant arrhythmias and QTc interval in thrombolysed and non thrombolysed acute myocardial infarction patients.Methods: Two hundred patients of AMI were enrolled. ECG and cardiac parameters were examined. Arrhythmias and its various parameters like its incidence, type, frequency associated with site of infarction were recorded in thrombolysed and non thrombolysed patients of AMI.Results: AMI was more prevalent in the males (63.3%) and those with 41-50 years of age. Hypertension (35.7%), smoking (34.2%), and diabetes (23.1%) were the major risk factor. Incidence of AWMI (30.7%) is higher than IWMI (25.1%). Out of 200 subjects 130 were thrombolysed. Arrhythmias was observed in total 164 patients while 36 patients has no documentation of arrhythmias. Mean QTc was prolonged (546.88ms vs 404.33ms) in patients documented with arrhythmia compared with those who has no arrhythmia.  Out of all arrhythmias, ventricular tachycardia was seen in 38% cases with 50% mortality and preponderance to antero lateral MI. Sinus Tachycardia was seen in 22% of cases with preponderance to Antero Lateral MI and persistence of Sinus Tachycardia was a prognostic sign, mortality being 12%. Complete Heart Block were seen with IWMI, incidence being 26%. Bundle Branch Block was common in AWMI (31%) than IWMI (10%).Conclusion: Tachyarrhythmias are common with AWMI and bradyarrhythmia’s in IWMI. Reperfusion arrhythmias are a benign phenomenon and good indicator of successful reperfusion.
Comparison of pre training and post training knowledge of hypertension among medical officers of Narmada district of Gujarat, India
Authors: Asher Archana D. , Godbole Varsha Y. , Mehta Kedar G.
Published: September 2019

Background: Hypertension is a major risk factor contributing to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and death. Medical officers play an important role in Indian public health care system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of training program on knowledge about hypertension among medical officers working in government health centres in Gujarat, India.Methods: A one day training program was conducted for medical officers of various Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) in Narmada district of Gujarat. This training focussed on screening, diagnosis and management of hypertension, essential and secondary hypertension, lifestyle modifications, various anti-hypertensive drugs and practical aspects of examining a patient with hypertension. Impact of the training program was evaluated by a questionnaire consisting of 10 questions which was used as a pre-test and a post-test.Results: A total of 30 medical officers (18 male and 12 female) attended the training. The mean age of participants was 37.4 years and average clinical experience was 11 years. The pre-test mean score of participants was 4.52 and post-test mean score was 8.44. This improvement in the post-test mean score was found to be statistically significant. On comparison of questions answered incorrectly in pre-test and post-test, we found that there was a significant reduction in the number of questions answered incorrectly in the post-test.Conclusion: There was a significant improvement in the knowledge of medical officers regarding screening, diagnosis and management of hypertension as a result of their training.
Management of temporomandibular joint recurrent dislocation using Dautery’s procedure: report and review
Authors: Bhandari S. K. , Issar Yuvraj , Sambyal Shanender Singh , Navin Kumar Andrews
Published: September 2019

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation is an involuntary forward movement of the mandible beyond the articular eminence with the condyle remaining stuck in the anterior-most position which leaves the patient unable to close his mouth. Various surgical methods have been described in literature for the management of TMJ dislocation in patients where conservative measures are not successful and need surgical intervention. This case report highlights outcome of Dautrey’s method of surgical correction in three cases of recurrent bilateral TMJ dislocation. All the patients had history of manual reduction of lock jaw in the past and none was medically compromised. TMJ tomograms open mouth confirmed anterior dislocation of condyles beyond articular eminence in all three patients. Total six Dautrey’s procedures were performed. All the patients showed marked improvement in pain and TMJ function with no relapse at two years follow up. Post-operative mouth opening became normal in all the patients at one year follow up. No episode of pain, clicking, deviation or TMJ dislocation was seen in follow up period of 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 months. Hence, Dautery’s procedure serves as an effective management option for recurrent temporomandibular joint dislocation.
Does ischemic preconditioning preoperatively reduce postoperative pain and analgesic requirement in total knee arthroplasty?
Authors: Dubey Rajiv Ranjan , Behera Bhabani Shankar , Prasad Manish
Published: September 2019

Background: Osteoarthritis of knee is one of the most commonly affecting condition affecting the activities of daily living in the middle age group Indian and Asian population. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) performed for pain relief and improvement in mobility of individuals is associated with significant post-operative pain. Ischemic preconditioning is one of the non-pharmacologic methods of reduction in postoperative pain using variable periods of tourniquet induced ischaemia which has limited data in literature.

