Traveling sounds: Cairean independent music landscape.

The central aim of this thesis is to identify the ways in which transnational experiences of independent music artists influence their artistic performance and music production. Additionally, this work is focused on the reemergence of independent music followed by attempts at identifying the term through the discursive formations shaping its present meaning among Egyptian musicians and culturally engaged participants. This research also describes developing infrastructure of the Cairean independent music scene including detailed mapping of the \u27stages\u27 available to the independent music artists

The Prevalence of Bowel and Bladder Function During Early Childhood:A Population-Based Study

Objectives: Our primary aim was to determine bowel and bladder function in children aged 1 month to 7 years in the general Dutch population. Second, we aimed to identify demographic factors associated with the presence of bowel and bladder dysfunction, and their coexistence. Methods: For this cross-sectional, population-based study, parents/caregivers of children aged from 1 month to 7 years were asked to complete the Early Pediatric Groningen Defecation and Fecal Continence questionnaire. Different parameters of bowel and bladder function were assessed using validated scoring systems such as the Rome IV criteria. Results: The mean age of the study population (N = 791) was 3.9 ± 2.2 years. The mean age at which parents/caregivers considered their child fully toilet-trained was 5.1 ± 1.5 years. Prevalence of fecal incontinence among toilet-trained children was 12%. Overall prevalence of constipation was 14%, with a constant probability and severity at all ages. We found significant associations between fecal incontinence and constipation [odds ratio (OR) = 3.88, 95% CI: 2.06-7.30], fecal incontinence and urinary incontinence (OR = 5.26, 95% CI: 2.78-9.98), and constipation and urinary incontinence (OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.24-3.42). Conclusions: Even though most children are fully toilet-trained at 5 years, fecal incontinence is common. Constipation appears to be common in infants, toddlers, and older children. Fecal incontinence and constipation frequently coexist and are often accompanied by urinary incontinence. Increased awareness of bowel and bladder dysfunction in infants, toddlers, and young children is required to prevent these problems from continuing at older ages.</p

Anorectal Manometry May Reduce the Number of Rectal Suction Biopsy Procedures Needed to Diagnose Hirschsprung Disease

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether anorectal manometry (ARM), which is used to test the rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR), is a safe alternative for reducing the number of invasive rectal suction biopsy (RSB) procedures needed to diagnose Hirschsprung disease (HD). Methods: Between 2010 and 2017, we prospectively collected the ARM results of 105 patients suspected of having HD. Following the outcome, the patients either underwent additional tests to confirm HD or they were treated conservatively. Primary ARM-based diagnoses were compared with the definitive diagnoses based on the pathology reports and/or clinical followups. Additionally, we analyzed whether modifications to our ARM protocol improved diagnostic accuracy. Results: The sensitivity of ARM and RSB was comparable (97% vs 97%). The specificity of ARM, performed according to our initial protocol, was significantly lower than that of RSB. After we modified the protocol the difference between the specificity of ARM and RSB was no longer statistically significant (74% vs 84%, respectively, P = 0.260). The negative predictive value of ARM was 100%, while their positive predictive value was significantly lower than that of RSB (56% vs 97%, P <0.001). Conclusions: ARM is a viable screening tool for HD and, provided it is performed properly, it can be used to exclude HD with absolute certainty. By contrast, an absent rectoanal inhibitory reflex on ARM should always be followed by an RSB to confirm the diagnosis of HD. Using ARM as the diagnostic of first choice could reduce the number of invasive biopsies

