bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metformin Versus Insulin and Risk of Major Congenital Malformations in Pregnancies With Type 2 Diabetes: A Nordic Register-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Kjerpeseth Lars J. , Cesta Carolyn E. , Furu Kari , Engeland Anders , Gissler Mika , Gulseth Hanne L. , Karlstad Øystein , Leinonen Maarit K. , Pazzagli Laura , Zoega Helga , Cohen Jacqueline M.
Published: June 2023

OBJECTIVE

To assess the risk of major congenital malformations with metformin versus insulin in pregnancies with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This cohort study used four Nordic countries’ nationwide registers of live and stillborn infants exposed to metformin or insulin during first trimester organogenesis. Main exclusion criteria were type 1 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, fertility treatment, and exposure to other diabetes drugs. Adjusted risk ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs were estimated for any and cardiac malformations.

RESULTS

Of 3,734,125 infants in the source population, 25,956 were exposed to metformin or insulin in the first trimester, and 4,023 singleton infants were included. A malformation was diagnosed in 147 (4.7%) of 3,145 infants with exposure to any metformin (alone or in addition to insulin) and 50 (5.7%) of 878 infants with exposure to insulin alone (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.46–1.54). Among 2,852 infants exposed to metformin alone and 293 infants exposed to metformin in addition to insulin 127 (4.4%) and 20 (6.8%), respectively, had a malformation. The adjusted risk was not increased for either metformin alone (0.83, 0.44–1.58) or both metformin and insulin (0.98, 0.56–1.69) versus insulin alone. Corresponding RRs for cardiac malformations were 1.01 (0.55–1.84) for any metformin, 0.92 (0.47–1.81) for metformin alone, and 1.72 (0.76–3.91) for both metformin and insulin.

CONCLUSIONS

No evidence of an increased malformation risk with metformin versus insulin in the first trimester was found. Results should be interpreted with caution since information on glycemic control was missing.
Dulaglutide and Kidney Function–Related Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes: A REWIND Post Hoc Analysis
Authors: T. Botros Fady , C. Gerstein Hertzel , Malik Raleigh , Nicolay Claudia , Hoover Anastasia , Turfanda Ibrahim , M. Colhoun Helen , E. Shaw Jonathan
Published: June 2023

Objective: Dulaglutide (DU) 1.5 mg was associated with improved composite renal outcomes that included new onset macroalbuminuria in people with type 2 diabetes with previous cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular risk factors in the REWIND trial. This exploratory post hoc analysis evaluated kidney-function-related outcomes, excluding the new onset macroalbuminuria component, among the REWIND participants.

Research Design and Methods: Intent-to-treat analyses were performed on REWIND participants (N=4949 DU, N=4952 placebo). Time-to-occurrence of a composite kidney-function-related outcome (≥40% sustained decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, per the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration 2009 equation), end-stage renal disease, or renal-related death), and mean annual eGFR slope were examined. Analyses were conducted overall and within subgroups defined by baseline urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR <30 or ≥30mg/g) and baseline eGFR (<60 or ≥60mL/min/1.73 m2).  

Results: The post hoc composite kidney-function-related outcome occurred less frequently among participants assigned to DU than placebo (Hazard Ratio (HR)=0.75, [95% Confidence Interval [CI]=0.62-0.92], p=0.004), with no evidence of a differential DU treatment effect by UACR or eGFR subgroup. A ≥40% sustained eGFR decline occurred less frequently among participants assigned to DU than placebo (HR=0.72, [95% CI=0.58-0.88], p=0.002). Mean annual decline in eGFR slope was significantly smaller for participants assigned to DU than placebo (-1.37 vs -1.56 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, p<0.001); results were similar for all subgroups.

Conclusions: The estimated 25% reduced hazard of a kidney-function–related outcome among participants assigned to DU highlights its potential for delaying or slowing the development of diabetic kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes.
Metformin Versus Insulin and Risk of Major Congenital Malformations in Pregnancies With Type 2 Diabetes – A Nordic Register-Based Cohort Study
Authors: J Kjerpeseth Lars , E Cesta Carolyn , Furu Kari , Engeland Anders , Gissler Mika , L Gulseth Hanne , Karlstad Øystein , K Leinonen Maarit , Pazzagli Laura , Zoega Helga , M Cohen Jacqueline
Published: June 2023

  

Objective: Assess risk of major congenital malformations with metformin versus insulin in pregnancies with type 2 diabetes.

Research Design and Methods: Cohort study using four Nordic countries’ nationwide registers of live and stillborn infants exposed to metformin or insulin during first trimester organogenesis. Main exclusion criteria were type 1 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome and fertility treatment, and exposure to other diabetes drugs. Adjusted risk ratio (RR) and 95% CI was estimated for any and cardiac malformations.

Results: Of 3,734,125 infants in the source population, 25,956 were exposed to metformin or insulin in first trimester, and 4023 singleton infants included. A malformation was diagnosed in 147 (4.7%) of 3145 infants with exposure to any metformin (alone or in addition to insulin) and 50 (5.7%) of 878 infants with exposure to insulin alone (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.46 to 1.54). Among 2852 infants exposed to metformin alone and 293 infants exposed to metformin in addition to insulin, respectively 127 (4.4%) and 20 (6.8%) had a malformation. The adjusted risk was not increased for neither metformin alone (0.83, 0.44 to 1.58) nor both metformin and insulin (0.98, 0.56 to 1.69) versus insulin alone. Corresponding RRs for cardiac malformations were 1.01 (0.55 to 1.84) for any metformin, 0.92 (0.47 to 1.81) for metformin alone and 1.72 (0.76 to 3.91) for both metformin and insulin.

