bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The party's influence on the resolution of the public administration orders in administrative proceedings
Authors:   Uniwersytet Rzeszowski, Polska, Ura Paulina
Published: February 2023

Mediation is one of the most popular dispute resolution methods. It is used in all areas of law, while it did not appear in administrative proceedings until 2017. The purpose of this study is to present the issues related to mediation in administrative proceedings, taking into account the influence of the party in shaping the decision of the public administration body. Mediation serves to implement the principle of amicable settlement of cases, thanks to which a party in administrative proceedings may directly influence a public administration body.
Możliwości recepcji emigracyjnych wzorców edukacji wojskowej i wychowania obywatelskiego we współczesnych organizacjach proobronnych
Authors:   Uniwersytet Rzeszowski, Polska, Zapart Robert
Published: February 2023

The paper is an attempt at analysing the possibilities of implementing the emigrant patterns of military and civic education in modern non-governmental pro-defence organisations. In the light of the thesis presented by the author, building an intergenerational bridge, within which the knowledge and experience gained while on forced exile is transferred to such an organisation, may, possibly by referring to non-Communist models and traditions of the Second Polish Republic, increase, among the young generation seeking new incentives, the level of their public participation with a special focus on their active participation within the system of national security, thus constituting an important foundation for building the ethos of service for the Fatherland. The above process may be supported by the author’s recommendations that are based on the achievements of one of the emigrant military circles, or the Brigade Young Group “Pogoń” [Polish: Brygadowe Koło Młodych “Pogoń”] and the Józef Piłsudski Riflemen's Association “Rifleman” [Polish: Związek Strzelecki “Strzelec” Józefa Piłsudskiego], which has a similar profile and is the subsequent domestic equivalent of the first organisation. Experience gained while on forced exile may to some extent also be useful for other entities that pursue similar tasks outside the borders of their own country.
Characterization of structure and Li-ionic conductivity of La\(_{(2/3−x)}\)Li\(_{3x}\)TiO\(_{3}\) ceramics prepared by spark plasma sintering
Authors: Le Dinh Trong , Nguyen Huu Tinh , Pham Van Hao
Published: February 2023

In this work, La(2/3)-xLi3xTiO3 (LLTO) dense ceramic samples have been prepared by high-energy ball milling and spark plasma sintering (SPS) route. The crystal structures and microstructures of the samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and FE-SEM, whereas their Li-ionic conductivity properties investigated by AC impedance spectroscopy. At 21 oC, the LLTO ceramic samples possessed the grain conductivity and grain boundary/total conductivity of σg = 8.3×10-4 S cm-1 and σgb = 2.3×10-5 S cm-1, respectively. In the investigated temperature range from 21 oC to 120 oC, the ion conduction is governed by thermally activated mechanism. The activation energies for grain and grain boundary conductivities are Eag = 0.26 eV and Eagb = 0.43 eV, respectively.
Conditional density estimation using population Monte Carlo based approximate Bayesian computation
Authors: AFZAAL Faiza , ILYAS Dr. Maryam
Published: February 2023

Most statistical methods require likelihood evaluation to draw a statistical inference. However, in some situations, likelihood evaluation becomes difficult analytically or computationally. Different likelihood-free methods are available that eliminate the need to compute the likelihood function. Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) is a framework that implements likelihood-free inference and replaces the likelihood evaluation with simulations by using forward modeling. The goal of ABC methods is to approximate the posterior distribution. However, posterior approximation via ABC methods is still considerably expensive for high dimensions. ABC requires many simulations that become computationally infeasible for complex models. Here, a technique is proposed that combines a somewhat more efficient form of ABC (Population Monte Carlo, PMC) with a Conditional Density Estimation (CDE) approach. The proposed framework provides an estimation of the posterior distribution which is referred to as PMC-CDE. A simulation study is performed that provides empirical evidence to show the efficiency of PMC-CDE in terms of integrated squared error loss. Furthermore, real-life datasets manifest the application of the proposed method.
Analysis of asymmetric financial data with directional dependence measures
Authors: KIZILOK KARA Emel , AÇIK KEMALOĞLU Sibel , EVKAYA Ozan
Published: February 2023

The increase of the product variety in the financial markets requires a clear understanding of the dependence between such instruments for the decision-makers. For a few decades, such dependence structures were often modeled with symmetric copula families. How- ever, financial data may reveal an asymmetric structure, which can be determined via directional dependence measures in the context of copulas. Previously, some asymmetric copula models were proposed in different ways using Khoudraji's device. But they are merely used for financial time series data in a broader sense. In this study, a new set of asymmetric copulas were defined by using one parameter of Archimedean copula families. For this aim, widely used copula families were studied and the corresponding directional dependence measures were analyzed. To illustrate the efficiency of the parameter estimation method, a small simulation scenario consisting of an asymmetric dependence pattern was carried out. Thereafter, the proposed asymmetric bi-variate copulas with directional dependence coefficients were investigated for two different stock market data. The study's primary findings suggested that the newly generated asymmetric models might be useful for directional dependence. Especially, the estimated directional dependence coefficients can serve as an indicator to explain the variability of one stock in terms of the other.
EN PRENSA. High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD) method development and validation for the quantification of triclosan in toothpaste. EN PRENSA
Authors: Ceballos Magaña Silvia Guillermina , Muñiz-Valencia Roberto , Rodríguez-Pérez Martha A , Barragan-Mendoza Lina , De la Cruz-Torres Luis F , Macias-López Elizabeth G , Maldonado-Michel Miguel A. , Rodríguez-Aguilar Brian A
Published: February 2023

