bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Analysis of Preoperative Ratio Based Markers in Predicting Postoperative Infectious Complications After Gastrectomy
Authors: Gülmez Selçuk , Senger Aziz , Uzun Orhan , Ozduman Omer , Ofluoglu Cem , Subasi İsmail , Sen Bulent , Pence Mahmud , Duman Ugur , Polat Erdal
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Postoperative infections (POIs) are associated with prolonged postoperative recovery, delayed adjuvant therapy, psychological problems, and poor long-term outcomes.

 Aim: The study aims to cross-compare the ratio-based preoperative parameters to predict POIs in patients with D2 gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

 Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort and single-center study evaluated the data of 293 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy between January 2007 and November 2019 in a tertiary hospital in Istanbul. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the ability of laboratory values to predict clinically relevant POIs. The predictive capacity of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and CRPalbumin ratio (CAR) was calculated by the area under the curve. Then, the cutoff points were determined for all 4 indexes.

 Results: POIs developed in 77 (26.2%) patients. Patients with POI had higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores and a longer length of hospital stay. ROC curve analysis revealed that NLR, LMR, and CAR were significantly effective in predicting POI, while PLR was ineffective. LMR was the best ability to predict POI. According to multivariate analysis, CCI score ≥ 3, NLR > 3.8, and LMR ≤ 2.34 were independent risk factors influencing POI.

 Conclusion: Preoperative LMR was most predictive for POI. Although CAR predicted the development of POI, it was not superior to LMR or NLR. PLR did not have any prediction for POI. In addition, increased comorbidity (CCI ≥ 3) was an independent risk factor for POI.
Evaluation of Magseed marker in location of non-palpable breast lesions
Authors: Cieciorowski Marcin , Wow Thomas , Cieśla Sławomir , Kolacinska Agnieszka , Murawa Dawid
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Currently, there is an increasing number of breast cancer cases detected at an early stage. Removal of the minimum tissue volume that is necessary ensures that the correct shape of the breast is preserved. On the other hand, it is important to maintain negative tissue margins.

 Aim: The aim is to present our own experience with pre-operative breast tumor marking using the Magseed marker.

 Material and methods: On the day before surgery, the Magtrace magnetic marker was placed to map the lymph nodes, together with the Magseed magnetic marker placed in the tumor under ultrasound guidance, and the site of the lesion was marked with the skin marker as the surgical site. Before skin incision, the lesion was located using intraoperative ultrasound and the Sentimag probe. After the tumor was cut out, the presence of the marker was confirmed within the specimen using the magnetic method and the compatibility of the ultrasound image before and after the procedure.

 Results: The study group consisted of 23 patients. Radical surgery was achieved in 20 patients (87%). To assess the sample and tumor sizes, we used the formula for the volume of the ellipsoid published by Angarita et al. We assessed how much of the sample was occupied by the tumor marked with the Magseed marker. We compared the cohorts of 11 patients at the beginning and at the end of the group, showing a significant increase in this parameter. Along with the learning curve, it is possible to more precisely identify the tumor and save healthy breast tissue while improving the aesthetic effect of the breast.

 Conclusions: The method of localizing non-palpable lesions in the breast using the Magseed marker is simple to use, and its high detection rate directly translates into a reduced rate of non-radical resection during breast-conserving surgery.
Liver biopsies in children – indications, techniques, results and complications. A single-centre study
Authors: Sosnowska-Sienkiewicz Patrycja , Miedziarek Cezary , Danielewicz Dajana , Mańkowski Przemysław
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Liver biopsy is a safe and helpful diagnostic tool for many liver disorders. It can be performed using various techniques. Regardless of the technique, the liver biopsy is considered to be a safe procedure.

 Aim: We aimed to analyze the indications, techniques, results, and complications of liver biopsies in the paediatric age group.

 Materials and methods: We retrospectively obtained the data from the medical history records of 63 paediatric patients who underwent liver biopsy. The data were analyzed statistically.

 Results: The most often performed type of biopsy was core needle biopsy (tru-cut), followed by core needle aspiration biopsy, fine-needle aspiration biopsy, open biopsy, and laparoscopic biopsy. Complications in the form of hematoma occurred only in 2 cases. The most common indications for the procedure were viral hepatitis monitoring/diagnosis, focal lesions, and autoimmune hepatitis. The histopathological results were predominantly hepatitis (viral and non-viral) and neoplasm.

 Conclusions: Liver biopsy is a safe procedure regardless of the technique used to obtain a tissue sample. Therefore, it should not be avoided when it is indicated.
THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE ROMANIAN FOREIGN TRADE RESULTS IN THE YEAR 2021
Authors:   Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, FLEISCHER Wiegand Helmut
Published: February 2023

he aim of the paper “The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Romanian Foreign Trade Results in the Year 2021” is to analyse the Romanian economy in the year 2021 from the prospect of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to quantify the impact of the health crisis on the economic activity and the volume of foreign trade. We will analyse the evolution of the FOB exports and CIF importants, the evolution of the FOB/CIF results and compare the actual figures with the figures from the previous year without influecences from the Corona pandemic. After that, we will make some recommendation in order to reduce the negative influences for the Romanian economy and to improve the trade result of Romania. In addition, we will present the general trends of economic evolution in the pandemic context and the opportunities that economic actors should take advantage of. The results of this analysis should be of real interest to decision-makers, investors, managers, students, the media, and other users in general.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS EXPOSURE DRAFT: COMMENTS ABOUT A RESPONSIBLE REPORTING
Authors:   Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, MARINA Alexandra-Gabriela
Published: February 2023

