bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IMPACT OF CREDIT RISK AND BANK-SPECIFIC FACTORS ON THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF LICENSED BANKS IN SRI LANKA
Authors: Arun Macson , Balagobei
Published: December 2023

The objective of the study is to examine the impact of credit risk and bank-specific factors on the financial performance of licensed banks in Sri Lanka during the period of seven years (2015 - 2021). In the empirical investigation, return on assets and return on equity are used to measure financial performance while non-performing loans and capital adequacy are proxies for credit risk. Cost efficiency, average lending, loan-to-deposit ratio, and bank size are considered bank-specific factors. Seventeen licensed commercial banks and five licensed specialized banks are taken as samples of this study, and data is collected from annual reports of licensed banks in Sri Lanka during the period from 2015 to 2021. Panel data regression analysis is employed to examine the hypotheses. Results of the study revealed that non-performing loans have a negative impact on banks’ financial performance in terms of return on assets of licensed banks whereas average lending has a positive impact on banks’ financial performance in terms of return on assets. Other variables such as capital adequacy, cost efficiency, loan-to-deposit ratio, and bank size have not shown any significant impact on the financial performance of licensed banks. The output of the study may be useful to the bank lending unit’s decision-makers, investors, and economic policymakers of the country. The Banks should seek mechanisms to improve their risk management capacity efficiency and quality lending to remain competitive in the market.
DEVELOPING A MEASUREMENT SCALE FOR PERCEIVED
SERVICE QUALITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION: AN EMPIRICAL
STUDY
Authors: De Silva
Published: December 2023

Education plays a pivotal role in the peace and economic growth of the nation.
Consequently, it is essential to provide every student with a high-quality education.
A person’s life is significantly impacted by the level of education. As a result,
students are highly concerned about the quality of education especially when
selecting a higher educational institute. The purpose of the study is to develop a
measurement scale to evaluate the service quality provided by higher education. The
study applied a positivism research philosophy by adopting a deductive research
approach. The quantitative research method was applied, and data were collected
through a questionnaire from 225 respondents who are pursuing a Higher National
Diploma in Management (HNDM) and Business Administration (HNDBA) courses
in SLIATE, ATI - Dehiwala. A stratified random sampling technique was adopted
to select the respondents from each course. The researcher applied the SERVQUAL
model using its five dimensions tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance,
and empathy to evaluate the level of service quality in higher education. Cronbach
Alpha was used to measure the reliability and the value of 0.816 indicates that the
questionnaire used to gather data on the service quality construct is highly reliable.
Based on the result, composite reliability (CR) values for all constructs are above
0.70 and the AVE values are within 0.523 and 0.935 which confirmed the internal
consistency in scale items. The validity of the measurements was performed through
convergent and discriminant validity using the Fornell and Larcker (1981) test. The
finding of the test shows that the average variance extracted (AVE) value of all the
constructs is higher than 0.5 and the AVE square root in the diagonal was greater
than the squared correlation with other constructs in off-diagonal which confirmed
convergent and discriminant validity. Initially, 20 items were developed using five
dimensions of the SERVQUAL model. After conducting the test, 20 items were
reduced to 14 items, and 6 items that didn’t meet the necessary criteria were
removed. Finally, a new scale was developed to measure the service quality with 5
dimensions responsiveness, reliability, tangible, assurance, and empathy for higher
education.
Pengabdian Masyarakat dengan Meningkatkan Kualitas Produk UMKM Desa Pakembaran Melalui Sosialisasi Sertifikasi Halal
Authors: Failasuf Akmal  , Nadia Sevani  , Zalfa Nida Rosyadah  , Ilham Ainun Nazar  , Syafaat Akbar
Published: December 2023

Sertifikat halal merupakan salah satu syarat wajib yang harus dimiliki oleh sebuah produk makanan maupun minuman. Desa pakembaran adalah salah satu desa yang mayoritas warganya bekerja sebagai home industry, akan tetapi kurangnya pemahaman, pengetahuan, dan manfaat dari sertifikat halal sangat disayangkan. Dari permasalahan tersebut perlu adanya pengenalan mengenai sertifikasi halal kepada warga melalui sosialisasi, tujuan kegiatan ini adalah meningkatkan kualitas produk UMKM desa pakembaran. Kegiatan ini dilaksanakan oleh KKN UIN KH. Abdurahman Wahid Pekalongan dan UIN Saifudin Zuhri Purwokerto yang berkolaborasi, pada Senin tanggal 31 Juli 2023 yang bertempat di balai desa pakembaran kecamatan warungpring, dengan melibatkan 25 masyarakat pelaku UMKM sebagai sasaran. Metode yang digunakan adalah penyuluhan interaktif dan konsultasi dengan tahapan, observasi pelaku UMKM, pendataan produk UMKM, pemaparan materi sertifikat halal, dan pendaftaran mandiri melalui aplikasi OSS. Hasil dari kegiatan ini adalah pelaku UMKM memiliki pemahaman yang baik mengenai pentingnya sertifikat halal serta mereka mampu mendaftarkan produknya guna meningkatkan kualitas produk UMKM.
LTBP1 promotes the progression of triple negative breast cancer via activating the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Jingcheng , Deng Hong , Wang Jun
Published: December 2023

