bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Iodine-coated implants in prevention and treatment of surgical site infections for compromised hosts: A prospective study.
Authors: Shirai Toshiharu , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki , Terauchi Ryu , Tsuchida Shinji , Shimomura Seiji , Kajino Yoshihito , Takahashi Kenji
Published: March 2023

Background
Surgical site infection (SSI) is a common complication following orthopedic implantation. We developed an iodine coating for titanium implants to reduce implant-related infectionsand conducted a prospective clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and potential drawbacks of iodine-coated implants.
Patients and Methods
Between July 2008 and July 2017, 653 patients (377 male and 27 female patients; mean age, 48.6) with postoperative infection or a compromised status were treated using iodine-loaded titanium implants. The mean follow-up period was 41.7 months. In 477 patients, iodine-supported implants were used to prevent infection and in 176 patients, to treat active infection (one-stage surgery, 89 patients; two-stage surgery,87 patients). In the limbs and pelvis, the primary diagnoses included the following: 161 tumors, 92 deformities/shortening, 47 pseudarthrosis, 42 fractures, 32 infected TKA, 25 osteoarthritis, 21 pyogenic arthritis, 20 infected THA, and 6 osteomyelitis. In the spinal cases, there were 136 cases of tumors, 36 cases of pyogenic spondylitis, and 35 cases of degeneration. Five modes of implant failure were identified and classified as follows: soft tissue failure(type 1), aseptic loosening (type 2), structural failure (type 3), infection (type 4), and tumor progression (type 5).
Results
The overall failure rate in our series was 26.3% (172/653). There were 101 mechanical failures, including 22 type 1, 20 type 2, and 59 type 3 failures. Non-mechanical causes accounted for 71 failures, including 45 type 4 and 26 type 5 failures. The overall incidence of infections was 6.8%. The mean time to the onset of infection after implantation was 9.1 months. The overall infection rate was 3.7% in the prevention cases and 15.3% in the treatment cases. There was no difference between one-stage replacement (14.6%) and two-stage replacement (16.0%). There were 11 cases of treatment for SSI of spine surgery, and the re-infection rate was 0% using iodine-coated instruments.
Conclusions
The five modes of failure of the iodine-coated implant were satisfactory compared with previous reports. In particular, because the infection rate of iodine-coated implants used for compromised hosts is low compared with other methods, postoperative infection is more easily controlled. It can be considered highly effective for spinal infections that require one-stage revision surgery.
Level of Evidence: IV
Trial registration: prospective, observation study
Recommendation with Item Response Theory
Authors: Veldkamp Karel , Grasman Raoul , Molenaar Dylan
Published: March 2023

A popular approach to recommender systems is to factor the ratingmatrix into two low rank matrices. Although this has proven to be agood way to predict ratings, the component scores in these matrix fac-torisation methods don’t serve as estimates of the underlying causesof the ratings. We propose to model the rating matrix using Multidi-mensional Item Response Theory (MIRT). We show that MIRT doesallow for a causal interpretation of the latent scores, and additionally,allows to control the exploration-exploitation trade off using comput-erized adaptive testing (CAT). We adapt MIRT to large proportionsof missing data using elastic net regularisation. Our model is vali-dated in parameter recovery simulations, and is applied to a binarizedversion of the movielens 1M dataset. Results show that parameterscan be recovered accurately for models with up to three dimensions,for various proportions of missing data. Performance on the movielensdataset with a three dimensional MIRT model–performing is on parwith matrix factorisation methods of up to 20 dimensions. In a secondsimulation study, we show how MIRT can be combined with CAT totackle the exploration-exploitation tradeoff, resulting in more accurateitem rankings. We conclude that MIRT can provide both more inter-pretability and more control over the exploration-exploitation tradeoff.We discuss directions for future work on MIRT based recommendation.
Trends in the Prevalence and Incidence of Thyroid Cancer in Saudi Arabia Over the Last Decade: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 9882 Patients
Authors: Alsalem Abdulaziz A. , Alessa Mohammed A , Alshaalan Yazeed J. , Alkahtani Nasser M. , Alamoudi Mohammed Y.
Published: March 2023

Background
Thyroid cancer is the third most common cancer in Saudi Arabia, with incidence and mortality rates of 10.1% and 1.4%, respectively, among both sexes. The Saudi National Cancer Registry data implicate an increase in the incidence rate of thyroid cancer in both genders. Material understanding of the pattern can help in the development of national-level preventive, screening, and therapeutic policies. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the increasing incidence trends and prevalence patterns of thyroid cancer among the Saudi Arabian population based on geographical distribution.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective population-based study of thyroid cancer cases registered between January 2009 and December 2018 in Saudi Arabia, analysing characteristics such as gender, age, demographics, and tumour details from the Saudi Cancer Registry (SCR) database.
Results
The RSCR data revealed 9882 cases of thyroid cancer. Males had higher rates of papillary, medullary, and oxyphilic adenocarcinomas, while females had higher rates of anaplastic tumours. Riyadh, Najran, and the Eastern region had the highest age-standardized incidence rates (6.93, 4.77, and 4.94, respectively, per 100,000 population). The most prevalent histologic types were papillary (88%) and follicular thyroid cancer (4.8%). In the model, there was a positive relationship between months and the number of thyroid cancer diagnoses between 2009 and 2018, with an estimated 5% monthly increase (95% CI 5–6%).
Conclusion
Thyroid gland tumour prevalence and incidence vary significantly. There is a significant difference in age distribution between histologic types and sexes. Thyroid cancer is four times more likely to strike women than men.
Non-Enzymatic biodegradable battery from plant-based microtubules cathode – Monte Carlo simulation and Experimental validation
Authors: Palicha Kaushik A , Loganathan Pavithra , Sudha V. , Harinipriya S.
Published: March 2023

