bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Тенденції сучасного накісткового остеосинтезу дистального відділу стегнової кістки
Authors: Bilinskyi P.I. , Andreichyn V.A.
Published: September 2016

Переломи дистального відділу стегнової кістки складні у лікуванні, особливо в літніх людей. Сучасні високотехнологічні фіксатори, зокрема LCP-пластини, при цих переломах забезпечують добрий результат при суворому дотриманні методики застосування. Наведено аналіз 22 випадків ускладнень і незадовільних результатів застосування LCP-пластин при зазначених переломах. Виявлено, що результат лікування переломів LCP-пластиною залежить від якості попередньо проведеної репозиції відламків. При поганому контакті уламків, їх блокуванні, відсутності мікрорухливості уламків консолідація неможлива. Особливо важливою є анатомічна репозиція при поперечних, косих внутрішньосуглобових переломах. Її відсутність при останніх, як правило, закінчується розвитком деформуючого артрозу. Помилки лікаря у виборі фіксатора і його установці можуть бути причинами невдач у післяопераційному періоді. Засоби для малоконтактного багатоплощинного остеосинтезу прості в користуванні. У 34 випадках при переломах нижньої третини стегнової кістки остеосинтез проводився за допомогою пристрою для фіксації кісткових відламків (патент України № 17502). Після репозиції фрагменти фіксуються 2–3 кортикальними гвинтами. Пристрій забезпечує стабільний остеосинтез косих переломів нижньої третини стегнової кістки при застосуванні пластини на 8–10 отворів. Дрібні уламки підводяться до материнського ложа. Репозиційний остеосинтез завдає мінімальну травму уламків, створює умови для їх первинного зрощення. При осколкових переломах дистального відділу стегнової кістки, надчерезвиросткових переломах остеосинтез у 58 пацієнтів проводився пристроєм для остеосинтезу стегнової кістки (патент України № 92097). Пристрій певною мірою подібний до DHS-фіксатора, проте його конструкція значно простіша, напрямна набагато коротша, компресійний стрижень має на робочому кінці свердло і мітчик, що полегшує процес накладання пристрою, не завдає фрагментам додаткової травми.
Остеотомія за Weil при хірургічному лікуванні метатарзалгії
Authors: Turchyn O.A. , Lazarenko H.M. , Liabakh A.P.
Published: September 2016

Проаналізовані результати хірургічного лікування 9 пацієнтів (17 плеснофалангових суглобів) із застосуванням остеотомії за Weil. В усіх випадках було діагностовано метатарзалгію та відсутність плеснової параболи за прямою рентгенограмою. Результати оцінювали за схемою AOFAS та візуальною аналоговою шкалою в строки 6–27 місяців (у середньому 18,4 ± 4,5 місяця). Значимість різниці між середніми оцінена за допомогою двовибіркового t-тесту (α = 0,05). Функція стопи до та після операції становила 50,3 ± 5,7/82,8 ± 2,9 бала (p < 0,001), рівень болю — 6,5 ± 0,4/1,3 ± 0,1 см (p < 0,001). Остеотомія за Weil є ефективною хірургічною операцією, що сприяє суттєвому зменшенню больового синдрому та покращенню функції стопи.
Електропунктурна діагностика уражень суглобів нижніх кінцівок у хворих на ревматоїдний артрит
Authors: Herasymenko S.I. , Perfilova L.V. , Herasymenko А.S.
Published: September 2016

Результати дослідження отримані за допомогою методу електропунктурної діагностики Р. Фолля, вперше застосованого з метою визначення стану періартикулярних структур і внутрішніх (синовіальних) оболонок суглобів нижніх кінцівок у хворих на ревматоїдний артрит для підвищення ефективності діагностичного комплексу.
Підходи до дегельмінтизації у дітей
Authors: Marushko Yu.V. , Todyka Yu.I. , Zelena N.А. , Stepanyshchenko O.Yu.
Published: September 2016

Актуальність проблеми лікування паразитозів не викликає сумнівів. Всесвітня організація охорони здоров’я включила боротьбу з геогельмінтозами у Глобальну стратегію розвитку. Наше дослідження світової літератури підтвердило значну поширеність гельмінтозів і їх негативний вплив на здоров’я та розвиток дітей. Метою нашого дослідження було визначення ефективності комплексного підходу до дегельмінтизації дітей віком від 3 років препаратами альбендазолу та сорбентом. Проведення дегельмінтизації альбендазолом виявилося ефективним, а доповнення терапії сорбентом сприяло швидкому зменшенню проявів гельмінтозу.
Особенности железодефицитных состояний у детей раннего возраста
Authors: Kucher O.V.
Published: September 2016

Высокая распространенность и негативные последствия длительного дефицита железа для организма ребенка, особенно в периоды интенсивного роста и развития, обусловливают необходимость проведения своевременной диагностики и адекватной терапии препаратами железа железодефицитных состояний у детей раннего возраста. Оптимальным начиная уже с периода новорожденности является назначение пероральных препаратов Fe3+-гидроксидполимальтозного комплекса. В статье представлены материалы о группах риска, причинах развития, лабораторной диагностике и особенностях клинической картины железодефицитной анемии и латентного дефицита железа у детей раннего возраста.
Транзиторный неонатальный сахарный диабет, ассоциированный с нарушением импринтинга хромосомы 6q24 Часть 4. Дифференциальная диагностика и лечение
Authors: Abaturov O.Ye. , Nikulina A.O. , Rusakova O.O. , Hirina I.O. , Lybenko N.M.
Published: September 2016