Methods: Sample size (n=30) was taken. A standard automatic pneumatic tourniquet was used while performing ischemic preconditioning of the limb prior to TKA and during surgery. Statistical analysis was performed with p values <0.05 considered significant. Standard postoperative analgesia as per hospital protocol was given to patients.

Results: The mean 6 hour postoperative and 48-hr postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score at rest is significantly higher compared to mean preoperative VAS score at rest (p<0.01 for both). The distribution of mean preoperative and 24 hour postoperative VAS score at rest did not differ significantly (p>0.05). The mean % change in postoperative period compared to preoperative VAS at rest was 47.06%.

Conclusions: In this study, the effect of preconditioning over postoperative pain relief was not consistent. Although the patient reported pain scores were low at 6th and 24th postoperative hour, the effect at 48th postoperative hour was not satisfactory. Studies with larger sample size required for better understanding of ischemic preconditioning.
Salvamento de la extremidad pélvica en México: una opción viable para evitar amputaciones
Authors: Atristain Carrión Ramiro J , Rodríguez Collazo Edgardo R , Delgado Pérez José Antonio , Isunza Alonso Óscar D , Migoya Nuño Alfonso
Published: September 2019

En México, las deformidades congénitas de las extremidades pélvicas representan un reto terapéutico asociado con pronóstico sombrío.1 En concreto, las hemimelias tibial y peronea, y las hipoplasias femorales proximales, por su alto costo y complejidad técnica, suelen terminar en amputación o persistencia de la deformidad en la vida adulta.2 Ambas situaciones repercuten en la calidad de vida de los pacientes, que se refleja en la falta de integración a la sociedad e incapacidad para tener una vida autosustentable e independiente.
Carta al editor con respecto al artículo: “Negligencia: modalidad subestimada del maltrato al infante”
Authors: Carballido Moreno Óscar Gabriel
Published: September 2019

He leído con sumo interés el artículo: “Negligencia: modalidad subestimada del maltrato al infante” de la Dra. Mónica Rodríguez González y del Dr. Arturo Loredo Abdalá debido a que hay muy poco escrito en la literatura nacional sobre este tópico y tomando en cuenta que es una modalidad del maltrato infantil  extraordinariamente frecuente, pero poco entendida y estudiada por los medios que atienden niños.
Los registros de representación semiótica como vía de materialización de los postulados vigotskianos sobre pensamiento y lenguaje
Authors: Báez-Ureña Neel , Pérez-González Olga Lidia , Blanco-Sánchez Ramón
Published: September 2019

Se presenta una propuesta didáctica que utiliza los registros de representación semiótica como vía de materialización de los postulados de Vigotsky sobre pensamiento y lenguaje, para contribuir a la formación conceptual en el cálculo diferencial en las carreras universitarias, mediante las representaciones semióticas de los procesos de variación instantánea, y con la ayuda de los asistentes matemáticos GeoGebra y el SkechPath, los cuales permiten ilustrar el movimiento de la variable. La metodología seguida articula el proceso de adquisición de recursos para la transferencia de registros semióticos, el proceso de formación del lenguaje matemático y el tránsito del lenguaje coloquial al matemático en la descripción del movimiento de la variable. La validación experimental demostró que con la aplicación de la propuesta se logró una mejora significativa de los estudiantes en relación al lenguaje matemático y a las aplicaciones conceptuales en el Cálculo Diferencial, lo cual constituyó el objetivo de la investigación.
THE POTENTIAL AND CHALLENGES IN THE CONSERVATION OF HAJJ HISTORY AND HERITAGE IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Maslan Aiza , Yaacob Norazlan Hadi , Shamsudin Roshimah
Published: September 2019

Purpose of the study: The study aims to identify the prospects and challenges in preservation of hajj history and heritage in Malaysia.

Methodology: This paper reports the analysis of documents and data collection on hajj conducted through library research.

Principal Findings and Novelty: The results of this study show that the principal challenges in preservation of hajj history and heritage in Malaysia are limited literature, difficulties in obtaining information pertaining to Hajj in pre-Malaysia days, poor documentation of the primary sources as well as individual narratives on hajj exercise and unrecorded stories and memories of individuals. This study shows that the history and heritage of Hajj are seen to have tremendous potential to assist in strengthening the tourism industry based on heritage in Malaysia.