Conclusions: No evidence of an increased malformation risk with metformin versus insulin in first trimester was found. Results should be interpreted with caution since information on glycemic control was missing.
A short-form measure of diabetes distress among adults with type 1 diabetes for use in clinical practice: Development and validation of the T1-DDS-7
Authors: Nygaard Mette , Willaing Ingrid , Eide Joensen Lene , Lindgreen Pil , Stenov Vibeke , Hessler Danielle , Nørgaard Kirsten , Pedersen-Bjergaard Ulrik , Olesen Kasper
Published: June 2023

  

Objective: Valid and reliable diabetes distress assessment is essential for identifying adults with elevated levels of concern and to guide targeted support. However, assessing diabetes distress must also be feasible in time-limited settings. We aimed to identify a short-form measure of the 28-item Type 1 Diabetes Distress Scale (T1-DDS-28) representing seven sources of type 1 diabetes distress that would be convenient for use in clinical practice.

Research Design and Methods: Based on the evaluation of influence and importance by 14 experts in diabetes care and research, we identified the best-performing item within each of seven sources of diabetes distress included in the T1-DDS-28. To further validate the proposed short-form measure, we used survey data from 2,016 adults living with type 1 diabetes. Validity was examined by exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, test-retest reliability analysis, and correlations with other psychosocial measures. 

Results: We identified a short-form measure of the T1-DDS-28 consisting of seven items, each representing a source of diabetes distress. These items showed satisfactory reliability (factor loadings>0.45; α=0.82; test-retest correlation, r=0.90) and validity (correlation with T1-DDS-28, r=0.95; AUC=0.91; sensitivity 93%; specificity 89%) when combined in the short-form scale (T1-DDS-7). 

Conclusions: We propose the T1-DDS-7 as a valid and reliable measure for routine screening of diabetes distress among adults with type 1 diabetes. In case of elevated levels of diabetes distress, we recommend that a full-scale assessment and open dialogue follow the short-form measure before determining further treatment. 
A DEFECT IN MITOCHONDRIAL COMPLEX III BUT NOT IN COMPLEXES I OR IV CAUSES EARLY BETA CELL DYSFUNCTION AND HYPERGLYCEMIA IN MICE
Authors: L. Lang Anna , Nissanka Nadee , A. Louzada Ruy , Tamayo Alejandro , Pereira Elizabeth , T. Moraes Carlos , Caicedo Alejandro
Published: June 2023

Mitochondrial metabolism and oxidative respiration are crucial for pancreatic beta cell function and stimulus secretion coupling. Oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) produces ATP and other metabolites that potentiate insulin secretion. However, the contribution of individual OxPhos complexes to beta cell function is unknown. We generated beta cell specific, inducible OxPhos complex KO mouse models to investigate the effects of disrupting Complex I, Complex III, or Complex IV on beta cell function. Although all KO models had similar mitochondrial respiratory defects, Complex III caused early hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, and loss of glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion in vivo. However, ex vivo insulin secretion did not change. Complex I and IV KO models showed diabetic phenotypes much later. Mitochondrial Ca2+ responses to glucose stimulation 3 weeks after gene deletion ranged from not affected to severely disrupted depending on the complex targeted, supporting the unique roles of each complex in beta cell signaling. Mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme immunostaining increased in islets from Complex III KO, but not from Complex I or IV KO mice, indicating that severe diabetic phenotype in the Complex III deficient mice is causing alterations in cellular redox status. The current study highlights that defects in individual OxPhos complexes lead to different pathogenic outcomes.
Reciprocal regulation of hepatic TGF-β1 and Foxo1 controls gluconeogenesis and energy expenditure
Authors: Pan Quan , Ai Weiqi , Chen Yunmei , Mi Kim Da , Shen Zheng , Yang Wanbao , Jiang Wen , Sun Yuxiang , Safe Stephen , Guo Shaodong
Published: June 2023

  

Obesity and insulin resistance are risk factors for the pathogenesis of T2D. Here we report that hepatic TGF-β1 expression positively correlates with obesity and insulin resistance in mice and humans. Hepatic TGF-β1 deficiency decreased blood glucose in lean mice, and improved glucose and energy dysregulations in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice and diabetic mice. Conversely, overexpression of TGF-β1 in the liver exacerbated metabolic dysfunctions in DIO mice. Mechanistically, hepatic TGF-β1 and Foxo1 are reciprocally regulated: fasting or insulin resistance caused Foxo1 activation, increasing TGF-β1 expression, which in turn activated protein kinase A, stimulating Foxo1-S273 phosphorylation to promote Foxo1-mediated gluconeogenesis. Disruption of TGF-β1→Foxo1→TGF-β1 looping by deleting TGF-β1 receptor II in the liver or by blocking Foxo1-S273 phosphorylation ameliorated hyperglycemia and improved energy metabolism in adipose tissues. Taken together, our studies reveal that hepatic TGF-β1→Foxo1→TGF-β1 looping could serve as a potential therapeutic target for prevention and treatment of obesity and T2D.
Trajectories of liver fibrosis and gene expression profiles in NAFLD associated with diabetes
Authors: Sako Saori , Takeshita Yumie , Takayama Hiroaki , Goto Hisanori , Nakano Yujiro , Ando Hitoshi , Tsujiguchi Hiromasa , Yamashita Tatsuya , Arai Kuniaki , Kaneko Shuichi , Nakamura Hiroyuki , Harada Kenichi , Honda Masao , Takamura Toshinari
Published: June 2023