В статье представлена дифференциальная диагностика заболеваний, протекающих с нео­натальной гипергликемией. Указаны общие причины гипогликемии у новорожденных, варианты ее сочетания с клиническими проявлениями со стороны различных органов и систем. В статье предложен алгоритм выбора лечебных мероприятий при TNDM. Описаны особенности диеты у новорожденных, проведение инсулинотерапии и другие направления медикаментозного лечения. Предоставлена информация о медицинских фондах синдрома, которую можно использовать в процессе организации диагностики и лечения у детей с 6q24-TNDM.
Сравнительная характеристика профилактики сердечно-сосудистых заболеваний в Украине и Европе по данным EUROASPIRE IV: госпитальная линия
Authors: Kovalenko V.M. , Dolzhenko M.M. , Nesukai Ye.H.
Published: September 2016

В статье дано описание исследования EUROASPIRE IV, проводимого в 2012–2013 гг. в 24 странах, в том числе и в Украине, посвященного профилактике сердечно-сосудистых заболеваний и сахарного диабета. Приводится сравнение данных, полученных в Украине, с результатами, полученными в других странах Европы.
Тези міжнародного симпозіуму «Захворювання кісток і суглобів та вік» м. Львів, 9–11 березня, 2016
Authors: Abrosimov Y. , Atanova Y. , Baimuhamedov Ch.
Published: September 2016

У статті представлені тези міжнародного симпозіуму "Захворювання кісток і суглобів та вік", який відбувся 9-11 березня 2016 року в м. Львів.
Статус вітаміну D у населення Буковини і Прикарпаття залежно від місця проживання над рівнем моря
Authors: Povoroznyuk V.V. , Pankiv I.V.
Published: September 2016

Попри певні відмінності у визначенні порогової величини вітаміну D для діагностування його дефіциту у різних країнах, очевидним є факт, що практично в усіх регіонах світу реєструють субоптимальні рівні 25(ОН)D у широких верств населення. При цьому в проведених дослідженнях детально не аналізувався статус вітаміну D залежно від розташування місця проживання над рівнем моря. Мета дослідження: визначити рівень вітаміну D у сироватці крові серед осіб, які проживають у різних регіонах Прикарпаття і Буковини, залежно від розташування населеного пункту над рівнем моря. Матеріал і методи. В одномоментному дослідженні обстежені 353 особи віком від 18 до 86 років, які постійно проживають у різних регіонах Прикарпаття (Коломийський, Косівський, Верховинський райони) і Буковини (Вижницький район). Результати. Лише у 28 випадках (7,9 %) вміст 25(ОН)D у сироватці крові перебував у межах норми, а в інших випадках (92,1 %) спостерігали дефіцит і недостатність вітаміну D. При цьому тяжка форма дефіциту вітаміну D спостерігалася у 7 (1,9 %) обстежених. При порівнянні показників 25(ОН)D у регіонах обстеження було встановлено, що рівень вітаміну D у сироватці був вірогідно вищим у мешканців Верховинського та Косівського районів (розташовані на висоті більше ніж 450 м над рівнем моря) порівняно з жителями Вижниці та Коломиї. Висновок. Середній рівень вітаміну D у сироватці крові дорослої популяції залежить від місця проживання та підвищується зі збільшенням висоти над рівнем моря.
Оцінка ефективності застосування есенціальних фосфоліпідів у хворих на хронічний вірусний гепатит С
Authors: Stepanov Yu.М. , Melanich S.L. , Yahmur V.B. , Klenina I.A. , Konenko I.S.
Published: September 2016

У дослідженні проведено оцінку ефективності застосування есенціальних фосфоліпідів у хворих на хронічний вірусний гепатит С. Досягнута позитивна динаміка клінічної симптоматики, функціональних проб печінки, показників ліпідного обміну і даних еластографії, що підтверджує протизапальний, мембраностабілізуючий, репаративний та антифібротичний ефекти есенціальних фосфоліпідів.
Місце транзієнтної еластографії в діагностиці неалкогольної жирової хвороби печінки
Authors: Stepanov Yu.M. , Iagmur V.B. , Shendryk L.M. , Nedzvetskaya N.V.
Published: September 2016

