bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Siswa Kelas VIII SMPN 6 Kediri dalam Menulis Puisi dengan Pengembangan Model Definisi
Authors: Sutirta Eka
Published: March 2022

Proses pembelajaran bahasa Indonesiandi Kelas VIII-A SMPN 6 Kediri mengalami beberapa kendala. Kendalanya adalah guru hanya memberi tugas atau menyuruh siswa menulis puisi tanpa disertai dengan tuntunan yang kurang jelas tentang bagaimana cara menulis puisi itu sendiri. Juga karena sumber pembelajaran hanya terpusat pada buku paket. Dan yang sering terjadi adalah rendahnya minat siswa terhadap puisi. Setelah dilakukan ulangan harian diketahui bahwa sebanyak 53% saja siswa yang memiliki nilai tuntas KKM. Data tersebut menunjukkan kalau hasil belajar siswa cukup rendah. Salah satu solusi untuk mengatasi masalah tersebut, dengan cara pengembangan model definisi yang tepat digunakan. Model definisi adalah model menulis puisi dengan memberi definisi atau arti terhadap sesuatu. Kata kunci yang biasanya digunakan yaitu adalah. Siswa diajak untuk menentukan terlebih dahulu kata yang akan didefinisikan. Langkah berikutnya siswa mendefinisikan kata itu dalam beberapa definisi. Setelah itu, siswa diminta untuk menambah definisinya menjadi definisi yang bisa direnungkan atau mengandung pesan. Terakhir, siswa mencoba untuk memperindah bunyi definisi menjadi puisi. Dengan kesabaran dan bimbingan guru Model definisi mampu meningkatkan hasil belajar siswa Kelas VIII-A SMPN 6 Kediri pada pelajaran Bahasa Indonesia Materi menulis Puisi.
Assessment of Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Landuse/Landcover Change Drivers in Abuja, Nigeria
Authors: Mashi Sani Abubakar , Inkani Amina Ibrahim , Sani Safirat , Shuaibu Hassana
Published: March 2022

Landuse/Landcover (LULC) changes are recognised as some of the major causes of environmental problems like land degradation and climate change. To achieve sustainability, we need to properly understand such changes in order to have adequate information that will enable us to design and implementing measures to mitigate their negative impacts. Doing this particularly requires a proper understanding of how stakeholders perceive the changes in general and their drivers in particular. Unfortunately,not much is known for many areas about the perspective of landuse stakeholders on drivers of LULC changes. This paper reports the results of a study conducted to examine the perceptions of different landuse stakeholders on drivers of LULC changes in Abuja Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.Questionnaire survey was utilised, involving 514 households across four settlements, 2 rural (Karshi and Orozo) and 2 urban (Nyanya and Karu) towns in the territory, which were complimented with Focus Group Discussions were conducted. The results obtained showed that urban dwellers are largely aware of drivers of changes in socioeconomic drivers (physical development on lands, more commercial complex development and more institutional development). Rural dwellers are largely aware of environmental drivers of LULC changes (bush burning, livestock overgrazing, collections of wood and medicinal plants,and agricultural expansion). It was concluded that there is the need to bring about a harmonisation of the perceptions of LULC change drivers by the rural and urban dwellers so as to bring about a common front understanding and responding to LULC changes in the study area.
ANALISIS MANFAAT PENGGUNAAN E-MODUL INTERAKTIF SEBAGAI MEDIA PEMBELAJARAN JARAK JAUH DI MASA PANDEMI COVID-19
Authors: Wulandari Fatika , Yogica Relsas , Darussyamsu Rahmawati
Published: March 2022

Interactive e-module is one of the learning media that has many benefits. In this e-module there are features such as text, images, animations and videos that make it easier for students to understand lessons, especially during distance learning. This research was conducted through a literature study method from various literatures such as books, articles from electronic journals, trusted websites and various statistical data sourced from the internet which will then be investigated through several stages which will then be examined through several stages, including: descriptive analysis, content analysis, and critical analysis. Based on the results of research through library research, the use of interactive e-modules can increase students' learning motivation, students' scientific literacy skills, student learning outcomes, students' independence and students' critical thinking skills. From the results of the study, we can see that this e-module can be a choice of learning media that can be used by teachers in distance learning.
PENGARUH BUDAYA ORGANISASI SEKOLAH, KOMUNIKASI DAN KOMPETENSI GURU TERHADAP KINERJA GURU DI SMK YP SATRYA BUDI KARANG REJO KABUPATEN SIMALUNGUN
Authors: Amini Amini , Aktar Salim , Handayani Elvira
Published: March 2022

