bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Some Biological Aspects of Al - Shabbot Arabibarbus grypus (Heckel, 1843) in Al-Diwanyia River, Middle of Iraq
Authors: Abdullah Al-Jubouri Mohanad O. , Mohamed Abdul-Razak M.
Published: April 2019

Some biological characteristics of shabbot, Arabibarbus grypus (Heckel, 1843) in the Al-Diwaniya River, middle of Iraq were studied from October 2016 to September 2017. Water temperature ranged from 10.2oC in March to 32.8oC in August. A total of 853 fish were caught by seine, gill and cast nets and electro-fishing. A. grypus constituted about 6.27% of the total fish catch. The length-weight relationship was W=0.021*L2.7548 revealing an allometric growth. The mean relative condition factor was 0.91. Five age groups wore recorded and their mean total lengths were 20.2, 32.0, 39.0, 43.9 and 48.4 cm, respectively. The growth model of the species was  Lt= 58 [1-e -0.39 (t-0.313)]. The growth performance index (Φ) of A. grypus was computed as 3.11. The study declares that the species is a omnivore, feeding mainly on aquatic plants, insects, algae and detritus. The overall sex ratio (female: male) was 1.47:1. The highest values of gonado- somatic index (GSI) were 4.20 for female and 1.78 for males in April. The fecundity of the species ranged from 75600 to 124200 eggs.
The Malay Self–Efficacy Questionnaire for School Situations: Development, reliability, and validity among early adolescents in primary school
Authors: Vien Ng Vi , Heyne David , Cheng Kueh Yee , Husain Maruzairi
Published: April 2019

Low perceived self–efficacy (SE) for responding to school–related situations is posited to be associated with school refusal. This study examined the validity and reliability of the Malay version of the Self–Efficacy Questionnaire for School Situations (SEQ–SS) among early adolescents in Kota Bharu. The English version of the 25–item SEQ–SS was translated into Malay. Employing a cross–sectional design, students (10-11 years) from five randomly selected public primary schools were recruited via proportionate cluster sampling. Two hundred and fifteen students, 65% female, mean age of 10.3 years (SD=0.5), completed the Malay SEQ–SS. Validity was examined with exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Cronbach’s alpha was used to determine internal consistency. Means and standard deviations were used to describe the total and subscale scores. EFA analyses retained 19 items which clustered into four factors: ‘SE in socially challenging situations’, ‘SE in personally challenging situations’, ‘SE in separation situations’, and ‘SE in situations of disengagement from school’. Internal consistencies were low, approaching moderate, with Cronbach’s alpha values between 0.64 and 0.69. The four–factor solution of the Malay SEQ–SS appears to permit identification of specific domains of low SE which could inform individualized interventions targeting early adolescents in primary school.
ANALISIS PENGARUH CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE TERHADAP MINAT BERKUNJUNG KEMBALI (REVISIT INTENTION) PADA DESTINASI WISATA KOTA BOGOR
Authors: Yuningsih Erni , . Hardiansyah
Published: April 2019

Tujuan Penelitian adalah untuk mengetahui: 1) gambaran customer experience pada destinasi wisata  kota Bogor, 2) gambaran revisit intention terhadap destinasi wisata kota Bogor, 3) pengaruh customer experience terhadap minat berkunjung kembali (revisit intention) pada destinasi wisata kota Bogor. Data dikumpulkan melalui kuesioner, wawancara mendalam  dan observasi. Metode analisis menggunakan analisis deskriptif, regresi berganda, uji F dan  uji-t. Secara simultan variabel comfort, educational, hedonic, novelty, safety dan beauty memiliki pengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap minat berkunjung kembali pada destinasi wisata kota Bogor. Hasil pengujian secara parsial (uji-t) menyimpulkan bahwa faktor comfort, hedonic, novelty, safety  dan beauty berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap minat berkunjung kembali (revisit intention), sedangkan faktor educational tidak berpengaruh. Kata Kunci : Customer Experience, Minat Berkunjung Kembali
Personal Identity Development in Cultural Context: The Socialization of Master Narratives about the Gendered Life Course
Authors: McLean Kate C. , Boggs Samantha , Lowe Alexandra , Fordham Chelsea , Haraldsson Kristin Gudbjorg , Byers Staci , Syed Moin
Published: April 2019

The present studies focused on the role and socialization of biographical master narratives – cultural narratives that prescribe the types and ordering of events that should occur in one’s personal life identity narrative – by focusing on adolescent and emerging adult gender identity development. We employed a combined explanatory and triangulation mixed methods design. Study 1a (n = 414) was a survey study examining the expected biographical master narrative events for men and women, and the content of master narrative deviation and conformity in an emerging adult sample. In Study 1b (n = 14) we interviewed participants from Study 1a about their conformity and deviation narratives, as well as their socialization experiences regarding gendered biographical master narratives. In Study 2 mothers and adolescents (n = 11 pairs), engaged in conversation about expected life course events, as well as a follow-up interview about their conversation. We first found that there are more gender differences in the personal experiences of conformity to and deviation from master narratives compared to the expectations of the life course (Study 1a). Second, deviating is related to more engagement in identity processes (Study 1a). Third, emerging adults report contradictions in retrospective reports of socialization messages regarding expectations (Study 1b), a finding confirmed in a discourse analysis of mothers and their adolescents (Study 2). Overall, across the studies, we see that 1) adolescents and emerging adults are engaged in a delicate balance of negotiating between various cultural and familial messages, as well as personal experiences, about gender identity particularly in regards to gender equality and, 2) there is a complex relation between socialization messages about gender equality that may make some biographical master narratives about the expected life course events for men and women more resistant to change.
ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕ ИНФОРМАЦИОННО-КОММУНИКАЦИОННЫХ ТЕХНОЛОГИЙ ПРИ ОБУЧЕНИИ ПЕРЕВОДУ// International Journal of Educational and Scientific Research 1(9), 2019/ Chief Editor K. Kumpulainen /OEAPS Inc.(Open European Academy of Public Sciences). Vienna, Austria. 31.03.2019: OEAPS Inc., 2018. - PP. 9-14.
Authors: Цагараева Ольга Батыровна
Published: April 2019