Understanding the mechanisms linking steatosis to fibrosis is needed to establish a promising therapy against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aims to clarify clinical features and hepatic gene expression signatures that predict and contribute to liver fibrosis development during the long-term real-world histological course of NAFLD subjects with and without diabetes. A pathologist scored 342 serial liver biopsy samples from 118 subjects clinically diagnosed with NAFLD during a 3.8 years (SD 3.45, maximum 15 years) course of clinical treatment (UMIN; Clinical Trials Registry, no. UMIN000035231). At the initial biopsy, 26 subjects had simple fatty liver, and 92 had nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In the trend analysis, the Fibrosis-4 index (P < 0.001) and its components at baseline predicted the future fibrosis progression. In the generalized linear mixed model, an increase in HbA1c, but not BMI, was significantly associated with fibrosis progression (0.17 [0.009–0.326]; P = 0.038) for NAFLD subjects with diabetes. In gene set enrichment analyses, the pathways involved in hepatocytes zone 3, central liver sinusoidal endothelial cell (LSEC), stellate cells, and plasma cells were coordinately altered in association with fibrosis progression and HbA1c elevation. Therefore, in NAFLD subjects with diabetes, HbA1c elevation is significantly associated with liver fibrosis progression, independent of weight gain, which may be a valuable therapeutic target to prevent the pathological progression of NASH. Gene expression profiles suggest that diabetes-induced hypoxia and oxidative stress injure LSEC injury in zone 3, which may mediate inflammation and stellate cell activation, leading to liver fibrosis. 
Predicting Residual Casing Life of a Tire following an Impact Event
Authors: Gobinath Gobi , Ebbott Thomas , Hughes Shannon
Published: June 2023

By applying recognized engineering methods, including finite element analysis, the role of impact events on the service life of a tire was studied by varying three factors: speed of impact, treadwear, and angle of impact. The approach combines well-known finite element analysis methods to simulate a tire rolling over an obstacle with the calculation of damage at the tire belt edge imparted by the impact event by using recognized methods of rubber fatigue analysis. An efficient method is developed and used to demonstrate that across a range of impact conditions, some conditions can cause substantial internal damage, whereas other conditions can cause very little damage. The area of investigation is the tire belt edge; thus, although significant internal damage may have occurred, it might not be visually perceptible in the normal operation of a vehicle. In some cases, the nondetectable damage is shown to propagate to a point where the tire loses its structural integrity before reaching its normal operating life defined by treadwear. This study includes the role of mechanical, temperature, and rate effects.
Pengaruh Model Pembelajaran Think Pair Share Berbasis Tri Hita Karana Terhadap Kompetensi Pengetahuan IPA
Authors: Dewi Anak Agung Sylvia Fitriana , Ardana I Ketut
Published: June 2023

Penguasaan kompetensi IPA masih kurang optimal karena masih dianggap sulit untuk dipahami bagi peserta didik. Proses pembelajaran yang masih dominan berfokus kepada guru sehingga menyebabkan kurangnya keikutsertaan peserta didik yang berpengaruh pada hasil belajar siswa yang rendah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh model pembelajaran Think Pair Share Berbasis Tri Hita Karana terhadap kompetensi pengetahuan IPA. Penelitian ini tergolong jenis penelitian kuantitatif memakai rancangan non-equivalent control group design. Populasi penelitian berjumlah 516 siswa. Teknik random sampling digunakan untuk menentukan sampel penelitian. Sampel yang diperoleh sebanyak 73 siswa. Dalam mengumpulkan data kompetensi pengetahuan IPA menggunakan tes pilihan ganda biasa, yang kemudian dianalisis dengan analisis uji-t polled varians. Berdasarkan hasil perhitungan diperoleh thitung = 2,730 > ttabel 2,000 pada taraf signikansi 5% dengan dk = 71, sehingga Ho ditolak. Jadi berdasarkan hasil analisis dapat disimpulkan bahwa terdapat pengaruh model pembelajaran Think Pair Share Berbasis Tri Hita Karana terhadap kompetensi pengetahuan IPA siswa kelas V. Model pembelajaran Think Pair Share Berbasis Tri Hita Karana dapat meningkatkan kompetensi pengetahuan IPA siswa kelas V.
Bahan Ajar Interaktif Berbasis Kearifan Lokal Bali Tema Indahnya Kebersamaan
Authors: Widiantari Ni Nyoman , Gading I Ketut , Astawan I Gede
Published: June 2023

