Electrocardiogram and vectorcardiogram in left ventricular hypertrophy of valvular heart disease

Several systems of criteria have been offered for the electrocardiographic diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy (1,6,7,8,11,13,14,16). None is completely satisfactory since one system errs in including too many normals and at the other end of the spectrum the other system excludes too many cases of anatomically proven left ventricular hypertrophy. However, a number of patients with proven left ventricular hypertrophy have normal electrocardiograms, or show nonspecific electrocardiographic abnormalities. It has been suggested that spatial vectrocardiogram, recorded utilizing a corrected lead system, may be more sensitive in detecting left ventricular hypertrophy than routine scalar electrocardiogram (1,3,12,15,21,28,29,30). The purpose of this study is to evaluate this contention and to establish reliable vectorcardiographic criteria of left ventricular hypertrophy

Investigation of Pre-Rectal Spacer Gel for Prostate Cancer Patients using both Photon and Proton Beam Therapy

Although remarkable strides forward are continually being made in the field of advanced radiotherapy, a clear area in which improvements must be made is that of radiation-induced rectal damage. Given the current requirement to improve outcomes for male patients diagnosed with high-risk prostate cancer, this study evaluated the impact of the SpaceOAR hydrogel treatment on members of this population receiving photon and comparing them with proton beam planning with the same treatment planning approach. As a comparative treatment planning study, the aim was to determine whether pre-rectal spacer gel with photon or proton beam therapy yielded the most effective outcomes for high-risk prostate cancer patients. In particular, the study sought to investigate the effectiveness of the hydrogel and dose volume relations of OARs with both photon and proton beam therapy, including alternative beam arrangements, to examine the potential of novel treatment options and to eliminate adverse side-effects. The findings indicated that, despite identical treatment planning approaches, the effect of the spacer gel on OAR differed between patients. This suggests that the manner in which the gel procedure was administered, and by whom, was relevant, particularly because the gel distribution varied according to the CT and MRI images. Additionally, the results demonstrated that the volume of spacer gel states between the rectum and prostate affected the dose-volume relation. Two imaging modalities, CT and MRI, were used prior to and following spacer gel insertion, and it was observed that the behaviour of and changes in the spacer gel over the treatment period informed the dose-volume relation. A 61.36% reduction in overall rectal dose was associated with hydrogel placement prior to proton beam planning, thereby suggesting that proton beam therapy is a promising intervention against localised high-risk prostate cancer. Although promising results were reported in this study regarding the status of proton beam therapy as a potential treatment modality for high-risk prostate cancer, future studies should seek to recruit a larger sample and ensure longer follow-up schedules to clarify the modality’s role. However, each of the articles included in this review found that proton beam therapy with SpaceOAR insertion is a suitable treatment approach for high-risk prostate cancer. Consideration of patient outcomes, particularly quality of life, also indicated that a relationship existed between quality of life and OAR doses, thereby emphasising the promise associated with this treatment. All in all, this study raises hypotheses that future research projects can test, and it highlights the importance of formulating novel therapeutic regimes for intervening in high-risk prostate cancer. This is particularly important because the treatment strategy examined in this study is not part of routine clinical practice in the UK

Adaptive lighting. A research on interactive lighting design and technologies. The new lighting design project LUVI

LAUREA MAGISTRAL

Arabic elements in post-tanzimat literary Turkish with special reference to Hâmİd, Fİkret, Âkİf and Gökalp

This study alms to shed light on foreign elements in language in general, and in particular Arabic elements in literary Turkish at a particular period in its history, the so-called post-Tanzimat period. (In Chapter I some basic general characteristics of language are given, and the views of linguisticians on foreign elements in language are discussed. In addition the main characteristics of the two languages are summarized, and a short survey of Arabic elements in pre-Tanzimat Turkish is given. A brief account of the Tanzimat movement in Turkish history concludes the chapter. The second chapter provides biographical background of the four authors on whose works this study is largely based. Their views on language and on Arabic elements in Turkish are given so far as these are known. In the Chapters III and IV some Arabic grammatical factors, which have no direct equivalent in Turkish, or are fundamentally different in Turkish, are discussed and their appearance in Turkish is considered. In Chapter V which is on phonetics, the general views of linguisticians are considered with particular care, as linguistics is usually based on 'spoken language' whereas this study is on 'written language'. Then Arabic elements in Turkish are analysed from the phonetic point of view. In Chapter VI word formation is considered, and the1way in which Arabic elements are used for this purpose in' I Turkish is explained. The most common foreign element in linguistics, direct borrowing, is also mentioned. Chapter VTI deals with semantics: attention is concentrated on the change in the meaning undergone by Arabic words when taken into Turkish. The final Chapter stresses the need for further research into the whole subject and the paucity of basic reference material