Magnificador basado en teléfono móvil: función de magnificación

En este Trabajo fin de Grado se ha creado la parte funcional de una aplicación móvil dejando la parte de la interfaz libre para su futura implementación. La aplicación es un magnificador y está destinada a aquellas personas con baja visión, permitiéndoles hacer aumento de imágenes y textos capturados por la cámara del dispositivo, con la posibilidad de que puedan cambiar algunos parámetros de la magnificación para poderlo ver mejor. La parte funcional de la aplicación fue nombrada como librería magnificador, ya que se compone de métodos implementados en Java que permiten hacer diferentes modificaciones de la imagen o del video visualizado. Se cubrieron todas las fases de desarrollo más significativas de un sistema software: análisis, diseño, implementación y pruebas. La aplicación se desarrolló para Android. Se trabajó en Eclipse con Android SDK. Para el procesamiento de las imágenes se aprovechó una librería externa, OpenCV, para evitar “inventar la rueda”, es decir, no escribir algoritmos de transformación de las imágenes que seguramente no podrían ser tan eficientes como los implementados en dicha librería creada por Intel. ---ABSTRACT---In this Final Project, the functional part of mobile phone application was created, leaving the interface parte for future implementation. The application is a magnifier and is oriented to people with very low vision allowing them to enlarge images of printed documents captured by the camera of the mobile phone device, with the possibility that they can change some parameters of magnification so that it can see better. The functional part of this application was named magnifier library because it composes of methods, implemented in Java, that allows changing between different modes of the preview of the image or video. All of the most significant phases of software development were satisfied: analysis, design, implementation and tests. The application was created for Android. The work was done in Eclipse with Android SDK plugin. For the image processing, an external library, OpenCv, was used, to avoid the unreachable intent of creation of effective algorithms that would never be so potent like the implemented in this library created by Intel

The anorectal defaecation reflex:a prospective intervention study

Aim Our hypothesis is that there may be a neural pathway with sensory afferent neurons in the anal canal that leads to rectal contraction to assist defaecation. We aimed to compare rectal motility between healthy participants with or without anal anaesthesia. Method This prospective intervention study consisted of two test sessions: a baseline session followed by an identical second session. During each session we performed the anal electrosensitivity test, the rectoanal inhibitory reflex test and rapid phasic barostat distensions. Prior to the second session, participants were randomly assigned to receive either a local anal anaesthetic or a placebo. Results We included 23 healthy participants aged 21.1 +/- 0.5 years, 13 of whom received an anal anaesthetic and 10 a placebo. All participants showed a transient rectal contraction during the first test session, which decreased significantly after anal anaesthesia (18.6 ml vs. 4.9 ml, p = 0.019). The maximum rectal contraction was comparable to the baseline results in the placebo group. Furthermore, the electrosensitivity at the highest centimetre of the anal canal correlated with the maximum rectal contraction (r = -0.452, p = 0.045). Conclusion All healthy study participants display an involuntary, reproducible rectal reflex contraction that appears to be innervated by afferent nerves in the proximal anal canal. The rectal reflex contraction appears to play a role in defaecation and we therefore refer to this phenomenon as the anorectal defaecation reflex. Knowledge of the anorectal defaecation reflex may have consequences for the diagnostics and treatment of constipation

Fecal continence for solid and liquid stool:The function of the anal-external sphincter continence reflex and the puborectal continence reflex

BACKGROUND: The anal-external sphincter continence reflex and the puborectal continence reflex control fecal continence by involuntary contractions of the external anal sphincter and puborectal muscle. To date it is unknown what the effect of liquid stool is on these reflexes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the consequence of liquid stool on the presence and function of these fecal continence reflexes. DESIGN: This was a prospective, observational study. SETTING: The study was conducted at the Anorectal Physiology Laboratory, University Medical Center Groningen. PATIENTS: Forty-two healthy subjects were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pressure changes at the level of the external anal sphincter and the puborectal muscle during the anorectal pressure test used to measure voluntary contractions, the balloon retention test used to measure involuntary contractions mimicking solid stool, and the rectal infusion test used to investigate the effect of only water mimicking liquid stool were measured. RESULTS: During the test mimicking solid stool, the pressure at the level of the external anal sphincter increased from the start to the end (132 ± 54 vs 198 ± 69 mm Hg; p < 0.001). The pressure at the level of the puborectal muscle increased simultaneously (30 ± 9 vs 176 ± 52 mm Hg; p < 0.001). After injecting water into the rectum, mimicking liquid stool, we observed immediate activation of the anal-external sphincter continence reflex (87 ± 32 vs 145 ± 36 mm Hg; p < 0.001); this was after a median 30 seconds, whereas no activation of the puborectal continence reflex appeared (26 ± 9 vs 26 ± 7 mm Hg; p = 0.655). LIMITATIONS: We only performed anorectal function tests mimicking 2 types of stool consistencies, namely water and solid. CONCLUSIONS: The anal-external sphincter continence reflex controls fecal continence of both solid and liquid stool. Contrarily, the puborectal continence reflex contributes to solid stool continence only. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B286

