bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development Of Strategy Map And Measuring Corporate Performance With Sustainability Balanced Scorecard Approach (Case Study On Renewable Energy Consultant Services Company Pt Xyz)
Authors: Destianissa Marsha , Djunita Pasaribu Rina
Published: October 2024

This study aims to develop a Strategy Map of PT XYZ based on the company's vision, mission, strategic goals and analyze the company's performance as measured using the Sustainability Balanced Scorecard (SBSC) method. The research method used is qualitative, which involves conducting in-depth interviews and analyzing company documents. According to the research results, the PT XYZ Strategy Map consists of a vision, mission, 17 company strategic goals and 34 measurement indicators. The company performance of PT XYZ in 2021 and 2022, measured by the 5 SBSC perspectives can be indicated as sufficient performance, which obtained a total scorecard of 0. Based on 34 measurement indicators, 13 obtained a good assessment, 13 obtained a poor assessment, 3 obtained a sufficient assessment, and 5 could not be calculated because the company did not have related numerical documents. In the future, PT XYZ needs to increase its efforts to improve company performance and improve company data management so that it is easier to identify the company's achievements or performance to a measurable extent. Further, PT XYZ needs to integrate sustainability goals that become the company's vision into the company's business strategy, one of which is using SBSC as a company performance measurement tool. In addition, PT XYZ needs to integrate its vision of contributing to sustainability development into the company's business strategy, one of which is the use of SBSC as a corporate performance measurement tool
Analysis Of Student Satisfaction Level In The Faculty Of Science And Technology Using The Convolution Neural Network Method
Authors: Agus Martua Rifki , Irmayani Deci , Juni Yanris Gomal
Published: October 2024

The Faculty of Science and Technology at Labuhanbatu University is one of the leading faculties that focuses on the development of science and technology. This faculty offers various study programs designed to prepare students to face the challenges of the digital era and industrial revolution 4.0. This research, using survey and interview methods, aims to collect accurate and objective data regarding student perceptions and experiences in various aspects, such as the quality of educational services, quality of teaching, and available supporting facilities such as extracurricular activities, seminars and research projects, ease of access. information and academic support from optimal staff and teaching staff
Continue Use Intention Analysis Using The Integration of The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) 2 and Delone & Mclean (D&M) Models Modified in The My TelU Mobile Student Account Application
Authors: Darmawan Singgih , Djunita Pasaribu Rina
Published: October 2024

My TelU Mobile is a learning support application released by Telkom University on May 25, 2021. This application can be downloaded on the Play Store and App Store and has become a super app that has quite a high number of downloads. However, its user traffic is not yet stable, as seen in the decreasing usage traffic during the lecture period. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence the acceptance and use of the My TelU Mobile application using an integration of the UTAUT-2 and Delone & McLean models. This study uses a quantitative method with descriptive and causal research types. The sampling technique uses a non-probability sampling technique of the purposive sampling type with a sample size of 400 respondents. The data analysis technique uses descriptive analysis and PLS. The findings of this study are that effort expectancy, information quality, service quality, user satisfaction have a significant effect on continue use intention and system quality, information quality, service quality have a significant effect on user satisfaction. However, performance expectancy, social influence, facilitating condition, habit, hedonic motivation, and system quality do not have a significant effect on continue use intention of My TelU Mobile application.
The Influence of Digital Literacy and Relative Advantage on E-Commerce Adoption through Digital Training and Mentoring among MSMEs in Jakarta
Authors: Lilya Sun , Djunita Pasaribu Rina
Published: October 2024

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector has an important role in driving the country's economic development. In order for MSMEs to remain competitive with the growth of digital technology, they must be able to adapt to digitalization. Utilizing an e-commerce platform can provide information about which products are selling best and which products are not selling well. This data can be used to make decisions about inventory management, marketing, and more. Only 13% of MSMEs that utilize technology use e-commerce. The adoption of digital e-commerce technology among MSMEs in Jakarta is still uneven. This research aims to determine the influence of digital literacy and relative benefits on the adoption of digital e-commerce technology for MSMEs in Jakarta with digital training and mentoring as mediating variables. This research method is causal quantitative by collecting data using an online questionnaire to 399 respondents. The analysis technique used in this research is Sem with the help of the Smart-PLS program. The research results show that digital literacy and relative benefits influence digital training and mentoring, but not the adoption of e-commerce platform technology. Meanwhile, digital training and mentoring influences the adoption of e-commerce platform technology. The mediation results show that digital training and mentoring play a full mediating role in the relationship between digital literacy and the relative benefits of adopting e-commerce platform technology.
The Role Of Virtualization Technology To Increase Operational Cost Efficiency Of Indonesian Smes: Case Study Of Internet Service Providers
Authors: Iswara Sanantagraha Arnastya , Puspitaloka Mahadewi Erlina
Published: October 2024