Exposure Draft IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information (General Requirements Exposure Draft) was published by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) in March 2022 as a standard for how to present sustainability-related information. The goal of this research is to analyse the feedback received on the initial exposure draft of the IFRS S1. The goal will be reached by using content analysis to bring out the opinions of respondents and show how the standard is moving. This would give the public a full set of financial information related to sustainability. The goal of the public consultation is to create a global database of sustainability-related presentations that investors can use to figure out how much an enterprise is worth. Because both financial and non-financial information is important, the public is very supportive of the ISSB s proposal, as shown by the large number of comment letters that were sent. Sustainability and reporting are usually each dealt with in their own document. But more and more businesses are putting together a single report that includes information about the environment, sustainability, staff, and the business as a whole.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND RELIGIOUS HERITAGE CONSERVATION: ADAPTIVE REUSE CHALLENGES
Authors:   G. E. Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, POPESCU Mara , STAICU Daniela ,   The Bucharest University of Economic Studies
Published: February 2023

Today, we seek to reduce the raw materials extracted and the volume of waste generated through circular economy practices. In this context, heritage buildings hold unique advantages, with multiple economic and environmental benefits. This paper presents the results of quantitative and qualitative analysis of challenges of repurposing sacred heritage places through adaptive reuse and aims to identify how circular economy practices are embodied within the process. The analysis of 23 papers and studies published in the past thirty years showcased challenges varying from materials reuse to support from the local community and users of the new purposed buildings. With insights into the challenges of circular economy strategies in adaptive reuse, a framework for circular economy practices in heritage buildings preservation can be developed.
MODERN ROMANIA ECONOMIC ISSUES. THE AGRICULTURAL EXPLOITATIONS. LIMITS AND VULNERABILITIES.
Authors:   Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, POPESCU Doris-Louise
Published: February 2023

The current study aims to highlight the main deficiencies that defined the fundamental sector of the Romanian economy in the modern period, agriculture. In this case, we are witnessing a paradox, Romania s specialization in this traditional occupation, the majority rural population, the soil of an exceptional quality being only the elements of a not exploited to its true value potential. We therefore propose an analysis of the way of organization and operation of the agricultural holdings, both of the small and the large farming, emphasising the insufficiencies that characterized these holdings, contributing majorly to the lack of performance of this key economic sector.
THE MANAGEMENT OF GENERATIONAL CONFLICT AT WORK IN THE ROMANIAN TOURISM INDUSTRY
Authors:   Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, PRUND Cristina
Published: February 2023

Leaders are looking for solutions to manage the multigenerational work force efficiently and optimally in a permanently fluctuating and changing environment. Four generations are active on the current labour market: Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, Generation Z. As humans make up the most valuable resource of a company, this paper aims at highlighting one of the main problems faced by today’s leaders: generational diversity and generational conflicts at work. In November 2021-March 2022, we conducted this applied research on 86 respondents from Sibiu, Brașov, Alba, Mureș, and Cluj, and identified some of the causes that may lead to professional conflicts between employees belonging to different generations, including: the different values of employees of different ages, their different viewpoints, stress, miscommunication, age differences, and unacceptance of other opinions.
UNEXPECTED DIGITAL EXPERIMENT: CLOUD COMPUTING AS SOLUTION FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN A POST-PANDEMIC WORLD?
Authors:   Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, STOICA Eduard Alexandru , BOGOSLOV Ioana Andreea ,   Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, GEORGESCU Mircea Radu ,   Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, LUNGU Anca Elena ,   Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi
Published: February 2023

The recent events that have taken place globally, often characterized as facilitators of unexpected changes in almost all fields of activity, determined new key directions to be followed, the potential for their future support and development being also realized. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the entrepreneurial activity itself has undergone sudden shifts, conducted by the desire to survive in uncertain times. As a result, the main actors involved in the entrepreneurial processes have chosen either to focus on the existing business solutions expansion, or on the creation and adoption of new ones, both options offering, in fact, alternatives to the traditional business models. On the other hand, the national lockdowns have led to an intensive digital transformation, especially of the entrepreneurial field, but not only. In this regard, cloud computing became a certain direction of interest for practitioners. Hence, an unforeseen digital trial resulted. While the pandemic accelerated the migration to cloud as a solution to survive in a different market context, the question is how the entrepreneurs will perceive this option in a post-pandemic world? Undoubtedly, the implementation of future action decisions involves the detailed analysis of the potential benefits and of the relationship between the involved inputs and the expected outputs.Under these circumstances, the main aim of the present research is to highlight the significance of cloud computing during and post-pandemic, taking into consideration the entrepreneurial activity. In order to achieve the stated goal, both fundamental and empirical approaches were considered. The research results illustrate the discrepancies between the countries in terms of adopting cloud computing solutions for entrepreneurial activity, considering the evidence obtained during and post-pandemic. Additionally, the opportunities and challenges of cloud computing adoption were discussed.
THE IMPACT OF CURRENT CRISES ON THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT.CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENTREPRENEURS
Authors:   Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, TERCHILĂ Sorin
Published: February 2023

