bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SELF-CONCEPT AND CREATIVITY OF CHILDREN AND MOTHERS’ OCCUPATION IN INDIA: A DILEMMA
Authors: Jan Sobiya , Sofal Firdous Ahmad
Published: February 2023

Purpose: The purpose of the present study is to examine the effect of mother’s occupation on children self-concept and creativity at elementary level in south Kashmir, UT of Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Design/ methodology: Descriptive method of research was adopted to carry out the study. In order to study the effects of mother’s occupation on child’s self-concept and creativity, a sample of 200 elementary school students of both working and non-working mothers were selected through stratified random sampling technique from existing districts of south Kashmir in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Self-concept scale standardized by S.P. Ahluwalia and Singh (revised 2002) and Creativity scale developed by Baqer and Mehdi (1973) were employed. The percentage statistics, mean, t-test and standard deviation were employed for statistical treatment.
Findings: The results of the study revealed that significant difference between elementary school students of working and non-working mothers on various dimensions of self-Concept. The results also revealed the significant difference between elementary school students of working and non-working mothers on various dimensions of Creativity. Authors also find an insignificant correlation between creativity and self-concept.
CARBOHYDRATE, LIPID AND PROTEIN PROFILE IN CATOPSILIA PYRANTHE TREATED WITH VARIOUS CONCENTRATIONS OF SUGARS AND NECTARS
Authors: Solanki Bhanu R. , Mankad Archana U.
Published: February 2023

In order of Lepidoptera, butterflies are the most aesthetic insects which adds beauty to our ecosystem as well as they are the pollinators. Anthropogenic activities are hindering their survival and thus it is the time to conserve them to maintain biodiversity. Nectars are the rewards for such pollinators and their good variety can be able to maintain their coexistence. Sugar concentration in nectars varies and directly affects its mortality, fecundity and physiological, behavioral changes. The present study focuses on the physiological changes of butterflies after treating them with four different concentrations of sucrose (10 %, 20 %, 30 % and 40 %) and four different nectars on which (Catopsilia pyranthe) mottled emigrants generally feed on the field. Also the wild butterflies were collected and were compared with the control, sucrose concentrations and four varieties of nectar diets. Sucrose is selected for the treatment as it is available in nectar at higher amounts. The best results of total carbohydrates in males (0.581 ± 0.059 mg/ml) as well as females (0.509 ± 0.137 mg/ml) were recorded in Vinca rosea treated individuals, glycogen in 40 % sucrose treatments in both male (0.580 ± 0.075 mg/ml) and female (0.614 ± 0.0304 mg/ml), total lipids again in 40 % sucrose treatments in both male (0.850 ± 0.431 mg/ml) and female (0.726 ± 0.1106 mg/ml) and total proteins in wild (1.985 ± 1.782 mg/ml) in male and in 40 % sucrose (1.681 ± 0.111 mg/ml) in female individuals. In SDS PAGE, the highest number of bands of different molecular weights observed in males are Lantana camara, Vinca rosea, Stachytarpheta cayennensis treated and Wild butterflies while in female individuals, it is in Vinca rosea treated and Wild butterflies. The study also presents the 3D structures with the help of peptide search by Uniprot and homology modeling with the help of Swissprot. It is an attempt to represent the variety of physiological changes that occur due to the different concentration of sugars so it can help for further maintenance of nectar plants and ultimately to maintain our ecosystem by conserving pollinators.
WOMEN AND VIOLENCE IN SELECT ENGLISH FICTION FROM ARUNACHAL PRADESH
Authors: Ete Doyir
Published: February 2023

Violence against women is a recurrent topic in fiction from Arunachal Pradesh. Tribal society claims to be egalitarian but gender inequity in many aspects prove it to be otherwise. In tribal societies, violence against women is primarily domestic violence and violence sanctioned under customary practices. These take different forms of oppression for women. The paper examines the interrelationship between violence and gender in literary works like Lummer Dai’s Bride Price (1978), Y. D Thongchi’s Silent Lips Murmuring Hearts (2010), and Yumlam Tana’s The Place Where the Rivers Meet (2020). The selected texts which span from the 1970s to 2020 reveal a common trope in the novels- the violence against women. Women are victimized not just because of their gender but also because of social and customary sanctions which are biassed towards men. Such a study shows that there exist deep interconnections between the discriminating rules of tribal customary practices and women’s powerlessness.
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS VS COST EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS: A SYNOPTIC VIEW
Authors: Roy Dipankar , Baskey Sunil Kumar
Published: February 2023

