Journal articles on the topic 'Decimal Use studies'
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1
Pereira, Fernando Francisco, Iara Souza Doneze, and Luciano Tadeu Esteves Pansanato. "NÚMEROS INTEIROS E DECIMAIS: UMA ABORDAGEM DOS CONTEÚDOS DE MATEMÁTICA POR MEIO DE UM JOGO FRENTE ÀS DIFICULDADES DO CENÁRIO TECNOLÓGICO DA EDUCAÇÃO BÁSICA." Revista Prática Docente 3, no. 2 (December 26, 2018): 386–405. http://dx.doi.org/10.23926/rpd.2526-2149.2018.v3.n2.p386-405.id231.
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Resumo: Com a intencionalidade de contribuir para pesquisas em Educação Matemática, ao delimitar o campo de estudos aos Números Inteiros e Decimais, esse artigo relata os resultados de uma proposta de promoção do uso das tecnologias no ensino de Matemática, que objetivou auxiliar os alunos na compreensão dos conteúdos de Números Inteiros – Decimais e suas operações. A proposta consistiu na adaptação e aplicação de um jogo de trilhas em formato digital, que utilizou o software Excel. Os participantes foram alunos entre 11 e 13 anos de idade, de uma escola pública do Paraná. Desse modo, houve três momentos: Pré-teste, Proposta e Pós-teste, fases essas que permitiram uma visão das compreensões dos estudantes a respeito do conteúdo, anterior e posterior à sua aplicação. Ao final, conclui-se que os discentes possuem consideráveis habilidades em relação ao emprego de algoritmos da adição de números inteiros e decimais, entretanto, no emprego da operação de subtração, no mesmo contexto, apresentaram consideráveis dificuldades que foram cuidadosamente sanadas após a aplicação da proposta.Palavras-chave: Educação Matemática. Números Inteiros e Decimais. Educação Básica. Tecnologias. Abstract: Seeking to contribute to research in Mathematics Education, delimiting the field of studies to the Whole and Decimal Numbers, here is presented the results of a proposal, to promote the use of technologies in Mathematics teaching, which aimed to help students in understanding the contents of Numbers Integer - Decimals and their operations. The proposal consisted in the adaptation and application of a trail game in digital format, using Excel software. The participants were students between 11 and 13 years old, from a public school in Paraná. Happening in three moments: Pre-test, Proposal and Post-test, allowed a view of the students' understandings about the content, before and after the application of the proposal. At the end, it is concluded that the students have considerable abilities regarding the use of algorithms of the addition of integers and decimals, already in the use of the subtraction operation, in the same context, presented considerable difficulties, which were considerably remedied after the application of the proposal.Keywords: Mathematical Education. Integers and Decimal Numbers. Basic Education. Technologies.
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Sodré, Gleison De Jesus Marinho, Raquel Soares do Rêgo Ferreira, and Maria Luciana Souza Gonçalves. "Teacher Training and the use of the Abacus in the Practice of Quantifying Physical Quantities." Acta Scientiae 24, no. 3 (June 13, 2022): 153–83. http://dx.doi.org/10.17648/acta.scientiae.6876.
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Background: Several studies in mathematics education show the use of the physical abacus in the activities of teachers in initial graduation, emphasising, in their manipulation, practices with addition or subtraction operations, or yet, which express a direct translation of the numeral to the physical abacus and, vice versa, without, however, explaining part of the complexity involved the social practice of quantifying physical quantities, which even makes possible the structuring of the numeral. Objective: To show that the use of the abacus by teachers in initial training may not ensure the realisation or mastery of the practice of quantifying physical quantities with discrete units. Design: In this sense, a study and research path (SRP) was carried out based on the training of early years teachers. Environment and participants: 25 students in initial training of a degree course at a public educational institution participated in an activity on decimal number system (DNS), but largely positional number system (PNS), proposed based on a problem in an unusual context (for them), they mobilised to face and answer questions. Data collection and analysis: We present an excerpt from the empirical research forwarded by Ferreira (2020) with teachers in initial training. Results: The data observed in the empirical confirms the hypothesis of the existence of a problem regarding the use of the abacus as a possible facilitator in the structuring of non-decimal numbers through the practice of quantifying physical quantities. Conclusions: The results found with the teachers revealed, in addition to the problem of teacher training on what to teach and how to teach numerals, that using the abacus made it difficult, if not hindered, the practice of quantifying physical quantities with discrete units. We also found changes in the quality of the teachers’ relationships with structuring decimal and non-decimal numbers.
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Carraher, Terezinha Nunes, David William Carraher, and Analúcia Dias Schliemann. "Written and Oral Mathematics." Journal for Research in Mathematics Education 18, no. 2 (March 1987): 83–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.5951/jresematheduc.18.2.0083.
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Previous studies have demonstrated that children use oral calculation procedures not taught in school. The present study provided evidence for situational variables that strongly influence the tendency to use such procedures. It also provided a qualitative analysis of the oral mathematics used by Brazilian third graders. Concrete problem situations were powerful elicitors of oral computation procedures, whereas computation exercises tended to elicit school-learned computation algorithms. Oral computation procedures involved the use of two reliably identifiable routines, decomposition and repeated grouping, that revealed the children's solid understanding of the decimal system. In general, the children were far more successful in using oral mathematics than written mathematics. An understanding of children's oral procedures may be useful in developing more successful programs for elementary mathematics instruction.
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Khoo, Michael John, Jae-wook Ahn, Ceri Binding, Hilary Jane Jones, Xia Lin, Diana Massam, and Douglas Tudhope. "Augmenting Dublin Core digital library metadata with Dewey Decimal Classification." Journal of Documentation 71, no. 5 (September 14, 2015): 976–98. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jd-07-2014-0103.
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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe a new approach to a well-known problem for digital libraries, how to search across multiple unrelated libraries with a single query. Design/methodology/approach – The approach involves creating new Dewey Decimal Classification terms and numbers from existing Dublin Core records. In total, 263,550 records were harvested from three digital libraries. Weighted key terms were extracted from the title, description and subject fields of each record. Ranked DDC classes were automatically generated from these key terms by considering DDC hierarchies via a series of filtering and aggregation stages. A mean reciprocal ranking evaluation compared a sample of 49 generated classes against DDC classes created by a trained librarian for the same records. Findings – The best results combined weighted key terms from the title, description and subject fields. Performance declines with increased specificity of DDC level. The results compare favorably with similar studies. Research limitations/implications – The metadata harvest required manual intervention and the evaluation was resource intensive. Future research will look at evaluation methodologies that take account of issues of consistency and ecological validity. Practical implications – The method does not require training data and is easily scalable. The pipeline can be customized for individual use cases, for example, recall or precision enhancing. Social implications – The approach can provide centralized access to information from multiple domains currently provided by individual digital libraries. Originality/value – The approach addresses metadata normalization in the context of web resources. The automatic classification approach accounts for matches within hierarchies, aggregating lower level matches to broader parents and thus approximates the practices of a human cataloger.
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McLaren, Bruce. "A Digital Learning Game for Mathematics that Leads to Better Learning Outcomes for Female Students: Further Evidence." European Conference on Games Based Learning 16, no. 1 (September 29, 2022): 339–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.34190/ecgbl.16.1.794.
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Stereotypes about men being better than women at mathematics appear to influence female students’ interest and performance in mathematics. Given the potential motivational benefits of digital learning games, it is possible that games could help to reduce math anxiety, increase self-efficacy, and lead to better learning outcomes for female students. We are exploring this possibility in our work with Decimal Point, a digital learning game that scaffolds practice with decimal operations for 5th and 6th grade students. In several studies with various versions of the game, involving over 800 students across multiple years, we have consistently uncovered a learning advantage for female students with the game. In our most recent investigation of this gender effect, we decided to experiment with a central feature of the game: its use of prompted self-explanation to support student learning. Prior research has suggested that female students might benefit more from self-explanation than male students. In the new study, involving 214 middle school students, we compared three versions of self-explanation in the game – menu-based, scaffolded, and focused – each presenting students with a different type of prompted self-explanation after they solved problems in the game. We found that the focused approach led to more learning across all students than the menu-based approach, a result reported in an earlier paper. In the additional results reported in this paper, we again uncovered the gender effect – female students learned more from the game than male students, regardless of the version of self-explanation – and also found a trend in which female students made fewer self-explanation errors, suggesting they may have been more deliberate and thoughtful in their self-explanations. This self-explanation finding is a possible key to further investigation into how and why we see the gender effect in Decimal Point.
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Sherzer, Laurence. "An Arithmetic Method for Converting Repeating Decimals to Fractions." Mathematics Teacher 82, no. 7 (October 1989): 574–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.5951/mt.82.7.0574.
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Students can easily use calculators to convert fra ctions to decimal numbers. But students who have studied the algebraic method of changing a repeating decimal to a fraction often find the method tedious and tend to avoid it. This difficulty raises questions about students' under standing of the nature of repeating decimal numbers. Do they know that all repeating decima ls are shown as a pproximations on the ca lculator display?
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Baumgartner, Stephan, Lucietta Betti, Peter Heusser, Tim Jäger, Claudia Scherr, Vera Majewsky, and Ursula Wolf. "Use of plant bioassays in homeopathic basic research - a systematic review." International Journal of High Dilution Research - ISSN 1982-6206 11, no. 40 (December 21, 2021): 140–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.51910/ijhdr.v11i40.571.
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Background:
Experimental research on the effects of treatments with homeopathic preparations on plants was last reviewed in 1990.
Aims:
The objective was to compile a systematic literature review on plant bioassays in homeopathic basic research using predefined criteria.
Methods:
Literature search was carried out on publications that reported experiments with homeopathic preparations on whole plants, seeds, plant parts or cells from 1920 to 2010, in healthy, abiotically or biotically stressed conditions. Outcomes had to be measured by established state-of-the-art procedures and statistically evaluated. Using a Manuscript Information Score (MIS) those publications were identified that provided sufficient information for proper interpretation (MIS > 5). Further evaluation focused on the use of adequate controls to investigate specific effects of homeopathic preparations and on the use of systematic negative control experiments to ensure proper system performance.
Results:
A total of 157 publications with plants were identified [1–3]. The 157 publications described a total of 167 experimental studies. 84 studies included statistics and 48 had a MIS > 5 allowing proper interpretation. 29 studies were identified with adequate controls to identify specific effects of homeopathic preparations, reporting significant effects of decimal and centesimal homeopathic potencies, including dilution levels beyond Avogadro’s number. Studies that tested series of consecutive potency levels reported a non-linear and discontinuous relation between effect and potency level. There were many individual studies with diverse methods and very few replication trials. 10 studies reported use of systematic negative control experiments, yielding evidence for the stability of the experimental set-up.
Conclusions:
Plant models appear to be a useful approach to investigate basic research questions on homeopathic preparations, but more independent replication trials and systematic research are needed. Systematic negative control experiments should be implemented on a routine basis to exclude false-positive and false-negative results.
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Oropesa, R. S., and Nancy S. Landale. "In Search of the New Second Generation: Alternative Strategies for Identifying Second Generation Children and Understanding Their Acquisition of English." Sociological Perspectives 40, no. 3 (September 1997): 429–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1389451.
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Social scientists are devoting increasing attention to second-generation children for insights into the long-term consequences of immigration for American society. However, there is considerable disagreement over the operational criteria that should be used to determine membership in the second generation. Using the Public Use Microdata Sample of the 1990 U.S. Census, this study examines several issues. First, the implications of different operational criteria for descriptive analyses that focus on the size and composition of the second-generation child population are considered. We then assess whether different operational strategies have implications for multivariate analyses, especially those that focus on language skills. The results indicate that a key decision for most studies, except those that focus on socioeconomic composition, is how foreign-born children are classified. Foreign-born children should not be combined with native-born children on the grounds that they comprise the “de facto” second generation. Instead, researchers should make distinctions between the “decimal” generations to avoid obscuring diversity within the child population.
