bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical and CT scan findings in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: a comparison based on disease severity
Authors: Hesam-Shariati Sonia , Mohammadi Susan , Abouzaripour Morteza , Mohsenpour Behzad , Zareie Bushra , Sheikholeslomzadeh Hana , Rajabi Fahimeh , Shariati Mohammad Bakhtiar Hesam
Published: June 2022

Background

The SARS-CoV-2 can cause severe pneumonia and highly impact general health. We aimed to investigate different clinical features and CT scan findings of patients with COVID-19 based on disease severity to have a better understanding of this disease.

Methods

Ninety patients with coronavirus were divided into three categories based on the severity of the disease: mild/moderate, severe, and very severe. Clinical, laboratory, and CT scan findings of the patients were examined retrospectively. Any association between these features and disease severity was assessed.

Results

The mean age and duration of hospitalization of patients increased with increasing the severity of the disease. The most common clinical symptoms were shortness of breath, cough, and fever. As the severity of the disease increased from mild/moderate to very severe, there was an increase in neutrophil counts and a decrease in lymphocytes and white blood cells (WBC) showing excessive inflammation associated with severe forms of COVID-19. Subpleural changes (81%) and ground-glass opacification/opacity (GGO) lesions (73%) of the lung were the most common features in CT images of COVID-19 patients, and interlobular septal thickening (10%) was the lowest CT feature among patients. Regarding the affected parts of the lung in COVID-19 patients, bilateral, peripheral, and multiple lesions had the highest prevalence.

Conclusions

It has been shown that clinical, laboratory, and CT scan findings varied in COVID-19 patients based on disease severity, which need to be considered carefully in timely diagnosis and treatment of this illness.
Sex-specific Association of Primary Aldosteronism With Visceral Adiposity
Authors: Hatano Yu , Sawayama Nagisa , Miyashita Hiroshi , Kurashina Tomoyuki , Okada Kenta , Takahashi Manabu , Matsumoto Masatoshi , Hoshide Satoshi , Sasaki Takahiro , Nagashima Shuichi , Ebihara Ken , Mori Harushi , Kario Kazuomi , Ishibashi Shun
Published: June 2022

Context

The association between primary aldosteronism and obesity, especially its sex difference, remains unknown.

Objective

To assess the association for each subtype of primary aldosteronism with obesity parameters including visceral adipose tissue and differences between sexes.

Methods

In this case-control study, 4 normotensive controls were selected for each case with primary aldosteronism. Multivariable conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between each type of primary aldosteronism and obesity indicators. We used a random forest to identify which visceral or subcutaneous tissue areas had a closer association with disease status.

Results

The study subjects included 42 aldosterone-producing adenoma cases (22 women) and 68 idiopathic hyperaldosteronism cases (42 women). In multivariable conditional logistic regressions, aldosterone-producing adenoma was significantly associated with body mass index only in men (odds ratio [OR] [95% CI)], 4.62 [1.98-10.80] per 2.89 kg/m2) but not in women (OR [95% CI], 1.09 [0.69-1.72] per 3.93 kg/m2) compared with the matched controls, whereas idiopathic hyperaldosteronism was associated with body mass index in both men (OR [95% CI], 3.96 [2.03-7.73] per 3.75 kg/m2) and women (OR [95% CI], 2.65 [1.77-3.96] per 3.85 kg/m2) compared with the matched controls. In random forests, visceral adipose tissue areas were the better predictor of both aldosterone-producing adenoma and idiopathic hyperaldosteronism than subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Conclusions

Aldosterone-producing adenoma cases were obese among men, but not among women. Idiopathic hyperaldosteronism cases were obese among both men and women. Visceral adipose tissue may contribute to the pathophysiology of primary aldosteronism.
Treatment success with two doses of methotrexate vs single dose of methotrexate in Ectopic Tubal Pregnancy
Authors: Khakwani Mehnaz , Parveen Rashida , Ali Syeda
Published: June 2022

Objectives: To compare the success rates and safety of two-doses of methotrexate versus single dose of methotrexate in ectopic tubal pregnancy.

Methods: This was an open-label, randomized controlled trial done at “The Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nishtar University Hospital, Multan” from January 2020 to July 2021. A total of 100 women (50 in each group), aged 20 to 35 years with a tubal ectopic pregnancy were enrolled. All patients were randomly allocated to either single-dose or two-dose methotrexate protocol. Cases were evaluated for treatment success, side effects, beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-hCG) resolution time and treatment satisfaction.

Results: In a total of 100 cases, mean age was 29.6±4.5 years. Mean serum β -hCG levels at baseline was 1212±78 mIU/ml. Treatment success was noted among 43 (86.0%) cases of single-dose group versus 45 (90.0%) cases (p=0.5382). Duration of β -hCG resolution time was significantly shorter in two-dose group (23.0±12.1 days versus 28.2±12.8 days, p=0.0394). No significant difference was noted in methotrexate associated side effects in both study groups (p=0.9996). Overall, mean satisfaction score was 4.0±1.3 (out of 5).

Conclusion: Although, β -hCG resolution time was significantly low in two-dose protocol but single-dose methotrexate offered comparable success rates versus two-dose protocol. Side effects were mild and comparable in both methotrexate treatment protocols. Methotrexate was found to be effective in the medical management of ectopic pregnancy.