For the first time, electrochemical methods are utilized to study the response of tubulin monomers (extracted from plant source such as Green Peas: Arachis Hypogea) towards charge perturbations in the form of conductivity, conformational changes via self-assembly and adsorption on Au surface (cf. Figure 1). The obtained dimerization and surface adsorption energetics of the tubulins from Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) agree well with the literature value of 6.9 & 14.9 kCal/mol for lateral and longitudinal bond formation energy respectively. In addition to the effects of charge perturbations on change in structure, ionic and electronic conductivity of tubulin with increasing load are investigated and found to be 1.25 Sm− 1 and 2.89 mSm− 1 respectively. The electronic conductivity is 1.93 times higher than the literature value of 1.5 mSm− 1, demonstrating the fact that the microtubules (dimer of tubulins, MTs) from plant source can be used as a semiconductor electrode material in energy conversion and storage applications such as batteries and supercapacitors. Thus, motivated by the Monte Carlo simulation and electrochemical results the MTs extracted from plant source are used as cathode material for energy storage device such as Bio-battery and the Galvanostatic Charge/Discharge studies are carried out in coin cell − 2032 configuration. The configuration of the bio-battery cell is as follows: Al/CB//PP-1M NaCl//MTs/SS; where SS and Al are used as current collectors for cathode and anode respectively, Polypropylene (PP) membrane soaked in 1M NaCl as electrolyte and Carbon Black (CB) is the anode material. Another configuration of the cell would be replacement of CB by biopolymer such as ethyl cellulose anode (Al/EC/PP-1MNaCl/MTs/SS). (cf. Figure 2)
Colchicine-Induced Polyploidy Induction in Garlic (Allium sativiumL.) and its effect on Mortality of In-Vitro Propagated Plants
Authors: Tahakik Rushikesh , Shukre Vikas , Giram Pranoti , Jadhao Vaishnavi
Published: March 2023

Genetic variation is closely correlated with crop improvement. Garlic is mostly propagated through vegetative means, hence there is a need to induce a significant amount of heterogeneity. Ploidy is induced In-vitro by colchicine, which improves allelic variation among individuals. We examined the optimum concentrations of BAP and TDZ for shoot proliferation. The study suggests that BAP (3 mg/L) and TDZ (0.25 mg/L) exhibit considerable growth in shoot regeneration. 21 days old calli were subcultured and the 2nd-generation passage was subjected to a culture medium with BAP, TDZ and Different concentrations of Colchicine. Results show that Colchicine at 0.05 mg/L promotes explant survival. Treatment improved the genetic potential of garlic varieties in vitro but resulted in a lower duplication rate at 0.75 mg/L due to higher toxicity. LC50 colchicine concentration is at 0.03–0.05 mg/L. The study suggests that an increase in ploidy level is expected to generate higher molecular diversity in garlic.
Cancer-derived mutation in the OGA stalk domain promotes cell malignancy through dysregulating PDLIM7 and p53
Authors: Hu Chia-Wei , Wang Ao , Fan Dacheng , Worth Matthew , Chen Zhengwei , Huang Junfeng , Xie Jinshan , Macdonald John , Li Lingjun , Jiang Jiaoyang
Published: March 2023

O-GlcNAcase (OGA) is the sole enzyme that hydrolyzes O-GlcNAcylation from thousands of proteins and is dysregulated in many diseases including cancer. However, the substrate recognition and pathogenic mechanisms of OGA remain largely unknown. Here we report the first discovery of a cancer-derived point mutation on the OGA’s non-catalytic stalk domain that aberrantly regulated a small set of OGA-protein interactions and O-GlcNAc hydrolysis in critical cellular processes. We uncovered a novel cancer-promoting mechanism in which the OGA mutant preferentially hydrolyzed the O-GlcNAcylation from modified PDLIM7 and promoted cell malignancy by down-regulating p53 tumor suppressor in different types of cells through transcription inhibition and MDM2-mediated ubiquitination. Our study revealed the OGA deglycosylated PDLIM7 as a novel regulator of p53-MDM2 pathway, offered the first set of direct evidence on OGA substrate recognition beyond its catalytic site, and illuminated new directions to interrogate OGA’s precise role without perturbing global O-GlcNAc homeostasis for biomedical applications.
WHO ARE THE BREADWINNERS?
Authors: Wirastri Theresia Dyah , Van Huis Stijn Cornelis
Published: March 2023

