bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of hearing impairment in patients with Down syndrome
Authors: Sienkiewicz Katarzyna , Kochanek Krzysztof
Published: January 2024

Introduction

It is estimated that the prevalence of hearing loss in children with Down syndrome (DS) ranges from 38% to 82%. However, the diagnosis of hearing loss in DS is difficult, due to an impaired ability to cooperate for subjective tests. Thus, objective tests such as impedance audiometry, otoacoustic emissions, and auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) may be more appropriate. In this study objective methods without anesthesia were used to determine the amount, type, and prevalence of hearing loss in people with DS.

Material and methods

The study included 39 subjects with DS, ranging in age from 1 year to 27 years. Hearing tests in DS subjects were performed during physiological sleep or while awake. Otoscopic examination was performed in all DS subjects. If no abnormalities were seen, tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions, and recording of ABRs were attempted.

Results

Objective hearing tests showed that the DS group had various types of hearing disorders. Based on all objective tests carried out in all ears (n = 78), the following diagnoses were made: normal hearing, 36 ears (46%); cochlear hearing loss, 27 ears (35%); conductive hearing
loss, 8 ears (10%); suspected deafness, 7 ears (9%). Based on wave V thresholds, the following degrees of hearing loss were established: normal hearing, 36 ears (46%); 21–40 dB nHL, 21 ears (27%); 50–60 dB nHL, 8 ears (10%); 70–80 dB nHL, 6 ears (8%); > 80 dB nHL, 7 ears (9%).

Conclusions

In previous studies of DS subjects by other authors, conductive hearing loss predominated, followed by sensorineural hearing loss. In the present study, more sensorineural than conductive hearing loss was diagnosed. In most cases, the diagnosis of the type of hearing
disorder was based on the ABR result, and other tests such as tympanometry and otoacoustic emissions played a supporting role. Due to the often limited cooperation of the patient, the DPOAE test was difficult to perform.
Classroom teachers' self-efficacy regarding gifted education
Authors: ASLAN İbrahim , YURTAL Filiz
Published: January 2024

The aim of the study is to examine the self-efficacy of classroom teachers towards gifted education in terms of different variables. A total of 252 classroom teachers, 150 female and 102 male, working in Osmaniye province and its districts in the south of Turkey in the 2022-2023 academic year, participated in the study. In order to determine the demographic characteristics of the participants, the "Personal Information Form" prepared by the researcher and the "Self-Efficacy Perception Scale for Teachers Regarding the Education of Gifted Individuals" consisting of six sub-dimensions developed by Tortop (2014) were used. While analysing the data; frequency and percentage values, independent samples t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for the demographic information of the participants. According to the results obtained, no statistically significant difference was found in terms of professional seniority in the self-efficacy levels of classroom teachers towards the education of gifted students. However, it was determined that there was a significant difference in the personality trait sub-dimension in favour of male teachers in terms of gender variable of classroom teachers. It was found that there was a significant difference in the academic and planning sub-dimensions and the total scale in favour of teachers with postgraduate education in terms of the educational status of the classroom teacher. It was found that there was a significant difference in the counselling and planning sub-dimensions of the scale in terms of nominating students to BİLSEM. It was found that there was a significant difference in the direction of high self-efficacy in terms of having a student diagnosed as gifted in the classroom, teaching in the support room and receiving in-service training or courses for gifted students. Some suggestions were made by considering the findings obtained as a result of the research.
TEACHERS' PERCEPTIONS ABOUT THE USE OF LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC CONSIDERING DATA SCIENCE
Authors: SALAS-RUEDA Ricardo Adán , ALVARADO-ZAMORANO Clara
Published: January 2024

Technological advances such as Learning Management System (LMS) are changing the teaching-learning conditions, organization of school activities and functions of educators. In particular, the use of LMS in the educational field is necessary due to the appearance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This quantitative research analyzes the teachers' perception about the use of LMS during the COVID-19 pandemic considering data science. The sample is 115 teachers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. These teachers took the “Classroom of the Future 2020” Diploma in order to create new educational spaces. The results of the machine learning technique indicate that the performance of the school activities in LMS positively influences the learning process, motivation and participation of the students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, the decision tree technique identifies three predictive models about the use of this technological tool in the educational field considering the academic level and sex of the teachers. In conclusion, educators can improve the learning conditions, organize creative activities inside and outside the classroom, achieve the innovation in the educational context and build virtual spaces through LMS.
EXPERIENCES OF GIFTED CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, THEIR PARENTS, AND TEACHERS IN TURKIYE WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: SIKICIKOGLU Neslisah , KOC Muharrem , OLCAY Seray , VURAN Sezgin
Published: January 2024

