bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of patient doses from 177lu-PSMA in metastases prostate cancer treatment at King Chulalongkorn Memorial hospital
Authors:   , Chatachot Kotchakorn
Published: April 2023

177Lu-PSMA I&T has increasingly used for targeted radionuclide therapy of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Dosimetric calculation, therefore, is critical to achieve the optimal therapeutic activity while sparing side effects to the normal tissues. The purpose of this study was to determine the radiation dosimetry for metastases prostate cancer patients treated by 177Lu-PSMA I&T at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH). Whole-body planar images were acquired in eight patients (12 treatment cycles) at immediately, 4 and 24 h after 177Lu-PSMA I&T injection (range 4.36 to 8.58 GBq). Region of interests (ROIs) were manually contoured on the whole-body, liver, spleen, urinary bladder, lacrimal glands, and salivary glands (parotid and submandibular glands) in order to determine the time-integrated activity (TIA) in source organs and fitted the time-activity curves with the mono-exponential function. The S-values were extracted from the OLINDA/EXM version 2.0 calculated by the NURBS computational phantoms. These S-values were used to calculate the absorbed dose coefficient in target organs according to the Medical Internal Radiation Dose (MIRD) scheme. The absorbed doses to the red bone marrow were estimated using the planar two-compartment method described by Svensson et al by separating the high-uptake and low-uptake compartment. The spherical model was used to calculate the absorbed doses in the lacrimal glands.

The results showed that mean absorbed dose coefficients to the kidneys, bone marrow, liver, urinary bladder, spleen, lacrimal glands, parotid and submandibular glands were 0.81±0.24, 0.02±0.01, 0.13±0.10, 0.27±0.25, 0.16±0.07, 3.62±1.78, 0.21±0.14, 0.09±0.07 Gy/GBq, respectively. The dose constraints for the kidneys of 23 Gy, and 2 Gy for the bone marrow were not reached in any patients. The dosimetry results in this study suggest that 177Lu-PSMA I&T treatment with higher activities and more cycles is possible without the risk of damaging the organ-at-risk in prostate cancer patients.
Surface and build-up region dose measurement in head and neck region using radio - photoluminescent glass dosimeter
Authors:   , Choki Sonam
Published: April 2023

The use of commercially available radio-photoluminescent glass dosimeter (RPLGD) for radiation measurement has increased in recent years. It has been shown to have superior dosimetric characteristics as compared to other dosimeters. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the suitability of the GD-302M glass dosimeter for surface and build-up region dose measurement in head and neck region. The glass dosimeter was analyzed for its dosimetric properties in photon beam. Then, the study was performed for surface and build-up region dose comparison between EBT3 film and RPLGD in solid water phantom at 0, 2, 3, 5, 10 and 15mm depths of 6 MV beams. In addition, 3D-CRT and VMAT plans for nasopharyngeal carcinoma were transferred to a Rando phantom for verification of build-up region dose at 5 and 10mm depths. The results found that uniformity obtained in this study was within 1.1%. The dose-response was linear with R2 of 0.999. Dose rate, reproducibility, angular and energy dependence were found to be within 3.0%. Moreover, fading effect was less than 3% over 4 weeks. The dose in homogeneous solid water phantom showed good agreement between RPLGD and EBT3 film in build-up region. However, RPLGD showed over response of signal at the surface  due to the thickness of its holder. The verification in Rando phantom illustrated that build-up region doses were higher in TPS calculation compared to RPLGD measurements both in 3DCRT and VMAT. The average dose differences between measurements and calculations were -0.18±1.21% and 2.40±1.49% at 5 mm and 10 mm depth for 3D-CRT, and 4.74±1.12% and 3.44±4.41% at 5 mm and 10 mm depth for VMAT, respectively. In conclusion, RPLGD is less suitable for surface dose measurement but has good potential to be used as an in-vivo dosimeter in build-up dose measurements.
Protein-bound Uremic Toxins Lowering Effect of Sevelamer in Pre-dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients with Hyperphosphatemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors:   , Takkavatakarn Kullaya
Published: April 2023

Background: P-cresyl sulfate and indoxyl sulfate are strongly associated with cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study was conducted to compare the effects between sevelamer and calcium carbonate on protein-bound uremic toxins in pre-dialysis CKD patients with hyperphosphatemia. 

Methods: After 2 weeks of the run-in period, 40 pre-dialysis CKD patients with persistent hyperphosphatemia were randomly assigned to receive either daily 2,400 mg of sevelamer or 1,500 mg of calcium carbonate for 24 weeks. Serum p-cresyl sulfate, indoxyl sulfate, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), lipid profiles, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were evaluated. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the effect of sevelamer on p-cresyl sulfate level. 

Results: After 24 weeks, a significant decrease of serum p-cresyl sulfate was observed in sevelamer compared with calcium carbonate therapy (mean difference -5.61 mg/L; 95% CI -11.01 to -0.27 mg/L; p=0.04). Sevelamer had obvious effects in lowering FGF23 (p= 0.007) and LDL-cholesterol levels (p<0.001) but did not affect serum indoxyl sulfate and hs-CRP levels.