This research investigates the role of virtualization technology in enhancing operational cost efficiency for Indonesian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), specifically Internet Service Providers (ISPs). A quantitative approach, utilizing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) version 2.0, was employed to analyze data collected from 68 respondents representing 216 Indonesian SME ISPs. The study focused on the relationship between virtualization technology planning, adaptation capability, server consolidation services, and operational cost effectiveness. The findings demonstrate that adaptability to virtualization technology is the most significant factor influencing operational cost efficiency. Effective implementation requires careful planning and a proactive approach to adapting to the technology's demands. Server consolidation services play a crucial role in optimizing resource utilization and reducing costs while virtualization technology offers substantial benefits, SMEs should carefully assess their specific needs and resources before implementation. Factors such as infrastructure, skills, and business objectives should be evaluated to ensure successful adoption and maximize cost savings. This research provides a foundation for further exploration into the impact of virtualization technology on SMEs. Future studies could investigate the applicability of these findings in different contexts, such as other industry sectors or regions. Additionally, examining the long-term effects of virtualization technology adoption and the potential for scalability could offer valuable insights. Further research could also focus on the challenges and opportunities associated with virtualization technology adoption in SMEs with varying sizes and resources.
Utilization of Digital Platforms in Realizing SDG 8.3 Entrepreneurship in MSMEs with the 9F Model Approach: A Study on the Hijab Fashion Business in Sidoarjo District, East Java.
Authors: Khairinia Kusuma Alvitariani , Ratna Lindawati Lubis
Published: October 2024

The utilization of digital platforms has become a key strategy to increase the competitiveness of MSMEs in Indonesia, particularly in the hijab fashion sector. This study aims to analyze the impact of digital platforms and the implementation of the 9F Entrepreneurship Model on MSMEs in Sidoarjo District, as well as its contribution to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8.3, which focuses on promoting economic productivity and entrepreneurship. This qualitative research employs a case study method involving five MSMEs in the hijab fashion industry, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and direct observations of business owners.
 
The findings indicate that integrating digital platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, Shopee, and TikTok with the 9F model significantly enhances innovation, visibility, and flexibility in MSMEs’ responses to market changes. Among the 169 MSMEs in the fashion sector in Sidoarjo, 26 focus on hijab fashion, with five MSMEs participating in this research. These MSMEs reported improvements in market reach and operational efficiency through digital platforms. Additionally, the integration of digital strategies supports economic growth aligned with SDG 8.3.
 
This approach shows that the combination of digital platforms and the 9F Entrepreneurship Model can be an essential strategy for developing MSMEs in the hijab fashion sector, contributing to local economic growth and government efforts to achieve SDG 8.3.
 
Keywords: MSMEs, digital platforms, 9F entrepreneurship, SDG 8.3, hijab fashion
Prediction of Freshwater Fish Pond Water Quality Levels Using The Backpropagation Method Based On The Internet of Things (IoT)
Authors: Kartika Candra Heru , Noor Syamsudin , Bahit Muhamad , Mulyani Dwi
Published: October 2024

In fish farming, air quality is an important factor that affects fish health and growth. Poor air conditions can cause crop failure even though it looks clean. Important parameters that affect air quality include pH, temperature, oxygen levels, and turbidity. This study aims to develop an automatic detection system that is able to classify air quality based on several parameters obtained from sensors. The system developed is an artificial neural network with the backpropagation method to predict the quality of fish pond water based on input from sensors connected to the Arduino microcontroller.
Comparison Of Support Vector Machine And Naïve Bayes Algorithms For Analyzing Public Interest In Espresso Coffee
Authors: Rita Sano , Halmi Dar Muhammad , Nirmala Sari Hasibuan Mila
Published: October 2024

Given its increasing popularity, public interest in buying espresso coffee is an important concern for coffee industry players. To understand and predict this buying interest, the use of classification algorithms in data analysis is crucial. This study was conducted to compare the performance of two popular classification algorithms, namely Support Vector Machine and Naïve Bayes, in analyzing public interest in buying espresso coffee. This research problem is based on the need for an accurate predictive model in the coffee industry to aid in strategic decision-making related to marketing and sales. The proposed solution is to implement two different classification algorithms and assess their performance using a variety of performance evaluation metrics. The purpose of this study is to determine which algorithm is superior in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, and f1-score. The research method entails collecting data on public interest in purchasing espresso coffee, preprocessing data, implementing both algorithms, and evaluating each algorithm's performance. The results show that Naïve Bayes consistently outperforms Support Vector Machine in all performance evaluation metrics. Naïve Bayes achieved 94.00% accuracy, 91.40% precision, 100% recall, and 95.51% F1-Score, compared to Support Vector Machine, which achieved 90.00% accuracy, 88.60% precision, 96.90% recall, and 92.56% F1-Score. The conclusion of this study is that the Naïve Bayes classifier is more effective and efficient in predicting people's purchasing interest in espresso coffee compared to support vector machines. This advantage can be attributed to the ability of Naïve Bayes to handle data that may have non-normal distributions or independent variables.
Numerical analysis of oil characteristics in hydraulic recoil braking mechanisms
Authors:   The Faculty of Special Equipments, Le Quy Don Technical University, Vietnam, Thanh Tuan Lai , Minh Phu Nguyen ,   The Faculty of Special Equipments, Le Quy Don Technical University, Vietnam
Published: October 2024

