bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Bacteriological Isolates from Patients and Environment Samples of Burn Ward: A Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital of India
Authors: Sharma Shiwani , Datta Priya , Gupta Varsha , Kumari Pooja , Kaur Gursimran , Chander Jagdish
Published: June 2020

Objective:

Source of infection in a burn patient is from the patient’s flora, contaminated
environmental surfaces and transmitted from health care workers. Insufficiently disinfected hospital
environmental surface provides a niche for multidrug resistant bacteria. This study was carried
out to assess the bacteriological profile of the pathogens from burn wounds and the surrounding environmental
areas.

Methods:

During 6 months, wound swabs from burn patients were collected on admission (after 48
hours of admission), on day 5 and then weekly. Environmental samples were also collected from
burn ward and studied for the bacteriological and anti-microgram profiles.

Results:

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii were the
major bacterial isolates from the wound swabs and the environmental samples. ESBL was detected
in 56.6% of our Enterobacteriaceae isolates. The environmental sites from which these bacterial isolates
were found were nursing counter, sink, dressing trolley, medicine locker and patient’s bed.
The percentage of MRSA decreased from 50 to 5% and there was an increased role of Enterococci
species causing infections (13.63%).

Conclusions:

In this study, there appears that the colonizers of the environment may play a role in
the causation of infection in burn patients. In burns ward, rigorous implementation of infection control
program should be warranted, which includes and hygiene and use of personal protective equipment,
environmental disinfection, cohort nursing care and antibiotics stewardship programme.
Screening of Cystic Echinococcosis and Toxocariasis in Urmia Municipal Workers, Northwest Iran
Authors: Asadi Negar , Tappeh Khosrow Hazrati , Mohebbi Iraj , Yousefi Elham , Khademvatan Shahram
Published: June 2020

Background:

Echinococcus granulosus and Toxocara spp., the causative agents of hydatid cyst and toxocariasis in humans and animals, are zoonotic infections with medical and veterinary significance respectively.

Aim:

Herein, we aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of toxocariasis and cystic echinococcosis in Urmia municipal workers (gardeners and sweepers) in 2018 using ELISA assay.

Objective:

There is no precise report on the seroprevalence of toxocariasis and cystic echinococcosis in Urmia municipal workers using ELISA assay. Therefore, this study found an opportunity to investigate this subject.

Methods:

A total of 220 blood samples were obtained from municipal workers with an average age of 41.31 ± 9.42. Commercial anti-Toxocara canis and hydatid cyst ELISA kits were used to assess the seroprevalence rates.

Results:

Approximately, 14.5% and 2.3% of individuals were seropositive for toxocariasis and hydatidosis, respectively. Consuming unboiled milk and/or raw/uncooked meat and rural conditions are risk factors for toxocariasis. Regarding hydatidosis, consuming unwashed vegetables was the only statistically significant risk factor. Toxocara infection (p = 0.01), but not hydatid cyst (p = 0.05), is more prevalent among sweepers than municipal gardeners.

Conclusion:

Due to the occupational condition of municipal workers, they’re exposed to many infectious agents; thus, more researches should be done on these populations.
Pleural Effusion as a Sign of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pneumonia: A Case Report
Authors: Ahmadinejad Zahra , Salahshour Faeze , Dadras Omid , Rezaei Hesan , SeyedAlinaghi SeyedAhmad
Published: June 2020

Background:

Recently, COVID-19 infection has become a public health concern. On
March 12th, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced it as a global pandemic. Early
diagnosis of atypical cases of COVID-19 infection is critical in reducing the transmission and controlling
the present pandemic. In the present report, we described a patient with the chief complaints
of dyspnea and dry cough referred to the oncology center at Imam Khomeini Hospital,
Tehran, with the differential diagnosis of lung cancer who was diagnosed and treated for
COVID-19 infection in follow up.

Case presentation:

A 59-year-old patient complained of fever, dry cough, and dyspnea from two
weeks ago. The patient had been referred to this center with the differential diagnosis of lung cancer
due to the massive pleural effusion in the initial chest CT scan. Dyspnea was the patient’s main
complaint at the time of admission in this center and the oxygen saturation was 84%. In the new chest
CT scan, similar findings were observed. Due to the severe respiratory distress, a chest tube
was placed in the chest cavity to remove the pleural effusion fluid on day one. The patient’s felt relieved
immediately after the procedure; however, the oxygen saturation did not rise above 85% despite
the oxygen therapy. The cytology of pleural fluid was negative for malignant cells. On day 2,
the lymphopenia and high level of CRP suggested the COVID-19 infection. Therefore, a control chest
CT scan was conducted and the test for COVID-19 was performed. The CT report indicated the
clear pattern of COVID-19’s lung involvement in the absence of pleural effusion. Thus, the treatment
for COVID-19 was immediately initiated. On day 4, the test reported positive for COVID-19.

