bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Varied Proportion of Filifactor alocis in Periodontal Health and Disease in the South Indian Subpopulation
Authors: Neelakandan Anila , Potluri Ravishankar , Yadalam Pradeep Kumar , Chakraborty Priyankar , Saravanan A. V. , Arunraj Rex
Published: December 2021

Background and Aim:

The periodontal microbiome being complex, this study was aimed to detect and quantify the prevalence of Filifactor alocis in various stages of periodontitis and to evaluate its prospect as a diagnostic marker for periodontal disease.

Settings and Design:

Sixty subjects were selected (20 healthy controls, 20 with chronic periodontitis, and 20 with aggressive periodontitis) for the study.

Materials and Methods:

Clinical parameters probing depth and the level of clinical attachment was recorded, subgingival plaque samples were collected. The F. alocis 16srDNA was cloned, sequenced, and used as the standard for real-time quantification of bacterial load using SYBR green chemistry.

Statistical Analysis:

Clinical, microbiological, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) data were analyzed using ANOVA and Pearson's coefficient correlation.

Results:

(a) Real-time PCR analysis showed the highest average F. alocis count in chronic periodontitis subjects (32,409.85), which was followed by count in healthy controls (3046.15) and the least count in aggressive periodontitis subjects (939.84). The bacterial count was statistically significant at P = 0.005. (b) An intra-group comparison reveals that there was a statistically significant increase in the bacterial count with age and mean probing pocket depth at P = 0.0005.

Conclusion:

F. alocis population in aggressive periodontitis was lower compared to chronic periodontitis and healthy controls. The F. alocis population surge in healthy controls may be due to geographical variations and the ethnicity of the subjects. A higher population of F. alocis in chronic periodontitis proves its high pathogenic potential to invade the host tissues to aid in further periodontal destruction.
Anterior segment-optical coherence tomography for evaluation of the epithelium thickness profile in keratoconic corneas and normal corneas
Authors: Eltohamy Soha M.M.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study intends to compare the characteristic distributive epithelial pattern by Fourier-domain anterior segment-optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) corneal mapping between keratoconic and normal eyes.

Patients and methods

This prospective case–control study included 51 participants who were divided into two groups: study group A (formed of 50 eyes of 26 keratoconic participants) and control group B (50 eyes of 25 healthy controls of matched age and sex with group A). Maps of corneal epithelial statistics within central 5 mm [S: 2–5 mm (superior), I: 2–5 mm (inferior), minimum, maximum, SD (topographic variability), minimum−maximum], and the total corneal pachymetry maps were assessed by the Fourier-domain AS-OCT system and imaged by Scheimpflug imaging corneal topography for both groups.

Results

For group A of keratoconic corneas, the attained results are as follows: the mean of epithelial thickness at the center was 50.1±7.98 µm, superior 56.01±6.98 µm, inferior 48.73±5.97 µm, minimum 39.95±9.11 µm, maximum 62.92±8.85 µm, minimum−maximum −22.01±10.91 µm, and topographic variability 6.9±4.2 µm. For group B of healthy control eyes, the mean of epithelial thickness at the center was 52.71±3.71 µm, superior 52.29±3.32 µm, inferior 53.42±3.11 µm, minimum 48.89±3.71 µm, maximum 55.92±3.47 µm, minimum−maximum −6.3±3.51 µm, and topographic variability 1.53±0.82 µm. All variables of epithelial thickness between the two groups are significant (P<0.01). In comparing the epithelial map of keratoconus (KCN) with the control group, the epithelium was found to be thicker at the maximum (+7 µm) and superior location (+3.72 µm), but thinner at the minimum (−8.94 µm) and the inferior (−4.69 µm) with highly significant differences in both minimum−maximum (−15.71) and topographic variability (+5.37). Moreover, in KCN, the point of minimum epithelial thickness was in accordance with the minimum point of the total corneal thickness and the maximum point of back elevation.

Conclusion

The mapping for epithelial thickness utilizing AS-OCT could be a promising tool in KCN diagnosis.
Lensectomy with anterior vitrectomy plus goniosynechialysis followed by iris-claw intraocular-lens implantation in microspherophakia-induced glaucoma
Authors: Helmy Hazem
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of lensectomy with anterior vitrectomy plus goniosynechialysis followed by a secondary iris-claw intraocular-lens implantation on intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual acuity in pediatric patients with microspherophakia-associated angle-closure glaucoma.

Patients and methods

A prospective randomized interventional case-series surgical study included 24 eyes of 12 patients aged from 6 to16 years with angle-closure glaucoma. Patients initially underwent lensectomy plus anterior vitrectomy and goniosynechialysis in a primary session followed later by secondary iris-claw implantation. The main outcome measure was IOP control and stability and the secondary outcome measure was visual acuity.

