The Influence of Hearing on Posture

Maintaining upright posture requires integration of somatosensory, visual and vestibular information, and traditionally considered an automatic and effortless task. Recent research indicates that postural maintenance requires attention which interacts with other common tasks that share cognitive resources. This thesis investigates the influence of one such task, listening, on posture control and explores the novel idea that increased listening effort arising from hearing impairment uses extra attentional resources leaving less for posture control leading to an increased risk of positional or situational instability. A dual-task study to explore the relationship between listening and posture suggested that listening has a destabilizing effect on posture control. This effect was detected by mean velocity, a centre of pressure measure. To further understand this effect, the mechanisms underpins this relationship was studied using stabilogram diffusion analysis. The results suggested that open-loop and closed-loop strategies were utilised to maintain upright posture. This relationship was further investigated under simulated hearing loss conditions, and the results revealed increased postural sway and longer open-loop times before switching to closed-loop mechanisms. The deterioration of postural performance whilst listening may be explained by the idea that working memory has limited resource capacity to execute tasks, and that both tasks here requires attention and are competing for cognitive resources. Therefore, when the simulated hearing loss was introduced, it exacerbated this effect suggesting that performance was compromised due to the raised listening effort. It was concluded that mean velocity was sensitive to changes in postural sway resulted from performing a concurrent listening task. It was also concluded that stabilogram diffusion analysis would provide a comprehensive understanding of the postural strategies individuals adopted to maintain erect posture under normal and simulated hearing loss listening conditions

Two-Dimensional Materials for Terahertz Emission

The demand for ultrahigh-speed, lightweight, low-cost, and defect-tolerant electronic devices drives the industry to switch to terahertz (THz) technologies. The use of two-dimensional (2D) materials has massively increased in THz applications due to their appealing electronic and optoelectronic properties, including tunable bandgap, high carrier mobility, wideband optical absorption, and relatively short carrier lifetime. Several 2D-material-based emitters, modulators, and detectors have been fabricated and examined. In this context, considerable research has been going on for 2D-material-based THz emitting sources, including materials and device structure to understand the electronics and optoelectronics mechanisms occurring in the THz region. This chapter focuses on the 2D-material-based emitters with insights into the background, the physical principle of photoconductive THz emitters, the 2D materials’ properties, and the research trends in the fabrication and characterization of the THz sources based upon 2D materials

Water-Soluble Rhenium Phosphine Complexes Incorporating the Ph2C(X) Motif (X = O–, NH–): Structural and Cytotoxicity Studies

Reaction of [ReOCl3(PPh3)2] or [ReO2I(PPh3)2] with 2,2′-diphenylglycine (dpgH2) in refluxing ethanol afforded the air-stable complex [ReO(dpgH)(dpg)(PPh3)] (1). Treatment of [ReO(OEt)I2(PPh3)2] with 1,2,3-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA) afforded the complex [ReO(OEt)I2(PTA)2] (2). Reaction of [ReOI2(PTA)3] with dpgH2 led to the isolation of the complex [Re(NCPh2)I2(PTA)3]·0.5EtOH (3·0.5EtOH). A similar reaction but using [ReOX2(PTA)3] (X = Cl, Br) resulted in the analogous halide complexes [Re(NCPh2)Cl2(PTA)3]·2EtOH (4·2EtOH) and [Re(NCPh2)(PTA)3Br2]·1.6EtOH (5·1.6EtOH). Using benzilic acid (2,2′-diphenylglycolic acid, benzH) with 2 afforded the complex [ReO(benz)2(PTA)][PTAH]·EtOH (6·EtOH). The potential for the formation of complexes using radioisotopes with relatively short half-lives suitable for nuclear medicine applications by developing conditions for [Re(NCPh2)(dpg)I(PTA)3] (7)[ReO4]− in a 4 h time scale was investigated. A procedure for the technetium analog of complex [Re(NCPh2)I2(PTA)3] (3) from 99mTc[TcO4]− was then investigated. The molecular structures of 1–7 are reported; complexes 3–7 have been studied using in vitro cell assays (HeLa, HCT116, HT-29, and HEK 293) and were found to have IC50 values in the range of 29–1858 μM

Role of Interventional Radiology in Management of Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Gastrointestinal bleeding is a common and potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt and effective management. Interventional radiology has emerged as a valuable tool in the management of gastrointestinal bleeding, offering minimally invasive techniques that can rapidly control bleeding and improve patient outcomes. This review aims to provide an overview of the role of interventional radiology in the management of gastrointestinal bleeding, including its various techniques and their efficacy. The review discusses the different interventional radiology procedures that can be used to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal bleeding. It also highlights the advantages of techniques used in evaluation and management, including their ability to localize and control bleeding, as well as their low complication rates and shorter recovery times compared to traditional surgical approaches. Furthermore, the review addresses the specific indications for interventional radiology in the management of gastrointestinal bleeding, as well as the role of interventional radiology in the setting of underlying conditions. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of interventional radiology in the management of gastrointestinal bleeding, highlighting its effectiveness and potential benefits for patients. It also emphasizes the need for further research and collaboration between interventional radiologists and gastroenterologists to optimize the use of these techniques in clinical practice

