bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Outcomes of Del Nido Cardioplegia and St Thomas Blood Cardioplegia in Neonatal congenital Heart Surgery
Authors: Mohammed Sameer , Menon Sabarinath , Gadhinglajkar Shrinivas V. , Baruah Sudip D. , Ramanan Soumya V. , Gopalakrishnan K Arun , Suneel P R , Dharan Baiju S.
Published: January 2022

Objectives:

Cardioplegia is essential for adequate myocardial protection. There continues to remain ambiguity regarding the ideal cardioplegia for adequate myocardial protection in congenital heart surgery. This study compares clinical outcomes using St Thomas II solution and Del Nido cardioplegia in neonates undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods:

All neonates (<30 days) from 2011 to 2017 who underwent surgery requiring cardioplegic arrest were analyzed retrospectively. We divided the cohort into two groups depending on cardioplegia received, as group A (Blood cardioplegia with St Thomas II solution, n = 56) and group B (Del Nido cardioplegia, n = 48). Various demographic, intraoperative, early postoperative, and discharge variables were analyzed.

Results:

Two groups were similar in age, gender, pre-operative diagnosis, and risk category. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (P = 0.002), aortic cross-clamp (ACC) time (P = 0.018), and the number of doses of cardioplegia (P < 0.001) were significantly lower with Del Nido group. Though vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) (P = 0.036) was high during the first 24 h in the immediate postoperative period in group A, there was no difference in early mortality among both groups (P = 0.749). Both groups did not show significant differences related to various postoperative and discharge variables.

Conclusion:

When compared to St. Thomas solution, the use of Del Nido cardioplegia solution in neonates is associated with a significant decrease in CPB and ACC times and VIS in the first 24 h after surgery. The choice of cardioplegia (St Thomas/Del Nido) in neonates does not affect early mortality and early postoperative clinical outcomes.
Safety and efficacy of video DLT (VDLT) for lung isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Dharmalingam Sathish Kumar , George Gladdy , Davis Kirubakaran , Kuppuswamy Balaji , Gnanamuthu Birla Roy , Sahajanandan Raj
Published: January 2022

One lung ventilation (OLV) with collapse of the ipsilateral lung is a prerequisite for most thoracic surgical procedures. Double-lumen tube (DLT) is still the preferred method to isolate the lungs and fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) is the gold standard for the confirmation of correct placement of the DLT. However, both these procedures are considered as a high-aerosol-generating procedures and are hazardous to the health workers, particularly at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. We did nine thoracic surgery cases categorized as essential, requiring OLV during the ongoing period of the COVID-19 between April 2020 and May 2020 where we used Full view DLT for lung isolation. We present our case series which shows that the Full view VDLT can minimize or circumvent the use of FOB during OLV, and reduce the time taken to isolate the lungs thus reducing aerosol in the theater. None of the nine patients required FOB for confirmation of initial positioning nor for diagnosis of intraoperative malposition. The time taken to isolate the lungs was significantly less and the surgical positioning was done under real-time monitoring by visualizing the blue cuff distal to carina at all times. The real-time monitoring by the Full view VDLT offers the additional advantage of detecting any malposition even before it results in loss of isolation or desaturation. We conclude that the Full view VDLT is an efficient and safe alternative for lung isolation at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parosmia and Dysgeusia after Intravenous Propofol-Based General Anesthesia
Authors: Farzana Nayab , Tewari Prabhat , Sureka Sanjoy , Dixit Aanchal
Published: January 2022

Various drugs, including anesthetic agents, can cause parosmia in the perioperative period. There are reported cases of patients with alterations of smell and taste due to local anesthetics, nerve damage, or as a side effect of general anesthesia. We present a case of a 58-year-old male who developed parosmia and dysgeusia in the postoperative period after radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava thrombectomy. The anesthetics used were fentanyl and propofol for general anesthesia and ropivacaine for epidural analgesia. Clinical examination did not reveal any pathology.
The association between mutations in ubiquitin-specific protease 26 (USP26) and male infertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Qin-Yu , Zhang Yu-Cong , Wei Chao , Liu Zhuo , Song Guo-Da , Chen Bing-Liang , Liu Man , Liu Ji-Hong , Wu Li-Cheng , Liu Xia-Ming
Published: January 2022

During recent decades, the association between mutations in ubiquitin-specific protease 26 (USP26) and male infertility remains doubtful. We conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the association between mutations inUSP26and male infertility according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. It was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42021225251). PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were systematically searched for comparative clinical studies, which were written in English and provided eligible data. Studies were included when they comparedUSP26mutations in azoospermic, oligozoospermic, and asthenozoospermic patients with controls with normal sperm parameter values or whose partners had experienced spontaneous pregnancy. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated with random effect models. Overall, twelve studies with 3927 infertility patients and 4648 healthy controls were included. The association between overallUSP26mutations and infertility was not significant (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 0.51–5.01). For specific mutations, the pooled ORs were 1.65 (95% CI: 1.02–2.69) for cluster mutation (including 370–371insACA, 494T>C, and 1423C>T), 1.80 (95% CI: 0.35–9.15) for c.576G>A, 1.43 (95% CI: 0.79–2.56) for c.1090C>T, and 3.59 (95% CI: 2.30–5.59) for c.1737G>A. Our results suggest that several mutations (cluster mutation, c.1737G>A) may play roles in male infertility, while others (c.576G>A and c.1090C>T) do not show notable associations with male infertility. More high-quality clinical researches are needed for validation.
Sexual dysfunction among patients with endometrial cancer at a tertiary training public institution
Authors: Natavio Katrina A. , Billod Jimmy A.
Published: January 2022

OBJECTIVE:

Studies on Sexual dysfunctions among gynecologic cancer after treatment are sparse in the Philippines and data on sexual dysfunction varies greatly within the gynecologic oncology literature. This study aims to determine the sexual dysfunction among patients with endometrial cancer managed at a tertiary training public institution.

