bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reversion to regular diet with alternate day fasting can cure grade-I non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in high-fructose-intake-associated metabolic syndrome
Authors: Gamil Nehal Mohamed Bahgat , El Agaty Sahar Mohamed , Megahed Gehan Khalaf , Mansour Rania Salah , Abdel-Latif Marwa Saad
Published: July 2021

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an emerging global health problem that accompanied the obesity epidemic and is considered as the hepatic component of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Modification of lifestyle of MetS patients remains the focus to reverse and prevent progression of hepatic steatosis to NAFLD and its worsening to severe forms. The present study investigates the possible curability of metabolic syndrome -associated grade-1 NAFLD merely by alternate day fasting with or without reversion to regular diet in adult male rats. The present study was performed on 66 local strain male rats aged (6–10 m.) distributed randomly into C group (n = 12), on regular rat diet; and M group (n = 54) on high fructose- intake. On the 8th week, then rats were subjected to measurement of BW, BMI, WC, FBG, IPGTT, HDL-C, TGs, and liver histopathology, to include MetS rats randomly into four experimental groups for 4 weeks as follows: MS (n = 14); MSRD (n = 12); MSF (n = 13); and MSRDF (n = 12). On the 12th week, all rats were subjected to measurements of BW, BMI, WC, LW, LW/BW, VFW, VFW/BW, FBG, IPGTT, Ins., HOMA-IR, HbA1C, TGs, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, CRP, Alb., bilirubin, ALT, L-MDA, and liver histopathology.

Results

On the 8th week, M group developed MerS and grade-I NAFLD with score-4 hepatosteatosis (69%). On the 12th week, MS group had grade-1 NAFLD with score-4 hepatosteatosis (82%) with significantly increased Ins., HOMA-IR, HDL-C, LW, LW/BW, L-MDA, ALT, CRP, and significantly decreased Alb. than C rats. Both MSRD and MSF groups had grade-1 NAFLD with score-3 hepatosteatosis (42%) with significantly decreased Ins., HOMA-IR, TC, LDL-C, LW, LW/BW, L-MDA, ALT, CRP, and significantly increased HDL-C and Alb. than MS group. MSRDF rats showed cure of grade-1 NAFLD and significantly decreased LW than other groups and normalized HOMA-IR, HbA1C TC, LDL-C, ALT, and CRP.

Conclusion

One month of alternate-day fasting and regular rat diet could cure grade-I NAFLD associated with Mets due to high fructose intake possibly by attenuating metabolic disorders. These two interventions might be recommended in the management of MetS patients with grade 1-NAFLD disease.
Aphasia-Diagnostic Challenges and Trends: Speech-Language Pathologist’s Perspective
Authors: Badar Faiza , Naz Sajida , Mumtaz Nazia , Babur Muhammad Naveed , Saqulain Ghulam
Published: July 2021

Objectives: To explore current aphasia assessment practices and barriers among Pakistani speech language pathologists.

Methods: Descriptive study design with qualitative parameters was used. Participants were identified using purposive sampling over a period of eight months from 1st December 2018 to 31st July 2019. Sample comprised of ten speech-language pathologists with least five years’ experience of working with aphasic clients from four major cities of Pakistan including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar. Study included in depth interviews using a self-structured interview guide with probe questions. Data recorded was transcribed and thematic analyses were drawn manually.

Results: Thematic analysis revealed that most Speech language pathologists rely heavily on informal assessment techniques. With no aphasia assessment tool available in Urdu language, no consensus as to the optimal evaluation strategy or tool for aphasia assessment was noted. However, need for such tool was highlighted by all participants. Hence, non-availability of standardized and culturally appropriate assessment tool in “Urdu” language turned out to be the major barrier in adopting formal assessment for aphasic clients, while time consumed in formal testing remained second most reported issue.

Conclusion: There is a dire need of quick aphasia assessment tool in Urdu language with established psychometric properties and culturally appropriate norms.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.2314

How to cite this:Badar F, Naz S, Mumtaz N, Babur MN, Saqulain G. Aphasia-Diagnostic Challenges and Trends: Speech-Language Pathologist’s Perspective. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):1461-1466. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.2314

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Long-term outcome of Non-Transecting Anastomotic Bulbar Urethroplasty for Urethral Strictures: An 8-year experience from Liaquat National Hospital Karachi
Authors: Abdullah Aziz , Ahmed Syed Farhan , Memon Imran Idrees
Published: July 2021

Objectives: To determine the long-term outcome and complications of non-transecting anastomotic bulbar urethroplasty for the treatment of small bulbar urethral strictures presenting at Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi.

Methods: This interventional study was conducted from January 2012 to December 2019 with the study duration of eight year at Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi. All patients presenting in the outpatient department with urethral strictures were included in the study. Patients were evaluated postoperatively for complications and outcomes were determined. The data was analyzed using SPSS v.25.