Triclosan (TCS) is used in many health care products as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial and disinfectant agent; however, it is currently considered an emerging pollutant. The present study aimed to develop an analytical HPLC method coupled to a Diode Array Detector for the TCS determination in toothpaste. Method development involved the optimization of separation and sample preparation. For chromatographic separation optimization, different RP columns and aqueous mobile phases were addressed. The optimized chromatographic separation was achieved in around 3 minutes using a Symmetry C18 column at 30 °C, 0.6 mL/min flow-rate, and 225 nm wavelength detection. For toothpaste sample preparation optimization a response surface methodology using a Box-Behnken fractional factorial design was chosen. The sample treatment consisted of leaching 0.2 g sample by sonication for 7 minutes using 2 mL of MeOH. According to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH, 1996/2005) and European Commission Decision 200/657/EC guidelines, the developed method was validated. The developed analytical method was found fast, economic, linear, sensitive, precise, and robust and allowed to quantify TCS in different healthcare products.
Amerykańskie seriale typu „post-soap opera” – nowa generacja seriali telewizyjnych, lecz nie tylko w telewizji
Authors:   Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu, Kaja Ewa
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this article is to analyze the cultural phenomenon of new generation TV series, called „post-soap operas”. They have changed the entire formula of TV series as a genre, e.g. the way they are watched and distributed. „Post-soap operas” constitute also the main factor of the so called „collective intelligence”. In the article a new genre of TV series has been examined through the examples of two popular shows: Lost and Fringe. J.J. Abrams – the main producer of those series – is considered a visionary and genius by many. His products are perceived as the quintessence of „post-soap operas”. Popular TV series become international blockbusters and are distributed legally through television and DVD and illegally by the Internet. This phenomenon occurs also in our country – Polish subtitles for episodes of popular TV series appear on the Internet in less than 24 hours after they have been aired on American television. Internet is full of websites created by fans and TV producers aimed at sharing information and files. They also works as a opinion sharing platforms used for discussions about favorite TV shows.
Kultura metodologiczna i raportowanie badań empirycznych publikowanych w wiodących czasopismach poświęconych zagadnieniom edukacji
Authors:   Akademia Pomorska w Słupsku, Pasikowski Sławomir
Published: February 2023

The article provides a methodological review of research reports published in the main Polish journals of education. The query encompass the papers published in the seven journals from 2008 to 2011. Ones of the properties which have been observed are: research strategy, research question and hypothesis, type of sampling, size of sample, method of data collection and data analysis, and include type of statistical analysis. The results show that reports where quantitative strategy was used are overrepresented. In many cases generalization of research results has been done by authors. Moreover, this generalization was independent from type of sampling, research strategy and design. There was not differences in the scope of report transparency. The analysis also points out the diversity of research strategy due to affiliation of authors and overrepresentation of authors from two universities.
OPTIMIZATION OF CLUSTER HEAD SELECTION AND ENHANCING ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS USING NOVEL METAHEURISTIC ALGORITHMS
Authors: Babu D. Venkata Srihari , Gireesh N. , Chandra M. L. Ravi , Dilli Ravilla
Published: February 2023

Clustering-based routing is preferred to support fault tolerance, load balancing, reliable communication, and to prolong the network lifetime in a wireless sensor network (WSN). The low-energy adaptive clustering hierarchy (LEACH) is the most popular routing technique, introduced for the first time for homogeneous WSNs. However, the random selection of cluster heads (CHs) in LEACH protocols results in poor performance in real network deployments due to the faster rate of energy depletion at CHs. The dynamic selection of CHs based on a heuristic approach can minimize the energy consumption at CHs and enhance the network lifetime. In this paper, a metaheuristic algorithm called grey wolf optimization (GWO) and its enhanced versions are proposed in selecting the optimal CH. The fitness function is defined based on sink distance to CH and residual energy at the sensor node. The optimal values of fitness function give an efficient CH selection and cost-effective routing. The primary goal of this paper is to maximize the network lifetime of WSNs by optimal selection of CHs using the improved GWO (IGWO) algorithm. The proposed IGWO-based LEACH protocol confirmed the optimal selection of CH with minimum energy consumption, resolved premature convergence, and enhanced the network lifetime by balancing the number of alive and dead nodes in WSN.
Aboriginal Artefacts, Collectors and the Wet Tropics: an introduction
Authors:   Queensland Museum, Greer Shelley , Henry Rosita , McGregor Russell , Wood Michael
Published: February 2023

This introduction raises issues concerning transactions involving Aboriginal artefacts of the North Queensland Wet Tropics. We highlight relationships between artefacts, persons and place, as well as the importance of understanding the nature of exchange and concepts of ownership in the creation and collection of artefacts.
Active Absorption of Glucose in the Small Intestine v1
Authors: not provided Biolprocess
Published: February 2023

