Background This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dental health on quality of life (QoL) in 117 patients from Kosova, aged 6–80 years, using the Dental Impact on Daily Living (DL) questionnaire and the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) questionnaire. Material/Methods We recruited 117 patients, approximately half male and half female, aged 6–80 years. The subjects came for dental appointments and filled out 2 questionnaires: DIDL addressing questions on appearance, comfort, pain, performance and eating restriction, and OHRQoL assessing dental-specific questions for evaluation of satisfaction with oral health, and evaluation of importance they attribute to oral health. Collected data included age, gender, income, education level, and frequency of brushing teeth per day. Results The participants were relatively satisfied with their DIDL health (score >0) and also had positive views on OHRQoL (score >0). No participants evaluated the appearance, comfort, eating restrictions, or pain as satisfactory. Comparisons of age, gender, education, income level, and frequency of brushing teeth showed that female participants evaluated their DIDL higher than male participants (P=0.043). Age was correlated with the frequency of teeth brushing per day (rho=−0.450; P<0.001). Gender, age, education level, income level, and frequency of teeth brushing did not influence QoL. Conclusions This small study from Kosovo showed reasonable satisfaction with oral health and its associated QoL. While participants reported good effects of oral health on their QoL, they were least satisfied with comfort and most satisfied with their performance.

ABSTRACT There is an intricate link between money supply and house prices. However, housing markets have downward price rigidity, different supply elasticities, and changing market sentiments. Thus, the response of house prices to expansionary monetary policy shocks differs from contractionary shocks. We use an asymmetric/nonlinear autoregressive distributive lag (NARDL) approach to estimate the asymmetric effects of money supply on house prices in each state in the U.S. a practice that makes our study differ from previous research. The house price growth in 38 states responds symmetrically to money supply changes in the short run. However, in 48 states, positive changes in money supply impact house prices differently from negative changes in the short run. In addition, there is a long-run relationship between money supply and house prices, but only when we account for asymmetries.

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of the freeze-thaw resistance with de-icing salts (resistance to scaling) of three slag-based alkali-activated (AA) concrete mixes and the reference OPC concrete mix. The scaling resistance was tested on the samples subjected to the 7, 14, 28, 42 and 56 freezing and thawing cycles with 3% NaCl solution as freezing medium. The results showed that the increased sodium silicate content enhances the scaling resistance of the AA concrete. OPC concrete exhibited much higher scaling resistance up to 42 cycles, after which it showed severe damage, while the scaling of AA concrete mixes became more moderate after 7 cycles of testing.

Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the analgesic effects of ketamine over fentanyl combined with propofol in analgesia-based elective colonoscopy with purpose of patient safety and satisfaction. Methods: This is a double-blinded prospective randomized controlled trial. Ninety patients were included and randomized to either fentanyl-propofol (Group FP, n: 30), ketamine-propofol (Group KP, n: 30) or propofol-control group (Group C, n: 30). Group FP patients received fentanyl and propofol, Group KP received ketamine and propofol and Group C, propofol. In all groups, incremental doses of propofol were used to maintain a Ramsay sedation score (RSS) of 5. Respiratory depression and hemodynamic parameters were monitored for the first minute and every 5 min during endoscopy. Fifteen minutes after the procedure, the degree of pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS), the quality of recovery according to the Aldrete score (ARS), complications during and after the procedure and additional doses of propofol were recorded. Results: Mean arterial pressure (MAP) at 5 and 30 min (p < 0.05), heart rate (HR) at 15, 25 and 30 min (p < 0.05) and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) at 30 min (p < 0.05) were statistically significant for Group FP. Desaturation (*p = 0.033), and weakness (*p = 0.004) was also significant for Group FP at 20, 25 and 30 min (p < 0.05). Pain was lower assessed for the Group KP according to the VAS (**p = 0.025). Conclusion: In analgesia-based colonoscopy, ketamine provides appropriate analgesia and less incidence of complications compared to fentanyl.

