bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O potencial da verificação automatizada baseada em regras para as medidas de segurança contra incêndio em BIM
Authors: Kater Marcel , Ruschel Regina Coeli
Published: October 2020

Resumo Este estudo objetiva a operacionalização do método de Eastman et al. (2009) aplicado à modelagem e à verificação automatizada das regulamentações de incêndio do estado de São Paulo com a Modelagem da Informação da Construção (BIM). O método adotado foi o da pesquisa construtiva. O processo de avaliação da solução aplicou a proposta na verificação de projeto de prédio residencial em formato “H” de cinco andares para habitação de interesse social amplamente construído pela Companhia de Desenvolvimento Habitacional e Urbano no estado de São Paulo. Os artefatos resultantes são: (i) o conjunto de regras de verificação automatizada das medidas de segurança contra incêndio para edificação com área superior a 750 m2 e altura entre 6 m e 12 m, que pode ser replicado para 90,8% das alturas restantes; (ii) a hierarquia entre regras que disciplinam a coordenação da aplicação dos vários módulos e regras sobre o objeto de estudo; (iii) a descrição da preparação necessária do modelo BIM; e (vi) o esclarecimento do subconjunto de objetos do modelo e propriedades necessárias para o processo de verificação automatizada, que fornece indicativos de um Model View Definition (MVD) específico para essa verificação de código. A solução desenvolvida possibilitará maximizar a aplicação de legislações e regulamentações relacionadas às medidas de segurança contra incêndio em edificações.
Isolamento do ruído de impacto no sistema de piso com aplicação de revestimento sobre o piso original
Authors: Xavier Leilane Aguiar Almeida , Melo Aluísio Braz , Ferreira Enildo Tales
Published: October 2020

Resumo A classificação de desempenho acústico ao ruído de impacto em sistemas de piso prevista na NBR 15575-3 (ABNT, 2013) é exigência apenas às novas construções de edifícios multipavimentos. O presente artigo aborda tais problemas de ruídos que ocorrem nos edifícios concluídos antes de 2013. O estudo busca uma alternativa para a correção acústica, através da aplicação de novo revestimento sobre piso original. Para tal considerou-se os seguintes condicionantes: facilidade de execução e menor acréscimo na espessura total do sistema de piso. O estudo experimental foi realizado em duas câmaras acústicas e em campo (edifício residencial), quando se verificou a eficiência acústica em um caso real. Os novos revestimentos aplicados sobre o piso original (cerâmica esmaltada) foram: laminado de madeira; porcelanato extrafino e o mesmo tipo de cerâmica original, sendo os dois últimos sem material resiliente entre eles e o piso original. Os resultados mostraram que a proposta tem potencial para corrigir problemas de ruído de impacto em sistemas de piso entre unidades residenciais autônomas sobrepostas. O uso de laminado de madeira sobre o piso original se destaca, combinando maior isolamento ao ruído de impacto (até 28 dB), pequeno acréscimo na espessura final do sistema (1,6 cm) e facilidade de execução.
Evaluation of Inflammatory Markers in Single-Port Laparoscopic and Vaginal Hysterectomies: A Retrospective Study in Kocaeli, Northwest Turkey
Authors: TURKAY Ünal , OZSURMELİ Mehmet , SALICI Bahar , SALICI Mehmet , TERZİ Hasan
Published: October 2020

Objective: The authors in this study aimed to detect inflammatory marker changes in two natural orifice hysterectomies: single-port laparoscopic hysterectomy (SLH) and vaginal hysterectomy (VH).
Materials and Methods: Between 2018 and 2019, data obtained from patients in the SLH and VH groups were reviewed retrospectively. The preoperative and postoperative hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (HB), white blood cell (WBC), platelet (PLR), and neutrophil-lymphocyte (NLR) ratios and values were compared as well as the demographic characteristics of the patients. This study was also registered in Registry of Clinical Trials; registration number: NCT04221308.
Results: In the postoperative period, WBC, NLR, and PLR were statistically increased, and HB and HCT were decreased in all groups. However, the changes in inflammatory markers were similar in both groups. The changes in HB and HCT were less in the SLH group. Moreover, both the duration of the operation and the hospital stay were higher in the SLH group.
Conclusions: Both natural orifice techniques provided low morbidity and good cosmetic results. The results regarding inflammatory markers indicate that both procedures are acceptable. As surgical experience in performing SLH increases, operation and hospital stay durations may decrease.
Developing an Attitude Scale for Turkish Sign Language (TSL-AS)
Authors: BİLGİÇ Hatice Cansu , ASLAN Cem , ÖZDEMİR KILIÇ Merve , KAN Adnan
Published: October 2020

