bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teknolojik Belirleyicilik, Minimal Etki ve Bilişsel Çelişki Kuramları Bağlamında Gerçek Ötesi Kavramı
Authors: YAVUZ GÖRKEM Şenay
Published: April 2019

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Bu çalışmada, nesnel gerçeklerin belirli bir konu üzerinde kamuoyunu belirlemede duygulardan ve kişisel kanaatlerden, daha az etkili olması ve bireylerin nesnel gerçeklikleri görmezden gelerek belirli bir öznel gerçekliğe inatla bağlı kalması olarak tanımlanan gerçek ötesi kavramı teorik olarak incelenmektedir. Bu inceleme, siyasal iletişim bağlamında ve McLuhan tarafından geliştirilen teknolojik belirleyicilik kuramı, Klapper tarafından geliştirilen minimal etki kuramı ve Festinger tarafından geliştirilen bilişsel çelişki kuramı temel alınarak yapılmaktadır. Teknolojik belirleyicilik kuramı, günümüz iletişim teknolojileri ile değişen insan hayatının, insani değer ve pratiklerin, internet ve sosyal medya ile evrim geçiren bilgiye ulaşma, haber alma, kendini ifade etme ve iletişim kurma biçimlerinin nesnel gerçekliğin önemini azaltarak öznel gerçekliği vurgulaması ve gerçek ötesine ivme kazandırmasını açıklamak için çerçeve olarak kullanılmaktadır. Klapper’ın minimal etki kuramı, insanların sadece kendi fikir, inanç ve tutumları ile uyuşan mesajları arama, kabul etme ve hatırlama eğilimini, bugünün medya çeşitliliği ortamında ve bireylerin gelişmiş haber kaynaklarını kişiselleştirebilme becerilerinin etkilerini dikkate alarak incelemek ve gerçek ötesi kavramı ile ilişkilendirmek için çalışmaya dâhil edilmiştir. Festinger’ın bilişsel çelişki kuramı ise insanların neden gerçek ötesine meylettikleri konusunda bir anlayış geliştirmek için kullanılmıştır 
Dynamic Wavelet-Based Causal Relationship between Equity Returns and Aggregate Economic Activity in G7 and E7 Countries
Authors: GÖK Remzi
Published: April 2019

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 Bu çalışmada G7 ve E7 ülkelerine ait 1998M01- 2017M08 aylık veriler kullanarak borsa getirisi ve sanayi üretimi arasındaki ilişkinin varlığı, derecesi ve yönü, zaman ve frekans bazlı teknikler yardımıyla araştırılmıştır. Kullanılan metodun gücü, kimi zaman değişkenler arasındaki ilişkiyi ortaya çıkarmada yetersiz kalabilir. Bu doğrultuda, farklı zaman periyotlarında saklı ilişkinin gerçek dinamikleri ortaya çıkarmak için dalgacıklar analizi kullanılmıştır. Yapısal kırılmalı birim kök test sonucuna göre iki ülke değişkenleri hariç, değişkenler I(1) ya da I(0) bulunmuştur. Birim köklü değişkenler arasında kısa dönemde geçerli çift yönlü ve uzun dönemlik tek yönlü nedensellik sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Elde edilen zaman bazlı test bulgularına göre endeks getirisinden büyümeye doğru anlamlı nedensellik ilişkisi bulunmuştur. Büyüme değişkeninden endeks getirisine doğru bazı ülkeler için anlamlı sonuçlar ortaya çıkmıştır. Anlamlı ilişkilerin hangi zaman frekanslarında geçerli olduğunu ve standart metotların ortaya çıkaramadığı anlamlı ilişkiyi bulmak için dalgacıklar metoduna başvurma ihtiyacı duyulmuştur. Yapılan analiz sonuçlarına göre tüm ülkeler için geçerli çift yönlü nedensellik ilişkisine ulaşılmıştır. Diğer taraftan, dalgacık bazlı borsa varyansının sanayi üretimi varyansından daha yüksek olduğu, ayrıca, volatilitenin büyük bir çoğunluğunun kısa dönem değişmelerle açıklanabildiği görülmüştür. Son olarak, ölçek sayısı arttıkça dalgacık varyansının azaldığı, korelasyon katsayısının ise artığı gözlemlenmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular, klasik yöntemlerin yetersiz kaldığı alanda dalgacıkların belirli zaman periyotlarında, piyasa katılımcıları ve piyasa yapıcıları için, daha önemli sonuçları ortaya koyabildiğini göstermektedir. 
Kızım Olmadan Asla: Anne Kız Tüketim Pratikleri ve Narsisizm Kapsamında Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: SABAH Şenay
Published: April 2019

