Purpose. The aim of that study was to assess hernia dimensions in patients with and without gastroesophageal mucosal prolapse (GEMP) diagnosed during endoscopy. Additionally we analyzed the type and prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms reported by patients to confirm the observation that GEMP symptoms differ from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms.\nMethods. One-hundred and twenty patients were included in this study. All of the patients were diagnosed with a hiatal hernia during routine gastroscopy. Using standardized methodology the region of the hiatal hernia was photographed, and hernia longitudinal and transverse dimensions were measured.\nResults. The study group comprised 57 females (52.5%) and 63 males - mean age (SD) 58.5±18.4. Most of the patients had standard GERD symptoms (n=96; 80%). The average length of hiatus hiatus, in patients with GEMP (n=24; 20%) was 3.56±0.59 cm, and the average width was 2.32±0.62 cm (n=96; 80%) vs. 4.64±0.74 cm and 2.98±0.68 cm respectively in patients without GEMP (p<0.001).\nConclusions. GEMP occurs in smaller sized hiatal hernias. We confirmed that disease symptoms of the majority of patients with GEMP differ from patient with GERD but without GEMP. However this difference was not significant enough to allow to differentiate between diagnoses based solely on the symptoms.
In this paper we derive new formulas for the number of spanning trees of a specific family of graphs such as: Gear graphs, Flower graph , Sun graph and Sphere graph, using techniques from linear algebra, Chebyshev polynomials and matrix theory.
Despite of clinical treatments, hepatocelllular carcinoma is one of the most common causes of cancer death. We tested whether licofelone, inhibitor of both cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism, changes the survival rate and induces apoptosis in a hepatoma cell line (H4IIE). We determined in vitro survival rate with MTT and apoptosis with flow cytometry. The treatment with 10 µM licofelone for 24 hr did not influence hepatoma cell survival however, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 µM licofelone treatments reduced the number of living cells by 11 %, 13 %, 34 %, 72 % and 83 %, respectively. Licofelone applications for 48 hr showed, even 10 µM, decreases of cell survival about 11 %, 18 % , 26 %, 57 %, 85 % and 87 %, respectively. This study revealed that licofelone possesses a strong dose and time dependent antiproliferative and apoptotic properties on hepatoma cells.
This study investigates the role of exchange rate, market size and human capital for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). In this regard, time series data on annual basis has been collected for the period 1985–2010 and an Augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) and Phillips–Perron (PP) unit root tests are utilized to determine the stationarity of the variables. An autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach to co-integration was applied as all the variables in the model are first level stationary, e.g. I(1). The empirical findings of this study confirm the long run relationship among the variables. However, market size and human capital have strong positive and significant impact – in short- and long-run – for attracting FDI but exchange rate shows negative impact in this regard. The coefficient ECM is negative and significant, which means that it converges towards equilibrium. CUSUM and CUSUMSQ tests were utilized to test the model’s stability and the plots of each test did not cross the lines of critical value, which indicates the stability of the estimated parameters and this model can be used by Pakistan in policy and decision making. For achieving higher economic growth and economies of scale, the country should concentrate on the ingredients of this study so that it could attract more FDI as compared to the other countries.\n\nKeywords: Exchange Rate, Market Size, Human Capital, FDI, ARDL, ECM, CUSUM and CUSUMSQ Tests, Pakistan
This qualitative study was conducted to examine whether pre-service English language teachers reflect a solidly grounded methodological knowledge on their classroom actions when they teach during their teaching practice courses. The participants were pre-service EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teachers studying their last semester at a Turkish public university and teaching as student-teachers at different public schools. The data were collected through classroom observations and interviews. Results of the study indicated that there are some areas of teaching for which pre-service teachers could not always make solidly grounded methodological explanations. It was concluded that the language teacher education programs should provide teacher candidates with opportunities to connect personal practical knowledge to theoretical and empirical knowledge, to make self-reflections that contextualize teaching knowledge; and to explore the role of emotions and beliefs in the teaching and learning process.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether organizational justice has any effect on school managers’ job satisfaction. The study group was 116 school managers (assistant principals). This research was conducted using descriptive survey model in the form of implementing a survey to determine the current status. Within the scope of the study, Organizational Justice Scale, which was developed by Donovan et al. and validity and reliability study of which was conducted by Wasti (2001), was used to measure the respondents\' perceived organizational justice, while Minnesota Job Satisfaction Scale was used to determine their levels of job satisfaction. In the analysis of data; besides descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine the effect of organizational justice on school managers’ job satisfaction. As a result of the study, the school managers\' perceived organizational justice was found to be below moderate level. However, the school managers’ job satisfaction levels were determined to be usually moderate in all dimensions. Lastly, the effect of organizational justice on school managers\' job satisfaction was studied by multiple regression analysis. As a result of the analyses, organizational justice dimensions were found to have no significant effect on job satisfaction.
