The Relationship between Depression and Insomnia Symptoms Amongst a Sample of UK University Students

Umair Akram,asha akram,Maria Gardani,Antonia Ypsilanti,Kristofor McCarty,Sarah Allen,Lambros Lazuras 대한수면학회 2019 sleep medicine research Vol.10 No.1

Research exploring the relationship between mental health difficulties and insomnia amongst stu- dents in the UK remains limited. This study further examined the extent of potential relationships between insomnia, anxiety and depression symptoms amongst university students in the UK. A sample of 487 students from four northern universities completed The Insomnia Severity Index, SLEEP-50, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales. Approximately one fifth of students expe- rienced mild to severe levels of depressive symptoms, and two thirds reported anxious symptoms. One quarter of students indicated insomnia symptoms in the clinical range, however the preva- lence of sleep-disorders other than insomnia remained low (< 5%). Finally, symptoms of insomnia and apnoea were significantly related to depression, after controlling for co-morbid anxiety. The current outcomes highlight the high prevalence of depressive and insomnia symptoms amongst university students in the UK. Considering the relationship between insomnia and depression, stu- dent-focused mental health services should explore the possibility of treating insomnia to circum- vent depression.

Développer l’expression écrite du français par les activités de pensée critiquey

Soodeh Eghtesad,Akram Inanloo Khajlo 고려대학교 응용문화연구소 2020 에피스테메 Vol.0 No.24

This study analyzes the impact of a practical teaching of critical thinking on the writing skills of French language learners in an institutional context in Iran. Learners were divided into two groups, an experimental group and a control group; Honey's (2005) Critical Thinking Questionnaire was administered to the participants and their scores were analyzed to ensure that there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding their critical thinking abilities at the beginning of the training. Learners completed five semesters of coursework with identical course objectives and activities. However, the experimental group also received critical thinking training through media analysis, debates, and problem-solving activities. The analysis of the data, which consisted of qualitative analysis of students’ writings in the middle and at the end of the training, indicates that the experimental group outperformed the control group in writing. These results imply that critical thinking activities had a positive impact on learners' writing skills since they allowed them to perform writing tasks by paying attention to the writing as a process, rather than only focusing on the final product. Soodeh Eghtesad・Akram Inanloo Khajlo 121 [RÉSUMÉ] Développer l’expression écrite du français par les activités de pensée critique Soodeh Eghtesad・Akram Inanloo Khajlo Cette étude tente d’analyser l'impact de l'enseignement de la pensée critique sur le développement des compétences d'écriture des apprenants du français langue étrangère en contexte insitutionnel en Iran. Les apprenants étaient divisés en deux groupes, un groupe expérimental et un groupe témoin et le questionnaire de pensée critique de Honey (2005) était administré aux participants des deux groupes afin d’assurer qu'il n'y avait pas de différence significative entre les deux groupes concernant leur capacité de pensée critique au début de la formation. Les apprenants ont suivi cinq semestres de formation dont les objectifs du cours et les activités étaient identiques, mais le groupe expérimental a également reçu une formation à la pensée critique à travers des activités d’analyse des médias, de résolution de problèmes, et de débats, tandis que le groupe témoin n’a suivi aucune formation à la pensée critique. L’analyse des données, qui consiste en analyse qualitative des écritures des apprenants des deux groupes au milieu et à la fin de la formation, montre que le groupe expérimental a surpassé le groupe témoin en matière de production écrite, ce qui indique que l’enseignement de la pensée critique avait un impact positif sur les compétences d’écriture des apprenants, puisqu’elle les a rendus capables d’écrire en faisant attention au processus d’écriture plutôt que focaliser uniquement sur le produit final.

