bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENGEMBANGAN KAPASITAS TINGKATAN KELEMBAGAAN PADA SLBN KOMODO LABUAN BAJO
Authors: HERLINA FLORENTINA
Published: July 2024

Pengembangan kapasitas masih sering diabaikan khususnya oleh sekolah luar biasa. Hal ini dapat dilihat dari banyaknya masalah yang terjadi seperti masalah sumberdaya manusia, tatalaksana, dan system pelayanan pendidikannya. Oleh karena itu, dibutuhkan pengembangan kapasitas untuk meningkatkan pelayanan pendidikan untuk anak berkebutuhan khusus. Hasil dari penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pelayanan pendidikan yang ada di SLBN Komodo berdasarkan metode pelayanan, sarana dan prasarana, serta sumberdaya manusianya sudah baik. Selain itu, pengembangan kapasitas kelembagaan berdasarkan struktur organisasinya sudah terjadi pengembangan setelah adanya MBS (Manajemen Berbasis Sekolah), Budaya organisasinya pun sudah menunjukkan budaya yang baik yaitu dengan membudayakan budaya kekeluargaan. Faktor pendukung pengembangan kapasitas yaitu kemampuan guru. SLBN Komodo membutuhkan perhatian serius dari pemerintah dalam hal pengadaan fasilitas serta tunjangan bagi guru-guru. Hal ini disampaikan oleh Kepala SLB Negeri Komodo, Yosep Menpala, Menurutnya, ada beberapa kendala yang masih dihadapi sekolah dalam menjalankan tugas, di antaranya kekurangan fasilitas dan juga anggaran untuk membayar gaji guru yang semestinya diperhatikan pemerintah. “Kendala masih soal fasilitas dan juga gaji guru komite yang kurang. Selain itu, sebenarnya sangat membutuhkan asrama, karena anak anak di SLBN komodo bukan hanya anak-anak dalam kota saja, tetapi juga yang dari kampung-kampung. Untuk sementara belum ada bantuan dari pemerintah bagi sekolah khusus untuk anggaran dana.
EVALUASI PELAKSANAAN KEBIJAKAN WFH (WORK FROM HOM) (Studi Kasus di Badan Pengembangan Sumber Daya Manusia Provinsi Jatim)
Authors: DHARMAWAN SATRIA , ENDARTI ESA WAHYU
Published: July 2024

Secara konseptual jika kita melihat evaluasi dari adanya penerapan suatu kebijakandisuatu negara, maka bisa dikatajab bahwa evaluasi kebijakan adalah penilaian ataskebijakan yangtengah atau sudah di implementasikan. Namun sesungguhnya tidaksesederhana itu saja, , menurut Lester & Stewart ( (2000: 126) dalam artikel Andirman :2018) evaluasi kebijakan juga berusaha untuk menilai konsekuensi kebijakan yang ditujukan suatu kebijakan berdasarkan pada kriteria dan standar atau standar yang dibuat. Pandemi yang melanda hampir di semua negaramenyebabkan pergerakan pemerintah dan sumber daya aparatur sipil negara tidak maksimaldalam menjalankan kewajibannya. Mulai di tahun 2020 pemerintah indonesiapun di buatkewalahan dan harus bertindak tegas dalam menangani wabah ini. Surat Edaran MenteriPendayagunaan Aparatur Negara dan Reformasi Birokrasi Nomor 19 Tahun 2020 tentangPenyesuaian Sistem Kerja Aparatur Sipil Negara dalam UpayaPencegahan Penyebaran COVID19 di Lingkungan Instansi Pemerintah dan perubahannya. Surat edaran tersebut merupakan salahsatu wujud yang diambil olehpemerintah dalam memutus rantai penyebaran wabah dari virus corona. Dengan membatasi tugas tugas yang dilakukan para ASN , tentu saja dapat membantumengurangi penyebaran dari virus tersebut namun akan tetapi produktifitas kinerjadari ASN sendiri tidak sama halnya seperti WFO (work from office). Pengembangan kompetensi SDM ASN merupakan suatu kegiatan yang tidak bisa di tunda atau ditiadakan. Memiliki SDM ASNyang berkompeten merupakan kuncipemerintahan dapat berjalan dengan baik dan sebagaimana mestinya. BPSDM PRovinsi Jawa Timur merupakan satu badan pemerintahan yang sudahmenjalankan kegiatan pengembangan kompetensi SDM ASN,namun juga harus membatasi lingkup kegiatan dengan menjalakan kebijakan WFH bagi SDM ASN yang ada di BPSDM Prov Jawa Timur demi meminimalisasi angka penyebaran covid sector pemerintahan
PENINGKATAN PEREKONOMIAN DI INDONESIA MELALUI PASAR BEBAS
Authors: WULANDARI DWI INDAH
Published: July 2024

Ekonomi adalah suatu ilmu sosial yang mempelajari tentang kegiatan manusia yang berkaitan dengan aktivitas produksi, distribusi, dan konsumsi terhadap barang dan jasa. Politik ekonomi adalah ilmu sosial yang mempelajari produksi, perdagangan, dan hubungannya dengan hukum dan pemerintah. Ekonomi politik sendiri terbagi menjadi dua bagian yakni: ekonomi politik klasik dan ekonomi politik modern. Adam smith, sang bapak ekonomimengartikan pasar bebas sebagai suatu sistem ekonomi di mana seluruh kegiatan ekonomi mulai dari produksi, distribusi, dan konsumsi diserahkan sepenuhnya kepada mekanisme pasar tanpa campur tangan pemerintah atau pihak lain.
IMPLEMENTASI KEBIJAKAN REKRUTMEN PERANGKAT DESA DI DESA MOJOGEDE KECAMATAN BALONGPANGGANG DAN DESA BETITING KECAMATAN CERME KABUPATEN GRESIK
Authors: ARDANI RENA FITRI
Published: July 2024

Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk mengetahui Tahapan-tahapan dalam Rekerutmen Perangkat Desa Didesa Mojogede Kecamatan Balongpanggang Dan Di Desa Betiting Kecamatan Cerme Kabupaten Gresik. Metode yang digunakan dalam penyusunan penelitian ini adalah metode penelitian deskriptif. dengan pendekatan kualitatif. Data diperoleh melalui teknik pengumpulan data: observasi, wawancara dan dokumentasi. Hasil dalam penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa pemerintah desa betiting dan desa mojogede telah melakukan tahapan-tahapan rekrutmen perangkat desa di desa betiting dan desa mojogede pada tahun 2021 sudah sesuai. Akan tetapi dalam pelaksanaannya ada beberapa hambatan atau kendala yaitu dalam pembuatan soal tes penyeleksian calon perangkat desa masih ada yang yang belum menggandeng pihak ketiga.
Examining Service Quality in Ghanaian Higher Education: A Comparative Analysis of Private and Public Universities
Authors: Esseh Samuel Smith , Ry-Kottoh Lucy Afeafa , Denyo Mary Mawufemor
Published: July 2024

Little is known about how students perceive the quality of service provided by Ghanaian tertiary institutions and how this perception influences their enrolment choices. Using the Higher Education Quality (HiEdQUAL) model for service quality measurement, this study examined service quality across five key dimensions; teaching and course content, administrative services, academic facilities, campus infrastructure, and support services in Ghanaian private and public universities. A structured questionnaire based on HiEdQUAL model consisting of 27 items with five dimensions, measured on a five-point Likert-Scale was used to gather data. Out of the initial 2,266 sampled respondents surveyed from private and public universities, a total of 1,758 correctly completed questionnaires were returned. This gave a high response rate of 76.43%. The paired t-test results that examined the equality of means between students’ perceptions of service quality at private and public universities across five dimensions, helped to determine the presence of statistically significant differences in some areas. The results suggested that public universities may be making better use of their resources or benefitting from their large numbers of enrollment and state financial support. Given that the quality of service provided by both private and public universities in Ghana falls short of students’ expectations, the paper provides administrators with practical insights to improve service quality in Ghanaian universities and suggests the need for continuous quality improvement in institutions of higher learning in Ghana.

Keywords: HiEdQUAL, Service Quality, Higher Education, Public Universities, Private Universities.
Examination of Cases Who Admitted to the Emergency Department of a Mental Health Hospital in 2020
Authors: Örüm Mehmet Hamdi , Kılıç Nülüfer , Koçhan Onur , Örüm Dilek
Published: July 2024

Objective: This study aimed to retrospectively examine the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of cases who admitted to the emergency department of a mental health hospital in 2020.
Material and Methods: Cases who admitted to the emergency department of XXX Mental Health and Diseases Hospital between 01.01.2020 and 31.12.2020 were included. Sociodemographic and clinical data of the cases were accessed through the patient record system.
Results: The total number of applications to the XXX MHDH emergency department between the specified dates was 7071 [5262 (74.4%) male and 1809 (25.6%) female].Sixty-four percent of the cases admitted through the Social Security Institution and 28% through the Ministry of Justice. Seven thousand fifty-five cases (99.7%) were the Republic of Turkey citizens. Three thousand two hundred fifty-four (46.0%) of the cases were evaluated within the scope of medical examination, 1599 (22.6%) were injection, 156 (2.2%) were involuntary hospitalization, and 1887 (26.7%) were judicial illegal substance screening. While 5877 (83.1%) of the cases left the emergency department after examination, 1194 (16.9%) were hospitalized at XXX MHDH. Two thousand one hundred forty-six (30.3%) of the cases were diagnosed with general psychiatric examination, 866 (12.2%) were anxiety spectrum disorders, 1464 (20.7%) were schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and 1658 (23.4%) were bipolar spectrum disorders. A statistically significant difference was found between male and female cases in terms of health insurance (p
Torsion Obstructions to Positive Scalar Curvature
Authors: Gromov Misha ,   Institut des Hautes &, Hanke Bernhard ,   #201,   tudes Scientifiques, France,   University of Augsburg, Germany
Published: July 2024

We study obstructions to the existence of Riemannian metrics of positive scalar curvature on closed smooth manifolds arising from torsion classes in the integral homology of their fundamental groups. As an application, we construct new examples of manifolds which do not admit positive scalar curvature metrics, but whose Cartesian products admit such metrics.
Evolution of the Termination Region of the Parsec-scale Jet of 3C 84 Over the Past 20 yr
Authors: Kam Minchul , Hodgson Jeffrey A. , Park Jongho , Kino Motoki , Nagai Hiroshi , Trippe Sascha , Wagner Alexander Y.
Published: July 2024