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Dovbnya, Elena V. "Problems of Subject Retrieval in the Electronic Catalogue of Scientific Library: Review of Studies." Bibliotekovedenie [Russian Journal of Library Science] 69, no. 4 (November 6, 2020): 367–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.25281/0869-608x-2020-69-4-367-374.
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Scientific libraries use different approaches and tools for subject retrieval. Issues related to electronic subject retrieval are widely discussed in the library community. The purpose of this review is to analyse publications of recent years on the aspects and problems related to subject retrieval in electronic catalogue (EC). For its preparation, the author used publications (and references to them) taken from the national bibliographic database — the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI); the time coverage is 2003—2019. Particular attention in the studies is focused on the need to combine different information retrieval languages (IRL), thesauruses, subject headings and keywords to ensure effective and multi-aspect search. Since the domestic libraries have accumulated a lot of experience in indexing and retrieval through hierarchical classifications (UDC and LBC), it is necessary to use this at the full extent in the electronic subject retrieval. The authors of the recent studies on subject retrieval consider being the most effective the functioning of classification systems as part of the complex of linguistic tools of electronic catalogue. In the electronic environment, it becomes possible to use classification indexes as a set of characters that maximally reflect the content of the document, what involves the use of all fragments of the index as independent retrieval elements. However, the lexical composition of the classification information retrieval languages needs to be modified for effective use in the electronic catalogue. The main directions here can be as follows: unification of the structure and vocabulary of classification schedules, optimization of the structure of classification systems (using facetization principles), as well as formalization of the use of grammar tools, (it is necessary to ensure the unambiguity of their interpretation in the electronic catalogue). The review presents and analyses the areas where the subject retrieval has been developed in the electronic environment for over the past 16 years. For example, there has been developed and is being implemented the superstructure over Universal Decimal Classification (Library for Natural Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences), which allows users of the library to remotely conduct full-fledged subject retrieval. The paper also presents the new developments by the Russian State Library on subject retrieval, in particular, the project “Presentation of classification metadata of electronic libraries using linked data technology”. The author concludes that it is necessary to form a common space of related open data of various libraries.
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Kusnaidi, Muhammad Rafli, Timotius Gulo, and Soeb Aripin. "Penerapan Normalisasi Data Dalam Mengelompokkan Data Mahasiswa Dengan Menggunakan Metode K-Means Untuk Menentukan Prioritas Bantuan Uang Kuliah Tunggal." Journal of Computer System and Informatics (JoSYC) 3, no. 4 (September 3, 2022): 330–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.47065/josyc.v3i4.2112.
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At Budi Darma University there are obstacles in providing UKT rocks where it is profitable and less targeted for students who get it. This happened because those who deserved this assistance were students who had difficulty in costs, therefore we needed a way by grouping student data based on their social level. In determining the students who deserve to get the rock, they can use the data of students who are undergoing their studies at Budi Darma University. By digging up information based on student data. So that the data can be used first, the data normalization is carried out in order to obtain more accurate data. Where student data can be grouped correctly, data normalization must be carried out. One of the normalization methods that are often used in normalizing data is the decimal scaling method which is a data transformation method with normalization to equalize the range of values on each attribute with a certain scale by moving the decimal value from data in the desired direction After the data is normalized, the next process is to explore student data information by applying data mining. The application of data mining is carried out to obtain information in the form of student data groups that are used as a priority in obtaining UKT assistance. The method used in classifying student data is using the K-Means algorithm. The manual testing method is that there are 3 clusters where the number of clusters 0 cluster 1 and cluster 3 is the same as testing data mining applications, namely rapidminer so that those who deserve to be prioritized get tuition assistance based on the sample, namely cluster / grouping 0 which consists of 22 people. This study aims to see the effect of applying data normalization in the K-Means method to classify student data which is used as a recommendation in the selection of UKT assistance.
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Kesuma, Mezan El-Khaeri, Irva Yunita, and Mutiara Cahyani Putri. "Penggunaan Sistem Klasifikasi di Perpustakaan Daerah provinsi Lampung Sebagai Bentuk Peningkatan Pengelolaan Perpustakaan." Baitul 'Ulum: Jurnal Ilmu Perpustakaan dan Informasi 5, no. 2 (January 15, 2022): 85–96. http://dx.doi.org/10.30631/baitululum.v5i2.108.
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Introduction. The material discussed in this journal is to explain and describe in detail the use of the classification system at the Regional Library of Lampung Province, what system is used, how it is used.
Data Collection Methods. The method used in this journal research is interview research and documentation study. The author also uses qualitative methods and literature studies.
Data Analysis. Analysis of the data using data reduction, data presentation, and make conclusions about the Regional Library of Lampung Province.
Results and Discussion. The results of this study are that the Lampung Provincial Library Service uses 2 classification systems, namely a manual system and also a digital system with the E-DDC application. The librarian at the Lampung Provincial Library Service uses E-DDC edition 23, although using two classification systems, the librarian at the Lampung Provincial Library Service still uses a manual system more often because if you use a digital system with the E-DDC application the librarian sometimes has problems when use it, however, the use of the E-DDC application is still being used today.
Conclusion. The use of the classification system in the Regional Library of Lampung Province uses two classification systems, namely the manual system and the E-DDC (Electronic-Dewey Decimal Classification) application. The manual system is still often used by librarians of the Lampung Province Regional Library, even so the E-DDC application is still used but rarely because sometimes it gets obstacles when you want to use it.
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KURDZIEL, A. S., N. WILKINSON, S. LANGTON, and N. COOK. "Survival of Poliovirus on Soft Fruit and Salad Vegetables." Journal of Food Protection 64, no. 5 (May 1, 2001): 706–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.4315/0362-028x-64.5.706.
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A series of studies were performed, using poliovirus, to ascertain the potential for enteric pathogenic viruses to survive on various foodstuffs. The extraction protocols, which could be performed in just a few hours, were developed for use with quantities of food that would normally constitute a portion for consumption. The protocols were based on elution of viruses from food surfaces, followed by differential centrifugation to remove food debris and concentrate viruses. The studies were mostly performed using fresh produce stored at refrigeration temperature for 2 weeks or so, which was considered to represent the maximum time elapsing between purchase and consumption. Each food sample was inoculated with a viral suspension, and samples were analyzed immediately and at intervals throughout the experiment. Statistical analyses were performed on the results, and the decimal reduction times (D-values), or number of days after which the initial virus numbers had declined by 90%, were calculated. In summary, the resulting D-values were as follows: lettuce, 11.6 days; green onion, no decline; white cabbage, 14.2 days; fresh raspberries, no decline; and frozen strawberries, 8.4 days. The results showed that enteric viruses may persist on fresh fruit and vegetables for several days under conditions commonly used for storage in households. Therefore, if contamination has occurred before purchase, there will always be a risk of infection from consumption of the food.
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Festing, Michael F. W. "Reduction of animal use: experimental design and quality of experiments." Laboratory Animals 28, no. 3 (July 1, 1994): 212–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/002367794780681697.
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Poorly designed and analysed experiments can lead to a waste of scientific resources, and may even reach the wrong conclusions. Surveys of published papers by a number of authors have shown that many experiments are poorly analysed statistically, and one survey suggested that about a third of experiments may be unnecessarily large. Few toxicologists attempted to control variability using blocking or covariance analysis. In this study experimental design and statistical methods in 3 papers published in toxicological journals were used as case studies and were examined in detail. The first used dogs to study the effects of ethanol on blood and hepatic parameters following chronic alcohol consumption in a 2 × 4 factorial experimental design. However, the authors used mongrel dogs of both sexes and different ages with a wide range of body weights without any attempt to control the variation. They had also attempted to analyse a factorial design using Student's t-test rather than the analysis of variance. Means of 2 blood parameters presented with one decimal place had apparently been rounded to the nearest 5 units. It is suggested that this experiment could equally well have been done in 3 blocks using 24 instead of 46 dogs. The second case study was an investigation of the response of 2 strains of mice to a toxic agent causing bladder injury. The first experiment involved 40 treatment combinations (2 strains × 4 doses × 5 days) with 3-6 mice per combination. There was no explanation of how the experiment involving approximately 180 mice had actually been done, but unequal subclass numbers suggest that the experiment may have been done on an ad hoc basis rather than being properly designed. It is suggested that the experiment could have been done as 2 blocks involving 80 instead of about 180 mice. The third study again involved a factorial design with 4 dose levels of a compound and 2 sexes, with a total of 80 mice. Open field behaviour was examined. The author incorrectly used the t-test to analyse the data, and concluded that there was no dose effect, when a correct analysis showed this to be highly significant. In all case studies the scientists presented means α standard deviations or standard errors involving only the animals contributing to that mean, rather than the much better estimates that would be obtained with a pooled estimate of error. This is virtually a universal practice. While it is not in itself a serious error, it may lead scientists to design experiments with group sizes of at least 3 animals, which may result in an unnecessarily large experiment if there are many treatment combinations. In conclusion, all 3 papers could have been substantially improved, with higher precision and the use of fewer animals if more attention had been paid to better experimental design.
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GUILLOU, SANDRINE, and JEANNE-MARIE MEMBRÉ. "Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella enterica under High Hydrostatic Pressure: A Quantitative Analysis of Existing Literature Data." Journal of Food Protection 82, no. 10 (September 23, 2019): 1802–14. http://dx.doi.org/10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-19-132.
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ABSTRACT High hydrostatic pressure processing (HPP) is a mild preservation technique, and its use for processing foods has been widely documented in the literature. However, very few quantitative synthesis studies have been conducted to gather and analyze bacterial inactivation data to identify the mechanisms of HPP-induced bacterial inactivation. The purpose of this study was to conduct a quantitative analysis of three-decimal reduction times (t3δ) from a large set of existing studies to determine the main influencing factors of HPP-induced inactivation of three foodborne pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella enterica) in various foods. Inactivation kinetics data sets from 1995 to 2017 were selected, and t3δ values were first estimated by using the nonlinear Weibull model. Bayesian inference was then used within a metaregression analysis to build and test several models and submodels. The best model (lowest error and most parsimonious) was a hierarchical mixed-effects model including pressure intensity, temperature, study, pH, species, and strain as explicative variables and significant factors. Values for t3δ and ZP associated with inactivation under HPP were estimated for each bacterial pathogen, with their associated variability. Interstudy variability explained most of the variability in t3δ values. Strain variability was also important and exceeded interstudy variability for S. aureus, which prevented the development of an overall model for this pathogen. Meta-analysis is not often used in food microbiology but was a valuable quantitative tool for modeling inactivation of L. monocytogenes and Salmonella in response to HPP treatment. Results of this study could be useful for refining quantitative assessment of the effects of HPP on vegetative foodborne pathogens or for more precisely designing costly and labor-intensive experiments with foodborne pathogens.
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Konyar, Mehmet Zeki, and Sıtkı Öztürk. "Reed Solomon Coding-Based Medical Image Data Hiding Method against Salt and Pepper Noise." Symmetry 12, no. 6 (June 1, 2020): 899. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/sym12060899.