In this study, the aim is to develop a measurement tool that can be used to measure attitudes towards Turkish Sign Language (TSL). For this purpose, the researchers followed a systematic process. The study group consists of students in the special education departments of three different universities' faculties of education in the spring semester of the 2019-2020 academic year. The developed scale was applied to 510 students in total. The scale data obtained from the students were randomly divided into two; Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was performed with the first group data (n1=297), and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed with the second group data (n2=213). Within the scope of the results obtained from EFA, it was determined that the scale consists of four factors (effort, necessity, avoidance, active use) and 20 items. When the obtained construct validity was tested with CFA, it was seen that the values of fit indexes were at an acceptable level. The internal consistency of the scale was calculated with Cronbach’s Alfa and the result obtained from this data set was determined as .91. The reliability coefficients of the factors ranged from .70 to .90. Findings showed that the scale is valid and reliable to measure attitudes towards TSL.
Examination of Turkey’s PISA 2018 reading literacy scores within student-level and school-level variables
Authors: ERTEM Hasan Yücel
Published: October 2020

The purpose of the current study was to investigate both student-level and school-level factors influencing reading literacy of students in Turkey by using PISA 2018 data. The study focused on reading literacy since the main subject of PISA 2018 was selected as reading literacy. The design of the study is a correlational research examining the relationship between student and school variables and reading literacy. The stratified random sample consisted of 6890 15-year students from 186 different schools. Data coming from PISA 2018 dataset were analysed by Hierarchical Linear Modelling (HLM) at student and school levels. Student-level variables of disciplinary climate in test language lessons, enjoyment of reading, information and community technologies (ICT) competence, parental emotional support, perceived discriminating climate, and perceived cooperation significantly predicted reading literacy, while reading literacy was also predicted by school-level variables of proportion of parents involved in the school, shortage of educational material, student behaviour hindering learning, and teacher behaviour hindering learning. Fifty-seven percent of variance between reading literacy scores of the students were caused by differences between schools. Student-level variables which are disciplinary climate in test language lessons, enjoyment of reading, ICT competence, parental emotional support, perceived discriminating climate, and perceived cooperation significantly predicted reading literacy. On the other hand, school-level variables predicting reading literacy significantly were proportion of parents involved in the school, shortage of educational material, student behaviour hindering learning, and teacher behaviour hindering learning. By considering results of the current study, collaboration between school stakeholders is recommended to increase performance of the students.
The Relation Between Task Value, Test Anxiety and Academic Self-Efficacy: A Moderation Analysis in High School Geography Course
Authors: ŞANLI Cennet
Published: October 2020

Areas where people utilize exams increase day by day. Learners intensively make an effort to achieve high scores and this process causes them to experience high levels of stress and pressure. The present study explored the moderating effect of self-efficacy beliefs in the relationship between task value and test anxiety. The research was conducted in two public high schools in Denizli (Turkey) with 729 students. 368 participants (50.5 %) were male and 361 (49.5 %) were female. Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) developed by Pintrich et al. and adapted to Turkish by Karadeniz et al. was used as the data collection tool in the study. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated in order to identify the relationship between variables. Additionally, multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine the regulating effect of self-sufficiency beliefs. The results indicated the moderating effect of self-efficacy beliefs in the relationship between task value and test anxiety. The higher self-efficacy beliefs students had, the less test anxiety they perceived. Therefore, students should be supported in a way that they can have complete, successful, and the right kind of experiences which will allow them to increase their perceptions of self-efficacy. The implications of research are discussed in light of the literature and a number of suggestions have been proposed accordingly.
THE FORMATION OF NATIONAL IDENTITY THROUGH THE THEORETICAL APPROACHES OF LINGUISTIC AND LANGUAGE IDENTITY OF UKRAINIAN DISSIDENTS
Authors: Mykhalkovska Ye.
Published: October 2020

In this article, the author analyzes the ideological struggle for the Ukrainian national identity happened in a meaningful time of Khrushchev Thaw when first dissidents appeared. Additionally, we have applied the theme of ideological propaganda and agitation considered through language approach to a larger scientific extent. First, we characterize separately the creating of an ethnic identity endorsed by the SRSR, and national identity of the URSR as an integral part of a specific social identity, linguistic identification with representatives of a certain nation, its culture and traditions, which include the entire complex of emotions caused by the sense of belonging. By involving the idea of identity as a relational, socio-cultural phenomenon, we considered the concept of Bucholt and Hall, J. Mead, K. Levy-Strauss. Next, we identify the works of Anthony Smith, Herbert Blumer, Ernest Gellner, Eric Gobsbaum. Trying to conduct the concept analysis of the formation of the Ukrainian national identity through the semantic and semiotic aspects of the language identity according to the Dissidents movement we used 3 key topic notions: - Identity as a relational, socio-cultural phenomenon; - Socio-historical contextualization of showing the national identity as an environmental product of the nation; - Ideology of the Standard Language. Finally, the author comes to an outcome that the Soviet ideology allowing the formation of the so-called ethnographic identity of Ukrainians, made considerable efforts to prevent the creation of a nationwide identity that Ukrainian Dissidents were fighting for, herewith, artificially imposing the idea of the disunity of Eastern and Western Ukraine.
MERITS AND REMUNERATION OF EMPLOYEES OF REGIONAL AND CITY DIVISIONS OF NKGB-MSS IN THE TERNOPIL REGION, 1945-1948
Authors: Pyrozhyshyn R.
Published: October 2020