Pembelajaran IPS di sekolah dasar belum dapat dilaksanakan secara maksimal, apalagi pada masa pandemi covid-19 yang mengakibatkan sistem pembelajaran yang diterapkan yaitu sistem pembelajaran dalam jaringan. Penyampaian materi pembelajaran belum dapat dilaksanakan dengan baik karena bahan ajar interaktif sebagai sumber belajar pendukung masih kurang di sekolah dasar. Tujuan penelitian ini yaitu menghasilkan bahan ajar interaktif yang telah diuji dan layak digunakan dalam proses pembelajaran. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian pengembangan yang dilaksanakan dengan menggunakan model ADDIE. Namun, karena adanya pandemi covid-19, maka dalam penelitian ini tahap implementasi dan evaluasi tidak dapat dilaksanakan. Subjek dalam penelitian ini adalah satu orang ahli materi, satu orang ahli media, dua orang ahli praktisi, tiga orang siswa dalam uji respon perorangan, dan enam orang siswa dalam uji respon kelompok kecil. Metode pengumpulan data yang digunakan adalah metode kuesioner. Data yang diperoleh kemudian dianalisis dengan menggunakan rumus gregory yang telah dimodifikasi untuk mengetahui keterterimaan bahan ajar yang dikembangkan. Skor yang diperoleh dari keempat ahli adalah 1,00 dengan kualifikasi keterterimaan produk sangat tinggi. Hasil uji respon perorangan memperoleh skor rata-rata sebesar 4, 00 dan uji respon kelompok kecil memperoleh skor rata-rata sebesar 4, 00 dengan kualifikasi sangat baik. Jadi, bahan ajar interaktif berbasis kearifan lokal Bali pada muatan IPS Tema 1 Indahnya Kebersamaan kelas IV SD dinyatakan valid dan dapat digunakan dalam proses pembelajaran.
Integrasi Kebudayaan Lokal Bali dalam Modul Peduli terhadap Makhluk Hidup
Authors: Sintamiati Ni Nyoman Devi , Rati Ni Wayan , Ana Kadek Yudi
Published: June 2023

Pesatnya kemajuan teknologi yang dibarengi dengan masuknya kebudayaan asing membuat keberadaan kebudayaan lokal daerah memudar. Oleh sebab itu, perlu adanya pembelajaran yang dapat mengintegrasikan kebudayaan lokal dengan materi pelajaran. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menghasilkan modul peduli terhadap makhluk hidup bermuatan kebudayaan lokal Bali. Subjek penelitian ini adalah pengembangan media pembelajaran modul peduli terhadap makhluk hidup, sedangkan objek penilitian ini adalah validitas media pembelajaran modul. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian pengembangan yang menggunakan model ADDIE yang terdiri dari lima tahap yaitu analisis, perancangan, pengembangan, implementasi dan evaluasi. Namun penelitian ini sampai tahap pengembangan mengingat kondisi pandemi Covid-19 tidak memungkinkan untuk melaksanakan tahap implementasi dan evaluasi. Penelitian pengembangan ini menggunakan metode kuesioner dengan menyebarkan lembar penilaian kepada responden, yaitu ahli isi mata pelajaran, media pembelajaran, praktisi, dan uji coba perorangan. Hasil validitas media modul pada pelajaran IPA dinyatakan valid dan praktis dengan kategori sangat baik yang dilihat dari nilai uji coba menunjukkan skor 94, %-96%. Hal ini berarti bahwa media pembelajaran modul ini dinyatakan layak digunakan karena memiliki kualifikasi yang sangat baik.
The Influence of Brand Equity, Price and Product Quality on Purchase Decisions for iPhone Brand Mobile Phones
Authors:   Economic Education, Makassar State University, Indonesia, Arifin Fakhira , Mustari Mustari , Dinar Muhammad , Nurdiana Nurdiana , Hasan5 Muhammad
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this research is to see whether Brand Equity, Price, and Product Quality have partial and simultaneous effect on the Decision to Purchase Iphone Brand Mobile Phones in Minasatene Village, Pangkep Regency. This research is a quantitative descriptive study involving 50 participants. Information was collected by distributing Likert scale questionnaires. Descriptive statistical analysis and inferential statistical analysis were used to analyze the data. The results of the study reveal that the variables of Brand Equity (X1), Price (X2), and Product Quality (X3) all have a positive and significant effect on the Purchase Decision (Y) of iPhone Brand Mobile Phones in Minasatene Village, Pangkep Regency.
ASPECTOS TEÓRICOS PARA EL ANÁLISIS DE LA DIRECCIÓN ESCOLAR CONCEPTUALIZACIONES Y MODELOS
Authors: Yelicich Carolina
Published: June 2023

En las últimas décadas, la dirección escolar ha adquirido centralidad tanto en investigaciones, estudios e informes de diferentes organismos nacionales e internacionales, en las reformas recientes de los sistemas educativos como en procesos de transformación en pequeña escala. La bibliografía especializada acerca de la dirección y del director escolar es abundante y muy variada. Las expresiones dirección, conducción, gestión escolar, liderazgo pedagógico y gestión directiva son utilizadas en numerosas ocasiones indistintamente y en algunos casos como sinónimos. El propósito de esta comunicación es explicitar y distinguir las concepciones y lógicas que subyacen en cada uno de los términos, siguiendo diversas producciones teóricas. El punto de partida es la caracterización de la tipología construida por Antonio Viñao Frago (2001). El autor define a la dirección escolar como un modelo híbrido, resultado de la yuxtaposición de cuatro modelos que se han acumulado históricamente. El presente artículo se desprende de una investigación doctoral, cuyo objetivo fue analizar la dirección escolar en el día a día de las instituciones educativas. Como estrategia de investigación se optó por la realización de un estudio de casos (Stake, 2010) de corte cualitativo con enfoque etnográfico, centrado en la expresión cotidiana de la función directiva.
FORMAÇÃO DE PROFESSORES EM CENÁRIO DE INCERTEZAS: subjetivações para (re)existências
Authors: Peixoto Elza Margarida de Mendonça
Published: June 2023