METHOD:

This research was a cross-sectional study, which utilized a self-administered, validated Filipino version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire in assessing the different domains such as desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentages were used in determining the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with endometrial carcinoma while Kruskal Wallis test and Spearman Rank Correlations were used to determine the association of sexual dysfunction with age, body mass index (BMI), duration and stage of endometrial cancer, presence of comorbidities and mode of treatment.

RESULTS:

Between May 2020 and January 2021, there were 53 women who participated in this study. Forty-one (77.36%) have sexual dysfunction. Majority of the respondents either reached up to high school level (22.6%) or are college graduates (22.6%). Most of them are also self-employed (58.1%). Fifty eight percent have only 1–3 child/children. Analysis showed no significant correlation of presence of sexual dysfunction to stage of cancer, BMI, presence of comorbidities, period of diagnosis and type of treatment received by the patients.

CONCLUSION:

The study showed that there was high prevalence of sexual dysfunction among endometrial cancer patients in this study institution. Furthermore, presence of sexual dysfunction is irregardless of BMI, presence of comorbidities, stage of diagnosis, length of diagnosis and type of treatment. Hence, proper screening, diagnosis and counselling should be done to all patients upon diagnosis to promote better quality of life.
Inside out
Authors: Ocampo Maria Angela B. , Tan-Cardoso II German D.
Published: January 2022

In this day and age, with the advancement of treatments and the strong campaign to discourage home deliveries, chronic uterine inversion is now considered an uncommon but life-threatening obstetric condition. In this report, we present a case of a 17-year-old primipara, who sought consultation due to prolonged and heavy vaginal bleeding. Upon speculum examination, a knob-like, fleshy, hyperemic, smooth mass, approximately 6 cm × 5 cm × 4 cm, was seen occupying the upper third of the vaginal canal. On internal examination, a globular mass was felt protruding through the cervix, which bleeds easily on manipulation. Uterine corpus was neither appreciated on both abdominal and rectovaginal examination. The patient was admitted and managed as a case of chronic uterine inversion, which was further confirmed by a sonogram. Successful repositioning of the uterus was achieved after trying different established techniques and procedures in the attempts at maneuvering the chronically inverted uterus.
Thyroid eye disease
Authors: Yoon Jin Sook , Kikkawa Don O.
Published: January 2022

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is the most common extrathyroidal manifestation of autoimmune Graves’ hyperthyroidism. TED is a debilitating and potentially blinding disease with unclear pathogenesis. Autoreactive inflammatory reactions targeting orbital fibroblasts (OFs) lead to the expansion of orbital adipose tissues and extraocular muscle swelling within the fixed bony orbit. There are many recent advances in the understating of molecular pathogenesis of TED. The production of autoantibodies to cross-linked thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) activates OFs to produce significant cytokines and chemokines and hyaluronan production and to induce adipocyte differentiation. In moderately severe active TED patients, multicenter clinical trials showed that inhibition of IGF-1R with teprotumumab was unprecedentedly effective with minimal side effects. The emergence of novel biologics resulted in a paradigm shift in the treatment of TED. We here review the literature on advances of pathogenesis of TED and promising therapeutic targets and drugs.
Fatty acid synthetase expression in triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Park Jin Hee , Han Hye Seung , Lim So Dug , Kim Wook Youn , Park Kyoung Sik , Yoo Young Bum , Lee Seung Eun , Kim Wan-Seop
Published: January 2022

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a relatively poor prognosis. Research has identified potential metabolic targets, including fatty acid metabolism, in TNBC. The absence of effective target therapies for TNBC led to exploration of the role of fatty acid synthetase (FASN) as a potential target for TNBC therapy. Here, we analyzed the expression of FASN, a representative lipid metabolism–related protein, and investigated the association between FASN expression and Ki-67 and the programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) biomarkers in TNBC.Methods: Immunohistochemical expression of FASN was analyzed in 166 patients with TNBC. For analytical purposes, patients with 0–1+ FASN staining were grouped as low-grade FASN and patients with 2–3+ FASN staining as high-grade FASN.Results: FASN expression was observed in 47.1% of TNBC patients. Low and high expression of FASN was identified in 75.9% and 24.1%, respectively, and no statistically significant difference was found in T category, N category, American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, or recurrence rate between the low and high-FASN expression groups. Ki-67 proliferation level was significantly different between the low and high-FASN expression groups. FASN expression was significantly related to Ki-67 as the level increased. There was no significant difference in PD-L1 positivity between the low- and high-FASN expression groups.Conclusions: We identified FASN expression in 166 TNBC patients. The Ki-67 proliferation index was positively correlated with FASN level, indicating higher proliferation activity as FASN increases. However, there was no statistical association with PD-L1 SP142, the currently FDA-approved assay, or FASN expression level.
Отражающиеся процессы Леви и порождаемые ими семейства линейных операторов. II
Authors: Ibragimov Il'dar Abdullovich , Smorodina Natal'ya Vasil'evna , Faddeev Mikhail Mikhailovich
Published: January 2022