The latent transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) binding protein 1 (LTBP1) has been implicated in various cellular processes, but its role in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the impact of LTBP1 on TNBC progression and its underlying mechanisms. Analysis of online datasets revealed elevated LTBP1 mRNA expression in breast cancer tissues compared to normal adjacent tissues. Kaplan-Meier Plotter analysis indicated that high LTBP1 expression was negatively correlated with relapse-free survival (RFS), distant-metastasis free survival (DMFS), and overall survival (OS) of breast cancer patients. Additionally, LTBP1 mRNA levels were associated with chemotherapy resistance. Functional assays in TNBC cells demonstrated that LTBP1 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and attenuated migration and invasion. In vivo studies confirmed that LTBP1 knockdown inhibited tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model. Mechanistically, LTBP1 positively correlated with genes involved in signaling regulation and organelle organization, with significant associations to GTPase binding and the RhoA/ROCK pathway. LTBP1 knockdown reduced RhoA activity and phosphorylation of Myosin Light Chain 2 (MLC2), suggesting inhibition of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway. Moreover, activation of the RhoA/ROCK pathway partially rescued the effects of LTBP1 knockdown on TNBC cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. In conclusion, our findings suggest that LTBP1 promotes TNBC progression through activation of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for TNBC.
Analyzing the Effects of Renewable and Non-renewable Energy Consumption on the Environment and Economic Growth: Panel Data from South Asian Countries
Authors: Husnain Muhammad Ali , Guo Ping , Pan Guoqin , Bhatti Muhammad Kamran , Islam Rabia
Published: December 2023

The primary goal of this research is to examine how different types of energy are used in South Asian countries and how they affect the environment and economic growth. From 1990 through 2021, this research employed Panel Data from multiple sources covering the South Asian countries of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and Afghanistan. The results are determined by using the Fixed Effect Regression (FEM) technique in both models. Several significant findings are supported by the data. First, while using renewable energy flattens carbon dioxide effusion, using non-renewable energy sources increases it. CO2 emissions are affected negatively by gross domestic product but positively by gross domestic product square. These results provide credence to the idea that South Asian countries do experience an Environment Kuznets Curve. Furthermore, foreign direct investment has a beneficial effect on CO2 emissions, lending credence to the Pollution Haven Hypothesis. Model 2 instead finds that both renewable and non-renewable energy consumption contributes to economic expansion. Gross Fixed Capital Formation and foreign direct investment also contribute to economic growth in this area. Finally, Inflation retards economic expansion.
Karbon, Cam ve Quartz Fiber Postların Geleneksel ve Dual Cure Simanlar İle Bağlanması Üzerinde Yüzey İşlemlerinin Etkisi
Authors: Çakar Güler Ceren , Yanıkoglu Nuran
Published: December 2023

Post materyalinin elastik modülünün kök-kanal dentinine yakın olması, kanal morfolojisine uygunluğu, kırılganlığı ve biyouyumluluğu; kök-kanal dentini içerisinde oluşabilecek kırıklara karşı direnci etkilemektedir .Bu çalışmanın amacı; 3 çeşit fiber postun (Karbon fiber, Cam fiber, Quartz fiber ) çeşitli yüzey işlemlerinin ; CIS ve rezin siman ile olan bağlanmasını incelemektir. Hem yüzey işlemlerinin hem de geleneksel simanlar ile rezin simanın bağlanmadaki etkinliği karşılaştırılmıştır. Bu çalışmada 3 çeşit fiber posta ( karbon,cam,quartz) değişik yüzey işlemleri yapılarak 2 farklı siman (rezin siman ve cam iyonomer siman) ile bağlantısı incelenmiştir. Postların simana bağlanma mukavemetleri push out testi kullanılarak Universal test cihazı ile ölçüldü. Veriler 2 yönlü varyans analizi (ANOVA) ile analiz edildi. Post malzemeleri ve 4 yüzey işleme tekniği arasında karşılaştırma için post hoc Tukey aralıkları hesaplanmıştır. Tüm yüzey işlemleri tüm postlarda olumlu etki göstermiştir. Bağlanma mukavemeti üzerinde en önemli etkiyi daima Al2O3 tozu ile kumlama işlemi vermiştir. Rezin simanlar ile yapıştırılan gruplarda bağlanma mukavemeti daha yüksek olarak tespit edilmiştir.
Nissan'ın Değişim Mühendisliği ve Türk Eğitim Sistemine Uygulanabilirliği
Authors: KILIÇ Ayhan
Published: December 2023

Organizasyonların değişen şartlara uyum sağlayabilmeleri, etkililiklerini ve verimliliklerini artırabilmeleri ve müşterilerin beklentilerini karşılayabilmeleri için değişime açık, esnek bir örgütsel yapıya sahip olmaları gerekmektedir. Bu bağlamda organizasyonların etkililiğini ve verimliliğini artıracak, yönetsel anlamda bir dinamizm katacak yeni yaklaşımlar ortaya çıkmıştır. İşte bu yeni yaklaşımlardan biri de değişim mühendisliğidir. Bu kapsamda değişim mühendisliği, organizasyonların iş akışı verimliliğini ve üretkenliğini artırmak için organizasyona katma değer katacak süreçlerle organizasyon yapısının hızlı ve radikal bir şekilde yeniden tasarlanmasıdır. Nitel araştırma tarzında oluşturulan bu çalışmada, değişim mühendisliğinin en belirgin örneklerinden biri olan dünyaca ünlü Japon otomotiv markası Nissan’ın 1999 yılında Ghosn ile başlayan yükseliş hikâyesi ele alınmıştır. Bu dönüşüm hikâyesinden yola çıkılarak değişim mühendisliğinin Türk eğitim sistemine uygulanabilirliği, eğitim sistemimizde son dönemde (1999-2023) yapılan değişiklikler ve yenilikler çerçevesinde değerlendirilmiştir. Sonuç olarak Türk eğitim sisteminde son zamanlarda yapılan değişiklikler ve yenilikler umut verici, ancak değişim mühendisliği adına yeterli değildir. Bu durumun temel nedeni ise Türk kamu yönetiminin dolayısıyla Türk eğitim sisteminin yönetimsel ve örgütsel yapıdan kaynaklanan sorunlarıdır.
Die Jugendschule
Authors: Langner Anke , Wiechmann Katja
Published: December 2023