We present the kinematics of the parsec-scale jet in 3C 84 from 2003 November to 2022 June observed with the Very Long Baseline Array at 43 GHz. We find that the C3 component, a bright feature at the termination region of the jet component ejected from the core in 2003, has maintained a nearly constant apparent velocity of 0.259 ± 0.003c over the period covered by observations. We observe the emergence of four new subcomponents from C3, each exhibiting apparent speeds higher than that of C3. Notably, the last two subcomponents exhibit apparent superluminal motion, with the fastest component showing an apparent speed of 1.22 ± 0.14c. Our analysis suggests that a change in viewing angle alone cannot account for the fast apparent speeds of the new subcomponents, indicating that they are intrinsically faster than C3. We identify jet precession (or reorientation), a jet–cloud collision, and magnetic reconnection as possible physical mechanisms responsible for the ejection of the new subcomponents.
Shock Waves in the Magnetic Reconnection in the Flares on the Accretion Disk of the Sgr A*
Authors: Zhao Tian-Le , Li Xiao-Feng , Tang Ze-Yuan , Kumar Rajiv
Published: July 2024

Sgr A* often shows bright, episodic flares observationally, but the mechanism of the flares' intermittent brightening is not very clear. Many people believe the flares may be formed by the nonthermal particles, which can be a consequence of the magnetic reconnection and shock waves. In this work, we use the larger magnetic loop in the presence of pseudo-Newtonian potential, which mimics general relativistic effects. The simulation results show that the reconnection of magnetic field lines passes through a current sheet, which bifurcates into two pairs of slow shocks. We also find the shock waves heat the plasma, especially when the plasma density is low. The shock wave heating effect by the magnetic reconnection is confirmed by the simulation results, and thus the process of instantaneous brightening of the flares on the accretion disk can be explained.
Direct Observational Evidence of Multi-epoch Massive Star Formation in G24.47+0.49
Authors: Saha Anindya , Tej Anandmayee , Liu Hong-Li , Liu Tie , Garay Guido , Goldsmith Paul F. , Lee Chang Won , He Jinhua , Juvela Mika , Bronfman Leonardo , Baug Tapas , Vázquez-Semadeni Enrique , Sanhueza Patricio , Li Shanghuo , Chibueze James O. , Bhadari N. K. , Dewangan Lokesh K. , Das Swagat Ranjan , Xu Feng-Wei , Issac Namitha , Hwang Jihye , Tóth L. Viktor
Published: July 2024

Using new continuum and molecular line data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array Three-millimeter Observations of Massive Star-forming Regions (ATOMS) survey and archival Very Large Array, 4.86 GHz data, we present direct observational evidence of hierarchical triggering relating three epochs of massive star formation in a ringlike H ii region, G24.47+0.49. We find from radio flux analysis that it is excited by a massive star(s) of spectral type O8.5V–O8V from the first epoch of star formation. The swept-up ionized ring structure shows evidence of secondary collapse, and within this ring, a burst of massive star formation is observed in different evolutionary phases, which constitutes the second epoch. ATOMS spectral line (e.g., HCO+(1–0)) observations reveal an outer concentric molecular gas ring expanding at a velocity of ∼9 km s−1, constituting the direct and unambiguous detection of an expanding molecular ring. It harbors twelve dense molecular cores with surface mass density greater than 0.05 g cm−2, a threshold typical of massive star formation. Half of them are found to be subvirial and thus in gravitational collapse making them the third epoch of potential massive star-forming sites.
Paternalité intergénérationnelle : des interculturations complexes
Authors: Guerraoui Zohra
Published: July 2024

Notre article propose une réflexion sur la place des pères migrants d’origine maghrébine. Après avoir présenté la problématique interculturelle, sont développées les mutations des familles d’origine maghrébine en migration ainsi que celles du rôle et des fonctions des pères migrants. Enfin, est interrogée la construction complexe de cette paternalité chez leurs fils devenus pères à partir du processus d’interculturation.
Pères absents, histoires présentes : étude de la transmission dans les familles migrantes endeuillées
Authors: Maherzi Alia , Moro Marie Rose , Radjack Rahmeth
Published: July 2024

L’identité des enfants de migrants présente une vulnérabilité particulière durant l’adolescence. Cet article explore l’impact de l’absence paternelle sur le développement identitaire de ces adolescents. À travers l’étude de deux cas cliniques rencontrés dans le cadre des consultations transculturelles, nous observons que les symptômes des adolescents peuvent refléter des souffrances liées à des éléments non résolus et transmis inconsciemment par les générations précédentes. La méthodologie de l’étude de cas s’appuie sur l’analyse qualitative des verbatim des séances de consultations transculturelles. Cet article met en lumière l’importance de reconnaître et de traiter les dimensions culturelles dans le contexte thérapeutique, particulièrement pour les familles migrantes, afin de soutenir une meilleure compréhension de leur histoire et de leur héritage. Dans ces cas spécifiques de deuil, les thérapeutes s’efforcent à restaurer la place du père en facilitant la reconstruction du récit familial et en encourageant la transmission consciente de l’histoire familiale.
Accès au droit commun et contrôle social
Authors: Girodet Benjamin , Cabanes Mathias
Published: July 2024

Permettre à des personnes sans abri d’avoir un logement à elles. C’est l’objectif affiché du dispositif Un chez soi d’abord. Pourtant, des professionnels s’inquiètent que leur travail puisse tenir les personnes accompagnées à distance de certains services.
Campylobacteriosis in North Africa
Authors: Mohamed Mohamed-Yousif Ibrahim
Published: July 2024

