bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19: An Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital of Nowshera
Authors: Khan Hamzullah , Khan Mohammad Zahid , Naveed Mian Mohammad
Published: June 2020

Objective: To determine the frequency of COVID-19 and characteristics of patients presenting to the COVID-19 clinic at Qazi Hussain Ahmed Medical Complex (QHAMC) Nowshera.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 21st Feb 2019 to April 8, 2020, in QHAMC Nowshera. Relevant information was collected on a pre-designed Performa prepared following the objectives of the study.

Results: Out of 220 patients, 165(75%) were males, and 55(25%) females. 96(43.6%) of the patients were in the age range 18-30 years followed by 52(23.6%) in age range 31-45years and 17(7.7%) with age>60 years etc. Out of total the nasopharyngeal swabs of 26(11.6%) strong suspects were sent for PCR testing. 208(94.5%) were sent home while 12(5.5%) were advised quarantine. Forty-seven (21.4%) had a travel history to an epidemic area in the last 14 days. 51(23.2%) had a positive history of contact. Eighty-five (38.6%) had a fever and sore throat followed by 27(12.3%) with (fever & cough), 24(10.9%) with (cough and shortness of breath/dyspnea) and 14(6.4%) with a simple flue, etc. Out of 26 cases, 6(2.7%) were COVID-19 Positive, 12(5.5%) were negative and results of 8(3.6%) were still awaited. The PCR repeated the test for confirmed cases showed;  4(1.8%) negative, one died and one was refractory positive.  A positive correlation (p=0.03, r=0.4) of an increase in age with the severity of the disease/outcome was recorded.

Conclusion: The frequency of infectivity with COVID-19 was 2.6%. A higher number of patients with mild symptoms attend the COVID clinic. The rate of infection and mortality was higher in age> 60 years.
Effect of Vitamin-D supplementation in adults presenting with chronic lower back pain
Authors: Akhtar Rahman Rasool , Ahmed Riaz , Ashraf Sabeen , Ashraf Omair , Shafique Umer , Mureed Ayesha
Published: June 2020

Background: Chronic pain in the lower back of adults is a common problem and mostly associated with Vitamin D deficiency. Along with standard treatment, vitamin D supplementation can help in early and better relief from back pain.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in patients with chronic lower back pain.

Study Design & Methods: This Quasi-experimental trial was conducted at Department of Orthopaedics, Benazir Bhutto Hospital for 6 months. The patients aged between 15 to 55 years with chronic low back pain were included and pain score was noted by using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Patients were prescribed with oral vitamin D3 with a dose of 50,000 IU weekly for eight weeks (induction phase) and oral vitamin D3 with a dose of 50,000 IU once monthly for 6 months (maintenance phase). Outcome parameters included pain measured by VAS, functional disability by modified Oswestry disability questionnaire scores, and Vitamin-D3 levels at baseline,2, 3 and 6 months post-supplementation.

Results: Mean age of patients was 44.21± 11.92 years.There were 337 (56.2%) male patients while 263 (43.8%) female patients. Baseline mean vitamin-D levels were 13.32 ± 6.10 ng/mL and increased to 37.18 ± 11.72 post supplementation (P < 0.0001). There was a significant decrease in the pain score after 2nd, 3rd& 6th months (61.7 ± 4.8, 45.2 ± 4.6 & 36.9 ± 7.9, respectively) than 81.2 ± 2.4 before supplementation (P < 0.001). The modified Oswestry disability score also showed significant improvement after 2nd, 3rd& 6thmonths (35.5 ± 11.4, 30.2 ± 9.4 & 25.8 ± 10.6, respectively) as compared to baseline 46.4 ± 13.2 (P < 0.001). About 418 (69.7%) patients attained normal levels after 6 months.

Conclusion: Prescription of Vitamin D in addition to standard therapy for chronic lower back pain can be beneficial in getting relief from pain and improving the functional ability of the patient.
Acute Myocardial Infarction and its association with ABO blood group in Pakistani population
Authors: Iftikhar Imran , Khan Hamid Sharif , Rehman Adeel Ur
Published: June 2020

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of ABO blood groups among patients with acute myocardial infarction in the Pakistani population

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY : Department of Interventional Cardiology, Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi, from May 2015 to November 2015.

METHODOLOGY: A total of 250 subjects with acute myocardial infarction were included in the study. The study was explained to the patients and informed consent taken. All patients underwent 12 lead electrocardiography using Mortara instrument ELI 250 and were analyzed by a single trained reader unaware of the patients’ blood group. Cardiac troponin levels were assessed at least three hours after the onset of symptoms. The ABO blood group was assessed by using the standard slide agglutination method in the hospital pathology laboratory and verified by the principal investigator. The data was collected on a pre-tested questionnaire by the investigator after taking informed consent from the patient.

RESULTS: In our study, the mean age of patients was 57.3 years. 36.4% were between 18-50 years of age while 63.6%were between 51-80 years of age. 79.2% were male and 20.8% were females. Frequency of ABO blood groups among patients with acute myocardial infarction in our study population was recorded as 28.8% with O +ve , 26% with B+ve, 18.4% with A+ve, 13.2% with AB +ve, 5.6% with A-ve, 4.4% with B-ve, 3.2% with O-ve and 0.4% with AB -ve

CONCLUSION: We concluded that the frequency of acute myocardial infarction in our population is higher among patients having blood group O+ve followed by B+ve blood group.
İlaç Kullanımı İle Oluşan Cilt Reaksiyonları
Authors: OGAN Didem , DİKMEN Miriş
Published: June 2020

İlaç kullanımına bağlı ortaya çıkan advers etkiler arasında cilt
reaksiyonları sık görülen bir sağlık sorunudur. Özellikle
ilaçların sistemik veya lokal olarak kullanımından
sonra, ciddi advers etkiler görülmekte ve bunlardan cilt reaksiyonları da klinikte en sık
rastlanılanlar arasındadır. Bu advers etkilerin büyük bir bölümü şiddetli olmamakla birlikte,
nadir görülen bazı cilt reaksiyonları ise ölümle sonuçlanabilmektedir. İlaç kullanımına bağlı olarak
meydana gelen cilt reaksiyonları, immünolojik ve immünolojik olmayan
mekanizmalarla ortaya çıkmaktadır.