Understanding Levels of Prospective Science Teachers on the Nature of Science

The aim of this study is to determine whether the understandings levels of prospective science teachers on the nature of science are dependent on differences in grade level and gender. This study utilizes VOSTS scale, which was developed by Aikenhead and Ryan, and adapted by Chan in order to determine viewpoints of prospective teachers on the nature of science. Eighteen multiple-choice questions from this scale were translated and adapted into Turkish from English by researchers, who also conducted a preliminary work on the validity and reliability of the scale. The adapted scale was applied to 80 prospective science teachers, who were not included in the sample of this study and the reliability coefficient of the scale was found to be 0.81. Then the scale is applied to 201 prospective teachers who are enrolled in the science education program. The statistical analysis of the results demonstrated that while views of the prospective science teachers on nature of science are not significantly correlated with differences in grade level and gender, there were significant variations among these views. In this study, it was determined that prospective teachers had certain misconceptions on nature of science with respect to specific issues including hierarchical relationships between concepts of hypothesis, theory, law, and universal scientific method; that they relied predominantly on positivist paradigm; and that they espoused the traditional approach to science in understanding and interpreting nature of science

Transnationalization of Educational Aspirations: Evidence from China

The international migration of students has garnered a lot of attention from researchers due to its growing popularity and significance. However, the current state of research in this field is limited. On one hand, there is a scarcity of high-quality, large-scale data, and existing studies primarily focus on students who are already abroad. On the other hand, the field predominantly revolves around Bourdieusian-inspired arguments that narrowly view international education as a strategic investment by parents and a means of perpetuating social advantage. This article addresses these limitations by utilizing nationally representative survey data from China, the largest single source of international students globally. Our findings challenge the existing literature by revealing that parental aspirations to send their children abroad are more widespread across diverse social backgrounds than previously suggested. Furthermore, we observe that exposure to transnational environments amplifies aspirations for international education across various parental backgrounds and mitigates differences in aspirations based on parental education levels. We argue that these empirical patterns reflect the global standardization and diffusion of models and ideals of self, of which international education has increasingly become a part within the context of the transnationalization of higher education itself

Increased versus stable doses of inhaled corticosteroids for exacerbations of chronic asthma in adults and children.

BACKGROUND: People with asthma may experience exacerbations or "attacks" during which their symptoms worsen and additional treatment is required. Written action plans may advocate doubling the dose of inhaled steroids in the early stages of an asthma exacerbation to reduce the severity of the attack and to prevent the need for oral steroids or hospital admission. OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical effectiveness and safety of increased versus stable doses of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) as part of a patient-initiated action plan for home management of exacerbations in children and adults with persistent asthma. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register, which is derived from searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) to March 2016. We handsearched respiratory journals and meeting abstracts. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared increased versus stable doses of ICS for home management of asthma exacerbations. We included studies of children or adults with persistent asthma who were receiving daily maintenance ICS. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently selected trials, assessed quality and extracted data. We contacted authors of RCTs for additional information. MAIN RESULTS: This review update added three new studies including 419 participants to the review. In total, we identified eight RCTs, most of which were at low risk of bias, involving 1669 participants with mild to moderate asthma. We included three paediatric (n = 422) and five adult (n = 1247) studies; six were parallel-group trials and two had a cross-over design. All but one study followed participants for six months to one year. Allowed maintenance doses of ICS varied in adult and paediatric studies, as did use of concomitant medications and doses of ICS initiated during exacerbations. Investigators gave participants a study inhaler containing additional ICS or placebo to be started as part of an action plan for treatment of exacerbations.The odds of treatment failure, defined as the need for oral corticosteroids, were not significantly reduced among those randomised to increased ICS compared with those taking their usual stable maintenance dose (odds ratio (OR) 0.89, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68 to 1.18; participants = 1520; studies = 7). When we analysed only people who actually took their study inhaler for an exacerbation, we found much variation between study results but the evidence did not show a significant benefit of increasing ICS dose (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.30; participants = 766; studies = 7). The odds of having an unscheduled physician visit (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.41; participants = 931; studies = 3) or acute visit (Peto OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.24 to 3.98; participants = 450; studies = 3) were not significantly reduced by an increased versus stable dose of ICS, and evidence was insufficient to permit assessment of impact on the duration of exacerbation; our ability to draw conclusions from these outcomes was limited by the number of studies reporting these events and by the number of events included in the analyses. The odds of serious events (OR 1.69, 95% CI 0.77 to 3.71; participants = 394; studies = 2) and non-serious events, such as oral irritation, headaches and changes in appetite (OR 2.15, 95% CI 0.68 to 6.73; participants = 142; studies = 2), were neither increased nor decreased significantly by increased versus stable doses of ICS during an exacerbation. Too few studies are available to allow firm conclusions on the basis of subgroup analyses conducted to investigate the impact of age, time to treatment initiation, doses used, smoking history and the fold increase of ICS on the magnitude of effect; yet, effect size appears similar in children and adults. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence does not support increasing the dose of ICS as part of a self initiated action plan to treat exacerbations in adults and children with mild to moderate asthma. Increased ICS dose is not associated with a statistically significant reduction in the odds of requiring rescue oral corticosteroids for the exacerbation, or of having adverse events, compared with a stable ICS dose. Wide confidence intervals for several outcomes mean we cannot rule out possible benefits of this approach

Macro to Nano: Scaling Effects of Bi2Te3 Thermoelectric Generators for Applications in Space

