bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of rehabilitation training of core muscle stability on stroke patients with hemiplegia
Authors: Chen Xiaofeng , Gan Zhuohui , Tian Wuchao , Lv Yongkai
Published: February 2020

Objective: To evaluate the effects of rehabilitation training of core muscle stability on stroke patients with hemiplegia.

Methods: A total of 180 stroke patients who were hospitalized from December 2017 to December 2018 were enrolled. They were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group (n=90) that both received conventional hemiplegia rehabilitation therapy. On this basis, the observation group was subjected to training for core muscle stability, five times a week for a total of eight weeks. The balance functions before and after training were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). The functions of hemiplegic lower limbs were evaluated by Brunnstrom staging and the Fugl-Meyer motor assessment (FMA) scale. The walking speed was estimated using the 10 m walking test. Musculoskeletal ultrasonography was performed to measure the thicknesses of three abdominal muscles of the paralytic side, i.e. transverse abdominis, internal oblique and external oblique muscles.

Results: After treatment, the BBS scores of the two groups were significantly higher than those before treatment, with significant differences (P<0.05). The BBS score of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the Brunnstrom stage and FMA scale score, and standing and stepping scores were significantly higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). The Brunnstrom stage, FMA scale score, stepping score and walking speed of the observation group significantly exceeded those of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the thicknesses all increased compared with those before treatment, but the thicknesses of internal oblique and external oblique muscles were not significantly different (P>0.05). The thickness of transverse abdominis muscle of the observation group significantly surpassed that before treatment (P<0.05), whereas the thicknesses of the control group were similar (P>0.05). The thickness of transverse abdominis muscle of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Rehabilitation training of core muscle stability can effectively improve the balance function and walking speed of stroke patients, probably by increasing the thickness of transverse abdominis muscle.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.3.1466

How to cite this:Chen X, Gan Z, Tian W, Lv Y. Effects of rehabilitation training of core muscle stability on stroke patients with hemiplegia. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(3):461-466. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.3.1466

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Correlation between changes in intraocular pressure and refractive error indices post Cataract Surgery
Authors: Bodla Muhammad Afzal , Bodla Ali Afzal , Moazzam Ayema , Tariq Noor
Published: February 2020

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between refractive errors and change in intraocular pressure in patients undergoing cataract surgery.

Methods: This interventional retrospective case study was carried out from September 2018 to April 2019 at Bodla Eye Care and Multan Medical and Dental College, Multan. A total of 127 eyes were recruited in the study among which six were excluded. Out of remaining 121, 53 eyes were emmetropes, 41 were mild myopes and 27 were high myopes. Single surgeon performed the procedure. Pre-operative investigations of IOP and refractive error were done by goldmann tonometry and auto refractometry. IOP was reviewed at day 1, 7, 14 and 28 post cataract surgeries.

Results: Out of 121 eyes, 53 eyes were emmetropes, 41 were mild myopes and 27 were high myopes, who underwent phacoemulsification. There was an elevation of 2-3mm Hg at Day-1, in emmetropes and mild myopes, and further on, a constant drop was noticed on follow ups. In high myopes a significant fluctuation of IOP was noted in first fourteen days followed by an unremarkable gradual decline afterwards.

Conclusion: Cataract surgery helps lowering the IOP in patients with refractive errors. Mild myopic and emmetropic patients showed a linear swift pattern while high myopes presented instable and gradual reduction in IOP. A total decrease of 1-2mm Hg was seen at the end of the study depicting that relation between IOP and cataract surgery is insignificant.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.3.1597

How to cite this:Bodla MA, Bodla AA, Moazzam A, Tariq N. Correlation between changes in intraocular pressure and refractive error indices post Cataract Surgery. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(3):574-577. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.3.1597

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Social advertising: designing effective interaction with the target audience
Authors: Kalmykov Sergey , Pashin Nikolay
Published: February 2020

The monograph analyzes the possibility of managing the process of socio-advertising influence on socio-demographic groups. The developed methodological bases with the use of the multivariate paradigmatic status of sociological knowledge allowed us to form: principles of designing social advertising interaction, factors of efficiency (quality) of social advertising, a system of sociological quality assurance of social advertising.
Insufficiently studied problems of efficiency and quality of social advertising are investigated. The coefficients of the importance of its efficiency factors (quality) are established. Stable interrelations of social advertising influence at the level of revealed correlation coefficients of behavioral reactions of various categories of target audience with their characteristics are proved. The results obtained are summarized in the developed model of behavior of the target audience on the basis of social advertising interaction, and the content modules of the mechanism of controllability of the specified process are proposed.
Discriminatory power of Stroke Specific Quality of Life questionnaire items to evaluate the participation component of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
Authors: Silva Soraia Micaela , Corrêa Fernanda Ishida , de Morais Faria Christina Danielli Coelho , Corrêa João Carlos Ferrari
Published: February 2020

Background/aims

This study aimed to estimate the discriminatory power of 26 items on the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale questionnaire to evaluate the participation component of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted using accuracy procedures based on the Standards for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy Studies to evaluate individuals with hemiparesis stemming from a stroke. Discriminatory power was estimated based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve with a 95% confidence interval. Two groups were defined for the analysis: community-dwelling and institutionalised individuals. A 5% level of significance (α=0.05) was considered for all analyses.

