bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demographic Profile and Risk Factors of Patients with Benign Vocal Fold Lesions Diagnosed through Laryngeal Videoendoscopy and Stroboscopy
Authors: Chan Tracy Camille P. , Fortuna Ma. Clarissa S. , Enriquez Patric S.
Published: April 2019

Objective: To determine the prevalence of benign vocal cord lesions among Filipino patients in a tertiary institution and identify the demographic characteristics and possible risk factors found among these patients.

 

Methods

Study Design:            Retrospective case series

Setting:                       Private tertiary hospital

Subjects:                    Records of 2,375 patients who underwent laryngeal video endoscopy and stroboscopy from 2012-2014 were reviewed.

Results: There were 632 records of patients with benign vocal fold lesions, of which nodules were most common (211, 33.38%), followed by Reinke’s edema (165, 26.10%), cysts (122, 19.30%), and polyps (74, 11.70%), with hoarseness as the most common symptom (542, 85.76%).  More than half (336, 53.16%) were aged 21-40 years, and almost two-thirds (469, 74.21%) were female. The most common associated factors were caffeine intake (445, 70.41%) and inadequate water intake (370, 58.54%), followed by alcohol (253, 40.03%). Smoking was only present in 146 (23.19%).

Conclusion: Baseline evidence on the prevalence of benign vocal fold lesions in this institution as well as baseline data on the common characteristics and associated factors seen in the sample population may assist us in current practices and guide future studies directed toward treatment and prevention.

 

Keywords: Vocal Cord; Stroboscopy; Vocal Cord Nodules; Benign Vocal Cord; Stroboscopy/Benign; Stroboscopy/Nodules
Capillary Hemangioma of the Temporal Bone
Authors: Fernando Jose Z. , Ricalde Rosario R.
Published: April 2019

Objective: To discuss a rare case of temporal bone capillary hemangioma, and its diagnosis and management.

Methods:

            Design:           Case Report

            Setting:           Tertiary Government Hospital

            Patient:           One

Results: A 44-year old woman with a history of on-and-off right ear discharge, tinnitus and decreased hearing, and a pinkish, smooth-surfaced, non-friable, non-pulsating mass occluding the right external auditory canal, was initially treated for chronic suppurative otitis media with aural polyp. A punch biopsy due to persistence of disease despite medical treatment revealed capillary hemangioma.  She underwent canal wall down mastoidectomy with obliteration to completely resect the tumor.

Conclusion: Capillary hemangiomas of the temporal bone are benign lesions that may lead to complications such as bone erosion, hearing loss, recurrent infection and bleeding if left untreated. Surgery remains the ideal treatment, and recurrence is rare and the prognosis is good if resection is complete.

Keywords: Hemangioma, capillary hemangioma, temporal bone, middle ear
Extranasopharyngeal Angiofibroma: A Diagnostic Dilemma
Authors: Gupta Nitin , Dass Arjun , Saini Vaibhav , Anil Pol Shashikant , Mittal Lovekesh
Published: April 2019

Objective: To report two cases of extranasopharyngeal angiofibroma, highlighting the diagnostic challenges involved.

Methods:

            Design:           Case Report

            Setting:           Tertiary Teaching Hospital and Medical School

            Patients:         Two (2)

Results: A 13-year-old boy who presented with epistaxis and a vascular mass on the posterior nasal septum that enhanced on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), and a 3-year-old boy who presented with dysphagia and mild respiratory difficulty, with a large naso-oropharyngeal mass arising from the soft palate on physical and x-ray examination that could not be corroborated because stridor developed during sedation for CECT, both underwent endoscopic tumor excision.

Conclusion: As illustrated in these cases, atypical presentations of extranasopharyngeal angiofibromas can pose a considerable diagnostic and surgical challenge for clinicians. 

 

Key words: angiofibroma: classification; diagnosis; diagnostic imaging; extranasopharyngeal
Simulation Platform for Myringotomy with Ventilation Tube Insertion in Adult Ears
Authors: Chan Abner L. , Carrillo Ryner Jose D. , Ong Kimberly C.
Published: April 2019

Objective: To develop a ventilation tube insertion simulator for training and evaluation of otorhinolaryngology residents in myringotomy with ventilating tube insertion.

Methods:

            Design:            Cross - Sectional Study

            Setting:           Tertiary National University Hospital

            Participants:   Otologists and otorhinolaryngology resident trainees

A simulation tool for myringotomy with ventilation tube insertion was fabricated using silicone sealant, aluminum tube, rubber ball, plaster of paris and plastic sheet, and pretested by our expert panel. Residents were then evaluated using an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) checklist while performing the procedure using the same model. Three trials were given, and OSCE scores were obtained, for each resident.

Result: The pinna, ear canal, tympanic membrane, malleus handle were deemed realistic by the expert panel. Residents performed the procedure at an average of 87 seconds. Average OSCE score for all residents was 17.17, with senior residents having a higher average score (18.3) than junior residents (16.6). However, this was not statistically significant (2 tailed t-value, significance level 0.05 = -1.27, p = .227). The most common cause of trial failure was dropping of the tube in the middle ear, while the most common error made was using more than 2 attempts at performing the incision.

