bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with the presence of cataracts in the Peruvian population older than 50 years: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Bendezu-Quispe Guido , Fernandez-Guzman Daniel , Caira-Chuquineyra Brenda , Evelyn Lazo Lisbeth , Vargas-Fernández Rodrigo
Published: June 2022

Background: Cataracts are a public health problem, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where the greatest limitations of health care systems are observed, making access to treatment difficult. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with the presence of cataracts in adults over 50 years of age in Peru.

Methods: A cross-sectional analytical observational study was performed of data from the 2019 Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES – acronym in Spanish). The dependent variable was the self-reported diagnosis of cataracts (yes or no). Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were calculated using a generalized linear model of the Poisson family with a log link function to estimate factors associated with self-reported cataract diagnosis.

Results: We analyzed the data of 8775 Peruvian adults older than 50 years; 1322 (16.68%) self-reported a diagnosis of cataract. A higher prevalence of having cataracts was associated with being aged 60-69 years (aPR: 1.40; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21-1.61) and 70 years and older (aPR: 2.78; 95% CI: 2.44-3.18), identifying as being of native ethnicity (aPR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.16-1.47), having undergone ophthalmologic evaluation in the last 12 months (aPR: 2.29; 95% CI: 2.07-2.53) and having diabetes mellitus (aPR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.13-1.51). The prevalence of cataracts was lower in subjects belonging to the poorest wealth quintile (aPR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.43-0.70) and those with a higher level of education (aPR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.62-0.88).

Conclusions: In Peru, one out of six adults older than 50 years self-reported a diagnosis of cataracts. People older than 60 years, being of native ethnicity, having had a visual acuity evaluation in the last 12 months and having diabetes were associated with a higher prevalence of cataracts. These factors should be considered when implementing strategies for health education, promotion and prevention to ensure access to early ophthalmologic care.
Case Report: Adrenocortical carcinoma in an adult male with hypokalemic hypertensive: Report of a rare case in Nepal
Authors: K.C. Indu , Alam Md Zafar , Simkhada Nabin , Jang Rayamajhi Rabindra , Alam Rizwan
Published: June 2022

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), with an incidence of 2-5 percent, is an uncommon source of unilateral adrenal mass and hyperaldosteronism. In Nepal, there is no literature on this uncommon adrenocortical cancer. A forty-year-old Nepalese army regular with resistant hypertension on various antihypertensive medicines presenting with a background of considerable weight loss decreased appetite, and repeated episodes of vomiting were described. His blood tests revealed hypokalemia and a high aldosterone/renin ratio. A tumor in the left adrenal gland was discovered during an abdominal CECT scan. He was operated on for left adrenal incidentaloma and the procedure was uneventful. We recommend clinicians suspect hyperaldosteronism in an adult with refractory hypertension and hypokalemia.
Case Report: Long QT syndrome in the setting of post COVID depression
Authors: Noamen Aymen , Ben Ayed Houssem , Ebn Ebrahim Youssef , Chenik Sarra , Hajlaoui Nadhem , Fehri Wafa
Published: June 2022

Long QT syndrome is a genetically inherited heart disease caused by mutations in genes coding for the ion channels expressed in the heart cells. Like any other hereditary pathology Long QT Syndrome manifestations often start at a young age.

We report the case of a 65-year-old woman who presented a syncope after taking antidepressants, revealing a congenital long QT syndrome.

The onset of cardiovascular symptoms in elderly subjects with such an unrecognized entity is very rare and is most often due to transient biological disturbances or to the use of certain drugs, which prolong the QT interval.
Developing a model for health determinants research within local government: lessons from a large, urban local authority
Authors: West Jane , Wright John , Bridges Sally , Cartwright Chris , Ciesla Kayley , Pickett Kate E. , Shore Robert , Witcherley Phil , Flinders Mathew , McEachan Rosemary R.C. , Mon-Williams Mark , Bird Pippa , Lennon Laura , Cooper Duncan , Muckle Sarah , England Kersten , Sheldon Trevor
Published: June 2022

Background: Socio-economic, cultural and environmental conditions strongly affect health across the life course. Local government plays a key role in influencing these wider determinants of health and levels of inequality within their communities. However, they lack the research infrastructure and culture that would enable them to develop an evidence-based approach to tackling the complex drivers of those conditions.

Methods: We undertook a scoping project using some research methods and some descriptive summaries to explore the potential for, and what would be needed to develop a local authority research system for the City of Bradford, UK. This included identifying the current research landscape and any barriers and enablers to research activity within the local authority using qualitative individual and focus group interviews, a rapid review of existing local research system models, scoping and description of the use of evidence in decision making and training opportunities and existing support for local government research.

Results: We identified four key themes important to developing and sustaining a research system: leadership, resource and capacity, culture, partnerships. Some use of research in decision making was evident but research training opportunities within the local authority were limited. Health research funders are slowly adapting to the local government environment, but this remains limited and more work is needed to shift the centre of gravity towards public health, local government and the community more generally. 