Results

The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.888 (95% confidence interval: 0.794–0.949; P=0.001). Analysis indicated a cut-off point of ≥80 with 73.9% sensitivity and 100% specificity.

Conclusions

The 26 items of the Stroke Specific Quality of Life questionnaire that evaluate the participation component of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health demonstrate adequate discriminatory power. A cut-off point of ≥80 seems to best discriminate the perception of participation between community-dwelling and institutionalised stroke survivors.
Direct integration of micro-LEDs and a SPAD detector on a silicon CMOS chip for data communications and time-of-flight ranging
Authors: Carreira J. F. C. , Griffiths A. D. , Xie E. , Guilhabert B. J. E. , Herrnsdorf J. , Henderson R. K. , Gu E. , Strain M. J. , Dawson M. D.
Published: February 2020

We present integration of singulated micron-sized light emitting diodes (micro-LEDs) directly onto a silicon CMOS drive chip using a transfer printing method. An 8x8 micro-LED device array with individual control over each pixel is demonstrated with modulation bandwidths up to 50 MHz, limited by the large modulation depth of the driver chip. The 2 kHz frame rate CMOS driver also incorporates a Single Photon Avalanche Diode device thus allowing detection and transmission functionality on a single integrated chip. Visible light communications at data rates up to 1 Mbps, and time-of-flight ranging with cm-scale resolution are demonstrated using this hybrid integrated system.
Compression and denoising of time-resolved light transport
Authors: Liang Yun , Chen Mingqin , Huang Zesheng , Gutierrez Diego , Muñoz Adolfo , Marco Julio
Published: February 2020

Exploiting temporal information of light propagation captured at ultra-fast frame rates has enabled applications such as reconstruction of complex hidden geometry and vision through scattering media. However, these applications require high-dimensional and high-resolution transport data, which introduces significant performance and storage constraints. Additionally, due to different sources of noise in both captured and synthesized data, the signal becomes significantly degraded over time, compromising the quality of the results. In this work, we tackle these issues by proposing a method that extracts meaningful sets of features to accurately represent time-resolved light transport data. Our method reduces the size of time-resolved transport data up to a factor of 32, while significantly mitigating variance in both temporal and spatial dimensions.
Ultra-compact non-volatile Mach–Zehnder switch enabled by a high-mobility transparent conducting oxide
Authors: Parra Jorge , Olivares Irene , Ramos Francisco , Sanchis Pablo
Published: February 2020

Compact and broadband non-volatile silicon devices are mainly absorption based. Hence, access to low-loss non-volatile phase shifters is still a challenge. Here, this problem is addressed by using a high-mobility transparent conducting oxide such as cadmium oxide as a floating gate in a flash-like structure. This structure is integrated in a Mach–Zehnder interferometer switch. Results show an active length of only 30 µm to achieve a

π

phase shift. Furthermore, an extinction ratio of 20 dB and insertion loss as low as 1 dB may be attained. The device shows an optical broadband response and can be controlled with low-power pulses in the nanosecond range. These results open a new, to the best of our knowledge, way for enabling compact silicon-based phase shifters with non-volatile performance.
Normal background levels of air and surface mould reserve in English residential building stock: A preliminary study towards benchmarks based on NAHA measurements
Authors: Aktas Yasemin Didem , Reeslev Morten , Altamirano Hector , May Neil , D'Ayala Dina
Published: February 2020

This paper reports results obtained from a surface (both visually clean and dirty/dusty surfaces) and active (aggressive or activated) air testing scheme on 140 residential rooms in England, without visible water damage or mould growth, along with a few rooms with visible mould growth/water damage tested for comparison purposes. The aim is to establish normal background levels of mould in non-water-damaged interiors to benchmark a normal indoor environment, and in turn when there is a need for further investigation, and, possibly, remediation. Air and surface mould was quantified based on the activity of β-N-acetylhexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.52; NAHA). The obtained readings showed a log-normal distribution. 98% of the samples obtained from visually clean surfaces were equal to or less than 25 relative fluorescence units (RFU), which is suggested to be the higher bound for the range which can be used as a success criterion for surface cleaning/remediation in non-problem buildings. Of samples obtained from visually dirty/dusty surfaces, around 98% were below 450 RFU, which is suggested to define the lower-bound for abnormally high levels of mould, rare even on dirty/dusty surfaces. Similarly, around 98% of the air samples were found to have 1700 RFU or below. Values above 1700 RFU are therefore deemed unlikely in a non-problem indoor environment and can be indicative of a possible problem inducing mould growth. The samples with values below 1700 were further divided into three proposed sub-categories. Finally, the obtained RFU values and the suggested benchmarks were compared to those obtained from 17 non-residential indoor environments in Copenhagen tested previously, and the benchmarks that are currently used in Danish national standards, and they were both found to be highly congruent, suggesting that local climate regimes and room functions might not be as influential on indoor mould levels as commonly thought, or that the nuances between England and Denmark in terms of these factors are not strong enough to lead to sizable changes in the typical indoor mould levels in these countries.
Should the Talk be Cheap in Contribution Games?
Authors: Chang Jen-Wen
Published: February 2020