This is the protocol for the active absorption of glucose from within the small intestine. This process allows for the absorption of glucose at low concentrations.
Ayrılık Sonrası Yas Ölçeği: Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Analizi
Authors: BALCI ÇELİK Seher , BAYRAKTAR Mustafa
Published: February 2023

Sosyal bir canlı olan insanın diğerleriyle olan iletişimi her yaş düzeyinde farklı niteliklerle ortaya çıkmaktadır. Sosyalleşme ihtiyacı olarak nitelenen bu durum insanın yaşadığı çevre ve topluma uyumunda önemli bir etkendir. Kayıp, bireyin günlük yaşamında sahip olduğu şeyleri bir sebeple yitirmesi; yas ise, kişi için önemli olan bir kayıp veya kayıp tehdidinin ardından yaşanan süreci ifade etmektedir. Bu çalışmada, Türk kültüründe yetişkin bireylerde ayrılık sonrasında ortaya çıkan yas düzeyini belirlemek amacıyla bir ölçek geliştirmek amaçlanmıştır. 348 katılımcının bulunduğu çalışmada ölçeğin yapı geçerliği faktör analizi ile incelenmiştir. Yapılan açımlayıcı faktör analizi sonucunda ölçeğin iki alt boyuttan oluştuğu görülmüştür. Normal yas faktörü ölçekteki toplam varyansın %30,6’sını açıklarken patolojik yas faktörü %26,5’ini açıklamaktadır. Daha sonra yapılan doğrulayıcı faktör analizinde ortaya çıkan modelin doğrulandığı belirlenmiştir. Ölçeğin iç tutarlılık katsayısı ,95 olarak bulunmuştur. Test-tekrar-test yöntemi ile yapılan güvenirlik analizinde ise güvenirlik katsayısı ,74 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Ölçeğin alt boyutlarına ilişkin iç tutarlılık katsayıları ise normal yas alt boyutu için ,94 patolojik yas alt boyutu için ise ,89 olarak bulunmuştur. Elde edilen bu değerler ayrılık sonrası yas ölçeğinin geçerli ve güvenilir bir ölçme aracı olduğunu göstermektedir.
Ebeveynlerin Gözünden Çocuklarının Dijital Oyun Oynama Alışkanlıklarının Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: MERCAN UZUN Elif , BÜTÜN Eda , ÖZDEMİR Yusuf
Published: February 2023

Karma araştırma yöntemlerinden yakınsayan paralel desenin kullanıldığı bu çalışmada verilerin toplanmasında Erken Yaşlarda Dijital Oyunların Etkileri Ölçeği, Problemli Medya Kullanım Ölçeği ve yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme soruları kullanılmıştır. Çalışmanın nicel kısmında 387 ebeveyne ölçek uygulanmış; nitel kısmında ise 40 ebeveynle görüşme yapılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda erkek çocukların problemli medya kullanma durumlarının kız çocuklardan daha yüksek olduğu, çocukların dijital oyun oynama süreleri arttıkça dijital oyunlardan daha fazla etkilendiği, çocukların dijital oyun oynama süreleri arttıkça problemli medya kullanımlarının arttığı, 0-1 yaş arasında dijital oyun oynamaya başlayan çocukların dijital oyunlardan daha fazla etkilendiği belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca ebeveynlerle yapılan görüşmeler sonucunda çocukların gerek ebeveyn yönlendirmesi gerekse çevresindeki bireyleri taklit ederek dijital oyun oynamaya başladıkları ve dijital oyunlardan farklı şekillerde etkilendikleri belirlenmiştir.
Affine Projection Algorithm for Speech Enhancement using Controlled Projection Order
Authors:   Department of Communication Engineering, University of Technology- Iraq, Abid Noor Ali O.
Published: February 2023

This research presents a development of the affine projection algorithm (APA) in voice communication applications. A method of controlling the parameters of the APA is devised to improve the performance in cancelling various types of ambient noise that could possibly corrupt speech signals in voice communication systems. Indicators are used to identify the type of noise accompanying the target signal. Then the corrupted signal is processed in a noise a cancellation setup in such a way that three parameters of algorithm are changed according to the nature of the noise. The spreading of elements in the covariance matrix of the noise is used as an indicator for the type of noise so that the projection order, step-size and filter length are changed at the same time. This way the performance of the canceller is improved rendering lower estimation error with a moderate computational power. The method was tested under various types of noise and showed better convergence performance than the original APA as well as other commonly used algorithms in noise cancellation systems. The MSE of the proposed VPAPA method drops to -65 dB in steady state compared to -20 dB using NLMS and just below -30 dB using standard APA with projection order of 8, while the powerful RLS reaches around -60dB under the same environment. The method can be useful for clearer voice communication in variable environmental noise.
Effect of Mechanical Properties with Addition of Graphene Nano-Platelets in Cu/GNPs Composite- Green Part
Authors:   Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia, Abdul Rashid Muhammad Omar , Muhamad Norhamidi ,   Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia, Sulong Abu Bakar ,   Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia, Kadiman Nor Nabilla ,   Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Published: February 2023