В работе рассматриваются одномерные марковские процессы специального вида, которые являются несимметричными скачкообразными процессами Леви, принимающими значения на конечном интервале и отражающимися от граничных точек. Показано, что в этом случае кроме стандартной полугруппы операторов, порожденных марковским процессом, возникает еще семейство "граничных" случайных операторов, переводящих функции, заданные на границе интервала, в элементы пространства $L_2$ на всем интервале. Настоящая работа является продолжением [4], в которой аналогичная задача решалась для симметричных процессов Леви.
COVID-19–related acute respiratory distress syndrome treated with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and programmed multi-level ventilation:
a case report
Authors: Depta Filip , Turčan Anton , Török Pavol , Kapraľová Petra , Gentile Michael A.
Published: January 2022

We report a patient with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) treated with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) and programmed multi-level ventilation (PMLV). VV ECMO as a treatment modality for severe ARDS has been described multiple times as a rescue therapy for refractory hypoxemia. It is well known that conventional ventilation can cause ventilator-induced lung injury. Protective ventilation during VV ECMO seems to be beneficial, translating to using low tidal volumes, prone positioning with general concept of open lung approach. However, mechanical ventilation is still required as ECMO per se is usually not sufficient to maintain adequate gas exchange due to hyperdynamic state of the patient and limitation of blood flow via VV ECMO. This report describes ventilation strategy using PMLV during “resting” period of the lung. In short, PMLV is a strategy for ventilating non-homogenous lungs that incorporates expiratory time constants and multiple levels of positive end-expiratory pressure. Using this approach, most affected acute lung injury/ARDS areas can be recruited, while preventing overdistension in healthy areas. To our knowledge, case report using such ventilation strategy for lung resting period has not been previously published.
Alkoholizem v delih slovenskih in čeških pisateljic dolgega 19. stoletja
Authors: Starček Tinkara
Published: January 2022

Članek predstavi obravnavo problema alkoholizma v slovenski in češki književnosti dolgega 19. stoletja. Posveča se pogledu žensk, pisateljic, na vpliv alkoholizma v vsakdanjem življenju in na njegove družbene posledice. Ponudi splošen pregled ženskih emancipacijskih gibanj na Slovenskem in Češkem, obravnava specifike problema alkoholizma v izbranem obdobju, stike med Slovenkami in Čehinjami, v osrednjem delu pa predstavi tematizacijo alkoholizma v posameznih delih izbranih avtoric ter poda analizo podobnosti in razlik pri obravnavi te teme med posameznimi deli. Vse avtorice v svojih delih omenjajo alkoholizem ali vsaj alkohol, vendar pa ga slovenske avtorice pogosteje tematizirajo, medtem ko ju češke avtorice uporabljajo predvsem kot motiv. Obstajajo pa številne motivne podobnosti med deli čeških in slovenskih avtoric v povezavi z alkoholizmom.
Kadın Sağlık Çalışanlarında Üriner İnkontinans ve İnkontinans Bilgi Düzeyinin incelenmesi
Authors: ŞİMŞEK Şule , YAĞCI Nesrin
Published: January 2022

Amaç: Bu çalışma kadın sağlık çalışanlarında üriner inkontinans prevalansını, klinik özelliklerini ve inkontinans bilgi düzeyini belirlemek amacıyla planlandı.Yöntem: 2018-2019 yılları arasında gerçekleştirilen tanımlayıcı kesitsel çalışmaya 481 gönüllü kadın sağlık çalışanı (yaş:40,58±6,71 yıl) katıldı. Üriner semptom ciddiyetinin değerlendirilmesinde Ürogenital Distress Envanteri-6 (ÜDE-6), inkontinans bilgi düzeyinin değerlendirilmesinde ise İnkontinans Kısa Testi (İKT) kullanıldı. Bulgular: Kadın sağlık çalışanlarında inkontinans prevalansı %7,5 olarak bulundu. Semptom gösteren katılımcıların inkontinans süresi 30,36±17,25 ay, frekansı günde 0,86±0,96 kez, ÜDE_6 skoru 7,97±3,38’dir. Başvurmayanlarla kıyaslandığında, doktora başvuran kadın sağlık çalışanlarının ÜDE-6 skorunun daha yüksek olduğu (p=0,024) ve doktorların İKT skorlarının diğer sağlık profesyonellerine kıyasla daha yüksek olduğu tespit edildi (p=0,001).Sonuç: Kadın sağlık çalışanlarında inkontinans prevalansı %7,5 ‘tir. İnkontinans şikâyeti olan kadın sağlık çalışanlarının inkontinans süresi, frekansı ve üriner semptom ciddiyeti genel populasyondan daha düşüktür. Doktorların inkontinans bilgi düzeyi diğer sağlık çalışanlarından daha yüksektir.
Akademisyen Kadınların Jinekolojik Muayene Deneyimleri ve Beklentilerinin Belirlenmesi
Authors: İLDAN ÇALIM Selda , CAMBAZ ULAŞ Seval , SÜLÜDEN Ece , ATAÇ Nilüfer , GÖÇER Şeyma , YÜREKLİ Zeynep Nur
Published: January 2022