Неалкогольна жирова хвороба печінки включає стеатоз печінки, стеатогепатит та фіброз, що можуть прогресувати до стеатогенного цирозу печінки. З огляду на поширеність цієї патології, погіршення якості життя хворих, зростання смертності від ускладнень зростає інтерес до розробки методів для точної та своєчасної оцінки ступеня жирової дистрофії печінки та прогресування фіброзу. Мета: вивчити діагностичні можливості транзієнтної еластографії у пацієнтів з ідіопатичним підвищенням рівня трансаміназ. Методи. У 52 хворих (20 чоловіків і 32 жінки) з ідіопатичним збільшенням трансаміназ без ознак стеатозу печінки згідно з сонографічним дослідженням визначали контрольований параметр ультразвукового затухання (CAP) і жорсткість печінки (LSM) з використанням апарата FibroScan з М-зондом. Критеріями виключення з дослідження були наявність хронічних вірусних, автоімунних гепатитів та зловживання алкоголем. Результати. 78,8 % пацієнтів мали жирову дистрофію печінки згідно з CAP. При аналізі контрольованого параметра ультразвукового затухання було встановлено, що 63,4 % мали фіброз F0–F1, 29,3 % — F1–F2, а 7,3 % — F3. За показником САР існували вірогідні відмінності між групою з вираженим фіброзом (F3) та групою з мінімальним фіброзом (F0–F1) ((203,0 ± 5,1) проти (243,0 ± 10,1), р < 0,05). При аналізі біохімічних показників були відзначені вірогідні відмінності рівня гамма-глутамілтрансферази у групі з вираженим фіброзом (F3) від показників групи з мінімальним фіброзом (F0–F1) ((40,2 ± 5,7) проти (26,4 ± 3,7), р < 0,05). Отже, у значної частини пацієнтів з ідіопатичним підвищенням рівня трансаміназ чинником запалення є жирова дистрофія печінки, що не виявлялась при рутинному ультразвуковому обстеженні. У групі з більш розвинутим фіброзом спостерігалось зменшення вмісту жиру в печінці та підвищення активності гамма-глутамілтрансферази, що свідчить про посилення холестазу в печінці в даної категорії пацієнтів. Отже, у пацієнтів з ідіопатичним підвищенням трансаміназ навіть за відсутності ознак стеатозу згідно з даними сонографії доцільно проводити визначення CAP апаратом FibroScan, що є більш чутливим у встановленні жирової дистрофії, ніж ультразвукове дослідження.
Diritti individuali e processo penale nell’Italia repubblicana
Authors: Orlandi Renzo
Published: September 2016

Com o presente artigo se propõe uma busca de diálogo interdisciplinar, entre cultores do direito positivo e históricos ou filósofos do direito, sobre as transformações do direito processual penal italiano e também acerca do papel que neste obtiveram os direitos fundamentais na Itália republicana. De 1946 em diante, as novas visões do relacionamento entre o indivíduo e o estado, entre liberdade e autoridade, entre garantia da pessoa e poder punitivo dos aparados públicos, configuraram em modo sensível e não sempre progressista o tipo de rito penal.
O modelo constitucional de processo e o eixo estrutural da processualidade democrática
Authors: Marques Leonardo Augusto Marinho
Published: September 2016

Neste artigo, analisar-se-á a relação entre Constituição e processo, a partir de teorias que surgiram na segunda metade do século XX.  Passando pelo pensamento de Eduardo Couture, Héctor Fix-Zamudio, Elio Fazzalari e Italo Andolina e Giuseppe Vignera, apresentar-se-á o modelo constitucional de processo como referencial teórico que permite compreender o processo como garantia. No modelo constitucional, os princípios da não-parcialidade do juízo, contraditório, ampla argumentação e fundamentação da decisão se interligam, legitimando o ato jurisdicional que repercute na esfera de direitos dos cidadãos. Assim, pretende-se demonstrar que eixo estrutural da processualidade democrática é extraído desse núcleo principiológico.
Meios Ocultos de Prova: Perspetiva do Controlo da Velocidade
Authors: Escudeiro Maria João
Published: September 2016

O problema dos meios ocultos de prova no controlo de velocidade, principalmente, no que diz respeito à admissibilidade de prova obtida através de meios insidiosos, sub-reptícios, dissimulados ou ocultos. A compatibilidade destas questões com o Estado de Direito Democrático e com o respeito pelos Direitos Fundamentais.
O supremo tribunal federal e a lei maria da penha – uma lamentável decisão
Authors: Moreira Rômulo de Andrade
Published: September 2016

O trabalho analisa duas decisões tomadas pelo Supremo Tribunal Federal na sessão do último dia 09 de fevereiro. A primeira, por maioria, julgou procedente a ADIn nº. 4424 quanto aos artigos 12, I, 16 e 41 da Lei nº. 11.340/06. Na mesma sessão, por unanimidade, os Ministros acompanharam o voto do relator da ADC nº. 19, Ministro Marco Aurélio, e declararam constitucionais os arts. 1º., 33 e 41 da lei. Discordando do entendimento da Suprema Corte, procuramos confrontar alguns dispositivos da Lei Maria da Penha com a Constituição Federal, concluindo que os seus arts. 17 e 41, além do art. 313, IV do Código de Processo Penal, não devem ser aplicados, pois incompatíveis com a Constituição Federal.
Microspheres for the Drug Delivery Applications
Authors: Sarwar Hafiz Shoaib , Hanif Muhammad , Jalil Aamir , Haider Malik Suleman , Naeem Fahad , Nawaz Ahmad , Chaurasiya Vesh
Published: September 2016

Conventional dosage forms provide a sharp increase in plasma drug levels that falls below the therapeutic range after short interval of time until the re-administration of drug. There is a need of such dosage forms which provide not only sustained drug delivery but also reduce the plasma drug levels fluctuations. Microspheres used in drug delivery systems due to their ability to sustain the drug release, their biodegradability and compatibility and targeted drug delivery. In this review different types of microspheres their methods for the preparation with different hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers, drug loading capacities will be discussed. Different characterizations like SEM, FTIR, XRD, DSC, rheological properties and invitro drug release are successfully described.
Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Embelia robusta: a common adulterant in black pepper
Authors: Dar Umair Ikram , Saleem Farooq , Touqeer Saad
Published: September 2016