Bu derlemede özellikle akut ve kronik ilaç kullanımına bağlı
olarak ortaya çıkan cilt reaksiyonları ve bu reaksiyonlara neden olan ilaçlar
hakkında bilgiler derlenmiştir.
İntestinal Stomanın Gebelik Sürecine Etkisi ve Hemşirelik Bakımı
Authors: ALPTEKİN Hatice Merve , ŞİMŞEK ŞAHİN Eda
Published: June 2020

Stoma, hastanın hayatını kurtarmak, yaşam kalitesini arttırmak için
sıklıkla uygulanan cerrahi girişimdir. Stomalı hastaların gebe kalamayacağı
gebe kalsa bile terme ulaşamayacağı ya da vajinal doğum yapamayacağı ile
ilgili, yanlış bir inanış vardır. Stoması olan kadınlar tekil ya da çoğul
gebelik yaşayabilir, gebenin ve fetüsün durumuna göre vajinal ya da sezeryan
doğum eylemini başarılı şekilde gerçekleştirebilir. Fakat gebeliğin terme
yaklaşmasıyla birlikte stoma boyutundaki değişimler ve abdomenin konveks bir
hal alması sonucu stoma torbasını değiştirmede sorun yaşanabilir. Bu nedenle
stoması olan kadınların gebelik boyunca stoma boyutları ve stomaya ilişkin
komplikasyonlar açısından da değerlendirilmeleri gerekmektedir. Ayrıca
kadınlara hem gebeliğinde hem de stomasında yaşayabileceği değişimler ile
ilgili stoma bakım hemşiresi tarafından eğitim verilmesi gerekmektedir.
Reprodüktif dönemdeki stomalı kadınların gebe kalıp kalamayacakları, gebe
kaldıklarında bu süreci nasıl geçirecekleri ve sağlık profesyonellerinin bu
konudaki deneyimleri ile ilgili literatürde sınırlı sayıda çalışma mevcuttur.
Bu araştırmanın amacı reprodüktif dönemde olan stomalı kadınların
karşılaşabilecekleri sorunlar ve hemşirelik bakımı ile ilgili bilgi
sağlamaktır.
Bulaşıcı Olmayan Hastalık Mortalite Oranları ile İnsani Gelişmişlik Endeksi ve Küresel Cinsiyet Uçurumu Endeksi Arasındaki İlişki
Authors: YILDIRIM ÖZTÜRK Elif Nur , UYAR Mehmet
Published: June 2020

Bu araştırmada; ülkelerin Bulaşıcı Olmayan Hastalık (BOH) mortalite oranlarının İnsani Gelişmişlik Endeksi (IGE) ve Küresel Cinsiyet Uçurumu Endeksi (KCUE) ile ilişkisinin varlığının ve boyutunun değerlendirilmesi ve sık görülen hastalıkların/sağlık sorunlarının eşitsizliklerle ilişkisine dikkat çekilmesi amaçlanmıştır.
Araştırma tanımlayıcı türdedir. Araştırma kapsamında kullanılan veriler Dünya Sağlık Örgütü tarafından açıklanan BOH Raporu’ndan, Birleşmiş Milletler’in IGE verilerinden ve Dünya Ekonomik Forumu’nun KCUE verilerinden elde edilmiştir. Araştırmada kullanılan verilerin tamamı 2016 yılına aittir. Karşılaştırmalarda kullanılması planlanan verilerin tamamına sahip olan 140 ülke araştırma kapsamına alınmış; 55 ülke ise verilerinde eksiklikler bulunması nedeniyle çalışma dışında bırakılmıştır. Veri girişi, analizi ve rapor yazımı işlemleri bilgisayar ortamında gerçekleştirilmiştir. Analizler sırasında sayısal verilerin özetlenmesinde ortalama, standart sapma, minimum ve maksimum değerleri kullanılmıştır. Çalışmada; BOH mortalite oranları ile IGE ve KCUE arasındaki ilişki Spearman Korelasyon katsayısı ile incelenmiştir. İstatistiksel olarak p’nin 0,05’ten küçük olduğu durumlar anlamlı kabul edilmiştir.
Toplam 140 ülkenin BOH mortalite oranları ortalaması %72,385±20,758 (Min:27, Max:95) idi. Araştırma kapsamında bulunan 140 ülkeden en düşük BOH mortalite oranına sahip olanlar Çad, Angola, Kenya ve Mozambik iken; en yüksek orana sahip olan ülkeler Bulgaristan, Sırbistan ve Karadağ idi. Ülkelerin BOH mortalite oranları ile IGE arasında pozitif yönde, kuvvetli düzeyde ve istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ilişki saptandı (r=0,781, p<0,001). BOH mortalite oranları ile KCUE arasında pozitif yönde, zayıf düzeyde ve istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ilişki saptandı (r=0,323, p<0,001).
Araştırma sonucunda; BOH mortalite oranları ile İGE ve KCUE arasında anlamlı ilişkiler saptanmıştır. İnsani gelişmişlik arttıkça ve küresel cinsiyet eşitsizliği azaldıkça; BOH mortalitesinin arttığı bulunmuştur.
DÜNYA-SİSTEM TEORİSİ BAĞLAMINDA SOSYAL BİLİMLERİN BİLİMSELLİĞİNİ SORGULAMAK
Authors: DİKİCİ Erkan
Published: June 2020

