bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DeepPointMap: Advancing LiDAR SLAM with Unified Neural Descriptors
Authors: Zhang Xiaze , Ding Ziheng , Jing Qi , Zhang Yuejie , Ding Wenchao , Feng Rui
Published: March 2024

Point clouds have shown significant potential in various domains, including Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). However, existing approaches either rely on dense point clouds to achieve high localization accuracy or use generalized descriptors to reduce map size. Unfortunately, these two aspects seem to conflict with each other. To address this limitation, we propose an unified architecture, DeepPointMap, achieving excellent preference on both aspects. We utilize neural network to extract highly representative and sparse neural descriptors from point clouds, enabling memory-efficient map representation and accurate multi-scale localization tasks (e.g., odometry and loop-closure). Moreover, we showcase the versatility of our framework by extending it to more challenging multi-agent collaborative SLAM. The promising results obtained in these scenarios further emphasize the effectiveness and potential of our approach.
Minimal Macro-Based Rewritings of Formal Languages: Theory and Applications in Ontology Engineering (and Beyond)
Authors: Kindermann Christian , George Anne-Marie , Parsia Bijan , Sattler Uli
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we introduce the problem of rewriting finite formal languages using syntactic macros such that the rewriting is minimal in size. We present polynomial-time algorithms to solve variants of this problem and show their correctness. To demonstrate the practical relevance of the proposed problems and the feasibility and effectiveness of our algorithms in practice, we apply these to biomedical ontologies authored in OWL. We find that such rewritings can significantly reduce the size of ontologies by capturing repeated expressions with macros. This approach not only offers valuable assistance in enhancing ontology quality and comprehension but can also be seen as a general methodology for evaluating features of rewriting systems (including syntactic macros, templates, or other forms of rewriting rules), which can be analyzed in terms of their influence on computational problems.
INFORMEDQX: Informed Conflict Detection for Over-Constrained Problems
Authors: Le Viet-Man , Felfernig Alexander , Tran Thi Ngoc Trang , Uta Mathias
Published: March 2024

Conflict detection is relevant in various application scenarios, ranging from interactive decision-making to the diagnosis of faulty knowledge bases. Conflicts can be regarded as sets of constraints that cause an inconsistency. In many scenarios (e.g., constraint-based configuration), conflicts are repeatedly determined for the same or similar sets of constraints. This misses out on the valuable opportunity for leveraging knowledge reuse and related potential performance improvements, which are extremely important, specifically interactive constraint-based applications. In this paper, we show how to integrate knowledge reuse concepts into non-instructive conflict detection. We introduce the InformedQX algorithm, which is a reuse-aware variant of QuickXPlain. The results of a related performance analysis with the Linux-2.6.3.33 configuration knowledge base show significant improvements in terms of runtime performance compared to QuickXPlain.
Bilateral Gradual Semantics for Weighted Argumentation
Authors: Wang Zongshun , Shen Yuping
Published: March 2024

Abstract argumentation is a reasoning model for evaluating arguments. Recently, gradual semantics has received considerable attention in weighted argumentation, which assigns an acceptability degree to each argument as its strength. In this paper, we aim to enhance gradual semantics by non-reciprocally incorporating the notion of rejectability degree. Such a setting offers a bilateral perspective on argument strength, enabling more comprehensive argument evaluations in practical situations. To this end, we first provide a set of principles for our semantics, taking both the acceptability and rejectability degrees into account, and propose three novel semantics conforming to the above principles. These semantics are defined as the limits of iterative sequences that always converge in any given weighted argumentation system, making them preferable for real-world applications.
Examining the characteristics of Roma–non-Roma interethnic romantic relationships using decision tree analysis
Authors: Komolafe Cinderella , Dávid Beáta
Published: March 2024

Interethnic romantic relationships can be perceived as indicators of integration, but they can also be facilitators of successful social integration. This is why we considered it important to study Roma people who had already had a non-Roma partner. We were looking for answers to the question of what is characteristic of these people compared to those who have only been in a romantic relationship or marriage with a Roma partner throughout their lives. In our study, we investigated the correlations using a Khi2 test and decision tree analysis on a sample of 535 Roma people in Hungary. Among the sociodemographic characteristics, gender, marital status, actual relationship status, educational attainment, belonging to a Roma community (Romungro, Olah, Boyash), occupation and settlement type were significantly associated with whether Roma respondents had ever had a non-Roma partner. Roma people with less than eight years of primary education had the most homogeneous partner choice habits. Roma people with more than eight years of education, unmarried, cohabiting with their partner or not living with their partner had had non-Roma partners in the highest proportion. As educational attainment increases, it can be assumed that more and more Roma-non-Roma romantic relationships and marriages will be formed in Hungary.
Local food as resistance: Integrating women’s experiences in the Hungarian food sovereignty movement
Authors: Bródy Luca Sára , Farkas Judit , Gál Izóra , Milánkovics Kinga , Nagy Erika , Sági Mirjam
Published: March 2024