The author of the article investigates the merits and remuneration of employees of the regional and city depatments of the NKGB-MSS in the Ternopil region in the 1945-1948 on the basis of a considerable circle of historical sources and monographs. The author identifies the main type of remuneration for NKGB-MSS employees - gratitude announcement. The author of the article indicates the main type of remuneration for NKGB-MSS employees - the announcement of gratitude, and the main merit was the successful participation in the chekist-military operation. It was considered successful if it resulted in the killing or detention of a person or a group of people involved in a particular case. Often during such operations, various trophies were taken, such as assault rifles, guns, pistols, machine guns, grenades and ammunition. However, internal documentation of the OUN or UPA was of the greatest operational value, since the documents served as the basis for the development of new operational cases. The author notes that NKGB-MSS security officers, their families, and agents received compensation. To substantiate this thesis, the author provides two examples. After the death of a security official, the family of the deceased received a lump sum compensation of 3,000 rubles. A security agent received 2,000 rubles for the reconstruction of the house and manor buildings because during the chekist-military operation, the rebels hid in her house and set it on fire, and not only the house but also the manor buildings. The author allocates arms and money as a reward to separate unit. The author emphasizes the receipt of the prize weapon for two reasons: firstly, as a rare event, and secondly, as irresponsible act of the state security officers, since the TT combat weapon was presented to a minor schoolboy who had joined the military unit. The author of the article emphasizes that most of the cash prize was received only by fighters of fighter battalions, recruited agents and cadets of militant squadron. They earned cash prizes for successfully conducted chekist-military operations.The author of the article also notes the amount of cash prizes was from 250 to 500 rubles. The amount of remuneration often varied depending on the rank and significance of each individual operation.
MILITARY-THEORETICAL ACTIVITY OF GENERAL M. KAPUSTIANSKYI (1920-1930's)
Authors: Sydorenko A.
Published: October 2020

The article deals with the scientific works by Mykola Kapustyansky, one of the most famous and authoritative representatives of the highest officers of the Ukrainian Revolution. He actively participated in the development of statehood and the Armed Forces during the National Liberation Competitions of 1917-1921, collaborated with Hetman Pavlo Skoropadsky and Chief Otaman Symon Petliura, and participated in the military activities of the UNR Army. During the emigration in the 1920s and 1930s, Mykola Kapustyansky actively cooperated with the OUN and also engaged in military scientific activities. He wrote books, lectured, prepared military training courses, and published journals. His theoretical works are a very valuable source. They relate to the period of the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917-1921, the Cossack-Polish Wars and the National Liberation War of Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky, the analysis of the military and political situation in the 1920s and 1930s, and the prospects for the development of the Ukrainian military doctrine. Kapustyansky's works have a deep historical analysis, extensive factual material, assessments of socio-political figures and officers. This article has the following tasks: to find out the basic conceptual foundations of the events of the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917-1921 in the works of Kapustyansky, to tell about the research of general-hohorzhim of the Cossack-Polish armed wars, in particular the Khmelnytsky period, to identify the basic aspects of the military doctrine of M. Kapunsky. For the article the author used as sources of the book Kapustyansky Military Knowledge, Modern War and Our Tasks, Hike of the Ukrainian Armies to Kyiv-Odessa in 1919 and Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Ukrainian National Revolution. Also for historiography the author used the works of Ukrainian historians Mykhailo Kovalchuk, Igor Shandrivsky, Yaroslav Tynchenko. The methods of the study are comparative, descriptive, problem-chronological, and complex-analytical ones.
HISTORY OF COINS-CABINET COLLECTION OF UNIVERSITY OF ST. VOLODYMYR (1920's – 1930's)
Authors: Zraziuk Z.
Published: October 2020

The article is dedicated to the history of one of the largest and most well-known academic numismatic collection of Russian Empire - the Coins cabinet of the University of St. Volodymyr. It was created in 1834 by combining collections from educational institutions closed after the Polish uprising of 1830-31. Over the years this institution gathered a collection of more than 60,000 coins and medals. During its existence, it was overseen by: P. Yarkovsky, M. Yakubovich, A. Krasovsky, Ya. Voloshinsky, K. Strashkevich, V. Ikonnikov, V. Antonovich, Y. Kulakovsky, P. Smirnov. The collection was studied by such famous numismatists as H. Mazurkevich, E. Gutten-Chapsky, B. Dorn, A. Kunnik, I. Tolstoy, Y. Iversen, M. Bilyashevsky, K. Bolsunovsky and others. The work on the collection of the Coins cabinet produced a number of numismatic scientists who made a significant contribution to the development of numismatic science - Y. Voloshinsky. K. Strashkevich, V. Antonovich, M. Bilyashevsky, K. Bolsunovsky. Because of the work of these scientists Kyiv became one of the centers of numismatic research. They have a credit for a considerable amount of fundamental works on numismatics, the discovery of new coins.