3 Technical RepoRT New Opportunities Offered by the ESRF to the Cultural and Natural Heritage Communities Marine Cotte,1,2 Kathleen DollMan,1 VinCent FernanDez,1 ViCtor Gonzalez,3 FreDeriK VanMeert,4,5 letizia MoniCo,6,7,4 Catherine Dejoie,1 ManFreD BurGhaMMer,1 loïC huDer,1 Stuart FiSher,1 Wout De nolF,1 iDa FazliC,1,8 hiraM CaStillo-MiChel,1 Murielle SaloMé,1 Marta GhirarDello,9 Daniela CoMelli,9 oliVier Mathon,1 anD Paul taFForeau1 1European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Grenoble, France 2Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d’Archéologie Moléculaire et Structurale (LAMS), Paris, France 3Université Paris-Saclay, ENS Paris-Saclay, CNRS, PPSM, Gif-sur-Yvette, France 4Antwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Laboratory (AXIS) Research Group, NANOLab Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium 5Paintings Laboratory, Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK-IRPA), Brussels, Belgium 6CNR-SCITEC, Perugia, Italy 7Centre of Excellence SMAArt, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy 8Science Department, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 9Physics Department, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy Introduction For the past 20 years, the community of heritage scientists has frequently exploited the synchrotron radiation-based techniques offered at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Grenoble, France [1]. X-ray imaging techniques (in particular, micro computedtomography, μCT) are regularly employed to probe non-destructively the inner structure of objects and materials. In paleontology, this can offer information on the functioning and evolution of organs and organisms. In addition, analytical techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) are often used, alone or combined, for the chemical analysis of micro-fragments of historical manufactured materials. This can give clues about both the early days of objects (physical and chemical processes used in the production of artworks and the evolution of these skills in time and space) as well as the evolution/alteration of objects (nature of degradation products and environmental factors contributing to these degradations). The limited size of samples and their high heterogeneity often require access to micro and nano-probes. The new capabilities offered by the ESRF upgrade “EBS” (Extremely Brilliant Source), as well as instrumental developments at new and strongly refurbished beamlines, have motivated the organization of a dedicated “EBS-workshop” about cultural and natural heritage, which was held in January 2020 at the ESRF, attracting more than 150 participants, among which were 90 new ESRF users. Most of the talks were broadcast on the ESRF YouTube Channel and are still available (https:// youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsWatK2_NAmyyA0n03OMJMAKobVIvow2D). Through scientific presentations, tutorials, and discussions, the objectives of the workshop were: 1. To illustrate to expert and non-expert users the many capabilities offered by synchrotron radiation-based techniques for the study of natural and cultural heritage materials/objects; 2. To present EBS and the related instrumental developments, highlighting the ground-breaking capabilities that will be offered through the ESRF upgrade phase 2 (thanks to the new source, new beamlines, and new instruments); 3. To present and discuss the upstream and downstream challenges associated with these new instruments (e.g., access models and data analysis, data management...), which are fundamental for making the experiments a success. This was notably a very good opportunity to discuss the implementation of new beamtime access modes.

When considering product handle ergonomics, authors have focused on product handle sizes and shapes, while handle materials have been largely ignored. Authors have shown that handles coated with rubber foam were more comfortable than stiff handles. However, they did not provide detailed material properties, nor did they investigate different stiffnesses and their impact on tactile perception during grasping. Therefore, in this article, we investigated the influence of product interface material stiffness using a common wood sawing task with a saw handle made of hard plastic and 3D-printed deformable material with different stiffnesses. The results showed that user tactile perception can be improved significantly where the 3D-printed cellular density, and, hence material stiffness, has a significant influence on the resulting tactile perception. However, results have shown that the material stiffness must be determined appropriately to maintain the stability of the products in hands. The results also suggest that the product interface material had a greater influence on the reported overall comfort rating than the product handle shape in the sawing task.

A search is performed for delayed and nonpointing photons originating from the displaced decay of a neutral long-lived particle (LLP). The analysis uses the full Run 2 data set of proton-proton collisions delivered by the LHC at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV between 2015 and 2018 and recorded by the ATLAS detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb$^{-1}$. The capabilities of the ATLAS electromagnetic calorimeter are exploited to precisely measure the arrival times and trajectories of photons. The results are interpreted in a scenario where the LLPs are pair-produced in exotic decays of the 125 GeV Higgs boson, and each LLP subsequently decays into a photon and a particle that escapes direct detection, giving rise to missing transverse momentum. No significant excess is observed above the expectation due to Standard Model background processes. The results are used to set upper limits on the branching ratio of the exotic decay of the Higgs boson. A model-independent limit is also set on the production of photons with large values of displacement and time delay.

A pandemic caused by the coronavirus affects all aspects of life of an individual and a society as a whole. It is not only a question of the medical profession, but also of other areas, and especially the need for fundamental human rights. The measures adopted by state bodies are primarily aimed at protecting human health, but the effects and implications they cause limit other rights, so it raises the question of their adequacy. The basic and most important question is how to access health care in such conditions. Therefore, the main aim of the paper is to try to answer the question through PESTEL (P-Political, E-Economic, S-Social, T-Technological, E-Environmental, L-Legal) analysis of the healthcare system of the local community of Pale. Thirty factors of PESTEL analysis were quantified by using the Improved Fuzzy Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (IMF SWARA) method. The results obtained through the total of 70 formed models show that the current state of the observed local community is marked by social and legal factors. This analysis should present a diagnostic test of the current situation and provide a good basis for future actions.