Conclusions: Sevelamer could effectively reduce serum p-cresyl sulfate, FGF23 levels, and improve lipid profiles in pre-dialysis CKD patients with hyperphosphatemia. Our data suggest the additional benefits of sevelamer over calcium-based phosphate binder in cardiovascular protection.
Effect of peak plantar presure on plantar corn size
Authors:   , Wongchinchai Milintorn
Published: April 2023

Background: Corn and callus are one of the most common problems faced by dermatologists in dermatology clinic. Repeated local irritation to plantar skin results in the thickening of traumatized skin. Corn and callus are often overlooked, and this becomes longstanding problem causing pain when walking and standing up. There is no study explore the correlation between plantar pressure and size of corn.

Objectives: To explore the correlation between peak plantar pressure and size of corn

Materials and methods: 30 participants with plantar corn were recruited in this study. Their plantar corns were measured in millimetre using a dermoscope. Each participant was asked to walk at their normal speed along RSscan platform in order to measure their plantar pressure. After that Teckscan insole plantar pressure system was installed into each shoe. The participants were asked to walk again at their normal pace. Female participants will be asked to bring their high heels with them on the appointment date. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze whether there was a correlation between magnitude of peak plantar pressure and size of corn.

Results: There was no correlation between magnitude of peak plantar pressure and size of corn (P-value = 0.56). There was a statistically significant correlation between duration and size of corn (P value = 0.006).

Conclusions: These findings demonstrated that the longer the onset of corn, the larger the corn can become. Plantar corn should be treated as soon as possible in order to prevent long term problems.
Functional analysis of glutathione s-transferase from the extremophile Halothece sp. PCC7418
Authors:   , Kortheerakul Chananwat
Published: April 2023

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) are a set of multifunctional enzymes encoded by large gene families. It has been functionally demonstrated that GSTs play vital roles in cellular detoxification, regulation of redox-dependent process, and stress responses. Although the GST gene family has been extensively studied across taxa, the function of the GST genes in primordial oxygenic phototrophs such as cyanobacteria is poorly understood. In this thesis, GSTs from extremophilic cyanobacterium Halothece sp. PCC7418 (hereafter Halothece GSTs) were identified and functionally characterized. The genome-based analysis showed that there were four GSTs in Halothece 7418 (GST_0647, GST _0729, GST _1478, and GST _3557). Phylogenetic relationship revealed that these cyanobacterial GSTs were highly divergent. GST _0647 and GST _1478 are paralogous genes while other two GSTs (GST_0729 and GST _3557) are distinct. These Halothece GSTs were cloned and successfully expressed in E. coli BL21. Stress tolerance of expressing cells were evaluated under salt and oxidative stresses. Amongst four expressing cells, the GST _3557 performed the greatest tolerance to oxidative and salt stresses. Viable cell count of GST_3557 under salt stress was higher than empty vector control approximately 18 folds. These results support the protective role and vital function of GST_3557 against abiotic stress in a heterologous expression system. Recombinant GST_3557 exhibited GST activity toward 1-chloro-2, 4- dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and glutathione (GSH) with a broad range of activity at pH 6.5–10.5. Kinetic parameters showed the apparent Km for CDNB and GSH was 0.14±0.02 and 0.74±0.29 mM, respectively. Thus, GST _3557 had high affinity for electrophilic substrate, CDNB. In case of peroxidase activity, GST _3557 did not perform activity in all our conditions tested. Results from this study provided insight into the molecular and cellular functions of cyanobacterial GST, which is less understood compared to other counterparts. These results contribute toward understanding the mechanism behind physiological plasticity under a heterologous expression system.
The effect of the program promoting infection prevention behaviors in family caregivers of pre-school age children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: the application of self-care deficit nursing theory
Authors:   , Lamtrakul Su-ari
Published: April 2023

This quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest design aimed to compare infection prevention behaviors (medication administration, infection control, and infection surveillance) between the family caregivers of preschool-age children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the experimental group and the control group. This nursing program is based on the Self-Care Deficit theory, to enable dependent care agencies regarding infection prevention behaviors of family caregivers. The dependent care agency consisted of the ability to acquired knowledge, ability to make a decision, and ability to perform infection prevention behaviors. The sample was 45 family caregivers of preschool age children with ALL, 23 were an experimental group and 22 were a control group. The family caregivers have been evaluated for infection prevention behaviors on the first day and 12th day of study using the Infection Prevention Behaviors Questionnaires (IPBQ).