Results: A total of 358 patients were treated with non-transecting anastomotic bulbar urethroplasty during this 8-years period. The most common site of stricture formation was bulbar urethra 186 (50%), followed by bulbo-membranous urethra; 103 (31%), and bulbo-penile urethra; 69 (19%). The mean stricture was 1.2 cm (0.5-2.5 cm) in length. The main postoperative complications were scrotal swelling in 7 (1.9%), wound infection in 6 (1.6%), wound dehiscence in 3 (0.8%), and transient sexual dysfunction in 31 (8.6%) patients with an overall initial success rate of 97.8%. No permanent deficit in sexual function was reported.

Conclusions: Non-transecting anastomotic bulbar urethroplasty has a good outcome with insignificant postoperative complications in patients with small bulbar urethral stricture disease.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.3879

How to cite this:Abdullah A, Ahmed SF, Memon II. Long-term outcome of Non-Transecting Anastomotic Bulbar Urethroplasty for Urethral Strictures: An 8-year experience from Liaquat National Hospital Karachi. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):1371-1375.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.3879

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Etiology of Hydronephrosis in adults and children: Ultrasonographic Assessment in 233 patients
Authors: Alshoabi Sultan Abdulwadoud , Alhamodi Dahhan Saleh , Alhammadi Mohammed Ali , Alshamrani Abdullah Fahad
Published: July 2021

Objectives: Hydronephrosis (HN) is dilatation of the collecting system of the kidney due to obstruction of urine outflow. This study intended firstly, to investigate the efficacy of ultrasound (US) imaging to determine the cause of HN, and secondly, to list the causes of HN.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 233 patients with HN were scanned to determine the cause of the HN in the period from 1st January 2016 to 31st October 2017. Categorical results were written as frequencies and percentages.

Results: Out of 233, 91.41% were adults and 8.58% were children (P<0.001), 66.10% were male and 33.90% were female (P<0.001). In 55.36%, HN was in the right kidney and 44.64% was in the left (P=0.116). Exactly 58% of patients were suffering from grade-2, 21.5% grade-3, 11.6% grade-1, and 8.2% grade-4 HN. US imaging can determine the cause of HN in 70.4% of patients. Kidney or ureteric calculi were the cause of HN in 54.1% of cases, reflux was in 7.3%, and pelviureteric junction (PUJ) stenosis was in 3.9%. In cases of calculi induced HN, 25.3% of the calculi were in the vesicoureteric junction (VUJ), 21.5% were in the renal pelvis, 6.4% were in the PUJ or upper ureter, and only 0.9% were in the middle ureter.

Conclusion: Ultrasound imaging can determine the cause of HN in more than two thirds of patients. Calculi are the most common cause of HN even in children and are most common in the VUJ.

Abbreviations:HN: Hydronephrosis, US: Ultrasound, PUJ: Pelviureteric Junction,VUJ: Vesicoureteric Junction, SFU: Society of Fetal Urology,MHz: Megahertz, SPSS: Statistical Package for the Social sciences,IBM: International Business Machines, NY: New York, CI: confidence interval.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.3951

How to cite this:Alshoabi SA, Alhamodi DS, Alhammadi MA, Alshamrani AF. Etiology of Hydronephrosis in adults and children: Ultrasonographic Assessment in 233 patients. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):1326-1330. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.3951

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Complications of Cochlear Implant Surgery: A Public Implant Centre Experience
Authors: Ahmed Jawwad , Saqulain Ghulam , Khan Muhammad Iqbal Javed , Kausar Mobeen
Published: July 2021

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of complications of cochlear implant surgery in children with congenital profound sensorineural hearing loss.

Methods: This study retrospectively & consecutively reviewed charts of children who underwent cochlear implantation from July 2015 to July 2019 at Cochlear Implant Centre of Otolaryngology Department of Capital Hospital, Islamabad Pakistan. These included cases of both genders aged one to 12 years operated at least one year before the time of data collection. Basic demographic data, complications including major and minor complications and treatment received was noted and statistically analyzed using SPSS-23. Results were presented using descriptive statistics.

Results: Current study included a sample of N=251 having a mean age of 4.05±2.15 years including 154(61.4%) males and 97(38.6%) females revealed a prevalence of complications of 16(6.4%) with 4(1.6%) major and 12(4.8%) minor complications. Wound infection and acute otitis media with frequency of 3(1.2%) each were the commonest complications, followed by , facial nerve twitching, tinnitus and vertigo, infection and extrusion; and device failure in 2(0.8%) each. However, there was no significant association of complications with age group and gender with P=0.344 and P=0.519 respectively.