This paper studies the equilibria of contribution games with commitment and with cheap talk under incomplete information. When agents contribute to a club good, we find that with commitment, high types contribute early to induce low types to contribute in later rounds. With cheap talk, low types signal to contribute early but may drop out later if they find the total contributions are low. When there are sufficiently many rounds, we construct a cheap talk equilibrium that implements the ex-post efficient and ex-post individually rational allocation. In contrast, every equilibrium of the commitment game is inefficient. When the good is a public good, the cheap-talk game admits no informative equilibria. In this case, the equilibria of the commitment game may be more efficient.
Covert Spatial Attention Speeds Target Individuation
Authors: Foster Joshua J. , Bsales Emma M. , Awh Edward
Published: February 2020

Covert spatial attention has long been thought to speed visual processing. Psychophysics studies have shown that target information accrues faster at attended locations than at unattended locations. However, with behavioral evidence alone, it is difficult to determine whether attention speeds visual processing of the target or subsequent postperceptual stages of processing (e.g., converting sensory responses into decision signals). Moreover, although many studies have shown that attention can boost theamplitudeof visually evoked neural responses, no robust effect has been observed on thelatencyof those neural responses. Here, we offer new evidence that may reconcile the neural and behavioral findings. We examined whether covert attention influenced the latency of the N2pc component, an electrophysiological marker of visual selection that has been linked with object individuation—the formation of an object representation that is distinct from the background and from other objects in the scene. To this end, we manipulated whether or not human observers (male and female) covertly attended the location of an impending search target. We found that the target evoked N2pc onset ∼20 ms earlier when the target location was cued than when it was not cued. In a second experiment, we provided a direct replication of this effect, confirming that the effect of attention on N2pc latency is robust. Thus, although attention may not speed the earliest stages of sensory processing, attention does speed the critical transition between raw sensory encoding and the formation of individuated object representations.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTCovert spatial attention improves processing at attended locations. Past behavioral studies have shown that information about visual targets accrues faster at attended than at unattended locations. However, it has remained unclear whether attention speeds perceptual analysis or subsequent postperceptual stages of processing. Here, we present robust evidence that attention speeds the N2pc, an electrophysiological signal that indexes the formation of individuated object representations. Our findings show that attention speeds a relatively early stage of perceptual processing while also elucidating the specific perceptual process that is speeded.
SÜT TOZU KATKISININ EKMEK KALİTE ÖZELLİKLERİ VE İŞLEVSELLİĞİ ÜZERİNE ETKİSİ
Authors: ARSLAN BURNAZ Nesibe , HENDEK ERTOP Müge
Published: February 2020

Fonksiyonel gıdalar temel beslenmenin ötesinde insan sağlığı üzerinde potansiyel bir etkiye sahiptirler. Bununla birlikte hastalık riskini de azaltmaya yardımcı olurlar. Son yıllarda ekmeğin, zenginleştirilerek besin değerinin arttırılmasına yönelik çalışmalar önem kazanmıştır. Bu çalışmada, geleneksel ekmeğe, %2.5, 5, ve 10 olmak üzere farklı oranlarda süttozu eklenerek ekmekte kalite, antioksidan ve duyusal özellikleri açısından meydana gelen değişimlerin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Ekmek makinası ile üretilen ekmek numunelerinde, TPC (toplam fenolik içerik), FRAP (demir (II) indirgeyici antioksidan güç), DPPH (2,2-difenil-1-pikrilhidrazil), ABTS (2,29-azinobis-(3-etilbenzotiyazolin-6-sülfonik asit) ve duyusal analizler yapılmıştır. Sonuç olarak, ekmek yapımında belli oranda süttozu katkısının duyusal özellikleri olumlu yönde etkilediği belirlenmiştir. Toplam fenolik içerik 4.86 µg GAE/100g’dan 35.48 µg/100g’a artarken; DPPH, FRAP and ABTS seviyeleri sırasıyla 35.42, 39.17, 10.48 µM TEAC’dan 97.92, 61.11, 21.70 µM TEAC düzeyine yükselmiştir.
Síntesis, caracterización y evaluación farmacológica de nuevos complejos metálicos derivados de híbridos heteroaromáticos (benzimidazol/oxadiazol)
Authors: Váquiro-Reyes Ingri Y. , Aragón-Muriel Alberto , Polo-Cerón Dorian
Published: February 2020