Education presently included in professional and holistic service. Academic staff has a critical role in establishing coordination between students, parents, other educational departments, and society in order to better care for our future generations. The study's goal is to discuss cost effectiveness and cost -benefit analysis in depth, including its meaning, thought, purpose, importance and stages. For programme evaluation, the pair cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) are helpful instruments (2015, Newcomer). In advancement nations educational development is designated more precedence. As a result, cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses are becoming growingly important for educational institutions' resource production and utilization. Educational cost assessments in India will assure efficiency in the quantitative and qualitative dimensions of education.
IMPACT OF COVID ON ACADEMIC PRACTICE AND TEACHING AND LEARNING IN HEL’S
Authors: Abrol Monika
Published: February 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic starts from Wuhan city of China resulted in disaster in the lives of human beings through a deadly virus ‘Coronavirus’ in December 2019. Numerous nationalities, various organizations and world economy were affected on account of it. This finally transformed traditional classes of students into an online format in the middle of the academic semester in Higher Education sector in various countries. India is one of the most affecting country where education sector got the disadvantage of this crisis. Consequently, the faculty, researchers as well as students were enabling themselves through on- line teaching using various tools. Our objectives were 1) To study different factors affecting academia’s during COVID-19. 2) To study teaching learning process in higher education in COVID- 19 Pandemic. 3) To study different Key factors impacting the growth of Academia’s. 4) To study the effect of COVID 19 on the growth of Academia’s. 5. To study pedagogical shift in teaching learning process in the pandemic time. Research scholars, Assistant Professors and Professors and students (n= 1220) from rural university in India were taken as a sample. The researcher employed qualitative analysis to describe the effect of COVID- 19 on growth of Academia and teaching learning process. For this, researcher employed structured questionnaires to capture the impact of the pandemic on academia’s issues like research, library, funding and future perspectives in COVID-19 pandemic. Online Google Forms were employed to administer the survey. The frequent communication between students and faculty and research scholars and supervisors from the rural university helps to develop new teaching and learning pedagogy of different content to academia in a different perspective. This paper depicts the existing research on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the faculty, researchers and students by using key resources results in collaboration with research and education perspective.
EDUKASI PEMERIKSAAN GOLONGAN DARAH PADA SISWA SMP MUHAMMADIYAH MOYUDAN SLEMAN
Authors: Rahmawati Yeni , Yuyun Nailufar  , Lisa Wahyuningrum
Published: February 2023

Golongan darah merupakan jenis pembagian darah pada manusia. Mengetahui jenis golongan darah merupakan hal yang penting dilakukan sejak dini. Tujuan kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini adalah untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan kepada siswa terhadap golongan darah dan melakukan pemeriksaan golongan darah. Kegiatan ini diikuti oleh 29 siswa kelas 8 SMP Muhammadiyah 1 Moyudan, Sleman. Materi yang disampaikan antara lain komponen darah, penggolongan darah sistem ABO dan Rhesus serta prosedur dan manfaat pemeriksaan golongan darah. Alat yang diperlukan yaitu seperangkat LCD dan proyektor untuk menampilkan materi dan blood lancet untuk pemeriksaan golongan darah. Bahan yang digunakan yaitu alkohol 70%, kapas steril, tusuk gigi, reagen Anti-A, Anti-B, Anti-AB dan anti-D serta kartu golongan darah. Peserta pengabdian masyarakat ini merupakan siswa kelas 8 yang berjumlah 29 siswa. Berdasarkan  pre test dan post test terjadi peningkatan skor sebanyak dua kali lipat. Persentase rerata peningkatan pengetahuan siswa sebesar 100%. Pemeriksaan golongan darah secara langsung juga dilakukan kepada siswa. Kesimpulan kegiatan ini adalah siswa memiliki peningkatan pengetahuan terkait golongan darah dan prosedur pemeriksaan golongan darah.
Subsurface Science and Search for Life in Ocean Worlds
Authors: Lawrence Justin D. , Mullen Andrew D. , Bryson Frances E. , Chivers Chase J. , Hanna Ashley M. , Plattner Taylor , Spiers Elizabeth M. , Bowman Jeff S. , Buffo Jacob J. , Burnett Justin L. , Carr Christopher E. , Dichek Daniel J. , Hughson Kynan H. G. , King Walter , Glenn Lightsey E. , Ingall Ellery , McKaig Jordan , Meister Matthew R. , Pierson Sara , Tomar Yashvardhan , Schmidt Britney E.
Published: February 2023

Several worlds in our solar system are thought to hold oceans of liquid water beneath their frozen surfaces. These subsurface ice and ocean environments are promising targets in the search for life beyond Earth, but they also present significant new technical challenges to planetary exploration. With a focus on Jupiter’s moon Europa, here we (1) identify major benefits and challenges to subsurface ocean world science, (2) provide a multidisciplinary survey of relevant sample handling and life detection technologies, and (3) integrate those perspectives into the Subsurface Science and Search for Life in Ocean Worlds (SSSLOW) concept payload. We discuss scientific goals across three complementary categories: (1) search for life, (2) assess habitability, and (3) investigate geological processes. Major mission challenges considered include submerged operation in high-pressure environments, the need to sample fluids with a range of possible chemical conditions, and detection of biosignatures at low concentrations. The SSSLOW addresses these issues by tightly integrated instrumentation and sample handling systems to enable sequential, complementary measurements while prioritizing preservation of sample context. In this work, we leverage techniques and technologies across several fields to demonstrate a path toward future subsurface exploration and life detection in ice and ocean worlds.
A new species of Dipsas (Serpentes, Dipsadidae) from central Panama
Authors: Ray Julie M. , Sánchez-Martínez Paola , Batista Abel , Mulcahy Daniel G. , Sheehy III Coleman M. , Smith Eric N. , Pyron R. Alexander , Arteaga Alejandro
Published: February 2023