This study aimed to determine the experiences of gifted children with autism spectrum disorder, their parents, and teachers with the COVID-19 pandemic and holistically reveal the reflections of the restrictions in this process and the transition to distance education on the lives and especially the education of gifted children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study was designed with a phenomenological research design, one of the qualitative research methods. The study participants were gifted children with ASD, aged between 6-14 and continuing their education through inclusion, their parents and teachers. The research data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed in detail by interpretive phenomenological analysis. As a result of the data analysis, two themes, “The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on life” and “Distance education and its impacts in the COVID-19 process”, and 12 categories were reached. Recommendations were presented in line with the study findings and the literature.
E-LEARNING IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS (2012-2022)
Authors: KAYA Deniz , KUTLUCA Tamer
Published: January 2024

This study aims to create a comprehensive bibliometric map of published scientific articles on e-learning in mathematics education (ME). We used Web of Science (WoS) database to analyzed 341 articles published by 1018 authors representing 79 countries between 2012 and 2022. In this context, we examined scientific articles in terms of scientific production, network analysis, trend topics, thematic change, and conceptual structure. Bibliometric analysis was performed in the study. According to findings, the number of published articles differ according to the years, but the number of citations is constantly increasing. Albano, and Dello Iacono are the most prolific authors. The most productive institutions are Salerno and Black Sea Technical Universities. China, USA, and Russia lead the countries of the corresponding authors. According to the network analysis, the journals of Computers & Education and Computers in Human Behavior form strong links. The most used keywords are students, technology, and mathematics. The pandemic, covid, reality, and process are trend topic titles. It determined that the best size reduction obtained in the conceptual analysis constituted approximately 31% of the total variability. We presented some suggestions based on the findings obtained at the end of the research.
Stoilo—A Paleolithic Site in the Southern Angara Region, Siberia
Authors: Kuznetsov A. M. , Molchanov D. N. , Kogai S. A.
Published: January 2024

On the basis of findings of the autumn 2021 field season, we present the first information on the Paleolithic site of Stoilo (Usolsky District of the Irkutsk Region). The site, located on the left bank of the Angara River, belongs to the Belaya geoarchaeological region. The complex is enclosed in pre-Holocene sediments relating to the residual gruspebble crust, which overlies the soliflucion layer tentatively dating to the Late Karga–Early Sartan period. The analysis of the lithics, mostly made on siliceous rocks, indicates prismatic reduction resulting in small blades. The toolkit consists of small pieces, including various types of spurred tools, burins, knives on naturally backed blades, retouched blades and flakes with use-wear, and a heavy-duty pebble tool. A specific feature of the complex is that most artifacts reveal superficial traces of minor corrasion—a weak surface gloss. This and the fact that the material relates to the gruspebble layer might be viewed as formal indicators of the “Makarovo Horizon”. However, the totality of typological and technological features and the structure of the sediments suggest that Stoilo represents the middle stage of the Upper Paleolithic, dating to the Early Sartan stage. To confirm this assumption, further excavations are needed in order to augment the collection and obtain more environmental data.
The Useful Enemy: War Conflicts in Documentary Film through Selected Examples
Authors: Hučkova Jadwiga
Published: January 2024

Documentary films about conflicts are perceived not so much as historical films as propaganda films. This is often the case even against the intentions of their authors. It is difficult to break away from already deeply ingrained patterns of thought: the way in which the narrative is conducted and ready-made patterns of representation are incorporated into accounts of reality. We refer to the category of struggle, we use opposites to define our own position. An outstanding example of this strategy is the Why We Fight series by Frank Capra and Anatole Litvak pitting free nations (Allies) against slave nations (Germany, Japan). In the post-war document, the negative reference point was primarily fascism. Since the 1990s (the war in former Yugoslavia), films describing conflicts have again pitted nations against each other. Over the last century, documentary cinema narrating wars has improved its technique. The narrative and the ways of arguing one’s case have not become particularly enriched. At the same time, film archives are becoming more widely available. Filmmakers find in them arguments for their constructions of thought. The danger of misusing archive material and constructing a black-and-white picture of reality was noticed just after World War II. In recent film productions, however, we find examples of both the conscious and responsible use of archives and the avoidance of easy juxtapositions.
The Image of the Uniformed Services in the Cinema of the People’s Republic of Poland (1968–1990)
Authors: Domke Radosław
Published: January 2024

The article discusses film motifs focused on the image of a militiaman, a Security Service agent, a prison guard, a soldier, a border guard, and a fireman in Polish television and cinema films. In order to capture the image of the uniformed services of the Polish People’s Republic as broadly as possible, all such motifs available to the Polish viewer were analyzed, but film genres were not distinguished as a separate criterion. In a chronological sense, the author focuses on films shot after March ’68, only mentioning earlier ones. This caesura seems important because after the brutal actions of the Citizens’ Militia against Polish intellectuals in March 1968 and the intervention of the Armed Forces of the Polish People’s Republic in Czechoslovakia in August of that year, the party and state authorities wanted to influence a positive image of the uniformed services among Polish society. The chronological framework ends in 1990 – the last year when it comes to the cinema screens of works shot in the People’s Republic of Poland. The image of uniformed services that emerges from the analysis is multicolored and multifaceted. Certainly, a common feature is the portrayal of Poles wearing uniforms as punitive, disciplined, and humble towards the authorities. There are many more differences. It is basic to distinguish between rank-and-file officers or soldiers and officers. The former are often not very intelligent and are often ridiculed, especially the militiamen. Officers are often portrayed in an exemplary manner, as intelligent men with a high level of personal culture. Both of them have courage. The image of a militiaman was presented most fully, while the image of a customs officer, a border guard, and a fireman was presented least well.
The Purchase of Alaska by the United States of America in 1867 in the Light of the American Press
Authors: Jeleń Mateusz
Published: January 2024