Conclusion:

Currently, it is important to bear in mind the COVID-19 infection in evaluating patients
with respiratory symptoms. This report indicated how misleading the presentation of a chest
CT scan could be in clinical judgment. Therefore, we recommend ruling out the COVID-19 infection
in all the patients with any pattern of lung involvement to avoid missing the potential cases of
this vicious infection.
An Efficient in vitro Assay to Predict Resistance and Pathogenicity in the Fusarium Head Blight-Hordeum Vulgare Pathosystem
Authors: Sakr Nachaat
Published: June 2020

Background:

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) worldwide is affected seriously by Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) disease caused by several Fusarium species. In vitro assays permitting for easy, efficient and reliable prediction of the head blight reaction in the whole plant should be investigated.

Objective and Methods:

The in vitro ability of 16 fungal isolates of four FHB species to confer disease on individual plant organs was evaluated using a coleoptile infection assay. Four quantitative components (Seed Germination (SG), Coleoptile Length (CL), Coleoptile Weight (CW) and Root Weight (RW)) were analyzed in two widely cultivated barley cultivars, Arabi Aswad (AS) and Arabi Abiad (AB), with known quantitative resistance.

Results:

Differences in inoculated pathogenicity and resistance treatments were observed on young plant parts relative to water controls, indicating that these FHB species were found to be suitable for the differential expression of all tested quantitative components. There was a wide variation in pathogenicity among the 16 FHB isolates and susceptibility among AS and AB. The 16 FHB isolates can be separated into the first group with larger number of isolates, upon infection with which AB really was more susceptible to FHB infection than AS, and isolates of the second group with leaser number of isolates for which AS and AB react was the opposite. On AB, rather susceptible, inoculation with FHB species resulted in significantly less SG, CL, CW and RW, compared with AS, which showed a greater resistance. The very good resistance of AS was confirmed by the measurements of quantitative resistance components described in this study. When infected with FHB isolates, all indicators of a more susceptible cultivar seemed to be 10-20% less than those of a resistant cultivar. Moreover, the values of all analyzed components were significantly correlated with the data of pathogenic indices generated in vitro, and under controlled and field conditions with a large diversity depending on AS and AB.

Conclusion:

Appropriate in vitro conditions were determined for the coleoptile infection assay to maximize differences in disease reactions components among FHB isolates and the two barley cultivars. Results suggest that all measured components predict resistance and pathogenicity occurring at the earliest and latest barley development stages during FHB infection. Our data also highlighted, for the first time, the utility of CW and RW for the determination of resistance and pathogenicity in the FHB-barley pathosystem. The coleoptile infection test was confirmed to be adequate to in vitro, growth chamber and field data by the presence of the first group, which prevailed in all other tests generated under different experimental conditions. The in vitro coleoptile infection assay may offer a real possibility of simple, rapid and reliable screening of resistance in barley cultivars and pathogenicity of FHB species.
Productivity of Bali Cattle on Peatland in Central Kalimantan
Authors: Amiano Kristyan , Busono Woro , Maylinda Sucik
Published: June 2020

This study aims to compare the productivity of Bali cattle bred on wet peatland and on dry peatland. This research was conducted in Pulang Pisau Regency, Central Kalimantan Province on September-November 2019. The research method used were a survey, observation and measurement of calf directly in the field. The samples of the area used were four districts using purposive sampling based on the largest population of Bali cattle on dry peatland and wet peatland. The total number of Bali calves were 186 tails. The observations consist of birth weight, weaning weight, and weight gain.The data were processed using the t-test (Independent t-test) with SPSS 2.2. The results obtained that productivity of male calf and female calf were higher productivitiy in dry peatland than wet peatland.
Efektivitas stretching, passive activity dan VO2max dalam mencegah terjadinya delayed onset muscle soreness
Authors: Triansyah Andika , Haetami Mimi
Published: June 2020