Sosyal bilimlerin pozitivist bir kimliğe bürünmesi beraberinde bir takım metodolojik sorunları getirmiştir. Sosyal gerçekliği açıklamada yetersiz kalması, sosyal bilimlerin yaşadığı sorunların genel bir tanımlanması olarak kabul edilebilir. Sosyal bilimlerin yaşadığı sorunlar ve beraberinde ortaya çıkardığı kriz, sosyolojiyi de etkilemiştir. Bu durum, birçok sosyal bilimci/sosyolog tarafından eleştirilmiştir. Bu eleştirmenlerin başında Immanuel Wallerstein gelmektedir. 1970’li yıllarda önem kazanan Dünya-Sistem Teorisi ile adından söz ettiren Wallerstein, sosyal bilimlerde/sosyolojide yaşanan sorunları ve krizi, kapitalizme yönelik eleştirileri ile açıklama gereği duymuştur. Artık sosyal bilimlerde yeniden yapılandırmanın gerekliliğine işaret eden Wallerstein, Dünya-Sistem Teorisine yönelik görüşleri ve eleştirileri ile sosyal bilimlerin bilimselliğini sorgulamıştır. Tarihsel sosyal bilimlere dikkat çeken Wallerstein, bunun için bir mücadelenin çağrısını yapmıştır. Bu bağlamdan hareketle çalışmada, Wallerstein’ın modern-kapitalist dünya-sistemine yönelik eleştirilerine yer verilirken, ortaya attığı Dünya-Sistem Teorisi incelenmiştir. Çalışmanın amacı, Wallerstein’ın Dünya-Sistem Teorisi’nden hareketle, sosyal bilimlerde yaşanan krizi ele alarak sosyal bilimlerin bilimselliğini sorgulamaktır.
Vigilancia para quitar el velo
Authors: Bellon Elizabeth
Published: June 2020

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Análisis de los flujos audiovisuales: El cine en México
Authors: Martínez Garza Francisco Javier
Published: June 2020

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La experiencia cinematográfica: cine y mente
Authors: Castellanos Cerda Vicente
Published: June 2020

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La sociedad silenciada: viejos y nuevos actores comunicativos en la transmisión mediática nacional
Authors: Esteinou Madrid Javier
Published: June 2020

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La radio comercial en Monterrey. Apuntes para caracterizar una región
Authors: Pedroza Gabriela
Published: June 2020

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Porosidades citadinas
Authors: Aguirre Aguilar Genaro
Published: June 2020

La naturaleza de este texto, parte del interés que tiene el autor por compartir una serie de movimientos analíticos que esbozan algunas rutas para el entendimiento de su objeto de investigación. La entrega que realiza, indaga, propone y busca atreverse a argumentar en el marco de un proceso reflexivo, pero igualmente creativo, que pretende ordenar los primeros hallazgos de su investigación doctoral, cuyo objetivo es analizar los factores socioculturales que pueden estar constituyendo los imaginarios y las prácticas amorosas urbanas entre las mujeres y hombres jóvenes de la zona conurbada Veracruz-Boca del Río; para lo cual ha venido trabajando etnográficamente y a nivel discursivo a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas y grupos de discusión. Lo que ahora pone a consideración es una suerte de "ensayo de orquesta" donde lo observado en los espacios, junto con discursos de algunos sujetos de su investigación, muestra a la ciudad, sus espacios, las ofertas y los medios de comunicación, y los lugares de interpelación y mediación para representar, posibilitar vivir el amor urbano entre los jóvenes.
A Case of Intravenous Suicide: Sodium Hypochlorite & Benzalkonium Chloride
Authors: SOYUDOĞRU Serpil , MERCAN BAŞPINAR Melike , BASAT Okcan , ÇALIK Mustafa
Published: June 2020

Sodium hypochlorite as a strong oxidant- bleaching agent and benzalkonium chloride as a biocide is frequently used agents for cleaning and sterilization purposes, both in health care units and at home. Despite the injection of sodium hypochlorite into the venous system has been described many times before, to our knowledge self-administration of a mixture of sodium hypochlorite and benzalkonium chloride has not been reported by a way of suicide. Our patient was a health Professional who was running a sport and beauty center. The amount of total concentration intake that patient said prepared by himself (400 ml of sodium hypochlorite, 400 ml of benzalkonium chloride, and 1000 ml of isotonic liquid ) was unknown but it was known that >150–200 mL of hypochlorite in adults is enough for systemic poisoning. The cross effects of chemicals on human tissues and organs are unpredictable, our patient was discharged by recovering all systemic damages except permanent kidney damage. This study aims to present a rare suicide poisoning event and adverse clinical sequelae.
A Rare ıntracranial Mass of Childhood; Menengioma
Authors: GOCGUN Nurdan , İKİZCELİ Türkan , YILMAZ Behice Kaniye , SAVAS Yildiray , TURKAY Rüştü
Published: June 2020