In the 19th century, Russia was one of the most territorially expansive states in the world. However, a century and a half ago there was a spectacular sale of a part of its territory to a foreign state. This large-for-the-time financial transaction did not escape the attention of the world opinion expressed in periodicals. Particularly interesting is the coverage of this event in the press published in the United States between 1867 and 1903. On the basis of the latter, public opinion on the territorial, economic and political implications of the 1867 transaction was analyzed. The research carried out also made it possible to outline the media resonance of the United States of America in the second half of the 19th century, i.e. a media reconstruction of the problems operating in the reality of the time, and in the case of this work, mainly those concerning the new territorial acquisition.
Sheep and Goats Diseases in the Light of Kassianus Bassus Scholastik’s “Geoponics”
Authors: Bartnik Agnieszka
Published: January 2024

The mention of sheep diseases already appeared in the work of Cato the Elder. In the following centuries, Columella and Palladius described the diseases of sheep and goats which they knew. The message of Kassianus Bassus Scholastik is extremely valuable because the set of diseases presented by him looks different than in the case of the subsequent authors later on. The differences in the described diseases may result from both drawing from other sources and from geographical specificity. Kassianus wrote in the eastern part of the Roman Empire, while the older messages primarily referred to Italy. Due to the climatic and geographical differences, some diseases found in the western part of the Empire were not very common in the east and vice versa. Diseases such as scabies or ulcers, the occurrence of which is not geographically determined, have been taken into account by all of the authors.
Solovki or the Diverted Space: Stalin’s Meteorologist by Olivier Rolin and The Journals of White Sea Wolf by Mariusz Wilk
Authors: Bodzinska-Bobkowska Jadwiga
Published: January 2024

The Solovki Islands are a specific and mysterious territory where the history, geography and metaphysics intersect. The topography of this land, as well as natural phenomena such as « white nights », can illustrate these complicated crossings. The objective of this paper is to study the reflection of this space in the literary works by Olivier Rolin and Mariusz Wilk who situate their texts – Stalin’s Meteorologist and The Journals of a White Sea Wolf – in the Russian Far North. Adopting a geocritical perspective, I try to identify spatial structures in these works in order to understand the meanings that they carry: chaos, diversions et labyrinths.
Literary Space and the Quest for Identity in L'Ampleur du saccage by Kaoutar Harchi and Bilqiss de Saphia Azzedine
Authors: Elazzouzi Khira
Published: January 2024

The literary space is not just an anodyne scene that is described throughout the diegesis. It is rather a vector of meaning, an agent that structures the plot by conveying social criticisms sought by the author. This paper proposes to study the referential universe cited in L'Ampleur du saccage and Bilqiss – repulsive and sordid suburbs that generate feelings of shame and hatred, zones of tension where the limits become strangely confused, shifted and intertwined. The rhetoric and the representations related to this universe signal a real identity malaise.
A Website as a Public and Private Space (on the Example of genezanazwisk.pl)
Authors: Naruszewicz-Duchlińska Alina
Published: January 2024

The article proposes that an internet website, in terms of linguistics, is perceived and described as a space. The subject of qualitative research presented in the article are posts written by the users of a vortal addressed to the website’s administration. An analysis of the content of these posts has confirmed that the website is treated as a public space that, first and foremost, shares information, but also allows for interaction. In addition, the article provides an endogenous perspective on the subject matter, i.e. that of the creator of the website, for whom it constitutes a private space.
Mont-Oriol or Maupassant’s Auvergne : The Geopoetic Approach
Authors: Tbini Jihane
Published: January 2024

Based on Mont-Oriol by Guy de Maupassant, the geopoetic approach questions the representation of Auvergne, land of volcanoes and thermal springs, crystallizing the multiple tensions between man and space. The trope of the spa town focuses on water as an agent of transformation and as a flow diluting the boundary between individuals and their immediate environment. Changing and ambivalent, Maupassant’s Auvergne is sometimes depicted as an untouched space, exempt from human action, and, therefore, conducive to idylls. On the other hand, it appears as an anthropic space, revealing man’s control over Nature and leading to numerous disruptions in balance.
Place and Psychogeography in Henry James’s The Ambassadors
Authors: Berbar Souad Baghli
Published: January 2024