Trial Registry: NCT05208034 at: www.ClinicalTrials.gov

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5251

How to cite this:Riaz A, Sughra U, Jawaid SA, Masood J. Measurement of Service Quality Gaps in Dental Services using SERVQUAL in Public Hospitals of Rawalpindi. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(6):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5251

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.
Analysis of changes in the expression levels of peripheral blood immunoregulatory T Lymphocytes in children with bronchial asthma accompanied by recurrent infection
Authors: Mi Junda , Guo Yong
Published: June 2022

Objectives: To investigate the changes in the expression levels of peripheral blood immunoregulatory T lymphocytes in children with bronchial asthma accompanied by recurrent infection.

Methods: Eighty children with bronchial asthma admitted to the Third Outpatient Department of General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from January 2017 to January 2019 were retrospectively selected and divided into two groups according to whether they had recurrent infection: the asthma group (n=49) and the recurrent infection group (n=31). Another 40 children in the same age group who had a health checkup or a surgical hospital preoperative examination were selected as the control group. Peripheral venous blood of each group was taken to measure the expression levels of T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+), and regulatory T cells (Treg) and helper T lymphocytes (Th1, Th2, Th17) in CD4+ subsets were detected at the same time. Moreover, Th1/Th2 values were calculated, and the levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-17 (IL-17), and interleukin-21 (IL-21) were measured.

Results: The expression levels of CD3+ lymphocyte subsets were similar among the recurrent infection group, the asthma group, and the control group (P>0.05), and there were statistically significant differences in CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ lymphocyte subsets among the three groups (P<0.05). Statistically significant differences were observed in Treg, Th1, Th2, Th17 and Th1/Th2 values among the recurrent infection group, asthma group and control group (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+<0.05), and the expression levels of IL-4, IL-17 and IL-21 in the three groups also showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Bronchial asthma with recurrent infection may have a close bearing on the expression level of peripheral blood immunoregulatory T lymphocytes, and indirect examination of peripheral blood T lymphocyte level in children can be used clinically to determine the incidence of the disease, which is of high clinical application value.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5521

How to cite this:Mi J, Guo Y. Analysis of changes in the expression levels of peripheral blood immunoregulatory T Lymphocytes in children with bronchial asthma accompanied by recurrent infection. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(6):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5521

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.
Effects of budesonide combined with salbutamol on pulmonary function and peripheral blood eosinophiles and IgE in patients with acute attack of bronchial asthma
Authors: Liu Jing , Wang Yu , Tang Yanfen , Liu Gang , Chen Qi
Published: June 2022

Objectives: To explore the effect and value of salbutamol and budesonide in the treatment of patients with acute attack of bronchial asthma.

Methods: Medical records of patients with acute attack of bronchial asthma treated in our hospital from February 2020 to March 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Of them, 30 patients received salbutamol atomization inhalation treatment in addition to routine treatment such as cough relief, oxygen inhalation and asthma relief (Group-I), and 40 patients received routine treatment and budesonide and salbutamol atomization inhalation (Group-II). The time of symptom improvement, the improvement in pulmonary function indexes and in peripheral blood eosinophile (EOS) and IgE levels were retrospectively analyzed and compared between the two schemes.

Results: After the treatment, the average time of respiratory restriction, cough, shortness of breath and wheezing improvement in patients, treated with Group-II were lower than those in Group-I (P<0.05). Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) in Group-II were significantly higher than those in Group-I (P<0.05). Post treatment levels of EOS and IgE in peripheral blood of Group-II were significantly lower than those of Group-I (P<0.05).

Conclusion: On the basis of routine treatment, budesonide combined with salbutamol atomization inhalation for the treatment of patients with acute attack of asthma can be more efficient in improving symptoms and pulmonary, function and promote the effective reduction of EOS and IgE levels in peripheral blood.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5718

How to cite this:Liu J, Wang Y, Tang Y, Liu G, Chen Q. Effects of budesonide combined with salbutamol on pulmonary function and peripheral blood eosinophiles and IgE in patients with acute attack of bronchial asthma. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(6):---------.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5718

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.
Clinically significant endoscopic findings in a dyspeptic rural population cohort of Sindh, Pakistan: Are we over-investigating?
Authors: Kamran Muhammad , Asher Fawwad  , Bushra Rabbani  , Jameel Ahmed
Published: June 2022

Objectives: To discuss the clinically significant endoscopic findings of the upper GI tract and their association with different age groups in a dyspeptic rural population of Gadap town, Sindh.

Methods: This was a retrospective secondary data analysis of 806 patients conducted in the medical ward of Fatima Hospital, Baqai Medical University from December 2016 to May 2019. It was approved by the University Ethics Committee. Patients’ demographics and other data related to the procedure were recovered from patients’ records. SPSS version 20 was used for statistical analysis.

Results: There were marginally more women suffering from dyspepsia as opposed to men (51.5% vs 48.5% respectively). Majority of the patients were less than 45 years of age, with most procedures being performed as outpatients. Nearly 40% of the patients did not have clinically relevant endoscopic findings. Most common significant finding on endoscopic examination was gastritis followed by hiatal hernia.

