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This study aims to assess the influence of used information sources on behaviour change related to physical activity (PA). It analyses secondary data from a nationally representative cross-sectional survey conducted in 2017 among 1050 Qatari adolescents aged 13–19 years. Multivariable logistic regression accounting for survey design examined the association between the outcome (attempt to change PA) and interpersonal, online, traditional, and social media information sources. Adolescents who used information from interpersonal and online sources to attempt changing their behaviour had nine times (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.15–21.08) and nearly three times (95% CI: 1.50–4.27) higher odds of a change in PA behaviour, respectively. The estimated average marginal effects of using information from interpersonal and online sources were 46-percentage point and 16-percentage point increase in the probability of attempting PA behaviour change, respectively. Policymakers may benefit from this research in designing appropriate PA interventions that adapt multiple delivery approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrates the effect of cement dust on periodontal health among cement factory workers in Sudan. One-hundred exposed workers from Rabak Cement Factory and Algablain Quarry, besides 84 unexposed workers from Kosti River Transport Corporation were examined. The study was designed as retrospective cohort. The period of the study was three months. The exclusion and inclusion criteria were determined. A precoded pretested questionnaire was structured for collection of qualitative demographic and lifestyle characteristics. All objects were examined for the following clinical parameters: Tooth Wear (TW), Calculus (CAL), Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Probing Depth (PD), and Gingival Recession (GR). Significant differences (p < 0.05) in TW and CAL were recorded between the exposed and exposed groups. The exposed workers showed more TW (84.85%) and CAL (95.96%) than the unexposed workers (TW 46.43% and CAL 77.38%). For PI, GI, PD, and GR, no significant differences were observed. Poor utilization of protective measures was observed; the users of the exposed group represented 16.8–29.5%. Accordingly, statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in clinical variables between users and nonusers of protective measures were observed. Among those who did not use protective measures, almost all the clinical variables tended to increase. The clinical results for nonusers in the exposed group were as follows: PI 0.93–1.03, GI 1.00–1.12, PD 0.35–0.38, GR 1.42–1.51, CAL 1.29–1.40, and TW 1.83–1.99. This was also true for oral hygiene methods used; where the increase in clinical variables were associated with users of methods other than the toothbrush and Miswak (twigs of Salvadora persica tree). Interestingly, smoking was observed to have synergistic effect with cement dust exposure, which is in agreement with the current opinions in this regard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Data on childhood epilepsy in Sudan are scarce and the only published study on its prevalence was published in 1983. This study aimed to determine the current prevalence of epilepsy in school children in Khartoum State. Methods:This is an analytical population-based, cross-sectional study conducted in Khartoum State, Sudan. The study included students in the basic (primary) schools aged 6–14 years. Simple random sampling was used to draw a cluster of four of the seven localities comprising Khartoum State. The sample frame consisted of 1609 public schools (808,624 pupils) and 787 private schools (194,613 pupils), a total of 2396 schools (1,003,237 pupils). A sample size of 75 940 pupils was estimated and 250 schools were drawn from a sample frame of 2396 schools using a stratified random sampling technique. Consent was obtained from the headmaster/head teacher of the selected schools who arranged a meeting with the tutor/teacher responsible for each class. The study team asked whether any of the pupils was ever noticed or known to have had any kind of seizures, and a confidential letter was sent to the parents of each identified pupil. The letter included an explanation of the aims of the study, information on the research group and the kind of help the research group could offer; contact numbers and email addresses were made available if they wished to participate in this study. Those who consented to participate were then given an appointment at the Epilepsy Outpatient Department, Gaafar Ibnauf Children’s Hospital, Khartoum where they were evaluated by the paediatric neurologist. Results:Altogether, 74,949 pupils were enrolled for the study, 398 of whom were identified initially as having seizures and 332 of whom (83.4%) were identified by a paediatric neurologist. Of the 332, 303 (91.3%) proved to have epileptic seizures, 250 (82.5%) were known to have epilepsy, and 53 (17.5%) were newly diagnosed during the survey. The male to female ratio was 1.5:1. The total prevalence of epilepsy in Khartoum State was estimated to be 4/1000. The highest prevalence was in Jabal Awliya Locality (4.87/1000) and the lowest was in Khartoum Locality (3.35/1000). Twenty-nine (8.7%) patients proved to have non-epileptic seizures. The majority (15, 51.6%) had psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, and four (13.6%) had syncope. The majority (171, 56.43%) of patients had generalised epilepsy, 109 (35.97%) had focal epilepsy, and 23 (7.6%) had unclassified epilepsy. Conclusion:The prevalence of epilepsy in school children in Khartoum State (4/1000) is higher than that reported previously from Khartoum Province in 1983 (0.9/1000). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Child sexual abuse is a complex problem that results in detrimental effects on its victims. This study aimed to investigate the pattern of child sexual abuse in cases referred for medico-legal examination in Cairo and Giza governorates in the period between 2007–2011. The study included 813 cases of child sexual abuse. Female gender was more predominant than male gender (52.8%, 4.29 cases), and adolescents were the most frequent age group identified as victims of sexual abuse (43.8%, 356 cases). All perpetrators were male and most of them were persons outside the victims’ families (89.9%, 731 cases). It was recommended to teach and encourage children to tell their caregivers if they have been assaulted and to educate parents and caregivers on how to respond when the child discloses sexual abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper presents an analytical model for the static lateral stiffness of Wire Rope Isolators (WRI). The wire rope isolator, which is a passive isolation device, has been widely adopted as a shock and vibration isolation for many types of equipment and lightweight structures. The major advantage of the WRI is its ability to provide isolation in all three planes and in any orientation. The WRI in the lateral roll mode, is required to possess the required lateral stiffness to support and isolate the equipment effectively. The static lateral stiffness of WRI depends mainly on the geometrical characteristics and wire rope properties. The model developed in this paper is validated experimentally using a series of monotonic loading tests. The flexural rigidity of the wire ropes, which is required in the model, was determined from the transverse bending test on several wire rope cables. It was observed that the lateral stiffness is significantly influenced by the wire rope diameter and height of the isolator. The proposed analytical model can be used for the evaluation of lateral stiffness and in the preliminary design of the WRI. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Breast cancer is one of the most important diseases in females worldwide. According to the Malaysian Oncological Society, about 4% of women who are 40 years old and above are involved have breast cancer. Masses and microcalcifications are two important signs of breast cancer diagnosis on mammography. Enhancement techniques, i.e. histogram equalization, histogram stretching and median filters, were used to provide better visualization for radiologists in order to help early detection of breast abnormalities. In this research 60 digital mammogram images which includes 20 normal and 40 confirmed diagnosed cancerous cases were selected and manipulated using the mentioned techniques. The original and manipulated images were scored by three expert radiologists. Results showed that the selected methods have a positive significant effect on image quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(4-Aryl-3-cyano-6-(2-thienyl)pyridin-2-ylthio)acethydrazides (5a–c), 3-amino-4-aryl-6-(2-thienyl)thieno[2,3-b]pyridine-2-carbohydrazides (6a–c) and 3-amino-4-phenyl-6-(2-thienyl)thieno[2,3-b]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid (30) were prepared and employed as key intermediates in the synthesis of the title compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

5-Acetyl-3-amino-4-aryl-6-methylthieno[2,3-b]pyridine-2-carboxamides (1a,b) were reacted with aromatic aldehydes or with some cycloalkanones to give the corresponding tetrahydropyridothienopyrimidinone derivatives 2a-f and 4a-d. The reaction of compound 1b with urea and/or carbon disulfide has been carried out and their products were identified. Some representative compounds were screened in vitro for their antimicrobial activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

4-Aryl-3-cyano-6-(2'-thienyl)-pyridine-2(1H)-thiones (2a-c) were prepared and reacted with chloroacetonitrile or chloroacetamide to furnish 3-amino-4-aryl-6-(2'-thienyl)-thieno[2,3-b]pyridine-2-carbonitriles (4a-c) and 2-carboxamide analogs 6a-c respectively. The reaction of 4a and 6a-c with a variety of reagents namely, formamide, carbon disulfide, phenyl isothiocyanate, ethylene diamine, sodium azide, triethyl orthoformate, and nitrous acid have been carried out and their products were identified. Most of these products were subjected to further reactions to obtain the rest of the title compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine if monosialogan- glioside (GM1) can be delivered to the brain via the olfactory neural pathway (o.p.). GM1 solution was administered via the o.p. and i.v. route to rats, after which cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected. Two other formulations of GM1, GM1-lipid nanospheres (GM1-LNS) and GM1-DOTAP (a positively charged lipid) complex, were also tested. The results showed that GM1 can be delivered to the brain via the o.p. However, GM1-LNS administered i.v. delivered the highest concentrations of GM1 to the CSF; this formulation may potentially be useful in treatment of spinal cord injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study is to examine the links between measures of social learning theory, self-control theory, and general strain theory and adolescent binge drinking. Using data from the Monitoring the Future 2019 Survey 2, the results indicate support for all three of the theories. In particular, soft drug using peers, personality version of low self-control, and depression all had links with adolescent binge drinking. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed below. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]