This study aims to examine the influence of school organizational culture, communication and teacher competence on teacher performance either partially or simultaneously. The sample in this study were teachers of SMK YP Satrya Budi Karang Rejo, Simalungun Regency, totaling 45 people. Data analysis techniques in this study using quantitative techniques. The data in this study are primary data. Data was collected using a questionnaire. The analytical method used is the Multiple Linear Regression model. To test the hypothesis simultaneously the F test is used and partially the t test is used. The results of the tests carried out with SPSS obtained multiple regression equations: Y = 1.822 + 0.179 X1 + 0.207 X2 + 0.237 X3 which means a constant value of 1.822 which indicates that if the school's organizational culture, communication and teacher competence are assumed to be zero, then the value of performance teacher is 1,822. If the independent variable increases by 1%, the teacher's performance will increase. The results of the t-test hypothesis of the research variable are the Organizational Culture variable obtained tcount 2.143 with a significant probability of 0.038 less than the level of confidence (level of significant) = 0.05, Communication variable obtained tcount 2.071 with significant probability 0.045 less than the level of confidence (level of significant) = 0.05, the variable Teacher Competence obtained tcount 2.207 with a significant probability of 0.033 less than the level of confidence (level of significant) = 0.05. So the decision taken is to reject H0 and accept Ha, meaning that school organizational culture, communication and teacher competence have a positive and significant effect on teacher performance at YP Satrya Budi Karang Rejo Vocational School, Simalungun Regency.
KLENTENG HOK TEK BIO BREBES SEBAGAI SIMBOL KEBERAGAMAN DAN EDUKASI UNTUK GENERASI MILENIAL
Authors: Rumyati Rumyati
Published: March 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui keberagaman yang terkandung dalam bangunan Klenteng Hok Tek Bio Brebes serta untuk mengedukasi generasi milenial. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian deskriptif kualitatif untuk memahami fenomena-fenomena sosial dari sudut atau prespektif partisipan. Penelitian ini dilakukan di klenteng Hok Tek Bio Brebes, pada tanggal 13-15 Maret 2020. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan etnografi dan agama, dengan tujuan mendapatkan informasi terkait etnis dan kepercayaan dalam suatu kelompok. Untuk mendapatkan sumber informasi yang lengkap dan akurat, penulis terjun di lapangan dengan mengamati objek serta mewawancarai narasumber dalam beberapa tahapan. Keberagaman yang terkandung dalam bangunan Klenteng Hok Tek Bio dibedakan menjadi dua, yaitu keberagaman fisik (wuwungan, motif mega mendung, tema bunga-bungaan, altar utama, daun pintu, warna mencolok, Yin dan Yang, dan nabi Kong Hu Chu) dan non fisik (tradisi gunungan, nilai sastra pada kayu nasib dan kayu obat) dan edukasi untuk generasi milenial yang terkandung seperti makanan tradisional, kesehatan, dan spirit yang berkaitan dinamika masyarakat yang harus diketahui dan ditanamkan sejak dini.Kata Kunci: Klenteng Hok Tek Bio Brebes, Keberagaman, Edukasi
ANALISIS HAMBATAN GURU DALAM PENGIMPLEMENTASIAN PEMBELAJARAN TEMATIK DI ERA PANDEMI COVID19
Authors: Oktaviani Savira , Istiningsih Galih
Published: March 2022

This study aims to determine teacher barriers in thematic learning in the era of the Covid19 pandemic.This research was conducted in Soroyudan Public Elementary School, Tegalrejo district, Magelang regency. This research was conducted using data collection methods in the form of interviews conducted with principal, teachers, and students, observations to teachers and students, as well as examining some supporting documents. This research uses a qualitative approach to the type of case study. Test the validity of the data using triangulation techniques. Triangulation used is source triangulation, techciques triangulation and time triangulation.The results of this study were obtained analysis of teacher barriers in thematic learning in the era covid19 pandemic. The barriers in the initial activity was low internet network access, there are 16,9% of student who do not have smartphone, and there are 9% of parents who cannot use smartphone. The barriers in the core activity was low internet network access, there are 16,9% of student who do not have smartphone, there are 9% of parents who cannot use smartphone and limitations of the learning method used by teacher. Barriers in the final activity was low internet network access, there are 16,9% of student who do not have smartphone, and there are 9% of parents who cannot use smartphoneKeywords: Teacher Barriers, Thematic Learning, Covid19 Pandemic
An Analysis of Code Mixing Used by English Department Students of Universitas Riau on Instagram
Authors: Dewi Fatimah  , Eliwarti  , Novitri
Published: March 2022

This study has an objective to find out the code mixing types used in Instragram bythe English Department students -Universitas Riau. The respondents of thisresearch were all related students in2016/2017 academic year. The researcherused descriptive qualitative research design and the data were collected from documents as the instrument. Then, Hoffman‟s theory (1991) was used for data analysis to find out the types of code mixing used by these students. Thus the research finding has revealed that all of the three types of code mixing appearedin the captions or comments written by the students as suggested by Hoffman. There were twenty-nine data classified into intra- sentential, two data classified into intra-lexical code mixing, two data classified into involving a change of pronunciation and two data classified into both intra-sentential code mixing and intra- lexical code mixing.