В данной статье речь идёт о роли информационных технологий в процессе обучения иностранным языкам. Даны рекомендации по использованию информационных технологий, определены задачи, на отработку которых нацелены упражнения и методики по развитию и прививанию навыков переводчиков.This article deals with the role of information technology in the process of learning foreign languages. Recommendations on the use of information technologies are given, tasks are identified for which the exercises and techniques for developing and imparting skills of translators are aimed.
A Motivational Framework for Psychopathy: Toward a Reconceptualization of the Disorder
Authors: Groat Lindsay L , Shane Matthew S
Published: April 2019

The link between psychopathy and violence has been well documented. Estimates have psychopathic offenders responsible for as much as 40% of violence-related crime (e.g., Hare, 1999; extrapolated from Serin, 1991), and show rates of violent recidivism up to five times higher than non-psychopathic offenders (Hemphill, Hare, & Wong, 1998). Existing theories of the disorder argue that this violence stems from core insensitivity to emotional/aversive information, or from core inability to optimally allocate processing resources in complex environments. However, some newer findings have been difficult for existing theories to assimilate; moreover, successful treatment programs based off current conceptualizations have been slow to develop With this in mind, the current paper proposes a new motivational framework for considering psychopathy, within which the disorder is conceptualized as stemming from more strategic, motivated processes. The paper begins by reviewing traditional theories of psychopathy and highlighting their explanatory strengths and limitations. The proposed motivational framework is then outlined, and a supportive rationale for the framework provided. Next, the paper undertakes a selective review of some of the most empirically-supported features of the disorder, in order to highlight how these features may be productively reformulated within a motivational framework. Finally, the paper suggests several methods through which an empirical evaluation of the proposed ideas may be undertaken, and explores potential implications of a motivational framework for next-generation rehabilitation and treatment opportunities.
Social Media Use and Sleep Quality among Adults: The Role of Gender, Age and Social Media Checking Habit
Authors: Exelmans Liese , Scott Holly
Published: April 2019

This study expands knowledge on the effects of technology use on sleep by (1) focusing onsocial media use in an adult sample, (2) investigating the difference between overall andnighttime-specific social media use with regards to sleep, and (3) exploring a vulnerabilityperspective. For the latter, the moderating roles of gender, age, and habitual social mediachecking behavior were examined. A representative quota sample of 584 adults (18-96 yearsold) participated in an online survey. Results indicated that 2 out of 3 adults used socialmedia, and that use both shortly before and in bed was prevalent. Only nighttime use wasassociated with poorer sleep quality. Age and habitual checking behavior moderated thisassociation, identifying younger adults and those with strong checking habits as possiblevulnerable groups for poor sleep. The findings are interpreted in light of existing research onmedia habits and problematic (social) media use.
Indicators of affect dynamics: Structure, reliability, and personality correlates
Authors: Wendt Leon Patrick , Wright Aidan G.C. , Pilkonis Paul A. , Woods William C. , Denissen Jaap J. A. , Kühnel Anja , Zimmermann Johannes
Published: April 2019

Researchers are increasingly interested in the affect dynamics of individuals for describing and explaining personality and psychopathology. Recently, the incremental validity of more complex indicators of affect dynamics (IADs; e.g., autoregression) has been called into question (Dejonckheere et al., 2019), with evidence accumulating that those might convey little unique information beyond mean level and general variability of emotions. Our study extends the evidence for the construct validity of IADs by investigating their redundancy and uniqueness, split-half reliability based on indices from odd-numbered and even-numbered days, and association with big five personality traits. We used three diverse samples that assessed daily and momentary emotions, including community participants, individuals with personality pathology, and their significant others (total N = 1,192, total number of occasions = 51,278). Mean and variability of affects had high reliability and distinct nomological patterns to big five personality traits. In contrast, more complex IADs exhibited substantial redundancies with mean level and general variability of emotions. When partialing out these redundancies by using residual variables, some of the more complex IADs had acceptable reliability but only a few of those showed incremental associations with big five personality traits, indicating that IADs have limited validity using the current assessment practices.
Addressing two blind spots of commonly used experimental designs: The highly-repeated within-person approach
Authors: Zayas Vivian , Sridharan Vasundhara , Lee Randy T. , Shoda Yuichi
Published: April 2019