Die Kulturhistorische Theorie charakterisiert die Entwicklung zwischen dem 12 und 14 Lebensjahr als Krise, in der sich die höheren psychischen Funktionen grundlegend neu ordnen. Im Rahmen dieser Umordnung wird es möglich und notwendig für das Individuum über sich selbst nachzudenken – sich selbst zu suchen. Die Entwicklung einer eigenen Identität rück in den Vordergrund für die einzelnen Schüler:innen und das schulische Lernen tritt in den Hintergrund, es wird für einige Schüler:innen zu einer kaum bewältigbaren Herausforderung. Im Rahmen dieses Beitrages soll diese Herausforderung beschrieben werden und ausgehend von dieser nach möglichen anderen Wegen in Schule gefragt werden. Mit dem Format der Jugendschule wird eine mögliche Antwort von Schule auf die Veränderungsprozesse bei den Schüler:innen formuliert.  .
Cognitive clinical intervention in a patient with schizoid personality disorder: Case report
Authors: Suarez Luna Julio Cesar , Bazan Marquez María Alejandra
Published: December 2023

The present case report describes a 19-year-old male patient whose main symptoms were emotional coldness, absence of close relationships, difficulty experiencing pleasure with other people, and lack of motivation to work or to continue his studies. A schizoid personality disorder was diagnosed as a product of early maladaptive patterns such as inhibition, emotional deprivation, social isolation, and inadequacy. Likewise, a rigid and fragmented family context was evidenced, with an affective absence of parents and a focus on strict behavioral rules. The study aimed to intervene, from a cognitive clinical approach, the early maladaptive patterns and symptoms that maintained the features of schizoid personality disorder in the patient. For this purpose, cognitive behavioral therapy was carried out, with techniques such as debates, images to reparentalize, assignment of tasks, use of humor, and social skills training, among others. In conclusion, it can be stated that the early maladaptive patterns maintained the schizoid personality symptomatology. Finally, it was demonstrated through clinical and psychometric criteria that cognitive behavioral therapy decreased schizoid personality behaviors in the patient.
Handbuch ERP-Markt 2023
Authors: Eggert Sandy
Published: December 2023

Auf der Suche nach einem passenden ERP-System stehen gerade kleine und mittlere Unternehmen aufgrund der hohen Anzahl an angebotenen Systemen und des damit einhergehenden unübersichtlichen Marktes vor besonderen Herausforderungen. Ziel dieses Handbuches ist es, die funktionale Abdeckung aktueller ERP-Systeme vergleichend vorzustellen. Ergänzend dazu werden in mehreren Fachbeiträgen wichtige Hinweise für die Auswahl und Einführung von ERP-Systemen gegeben. Dieses Werk richtet sich an IT-Verantwortliche kleiner und mittlerer Unternehmen, Beratungsunternehmen, die in diesem Bereich tätig sind sowie an Studierende und Lehrende, die an Informationen zum aktuellen ERP-Markt interessiert sind.
Vorbereitung und Durchführung eines Projektes zur Auswahl eines ERP-Systems
Authors:   Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin , Eggert Sandy
Published: December 2023

ERP-Systeme sind betriebliche Anwendungen, die als Rückgrat der gesamten Informationsverarbeitung in Unternehmen gelten. ERP-Projekte betreffen daher nahezu alle Bereiche eines Unternehmens, gelten als kostenintensives Investment [1] und zeichnen sich durch einen hohen Komplexitätsgrad aus [2]. Die Risikominimierung eines ERP-Projektes beginnt bereits mit der Auswahl des einzuführenden ERP-Systems. Da die Auswahl eines ERP-Systems in der Regel nicht zum Alltagsgeschäft von kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen gehört, zeigt der folgende Beitrag eine strukturierte Vorgehensweise auf, die eine erfolgreiche ERP-Auswahl sicherstellt.
Relationship Between Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI), Number of Pregnancies, and Number of Nutrition Education Participation with Circumference Upper Arm (LILA) of Pregnant Women
Authors: Aldisurya Asep Afandi , Akhriani Mayesti , Wati Desti Ambar , Dewi Afiska Prima
Published: December 2023

Pregnant women's nutritional condition is determined by their Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC), which measures the body's state of balance. Factors influencing pregnant women's nutritional status include a history of body mass index before pregnancy, the number of pregnancies, and the number of participations in nutrition education. This study sought to discover the link between the history of body mass index before pregnancy, the number of pregnancies, and the number of participations in nutrition education with Mid- Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) of pregnant women in the Working Area of the Tanjung Bintang Inpatient Public Health Center in 2022. The type of research is observational, analytic design, and cross-sectional, conducted from November to December 2022. The population in the study was 286, and the total sample was 80 respondents using the basic method of random sampling. The instrument used is a questionnaire. The data analysis used is the Spearman Correlation test. The results showed that the average Mid- Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC)of pregnant women was 25.54 with a standard deviation of 3.01, the average respondent's history of BMI was 22.272 kg/m2, the average number of respondents' pregnancies was 2.31 times, the average participation in nutrition education respondents as much as 2.93 times. The data analysis results showed a relationship between body mass index (p=0.0001) and the number of pregnancies (p=0.004) with the Mid- Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC)of pregnant women. There was no correlation between the number of participants in nutrition education (p=0.698) and the Mid- Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC)of pregnant women. It is hoped that the results of this study can add to knowledge about the relationship between the history of body mass index before pregnancy, the number of pregnancies, and the number of participants in nutrition education with MUAC for pregnant women.
Many years of experience of spontaneous pneumothorax treatment within one medical center
Authors: Mikheev A. V. , Trushin S. N.
Published: December 2023

The objective: to analyze results of surgical treatment of the patients with spontaneous pneumothorax.