Conclusion: Present public sector implant program is characterized with a very low prevalence of complications of 16(6.4%) with 4(1.6%) major and 12(4.8%) minor complications. Wound infection and acute otitis media were the commonest complications.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.3960

How to cite this:Ahmed J, Saqulain G, Khan MIJ, Kausar M. Complications of Cochlear Implant Surgery: A Public Implant Centre Experience. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):1519-1523. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.3960

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
The clinical characteristics and underlying causes of liver damage in patients with COVID-19 infection: Retrospective analysis
Authors: Zuo Guojin , Liu Weirong
Published: July 2021

Objectives: 2019-nCoV has become a global threat to human health. The primary objective of this study was to examine the hepatic damage in 2019-nCoV infected patients and the associated underlying causes.

Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 68 laboratory-confirmed and 20 suspected COVID-19 cases from 23rd January 2020 to 15th February 2020 were included. The study was conducted in The First People’s Hospital of Jingzhou, Hubei. SPSS version 23.0. was used for Statistical analysis using the Student’s t-test or Chi-square test. Data was analyzed for the clinical characteristics and underlying causes of liver damage. The outcomes were followed up until March 29, 2020.

Results: Out of the 68 COVID-19 confirmed cases, 51 had an abnormal liver function, of which 15 had an abnormal liver function at the time of hospital admission. The relationship between the liver function and clinical prognosis of patients showed that the abnormal liver function was positively correlated with the severity of the infection (100% vs.70.2%, p=0.036). The proportion of patients with an elevated level of ALT and a depleted level of Albumin (ALB) were significantly lower in the COVID-19 suspected group than the confirmed group (5% vs. 50.9%, p=0.000; 10% vs. 35.8%, p=0.030, respectively). Besides, the utilization rate of lopinavir/ritonavir, azithromycin, and methylprednisolone in COVID-19 suspected patients were significantly lower than the confirmed patients (25% vs. 62.3%, p=0.004; 35% vs. 62.3%, p=0.037; 25% vs. 64.2%, p=0.003, respectively).

Conclusions: Liver function anomalies are one of the common symptoms associated with the COVID-19 infection, where virus-replication in the liver cells, virus-induced inflammatory response, and administration of clinical medication could be the plausible reason.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4161

How to cite this:Zuo G, Liu W. The clinical characteristics and underlying causes of liver damage in patients with COVID-19 infection: Retrospective analysis. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):1282-1287. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4161

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Vincristine induced neurotoxicity in children who underwent chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Wilms tumor
Authors: Adil Muhammad Kamran , Ali Zulfiqar , Arshad Uzma , Fawad Usman
Published: July 2021

Background & Objectives: Vincristine has been used as chemotherapeutic agent for many decades. It implements its function by inhibiting the duplication of tumor cells by destroying the DNA. However, like all other drugs, its administration is not without any side effects. The most important of these are being the neurotoxic side effects. This study evaluated the degree of neurotoxicity induced by vincristine in children who underwent chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Wilms tumor.

Methods: A quasi experimental study was conducted at Children Hospital & the Institute of Child Health, Multan from January 2020 to October 2020 after taking informed written consent. In this study, 150 children of age group 1—12 years with pathological confirmation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Wilms tumor who had undergone a chemotherapy protocol including at least four consecutive weekly Vincristine injections were included, using probability consecutive sampling technique. Neurological examination was conducted on them on weekly basis.

Results: There were 150 patients,90(60%) males and 60(40%) females with mean age of (5.5±2.2). Diminished patellar and Achilles tendon reflexes were seen in 48% and 52% of patients. Muscular weakness was seen in 60% of patients. Other side effects like hoarseness, jaw pain, constipation and petosis were observed in 10%, 8%,40% and 10% of patients respectively. Frequency of side effects was equally observed in both sexes and it was more among age group older than five years (p = 0.01).

Conclusion: Vincristine regimen produces some neurotoxic side effects in children but nearly all of these are of mild to moderate in nature.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4169

How to cite this:Adil MK, Ali Z, Arshad U, Fawad U. Vincristine induced neurotoxicity in children who underwent chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Wilms tumor. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):1331-1334. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4169

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Characteristics, risk factors and outcomes of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in COVID-19 patients: A meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Jie , Hang Ying
Published: July 2021

Meta Analysis/Original Research

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), mainly targets the respiratory system. However, recent studies also show its role in causing gastrointestinal hemorrhage, potentially affecting morbidity and mortality-related outcomes of the patients. There is still no consensus on the risk factors, characteristics, and the overall outcome of the gastrointestinal hemorrhage in COVID-19 patients. The main aim of this study was to summarize current evidence, assessing risk factors that promote the onset of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in COVID-19 patients, and to compare the incidences of the different sites of gastrointestinal lesions, the events of abdominal pain, diarrhea, intensive care unit admissions, and mortality between COVID-19 patients with or without gastrointestinal bleeding.

Methods: A search of the academic literature was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines across five databases i.e., Web of Science, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Scopus, and MEDLINE. A random-effect meta-analysis was conducted to analyze the influence of the history of drugs consumption, gastrointestinal bleeding, the different incidence of gastrointestinal lesions, events of abdominal pain, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mortality between COVID-19 patients with/without gastrointestinal bleeding.