The weak civil society thesis in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has been central to scholarly debates interpreting civil society from a Western lens. Touching upon the issue of food sovereignty, we contest this conceptualisation by revealing the wider networks and strength of food-related local practices in Hungary after the 1990s. In doing so, we rely on a qualitative study conducted between 2020-2021, based on 25 semi-structured ‘oral herstory’ interviews with women who have been actively dealing with food sovereignty issues. With the above study, we had three main objectives. First, to counter the widespread (mis)perception of local food production as a mere necessity in CEE. Second, we highlight the importance of rural local food production, to counter the understanding of home gardening as a practice without resistance. Thirdly, we wish to voice the experiences of women in the movement in their larger structural and historical settings. Our findings concentrate on two key areas: the movement's experience with recurrent crises and political-economic conditions from the 1990s onwards, and the subjective assessment of shifting hierarchical dynamics within the movement milieu. The paper's main goal is to illuminate women's experiences and positionality within the global food system from a Hungarian viewpoint.
Flexibility without security: Labour market integration mechanisms in Hungary during the 2010s
Authors: Illéssy Miklós , Huszár Ákos , Csizmadia Péter
Published: March 2024

The paper aims to summarise the role of social integration in the labour market processes of the 2010s in Hungary. We have left behind a key decade when employment growth reached unprecedented proportions. However, this unprecedented growth had serious social costs, as those excluded from the labour market during the break-up of the welfare state were left without social protection, and because the financial situation of those entering the labour market improved in absolute terms. Still, their relative deprivation did not change or worsened, and in the meanwhile their ability to enforce their interests has been significantly reduced. That is, today’s Hungarian government wants to integrate the members of society into the labour market. To this end, it provides increasingly weak protection for those who, due to old age, long-term illness or unemployment, are forced to stay out of the labour market. Disintegration affects those with the fewest resources, the least capable of conflict and those unable to articulate their problems in public most: these are women, young people and older workers who are ‘traditionally’ in a worse position in the labour market, in addition to those who are forced out of the labour market. The question is whether the current social model or the situation of those who disintegrated from the labour market will continue to deteriorate after the economic slowdown.
Whose integration?
Authors: Keller Judit , Virág Tünde
Published: March 2024

Lingering spatial disparities within the EU have often been explained by macro-level structural trends. However, studies have also spelt out the role of local agency in organising social integration processes through local institutional arrangements. The agency of socially skilled local actors is acquired by recombining various resources and denotes their capacity to (re)negotiate the web of local relations and membership in the community through the distribution of developmental goods and controlling access to services. Informed by theories of development as institutional change and strategic action field theory, our paper analyses the evolution and action of this local project class in organising social order by acting as brokers between the institutional environment and local institutional arrangements. Our research question hinges upon the process through which the project class (re)combines resources in order to maintain local social order based on their own perceptions and visions of the locality. Empirical evidence was gathered through various qualitative research projects over two decades, supplemented by recent follow-up interviews with the same actors in a small peripheral town in northern Hungary. Our extended research indicates that maintaining local social order derives from the local elite’s perceptions of spatial injustice, which means maintaining pre-existing social and class positions. This is a highly selective process and reflects degrees of vulnerability within the local community.
Jensen, J. (2022). Memory Politics and Populism in Southeastern Europe. Routledge
Authors: Stepanović Ivana
Published: March 2024

This book is a unique ethnographic project that reveals the hidden trajectories between memory politics and populism in Southeastern Europe through eleven case studies. The authors are putting architectural designs, memorials, and commemorations under the magnifying glass and uncovering the forgotten heroes or historic events to find untold stories and understand how memories are being fabricated, reinterpreted, and redeemed from the oblivion or pulled out of the original context to tailor-make populist narratives which are always serving political actors to pursue their goals and ambitions. The case studies show how the same historic events, personalities, and (non)places can be interpreted in different ways depending on the ethnic-nationalist codes used to (re)produce identities and imagined communities which leads to the strengthening of enmities. The authors explain how war heroes and ideological categories merely represent empty signifiers in their quest to debunk myths that underly the official government policies as well as conspiracy theories that persistently undermine the projects of reconciliation in the region.
HYDROLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE CIKAPUNDUNG WATERSHED, TAMANSARI BALUBUR AREA OF BANDUNG, WEST JAVA, INDONESIA
Authors: Rohmat Rohmat , Akbardin Juang , Maknun Johar
Published: March 2024

AbstractCikapundung River is one of the rivers that divide Bandung City which functions as the city's main drainage, the general use of Cikapundung River water is for drinking water (PDAM Dago Pakar and PDAM Badak Singa), hydropower (Pakar and Cilengkung), and irrigation. The number of activities and utilization of the Cikapundung river in quantity is at risk of causing flooding which is influenced by various factors. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the flood discharge to determine the value of the planned flood discharge in the Cikapundung River. The purpose of this study was to analyze flood discharge using empirical methods on the Cikapundung river in the Tamansari area in the context of flood control efforts. The analysis carried out is a hydrological analysis which includes an analysis of maximum rainfall using the frequency distribution method type Gumbel, Haspers, Weduwen, and Log Pearson, and a design flood discharge analysis using the Rational Method. Based on the results of the analysis of the highest discharge, Rational Gumbel with a return period of 2 years 5,076 m3/s, a return period of 5 years 8,371 m3/s, a return period of 10 years 10,553 m3/s, a return period of 20 years 12,645 m3/s, 25 year return period 13,097 m3/s, 50 year return period 15,354 m3/s, 100 year return period 17,384 m3/s, 150 year return period 518,395 m3/sec. Efforts that can be made in flood control efforts are restoration or rearrangement of the environment around the Cikapundung river border. Keywords: Cikapundung Watershed Hydrological Analysis, Flood Discharge Analysis, Empirical Method
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF USE OF DIFABLE RESIDENTIAL UNITS ON THE DESIGN OF A PROTOTYPE OF STUDENT FLATS FROM PUPR
Authors: Nurlestya Putri Yastine
Published: March 2024