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Kişiler benliklerini sahiplikleri, evcil hayvanları, geçmişleri gibi faktörler yardımıyla genişletmektedir. Buna göre annelerin de çocuklarını genişletilmiş benliklerinin parçası olarak değerlendirdiklerini söylemek mümkündür. Çalışmada kişilik özelliği olarak narsisist annelerin çocukları için gerçekleştirdikleri tüketim Genişletilmiş Benlik Kuramı kapsamında ele alınmaktadır. Instagramda kızlarının kıyafet tüketimleri ile ilgili paylaşımlarda bulunan ve maksimum çeşitlilik esasına göre belirlenmiş on bir annenin hesaplarının incelenmesi ile veriler toplanmıştır. Toplanan veriler tematik analize tabi tutulmuştur. Çalışma sonucunda annelik-narsisizm ve tüketim ilişkisinin, örneklem kapsamında beş ana eksende ortaya çıktığı görülmüştür. Bunlar, çocuk ile benliğin yansıtılması, gösterişçi tüketim, üstünlük, mükemmel annelik/mükemmel aile ve tüketim aracı olarak çocuk boyutlarıdır. 
Role of subcutaneous drain in class III and class IV laparotomy wound
Authors: Patel Pranav R. , Koyani Himanshu B.
Published: April 2019

Background: Surgical site infections (SSI) are major problem in general surgery. Aim of this study is to know the role of subcutaneous conrrugated drain in class III and IV laparotomy wounds.Methods: Comparative study was done in 100 patients of emergency laparotomy in civil hospital, Gandhinagar from January 2014 to December 2016.Results: Incidence of surgical site infections were significantly lower (16%) in patients with subcutaneous drain, compared to 40% in patients without drain (p value 0.01).Conclusions: Corrugated subcutaneous drain is cost effective way of reducing surgical site infections and subsequent morbidities in class III and IV laparotomy wound.
Outcome comparison study between laparoscopic appendisectomy and conventional open appendisectomy
Authors: Sangma Mimamaychet B. , Selvaraju Selvakumaran , Natarajan Pratheeba , Marak Fremingston , Dasiah Simon David
Published: April 2019

Background: Open appendisectomy (OA) had been the procedure of choice for acute appendisectomy for a century since Mc Burney introduced in 1884. Laprascopic appendisectomy (LA) didn’t gain popularity and many studies had been conducted to see the superiority of one over the other. Recent meta-analysis studies, found overall benefits in favour of LA. So, we have done comparative study with the aim to compare the benefits of LA over OA.Methods: Total of 90 appendisectomies was done, 45 each in OA and LA group and compared over a period of 1-year from October 2016 to October 2017 in Indira Gandhi Medical College and RI, Pondicherry. Outcome parameters were compared between the 2-groups in relation to operative time, analgesia used, length of post-operative hospital stay, return to work, resumption of a regular diet, post-operative scar and post-operative complications.Results: Mean age of LA was 35 years, OA was 30 years. Male preponderance observed in OA (67%), female in LA (60%). Post-operative short hospital stay was 3-days in LA, 5-days in OA. Early return to work was 9-days in LA, 15-days in OA. Operative time was significantly shorter in LA which was 30-minutes and 40-minutes in OA. In laprascopic group, no complications was observed, in open group we had two post-operative infections.Conclusions: LA is an effective and safe option and the procedure of choice for most patients regardless of age, sex and BMI, with a statistically significant finding in regards to operation time in LA compared to conventional OA group.
A comparative study on the efficacy of platelet rich plasma vs conventional wound dressing in diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Velayutham Sakthivel , Velayutham Parthasarathy
Published: April 2019

Background: The pathogenetic pathways and morbidity associated with diabetic foot ulcers render it a difficult clinical entity to manage. Newer biological methods such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are being investigated as improvements on conventional treatment techniques such as saline gauze antiseptic dressings.Methods: The present study is a randomised controlled trial, with 25 subjects each in the PRP dressing and conventional dressing arms. It was conducted in the General Surgery wards of a tertiary care hospital among patients suffering from foot ulcers due to diabetes mellitus. PRP dressings were done biweekly for 4 weeks before final wound assessment.Results: Most of the study population was males of more than 50 years of age. The lesions are predominantly on the plantar aspect. The inciting factor was trauma in around two-thirds of the cases. Nearly 80% of the subjects were on insulin for treatment. In the patients receiving treatment using PRP dressings, the wound contracted by more than 34% which was statistically significantly higher than those receiving conventional dressings.Conclusions: Newer biological methods such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) dressings offer a relatively novel safe and efficient technique for management of diabetic foot ulcers, compared to conventional methods.
Risk factors for acute severe pneumonia in under five children
Authors: Gupta Neerupam , Bhadrala Naine
Published: April 2019

Background: Acute severe pneumonia is the leading cause of death in children below five years of age. India tops in the list amongst the 15 countries having a high incidence of childhood pneumonia with 43 million episodes of pneumonia annually. Identification of modifiable risk factors of acute severe pneumonia can help in reducing the burden of disease.Methods: A hospital-based case control study was undertaken to determine risk factors associated with acute severe pneumonia in under-five children. A case definition of acute severe pneumonia as given by world health organization (WHO) was used for cases. Healthy children attending Pediatrics outpatient Department for immunization during study period were enrolled as controls. Details of potential risk factors in cases and controls were recorded in pre-designed proforma. 732 children including 366 cases and 366 controls were enrolled in the study.Results: On stepwise logistic regression analysis it was found that low  literacy status of the mother (OR:9.46; 95%CI:7.31-19.0); inappropriate immunization for age (OR:38.04; 95%CI 14.59-110.18);cooking fuel other than liquid petroleum gas (OR:3.79; 95%CI: 2.40-6.78); low socioeconomic status (OR: 6.12; 95%CI: 2.42-35.48); overcrowding (OR:1.21; 95%CI: 1.03- 2.21) and upper respiratory infection in family (OR:5.08; 95%CI: 3.79-7.67) were the significant contributors to the occurrence of acute severe pneumonia in children under five years.Conclusions: Low literacy status of mother, incomplete immunization status, use of fuel other than LPG, low socioeconomic status, overcrowding, family history of URTI emerged as risk factors for occurrence of acute severe pneumonia in under five children.
Study of highly sensitive C-reactive protein in type 2 diabetes mellitus and prediction of cardiovascular risk with glycemic status
Authors: Doraickannu T. , Sechassayana T. , Vithiavathi S. , Varisali Momin
Published: April 2019

