This book is the most fundamental reinterpretation of Ancient Greek history, culture, and society in thirty years. The authors refute the traditional view of the Greek Dark Age with evidence of a ...steady progression from Mycenaean kingship to the conception of aristocratic nobility in the Archaic period.
Given the increasingly significant role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the global economy and the ever more competitive markets in which these companies operate, SMEs' ability to ...adopt artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is of utmost importance. Due to constantly evolving social, environmental, and technological scenarios, the managers of these firms must increasingly focus on incorporating new tools such as AI into SME operations in order to enjoy their benefits. However, the subjectivity and complexity of this adaptation process makes integrated analyses of key factors challenging. The present study sought to develop a multi-criteria decision-support system that applies cognitive mapping and the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory technique in a neutrosophic context. The main objective is to overcome the limitations of previous studies and models by structuring the decision problem and identifying and understanding which factors should be central to adaptation initiative analyses. A panel of experts in AI were recruited to facilitate the construction of an analysis system that takes into account indeterminacy in decision-making processes. The results were validated by both the panel members and project managers at COTEC Portugal-a leading think-and-action network that seeks to advance technology diffusion and business innovation cooperation. The proposed system's practical implications and benefits are also analyzed.
Objective. - This study aimed at identifying the test-retest reliability and convergent validity of the Ruffier Index (Rl) when performed by children. Methods.- A total of 3526/11/2018participants ...(mean age: 10.41 ±1.02 years; 47.2% girls) carried out the Ruffier test twice with an interval of one week between both evaluations, to identify the Rl test-retest reliability. The maximal oxygen consumption as estimated by the Course-Navette test was used to determine its convergent validity. Results. - The Rl showed a "poor" test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.43-0.64). The relationship between Rl and estimated maximal oxygen consumption was "acceptable" for both the test (r= -0.37; P = 0.003) and retest (r- -0.32; P-0.01) in the girls' case, while for the boys it was "poor" (r--0.12;P-0.04 and r--0.25; P-0.02). Conclusion. - The findings of this study indicate that the Rl shows a "poor" test-retest reliability and a convergent validity ranging from "acceptable" to "poor", when administered to children under 12 years of age.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Background
The feasibility and reliability of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) battery for predicting injury risk have been widely studied in athletic, military, public service and healthy ...populations. However, scant research has been carried out in people with disabilities. This study aimed at identifying the feasibility and reliability of the FMS battery when administered to adults with intellectual disability (ID).
Methods
Adults from a residential and day care centre over 18 years of age, diagnosed with ID and able to follow simple instructions, were included in the study. All participants with behavioural or health problems that prevented the completion of the FMS battery were excluded. All exercises were video recorded to assure proper scoring. Three assessors (one trained and two novices) scored each of the FMS subtests performed separately from the videos. Feasibility was based on completion rates. Reliability of the composite test scores was analysed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).
Results
A total of 30 people with ID (mean age: 35.5 ± 7.12 years; 33.3% women) completed all assessments. The battery showed to be feasible, although difficulties when performing two of the subtests were observed among those with moderate and severe ID. Mean total scores from the three assessors ranged from 7.83 to 8.90. An inverse trend was observed indicating that the higher the ID level, the lower the total FMS score. Test–retest reliability was good for the trained assessor (ICC = 0.89) and mostly moderate for both novice assessors (ICC range: 0.60 to 0.76). Moderate to good inter‐rater reliability was observed (ICC range: 0.65 to 0.80).
Conclusion
The FMS battery is a reliable tool that can be performed by people with ID, albeit with certain difficulties, especially in those with moderate to severe impairment. The battery does not seem to be useful for identifying people with ID at risk of suffering a sport injury. Adequately powered, well‐designed studies are required to determine if the FMS battery is appropriate for identifying changes in functional performance in this population.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
The objective of this study was to monitor the effects of chemomechanical preparation (CMP) performed with 6% sodium hypochlorite and calcium hydroxide–based intracanal medication (ICM) on the levels ...and diversity of bacteria, endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides LPS), and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) in root canals of teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis.
Samples were collected from 10 teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis before CMP (S1), after CMP (S2), and after ICM (S3). The levels of bacteria, LPS, and LTA were assessed by using checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization, LAL Pyrogent 5000, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Wilcoxon test, repeated-measures analysis of variance, and Tukey post hoc test were used for statistical analysis at a significance level of 5%.
Forty species were detected at S1. Two species were eliminated after CMP and 5 after ICM. Resistant and pain-related species were detected in the root canals. Higher levels of culturable bacteria were detected at S1. However, CMP and ICM effectively reduced the microbial load in the root canals. Higher levels of LPS and LTA were detected at S1. CMP was effective in reducing both LPS and LTA (P < .05). ICM produced additional reduction in the levels of LPS (P > .05) and LTA (P < .05).
Chemomechanical preparation using 6% sodium hypochlorite and calcium hydroxide–based intracanal medication were effective in reducing the levels of bacteria, LPS, and LTA in teeth with vital pulp and irreversibly inflamed pulp.
Nordic walking (NW) is a practical form of healthy exercise. Up to now, few studies have been conducted on the non-clinical population and few has analysed muscular response after NW training. This ...study aimed to assess mechanical and neuromuscular changes of deltoideusand triceps brachiifollowing short-term NW training. Twenty-four healthy and physically active females were randomly assigned to an NW group (NWG) (n =12) or control group (n =12). Training was carried out over a 6-week period (18 sessions) on a treadmill (4.5 km/h; 2% gradient). Mechanical and neuromuscular response wasmeasured before and after training. Tensiomyography was used to assess maximum radial displacement, time contraction, time delay, sustain time, and half-relaxation time ofdeltoideusand triceps brachii. Heart rate (HR), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were used to control the training intensity. Mixed-design factorial analysis of variance (mixed ANOVA) was used to detect changes in the mechanical and neuromuscular characteristics after a NW training. During NW training, HR (115.83 bpm), 36.7% of HR reserve and RPE (10.25) corresponding to light intensity were reported. After the training period, only a moderate increase (6.25%, p =0.02; η2=0.06) in delay time for the triceps brachiiwere reported. A short-term and low to moderate intensity training conducted with a specific NW technique was not sufficient to modify the tricepsbrachii anddeltoideus mechanical- neuromuscular response in healthy and young females.