Subjects and Methods. Medical records of patients with spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) who were treated in Surgical Thoracic Department of Ryazan Regional Clinical Hospital from 1998 to 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The article describes the experience of treatment of 738 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax within one medical center. The evolution of tactics and principles of surgical treatment over a 23-year period is presented. The incidence of spontaneous pneumothorax and efficacy of different surgical options were analyzed. The recurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax was recorded in the following cases: after pleural cavity drainage – in 19.7%, after videothoracoscopic resection of bullous parts of the lung in combination with subtotal parietal pleurectomy – in 2.1%.
Efficacy of Various Approaches to Treatment of Patients with Isoniazid Resistant Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Burmistrova I. A. , Vaniev E. V. , Samoylova A. G. , Lovacheva O. V. , Vasilyeva I. A.
Published: December 2023

The objective: to evaluate the efficacy of chemotherapy regimens for isoniazid resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (Hr-TB): short-course regimen consisting of 4 components (non-injection) and the regimen consisting of 5 components (standard regimen).

Subjects and Methods. Medical records of 292 pulmonary tuberculosis patients with resistance to isoniazid were retrospectively studied. In 89 patients (Group A), the regimen containing rifampicin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol, and levofloxacin was used – a 4-component non-injection regimen (180±20 doses). In 203 patients (Group B), the regimen containing rifampicin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol, levofloxacin, and amikacin/kanamycin was used - a 5-component standard regimen (270 doses).

Results. The efficacy of treatment of isoniazid resistant pulmonary tuberculosis was similar, while a short-term 4-component (non-injection) regimen is 4.5 times less expensive versus the standard 5-component regimen. Treatment success made 88.8% and 88.2% respectively, p>0.05.
Approaches to Selection of Optimal Chemotherapy Regimens in Tuberculosis Patients with Concurrent Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Komissarova O. G. , Abdullaev R. Yu. , Aleshina S. V.
Published: December 2023

The objective: to develop approaches to selection of optimal chemotherapy regimens in tuberculosis patients with concurrent diabetes mellitus (DM), by studying complications of diabetes mellitus and adverse drug reactions to anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Subjects and Methods. 235 adult pulmonary tuberculosis patients with concurrent diabetes were enrolled in the study. Of them, 123 were men (52.3%) and 112 were women (47.7%), and the age of the patients varied from 19 to 78 years old.

Results. Complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) were reported in 190/235 (80.8%) patients. Encephalopathy occurred most often – in 147/190 (77.3%) patients, diabetic macroangiopathy developed less often - in 41 (21.6%), followed by diabetic retinopathy – in 20 (10.5%), diabetic nephropathy - in 11 (5.8%), ketoacidosis – in 4 (2.1%), and diabetic foot – in 4 (2.1%). Diabetic macroangiopathy was significantly more often observed in men (66.7%) versus women (31.7%); p<0.01, and diabetic nephropathy was more common in women (81.8%) than men (18.2%); p<0.01. As the age of patients and duration of diabetes increased, the incidence of complications of diabetes also increased. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to anti-tuberculosis drugs (TB drugs) occurred in 168/235 (71.4%) patients. ADRs to two or more TB drugs were registered in 140/168 (83.3%) patients. The most frequent irreversible ADRs were caused by the following drugs (of the number of patients taking them): aminoglycosides (58.8%), capreomycin (54.5%), PAS (50.0%), ethambutol (100.0%), cycloserine (40.0%), levofloxacin (33.3%), pyrazinamide (23.3%), terizidone (28.6%), prothionamide (26.3%), linezolid (21.4% ), and moxifloxacin (20.0%).

Conclusion. When treating pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with diabetes mellitus, chemotherapy regimens containing aminoglycosides, capreomycin, prothionamide, and pyrazinamide should be avoided. If there is even an initial stage of retinopathy, ethambutol should be avoided. Patients with encephalopathy should be switched from cycloserine to terizidone.
Specific Features of the Course and Treatment of Respiratory Tuberculosis in Women during Pregnancy and Postpartum Period. Perinatal Outcomes
Authors: Kayukova S. I. , Ulyumdzhieva V. A. , Idrisova L. S. , Karpina N. L.
Published: December 2023

The objective: to study specific features of the respiratory tuberculosis course and effectiveness of its treatment during pregnancy and postpartum period, and to evaluate the impact of tuberculosis on perinatal outcomes.

Subjects and Methods. In 2010 - 2022, a retrospective-prospective case-control study enrolling 164 patients of reproductive age was conducted in Central Tuberculosis Research Institute. Two groups were formed: Case Group included 82 pregnant women with respiratory tuberculosis; Control Group included 82 non-pregnant patients with respiratory tuberculosis.

Results. In both groups, new cases of respiratory tuberculosis were notified more often versus relapses. Distinctive features of respiratory tuberculosis in pregnant women versus the non-pregnant were as follows: the predominance of the proportion of extensive drug resistant M. tuberculosis – 55.5% versus 31.7% (p<0.05), respectively; lower frequency of lung tissue destruction – 18.3% versus 32.9% (p≤0.05); higher incidence of cavities - 80% and 40.7% (p≤0.05) and complications of respiratory tuberculosis – 25.6% versus 12.2% (p≤0.03), respectively. The high effectiveness of respiratory tuberculosis treatment such as relief of clinical symptoms and sputum conversion was achieved at the end of the intensive therapy phase both in Case Group and Control Group. Longer time until sputum conversion and lower rate of cavity healing were reported in the patients from Case Group. In 75.6% of pregnant women from Case Group there was a delivery with favorable perinatal outcomes.
Global tuberculosis burden in Russia and the world as a public health problem (historical and analytical review)
Authors: Zagdyn Z. M. , Kobesov N. V. , Rusakova L. I. , Vasilyeva T. P. , Aleksandrova O. Yu. , Galoyan A. S.
Published: December 2023

