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Background/aim: Santander, the capital of Cantabria, Spain (172,000 inhabitants) is 7 km from an industrial emission source (IES) of Mn located in a 10,000 inhabitants town (Maliaño) (annual air Mn arithmetic mean = 231.8 ng/m3 ; reference WHO guideline = 150 ng/m3 ). Our objective was to compare the motor function of adult healthy volunteers living in both places. Methods: Cross-sectional study analyzing 130 consecutive participants. Exposure to Mn was assessed in terms of source distance from the IES, by Personal Environmental Monitors (PEMs) carried for 24 h by participants consisting of a portable impactor connected to a personal pump, and by biomarkers (blood, hair and fingernails). The impactor allowed the separation of fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10-2.5) particles and for each particle size in-vitro bioaccessibility tests with biologically active fluids were performed to separate the soluble (bio accessible) from the insoluble (non-bioaccessible) fraction. Mean Differences (MDs) adjusted for age, sex, and study level, were obtained for motor function tests results. Results: Regarding Grooved Pegboard, overall mean time to complete the test was 59.31 and 65.27 seconds (Standard Deviation = 10.11 and 11.69) for dominant and nondominant hands respectively. Statistically significant higher times (indicating worse function) were observed when living near the IES in both hands but MDs of only 1.22 and 2.05 seconds were obtained after adjusting for the predefined confounders (p = 0.373 and 0.221 respectively). Regarding Mn levels in their PEMs (in both bioaccessible and non-bioaccessible coarse&fine fractions) higher times were computed in participants with higher levels for the bioaccessible-fine fraction, with a MD that diminished but still yielded statistical significance after controlling for confounding: adjusted MD = 3.01 more seconds; 95%CI (0.44-5.38), p = 0.022. Poorer results were also observed for fingernails levels. Regarding Finger Tapping Test, no statistically significant differences were found with the exception of Mn fingernails levels. Conclusions: Our results suggest poorer motor function as assessed by Grooved Pegboard test in relation to "proximity to IES", "bioaccessible-fine fraction as determined by PEMs and "Mn fingernails levels". However, our findings were affected by confounding, and only the adjusted MD for the Mn bioaccessible-fine fraction remained of sufficient magnitude to maintain statistical significance. This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the CTM2017-82636-R Project. This funding source was not involved in the study design; data collection, analysis, or interpretation; the writing of the article; or the decision to submit for publication. Bohdana Markiv also thanks this Ministry for the PhD grant awarded, PRE2018-085152.

Hauer, R, Tessitore, A, Hauer, K, and Tschan, H. Activity profile of international female lacrosse players. J Strength Cond Res 35(11): 3207-3212, 2021-This study was designed to investigate the activity profile in international women's lacrosse match-play. Data were collected of 10 female Austrian lacrosse national team players (29.1 ± 6.1 years; 64.2 ± 5.0 kg; and 165.3 ± 4.1 cm) during 4 games of an international tournament using global positioning system and heart rate monitor devices. The mean average heart rate was 75.3 ± 5.0% of maximum heart rate (HRmax) with 23 ± 6.1% of total playing time spent in HRzone 4 (80-90% of HRmax). The mean distance covered during match-play was 3,791.6 ± 554.5 m, of which 38 ± 6.5% were performed in speed zone 1 (7.0 km·h-1). Ten ±4 sprints per game were conducted with 55 ± 3.8% of accelerations and 59 ± 3.1% of decelerations in zone 1, respectively. Defenders showed greater total distance covered compared with other positions (attack: p = 0.035; d = 0.87; confidence interval [CI] = 0.18-1.56 and midfield: p = 0.006; d = 1.66; CI = 0.93-2.40). Midfielders covered less distance in speed zone 1 (p = 0.032; d = 1.91; CI = 0.53-3.28) compared with attackers, and lower numbers of accelerations (p = 0.042; d = 0.96; CI = 0.20-1.72) and decelerations (p = 0.021; d = 1.79; CI = 0.61-2.97) in zone 3 compared with defenders. Furthermore, attackers showed less distance covered in speed zone 1 (p = 0.09; d = 1.62; CI = 0.86-2.38) compared with defenders. The provided activity data could help coaches and practitioners in designing competition-specific programs for athletes. In addition, positional differences should be taken into account for tactical and physiological aspects.

Phenol is used as a preservative in a number of biological products. Methods that are used for quantitative determination of phenol differ a lot. Current requirements for accredited laboratories include continuous internal quality control. Reference standards with a certified content of the analyte are an effective metrological tool for ensuring such control. The aim of the study was to develop and certify reference standards for phenolic content in biological products, based on comparison of results obtained by GLC, HPLC, spectrophotometric, and colorimetric methods. Materials and methods: diluent for allergens by (candidate reference standard), 2.5 and 5 mg/mL phenol solutions, and 2.5 mg/mL 2-phenoxyethanol solution were used in the study. The experiments were performed using spectrophotometric, colorimetric, HPLC, and GLC procedures. The statistical analysis of results included calculation of the arithmetic mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and analysis of variance with Student’s t-test and Fisher’s F-test. Results: the results of phenolic content determination by the spectrophotometric, colorimetric, and HPLC methods were statistically comparable. The F value obtained for equal sample sizes (n = 40) was F = 0.9343, given the critical value Fcrit = 3.96. A reference standard certified by one of these methods can be used to control the consistency of phenol determination by a relevant method. The results of phenolic content determination by the GLC method showed statistically significantly differences: F = 17.47, given Fcrit = 3.96, which demonstrated the need for certification of another reference standard. Conclusions: two reference standards were certified in the study: reference standard 42-28-449 with the certified phenolic content of 2.56‒3.32 mg/mL, to be used with the spectrophotometric, colorimetric, and HPLC methods; and reference standard 42-28-451 with the certified phenolic content of 2.92‒3.28 mg/mL, to be used with the GLC method.

PURPOSE To evaluate the comparability and variability of subjective refraction (SR), autorefraction (AR), and wavefront aberrometry (WA) in pseudophakic patients. SETTING Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria. DESIGN Prospective study. METHODS Subjective refraction was performed by 2 independent examiners at 2 study visits. Furthermore, 5 measurements of AR and WA were performed in each patient at both visits. Agreement between the 3 refraction methods for spherical equivalent (M) and cylindrical vectors (J0, J45) was analyzed using Friedman multiple comparison and Bland-Altman plots. Predictability of spherical equivalent determined by SR from AR and WA measurements was tested with partial least squares regression and random forest regression. RESULTS Ninety eyes of 90 pseudophakic patients were measured. The mean absolute error and arithmetic mean difference of SR measurements of M, J0, and J45 were comparable between both examiners. A small mean difference was found for SR between both visits. Spherical equivalent was more negative when measured by AR [-0.87 diopters (D)] and WA (-0.90 D) compared with SR (-0.60 D), whereas astigmatic vectors agreed well. Good test-retest reliability was found between all 3 refraction methods for M, J0, and J45. Partial least squares regression and random forest regression showed moderate predictive power for M measured by objective refraction and SR. CONCLUSIONS Reproducibility and reliability of SR measurements in pseudophakic patients showed good agreement. AR and WA measured the spherical equivalent more myopic than SR, whereas astigmatic vectors were comparable between the 3 methods after uneventful cataract surgery.

Relevance: Over the last century, the modern climate is characterized by an average annual increase in global air temperature. According to existing scientific data, heat waves are often accompanied by mental, behavioral disorders that are combined with mood swings and increased anxiety. That is why the analysis of the incidence of mental disorders of the neurotic spectrum in the Ternopil region in the context of global warming is relevant.Materials and methods: To analyze the incidence of mental disorders of the neurotic spectrum, the archival data of the Ternopil Regional Clinical Psychoneurological Hospital for 10 years, from 2010 to 2019 were analyzed. The average annual air temperatures were determined according to the archival data of hydrometeorological observations by the meteorological station of the city of Ternopil during 2010-2019. The growth rate of these indicators was estimated by the time series method. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to measure the degree of linear dependence between two variables, namely the rate of hospitalization growth and the average annual temperature in the region. Tables and graphs are built using Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.Results: The primary analysis of the incidence of mental disorders of the neurotic spectrum in Ternopil region showed that the percentage growth rate for the year ranged from -19.55% to + 20.62% and it was difficult to determine the direction of this phenomenon. In this regard, we carried out the alignment of the series by increasing the period and determining the arithmetic mean of the data for three years, respectively, we obtained data showing that for 10 years the prevalence of mental disorders of the neurotic spectrum in Ternopil region increased, the growth rate ranged from + 1.66% to + 6.32%.Conclusions: Analyzing the obtained results, we found that in the conditions of global warming in Ternopil region there is a dynamics of growth in the incidence of mental disorders of neurotic origin. Also, by calculating the correlation coefficient, a direct correlation between the increase in the average annual temperature and the increase in morbidity rates was proved. The data obtained should be taken into account in the development of protocols for the prevention and treatment of mental illness associated with the effects of climate change, and will also be used in the educational process at the Departments of Physiology, Pathological Physiology and Psychiatry.