Este documento reporta la síntesis y caracterización detallada de complejos lantánidos La(III), Ce(III), Nd(III) y Sm(III), con ligandos tridentados derivados de híbridos heteroaromáticos. Los ligandos y sus respectivos complejos metálicos fueron caracterizados mediante diferentes técnicas fisicoquímicas, incluyendo análisis elemental y termogravimétrico; espectroscopias UV-Vis, IR, 1H-NMR y 13C-NMR; mediciones de conductancia molar y espectrometría de masas. Los datos espectrales mostraron que el ligando híbrido se comporta como un ligando tridentado NOO a través de los átomos de nitrógeno y oxígeno de los anillos benzimidazol y oxadiazol, así como del átomo de oxígeno del grupo carbonilo. El análisis elemental y térmico mostró que los complejos metálicos obtenidos tienen una estequiometria 1:2 (metal:ligando). Se evaluó la capacidad antioxidante de los compuestos mediante los ensayos DPPH y medidas electroquímicas (voltametría cíclica y voltametría de onda cuadrada). Los resultados mostraron que los complejos metálicos tienen mayor actividad antioxidante que los ligandos libres. Finalmente, la actividad antibacteriana de los ligandos y sus complejos se determinaron mediante pruebas in vitro contra cepas bacterianas Gram positivas y cepas bacterianas Gram negativas utilizando el método de microdilución en caldo. Los complejos metálicos mostraron mayores actividades antimicrobianas que los ligandos precursores contra algunos de los microorganismos.
On smooth approximation of probabilistic criteria in stochastic programming problems
Authors: Sobol Vitaliy , Torishnyi Roman
Published: February 2020

In this paper we study one of the possible variants of smooth approximation of probability criteria in stochastic programming problems. The research is applied to the optimization problems of the probability function and the quantile function for the loss functional depending on the control vector and one-dimensional absolutely continuous random variable. In this paper we study one of the possible variants of smooth approximation of probability criteria in stochastic programming problems. The research is applied to the optimization problems of the probability function and the quantile function for the loss functional depending on the control vector and one-dimensional absolutely continuous random variable.  The main idea of the approximation is to replace the discontinuous Heaviside function in the integral representation of the probability function with a smooth function having such properties as continuity, smoothness, and easily computable derivatives. An example of such a function is the distribution function of a random variable distributed according to the logistic law with zero mean and finite dispersion, which is a sigmoid. The value inversely proportional to the root of the variance is a parameter that provides the proximity of the original function and its approximation. This replacement allows us to obtain a smooth approximation of the probability function, and for this approximation derivatives by the control vector and by other parameters of the problem can be easily found.  The article proves the convergence of the probability function approximation obtained by replacing the Heaviside function with the sigmoidal function to the original probability function, and the error estimate of such approximation is obtained. Next, approximate expressions for the derivatives of the probability function by the control vector and the parameter of the function are obtained, their convergence to the true derivatives is proved under a number of conditions for the loss functional. Using known relations between derivatives of probability functions and quantile functions, approximate expressions for derivatives of quantile function by control vector and by the level of probability are obtained. Examples are considered to demonstrate the possibility of applying the proposed estimates to the solution of stochastic programming problems with criteria in the form of a probability function and a quantile function, including in the case of a multidimensional random variable.
Захист даних засобом цифрового підпису
Authors: Плотніков В. М. , Борцова Ю. В.
Published: February 2020

У цей час багато підприємств використовують ті або інші методи безпаперової обробки й обміну документами. Використання подібних систем дозволяє значно скоротити час, затрачуваний на оформлення угоди й обмін документацією, удосконалити й зменшити кошти на процедуру підготовки, доставки, обліку й зберігання документів, побудувати корпоративну систему обміну документами. Однак при переході на електронний документообіг встає питання авторства документа, вірогідності й захисту від перекручувань.
Найбільш зручним засобом захисту електронних документів від перекручувань, що дозволяють при цьому однозначно ідентифікувати відправника, повідомлення, є електронний цифровий підпис (ЕЦП). Отже, що ж таке електронний цифровий підпис? Закон дає наступне визначення даного терміна: «електронний цифровий підпис - реквізит електронного документа, призначений для захисту даного електронного документа від підробки, отриманий у результаті криптографічного перетворення інформації з використанням закритого ключа електронного цифрового підпису й що дозволяє ідентифікувати власника сертифіката ключа підпису, а також установити відсутність перекручування інформації в електронному документі». Із цього визначення видно, що ЕЦП формується за допомогою спеціальних математичних алгоритмів на основі властиво документа й когось «закритого ключа», що дозволяє однозначно ідентифікувати відправника повідомлення.
Unusual Advice to Prevent Burnout in Early Medical career
Authors: Rajput Vijay , Hutchinson Daniel , Mookerjee Anuradha Lele
Published: February 2020

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended.