Applications of this study: Appropriate measures are to be taken by the government to prevent the loss of history and heritage of the Hajj operations in Malaysia. Efforts must also be made to document the memories of different parties who were directly involved in the Hajj exercises for future widespread.
ISLAMIC BANK VS CONVENTIONAL BANK: THE DIFFERENCES OF MANAGEMENT COMMUNICATION TO STAKEHOLDERS USING INTERNET FINANCIAL REPORTING
Authors: Insani Taqiyah Dinda , Widiastuti Tika , Mawardi Imron , Anova Debrina Farrah
Published: September 2019

Purpose of the study: This study discusses the differences of Internet Financial Reporting Quality between Islamic Bank and Conventional Bank in Indonesia as a means of banking management communication with their stakeholders. The Internet Financial Reporting quality form assessed by four components based on Internet Financial Reporting Index, which are content, timeliness, technology and user support.

Methodology: This study used a quantitative approach with independent sample T-test. The hypothesis testing tool is assisted by SPSS 22 data processing software. The data of this study were collected from the official website for each bank institution, and for the sample that chooses this study used a purposive sampling technique.

Main Findings: : There is a significant difference at the 5% significance level between Internet Financial Reporting quality between the two, with the result that conventional bank has better quality than Islamic bank. On the contrary, in the technology and user support component, there are insignificant differences.

Applications of this study: The results of this study are useful for several parties involved. First for the stakeholders of the banking industry in Indonesia. Second for banks in Indonesia. Third for regulators, it is expected to be able to provide more detailed regulations. Finally, it gave an opportunity to other researchers for making some further study.

Novelty/Originality of this study: This research is the first study that comprehensively compares the quality of Internet Financial Reporting in Islamic and conventional banking institutions. This study also succeeded to find that in management communication to stakeholders using Internet Financial Reporting, Islamic Banks were able to compete with Conventional Banks.
THE DETERMINANTS OF REVERSE MORTGAGE CHOICE OF INDIAN ELDERLY HOMEOWNERS FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD: A LOGIT ANALYSIS
Authors: Gupta Sarita , Kumar Dr. Sanjay
Published: September 2019

Purpose: In the regime of stretched old-age social security, federals and policymakers are presuming housing wealth as a means of sustainable livelihood for elderly homeowners.  The current study attempts to discover which demographic and financial factors are significant determinants of home equity liquidation through reverse mortgage of Indians in later life.
Methodology: Binary logistic regression is applied to survey-based primary data of 410 elderly homeowners through SPSS software.
Main Findings: Results of binary logistic regression model depicts that elderly considering an RM likely to be female, older, having poor health, childless or having girl child only, long life expectancy, resident of metro, employed, cash-constrained, not having any kind of insurance cover and those children are financially well are significantly more willing to opt for RM scheme.
Implication: Study renders implications for Government and NHB, to provide refinancing facility to commercial banks so that home equity liquidation product like Reverse Mortgage can be able to fulfill income needs of greying India.
Novelty/Originality: Length of research in European and western countries have been carried out to explore the attitude of older homeowner for housing wealth liquidation but Indian context, is largely untapped that how Indian older homeowner perceive their housing wealth and which factor influences them to delete it. In this way, current study attempts to bridge the research gap.
Forms of possible delamination of the liner in a metal composite high pressure vessel
Authors: Bykov N.V.
Published: September 2019

The purpose of the paper was to study the effect of induced gas perturbations in the reservoir on the ballistic characteristics of single-stage gas guns. Two ways of waves generation at the initial moment are considered: by means of a non-uniform initial distribution of gas parameters and by creating a shock wave propagating from the bottom of the reservoir by external forces. The study is based on the numerical solution of one-dimensional gas-dynamic equations on a moving grid. Findings of research show that for relatively large (compared to the accelerating gas mass) mass of the projectiles, the wave processes induced by inhomogeneous filling lead to an increase in the muzzle velocity 1.4 times, and the shock waves generation by an external source — 1.8 times.
Application of the “actuator disk” boundary condition to calculation of a non-uniform flow in the air intake of modern turbofan engines
Authors: Nguyen V.H.
Published: September 2019

As the degree of bypass ratio of modern aviation turbofan engines increases, their appearance and characteristics change as well: the nacelle diameter increases, the air intake length decreases, and the temperature and jet noise reduce. Due to these circumstances, the design must take into account the interaction between the fan and the air intake as part of configuration. An approach based on unsteady three-dimensional modeling with account for full blade tips is necessary for the analysis, but is resource-intensive. In some cases, an approach based on the “actuator disk” boundary condition can be used to study aerodynamic interference. The paper considers a validated computational technique based on the “actuator disk” boundary condition with flow structure in front of the fan taken into account. The results of the computational study of the characteristics of the fan model in the engine nacelle are given, as well as the analysis of options for the “actuator disk” boundary condition and their application to the calculation of a non-uniform flow in the air intake under side wind conditions.
Forms of possible delamination of the liner in a metal composite high pressure vessel
Authors: Egorov A.V.
Published: September 2019