Tujuan dalam penelitian ini adalah: (1) Untuk mengetahui apakah ada perbedaan efektivitas active isolated stretching dan passive activity dalam mencegah terjadinya delayed onset muscle soreness setelah olahraga intensitas tinggi; (2) Untuk mengetahui apakah ada perbedaan efektivitas antara VO2Max tinggi dan VO2Max rendah dalam mencegah terjadinya delayed onset muscle soreness setelah olahraga intensitas tinggi; (3) Untuk mengetahui apakah ada interaksi antara active isolated stretching dan passive activity dengan VO2Max dalam mencegah terjadinya delayed onset muscle soreness setelah olahraga intensitas tinggi. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah eksperimen. Bentuk penelitian menggunakan rancangan faktorial 2x2. Teknik pengambilan sampel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini menggunakan menggunakan rumus dari Issac & Michael, sehingga didapat sampel sebanyak 40 orang. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dan pembahasan yang penulis lakukan pada penelitian ini, dapat disimpulkan bahwa: (1) tidak ada perbedaan efektivitas Active Isolated Stretching dan passive activity dalam mencegah terjadinya Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness setelah olahraga intensitas tinggi. (2) Tidak ada perbedaan efektivitas antara VO2Max tinggi dan VO2Max rendah dalam mencegah terjadinya Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness setelah olahraga intensitas tinggi. (3) Tidak ada interaksi antara Active Isolated Stretching, Passive Activity dengan VO2Max dalam mencegah terjadinya Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness setelah olahraga intensitas tinggi. Effectiveness stretching, passive activity and VO2max prevent the delayed onset muscle soreness.  Abstract The objectives of this study are: (1) To determine whether there are differences in the effectiveness of active isolated stretching and passive activity in preventing delayed onset of muscle soreness after high-intensity exercise; (2) To find out whether there is a difference in effectiveness between high VO2Max and low VO2Max in preventing delayed onset of muscle soreness after high-intensity exercise; (3) To determine whether there is an interaction between active isolated stretching and passive activity with VO2Max in preventing delayed onset of muscle soreness after high-intensity exercise. The method used in this research is an experiment. The analysis uses a 2x2 factorial design. Based on the results of research and discussion that the authors do in this study, it can be concluded that:(1) there is no difference in the effectiveness of Active Isolated Stretching and passive activity in preventing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness after high-intensity exercise. (2) There is no difference in efficacy between high VO2Max and low VO2Max in preventing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness after high-intensity exercise. (3) There is no interaction between Active Isolated Stretching, Passive Activity with VO2Max in preventing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness after high-intensity exercise.
Peran orang tua dalam menghilangkan rasa canggung anak usia dini (studi kasus di desa karangbong rt. 06 rw. 02 Gedangan-Sidoarjo)
Authors: Adhimah Syifaul
Published: June 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan peran serta strategi orang tua dalam menghilangkan rasa canggung anak usia dini di Desa Karangbong rt. 06 rw. 02 Gedangan-Sidoarjo. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif  dengan jenis penelitian studi kasus. Pemilihan subjek penelitian dilakukan dengan teknik purposive sampling yaitu berjumlah dua keluarga. Metode pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan menggunakan wawancara, observasi, dan dokumentasi. Analisis data dilakukan melalui tahap reduksi data, display data, dan verifikasi serta penarikan kesimpulan. Uji keabsahan data dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode triangulasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa (1) Orang tua merupakan kunci utama dalam menghilangkan rasa canggung pada anak. Orang tua memiliki peranan dalam lingkungan keluarga, dan tidak dapat diberikan di lembaga pendidikan. (2) Orang tua harus mencari sumber letak dimana anak merasa canggung. (3) Kembangkan terus kelebihan dan keistimewaan anak pada teman barunya agar anak tidak merasa canggung dalam bersosialisasi.
Opportunities and Recommendations for Improving Medication Safety: Understanding the Medication Management System in Primary Care Through an Abstraction Hierarchy
Authors: Baumgartner Andrew , Kunkes Taylor , Clark Collin M , Brady Laura A , Monte Scott V , Singh Ranjit , Wahler Jr Robert G , Chen Huei-Yen Winnie
Published: June 2020

Background

Despite making great strides in improving the treatment of diseases, the minimization of unintended harm by medication therapy continues to be a major hurdle facing the health care system. Medication error and prescription of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) represent a prevalent source of harm to patients and are associated with increased rates of adverse events, hospitalizations, and increased health care costs. Attempts to improve medication management systems in primary care have had mixed results. Implementation of new interventions is difficult because of complex contextual factors within the health care system. Abstraction hierarchy (AH), the first step in cognitive work analysis (CWA), is used by human factors practitioners to describe complex sociotechnical systems. Although initially intended for the nuclear power domain and interface design, AH has been used successfully to aid the redesign of numerous health care systems such as the design of decision support tools, mobile patient monitoring apps, and a telephone triage system.

Objective

This paper aims to refine our understanding of the primary care office in relation to a patient’s medication through the development of an AH. Emphasis was placed on the elements related to medication safety to provide guidance for the design of a safer medication management system in primary care.

Methods

The AH development was guided by the methodology used by seminal CWA literature. It was initially developed by 2 authors and later fine-tuned by an expert panel of clinicians, social scientists, and a human factors engineer. It was subsequently refined until an agreement was reached. A means-ends analysis was performed and described for the nodes of interest. The model represents the primary care office space through functional purposes, values and priorities, function-related purposes, object-related processes, and physical objects.

Results

This model depicts the medication management system at various levels of abstraction. The resulting components must be balanced and coordinated to provide medical treatment with limited health care resources. Understanding the physical and informational constraints on activities that occur in a primary care office depicted in the AH defines areas in which medication safety can be improved.

Conclusions

Numerous means-ends relationships were identified and analyzed. These can be further evaluated depending on the specific needs of the user. Recommendations for optimizing a medication management system in a primary care facility were made. Individual practices can use AH for clinical redesign to improve prescribing and deprescribing practices.
Instruction of poetry writing in normal students and students with special needs through readers’ response and cultural studies approach
Authors: Saraswati Ekarini , Budiman Ajang
Published: June 2020

SMP Muhammadiyah 2 Malang is high school that receives many students with special needs. There are around 30 students with speacial needs distributed in several classes out of a total of 224 students. In this regard, the problem to reveal is about the instruction to write poetry in normal students and students with special needs. The objectives of this community service program are (1) to improve the importance of poetry writing instruction at school for soft character building; (2) to improve teachers’ understanding of individual learning on poetry; (3) to improve students’ ability to write poetry by expanding their horizon through pictures. The method implemented in this program were: (1) training poetry writing using cultural study approach through video; (2) training on poetry writing, and (3) mentoring. All these methods are integral part of the PPMI program. The outcomes of this program are: (1) community service team: a. Video about Malang and journal article 2. School Partner: lesson plan using socio cultural approach b. Poem written by students. The results of this program show that the poems written by students show love for Malang. In addition, the poems written individually and video displaying pictures of Malang from the royal era until now have added students’ insight.
Dissemination of instructional book on catfish cultivation: An effort for illiteracy eradication in minapolitan area
Authors: Ekowati Dyah Worowirastri , Cholily Yus Mochamad , Hakim Riza Rahman , Artadana Ida Bagus Made , Sumarsono Puji , Lailiyah Ummi Badriyatul
Published: June 2020