The present study is aimed to assess the nutritional status and cognitive performances of some preschool children (57.2-71.39 months). The study was performed on 39children 51% were girls and 49% were boys with a mean age of 53.59±1.85 months. All children from cities Giza government. The obtained data showed that mean valuebody weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) were 16.97±0.26 kg, 101.7±0.98 cm, 16.47±0.21kg/m2, and 14.01±0.33 cm respectively. According to the food intake analysis, the mean value intake of total energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate was 985.08±32.79 kcal, 33.74±1.12 g, 33.98±1.28g, and 110.96±3.89 g respectively. The mean value intake of some minerals (Iodine, Iron, Selenium, and Zinc) was 81.64±5.49µg, 9.71±0.49 mg, and 42.79±2.67µg and 4.77±0.22 mg respectively. The mean value intake of some vitamins (Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, and Vitamin C) was 273.23±25.57 I.U, 0.45±0.06 mg, 0.49±0.03 mg, and 17.01±1.14mg respectively. Some biochemical analyses showed that the mean value urinary iodine was 159.55±3.08 µg/l, and blood hemoglobin was 11.5±0.10g/dl. The Wechsler tests were done to calculate student IQ, the mean value of verbal IQ was 103.23±1.18, the mean average of performance IQ was 76.23±2.78, and the mean of total IQ was 94.61±0.93. Finally, this study is importance due to the lack of studies in this stage of childhood and so we recommended that to more investigation need to done at this stage of childhood especially with the increasing interest of the Egyptian government in the healthy nutrition of children.

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the accuracy of average faces constructed by different methods. Original three-dimensional facial images of 26 adults in Chinese ethnicity were imported into Di3DView and MorphAnalyser for image processing. Six average faces (Ave_D15, Ave_D24, Ave_MG15, Ave_MG24, Ave_MO15, Ave_MO24) were constructed using “surface-based registration” method with different number of landmarks and template meshes. Topographic analysis was performed, and the accuracy of six average faces was assessed by linear and angular parameters in correspondence with arithmetic means calculated from individual original images. Among the six average faces constructed by the two systems, Ave_MG15 had the highest accuracy in comparison with the conventional method, while Ave_D15 had the least accuracy. Other average faces were comparable regarding the number of discrepant parameters with clinical significance. However, marginal and non-registered areas were the most inaccurate regions using Di3DView. For MorphAnalyser, the type of template mesh had an effect on the accuracy of the final 3D average face, but additional landmarks did not improve the accuracy. This study highlights the importance of validating software packages and determining the degree of accuracy, as well as the variables which may affect the result.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause acute respiratory distress Syndrome (ARDS). OBJECTIVE: This single centre cross-section study aimed to grade the severity of pneumonia by bed-side lung ultrasound (LUS). METHODS: A scoring system discriminates 5 levels of lung opacities: A-lines (0 points),≥3 B-Line (1 point), coalescent B-Lines (2 points), marked pleural disruptions (3 points), consolidations (4 points). LUS (convex 1-5 MHz probe) was performed at 6 defined regions for each hemithorax either in supine or prone position. A lung aeration score (LAS, maximum 4 points) was allocated for each patient by calculating the arithmetic mean of the examined lung areas. Score levels were correlated with ventilation parameters and laboratory markers. RESULTS: LAS of 20 patients with ARDS reached from 2.58 to 3.83 and was highest in the lateral right lobe (Mean 3.67). Ferritin levels (Mean 1885µg/l; r = 0.467; p = 0.051) showed moderate correlation in spearman roh calculation. PaCO2 level (Mean 46.75 mmHg; r = 0.632; p = 0.005) correlated significantly with LAS, while duration of ventilation, Horovitz-Index, CRP, LDH and IL-6 did not. CONCUSIONS: The proposed LAS describes severity of lung opacities in COVID-19 patients and correlates with CO2 retention in patients with ARDS.

Purpose: 12 week- brisk walking exercise intervention at 50%-70% intensity was carried out in the study to examine the mean reduction on systolic and diastolic blood pressures of middle-aged mild-hypertensive population in Asaba, Nigeria. Methodology: The study comprised of 42 male and female middle-aged (36-45years) individuals who recorded mild-hypertension. A control group-pre-test and post-test experimental design was used to randomly assign the individuals into treatment and control groups. Whereas, arithmetic mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the data according to the difference in mean scores. Conclusion: In conclusion, 12-week brisk walking intervention showed a mean reduction on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of middle-aged mild-hypertensive population. Precisely, the experiment indicated that those who did not partake in the exercise intervention (control group) showed an increase on SBP and a decrease on DBP and thereby indicating a relatively higher mean reduction of 12-week brisk-walking exercise on SBP of middle-aged mild-hypertensive population. Recommendations: The study recommended that 50% -70% intensity of 12-week brisk-walking exercise may likely present a therapeutic intervention for people with mild-hypertension.

INTRODUCTION: Mega endoprosthesis replacement for resection of primary malignant bone tumour requires immediate and long-term stability, particularly in the young and active patient. Extracortical bone bridge interface (EBBI) is a technique whereby autograft is wrapped around the interface junction of bone and porous-coated implant to induce and enhance bone formation for biological incorporation. This procedure increases the mean torsional stiffness and the mean maximum torque, which eventually improves the implant's long-term survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The extracortical bone bridge interface's radiological parameter was evaluated at the prosthesis bone junction two years after surgery utilising a picture archiving and communication system (PACS). The radiograph's anteroposterior and lateral view was analysed for both thickness and length in all four cortices. The analysis was done in SPSS Version 24 using One-Way ANOVA and independent T-Test. Results were presented as mean and standard deviation and considered significant when the p-value was

This prospective study included 35 patients suffering from Graves' disease (GD) clinically and biologically confirmed by endocrinologists, sent to the nuclear medicine department of CHU de Bab El Oued, Algiers for iodine-131 therapy. CHU de Bab El Oued is a tertiary hospital located in the center of the capital Algiers. The aim of this study is to propose a simplified dosimetric procedure which will initiate iodine-131 therapy of GD in particular and hyperthyroidism in general in Niger. The determination of the maximum uptake was performed with a Biodex external probe at 2 h, 4 h, and 24 h after the administration of 3 MBq of liquid iodine-131. The iodine-131 activities were determined using the Marinelli formula with a predefined effective half-life (Te) of 5 days and subsequently extrapolated half-life with kaleidagraph software. The statistical analysis was performed using an excel sheet and analyzed using the software package Statistica 10 (stat Soft, Tulsa, USA). the male:female gender ratio was1:4.5 and the mean age was 42.56 years (±7.14). The body mass index was within normal range with a value of 25.25 kg2 (±0.42) and the mean average thyroid mass was equal to 24.05 (±10.53) g. The mean uptake value at 24 h was 43.24% (±17.68%) meanwhile the maximum uptake value was 46.28 (±21.13%). The estimated effective half-life (Te) was 5.44 days (±1.96) days which were different from the predefined Te of 5 days. The mean activity determined with fixed Te and 24 h uptake was 244.45 (±109.2) MBq and the mean activity calculated with both extrapolated Te and maximum uptake was 452.22 (±381.9) MBq. Empirical determination of activity in the treatment of GD gives higher activities (1.5 times) to patients than dosimetric methods based on the determination of extrapolated effective half-life.

Background/Aim. There are numerous studies on the usefulness of computed tomography (CT) in the assessment of the bone volume and morphology and on the relationship between CT and primary implant stability. But there is the scarcity of data about the correlation between bone density and the value of primary implant stability. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation of cone beam CT (CBCT) analysis derived bone density with primary stability value. Methods. Clinical prospective experimental study was conducted on 38 healthy patients missing one tooth in the lateral region. It was planned to install Bredent Blue Sky Narrow self-taping dental implants with dimensions 3.5 ? 10 mm. During preoperative preparation, a CBCT scan was performed on Planmeca apparatus, followed by preimplantation measurements and planning in the CBCT apparatus software (Romexis). The mean value of the average bone density was automatically generated and expressed in Hounsfield units (HU). Upon implant placement, we performed measurements of the primary implant stability using Osstell apparatus. Results. Of the 38 patients included in the study, there were 68.4% male patients and 31.6% female patients. The arithmetic mean of the measured bone density of all subjects in the study amounted to 536.2 HU. The arithmetic mean of dental implant primary stability for all subjects in the study was 68.7 ISQ. There was a statistically significant strong positive connection between HU and ISQ (r = 0.744, p < 0.001). Higher HU values were connected to higher ISQ values. In the multivariate linear regression model, statistically significant predictors of higher ISQ values: males (B = 4.669; p = 0.047) and higher HU values (B = 0.032; p < 0.001). Conclusion. In our clinical study, there was a statistically significant strong positive correlation between the bone density expressed in HU units, measured in the software of the CBCT device and the primary stability of dental implants expressed in ISQ units.