Conclusion: Normal upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, regardless of age, is a common finding in patients suffering from dyspepsia in our setting. Therefore, in a resource constraint environment like ours, expensive endoscopic procedures should be reserved for those patients who are not responding to medical therapy or those who have alarm symptoms.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5948

How to cite this:Kamran M, Fawwad A, Rabbani B, Ahmed J. Clinically significant endoscopic findings in a dyspeptic rural population cohort of Sindh, Pakistan: Are we over-investigating? Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(6):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5948

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.
Portal vein thrombosis and non-compliance in a high risk patient – a case study
Authors: Marczak Aleksandra , Hordejuk Michalina , Gołacki Jakub , Sapuła Klaudia , Iwaszko-Sochal Klaudyna
Published: June 2022

Portal vein thrombosis is a pathological process that refers to the obstruction of blood flow secondary to thrombus formation. It may be caused by a variety of conditions including cancer, cirrhosis, myeloproliferative neoplasms (eg. polycythemia vera) or surgery in the area of the portal vein (eg. splenectomy). Recent studies suggest that patients with a positive history of SARS-CoV-2 infection have a higher risk of thromboembolic incidents. According to current procedures patients with increased thromboembolic risk should receive anticoagulants. Non-compliance to medical recommendations may develop a disease, directly threatening the patient's health and life. We present a case report of a 69 year old woman with a history of polycythemia vera, recent splenectomy, and SARS-CoV-2 infection who developed massive portal vein thrombosis two days after discontinuation of enoxaparin.
Hygienic quality of raw and fermented cow milk in the local milk sector of the Liptako-Gourma area in Niger
Authors: Gagara Mariama Hima , Sessou Philippe , Dossa François S. P. , Azokpota Paulin , Youssao Issaka A. K. , Gouro Soumana Abdoulaye , Farougou Souaibou
Published: June 2022

Background and Aim: Milk is a food of high nutritional value, which occupies an undeniable place in the human food ration, but is an ideal medium for microbial growth. This study aims to assess the hygienic quality of local raw and fermented milk from the Liptako-Gourma region in Niger.

Materials and Methods: We performed physical and bacteriological analyses on 330 samples of bovine milk from local breeds, including 110 individual milk samples (per cow), 110 fermented milk samples, and 110 blended milk samples. The microbiological parameters were determined using standard methods.

Results: The physical analysis revealed temperatures during sample collection for all milk types between 35.2°C and 37.8°C. The average pH of fermented milk varied between 3.16 and 4.92 and those of individual and blended raw milks between 5.42 and 6.98. The titratable acidity varied from 15° to 18.1°D for raw milk and between 59° and 122°D for fermented milk. The average density of individual and blended milks ranged between 1.028 and 1.035. Regionally, milk samples from Tillaberi had a significantly higher aerobic mesophilic germ (GAM) load (7.42 ± 0.53 × 107 Colony-forming unit/mL; p = 0.0025) compared to the Dosso and Niamey regions. The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp. were 86.36%, 12.73%, and 20.91%, respectively, in fermented milk. Phenotypic identification pointed toward three genera: E. coli (30.76% ± 0.25%), S. aureus (20.58% ± 0.14%), and Salmonella spp. (2.74 ± 0.04%).

Conclusion: The present data suggest that milk samples collected from three regions in Liptako-Gourma had low quality; further, some of the bacteria identified (E. coli, S. aureus, and Salmonella spp.) could be potential foodborne pathogens.
Pengembangan LKPD Matematika dengan Model Learning Cycle 7E Berbantuan Mind Mapping
Authors: Rosliana Ina
Published: June 2022

Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian pengembangan (Research and Development). Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah menghasilkan LKPD matematika dengan model Learning Cycle 7E berbantuan mind mapping yang berkualitas untuk memfasilitasi kemampuan pemahaman konsep dan berpikir kreatif peserta didik kelas X SMA/ MA pada materi pokok trigonometri. Model pengembangan menggunakan model prosedural, dengan prosedur pengembangan menurut Depdiknas yang diadaptasi dari prosedur pengembangan Borg dan Gall. Langkah-langkah prosedur pengembangan tersebut yaitu: (1) melakukan analisis produk yang dikembangkan; (2) mengembangkan produk awal; (3) validasi ahli dan revisi; (4) uji coba lapangan skala kecil dan revisi produk; (5) uji coba lapangan skala besar dan produk akhir. Instrumen yang digunakan meliputi lembar pedoman wawancara, lembar penilaian LKPD, lembar soal test, dan lembar skala respon peserta didik. Berdasarkan penilaian ahli diperoleh bahwa kualitas LKPD matematika mendapatkan kriteria sangat baik dengan persentase . Berdasarkan nilai post-test diperoleh bahwa sebanyak 86,67% peserta didik yang mengikuti post-test kemampuan pemahaman konsep dan 83,33% peserta didik yang mengikuti post-test kemampuan berpikir kreatif mendapatkan nilai lebih besar atau sama dengan Kriteria Ketuntasan Minimum (KKM), sehingga telah berhasil memfasilitasi kemampuan pemahaman konsep dan berpikir kreatif peserta didik pada materi pokok trigonometri. Selain itu, respon peserta didik terhadap LKPD matematika dengan model Learning Cycle 7E berbantuan mind mapping mendapatkan respon positif dengan persentase . Oleh karena itu, LKPD matematika dengan model learning cycle 7E berbantuan mind mapping pada materi pokok trigonometri kelas X SMA/ MA dikatakan berkualitas dan dapat memfasilitasi kemampuan pemahaman konsep dan berpikir kreatif berdasarkan kriteria ketercapaian valid, efektif, dan praktis.
Hubungan Motivasi Belajar dan Persepsi Siswa terhadap Gaya Mengajar Guru dengan Prestasi Belajar Matematika
Authors: Azka Raekha
Published: June 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui seberapa besar hubungan motivasi belajar dan persepsi siswa terhadap gaya mengajar guru dengan prestasi belajar matematika siswa MA.Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif . Teknik pengambilan data digunakan metode tes untuk mengetahui prestasi belajar matematika siswa dan metode angket untuk mengetahui motivasi belajar dan persepsi siswa terhadap gaya mengajar guru. Analisis data menggunakan analisis regresi linear ganda.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan ada  hubungan yang positif dan signifikan antara motivasi belajar terhadap prestasi belajar matematika. Ada hubungan yang positif dan signifikan antara persepsi siswa terhadap gaya mengajar guru terhadap prestasi belajar matematika. Dan ada hubungan positif dan signifikan antara motivasi belajar dan persepsi siswa terhadapa gaya mengajar guru secara bersama-sama dengan prestasi belajar matematika siswa MA
Efektivitas Contextual Teaching and Learning terhadap Kemampuan Komunikasi Matematis dan Self-Confidence
Authors: Dwi Cahyani Ruri
Published: June 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan  untuk mengetahui keefektifan model pembelajaran  Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) dibandingkan dengan pembelajaran konvensional terhadap kemampuan komunikasi matematis siswa dan self confidence siswa. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah quasi experiment dengan desain non equivalent control group design. Variabel penelitian ini terdiri dari variabel bebas yaitu model pembelajaran Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) serta variabel terikat yaitu kemampuan komunikasi matematis dan self confidence siswa. Populasi penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas VII MTs Negeri 6 Sleman, sedangkan sampel penelitiannya adalah kelas VII A dan VII D. Kelas VII D dijadikan sebagai kelas eksperimen yang mendapatkan treatment berupa pembelajaran dengan model Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL). Kelas VII A dijadikan sebagai kelas kontrol dengan pembelajaran konvensional. Instrumen dalam penelitian ini adalah pretest-posttest kemampuan komunikasi matematis, prescale-postscale self confidence, RPP yang dilengkapi dengan Hypotetical Learning Trajectory, dan Lembar Kerja Siswa (LKS). Teknik analisis data dalam penelitian ini menggunakan uji-t untuk kemampuan komunikasi matematis dan uji Mann-Whitney untuk self confidence. Analisis data dilakukan dengan bantuan software SPSS 23 dan Microsoft Excel. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa model Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) lebih efektif dibandingkan dengan pembelajaran konvensional terhadap kemampuan komunikasi matematis siswa. Hasil penelitian juga menunjukkan bahwa Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) lebih efektif dibandingkan dengan pembelajaran konvensional terhadap self confidence siswa.
Self Awareness Siswa Madrasah Aliyah dalam Pembelajaran Matematika
Authors: Nu’man Mulin
Published: June 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui self awareness siswa Madrasah Aliyah ditinjau dari jenis kelamin dan kemampuan matematika (tinggi, sedang, dan rendah), baik secara keseluruhan maupun tiap indikator (emotional awareness, accurate self assessment, dan self confidence). Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah penelitian kuantitatif. Populasi penelitian ini adalah siswa Madrasah Aliyah di Yogyakarta dengan sampel siswa di 2 Madrasah Aliyah. Instrumen pengumpulan yang digunakan adalah kuesioner self awareness dan dokumen nilai matematika. Analisis data yang digunakan adalah uji-t dan ANOVA. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tidak ada perbedaan Self Awareness antara siswa laki-laki dan siswa perempuan, baik self awareness secara keseluruhan maupun tiap indikator self awareness yaitu emotional awareness, self awareness, dan accurate self assessment dan tidak ada perbedaan self awareness antara siswa dengan kemampuan tinggi, siswa dengan kemampuan sedang, dan siswa dengan kemampuan rendah, baik self awareness secara keseluruhan maupun tiap indikator self awareness yaitu emotional awareness, self awareness, dan accurate self assessment. Hasil ini menunjukkan bahwa pembelajaran matematika belum mampu memberi dampak maksimal terhadap self awareness siswa.
Delegation in Vertical Relationships: The Role of Reciprocity
Authors: Castellani Marco
Published: June 2022

We analyze the decision of a firm to produce an input internally or to delegate the production to a better-informed supplier. The supplier can produce inputs of different qualities. As quality is not verifiable, a selfish supplier always produces the quality that minimizes his costs. A supplier that is motivated by reciprocity may instead produce the quality that maximizes the revenues of the buyer. Accordingly, reciprocity could increase the use of the market. To trigger reciprocal behavior the buyer must propose a contract that the seller perceives to be kind. We find that for reciprocal behavior to show up, it is enough that the supplier is moderately reciprocal. Lastly, we provide some intuitions about how our results change if the supplier is liquidity-constrained and must be granted non-negative profits in all circumstances.
Short-term biological variation study of plasma hemophilia and thrombophilia parameters in a population of apparently healthy Caucasian adults
Authors: Brochier Alice , Mairesse Antoine , Saussoy Pascale , Gavard Christel , Desmet Sandrine , Hermans Cédric , Gruson Damien , van Dievoet Marie-Astrid
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Biological variation (BV) data obtained in a standardized way is valuable to assess the analytical requirements and the utility of a reference interval. Our study aimed to determine the short-term BV of thrombophilia (protein S, protein C, activated protein C resistance (APCR) and factor VIII) and hemophilia (factors VIII, IX and XI) parameters in plasma. Coagulation factors V and XII were also evaluated. Based on the obtained data, we assessed analytical performance specifications for the parameters. Finally, we intended to provide a robust tool for comparison of serial measurements of factors V, VIII, IX and XI.

