bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the psychometric properties of the Autism Stigma and Knowledge Questionnaire (ASK-Q) among Greek mental health professionals: an exploratory study
Authors: Papadopoulos Angelos , Tafiadis Dionysios , Tsapara Angeliki , Chaniotaki Maria , Voniati Louiza , Prentza Alexandra , Papadopoulos Lefteris , Trimmis Nikolaos , Plotas Panagiotis , Siafaka Vassiliki
Published: August 2024

Accurate knowledge about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), whether it is for children or adults, is necessary for healthcare professionals to address the increased needs of this population and decrease the disparities in the services provided. The study aims to adapt the Autism Stigma and Knowledge Questionnaire (ASK-Q) into Greek among mental health professionals (MHP), such as speech therapists, psychiatrists, and the general population (GP). The translated version was administered to 73 MHP and 140 GP according to the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Medical Outcomes Trust guidelines. Findings revealed that MHP had adequate knowledge of autism and did not endorse the stigma of autism. Statistically significant differences were indicated in ASK-Q subdomains between MHP and the GP and its four structural factors. The internal consistency was acceptable (α=0.646). The ROC analysis computed to determine the cut-off points of the ASK-Q four domains returned a result of 39.00 with a sensitivity of 0.616 and 1-specificity of 0.150. The proposed version of the ASK-Q has good psychometric properties and is valid and reliable for assessing the knowledge and stigma beliefs associated with autism among mental health professionals.
Escenarios para el diagnóstico de encefalopatía hipóxico isquémica e inicio de tratamiento con hipotermia controlada en recién nacidos con asfixia perinatal
Authors: Silvera Fernando , Gesuele Juan Pablo , Lucas Leandro , Vidal Gabriela , Martínez Viviana , Abisab María José , Herrera Tamara , Robatti Gisela , Birriel Florencia
Published: August 2024

La hipoxia isquemia perinatal y su complicación más temida, la encefalopatía hipóxica isquémica, continúa siendo uno de los principales motivos de ingreso a las unidades de cuidados neonatales. En la actualidad la hipotermia controlada es el tratamiento recomendado para los pacientes con encefalopatía moderada a severa, dado su carácter de neuroprotección ante la injuria cerebral hipóxico isquémica. Si bien los criterios de inclusión en esta terapia han sido bien establecidos, aún hay dificultades tanto en la identificación precoz de aquellos que pueden verse beneficiados, como en la toma de decisiones ante situaciones de controversia entre la evidencia disponible y la que se está gestando en estudios en curso. Este artículo pretende aportar herramientas al clínico para abordar diferentes escenarios que surgen de la práctica diaria.
Exercise Telehealth in Rural-Dwelling Adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline: The MN RIDE Pilot Study
Authors: Salisbury Dereck L. , Warry Wayne , Soderlund Patricia D. , Cruikshank Kirsten , Fergen Joshua , Jacklin Kristen
Published: August 2024

Background

The subjective cognitive decline (SCD) state offers a therapeutic window where interventions, such as aerobic exercise (AEx), have strong potential to delay the progression to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRDs). Rural communities have greater barriers in participating in exercise and are at a higher risk of developing ADRDs than urban dwellers. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the preliminary effectiveness of a synchronous AEx telerehabilitation program in persons with SCD living in rural areas.

Methods

The MN RIDE Study used a single-group, pretest-posttest design. All AEx sessions were supervised remotely via smart devices and Zoom by clinical exercise physiologists. The moderate-intensity AEx program was performed 3 times per week for 3 months (36 sessions). Outcomes assessed in participants’ places of residence included ADRD risk factors (depression [Geriatric Depression Scale]), cardiorespiratory fitness (1-min heart rate recovery from YMCA Step Test), and quality of life (WHOQOL). Paired t tests were performed, and effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were determined.

Results

The average age of the study sample (n = 9) was 57.4 ± 7.2 years (average age of SCD onset of 53.4 ± 7.5 years) with 14.0 ± 5.6 years of education; 78% of the participants were female. Moderate effect sizes were observed for the Geriatric Depression Scale (d = −0.65 [−1.39, 0.14]). Large effect sizes were observed for cardiorespiratory fitness (d = 0.73 [−15.49, 41.99]) and domain 1 on WHOQOL (d = 1.35 [−0.44, 1.82]).

Conclusions

Our study provides preliminary effectiveness and effect sizes regarding AEx telerehabilitation in persons with SCD living in underserved rural communities.
Clinical Exercise Physiologists in the United Kingdom: Multi-stakeholder Perspectives
Authors: Osin Connor , Crozier Anthony , Sadler Ian , Graves Lee E. F. , Dawson Ellen , Miller Gemma , Naylor Louise , Green Daniel J. , Askew Chris , Jones Helen
Published: August 2024

Background

In the UK Academy of Healthcare Science, registered clinical exercise physiologists (CEPs) receive specialist, master’s-level education and training in the knowledge and skills required to work with chronic and complex medical conditions based on a curriculum that was benchmarked against Australian standards. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of multiple stakeholders to identify the key knowledge and skills required for a registered CEP to work effectively in the United Kingdom and inform future iterations of the accredited curriculum.