Um ciclo de crise de acumulação promove a expansão do capitalismo financeirizado. Na esteira de movimento da economia política, abre-se um ciclo de conversão das políticas sociais, particularmente saúde e educação, em objeto de investimento e especulação financeira, promovendo-se uma ampla reforma educacional que impacta a carreira, os salários e as condições de trabalho dos professores. Neste artigo propõe-se o redimensionamento dos referenciais a partir dos quais são propostas saídas para a formação de professores, visando uma investigação materialista e dialética das condições que efetivamente determinam a realidade objetiva na qual os professores atuam, impactando suas subjetividades. Defende-se a formação científica para a interpretação das realidades e a ação consciente e organizada em direção às lutas para a transformação material.
DIAGNÓSTICO DA APRENDIZAGEM POR MEIO DA ATIVIDADE DE SITUAÇÕES PROBLEMA DISCENTE EM FRAÇÕES
Authors: Fonseca Ramos Marina , Cunha Daoud Fairuz , García Mendoza Héctor José
Published: June 2023

O processo de assimilação do conhecimento depende de fatores internos e externos para se consolidar. Para que isso ocorra, a partir dos pilares da teoria histórico cultural é importante determinar o nível de partida do estudante. Em vista disso, o objetivo deste trabalho é analisar os conhecimentos que os estudantes já possuem na atividade de situações problema discente com frações, fundamenta na teoria Histórico Cultural, na perspectiva de Galperin, Talízina e Majmutov. A pesquisa foi realizada com alunos do 6º ano do Ensino Fundamental e teve como instrumento diagnóstico, quatro tarefas de lápis e papel contendo os dados e condições das quatro ações invariantes da Atividade de Situações Problema Discente: 1ª formular o problema discente, 2ª construir o núcleo conceitual, 3ª solucionar o problema discente e 4ª analisar a solução. A análise dos resultados estruturou-se de forma quantitativa à qualitativa a partir das ações de controle do Esquema da Base Orientadora Completa da Ação. O resultado da análise da avaliação diagnóstica na Atividade de Situações Problema Discente com frações, indica que os estudantes necessitam desenvolver os conceitos básicos de frações requeridos como conhecimentos para esta faixa etária. A ferramenta utilizada para determinar o ponto de partida dos estudantes, mostrou-se crucial para nortear os professores no planejamento do processo de ensino e aprendizagem formativa.
Modulating Functions Analysis For Wireless Data Transmission Because Of Advanced Sensors In Energy-Saving Process Of Washing
Authors: J. Alan Calderón Ch.  , Julio C. Tafur Sotelo  , Benjamín Barriga Gamarra  , Jorge Alencastre  , Álex Quispe M.  , F. Alan Ccarita
Published: June 2023

The vibration measurement of flows in transient or steady-state  is  a  very  complicated  task.  Moreover,  to  correlate  it with  a  temperature  process  is  quite  important  according  to  get information regarding molecular kinetic energy of thermal sources (such  as  flow  measurement  used  in  cleaning  tasks)  according  to achieve   heating   transfer   information   of   a   thermal   process. However,  there  is  a  trouble  concerning  the  transduction  stage  in the  measurement  while  it  is  not  a  transducer  designed  algorithm  as  a  consequence  of  a  mathematical  model,  which  correlates  the calibration data with the theoretical model of the heating/vibration transfer.  For  this  reason,  in  this  research  is  proposed  intelligent sensors/transducers, which are based on Anodic Aluminium Oxide (AAO)   and   a   mathematical   procedure   of   the   measurement instrumentation    according    to    adaptive    coefficients    in    the Modulating  Functions  strategies  analysis  and  getting  optimal measurements.  In  this  research  is  explained  and  analysed  the temperature measurement process and the transduction process as the strict correlation of the calibration of the temperature/vibration sensor. For this reason, there were evaluated different transducers and  the  temperature/vibration  reference  for  the  calibration.  The based  on  nanostructures  temperature  sensors  are  designed  by specific  and  complex  procedures  according  to  achieve  quite operation   range,   robustness   and   precision.   Moreover,   the transduction  can  be  obtained  through  different  electrical  answer variables  such  as  voltage,  electrical  current  or  capacitance  and possible to send by wireless mechanisms and protocols to the main control system. Therefore, the evaluation of the designed advanced sensor performance was achieved by the vibration and temperature measurement   of   the   water   surface   of   a   ultrasound   washing machine, for which the designed sensor enhances energy-saving of the washing process.
CROCIN AS NEUROPROTECTIVE AGONIST IN OXIDATIVE DAMAGE AND COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION INDUCED BY ALUMINIUM CHLORIDE AND COLCHICINE IN RODENTS
Authors:   Assistant Professor, Kalka Institute for Research and Advanced Studies, Meerut (U.P), India 250005, TOMAR DEEPAK , M MAINUDDIN ,   Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology, Meerut (U.P), India 250005, TAUMAR DHANANJAY ,   Assistant Professor, Kalka Institute for Research and Advanced Studies, Meerut (U.P), India 250005, A ANSHIKA ,   Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET), Meerut, (U.P), India 250005, M MAYANK ,   Assistant Professor, Kalka Institute for Research and Advanced Studies, Meerut (U.P), India 250005, JAIN PRACHI ,   Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET), Meerut, (U.P), India 250005, GOEL KHUSHI ,   Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET), Meerut, (U.P), India 250005, JINDAL AMULYA ,   Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET), Meerut, (U.P), India 250005
Published: June 2023