Key Words: Analysis, Code Mixing, Instagram.
Word Formation Process of Business Term in Antara News Website
Authors: Sari Widya , Donal Andri
Published: March 2022

The purpose of the research were to analyze the process of word formation found in the online newspaper ANTARA NEWS and to find out what are widely used in word formation process in this news. Word formation process have 10 types those are coinage, borrowing, compounding, blending, clipping, backformation, conversion, acronym, derivation and multiple processes and in this research the researcher analyzed 5 types of word formation such as compounding, acronym, blending clipping, and derivation. The descriptive qualitative method was used in this research to investigate word formation process in Antara news in the business term. The data of this research are words that contained the process of forming English words. The instrument of this research is print out the news from the internet, classifying the word in business term, identifying and analyzing the data as the procedure of the research. The result of this research indicated that are 117 data. There are 3 types of word formation process found in this research such as compounding (9,40%), acronym (5,98%) and derivation (84,62%) . However In this research the researcher did not find blending and clipping process. The function of word formation in this research, there are those that combined to separated word, some are abbreviated of the sentence and affixes process, both of affixes at the front or back of the word. In this research, the researcher found the derivation as the most of word formation process.
EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THE COASTS OF EDREMIT GULF IN TERMS OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Authors:   University of the Balıkesir, Burhaniye Applied Sciences Faculty, The Department of Tourism Management, Burhaniye, Balıkesir, Turkey, ÇELİK UĞUZ Sabriye , KAIMULDINOVA Kulyash Duisenbaevna ,   Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Institute of Natural Sciences and Geography, Almaty, Kazakhstan, YILDIRIM Gülsün ,   University of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ardesen Tourism Faculty, Gastronomy and Culinary Arts, Ardeşen, Rize, Turkey, KABIYEV Yerlan ,   Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University, Department of Geography, Tourism and Water Resources, Kazakhstan
Published: March 2022

In the last half century, while there have been many positive effects in the field of transportation and tourism with the acceleration of the rapidly developing industry, agriculture, service sectors in the global sense, it has been seen that serious environmental problems have arisen in the countries/regions where tourism has developed rapidly. In Turkey, especially on the seacoasts, the unplanned increase in tourism businesses, and the construction of tourism activities in a way that exceeds the carrying capacity have caused environmental problems. In this study, it has been attempted to determine how the environmental issues seen on the shores of Edremit Gulf are perceived by the members of the environmental organizations living in the region. In this context, the members of environmental organizations were asked what the environmental issues in the gulf area, the environmental policies developed for the environmental issues in the gulf, and the environmental protection measures in the gulf were, and the participants were asked to evaluate these protection measures. The coasts of Edremit Gulf, which show a great touristic density especially in the summer months, is one of the most important sea tourism centers of Turkey, which mostly serves domestic tourism. Tourism businesses and tourism activities may bring environmental issues or affect some regional environmental issues negatively. Therefore, in this study, how the representatives of environmental organizations, who are thought to be more sensitive to environmental issues, perceive these issues, and in line with the results obtained, various suggestions for the solutions of these issues are put forward.
Lecturers’ publication activity and productivity in the mirror of scientometry
Authors: Spasennikov Valeriy , Skantsev Vitaliy , Molchanova Natalia
Published: March 2022

A review of domestic and foreign studies related to analyzing the factors of the lecturers’ scientific productivity and publication activity and the main approaches to their assessment is carried out. The main reasons preventing the creation of a competency-based model of the teaching success based on a set of different-sized assessment indicators are shown. A correlation-regression model is proposed for assessing the lecturers’ scientific productivity based on calculating an integral indicator that allows forming candidates for the dissertation council members in the related specialties, taking into account the significance of publications and the number of their citations. The developed integral indicator makes it possible to compare the scientific productivity of lecturers and both structural units and universities with each other.

The integral criterion is based on assessing the lecturers’ scientific performance and publication activity on the domestic and international scientometric databases. The developed criterion was tested in the process of evaluating the lecturers’ scientific activities of the Department of Industrial and Digital Economics and the Department of Information Technology of Bryansk State Technical University. Examples of calculating the developed integral criterion based on the totality of such scientometric indicators as the number of publications, the number of citations, the average number of citations per publication, the number of articles on the lists of the State Commission for Academic Degrees and Titles, Web of Science and Scopus are given. Conclusions are drawn on the objectification of scientometric indicators for evaluating the lecturers’ publication activity and the examples of the practical use of indicators for assessing the lecturers’ scientific activity are given.
Pengaruh Media Sosial, Pendidikan Kewirausahaan, Ekspektasi Pendapatan Dan Religiusitas Terhadap Minat Bisnis
Authors: Jumadi Rahmat , Mustofa Nur Huri
Published: March 2022