Conclusion:  This simulation platform may be a valuable tool to use in educating and developing skills and proper technique of myringotomy with ventilation tube insertion. It is reproducible, affordable, realistic, sturdy and versatile in its applications. Residents who show adequate dexterity and consistency during simulation may eventually be allowed to perform the procedure on patients and provide feedback regarding the usefulness of the simulation.

Keywords: otitis media with effusion, middle ear ventilation, tympanic membrane, models, educational, simulation training, patient simulation
Foreign Policy Analysis
Authors: Beneš Vít
Published: April 2019

Role theory, which is based on the symbolic interactionism of George H.Mead, is increasingly used in foreign policy analysis. The goal of this paperis twofold. Firstly, the text expands the conceptual framework of role theoryby incorporating the arguments of Mead’s theory of time. We argue thatnational roles have not only the relational dimension (the constitution ofroles vis-a-vis others), but also the temporal dimension. Based on thetheory of time, we conceptualize this temporal dimension by introducingthe concepts of historical self and historical other. Secondly, the articleattempts to incorporate in role theory the arguments of poststructuralismconcerning the meaning of otherness and the defining of one another forthe formation of identity. In this view, the symbolic-interactionist process of“taking the role of the other” and poststructuralist “negative othering” canbe perceived as two extremes on the continuum of modalities of theconstitutive relationship between self and the other.
The Influence of Managerial Ownership and Institutional Ownership on Agency Costs (Studies on Manufacturing Companies in The Basic Industrial and Chemical Sectors Listed on The Indonesia Stock Exchange)
Authors: Tumiwa Ramon Arthur Ferry , Mamuaya Nova Christian
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this study is to examine and analyze: (1) the effect of managerial ownership on agency costs, (2) the effect of institutional ownership on agency costs, and (3) the effect of managerial ownership and institutional ownership simultaneously affect to agency costs. This research was conducted at the primary industrial sector and chemical of manufacturing companies that listed on the Indonesia stock exchange 2014-2016. The companies analyzed amounted to 18 companies determined based on sampling criteria. The analysis method used is panel data analysis by using Eviews 9 programming computer. The results of this study found that managerial ownership has an insignificant relationship with agency cost. The institutional ownership has an insignificant with agency costs. The managerial ownership and institutional ownership have no significant effect on agency costs, simultaneous.
The Design of Work Facility and Description of Job Characteristic to Improve Employee Performance at PT. Ferlina Jaya Mandiri Gorontalo
Authors: Asnawi Melan Angriani
Published: April 2019

The research aimed to know to what extent the effect of work facility and job characteristic both partially and simultaneously on employee performance. It involved 30 employees as population while its samples were determined by using random sampling. Research method applied a quantitative method by using multiple linear regression analysis. The finding of research found that partially, work facility variable had a positive effect on employee performance with value of ttable for 7,220 which was higher than the value of t count for 1,703 and at significance value of 0,000. Meanwhile, partially, job characteristic variable did not have a significant effect on employee performance, where the value of t count was 1,363 that was lower than the value of t table for 1,703, and the significance value was 0,184. Research finding (R2) was 0,793, and it showed that the effect of variable X1 and X2 was 79,3% had a positive effect on variable Y.
Global trends and national goals: Russia approaches a new model of economic growth
Authors: Mau Vladimir A.
Published: April 2019

This paper deals with global trends and their influence on Russian economic and social performance. A new economic crisis is looming, and the lack of institutional reforms, which were put on the agenda by the crisis of 2008–2009, is a source of current concern. In 2018 Russian authorities announced a set of national goals and projects as the central point of social and economic policy for 2018–2024. The new economic growth policy includes the shift from the demand-side growth model to the supply-side one, broad implementation of project methods in economic policy, and continuation of conservative fiscal and monetary policy.
The phantom of technological unemployment
Authors: Kapeliushnikov Rostislav
Published: April 2019

Nowadays there are many gloomy prophecies provided by both technologists and economists about the detrimental effects of the so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution on aggregate employment and its composition. These prophecies imply that in the near future we will face Robocalypse — a massive replacement of people by machines alongside an explosion in joblessness. This paper provides theoretical, empirical and historical evidence that the phenomenon of technological unemployment is a phantom. The most general results can be summarized as follows: in the long run, reduction in labor demand under the impact of new technologies is merely a theoretical possibility that has never before been realized in practice; at the level of individual firms, there is a strong positive relationship between innovations and employment growth; at the sectoral level, technological changes cause a multidirectional employment response, since different industries are at different stages of the life cycle; at the macro level, technological progress acts as a positive or neutral, but not a negative factor; a surge in technological unemployment, even in the short-term, seems a remote prospect since in coming decades the pace of technological change is unlikely to be fast enough by historical standards; the impact of new technologies on labor supply may be a more serious problem than their impact on labor demand; technological changes seem to have a much greater effect on the composition of employment than on its level.
Consecuencias de la emigración internacional en la novelística ecuatoriana
Authors: Estrada Yovany Salazar
Published: April 2019