Meningioma is the most common extra parenchymal brain tumor in adults, originating from arachnoid cap cells in the brain, and is very rare in childhood. As pediatric meningiomas are rare, they have different and challenging epidemiological, radiological, and histopathological features than adults. We aimed to share a very rare case of meningioma in a 7-year-old girl presenting with sudden vision loss and seizures in the light of the literature.
A Case Report: An Unusual Presentation of Purple Urinary Bag Syndrome
Authors: Alhaddad Juliano , Kosseifi Fares , Raad Nehme , Noujeim Antoine
Published: June 2020

Background: The Purple Urinary Bag Syndrome (PUBS) is an uncommon and under-reported syndrome. It results from the purple discoloration of urine by tryptophan-oxidizing bacteria in a favorable alkaline milieu and usually affects patients with indwelling catheters. Other risk factors include female gender, chronic constipation, tryptophan-rich diet, and cognitive impairment. Although asymptomatic in the majority of cases, PUBS may be the sole and earliest sign of an aggressive urinary tract infection, especially in elderly patients where the presentation may be atypical and associated with resistant organisms, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE). Proper treatment consists of catheter replacement and antibiotic therapy, which is indicated only in the setting of symptomatic infections.

Case Presentation: We report an unusual presentation of PUBS in a 79-year-old male patient with no classical risk factors. The patient had a supra-pubic catheter for urinary retention secondary to urethral strictures. Every month, by the time of catheter exchange, the patient developed an asymptomatic purple discoloration of the urinary bag, which was not investigated until he presented at our facility. Urine analysis revealed acidic urine. Appropriate antibiotic therapy was initiated after the development of urinary symptoms, and the catheter was replaced. No recurrent urine discoloration occurred.

Conclusion: This case represents the rare occurrence of PUBS in the setting of a suprapubic catheter in a male patient. It also highlights that even in atypical presentations, antibiotic therapy should be tailored to the clinical status of the patient and not the mere presence of bacteriuria. Raising awareness about this “esoteric” syndrome is essential for early diagnosis and proper management.
A Blueprint for the Milky Way’s Stellar Populations: The Power of Large Photometric and Astrometric Surveys
Authors: An Deokkeun , Beers Timothy C.
Published: June 2020

Recent advances from astronomical surveys have revealed spatial, chemical, and kinematical inhomogeneities in the inner region of the stellar halo of the Milky Way. In particular, large spectroscopic surveys, combined with Gaia astrometric data, have provided powerful tools for analyzing the detailed abundances and accurate kinematics for individual stars. Despite these noteworthy efforts, however, spectroscopic samples are typically limited by the numbers of stars considered; their analysis and interpretation are also hampered by the complex selection functions that are often employed. Here we present a powerful alternative approach—a synoptic view of the spatial, chemical, and kinematical distributions of stars in the Milky Way based on large photometric survey databases, enabled by a well-calibrated technique for obtaining individual stellar metal abundances from broadband photometry. We combine metallicities with accurate proper motions from the Gaia mission along the prime meridian of the Galaxy, and find that various stellar components are clearly separated from each other in the metallicity versus rotation-velocity space. The observed metallicity distribution of the inner-halo stars deviates from the traditional single-peaked distribution, and exhibits complex substructures comprising varying contributions from individual stellar populations, sometimes with striking double peaks at low metallicities. The substructures revealed from our less-biased, comprehensive maps demonstrate the clear advantages of this approach, which can be built upon by future multiband photometric surveys, and used as a blueprint for identifying the stars of greatest interest for upcoming spectroscopic studies.
2D and 3D Analysis of a Torus-unstable Quiet-Sun Prominence Eruption
Authors: Rees-Crockford T. , Bloomfield D. S. , Scullion E. , Park S.-H.
Published: June 2020

The role of ideal-MHD instabilities in a prominence eruption is explored through 2D and 3D kinematic analysis of an event observed with the Solar Dynamics Observatory and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory between 22:06 UT on 2013 February 26 and 04:06 UT on 2013 February 27. A series of 3D radial slits are used to extract height–time profiles ranging from the midpoint of the prominence leading edge to the southeastern footpoint. These height–time profiles are fit with a kinematic model combining linear and nonlinear rise phases, returning the nonlinear onset time (t
nl) as a free parameter. A range (1.5–4.0) of temporal power indices (i.e., β in the nonlinear term

) are considered to prevent prescribing any particular form of nonlinear kinematics. The decay index experienced by the leading edge is explored using a radial profile of the transverse magnetic field from a PFSS extrapolation above the prominence region. Critical decay indices are extracted for each slit at their own specific values of height at the nonlinear phase onset (h(t
nl)) and filtered to focus on instances resulting from kinematic fits with

(restricting β to 1.9–3.9). Based on this measure of the critical decay index along the prominence structure, we find strong evidence that the torus instability is the mechanism driving this prominence eruption. Defining any single decay index as being “critical” is not that critical because there is no single canonical or critical value of decay index through which all eruptions must succeed.
Normal Reference Ranges of Optical Coherence Tomography Parameters in Children
Authors: Krumova Silviya , Sivkova Nelly , Marinov Vassil , Koleva-Georgieva Desislava , Voynikova Desislava
Published: June 2020

Aim: To measure the macular thickness, macular volume and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in healthy Caucasian chil­dren using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) and analyze the correlation of these values with age, refraction, and biometric measurements.

Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 270 healthy children (150 female and 120 male) aged 6 to 17 years with no ocular abnormalities. All children underwent a detailed eye examination. The measurements were obtained using a SDOCT device (SOCT Copernicus REVO). Main outcome measures were macular thickness, macular volume and RNFL thickness. Their correlations with age, refractive error, anterior chamber depth (ACD) and axial length (AL) was analyzed. Right eyes of all subjects were selected for analysis.