A new species of Dipsas Laurenti, 1768, from Central Panama is described based on molecular analyses, hemipenial morphology, and external characters. This is the sixth species of Dipsas to be described for the country; the snake has been suspected to exist since 1977 and has not been thoroughly studied until now. Additionally, morphological comparations including scale counts are done with other species within the genus, and the current geographic distribution of Dipsas temporalis (Werner, 1909), the sister species, is updated. Finally, a key to the species of Dipsas currently known from Middle America is presented.
A numerical approach for 2D time-fractional diffusion damped wave model
Authors: Ali Ajmal , Akram Tayyaba , Iqbal Azhar , Kumam Poom , Sutthibutpong Thana
Published: February 2023

In this article, we introduce an approximation of the rotated five-point difference Crank-Nicolson R(FPCN) approach for treating the second-order two-dimensional (2D) time-fractional diffusion-wave equation (TFDWE) with damping, which is constructed from two separate sets of equations, namely transverse electric and transverse magnetic phases. Such a category of equations can be achieved by altering second-order time derivative in the ordinary diffusion damped wave model by fractional Caputo derivative of order $ \alpha $ while $ 1 < \alpha < 2 $. The suggested methodology is developed from the standard five-points difference Crank-Nicolson S(FPCN) scheme by rotating clockwise $ 45^{o} $ with respect to the standard knots. Numerical analysis is presented to demonstrate the applicability and feasibility of the R(FPCN) formulation over the S(FPCN) technique. The stability and convergence of the presented methodology are also performed.
Il contributo economico degli italiani in Colombia. Il caso migratorio di Padula tra fine Ottocento e Seconda guerra mondiale
Authors: Pergola Raissa
Published: February 2023

Lo studio pone l’attenzione su un particolare contesto migratorio che vide snodarsi, in direzione di mete inconsuete dell’America Latina, catene migratorie spontanee e numericamente minori. All’interno dell’area di interesse, identificabile con i territori contigui di tre regioni dell’Appennino meridionale (Campania, Basilicata e Calabria), il Vallo di Diano e quindi Padula costituisce un campione di analisi a carattere localistico non trascurabile. Il piccolo centro valdianese, oltre ai massicci flussi di emigrazione indirizzati verso le più note e investigate destinazioni europee e transoceaniche, contempla anche esperienze migratorie quantitativamente più marginali ma non meno rilevanti in relazione al grado di integrazione e partecipazione attiva nel paese di arrivo. Il caso di studio riguarda la corrente di commercianti e artigiani padulesi approdata in Colombia tra la fine del xix secolo e il principio del xx secolo, in un momento delicato del processo storico di formazione del paese. In questo contesto, l’indagine intende riflettere sul ruolo ricoperto dai padulesi rispetto al contributo dato nel potenziamento di un primo ceto medio imprenditoriale che iniziava a formarsi nel paese.
Les expériences d’Arago sur la vitesse de la lumière (1810)
Authors: Lequeux James
Published: February 2023

Arago, dans ce mémoire, est un des premiers à mettre en évidence une constance de la vitesse de la lumière, même si l'observateur se rapproche de la source : la mesure de la vitesse de la lumière provenant des étoiles, à six mois d'écart, devrait prendre en compte la vitesse de rotation de la Terre autour du Soleil).Même si cette expérience est faite dans un cadre conceptuel particulier, celui de l'émission de Newton, cette communication d'Arago est le premier jalon important parmi les expériences de mesure de la vitesse de la lumière au XIXe siècle, jusqu'à l'expérience de Michelson et Morley en 1887, elle aussi négative.
Le Verrier et la première détermination des valeurs propres d'une matrice
Authors: Juhel Alain
Published: February 2023

Le Verrier effectue, en posant les équations différentielles des mouvements des sept planètes (avant sa découverte de Neptune en 1846), des travaux mathématiques précurseurs sur ce qui deviendra la théorie des matrices, utilisant notamment l’équivalent des valeurs propres ou de la diagonalisation d’une matrice. Il relie aussi cela à l’analyse astronomique du problème, distinguant les « grosses » planètes, plus perturbatrices, Jupiter, Saturne, Uranus et les quatre « petites », Mercure, Vénus, Terre et Mars, ce faisant décomposant son système matriciel 7×7 en deux blocs de 4 et 3.
Towards an Efficient Fog-Based Forest Fire Management Architecture
Authors: Boughouas Mohamed Lamine , Kissoum Yacine , Mazouzi Smaine , Boussouf Walida
Published: February 2023

Forest fires cause significant human losses and natural damage and threaten the biodiversity on our planet. Several researchers have studied the potential of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) to manage a forested area and have proven the real potential of this paradigm. Such systems generate a large amount of heterogeneous data in a short time, which may lead to network congestion and delay in data transmission. Processing such data in a short time frame is challenging for a traditional WSN. This article presents a multi-layered architecture for wildfire prevention, detection, and intervention based on WSN, IoT, cloud, and fog computing technologies. The proposed architecture is validated using the iFogSim simulation tool. Two models are compared, cloud-only and fog-cloud-based scenarios. The experimental results show that the cloud-fog model minimizes latency and significantly reduces bandwidth consumption compared to the cloud-only model. To bring fast fire extinguishing ability to the system, the authors recommend the employment of drones equipped with fire extinguishing balls.
Educação popular na escola pública
Authors: Serra Enio
Published: February 2023