Methods

Semistructured interviews of academics (n = 5), CEPs (n = 5) and service users (n = 5) explored perspectives of the key knowledge and skills required of a CEP in UK health care. Reflexive thematic analysis was performed to identify the key knowledge and skills of a UK-registered CEP that all the stakeholders deemed important.

Results

Six themes were identified from the interviews. The CEP-specific themes were identified as pathophysiology, physiological assessments, exercise prescription, exercise delivery, and behavior change and education. Clinical practice was recognized as the overarching concept that linked all the CEP-specific themes together.

Conclusion

This study provides the first understanding of the knowledge and skills required for a CEP to work effectively in the UK health care system, in addition to providing research evidence and insight to the next iterations of the Clinical Exercise Physiology UK (CEP-UK) curriculum framework. Future research should focus on establishing a more comprehensive, definitive list of the knowledge and skills of a UK CEP that will contribute to subsequent versions of the CEP-UK curriculum framework.
Can a 6-Month Exercise Training Program Improve Musculoskeletal Health in Individuals with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus post Glucocorticoid Pulsetherapy? Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Esteves Gabriel P. , Barboza Juliana Maria , Ribeiro Willian J. D. , Fickert Vithor Rossi , Mendes Elizabeth Silva , Seguro Luciana Parente Costa , Franco André S. , Domiciano Diogo Souza , Roschel Hamilton , Gualano Bruno , Dolan Eimear
Published: August 2024

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune condition characterized by immune dysregulation, exacerbated systemic inflammation, and tissue damage. Glucocorticoid (GC) pulse therapy is a pharmacological strategy used to manage high activity phases. Although clinically effective, it can lead to adverse effects, including compromised musculoskeletal health. Adjuvant therapies that allow maintenance of the clinical benefits of pulse therapy, while preventing or attenuating these adverse effects, are warranted. Exercise training has the potential to counteract these adverse effects, but the efficacy and viability of this approach has yet to be explored. Hence, this randomized, controlled, parallel-group trial aims to investigate the effects of a home-based, supervised, 6-month exercise training program on a battery of musculoskeletal health parameters in women with systemic lupus erythematosus who recently underwent GC pulse therapy.

Methods

After baseline assessments, participants will be randomized to either the control or exercise group. Participants in both groups will receive usual care, while those randomized to the exercise group will also undergo a multimodal training program. Outcomes will be examined at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. Primary outcomes include bone mineral density by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, bone microarchitecture by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography, and circulating levels of bone turnover markers (β-CTX and PINP). Secondary outcomes include body composition, muscle strength and function, and aerobic capacity as well as feasibility and acceptability metrics.

Conclusion

The information gained from this investigation has the potential to inform care and management strategies for this and similarly affected patient groups.
Delivering Exercise Services to Refugees and Asylum Seekers in High-Income Countries
Authors: Mastrogiovanni Chiara , Kurt Gülşah , McKeon Grace , Lederman Oscar , Rostami Reza , Coello Mariano , Garcia David Perez , Wright Kemi , Rosenbaum Simon
Published: August 2024

Given the recent unprecedented number of refugees resettled in the United States of America yearly, exercise professionals in high-income countries are increasingly likely to engage with refugees and asylum seekers in their practice. Resettled refugees and asylum seekers often experience an array of stressors, including traumatic experiences associated with forced displacement, postdisplacement challenges, and cultural adjustment. These stressors place refugees and asylum seekers at greater risk of both mental and physical health disparities than people who have not experienced forced displacement. While exercise is associated with improved physical and mental health outcomes, refugees and asylum seekers are at a high risk of inactivity, and they face barriers at interpersonal, structural, and sociocultural levels. This expert commentary outlines strategies to address considerations in working with refugees and asylum seekers, including the impact of the refugee experience, the need to harness the client’s strengths and resources to foster exercise self-efficacy, and the cultural capability of the exercise workforce. The aims are to draw attention to the refugee experience and to equip exercise professionals with guidance to provide quality, person-centered, and strength-based services to refugees and asylum seekers within a safe and culturally sensitive environment.
The extended Global Lake area, Climate, and Population (GLCP) dataset: Extending the GLCP to include ice, snow, and radiation-related climate variables
Authors: Meyer Michael , Virdis Salvatore , Yang Xiao , Brousil Matthew , McClure Ryan , Sharma Sapna , Woolway R Iestyn , Cramer Alli , Ren Jianning , Katz Stephen , Hampton Stephanie , Shi Haoran
Published: August 2024

A changing climate and increasing human population necessitate understanding global freshwater availability. To enable assessment of lake water variability from local-to-global and monthly-to-decadal scales, we extended the Global Lake area, Climate, and Population (GLCP) dataset, which contains monthly lake surface area for 1.42 million lakes with paired basin-level climate and population data from 1995 through 2020. In comparison to the previous version of the GLCP, the extended version is monthly and includes information on lake ice cover as well as basin-level snow area, humidity, longwave and shortwave radiation, and cloud cover. The extended GLCP emphasizes FAIR data principles by expanding its scripting repository and maintaining unique HydroLAKES identifiers, which enables the GLCP to be joined with other HydroLAKES-derived products. Compared to the original version, the extended GLCP contains a richer suite of variables that enable disparate analyses of lake water trends at broad spatial and temporal scales.
Caregiver Unpredictability and the Development of Biobehavioral Regulation during Early Childhood
Authors: Ugarte Elisa , Hastings Paul
Published: August 2024