Amaç: Bu araştırmanın amacı akademisyen kadınların jinekolojik muayene deneyimleri ve beklentilerini belirlemektir.Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel tipteki bu araştırmanın evrenini bir üniversitede çalışan akademisyen kadınlar, örneklemini ise ilgili üniversitenin üç fakültesinden araştırmaya katılmayı kabul edenler oluşturmuştur (n=133). Araştırmanın verileri 15 Ekim – 15 Aralık 2018 tarihleri arasında, araştırmacılar tarafından ilgili literatür doğrultusunda hazırlanan anket formu kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Verilerin değerlendirilmesinde sayı, yüzde, ortalama, standart sapma kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Araştırma grubunu oluşturan akademisyen kadınların yaş ortalaması 36.95±8.56 olup %55.7’si öğretim üyesidir. Kadınların ilk jinekolojik muayene deneyimlerini ortalama 25 yaşında yaşadığı, %53.4’ünün doğum yaptığı ve %22.6’sının düzenli jinekolojik muayene yaptırdığı belirlenmiştir. Kadınların jinekolojik muayene deneyimleri incelendiğinde; jinekolojik muayene masasındaki pozisyondan (%64.7), muayene öncesi ve sonrası hazırlanmak için özel bir alan bulunmamasından (%41.4) ve mahremiyete yeteri kadar önem verilmemesinden (%39.8) rahatsız oldukları bulunmuştur. Kadınların jinekolojik muayene sırasındaki en yüksek beklentisi muayene sırasında oda kapısının kapalı olması (%81.2); sağlık çalışanlarından beklenen ise güven verici (%80.4) olmalarıdır.Sonuç: Akademisyen kadınların çoğunluğunun düzenli jinekolojik muayene yaptırmadıkları, jinekolojik muayene sırasındaki pozisyondan rahatsızlık duydukları ve muayene sırasında en çok mahremiyetlerine dikkat edilmesini bekledikleri belirlenmiştir.
The Dilemmas of Development Work
Authors: Hoggett Paul , Mayo Marjorie , Miller Chris
Published: January 2022

The book makes a significant contribution to the growing research evidence on children and young people with caring responsibilities ('young carers') and the impacts of HIV/AIDS on families globally, focusing on the experiences and perspectives of children that are caring for a parent with HIV in the global North and South.
Children, Families and Social Exclusion
Authors: Morris Kate , Barnes Marian , Mason Paul
Published: January 2022

This report provides a detailed exploration of MAPPA policy and practice in order to prompt further debate about the implications of the risk paradigm for young people and youth justice practitioners.
Sistem Informasi Pengerjaan Proyek Berbasis Web Menggunakan Metode Rapid Application Development
Authors: Irnawati Oky
Published: January 2022

Penerapan teknologi informasi dalam mengelola penerimaan pengerjaan proyek sangat dibutuhkan untuk meningkatkan performa kerja sehingga perusahaan dapat meningkatkan daya saing. Permasalahan yang ditimbulkan dengan menggunakan sistem manual dalam mengelola penerimaan proyek yang dirasakan PT. Daya Eka seperti pencarian history pekerjaan yang memakan waktu, kesulitan dalam proses monitoring pekerjaan proyek dan seringnya terjadi kesalahan dalam pembuatan invoice akibat data yang duplikat. Membangun sistem informasi yang terkomputerisasi berbasis web dapat menjadi solusi permasalahan terkait sistem penerimaan pengerjaan proyek tersebut. Pemilihan metode rapid application development dianggap paling tepat untuk membangun sistem terkomputerisasi dalam waktu singkat. Tahapan yang dikerjakan meliputi analisa kebutuhan, desain sistem dengan menggunakan UML dalam penggambaran software architecture yaitu dengan membuat use case diagram dan activity diagram serta ERD dalam pembuatan tabel, atribut dan relasi yang dibutuhkan untuk membangun sebuah database, konstruksi berupa pembuatan user interface, dan pengujian. Perubahan sistem yang semula dikerjakan secara manual menjadi terkomputerisasi membawa manfaat diantaranya memberikan kemudahan dalam proses monitoring dan pencarian history pengerjaan proyek,  menghilangkan duplikat dan meminimalisir kesalahan pembuatan invoice, meningkatkan kecepatan dan efisiensi penerimaan pengerjaan proyek sehingga performa kerja dapat ditingkatkan.
SENSITIVITY OF MACROECONOMIC VARIABLES TO EXCHANGE RATE SHOCK IN NIGERIA AND SOUTH AFRICA: A STRUCTURAL VECTOR AUTO REGRESSION APPROACH
Authors: Adejayan Adeola Oluwakemi , Oke Michael Ojo
Published: January 2022

This study investigates the sensitivity of macroeconomic variables to exchange rate shocks in Nigeria and South Africa between 1982 and 2018. Specifically, the study investigated the response of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Gross Domestic Product growth rate (GDPGR), Import rate (IMPORTR), Export rate (EXPORTR) and Inflation rate (INFR) to exchange rate shock in these Countries. The data used for analysis is secondary by nature and was obtained from the World Development Bank Indicators. The estimation technique employed was structural Vector autoregression (SVAR), impulse response function (IRF), and variance decomposition function (VDF). The Structural Var result revealed that exchange rate shock had negative effect on FDI in the countries but insignificant. The result on GDPGR revealed that the effect is only positive in South Africa but insignificant in both economies. For IMPORTR and EXPORTR, the effect is positive in all the zones but significant only in Nigeria. For INFR, the effect is significantly positive in South Africa at 5% significant level but insignificantly negative in Nigeria. Impulse response result revealed that in Nigeria and South Africa, all the variables were negatively sensitive to exchange rate shock but temporal except INFR that was positive and permanent in South Africa. However, the variance decomposition function for the zones revealed that apart from own shock, exchange rate shock had relatively high contributions to variations in IMPORTR, EXPORTR, and INFR in Nigeria. Also, in South Africa, exchange rate shock contributed the largest variations in EXPORTR and INFR. Based on the findings, this study concludes that the macroeconomic variables of the countries are sensitive to exchange rate shock more in the short run but undecided in the long run. Moreover, the permanent response of INFR to exchange rate shock in South Africa calls for serious attention by the regulatory authorities in this economy. Therefore, this study recommends that conscientious effort be made by policy makers in ensuring exchange rate management in the zones for better performance of the macroeconomic variables.