Graphene is one of the best reinforcement materials but have a strong tendency to agglomerate and will affect the final properties of the composite. Effect of mechanical properties with addition of Graphene Nano-platelets (GNPs) in copper through powder injection molding (PIM) process was investigated. 2 feedstocks was prepared, one is Cu 100% and Cu/0.5 vol.% GNPs. Both feedstocks use same powder loading, 62% powder and 38% binder and the binder system used for this study consist of polyethylene glycol (PEG), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and stearic acid (SA). The feedstocks were sonicated, and ball milled using the same parameters and then continue with until injection process. The produced green part strength and density were tested. The main reason to for density testing is to determine either addition of GNPs will affect the composite density The average green density for Cu 100% is 5.835 g/cm3, which is 99.84 % from the theoretical density. Meanwhile for Cu/GNps 0.5%, the average density is 5.874 g/cm3, which is 99.91 % from the theoretical density. For the green strength, the average maximum flexural strength for Cu 100% is 15.29 MPa and 14.32 MPa for Cu/0.5 vol.% GNPs. Even though the density of Cu/GNPs composites decrease with addition of 0.5 vol% GNPs but both sample strength indicates good mechanical properties and suitable for debinding and sintering process.
Ephemeroid vegetation of the Kulan Plateau in the Badhyz Reserve (Turkmenistan)
Authors:   South-Ural Botanical Garden-Institute of the Ufa Federal Scientific Center RAS, Polyakova Natalia V. , Golovanov Yaroslav M. ,   South-Ural Botanical Garden-Institute of the Ufa Federal Scientific Center RAS, Yamalov Sergey M. ,   South-Ural Botanical Garden-Institute of the Ufa Federal Scientific Center RAS, Lebedeva Maria V. ,   South-Ural Botanical Garden-Institute of the Ufa Federal Scientific Center RAS, Shigapov Zinnur H. ,   South-Ural Botanical Garden-Institute of the Ufa Federal Scientific Center RAS
Published: February 2023

The results of long-terms vegetation studies of the Kulan plateau, which is located in the Badhyz reserve in the southeastern Turkmenistan, are presented. The geographical position of the region and the diversity of landscapes promoted to the formation of the specific flora, represented by various groups of Mediterranean, Iranian, Turanian, as well as Middle and Central Asian species. Very specific ephemeroid plant communities with Poa bulbosa и Carex pachystylis dominated in lower layer were syntaxonomically studied for the first time. The upper layer includes the tall herbs, especially Ferula badrakema, an endemic species of Badhyz. Communities were classified as the suballiance Poo bulbosae– Ferulenion badrakemii suball. nov. of the alliance Vulpio persicae–Caricion pachystylidis Świerszcz et al. 2020 of the order Cymbopogono–Brachypodietalia ramosi Horvatič 1963 of the class Lygeo sparti–Stipetea tenacissimae Rivas-Mart. 1978 nom. conserv. propos. Сommunities of grasses on slight turf sands are classified as part of the provisional alliance Stipagrostion pennati prov. The position of the alliance in the system of high-rank syntaxa has not yet been determined. The 5 new associations and 6 subassociations were allocated.
Dynamics of vitreoretinal interface changes in diabetic macular edema during regular antiangiogenic therapy
Authors: Oskanov Dzhambulat H. , Sosnovskii Sergei V. , Boiko Ernest V. , Berezin Roman D. , Kotsur Tat’yana V.
Published: February 2023

In the study, the state of the vitreoretinal interface (VRI) was investigated in diabetic macular edema (DME) at primary diagnosis and during regular antiangiogenic ranibizumab therapy. At primary diagnosis, pathological VRI changes were detected in 49.3% of cases. During regular antiangiogenic therapy, the transformation of initially normal VRI into pathological one occurs in 6% of cases, the transformation of initially pathological VRI into normal or other pathological one in 15.8%. Initially pathological VRI is not an absolute indication for vitrectomy, since in no fewer than 7.9% of cases its transformation into normal VRI is possible.
Complex clinical case of optic neuropathy differential diagnosis
Authors: Sakhovskaya Natalya A. , Frolov Michael A. , Kazakova Ksenia A. , Belyaeva Elena S.
Published: February 2023

The outcome of any damage or disease of the optic nerve is the atrophy of the optic nerve, which causes the irreversible loss of vision. The reasons of damage of the optic nerve are polymorphous, and early diagnosis allows to improve the efficacy of treatment and prevent irreversible consequences. The article presents a difficult clinical case of optic neuropathy differential diagnosis.
Modern approach to the diagnosis of normal tension glaucoma taking into account the features of its pathogenesis
Authors: Simakova Irina L. , Suleimanova Al’fina R.
Published: February 2023

Normal tension glaucoma was isolated as a separate clinical form of primary open-angle glaucoma at the end of the 20th century. In the article, various points of view on the development of this most difficultly diagnosed variety of glaucoma, as well as modern concepts of the pathogenesis of normal tension glaucoma which determine the strategy of a new approach to its diagnosis, are reviewed in the historical aspect.
Representativity of macular edema mapping using en face optical coherence tomography, retinal thickness map, and fluorescein angiography
Authors: Maltsev Dmitrii S. , Kulikov Alexey N. , Kazak Alina A. , Vasiliev Alexander S.
Published: February 2023