Results

IOP decreased from 25±2.59 mmHg preoperatively to 13.21±1.77, 14.71±2.33, 16.17±3.25, 16.13±3.55, 15.63±1.17, 15.67±1.17, 15.67±1.17, 15.71±1.23, 15.71±1.23, 5.71±1.23, 15.71±1.23, and 15.71±1.23 at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, and 60 months postoperatively. IOP was controlled with complete success in 62.5% of cases and qualified success in 29.2%, while 8.3% became controlled with further glaucoma surgery. Anterior-chamber depth increased from 1.56±0.7 preoperatively to 3.33±0.20 postoperatively and remained stable over the next 5 years (P<0.001). Visual acuity significantly improved from 0.79±0.1 to 0.88±0.8 (P<0.001). Refractive error significantly decreased from −16 D preoperatively to −0.5 D postoperatively (P<0.01). Antiglaucoma treatment decreased significantly as 62.55% of patients stopped receiving antiglaucoma treatment postoperatively (P<0.001).

Conclusion

Lensectomy with anterior vitrectomy and goniosynechialysis followed by secondary iris-claw intraocular-lens implantation is effective in the control of angle-closure glaucoma secondary to microspherophakia and results in significant improvement in visual acuity.
Anterior lamellar recession with and without blepharoplasty in upper eyelid cicatricial entropion
Authors: Elessawy Kareem B. , Elnagar Alshymaa M. , Nasr Haytham E. , Abdelbaky Sameh H.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The aim was to compare the surgical results, patient satisfaction, and esthetic outcome of anterior lamellar recession (ALR) with and without blepharoplasty in the treatment of upper eyelid cicatricial entropion.

Patients and methods

This study included 44 eyelids of 30 patients allocated randomly into two groups. Group A: 22 eyelids underwent an ALR surgery. Group B: 22 eyelids underwent an ALR with blepharoplasty. The main outcomes are surgical results, patient satisfaction, and esthetic outcome.

Results

At the end of 6-month follow-up, the success rate of group A was 81.8% (72.7% had complete success, while 9.1% had partial success), and failure was encountered in 18.2%, while it was 100% (95.5% had complete success, while 4.5% had partial success), with no failure reported in group B. The esthetic outcome was fair in 31.8% and poor in 68.2% in group A, while it was good in 77.3% and fair in 22.7% in group B, with a highly significant statistical difference between the two groups (P=0.001*). Patient satisfaction was 72.7% (45.5% were satisfied, while 27.3% were partially satisfied) and 27.3% were dissatisfied in group A, while it was 95.4% (90.9% were satisfied, while 4.5% were partially satisfied) and 4.5% were dissatisfied in group B, with a highly significant statistical difference between the two groups (P=0.005*).

Conclusion

In the surgical repair of upper eyelid cicatricial entropion, ALR combined with blepharoplasty has a better functional and esthetic outcome and a greater success rate than ALR alone. It also aids in the treatment of related dermatochalasis, hence optimizing ALR efficacy and improving postoperative cosmesis.
Multiple Anomalies of Derivatives of the Left Cardinal Veins
Authors: Jianu Adelina Maria , Bîrsăşteanu Florin , Pop Florinel , Rusu Mugurel Constantin
Published: December 2021

We hereby report several anomalies of the cardinal veins derivatives. First, a continuous hemiazygos trunk was identified replacing the hemiazygos, accessory hemiazygos, and left superior intercostal veins. Second, a reno-hemiazygos-lumbar trunk was found to connect the left ascending lumbar and renal veins. In the same patient, a persisting left superior vena cava was also found. These findings are related to developmental anomalies of both supra-and subcardinal veins. Such combination of different anatomic vascular variants in the same patient recommends an evaluation of the vascular anatomy prior to surgical and interventional procedures.
Which Comorbidities Matter Most in Patients with Multiple Rib Fractures? An Analysis of the National Inpatient Sample
Authors: Towe Christopher W. , Badrinathan Avanti , Ho Vanessa P. , Bachman Katelynn C. , Worrell Stephanie G. , Moorman Matthew L. , Linden Philip A. , Pieracci Fredric M.
Published: December 2021

Background:

Increased age and number of rib fractures are known to increase the risk of mortality. The impact of comorbidities on the outcomes of patients with rib fractures has not previously been described. We hypothesized that specific medical comorbidities are associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality following rib fracture.

Methods:

Patients with multiple rib fractures or flail chest were identified in the National Inpatient Sample by ICD-10 code from the 4th quarter of 2015 through 2016. Comorbidities were categorized into Elixhauser comorbidity groups, and injury severity was estimated using the Injury Severity Score (ISS). The composite adverse outcome was defined as death, pneumonia, tracheostomy, or discharge to a short-term acute care facility. Multivariable logistic regression was performed with covariates chosen through backward selection from the univariate model to determine the relationship of outcomes to demographic variables and comorbidities with alpha set to 0.001.

Results:

Totally 26,289 patients met inclusion criteria. Composite adverse outcomes occurred in 5,132 (19.5%) patients. Profound ISS (OR 6.013), severe ISS (odds ratio [OR] 2.569), fluid and electrolyte disorder (OR 2.471), and paralysis (OR 2.372) were most associated with adverse outcomes. Within causes of injury, motor vehicle was associated with increased risk of adverse outcome (OR 1.322). Flail chest was also independently associated with adverse outcome (OR 1.816).