Multiple sclerosis following bariatric surgery: A report of five cases

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system. The underlying cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown, yet there are various predisposing factors. Currently, bariatric surgery is an increasingly common solution for obesity. It has been reported that bariatric procedures result in miscellaneous neurological complications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case series to report the occurrence of MS following bariatric surgery. Here we report the cases of five patients who were recruited for inclusion following neurological examination, complete cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) study, enhanced cranial as well as spinal cord magnetic resonance (MR) images. Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis was made based on McDonalds criteria (2010). All cases were diagnosed with relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis (RRMS) after various types of bariatric surgeries

CONCOMITANT USE OF NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDS) WITH WARFARIN

Introduction: Oral anticoagulation with warfarin is the accepted technique for treatment and prophylaxis of thromboembolic diseases. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most broadly administered medications to control musculoskeletal pain or inflammation. besides to their antiplatelet work, NSAIDs can influence the pharmacologic activity of warfarin through their immediate interaction. High protein binding and the cytochrome P450 (CYP)- dependent clearance systems of NSAIDs can influence the serum levels of warfarin. Aim of work: In this review, we will discuss whether using warfarin with NSAID has any effect on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of both drugs. Methodology: We conducted this review using a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE, January 1985, through February 2017. The following search terms were used: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug mechanism, warfarin mechanism, adverse effects of NSAID, adverse effect of warfarin, NSAID-warfarin interaction Conclusions: Co-administration of NSAIDs and Warfarin is a topic of debate. However, there are reasons for concern. Some NSAIDs alter hemostasis and, when combined with warfarin, may lead to an increase in bleeding time. There is also a risk of increased hepatic and renal toxicity which complicates things further. Balancing the pros and cons of this drug combination should be carefully done on a case to case basis to avoid any negative consequences. Key words: NSAID, warfarin, Aspirin, drug-drug interaction, bleedin

Evolving trends in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 waves. The ACIE appy II study

Background: In 2020, ACIE Appy study showed that COVID-19 pandemic heavily affected the management of patients with acute appendicitis (AA) worldwide, with an increased rate of non-operative management (NOM) strategies and a trend toward open surgery due to concern of virus transmission by laparoscopy and controversial recommendations on this issue. The aim of this study was to survey again the same group of surgeons to assess if any difference in management attitudes of AA had occurred in the later stages of the outbreak. Methods: From August 15 to September 30, 2021, an online questionnaire was sent to all 709 participants of the ACIE Appy study. The questionnaire included questions on personal protective equipment (PPE), local policies and screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection, NOM, surgical approach and disease presentations in 2021. The results were compared with the results from the previous study. Results: A total of 476 answers were collected (response rate 67.1%). Screening policies were significatively improved with most patients screened regardless of symptoms (89.5% vs. 37.4%) with PCR and antigenic test as the preferred test (74.1% vs. 26.3%). More patients tested positive before surgery and commercial systems were the preferred ones to filter smoke plumes during laparoscopy. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was the first option in the treatment of AA, with a declined use of NOM. Conclusion: Management of AA has improved in the last waves of pandemic. Increased evidence regarding SARS-COV-2 infection along with a timely healthcare systems response has been translated into tailored attitudes and a better care for patients with AA worldwide

Effect of Ionizing Irradiation on Mechanical Properties and Translucency of Monolithic Zirconia

Objectives: To evaluate the effect ionizing irradiation therapy (RT) on mechanical properties and translucency of monolithic zirconia. Methods: High translucency (HT) and low translucency (LT) yttria-stabilized zirconia (Y-PSZ) were used to prepare 60 bar-shaped fully sintered specimens (14×4×1.5mm) of each material and allocated in four groups (n=30): Control or irradiated (70 Grays single dose). Specimens were evaluated for flexural strength (FS) (n=10), fatigue limits (FLs) at 100,000 cycles (n=15), and translucency parameter (TP)(n=5). Data of FS and TP were analyzed by one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey HSD. FLs data was analyzed using Dixon and Mood method. Results: RT affected FS (pM.Sc.2020-05-18 00:00:0

Maintenance of Co-Clustered Relations

The remarkable spread of rational databases in different fields has reached a lot of successes that attracts experts to use them instead of web databases and hierarchical databases. Rational databases rely on spreading data among set of interrelated. By matching join attribute values, i.e., performing equi-join operations, relationships among tuples can be reconstructed. Joins are considered the most important operations. However, are also arguably the most expensive operations. In this thesis, we discuss how to select relations to co-cluster to obtain the maximal benefit and maintenance of co-clustered relations

Current state of trauma services in Saudi Arabia

rauma is a major public health problem in Saudi Arabia and a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in young age groups. In 2018, traumatic injuries caused by road traffic accidents were the leading cause of death after ischemic heart diseases. Therefore, a new road safety system is important to reduce the incidence of road accident trauma. First aid care by bystanders to road accidents must be improved to become an effective part of pre-hospital care and avoid aggravation. Moreover, trauma centers need further training and education to provide a high level of trauma care. However, literature about trauma care in Saudi Arabia is lacking. Thus, this paper aims to provide an overview of the Saudi trauma system, emergency medical services, and healthcare providers’ training and education efforts