During Soviet times in the 1920's, University of St. Volodymyr was reorganized into the Institute of People's Education. The outstanding numismatic collection was considered unnecessary for this institution. Since 1924 the collection was under the control of Ukrainian Archeological Commission at the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences. For 20-30 years Ukrainian Archeological Commission has been trying to find a place for coin repositories and create a numismatics museum based on this collection. Unfortunately, these plans have not been implemented. After a decade of transfers and calamities, the numismatic collection of the university was given to the Central Historical Museum. As a separate collection - the Mints cabinet of the University of St. Volodymyr ceased to exist.
Rich Burials of Children at Zeleny Yar, Northwestern Siberia
Authors: Gusev Al. V.
Published: October 2020

This article introduces high-ranking burials of children excavated in 2015 and 2018 at a medieval cemetery Zeleny Yar on the lower Ob. A detailed description of the burial rite is provided, with special reference to the shape and construction of the burials and the position of the bodies. Burial goods include a hatchet, a scabbard, bracelets, and temple rings. The high social status of the children is discussed. The fi nds are compared with those relating to medieval children’s burials in adjacent territories—the Surgut, Novosibirsk, and Tomsk regions of the Ob. Also, ethnographic evidence concerning the social status of 6–7-year-old boys among the indigenous northern minorities are discussed. Archaeological and ethnographic sources suggest that high-ranking burials of children (boys) appear in northwestern Siberia no later than the Middle Ages.
Cultural and Technological Characteristics of Russian Forged Iron Tools from the Selkup Cemetery Migalka in the Middle Ob Basin
Authors: Chindina L. A. , Zinyakov N. M.
Published: October 2020

This study addresses Russian iron artifacts from the Narym Selkup cemetery Migalka, dating to the late 1600s to early 1700s. Two most important categories of tools are described—knives and axes. In terms of morphology, knives fall into two groups: straight-backed and those with convex (“humped”) backs. The combination of a “humpbacked” blade, typical of native manufacture, and Russian hilt plates precludes an unambiguous ethnic attribution. Special attention is paid to knives with fi ligree-enamel hilt plates as markers of high socio-economic status. The garniture evidences northern Russian origin. The metallographic analysis of knives (22% of the sample) revealed two technological groups: made of solid steel and welded. Axes, made by Russian artisans, are of the shaft-hole type and fall into four types. The analysis, relating to 42% of the sample, indicates two techniques: welding of a steel blade onto an iron base or a piece of raw steel, and using irregularly carbonized metal for forging the entire axe. Ferrous metal items follow the Russian technological traditions. Three key factors accounted for the spread of Russian artifacts among the natives: “Tsar’s gift” for paying the yasak (tribute); colonization of Siberia followed by the emergence of trade manufacture; and the involvement of natives, specifi cally the Narym Selkups, in the all-Russian market. Our fi ndings attest to the relevance of iron artifacts from archaeological sites to the historical and cultural studies of the colonization period in western Siberia.
A Yakut Composite Bow from the Toybokhoy Museum
Authors: Bravina R. I. , Dyakonov V. M.
Published: October 2020

We give the fi rst description of an unusual composite bow of the Central Asian type, owned by the Toybokhoy Museum in the Suntarsky District of Yakutia, and provide information about its discovery. We foc us on the details and structural peculiarities of the specimen, and note that this refl ex composite bow differs in terms of construction and technology from those of the Northe rn type used by the Yakuts in the 17th to 19th centuries. It resembles bows of the Central Asian type. Its distinctive features are eight horn and bone frontal plates, four end-plates, and four long edging-plates made of bone. According to folkloric sources and 17th century archival documents, before the Russians migrated to the Lena Territory, the Yakuts had used bone combat bows of the Central Asian type. We cite an archaeological fact demonstrating the use of such bows in Yakutia—a central plate from a composite bow with widening paddle-shaped ends from the mid-15th to early 16th century burial at Sergelyakh. We publish the results of the radiocarbon analysis of the horn plate from the Toybokhoy bow, carried out at the Center for Isotope Research at the University of Groningen. They support the legendary version: the Toybokhoy bow belonged to the brother of the Yakut ruler Tygyn Darkhan, Ala Kyrsyn, who lived in the early 17th century and became the founder of one of the Vilyuy Yakut clans. We conclude that alongside the Northern type bows, the late medieval Yakuts used refl ex bows of the Central Asian type.
Karakalpak Family Ritualism: The Bes Kiyim Custom in the Transformation of Traditional Culture
Authors: Kurbanova Z. I.
Published: October 2020

This study describes the bridal and funerary rite of exchanging clothes (Bes Kiyim – ‘Five Costumes’) in the context of the traditions and innovations in the Karakalpak culture. On the basis of fi eld data collected in 2014–2019 and earlier in places with a continuous or patchy distribution of the Karakalpak population (Chimbaysky, Karauzyaksky, Kegeyliysky, Nukussky, Khodzheyliysky, and the Takhiatashsky districts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Republic of Uzbekistan) and of earlier sources, changes in ritualism are analyzed. Bridal rites include exchanges of gifts, such as items of clothing. The comparison of sources shows that the Bes Kiyim rite originated in the mid-20th century in the context of socio-cultural changes. It has remained rather stable up to the present time, being an integral part of Karakalpak bridal ritualism. This indicates its importance in the normative culture of that ethnic group. In one district of Karakalpakstan, the term Bes Kiyim was transferred from the bridal to the funerary rituals. The origin of the rite relates to the transformation of the Iyis custom—the distribution of the deceased person’s clothing among those participating in the ablution of the body. In the late 20th century, specially purchased items of clothing began to be used for that purpose. Apparently, the fi ve items distributed among those participating in the rite symbolize the deceased person’s transition to the ancestors’ world. By the same token, the bride’s fi ve outfi ts allude to her passage to the category of married women and the beginning of her marital life. Therefore, the ritual innovations of the Karakalpaks, caused by socio-cultural and economic changes, mirror the logic and content of traditional family festivals whose complex symbolism relates to status change.
An Emerging Role of Chatbot in Businesses as a Novel Interactive Tool
Authors: T. Venkat Narayana Rao et al.
Published: October 2020