In many cases, entrepreneurs have the power and ability to identify problems and find solutions to solve them. Also, entrepreneurs "are obliged" by definition to be able to identify opportunities, at local, national and even international level. In recent years, the business environment has been influenced by many changes. In particular, the 2019-2022 period was unique from many points of view for entrepreneurs. The last 3 years have been marked by several crises: sanitary, political, informational, energetic, military...etc. All these crisis situations had a major impact on the economy, globally, but also nationally or locally. The business people were forced to adapt instantly to the new conditions and to the new social and economic reality. Some succeeded and others unfortunately gave up. The main purpose of this research work is to highlight the solutions and opportunities of entrepreneurs, in this difficult period. To obtain the results, I interviewed entrepreneurs from different fields and locations, some who had businesses before 2020 and others who opened a new business after 2020. We can also mention: the analysis of documents, official surveys and published studies. From this perspective, the entrepreneurs who adapted can be divided into two categories: the first category is represented by the entrepreneurs who resisted the problems and kept the business "alive". The second category is represented by entrepreneurs who resisted but also managed to find solutions for business development. In addition, a third category can be mentioned: that of new entrepreneurs, who have identified opportunities, especially in this period full of uncertainty, fear and unpredictability.
Mycorrhizas in citrus : Beyond soil fertility and plant nutrition
Authors: WU QIANG-SHENG , SRIVASTAVA A K , ZOU YING-NING , MALHOTRA S K
Published: February 2023

Citrus, one of the important fruit trees grown in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, has less and shorter root hairs in the field, thus, highly dependent on arbuscular mycorrhizas. Citrus rhizosphere inhabits 45 species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), belonging to seven genera like Acaulospora, Entrophospora, Gigaspora, Glomus, Pacispora, Sclerocystis and Scutellospora. These AMF can be associated with the roots for the formation of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, who would enlarge the contacted areas of roots to soil and be regarded as a potential soil biofertilizer, thereby promoting citrus nutrients. In addition to the vital function, mycorrhizas in citrus display other roles in soils and plants. Most AMF species usually significantly increase plant growth and fruit quality of citrus plants, but occasionally inhibit or did not impact plant growth. The inoculation with AMF obviously improved root system architecture of citrus, thereby conferring greater ability of the host plant to obtain soil resources. Mycorrhizas can develop an extensive common mycorrhizal network to colonize neighbouring citrus or other plants for underground communication. AMF release a special glycoprotein, glomalin, into the soils, which can improve soil structure and contribute soil carbon pools, thus, providing better soil fertility and soil physical-chemical traits. Mycorrhizas enhance tolerance of citrus plants to drought stress, salt stress, high temperature but not low temperature, flooding, elevated [CO2], diseases, and insect pests in terms of various physiological and molecular approaches. Based on the mycorrhizal functionings, citrus production will consider mycorrhizal management of citrus orchard and new perspectives are also outlined.
Effect of in-situ recycling of sugarcane crop residues and its industrial wastes on different soil carbon pools under soybean (Glycine max) - maize (Zea mays) system
Authors: PHALKE D H , PATIL S R , MANNA M C , MANDAL ASIT , PHARANDE A L
Published: February 2023

A field experiment was conducted during summer 2011-12 at MPKV Farm, Rahuri to evaluate the effect of in-situ recycling of sugarcane crop residues and its industrial wastes on soil organic C fractions like labile carbon, microbial biomass C, particulate organic C, KMnO4 extractable C, physically protected particulate organic matter carbon (POMC) and significantly improved water stable aggregates in the cultivated soil under maize (Zea mays L.)-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] system. The active carbon pools like soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), water soluble carbohydrates (WHC) and acid hydrolysable carbon (AHC) was significantly improved in the treatment receiving 100% recommended dose of fertilizer along with in-situ compost of crop residues, press mud cake and methanated spent wash compost compared to burning of residues. Application of in-situ sugarcane residues with pressmud incorporation retainedabout19.6%, 38.8% and 33% more amount of total organic carbon (TOC), SMBC, AHC respectively, over burning of sugarcane crop residues and removal of stubbles after harvest of maize. The mean values of WSC (43 mg/kg) and the physically protected carbon, i.e. POMC (2014 mg/kg) were greater by 47% and 6.6% respectively, in the treatment (T7) receiving in-situ residue decomposition of sugarcane crop residues in combination with equal proportion (50%) of press mud cake and biomethanated spent wash over the burning of sugarcane crop residues and removal of stubbles after harvest of maize. After harvest of maize the maximum recalcitrant fraction (humic acid) of carbon was observed in the treatment T7 (in-situ decomposition of sugarcane crop residues + 50% press-mud cake + 50% biomethenated spent wash). This study clearly indicated that resistant fraction of carbon might be accumulated more where decomposed organic matter was applied regularly. It clearly indicated that application of in-situ decomposed residues and by-products of industrial waste in combination with NPK enhanced the below and above ground biomass production, SOC stock and carbon pools.
Induction of changes by nitrification inhibitor and nitrogen source on vegetative growth, physiological processes and biochemical constituents of Kinnow mandarin
Authors: DHAKAR M K , SINGH A K , SINGH S K , PATEL V B , PAL MADAN
Published: February 2023