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Medical data hiding is used to hide patient information inside medical images to protect patient privacy. Patient information in the image should be protected when sending medical images to other specialists or hospitals over the communication network. However, the images are exposed to various unwanted disruptive signals in the communication channel. One of these signals is salt and pepper noise. A pixel exposed to salt and pepper noise becomes completely black or completely white. In pixel-based data hiding methods, it is not possible to extract the secret message in the pixel exposed to this kind of noise. While current data hiding methods are good for many disruptive effects, they are weak against salt and pepper noise. For this reason, the proposed study especially focuses on the accurate extraction of patient information in the salt and pepper noisy medical images. This study was proposed for the most accurate extraction of secret message despite salt and pepper noise, by use of a Reed Solomon error control coding-based data hiding method. The most important feature of Reed Solomon codes is that they can correct errors in non-binary (decimal) numbers directly. Therefore, the Reed Solomon coding-based data hiding method that proposed in this study increases the resistance against salt and pepper noise. Experimental studies show that secret data is accurately extracted from stego images with various densities of salt and pepper noise. Stego medical images created by the proposed method have superior quality values compared to similar literature studies. Additionally, compared to similar methods, the secret message is extracted from the noisy stego image with higher accuracy.
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CHMIELEWSKI, REVIS A., JOAN R. BECK, and DAVID E. SWAYNE. "Thermal Inactivation of Avian Influenza Virus and Newcastle Disease Virus in a Fat-Free Egg Product." Journal of Food Protection 74, no. 7 (July 1, 2011): 1161–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-10-415.
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High-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) virus, low-pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) virus, virulent Newcastle disease virus (vNDV) and low-virulent Newcastle disease virus (lNDV) can be present on the eggshell surface, and HPAI viruses and vNDV can be present in the internal contents of chicken eggs laid by infected hens. With the increase in global trade, egg products could present potential biosecurity problems and affect international trade in liquid and dried egg products. Therefore, the generation of survival curves to determine decimal reduction times (DT -values) and change in heat resistance of the viruses (zD-value) within fat-free egg product could provide valuable information for development of risk reduction strategies. Thermal inactivation studies using A/chicken/Pennsylvania/1370/83 (H5N2) HPAI virus resulted in D55-, D56-, D56.7-, D57-, D58-, and D59-values of 18.6, 8.5, 3.6, 2.5, 0.4, and 0.4 min, respectively. The zD-value was 4.4°C. LPAI virus A/chicken/New York/13142/94 (H7N2) had D55-, D56.7-, D57-, D58-, D59-, and D60-values of 2.9, 1.4, 0.8, 0.7, 0.7, and 0.5 min, respectively, and a z-value of 0.4°C. vNDV avian paramyxoviruses of serotype 1 (AMPV-1)/chicken/California/212676/2002 had D55-, D56-, D56.7-, D57-, D58-, and D59-values of 12.4, 9.3, 6.2, 5, 3.7, and 1.7 min, respectively. The zD-value was 4.7°C. lNDV AMPV-1/chicken/United States/B1/1948 had D55-, D57-, D58-, D59-, D61-, and D63-values of 5.3, 2.2, 1.1, 0.55, 0.19, and 0.17 min, respectively, and a zD-value of 1.0°C. Use of these data in developing egg pasteurization standards for AI and NDV-infected countries should allow safer trade in liquid egg products.
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STOPFORTH, J. D., R. SUHALIM, B. KOTTAPALLI, W. E. HILL, and M. SAMADPOUR. "Thermal Inactivation D- and z-Values of Multidrug-Resistant and Non–Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella Serotypes and Survival in Ground Beef Exposed to Consumer-Style Cooking." Journal of Food Protection 71, no. 3 (March 1, 2008): 509–15. http://dx.doi.org/10.4315/0362-028x-71.3.509.
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There has been speculation that multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains are generated by subtherapeutic antibiotic use in food animals and that such strains result in increased resistance to lethality by food processes such as heat and irradiation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the heat resistance of 20 strains, namely an MDR and a non–multidrug-resistant (NMDR) strain of each of 10 Salmonella serotypes isolated from cattle or cattle environments. MDR and NMDR Salmonella serotypes studied included Montevideo, Typhimurium, Anatum, Muenster, Newport, Mbandaka, Dublin, Reading, Agona, and Give. For phase I, stationary-phase cultures of the strains were aliquoted into sterile capillary tubes and immersed in a temperature-controlled water bath at 55, 60, 65, and 70°C for appropriate times. Survivor curves were plotted for each temperature, and a best-fit linear regression was derived for each temperature. D-values (decimal reduction times) and z-values (changes in temperature required to change the D-values) were calculated for each strain. Although there was no overall significant difference in the heat resistance of MDR and NMDR serotypes, NMDR serotypes generally appeared to have slightly higher heat resistance than NMDR serotypes, especially at 55 and 60°C. The highest relative heat resistance (highest z-values) was exhibited by Salmonella Anatum. Notably, the relative heat resistance of NMDR Salmonella Agona was similar to that of NMDR Salmonella Anatum and had the highest D-values at all four temperatures. For phase II, three serotypes (regardless of resistance profile) with the highest relative heat resistance and their drug-resistant counterparts were selected for thermal inactivation in ground beef patties cooked to endpoint temperatures. Salmonella Agona was able to survive in ground beef cooked to an internal temperature of 71°C. Results of these studies suggest drug resistance does not affect the heat resistance of Salmonella and that serotype or strain is an important consideration in risk assessment of the pathogen with regard to survival at cooking temperatures.
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Qassim, Asmaa' Y. "Investigating Teacher-Learner Interaction in EFL Classes a Basic Level of Learning." Humanities Journal of University of Zakho 5, no. 4 (December 30, 2017): 1257. http://dx.doi.org/10.26436/2017.5.4.511.
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The current research aims at identifying the impact of teacher behavior on teacher-learner interaction in English language at the basic instruction level. The population consists of all male pupils in basic stage instruction within Kurdistan Region-Duhok city-Directorate of education, during the academic year (2013-2014). The sample for the study has been randomly chosen from the basic instruction – level 8. It consists of (32) pupils, sixteen forming the experimental group which has been taught by using Flanders Decimal System of behavior teacher-learner interaction (it has been prepared by the researcher depending on the source and other previous studies and researches so as to test the hypotheses of the current study. It has also been made valid through its presentation to a panel of experts, while the reliability factor has been computed by using the re-test method. On the other hand, sixteen pupils formed the control group which has been taught by using the Recommended Method by the Ministry of Education (henceforth RM). The t-test has been used for the equivalence of groups. Moreover, the researcher has used the tape recorder to access to the patterns of verbal interaction inside the classroom. The achievement test is the research tool for gaining the results of the experiment after being made valid and reliable. The findings show that teachers of English can make use of the given time in the class more successfully if they focus on encouraging learners (pupils) and accepting their ideas. Additionally, there is a limited influence of the variable related to the period of teaching service and place of graduation on the patterns of interaction inside the classroom as it has affected the percentage of the teacher's instant questions. Thus, it showed teacher of English is the most effective strategy in teacher-learner interaction. The research ends with some recommendations and suggestions depending on the findings of the study
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Qassim, Asmaa' Y. "Investigating Teacher-Learner Interaction in EFL Classes a Basic Level of Learning." Humanities Journal of University of Zakho 5, no. 4 (December 30, 2017): 1257–61. http://dx.doi.org/10.26436/hjuoz.2017.5.4.407.
Full textAbstract:
The current research aims at identifying the impact of teacher behavior on teacher-learner interaction in English language at the basic instruction level. The population consists of all male pupils in basic stage instruction within Kurdistan Region-Duhok city-Directorate of education, during the academic year (2013-2014). The sample for the study has been randomly chosen from the basic instruction – level 8. It consists of (32) pupils, sixteen forming the experimental group which has been taught by using Flanders Decimal System of behavior teacher-learner interaction (it has been prepared by the researcher depending on the source and other previous studies and researches so as to test the hypotheses of the current study. It has also been made valid through its presentation to a panel of experts, while the reliability factor has been computed by using the re-test method. On the other hand, sixteen pupils formed the control group which has been taught by using the Recommended Method by the Ministry of Education (henceforth RM). The t-test has been used for the equivalence of groups. Moreover, the researcher has used the tape recorder to access to the patterns of verbal interaction inside the classroom. The achievement test is the research tool for gaining the results of the experiment after being made valid and reliable. The findings show that teachers of English can make use of the given time in the class more successfully if they focus on encouraging learners (pupils) and accepting their ideas. Additionally, there is a limited influence of the variable related to the period of teaching service and place of graduation on the patterns of interaction inside the classroom as it has affected the percentage of the teacher's instant questions. Thus, it showed teacher of English is the most effective strategy in teacher-learner interaction. The research ends with some recommendations and suggestions depending on the findings of the study
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Horwitz, William, Richard Albert, Mike J. Deutsch, and Neville J. Thompson. "Precision Parameters of Methods of Analysis Required for Nutrition Labeling. Part I. Major Nutrients." Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL 73, no. 5 (September 1, 1990): 661–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jaoac/73.5.661.
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Abstract Major components of foods and feeds are fat, protein, and carbohydrates. Fat and protein are determined by direct measurements that are Interpreted as the quantity of the constituent. Carbohydrates are usually calculated by difference. For this calculation, values for molsture/sollds, ash, and "fiber" are also needed. The readily available collaborative studies for the determination of these major components are reviewed In an attempt to assign precision parameters to validated methods of analysis. When a number of studies for the same analyte, In the same food, by the same method are available, It Is seen that the precision parameters among laboratories (standard deviations, SR; relative standard deviations, RSDR) and the ISO maximum tolerable difference functions (repeatability value, r; reproducibility value, R) are not characterized by any conventional distribution. The precision data are best summarized as a median or average parameter and the Interval containing the centermost 90% of reported values. Typically, the precision of methods of analysis can be expressed as a function of concentration only, independent of analyte, matrix, and method. The average RSDR value from each collaborative data set can then be used as the numerator In a ratio containing, as the denominator, the value calculated from the Horwitz equation: RSDR = 2 exp (1 — 0.5 log C) where C Is the concentration as a decimal fraction. A series of ratios consistently above 1, and especially above 2, probably Indicates that a method Is unacceptable with respect to precision. By this criterion, only the protein (KJeldahl) determination Is unqualifiedly acceptable with a 90% interval for RSDR of 1 to 3% at C values above about 0.01 (1 g/100 g). Fat, moisture/solids, and ash are acceptable down to limiting concentrations In the region of 1 to 5 g/100 g, If a test portion large enough to provide at least 50 mg of welghable residue or volatlles Is specified. Measurements of Individual carbohydrates and fiber-related analytes have unexpectedly poor precisions among laboratories. The variability, although high, may still be suitable for nutrition labeling. Reliability of analyses for the control of labeling of the primary nutrients must be achieved through quality assurance programs that require strict adherence to the directions of empirical methods and the use of suitable reference materials for absolute methods.
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RODRIGO, F., F. GASQUE, S. M. FISZMAN, and A. MARTÍNEZ. "Effect of Lyophilization on the Mechanical Characteristics of a Large Particle and on the Behavior of Immobilized Bacterial Spores." Journal of Food Protection 61, no. 5 (May 1, 1998): 633–36. http://dx.doi.org/10.4315/0362-028x-61.5.633.
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The mechanical stability of the carrier and the behavior of the sensor element of a time-temperature integrator (TTI) after lyophilization and storage for 60 days at room temperature were studied. The results indicated that particles containing added starch at concentrations from 2 to 12% had good handling characteristics for use as TU carriers, although mechanical resistance was lower by comparison with freshly prepared particles. Lyophilization reduced the number of viable microorganisms by 17 to 25%, depending on the length of the storage period. Variations were also observed in the count of surviving microorganisms after heating at 121 °C for 12 min. These variations, expressed as decimal reductions in the number of microorganisms, might reflect an effect of lyophilization on the thermal resistance of the immobilized spores.