This study aims to determine the using social media, entrepreneurship education, income expectations, and religiosity on business interests. This research is a type of quantitative research and the data used are primary data. The populatioin in this study were students of the islamic Economics and Business Faculty, Salatiga State Islamic Institute with the criteria that they had taken entrepreneurship courses. The number of samples in this study were 93 students with a proportional stratified random sampling technique. The methid of data collection is through the distribution of questionnaires which are then analyzed by multiple linier regression. The resut of this study are the social media and entrepreneurship education has no effect on business interest, while income expectations and religiosity affect business interest.
Construct Validation of a German Version of the Word Completion Task for Aggression
Authors: Kugler Dimitrij , Ascone Leonie , Pohlmann Kira , Weichenberger Markus , Kuehn Simone
Published: March 2022

The word completion task (WCT) has become a useful measure of aggressive cognition in aggression research. Even though many studies have successfully shown increases in aggressive word completions after aggression inducing interventions, the WCT has not been formally validated. The present study set out to fill this gap by testing the construct validity of a newly developed German version. In addition to the task itself, we also developed a new scoring formula that goes beyond the mere proportion of aggressive solutions in that it also considers the number of alternative solutions and the word frequencies. 88 participants completed the WCT as well as a selection of well-known and validated aggression measures. We found significant correlations between WCT scores and trait aggression (Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire) as well as verbal response tendencies in provocative social encounters (Rosenzweig Picture Frustration Test), with the former pertaining to the new developed WCT score only. Hence, a first step in validating the WCT as an aggression measure was made and the results further suggest that using the new scoring formula might be beneficial when it comes to the assessment of trait aggression. Contrary to our hypotheses, we could not demonstrate relationships between the WCT and state aggression.
Perceive, Understand & Predict - Empirical Indication for Facets in Subjective Information Processing Awareness
Authors: Schrills Tim Philipp Peter , Kargl Susanne , Bickel Mona , Franke Thomas
Published: March 2022

When quantitatively measuring how humans experience the cooperation with intelligent systems, validated instruments grounded in established fields such as human-automation interaction research are needed. We derived Subjective Information Processing Awareness (SIPA) from core conceptions of Situation Awareness. SIPA describes to what extent interacting with an intelligent system enables users to experience 1) Transparency 2) Understandability and 3) Predictability of the system’s information processing. The SIPA concept was operationalized as a 6-item scale. The goal of the present research was to examine the psychometric characteristics of the SIPA scale as well as the internal structure based on three samples from independent experiments with N = 162 participants. The SIPA scale showed possible applicability both as (a) a three-facet scale (three highly correlated facets) and (b) a one-dimensional scale as well as high reliability. Construct validity with related constructs such as explanation satisfaction or trust was expectedly high. Based on the results, the SIPA scale appears to be a promising tool for research on cooperative AI systems. We discuss what role SIPA and different effects of explanations on experienced traceability may have for future studies of, e.g., Human-AI teams.
Susceptibility to prosocial and antisocial influence in adolescence following mindfulness training
Authors: Leung Jovita Tung , Piera Pi-Sunyer Blanca , Ahmed Saz , Foulkes Lucy , Griffin Cait , Sakhardande Ashok , Bennett Marc Patrick , Dunning Darren Lee , Griffiths Kirsty , Parker Jenna , Kuyken Willem , Williams J Mark G , Dalgleish Tim , Blakemore Sarah-Jayne
Published: March 2022

Mindfulness training programmes have shown to encourage prosocial behaviours and reduce antisocial tendencies in adolescents. However, less is known about whether training affects susceptibility to prosocial and antisocial influence. The current study investigated the effect of mindfulness training (compared with an active control) on self-reported prosocial and antisocial tendencies and susceptibility to prosocial and antisocial influence. 465 adolescents aged 11-16 were randomly allocated to one of two training programmes. Pre- and post-training, participants completed a social influence task. Self-reported likelihood of engaging in prosocial and antisocial behaviours did not change post-training, and regardless of training group, participants showed a higher propensity for prosocial influence than for antisocial influence. Finally, participants were less influenced by antisocial ratings following both training programmes.
What can iEEG inform us about mechanisms of spontaneous behavior?
Authors: Norman Yitzhak , Malach Rafael
Published: March 2022

