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Background: The most popular tool for assessing children with otitis media's health-related quality of life is the Otitis Media-6 questionnaire (OM-6). The objectives were to translate and validate the OM-6 questionnaire for kids with OM and investigate the factor structure that underlies it and, also, to apply it to children with OM. Methods: The questionnaire was translated into Arabic language and cross-culturally adapted. Then the content validity of the instruments was tested by a jury of three experts in the field. The instrument was updated to reflect the suggestions, and any necessary changes were finished. Results: Two-hundred children were included. They were divided into two groups: control group, including 100 children with normal middle ear function. The second group was the study group, including 100 children with OM. The comparison of all the items of the questionnaire (symptom of inflammation, manifestations of hearing loss and speech impairment, emotional distress, activity limitations, and caregiver's concern) between the two studied groups was significant with P-value (< 0.001). Conclusion: The Arabic version of the questionnaire (OM-6A) is valid, responsive, and interpreted with high reliability. It will support patients' QoL both before and after treatment, as well as the prognosis of functional health status (FHS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To establish a link between the MERI score and post-operative anatomical and audiological gain in COM. This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in North India from April 2023 to March 2024. It involved 63 patients aged between 10 and 60 years diagnosed with chronic otitis media (COM) who were scheduled for surgery and provided informed consent. The Middle Ear Risk Index (MERI) score was calculated based on patient's pre-operative and intra-operative findings. At 3 months post-surgery, pure tone audiogram was conducted and graft uptake status was assessed using otoendoscopy. In our study, 41 (65.1%) had mild (1–3) MERI score, 17 (26.9%) had moderate (4–6) MERI score, and 5 (7.93%) had severe (7–12) MERI score. Post-operative audiograms showed statistically significant improvement in hearing threshold in patients with mild MERI scores than in patients with moderate and severe MERI score. Graft uptake rates were highest in mild cases (78%), compared to moderate (76%) and severe (60%) MERI scores, with a statistically significant difference observed (p < 0.05). We could conclude from our study that patients with lower MERI scores had better outcome in terms of graft acceptance and hearing improvement. Thus, MERI score can be a simple and effective tool to predict the outcome of surgery in patients of COM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dissemination of β-lactamases production by bacteria is worldwide problem, this study aimed to detection of β-lactamase and multidrug resistant patterns in aerobic bacteria that causes otitis media, ear swabs collected from 53 patients attending Al-Haboubi hospital in Al-Nasiriyah city during year 2019. The study found 46 out of53 ear swabs gave positive culture that distributed to 29 (90.6%) female and 18 (8.7% male. The age group ˃50 year was the higher (12 (25.5 %)) infected with otitis media, it appeared that patients with a chronic otitis media (COM) were more (32 (68.1%) that than in acute otitis media (AOM) that registered 15 (31.9%). AOM appeared with a higher rate (100%) in age group (1-10) year, while the largest age group affect by COM was the age group ˃50 year. Fifty-five bacterial isolates distributed to 39 (70.9%) isolated from COM and 16 (29.1%0 from AOM, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was predominant bacteria (18(32.7%)) among other aerobic bacteria. The most antibiotic which resistant by isolates was erythromycin, with a total resistance 89.1%, while amikacin was the most effective with 98.2% of sensitivity. The total number of isolates that produced β-lactamases enzymes reached 49 (89%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ranked first among these isolates, as 17(34.6%) isolates were recorded, 43 (78.2%) of isolates had multidrug resistance, the most frequency bacteria with MDR were Proteus. spp, E. coli, Enterobacter spp. and Klebsiella spp, it registered 100%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The most popular tool for assessing children with otitis media’s health-related quality of life is the Otitis Media-6 questionnaire (OM-6). The objectives were to translate and validate the OM-6 questionnaire for kids with OM and investigate the factor structure that underlies it and, also, to apply it to children with OM. Methods The questionnaire was translated into Arabic language and cross-culturally adapted. Then the content validity of the instruments was tested by a jury of three experts in the field. The instrument was updated to reflect the suggestions, and any necessary changes were finished. Results Two-hundred children were included. They were divided into two groups: control group, including 100 children with normal middle ear function. The second group was the study group, including 100 children with OM. The comparison of all the items of the questionnaire (symptom of inflammation, manifestations of hearing loss and speech impairment, emotional distress, activity limitations, and caregiver’s concern) between the two studied groups was significant with P-value (