The main constituent of saffron, Crocus sativus L., is called Crocin (CR). Water-soluble carotenoids in CR possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-edematous, as well as anti-oxidant properties, as well as to increase the number of microtubules in sheep brain microtubules and to have neuroprotective effects. For example, Alzheimer's disease (AD), where the harm of hippocampal as well as cortical neurons results in memory as well as cognitive impairment, as well as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where weakness in muscle is brought on by the degeneration of spinal, bulbar, as well as cortical motor neurons, are disorders which are characterized by the progressive and irreversible loss of neurons. In the current investigation, we evaluated CR's ability to protect neurons from the oxidative harm that Colchicine (Col) and Aluminum chloride (ALCL) induce. GSH level, SOD, besides catalase reduced in the Col model's Col-treated group but was practically returned to normal in the group that received CR. When given CR instead of Col, the levels of MDA, acetylcholine esterase, and nitric oxide returned to nearly normal levels. However, in the Morris water maze test, CR significantly reduces the time it takes to reach the platform (escape latency time), indicating learning and cognitive improvement. Corresponding to this, in the passive avoidance test, the transfer delay time did not significantly increase in the CR-treated group but it did in the Col-treated group. Similar outcomes in the aluminium chloride model were attained. Thus, the present study comes to the conclusion that CR can be utilized to treat oxidative stress and illnesses linked to cognitive dysfunction, such as AD as well as Parkinson’s diseases shown against rodents resultantly. KEYWORDS: Crocin, Aluminium Chloride, Alzheimer’s disease, oxidative stress, Neurodegeneration
DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF TRANDOLAPRIL IMMEDIATE RELEASE TABLETS USING DIFFERENT SUPERDISINTEGRATING AGENTS
Authors:   School of Pharmacy, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore (M.P), India 452001, INDURKHYA ARPNA , PATEL MAHENDRA , KHAN MASHEER AHMED
Published: June 2023

A potent non-sulfhydryl prodrug, trandolapril is transformed into the active substance, trandolaprilat, in the liver. For obese individuals with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension, Trandolapril is effective and safe. The elimination t1/2 of trandolapril and trandolaprilat are approximately 6 hours and 16–24 hours, respectively. The goal of present work is to develop the Trandolapril immediate release tablet using various superdisintegrants. Crospovidone, Sodium starch glycolate and Croscarmellose sodium in concentrations of 2%, 4%, and 6% were used as superdisintegrating agents for the optimization. Direct compression technique was used to make nine formulations (IRTR 1 to IRTR 9). The powder blends of all batches were evaluated for different parameters to know the powder flow characteristics and it was found that the powder blend had excellent flow and compressibility characteristics. Then, compressed tablets were tested for quality control parameters as per the IP. In formulation IRTR1-IRTR9, disintegration time was observed 30.23 to 71.67 Sec and more than 70% drug was released in 30 min. Thus, based on evaluation results, it is concluded that formulation of immediate release (IR) tablets of Trandolapril were successfully developed. Minimum disintegration time 30.23 seconds 90.56% drug release in 30 min was obtained with IRTR3. KEYWORDS: Trandolapril, Immediate release, Crospovidone, Sodium starch glycolate, crocarmellose sodium
A Critical Stylistic Study of Bullying in R.J Palacio`s Wonder
Authors: Ezzet Hameed Israa , Khudhair Hassoon Fatimah
Published: June 2023

Bullying is one of the most common problems that generate vigorous arguments in the community. It is widespread in all societies, especially among children and adolescents in schools. The present study investigates the concept of bullying in the American novel ‘Wonder’ by R. J. Palacio from a critical stylistic perspective. The importance of the study resides for every ordinary reader to be aware of the strategies used in bullying others. It also might be of value to scholars of sociology, critical stylistics, critical discourse studies, psychologists, and any scholar interested in the discourse of bullying. The current study is expected to answer the following question : What is the most common type of bullying and the critical stylistic tools that bullies use to convey the concept of bullying in the analyzed data? The study aims at distinguishing the most common types of Bullying that bullies use in the selected novel and also identifying the critical stylistic tools that are employed by the bullies. The researchers adopt Jeffries’s (2010) critical stylistics modal to analyze the data under scrutiny. The study reveals that the most common form of bullying found is direct emotional bullying which is experienced by Julian and his schoolmates against the victim. Only eight stylistic tools are found in the five extracts through certain realizations related to the specific contexts in which they are initiated. The study concludes that the notion of bullying is represented through using most stylistic tools but with different ideologies.
Religion and ESL Teacher Identity in Malaysia Context: Does Religion Matter?
Authors: Yii Tyng Lee , binti Senom Fatiha , Jia Wei Lim
Published: June 2023