Polygamy is a highly controversial topic and the object of serious political contestation in Indonesia. Although all major Muslim organizations consider polygamy is allowed under Islamic Law, the practice is not without stigma. In 1974 when Indonesia adopted its current Marriage Law, the Indonesian parliament decided to tie polygamy to strict conditions. This law however failed to prevent the practice of unregistered polygamous marriages. Women in unregistered polygamous marriages formally hold no rights as lawful wife in case of a divorce or death of the husband. The question is what arrangements the second, third or fourth wife in unregistered polygamous marriages have made with their husband in view of the lack of legal recognition of their rights as wife. What are the consequences of non-recognition of their marriage for these women? Does legal insecurity in practice also mean economic and social insecurity? Does the husband fulfill his obligations and responsibilities towards his wives and their families? This article aims at answering those questions by looking in-depth at a selection of three case studies, which were collected during a total of nine months of research in Jakarta in 2015 and 2016. This article is part of the socio-legal domain, combining legal analysis with anthropological approaches. The starting point of the research is a legal one: the disadvantaged legal position of women whose polygamous marriage has not been registered, but a large part of the research is based on anthropological methods. Through the experiences of these women, the paper reveals a range of personal reasons and underlying causes for unregistered Islamic polygamous marriages as well as their consequences–including legal ones. The paper depicts a great diversity in the ways husbands and wives view and organize their responsibilities within their polygamous households.
Clinical efficacy of individual intraocular lens calculation in children with congenital cataract at risk of abnormal refraction
Authors: Khamraeva L. S. , Latipova N. Kh. , Narzullaeva D. U.
Published: March 2023

Purpose. To assess the clinical efficacy of the SRK II formula with a correction factor Rm in children with congenital cataracts who are at risk of pseudophakic myopia. Material and methods. A complex examination of 48 children (86 eyes) with congenital cataracts involved visometrics, tonometry, tonography, biomicroscopy, keratorefractometry, ophthalmoscopy, ultrasonography, and pachymetry. To determine the IOL power, we used the SRK II formula supplemented with the individual correction factor Rm, proposed by the authors. The examined children were divided into 2 groups. The main group 1 included 22 patients (42 eyes), for which the IOL power was calculated with the Rm factor. The control group 2 consisted of 26 patients (44 eyes) for which the IOL power was calculated according to the traditional SRK II formula using age-related hypocorrection of refraction but without the Rm coefficient. Results. The correction factor Rm, allowed us to achieve the targeted refraction in children who were at risk of developing pseudophakic myopia in 83.3 % of cases of the main group (versus 45.4 % of the control group cases) and reduce the development of high age-related refraction) by 37.9 %. In children of the main group, visual acuity reached, on average, 0.5 ± 0.001, while in the control group it was also higher but only reached 0.200 ± 0.001. Conclusion. The method of calculating the IOL optical power involving an individual correction factor Rm, according to the formula: SRK II – R – Rm can be recommended for clinical practice focused on children at risk of abnormal refractogenesis.
Eye damage in COVID-19. Part 2: posterior segment complications, neuro-ophthalmic manifestations, vaccination and risk factors
Authors: Kurysheva N. I. , Evdokimova O. A. , Nikitina A. D.
Published: March 2023

Posterior eye segment involvement in COVID-19 has varied manifestations: vascular, inflammatory, and neuronal. All of them are triggered by SARS-CoV-2 virus but they cannot be viewed as exclusively specific to COVID-19. According to the literature, the mean age of the patients varies from 17 to 75 with the median of 50 years. The median duration between the appearance of ophthalmic symptoms and the detection of COVID-19 was 12 days. The disease affects both men and women equally. Direct exposure to the virus, immune-mediated tissue damage, activation of the coagulation system, the prothrombotic state caused by a viral infection, concomitant diseases and medications used in the treatment contribute to the development of eye pathologies. Ophthalmologists should be aware of the possible relations of posterior eye segment pathologies, orbit and neuro-ophthalmic disorders with SARS-CoV-2, as well as the possible exacerbation of chronic forms of inflammatory eye diseases and autoimmune disorders due to anti-COVID-19 vaccination.
Traditional analogue vs. three-dimensional digital visualization used in ophthalmic surgery
Authors: Stebnev V. S. , Zhuravlev A. V.
Published: March 2023

The visualization of the surgical process remains a topical issue in cataract surgery. The review presents the history of visualization technique in ophthalmic surgery and compares the main current analogue and 3D digital technologies. The advent of 3D imaging systems in clinical practice has helped solve many issues associated with the use of standard analogue microscopes. These issues include limited focus and field of vision, the need to use a large amount of light, which increases the risk of iatrogenic retinal phototoxicity, the surgeon's attachment to the microscope and, consequently, a high load on the surgeon's visual apparatus when using eyepieces, as well as on their back and neck muscles.
Inactive Graves’ orbitopathy: to treat or not to treat?
Authors: Panteleeva O. G. , Batyrbekova F. H.
Published: March 2023

Purpose: to evaluate the expediency and efficacy of conservative therapy of patients with inactive stages of Graves’ orbitopathy complicated by optical neuropathy. Materials and methods. 62 patients with an inactive stage of Graves’ orbitopathy complicated by optical neuropathy were divided into two groups: group 1 (21 patients, 33.9%) received only symptomatic and local therapy, while group 2 (41 patients, 66.1%) additionally received periorbital injections of glucocorticoid drugs. The patients were examined clinically and instrumentally before and after treatment as well as after a long period of more than 12 months. Results. A positive clinical effect of treatment confirmed by positive dynamics of functional indices of computer perimetry (MS, MD) was achieved in 44 cases (71%), of which 33 patients (75.0% ) belonged to group 2. Positive changes in group 1 were achieved in 52.4% of cases and in group 2 in 80.5% of patients. Long-term results showed stable positive changes in 92.1% of cases. Conclusion. The need for complex therapy, involving local injections of glucocorticoid drugs, of patients in an inactive stage of Grave’s orbitopathy who develop symptoms of optical neuropathy was substantiated.
Primary vitrectomy in total and subtotal hemophthalmos of traumatic etiology
Authors: Subbotina S. N. , Shamkin S. S. , Stepanyants A. B.
Published: March 2023