Conclusions: We propose a model for a local authority research system that can guide the development of an exemplar whole system research framework that includes research infrastructure, data sharing, research training and skills, and co-production with local partners, to choose, use, generate, and deliver research in local government.
To the Question of Teaching Staff Readiness to Digital Training
Authors: Stolbova Irina , Nosov Konstantin , Tarasova Lyubov'
Published: June 2022

The question of teaching staff readiness to digitalize the educational process is considered in this paper. Digital education is a prerequisite for training of specialists meeting the requirements for the XXI century digital economy. There are a number of challenges in introducing digital learning, including those in engineering education. Digitalization of the technical subject area is very costly process that has its own specifics and requires developers to possess not only professional competencies related to a particular discipline, but also to be advanced in the arear of information and communication technologies. Besides modern teaching and laboratory facilities, and computer systems for various purposes, an important condition for promoting of digitization in subject teaching is teaching staff willingness to improve their teaching skills along with fluency in modern digital technologies.

As an example of subject teaching, in this paper are considered informatization and digitalization of basic geometric and graphic training for students at technical higher education institutes. The analysis is carried out from the point of view related to preparation of the academic teaching staff for creation and implementation of the educational environment that meets the requirements for dynamically developing design as a type of engineering activity. The scheme for realization of mixed learning has been presented, which introduction is determined by students' individual work implementation, and the process of students' online geometric-graphic training during self-isolation for COVID-19 prevention has been described. An analysis of teacher's activity content increase in the full online training mode has been carried out. Has been presented a set of practical measures acting to raise the chair’s teaching staff qualification and providing readiness to solving urgent problems of students’ learning through the digital educational environment.

As a conclusion of the study, it is stated that in digitalization conditions the most successful form for implementing of basic geometric and graphic training is the form of blended learning.
Must a Currency Be Centrally Regulated to Be Ethical?
Authors: Scharding Tobey
Published: June 2022

Scharding (2019) argues that Bitcoin is unethical on Fichte’s (2012/1800) view because its instability makes it unable to guarantee that users can afford what they need to live. She contrasts Bitcoin with currencies controlled by central authorities that can guarantee their stability. Allison (2021) objects that not all centrally controlled currencies are stable and not all non-centrally controlled currencies are unstable. I clarify that both stability and a means of securing stability (typically, a central authority) are necessary, but not sufficient, for a currency to be ethical.
The association between phase of illness and resource utilisation—a potential model for demonstrating clinical efficiency?
Authors: Lucey Michael , O’Reilly Martina , Coffey Siobhain , Sheridan John , Moran Sue , Twomey Feargal , Conroy Marian , Eager Kathy , Currow David
Published: June 2022

Background: Healthcare efficiency involves demonstrating flexible inter-relationships between resource utilisation and patient need. In palliative care, five phases of patient illness have been identified: stable, unstable, deteriorating, terminal and bereaved. Evaluating the association between phase of illness and nursing activities could demonstrate clinical efficiency. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the phase of illness and the intensity of nursing care in a specialist palliative care unit. Methods: This was a prospective, observational cohort study of consecutive admissions (n=400) to a specialist palliative care unit. Patient phase of illness was documented on admission and daily thereafter. A nursing activity tool was developed, which scored daily nursing interventions (physical, psychological, family care and symptom control). This score was called the nursing total score (NTS) and reflected the intensity of nursing activities. Data were entered into SPSS and descriptive statistics weregenerated. Results: A total of 342 (85%) patients had full data recorded on admission. Stable, unstable, deteriorating and terminal phases were associated with progressively increasing median NTSs on days 1, 2, 3 and 4 (all P<0.01). Phase stabilisation from the unstable to the stable phase during this timeframe resulted in reductions in physical care (p=0.038), symptom management (p=0.007) and near-significant reductions in family support (p=0.06). Conclusion: A significant association was demonstrated between phase of illness and intensity of nursing activities, which were sensitive to phase changes, from unstable to stable. This demonstrates technically efficient resource utilisation and identifies a potential efficiency model for future evaluations of inpatient palliative care.
Exoplaneta WASP-2 A b: um estudo de viabilidade observacional no OAA/MACT-UEFS
Authors: Silva Freitas Raquel , Da Rocha-Poppe Paulo César , Fernandes Martin Vera Aparecida , Costa Pinto Souza José Henrique , Silva Sales Elis Cristina , Bomfim de Jesus Bianca Ramielly , Do Carmo Carvalho Matheus , Cordeiro de Almeida Toni , Da Silva Lima Santos Mariana , Faúndez-Abans Maximiliano , De Oliveira-Abans Mariângela , Freitas-Leme Priscila
Published: June 2022

A descoberta do primeiro exoplaneta fora do Sistema Solar inaugurou um novo campo de intensa investigação científica na Astronomia, abrindo várias perspectivas de estudos através de técnicas diferenciadas em observatórios instalados no solo e no espaço. As descobertas realizadas já acumulam, atualmente, mais de 4500 exoplanetas confirmados em maisde 3300 sistemas planetários. Como parte dos estudos realizados de Iniciação Científica no DFIS/UEFS, esta contribuição descreve os principais resultados relacionados ao exoplaneta WASP-2 A b, descoberto em 2006 através da técnica de Trânsito Planetário. As observações fotométricas realizadas no Observatório Astronômico Antares - UEFS, com o telescópio MEADE 10" LX200 GPS, a CCD SBIG ST-7XME-D e o filtro ExoPlanet-BB (Blue Blocking), foram suficientes para realizar um estudo preliminar da curva de luz obtida com o software MaxIm DL e confirmar a viabilidade para o início de um potencial programa observacional com os telescópios de pequena abertura ora disponíveis: MEADE e CDK20.
EOS – A new frontier in spine imaging
Authors: Garg Bhavuk , Vatsya Pulak
Published: June 2022