Chatbot enables the business people to reach their target customers using popular messenger apps like Facebook, Whatsapp etc. Chatbots are not handled by humans directly. Nowadays, Chatbots are becoming very popular especially in business sector by reducing the human efforts and automated customer service. It is a software which interacts with user using natural language processing, Machine Language and Artificial Intelligence. They allow users to simply ask questions which would simulate interaction with the humans. The popular and well known chatbots are Alex and Siri. This paper focus on review of chatbot, history of chatbot and its implementation along with applications.
Development of an IoT Based Shopping Trolley
Authors: Namratha. G et al.
Published: October 2020

The modern technology has augmented the quality of living for the humans. There has been an emerging demand for fast and straightforward payment of bills in supermarkets. People crave for a high quality with modern technology in everything we tend to use in our daily lives. This project describes the way to build an automatic and time saving system for the globe of retail which can build shopping experience impetuous, client friendly and secure. In the reality, shopping at super markets, malls has resulted in massive crowds to long lines at the billing counter as a result of the cashier has got to scan each product item then enter it into the billing record. The existing billing system may be a bit time overwhelming and that’s where the thought of IoT based Automated Shopping Trolley –a remedial electronic product to catch-up with this downside emerged. This is supported by Raspberry Pi fitted with a LED screen and QR scanner and a wireless technology referred to as Bluetooth. The digital display(LED) used may be a 16x2 and Bluetooth modules build the wireless network to figure simply between a particular ranges. A unique product with social acceptance is that the one that aids the comfort, convenience and potency in standard of living. The temporary description of its operation is, after you choose a product and drop it into the trolley, the QR scanner scans the product’s distinctive code and its worth.. Card payment facility is also made available below the LCD display. If payment is via cash then he/she has to visit the counter and pay the bill as displayed on the LCD screen fit. This will save the time that was earlier being consumed to scan each item. The entire system will work on RFID tags. The entire database and product info is stored using Cloud Technology. Anti-theft protection is enabled. Indoor Navigation facility is also enabled.
Understanding the Different Models used for Software Testing
Authors: Dharmesh Dhabliya
Published: October 2020

The process of software testing has few guidelines and rules and policies and certain number of stages which the testers are supposed to follow in order to do efficient testing of the product or system software or application. There are number of software testing models which can be used to test the system or product based on the type of system to be tested. There are few stages in each model which on should follow to do testing of the application. This paper will explain each model in detail with the help of diagrams. This will also explain the challenges and advantages of each model in detail.
A Novel Packet Aggregation Mechanism for Enhancing VoIP Performance on IEEE 802.11 Wireless Mesh Networks
Authors: Guan-Hsiung Liaw et al.
Published: October 2020

In 802.11 Wireless Mesh Network (WMN), bandwidth will be wasted much for transferring VoIP flows since each voice frame must contain relatively large amount of protocol data. “Packet Aggregation” mechanism can be applied to merge the voice data of multiple VoIP flows into one frame for transmission. It reduces the waste on bandwidth and increases the maximum number of successful VoIP calls. In addition, the mechanism “MCF controlled channel access” (MCCA) defined in 802.11 standard can be used to obtain better QoS than adopting default EDCA mechanism. In MCCA, mesh stations which wants to transfer VoIP flows can reserve time intervals of the medium for transmission and this reservation will be advertised to their neighbors. It is why MCCA causes less medium contentions than EDCA. In this paper, a mechanism to transfer VoIP flows in IEEE 802.11 WMN by MCCA with packet aggregation scheme is proposed. The effectiveness of the proposed mechanism is shown by simulation results. In addition, the problem named as Routing-Packet Aggregation / De-aggregation-Scheduling optimization problem (abbr. RPADS problem) derived from the proposed mechanism is also studied. A heuristic algorithm for RPADS problem to maximize the total number of supported calls is also proposed.
Reduciendo la incertidumbre en la ejecución de un piloto de combustión in situ en un campo de crudo extra pesado colombiano mediante la realización de una prueba de conectividad con nitrógeno
Authors: Trujillo M. , Rodriguez E. , Delgadillo C. , Claro Y. , Rojas R. , Sandoval J.
Published: October 2020