Two well documented but still neglected blind spots of often-used study designs limit a researcher’s ability to make inferences about psychological phenomenon. First, typical designs focus on effects of conditions at the group level and are not able to assess the extent to which effects characterize each participant in the study. This blind spot can lead to erroneous (or incomplete) conclusions about the effects of manipulations both for a given participant and at the group level. Second, commonly used research designs often use only a limited sample of stimuli, constraining conclusions to the particular stimuli. This blind spot can lead to non-replication when different stimuli are used. We propose that the Highly-Repeated Within-Person (HRWP) approach helps mitigate these limitations. Using a study on the effects of anti-smoking messages, we illustrate how the HRWP approach helps alert researchers when the conclusions at the group-level may not apply to all (or any) participant, quantifies the heterogeneity of effects of manipulations across people, and increases confidence regarding the generalizability of the effects. We discuss how the HRWP approach may help conceptualize issues of replicability in a new light.
Appetizer or Main Dish? Explaining the Use of Facebook News Posts as a Substitute for Other News Sources
Authors: Müller Philipp , Schneiders Pascal , Schäfer Svenja
Published: April 2019

An increasing number of, especially younger, users use Facebook as their primary source for news about political and societal issues. At the same time, research suggests that Facebook use contributes to societal knowledge gaps. Against this background, we investigate the antecedents of using Facebook as a substitute for other news sources. We argue that exposure to news posts on Facebook increases the feeling of being well-informed, regardless of actual knowledge acquisition. This might lead users, especially those with a low need for cognition (NfC), to use Facebook as a substitute for other news sources. We test these assumptions with an online survey (n = 390) of German Internet users. Results show that the feeling of being well-informed through Facebook is reinforced by the quantity of exposure to news content on Facebook but not by the amount of actually read news posts. The feeling of being informed is an important predictor of using Facebook news as a substitute. High NfC interferes with this effect. It makes the substitution of other news sources less likely—but only for moderate to high levels of the feeling of being informed. We discuss these results in the light of their societal consequences.
Relations and Relationships: Clarifying the Terms of the `New’ Relational Economic Sociology
Authors: Stoltz Dustin S.
Published: April 2019

In economic sociology, relations and relationships have emerged as central yet poorly specified concepts. In this paper, I clarify these terms in a positive critique of the current state of the field. I then consider the ways in which the proposed framework can help analysts to bridge the divide between economics and sociology. Armed with techniques derived from formal network analysis, the new economic sociology offered the first sustained foray into economic territory, but sociological skeptics remain unsatisfied. Two broad rejoinders to this network-analytic approach emerged in the last two decades, but both correctives, nevertheless, leave the divide intact. In the last decade, however, a new paradigm is coalescing under the rubric of “relational economic sociology. While showing promise, it furthers the confusion surrounding the key concepts of “relations” and “relationships.” The proposed framework provides a foundation for constructive dialogue among the different traditions which constitute this new paradigm.
EVALUATION OF THE FATIGUE BEHAVIOR OF STONE MASTIC ASPHALT MODIFIED BY DOMESTIC WASTE BIO-ASPHALT
Authors: Abd Tayh Sady , Muniandy Ratnasamy , Hassim Salihudin , Mohd Jakarni Fauzan
Published: April 2019

This paper presents the results of a laboratory study based, upon evaluating the fatigue characteristics of Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) Mixtures using different percent of bio-oil produced from pyrolysis process of house hold waste. The indirect tensile fatigue (ITFT) test was used to study fatigue behavior. The fatigue tests were performed at three temperatures (15, 20, and 25°C) using one asphalt binder, 80/100 penetration asphalt. The outcomes demonstrated that the addition of DWBO has slightly lowered the resilient modulus, and reduced the fatigue performance of the SMA Mixtures. For the effect of the temperature on fatigue life of 80/100 bio-binders, it is reasonable to use DWBO in asphalt mixture as an additive in cold to moderate temperature regions. The study shows that the DWBO can be used with petroleum binders in the pavement industry with a percent not exceeding 3% by weight of the base binder.
THE TRACES OF BRUSOV IN A.M. GORKY’S ARCHIVES
Authors: MATEVOSYAN ELENA
Published: April 2019

The documents from A. Gorky’s archives, where Brusov is mentioned, are reviewed in this article. In addition to 12 letters Gorky wrote to Brusov and 6 letters Brusov addressed to Gorky, Valery Brusov was mentioned 119 times in the writer’s archives, in Gorky’s correspondence with various addressees. At the same time, we do not intend to reveal the literary and aesthetic relationship between M. Gorky and V. Brusov.
ROBERT’S LETTER TO NINA PETROVSKAYA
Authors: MIKHAYLOVA MARIA , LE GOUIS CATHERINE
Published: April 2019

Unpublished Heritage
«AERO ERA». V. BRUSOV AND M. PROUST IN THE CONTEXT OF RUSSIAN AND FRENCH MODERNISTS’ CREATIVITY: THE IMAGES AND IDEAS OF FLIGHTS AND SPEED
Authors: ORLOVA MONIKA , LE GOUIS CATHERINE
Published: April 2019

The paper reveals the creative perception of flight and speed at the beginning of a new era in the history of humanity – the era of aviation – as reflected in the works by Russian and French modernists, the most remarkable of whom is V. Brusov, in his poetry and drama, and M. Proust, in his epic «In Search of Lost Time».
OSCAR WILDE’S TRADITIONS IN THE SILVER AGE FAIRY TALES
Authors: SHAMINA VERA
Published: April 2019