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Frolova, Antonina I., Kathleen O'Neill, and Kelle H. Moley. "Dehydroepiandrosterone Inhibits Glucose Flux Through the Pentose Phosphate Pathway in Human and Mouse Endometrial Stromal Cells, Preventing Decidualization and Implantation." Molecular Endocrinology 25, no. 8 (August 1, 2011): 1444–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/me.2011-0026.
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Endometrial stromal cells (ESC) must undergo a hormone-driven differentiation to form decidual cells as a requirement of proper embryo implantation. Recent studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that decidualizing cells require glucose transporter 1 expression and an increase in glucose use to complete this step. The present study focuses on the glucose-dependent molecular and metabolic pathways, which are required by ESC for decidualization. Inhibition of glycolysis had no effect on decidualization. However, blockade of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) with pharmacologic inhibitors 6-aminonicotinamide or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, the rate-limiting step in the PPP, both led to strong decreases in decidual marker expression in vitro and decreased decidualization in vivo. Additionally, the studies demonstrate that inhibition is due, at least in part, to ribose-5-phosphate depletion, because exogenous nucleoside administration restored decidualization in these cells. The finding that PPP inhibition prevents decidualization of ESC is novel and clinically important, because DHEA is an endogenous hormone produced by the adrenal glands and elevated in a high proportion of women who have polycystic ovary syndrome, the most common endocrinopathy in reproductive age women. Together, this data suggest a mechanistic link between increased DHEA levels, use of glucose via the PPP, and pregnancy loss.
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Clark, David A. "On use of animal models." Emerging Topics in Life Sciences 4, no. 2 (July 21, 2020): 207–27. http://dx.doi.org/10.1042/etls20200042.
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Human pregnancy, critical for our species survival, is inefficient and prone to complications such as infertility, spontaneous miscarriages and preeclampsia (PE). Immunological factors may be important as the embryo is 50% paternal and foreign to the mother. Mouse pregnancy models, and in particular the murine CBA/J x DBA/2 mating combination, has been widely used to investigate mechanisms causing and preventing partner-specific recurrent miscarriages (RM) and PE. Occult losses can represent T cell-mediated rejection, and antigen-specific regulatory T cells (Tregs) with classical αβ T cell receptors (TcR) activated by semen antigens at the time of mating are protective. If there is no occult loss, an inadequate Treg response can also predispose to RM. In RM, proinflammatory cytokines from natural killer (NK)-type cells and macrophages of the innate immune system are responsible and cells with γδ TcR protect via release of TGF-β-type molecules. Immunization of abortion-prone female CBA/J mice or administration of cell-associated or soluble CD200, an immune check point inhibitor, can prevent abortions by augmenting uterine decidual suppressor cell activity. Human studies suggest that is also true in couples with RM. Environmental activators of the innate immune system, such as bacterial LPS and stress, can cause abortions as well as occult losses. The endogenous level of Tregs and activation of Tregs specific for the male H-Y antigen may determine success rates and alter the male:female birth ratio. Intralipid alters LPS clearance, prevents abortions in the CBAxDBA/2 model, and is effective in increasing live birth rates in couples undergoing IVF treatment.
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Fennell, Francis (Skip), and Karen Karp. "Fraction Sense: Foundational Understandings." Journal of Learning Disabilities 50, no. 6 (August 9, 2016): 648–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0022219416662030.
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The intent of this commentary is to identify elements of fraction sense and note how the research studies provided in this special issue, in related but somewhat different ways, validate the importance of such understandings. Proficiency with fractions serves as a prerequisite for student success in higher level mathematics, as well as serving as a gateway to many occupations and varied contexts beyond the mathematics classroom. Fraction sense is developed through instructional opportunities involving fraction equivalence and magnitude, comparing and ordering fractions, using fraction benchmarks, and computational estimation. Such foundations are then extended to operations involving fractions and decimals and applications involving proportional reasoning. These components of fraction sense are all addressed in the studies provided in this issue, with particular consideration devoted to the significant importance of the use of the number line as a central representational tool for conceptually understanding fraction magnitude.
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Broza, Orit, and Yifat Ben-David Kolikant. "The Potential of Rich Digital Game-Based Learning Environments to Promote Low-Achieving Students' Participation in Mathematics." International Journal of Game-Based Learning 10, no. 4 (October 2020): 40–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/ijgbl.2020100103.
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This study focuses on the interactions between students, their peers, their teacher, and digital game-based multiple supports provided by a rich learning environment designed in order to promote meaningful mathematics among low-achieving students. Attempting to identify which aspects of the setting facilitated meaningful learning and which were ineffectual or even detrimental to it, the authors traced the knowledge building processes of 11 fifth grade LAS over eight weeks in which they studied subtraction of decimal numbers. Pre- and post-program data were also collected through diagnostic interviews. Microanalysis of lesson transcripts, videotaped computer activities, and individual worksheets revealed differences in tool-use and in interactions among supports, which led to different learning results. The results suggest that digital game-based learning environments may be a key to promote meaningful learning in terms of mathematical strategy building. At the same time, it highlights the complexity of each tool in the environment as well as interactions among tools.
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Vilkov, V. G., S. A. Shalnova, Yu A. Balanova, S. E. Evstifeeva, A. E. Imaeva, A. V. Kapustina, and G. A. Muromtseva. "Prevalence of hypotension in populations of the Russian Federation and the United States of America according to 30-year follow-up." Cardiovascular Therapy and Prevention 19, no. 3 (July 3, 2020): 2497. http://dx.doi.org/10.15829/1728-8800-2020-2497.
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Aim. To study the prevalence of hypotension according to several criteria in the Russia and the USA.Material and methods. We used data of Russian population studies performed in 1975-1982 and ESSE-RF study performed in 2012-2014 at the National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine. A comparison was made with the data of cross-sectional stu - dies of the US population — National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES): NHANES II (1976-1980) and Continuous NHANES (2007-2012). We analyzed age, sex, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The prevalence of individuals with hypotension was calculated in men and women of five age groups using four different criteria for hypertension.Results. The prevalence of hypotension in studies of different years according to different criteria was as follows: in the Russia — 0,3-9,0% in men and 2-15% in women; in the USA — 5-30% in men and 8-45% in women. In age group >30 years, the prevalence of hypotension in Russia, by most criteria, decreased approximately by 50% in men and did not change in women. In the United States, according to all criteria, the prevalence in men and women has increased 2-3 times.Conclusion. The prevalence of hypotension in the adult population ranges from decimal percentages to 45% and varies many times depending on the selected criterion.
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AITHAL, GANESH, K. N. HARI BHAT, and U. SRIPATI ACHARYA. "HIGH-SPEED AND SECURE ENCRYPTION SCHEMES BASED ON CHINESE REMAINDER THEOREM FOR STORAGE AND TRANSMISSION OF MEDICAL INFORMATION." Journal of Mechanics in Medicine and Biology 10, no. 01 (March 2010): 167–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/s0219519410003307.
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Medical records generated in hospitals often contain private and sensitive information. This privileged information must be prevented from falling into wrong hands. Thus, there is a strong need for developing a secure cryptographic scheme that can be adapted to use in conjunction with transmission and storage of medical information. Previous approaches have proposed the use of the advanced encryption standard (AES) algorithm for this purpose. In this article, we are proposing a new robust, high-speed, and secure cryptographic scheme that has the added advantage of being immune to side-channel attacks. In our article, we have shown that the performance of this scheme is superior in certain aspects to that of the A5/1 system used in global system for mobile (GSM) systems. The parallel architecture employed in this scheme makes it suitable to use in systems where the data-processing operations have to be carried out in real time. Residue number systems (RNS) based on Chinese remainder theorem (CRT) permits the representation of large integers in terms of combinations of smaller ones. The set of all CRT number system representation of an integer from 0 to M-1 with component wise modular addition and multiplication constitutes a direct sum of smaller commutative rings. An encryption and decryption algorithm based on the properties of direct sum of smaller rings offers distinct advantages over decimal or fixed radix arithmetic. We have utilized the representation of integers using CRT to successfully design additive, multiplicative, and affine stream cipher systems. The use of number system based on CRT allows speeding up the encryption/decryption algorithms, reduces the time complexity, and provides immunity to side-channel, algebraic, and known plain text attacks. In this article, the characteristics of additive, multiplicative, and affine stream cipher systems based on CRT number system representation have been studied and analyzed.
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Zhang, Hualin, Michael P. Grams, Joseph J. Foy, and Nina A. Mayr. "A Dosimetric Parameter Reference Look-Up Table for GRID Collimator-Based Spatially Fractionated Radiation Therapy." Cancers 14, no. 4 (February 18, 2022): 1037. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cancers14041037.
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Computations of heterogeneity dose parameters in GRID therapy remain challenging in many treatment planning systems (TPS). To address this difficulty, we developed reference dose tables for a standard GRID collimator and validate their accuracy. The .decimal Inc. GRID collimator was implemented within the Eclipse TPS. The accuracy of the dose calculation was confirmed in the commissioning process. Representative sets of simulated ellipsoidal tumours ranging from 6–20 cm in diameter at a 3-cm depth; 16-cm ellipsoidal tumours at 3, 6, and 10 cm in depth were studied. All were treated with 6MV photons to a 20 Gy prescription dose at the tumour center. From these, the GRID therapy dosimetric parameters (previously recommended by the Radiosurgery Society white paper) were derived. Differences in D5 through D95 and EUD between different tumour sizes at the same depth were within 5% of the prescription dose. PVDR from profile measurements at the tumour center differed from D10/D90, but D10/D90 variations for the same tumour depths were within 11%. Three approximation equations were developed for calculating EUDs of different prescription doses for three radiosensitivity levels for 3-cm deep tumours. Dosimetric parameters were consistent and predictable across tumour sizes and depths. Our study results support the use of the developed tables as a reference tool for GRID therapy.
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Hijnen, W. A., J. Willemsen-Zwaagstra, P. Hiemstra, G. J. Medema, and D. van der Kooij. "Removal of sulphite-reducing clostridia spores by full-scale water treatment processes as a surrogate for protozoan (oo)cysts removal." Water Science and Technology 41, no. 7 (April 1, 2000): 165–71. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.2000.0129.
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At eight full-scale water treatment plants in the Netherlands the removal of spores of sulphite-reducing clostridia (SSRC) was determined. By sampling and processing large volumes of water (1 up to 500 litres) SSRC were detected after each stage of the treatment. This enabled the assessment of the removal efficiency of the full-scale unit processes for persistent micro-organisms. A comparison with literature data on the removal of Cryptosporidium and Giardia by the same type of processes revealed that SSRC can be considered as a potential surrogate. The average Decimal Elimination Capacity (DEC) of the overall treatment plants ranged from 1.3–4.3 log. The observed actual log removal of SSRC by the unit processes and the overall treatment at one of the studied locations showed that the level of variation in removal efficiency was approximately 2 log. Moreover, from the actual log removal values it was observed that a low SSRC removal by one unit process is partly compensated by a higher removal by subsequent unit processes at this location. SSRC can be used for identification of the process conditions that cause variation in micro-organism removal which may lead to process optimization. Further research is necessary to determine the optimal use of SSRC in water quality monitoring for the production of microbiologically safe drinking water.
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Dzhabbarova, Yulduz K., Shoira T. Ismoilova, and Dilorom A. Musakhodzhayeva. "Importance of cytokines in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia in pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia." Journal of obstetrics and women's diseases 68, no. 5 (December 17, 2019): 37–44. http://dx.doi.org/10.17816/jowd68537-44.