Antes de comenzar cualquier proceso de recuperación mejorada de petróleo (EOR), es deseable caracterizar el patrón de flujo dentro del volumen del yacimiento afectado. Esto se vuelve de importancia crítica para la combustión in situ en yacimientos de petróleo pesado, donde la relación de movilidad es altamente desfavorable, a menudo dando como resultado una canalización o un avance temprano del frente de inyección o combustión. Una prueba de conectividad entre pozos a través de inyecciones de gas inmiscible contribuye a mejorar la caracterización de la distribución de flujo de gas, además de: 1) Estimar eficiencias de barrido, 2) evidenciar características geológicas que pueden conducir a un flujo preferencial hacia un pozo o grupo particular de ellos, o falta de conexión entre ellos, 3) creación de una ruta de gas entre el inyector y los pozos productores para permitir una progresión segura del frente de combustión, y 4) evaluación del rendimiento de los sistemas de levantamiento artificial y sistemas de control de pozos en condiciones de alta relación gas-líquido. Se diseñó, implementó y evaluó una prueba de conectividad usando nitrógeno en el campo Chichimene, antes del inicio del piloto de combustión in situ. Este proceso se resume y describe en este documento. Esta será la primera prueba de combustión in situ en un yacimiento de petróleo extra-pesado profundo (≈ 8000 pies) a nivel mundial y servirá como una fuente de datos para evaluar el desarrollo de recursos en condiciones similares en la cuenca de los llanos orientales de Colombia. Este conjunto de yacimientos tiene una fracción significativa de los recursos de hidrocarburos en el país y están bajo la operación de Ecopetrol. La importancia de este piloto hace que esta prueba de conectividad tenga una relevancia aún mayor para reducir las incertidumbres de subsuelo y operativas, identificar riesgos y aumentar la probabilidad de éxito del proceso de combustión como una opción para producir estos recursos de manera económicamente rentable
Aplicación de una alternativa simplificada para modelar la cinética de un proceso de combustión in situ
Authors: Pinzón Diaz Alberto Raúl , Pabón Acevedo Yohan Harley , Padilla Reyes Jorge Mario , Muñoz Navarro Samuel Fernando
Published: October 2020

La combustión in situ (CIS) es una técnica de recobro mejorado con un gran potencial de aplicación en yacimientos de crudos pesados y extrapesados; sin embargo, su implementación se ha visto limitada por el alto grado de incertidumbre asociado a su desarrollo a escala de campo. Teniendo en cuenta la alta complejidad del proceso con respecto a otras técnicas EOR/IOR, no basta con aplicar un screening binario y realizar pruebas básicas de laboratorio para determinar la factibilidad de aplicarla en un yacimiento determinado, sino que se requiere la realización de estudios adicionales, tales como pruebas de celda cinética, que están orientadas a determinar el comportamiento oxidativo del sistema roca-fluido en estudio, y a su vez, permiten la obtención de un modelo cinético que represente, mediante modelamiento numérico, el desempeño del proceso de CIS obtenido experimentalmente de pruebas de tubo de combustión. Con base en lo anterior, en el presente trabajo, se compararon los resultados obtenidos del ajuste de una prueba de tubo de combustión usando las metodologías Arrhenius y no Arrhenius, evidenciando diferencias significativas en el tiempo de cómputo y en los valores de saturación residual de aceite en el medio poroso después de aplicado el proceso CIS.
Use of Noninvasive Ventilation and High-Flow Nasal Cannulae Therapy for Infants and Children with Acute Respiratory Distress Outside of Paediatric Intensive Care: A review article
Authors: Almukhaini Khaloud S. , Al-Rahbi Najwa M.
Published: October 2020

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) and high-flow nasal cannulae therapy (HFNCT) are first-line methods of treatment for children presenting with acute respiratory distress, with paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) providing an ideal environment for subsequent treatment monitoring. However, the availability of step-down units, where NIV and HFNCT can be safely utilised, has reduced the need for such patients to be admitted to PICUs, thereby leading to the better overall utilisation of critical care resources. In addition, NIV and HFNCT can also be used during transport instead of invasive ventilation, thus avoiding the complications associated with the latter approach. This review article examines the safety and applicability of these respiratory support approaches outside of paediatric intensive care as well as various factors associated with treatment success or failure.Keywords: Critical Care; Children; Pediatric Intensive Care Units; Noninvasive Ventilation; Nasal Cannulae; Transportation of Patients.
Nasopharyngeal Isolates from a Cohort of Medical Students with or without Pharyngitis
Authors: Narchi Hassib , George Junu V. , Al-Hamad Sania M. , Robari Fawaghi , Al-Teniji Mariam , Chaqfa Hussain , Alsuwaidi Ahmed , Al-Mekhaini Lolowa , Souid Abdul-Kader
Published: October 2020