The paper analyzes the tales by the Silver Age Russian writers, in relation to Oscar Wilde’s writings and aesthetic views. The analysis of the fairy tales reveals both common features, which were due to similar aesthetic views, and the differences, largely caused by the authors’ national mentality. Both specific plots and images of O. Wilde’s fairy tales and many motives intrinsic to his writings in general have been reflected in the Russian symbolists’ tales, which indicates the English writer’s influence on Russian literature of the Silver Age.
The simulation and study of ELAP event with URG and FLEX mitigation strategies for PWR by using TRACE code
Authors: Yang J.-H. , Wang J.-R. , Shih C. , Huang C.-F. , Chen S.-W.
Published: April 2019

In this research, TRACE code with the interface SNAP was used to evaluate and simulate the postulated Extended Loss of AC Power (ELAP) accident in Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). This study is to determine whether Reactor Coolant System (RCS) water level will be below Top of Active Fuel (TAF) while the 5th diesel generator and gas turbines are all disabled when the accident occurred. The scenario and assumptions of postulated ELAP in this research are referred to the WCAP-17601-Pt and NUREG-1953 reports. Additionally, this study will run a base case without any mitigation strategy and four cases with multiple mitigation strategies to analyze the effectiveness of URG and FLEX strategies. According to the analysis results of TRACE, it can be found that all four cases with mitigation strategies can keep RCS water level above TAF. This indicates that URG and FLEX strategies can ensure the safety function of reactor.
ALTERNATIVE TOOLS OF A PSYCHOLOGIST-RESEARCHER
Authors: Pereliaev Iurii Nikolaevich , Chepurko Iuliia Iuliia chepurko
Published: April 2019

The article considers the possibility of using free software as an alternative calculation tool for psychological research. The use of SPO instead of commercial-proprietary will minimize the cost of technical support of scientific research.
Effect of Honey/PVA Hydrogel Loaded by Erythromycin on Full-Thickness
Authors: Movassaghi Shabnam , Sharifi Zahra Nadia , Koosha Mojtaba , Abdollahifar Mohammad Amin , Fathollahipour Shahrzad , Tavakoli Javad , Abdi Shabnam
Published: April 2019

Background: Skin wounds are a significant public health risk, and treatment of wound remains a challenging clinical problem for medical teams and researchers.Materials and Methods: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the healing effects of honey/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel loaded with erythromycin  as wound dressing on skin wounds in rats, based on histological studies. In this study, 60 male Wistar rats, with a 1.5 ×1.5 cm2 diameter full-thickness wounds on the backs were divided into four groups: honey/PVA with the erythromycin hydrogel group, honey group, PVA group, and the control group, with no treatment. Skin biopsies were prepared at days 4, 7, and 14 for microscopic analyses. The stereological analysis, including the mean area of the wound, length of vessels, numerical density of fibroblast, macrophage, basal cell and volume of the epidermis, dermis, and fibrous tissue were performed. Result: Wounds area in the honey/PVA hydrogel with the erythromycin group were significantly (P<0.05) smaller than in the other group. The numerical density of fibroblast, macrophage, basal cell and volume of the epidermis in the honey/PVA hydrogel with the erythromycin group were significantly higher than other groups.Conclusion: According to our results, honey/PVA hydrogel with erythromycin may promote early wound healing and has a positive influence on fibroblast proliferation and re-epithelialization, and its administration is recommended after further validation of clinical data.[GMJ. 2019;8:e1362]
Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media: Bacteriology and Drug Sensitivity Patterns at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (2004-2005): A Preliminary Study
Authors: Ayson Patricia N. , Lopez Jan Eero G. , Llanes Erasmo Gonzalo DV.
Published: April 2019

Objectives: To identify the bacterial pathogens associated with chronic suppurative otitis media and their antimicrobial sensitivity and resistance

 

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey

 

Setting: The study was carried out from July 2004-July 2005 at the outpatient clinic of a government tertiary hospital.

 

Number of subjects: A total of 32 patients (54 ears) with unilateral or bilateral active chronic suppurative otitis media.

 

Results: Bacterial pathogens of 54 ear discharge samples from CSOM were studied. Among them, 42 (78%) were pure cultures and 9 (16.7%) were mixed, only 3 (5.6%) of the submitted samples had no growth. There were 42 pure isolates, the most common of which was Staphylococcus aureus 21 (50%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa 14 (33.3%). Drug sensitivity pattern of Staphylococcus aureus showed that 61.9% were resistant to Penicillin while more than 90% were sensitive to Aminoglycosides and Clindamycin. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was resistant to penicillin in 64.3% of cases and Ciprofloxacin was active against pseudomonas in 85.7%.

 

Conclusion: The most common bacterial pathogens from CSOM include Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Majority of the isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were resistant to penicillin. Aminoglycosides, macrolides and quinolones were effective against most of the isolates of Staphylococcus aureus.

 

Keywords: chronic otitis media, perforated tympanic membrane, chronic aural discharge
The Many Faces of Ameloblastoma
Authors: Cañal Johanna Patricia A.
Published: April 2019

About 80% of ameloblastomas are found in the mandible. Radiographically, they are most commonly seen in the posterior mandible but can occur anywhere in the mandible. Twenty percent are found in other parts of the body, mostly in the face. They may, rarely, occur in the maxilla and skullbase (for which CT scans are recommended). Panoramic x-rays, also called panorex films, orthopantomograms or pantomograms, are adequate for assessing ameloblastomas of the mandible. The procedure is simple, with the patient’s chin placed in an immobilizer while the xray beam moves in an arc in front of the patient, taking a full view of the mandible in 1-2 minutes. Because the beam converges at a midpoint in the oral cavity, the resulting image “spreads out” the mandible from angle to angle (but overlaps and is hazier at the mentum).