Based on an analysis of archive materials, scientific publications and official statistics obtained from 56 sources, the global tuberculosis burden was assessed. In 1918 in Russia, tuberculosis mortality made 360 cases per 100,000 population, exceeding that in other industrial countries: in England this rate was 113.0; in the USA – 148.0; in Switzerland – 201.0; in Italy – 209.0; in France – 226.0; in Germany – 230.0; and in Japan (1920) – 234 cases respectively. Having undergone colossal socio-economic catastrophes like no other country, Russia achieved significant success in the fight against tuberculosis: in 1913, tuberculosis incidence was 733.0 per 100,000 population, tuberculosis mortality was 276.8; while in 2021 these made 31.1 and 4.3 respectively. In 2021, WHO excluded Russia from the list of countries with a high burden of tuberculosis. However, in Russia as well as in the other BRICS countries, the burden of MDR TB and TB/HIV co-infection still remains high, which requires allocation of resources to reduce their spread.
Delamanid: Safety and Efficacy Analysis
Authors: Mozhokina G. N. , Samoylova A. G. , Vasilyeva I. A. , Abramchenko A. V.
Published: December 2023

The review presents the analysis of 50 publications describing treatment of multiple drug resistant tuberculosis with regimens containing the new drug of delamanid. Delamanid possesses a dual bactericidal effect not only against active but also dormant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The results of clinical studies on the efficacy and safety of delamanid within comprehensive chemotherapy are presented. The review demonstrates prospects for expanding the use of delamanid for treatment of adults and children.
Non-Injection Chemotherapy Regimens for Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Aksenova V. A. , Klevno N. I. , Kazakov A. V. , Pakhlavonova A. D. , Romanenko V. A. , Nikolenko N. Yu.
Published: December 2023

The objective: to determine the effectiveness and safety (tolerability) of non-injection chemotherapy regimens containing bedaquiline in pediatric patients with multiple drug resistant respiratory tuberculosis.

Subjects and Methods. Effectiveness and safety of treatment regimens containing non-injection drugs and Bdq were studied in 45 children from Main Group (MG) aged from 5 to 17 years old inclusive who were ill with multiple drug resistant tuberculosis. Control Group (CG) included patients of the same age with MDR TB who were treated with chemotherapy regimens containing injectable drugs (a retrospective study).

Results. After 24 weeks (the period during which patients took bedaquiline), clinical effectiveness of chemotherapy regimens was achieved in all patients. By the end of week 24 of treatment, significant positive radiographic changes were noted in 84.4% of  patients in MG and in 75.7% in CG (OR 1.741; 95% CI 0.658–4.611), healing of cavities was achieved in 42 (93.3%) and 66 (94.3%) patients, respectively (OR 0.848, 95% CI 0.181-3.982). No tuberculous mycobacteria were not detected in 100% of cases in both groups by month 6 of chemotherapy. The number of adverse reactions (AR) per patient averaged 1.25 and 1.26 in MG and CG. ARs occurred in patients receiving aminoglycosides in 41.4%: in MG – in 33.3%; 4/70 (5.7%) children from CG receiving injectable drugs developed adverse reactions requiring replacement of anti-tuberculosis drugs. No irreversible ARs were observed in MG.
Evaluation of Effectiveness of 9- and 6-Month Treatment Regimens in Patients with Multiple Drug Resistant or Rifampicin-Resistant Tuberculosis in the Republic of Belarus
Authors: Yatskevich N. V. , Gurevich G. L. , Skryagina E. M. , Gurbanova E.
Published: December 2023

The objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of 39- and 24-week treatment regimens in patients with multiple drug resistant or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB).

Subjects and Methods. We evaluated the effectiveness of 39- and 24-week treatment regimens containing bedaquiline, levofloxacin, linezolid, clofazimine, and cycloserine or delamanid (modified short-course regimens - mSCR) and bedaquiline, pretomanid, linezolid, and moxifloxacin (BPaLM), in cohorts of patients with MDR/RR-TB.

Results. Of the 550 and 139 patients were included in the mSCR and SMARRTT Studies (BPaLM regimen) from December 2019 to October 2021 and from March 2022 to August 2022, 90.7% (487/537) and 94.2% (131/139) achieved a successful treatment outcome, respectively, 13 patients were excluded from the mSCR Study and continued treatment according to an individual regimen. Median (ME) and quartiles [Q1-Q3] of sputum culture conversion time in patients treated with mSCR and BPaLM made 30.0 (25.0-56.0) and 27.0 (25.0-29.8) days (p<0.01) respectively. The prognostic factor for an unfavorable outcome for the BPaLM and mSCR regimens was a positive sputum microscopy result before treatment (OR – 7.92, 95% CI 1.5 – 41.0, p = 0.014; OR – 1.97, 95% CI 1.1–3.5, p=0.02, respectively), and for the mSCR regime, the time of sputum culture conversion >90 days was an additional prognostic factor (OR – 3.35, 95% CI 1.2–9.5, p=0.03) .

Conclusions. The effectiveness of the mSCR and BPaLM regimens in patients with MDR/RR-TB is high (90.7% and 94.2%, respectively). Patients with positive sputum microscopy and late sputum culture conversion have a lower chance of cure.
Analysis of Respiratory System Functional Parameters at Different Time Points after COVID-19
Authors: Savushkina O. I. , Muravieva E. S. , Avdeev S. N. , Kulagina I. Ts. , Malashenko M. M. , Zaytsev A. A.
Published: December 2023

The objective: to define the type and evaluate the severity of respiratory functional disorders after COVID-19. \

Subjects and Methods. A retrospective observational study was conducted. The following parameters were analyzed: demographic data, data from chest computed tomography during the acute period of the disease (CTmax), parameters of pulmonary function tests (PFT) – spirometry, body plethysmography and diffusion test. Those data were collected in 341 patients, 262 (76.8%) of them were men (median age – 48 (41.5–57) years, median durtaion of Period A (onset of COVID-19 before PFT) made 53 (28.5–111) days). Depending on duration of Period A, patients were divided into three groups: Group 1 – up to 90 days (n=221), Group 2 – 90-180 days (n=80), and Group 3 – more than 180 days (n=40). In patients of Groups 1, 2 and 3, in 68.3%, 47.5% and 32,5% of cases, respectively, disorders of diffusing lung capacity were recorded, which were associated to a greater extent with CTmax, and to a lesser extent with duration of Period A. The restrictive type of ventilation disorders was observed in 33.5% and 11% of cases in Groups 1 and 2, no restriction was detected in Group 3, airway obstruction was detected in 8%, 5%, 7.5% of cases in Groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively.