Didėjant pagyvenusių žmonių populiacijai vis didesnę svarbą įgauna programos, kurios orientuoja asmenį aktyvia gyvensena išsaugoti ir stiprinti sveikatą. Tyrimo tikslas – išanalizuoti šiaurietiškojo ėjimo poveikį vyresnio amžiaus žmonių kūno kompozicijai ir fiziniam aktyvumui. Tyrimo imtį sudarė 16 Biržų miesto vyresnio amžiaus žmonių. Tiriamųjų amžius buvo nuo 64 iki 77 metų (67,55 ± 4,06 metų). Tyrime taikyti ugdymo projekto, kūno sudėties analizės bei akselerometrijos metodai. Duomenims analizuoti buvo pasitelkta aprašomoji statistika: apskaičiuoti aritmetiniai vidurkiai, standartiniai nuokrypiai, procentinės reikšmės. Dviejų priklausomų imčių palyginimui taikytas Vilkoksono (angl. Wilcoxon) kriterijus. Rezultatai buvo vertinami kaip statistiškai reikšmingi, kai p ≤ 0,05. Duomenys apdoroti taikant statistinių duomenų apdorojimo programos SPSS (angl. Statistical Package for Social Sciences) paketo 20.0 versiją ir Microsoft Excel 2016 programinį paketą. Ugdymo programos įgyvendinimo laikotarpiu nustatyti dalyvių kūno kompozicijos pokyčiai, tačiau jie buvo statistiškai nereikšmingi: svoris sumažėjo 2,05 kg (p = 0,286), kūno masės indeksas – 0,91 kg/m2 (p = 0,374), kūno riebalinis audinys – 0,48 kg (p = 0,790), liesosios kūno masės procentinė išraiška padidėjo 0,1 proc. (p = 0,760). Tyrime išryškėjo teigiama ugdymo programos įtaka vyresnio amžiaus žmonių fiziniam aktyvumui. Pavasario sesijoje, kada pradėta įgyvendinti šiaurietiškojo ėjimo programa, tiriamieji per pratybų dienas nuėjo 3 321 žingsnį daugiau, o rudens sesijoje – 1 301 žingsnį daugiau, palyginti su kitomis dienomis. This paper analyzes the impact of Nordic walking on body composition and physical activity in older adults. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of Nordic walking on body composition and physical activity in older adults. In order to achieve the objective, the concepts of Nordic walking, physical activity and body composition were defined in this paper as well as their impact on older adults. The older people’s attitudes towards physical activity, physical activity level, body composition were determined, and the elderly activity program using the Nordic walking classes was prepared. The study involved 16 older adults from Biržai city, Lithuania. Subjects ranged in age from 64 to 77 years (67.55 ± 4.06 years). Body composition was measured using body composition analyzer IOI 353, physical activity – an accelerometer ActiGraph wGT3X-BT. Measurements were conducted at the beginning and at the end of the programme. The descriptive statistics was conducted using the method of statistical data analysis: calculated arithmetic means, standard deviations, percentage values. Wilcoxon test was used to compare two dependent samples. Results were considered statistically significant when p ≤ 0.05. Data were analyzed using statistical data processing program SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 20.0 package and Microsoft Excel 2016 software package. Nordic walking training programme had a positive impact on the body composition changes of the target group. Anthropometric indicators of the target group decreased: body mass weight decreased by 2.05 kg (p = 0.286), BMI decreased by 0.91 kg / m2 (p = 0.374), body fat decreased by an average of 0.48 kg (p = 0.790), lean body mass percentage increased by 0.1 percent (p = 0.760). Implementation of Nordic walking training programme shows a positive impact on the physical activity of older adults. standard deviations, percentage values. Wilcoxon test was used to compare two dependent samples. Results were considered statistically significant when p ≤ 0.05. Data were analyzed using statistical data processing program SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 20.0 package and Microsoft Excel 2016 software package. Nordic walking training programme had a positive impact on the body composition changes of the target group. Anthropometric indicators of the target group decreased: body mass weight decreased by 2.05 kg (p = 0.286), BMI decreased by 0.91 kg / m2 (p = 0.374), body fat decreased by an average of 0.48 kg (p = 0.790), lean body mass percentage increased by 0.1 percent (p = 0.760). Implementation of Nordic walking training programme shows a positive impact on the physical activity of older adults. In spring session, when the education programme has started, targeted group went 3321 steps more during Nordic walking days, and in the autumn session – 1301 steps more compared with other days. In spring session, when the education programme has started, targeted group went 3321 steps more during Nordic walking days, and in the autumn session – 1301 steps more compared with other days.

The relevance of studying the problem of deep incisal overlap (HF) among dentofacial anomalies (CCA) is due to the high prevalence of this pathology. Among modern methods of orthodontic treatment of pathology, the use of bracket systems and aligners is highlighted. The effectiveness of these techniques can be compared in determining the morphometric characteristics obtained by tele-radiography (TEG).Material and methods. The study involved 118 people with hydraulic fracturing, the average age was 38.7 8.5 years (64 women; 54 men). The first group consisted of 49 patients who underwent correction of AFA with eliners; second, 69 patients with bracket systems. To assess the effectiveness of treatment, TRG was performed. To present the results, in the case of quantitative characteristics, the arithmetic mean of the sample value (X) and the error of the mean (m) were calculated. For qualitative signs, the frequency of the sign (%) and its standard error (m%) were calculated.Results: The values ​​of the mandibular angle (G, ArGoMe), and the angles AB / ANS (AB / SpP), APg / ANS (MM), as well as the vertical dimensions of the jaws reached values ​​characteristic of an orthognathic bite. Angle increase SNB, NSL / ML4; angle reduction ANB.Output. Elimination of a deep bite is possible both with the use of bracket systems and aligners.

Purpose To compare predictability of postoperative refractive astigmatism (RA) using the Emmetropic Verifying Optical (EVO) Toric Formula v2.0 to one that accounts only for anterior corneal astigmatism. Methods This is a secondary analysis of de-identified data from a clinical trial including 9 sites across the United States. Preoperative biometry was used to predict postoperative RA with the implanted toric IOL using legacy enVista and EVO online calculators. The RA prediction error was computed between back-calculated postoperative RA and predicted residual RA. Outcome measures included vector (centroid) and arithmetic mean RA prediction error. Results Comparison of calculators was based on 109 eyes, 97 (89%) of which were implanted with a toric IOL with an effective astigmatism power of 1.4 D or less. Centroid of the RA prediction errors was 0.37 D @ 178 and 0.17 D @ 090 for the legacy and EVO calculators, respectively (p < 0.0001). The proportion of eyes with an absolute RA prediction error ≤0.5 was 47.3% and 49.1% (p = 0.78), while the proportion of eyes ≤1.0 D was 82.7% and 89.1% (p = 0.03). Differences in the proportions ≤0.5 D existed for WTR (p = 0.015) but not ATR (p = 0.75) eyes. The proportion in which orientation of the predicted RA (ATR, WTR, or oblique) matched the actual RA was 62% and 78% for legacy and EVO calculators, respectively (p = 0.0029). Conclusion The EVO Toric Formula v2.0 out-performed the legacy calculator with regards to predictions in eyes with low astigmatism.

The main purpose of the current study is to determine whether there is a relationship between the burnout syndrome which is related to many organizational factors and the person-organization fit which refers to the quality, value and structure compatibility between the person and the organization, and whether this relationship, if any, differs significantly based on various demographic variables. Within the framework of this aim, a scale was applied to 393 academics working in higher education institutions located in Istanbul. The data collection tools used in the study are “Person-Organization Fit Scale” developed by Cable and Judge (1997), and “Maslach Burnout Inventory” developed by Maslach and Jackson (1981). During the analysis of the data gathered through scales, arithmetic mean, frequency, and descriptive values such as standard deviation were used as well as t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and regression. The results of the research showed that the person-organization fit levels of academicians working at foundation or state universities in Turkey were high, the levels of burnout were low in the emotional exhaustion and depersonalization sub-dimensions of burnout, and the level of personal accomplishment sub-dimension of burnout was moderate. In this study, it was found that the person-organization fit levels of academics differ significantly in terms of gender and weekly course load variables. According to the results of the research, a significant difference was obtained at burnout levels of academics in terms of their weekly course load, academic titles, whether they have any administrative duties and gender variables. In addition, there is a significant relationship between academics' person-organization fit and burnout levels.

Background The purpose was to study the macular ganglion cell- inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness in healthy 6.5 year- old Swedish children using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and to study topography symmetry within eyes and between eye pairs. Methods A total of 181 eyes of 92 healthy children (39 girls, 53 boys) aged 6.5 and serving as a term-born control group in the Extremely Preterm Infants in Sweden Study (EXPRESS), were examined with Cirrus HD-OCT. Main outcome measures were average and minimum values of GC-IPL thickness of the device’s predefined macular sectors. Single sectors, combined sectors defined as superior and inferior hemispheres and temporal and nasal sectors were evaluated. Intra-individual GC-IPL thickness between eye pairs was analyzed. Visual acuity, refraction and general cognition were assessed and correlated to GC-IPL outcome. Results Eighty-five children completed the OCT examination and 155 out of 181 scans (86%) were analyzed. The mean average GC-IPL thickness was 85.9 μm (± 5.3; 5th and 95th percentiles were 76.0 and 94.6 μm). The mean minimum GC-IPL thickness was 83.6 μm (± 4.9; 5th and 95th percentiles were 75.4 and 92.3 μm). The difference in thickness between nasal and temporal sectors and between superior and inferior hemisphere sectors were less than 2 μm. The difference between average GC-IPL thickness and minimum GC-IPL thickness was 2.3 μm (± 1.9; 5th and 95th percentiles were 0.0 and 6.0 μm). The difference between the thickest and thinnest sector within eye was 6.4 μm (± 2.2; 5th and 95th percentiles were 3.0 and 10.0 μm). There was a moderate correlation in the difference between the nasal combined and the temporal combined sectors within eye pairs (p p = 0.031, Spearman’s ρ 0.23). Conclusions This study provides normative GC-IPL thickness values for healthy 6.5 year- old Swedish children. The GC-IPL thickness variations within eyes and within eye pairs are generally small. It could therefore be assumed that larger variations are sensitive markers of focal GC-IPL thinning due to damage to the primary visual pathways in children.