A field experiment was conducted on two-year-old Kinnow mandarin plant to find out effect of different nitrogen sources and nitrification inhibitors on vegetative growth, physiological processes and biochemical constituents of Kinnow mandarin. There were thirteen treatments comprising four nitrogen sources, viz. ammonium sulphate (AS), calcium nitrate (CN), mixture of ammonium sulphate + calcium nitrate and urea, two nitrification inhibitor, viz. Dicyandiamide (DCD) 5% of fertilizers, meliacins (M) 0.1% of fertilizers and control. The increase in tree height was recorded significantly higher in plants treated with AS + DCD (44.05%); whereas, tree spread E-W (77.33%), tree spread N-S (66.03%), specific leaf area (123.86 cm2/g) and shoot growth rate (247.39%) was found maximum in AS + M. In the plants applied with AS + DCD registered significantly maximum values of chlorophyll (a, b and total) content, photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance. However, transpiration rate was found maximum under treatment AS + M when applied during winter and summer in split doses. Ammonium sulphate treated with DCDproduced statistically highest total soluble sugar (9.22, 9.78 and 9.40% leaf fresh wt) and soluble proteins (74.80, 76.49 and 71.96 mg/g leaf dry wt) during winter, autumn and summer, respectively followed by ammonium sulphate treated with meliacins. The ammonium sulphate and urea as source of N along with nitrification inhibitor have a strong impact on growth and physio-biochemical parameters on Kinnow plants; thus, improved the performance of Kinnow plants under above natural pH soil conditions.
The effects of the Spanish gas cap on prices, inflation, and consumption six months later
Authors: Hidalgo Pérez Manuel , Collado Van-Baumberghen Natalia , Galindo Jorge , Mateo Escobar Ramon
Published: February 2023

The most prominent measure to moderate the escalation of electricity prices during 2022 has been the gas cap implemented exceptionally in Spain and Portugal. We present here the most accurate, rigorous and updated estimate of the effects of this measure on the regulated electricity tariff, known as the "Precio de Venta del Pequeño Consumidor (PVPC), which directly replicates the wholesale market price. To do so, we update the data we presented in September until the end of December 2022, comparing the real evolution of this tariff with a statistical model that draws the same line but in an alternative world in which the gas cap is not applied. After six months, the electricity bill at the regulated tariff in Spain is 32% cheaper than it would be in a world without the Iberian exceptionality: according to our estimate, the resulting saving for the whole of 2022 was around €209 per consumer. Moreover, inflation in 2022 would have been 0.3 points higher without a gas cap: 8.7%, instead of the 8.4% observed. In other words: half of Spain's better situation compared to the Eurozone can be attributed to this measure. On the negative side, the higher consumption of gas for electricity generation continues and the lower price of Spanish electricity, which would have facilitated the increase in exports to France with the consequent risk of subsidization in favor of French consumers at the expense of Spanish consumers.
IOT Based secured Low-cost Visitor Tracker using smart Application
Authors: Doddam Reddy Nagaraj , Narasimhan Ganesh
Published: February 2023

Since the end of 2019, the world has been reeling with the COVID-19 pandemic. The drastic and dramatic spread   has affected human lives and livelihoods as well as businesses across the world. Organizations across the world are uniting and coming forward to minimize the seriousness of healthcare. The survival of the human community should be the top priority during this time. To control spread, respective higher authorities impose restrictions on public gatherings, with strict action taken against those who exceed the maximum allowed people in public gatherings. Our IOT-based project aims to limit the number of people entering the academic blocks during COVID-19 in order to monitor overcrowding in these buildings. Our electrical circuit or device will monitor the number of people entering the academic blocks, and once the maximum allowed number of people is reached, the next person will not be allowed to enter the building, and the electrical circuit will ring a siren. This will also ensure that social distancing is maintained. Our project is based on Arduino. Several electrical components, such as an Arduino Uno, a prototype, a breadboard, a piezo-buzzer, ultraviolet sensors, and jumper wires, were used. Software simulations were carried out in the well-known online electrical circuit compiler, Tinkercad. A hardware simulation of our project was also made
Studi Perbandingan Hukum “Plea Bargaining System” di Amerika Serikat dengan “Jalur Khusus” di Indonesia
Authors: Hermawati Rifi
Published: February 2023

Plea Bargaining berkembang di Negara Amerika Serikat. Diartikan sebagai suatu negosiasi antara penuntut umum dengan tertuduh atau pembelanya supaya proses penyelesaian perkara pidana terlaksana dengan cepat dan efektif. Plea Bargaining menjadi dasar dibentuknya konsep “jalur khusus” di Indonesia dalam pasal 199 RUU KUHAP. Kedua konsep tersebut mengusung mekanisme Pemeriksaan Singkat. Perbedaannya dalam “jalur khusus” terdakwa tidak dapat bernegosiasi dengan jaksa mengenai dakwaan atau ancaman hukuman karena pengakuan bersalah terdakwa dilakukan di depan hakim saat persidangan serta “jalur khusus” digunakan terhadap tindak pidana yang memiliki ancaman tidak lebih dari 7 (tujuh) tahun sedangkan Plea Bargaining berlaku untuk segala jenis tindak pidana.
Gender Trends for Women: Impact of a Global Pandemic
Authors: Okere Dr. Gloria
Published: February 2023