Aim.To study the representativity of macular edema mapping using en face optical coherence tomography (OCT), retinal thickness map, and fluorescein angiography (FA).
Methods.In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 8 patients (15 eyes) with diabetic macular edema (2 females and 6 males, mean age 66.58.1 years) were included. All patients OCT (retinal thickness map and en face OCT) and FA were performed. En face slab was constructed between inner plexiform layer and retinal pigment epithelium. Thearea of macular edema was measured by two masked graders independently.
Results.There was no statistically significant difference in the area of macular edema between FA, en face OCT, and retinal thickness maps, 12.78.1, 14.58.4, 10.46.9 mm2, respectively (ANOVA3,p=0.34). Intraclass correlation coefficient for three methods was 0.87 and 0.95, for individual and mean values, respectively.
Conclusion.En face OCT is an adequate non-invasive alternative for FA in evaluating the area of macular edema and planning of grid macular laser photocoagulation.
Psychosocial Determinants of the Need for Cognition in Individuals with High Academic Achievements
Authors: Żmuda Agnieszka
Published: February 2023

The aim of the research was to verify what factors determine the level of the need for cognition (NFC) in students and doctoral students with high academic achievements. The project involved 207 participants: 102 individuals with high achievements and 105 without great scientific successes. The following tools were used: the Questionnaire of the Need for Cognition (in Polish adaptation), the Formal Characteristics of Behavior – Temperament Questionnaire Revised Version, the Popular Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire and the Questionnaire of Retrospectively Perceived Parental Attitudes. Research results indicate that in people with high academic achievement, emotional intelligence, activity and perceived mother’s inconsistency positively influence the need for cognition. In the comparison group, emotional intelligence is a positive predictor of NFC and the perceived attitude of father’s inconsistency is a negative predictor of NFC.
Customised Vaginal Stent – The Phases in Management of Vaginal Agenesis in Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) Syndrome
Authors: Banu Raza Fathima , Raju Kapil , Babu Annapoorani , Vaidyanathan Anand Kumar , Mehta Bhavna S
Published: February 2023

Objective: Vaginal agenesis or atresia in females suffering from MRKH syndrome is more common and management involves both surgical and non-surgical approaches. Use of prefabricated stents to maintain the patency of the canal may not fit appropriately during the initial surgical phase and are not economical. This case report discusses a series of modifications in a custom-made vaginal dilator to improve the retention for expansion after surgical management of MRKH syndrome.
Case report: A 28-year-old female diagnosed with MRKH syndrome with characteristic Mullerian agenesis was referred for customised vaginal stent. Customised surgical stent was fabricated with loops for orientation and retention, which was later modified into interim expansion and passive stent.
Conclusion: The customisation of the vaginal stent, provision of a retentive loop that positioned the stent in the proper orientation, and gradual increase in the size of the stent, ensured dilatation in a patient with vaginal agenesis.
A Laparoscopic Conservative Surgery Approach to Puerperium Complicated by Uterine Prolapse After Vaginal Delivery: A Case Series
Authors: Seca Marta , Algeri Paola , Colonna Laura , Mastrocola Nunzia , Wunster Silvia Von
Published: February 2023

Objective: In fertile women, hysterocele is a rare condition. Genital prolapse can be treated conservatively with laparoscopic hysterosacropexy. It is objected to present a successful case series of laparoscopic hysteropexy for patients with hysterocele after vaginal delivery.
Case report: We presented a successful case series of three patients with III or IV degrees of hysterocele who were treated conservatively with an uncomplicated laparoscopic hysteropexy within a year of delivery. Given our patients' young ages and the fact that they all have infant children at home, we chose a conservative surgery performed laparoscopically due to the lower surgical impact and quicker return to normal life. All surgical procedures were successfully performed, without complications, with a prompt recovery of all women and with a regular subsequent follow-up, without recurrence nowadays.
Conclusion: For young women who have not terminated their desire to bear children, laparoscopic hysterepexy may be a safe and effective surgical option.
Pubic Candida Folliculitis, A Case Report in a Patient With Recurrent Vaginal Candidiasis
Authors: Okwuwa Ikemefuna , Alam Nimat , Wai Rachel , Shayeb Miriam , Sanchez Asley , Gandhi Kushal , Garza John , Ventolini Gary
Published: February 2023

Objective: Folliculitis is a skin infection and inflammation that develops in the hair follicles. While most cases of folliculitis are caused by bacterial infections, here is a case of folliculitis caused by the Candida fungi in an immunocompetent host.
Case report: A 23-year-old non-diabetic immunocompetent female with recurrent vaginal candidiasis developed clusters of erythematous, pruritic papules in the pubic area. Upon evaluation, the clusters were determined to be folliculitis. Risk factors for folliculitis included shaving of the pubic area, hot tub use, and wearing of tight, restrictive clothing. Cultures and skin samples of the folliculitis demonstrated Candida albicans. The patient was subsequently and successfully treated with clotrimazole solution and cream. There was no recurrence of the folliculitis upon her 3-month follow-up appointment.
Conclusion: Candida folliculitis is a rare condition in non-diabetic patients. The patient’s history, risk factors and immune status assessment, and physical examination with proper diagnostic testing, are crucial steps in attaining the correct diagnosis.
Third time lucky: An analysis of Paris’ bids for the Olympic Games in 2008, 2012 and 2024
Authors: Jastrząbek Julia
Published: February 2023