While controlled experiments form the core of human brain research – a fundamental, yet far less studied, domain concerns the neuronal mechanism underlying freely-generated, spontaneous behavior. Intracranial recordings in conscious human patients offer an invaluable window into this question. Here we review relevant iEEG findings highlighting a universal mechanism underlying human free behavior: internally generated ultra-slow fluctuations in neuronal activity. These spontaneous firing dynamics are ubiquitous across the brain and appear at various scales – from functionally-specialized local sub-populations, to brain wide networks. Crucially, signatures of these slow fluctuations appear in every free behavior studied so far. Focusing on free recall as a paradigmatic example, we demonstrate that spontaneous activity fluctuations – manifested as slow anticipatory waves in cortico-hippocampal circuits – tend to precede spontaneous recollections by 1-2 seconds. Moreover, when patients attempt to constrain their spontaneous recollections to a particular category, intracranial recordings in the cortex reveal a category-specific “baseline shift”, i.e., steady enhancement in the excitability of neuronal populations encoding the targeted category. Such top-down modulation can bias the free recall process by pushing the spontaneous fluctuations of the relevant neuronal subpopulations closer to the behavioral threshold. Along with evidence derived from fMRI studies, these iEEG experiments demonstrate that slow spontaneous fluctuations within the appropriate brain circuits may serve as a driving force behind the emergence of spontaneous thoughts and free human behavior.
An experimental approach to training mood for resilience
Authors: Mantas Vasileios , Kotoula Vasileia , Nielson Dylan M , Stringaris Argyris
Published: March 2022

According to influential theories about mood, exposure to environments characterized by specific patterns of punishments and rewards could shape mood response to future stimuli. This raises the intriguing possibility that mood could be trained by exposure to controlled environments. The aim of the present study is to investigate experimental settings that increase resilience of mood to negative stimuli. We developed a new task where participants register their mood when rewards are added or subtracted from their score. We examined sixteen experimental environments with different mood-reward relationships. In an exploratory experiment, we identified environments that produce the greatest improvements in mood resilience, as measured by decreased sensitivity to loss. In a next step, we replicated our results around mood training and tested mood’s resilience over time in a novel sample. We found that training effects are detectable and remain significant after multiple task rounds (approximately two minutes). These findings are a first step in our effort to better understand the mechanisms behind mood training and its potential clinical utility.
Between authority and common sense: development and investigation of a model explaining COVID-19 preventive behaviours
Authors: Kłosowska Joanna , Bajcar Elżbieta A. , Bieniek Helena , Brączyk Justyna , Joshanloo Mohsen , Mattarozzi Katia , Bagnis Arianna , Ponten Moa , Lalouni Maria , Geers Andrew , Clemens Kelly S , Park Joonha , Choi Gahee , Choi Yun-Kyeung , Jung Wookyoung , Son Eunjung , Yoon Hyae Young , Babel Przemysław
Published: March 2022

To protect themselves from COVID-19, people follow the recommendations of the authorities, but they also resort to placebos. To stop the virus, it is important to understand the factors underlying both types of preventive behaviour. This study examined whether our model (developed based on the Health Belief Model and the Transactional Model of Stress) can explain participation in WHO-recommended and placebo actions during the pandemic. Model was tested on a sample of 3,346 participants from Italy, Japan, Poland, Korea, Sweden, and the US. It was broadly supported: objective risk and cues to action showed both direct and indirect (through perceived threat) associations with preventive behaviours. Moreover, locus of control, decision balance, health anxiety and preventive coping moderated these relationships. Numerous differences were also found between countries. We conclude that beliefs about control over health and perceived benefits of actions are critical to the development of interventions to improve adherence to recommendations.
Adverse childhood experiences and fronto-subcortical brain structures in YOUth
Authors: Buimer Elizabeth E. L. , Brouwer Rachel , Mandl René , Pas Pascal , Schnack Hugo , Pol Hilleke Hulshoff
Published: March 2022

The impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) differs between individuals and depends on the type and timing of the ACE. The aim of this study was to assess the relation between various recently occurred ACEs and morphology in the developing brain of children between 8 and 11 years of age. We measured subcortical volumes, cortical thickness, cortical surface area and fractional anisotropy in regions of interest in brain scans acquired in 1,184 children from the YOUth cohort. ACEs were based on parent-reports of recent experiences and included: financial problems; parental mental health problems; physical health problems in the family; substance abuse in the family; trouble with police, justice or child protective services; change in household composition; change in housing; bereavement; divorce or conflict in the family; exposure to violence in the family and bullying victimization. We ran separate linear models for each ACE and each brain measure. Results were adjusted for the false discovery rate across regions of interest. ACEs were reported for 83% of children in the past year. Children were on average exposed to two ACEs. Substance abuse in the household was associated with larger cortical surface area in the left superior frontal gyrus, t(781) = 3.724, pFDR = 0.0077, right superior frontal gyrus, t(781) = 3.409, pFDR = 0.0110, left pars triangularis, t(781) = 3.614, pFDR = 0.0077, left rostral middle frontal gyrus, t(781) = 3.163, pFDR = 0.0195 and right caudal anterior cingulate gyrus, t(781) = 2.918, pFDR = 0.0348. Household exposure to violence (was associated with lower fractional anisotropy in the left and right cingulum bundle hippocampus region t(697) = −3.154, pFDR = 0.0101 and t(697) = −3.401, pFDR = 0.0085, respectively. Lower household incomes were more prevalent when parents reported exposure to violence and the mean parental education in years was lower when parents reported substance abuse in the family. No other significant associations with brain structures were found. Longer intervals between adversity and brain measurements and longitudinal measurements may reveal whether more evidence for the impact of ACEs on brain development will emerge later in life.
Bilingual Language Proficiency. A Comparative Study
Authors: Duarte Joana
Published: March 2022