 In early stages, ameloblastomas start out as a unilocular cystic lucency, similar in appearance to any other odontogenic cyst. They are usually well-defined with scalloped borders and tend to displace, rather than destroy teeth. Typically expansile & multilocular, they have been described by such terms as “honeycomb” & “soap bubble”.
The Philippine National Ear Institute: Patient and Audiologic Profiles
Authors: Santos-Cortez Regie Lyn P. , Chiong Charlotte M. , San Agustin Ma. Luz , Elgar Charina Melinda C. , Gimena Genilou Liv M. , Ibrahim Scheherazade C. , Roldan Rodante A. , Reyes-Quintos Ma. Rina T. , Chan Abner L. , Abes Generoso T.
Published: April 2019

Background:  The Philippine National Ear Institute (PNEI) was created to promote health of hearing and balance among Filipinos.  Over the years it,  has provided audiologic services to thousands of patients annually and has published relevant hearing and balance research.

Objective:  To describe the patients served by the PNEI in terms of age, region of origin, occupation, pretest diagnosis, and audiologic results.

Methods: 

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Setting: National tertiary care center

Population: All records of patients referred for audiologic testing at PNEI in 2006 were reviewed and encoded into analyzable format.

Results: A total of 1,756 patients had audiologic records for review. Median age was 32.5 years, with the age distribution presented according to sex, type of tests done including common reasons for referral, and median threshold levels by frequency. Coverage was national in scope, with most patients coming from the National Capital Region and from Regions III and IVa. Occupation was indicated in 37.8% of the working age group, most of whom were unemployed. The most common pretest diagnosis was chronic otitis media (26.6%), followed by hearing loss of unknown etiology (13.0%) and tinnitus (9.3%). Severity of hearing impairment based on pure tone audiometry was variable, and was presented according to common diagnoses. About 39% of hearing impairment cases were sensorineural, 36% conductive and 25% due to mixed defect. Bilateral Type A ears were found in 45.4% of patients by tympanometry, while 29.3% were bilateral Type B. For otoacoustic emissions, 69.0% were labeled as “refer” in at least one ear.

Conclusion:  The PNEI is a major national referral center for audiology that holds much promise in developing programs for national surveillance of the hearing status of different sectors in Philippine society.

 

Keywords: Philippine National Ear Institute, Philippines, patient profile, audiology, audiometry, tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions, chronic otitis media
Pedicled Mucosal Flap of the Uvula: An Unusual Cause of Chronic Cough in an Adult
Authors: Enoz Murat
Published: April 2019

Objective: To describe a case of chronic cough due to pedicled uvular mucosal flap

Design: Case report.

Setting: A tertiary military hospital

Patient: One (1)

Result: A mucosal flap was seen arising from the uvula on oropharyngeal examination with a tongue depressor. Nasopharyngoscopy documented its extension to the tongue base and hypopharynx. It was excised under local anesthesia with amelioration of complaints and cessation of cough.

Conclusion: The etiology of chronic cough not attributable to chronic rhinosinusitis, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux, tuberculosis, dysfunctional swallowing or cigarette smoking should be investigated further. A simple oropharyngeal examination (as in this case) may reveal the cause and a simple solution may be obtained, avoiding unnecessary investigations and treatment.

Key words: Mucosal flap, uvula, chronic cough, pedicle
Radiographic Analysis of the Ethmoid Roof based on KEROS Classification among Filipinos
Authors: Paber Justin Elfred Lan B. , Cabato Michael Salvador D. , Villarta Romeo L. , Hernandez Josefino G.
Published: April 2019

Objective: The objective of the study was to describe the distribution of Keros classification among Filipinos.

Methods:

Study Design: Retrospective review of consecutive paranasal sinus computed tomography (PNS CT) scans.

Setting and Participants: One hundred and twenty-eight consecutive PNS CT scans done at the Philippine General Hospital done from January 2006 to August 2007 were reviewed; 109 PNS CT scans were included in the study. The bilateral heights of the lateral lamellae of the cribriform plate were obtained, independently coded, and classified according to Keros classification.

Results: The mean height of the lateral lamella among Filipinos was 2.21mm. One hundred sixty five cases (81.6%) were classified as Keros I. Fifty two cases (17.9%) were classified as Keros II and one (0.5%) case was classified as Keros III. There was no significant difference in the height of the lateral lamella (t-test: p=0.77, CI 95%) and the distribution of Keros classification (Fisher’s Exact test: p = 0.78) among younger (1-14 year) and older (>14 year) Filipino age groups. There was significant difference in the height (t-test: p=0.05, CI 95%) and the distribution of Keros classification (Fishers Exact Test: p=0.01) between Filipino females and males. There was no significant difference in the height of the bilateral lateral lamellae among Filipinos (paired t-test: p=0.51, CI 95%). There was no significant difference in the distribution of Keros classification (Fisher’s Exact Test: p=0.48) between the right and left lateral lamella.