EOS is a new tool in the armamemtarium of orthopedicians. Its ability to give a standing 3 dimesnionla image of the spine, has made it an indespenisble tool, specially for spine surgeons. Scoliosis is a 3 dimesnional deformity with multiple compensatory mechanisms being applied at the level of the pelvis and lower limbs as well as in spine. Operating on such patients needs thorough understanding of the 3D anatomy. EOS, provides this along with its low radiation dose, quick scan time and ability to repeat test multiple times if needed. The uses of this modality is on the rise, and as awareness and accessibility to EOS increases, so will the diversity of uses of this tool. Spine surgeons need to understand and use EOS for planning of their surgeries more compared to orther specializations of orthopaedics. EOS is truly a game-changer for spine imaging.
Current Trends in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy
Authors: Marathe Nandan , Bali Shivakumar , Prabhu Rudra , Agarwal Harsh , Naseem Atif , Shakya Akash , Sharma Ayush
Published: June 2022

Advances in patient selection, surgical techniques, and postoperative care have facilitated spine surgeons to manage complex spine cases with shorter operative times, reduced hospital stay and improved outcomes. We focus this article on a few areas which have shown maximum developments in management of degenerative cervical myelopathy and also throw a glimpse into the future ahead. Imaging modalities, surgical decision making, robotics and neuro-navigation, minimally invasive spinal surgery, motion preservation, use of biologics are few of them. Through this review article, we hope to provide the readers with an insight into the present state of art in cervical myelopathy and what the future has in store for us.
Management of chronic palmar distal radio-ulnar joint (DRUJ) dislocation of wrist: A case report on young gymnast with one year follow up
Authors: Lad Parag , Ahire Pankaj
Published: June 2022

Background: A palmar dislocation of distal radio-ulnar joint (DRUJ) is rare and causes gross functional restriction of pronation. It is certainly major cosmetic concern for the patient as keeps the forearm supinated because of dislocation. Usually, such injuries are caused due to high velocity trauma and fall on supinated hand. The literature is sparse on the management of palmar dislocation of DRUJ. Materials and Methods: We present a case report on the management of chronic palmar dislocation in a 27-year-old professional gymnast trainer with 1-year follow-up. We describe the surgical technique of open reduction by palmar approach and reconstruction of triangular fibrocartilage complex ligament by suture anchor. The post-operative rehabilitation protocol is also mentioned in detail. Results: The patient has 80° pronation and painless wrist range of movements at 1-year follow-up. She is able to perform all activities of daily living though not confident in weight bearing on affected wrist. Conclusion: As per our knowledge, this is described for the 1st time about the management of chronic palmar DRUJ case in young gymnast. The restricted pronation is important sign of palmar DRUJ dislocation. The return of pronation gives immense satisfaction to the patient.
Classification of thoracolumbar fractures: A Narrative review
Authors: Chhabra Harvinder Singh , Manghwani Jitesh
Published: June 2022

Thoracolumbar fractures constitute 75% of the cases of spine trauma. Thoracolumbar classification systems are important to diagnose, stage, determine the management of vertebral lesions, and predict the results of the different treatment options. This narrative review describes how the classification systems evolved over time with the unique features of each historically. Radiographs are the initial step of investigation. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography help in delineating the injury better. This article narrates diagnosing instability and the role of each classification system in aiding to make a decision of a particular thoracolumbar fracture with merits and demerits of each.
Massive Tophaceous Gout at Right Elbow Region in 55 Years Old Male
Authors: Caitanya Ida Bagus Anom Krishna , Maharjana Made Agus
Published: June 2022

Gouty arthritis is one of the most common inflammatory joint diseases, characterized by monosodium urate crystals in or around the joints that comes from purine metabolism. Risk factors of gout are age, excessive intake of purine, alcohol, obesity, lack of physical activity, hypertension and heart disease, certain drugs, and impaired kidney function. This case presented a 55-year-old male patient with lumps and pain in the right elbow. Uric acid laboratory test results with a level of 9.20 mg/dL. Surgical excision could be the only solution to solve minimally decreased range of motion and aesthetic problems. Metabolic problems should be considered a priority with the patients who have unilateral joints problems.
Effective and sustainable syndesmotic injury repair using endobuttons and fibre-wire, in bimalleolar fractures
Authors: Koli Vaibhav , Samant Prakash , Sane Rohit , Patil Maitreya , Singh Pankaj
Published: June 2022

Ankle fractures are the most frequent fractures accounting for 10% of all fractures, having an incidence of about 184/100,000 per year. Moreover, after external rotation or dorsiflexion injuries, syndesmotic disruption typically occurs at the ankle. The physiologic normality of the joint gets affected after a transverse syndesmotic screw fixation, which decreases the magnitude of motion at the lower extremes of the tibia and fibula, reducing contact forces between bones, and increasing stress on the crural interosseous membrane (which may lead to screw breakage). With this concern, we thus suggested to achieving a semi-rigid dynamic stabilization of the syndesmosis, using an endobutton and transosseous suture. We present a case of a 22-year-old active male who had a Lauge-Hansen pronation-abduction type injury. He was managed with an eight holes anatomical plate for lateral malleolus, two 65 mm CC screws with a washer for medial malleolus, and two endobuttons (one on the tibial and other on the fibular side) with transosseous sutures to provide stabilization of the syndesmosis. With this concern, we thus suggested achieving a semi-rigid dynamic stabilization of the syndesmosis, using an endobutton and transosseous suture; which can help in early mobilization, is cost effective, and prevent a second surgery for the removal of the syndesmotic screw.
Stable and high energy ytterbium-doped mode-locked fiber laser based on a franckeite-polymer film modulator
Authors: Zhao Haoxu , Li Ping , Li Ming , Xu Liwei , Hu Qiongyu , Zhang Bin , Liu Jing , Chen Xiaohan
Published: June 2022