Hosting the Olympic Games has become a unique occasion to implement several projects aimed at upgrading public infrastructure and improving the economic performance of the host city. Thus, some cities are so determined to host the Olympics that they decide to bid multiple times. One of the examples of such a city is Paris, which since the 2000s has submitted its bids three times, for 2008, 2012, and 2024, of which the last attempt turned out to be successful. Based on the above, the main aim of this article is to present the trajectory of changes and developments made by the three successive bid attempts, with an emphasis on the latest successful campaign. This study demonstrates that there are some recurrent ideas, projects, and plans shared by each bid with some modifications to emphasize their uniqueness, novelty, and up-to-date approach. In some aspects, the Paris 2024 bid builds on its previous candidature from 2012 in the field of long-term legacy effects and sustainability. Therefore, there is a consistent action taken by the bid managers and city authorities in terms of using the Olympic Games as a tool for urban regeneration and sports development.
Limiting meat consumption in the view of the students of the Poznań University of Economics and Business
Authors: Hązła Marceli , Michowska Kamila
Published: February 2023

The aim of the study was to examine the attitudes of students at the Poznań University of Economics and Business towards limiting meat consumption, in the context of global trends related to sustainable development. The two main identified areas of consideration are related to the impact of excessive meat production and consumption on human health and the state of the environment. The survey involved 296 respondents (61.8% women, 37.8% men, 0.4% other). Throughout the study, it was found out that more than half (51.4%) of the respondents limit their meat consumption. The gender of the respondents was important in this regard (63.4% of women and 31.3% of men limit their meat consumption). The most frequently cited reasons for limiting meat consumption include concerns for the environment (42.6% of respondents) and the desire to improve health and well-being (41.9% of respondents). Meat consumption decisions among 30.7% of respondents are not influenced by any arguments.
Phenotypic Evaluation of Traits and Barcode Identification using Plastid-specific Ribulose Bisphosphate Carboxylase (Rbcl) Analysis on Lablab Beans [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet]
Authors: Oludare Agbolade James , Adebare Idowu Jeremiah , Ibrahim Isiaka Abiodun , Modinat A. Adekoya , Odoh Ikenna , Bola Adepeju Adefisola , Kioko Joseph Ivala
Published: February 2023

Background: The importance of grain legumes in world food sustainability cannot be overemphasized. Minor legumes on the other hand, contribute to agricultural strengthening, especially in the context of sustainable crop and livestock production systems. In the context of assessing different legume species for crop improvement and identification, twenty (20) accessions of Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet collected to determine the degree of trait variability and to identify accessions with potentials, which can contribute to grain and forage production. Methods: The present study involved the evaluation of twenty (20) accessions of Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet from IITA, Ibadan. The accessions were grown in the experimental plot and DNA from young and healthy leaves were isolated for determination of genetic diversity using ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcL). The accessions were also categorized into groups based on the performances and the highest discriminating traits that accounted for greater variability using principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) respectively. Result: Cluster analysis grouped all the twenty accessions into three clusters, where cluster I, cluster II and cluster III comprised of eight, seven and five accessions respectively. The PCA revealed hundred seed-weights, number of pod per plant and seed length as the most discriminating trait that accounted for greater variability in the Lablab accessions considered and they should be considered in the hyacinth bean improvement programs. Based on diverse level of phenotypic traits, accessions from each cluster were selected for barcode identification and comparison with other cultivars from other region. Results of the molecular analysis showed two clusters and authenticated the use of universal primers, ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcL) for DNA barcoding for successful amplification, identification and discrimination of Lablab purpureus (L). This revealed diversity of the considered accessions and provided information on relatedness to other accessions from other region of the world.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pregnant Women: A Qualitative Approach
Authors: Uludağ Elif , Türkcü Sinem Göral , Serçekuş Pınar , Özkan Sevgi
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND: Pregnant women are one of the special groups most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to analyze how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors of pregnant women.

METHOD: A descriptive phenomenological approach was employed to explore the experiences of 15 pregnant women. Data were gathered by using semi-structured interviews focusing on pregnant women’s feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Word cloud analysis and content analysis were performed.

FINDINGS: Data analysis revealed three main themes: emotions, hardships, and coping. Emotions were grouped into five categories: fear, anxiety, disappointment, loneliness, and regret. Hardships were grouped into two categories: physical and financial. Coping was grouped into four categories: social support, normalization, religious practices, and positive thinking. According to word cloud analysis, the most frequently mentioned words were pregnant, COVID-19, anxiety, fear, positive thinking, hardships, regret, stress, affect, and alone.

