bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sucrose Synthase Genes Showed Genotype-Dependent Expression in Sugarcane Leaves in the Early Stage of Growth
Authors: Chen Zhong-Liang
Published: March 2021

Sucrose synthase (SuSy) is one of the key enzymes regulating sucrose metabolism in plants. There are at least five different SuSy genesexist in sugarcane, and their biological functions are not fully understood. In this paper, the phylogenetic analysis of all plantSuSygenes published to-date (109) has been grouped into three classes: SuSyI, SuSyII and SuSyIII. SuSyIwas further divided into monocot and eudicot SuSyI, indicating their independent evolutionary trajectory paralleling monocot and dicot divergence. The leaf total sugar content of high-, medium-and low-sugar sugarcane genotypes varied at the early stage of plant growth. However, there was no strong correlation between early-stage leaf sucrose content and the final stem sugar content and sugar yield of mature crop. The proportion of leaf sucrose and fructose content in most sugarcane genotypes in the early stage of growth was about 30%each, and that of glucose was about 40%. The SuSy enzyme activity and gene expression of sugarcane sucrose synthase gene ScSuSy1and ScSuSy4in those genotypes also showed a remarkable variation during the same growth period. The expression profiles of these genes in high-sugar, medium-and low-sugar genotypes were complex with no clear association between their activity at the early stage of plant growth and final sugar yield of those genotypes. The biological role of ScSuSy1and ScSuSy4gene may change with sugarcane plant development, and may be involved in both the synthesis and decomposition of sucrose.© 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Habilidades emprendedoras: importancia, evolución y sub temas emergentes. Una revisión de literatura
Authors: Ocampo Sanabria Carolina , López Espitia Yurani
Published: March 2021

El emprendimiento ha sido en los últimos años un pilar para la economía mundial y en este entendido el presente artículo plantea una base conceptual que aborda la temática referente a las habilidades y al emprendimiento, dentro de este estudio se analiza principalmente el concepto del emprendimiento y se identifican algunas habilidades que son necesarias para los emprendedores que pretenden alcanzar objetivos que se fijan desde una etapa temprana. El enfoque de esta investigación es realizar una revisión de literatura sobre la importancia que tiene el fenómeno del emprendimiento, el cual es el propósito central del artículo; de igual manera enfatizar acerca de las habilidades, ya que se convierten en un pilar pertinente dentro de este contexto, porque son una base que permiten abordar posibles problemas permanentes y de magnitudes diferentes que surgen mediante procesos de revoluciones. Para cumplir con esta estructura, se hizo una consulta en Web of Science y posteriormente se hizo una selección de los documentos más importantes a través de la plataforma Tree of Science y, al final, se efectúa un análisis de perspectivas o subtemas que especifican las habilidades emprendedoras. Dentro de los hallazgos se encuentra que el concepto de emprendedores aclara que las habilidades sociales de los empresarios son competencias específicas que ayudan a la interacción y generación de contactos personales de manera socioproductiva con otros individuos. Se concluye que el emprendimiento o espíritu empresarial son un método de acción humana.
BRAIN COMPUTER INTERFACE (BCI) ON ATTENTION: A SCOPING REVIEW
Authors:   Vinayaka Mission’s College of Physiotherapy, Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (Deemed to be University), Salem-636308, Tamilnadu, India, Prem Anita , Mohanraj K ,   Vinayaka Mission’s College of Physiotherapy, Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (Deemed to be University), Salem-636308, Tamilnadu, India, Samuel A Rajan ,   Vinayaka Mission’s College of Physiotherapy, Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (Deemed to be University), Salem-636308, Tamilnadu, India
Published: March 2021

Technological innovations are now an integral part of healthcare. Brain-computer interface (BCI) is a novel technological intervention system that is useful in restoring function to people disabled by neurological disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cerebral palsy, stroke, or spinal cord injury. This paper surveys the literature concerning the effectiveness of BCI on attention in subjects under various conditions. The findings of this scoping review are that studies have been made on ADHD, ALS, ASD subjects, and subjects recovering from brain and spinal cord injuries. BCI based neurofeedback training is seen to be effective in improving attention in these subjects. Some studies have also been made on healthy subjects.BCI based neurofeedback training promises neurocognitive improvement and EEG changes in the elderly. Different cognitive assessments have been tried on healthy adults. From this review, it is evident that hardly any research has been done on using BCI for enhancing attention in post-stroke subjects. So there arises the necessity for making a study on the effects of BCI based attention training in post-stroke subjects, as attention is the key for learning motor skills that get impaired following a stroke. Currently, many researches are underway to determine the effects of a BCI based training program for the enhancement of attention in post-stroke subjects.
EFFICACY OF FLAXSEED CRACKERS IN AMELIORATING CLINICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL HYPERANDROGENISM IN YOUNG ADULT SOUTH INDIAN WOMEN DIAGNOSED WITH PCOS
Authors:   Assistant Professor, Loyola College, Chennai, Christodoss Jeyamani Divya , MD Priya D John ,   Assistant Professor and Senior Clinician, Emory University, GA, USA, Rani Vasantha Esther ,   Head and Professor, Fatima College, Madurai
Published: March 2021