The present study was aimed to investigate the phytochemistry as well as the antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and irritant activities of fruit of Embelia robusta. Agar-well diffusion method was used for antimicrobial study whereas for antioxidant activity three tests namely, DPPH assay, β-Carotene assay and ascorbic acid content were performed. The results from antibacterial assay showed presence of antibacterial activity in all the three plant extracts (methanol, chloroform and n-hexane). Significant antioxidant activity was also found to be present and plant extracts showed no irritant effect. Alkaloids, glycosides, phenolics, tannins and flavonoids were also detected in the plant. The study shows that the plant possesses significant medicinal value.
Opinion about health issues regarding Transgenic Farm animals
Authors: Qadir Muhammad Imran , Yasmeen Mamoona
Published: September 2016

For the betterment of mankind, scientists are trying to overcome all factors that hinder our economy and health. For this purpose they form genetically modified animals or organisms that have required characteristics, improved productivity, better health of animals and production of human required products. In genetic engineering, transgenesis is a process by which we improve genome of an organism. In whole world, people have different views about genetically modified animals. To know these views in our society, a research was conducted. For this purpose, 100 people of Multan, Pakistan were selected. Results showed that our society agrees with this fact that GM farm animals serve our economy but at the same time they don’t want to ignore their harmful effects.
Ethical Leadership and Whistleblowing: Collective Moral Potency and Personal Identification as Mediators
Authors: Zhang Fa-Wang , Liao Jian-Qiao , Yuan Jin-Ming
Published: August 2016

Given the prevalence and concealment of misconduct in the workplace, whistleblowing has become an important organizational control mechanism. In this study, we focused on the process by which ethical leadership influences employees to blow the whistle internally. We collected data via
a survey administered to the respondents, who were leader–member dyads in a large branch of the central bank in southern China. Hierarchical linear modeling results revealed that ethical leadership was positively related to internal whistleblowing by subordinates. We controlled for ethical
climate and found that collective moral potency as a component of the ethical environment, and employees' personal identification with their supervisors fully mediated the relationship between ethical leadership and internal whistleblowing. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed
and directions for future research are suggested.
Assessing the performance of the construction sectors in the Baltic states and Poland
Authors: Podvezko Valentinas , Kildienė Simona , Zavadskas Edmundas
Published: August 2016

The paper describes the evaluation of the construction market performance in three Baltic States, including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, based on using structural statistical criteria. The evaluation covers various periods of time, embracing the time before the economic crisis, in 2007, during the economic crisis, in 2009, and after the economic crisis, in 2013. For assessing the efficiency of their construction sectors? performance, the investigated countries are arranged in the order of preference according to this indicator by using three multiple-criteria decision making methods (MCDM), such as SAW, TOPSIS and COPRAS. These evaluation methods are based on determining the weights of the structural criteria used. For this purpose, three various methods, including the entropy, the method of the criteria impact loss (CILOS) and a new method of determining the objective criteria weights (IDOCRIW) suggested by the authors. The results obtained allowed the researchers to assess the construction market performance in the considered states in various periods of time, to compare them with other countries and to rank them based on this parameter. Therefore, the suggested method of market performance evaluation may be used as an effective supplementary aid for determining the priorities in the future business development, as well as for studying the competitive markets or directing the cash flows of an enterprise to the appropriate areas.
Inferring Remediation and Operational Risk from Material Weakness Disclosures
Authors: Asare Stephen K. , Wright Arnold M.
Published: August 2016

Understanding the inferences that nonprofessional investors draw from material weakness disclosures is important because of their effect on investment decisions and for assessing whether current standards serve their needs. Prior research shows that users assess higher financial reporting risk for an entity-level material weakness compared to an account-specific material weakness because they perceive the former as presenting a higher risk of potential misstatement. We extend the literature by proposing two variables (remediation and operational risks) that mediate and incrementally explain the observed relationship between the type of material weakness and financial reporting risk assessments. In an experiment involving 181 nonprofessional investors, we find, as predicted, that the entity-level material weakness signals not just a higher potential for undetected misstatements but also higher remediation and operational risks. Further, we find that the two variables fully mediate and incrementally explain the relationship between the type of material weakness and financial reporting risk assessments. To the extent that these variables are decision relevant, our findings suggest that regulators should reconsider and possibly reengineer the current disclosure regime that allows management to disclose unaudited information about these variables.

Data Availability: Contact the authors.
An Investigation of Ethical Environments of CPAs: Public Accounting versus Industry
Authors: Bobek Donna D. , Dalton Derek W. , Daugherty Brian E. , Hageman Amy M. , Radtke Robin R.
Published: August 2016

The purpose of this paper is to investigate certified public accountants' (CPAs) perceptions of their ethical environments. More specifically, we compare the perceptions of CPAs in (1) public accounting firms to those in industry, and (2) perceptions of CPAs at Big 4 public accounting firms to those at non-Big 4 firms. The ethical environment is one component of overall organizational culture and is important for encouraging ethical decision making. Based on responses from 904 CPAs, we find CPAs working at public accounting firms perceive their ethical environments as significantly stronger than CPAs in industry (and other nonpublic accounting work settings). Additionally, within public accounting, CPAs at Big 4 firms perceive their ethical environments as significantly stronger than those working at non-Big 4 accounting firms. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Data Availability: Please contact the authors.
Ethno medicinal knowledge of plants used by irula tribes, nellithurai beat, the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Dhivya SM , Kalaichelvi K
Published: August 2016

