bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation of the Citizen’s Charter of Frontline Service Providers in the 4th District, Camarines Sur, Philippines
Authors: Jose Jennifer Cordez San
Published: May 2023

The passage of RA 11032 or Ease of Doing Business for Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 aims to improve services by re-engineering, simplifying requirements and procedures, and promptly responding to the needs of the public. However, its passage did not result in salutary gains. The study evaluated the Citizen’s Charter compliance of the Local Government Units in the 4th District of Camarines Sur. Specifically, it has two objectives: 1) to evaluate the compliance of the local government units in 4th District, Camarines Sur with the information requirements of the Citizen’s Charter as provided by RA 11032, 2) to obtain feedback on its implementation in terms of visibility, clarity of content, usefulness, and actual compliance. The study is Descriptive-Evaluative. Participated by 161 respondents composed of the key officials, frontline service providers, and service recipients from the Local Treasury, Business Permit and Licensing, and Engineering Offices of Tigaon, Goa, and Lagonoy, Camarines Sur. Purposive sampling technique was used in choosing the key officials and frontline service providers while convenience sampling was used in choosing the service recipients. The study used site observation scoring guide, 4-point Likert scale questionnaire and interviews. The study found that the required information in the Citizen’s Charter of the study areas did not meet the CSC Report Card Survey passing mark of 8.4 or 70% using the scoring rubric. Conversely, the three groups of respondents strongly agree that the Citizen’s Charter is implemented in terms of visibility, clarity of content, usefulness, and actual compliance of the Citizen’s Charter. Thus, a disparity between the Likert survey results and interviews during the validation of data was found. Service recipients are not aware of the Citizen’s Charter. The routine procedures of doing business with the service providers enable the service recipients to transact even without knowledge about the same. The study recommends LGUs, CSC and other line agencies to strengthen the implementation of the Citizen’s Charter through awareness programs, capacity building, updating of the Citizen’s Charter, monitoring of its implementation, and continuous research and extension undertakings of academic and field practitioners.
Utility of Peer Mentorship Programmes in Addressing Disruptive Behaviours Among Secondary Schools Students in Informal Settlements in Nairobi County, Kenya
Authors: Limisi Susan Kingoina , Kipruto John , Ngeno Godfrey
Published: May 2023

Data shows that there are increased cases of students’ misbehaviours in Kenya’s secondary schools. Notably, education in schools in informal setups in Nairobi County, Kenya, is faced with unique challenges when compared to those in formal setups, which may affect students’ learning and behaviours. The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of peer mentorship programmes to address disruptive behaviours among secondary school students in informal settlements in Nairobi County. Based on a review of literature on practices in Nairobi’s slums and Brazil’s favelas, the study conceived that the informal setups predisposed learners to risky behaviours, which are easily imported into schools. The study sought to establish the influence of peer mentorship on addressing disruptive behaviours among secondary school students in schools located in Nairobi’s Informal Settlements. Guided by the Self-Determination theory, the study adopted a pragmatic paradigm and mixed method research approach. It generated and data analysed qualitatively and quantitatively data on 9 selected schools from primary and secondary sources to generate its findings. The study established that peer mentorship accounted for a 59.2% variation in disruptive behaviours among learners and significantly influenced student behaviours. From the findings, peer mentorship programmes (β=0.598, p=0.000) had a significant influence on disruptive behaviours with a p value<0.05. Peer mentorship exists, albeit rudimentary, and helps in shaping students’ behaviours and thus, had a positive influence on disruptive behaviour. The study recommends that Kenya’s Ministry of Education and stakeholders facilitate and sensitizes schools to invest in, own and implement peer mentorship as a strategy for behaviour modification. Peer mentorship can instill discipline, making education institutions manageable, and improving learning outcomes for schools in close proximity to slums and elsewhere world-over.
Digital Technologies and Their Impact in Music Education / Aportul tehnologiilor digitale în educația muzicală
Authors: Moldovan Maria
Published: May 2023