Young women of reproductive age are more prone to hormonal/endocrine disorders, the most common being Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Research in different cultural contexts to enhance the physical, emotional, social, and reproductive health of women has been the focus of several scientific studies. High lignan foods reduce the bioavailability of free testosterone through increasing Sex hormone Binding globulin (SHBG) levels. A randomized single-blind placebo-controlled trial was carried out among women of 20 - 25 years from a single on-campus hostel facility in Chennai, India based on the Rotterdam criteria of PCOS diagnosis. The results showed a statistically significant lower serum free testosterone concentrations (1.02 ± 0.428 ng/dl) in the flax group compared to the placebo (1.64 ± 0.504 ng/dl), after the study period. Similarly, it was noted that the lowered levels of Sex hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) were elevated to 15.22 ± 14.593 nmol/L as compared to only 9.64 ± 5.124 nmol/L in the placebo though not statistically significant, thus creating a promising platform for improving the imbalances in the hormone levels. Also, elevated serum insulin concentration was lowered in the flax group (15.67 ± 6.928 µU/mL) than the control group (19.09 ± 8.526 µU/mL). The FG score significantly reduced in the flax group thus alleviating the clinical manifestation of hirsutism. Lowering of free testosterone, serum insulin, and elevation of serum SHBG levels is attributed to the phytoestrogen (SDG) present in flaxseeds and can be an ideal alternate replacing the conventional drugs for PCOS.
THE COMBINATORIAL EFFECTS OF Azadirachta indica LEAF EXTRACTS WITH AMIKACIN AND TETRACYCLINE AGAINST CLINICALLY IMPORTANT BACTERIA
Authors:   Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, INTI International University, Persiaran Perdana BBN, Putra Nilai, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, Sivasamugham L.A. , Sin K. Tze ,   Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, INTI International University, Persiaran Perdana BBN, Putra Nilai, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, Thrumaran K. ,   Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, INTI International University, Persiaran Perdana BBN, Putra Nilai, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, Subramaniam G. ,   Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, INTI International University, Persiaran Perdana BBN, Putra Nilai, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Published: March 2021

Antibiotic-resistance is a major threat in the treatment of diseases caused by resistant bacteria. Combination of plant extracts with antibiotics can serve as an alternative to antibiotics. Azadirachta indica (neem plant) has many antimicrobial properties due to the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids and flavonoids. In this study, the combinatorial effects of neem leaf extracts with amikacin and tetracycline against eight clinically important gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens were investigated using the agar well diffusion assay. Synergistic effect of neem leaf extract and tetracycline was observed against Propionibacterium acnes, Bacillus subtilis, and S. pneumoniae with a significant enlargement (p<0.05) in the diameter of the zone of inhibition. However, the same combination showed insignificant inhibition against S. faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus. The neem leaf extract-amikacin combination showed insignificant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, S. pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. An antagonistic effect was observed when Bacillus subtilis was exposed to the same combination as there was a significant reduction (p<0.05) in the zone of inhibition. This study suggests the potential development of the neem leaf extract-tetracycline combination as an antibacterial agent against P. acnes, B. subtilis, and S. pneumoniae. However, this preliminary data requires further investigation and test on a wider range of clinical isolates to make a more decisive conclusion. The antagonistic effect of the neem leaf extract and amikacin suggests that the individual agents are potent as antibacterial agents than the combination.
PRE-TREATMENT TEMPERATURE AND MULTI-RESPONSE SURFACE OPTIMISATION OF ULTRASOUND-ASSISTED EXTRACTION OF ANTIOXIDANTS FROM RED DATES
Authors:   School of Computer Science and Engineering, Faculty of Innovation and Technology, Taylor’s University, 1, Jalan Taylor’s, 47500, Malaysia, Ravikumar Haripriya , Lin Chua Bee ,   School of Computer Science and Engineering, Faculty of Innovation and Technology, Taylor’s University, 1, Jalan Taylor’s, 47500, Malaysia, Leng Chen Yen ,   School of Computer Science and Engineering, Faculty of Innovation and Technology, Taylor’s University, 1, Jalan Taylor’s, 47500, Malaysia, Ali Ameena ,   School of Computer Science and Engineering, Faculty of Innovation and Technology, Taylor’s University, 1, Jalan Taylor’s, 47500, Malaysia, Oon Choo Choong ,   School of Computer Science and Engineering, Faculty of Innovation and Technology, Taylor’s University, 1, Jalan Taylor’s, 47500, Malaysia
Published: March 2021