Behavioral malware detection is based on attributing malicious actions to processes. Malicious processes may try to hide by changing the behavior of other benign processes to achieve their goals. We showcase how Component Object Model (COM) and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) can be used to create such spoofing attacks. We discuss the internals of COM and WMI and Asynchronous Local Procedure Call (ALPC). We present multiple functional monitoring techniques to identify the spoofing and discuss the strong and weak points of each technique. We create a robust process monitoring system that can correctly identify the source of malicious actions spoofed via COM, WMI and ALPC with a low performance impact. Finally, we discuss how malicious actors use COM, WMI and ALPC by examining real-world malware detected by our monitoring system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The autonomous control of landing procedures can provide the efficiency and precision that are vital for the successful, safe completion of space operations missions. Controlling a lander with this precision is challenging because the propellants, which will be expended during the operations, represent a significant fraction of the lander's mass. The mass variation of each tank profoundly influences the inertia and mass characteristics as thrust is generated and complicates the precise control of the lander state. This factor is a crucial consideration in our research and methodology. The dynamics model for our lander was developed where the mass, inertia, and center of mass (COM) vary with time. A feed-forward neural network (NN) is incorporated into the dynamics to capture the time-varying inertia tensor and COM. Moreover, the propellant takes time to travel through the feed lines from the storage tanks to the engine; also, the solenoid valves require time to open and close. Therefore, there are time delays between the actuator and the engine response. To take into account these sources of variations, a combined time delay is also included in the control loop to evaluate the effect of delays by fluid and mechanisms on the performance of the controller. The time delay is estimated numerically by a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model. As part of the lander's control mechanism, a thrust vector control (TVC) with two rotational gimbals and a reaction control system (RCS) are incorporated into the dynamics. Simple proportional, integral, and derivative (PID) controllers are designed to control the thrust, the gimbal angles of the TVC, and the torque required by the RCS to manipulate the lander's rotation and altitude. A complex mission with several numerical examples is presented to verify the hover and rotational motion control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The next generation of autonomous-legged robots will herald a new era in the fields of manufacturing, healthcare, terrain exploration, and surveillance. We can expect significant progress in a number of industries, including inspection, search and rescue, elderly care, workplace safety, and nuclear decommissioning. Advanced legged robots are built with a state-of-the-art architecture that makes use of stereo vision and inertial measurement data to navigate unfamiliar and challenging terrains. However, designing controllers for these robots is a difficult task due to a number of factors, including dynamic terrains, tracking delays, inaccurate 3D maps, unforeseen events, and sensor calibration issues. To address these challenges, this paper discusses the current methods for controlling autonomous-legged robots. Our primary contribution is comparative research on robot control strategies such as virtual model control (VMC), model predictive control (MPC), and model-free reinforcement learning (RL). This paper provides information on different strategies for controlling autonomous legged robots and discusses the potential advancements and applications of this technology in the future. The aim of this study is to assist future researchers in making informed decisions on the selection of optimal control strategies and innovative concepts when developing and working with legged robots.

Otitis media is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the middle ear, which includes mastoid air cells, the middle ear cavity, the Eustachian tube, and the mastoid antrum. Otitis media can be either acute, less than six weeks, or chronic, which lasts for more than six weeks. Recurrent otitis media refers to three episodes of the disease occurring within six months or four episodes within one year. There are many risk factors for otitis media among children; however, some of such factors may vary based on the type of otitis media. To highlight the risk factors of chronic and recurrent otitis media in pediatrics. Scientific databases were used to search for articles related to our objective. Various terms were used for the search process. The types of articles included in our review were original articles, review articles, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews written in the English language and concerned with our subject. The topic was discussed under four main titles; the first overviewed the prevalence and risk factors of otitis media, the second title discussed chronic otitis media and its risk factors, the third title discussed recurrent otitis media and its risk factors, and the last title discussed the risk factors of both chronic and recurrent otitis media. There are various risk factors for chronic and recurrent otitis media, and they include allergy, passive smoking, male gender, and snoring. Also, genetics may have a common role, but this needs further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neste artigo, pergunta-se sobre como o nosso mundo faz ou é sentido ainda hoje, sempre e novamente. Essa é a pergunta a que Nancy tenta responder ininterruptamente, ao longo de toda a sua pesquisa. A partir da falta de um fora ou de um Outro, como criador ou princípio abstrato com o qual nos relacionamos, veremos como o mundo não tem mais sentido, mas, enquanto existimos, ele é sentido. Nenhum sentido a ser doado ou espalhado, mas temos que mudar a gramática desse sentido que não se exprime mais com o verbo “ter”, mas sim com o verbo “ser”. “Mudar o sentido do sentido”, com a passagem do verbo “ter” ao verbo “ser”, implica não apenas uma nova relação com o mundo, mas uma nova concepção da práxis, na qual é o agente da operação que muda e não a obra. É necessário um pensamento do mundo que, dessa forma, se torne inseparável da sua práxis, porque, desde sempre, exposto e ex-crito no mundo.