This paper aims to showcase the interrelationship between religion and ESL teacher identity by using the literature on religion, religion and English teacher, religion and English teacher identity, as well as religion and English Language Teaching (ELT). Despite the potential significance of religious beliefs in shaping teacher identity, this area has received little attention. By examining the literature on religion and ELT, this paper seeks to contribute to our understanding of the importance of religious beliefs in shaping teacher identity. The significance of this study lies in its potential to inform teacher training programs and promote culturally sensitive and inclusive learning environments. This study reveals that religious beliefs play a significant role in shaping ESL teacher identity. Religious beliefs are deeply personal and intimately intertwined with one’s identity, and they can influence teaching practices and interactions with students. The study proposes a conceptual framework for future research on the impact of religious beliefs on ESL teacher identity. The article also suggest that a study focuses on the impact of religious beliefs on ESL teacher identity, whether religion matters in shaping and negotiating ESL teacher identity, should be conducted in Malaysia, a country with a diverse religious landscape. These findings have important implications for teacher training programs and for creating inclusive learning environments that take into account the religious and cultural diversity of students.
Humor in The Stand-Up Comedy You Wanna Hear Something Crazy?: A Universal Pragmatic Study
Authors: Ahmed Mohammed Zainab , Fadhil Abbas Nawal
Published: June 2023

Humor is an interesting phenomenon that has been studied widely, yet it is considered a universal trait that cannot be an old subject for a study. This study is conducted to investigate humor from a universal pragmatic lens in a stand-up comedy show, namely, You Wanna Hear Something Crazy?. It aims to study humor as a coin with two sides, the production side and the understanding side. To achieve the aim of the study, the researchers use an eclectic contains Grice’s CP model (1975) and Habermas’s UP model (1979, 1984, 1987, 1998). The study has noted that while using the observance and the non-observance of the cooperative maxims to produce humor, the universal validity claims of truth, sincerity, and normative rightness for reaching a mutual understanding with the audience are raised. The study concludes that more than one maxim can be used, whether it is observed or non-observed, to produce humor. Besides, humor can be produced through the combination sequence of the observance and the non-observance of maxims. It is also shown that humor has adhered to the universal validity claims of truth, sincerity, and normative rightness. On the whole, humor is used communicatively to get the hearer into a mutual understanding.
Effective Interventions for Enhancing Academic Achievement in Higher Education: Views of Entrepreneurship Students
Authors:   Boston City Campus, Stellenbosch, South Africa, Sibanda Lucky , Iwu Chux Gervase ,   School of Business and Finance, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
Published: June 2023

Entrepreneurship is considered a vehicle for fighting unemployment in developing countries such as South Africa. As a result, research focusing on entrepreneurship education continues to gain traction. Graduates of tertiary institutions are expected to contribute meaningfully either through employment or job creation. This expectation puts the role of tertiary institutions in converting students into graduates in the spotlight. Tertiary institutions deal with many challenges, such as the heterogeneity of the student population, which calls for evidence-based interventions that are tailor-made to the needs of specific cohorts. Thus, various stakeholders should support tertiary institutions by helping them achieve the desired graduate attributes. This paper sought to suggest effective interventions that would enhance the academic success of entrepreneurship students and prepare them to become future job creators. Interventions should capitalize on students’ strengths and improve on their weaknesses. The researchers argue that interventions to promote academic success should consider students’ abilities and drive to complete qualifications, lecturers’ teaching methods, and graduate attributes required by society. The study used a quantitative approach to address the research question and collected data from 204 undergraduate entrepreneurship students at a technology university in South Africa. The study suggests effective interventions from descriptive statistics. This study reveals the importance of understanding students’ backgrounds, entrepreneurial attributes and teaching methods when designing academic interventions. Implications to the academic administrators and lecturers as well as recommendations for future studies are flagged.
La negación estándar en guarijío: examen semántico y morfosintáctico
Authors: Peregrina Llanes Manuel
Published: June 2023

Este estudio aborda la negación estándar en la lengua guarijío. La exploración, registro y análisis de este fenómeno lingüístico en este idioma yutoazteca permite la descripción de los rasgos semánticos y morfosintácticos, así como de los mecanismos gramaticales con los que esta lengua codifica las estrategias para comunicar este ámbito de la polaridad lingüística. El trabajo tiene como propósito: (i) registrar los contextos clausales en donde la negación estándar toma lugar en las estructuras encontradas en el corpus de estudio, (ii) reconocer la forma y posición de la negación estándar en cláusulas, así como (iii) caracterizar el comportamiento morfosintáctico (sintético o analítico / simétrico o asimétrico) y el desempeño semántico de esta categoría gramatical dentro del dominio de la negación. Los puntos anteriores exhiben la ruta metodológica que seguirá esta investigación, la que se realiza bajo el enfoque funcionalista (Horn 1989; Givón 1984; Honda 1996; Miestamo 2006b, entre otros) y se relacionará a los estudios tipológicos de este fenómeno lingüístico (Dahl 1979; Payne 1985; Croft 1991; Kahrel & Van Der Berg 1994; Miestamo 2005 y otros).
The Trial of Org 10172 of Acute Stroke Treatment pada Era Pandemi COVID-19
Authors:   Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran/ Dr. Hasan Sadikin General, Putri Ayu Aulia , Amalia Lisda ,   Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran/ Dr. Hasan Sadikin General
Published: June 2023

Background and Objective: The Trial of Org 10172 of Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification was introduced to classify ischemic stroke based on potential etiological mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to assess the characteristics of acute ischemic stroke patients based on the TOAST classification during the COVID-19 pandemic era. Subject and Methods: This research was a descriptive cross-sectional study from the medical records of acute ischemic stroke patients who were treated in Neurology ward of Hasan Sadikin Hospital in 2021. Results: A total of 136 acute ischemic stroke patients were involved in this study. Large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA) was the most common stroke subtype (30.1%) and hypertension is the most common risk factor (97%). The risk factors for hypercoagulation were found to be 79% in the Undetermined etiology classification and 100% in the Other etiology classification. Conclusion: In the COVID-19 pandemic era, hypercoagulation was found as the dominant risk factor in the Undetermined etiology and Other etiology classifications. The coagulopathy mechanism in COVID-19 could increase the risk of stroke in affected person who have conventional stroke risk factors.
Raping turtles and kidnapping children: Fantasmatic logics of Scandinavia in Russian and German anti-gender discourse
Authors: Brock Maria , Askanius Tina
Published: June 2023