This book investigates the role native language plays in the process of acquiring a second language within a bilingual educational model. The research presented is based on a 2-year longitudinal study of students in a bilingual school. Particular attention is paid to the development of academic language proficiency. Performance in both languages was compared between two groups of peers learning in submersion classes in Germany and in Portugal. This comparison allows the assessment of effects of a given bilingual education programme. There is a considerable advantage found for the students who learned in the bilingual environment, both in written and in oral samples. These students developed a more proficient bilingual academic discourse ability; socioeconomic status and cognitive abilities were controlled for. When comparing the results with an external measure for school achievement, the advantage was confirmed. The results also hint at didactic factors which seem to contribute to this performance.
Infectious complications during the initial 225 cases of standard PCNL: A single center experience
Authors: Karki Kushal , Bhusal Narayan
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy(PCNL) has emerged as the treatment of choice for medium to large urinary stones. Infection is a life threatening complication and is the most common cause of death following PCNL. This study aimed to examine different predictors of infective complications in PCNL.
Methods: This retrospective study was done on patients who underwent PCNL between 2016 and 2020 at a tertiary level medical college hospital. Medical records were reviewed for study variables.
Results: Two hundred and twenty five cases were included out of which 121 were male. A total of 151 complications were recorded among which 27(17.88%) were major complications. Infectious complications were seen in 67 (29.77%) patients among which 39 cases (17.33%) were febrile urinary tract infections. Urosepsis developed in four patients and one patient died due to urosepsis related complication. Female (p=0.003), Diabetes mellitus (p=0.002), positive urine culture (p=0.0001), stone location (p=0.01), degree of hydronephrosis (p=0.001), duration of surgery (p=0.001), number of access tracts (p=0.0001), and initial 100 cases (p=0.001) were associated with post PCNL infections.
Conclusion: Female, Diabetes mellitus, preoperative urine culture positivity, stone location, degree of hydronephrosis, duration of the operation, number of access tracts and surgeon experience are risk factors for post PCNL infections. Surgeons should be extra vigilant during their initial period. Urinary tract infection should be treated and extra care should be taken when operating in female patients giving ample attention to preoperative investigations.
Scar after Intradermal Mattress versus Subcuticular Continuous Sutures: A comparative study
Authors: Manandhar Krishna
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Subcuticular continuous technique and buried mattress suture produce good results. The study compared results following these techniques using POSAS.
Methods: Patients were enrolled on out-patient basis and grouped into I for Intradermal Buried Vertical Mattress Suture (IBVMST) and II for Subcutaneous Continuous  with absorbable suture techniques (SCAST) and followed up to six months. Suture time, number of sutures and POSAS items were evaluated, correlated and analyzed.
Results: Included were 63 patients. No significant difference was noted in Total OSAS as well as in Overall Opinion Scores between both groups, although group I scars were significantly better in relief and pliability, with p value of 0.019 and 0.018, respectively. In group I, category 1-2cm wounds needed more repair time; significant correlation was found between number of stitches and total POSAS; surface area and vascularity were significantly related with Observer Opinion and more scars were smooth, flexible, thinner and less vascular. In group II, category >5cm wounds needed more closure time; surface area was significantly related to Observer Opinion and scars were less expanded. In both groups, colour was significantly correlated with Patient Opinion. Total POSAS difference between the two groups was insignificant 0.9305, indicating no technique was superior, despite favourable group I results.  
Conclusion: No group was superior but revealed differences. The scars from IBVMST were favoured by observer opinions while scars from SCAST by patient opinions. More of IBVMST scars were smooth, flexible, thinner and less vascular but more of SCAST scars were less expanded. Lastly, short wounds closure are quicker with IBVMST while long wounds closure are quicker with SCAST.
Sulfolane as a co-solvent for carbonate-electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries using a LiMn2O4 cathode
Authors:   Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, Luu Phuong Hue , Tran Phuong Hue ,   Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, Nguyen Hoang Van ,   Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam,   Applied Physical Chemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, Phan An Le Bao ,   University of Maryland, Virginia, United States, Nguyen Oanh Hoang ,   Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, Tran Man Van ,   Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam,   Applied Physical Chemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, Le Phung My Loan ,   Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam,   Applied Physical Chemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, Vo Thanh Duy ,   Applied Physical Chemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam
Published: March 2022