Experiences of unpredictability can create significant disruptions for children’s psychosocial development. Despite growing evidence highlighting the importance of predictable caregiving in fostering long-term healthy development, there is still limited understanding of proximal unpredictability within caregiver-child relationships. This study extended prior research on caregivers’ sensory signal unpredictability with infants, by (1) developing an observational measure of caregiver affective and behavioral unpredictability in early childhood, and (2) exploring its implications for preschoolers’ development of biobehavioral self-regulation. In this longitudinal study of 98 predominantly White 4 year-old children (50% female) and their mothers, greater caregiver affective and behavioral unpredictability was associated concurrently with greater respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) suppression (i.e., decrease in RSA) during the Day/Night inhibitory control task. Greater caregiver sensory signal unpredictability at 4 years predicted children’s greater RSA suppression during the Day/Night task 2 years later. Conversely, quadratic analyses revealed that lower or higher levels of affective and behavioral unpredictability predicted greater RSA augmentation than moderate unpredictability. However, neither sensory signals nor affective or behavioral unpredictability were associated with children's behavioral performance on the inhibitory control task. This study provides initial evidence that unpredictable caregiver signals appear to shape early, non-volitional processes that regulate arousal in novel situations.
How much time to figure out how to get where? Route planning and subjective stress under time pressure
Authors: Plonski Paul E. , Patel Prsni , Ossenfort Kathryn , Taylor Holly A. , Brunye Tad , Urry Heather L.
Published: August 2024

From a daily commute to military operations in hostile territory and natural disaster responses, people frequently move from place to place. Cognition (e.g., wayfinding) occurs in conjunction with behavior (e.g., locomotion) to facilitate spatial navigation – intentional movement through space. People often use maps to plan routes, which is part of wayfinding. Time pressure is common during navigation, even during route planning, for example from time constraints (e.g., a deadline), waiting periods (e.g., technological problems), or imposed urgency (e.g., someone tells you to hurry up). Route planning requires knowing where to go, determining how to get there, and managing transient stressors that can influence performance. Across cognitive and behavioral domains, time pressure is often conceptualized as a stressor and examined with a single operationalization. As a result, we do not know to what extent time constraints, waiting periods, and imposed urgency independently or interactively a) contribute to the sense of subjective stress, and b) impact spatial performance. Our work addressed these knowledge gaps using a computerized spatial task that centrally involved planning and tracing routes on maps. We describe this new methodology for studying route planning and demonstrate experimental effects of urgency messaging on increased subjective stress and decreased time between map presentation and first click (planning time). When participants took longer to plan or drew longer routes, they reported greater subjective stress. Results carry implications for the design and implementation of time pressure manipulations, route planning in stressful conditions, and mitigating or optimizing stress effects on performance.
The Cross-Cultural Big Two: A Culturally De-Centered Theoretical and Measurement Model for Personality Traits
Authors: Thalmayer Amber Gayle , Mather Kendall , Saucier Gerard , Naude Luzelle , Florence Maria , ASATSA STEPHEN , Witzlack-Makarevich Alena , Bächlin Lea , Condon David M
Published: August 2024

A ‘Big Two’ model has shown stronger cross-cultural replicability and links to theory than other contemporary models of personality trait structure. However, its theoretical and measurement models require better specification. We address this to create an initial English-language version of the Cross-Cultural Big Two Inventory (CCB2I) with an empirically-informed and culturally-decentered approach, meaning that input from global contexts is used from the outset, without prioritizing Western perspectives. Four studies are reported: (1) 55 items were identified from commonalities among 11 global lexical studies to define two factors. Communion/Social Self-Regulation captures the internalization of versus resistance to the normative codes of one’s society, with components of warmth, morality, respect, industriousness, and even temper. Agency/Dynamism captures approach versus avoidance tendencies, with components of competence, confidence, fearlessness, positive mood, sociability, and surgency. (2) Items were reduced to the 45 most consistent across English-speaking contexts based on (a) frequency of use in World-English corpora; (b) familiarity and EFA results among Africa Long Life Study (ALLS) participants, 18-year-olds from Namibia, Kenya, and South Africa (N = 2,958); and (c) distribution test statistics, EFA results, and test-retest reliability in online data from 13 diverse English-speaking countries (N = 63,720). (3) The 45-item CCB2I was assessed psychometrically and validated against external criteria in the ALLS samples, and (4) in the online data, additionally compared to existing two-factor frameworks. The relation of the Cross-Cultural Big Two to other two-factor models and theories, its future development, and the potential and importance of culturally decentered models and inventories are discussed.
The Effect of Word Informativeness on Eye-Movement Reading Behavior: Cross-Linguistic Variability and Individual Differences
Authors: Kimchi Inbal , Schroeder Sascha , Siegelman Noam
Published: August 2024