Moldovan MARIA - Digital Technologies and Their Impact in Music Education / Aportul tehnologiilor digitale în educația muzicală ABSTRACT Global communication technologies have become omnipresent nowadays, having a great impact on all aspects of life. Their advanced progression has had a considerable influence on the educational process, which they have optimized, leading to significant changes in planning and forwarding the curriculum. Music technologies developed a revolution in teaching-learning-assessment processes all over the world and continue to be considered valuable tools that boost education and assure continuity in periods of crisis. The use of ICT in recent decades has generated the extension of objectives in music education from developing the ability to understand music and perform it using voice and musical instruments, to composition, which becomes an aim for all school children commencing to study music at a young age. Therefore, using the access to hardware and software resources, music technologies have designed a golden age where the public has access to each and every tool needed to create musical compositions. ICT has the credit of contributing to the importance that music sessions should have in the educational frame of the cultural field and classify the discipline in the sphere of subjects that naturally facilitate interdisciplinarity, a potential that we need to build on.
Study on the Impact of Private Enterprises' Participation in the Mixed Reform of State-owned Enterprises on the Value Preservation and Appreciation of State-owned Assets
Authors: Geng Yueying , Li Zhenjin , Tan Xiao , Zhou Zhi-qiang
Published: May 2023

State-owned listed companies in the commercial category in Shanghai and Shenzhen A-shares from 2013 to 2020 were selected as the research sample. Data related to the shareholding and delegated behavior of private shareholders among the top ten shareholders are utilized. Using a fixed-effects model, we empirically analyze the impact of private companies' participation in the mixed reform of state-owned enterprises on the value preservation and appreciation of state-owned assets at the equity level and the management right level. Explore the moderating effects of internal control and the level of market-oriented development on the above relationships. The study shows that the participation of private enterprises in the mixed reform of SOEs can effectively contribute to the value preservation and appreciation of state-owned assets, both at the equity level and at the management level. Meanwhile, the level of internal control of SOEs has a significant positive moderating effect on the relationship between the participation of private firms in SOEs' mixed reform and the value-added of SOEs' assets; The participation of private firms can effectively compensate for the impact of insufficient market development on the value-added of SOEs' assets.
DIFERENÇAS REGIONAIS NA OFERTA DE TRABALHO NO BRASIL
Authors: Filho Valdelei Peretti , Da Cunha Marina Silva
Published: May 2023

Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar o comportamento da oferta de trabalho no Brasil. Busca-se verificar o perfil da oferta de trabalho no Brasil e suas diferenças regionais, com os dados provenientes da Pesquisa Mensal do Emprego. A oferta de trabalho se concentra em São Paulo e Rio de Janeiro, em que os homens têm a maior participação, embora a ocupação feminina apresente avanços em relação à masculina no período, com retração das desigualdades, como dos rendimentos. Por outro lado, a qualificação aumentou mais entre os homens, que ainda possuem um nível inferior ao delas. Os resultados do trabalho indicam ainda que há diferenças regionais importantes na oferta de trabalho, como exemplo uma maior taxa de participação e menor desocupação nas Regiões Metropolitanas do Sul.
O USO DA CASCA DE ARROZ COMO ALTERNATIVA ENERGÉTICA: UM ESTUDO DE CASO NO MUNICÍPIO DE DOM PEDRITO - RS
Authors: Nunes Osmar Manoel
Published: May 2023

A biomassa é uma fonte de energia limpa e quando corretamente utilizada possui pouquíssima emissão de poluentes. Esse trabalho apresenta a queima da casca de arroz em uma empresa do setor orizícola, no município de Dom Pedrito – Rio Grande do Sul, para geração de energia, o destino do excedente de casca e para onde são enviadas as cinzas resultantes da queima, tendo por objetivo estudar a geração de energia através da queima de casca de arroz, quantificando as cascas de arroz convertidas em energia bem como as que não são aproveitadas na queima e o destino das cinzas após a queima. O procedimento metodológico é caracterizado como um estudo de caso realizado na empresa Coradini Alimentos, na qual também foi aplicado questionário estruturado para levantamento de dados, a fundamentação teórica foi realizada através de levantamento bibliográfico. Com a queima da casca de arroz resolveu-se um grande problema ambiental causado pela liberação de gases prejudiciais ao meio ambiente decorrentes do descarte incorreto da mesma, além de reduzir custos com transporte e armazenamento da casca, diminuição de mão-de-obra, eliminou a compra de lenha, além disso, possibilitou a geração de energia elétrica que hoje em dia é um dos principais fatores para se medir a qualidade de vida das pessoas.
O PRONAF E SUA OPERACIONALIZAÇÃO NA PERSPECTIVA DOS AGRICULTORES FAMILIARES E ATORES ENVOLVIDOS NO PROCESSO
Authors: Santos Stela Mares , Del Grossi Mauro Eduardo
Published: May 2023