Purpose: to present the functional results of primary early vitrectomy in patients with subtotal and total hemophthalmos with penetrating wounds and severe contusions of the eye. Material and methods. 41 patients were observed, including 24 patients (24 eyes) with a penetrating eye injury and 17 patients (17 eyes) with a severe eye contusion. All patients had subtotal or total hemophthalmos. All patients underwent a 25G three-port vitrectomy no later than 3 days after the injury. 33 patients received a tamponade with silicone oil 5700, and 8 patients received gas-air mixture C3F8. The follow-up period was 6 months. Results. On the first day after surgery, 31 patients treated with silicone oil tamponade showed an improvement in visual acuity. With gas-air tamponade, visual acuity as light perception was obtained for 1 day; as the gas resorbed, objective vision appeared in all 8 cases. Six months after the surgery, a good anatomical result was achieved: no signs of subatrophy were detected in any of the presented patients. An unfavorable outcome (lacking or incorrect light perception) was observed in 4 cases (9.75%), a relatively favorable functional outcome in the form of objective vision less than 0.1, in 17 cases (41.5%), a favorable outcome with visual acuity above 0.15 in 20 cases (49%). Signs of proliferative vitreoretinopathy were noted in 8 patients (19.5%), which in cases of severe penetrating wounds and contusions and a number of complicating factors is a good result as compared to the available literature statistics. Conclusion. Our study shows that in patients with total and subtotal hemophthalmos with penetrating eye wounds and severe contusions, primary vitrectomy should be performed at an early stage. After the surgery the patients receive a statistically significant increase in visual acuity, have a stable anatomical result and, in the long term, obtain a good functional result.
A variant of combined treatment for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy complicated by type 1 choroidal neovascularization
Authors: Tereshchenko A. V. , Erokhina E. V. , Sidorova Yu. A. , Trifanenkova I. G.
Published: March 2023

Purpose: to evaluate the effectiveness of combined treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCRP) complicated by type 1 choroidal neovascularization (CNV) by subthreshold micropulse laser exposure (SMILE) and intravitreal injection of angiogenesis inhibitors ( IIAI). Material and methods. 37 patients (20 men and 17 women) with monolateral chronic recurrent CSCRP complicated by type 1 CNV, aged 35 to 57 (ave. 43.6 ± 6.7 yrs.) at the moment of first referral, were divided into two groups. The retrospective group included 15 patients (15 eyes) whose first phase of treatment consisted in IIAI (up to 5 injections with an interval of one month). Those who showed no treatment effect were given a SMILE procedure one day before the 6th injection. If neurosensory retinal detachment persisted, the combined treatment (SMILE + IIAI) was repeated monthly until the neurosensory retina could be fully attached, whereupon the patients were transferred to monotherapy with anti-VEGF injections, gradually increasing the interval between the injections. The main group included 22 patients (22 eyes), whose treatment began with a single IIAI. If no neurosensory retinal detachment resorption occurred, the patients received a SMILE procedure one day before the second IIAI injection. The combined treatment was repeated monthly until neurosensory retinal detachment completely resorbed, then the treatment continued with IIAI alone with a gradual increase of intervals between the injections. Results. The number of IIAI in the main group (5 to 8, ave. 6.1 ± 0.8) was significantly lower than in the retrospective group (8 to 10, ave. 8.8 ± 0.77). Best corrected visual acuity increased in both groups, but the main group showed a better central photosensitivity, which is associated with the faster reattachment of neurosensory retina. By the end of the follow-up period, the area of type 1 CNV, and the thickness of the choroid were significantly lower in the main group as compared to the retrospective group. The combined treatment did not cause a single case of complication. Conclusion. The proposed combination of laser exposure followed by IIAI is a safe method for treating complicated forms of CSCRP, which quickens the resorption of subretinal fluid and reduces the number of treatment procedures.
Surgical treatment of the floppy eyelid syndrome
Authors: Filatova I. A. , Kondratieva Yu. P. , Mohammad I. M. , Shemetov S. A. , Maybogin A. M.
Published: March 2023

Purpose: to evaluate the effectiveness of surgical treatment of the floppy eyelid syndrome. Material and methods. The clinical group consisted of 23 patients (46 eyes) with the floppy eyelid syndrome (16 men and 4 women), ave. aged 46,0 ± 2.6 years. Of these 20 patients underwent surgery for floppy eyelid syndrome by vertical and horizontal shortening of the upper eyelid with or without correction of blepharoptosis. The observation period ranged from 1 month to 10 years. Fragments resected during the operation were subjected to histological examination. Results. A histological study revealed a reduced quantity or absence of elastin in the tarsal plate, destruction of collagen fiber beams, malformation of hair follicles accompanied by moderate chronic inflammation, In the postoperative period, the complaints caused by involuntary ectropion of the upper eyelid disappeared in all patients, the palpebral fissures became maximally symmetric. Conclusion. Surgeries performed by our technologies result in the best possible anatomical arrangement of the upper eyelid within a single-stage procedure.
Perspectivas sobre la enseñanza remota de emergencia durante la pandemia por COVID-19 en cuatro países de Latinoamérica
Authors: Sánchez-Oñate Alejandro Antonio , Lozano-Rodríguez Armando , Terrazas Núñez Walter , Villarroel Henríquez Verónica
Published: March 2023