Methods

A blood draw was performed weekly in 19 apparently healthy Caucasian adults for five weeks at Saint-Luc University Hospital (Brussels, Belgium). Parameters were measured in duplicate. BV components were calculated with a nested analysis of variance after exclusion of outliers.

Results

The analytical coefficient of variation (CV) varied from 1.5 to 4.6%, the within-subject CV from 1.6 to 8.9% and the between-subject CV from 3.8 to 24.1%. All parameters showed high individuality. For most parameters, the analytical goal was met with our assays. Reference change values (RCV) of −16.7% to +20.0%, −20.7% to +26.0%, −15.3% to +18.1% and −13.1% to +15.1% were obtained for factors V, VIII, IX and XI respectively.

Conclusions

All studied parameters were highly individualized. The assessment of BV data can guide setting analytical goal specifications. Comparison of serial measurements in the follow-up of patients suffering from hepatic failure or mild hemophilia is facilitated by evaluation of the RCV.
The efficacy and safety of dry cupping in cervical spondylosis with optimization of cup application time – a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Tehseen Ayesha , Ali Hamid , Husain Nazim , Varda Hina Kouser
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Dry cupping therapy (DCT) is considered beneficial in the amelioration of cervical spondylosis (CS) symptoms in Unani medicine. Therefore, the focus of this study was to ascertain the efficacy of DCT and optimal cup application time duration for CS.

Methods

It was a randomized clinical trial involving 45 participants with clinically diagnosed CS. The eligible subjects were randomly categorized into three groups, each having 15 participants. Each of the three groups, i.e., A, B, and C, received DCT daily for 15 days for 8 min, 10 min, and 12 min, respectively. All the participants were evaluated at the baseline, 7th, and 15th days of the trial using the neck disability index (NDI) as well as the visual analogue scale (VAS).

Results

The baseline mean ± SD of NDI and VAS scores were significantly reduced in all the three groups at the end of the trial. Although all three groups were statistically equal in terms of NDI, group-C demonstrated greater efficacy in terms of VAS.

Conclusions

The per-protocol analysis showed that dry cupping effectively alleviated neck pain across all treatment groups. Although, this effect on neck disability index was statistically equal in all three groups, the 12-min protocol was more successful in reducing pain.
Ambient refractive index sensitivity of long-period fiber grating (LPFG) with reduced cladding thickness using three-layer fiber geometry approach
Authors: Prashar Shivendu , Singh Sartajvir , Sood Vishakha , Sharma Sandhya
Published: June 2022

This article presents the refractive index (RI) sensitivity study of cladding reduced uniform long-period fiber grating. The displacement of resonant wavelength with the change in ambient RI is observed to inspect the sensitivity. Here, the grating period is fixed at a value (550 μm) to analyze RI sensitivity of cladding modes (HE13-HE14). However, it varies in earlier mathematical studies to adjust the resonant wavelength of all modes at a specific wavelength. The three-layer fiber geometry-based mathematical approach is employed to estimate the core and cladding modes. The obtained results support decline in quantity of cladding modes sustained by a single-mode fiber. The decrease in cladding radius has shown enhancement in RI sensitivity. For a reduction of 22 μm in cladding radius, the highest ordered HE14 cladding mode has shown 5.8 times improvement in its sensitivity.
The Conceptual Origin of Worldview in Kant and Fichte
Authors: Englert Alexander T.
Published: June 2022

Kant and Fichte developed the concept of a worldview as a way of reflecting on experience as a whole. But what does it mean to form a worldview? And what role did it play in the German Idealist tradition? This paper seeks to answer these questions through a detailed analysis of the form of a philosophical worldview and its historical portent, both of which remain unexplored in the literature. The dearth of attention is partially to blame on Kant’s desultory development of it, as well as its place in Fichte’s understudied lectures on religion. In this paper, I first reconstruct Kant’s conception as the starting point and then trace it to Fichte who went on to evolve it further. Fichte endorses the basic conceptual shape pioneered by Kant, namely, a reflective process of positing an idea and then checking the coherence of necessary judgments relative to it. However, Fichte came to realize that its philosophical function needed expanding. Beyond recognizing the possibility for alternative worldviews, Fichte further fleshed out how worldview creation could lead to human flourishing. The common feature between both thinkers is that the formation of a worldview aims to turn philosophy into a life-orienting exercise.
Iffy discourse: Japanesemoshiin conditionals and nominal topics
Authors: Yang Muyi
Published: June 2022

Conditional antecedents often contain elements that require the truth of the antecedent proposition to be open. One such element is Japanesemoshi, which can occur in conditional antecedents and topics. I argue that in both constructions,moshirequires the context to be “iffy”, in that the antecedent proposition or the set of individuals picked out by the topic must not be settled by the context. I build on Ebert, Christian, Cornelia Ebert & Stefan Hinterwimmer (2014. A unified analysis of conditionals as topics.Linguistics and Philosophy37(5). 353–408) and analyzemoshias an element that imposes a variation requirement on the speech act performed by conditional antecedents and topics.
Uncertainty as a disambiguating factor for conditional, temporal, and habitual constructions: evidence from Spanish
Authors: Merino Hernández Laura M.
Published: June 2022