Burnout is known to be a chronic response to prolonged occupational stressors. Learners, faculty, and other health care professionals experience burnout since they often lack the emotional, physical, and mental means to overcome the demands of professional work, their careers and life in general. Furthermore, higher demand for patient care revenue, teaching, scholarship and research has increased the prevalence of psychological strain and burnout among physicians. Every health care professional need guidance when starting a new job and career after the training period. A medical student's goals differ from those of a post graduate trainee (resident or fellow) and a resident's current goals will differ from those of his or her first "real" job. This article will explore simple advice to young doctors who are embarking on their first job post residency training. It will explain the importance of valuable mentorship, how to become a regional expert and how to juggle responsibilities in the workplace and home. It highlights the importance of writing and journaling reflections and preparing for unexpected twists during a medical career and why all physicians should strive to make time for themselves and their hobbies. Inculcating these simple habits and attitudes can make the physician's job more rewarding and meaningful. Physicians following these tips and guidelines may find more fulfilment and meaning in their professional and personal lives leading to lesser burnout on the job.
Optimization of exopolysaccharide production of Lactobacillus brevis E25 using RSM and characterization
Authors: Ermiş Ertan , Poyraz Ecem , Dertli Enes , Yılmaz Mustafa Tahsin
Published: February 2020

Response surface
methodology was used to determine the exopolysaccharide production of Lactobacillus brevis E25. The effects of three variables,
temperature (30, 36 and 42 °C), incubation time (18, 33 and 48 h) and initial
pH of growth medium (4.5, 5.5 and 6.5) were studied. Under optimum growth conditions, the amount of exopolysaccharide
derived from Lactobacillus brevis E25 ranged from 10 to 35 gL-1. The size of EPS molecules ranged from 105 to 107 Da.
Infra red spectrum analysis
showed characteristics absorption peaks indicating the presence of -OH, C=O and
C-H groups. Furthermore, only glucose was detected as monosaccharide in
exopolysaccharide structure, revealing that the structure of exopolysaccharide
is a homopolymeric glucan type. Based on the differential scanning calorimeter
thermograms, exopolysaccharide’s melting temperature was observed around 116 °C.
Revisão Bibliográfica Sistematica - Sistema de Endocanabinoides Tendências de Uso na Farmacologia
Authors: Leonardo Tibiriçá Corrêa  , Cleber Fernandes Plata  , Esther Lopes Ricci  , Maria Aparecida Nicoletti  , Erico Chagas Caperuto  , Helenice de Souza Spinoza  , Juliana Weckx Peña Muñoz  , André Rinaldi Fukushima
Published: February 2020

A maconha é uma planta utilizada desde a Antiguidade com finalidade medicinal, atuando clinicamente como sedativo, analgésico e antiemético. O principal efeito colateral é a perturbação do sistema nervoso central, causando euforia e alucinações, levando a movimentação popular em favor da proibição, apesar de ser menos viciante e perigoso que etanol e derivados opioides. Em 1964, foi isolado o ?9-tetrahidrocanabinol, principal psicoativo da maconha, levando a hipótese de que seu mecanismo de ação seria semelhante aos anestésicos gerais. Em 1988, foi descoberto os receptores canabinoides, dando inicio a exploração de seu sistema endógeno. Em 1992, a descoberta do primeiro mediador endógeno, denominado anandamida. Em 1994, é lançado o primeiro medicamento atuante no sistema de endocanabinoides, denominado rimonabanto, com a finalidade de inibir o apetite e tratar a obesidade. Em 2008, o rimonabanto é retirado do mercado por induzir a depressão e ansiedade e dispor de relação com a ocorrência de suicídio. Em 2019, a Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária regulamentou os requisitos de fabricação, dispensação e receituário com a RDC 327/19. Atualmente, o sistema de canabinoides possui maior conhecimento e é possível estabelecer diversas aplicações clínicas, por exemplo, atuando na atenuação dos sintomas motores da Doença de Parkinson, na dor neuropática ou inflamatória, diminuição da pressão intraocular no glaucoma e como antiemetico durante a quimioterapia. O presente trabalho visa revisar os aspectos históricos da maconha no Brasil e o trajeto das descobertas de seus derivados, assim como a biossíntese e sinalização endocanabinoide e as aplicações clínicas em uma abordagem farmacológica.
The prevalence, risk factors predicting injury and the severity of injuries sustained during competition in professional mixed martial arts in Africa
Authors: Venter S , Van Rensburg D , Fletcher L , Grant C
Published: February 2020

Background: Professional mixed martial arts (MMA) has gained international popularity. No African-based studies have reported the prevalence or severity of injuries, risk factors associated with injuries or return-to-play (RTP) time. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of injuries and associated risk factors, as well as severity of injuries sustained by professional male MMA athletes competing at the Extreme Fighting Championships Africa (EFC Africa) from 2010 to 2014.Methods: Permission to do the study and the medical records of all professional events (2010 – 2014) were obtained from EFC Africa. Data were obtained from 173 male competitors aged 18 to 44 years, who had participated in 300 professional MMA fights. Results from this prospective cohort study were compared to a similar study done in the United States of America (USA). An injury was defined as any damage to an athlete’s body that needed the attention of the ringside physician. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and a stepwise logistic regression. Odds of an injury were predicted with six independent variables: fight outcome, age, weight division, number of fights, injuries in the preceding fight and years of fighter experience.Results: Head, face and neck injuries were most common (22%), followed by traumatic brain injuries (knockouts) (6%). Losing a fight was a significant predictor of injury when using the stepwise logistic regression model (p=0.040). The odds ratio indicated that a preceding fight injury almost doubled the risk of injury in the following fight (OR 1.91; p= 0.163). Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in this study of African-based competitions (6%) were substantially higher than reported in the American study (1.8%).Conclusion: Head, neck and face injuries are common in African fighters. The high rate of TBIs in African competition compared to the USA study is concerning. This could reflect superior refereeing in the USA group, as fights may be ended sooner by stoppage. Further investigation of injury trends and preventative measures should be studied to reduce the incidence of injuries during African competitions.
Concussion knowledge and attitudes among amateur South African rugby players
Authors: Viljoen C , Schoeman M , Brandt C , Patricios J , Van Rooyen C
Published: February 2020