El presente artículo ofrece una perspectiva comparada de las percepciones y experiencias de profesorado universitario de Chile, México, Ecuador y Colombia en la educación remota de emergencia por COVID-19, durante el año 2020, permitiendo visualizar desafíos y orientaciones para la gestión de la educación superior. Se realizó un estudio mixto concurrente en el que participaron 1008 docentes de enseñanza superior que realizaron clases en ese año. Se destacan de forma transversal los sentimientos de ansiedad, apatía y estrés experimentados por el profesorado. Los participantes de Chile mostraron una percepción más baja en la calidad de la relación docente-estudiante, en la autoeficacia docente y la experiencia de emociones agradables. Se reportan como ventajas los aprendizajes asociados al uso de tecnologías, la percepción de seguridad en el hogar y una mejor gestión del tiempo. Desde la integración de datos se devela un foco pedagógico en Colombia y Chile versus un foco centrado en la relación profesorado-alumnado en México y Ecuador respecto de los procesos de enseñanza aprendizaje. Se plantean reflexiones respecto de la integración de la dimensión emocional en los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje remotos, y la necesidad de avanzar en la reducción de brechas tecnológicas y digitales en docentes y estudiantes.
Actitudes hacia el plagio en estudiantes de Introducción a la Programación: Un caso de estudio
Authors: Hernández Moreno Laura Alicia , Moreno Reyes Hugo
Published: March 2023

La presente investigación tuvo como propósito medir la actitud de los estudiantes hacia el plagio. El diseño de la investigación es de enfoque cuantitativo con alcance del tipo correlacional. La muestra fue de 129 estudiantes de nivel superior, de primer semestre de la materia de introducción a la programación. Se consideró la evaluación y aplicación de un instrumento basado en la Teoría del Comportamiento Planeado, compuesto por tres factores: las actitudes positivas, las negativas y las normas subjetivas. Se hizo la prueba de validez y fiabilidad al instrumento, obteniendo valores aceptables (>.70). En los resultados, se identifica que alrededor de un 50% de los estudiantes pueden incurrir en el plagio o realizar un plagio intencional. A un 28% no le es indiferente la idea de dar dinero por la obtención de una tarea o evidencia de aprendizaje. Se identifica la relación entre los factores normas subjetivas (presión social) y la actitud positiva hacia el plagio. El plagio es un comportamiento que tiene un impacto educativo, profesional, económico y social, por lo tanto, es necesaria la educación en valores que garantice la calidad, fomentado la honestidad y uso adecuado y responsable de las TIC.
Implementación holística de tecnologías digitales emergentes en educación superior
Authors: Ayala Franco Enrique , López Martínez Rocío Edith , Menéndez Domínguez Víctor Hugo
Published: March 2023

Los retos para mejorar los procesos educativos y la necesidad de atender problemáticas, como el bajo desempeño académico, siguen presentes en las instituciones educativas de nivel superior. El uso de nuevas tecnologías digitales resulta esperanzador para abatir tales problemáticas, sin embargo, deben ser considerados aspectos que garanticen su implementación integral y ética. Esta investigación fue desarrollada con un enfoque mixto. La primera etapa consistió en obtener modelos predictivos de riesgo académico de alumnos de primer ingreso universitario, y luego implementar un sistema informático para identificar alumnos en riesgo y dar seguimiento a los cursos impartidos en el primer semestre. En la segunda etapa, se diseñó un curso e-learning enriquecido con tecnología digital parta atender las necesidades específicas de un grupo en riesgo escolar. Los resultados muestran mejoras en los niveles de autodirección de los estudiantes, así como en el rendimiento y habilidades académicas; además de beneficios para profesores y directivos, quienes pueden identificar con oportunidad a alumnos con problemas académicos y diseñar o ajustar sus estrategias de enseñanza o de gestión académica. El diseño de esta propuesta de intervención ofrece pautas para establecer una metodología que favorezca la aplicación con enfoque holístico de las tecnologías digitales emergentes.
Pilot scale nanofiltration membrane fabrication containing ionic co-monomers and halloysite nanotubes for textile dye filtration
Authors: Keskin Başak , Korkut Sevde , Ormancı-Acar Türkan , Turken Turker , Tas Cuneyt Erdinc , Menceloglu Yusuf Z. , Unal Serkan , Koyuncu Ismail
Published: March 2023