Ziziphus jujube known as red dates are natural flora, are a rich source of antioxidant bioactive compounds and are widely used in making Chinese traditional medicine. However, the optimization of extraction conditions and demonstration of extraction kinetics of red dates remains a gap. Therefore, the main objective of this research was to enhance the antioxidant activity via DPPH, crude extract yield, and TPC by response surface methodology (RSM). Also, mathematical modeling of the TPC extraction kinetics was performed. Single-factor experiments were adopted to identify the preliminary RSM ranges of four extraction parameters such as liquid-solid ratio (10, 20, and 30 ml/g), extraction temperature (50, 60 and 70°C), time (40, 50 and 60min), and ultrasonic power (70, 80 and 90%). The extraction kinetics based on RSM optimized conditions were modeled into six extraction kinetic models. As result, the highest crude extract yield (4.56 g), highest TPC (0.023 g GAE/g extract), and highest antioxidant activity (85.88%) were obtained at 60ºC. The optimum values were liquid-solid ratio 30ml/g, extraction temperature 60°C, time 60 min, and ultrasonic power 70%. The antioxidant activity of red dates after optimization (90.59%) was higher than that of synthetic antioxidants, Butylated Hydroxytoluene (84.71%), and Butylated Hydroxyanisole (77.73%). Furthermore, the best-fitted kinetic model was the second-order kinetic model due to its coefficient of determination (R2) at 0.9849, being the closest to 1 and its root mean square error (RMSE) was the lowest, 0.001028 among other models.
DOES PLAYING LOCATION-BASED AUGMENTED REALITY GAME INCREASES THE LEVEL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY?
Authors:   Physiotherapy programme, INTI International University, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, Gee Low Ann , Subramaniam Ambusam ,   Physiotherapy programme, INTI International University, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, Muthusamy Sivaguru ,   Physiotherapy programme, INTI International University, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia,   Department of Physical Education & Health Sciences, Alagappa University, Tamil Nadu, India, Vasanthi Rajkumar Krishnan ,   Physiotherapy programme, INTI International University, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Published: March 2021

Recently, there are an increasing trend in location-based augmented reality (AR) games that require players to move around physically to acquire the in-game features as well as game bonuses. The introduction of this location-based augmented reality (AR) games, specifically, Pokémon Go, has made the players physically move around to achieve higher levels and indirectly, improves the level of physical activity. Thus, the objective of the current study is to examine the association between the time spent playing location-based AR games specifically Pokémon Go, and the level of physical activity of the players in Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire was circulated among Pokémon Go players and based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 47 players were recruited in the study. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was used to identify the level of physical activity. The association between time spent playing Pokémon Go and level of physical activity were examined using the Chi-square test. The results of the current study showed no significant association between days spent playing Pokémon Go and level of physical activity (p = .14), hours spent playing Pokémon Go and physical activity (p = .516), or between daily hours spent playing Pokémon Go and daily sedentary time (p = .283). Nevertheless, the mean of the study reported that the physical activity level of the players increased concurrently as the player’s game frequency increases. Further studies are required to shed light on how location-based AR games can be implemented as potential strategies to engage an active lifestyle.
THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS OF Spirulina AGAINST HUMAN PATHOGENIC VIRUSES
Authors:   Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar, 31900 Malaysia, Liang Sharolynne Xiao Tong , Wong Ling Shing ,   Life Science Division, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, INTI International University, Nilai, 71800 Malaysia, Dhanapal Anto Cordelia Tanislaus Antony ,   Department of Chemical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar, 31900 Malaysia, Balu Prakash ,   Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600117, India, Djearamane Sinouvassane ,   Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar, 31900 Malaysia
Published: March 2021

Viruses can spread worldwide and the early detection of emerging infectious diseases and outbreaks in humans and animals is important for effective surveillance and prevention. Viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), swine flu, and influenza virus are some of the viruses that spread diseases worldwide. However, the non-availability of effective antiviral drugs and the drug-resistance among the virus and host have become the major problems in controlling viral infections. The natural products from microalgae can be an alternative therapeutic agent to control viral infections in humans. Spirulina is a well-known cyanobacterium that has been consumed by humans as a food supplement for more than centuries without side-effects. Spirulina possesses high nutritional values and provides numerous health benefits to the consumers. Spirulina can be an alternative natural therapeutic agent for numerous virus infections as it contains several bioactive compounds with proven antiviral effect on enveloped viruses (Herpes simplex virus, measles virus, mumps virus) and non-enveloped viruses (astrovirus, rotavirus) by preventing the spread of the virus in the host cells. Spirulina also serves as a natural supplement that strengthens the immune system. This review focuses on the antiviral properties and immunostimulant effects of Spirulina as a potential therapeutic supplement on human health.
ANTIVIRAL PROPERTIES OF MICROALGAE AND CYANOBACTERIA
Authors:   Department of Chemical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar, 31900 Malaysia, Mahendran Manishaa Sri , Djearamane Sinouvassane ,   Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar, 31900 Malaysia, Wong Ling Shing ,   Life Science Division, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, INTI International University, Nilai, 71800 Malaysia, Kasivelu Govindaraju ,   Centre for Ocean Research, MoES - Earth Science & Technology Cell (Marine Biotechnological Studies), Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed to be University), Chennai, 600119 India., Dhanapal Anto Cordelia Tanislaus Antony ,   Department of Chemical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar, 31900 Malaysia
Published: March 2021