Background: The study of local knowledge about natural resources is becoming increasingly important in defining strategies and actions for conservation. In recent years, work in ethnobotanical knowledge worldwide has increased especially in some parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. India, a country with a rich culture and traditional knowledge, has contributed a major share of the world’s ethnobotanical work.Aims and Objectives: The main objectives behind this study was to record the plants used for medicinal purposes in Nellithurai Beat through regular field visits because there is no previous reports on the documentation of medicinal plants from Nellithurai Beat, Karmadai Range, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India.Materials and Methods: An ethnomedicinal survey was conducted from January - 2016 to March – 2016. The information on ethnomedicinal uses of plants was obtained through direct field interviews and designed questionnaire. Their vernacular name, family, mode of preparation and medicinal uses were recorded by interviewing the locals of different age groups.Results: During the present study plant species belonging to 36 families were documented. Of the 40 plant species documented 14 were Shrubs,12 Trees, 10 Herbs, 3 Climbers and 1 Epiphyte. Leaves and whole plants are the most widely (50% and 23%) used plant part of the reported medicinal plants and decoction are the most widely (48%) used mode of preparation.Conclusion: The study revealed that tribal community have a great faith in the traditional healing system and they rely on medicinal plants for treatment of various diseases. Due to continuous loss of vegetation, it is necessary that suitability requirements are needed in order to protect the traditional knowledge in a particular area with reference to medicinal plant utilization and the study will be useful for future ethno-pharmacological research for the discovery of new drugs.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(5) 2016 124-128
Urinary tract infections and antibiotic susceptibility among the patients attending B & D hospital of Lalitpur, Nepal
Authors: Joshi Yadav Prasad , Shrestha Shreejeet , Kabir Russell , Thapa Anita , Upreti Parbati , Shrestha Sanjit
Published: August 2016

Background:Urinary tract infection is the most common bacterial infections in humans and serious health problem in many parts of the world. It has become more complicated in treatment due to different pathogens and increasing resistant to antimicrobial agents. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of urinary tract infection and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of pathogens among the patients attending in B & B hospital Nepal.Materials and Methods:A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted in between April 2010 to March 2011. Urine samples were collected from clinically suspected patients and tested bacteriologically using standard procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed for isolated pathogen using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.Results:Out of 1260 examined specimens 25.24 % were positive and majority 61.64% were females.  The most common pathogens isolated were Escherichia coli (66.67%), Enterococcus (7.55%) and Staphylococcus (6.60 %). The drug resistant among the positive cases were reported. The highest resistant of positive cases was found with Cefexime (87.88%) and Enterococcus with Ampicillin (66.67%) and Staphyllococcus with Cloxacillin (66.67%). The highest susceptibility was for Vancomycin and Ampicillin i.e. 33.33% in each.Conclusion:The findings showed that E. coli isolates were the predominant pathogen and the presence of bacterial isolates with very high resistance to the commonly prescribed drugs. As drug resistance among bacterial pathogens is an evolving process and serious issue. Therefore, routine surveillance and monitoring studies should be conducted to provide physicians knowledge on the updated and most effective empirical treatment of UTIs. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(5) 2016 47-51
Standardized patient program: Student feedback
Authors: Shankar PR , Dwivedi NR , Nandy A , Dubey AK
Published: August 2016

Objective: Standardized patients (SPs) are widely used in medical and other health professions education. At xxxx SPs have been used for teaching-learning and assessment of basic science medical students since January 2013. The opinion of SPs about their involvement in teaching-learning and assessment of students has been recently studied. The present study had the objective of studying student perception about various aspects of the program.Materials and Methods: The study was conducted towards end of March and beginning of April 2016. Student perception regarding the program was studied by noting their degree of agreement with a set of 25 statements. Free text comments were also obtained. Gender, nationality and semester of study of the respondents was noted. The total score was compared among different subgroups of respondents.Results: Ninety-eight of the 107 students (91.6%) participated. The mean ± SD total score was 92.33 ± 13.68 (maximum possible score being 125). The scores were significantly higher among first semester students compared to other semesters. Students agreed that interacting with SPs will prepare them for interacting with patients, for their licensing exams and improve their clinical skills. Students learn how to interact with persons from a different cultural background. Suggestions for further improvement were also obtained.    Conclusions: The response rate was high and students’ perception of the SP program was positive. Our experiences would be of special interest to educators in other medical schools with small and/or new SP programs. Similar feedback could be obtained from other xxx schools with SP programs.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(5) 2016 102-107
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphism in oral submucous fibrosis subjects - A preliminary study
Authors: Rai Devishree V , Guttal Kruthika S , Kulkarni Bhusan B , Hiremath Shivaprakash , Burde Krishna N
Published: August 2016