Research has consistently demonstrated that the importance or centrality of a linguistic unit to a larger unit’s meaning affects multiple aspects of reading behavior. However, there is an ongoing debate on how to quantify a unit’s degree of importance or centrality, which subsequently limits our understanding of the impact of this important source of information. Here we introduce a novel measure, which we term “informativeness”, to assess the significance of a word to the meaning of its containing sentence. Our measure is based on the comparison of vectorial representations of the full sentence with a revised sentence without the target word, resulting in an easily interpretable quantification. We then leverage large-scale datasets of first (L1) and second language (L2) eye-movement data (from the Multilingual Eye-tracking Corpus, MECO), to investigate how informativeness impacts different eye-movement measures, across languages and levels of reading skill. Our results reveal that informativeness influences multiple eye-movement measures, with particularly notable effects on total reading duration and rereading rate, but not earlier oculomotor measures. The effects of informativeness on eye movements generalize to both first and second language readers, and diverse writing systems, although some interactions between informativeness and language do exist. Notably, we identify interactions between informativeness and individuals’ reading skills, with more pronounced effects among poorer readers. Together, these findings provide a deeper understanding of the interplay among multiple cues that collectively shape reading behavior.
A Machine Learning Approach to Qualitative Data Analysis
Authors: Lange Max , Flynn Matt , Twumasi Ricardo
Published: August 2024

Natural language processing (NLP), a subdiscipline of artificial intelligence, can be used to analyse organisational discourse. It provides a quantitative method for testing and refining theories of discriminatory language and its impacts in the workplace. Practically, it offers HR professionals and organisational leaders a tool for auditing their communications for unintended biases.This study demonstrates this methodology by investigating age-related biases in interview data from workshop discussions with employers and trade union representatives on workplace active ageing. We employed two NLP techniques: (1) Word Embedding Association Tests (WEAT) to measure relative bias between young and old terms, and (2) direct association analyses to examine how strongly each age group associates with negative descriptors. WEAT analysis demonstrated relative bias favouring younger workers regarding competence in both groups (union: s=0.581, p=0.033; employer: s=0.785, p<0.001), though no significant differences were found between unions and employers in their WEAT scores (t = -0.4031, p = 0.6879). Direct association analyses further showed the employer model associated old terms more strongly with negative physical descriptors than young terms (p = 0.049), but no significant differences were found between unions and employers in their direct negative associations with old terms (all p > 0.05). These findings suggest that despite some internal biases within each model, there are no significant differences between employer and union discourse patterns, challenging assumptions about fundamentally different stances between stakeholder groups. This methodology can be applied to measure bias in any written qualitative data.
Why is a raven like a writing desk? The interplay of visual and semantic characteristics of animacy in object perception
Authors: Ólafsdóttir Inga María , Pitchford Brent , Maeekalle Marelle , Sigurdardottir Heida Maria
Published: August 2024

Recent studies on non-human primates indicate that high-level regions of the ventral visual pathway are organized around a two-dimensional object space. This space captures the main two dimensions on which objects visually differ as derived from activation patterns in a convolutional neural network trained on object classification. Evidence for a similar object space in humans is limited. In four behavioral studies, we explore how a primary dimension of this space, approximating the animate-inanimate distinction, influences human object perception. Our findings show that when objects' appearance matches their true superordinate category (objects on the “correct” side of object space: animate-looking animals, inanimate-looking objects), people effectively use diverse visual aspects for their discrimination, with minimal interference from semantic relatedness. Conversely, when appearance and semantics clash (objects on the “incorrect” side of object space: animate-looking inanimate objects, inanimate-looking animals), visual information is underutilized or misleading, and semantic relatedness hinders discrimination. Furthermore, categorization of clashing objects is led astray under conditions thought to cut short recurrent processing. We suggest that a visual object space dimension that closely aligns with the animate-inanimate distinction is automatically extracted by the human visual system.
Default Nudge Efficacy in Lower Versus Higher SEP-Groups: Two Online Supermarket Experiments
Authors: van den Bekerom Loes , van Gestel Laurens , Bussemaker Jet , Adriaanse Marieke
Published: August 2024

Objective: Nudging is commonly assumed to be particularly effective among subpopulations with lower socio-economic position (SEP) hence to combat health disparities, but empirical evidence is scarce. In two studies, we examined the efficacy of a default nudge in stimulating healthy food choices and whether this effect is moderated by SEP using different SEP-operationalizations. Methods: In both online experiments (performed in 2022 and 2024), a default nudge stimulating healthy food choices was compared to a control condition (without default nudge) in a hypothetical online supermarket setting among UK participants with lower and higher SEP. Study 2 involved a more realistic supermarket setting where the presence of price information was manipulated. SEP-indicators (education, subjective social status and income) and related SEP-variables (resource availability, perceived stress and financial scarcity) were measured. Results: Across the two studies, we found that the default nudge is efficacious in stimulating healthy choices. This effect was not consistently moderated by SEP, with the effect being present among both lower and higher SEP groups. Study 2 further demonstrates that these effects are not impacted by the presence of price information. Conclusions: These results imply that although the default nudge is not more effective among people with lower SEP, this technique seems at least to also benefit the group that needs effective strategies the most, even when processing additional price information. However, future studies on nudge effects in real-life settings, where (financial) factors matter, are needed to learn whether default nudges can actually benefit people with lower (versus higher) SEP.
Was bedeutet Fachspezifität? Überlegungen und Beispiele zu fächerübergreifender sowie fachdidaktisch konkretisierter Unterrichtsqualitätsforschung
Authors: Jentsch Armin , Kirchhoff Petra
Published: August 2024