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Hypothesis/aims of study. The frequency of hypertension in iron deficiency anemia (IDA) reaches 3245%. The pathogenesis of pregnancy complicated with anemia and preeclampsia, including immunological aspects, has been little studied. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of general and local cytokine status violations in pregnant women with anemia in the genesis of preeclampsia and to justify the need for inclusion of immunosuppressive agents for the prevention and treatment of preeclampsia.
Study design, materials and methods. The cytokine status (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, TNF) and the level of lactoferrin in peripheral blood serum and in extracts of the placental decidual tissue were examined by ELISA in 96 pregnant women with IDA and preeclampsia in the third trimester of gestation. Pregnant women were divided into four groups: 24 with mild anemia, 18 with moderate anemia, 26 with preeclampsia and mild anemia, and 28 with preeclampsia and moderate anemia.
Results. It has been shown that preeclampsia, along with IDA, is accompanied by a significant increase in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the acute phase protein lactoferrin at the systemic and, to a greater extent, local level, that is in the decidual membrane of the placenta, in the development of preeclampsia against the background of moderate anemia. The data obtained confirm the involvement of the immune system in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, one of the triggers of which is the immune imbalance in IDA. A pathogenetic rationale for the use of immunosuppressive therapy for combined pathology is given.
Conclusion. The use of placental hormone progesterone as an immunosuppressive drug in terms of substantiating new immunotherapy strategies for the prevention and treatment of preeclampsia is a topical trend in obstetric practice.
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Okeke, Adaobi Olivia, Gloria Nwakaego Chukwuemeka, Elozona Chinwe Okpala, and Lilian Chinazom Ajagu. "Awareness and Knowledge of The Adverse Effects of Ear-Piece Use Among University Undergraduates in Anambra State." International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science 06, no. 06 (2022): 768–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.47772/ijriss.2022.6624.
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Health implications of earpiece use among undergraduate students has a dearth of studies as current literature based in the Nigerian context revealed. Nigerian students have been observed to have a habit of listening to loud music and making phone calls through their earpiece on a regular basis which could cause an implication to their health. It is against this backdrop that this study examined the Awareness and Knowledge of the harmful effects of earpiece use among university undergraduates in Anambra State. The study adopted the survey design while a structured questionnaire was the data collection instrument from a sample size of 370 based on the Krejcie and Morgan method of sample size selection. The study was anchored on the Reasoned Action Theory. The study found out that university undergraduate students in Anambra state are very much aware of the health implications of using earpiece and know that using earpiece can be harmful. They feel there is less sensitization on the health implications of earpiece usage by relevant health authorities. The study therefore concludes that earpiece usage comes with serious health implications which could lead to a serious health challenge on the user, yet in an era of paucity of health campaigns and sensitizations on this subject, the young adult generation takes pride and earns gratification from using earpiece for listening to music and making calls albeit in a high decibel manner. The study therefore recommended that government through its health agencies map out a serious sensitization and campaign strategy towards creating awareness for the youths on the health implications of frequent earpiece usage.
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Quequeto, Wellytton Darci, Osvaldo Resende, Patrícia Cardoso Silva, Fábio Adriano Santos e. Silva, and Lígia Campos de Moura Silva. "Drying Kinetics of Noni Seeds." Journal of Agricultural Science 11, no. 5 (April 15, 2019): 250. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jas.v11n5p250.
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Noni seeds have been used for years as an important medicinal source, with wide use in the pharmaceutical and food industry. Drying is a fundamental process in the post-harvest stages, where it enables the safe storage of the product. Therefore, the present study aimed to fit different mathematical models to experimental data of drying kinetics of noni seeds, determine the effective diffusion coefficient and obtain the activation energy for the process during drying under different conditions of air temperature. The experiment used noni seeds with initial moisture content of 0.46 (decimal, d.b.) and dehydrated up to equilibrium moisture content. Drying was conducted under different controlled conditions of temperature, 40; 50; 60; 70 and 80 ºC and relative humidity, 24.4; 16.0; 9.9; 5.7 and 3.3%, respectively. Eleven mathematical models were fitted to the experimental data. The parameters to evaluate the fitting of the mathematical models were mean relative error (P), mean estimated error (SE), coefficient of determination (R2), Chi-square test (c2), Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Schwarz’s Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). Considering the fitting criteria, the model Two Terms was selected to describe the drying kinetics of noni seeds. Effective diffusion coefficient ranged from 8.70 to 23.71 × 10-10 m2 s-1 and its relationship with drying temperature can be described by the Arrhenius equation. The activation energy for noni seeds drying was 24.20 kJ mol-1 for the studied temperature range.
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Nieman, Carrie, Alexander Kim, Emmanuel Garcia Morales, Constantine Lyketsos, Nicholas Reed, Valerie Cotter, Sara Mamo, and Esther Oh. "Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Hearing Loss in Dementia: Unmet Need and Opportunity for Intervention." Innovation in Aging 5, Supplement_1 (December 1, 2021): 85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igab046.324.
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Abstract Hearing loss is one of the most common comorbidities among persons with dementia, with prevalence of 60->90%. Most go untreated and disparities exist. However, sensory impairment may influence the health of individuals and care partners. We will share findings from a clinic-based cohort of persons with dementia (n=101). Controlling for demographic and clinical factors, we found that every 10 decibel increase in hearing loss was associated with nearly an additional neuropsychiatric symptom (b = 0.7 per 10 dB; p = 0.01) and 1.3-point increase in severity (b = 1.3 per 10 dB; p = 0.04). These findings provide the first estimates that utilize objective audiometry. Furthermore, hearing aid use appeared to be protective. Hearing care may represent an additional, but underutilized, non-pharmacological intervention. We will discuss these findings in the context of the epidemiology of hearing loss in dementia and highlight new opportunities for managing hearing loss through community-based approaches.
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Yapi, Jocelyn Constant, Kouamé Claude Ya, Mankambou Jacques Gnanwa, and Lucien Patrice Kouame. "Prévention du brunissement enzymatique de l’aubergine violette (Solanum melongena L.) par traitement thermique : analyses cinétiques et thermodynamiques." International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences 15, no. 5 (January 23, 2022): 2038–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v15i5.27.
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Le brunissement enzymatique est associé à l'action des polyphénol oxydases (PPO) et des peroxydases (POD). Les produits de ces enzymes provoquent des changements indésirables de couleur et de saveur des aubergines transformées. Une dopamine oxydase responsable du brunissement enzymatique a été isolée de l’aubergine violette (Solanum melongena L.). Ainsi, l’inactivation thermique et l’analyse thermodynamique ont été étudiées sur une base cinétique afin de contrôler ce phénomène physiologique. Les études cinétiques ont montré que l’inactivation thermique de l’activité dopamine oxydase de l’aubergine violette suivait une cinétique de premier ordre aux températures comprises entre 35 – 80 °C, avec des constantes de vitesse (k) comprise entre 0,0101 ± 0,0001 et 0,0865 ± 0,0004 min-1. Les temps de réduction décimale (D) et k ont diminué et augmenté respectivement avec l’augmentation de la température, indiquant une inactivation plus rapide de la dopamine oxydase à des températures plus élevées. Les résultats suggèrent que dopamine oxydase est une enzyme relativement thermostable avec une constante de résistance (Z) de 50.25 ± 0,7 °C et une énergie d'activation (Ea) de 40.65 ± 0,6 kJmol-1. Les résultats thermodynamiques ont indiqué que les réactions d'oxydation étaient : non spontanées (ΔG > 0), légèrement endothermiques (ΔH > 0) et réversibles (ΔS < 0). Ces données cinétiques peuvent être utilisées dans la prévention du brunissement enzymatique de la pulpe d’aubergine violette par l'inactivation thermique de l'enzyme.
Enzymatic browning is associated with the action of polyphenol oxidases (PPO) and peroxidases (POD). The products of these enzymes cause undesirable changes of color and flavor of processed eggplant products. A dopamine oxidase responsible for enzymatic browning was isolated from violet eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). Thus, thermal inactivation and thermodynamic analysis were studied on a kinetic basis to control this physiological phenomenon. Kinetic studies showed that thermal inactivation of dopamine oxidase activity in purple eggplant followed first-order kinetics at temperatures between 35 - 80 °C, with speed constants (k) values between 0.0101 ± 0.0001 and 0.0865± 0.0004 min-1. The decimal reduction times (D) and k values decreased and increased, respectively, with increasing temperature, indicating more rapid inactivation of dopamine oxidase at higher temperatures. The results suggest that dopamine oxidase is a relatively thermostable enzyme with a resistance constant (Z) value of 50.25 ± 0.7 °C and an activation energy (Ea) of 40.65 ± 0.6 kJmol-1. Thermodynamic results indicated that the oxidation reactions were: non-spontaneous (ΔG > 0), slightly endothermic (ΔH > 0), and reversible (ΔS < 0). These kinetic data can be used in the prevention of enzymatic browning of purple eggplant pulp by thermal inactivation of the enzyme.
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Radovick, Sally, and Andy V. Babwah. "Regulation of Pregnancy: Evidence for Major Roles by the Uterine and Placental Kisspeptin/KISS1R Signaling Systems." Seminars in Reproductive Medicine 37, no. 04 (July 2019): 182–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-3400966.
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AbstractSeveral studies provide strong evidence suggesting that in addition to central kisspeptin/KISS1R signaling, the peripheral uterine- and placental-based kisspeptin/KISS1R signaling systems are major regulators of pregnancy. Specifically, the evidence suggests that the uterine-based system regulates embryo implantation and decidualization, while both the uterine- and placental-based systems regulate placentation. Uterine kisspeptin and KISS1R regulate embryo implantation by controlling the availability of endometrial glandular secretions, like leukemia inhibitory factor, which are essential for embryo adhesion to the uterine epithelium. As for decidualization, the data suggest that decidualized stromal cells express KISS1R and secrete kisspeptin-inhibiting decidual cell motility and thereby indirectly regulate embryo and placental invasion of the uterus. Similarly, for placentation, placental kisspeptin and KISS1R negatively regulate extravillous trophoblast migration and invasion and thereby directly control placental invasion of the uterus. Having recognized a significant role for the uterine- and placental-based kisspeptin/KISS1R signaling systems regulating pregnancy, the future looks promising for the development of kisspeptin and KISS1R as prognostic and diagnostic markers of pregnancy disorders and the use of kisspeptin as a therapeutic agent in the prevention and treatment of conditions such as recurring implantation failure, recurrent pregnancy loss, and preeclampsia.
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Carvalho, Gustavo de Araújo, Peter J. Minnett, Eduardo T. Paes, Fernando P. de Miranda, and Luiz Landau. "Oil-Slick Category Discrimination (Seeps vs. Spills): A Linear Discriminant Analysis Using RADARSAT-2 Backscatter Coefficients (σ°, β°, and γ°) in Campeche Bay (Gulf of Mexico)." Remote Sensing 11, no. 14 (July 11, 2019): 1652. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs11141652.
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A novel empirical approach to categorize oil slicks’ sea surface expressions in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) measurements into oil seeps or oil spills is investigated, contributing both to academic remote sensing research and to practical applications for the petroleum industry. We use linear discriminant analysis (LDA) to try accuracy improvements from our previously published methods of discriminating seeps from spills that achieved ~70% of overall accuracy. Analyzing 244 RADARSAT-2 scenes containing 4562 slicks observed in Campeche Bay (Gulf of Mexico), our exploratory data analysis evaluates the impact of 61 combinations of SAR backscatter coefficients (σ°, β°, γ°), SAR calibrated products (received radar beam given in amplitude or decibel, with or without a despeckle filter), and data transformations (none, cube root, log10). The LDA ability to discriminate the oil-slick category is rather independent of backscatter coefficients and calibrated products, but influenced by data transformations. The combination of attributes plays a role in the discrimination; combining oil-slicks’ size and SAR information is more effective. We have simplified our analyses using fewer attributes to reach accuracies comparable to those of our earlier studies, and we suggest using other multivariate data analyses—cubist or random forest—to attempt to further improve oil-slick category discrimination.