Foodborne bacterial infections, particularly those caused by contaminated food sources, pose significant public health challenges and result in substantial economic losses. This review aims to provide insights into recent literature on the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in North African food supply chains and their pathogenicity. Additionally, it seeks to summarize the available information on health-related issues and the current state of antibiotic resistance. The reviewed evidence highlights a gap in our understanding of the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in North African food supplies. Molecular characterization efforts to identify the sources of Campylobacter spp. are limited, and there are few surveys that have specifically targeted this bacterium in the food supply. While qualitative data indicates either the presence or absence of Campylobacter spp., quantitative data on the actual amounts of these bacteria in chicken meat supplies across North African countries are notably lacking. Despite frequent reports of Campylobacter spp. in animal-derived foods, the literature reviewed emphasizes the ongoing challenge that Campylobacter spp. pose to food safety and public health in North Africa.
Weighted expectile average estimation based on CBPS with responses missing at random
Authors: Zhao Qiang , Wang Zhaodi , Wu Jingjing , Wang Xiuli
Published: July 2024

An improved weighted expectile average estimator for the regression coefficient has been obtained based on the covariate balancing propensity score (CBPS), when the responses of linear models are missing at random. The asymptotic normality of the proposed method has been proved, and the estimation effect of the method is further illustrated by numerical simulation.
Flexible functional data smoothing and optimization using beta spline
Authors: Amir Wan Anis Farhah Wan , Misro Md Yushalify , Mohd Mohd Hafiz
Published: July 2024

Functional data analysis (FDA) is a method used to analyze data represented in its functional form. The method is particularly useful for exploring both curve and longitudinal data in both exploratory and inferential contexts, with minimal constraints on the parameters. In FDA, the choice of basis function is crucial for the smoothing process. However, traditional basis functions lack flexibility, limiting the ability to modify the shape of curves and accurately represent abnormal details in modern and complex datasets. This study introduced a novel and flexible data smoothing technique for interpreting functional data, employing the beta spline introduced by Barsky in 1981. The beta spline offers flexibility due to the inclusion of two shape parameters. The proposed methodology integrated the roughness penalty approach and generalized cross-validation (GCV) to identify the optimal curve that best fitted the data, ensuring appropriate parameters were considered for transforming data into a functional form. The effectiveness of the approach was assessed by analyzing the GCV color grid chart to determine the optimal curve. In contrast to existing methodologies, the proposed method enhanced flexibility by incorporating the beta spline into the smoothing procedure. This approach was anticipated to effectively handle various forms of time series data, offering improved interpretability and accuracy in data analysis, including forecasting.
Heritage as Nightmare: the Novels of Abdulrazak Gurnah
Authors: Whyte Philip
Published: July 2024

Abdulrazak Gurnah from Zanzibar has emerged since the early 1990s as one of the most important new voices in East African Anglophone fiction. This article seeks to emphasise the new perspectives opened up by a type of writing which transcends the tendency of certain cultural nationalist authors to approach questions of colonial heritage in terms of a binary logic inspired by the confrontational theories of Frantz Fanon. Gurnah belongs to another generation whose apprehension of the hybrid nature of the contemporary world is informed by the nomadic experience of forced or self-imposed exile in the West.
Reconciling Words and Things: Language Allegories in David Malouf’s Remembering Babylon
Authors: Pons Xavier
Published: July 2024

A major preoccupation in David Malouf’s fiction – particularly in evidence in Remembering Babylon but also in An Imaginary Life – has to do with the relationship between words and things, and with the quest for a kind of language that might be in complete harmony with reality.At times, Malouf seems to believe this quest can be successful, in spite of the arbitrary and conventional nature of language. But this conviction is undermined by the realisation that language gives shape to reality as we see it, that it is creative rather than simply referential.
‘History Was Wrong-Footed, Caught Off Guard’: Gendered Caste, Class and Manipulation in Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things
Authors: Gqola Pumla Dineo
Published: July 2024

In The God of Small Things, caste is shown to be intimately linked with identity, purity, gender and class interests. However this subversive novel also highlights the profound humanity of lower-caste characters.
To Be a Man and to Have a Man: Sex, Gender and Ethnicity in Christos Tsiolkas’ Loaded
Authors: Pons Xavier
Published: July 2024

No unified sense of identity emerges from the quest pursued by Tsiolkas’s Greek Australian protagonist as he wrestles to reconcile conflicting representations of ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation.
Congenital hypothyroidism and nephrocalcinosis—An uncommon association
Authors: Sidana Shivani , Kaur Navdeep , Bhardwaj Naveen Kumar , Bansal Shivani , Mittal Paras
Published: July 2024

Congenial hypothyroidism (CH) is a common endocrine disorder in newborns; if left untreated, it can lead to mental subnormality. CH has also been known to affect renal development and physiology. However, there are only few case reports on the association between CH and nephrocalcinosis. We report a case of a 9-month-old female child who presented with gross clinical features of CH such as growth delay, delayed motor milestones, macroglossia, stridor, protruded abdomen, umbilical hernia, and cradle cap skull. Investigations revealed primary hypothyroidism, renal dysfunction, metabolic acidosis with normokalemia, and acidic urine and bilateral medullary nephrocalcinosis. After initiation of levothyroxine, improvement in renal functions and metabolic acidosis was observed, indicating the direct role of thyroid hormones in regulating renal physiology. Presence of nephrocalcinosis and renal dysfunction should be looked upon in any case of untreated CH. High doses of calcium and cholecalciferol supplementation must be avoided as it may lead to hypercalciuria, leading to development or deterioration of nephrocalcinosis and renal dysfunction.
Zoledronate-induced Anterior Uveitis: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Prasad Trupti Nagendra , Pal Rimesh , Shetty Anirudh J. , Tigari Basavaraj , Bhadada Sanjay Kumar
Published: July 2024