Conclusion:

Morbidity and mortality following rib fracture occurred in approximately one-fifth of patients, especially those with high ISS or associated medical comorbidities. This data can be used for risk stratification and identification of high-risk patients for escalation of care.
Impalement Injury to Chest Due to Bamboo Stick
Authors: Anwer Majid , Uddin Md Masleh , Ahmed Farheen , Ur Rahman Md Atique
Published: December 2021

Impalement injuries are rare. We present here a case of impalement injury of chest and its management. A 10-year-old boy fell from a tree and landed on pointed bamboo object. He was diagnosed as a case of impalement injury with right-sided pneumothorax. A right anterolateral thoracotomy with removal of foreign body and repair of lung laceration was done. The patient in the postoperative period remained stable. He was discharged on day 10. Thoracic impalement injuries are dangerous injuries because of close proximity of the impaled objects to the heart and major vessel. The impaled object should be left as such and an urgent transfer to a facility dealing with such type of injury is required. A thoracotomy incision based on the tract should be employed. Postoperative patient should be put on broad-spectrum antibiotic along with chest physiotherapy.
Thoracic Duct Injury
Authors: Ruiz Pier José Luis , Rashid Moheb A.
Published: December 2021

Trauma represents a significant portion of the world's morbidity and mortality. Chest trauma accounts for approximately 25% of mortality in trauma patients, and this rate is much higher in patients with polytraumatic injuries. The thoracic cavity contains three major anatomical systems: the airway, lungs, and the cardiovascular system including the thoracic duct. Blunt or penetrating trauma can cause significant disruption to each of these systems that can quickly prove to be life threatening unless rapidly identified and treated. In the present article, the authors present a review of the thoracic duct injury evaluation and treatment.
Physical Activity, Psychological Distress, Perceived Stress, and Sleep Quality in People with Schizophrenia and Depression
Authors: Chuang Shu Ping , Wei Wu Jo Yung , Wang Chien Shu
Published: December 2021

Background:

People with mental illness often experienced sleep disturbances. Physical activity and psychological factors may be associated with sleep quality among people with mental illness.

Aim:

The purpose of this study was to assess the association between physical activity (PA), psychological distress, perceived stress, and sleep quality in people with mental illness.

Methods:

Sixty-seven people with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and dysthymia were enrolled in the study group. All participants completed the International PA Questionnaire, Kessler psychological distress Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

Results:

The results revealed that moderate metabolic equivalent task (MET)-minutes/week (min/wk) and psychological distress accounted for 39% of the variance in subjective sleep quality. Walking MET-min/wk and psychological distress accounted for 24% of the variance in the use of sleep medication. Vigorous MET-min/wk, psychological distress, and perceived stress accounted for 42% of the variance in daytime dysfunction over the previous month. Psychological distress was a significant related factor for sleep duration (adjusted R
[2] = 0.20) and sleep disturbances (adjusted R
[2] = 0.33), respectively. A majority of the participants (n = 58, 87%) used sleep medication and most (91%) of them had PSQI ≥5, which was suggestive of sleep problems.

Conclusion:

Our results indicated that PA, psychological distress, and perceived stress could have impact on different aspects of sleep quality. More research is needed to explore the association between these variables on sleep quality in people with mental illness.
Effects of Music on Anxiety and Physiological Responses in Patients Before Gastroscopy
Authors: Yang Chia-Chen , Chen Mei-Ling , Liou Yung-Fang , Li Chi-Rong , Chen Pei-Ying , Chiang Hui-Hsun , Chen Yu-Ju
Published: December 2021

Background:

Preprocedural anxiety is a common problem in patients undergoing surgery or an invasive examination. This study investigated listening to self-selected music on anxiety and physiological responses in patients before gastroscopy.

Aim:

The study was to explore the effects of listening to music on anxiety and physiological responses before gastroscopy.

Methods:

A pretest–posttest control group design was conducted, in which patients scheduled for gastroscopy in a medical center located in Taipei, Taiwan, were enrolled. The participants were randomly assigned to the music group (n = 100) or the control group (n = 100) by drawing lots. The music group listened to self-selected music with earphones for 15 min before the procedure. In contrast, the control group rested for 15 min. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate, respiratory rate, and anxiety level were measured immediately before and after the music intervention.

Results:

After adjusting for covariates, anxiety (P = 0.003) and respiratory rate (P = 0.01) significantly decreased in the music group than in the control group. However, no statistical difference in BP and heart rate changes was observed between the two groups. Listening to music could effectively reduce anxiety in patients who believed in the relaxing effects of music.