Se propone fundamentar, ejemplificar y analizar la desintegración de la familia, devenida de la separación física y emocional de los integrantes; el bajo nivel de rendimiento escolar de los hijos de los emigrantes, en el origen y en el destino; y, las afectaciones de la salud física y mental de los emigrantes y su entorno familiar más inmediato, como tres de las principales consecuencias de la emigración internacional de ecuatorianos, conforme han sido representadas y recreadas, literariamente, en seis novelas ecuatorianas que abordan esta problemática sociológica.
MENINGKATKAN PENDIDIKAN DAN PEMBINAAN PERILAKU HIDUP BERSIH DAN SEHAT MASYARAKAT
Authors: Syamsuar Fauzi , Alam Akbar Marfu , Sari Rahayu Indah
Published: April 2019

Kuliah Kerja Nyata (KKN) merupakan kegiatan dharma bakti mahasiswa. Sebagai orang yang telah mengenyam pendidikan di bangku kuliah, mahasiswa yang telah mendapat ilmu seyogianya mempraktikkan ilmunya ke masyarakat. Sasaran kegiatan adalah warga desa Wangun Jaya, Leuwisadeng, Bogor, Jawa Barat. Mahasiswa yang terjun dalam pelaksanaan KKN sebanyak 13 mahasiswa dari berbagai fakultas. Hasil kegiatan KKN menunjukan bahwa di Kp. Cisaranten II, 45 %, anak putus sekolah atau tidak menjalankan program wajib belajar dari pemerintah yakni 12 tahun. Banyak faktor yang mempengaruhi salah satunya adalah masalah ekonomi yang membuat anak putus sekolah. Infrastruktur sekolah yang kurang memadai dalam kegiatan belajar mengajar juga menjadi faktor. UU No 36 Tahun 2009 pasal 4 disebutkan bahwa setiap warga berhak atas kesehatan dan berhak memperoleh pelayanan kesehatan yang aman, bermutu, dan terjangkau (Ps.5). Perilaku Hidup Bersih dan Sehat (PHBS) adalah program pemerintah yang diluncurkan dimana bertujuan untuk mengubah perilaku masyarakat yang tidak sehat agar menjadi sehat. Kesimpulan dari kegiatan ini adalah bahwa semua siswa di PAUD Cahaya 01 Cisaranten II, desa Wangun Jaya memiliki pengetahuan, sikap dan perilaku yang baik tentang Perilaku Hidup Bersih dan Sehat sekolah. Diharapkan bahwa sekolah tetap terus mengajarkan tentang Perilaku Hidup Bersih dan Sehat (PHBS) sekolah kepada seluruh siswa.
Estudio de Tricología Forense en casos donde el Elemento Piloso es Crucial para la Investigación, como Indicio en un Hecho Delictivo
Authors: Peña Morejón Mariuxi Elizabeth , Cepeda Paca Marcia Alexandra , Cáceres Manzano Verónica Paulina , Sànchez Polit Freddy Rodolfo
Published: April 2019

Dentro del Área Forense el estudio o análisis del elemento piloso contribuye de manera favorable a la investigación de un Hecho Delictivo plasmándose como una prueba complementaria, que posteriormente se presentara como evidencia ante un juicio, por medio de informes periciales.

El presente trabajo es una investigación bibliográfica en el cual aborda “Estudio de Tricología Forense en casos donde el Elemento Piloso es Crucial para la Investigación, como Indicio en un Hecho Delictivo”. Esta investigación se realiza  para identificar la importancia del estudio de un elemento piloso y así permitir demostrar un delito principalmente crímenes violentos, la limpieza y eliminación de partículas extrañas. Se revisan temas referentes a los aspectos criminalísticos y se investigaron los métodos y/o técnicas más importantes que se le pueden realizar a este tipo de indicio.
Therapeutic strategies in the treatment of periodontitis
Authors: Bogdanovska Liljana , Kukeska Silvana , Popovska Mirjana , Petkovska Rumenka , Goracinova Katerina
Published: April 2019

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory process which affects the tooth - supporting structures of the teeth. The disease is initiated by subgingival periopathogenic bacteria in susceptible periodontal sites. The host immune response towards periodontal pathogens helps to sustain periodontal disease and eventual alveolar bone loss. Although scaling and root planing is the standard treatment modality for periodontitis, it suffers from several drawbacks such as the inability to reach the base of deep pockets and doesn’t arrest migration of periodontal pathogens from other sites in the oral cavity. In order to overcome the limitations of scaling and root planning, adjunctive chemotherapeutics and host modulatory agents to the treatment are used. These therapeutic agents show substantial beneficial effects when compared to scaling and root planning alone. This review will cover an update on chemotherapeutic and past and future host immune modulatory agents used adjunctively to treat and manage periodontal diseases.
HPLC and UV-spectrophotometry analysis of flavonoids in spray-dried and freez-dried extracts of Teucrium polium L. (Lamiaceae)
Authors: Stefkov Gjoshe , Karapandzova Marija , Stefova Marina , Bankova Vassya , Kulevanova Svetlana
Published: April 2019