Out of all benign tumors of the ceruminous glands, syringocystadenoma papilliferum is the rarest and represents only 2% of cases. It is an extremely rare benign tumor that originates from modified apocrine sweat glands. The aim of this paper was to present, according to our findings, the 18th case of syringocystadenoma papilliferum in the external auditory canal, with a detailed review of its clinical, radiological and histomorphological characteristics. A 59-year-old man reported to our clinic due to a 5×5 mm papillomatous growth at the entrance to the right external auditory canal. Histopathology indicated, after an excisional biopsy, that it was a syringocystadenoma papilliferum. The resection lines were free of tumor tissue, and the patient has no signs of tumor recurrence. Although rare, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis of lesions in this region. Complete excision is mandatory in order to avoid recurrence and potential malignant alteration.

Introduction Various side effects and complications in the perioperative period can occur with the use of hyperbaric lidocaine and bupivacaine. Goal Comparative presentation of the occurrence of side effects and complications of hyperbaric lidocaine and bupivacaine during spinal anesthesia in our patients. Methods The study was retrospective and included 178 patients of both sexes. Patients were divided into two groups. In Group I (n-98) hyperbaric lidocaine 5% was used for spinal block. Group II (n-80) was divided into 2 subgroups, A- where hyperbaric Markain 0.5% was used (n-51), and B (n-29) where hyperbaric Sensorkain 0.75% was used. In the study, we analyzed gender, age, block onset, and complications. Results There were 98 patients in Group I, 79 males and 19 females. There were 80 patients in Group II, 69 males and 11 females. The mean age of patients in Group I was 44.96 and in Group II 48.16 years. There was no statistically significant difference in the age of patients in both groups p> 0.05 (p = 0.2321). The occurrence of spinal block occurred significantly faster in Group I compared to group II (p <0.0001), and in subgroup B faster than in subgroup A (p <0.005). The clinical occurrence of complications and side effects during spinal anesthesia is somewhat more common in spinal block with 5% lidocaine. Conclusion The compared incidence of adverse perioperative clinical effects and complications after administration of hyperbaric lidocaine and bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia was not statistically significant.

Introduction Healthcare utilisation requires knowing one’s entitlements and how to access them (navigation) and having access to grievance redressal when entitlements are denied. To ensure citizen access to and use of health insurance entitlements, the Health Insurance Fund established an initiative called the Protector of Patients’ Health Insurance Entitlements (PPHIE). PPHIEs are supposed to provide patient navigation and grievance redressal services. This paper explores to what extent this initiative meets its objectives and is used by the elderly in rural areas. Methods This study employed a mixed methods approach. We conducted in-depth interviews with elderly patients in rural areas, PPHIEs, health providers and health insurance managers (N=39), as well as focus groups (N=5) and a household survey (N=715) with elderly rural patients. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis, and the household survey results were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results The majority of elderly patients were not aware of the PPHIE initiative and instead received patient navigation support from their healthcare providers. The PPHIE programme was poorly publicised among the population. Although PPHIEs had a mandate to pursue grievance redressal they rarely did so, and their role in the system was more symbolic than functional. Conclusion While healthcare providers have (by default) filled the navigation role left by inactive PPHIEs, the grievance redressal role remains unfilled. Information about health insurance entitlements and access to grievance redressal must be provided through visible, accessible and efficient mechanisms that should be continuously monitored and improved.

Due to higher requirements for achieving sustainable development goals, current challenging sociopolitical climate and internationalization, business models remain problematic, resulting in a more complex global competition among firms and the need for sustainability incorporation. Throughout this study, a conceptual model based on the systematic literature review was applied as the methodology, with the study's purpose to propose the new Model of Continuous Enterprise Sustainability, which is designed to facilitate and enhance enterprise management in today's demanding and complex business environment by providing concise steps for effectively incorporating sustainability into day‐to‐day business activities. Five essential components, through their interconnectedness, form the Model of Continuous Enterprise Sustainability, which smooth the path of sustainable management in a dynamic environment, which are as follows: (1) situational factors, (2) creating factors/processes, (3) triple‐sustainable results, (4) organizational results, and (5) continuous stakeholder communication, optimization, innovation and learning. This conceptual model contributes in the first line to advancement and detail explanation of how to achieve sustainable human, financial and natural resources management within enterprises. In addition to directions for sustainable internal resources management, this model also involves clarification how to strategically manage with external resources and prime stakeholders in order to integrate meaningful sustainability matters in firm's business core and create continuously greater value for firm and its prime interested parties.