The recent outbreak of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) and the surge in accelerating the development of a vaccine to fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus has imposed greater challenges to humanity worldwide. There is lack of research into the production of effective vaccines and methods of treatment against viral infections. As of now, strategies encompassing antiviral drugs and corticosteroids alongside mechanical respiratory treatment are in practice as frontline treatments. Though studies have reported that microalgae possess antiviral properties, only a few cases have presented the existence of antiviral compounds such as algal polysaccharides, lectins, aggluttinins, scytovirin, algal lipids such as sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG), monogalactosyldiacylglycerides (MGDG) and digalactosyldiacylglycerides (DGDG), and algal biopigments especially chlorophyll analogues, marennine, phycobiliproteins, phycocyanin, phycoerythrin and allophycocyanin that are derived from marine and freshwater microalgae. Given the chemodiversity of bioactive compounds from microalgae and the present scenario, algal biotechnology is seen as a prospective source of antiviral and anti-inflammatory compounds that can be used to develop antiviral agents. Microalgae with potential as antivirals and microalgae derived functional compounds to treat viral diseases are summarized and can be used as a reference in developing algae-derived antivirals to treat SARS-CoV-2 and other similar viruses.
CHEMICAL INVESTIGATION AND ANTIPROLIFERATIVE STUDIES OF ISOLATED POLYISOPRENYLATED BENZOPHENONES FROM STEM-BARK OF Garcinia maingayi
Authors:   Department of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Perak Campus,  Bandar Barat, Jalan Universiti, 31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia, Arullappan Sangeetha , Chu Wong Fai ,   Department of Chemical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Perak Campus, Bandar Barat, Jalan Universiti, 31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia, Kiang Lim Chan ,   Department of Chemical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Perak Campus, Bandar Barat, Jalan Universiti, 31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia, Mian Vivien Jong Yi ,   Centre for Applied Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Samarahan Campus 2, Jalan Meranek, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia, Mow Sim Kooi ,   Department of Chemical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Perak Campus, Bandar Barat, Jalan Universiti, 31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia
Published: March 2021

In the current study, sequential solvents extraction from the stem bark of Garcinia maingayi, a native plant to Malaysia has led to the isolation of four polyisoprenylated benzophenones: 30-epi-cambogin (GB 1), 14-deoxy-30-epi-cambogin (GB 2), guttiferone F (GB 3), and 14-deoxy-guttiferone F (GB 4). The structures were elucidated using IR, optical rotation, and NMR spectral data. The compounds were evaluated for antiproliferative effect using MTT assay, apoptosis using Annexin V/7-AAD flow cytometry, cell cycle progression, and activation of caspases 3/7, 8 and 9 and BCL2 mRNA expression in MCF-7, HeLa, and HepG2 cancer cell lines. Compounds GB 1 to GB 4 exhibited a remarkable antiproliferative effect on HeLa, MCF-7, and HepG2 cells with IC50 values ranging from 5 to 45 µM. Compounds GB 1 to GB 4 induced significant cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase corroborated with the decrease in the number of MCF-7 and HepG2 cells in S and G2/M phases (P<0.05). Compounds GB 1 to GB 4 induced apoptosis at 48 h. Further, among these, compounds GB 1 and GB 2 induced significant levels of caspases 3 and 9 in HeLa cells, while GB 3 induced caspase 9 activities in both MCF-7 and HepG2 cells. No significant induction of caspase 8 was observed suggesting that the apoptotic effects are mainly mediated through the intrinsic pathway. Only compound GB 1 inhibited the BCL2 mRNA expression significantly in all treated cancer cells. In conclusion, these compounds possess anticancer properties and thus further investigation is crucial on the mechanistic study, structure-activity relationship, and identification of putative molecular targets.
Effect of Rosa pimpinellifolia Extract on Human Tumor Cells Proliferation
Authors: AYAZOGLU DEMİR Elif , DEMİR Selim , TÜRKMEN Nihal , TURAN İbrahim
Published: March 2021

The genus Rosa belongs to the Rosaceae family and contains more than 100 species which are distributed in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America. Rosa species have long been used in traditional treatment of cold, infections and various inflammatory diseases. Although various studies have reported antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, renoprotective and anticancer activities of this genus, no previous studies have investigated the cytotoxic effect of Rosa pimpinellifolia on human cancer cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant properties of R. pimpinellifolia and its cytotoxic effect against human colon (WiDr), liver (HepG2) and lung (A549) cancer cells compared with a normal fibroblast (BJ) cell line. The antioxidant properties of extract was determined using colorimetric methods, while the cytotoxic effect of extract was evaluated using MTT assay. The total phenolic content and reducing power values of extract were calculated as 16.4±0.4 mg gallic acid equivalent and 34.3±2.4 mg trolox equivalent per g sample, respectively. Although the extract exhibits selective cytotoxic effect on three cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner compared to BJ cells, the highest selectivity index value (2.7-fold) was obtained for the WiDr cell line. In conclusion, this is the first study to demonstrate the cytotoxic effect of R. pimpinellifolia on cancer cells. To demonstrate the molecular mechanism of this cytotoxic effect and to carry out in vivo studies may be a guide for future clinical studies.
İş-Yaşam Dengesinin Yaşam Tatminini Yordamasında Çalışılan Sektörün Düzenleyici Etkisi
Authors: BEKMEZCİ Mustafa , MERT İbrahim Sani , ABUBAKAR Mohammad
Published: March 2021