Background: Oral Submucous Fibrosis is one of the oral potentially malignant disorders presenting with progressive restriction in mouth opening. The condition having a high malignant transformation rate necessitates identification of biomarkers to be employed for early detection of malignant change. This will influence the prognosis in addition to adding better quality of life to patients.Aims and Objectives: To relate the association of VEGF -460C/T polymorphism in patients with OSMF and to compare the same among healthy subjects.Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with Oral submucous fibrosis and 20 controls free from habits and any form of lesions were included in the study. The polymorphism of VEGF gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction analysis.Results: Sixty-four percent of the population in the study was in the age group of 21-40 yrs suggesting the prominence of disease in younger individuals with male predominance. With reference to polymorphism, 6.67% of the subjects from OSMF group showed CT polymorphism and 16.67% showed TT polymorphism. There were no statistically significant differences in the polymorphism between the study group and controls. However the frequency of T allele in the patient group 12 (20%) was greater than that in the control group 1 (2.5%), which was a significant finding. There was no association between the habits, frequency of habits, duration of quid placement, site of quid placement and style of chewing with the nature of polymorphism. Conclusion: VEGF 460C/T has the potential to be used as a prognostic marker in predicting the malignant transformation of OSMF.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(5) 2016 10-16
Increased plasma H2S levels well correlated with total oxidative stress and total antioxidant defense in type2 diabetes patients.
Authors: Saha Pinaki , Sen Santanu , Dasgupta Sayantan , Sau Tanmay Jyoti , Kumar Arun , Biswas Utpal Kumar
Published: August 2016

Background:Diabetes mellitus, a worldwide health problem, is associated with increased oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant defense in the body. The role of hydrogen sulfide and the H2S synthesizing enzymes in relation to type2 diabetes is a recently unveiled field which needs further research work. Aims and Objectives:Aim of the study was find out the relationship of plasma H2S levels and H2S synthesizing activity in plasma with oxidative stress conditions in the patients suffering from type-2 diabetes mellitus.Materials and Methods:Sixty two patients suffering from type2 diabetes as well as similar number of healthy volunteers were enrolled for the study. Plasma H2S levels and H2S synthesizing activity in plasma as well as total oxidative stress and total antioxidant levels were measured by earlier methods already published from our laboratory. Results: The values of FBG, PPBG, HbA1C, fasting Insulin, plasma H2S and H2S synthesizing activity in plasma and TOS values in patients are significantly higher (p< 0.05) than the corresponding values in healthy controls. The median and inter quartile range of TAD values in controls is significantly higher than those of the patients (Mann Whitney U, Z<0.001). Plasma H2S levels show significant positive correlation with TOS values (r= 0.793, P<0.001), and significant negative correlation with TAD values (r= -0.753, P<0.001). Conclusion: The current study elucidated that there is significant increase in both plasma H2S levels and the activity of H2S synthesizing enzymes in type2 diabetics and well correlated with the total oxidative stress and antioxidant defense.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(5) 2016 22-30
Torsional behavior of a friction welded martensitic stainless steel
Authors: Kati Nida , Ozan Sermin
Published: August 2016

Being widely used in automotive, machinery, aviation and aerospace industry, solid-sate friction welding was applied in this study. AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel, being difficult to be joined by using fusion welding methods, was joined by friction welding. During the welding process, three rotational speeds (R) of 700, 1000 and 1300 rpm were used and other parameters such as friction pressure (Fp), friction time (Ft), upsetting pressure (Up) and upsetting duration (Ud) were kept constant. After the welding process, a torsion test was performed with these samples. The torsion angle (Ta) – torque (T) graphics of the samples were evaluated. Additionally, the fracture surface of the samples was examined by using SEM. As a result, it was observed that the AISI 420 steel was welded without problems by using friction welding. During the torsion tests, the samples fractured outside the welded joint zones. Thus, it was concluded that torsional strength of the welded joints was high.
Association of collagen architecture with glioblastoma patient survival
Authors: Pointer Kelli B. , Clark Paul A. , Schroeder Alexandra B. , Salamat M. Shahriar , Eliceiri Kevin W. , Kuo John S.
Published: September 2016

OBJECTIVE

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant primary brain tumor. Collagen is present in low amounts in normal brain, but in GBMs, collagen gene expression is reportedly upregulated. However, to the authors' knowledge, direct visualization of collagen architecture has not been reported. The authors sought to perform the first direct visualization of GBM collagen architecture, identify clinically relevant collagen signatures, and link them to differential patient survival.

METHODS

Second-harmonic generation microscopy was used to detect collagen in a GBM patient tissue microarray. Focal and invasive GBM mouse xenografts were stained with Picrosirius red. Quantitation of collagen fibers was performed using custom software. Multivariate survival analysis was done to determine if collagen is a survival marker for patients.

RESULTS

In focal xenografts, collagen was observed at tumor brain boundaries. For invasive xenografts, collagen was intercalated with tumor cells. Quantitative analysis showed significant differences in collagen fibers for focal and invasive xenografts. The authors also found that GBM patients with more organized collagen had a longer median survival than those with less organized collagen.

CONCLUSIONS

Collagen architecture can be directly visualized and is different in focal versus invasive GBMs. The authors also demonstrate that collagen signature is associated with patient survival. These findings suggest that there are collagen differences in focal versus invasive GBMs and that collagen is a survival marker for GBM.
Two distinct populations of Chiari I malformation based on presence or absence of posterior fossa crowdedness on magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Taylor Davis G. , Mastorakos Panagiotis , Jane John A. , Oldfield Edward H.
Published: September 2016

OBJECTIVE

A subset of patients with Chiari I malformation demonstrate patent subarachnoid spaces around the cerebellum, indicating that reduced posterior fossa volume alone does not account for tonsillar descent. The authors distinguish two subsets of Chiari I malformation patients based on the degree of “posterior fossa crowdedness” on MRI.