 

Conclusions: In over 80% of the time Filipinos are classified as Keros I. Risk of inadvertent intracranial entry thru the lateral lamella among Filipinos is less compared to populations with majority of cases classified as Keros II or III.

 

Keywords: Keros classification, Filipino, Paranasal Sinus, PNS-CT, Ethmoid roof, Ethmoid anatomy
Demineralization of the Otic Capsule in Otosclerosis (Otospongiosis)
Authors: Yang Nathaniel W.
Published: April 2019

A 34-year old Filipina presents with bilateral progressive hearing loss and tinnitus of three years' duration. Otologic examination reveals normal external auditory canals and tympanic membranes, with good tympanic membrane mobility on pneumatic otoscopy. Standard audiometric examination shows a bilateral moderate conductive hearing loss. Temporal bone CT imaging reveals the presence of a focal region of bone demineralization involving the dense bone of the otic capsule surrounding the cochlear lumen (Figure 1), a finding consistent with a diagnosis of active otospongiosis.  The diagnosis was confirmed by visualization of an otosclerotic focus during transcanal middle ear exploration, where stapedectomy with placement of a stainless steel stapes prosthesis was performed.

Otosclerosis is a condition unique to the temporal bone characterized by abnormal resorption and deposition of bone in the otic capsule and ossicles. Although it occurs more rarely in Asiatic populations compared to Europeans, Americans of Caucasian origin and Indians, it must be considered in patients presenting with primarily conductive hearing loss, especially if there is bilateral involvement. CT imaging of the temporal bone may help to differentiate this condition from other causes of conductive hearing loss, such as tympanosclerosis and bony epitympanic fixation of the ossicular chain from chronic infection and inflammation of the middle ear. One must be cognizant of the fact that a normal temporal bone CT scan does not rule a diagnosis of otosclerosis, because an inactive, highly sclerotic focus that appears as a uniform hyperdense mass may be difficult to distinguish from the normal compact labyrinth capsule (1). Other causes of otic capsule demineralization include osteogenesis imperfecta, Paget disease, otosyphilis, and Camurati-Engelmann disease. These may be differentiated by their individually characteristic patterns of bone involvement and evidence of disease in other organ systems.2
Subjective and Objective Assessment of Olfactory Function in Post-Laryngectomy Patients
Authors: Ramirez Ricardo L. , Panganiban Windolyn D. , Ramirez Joel A.
Published: April 2019

Objective:       To determine the olfactory function among post-laryngectomy patients using a questionnaire adapted from that of the Smell and Taste Clinic of Hospital of University Pennsylvania (HUP) and the Santo Tomas Smell Identification Test.

Methods:

Design: Descriptive study

Setting: Tertiary Private Hospital Outpatient Department

Patients: Twenty five subjects who had undergone total laryngectomy and met inclusion and exclusion criteria underwent rigid nasal endoscopy and olfactory function assessment using an adaptation of the questionnaire of the Smell and Taste Clinic of Hospital of University Pennsylvania (HUP) and the Santo Tomas Smell Identification Test (ST-SIT).

Results: Twenty one male subjects completed olfactory testing. All had subjective sense of smell before laryngectomy. Statistically significant correlation was noted between the subjective post-operative smell function and the objective olfactory function test scores. There was no statistically significant difference noted in the ST SIT scores with regards age, duration from laryngectomy to olfactory testing, number of smoking pack- years, use of olfactory technique/maneuver, loss of appetite and adjunctive chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Conclusion: All subjects post-laryngectomy had subjective complaints of varying levels of olfactory difficulties based on a structured questionnaire and were documented to be anosmic by an objective smell identification test. Olfactory problems following laryngectomy can have significant effects on the lives of laryngectomees, and health care providers should be knowledgeable of available management options for this condition.

Key words: olfaction, anosmia, total laryngectomy, olfactory testing
Congenital Nasal Chondromesenchymal Hamartoma
Authors: Estimar Ruth S. , Zafra Mario Adrian M. , Lopa Ramon Antonio B.
Published: April 2019

Objectives: To report the case of a congenital nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma in a one-year-old female and review the literature, identifying problems encountered in confirming the diagnosis and in treatment of this patient.

Methods:

Design: Case Report 

Setting: Tertiary Public General Hospital

Patient: One

Results: A one-year-old female with an intranasal mass noted at birth and with subsequent unilateral maxillary enlargement is described. Computed tomography showed calcifications and erosion of adjacent bony structures. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of an intranasal biopsy were interpreted as chordoma, a malignant tumor. Following surgical excision, the final histopathologic diagnosis was chondroid hamartoma.

Conclusion: Only 20 cases of nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma have been reported in the literature worldwide. These tumors may present clinically, histopathologicaly and radiologically as malignant tumors and may mislead even the experts. The whole clinical picture should be taken together to avoid misdiagnosis as a malignancy and to facilitate appropriate management. 

Keywords: nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma, nasal masses in infancy, nasal chondroid lesions
In vitro Antibacterial Activity of Mometasone Furoate, Fluticasone Propionate and Fluticasone Furoate Nasal Preparations Against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Hemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus viridans, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli
Authors: Liu Philip Lance A. , Agbay Rose Lou Marie C. , Castañeda Samantha S.
Published: April 2019

Objective: To test the antibacterial properties of three commercially available nasal corticosteroid preparations containing Mometasone Furoate (MF), Fluticasone Propionate (FP) and Fluticasone Furoate (FF) against S. pneumoniae, S. viridans, S. aureus, H. influenza, P. aeruginosa and E. coli.