Several universities in Indonesia have received assistance for the construction of student flats since the issuance of the policy on assistance for the construction of flats for higher education institutions. One of them is in the city of Bandung on the STAIPI Campus (Persistent Indonesian Islamic School of Religion) Bandung, Kec. Bojongsoang, Bandung City. This university received donations for a 1-tower student flat building with a prototype design. In this observation, we will discuss the effectiveness of the use of special housing units for the disabled in student flats, that these disabled residential facilities are used properly according to their designation. The research methodology used is qualitative, and the research method used is a literature review method. In the 1 year, the student flats facilities, especially the disabled housing units, and several applications of inclusive designs have not been effective. For example, the disabled housing unit is temporarily filled by other students. The conclusion from the effectiveness of the use of special housing for the disabled is still not effective, because this student rusunawa facility has only been operating for 1 year from the 2020 Academic Year to the 2021 Academic Year.
DEVELOPMENT OF WEBSITE-BASED LEARNING MEDIA ON BASIC COMPETENCIES OF TUBER PROCESSING
Authors: Fadilah Firda , Handayani Sri , Azizah Dewi Nur
Published: March 2024

Learning that takes place online during a pandemic makes the learning process more challenging because of the difficulty of conditioning the learning process. The role of learning media is important to make learning more interesting which is expected to improve student learning outcomes. This study aims to determine the feasibility of website-based learning media on the basic competence of tubers processing. The development of this website-based learning media uses the ADDIE method which consists of five stages, namely: (1) Analysis; (2) Design (Design); (3) Development (Development); (4) Implementation, and (5) Evaluation. Keywords: ADDIE, learning media, website.
FEASIBILITY STUDY OF CISAAT SMPN 1 RELOCATION IN THE CISAAT URBAN AREA
Authors: Darsono Haris
Published: March 2024

Educational facilities are one of the urban facilities and infrastructure that cannot be simply ignored. The existence of educational facilities must be able to accommodate the needs of the community in fulfilling the need for education, following the mandate of the 1945 Constitution to educate the life of the nation. Cisaat Middle School is one of the educational facilities located in the Cisaat urban area, which is in the trade and service area. The existence of these educational facilities needs to be reviewed for feasibility related to the completeness of infrastructure as well as comfort and safety in the learning process. The methodology used in this study itself uses quantitative and qualitative research methods where the research begins with collecting data from existing schools, which is then compared with the minimum standard of school infrastructure. Furthermore, data collection related to possible relocation alternatives is carried out by making several assessment variables, so that it is expected to be able to provide recommendations for appropriate relocation directions. From the results of the study, we can get the result that the location of the Cisaat Middle School is no longer suitable be used as a place of education from several points of view. Meanwhile, for the relocation land itself, several locations can be used as relocation candidates with several advantages and disadvantages.Keywords: feasibility study, relocation, junior high school, Cisaat urban area
DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING SDN 05 PAGI IN CIBUBUR
Authors: Widyaningrum Putri Ayu , Mentari Sekar
Published: March 2024

Abstract—The compressive strength of concrete can be used to increase the strength of steel beams, especially in the positive moment region. From the composite action that occurs it is expected to reduce the size of the steel profile to be used. This thesis compiles a plan using Composite Steel Beams and End Plate Connections, using the SAP2000v23 program for static calculations, and calculation of beam and column dimensions as well as connection and base plate planning. To analyze the dimensions of the required WF Steel Profiles for Columns, Composite Beams, beam-column connections, main beams-joists, and floor slabs. From the analysis results, the dimensions for main beams are WF 400x200x8x13 and WF 450x200x9x14, for joists using WF 300x150x8x13, and for columns using WF 350x350x12x19. The design of the connection on the flanged beams uses an End Plate with a plate thickness of 18 mm and the number of bolts is 8 Ø 24 mm. The connection design for the web beam-column connection uses an End Plate with a thickness of 10 mm and a total of 8 Ø 20 mm bolts. The connection design for the main beam-subbeam and the joist beams uses an angled profile of 80x80x8 and the number of bolts is 4 Ø 22 mm. The required base plate size is 550x550x45mm using 8 Ø 19 mm anchors with a length of 800 mm. Keywords : Steel Structure, Composite, SAP2000v23
ANALYSIS OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURE FULFILLMENT IN CIBEUNYING KIDUL DISTRICT: A CASE STUDY OF PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 004 CICADAS AWIGOMBONG, BANDUNG CITY
Authors: Nurulhuda Encep
Published: March 2024