İş-yaşam dengesi ve yaşam tatmini arasındaki ilişkiyi araştıran çalışmalar ilgili yazında artarak devam etmektedir. Özellikle çift kariyerli aile yapısının giderek arttığı günümüzde, iş-yaşam dengesi ve bu dengenin bireylerin yaşam tatminini nasıl etkilediği, bu etki üzerinde rol oynayan faktörlerin neler olduğunun bilinmesi önem kazanmıştır. Bu kapsamda 622 kişi üzerinde yapılan bu araştırmada, iş-yaşam ve yaşam-iş çatışmasının kamu ve özel sektör çalışanları üzerindeki yaşam tatminini ne ölçüde etkilediği araştırılmıştır. Yapısal eşitlik modelinin (SEM) kullanıldığı çalışmada, iş-yaşam çatışmasının (işin kişisel yaşama etkisi) yaşam tatminini azalttığı, çalışılan sektörün (kamu ve özel) iş-yaşam dengesi ve yaşam tatmini arasındaki ilişkide düzenleyici bir etkiye sahip olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Kamu sektöründe çalışanlarda iş-yaşam çatışmasının (işin kişisel yaşama etkisi) yaşam tatminini azaltması daha fazladır. Diğer yandan, yaşam-iş çatışması (kişisel yaşamın işe etkisi) yaşam tatminini etkilememektedir.
The Impact of Sparking Leadership on Creating Work Passion and Job Satisfaction in Organizations – An Empirical Study
Authors: BİLGİNOĞLU Elif , YOZGAT Uğur
Published: March 2021

In the highly competitive work environment of today, employees seem to be lacking work passion. Work passion is the inner fire. Leaders who ignite spirit, encourage passion and light the spark in employees to create the fire in their work environment are called the “sparking leaders”. The sparking leaders play an important role in organizations, but theoretical understanding of who they are and what impact they have in organizational outcomes is lacking. The present paper builds on fragmented and disparate extant work to conceptualize the nature of sparking leadership associated with work passion and job satisfaction of the employees. Consistent with the theoretical foundation behind previous research, the findings of the study reveal that sparking leaders have a positive effect on the subordinates’ work passion, which further leads to a higher job satisfaction. This means that the sparking leaders create the fire in an organization so that their work passion energizes their subordinates.
Lozan’a Giden Süreçte Mudanya Ateşkes Antlaşması
Authors: KIRMIT Ömer Faruk
Published: March 2021

Ateşkes; savaşan iki kuvvetin karşılıklı olarak savaşı durdurması demektir. Genellikle Ateşkes ile Mütareke kelimesi birbirlerinin eş anlamlısı olarak kullanılmakla beraber bazen bunların yerine Bırakışma da denilmektedir. Mudanya Ateşkes Antlaşması, Ankara Hükümetinin Batı cephesi karşısında gösterdiği askeri başarılar neticesinde TBMM ile İtilaf devletleri arasında imzalanmış siyasi bir belgedir. Antlaşma, 20. yüzyılın ilk çeyreğinde Lozan’a giden süreçte çok önemli bir yapı taşını oluşturmuştur. Bu önemi gösterir derecede Mudanya Ateşkes Antlaşması ile ilgili birçok çalışma yapılmış ve yapılan bu çalışmalarda antlaşma bütün yönleriyle ele alınmıştır. Dolayısıyla biz bu makalede, Mudanya Ateşkes Antlaşması’nın imzalanmasını sağlayan Büyük Taarruz ile o dönem yaşanan gelişmeleri değerlendirdik ve olayları farklı bir bakış açısıyla yorumladık. 3-11 Ekim 1922’de toplanılan ve toplantı sonucunda imzalanan Mudanya Ateşkes Antlaşması, Lozan’dan önce TBMM’nin imzaladığı büyük antlaşmalardan birisidir. Antlaşma sonuçları itibariyle üç yıldır devam eden Yunan işgalini sona erdirmiş ve Doğu Trakya’nın savaş yapılmadan boşaltılmasını sağlamıştır. Lozan Antlaşmasına gidilen süreçte TBMM’nin elini güçlendirmiş ve masaya herkesle eşit bir şekilde oturmasının yolunu açmıştır.
Blurring Boundaries: Facebook Groups as Digital Teachers’ Lounges for ELT Professionals
Authors: SELVİ Ali Fuad
Published: March 2021

Recent years have witnessed a rapid and widespread proliferation of information technologies and internet-based applications and platforms, commonly referred to as social media, which powerfully infused into almost every aspect of our lives, including teaching, teacher education and professional development. Departing from this premise, the current study provided a systematic analysis of Facebook groups serving as networks of professional development for ELT professionals in Turkey. The two-level analysis adopted lurking as a data collection strategy and thematic content analysis as an analytical lens. The macro analysis generated a corpus of these groups (n=55) and investigated how they positioned themselves by analyzing their group size, titles, descriptions and group cover photos. The micro analysis focused on two of the most influential groups and shed light on the actual activities in the form of posts occurring in these groups in June 2020 (n=189, n=1,063, respectively, and a total of n=1,252). The two-level analysis indicated that these groups could be defined as utilitarian (predominantly requesting information and/or providing supplementary docs, instructional videos, revision tests) and socially-oriented (social exchanges with like-minded colleagues). Thus, it could be argued that these groups serve primarily as professionally-focused spaces of socialization, like a digital teachers’ lounge where teachers (coming from the same area of specialty) interact with each other, socialize but also discuss work, give or ask for help on a range of professional, administrative, logistical and administrative matters.
Memlûklerin Doğu Akdeniz Hâkimiyetinde Sultan İnal ve Hoşkadem’in Kıbrıs’a Müdahalesi
Authors: ÇETİN Altan
Published: March 2021

