• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.96-101
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• 2023

The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) to the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) has recently been considered a safer alternative and less invasive approach than the traditional transoral approach because the complications associated with the latter are avoided or minimized. Here, we present two challenging cases of CVJ pathologies. The first case involved os odontoideum associated with anterior displacement of the occipitocervical junction where the EEA was used, followed by C0-C1-C2 fusion using a posterior approach to decompress the CVJ, and was complicated by rhinorrhea and Candida albicans meningitis. The second case involved basilar invagination with syringomyelia previously treated using a posterior approach, where aggravation of neuropathic symptoms required combined treatment with EEA and occipitocervical fusion of C0-C2-C3-C4, with the postoperative course challenged by operative site infection requiring drainage with debridement and antibiotic therapy. The EEA is an alternative approach for accessing the CVJ in well-selected patients. Knowledge of EEA complications is crucial for the optimal care of patients.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.127-139
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• 2023

This paper studies the free vibration behavior of bi-dimensional functionally graded (BFG) nanobeams subjected to arbitrary boundary conditions. According to Eringen's nonlocal theory and Hamilton's principle, the underlying equations of motion have been obtained for BFG nanobeams. Moreover, the variable substitution method is utilized to establish the structure's state-space differential equations, followed by forming the dynamic stiffness matrix based on state-space differential equations. In order to compute the natural frequencies, the current study utilizes the Wittrick-Williams algorithm as a solution technique. Moreover, the nonlinear vibration frequencies calculated by employing the proposed method are compared to the frequencies obtained in previous studies to evaluate the proposed method's performance. Some illustrative numerical examples are also given in order to study the impacts of the nonlocal parameters, material property gradient indices, nanobeam length, and boundary conditions on the BFG nanobeam's frequency. It is found that reducing the nonlocal parameter will usually result in increased vibration frequencies.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.171-180
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• 2022

Employee retention is becoming a crucial idea for businesses that aim to improve their performance, resulting in an increasing emphasis on the topic in today's society. Employee retention refers to an organization's ability to retain its employees. The retention of workers may be viewed as a technique used by companies to retain their personnel since it is linked to employer efforts to maintain their staff. Online surveys were initially done between April and July 2021. Furthermore, the study's primary focus was employees of small and medium enterprises. To collect data, the questionnaires were distributed through Google forms. The survey used a snowballing technique because the questionnaires were circulated among the participants. Based on the results, the research found that Perceived Organizational Support (POS) and Perceived Organizational Justice (POJ) mediate the relationship of Value Congruence (VC) and Job Characteristics (JS) and employee retention in the Lebanese Retail Sector. Employees appreciate POS because it satisfies their desires for acceptance, esteem, and connection and offers comfort during times of stress. Employers must give priority to equal effort to ensure equitable treatment for workers at work. By integrating justice and equality in all departments, the performance of workers may be enhanced.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.265-279
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• 2022

Tunnel convergence prediction is essential for the safe construction and design of tunnels. This study proposes five machine learning models of deep neural network (DNN), K-nearest neighbors (KNN), Gaussian process regression (GPR), support vector regression (SVR), and decision trees (DT) to predict the convergence phenomenon during or shortly after the excavation of tunnels. In this respect, a database including 650 datasets (440 for training, 110 for validation, and 100 for test) was gathered from the previously constructed tunnels. In the database, 12 effective parameters on the tunnel convergence and a target of tunnel wall convergence were considered. Both 5-fold and hold-out cross validation methods were used to analyze the predicted outcomes in the ML models. Finally, the DNN method was proposed as the most robust model. Also, to assess each parameter's contribution to the prediction problem, the backward selection method was used. The results showed that the highest and lowest impact parameters for tunnel convergence are tunnel depth and tunnel width, respectively.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.108-116
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• 2024

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) is widely popular among shoulder surgeons and patients, and its prevalence has increased dramatically in recent years. With this increased use, the indicated pathologies associated with RTSA are more likely to be encountered, and challenging patient presentations are more likely to be seen. One prominent challenging presentation is RTSA patients with severe glenoid bone loss. Several techniques with varying degrees of invasiveness, including excessive reaming, alternate centerline, bone grafting, and patient-specific implants (PSIs), have been developed to treat patients with this presentation. PSI treatment uses a three-dimensional reconstruction of a computed tomography scan to design a prosthetic implant or component customized to the patient's glenoid morphology, allowing compensation for any significant bone loss. The novelty of this technology implies a paucity of available literature, and although many studies show that PSIs have good potential for solving challenging shoulder problems, some studies have reported questionable and equivocal outcomes. Additional research is needed to explore the indications, outcomes, techniques, and cost-efficiency of this technology to help establish its role in current treatment guidelines and strategies.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.45-56
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• 2024

This paper proposes an analytical solution for the free vibration, bending and buckling a functionally graded (FG) beam resting on viscoelastic foundation. The materials characteristics of the FG beam are considered to be varying across the thickness according several power law functions. The governing equations are found analytically using a quasi-3D model that contains undetermined integral forms and involves few unknowns to derive. Navier's method for simply supported beam is employed to solve the problem. Numerical examples are presented and studied to demonstrate the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed model. Then, a detailed parametric study is presented in the form of tables and graphs to study and analyze the effects of the different parameters on the response of FG beams with different material compositions resting on a viscoelastic foundation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.19
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• pp.8395-8400
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• 2014