The current availability of land to meet the needs of educational unit support infrastructure is one of the problems that often arises amidst the difficulty of land availability in accordance with its designation. Cibeunying Kidul District is one of the sub-districts in the city of Bandung which has a fairly large population with housing that is in the high density category. The purpose of this research is to find out the existing condition of fulfilling the scale of education facility services and fulfilling the standard infrastructure that must be provided in basic education units as well as adjustments to future conditions in the implementation of education in Cibeunying Kidul District in 2023 and the achievement of each student from home to school in accordance with the implementation of the zoning system. the method used is to conduct a literature study by including case studies as a measuring tool in finding answers to the problems found. The results showed that of the 16 elementary schools in Cibeunying Kidul District, 53% of the availability of classroom infrastructure was still insufficient compared to the number of students in each school, 47% were sufficient. If you look at the development of the population in the next 6 or 7 to 12 years, a large enough additional land is needed to provide classroom infrastructure in the future. Other infrastructure such as the teacher's room, principal's room, library, toilets, prayer room, and ceremonial and sports fields which were seen in one of the case study schools showed that even though the achievements were in accordance with the stipulated zoning system, the fulfillment of other infrastructure was no longer possible to develop. in accordance with the number of existing students, so that in addition to providing new land, setting the time for learning, the new solution is to change the learning method to a blended learning system with digital learning media which will not require a large enough space requirement as currently determined standards.
Comparison between Surgeon Administered Intraoperative Transverse Abdominis Plane Block with Wound Site Local Anesthetic Infiltration in Patients Undergoing Open Appendicectomy: A Prospective Double-Blinded Randomised Control Trial
Authors:   Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Published: March 2024

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a defined technique for managing postoperative pain. In particular, the use of surgeon-administered TAP blocks needs more comprehensive research. Therefore, our objective was to record the pain relief needed in patients who underwent surgical administered TAP blocks followed with an open appendectomy in comparison to those who received local anaesthetic infiltration at the wound site. Additionally, we aimed to assess the time until the first postoperative analgesic application and compare tramadol requirements in the postoperative period for these two groups. We conducted a controlled, prospective, randomised, double-blind study involving patients who underwent open appendicectomy at Hospital Sultanah Aminah Johor Bahru from April 2017 to October 2017. Of 61 patients, 31 were in the intervention group, and 30 were in the control group. Both groups of patients received a dose of 10cc of 0.25% levobupivacaine. Patients in the intervention group experienced a longer interval before requiring their first rescue analgesia (2.6 hours versus 1.17 hours; p=0.02, SD=1.66-2.97). The total tramadol dose needed over the first 24 hours in the intervention group was slightly lower at 115.8mg compared to the control group, which used 136.7mg (p=0.32, sd=72.42-89.96). Notably, patients in the intervention group also had a significantly shorter hospital stay (1.39 versus 1.68 days, p=0.02). It was worth noting that none of our patients experienced any adverse events during the study. Considering our study's effectiveness and safety profile, we recommended the routine use of surgeon-administered TAP blocks in open appendicectomy. This approach not only enhanced patient postoperative analgesia but also reduced the duration of hospitalisation.
Estimating Surgical Duration for Surgeries: Towards an Efficient Schedule of Operating Theatre
Authors:   Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Published: March 2024

Poor operation theatre (OT) scheduling is a common cause of case cancellation on the day of surgery. We analysed the accuracy of anaesthetists and surgeons in estimating the surgical time to complete an operation and investigated whether the estimated times was correlated with the actual surgical time. It was a prospective observational study with 369 elective cases from various surgical subspecialties which were performed within three months in a tertiary university hospital. Anaesthetists and surgeons were required to estimate the surgical time of the elective cases before the day of surgery. Their estimations were compared with the recorded actual surgical time. The primary outcome was the median time difference from the estimated surgical time. Anaesthetists accurately estimated surgical times of 82 cases (22%) and surgeons 59 cases (16%). Overall, anaesthetists overestimated the surgical time by 11 minutes of actual surgical times [interquartile range (IQR) -15 to 40 minutes]. Surgeons underestimated their surgical time by 15 minutes [IQR -60 to 20 minutes]. The median estimated surgical time difference between anaesthetists and surgeons was significantly different (p<0.0001). Among the surgical subspecialties, the longest overestimation by anaesthetists was up to 48 minutes in colorectal surgeries. The most underestimated median time difference by surgeons was 65 minutes, seen in upper gastrointestinal surgeries. A significant strong positive correlation existed between overall anaesthetists' estimated and actual surgical times (rs = 0.735, p<0.0001). At the same time, there was a weak correlation between surgeons’ overall estimation time upon booking and actual surgical times (rs = 0.492, p<0.0001). In conclusion, both the anaesthetists and surgeons were significantly inaccurate in estimating the duration of surgical procedures. Although the anaesthetists tended to overestimate it while surgeons underestimated it, their estimations correlated strongly with the actual surgical times, whereas surgeons’ estimations were weakly correlated.
Efficacy of Octyl-Cyanoacrylate Dermabond Adhesive Glue versus Polyglactin 3/0 Suture for Closure of Caesarean Section Skin Incision - A Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors:   Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Published: March 2024