For years, men have dominated occupations in society due to presumed gender roles. Recently, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, women have had to step into different lanes and transition from traditional duties into roles that center on the aftermath of the pandemic. An increase in stay-at-home duties allocated for a lot of women to shift from their normal routines towards household needs. There was also an influx in domestic violence against women and the need for reinforcing preventive measures as it came to safety concerns for women. This qualitative study analyzes research that illustrates gender trends that occurred as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further research is needed to illustrate how to overcome the ongoing economic risks and hardships that women still face.
Climate Fiction: A Promising Way of Communicating Climate Change with the General Public
Authors: Rong Mingcan
Published: February 2023

Since anthropogenic climate change was first noticed in the late 1980s, despite scientists’ consensus on its urgency and seriousness with strong evidence, climate risk is still a tough issue for the public to engage with due to its ambiguity, invisibility and uncertainty. This article reviews the emotive and empathetic role of climate fiction (cli-fi) in climate change communication, using the precautionary principle of relevance to sustainable development to discuss how cli-fi has influenced the way people feel and think about climate change and further foster pro-environmental attitudes and opinions. Through discussing the effectiveness of cli-fi as a communication tool, I argue that cli-fi allows readers to visualise the implications of climate change on themselves and triggers their empathetic and emotional responses, especially negative emotions. Those emotions, on the one hand, could arouse a wider and deeper climate consciousness by inspiring audiences to consider previously unnoticed subjects; on the other hand, could facilitate affective engagement and the perceived need for action.
Inequality in Consumption
Authors: Liang Tao
Published: February 2023

Inequalities in consumption still exist in today’s society and therefore appear as a focus of research in politics and the media. In this paper, I will address the inequalities in gender, race and social class separately. Inequalities exist in most areas, and therefore also in consumer society. At the same time there are close links between these three dimensions, and therefore one is also missing in the study of consumer society.
Lexical Fossilization in Chinese L2 learners: Analysis from the Cognitive Perspective and Prospect of Future Development
Authors: Song Huan
Published: February 2023

As the status of English education has become increasingly higher in China, schools nationwide have started to advance the age of onset of L2 (English) learning because of children’s edge in language acquisition over adults. However, it is found that merely emphasizing age without looking into other aspects that influence the effect of L2 learning is not enough. Fossilization still exists, notably seen in lexical learning. Despite the advance of age of onset of English education, children’s English ability ceases to develop when they reach certain level. Through study of both domestic and foreign literature, this study aims to find other contributors in cognitive aspects by analyzing the causes of lexical fossilization based on the mental representation of L2 lexis and different stages of lexical development. Measures are provided from the perspective of input and output to tackle such problem during language processing, and suggestions are also proposed for educators, hoping that in the future, changes can be made to the content of English material, the form of English exams as well as teaching patterns so as to maximize the effect of L2 learning.
Planificación académica y satisfacción de los estudiantes del Instituto Superior Tecnológico Riobamba
Authors: Fierro García Tania María , Martínez Jara Gabriela Noemí , Aguilar Aguilera Joselyn Alicia , Andino Vásquez Maritza Gabriela , Merino Garzón Edison César
Published: February 2023

La planificación académica en la educación superior constituye una herramienta fundamental para mejorar el proceso de enseñanza- aprendizaje y asegurar la calidad de la educación. La presente investigación tiene como objetivo determinar la relación entre la planificación académica y la satisfacción de los estudiantes del Instituto Superior Tecnológico Riobamba del período académico diciembre 2012- abril 2022.El enfoque de investigación es cuantitativo, de tipo correlacional- descriptivo, de corte transversal. Para el análisis de la investigación se aplicó una encuesta de 40 ítems, 20 ítems para la variable de planificación académica y 20 ítems para la variable de satisfacción estudiantil La encuesta fue aplicada   a una muestra probabilística de 313 estudiantes, para medir la percepción de los estudiantes mediante escala de likert. El cuestionario aplicado alcanzó una fiabilidad de alpha de Conbrach de 0,965, p=0 , p<0,05 por lo que existe una relación significativa entre la planificación académica y la satisfacción estudiantil. Rho= 0,795, la relación es directa, positiva y alta.
GEOMETRİK DÜZENLEMELERİN YAYA TRAFİĞİ VE ARAÇ TRAFİĞİNE ETKİLERİ (BAHÇELİEVLER ÖRNEĞİ)
Authors: ÖKSÜZ Mustafa İslam , EYİGÜN Yalçın
Published: February 2023