The article by Armin Jentsch and Petra Kirchhoff is entitled “What is subject-specifi city? Considerations on and examples of instructional quality from a subject-specific and an interdisciplinary research perspective”. The authors show that studies in the field can be based on very different ideas of subject-specifi city and that studies often distinguish different levels of instructional quality in their analyses. Even though this has significant implications and possibly even limitations for studies of instructional quality, as well as for the interpretation and scope of their findings, this underlying diversity within one conceptual label has received little attention. In this paper, the authors present a critical analysis that compares Mathematics and English teaching. Research desiderata are formulated for the theoretical basis of instructional quality from the perspective of subject-matter didactics.
Beyond Universalism or Culturalism: A Case Study of Claiming Human Rights in Afghanistan
Authors: Sadr Meena
Published: August 2024

This paper explores the multifaceted humanitarian and human rights crises in Afghanistan following the Taliban's takeover. This event marked the establishment of a gender apartheid regime dedicated to the mass deprivation of women's rights, using culture and religion as primary excuses. The study reveals that the Taliban's edicts and directives impose gender segregation, systematically preventing women from participating in public life and usurping their decision-making power in both political and social spheres. Women who resisted these draconian policies through protests have been abducted and tortured by the Taliban, who justify their actions with religious and cultural arguments, accusing the protestors of defending Western values. These policies perpetuate the denial of women's human rights and enforce the superiority of male-dominated regimes. This paper examines the human rights claims made by Afghan women since mid-2021, demonstrating that their claims transcend cultural relativist justifications and do not merely appeal to the common moral foundation of universalists. Instead, women's human rights claims represent an appeal to the transformative potential of human rights.
Hate Speech and Human Rights: A Social Justice Perspective in Pakistan
Authors: Suleman Naumana
Published: August 2024

This paper explores hate speech issues through the lens of human rights and social justice, focusing particularly on its impact on minority communities in Pakistan. It examines how hate speech undermines their human rights and leads to a denial of social justice, eroding the social fabric and perpetuating discrimination. The paper begins with a discussion of the current global context and then delves into the socio-political landscape of Pakistan, presenting relevant background information. It highlights that Pakistan, marked by religious, cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity, has struggled to fully embrace this diversity. Within this context, the article specifically studies the issue of online hate speech directed at minority communities and its detrimental effects on their well-being and societal integration. The paper concludes with comprehensive recommendations to tackle hate speech both online and offline, aiming to promote a more inclusive and just society for all, where every individual’s rights are respected and protected.
Assessment of glycemic control and correlation of HbA1c level with lipid profile and duration of diabetes in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
Authors: Birendra Kumar Jha  , Raman Mishra  , Jitendra Kumar Singh  , Satyam Prakash  , Kamlesh Kumar Yadav
Published: August 2024

Background & Objectives: The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, or Type 2 DM, is rising globally. A periodic estimation of HbA1c has been recommended to track the state of glycemic control of Type 2 DM patients, in order to control the diabetes associated disorders. The main consequence and cause of death in Type 2 diabetes has been identified as cardiovascular disease (CVD).Optimization of glycemic status along with decreasing CVD risk factors are critical to preventing morbidity and mortality in patients with Type 2 DM. Since there is a lack of data on these CVD risk factors, in Madhesh Province, Nepal, we aimed to evaluate the glycemic status, estimate the lipid profile, and ascertain their correlation, including duration of Type 2 DM among patients in tertiary care hospitals in Madhesh Province, Nepal.
Materials and Methods: The tertiary care hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted on 139 Type 2 DM patients, in Madhesh Province, Nepal. In order to gather information of the participants, a systematic questionnaire was introduced. A physical and clinical examination was performed, and an appropriate volume of blood was drawn with prior written consent. The lipid profile parameters, HbA1C, Fasting and post prandial serum glucose were estimated.
Results: In 84 (60.3%) and 106 (76.3%) cases, there was an increased fasting and postprandial blood sugar. The mean±SD HbA1c level was 8.40±0.8%. More than half (52.5%) of the patients had poor glycemic control, while 22.3% had inadequate glycemic control, in reference to HbA1c >8% and 7 to 8%, respectively. A substantial increased level of LDL-C, triglycerides and total cholesterol was observed in 122 patients and 85.6% had reduced HDL-C. A significant strong positive association was found between HbA1c level and total cholesterol and triglycerides, in contrast, no discernible association with duration of disease observed.
Conclusion: Glycemic control was inadequate. Triglycerides and total cholesterol were significantly positively correlated with HbA1c, but not with HDL-C, LDL-C, or the course of diabetes.
The Good Muslim as a Quest for Jus Post Bellum in a Nation in Transition
Authors: Bhatta Sita Ram , Bhul Rushma
Published: August 2024