The present work analyzes conditional constructions in Spanish that are polysemous between different conditional and non-conditional readings and whose meaning arises pragmatically. This article shows that the feature of uncertainty can help us identify potential conditional constructions, and distinguish constructions that are disguised as conditional, but that do not behave as such. Thus, factual protases are not considered “true” conditionals as their behavior is more akin to causal clauses. I argue that including uncertainty as a determining factor of conditionality can allow us to disambiguate between causal, temporal, and habitual clauses that can also yield a conditional meaning and vice versa. I also provide four tests that can allow us to disambiguate between conditionality, temporality, and habituality.
An ℋ-tensor-based criteria for testing the positive definiteness of multivariate homogeneous forms
Authors: Bai Dongjian , Wang Feng
Published: June 2022

A positive definite homogeneous multivariate form plays an important role in the field of optimization, and positive definiteness of the form can be identified by a special structured tensor. In this paper, based on the equivalence between the form and the corresponding tensor, and the links of the positive definiteness of a tensor with ℋ-tensor, we propose an ℋ-tensor-based criterion for identifying the positive definiteness of multivariate homogeneous forms. Some numerical examples are provided to illustrate the efficiency and validity of our results.
Design selection for a hemispherical dimple core sandwich panel using hybrid multi-criteria decision-making methods
Authors: Faidzi Mohd Khairul , Abdullah Shahrum , Abdullah Mohamad Faizal , Azman Abdul Hadi , Singh Salvinder Singh Karam , Hui David
Published: June 2022

The aim of this article is to determine the relationships between the essential criteria for the performance of sandwich panels and various alternative hemispherical core designs using a hybridisation technique within the multi-criteria decision-making method. A major reduction in core density reduced the structural integrity of the metal sandwich panel and promoted a significant effect of failure such as early delamination. Therefore, an effective optimisation analysis with highly precise determination is required to reduce the overall cost. The output from the finite element analysis was segregated into the nine main criteria that contributed to the sandwich panel performance. The analytical hierarchical process was used to develop a pairwise comparison matrix table and determine the weightages for each criterion. Further analysis using the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) was conducted to find the optimal solution for the core design. The results showed that a hemispherical dimple core design with a diameter of 6.0 mm and a depth of 3.0 mm achieved the highest-ranked closeness coefficient (CCi = 0.930 and 0.996) at both 70 and 50% of cyclic loading conditions. It was concluded that using small dimensions in the hemispherical core design configuration tends to produce better bonding strength performance in the sandwich panel, rather than configurations of larger dimensions. Hence, this method proved to be effective in determining the optimum selection, although the criteria and alternatives are intertwined, which complicates the process.
Improving tensile strength and impact toughness of plasticized poly(lactic acid) biocomposites by incorporating nanofibrillated cellulose
Authors: Tian Jiarong , Cao Zhongqi , Qian Shaoping , Xia Yingbo , Zhang Jiaxi , Kong Yingqi , Sheng Kuichuan , Zhang Ying , Wan Yi , Takahashi Jun
Published: June 2022

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) biocomposites are usually plasticized to overcome the problem of poor ductility, which decreases the valuable tensile strength. In this study, novel nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) was extracted to enhance the acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) plasticized PLA biocomposites. Interestingly, NFC not only exhibited an excellent strengthening effect but also showed a further toughening effect in the biocomposites. When 4 wt% NFC was added, the tensile strength, elongation at break, and impact strength of the biocomposites with 15 wt% ATBC and 20 wt% ATBC reached 52.6 MPa, 28.4%, 34.9 J/m and 35.8 MPa, 300.1%, 40 J/m, respectively. This is at least 1.1 folds higher in strength and 2.3 folds higher in impact toughness than the biocomposites without NFC. Glass transition and melting temperature slightly increased with NFC addition. More importantly, the mechanism of the strengthening and toughening effect was definitely elucidated, and the comprehensive performance of the application was evaluated. The findings of the study provide significant guidance for PLA application, such as in food packaging, medical engineering materials, and household products.
Green synthesis of spinel copper ferrite (CuFe2O4) nanoparticles and their toxicity
Authors: Jasim Saade Abdalkareem , Patra Indrajit , Opulencia Maria Jade Catalan , Hachem Kadda , Parra Rosario Mireya Romero , Ansari Mohammad Javed , Jalil Abduladheem Turki , Al-Gazally Moaed E. , Naderifar Mahin , Khatami Mehrdad , Akhavan-Sigari Reza
Published: June 2022

In this study, magnetic spinel copper ferrite (CuFe2O4) nanostructures were eco-friendly synthesized using Nasturtium officinale extract. Physicochemical properties of these nanostructures were determined by transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometry, and energy dispersive X-ray mapping analysis. XRD patterns conform to the CuFe2O4 formation. SEM results demonstrated ceramic spinel CuFe2O4 nanostructures with spherical surface morphologies. The cytotoxicity effect of CuFe2O4 nanostructures against rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells was evaluated based on MTT assay. The magnetic nanostructures had low toxicity at a concentration of 250 µg/mL. It appears that these nanostructures can be considered as suitable candidates for drug delivery and other biomedical applications, because of their low toxicity effects.
Doubly modified MWCNTs embedded in polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration membrane and its anti-fouling performance
Authors: Zhang Yadi , Wang Chengcong , Zhang Lijuan , Shi Jianghuan , Yuan Haikuan , Lu Jie
Published: June 2022