Inflammation plays a vital role in accentuating the formation of atherosclerotic plaque in diabetes mellitus. So, the measurements of inflammatory markers provide a method of assessing cardiovascular risk. Among the inflammatory markers, highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is used to detect the low-level inflammation when it is within the normal range. Also, hs-CRP measurement may be useful for assessment of the risk of complication in diabetes patients. So, the present study is conducted to measure plasma hs-CRP level in T2DM and to determine adequate glycaemic control reduces hs-CRP level. The objectives of this study were to correlate HbA1c and hs-CRP in T2DM and predict cardiovascular risk with glycaemic status.Methods: Authors took 50 diabetic patients. The investigation includes FBS, PPBS, hs-CRP and HbA1c. hs-CRP is measured by immunoturbidimetry method. The reports were collected and compared with normal reference range.Results: The correlation between hs-CRP levels and HbA1c level after six months show a significant relationship where mean HbA1c values on day 1 and after 6 months were 8.088±1.219 and 7.518±0.693 respectively. The hs-CRP values were 2.508±1.050 on day 1 and 2.15±0.927 after 6 months proving that better glycaemic controls decrease hs-CRP thereby decreasing cardiovascular risk.Conclusions: hs-CRP values are directly related to HbA1c and better glycaemic control reduces risk of CVD.
Reno-protective effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin II receptor blockers in type 2 diabetic nephropathy with elevated urine albumin to creatinine ratio
Authors: Vankayala Ashok , Mantha Karuna Sagar , B. H. V. K. Praveen Varma , Sayana Suresh Babu , D. S. S. K. Raju
Published: April 2019

Background: Nephropathy is responsible for an End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in type 2 diabetics if uncontrolled. The monotherapy/combination of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) can retard the progression of urine albumin to creatinine ratio in diabetic nephropathy but, the data shows an inconsistency in the efficacy of these drugs. So, the present study was aimed at comparing the reno-protective effect of ACEi/ARBs in type 2 diabetics.Methods: A prospective, randomized study is conducted at Maharaja’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Nellimarla, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, India with 100 patients, who are randomly categorised and equally distributed among the two groups and treated with Enalapril (ACEi) and Losartan (ARBs) for 6 months. 24-hour urine albumin to creatinine ratio and HbA1c are recorded before and after the treatment.Results: Enalapril and losartan showed a non-significant reduction in urine albumin to creatinine ratio from 196.2±17.5 to 185.9±15.2 (p=0.66) and 236.8±16.3 to 193.7±20.6 (p=0.11) respectively. A strict glycemic control has shown a reduction in HbA1c in both the groups.Conclusions: Present findings suggested that losartan is relatively more effective than enalapril in reducing the 24-hour urine albumin to creatinine ratio of diabetic nephropathy patients. Along with these drugs, regulation of blood glucose will assist in retarding the progression of nephropathy in type 2 diabetics.
Delivery point immunization in tertiary care hospital in Eastern India and challenges
Authors: Das Bharati , Khuntia Puspanjali , Das Lucy , Pattnaik Jayashree
Published: April 2019

Background: Hepatitis B is a major public health problem. The efficiency of the vaccine decreases as the time period between the birth and first dose increases. “WHO recommends that all infants should receive their first dose of Hep B vaccine as soon as possible after birth, preferably within 24 hrs. In India the birth dose/ 0 dose coverage was 45% on 2015. Prior to initiation of “Delivery Point Immunization” the birth dose Hep B was 35%. During the course of this programme the challenges and problems faced has been addressed in this study.Methods: It is a prospective observational study for a period of 15 months conducted by postpartum programme department in O&G department. It includes all the babies delivered in the department.Results: After the integration of delivery point immunization with JSY (Janani Surakhya Yojana) programme, the 0 dose hep B coverage was 72%.The coverage of BCG and 0dose OPV remained 89.48%.The most modifiable cause due to which babies were not received 0 dose Hep B vaccine was due to ignorance 36.19% and babies not received due to SNCU (Sick Newborn Care Unit) admission was 36.06%.Conclusions: Initiation of delivery point immunization has definitely increased the 0 dose hep B vaccine coverage. Integration with other maternal and child health programme had further increased the coverage. Though significant percentage of people know about the at birth immunization but are ignorant about the timing of 0 dose hep B vaccine.
A study on open air defecation practices among the population above 6 years in rural field practice area of Santhiram Medical College, Nandyal, Kurnool dist, Andhra Pradesh
Authors: M. Venkateswarlu
Published: April 2019