Background: The South African Rugby Union’s BokSmart programme currently educates coaches and referees on concussion. Rugby players are often more familiar with their teammates than the coach or referee. Therefore they are well-positioned to play a pivotal role in rugby safety if they have adequate knowledge to identify subtle signs and abnormal behaviour displayed by a concussed teammate. However, no programme focuses on concussion education among South African rugby players and there is a dearth of literature on concussion education programmes among rugby players which could lead to safer return to play (RTP) habits.Objectives: To evaluate South African rugby players’ concussion knowledge and attitudes/behaviours regarding RTP following a concussion.Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was used. Participants (n=294) were divided into junior amateur high school (JAHS) (n=216) and senior amateur club (SAC) (n=78) players. The modified RoCKAS-ST questionnaire was used to evaluate their concussion knowledge index (CKI) and concussion attitudes/behaviours index (CAI) regarding RTP.Results: On average, 62% (JAHS) and 60% (SAC) of the CKI questions were answered correctly. JAHS participants correctly identified 66% of concussion symptoms, similarly to the SAC participants (63%), rendering similar (p=0.37) overall CKI scores when comparing the two groups. The CAI questions yielded similar (p=0.98) results between the groups, reporting safe responses in 66% (JAHS) and 67% (SAC) of the items.Discussion and conclusion: Junior and senior South African amateur rugby players lacked approximately one-third of essential concussion knowledge, which may lead to a display of unsafe attitudes/behaviours to concussion and RTP. Further research is warranted to inform educational programmes on concussion among rugby players.
Case report: Pathological fracture of the manubrium sternum of unknown aetiology
Authors: Swart J
Published: February 2020

A 26-year-old male professional football player presented with sternal discomfort after performing upper limb exercises. X-rays and a computed tomography (CT) scan of the manubrium sternum indicated an area of lysis with a fracture line. An MRI showed bone marrow oedema as well as presternal and retrosternal soft tissue mass. An incision biopsy of the site and the soft tissue were performed under general anaesthesia. Additional investigations included a bone marrow biopsy from the left iliac crest, a full blood count and C-reactive protein test, all of which were normal. The morphological features were mostly in keeping with a healing fracture site, and the investigations revealed no evidence of a tumour or structural abnormality. In bone injuries, where the level of force is not commensurate with the degree of injury or where the anatomical area and other factors in the presentation are unusual, they require careful investigation. Treating physicians should actively exclude the multitude of potential causes when investigating pathological fractures
Economic benefit of ensuring uninterrupted water supply during prolonged electricity disruptions – City of Tshwane case study
Authors: Potgieter J , Herold C , van Dijk M , Bhagwan J
Published: February 2020

Mitigating the impact of electricity disruptions on water supply was investigated as a case study on the City of Tshwane. This study found that current institutional arrangements between electricity suppliers (Eskom), water service providers and water service authorities are insufficient. Therefore, a Risk Analysis and Mitigation Framework of Integrated Water and Electricity Systems, or RAMFIWES, was developed. Risks associated with water supply interruptions due to electricity disruption events were analysed. Risk categories that were addressed are short-term disruptions of less than one day, medium-term disruptions of up to a week and long-term electricity disruptions up to a month or even longer. The direct economic benefits of ensuring uninterrupted water supply in the event of electricity disruption events were analysed through cost versus benefit analyses. It was found that the direct benefit/cost ratio of supplying water during electricity disruption events is 5.6 for wet-industries and an exceptional 117 for other economic sectors in Tshwane. The overall benefit/cost ratio is 15.5. This benefit is possible at a low increase in the normal municipal bills of only 0.5%.
Experimental design v1
Authors: Garcia Luciana
Published: February 2020