Тhe aim of the study was identification and determination of the content of flavonoids in dry extracts of Teucrium polium, collected from Republic of Macedonia. Two different drying procedures were used, freeze and spray draying. In freeze-dried (FDE) and spray-dried (SDE) extracts of aerial parts of T. polium five flavone aglycones (luteolin, apigenin, cirsiliol, cirsimaritin and cirsilineol) were identified by HPLC method, on the base of retention times and UV spectral data of the components of the extracts in comparison to the authentic samples of flavonoids. Additionally, seven glycosides of apigenin and luteolin were tentatively identified. No significant differences in the composition nor in the content of identified flavonoids were found between both extracts. The content of total flavonoids determined by UV-spectrophotometry with AlCl3 was 72.8 ± 0.62 mg Lut/g and 73.34 ± 0.53 mg Lut/g in FDE and SDE extract of T. polium, respectively.
Bioinspired bioartifical polymer hybrid composites for propolis vaginal delivery I: formulation development and optimization of gelling temperature using experimental design
Authors: Simonoska-Crcarevska Maja , Zafirovska-Gapkovska Ana , Mladenovska Kristina , Slavevska Raicki Renata , Geskovski Nikola , Dimchevska Simona , Glavas-Dodov Marija
Published: April 2019

Polymer hybrid composites for propolis vaginal delivery were developed and optimized in term of gelling temperature (Tg) using experimental design studies. Formulation of intelligent delivery system, with in situ gelling and controlled release properties, was carried out by bioartificial blending of chitosan and poloxamers, Lutrol F127 and Lutrol F68. Response-surface, Box-Behnken, experimental design was applied for determination of key factors influencing Tg. Influence of Lutrol F127 concentration, Lutrol F68/Lutrol F127 mass ratio and volume of simulated vaginal fluid was evaluated. Derived correlations enabled formulation optimization in term of Tg (32 °C). The model was cross-validated. Confirmation report and relative error percent of predicted and experimental values were obtained.
The use of the Internet by patients with chronic diseases in Samara: an empirical analysis
Authors: Belousova Nataliya
Published: April 2019

Today's patients and/or their relatives periodically appeal to the Internet, its various resources in the disease situation. The information and communication capabilities of the Internet modify the traditional "role of the patient" and the patient community, significantly affect the medical choices, that patients make at different stages of the disease. In 2018, research focusing on the medical choice of patients with chronic diseases in Samara was conducted at Samara University. This paper describes the results regarding the use of the Internet by Samara patients with chronic diseases. First of all, we are talking about the distribution of the use of the "medical Internet" by gender, age and level of education, the goals of accessing the Internet in a situation of disease, and which Internet resources are used.
Effectiveness of Teacher Education Programs
Authors: Tracz Susan
Published: April 2019

This study aggregated supervisor’s ratings of teachers trained at The Renaissance Group (TRG) and the Teacher Education Council of State Colleges and Universities (TECSCU) institutions. Fourteen studies conducted by 12 universities or states were gathered, and 12 that met inclusion criteria were included in this analysis. The total number of survey items in all studies (N = 374) was coded into 13 variables. Frequencies of the percentages of ratings falling into below average, average, and above average for those variables were tabled. Supervisors consistently gave teachers very high ratings.
TRG/Western Kentucky University
Authors: Burch Barbara , Evans Sam , Lee David
Published: April 2019

As an institution built on the foundation of a Normal School, collaboration among faculty members and across program areas and academic units have been part of Western Kentucky University’s (WKU) heritage since 1906. In addition to the various collaborative initiatives across campus, there are a variety of initiatives that involve various agencies across the community, including ongoing partnerships with local and area school districts, P-16 Councils, and the Green River Region Educational Cooperative. These collaborations have been enhanced, especially since the court decision resulting in Kentucky’s Educational Reform Act (KERA) in 1990 (Rose v. Council, 1989). In the early 1990s the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences created the Task Force on Education Reform – High Schools and the Task Force on Research-Based Instructional Strategies to facilitate institutional work relative to KERA. Both Task Forces involved faculty from what is now the Ogden College of Science and Engineering and the Potter College of Arts and Letters.
Stoking the Fire
Authors: Powell-Brown Ann Powell-Brown , Butterfield Dawna Lisa Buchanan , Yao Yuankun
Published: April 2019

Abstract

This essay uses qualitative elements to examine characteristics of inspirational teachers through the eyes of teacher candidate autobiographical essays. Based on narratives written by 35 college students, three teacher educators examined the responses through several lenses, including: the characteristics the inspirational  teachers had in common,  and the impact the teachers had on the students.   Seven emerging themes indicate that truly inspirational teachers go beyond the normal call of their duties, sometimes in intangible ways. Also indicated is the notion that knowledge and instructional strategies are not sufficient for making a teacher inspirational. Implications for teacher education are discussed.
Introducing the Co-teaching Model in Teacher Education Clinical Practice
Authors: Murley Lisa D. , Stobaugh Rebecca R , Evans Charles S
Published: April 2019

With national and state regulatory changes related to clinical practice within teacher education programs a reality, one university examined the outcomes of co-teaching model trainings required for stakeholders, both higher education faculty and P-12 educators. The training participants indicated the co-teaching model could increase student teacher preparedness while also positively impacting P-12 student learning. Nearly a year after the co-teaching training, one university surveyed student teachers on their co-teaching experience prior to and during student teaching. While there were increase mean scores of all the co-teaching models, results pointed to questions of whether teacher candidates were engaged in lower-level impact co-teaching models, which involved teacher candidates observing and assisting.
MENUMBUHKAN MINAT BACA ANAK MENGUNAKAN MEDIA BIG BOOK UNTUK MENCIPTAKAN BUDAYA LITERASI DI SD 1 BALAGEDOG, KECAMATAN SINDANGWANGI, KABUPATEN MAJALENGKA
Authors: Rosmaya Elin
Published: April 2019