For decades research and development has been committed to improving the Figure of Merit (ZT) of Bismuth Telluride (Bi2Te3) Thermoelectric Generators (TEG) and has reached its limit at ≈1. This Meta-study aims to determine if further improvements can be made when the size of TEGs decrease. To quantify the change from macro to nano scale the change in ZT, thermal and electrical conductance, Seebeck coefficient and power factor as the size of the thermoelements decrease has been investigated as well as how Wiedemann-Franz (WF) law holds on the nanoscale. This meta-study was conducted by evaluating and comparing developments in TEGs for the past three decades.    Based on theory it was expected that increases in ZT would occur as the thermoelement dimensions are reduced due to increased scattering of electrons and phonons as well as the increased density of electronic states. Increases to ZT due to these effects was not observed in experimental data due to difficulties in nanoscale production. This meta-study observed some indicators that the theory is correct in reduced thermal conduction from increased phonon and electron scattering and that phonon scattering was greater than electron scattering. Furthermore, a weak indication that WF law is not applicable on the nanoscale due to the scattering suggesting a decoupling of electrical and thermal conduction which is not achievable in macro scale TEG

Pathological and Molecular Investigations in the Aborted Fetal Lamb due to the Poxvirus

In this case, the sheeppox virus strain-induced abortion in a ewe and fetal lesions are reported. At the necropsy, pock nodules of varying sizes were seen to scatter over the skin and lungs of the fetus. Histological examination of the pock nodules from the skin and the lungs found typical sheeppox cells and cytoplasmic inclusion bodies. Immunohistochemistry to surfactant proteins (SP) and multi-cytokeratin (MCK) confirmed hyperplasia of type II cells and bronchial lining epithelium in the pock nodes. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test using skin nodules confirmed the causing agent is a Capripoxvirus. The phylogenetic comparison of the sheeppox virus (SPPV), goatpox virus (GPPV), and lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) revealed that the reason for abortion was the sheeppox virus strain

Early Compliance and Efficacy of Sublingual Immunotherapy in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis for House Dust Mites

Objectives. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has recently received much attention around the world as a treatment for allergic rhinitis. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and adverse effects of SLIT in Korean patients with allergic rhinitis caused by house dust mites. The treatment compliance and the patient satisfaction with SLIT were also assessed. Methods. The patients who were sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae and who started SLIT between November 2007 and July 2008 were included in this study. The symptom questionnaires, which included items on rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal obstruction, itchy nose, olfactory disturbance, eye discomfort and sleep disturbance, were obtained before and 6 months after SLIT. The patient satisfaction and the adverse effects were also investigated. Results. One hundred forty-two patients started SLIT and 98 of them continued SLIT for 6 months or more. Ninety-two of the 98 patients completed the questionnaires. The duration of receiving SLIT was 9.8 months on average (range, 6 to 13 months). All the symptoms of allergic rhinitis were improved with SLIT. Forty-five percent of the patients were satisfied for SLIT, while 12% were unsatisfied. The incidence of adverse effects was 12% during maintenance therapy, although it was 48% during the up-dosing phase. The drop-out rate of SLIT was 31.0%. Conclusion. The subjective symptoms were improved with SLIT in Korean patients with allergic rhinitis for house dust mites. Yet the drop out rate was high despite of the symptomatic improvement.Roder E, 2008, CLIN EXP ALLERGY, V38, P1659, DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2008.03060.xEsch RE, 2008, CURR OPIN OTOLARYNGO, V16, P260Frew AJ, 2008, NEW ENGL J MED, V358, P2259BOUSQUET J, 2008, ALLERGY S, V86, P8Eifan AO, 2007, ALLERGY, V62, P567, DOI 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2006.01301.xDunsky EH, 2006, ALLERGY, V61, P1235, DOI 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2006.01137.xAntico A, 2006, ALLERGY, V61, P1236, DOI 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2006.01155.xDahl R, 2006, J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUN, V118, P434, DOI 10.1016/j.jaci.2006.05.003Durham SR, 2006, J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUN, V117, P802, DOI 10.1016/j.jaci.2005.12.1358Passlacqua G, 2006, J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUN, V117, P946, DOI 10.1016/j.jaci.2005.12.1312Canonica GW, 2006, ALLERGY, V61, P20PASSALACQUA G, 2006, INFLAMM ALLERGY DRUG, V5, P43RIENZO VD, 2005, CLIN EXP ALLERGY, V35, P560KIM DY, 2004, KOREAN J OTOLARYNGOL, V47, P132WILSON DR, 2003, COCHRANE DB SYST REV, P2893NUHOGLU Y, 2003, J INVESTIG ALLERGOL, V17, P375Lombardi C, 2001, ALLERGY, V56, P989Guez S, 2000, ALLERGY, V55, P369, DOI 10.1034/j.1398-9995.2000.00413.xPurello-D`Ambrosio F, 1999, ALLERGY, V54, P968Pradalier A, 1999, ALLERGY, V54, P819Durham SR, 1996, J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUN, V97, P1356CASANOVAS M, 1994, J INVEST ALLERG CLIN, V4, P305