Background: Open air defecation can be defined as the excretion of human excreta in open places such as park, roadside, vegetable patch, agricultural fields and railway track other than toilets. Open air defecation may leads to various health problems such as soil pollution, water pollution, contamination of foods and propagation of flies. Nearly 74% of India’s population live in rural areas and the majority of them “go to the fields” for defecation and thereby pollute the environment with human excreta. The aims and objectives of the study were to find the association between defecation practices and socio-demographic variables; to assess the prevalence of hook-worm infestation and anemia among them.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted. Sample size was 550 and simple random sampling. Chi-square test was applied.Results: The prevalence of open air defecation was 441 (80.2%). 270 (61.2%), 171 (38.8%) were males and females; 23.3% were habit of hand washing with soap after toilet. 87 (19.7%), 63 (14.3%), 43 (9.7%) were found to be having hook worm, round worm, and pin worm infestation in the stool examination. 32 (35.5%), 21 (23.3%), 37 (41.1%) were having severe anemia, moderate anemia, and mild anemia.Conclusions: 335 (60.9%), 106 (19.3%) people were going for open air defecation and inspite of having toilet at home. 226 (51.2%) belong to lower socio economic class. The association between socio demographic profile and open air defecation was significant (χ2=0.02, p<0.05).
Приоритетные проекты стратегического развития аграрной политики в условиях санкций
Authors: Вартанова Марина Львовна
Published: April 2019

Введение продовольственного эмбарго, сопровождающееся девальвацией рубля, привело к изменению положения действующих игроков на рынке. Ситуация в экономике не позволяет рассчитывать на быстрое восстановление спроса на продовольственных рынках, что будет сопровождаться как дальнейшим сдвигом структуры спроса в пользу более дешевого сегмента на каждом из сегментов. Развитие сбалансированной системы продовольственных рынков немыслимо без устойчивого и эффективного развития хозяйствующих субъектов агропромышленного комплекса, определяющих формирование ресурсной базы рынков. В то же время именно регулируемый рынок призван обеспечить эквивалентность обмена товарами и стимулировать приток инвестиционных ресурсов в аграрную сферу.
Развитие внешнеторгового сотрудничества стран ЕАЭС , Евросоюза и Китая
Authors: Вартанова Марина Львовна , Дробот Елена Валерьевна
Published: April 2019

Уже несколько лет отношения России и коллективного Запада находятся в кризисе. Политический кризис стоит на пути системных решений по экономическому сотрудничеству двух союзов – Европейского и Евразийского. Для евразийского объединения глубокая экономическая интеграция с ЕС чрезвычайно важна. Во-первых, ЕС – это крупнейший торговый партнер Российской Федерации и Республики Казахстан: на него приходится 50 3 % совокупного экспорта и 40 8 % совокупного импорта стран ЕАЭС. Необходимо учесть, что по результатам 2016 года ЕАЭС импортировал из стран АТЭС на 1 5 % больше товаров (42, 3 %, за счет роста поставок из Китая, Южной Кореи и стран АСЕАН), чем из Евросоюза. Во-вторых, Европа могла бы выступать важным источником капитала. В-третьих, ЕС мог бы сыграть важную роль в решении проблем модернизации стран ЕАЭС и послужить источником технологического обновления.
Регионализация процессов достижения и поддержания продовольственной безопасности на примере СКФО
Authors: Газимагомедова Патина Казимовна
Published: April 2019

Развитие агропромышленного комплекса в контексте обеспечения продовольственной безопасности считается одним из приоритетов социально-экономической политики государства. Существующая нормативная правовая база во многом отражает комплексное решение этой проблемы.
Роль деревни в национальной жизни и в социальных переворотах в дореволюционной России
Authors: Староверов Владимир Иванович
Published: April 2019

К сегодняшнему времени капитализм близок к тому, чтобы превратить значительную часть человечества в глобализированный и, по характеристике знатока его А.А. Зиновьева, в бесструктурный в национальном и государственническом отношении «человейник», в котором господствуют его ТНК – транснациональные компании.
Стимулирование отечественного производителя
Authors: Староверов Владимир Иванович , Вартанова Марина Львовна
Published: April 2019

Стимулирование отечественного производителя продовольствия и увеличение его доли на продовольственном рынке осуществляется в рамках системы государственного регулирования предложения на продовольственном рынке и необходимо в целях обеспечения стабильных экономических и социальных условий для развития сельскохозяйственной сферы продовольственного рынка и обеспечения населения качественными продовольственными продуктами по социально приемлемым ценам.
Prediction of Net Profit Growth of Pharmacy Companies on the Indonesian Stock Exchange
Authors: Nur Dhani Ichsanuddin
Published: April 2019

Background: The research purpose to analyzing impacts of funding source changes on pharmacy company profits that went public on Indonesian Stock Exchange, with analysis period of 2008 to 2013.
Methods: The research applied analysis means in line with requirements of change variable measurements of funding sources in its interconnectedness with company profits; the applied model was Auto-regressive.
Results: The research results indicated that changes of the last one-period short term debts had negative effects insignificantly on company profits, the last two-period short term debts had positive effects significantly on company profits, changes of the last one-period and two-period long term debts had negative effects insignificantly on company profits, equity changes of the last period had positive effects significantly on company profits, the last period profit changes had negative effects significantly on company profits.
Conclusion: Last one-period short term, last one-period long term, last two-period long term debt changes, and last period profit have negative insignificant effect on company profit. Last two-period short term debt changes, last one-period equity changes, and last two-period equity changes have positive significant effect on company profit.
The Merger of Medical Universities in Iran: Challenges and obstacles
Authors: Mosadeghrad Ali Mohammad , Majdzadeh Reza , Arab Mohammad , Mohamadi-Bolbanabad Amjad
Published: April 2019