Abstract\nIntroduction\nThe purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy and reliability of linear measurements of the NewTom5G cone beam computed tomography in centric and different positions of the mandible.\nMethods \nAlveolar bones of 4 human dry mandibles were marked with gutta-percha markers. The measurements (buccolingual, mesiodistal and height) were performed in 5 region of each mandible with a digital caliper. The mandibles were scanned by using NewTom5G cone beam CT in centric, rotation, tilt, forward and backward positions of mandible. The difference between the mean digital caliper measurements and radiographic measurements was estimated.\nResults\nThe interobserver and intraobserver correlations were 0.99 (P<0.001) for physical and radiographic measurements. The mean differences between the physical and radiographic measurements were below 0.2mm. There were significant differences between physical and radiographic measurements in the deviated positions (P<0.05); although the results were not clinically significant.\nConclusions \nThe accuracy and reliability of the linear measurements of the NewTom5G cone beam CT unit in the various positions of mandible was statistically significant; however, the differences were not considered clinically significant.\nKeywords: cone beam computed tomography, linear measurements, reliability of results
With an attempt to prolong the residence time of the ginger extract within the gastro-intestinal content, its floating tablets were prepared by using hydrophilic polymers such as hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC E15) and Carbopol 934. Six batches of floating tablets were prepared using HPMC E15 (F1-F3) and Carbopol 934 (F4-F6). All the tablets were evaluated for thickness, diameter, hardness, friability and drug content. Among the all batches, F3 and F6 showed a significant increase in release of ginger extract in sustained release manner. F3 and F6 showed 66.4 % and 62.4 % release of ginger extract after 8 h, respectively. Further, F3 and F6 optimized tablets were subjected to gastric ulcer activity. A highly significant (p˂0.05) antiulcer activity of the optimized treatments were evidenced by lowest ulcer index scores of 2.89 ± 0.12 and 2.27 ± 0.12 for F3 and F6 tablets, respectively.
Autologous fat transplant is recommended for a variety of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures like post-traumatic defects of the body, involutional disorders, lip and facial augmentation and wrinkle therapy. This mini-review describes the lipostructure technique, and the results of the authors regarding adipose tissue transfer in view of soft tissue correction. The ideal site for fat harvesting is the lower abdomen area. Adipose tissue is more than a simple biomaterial, being also an abundant and accessible source of mesenchymal stem cells. Advantages and drawbacks of such biological materials are briefly discussed. Over time, fat tissue has proven to be the best filling material, because it is autologous and natural. Moreover, our experience in the field is mentioned. Since it represents the future in the plastic and corrective surgery, such perspectives are taken into consideration.
Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP) is a well-studied problem in the combinatorial optimization area. But the most computationally complex combinatorial optimization problems are the Multiple travelling salesman problem (mTSP) which is an extension of the former. This problem related to accommodating real world problems where there was a need to account for more than one salesman. This paper involved the application of heuristic methods to solve 180 cities, 6 traveling salesman problem to minimize the distance of the tours. A k-means clustering algorithm was used to transform a m-TSP to a TSP. Once the clustering had been done Genetic Algorithm were applied to the cluster and iterated to obtain the most optimal value of the distance after convergence takes place. Now every cluster was again solved as a TSP by applying the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm to determine the optimal distance value. After the application of both the heuristic techniques, it was found that the Ant Colony Optimization algorithm gave a better result and a more optimal tour than Genetic Algorithm due to the extensive search and constructive nature of the algorithm.