JEL: F31, F41, N1, N10, N17

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GROWTH IMPACT OF SAVINGS ON THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY
Authors: Nwonye Nnenna Georgina , Ihegboro Ifeoma Maria , Onah Vitalis Chukwuma , Ijeoma Ojiako
Published: January 2022

Savings in an economy can assume one of the several forms. These includes: Personal savings, corporate savings or business savings and Government savings. This study evaluated growth impact of savings on the Nigerian economy. The study specifically examined the effect total savings, private consumption expenditure, gross fixed capital formation and core credit to the private sector on the gross domestic product of Nigeria. Data for the study were sources from CBN statistical bulletin for a period of ten (10) years spanning through 2011 to 2020. The sourced data were analysed using multiple regression analysis, result of the analysis shows that total savings has positive and significant effect on the gross domestic product of Nigeria. It was also observed that private consumption expenditure has a negative and insignificant effect on the gross domestic product of Nigeria. The study further revealed that gross fixed capital formation has a negative and significant effect on the gross domestic product of Nigeria. It was also observed that core credit to the private sector has positive and significant effect on the gross domestic product of Nigeria. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the government should set a sound and fertile environment in order to foster domestic saving that will help to increase the level of economic growth in Nigeria. Government should increase the deposit rate of the deposit money banks in Nigeria through monetary policy. Government should transform the financial sector of the country. Government should create favorable condition in order to mobilize domestic savings from the small depositors.

JEL: D01; D31

 

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RECEPTIVE AND PRODUCTIVE KNOWLEDGE OF LEXICAL COLLOCATIONS IN THAI UNIVERSITY LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
Authors: Zhang Xulong , Sukying Apisak
Published: January 2022

The present study investigates lexical collocations in first- and fourth-year Thai university learners’ and examines the relationship between receptive and productive knowledge of lexical collocations. A total of 148 students (75 first-year students and 73 fourth-year students) were tested on their lexical collocations, both receptively and productively, using two measures. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data, and correlational analysis determined the relationship between receptive and productive knowledge. Overall, the results showed that Thai university learners achieved significantly higher performance on tests of receptive knowledge of lexical collocations than on tests of productive knowledge. The data analysis also indicated that the fourth-year learners outperformed the first-year learners on both receptive and productive measures of lexical collocations. Furthermore, the correlational analysis revealed that receptive and productive knowledge of lexical collocations were interrelated. Together, the current findings indicate that Thai university learners’ productive knowledge of lexical collocations is built on receptive knowledge, and lexical collocations result from incremental learning. 

 

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AN ANALYSIS IN ASSESSING THE CATEGORIES OF WORDS BORROWED INTO ANUFO
Authors: Tasson Solomon Kofi
Published: January 2022

The study was to linguistically analyze loanwords in Anufo. The study set forth to assess the kinds /types of words that are borrowed into Anufo. The research approach used was qualitative and the design is case study. This study used a total number of 30 participants. Ten (10) participants from each of the three selected communities were selected randomly and purposefully. The data collection strategies used for the study were interview, observation, and documents. The theoretical framework used for the study is Basic Linguistic Theory (Dixon 1997). The study established that Anufo has historically and socially heavily borrowed words from the three main languages, English, Likpakpaln and Akan, to fill lexical gaps. Apart from nouns, the main types of words that are borrowed into Anufo are adjectives, verbs, adverbs, and conjunctions. Borrowing in Anufo is distinct from other Ghanaian languages such as Likpakpaln. This is because Likpakpaln has closed syllable types like that of English language. Anufo syllables are of the open type therefore, when the borrowed word has a closed syllable, it must be repaired to be nativized. When a borrowed word into Anufo has a vowel other than /a/ at its initial position needs to go through some repair strategies for such a word to be nativised. A semantic and a comparative study of loanwords are recommended to find out differences and similarities of loanword adaptation strategies in the Ghanaian languages.
 

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STUDENTS’ ABILITY TO MAKE SENSE OF ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS AND THEIR VERBAL EQUIVALENTS
Authors: Erdem Emrullah , Zengin Şeyda , Erdem Hayrullah
Published: January 2022

This study aims to reveal the 6th-grade students’ ability to write and understand the verbal expressions (VE) of algebraic expressions (AE) and AE of VE. 238 sixth graders studying in five middle schools in two provinces of Turkey participated in the study. Algebraic Expressions Test (AET), consisting of 24 items, was developed and used as a data collection tool. In the research, quantitative data were analyzed with a t-test and qualitative data were analyzed with content analysis technique. Evidence was found that the performance of the participants was above the average (x ̅=2,05). There was no significant difference between the achievements of male students and female students. On the other hand, it was determined that the students ignored the parenthesis, did not pay attention to the priority of operation and the priority of the fraction line, couldn’t comprehend equality, generally wrote the same type of VE, and could not interpret AE.
 