In this article, a mathematical model is established to determine the working parameters of a hydraulic recoil mechanism, considering the characteristic parameters of the oil. The parameters considered in this study are oil compression and oil temperature. Parameters such as recoil braking force, recoil velocity, recoil length, and recoil time are calculated in the cases of incompressible oil, compressible oil, and different working temperatures of oil. Numerical calculations are applied to 85 mm anti-tank artillery. Calculation results show that oil compression mainly affects the early stages of the recoil movement of the recoil part. When considering the oil’s compressibility, the maximum recoil brake force and maximum hydraulic brake force values are 73406 N, and 61052 N, respectively – reduced by 4.3% and 5.2% compared to the case of uncompressed oil. In addition, the working temperature of the oil also significantly affects the working parameters of the hydraulic recoil mechanism. The calculation results are a reliable theoretical basis for choosing oils suitable for the harsh working conditions of the hydraulic recoil mechanism during maintenance.
Mention of “Hungarians” in an inscription from the Temska monastery from the year of 1692
Authors:   University of Niš, Faculty of Philosophy, Serbia, Popović Aleksa M.
Published: October 2024

Significant historical events at the end of the 17th century had great consequences on the history of the Serbian people. In the context of war events in the area of Ponišavljе 1689-1690 year, an inscription from the monastery of St. George in Temska states that the Hungarians destroyed the monastery and then the Temac citadelle. On the basis of sources and relevant literature, the article indicated that it was Emeric Thököly’s rebels, also with that there was taken a little possibility that it was a regular Habsburg army. Preference is given to the first mentioned case, taking into account the historical events related to the Chiprovtsi uprising, as well as the geographical factor.
Critical Thinking in ESL and the Power of Observation, Deduction, and Inference
Authors: Manolescu Dan
Published: October 2024

The present article is a plea for developing a scientific mindset in the educational process of critical thinking in general, and its unique relevance in studying languages in general and teaching ESL in particular. Researchers argue that belief and pre-existing knowledge are touted as necessary ingredients in creating the skills of a model thinker who can tackle and accomplish challenging issues, organize logical disputes, and avoid fallacies of judgment. If we all agree that critical thinking is a skill, then this acquired ability also requires habits of mind, inquisitiveness, and an acumen for details. The obvious scope of this approach will draw the reader’s attention to the power of observation, deduction, and inference – the basic tools in learning focused on asking the right questions, promoting free thinking, balancing confidence with humility, and encouraging learners resort to what they already know, to tap into their own culture to find raw wisdom, and finally attain their personal goals. A quick review of research in this respect is compounded by relevant examples of ideas coming not only from linguists and researchers, but also from several well-seasoned ESL instructors. When we refer to language learning, we find that the power of observation, deduction, and inference can lead to a mindset of habit formation, and consequently turn language acquisition into language development.
Epidemiological characterization of patients with osteoporosis in a specialized center in Medellín, Colombia
Authors: Rodríguez-Florido Fernando , Cadavid Roldán "Clara Marcela , Ramírez Orozco Jorge Andrés , Aristizábal Henao Natalia , Hormaza Ángel María Patricia , Vera Marín Cristian , Velásquez-Franco Carlos Jaime , Mesa-Navas Miguel Antonio
Published: October 2024

"In Colombia, in women over 50 years of age, a prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) of 15.7% in the spine and 11. 4% in the proximal femur, however, its local impact is unknown. For this reason, we set out to characterize clinically and socio-demographically the patients with OP who consulted a high complexity hospital in northwestern Colombia from January 2011 to December 2017."
Navigating Consumer Behavior in the Niche Market of Artisan Tea Blends: Insight from Indonesia’s E-Commerce Sector
Authors:   School of Business Management, Institute Technology Bandung, Indonesia, Jyota Acintya Irhamna , Mirzanti Isti Raafaldini ,   School of Business Management, Institute Technology Bandung, Indonesia
Published: October 2024

This research explores the factors that influence consumer behavior when purchasing artisan tea blends through e-commerce platforms. It investigates how aspects such as personal characteristics, cultural perceptions, trust endorsements, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and online shopping preferences affect purchase intentions, using quantitative methods. The findings from Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) indicate that cultural perceptions, personal traits, and trust endorsements significantly influence purchase intentions, while perceived usefulness and online shopping preferences have less impact. These results suggest that for niche products like artisan tea blends, online marketing strategies should focus on cultural relevance, building trust, and understanding consumer characteristics to drive engagement and purchases.
Influence of Social and Cultural Factors on Adoption of Community-Led Total Sanitation in Laisamis Sub-County, Marsabit County, Kenya
Authors:   Meru University of Science and Technology, 60200, Meru, Kenya, Galmogle Yussuf , Kirimi Lilian Mukiri ,   Meru University of Science and Technology, 60200, Meru, Kenya, Nkanata Mburugu Kirema ,   University of Embu, 60100, Embu, Kenya, Kasiva Eliud Grace ,   Meru University of Science and Technology, 60200, Meru, Kenya
Published: October 2024

Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) is a behavior change approach that aims at promoting access to safe sanitation and hygiene. The approach empower communities to take collective action to eliminate open defecation practices, thus promoting a healthy population. Despite CLTS implementation in Kenya, open defecation is still rampant, in low-income communities particularly in pastoral areas. This study’s study was to examine the influence of social and cultural factors on adoption of Community-Led Total Sanitation in pastoral areas. The study was conducted in Laisamis Sub-County, Marsabit County, Kenya using a descriptive design with a mixed methods approach. The sample size was 393 household heads who were randomly selected from the five Wards in the Sub-County, which were treated as clusters. The data was collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed in descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data was collected from a focus group and analyzed in themes. Findings showed that despite CLTS activities to impart communities with knowledge on toilet use, 63.3% of participants opined that open defecation practice was still rampant. The most cases of open defecation were reported among herdsmen whose livelihood was based in herding in grazelands where there were no toilets. Results also revealed that taboos and beliefs that surrounded toilet sharing between children and adults affected toilet utilization (OR 0.67 95% CI: 0.345-4.567, P=0.002). The impact of CLTS was thought to be minimal for a community that often interacted with animal faeces, which made over 90% of the participants believe that human faecal matter was not dangerous just like animal faecal matter. The role of women in household sanitation matters was appreciated as they were left in households to construct toilets while men went to look after cattle. However, herdsmen’s concerns regarding the essence of investing in improved latrines were minimal as most of their time was spent in the fields, and convincing them on the need for better toilets could have been impossible for the women. The study concluded that CLTS was an effective strategy in triggering behaviour change among communities if its execution was to be context-specific. Involvement of both women and men in CLTS triggering exercises is essential in reinforcing the importance of ending open defecation whether in bushes or at home.
ANALISIS YURIDIS PERLINDUNGAN HUKUM HAK CIPTA DALAM DUNIA DIGITAL MELALUI UNDANG-UNDANG NOMOR 28 TAHUN 2014 TENTANG HAK CIPTA
Authors: Aprilia Silvi Suciana Aprilia
Published: October 2024

Hak cipta adalah hak pribadi, dan alasannya adalah bahwa ciptaan berasal dari ciptaan pencipta. Sebuah karya yang lahir dari pemikiran dan kreativitas penciptanya. Hak Cipta harus muncul dari kreativitas manusia, bukan sesuatu yang sudah ada di luar aktivitas atau hasil kreativitas manusia Dengan adanya perkembangan tersebut maka hukum hak cipta harus terjadi sebuah perkembangan, dahulu perlindungan ciptaan hanya pada ciptaan fisik, kini diperlukan perlindungan ciptaan digital. Rumusan masalah dalam penelitian ini ialah 1. Bagaimana perkembangan teknologi digital serta dampak pada karya hak cipta Digital? dan 2. Bagaimana Implementasi Undang-Undang Nomor 28 Tahun 2014 tentang Hak Cipta dalam dunia Digital? Penelitian ini menggunakan metode yuridis normative dan kesimpulan pada penelitian ini adalah Pentingnya HKI bagi karya-karya yang dibuat agar tidak menjadi sia-sia. Teknologi digital saat ini adalah suatu alternatif bagi para penghasil / pencipta untuk mempublikasikan hasil karyanya. Mengingat pesatnya perkembangan teknologi, para pencipta sebaiknya melakukan usaha preventif dengan mendaftarkan hasil karya/ciptaannya secara legal kepada pemerintah untuk mencegah terjadinya pelanggaran Hak Cipta, Untuk mengatasi hal tersebut hukum perlu berkolaborasi dengan teknologi, dalam hal ini teknologi yang digunakan ialah teknologi pengaman. Undang- Undang No.28 tahun 2014 tentang hak cipta telah memiliki beberapa pengaturan tentang teknologi pengaman yang perlindungannyan mencakup perlindungan hak moral dan hak ekonomi.
 
Copyright is a personal right, and the reason for this is that the creation comes from the creator's creation. A work born of the thought and creativity of its creator. Copyright must arise from human creativity, not something that already exists outside the activities or results of human creativity with these developments, copyright law must occur a development, formerly the protection of creation only on physical creation, now requires the protection of digital creation. The formulation of the problem in this study is: 1. How is the development of digital technology and the impact on Digital copyright works? and 2. How is the Implementation of Law Number 28 of 2014 concerning Copyright in the Digital World? This research uses normative juridical methods and the conclusion of this research is the importance of IPR for works created so as not to be in vain. Digital technology today is an alternative for producers/creators to publish their work. Given the rapid development of technology, the creators should make preventive efforts by registering their works/creations legally to the government to prevent Copyright infringement, to overcome this law need to collaborate with technology, in this case, the technology used is security technology. Law No.28 of 2014 on copyright already has some arrangements on security technology whose protection includes the protection of moral rights and economic rights.
TINJAUAN YURIDIS IMPLEMENTASI ASAS-ASAS UMUM PEMERINTAHAN YANG BAIK SEBAGAI DASAR GUGATAN DAN PERTIMBANGAN HAKIM DALAM MEMUTUS PERKARA DI PTUN
Authors: Muhammad Fath Yahuza Sanyeto Sanyeto
Published: October 2024