An atomic-scale mechanism of T Cell Receptor (TCR) mechanosensing of peptides in the binding groove of the peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) may inform the design of novel TCRs for immunotherapies. Using steered molecular dynamics simulations, our study demonstrates that mutations to peptides in the binding groove of the pMHC - which are known to discretely alter the T cell response to an antigen - alter the MHC conformation at equilibrium. This subsequently impacts the overall strength (duration and length) of the TCR-pMHC bond under constant load. Moreover, physiochemical features of the TCR-pMHC dynamic bond strength, such as hydrogen bonds and Lennard-Jones contacts, correlate with the immunogenic response elicited by the specific peptide in the MHC groove. Thus, formation of transient TCR-pMHC bonds is characteristic of immunogenic peptides, and steered molecular dynamics simulations can be used in the overall design strategy of TCRs for immunotherapies.

Behavioral malware detection is based on attributing malicious actions to processes. Malicious processes may try to hide by changing the behavior of other benign processes to achieve their goals. We showcase how Component Object Model (COM) and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) can be used to create such spoofing attacks. We discuss the internals of COM and WMI and Asynchronous Local Procedure Call (ALPC). We present multiple functional monitoring techniques to identify the spoofing and discuss the strong and weak points of each technique. We create a robust process monitoring system that can correctly identify the source of malicious actions spoofed via COM, WMI and ALPC with a low performance impact. Finally, we discuss how malicious actors use COM, WMI and ALPC by examining real-world malware detected by our monitoring system.

Recently, much attention has been paid to the convenience and accessibility of software products, websites, mobile applications, etc. It increases interest in user-oriented product design and UX design. When developing digital products, designers use a spe cial pool of tools that allow to conduct empirical studies of user experience and model scenarios for the use of software products and services. Such methods and tools as interviews, observation, customer journey mapping (CJM), Persona Frameworks, User Stories, and heatmap have become widespread. Each of them allows to identify problematic areas of a software product or ser vice application, determine the directions of its update so that it fully satisfies users’ needs. It also solves key business tasks. The purpose of the study is to analyze and identify ways to improve the web portal based on usability testing. The official website for posting information on the preparation of draft regulatory legal acts by federal executive authorities and the results of its public discussion (https://regulation.gov.ru) has been taken as the object of the research. The portal plays a significant role in the tasks of ensuring transparency of normative activities in the field of public administration. In this regard, monitoring the effectiveness of the portal and availability of information for a wide audience on it is an urgent task. The study uses usability testing methods, decision-making interview, user feedback matrix, CJM, HotJar, SpyWord, and SemRush as tools of the research. The article describes the features of usability testing. It draws conclusions about possible directions of the portal modernization in order to achieve its convenience for a wide audience. As a result, a number of specific proposals have been formulated.

Calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM), the most important crystal causing kidney stone disease, upregulates lamin A/C but downregulates zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in renal tubular cells. While roles for F-actin and α-tubulin and their association with ZO-1 are known to regulate COM-mediated tight junction (TJ) disruption, roles of lamin A/C and its interplay with ZO-1 in COM kidney stone model remain unclear and are thus the objectives of this study. Lamin A/C was knocked down in MDCK cells by silencing RNA specific for LMNA (siLMNA). Both wild-type (WT) and siLMNA cells were treated with COM for 48-h compared with the untreated (control) cells. Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining revealed upregulated lamin A/C and downregulated ZO-1 in the COM-treated WT cells. siLMNA successfully reduced lamin A/C expression in both control and COM-treated cells. Nonetheless, siLMNA did not reverse the effect of COM on the decreases in ZO-1 and transepithelial resistance, but further reduced their levels in both control and COM-treated cells. Protein-protein interaction analysis demonstrated that two cytoskeletal proteins (actin and tubulin) served as the linkers to connect lamin A/C with ZO-1 and occludin (both of which are the TJ proteins). Altogether, these data implicate that lamin A/C and ZO-1 are indirectly associated to control TJ function, and ZO-1 expression is regulated by lamin A/C. Moreover, COM-induced upregulation of lamin A/C most likely serves as a compensatory mechanism to cope with the downregulation of ZO-1 during COM-mediated TJ disruption.