Objetivou-se com este estudo, avaliar o PRONAF e sua operacionalização no município de Unaí/MG, nas perspectivas dos agricultores familiares, representantes do Sindicato dos Trabalhadores Rurais, das empresas de Assistência Técnica e Extensão Rural – ATER e do agente financeiro. Os dados de campo foram coletados por meio de entrevistas não estruturadas e semiestruturada. Dentre os principais resultados, destacam-se: existem falhas na comunicação e divulgação do programa e pouco entrosamento entre os atores locais; a formatação da política atende às necessidades dos agricultores familiares, porém os recursos são mal distribuídos; para grande parte dos agricultores pesquisados, a assistência técnica, na prática, ocorre apenas na elaboração dos projetos; as maiores dificuldades apontadas pelos pesquisados estão relacionadas, principalmente, com a atuação do agente financeiro, a comercialização da produção e as deficiências na assistência técnica. O PRONAF é percebido positivamente pelos atores locais e pelos agricultores familiares.
EFICIÊNCIA NAS UNIVERSIDADES FEDERAIS BRASILEIRA: UMA APLICAÇÃO DA ANÁLISE ENVOLTÓRIA DE DADOS
Authors: Martinez Cohen Maria de los Angeles , Paixão Adriano Nascimento , Oliveira Nilton Marques
Published: May 2023

Este artigo tem por objetivo mensurar a eficiência de 56 universidades federais brasileiras. Os dados foram obtidos no sitio do Tribunal de Contas da União (TCU). As variáveis utilizadas foram o índice de qualificação do corpo docente e o conceito capes da pós-graduação. A técnica empregada para mensuração foi a Análise Envoltória de dados (DEA). Os principais resultados da pesquisa apontaram níveis de eficiência para cada grupo analisado. No grupo I, 37,5 % das universidades tiveram resultados eficientes e no grupo II 53,12%.  As causas da ineficiência em cada grupo estiveram relacionadas a fatores diferentes, por exemplo, aquelas universidades com os melhores índices de qualificação do corpo docentes e conceito capes (grupo I), apresentaram excessos de custo corrente por aluno. Por outro lado, a principal causa de ineficiência no grupo II foi explicada pela escassez na taxa de sucesso na graduação e o excesso no índice de qualificação do corpo docente.
Keuntungan Usaha Tanaman Hias Aglaonema Pink Katrina Di Kecamatan Ilir Barat I Kota Palembang
Authors: Kurniati Emmy , Kertasari Viayadini , Susiana Susiana
Published: May 2023

Tujuan penelitian ini untuk menghitung : 1)Biaya produksi yang dikeluarkan dan pendapatan yang diterima dalam usaha tanaman hias Aglaonema Pink Katrina di Kecamatan Ilir Barat I Kota Palembang. 2)Menganalisis tingkat keuntungan dalam usaha tanaman hias Aglaonema Pink Katrina di Kecamatan Ilir Barat I Kota Palembang. Metode pengambilan contoh yang digunakan adalah Purposive Sampling dengan penetapan sampel sebanyak 15 orang responden. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dan pembahasan maka dapat ditarik kesimpulan 1)Besarnya biaya produksi usaha tanaman hias Aglaonema Pink Katrina yang dikeluarkan oleh pengelola di Kecamatan Ilir Barat I Kota Palembang adalah rata-rata sebesar Rp. 6.304.733 per polybag per bulan dan besarnya biaya pendapatan dari usaha tanaman hias Aglaonema Pink Katrina adalah rata-rata sebesar Rp.3.429.641 per polybag per bulan. 2)Dari hasil analisis R/C diperoleh nilai sebesar 1,53. Nilai R/C 1,53 ini menunjukkan setiap pengeluaran satu rupiah pada usaha tanaman hias Aglaonema Pink Katrina dapat diperoleh hasil penjualan Rp. 1,53 sehingga usaha tanaman hias Aglaonema Pink Katrina yang diusahakan oleh pengelola tanaman hias Aglaonema Pink Katrina di Kecamatan Ilir Barat I menguntungkan.
STUDI PENGGUNAAN INTERNET REMAJA DESA DI KABUPATEN BENGKULU TENGAH
Authors: Romdhon Muhamad Mustopa , Nusril Nusril , Agustin Dewi Agustin
Published: May 2023