Dalam Era Demokrasi dan keterbukaan, Asas-Asas Umum Pemerintahan yang Baik menjadi hal yang menarik untuk diteliti. Dengan timbulnya keterbukaan perilaku aparatur negara akan mendapat sorotan dari masyarakat. Pejabat Tata Usaha Negara harus memperhatikan AAUPB Ketika membuat sebuah kebijakan. Pihak yang dirugikan kepentingannya dapat mengajukan gugatan untuk membatalkan Keputusan tata usaha negara di pengadilan tata usaha negara. Adapun kesimpulan dari penelitian ini yaitu AAUPB dapat digunakan sebagai landasan menggugat atau memutus sebuah perkara, AUPB sendiri bisa dijadikan sebagai alat uji namun tidak adanya sanksi dari AUPB tersebut sehingga para pelanggar seringkali lolos dari penegakan hukum, dan AUPB sebagai sebuah asas masih bersifat abstrak tanpa kejelasan unsur-unsur secara rinci yang menjadi ukuran sebuah kesalahan bagi pejabat tata usaha negara.
 
In the Age of Democracy and Openness, the General Principles of Good Government are interesting to examine. With the emergence of openness, the behaviour of the state apparatus will receive attention from the public. State Administration Officials must pay attention to AAUPB when making a policy. Parties whose interests are harmed can file a lawsuit to annul the state administrative decision in the state administrative court. The conclusion of this thesis are that AAUPB can be used as a basis for suing or deciding a case, AUPB itself can be used as a test tool but there is no sanction from the AUPB so
violators often escape law enforcement, and AUPB as a principle is still abstract without clarity of detailed elements that are a measure of a mistake for state administrative officials
Efeitos de concentrações subletais do tiametoxam em abelhas nativas: histopatologia, estresse oxidativo e alterações comportamentais em Partamona helleri
Authors:   , Motta João Victor de Oliveira
Published: October 2024