Background: Three big medical universities were merged in Iran in 2010, but they separated again after 2.5 years. The purpose of this study was to identify the most important challenges of this merger.
Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 63 participants from April to September 2015. The data were analyzed via conventional content analysis method using MAXQDA10 software.
Results: The merger of universities faced strategic, procedural, structural, contextual, and human resources' challenges. Factors such as the merger’s vision, goals, and motives, the stakeholders’ involvement, the merger announcement and time, interruption in service delivery, information systems, power balance, organizational structure, geographical distance, organizational culture, employees’ reaction, and education influenced the failure of this merger.
Conclusion: Merger and acquisition require a well-designed plan for the effective and efficient use of resources to achieve the desired outcomes. Therefore, policymakers should involve universities’ managers and employees in decision-making process to achieve the best results.
Effective Components on the Empowerment of Insured Individuals from the Perspective of Employees of Iran Health Insurance Organization in 2018
Authors: Saeidpour Jalal , Kabir Mohammad Javad , Khosravi Bahman , Sharifi Moslem
Published: April 2019

Introduction: Empowerment of insured persons has been one of the main programs of Iran health insurance organization. Accordingly, this study was designed and implemented with the aim of determining the status of knowledge, attitude and performance of employees, as one of the factors influencing the implementation of the program.
Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was carried out in 2016-2018. The data gathering tool was a researcher-made questionnaire that was organized in four sections including demographic information, knowledge, attitude and performance of the staff. The sample size was 1536 people who were selected by random sampling method. Data were analyzed by descriptive (frequency, mean and standard deviation) and analytical (Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and correlation tests) methods.
Results: A total of 1536 questionnaires were distributed and 1347 questionnaires were received (response rate = 92%). Respondents obtained moderate knowledge score (0.57), desirable attitude (3.9) and moderate performance (1.9). The distribution of the scores in the three main parts of the study showed that the attitude of the staff toward empowerment is positive (73% desirable and 26% moderate). While in the knowledge section, only 43% of the respondents were in desirable condition and 12% were in undesirable condition. In the performance section, only 10% of the respondents had desirable situation and more than 80% showed moderate performance.
Conclusion: Positive attitude toward empowerment and its alignment with organizational goals, and weakness in education, and inadequate participation of staff in the design and implementation of programs, are one of the main points that should be considered in designing improvement interventions.
Performance Evaluation Criteria for Hospitals' Managers: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Pezeshki Abbas , Almasian Anahita , Salehi Saeid , Zahabi Faezeh , Jahanfar Mehrdad , Amraei Hafez , Keshvari Mohammad
Published: April 2019

Background: Hospitals are the most important element of the health system. Hospitals play a key role in providing health services and have a major impact on the health system's performance. The success of organizations depends on their managers’ performance. Organizations with qualified and experienced managers will be more successful in achieving their goals and can reach optimal efficiency.
Methods: This is a phenomenological qualitative study in which content analysis was used to achieve study objectives. The study population included the hospitals managers and senior experts of the vice chancellor for treatment of a provincial department of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in Iran. Participants were selected by purposive and heterogeneous methods and data collection continued until data saturation was achieved. Data were collected by semi-structured face-to-face interviews.
Results: From our data, seven main themes were drawn, consisting of monitoring and control, planning, organizing, leadership and motivational factors, management of resources and information, communication and interdepartmental coordination and patient orientation
Conclusion: Hospital managers play a key role in improving hospital function. Assessing hospital managers' performance, determining their strengths and weaknesses and taking corrective actions are beneficial to the improvement of hospitals’ performance.
Self-Medication and its Effective Factors in Islamic Republic of Iran: A population based Study
Authors: Ehsani-Chimeh Elham , Davoudi-Kiakalayeh Ali , Yousefzadeh Chabok Shahrokh , Homaie Rad Enayatollah
Published: April 2019

Background: Self-medication is the use of drugs which have not been prescribed by health professionals. It is considered an important issue especially in developing countries because of side effects of irrational use of drugs and economic burden of disease. This study aim to analyze the prevalence of self-medication in Iran by provinces and socio economic and demographic factors that affect it.
Methods: Data of Iranian household income and expenditures survey (HEIS) in 2016 (source Iranian Statistical Center) was used in this study. Multilevel mixed effect regression was used to find relation between explanatory variables and self-medication ratio. STATA SE v 14 was used to perform the analysis.
Results: the results of this study showed that income (coefficient = - 0.00286) and socioeconomic status had negative significant relationship with self-medication ratio, while self-medication ratio was higher in some provinces like Ardebil, Sistan va Baluchistan and Ilam and it was lower in some provinces like Khuzestan and Kurdistan.
Conclusion: The prevalence of self-medication among Iranian people was relatively high and this ratio varies in provinces. In addition to promote population awareness about undesirable effects of the irrational drug consumption, developing strategies for drug consumption by improving prescribing pattern, OTC drugs and also increasing inspection of pharmacies is needed.
Exploring the Mental Health and Wellbeing Needs of Workers in the UK Automotive Industry
Authors: Gellatly Samantha
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this research was to explore the mental health and wellbeing needs of employees in the automotive sector, to understand the types of initiatives these employees would appreciate and how to promote them effectively.