METHODS

Two of the coauthors independently reviewed the preoperative MR images of 49 patients with Chiari I malformation and categorized the posterior fossa as “spacious” or “crowded.” Volumetric analysis of posterior fossa structures was then performed using open-source DICOM software. The preoperative clinical and imaging features of the two groups were compared.

RESULTS

The posterior fossae of 25 patients were classified as spacious and 20 as crowded by both readers; 4 were incongruent. The volumes of the posterior fossa compartment, posterior fossa tissue, and hindbrain (posterior fossa tissue including herniated tonsils) were statistically similar between the patients with spacious and crowed subtypes (p = 0.33, p = 0.17, p = 0.20, respectively). However, patients in the spacious and crowded subtypes demonstrated significant differences in the ratios of posterior fossa tissue to compartment volumes as well as hindbrain to compartment volumes (p = 0.001 and p = 0.0004, respectively). The average age at surgery was 29.2 ± 19.3 years (mean ± SD) and 21.9 ± 14.9 years for spacious and crowded subtypes, respectively (p = 0.08). Syringomyelia was more prevalent in the crowded subtype (50% vs 28%, p = 0.11).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors' study identifies two subtypes of Chiari I malformation, crowded and spacious, that can be distinguished by MRI appearance without volumetric analysis. Earlier age at surgery and presence of syringomyelia are more common in the crowded subtype. The presence of the spacious subtype suggests that crowdedness alone cannot explain the pathogenesis of Chiari I malformation in many patients, supporting the need for further investigation.
Data management at scale
Authors: Choudhury G. Sayeed
Published: September 2016

This paper offers a high-level, non-scientific assessment regarding the impact of research library based data management services, particularly related to predictive data analytics – an area where the corporate sector has arguably made more tangible impact. The fundamental premise rests upon the assertion that research libraries should consider the potential consequences, need for interpretation and degree of control to better allocate and optimize scarce resources for data management. By doing so, it may be possible to support broader goals of data management at scale, identify network effects through linked data and highlight possibilities for partnerships, including with the corporate sector.
Volume Charge Density in Most General Lorentz Transformation
Authors: Bhuiyan S. A. , Baizid A. R.
Published: September 2016

Lorentz Transformations generally describe the transformations for observations between mechanical phenomenon systems in relative motion. We all know that the electrical charge of associate isolated system is relativistically invariant. We have studied the volume charge density in Special and Most General Lorentz Transformations. If one frame moves on x-axis then we will notice this in Special Lorentz Transformation. On the other hand if the motion of the moving frame is not on the x-axis relative to the rest frame however the motion is on any arbitrary direction then we will notice this formula for the Most General Lorentz Transformation. We also investigated the changes of the volume charge density of moving system in terms of that of rest system in Most General Lorentz Transformations at different angles and velocities.
Rayleigh-Bénard Convection in Ferrofluids in the Microgravity Environment
Authors: Jasmine H. A.
Published: September 2016

We have investigated stability of a ferrofluid in microgravity environment. We consider the effect of the spin viscosity, vortex viscosity, and magnetization relaxation. The eigenvalue problem is solved by employing the Chebyshev pseudospectral method and the results are discussed for all three boundary conditions: free-free, rigid-free and rigid-rigid. In the microgravity environment, the ferrofluid is more resilient to convection and, in general, for all boundary conditions requires higher temperature gradient for the threshold of the convection. It is found that a ferrofluid in microgravity environment is more stable, not only as compared to the case when gravity is present, but also in the pure viscous case.
The applicability of a validated team-based learning student assessment instrument to assess United Kingdom pharmacy students’ attitude toward team-based learning
Authors: Nation Leanne Marie , Tweddell Simon , Rutter Paul
Published: August 2016

Purpose: It aimed at testing the validity and reliability of a validated team-based learning student assessment instrument (TBL-SAI) to assess United Kingdom pharmacy students’ attitude toward TBL. Methods: TBL-SAI, consisting of 33 items, was administered to undergraduate pharmacy students from two schools of pharmacy each at University of Wolverhampton and University of Bradford were conducted on the data, along with comparison between the two schools. Results: Students’ response rate was 80.0% (138/173) in completion of the instrument. Overall, the instrument demonstrated validity and reliability when used with pharmacy students. Sub-analysis between schools of pharmacy did, however, show that four items from Wolverhampton data, had factor loadings of less than 0.40. No item in the Bradford data had factor loadings less than 0.40. Cronbach’s alpha score was reliable at 0.897 for the total instrument: Wolverhampton, 0.793 and Bradford, 0.902. Students showed preference to TBL, with Bradford’s scores being statistically higher (P<0.005). Conclusion: This validated instrument has demonstrated reliability and validity when used with pharmacy students. Furthermore students at both schools preferred TBL compared to traditional teaching.
Policies Supporting Local Food in the United States
Authors: Martinez Steve
Published: August 2016