As a novel material with narrow band gap and natural van der Waals heterostructures (vdWH), francketie has potential applications in the field of optoelectronic fields. However, few studies have applied its nonlinear optical absorption properties to ultrafast fiber lasers. Here, we synthesized francketie nanosheets via the liquid-phase exfoliation (LPE) method. By incorporating the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a franckeite-PVA saturable absorber (SA) was fabricated to achieve a mode-locked Yb-doped fiber laser (YDFL) for the first time to the best of our knowledge. The saturation intensity and modulation depth of the SA were measured about 75 MW∕cm2 and 7%, respectively. The proposed franckeite-based YDFL demonstrates stable mode-locked operation with the maximum single energy of 5.35 nJ and the pulse duration of 1.57 ns. Our experimental results fully prove that franckeite may have wide potential for designing ultrafast photonics devices with low cost, high stability and excellent performance.
Theoretical study on fast and slow light effects in semiconductor optical amplifiers under assist light injection
Authors: Jiang Yu , Zhen Li , Qin Cui
Published: June 2022

In this paper, the fast and slow light effect of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) under assist light injection is theoretically analyzed. Coherent population oscillation (CPO) is used to induce fast and slow light effect in the theoretical model. The effects of parameters such as modulation frequency, modulation current and assist optical power on phase delay are investigated under the assist light injection. These effects are then compared with the case without assist light injection. The simulation results show that the injection of assist light can increase the phase delay of the output optical signal and enhance the slow light effect. Furthermore, when the assist light optical power is in the range of 0–15 dBm, the slow light effect is strong.
High pyrethroid-resistance intensity in Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae) populations from Jigawa, North-West, Nigeria
Authors: Omotayo Ahmed Idowu , Dogara Musa Mustapha , Sufi Danjuma , Shuaibu Tasiu , Balogun Joshua , Dawaki Salwa , Muktar Bature , Adeniyi Kamoru , Garba Nura , Namadi Isah , Adam Hafiz Abdullahi , Adamu Shuaibu , Abdullahi Hamza , Sulaiman Abubakar , Oduola Adedayo Olatunbosun
Published: June 2022

This study examined pyrethroid resistance intensity and mechanisms in Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae) populations from Jigawa, North-West Nigeria. Resistance statuses to permethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin and alphacypermethrin were determined with both WHO and CDC resistance bioassays. Synergist assay was conducted by pre-exposing the populations to Piperonyl butoxide (PBO) using the WHO method. Resistance intensities to 2x, 5x and 10x of diagnostic concentrations were determined with the CDC bottle method. Species analysis and presence of knockdown mutation (Leu-Phe) were done using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Results showed that Cx. quinquefasciatus was the only Culex spp. present and “Kdr-west” mutation was not detected in all analyzed samples. Using WHO method, Cx. quinquefasciatus resistance to permethrin was detected in Dutse (12.2%) and Kafin-Hausa (77.78%). Lambda-cyhalothrin resistance was recorded only in Kafin-Hausa (83.95%) with resistance suspected in Ringim (90%). Resistance to alphacypermethrin was recorded in all locations. Pre-exposure to PBO led to 100% mortality to alphacypermethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin in Ringim while mortality to permethrin and alphacypermethrin in Dutse increased from 12.2% to 97.5% and 64.37% to 79.52% respectively. Using CDC bottle bioassay, resistance was also recorded in all populations and the result shows a significant positive correlation (R2 = 0.728, p = 0.026) with the result from the WHO bioassay. Results of resistance intensity revealed a very high level of resistance in Kafin-Hausa with susceptibility to lambda-cyhalothrin and alphacypermethrin not achieved at 10x of diagnostic doses. Resistance intensity was also high in Dutse with susceptibility to all insecticides not achieved at 5x of diagnostic doses. Widespread and high intensity of resistance in Cx. quinquefasciatus from North-West Nigeria is a major threat to the control of diseases transmitted by Culex and other mosquito species. It is a challenge that needs to be adequately addressed so as to prevent the failure of pyrethroid-based vector control tools.
The emergence of COVID-19 in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Community knowledge, attitudes, and practices in Kinshasa
Authors: Akilimali Pierre Z. , Mashinda Désiré K. , Lulebo Aimé M. , Mafuta Eric M. , Onyamboko Marie A. , Tran Nguyen Toan
Published: June 2022

Background

The first COVID-19 case in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was reported on 10 March 2020 in Kinshasa, prompting the government to promote internationally agreed non-pharmacological interventions for infection prevention and control. Public compliance to these measures is critical and depends on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of communities regarding COVID-19, for which there was no data. This study aimed to bridge that gap.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Kinshasa in June 2020, during the emergency state, following a four-stage sampling process. Master’s students from the Kinshasa School of Public Health conducted the survey. Descriptive and regression analyses were performed.