Conclusion. Disorder of diffusing lung capacity was the most common functional disorder of the respiratory system after COVID-19, and therefore it is advisable to include a diffusion test along with spirometry to the examination plan of such patients.
Experience of Fixed-Dose Combinations of Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs for Preventive Treatment in Children
Authors: Baronova O. D. , Aksenova V. A. , Klevno N. I. , Smerdin S. V.
Published: December 2023

The objective: to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of preventive treatment with fixed-dose combination of anti-tuberculosis drugs (FDCs) in children from groups at high risk of developing tuberculosis.

Subjects and Methods. Effectiveness of preventive treatment was analyzed in 318 children from groups at high risk of developing tuberculosis. Also, we studied the possibility of successful completion of the full course of treatment using FDCs and preventive treatment regimens containing at least two single drugs. Inclusion criteria were as follows: the child at high risk of developing tuberculosis; no clinical and radiological signs of active tuberculosis; lack of information about the resistance to first-line drugs at the suspected source of infection; and negative HIV status. A group of children (172 people) underwent preventive treatment using FDCs, of them 126 patients received FDCs containing isoniazid 150 mg + pyrazinamide 500 mg + pyridoxine hydrochloride 15 mg, and 46 patients received FDCs containing isoniazid 150 mg + ethambutol 400 mg + pyridoxine hydrochloride 15 mg. The comparison group (CG) included 146 children who received preventive treatment with single drugs: 111 children received isoniazid and pyrazinamide, and 35 children received isoniazid and ethambutol.

Results. When assessing the safety and effectiveness, no statistically significant differences were found when using FDCs and single-drug regimens. 91.9% of children receiving FDCs and 86.3% of children receiving single-drug regimens successfully completed the full course of treatment. When taking FDCs, there was a tendency to lower incidence of adverse events. With the FDC (isoniazid 150 mg + pyrazinamide 500 mg + pyridoxine hydrochloride 15 mg), the proportion of adverse events did not exceed 4.0%. There were no adverse events with the FDC (isoniazid 150 mg + ethambutol 400 mg + pyridoxine hydrochloride 15 mg).

Conclusion. Preventive treatment of children with tuberculosis infection with FDC is a modern and effective technology.
Simulation of Conditions and Results of Implementation of Short-Course Treatment Regimes in Tuberculosis Patients
Authors: Burykhin V. S. , Vasilyeva I. A. , Sterlikov S. A. , Testov V. V. , Kudrina V. G. , Urushadze N. D.
Published: December 2023

The objective: to study the conditions of implementation of short-course (4 and 9 months) treatment regimens in tuberculosis patients and simulate their impact on the frequency of early treatment interruption (ETI) by patients.

Subjects and Methods. Data on the treatment duration from enrollment to chemotherapy interruption in 8,029 tuberculosis patients were studied. Data were obtained from the Federal Register of Tuberculosis Cases for 2020. Of these, 3,379 patients were treated with regimens for susceptible or suspected susceptible tuberculous mycobacteria excluding isoniazid resistant tuberculosis, and 4,650 patients received regimens for rifampicin-resistant tuberculous mycobacteria.

Results. The median duration of treatment from onset to ETI was 124 (95% CI 120-128) days in 3,379 patients, 224 (95% CI 215-233) days in 4,650 patients, or 170 (95% CI 157-181) days if there was a history of treatment interruption. Simulation of ETI terms when short-course chemotherapy regimens were introduced has shown that we can expect a 2-fold decrease in the proportion of patients who interrupted chemotherapy among patients with preserved/suspected susceptibility of tuberculous mycobacteria, and 1.3-1.7-fold decrease among patients with confirmed/presumed drug resistance of tuberculous mycobacteria at least to rifampicin.
A Clinical Case: Novel Coronavirus Infection COVID-19 in a Patient with Lung Transplantation
Authors: Shklyaev A. E. , Galikhanova Y. I. , Starodubtseva O. I.
Published: December 2023

The article describes a clinical case of successful treatment of COVID-19 in a patient who previously underwent lung transplantation due to cystic fibrosis.
Effects of Iron Doped LiTaO3 Films on Transverse Optic (TO) and Longitudinal Optic (LO) Values Using Kramers-Kronig Method
Authors: Irzaman  , Syahrul  , Nazopatul Patonah Har  , Teguh Puja Negara  , Irmansyah  , Husin Alatas
Published: December 2023

Film fabrication of LiTaO3 has been successfully prepared with 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% Iron containing variations using the Chemical Solution Deposition (CSD) method. Each sample was characterized using FTIR and the wavenumber and transmittance values were obtained. This value was analyzed using the Kramers-Kronig (KK) method and obtained the Transverse Optic (TO) and Longitudinal Optic (LO) values. The results show that TO value is in wave numbers 462.25 cm-1 – 556.00 cm-1. While the value of LO is in the range of wave numbers 478.50 cm-1 – 571,00 cm-1. The results show an increase in both TO and LO values as the Iron Oxide percentage increases. Based on the analyses of TO, LO, ε₁ and ε₂, film fabrication of LiTaO3 has the potential as light, pressure and temperature sensors.
Synthesis and Characterization of SrTiO3 Doped with Bi(CH3COO)3
Authors: Mahfuddin Zuhri  , Hilal Fauzi Ramadhan  , Irzaman
Published: December 2023