AbstrakKemampuan menulis dan membaca masyarakat Indonesia menduduki peringkat terendah dibandingkan negara-negara lain. Hal ini akan berdampak pada kemajuan suatu negara karena dimulai dari sumber daya manusialah suatu negara akan maju dan mampu berdaya saing dengan  negara lain. Oleh karena itu, siswa yang bertindak sebagai agen of change diharapkan mampu membuat perubahan dan dan menjadikan bangsanya maju. Salah satunya dengan membudayakan kebiasaan membaca dan menulis sejak dini. Sejak dari kecil lah suatu kebiasaan akan terbentuk dan landasan penting untuk masa dewasa nanti. Jika membaca sudah merupakan kegiatan yang menjadi kebiasaan, maka generasi penerus bangsa akan cerdas dan kaya informasi. Untuk itu, perlu strategi dan media khusus yang dapat menumbuhkan dan menarik minat anak untuk menyukai membaca. Salah satu media yang diharapkan dapat membantu dalam menumbuhkan minta baca pada anak adalah melalui Big. Media big book dapat menarik perhatian siswa untuk tertarik mengikuti kegiatan membaca, juga menawarkan bacaan dengan tampilan menarik dengan beberapa aktifitas kecil yang dapat mengasah kemapuan motorik anak. Dengan demikian,, big book dapat dijadikan alternatif media pembelajaran yang dapat menumbuhkan minat baca dalam menumbuhkan budaya literasi sejak dini. Kata Kunci: Budaya literasi; kemampuan membaca; media big book
Audit of Calculations Under the Profit Tax of Organizations
Authors: Dedova O. , Ermakova L. , Melgui A.
Published: April 2019

The audit is a method of confirming the correctness of operations carried out by economic entities. In some cases, such a certificate in the form of a positive audit opinion allows organizations to be confident in the validity of their calculations with the state on current activities. Therefore, the audit of calculations on taxes and fees, among which one of the most difficult is the algorithm for calculating corporate income tax, should have a clear sequence and be based on legislative acts, so that its results satisfy all interested users of tax reporting.
Methods for Assessing Efficient Activities of Personnel
Authors: Shamshetdinov R.
Published: April 2019

The article discusses the need and reasons for the formation of a personnel evaluation system in enterprises. Lists the main stages of the personnel evaluation system. The key problems that arise in the formation of a personnel evaluation system are considered. Highlighted the benefits that the system of evaluation of employees of the enterprise. Analyzed the tools with which to assess the effectiveness of work.
Introducing the Concept of Wellness to Second Year Student’s in Physical Education Classes
Authors: Agliulova L. , Panyagin D.
Published: April 2019

This article shows the need to include the teaching of healthy lifestyles — Wellness — in student’s education. Nowadays, the health of students is significantly deteriorating due to a sedentary lifestyle, a violation of the day and sleep patterns, and an increase in mental stress. We know the impact of health on academic performance, so the importance of this training should be noted. Wellness is the concept of a healthy lifestyle, the study of the combination of physical and spiritual health, healthy eating, adequate physical exertion and the elimination of bad habits. The concept of Wellness was introduced into practice by the American doctor Halbert Donne in 1959, he also formulated the basic principles of a healthy lifestyle. In the 1960s, wellness gained great popularity, first in professional circles, and then in wide circles of American society, thanks to the numerous publications of Halbert Donne, John Travis, Donald Ardell and Gerhart Hettler. The introduction of the concept of Wellness in the training of students leads to an increase in interest in the lessons of physical culture. And, to a comprehensive improvement in the quality of life and health, student performance. Indeed, at the present time, the following causes of deterioration in the health of the young generation can be identified: neuro–psychological stress; mental fatigue; violation of work and rest; sleep disturbance; violation of the diet; bad habits; insufficient motor activity. That is why it is necessary to introduce into the habit of the student’s moderate exercise, proper nutrition and quality rest. Which involves the teachings of Wellness?
Selective Killing Natural Products and Drugs in Oral Cancer Treatments
Authors: Chang Hsueh-Wei
Published: April 2019

Most cancer drugs are effective to kill cancer cells but also harm normal cells. Drugs and natural products with the selective killing effect may be helpful to solve this problem.
The side effects of many anticancer drugs are partly derived from its damage to both cancer and normal cells without selection. This problem raises the need of anticancer drug discovery with the selective killing effect.
An Improved Squirrel Search Algorithm for Global Function Optimization
Authors: Wang Yanjiao , Du Tianlin
Published: April 2019