As abelhas são polinizadores de plantas nativas e cultivadas em todo o mundo. Todavia, vários fatores estão colaborando para a diminuição de suas populações nos últimos anos, com destaque para o crescente uso de inseticidas na agricultura. Tiametoxam é um neonicotinóide neurotóxico, que se liga aos receptores nicotínicos de acetilcolina, ocasionando hiperexcitação, paralisia e morte dos insetos. Apesar do alvo do tiametoxam ser o sistema nervoso, ele pode afetar outros órgãos através da ingestão, como o intestino médio, afetando insetos não alvos, como as abelhas. Partamona helleri é uma abelha sem ferrão, polinizadora de diversas famílias botânicas nativas e cultivadas, podendo estar exposta a concentrações subletais de tiametoxam. Este estudo avaliou os efeitos colaterais da exposição oral crônica ao tiametoxam no intestino médio, estresse oxidativo e comportamento de operárias de P. helleri. As abelhas foram expostas oralmente, por 7 dias, à concentração de tiametoxam encontrada em grãos de pólen (0,06 ng/g). Os resultados demonstram alterações no epitélio do intestino médio das operárias tratadas com tiametoxam como vacuolização citoplasmática, protusões celulares, aumento de secreção apócrina, danos mitocondriais, decréscimo de proteínas e polissacarídeos neutros e presença de células em autofagia e apoptose. O tiametoxam também induz estresse oxidativo, evidenciado por alterações nas atividades de enzimas e marcadores antioxidantes. Por fim, o tiametoxam afeta o comportamento da abelha, diminuindo a distância percorrida e velocidade de caminhamento desse inseto. Os resultados indicam que a exposição de operárias de P. helleri à concentração campo realista de tiametoxam compromete diversos aspectos fisiológicos do inseto e o desempenho de funções essenciais para colônia com possíveis efeitos na polinização. Palavras chaves: Inseticida; Histopatologia; Polinizadores.
Comparing the Efficacy of Articaine and Lignocaine in Maxillary Irreversible Pulpitis: A Randomized Triple Blind Study
Authors: Javed Mariyah , Alam Muhammad Anwaar , Arooj Zartashia , Asghar Hira , Haroon Kashif Haroon , Mustafa Qadeer
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Effective pain control during endodontic treatment is a mandatory component of patient care. The most commonly used anesthetic agent is lignocaine.
Aims & Objectives: The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of Articaine and Lignocaine in maxillary irreversible pulpitis cases in terms of pain management.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the outpatient department of Operatives Dentistry, Azra Naheed Dental College, The Superior University Lahore, Pakistan during 2023.
Material & Method: The present study is a triple-blind, randomized controlled trial in which 75 patients were selected by non-probability sampling. Patients were randomized into Group A and Group B. For both groups, the drugs were delivered using a standard aspirating syringe with a sterile single-use 27G 0.40 X 21mm disposable dental needle. For buccal vestibular local infiltration, the drug was administered at the buccal vestibule supra periosteal adjacent to the tooth to be endodontically treated at a rate of approximately 1ml. Ethical approval was taken from the IRB. Data was analyzed through SPSS version 24.
Results: A significant difference in anesthetic effect between 4% Articaine and 2% Lignocaine following an infiltration injection for maxillary first molars with irreversible pulpitis was found with a p-value of <0.001.
Conclusion: 4% Articaine is more efficacious than 2% lignocaine in irreversible pulpitis cases and can be used to produce desired analgesic effect.
Hematological Parameters in Euthyroid and Hypothyroid Females
Authors: Kiran Waheed  , Farzana Rahim Memon  , Dr Syed Farhan Uddin  , Habib-ur-Rehman Chohan  , Shafaq Ansari  , Ahmed Hussain Suhag
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Thyroid hormone is an important metabolic hormone affecting hematological parameters. A variation in the hematological picture is seen in patients with hypothyroidism.
Aims & Objectives: to study the differences in hematological parameters in hypothyroid and euthyroid females.
Place and Duration of Study: A Comparative Cross-sectional study using secondary data was conducted from February 2022 to March 2023 at Muhammad Medical College, Pakistan.
Material & Method: A total of 300 females (20-40 years of age, non-pregnant) were included in the study and based on their thyroid profile, they were divided into two groups, 160 with euthyroid status and another group of 140 with hypothyroidism. Hematological parameters were measured and compared in both groups. Data analysis was performed using Graph Pad Prism 9. A t-test, and one-way ANOVA were applied. The significance threshold is set at P < 0.05.
Results: A significantly increased TSH and decreased T3 and T4 (p = < 0.05) were estimated in hypothyroid females. The hematological parameters in hypothyroid females showed hemoglobin (11.18± 1.66), ESR (32.70± 19.84), MCV (77.02± 6.84), MCH (24.00± 3.03), MHC (26.99± 3.67) and RDW (18.03± 4.56). The difference in hematological parameters between euthyroid and hypothyroid groups was found to be statistically significant with a P value of <0.001.
Conclusion: Hypothyroidism showed a microcytic and hypochromic blood picture in females.
Levels of 17-Hydroxyprogesterone, Renin, Testosterone, And Electrolytes in Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Patients
Authors: Ahsan Umaira , Samia Naz  , Arshad Faiqa , Pervaiz Saima , Raisa Maraj  , Shahzad khan Rao Omer
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal-recessive condition primarily caused by 21- hydroxylase deficiency. It is the most common cause of ambiguous genitalia in infants and children. It can be a fatal condition if left untreated.
Objectives: The study's objective was to estimate the levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone, plasma direct renin, testosterone, and electrolytes in patients with CAH.
Place and Duration of Study: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore between March 2021 till April 2022.
Material & Methods: This study included ninety CAH patients up to 14 years of age who underwent clinical and physical testing without gender restriction. Patients without confirmed CAH but with elevated levels of 17- hydroxyprogesterone were excluded. An ultrasound examination was done to confirm the presence of ambiguous genitalia. ELISA was used to estimate the values of 17-hydroxyprogesterone. Plasma direct renin and testosterone were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay. The values of sodium, potassium and chloride were measured using an electrolyte analyzer. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 26.0.
Results: Of the total 90 patients, 46 (51.11%) were boys and 44 (48.88%) were girls. 55 (61.10%) CAH patients had high levels of 17-OHP. High testosterone and plasma direct renin levels were observed in 31 (34.40%), and 43 (47.80%) CAH patients respectively. Mostly, CAH patients had normal levels of sodium 70 (77.80%), potassium 54 (60.0%), and chloride 57 (63.30%). The difference in 17-OHP (ng/mL) levels was found to be statistically significant (p=0.002) in both genders.
Conclusion: There is a significant association between elevated 17-OHP and CAH in the pediatric population, indicating that the 17-OHP can be used as a diagnostic tool for CAH patients.
Reference Intervals for the ratio of Soluble FMS-like Tyrosine Kinase-1 and Placental Growth Factor in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Females in Pakistani Population
Authors: Asma Rasheed  , Muhammad Dilawar Khan  , Omar Chughtai  , Akhtar Sohail Chughtai  , Shakeel Ashraf
Published: October 2024

Introduction: To derive the reference intervals of serum soluble FMS like tyrosine kinase -1/Placental growth factor ratio in pregnant and non-pregnant females.
Aims & Objectives: To derive the reference intervals of serum soluble FMS like tyrosine kinase -1/Placental growth factor ratio in pregnant and non-pregnant females.
Place and Duration of Study: A comparative Cross-sectional study conducted in department of Chemical Pathology and Immunology, Chughtai Institute of Pathology, Lahore from February 2024 till May 2024
Material & Method: Blood samples from 120 pregnant and 120 non-pregnant females from 14±1 to 27±1 weeks were taken. All participants were of reproductive age group, disease free, non-hypertensive, non-diabetic, without any inherited or autoimmune disorders and not any significant drug history. Levels of placental growth factor (PGF) and soluble FMS like tyrosine kinase -1(sFlt-1) were estimated by Elecsys cobas e601. Data was analysed by SPSS 21. Shapiro-Wilk test and Kolmogorov Smirnov test were applied. p value <0.05 revealed that data findings were non- Gaussian. Reference intervals were calculated by rank-based method.
Results: The reference intervals of serum sFlt-1/PGF ratio in non-pregnant females were 5.36 to 18.40 and in pregnant females 0.61 to 24.45 and they were determined on 2.5th and 97.5th centiles using 90% confidence interval.
Conclusion: sFlt-1/PGF ratio can act as a predictive biomarker for cardiovascular disease in non-pregnant females and for pre-eclampsia in pregnant females. Current study findings would be helpful for healthcare providers to identify high- risk groups. The identification of low-risk groups results in a shorter duration of hospitalizations with potential economic benefits.
Investigating the Impact of Admission Requirements on Academic Performance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Medical Teaching Institutions
Authors: Imran Zaman Khan  , Ayesha Rafiq  , Sobia Haris  , Sahar Mufti  , Muhammad Haris  , Farah Deeba  , Muhammad Jehangir Khan
Published: October 2024