Synthesis of Strontium Titanate (SrTiO3) doped with Bismuth Acetatem (Bi(CH3COO)3) has been successfully carried out with varying concentrations of 0%; 0.5%; 1%; and 1.5% impurity in weight percent. The concentrated solution was dripped onto a P- type silicon substrate (1 0 0) using the Chemical Solution Deposition (CSD) method and spin coating technique. Annealing process was carried out with a temperature increase of 1.67oC/minute and held at 850oC for 8 hours and then cooled to room temperature for 12 hours. The film thickness was determined by the volumetric method, resulting in values of 3.9 μm, 4.3 μm, 4.7 μm and 5.1 μm. The analysis of optical properties with the Kubelka-Munk function for the direct transition results a band gap of 3.46 - 3.56 eV. Analysis of the XRD results was carried out using the Cramer-Cohen method and obtained lattice parameters (a=b=c) of Strontium Titanate (SrTiO3) doped with Bismuth Acetate (Bi(CH3COO)3) with various concentrations of 0%; 0.5%; 1%; and 1.5% are 3.835 Å, 3.837 Å, 3.909 Å, 3.913 Å respectively with a cubic crystal structure. This is because the ionic radius of bismuth (1.32 Å) is larger than that of strontium (1.17 Å), so bismuth will replace strontium in thin films. This replacement causes the lattice parameter values to increase, and effects the XRD spectral curve at the preferred peak (1 1 0) shift to the left. This shows that the doping bismuth has entered the strontium host.
Characterization and Kinetic Study of TiO2/ ZnO Co-Doped with Nitrogen and Sulphur at Different Calcination Temperature
Authors: Nur Najwa Yunus  , Fazlena Hamzah  , Mohamad Sufian So’aib  , Jagannathan Krishnan
Published: December 2023

TiO2/ZnO nanocomposites, have garnered significant attention for their potential applications in environmental remediation and sustainable energy production. Doping these materials with non-metals like nitrogen and sulphur and using optimum calcination temperature holds promise for enhancing their photocatalytic efficiency. However, a comprehensive investigation into the impact of calcination temperature on nitrogen and sulphur co-doped TiO2/ZnO nanocomposites remains relatively unexplored and limits their extensive use in photocatalysis and makes it difficult to customise the materials for particular purposes. Thus, in this study, nitrogen and sulphur co-doped TiO2/ZnO nanocomposites were developed using a sol-gel method and the effect of calcination temperature (400oC - 800oC) on the chemical properties of TiO2/ZnO-N, S nanocomposites was determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and UV-visible spectroscopy. Based on the results, calcination temperature at 600oC gave the optimum characteristic of the catalyst and gave the highest photocatalytic efficiency. At 600oC, the mesoporous structure of TiO2/ZnO-N,S was obtained with crystallite size of 15.6nm, 35.6% crystallinity, 22.81m2/g surface area and dense layer with less agglomeration on the surface. For optical properties, doping of nitrogen and sulphur into TiO2/ ZnO able to narrow the band gap to 2.89eV. The kinetic studies of the reaction were studied with Langmuir, Freundlich and Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) models. All the models were compared based on their R2 value and Langmuir adsorption equilibrium constant (Kads) to elucidate the optimum model for the photocatalytic reaction. The result show that the L-H model fitted better to the adsorption, and considered to follow pseudo first-order decay kinetics. The research seeks to provide insights into the design and development of efficient photocatalysts for environmental remediation applications.
Implementation of Taguchi Method in Improving the Logic Gates Performance based on Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistor Technology
Authors: M. F. Abdul Hadi  , H. Hussin  , Y. Abd. Wahab
Published: December 2023

The International Roadmap for Device and Systems (IRDS) 2022 has emphasized the potential of CNTFETs to replace CMOS technology. Therefore, the substitution of silicon with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has the potential to open new possibilities for the semiconductor industry, due to their compact size and superior electrical properties. Thus, this project utilized Cadence Virtuoso software to develop an optimized CNTFET design using Taguchi method. In this design, the Taguchi method was implemented to determine the best combination of design parameter and material for optimum CNTFET performance. The design parameter and material that had been chosen were the diameter of carbon nanotube, dielectric material and oxide thickness. The optimized CNTFET model is implemented in circuit study to analyse the propagation delay and power consumption. Five circuits had been designed from the optimized CNTFET which are the inverter, AND, OR, NAND and NOR circuit. The Taguchi Optimization method resulted in significant reductions in the power- delay product (PDP) for all circuits examined, ranging from 7.9954% for the AND circuit to an exceptional 99.9622% for the inverter circuit. These findings highlight the potential for improved power efficiency and faster circuit operation when utilizing the Taguchi Optimization approach.
Effect of Different Hydrophilic-lipophilic Balance (HLB) on Droplet Size, Polydispersity Index and Stability of Lemon Myrtle Nanoemulsion
Authors: Siti Noraini Bunawan  , Noor Azlina Masdor  , Nur Adeela Yasid  , Mohd Izuan Effendi Halmi  , Mohd Yunus Abd Shukor
Published: December 2023