Results: Out of 458 studies, three eligible studies with 663 participants (mean age: 69.7 ± 4.3 years) were included. A meta-analysis showed a medium-to-large influence of the history of gastrointestinal bleeding (Hedge’s g: 1.01) and anticoagulant drug consumption (g: 0.33) on the gastrointestinal bleeding in COVID-19 patients. Moreover, the incidence of gastroduodenal ulcers was higher as compared to esophagitis (37.5% versus 9.9%).

Conclusions: The study provides preliminary evidence regarding the risk factors associated with the onset of gastrointestinal hemorrhage among COVID-19 patients. The study also outlines the characteristics and the outcomes of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in COVID-19 patients.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4351

How to cite this:Chen J, Hang Y. Characteristics, risk factors and outcomes of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in COVID-19 patients: A meta-analysis. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):1524-1531. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4351

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
The history of surgery and surgical training in the UK
Authors: Payne Thomas , Toms Joseph D. , Zaidi Ahsan , Thrumurthy Sri G.
Published: July 2021

Surgery has a rich history, and in order to understand the various training pathways for aspiring surgeons one must have an appreciation of the evolution of surgery. This manuscript aims to deliver a brief review of the history of surgery, and explore the historical moments that have shaped the training pathway of surgeons in the United Kingdom (UK), and in doing so disseminate the latest information about surgical training in the UK.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4628

How to cite this:Payne T, Toms JD, Zaidi A, Thrumurthy SG. The history of surgery and surgical training in the UK. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):1532-1535. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4628

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Burden of VSD associated aortic valve cusp prolapse with aortic regurgitation and the impact of early surgery on clinical outcomes in South Asia
Authors: Saeed Sahrai , Emmanuel Yaso
Published: July 2021

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4845

How to cite this:Saeed S, Emmanuel Y. Burden of VSD associated aortic valve cusp prolapse with aortic regurgitation and the impact of early surgery on clinical outcomes in South Asia. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):1259-1261. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4845

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
mth roots of H-selfadjoint matrices over the quaternions
Authors: Janse van Rensburg Dawie B , Ran André CM , Theron Frieda , Van Straaten Madelein
Published: July 2021

The complex matrix representation for a quaternion matrix is used in this paper to find necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of an $H$-selfadjoint $m$th root of a given $H$-selfadjoint quaternion matrix. In the process, when such an $H$-selfadjoint $m$th root exists, its construction is also given.
Single core-offset Mach-Zehnder interferometer coated with PVA for simultaneous measurement of relative humidity and temperature
Authors: Dong Zhenyong , Jin Yaqi , Zhang Guanbin , Zhou Jie , Liu Chunyang , Liu Fengxiang , Wei Zhongchao , Wang Faqiang , Tan Chunhua , Meng Hongyun
Published: July 2021

A single core-offset Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) coated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for simultaneous measurement of relative humidity (RH) and temperature is proposed in this paper. The sensing structure is fabricated by splicing dispersion compensating fiber (DCF) and no-core fiber (NCF) and splicing two single-mode fibers (SMF) at both ends, where the core-offset is located at the splicing of SMF and DCF. A part of the cladding of DCF is etched to excite the high-order cladding mode (LP10), and PVA is coated on the etched area. The refractive index of PVA varies due to the adsorption of water molecules. Therefore, when the ambient relative humidity and temperature change, the change of MZI phase difference causes the wavelength of the resonant dip to shift. The experimental results indicate that the proposed sensor has a sensitivity of 0.256 nm/RH% for RH range of 30%-95%, and a sensitivity of 0.153 nm/℃ for temperature range of 20℃-80℃, respectively. The simultaneous measurement of RH and temperature can be achieved by demodulating the sensitivity coefficient matrix. The proposed sensor has the characteristics of good repeatability, high sensitivity, and good stability, which make it potentially applications for the detection of RH and temperature measurement.
Refractive index sensor with alternative high performance using black phosphorus in the all-dielectric configuration
Authors: Cai Yijun , Zhang Junao , Zhou Yuanguo , Chen Chengying , Lin Feng , Wang Lin
Published: July 2021

We theoretically propose a nonplasmonic optical refractive index sensor based on black phosphorus (BP) and other dielectric materials in the infrared band. Due to the anisotropic property of BP, the proposed sensor can achieve alternative sensitivity and figure of merit (FOM) in its different crystal directions. The high sensitivity and FOM are attributed to the strong magnetic resonance in the all-dielectric configuration. The coupled-mode theory (CMT) is used to verify the simulation results and reveal the physical mechanism. Furthermore, influences of the sample and the incident angle on the performance of the sensor are also discussed. Our design utilizes a simple dielectric structure with a BP monolayer, which exhibits great potential for the future high-performance sensor with low cost.
Sounding displaced memories: Narrative soundscapes in Edwidge Danticat’s Krik? Krak!
Authors: Barba Guerrero Paula
Published: July 2021