The treatment of persistent tympanic membrane perforation is tympanoplasty. Presence of perforation in the anterior annulus of the patients undergoing tympanoplasty surgery is a commonly encountered problem in the postoperative period. In this study, we investigated the effects of supporting anterior tympanomeatal angle with a secondary layer of temporal muscle fascia graft in the patients undergoing type 1 tympanoplasty on postoperative hearing outcomes and early graft success. Twenty-seven patients from our clinic who underwent surgery due to chronic otitis media (COM) and whose anterior tympanomeatal angles were supported with temporal muscle fascia graft as a secondary layer were included in the study. Twelve of the patients were male and 15 of them were female. The mean age of the patients was 43,1 years. The data obtained with retrospective investigations of the patient files were statistically analyzed. Audiological results of 27 patients were obtained in the postoperative 3rd month and were compared with the preoperative results. Preoperative pure tone average of bone-conduction and air conduction were 14,68 ± 7,08 dB and 41,63 ± 9,83 dB, respectively. Postoperative pure tone averages of bone-conduction and air conduction were determined to be 15,02 ± 6,40 dB and 26,38 ± 12,79 dB, respectively. The grafts of all patients were intact at the postoperative 3rd month. We can describe the technique we used as modified sandwich tympanoplasty. In this study we found that in patients that undergoing type 1 tympanoplasty, supporting the anterior tympanomeatal angle with temporal muscle fascia graft as a secondary layer is successful in terms of hearing outcomes and graft success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The autonomous control of landing procedures can provide the efficiency and precision that are vital for the successful, safe completion of space operations missions. Controlling a lander with this precision is challenging because the propellants, which will be expended during the operations, represent a significant fraction of the lander’s mass. The mass variation of each tank profoundly influences the inertia and mass characteristics as thrust is generated and complicates the precise control of the lander state. This factor is a crucial consideration in our research and methodology. The dynamics model for our lander was developed where the mass, inertia, and center of mass (COM) vary with time. A feed-forward neural network (NN) is incorporated into the dynamics to capture the time-varying inertia tensor and COM. Moreover, the propellant takes time to travel through the feed lines from the storage tanks to the engine; also, the solenoid valves require time to open and close. Therefore, there are time delays between the actuator and the engine response. To take into account these sources of variations, a combined time delay is also included in the control loop to evaluate the effect of delays by fluid and mechanisms on the performance of the controller. The time delay is estimated numerically by a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model. As part of the lander’s control mechanism, a thrust vector control (TVC) with two rotational gimbals and a reaction control system (RCS) are incorporated into the dynamics. Simple proportional, integral, and derivative (PID) controllers are designed to control the thrust, the gimbal angles of the TVC, and the torque required by the RCS to manipulate the lander’s rotation and altitude. A complex mission with several numerical examples is presented to verify the hover and rotational motion control.

Sigmoid sinus and transverse sinus thrombosis may occur as intracranial complications of chronic otitis media. Central venous sinus thrombosis typically presents with picket fence fever along with otalgia, otorrhea, and altered mental status. CT and MRI are investigations of choice for diagnosis. Once diagnosed, one should be started on empiric antibiotics. The use of anticoagulants has been debatable. From a surgical point of view, the current trend is to perform a mastoidectomy with the removal of inflammatory tissue from the sinus walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic otits media (COM) is surgically treatable disease which includes complete removal of disease and improving hearing via ossicular reconstruction. Therefore, thorough assessment of the disease, ossicles and various factors causing it plays a major role in surgical outcome prediction. MERI (Middle ear risk index) is one such tool being used worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate the surgical outcome of tympanomastoid surgery using MERI and find out correlation between them as well as categorize cases into their severity score in a developing country. Observational prospective study conducted in a tertiary care center. 200 patients were included. After complete history and examination, they were given MERI scores and prediction of surgical outcome was done. Postoperatively it was compared with the real outcome of the surgery. Out of 200 patients, 71.5% had mild, 15.5% had moderate and 13% had severe MERI scores preoperatively. There was a success rate of 88.5% in graft uptake and the mean score of hearing benefit (A-B gain) among patients was 8.75 ± 8.82 dB postoperatively. MERI may be used as a prognostic indicator for predicting surgical outcome. Based on the MERI score, chances of surgical success and hearing benefit can be explained to the patient with certain limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liana species is a well-growing plant with moderate humidity and moderate temperatures. Therefore, in the conditions of Uzbekistan, some species are most common. As with other ornamental plants, different ways of propagation of lianas have been developed, and it is important to study in which environment the methods are effective. Liana species reproduce using cuttings and seeds. The positive effect of lianas on Urban Environmental Quality (reducing the concentration of dust in the air, reducing noise intensity, cleaning the air from gasoline vapors, mastering carbon dioxide, etc.) is directly related to its environmental sustainability, which in particular manifests itself in maintaining optimal gas balance, maintaining improved radiation, heat and acoustic regimes. It is known that the sanitary and hygienic role of greened urban areas in conditions of increased man-made pressure is a means of eliminating the harmful effects of man-made pollution on urban residents. During the study, 12 species of perennial lianas recommended for landscaping the city were studied.

