Effects of Environmentally Relevant Ammonium Nitrate Levels Caused by Agricultural Activities on Four Amphibian Species in The Eastern Black Sea Region

Within the scope of this research, the chronic effects of ammonium nitrate, which is the most widely used fertilizer worldwide, on the tadpoles of Marsh Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus), the Iranian Long-Legged Frog (Rana macrocnemis), the Caucasian Parsley Frog (Pelodytes caucasicus) and the Variable Green Toad (Bufotes variabilis) were examined. To assess the chronic effects of the fertilizer, the tadpoles of all the species were exposed to 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 mg/L concentrations in same conditions. The chronic concentrations were applied from the 25th developmental stage to the 42nd developmental stage. It was defined at the end of the experiments that although there were some variability between different populations of the same species or between different species in the observed effects, chronic levels of ammonium nitrate caused decreased growth rate, prolonging in time to complete metamorphosis, increased abnormalities, and mortality in general. Among the 4 amphibian species, the Variable Green Toad was the most damaged one in terms of growth reduction (on average 31-41 %), abnormality rates (on average 50-75 %), prolonged time to complete metamorphose (14-21 days on average) and mortality rates (%54-100). The most adaptive species and the least damaged one was an Iranian long-legged frog for growth reduction (on average 0-15 %), prolonged time to complete metamorphose (7-9 days on average), and mortality rates (%9-15). All the harmful effects of chronic fertilizer levels caused by agricultural activities in the region had very important for examined species in our researches and it can be said that important environmental and biodiversity problems may occur if certain precautions are not taken regarding the use of the fertilizers and if the attitudes of the farmers on this issue cannot be changed.

Determining the Relationship Between Hyoid Bone Kinematics and Airway Protection in Swallowing

Purpose: Research remains equivocal regarding the links between hyoid movement and penetration–aspiration. The aims of this study were (a) to explore associations between hyoid parameters, laryngeal vestibule closure (LVC) parameters, and penetration–aspiration on thin liquids; and (b) to determine which of these parameters are the strongest predictors of penetration–aspiration. Method: This study involved retrospective analysis of an existing videofluoroscopy data set, collected in 305 participants (152 males) with noncongenital/nonsurgical/non-oncological risk for dysphagia. We extracted data for six thin liquid swallows per participant, and obtained measures of hyoid movement (peak position, speed) and LVC (complete/incomplete, timing, duration). Resulting values were coded as typical/atypical relative to healthy reference data. Relationships were explored using chi-square tests and odds ratios (a) for the entire data set and (b) for the subset of data with complete LVC. Hierarchical logistic regression models determined the strongest predictors of penetration–aspiration. Results: Significant associations were found between penetration–aspiration and incomplete LVC, prolonged time-to-most-complete-LVC, short LVC duration, reduced anterior hyoid peak position, and reduced hyoid speed. Hyoid measures were also significantly associated with LVC parameters. In the first regression model, incomplete LVC and prolonged time-to-most-complete-LVC were the only significant predictors of penetration–aspiration. For cases with complete LVC, the only significant predictor was prolonged time-to-most-complete-LVC. Conclusions: Although reduced anterior hyoid peak position and speed are associated with penetration–aspiration on thin liquids, these measures do not independently account for penetration–aspiration when considered in conjunction with measures of LVC. When identifying mechanisms explaining penetration–aspiration, clinicians should focus on LVC (complete/incomplete) and timeliness of LVC.

Displacement, time and resistance: The role of waiting in facilitating occupations led by internally displaced persons in Colombia

This article contributes to the existing literature on the politics of waiting by discussing occupations led by internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Colombia. This literature has emphasised both the power that waiting frequently entails and, increasingly, the agency it can comprise. Yet less has been said about the potential role of waiting in generating resistance. Drawing on a Foucauldian understanding of power as intimately tied to resistance, this article explores how waiting can, in some instances, produce resistance. It uses fieldwork conducted in Bogotá, Colombia, between October 2017 and August 2018, including ethnographic observations and 120 interviews conducted with IDPs and state officials, to explore the centrality of waiting to IDPs’ experiences of displacement in Colombia. Contrary to those who would argue that such waiting encourages passivity, the article draws on a discussion of a two-year-long occupation by IDPs in Bogotá to argue that the long waiting periods facing the occupation’s participants prior to partaking in it were instrumental to facilitating the occupation. Waiting enabled the occupation in two major ways: by bringing together a group of people who would not have met had they not been forced to spend prolonged time together in close quarters and by constituting a key source of frustration motivating the occupation.