Results: In this study group (mean age 10.70±2.82 years), the average peripapillary RNFL thickness was 117.11±9.15 μm, the central macular thickness was 232.10±15.81 μm, the average macular thickness was 286.70±9.82 μm, and the average macular volume was 8.01±0.28 mm³. The average values for the biometric data were: axial length – 23.16±0.94 mm, anterior chamber depth – 3.64±0.26 mm, the spherical equivalent (SE) value – +0.81±0.58 diopter. Central macular thickness, inner macular thickness (superior, inferior, nasal, temporal quadrants) values, total macular thickness and macular volume were significantly higher in males than in females. We found a positive correlation between central macular thickness, inner nasal macular thickness, outer inferior macular thickness values, and age. Also, we found a significant correlation between the average macular thickness values and the average macular volume values (p<0.0001). RNFL measurements did not correlate with age (p=0.199). Almost all macular parameters were consistently positively cor­related with SE. A significant correlation was also found between the central macular thickness, inner inferior macular thickness, inner nasal macular thickness and the ACD. We found a significant correlation between the average macular thickness, macular volume, inner superior macular thickness, outer macular thickness (superior, inferior, nasal, temporal quadrants) values and the AL.

Conclusion: This study found normal reference ranges for RNFL and macular parameters measured by SOCT Copernicus REVO in healthy Caucasian children aged 6-17 years. This normative values could be very useful in early diagnosing and monitoring of optic neuropathy, glaucoma and macular diseases in childhood.
Vitamin D and Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases - a Review
Authors: Miteva Mariya Zh. , Nonchev Boyan I. , Orbetzova Maria M. , Stoencheva Snejana D.
Published: June 2020

The essential biological action of vitamin D is regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism and preserving bone health. In recent years there have been reports about the extraskeletal actions of vitamin D and its role in the regulation of immune system. Vitamin D supplementation appears to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and infections and be able to reduce all-cause mortality. Deficiency of vitamin D has been found to correlate with the increased incidence of autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis. Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD), including Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are relatively common autoimmune disorders affecting more than 5% of general population. It has been shown that vitamin D receptors (VDR) and 1-alpha hydroxylase are expressed in papillary thyroid cancer and normal thyroid tissue, suggesting local synthesis of 1,25(OH)2D in the thyroid. While VDR gene polymorphism has been found in much research to be associated with AITDs, very few studies have examined the impact of vitamin D deficiency on the incidence of AITDs in humans with conflicting results. This review focuses on the association between vitamin D and autoimmune thyroid diseases and summarizes the results of vitamin D supplementation studies in patients with AITD.
First record of the peacock fly Callopistromyia annulipes (Diptera: Ulidiidae) in Romania
Authors: Pintilioaie Alexandru-Mihai , Manci Cosmin-Ovidiu
Published: June 2020

The peacock fly Callopistromyia annulipes (Macquart, 1855) is recorded for the first time in Romania, from several locations. Its current distribution in Europe and some data regarding the ecology of the species are presented.
First record of Protaetia (Netocia) subpilosa (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) in Romania
Authors: Teodorescu Maximilian , Drapau Leonard
Published: June 2020

A new species for the Romanian entomofauna is mentioned: Protaetia (Netocia) subpilosa (Desbrochers des Loges, 1869). The only found individual is illustrated, and its habitat is discussed.
Lumbricides as a bio-indicators of the influence of electrical transmission line in the conditions of Ukrainian Polissia
Authors: Vlasenko Ruslana , Khomyak Ivan , Harbar Oleksandr , Demchuk Nataliia
Published: June 2020

The complex interaction of a man and the environment requires the creation of algorithms for predict- ing the effects of anthropogenic impact. This requires the creation of the ecosystem models where all their basic elements and relationships are taken into account. One of the most effective methods for choosing the most informative differential elements of a system is the development and the implemen- tation of bio-indication models. Nowadays the important task is the development of the bio-indication methods for various anthropogenic complex effects.

The electrical transmission lines carry out a specific integrated environmental impact. It is created on the changes in the environment under the influence of magnetic and electric fields and the long-term consequences of their interaction with ecosystem components. This effect is negative for the most representatives of biota and for earthworms in particular. We observe how the number of species de- creases, the species diversity reduces and the morphological parameters change towards species with a shorter body length under reaching the electrical transmission lines.

Some genera of the earthworms are able to survive under the effects of the modern electrical transmis- sion lines, although this reflects their abundance and morphological parameters. These species include Aporrectodea caliginosa and Aporrectodea trapezoides. They can be used as diagnostic genera of impact of the electrical transmission lines on biota. They can be genera indicators for the determination of the effect of the electrical transmission lines. The presence of Lumbricus terrestris shows the low electrical transmission line effects, and the presence of Aporrectodea roseа or Aporrectodea longа shows low or moderate effects.

We can create bioindication models according to the relations between groups of species of dominant and subdominant specimens formed by the body size. Under the condition of creating a wide data-base and establishing the vitality parameters, it is possible to develop more advanced and efficient algorithms for the synbioindicator analysis of the impact of the electrical transmission lines on the environment.
A revision of Pachyballus Simon, 1900 and Peplometus Simon, 1900 (Araneae, Salticidae, Ballini) with descriptions of new species
Authors: Wesolowska Wanda , Azarkina Galina N. , Wiśniewski Konrad
Published: June 2020