Probolinggo Regency has a low literacy rate (78.09%) which is below the average of the East Java Province (88.34%). This data is supported by the recapitulation results of the Directorate of Literacy and Equality Education in 2014 which states that the illiteracy rate in Probolinggo Regency is 64.163 people. Meanwhile, this regency is considered having a high potential in the field of fisheries through catfish farming, located in Sumberasih District. This article discusses the results of the dissemination of illiteracy eradication using instructional book of catfish cultivation. The empowerment method implemented was Empowerment and Development. The instruments used were interview, observation, document, questionnaire, and test. On trial phase, a mentoring was done to the learning community that was called WB. Prior to the mentoring session, pretest was implemented then posttest afterwards which were all done to the WB. Results show that there was an improvement on class average grade, previously it was 58,5 subsequently after the use of illiteracy eradication book, the average grade has improved to 79. The responses gathered from the WB towards the instructional book were very positive. Thus, instructional book of catfish cultivation can be used as a textbook in illiteracy tutorial in minapolitan area.
Discourse Analysis in Critical Social Work: From Apology to Question
Authors: Rossiter Amy
Published: June 2020

This paper concerns the relation between critical reflective practice and social workers’ lived experience of the complicated and contradictory world of practice. I will outline how critical reflection based on discourse analysis may generate useful perspectives for practitioners who struggle to make sense of the gap between critical aspirations and practice realities, and who often mediate that gap as a sense of personal failure. I will describe two examples of discourse-based case studies, and show how the conceptual space that is opened by such reflection can help social workers gain a necessary distance from the complexity of their ambivalently constructed place. Discourse analysis can provide new vantage points from which to reconstruct practice theory in ways that are more consciously oriented to our social justice commitments. I understand these vantage points in the case studies I will describe as: 1) an historical consciousness, 2) access to understanding what is left out of discourses in use, 3) understanding of how actors are positioned in discourse, all leading to: 4) a new set of questions which expose the gap between the construction of practice possibilities and social justice values, thus allowing for a new understanding of the limitations, constraints and possibilities within the context of the practice problem.
Participatory Action Research with South Asian Immigrant Women
Authors: Cassano D. Rosemary , Dunlop Judith M.
Published: June 2020

Participatory Action Research (PAR) is presented as similar to social work in regard to processes, outcomes and empowerment. The challenges in utilizing PAR in social work are explored using the example of a PAR project with a group of South Asian immigrant women in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. An examination of the insider-outsider dimensions of PAR is also provided. The similarities between the process in social work and the process in PAR are discussed with reference to the specific skills relevant to both. This paper proposes a set of considerations to facilitate the use of Participatory Action Research in social work.
Towards a Critical Theory of Disability in Social Work
Authors: Hiranandani Vanmala
Published: June 2020

The dominant discourse on disability in social work has been that of an individual/medical model, which largely relegates the ‘problem’ of disability to a deficit within the individual. This paper calls for re-visioning disability: notions of disability in social work are contrasted with alternative frameworks, such as social and cultural constructions, materialist and political economy perspectives, and critiques of disciplinary power and the discourses of normalcy and measurement. These alternative conceptualizations drawn from humanities, social sciences, and disability studies can form the foundation of a dynamic critical theory of disability that questions impairment as necessarily a personal tragedy, and asserts that the notion of individual inadequacy is socially reproduced.
Spirituality and Domestic Violence Work
Authors: Bell Holly , Busch Noël Bridget , Fowler Dawnovise N.
Published: June 2020

Spirituality is increasingly recognized as an important resource for clients coping with trauma and crises. Though more limited, research on the use of spirituality by practitioners has also expanded. This qualitative study involves in-depth interviews with 30 counselors about their work with domestic violence survivors. It focuses on the role and function of counselors’ spirituality in their work, and conversely, the impact of their work on their spiritual beliefs.
Social Work and the Cultural Dialogue
Authors: Blair Kevin D.
Published: June 2020

