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Rasheed</title> <meta name="description" content="Search results for: Qazi Sarah Rasheed"> <meta name="keywords" content="Qazi Sarah Rasheed"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, minimum-scale=1, maximum-scale=1, user-scalable=no"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" rel="shortcut icon"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/static/plugins/bootstrap-4.2.1/css/bootstrap.min.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/static/plugins/fontawesome/css/all.min.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/static/css/site.css?v=150220211555" rel="stylesheet"> </head> <body> <header> <div class="container"> <nav class="navbar navbar-expand-lg navbar-light"> <a class="navbar-brand" href="https://waset.org"> <img src="https://cdn.waset.org/static/images/wasetc.png" alt="Open Science Research Excellence" title="Open Science Research Excellence" /> </a> <button class="d-block d-lg-none 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action="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search"> <div id="custom-search-input"> <div class="input-group"> <i class="fas fa-search"></i> <input type="text" class="search-query" name="q" placeholder="Author, Title, Abstract, Keywords" value="Qazi Sarah Rasheed"> <input type="submit" class="btn_search" value="Search"> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> <div class="row mt-3"> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Commenced</strong> in January 2007</div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Frequency:</strong> Monthly</div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Edition:</strong> International</div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Paper Count:</strong> 303</div> </div> </div> </div> <h1 class="mt-3 mb-3 text-center" style="font-size:1.6rem;">Search results for: Qazi Sarah Rasheed</h1> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">93</span> Short-Term Effects of an Open Monitoring Meditation on Cognitive Control and Information Processing</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20Ullrich">Sarah Ullrich</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Juliane%20Rolle"> Juliane Rolle</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Christian%20Beste"> Christian Beste</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Nicole%20Wolff"> Nicole Wolff</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Inhibition and cognitive flexibility are essential parts of executive functions in our daily lives, as they enable the avoidance of unwanted responses or selectively switch between mental processes to generate appropriate behavior. There is growing interest in improving inhibition and response selection through brief mindfulness-based meditations. Arguably, open-monitoring meditation (OMM) improves inhibitory and flexibility performance by optimizing cognitive control and information processing. Yet, the underlying neurophysiological processes have been poorly studied. Using the Simon-Go/Nogo paradigm, the present work examined the effect of a single 15-minute smartphone app-based OMM on inhibitory performance and response selection in meditation novices. We used both behavioral and neurophysiological measures (event-related potentials, ERPs) to investigate which subprocesses of response selection and inhibition are altered after OMM. The study was conducted in a randomized crossover design with N = 32 healthy adults. We thereby investigated Go and Nogo trials in the paradigm. The results show that as little as 15 minutes of OMM can improve response selection and inhibition at behavioral and neurophysiological levels. More specifically, OMM reduces the rate of false alarms, especially during Nogo trials regardless of congruency. It appears that OMM optimizes conflict processing and response inhibition compared to no meditation, also reflected in the ERP N2 and P3 time windows. The results may be explained by the meta control model, which argues in terms of a specific processing mode with increased flexibility and inclusive decision-making under OMM. Importantly, however, the effects of OMM were only evident when there was the prior experience with the task. It is likely that OMM provides more cognitive resources, as the amplitudes of these EKPs decreased. OMM novices seem to induce finer adjustments during conflict processing after familiarization with the task. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=EEG" title="EEG">EEG</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=inhibition" title=" inhibition"> inhibition</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=meditation" title=" meditation"> meditation</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Simon%20Nogo" title=" Simon Nogo"> Simon Nogo</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/136146/short-term-effects-of-an-open-monitoring-meditation-on-cognitive-control-and-information-processing" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/136146.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">210</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">92</span> Risks of Traditional Practices: Chemical and Health Assessment of Bakhour</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Yehya%20Elsayed">Yehya Elsayed</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20Dalibalta"> Sarah Dalibalta</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Fareedah%20Alqtaishat"> Fareedah Alqtaishat</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ioline%20Gomes"> Ioline Gomes</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Nagelle%20Fernandes"> Nagelle Fernandes</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Bakhour or Arabian incense is traditionally used to perfume houses, shops and clothing as part of cultural or religious practices in several Middle Eastern countries. Conventionally, Bakhour consists of a mixture of natural ingredients such as chips of agarwood (oud), musk and sandalwoods that are soaked in scented oil. Bakhour is usually burned by charcoal or by using gas or electric burners to produce the scented smoke. It is necessary to evaluate the impact of such practice on human health and environment especially that the burning of Bakhour is usually done on a regular basis and in closed areas without proper ventilation. Although significant amount of research has been reported in scientific literature on the chemical analysis of various types of incense smoke, unfortunately only very few of them focused specifically on the health impacts of Bakhour. Raw Bakhour samples, their smoke emissions and the ash residue were analyzed to assess the existence of toxic ingredients and their possible influence on health and the environment. Three brands of Bakhour samples were analyzed for the presence of harmful heavy metals and organic compounds. Thermal Desorption Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) was used to identify organic compounds while Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) and Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometer (SEM-EDS) were used to analyze the presence of toxic and heavy metals. Organic compounds from the smoke were collected on specific tenax and activated carbon adsorption tubes. More than 850 chemical compounds were identified. The presence of 19 carcinogens, 23 toxins and 173 irritants were confirmed. Additionally, heavy metals were detected in amounts similar to those present in cigarettes. However, it was noticed that many of the detected compounds in the smoke lacked clinical studies on their health effects which shows the need for further clinical studies to be devoted to this area of study. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Bakhour" title="Bakhour">Bakhour</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=incense%20smoke" title=" incense smoke"> incense smoke</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=pollution" title=" pollution"> pollution</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=indoor%20environment" title=" indoor environment"> indoor environment</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=health%20risk" title=" health risk"> health risk</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=chemical%20analysis" title=" chemical analysis"> chemical analysis</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/23759/risks-of-traditional-practices-chemical-and-health-assessment-of-bakhour" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/23759.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">428</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">91</span> Chemical and Health Assessment of Bakhour: Risks of Traditional Practices</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Yehya%20Elsayed">Yehya Elsayed</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20Dalibalta"> Sarah Dalibalta</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Fareedah%20Alqtaishat"> Fareedah Alqtaishat</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ioline%20Gomes"> Ioline Gomes</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Nagelle%20Fernandes">Nagelle Fernandes</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Bakhour, or Arabian incense, is traditionally used to perfume houses, shops and clothing as part of cultural or religious practices in several Middle Eastern countries. Conventionally, Bakhour consists of a mixture of natural ingredients such as chips of agarwood (oud), musk and sandalwoods that are soaked in scented oil. Bakhour is usually burned by charcoal or by using gas or electric burners to produce the scented smoke. It is necessary to evaluate the impact of such practice on human health and environment especially that the burning of Bakhour is usually done on a regular basis and in closed areas without proper ventilation. Although significant amount of research has been reported in scientific literature on the chemical analysis of various types of incense smoke, unfortunately, only very few of them focused specifically on the health impacts of Bakhour. Raw Bakhour samples, their smoke emissions and the ash residue were analyzed to assess the existence of toxic ingredients and their possible influence on health and the environment. Three brands of Bakhour samples were analyzed for the presence of harmful heavy metals and organic compounds. Thermal Desorption Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) was used to identify organic compounds while Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) and Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometer (SEM-EDS) were used to analyze the presence of toxic and heavy metals.. Organic compounds from the smoke were collected on specific tenax and activated carbon adsorption tubes. More than 850 chemical compounds were identified. The presence of 19 carcinogens, 23 toxins, and 173 irritants were confirmed. Additionally, heavy metals were detected in amounts similar to those present in cigarettes. However, it was noticed that many of the detected compounds in the smoke lacked clinical studies on their health effects which shows the need for further clinical studies to be devoted to this area of study. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=bakhour" title="bakhour">bakhour</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=incense%20smoke" title=" incense smoke"> incense smoke</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=pollution" title=" pollution"> pollution</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=indoor%20environment" title=" indoor environment"> indoor environment</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=health%20risk" title=" health risk"> health risk</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=chemical%20analysis" title=" chemical analysis"> chemical analysis</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/23760/chemical-and-health-assessment-of-bakhour-risks-of-traditional-practices" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/23760.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">293</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">90</span> Exploring Tree Growth Variables Influencing Carbon Sequestration in the Face of Climate Change</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Funmilayo%20Sarah%20Eguakun">Funmilayo Sarah Eguakun</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Peter%20Oluremi%20Adesoye"> Peter Oluremi Adesoye</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> One of the major problems being faced by human society is that the global temperature is believed to be rising due to human activity that releases carbon IV oxide (CO2) to the atmosphere. Carbon IV oxide is the most important greenhouse gas influencing global warming and possible climate change. With climate change becoming alarming, reducing CO2 in our atmosphere has become a primary goal of international efforts. Forest landsare major sink and could absorb large quantities of carbon if the trees are judiciously managed. The study aims at estimating the carbon sequestration capacity of Pinus caribaea (pine)and Tectona grandis (Teak) under the prevailing environmental conditions and exploring tree growth variables that influencesthe carbon sequestration capacity in Omo Forest Reserve, Ogun State, Nigeria. Improving forest management by manipulating growth characteristics that influences carbon sequestration could be an adaptive strategy of forestry to climate change. Random sampling was used to select Temporary Sample Plots (TSPs) in the study area from where complete enumeration of growth variables was carried out within the plots. The data collected were subjected to descriptive and correlational analyses. The results showed that average carbon stored by Pine and Teak are 994.4±188.3 Kg and 1350.7±180.6 Kg respectively. The difference in carbon stored in the species is significant enough to consider choice of species relevant in climate change adaptation strategy. Tree growth variables influence the capacity of the tree to sequester carbon. Height, diameter, volume, wood density and age are positively correlated to carbon sequestration. These tree growth variables could be manipulated by the forest manager as an adaptive strategy for climate change while plantations of high wood density speciescould be relevant for management strategy to increase carbon storage. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=adaptation" title="adaptation">adaptation</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=carbon%20sequestration" title=" carbon sequestration"> carbon sequestration</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=climate%20change" title=" climate change"> climate change</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=growth%20variables" title=" growth variables"> growth variables</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=wood%20density" title=" wood density"> wood density</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/27144/exploring-tree-growth-variables-influencing-carbon-sequestration-in-the-face-of-climate-change" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/27144.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">379</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">89</span> Algorithm for Automatic Real-Time Electrooculographic Artifact Correction</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Norman%20Sinnigen">Norman Sinnigen</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Igor%20Izyurov"> Igor Izyurov</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Marina%20Krylova"> Marina Krylova</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Hamidreza%20Jamalabadi"> Hamidreza Jamalabadi</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20Alizadeh"> Sarah Alizadeh</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Martin%20Walter"> Martin Walter</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Background: EEG is a non-invasive brain activity recording technique with a high temporal resolution that allows the use of real-time applications, such as neurofeedback. However, EEG data are susceptible to electrooculographic (EOG) and electromyography (EMG) artifacts (i.e., jaw clenching, teeth squeezing and forehead movements). Due to their non-stationary nature, these artifacts greatly obscure the information and power spectrum of EEG signals. Many EEG artifact correction methods are too time-consuming when applied to low-density EEG and have been focusing on offline processing or handling one single type of EEG artifact. A software-only real-time method for correcting multiple types of EEG artifacts of high-density EEG remains a significant challenge. Methods: We demonstrate an improved approach for automatic real-time EEG artifact correction of EOG and EMG artifacts. The method was tested on three healthy subjects using 64 EEG channels (Brain Products GmbH) and a sampling rate of 1,000 Hz. Captured EEG signals were imported in MATLAB with the lab streaming layer interface allowing buffering of EEG data. EMG artifacts were detected by channel variance and adaptive thresholding and corrected by using channel interpolation. Real-time independent component analysis (ICA) was applied for correcting EOG artifacts. Results: Our results demonstrate that the algorithm effectively reduces EMG artifacts, such as jaw clenching, teeth squeezing and forehead movements, and EOG artifacts (horizontal and vertical eye movements) of high-density EEG while preserving brain neuronal activity information. The average computation time of EOG and EMG artifact correction for 80 s (80,000 data points) 64-channel data is 300 – 700 ms depending on the convergence of ICA and the type and intensity of the artifact. Conclusion: An automatic EEG artifact correction algorithm based on channel variance, adaptive thresholding, and ICA improves high-density EEG recordings contaminated with EOG and EMG artifacts in real-time. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=EEG" title="EEG">EEG</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=muscle%20artifacts" title=" muscle artifacts"> muscle artifacts</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=ocular%20artifacts" title=" ocular artifacts"> ocular artifacts</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=real-time%20artifact%20correction" title=" real-time artifact correction"> real-time artifact correction</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=real-time%20ICA" title=" real-time ICA"> real-time ICA</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/102844/algorithm-for-automatic-real-time-electrooculographic-artifact-correction" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/102844.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">178</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">88</span> Syntax and Words as Evolutionary Characters in Comparative Linguistics</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Nancy%20Retzlaff">Nancy Retzlaff</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20J.%20Berkemer"> Sarah J. Berkemer</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Trudie%20Strauss"> Trudie Strauss</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> In the last couple of decades, the advent of digitalization of any kind of data was probably one of the major advances in all fields of study. This paves the way for also analysing these data even though they might come from disciplines where there was no initial computational necessity to do so. Especially in linguistics, one can find a rather manual tradition. Still when considering studies that involve the history of language families it is hard to overlook the striking similarities to bioinformatics (phylogenetic) approaches. Alignments of words are such a fairly well studied example of an application of bioinformatics methods to historical linguistics. In this paper we will not only consider alignments of strings, i.e., words in this case, but also alignments of syntax trees of selected Indo-European languages. Based on initial, crude alignments, a sophisticated scoring model is trained on both letters and syntactic features. The aim is to gain a better understanding on which features in two languages are related, i.e., most likely to have the same root. Initially, all words in two languages are pre-aligned with a basic scoring model that primarily selects consonants and adjusts them before fitting in the vowels. Mixture models are subsequently used to filter ‘good’ alignments depending on the alignment length and the number of inserted gaps. Using these selected word alignments it is possible to perform tree alignments of the given syntax trees and consequently find sentences that correspond rather well to each other across languages. The syntax alignments are then filtered for meaningful scores—’good’ scores contain evolutionary information and are therefore used to train the sophisticated scoring model. Further iterations of alignments and training steps are performed until the scoring model saturates, i.e., barely changes anymore. A better evaluation of the trained scoring model and its function in containing evolutionary meaningful information will be given. An assessment of sentence alignment compared to possible phrase structure will also be provided. The method described here may have its flaws because of limited prior information. This, however, may offer a good starting point to study languages where only little prior knowledge is available and a detailed, unbiased study is needed. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=alignments" title="alignments">alignments</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=bioinformatics" title=" bioinformatics"> bioinformatics</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=comparative%20linguistics" title=" comparative linguistics"> comparative linguistics</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=historical%20linguistics" title=" historical linguistics"> historical linguistics</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=statistical%20methods" title=" statistical methods"> statistical methods</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/96237/syntax-and-words-as-evolutionary-characters-in-comparative-linguistics" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/96237.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">154</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">87</span> Perfectionism, Self-Compassion, and Emotion Dysregulation: An Exploratory Analysis of Mediation Models in an Eating Disorder Sample</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20Potter">Sarah Potter</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Michele%20Laliberte"> Michele Laliberte</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> As eating disorders are associated with high levels of chronicity, impairment, and distress, it is paramount to evaluate factors that may improve treatment outcomes in this group. Individuals with eating disorders exhibit elevated levels of perfectionism and emotion dysregulation, as well as reduced self-compassion. These variables are related to eating disorder outcomes, including shape/weight concerns and psychosocial impairment. Thus, these factors may be tenable targets for treatment within eating disorder populations. However, the relative contributions of perfectionism, emotion dysregulation, and self-compassion to the severity of shape/weight concerns and psychosocial impairment remain largely unexplored. In the current study, mediation analyses were conducted to clarify how perfectionism, emotion dysregulation, and self-compassion are linked to shape/weight concerns and psychosocial impairment. The sample was comprised of 85 patients from an outpatient eating disorder clinic. The patients completed self-report measures of perfectionism, self-compassion, emotion dysregulation, eating disorder symptoms, and psychosocial impairment. Specifically, emotion dysregulation was assessed as a mediator in the relationships between (1) perfectionism and shape/weight concerns, (2) self-compassion and shape/weight concerns, (3) perfectionism and psychosocial impairment, and (4) self-compassion and psychosocial impairment. It was postulated that emotion dysregulation would significantly mediate relationships in the former two models. An a priori hypothesis was not constructed in reference to the latter models, as these analyses were preliminary and exploratory in nature. The PROCESS macro for SPSS was utilized to perform these analyses. Emotion dysregulation fully mediated the relationships between perfectionism and eating disorder outcomes. In the link between self-compassion and psychosocial impairment, emotion dysregulation partially mediated this relationship. Finally, emotion dysregulation did not significantly mediate the relationship between self-compassion and shape/weight concerns. The results suggest that emotion dysregulation and self-compassion may be suitable targets to decrease the severity of psychosocial impairment and shape/weight concerns in individuals with eating disorders. Further research is required to determine the stability of these models over time, between diagnostic groups, and in nonclinical samples. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=eating%20disorders" title="eating disorders">eating disorders</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=emotion%20dysregulation" title=" emotion dysregulation"> emotion dysregulation</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=perfectionism" title=" perfectionism"> perfectionism</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=self-compassion" title=" self-compassion"> self-compassion</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/113804/perfectionism-self-compassion-and-emotion-dysregulation-an-exploratory-analysis-of-mediation-models-in-an-eating-disorder-sample" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/113804.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">145</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">86</span> Establishing a Genetic Link between Fat Mass and Obesity Associated and Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Obesity in the Emirati Population</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Saad%20Mahmud%20Khan">Saad Mahmud Khan</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20El%20Hajj%20Chehadeh"> Sarah El Hajj Chehadeh</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mehera%20Abdulrahman"> Mehera Abdulrahman</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Wael%20Osman"> Wael Osman</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Habiba%20Al%20Safar"> Habiba Al Safar</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Obesity is a non-communicable disease that is widely prevalent with approximately 600 million people classified as obese worldwide. Its etiology is multifactorial and involves a complex interplay between genes and the environment. Over the past few decades, obesity rates among the Emirati population have been increasing. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of candidate gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), namely the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene SNP rs9939609 and Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene SNP rs1544410, with obesity in the UAE population. Methods: This is a case-control study in which 414 individuals were enrolled during their routine visit to endocrinology clinics in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates between the period of June 2012 and December 2013. Several biochemical tests and clinical assessments along with a lifestyle questionnaire for each participant were completed at the clinic. Genomic DNA was extracted from saliva samples of 201 obese, 114 overweight and 99 normal subjects. Genotyping for the variants was performed using TaqMan assay. Results: The mean Body Mass Index (BMI) ± SD for the obese, overweight, and normal subjects was 35.76 ± 4.54, 27.53 ± 1.45 and 22.69 ± 1.84 kg/m2, respectively. Increasing BMI values were associated with an increase in values for systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, HbA1c, and triglycerides. The SNP rs9939609 in the FTO gene was found to be significantly associated with the BMI (p=0.028), with the minor allele A having a clear additive effect on BMI values. No significant association was detected between BMI and rs1544410 of the VDR gene. Conclusions: Our study findings indicate that the minor allele A of the rs9939609 has a significant association with increasing BMI values. In addition, our findings support the fact that increasing BMI is associated with increasing risks of other comorbidities such as higher blood pressure, poorer glycemic control and higher triglycerides. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=body%20mass%20index" title="body mass index">body mass index</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=FTO%20gene" title=" FTO gene"> FTO gene</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=obesity" title=" obesity"> obesity</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=rs9939609" title=" rs9939609"> rs9939609</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=United%20Arab%20Emirates" title=" United Arab Emirates"> United Arab Emirates</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/75440/establishing-a-genetic-link-between-fat-mass-and-obesity-associated-and-vitamin-d-receptor-gene-polymorphisms-and-obesity-in-the-emirati-population" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/75440.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">221</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">85</span> Inhalable Lipid-Coated-Chitosan Nano-Embedded Microdroplets of an Antifungal Drug for Deep Lung Delivery</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ranjot%20Kaur">Ranjot Kaur</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Om%20P.%20Katare"> Om P. Katare</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Anupama%20Sharma"> Anupama Sharma</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20R.%20Dennison"> Sarah R. Dennison</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Kamalinder%20K.%20Singh"> Kamalinder K. Singh</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Bhupinder%20Singh"> Bhupinder Singh</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Respiratory microbial infections being among the top leading cause of death worldwide are difficult to treat as the microbes reside deep inside the airways, where only a small fraction of drug can access after traditional oral or parenteral routes. As a result, high doses of drugs are required to maintain drug levels above minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) at the infection site, unfortunately leading to severe systemic side-effects. Therefore, delivering antimicrobials directly to the respiratory tract provides an attractive way out in such situations. In this context, current study embarks on the systematic development of lung lia pid-modified chitosan nanoparticles for inhalation of voriconazole. Following the principles of quality by design, the chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation method and further coated with major lung lipid by precipitation method. The factor screening studies were performed by fractional factorial design, followed by optimization of the nanoparticles by Box-Behnken Design. The optimized formulation has a particle size range of 170-180nm, PDI 0.3-0.4, zeta potential 14-17, entrapment efficiency 45-50% and drug loading of 3-5%. The presence of a lipid coating was confirmed by FESEM, FTIR, and X-RD. Furthermore, the nanoparticles were found to be safe upto 40µg/ml on A549 and Calu-3 cell lines. The quantitative and qualitative uptake studies also revealed the uptake of nanoparticles in lung epithelial cells. Moreover, the data from Spraytec and next-generation impactor studies confirmed the deposition of nanoparticles in lower airways. Also, the interaction of nanoparticles with DPPC monolayers signifies its biocompatibility with lungs. Overall, the study describes the methodology and potential of lipid-coated chitosan nanoparticles in futuristic inhalation nanomedicine for the management of pulmonary aspergillosis. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine" title="dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine">dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=nebulization" title=" nebulization"> nebulization</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=DPPC%20monolayers" title=" DPPC monolayers"> DPPC monolayers</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=quality-by-design" title=" quality-by-design"> quality-by-design</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/103730/inhalable-lipid-coated-chitosan-nano-embedded-microdroplets-of-an-antifungal-drug-for-deep-lung-delivery" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/103730.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">143</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">84</span> Evolutions of Structural Properties of Native Phospho Casein (NPC) Powder during Storage</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20Nasser">Sarah Nasser</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Anne%20Moreau"> Anne Moreau</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Alain%20Hedoux"> Alain Hedoux</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Romain%20Jeantet"> Romain Jeantet</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Guillaume%20Delaplace"> Guillaume Delaplace</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Background: Spray dryed powders containing some caseins are commonly produced in dairy industry. It is widely admitted that the structure of casein evolves during powder storage, inducing a loss of solubility. However few studies evaluate accurately the destabilization mechanisms at molecular and mesoscopic level, in particular for Native Phospho Casein powder (NPC). Consequently, at the state of the art, it is very difficult to assess which secondary structure change or crosslinks initiate insolubility during storage. To address this issue, controlled ageing conditions have been applied to a NPC powder (which was obtained by spray drying a concentrate containing a higher content of casein (90%), whey protein (8%) and lactose (few %)). Evolution of structure and loss of solubility, with the effects of temperature and time of storage were systematically reported. Methods: FTIR spectroscopy, Raman and Circular Dichroism were used to monitor changes of secondary structure in dry powder and in solution after rehydration. Besides, proteomic tools and electrophoresis have been performed after varying storage conditions for evaluating aggregation and post translational modifications, like lactosylation or phosphorylation. Finally, Tof Sims and MEB were used to follow in parallel evolution of structure in surface and skin formation due to storage. Results + conclusion: These results highlight the important role of storage temperature in the stability of NPC. It is shown that this is not lactosylation at the heart of formation of aggregates, as advanced in others publications This is almost the rise of multitude post translational modifications (chemical cross link), added to disulphide bridges (physical cross link) wich contribute to the destabilisation of structure and aggregation of casein. A relative quantification of each kind of cross link, source of aggregates, is proposed. In addition, it has been proved that migration of lipids and formation of skin in surface during the ageing also explains the evolution of structure casein and thus the alterations of functional properties of NPC powder. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=casein" title="casein">casein</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cross%20link" title=" cross link"> cross link</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=powder" title=" powder"> powder</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=storage" title=" storage"> storage</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/48852/evolutions-of-structural-properties-of-native-phospho-casein-npc-powder-during-storage" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/48852.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">379</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">83</span> Cerebral Pulsatility Mediates the Link Between Physical Activity and Executive Functions in Older Adults with Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Longitudinal NIRS Study</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Hanieh%20Mohammadi">Hanieh Mohammadi</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20Fraser"> Sarah Fraser</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Anil%20Nigam"> Anil Nigam</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Frederic%20%20Lesage"> Frederic Lesage</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Louis%20Bherer"> Louis Bherer</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> A chronically higher cerebral pulsatility is thought to damage cerebral microcirculation, leading to cognitive decline in older adults. Although it is widely known that regular physical activity is linked to improvement in some cognitive domains, including executive functions, the mediating role of cerebral pulsatility on this link remains to be elucidated. This study assessed the impact of 6 months of regular physical activity upon changes in an optical index of cerebral pulsatility and the role of physical activity for the improvement of executive functions. 27 older adults (aged 57-79, 66.7% women) with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) were enrolled in the study. The participants completed the behavioral Stroop test, which was extracted from the Delis-Kaplan executive functions system battery at baseline (T0) and after 6 months (T6) of physical activity. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was applied for an innovative approach to indexing cerebral pulsatility in the brain microcirculation at T0 and T6. The participants were at standing rest while a NIRS device recorded hemodynamics data from frontal and motor cortex subregions at T0 and T6. The cerebral pulsatility index of interest was cerebral pulse amplitude, which was extracted from the pulsatile component of NIRS data. Our data indicated that 6 months of physical activity was associated with a reduction in the response time for the executive functions, including inhibition (T0: 56.33± 18.2 to T6: 53.33± 15.7,p= 0.038)and Switching(T0: 63.05± 5.68 to T6: 57.96 ±7.19,p< 0.001) conditions of the Stroop test. Also, physical activity was associated with a reduction in cerebral pulse amplitude (T0: 0.62± 0.05 to T6: 0.55± 0.08, p < 0.001). Notably, cerebral pulse amplitude was a significant mediator of the link between physical activity and response to the Stroop test for both inhibition (β=0.33 (0.61,0.23),p< 0.05)and switching (β=0.42 (0.69,0.11),p <0.01) conditions. This study suggests that regular physical activity may support cognitive functions through the improvement of cerebral pulsatility in older adults with CVRF. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=near-infrared%20spectroscopy" title="near-infrared spectroscopy">near-infrared spectroscopy</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cerebral%20pulsatility" title=" cerebral pulsatility"> cerebral pulsatility</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=physical%20activity" title=" physical activity"> physical activity</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cardiovascular%20risk%20factors" title=" cardiovascular risk factors"> cardiovascular risk factors</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=executive%20functions" title=" executive functions"> executive functions</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/138094/cerebral-pulsatility-mediates-the-link-between-physical-activity-and-executive-functions-in-older-adults-with-cardiovascular-risk-factors-a-longitudinal-nirs-study" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/138094.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">195</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">82</span> Ophthalmic Self-Medication Practices and Associated Factors among Adult Ophthalmic Patients</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20Saad%20Alamer">Sarah Saad Alamer</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Shujon%20Mohammed%20Alazzam"> Shujon Mohammed Alazzam</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Amjad%20Khater%20Alanazi"> Amjad Khater Alanazi</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mohamed%20Ahmed%20Sankari"> Mohamed Ahmed Sankari</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Jana%20Sameer%20Sendy"> Jana Sameer Sendy</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Saleh%20Al-Khaldi"> Saleh Al-Khaldi</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Khaled%20Allam"> Khaled Allam</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Amani%20Badawi"> Amani Badawi</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Background: Self-medication is defined as the selection of medicines by individuals to treat self-diagnosed. There are a lot of concerns about the safety of long-term use of nonprescription ophthalmic drugs, which may lead to a variety of serious ocular complications. Topical steroids can produce severe eye-threatening complications, including the elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) with possible development of glaucoma and infrequent optic nerve damage. In recent times, many OTC ophthalmic preparations have been possible without a prescription. Objective: In our study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of self-medication ocular topical steroid practice and associated factors among adult ophthalmic patients attending King Saud medical city. Methods: This study was conducted as a cross-sectional study, targeting participants aged 18 years old or above who had used topical steroids eye drops to determine the prevalence of self-medication ocular topical steroid practice and associated factors among adult patients attending ophthalmology clinic in King Saud Medical City (KSMC) in the central region. Results: A total of 308 responses, 92(29.8%) were using ocular topical, 58(18.8%) with prescription, 5(1.6%) without prescription, 29(9.4%) with and without prescription while 216(70.1%) did not use it. The frequency of using ocular topical steroids without a prescription among participants was 11(12%) once and 33 (35%) many times. 26(28.3%) were having complication, mostly 11(12.4%) eye infection, 8(9%) Glaucoma, 6 (6.7%) Cataracts. Reasons for self-medication ocular topical steroid practice among participants were 14 (15.2%) repeated symptoms, 11(15.2%) had heard an advice from a friend, 11 (15.2%) thought they had enough knowledge. Conclusion: Our study reveals that, even though detecting a high level of knowledge and acceptable practices and attitudes among participants, the incidence of self-medication with steroid eye drops was observed. This practice is mainly due to participants having repeated symptoms and thinking they have enough knowledge. Increasing the education level of patients on self-medication steroid eye drops practice and it is associated complications would help reduce the incidence of self-medication steroid eye drops practice. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=self-medication" title="self-medication">self-medication</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=ophthalmic%20medicine" title=" ophthalmic medicine"> ophthalmic medicine</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=steroid%20eye%20drop" title=" steroid eye drop"> steroid eye drop</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=over%20the%20counter" title=" over the counter"> over the counter</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/163122/ophthalmic-self-medication-practices-and-associated-factors-among-adult-ophthalmic-patients" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/163122.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">89</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">81</span> Safety Profile of Anti-Retroviral Medicine in South Africa Based on Reported Adverse Drug Reactions</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20Gounden">Sarah Gounden</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mukesh%20Dheda"> Mukesh Dheda</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Boikhutso%20Tlou"> Boikhutso Tlou</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Elizabeth%20Ojewole"> Elizabeth Ojewole</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Frasia%20Oosthuizen"> Frasia Oosthuizen</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been effective in the reduction of mortality and resulted in an improvement in the prognosis of HIV-infected patients. However, treatment with antiretrovirals (ARVs) has led to the development of many adverse drug reactions (ADRs). It is, therefore, necessary to determine the safety profile of these medicines in a South African population in order to ensure safe and optimal medicine use. Objectives: The aim of this study was to quantify ADRs experienced with the different ARVs currently used in South Africa, to determine the safety profile of ARV medicine in South Africa based on reported ADRs, and to determine the ARVs with the lowest risk profile based on specific patient populations. Methodology: This was a quantitative study. Individual case safety reports for the period January 2010 – December 2013 were obtained from the National Pharmacovigilance Center; these reports contained information on ADRs, ARV medicine, and patient demographics. Data was analysed to find associations that may exist between ADRs experienced, ARV medicines used and patient demographics. Results: A total of 1916 patient reports were received of which 1534 met the inclusion criteria for the study. The ARV with the lowest risk of ADRs were found to be lamivudine (0.51%, n=12), followed by lopinavir/ritonavir combination (0.8%, n=19) and abacavir (0.64%, n=15). A higher incidence of ADRs was observed in females compared to males. The age group 31–50 years and the weight group 61–80 kg had the highest incidence of ADRs reported. Conclusion: This study found that the safest ARVs to be used in a South African population are lamivudine, abacavir, and the lopinavir/ritonavir combination. Gender differences play a significant role in the occurrence of ADRs and both anatomical and physiological differences account for this. An increased BMI (body mass index) in both men and women showed an increase in the incidence of ADRs associated with ARV therapy. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=adverse%20drug%20reaction" title="adverse drug reaction">adverse drug reaction</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=antiretrovirals" title=" antiretrovirals"> antiretrovirals</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=HIV%2FAIDS" title=" HIV/AIDS"> HIV/AIDS</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=pharmacovigilance" title=" pharmacovigilance"> pharmacovigilance</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=South%20Africa" title=" South Africa"> South Africa</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/62248/safety-profile-of-anti-retroviral-medicine-in-south-africa-based-on-reported-adverse-drug-reactions" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/62248.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">351</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">80</span> The Effect of Acute Rejection and Delayed Graft Function on Renal Transplant Fibrosis in Live Donor Renal Transplantation</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Wisam%20Ismail">Wisam Ismail</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20Hosgood"> Sarah Hosgood</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Michael%20Nicholson"> Michael Nicholson</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The research hypothesis is that early post-transplant allograft fibrosis will be linked to donor factors and that acute rejection and/or delayed graft function in the recipient will be independent risk factors for the development of fibrosis. This research hypothesis is to explore whether acute rejection/delay graft function has an effect on the renal transplant fibrosis within the first year post live donor kidney transplant between 1998 and 2009. Methods: The study has been designed to identify five time points of the renal transplant biopsies [0 (pre-transplant), 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months] for 300 live donor renal transplant patients over 12 years period between March 1997 – August 2009. Paraffin fixed slides were collected from Leicester General Hospital and Leicester Royal Infirmary. These were routinely sectioned at a thickness of 4 Micro millimetres for standardization. Conclusions: Fibrosis at 1 month after the transplant was found significantly associated with baseline fibrosis (p<0.001) and HTN in the transplant recipient (p<0.001). Dialysis after the transplant showed a weak association with fibrosis at 1 month (p=0.07). The negative coefficient for HTN (-0.05) suggests a reduction in fibrosis in the absence of HTN. Fibrosis at 1 month was significantly associated with fibrosis at baseline (p 0.01 and 95%CI 0.11 to 0.67). Fibrosis at 3, 6 or 12 months was not found to be associated with fibrosis at baseline (p=0.70. 0.65 and 0.50 respectively). The amount of fibrosis at 1 month is significantly associated with graft survival (p=0.01 and 95%CI 0.02 to 0.14). Rejection and severity of rejection were not found to be associated with fibrosis at 1 month. The amount of fibrosis at 1 month was significantly associated with graft survival (p=0.02) after adjusting for baseline fibrosis (p=0.01). Both baseline fibrosis and graft survival were significant predictive factors. The amount of fibrosis at 1 month was not found to be significantly associated with rejection (p=0.64) after adjusting for baseline fibrosis (p=0.01). The amount of fibrosis at 1 month was not found to be significantly associated with rejection severity (p=0.29) after adjusting for baseline fibrosis (p=0.04). Fibrosis at baseline and HTN in the recipient were found to be predictive factors of fibrosis at 1 month. (p 0.02, p <0.001 respectively). Age of the donor, their relation to the patient, the pre-op Creatinine, artery, kidney weight and warm time were not found to be significantly associated with fibrosis at 1 month. In this complex model baseline fibrosis, HTN in the recipient and cold time were found to be predictive factors of fibrosis at 1 month (p=0.01,<0.001 and 0.03 respectively). Donor age was found to be a predictive factor of fibrosis at 6 months. The above analysis was repeated for 3, 6 and 12 months. No associations were detected between fibrosis and any of the explanatory variables with the exception of the donor age which was found to be a predictive factor of fibrosis at 6 months. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=fibrosis" title="fibrosis">fibrosis</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=transplant" title=" transplant"> transplant</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=renal" title=" renal"> renal</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=rejection" title=" rejection"> rejection</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/69477/the-effect-of-acute-rejection-and-delayed-graft-function-on-renal-transplant-fibrosis-in-live-donor-renal-transplantation" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/69477.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">230</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">79</span> Repetitive Compulsions of Trauma: Critically Analyzing Damages Done When Perpetuating Heroic White Masculinity at Federally Managed United States Civil War Battlefields</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Cait%20M.%20Henry">Cait M. Henry</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20Jackson"> Sarah Jackson</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Abstract-This study is built from the culmination of four years of research into the cultural interpretation of Civil War heritage at a National Park Service (NPS) site, namely the Manassas National Battlefield Park, within an increasingly contentious political landscape surrounding the U.S. Civil War. Originating as questions regarding the relevancy of historic battlefields to the current culture within the United States soon evolved into more philosophical questions about what it means to feel welcome at a battlefield site, and what are considered appropriate actions and behaviors at what was once a mass gravesite. In trying to answer these questions, this work aims to critically analyze the confluence between the cultural authority of the NPS and collective memories of the U.S. Civil War. Operationalizing trauma as repeated violent acts within public spaces, the authors posit that the normalization of violence from white or white-passing men partially stems from the glorification of heroic white masculinity at National Park Service Civil War battlefield sites—especially those which also commemorate Confederate military strategy and prowess. From here the study moves outward to focus on the prevalence of heroic white masculinity within the nation’s current social zeitgeist, and particularly the notion that to take back masculinity one must utilize violence as a means of symbolic restoration from perceptions of white victimhood. The study ends with case studies of dark tourism framing at international battlefields as models for expanding heritage interpretation at the NPS site to foster narratives of empathy and responsibility within an increasingly contentious political landscape within the United States of America. Visitors do not leave Manassas National Battlefield Park with answers about the social and moral implications of the U.S. Civil War, but the tools for championing their own (predominantly white) heroic masculinity. As such, it is only logical that one common reaction when masculinity is symbolically threatened is to enact violence against Others as a restorative force within the United States. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=confederate%20heritage" title="confederate heritage">confederate heritage</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=military%20history" title=" military history"> military history</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=national%20park%20service" title=" national park service"> national park service</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=trauma" title=" trauma"> trauma</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=United%20States%20civil%20war" title=" United States civil war"> United States civil war</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/193101/repetitive-compulsions-of-trauma-critically-analyzing-damages-done-when-perpetuating-heroic-white-masculinity-at-federally-managed-united-states-civil-war-battlefields" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/193101.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">11</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">78</span> Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Patients May Be Predisposed to Various Cardiomyopathies</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Fouad%20Chebib">Fouad Chebib</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Marie%20Hogan"> Marie Hogan</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ziad%20El-Zoghby"> Ziad El-Zoghby</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Maria%20Irazabal"> Maria Irazabal</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20Senum"> Sarah Senum</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Christina%20Heyer"> Christina Heyer</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Charles%20%20Madsen"> Charles Madsen</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Emilie%20Cornec-Le%20Gall"> Emilie Cornec-Le Gall</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Atta%20Behfar"> Atta Behfar</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Barbara%20Ehrlich"> Barbara Ehrlich</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Peter%20Harris"> Peter Harris</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Vicente%20Torres"> Vicente Torres</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Background: Mutations in PKD1 and PKD2, the genes encoding the proteins polycystin-1 (PC1) and polycystin-2 (PC2) cause autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). ADPKD is a systemic disease associated with several extrarenal manifestations. Animal models have suggested an important role for the polycystins in cardiovascular function. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the association of various cardiomyopathies in a large cohort of patients with ADPKD. Methods: Clinical data was retrieved from medical records for all patients with ADPKD and cardiomyopathies (n=159). Genetic analysis was performed on available DNA by direct sequencing. Results: Among the 58 patients included in this case series, 39 patients had idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM), 17 had hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), and 2 had left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC). The mean age at cardiomyopathy diagnosis was 53.3, 59.9 and 53.5 years in IDCM, HOCM and LVNC patients respectively. The median left ventricular ejection fraction at initial diagnosis of IDCM was 25%. Average basal septal thickness was 19.9 mm in patients with HOCM. Genetic data was available in 19, 8 and 2 cases of IDCM, HOCM, and LVNC respectively. PKD1 mutations were detected in 47.4%, 62.5% and 100% of IDCM, HOCM and LVNC cases. PKD2 mutations were detected only in IDCM cases and were overrepresented (36.8%) relative to the expected frequency in ADPKD (~15%). The prevalence of IDCM, HOCM, and LVNC in our ADPKD clinical cohort was 1:17, 1:39 and 1:333 respectively. When compared to the general population, IDCM and HOCM was approximately 10-fold more prevalent in patients with ADPKD. Conclusions: In summary, we suggest that PKD1 or PKD2 mutations may predispose to idiopathic dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. There is a trend for patients with PKD2 mutations to develop the former and for patients with PKD1 mutations to develop the latter. Predisposition to various cardiomyopathies may be another extrarenal manifestation of ADPKD. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=autosomal%20dominant%20polycystic%20kidney%20%28ADPKD%29" title="autosomal dominant polycystic kidney (ADPKD)">autosomal dominant polycystic kidney (ADPKD)</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=polycystic%20kidney%20disease" title=" polycystic kidney disease"> polycystic kidney disease</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cardiovascular" title=" cardiovascular"> cardiovascular</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cardiomyopathy" title=" cardiomyopathy"> cardiomyopathy</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=idiopathic%20dilated%20cardiomyopathy" title=" idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy"> idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=hypertrophic%20cardiomyopathy" title=" hypertrophic cardiomyopathy"> hypertrophic cardiomyopathy</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=left%20ventricular%20noncompaction" title=" left ventricular noncompaction"> left ventricular noncompaction</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/65132/autosomal-dominant-polycystic-kidney-patients-may-be-predisposed-to-various-cardiomyopathies" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/65132.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">311</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">77</span> Effect of Nicorandil, Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Combination in Isoproterenol-Induced Heart Failure in Rats</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20Elsayed%20Mohammed">Sarah Elsayed Mohammed</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Lamiaa%20Ahmed%20Ahmed"> Lamiaa Ahmed Ahmed</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mahmoud%20Mohammed%20Khattab"> Mahmoud Mohammed Khattab</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether combined nicorandil and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMDMSC) treatment could offer an additional benefit in ameliorating isoproterenol (ISO)-induced heart failure in rats. Methods: ISO (85 and 170 mg/kg/day) was injected subcutaneously for 2 successive days, respectively. By day 3, electrocardiographic changes were recorded and serum was separated for determination of CK-MB level for confirmation of myocardial damage. Nicorandil (3 mg/kg/day) was then given orally with or without a single i.v. BMDMSC administration. Electrocardiography and echocardiography were recorded 2 weeks after beginning of treatment. Rats were then sacrificed and ventricles were isolated for estimation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) contents, caspase-3 activity as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and connexin-43 protein expressions. Moreover, histological analysis of myocardial fibrosis was performed and cryosections were done for estimation of homing of BMDMSC. Results: ISO induced a significant increase in ventricles/body weight ratio, left ventricular end diastolic (LVEDD) and systolic dimensions (LVESD), ST segment and QRS duration. Moreover, myocardial fibrosis as well as VEGF, TNF-α and TGF-β contents were significantly increased. On the other hand, connexin-43 protein expression was significantly decreased, while caspase-3 and iNOS protein expressions were significantly increased. Combined therapy provided additional improvement compared to cell treatment alone towards reducing cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and inflammation. Furthermore, combined therapy induced significant increase in angiogenesis and BMDMSC homing and prevented ISO induced changes in iNOS, connexin-43 and caspase-3 protein expressions. Conclusion: Combined nicorandil/BMDMSC treatment was superior to BMDMSC alone towards preventing ISO-induced heart failure in rats. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=fibrosis" title="fibrosis">fibrosis</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=isoproterenol" title=" isoproterenol"> isoproterenol</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=mesenchymal%20stem%20cells" title=" mesenchymal stem cells"> mesenchymal stem cells</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=nicorandil" title=" nicorandil"> nicorandil</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/14919/effect-of-nicorandil-bone-marrow-derived-mesenchymal-stem-cells-and-their-combination-in-isoproterenol-induced-heart-failure-in-rats" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/14919.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">532</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">76</span> Effect of Varying Zener-Hollomon Parameter (Temperature and Flow Stress) and Stress Relaxation on Creep Response of Hot Deformed AA3104 Can Body Stock</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Oyindamola%20Kayode">Oyindamola Kayode</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20George"> Sarah George</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Roberto%20Borrageiro"> Roberto Borrageiro</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mike%20Shirran"> Mike Shirran</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> A phenomenon identified by our industrial partner has experienced sag on AA3104 can body stock (CBS) transfer bar during transportation of the slab from the breakdown mill to the finishing mill. Excessive sag results in bottom scuffing of the slab onto the roller table, resulting in surface defects on the final product. It has been found that increasing the strain rate on the breakdown mill final pass results in a slab resistant to sag. The creep response for materials hot deformed at different Zener–Holloman parameter values needs to be evaluated experimentally to gain better understanding of the operating mechanism. This study investigates this identified phenomenon through laboratory simulation of the breakdown mill conditions for various strain rates by utilizing the Gleeble at UCT Centre for Materials Engineering. The experiment will determine the creep response for a range of conditions as well as quantifying the associated material microstructure (sub-grain size, grain structure etc). The experimental matrices were determined based on experimental conditions approximate to industrial hot breakdown rolling and carried out on the Gleeble 3800 at the Centre for Materials Engineering, University of Cape Town. Plane strain compression samples were used for this series of tests at an applied load that allow for better contact and exaggerated creep displacement. A tantalum barrier layer was used for increased conductivity and decreased risk of anvil welding. One set of tests with no in-situ hold time was performed, where the samples were quenched after deformation. The samples were retained for microstructure analysis of the micrographs from the light microscopy (LM), quantitative data and images from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), sub-grain size and grain structure from electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD). <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=aluminium%20alloy" title="aluminium alloy">aluminium alloy</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=can-body%20stock" title=" can-body stock"> can-body stock</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=hot%20rolling" title=" hot rolling"> hot rolling</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=creep%20response" title=" creep response"> creep response</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Zener-Hollomon%20parameter" title=" Zener-Hollomon parameter"> Zener-Hollomon parameter</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/152728/effect-of-varying-zener-hollomon-parameter-temperature-and-flow-stress-and-stress-relaxation-on-creep-response-of-hot-deformed-aa3104-can-body-stock" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/152728.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">86</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">75</span> Improving the Competency of Undergraduate Nursing Students in Addressing a Timely Public Health Issue</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Tsu-Yin%20Wu">Tsu-Yin Wu</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Jenni%20Hoffman"> Jenni Hoffman</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Lydia%20McMurrows"> Lydia McMurrows</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20%20Lally"> Sarah Lally</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Recent events of the Flint Water Crisis and elevated lead levels in Detroit public school water have highlighted a specific public health disparity and shown the need for better education of healthcare providers on lead education. Identifying children and pregnant women with a high risk for lead poisoning and ensuring lead testing is completed is critical. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of an educational intervention on knowledge and confidence levels among nursing students enrolled in the prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Registered Nurse to BSN program (R2B). The study used both quantitative and qualitative research methods to assess the impact of multi-modal pedagogy on knowledge and confidence of lead screening and prevention among prelicensure and R2B nursing students. The students received lead poisoning and prevention content in addition to completing an e-learning module developed by the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units. A total of 115 students completed the pre-and post-test instrument that consisted of demographic, lead knowledge, and confidence items. Despite the increase of total knowledge, three dimensions of lead poisoning, and confidence from pre- to post-test scores for both groups, there was no statistical significance on the increase between prelicensure and R2B students. Thematic analysis of qualitative data showed five themes from participants' learning experiences: lead exposure, signs and symptoms of lead poisoning, screening and diagnosis, prevention, and policy and statewide issues. The study is limited by a small sample and participants recalling some correct answers from the pretest, thus, scoring higher on the post-test. The results contribute to the minimally existent literature examining a critical public health concern regarding lead health exposure and prevention education of nursing students. Incorporating such content area into the nursing curriculum is essential in ensuring that such public health disparities are mitigated. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=lead%20poisoning" title="lead poisoning">lead poisoning</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=emerging%20public%20health%20issue" title=" emerging public health issue"> emerging public health issue</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=community%20health" title=" community health"> community health</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=nursing%20edducation" title=" nursing edducation"> nursing edducation</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/132931/improving-the-competency-of-undergraduate-nursing-students-in-addressing-a-timely-public-health-issue" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/132931.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">196</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">74</span> Evaluation of Existence of Antithyroid Antibodies, Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase and Anti-Thyroglobulin in Patients with Hepatitis C Viral Infections</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Junaid%20Mahmood%20Alam">Junaid Mahmood Alam</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sana%20Anwar"> Sana Anwar</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20Sughra%20Asghar"> Sarah Sughra Asghar</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Chronic hepatitis or Hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection has been identified as one of the factors that could elicit autoimmune disease resulting in the development of auto-antibodies. Furthermore, HCV is implicated in contravening of forbearance to antigens, therefore, inciting auto-reactivity. In this regard, several near and past studies noted the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and production of anti-thyroid antibodies (ATAb) such as anti-thyroid peroxidase (AntiTPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (AntiTG) in patients with HCV. Likewise, one of the etiologies of augmentation of thyroid disease is basically interferon therapy for HCV infections, for which a number of autoimmune diseases have been noted including Grave’s disease, Hishimoto thyroiditis. A prospectively case-control study was therefore carried out at department of clinical biochemistry lab services and chemical pathology in collaboration with department of clinical microbiology, at Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi Pakistan for the period January 2015 to December 2017. Two control groups were inducted for comparison purpose, control group 1 = without HCV infection and with thyroid disorders (n = 20), control group 2 = with HCV infection and without thyroid disorders (n = 20), whereas HCV infected were n = 40 where more than half were noted to be positive for either of HCV IgG and Ag. In HCV group, patients with existing sub-clinical hypothyroidism and clinical hyperthyroidism were less than 5%. Analysis showed the presence of AntiTG in 12 HCV patients (30%), AntiTPO in 15 (37.5%) and both AntiTG and antiTPO in 10 patients (25%). Only 3 patients were found with the history of anti-thyroid auto-antibodies (7.5%) and one with parents and relatives with auto-immune disorders (2.5%). Patients that remained untreated were 12 (30%), under treatment 18 (45%) and with complete-course of treatment 10 (25%). As per review of the literature, meta-analysis of evident data and cross-sectional studies of selective cohorts (as studied in presented research), thyroid connection is designated as one of the most recurrent endocrine ailment associated with chronic HCV infection. Moreover, it also represents an extrahepatic disease in the continuum of HCV syndrome. In conclusion, HCV patients were more likely to encompass thyroid disorders especially related to development of either of ATAb or both antiTG and AntiTPO. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Hepatitis%20C%20viral%20%28HCV%29%20infection" title="Hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection">Hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=anti-thyroid%20antibodies" title=" anti-thyroid antibodies"> anti-thyroid antibodies</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=anti-thyroid%20peroxidase%20antibodies" title=" anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies"> anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=anti-thyroglobulin%20antibodies" title=" anti-thyroglobulin antibodies"> anti-thyroglobulin antibodies</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/89246/evaluation-of-existence-of-antithyroid-antibodies-anti-thyroid-peroxidase-and-anti-thyroglobulin-in-patients-with-hepatitis-c-viral-infections" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/89246.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">157</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">73</span> Information Pollution: Exploratory Analysis of Subs-Saharan African Media’s Capabilities to Combat Misinformation and Disinformation</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Muhammed%20Jamiu%20Mustapha">Muhammed Jamiu Mustapha</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Jamiu%20Folarin"> Jamiu Folarin</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Stephen%20Obiri%20Agyei"> Stephen Obiri Agyei</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Rasheed%20Ademola%20Adebiyi"> Rasheed Ademola Adebiyi</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mutiu%20Iyanda%20Lasisi"> Mutiu Iyanda Lasisi</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The role of information in societal development and growth cannot be over-emphasized. It has remained an age-long strategy to adopt the information flow to make an egalitarian society. The same has become a tool for throwing society into chaos and anarchy. It has been adopted as a weapon of war and a veritable instrument of psychological warfare with a variety of uses. That is why some scholars posit that information could be deployed as a weapon to wreak “Mass Destruction" or promote “Mass Development". When used as a tool for destruction, the effect on society is like an atomic bomb which when it is released, pollutes the air and suffocates the people. Technological advancement has further exposed the latent power of information and many societies seem to be overwhelmed by its negative effect. While information remains one of the bedrock of democracy, the information ecosystem across the world is currently facing a more difficult battle than ever before due to information pluralism and technological advancement. The more the agents involved try to combat its menace, the difficult and complex it is proving to be curbed. In a region like Africa with dangling democracy enfolds with complexities of multi-religion, multi-cultures, inter-tribes, ongoing issues that are yet to be resolved, it is important to pay critical attention to the case of information disorder and find appropriate ways to curb or mitigate its effects. The media, being the middleman in the distribution of information, needs to build capacities and capabilities to separate the whiff of misinformation and disinformation from the grains of truthful data. From quasi-statistical senses, it has been observed that the efforts aimed at fighting information pollution have not considered the built resilience of media organisations against this disorder. Apparently, the efforts, resources and technologies adopted for the conception, production and spread of information pollution are much more sophisticated than approaches to suppress and even reduce its effects on society. Thus, this study seeks to interrogate the phenomenon of information pollution and the capabilities of select media organisations in Sub-Saharan Africa. In doing this, the following questions are probed; what are the media actions to curb the menace of information pollution? Which of these actions are working and how effective are they? And which of the actions are not working and why they are not working? Adopting quantitative and qualitative approaches and anchored on the Dynamic Capability Theory, the study aims at digging up insights to further understand the complexities of information pollution, media capabilities and strategic resources for managing misinformation and disinformation in the region. The quantitative approach involves surveys and the use of questionnaires to get data from journalists on their understanding of misinformation/disinformation and their capabilities to gate-keep. Case Analysis of select media and content analysis of their strategic resources to manage misinformation and disinformation is adopted in the study while the qualitative approach will involve an In-depth Interview to have a more robust analysis is also considered. The study is critical in the fight against information pollution for a number of reasons. One, it is a novel attempt to document the level of media capabilities to fight the phenomenon of information disorder. Two, the study will enable the region to have a clear understanding of the capabilities of existing media organizations to combat misinformation and disinformation in the countries that make up the region. Recommendations emanating from the study could be used to initiate, intensify or review existing approaches to combat the menace of information pollution in the region. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=disinformation" title="disinformation">disinformation</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=information%20pollution" title=" information pollution"> information pollution</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=misinformation" title=" misinformation"> misinformation</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=media%20capabilities" title=" media capabilities"> media capabilities</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=sub-Saharan%20Africa" title=" sub-Saharan Africa"> sub-Saharan Africa</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/133224/information-pollution-exploratory-analysis-of-subs-saharan-african-medias-capabilities-to-combat-misinformation-and-disinformation" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/133224.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">161</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">72</span> Understanding the Strategies Underpinning the Marketing of E-Cigarettes: A Content Analysis of Video Advertisements</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Laura%20Struik">Laura Struik</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20Dow-Fleisner"> Sarah Dow-Fleisner</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Robert%20Janke"> Robert Janke</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Introduction: The use of e-cigarettes, also known as vaping, has risen exponentially among North American youth and young adults (YYA) in recent years and has become a critical public health concern. The marketing strategies used by e-cigarette companies have been associated with the uptick in use among YYA, with video advertisements on TV and other electronic platforms being the most pervasive strategy. It is unknown if or how these advertisements capitalize on the recently documented multi-faceted influences that contribute to the initiation of vaping among this demographic (e.g., stress, anxiety, gender, peers, etc.), which is examined in this study. Methods: This content analysis is phase one of a two-phased research project that aims to inform meaningful approaches to anti-vaping messaging and campaigns. As part of this first phase, a scoping review has been conducted to identify various influences (environmental, cognitive, contextual, social, and emotional) on e-cigarette uptake among YYA. The results of this scoping review will inform the development of a coding framework to analyze the multiple influences present in vaping advertisements, as seen on two popular television channels (Discovery and AMC). In addition, advertisement characteristics will be incorporated into the coding framework (e.g., the number of people present, demographic details, context, and setting, etc.), and analyzed. Findings: Findings will reveal the types of influences being leveraged in vaping advertisements, and identify the underlying messages that may be particularly attractive to YYA. This will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of how e-cigarette companies market their products and to whom. The results will also inform the next phase of this research project, which will encompass an analysis of anti-vaping advertisements and how the underpinning strategies align with those of the pro-vaping advertisements. Conclusions: Findings of this will study bring forward important implications for developing effective anti-vaping messages, and assist public health professionals in providing more comprehensive prevention and cessation support as it relates to e-cigarette use. Understanding which marketing strategies e-cigarette companies use is vital to our understanding of how to combat them. Findings will inform recommendations for public health efforts aimed at curbing e-cigarette use among YYA, and ultimately contribute to the health and well-being of YYA. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=e-cigarettes" title="e-cigarettes">e-cigarettes</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=youth%20and%20young%20adults" title=" youth and young adults"> youth and young adults</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=advertisements" title=" advertisements"> advertisements</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=public%20health" title=" public health"> public health</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/116460/understanding-the-strategies-underpinning-the-marketing-of-e-cigarettes-a-content-analysis-of-video-advertisements" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/116460.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">121</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">71</span> Analysis of Sickle Cell Disease and Maternal Mortality in United Kingdom</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Basma%20Hassabo">Basma Hassabo</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20Ahmed"> Sarah Ahmed</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Aisha%20Hameed"> Aisha Hameed</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Aims and Objectives: To determine the incidence of maternal mortality amongst pregnant women with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the United Kingdom and to determine exact cause of death in these women. Background: SCD is caused by the ‘sickle’ gene and is characterized by episodes of severe bone pain and other complications like acute chest syndrome, chronic pulmonary hypertension, stroke, retinopathy, chronic renal failure, hepato-splenic crises, avascular bone necrosis, sepsis and leg ulcers. SCD is a continual cause of maternal mortality and fetal complications, and it comprises 1.5% of all Direct and Indirect deaths in the UK. Sepsis following premature rupture of membranes with ascending infection, post-partum infection and pre-labour overwhelming septic shock is one of its leading causes of death. Over the last fifty years of maternal mortality reports in UK, between 1 to 4 pregnant women died in each triennium. Material and Method: This is a retrospective study that involves pregnant women who died from SCD complications in the UK between 1952-2012. Data were collected from the UK Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Death and its causes between 1952–2012. Prior to 1985, exact cause of death in this cohort was not recorded. Results: 33 deaths reported between 1964 and 1984. 17 deaths were reported due to sickle cell disease between 1985 and 2012. Five women in this group died of sickle cell crisis, one woman had liver sequestration crisis, two women died of venous thromboembolism, two had myocardial fibrosis and three died of sepsis. Remaining women died of amniotic fluid embolism, SUDEP, myocardial ischemia and intracranial haemorrhage. Conclusion: The leading causes of death in sickle cell sick pregnant women are sickle cell crises, sepsis, venous thrombosis and thromboembolism. Prenatal care for women with SCD should be managed by a multidisciplinary team that includes an obstetrician, nutritionist, primary care physician, and haematologist. In every sick Sickle Cell woman Sickle Cell crises should be on the top of the list of differential diagnosis. Aggressive treatment of complications with low threshold to commence broad-spectrum antibiotics and LMWH contribute to better outcomes. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=incidence" title="incidence">incidence</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=maternal%20mortality" title=" maternal mortality"> maternal mortality</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=sickle%20cell%20disease%20%28SCD%29" title=" sickle cell disease (SCD)"> sickle cell disease (SCD)</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=uk" title=" uk"> uk</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/42903/analysis-of-sickle-cell-disease-and-maternal-mortality-in-united-kingdom" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/42903.