Two genera from the tribe Ballini (Araneae, Salticidae), Pachyballus Simon, 1900 and Peplometus Simon, 1900, are remarkable for their resemblance to beetles. Their biology is, however, poorly known and taxonomy has hitherto been rarely analysed. Thirteen species are included in this taxonomic revision of the two genera. Six of them are new to the science: Pachyballus caelestissp. nov. (♂♀, Congo D.R.), Pachyballus miniscutulussp. nov. (♂♀, South Africa), Pachyballus mombasensissp. nov. (♂♀, Kenya), Pachyballus ornatussp. nov. (♂♀, Congo D.R. and Tanzania), Peplometus congoensissp. nov. (♂♀, Congo and Congo D.R.), and Peplometus nimbasp. nov. (♂, Guinea). One species (Pachyballus cordiformis Berland et Millot, 1941) and a subspecies (P. flavipes aurantius Caporiacco, 1949) are recognised as synonyms of Pachyballus flavipes Simon, 1910. One new combination is proposed: Peplometus oyo (Wesołowska et Russell-Smith, 2011) comb. nov. (ex Pachyballus). The previously unknown females of Pachyballus transversus Simon, 1900 and Peplometus chlorophthalmus Simon, 1900, along with the males of Pachyballus castaneus Simon, 1900 and Peplometus biscutellatus (Simon, 1887) are newly diagnosed and described. Neotypes for Pachyballus castaneus and P. flavipes are designated. Numerous new data on the distribution are provided here and a key to Pachyballus females and to the males of Peplometus is presented. Identity of one species remains doubtful, Pachyballus gambeyi (Simon, 1880).
Implementing Web Services using PHP Soap Approach
Authors: Hammoudeh Mohammad Ali A. , Al-Ajlan Ajlan S.
Published: June 2020

Recently, the utilization of IT in the Higher Education institutions has expanded, thus e-Learning must to turn out to be completely embedded into e-Learning and showing practice rather than the traditional approaches to e-Learning. However, this development inside e-Learning frameworks isn't yet completely realized, and the most significant difficulties to this objective are holding students inside instruction and attracting them to take part in Higher Education. One of the methodologies that have been taken to address these difficulties is to utilize the Web services approach to encourage working and participation between Higher Education institutions. Taking account that XML documents are the most commonly applied and successful type of Web services. Being PHP is the best choice for web developers, especially for Web services. This paper will present the proposed approach which aims to expand the current architecture of Web services to meet the technical requirements of the e-Learning framework. It will give an outline of certain strategies that help designers to create SOAP with PHP language. It will portray how to expand PHP Sakai and Moodle to help Web services by utilizing the PHP SOAP method. Besides, it will delineate that this utilization of Web services is a direct advancement of Web programming models, and it will exhibit how PHP can be utilized as a fast and easy development tool for creating them. The spotlight of this paper is to research the expansion of Web services to support PHP Sakai and Moodle by utilizing the PHP SOAP strategy.
Development of a Wastewater Network Model Using ArcGIS Based Automated Tool
Authors: Ezz Hesham , Mostafa Nagwan G.
Published: June 2020

In this study a wastewater network model is developed using ArcGIS based automated tool that integrates with AutoCAD and SewerCAD. The developed model consists of three main phases. The AutoCAD phase where input data like served area, land survey, and network planning are prepared in DWG form. Then, the ArcGIS processes the DWG input data and generates output shapefiles required to build a SewerCAD network in the third phase. The shapefiles include all defined parameters required to start network analysis like pipelines layout, manholes’ locations, elevations, assigned populations and sanitary loads. Also, The model provides an unserved area option which allows the model user to eliminate a specific unsewered zone(s) from the predefined served area. The model helps network designers saving time and minimizing efforts since building wastewater networks in SewerCAD becomes a matter of minutes not hours. The model is applied on a wastewater network of an Egyptian village.
Diagnosis of Discrete Event Systems under Temporal Constraints Using Neural Network
Authors: Msaaf Mohammed , Belmajdoub Fouad
Published: June 2020

The good functioning of a discrete event system is related to how much the temporal constraints are respected. This paper gives a new approach, based on a statistical model and neural network, that allows the verification of temporal constraints in DES. We will perform an online temporal constraint checking which can detect in real time any abnormal functioning related to the violation of a temporal constraint. In the first phase, the construction of temporal constraints from statistical model is shown and after that neural networks are involved in dealing with the online temporal constraint checking.
Review of Spirulina/Arthrospira Growth Medium Modifications
Authors: Stunda-Zujeva Agnese
Published: June 2020

Nutrients and their content in growth medium significantly affect the growth rate and quality of biomass. This review summaries the latest studies on microalgae Arthrospira spp. and Spirulina spp. growth media. Most of studied growth media are modified Zarrouk’s medium. Detailly discussed are effects of change in some microelement concentration and sources and salinity or NaCl concentration, however there are still lacking studies on microelement role and long-term studies. It should be highlighted that various species and strains of Arthrospira and Spirulina reacts to growth media composition change very differently. There is no single best growth media formulae for all species and strains of Arthrospira/Spirulina. Recycling for few times is possible but content of biomass changes.
Use of Wood Ash in the Forest and its Effect on the Concentration of Essential and Heavy Metallic Elements in Soil and Blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.)
Authors: Lazarenko Vitālijs , Rudovica Vita , Viksna Arturs , Zvaigzne Zaiga Anna , Okmanis Modris
Published: June 2020

The aim of this research is to evaluate the influence of wood ash as an additive fertilizer to forest soil and growing blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) in terms of metallic element content. To evaluate the effect of wood ash on the forest ecosystem, was selected two forest areas which was fertilized with a certain amount of wood ash (bottom ash and fly ash). The selected forest areas were divided into two types of sampling plots (fertilized with ash and control). Obtained results showed that in the bottom ash dispersion area the concentration of Ca, K, Ni, Cu is almost twice higher in the fertilized plots than control plots. In the blueberries, metallic element content is similar and does not depend on the type of sampling plot.
Development of Bioadhesive Biomaterials Based on Silk and Hyaluronic Acid
Authors: Egle Karina , Dubnika Arita
Published: June 2020