The finding revealed that the mean difference scores of infection prevention behaviors in the experimental group had significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05).This result indicated the effectiveness of the Self-Care Deficit theory application’s nursing intervention in enhancing infection prevention behaviors in family caregivers of preschool age with ALL.
Comparing patient-reported outcome measures among 3 methods of dental implant placement
Authors:   , Engkawong Sunida
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this study was to compare patient-reported outcome measures including post-operative pain, swelling, patient's expectation and satisfaction among 3 techniques of dental implant placement including a) conventional freehand, b) dynamic, and c) static Computer-Aided Implant Surgery. Ninety patients were randomly assigned to receive dental implant placement with one of the 3 protocols. Participants were asked to fill in a series of self-administered questionnaires assessing 1) pre-operative expectations, 2) post-operative healing events during the first week after surgery, and 3) overall satisfaction with the procedures at two weeks. Eighty-eight patients completed the study, 2 patients in dynamic CAIS group who failed to follow-up were excluded. Comparing among 3 groups, patients’ expectation on the duration of post-operative chewing difficulty was significantly different (p=0.04). Their experiences of the duration of post-operative pain, speaking limitations, and impact on routine activities were significantly different among 3 groups (p=0.01, 0.038, and 0.046, respectively, Kruskal Wallis test). Overall, the duration of post-operative pain and swelling was longer than they expected (p=0.035 and 0.001, respectively, Wilcoxon signed rank test). Nevertheless, no significant difference in magnitude of post-operative pain, swelling, and painkiller consumption was found among the groups. The short-term functional limitations after surgery were deemed acceptable by most participants and 89% were satisfied by the overall procedure. In conclusion, surgical placements of dental implant with conventional freehand, static, and dynamic computer-aided techniques did not result in any difference in the level of post-operative pain and swelling. All techniques appeared to lead to equal levels of satisfaction as expressed by the patients post-operatively. However, the expectation of the duration of chewing difficulty, as well as the experience of pain duration, speaking difficulty and inability to conduct daily routine activities after surgery were significantly different among groups. Patients appeared to significantly underestimate the duration of post-operative pain and swelling.
Biological effects of epigallocatechin gallate during the protection of the submandibular gland after injury
Authors:   , Sulistiyani Erni
Published: April 2023

Background: When radiotherapy is delivered to head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, the salivary gland (SG) secretory epithelia can be irreversibly injured in up to 60% of the individuals, leading to dry mouth or xerostomia. Radiotherapy’s effectiveness in suppressing HNC growth is correlated with an increase in free radicals that produce DNA damage to the tumor and neighboring organs like the SG. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is one of the most abundant polyphenols present in green tea leaves and a well-known antioxidant. In previous in vitro study using genetically modified immortal SG cell lines, EGCG protected SG cells from γ-radiation. However, the ability of EGCG to maintain SG epithelia during homeostasis and to provide radioprotection for SG organ is poorly understood, and thus it requires further investigations.

Aim: To investigate whether EGCG supports epithelial maintenance during salivary gland homeostasis and determine if EGCG protects the salivary gland from epithelial injury induced by radiotherapy.

Methods: In the homeostasis SG developmental model, ex vivo fetal mouse submandibular glands were cultured with EGCG for 72h at 7.5-30 µg/mL. Next, SG epithelial branching morphogenesis was measured by bright-field microscopy and gene expression arrays. In the injury SG model, conventional linear accelerator (LINAC) technology for radiotherapy was used at 5-10 Gy to determine the optimal dose for generating radiation injury. To confer EGCG protection, glands were pretreated with EGCG at 7.5-15 µg/mL for 24 hours and induced by 7 Gy and then compared to the irradiated group after cultured for 48h. To measure the end bud growth, epithelial growth quantification using bright-field microscopy was performed every 24h. Laser confocal scanning microscopy, gene expression arrays, the Griess assay, and whole-mount immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to evaluate the biological effects of EGCG on SG epithelial cells.

Results: In ex vivo SG organ culture conditions, EGCG at 7.5 µg/mL maintained epithelial SG homeostasis during development. After radiation injury, EGCG pre-treatment protected the growth, mitosis, and maturation of the epithelia, generated a mature SG epithelial acinar and ductal compartment, increased the epithelial stem cell niche (Sox2+), decreased radiation-induced cellular apoptosis, and reduced the oxidant stress markers.

Benefit: This research work led to a better understanding of the therapeutic potential of EGCG to prevent radiation-induced epithelial SG injury in the ex vivo fetal organ.
Effect of endothelin-1 on cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression and prostaglandin E2 synthesis in human periodontal fibroblasts
Authors:   , Unmanatakoon Supachai
Published: April 2023

The objective of this study is to clarify the effect of endothelin-1 on COX-2 mRNA expression and PGE2 production from human periodontal ligament fibroblasts. Effect of various concentration of ET-1 on cell viability of primary human periodontal ligament fibroblasts was determined by an MTT assay. Then, primary human periodontal ligament fibroblasts were treated with 10 pM ET-1 for 0.5, 1, 2, 4 hours to investigate the time-course effect. Furthermore, to investigate the dose-response effect, periodontal ligament fibroblasts were treated with 1, 10, 100 pM ET-1 for 1 hour. The untreated cells were set as control. RNA extraction followed by cDNA synthesis and real-time PCR were performed to assess COX-2 expression level. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay along with micro BCA protein assay was performed to assess PGE2 production from the time-course experiment. One-way ANOVA followed by Games-Howell post-hoc analysis was used to analyze the difference between groups. The result showed that ET-1 significantly increased COX-2 expression in a time-dependent (P<0.05) but not dose-dependent manner. PGE2 level was also increased at 1 hour of ET-1 treatment, though not statistically significant. Further investigation is required to determine the effect of ET-1 in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts.
The effectiveness of led toothbrush in reducing dental plaque and gingivitis in fixed orthodontic patients: a randomized clinical trials
Authors:   , Manphibool Chavirakarn
Published: April 2023

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of LED toothbrush to manual toothbrush in reducing dental plaque and gingival inflammation in fixed orthodontic patients, and to investigate the effect of duration of LED toothbrush exposed to the S.mutans biofilm in vitro.