Results

The study enrolled 726 women and 600 men (mean age: 43; SD 16-85). Nearly everyone heard about COVID-19 (mainly through television, radio, and street reports), but only 17% were highly knowledgeable about its transmission modes, signs and symptoms, and preventive measures. More than 80% of participants believed in the disease’s seriousness; however, only 21% found the total lockdown acceptable. Nonetheless, 86% reported regular hand cleaning and mask-wearing followed by physical distancing (72%). Poorer, younger, and non-Catholic participants were overall markedly less knowledgeable and had comparatively lower levels of health-protective attitudes, acceptance, and practices. The education level and household size did not matter. Female participants tended to show fewer enabling attitudes and practices toward COVID-19 prevention measures compared to men.

Conclusion

Adequate public health information to improve the population’s KAP related to COVID-19 is critical and must be designed with and delivered to the community—considering the specific needs of diverse sub-groups and contexts. Studies in Kinshasa and similar settings are necessary to understand the barriers to and enablers of acquiring, applying, and maintaining the optimal population’s KAP for COVID-19 prevention and control.
Validity and reliability of handgrip dynamometry in older adults: A comparison of two widely used dynamometers
Authors: Benton Melissa J. , Spicher Jefferson M. , Silva-Smith Amy L.
Published: June 2022

Background

Among older adults, decreased handgrip strength is associated with greater risk of frailty, and loss of physical function, mobility, lean mass, and overall muscular strength and power. Frailty is also associated with sarcopenia, for which handgrip strength measurement has been recommended for diagnostic purposes. Specific cutoff points for diagnosis have been identified, but use of different devices may affect measurement. Therefore to assess validity and reliability, we compared the two most frequently used devices, the Jamar hydraulic and Smedley spring handgrip dynamometers.

Methods

Sixty-seven older (76.2 ± 0.9 years) men (n = 34) and women (n = 33) completed two trials of handgrip strength measurement on sequential days (T1, T2) using both devices in random order. Intraclass correlations were used to assess test-retest reliability, and Bland-Altman analysis was used to assess validity as the level of agreement between devices.

Results

There were significant (p< 0.001) relationships between devices at T1 (r= 0.94) and T2 (r= 0.94) and strong (p< 0.001) intraclass correlations were observed for both devices (Jamar = 0.98; Smedley = 0.96), indicating excellent reliability. However, there were significant differences between devices. Strength measured with Jamar was greater than Smedley at both T1 (27.4 ± 1.4 vs. 23.4 ± 1.1 kg,p< 0.001) and T2 (25.3 ± 1.4 vs. 21.8 ± 1.2 kg,p< 0.001). Bland-Altman analysis confirmed these differences. Subgroup analysis to evaluate the effect of gender and age indicated that in women and old-old (>75 years) participants, differences between devices were closer to zero for both measurements compared to men and young-old (65–75 years) participants.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that despite excellent reliability, there is poor agreement between devices, indicating a lack of validity. For use as a diagnostic tool, standardization and device-specific cutoff points for handgrip dynamometry are needed.
Comorbidities and therapy for chronic non-specific low back pain and fibromyalgia
Authors: Nasonova T. I. , Parfenova E. V.
Published: June 2022

Fibromyalgia (FM) often occurs under the mask of non-specific low back pain (NLBP).

Objective: to compare the combined disorders and treatment efficacy in FM and chronic NLBP (chNLBP).

Patients and methods. We examined 33 patients with chNLBP (27 women and 6 men, mean age 51.5±16.7 years) and 53 patients with FM (47 women and 6 men, mean age 46.8±14.6 years). Pain intensity was assessed using a numerical rating scale (NRS), using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Screening for Somatoform Symptoms-2 (SOMS-2), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), updated Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR; disability in patients with FM), Oswestry Index (IO; disability in patients with chNLBP). Comprehensive treatment of patients included educational conversations, cognitive behavioral therapy, kinesitherapy, among drugs antidepressants, and in patients with FM anticonvulsants.

Results and discussion. Previously, the diagnosis of FM was established only in 15% of patients, the diagnosis of chNLBP – in 82% of patients. The intensity of pain in FM was 7.1±1.9 points according to the NRS and was higher than in chNLBP (5.6±2.4 points; p=0.002). In the group of patients with FM compared to patients with chNLBP, significantly higher values of anxiety according to HADS (10.9±4.5 and 6.9±4.0 points; p<0.001), sleepiness according to ESS (8.2±4.6 and 6.2±4.6 points; p=0.014), somatization according to SOMS-2 (28.0 and 20.0 points; p<0.001) were detected. Possible anatomical causes of pain have been identified in all patients with chNLBP and only in 13% of patients with FM. 6 months after thestart of treatment in the FM group, pain intensity significantly (p<0.001) decreased to 3.7±2.6 points according to the NRS, anxiety to 6.7±3.5 points according to HADS, depression to 4.7±2 .6 points according to HADS, disability from 54.9±18.4 to 34.0±20.2 points according to FIQR; in chNLBP group pain intensity significantly (p<0.05) decreased to 2.6±2.1 points according to the NRS, anxiety decreased to 4.2±2.5 points according to HADS, depression to 6.5±3.3 points according to HADS, disability from 37.8±17.4 to 14.5±14.2 points according to IO.