The relationships between linear dimensions of the lumbar intervertebral discs (IVDL1-L2, IVDL2-L3, IVDL3-L4, IVDL4-L5) and somatometric parameters in girls and females of the first adulthood were investigated. The numerous relationships between the partial (height, sagittal and transverse sizes) linear dimensions and total sizes of the lumbar intervertebral discs in girls and women of the first adulthood (16-26 years) with their somatometric parameters were found. The linear dimensions of the lumbar intervertebral discs (height, sagittal and transverse sizes) were measured on the MRI images in the axial, sagittal and coronal plains. The arithmetic means of absolute correlation coefficients between particular and total individual sizes of IVDL1-L2, IVDL2-L3, IVDL3-L4, IVDL4-L5 and relative quantity with somatometric parameters were calculated with following results: arithmetic means of absolute correlation coefficients for particular individual sizes are within 0,120 - 0,170; for total sizes – 0,190; for ratio of the total sizes to the mass-growth coefficient – 0,507.

Purpose To analyze astigmatic changes after intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRSs) implantation accompanied by corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) in keratoconic eyes using the Alpins vectorial method. Patients and methods Twenty-eight eyes of 18 patients with keratoconus were included in this retrospective non-comparative study. All patients had combined femtosecond laser-assisted Keraring implantation and CXL, and completed at least 2 years of follow-up. Both manifest and corneal astigmatic changes were analyzed using the Alpins vectorial parameters based on 3 vectors; target induced astigmatism (TIA), surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) and difference vector (DV). Results Regarding analysis of manifest astigmatism, the TIA arithmetic mean was 5.22 D while the vector mean was 3.13 D Ax 173. The SIA arithmetic mean was 5.41 D while the vector mean was 2.38 D Ax 173. The DV arithmetic mean was 2.10 D while the vector mean was 0.75 D Ax 175. Regarding analysis of corneal astigmatism, the TIA arithmetic mean was 5.22 D while the vector mean was 3.13 D Ax 173. The SIA arithmetic mean was 5.23 D while the vector mean was 1.8 D Ax 12. The DV arithmetic mean was 4.28 D while the vector mean was 2.04 D Ax 157. Conclusion Vector analysis of manifest and corneal astigmatism in keratoconic eyes with previous ICRS and CXL reveals more accuracy and predictability of manifest refraction in calculating SIA.

The purpose of the study was to test new method for in vitro evaluation of dental material wear with 3D digitization procedure. Thirty dental crowns, made of polyetheretherketone and veneered with composite material, were subjected to wear test. The crown surface was digitized using coordinate measuring machine before and after the performed wear test. Mesh 3D models were reconstructed and average and maximum depth of lost material and volume loss was calculated (GOM Inspect 2016 software). Mean average depth value amounted 12±7 µm, maximum depth value was 42 µm, while mean volume loss was 0.0024 mm3. The smallest measured values were 4 µm for depth value and 0.0003 mm3 for volume loss. Coefficient of variation was very high for all tested parameters (>50%) as a result of data inconsistency. Within the limitations of applied methodology, the possibility of using coordinate measuring machine in measurement of dental material wear was confirmed.

This study aimed to investigate the arithmetic mean of surgically induced astigmatism (M-SIA) and the centroid of surgically induced astigmatism (C-SIA) after standard trabeculectomy. We comprised 185 eyes of 143 consecutive patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 67.7 ± 11.6 years) who underwent trabeculectomy and completed at least a 3-month routine follow-up. In all cases, the scleral flap was made at the nasal-superior location. Corneal astigmatism was measured with an automated keratometer. We calculated the M-SIA and the C-SIA using vector analysis and applied the astigmatism double angle plot. The magnitude of corneal astigmatism increased significantly, from 1.17 ± 0.92 D preoperatively to 1.77 ± 1.05 D postoperatively (paired t-test, p < 0.001). The M-SIA was 1.12 ± 0.55 D, and the C-SIA was 0.73 D @64° ± 1.02 D in the right eye group, and the M-SIA was 1.08 ± 0.48 D and the C-SIA was 0.60 D @117° ± 1.03 D in the left eye group. The C-SIA showed an astigmatic shift toward the nasal-superior location of the scleral flap creation. Our results revealed that trabeculectomy induced the SIA in the direction of the scleral flap location and that the C-SIA was much lower than the M-SIA in eyes undergoing trabeculectomy.

Memishi Shpresa, Ameti Vullnet, Arifi Fitim. Standing Height and Its Estimation Utilizing Length of Hand Measurements of Both Gender Adolescents from North Region of Kosovo; District of Mitrovica. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2019;9(12):11-18. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2019.09.12.001 https://apcz.umk.pl/czasopisma/index.php/JEHS/article/view/JEHS.2019.09.12.001 https://zenodo.org/record/3564748 The journal has had 5 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education parametric evaluation. § 8. 2) and § 12. 1. 2) 22.02.2019. © The Authors 2019; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author (s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non commercial license Share alike. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Received: 15.11.2019. Revised: 24.11.2019. Accepted: 05.12.2019. Standing Height and Its Estimation Utilizing Length of Hand Measurements of Both Gender Adolescents from North Region of Kosovo; District of Mitrovica Shpresa Memishi1, Vullnet Ameti1, Fitim Arifi1,2 1University of Tetova, Faculty for Sport and Physical Education, Tetova, North Macedonia 2Universi College, Department of Physical Culture, Sport and Recreation, Prishtina, Kosovo Abstract Purpose of this study was to examine the standing height of adolescents from district of Mitrovica north region of Kosovo, as well relationship between the length of the hand and standing height from both gender adolescents. A total measured subject participated in this research was 177 students from high school graduates (87 male and 90 female) females average of age is 18.28±0.45 years old (range 18-20 years) and for male 18.25±0.46 years old (range 18-20 years).The anthropometric measurements were done by trained people and were taken according to the ISAK manual. The results for body height and length of the hand were analyzed by means of the arithmetic mean (SD) and a simple correlation coefficient, while T-test analysis was used for differences between the two genders and linear regressive analysis assessed body height based on length of hand measurements. The results obtained in this paper have shown that body height can be estimated from the length of the hand, which reliably predicts body height for both genders. Key words: Measurements, Body Height, Hand Length, Mitrovica, Genders

The socio-economic development of the country and any region is influenced by many factors, among which the most important role belongs to the demographic, in a generalized form representing the demographic situation. The demographic situation is usually understood as the demographic situation, the state of demographic processes, the composition and placement of the population at a certain time in a country or a particular region. Thus, the analysis of the demographic situation is necessary for understanding the main parameters of the population, trends in their dynamics, forecasting the number, demographic structure, demographic behavior of the population. Objective: to conduct a comparative analysis of official statistical data on demographic processes (statics and population dynamics) in the Moscow region (MO) for 2000-2015. Materials and methods: at the first stage, the collection and analysis of information and statistical sources were carried out, requests were sent to the Federal and territorial state statistics services of the Russian Federation (Rosstat, Mosobstat, MIAC MO). At the second stage, the data on demographic processes in the Moscow region were copied from the responses of Rosstat, Mosobstat, MIAC MO and from the websites of relevant organizations. Statistical analysis included calculation of simple arithmetic mean, percentage values, economic and demographic burden on the working population, demographic factors and the efficiency of population growth. Results and conclusions. The population of the Moscow region at the beginning of the XXI century continues to increase, but mainly due to migrants arriving from neighboring regions of the country and abroad. Males constitute 46.2% of the population and females 53.8% (2015). Boys are born more than girls by 6% and this advantage is maintained until the age of 30. And starting from the age of 35, the number of women begins to prevail over the number of men by 3.5%. This trend continues to 75 years and older. Age groups of the region's population are formed according to the regressive type: children - 15.9%; working-age population - 59.8%, and persons older than working age - 24.3% (2015). The economic and demographic burden of children and the elderly on the working population is more than 40%. The birth rate in the region increased by 76.7% from 2000 to 2015 and was higher than in 1990. Analysis of the total fertility rate indicates that in the Moscow region remains mononuclear family type (1-2-child family), ie there is no expanded reproduction of the population. In children, and especially in working age, the mortality rate is higher in men than in women. In men, the mortality rate reaches 41% of the total mortality at the working age. The number of women who died in working age is 4 times less than men. The natural increase in the population of the Moscow region for 15 years of the XXI century has a small but negative value, since the population is decreasing, and the increase in the population is mainly due to high migration.

The Chernobyl accident on 26 April 1986 led to a sharp increase in thyroid cancer (TC) incidence in the individuals exposed to radiation in childhood. The major risk factor for TC was exposure to Iodine-131 (131I). Here, we estimated the thyroid doses due to 131I intake for 2041 participants of the genome-wide association study of TC in Belarusian people exposed to radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl accident. The following parameter-values specially developed in this study were used to estimate individual thyroid doses: (i) scaling factors for adjustment of the model-based doses, (ii) age and gender diet to characterize 131I intake, and (iii) area-, age- and gender-specific S-values for the thyroid gland per 131I decay in the thyroid. The most reliable doses were calculated for 103 people with measured 131I thyroid activity (the arithmetic mean of 1.2 Gy, median 0.52 Gy), and 275 individuals with detailed residential history and dietary data (the arithmetic mean of 0.41 Gy, median 0.24 Gy). The arithmetic mean of thyroid doses among all study participants was 0.23 Gy (median 0.082 Gy); the highest individual dose was 9.0 Gy. Special attention was paid to the reliability and validity of the obtained estimates, in particular for the individuals without 131I thyroid activity measurements and individual data on residential history and diet, by comparing those with the doses from other post-Chernobyl epidemiological studies. Overall, the doses estimated in the current study were in reasonable agreement with previously reported thyroid doses. These doses will be used in the genome-wide association study of TC in people exposed in Belarus to 131I after the Chernobyl accident.