A variety of underlying pathologies can cause chronic otitis media (COM) including an episode of acute otitis media that results in perforation of the ear drum and does not settle for 3 months; a recurrent episode of acute otitis media in an ear with a perforation from a previous episode of acute otitis media; or an ear with a persistent perforation with active chronic otitis media with metaplastic changes to the mucosa of the middle ear and mastoid air cell system. Patients with COM mucosal who presented to ENT OPD, hospital who satisfy the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. Detailed history, general and ENT examination was done including otoendoscopy and tuning fork tests. Each patient underwent routine blood investigation and pure tone audiometry (PTA). There were 2 (12%) graft rejection in medial group and 1 (7.69%) graft rejection in lateral group. Graft was in situ in 88% in medial group and 92.31% in lateral group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic otitis media (COM) is a persistent inflammation of the middle ear. COM often requires surgical management and represents one of the most disabling pathologies in the field of otolaryngology, not only due to hearing loss but also because recurrent otorrhea seriously affects the quality of life (QoL) of patients. The COMOT-15 questionnaire is a reliable, valid and sensitive tool for measuring the QoL of patients with COM. The aim of this study was to evaluate QoL by using the Italian version of the COMOT-15 in COM patients undergoing surgery based on age and different operation techniques. This observational retrospective study involved fifty-two consecutive patients undergoing surgical treatment for COM according to Nadol criteria. Preoperatively (T0) and 12 months after surgery (T1) patients underwent clinical examination, imaging, the Italian version of the COMOT-15 and pure tone audiometry. After surgery, we observed an improvement of QoL in 84.6% of the population. The COMOT-15 overall score, ear symptoms and hearing subscores showed significantly better ratings after surgery in the whole analyzed group. However, the separate analysis of patients operated with open techniques and closed techniques showed a significant improvement in ear symptoms subscore in both groups and a significant improvement in hearing subscore and mental health subscore only in patients operated on with closed techniques. Moreover, we observed a positive correlation between age and Δ-COMOT. This study shows the crucial role of a reliable and suitable questionnaire such as the COMOT-15 in evaluating COM patients, including clinical symptoms, functional and psychological impairments and highlighting a positive correlation between age and COMOT-15 results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The findings described in this paper could be treated as recommendations in a physical therapy program for DMD patients that focus on defining conditions along with the weight (light or heavy) that could give better muscle response in rehabilitation of DMD patients. (1) Background: This study presents a new method for the motion quantitative analysis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients (DMD) performing functional tasks in clinical conditions. (2) Methods: An experimental study was designed to define how different levels of external mass (light and heavy) influence the performance of the upper limbs of a tested DMD and reference subject (RS) during horizontal movements (level of the waist) under natural conditions (NC) and passive manipulator conditions (PMC); the kinematic data and muscle activity of four chosen superficial muscles (EMG) were recorded. (3) Results: A piecewise linear multi-regression analysis revealed high statistically significant results (R2 ≥ 0.75) between the tested muscle activities and kinematic data in the tested DMD patient and RS. These results were used to define whether the neural control of the four tested muscles (processed EMG data) was correlated more with the displacement of the wrist joint or the center of mass of the tested upper limb while performing functional tests with a given external weight in a horizontal plane under NC or PMC. (4) Conclusions: The proposed approach can be used to estimate the contributions of the tested muscles to patients' motion performance and define whether this contribution is correlated with the kinematics or dynamics of the tested arm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Comparative results of calculation and measurement of the frequency responses of the surface acoustic waves filter on a piezoelectric substrate of 64°YX-cut lithium niobate and delay line on a piezoelectric substrate of 128°YX-cut lithium niobate is presented. The calculation was performed on the basis of two approaches—the finite element method in the COMSOL Multiphysics software and using the model of coupling of modes based on P-matrices. A brief overview and features of each approach are presented. The calculation results