Conclusion. FM is less frequently diagnosed in comparison with chNLBP, accompanied by a higher pain intensity, anxiety, sleepiness and somatization. Complex therapy leads to a stable positive effect both in chNLBP and in FM.
Social adaptation level and its relationship with the main clinico-dynamic and psychological characteristics in the comorbidity of affective disorders and alcohol dependence
Authors: Roshchina O. V. , Simutkin G. G. , Bokhan N. A. , Surovtseva A. K.
Published: June 2022

Alcohol dependence (AD) and mood disorders are not only a serious medical and socio-economic problem for modern society, but also the cause of social adaptation disorders that form even in the early stages of each of these disorders, as well as in case of their comorbidity.

Objective: to determine the relationship between the level of subjective assessment of social adaptation and the main clinical, dynamic and psychological characteristics in patients with affective disorders (AFD) with comorbid AD.

Patients and methods. The study included 126 patients treated for AFD in the departments of affective or addictive conditions of the clinic of the Research Institute of Mental Health of the Tomsk National Research Medical Center (F31 – F34.1 according to ICD-10; n=83) or AFD comorbid with AD (F10. 2; n=43). The study used clinical-dynamic, psychometric, pathopsychological and statistical methods.

Results and discussion. Patients with AFD without comorbidity at admission were characterized by a greater severity of subjective impairment of social adaptation and anhedonia; hypochondriacal, depressive, psychasthenic and schizoid traits predominated in the structure of their personality. At the same time, the condition of patients with AFD and AD comorbidity was objectively assessed as more severe. An inverse correlation was found between the level of subjective assessment of social adaptation and anhedonia in the group of patients with «pure» AFD, and in the group with AFD and AD comorbidity, with the severity of depressive symptoms (due to typical depressive symptoms), as well as with depressive and anxious personality traits of patients.

Conclusion. Self-assessment of social adaptation of patients with “pure” AFD depends on the intensity of anhedonia manifestations, and in patients with AFD and AD comorbidity, on depressive symptoms (due to typical depressive symptoms) and on the severity of such psychological characteristics as depression and psychasthenia.
Uporaba Edinburške lestvice poporodne depresije za presejanje očetov na poporodno depresijo
Authors: Karić Anel , Mivšek Ana Polona
Published: June 2022

Uvod: Mednarodne raziskave kažejo, da približno 10 % očetov kaže znake poporodne depresije v obdobju od štirih do šestih mesecev po rojstvu novorojenca. Namen  raziskave je bil ugotoviti, ali prevod in priredba Edinburške lestvice poporodne depresije nudi zanesljiv presejalni test za odkrivanje poporodne depresije pri novih očetih.Metode: Izvedena je bila kvantitativna raziskava. S prilagojeno prevedeno Edinburško lestvico poporodne depresije so bili anketirani očetje ob patronažnem obisku  4–6 mesecev po rojstvu otroka. Zajeti so bili vsi primerni kandidati v zdravstvenih domovih v Velenju in Črnučah v Ljubljani, in sicer med avgustom in decembrom 2019 (n = 80), realizacija vzorca je bila 51 (63 %). Koeficient Cronbach alfa za je znašal 0,931. Za analizo podatkov je bil uporabljen hi-kvadrat test.Rezultati: Osem anketirancev (15,7 %) je zbralo dvanajst ali več točk in so zato bili ogroženi za razvoj poporodne depresije. Nihče od anketiranih ni poročal o misli ali namerah o samomoru. Povprečno število doseženih točk je bilo 6,76 (s = 3,99). Najvišje število zbranih točk je bilo 16, zbral jih je en anketiranec (n = 1, 1,96 %).Diskusija in zaključek: Kljub majhnemu vzorcu, ki onemogoča posplošitev rezultatov, se v pilotni raziskavi ugotavlja podoben delež za poporodno depresijo rizičnih očetov kot v tujih raziskavah. Smiselno je torej obravnavati tudi duševno dobrobit očetov v prvem poporodnem letu, saj lahko stiska enega od partnerjev vpliva na celotno družino.
Odnos študentk in študentov zdravstvene nege do homoseksualnosti
Authors: Lekše Rebeka , Capuder Ana Marija , Vehar Aleš , Vehar Katja , Ličen Sabina
Published: June 2022

Uvod: Predsodki in diskriminacija spolnih manjšin ostajata kljub družbenim spremembam vsesplošno razširjena težava. Istospolno usmerjeni posamezniki in usmerjene posameznice so izpostavljeni in izpostavljene velikemu negativizmu in nasilju, kar škodljivo vpliva na psihološko, fizično in socialno zdravje ter dobro počutje posameznika in skupnosti. Namen raziskave je bil raziskati odnos študentk in študentov zdravstvene nege do homoseksualnosti.Metode: Uporabljena je bila kvantitativno deskriptivna neeksperimentalna metoda. Raziskava je bila izvedena decembra 2020 s tehniko anketiranja. V priložnostni vzorec je bilo vključenih 114 dodiplomskih in podiplomskih študentk in študentov zdravstvene nege. Uporabljena je bila prirejena slovenska različica vprašalnika Index of Attitudes towards Homosexuals. Notranja konsistentnost vprašalnika je znašala 0,94.Rezultati: Polovica (56,1 %) anketiranih ve, da spolna identiteta posameznika označuje njegovo kulturo in zato spada na področje kulturnih kompetenc, 74,6 % jih meni, da med študijem o tem niso dobili dovolj znanja. Večina (86,8 %) študentov pozna nekoga, ki je istospolno usmerjen. Obstajajo statistično pomembne razlike v odnosu do homoseksualnosti med študenti na podlagi demografskih in drugih podatkov (p < 0,05). Najbolj pozitivno stališče do homoseksualnosti so pokazali ateisti, ženske, študentje, stari od 21 let do 30 let, in študentje 2. letnika dodiplomskega študija. Diskusija in zaključek: Študenti in študentke zdravstvene nege imajo do homoseksualnosti pozitivno stališče. V študij zdravstvene nege je treba vključiti dodatna znanja s področja kulturnih kompetenc.
Kulturna kompetentnost v slovenski bolnišnični prehrani
Authors: Halbwachs Helena Kristina , Ovsenik Marija
Published: June 2022