The initial stability after implantology is paramount to the survival of the dental implant, and the surface roughness of the implant plays a vital role in this regard. The characterisation of surface topography is a complicated branch of metrology, with a huge range of parameters available. Each parameter contributes significantly towards the survival and mechanical properties of three-dimensional printed specimens. The purpose of this paper is to experimentally investigate the effect of surface roughness of three-dimensional printed dental implants and three-dimensional printed dogbone tensile samples under areal height parameters, amplitude parameters (average of ordinates), skewness parameters and mechanical properties. During the experiment, roughness values were analysed, and the results showed that the skewness parameter demonstrated a minimum value of 0.59%. The three-dimensional printed dental implant recorded the arithmetic mean deviation of the assessed profile with a 3.4-mm diameter at 43.23% and the three-dimensional printed dental implant with a 4.3-mm diameter at 26.18%. Samples with a complex geometry exhibited a higher roughness surface, which was the greatest difficulty of additive manufacturing when evaluating surface finish. The results show that when the ultimate tensile stress decreases from 968.35 to 955.25 MPa, the arithmetic mean deviation increases by 1.4%, and when ultimate tensile stress increases to 961.18 MPa, the arithmetic mean deviation increases by 0.6%. When the cycle decreases from 262,142 to 137,433, the arithmetic mean deviation shows that less than a 90.74% increase in the cycle is obtained. For the three-dimensional printed dental implants, the higher the surface roughness, the lower the mechanical properties, ultimately leading to decreased implant life and poor performance.

This paper describes the revision of the thyroid dosimetry system in Ukraine using new, recently available data on (i) revised 131I thyroid activities derived from direct thyroid measurements done in May and June 1986 in 146,425 individuals; (ii) revised estimates of 131I ground deposition density in each Ukrainian settlement; and (iii) estimates of age- and gender-specific thyroid masses for the Ukrainian population. The revised dosimetry system estimates the thyroid doses for the residents of the settlements divided into three levels depending on the availability of measurements of 131I thyroid activity among their residents. Thyroid doses due to 131I intake were estimated in this study for different age and gender groups of residents of 30,353 settlements in 24 oblasts of Ukraine, Autonomous Republic Krym, and cities of Kyiv and Sevastopol. Among them, dose estimates for 835 settlements were based on 131I thyroid activities measured in more than ten residents (the first level), for 690 settlements based on such measurements done in neighboring settlements (the second level), and for 28,828 settlements based on a purely empirical relationship between the thyroid doses due to 131I intake and the cumulative 131I ground deposition densities in settlements (the third level). The arithmetic mean of the thyroid doses due to 131I intake among 146,425 measured individuals was 0.23 Gy (median of 0.094 Gy); about 99.8% of them received doses less than 5 Gy. The highest oblast-average population-weighted thyroid doses were estimated for residents of Chernihiv (0.15 Gy for arithmetic mean and 0.060 Gy for geometric mean), Kyiv (0.13 and 0.051 Gy) and Zhytomyr (0.12 and 0.049 Gy) Oblasts followed by Rivne (0.10 and 0.039 Gy) and Cherkasy (0.088 and 0.032 Gy) Oblasts, and Kyiv City (0.076 and 0.031 Gy). The geometric mean of thyroid doses estimated in this study for the entire Ukraine essentially did not change in comparison with a previous estimate, 0.020 vs. 0.021 Gy, respectively. The ratio of geometric mean of oblast-specific thyroid doses estimated in the present study to previously calculated doses varied from 0.51 to 3.9. The highest increase in thyroid doses was found in areas remote from the Chornobyl nuclear power plant with a low level of radioactive contamination: by 3.9 times for Zakarpatska Oblast, 3.5 times for Luhansk Oblasts and 2.9 times for Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. The developed thyroid dosimetry system is being used to revise the thyroid doses due to 131I intake for the individuals of post-Chornobyl radiation epidemiological studies: the Ukrainian-American cohort of individuals exposed during childhood and adolescence, the Ukrainian in utero cohort, and the Chornobyl Tissue Bank.

Aim This study aims to determine the effect of COVID-19 anxiety levels of healthcare professionals on their working life quality. Method The sample of the descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational study consisted of healthcare professionals working in two university hospitals in western Turkey between May and July 2021. We used the Personal Information Form, Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, and Working Life Quality Scale as data collection tools. We used numbers and percentage calculations, arithmetic mean, median (25th-75th percentile), Mann-Whitney U test, Spearmen correlation analysis and Linear Regression analysis to analyse the data. Results The mean score on the Quality of Life Scale of healthcare professionals was 3.74 +/- 0.28, and the mean score on the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) was 9.66 +/- 6.06 (min. 0; max. 20). We found a negative and weakly significant relationship between the mean score of the CAS of healthcare professionals and the mean score of the employee quality of life scale. According to the results of the multiple linear regression analysis, we found the factors significantly affecting the anxiety states of healthcare professionals related to the Coronavirus are the quality of working life, age, sex and the state of caring for a patient with COVID-19. Conclusion As a conclusion of this study, it was determined that healthcare professionals experienced anxiety, and anxiety decreased as ages, working years and the number of children they have increased. In addition, it was determined that as the anxiety of healthcare professionals increased, the quality of working life decreased. WOS:000698900100001 2-s2.0-85115617414 PubMed: 34541747

Background: The main goal of radiation therapy is to deliver the highest dose to the tumor and at the same time the lowest dose to the surrounding normal tissue. In vivo dosimetry is a quality control procedure that, instead of controlling the components separately, directly examines the dose reached to the tumor area. Objectives: In this study, the entrance, exit, and middle dose of the breast and supraclavicular area of patients with breast cancer under radiation therapy were measured and compared with calculations. Methods: In this experimental study, the entrance and exit doses of 33 patients with breast tumors treated with 6 MV and 18MV photons were measured simultaneously. The measurement was done, using p-type diodes after calibration and, then, the midpoint dose was calculated, using the transfer method and arithmetic mean method. Also, the entrance dose, exit dose, and midline dose measured with dosimeter were compared with the calculated values in the treatment planning system. Results: There was no significant difference between calculated and measured doses in the entrance, exit, and midline point in breast regions (P > 0.05), but in the supraclavicular region, a challenge was observed. The difference in entrance and midline point between calculation and measurement is not significant based on the transfer method, but there is a significant error based on the arithmetic mean method (P < 0.05). Conclusions: In vivo dosimetry by measured real given dose to the patient can perform a basic role in the quality control of the radiotherapy department. It seems in the entrance dose, the relative error is smaller but due to the smaller value of exit dose, the relative error in small values is more apparent.

Non-invasive assessment of axon radii via MRI bears great potential for clinical and neuroscience research as it is a main determinant of the neuronal conduction velocity. However, there is a lack of representative histological reference data on the scale of the cross-section of MRI voxels for validating the MRI-visible, effective radius (reff). Because the current gold standard stems from neuroanatomical studies designed to estimate the frequency-weighted arithmetic mean radius (rarith) on small ensembles of axons, it is unsuited to estimate the tail-weighted reff. We propose CNN-based segmentation on high-resolution, large-scale light microscopy (lsLM) data to generate a representative reference for reff. In a human corpus callosum, we assessed estimation accuracy and bias of rarith and reff. Furthermore, we investigated whether mapping anatomy-related variation of rarith and reff is confounded by low-frequency variation of the image intensity, e.g., due to staining heterogeneity. Finally, we analyzed the potential error due to outstandingly large axons in reff. Compared to rarith, reff was estimated with higher accuracy (normalized-root-mean-square-error of reff: 7.2 %; rarith: 21.5 %) and lower bias (normalized-mean-bias-error of reff: −1.7 %; rarith: 16 %). While rarith was confounded by variation of the image intensity, variation of reff seemed anatomy-related. The largest axons contributed between 0.9 % and 3 % to reff. In conclusion, the proposed method accurately estimates reff at MRI voxel resolution across a human corpus callosum sample. Further investigations are required to assess generalization to brain areas with different axon radii ensembles.

Background The purpose of this study was to compare the h-index, and subsequently the research productivity, among different ophthalmic subspecialties in the United States. Methods A cohort of over 15,000 academic ophthalmologists residing in the United States (US) was identified out of the physician list of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Of them, 1000 ophthalmologists with at least one publication were randomly retrieved, 100 in each of the following 10 subspecialties: cataract, cornea/external disease, glaucoma, medical retina, neuro-ophthalmology, pediatric ophthalmology, plastic/reconstructive ophthalmology, refractive surgery, retina/vitreous surgery and uveitis. Data collected included: number of published papers, h-index score, annual increase in h-index and the mean number of authors on each paper. Results The mean h-index amongst all subspecialties was 9.87 ± 13.90, and the mean average annual increase in h-index was 0.22 ± 0.21. The mean number of papers published was 37.20 ± 80.08 and the mean number of authors on each paper was 3.39 ± 0.84. Uveitis was the most prolific subspecialty in mean number of papers (74.78 ± 131.37), in mean h-index (16.69 ± 20.00) and in mean annual increase in h-index (0.35 ± 0.28). The least fertile subspecialty with regards to research was cataract with 11.06 ± 27.65 mean number of papers, a mean h-index of 3.89 ± 5.84, and a mean annual increase in h-index of 0.11 ± 0.11. Conclusions This study describes the research productivity in each ophthalmic subspecialty in the US, thus providing information on the research performance of each field and on the expected academic accomplishments within it.