Local food has been the subject of federal, state, and local government policies in recent years throughout the United States as consumer demand has grown. Local foods have been linked to several government priorities—including enhancing the rural economy, the environment, and supporting agricultural producers. This article provides an overview of U.S. Federal, State and regional policies designed to support local food systems. It details the latest economic information on policy, relying on findings from several national surveys and a synthesis of recent literature. Federal policies related to local food systems were greatly expanded by the 2008 Farm Bill, and are further expanded in the Agricultural Act of 2014. United States policies address several barriers to the further expansion of local food markets, including scaling up output of small farms to address the needs of larger commercial outlets, lack of infrastructure for increasing local food sales, ability to trace product source, and producer education regarding local food expansion.
A Method for Ordering of LR-Type Fuzzy Numbers: An Important Decision Criteria
Authors: González Campos José , Manríquez Peñafiel Ronald
Published: August 2016

Methods for ordering fuzzy numbers play an important role as decision criteria, with applications in areas such as optimization and data mining, among others. Although there are several proposals for ordering methods in the fuzzy literature, many of them are difficult to apply and present some problems with ranking computation. For that reason, this work proposes an ordering method for fuzzy numbers based on a simple application of a polynomial function. We study some properties of our new method, comparing our results with those generated by other methods previously discussed in literature.
Enhanced Forecasting Approach for Electricity Market Prices and Wind Power Data Series in the Short-Term
Authors: Osório Gerardo , Gonçalves Jorge , Lujano-Rojas Juan , Catalão João
Published: August 2016

The uncertainty and variability in electricity market price (EMP) signals and players’ behavior, as well as in renewable power generation, especially wind power, pose considerable challenges. Hence, enhancement of forecasting approaches is required for all electricity market players to deal with the non-stationary and stochastic nature of such time series, making it possible to accurately support their decisions in a competitive environment with lower forecasting error and with an acceptable computational time. As previously published methodologies have shown, hybrid approaches are good candidates to overcome most of the previous concerns about time-series forecasting. In this sense, this paper proposes an enhanced hybrid approach composed of an innovative combination of wavelet transform (WT), differential evolutionary particle swarm optimization (DEEPSO), and an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) to forecast EMP signals in different electricity markets and wind power in Portugal, in the short-term, considering only historical data. Test results are provided by comparing with other reported studies, demonstrating the proficiency of the proposed hybrid approach in a real environment.
An Integrated Decision-Making Model for Transformer Condition Assessment Using Game Theory and Modified Evidence Combination Extended by D Numbers
Authors: Sun Lingjie , Liu Yingyi , Zhang Boyang , Shang Yuwei , Yuan Haiwen , Ma Zhao
Published: August 2016

The power transformer is one of the most critical and expensive components for the stable operation of the power system. Hence, how to obtain the health condition of transformer is of great importance for power utilities. Multi-attribute decision-making (MADM), due to its ability of solving multi-source information problems, has become a quite effective tool to evaluate the health condition of transformers. Currently, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and Dempster–Shafer theory are two popular methods to solve MADM problems; however, these techniques rarely consider one-sidedness of the single weighting method and the exclusiveness hypothesis of the Dempster–Shafer theory. To overcome these limitations, this paper introduces a novel decision-making model, which integrates the merits of fuzzy set theory, game theory and modified evidence combination extended by D numbers, to evaluate the health condition of transformers. A four-level framework, which includes three factors and seventeen sub-factors, is put forward to facilitate the evaluation model. The model points out the following: First, the fuzzy set theory is employed to obtain the original basic probability assignments for all indices. Second, the subjective and objective weights of indices, which are calculated by fuzzy AHP and entropy weight, respectively, are integrated to generate the comprehensive weights based on game theory. Finally, based on the above two steps, the modified evidence combination extended by D numbers, which avoids the limitation of the exclusiveness hypothesis in the application of Dempster–Shafer theory, is proposed to obtain the final assessment results of transformers. Case studies are given to demonstrate the proposed modeling process. The results show the effectiveness and engineering practicability of the model in transformer condition assessment.
A Novel Method for Borehole Blockage Removal and Experimental Study on a Hydraulic Self-Propelled Nozzle in Underground Coal Mines
Authors: Ge Zhaolong , Deng Kai , Lu Yiyu , Cheng Liang , Zuo Shaojie , Tian Xingdi
Published: August 2016

When coal bed methane (CBM) drainage boreholes cross fractured, soft, or water-swelling strata, they collapse and block frequently. Borehole blockages result in a rapid decrease in CBM extraction ability, which leads to a reduction in CBM output and threatens coal mine safety production. To solve these problems, a novel method that uses a self-propelled water-jet nozzle to dredge blocked boreholes in coal seams has been proposed on the basis of the existing technology. Based on a theoretical analysis of the reason for borehole caving and the theory of blockage removal, we optimized the nozzle inlet pressure and selected an appropriate high-pressure resin pipe. A field experiment on the blockage removal of blocked CBM drainage boreholes using the proposed method was run in the Fengchun coal mine, Qijiang, Chongqing, southwest China. In this field trial, the time spent to unblock a borehole varied between 18.52 and 34.98 min, which is much shorter than using a drilling rig. After blockage removal, the average pure volume of the methane drainage of a single borehole was increased from 0.03 L/min to ~1.91–7.30 L/min, and the methane drainage concentration of a single borehole increased from 5% to ~44%–85%. The extraction effect increased significantly.