Objective\nMucociliary transport (MCT) is the respiratory tract’s defense mechanism. One of the major factors that affect MCT velocity is ciliary activity of the respiratory epithelium. The most commonly used technique for evaluating mucociliary transport is nasal rhinoscintigraphy. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of facial paralysis on nasal MCT velocity via comparison of MCT velocity on the paralyzed and non-paralyzed sides in patients with facial paralysis and in controls. \n \nMaterials and Methods\nThis study included 38 patients diagnosed as Bell’s palsy and 10 controls with a negative history of paranasal sinus disease and facial paralysis. A technetium 99m-labeled macroaggregated albumin (Tc-99m MAA) drop was placed behind the head of the inferior turbinate and observed using a gamma camera. Nasal MCT velocity was measured as the velocity of the Tc-99 m MAA droplet. \n\nResults\nMean MCT velocity on both sides was 4.27-± 0.76 mm min–1 in the control group, versus 4.11 ± 2.91 mm min–1 on the paralyzed side and 6.03 ± 3.13 mm min–1 on the non-paralyzed side in the patient group. MCT velocity did not differ significantly difference between the control group (both sides) and the paralyzed side in the patient group, whereas MCT velocity was significantly higher on the non-paralyzed side in the patient group than on both sides in the control group. \n\nConclusions\nAs compared to the control group, MCT velocity was lower on the paralyzed side in the patients, but was higher on the non-paralyzed side. A compensatory mechanism might have played a role in the higher MCT velocity observed in the patient group on the non-paralyzed side. The effect of facial paralysis on MCT and changes in facial nerve function on the non-paralyzed side could be shown with the studies done with the patients that the facial nerve affected at the different levels and with the broader population.\n\nKeywords\nBell’s palsy, mucociliary transport, rhinoscintigraphy
This article studies the Kazakh famine of the 1930s through the lens of the Stalin government’s economic policy. Existent scholarship views it more as a genocide that affected the Kazakh people considerably more than any economic catastrophe. Despite the opinion that the Kazakh famine does not correspond to genocide, this article shares the latest research that shows that even the history of the U.N. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948) had a political background. The article investigates the economic principles that demanded starvation of Kazakh people because the authors feel that Stalin deliberately implemented a policy that was incorrect: in its theoretical approach and it did not take into account the national and traditional economic relations. When one looks at the Russian economic landscape of the time, one needs to consider facts, such as, the existent nomadic and semi-nomadic economy, visualize the Kazakh Steppes as the area that produced a small quantity of grain, the forced and rapid sedentarization which was managed rapidly without the previous preparation, and the killing and dekulakization of more skilled, effective and rich peasants who might help their poorest relatives to overcome the crisis and survive.
The transportation industry is fairly large, and it makes a significant impact on today’s globalized world. Every industry, large and small, is bound to use transportation facilities or logistics. The main problems for logistics operations are the optimization of cost, time, distance traveled, back orders and surpluses. The interests of cost and time typically conflict, as the minimization of one implies an increase in the other. This study is directed toward cost minimization and fleet optimization of a hypothetical case for which artificial intelligence heuristics are used, taking into account all possible costs involved in a chemical industry transportation scenario. We use an integrated model for chemical transportation via small drums with empty container distribution included within it. We solve this integrated model using LPSOLVE and genetic algorithm and compare the results.
In this study, a positive pneumatic conveyor was design and manufactured to investigate the effects of the inlet section angles on the performance parameters (collection efficiency and pressure drop), the collection efficiencies and pressure drop of these cyclones were studied by experiments. The results indicate that the inlet section angle can make the flow field in the cyclone be propitious for the tapioca flour particle collection, and improve the collection performance effectively. At the same inlet velocity, with increasing the inlet section angle, both total collection efficiencies increase while the pressure drop reduce greatly. Combining the change tendency of the collection efficiency and the pressure drop, a conclusion can be obtained, i.e., the optimal angle should be 45° for the range of the inlet section angle in this study.