In her short story collection Krik? Krak!, the Haitian American writer Edwidge Danticat realizes new formal strategies that integrate vernacular orality into her writings. She does so to construct evocative narrative soundscapes through which difficult memories can be processed. This article examines Danticat’s approach to otherness, migration, and displacement in an attempt to disentangle the function of language, sound, and memory in the development of authentic Caribbean identities and literatures. It aims to trace the workings of sound and mobility in the literary spaces Danticat creates to revisit colonial and patriarchal history and, in so doing, reroot and reroute cultural memories previously lost to violence and organized forgetting. In crossing and replicating the oceanic routes in which past and present intersect, Krik? Krak! opens critical sites of (d)enunciation that rework personal and collective memories of displacement by means of language and sound.
‘I start again with every story, listening’: Sound, silence and voice in two short stories by David Constantine
Authors: Görtschacher Wolfgang
Published: July 2021

This article examines sound and the sonic aspects of voice and silence in two short stories by David Constantine – ‘Tea at the Midland’ and ‘Under the Dam’ – to show that they are not only relevant for an analysis of his poetry but also for his short stories. Employing Jonathan Sterne’s definition of sonic culture as a theoretical starting point, the phonotextual (Garrett Stewart) multiplicity of patterns in each text is seen as an alternative to the protagonists-focalizers’ ‘silenced’ situation and is associated with their desired joys in life. In ‘Tea at the Midland’ the withheld soundscape (R. Murray Schafer) of the bay can only be watched but not heard. In the opening of ‘Under the Dam’ the auscultator (Melba Cuddy-Keane) Seth is completely oblivious of his sonic surroundings and effaces sound on the story level, but the narrator reintroduces sound on the level of discourse. Sylvia Mieszkowski’s distinction between the sound of the text and the sound in the text constitutes one of the fundamental concepts of the analysis. The findings and conclusions are interpreted in the context of Constantine’s own poetics as regards the writing of short stories. The sounds of the two short stories reinforce, through metrical, rhythmic, syntactic and sound patterns, the scenes’ withheld sonic qualities that are only perceived visually and sensed emotionally by the protagonists. These soundscapes represent alternative worlds desired by the protagonists in ‘Under the Dam’ and by the woman in ‘Tea at the Midland’.
The presence of pathogens and heavy metals in urban peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus)
Authors: Pyzik Ewelina , Dec Marta , Stępień–Pyśniak Dagmara , Marek Agnieszka , Piedra Jose Louis Valverde , Chałabis-Mazurek Agnieszka , Szczepaniak Klaudiusz , Urban-Chmiel Renata
Published: July 2021

Background and Aim: Wild birds raised in urban environments may be exposed to many negative factors, including biological and chemical toxic elements. The aim of the study was to assess the occurrence of bacteria and parasites in wild birds, based on the example of the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) as a potential indicator of bacterial drug resistance genes. Toxicological contamination was also analyzed to determine the impact of urbanized areas on this predatory species, in terms of its health, welfare, and survival in urban environments.

Materials and Methods: The samples consisted of down feathers and fresh feces obtained from seven falcon chicks (during obligatory veterinary examination) reared in two nests located in the Lublin region (Lublin and Pulawy). Bacteria and parasites were isolated directly from feces by classical microbiological methods, polymerase chain reaction, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS). The down feathers and feces of birds were used for toxicological testing by plasma inductively coupled plasma MS to assess the concentrations of selected heavy metals (cadmium [Cd], lead [Pb], arsenic [As], zinc [Zn], and copper [Cu]).

Results: The study revealed the presence of a diverse microbiome in the falcon chicks, among which Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., and Staphylococcus spp. bacteria and parasites of the genus Caryospora were dominant. The presence of drug resistance genes was also confirmed among the pathogens. The toxicological analysis found high concentrations of toxic heavy metals, including Cd, Pb, As, and Zn, in the downy feathers and feces of peregrine chicks.

Conclusion: Predatory free-living birds living in urban environments not only can be infected with various pathogens but may also show contamination with heavy metals, which could influence their natural resistance, condition, and welfare.
Default Risk on Islamic Banking in Indonesia
Authors: Budiandru Budiandru
Published: July 2021

The problem of default by debtors becomes a primary concern for Islamic banking recently. This study analyzes the effect of economic pressure on the risk of default on Islamic banks, both in the short and long term, the risk response of default, and also other variables' contribution in explaining the diversity of risk of default of Islamic banks. This study used monthly data from 2007 to 2020 by using a vector error correction model. The results show that inflation and exchange rates affect the risk of default in the short term, while inflation, exchange rates, and interest rates affect the risk of default in the long run. Non-performing financing quickly stabilized when responding to the interest rates. The Islamic stock index has the most significant contribution in explaining the diversity of default risks. Islamic banks must be aware of the monetary fluctuation and also careful in analyzing the demand for financing by looking at the future economic prospects.
Exponential Growth Pattern of Consumer Well-Being and Attractiveness of Tourism Digital Destination
Authors: Hasudungan Albert , Ardianto Eka , Widarsyah Redha
Published: July 2021