Materials and methods: Fifteen fixed orthodontic patients were recruited to this parallel-group analysis. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups relying on brushing methods: manual toothbrush and LED toothbrush. Plaque index and gingival index were examined by a calibrated-blinded examiner at baseline and 28 days after brushing period. In vitro part, the S. mutans biofilms were assigned to 5 groups with 6 samples each, depending on the duration of LED exposure, which are 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 120 seconds, and the control with no LED exposure.

Results: Between-group comparisons showed no significant difference in plaque index and gingival index. The LED toothbrush significantly reduced dental plaque at the gingival portion on the bracket side. In vitro part, the percentage of bacterial viability was significantly reduced in 15, 30, 60, 120 seconds group.

Conclusion: LED toothbrush did not more effective in reducing dental plaque and gingival inflammation than the manual toothbrush in fixed orthodontic patients. The LED blue light from the LED toothbrush significantly reduced the number of S.mutans in biofilm in vitro when the biofilm was exposed to the light for at least 15 seconds.
МУЛЬТИМЕДИЯЛЫҚ ТЕХНОЛОГИЯЛАРДЫҢ КӨМЕГІМЕН ШЕТ ТІЛІН ҚАШЫҚТЫҚТАН ОҚЫТУ
Authors:   Павлодар педагогикалық университеті, Павлодар қ., Қазақстан Республикасы, Шәншәр С.Ш. , Жетпісбай Ә.Қ. ,   Павлодар педагогикалық университеті, Павлодар қ., Қазақстан Республикасы
Published: April 2023

Қазіргі уақытта мультимедиялық технологиялар шет тілдерін дамытуға қатысты белгіленді. Кейбір мұғалімдер мультимедиа ағылшын тілін үйренуді жеңілдетеді деп мәлімдейді. Бұл зерттеу жұмысы мультимедиялық технологияның ағылшын тілін оқытудың тиімділігіне әсерін зерттеуге бағытталды. Мақалада студенттерге ағылшын тілін қашықтықтан оқыту режимінде жұмыс істеу барысында жинақталған авторлардың тәжірибесі берілген. Мақалада шет тілдерін оқытудың негізгі ерекшеліктері (оқу материалын таңдау, оқу материалдарын техникалық және педагогикалық өңдеу, мұғалімнің рөлі, студенттерді ынталандыру мен дайындау, нәтижені бағалау) және дәстүрлі және қашықтықтан оқытудың негізгі айырмашылықтары қарастырылады режимдері. Мақаланың қорытынды бөлімінде техникалық жағының қиындықтары баяндалып, дәстүрлі және қашықтан оқытудың салыстырылуы жүргізіледі. Салыстыру нәтижесінде жасалған тұжырымдар ерекше назар аударуды қажет ететін салаларды анықтауға, сонымен қатар шет тілдерін және атап айтқанда ағылшын тілін тиімді оқытудың ең қолайлы құралдарын таңдауға мүмкіндік береді. Жұмыста карантиндік немесе үйде оқыту жағдайында студенттерге ақпараттық-коммуникациялық технологияларды, сондай-ақ электронды білім беру ортасын құру және қашықтықтан оқыту үдерісінің тиімділігін қамтамасыз ету үшін пайдалануға болатын әртүрлі интернет-платформаларды пайдалана отырып, қашықтықтан оқытуды ұйымдастыру моделі қарастырылған. Кілт сөздер: ағылшын тілі, мультимедиа, мобильді қосымша, қашықтықтан оқыту, интернет-платформа, электрондық білім беру ортасы, ақпараттық-коммуникациялық технологиялар.
THE USE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGIES IN ONLINE MEDIA PUBLICATIONS
Authors:   Kazakh National University named after al-Farabi, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kushaliyeva T.O.
Published: April 2023

The aim of the article is to give practitioners and theorists of journalism an understanding of the importance of using modern technologies in online media practice as a component of the transformation of the journalist’s work, as well as changes in traditional journalism in connection with the introduction of new technologies. The relevance of the topic lies in the study from a scientific point of view of a new technological format, the use of AI and modern content as immersiveness in the preparation of journalistic material. The research methodology includes a theoretical and comparative analysis of the study of AI technologies based on research by domestic and foreign media experts, an analysis of the experience of universities and media organizations. The author believes that the phenomenon of AI and modern content technologies involves theoretical understanding and practical application in the media space of Kazakhstan. The results of the study will make a certain contribution to the development of digital technologies in the media sphere of the country. The practical significance of the results of this work lies in the analysis of a new format for presenting information: the creation of recommendations and the introduction of a “smart feed” and multi-format content in the media, which allows selecting news for a specific user. Key words: AI, new media research, transformation of journalism, Kazakhstan, modern technologies, development of journalism.
ҚАЗАҚСТАННЫҢ ОРТАЛЫҚ АЙМАҒЫНЫҢ БІЛІМ ЖҮЙЕСІНДЕГІ МЕМЛЕКЕТТІК ТІЛДІҢ АХУАЛЫ
Authors:   Әл-Фараби атындағы Қазақ ұлттық университеті, Алматы, Қазақстан Республикасы, Оразхан Н.Н.
Published: April 2023