Conclusion:

Listening to self-selected music could effectively reduce the patients’ anxiety and respiratory rate before gastroscopy, which could be recommended as a routine practice to alleviate patients’ anxiety and physiological arousal before gastroscopy.
Quetiapine-induced Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptom Syndrome
Authors: Biju Roshni Acha , Davis Sandhra , Sanal Ganga
Published: December 2021

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESSs) syndrome is an adverse cutaneous reaction characterized by fever, skin eruption, hematological abnormalities, and internal organ involvement. Although many drugs are known to cause DRESS syndrome, quetiapine-induced DRESS syndrome case is rare. We report a case of a 78-year-old male who developed DRESS syndrome presented with rashes, eosinophilia after taking quetiapine for 2 weeks.
Intraurethral Condyloma Acuminata Treated with Electrocauterization without the Use of Cutting Mode
Authors: Wang Bo-Ren , Yi Chin-Cheng , Cheng Hsin-Hsuan , Lee Jane-Dar
Published: December 2021

Condyloma acuminatum is one of the most commonly occurring sexually transmitted diseases, caused by the human papillomavirus. We report the case of a male with intraurethral condyloma acuminata treated through electrocauterization. He presented to our genitourinary outpatient department with several days of painless gross hematuria. Patient history indicated 3 years of ongoing hemodialysis and a prior ureteroscopy. Multiple intraurethral tumors and bulbar urethral strictures were found by cystoscopy. Eventually, the patient underwent transurethral resection with electrocauterization. The patient recovered well, and there was no evidence of recurrence at the 1-year follow-up consultation. While there are many different methods for the treatment of intraurethral condyloma acuminata, panurethral condyloma acuminata are rare and difficult to treat. Here, we report a case of panurethral condyloma acuminata where urethroscopy with electrocauterization, without the use of the cutting mode, was performed with rapid, safe, and effective results.
On the structure of random graphs with constant $r$-balls
Authors: Benjamini Itai , Ellis David
Published: December 2021

We continue the study of the properties of graphs in which the ball of radius

r

around each vertex induces a graph isomorphic to the ball of radius

r

in some fixed vertex-transitive graph

F

, for various choices of

F

and

r

. This is a natural extension of the study of regular graphs.

More precisely, if

F

is a vertex-transitive graph and

r \in \mathbb{N}

, we say a graph

G

is

r

-locally

F

if the ball of radius

r

around each vertex of

G

induces a graph isomorphic to the graph induced by the ball of radius

r

around any vertex of

F

. We consider the following random graph model: for each

n \in \mathbb{N}

, we let

G_n = G_n(F,r)

be a graph chosen uniformly at random from the set of all unlabelled,

n

-vertex graphs that are

r

-locally

F

. We investigate the properties possessed by the random graph

G_n

with high probability, i.e. with probability tending to 1 as

n \to \infty

, for various natural choices of

F

and

r

.

We prove that if

F

is a Cayley graph of a torsion-free group of polynomial growth, and

r

is sufficiently large depending on

F

, then the random graph

G_n = G_n(F,r)

has largest component of order at most

n^{5/6}

with high probability, and has at least

\exp(n^{\delta})

automorphisms with high probability, where

\delta>0

depends upon

F

alone. Both properties are in stark contrast to random

d

-regular graphs, which correspond to the case where

F

is the infinite

d

-regular tree. We also show that, under the same hypotheses, the number of unlabelled,

n

-vertex graphs that are

r

-locally

F

grows like a stretched exponential in

n

, again in contrast with

d

-regular graphs. In the case where

F

is the standard Cayley graph of

\mathbb{Z}^d

, we obtain a much more precise enumeration result, and more precise results on the properties of the random graph

G_n(F,r)

. Our proofs use a mixture of results and techniques from geometry, group theory and combinatorics.

We make several conjectures regarding what happens for Cayley graphs of other finitely generated groups.
Effects of oral ingestion of hyoscyamine from Daturastramonium seeds on the hippocampus in adult Wistar rats (Rattusnorvegicus)
Authors: Idris A. T. , Sunday A.M. , Ibrahim A.I. , James O.N. , Musa A.K. , Abdullahi G.
Published: December 2021

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of oral ingestion of hyoscyamine fraction of Daturastramonium seeds on the hippocampus in adult Wistar rats. Fresh seeds of D. stramonium were procured and fractionated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Twenty-four healthy adult Wistar rats weighed 230±0.50 grams, were procured and divided equally into four groups for the experiment. The group one received an equivalent bodyweight of normal saline, while three other groups received 200, 400 and 800 mg/kgbwt of hyoscyamine fraction of D. stramonium respectively for three weeks. At the end of the experiment, the animals were subjected to memory test using Morris water maze (MWM) and Novel object recognition test (NORT) test paradigms. The data obtained were expressed as mean ± SEM and repeated measures ANOVA with Fisher’s multiple comparisons post-hoc tests were used to obtain mean differences using Minitab 17 (LLC., U.K.) statistical package software. P < 0.05  was considered statistically significant. There was a statistically significant increase in the exploration time (p = 0.031) and escape latency period (p < 0.001) in the novel object recognition and Morris water maze test between the groups in the treated compared to the control group. The CA3 region of the treated group showed significant neuronal lesions, cytoplasmic vacuolations, pyknosis and necrosis. . In conclusion, exposure to hyoscyamine fraction of D.stramonium at adulthood impaired memory in Wistar rats.
Applying uncertainty reduction strategy for improving performance of questionnaire technique of solving cold user problem
Authors: Abubakar M. , Umar K.
Published: December 2021