This paper explores the search for justice after the war in Tahmima Anam’s novel, The Good Muslim. The novel deals with the aftermath of ‘the Liberation War of Bangladesh’ in the 1970s and early 80s, when the country was gravely suffering from famine, consecutive murders of their prominent leaders, political upheavals, natural disasters, and paralyzed democratic norms in the hands of a Dictator Hussein Muhammad Ershad. In such a context, Maya Haque, the protagonist of the novel, and an erstwhile freedom fighter continues writing and fighting for modern education, justice for the rape victims of the war, and democracy in the country. The study analyzes narrative data from the novel to see how the female characters struggle for justice after the war. For this purpose, it uses Larry May’s insights on ‘jus post bellum’. May has proposed six criteria for post-war justice, including ‘reconciliation’ and ‘rebuilding’, to maintain lasting peace in a post-war society. The novel entails these conditions and brings transitional justice to the fore of discourse through the literary creation. The paper claims that the protagonist is not only raising her voice for certain characters in the novel, rather she is constantly contributing to the broader issue of jus post bellum, which has been the most important, yet the most ‘neglected’ topic in just war theories. The article concludes with the idea that a fictitious work like The Good Muslim can be a good voice for the voiceless and a loud and clear advocacy for justice after the war. It can contribute to maintaining law and order and build up lasting peace preventing further violence in a postwar society.
Embracing Opportunities and Navigating Challenges: Teaching Pronunciation in the EFL Context of Nepal
Authors: Paudel Pitambar
Published: August 2024

English is a vital medium for international communication and academic progress in Nepal, making the mastery of pronunciation crucial for students aiming to thrive in a globalized world. This study explores the intricate landscape of pronunciation instruction in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) settings, examining various perspectives, challenges and effective teaching methods. Factors influencing pronunciation acquisition include learners’ native language, exposure to the target language, motivation and instructional strategies. Pronunciation instruction covers phonemes, intonation, stress, rhythm and connected speech, all essential for effective spoken communication. Challenges in teaching pronunciation involve neglect, first language interference and reception issues, highlighting the need for innovative teaching strategies. Effective methods include minimal pairs, modeling and imitation, audio recordings, phonetic symbols, pronunciation drills, visual aids, error correction, contextualization and integration with other language skills. This study emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to pronunciation instruction, raising awareness of its role in language education, and promoting continuous professional development for educators. Future research should explore innovative pronunciation teaching methods, considering new trends in language education and pedagogical advancements. By prioritizing pronunciation instruction and using evidence-based practices, educators can help learners achieve greater fluency, accuracy and confidence in spoken communication within diverse linguistic and cultural contexts.
Change in Mobility after Involvement in a Cooperative: An Indication of Women’s Empowerment
Authors: Bashyal Laxmi , Shrestha Bidhya , Karki Rita Devi , Karki Tek Mani
Published: August 2024

Women’s participation in cooperatives has emerged as a transformative force, significantly impacting their mobility and empowerment. This study explores the impact of women’s involvement in cooperatives on their mobility, specifically focusing on the impact within the Parijat Saving and Credit Cooperative Limited in Bhaktapur District, which was purposively selected. The study focused on cooperative members who regularly saved and invested in income-generative activities through loans for at least a year. It employed the concurrent mixed methods research design. A systematic random sampling technique was employed for quantitative data collection, yielding a sample of 238 participants from various ethnic backgrounds, and the data were analyzed descriptively using cross-tabulation. Qualitative information was gathered through nine case studies, ensuring data saturation concerning changes in mobility following cooperative involvement, which were triangulated to derive findings. The findings revealed significant improvements in women’s mobility following their participation in cooperatives. Notable increases were observed in visits to new religious places, which rose from 40% to 50%, and to health centers, which increased from 48% to 85%. Particularly noteworthy was the rise in the percentage of women utilizing their vehicles, which increased from 2% before joining to approximately 20% afterward. These findings imply that cooperative involvement significantly enhances women’s mobility and independence, promoting greater access to religious and health facilities and increasing the use of personal vehicles.
In silico Molecular Docking and Dynamic Study of MDM2-p53 Inhibitor Alkaloids Extracted from Withania somnifera Against Tumor Growth
Authors: Regmi Shukra Raj , Sawd Narendra Prakash , Khan Nurul Hoda , Joshi Padam Raj
Published: August 2024