Introduction: The effectiveness of admission criteria in predicting academic performance is critical for optimizing student success in medical education. This study investigates how various admission standards, including FSc grades, entrance test scores, and merit criteria, correlate with academic outcomes in medical institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Aims & Objectives: To examine the correlation between admission requirements and academic achievement among medical students across various medical teaching institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Place and Duration of Study: It was conducted for over six months from January 2022 till June 2022 at the Department of Medical Education, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar after approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Material & Method: A cross-sectional study using convenience sampling to include data from 10,061 students (5,657 male, 4,404 female) enrolled in public medical and dental colleges across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) under the provincial government’s administration. The study utilized SPSS version 25 for data analysis, employing descriptive statistics, linear regression analysis and t-tests to assess the relationships between predictor variables and professional examination performance.
Results: Significant but weak correlations (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) were observed between three predictor variables— F.Sc scores, merit criteria, and entrance test scores—and professional examination scores across ten medical colleges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Regression analyses confirmed that F.Sc scores were the strongest predictor of academic performance from the 1st to the 4th year, whereas merit criteria, which include 40% of entrance test marks, emerged as the predominant predictor in the final professional year.
Conclusion: The study revealed significant correlations between interpreters (F.Sc, entrance test, and merit scores) and MBBS examination scores across medical institutions. Stepwise regression analysis indicated F.Sc as the best predictor from the first to fourth year, with merit emerging as the top predictor in the final year.
Pattern of Superficial Veins of Cubital Fossae in Punjabi Students
Authors: Inam Fatima , Ishfaq Farah , Akhtar Muhammad Shahid , Ishfaq Faisal , Mohsin Shamsa , Hashim Roomana
Published: October 2024

Introduction: The superficial veins in the cubital fossae are of significant anatomical and clinical importance. Understanding the variations in these venous patterns is essential for accurately applying diagnostic, surgical, and therapeutic procedures.
Aims and Objectives: This study aims to identify superficial venous patterns in the cubital fossae of Punjabi students in Pakistan.
Place and Duration of Study: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 180 first- and second-year MBBS students at Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan, from January to July 2024.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 180 first- and second-year MBBS students at Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College from January to July 2024, yielding 360 samples from both upper limbs. Participants were randomly selected after obtaining IRB approval and informed consent. Demographic data and domicile were recorded. Data was analyzed using SPSS 22, and chi-square tests were applied to assess associations between venous patterns, body side, gender, and geographical location. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Different venous patterns were identified. Pattern 2, an "M" shape, was the most common on both sides left (44.4%) and right (43.3%). A significant difference in venous patterns between the left and right arms of males and females was observed (p ? 0.001 for both). Males showed a higher frequency of Pattern 2, while females predominantly exhibited Pattern 1. Other patterns accounted for less than 10% of cases, with no significant regional differences.
Conclusion: This study identified different patterns in the cubital fossa, with Pattern 2 being the most common and showing significant gender differences. Recognizing these patterns is crucial for improving procedural accuracy and reducing complications in clinical interventions.
Bound State Solutions and Energy Spectrum of the Schrödinger Equation for Core-Shell Polystyrene/Silver Nanoparticle with Born-Mayer Potential Using Nikiforov-Uvarov Method
Authors: Imrana Habibat M , Akusu Patrick O , Yabagi Jibrin A , Alfa Baba , Babakatcha Ndanusa , Ladan Muhammad B , Adamu Yakubu
Published: October 2024

In this paper, the Born-Mayer potential is used to describe the core-shell polystyrene nanoparticle and the Schrodinger equation for this nanoparticle is solved rigorously using the Nikiforov-Uvarov (NU) method to obtain the exact bound state solutions and energy spectrum. This is achieved by inserting the Born-Mayer potential into the Time Independent Schrödinger Equation (TISE), obtaining the radial part and solving, exactly, for the expectation values of the energy spectrum and the corresponding eigenfunctions applying the Nikiforov Uvarov (NU) method. The eigenvalue expression obtained is similar to earlier work on Soliton solution in nonlinear lattice with the nearest neighbor Born-Mayer interaction.
Effect of Filler Content and Particle Sizes on the Mechanical and End-Use Properties of Eggshell Powder Filled Epoxy Polymer Composite
Authors: Iliyasu Ishaya , Yahaya Hussaini , Stephen Mbaka , Abubakar Mohammed
Published: October 2024