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A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TEACHERS' BELIEFS ABOUT THE ASSESSMENT OF 4TH GRADE-EFL STUDENTS IN TURKEY, ITALY AND FINLAND
Authors: Çakır Nilay Ceylan , Genç Zübeyde Sinem
Published: January 2022

The aim of this study is to find out the beliefs of the foreign language teachers about the ways and types of assessment tools, assessment activities and exercises used for 4th grade-EFL students in Turkey, Italy and Finland. A total of 170 English language teachers (89 in Turkey, 40 in Italy and 41 in Finland) constituted the sample of the study. For data collection, a questionnaire with two parts was used. The quantitative data collected through the questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation) and one-way ANOVA. The results of the study revealed important points about assessing foreign language skills at primary school level. Turkish, Italian and Finnish teachers believed that more student-centered and formative-based assessment procedures should be used for 4th grade-students who learn English as a foreign language. The results also showed that teachers’ beliefs about the types of assessment, the content/skills-focus and the need for different kinds of exercises to assess 4th-graders did not differ significantly in terms of the country. However, teachers’ general beliefs about the assessment of 4th-grade students’ foreign language differed significantly in terms of the country. The post-hoc analysis showed that Italian teachers’ general beliefs about the assessment procedures for 4th grade students’ foreign language was significantly higher than Finnish and Turkish teachers’ general beliefs.
 

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IMPACT OF MENTORING IN TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE L2 IN SOKOTO METROPOLIS, NIGERIA
Authors: Abdullahi Ibrahim Aisha
Published: January 2022

This study investigated the impacts of mentoring in teaching English language as a Second (L2) language in Sokoto Metropolis. The study was carried out considering the fact that different factors were studied as they affect the teaching and learning of English language in the area. Owing to the fact that new teachers were recruited and posted in schools, there was need for induction, refresher courses and guidance on how to approach their practices. A descriptive survey research design was used in the study. A sample of 106 English language teachers was randomly selected for the study. A self-developed questionnaire titled “Knowledge of Mentoring in Language Teaching (KNOMILT) Questionnaire” served as instrument of the study. The instrument was validated by three senior lecturers in the Department of Curriculum Studies and Educational Technology and 15 secondary school teachers validated the instrument. The instrument recorded a Cronbach’s Alpha of r = 0.87 after test-retest was conducted. The study found that there was inadequate knowledge of mentoring among English language teachers of Sokoto Metropolis. There were challenges in mentoring in English language, and that mentoring can be improved in different ways. The paper recommended among others that the Ministry of Education should intervene in the provision of mentoring services to English language teachers in Sokoto State.
 

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RESTRUCTURING NATIONAL LANGUAGE POLICY IN NIGERIA: A NEW DIRECTION TO EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Abdullahi Ibrahim Aisha
Published: January 2022

The emergence of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Programme in Nigeria was in September 1999. The Programme was amended in 2008 by the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC). This yielded a great landmark for introducing and developing the 9-Year Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) which was aimed enabling every Nigerian citizen access to equivalent education comprehensively and coeducationally. Similarly, Nigeria's national language policy which focused on the official structure of the English language as an official medium of instruction from primary four to subsequent levels of education, while the mother tongue or the language of the immediate community to be the medium of instruction at pre-primary and early primary levels has left a wide gap which may serve as one of the factors or reasons that may affect the communicative competence of pupils or learners in handling English as a subject or medium of instruction. Especially, considering the designed objectives of inculcating in the school childrens’ permanent literacy, numeracy and the ability to communicate effectively which lays the concrete educational foundation of pupils in terms of language development. The common criticisms or observations that this paper may raise on the issue of language policy and that of UBE is lack of a well-articulated transition from the mother tongue to English, or lack of proper implementation of the policy, as language cannot be properly taught using another language. Therefore, the paper draws the attention of policymakers and curriculum designers in revising and restructuring the language policy in order to ascertain the objectives designed by UBE and the educational policy in general.
 

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KULTURELLE HETEROGENITÄT ALS HERAUSFORDERUNG IN BENINISCHEN ALLGEMEINBILDENDEN SEKUNDARSCHULEN
Authors: Nonvide Sèlognon , Atabavikpo Vincent
Published: January 2022

The present study focused on the management of cultural diversity and the development of intercultural competences in secondary education has made it possible to explore the ethnocultural realities of CEG Banikanni and Tohouè in Benin. This realities are characterized by a plurality of ethnic groups, mother tongues and religions. It has also shown that good management of school life depends on taking religious, ethnic, linguistic and gender factors into account. A. D. Frederick quotes Dillard in the following terms : "Providing an appropriate education for students from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds is not an easy task for the classroom teacher." However, it is clear that in Benin, the development of intercultural competence is lacking in the training of trainee teachers and school authorities.

La présente étude sur la gestion de la diversité culturelle et le développement des compétences interculturelles à l’enseignement secondaire a permis d’explorer les réalités ethnoculturelles des CEG Banikanni et Tohouè. Ces réalités sont caractérisées par une pluralité d’ethnies, de langues maternelles et de religions. Elle a aussi permis de parvenir aux résultats que la bonne gestion de la vie scolaire dépend de la prise en compte des facteurs religieux , ethniques, linguistiques, et de la question genre. A. D. Frederick cite Dillard en ces termes : « Donner une éducation appropriée à des élèves d’origines ethniques et culturelles diverses n’est pas une tâche aisée pour l’enseignant en classe. » Or, force est de constater que le développement de la compétence interculturelle fait défaut dans la formation des élèves-professeurs et des responsables administratifs des établissements scolaires.

Die vorliegende Studie zum Management kultureller Vielfalt und zur Entwicklung interkultureller Kompetenz in den Sekundarschulen hat es ermöglicht, die ethnokulturellen Realitäten der CEG Banikanni und Tohouè zu erforschen. Diese Realitäten zeichnen sich durch eine Vielzahl von ethnischen Gruppen, Muttersprachen und Religionen aus. Die Studie hat auch gezeigt, dass das gute Management des Schullebens davon abhängt, religiöse, ethnische, sprachliche und geschlechtsspezifische Faktoren zu berücksichtigen. A. D. Frederick zitiert Dillard, der betont, dass es für die Lehrperson keine leichte Aufgabe sei, Lernenden aus verschiedenen ethnischen und kulturellen Hintergründen eine angemessene Ausbildung zu geben. Es ist jedoch festzustellen, dass in Benin die Entwicklung interkultureller Kompetenz bei der Ausbildung von Lehramtsstudenten und Verantwortlichen der Schulverwaltung fehlt.