This study examines the social, political, and fantasmatic logics involved in the production of contemporary discourses about Scandinavia as a symbolic site and imagined place of sexual and moral decay and as a gender dysphoric dystopia by actors in the global anti-gender movement. Empirically, we draw on a rich digital archive of multi-modal media texts from an ongoing research project on anti-gender movements in Russia and Germany – two countries which provide particularly poignant examples of sites in which this mode of anti-gender propaganda is currently on the rise. In the analysis, we explore the discursive workings of a particularly prominent node in the material – that of the vulnerable child – and show how this figure is construed and instrumentalised to add urgency and fuel outrage among domestic audiences in Russia and Germany.
Media criticism as a propaganda strategy in political communication
Authors: Ekman Mattias , Widholm Andreas
Published: June 2023

Over the last decade, strategic attacks on news media institutions and journalists have become an increasingly common feature of populist political communication. The purpose of this article is to identify various strategies that politicians use to criticise the news media and illuminate how the use and circulation of these strategies vary between party types. The article builds on a content analysis of the Twitter feeds of all members of parliament with an active account during the 2018 Swedish election campaign. Results show that political media criticism in Sweden is strongly associated with political personalisation, and it is almost exclusively a right-wing phenomenon, though not restricted specifically to populist parties. Public service media rather than newspapers or commercial broadcasters constitute the prime target for political media criticism in Sweden, illustrating the need to take media systemic aspects in to account when analysing media criticism as a propaganda strategy in political communication.
Fact-checkers and the news media: A Nordic perspective on propaganda
Authors: Grönvall John
Published: June 2023

Combatting disinformation and propaganda has become an increasingly common task in Nordic newsrooms. The independent fact-checking organisations are currently joining forces with journalists in keeping the public informed. To better understand what these organisations do and how they do it, this study investigates the fact-checkers’ challenges and interrelations with traditional journalistic institutions, media literacy organisations, and associated national policymaker institutions in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. The study is based on 18 in-depth interviews, and the findings show that fact-checking journalism is considered an important counterpart to traditional news media. However, there are many challenges in countering disinformation in the Nordics – both socioeconomical and policy related – that should be considered when discussing how to maintain and improve on the resilience against disinformation and propaganda in the Nordic media welfare states. The study aims to bring some of these challenges to the fore.
Persuasion through people: The rhetorical categories of documentary subjects in Michael Moore’s films
Authors: Kellokoski Ilari
Published: June 2023

Michael Moore’s documentaries have been central to the development of the contemporary political documentary and have served as an instrument of political activism or, as some argue, even propaganda. Delving into the underlying mechanisms, in this article, I examine the ways in which documentary subjects are persuasively deployed in Moore’s documentaries. An analysis combining close reading, qualitative content analysis, and rhetorical analysis points to key rhetorical categories of documentary subjects. These subjects’ embodiment of six main rhetorical categories displays a correlation with Aristotle’s cornerstones of rhetoric: ethos, logos, and pathos. Further, the categories demonstrate how moral emotions are utilised in constructing the ethos of documentary subjects. In addition, the article addresses the significance of identification in Moore’s persuasive rhetoric. This research participates in deconstructing the mechanics of persuasive mediated communication and contributes to outlining a theory of audiovisual rhetoric.
Changes in the quality of life of early breast cancer patients and comparison with the normative Slovenian population
Authors: Grasic Kuhar Cvetka , Gortnar Cepeda Tjasa , Kurzeder Christian , Vetter Marcus
Published: June 2023

Background

We aimed to identify changes in quality of life after breast cancer treatment and compare them with the normative population data for the Slovenian population.

Patients and methods

A prospective, single-group, cohort design was used. A total of 102 early breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana were included. Of those, 71% returned the questionnaires after one-year post-chemotherapy. The Slovenian versions of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ C30 and BR23 questionnaires were used. Primary outcomes were a comparison of global health status/quality of life (GHS) and C30 Summary Score (C30-SumSc) at baseline and one-year post-chemotherapy with the normative Slovenian population. The exploratory analysis evaluated the differences in symptoms and functional scales of QLQ C-30 and QLQ BR-23 between baseline and one-year post-chemotherapy.

Results

At baseline and one-year post-chemotherapy, C30-SumSc of patients was lower than the predicted C30-SumSc from the normative Slovenian population by 2.6 points (p = 0.04) and 6.5 points (p < 0.001), resp. On the contrary, GHS was not statistically different from predicted either at baseline or after one year. Exploratory analysis revealed that one-year post-chemotherapy compared to the beginning of chemotherapy, patients had statistically significantly and clinically meaningful lower scores in body image and cognitive functioning, and increased symptom scores for pain, fatigue, and arm symptoms.

Conclusions

The C30-SumSc is reduced one-year post-chemotherapy. Early interventions should be directed toward the prevention of the decline of cognitive functioning and body image, and to alleviate fatigue, pain, and arm symptoms.