This research aims to explore the connective patterns of 7 dimensions of tourism consumer well-being (environmental altruism, spiritual attunement, inspirational mindfulness, bio-psychological aspect, entrepreneurship, social connectedness, and cultural identity) to induce more tourism growth attractiveness in visiting the digital destination of the My Trip My Adventure (MTMA) Labuan Bajo YouTube platform. The study stems from a postmodern approach where the virtual world and reality are eroded in digital technology development. This study enriches that postmodern perspective by elaborating on 7 dimensions of tourism consumer welfare and the 4 Vâ€™s of digital technology innovation (volume, variety, velocity, and veracity). This study collected comments, replies, and â€˜likeâ€™ expressions on YouTube from October 2016 to October 2019 from the My Trip My Adventure (MTMA) Labuan Bajo YouTube platform. The researchers then analyzed through thematic analysis and social network analysis. This research confirms the polynomial growth pattern from the 7 dimensions of tourism consumer well-being. In general, the pattern goes up from environmental well-being to inspirational mindfulness. Then, it descends to biophysical well-being. It is because to have exponential growth; tourism needs to be absent temporarily. Suddenly after that, the growth goes up in terms of social and cultural well-being. The findings can benefit tourism practitioners in orchestrating their 7 dimensions of tourism consumer well-being as destination orchestrators.
Determinants of Transfer Pricing Aggressiveness with the Moderation of Corporate Governance in Indonesia and Malaysia
Authors: Wahyudi Dimas Eko , T Sutrisno , Rusydi Mohammad Khoiru
Published: July 2021

This research aims to analyze and empirically prove the effects of firm size, profitability, and leverage on transfer pricing aggressiveness moderated by corporate governance. It used a sample consisting of 73 multinational firms listed in both www.idx.co.id and www.bursamalaysia.com from 2018 to 2019. The data were analyzed using multiple linier regression and moderated regression analysis (MRA) to analyze and empirically prove the effects of firm size, profitability, and leverage on transfer pricing aggressiveness moderated by corporate governance. The results showed that leverage positively affected transfer pricing aggressiveness, whereas firm size and profitability did not. Corporate governance evidently weakened the effect of leverage on transfer pricing aggressiveness. This research contributes to increasingthe state revenue through the taxation sector by exposing the determinants of transfer pricing aggressiveness that harm the state, and to assist public policy makers, especially those who are in charge of the policies related to transactions with special relationship.
Mengurangi keterbukaan hutan melalui teknik pemananenan kayu yang tepat di hutan alam
Authors: Yuniawati Yuniawati , Margareth Tampubolon Rossi
Published: July 2021

Kegiatan pemanenan kayu memberikan kontribusi yang sangat besar terhadap produksi kayu. Pohon produksi yang berada di dalam hutan tidak dapat dimanfaatkan jika tidak ditebang dan tidak dikeluarkan dari dalam hutan. Metode penelitian ini adalah membuat 6 plot contoh pengamatan (PCP) masing-masing 3 PCP untuk teknik perbaikan (TP) dan 3 PCP untuk teknik konvensional (TK) pada satu petak tebang, melakukan penebangan pohon dan penyaradan dengan  TP dan TK, melakukan pengamatan  dan pengukuran produktivitas pemanenan kayu dan luas areal hutan yang terbuka akibat penebangan dan penyaradan serta menganalisis pengaruh kedua teknik terhadap produktivitas  areal hutan terbuka dengan uji t. Tujuan penelitian adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh dua teknik pemanenan kayu terhadap produktivitas dan areal hutan terbuka. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa : 1) Rata-rata produktivitas penebangan dengan TK dan TP masing-masing adalah 10,60 m3/jam dan 13,95 m3/jam 2) Rata-rata produktivitas penyaradan dengan TK dan TP masing-masing adalah 7,25 m3/jam dan 9,60 m3/jam;  3) Rata-rata areal hutan terbuka akibat penebangan dengan TK dan TP masing-masing adalah 15,67% dan 7,43% ; 4) Rata-rata areal hutan terbuka akibat penyaradan dengan  TK dan TP masing-masing adalah 10,50% dan 6,68%. Menerapkan teknik perbaikan dapat mengurangi terjadinya keterbukaan hutan pada penebangan dan penyaradan masing-masing sebesar 8,24% dan 3,82%.ABSTRACTTimber harvesting provides a very large contribution to timber production. Tree production that is in the forest can't be used if they are not felling and removed from the forest. This research method is to make 6 sample observation plot (SOP) each 3 SOP for improving technique (IT) and 3 SOP for conventional technique (CT) on one logging compartment, do felling and skidding by IT and CT, make observations, and measuring the productivity of timber harvesting and the area of open forest due to felling and skidding and analyzing the effect of the two techniques on the productivity of the open forest area with t-test. The research objective was to determine the effect of two timber harvesting techniques on productivity and open forest areas. The results showed that the average productivity of felling by CT and IT was 10.60 m3/hour and 13.95 m3/hour respectively. The average productivity of skidding by CT and IT was 7.25 m3/hour and 9.60 m3/hour respectively. The average open forest area due to felling by CT and IT was 15.6% and 7.43% respectively. The average open forest area due to skidding by CT and IT was 10.50% and 6.68% respectively. Applying improve technique reduced the open forest area through felling and skidding by 8.24% and 3.82% respectively.
Bahasa dan Etnisitas: Studi Tentang Nama-Nama Rumah Makan di Banyuwangi
Authors: Wulandari Ayu
Published: July 2021