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EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DEMONSTRATION-CUM-DISCUSSION TEACHING STRATEGY ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN SOME ECOLOGICAL CONCEPTS
Authors: Ayimbila Ezekiel Akotuko , Pappoe Alexander Nii Moi
Published: January 2022

This study investigated the effectiveness of Demonstration-cum-Discussion teaching strategy on students’ academic achievement in ecological concepts at Navrongo Senior High School, using quasi-experimental design (pretest, posttest non-equivalent approach). The sample comprised of 75 Form Two General Science Gold Track (control group of 29 males and 10 females) and Green Track (experimental group of 21 males and 15 females) students. The experimental group and control groups were taught using Demonstration-cum-Discussion teaching strategy and Conventional Teaching Method respectively. The test-retest reliability coefficient of the instrument was found to be 0.78. The pretest scores revealed that the students were homogeneous in terms of academic achievement (Mean = (22.19, 21.46) t-value = 0.87, p-value = 0.39, p > 0.05). The posttest results of the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group (Mean = (48.19, 38.71) t-value = 12.43, p-value = 0.000, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the achievement of male and female students in the experimental group for both pretest (Mean = (23.24, 21.33) t-value = 1.43, p-value = 0.20, p > 0.05) and posttest (Mean = (48.52, 47.73) t-value = 0.53, p-value = 0.59, p > 0.05). This study recommended that Biology teachers at Navrongo Senior High School should be encouraged to teach the concept of Ecology using demonstration-cum-discussion in order to enhance the conceptual understanding and academic achievement of students.

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HEALTH AND SKILLS RELATED FITNESS INDICATORS IN ALBANIAN CHILDREN – REFERENCE VALUES FROM A COUNTRY IN TRANSITION
Authors: Juel Jarani , Andi Spahi , Keida Ushtelenca
Published: January 2022

The aims of this study were to analyze age and gender differences for health-related fitness, physical activity and gross motor coordination level in Albanian children. Data consisted of a cross-sectional study of 1176 children between first and fourth grade elementary school (618 boys and 558 girls) aged 7-10 years old). Anthropometrics (body mass and height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, % body fat), level of gross motor coordination (Korperkoordinationstest fur Kinder, KTK) and physical activity by questionnaire (PAQ-C) were assessed. Gross motor coordination and physical activity level increased until 9 years of age and then declined. Significant gender differences (P ≤ 0.05) were found for body mass, BMI and waist circumference where boys were heavier, had higher BMI scores and had greater values in waist circumference measurement then girls. Data obtained from this study showed that boys and girls in all age group fell into the normal level of physical activity. The results from this investigation study reveal strong evidence that children in Albania show motor difficulties in everyday skills (moderate motor disorder-31.2% and severe motor disorder-8%. 

 

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INVESTIGATING THE CURRENT CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTIES THAT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN CAN THO CITY HAVE WHEN ENGAGED IN EXTRACURRICULAR SPORT ACTIVITIES
Authors: Nhut Tran Quang , Vinh Nguyen Quang
Published: January 2022

The paper employed conventional scientific research methods such as synthesis and analysis of documents and questionnaires to investigate the current conditions in terms of facilities, ground yards, management staff, trainers, and guides to ensure extracurricular sport activities (ESA) for high school students in Can Tho City, Vietnam. The results show that the curriculum is implemented properly in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training. The facilities, training grounds, and teaching staff also ensure the ESA for the students. Moreover, the paper also examined challenges that junior high school students faced when participating in ESA. According to the results, the lack of concern from students' parents, the high cost of training, and the limited time available for training physical sessions are the main difficulties preventing students from participating in ESA.

 

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Chemical injury to eye- A case report
Authors: Murade Dr. Sneha , Biradar Dr. Sonali , Waghmare Dr. Pooja
Published: January 2022

Chemical burns represent blinding ocular injuries and constitute an ocular emergency requiring immediate assessment and initiation of treatment. The majority of patients are of young age groups and exposure will occur anywhere as an accident and in association with criminal assaults too. Alkali injuries occur more frequently. Chemical injuries of the eye produce extensive damage to the conjunctiva, cornea, anterior segment and limbal stem cells resulting in unilateral or bilateral visual impairment. This article reviews the emergency management to improve the prognosis of patients with chemical injuries.
HEALTH DIGITALIZATION IS A NEED OF HOUR
Authors: Hassan Taimoor
Published: January 2022

Information system (IS) is the backbone of all organizations, programmes or projects. The swift spread of technology has also brought to the development and extension of the information systems utilized by the governments. In the case of Punjab province of Pakistan, there has been an exponential expansion of information systems by the public sector, particularly the health sector. In order to simplify the data flow and increase the performance of personnel, especially those operating in the remote fields, a resilient, fully integrated and complete digital medical and registry systems is a need of hour. Data accuracy will equip government to prepare one step ahead for the future, optimize present resources in line with need, reduce drug and supply pilfering, monitor staff performance efficiently and improve services quality.2 All of these will help directly in achieving the broader aim of universal healthcare. Once fully operational, the idea suggested would be a single, centered database, allowing people to login and have access to their own health records right from the start. In Punjab there are already several fragmented information systems.
"AQUELES DOIS: RETRATOS DA VIVÊNCIA HOMOAFETIVA EM CAIO FERNANDO ABREU"
Authors: DA SILVA ALVES MYRNA ANDREZA , ALEXANDRE DE BARROS JÚNIOR JOSÉ PAULO
Published: January 2022