Kıbrıs, İslam ve Türk tarihinin en önemli mekânlarından biridir. Bu cümleden olarak Memlûklerin hâkimiyet alanları münasebetiyle Doğu Akdeniz ve Kıbrıs dış siyasetlerinde önemli bir yer aldı. Kıbrıs, Memlûklerin mücadele ettiği Haçlıların bir üssü olarak, onlara karşı askeri bir tehdit alanı idi. Süreçte ada 1426 yılında Memlûkler tarafından ele geçirildi. Burada bulunan yönetici tabaka Memlûklere bağlı idi. Bu ilişkiler içerisinde Kıbrıs kralı John’un vefatı üzerine oğlu ile kızı arasında bir taht mücadelesi başladı. Bu meyanda James babasının tahtına geçmek için Sultan İnal’a başvurarak yardım istedi. Nihayetinde Kıbrıs’a bir askeri harekât düzenlenip buradaki Memlûk hâkimiyeti teyit edilerek adada II. James’in hâkimiyeti sağlandı.
Australian Video Viewing Survey
Authors: Kennedy David
Published: March 2021

In late 2020, Venture Insights conducted a video consumer survey of 1,003 Australian households. This paper provides an overview of the results. A television set remains the most common device for watching video, but a substantial majority of households also watch video on PCs, tablets and smartphones. Internet-connected TVs are now common. Only 24% of households currently have a 4K or better TV, but 44% of households anticipate buying a 4K TV set over the next three years. More than half of households do not subscribe to a pay-TV service. Of those which do, two-thirds have Foxtel. Netflix remains dominant in the Australian subscription video market, while its main competitors are each subscribed to by about one-fifth of households. Most survey respondents expect their video consumption to remain stable across all formats over the next year.
Water Footprint Assessment of Thai Banana Production
Authors:   ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Thailand, Rattanapan Cheerawit , Ounsaneha Weerawat
Published: March 2021

The aim of this research was to assess the water footprint level of Thai banana production. Firstly, the water consumption inventory of banana production was developed. The water consumptions in the banana farms and a case study of banana industry were collected based on the inventory. The results showed that the water consumption of banana plantation was 842.02 m3 including 443.50 m3 of green water, 398.52 m3 of blue water and not found grey water. Moreover, 1638.59 m3/rai was found in the one rai of banana plantation consisted of 863.06 m3/rai of green water and 775.53 m3/rai of blue water. From the finding of this study, the reduction approach of water footprint for banana production should be the reduction of watering the plant in the process of banana growing.
Massive Open Online Courses: A Bibliometric Review
Authors:   REMIT, Universidade Portucalense, Porto, Portugal, Sobral Sónia Rolland
Published: March 2021

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are open courses offered to an indefinite number of participants and accessible through virtual learning environments. These courses have been the subject of research all over the world. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the scientific production on Massive Open Online Courses in journals indexed in Clarivate Analytics’ Web of Science and Elsevier’s Scopus. The sample is composed by 1908 articles in total. The results obtained by bibliometric analysis showed that the publication continue to increase, in which journals they are published, which are the organizations and countries that publish the most, and which are the most cited articles. We concluded that since Massive Open Online Courses are a reality, there still seems to be a possibility for evolution in good quality publications.
The Challenges of Integrating Industry 4.0 in Cyber Security — A Perspective
Authors:   the University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, United Kingdom, James Yvonne , Szymanezyk Olivier
Published: March 2021

We adopt Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and professional qualifications for adapting models of deliveries of teaching the module of Cyber Security at the University of Lincoln (UK). To achieve this, we investigate I4.0, the challenges it sets to higher education, and professional qualifications. Our findings are used to devise three models of delivery, namely Comprehensive, Partial and Merged. Our discussions show that our strategy of the integration of I4.0 within the curriculum development effectively prepares students to stand out from the crowd by possessing industry ready accreditations along their computer science degrees and the skills required for their future career in cyber security.
Ectopic pregnancies in low resource setting: a retrospective review of cases in Kumasi, Ghana
Authors: Yakub Yusif , Newton Sam Kofi , Osei Francis Adjei , Odoom Samuel Frimpong , Mensah Nicholas Karikari , Owusu Alfred Kwame , Amin Mohammed , Sarpong Phans Oduro , Dankwa Bright Atta
Published: March 2021

Background: Ectopic pregnancy remains a public health threat for women in reproductive age, and a major cause of maternal mortalities in the first trimester of pregnancy. Past studies in Ghana on the burden of Ectopic Pregnancy (EP) have focused on major referral health facilities with little consideration of primary health facilities. This study was set out to determine the prevalence of Ectopic Pregnancy, demographic characteristics involved and the various types of Ectopic Pregnancy seen in primary health settings in Kumasi, Ghana.Methods: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Suntreso Government and Tafo Government Hospitals in the Kumasi metropolitan area from 2007 to 2017. A review of 28,600 obstetric cases recorded in registers of the two facilities was done using electronic data extraction form. The data were exported into STATA/IC 14.0 for statistical analysis.Results: A prevalence of 0.76% EP was recorded over the study period of 10 years. 61.75% of the women diagnosed with EP were between the ages of 21-30 years with a mean age and standard deviation of 27.61 and 5.91 respectively. Tubal (fallopian tubes) EP was seen in 76.96% of the women diagnosed with EP. 10.18% and 7.19% of the tubal EP occurred in the cornual and fimbriae respectively. Ruptured EP was seen in 58.99% of the cases.Conclusions: The study reported EP in about one in a hundred cases. The commonest EP that emerged from this study was tubal (fallopian tube) EP. Among the tubal EP, cornual and fimbria were the commonest EP that occurred in the fallopian tube. Although cases of tubo-ovarian and ovarian EP are rare, a significant percentage were observed in this study. Early reporting and diagnosis of EP should be of great importance to prevent ruptured EP and any associated complications.
Effect of aromatase inhibitor, letrozole on semen parameters in eugonadotropic hypoandrogenic men with oligozoospermia
Authors: I. Jahan , S. Ishrat , J. Banu , P. Fatima , S. A. Ansary , S. Afrin , K. Nasreen
Published: March 2021