Wastewater from the textile industry contains high concentrations of pollutants, so the wastewater must be treated before it is discharged. In addition, the reuse of treated wastewater should be considered from an environmental point of view, as large volumes of wastewater are produced. Since textile wastewater mainly contains dyestuffs, it must be treated effectively using environmentally friendly technologies. Membrane processes are widely used in textile wastewater treatment as they have distinct advantages over conventional wastewater treatment methods. This study reports the pilot-scale manufacturing and characterization of three different NF membranes. Three different types of membranes were fabricated. The fabricated membranes were compared through characterization by surface properties, chemical structure and morphology. Membranes were tested for pure water flux. Then the synthetic wastewater (SWW) was tested for flux and rejection. Lastly, the textile wastewater was tested. The textile wastewater flux of pure piperazine (PIP), 60% S-DADPS and 0.04% halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were 22.42, 79.58 and 40.06 L m−2 h−1. It has been proven that the 60% s-DADPS membrane provides up to four times improvement in wastewater flux and simultaneously. In addition, NF membranes produced using HNT and sDADPS on a pilot scale have brought innovation to the literature with the good results obtained.
Yabancı Dil Olarak Türkçe Öğretiminde Karşılaşılan Sorunlar Üzerine Yapılan Lisansüstü Tezlerin İncelenmesi
Authors: Can Uğur
Published: March 2023

Bu çalışmanın amacı, yabancı dil olarak Türkçe öğretiminde karşılaşılan sorunlar üzerine 1998 ile 2022 yılları arasında yapılan lisansüstü tezleri incelemektir. Tezler türüne, yılına, yapıldığı üniversiteye, araştırma yaklaşımına, araştırma yöntemine, araştırmanın veri toplama araçlarına, verilerin analizine, çalışmanın konu edindiği soruna, araştırmanın örneklemine göre farklı kategorilerde sınıflandırılmış ve değerlendirilmiştir. Araştırmada YÖK Tez Merkezi taramasından 46 lisansüstü tez tespit edilerek incelenmiştir. Araştırma, meta-sentez deseniyle yürütülmüştür ve veriler içerik analizi yöntemiyle analiz edilmiştir. Araştırmanın bulgularına göre; 43 yüksek lisans ve 3 doktora tezi yapıldığı, araştırmaların 2016-2020 yılları arasında yoğunlaştığı, tezlerin konu edindiği sorun bakımından en çok dil bilgisi sorunları ve yazma becerisi sorunlarının ele alındığı ve örneklemin en büyük grubunu Arap öğrencilerin oluşturduğu tespit edilmiştir. Çalışmanın, yabancı dil olarak Türkçe öğretiminde karşılaşılan sorunlara yönelik yapılan lisansüstü tezlerin eğilimlerini, eksikliklerini ve tezlerin konu edindiği sorunları sınıflandırarak ortaya koyması ve yabancı dil olarak Türkçe öğretiminde karşılaşılan sorunlar konusunda yapılacak çalışmalar için kaynak olmayı hedeflemesi açısından önemli olduğu düşünülmektedir.
Prevalence of Third Root in the Permanent Lower First Molar (in vivo study)
Authors: Abdulhameed Othman Husham , Saleh Hanaa Abduljabbar , Hamed Nuha Agab
Published: March 2023

Introduction:

Successful endodontic treatment requires complete information about the morphology of the tooth’s root canals. Our research aims to assess the prevalence of a third root in permanent mandibular first molars among Iraqi people.

Methods:

Two hundred fifty-seven patients (161 females and 96 males) were involved. All patients required endodontic treatment of the permanent mandibular first molar. Regular teeth examinations were performed by two experienced Endodontists over a period of 18 months. Digital radiography and CBCT were used to investigate the presence of radix entomolaris (RE). The prevalence of a third root between males and females was compared. Statistical evaluation of the data obtained was conducted using a chi-square test with SPSS version 20, P ≤ 0.05 indicates a significant difference.

Results:

The total prevalence of RE was five teeth among 257 patients or 1.9%. Statistical analysis revealed a non significant difference (P > 0.05) in the prevalence of a third root between females (2/161) and males (3/96) (1.2% and 3.1% respectively).

Conclusion:

Third roots in mandibular first molars among Iraqi people are not rare; therefore endodontists should keep attention to detect such morphological variations when performing endodontic treatment.
Growth Monitoring and Promotion and Index Development for Improved Child Health: A Scoping Review Using Rodgers Concept Analysis Framework
Authors: Moyo Shamiso Alice , Mashau Ntsieni Stella , Makhado Lufuno
Published: March 2023

Purpose:

The purpose of this scoping literature review is to explore the breadth of the available literature, and identify knowledge gaps to inform future research through the use of Rodgers evolutionary concept analysis framework. The literature review also seeks to describe the key child indices developed and their characteristics so as to guide the development of a GMP index for improved child health in Zimbabwe.

Methods:

The keywords growth monitoring and promotion, community health workers, caregivers of children under five years, child health indices, and index development were used to search for relevant literature from Science Direct, Google Scholar, EBSCO, and PUBMED databases in English. The initial electronic database search yielded 535 research articles, and 316 were further assessed for their relevance to the study. An additional 140 articles were excluded from the search as they did not contain adequate evidence as per the Rodgers Evolutionary Framework. After the full-text review, 80 articles out of 220 articles met the inclusion criteria. Those found to be suitable were 25 articles and were thus included in the final analysis.

Results:

Key Antecedents: distance and socio-cultural constraints, CHW activeness, participation of fathers in GMP activities, poor understanding and interpretation of growth charts, poor communication between caregivers and CHWs, full vaccination status and complacency; Attributes: education status of parents, knowledge, attitude, and practices of caregivers and Consequences: timely health interventions, improved child health outcomes, a platform to promote optimal child health practices of GMP activities were identified.