FK506 immunosuppression for submandibular salivary gland allotransplantation in rabbit

Akram Abdo Almansoori,Namuun Khentii,Kyung Won Ju,Bongju Kim,Soung Min Kim,Jong-Ho Lee 대한구강악안면외과학회 2020 대한구강악안면외과학회지 Vol.46 No.3

Objectives: We compared the outcomes of two different doses of FK506 (tacrolimus) for immunosuppression in submandibular salivary gland (SMG) allotransplantation. Materials and Methods: Three SMG allotransplantation groups were established (n=6 per group) as follows: allograft rejection control (Allo-Ctrl), low dose (0.08 mg/kg) of FK506 (FK506-L), and high dose (0.16 mg/kg) of FK506 (FK506-H). Allograft survival and rejection were assessed by clinical observation, interleukin-2 levels as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, blood sampling for complete blood count (CBC), and histological evaluation. Results: Body weight and anorexia were higher in the FK506-H group but without a significant difference compared with the FK506-L population. CBC revealed a non-significantly reduced number of changes in the FK506-L group. Four glands in the FK506-H group and two glands in the FK506- L group were viable and functioning post-transplantation. Conclusion: The survival rate of allotransplanted glands was higher in conjunction with the high dose of 0.16 mg/kg of FK506, with no major difference in the side-effect profile when compared with the low dose of 0.08 mg/kg short-term outcomes.

Current Status of Theranostics in Jordan

Akram Al-Ibraheem,Ali Mohamedkhair 대한핵의학회 2019 핵의학 분자영상 Vol.53 No.1

Exploring the unknown is one of the key factors that lead to great discoveries in mankind history.With the advances in medicine and the development of new approaches towards patient care, like next-generation sequencing and patient-centered care, the need for treatments tailored to patient through personalized medicine has become more compelling. Theranostics has been introduced as a combination of a diagnostic tool and a therapeutic tool on the same vector for a specific disease, to facilitate personalized medicine. Nuclear medicine has shown the capability of providing a strong platform for this new approach through its arms, molecular imaging, and targeted molecular therapies. Though the prototype of theranostics has been practiced in Jordan since decades in the field of diagnosis and treatment of well-differentiated thyroid cancer, recently, the King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), a leading and comprehensive cancer center in Jordan and in the Middle East, has leaped forward to introduce the new approaches of theranostics through the nuclear medicine applications. This paper sheds the light on the most important aspects of this new theranostics practice in Jordan such as peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)–based theranostics.

SYSTEM OF GENERALIZED SET-VALUED PARAMETRIC ORDERED VARIATIONAL INCLUSION PROBLEMS WITH OPERATOR ⊕ IN ORDERED BANACH SPACES

Akram, Mohammad,Dilshad, Mohammad Korean Mathematical Society 2021 대한수학회논문집 Vol.36 No.1

In this article, we study a system of generalized set-valued parametric ordered variational inclusion problems with operator ⊕ in ordered Banach spaces. We introduce the concept of the resolvent operator associated with (α, λ)-ANODSM set-valued mapping and establish the existence theorem of solution for the system of generalized set-valued parametric ordered variational inclusion problems in ordered Banach spaces. In order to prove the existence of solution, we suggest an iterative algorithm and discuss the convergence analysis under some suitable mild conditions.

Exploiting the Maximum Productive Potential of Spent Laying Hens with Different Metabolizable Energy and Protein Levels after Induced Molting

Akram M,J. H. Park,M. S. Ryu,W. J. Shin,K. S. Ryu 한국가금학회 2002 한국가금학회 정기총회 및 학술발표회 Vol.19 No.-