Following the recent spatial turn in literary criticism and the shift of focus on place, the present paper examines the special significance of place in Henry James’s novel The Ambassadors (1903) and explores the relationship between geography and psychology through the main character, Lambert Strether. Analysing the latter’s outer and inner observations draws on a close reading of the novel and the instrumentation of such theories as psychogeography and psychoanalytical criticism. Strether’s trip is an introspective voyage as much as an exploratory expedition, allowing insight into his subconsciousness through the tropes of the places he traverses. His mental visions of spaces in the novel can be surmised in terms of a psychogeography of his movements, a sort of landscape of the mind which is a reflection of the Freudian perception of the human psyche.
Çukurova Bölgesi İkinci Ürün Koşullarında Bazı İnci Darı (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) Çeşitlerinin Ot Verimleri ve Agromorfolojik Özellikleri Üzerinde Bir Araştırma
Authors: DÖNMEZ Hasan Beytullah , HATİPOĞLU Rüştü
Published: January 2024

Bu araştırma, Çukurova Bölgesi ikinci ürün koşullarında yetiştirilebilecek bazı inci darı (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) çeşitlerinin ot verimleri ve bazı agromorfolojik özelliklerinin belirlenmesi amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Araştırmada 5 adet inci darı çeşidi (Ashana, Heveahri, White, Yellow, Tifleaf3) test edilmiştir. Araştırmada, bitki boyu, yeşil ot verimi, kuru ot verimi, yaprak oranı, sap çapı ve kardeş sayısı bakımından inci darı çeşitleri arasında önemli farklılıklar tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca, bitki boyu ile yeşil ot verimi (0.9773**) arasında çok önemli ve olumlu, bitki boyu ile kuru ot verimi (0.9562*) arasında önemli ve olumlu, bitki boyu ile yaprak oranı (-0.9417*) arasında önemli ve olumsuz, yeşil ot verimi ile kuru ot verimi (0.9932**) arasında çok önemli ve olumlu, yeşil ot verimi ile yaprak oranı (-0.9889**) arasında çok önemli ve olumsuz, kuru ot verimi ile yaprak oranı (-0.9916**) arasında çok önemli ve negatif ilişki olduğu saptanmıştır. Mevcut bulgular doğrultusunda, inci darı çeşitlerinin ikinci ürün koşullarında mısır ve sorguma alternatif olabileceği, ot verimi bakımından White ve Heveahri çeşitlerinin diğer çeşitlere göre daha üstün olduğu, incelenen çeşitlerin ot kaliteleri ve silaj verimlerinin belirlenerek yeni araştırmaların yapılması gerektiği sonucuna varılmıştır.
Gestión pública en el sector educación
Authors: Reto López Mónica Esther
Published: January 2024

La administración pública llevando a cabo una nueva gestión pública se encuentra directamente relacionada con el bienestar de los ciudadanos, debido a que es irrefutable que el Estado los tenga en consideración al momento de que algún gobierno tenga que tomar cualquier decisión que los involucre directa o indirectamente. Asimismo, tiene como objetivo principal el poder brindarles a los ciudadanos servicios y bienes que satisfagan todas las necesidades que puedan presentar. De igual forma, en el sector educación se precisa que este se encuentra en una etapa de renovación constante, es decir, la gestión de educación admitido está nueva noción. Dicho de otro modo, la implementación de esta gestión busca que la persona vaya adquiriendo nuevos conocimientos de diversas fuentes y experiencias a lo largo de su vida. Esto se podrá conseguir haciendo uso de los factores que constituyen la nueva gestión pública.
The Right to a Public Trial, Conditional Courtroom Entry and Tiers of Constitutional Scrutiny
Authors: Smith Stephen E.
Published: January 2024

The constitutional test the SupremeCourt has prescribed to review courtroom closures for compliance with the Sixth Amendment’s right to a public trial is in the nature of strict scrutiny. The Courtrequires an “overriding interest” to justify the closure, and a narrow, minimally restrictive scope to the closure. Many lower courts have imposed a less demanding test for “partial” closures, which admitto the courtroom some, but not all, of the public. These courts require a less demanding justification before closing the courtroom to certain individuals—the justification need be only “substantial,” rather than “overriding.” This standard is in the nature of intermediate scrutiny, as applied in other constitutional contexts. There is a third type of “closure,” however, beyond the complete closures the Supreme Court has reviewed, and the partial closures encountered by other courts. This third type is the imposition of entry conditions on would-be audience members, such as requiring a form of identification. These generally applicable conditions may not actually exclude anyone but could conceivably dissuade some audience members from attending a trial. For instance, an attendee might prefer not to provide identification to court personnel and might be turned away as a result. In keeping with the doctrinal model already followed by the courts—applying “tiered scrutiny” to courtroom closures—conditional courtroom entry should be reviewed according to the most lenient of the tiers, rational basis scrutiny. A sliding scale should apply to public trial scrutiny, “Waller” scrutiny, the most demanding, when all are excluded. “Substantial reason” scrutiny, less demanding, should apply when some are excluded. Andrational basis scrutiny, much less demanding, should apply when no one need be excluded, but for their non-compliance with a general rule. A lesser standard should apply in the case of entry conditions because they differ from other closures and cause minimal prejudice to the purposes of the right to a public trial.
Diagnostic Challenges in Patients with Osteoarticular Tuberculosis in Mexico: Case Series
Authors: Ducoulombier Omar , Díaz Sofía , Sosa Erick , Chávez Félix , Morales Arnulfo , Nájera Manuel , Salazar Francisco
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Osteoarticular tuberculosis poses a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in developing countries, where the absence of molecular tools demands reliance on clinical suspicion and histopathological findings for diagnoses. Here, we present a compilation of case studies on osteoarticular tuberculosis for academic reference and support to aid primary care physicians in providing the best possible patient care. Methods: Retrospective analysis of cases diagnosed with osteoarticular tuberculosis through biopsy from 2010 to 2020 at a Mexican Traumatology and Orthopedics Hospital, examined using descriptive statistics. Results: Thirty-three patients were registered: 23 men (70%) and 10 women (30%). The most affected regions included the spine in 28 cases (84%), the hip in 3 (9%), and the elbow and sternoclavicular joints in 1 case each. The main clinical manifestations were paravertebral abscesses in 16 patients (48%), discitis in 12 (36%) and arthritis in 5 (15%), while the primary associated diseases were immunosuppression in 8 cases (24%), 2 cases with hepatitis (6%) and 3 with hypertension (9%). Discussion: Tuberculosis is endemic in Mexico, similar to other developing countries, with numerous reported cases of osteoarticular tuberculosis. This study highlights the importance of using alternative diagnostic tools when molecular tests and cultures are not accessible to general practitioners and orthopedic physicians who treat patients with clinical suspicion of osteoarticular tuberculosis.
Divergence in time trends between nutrition and health status of Indian children: an enigma?
Authors: Ramachandran Prema , Kalaivani K
Published: January 2024