Еліміздегі мемлекеттік тілдің қызметі әр түрлі екені белгілі. Мемлекеттік тілдің қай жерде қай салада қандай дәрежеде екені кейбір басқару органдары мамандарына белгілі болуы мүмкін, бірақ тілдік жоспарлауда тіл саясатын жүргізетін мекемелер ескере бермейді. Республика бойынша белгіленген шаралар нақты фактілерге негізделмей, сөзге құрылады, бұл тілдердің жер-жерде тиісті дәрежеде дамуын өз деңгейінде қамтамасыз етпейді. Мақалада қазақ тілінің елімізде мемлекеттік мәртебеге лайық қызмет атқаруы үшін алдымен қоғамдағы нақты жағдайын анықтап, сол жағдайды жөндейтін жолдарды іздестіру қажет екендігі айтылады. Осындай мақсатқа жету үшін, жергілікті тілдік жағдайға өзара әсер ететін түрлі факторларды қарастырылады. Қазақстанның Орталық аумағының білім жүйесіндегі мемлекеттік тілдік ахуал мәселелері социолингвистикалық тұрғыдан зерттеледі. Кілт сөздер: қазақ тіл, әлеуметтік лингвистика, көпэтносты, орталық аймақ, тілдік ахуал, білім жүйесі.
Iltifāt and Narrative Voice in the Qurʾān: Grammatical Shifts and Nested Dialogue in Sūrahs 19, 20, and 18
Authors: Mutter Jessica
Published: April 2023

This article analyzes the Qurʾān’s use of an Arabic rhetorical device called iltifāt, the shift of person within a text. It addresses the way iltifāt has been interpreted by medieval Muslim exegetes and the implications of its use for the structure and cosmology of the Qurʾān. By analyzing the use of iltifāt in the Qurʾān, the article demonstrates that the qurʾānic narrator exclusively refers to itself in the first-person plural, and that shifts to other persons (e.g., first-person singular) signify shifts into nested dialogues, asides, and/or narratives within narratives. Furthermore, the way this narrator refers to earthly and heavenly beings suggests that this first-person plural narrator holds a distinct place in the Qurʾān’s cosmology, one that is linked to but distinct from God and other inhabitants of the heavens.
Prevalenca e kariesit tek popullata duhanpirëse e Kosovës
Authors: Kelmendi Jeta , Ilijazi-Shahiqi Donika , Berisha Nora , Kamberi Blerim
Published: April 2023

Lidhja midis pirjes së duhanit dhe kariesit të dhëmbëve është bërë temë e rëndësishme e hulumtimit në studimet të autorëve të ndryshëm. Prandaj, ky studim ka për qël- lim, hulumtimin e marrëdhënies midis pirjes së duhanit dhe prevalencës së kariesit të dhëmbëve në popullatën e Kosovës. Në Qendrën Klinike Stomatologjike Universitare të Kosovës, u ekzaminuan 9387 pacientë të grupmoshave të ndryshme, në një periudhë kohore janar 2010–dhjetor 2011. Kariesi u përcaktua me indeksin e DMFT ( dhëm- bët e prishur, të humbur dhe të mbushur). Në seksionin e zakoneve të këqija janë përfshirë duhanpirja, drogat dhe alkooli ku me përqindjen më të lartë rreth 71% u deklaruan që nuk konsumojnë duhan, droga apo alkool, 16.5% e pa- cientëve deklaruan që konsumojnë duhan, përderisa 0.8% e pacientëve deklaruan që konsumojnë duhan dhe alkool, dhe 0% deklaruan që nuk konsumojnë alkool. Ekziston një lidhje e dobët midis pirjes së duhanit dhe paraqitjes së kariesit të dhëmbëve.
Faktorët që ndikojnë në zgjedhjen e profesionit të mjekut në Kosovë
Authors: Çitaku Ekrem , Çitaku Emre
Published: April 2023

Në këtë epokë moderne ekzistojnë zgjedhje të shumta për karriere profesionale. Zgjedhja e duhur e karrierës luan një rol të madh në formimin e të ardhmes së një personi. Është e rëndësishme të identifikohen dhe të njihen motivet pse të rinjtë aktualisht aplikojnë për Fakultetin e Mjekësisë. Në literaturën ndërkombëtare shkencore, tema për faktorët kryesorë që qëndrojnë prapa zgjedhjes së profesionit të mjekut, është mjaft e shtjelluar, por në Kosovë ka shumë pak studime lidhur me faktorët kryesorë që qëndrojnë prapa zgjedhjes se profesionit të mjekut. Praktikisht, kjo është një temë jashtë interesit të drejtpërdrejtë institucio- nal dhe publik. Qëllimi i këtij hulumtimi është përcaktimi i faktorëve kryesore që qëndrojnë prapa zgjedhjes së profe- sionit të mjekut. Hulumtimi ka qenë i llojit sasior, eksplor- ativ dhe me natyrë empirike. Hulumtimi është realizuar përmes pyetësorëve. Të dhënat janë përpunuar përmes programit softuerik SPSS. Mostra ka përfshirë 300 mjekë/ stomatologë (që punojnë në nivelin parësor, dytësor dhe tretësor) dhe studentë të Fakultetit të Mjekësisë të Univer- sitetit të Prishtinës. Nga ky numër 55.7% (N=167) ishin të gjinisë femërore. Mosha mesatare e pjesëmarrësve ishte 31.4±9.14, ku pjesëmarrësi me i ri ishte 20 vjeçar, kurse më i moshuari 61 vjeçar. Ndërsa faktorët kryesorë në zgjedh- jen e profesionit të mjekut në Kosovë janë: dëshira për t’i ndihmuar njerëzve të sëmurë (56,7%), fitimi i titullit doktor (40%) dhe tradita familjare (23%).
Impact of the ageing of populations on local government revenues and expenditures
Authors:   University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Sciences, Poland, Kopańska Agnieszka
Published: April 2023