Experimental design Neonatal treatment: Balb/c mice offspring were exposed to intranasal applications on day 3 and subsequently on every other day up to 13 days of life. While one group of animals were sham treated with PBS, the other received LPS (1μg/5μl; Escherichia coli O55:B5 Sigma-Aldrich; St. Louis, MO, USA) according to protocols that had been previously optimized for volume (16) and treatment timing (19). Allergen sensitizationin weaned animals: At the age of 4 weeks, all female animals were selected and sensitized by subsequent i.p injections of 0.1 ml of OVA grade VI (100µg,/100µl, Sigma-Aldrich) absorbed to 1 mg of imject Alum (Pierce Rockford, USA) on the 4th and 6th weeks of life. Airway challengein puberty and adulthood: Ten days later (7h weeks of life), neonatally (n) LPS-treated mice as well as PBS-exposed ones were divided into 2 groups. Whereas the LPSn/OVA and PBSn/OVA mice were challenged daily (on 10 consecutive days) by an intranasal application of 50μl of 1% OVA, the LPSn and PBSn mice were submitted to an intranasal application of saline. Then, after 24h, at 9h weeks of life the mice were sacrificed and processed according to the specific methods
Test Protocol v1
Authors: Lundberg Chad , VB Ben
Published: February 2020

things and stuff
A Constraint-based Analysis of Morphological Processes in the Ibibio Language
Authors: Michael Louisa Louis , Ahamefula Ndubuisi Ogbonna , Babarinde Olusanmi Olasunkanmi
Published: February 2020

This paper is on a constraint-based analysis of morphological processes in Ibibio (Lower cross language of Niger Congo: Nigeria). The study seeks to determine the phonological processes that condition and restrict the position of an affix while specifying where an affix may appear in a string of affixes; examine the influence of a morphological form on the phonological conditions that regulates affix placement in the Ibibio language, as well as determine the constraints that account for the appropriate placement of affixes on reduplicative forms. Leaning on the optimality framework, it was revealed that nouns in Ibibio accept only vowel prefixes which provides an enabling environment for vowel processes to occur in compounding and affixation. We observed that certain phonological forms, like the productive suffix –ke which has differing phonological realisations depending on the structure of the verb in Ibibio, are influenced by the morphological structure of a word while others are not. Certain constraints like the intervocalic constraint, the *[CC] constraint and the harmony constraint are some of the constraints that account for full reduplication in Ibibio. Also, partial reduplication in the Ibibio language adheres to the *complexons and the NO CODA constraint.
Politicized Transnationalism: The Visegrád Countries in the Refugee Crisis
Authors: Koß Michael , Séville Astrid
Published: February 2020

Existing research on the evolution of European integration has pitted economic against identity issues. In the economic sphere, governments are arguably able to pursue their preferences more independently. If, however, identity issues become politicized this is supposed to suggest that governments lose their dominant position in integration and gradually become agents of Eurosceptic parties and/or electorates. This article looks at a phenomenon neither the intergovernmentalist nor the postfunctionalist perspective can fully explain: the emergence of the Visegrád Group (V4) as a collective actor in European politics in early 2016. This emergence occurred in the wake of the refugee crisis during which the identity issue of migration was politicized. However, there was no coherent partisan composition uniting V4 governments. Based on a sequence elaboration of all press statements of meetings of the V4 Prime Ministers since their EU-accession in 2004, we show that what at first sight appears to be informed by anti-immigrant and Eurosceptic sentiments may in fact display a more ambivalent position towards regional integration. The post-refugee crisis V4 appears as a case of politicized transnationalism—that is, cooperation to achieve transnational interests under the condition of politicization. This transnational interest not only comprised opposition to a relocation of migrants, but also the maintenance of a core transnational freedom within the EU, namely free movement under the Schengen acquis. We conclude that, under the condition of increasing politicization, identity issues help to forge government alliances of governments pursuing economic preferences.
Análise diagnóstica de potencialidades turísticas e impactos ambientais no sertão de Alagoas
Authors: Oliveira José Fábio , Lima Conceição Maria Dias de
Published: February 2020

Resumo Esta pesquisa resulta de uma proposta de leitura de lugares usados e não usados pela prática do turismo no Sertão de Alagoas, considerando que a atividade turística compreende relevante aspecto junto ao discurso de desenvolvimento regional por parte do poder público e que acaba deixando de lado muitas vezes os impactos ambientais inerentes. Esta pesquisa se justifica pela necessidade de compreender o turismo como fenômeno importante para as mudanças recentes no Sertão de Alagoas, especialmente no município de Delmiro Gouveia, no tocante a infraestrutura turística, a estrutura organizacional, as dinâmicas e aos impactos ambientais relativos. Este trabalho pretende identificar os atrativos turísticos, os usos espaciais e os impactos ambientais relativos à atividade turística no município de Delmiro Gouveia, fazendo um comparativo entre um lugar turístico (Rio da Cruz) e um lugar não turístico (Rio São José).