India has been food secure and children had access to essential health and nutrition services for four decades but under-nutrition rates in children continue to be high. Despite the high prevalence of low birthweight (LBW) and under-nutrition, under-five mortality rates are relatively low: the ‘South Asian enigma’. Data from research studies and large-scale nutrition and health surveys were analysed and reviewed to assess: dimensions, determinants and time trends of under-nutrition in under-five children, functional decompensations associated with LBW and under-nutrition, factors responsible for ‘South Asian enigma’, and progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for child nutrition and health. Neonates born with low weight and length, follow a lower trajectory of growth throughout childhood; this was the major factor responsible for the high under-nutrition rates in children. Breast feeding was nearly universal; about 2/3rd of infants were solely breast-fed at 5 months; but both complementary feeds and adult food given to children were inadequate and lacked diversity. This resulted in a rise in under-nutrition rates between 12-23 months. In 24-59 months there was no further rise in under-nutrition rates. Moderate under-nutrition is not associated with increase in risk of infections; health care for infection was available and utilised; therefore, mortality rates were low. India will not be able to achieve the SDG targets for reduction in low birthweight or under-nutrition but is likely to achieve the targets for reduction in food insecurity and under-five mortality.
The Clinical Significance of Cardiac Markers in COVID-19 Patients: A Review Article
Authors: Shaban Mohammed , Sosa Franklin , Lopez Jose , Duarte Gustavo , Mark Justin , Khizar Asma , Jain Swati , Mishra Rishabh , Guerra Miguel , Vittorio Timothy
Published: January 2024

SARS-CoV-2 is a highly contagious viral illness that started the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Accumulating evidence suggests that the cardiovascular system is primarily affected by SARS-CoV-2. Cardiovascular complications such as myocarditis, acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, arrhythmias, and venous thromboembolism have been reported. The role of cardiac biomarkers in diagnosing and monitoring COVID-19 patients is becoming of particular interest, as it may provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of cardiovascular injury and inform clinical decision-making. Troponins, specifically troponin I, have been widely studied and was proven to be elevated in COVID-19 patients with myocardial injury, indicating a negative prognostic indicator and association with poorer outcomes. Elevated levels of Natriuretic peptides, such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), have been noted in severe COVID-19 cases and are associated with higher mortality rates. However, it is essential to consider that elevated natriuretic peptide levels in COVID-19 patients may also be influenced by factors other than heart failure. CK-MB, a subtype of creatine kinase, has been found to have significantly higher concentrations in COVID-19 patients with high disease severity or non-survivor status, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for risk stratification in this population. Myoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) are additional cardiac markers that can indicate heart muscle damage, but their specificity in COVID-19 patients may be limited. The widely used cardiac markers provide valuable diagnostic and prognostic information about cardiac injury and function in COVID-19 patients. Still, their performance characteristics and interpretation should be considered in the context of the individual patient and conjunction with other clinical assessments.
Reclassification of Mood Disorders with Comorbid Medical Diseases based on Sinai-Ruelle-Bowen/ SRB Entropy Measures
Authors: Kesebir Sermin , Demirer Rüştü
Published: January 2024