A IDENTIDADE SEXUAL SE CONSTRÓI DE MODO SINGULAR, CADA SUJEITO A VIVENCIA DE MODO DIFERENTE E TODAS ELAS DEVEM SER COMPREENDIDAS, SOCIALMENTE ACEITAS E A VALORIZADAS, PORÉM INFELIZMENTE SABEMOS QUE A REALIDADE NÃO É ESSA. PENSANDO NESSE CONTEXTO, TENDO EM MENTE QUE A LITERATURA TEM O PODER DE ABRANGER DIFERENTES ÁREAS, DAR VISIBILIDADE A QUESTÕES QUE MUITAS VEZES SÃO ESCANTEADAS, CONSEGUE PASSAR PARA O LEITOR DIFERENTES TIPOS DE SENSAÇÕES, ATÉ MESMO REPRESENTATIVIDADE, ESTE TRABALHO NASCEU A PARTIR DO SEGUINTE QUESTIONAMENTO: COMO EM CONTOS DE CAIO FERNANDO ABREU A TEMÁTICA DA HOMOSSEXUALIDADE MASCULINA É RETRATADA A PARTIR DOS ESTUDOS DE TREVISAN? PARA TAIS DISCUSSÕES RECORREMOS A OBRA “AQUELES DOIS”, QUE COMPÕE MORANGOS MOFADOS (1982), DE CAIO FERNANDO ABREU. UM LIVRO QUE TRATA DE TEMAS COMO PRECONCEITO, MARGINALIZAÇÃO, DESRESPEITO E INTOLERÂNCIA ÀS DIFERENÇAS, EM UMA ÉPOCA NA QUAL SE TEM UMA POSTURA IDEOLÓGICA MUITO FORTE. CONSEGUIMOS VER NO CONTO, REFLEXÕES SOBRE A CONDENAÇÃO DE PESSOAS QUE NÃO VIVEM COMO AS DEMAIS E QUE SOB A ÓTICA DO CONSERVADORISMO, EXCEDEM A NORMALIDADE, OS VALORES MORAIS E QUE POR ISSO DEVEM SER “CONTIDAS”. ABREU SENSIBILIZA SEUS LEITORES COM QUESTÕES SENSÍVEIS, UTILIZANDO A LITERATURA COMO UM MEIO DE DESVENDAR AS RAÍZES DO PRECONCEITO EM NOSSA SOCIEDADE, CONTRIBUINDO PARA ERRADICAR A INTOLERÂNCIA E AJUDAR NA LUTA DE CONSCIENTIZAÇÃO DA DIVERSIDADE SEXUAL.
A CULTURA MAKER NAS TRADICIONAIS FEIRAS DE MATEMÁTICA: INTERAÇÕES E REFLEXÕES
Authors: PARRA SANCHES JUNIOR EMILIO
Published: January 2022

ESTE TRABALHO OBJETIVOU ENTENDER AS REPERCUSSÕES DA INTERAÇÃO DAS TRADICIONAIS FEIRAS DE MATEMÁTICA COM O MOVIMENTO MAKER EM UMA TURMA DE NONO ANO DO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL DE UMA ESCOLA MUNICIPAL EM FORTALEZA. ADOTOU-SE O MÉTODO DE PESQUISA QUALITATIVA COM A ESTRATÉGIA DE ESTUDO DE CASO, DE MODO QUE, NA COLETA DE DADOS FORAM UTILIZADOS OS PROCEDIMENTOS DA OBSERVAÇÃO NÃO PARTICIPATIVA E A EVOCAÇÃO POR FOTO E VÍDEO CONFORME FUNDAMENTADO POR CRESWELL (2007). COMO REFERENCIAL TEÓRICO NA TEMÁTICA DAS FEIRAS DE MATEMÁTICA UTILIZOU-SE ABREU (1996) E ZERMIANI (1996) E NA TEMÁTICA DO MOVIMENTO MAKER UTILIZOU-SE SAMAGAIA E NETO (2015). PARA ISSO, ESTE TRABALHO APRESENTA OS CONTEXTOS HISTÓRICOS DAS FEIRAS DE MATEMÁTICA NO BRASIL E DO MOVIMENTO MAKER, BEM COMO A RELAÇÃO DA TEMÁTICA COM AS COMPETÊNCIAS GERAIS E ESPECÍFICAS DA BNCC NA ÁREA DE MATEMÁTICA. A ANÁLISE DOS DADOS INDICOU QUE AS FEIRAS DE MATEMÁTICA E O MOVIMENTO MAKER PODEM INTERAGIR DESPERTANDO O ESPÍRITO INVESTIGATIVO E DE ARGUMENTAÇÃO DOS ESTUDANTES, DESENVOLVENDO A AUTONOMIA E O PROTAGONISMO NA RESOLUÇÃO DE PROBLEMAS DE MODO INOVADOR E CRIATIVO CONFORME PROPOSTO PELA BNCC. É NESSA INTERAÇÃO QUE O PROFESSOR POSSIBILITA AOS ALUNOS A OPORTUNIDADE DE RECONHECEREM O ASPECTO CIENTÍFICO DAQUILO QUE CONSTROEM E PERCEBEREM O SIGNIFICADO REAL DO QUE APRENDERAM.