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of sulfolane (SL) as a co-solvent in conventional carbonate-based electrolytes and its compatibility with a LiMn2O4 (LMO) cathode. The amount of SL was varied from 10 to 50 vol.% in an EC-DMC mixture (1:1 vol. ratio) within a 1.0-M lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) salt. The thermal properties of the electrolytes were studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Solvent flammability was measured via self-extinguishing time (SET) and ignition time indexes while viscosity was gauged by the Ostwald method. Ionic conductivity was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic cycling with potential limitation (GCPL) were carried out to evaluate battery performance with the selected electrolytes. The results indicated that an increasing proportion of SL leads to an enhancement of the thermal and oxidation stability of the electrolytes. At 20-vol.% SL and below, the as-synthesized electrolytes exhibited a high ionic conductivity of 7.45 mS.cm-1 (25oC) and enabled LMO to deliver a specific capacity of 103 mAh.g-1 with a capacity retention of 92% after 20 cycles at C/10 rate. Due to such favourable properties, SL can be used as a co-solvent in EC-DMC systems to enhance the safety of lithium-ion batteries under high voltage conditions.
Phytochemical analysis and correlation of total polyphenol content and antioxidant properties of Symplocos cochinchinensis leaves
Authors:   Research Center of Ginseng and Medicinal Materials, National Institute of Medicinal Materials, Ho Chi Minh city, Ly Hai Trieu , Le Vu Khanh Trang ,   University of Science and Education, The University of Danang, Le Van Minh ,   Research Center of Ginseng and Medicinal Materials, National Institute of Medicinal Materials, Ho Chi Minh city, Phan Cong Sanh ,   Management Board of Cham Islands MPA, Quang Nam province, Vo Chau Tuan ,   University of Science and Education, The University of Danang, Nguyen Minh Ly ,   University of Science and Education, The University of Danang, Phan Thi Anh Dao ,   Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology and Education
Published: March 2022

This study screened phytochemicals to determine their total polyphenols content (TPC) by Folin-Ciocalteu reagents and to evaluate antioxidant activity using DPPH scavenging, ABTS cation decolorization, and reducing power assays of various extracts of Symplocos cochinchinensis leaves. A correlation between TPC and antioxidant activity was analysed by Pearson’s method. The results indicated that S. cochinchinensisleaves contained triterpenoids, alkaloids, anthraglycosides, flavonoids, anthocyanosides, proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, tannins, saponins, polyuronics, and reducing agents. All extracts had antioxidant properties with the ethyl acetate fraction exhibiting the highest antioxidant capacity, which had the lowest IC50 in DPPH (83.33 μg/ml), an ABTS of 46.21 μg/ml, and EC50 of 69.10 μg/ml in reducing power. There was a significant negative correlation between the TPC in S. cochinchinensis leaf extracts and their IC50 and EC50 values of antioxidant activity. It was suggested that S. cochinchinensis leaves have a great potential for antioxidant activity based on its high total polyphenol content and potential for use as a traditional treatment.
The impairment of osteogenic differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells under high D-glucose concentrations
Authors:   School of Biomedical Engineering, International University, Nguyen Yen-Nhi Ha ,   Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh city, Vong Long Binh ,   School of Biomedical Engineering, International University,   Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh city, Pham Hong-Anh ,   School of Biomedical Engineering, International University,   Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh city, Nguyen Dang-Quan ,   Biotechnology Center of Ho Chi Minh city, Phuong Phan Ngoc Uyen ,   Biotechnology Center of Ho Chi Minh city, Mai Huu-Phuong ,   Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh city,   University of Science, Ho Chi Minh city, Trinh Nhu-Thuy ,   School of Biomedical Engineering, International University,   Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh city
Published: March 2022

Type 2 diabetic patients have an increased risk of developing serious long-term complications such as cardiovascular disease, retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, diabetic foot, and osteoporosis. However, the correlation between hyperglycaemia and osteoporosis has not yet been fully clarified. In this research, we investigated the effect of different high D-glucose concentrations (25, 50, and 100 mM) on osteogenic differentiation of human non-diabetic and diabetic adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (nAT-MSCs and dAT-MSCs). The differentiated cells were qualified by Alizarin Red S staining and quantified by measuring the absorbance at 482 nm. The expressions of osteogenic master genes were examined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) methods. Interestingly, the osteogenic differentiation and the expression of osteogenic-specific genes (Runx-2 and ALP) decreased with an increase of D-glucose concentration. Our work contributes to the understanding of the relationship between hyperglycaemia and osteoporosis and support the role of stem cells in developing new medicine or therapeutic treatment for preventing diabetic complications.
Manajemen Penerimaan Peserta Didik Baru di SMK Sultan Trenggono Gunungpati Semarang
Authors: Istriyani Wiwik , Satyarini Marhaeni Dwi
Published: March 2022