The research was approached with an exploratory, qualitative design. The collection of employee knowledge and opinion was undertaken utilising in-depth and semi structured interviews with a small cross-sectional group of employees.

The main findings from the research showed that mental health presenteeism and leaveism are commonly occurring. It was found that individual understanding of well-being differed due to conflicting terminology and that where the company excelled in the areas of health and safety employees experienced unhappiness with working hours, work life balance and pay and reward.

Research of this scope was original to the company and the automotive sector thus providing great insight. These employees showed there was less need for complex well-being programmes and that there was a keenness for mental health to be recognised and discussed more to help diminish the attached stigma.

This research also questions: who is really best suited to support employee wellbeing? Whilst research highlights the importance of managers in this process, it also confirms, as with this study, that they are the employees with the worst wellbeing and therefore unlikely to be those best suited to provide this support. If managers wellbeing is not boosted it is unlikely that they can bring about desired improvements and bridging this gap requires future consideration.
Belt and Road Initiative and Islamic Financing: The Case in Public Private Partnership Infrastructure Financing
Authors: Chu JinZi , Muneeza Aishath
Published: April 2019

China’s One Belt and One Road (OBOR) is a global trade network across Asia, Africa, Europe and Oceania. Also known as Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), OBOR is an attempt to redraw ancient Silk Road to foster global trade and economic development. Nearly 30 Muslims-majority countries are part of China’s vision of BRI. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to investigate how public private partnership (PPP) has been applied in BRI projects; and second, to explore how Islamic finance can fit within a PPP context. This paper proposes a framework for using Islamic finance in infrastructure PPP projects. This paper also analyses two PPP projects where Islamic finance was deployed as project financing. It is hoped that the discussed risks and outcome of the study will assist in integration of Islamic finance in infrastructure projects that will create efficiency in processes in cross-border cooperation.
Comparative effects of graded doses of diaminanzine ace-turate and fixed doses of levamisole in the treatment of albino mice experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei
Authors: Ijomanta Michael K. , Ugochukwu Chukwuebuka I. , Ugochukwu Emmanuel I.
Published: April 2019

Trypanosomosis is a widespread and important disease of animals and humans in tsetse-infested areas of Africa, Nigeria inclusive. To investigate the comparative effects of graded doses of Diaminazine aceturate (DA) and fixed doses of Levamisole in the treatment of albino mice experimentally infected with field isolates of Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Thirty adult mice were used and were randomly divided into 6 groups of 5 mice each. After infection has been established, 3 groups (A, B and C) were treated with graded doses of DA at 7, 14 and 21mg/kg body weight respectively and a fixed dose of Levamisole at 7.5mg/kg body weight, whereas group D was treated with Levamisole only at the same dose.  Group E served as positive (infected untreated) control while group F served a negative (uninfected untreated) control. The following parameters were used to access the efficacy of the drugs: weekly rectal temperature, weight changes, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, clinical signs or survivabilty and parasitaemia. The parasite cleared from groups A, B and C by the 48th hour post treatment, but remained in group D while all the mice in group E died within 65 days PI, those in group D died within 65 days PI, whereas those in Group D died within 35 days post treatment. Relapse infection was only recorded in group A at day 30 post treatment. There was no relapse in group B and C, but more deaths were recorded in group C. The significant reduction (p<0.05) in the weight, PCV and haemoglobin concentration and an increase in rectal temperature following infection was reversed by the treatments in groups A, B and C. The results obtained show that an increased dose of DA at 14mg/kg body weight and Levamisole at 7.5mg/kg body weight proved most effective in the treatment of clinical cases of infection with Trypanosoma brucei brucei.
Water-soluble fullerene derivatives (C60(OH)18-22) decrease infarct volume and edema after middle cerebral artery occlusion in rat
Authors: Aryafar Masiha , Mohammadi Mohammad Taghi , Sobhani Zeinab Sadat , Foroshani Mahsa Sarami , Vani Javad Rasouli
Published: April 2019

Overproduction of oxygen free radicals (ROS) and oxidative stress during reperfusion period plays a critical role in pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Since the antioxidant properties of fullerene nanoparticles has been extensively demonstrated, we assessed the possible protective effects of water-soluble fullerene derivatives (C60(OH)18-22) on infarct volume and edema after middle cerebral artery occlusion in rat.Twenty four rats were randomly divided into three groups (each group; n=8): sham, control ischemia (IR) and ischemic treatment groups. Cerebral ischemia was induced by 90 min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by 24 hours reperfusion. Fullerene nanoparticles were given orally at dose of 1mg/kg immediately after termination of MCAO and the beginning of reperfusion period. The brains were processed for histopathological assessment and quantitation of the infarct volume (TTC staining method). Finally, the brain hemispheres were weighed as an index of brain edema.There was no infarction and edema in right hemispheres of sham rats. MCAO induced brain infarction both in cortex (261±23mm3) and subcortex (138±23mm3) and also right hemispheres weights (23%) of control ischemic rats. Administration of fullerene reduced the infarction both in cortex (49±26mm3) and subcortex (43±21mm3) and also the value of right hemisphere weight (20%) of ischemic treatment rats. Additionally in histopathological assessment, the perivascular areas decreased in ischemic treatment rats.The findings of present study are revealing the protective effects of water-soluble fullerene derivatives against reperfusion-induced injury such as infarction and edema after middle cerebral artery occlusion in rat.
Amputation Versus Staged Reconstruction for Severe Fibular Hemimelia
Authors: Birch John G. , Paley Dror , Herzenberg John E. , Morton Anne , Ward Shana , Riddle Russ , Specht Stacy , Cummings Don , Tulchin-Francis Kirsten
Published: April 2019