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are often used to modify polymer membranes as additives, however, MWCNTs are easy to agglomerate and entangle in polymer matrix due to their own strong van der Waals force. MWCNTs were doubly modified by bonding octadecylamine (ODA) and SiO2 through the respective amidation and esterification reactions to prepare SiO2-MWCNT-ODA nanocomposites. The amino groups on ODA were amidated with the carboxyl groups on MWCNT-COOH. Then the hydroxyl groups on SiO2 were bonded to MWCNT-COOH through esterification to obtain SiO2-MWCNT-ODA nanocomposites. PES/SiO2-MWCNT-ODA composite ultrafiltration (UF) membrane was prepared by non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method. SiO2-MWCNT-ODA nanocomposites and PES/SiO2-MWCNT-ODA membrane were characterized by FTIR, XRD, TGA, and SEM, etc. The results showed that PES/SiO2-MWCNT-ODA membrane had significantly improved permeability, rejection, and antifouling properties for comparison with PES membrane. The pure water flux of PES/Nano.2-0.5 reached 212.5 L m−2 h−1, which was approximately 2.6 times than that of PES membrane, and the rejection of BSA protein for composite membrane was as high as 94.2%. PES/SiO2-MWCNT-ODA composite membrane had excellent antifouling performance and the flux recovery rate (FRR) of PES/Nano.2-0.5 membrane could still maintain at higher value of 84.82% after two cycles in the antifouling test.
Self-referencing authorships behind the ICNIRP 2020 radiation protection guidelines
Authors: Nordhagen Else K. , Flydal Einar
Published: June 2022

In March 2020, ICNIRP (the International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) published a set of guidelines for limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields (100 kHz to 300 GHz). ICNIRP claims this publication’s view on EMF and health, a view usually termed “the thermal-only paradigm”, is consistent with current scientific understanding. We investigated the literature referenced in ICNIRP 2020 to assess if the variation in authors and research groups behind it meets the fundamental requirement of constituting a broad scientific base and thus a view consistent with current scientific understanding, a requirement that such an important set of guidelines is expected to satisfy. To assess if this requirement has been met, we investigated the span of authors and research groups of the referenced literature of the ICNIRP 2020 Guidelines and annexes. Our analysis shows that ICNIRP 2020 itself, and in practice all its referenced supporting literature stem from a network of co-authors with just 17 researchers at its core, most of them affiliated with ICNIRP and/or the IEEE, and some of them being ICNIRP 2020 authors themselves. Moreover, literature reviews presented by ICNIRP 2020 as being from independent committees, are in fact products of this same informal network of collaborating authors, all committees having ICNIRP 2020 authors as members. This shows that the ICNIRP 2020 Guidelines fail to meet fundamental scientific quality requirements and are therefore not suited as the basis on which to set RF EMF exposure limits for the protection of human health. With its thermal-only view, ICNIRP contrasts with the majority of research findings, and would therefore need a particularly solid scientific foundation. Our analysis demonstrates the contrary to be the case. Hence, the ICNIRP 2020 Guidelines cannot offer a basis for good governance.
Tail behaviours of multiple-regime threshold AR models with heavy-tailed innovations
Authors: Pan Jiazhu , He Yali
Published: June 2022

This paper studies the tail behaviours of the stationary distribution of multiple-regime threshold AR models with multiple heavy-tailed innovations. It is shown that the marginal tail probability has the same order as that of the innovation with the heaviest tail. Other new results in this paper include the geometric ergodicity and the tail dependence of TAR models with multiple heavy-tailed innovations.
BIST100 endeksi getiri volatilite modellemesinde standart ve kartiller arası değişim genişliğinin önemi: Koşullu otoregresif değişim genişliği (KODG) modelleri
Authors: BEKAR Engin
Published: June 2022

Finansal yatırım kararı alınırken ve risk yönetimi kapsamında politikalar belirlenirken göz önünde bulundurulması gereken en önemli kavram “risk” kavramıdır. Gelecekte karşılaşılabilecek farklı risk düzeylerinin uygun yöntemle öngörülmesi, bu risklere karşı hazırlıklı olunması ve doğru kararlar alınması açısından büyük öneme sahiptir. Doğru öngörülerde bulunabilmek ise ancak, istatistiksel performansı en yüksek modellerin belirlenmesiyle münkündür. Çalışmada, 3 Ocak 2011 – 24 Temmuz 2020 dönemi BIST100 endeksi haftalık verilerine dayalı olarak endeks getiri volatilitesi tahminlerini elde etmek ve istatistiksel performansı en yüksek modeli belirlemek amacıyla simetrik ve asimetrik modeller arasından seçilen getiri bazlı “ARCH (1) Modeli” ve değişim genişliği bazlı “Koşullu Otoregresif Değişim Genişliği Modelleri (KODGM)” tahmin edilmiştir. Yapılan değerlendirmeler sonucunda, BIST100 getiri volatilitesi tahmininde kullanılabilecek en uygun modelin, hataların Weibull dağılımı izlediği, kaldıraç etkisinin dikkate alındığı ve aşırı değerlere karşı dirençli olan “Kartiller Arası Değişim Genişliği” ölçüsüne dayalı olarak tahmin edilen “WKODGX (1,1) Modeli” olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Tüm bulgular birlikte değerlendirildiğinde, değişim genişliği bazlı modellerin, BIST100 endeks getirisi volatilite modellemesinde istatistiksel performansı belirgin bir biçimde iyileştirdiği sonucuna varılmıştır.
Comparison of the socio-economic sustainability performance of OECD countries
Authors: BAKİ Rahmi
Published: June 2022