This was a prospective randomised controlled trial conducted at a tertiary hospital on 82 women who underwent caesarean section aiming to assess the efficacy of octyl-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive glue versus polyglactin 3/0 suture for the closure of caesarean sections skin incision. The study group consisted of 41 women who underwent skin closure using octyl-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive glue, whereas 41 women in the control group had subcuticular skin closure using polyglactin 3/0 sutures. The choice of anaesthesia, prophylactic antibiotic, operative technique, and immediate post-operative oral analgesia was standardised between the two groups. Time taken for skin closure, pain score at day 2 and 14, the total analgesia dose needed and duration (day two onwards), and any adverse events were recorded. The time required for skin closure was significantly less in the study group, with a mean difference of 97.7 seconds (170.8 seconds vs 268.5 seconds, p<0.001). Pain scores on day 2 were similar between the two groups (4.0 vs 5.0, p=0.09), whereas pain score on day 14 was significantly lower in the study group (2.0 vs 4.0, p<0.001). The median duration (day two onward) of oral analgesia use was four days in the study group and six days in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (p=<0.001). The median amount of additional analgesia required was a third less in the tissue adhesive group than in the control group. On day 14, surgical site infection was similar in both groups. In conclusion, octyl-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive glue may safely close a caesarean section skin incision. It was associated with faster application, lesser pain score, and lesser need for analgesia without additional adverse events compared to the conventional suturing method.
Ocular Leptospirosis Presenting as Neuroretinitis in Patients without Systemic Symptoms
Authors:   Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Published: March 2024

Neuroretinitis is an atypical presentation of ocular leptospirosis. Patients present with neuroretinitis as the only sign of leptospirosis which poses a diagnostic challenge. We reported two cases of ocular leptospirosis with neuroretinitis presentation in healthy individuals. Both patients presented swollen discs, macula star and retinal vasculitis. None of the patients had systemic symptoms of leptospirosis before the ocular complaint. Both patients were treated with oral doxycycline for four weeks and recovered well.
Development of a Student-centred Approach for Alternative Teaching Method Incorporating Human Palpation as Pedagogy Tools in Anatomy Education of the Appendicular System
Authors:   Department of Population Medicine, M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
Published: March 2024

Anatomy is one of the most important subjects for medical and health science students offered during pre-clinical years. A good knowledge in human anatomy determines their competency in the future. Unfortunately, memorising anatomy can be relatively challenging especially for junior students since they are not exposed to the nomenclature. Therefore, this study aimed to design and develop an anatomy curriculum to assist students in knowledge retention and translation into clinical settings. The development of this module was based on social cognitive theory (SCT) according to A-Analysis, D-Design, D-Develop approach which was adopted from A-Analysis, D-Design, D-Develop, I-Implement, E-Evaluate (ADDIE) Model, together with the content experts. Due to the concern of comprehending and practically applying anatomical knowledge, and short attention spans of students, the module was designed to alternate between lectures and practical sessions to maximise knowledge retention. The main focus on this curriculum module was on the gross anatomy of the appendicular system and ends with students being required to palpate and compare the differences between normal and pathological structures of the appendicular system. This curriculum effectively addressed the issue of short attention spans by incorporating hands-on experiences, and engaging students in tactile learning that enhanced focus and engagement.
Evaluating the Phototherapy Practice and Adherence to Guideline in Managing Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia in an Indonesian Tertiary Referral Hospital
Authors:   Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
Published: March 2024

A guideline for the management of hyperbilirubinemia in infants has recently been established in Indonesia, but physician acceptance and adherence to these standards are unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the current state of phototherapy practice and to determine if this was in-line with the Indonesian Hyperbilirubinemia Guideline. The study was done in the neonatal care units of Dr. Soetomo Hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia. We evaluated all babies on phototherapy between September 2019 and September 2020. The conformity to core elements in the national guideline was assessed on hyperbilirubinemia management for 89 infants, two-third of these being preterm and low birth weight. One-third of infants were commenced on phototherapy just based on transcutaneous bilirubin measurement. A significant proportion of infants had phototherapy ceased without bilirubin level assessment or confirmation that jaundice had significantly resolved. Almost all (95.9%) of the phototherapy sessions did not conform to guidelines, with the most common being inadequate exposure of the body surface area to light. In spite of a guideline adapted to be pragmatic and applicable to the local setting, healthcare practitioners were not sufficiently aligned, thus an urgent reassessment of the implementation and adoption of the current hyperbilirubinemia guideline is required.
Malay Language Translation of an Instrument to Assess Perception of Lean Adoption in Healthcare Service
Authors:   Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Published: March 2024