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Greene, Lindsey A., Neil A. Goldenberg, Chris Bombardier, Suchitra S. Acharya, Mindy L. Grunzke, Pedro J. Santiago-Borroro, Alejandro Cambara, and Donna M. DiMichele. "Use of Global Assays to Predict Bleeding Severity In Congenital Factor VII Deficiency." Blood 116, no. 21 (November 19, 2010): 3668. http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood.v116.21.3668.3668.
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Abstract Abstract 3668 Background: Congenital FVII deficiency, the most common of the autosomal recessive rare coagulation disorders (RCDs), is characterized by genotypic variability as well as phenotypic heterogeneity ranging from absent to severe hemorrhage, and rarely thrombosis. Prothrombin time (PT) and FVII activity assays do not reliably predict bleeding phenotype. Global assays of coagulation and fibrinolysis may better characterize overall hemostatic balance and could aid in the assessment of hemorrhagic and thrombotic risk in RCDs. Objective: We sought to investigate whether a global assay might better predict bleeding phenotype in FVII deficiency. Methods: Four North American centers enrolled 24 known FVII deficient subjects (21 heterozygotes (FVII:C 20–60 U/dl) and 3 homozygotes/compound heterozygotes (FVII:C < .01U/dL)) at asymptomatic baseline in a collaborative cross-sectional study. Venipuncture was performed for determination of baseline factor VII activity (FVII:C) and prothrombin time (PT) in plasma. The Clot Formation and Lysis (CloFAL) global assay and the Simultaneous Thrombin and Plasmin generation (STP) assay were performed centrally at the University of Colorado by previously described methods (Goldenberg et. al, Haemophilia 2008 and Grunzke et al., J Thromb Haemost 2009 (abstract)). Bleeding history data were obtained retrospectively and locally using a standardized case report form, in order to assign each subject a bleeding score (0-3.2) as previously described by Mariani et al. (Thromb Haemost, 2005), but slightly modified as follows: 0 (asymptomatic); 1 (mild): 1–2 symptoms excluding hemarthrosis, CNS and GI bleeding; 2 (moderate): >/=3 symptoms excluding hemarthrosis, CNS or GI bleeding; 3 (severe): hemarthrosis, CNS or GI bleeding. Within each score, decimals indicated the # of symptoms. Results: Median values (ranges) for age, FVII:C, and bleeding score were as follows: age, 12 years (3-36 years); FVII:C, 39 U/dL (<1- 60 U/dL); bleeding score: 1.1 (0-3.2). FVII:C varied indirectly with PT (r= -0.76, P<0.001) and time to maximal amplitude in the CloFAL assay (r= -0.51, P=0.01), and directly with CloFAL coagulation index (r= 0.47, P=0.03). FVII:C was also negatively correlated with maximal velocity (Vmax) of plasmin generation (r= -0.67, P<0.001). Bleeding manifestations were severe (bleeding score >/= 3) in all three homozygotes/compound heterozygotes; moderate in 1/21 heterozygotes; mild in 13/21; and absent in the remaining 7 heterozygotes. Among heterozygotes, while there was no significant correlation between bleeding score and FVII:C or PT, there was a significant negative correlation with CloFAL area under the curve (AUC); i.e., as bleeding score increased, AUC decreased. CloFAL AUC explained 19% of variability in bleeding score among heterozygotes (P=0.047). Considering all subjects, CloFAL AUC was significantly higher among those without, versus with, a prior history of bleeding (P=0.046) (Table 1). CloFAL AUC also demonstrated a significant negative correlation with bleeding score (P=0.02) (Table 2). STP values did not correlate with history of bleed or bleeding score. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the CloFAL assay is unique in explaining considerable phenotypic variability in congenital FVII deficiency. Larger prospective studies are warranted to evaluate the capacity of the CloFAL assay to predict bleeding severity in this disease and guide prophylactic replacement therapy during episodes of hemostatic stress. Disclosures: Grunzke: NHF/Baxter Clinical Fellowship Award 2008–2010: Research Funding.
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Souza, Marcos Magalhães, Ângela Gomes Brunismann, and Epifânio Porfiro Pires. "Nesting associations between Chartergus globiventris Saussure (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) and Tolmomyias sulphurescens Spix (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae) in southeastern Brazil." EntomoBrasilis 10, no. 1 (April 28, 2017): 51–53. http://dx.doi.org/10.12741/ebrasilis.v10i1.638.
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Abstract. The success of social wasps is highly dependent on nest construction and colony maintenance. Species use different strategies to avoid nest predation, including forming associations with other insects and vertebrates. This study describes for the first time the association between the social wasp Chartergus globiventris Saussure and the yellow-olive flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens Spix in a deciduous seasonal forest fragment in southeastern Brazil. We located eight active C. globiventris colonies in the study site, three of which were associated with active T. sulphurescens nests. Bird-wasp associations in previous studies have been regarded as commensalism because only birds seem to benefit. However, further studies are needed to better understand the potential benefits of this relationship for both taxa.Associações de nidificação entre Chartergus globiventris Saussure (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) e Tolmomyias sulphurescens Spix (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae) no sudeste do BrasilResumo. O sucesso das espécies de vespas sociais está relacionado tanto a construção quanto a manutenção das colônias. Várias espécies utilizam de diversas estratégias para evitar a predação de seus ninhos, como a associação com outros insetos e vertebrados. O presente estudo descreve o primeiro registro da associação da vespa social Chartergus globiventris Saussure com a ave Tolmomyias sulphurescens Spix em fragmento de Floresta Estacional Decidual no Sudeste do Brasil. Foram registradas oito colônias de C. globiventris ativas em diferentes espécies arbóreas, das quais três estavam associadas a ninhos ativos de T. sulphurescens. A associação entre a ave e a vespa tem sido tratada como comensalismo, pois apenas a ave obtém vantagens aparente, como discutido na literatura. Contudo, é necessário realizar experimentações ou análises mais aprofundadas a fim de se obter afirmações sobre os benefícios dessa relação.</p
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Kuvardin, E. S., I. N. Grigor’yeva, I. A. Bekhtereva, A. L. Maslyansky, Yu A. Krivolapov, and E. A. Belyakova. "Cellular composition of the minor salivary gland inflammatory infiltrates as an additional diagnostic criterion for primary Sjogren’s syndrome." Rheumatology Science and Practice 59, no. 4 (September 6, 2021): 434–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.47360/1995-4484-2021-434-441.
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Primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS) is one of the most frequent among the connective tissue diseases. Histological examination of the minor salivary gland (MSG) is important diagnostic method. The currently established histological criteria for pSS do not have absolute sensitivity and specificity, which makes the search for additional morphological hallmark relevant.Aim – to study of the qualitative and quantitative composition of cellular populations inflammatory infiltrates in MSG pSS patient with the assessment of additional diagnostic criteria for disease based on the data obtained.Subjects and methods. The study included 55 patients with a diagnosis of pSS according to the criteria of ACR/ EULAR 2016. The control group consisted of 18 healthy volunteers. A MSG biopsy was performed all subjects for histological and immunohistochemical studies with a quantitative assessment of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD20+, CD21+, CD68+, CD138+ cells. Statistical data analysis was performed using the Statistica 10.0 for Windows (StatSoft Inc., USA). For comparison of quantitative traits, the Mann – Whitney U-test was used. To determine the diagnostic threshold of the number of a ROC analysis was performed. An operating characteristic curve was plotted. The area under the curve (AUC), diagnostic specificity, diagnostic sensitivity, diagnostic accuracy, likelihood ratio of the positive and negative results of the test were calculated. The construction of classification models, including the number of different cell types, was carried out using linear discriminant analysis.Results and discussion. The number of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD20+, CD138+ cells in 4 mm2 (area of section) was significantly higher in the pSS group. The largest AUC were observed for the quantitative evaluation of CD3+ cells – 0.88 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80–0.96] and CD8+ cells – 0.87 [95% CI: 0.79–0.95], which at the specified diagnostic thresholds corresponded to the sensitivity of 70.9% [95% CI: 57.86–81.23] and 65.45% [95% CI: 52.25–76.64], specificity of 94.4% [95% CI: 74.24–99.72] and 100% [95% CI: 82.41–100], respectively. The CD21+ follicular dendritic cells were detected only in MSG of pSS group. AUC for quantitative assessment of these cells was 0.65 [95% CI: 0.52–0.78], sensitivity 29.1% [95% CI: 18.77–42.14] and specificity 100% [95% CI: 82.41–100]. Using the method of discriminant analysis, we designed classification models that included various combinations of the studied markers. The highest AUC among all possible combinations was observed for the decimal logarithms of the number of CD3+ and CD68+ cells – 0.92 [95% CI: 0.85–0.98], which for a given diagnostic threshold corresponded sensitivity – 81.82% [95% CI: 69.67–89.81], specificity – 94.4% [95% CI: 74.24–99.72].
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Austgulen, Rigmor, Lisa Chedwick, Christina Vogt Isaksen, Lars Vatten, and Catherine Craven. "Trophoblast Apoptosis in Human Placenta at Term as Detected by Expression of a Cytokeratin 18 Degradation Product of Caspase." Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine 126, no. 12 (December 1, 2002): 1480–86. http://dx.doi.org/10.5858/2002-126-1480-taihpa.
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Abstract Context.—Apoptosis occurs in the normal placenta. The monoclonal antibody M30 is directed against a novel epitope of cytokeratin 18 (CK18) that is formed by caspase cleavage early in the apoptotic cascade, and this antibody may therefore be useful for evaluating trophoblast apoptosis. Objective.—We undertook the present study to evaluate the use of monoclonal antibody M30 to assess trophoblast apoptosis in placenta at term. Methods.—We stained paraffin-embedded placental tissues from 15 deliveries at term with M30. We compared positive M30 staining and CK18 staining (as detected by a monoclonal antibody directed against CK18) of trophoblasts in serial slides. We also compared apoptotic rates as detected by M30 and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling) in 7 of the placentas. Results.—In fields of villous tissue, most M30-positive cells were CK18-positive syncytiotrophoblasts. Approximately half of M30-positive cells occurred as focal positive staining in the syncytial layer, and half occurred as abundant staining of syncytiotrophoblasts in areas with increased intervillous or perivillous fibrinoid. We found very few M30-positive cells in villous stroma. In decidual/basal plate tissues, most (two thirds) of the M30-positive cells were CK18-positive extravillous trophoblasts, whereas one third were syncytiotrophoblasts of anchoring villi. Since TUNEL detects apoptosis in both epithelial and nonepithelial cells, more cells were positively stained with TUNEL than with M30 in some tissue fields. However, our observations suggest that M30 was more sensitive than TUNEL in recognizing apoptotic trophoblasts and had less nonspecific staining than TUNEL. Conclusion.—We recommend the use of monoclonal antibody M30 for apoptosis studies in placental tissues. This antibody is easy to handle, the staining obtained seems specific, and the nonspecific staining seems negligible.
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MOREANO, EDWIN H., JOSEPH L. HUTCHISON, TIMOTHY M. McCULLOCH, SCOTT M. GRAHAM, GERRY F. FUNK, and HENRY T. HOFFMAN. "Incidence of Deep Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery." Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery 118, no. 6 (June 1998): 777–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0194-5998(98)70268-2.