Sürekli artan nüfus ve ekonominin büyümesi insanların ortak kullanım alanlarını kısıtlamakta, trafiğin yoğunlaşmasına ve kavşakların kapasitesinin yetersiz kalmasına sebep olmaktadır. Mevsimlik göçlerin, günlük işlerin ve turistik ziyaretlerin sebep olduğu anlık nüfus artışlarında da mevcut trafik çözümlemeleri yetersiz kalmaktadır. Bir ilçenin yapı taşları olarak; o ilçenin insanlarını, yapılarını, coğrafi özelliklerini, ulaşım ağlarını vb. örnek gösterebiliriz. Günümüzde gelişen teknolojik ve ekonomik etkiler, bu unsurları vazgeçilemez kılmaktadır. Odağın insan olduğu ilçelerde ulaşım çok önemli olduğu gibi ilçelerde bulunan yollar da o ilçenin tarihini, kültürünü ve sosyoekonomik seviyesini yansıtır. Bu çalışmada, İstanbul’da bulunan Bahçelievler Ünverdi Kavşağı’nın sorunları ele alınmış, kavşağın mevcut geometrisi ile geliştirilen öneri projeler karşılaştırılmış ve elde edilen sonuçlar değerlendirilmiştir.
JULİA SETLERİ VE LOJİSTİK HARİTA KULLANILARAK GÖRÜNTÜ ŞİFRELEME
Authors: ARITÜRK Bahar , KASAPBAŞI Mustafa Cem
Published: February 2023

Açık ağlar ve internet üzerinden veri alışverişi hızla büyüdüğü için, verilerin güvenlik açığı incelenecek büyük bir sorun haline gelmektedir. Bu soruna olası bir çözüm olarak ise metin, görüntü, ses, video gibi verilerin şifrelenmesi yöntemi önerilir. Bu işlem yapılacağı zaman Gelişmiş Şifreleme Standardı (AES) gibi klasik şifreleme algoritmaları her zaman birincil seçimdir, ancak görüntü veya video şifreleme söz konusu olduğunda, literatürdeki birçok araştırmaya bakıldığı zaman hesaplama verimliliği nedeniyle yazarların kaos tabanlı şifreleme tekniklerini önerdiği sıkça görülmektedir. Kaos şifrelemenin ana özelliklerine bakıldığında anahtarların rastgeleliği, başlangıç koşullarına duyarlılığı ve daha büyük anahtarlarla çalışıldığında daha verimli sonuçlar elde edildiği göze çarpar. Bu araştırma makalesinde görüntü işleme konusunda kriptografik yeni bir yaklaşım önerilmiştir. Bu yaklaşımda kaotik haritalardan birisi olan lojistik harita ile julia fraktal setlerinin birlikte kullanılarak bir şifreleme algoritması sunulmaktadır. Yaklaşımda fraktal tabanlı setin kullanılmasının sebebi anahtarın gücünün arttırılarak şifrelemenin daha başarılı olmasını sağlamasıdır. Bu algoritma iki anahtarın işlemden geçirilmesiyle oluşturulan yeni anahtarın görüntü şifrelemede kullanılması ile ortaya çıkmıştır. Buna ilave olarak da algoritmanın başarı oranının arttırılması için çalışmalar yapılmıştır. Sunulan yeni yaklaşımla birlikte oluşan şifreli görüntülerin asıl görüntüler ile birlikte analizinin çıkarılması ve yapılan analiz sonucu elde edilen nicel değerler mevcuttur. Bu değerlerin iyileştirilmesi için de algoritmada çeşitli değişiklikler yapılarak testler yapılmıştır. Bu testler sonucunda şifreli görüntü ile asıl görüntünün karşılaştırılarak yöntemin başarısı ölçülmüştür. Bu başarıyı ölçmek için Piksel Sayısı Değişim Hızı (NPCR), Tepe Sinyal Gürültü Oranı (PSNR), Sinyal Gürültü Oranı (SNR), Korelasyon Katsayısı, Birleşik Ortalama Değişen Yoğunluk (UACI), Yapısal Benzerlik İndeks Ölçüsü (SSIM), Entropi ve Yerel Shannon Entropisi, Ortalama Karesel Hata (MSE), Histogram Analizi metrikleri kullanılmıştır.
A proof-of-concept study of iCope: A nurse-led psycho-educational telephone intervention for women attending a rapid diagnostic centre for breast abnormality
Authors: Maheu Christine , Singh Mina , Courbasson Christine , Sarvanantham Sharmy , Lambert Sylvie , Dubois Sylvie , Charbonneau Ashley , Grantner Robin , Baku Lorena , McCready David , Zanchetta Margareth , Tock Wing Lam , Hébert Maude , Howell Doris
Published: February 2023

The period between the initial discovery of a suspicious breast lesion and a confirmed diagnosis is a time of significant psychological distress, heightened anxiety, and uncertainty for many women. This proof of concept (PoC) study explored the clinical outcomes and acceptability of iCope, a nurse-led psycho-educational telephone intervention aimed to assist with uncertainty, anxiety and coping in women going through a Rapid Diagnostic Centre (RDC) offering quick diagnosis of breast cancer (same day to three-day post-investigation). Guided by the Uncertainty Theory, and using a one-arm pretest-posttest design, two brief 15-minute telephone sessions were delivered by a nurse prior to the women’s day of testing at the RDC and three days after the receipt of their results. Six women completed measures of anxiety, uncertainty, and coping before the clinic visit, three days and three weeks after receiving their test results. Results show that the implementation of the telephone intervention was challenging, yet may offer potential for positive impact. That is, trends of decreased uncertainty and anxiety in participants over time were noted. Considering the difficulty observed in the recruitment and delivering the two interventions in the timeline planned, feasibility testing is recommended before the conduct of a large-scale study.
Awareness of the Indications and Complications of Sleeve Gastrectomy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Bin Abdulrahman Khalid A. , Bin Suayb Alanoud S. , Albarrak Maha S. , Almedemegh Norah I. , Alkublan Reem M.
Published: February 2023