Background: Some men with severely defective sperm production commonly have excess aromatase activity, reflected by low serum testosterone and relatively elevated estradiol levels. Elevated levels of estrogen lead to feedback inhibition of the hypothalamic -pituitary-gonadal axis, and the end result is a decrease in LH necessary for the production of testosterone, and FSH to optimize sperm production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aromatase inhibitor, letrozole on the semen parameters of infertile male having oligozoospermia, low serum testosterone level and testosterone to estradiol ratio <10.Methods: This Prospective study was conducted in the Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from May 2019 to April 2020. The sample size was 30 subfertile men with oligozoospermia (≤ 10 million/ml), low serum testosterone level (<300 ng/dl) and low testosterone to estradiol ratio (<10). All patients were treated with letrozole 2.5 mg daily for 4 months. At the end of the 4 months the semen analysis was performed. Statistical analysis was carried out by using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 for windows (SPSS version 25.0).Results: The sperm concentration, sperm motility and total motile sperm count significantly increased after letrozole treatment. The side effects were mild and well tolerated.Conclusions: This study suggests that some men with oligozoospermia, low serum testosterone levels and normal gonadotropin concentration may have a treatable endocrinopathy. Letrozole may be used to improve sperm parameters in infertile men with low serum testosterone to estradiol ratio.
Evaluation of the effect of aromatase inhibitor in reducing the size of endometrioma
Authors: Ansary Selina Afroz , Ishrat Shakeela , Banu Jesmine , Fatima Parveen , Nasreen Faria , Jahan Israt , Afrin Shajia , Nasreen Khaleda , Mohsin Mohammad
Published: March 2021

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic and progressive estrogen-dependent disorder that can result in substantial morbidity, including pelvic pain, multiple operations, and infertility. Endometriosis can be ovarian, peritoneal or deep infiltrative. Blocking estrogen production by inhibiting aromatization, aromatase inhibitor (letrozole) has been shown to reduce the size of endometrioma and endometriosis associated pain. Aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of aromatase inhibitor in reducing the size of endometrioma.Methods: A prospective non comparative observational study was conducted in the Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility of BSMMU on 30 women with ovarian endometrioma during the period of April 2019 to March 2020. Women were treated with aromatase inhibitor (letrozole) 2.5 mg, norethisterone 5 mg, calcium 1200 mg, and vitamin D 800 IU daily for 6 months. Transvaginal ultrasound was performed at baseline, 3 months and 6 months after treatment to assess the mean diameter and volume of endometriomas. Statistical analyses were carried out by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0.Results: More than 50% reduction in volume occurred in 90% of endometrioma. In one (3.3%) case endometrioma disappeared completely after 6 months. There was statistically significant reduction of size of endometrioma (estimated by mean diameter and volume) and pain. Volume decrease was linearly related to baseline endometrioma volume and inversely related to baseline body mass index (BMI). The side effects were mild and well tolerated by the patients.Conclusions: Treatment of ovarian endometrioma with aromatase inhibitor combined with progestin add-back for 6 months cause substantial reduction in size of endometrioma and associated pain.
A study of blood pressure levels and other factors that contribute to a good pregnancy outcome
Authors: Karanasiou Eleni Apostolos , Karvana Thaleia , Rizothanasi Konstantina
Published: March 2021

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the awareness of blood pressure before and during pregnancy by pregnant women as well as the factors of pathological increase and if woman is going to adapt to the new situation changing their lifestyle and food habits during pregnancy           .Methods: The study was conducted on 318 pregnant women to assess their knowledge and attitude about pregnancy and the development of high-risk pathology who had visited the Public Obstetric Hospital of Athens “Elena Venizelou”, from December 2019 to August 2020. Then were given a pre-designed structured questionnaire on socio-demographic, variable knowledge and attitude about health and pregnancy.Results: According to the study it was found that a proportion watching their diet (61%), limiting smoking (29% smoker, 12% of them smokes minimum), but a large number of them were unaware of preeclampsia (46%) and especially whether an increase in blood pressure occurs in preeclampsia (45%), leg edema (56%) and albuminuria (74%), while 77% of them ignore what is albuminuria and this is directly linked to the level of education, age and nationality.Conclusions: The study concludes that a large number of the sample ignores the complications of pregnancy and the development of these predisposing factors. The main disadvantage of this study is that there was not a random sample of people asked. Thus, in the future it is proposed that a similar survey should be conducted in various nursing institutions.
The treatment analysis of the patients suffering from vaginismus and the correlation with the psychological issues
Authors: Kurban Didem , Eserdag Suleyman , Yakut Emrah , Mishra Prabhu Chandra
Published: March 2021