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OBJECTIVE: Postoperative deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolus are major causes of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing surgical procedures. In contrast to other surgical fields, the incidence of these life-threatening conditions has not been studied in our specialty. The purposes of this study were to elucidate the incidence of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolus in patients after otolaryngologic operations and to identify specific risk factors that may contribute to the development of these conditions. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was done of 12,805 total operations on adults done by the Department of Otolaryngology at our institution from January 1987 to December 1994 to determine the number of patients in whom postoperative deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolus developed. Patients in whom a postoperative thromboembolic event developed after an otolaryngologic surgical procedure were identified by the medical records department with use of an abstracting database. This search cross-referenced disease-specific codes for otolaryngologic procedures with the codes for deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolus to identify the 34 patients in this report. Results (rounded to the nearest decimal point) were then categorized according to the different sub-specialties within otolaryngology, and appropriate statistical analysis tests were performed on the resulting data. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients with postoperative deep vein thrombosis were identified during the study period, for an overall incidence of 0.3%. Of these 34 patients, 24 also had a pulmonary embolus for an overall incidence of 0.2%. The incidence of deep venous thrombosis (and pulmonary embolus) in the subspecialties was as follows: head and neck surgery, 0.6% (0.4%); otology/neurotology, 0.3% (0.2%); head and neck trauma and plastic surgery, 0.1% (0.1%); and general otolaryngology, 0.1% (0.04%). Only the patient's age and the presence or absence of pneumatic compression devices were identified as independent risk factors for the development of a thromboembolic event. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative pulmonary embolus is a rare occurrence in the field of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. When it does occur, it causes significant morbidity and increases the cost of care for that patient. We discuss our approach to categorizing patients into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, as well as prophylaxis against pulmonary embolus. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1998;118:777-84.)
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Ronnett, Brigitte M. "Hydatidiform Moles: Ancillary Techniques to Refine Diagnosis." Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine 142, no. 12 (December 1, 2018): 1485–502. http://dx.doi.org/10.5858/arpa.2018-0226-ra.
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Context.— Distinction of hydatidiform moles from nonmolar specimens and subclassification of hydatidiform moles as complete hydatidiform mole versus partial hydatidiform mole are important for clinical practice and investigational studies. Risk of persistent gestational trophoblastic disease and clinical management differ for these entities. Diagnosis based on morphology is subject to interobserver variability and remains problematic, even for experienced gynecologic pathologists. Objectives.— To explain how ancillary techniques target the unique genetic features of hydatidiform moles to establish diagnostic truth, highlight the issue of diagnostic reproducibility and importance of diagnostic accuracy, and illustrate use of p57 immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction–based DNA genotyping for diagnosis. Data Sources.— Sources are the author's 10-year experience using ancillary techniques for the evaluation of potentially molar specimens in a large gynecologic pathology practice and the literature. Conclusions.— The unique genetics of complete hydatidiform moles (purely androgenetic), partial hydatidiform moles (diandric triploid), and nonmolar specimens (biparental, with allelic balance) allow for certain techniques, including immunohistochemical analysis of p57 expression (a paternally imprinted, maternally expressed gene) and genotyping, to refine diagnoses of hydatidiform moles. Although p57 immunostaining alone can identify complete hydatidiform moles, which lack p57 expression because of a lack of maternal DNA, this analysis does not distinguish partial hydatidiform moles from nonmolar specimens because both express p57 because of the presence of maternal DNA. Genotyping, which compares villous and decidual DNA patterns to determine the parental source and ratios of polymorphic alleles, distinguishes purely androgenetic complete hydatidiform moles from diandric triploid partial hydatidiform moles, and both of these from biparental nonmolar specimens. An algorithmic approach to diagnosis using these techniques is advocated.
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Crossley, D., J. Hinderer, M. Llubes, and N. Florsch. "The potential of ground gravity measurements to validate GRACE data." Advances in Geosciences 1 (June 17, 2003): 65–71. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-1-65-2003.
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Abstract. New satellite missions are returning high precision, time-varying, satellite measurements of the Earth’s gravity field. The GRACE mission is now in its calibration/- validation phase and first results of the gravity field solutions are imminent. We consider here the possibility of external validation using data from the superconducting gravimeters in the European sub-array of the Global Geodynamics Project (GGP) as ‘ground truth’ for comparison with GRACE. This is a pilot study in which we use 14 months of 1-hour data from the beginning of GGP (1 July 1997) to 30 August 1998, when the Potsdam instrument was relocated to South Africa. There are 7 stations clustered in west central Europe, and one station, Metsahovi in Finland. We remove local tides, polar motion, local and global air pressure, and instrument drift and then decimate to 6-hour samples. We see large variations in the time series of 5–10µgal between even some neighboring stations, but there are also common features that correlate well over the 427-day period. The 8 stations are used to interpolate a minimum curvature (gridded) surface that extends over the geographical region. This surface shows time and spatial coherency at the level of 2– 4µgal over the first half of the data and 1–2µgal over the latter half. The mean value of the surface clearly shows a rise in European gravity of about 3µgal over the first 150 days and a fairly constant value for the rest of the data. The accuracy of this mean is estimated at 1µgal, which compares favorably with GRACE predictions for wavelengths of 500 km or less. Preliminary studies of hydrology loading over Western Europe shows the difficulty of correlating the local hydrology, which can be highly variable, with large-scale gravity variations.Key words. GRACE, satellite gravity, superconducting gravimeter, GGP, ground truth
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Tseng, Vincent WS, Jean Dos Reis Costa, Malte F. Jung, and Tanzeem Choudhury. "Using Smartphone Sensor Data to Assess Inhibitory Control in the Wild: Longitudinal Study." JMIR mHealth and uHealth 8, no. 12 (December 4, 2020): e21703. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/21703.
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Background Inhibitory control, or inhibition, is one of the core executive functions of humans. It contributes to our attention, performance, and physical and mental well-being. Our inhibitory control is modulated by various factors and therefore fluctuates over time. Being able to continuously and unobtrusively assess our inhibitory control and understand the mediating factors may allow us to design intelligent systems that help manage our inhibitory control and ultimately our well-being. Objective The aim of this study is to investigate whether we can assess individuals’ inhibitory control using an unobtrusive and scalable approach to identify digital markers that are predictive of changes in inhibitory control. Methods We developed InhibiSense, an app that passively collects the following information: users’ behaviors based on their phone use and sensor data, the ground truths of their inhibition control measured with stop-signal tasks (SSTs) and ecological momentary assessments (EMAs), and heart rate information transmitted from a wearable heart rate monitor (Polar H10). We conducted a 4-week in-the-wild study, where participants were asked to install InhibiSense on their phone and wear a Polar H10. We used generalized estimating equation (GEE) and gradient boosting tree models fitted with features extracted from participants’ phone use and sensor data to predict their stop-signal reaction time (SSRT), an objective metric used to measure an individual’s inhibitory control, and identify the predictive digital markers. Results A total of 12 participants completed the study, and 2189 EMAs and SST responses were collected. The results from the GEE models suggest that the top digital markers positively associated with an individual’s SSRT include phone use burstiness (P=.005), the mean duration between 2 consecutive phone use sessions (P=.02), the change rate of battery level when the phone was not charged (P=.04), and the frequency of incoming calls (P=.03). The top digital markers negatively associated with SSRT include the standard deviation of acceleration (P<.001), the frequency of short phone use sessions (P<.001), the mean duration of incoming calls (P<.001), the mean decibel level of ambient noise (P=.007), and the percentage of time in which the phone was connected to the internet through a mobile network (P=.001). No significant correlation between the participants’ objective and subjective measurement of inhibitory control was found. Conclusions We identified phone-based digital markers that were predictive of changes in inhibitory control and how they were positively or negatively associated with a person’s inhibitory control. The results of this study corroborate the findings of previous studies, which suggest that inhibitory control can be assessed continuously and unobtrusively in the wild. We discussed some potential applications of the system and how technological interventions can be designed to help manage inhibitory control.
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Petrenko, Ye, and K. P. Strubchevka. "Preterm labor: issues of prognosis, prevention and management (Literature rewiew)." Reproductive health of woman 3 (May 3, 2021): 57–64. http://dx.doi.org/10.30841/2708-8731.3.2021.234245.
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Preterm labor is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and the most common cause for antenatal hospitalization. Approximately 15 million babies are born preterm each year worldwide. Of those, one million babies die before the age of 5, which is 18% of all deaths of children at this age. 35% of early and late neonatal mortality (under 28 days of age) is associated with preterm birth.The pathophysiology of preterm labor includes at least four major pathogenetic mechanisms. The studied components of this process are premature activation of the maternal or fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system, inflammation or infection, decidual hemorrhage and pathological overdistension of the uterus. The diagnosis of preterm labor is based on the determination of concomitant regular uterine contractions and cervical changes. Vaginal bleeding and/or rupture of the amniotic membranes only increase the likelihood of this diagnosis. To improve the accuracy of diagnosis and assess the potential risk of preterm birth in the presence of symptoms in pregnant women, it is proposed to use such diagnostic tests as transvaginal ultrasound to measure cervical length; detection in vaginal fluids of fetal fibronectin (fFN), phosphorylated protein-1, which binds insulin-like growth factor (IGFBP-1), placental alpha-microglobulin, the ratio of insulin-like growth factorebinding protein 4 (IBP4) and sex hormoneebinding globulin (SHBG) – PreTRM-test.Correct identification of women in the true preterm labor allows performing appropriate actions, which results in better outcomes for the newborn. These are using of corticosteroids to prevent respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) of the newborn; prevention of group B streptococcal infection; magnesium sulfate to protect the baby’s nervous system; transportation to the institution of the third level of perinatal care, which can provide a newborn with appropriate medical care. Preventative and therapeutic measures for women, which have a high risk of preterm labor, include taking progesterone, cervical cerclage and an application of obstetric pessary.
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Neprokina, A. V., E. D. Lutsai, and D. N. Begun. "The Macromicroscopic Anatomy and Microtopography of the Lower Jaw in Fetuses of 14–18 Weeks." Journal of Anatomy and Histopathology 10, no. 4 (December 16, 2021): 48–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.18499/2225-7357-2021-10-4-48-55.
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In the article the features of anatomical structure and microtopography of the lower jaw of fetus at the age of 14–18 weeks were discussed. The relevance of the research is due to the prevalence of congenital pathology of the maxillofacial region, the possibilities of its early prenatal diagnosis and correction in connection with the development of fetal surgery.The aim of the research is to get new data of the macromicroscopic anatomy and microtopography of the lower jaw in fetuses of 14–18 weeks.Material and methods. The object of the research was the lower jaw of 40 male and female fetuses at the age of 14–18 weeks. The research was carried out using morphological methods and the method of ultrasound scanning. The qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the lower jaw were studied.Results. The lower jaw of the fetus at the age of 14–18 weeks is already formed and has basic anatomical structures. The body, angle, ramus, condylar and coronoid processes, teeth anlages, which can be described on morphological preparations and studied using the method of ultrasound scanning, are defined in the lower jaw. In front of the lower jaw, soft tissues are located, their thickness varies from 2.1 to 3.9 mm. Behind the lower jaw, there is a slit space with a width of 0.3 to 1.5 mm, behind it the tongue and the oral part of the pharynx are situated. The latter has an irregular shape. In a fetus of 14-18 weeks, major salivary glands (parotid, sublingual and submandibular) are already formed and determined on different cuts. The length of the alveolar arch is 29.1±6.2 mm, the width of the lower jaw is 19.5±4.2 mm. At this time, the lower jaw can be presented by two anlages and a symphysis located along the median line. The symphysis on horizontal cut has a fusiform shape, it narrows to the outer and inner surfaces of the lower jaw. In the narrow part, its size varies from 0.1 to 0.4 mm, the extension in the central part is from 0.5 to 0.9 mm. In the lower jaw, the anlages of decidual teeth of an irregular shape are determined. The size of anlages varies from 1.3 to 2.3 mm, depending on the type of tooth. On some cuts under the anlage of primary tooth, it is possible to determine the anlage of permanent one. The significant bilateral and sex differences of human fetuses at the age of 14–18 weeks of intrauterine development were not revealed.Conclusion. The lower jaw of fetuses at the age of 14–18 weeks has all elements of the anatomical structure, with certain fetal features (incomplete accretion of the mandibular processes, anlages of decidual and permanent teeth, microtopographic relationships with adjacent anatomical structures). At this stage of development, there are no significant bilateral and sex differences. The use of various methodological approaches to the research of the qualitative and quantitative anatomy of the lower jaw makes it possible to detail and supplement the substantiation of approaches for fetal surgery.