CONCLUSIONS: Women experienced feelings of fear, anxiety, disappointment, loneliness, and regret in the prenatal period. They also faced physical and financial hardships and benefited from social support, normalization, religious practices, and positive thinking to cope with these hardships.
Community Perspectives on Home Birth in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Altaweli Roa , Zedan Haya S. , Shaban Insaf
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization released a statement indicating that women can choose to give birth at home if their pregnancy is low risk and they receive the appropriate level of care during labor and childbirth. Additionally, there needs to be a contingency plan for transfer to a properly staffed and equipped birthing unit in case of problems. The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health “Safe Birth Model of Care” by 2030 aims to have a midwifery-led continuity of maternity care as standard: low-risk births are to take place at home or at a birth center, depending on the preference of the woman and her family. Low-risk pregnant women will be expected to receive antenatal care from an appropriately trained and experienced primary care physician or midwife, as appropriate, with the option to refer to the comprehensive obstetrics service as necessary. This midwifery-led continuity of care has yet to be implemented in Saudi Arabia (Altaweli et al., 2020).

RESEARCH PURPOSES: The purposes of this study were to assess the community of respondents to an online survey and perspectives regarding home birth and determine challenges to initiation of a policy and practice of home birth in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: A cross-sectional design using an online 14-item online survey instrument was used to collect data from 5,930 respondents who provided their views on home birth in Saudi Arabia.

FINDINGS: A total of 53.4% of respondents were interested in the concept of home birth, with the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for this interest in slightly more than one-third of respondents (37.4%). Additionally, 14.3% hoped to avoid unnecessary medical interventions in a hospital setting. It was also found that 46.6% of the respondents were not interested in the potential for a home birth, and of those, 98.8% attributed their disinterest in the safety of hospitals to their preference of a home birth.

CONCLUSIONS: There was significant interest in the concept of home birth in Saudi Arabia due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions. This interest was related to a desire of women to have a more positive birth experience and avoid unnecessary medical interventions. The findings suggest a clear need for a fully developed home birth policy, fully integrated with existing maternity care services in Saudi Arabia, and increased awareness of the safety and suitability of home birth for low-risk women. Home birth should be an option for women with low-risk pregnancies in Saudi Arabia.
Educational Experience and Instructional Design Effectiveness Within the Community of Inquiry Framework
Authors: Wilson Emerald , Berge Zane L.
Published: February 2023

Within its 20 years of development, the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework has become the most widely used theoretical framework in e-learning. It is considered in much of the distance education literature to be a robust collaborative-constructivist process model that uses three essential elements to interpret educational experience: cognitive presence, teaching presence, and social presence. Widespread use of the CoI framework has resulted in several criticisms, such as having no guidelines for implementation, no incorporation of assessment and evaluation metrics, and no widespread consensus on the current model’s ability to represent all the contributing factors that promote a positive educational experience. However, there is an opportunity to overcome these shortcomings, some of which may exist, and to use the CoI’s extraordinary strength in creating a positive education experience, by adding instructional design effectiveness. The purpose of this combination of a literature review and opinion is to present the CoI framework and its major controversies to shine a light on its importance as one approach to designing critical parts of e-learning. Additionally, given the CoI’s purpose of creating a positive educational experience, this paper argues to make explicit to instructional designers and instructors the need to address using the CoI framework within an effective overall design.
DEVELOPMENT OF DERMATOGLYPHIC PRACTICUM GUIDE BASED ON GUIDED INQUIRY
Authors: Siburian Jodion , Muthia Gusti Ayu , Anggereini Evita
Published: February 2023