In today’s world, human tumor growth has become a critical health issue. Many patients experience ineffective chemotherapeutic treatments, prompting the need for alternative methods. Our recent research has explored active alkaloid extracts from Withania somnifera as potential inhibitors of the MDM2-p53 interaction, a key factor in tumor growth. Using in silico molecular docking and dynamic approaches, we identified eight effective alkaloids with high docking score are WithanolideD (–10.0Kcal/mol), Withanolide (–10.0Kcal/mol), WithaferinA ( ̶ 9.9Kcal/mol), WithanolideB ( ̶ 9.5Kcal/mol), WithalongolideA ( –9.4Kcal/mol), WithanolideE ( ̶ 9.4Kcal/mol), WithanolideA ( ̶ 9.0Kcal/mol), Withanone ( ̶ 8.9Kcal/mol). Among them, WithaferinA, WithanolideA, WithanolideD, WithanolideE, and Withanone demonstrated the most stable hydrogen bonding, stable RMSD, and RMSF. Lipinski’s rule of five, which assesses drug-like qualities, confirmed their potential through canonical SMILES verification. Molecular dynamics of the protein-ligand complex revealed that these docked complexes remain thermally stable, with consistent bond energy, dihedral angles, and stereochemical conformation over a 100 ns time frame. Our findings suggest that these alkaloids from Withania somnifera hold promise as effective treatments against tumor growth. Further investigation and exploration are necessary to confirm their efficacy in clinical settings.
Performance of Wheat Genotypes under Irrigated Conditions in Far Western Terai of Nepal
Authors: Rajbanshi Devraj , Sharma Raksha , Bohara Binod , Magar Sangita Gaha , Sharma Ganesh
Published: August 2024

Wheat, the most important food crop in terms of food and nutrition security in Nepal, production could not meet the demand of growing population due to limited use of high yielding variety and use of inappropriate variety in the context of increasing heat stress during ripening. For assessing the performance of different wheat genotypes, this study was carried out during November 2022 to April 2023 at Agronomy Farm of Far Western University, Kailali, Nepal. The study was designed in Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Eleven genotypes with nine Nepal lines and two Bhairhawa lines were evaluated and compared with a popular variety, Vijay for their performance at Tikapur condition. The result revealed the highest grain yield from NL 1506, recording 3.36 t/ha, which was statistically at par with NL 1452, NL 1488 and BL 5116 at 5% level of significance. The popular variety Vijay yielded only 3.02 t/ha which was statistically at par with NL 1638, but was inferior to NL 1450. Statistically poor performance was observed in the genotypes NL 1445 and BL 4984.
Juridical Analysis of Implementation of Multi-Purpose Financing Agreements at PT. Sinarmas Mataram Branch
Authors: Tamrin Husni , Djumardin  , Munandar Aris
Published: August 2024

This research aims to analyze the implementation of multipurpose financing at the Mataram branch of Sinarmas Multifinance, as well as to analyze the settlement in the event of a debtor defaulting in a multipurpose financing agreement at Sinarmas Multifinance Mataram branch. By using empirical legal research methods. The results of this research show that the implementation of multi-purpose financing agreements in multi-finance companies begins with good intentions between the two parties entering into the agreement. Settlement of disputes if the debtor defaults on the financing agreement, in this case PT. Sinarmas Multifinance has made its own rules in accordance with the provisions for the execution of fiduciary guarantees in PT multipurpose financing agreements. Sinarmas Multifinance is stated in the terms and conditions of the multipurpose financing agreement providing funding facilities in the provisions of Article 6. Multipurpose agreement made by PT. Sinarmas Multi Finance Mataram Branch is legally strong enough to protect its interests and conversely its protection for consumers is very weak, however the practice/procedure or mechanism of the multipurpose agreement implemented by PT. Sinarmas Multi Finance Mataram Branch has created a weak position for debtors. Apart from that, the execution process at PT. Sinarmas Multifinance Mataram Branch does not wait for the Court's Decision, which according to the rules in the execution process must first wait for the competent Court's Decision. multipurpose agreement, the parties, both creditors and debtors, should understand their respective rights and obligations and be responsible for implementing the agreement as agreed in good faith and complying with the prohibitions contained in the agreement so as not to cause disputes that cause losses to the parties.
Uporaba lokalnih podatkov za boljše spremljanje turističnih tokov: kritična perspektiva
Authors: Starc Peceny Urska , Ilijaš Tomi
Published: August 2024

Na področju upravljanja turizma je učinkovito spremljanje turističnih tokov ključnega pomena za spodbujanje trajnostnega razvoja in za preudarno razporejanje virov. Medtem, ko se običajne metode pogosto zanašajo na združene ali posplošene podatke, ta članek zagovarja ključno vlogo lokalnih podatkov, pri čemer poudarja njihovo zmožnost, da v realnem času ali z višjo frekvenco zajema nudijo različne vpoglede in uporabne informacije. To je pomembno tudi ob razvoju podatkovnih prostorov v Evropi v katerih je ključnega pomena izkoriščanje lokalnih virov podatkov, zlasti tistih, ki se zbirajo, vendar se ne delijo za nadaljnjo ponovno uporabo. Predstavljeni so rezultati projekta Planinstvo 4.0 in nujnost zakonodajnih reform, ki bi olajšale ponovno uporabo določenih podatkov saj nekratere obstoječe pravne vrzeli v ekosistemu trenutno ogrožajo javno varnost, namesto da bi jo varovale.
Dejavniki vpliva na prevzemanje aplikacij za napredno planiranje in terminiranje proizvodnje
Authors: Kalan Nika , Trkman Marina
Published: August 2024