Ageing populations are a challenge for public finances. The problem is recognised better at country than at local level. This study aims to analyse the impact of the ageing of populations on the revenues and expenditures of Polish municipalities, as well as on their most important components. The author performed an econometric analysis (fixed effects regression) of panel data for 2,414 municipalities between 2004 and 2019. The data for the study was obtained from budgetary statements of Polish municipalities collected by the Ministry of Finance. It was preceded by an international literature review and an analysis of demographic changes in municipalities. The demographic data came from the Local Data Bank of Statistics Poland. The study positively verified the hypothesis that if the proportion of elderly citizens in a municipality increases, the local budget shrinks. A decrease in revenues and spending per capita was observed, which could mean that in ageing municipalities, citizens receive fewer and/or lower-quality public services. Since public services are in greater demand among lowerincome and less self-supporting citizens, they will be influenced by the cutting of local budgets to the largest extent. The study showed that ageing municipalities tend to spend less on care homes than those where the proportion of the elderly is smaller, even though this form of care is particularly needed in ageing communities. It means that the ageing problem might deepen horizontal inequalities between municipalities. Preventing this from happening requires effective local strategies in addition to a well-devised central policy.
Application of multivariate statistical analysis to assess the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 8 in European Union countries
Authors:   University of Szczecin, Institute of Economics and Finance, Poland, Bieszk-Stolorz Beata , Dmytrów Krzysztof ,   University of Szczecin, Institute of Economics and Finance, Poland
Published: April 2023

Sustainable development should ensure a fair and balanced natural, social and economic environment. Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) – decent work and economic growth – is of the greatest economic importance. The purpose of the study is to assess the implementation of SDG 8 in EU member states. The analysis covered the years 2002–2021 with a particular focus on two crises periods: the financial crisis of 2007–2009 and the COVID-19 pandemic in the years 2020–2021. The study uses Eurostat data and multivariate statistical analysis methods, i.e. cluster analysis – the k-means method and linear ordering – the TOPSIS method. Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden are the countries where the fulfilment of SDG 8 was the greatest, while the lowest was observed in Greece, Italy, Romania, Slovakia and Spain. The study also shows that the countries which joined the EU in 2004 generally demonstrated a much lower degree of SDG 8 implementation compared to the well-developed Western Europe. The influence of the crisis periods was more visible in the results of the cluster analysis than in the rankings. The novelty of the research involves the application of multivariate statistical analysis methods to assess the overall situation of the studied countries in terms of their implementation of SDG 8 while taking into account both crisis periods.
George Vâlsan as Ethnographer
Authors:   “Babeş-Bolyai” University Cluj-Napoca, TOFAN GEORGE-BOGDAN
Published: April 2023

"This paper aims to put build a memory of the efforts of the savant George Vâlsan during his later years and his activity in the city of Cluj, between 1919-1929. Besides the science of Geography, one of his main goals was to serve the “new science” of Ethnography, especially the creation and organization of the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania, alongside the management of the Romanian Ethnographic Society of Cluj (1923-1927) and the geographic-ethnographic section of ASTRA (1920-1929). He is thus seen as a trailblazer, becoming fully aware that he will only accomplish his “ethnographic duties” if he surrounds himself with young individuals eager for knowledge and ready to answer his long term call, lauched ever since his studies in Berlin. Keywords: people, identity, museum, “new science”, sheepherding. "
Childhood Education: Critical To Achieving Sustainable Development Goal
Authors:   Department of Business Administration Nexus International University Uganda., I.Y. Muhammad
Published: April 2023

The early years of the child lays the foundation for solid or weak development. Much of the first two years of life are spent in the creation of a child's first "sense of self" or the building of a first identity. This is a crucial part of children's makeup—how they first see themselves, how they think they should function, how they expect others to function in relation to them. For this reason, early care ensures that in addition to employing carefully selected and trained caretakers, program policy emphasise links with family, home culture and home language. Regrettably, the Nigerian child suffers deprivation from lack of good social services in terms of poor nutrition, health care and access to safe water and sanitation, general protection from environmental hazards and insecurity. All of these gave justification for the formulation of National Policy for Integrated Early Childhood Development in Nigeria (IECD), which was officially launched in October 2007. There is serious neglect of early childhood education programme and invariably might hinder achieving the 2030 global agenda of sustainable development. This paper therefore called for an overhaul of childhood education so as to facilitate the realization of the sustainable goals. Keywords: SDG, Education, Child care, Development and Childhood.
Exploration of the factors influencing access to university education by students from rural secondary schools: A case study of Kasese District in Uganda
Authors:   Department of Education, Management and Administration of Kampala International University Uganda., Mbabazi Asiati , Aisha Asiimwe ,   Department of Education, Management and Administration of Kampala International University Uganda., Mwesigye Adrian ,   Department of Education, Management and Administration of Kampala International University Uganda.
Published: April 2023