Methods:

 

Study Design:  Experimental in vitro study using the disc diffusion method.

 

Clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Hemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus viridans, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli were inoculated on separate plates. 0.15 ml of nasal corticosteroid preparations containing MF, FP and FF were applied to blank paper discs, then placed on the plates, including an empty disc.  Following 24 and 48 hours of incubation, the inhibition zones were measured to the nearest mm from the point of abrupt inhibition of growth.

Results: After 24 and 48 hours of incubation, S. pneumoniae, S. viridans, and S. aureus showed inhibition zones to all three preparations. S. aureus and S. viridans show the largest zones of inhibition at 24 and 48 hours respectively. H. influenza, P. aeruginosa and E. coli were negative. The inhibition zones of each bacteria were shown to be statistically different. The preparation containing FP had the largest zone of inhibition at 24 and 48 hours, although post hoc tests showed their difference was not significant.

Conclusion: The present study demonstrates possible antimicrobial properties of commercially-available nasal corticosteroid preparations. However, it is unclear whether these can be attributed to the steroids, their excipients, or both. Further studies testing each component may offer better insights into their therapeutic use.

Keywords: Mometasone Furoate, Fluticasone Propionate, Fluticasone Furoate, Antibacterial, Nasal Corticosteroids, Allergic Rhinitis, Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis
Laryngeal Trauma with Phrenic Nerve Injury: A Rare Association
Authors: Hashim Noor Dina , Yunus Mohd Razif Mohamad , Baki Marina Mat
Published: April 2019

Objective: To share our experience in managing a rare involvement of phrenic nerve injury in laryngeal trauma

Methods:

            Study Design: Case report

            Setting: Tertiary Referral Centre

            Patient: One

Results: A 23-year-old male sustained blunt laryngeal trauma associated with phrenic nerve injury leading to silent traumatic diaphragmatic paralysis. He underwent tracheotomy and surgical repair of Schaeffer class IV laryngeal injuries, and conservative therapy for the diaphragmatic paralysis, which eventually resolved.

Conclusion: Patients with laryngeal trauma may have concomitant phrenic nerve injury causing diaphragmatic paralysis. The diagnosis should be considered particularly if the patient has respiratory problems despite securing the airway by tracheotomy. A high index of suspicion is required in diagnosing such an association. Patients should be closely monitored even though most will recover, as some may present with later morbidities. A search of PubMed and OvidSP using the terms “larynx,” “laryngeal trauma” and “phrenic nerve” did not yield any report of phrenic nerve injury in association with laryngeal trauma. To our knowledge, this is may be the first reported case of phrenic nerve injury in association with blunt laryngeal trauma. 

Keywords: larynx, trauma, phrenic nerve
Quality of Life after FESS among Patients with Nasal Polyps Using the NOSE Questionnaire Translated in Filipino (NOSE-Ph)
Authors: Macasaet Mary Ann V. , Cruz Emmanuel Tadeus S.
Published: April 2019

Objective: To evaluate the quality of life before, and after Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) among patients with nasal obstruction due to nasal polyposis using the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) questionnaire translated in Filipino (NOSE-Ph) in a tertiary government hospital in Metro Manila.

Methods:

            Design:           Cross-Sectional QOL Study

            Setting:           Tertiary Government Hospital

Subjects:        40 patients with nasal polyposis who underwent FESS from April 2014 to June 2015 were included in the study. Patients who underwent FESS due to other nasal tumors other than nasal polyp were excluded. The subjects answered the previously-validated NOSE-Ph questionnaire pre- and post-operatively and the scores were gathered and analyzed.

Results: Based on the pre and post-operative scores, there was a statistically significant improvement in all 5 parameters (1. nasal congestion, 2. nasal obstruction, 3. trouble breathing, 4.  trouble sleeping, and 5. inability to get enough air through the nose during exercise).

Conclusion: There was a statistically significant improvement in the quality of life of patients who underwent FESS based on the pre and post-operative scores using the NOSE-Ph questionnaire translated in Filipino. 

Keywords: nasal obstruction symptom evaluation scale
Fibular Dimensions for Mandibular Reconstruction among Filipinos
Authors: Muñoz Nikkoh P. , Fernando Adrian F. , Castañeda Samantha S.
Published: April 2019

Objective: To determine if the anatomic dimensions (length, cross-sectional width, cortical

            thickness) of the Filipino fibula are ideal for mandibular reconstruction.

Method:

Design:           Cross-sectional study

Setting:           Anatomy dissection laboratory

Patients:         40 fibulas from 20 adult cadavers

Results: Morphometric examination showed the mean length of the harvested fibulas was 33.5 cm. The mean horizontal (a-d) and vertical (b-c) widths of the proximal cross-section (point B) were 15.1 ± 0.28 mm and 9.9 ± 0.15 mm respectively. The mean horizontal (a-d) and vertical (b-c) widths of the distal cross-section (point D) were 15.4 ± 0.24 mm and 10.3 ± 0.49 mm respectively. The mean cortical thickness of the anterior (a), lateral (b), posterior (c) and medial (d) aspects of the proximal cross-section (point B) were 5.2 ± 0.1 mm, 3.2 ± 0.04 mm, 3.6 ± 0.01 mm, and 2.9 ± 0.06 mm respectively. The mean cortical thickness of the anterior (a), lateral (b), posterior (c) and medial (d) aspects of the distal cross-section (point D) were 5.1 ± 0.21 mm, 3.1 ± 0.11 mm, 3.5 ± 0.04 mm, and 2.9 ± 0.09 mm respectively.