Uvod: Upoštevanje prehranskih omejitev in načel v zvezi s  kulturnim ozadjem pacientov je v bolnišnični prehrani  pomembno, saj prehrana vpliva na zdravstvene izide in dolžino in stroške hospitalizacije. Ta način zahteva  organizacijsko in individualno kulturno kompetentnost. Namen raziskave je bil preučiti pogled odgovornih s področja bolnišnične prehrane na kulturno kompetentnost, oceniti, ali se prehrana v bolnišnicah prilagaja kulturnemu ozadju pacientov, in identificirati izzive na tem področju.Metode: Opravljena je bila kvalitativna raziskava z delno strukturiranimi intervjuji. Intervjuvanih je bilo štirinajst  vodstvenih kadrov (vodij prehranskih služb) in drugih strokovnjakov s področja prehrane (dietetikov) iz osmih slovenskih bolnišnic. Pridobljeni podatki so bili analizirani z deduktivno vsebinsko analizo v programu Atlas.ti.Rezultati: Sogovorniki so se zavedali raznolikosti pacientov in pomena prilagajanja prehrane kulturnemu ozadju, čeprav je koncept kulturne kompetentnosti  nepoznan. Pri prilagajanju prehrane obstajajo omejitve. Znanja o kulturnih vidikih prehrane so pomanjkljiva, izobraževanja s tega področja komajda obstajajo. Razvoj kulturne kompetentnosti onemogočajo še drugi izzivi, kot so organizacijski, tehnološki in komunikacijski izzivi.Diskusija in zaključek: S podobnimi izzivi, kot se pri nas, se srečujejo tudi v tujini. Ne glede na to, da imajo po mnenju sogovornikov pacienti v preučevanih bolnišnicah na razpolago veliko možnosti za prilagajanje prehrane, o kulturni kompetentnosti še ne moremo govoriti, saj ta koncept zajema tudi druge veščine. Za razvoj kulturne kompetentnosti tega področja se zahtevajo dodatne  raziskave, možnosti izobraževanja o kulturnih vidikih prehranjevanja in zavedanje o pomembnosti storitev prehrane na vseh ravneh zdravstvenega sistema.
The future of artificial intelligence in nursing
Authors: Özsezer Gözde
Published: June 2022

The world is constantly experiencing social, economic, political, cultural and technological change. It is artificial intelligence that is expected to change all aspects of society, including science. The use of artificial intelligence in health services and its dissemination in the society will affect all aspects of the health field. Artificial intelligence will help nurses provide precise and personalized evidence-based care that meets patients' goals and priorities. The aim of this review is to define artificial intelligence and its sub-fields in the light of the literature, to make it understandable in the context of nursing and to explain the use of artificial intelligence in nursing. As a first step towards applying artificial intelligence to maintenance processes, we can start with questions about potential bias in data or algorithms, the suitability of artificial intelligence to predict real situations and outcomes. The concepts of machine learning and deep learning, which are sub-fields of artificial intelligence, should also be known by nurses. The first step for artificial intelligence to realize its potential in nursing is to make the various terms and definitions understandable. The more trained nurses are in artificial intelligence, the more familiar they will be with the technological language. In this way, they are effective in solving problems in maintenance, creating new algorithms, developing and using artificial intelligence.
​Extended English summary is in the end of Full Text PDF (TURKISH) file.
Özet
 
Dünya sürekli olarak sosyal, ekonomik, politik, kültürel ve teknolojik değişim yaşamaktadır. Bilim de dahil olmak üzere toplumun tüm yönlerini değiştirmesi beklenen yapay zekadır. Yapay zekanın sağlık hizmetlerinde kullanımı, toplumda yaygınlaştırılması, sağlık alanının tüm yönlerini etkileyecektir. Yapay zeka, hemşirelerin hastaların hedeflerini ve önceliklerini karşılayan kesin ve kişiselleştirilmiş kanıta dayalı bakım sağlamasına yardımcı olacaktır. Bu derlemenin amacı, literatür ışığında yapay zeka ve alt alanlarını tanımlamak, hemşirelik bağlamında anlaşılır hale getirmek ve yapay zekanın hemşirelikte kullanımını açıklamaktır. Yapay zekanın bakım süreçlerine uygulanmasının ilk adımı olarak, veri veya algoritmalardaki potansiyel önyargı, gerçek durumları ve sonuçları tahmin etmek için yapay zekanın uygunluğu hakkında sorularla başlanabilir. Yapay zekanın alt alanlarından olan makine öğrenmesi ve derin öğrenme kavramlarının da hemşireler tarafından bilinmesi gerekir. Yapay zekanın hemşirelikte potansiyelini gerçekleştirmesi için ilk adım, çeşitli terimleri ve tanımları anlaşılır hale getirmektir. Hemşireler yapay zeka konusunda ne kadar eğitimli olurlarsa, teknolojik dile o kadar aşina olurlar. Bu sayede bakımda görülen sorunların çözümünde, yeni algoritmaları oluşturulmasında, yapay zeka geliştirilmesi ve kullanılmasında etkili olurlar.
Effect of a Detached Bi-Partition on the Drag Reduction for Flow Past a Square Cylinder
Authors: Admi Youssef , Channouf Salaheddine , Lahmer El Bachir , Moussaoui Mohammed Amine , Jami Mohammed , Mezrhab Ahmed
Published: June 2022