An improved squirrel search algorithm (ISSA) is proposed in this paper. The proposed algorithm contains two searching methods, one is the jumping search method, and the other is the progressive search method. The practical method used in the evolutionary process is selected automatically through the linear regression selection strategy, which enhances the robustness of squirrel search algorithm (SSA). For the jumping search method, the ‘escape’ operation develops the search space sufficiently and the ‘death’ operation further explores the developed space, which balances the development and exploration ability of SSA. Concerning the progressive search method, the mutation operation fully preserves the current evolutionary information and pays more attention to maintain the population diversity. Twenty-one benchmark functions are selected to test the performance of ISSA. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can improve the convergence accuracy, accelerate the convergence speed as well as maintain the population diversity. The statistical test proves that ISSA has significant advantages compared with SSA. Furthermore, compared with five other intelligence evolutionary algorithms, the experimental results and statistical tests also show that ISSA has obvious advantages on convergence accuracy, convergence speed and robustness.
Performance Enhancement of a Magnetic System in a Ultra Compact 5-DOF-Controlled Self-Bearing Motor for a Rotary Pediatric Ventricular-Assist Device to Diminish Energy Input
Authors: Osa Masahiro , Masuzawa Toru , Orihara Ryoga , Tatsumi Eisuke
Published: April 2019

Research interests of compact magnetically levitated motors have been strongly increased in development of durable and biocompatible mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices for pediatric heart disease patients. In this study, an ultra-compact axial gap type self-bearing motor with 5-degrees of freedom (DOF) active control for use in pediatric MCS devices has been developed. The motor consists of two identical motor stators and a centrifugal levitated rotor. This paper investigated a design improvement of the magnetic circuit for the self-bearing motor undergoing development in order to diminish energy input by enhancing magnetic suspension and rotation performances. Geometries of the motor were refined based on numerical calculation and three-dimensional (3D) magnetic field analysis. The modified motor can achieve higher suspension force and torque characteristics than that of a previously developed prototype motor. Oscillation of the levitated rotor was significantly suppressed by 5-DOF control over rotating speeds up to 7000 rpm with lower energy input, indicating efficacy of the design refinement of the motor.
A Simple Model to Assess the Role of Dust Composition and Size on Deposition in Rotorcraft Engines
Authors: Bojdo Nicholas , Filippone Antonio
Published: April 2019

There have been several recorded mishaps of rotorcraft experiencing flame-out due to engine surge as a result of rapid accumulation of sand and dust on nozzle guide vanes. Minerals such as sodium chloride and albite have lower melting points than quartz and are found to constitute some of the loose sediment on unprepared landing sites in the Persian Gulf. Despite this, they are not found in great abundance, if at all, in many of the test dusts that are used to qualify engines operating in harsh environments. The consequence is an under-prediction of the time to failure due to vane deposit build-up. In the current work, we use a simple model to demonstrate the sensitivity of accumulation efficiency (the proportion of ingested dust that sticks) to mineral dust physico-chemical properties. We utilise the concept of thermal Stokes number to examine the relationship between time to equilibrate and residence time and how this varies as a function of constituent mineral, as well as particle size. The likelihood of impact increases with momentum Stokes number, while the likelihood of adhesion decreases with thermal Stokes number, yet the two both increase with the square of particle diameter. This leads to a peak in deposition rate at a certain particle size. However, dust mineralogy is shown to influence sticking efficiency more than impact efficiency owing to differences in melting point. Finally, we apply our simple model to estimate the mass of dust deposited during a single brownout landing of a Pave Hawk helicopter, using two different commercially-available test dusts.
Flavonoids: New Frontier for Immuno-Regulation and Breast Cancer Control
Authors: Sudhakaran Meenakshi , Sardesai Sagar , Doseff Andrea I.
Published: April 2019

Breast cancer (BC) remains the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in women in the US, despite advances in detection and treatment. In addition, breast cancer survivors often struggle with long-term treatment related comorbidities. Identifying novel therapies that are effective while minimizing toxicity is critical in curtailing this disease. Flavonoids, a subclass of plant polyphenols, are emerging as promising treatment options for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Recent evidence suggests that in addition to anti-oxidant properties, flavonoids can directly interact with proteins, making them ideal small molecules for the modulation of enzymes, transcription factors and cell surface receptors. Of particular interest is the ability of flavonoids to modulate the tumor associated macrophage function. However, clinical applications of flavonoids in cancer trials are limited. Epidemiological and smaller clinical studies have been largely hypothesis generating. Future research should aim at addressing known challenges with a broader use of preclinical models and investigating enhanced dose-delivery systems that can overcome limited bioavailability of dietary flavonoids. In this review, we discuss the structure-functional impact of flavonoids and their action on breast tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment, with an emphasis on their clinical role in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
Is There A Role for Abscisic Acid, A Proven Anti-Inflammatory Agent, in the Treatment of Ischemic Retinopathies?
Authors: Baliño Pablo , Gómez-Cadenas Aurelio , López-Malo Daniel , Romero Francisco Javier , Muriach María
Published: April 2019