This study examined the factors influencing access to university education by students from rural secondary schools in Kasese District of Uganda. This research used a descriptive study design on a sample of 98 respondents. Data were collected using questionnaires and interview guides and were analysed using frequencies and percentages. The results from this research revealed several factors that affected accessibility to university education such as parents level of income, students academic ability, the perceived ability of graduates to save, invest and start a business, the need to meet demands of modernization and value addition of graduates and self sponsorship. In conclusion, the results from this research indicated that academic ability and distance to the universities was the two major factors affecting accessibility to university education. This research recommends that students in rural secondary schools should be properly guided to improve their individual behaviour, social interactions and networks. Keywords: Factor, access, university, education, students and Kasese
Financial Transparency and Financial Performance of Listed Manufacturing Firms in Nigeria
Authors:   Department of Accounting, School of Business and Management Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria., Friday Ibeaja, Uzoma , Ukachukwu Nosiri, Hilary ,   Department of Accounting, College of Social and Management Sciences, Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria., Churchill Okoro, Chinonso ,   Department of Accounting, Faculty of Management Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
Published: April 2023

The study examined the effect of financial transparency on the performance of listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria. To achieve the objective of the study, descriptive research design was adopted. The data were collected through primary source with the aid of wellstructured questionnaire. The sample of the study was 250 respondents purposively selected from five listed manufacturing firms located in South East Nigeria. The data collected from these respondents were analyzed using multiple regression analysis and the following findings were revealed; (i) Ownership structure, board of directors and timeliness of information have positive and significant effect on profitability of listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria, (ii) Ownership structure, board of directors and timeliness of information have positive and significant effect on accountability of listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria and (iii) Ownership structure, board of directors and timeliness of information have positive and significant effect on sales growth of listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria. Based on the findings, the study recommends Since the result showed that financial transparency has positive and significant effect on firm’s profitability, it’s prudent for listed companies to disclose as much information as possible and also ensure that the information disclosed are transparent so as to minimize the level of information asymmetry and consequently stimulate financial performance. The companies can also take the control of financial performance of the company through using high proficiency, experienced and independent managers with the necessary legal power as a potentially powerful mechanism and to be a cause of improvement in the accountability of the company. Keywords: Financial, Transparency, Ownership Structure, Board of Directors and Information.
Implication of Data stream offloading (DO) in Fog Computing applications: A Comparative Study
Authors:   Nnamdi Azikiwe Unversity, Awka (NAU), Nigeria, Akawuku Godspower I. , Okonkwo Rapheal O. ,   Nnamdi Azikiwe Unversity, Awka (NAU), Nigeria, Adejumo Samuel ,   Nnamdi Azikiwe Unversity, Awka (NAU), Nigeria;, Okofor Kennedy C.
Published: April 2023

In the world of data currency for computational transaction from end user to the edge, then to the cloud, this sequence of digitally encoded coherent signals (homogenous and heterogenous data packets) used to transmit or receive information becomes necessary to understudy. The paper seeks to tabularly survey the implication of data stream workload in various applications vis-à-vis Technology Driver, Defects/Limitations and Support for Big Data Stream mobile Computing (BDSMC). Three major databases, Scopus, ScienceDirect and EBSCO, which indexes journals and conferences that are promoted by entities such as IEEE, ACM, SpringerLink, and Elsevier were explored as data sources. Out of the initial 119 papers that resulted from the first search string, 40 papers were found to be relevant to the research concern after implementing the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In conclusion, it was recommended that research efforts should be geared towards developing scalable frameworks and algorithms that will accommodate data stream offloading, effective resource management strategy and workload issues to accommodate the ever-growing size and complexity of data. Keywords: Data stream, Stream computing, Data stream limitations, fog computing
Análisis de viabilidad para el desarrollo de un proyecto de aplicación sobre fracciones mediante el uso de recursos digitales en Moodle Cloud, caso: 9no Año de Educación Básica de La Unidad Educativa Vinces
Authors: Echeverría Mancero Ruth
Published: April 2023

El ejercicio docente ha permitido detectar falencias en cuanto al aprendizaje de fracciones, y todos los ejercicios numéricos que la componen; por lo que se propone el desarrollo de una guía didáctica para la enseñanza de este tema por medio del uso de la plataforma Moodle Cloud y metodologías de la gamificación. De esta manera, se busca mejorar la percepción de los conocimientos por parte de los estudiantes a través del cambio en la aproximación metodológica, ya que el uso de herramientas digitales permite al cuerpo docente la experimentación e innovación desde lo pedagógico y procedimental. En ese sentido, Moodle Cloud permite una integración de recursos que pueden ser utilizados para incidir en la percepción dinámica de esta rama de operaciones matemáticas.
Flood hazard risk assessment based on multi-criteria spatial analysis GIS as input for spatial planning policies in Tegal Regency, Indonesia
Authors: Wahyu Sejati , Putri Savira , Rahayu Sri , Buchori Imam , Rahayu Kristantri , Andika Wiratmaja , Muzaki Ahmad , Basuki Yudi
Published: April 2023