Beberapa tahun terakhir ini, peserta didik yang mendaftar dan diterima di sekolah swasta jumlahnya semakin menurun. Menghadapi permasalahan tersebut, sekolah-sekolah swasta melakukan berbagai strategi untuk menarik calon peserta didik baru agar mendaftar di sekolahnya.  Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui manajemen PPDB SMK Sutan Trenggono, dari perencanaan, pelaksanaan dan hasil evaluasinya.  Sumber data penelitian: Kepala Sekolah, Ketua dan Sekretaris Panitia PPDB, guru dan peserta didik baru.  Pengumpulan data menggunakan metode wawancara, observasi dan studi dokumentasi, dan analisis data dengan teknik deskripstif kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan: 1) perencanaan PPDB: pembentukan panitia, menetapkan  kebijakan PPDB, daya tampung, promosi dan sekolah sasaran promosi, mekanisme pendaftaran dan daftar ulang. 2) Pelaksanaan PPDB baik promosi, informasi dan pendaftaran dilaksanakan secara online dan offline,  3). Hasil evaluasi menunjukkan: jumlah peserta didik yang mendaftar dan diterima hanya 30 peserta didik atau 50% dari target yang ditetapkan, promosi online belum banyak diakses oleh calon peserta didik baru, dan promosi offline memerlukan waktu tertentu dan membutuhkan banyak dana untuk pengadaan alat-alat promosi untuk menjangkau sasaran yang lebih luas.

Kata Kunci :  manajemen, penerimaan peserta didik baru.
The Relationship between Uric Acid Concentration and Some of Plasma Lipids in Patients with C. V. Disease in General Hospital of Al-Nasseriya
Authors: A. Al-Hussein Hassan Hiba
Published: March 2022

Cardiovascular disorders  are  refer to the class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels (arteries and veins). While the term technically refers to any disease that affects the cardiovascular system. Cholesterol is classified as a sterol (a contraction of steroid and alcohol).Although cholesterol is essential for life; high levels in circulation are associated with atherosclerosis. Triglyceride (more properly known as triacylglycerol , TAG or triacylglyceride) is a glyceride in which the glycerol is esterified with three fatty acids. It is the main constituent of vegetable oil and animal fats.High-density lipoproteins (HDL) is one of the 5 major groups of lipoproteins (chylomicrons, VLDL, IDL, LDL, HDL) which enable lipids like cholesterol and triglycerides to be transported in the blood stream. In healthy individuals, about thirty percent of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL. Uric acid (or urate) is non-protein nitrogen compound with the formula C5H4N4O3. This study aimed  to determine the relation between uric acid, cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol  concentration in cardiovascular disorders  patients. Serum sample were collected from 84 cardiovascular disorders  patients attended to the  general hospital of Alnasseriya. All samples were analyzed for uric acid , cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol concentration by enzymatic-colorimetric method kits. The  data showed a highly significant increased in the serum concentration of  uric acid , cholesterol and triglyceride in cardiovascular disorders patients compared with  healthy control (P<0.01) .In addition , there was no significant increased in the serum concentration of  HDL-cholesterol in cardiovascular disorders patients compared with  healthy control (P>0.05) .The data of this study strengthen the possibility that high concentration of  uric acid may act as a risk factor in cardiovascular disease.

Key words: high density lipoprotein (HDL-cholesterol),very low density lipoprotein(VLDL), low density lipoprotein(LDL),intermittent lipoprotein(IDL), hyperuricemia.
Evaluation of the Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Pioglitazone in Experimental Models of Inflammation in Rats
Authors: A. Sulaiman Amaal , A. Hussain Saad , M. Jum'ma Kasim , H. Sigar Assad
Published: March 2022

The antidiabetic thiozolidinediones (TZDs) a class of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor (PPAR) ligands has recently been the focus of much interest for their possible role in regulation of inflammatory response. The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of pioglitazone in experimental models of inflammation in rats. The present study was conducted to evaluate the anti inflammatory effect of TZDs (pioglitazone 3mg/Kg) on acute, sub acute and chronic model of inflammation by using egg-albumin and formalinâ€“induced paw edema in 72 rats, relative to reference drugs Dexamethasone 5mg/Kg and Piroxicam 5mg/Kg. In each inflammation model, 24 rats were allocated into four subgroups, each containing six rats representing control, two standards, and test groups. All treatments were given (I.P) 30 minutes before induction of inflammation and the increase in paw edema was measured at certain time intervals by using vernier caliper. Pioglitazone produced nonsignificant reduction (P>0.05) of egg albumin-induced acute inflammation of the rat hind paw, while significantly produced time-related reduction of formalin-induced sub-acute and chronic inflammation of the rat hind paw. In conclusion, pioglitazone possesses anti-inflammatory activity in the animal models of sub-acute and chronic inflammations.

Key Words:  Pioglitazone, PPAR-Î³, anti-inflammatory activity