Background: Current classification systems ignore the family histories of patients and psychiatric and medical comorbidity. Methods: We study a new approach of applying spectral clustering to determine distinct bipolar disorder subtypes, which is data whose clusters are of various sizes and densities. We discovered clusters by processing a SRB (Sinai-Ruelle-Bowen) similarity matrix that reflects the proximity of Von Bertalanffy’s functions fitted to phase growth dynamics of EEG (electroencephalography) within a new pipeline architecture. For this purpose, 109 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder according to DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition) were evaluated in remission period cross-sectionally. Results: We found three distinct bipolar disorder subtypes with the p-values < 0.001. We exhibit mixing sub-shifts of EEG phase gradients such that there are chaotic phase transitions but higher order phase gradients in a cone basin is always strictly convex. More surprisingly, we show that the SRB entropy measures on some time interval although there exist several equilibrium states each corresponds to equilibrium state. Conclusion: It seems subtypes of the bipolar spectrum were shaped according to seasonality, comorbidity for anxiety disorder and presence of psychotic symptom.
Hydroxycut Induced Atypical Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report
Authors: Amaratunga Dhanushya , Kosick Thomas , Thacker Purujit , Shirani Jamshid
Published: January 2024

Hydroxycut, an herbal supplement used for weight loss, is known to be associated with multiple side effects with cardiac dysrhythmias being amongst the rarer events. In this case, we report a 69-year-old female presenting after her first dose of Hydroxycut Max supplement resulting in an atypical variant of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. She presented with symptoms concerning acute coronary syndrome and rapid hemodynamic compromise. Her coronary angiogram showed no obstructive coronary artery disease. The left ventriculogram and transesophageal echocardiogram were suggestive of mid ventricular Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. We further discuss, with the aid of current literature, how caffeine and robusta coffee bean extract, two ingredients in Hydroxycut products can lead to increased sympathetic tone of the myocardium and decreased myocardial perfusion potentially triggering her cardiomyopathy. This will be the first reported case of Hydroxycut induced Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in literature.
Physical Activity Measured with Accelerometer in Children and Youth with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Compared with Peers in Iceland
Authors: Gudjonsdottir Bjorg , Kristjansdottir Audur , Oskarsdottir Svanhildur , Gudmundsdottir Judith , Kamban Solrun , Licina Zinajda , Gudmundsdottir Drifa
Published: January 2024

Purpose: To compare physical activity in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and age-matched peers. Materials and methods: Daily physical activity was measured for seven consecutive days with activPALTM accelerometer in 8–18- year-old children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (n=28) and age- and sex-matched controls (n=35). The main variables were daily steps and duration of time in moderate to vigorous physical activity. A mixed model analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis. Results: The groups were comparable in terms of age, height, weight, body mass index and sex ratio. There was no difference in physical activity between the groups, measured in daily steps (p = 0.83) and duration of time in moderate to vigorous physical activity (p = 0.92). Both groups had lower physical activity at weekends than weekdays (p < 0.001). No interaction was observed between groups and days of the week regarding daily steps (p = 0.89) and time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity (p = 0.60). Neither group met the current physical activity recommendations. Conclusion: Physical activity of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in Iceland is comparable to age-matched peers without juvenile idiopathic arthritis. There is a need for intervention to increase physical activity in both groups.
Development of Desktop-Based Employee Payroll: A Case Study on PT. Bio Pilar Utama
Authors: Alfia Bayu Dwiki , Asroni Asroni , Riyadi Slamet , Rahaman Mosiur
Published: January 2024

As a result of periodic shifts, technological advancements are becoming more varied. The payroll system for employees is one of them. Payroll must follow the company’s standard operating procedures (SOP) to determine several issues. Thus, the system can be customized to match the company’s specific needs and SOP. The administration and finance departments encounter difficulty processing employee payroll due to frequent errors in employee data entry, including position, department, income, and deductions. The absence of a payroll information system that can reliably and rapidly calculate employee salaries and provide timely reports has become the primary source of the difficulty. The designed employee payroll information system only processed PT. Bio Pilar Utama’s payroll data. Facilitating the administration and finance departments to input data, calculate salaries, store data, and generate reports on employee payroll could be achieved through the newly developed employee payroll information system.
A quasi-experimental study to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls at selected schools in Madurai district
Authors: Israel M Priyanka , Priscilla K
Published: January 2024

Adolescence is indeed a transitional phase of growth and development that occurs between childhood and adulthood, typically spanning from 10 to 19 years of age, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). During this period, individuals undergo rapid physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes, which can influence their emotions, thoughts, decision-making abilities, and interactions with the world. It is worth noting that psychological factors, including anxiety and anger, may contribute to dysmenorrheal problems, which are painful menstrual cramps. However, as women age, dysmenorrheal often decreases and may completely resolve after childbirth.

The study aims to assess the effectiveness of a structured teaching program in improving knowledge about dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls. By implementing this program, researchers seek to measure the impact it has on enhancing the understanding and awareness of dysmenorrhea among this specific population. The evaluation will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of structured teaching in improving knowledge about dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls.

In a quasi-experimental research study conducted in the Madurai district, a one-group pre-test and post-test design was utilized. A simple random sample of 40 adolescent girls participated in the study. A structured teaching program was implemented, covering all aspects of dysmenorrhea. The knowledge of the adolescent girls was assessed both immediately before and a week after the structured teaching program.