Conclusion: Our findings show that the Filipino fibulas studied have dimensions that are ideal for mandibular reconstruction.

Keywords: Mandibular reconstruction, Fibula, Free Flaps, Fibular bone dimensions, Filipino
Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Perioperative Outcome after Intravenous Tranexamic Acid:
Authors: Quiroga Jenna Marie C. , Jarin Peter Simon R.
Published: April 2019

Objectives: To determine the effect of a single intravenous dose of tranexamic acid on intraoperative bleeding, duration of surgery, and surgical field visualization during endoscopic sinus surgery.

 

Methods:

            Study Design: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

            Setting: Tertiary Government Hospital in Quezon City

            Participants: 10 patients aged 18-75 years old diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyposis and unresponsive to medical treatment, who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery from September 2016 to August 2017, were randomly allocated to treatment group and control group respectively. The “odd” numbers were assigned to the treatment group (intravenous Tranexamic acid) given 1 dose of 100mg/ml (500mg tranexamic acid per 5 ml) tranexamic acid slow intravenous drip 1 hour prior to the procedure, while the “even” numbers assigned to the control group received the same amount of normal saline solution.

 

Results: The mean duration of surgery of the tranexamic group was 185 minutes (standard deviation, SD 55.23) and the control group was 122.6 minutes (SD 42.03) showing no significant difference (p=.08). The mean blood loss of the tranexamic group was less at 240ml (SD 108.39) compared with the control group at 290ml (SD 74.16), although there was no statistically significant difference (p=.42). Intraoperative surgical field assessed by the surgeon based on the Boezart grading scale showed that 2 (40%) of the tranexamic group had higher bleeding score compared with the placebo group. However, this was not found to be statistically significant (p=.460). Due to the small sample size, a type II error occurred with alpha level of 0.05 and estimated power of 0.0885, with not enough basis to refute that a single dose of intravenous tranexamic acid has no effect in improving surgical field visualization during endoscopic sinus surgery. No drug side effects were noted after administration until after surgery.

 

Conclusion: Single dose intravenous tranexamic acid in functional endoscopic sinus surgery decreased mean intraoperative blood loss (but this was statistically insignificant), but its effect on surgical field visualization cannot totally be assessed due to small sample size. There was also no change in the observed duration of surgery. No untoward side effects associated were noted from administration of the drug until after the surgery finished.

 

Keywords: Functional endoscopic sinus surgery, intravenous tranexamic acid, chronic rhinosinusitis
PHONETOVOX: A Novel Prototype Device for Alaryngeal Speech
Authors: Econ Michaelsam E. , Soriano Ronaldo G.
Published: April 2019

Objective: To describe a prototype improvised hand held device for alaryngeal speech.

Methods:

Design: Instrument Innovation

Setting: Tertiary Private Hospital

Participants:        Four listeners with normal hearing, were native Tagalog-speakers and had no previous experience with alaryngeal speech types participated in initial trials.

 

Results: The prototype PHONETOVOX was fabricated using a soundproofed cellphone casing with an intra-oral sound port attachment and a cellphone was loaded with Pocket Talkbox v. 1.4.0 software. The device was tested for its ability to produce intelligible speech by using the cellphone as a substitute for the larynx using oral cavity resonators and articulators, producing a synthesized sound mimicking the human voice. The PHONETOVOX produced intelligible words. Initial testing using a C-V-C Tagalog Word List had 4 listeners identify 34, 35, 47, and 54 out of 93 words (37 to 58%), with an overall average intelligibility of 46%.

 

Conclusion: Despite its restrictions in articulation and the wide range of results from the four listeners, our initial results may suggest the potential of PHONETOVOX as another modality for alaryngeal speech comparable to the 36 – 38 % intelligibility of commercially-available devices. Further trials with actual laryngectomees are needed to further establish intelligibility and acceptability.

 

Keywords: Laryngectomy, Alaryngeal speech, Laryngeal Cancer
Degressive Representation in the European Parliament
Authors: Charvát Jakub
Published: April 2019

The paper presents a diachronic analysis of the apportionment of seats inthe European Parliament from its foundation to the present and theupcoming European elections. Its goal is to quantify the degressiveproportionality principle to answer whether there has been a degressiverepresentation in the European Parliament. The analysis employs statisticaltools commonly used for measuring electoral disproportionality; at theindividual level, both the value of a vote (the average number of votes permandate) and the advantage ratio (the rate of over-/under-representationof each Member State) are measured, while at the aggregate level, the levelof malapportionment is measured (with the help of the adaptation of theDistortion Index). The paper concludes that there has been no degressionin representation in the European Parliament since 2004, while adegression in representation had been achieved before the 2004 elections.However, the re-apportionment of seats for the upcoming elections due toBrexit brought the apportionment of seats closer to the degressiveproportionality principle although there is an exception to the rule which ismainly caused by the fact that there has been an informal agreement thatno Member State will have fewer representatives in the EuropeanParliament than it had in the 2014 European elections.