This article presents an overview of traditional sociological approaches to the role of social work in society and offers an alternative perspective that draws upon anthropological concepts of culture and specifically the conceptualization of American culture as a form of dialogue between dominant and non-dominant groups in American society. Traditional approaches to the sociology of social work have focused on the concept of social workers as intermediaries. Intermediaries convey messages between groups and seek to resolve conflicts and reach agreements. Incorporating anthropological concepts of cultural dialogue, transmission, and reproduction enables a more in depth analysis and understanding of how this intermediary function plays out. It offers the ability to analyze the content of the messages and to create a better understanding of the tension between social change and social control that are part of social work practice. The intermediary approach to social work’s relations with society results in viewing social work as contradictory and somewhat ambiguous in its relationship to society. This ambiguity, in both theoretical and practical terms, has been difficult for the profession to resolve. By incorporating the concepts of cultural dialogue, transmission, and reproduction, it is argued that the role of social workers in society can be more clearly viewed as that of cultural agents engaged in the processes of dialogue, transmission, and reproduction. From this anthropological perspective, it may be possible to resolve the ambiguity between social work as a form of social control and social work as social change.
Imaging techniques in the assessment of endovascular infrarenal abdominal aortic repair
Authors: Spasic Aleksandar , Till Viktor , Basta-Nikolic Marijana , Milosevic Djordje , Hadnadjev-Simonji Darka , Ilic Dalibor
Published: June 2020

Introduction. Imaging is essential in the assessment of endovascular
infrarenal abdominal aortic repair results. Complications include endoleaks,
graft migration, kinking and infolding, stenosis, occlusion, and secondary
ruptures. Examination Modalities. Contemporary imaging strategies are based
on using noninvasive imaging modalities. After endovascular infrarenal
abdominal aortic repair, the standard evaluation modality is computed
tomography angiography, whereas additional modalities include magnetic
resonance imaging, ultrasonography, and radiography. However, although an
invasive imaging method, digital subtraction angiography is still performed
in some patients. Computed tomography angiography provides excellent
contrast, spatial resolution, and exact measurements of structures of
interest, which is essential in the follow-up. Follow-up Protocol. Currently
recommended follow-up protocol in the first year is contrast- enhanced
computed tomography imaging at 1 and 12 months after the procedure.
Conclusion. Due to its characteristics, reproducibility and availability,
computed tomography angiography remains the cornerstone diagnostic modality
of post-procedural assessment in patients with endovascular infrarenal
abdominal aortic repair.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in people living with human immunodeficiency syndrome
Authors: Andric Vanja , Turkulov Vesna , Urosevic Ivana , Salaj Nebojsa , Boskovic Nikola , Sajinovic Slobodan
Published: June 2020

Introduction. Even in the era of combined antiretroviral therapy, the
mortality rate in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection
remains high, especially with a contributing diagnosis of a malignant
disease, such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Given the previous, the goal of this
research was to establish the incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in human
immunodeficiency virus positive patients, as well as to determine their
clinical characteristics and mortality in regard to patients with human
immunodeficiency virus only. Material and Methods. The retrospective study
included 396 human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients. Medical records
were reviewed to analyze the average age, duration of infection, average
duration of therapy, nCD4+ T-cell count, human immunodeficiency virus viral
load, as well as the number and types of malignant diseases. Results. The
average age of the patients was 44.2 years; the average nCD4+ T-cell count
was 296.94 cells/?L, while the mortality rate was 14.65%. The leading causes
of death were non-Hodgkin lymphoma and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
The most frequently diagnosed malignancy was non-Hodgkin lymphoma, where the
average count of nCD4+ T-cells was 162.29 cells/?L. Patients with human
immunodeficiency virus and non-Hodgkin lymphoma had significantly lower
nCD4+ T-cell count, in regard to patients with human immunodeficiency virus
only, and the mortality rate in this group of patients was 85%. Conclusion.
The incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in human immunodeficiency
virus-positive patients represents a growing threat, given the exceptionally
high mortality. The nCD4+ T-cell count may indicate acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome and late diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus
together are predictors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and its poor outcome. It
points to the importance of increasing the scope of human immunodeficiency
virus testing, as well as finding a better treatment approach.
A New Examination of an Old Question: Is it Constitutional to Tax Marriage?
Authors: Yurko Amy , Cheng Christine , Morris Marc
Published: June 2020

In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized the fundamental right to marry in Obergefell v. Hodges. At the same time, the tax code commonly taxes married couples at a higher effective tax rate than their unmarried counterparts. We examine the constitutionality of the penalty on marriage, critically reviewing the justification for the penalty accepted in Johnson v. U.S. in 1976. Our evaluation of the tax system suggests that the marriage tax penalty violates due process and may violate equal protection and the First Amendment for some taxpayers.

JEL Classifications: D15; H21; H24; H31; K34.
Experimental and Statistical Analysis of Effect of Si Modification and Grain Refinement on Tensile Properties of A356 Alloy
Authors: ULUDAĞ Muhammet
Published: June 2020

The focus point of recent research on light metal castings has been on the effect of casting quality on the material properties and maximizing the quality is the most important factor toward obtaining the best properties from an alloy. Sr additions modify Si morphology while grain refiners such as AlTixBy and Ti-free B make dendrite arms smaller in the alloy. Therefore, this study has been performed to evaluate the relationship between casting quality and tensile properties of A356 alloy. The modification and refinement treatments were carried out with three different master alloys: AlSr15, AlTi5B1, and AlB3. The tests were conducted under two conditions: with and without degassing to evaluate the effect of change in melt quality. Results obtained from experimental studies were analyzed statistically. It was concluded that there is a good relationship between bifilm index and tensile test results when the bifilm index is divided into three groups, namely: poor, medium and high quality. It was found that while Ti grain refinement addition positively affects the mechanical properties, Sr addition has a negative effect on casting quality.
Does the Type of Solvent in Dental Adhesives Influence the Clinical Performance of Composite Restorations Placed in Noncarious Cervical Lesions? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Lins RBE , Sebold M , Magno MB , Maia LC , Martins LRM , Giannini M
Published: June 2020

Clinical Relevance

According to the clinical and scientific evidence presented in this systematic review and meta-analysis, dental adhesives containing either organic solvent (acetone or alcohol) can be used to achieve similar clinical performance and longevity of composite restorations.

Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the clinical performance and survival rates of composite restorations placed in noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs) using dental adhesives containing acetone or alcohol-based solvents.

Methods and Materials: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Virtual Health Library (VHL) LILACS, Cochrane Library, OpenGrey, Clinical Trials, and Rebec were searched. MeSH terms, supplementary concepts, synonyms, and free keywords were used in the search strategy. All references were crosschecked by two independent investigators following the PICOS strategy (population, NCCLs; intervention, acetone-based bonding agent; comparison, alcohol-based bonding agent; outcome, clinical evaluation parameters and survival rates; study design, randomized controlled clinical trials). Cochrane Collaboration’s tool was used to assess risk of bias, and two distinct meta-analyses were performed using the RevMan software. The prevalence of success and the total number of restorations for each group (acetone- or alcohol-based) were used to calculate the risk difference at a confidence interval of 95%. Random-effects models were applied, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 index in the pooled and subgrouped meta-analyses. The certainty of evidence was evaluated through the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

Results: A total of 7876 studies were retrieved, from which 27 studies were selected for the systematic review. Ten studies were classified as “low risk of bias” and included in the meta-analyses. Overall heterogeneity was not significant (I2 = 0.00%). The clinical performance of restorations placed with bonding agents based on both solvents for each of the available parameters presented no statistical significance for any of the meta-analyses (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Scientific evidence suggests composite restorations placed with acetone or alcohol-based dental adhesives present similar clinical performance and survival rates in NCCLs.
Clinical Efficacy of Different Dentin Desensitizers
Authors: Eyüboğlu GB , Naiboğlu P
Published: June 2020

Clinical Relevance

Teethmate Desensitizer, Clinpro White Varnish, Shield Force Plus, and Gluma could be recommended for treating dentin hypersensitivity in terms of clinical efficacy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of widely used dentindesensitizing agents (DDAs) (Teethmate Desensitizer, Clinpro White Varnish, Shield Force Plus, and Gluma) in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity (DH) according to different evaluation parameters over a four-week follow-up period.

Methods and Materials: This study was a randomized, single-center, controlled, parallel group study involving 144 teeth in 40 subjects. The baseline DH levels of the subjects were determined using different evaluation parameters. Daily life hypersensitivity and evaporative air stimulus hypersensitivity scores were recorded using a visual analog scale (VAS), and tactile hypersensitivity scores were recorded using a Yeaple probe and measured in grams and on the VAS. Subjects who experienced evaporative air stimulus DH (30–80 mm on the VAS) and tactile hypersensitivity (10–50 g with the Yeaple probe) were included in the study. After application of the DDAs, these evaluation parameters were recorded throughout the follow-up period (immediately after application and at one day and two and four weeks post-application).

Results: All four DDAs demonstrated clinical dentin-desensitizing effects throughout the follow-up period according to evaporative air hypersensitivity, tactile sensitivity (g-VAS), and daily life hypersensitivity scores (p<0.05). Only Clinpro White Varnish had tactile sensitivity (g) scores that were similar at baseline and the one-day follow-up (p>0.05). A comparison of DH-reducing effects among the DDAs revealed that they yielded different results immediately after application and at the one-day follow-up time point, depending on which evaluation parameter was used. However, all DDAs showed similar DH-reducing effects at the two- and four-week follow-up time points.

Conclusions: Teethmate Desensitizer, Clinpro White Varnish, Shield Force Plus, and Gluma DH showed clinical efficacy for four weeks. DDAs may produce inconsistent clinical evaluation scores not only across different evaluation parameters but also between early and later follow-up time points.
Repair Surface Conditioning Measures Affect Enamel and Dentin Bond Strength
Authors: Kanzow P , Piecha L , Biermann J , Wiegand A
Published: June 2020

Clinical Relevance

Contamination of enamel and dentin with repair surface conditioning measures should be avoided.

Objectives: To analyze whether the contamination with different repair conditioning measures impairs the adhesive performance of a universal adhesive applied in etch-and-rinse mode (ER) or self-etch mode (SE).

Methods and Materials: Bovine enamel and dentin surfaces (each subgroup n=16) were bonded with a universal adhesive in ER or SE after contamination with different repair conditioning measures (sandblasting, silica coating, hydrofluoric acid etching, self-etching ceramic primer). In half of the groups, sand-blasting, silica coating, and hydrofluoric acid etching was followed by the use of a universal primer. If the universal adhesive was applied in ER, contamination was performed either before or after phosphoric acid etching. If the universal adhesive was applied in SE, bonding was performed after contamination. In the control groups, no contamination was simulated. Shear bond strength (SBS) and failure modes of composite buildups were determined after thermal cycling (10,000 cycles, 5°C-55°C). Statistical analysis was performed using analyses of variance, Weibull statistics, and χ2 tests (p<0.05).