Based on thorough literature search, Lean in Healthcare Questionnaire (LiHcQ) has not yet been validated in Malay, so the purpose of this study was to create a validated Malay version of LiHcQ for the purpose of assessing perceptions of lean adoption among healthcare workers. The translated LiHcQ could encourage more studies to examine the perception of lean adoption in Malaysia. The translation using forward-backward method was carried according to the established guideline available involving multiple committee members. Ten respondents involved in face validity assessment with universal face validity index was 0.91. Assessment of construct validity was done using 251 Emergency Department personnel which included doctors, nurses and medical assistants. The goodness of fit indices for the four LiHcQ-M factors were good. The composite reliability of the four domains ranged from 0.784 to 0.902 and average variance extracted (AVE) ranged from 0.547 to 0.653. The internal consistency ranged from 0.750 to 0.905 and stability reliability was acceptable. LiHcQ-M is a suitable instrument for measuring the perception of lean adoption among medical staff based on the results of its validity and reliability assessments. It is highly recommended for additional validity study to be carried out in order to validate LiHcQ-M’s credentials.
Metabolic Profiling Reveals the Importance of Arginine Metabolism via the Arginine Deiminase Pathway in Vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus
Authors:   UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Published: March 2024

Gene mutations located in VraSR and GraSR, two-component regulatory systems have been reported to cause vancomycin resistance in vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA). Subsequent comparative proteomic profiling between vancomycin-susceptible S. aureus (VSSA) and VISAs of the Mu50 genetic lineage revealed up-regulated level of catabolic ornithine carbamoyltransferase (ArcB) in the latter, suggesting a role of arginine catabolism in VISA development. This study aimed to further investigate metabolic pathways associated with VISA development using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS)-based untargeted metabolomic profiling. Metabolite profiles were compared among 3 isogenic strains of the Mu50 lineage: Mu50Ω (VSSA), Mu50Ω-vraSm (VISA) and Mu50Ω-vraSm-graRm (VISA). Intracellular levels of α-hydroxyglutaric acid, choline, lysine, malic acid, N-acetylornithine, nicotinamide, and cystathionine were found to be significantly different between VISAs compared to VSSA. VISA cells were found to have lower levels of intracellular citrulline and extracellular arginine, with higher extracellular level of ornithine compared to VSSA. These differences in metabolite levels between VISA and VSSA suggested the importance of arginine metabolism. Activation of the arginine deiminase pathway (ADI) in VISAs of the Mu50 lineage could be further explored as a target for antibiotic development.
Discovery of Knowledge and Perception among the Indigenous People Related to Teenage Pregnancy and Sexual Education
Authors:   Institute of Planetary Survival for Sustainable Well-being (PLANETIIUM), International Islamic University Malaysia, Level 2, Jalan Hospital, 25100 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.
Published: March 2024

This study examined the knowledge and perceptions of sexual education and teenage pregnancy among Indigenous people in Pekan, Malaysia. The research aimed to address the high rates of teenage pregnancy, particularly among unmarried teenagers, in the country. Through qualitative methods, including semistructured interviews with Indigenous participants, several themes emerged. These themes included the sources of sexual education, such as formal and informal channels, first sexual experiences, safe-sex beliefs, and the importance of sexual education for children. The study also explored perceptions of teenage pregnancy, identifying factors like young marriage and premarital dating. Participants shared their views on premarital motherhood among those under 20 years old, as well as the acceptance and responses of parents and the responsibility of the baby’s father. The study highlighted the complications of teenage pregnancy for both the baby and mother. The findings revealed a lack of sexual education knowledge among Indigenous participants, attributed to limited access to facilities like mobile phones and limited interaction with outsiders. The study recommends further research and the dissemination of awareness and knowledge about sexual education, particularly through campaigns and outreach efforts to Indigenous communities, while also emphasise the need to review the effectiveness of these initiatives.
PTEN and PI3K Mutation Markers and Expression of CD68 and IL-6 Inflammatory Markers in Endometrioid and Clear Cell Ovarian Carcinoma with Underlying Endometriosis
Authors:   Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Jalan Ya’acob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Published: March 2024

The objective of this research endeavour was to ascertain whether there existed a distinction in the protein expression levels of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), phosphatidylinositol-4,5-biphosphate3-kinase (PI3K), macrophage (CD68), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) among women who had been diagnosed as having ovarian carcinoma (endometrioid and clear cell subtypes) underlying endometriosis. Tissue microarray (TMA) slides were fabricated using donor’s formalin-fixed paraffinembedded (FFPE) blocks that comprised specimens of ovarian carcinomas tissues with the subtypes of endometrioid and clear cell that were retrieved for a duration of nine years. A total of 19 FFPE blocks represented 19 cases of carcinoma of the ovary, which were categorised into two groups: ovarian cancer with endometriosis (EAOC, n=10) and ovarian cancer without endometriosis (n=9). All of these protein expressions were analysed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) technique. Following that, comparisons were made regarding the clinical and pathological characteristics of the ovarian carcinomas, as well as any discernible variations in expression levels between the two groups. In EAOC, PTEN expression was lower (88.9% vs. 100%, P=0.47) compared to those without endometriosis. Our findings revealed an increase of PI3K and IL-6 in EAOC than those devoid of endometriosis; 80% vs. 77.8%, P=1.00 and 70% vs 11.11%, P=0.35, respectively. In contrast, CD68 was significantly lower in endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer compared to those without endometriosis (40% vs. 66.67%, P=0.16). In conclusion, there were no significant difference in the mutational and inflammatory marker modifications between clear cell carcinoma and endometrioid adenocarcinoma of ovary with endometriosis.
Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation as Therapeutic Approach for Pancreatic Insulinoma
Authors:   Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Published: March 2024