Ischemic retinopathies (IRs) are the main cause of severe visual impairment and sight loss, and are characterized by loss of blood vessels, accompanied by hypoxia, and neovascularization. Actual therapies, based on anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) strategies, antioxidants or anti-inflammatory therapies are only partially effective or show some adverse side effects. Abscisic acid (ABA) is a phytohormone present in vegetables and fruits that can be naturally supplied by the dietary intake and has been previously studied for its benefits to human health. It has been demonstrated that ABA plays a key role in glucose metabolism, inflammation, memory and tumor growth. This review focuses on a novel and promising role of ABA as a potential modulator of angiogenesis, oxidative status and inflammatory processes in the retina, which are the most predominant characteristics of the IRs. Thus, this nutraceutical compound might shed some light in new therapeutic strategies focused in the prevention or amelioration of IRs-derived pathologies.
Study on the Fabrication of Porous TiAl Alloy via Non-Aqueous Gel Casting of a TiH2 and Al Powder Mixture
Authors: Li Fei , Zhang Xiao , Jiang Yi , Yang Lixiang , Qi Chengkang , Sun Baode
Published: April 2019

A porous TiAl alloy with 23.78% porosity was successfully fabricated via a low-toxicity, non-aqueous gel casting method by using a titanium hydride (TiH2) and aluminum (Al) powder mixture as the raw material. The effects of dispersant content and solid loading on the rheological properties of the TiH2/Al slurries were studied systematically. It was found that all the slurries exhibited a typical shear-thinning behavior, which is favorable for the gel casting process. Three-point bending tests of the dried TiH2/Al green bodies were carried out, and the results showed that the flexural strength was raised from 28.86 to 62.36 MPa with increasing monomer (hydroxyethyl methacrylate, HEMA) content. In order to study the degreasing process and minimize the possible residual carbon and oxygen after sintering, TGA analysis was performed. The fracture morphology of the sintered TiAl alloy (1400 °C for 2 h) was studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Based on the X-ray diffraction (XRD) identification, the main phases of the sintered part were γ-TiAl, α2-Ti3Al, and a small amount of Al2Ti and Al3Ti.
An Extended Proxy-Based Sliding Mode Control of Pneumatic Muscle Actuators
Authors: Zhao Wei , Song Aiguo , Cao Yu
Published: April 2019

To solve the problem of controlling an intrinsically compliant actuator, pneumatic muscle actuator (PMA), this paper presents an extended proxy-based sliding mode control (EPSMC) strategy. It is well known that the chattering phenomenon of conventional sliding mode control (SMC) can be effectively solved by introducing a proxy between the physical object and desired position, which results in the so-called proxy-based sliding mode control (PSMC). To facilitate the theoretical analysis of PSMC and obtain a more general form of controller, a new virtual coupling and a SMC are used in our proposed EPSMC. For a class of second-order nonlinear system, the sufficient conditions ensuring the stability and passivity are obtained by using the Lyapunov functional method. Experiments on a real-time PMA control platform validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, and comparison studies also show the superiority of EPSMC over the conventional SMC, PSMC, and PID controllers.
A Simple Estimation Method of Weibull Modulus and Verification with Strength Data
Authors: Ono Kanji
Published: April 2019

This study examines methods for simplifying estimation of the Weibull modulus. This parameter is an important instrument in understanding the statistical behavior of the strength of materials, especially those of brittle solids. It is shown that a modification of Robinson’s approximate expression can provide good estimates of Weibull modulus values (m) in terms of average strength (<σ>) and standard deviation (S): m = 1.10 <σ>/S. This modified Robinson relation is verified on the basis of 267 Weibull analyses accompanied by <σ> and S measurements. Estimated m values matched normally obtained m values on average within 1%, and each pair of m values was within ± 20%, except for 11 cases. Applications are discussed, indicating that the above relation can offer a quantitative tool based on the Weibull theory to engineering practice. This survey suggests a rule of thumb: ductile metal alloys have Weibull moduli of 10 to 200.
High Voltage Graphene Nanowall Trench MOS Barrier Schottky Diode Characterization for High Temperature Applications
Authors: Mohd Saman Rahimah , Wan Sabli Sharaifah Kamariah , Mat Hussin Mohd Rofei , Othman Muhammad Hilmi , Mohammad Haniff Muhammad Aniq Shazni , Syono Mohd Ismahadi
Published: April 2019

Graphene’s superior electronic and thermal properties have gained extensive attention from research and industrial sectors to study and develop the material for various applications such as in sensors and diodes. In this paper, the characteristics and performance of carbon-based nanostructure applied on a Trench Metal Oxide Semiconductor MOS barrier Schottky (TMBS) diode were investigated for high temperature application. The structure used for this study was silicon substrate with a trench and filled trench with gate oxide and polysilicon gate. A graphene nanowall (GNW) or carbon nanowall (CNW), as a barrier layer, was grown using the plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method. The TMBS device was then tested to determine the leakage current at 60 V under various temperature settings and compared against a conventional metal-based TMBS device using TiSi2 as a Schottky barrier layer. Current-voltage (I-V) measurement data were analyzed to obtain the Schottky barrier height, ideality factor, and series resistance (Rs) values. From I-V measurement, leakage current measured at 60 V and at 423 K of the GNW-TMBS and TiSi2-TMBS diodes were 0.0685 mA and above 10 mA, respectively, indicating that the GNW-TMBS diode has high operating temperature advantages. The Schottky barrier height, ideality factor, and series resistance based on dV/dln(J) vs. J for the GNW were calculated to be 0.703 eV, 1.64, and 35 ohm respectively.
Swallowing Safety and Efficiency after Open Partial Horizontal Laryngectomy: A Videofluoroscopic Study
Authors: Pizzorni Nicole , Schindler Antonio , Castellari Micol , Fantini Marco , Crosetti Erika , Succo Giovanni
Published: April 2019