Product recommendation systems are information filtering systems that uses ratings and predictions to make new product suggestions. There are many product recommendation system techniques in existence, these include collaborative filtering, content based filtering, knowledge based filtering, utility based filtering and demographic based filtering. Collaborative filtering techniques is known to be the most popular product recommendation system technique. It utilizes user’s previous product ratings to make new product suggestions. However collaborative filtering have some weaknesses, which include cold start, grey sheep issue, synonyms issue. However the major weakness of collaborative filtering approaches is cold user problem. Cold user problem is the failure of product recommendation systems to make product suggestions for new users. Literature investigation had shown that cold user problem could be effectively addressed using active learning technique of administering personalized questionnaire. Unfortunately, the result of personalized questionnaire technique could contain some user preference uncertainties where the product database is too large (as in Amazon). This research work addresses the weakness of personalized questionnaire technique by applying uncertainty reduction strategy to improve the result obtained from administering personalized questionnaire. In our experimental design we perform four different experiments; Personalized questionnaire approach of solving user based coldstart was implemented using Movielens dataset of 1M size, Personalized questionnaire approach of solving user based cold start was implemented using Movielens dataset of 10M size, Personalized questionnaire with uncertainty reduction was implemented using Movielens dataset of 1M size, and also Personalized  questionnaire with uncertainty reduction was implemented using Movielens dataset of 10M size. The experimental result shows RMSE, Precision and Recall improvement of 0.21, 0.17 and 0.18 respectively in 1M dataset and 0.17, 0.14 and 0.20 in 10M dataset respectively over personalized questionnaire.
Pharmacognostic, antioxidant and acute toxicity studies of Vitellaria paradoxa stem bark and root extracts
Authors: Nuhu Y. , Haruna H. , Namadina M.M. , Haruna S. , Abdulrazak M.H. , Yakasai B.D. , Adamu M.M. , Maitama F.Y. , Karaye S.I. , Muttaka A.
Published: December 2021

Most of biochemical reactions in the body generates Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)which are involved in the pathogenesis of oxidative stress-related disorders like diabetes,nephrotoxicity, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, inflammation and neurological isorders. Antioxidants are used to protect the cells or tissues against potential attack by ROS. Most medicinal plants possess a rich source of antioxidants such as flavonoids, phenols, tannins, alkaloids among others. These phytochemicals are currently pursued as an alternative and complimentary drug. The study was carried out to ROS. Most medicinal plants possess a rich source of antioxidants such as flavonoids, phenols, tannins, alkaloids among others. These phytochemicals are currently pursued as an alternative and complimentary drug. The study was carried out to determine Pharmacognostic, antioxidant and acute toxicity of Vitellaria paradoxa root and stem bark. The Vitellaria paradoxa was extracted with water and methanol, screened for their phytochemical properties and antioxidant effects. Chemo-microscopical studies revealed the presence of cellulose cell wall, lignin, calcium oxalate crystals, tannins, starch and mucilage while calcium carbonate was absent in the stem bark but present in the root. The average moisture contents were 7.30% and 6.80% in stem bark and root respectively. The water and ethanol/alcohol extractives were 24.0% and 20.0% for stem while 25.50% and 19.0% for the root respectively. Alkaloid, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, triterpenes, carbohydrate and phenols were detected in both aqueous and methanol extracts while anthraquinones was absent in all the extracts. The DPPH radical scavenging ability of the extract showed the following trend Ascorbic acid ˃ Stem bark extract˃ Root extract. Toxicity of the samples was expressed as LD50, it was found above 5000 mg/kg and did not cause mortality in all the tested rats. These results suggested that Vitellaria paradoxa root and stem bark have moderate antioxidant potentials. Further study is necessary for isolation and characterization of active antioxidant agents which can be used to treat various oxidative stress related diseases.
Effect of aqueous extract of Irvengia gabonensis on acetaminophen induced Nephrototoxicity in rats
Authors: Muhammad I.U. , Idi A. , Ibrahim A.B. , Abubakar B.M.
Published: December 2021

The use of medicinal plant to prevent and/or cure liver problems is a practice not peculiar to developing countries. This research work evaluated the nephrocurative ability of aqueous seed extract of Irvengia gabonensis on Acetaminophen Induced Nephrotoxicity. A total of thirty albino rats were grouped into six groups (GI – GVI) of five rats each. GI served as normal control, GII served as positive control, GIII, GIV and GV were administered with the extract at a dose of 50mg/Kg, 100mg/Kg and 150mg/Kg respectively while GVI rats were administered with standard drug (Vit E) at a dose of 10mg/Kg. Kidney damage was induced in groups (II-VI) using 800mg/Kg of acetaminophen administered orally, rats from group I and II were euthanized24 hours after acetaminophen administration to confirm inducement of kidney damage. Groups III, IV, V and VI were administered with the respective doses for two weeks. A significant decrease (p<0.05) in mean serum level of Urea, Potassium (K+), Chloride (Clˉ) and Creatinine with a significant increase (p<0.05) in the level of serum Sodium (Na+) and Bicarbonate (HCO3ˉ) was observed when compared with positive control. The nephrocurative effect of the plant could be due to its reported secondary metabolites contents.
Antibacterial activity and toxicological evaluation of Anogeissusleiocarpus and Psidium guajava on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Yabo S.A. , Manga S.B. , Baki A.S. , Atata R.F. , Gambo S. , Tahir H.
Published: December 2021