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">237</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">70</span> The Language of Risk: Pregnancy and Childbirth in the COVID-19 Era</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20Holdren">Sarah Holdren</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Laura%20Crook"> Laura Crook</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Anne%20Drapkin%20Lyerly"> Anne Drapkin Lyerly</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Objective: The COVID-19 Pandemic has drawn new attention to long-existing bioethical questions around pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood. Due to the increased risk of severe COVID-19, pregnant individuals may experience anxiety regarding medical decision-making. Especially in the case of hospital births, questions around the ethics of bringing healthy pregnant individuals into a high-risk environment for viral transmission illuminate gaps in the American maternal and child healthcare system. Limited research has sought to understand the experiences of those who gave birth outside hospitals during this time. This study aims to understand pregnant individuals’ conceptualization of risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Individuals who gave birth after March 2020 were recruited through advertisements on social media. Participants completed a 1-hour semi-structured interview and a demographic questionnaire. Interviews were transcribed and coded by members of the research team using thematic narrative analysis. Results: A total of 18 participants were interviewed and completed the demographic questionnaire. The language of risk was utilized in birth narratives in three different ways, which highlighted the multileveled and nuanced ways in which risk is understood and mitigated by pregnant and birthing individuals. These included: 1. The risk of contracting COVID-19 before, during, and after birth, 2. The risk of birth complications requiring medical interventions dependent on selected birthing space (home, birthing center, hospital), and 3. The overall risk of creating life in the middle of a pandemic. The risk of contracting COVID-19 and risk of birth complications were often weighed in paradoxical ways throughout each individual’s pregnancy, while phrases such as “pandemic baby” and “apocalypse” appeared throughout narratives and highlighted the broader implications of pregnancy and childbirth during this momentous time. Conclusions: Healthcare professionals should consider the variety of ways that pregnant and birthing individuals understand the risk when counseling patients on healthcare decisions, especially during times of healthcare crisis such as COVID-19. Future work should look to understand how the language of risk fits into a broader understanding of the human experience of growing life in times of crisis. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=maternal%20and%20child%20health" title="maternal and child health">maternal and child health</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=thematic%20narrative%20analysis" title=" thematic narrative analysis"> thematic narrative analysis</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=COVID-19" title=" COVID-19"> COVID-19</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=risk%20mitigation" title=" risk mitigation"> risk mitigation</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/143468/the-language-of-risk-pregnancy-and-childbirth-in-the-covid-19-era" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/143468.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">167</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">69</span> The Influence of the Soil in the Vegetation of the Luki Biosphere Reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20Okende">Sarah Okende</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> It is universally recognized that the forests of the Congo Basin remain a common good and a complex ecosystem, and insufficiently known. Historically and throughout the world, forests have been valued for the multiple products and benefits they provide. In addition to their major role in the conservation of global biodiversity and in the fight against climate change, these forests also have an essential role in the regional and global ecology. This is particularly the case of the Luki Biosphere Reserve, a highly diversified evergreen Guinean-Congolese rainforest. Despite the efforts of sustainable management of the said reserve, the understanding of the place occupied by the soil under the influence of the latter does not seem to be an interesting subject for the general public or even scientists. The Luki biosphere reserve is located in the west of the DRC, more precisely in the south-east of Mayombe Congolais, in the province of Bas-Congo. The vegetation of the Luki Biosphere Reserve is very heterogeneous and diversified. It ranges from grassy formations to semi-evergreen dense humid forests, passing through edaphic formations on hydromorphic soils (aquatic and semi-aquatic vegetation; messicole and segetal vegetation; gascaricole vegetation; young secondary forests with Musanga cercropioides, Xylopia aethiopica, Corynanthe paniculata; mature secondary forests with Terminalia superba and Hymenostegia floribunda; primary forest with Prioria balsamifera; climax forests with Gilbertiodendron dewevrei, and Gilletiodendron kisantuense). Field observations and reading of previous and up-to-date work carried out in the Luki biosphere reserve are the methodological approaches for this study, the aim of which is to show the impact of soil types in determining the varieties of vegetation. The results obtained prove that the four different types of soil present (purplish red soils, developing on amphibolites; red soils, developed on gneisses; yellow soils occurring on gneisses and quartzites; and alluvial soils, developed on recent alluvium) have a major influence apart from other environmental factors on the determination of different facies of the vegetation of the Luki Biosphere Reserve. In conclusion, the Luki Biosphere Reserve is characterized by a wide variety of biotopes determined by the nature of the soil, the relief, the microclimates, the action of man, or the hydrography. Overall management (soil, biodiversity) in the Luki Biosphere Reserve is important for maintaining the ecological balance. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=soil" title="soil">soil</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=biodiversity" title=" biodiversity"> biodiversity</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=forest" title=" forest"> forest</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Luki" title=" Luki"> Luki</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=rainforest" title=" rainforest"> rainforest</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/163928/the-influence-of-the-soil-in-the-vegetation-of-the-luki-biosphere-reserve-in-the-democratic-republic-of-congo" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/163928.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">82</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">68</span> Interventions for Children with Autism Using Interactive Technologies</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Maria%20Hopkins">Maria Hopkins</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20Koch"> Sarah Koch</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Fred%20Biasini"> Fred Biasini </a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Autism is lifelong disorder that affects one out of every 110 Americans. The deficits that accompany Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), such as abnormal behaviors and social incompetence, often make it extremely difficult for these individuals to gain functional independence from caregivers. These long-term implications necessitate an immediate effort to improve social skills among children with an ASD. Any technology that could teach individuals with ASD necessary social skills would not only be invaluable for the individuals affected, but could also effect a massive saving to society in treatment programs. The overall purpose of the first study was to develop, implement, and evaluate an avatar tutor for social skills training in children with ASD. “Face Say” was developed as a colorful computer program that contains several different activities designed to teach children specific social skills, such as eye gaze, joint attention, and facial recognition. The children with ASD were asked to attend to FaceSay or a control painting computer game for six weeks. Children with ASD who received the training had an increase in emotion recognition, F(1, 48) = 23.04, p < 0.001 (adjusted Ms 8.70 and 6.79, respectively) compared to the control group. In addition, children who received the FaceSay training had higher post-test scored in facial recognition, F(1, 48) = 5.09, p < 0.05 (adjusted Ms: 38.11 and 33.37, respectively) compared to controls. The findings provide information about the benefits of computer-based training for children with ASD. Recent research suggests the value of also using socially assistive robots with children who have an ASD. Researchers investigating robots as tools for therapy in ASD have reported increased engagement, increased levels of attention, and novel social behaviors when robots are part of the social interaction. The overall goal of the second study was to develop a social robot designed to teach children specific social skills such as emotion recognition. The robot is approachable, with both an animal-like appearance and features of a human face (i.e., eyes, eyebrows, mouth). The feasibility of the robot is being investigated in children ages 7-12 to explore whether the social robot is capable of forming different facial expressions to accurately display emotions similar to those observed in the human face. The findings of this study will be used to create a potentially effective and cost efficient therapy for improving the cognitive-emotional skills of children with autism. Implications and study findings using the robot as an intervention tool will be discussed. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=autism" title="autism">autism</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=intervention" title=" intervention"> intervention</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=technology" title=" technology"> technology</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=emotions" title=" emotions"> emotions</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/24844/interventions-for-children-with-autism-using-interactive-technologies" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/24844.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">381</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">67</span> The Influence of Parental Media Mediation on Adolescents Risky Media Use: Controlled vs. Autonomy Supportive Strategies</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Jeffrey%20L.%20Hurst">Jeffrey L. Hurst</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20M.%20Coyne"> Sarah M. Coyne</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> With the growth of technology and media, teens are increasingly exposed to media such as pornography and engaging in risky media use such as sexting. Parental media mediation strategies including controlling or autonomy supporting strategies can be an important protective factor against risky media uses. The purpose of this study is to examine how parental media mediation around media, influence adolescents’ behaviors including frequency of pornography use and sexting. We also examine the effects of parental media mediation on adolescents disclosing pornography use to parents and the amount of secrets that adolescents keep about pornography use. We hypothesize that controlling media mediation will result in more sexting, more frequency pornography use, more secrets about pornography and less disclosure to parents. We also predict that autonomy supportive media mediation will show the opposite pattern. Data for this study came from a nationally representative research project, Project M.E.D.I.A. Participants included 783 adolescents. 49% of the participants were male, and the mean age for boys was 15.44 years (SD= 3.34) and for girls was 15.3 years (SD=2.93). Parental media mediation was assessed using an eight-item measure with subscales of controlling and autonomy supporting media mediation. Participants were also asked if they have ever viewed pornography. If they answered yes, they were asked about the frequency of pornography use as well as if they have ever kept secrets from their parents about it and if they had ever disclosed their pornography use to their parents. The data analysis strategy for this study was a multiple group path analysis. Frequency of pornography use, sexting, secrets from parents and disclosure to parents were predicted by controlling and autonomy supporting parental media mediation, frequency of parents warning against pornography use, income and ethnicity. Groups were distinguished by boys and girls, allowing for sex differences. After running the model in MPLUS, we found partial support for our hypotheses. Autonomy supportive media mediation resulted in less sexting for boys (β= -.15, p < .05) and girls ( β= -.13, p < .05). Autonomy supportive media mediation also predicted keeping fewer secrets for girls (β=-.27, p < .01) but had no effect for boys. Controlling media mediation predicted more disclosure about pornography to parents for boys (β=.16, p < .05) and less disclosure to parents about pornography for girls (β=-.14, p < .05). Frequency of pornography was not predicted by any of the predictors in the model. Autonomy supportive media mediation was a very strong predictor of less sexting for both boys and girls. Parents should approach media mediation with this supportive and understanding mindset. Parental autonomy support allows adolescents to explore and develop their own moral beliefs without feeling guilt or shame from their parents. This need to have autonomy is also shown by girls disclosing less pornography use to their parents when parents are really controlling about media use. Interestingly, boys disclosed more to their parents when their parents were controlling. Further research is needed on why this is. Further research should also look at the effects that disclosing pornography use to parents has on future pornography use. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=media" title="media">media</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=moral%20development" title=" moral development"> moral development</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=parental%20mediation" title=" parental mediation"> parental mediation</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=pornography" title=" pornography"> pornography</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=sexting" title=" sexting"> sexting</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/102181/the-influence-of-parental-media-mediation-on-adolescents-risky-media-use-controlled-vs-autonomy-supportive-strategies" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/102181.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">156</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">66</span> Comprehensive Longitudinal Multi-omic Profiling in Weight Gain and Insulin Resistance</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Christine%20Y.%20Yeh">Christine Y. Yeh</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Brian%20D.%20Piening"> Brian D. Piening</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20M.%20Totten"> Sarah M. Totten</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Kimberly%20Kukurba"> Kimberly Kukurba</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Wenyu%20Zhou"> Wenyu Zhou</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Kevin%20P.%20F.%20Contrepois"> Kevin P. F. Contrepois</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Gucci%20J.%20Gu"> Gucci J. Gu</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sharon%20Pitteri"> Sharon Pitteri</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Michael%20Snyder"> Michael Snyder</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Three million deaths worldwide are attributed to obesity. However, the biomolecular mechanisms that describe the link between adiposity and subsequent disease states are poorly understood. Insulin resistance characterizes approximately half of obese individuals and is a major cause of obesity-mediated diseases such as Type II diabetes, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. This study makes use of longitudinal quantitative and high-throughput multi-omics (genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, glycoproteomics etc.) methodologies on blood samples to develop multigenic and multi-analyte signatures associated with weight gain and insulin resistance. Participants of this study underwent a 30-day period of weight gain via excessive caloric intake followed by a 60-day period of restricted dieting and return to baseline weight. Blood samples were taken at three different time points per patient: baseline, peak-weight and post weight loss. Patients were characterized as either insulin resistant (IR) or insulin sensitive (IS) before having their samples processed via longitudinal multi-omic technologies. This comparative study revealed a wealth of biomolecular changes associated with weight gain after using methods in machine learning, clustering, network analysis etc. Pathways of interest included those involved in lipid remodeling, acute inflammatory response and glucose metabolism. Some of these biomolecules returned to baseline levels as the patient returned to normal weight whilst some remained elevated. IR patients exhibited key differences in inflammatory response regulation in comparison to IS patients at all time points. These signatures suggest differential metabolism and inflammatory pathways between IR and IS patients. Biomolecular differences associated with weight gain and insulin resistance were identified on various levels: in gene expression, epigenetic change, transcriptional regulation and glycosylation. This study was not only able to contribute to new biology that could be of use in preventing or predicting obesity-mediated diseases, but also matured novel biomedical informatics technologies to produce and process data on many comprehensive omics levels. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=insulin%20resistance" title="insulin resistance">insulin resistance</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=multi-omics" title=" multi-omics"> multi-omics</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=next%20generation%20sequencing" title=" next generation sequencing"> next generation sequencing</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=proteogenomics" title=" proteogenomics"> proteogenomics</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=type%20ii%20diabetes" title=" type ii diabetes"> type ii diabetes</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/44670/comprehensive-longitudinal-multi-omic-profiling-in-weight-gain-and-insulin-resistance" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/44670.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">429</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">65</span> Interventional Radiology Perception among Medical Students</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Shujon%20Mohammed%20Alazzam">Shujon Mohammed Alazzam</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20Saad%20Alamer"> Sarah Saad Alamer</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Omar%20Hassan%20Kasule"> Omar Hassan Kasule</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Lama%20Suliman%20Aleid"> Lama Suliman Aleid</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mohammad%20Abdulaziz%20Alakeel"> Mohammad Abdulaziz Alakeel</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Boshra%20Mosleh%20Alanazi"> Boshra Mosleh Alanazi</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Abdullah%20Abdulelah%20Altowairqi"> Abdullah Abdulelah Altowairqi</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Yahya%20Ali%20Al-Asiri"> Yahya Ali Al-Asiri</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Background: Interventional radiology (IR) is a specialized field within radiology that diagnose and treat several conditions through a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves the use of various radiological techniques. In the last few years, the role of IR has expanded to include a variety of organ systems which have been led to an increase in demand for these Specialties. The level of knowledge regarding IR is relatively low in general. In this study, we aimed to investigate the perceptions of interventional radiology (IR) as a specialty among medical students and medical interns in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This study was a cross section. The target population is medical students in January 2023 in Riyadh city, KSA. We used the questionnaire for face-to-face interviews with voluntary participants to assess their knowledge of Interventional radiology. Permission was taken from participants to use their information. Assuring them that the data in this study was used only for scientific purposes. Results: According to the inclusion criteria, a total of 314 students participated in the study. (49%) of the participants were in the preclinical years, and (51%) were in the clinical years. The findings indicate more than half of the students think that they had good information about IR (58%), while (42%) reported that they had poor information and knowledge about IR. Only (28%) of students were planning to take an elective and radiology rotation, (and 27%) said they would consider a career in IR. (73%) of the participants who would not consider a career in IR, the highest reasons in order were due to "I do not find it interesting" (45%), then "Radiation exposure" (14%). Around half (48%) thought that an IRs must complete a residency training program in both radiology and surgery, and just (36%) of the students believe that an IRs must finish training in radiology. Our data show the procedures performed by IRs that (66%) lower limb angioplasty and stenting (58%) Cardiac angioplasty or stenting. (68%) of the students were familiar with angioplasty. When asked about the source of exposure to angioplasty, the majority (46%) were from a cardiologist, (and 16%) were from the interventional radiologist. Regarding IR career prospects, (78%) of the students believe that IRs have good career prospects. In conclusion, our findings reveal that the perception and exposure to IR among medical students and interns are generally poor. This has a direct influence on the student's decision regarding IR as a career path. Recommendations to attract medical students and promote IR as a career should be increased knowledge among medical students and future physicians through early exposure to IR, and this will promote the specialty's growth; also, involvement of the Saudi Interventional Radiology Society and Radiological Society of Saudi Arabia is essential. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=knowledge" title="knowledge">knowledge</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=medical%20students" title=" medical students"> medical students</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=perceptions" title=" perceptions"> perceptions</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=radiology" title=" radiology"> radiology</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=interventional%20radiology" title=" interventional radiology"> interventional radiology</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Saudi%20Arabia" title=" Saudi Arabia"> Saudi Arabia</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/163085/interventional-radiology-perception-among-medical-students" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/163085.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">89</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">64</span> Surface Elevation Dynamics Assessment Using Digital Elevation Models, Light Detection and Ranging, GPS and Geospatial Information Science Analysis: Ecosystem Modelling Approach</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ali%20K.%20M.%20Al-Nasrawi">Ali K. M. Al-Nasrawi</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Uday%20A.%20Al-Hamdany"> Uday A. Al-Hamdany</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20M.%20Hamylton"> Sarah M. Hamylton</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Brian%20G.%20Jones"> Brian G. Jones</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Yasir%20M.%20Alyazichi"> Yasir M. Alyazichi</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Surface elevation dynamics have always responded to disturbance regimes. Creating Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) to detect surface dynamics has led to the development of several methods, devices and data clouds. DEMs can provide accurate and quick results with cost efficiency, in comparison to the inherited geomatics survey techniques. Nowadays, remote sensing datasets have become a primary source to create DEMs, including LiDAR point clouds with GIS analytic tools. However, these data need to be tested for error detection and correction. This paper evaluates various DEMs from different data sources over time for Apple Orchard Island, a coastal site in southeastern Australia, in order to detect surface dynamics. Subsequently, 30 chosen locations were examined in the field to test the error of the DEMs surface detection using high resolution <em>global positioning systems</em> (GPSs). Results show significant surface elevation changes on Apple Orchard Island. Accretion occurred on most of the island while surface elevation loss due to erosion is limited to the northern and southern parts. Concurrently, the projected differential correction and validation method aimed to identify errors in the dataset. The resultant DEMs demonstrated a small error ratio (≤ 3%) from the gathered datasets when compared with the fieldwork survey using RTK-GPS. As modern modelling approaches need to become more effective and accurate, applying several tools to create different DEMs on a multi-temporal scale would allow easy predictions in time-cost-frames with more comprehensive coverage and greater accuracy. With a DEM technique for the eco-geomorphic context, such insights about the ecosystem dynamic detection, at such a coastal intertidal system, would be valuable to assess the accuracy of the predicted eco-geomorphic risk for the conservation management sustainability. Demonstrating this framework to evaluate the historical and current anthropogenic and environmental stressors on coastal surface elevation dynamism could be profitably applied worldwide. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=DEMs" title="DEMs">DEMs</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=eco-geomorphic-dynamic%20processes" title=" eco-geomorphic-dynamic processes"> eco-geomorphic-dynamic processes</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=geospatial%20Information%20Science" title=" geospatial Information Science"> geospatial Information Science</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=remote%20sensing" title=" remote sensing"> remote sensing</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=surface%20elevation%20changes" title=" surface elevation changes"> surface elevation changes</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=" title=""></a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/59124/surface-elevation-dynamics-assessment-using-digital-elevation-models-light-detection-and-ranging-gps-and-geospatial-information-science-analysis-ecosystem-modelling-approach" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/59124.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">267</span> </span> </div> </div> <ul class="pagination"> <li class="page-item"><a class="page-link" href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Qazi%20Sarah%20Rasheed&page=7" rel="prev">&lsaquo;</a></li> <li class="page-item"><a class="page-link" href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Qazi%20Sarah%20Rasheed&page=1">1</a></li> <li class="page-item"><a class="page-link" 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