Predictors for time to awake in patients undergoing awake craniotomies

OBJECTIVE Awake craniotomies are often characterized by alternating asleep-awake-asleep periods. Preceding the awake phase, patients are weaned from anesthesia and mechanical ventilation. Although clinicians aim to minimize the time to awake for patient safety and operating room efficiency, in some patients, the time to awake exceeds 20 minutes. The goal of this study was to determine the average time to awake and the factors associated with prolonged time to awake (> 20 minutes) in patients undergoing awake craniotomy. METHODS Records of patients who underwent awake craniotomy between 2003 and 2020 were evaluated. Time to awake was defined as the time between discontinuation of propofol and remifentanil infusion and the time of extubation. Patient and perioperative characteristics were explored as predictors for time to awake using logistic regression analyses. RESULTS Data of 307 patients were analyzed. The median (IQR) time to awake was 13 (10–20) minutes and exceeded 20 minutes in 17% (95% CI 13%–21%) of the patients. In both univariate and multivariable analyses, increased age, nonsmoker status, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class III versus II were associated with a time to awake exceeding 20 minutes. BMI, as well as the use of alcohol, drugs, dexamethasone, or antiepileptic agents, was not significantly associated with the time to awake. CONCLUSIONS While most patients undergoing awake craniotomy are awake within a reasonable time frame after discontinuation of propofol and remifentanil infusion, time to awake exceeded 20 minutes in 17% of the patients. Increasing age, nonsmoker status, and higher ASA classification were found to be associated with a prolonged time to awake.

KESAN MENGOKOK KEPADA POSTUR ERGONOMICS: KAJIAN KES PENGOKOK ETAK WARISAN DI KELANTAN, MALAYSIA

AbstrakKajian ini membincangkan tentang kesan aktiviti mengokok dalam kalangan pengokok etak yang terdapat di Kelantan. Masalah gangguan otot Muscular telah dikenalpasti wujud dalam kalangan responden yang dikenali sebagai Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD), kesan daripada menggunakan peralatan “mengokok” yang diwarisi turun-temurun. Masalah seperti kelenguhan, kesakitan dan ketidakselesaan pada bahagian otot responden semasa aktiviti “mengokok” etak menjadi permasalahan utama bagi kajian ini. Kajian ini melibatkan tiga responden yang merupakan antara pengokok etak yang masih bergiat aktif di Kelantan. Kajian menggunakan metod temubual, pemerhatian dan thematic analysis untuk menganalisis dapatan kajian. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahagian badan yang terjejas secara langsung akibat aktiviti “mengokok” dalam jangka masa yang panjang ialah pada bahagian tulang belakang (back spine) dan pergelangan tangan. Antara faktor-faktor yang menyumbangkan hazard adalah peralatan “mengokok” yang digunakan oleh responden. Hasil temubual menunjukkan, faktor postur memainkan peranan penting dalam hubungkait antara MSD dan masalah-masalah kesihatan yang dialami oleh responden. AbstractThis study discusses the effects of etak harvesting activities among etak harvester found in Kelantan. Muscular Muscle Disorders is identified to exist among respondents as the effects of using harvester equipment for a prolonged time. Few difficulties have been identified such as lethargy, pain and discomfort in the muscles of the respondents during the activity of harvesting etak. This study involved three respondents who are among the etak harvester that are still active in Kelantan. The study adopted ethnographic approaches which are interviewmethods, observations, and Nordic Body Map analysis to analyze the findings of the study. The findings of the study show that the parts of the body that are affected by the prolonged harvesting activities are the back spine and wrists. Among the factors that contributed to the hazard was the harvesting equipment used by the respondents. The results of the interviews showed that working posture plays an important role in probing the relationship between MSD and health problems experienced by the respondents.

1255 Crowdedness and Consequences of Long Waiting Time in Public and Private Health Centers Among Patients in Khartoum State, Sudan - 2016

Aim Waiting time (WT) reflects quality of services delivered by Primary health care level. Long waiting time is due to various causes, among which crowdedness is a main cause. This prolonged time has negative impacts on PHC services utilization as well as patients’ outcomes. The aim of this study is to measure the total WT, assess the crowdedness in PHC centers, and to determine the possible consequences of this long waiting time. Method Descriptive cross sectional– health institution-based study done in 40 Health centres across Khartoum state using randomized multi-stage sampling. Patients, doctors and lab technicians were interviewed using three different pre-tested structured questionnaires. Results A total of 477 patients were included in the study. The average waiting time was found to be 168 minutes. Crowdedness was one of the main causes of delay in waiting time. The lab was the most perceived crowded service (74.4% of the respondents). This long WT had health consequences on patients, ranging from backache, joint pain, and headaches to hypoglycemic symptoms. These symptoms affected patients' willingness to return to the same center. 36.4% of the affected patients were unwilling to revisit the same center. Conclusions WT in this study is longer compared to studies from other countries. Crowdedness is one of the main causes of long WT. Due to this prolonged time, patients experienced physical symptoms. It also affected their future attitude regarding PHC centers utilization. There is a need to understand the underlying causes of this issue and address them appropriately.