Silk fibroin can be derived from the silkworm Bombyx mori and it has the main properties for its use as bioadhesive biomaterial in medicine – biocompatibility, good mechanical properties and controllable degradation rate. On the other hand hyaluronic acid (HA) is an attractive polymer for biomedical applications, due to its biological and structural importance, as well as its ease of modification. Thus in this study, two types of silk raw materials for preparation of silk fibroin (SF) solutions were used. Obtained SF solutions with and without hyaluronic acid (HA) were cross-linked to form hydrogels. Widely used cross-linking agent glutaraldehyde (GTA) was used in this study. Two temperatures 37°C and 60°C were chosen to determine the effect of temperature on the cross-linking rate of the samples. The gelation time, swelling ratio and structural features of the adhesive were also studied.
Investigation of Carbohydrate C-Silylation with Chlorosilanes
Authors: Kroskins Vladislavs , Nikitina Karina , Lugiņina Jevgeņija , Rjabovs Vitālijs
Published: June 2020

We studied possibility of silylation of lithiated carbohydrates using chlorosilanes. We observed that after the lithiation, the silylation is concurrent with a protonation reaction. In the case of trimethyl chlorosilane, we achieved 1:1 ratio with 36% isolated yield, while triphenyl chlorosilane gave 1:2 (silylated:reduced) ratio and 4% isolated yield. In the case of benzyl protected carbohydrate, silylation at benzylic position was observed.
Clay-Humic Substance Composites for Removal of Pharmaceuticals from Water
Authors: Ansone-Bērtiņa Linda , Jemeļjanova Marta , Kļaviņš Māris , Ozola-Davidāne Rūta , Kviesis Jorens
Published: June 2020

Humic substances are the main component of soil organic matter and they actively interact with substances in soils, including pollutants. Humic acid-clay mineral composite materials can be considered as prospective and low-cost sorbents for contaminant removal. The aim of this study is to develop clay mineral and humic acid composite materials and to characterise their possible applications. For this research, montmorillonite, kaolinite and bentonite were saturated with three types of humic substances: technical humic acid from lignite, humic substances extracted from raised bog peat (Latvia) and technical K humate from lignite. Obtained sorbents were characterized using FTIR. The sorption was characterised according to the chosen clay mineral and humic acid type and concentration. Comparing the influence of clay minerals and humic substances on humic matter sorption, it has been found that the sorbed amount of humic substances depend on chosen humic substances and/or clay mineral. Obtained sorbents were used for sorption of chlorpromazine. Results indicate that the most perspective sorbents for chlorpromazine removal are bentonite and bentonite modified with humic acid. However, montmorillonite-humic composites also can be used for removal of chlorpromazine from water.
Changes in Ecological Linseed Oil Paints During Outdoor Weathering of Wood Panels
Authors: Sansonetti Errj , Cīrule Dace , Andersons Bruno , Andersone Ingeborga , Kuka Edgars
Published: June 2020

In this research, three ecological paints, based on linseed oil as the main component, are characterized and investigated to optimize their properties and utilization in protection of wood surfaces. The aim is to find the suitable parameters for the application and drying of the paints, which can guarantee a better protection of wood surfaces during outdoor utilization. Initially the three paints were characterized determining some of their chemophysical parameters, such as density, viscosity, dry content and glass transition temperature. Afterwards panels of pine wood (Pinus sylvestris L.) were coated and exposed to outdoor weathering (OW). During OW color changes and hydrophobicity are repeatedly measured and monitored to evaluate the efficiency of the paints. To minimize the discoloration of wood substrate, paint formulations include also different type of pigments in their composition.
Oxidation of 1,2-Propanediol to Lactic Acid under Novel Supported Au Catalysts and Reaction Kinetics
Authors: Zhizhkuna Svetlana , Chornaja Svetlana , Vladiko Jevgenija , Drunka Reinis , Jankoviča Dzidra , Dubencovs Konstantins , Sile Elina
Published: June 2020

This work demonstrates that 5wt% gold catalysts supported on Al2O3 and TiO2 nanopowders as well as on TiO2 nanofibers are active in the 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO) oxidation to lactic acid. The influence of catalysts different parameters and reaction conditions on 1,2-PDO conversion and oxidation process selectivity was studied. The best result was achieved using 5wt%Au/TiO2 catalyst over the following oxidation parameters: c0(1,2-PDO) = 0.3 mol/L, n (1,2-PDO)/n (Au) = 4000 mol/mol, p (O2) = 6 bar, c0(NaOH) = 2 mol/L, t = 60 °C: 1,2-propanediol conversion was 98 % and lactic acid selectivity 89 %.
Adhesion Investigations of Systems Based on Birch Plywood and Wood Plastic Composites
Authors: Kajaks Jānis , Kalnins Karlis , Matvejs Juris
Published: June 2020