O principal objetivo do presente artigo é refletir sobre a perspectiva histórica da Educação Popular na Educação de Jovens e Adultos em escolas públicas. Para tanto, a partir da teoria social crítica e com base em documentos originais, fontes secundárias e orais, o estudo analisa o contexto histórico e as particularidades da implantação e funcionamento inicial do Programa de Educação de Jovens e Adultos (PEJA) da rede municipal do Rio de Janeiro. O PEJA surge, nos anos 1980, como política educacional voltada para a alfabetização de jovens de 14 a 20 anos fundamentada nos preceitos da pedagogia freiriana e sua trajetória se configura como importante referência para reflexões relativas aos desafios e possibilidades na construção de uma escola pública de base popular.
Clinic and research: the therapeutic rhythm
Authors: Editors The
Published: February 2023

Not available.
Contextualizing motherhood in persons with borderline personality vulnerabilities: cultural adaptation of the parent development interview-revised in an Indian context
Authors: Mehrotra Kanika , Bhola Poornima , Desai Geetha
Published: February 2023

An understanding of the complex intersection of borderline personality vulnerabilities and motherhood calls for an integrative and culture-sensitive lens in assessment and therapeutic interventions. The aim of the study was to explore constructions of motherhood in an Indian context to inform the adaptation of the Parent Development Interview-Revised (PDI-R) for use with mothers with borderline personality vulnerabilities. A stepwise framework was followed to obtain conceptual, semantic, and operational equivalences for the PDI-R adaptation. Interviews on contextualised aspects of motherhood were conducted with a sample of eight mental health practitioners specializing in borderline personality disorders, women’s mental health or child psychology, two cultural psychologists, one gynaecologist and one paediatrician. Six emergent themes were identified through thematic analysis, ‘The ideal mother and her search for identity,’ ‘Mothering the mother and the vicissitudes of care,’ ‘Not just mine - negotiating boundaries,’ ‘Mother knows best,’ ‘Food, feeding and embodied nurturing,’ and ‘Approaching motherhood in the clinic.’ The proposed adaptations to the PDI-R were further reviewed by two experts, a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist specialised in perinatal services. This was followed by the process of operational equivalence through administration of PDI-R with two mothers with borderline personality vulnerabilities and two mothers from the community. The expert review and the administration informed the final adaptation of the PDI-R. A systematic process of adaptation can support the use of measures like the PDI-R in different cultures. A contextual understanding of constructions of motherhood and borderline personality has potential to support meaningful assessment and targeted parenting interventions.
Intravenous versus perineural dexmedetomidine as adjuvant in adductor canal block for total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Abo-Zeid Salim Maha Ahmed , Bakrey Sherine , Elbadrawy Rania Elmohamady
Published: February 2023

Background: The shivering effect after spinal anesthesia in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is challenging for anesthesiologists. This study aimed to compare two administration routes of dexmedetomidine as a post-neuraxial shivering prevention measure and an adjunctive analgesic and sedative agent.Methods: Fifty-six patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups. The intravenous dexmedetomidine (IV dex) group received an IV infusion of 0.5 µg/kg dexmedetomidine diluted in 20 ml saline and an adductor canal block (ACB) consisting of 20 ml of 0.25% levobupivacaine and 1 ml saline. The adductor canal block dexmedetomidine (ACB dex) group received a 20 ml IV infusion of saline and an ACB consisting of 20 ml 0.25% levobupivacaine and 1 ml of 0.5 µg/kg dexmedetomidine.Results: The incidence of shivering 1 h post spinal anesthesia was equal in both groups (50%); however, the shivering grade was significantly lower in the IV dex group 1 h postoperatively. The onset of sensory block was significantly later in the IV dex group (22.14 ± 2.52 min) than in the ACB dex group (12 ± 3.31 min). Postoperative analgesic duration (h) was significantly longer in the ACB dex group (12.28 ± 4.47) compared to the IV dex group (9.28 ± 1.90). The sedation scores were also significantly higher in the IV dex group in the preoperative, intraoperative, and immediate postoperative periods.Conclusions: While perineural ACB dexmedetomidine had similar intraoperative anti-shivering with less sedative effects as IV dexmedetomidine, it was associated with both less shivering control and superior analgesia post-TKA under spinal anesthesia.
Spectacle lens and contact lens recycling in South Africa
Authors: Pillay Rayishnee , Hansraj Rekha , Rampersad Nishanee
Published: February 2023

Background: The increase in global plastic waste generation poses a threat to human, animal and plant life. As such, industries world-wide are encouraged to review waste management systems to prevent, minimise, recycle or recover plastic waste. There is a paucity of information on plastic waste generation by the local optical industry in South Africa, especially with respect to spectacle lens and contact lens recycling.Aim: The purpose of this review article was to provide a current outlook on spectacle lens and contact lens recycling in South Africa.Methods: Literature review of scientific papers from online databases, websites and lens material patents.Results: No studies regarding lens recycling in South Africa were found. However, data for this review were collated based on lens constituent materials.Conclusion: This review article provided an overview of lens recycling, identified the barriers and potential measures to advance plastic spectacle lens and contact lens recycling in South Africa, and suggested controlled energy recovery as an alternative pending implementation of lens recycling programmes.Contribution: This paper contributes useful information on a previously unexplored aspect of recycling in South Africa. Ophthalmic lens recycling is currently not available in South Africa, and as such, this review focuses on the current outlook, barriers and considerations for implementation of such programmes.
Youth religious moderation model and tolerance strengthening through intellectual humility
Authors: Pajarianto Hadi , Pribadi Imam , Galugu Nur S.
Published: February 2023