Zoledronate is one of the treatments used for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Acute febrile reactions are common with zoledronate therapy. However, zoledronate-induced uveitis is rarely reported in the global literature. In this work, we report a case of bilateral acute anterior uveitis following zoledronate infusion. A 56-year-old, postmenopausal woman presented with symptoms of fever, bilateral periorbital swelling, watering from eyes, pain, photophobia, and blurring of vision 2 days after zoledronate infusion. On examination, there was conjunctival hyperemia, aqueous cells, fibrinous reaction, pigments in the anterior lens capsule, keratic precipitates, and posterior synechiae, suggestive of acute anterior uveitis. Her symptoms resolved completely over 2 weeks of topical administration of betamethasone and atropine. Uveitis is one of the rare complications of bisphosphonates, with zoledronate having a higher risk. The mechanism is not fully known. Knowledge about this adverse event is essential for prompt diagnosis and timely management.
Myth versus mystery: A scoping review of the involvement of behavioral science in implementing evidence-informed decision-making initiatives
Authors: Al Sabahi Sultana Mohammed , Pinto Avinash Daniel , Jayapal Sathish Kumar
Published: July 2024

Literature suggests that using behavioral theory to inform research can improve the efficiency of knowledge translation (KT) interventions and guide their implementation. Therefore, we conducted a scoping review of the use of behavioral theories, models, and frameworks in the published literature to guide the implementation of evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) interventions. We used a thorough two-step search strategy to retrieve articles fulfilling the inclusion criteria published through August 2022. Two reviewers initially screened the articles individually, followed by two reviewers who independently reviewed the articles’ full text. We critically appraised 90 full-text articles from 3172 retrieved articles based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. We finally included 19 articles for qualitative synthesis, which included the elements of KT intervention, underlying theories/models of behavior change and the purpose of their use, and facilitators and barriers to KT intervention. Our results showed that no study explicitly focused on EIDM and simultaneously utilized behavioral theories to design or inform the implementation of an intervention. Furthermore, we found that the Theoretical Domain Framework, the Theory of Planned Behavior, the Behavioral Change Wheel, and the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Behavior Model were most frequently used to guide the implementation of KT interventions. Our study identified a vital gap that must be filled in relation to EIDM research on intervention implementation. Thus, our findings can support and enrich those planning to launch an EIDM initiative in terms of selecting the base theory/model/framework, anticipating the facilitators and barriers to implementation, and determining the most appropriate intervention component.
An in vitro evaluation of the efficacy of kaempferol as an antimicrobial agent on periodontal pathogens: An in vitro study
Authors: Rajeswari S. Raja , Nandini V. Vidyashree , Rajendran N. , Triveni M.G. , Ravishankar P.L. , Dhingra Divya
Published: July 2024

Aims: Kaempferol, a flavonoid found in many edible plants, has been attributed to having antimicrobial activity against microorganisms. The current work focused on ascertaining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and conducting time-kill analysis of pure kaempferol against periodontal pathogens, along with elucidation of the antiproteolytic effect of kaempferol against Porphyromonas gingivalis protease. Method: Kaempferol dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide was tested against six standard periodontal pathogens, namely P. gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Tannerella forsythia, and Candida albicans, to determine the minimum bacterial concentration (MBC), MIC, and conduct time-kill analysis using serial dilution and plating method. The gelatin liquefaction test was conducted to determine the antiproteolytic activity against P. gingivalis. Results: Kaempferol was found to exhibit bactericidal activity against all analyzed periodontal pathogens. The MBC ranged from 6.25 to 100 µL/mL (P. gingivalis and P. intermedia—6.25 µL/mL; T. forsythia and C. albicans—12.5 µL/mL; F. nucleatum—50 µL/mL; A. actinomycetemcomitans—100 µL/mL). MIC ranged from 3.12 to 50 µL/mL. Time-kill analysis demonstrated that the C. albicans was inhibited by 90% within the first 2 hours of incubation and P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum by 80% within 6 hours. Complete inhibition of protease activity was established at 12.5 µL/mL concentration of kaempferol. Conclusion: The study results demonstrated kaempferol’s antimicrobial efficacy against periodontal pathogens and its ability to inhibit protease activity in P. gingivalis. Kaempferol holds promise as a safer alternative to conventional antibiotics in the treatment of periodontitis, thus expanding the therapeutic options in antimicrobial strategies.
A Rare Case of Neuroacanthocytosis with Predominant Dystonia
Authors: Batra Nitish , Acharya Sourya , Shukla Samarth , Mishra Preeti , Bedi Gautam
Published: July 2024

Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by sustained or intermittent muscle contractions causing abnormal, often repetitive, movements, postures, or both. Acanthocytosis is irregular spiky red cells on peripheral blood smears, usually associated with neurological and hematological abnormalities. The different types of neuroacanthocytosis (NA) syndromes include core syndromes like chorea-acanthocytosis, McLeod syndrome, Huntington’s disease-like 2, and Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration, as well as NA associated with lipoprotein disorders such as abetalipoproteinemia (Bassen–Kornzweig syndrome), familial hypobetalipoproteinemia, Anderson disease, and atypical Wolman disease. Here, we describe a case of a 23-year-old man who presented to this hospital with complaints of choriform movements and abnormal dystonic body posturing since childhood. The peripheral smear revealed acanthocytes, and the brain’s MRI was normal.
Supraclinoid aneurysm of the internal carotid artery presenting with monocular visual loss, mimicking retrobulbar neuritis
Authors: Sheetal S , Gladson Nikhil , Sasidharan Dhanya R , Sajid Muhammed M
Published: July 2024

The majority of aneurysms involving the cerebral vasculature are silent and may be found incidentally on neuroimaging. Approximately 85% of cerebral aneurysms are located in the anterior parts of the circle of Willis, especially at bifurcation sites. Unruptured intracranial aneurysms are often asymptomatic unless they enlarge and cause compression on adjacent structures. Aneurysms arising from the anterior parts of the circle of Willis, including cavernous and supraclinoid segments of the internal carotid (IC) artery or from the anterior communicating artery can compress on the anterior visual pathways, causing visual dysfunction. We hereby report the case of a 49-year-old lady, who presented with progressive loss of vision in the right eye evolving over 2 weeks; she was suspected to have retrobulbar neuritis, and on evaluation was noted to have a right supraclinoid IC aneurysm, compressing the optic nerve.
Bilateral cataract related to the use of methylphenidate in a 10-year-old girl
Authors: Boz Ali Altan Ertan , Kılıç Meryem Dilara
Published: July 2024

The purpose of the case report is to highlight the fact that the use of methylphenidate (MPH) treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) causes bilateral cataracts. A 10-year-old girl was referred to us for blurred vision using MPH 30 mg/day for four years. A complete cataract in the right eye with a perception of light visual acuity (VA) and a posterior subcapsular cataract in the left eye with 6/20 VA were observed. After cataract surgery, VA was 20/20 in both eyes. Increasing norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the aqueous with the use of MPH may induce the inflammation that causes cataract.
Successful management of exudative retinal detachment in retinopathy of prematurity with sub-Tenon triamcinolone acetonide ınjection following laser photocoagulation: A case report
Authors: Karataş Ezgi , Kara Caner , Yenice Eşay Kıran , Ortatatlı Betül , Alper Ömer
Published: July 2024

In this case report, we describe the successful treatment of exudative retinal detachment after laser photocoagulation with sub-Tenon’s injection of triamcinolone acetonide in a premature infant with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). A preterm infant born at 25 weeks gestation and of weight 860 g was diagnosed with zone 2 stage 3 ROP with plus disease. Laser photocoagulation was performed to treat the active disease. After laser treatment, the infant developed exudative retinal detachment. To address the exudative retinal detachment, a sub-Tenon triamcinolone acetonide injection was administered. The procedure was well tolerated, and the patient showed rapid improvement in both clinical and imaging findings.
Capsular bag distension syndrome with sulcus IOL acting as a seal
Authors: Singh Manmeet , Potti Sudhakar
Published: July 2024

Capsular bag distension syndrome (CBDS) is a rare complication following cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. We describe the case of a 68-year-old female who developed early-onset CBDS of her left eye after manual small-incision cataract surgery with implantation of posterior chamber IOL in the sulcus (Excel PMMA IOL (polymethyl methacrylate), Manufactured by Excel Optics (P) Limited, Chennai). The patient had an uneventful cataract surgery performed by a resident in training. Her immediate postoperative uncorrected vision was 20/40, but it decreased to finger counting 1 m on postoperative day 7, for which she presented back to hospital. Slit-lamp examination revealed a quiet anterior chamber without any cells–flare with IOL in the sulcus with a relatively smaller capsulorhexis of about 5 mm, and IOL optic was covering the capsulorhexis in a symmetric fashion, thus causing a block. Distension of capsular bag was further confirmed by Anterion anterior segment optical coherence tomography (Heidelberg Engineering Technology, Germany), which showed a confined hyperechogenic fluid trapped between the IOL and the posterior capsule. She was diagnosed with CBDS secondary to retention of turbid fluid. Phased treatment was done; neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet capsulotomy was tried in the first attempt, but failed as the posterior capsule was far too behind. This was followed by anterior chamber wash with redialing of the lens in the bag, which thereby improved vision to 20/20 (best corrected visual acuity) at 1-week postoperatively. Even with IOL in the sulcus, the postoperative CBDS may rarely happen at any point of time with a small capsulorrhexis and an intumescent mature cataract. Immense cortex wash should always be kept in mind in such a case, as the liquefied cortex is sometimes stuck at the equator and a little more duration of irrigation is required in such scenarios. Hence, complete clearance of turbid fluid of intumescent mature cataract variety also holds due importance similar to the need of removing viscoelastic substance to prevent CBDS.
Association of N-terminal Pro B-type Natriuretic Peptide with Asymptomatic Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Roy Mitali , Ruram Alice Abraham , Tiewsoh Iadarilang , Kapoor Manish
Published: July 2024

Objectives:

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are known to have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Increased circulating N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels in patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic ventricular dysfunction are demonstrated and therefore can be used as a potential marker for early diagnosis and treatment. Hence, this study was undertaken to determine serum NT-proBNP levels and to explore the association of serum NT-proBNP levels with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction (ALVD) in patients of T2DM.