Background: Obesity significantly affects daily activities and contributes to countless diseases and comorbidities that can drastically alter an individual’s life. This study aims to measure the awareness of the indications and complications of sleeve gastrectomy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study was cross-sectional, and participants completed an online self-administered questionnaire on sleeve gastrectomy in Riyadh through Google Forms. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel 2013 and statistically analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The total number of respondents assigned is 1,700. Among these individuals, women outnumbered males with a percentage of (67.4%) versus (23.6%). The majority of respondents held a bachelor’s degree (64.0%). The majority of participants are familiar with the complications associated with sleeve gastrectomy (43.9%). However, 33.1% of the participants are unaware of the complications related to sleeve gastrectomy surgery. As a result, the study has a favorable attitude among the target populations, as the majority are well aware of the surgery. Conclusion: According to our findings, the study population is moderately aware of the indications and complications. However, to ensure that our community has a significant level of knowledge about complications, we must raise social awareness about the indications and complications of sleeve gastrectomy. Keywords: Sleeve surgery, obesity, gastrectomy, complications, Saudi Arabia.
Screening the risk of eating disorders among adolescents in primary care centres in Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Hariri Nahla
Published: February 2023

Background: Obesity significantly affects daily activities and contributes to countless diseases and comorbidities that can drastically alter an individual’s life. This study aims to measure the awareness of the indications and complications of sleeve gastrectomy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study was cross-sectional, and participants completed an online self-administered questionnaire on sleeve gastrectomy in Riyadh through Google Forms. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel 2013 and statistically analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The total number of respondents assigned is 1,700. Among these individuals, women outnumbered males with a percentage of (67.4%) versus (23.6%). The majority of respondents held a bachelor’s degree (64.0%). The majority of participants are familiar with the complications associated with sleeve gastrectomy (43.9%). However, 33.1% of the participants are unaware of the complications related to sleeve gastrectomy surgery. As a result, the study has a favorable attitude among the target populations, as the majority are well aware of the surgery. Conclusion: According to our findings, the study population is moderately aware of the indications and complications. However, to ensure that our community has a significant level of knowledge about complications, we must raise social awareness about the indications and complications of sleeve gastrectomy. Keywords: Sleeve surgery, obesity, gastrectomy, complications, Saudi Arabia.
A three-year audit of the effectiveness of family physician reminders on cervical screening uptake amongst non-responders in a UK family medicine setting
Authors: Awan Faizan Ahmad , Ahmed Abiya
Published: February 2023

Background: Cervical cancer screening is offered to all women in the United Kingdom (UK) between the ages of 24.5 and 64 years of age. The majority of screening is performed in primary care settings and the coverage rate remains stubbornly below 80%, despite an automated national invitation system. Objective: To audit the effectiveness of physician reminders during patient-booked telephone or face-to-face family medicine appointments upon non-responders to automated invitations. Methods: One physician in a primary healthcare centre opportunistically administered a three-step verbal invitation to all individuals identified as non-responders during their appointments with him. Patients seen face-to-face were also given a fourth invitation, a written slip to give to the receptionist to help them book an appointment. A code was entered into the patient’s notes to indicate that this patient had received the invitation. The invitation was continued for three years. The rate of screening uptake in the invitation arm was then compared to the rest of the non-responder population who received other non-structured reminders. Results: 122 patients in the invitation arm and 602 in the control arm met the inclusion criteria. Cervical screening uptake was 11.1% greater in the invitation arm than the control arm (p < 0.0001; RR 1.188: CI 1.04 to 1.36). Patients receiving the fourth invitation in face-to-face appointments booked screening appointments 60 days earlier (mean = 110.8 days, n = 66) than those who received the verbal invitation only (mean = 170.4 days, n = 19, p = 0.08). Conclusion: There is evidence to support the use of both a verbal invitation followed by a written invitation by physicians in a family medicine setting in the UK for patients who are non-responders to cervical screening to increase uptake. The cost per extra cervical screening accepted in this non-responder population is £14.35. Both of these factors support the use of physician invitations to increase screening rates. Keywords cervical cancer screening, primary health care, non-responder, increasing uptake, invitations
Self-management behaviours and glycemic control in diabetic patients. A cross sectional study
Authors: Moussa Rasha , Mahmud Safa S. , Okar Lina , Aldeeb Maya , Rezek Mohamad , Shawesh Ahmed , Kalash Tarif , Aseel Muna
Published: February 2023