Background:

Fibular hemimelia, a congenital disorder characterized by the partial or complete absence of the fibula, tibial growth inhibition, and foot and ankle deformity and deficiency, is the most common deficiency of long bones. The purpose of the present study of children with congenital fibular hemimelia was to examine the functional and psychosocial outcomes at a minimum of 2 years after treatment either with amputation and a prosthesis or with reconstruction and lengthening.

Methods:

Twenty children who were managed with primary amputation were compared with 22 children who were managed with staged limb reconstruction. The average age of the patients at the time of evaluation was 9 years (range, 5 to 15 years). Patients and parents completed psychosocial, quality-of-life, and satisfaction surveys. Patients underwent instrumented gait analysis and a timed 25 or 50-yard dash. The number and nature of surgical procedures were recorded from a retrospective chart review.

Results:

Families of children managed with amputation had lower economic and educational levels and were more ethnically diverse compared with the families of children managed with limb reconstruction. Scores on psychosocial and quality-of-life surveys were comparable with those from healthy patient populations. Parents of males treated with amputation perceived a lower school-related quality of life for their child; socioeconomic and ethnic differences between groups might account for this finding. Statistically but not clinically significant differences were measured during instrumented gait analysis at a self-selected walking speed and during a timed 25 or 50-yard dash. The majority of patients and parents reported satisfaction with the treatment method selected and would select the same treatment method again.

Conclusions:

At this interim stage of growth, there were no significant functional or psychological differences between groups. Both groups were satisfied with the outcome in mid-childhood, irrespective of the selection of amputation or limb reconstruction.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Cycloelimination-assisted Combinatorial Synthesis of Diverse Heterocyclic Scaffolds of Chemotherapeutic Values
Authors: Prasad Virendra , Mishra Nidhi , Agrahari Anand K. , Singh Sumit K. , Mohapatra Prabhu P. , Tiwari Vinod K.
Published: April 2019

Recent advances in high-throughput, automated techniques combined with the identification of new therapeutic targets in genome sequencing and molecular biology have generated a need for a large collection of diverse heterocyclic scaffolds. This inspires toward the development of novel reaction sequences and linking strategies to generate libraries of diverse simple to complex heterocyclic systems. In this regard, combinatorial chemistry has emerged as an excellent technology platform for the rapid assembly of building blocks to synthesize complex molecular structures with great ease in a few synthetic steps. By means of the implementation of high-throughput screening for the biological evaluation of hits and leads, combinatorial libraries have become important assets in drug discovery and development. In the last two decades, the cyclorelease strategy that minimizes the chemical and tethering implications by releasing the intact desired target molecule in the final step of reaction has attracted much attention. Recently, a particular interest is developing in linking strategies, where loading and cleavage steps contribute to the complexity of the target structure rather than only extraneous manipulations. This review summarises the practical and high-yielding approaches of solid phase combinatorial synthesis for diverse high-purity heterocyclic skeletons of pharmacological importance involving the cycloelimination strategy.
Plant and Soil Metal Concentrations in Serpentine Soils and Their Influence on the Diet of Extensive Livestock Animals
Authors: Ramalhosa Elsa C. D. , Magalhães Marta , Martins Ana M. , Afonso Maria J. , Plasencia Paula , Fernández-Núnez Esther , Castro Marina
Published: April 2019

Background:

Grazing circuits and resources consumed differ strongly throughout the year and within a territory. For this reason, animals’ diet composition, as well as their exposure to metals, is variable. No studies have been performed on how habitat use affects the metal concentrations to which sheep and goats reared in serpentine soil areas are exposed.

Objective:

The aim of the present study was to investigate the metal exposure of grazing animals raised in a serpentine soil area of the north-east of Portugal, taking into account the spatial distribution of metal concentrations in soils and plants.

Methods:

The habitat use and foraging behaviour of six flocks of sheep and goats were studied. The concentrations of Ca, Mg, Mn, Cr and Ni were determined in the soils and plant species most consumed by those animals.

Results:

The highest Mg, Mn, Cr and Ni concentrations were found in the soils of the ultramafic complex. Ni concentrations above the recommended threshold for agricultural soils (30 μg/g) were found in some sites. A positive correlation between Ni concentration in soils and plants was found (0.634). Ni concentrations higher than 10 µg/g were found in some samples of the following plant species:Sorghum × drummondii(Steud.) Millsp. & Chase,Quercus rotundifoliaLam.,Cytisus multiflorus(L’Hér.) Sweet,Cistus ladaniferL. andErica scopariaL. Significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in metal concentrations of the plants most consumed by each flock were observed.