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Griswold, Dylan, Andrés Gempeler, Gail Rosseau, Neema Kaseje, Walter D. Johnson, Angelos Kolias, Peter J. Hutchinson, and Andres M. Rubiano. "Chest Computed Tomography for the Diagnosis of COVID-19 in Emergency Trauma Surgery Patients Who Require Urgent Care During the Pandemic: Protocol for an Umbrella Review." JMIR Research Protocols 10, no. 5 (May 6, 2021): e25207. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/25207.
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Background Many health care facilities in low- and middle-income countries are inadequately resourced. COVID-19 has the potential to decimate surgical health care services unless health systems take stringent measures to protect health care workers from viral exposure and ensure the continuity of specialized care for patients. Among these measures, the timely diagnosis of COVID-19 is paramount to ensure the use of protective measures and isolation of patients to prevent transmission to health care personnel caring for patients with an unknown COVID-19 status or contact during the pandemic. Besides molecular and antibody tests, chest computed tomography (CT) has been assessed as a potential tool to aid in the screening or diagnosis of COVID-19 and could be valuable in the emergency care setting. Objective This paper presents the protocol for an umbrella review that aims to identify and summarize the available literature on the diagnostic accuracy of chest CT for COVID-19 in trauma surgery patients requiring urgent care. The objective is to inform future recommendations on emergency care for this category of patients. Methods We will conduct several searches in the L·OVE (Living Overview of Evidence) platform for COVID-19, a system that performs automated regular searches in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and over 30 other sources. The search results will be presented according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis). This review will preferentially consider systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy studies, as well as individual studies of such design, if not included in the systematic reviews, that assessed the sensitivity and specificity of chest CT in emergency trauma surgery patients. Critical appraisal of the included studies for risk of bias will be conducted. Data will be extracted using a standardized data extraction tool. Findings will be summarized narratively, and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach will be used to grade the certainty of evidence. Results Ethics approval is not required for this systematic review, as there will be no patient involvement. The search for this systematic review commenced in October 2020, and we expect to publish the findings in early 2021. The plan for dissemination is to publish the findings in a peer-reviewed journal and present our results at conferences that engage the most pertinent stakeholders. Conclusions During the COVID-19 pandemic, protecting health care workers from infection is essential. Up-to-date information on the efficacy of diagnostic tests for detecting COVID-19 is essential. This review will serve an important role as a thorough summary to inform evidence-based recommendations on establishing effective policy and clinical guideline recommendations. Trial Registration PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42020198267; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=198267 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/25207
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Mahajan, Amit. "Value and Validity of Coronavirus Antibody Testing." Pain Physician 4S;23, no. 8;4S (August 14, 2020): S381—S390. http://dx.doi.org/10.36076/ppj.2020/23/s381.
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Background: The interventional pain management community saw the COVID-19 pandemic decimate elective interventional procedures and new patient visits across the United States until the reopening of America and the restarting of interventional procedures and elective surgical procedures began again. Health care providers, along with essential workers and patients, continue to be concerned about functioning in a safe and responsible manner. Consequently, a level of comfort is created by the testing health care workers with long exposure to new patients and patients undergoing interventions in high risk environments. As the United States and the world suffers from an ongoing infodemic, there are substantial amounts of misinformation, and some appropriate information being produced on molecular, antigen and antibody testing. Consequently, this manuscript is undertaken to describe the value and validity of coronavirus antibody testing. Methods: Literature review. Results: Antibody tests detect antibodies or immunoglobulins that are produced as the human immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. A positive result suggests that the individual has potentially been exposed to SARS-CoV-2. When immunoglobulins M (IgM) antibodies are present, they can indicate an active or recent infection, whereas immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies show up later in the infection process and can often indicate a past infection, but does not exclude recently infected patients who can still be contagious, especially when IgM antibodies are also concurrently detected. While past knowledge indicates that for viral infections, IgG antibodies usually persist longer than IgM antibodies and provide immunity from re-infection, it is not clearly known if that is true for COVID-19. Limitations: A narrative review with paucity of literature. Conclusion: Antibody tests have been developed to detect IgG only, both IgG and IgM, or total antibodies. At present, multiple antibody tests are available for use in the United States. In a review of 54 available studies through the end of April, mostly from China, the accuracy of pooled results for combination IgG/IgM tests was 91.4% (95% CI, 87.0 - 96.6) for 15 to 21 days post-symptom onset. Thus, antibody tests provide a promise and a peril in the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Key words: Corona, COVID-19, antigen testing, antibody testing, IgM antibodies, IgG antibodies
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Westwood, Marie, Bram Ramaekers, Sabine Grimm, Gill Worthy, Debra Fayter, Nigel Armstrong, Titas Buksnys, Janine Ross, Manuela Joore, and Jos Kleijnen. "High-sensitivity troponin assays for early rule-out of acute myocardial infarction in people with acute chest pain: a systematic review and economic evaluation." Health Technology Assessment 25, no. 33 (May 2021): 1–276. http://dx.doi.org/10.3310/hta25330.
Full textAbstract:
Background Early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction is important, but only 20% of emergency admissions for chest pain will actually have an acute myocardial infarction. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays may allow rapid rule out of myocardial infarction and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions. Objectives To assess the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays for the management of adults presenting with acute chest pain, in particular for the early rule-out of acute myocardial infarction. Methods Sixteen databases were searched up to September 2019. Review methods followed published guidelines. Studies were assessed for quality using appropriate risk-of-bias tools. The bivariate model was used to estimate summary sensitivity and specificity for meta-analyses involving four or more studies; otherwise, random-effects logistic regression was used. The health economic analysis considered the long-term costs and quality-adjusted life-years associated with different troponin testing methods. The de novo model consisted of a decision tree and a state–transition cohort model. A lifetime time horizon (of 60 years) was used. Results Thirty-seven studies (123 publications) were included in the review. The high-sensitivity cardiac troponin test strategies evaluated are defined by the combination of four factors (i.e. assay, number and timing of tests, and threshold concentration), resulting in a large number of possible combinations. Clinical opinion indicated a minimum clinically acceptable sensitivity of 97%. When considering single test strategies, only those using a threshold at or near to the limit of detection for the assay, in a sample taken at presentation, met the minimum clinically acceptable sensitivity criterion. The majority of the multiple test strategies that met this criterion comprised an initial rule-out step, based on high-sensitivity cardiac troponin levels in a sample taken on presentation and a minimum symptom duration, and a second stage for patients not meeting the initial rule-out criteria, based on presentation levels of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin and absolute change after 1, 2 or 3 hours. Two large cluster randomised controlled trials found that implementation of an early rule-out pathway for myocardial infarction reduced length of stay and rate of hospital admission without increasing cardiac events. In the base-case analysis, standard troponin testing was both the most effective and the most costly. Other testing strategies with a sensitivity of 100% (subject to uncertainty) were almost equally effective, resulting in the same life-year and quality-adjusted life-year gain at up to four decimal places. Comparisons based on the next best alternative showed that for willingness-to-pay values below £8455 per quality-adjusted life-year, the Access High Sensitivity Troponin I (Beckman Coulter, Brea, CA, USA) [(symptoms > 3 hours AND < 4 ng/l at 0 hours) OR (< 5 ng/l AND Δ < 5 ng/l at 0 to 2 hours)] would be cost-effective. For thresholds between £8455 and £20,190 per quality-adjusted life-year, the Elecsys® Troponin-T high sensitive (Roche, Basel, Switzerland) (< 12 ng/l at 0 hours AND Δ < 3 ng/l at 0 to 1 hours) would be cost-effective. For a threshold > £20,190 per quality-adjusted life-year, the Dimension Vista® High-Sensitivity Troponin I (Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany) (< 5 ng/l at 0 hours AND Δ < 2 ng/l at 0 to 1 hours) would be cost-effective. Conclusions High-sensitivity cardiac troponin testing may be cost-effective compared with standard troponin testing. Study registration This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42019154716. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Evidence Synthesis programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 25, No. 33. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Rauterkus, Grant, Albert Jang, Ellen B. Jaeger, Alex Lieberman, Issabelle P. Sussman, Minqi Huang, Charlotte Manogue, et al. "Screening detects clinically significant hearing loss in patients with GU malignancies." Journal of Clinical Oncology 40, no. 16_suppl (June 1, 2022): e18624-e18624. http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.e18624.
Full textAbstract:
e18624 Background: Four in 10 people aged 60-69 have hearing loss in frequencies that mediate speech comprehension. Untreated losses undermine medication adherence, increase risk for accidental injury, and generate higher total healthcare expenditures. Genitourinary (GU) malignancies are most frequently diagnosed in people over 60, and these patients are commonly exposed to ototoxic treatments like platinum-based chemotherapy. We hypothesized that a significant number of GU patients would fail hearing screenings at levels reflecting clinically significant hearing loss. Methods: This is a prospective, two-cohort pilot study conducted at Tulane Medical Center. Consecutive patients with active GU malignancies who did not use hearing aids were enrolled in cohort A. The primary objective of cohort A (screening) was to determine the prevalence of hearing loss among GU patients. Cohort B (interventional) will investigate the efficacy of a non-custom amplifier in improving communication for patients with hearing loss. The hearing screening consisted of a 9-item Self-Assessment of Communication (SAC) and a 25 decibel (dB) pure tone hearing screening at 1 kHz, 2 kHz, 4 kHz via an Earscan3 portable audiometer with headphones in a quiet exam room. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who failed the hearing screening (missed ≥ 2/6 tones). The SAC generates a global handicap score (none, slight, mild-to-moderate, severe). Surveys identifying any amount of handicap were considered positive. Patients who failed screenings were offered referrals to audiology. Here, we present results from cohort A. Results: From 8/21 to 1/22, 66 patients were invited to participate. Nine patients screen-failed (n = 8 hearing aids; n = 1 uninterested). Cohort A enrolled 57 patients [median age 68 (33-86); 91% men; 60% prostate, 24% kidney and 14% bladder cancer]. Most patients (82%) had evidence of metastatic disease and 12%, 19%, 36%, 21% of patients were receiving chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, and no active therapy, respectively. Twenty (35%) patients had prior exposure to neurotoxic chemotherapy. Forty patients (70%) met the primary endpoint. Compared to the pure tone screening, the SAC had a specificity of 94%, and a sensitivity of 40%. The SAC asks patients for a situation where they want to hear better; 61% of patients who volunteered a scenario (17/28) identified a complex listening environment like an outpatient encounter. A minority of patients (n = 3) accepted audiology referrals after failing screenings. Cohort B is actively enrolling. Conclusions: Clinically significant hearing loss was prevalent among patients with GU malignancies. Patients reported struggling in listening situations with auditory demands like outpatient encounters but were unable to self-identify losses and did not pursue audiology referrals after failed screenings. Interventional studies addressing this unmet need are warranted.