Socio-economic Sustainability (SES) enables an organisation or a country to pursue economic growth in the present without undermining the ability of future generations to meet their needs, especially in terms of curtailing the depletion or destruction of environmental resources. Ensuring SES in a country helps shape the conditions for long-term economic and social development while conserving the environment. This study compares the SES performance of 38 member countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) by applying a multi-criteria approach. This research aims to make inferences about SES in developed and developing countries and promote change in line with sustainable development goals. A technique known as Multi-Attributive Border Approximation area Comparison (MABAC), considered a valuable and reliable decision-making tool for rational management, was applied. In practice, socio-economic performance indicators obtained from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) were examined to evaluate the performance of the 38 OECD countries included based on nine criteria. The study found that, of those 38, the highest performings were Korea and Japan, and the lowest was Colombia and Mexico.
Testing multi-factor asset pricing models in Borsa Istanbul
Authors: ÖZER Gökhan , YILDIRIM KUTBAY Ayşegül
Published: June 2022

This study aims to test the validity of multi-factor asset pricing models on the portfolios of non-financial companies whose shares are traded on Borsa Istanbul and to identify the model with the best explanatory power. Accordingly, the relationships between annual book-to-market equity ratio, firm size, market portfolio return, return on capital, operating profitability, momentum and value-added intellectual coefficient between 2008-2019 were analyzed using panel data analysis. As a result of the analyses made, it has been observed that Fama French's three and five factors, Carhart (momentum), q-factor, and suggested models are successful in explaining the returns of portfolios formed by non-financial companies. Furthermore, according to the GRS-F test statistic, the q-factor model was found to have higher explanatory power than other models.
Müşteri nezaketsizliği ile müşteri yönlü davranış arasındaki ilişki: Bankacılık sektöründe bir uygulama
Authors: BÖGE İshak , ÇOPUROĞLU Filiz , ÇAYIRAĞASI Filiz
Published: June 2022

İlgili yazında yapılan araştırmalar, hizmet sektöründe faaliyet gösteren işletmelerin başarısında müşteri yönlü davranışın oldukça önemli olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Bir hizmet işletmesinde çalışan-çalışan, çalışan-yönetici ve çalışan-müşteri ilişkisi öncelikle çalışan performansına sonrasında işletme performansına etki edebilmektedir. Bu bağlamda çalışmanın amacı, algılanan müşteri nezaketsizliği ile çalışanların müşteri yönlü davranışları arasındaki ilişkiyi analiz etmektir. Çalışma kapsamında “müşteri nezaketsizliği” ve “müşteri yönlü davranış”ı ölçmek için Antalya ilinde faaliyet gösteren banka çalışanlarından kolayda örnekleme ile 382 kişiden anket çalışması ile veri toplanmıştır.  Öncelikle katılımcılardan toplanan verilere faktör analizi yapılması suretiyle boyutlar elde edilmiş daha sonra da veriler, yüzde Frekans Analizi, Bağımsız örneklem T Testi, tek yönlü ANOVA ve Korelasyon Analizi gibi parametrik testlere tabi tutularak bulgular elde edilmiştir. Analiz sonuçları banka çalışanlarının maruz kaldıkları müşteri nezaketsizliği ile müşteri yönlü davranışları arasında istatistiki açından anlamlı bir ilişki olmadığı göstermiştir.
Uzaktan çalışma süreçlerinde dijital zorbalığın örgütsel dışlanmaya etkisi üzerine bir çalışma
Authors: ÖZTIRAK Mesut , ORAK Barış
Published: June 2022

Dijital araçların iş yapış süreçlerinde aktif bir şekilde kullanımı COVİD-19 pandemisiyle birlikte gelişerek daha önce görülmemiş oranlarda artış göstermektedir. Bu araçların yaygın bir şekilde kullanımı işyeri içerisinde gösterilen birçok davranışın dijital kanallara uyum sağlamasına ve dijital kanallar üzerinden gösterilmesine yol açmıştır. Bu araştırma ile dijital araçların kötüye kullanımının yol açabileceği durumlardan biri olan örgütsel dışlanmanın nasıl etkilediğinin test edilmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Bu çalışmada dijital zorbalığın örgütsel dışlanmayla ilişkisiyle, uzaktan çalışma gerçekleştirme sıklıklarının bu iki kavram üzerindeki etkileri incelenmiştir. İstanbul’da yer alan 15 farklı sektörden 404 katılımcıyla anket yoluyla gerçekleştirilen araştırmanın sonuçlarına göre çalışanların dijital zorbalığa maruz kalmasının örgütsel dışlanmayla anlamlı bir şekilde ilişkili olduğu, dijital zorbalığın iki alt boyutundan birey odaklı dijital zorbalığın örgütsel dışlanmayı negatif yönde, iş odaklı dijital zorbalığın ise örgütsel dışlanmayı pozitif yönde etki ettiği bulgulanmıştır. Ayrıca uzaktan çalışmanın örgütsel dışlanma ve dijital zorbalık ile ilişkilerinin anlamlı olmadığı tespit edilmiştir. Araştırmanın sonucuna göre işe yönelik dijital zorbalığa maruz kalmanın örgütten dışlanmışlığa yol açtığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.