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Two-dimensional (2D) recursive digital filters find applications in image processing as in medical X-ray processing. Nonsymmetric half-plane (NSHP) filters have definitely positive magnitude characteristics as opposed to quarter-plane (QP) filters. In this paper, we provide methods for stabilizing the given 2D NSHP polynomial by the planar least squares inverse (PLSI) method. We have proved in this paper that if the given 2D unstable NSHP polynomial and its PLSI are of the same degree, the PLSI polynomial is always stable, irrespective of whether the coefficients of the given polynomial have relationship among its coefficients or not. Examples are given for 2D first-order and second-order cases to prove our results. The generalization is done for the th order polynomial.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a troublesome chronic symptom that has no proven pharmacologic treatment. The purpose of this double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial was to evaluate a novel compounded topical gel for this problem.Methods: Patients with CIPN were randomized to baclofen 10 mg, amitriptyline HCL 40 mg, and ketamine 20 mg in a pluronic lecithin organogel (BAK-PLO) versus placebo (PLO) to determine its effect on numbness, tingling, pain, and function. The primary endpoint was the baseline-adjusted sensory subscale of the EORTC QLQ-CIPN20, at 4 weeks.Results: Data in 208 patients reveal a trend for improvement that is greater in the BAK-PLO arm over placebo in both the sensory (p = 0.053) and motor subscales (p = 0.021). The greatest improvements were related to the symptoms of tingling, cramping, and shooting/burning pain in the hands as well as difficulty in holding a pen. There were no undesirable toxicities associated with the BAK-PLO and no evidence of systemic toxicity.Conclusion: Topical treatment with BAK-PLO appears to somewhat improve symptoms of CIPN. This topical gel was well tolerated, without evident systemic toxicity. Further research is needed with increased doses to better clarify the clinical role of this treatment in CIPN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This exploratory quantitative study examines past risky sexual behaviors among young men who were circumcised as part of a rite of passage to adulthood embedded within a cultural and traditional belief system in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Following permission from the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders (ECHOTL), individual face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire were conducted among 114 initiates. The mean age of the participants was 18.9 years, ranging from 15 to 32 years old. About 79.8% reported already having had sex with a woman prior to initiation. Of those, 89% reported that they ever used condoms when having sex, and 61% reported consistent use. Logistic regression analysis showed that consistent condom use increased with higher educational levels. Those involved in other risky health behaviors (specifically, smoking) were also more likely to report inconsistent condom use. Most participants had positive beliefs about male circumcision and STI/HIV transmission. This study provides a first look at the sexual behaviors of young men at the time of their initiation in adulthood, a process that is intended to make it socially acceptable to initiate sexual relations and highlights a major public health challenge in integrating the protective health benefits of circumcision with indigenous cultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the association between adolescents' sense of coherence (SOC) and their tooth-brushing behaviour. Methods: This 18-month longitudinal study involved a representative sample of 8th-graders ( n = 1025) from 11 randomly selected public high schools in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Data collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire included respondents' socio-demographic profiles, vulnerability to depression, smoking status, dental treatment attendance pattern, frequency of and motivation for tooth-brushing. Based on the responses to the question on readiness to change brushing behaviour and in line with the integrated change model, respondents were also categorized as being in the pre-contemplation, contemplation or preparation/action stages. Respondents' SOC was measured using a six-item adapted Antonovsky SOC scale. Data analysis included chi-squared analysis, t-tests and step-wise multiple logistic regression. Results: At baseline, 72.6% ( n = 744) of the respondents reported that they were not consistently brushing twice daily. Of those who did not brush twice daily and were followed up on ( n = 578), those living with their mother at baseline not only presented with a greater increase in their SOC over time (follow-up minus baseline), but they were also more likely to be brushing twice daily at the time of the follow-up (15.4% versus 10.6%; P = 0.04). Adding baseline intention state to a multivariate model attenuated the influence of baseline SOC to a statistically insignificant level. However, increasing within-subject SOC changes ([beta] = 0.16; P < 0.01), living with the mother ([beta] = 0.11; P < 0.05), smoking ([beta] = -0.14; P < 0.05), being depression vulnerable ([beta] = -0.23; P < 0.01) and in the preparation/action stage ([beta] = 0.13; P < 0.05) remained associated with the transition to twice-daily tooth-brushing. Conclusions: In planning oral health promotion interventions, it should be considered that children's psychological predisposition and family environment might significantly influence their tooth-brushing behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study sought to determine the influence of sense of coherence (SOC), a personal stress-coping resource, and smoking on the self-reported gingival health of a cohort of rural black South African adolescents.Methods: This 18-month study involved a three-wave survey of a representative sample of eighth graders from 11 randomly selected high schools in the Limpopo province, South Africa (n=970). Using a generalized estimating equation model, we examined the correlates of recent gingivitis, defined as self-reporting frequent gingival bleeding (GB). Explanatory variables included baseline socio-economic status, age, gender, plaque levels, toothbrushing frequency, tobacco use status and SOC levels.Results: Among our sample, 74.6% reported experiencing gingivitis at some point during follow-up, while 41.9% reported frequent GB at the last survey. Factors that were positively associated with recent gingivitis include living in poor households [odds ratio (OR)=1.49; p<0.01], having higher plaque levels (OR=1.18; p=0.04) and smoking regularly (OR=1.57; p=0.04). Self-reporting gingivitis was negatively associated with being female (OR=0.76; p=0.02) and having a higher SOC (OR=0.96; p<0.001).Conclusions: Adolescent smoking and SOC levels are independent predictors of self-reported gingivitis. Therefore, in addition to plaque control, smoking prevention and the teaching of stress-coping skills may be important interventions for promoting adolescents' gingival health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]