Background: We aimed to present the demographic information, treatment protocol, and results of 482 female patients that presented to our clinic specialized in sexual dysfunction with the complaint of no or only partial sexual intercourse and were diagnosed with primary vaginismus.Methods: The female patients were asked eight questions about demographics; 13 questions about marriage; seven questions about family structure and upbringing; three questions about history of psychiatric diseases and general phobias; and 17 questions about sexual history and previous treatments. The male spouses were asked seven questions concerning age, occupation, educational level, personality, sexual experience, and sexual dysfunction.Results: The median age of the female patients was 28 and their spouses was 29. The mean duration of marriage was 18.2 months. Of the female patients, 65.4% reported that they felt they would have pain during sexual intercourse, 23.6% stated that they really had pain, 74.1% mentioned that they had heard horrifying stories about the first night of marriage in the pre-marital period. Cognitive behavioral therapy was performed alone in 85.7% of the patients, following hymenotomy in 5%, and following hymenectomy in 9.3%.Conclusions: False and exaggerated information about sexuality being embedded in the subconscious of women is very effective in the development of vaginismus. On the other hand, traditional family structure, adolescent traumas, first night stories, and superstitions about sexuality are among the important causes of vaginismus.
Factors predicting success of vaginal delivery in women with oligohydramnios undergoing induction of labour
Authors: Malviya Ritika , Mahor Suman , Saranu Sarada
Published: March 2021

Background: Aim was to study the predicting factors for success of vaginal delivery, in women with oligohydramnios undergoing induction of labour.Methods: An observational study conducted in tertiary care centre Kamineni Hospital in 100 patients in 1-year duration with vaginal misoprostol tablets to predict the success of vaginal delivery in cases, if oligohydramnios undergoing induction of labor.Results: In our study total 100 cases was induced. Among these 81% had successful normal vaginal delivery and 19% had caesarean section delivery. Those who underwent caesarean section, their NST had become non reassuring at any time in labour, provided all supportive measures but their labour was terminated by caesarean section for sake of mother or baby.Conclusions: It is preferable to induce the patients of oligohydramnios at term with continous fetal heart rate monitoring and also variability of the fetal heart rate pattern with uterine contractions.
Evaluation of clinico-epidemiological factors and outcome of COVID-19 disease in perinatal period
Authors: Dabhadkar Suchita V. , Taralekar Vaishali S. , A. Mahima R. , Barsode Salil D. , Kale Pooja S.
Published: March 2021

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is well accepted that pregnant women are at increased risk of infections, morbidity from known respiratory viruses like H1N1, varicella, influenza. COVID-19, a virus from the same family poses a greater and influential risk to the health of our mothers and their babies. Raised concerns of pregnant women, being physiologically immunocompromised with associated comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, anemia is very challenging for the obstetrician to conquer.Methods: We tested 405 pregnant women for PCR SARS CoV-2 during the pandemic out of which 59 pregnant women turned out to be positive, and were included in the study analysis. These women had singleton live pregnancy beyond 37 weeks and opted for in patient management. Study participants did not have any known obstetric complications.Results: 81% of women were delivered by cesearean section, indication being premature rupture of membranes and anhydramnios in 45 % of women reflecting the infective etiology of the disease. 60% women were asymptomatic, yet positive for the disease. Community spread was seen in 75% of the women. No ICU admissions were recorded.Conclusions: The substantial impact on the vulnerable groups like pregnancy has necessitated need for further studies and research and to build more service models as frontline obstetric COVID health care workers.
Role of admission cardiotocography and amniotic fluid index on perinatal outcome in low risk pregnancy at term
Authors: Patnaik Manasi , M Tejaswini , Rath Sudhanshu Kumar , Naaz Shaik Afrah
Published: March 2021

Background: Fetal surveillance even in normal or low risk pregnancy is essential to ensure safe parturition with minimum intervention. Cardiotocography (CTG) and clinical estimation of amniotic fluid volume (AFV) measured as amniotic fluid index (AFI) are two tests that are easily available in the labor room and can be used to identify fetal well-being. Our study aimed to evaluate role of admission cardiotocography (CTG) and amniotic fluid index (AFI) on perinatal outcome in low risk pregnancy at term.Methods: The study was conducted as a prospective observational study. All low risk pregnant women at term admitted to the labor ward in early or established labour between September 2018 and August 2020 were included in the study. They underwent admission CTG and AFI assessment using ultrasonography. All parameters including CTG changes, mode of delivery, AFI, presence of meconium, APGAR score at 1 and 5 mins, need for admission in neonatal ICU and perinatal mortality were recorded. Quantitative data was compared using chi square test.Results: A total of 180 patients were included in the study. Majority of the women belonged to the age group of 30-35 years. Abnormal CTG showing fetal distress was seen in 105 (58.33%) cases. Non-reactive CTG was significantly associated with meconium stained liqour, requirement for LSCS, still birth, fetal distress, APGAR <7 at 1 and 5min and NICU admission (p<0.001). The association of low AFI with non-reactive CTG had statistically significant impact on perinatal outcomes like low birth weight, requirement for LSCS, fetal distress, APGAR <7 at 1 and 5 mins and NICU admissions.Conclusions: Admission CTG is a simple non-invasive test that can serve as a screening tool in low risk obstetric population to detect fetal distress already present or likely to develop and prevent unnecessary delay in intervention. Thus, it may help in preventing fetal morbidity and mortality.