based on the two approaches are in good agreement with each other and with the experimental results of measurements of the characteristics of the bandpass filter. The delay line operating with the use of the third harmonic frequency is calculated by FEM. The results showed a good match between numerical simulation and experiment. The considered approaches for designing SAW devices allow us to relatively quickly and accurately predict the frequency responses at the simulation stage, thereby reducing the number of experimental iterations and increasing the efficiency of development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporalis fascia is being used as graft material for tympanic membrane repair for over six decades. Though cartilage with or without perichondrium is also being used for different situations, still temporalis fascia graft is being considered as an ideal graft for tympanoplasty. Earlier the dried temporalis fascia was used as a graft but now freshly taken wet temporalis fascia is increasingly being used as a more 'physiological/ live' graft. The present study was planned to compare the results of use of wet and dry temporalis fascia in chronic otitis media mucosal disease. The prospective study was conducted on 100 patients of chronic suppurative otitis media mucosal disease. Chronic ear survey questionnaire were filled to note the impact on quality of life. Otoscopic, oto-endoscopic and examination under microscope performed. Patients were allocated into two groups alternately. Freshly taken wet temporalis graft was used in group I whereas dry temporalis fascia was used in group II. Hearing evaluation by pure tone audiogram was done preoperatively and at 6th months post-operatively. Pre-operative and post-operative hearings in both the groups were compared. Air bone gap closures after surgery in between both the groups were compared to see for any statistical difference. We found similar graft uptake in both the groups after 6 months of surgery. The air bone gap closure in group I was 10.80 ± 5.74 and group II was 9.28 ± 4.81, there was no significant difference. However senior authors noted that in some of the cases in group I with fresh wet graft placement neo-tympanum formation was noticed early showing good circumferential leash of blood vessels all around signifying early vascularisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic otitis media is defined as the chronic inflammation of the mucoperiosteal lining lining of the middle ear cleft which presents with recurrent ear discharge through tympanic membrane perforation. The study was planned to evaluate the patency of the aditus ad antrum in cases of chronic otitis media mucosal type, and its correlation with various direct and indirect indicators of blocked aditus. The prospective longitudinal study was conducted on 100 patients with chronic otitis media mucosal type. The commonest complaint of patients was ear discharge (100%) followed by hearing impairment in 72% patients.Tympanoplasty with antrotomy was performed. The patency and dimensions of the aditus ad antrum were assessed by saline water test. In 41% cases saline test showed blockade, on further drilling patency achieved in 27 cases with minimal drilling and dissection of mucosa with or without fibrotic mucosal bands. In rest 14 cases widening of aditus and atticotomy was required to achieve patency. Out of these nine were having associated tympanosclerosis and five were having edematous mucosa. Ossicular necrosis was seen on 18 cases. Presence of myringosclerosis and polypoidal edematous mucosa increases the probability of an obstructed aditus ad antrum. Mastoid antrostomy and water test for patency can be performed without additional cost and risk to the patient in minimal time and can be considered as the surest indicator of patency of aditus ad antrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis of more than eight years of data from vaccination forums on mothering.com shows that the antivaccination movement is well-organized and widely dispersed, and that it emerged long before concerns about immunity were expressed. The findings are evidence of a formidable challenge to the social norms surrounding vaccination.

The article aims to present customer participation in value co-creation based on the demand-side approach to innovation. We present the rationale and principles of the demand-side approach to innovation based on user participation. Further, we discuss the forms of customer engagement in customer-company cooperation, customer motivations, and perceived benefits. This article also identifies the open innovation model’s factors and provides practitioners with implementation guidance regarding the demand approach to innovation. Further, this article shows the influence of the customer’s active role and the demand-side approach to innovation on the enterprise, the economy, and society. Finally, we identify possible risks associated with using this approach and their impact on the environment.