Adaptación de una herramienta de Generación de Lenguaje Natural al idioma Español

En el presente Trabajo de Fin de Máster se ha realizado un análisis sobre las técnicas y herramientas de Generación de Lenguaje Natural (GLN), así como las modificaciones a la herramienta Simple NLG para generar expresiones en el idioma Español. Dicha extensión va a permitir ampliar el grupo de personas a las cuales se les transmite la información, ya que alrededor de 540 millones de personas hablan español. Keywords - Generación de Lenguaje Natural, técnicas de GLN, herramientas de GLN, Inteligencia Artificial, análisis, SimpleNLG.---ABSTRACT---In this Master's Thesis has been performed an analysis on techniques and tools for Natural Language Generation (NLG), also the Simple NLG tool has been modified in order to generate expressions in the Spanish language. This modification will allow transmitting the information to more people; around 540 million people speak Spanish. Keywords - Natural Language Generation, NLG tools, NLG techniques, Artificial Intelligence, analysis, SimpleNLG

Prevalence of Defecation Disorders and their Symptoms is Comparable in Children and Young Adults:Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: We aimed to compare the prevalence rates and associated symptoms of constipation and fecal incontinence in children and young adults and evaluate how these patient groups cope with these disorders. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in which 212 children (8-17 years) and 149 young adults (18-29 years) from the general Dutch population completed a questionnaire about defecation disorders. Results: Constipation occurred in 15.6% of children and 22.8% of young adults (p=0.55), while the prevalence of fecal incontinence was comparable between groups (7%, p=0.91). The symptoms associated with constipation occurred as often in children as in young adults, while most fecal incontinence symptoms occurred more often in young adults. Approximately 43% of children had constipation for more than 5 years, while 26% of young adults experienced constipation since childhood. Only 27% of constipated children and 21% of constipated young adults received treatment (mostly laxatives). For fecal incontinence, 13% of children and 36% of young adults received treatment (mostly antidiarrheal medications or incontinence pads). Conclusion: In contrast to the general belief, the prevalence of defecation disorders and associated symptoms seem to be comparable in children and young adults. Only a few people with defecation disorders receive adequate treatment

Fissurectomy combined with botulinum toxin A:a review of short- and long-term efficacy of this treatment strategy for chronic anal fissure; a consecutive proposal of a treatment algorithm for chronic anal fissure

Background Several studies have investigated the short- and long-term efficacy of fissurectomy combined with botulinum toxin A injection for patients with chronic anal fissure. Objective To evaluate the short- and long-term efficacy of the combined treatment strategy of fissurectomy with botulinum toxin A for chronic anal fissure and to discuss recurrence rates in the light of current theory on the aetiology of anal fissure. Materials and methods This is a narrative review. We conducted an article search using PubMed and calculated the means of the reported efficacy ranges. Results Fissurectomy combined with botulinum toxin A injections freed at least 78% of the patients from symptoms and yielded a fissure healing rate of up to 86%. Within 12 months after treatment a 3% recurrence rate was reported. On average, the long-term recurrence rate was 22%. One study reported a 50% recurrence rate 22 months after treatment. Conclusion The efficacy of fissurectomy combined with botulinum toxin A injection for chronic anal fissure is high. The short-term recurrence rate is low, while long-term recurrence is relatively high. Extended follow-up indicates that recurrence of chronic anal fissure is possibly caused by anal basal pressure building up steadily once again. If so, the cause of renewed increase of pressure should be addressed. Based on the literature and on our clinical experience, we assume that the underlying cause of increasing anal basal pressure is that patients use their pelvic floor muscles inadequately and this in turn leads to chronic anal fissure