Objectives: Few studies have investigated pharyngeal colonisation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study aims to identify the pharyngeal organisms present in a cohort of medical students with and without symptomatic pharyngitis. Methods: This study was conducted between September 2016 and June 2018 at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al-Ain. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from preclinical and clinical medical students attending the college during the study period. The specimens were tested for 16 viral and nine bacterial pathogens using a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. Results: A total of 352 nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 287 students; of these, 22 (7.7%) had pharyngitis symptoms. Overall, the most common isolates were human rhinovirus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, with no significant differences in terms of gender, year of study or stage of study. The prevalence of S. pyogenes in asymptomatic and symptomatic students was 1.1% and 0%, respectively. A Centor score of ≥2 was not associated with S. pyogenes-positive samples. Six pathogens were isolated from symptomatic students including H. influenzae. Fusobacterium necrophorum was not detected in any of the samples. Conclusion: The diagnosis and management of pharyngitis should be tailored to common pathogens in the region. This study found that S. pyogenes and F. necrophorum were not detected among students with symptoms of pharyngitis; moreover, Centor scores of ≥2 were not associated with the presence of S. pyogenes. This cut-off score therefore should not be employed as an empirical measure to initiate penicillin therapy in this population.Keywords: Pharyngitis; Pharynx; Asymptomatic Infections; Carrier State; Fusobacterium necrophorum; Streptococcus pyogenes; Penicillins; United Arab Emirates.
Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans Mimicking Primary Breast Neoplasm: A case report and literature review
Authors: Al-Farsi Abeer , Al-Brashdi Aza , Al-Salhi Samyia , Al-Rahbi Nasser , Al-Rahbi Salim , Al-Masqari Mohammed , Al-Manji Zainab , Al-Umairi Rashid S.
Published: October 2020

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare, slow-growing mesenchymal neoplasm of the dermis and subcutaneous tissues that has a low- to intermediate-grade malignancy. DFSP commonly involves the trunk and extremities, and very rarely the breast skin, mimicking a primary breast neoplasm with few reported cases in the literature. We report a 35-year old female patient who was referred to the Royal Hospital, Muscat, Oman in 2017, with a two-year history of a slow growing left breast lump. Assessment of the breasts with mammography revealed a lobulated lesion in the left-upper-inner quadrant with neither microcalcification nor architectural distortion, mimicking a benign lesion. However, on ultrasound, the lesion had suspicious features with increased vascularity and hence, it was categorised as breast imaging reporting and data system (BIRAD) IV. The patient underwent left breast wide local excision and the histopathological diagnosis was dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.Keywords: Breast; Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans; Ultrasonography; Oman.
Does Lack of Vertical Transmission of COVID-19 Guarantee the Health of the Fetus or Neonate in Infected Mothers?
Authors: Sadeghi Mohammad Reza
Published: October 2020

The article's abstract is not available.
Detailed Investigation of Downstream TLR Signaling in the Follicular Cells of Women with Endometriosis
Authors: Jafari Reza , Taghavi Seyed Abdolvahab , Amirchaghmaghi Elham , Yazdi Reza Salman , Karimian Leili , Ashrafi Mahnaz , Aflatoonian Reza
Published: October 2020

Background: Inflammatory responses within the peritoneal cavity may result in endometrial dysfunction in women with endometriosis. The true causes of this disease remain poorly understood. It is hypothesized that downstream toll-like receptors (TLRs) inflammatory cytokines in response to pathogens may be associated with endometriosis. So, this study was aimed at evaluating the expression of TLRs signaling and endometriosis-associated inflammatory responses.
Methods: Totally, 20 infertile endometriosis patients and 20 normal women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation were enrolled. The cellular pellet and supernatant were obtained by centrifugation of follicular fluid (FF). Evaluation of TLRs and their signaling pathway gene expression was performed on cellular pellets using quantitative-PCR. The supernatant was used for determination of cytokine protein expression by ELISA. The results are expressed as mean±SEM and a p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Quantitative-PCR analysis suggested that TLR1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, MYD88, NF-ĸB, IL-10 and TGF-β genes expression significantly increased in patients compared to the control group (p<0.05). TLR3, 9, INF-β genes expression was significantly lower in endometriosis than control group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression of TLR2, TLR4, TIRAP, TRIF, TRAM, and IRF3 between two groups. Also, significant increase in the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and MIF protein in FF of endometriosis group was detected in comparison with normal women (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The expression of TLR downstream signaling in the follicular cells can initiate inflammatory responses and changes in the FF cytokine profile which in turn may induce endometriosis and infertility disorder.
The Effects of In Vitro Incubation of Asthenoteratozoospermic Semen after Density Gradient Centrifugation at Room Temperature and 37C on Sperm Parameters, Chromatin Quality and DNA Fragmentation in a Short Time Period
Authors: Karimi Zarchi Motahareh , Maleki Behnam , Dehghani Ashkezari Mahmood , Motamed Zadeh Leila , Agha-Rahimi Azam
Published: October 2020