Nitrogen (N) stabilizer containing nitrapyrin inhibitor is responsible for slowing the activity of Niirosomonas sp. bacteria down which oxidize ammonium to nitrite ions, thus, N-loss resulting from nitrate leaching can be reduced. Although prior studies have shown its effectiveness in the pre-sowing application in maize, considering that it disturbs the activity of Nitrosomonas bacteria which is the most intense between 25 °C and 30 °C, soil temperature may significantly influence the efficiency of nitrapyrin. Besides, nitrapyrin aims to enhance N-use efficiency in high N-demanding plants, such as maize, which demands N at the most during stalk elongation, which lays down the reason for its subsequent application. This study focuses on the efficiency of nitrapyrin at different soil temperatures and its impacts on the physiological development and productivity of maize. In a laboratory test, 10 °C, 15 °C, 20 °C, and 25 °C temperature soils were treated with nitrapyrin and change of nitrate content was monitored to observe the nitrification dynamic. Results show that as the soil temperature elevated, the inhibition efficiency increased. In a field experiment with maize, nitrapyrin was applied in 13 °C and 25 °C temperature soil. Results suggest the later treatment enhanced N-use efficiency, as, during the high N-demanding growth stage, more N-forms were available in the soil. This resulted in significantly higher relative chlorophyll concentration in the leaves and laboratory leaf analysis confirmed the prevention of N deficiency. Results of further measurements on parameters indicating biomass production such as root mass, stalk diameter, ear size, 1,000-kemel weight indicate that the nitrapyrin application should be timed later. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: This study presents a new method for the motion quantitative analysis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients (DMD) performing functional tasks in clinical conditions. (2) Methods: An experimental study was designed to define how different levels of external mass (light and heavy) influence the performance of the upper limbs of a tested DMD and reference subject (RS) during horizontal movements (level of the waist) under natural conditions (NC) and passive manipulator conditions (PMC); the kinematic data and muscle activity of four chosen superficial muscles (EMG) were recorded. (3) Results: A piecewise linear multi-regression analysis revealed high statistically significant results (R2 ≥ 0.75) between the tested muscle activities and kinematic data in the tested DMD patient and RS. These results were used to define whether the neural control of the four tested muscles (processed EMG data) was correlated more with the displacement of the wrist joint or the center of mass of the tested upper limb while performing functional tests with a given external weight in a horizontal plane under NC or PMC. (4) Conclusions: The proposed approach can be used to estimate the contributions of the tested muscles to patients’ motion performance and define whether this contribution is correlated with the kinematics or dynamics of the tested arm.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Decline in length of stay is of growing interest for patients, doctors and health insurances. The aim of our study was to assess the safety and length of stay after omission of casting, start of early mobilization and implementation of functional discharge criteria after total elbow arthroplasty (TEA). MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed all patients' records who received a Coonrad-Morrey TEA in the period from January 1st, 2011 to December 31st, 2018. From these records, indications, demographic information and complications were derived. Length of stay was calculated from the hospital administration. Patients were divided in three groups to evaluate the two changes in post-operative care. RESULTS In total 125 patients receiving 126 Coonrad-Morrey TEAs were included with a mean length of stay of 5.5 days (range 2- 23) for the entire group. Omitting a post-operative cast led to decline in length of stay from 6.2 to 5.4 days (p < 0.001). Introduction of functional discharge criteria in August 2017 declined mean length of stay to 3.8 days (p < 0.001). The surgical technique (triceps-on versus triceps-off) was not a confounder (p = 0.20). Range of motion after one year was not significantly different between groups. DISCUSSION The length of stay declined after omission of a cast, and declined further after introducing functional discharge criteria. Since no higher complication rates were observed, the shortening of length of stay appears to be safe. This is in line with other fast-track programs, i.e. for hip and knee arthroplasty. The surgical technique used were not a confounder for the shortened length of stay, which further adds to the safety of the functional discharge criteria. CONCLUSIONS Omitting a cast and splint as regular post-operative treatment reduced the length of stay significantly without leading to more complications. Introduction of functional discharge criteria lowered the length of stay further without more complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Though ossicular discontinuity is more common in cases of cholesteatoma, it may happen in non-cholesteatoma COM. The long process of incus is more frequently involved ossicle. Peroperative assessment of ossicular integrity is the gold standard way. But the discontinuity of the ossicular chain can be assumed before surgery by analyzing perforation edge adherent to medial wall and wide air-bone gap The purpose of the study was to find out the preoperative findings which can predict the ossicular discontinuity in non-cholesteatoma cases. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University from January 2013 to June 2014. 