Religious moderation is a crucial issue, along with religious and cultural values that develop in society. Religious moderation’s success will significantly determine millennial Muslim youth’s tolerant attitudes, mediated by intellectual humility. This study aimed to identify and design a model of religious moderation on tolerance by mediating intellectual humility. The research used mixed methods; data analysis used NVivo 12 Plus (software by QSR International), to compile variable nominations; and Partial Least Squares - Structural Equation (PLS-SEM) creates research models. There were 350 Indonesian youth informants in the study, which used interviews and focus group discussions. The results showed that religious moderation in youth, including national commitment, antiviolence and acceptance of local culture, can strengthen tolerance, mediated by intellectual humility. The tolerant attitude shows high and stable data and confirms the strengthening of religious moderation in young people. From the identification, a model of religious moderation in youth was designed and revised, and the results have met all the requirements for modelling so that it can be continued for testing.Contribution: This research provides essential assistance in implementing religious moderation for young people, which is currently the most prevalent issue in Indonesia. The world needs a moderate religious attitude to become a middle ground for various religious and cultural differences among people globally.
Th1 and Th2 epitopes of Cowdria polymorphic gene 1 of Ehrlichia ruminantium
Authors: Ngoepe Tlou A. , Pretorius Alri , Steyn Helena C. , Van Kleef Mirinda
Published: February 2023

Cowdria polymorphic gene 1 (cpg1, Erum2510, ERUM_RS01380) has been shown to induce 30% and 100% protection in sheep immunised by deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) prime combined with DNA boost and DNA prime combined with protein boost, respectively, against heartwater infection via needle challenge. To localise its antigenic regions for inclusion in a multi-epitope DNA vaccine against heartwater, Erum2510 was cleaved into five overlapping subfragments. These subfragments were expressed individually in an Escherichia coli host expression system and evaluated for their ability to induce proliferative responses, Th1 and Th2 cytokines (interferon gamma [IFN-γ] and interleukin 4 [IL-4]) via enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot), quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and flow cytometry. Recombinant (r)proteins 3 and 4 were shown to induce immunodominant Th1 and Th2 immune responses characterised by the secretion of effector cytokines IFN-γ and IL-4 in addition to differential messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of tumour necrosis factor (TNF), IL-2, IL-1, IL-18, IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Thirty-seven overlapping synthetic peptides (16 mer) spanning the lengths of these immunodominant rproteins were synthesised and assayed. A peptide pool comprising p9 and p10 derived from rprotein 3 induced a Th1-biased immune response. A peptide pool comprising p28 and p29 derived from rprotein 4 induced a mixed Th1 and Th2 immune response characterised by secretion of IFN-γ and differential mRNA expression of IL-1, IL-2, IL-10, IL-12, iNOS, TGF, TNF and GM-CSF. Only one of the peptides (p29) induced secretion of IL-4. Phenotypic analysis showed significant activation of cluster of differentiation 8+ (CD8+), cluster of differentiation 4+ (CD4+) and B+ lymphocyte populations. Findings suggest that Erum2510 rproteins and synthetic peptides can induce both cellular and humoral immune responses, thereby implicating their importance in protection against heartwater.Contribution: This study will facilitate the design of an effective multi-epitope DNA vaccine against heartwater that will contribute to control this economically important disease in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.
Teacher awareness of psychosocial support available as per the Integrated School Health Policy in South Africa
Authors: Pillay Jace , Patel Leila , Setlhare-Kajee Rubina
Published: February 2023

Background: In 2012, the South African government initiated the Integrated School Health Policy (ISHP) to serve as a national guideline on providing school health and support services from key stakeholders such as the Department of Health (DoH), Department of Basic Education (DBE) and Department of Social Development (DSD). However, despite the ISHP regulations, publications report that teachers in under-resourced government schools are not sufficiently equipped to address their learners’ psychosocial challenges.Aim: This study aimed to assess which psychosocial interventions implemented at the schools the school teachers are aware of.Setting: A total of 50 school teachers from five under-resourced primary schools in Gauteng school communities of Meadowlands, Ivory Park, Alexandra and Doornkop-Soweto completed a feedback questionnaire designed by the investigators.Methods: This descriptive study follows a quantitative descriptive design. A comparative descriptive analysis between schools using frequencies, percentages and graphs was used to analyse the results.Results: Results indicate that a school teachers’ ability to support their learners varies per school and is based on their school’s compliance to training their teachers on the school safety protocols and is not affected much by external training. Schools that follow the ISPH regulations on teachers’ training of protocols, better equip their teachers to observe psychosocial challenges their learners face.Conclusion: Despite the availability of guidelines, this study observes a gap in educators’ observations of mental health concerns or external stakeholders responsible for non-physical assistance.Contribution: Findings of this study provide feedback to all relevant stakeholders to assist in their future recommendations planning. One recommendation the authors of this study suggest may be that further studies explore if the lack of mental health observations is a result of poor teachers–student relations or a need for school teachers to be educated on learner mental health risk factors.
The Prognostic Properties of Thyroid Disorders, Hypothyroidism, and Hyperthyroidism in Predicting COVID-19 Poor Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Diagnostic Meta-analysis
Authors: Permana Hikmat , Soeriadi Erwin Affandi , Damara Fachreza Aryo , Soetedjo Nanny Natalia Mulyani
Published: February 2023

Purpose:

The relationship between thyroid metabolism and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) inflammation has been extensively investigated. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prognostic properties of unspecified thyroid disorders, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism for predicting poor COVID-19 outcomes.