Background: Sperm quality is an important factor in assisted reproductive technology (ART) that affects the success rate of infertile couples treatment. In vitro incubation of sperm can influence its parameters and DNA integrity. The present study focused on the effect of different incubation temperatures sperm parameters on asthenoteratozoospermia semen prepared with density gradient centrifugation at different times.
Methods: Twenty-seven samples were collected and prepared. Then, the suspension was divided into two parts. One part was incubated at room temperature (RT), and another was incubated at 37°C. Immediately and after 2 hr (2H) and 4 hr (4H), sper-matozoa were evaluated regarding motility, viability, morphology, sperm protamine deficiency, chromatin and DNA fragmentation. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test and repeated measures. The p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Our results showed that following 2 and 4 hr of incubation at RT, sperm progressive motility and viability decreased significantly. Sperm DNA fragmentation increased significantly following 2 and 4 hr of incubation at RT and 37°C. The Trend analysis confirmed that there were no significant differences between sperm parameters and DNA fragmentation after different times at RT and 37°C.
Conclusion: Incubation of sperm at RT in comparison to 37°C didn’t preserve sperm parameters and DNA efficiently. Therefore, IVF, ICSI and IUI procedure should be performed in the soonest possible time after sperm preparation.
The Association Between Elevated Progesterone Level on Day of hCG Trigger and Live Birth Rates in ART Cycles: A Single Centre Observational Study
Authors: Robati Shahin , Saab Wiam , Durán-Retamal Montserrat , Saab Wael , Theodorou Efstathios , Cawood Suzanne , Serhal Paul , Seshadri Srividya
Published: October 2020

Background: The advent of ovarian stimulation within an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle has resulted in modifying the physiology of stimulated cycles and has helped optimize pregnancy outcomes. In this regard, the importance of progesterone (P4) elevation at time of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) administration within an IVF cycle has been studied over several decades. Our study aimed to evaluate the association of P4 levels at time of hCG trigger with live birth rate (LBR), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and miscarriage rate (MR) in fresh IVF or IVF-ICSI cycles.
Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study (n=170) involving patients attending the Centre for Reproductive and Genetic Health (CRGH) in London. The study cohort consisted of women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation using GnRH antagonist or GnRH agonist protocols. Univariate and multiple logistic regression ana-lyses were used to evaluate the association of clinical outcomes. Differences were considered statistically significant if p£0.05.
Results: As serum progesterone increased, a decrease in LBR was observed. Following multivariate logistical analyses, LBR significantly decreased with P4 thresholds of 4.0 ng/ml (OR 0.42, 95% CI:0.17-1.0) and 4.5 ng/ml (OR 0.35, 95% CI:0.12-0.96).
Conclusion: P4 levels are important in specific groups and the findings were statistically significant with a P4 threshold value between 4.0-4.5 ng/ml. Therefore, it seems logical to selectively measure serum P4 levels for patients who have ovarian dysfunction or an ovulatory cycles and accordingly prepare the individualized management packages for such patients.
Burnout syndrome among health care workers is associated with violence against them. What needs to be done?
Authors: Awooda Elhadi
Published: October 2020

Background: During SARS-CoV2 pandemic, patients are becoming more aggressive against health care workers when seeking their demands. Violence against Health care workers is of multifactor, and a one that strongly has associated is their burnout syndrome.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to draw a conclusion from the previous literatures about the association of violence against HCWs and their burnout syndrome. Also to find out other associated factors and solutions for this phenomenon.
Results:  HCWs are subjected to stressful situations and high pressure; of highly infectious diseases (SARS-CoV2), shortage of PPE, working for more than 24 hours’ duty, without payment or reward, difficulties in the workplace and a poor hospital administration; all’s can lead to burnout syndrome. On the other hand, patient’s demand for the high expectations of their needs and attendants' (co-patients) fearfulness, anxiousness about their patient fate. Also, patient or co-patients believes on a doctor to be the only savior, so any unexpected behavior or un sympathy from the burned-out HCWs can result in aggressiveness and violence.
Conclusion: The high prevalence of burnout syndrome among HCWs has become a global issue. A real attempt should be made focusing on the radical solution of the problem of burnout syndrome, rather than to enact laws to punish the aggressors against HCWs.
Assessment of the Frequency and Molecular Identity of Mycoplasma Species in Women with a History of Idiopathic Recurrent Abortion: A Case Control Study
Authors: Hasheminasab Hamid , Yavari Mahdieh , Kazemi Mohammad Javad
Published: October 2020

Background:Abortion is the most common complication in the first trimester of pregnancy. Infections are reported as the etiology of abortions. Some species of Mycoplasmas are seen in the lower genital tract. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and the molecular identity of Mycoplasma species in women with a history of idiopathic recurrent abortion.
Methods:This study was carried out on 68 women with a history of recurrent abortion. Detecting 16S rRNA to identify the infection of Mycoplasma was done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on cervical samples. Furthermore, the sequencing of positive samples was performed to identify the species of Mycoplasma.  
Results: The results showed that only one woman with history of three times abortions was infected by Mycoplasma. Her gestational age was six weeks and she had apparent signs of infection. After sequencing, Mycoplasma genitalium was diagnosed as the infectious agent. The prevalence rate of Mycoplasma was 1.47% and 0% in the case and control groups, respectively. There was no significant association betweenabortion and Mycoplasma infection.                                                                             
Conclusion:It seems more studies are necessary to evaluate the relationship between Mycoplasma infection and abortion. Moreover the increase in the level of public health due to better education and the improvement of contraceptive methods compared to the past has created a significant reduction in Mycoplasma infection.