One type of birch plywood production by-product: plywood sanding dust (PSD) and virgin polypropylene (PP) composites adhesive activity was investigated. To improve of the WP (PP+40 wt.% PSD) composites sheets as overlay bonding strength against birch plywood surface and water resistance of these laminated systems the industrially produced WPC material was modified with maleated polypropylene wax (MAPP) additives. These studies showed possibility of the usage of presented by-product as an excellent reinforcement for PP based wood plastic composites and addition of the coupling agent (MAPP) gives the considerable increase of adhesive activity of the used WPC. Due to the presence of MAPP (up to 4%) significantly increases not only adhesive strength of the laminates but also water resistance of the laminated sandwich specimens. As the example adhesive bonding strength could reach 2,74 N/mm2 and increases up to 4 times to compare with unmodified WPC adhesives.
Development of Peat Processing Methods for Production of Innovative Products
Authors: Irtiseva Kristine , Baronins Janis , Krūmiņš Jānis , Ozolins Jurijs , Kļaviņš Māris , Medne Olita
Published: June 2020

Synthesis or humification of humic substances (HSs) is the second widely applied organic compound transformation process after photosynthesis. Peat decomposition process results in a production of a HSs which has a high demand in agriculture, forestry, and gardening areas. Addition of the KOH is good option for environmental protection and K+ belongs to the nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous (NKP) mineral component. A homogenization process in a customize for commerce, where peat treatment technology was improved with the help of the cavitation effect. This effect was provided with the help of the high-speed mixer-disperser (HSMD) developed at Riga Technical University. Mechanical cavitation causes relatively high energy shifts from mechanical movement of cavitation causing elements to the liquid medium which causes efficient destruction of particles inside a suspension. Values of the peat particle diameter at 50 % in the cumulative distribution before and after 1, 2, and 3 homogenization cycles were measured in the present study. The aim of the present study was to find the optimal conditions (KOH concentration, cavitation cycles and reaction temperature) to produce potassium humate (K-HSs) regarding sustainable regenerative approach aspects. Cavitation treatment of the tested peat particle diameter at 50 % in the cumulative distribution (d50) from 267 down to 129 µm; the peak in the size range from 160 up to 409 µm completely disappears and significantly decreases the number of Dalton’s which causes the more efficient formation of fulvic acid caused by increased concentration of carbonyl and carboxyl groups as compared with the conventional homogenization method.
Electronic Properties of Thermoelectric PbSe2 Compound by Density Functional Theory Method
Authors: Han Man Man , Fu Jia , Liu Xing , Jiang Tao
Published: June 2020

Based on the first-principles calculation and the quasi-harmonic Debye model, the electronic and thermodynamic properties of CuCl2-type PbSe2 compound of a promising thermoelectric (TE) material are studied. According to the analysis of the density of states (DOS) and the Mulliken electron population, it is found that the PbSe2 compound possesses weak metallic characterization, where the covalent bonding exists in PbSe2 compound and the ionic bonding exists between Pb and Se atoms. Besides, the Debye temperature decreases with increasing temperature at certain pressures, and it shows the increasing tendency under the elevated pressure at certain temperatures. The Grüneisen parameter increases with increasing temperature at the given pressures, and it also decreases with increasing pressure at the given temperatures. The density functional theory (DFT) is used to obtain the parameters of the Debye temperature, the Grüneisen constant and thermal expansion coefficient, which are about 319.76 K, 2.42, and 8.41×10-5K-1 at 0 GPa, which provides useful parameters and contributes to explore new potential TE materials in future.
Metal Sulfide Assisted Coal Catalytic Hydrogenated Microwave Pyrolysis
Authors: Liu Chang Bo , Yue Chang Sheng
Published: June 2020

The efficient cleaning conversion of coal is more and more attracted due to resource exhaustion and environmental pollution. To improve the yield and quality of products of coal pyrolysis, the catalytic hydrogenated microwave pyrolysis was introduced, and the effects of metal sulfide on hydrogenated microwave pyrolysis were focused on discuss via the detection methods of proximate and ultimate analyses, SEM-EDS, FT-IR and GC-MS in this work. The results shown that because of the “hot-spot” effect and the characteristics of electromagnetic loss of metal sulfide, the temperature-rising rates with catalysts were obviously higher, but the final pyrolysis temperatures with or without catalyst were almost close. Higher temperature-rising rate with catalysts made the yield of liquid product more, which the yields of liquid product with MoS2 and FeS2 catalyst were 28.4 wt.% and 27.1 wt.%. The carbon distributions indicated that carbon in solid and gaseous products transferred into liquid product, when the catalysts added into pyrolysis reactions. The quality of tar with catalyst was improved, and the component content of light oil, intermedium oil and heavy oil were 67.55 wt.%, 27.98 wt.% and 4.47 wt.% for MoS2 catalyst, in which the content of light oil increased by 10.30 times than that without catalyst. The thermal effect and catalysis of metal metal sulfide made complex aromatic compounds more thorough cracking, improved the amount and active of free hydrogen. Actived free hydrogen further enhanced cracking of heavy oil, resulting in the content of hydrogen in gaseous with catalysts decrease, and the content of light oil increased.
Ni-MnO2 Synthesized by One-Step Liquid Phase Coprecipitation as Promising Electrode Materials for Supercapacitor
Authors: Zhou Yue , Yang Qing Hao , Dong Jie
Published: June 2020

Nickel-doped manganese dioxide (Ni-MnO2) as electrode materials for supercapacitors were successfully prepared by one-step chemical liquid phase coprecipitation with the different nickel doped proportions. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) were used to analyze the micro-structure, morphology and composition. And electrochemical properties were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) and electrochemical impedance spectrometry (EIS). The results revealed that MnO2synthesized in this work turned out to be δ-MnO2of homogeneous dispersion and excellent electrochemical properties. Specific capacitance of 300.85 F/g was achieved for the 2% Ni-doped MnO2at 2mV/s through cyclic voltammetry, and after 5000 circles the persistence rate of which still remained to 75%, exhibiting a preeminent advantage of stability and reversibility to naked MnO2.