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the status of diabetes self-management (DSM) among patient with diabetes in Qatar and its relationship with glycemic control and other demographic variables. Methods: A cross sectional study using A structured questionnaire-based study (DSMQ,) and the hospital electronic medical records system to collect sociodemographic and clinical information. among diabetic patients registered in 3 primary health care clinics in Qatar. With a convenience sample of 400 patients with diabetes. Results : Mean age of participants was 54.36±11.58 years and mean duration of diabetes was 10.53±7.47years. Nearly one third of the patients used insulin and the majority used oral hypoglycemic. The results of this study revealed that good adherence to diabetes self-management was reported among 52.8% of adult diabetic patients while the inadequate cases where around 47.3 % which demonstrated lack of diabetes self-management and subsequently at increased risk of complications. There was no gender difference regarding self-care of diabetes. Additionally, adequate DSM was significantly associated with later onset of DM and with college education. HA1C was significantly negative correlated with Glucose management, Physical activity, positive correlated with Diet control, and total score. For DSM subscales, glucose management was the best followed by diet control, health care utility. however, physical activity scored the lowest mean. Conclusion: Results indicated that around 47 % of diabetic patients in Qatar do not perform Diabetes self-management (DSM) consistently. Practice implications: The findings of this study set the stage to empower patient centered care, develop an easy clear teaching strategies for diabetic patients with a lower educational status and activate the role of wellness centers performing regular physical activity sessions for them & the multidisciplinary team that will improve DSM and subsequently improve diabetes management in diabetic patients in Qatar. . Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Self-management behaviours, Diabetes self-management questionnaire (DSMQ).
Cockroach Allergy: Is It Common in Jeddah City? A retrospective study
Authors: Tayeb Moufag Mohammed Saeed
Published: February 2023

Background: Cockroaches are a common indoor cause of allergic diseases. However, cockroaches are underestimated as a trigger. Objective: To find which allergic diseases are associated with cockroach sensitization in Jeddah city. Methods: This is a retrospective paper completed in 2021. The sample group of this paper involved 192 allergic patients with high levels of specific allergy testing (sIgE) to cockroaches. The data for this paper is from a private centre specialising in allergies in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The in vitro tests used were indirect immunoassay tests for the most common indoor allergens. Clinical diagnosis of allergic diseases were also collected. Results were collected via special sheets and tables were extracted. Results: The sample group for this paper was 192 allergic patients. Patients of middle ages are the most likely to experience sensitisation to cockroaches as follow: 56 between 30-40 years (29.1%) and 36 between 40-50 years (18.8%). The commonest indoor allergens associated with cockroach sensitisation are mites, cats and mould: dermatophagoides pteronyssinus as 109 (56.8%), dermatophagoides farinae as 114 (59.4%), cat as 89 (46.4%) and alternaria as 86 (44.8%). The commonest allergic diseases associated with cockroach sensitisation are allergic rhinosinusitis as 74 (38%), atopic dermatitis as 52 (27%) and asthma as 42 (21.8%). Cockroach sensitisation is mostly of mild severity (under class 2); however, this must be linked to clinical allergic symptoms. Conclusion: Cockroach sensitisation is most common in the middle aged population(30-50 years). Cockroach sensitisation is commonly associated with other indoor allergens sensitisation (respectively: mites, cats, and alternaria). The commonest allergic diseases associated with cockroach sensitisation are allergic rhinosinusitis, atopic dermatitis, and asthma. Cockroach sensitisation is of mild severity in most of cases (under class 2); however, this must be correlated to a clinical allergic diagnosis. Keywords: allergic diseases, asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, atopy, cockroach sensitization, cockroach allergy
Quality of Life among the Parents of Saudi Arabian children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Riyadh, KSA
Authors: Alhazmi A , Alduraibi A , Alhemaid M , Albreakan A , Alshaqha R
Published: February 2023

Objective: To assess the factors influencing the quality-of-life differences between families caring for a child with Autistic Spectrum disorder diagnosis. Methods: Cross-sectional study of either parent of ASD child aged 1 to 14 years following up at the OPD setting in Riyadh, KSA from June 2019 through to the end of January 2020 at the Division of Developmental Pediatrics at King Saud medical city in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia via a structured questionnaire, (The World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). Inclusion criteria: Parent of child with ASD who has been diagnosed by a developmental pediatrician at least 6 months prior to the commencement of this study, parent of child with ASD who receives follow-up treatment at the King Saud medical city children’s Hospital. Parent should be the primary caregiver of the child with ASD. (For the purposes of this study, “primary caregiver” is defined as the individual in the family whose main responsibility is to provide care to the ASD child). Parent who has no history of previous psychological, psychiatric disorder or physical disability. Parents who have been residing in Saudi Arabia for at least 6 months prior to the commencement of this study. Parent who has offered informed consent. Exclusion criteria: parent of any child who has dysmorphic features or a diagnosed genetic syndrome, parent of child with ASD who has sibling diagnosed with ASD, or parents of child with ASD who has sibling diagnosed with other chronic medical illness. Results: Marital status, housing settings, total household income, current employment, being part of support groups and associated illness in the ASD child significantly impacted at least one domain of WHOQOL-BREF. Conclusion: Modifiable factors that have the ability to elevate the quality of life for parents of ASD children are marital status, housing settings, total household income, current employment, being part of support groups and overall care of ASD children. Key words: ASD, Quality of Life, Autism Spectrum disorder, WHOQOL-BREF