Methods:

We conducted systematic literature searching through multiple databases–PubMed, EBSCO and CENTRAL up until 27 September 2021. The main exposure was unspecified thyroid disorders, hypothyroidism or hypothyroidism on-admission status. The outcome of interest was the COVID-19 composite poor outcome that comprises severity, mortality, ICU admission and hospitalisation.

Results:

There were 24517 patients from 20 studies. Meta-analysis showed that thyroid disorder, regardless of its type, was associated with COVID-19 poor outcome (OR 2.92 (95% CI 2.09 – 4.08), P < 0.001; I2
= 71%, P < 0.001). Unspecified thyroid disorder has a sensitivity of 0.17 (0.08–0.33), specificity of 0.94 (0.88–0.97) and Area Under Curve (AUC) of 0.66. Hypothyroidism has a sensitivity of 0.24 (0.12–0.42), specificity of 0.92 (0.87–0.96) and AUC of 0.77. Hyperthyroidism has a sensitivity of 0.05 (0.02–0.11), specificity of 0.98 (0.88–1.00) and AUC of 0.36. In this pooled analysis, the posttest probability of unspecified thyroid disease, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism were 42%, 27% and 8% for poor outcomes, respectively.

Conclusion:

Thyroid disorders are associated with poor COVID-19 prognosis.
Ultrasound-Based Techniques in Diabetic Bone Disease: State of the Art and Future Perspectives
Authors: Gonnelli Stefano , Al Refaie Antonella , Baldassini Leonardo , De Vita Michela , Caffarelli Carla
Published: February 2023

Bone fragility is increasingly recognized as an important complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), and both type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 (T2DM) diabetes are associated with a higher risk of fracture. The causes of bone fragility in diabetic patients are not yet fully understood; probably they are linked to low bone mineral density (BMD), poor bone quality due to the alterations in bone remodelling, microarchitecture and composition of the bone matrix. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is a validated, low-cost and free ionizing radiation alternative to DXA measurement of BMD for the assessment of fracture risk. The results obtained by using QUS in T1DM and T2DM have been summarized and reported in this review. QUS technique presents some benefits but also some limits. These limits could be overcome by radiofrequency echographic multispectrometry (REMS) that is a non-ionizing technology recently introduced for the assessment of bone status that can also calculate parameters related to bone quality and strength. Therefore, REMS may represent a promising approach to evaluate bone status and fragility fracture risk in DM subjects.
Effect of Testosterone Undecanoate on Sexual Functions, Glycaemic Parameters, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Hpogonadal Men with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Gandhi Ronak , Kumar Padala Ravi , Pattanaik Sudhi R. , Sahoo Devadarshini
Published: February 2023

Aims:

To study the effect of testosterone undecanoate on sexual functions, glycaemic parameters, and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in hypogonadal men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods:

It was an open label, single-arm interventional study where testosterone undecanoate (TU) was used in 105 T2DM males aged 30–60 years with hypogonadism. The effect of TU on sexual functions was assessed using the Aging Male Symptoms (AMS) Scale and the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) Questionnaire. The effect on glycaemic parameters, cardiovascular risk factors (lipids, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP] and carotid intima media thickness [CIMT]) were assessed over a period of 54 weeks of TU therapy.

Results:

Prevalence of hypogonadism in T2DM patients was 19.1%, of which 74.1% had functional hypogonadism. AMS and IIEF-5 scores showed negative and positive correlation, respectively, with baseline serum testosterone levels. The AMS score showed a significant reduction of 5.8% and IIEF-5 score improved by 31.5% at 54 weeks of TU therapy. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and lipids such as total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides (TG) were significantly reduced by 0.6%, 10.9%, 6.28%, 9.04%, and 6.77%, respectively, at 54 weeks. CIMT was significantly reduced by 2.57% at 54 weeks, whereas no significant change observed with hsCRP.

Conclusions:

TU is an effective treatment modality for hypogonadal men with T2DM, and it has beneficial effects on sexual functions, glycaemic parameters, and CV risk factors.
Study of Serum Adiponectin and Interleukin-1β Levels in Women with Gestational Diabetes
Authors: Laltlanzovi C. , Choudhury Monisha , Singh Ritu , Sharma Sunita , Raghunandan Chitra , Hrahsel Lalrinawmi
Published: February 2023

Introduction:

Pregnancy is associated with alterations in the regulation of glucose metabolism caused by actions of various placental hormones and substances that antagonise the action of insulin leading to a state of relative insulin resistance as pregnancy progresses. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy. Adiponectin is known to be synthesised by adipocytes as well as by the placenta during pregnancy. It has an insulin-sensitising and anti-atherosclerotic actions. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a member of interleukin-1 cytokine family and is known to involve in immune-mediated disease and regulation of inflammation. Accumulating evidence indicates that diseases related to metabolic syndrome are characterised by abnormal cytokine production, including IL-1β.