Introduction . Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an incurable demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (c.n.s.). The chronic nature of this disease causes deterioration of the physical, mental, emotional and social condition of patients, which significantly reduces their quality of life. Aim . The aim of the study was to determine the quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis. Material and Methods . The study involved 100 patients with multiple sclerosis, associated in support groups operating in the Silesian voivodeship. Among the respondents were 77 women and 23 men. The FAMS questionnaire — version 4 (Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Instrument) was chosen to measure the quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis. The obtained research material was subjected to a statistical analysis, using the statistical package STATISTICA v12 for calculations. In order to calculate the variables, the following measures were used: arithmetic mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, asymmetry coefficient, kurtosis coefficient, Person linear correlation coefficient, Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Results . The average results of all subscales of the FAMS questionnaire-version 4 in the examined group reached the value of 111.1 points; that is, a satisfactory level (65% of all respondents), in the absence of bad assessments, and 35% of good grades. The result is at the second level of quality of life, in the numerical range of 58–117 points. The lowest scores were recorded in the “Mobility” subscale (14.39 points), and the highest in “Other ailments” (36.77 points). Strong correlations were found between the FAMS score and individual subscales. As the subscale score increased, the FAMS score increased, and the higher the score, the better the quality of life of MS patients. The higher the respondent’s age, the lower the FAMS results, while the one-way treatment process — either pharmacology or rehabilitation — does not improve the quality of life, only integrated actions increase the quality of life of patients with MS. In the case of a form of the disease — a primary progressive and primary progressive form with exacerbations affect the quality of life of patients with MS. Conclusions . Most MS patients assessed their quality of life as satisfactory, in the absence of bad and with one-third of good scores. The existence of links between the FAMS results and all subscales indicates that the higher the subscales rated, the higher the FAMS result, i.e. the better quality of life of MS patients. Gender does not determine the quality of life of the respondents, while age, the form of the disease and the type of treatment affect the quality of life. (JNNN 2019;8(3):95–101)

The study purpose was to develop a technology of programming for strength and strength endurance development in middle-school-aged girls in a 4-week physical training cycle. Materials and methods. The study participants were girls of 6th grade (n = 23), 7th grade (n = 20), 8th grade (n = 27). The paper used analysis and generalization of data of scientific and methodological literature, pedagogical testing, and methods of mathematical statistics for processing research results. The study materials were processed by the IBM SPSS 23 statistical analysis software. The following parameters were calculated: arithmetic mean (X); standard deviation (s). The probability of difference in statistical indicators was estimated using the Student’s t-test. Results. The analysis of the study results demonstrated that after using a combined method of strength development (1–6 classes), the experimental group girls showed a statistically significant improvement in results in the set of tests (p < 0.05). After using a circuit training method (7–12 classes), the experimental group girls also showed a statistically significant improvement in results in the set of tests (p < 0.05). During the experiment, the 6th-8th grade girls of the control group showed no statistically significant improvement in test results for most parameters (p > 0.05). Conclusions. When using the combined method of strength development (1–6 classes) and the circuit training method (7–12 classes) in a 4-week physical training cycle, the middle-school-aged girls showed positive dynamics of strength and strength endurance development of shoulder muscles, abdominal and back muscles, leg muscles.

Purpose The Physician Assistant Clinical Knowledge Rating and Assessment Tool (PACKRAT®) is a known predictor of performance on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). It is unknown, however, whether these associations (1) vary across programs; (2) differ by PACKRAT metrics (first-year [PACKRAT 1], second-year [PACKRAT 2], and composite score [arithmetic mean of PACKRAT 1 and PACKRAT 2]); or (3) are modified by demographic or socioeconomic variables. Methods Linear and logistic hierarchical regression models (HRMs) were used to evaluate associations between PACKRAT metrics and (1) continuous PANCE scores and (2) odds of low PANCE performance (LPP), respectively. Likelihood ratio tests were used to evaluate differences in associations between programs and effect modification by demographic and socioeconomic variables. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to examine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values for various PACKRAT metrics/cut points. Models were adjusted for demographic and socioeconomic variables. The PACKRAT scores were standardized for each year to the national mean and SD. Results Adjusted HRMs across 5 programs (n = 1014) found the composite score to have the strongest association, with a 10-percentile-point increase associated with a 22-point (95% confidence interval [CI]: 19-26) increase in PANCE score. The composite score also strongly predicted decrements in odds of LPP (odds ratio: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.38-0.55). Hierarchical regression models and ROC curves identified significant variability in associations among programs. Effect modification was not observed by any investigated variable. Conclusions The composite score had the largest magnitudes of association with PANCE scores and odds of LPP. The significant difference in association identified between programs suggests that the predictive ability of the exam is not uniform. The lack of effect modification by demographic and socioeconomic variables suggests that associations do not significantly differ by these metrics.

Objective Evidence suggests that exposure to psychosocial stress at work can inhibit vagal tonus, influencing the capacity to respond to environmental stimuli. We investigated whether job strain and low control and high demand at work, as separate measures, are associated with a reduction in heart rate variability (HRV). Methods This is a cross-sectional study with 9658 active workers at the baseline (2008-2010) of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). HRV was estimated using electrocardiographic recordings for 10 minutes, at rest, examining the following indices were used: root mean square of successive difference, standard deviation of normal to normal, percentage of adjacent R-R intervals with a difference lasting more than 50 ms, low frequency (LF), and high frequency. Job strain was defined based on the demand-control model. Independent associations between job strain and HRV indices were verified using generalized linear models and the magnitude of the association was estimated by evaluating the ratios of arithmetic means. Results Neither the unfavorable demand-control relation nor job demand dimension separately was associated with HRV. However, the increase of one unit in the control dimension was associated with an increment of 2.2% (95% confidence interval = 1.014-1.029) in the LF mean. After adjustments for sociodemographic characteristics, assessment site, health-related behaviors, and depression, this association remained statistically significant (ratio of arithmetic means = 1.008; 95% confidence interval = 1.0002-1.017). Conclusions Job control was associated with HRV in a large cohort of civil servants. Nevertheless, it is important to emphasize that only the LF index remained associated with low job control. Further studies are needed to develop a greater understanding of the relationship of psychosocial aspects and autonomic balance.

The study purpose was to develop a technology of programming for strength and strength endurance development in middle-school-aged boys in a 4-week physical training cycle. Materials and methods. The study participants were boys of 6th grade (n=35), 7th grade (n=36), 8th grade (n=36). The study materials were processed by the IBM SPSS 23 statistical analysis software. The following parameters were calculated: arithmetic mean (X); standard deviation (s). The probability of difference in statistical indicators was estimated using the Student's t-test. Results. The analysis of the study results demonstrated that after using a combined method of strength development (1-6 classes), the experimental group boys showed a statistically significant improvement in results in the set of tests ( p < 0.05). After using a combined method of strength development, the 6th-8th grade boys had the largest increase in the results of strength and strength endurance of shoulder muscles, strength and strength endurance of abdominal muscles, strength and static strength endurance of leg muscles ( p < 0.05). After using a circuit training method (7-12 classes), the experimental group boys also showed a statistically significant improvement in results in the set of tests ( p < 0.05). The 6th-8th grade boys had the largest increase in the results of dynamic and static strength endurance of shoulder muscles, abdominal and back muscles, leg muscles (p < 0.05). According to the Eurofit motor fitness tests, after using the combined method of strength development (1-6 classes) and the circuit training method (7-12 classes) in a 4-week training cycle, the experimental group boys showed a statistically significant improvement in results in the set of tests (p < 0.05). During the experiment, the 6th-8th grade boys of the control group showed no statistically significant improvement in test results for most parameters (p > 0.05). A comparison between the levels of strength fitness of the control group boys and experimental group boys after the experiment showed that the experimental group boys had statistically significantly better results of strength and strength endurance of shoulder muscles, abdominal and back muscles, leg muscles (p < 0.05). Conclusions. After using the combined method of strength development (1-6 classes) and the circuit training method (7-12 classes) in a 4-week physical training cycle, the middle-school-aged boys showed positive dynamics of strength and strength endurance development of shoulder muscles, abdominal and back muscles, leg muscles. The dynamics of strength and static endurance of the local muscle group is strongly influenced by the combined method of strength development. The circuit training method is effective to develop dynamic and static strength endurance of the local muscle group. For overall development of strength and general endurance, it is effective to use a combination of the combined method of strength development and circuit training method in a 4-week physical training cycle.

Peanut products were the target of the largest food recall in United States history from 2008 to 2009, with more than 3,200 products implicated, economic losses estimated at $1 billion, and more than 700 reported illnesses and 9 deaths. Predictive modeling tools such as quantitative microbial risk assessment can be used to aid processors in making risk management decisions that may reduce the chances of foodborne illness, but published risk assessment for peanuts is not currently available. A quantitative microbial risk assessment was performed to quantify salmonellosis risk from consumption of peanuts in the United States. Prevalence and concentration data for Salmonella on raw, shelled peanuts were used in combination with probability distributions of simulated log reductions achieved during production steps before consumption. Data for time-temperature combinations used in each step were obtained from published literature, industry surveys, or expert opinion, and survival data were obtained from the literature. A beta-Poisson dose-response model was used to predict probability of illness from ingestion of Salmonella cells. The model predicted 14.2 (arithmetic mean) or 0.0123 (geometric mean) illnesses per year. Sensitivity analysis showed that thermal inactivation log reductions applied had the biggest impact on predicted salmonellosis risk, followed by consumer storage time, Salmonella starting concentration, Salmonella starting prevalence, and number of originally contaminated 25-g servings per originally positive 375-g sample. Scenario analysis showed that increasing log reduction variability increased mean salmonellosis risk. Removing the effect of storage on Salmonella survival increased the arithmetic and geometric means to 153 and 0.598 illnesses per year, respectively. This study indicated that the risk of salmonellosis from consumption of peanuts can be lowered by reducing field contamination, control of storage steps, and monitoring of appropriate critical limits in peanut roasting.