Materials and Methods:

This hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out in a total of 85 patients of T2DM without any overt heart disease. Serum NT-proBNP was measured by electrochemiluminescence method. Echocardiography was performed to assess the left ventricular (LV) function in all the study participants. All statistical procedures were performed using SPSS software.

Results:

Out of the 85 type 2 diabetic participants, 15 (17.6%) were diagnosed with ALVD. Serum NT-proBNP levels in type 2 diabetic patients with ALVD were significantly higher than in T2DM patients with normal LV function (P = 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for NT-proBNP to separate normal versus abnormal ventricular function was 0.95 in Type 2 diabetic patients. Serum NT-proBNP at a cutoff point of 127.65 pg/ml showed 86.7% sensitivity and 97.1% specificity for the detection of ALVD in T2DM patients.

Conclusion:

Secretion of NT-proBNP is found to be increased in T2DM patients with ALVD and therefore may be a simple screening tool to select diabetic patients with ALVD requiring further examination with echocardiography.
Synthesis and nanoparticle characterization of an Ayurveda formulation Tridhathu Garbha Pottali
Authors: Patil Giramalla , Hiremath Shobha G. , Patil Shivanand , Singh Ruchi , Siddhanta Soumik
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

The Tridhaatu Garbha Pottali (TGP) Rasayana is a formulation that may not be widely known, but it is prepared using the Gandhaka Drava Paka method of Pottali preparation. It has been reportedly used in the treatment of various conditions, including Putimeha (Pyorrhea), Pradara (Leukorrhea), and Shukra Dosha (seminal abnormalities). Despite its potential benefits, no current research is being conducted on the synthesis and characterization of this formulation. An attempt was made to standardize the method of preparation of TGP Rasayana as mentioned in Rasayogasagar (a classical text of Rasashastra), and nanoparticle (NP) characterization was carried out alongside classical and physicochemical parameters. Presesent study aimed to standardize TGP Rasayana preparation method and analyze for Nanoparticle Characterization.

METHODS:

TGP Rasayana is a Pottali Rasayana prepared using the Gandhaka Paaka technique, amalgamating Shuddha Parada, Shuddha Swarna, Shuddha Gandhaka, along with Bhasmas of Naga, Vanga, and Yashadha. Swarna-Parada Dhatu Pishti (fusion) was prepared first, followed by the addition of Gandhaka. Then, the Bhasmas of Naga, Vanga, and Yashada were added, well mixed using trituration method, and Kumari Swarasa Bhavana was administered. The resulting TGP Kajjali was given a conical shape and dried, and Pottali was wrapped in four-folded silk material with Gandhaka in between. Pottali Paka was performed in Mritpatra using the Gandhaka Paaka method, placing it in a Valuka Yantra and subjecting it to Mridvagni for 8 h to obtain all Pottali Siddha Lakshana. Then, the obtained TGP Rasayana was analyzed for classical and instrumental parameters, physicochemical parameters, and sophisticated instrumental analyses such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectra.

RESULTS:

TGP possessed all classical parameters of Pottali. XRD confirms the presence of HgS, PbS, SnO2, and ZnO. SEM images show the agglomerated appearance of TGP particles. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) confirms the presence of sulfur, zinc, tin, mercury, and lead as major elements, with gold as minor elements. FTIR shows the presence of organic sulphate, aliphatic amines, and alkyl halides.

CONCLUSION:

The TGP Rasayana that has been prepared contains various NPs that possess functional groups, thus making it a highly effective therapeutic medicine with the properties of nanomedicine.
Effectiveness of multimedia-based teaching on the learning rate of anesthesia technologist students in the field of central venous pressure monitoring: A comparative study
Authors: Moradimajd Parisa , Khonkdar Kimia , Maroufi Shahnam Sedigh , Abolghasemi Jamileh
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

Traditional teaching methods alone are no longer sufficient to meet the needs of modern societies. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of central venous pressure teaching through multimedia and lecture method on learning rate of anesthesia technologist students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

In this quasi-experimental study, 41 undergraduate students of anesthesia technologist were selected through the census method and randomly divided into two groups: multimedia- and lecture-based teaching. The educational content was the same for both groups and was taught by the same educator. A pre-test was administered to both groups, and a post-test was conducted two weeks after the intervention. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and paired t-test with SPSS software version 26.

RESULTS:

Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in the mean scores between the two groups (P = 0.648). However, after the intervention, the learning rate significantly improved in both teaching methods (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the mean scores obtained from post-test increase in the multimedia-based group were significantly higher than the lecture-based group (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION:

The results of this study indicate the effectiveness of both methods. However, considering the advantages of multimedia-based teaching, such as responding to various learning styles and higher mean scores obtained from post-test of the multimedia-based group compared to the lecture-based group, it is recommended to utilize this teaching method in medical science courses.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of the training on “Home care of COVID-19 positive/suspicious patients” given to nursing students: A quasi-experimental study
Authors: Sabandüzen Hande , Kavaklı Öznur
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

This study aims to evaluate the effects of education on home care of infected or suspected COVID-19 patients on the levels of knowledge, anxiety, and awareness of nursing students in Turkey.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The study is in quasi-experimental design. A sample of 158 volunteer students studying nursing at a private university in Turkey was formed. Data were collected using, descriptive information form, “Coronavirus Anxiety Scale,” “COVID-19 Awareness Scale,” and the “Knowledge of COVID-19 Home Care Test.” Pre-test was performed before the participants received education. Post-test was performed seven days after the intervention. SPSS version 25.0 was used for data analysis. “TREND checklist” was used for quasi-experimental/non-randomized evaluations to report the findings of the study.