Objectives:

To evaluate serum adiponectin and IL-1β levels in women with GDM and correlate their levels with blood glucose level.

Materials and Methods:

A hospital-based case–control study was conducted in which 30 cases of GDM along with age-matched normal glucose tolerance (NGT) pregnant controls were taken. Informed consent was taken and subjects were screened at 24–28th weeks of gestation for GDM by glucose challenge test (GCT), followed by oral glucose tolerance test. Socio-demographic data and clinical evaluation were done using a pre-structured perfoma. Serum concentration of adiponectin and IL-1β was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results:

The mean value of serum adiponectin level was significantly lower, 5.76 μg/ml SD ± 2.01351 in cases of GDM compared to NGT controls (14.12 μg/dl SD ± 4.99734), P < 0.05. A cutoff value of serum adiponectin level ≤8.7 μg/ml gave a sensitivity and specificity of 100% when used alone for identifying cases of GDM in the present study. Serum level of IL-1β was less than the detectable level (<6.5 pg/ml) in NGT controls. In this study, 26.7% of GDM cases showed levels >6.5 pg/ml (median 18.2 [12.8–34.62]), rest of the cases (73.3%) had levels less than 6.5 pg/ml. A significant inverse correlation was seen between serum adiponectin and HbA1c, pre-gestational BMI, and blood glucose level at GCT. There was no significant correlation of serum IL-1β level with any of the parameters.

Conclusion:

GDM is associated with low level of serum adiponectin, and serum adiponectin may be used as a biomarker for detecting cases of GDM to complement blood glucose level.
The effect of using various dentin matrices on bone regeneration in New Zeland white rabbits
Authors: Elkady Eman Elsayed , El-den Ragia El-prince nour , Atiba Ayman , Yasser Sarah
Published: February 2023

Objectives

The aim of this study is evaluating the effect of using various prepartion of dentin matrices on bone regeneration in New Zeland white rabbit model.

Design

The study was conducted on fifty adult New Zealand rabbits, 20 for preparation of experimental materials and 30 for surgical procedures. They were randomly assigned into three equal groups as follow one control group: no treatment and two experimental groups including demineralized group: treated with demineralized dentin matrix (DDM) only; and mixed group: treated with a hybrid of (50% DDM + 50% undemineralized dentin matrix). A rounded critical size defect (10 mm in diameter, 5 mm in depth) was created in the body of mandible. After 3- and 6-weeks postsurgery, the bone regeneration was evaluated by light microscope and computed tomography analysis.

Results

Histological and computed tomography analysis revealed that both dentin matrices had largely resorbed and induced new bone formation at both experimental groups compared to the control group, with statistically higher percentage of new bone formation and bone mineral density in the mixed group.

Conclusion

We concluded that although both dentin matrices improve bone regeneration but, hybrid dentin matrix yielded better results compared to DDM group.
ReGeneraTing agents as matrix-based therapy loaded on gelatin/beta tricalcium phosphate sponge for the treatment of class II furcation defects in vitro
Authors: EL-Meligy Mona A. , EL-Razzak Mona Y. Abd , Al-Hessy Amal A. , Abo-Ali Sara Y.
Published: February 2023

Objectives

The experimental study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of gelatin sponge loaded with β tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) with or without ReGeneraTing agent (RGTA) in the treatment of mandibular class II furcation defects in advanced periodontitis in vitro.

Materials and methods

Three Egyptian Baladi dogs were included with average age 13–16 months and average body weight of 9–10 kg. Six critical size defects class II furcation defects were created in the mandible of each dog, three in the right and three in the left mandibular second, third, and fourth premolars. All defects were made in the same way by the same operator. The defects were treated either with RGTA loaded on gelatin/β-TCP sponge or placebo loaded on gelatin sponge/β-TCP in two groups (group I and group II) that blindly received one of the treatment modalities. Samples were collected from the surgical sites of the experimental defects after 12 weeks.

Results

Histologically and histomorphometrically: there was a statistically significant difference when group I was compared with group II regarding surface area of new bone formation.

Conclusion

RGTA loaded on gelatin/β-TCP sponge could be considered as a potentiating material for periodontal regeneration.
Bone changes associated with rehabilitation of mandibular defects with polyetheretherketone removable partial implant-assisted overdentures
Authors: Qaid Randa M. Al-Hussieny , Rashad Hoda M.A. , Abutaleb Faten A.S. , Sadakah Abd E.A. Elmongy
Published: February 2023

Background/aim

Rehabilitation of the reconstructed mandibular defect is a challenge. Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing have opened a new successful approach to the fabrication of maxillofacial prostheses. This study aimed to evaluate marginal bone changes of abutments, implant, and bone graft height changes for patients treated with polyetheretherketone removable partial implant-assisted overdenture (RPIAO) in mandibular defect rehabilitation.

Patients and methods

Ten patients of both sexes (ages ranging from 55 to 65 years with mean age 60 years) having reconstructed mandibular defects and unsatisfied with their conventional partial dentures participated in the study. Each patient was rehabilitated using telescopic RPIAO. The telescopic RPIAO was fabricated digitally from milled polyetheretherketone, and the implant was inserted using a fully guided surgical guide. Marginal bone changes of abutments, implant and bone graft height changes measurements were performed using cone-beam computed tomography during the 9-month follow-up period.