The study was carried out to determine the antibacterial activities and toxicological evaluation of Anogeissusleiocarpus and Psidiumguajava on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus isolated from clinical samples. The plants leaves were extracted using Hexane, Methanol, Ethanol and Water. Various concentrations (50, 25, 12.5 and 6.25mg/ml) of the crude extract of the plants were prepared and their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli was determined using Agar well (Diffusion) method. Toxicity of the plants was evaluated, acute toxicity test, kidney and liver function tests. The result revealed that at 50mg/ml concentration, the leaf extract of Psidiumguajava was active against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli exhibiting the highest zones of inhibition of 19mm and 9mm respectively. Whereas The leaf extract of Anogeissusleiocarpus only inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus recording highest zone of inhibition of 15mm at a concentration of 50mg/ml. The plant extracts were found to be non-toxic as the LD50  was above 5000mg/kg and the biochemical parameters evaluated for both liver and kidney function tests revealed values that are within normal range. Hence the study established that consumption of the leaves of P.guajava for medicinal purpose can be said to be innocuous, as such the plant could be regarded as a potential candidate in the search of potent and harmless plants of therapeutic value.
Evaluation of thermal- nuclear effects from pair-creation in the final fate very-massive stars
Authors: Garba L. , Chidi E. A. , Koki F.S.
Published: December 2021

Thermonuclear conditions found in explosive massive-stars requirethe use of not only efficient, accurate but thermodynamically consistent stellar equation of state (EOS) routines.The use of tables to describe EoS involved in stellar models is very much needed in understanding the final fate of massive stars. Many massive-low metallicity stars end their life as pair creation supernova (PCSN) through the creation of electron-positron pairs.We used thermodynamically consistent EoS tables to numerically evaluate the thermonuclear effects of the electron electron-positron pair creation in rotating 150 and 200 Massive starsat SMC and rotating and non-rotating 500 M⊙at LMC.As expected, the effect of rotationofreducing the oxygen core masshad increasedthe thermal energy within the threshold of the pair-creation instability.Similarly, lower mass loss stars with SMC model produced higher thermal energies,which can cmpletely explode the stars as PCSNe without remnant.On the other hand, the non-rotating 500 M⊙ might have only reached the instability region due to its lower metallicity (compared to solar metallicity) that iscapable of suppressing the mass loss such that the thermonuclear energy maintains certain amount of elements into the pair creation region. At the final explosion of the stars, the helium core mass educed the thermal energies in trying to avoid the pair-creation region. Many implications of these results for the evolution and explosion of massive stars are discussed.
Educación de género y desarrollo educativo
Authors: Zambrano-Vera Mónica , Paladines-Ugalde Rosa , Muñoz-Hormaza Zaida
Published: December 2021

La temática del género resulta en una controversia multidimensional en el contexto contemporáneo. Sin embargo, se proyecta que resulta en una tentativa indispensable en los ámbitos educativos para alcanzar el desarrollo sostenible, a través de factores como la inclusión, igualdad y equidad. En este contexto, los antecedentes de la educación de género en el ámbito educacional evidencian las inexistentes iniciativas gubernamentales por solventar estas tendencias que, en países europeos, desencadena en el desarrollo educativo sostenible.

Palabras claves: Educación de género, desarrollo educativo, desarrollo sostenible.
Psicología positiva y niños resilientes en el aula de clases
Authors: Cevallos-Mendoza Jean Carlos , Muñoz-Bowen Lucy Ariana , Menéndez-Delgado María Fernanda
Published: December 2021

A nivel de Latinoamérica, se evidencian los casos de países como Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina, Brasil y Ecuador cuales describen distintas problemáticas que abarcan desde factores climáticos que desencadenan desastres naturales, y más recientemente abuso psicológico que experimentan niños y niñas a temprana edad. Para ponerle fin a esta problemática, varios países han adoptado medidas que favorecen la Psicología positiva, formando a niños capaces de hacerle frente a este tipo de problemáticas, a través de medidas impulsadas en el ámbito educativo cuyo enfoque de abordaje institucional radica en el manejo y creación de la resiliencia, así como lecciones derivadas de su implementación y recomendaciones para optimizar su impacto en la sociedad contemporánea. Por ende, es importante conocer cómo se utiliza esta herramienta de la psicología positiva y del optimismo como una característica disposicional en la formación de niños y niñas resilientes, capaces de hacerle frente a situaciones adversas y de lograr superarlas a la vez que se integran a un entorno en que se sientan protegidos.

Palabras claves: Psicología positiva, niños, abuso psicológico, resiliencia.
Competitividad empresarial y desarrollo de mercado
Authors: Zanella-Martínez Leonardo Mauricio , Chiriboga-Mendoza Fidel Ricardo , Zambrano-Pilay Enrique Cristóbal
Published: December 2021

La competencia profesional es la cualidad asociada a la imagen profesional (tareas y funciones), que implica una serie de logros, resultados, líneas de actuación y consecuencias exigidas por la profesión o el derecho profesional. en el campo de la formación profesional, el desafío del desarrollo de habilidades profesionales es sobresaliente. Este entusiasmo está relacionado en cierta medida con el enorme desarrollo de los modelos de transferencia y absorción de conocimientos tradicionales. Esta es una problemática que ha sido exacerbada a raíz de la pandemia de COVID-19, por lo que resulta factible desarrollar enfoques metódicos para evaluar las competencias del personal como un componente de la gestión de incentivos materiales. Ante el panorama actual, las pequeñas y grandes empresas tienen diferentes ventajas y desventajas en términos de innovación, pero el entorno empresarial y de innovación que brindan las pequeñas empresas es el más favorable.