The isolation of the population in the Amazon forest, coupled with insufficient care by the health system for them, has encouraged the practice of using plants for medicinal purposes. An example is ...seen with the use of leaves of Adenocalymma alliaceum Miers to treat colds, fevers and headaches, a plant known in Amazonas state as garlic vine, due to the smell similar to the bulbs of Allium sativum L. Adenocalymma alliaceum is a vine with cylindrical branches, compound leaves, opposite and bifolioladaes, whose leaves have a whole blade and are always green with a smooth margin, cuspidate apex and wedge-shaped base. The epidermis is uniseriate with rectangular cells covered with thick cuticle, a common characteristic for species of Bignoniaceae. Confirming the presence of protein radicals in glandular trichomes of leaves of A. alliaceum, the shared activity of the protein and lipid constituents in the glandular trichomes during the release of the substances responsible for the odor of the leaves of these species could be inferred, similar to those of Allium sativum.
Introduction: The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) endorses the routine use of comprehensive geriatric assessment, with an emphasis on frailty, to uncover vulnerabilities not discerned in ...standard clinical evaluations. In elderly patients with lymphoma, dose adjustments of antineoplastic treatments are often made with the aim of mitigating toxicities. Objectives: To present two case studies highlighting the use of geriatric assessment in making informed decisions for elderly lymphoma patients. Methods: Patients underwent a standard geriatric assessment in an onco-hematogeriatrics outpatient clinic. The protocol utilized the 10-minute Targeted Geriatric Assessment (10-Taga), assessing social support, health system usage in the past 6 months, falls within the last year, medication count, functionality using the Katz Scale for Basic Activities of Daily Living (ADL), cognition via the 10-Point Cognitive Screener (10-CS), self-perception of health, depressive symptoms using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-4), nutrition based on weight loss over the past year, and gait speed. Each domain contributes 1 point to the assessment. Results: Two frail patients diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and Follicular lymphoma were assessed. The first patient, M.J.F, 79 years old, had osteoporosis and sarcopenia. On the Lawton scale, she demonstrated considerable independence for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), scoring 26 out of 27. In the 10-TaGA assessment, she scored 0.45 out of 1, categorizing her at medium risk, showcasing no fall history but reduced gait speed and moderate cognitive impairment. The second patient, M.L.G.D, 87 years old, had a pacemaker, aortic valve transplant, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus. Her 10-TaGA evaluation showed cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms, nutritional risk, and reduced gait speed. However, she had no fall history, classifying her as medium risk with a score of 0.35 out of 1. When assessed for IADL using the Lawton scale, the patient exhibited no impairment after treatment, marking her as independent with 25 points. The first patient was treated with the Bv-AVD protocol, and the second with the R-CVP protocol. Both had chemotherapy dosages reduced based on their geriatric evaluations. Both achieved complete remission with their respective treatments. The first patient had two hospital admissions due to febrile neutropenia during treatment. Discussion: The correlation between frailty and prognosis has been highlighted by various studies. For patients with large B-cell lymphoma, frailty has been linked to a worse prognosis and an increased requirement for dosage reduction or treatment delay due to toxicity. In this report, we detail patients with not only advanced age but also frailty syndrome and declines in geriatric domains. This subgroup appears to be of the highest concern regarding treatment-associated toxicity. Protocols based on biological agents and significant reductions in chemotherapeutic agents were used with relative safety. Conclusion: Geriatric assessment with specific protocols holds the potential to pinpoint elderly groups at high risk of toxicity during chemotherapy, aiding medical teams in tailoring individualized treatments.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Imunosuppression therapy for the control of immunologic rejection is a key aspect in liver transplantation. The objective of this study was to evaluate induction therapy with daclizumab (DAC) in ...living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in children.
We compared 2 different imunosuppression protocols in 30 children undergoing LDLT. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 12 patients received tacrolimus with mycophenolate mofetil (TAC-MMF), and 18 patients received tacrolimus with MMF and DAC induction therapy at days 0 and 14 after LDLT (DAC–TAC-MMF). Both groups were similar with regard to age, sex, weight, and indication for liver transplantation. The incidence of biopsy-proved rejection episodes, posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), and renal dysfunction were evaluated. Tacrolimus levels at posttransplantation day 14 and at 2 months after transplantation were compared in the 2 groups.
Acute rejection episodes were observed in 8 patients in the TAC-MMF group (66%), and none in the DAC–TAC-MMF group (0%;
P < .05). Neither PTLD nor renal dysfunction was seen in any patient. Mean Tacrolimus level on posttransplantation day 14 was 10.67 ± 5.4 ng/mL in the TAC-MMF group and 5.65 ± 3.6 ng/mL in the DAC–TAC-MMF group (
P < .05). After the second month the mean tacrolimus levels were 7.2 ± 2.9 ng/mL and 6.8 ± 3.5 ng/mL in the TAC-MMF and DAC–TAC-MMF groups, respectively. (
P = NS).
Induction therapy with DAC is safe and associated with a lower incidence of rejection episodes among children undergoing LDLT.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
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