Results

Range repeated measure analysis of variance was used to comparing bone parameters throwing the durations. After the 9-month follow-up period, the mean and SD of marginal bone level of implants were 7.53 ± 1.25 mm. There was a statistically significant difference between the durations where P value of 0.029. The higher bone loss around the implants occurred in the first 6 months from loading. At the end of the 9-month follow-up period, the mean and SD of marginal bone level of abutments were 10.69 ± 1.53 mm. Between the durations where P value of 0.053, there was no statistically significant difference. At the end of the 9-month follow-up period, the mean and SD of graft height was 16.43 ± 3.04. Between the durations where (P = 0.064), there was no statistically significant difference.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this study, regarding marginal bone height around implants, there was a significant decrease in height during 6 months and decreased amount of marginal bone resorption from 6 to 9 months. While for marginal bone height around abutments and bone graft height, there was an insignificant decrease in height during the overall 9 months.
Omega 3 based formulations as new possible pulpotomy agents for primary teeth
Authors: Metwally Nancy M. , El Hosary Amina M. , El Maghraby Gamal M. , El Demellawy Maha A. , Nabil Mohamed , Deraz Elsayed M.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Pulpotomy is a therapeutic procedure comprising surgical amputation of coronally inflamed pulp. Formocresol (FC) continues to be the most widely used pulpotomy medicament for primary teeth. Unfortunately, the cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of FC draw the attention for the need of an effective safer alternative. The use of natural products as capping material provides a promising substitute. Omega 3 (w3) is one of the most widely used natural material to impart therapeutic function. Oral administration of w3 showed promising anti-inflammatory effect in periodontal diseases but no investigation was conducted to monitor its effect locally in the teeth.

Objective

The aim of this work was to evaluate w3 as pulpotomy agent with reference to FC. The study was extended to assess the antimicrobial activity of the oil.

Methodology

The oil was incorporated in methylcellulose gel, zinc oxide pastes in addition to its application in neat form. In vivo study was conducted on puppies' premolars at 2, 4, and 6 weeks. Different w3 based agents were applied to pulp stump's for subsequent histopathological study. An in vitro antimicrobial activity of these new agents was also assessed using resazurin microtiter assay.

Results

The histological study revealed the following: paste and neat w3 showed less inflammation and more preservation of odontoblastic layer than gel and FC. For antimicrobial assay, Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to w3 alone at the highest tested concentration, while Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans were sensitive to w3 combinations.

Conclusions

w3 is considered as a safer promising pulpotomy agent especially in paste and neat oil forms when compared to FC and it has better antibacterial effect, especially in combination with zinc oxide powder.
Non-embeddable II$_1$ factors resembling the hyperfinite II$_1$ factor
Authors: Goldbring Isaac
Published: February 2023

We consider various statements that characterize the hyperfinite II

_1

factors amongst embeddable II

_1

factors in the non-embeddable situation. In particular, we show that “generically” a II

_1

factor has the Jung property (which states that every embedding of itself into its ultrapower is unitarily conjugate to the diagonal embedding) if and only if it is self-tracially stable (which says that every such embedding has an approximate lifting). We prove that the enforceable factor, should it exist, has these equivalent properties. Our techniques are model-theoretic in nature. We also show how these techniques can be used to give new proofs that the hyperfinite II1 factor has the aforementioned properties.
О сильной и слабой ассоциированности весовых пространств Соболева первого порядка
Authors: Stepanov Vladimir Dmitrievich , Ushakova Elena Pavlovna
Published: February 2023

В работе дан краткий обзор недавних результатов по проблеме характеризации ассоциированных и дважды ассоциированных пространств к функциональным классам, включающим как идеальные, так и неидеальные структуры. К числу последних относятся двухвесовые пространства Соболева первого порядка на положительной полуоси. Показано, что, в отличие от понятия двойственности, ассоциированность может быть "сильной" и "слабой". При этом дважды ассоциированные пространства делятся еще на три типа. В этом контексте установлено, что пространство Соболева функций с компактным носителем обладает слабой ассоциированной рефлексивностью, а сильно ассоциированное к слабому ассоциированному пространству состоит только из нуля. Аналогичными свойствами обладают весовые классы типа Чезаро и Копсона, для которых проблема изучена полностью и установлена их связь с пространствами Соболева со степенными весами. В качестве приложения рассмотрена задача об ограниченности преобразования Гильберта из весового пространства Соболева в весовое пространство Лебега.
Библиография: 49 названий.
Automorphism groups of $\mathbb{P}^1$-bundles over a non-uniruled base
Authors: Bandman Tatiana , Zarhin Yuri Gennad'evich
Published: February 2023

In this survey we discuss holomorphic $\mathbb{P}^1$-bundles $p\colon X \to Y$ over a non-uniruled complex compact Kähler manifold $Y$, paying a special attention to the case when $Y$ is a complex torus. We consider the groups $\operatorname{Aut}(X)$ and $\operatorname{Bim}(X)$ of its biholomorphic and bimeromorphic automorphisms, respectively, and discuss when these groups are bounded, Jordan, strongly Jordan, or very Jordan.
Bibliography: 88 titles.