Using mixed non-ionic surfactants Tween/Span, we determined the required hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value on the oil in water nanoemulsion of lemon myrtle essential oil. In this study, Span 80 mixed with Tween 80, and Span 20 mixed with Tween 20 were used as mixed non-ionic surfactant. The droplet size, polydispersity index and stability of the lemon myrtle nanoemulsion at different HLB values were obtained over a period of 28 days. Both mixed surfactants have similar required HLB value at HLB 14 due to their smallest droplet size and lowest polydispersity index during the early nanoemulsion preparation. However, after a period of 28 days, nanoemulsion with Span 80-Tween 80 surfactant mixture was more stable compared to Span 20-Tween 20 surfactant mixture. Therefore, HLB 14 using Span 80-Tween 80 surfactant mixture has been selected as the required HLB for lemon myrtle nanoemulsion due to its stability and consistency of droplet size in 28 days.
Legal Protection in Medical Disputes for Doctors in Relation to The Principle of Lex Specialist
Authors: Zamrotul Damayanti Lukluk , Tohir Suriaatmadja Toto , Lucyati Alma
Published: December 2023

Health is one of the constitutional rights protected by law. The importance of health in everyday life makes many people hope to get a cure when they see a doctor. Patient expectations that differ from the results obtained sometimes lead to medical disputes. Conflicts that occur between doctors and patients if they cannot be resolved by mediation usually the patient or the patient's family will report to the authorities. Some law enforcers, in this case the police, still use the Criminal Code or Civil Code as the basis for charges without looking at other more specialised laws such as the Medical Practices Act (UUPK). The purpose of this thesis is to find out the procedures for legal protection for doctors in medical disputes and also to find out the application of the Lex Specialist principle of Article 79 letter (C) of the GCPL in relation to the lex generalis principle of the Civil Code in resolving medical disputes for doctors. This research uses a normative juridical approach and is analytically descriptive. From the results of this study, it can be concluded by the author that doctors will get legal protection in medical disputes if they have fulfilled administrative obligations, namely having STR and SIP as a condition for practicing medicine and performing actions according to SOPs, Professional Standards and conducting inform consent completely and clearly and filling out medical records in accordance with the actions performed.
Peningkatan Kemampuan Guru Matematika dalam Pembelajaran Saintifik melalui Peer Training
Authors: Adetia Elsa , Patimah Siti , Septian Ari , Monariska Erma
Published: December 2023

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk merumuskan desain peer training untuk meningkatkan kemampuan guru dalam melaksanakan pembelajaran saintifik. Penelitian dilatarbelakangi kesulitan guru matematika kelas 10, yang belum dapat diatasi melalui forum MGMP sekolah SMK Sinar Parahyangan yaitu dalam melaksanakan pembelajaran saintifik. Penelitian ini terdiri dari dua siklus penelitian tindakan kepengawasan yang masing-masingnya melalui tahap perencanaan, implementasi, observasi, dan refleksi. Indikator keberhasilan terdiri dari tiga hal yaitu kualitas peer training, perencanaan, dan pelaksanaan pembelajaran saintifik mencapai skor 71%. Hasil pengamatan menunjukkan skor peer training siklus 1 sebesar 69,38 (cukup) dan siklus 2 sebesar 92,61 (amat baik) sehingga diperoleh skor gain 0,50 dengan kriteria “sedang”. Skor rata-rata pengamatan perencanaan perangkat pembelajaran saintifik pada siklus 1 sebesar 68,94 (cukup) dan pada siklus 2 sebesar 91,11 (amat baik) sehingga diperoleh skor gain 0,71 dengan kriteria “tinggi”. Skor rata-rata pengamatan pelaksanaan pembelajaran saintifik pada siklus 1 sebesar 69,82 (cukup) dan pada siklus 2 sebesar 94,11 (amat baik) sehingga diperoleh skor gain sebesar 0,72 dengan kriteria “tinggi”. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini adalah peer training dapat meningkatkan kemampuan guru dalam melaksanakan pembelajaran saintifik. Peneliti merekomendasikan kepada para trainer dan pengawas bahwa peer training dapat menjadi referensi untuk kegiatan pelatihan, baik di lingkup sebuah sekolah tertentu maupun beberapa sekolah.
Systematic Literature Review : Trend Penelitian tentang Pemahaman Matematis di Indonesia
Authors: Neneng Pitaloka  , Septian Ari , Soeleman Muhamad
Published: December 2023

Rendahnya kemampuan pemahaman matematis peserta didik di Indonesia, membuat para peneliti mengambil topik ini untuk dijadikan latar belakang penelitiannya guna mendapatkan solusi terbaik akan masalah tersebut. Pada penelitan ini, peneliti mengkaji penelitian sebelumnya dan terkini dari artikel yang sudah terbit dengan tujuan mengetahui trend penelitian tentang pemahaman matematis di Indonesia dari tahun 2019-2023. Metode yang digunakan adalah Systematic Literature Review (SLR) dengan menganalisis artikel-artikel yang sudah sesuai dengan kriteria. Sampel yang sudah sesuai kriteria pada penelitian ini adalah 50 artikel yang sudah terindeks jurnal SINTA (Science and Technology Index), terbit tahun 2019-2023 dengan kata kunci “pemahaman matematis”.  Analisis data yang digunakan mengacu pada model Miles dan Huberman yaitu reduksi data, penyajian data, dan verifikasi/penarikan kesimpulan. Berdasarkan hasil temuan, frekuensi artikel tentang pemahaman matematis di Indonesia kian meningkat jumlahnya yang dimana jurnal yang paling banyak menerbitkan artikel tentang pemahaman matematis adalah jurnal JPMI – Jurnal Pembelajaran Matematika Inovatif. Setelah mengolah data, artikel dikelompokkan sesuai dengan trend penelitian kemudian ditemukan bahwa, 1) pada trend materi matematika, peneliti cenderung memilih materi Sistem Persamaan Linear Dua Variabel (SPLDV) & Bangun Datar Segiempat dalam penelitiannya, 2) pada trend jenjang pendidikan, peneliti cenderung memilih jenjang SMP sebagai sampel penelitian, 3) pada trend jenis penelitian, peneliti cenderung menggunakan jenis penelitian Eksperimen.