Insulinoma is one of the most prevalent form of functional neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas (PNET) that often manifests with debilitating symptomatic hypoglycemia. When conventional imaging fails to detect the lesion, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) have proven to be of value to determine the preoperative localisation as well as with biochemical sampling via fine needle aspiration of the suspected lesion. Surgical resection has been the standard care for these pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. However, with recent advancements, endoscopicultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) has emerged as a promising and less invasive therapeutic approach that carries a favourable outcome and a low risk of complications. We report eda patient with symptomatic pancreatic insulinoma who was treated with EUS-RFA.
Made and/or Invented in Hungary? The Transformation of the Hungarian Investment Promotion System from the Change of Regime to Our Days with Special Respect to the VIP Cash Subsidy system
Authors: Józsa Viktória
Published: March 2024

Jelen tanulmány a hazai befektetésösztönzési rendszer, és azon belül kiemelten az egyedi kormánydöntés (EKD) alapján megítélhető vissza nem térítendő készpénz támogatások átalakulását mutatja be hazánkban a rendszerváltástól napjainkig, kiemelt tekintettel a 2010 utáni időszakra. A hangsúlyt a fő területi, ágazati és szabályozási változásokra helyezzük, mivel ezeknek a szempontoknak az eddigi kutatások kevés figyelmet szenteltek jelentős szakpolitikai relevanciájuk ellenére. Kutatási kérdéseink, hogy (1) lekövette-e a hazai befektetésösztönzési rendszer a fő globális tendenciákat, (2) a kettős dualitás csökkentéséhez hatékonyan hozzájárult-e, és (3) milyen jövőbeli irányok fogalmazhatók meg a közelmúlt és a jelen folyamatai alapján. A cikkben a legrelevánsabb adatok és szakirodalmi források elemzését követően – egyes esetekben azokat kiegészítve – egy sajátos szempontrendszerbe rendezve mutatjuk be a hazai EKD rendszer átalakulásának szakaszait és az egyes szakaszok főbb jellemzőit. Kiemelt figyelmet fordítunk az elmúlt évtized folyamataira, majd összegző megállapításokat teszünk és következtetéseket vonunk le a jelen és a jövő kapcsán. A tanulmány fő újdonságtartalma a hazai befektetésösztönzési rendszer (azon belül is az EKD támogatások) komplex, folyamatalapú, sajátos szempontrendszerű és a területiséget kiemelő elemzésében és korszakolásában nevesíthető a nemrégiben nyilvánosságra hozott adatbázis (2004-2023 közötti EKD döntések) elemzése mellett. A közelmúlt globális szintű, előre nem látott kihívásai (kiemelten az egészségügyi világjárvány és a szomszédunkban kialakult fegyveres konfliktus) és azok mai napig tartó hatásai (mint például az ellátási láncok akadozása, újraépülése és az energiaválság), valamint az azok kapcsán tett kormányzati intézkedések (a versenyképességnövelő támogatások és a Gyármentő Program) még jobban erősítik a kutatás időszerűségét és szakpolitikai relevanciáját. Reményeink szerint ez a hiánypótló összefoglalás hozzájárul a vizsgált téma és időszak jobb megértéséhez, az összefüggések feltárásához, a jelenlegi és a következő generációk tudásanyagának bővítéséhez és ezáltal további értékes kutatásokhoz és hatékony szakpolitikai beavatkozásokhoz a szakterületen.
Sıfır Atık Olgusunun Sıfır Atık Afişleri Üzerinden Göstergebilim Yaklaşımıyla Analizi
Authors: ÖZDİL Tuncer , ÇIRAK Ayşe Nur
Published: March 2024

Döngüsel ekonomi, atık oluşumunu en aza indirmeyi hedefleyen, kaynak ve malzeme kullanım ömrünü uzatmayı amaçlayan ve sürdürülebilir bir dünya için yap-kullan-tamir et- tekrar kullan felsefine dayanan şemsiye bir kavramdır. Bu kavramın en önemli unsurlarından birisi sıfır atıktır. Sıfır atık kavramının benimsenmesi için birçok uygulamalar ve politikalar gerçekleştirilmektedir. Bunlardan birisi de sıfır atık afişleriyle farkındalık yaratarak kamuoyunun konuya ilgisini çekmektir. Çünkü sıfır atık uygulamalarının başarılı olabilmesi toplum ve bilimin karşılıklı etkileşimi ile mümkündür. Toplumun sıfır atığı bilmesi ve içselleştirip gündelik hayatında uygulaması amacıyla bu çalışma kaleme alınmıştır. Çalışmada Dumlupınar Üniversitesi Güzel Sanatlar Fakültesi ve Adnan Kahveci Vakfı’nın iş birliği ile gerçekleştirilen "Sıfır Atık" konulu Uluslararası Afiş Yarışması ve Sergisi Projesi’ne gönderilen afişlerden dereceye giren 100 afiş Ronald Barthes’in göstergebilim yaklaşımı ile incelenmiştir. Analiz sonuçlarına göre afişlerde, doğaya en çok zarar veren plastik atıklarının olduğu, plastik kullanımının azaltılması gerektiği, aksi taktirde ekolojik dengenin bozulup kaynakların hızla tükeneceği anlaşılmıştır.
Atatürk’ün Maliye Kitabı: Vatandaş İçin Medeni Bilgiler
Authors: GÜLDEN Osman
Published: March 2024