RESULTS:

Anxiety levels decreased and the levels of awareness and knowledge on COVID-19 increased after receiving education on home care of infected or suspected COVID-19 patients (p < 0.001), indicating the effectiveness of the education. Education on home care of infected or suspected COVID-19 patients was an effective method to reduce anxiety and increase knowledge and awareness in nursing students.

CONCLUSIONS:

To contribute to community health, home care training can be given to nursing students, other people receiving home care, or providing home care to COVID-19 patients, infected or suspected COVID-19 patients.
Engaging students through activity-based bingo games in immunology course: Determining students’ perception and measuring its influence on academic performance
Authors: Sannathimmappa Mohan B. , Nambiar Vinod , Aravindakshan Rajeev
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

This study aims to evaluate how well bingo game-based activities serve as instructional tools to enhance student learning.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This prospective cross-sectional study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. The study sample size was 145 MD3 year college of medicine students for the academic year 2023–2024. The evaluation instruments included the participants’ exam grades, pre-test scores, post-test scores, and feedback. The study employed a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative research methods to investigate how students perceived and interacted with the bingo game-based activity. The data were analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. The association between exam and post-test scores was examined using the correlation coefficient and a straightforward regression analysis. The P value of less than 0.05 was deemed significant.

RESULTS:

The study comprised 145 students in total who completed all the tasks. The post-test scores (10.62 ± 1.73) showed a statistically significant improvement (P < 0.01) over the pre-test scores (6.3 ± 1.99). Most students (85–90%) thought that activities centered around bingo games were great tools for learning. Nine out of ten students said the game-based activity was engaging and enjoyable, that it inspired them to engage in group discussions, that it assisted them in identifying and concentrating on important topics, and that it improved their knowledge and helped them get ready for the final exam. Almost all the participants (>90%) suggested adding this exercise to the list of future topics. Overall, exam scores achieved by students for topics covered in the bingo-based activity (92.7 ± 4.96) were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than exam scores for topics not covered in the activity (83.75 ± 7.74).

CONCLUSION:

Bingo game is an effective learning strategy to promote students’ learning in the immunology course. Furthermore, utilizing bingo games as a formative assessment technique can significantly improve students’ learning and help them achieve higher scores on summative assessments.
Clinical nurses' experiences about "breaking bad news" during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study
Authors: Rafiei Malihe , Mohammadi Zakieh , Mohamadirizi Shahla
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

Nurses have the most contact with COVID-19 patients and their families, while it is unclear how nurses react when they give bad news during pandemic disaster, particularly in the cultural and social context of Iran. So, our main purpose was to explore the experiences of clinical nurses about breaking bad news (BBN) in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic era.

MATERIALS AND METHOD:

The study was a qualitative content analysis approach. Data were collected by the purposive sampling method through in-depth interviews with 13 nurses in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The method of data analysis was conventional qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS:

The participants of this study were 13 nurses. The work experience range was from 2 to 18 years, and in terms of education, one of them was Ph.D., eight had a bachelor’s degree education, and four had a master’s degree in nursing. Qualitative data of content analysis were obtained in four main categories such as nurses’ avoidance of BBN, considering the patient’s and family’s beliefs in BBN, nurses’ unpreparedness to deliver bad news during the pandemic crisis, and surrender of the patient and family members in the face of the COVID-19 bad news.

CONCLUSION:

The results of the research showed that due to probability of occurrence of pandemic in the futureand also the nature of the nursing profession, so nurses should be familiar with the correct ways of BBN and existing protocols on crisis conditions and cultural and religious context of the society to provide a high quality of care for patients and their families.
Academic knowledge brokers in Iran’s health sector: Characteristics, skills, and qualifications
Authors: Shabankareh Khadijeh , Hamidi Ali , Soleymani Mohammad Reza , Alavi Mousa , Sajadi Haniye Sadat
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

Knowledge brokers, as a bridge between producers and users of knowledge, need a set of skills and abilities to fulfill their role. The current study was carried out with the aim of identifying the characteristics, skills, and qualifications needed by knowledge brokers in Iran’s health sector.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This qualitative study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 18 participants selected using social network analysis and snowball method from June to December 2022. All interviews were analyzed through the conventional content analysis method using the MAXQDA, version 20.

RESULTS:

Two main categories (personality traits and professional competencies) and six subcategories (extroversion, acceptability, problem-solving skills, interactive skills, specialized skills, and specialized knowledge) were identified for knowledge brokers in Iran’s health sector. Interpersonal communication skills, negotiation and persuasion skills, knowledge in both policymaking and research fields, and marketing and commercialization skills were defined as the most important factors in knowledge brokering.

CONCLUSION:

Identifying and training qualified and interested individuals to undertake the task of knowledge brokering, by taking into account the characteristics identified in this research and strengthening the required skills and qualifications, can increase the effectiveness of knowledge brokering and help to bridge the gap between research and policymaking.