This study aims to develop dermatoglyphic practicum guide based on guided inquiry and to determine students' creative thinking skills in using the practicum guide. This type of research is Research and development or R&D with the ADDIE development model. The subjects of this study were students of biology education at Jambi University who had contracted genetics courses and genetics practicum, namely students of the 2018 batch. The data analysis techniques in this study were quantitative and qualitative. The results of media validation and material validation showed an increase after revision with a media validation value of 71.60% (good) and material validation 89,05% (very good). The results of small group trials and large group trials of student perceptions of the practicum guide obtained a percentage of 84,82% % with (very good) and 89,24% for large group trials (very good). The use of practicum guides can improve students' creative thinking skills with the N-gain test score of 0.73 including the high category. Guided inquiry-based dermatoglyphic material practicum through the paired sample t-test, it is known that there is a significant effect of the use of practicum guides on students' creative thinking skills.
Analysis of Citizen Science-Based Flowering Plant Diversity Worksheet Development to Improve Students’ Critical Thinking Ability
Authors: Rachmawati Nissa , Hidayat Topik , Supriatno Bambang
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of the developed Citizen Science-Based Flowering Plant Diversity Worksheet as well as the enhancement of students' critical thinking abilities. This was a pre-experiment with a pretest-posttest design with one group. Validator employed a four-scale validation sheet to assess the feasibility of the Citizen Science-Based Flowering Plant Diversity Worksheet based on competency, practical, knowledge construction, and the appearance of critical thinking ability. Five critical thinking ability indicators were tested: interpretation, analysis, explanation, evaluation, and inference. These indications were tested in 104 10th grade students through a critical thinking ability test before and after studying with the Citizen Science-Based Flowering Plant Diversity worksheet. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The Citizen Science-Based Flowering Plant Diversity Worksheet was found feasible (95.12%) and students' critical thinking abilities increased moderately (N-Gain = 0.56). The most notable development in critical thinking ability was in interpretation ability, while inference ability improved the least. As a result, the Citizen Science-Based Flowering Plant Diversity Worksheet may be inferred to be quite effective in improving students' critical thinking abilities.
Immune Dysregulation in Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Grimm Lauren , Onyeukwu Chinyere , Kenny Grace , Parent Danielle , Fu Jia , Dhingra Shaurya , Yang Emily , Moy James , Utz PJ , Tracy Russell , Landay Alan
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Neutralizing antibodies have been shown to develop rapidly following SARS-CoV-2 infection, specifically against spike (S) protein, where cytokine release and production is understood to drive the humoral immune response during acute infection. Thus, we evaluated the quantity and function of antibodies across disease severities and analyzed the associated inflammatory and coagulation pathways to identify acute markers that correlate with antibody response following infection. Methods: Blood samples were collected from patients at time of diagnostic SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing between March 2020-November 2020. Plasma samples were analyzed using the MesoScale Discovery (MSD) Platform using the COVID-19 Serology Kit and U-Plex 8 analyte multiplex plate to measure anti-alpha and beta coronavirus antibody concentration and ACE2 blocking function, as well as plasma cytokines.  Results: A total of 230 (181 unique patients) samples were analyzed across the 5 COVID-19 disease severities. We found that antibody quantity directly correlated with functional ability to block virus binding to membrane-bound ACE2, where a lower SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike/anti-RBD response corresponded with a lower antibody blocking potential compared to higher antibody response (anti-S1 r = 0.884, P < 0.001; anti-RBD r = 0.75, P < 0.001). Across all the soluble proinflammatory markers we examined, ICAM, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, TNFα, and Syndecan showed a statistically significant positive correlation between cytokine or epithelial marker and antibody quantity regardless of COVID-19 disease severity. Analysis of autoantibodies against type 1 interferon was not shown to be statistically significant between disease severity groups.  Conclusion: Previous studies have shown that proinflammatory markers, including IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, and TNFα, are significant predictors of COVID-19 disease severity, regardless of demographics or comorbidities. Our study demonstrated that not only are these proinflammatory markers, as well as IL-4, ICAM, and Syndecan, correlative of disease severity, they are also correlative of antibody quantity and quality following SARS-CoV-2 exposure.
Öz-Bildirim Ölçeği’nin 25-64 Yaş Arasındaki Yetişkinlerde Türkçe Geçerlik ve Güvenilirliği ve Kesme Puanının Hesaplanması
Authors: AYDOĞAN GEDİK Sevil , MUTLU Ayşegül , SUNGUR Sevda , ARSLAN TORBA Tuğçe , TEPETAŞ Mine , ARSLANTAŞ Didem , ÜNSAL Alaettin
Published: February 2023

Öz-Bildirim Ölçeği-20 (ÖBÖ-20) toplumda psikiyatrik bozuklukların taranması için kullanılan bir araçtır. Bu çalışmada, ÖBÖ-20’nin 25-64 yaş arasındaki yetişkinlerde Türkçe geçerlik ve güvenilirliğinin test edilmesi ve kesme puanının hesaplanması amaçlandı. Çalışma Kasım-Aralık 2021 tarihlerinde 344 hastane personelinde gerçekleştirilen metodolojik tipte bir araştırmadır. ÖBÖ-20’nin yapı geçerliğini değerlendirmek için doğrulayıcı faktör analizi (DFA) yapıldı ve ayırt edici geçerlik test edildi. Benzer ölçek geçerliliği için Genel Sağlık Anketi-12 (GSA-12) kullanıldı. İç tutarlılık için Cronbach Alfa güvenilirlik katsayısı hesaplandı. Kararlılığı değerlendirmek için test-tekrar test yöntemi kullanıldı. ÖBÖ-20’nin kesme puanı ROC analizi ile belirlendi. İstatistiksel anlamlılık düzeyi p<0.05 kabul edildi. Çalışma grubunun yaş ortalaması 35.13±8.1 ve %53.2’si (n=183) erkek idi. DFA’da standardize edilmiş artık ortalamalarının karekökü (standardized root mean square residuals, SRMR) hariç yeterli model-veri uyumunun sağlandığı görüldü. Cronbach Alfa katsayısı 0.848 olarak bulundu. ÖBÖ-20 ile GSA-12’den alınan puanlar arasında pozitif yönlü orta-kuvvetli bir ilişki tespit edildi. GSA-12’den 2 ve üzerinde puan alan, hekim tanılı herhangi bir ruhsal hastalığı olan, daha önceden ruhsal hastalık geçirmiş olan, hayatı etkileyecek derecede büyük bir travma yaşamış olan, kronik hastalığı olan ve ailesinde ruhsal bozukluğa sahip bir birey olanların ÖBÖ-20’den aldıkları puanların daha yüksek olduğu bulundu. Test-tekrar test uygulamasında Spearman korelasyon katsayısı 0.916 ve sınıf içi korelasyon katsayısı (intraclasss correlation coefficient, ICC) 0.936 olarak hesaplandı. Kesme puanı kadınlarda 6.5, erkeklerde ve tüm örneklemde 4.5 olarak bulundu. ÖBÖ-20’nin Türkiye’de 25-64 yaş arası yetişkinlerde ruhsal bozuklukların taranması amacıyla kullanılabilecek geçerli ve güvenilir bir araç olduğu sonucuna varıldı.