Recent discussions on flood disasters concern the risk factors and causes between nature and anthropogenic activities. This disaster requires serious handling, which needs to be analysed, especially in areas affected by flooding with the Tegal Regency, Indonesia case study. The weakness of the existing mitigation efforts still needed comprehensive analyses, requiring a multi-criteria assessment based on GIS spatial analysis. The GIS method used is a raster calculator and weighted superimpose by setting several calculation variables from both physical and non-physical aspects to support the multicriteria spatial analysis. The results show that spatially, more than 30% of areas with a high-risk index are located in the downstream or coastal regions of Tegal Regency. However, the index of capacity and resilience in several flood-affected sub-districts is at an index above 0.5, so they have good strength to disasters such as the four sub-districts of Adiwerna, Bumijawa, Bojong, and Kramat. From the analysis results, land use change is the biggest problem that affects the number of the flood event. With this condition, the appropriate mitigation effort for Tegal Regency is strengthening the spatial planning policy and increasing the capacity, especially in disaster governance in a high-risk area. Thus, the vulnerability and hazard factors will be anticipated with high community participation in strengthening the capacity index.
Visual dysfunction and work invalidity in patients with diabetes and hypertension
Authors: Krstović-Spremo Vesna , Bokonjić Dejan , Marić Veljko , Kulić Ljiljana , Radulović Danijela
Published: April 2023

Objective. Diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension are chronic, mass non-communicable diseases that are global health problems with characteristics of epidemiology where complications of these diseases are the common reason for visual handicap and disability in the work productive population. The primary aim of this paper was to analyze the frequency of visual dysfunction, and behavioral habits in diabetic and hypertensive patients and the second aim was to analyze the occurrence of work disability in patients with these diseases. Methods. The research is a cross-sectional study made in two Health Centers in the City of Eastern Sarajevo in a period of July 2018 to July 2019 (12 months). 192 patients with diabetes and 100 patients with hypertension were selected using the random sampling method. A special questionnaire was created for this purpose, and statistic analysis was made by SPSS (IBM, Chicago version 19). Statistical significance was tested with ch2 test. Results. Diabetic patients significantly have more visual disturbances than hypertensive patients according to subjective assessment (ch2=14.21, p< 0.001). Worsening of visual acuity is presented more in diabetic than in hypertensive patients (ch2=6.17, p<0.001). There is no significant difference in behavioral habits between diabetic and hypertensive patients for smoking (ch2=1.778, p=0.411) and alcohol consumption.( ch2=2.158, p=0.142). Patients with diabetes are more frequent in the status of work disability than those with hypertension (ch2=13,46, p<0,001). Conclusion. Mass non-communicable diseases are a common cause of visual dysfunction. Diabetes mellitus is the main reason for visual disability in the adult population from the region of Eastern Sarajevo. Behavioral habits like smoking and alcohol consumption have a serious impact on the prognosis of those patients.
Theoretical and Methodological Foundations of Information Security
Authors: Duben Andrei  Kirillovich
Published: April 2023

The article is devoted to the theoretical and methodological foundations of ensuring the information security of the state. Information wars in the global information space have become an urgent threat to the security and sovereignty of Russia. The article is devoted to the analysis of the theoretical foundations and methodology of studying the mechanism of ensuring information security, disclosure of essential features, the structure of the outlined category. Revealing the essential aspects of information security, the level of its provision in Russia is investigated. The purpose of the work is to assess the effectiveness of state program-targeted planning in the field of information security, to identify problem areas in this area. The article provides an overview of regulatory documents regulating information security issues. A special contribution to the author's research is that the specificity of the system of special methods in the topic under study is manifested in the complementarity of regulation determined by key vectors. At the same time, the key methodological function of information law is the formation of a set of tools purposefully designed to regulate relations in the information sphere in accordance with the objective laws of the dynamic development of the global information society and the existing state policy of digitalization. At the same time, the set of legal methods of regulating public relations in connection with countering threats and challenges to the security of the individual, society and the state in the information environment, based on the methods, are transformed based on the specifics of the subject area.
Experience of Developing Value Orientations of Future Teachers in the Process of Mastering the Bachelor's Program
Authors: Frolenkova Anastasiya Leonidovna , Ogorodnova Olga Vasil'evna , Kukuev Evgenii Anatol'evich
Published: April 2023

The article presents a theoretical analysis of approaches to the understanding of value orientations and mechanisms of their formation, reveals the impact of the educational process on the transformation of the complex value orientations of students - future teachers. The article presents the experience of designing the educational process of students in the direction of "Pedagogical education", aimed at promoting the development of value orientations of students - future teachers within the educational modules of the educational program. Particular attention in pedagogical design was paid to the peculiarities of applying the idea of affective area of B. Bloom's taxonomy of learning objectives and such mechanisms of value orientations formation as identification, empathy, individualization and reflection. D.A. Leontiev's "Meaning-Life Orientation Test" method was used to study the peculiarities of the complex of students' value orientations. The sample consisted of 84 students of "Pedagogical education" from the first to the third year. The results of the analysis of the data of the control study revealed positive dynamics in such indicators of value orientations as "satisfaction with the results of their life activities", "degree of independence", "degree of responsibility", "control over your life". Thus, the educational process, designed on the basis of such mechanisms of formation of value orientations, can be considered as a resource for the development of the value sphere of the personality of future teachers.