The objective of this research is to study the fluid flow control allowing the reduction of aerodynamic drag around a square cylinder using two parallel partitions placed downstream of the cylinder using the lattice Boltzmann method with multiple relaxation times (MRT-LBM). In contrast to several existing investigations in the literature that study either the effect of position or the effect of length of a single horizontal or vertical plate, this work presents a numerical study on the effect of Reynolds number (Re), horizontal position (g), vertical position (a), and length (Lp) of the two control partitions. Therefore, this work will be considered as an assembly of several results presented in a single work. Indeed, the Reynolds numbers are selected from 20 to 300, the gap spacing (0 ≤ g ≤ 13), the vertical positions (0 ≤ a ≤ 0.8d), and the lengths of partitions (1d ≤  Lp ≤  5d). To identify the different changes appearing in the flow and forces, we have conducted in this study a detailed analysis of velocity contours, lift and drag coefficients, and the root-mean-square value of the lift coefficient. The obtained results revealed three different flow regimes as the gap spacing was varied. Namely, the extended body regime for 0 ≤ g ≤ 3.9, the attachment flow regime for 4 ≤ g ≤ 5.5, and the completely developed flow regime for 6 ≤ g ≤ 13. A maximal percentage reduction in drag coefficient equal to 12.5%, is given at the critical gap spacing (gcr = 3.9). Also, at the length of the critical partition (Lpcr = 3d), a Cd reduction percentage of 12.95% was found in comparison with the case without control. Moreover, the position of the optimal partition was found to be equal to 0.8d i.e. one is placed on the top edge of the square cylinder and the second one is placed on the bottom edge. The maximum value of the lift coefficient is reached for a plate length Lp = 2d when the plates are placed at a distance g = 4. On the other hand, this coefficient has almost the same mean value for all spacings between the two plates. Similarly, the root means the square value of the lift coefficient (Clrms) admits zero values for low Reynolds numbers and then increases slightly until it reaches its maximum for Re = 300.
Technical-Environmental Assessment of Energy Management Systems in Smart Ports
Authors: Nguyen Hoang Phuong , Pham Nguyen Dang Khoa , Bui Viet Duc
Published: June 2022

Shipping is facing huge pressure problems in this 21st century such as climate change and environmental pollution and the depletion of energy resources. Seaports are an important component of the shipping industry architecture. Although there is no common solution, seaports around the globe face the same challenge. Challenges raised include difficulties in integrating new technology into automation, traffic congestion, harmonizing residential communities around the port, quantifying and reducing CO2 emissions as well as planning for the energy transition. In addition, improving the adaptability of the port infrastructure in the context of increased pressure from market demand, labor shortage, and escalating prices should be considered. In that context, a smart port was born as a necessity. However, the understanding of smart ports is very limited. This review examines the recently published smart port literature to clarify the common concepts of smart ports and their development progress on the way to building a sustainable seaport ecosystem. Although smart port metrics and key port performance metrics are organized around four key performance areas including operations, environment, energy, and safety. However, a comprehensive review of all four key areas is very broad and difficult to cover in a review article. Therefore, this work focuses on analyzing and discussing the approaches and applications of the technology in smart port energy management systems. Our research has shown that different smart port founding perspectives play a decisive role in technology approaches to building a port energy management system including optimizing algorithms for energy consumption, balancing demand and energy production, and comprehensively integrating renewable energy. New findings in this study contribute to the elucidation of smart port concepts based on improving energy use and management efficiency with innovative technologies in the context of sustainable development of the shipping industry.
Kittys kartografi
Authors: Käck Elin
Published: June 2022

Nancy Drew’s Cartography: Places, Artifacts, and Agency in Four Nancy Drew Mysteries

Within children’s and young adult literature, movement between different places is often intricately linked to the agency of the characters. The Nancy Drew series is no exception, as it is characterized by a wide geographical area and a high level of mobility for the characters, who also have substantial agency. This article examines how places, geographies, cartographies, and spatial movements inform the plot in four Swedish translations of Nancy Drew mysteries where travel and place constitute a substantial part of the plot: Mystery of the Winged Lion (1982), and the 1992 trilogy comprising Swiss Secrets, Rendezvous in Rome, and Greek Odyssey. Informed by spatial literary theory, the analysis focuses on the aspects of place, artifacts closely linked to a specific place, and agency, respectively. The article shows that place, travel, and artifacts are central to the mysteries, which depend on touristic, well-known sites, and on the transformations which occur when these sites become potentially dangerous. At the core of the mysteries, we encounter iconic, at times historic artifacts that sometimes situate the detective series in a realm of history. At times these artifacts even direct the story, and can thus be seen as to some extent agentic. Finally, the travelogue-informed genre, with its ties to the historic (predominantly male) Grand Tour, creates new possibilities for character development and reflection in the detective series.