Conclusion:

More research needs to be explored to form indices that incorporate behaviour change metrics. This will lead to an increased evidence base to guide the health system, funders, and policy makers conclusively.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION THROUGH TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL ADOPTION FOR SME RECOVERY ECONO-MY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors:   Universitas Mahasarasawati Denpasar, Astiti Ni Putu Yeni , Prayoga I Made Surya ,   Universitas Mahasaraswati Denpasar, Imbayani I Gusti Ayu ,   Universitas Mahasaraswati Denpasar
Published: March 2023

Because it is anticipated that small and medium-sized businesses will be able to move the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly, they are essential to the economy's recovery. Small and Medium Enterprise must be equipped with the ability and knowledge to adopt technology so that the business is run with added value and can stimulate capital owners to flow their capital to business people so that it can provide a multiplier effect on the economy as a whole, especially in the city of Denpasar. In order to better understand TAM, this study looked at the direct and indirect results of perceived risk, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness on both user behavior and intention to use. The sample in this study was 200 SMEs affected by Covid-19 in Bali and used the SEM test with the help of the Stata analysis tool version 16. Intention to use is affected by ease of use and perceived risk. User behavior is affected by intent to utilize. The intention to utilize is not affected by the perceived utility. Perceived usefulness cannot mediate the impact of perceived ease of use on intention to use. Intention to use can mediate the effect of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness on usage behavior, while the intention to use cannot mediate the impact of perceived risk on usage behavior. The study's findings indicate that the accessibility of technology and the hazards associated with its use are important factors in influencing individuals' intentions to utilize technology. The ability of SMEs to progress in technology is crucial, and technology usability is crucial.
RECOGNIZING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES: A COMMON OUTCOME OF AN ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET
Authors:   Universitas Ciputra Surabaya, Indonesia, Bernardus Denny , Murwani Fulgentius Danardana ,   Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia, Aji Imanuel Deny Krisna ,   Universitas Ciputra Surabaya, Indonesia, Padmawidjaja Liestya ,   Universitas Ciputra Surabaya, Indonesia, Jatiperwira Stefan Yudana ,   M.A. student, University of Erfurt; Nordhäuser Str. 63, 99089 Erfurt, Germany, Hitipeuw Imanuel ,   Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia
Published: March 2023

Entrepreneurship is important for economic growth in Indonesia. Entrepreneurial opportunities are essential to maintain a business. This study is intended to explore how business teams recognize entrepreneurial opportunities as a common outcome of their entrepreneurial mindsets. Specifically, this study explores how business teams express their ideas for introducing innovative products in a marketplace where entrepreneurial opportunities underlie those ideas. This study used a qualitative descriptive approach to achieve a comprehensive summarization. A few business teams had already enrolled in the entrepreneurship course. Each business team was asked to report how the business team recognized entrepreneurial opportunities. Content analysis was used to analyze the business team reports. The business team reports were coded into main categories, which the main categories were then analyzed using manifest analysis. The results showed that the business teams recognized the entrepreneurial opportunities underlying their business ideas. Business ideas have several characteristics. This study has implications, limitations, and suggestions for future studies.
Inhibitory Activity of Natural Flavonoids against N439K Variant of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein: an In Silico Analysis
Authors:   Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Brawijaya University, Veteran Street, Malang, East Java, Indonesia, 65145, Setyaningrum Arifah Ratih , Dinana Ichda Arini ,   Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Brawijaya University, Veteran Street, Malang, East Java, Indonesia, 65145, Laylia Lustiafa Zahrotul ,   Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Brawijaya University, Veteran Street, Malang, East Java, Indonesia, 65145, Fitriyani Wilda Aulia’ ,   Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Brawijaya University, Veteran Street, Malang, East Java, Indonesia, 65145, Fatchiyah Fatchiyah ,   Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Brawijaya University, Veteran Street, Malang, East Java, Indonesia, 65145,   Research Center of Smart Molecule of Natural Genetics Resources, Universitas Brawijaya, Jalan Veteran, Malang, East Java, Indonesia, 65145
Published: March 2023

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a functional receptor of the spike protein SARS-CoV-2 that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, especially in providing a passage for the virus to enter human cells. Flavonoids have high bioactivity beneficial for health, such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-lipogenic, metal-chelating, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties. We predict that flavonoids can be used as inhibitors for spike protein and ACE2 interaction. This study aims to compare the potential of flavonoid compounds in herbal medicine as an inhibitor for the spike protein and ACE2 receptors interaction to prevent COVID-19 transmission. Curcumin, 6-gingerol, luteolin, brazilin and kaempferol were used as ligands to dock with wild-type S protein and N439K variant S protein. Drug likeness properties were also evaluated using SwissADME. Molecular docking analysis of five active compounds of flavonoid to wild-type S protein and ACE2 complex shows kaempferol to have the lowest binding energy, meanwhile for mutant S protein and ACE2 complex, 6-gingerol has the lowest binding energy. Both compounds also form hydrogen bonds at the most active binding site. Kampferol showed the best inhibitory activity for wild-type variant. In contrast, 6-gingerol might have the best potential to interfere S protein-ACE2 interaction for the N439K variant S protein.
Surface Sterilization of Mango’s Mistletoe Leaves (Dendrophtoe pentandra (L.) Miq.) for Endophytic Fungi Isolation
Authors:   Departement of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Islamic University of Malang, Malang, East Java, Indonesia, Anizah Nur , Sjakoer Nour Athiroh Abdoes ,   Departement of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Islamic University of Malang, Malang, East Java, Indonesia
Published: March 2023