The results of the study indicated that the majority of the adolescent girls (47%) were 14 years old, and a significant proportion (62%) had no prior information about dysmenorrhea. In the pre-test, all of the adolescent girls (100%) demonstrated inadequate knowledge regarding dysmenorrhea. However, in the post-test, 80% of the participants showed adequate knowledge, while 20% had moderate knowledge on the subject. The paired t-test analysis revealed a statistically significant improvement in knowledge from the pre-test (10.3 ± 2.87) to the post-test (41.17 ± 8.75) (p < 0.05), indicating that the structured teaching program was effective in enhancing knowledge about dysmenorrhea among the adolescent girls in the study.

The present study concludes that recently dysmenorrhea is a quite common problem all over the world affecting the quality of life of women significantly. Despite the growing awareness, there remains a considerable deﬁciency of knowledge on causes, treatment, and home remedies of dysmenorrhea. Further research is required for a large population including women from various backgrounds to better assess and strategize to manage this rising problem. It will help future mothers to take care of them during menstruation, and they will educate the future generation regarding dysmenorrhea.
Diagnóstico de la cadena forestal sustentable de Colombia: cadena forestal sostenible
Authors: De Camino Ronnie
Published: January 2024

Los países de la Región Andina cuentan con un territorio de casi 4,7 millones de kilómetros cuadrados, del cual aproximadamente el 50% son bosques y plantaciones forestales (Castilleja et al., 2023). Estos bosques juegan un papel clave en la regulación hídrica y en la estabilización del clima. Son también el hogar de muchas comunidades, incluyendo comunidades indígenas, y una fuente importante de actividad económica para sus poblaciones y los países en su conjunto. Sin embargo, la degradación forestal es un problema cada vez más grave que requiere una respuesta más inmediata y completa. Este estudio contribuye a este cometido realizando un análisis de las cadenas de valor forestal (CdV) en Colombia, como parte de una serie de estudios por país para los cinco países de la Región Andina. Asimismo, se elaborando recomendaciones sobre acciones que se pueden tomar para fomentar una mayor productividad en ellas, salvaguardando mejor el medio ambiente y las comunidades.
The Productivity Effects of Forced Migration: Evidence from Venezuelan Migrants in Colombia
Authors: Benitez-Rueda Miguel
Published: January 2024

Labor-supply shocks resulting from forced migrations alter skills availability in host economies and influence firms' incentives towards formal and informal hiring, potentially affecting productivity. This paper examines the productivity effects of forced migration, using the Venezuelan exodus to Colombia as a case study. I employ a continuous difference-in-differences empirical strategy, leveraging the timing of the border reopening between Colombia and Venezuela as a source of exogenous variation. Results reveal that a one-percentage-point increase in the migration share at the industry level increased labor productivity by 7.6%. This effect was attributable to a decrease in employment and hours worked rather than an increase in output and was driven by the higher skill set of migrants compared to natives. Combined, these results suggest that productivity gains were derived from the replacement of less-educated natives by higher-skilled migrants. Finally, I show that productivity gains were somewhat counteracted by barriers to formality faced by Venezuelans.
President's Report 2023
Authors:   Inter American Development Bank
Published: January 2024

IDB Report of the President 2023.
Investigation of the Performance of Bio-Oils from Three Different Agricultural Wastes as Rejuvenators for Recycled Asphalt
Authors: Yalçın Beyza Furtana , Yilmaz Mehmet
Published: January 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using bio-oil obtained from pine cones, olive mill pomace, and wheat straw as rejuvenators for the reuse of aged asphalt binders. Additionally, the biomass used for bio-oil production was selected from waste materials. Therefore, it makes great contributions to both the environment and the economy. B50/70 bitumen was selected as the neat binder. The bio-oils used in the study were obtained as a result of pyrolysis. Bio-oil rejuvenators at 5%, 10% and 20% by the weight of the binder were added to the aged binder obtained from recycled asphalt mixtures to obtaine bioregenerated asphalts. The physical and rheological properties of bioregenerated asphalts were investigated and not compared on neat and aged binders through penetration, softening point, rotational viscometer and dynamic shear rheometer tests. In addition, the effects of temperature and biooil content on complex modulus properties were examined using response surface methods. It was foud that while the bio-oils increased the penetration values of the aged binders, they also decreased the softening point and viscosity values. The bio-oils significantly modified rutting resistance of the aged binder. The addition of bio-oil improved the viscous components and can rejuvenate the viscoelastic properties of aged asphalt binders to that of almost the original level. In addition, response surface methods results showed that the interactions between both independent variables were effective. Finally, high coefficient of determination (R2) values indicated good agreement between the actual and predicted values. It was recommended as a result of the study that 20% concentration of bio-oil should be used to rejuvenate the aged asphalt binder for reuse in pavement construction.
Computational Modelling of Damage Progression in Unreinforced Masonry Walls via DEM
Authors: Pulatsu Bora , Tuncay Kağan
Published: January 2024