In pursuit of environmental sustainability, polymers filled with bio-particulates are replacing
traditional plastic components. Epoxy Polymer composites of eggshell powder were prepared
at filler contents of 10 wt%, 20 wt%, 30 wt%. the particle size of the eggshell powder was 75
μm, 180 μm, and 250 μm. The composite samples were prepared using the Carver Inc.
Hydraulic Press (3851-0) by compression molding and the resulting composites were produced
in sheets. Some mechanical properties of the composite were determined. the result showed
that the eggshell powder improved the tensile modulus, flexural strength and impact strength
of the polymer these properties increased with increase in the filler content and decrease in the
filler size. But at 30 wt% a decrease in these properties were observed which can be attributed
to agglomeration and stress concentration effects. Highlighting the fact that the dispersion and
distribution of filler particles within the matrix play a crucial role in determining the mechanical
properties. Inhomogeneities in mixing or particle clustering could lead to variations in the
measured properties.
Comparative Studies of Subsurface Layers’ Competence Evaluation using TOPSIS and AHP Models at Ilaramokin, Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Adedotun Adeyemo I , Oluwatimilehin Akande V , Adewale Akinlalu A , Olumide Sanusi S
Published: October 2024

The incessant collapse of buildings associated with geotechnical incompetence in different parts of Nigeria and the rapid growth of Ilaramokin town near Akure Southwestern Nigeria motivated this work. Two multi-criteria decision analysis approaches were used in integrating geoelectric parameters (topsoil resistivity, weathered layer resistivity and bedrock resistivity), static water level measurements and geology in evaluating the subsurface geotechnical competence of Ilaramokin. Thirty (30) vertical electrical sounding, eighty-six (86) static water level measurements and geological maps were used. The vertical electrical sounding (VES) results delineated three to five geoelectric layers which correspond to four geologic layers namely; the topsoil, weathered layer, partially weathered/fractured basement and presumed bedrock. The resistivity of the geologic layers varies respectively from 48 - 701, 31 - 1065, 14 - 139, 132 - 6582 Ωm, while their thickness varies from 0.4 - 4.1, 1.3 - 11.6 and 4.0 - 20.1 m in the three upper layers respectively. The VES results were presented as topsoil, weathered layer and bedrock resistivity maps. The VES results, static water level measurement and geology were integrated using both the Technique for the Order of Prioritization by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) models to produce geotechnical competence maps. Consistency test and grain size analysis were carried out on 10 soil samples obtained across the area to validate the geotechnical competence model maps produced using both TOPSIS and AHP models. The validation showed that the geotechnical model map produced from the TOPSIS model has a higher percentage (90%) of correlation with consistency tests and grain size analysis compared to that of the AHP model (70%).
Assessment of Radiological Risks in Sections of Niger Delta University campus, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Authors: Biere Peter E , Bamidele Lateef , Ajetunmobi Abayomi E , Emumejaye Kugbere
Published: October 2024

This paper presents an assessment of background radiation levels within the Niger Delta
University campus, Bayelsa State Nigeria. A portable Geiger-Muller tube (Radiation Alert)
was used to detect the background ionizing radiation within a temperature range of -100 ℃ to
500 ℃. Results of absorbed dose rate in air in the main campus, open field and new campus
vary from 104.4 nGy/h to 278.4 nGy/h with an average of 156.6 nGy/h, 34.8 nGy/h to 174.0
nGy/h with an average of 95.7 nGy/h and 69.6 nGy/h to 174.0 nGy/h with an average of 113.1
nGy/h respectively. The annual effective dose estimates ranged from 0.160 mSv/y to 0.427
mSv/y with an average of 0.024 mSv/y, 0.053 to 0.267 mSv/y with an average of 0.147 mSv/y
and 0.107 to 0.267 mSv/y with a mean of 0.173 mSv/y in the main campus, open field and new
campus respectively. The excess lifetime cancer risks ranged from 0.442 to 01.174 x 10-3 with
a mean of 0.663 x 10-3, 0.146 to 0.736 x 10-3 with an average of 0.405 x 10-3 and 0.295 to 0.736
x 10-3 with average 0.479 x 10-3 in main campus, open field and new campus respectively. The
estimated averages of absorbed dose rates in the air within Niger Delta University were above
the world average of 57 nGy/h. Annual Effective Dose Equivalent (AEDE) are below the safe
limit of 1 mSv/y for humans. The results of this study provide baseline information on the
background ionizing radiation and can be referenced for future works in the area.
Structural, Electronic, and Optical Properties of Stanene and Stanene-Doped Non-metals for Optoelectronics Applications: A first-principle Study
Authors: Gidado Abdulkadir S , Abubakar Lawal , Taura Lawan S , Lawal Abdullahi , Isah Abdulmalik
Published: October 2024

In this paper, the structural, electronic, and optical properties of sulfur and phosphorus-doped
stanene were investigated using the density functional theory (DFT) projected augmented wave
(PAW) method. Native stanene has a zero-band gap but when doped with sulfur and phosphorus
atoms, it results in a direct band gap opening. Specifically, the bands of stanene doped with
25.0% sulfur and 25.0% phosphorus are 0.77 eV and 0.47 eV compared to other doping
concentrations. Optical analysis shows anisotropic behavior in stanene-doped phosphorus
and sulfur with higher refractive indices than native stanene. This suggests that SnP12.5%,
SnP25.0%, SnS12.5% and SnS25.0% are promising for optoelectronic applications.