Mango mistletoe (Dendrophthoe pentandra L. Miq) is known as a parasitic plant that has been scientifically proven to have the potential as an antihypertensive adjuvant herbal. The content of secondary metabolites in plants is produced by plants andby microorganisms that grow in plant tissues. One of them is endophytic fungi which can induce the host to produce secondary metabolites. The ability of endophytic fungi to synthesize secondary metabolites is an opportunity for the large-scale production of phytopharmaca raw materials in a short time without causing ecological damage. Before isolating endophytic fungi from the plant tissue, one needs to research surface sterilization to remove various kinds of microorganisms that are not desired. This study aims to determine the best method’s surface sterilization of the mango’s mistletoe leaves (Dendrophthoe pentandra (L.) Miq) to isolate endophytic fungi. This study used a two-factor completely randomized design. The concentration of Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl) was 5% and 10% as the first factor, and the immersion time of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 minutes was the second factor. There is a total of 10 treatments. In each treatment, there were three replications and one control. Observational data were analyzed descriptively. The results showed that application of NaOCl 10% for 3 minutes is the best and recommended method’s surface sterilization of the mango’s mistletoe leaves because the percentage of live explants is 100%, the percentage of contamination is 0%, and the percentage of explants with endophytic fungi is 100%.
Aligned magnetohydrodynamic effect on magnetic nanoparticle with different base fluids past a moving inclined plate
Authors: Bosli Fazillah , Ilias Mohd Rijal , Aznam Noor Hafizah Zainal , Ishak Siti Shuhada , Zakaria Shahida Farhan , Rahim Amirah Hazwani Abdul
Published: March 2023

This paper deals with the numerical solutions for the aligned MHD free convection laminar boundary layer flow over a moving inclined plate for two magnetic nanofluids, namely Fe3O4-water and Fe3O4-kerosene. It is assumed that the left surface of the plate is in contact with a hot fluid while the cold fluid is on the right surface. The mathematical model has been constructed and based on the Tiwari-Das model, appropriate similarity transformations are used to convert the governing partial differential equations into nonlinear ordinary differential equations and solved numerically using the Keller-Box method. Numerical results for the skin friction coefficient and local Nusselt number were presented whilst the velocity and temperature profiles were illustrated graphically and analyzed. It is found that the velocity increases and temperature decrease with an increase of aligned magnetic field angle parameter, magnetic strength parameter, and Grashof number while the velocity decreases and temperature increase when inclined plate angle parameter and volume fractions of nanoparticles increase. For the convective parameter, both velocity and temperature profile increase when the Biot number increase. Comparisons with previously published studies are performed and excellent agreement is obtained.
Probabilistic analysis of COVID-19 transmission in Kenya using Markov chain
Authors: Mugambi Joseph M. , Atitwa Edwin B. , Morris Zakayo N. , Wanyonyi Maurice
Published: March 2023

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have continued to suffer economically due to trade losses. COVID-19 has evolved into different forms and hence became a problem to analyze its transmission. As a result of increased COVID-19 infections, there has been a scarcity of resources like hospital facilities, quarantine centers, and personal protective equipment (PPEs) for the medics. Therefore, accurate planning has to be made by the government of Kenya to ensure that resources are made available to combat the rising COVID-19 cases. To ensure effective future planning for the COVID-19 pandemic, proper analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic among the population is key. Therefore, this study will go a long way in providing insights on how to plan for the Kenyan population through probabilistic analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic using the Markov chain. The study used Secondary Cumulative data from the Kenya ministry of health for a period between 1st June 2021 and 1st May 2022. The data was analyzed using a steady-state Markov chain in which the transition probability matrix for the COVID-19 pandemic was computed. The number of individuals infected by the COVID-19 virus and who recovered at the end of the study period was set at zero since COVID-19 disease is not curable. The results were presented in the table and reported at a 95% confidence level. Based on the findings, the study concluded that a steady-state Markov chain is beneficial in simulating the coronavirus infection in numerous stages. Also, it is noted that the use of the steady-state Markov chain model allows for capturing short and long-term memory effects that greatly improve the estimation of the number of new cases of COVID-19 and indicate whether the disease has an upward/downward trend.
A method of studying the flow of miniature cumulative jet of copper
Authors: Melekhin N. V.  , Bragov A. M.  , Berendeev N.N.  , Chuvildeev V.N.  , Balandin V. V.
Published: March 2023

A novel experimental laboratory technique for the flow of miniature cumulative jet of copper and without using explosives, is described. To perform the microcumulative tests, miniature cylindrical specimens with conical pits were used. The dynamic loading of the specimens was performed using a gas gun with a striker accelerated up to speeds of 800 m/s. The optimal specimen geometry and testing regimes, including the focal distance during microcumulation testing, were then determined. The influence of the structural condition of the sample material on the parameters of the cumulative jet has been demonstrated A preliminary analysis of the effects of copper purity and processing regimes on the ultimate dynamic plasticity characteristics was performed Keywords: High-speed deformation, cumulative jet flow, copper, ultimate dynamic plasticity, light-gas gun.