The paper offers a calculation scheme of delaminating occurring in complex metal composite pressure vessels. The calculation is carried out in LS-DYNA software in dynamic formulation using 3D-finite-element discretization of the SHELL- and SOLID-types. Technological deviations have been introduced into the computational scheme, in which a unilateral constraint on the surface contact area is also taken into consideration. The analysis of delaminating is carried out by example of a vessel with a carbon-plastic shell and an aluminium liner in the process of thermal treatment of the vessel. It is shown that at certain heating temperatures of the vessel, liner delamination from the rigid composite shell may occure. Delamination is due to local buckling of the metal thin-walled liner occurring in the areas of technological deviations. Delamination has the form of folds (internal deflection), which in the form are subdivided into annular and radial folds on the bottoms and into the contour (turning into longitudinal) folds on the cylindrical part of the liner. Temporal process of wrinkling on the liner surface during heat treatment of the vessel is shown (video).
Opportunities and Challenges of Urban Agriculture for Sustainable City Development
Authors: Van Tuijl Erwin , Hospers Gert-Jan , Van Den Berg Leo
Published: September 2019

Urban Agriculture (UA) has gained popularity in cities all over the world. In this paper, we explore the concept of UA and discuss it along various locational and strategic dimensions. The article aims to provide insights into the chances and challenges of UA for sustainable city development. By making use of case examples from cities worldwide we show that UA can contribute to the social, environmental, and economics pillars of sustainable city development. However, there are limitations which should be taken into account for cities that want to invest in urban agriculture.
STUDY OF ANTISECRETORY ACTIVITY OF DINITRATE 2-PHENYL-9-DIETHYLAMINOETHYLimidazo[1,2-A] BENZIMIDAZOLE BY METHOD OF CONTINUOUS PERFUSION OF RATS’ STOMACHS
Authors: Chernikov M. V. , Oganova M. A. , Gerasimenko A. S. , Artemyev E. A.
Published: September 2019

Nowadays, effective pharmacotherapy of acid-dependent gastrointestinal diseases remains an urgent problem of modern gastroenterology. In this regard, the search for new drugs with a pronounced antisecretory activity still continues; their aim is to keep the control over the acid production safe and effective.

The aimof this study was an experimental study of the antisecretory activity of the substance and the finished dosage form (FDF) of dinitrate 2-phenyl-9-diethylaminoethylimidazo[1,2-a]benzimidazole.

Materials and Methods.The study of antisecretory activity was performed by method of a continuous perfusion of rats’ stomachs. The studied substance was administered at the doses of 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg, and the FDF – at the doses of 13 and 26 mg/kg. The substance of Ranitidine (Sigma Аldrich, USA) was used as a reference object in the study of the antisecretory activity of the substance under study, and Ranitidine (Hemofarm A.D., Serbia) was used as a reference drug in the study of the FDF. In order to determine the stimulated secretion immediately before collecting the samples of the perfusate, histamine was administered subcutaneously at the dose of 5 mg/kg. The content of hydrochloric acid in the perfusate was determined by titration of a 0.01 M sodium hydroxide solution. The acidity value was determined in terms of the debit-hour of hydrochloric acid.

Results and discussion.The obtained experimental data showed that the studied substance at the dose of 30 mg/kg decreased the basal hydrochloric acid secretion by 54%, which significantly exceeded the antisecretory effect of Ranitidine by 1.8 times. The FDF at the dose of 26 mg/kg, statistically reliable relative to the control and the group treated with Ranitidine, decreased the basal secretion of gastric juice by 33%. The substance at the dose of 30 mg/kg reliably suppressed the stimulated secretion of hydrochloric acid by 80%, while Ranitidine did it by 56%. The FDF at the dose of 26 mg/kg decreased the histamine-stimulated secretion by 66%, and Ranitidine did it by 52%, which was statistically reliable.

Сonclusions.The studied substance and its dosage form are more effective in suppressing basal activities and exceed the anisecretory activity of H2 -histamine antagonists of Ranitidine under the conditions of the secretion stimulated by histamine.