본 실험은 산란노계에서 강제환우 후에 단백질과 에너지수준이 다른 사료를 급여시에 생산성에 미치는 영향을 구명하고자 실행하였다. 76주령 이사브라운 노계를 강제환우후에 2수준의 단백질(15, 17%)과 3수준의 대사에너지(2,750, 2,800, 2,850㎉/㎏)를 2×3요인 시험으로 처리구당 72수, 반복당 18수, 전체 432수를 배치하였다. 조사항목은 체중의 변화, 산란율, 난중, 사료섭취량, 사료요구율을 24주간 조사하였다. 체중은 2,800 ㎉/㎏ ME 처리구에서 낮은 경향을 보였으며 이러한 처리구의 단백질 수준이 15%일 때 산란율이 가장 높게 나타났다. 사료섭취량은 사료의 대사에너지와 단백질 수준이 높아질수록 감소되었다. 본 실험의 결과 2,800㎉/㎏ 대사에너지 급여구에서 15%의 단백질이 함유된 사료를 급여시에 체중의 변화가 적었으며, 산란율이 가장 높게 나타났다. This experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of different dietary ME and CP on post-molt performance of spent laying hens. Four hundred and thirty two, ISA brown after molt induction were fed 6 experimental diets containing 3 ME(2,750, 2,800, 2,850 ㎉/㎏) and 2 CP(15, 17%) levels in factorial design. The influence of ME and CP were measured on body weight, egg production, egg weight and feed intake throughout 24 weeks of production. Egg mass and FCR were calculated for the entire experimental period. Body weight remained less in hens receiving 2,800 ㎉/㎏. ME and showed the highest egg production coupled with 15% CP. Feed intake decreased with the increasing level of ME and CP. As the results of this experiment, 2,800 ㎉/㎏ ME can be used to maintain the low body weight and to obtain higher egg production with 15% CP in induced molting hens.

Spinal Surgery and Subsequent ESR and WBC Changes Pattern: A Single Center Prospective Study

Akram Zare,Mohammadmahdi Sabahi,Hosein Safari,Arash Kiani,Meic H. Schmidt,Mahdi Arjipour 대한신경손상학회 2021 Korean Journal of Neurotrauma Vol.17 No.2

Objective: Postoperative inflammation and infections are common complications of spinal surgery and have similar symptoms. However, postoperative infection may lead to a poor outcome and must be differentiated from postoperative inflammation. The objective of this study is determine the changing pattern of postoperative ESR and WBC counts, and investigate the effects of different variables. Methods: A total of 61 patients who underwent spinal surgery were enrolled in this prospective study. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and white blood cell (WBC) counts were measured the day before surgery and on 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 14th postoperative days. Results: WBC counts increased on the 1st postoperative day in comparison with the preoperative day (p<0.001), and they gradually decreased until the preoperative value was reached on the 14th postoperative day (p=0.14). The ESR also increased postoperatively, reaching a peak on the 5th postoperative day in comparison with the preoperative day (p<0.001) and gradually decreased thereafter. However, on the 14th postoperative day, the ESR was significantly greater than the preoperative value (p<0.001). In addition, a significant positive correlation was observed between ESR and age, duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss, and duration of anesthesia. Conclusion: WBC count continued to rise and was the highest on the 1st postoperative day, after which it gradually decreased and attained normal values on the 14th postoperative day, while the ESR increased on the 1st postoperative day, reached the highest level in patients with and without simultaneous instrumentation on 7th and 5th postoperative days, respectively, and gradually decreased.

Enhanced Piezoelectric Properties of (1-x)[0.675BiFeO₃-0.325BaTiO₃]-xLiTaO₃ Ternary System by Air-Quenching

Akram, Fazli,Malik, Rizwan Ahmed,Lee, Soonil,Pasha, Riffat Asim,Kim, Myong Ho Materials Research Society of Korea 2018 한국재료학회지 Vol.28 No.9

Lead free $(1-x)(0.675BiFeO_3-0.325BaTiO_3)-xLiTaO_3$ (BFBTLT, x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03, with 0.6 mol% $MnO_2$ and 0.4 mol% CuO) were prepared by a solid state reaction method, followed by air quenching and their crystalline phase, morphology, dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties were explored. An X-ray diffraction study indicates that lithium (Li) and tantalum (Ta) were fully incorporated in the BFBT materials with the absence of any secondary phases. Dense ceramic samples (> 92 %) with a wide range of grain sizes from $3.70{\mu}m$ to $1.82{\mu}m$ were obtained in the selected compositions ($0{\leq}x{\leq}0.03$) of BFBTLT system. The maximum temperatures ($T_{max}$) were mostly higher than $420^{\circ}C$ in the studied composition range. The maximum values of maximum polarization ($P_{max}{\approx}31.01{\mu}C/cm^2$), remnant polarization ($P_{rem}{\approx}22.82{\mu}C/cm^2$) and static piezoelectric constant ($d_{33}{\approx}145pC/N$) were obtained at BFBT-0.01LT composition with 0.6 mol% $MnO_2$ and 0.4 mol% CuO. This study demonstrates that the high $T_{max}$ and $d_{33}$ for BFBTLT ceramics are favorable for industrial applications.