Results: In ER, sandblasting and silica coating significantly reduced SBS (control: enamel =25.7±4.2 MPa; dentin = 22.0±5.3 MPa) only when performed after phosphoric acid etching. Contamination with hydrofluoric acid impaired SBS on enamel but not on dentin. The self-etching ceramic primer reduced SBS, but not significantly. The contamination with the universal primer had no significant effect. In SE, all repair conditioning measures except the universal primer reduced SBS (control: enamel = 20.3±5.5 MPa; dentin = 23.0±4.0 MPa).

Conclusion: Contamination of enamel and dentin by repair conditioning measures potentially affects bond strength.
Competencias digitales y necesidades formativas de e-estudiantes de la Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua
Authors: Bordas Beltrán José Luis , Arras Vota Ana María De Guadalupe , Gutiérrez Diez María Del Carmen , Sapien Aguilar Alma Lilia
Published: June 2020

Este artículo expone un estudio cuyo objetivo fue cotejar las percepciones de un grupo de estudiantes sobre las competencias que tienen en tecnologías de información y comunicación con las de sus docentes. Los alumnos participantes pertenecen a la licenciatura en línea de la Facultad de Contaduría y Administración de la Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua. El instrumento de medición comprendió seis tipos de competencias: básicas, de aplicación, profundización, trabajo en equipo, aprendizaje permanente y éticas. Metodológicamente, se planteó como un estudio de caso, cuantitativo; se desarrolló por procedimientos analítico-sintético y teórico-deductivo. Entre los resultados destaca la disparidad entre las valoraciones de estudiantes y docentes, con la tendencia de los primeros a asignarse evaluaciones superiores a las asignadas por los maestros, aun en competencias complejas. La indagación muestra que los alumnos, aunque tienen competencias digitales básicas, requieren reforzar las de aplicación y profundización, que remiten al uso de bases científicas informativas, de análisis, trabajo colectivo y conciencia ética.
Degradation of Methyl Violet Using TiO2-Bayah Natural Zeolite Photocatalyst
Authors: Kustiningsih Indar , Restiani Ria , Raharja Teja , Hasna Athia , Kartika Sari Denni
Published: June 2020

Degradation of methyl violet using photocatalysis method has been investigated. In this study TiO2 was superimposed on the surface of the Bayah natural zeolite with two solvents, ethanol and distilled water. The activation of the Bayah natural zeolite using HCl. In this study the effect of zeolite size (60.80 and 100 mesh), the composition of TiO2-Zeolite (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6) and intensity of photon energy on the degradation of methyl violet has been evaluated. The samples were were characterized by means X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD). The specific surface area of each sample was determined by the BET nitrogen gas adsorption/desorption method. The measurement of methyl violet concentration using UV Vis spectrophotometry. The results showed the optimum composition of TiO2 in zeolite was 4 grams with a solvent of distilled water. By Using this sample could reduce methyl violet by 94,5% for 4 hours with UV light intensity of 1340 μW /cm2.
Physical Characteristics of Briquettes Made of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) Using Brown Algae Adhesive
Authors: Dewita Ana , Faisal M. , Gani Asri
Published: June 2020

The charcoal produced from oil palm empty fruit bunches’ pyrolysis can be utilised as environmentally friendly alternative fuel briquettes. This research studied the physical characteristics of EFB briquettes using brown algae as an adhesive. The effect of the concentration of brown algae adhesive on briquette quality was investigated. The briquettes were prepared from EFB charcoal by adding adhesive at various concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% (w/w). Subsequently, proximate analysis was performed on EFB and brown algae. The best-quality briquettes were obtained by adding brown algae adhesive at 2.5% concentrate, which resulted in a calorific value of 21,405 J/g. Other characteristics, such as moisture content, ash content, volatile matter and fixed carbon, were found to be 7.4%, 4.9%, 79% and 8.7%, respectively. Thermal characteristics, such as density, flash point and burning time, were found at 0.96 g/cm3, 5.1 seconds and 300 minutes, respectively.
The Improvement of Hydrophilic Property of Polyethersulfone Membrane with Chitosan as Additive
Authors: Fathanah Umi , Machdar Izarul , Riza Medyan , Arahman Nasrul , Lubis Mirna Rahmah , Yusuf Mukramah
Published: June 2020

Membrane technology has been implemented broadly for clean water treatment. To produce a better membrane, modification is carried out by adding chitosan into a polymer solution. Materials used in this research are polyethersulfone (PES) 18%, the n-methyl pyrrolidone solvent modified with a chitosan solution (at 0.2 – 1 wt%) as an additive, and deionized water as a non-solvent. The membrane synthesis is carried out with the non-solvent induced phase separation method of blending the polymer. Membrane characterization includes functional group analysis, morphological structure, and water contact angle. Membrane performance is monitored at the filtration process, resulting in the permeability coefficient, and for the rejection of a contaminant (humic acid) with dead-end filtration. Research results show that the modified membrane characterization has an asymmetric morphological structure with a thinner top layer, and the membrane sublayer has a finger-like macrovoid structure with a larger size as compared to the original PES membrane (without the chitosan solution addition). The chitosan additive into the PES membrane improves the membrane’s hydrophilic property. The highest value of the permeability coefficient is achieved with a 1% chitosan addition, which provides a permeability coefficient value of 10.524 L/m2.h.bar and a rejection coefficient of 70.3%.
Analisis Kemampuan Merancang Rencana Pelaksanaan Pembelajaran Pada Mahasiswa Pendidikan Sosiologi Fakultas Ilmu Sosial Universitas Negeri Padang
Authors: Yulispa Melia , Junaidi Junaidi
Published: June 2020