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’ün 1930 yılında Afet İnan ve Recep Peker ile birlikte kaleme aldığı “Vatandaş İçin Medeni Bilgiler Kitabı” siyasi, hukuki, ekonomik ve mali açıdan Türkiye Cumhuriyeti için başat kaynaklardan biridir. Atatürk’ün notları, derlemeleri, yazışmaları ve söylevlerinden oluşan bu eser yurttaşlık bilgisi konusunda yol öğretici bir kaynaktır. Çalışmada, kitap içerinde kamu maliyesi ile ilgili bölümleri, dönemin şartları ve gelişmeleri dikkate alınarak değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Ek olarak, Atatürk’ün fikirlerinin ve yazılarının Türkiye Cumhuriyeti maliye geleneklerinde, ilkelerinde ve düsturundaki etkisinin eser üzerinde yorumlanması hedeflenmektedir. Çalışmanın bu açıdan önemi, Milli Mücadele ve Kuruluş yıllarındaki kamu maliyesinde yaşanan gelişmelerin birincil kaynaktan analiz edilmesidir. Analiz sonucunda, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’ün ve Türkiye Cumhuriyet’inin kurucu kadrosunun sahip olduğu milli hassasiyetlerin, istiklal ve hürriyet mücadelelerinin dönemin maliye politikasına da yansıdığı görülmektedir. Son olarak, Vatandaş İçin Medeni Bilgiler Kitabı içerisinde kamu maliyesi ile ilgili olan vergi, bütçe ve maliye bölümlerinin kelime sıklığı analizi yapılmaktadır. Analiz sonucunda kamu maliyesinde sahip olunan ilkelerin ve Atatürk’ün düşüncelerin kelime sıklığına da yansıdığı görülmektedir.
Demiryolu Ekseninde Alman İmparatorluğu’nun Yakın Doğu’daki Nüfuz Mücadelesi 1878-1914
Authors: BALI Yunus , TOPRAK Serap
Published: March 2024

Sanayi Devrimiyle beraber Avrupa’da taşımacılık büyük bir değişim göstermiştir. İngilizlerin başını çektiği demiryolu yatırımlarını Almanlar takip ederek daha da geliştirmiştir. Ekonomik gelişmeye fayda sağlamanın yanında askeri sevkiyat için de büyük fayda sağlayan demiryolu yatırımlarına Osmanlı Devleti geç de olsa katılarak hem ekonomik-askeri fayda sağlamayı amaçlamış hem de merkezi yönetimini güçlendirmek istemiştir. Dönem koşulları itibariyle büyük ve maliyetli olan bu projeler için başlangıçta İngiliz ve Fransızlarla ittifak yapılsa da, Berlin Kongresi sonrasında Almanlarla yakın ilişki kurulmuştur. Almanya’nın Yakındoğu üzerine yürüttüğü siyaset, Osmanlı Devleti ile yakınlaşmasını gerektirmiş, Hicaz Demiryolu, Bağdat Demiryolu gibi büyük projelerde yer almışlardır. Almanlar, proje finansmanı için Deutsche Bank’ı kullanmışlardır. Bu çalışmada; Alman İmparatorluğu’nun Yakın Doğu’da faaliyet gösterdiği demiryolu yatırımları ve krediler ele alınarak, ekonomik ilişkinin boyutu incelenmiştir.
Eleştirel Düşünmenin Problem Çözme ve Algılanan Stres Düzeyine Etkisi
Authors: ARIBAŞ Ayşe Nihan , OĞUZHAN Yavuz Sezer
Published: March 2024

Bu çalışmanın amacı, üniversite öğrencilerinin eleştirel düşüncelerini, problem çözme yetilerini ve algılanan stres düzeyini belirlemektir. Araştırmaya katılan üniversite öğrencilerinin demografik özellikleri de araştırmaya konu olmuştur. Değişkenler arasındaki ilişkiler Çoklu Korelasyon Analizi ve hipotezlerin test edilmesi ise Regresyon Analiziyle yapılmıştır. Araştırmada Korelasyon ve Regresyon analizleri gizil değişkenler üzerinden yapılmış olduğundan alt değişkenler analizlere eklenmiştir. Bulgular; eleştirel düşünme ile problem çözme arasında pozitif yönlü, eleştirel düşünme ile algılanan stres düzeyi arasında negatif yönlü ve algılanan stres düzeyi ve problem çözme arasında pozitif yönlü bir ilişki olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu üç değişkenin ele alındığı herhangi bir çalışmaya literatürde rastlanmaması bu çalışmanın önemini ortaya koymakla birlikte sonraki çalışmalar için de ışık tutacağı düşünülmektedir.