In Saudi Arabia, cancer of breast is ranked the most frequent neoplasm and second source of cancer death in the female population. Breast cancer (BC) fast diagnosis, prognosis and medication management necessitate, these days, immunohistochemistry (IHC) assessment of hormone receptors and HER2 expression profile. The present report defines the IHC profile of ER, PR and HER2 in Saudi female breast neoplasms of ductal and lobular types and associations ER, PR and HER2 expression patterns with various clinicopathological factors (age, type of tumor, size, laterality, histological grade, and involvement of axillaries lymph nodes). Ninety nine cases of breast tumors were recruited from the pathology department archive of King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ER, PR and HER2 expression was assessed using IHC staining. Ductal carcinomas with a variety of histological grades constituted 88 (88.8%) of total cases. Seventy four (77.8%), 59 (62.1%), and 35 (36.8%) of ductal carcinomas showed positive staining for ER, PR and HER2, in that order. Remaining breast cancer cases were four (4%) lobular carcinomas and two (2%) mixed form of ductal and lobular types, which were ER+, PR+, and HER2-. Breast cancer expression pattern of ER, PR and HER2 in Saudi female is different from that of Tunisian and Jordanian female populations and closer to the expression pattern of Egyptian, Lebanese, Iraqi and western country females. Furthermore, the present study found two IHC patterns of breast cancer ER+/PR-/HER2+ (5%) and ER+/PR-/HER2- (11.1%), which had not been reported in other Arabic studies. Thus the rates of IHC expression patterns in breast cancer show some variation among Arabic female populations.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2579-2581
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• 2016

Background: Neuroendocrine tumors represent 20% of primary lung neoplasms in some registries. According to the WHO classification of 2004, reconsidered for 2015, these lung tumors are divided into 4 groups: typical and atypical carcinoid, small cell and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas. We report in this paper, for the first time in Lebanon, the distribution and the population characteristics of these tumors. Materials and Methods: This descriptive retrospective study concerned all the pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (NET) with their characteristics diagnosed in $H\hat{o}tel$ Dieu de France in Beirut, Lebanon from 2001 to 2012, with attention to features like age, gender and subgroup. Results: Of 194 patients with pulmonary NET, 12.4% were typical carcinoid tumors, 3.6% atypical carcinoid, 66.5% small cell lung cancer, 7.7% combined small cell carcinomas and 9.8% large cell neuroendocrine tumors. The mean ages of patients were respectively 51.2 years in typical carcinoid, 64 years in atypical carcinoid, 64.2 years in small cell lung cancers, 67.2 in combined small cell lung cancer and 66.9 in large cells neuroendocrine tumors. The M/F sex ratios were respectively 0.3, 1.3, 1.4, 2.7 and 2.2. Conclusions: The characteristics of lung neuroendocrine tumors in our Lebanese institution are comparable to those reported in the literature.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.621-626
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• 2015

Background: Smokefree laws aim to protect employees and the public from the dangers of secondhand smoke. Waterpipe premises have significantly increased in number in the last decade, with anecdotal reports of poor compliance with the smokefree law. The literature is bereft of information pertaining to waterpipe premise employees. This study aimed to opportunistically gather knowledge about the occupational health hazards associated with working in waterpipe premises in London, England. Materials and Methods: Employees from seven convenience-sampled, smokefree-compliant waterpipe premises in London were observed for occupational activities. Opportunistic carbon monoxide (CO) measurements were made among those with whom a rapport had developed. Observations were thematically coded and analysed. Results: Occupational hazards mainly included environmental smoke exposure. Waterpipe-serving employees were required to draw several puffs soon after igniting the coals, thereby providing quality assurance of the product. Median CO levels were 27.5ppm (range 21-55ppm) among these employees. Self-reported employee health was poor, with some suggestion that working patterns and smoke exposure was a contributory factor. Conclusions: The smokefree law in England does not appear to protect waterpipe premise employees from high levels of CO. Continued concerns surrounding chronic smoke exposure may contribute to poor self-reported physical and mental wellbeing.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.103-111
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• 2014

This study aims to determine the effect of a trained dedicated dietitian on clinical outcomes among Lebanese hemodialysis (HD) patients: and thus demonstrate a viable developing country model. This paper describes the study protocol and baseline data. The study was a multicenter randomized controlled trial with parallel-group design involving 12 HD units: assigned to cluster A (n = 6) or B (n = 6). A total of 570 patients met the inclusion criteria. Patients in cluster A were randomly assigned as per dialysis shift to the following: Dedicated Dietitian (DD) (n = 133) and Existing Practice (EP) (n = 138) protocols. Cluster B patients (n = 299) received Trained Hospital Dietitian (THD) protocol. Dietitians of the DD and THD groups were trained by the research team on Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative nutrition guidelines. DD protocol included: individualized nutrition education for 2 hours/month/HD patient for 6 months focusing on renal osteodystrophy and using the Trans-theoretical theory for behavioral change. EP protocol included nutrition education given to patients by hospital dietitians who were blinded to the study. The THD protocol included nutrition education to patients given by hospital dietitian as per the training received but within hospital responsibilities, with no set educational protocol or tools. Baseline data revealed that 40% of patients were hyperphosphatemics (> 5.5 mg/dl) with low dietary adherence and knowledge of dietary P restriction in addition to inadequate daily protein intake ($58.86%{\pm}33.87%$ of needs) yet adequate dietary P intake ($795.52{\pm}366.94$ mg/day). Quality of life (QOL) ranged from 48-75% of full health. Baseline differences between the 3 groups revealed significant differences in serum P, malnutrition status, adherence to diet and P chelators and in 2 factors of the QOL: physical and social functioning. The data show room for improvement in the nutritional status of the patients. The NEMO trial may be able to demonstrate a better nutritional management of HD patients.