The purpose of this study is to measure parameters of the anterior segment of normal feline eyes using a rotating Scheimpflug camera in young and adult cats.Sixteen domestic short-haired (DSH) healthy cats (seven castrated males and nine spayed females) with a mean age of 17 months (SD = 3.5) were anesthetized. Cats were considered immature and adults if they wereor ≥12 months of age, respectively. The keratometric values, the anterior chamber depth (ACD), and central corneal thickness (CCT) of the right eye of each animal were measured using a Pentacam Oculus topographer. The repeatability of the measures was assessed by calculating the coefficient of variation of the successive measures in cats (five repetitions per cat). We performed an ANOVA to test the effect of age on the parameters measures.The mean CCT and ACD were 601.97 ± 38 μm and 5.27 ± 0.04 mm, respectively. No significant differences were observed between adult and young cat's measures. The average keratometric value was 39.6 ± 0.3 D. The mean average cylindrical error was 2.48 ± 0.35 D (43.75% "against-the-rule" astigmatism and 43.75% "oblique" astigmatism).The Oculus Pentacam under clinical conditions give CCT and ACD values very similar to those reported in previous studies. Corneal astigmatism measures were markedly elevated (2 D). Further studies with a larger population of cats of various breeds and ages are needed to confirm or refute these results, using a rotating Scheimpflug camera.

This paper discusses the monthly and seasonal variation of the total electron content (TEC) and the improvement of performance of the IRI model in estimating TEC over Ethiopia during the solar maximum (2013–2016) phase employing as reference the GPS derived TEC data inferred from four GPS receivers installed in different regions of Ethiopia; Assosa (geog 10.05°N, 34.55°E, Geom. 7.01°N), Ambo (8.97°N, 37.86°E, Geom. 5.42°N), Nazret (8.57°N, 39.29°E, Geom. 4.81°N) and Arba Minch (6.06°N, 37.56°E, Geom. 2.62°N). The results reveal that, in the years 2013–2016, the highest peak GPS-derived diurnal VTEC is observed in the March equinox in 2015 over Arba Minch station. Moreover, both the arithmetic mean GPS-derived and modelled VTEC values, generally, show maximum and minimum values in the equinoctial and June solstice months, respectively in 2014–2015. However, in 2013, the minimum and maximum arithmetic mean GPS-derived values are observed in the March equinox and December solstice, respectively. The results also show that, even though overestimation of the modelled VTEC has been observed on most of the hours, all versions of the model are generally good to estimate both the monthly and seasonal diurnal hourly VTEC values, especially in the early morning hours (00:00–03:00 UT or 03:00–06:00 LT). However, it has also been shown that the IRI 2007 and IRI 2012 versions generally perform best in matching the diurnal GPS derived TEC values as compared to that of the IRI 2016 version. In addition, the IRI 2012 version with IRI2001 option for the topside electron density shows the highest overestimation of the VTEC as compared to the other options. None of the versions of the IRI model are proved to be able to capture the effects of geomagnetic storms.

The study purpose is to develop a technology of programming for strength and strength endurance development in middle-school-aged girls in a 2-week training cycle. Materials and methods. The study participants were 6thgrade girls (n=20), 7thgrade girls (n=27), 8thgrade girls (n=30). The paper used analysis and generalization of data of scientific and methodological literature, pedagogical testing and methods of mathematical statistics for processing research results. The study materials were processed by the IBM SPSS 23 statistical analysis software. The following parameters were calculated: arithmetic mean (X); standard deviation (s). The probability of difference in statistical indicators was estimated using the Student's t-test. Results. The analysis of the study results showed that after 1-3 circuit training classes, the girls in the experimental group demonstrate a statistically significant, but slight improvement of results in the set of tests (p

Multiple studies in India have found elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in target populations. However the data have not yet been evaluated to understand population-wide exposure levels. We used arithmetic mean blood lead data published from 2010 to 2018 on Indian populations to calculate the average BLLs for multiple subgroups. We then calculated the attributable disease burden in IQ decrement and Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Our Pubmed search yielded 1066 articles. Of these, 31 studies representing the BLLs of 5472 people in 9 states met our study criteria. Evaluating these, we found a mean BLL of 6.86 μg/dL (95% CI: 4.38–9.35) in children and 7.52 μg/dL (95% CI: 5.28–9.76) in non-occupationally exposed adults. We calculated that these exposures resulted in 4.9 million DALYs (95% CI: 3.9–5.6) in the states we evaluated. Population-wide BLLs in India remain elevated despite regulatory action to eliminate leaded petrol, the most significant historical source. The estimated attributable disease burden is larger than previously calculated, particularly with regard to associated intellectual disability outcomes in children. Larger population-wide BLL studies are required to inform future calculations. Policy responses need to be developed to mitigate the worst exposures. Keywords: Blood, Lead, India, Meta-analysis, DALYs, Contamination

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Studies associate repeat gadolinium-based contrast agent administration with T1 shortening in the dentate nucleus and globus pallidus, indicating CNS gadolinium deposition, most strongly with linear agents but also reportedly with macrocyclics. Renal impairment effects on long-term CNS gadolinium deposition remain underexplored. We investigated the relationship between signal intensity changes and renal function in patients who received ≥10 administrations of the macrocyclic agent gadobutrol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent ≥10 brain MR imaging examinations with administration of intravenous gadobutrol between February 1, 2014, and January 1, 2018, were included in this retrospective study. Dentate nucleus-to-pons and globus pallidus-to-thalamus signal intensity ratios were calculated, and correlations were calculated between the estimated glomerular filtration rate (minimum and mean) and the percentage change in signal intensity ratios from the first to last scan. Partial correlations were calculated to control for potential confounders. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-one patients (73 women; mean age at last scan, 55.9 years) showed a mean percentage change of the dentate nucleus-to-pons of 0.31%, a mean percentage change of the globus pallidus-to-thalamus of 0.15%, a mean minimum estimated glomerular filtration rate of 69.65 (range, 10.16–132.26), and a mean average estimated glomerular filtration rate at 89.48 (range, 38.24–145.93). No significant association was found between the estimated glomerular filtration rate and percentage change of the dentate nucleus-to-pons (minimum estimated glomerular filtration rate, r = –0.09, P = .28; average estimated glomerular filtration rate, r = –0.09, P = .30,) or percentage change of the globus pallidus-to-thalamus (r = 0.07, P = .43; r = 0.07, P = .40). When we controlled for age, sex, number of scans, and total dose, there were no significant associations between the estimated glomerular filtration rate and the percentage change of the dentate nucleus-to-pons (r = 0.16, P = .07; r = 0.15, P = .08) or percentage change of the globus pallidus-to-thalamus (r = –0.14, P = .12; r = –0.15, P = .09). CONCLUSIONS: In patients receiving an average of 12 intravenous gadobutrol administrations, no correlation was found between renal function and signal intensity ratio changes, even in those with mild or moderate renal impairment.

This study presents field observations and laboratory analyses of wintertime airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) and its chemical components in the Changchun metropolitan area, the geographical center of northeastern China. Twenty-four hour PM2.5 filter samples were collected from 23 December 2011 to 31 January 2012 at four sites in the types of traffic, residential, campus, and a near-city rural village, respectively. Daily PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 49 to 466 µg m−3, with an arithmetic average of 143 µg m−3. Laboratory analyses showed that among all measured chemical species, mineral dust contributed the largest proportion (20.7%) to the total PM2.5 mass, followed by secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA, including SO42−, NO3− and NH4+), which constituted 18.8% of PM2.5 mass. Another notable feature of PM2.5 chemical composition was high halogen (Cl− and F−) loadings at all sites, which was likely due to emissions from coal combustion, plastic manufacturing, and glass melting. Among the four sampling sites, the suburban site exhibited the highest PM2.5 levels and extremely high Cl− and F− loadings due to residential wood burning and nearby industrial facilities lacking effective emission controls. Our results report one of the earliest observations of PM2.5 composition in this region, providing a baseline of aerosol profiles of aerosol before PM2.5 was routinely measured by environmental protection agencies in China, which could be useful for assessing long-term trends of air quality and effectiveness of mitigation measures.

Radiation doses of parents exposed from the Chornobyl accident as cleanup workers or evacuees were estimated in the National Cancer Institute-National Research Center for Radiation Medicine trio (i.e. father, mother, offspring) study aimed at investigating the radiation effects on germline de novo mutations in children as well as other outcomes. Paternal (testes) and maternal (ovaries) gonadal doses were calculated along with associated uncertainty distributions for the following exposure pathways: (a) external irradiation during the cleanup mission, (b) external irradiation during residence in Pripyat, and (c) external irradiation and (d) ingestion of radiocesium isotopes, such as 134Cs and 137Cs, during residence in settlements other than Pripyat. Gonadal doses were reconstructed for 298 trios for the periods from the time of the accident on 26 April 1986 to two time points before the child’s date of birth (DOB): 51 (DOB-51) and 38 (DOB-38) weeks. The two doses, DOB-51 and DOB-38 were equal (within 1 mGy) in most instances, except for 35 fathers where the conception of the child occurred within 3 months of exposure or during exposure. The arithmetic mean of gonadal DOB-38 doses was 227 mGy (median: 11 mGy, range 0–4080 mGy) and 8.5 mGy (median: 1.0 mGy, range 0–550 mGy) for fathers and mothers, respectively. Gonadal doses varied considerably depending on the exposure pathway, the highest gonadal DOB-38 doses being received during the cleanup mission (mean doses of 376 and 34 mGy, median of 144 and 7.4 mGy for fathers and mothers, respectively), followed by exposure during residence in Pripyat (7.7 and 13 mGy for mean, 7.2 and 6.2 mGy for median doses) and during residence in other settlements (2.0 and 2.1 mGy for mean, 0.91 and 0.81 mGy for median doses). Monte Carlo simulations were used to estimate the parental gonadal doses and associated uncertainties. The geometric standard deviations (GSDs) in the individual parental stochastic doses due to external irradiation during the cleanup mission varied from 1.2 to 4.7 (mean of 1.8), while during residence in Pripyat they varied from 1.4 to 2.8 (mean of 1.8), while the mean GSD in doses received during residence in settlements other than Pripyat was 1.3 and 1.4 for external irradiation and ingestion of radiocesium isotopes, respectively.