Conclusion:

Grazing circuits have an important role in the metal exposure of animals raised in this serpentine soil area.
Design Techniques for Power-Gated Nanoscale Low Power Circuits
Authors: Rastogi Rumi , Pandey Sujata , Gupta Mridula
Published: April 2019

Background:

With the shrinking device-sizes in the present day world, the leakage power of
the devices has also been increased significantly. Several techniques have been proposed to minimize
the leakage power. However, the techniques have certain limitations, such as noise, delay or area of the
chip. We have also proposed a leakage minimization technique which also minimizes the noise in the
circuit.

Objective:

In this paper, we propose noise minimization circuit techniques for the distributed sleep transistor
network in power-gated Multi-threshold CMOS circuits. The objective is to minimize leakage
power as well as the noise associated with digital power-gated circuits.

Methods:

The proposed technique has been verified through simulations using the Cadence virtuoso tool.
The proposed technique has been applied to a 16-bit adder circuit in 45 nm MTCMOS technology.

Results:

The proposed techniques i.e. HVT-ST and the Hybrid-ST techniques achieve 99%, 64.8% and
62.07% reduction in noise as compared to the All-ON, variable-width and variable gate-voltage techniques,
respectively. The behavior of the circuit techniques has also been analyzed at higher temperatures.
It has been shown through simulations that the proposed techniques effectively minimize noise at
higher temperatures i.e. 75°C and 115°C. The proposed techniques also minimize leakage power and the
on-time delay significantly. A layout of the section of the proposed circuit has also been drawn which
occupies the chip area of 2.37 µm2.

Conclusion:

The proposed techniques i.e. HVT-ST and the Hybrid-ST techniques achieve a significant
reduction in the noise as well as delay. In this paper, we propose leakage minimization techniques for
the distributed sleep transistor network. The proposed techniques i.e. HVT-ST and the Hybrid-ST techniques
achieve a significant reduction in noise as well as delay. The technique also reduces the leakage
power significantly.
Evaluation of Antioxidant, Antityrosinase Activities and Cytotoxic Effects of Phyllanthus amarus Extracts
Authors: Olabiyi Folorunso Adewale , Aboua Yapo Guillaume , Popoola Olugbenga Kayode , Monsees Thomas Klaus , Oguntibeju Oluwafemi Omoniyi
Published: April 2019

Background:

Antioxidant and antityrosinase activities of medicinal plants, together with their various health benefits have received attention in recent times. However, with wide ethnobotanical uses of Phyllanthus amarus, data on in-vitro skin depigmentation activity and cytotoxicity, as well as its impact on mediators of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are still lacking. This present study is, therefore, designed to evaluate its tyrosinase inhibitory action, antioxidant potentials and cytotoxic activities.

Methods:

In this study, quantitative determination of polyphenols, flavanol, flavonol, flavonoids, Oxygen Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (ORAC), Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) were performed on the extracts of P amarus. Also, tyrosinase inhibitory efficacy of the hexane, methanol and aqueous extracts of Phyllanthus amarus were evaluated using ELISA-based methods. Cytotoxicity studies were done with mouse Sertoli (TM4) cells, using MTT assay and cell counts.

Results:

The hexane and aqueous extracts exhibited significant antityrosinase activity (p<0.05) (IC50= 116.08 and 129.25 µg/mL respectively) while its methanolic extract produces no statistically significant finding. Higher total polyphenol, flavonoids and flavonol were seen in the methanol fraction of the extract. Besides, higher radical cation scavenging (TEAC) activity was observed in the aqueous extract. These values were significant (p<0.0001), whereas ORAC results of the methanol extract show significantly (p<0.0001) higher oxygen reducing antioxidant potential than the aqueous extract. The aqueous extract showed the highest mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity at lower concentrations (0.01 to 10 μg/ml). Here, TM4 cell numbers were also significantly higher as compared to the untreated control. Sertoli cell viability was compromised after exposure to higher extract concentrations (100 to 1000 µg/ml).

Conclusion:

The hexane and aqueous extracts of Phyllanthus amarus possess good tyrosinase inhibitory action when compared to the reference kojic acid. Also, it demonstrated high antioxidant potentials by its ability to scavenge oxygen radicals, reduce ferric ion and inhibit ABTS radical. Lower extract concentrations stimulated Sertoli cell proliferation, which might be due to phytoestrogenic activities of Phyllanthus amarus conferred by its active, components, such as phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin.
Frequency Reconfigurable Slotted Split-Ring Antenna
Authors: Raval Falguni , Patel Tulsi , Upadhaya Trushit
Published: April 2019

Background & Objective:

Partially grounded frequency reconfigurable antenna is discussed
in this paper. Antenna frequency cover is 4.2 GHz to 7 GHz and it has reconfigurable notchband
near 5 GHz frequency. Frequency rejection is achieved by using circular split-ring slots in radiating
element. The antenna can be reconfigured at 5.1 GHz, 5.4 GHz and 5.9 GHz by creating more
slots in outer most split-ring. Designed antennas are printed on FR-4, low-cost substrate having relative
permittivity of 4.4 and thickness of 1.6 mm.

Results & Conclusion:

Simulation of antennas is carried out using High Frequency Structure Simulator
(HFSS) software. Designed antenna has omni directional radiation pattern. The prototype antennas
are fabricated and tested using network analyzer. Good matching is observed between simulated
and measured results.