81 patients of COM without cholesteatoma were selected as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. Relevant data were collected in a predesigned data collection sheet and analyzed with standard statistical method. Statistically significant inferred for P value <0.05. No groups whose ability to give voluntary informed consent questionable was not included. No potential risks exist in designed this study. Results: Air-bone gap > 40 dB was found in 60% cases of ossicular discontinuity, followed by air bone gap 31-40 dB(20%), 21-30 dB(13.33%) and 11-20 dB(6.67%) respectively. So ossicular discontinuity was more in higher air-bone gap group and it was statistically highly significant (p<0.001). Perforation edge attached to medial wall where ossicular discontinuity was 93.3% and perforation edge free from medial wall was 6.7%.Ossicular discontinuity was higher when perforation edge was found attached to medial wall which was highly statistically significant (p<0.001). Out of 25 granulation tissue cases ossicular discontinuity was found 21(84%) and ossicular chain intact was found 4(16%). That was statistically significant (p<0.01). Conclusion: Non-cholesteatoma COM may cause ossicular disconnection. Majority ossicular discontinuity found when average air bone gap > 40 dB. Ossicular discontinuity was also found more in cases where there is attachment of perforation edge to medial wall, and presence of granulation tissue. If preoperative information can be gathered to determine whether or not the ossicular chain is intact, the patient can be better informed, counseled for ossiculoplasty before surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of the body center of mass (BCoM) 3D kinematics provides insights on crucial aspects of locomotion, especially in populations with gait impairment such as people with amputation. In this paper, a wearable framework based on the use of different magneto-inertial measurement unit (MIMU) networks is proposed to obtain both BCoM acceleration and velocity. The proposed framework was validated as a proof of concept in one transfemoral amputee against data from force plates (acceleration) and an optoelectronic system (acceleration and velocity). The impact in terms of estimation accuracy when using a sensor network rather than a single MIMU at trunk level was also investigated. The estimated velocity and acceleration reached a strong agreement (ρ > 0.89) and good accuracy compared to reference data (normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) < 13.7%) in the anteroposterior and vertical directions when using three MIMUs on the trunk and both shanks and in all three directions when adding MIMUs on both thighs (ρ > 0.89, NRMSE ≤ 14.0% in the mediolateral direction). Conversely, only the vertical component of the BCoM kinematics was accurately captured when considering a single MIMU. These results suggest that inertial sensor networks may represent a valid alternative to laboratory-based instruments for 3D BCoM kinematics quantification in lower-limb amputees.

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

An optimization framework for upward jumping motion based on quadratic programming (QP) is proposed in this paper, which can simultaneously consider constraints such as the zero moment point (ZMP), limitation of angular accelerations, and anti-slippage. Our approach comprises two parts: the trajectory generation and real-time control. In the trajectory generation for the launch phase, we discretize the continuous trajectories and assume that the accelerations between the two sampling intervals are constant and transcribe the problem into a nonlinear optimization problem. In the real-time control of the stance phase, the over-constrained control objectives such as the tracking of the center of moment (CoM), angle, and angular momentum, and constraints such as the anti-slippage, ZMP, and limitation of joint acceleration are unified within a framework based on QP optimization. Input angles of the actuated joints are thus obtained through a simple iteration. The simulation result reveals that a successful upward jump to a height of 16.4 cm was achieved, which confirms that the controller fully satisfies all constraints and achieves the control objectives.

Calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM), the most important crystal causing kidney stone disease, upregulates lamin A/C but downregulates zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in renal tubular cells. While roles for F-actin and α-tubulin and their association with ZO-1 are known to regulate COM-mediated tight junction (TJ) disruption, roles of lamin A/C and its interplay with ZO-1 in COM kidney stone model remain unclear and are thus the objectives of this study. Lamin A/C was knocked down in MDCK cells by silencing RNA specific for LMNA (siLMNA). Both wild-type (WT) and siLMNA cells were treated with COM for 48-h compared with the untreated (control) cells. Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining revealed upregulated lamin A/C and downregulated ZO-1 in the COM-treated WT cells. siLMNA successfully reduced lamin A/C expression in both control and COM-treated cells. Nonetheless, siLMNA did not reverse the effect of COM on the decreases in ZO-1 and transepithelial resistance, but further reduced their levels in both control and COM-treated cells. Protein-protein interaction analysis demonstrated that two cytoskeletal proteins (actin and tubulin) served as the linkers to connect lamin A/C with ZO-1 and occludin (both of which are the TJ proteins). Altogether, these data implicate that lamin A/C and ZO-1 are indirectly associated to control TJ function, and ZO-1 expression is regulated by lamin A/C. Moreover, COM-induced upregulation of lamin A/C most likely serves as a compensatory mechanism to cope with the downregulation of ZO-1 during COM-mediated TJ disruption., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Author(s).)