Unreinforced masonry (URM) walls are the common load-bearing elements for old masonry buildings and heritage structures. As witnessed from the past and recent earthquakes, URM walls may demonstrate various collapse mechanisms along with different crack patterns influenced by the wall aspect ratio, vertical pre-compression load, opening size and ratio, among many other factors. Typically, the mortar joints and unit-mortar interfaces are the weak planes where we expect to observe most failures, such as sliding, cracking and joint opening. However, it is not a straightforward task to simulate the structural behaviour and the failure mechanism of URM walls, including the crack localizations and propagation through the mortar joints, using the standard continuum-based computational models given the composite and highly nonlinear nature of the material. In this context, the present research offers a discontinuum-based approach to simulate the damage progression in URM walls subjected to combined shear-compression loading using the discrete element method (DEM). The masonry walls are represented via distinct elastic blocks interacting through point contacts to their surroundings. It is aimed to present the effect of the local fracture mechanism on the macro response of the masonry walls via validated DEM-based numerical models that can address all possible fracture mechanisms occurring at the unit-mortar interfaces. An innovative damage monitoring technique relying on the stress state at the point contacts is implemented and utilized to explore the associated damage progression in URM walls. The results show the great potential of the adopted modelling strategy to better understand the mechanics of URM walls and indicate the effect of strength properties of masonry constituents on the overall in-plane capacity of the load-bearing walls.
On Paracomplete Versions of Jaśkowski's Discussive Logic
Authors: Mruczek-Nasieniewska Krystyna , Petrukhin Yaroslav , Shangin Vasily
Published: January 2024

Jaśkowski's discussive (discursive) logic D2 is historically one of the first paraconsistent logics, i.e., logics which 'tolerate' contradictions. Following Jaśkowski's idea to define his discussive logic by means of the modal logic S5 via special translation functions between discussive and modal languages, and supporting at the same time the tradition of paracomplete logics being the counterpart of paraconsistent ones, we present a paracomplete discussive logic D2p.
Bovine Alphaherpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) Infection in Cattle: An Overview of Epidemiology, Role of Envelope Proteins in Disease and Control
Authors: Rashmi L. , Sharada R. , Ratnamma D. , Isloor S. , Chandranaik B.M. , Mohan H.V. , Devi Y.S. Roopa , Ranganatha S. , Patil S.S.
Published: January 2024

In the past decade, substantial progress has been made towards the evaluation of various antigenic proteins from Bovine alphaherpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) that can likely be targeted for designing of a suitable control strategy. Growing knowledge on the immunology of the host systems has been highly useful in the assessment of antigenic epitopes from the virus and its receptors on the host. BoHV-1 are enveloped double stranded DNA viruses studded with a dozen (gB, gC, gD, gE, gG, gI, gH, gK, gL, gM, UL49.5 and US9) of protein molecules on their surface where, ten are glycosylated and two are non-glycosylated. Each of these proteins are known to play a role in various functions such as cell attachment, entry, viral multiplication, cell to cell movement, packaging, egress of cell, retrograde and anterograde movement of virus. Knowledge about the properties and function of envelope proteins helps to explore the right protein for in-house vaccine or diagnostic test development. Overall, the review provides a comprehensive overview of the various aspects of Bovine alphaherpes infection including the epidemiology, envelope proteins involved in enforcement of infection, vaccines and methods of detection.
Performance of Summer Greengram (Vigna radiate L.) under Various Orientations in Semi-arid Region, Haryana (India)
Authors: . Manjeet , . Anurag , Niwas Ram , Tomar Dinesh , Sheokand Ram Niwas , Kumar Pawan , . Jitender
Published: January 2024

Background: Summer green gram (Vigna radiata L.) commonly known as “moong” belongs to the Fabaceae family that currently is grown in different parts of the world and it has a significant role in nutrition in developing countries. It is a short-duration crop grown over a wide range of environments in India. Light interception and penetration as well as albedo are affected by row orientation. Methods: Line Quantum sensor (Model L1-191R) was used to measure PAR (400 nm-700 nm) at important phenophases at different orientations. In order to better understand how plants absorb light in different row orientations, such as North-South (NS), East-West (EW) and North-West-Southeast (NW-SE), a study was carried out at the Chaudhary Charan Singh Research Farm of Agricultural Meteorology at the Haryana Agricultural University in Hisar India during summer 2020 and 2021. Heat and radiation use efficiency measure at flowering, pod and physiological maturity by using weather data and other indices. Result: It was found that moong variety MH 421’s pod initiation stage was when PAR absorption was greatest, along with other factors including NW-SE orientation. Row orientation heat use efficiency ranges between (2.6 to 7.6 kg ha-1 °C day-1) and in variety (1.4 to 2.7 g MJ-1) and radiation use efficiency ranges between (1.4 to 2.8 g MJ-1) and in row orientation (1.4 to 2.7 g MJ-1) (2.7 to 7.7 kg ha-1 °C day-1). As a consequence, it was determined that diagonal row orientations generated better yield and yield attributes because PAR absorption was higher in such orientations. In dry and semi-arid areas, it can be used to produce food and forage.