Palabras claves: competencia profesional, formación, empresa, innovación.
Peran Moderasi Ukuran Perusahaan Terhadap Faktor-Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Islamic Social Reporting
Authors: Lestari Desy Dwi Ayu , Mochlasin Mochlasin
Published: December 2021

Disclosure of Islamic Social Reporting (ISR) has a role in the company, and the broad ISR will lead the company to a positive impact. This study aims to analyze the effect of profitability, leverage, and institutional ownership on Islamic Social Reporting (ISR) disclosure with firm size as a moderating variable in companies listed on the Jakarta Islamic Index (JII) for the 2014-2019 period. Determination of the sample using the purposive sampling method. The data used are 84 company annual reports. The test analysis method uses Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA). The study results partially show that profitability, leverage, and institutional ownership do not affect ISR disclosure. Firm size can moderate the effect of leverage on ISR disclosure. Meanwhile, firm size cannot moderate the effect of profitability and institutional ownership on ISR disclosure. Companies with declining or increasing financial conditions cannot motivate companies to make more comprehensive disclosures. Companies with good intentions, of course, will continue to make broader disclosures in financial conditions up or down.
Peran Religiusitas Sebagai Moderasi Determinan Tindakan Penggelapan Pajak
Authors: Pujiastuti Dwi , Indriyani Fany
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this research is to show the effect of fairness of tax collection, subjective norms, taxation system, and tax sanctions on tax evasion, which is moderated by religiosity. This study uses a quantitative approach. The data used are primary data derived from questionnaires. The population used are entrepreneurs registered with the cooperative service, small and medium enterprises in the city of Salatiga. The sampling technique used purposive sampling to obtain as many as 33 samples. Data analysis using multiple linear regression and moderated regression analysis (MRA). The results showed that the fairness of tax collection, taxation system, and tax sanctions could not affect the act of tax evasion. Then religiosity cannot be a moderator in the act of tax evasion. However, subjective norms have been shown to influence tax evasion. Subjective norms are suggestions or invitations to those closest to them to comply with tax regulations not to commit tax evasion. Religiosity cannot reduce tax evasion because it is influenced by external factors so that religiosity as an individual value embedded in the person cannot be a component that reduces tax evasion.
Tingkat Kesehatan Keuangan Organisasi Pengelola Zakat Di Indonesia
Authors: Anwar Siti Aminah , Malikah Anik
Published: December 2021

As the largest Muslim country in the world, Indonesia has great potential in collecting zakat, infaq, alms, and waqf funds (ZISWAF) to alleviate poverty and social inequality. This study aims to demonstrate the financial health or performance of the zakat management organization (ZMO) by analyzing the ratio of activity, efficiency, amil, liquidity, and growth based on the provisions of the strategic study centre the national amil zakat agency (Puskasbaznas). This study uses a sample of twenty financial statements from five ZMO published from 2015-2018. This study uses an explanatory research method with a quantitative descriptive approach. The results show that the financial statements of the ZMO have implemented PSAK 45 and PSAK 109. The financial health or performance of the ZMO is categorized as quite reasonable. Then the efficiency ratio affects the financial health or performance of ZMO. In contrast, the ratio of activity, amil, liquidity, and growth do not affect the financial health or performance of ZMO. The results of this study are able to detect ZMO who do not aim to make a profit. Then it is used as a reference for ZMO in improving financial health or organizational performance.
Games Theory and Real Options: A model to asses strategies, agreements and penalties
Authors: Milanesi Gastón
Published: December 2021

In competitive environments, the design and election of strategies demand to consider three potential sources of uncertainty: risks derived from self-actions, risks emerged from states of nature and risks derived from competitors´ decisions. For that, a numerical model that considers the competitors´ actions is required, for value strategies, join venture design and penalty quantification. The paper proposes a simple numerical model of Game Theory and Real Options with multiples source of risk. The first part exposes the mathematical basis of the model. Its functioning is illustrated with the cases valuation related to strategies without collaborative agreement. Next, the cooperation strategy and default monetary penalties are valued. Finally, the main conclusions are exposed.
Diversification of equity investment portfolios. Application to the IBEX 35
Authors: Orihuel Bañuls Gema
Published: December 2021