Purpose To evaluate refractive error after cataract surgery using an optical biometer equipped with anterior-segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Setting Chukyo Eye Clinic, Nagoya, Japan. Design Retrospective observational design. Methods In total, 150 patients with cataract (150 eyes, mean age 73.4 ± 8.2 years, men 76, women 74), who underwent measurement of parameters with the anterior-segment OCT scanners ANTERIONTM (AS-OCTB) and IOL Master 700 (OCTB) before cataract surgery, were enrolled in the study. Refractive prediction error was compared between the two devices using the SRK/T, Haigis, and Barrett UII formulas for IOL power calculation. Results There were significant differences between AS-OCTB and OCTB in axial length, mean corneal refractive power, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, and corneal diameter. In the SRK/T formula, the arithmetic means of refractive prediction errors for AS-OCTB and OCTB were -0.06 ± 0.46 D and 0.02 ± 0.42 D, respectively. In the Haigis formula, the arithmetic means of refractive prediction errors for AS-OCTB and OCTB were -0.23 ± 0.40 D and -0.08 ± 0.35 D, respectively. In the Barrett UII formula, the arithmetic means of refractive prediction errors for AS-OCTB and OCTB were -0.02 ± 0.38 D and 0.11 ± 0.36 D, respectively. AS-OCTB showed significantly larger refractive prediction error toward myopia than OCTB in all three formulas (P Conclusion The refractive prediction error using AS-OCTB showed a small difference from that using OCTB. While clinically comparable, the two methods could drive meaningful differences in IOL selection.

Background: Workers in iron and steel factories in Tanzania are exposed to noise levels above recommended limit values, without using hearing protection devices. Exposure to noise levels above 85 dB(A) is associated with temporary threshold shifts (TTS) of human hearing. Nevertheless, there are few studies of noise and hearing from African countries. Objective: To determine whether the normal hearing workers in Tanzania experiences TTS after full-shift occupational noise exposure of 85 dB(A) and above. Methods: A total of 55 workers were included. Full-shift personal noise measurements were conducted. Pre- and post-shifts pure-tone audiometry were conducted for each worker. TTS was defined as a 10 dB or greater change at 1000, 2000, 3000 or 4000 Hz in either ear. Results: We found that 85.5% of the workers developed TTS across the work shift. There was significant increase in mean hearing thresholds across shift at 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hz among the workers exposed to an average personal noise exposure (LAeq,8h) of 90.4 dB(A) (SD = 2.7). The difference in mean hearing thresholds was higher at 4000 Hz [Arithmetic Mean (AM) = 10 dB SD = 4 dB] compared to that of 1000 Hz (AM = 4 dB SD = 3 dB), 2000 Hz (AM = 4 dB SD = 4 dB), and 3000 Hz (AM = 9 dB SD = 6 dB), respectively. Conclusions: Interventions to reduce occupational personal noise exposure are warranted to reduce the high risk of developing a permanent threshold shift with persistent high noise exposure. An intervention study is planned for this group of workers. publishedVersion

The development of “CC30A CH4-CO2 combined analyzer” with infrared gas sensor as the core detection device can be widely used in online gas component analysis. In data analysis, the maximum value and arithmetic mean of the sensor data for each test period are not effective value. The characteristics of the dynamic data are: (1) Each DAW completes one test for one parameter, there is a unique effective value; (2) In test state, the fluctuation of the sensor value gradually decreases when approaching to the end of the test. An effective value calculation model was designed using the method of dimensionality reduction of dynamic data. The model was based on the distribution characteristics of the process data, and consists of 4 key steps: (1) Identify the Data Analysis Window (DAW) and build DAW dataset; (2) Calculate the value of optimal DAW dataset segmentation and build DAW subdataset; (3) Calculate the arithmetic mean (Mc) and count the amount of data in each subdataset (Fc), and build the optimal segmentation statistical set; (4) Effective value calculation and error evaluation. Calculation result with 50 sets of monitor data conformed that the EVC model for dynamic data of gas online monitoring meets the requirements of experimental accuracy requirements and test error. This method can be independently calculated without relying on the feedback information of the monitoring device, and it has positive significance for using the algorithm to reduce the hardware design complexity.

The objective of this work is to propose ten efficient scaling techniques for the Wisconsin Diagnosis Breast Cancer (WDBC) dataset using the support vector machine (SVM). These scaling techniques are efficient for the linear programming approach. SVM with proposed scaling techniques was applied on the WDBC dataset. The scaling techniques are, namely, arithmetic mean, de Buchet for three cases p = 1,2 , and ∞ , equilibration, geometric mean, IBM MPSX, and Lp-norm for three cases p = 1,2 , and ∞ . The experimental results show that the equilibration scaling technique overcomes the benchmark normalization scaling technique used in many commercial solvers. Finally, the experimental results also show the effectiveness of the grid search technique which gets the optimal parameters (C and gamma) for the SVM classifier.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle endurance, and test anxiety levels with academic performance in both genders of high school students. Methods: A total of 545 grade nine students (mean age: 14.1 ± 0.4 years old) participated in this study. Final grades in language, mathematics, and science and the overall mean average of all courses were used to assess academic performance. Cardiorespiratory fitness levels were estimated using the 20 meter shuttle run test and muscle endurance was measured using push-up and curl-up tests. Participants also completed a questionnaire for the assessment of test anxiety. Independent t-tests, correlations, and linear regression analysis were performed. Results: Results show that female students (n = 292) had significantly higher grades in language and science as well as a higher overall mean average than male students (P < 0.001). Moreover, we observed that female students had significant greater correlation coefficient values than male students for cardiorespiratory fitness levels and muscle endurance with academic performance (P < 0.05). Finally, linear regression analysis showed multiple differences between male and female students regarding independent predictors of academic performance (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Results of the present study indicate that the academic performances of male and female students are different in high school and that these distinct academic performances appear to be explained by different variables.

Background: Mortality rate rapidly decreases with age after birth, and, simultaneously, the spectrum of death causes show remarkable changes with age. This study analyzed age-associated decreases in mortality rate from diseases of all main chapters of the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases. Methods: The number of deaths was extracted from the mortality database of the World Health Organization. As zero cases could be ascertained for a specific age category, the Halley method was used to calculate the mortality rates in all possible calendar years and in all countries combined. Results: All causes mortality from the 1st day of life to the age of 10 years can be represented by an inverse proportion model with a single parameter. High coefficients of determination were observed for total mortality in all populations (arithmetic mean = 0.9942 and standard deviation = 0.0039). Slower or no mortality decrease with age was detected in the 1st year of life, while the inverse proportion method was valid for the age range [1, 10) years in most of all main chapters with three exceptions. The decrease was faster for the chapter "Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period" (XVI).The inverse proportion was valid already from the 1st day for the chapter "Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities" (XVII).The shape of the mortality decrease was very different for the chapter "Neoplasms" (II) and the rates of mortality from neoplasms were age-independent in the age range [1, 10) years in all populations. Conclusion: The theory of congenital individual risks of death is presented and can explain the results. If it is valid, latent congenital impairments may be present among all cases of death that are not related to congenital impairments. All results are based on published data, and the data are presented as a supplement.

ObjectiveAssess in a sample of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus whether mood and stress influence blood glucose levels and variability.Material and MethodsContinuous glucose monitoring was performed on 10 patients with type 1 diabetes, where interstitial glucose values were recorded every 15 minutes. A daily survey was conducted through Google Forms, collecting information on mood and stress. The day was divided into 6 slots of 4-hour each, asking the patient to assess each slot in relation to mood (sad, normal or happy) and stress (calm, normal or nervous). Different measures of glycemic control (arithmetic mean and percentage of time below/above the target range) and variability (standard deviation, percentage coefficient of variation, mean amplitude of glycemic excursions and mean of daily differences) were calculated to relate the mood and stress perceived by patients with blood glucose levels and glycemic variability. A hypothesis test was carried out to quantitatively compare the data groups of the different measures using the Student’s t-test.ResultsStatistically significant differences (p-value < 0.05) were found between different levels of stress. In general, average glucose and variability decrease when the patient is calm. There are statistically significant differences (p-value < 0.05) between different levels of mood. Variability increases when the mood changes from sad to happy. However, the patient’s average glucose decreases as the mood improves.ConclusionsVariations in mood and stress significantly influence blood glucose levels, and glycemic variability in the patients analyzed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, they are factors to consider for improving glycemic control. The mean of daily differences does not seem to be a good indicator for variability.