Danes so kupci zahtevni, saj želijo pravi izdelek ob pravem času na pravem mestu za pravo ceno. Za ohranjanje konkurenčnosti na globalnem trgu, se danes proizvodna podjetja odločajo za informatizicijo poslovanja s specializiranimi aplikacijami za napredno načrtovanje in terminiranje (APS). Odločitev podjetja za privzemanje teh aplikacij v obstoječ informacijski sistem ni enostavna. Značilen je odpor ljudi. Ker bi radi bolje razumeli ciljne uporabnike raziskujemo, kaj vpliva na namero uporabe APS. V raziskavi smo preverili vpliv univerzalnih konstruktov enotne teorije sprejemanja in uporabe tehnologije (UTAUT) ter dveh dodatnih konstruktov, ki sta negotovost zaposlitve in zaskrbljenost. Rezultati kažejo, da na namero uporabe statistično značilno vplivata zaskrbljenost in zaznana uspešnost. Rezultati raziskave so koristni vsem proizvodnim podjetjem, ki se odločajo za vpeljavo sistema planiranja v svoj informacijski sistem.
Ranljivosti v programih zaradi dvojnega sproščanja pomnilnika
Authors: Gazvoda de Reggi Marin , Pesek Matevž
Published: August 2024

V računalništvu je upravljanje pomnilnika ključnega pomena za delovanje programske opreme. Napake pri upravljanju pomnilnika lahko privedejo do resnih varnostnih ranljivosti, ki jih napadalci lahko izkoristijo za izvajanje poljubne kode ali pridobivanje občutljivih podatkov. Ena izmed pogostih napak pri upravljanju pomnilnika je dvojno sproščanje pomnilnika (double free). V tem prispevku predstavljamo, kako deluje napad na podlagi dvojnega sproščanja pomnilnika ter kaj je potrebno za uspešno izvedbo napada. Podrobneje je prikazan primer ranljivosti v programu, ki simulira preprostega upravitelja podatkovne baze. Predstavljamo, kako lahko napadalec izkoristi ranljivost dvojnega sproščanja pomnilnika, da pridobi administratorske pravice brez poznavanja gesla.
STRATEGI PELAYANAN PUBLIK VIA WEBSITE E-HIBAH BANSOS SEBAGAI PERWUJUDAN SMART CITY DI KOTA CILEGON
Authors: Rosilawati Lusi , Legiani Wika Hardika , Juwandi Ronni
Published: August 2024

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk memperoleh informasi bagaimana startegi pelayanan publik Dinas Komunikasi, Informasi, Sandi dan Statistik Kota Cilegon, melalui pelayanan publik sebagai perwujudan smart city, untuk mengetahui sinergitas dan respon masyarakat pengguna Website E-Hibah Bansos, serta untuk mengetahui keberhasilan pelaksanaan E-Hibah Bansos terutama pada Diskominfo sebagai lembaga pemerintah yang memiliki kewenangan dalam bidang teknologi dalam menjalankan layanan publik. Dalam penelitian ini peneliti menerapkan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode deskriptif, pegumpulan data menggunakan teknik observasi, menyusun hasil wawancara, serta dokumentasi. Informan dari penelitian ini yaitu Diskominfo Kota Cilegon dan Masyarakat Kota Cilegon. Strategi yang dilakukan oleh Dinas Komunikasi, Informasi, Sandi dan Statistik pertama bekerjasama dengan Dinas-Dinas yang ada di Kota Cilegon, kedua dengan  melakukan pengawasan dan evaluasi kinerja pada opd-opd yang berkaitan dengan hibah bansos, ketiga yaitu memberikan pengenalan Website E-Hibah Bansos kepada masyarakat Kota Cilegon. mayoritas penduduk Kota Cilegon sangat support dan setuju dengan adanya layanan Website E-Hibah Bansos. Keberhasilan Website E-Hibah bansos hal ini bisa dilihat dari layanan Website E-Hibah Bansos yang terintegrasi, keterampilan dan pengetahuan masyarakat yang memadai dan komunitas yang saling terhubung
Systematic Literature Review: Digital Financial and MSME Performance in Indonesia
Authors: Satria Chandra , Nofiansyah Doly , Cahya Bagus Dwi
Published: August 2024

The aim of this study is to examine trends and developments in research related to digital financials and the performance of small and medium-sized microenterprises in an effort to improve the economy of small and medium-sized enterprises in Indonesia. Digital Financial research bibliometric data is taken from secondary data via the Publish or Perish application search engine version 8 with the search engine option feature of the Google Scholar application menu. The study finds information about how many research articles and keywords are used, the number of publishers, as well as the reputation rankings of any journal that publishes digital financial and micro and medium enterprises. Performance themes; the year trend begins to emerge and the majority of queries on digital financial and micro enterprises performance; the implications generated by previous investigations related to Digital Financial, and the performance of micro and small enterprises; the impact of digital financial withdrawal by micro and medium enterprises can face uncertain global economic challenges; the role of Digital Financial can enhance financial inclusion; the government has an important and vital role in formulating policies related to the development of the digital financial ecosystem Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME) ; the implementation of Digital Finance is well implemented by the Micro Finance Institutions to accelerate the positive performance of MSME.