Temperature stable dielectric properties of lead-free BiFeO₃–BaTiO₃ modified with LiTaO₃ ceramics

Akram, Fazli,Ahmed Malik, Rizwan,Hussain, Ali,Song, Tae-Kwon,Kim, Won-Jeong,Kim, Myong-Ho Elsevier 2018 Materials letters Vol.217 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>LiTaO<SUB>3</SUB> (LT)-modified (1 − <I>x</I>)(0.675BiFeO<SUB>3</SUB>–0.325BaTiO<SUB>3</SUB>) + 0.6 mol% MnO<SUB>2</SUB> + 0.4 mol% CuO (BFBTMC–<I>x</I>LT, where <I>x</I> = 0–0.030) ceramics were synthesized by solid state reaction method. The crystal symmetry, ferroelectric response, and temperature stable dielectric properties were investigated as a function of different LT-content. The X-ray diffraction study of BFBTMC–LT piezoceramics revealed no remarkable variation in the crystal symmetry. The value of maximum polarization (<I>P</I> <SUB>m</SUB> ≈ 24 μC/cm<SUP>2</SUP>) and remnant polarization (<I>P</I> <SUB>r</SUB> ≈ 18 μC/cm<SUP>2</SUP>) were obtained at BFBTMC–0.010LT composition. The maximum temperature of permittivity (<I>T</I> <SUB>max</SUB>) decreased by the addition of LT-content in BFBTMC materials. The un-doped sample was ferroelectric; a change to relaxor behavior occurred by the addition of LT-content, with broad frequency dependent curves of dielectric mid-value permittivity (ε<SUB>rmid</SUB>) and tangent loss as a function of temperature. A significant enhancement occurred at 3 mol% LT-modified BFBTMC ceramics, with ε<SUB>rmid</SUB> = 5000 ± 9.5% (250–450 °C at 1 kHz). These results are favorable for practical applications in high temperature dielectrics.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> LiTaO<SUB>3</SUB>-modified BiFeO<SUB>3</SUB>–BaTiO<SUB>3</SUB> dielectric ceramics were prepared. </LI> <LI> Easy and reproducible solid state reaction method was used. </LI> <LI> Temperature stable dielectric of 5000 ± 9.5% was achieved in the range 250–450 °C. </LI> </UL> </P>

Silkworm Growth and Silk Yield on Selected Supplemented/ Un-supplemented Mulberry Varieties

AKRAM, Waseem,Usman ZAFAR,이종진 한국곤충학회 2002 Entomological Research Vol.32 No.4

Sericulture has been on developing foot hills till today in Pakistan. It is for the past few years that this industry has received recognition through greater research on the nutritional aspects. Various experiments i.e., nutritional supplementation and searching alternate food plants have been on way with varying degree of success. The present approach includes the very much neglected aspect of trying mulberry varieties and working out their impact on the silkworm growth/ development and silk yield. In Pakistan three varieties of mulberry Morus alba, M. nigra and M. indica are commonly found, these were selected for the present studies and the already established mineral dose 0.2%N ±0.1% P±0.3% K±0.1% Ca±0.15% Mg±0.15% Mn was supplemented to them through dipping method. Amongst the so designed nine treatments those in which the silkworm larvae were fed on M. nigra leaves in any form /combinatiyielded best results, as the larvae in these treatments consumed more food (73.71 gm /10 larvae) and converted maximum(77.22%) of it into body matter. This improved silkworm growth, a primary parameter for increasing the over all production and resulted in better cocoon size which weighed heavier (2.43 gm/cocoon and 1.10 gm/shell) as compared to rest of the test treatments (0.67 and 0.70 gm/shell on M. alba and M. indica, respectively).