Using ethnics is an ethnic which is located in Banyuwangi and well-known due to its unique culture inheritance This research investigates the naming of restaurant in Banyuwangi especially which is located in Using ethnic in Indonesia. The study aimed to explore the meaning of each restaurant in Using ethnic in Banyuwangi. This research used descriptive qualitative method. The result of the study showed that there were two strategies used in naming restaurant such as divergence strategy and convergence strategy. The first strategy was done by using words taken from Using dialect, while convergence strategy took the Indonesian or foreign language in naming the restaurant. In Semantics sight, most of the words which are used in naming restaurants in Using ethnics represent the value, point of view, and identity of Using ethnic itself. So that, it can be concluded that the society of Using ethnic still maintain their identity strongly which is symbolized by finding many restaurants’ name which are still using Using dialect.
Study on the frequency of acoustic emission signal during crystal growth of salicylic acid
Authors: Wang Xingjun , Xie Quanmin , Huang Ying
Published: July 2021

Based on the results of the previous experiment, this article studied the acoustic emission (AE) signals released during the crystallization of salicylic acid to establish the relationship between the AE signal and the particle size. A tremendous amount of acoustic data was analyzed using time–frequency domain analysis methods in order to extract the valuable contents. Based on the diffusion theory, the vibratory model between the AE signal and the crystal particle size was established. This article mainly studies the process of small particles diffusing to the growth point by impact, adding to the lattice, and the crystal releases energy. The impact of the growth unit on particle aggregate is equivalent to a linear elastic vibration system with one end fixed and the other end free. The vibration frequency is 200–355 kHz when the particle size is between 600 and 1,100 µm. The calculated vibration frequency is in good agreement with the measured frequency.
Analysis of Teachers' Resources for Integrating the Skills of Creativity and Innovation, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Collaboration, and Communication in Science Classrooms
Authors: Haryani E. , Coben W. W. , Pleasants B. A-S. , Fetters M. K.
Published: July 2021

The significance of learners acquiring the skills required in the 21st century, including communication skills, teamwork, ICT-related skills and socio-cultural knowledge, imagination, critical thinking, and problem-solving, has been extensively discussed. Integrating the 21st century into the curriculum requires teachers to have knowledge and resources to foster classroom practices. This qualitative study was designed to explore the resources that Indonesian science teachers use in supporting the implementation of the skills of creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration, and communication (4Cs) integrated science instruction. Data analyses include surveys, audio recordings of smalls and large group discussions, and group discussion artifacts of 28 Indonesia vocational high school science teachers to identify the type of resources that teachers have had access to support the integration of 4C into science instruction and the extent to which these resources promote the 4C integration into science instruction. The analysis indicates that teachers use multiple resources to help them prepare for 4C integration into teaching practices, including various professional development (PD) programs, various teacher collaborations, curriculum guidelines, and open resources. Teachers found that Teacher Professional Education (TPE) was the most favorable PD program, and curriculum guideline was the least effective for advancing 4C integration. Implications are discussed further.
The Effectiveness of Digital Science Scrapbook on Studentsâ€™ Science Visual Literacy
Authors: Wusqo I. U. , Khusniati M. , Pamelasari S. D. , Laksono A. , Wulandari D.
Published: July 2021

This study aims to examine the effects of digital science scrapbook on studentsâ€™ science visual literacy. Digital science scrapbook was designed to teach junior high school students, and the instrument was designed to measure the level of visual literacy before and after the treatment. This study employed a quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design. The population was junior high school students. The convenience sampling method was chosen to carry out the pilot study on 25 students in SMP 9 Salatiga. The visual literacy course was based on the ACRL Visual Literacy Competency Standards. The differences in visual literacy levels were measured through 30 items of the visual literacy test. After conducting paired sample t-test on the data, differences between pretest and posttest were found. From the findings, significant differences in pretest and posttest scores were found. It can be concluded that digital science scrapbook is effective to train digital literacy in science. The novelty of this research is the use of digital science scrapbook on studentsâ€™ science visual literacy.
How Low-Carbon Issues are Addressed in Primary School Textbooks
Authors: Hudha M. N. , Hamidah I. , Permanasari A. , Abdullah A. G.
Published: July 2021