The present study aimed at recognizing thinking and learning styles and their relations to hemispheres in students of Taibah University in Medina, Saudi Arabia. The study sample consisted of 343 male and female students at the University of Taibah in the following fields (Arabic language, English language, special education, Art education, physical education and sports sciences) and students\' ages ranged between 18-22 years. The average chronological age of the total sample is (21.11) and the standard deviation is of (1.05). The researcher used the revised inventory of learning styles of Kolb and McCarthy (2005), Sternberg and Wagner’s inventory of thinking styles (1991) and a scale of the two hemispheres. It was used from information network http://www.webus.com/brain/keyforHemiTest.htm. The study revealed the following results: The most common thinking style among female and male students is the legislative style, the least common style is the global style, and the most common learning style among female and male students is the divergent style. The least common learning style among students is convergent style. There are no statistically significant differences between male and female students for patterns of hemispheres. There is no significant correlation between divergent learning style and all thinking styles. There is a significant correlation between inclusive learning style and internal and external thinking styles, while there is no correlation with the other styles. There is a significant correlation between the right hemisphere and Oligarchic and Monarchic thinkingstyles, but there is no correlation with other styles. There is no significant correlation between left hemisphere and all thinking styles. There is no significant correlation between all learning styles and right hemisphere. There is nosignificant correlation between all learning styles and left hemisphere. There are differences among students according to discipline variable in adaptive learning style, but there are no differences among students according to discipline variable in divergent, convergent and inclusive learning styles. There are differences between students of Arabic language and students of English language in favor of students of English language. There are differences between students of Arabic language and students of special education in favor of students of special education.
Fetal Sex Determination from maternal blood using nested Polymerase Chain Reaction
Food poisoning is becoming a globally feared health problem and recognized as a major health concern in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Salmonella is the most common food borne pathogen isolated from poultry, meat and humans. Salmonellosis becomes endemic and causes high morbidity with a range of clinical manifestations such as diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramp, vomiting and fever. It also contributes to significant economic loss due to the cost of surveillance investigation, treatment and prevention of illness. Salmonella species in various food samples are detected by many methods with molecular techniques such as PCR being considered the gold standard in detection of Salmonella, followed by Most Probable Number (MPN) method which uses different selective media to isolate bacteria Salmonella spp. Food safety attracts more attention from the government and public worldwide. This mini review article aims at reporting specific incidences of Salmonella as a food borne pathogen in KSA and the attempts to curb the dissemination of the pathogen to ameliorate public health and prevent disease in the kingdom.
In this paper we explore mathematical and programming models on installing Base Stations in the given territory. Optimization algorithms and math modeling have been used to solve the coverage planning problems. It is the classical problem in deployment of cellular network. Actually, to set Base Stations it is used homogeneous structure that characteristics of BS are equal. In this work we propose optimal installation of Base Stations with heterogeneous structures and minimum consumption.
The kinetics of oxidation of ascorbic acid with methylene green in presence of iodine was studied in water and aqueous methanol over a range of solvent compositions from 10% to 30% at various temperatures (298 K to 318 K) at pH 3. The reaction was studied spectrophotometrically at 657 nm. The absorption spectrum of methylene green recorded in water and aqueous methanol. The hypsochromic shift was observed that showed the rate of reaction was influenced by the polarity of medium. The rate of oxidation reaction was found to increase with the increase in concentration of iodine, concentration of ascorbic acid and temperature and is insignificantly changed with the variation in methylene green concentrations. The oxidation of ascorbic acid with methylene green is a pseudo first order reaction. The reaction is first order with respect to ascorbic acid and fractional order in methylene green. The effect of solvent polarity was studied by varying the composition of methanol and the results obtained revealed that the rate constant decreased with the decrease of the polarity of solvent. The radii of the activated state was calculated experimentally and found more closer to the single sphere model. Thermodynamic parameters such as energy of activation (Ea*), enthalpy of activation (ΔH*), free energy of activation (ΔG*), and entropy of activation (ΔS*) were also calculated.
Abstract\nThe purpose of this research is to empirically establish relationships between the Benchmarking and Competitive advantage with the product/service quality performance and purchase performance acting as moderators in the context of knowledge intensive service sectors. Benchmarking has been one of the most widely used tools of total quality management (TQM) and many studies have linked this tool to the organizational performance. But in the today’s globalized and knowledge driven economy, performance alone may not make the business sustainable. This calls for the development of the competitive advantage in business. So, the focus of this research is to study if benchmarking contributes significantly to the gaining of the competitive advantage. The research methodology adopted is Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique using partial least square method to test the empirical relationships between the study variables. The sample size was 241 responses from the managers of the knowledge intensive service sectors. The results have indicated that all the established relationships have significant influence e except for the influence of product/service quality performance on product differentiation. This reveals the fact that benchmarking can significantly contribute to the performance and enable the gaining of the competitive advantage in business. Based on the study results, implications have been drawn for the managers to improve upon their benchmarking practices so as to gain the competitive advantage in business.\nKeywords: Benchmarking, Product/service quality performance, Purchasing performance, and Competitive advantage.