Dysphagia is common after an open partial horizontal laryngectomy (OPHL). The mechanisms causing lower airways’ invasion and pharyngeal residue are unclear. The study aims to examine physio-pathological mechanisms affecting swallowing safety and efficiency after OPHL. Fifteen patients who underwent an OPHL type IIa with arytenoid resection were recruited. Videofluoroscopic examination of swallowing was performed. Ten spatial, temporal, and scalar parameters were analyzed. Swallowing safety and efficiency were assessed through the Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity (DIGEST) scale. Swallowing was considered unsafe or inefficient for a DIGEST safety or efficiency grade ≥2, respectively. Videofluoroscopic measurements were compared between safe vs. unsafe swallowers, and efficient vs. inefficient swallowers. Seven patients (46.7%) showed unsafe swallowing and 6 patients (40%) inefficient swallowing. Unsafe swallowers had worse laryngeal closure (p = 0.021). Inefficient swallowers presented a longer pharyngeal transit time (p = 0.008), a reduced pharyngoesophageal segment opening lateral (p = 0.008), and a worse tongue base retraction (p = 0.018 with solids and p = 0.049 with semisolids). In conclusion, swallowing safety was affected by incomplete laryngeal closure, while swallowing efficiency was affected by increased pharyngeal transit time, reduced upper esophageal sphincter opening, and incomplete tongue base retraction. The identified physio-pathological mechanisms could represent targets for rehabilitative and surgical approaches in patients with dysphagia after OPHL.
Timing of Adjuvant Chemotherapy and Survival in Colorectal, Gastric, and Pancreatic Cancer. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Petrelli Fausto , Zaniboni Alberto , Ghidini Antonio , Ghidini Michele , Turati Luca , Pizzo Claudio , Ratti Margherita , Libertini Michela , Tomasello Gianluca
Published: April 2019

(1) Background: The optimal timing of adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) in gastrointestinal malignancies is still a matter of debate. For colorectal cancer, it is recommended to start post-operative treatment within eight weeks. The objective of this study was to assess the clinical effects of starting adjuvant CT within or after 6–8 weeks post-surgery in colorectal, gastric, and pancreatic cancer. (2) Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched in December 2018. Publications comparing the outcomes of patients treated with adjuvant CT administered before (early) or after (delayed) 6–8 weeks post-surgery for colorectal, gastric, and pancreatic cancer were identified. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). (3) Results: Out of 8752 publications identified, 34 comparative studies assessing a total of 141,853 patients were included. Meta-analysis indicated a statistically significant increased risk of death with delayed CT (>6–8 weeks post-surgery) in colorectal cancer (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21–1.33; p <0.001). Similarly, for gastric cancer, delaying adjuvant CT was associated with inferior overall survival (HR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.04–1.38; p = 0.01). Conversely, the benefit of earlier CT was not evident in pancreatic cancer (HR = 1, 95% CI 1–1.01; p = 0.37). Conclusions: Starting adjuvant CT within 6–8 weeks post-surgery is associated with a significant survival benefit for colorectal and gastric cancer, but not for pancreatic cancer.
Therapeutic Application of Micellar Solubilized Xanthohumol in a Western-Type Diet-Induced Mouse Model of Obesity, Diabetes and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Mahli Abdo , Seitz Tatjana , Freese Kim , Frank Jan , Weiskirchen Ralf , Abdel-Tawab Mona , Behnam Dariush , Hellerbrand Claus
Published: April 2019

Xanthohumol (XN), a prenylated chalcone from hops, has been reported to exhibit a variety of health-beneficial effects. However, poor bioavailability may limit its application in the prevention and therapy of diseases. The objective of this study was to determine whether a micellar solubilization of xanthohumol could enhance the bioavailability and biological efficacy of xanthohumol in a Western-type diet (WTD) induced model of obesity, diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). After 3 weeks feeding with WTD, XN was additionally applied per oral gavage as micellar solubilizate (s-XN) or native extract (n-XN) at a daily dose of 2.5 mg/kg body weight for a further 8 weeks. Control mice received vehicle only in addition to the WTD. WTD-induced body weight-gain and glucose intolerance were significantly inhibited by s-XN application. Furthermore, WTD-induced hepatic steatosis, pro-inflammatory gene expression (MCP-1 and CXCL1) and immune cell infiltration as well as activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and expression of collagen alpha I were significantly reduced in the livers of s-XN-treated mice compared to WTD controls. In contrast, application of n-XN had no or only slight effects on the WTD-induced pathological effects. In line with this, plasma XN concentration ranged between 100–330 nmol/L in the s-XN group while XN was not detectable in the serum samples of n-XN-treated mice. In conclusion, micellar solubilization enhanced the bioavailability and beneficial effects of xanthohumol on different components of the metabolic syndrome including all pathological steps of NAFLD. Notably, this was achieved in a dose more than 10-fold lower than effective beneficial doses of native xanthohumol reported in previous in vivo studies.