This study aims to examine the existence of learning material related to educational issues regarding low-carbon levels. Through the content analysis, 26 primary school science textbooks from ten publishers in Indonesia were reviewed, focusing on the study covering the selection, presentation, provision of supporting materials, and low-carbon issues. The research method used is the qualitative content analysis process method with research steps: 1) Data collection; 2) Data analysis textbook; and 3) Ethical considerations. The results showed that sixty one point six percent of teachers said the book was under the curriculum's coverage. The sixty point six percent of the relevance of content to student experiences was appropriate, so is the fifty three point five percent of the relevance of examples and exercises with learning objectives and the material presented. It is also found that fifty five point six percent of various questions and discussions were adequate for testing students, the other fifty one point five percent had included supporting questions and exercises, and sixty point six percent of teachers said there was a teacher's guide. Then fifty point five percent, according to the teacher, students' awareness of low carbon is still relatively low, and forty six point six percent of the content coverage regarding low carbon is still considered sufficient by the teacher. This study concludes that there was too little coverage of low-carbon issues and a lack of additional material related to the low-carbon content in primary science textbooks. The topic of low carbon is still implicit in the environmental literacy found in textbooks. The follow-up that can be done is providing a low-carbon concept to science textbooks in primary schools so that our students and society will have low-carbon awareness and increased environmental literacy.
The Implementation of Physics Learning through Online Mode during Pandemic Covid-19 Using Metacognitive Knowledge-based Materials
Authors: Abdullah H. , Malago J. D. , Arafah K.
Published: July 2021

This study aims to analyze the effect of metacognitive knowledge-based physics teaching materials (MKBPTM) on the ability to analyze metacognitive knowledge. These teaching materials were used in online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. The research employed a post-test only control group design. The participants were divided into two groups: the experimental group consisting of 120 students and the control group comprising 124 students, who came from public senior high schools. The results showed that the MKBPTM experimental group had better learning outcomes than the control class using conventional-based teaching materials (CBPTM). The hypothesis testing results indicate a difference in the average score between the experimental and control groups’ metacognitive knowledge analysis skills (MKAS). The results suggest that MKBPTM has an influence on MKAS compared to CBPTM.
The Effect of Scaffolding of Information Literacy on the Botanical Literacy of Prospective Biology Teachers
Authors: Sari M. S. , Sunarmi S. , Mawaddah K.
Published: July 2021

The present study aims to determine the effect of the scaffolding of information literacy on the botanical literacy of prospective biology teachers. The current study employed an experimental method with a non-equivalent group design. The respondents comprised 120 students in the Biology Education Program of Malang State University (the academic year 2017/2018), divided into the control and experimental groups. Data collection was based on scaffolding information literacy among prospective biology teachers and subsequent botanical literacy tests in multiple-choice format. The botanical literacy test provides nine indicator references. Reliability testing was done using Cronbach's alpha. Data were analyzed through pre-test covariate analysis (p < 0.05) for the control and experimental groups. The present study indicates that the scaffolding of information literacy has a significant effect on botanical literacy among prospective biology teachers. The findings of the current study suggest that innovation in botany learning, in this case, the scaffolding information literacy, can improve the botanical literacy of biology education students. It is necessary to undertake learning innovation with biology education students in a professional manner to enable them to transfer knowledge using scaffolding information literacy to their prospective students. In conclusion, the scaffolding of information literacy has a significant effect on botanical literacy among prospective biology teachers.
The Effect of Inquiry Learning with Scaffolding on Misconception of Light Material among Fourth-Grade Students
Authors: Haidar D. A. , Yuliati L. , Handayanto S. K.
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of Inquiry learning with scaffolding to decrease the percentage of light material misconception among fourth-grade students. The method used was Quasi-experimental with a non-equivalent control group design. The population was fourth-grade students of the Surya Buana Islamic Elementary School, Malang. The result of Anacova showed that for the â€œClassâ€ variable, the value of Significance (P-value) obtained was smaller than the Î± significance level of 0,006 < 0,05. Based on the results of the Anacova test it was concluded that there was a significant effect from the use of Inquiry learning with scaffolding to decrease the percentage of light material misconception in fourth-grade students of Surya Buana Islamic Elementary School, Malang. The average percentage of studentsâ€™ misconceptions in the experimental class at the initial conception was 38.7% and dropped to 15.4% in conception after inquiry learning with scaffolding. While the average percentage of studentsâ€™ misconceptions of control class at the initial conception was 37.8% and dropped became 22.7% at conception after conventional learning. The decrease in the percentage of studentsâ€™ misconceptions of the experimental class was greater than the control class by a difference of 10.7%. Further research is suggested to examine more deeply the effect of inquiry learning with scaffolding on process skill, learning achievement, and other aspects of learning that are likely to be developed in students.