Salah satu kemampuan yang dituntut dalam pembelajaran adalah merancang RPP. Kenyataannya, RPP yang dibuat mahasiswa pendidikan sosiologi belum sepenuhnya sesuai dengan ketentuan. Penelitian bertujuan untuk melihat kemampuan merancang rencana pelaksanaan pembelajaran pada mahasiswa pendidikan sosiologi. Metode yang dipakai dalam penelitian ini adalah kualitatif dengan menggunakan tipe evaluatif. Hasil penelitian mengungkapkan bahwa kemampuan merancang RPP pada mahasiswa Pendidikan Sosiologi Fakultas Ilmu Sosial Universitas Negeri Padang, hal ini disebabkan oleh faktor internal dan faktor eksternal. (1) penyebab internal, terdiri dari (a) malas bertanya, (b) motivasi belajar rendah, (c) kebiasaan mencontoh pada teman/senior. (2) penyebab eksternal, terdiri dari (a) kontrol dosen dan jurusan (b) kemudahan akses internet. Hasil penelitian ini berguna sebagai pedoman dan masukan khususnya mahasiswa pendidikan sosiologi dalam merancang RPP agar sesuai dengan komponen RPP yang sudah ditentukan.
Kontribusi Dukungan Sosial Orang Tua dan Peran Teman Sebaya Terhadap Hasil Belajar Sosiologi Siswa kelas X dan XI di SMA Negeri 2 Bengkulu Selatan
Authors: Alhafid Arif Fayyat , Nora Desri
Published: June 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk (1) Mendeskripsikan dukungan sosial orang tua siswa kelas X dan XI SMA Negeri 2 Bengkulu Selatan. (2) Mendeskripsikan peran teman sebaya siswa kelas X dan XI SMA Negeri 2 Bengkulu Selatan (3) Mendeskripsikan hasil belajar sosiologi siswa kelas X dan XI SMA Negeri 2 Bengkulu Selatan. (3) Mendeskripsikan kontribusi dukungan sosial orang tua terhadap hasil belajar sosiologi siswa kelas X dan XI SMA Negeri 2 Bengkulu Selatan. Penelitian dilaksanakan di SMA Negeri 2 Bengkulu Selatan dengan menggunakan metode kuantitatif jenis deskriptif, populasi sebanyak 245 orang siswa dengan jumlah sampel sebanyak 152 orang siswa, Secara rata-rata gambaran dukungan orangtua berada pada kategori tinggi yaitu sebesar 48.9%, Peran teman sebaya berada pada kategori sangat baik sebesar 88.44%, dan hasil belajar sosiologi berada pada kategori sangat tinggi sebesar 85.82%, Hipotesis dalam penelitian ini, adalah sebagai berikut; (1) Terdapat kontribusi yang signifikan antara dukungan orang tua terhadap hasil belajar sosiologi. (2) Terdapat kontribusi yang signifikan antara peran teman sebaya tentang hasil belajar sosiologi. (3) Terdapat kontribusi yang signifikan antara dukungan orang tua dan peran teman sebaya terhadap hasil belajar sosiologi.
Travel Behaviour of the Elderly in Planned and Unplanned Communities of Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria
Authors: Alade Wale , Olaseni Abubakar
Published: June 2020

Interest in the study of travel behaviour of the elderly has been growing in the last two decades and many of the works done were concentrated in the global north. Evidence from literature reveals that most of these studies focus more on the impacts of individual and household socioeconomic attributes, urban form, travel attributes, and policy factors on the travel behaviour of the elderly, but less onthe influence of neighbourhood planning. This paper examined the travel behaviour of old people in Festac town (planned) and Ketu (unplanned) community of Lagos metropolis, southwest Nigeria to determine the influence of neighbourhood planning on travel pattern. The two neighbourhoods were carefully and purposively selected for collection of socio-economic and travel data through a structured questionnaire that was administered on 155 randomly selected elderly respondents. The study revealed significant differences and some similarities in respondents’ socio-economic and travel characteristics. Respondents from the planned community have a higher daily meantrip rate and mean trip time than those in unplanned community. Residents of the planned community also undertake higher work and social trips and rely on automobile more than those in unplanned community. Apart from the fact that the majority of respondents travel more during the off-peak period, frequent road congestion was reported as the top mobility challenge among respondents in the two neighbourhoods. The study concluded that neighbourhood planning affects travel behaviour and recommended a walkable neighbourhood concept and promotion of elderly-friendly public transport system for the study area.

Keywords: Aging, community, elderly, neighbourhood planning, travel behaviour.