At present, there is no unanimity on the effects that stock diversification can have on the total risk of an investment portfolio. In this context, this paper studies some issues related to the evolution of risk in an investment portfolio made up of IBEX 35 stocks. In addition, it is tested whether conclusions drawn for other time periods and in other markets are applicable to the Spanish stock market. The methodology used consists of calculating how the two components that make up the total risk of a portfolio (systematic risk and unsystematic risk) behave as portfolios of increasing size are diversified. The study shows how an increase in the number of securities in the investment portfolio decreases the percentage corresponding to the unsystematic risk component and increases the systematic risk component. Furthermore, it also shows that the benefits of diversification become increasingly marginal as portfolio size increases. Additionally, it is shown that an increase in the number of securities also increases the stability of the Beta of the investment portfolios over time.
The Mutant Project
Authors: Kirksey Eben
Published: December 2021

An anthropologist visits the frontiers of genetics, medicine, and technology to ask: whose values are guiding gene-editing experiments, and what are the implications for humanity?
DESCRIBING THE EDUCATIONAL ROLE OF NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS: AN ANALYSIS TOOL FOR PRE-SERVICE AND IN-SERVICE TEACHERS
Authors: Gkouskou Eirini , Koliopoulos Dimitrios
Published: December 2021

This study presents a tool for description and potential analysis of the educational role of the Science and Technology museum. This tool has been constructed from the point of view of formal education and it is proposed as a framework for the approach of the science/technology museum from the teachers and education administrators. More specifically, the tool is, at first, described in terms of structure, content and functionality and, afterwards, examples are provided for cases of international, national and local natural history museums (Natural History Museum in Paris, Goulandris Natural History Museum in Athens and University of Patras Zoology Museum accordingly). Finally, there is a discussion regarding the suitability of this tool to inform, instruct and train future and in-service teachers in aspects of museum education.

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CONCEPTION D’UN LIVRE NUMÉRIQUE SUR LES CIRCUITS ÉLECTRIQUES ET FORMATION DES ENSEIGNANTS / DESIGN OF A NUMERIC BOOK ON ELECTRIC CIRCUITS AND TEACHER EDUCATION
Authors: Métioui Abdeljalil
Published: December 2021

Dans la présente recherche, nous présentons un résumé des travaux réalisés de par le monde sur la formation scientifique des enseignants des écoles primaires et nous verrons qu’elle est insuffisante pour initier les élèves aux sciences. Ensuite, nous esquissons une synthèse des recherches qui développent des environnements didactiques axés sur l’expérimentation, en vue d’aider les enseignants à acquérir les rudiments de la démarche expérimentale. Finalement, nous illustrons la structure générale d'un livre numérique portant sur l'expérimentation relative aux fonctionnements de circuits électriques simples, suivis de quelques commentaires d'étudiants québécois en formation qui l'ont étudié dans le cadre d'un cours universitaire portant sur la didactique des sciences et des technologies, au primaire.

 

In this research, we present a summary of the work done around the world on the scientific training of primary school teachers and we will see that their training is deficient. Then, we sketch a synthesis of research that develops didactic environments focused on experimentation, to give teachers, the basics of the experimental approach. Finally, we illustrate the general structure of a digital book on experimentation related to the operation of simple electrical circuits, followed by some comments from Quebec students in training who experimented with it in a university course on the didactics of sciences and technologies at the primary level.

 

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LEARNERS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENT: A STUDY ON ELT AND ELL STUDENTS
Authors: Yazici Yeliz , Uçar Serpil
Published: December 2021

The current study set out to define ELT and ELL students' attitude towards portfolio assessment in academic writing and to define the positive and negative aspects of portfolio assessment along with the aims to define their preferences on choosing portfolios versus traditional pen-and-paper tests. The sample of this study consists of 49 students studying English Language Teaching (ELT) and English Language and Literature departments at Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University in the second term of academic year 2021-2022. Study was conducted using survey research design; a Likert scale questionnaire and one-on-one interviews in order to collect data on attitudes towards Portfolio Assessment. The results of the final analysis showed that participants are competent about the content of portfolio assessment and the portfolio sharing activities offer learners the chances to learn good English with the help of acquired technics from their classmates. According to participants, self-evaluation, peer-evaluation, active participation and language skills development were considered as advantages of portfolio Requiring much time, reliability and validity issues and neglecting listening and speaking skills were among the disadvantages of portfolio assessment. Moreover, the subject participants of current study mostly prefer to be evaluated by portfolio assessment rather than the traditional paper-pen tests.

 

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ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION AWARENESS AMONG TRICYCLE DRIVERS IN DIGOS CITY, PHILIPPINES
Authors: Uriarte Coni Richel Mamalias , Fraile Roxane Quilo , Diquito Tomas Jr Aquino
Published: December 2021

As humankind progresses into an age of heavy economic change, motor vehicle ownership rapidly increases, significantly altering Earth's biogeochemical composition, resulting in environmental pollution and loss of ecological stability. Given the need for global action, this study, however, investigated the level of environmental awareness in terms of environmental laws and environmental city ordinances in Digos City, Philippines. A quantitative-descriptive method was utilized in employing the study. A modified self-made questionnaire was administered to 200 tricycle drivers of Digos City, Philippines. Results revealed that older tricycle drivers and those who have long experiences have better awareness on environmental laws and city ordinances compared to young tricycle drivers and those who have shorter experiences as tricycle drivers. Thus, there is still a great need for heavy reinforcement regarding environmental legal frameworks, especially among young tricycle drivers in Digos City, Philippines.

 

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