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Turismo. Delmiro Gouveia. Sertão de Alagoas.
Cultura e territorialidades: apresentação
Authors: Lima Conceição Maria Dias de , Silva Cristiano Cezar Gomes da
Published: February 2020

As dinâmicas territoriais e da cultura têm se tornado cada vez mais velozes e multifacetadas na coetaneidade. A própria definição de território, outrora mais bem delimitada, passa por transformações à medida que o simbólico perpassa a sua compreensão enquanto espaços não apenas fisicamente delimitáveis. Os contornos de suas fronteiras se deslocam do tangível e fixo para a fluidez e a mobilidade da intangibilidade característica das redes. Nesse contexto de incertezas e mudanças aceleradas, de imprecisão e ceticismo, a noção de territorialidade pluraliza-se.
A questão indígena em contexto multidisciplinar
Authors: Silva Naesia Daiane dos Santos , Silva Flaviana dos Santos , Almeida Natália Bandeira de , Albuquerque Tereza Cristina Cavalcanti de
Published: February 2020

RESUMO: Este artigo discute o projeto didático Raízes Indígenas de Alagoas que sob a perspectiva de uma formação baseada na Lei 11.645/08, a qual torna obrigatório o ensino da História e Cultura Afro-brasileira e Indígena incorporado ao currículo escolar, proporcionou o desenvolvimento de intervenções multidisciplinares em turma do Ensino Fundamental. O projeto foi realizado através do PIBID (Programa Institucional de Bolsas de Iniciação à Docência) por estudantes do curso de Pedagogia da Universidade Federal de Alagoas - Campus Arapiraca, em uma das escolas da rede municipal de Arapiraca no Estado de Alagoas com uma turma de 2° ano do Ensino Fundamental.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Cultura Indígena. Formação de professores. Ensino fundamental.
PSYCHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF SOCIAL MEDIA USERS’ ACTIVITY
Authors: Sosniuk O. P. , Оstapenko I. V.
Published: February 2020

The article deals with the analysis of psychological features of social media users’ activity. The authors discuss the main approaches to the classification of social media, clarify the definition of this concept. The article presents the analysis of the typologies of social media users. According to the results of the qualitative study, the authors identified eight types of social media users, (considering the specifics of their activity: 1) generator of creolized content; 2) initiator of the discussion; 3) active participant in the discussion; 4) spreader of the creolized content; 5) imitator; 6) conformist; 7) observer; 8) inactive user. The psychological characteristics of the activity of these types of users of social media are identified. It has been proved that there are some differences in the ratio of different types of users for the most popular social networks (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and messengers (Telegram, Viber). It is determined that the leading types of users are: for the Facebook – discussion initiator, active discussion participant, conformist; for the Instagram – generator of creolized content, spreader of the creolized content, and a follower; for the Twitter – generator of creolized content, spreader of the creolized content and a discussion initiator; for Telegram – discussion initiator, active discussion participant, spreader of the creolized content; for Viber messenger – initiator of discussions, active participant of discussions, conformist. The prospects for further research are outlined: verification of the typology of social media users in an expanded sample, specification of the psychological profile of different types of social media users, creation of technologies for development of personality’s media competence, identification of preconditions for constructive social media impact on users, exploration of the role of social media in the process of building a personality’s civic competence.
Expected future developments in child neurology
Authors: Tein Ingrid
Published: February 2020

We stand on the shoulders of giants on the threshold of many new exciting developments in the field of child neurology due to innovations in clinical approach, diagnostic technologies and treatment strategies. There are many exciting new technologies, but we must never forget the power of clinical medicine which allows us to interpret and use these tools with precision and with clinical wisdom. Strong collaborations continue to be needed: between clinicians for the meticulous clinical phenotyping, expansion of the range of phenotypic expression, and the entry of patients into international RCTs (randomised controlled trials); between the biochemists for the biochemical phenotyping and understanding of the basic pathophysiology of the underlying dysregulations and disease mechanisms arising from the protein dysfunctions and the development of robust biomarkers, to evaluate disease severity and response to therapies; and between the geneticists for the understanding of the impact of the exonic or intronic mutations, roles of other regulatory genes on the affected pathway, and epigenetic factors. These collaborations in the aggregate will lead the field forward in terms of increased insight into disease pathophysiology for the development of targeted precision medicine treatment strategies and effective preventative measures. This review is meant to highlight certain selected areas of future development and is not meant to be a comprehensive survey beyond the scope of this review. The subspecialty areas which will be highlighted will include intellectual disability, epilepsy, neuroprotection, neonatal and fetal neurology, CNS infections, headache, autoimmune/inflammatory disorders, demyelinating disorders, stroke, movement disorders, neurotransmitter defects, neuromuscular diseases, neurometabolic disorders, neurogenetic diseases, neuropsychiatry/autism, and neurooncology. In each subspecialty area, I will endeavor to identify emerging diseases, new specific diagnostic technologies and novel therapeutic approaches, but will need to be selective. This review is the culmination of a literature survey for current developments, discussions with leaders in each of the subspecialty fields, who I will acknowledge at the end, and certain personal projections.
Distanciamiento e identificación en la poesía latina de Juan Interián de Ayala
Authors: Ruiz Sánchez Marcos , Ruiz Sánchez María
Published: February 2020

La concepción de la elegía como un tipo de poesía basada en los sentimientos da lugar en la poesía neolatina de mercedario español Interián de Ayala a una forma poética en la que la identificación se combina con el distanciamiento. El mismo fenómeno se produce igualmente en los epigramas del autor, en los que la influencia de Catulo se combina con la de Marcial y con una utilización de los símbolos poéticos profundamente original.