Pengguna internet semakin meningkat dan meluas dari waktu ke waktu, terutama di daerah pedesaan. Pemuda Desa Sidodadi menggunakan internet sebagai sarana pendidikan, hiburan dan komunikasi yang mereka butuhkan. Pertanyaannya adalah bagaimana internet digunakan oleh pemuda pedesaan di Desa Sidodadi, Kecamatan Pondok Kelapa, Kabupaten Bengkulu Tengah. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode survei, dimana responden ditentukan dengan stratified random sampling dari dua kelompok (KU), yaitu KU 10-15 tahun dan KU 16-22 tahun. Data dianalisis secara deskriptif kuantitatif yang disajikan dalam bentuk nilai frekuensi, rata-rata dan persentase, serta dideskripsikan dalam bentuk pernyataan. Hasil penelitian ditemukan bahwa remaja pedesaan dominan menggunakan internet sebagai sarana 1) pengetahuan dengan waktu akses internet dominan pada malam hari, durasi 3,85 jam melalui Google, 2) waktu akses internet dominan pada siang hari, akses lokasi di rumah melalui Youtube, dan 3) waktu akses komunikasi dominan pada siang hari, akses lokasi di rumah melalui Whatsapp. Oleh karena itu, diperlukan kedisiplinan bagi pemuda pedesaan dalam mengalokasikan waktu untuk mengakses internet. Pengawasan orang tua karena lokasi akses internet dominan dari rumah dan durasi penggunaan internet dominan sebagai sarana hiburan dan komunikasi. Pengawasan dan pengarahan guru di sekolah agar durasi akses internet dapat meningkatkan kemampuan literasi media remaja yang dominan sebagai siswa SMP dan SMA.
POTENSI BENEFIT DALAM PEREMAJAAN PERKEBUNAN KARET BERBASIS KELESTARIAN LINGKUNGAN DI KECAMATAN MEGANG SAKTI KABUPATEN MUSI RAWAS
Authors: Amin Zaini , Wasmi Ahmad , Wahyuni Nenny
Published: May 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis nilai benefit peremajaan tanaman karet. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di Kabupaten Musi Rawas pada bulan Maret hingga Juni 2021. Metode survei yang dilakukan kepada 40 orang petani dengan menggunakan teknik stratified random sampling: Hasil alokasi proporsional. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa secara finansial usaha ini telah memberikan keuntungan sebesar Rp 3.190.000. Di sisi lain, hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa dunia usaha dapat memberikan manfaat sosial, ekonomi, dan kelestarian lingkungan dalam bentuk penyediaan pupuk organik alami; peningkatan kesehatan masyarakat dan kesehatan lingkungan, multiplier effect terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi, pendapatan, nilai tambah dan lapangan kerja; dan mengurangi emisi gas rumah kaca berupa CH4, CO2 dan CO.
Cross-sectional analysis of relationship between strategic orientation, structural arrangements and size of enterprises in Croatia
Authors: Mihanović Danijela , Matić Ivan
Published: May 2023

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the two basic constructs of organizational design, strategic orienta-tion, and structural arrangements, as well as to re-examine the role of enterprise size in the variations of both con-structs.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out by regu-lar mail in the first half of 2019, using already existing and empirically validated measurement instruments for the constructs of strategic orientation and organizational struc-ture characteristics. Management board representatives or managing directors of the contacted enterprises were asked for their views on the situation in their enterprise in rela-tion to the researched constructs. Descriptive and bivariate statistical analyses were performed.Results: On the sample of 37 enterprises, the strategic orien-tation ‘analyzer enterprise’ was predominant. In addition, organic organizational structure characteristics slightly prevailed over mechanistic characteristics. A regression analysis was carried out, establishing a positive relation-ship between strategic orientation and organizational structure characteristics (R2=0.160; P=0.014), especially with communication as a characteristic of mentioned organiza-tional structure (R2=0.239; P=0.002). T-tests confirmed the significance of the role of enterprise size for organizational structure characteristics (P=0.067). In other words, larger enterprises tend to foster mechanistic organizational struc-ture characteristics. Variations in the types of strategic ori-entation of enterprises were not related to the size of those enterprises (P=0.296).Conclusion: The design and adaptation of organizational and structural arrangements of enterprises are related to their selected strategic orientation. An increase in enter-prise size inevitably leads to more rigid mechanistic struc-tural arrangements, while the status of a small enterprise does not automatically imply the ‘prospector’ strategic ori-entation or the successful development and implementa-tion of innovations.
Peningkatan Hasil Belajar Kimia Materi Larutan Penyangga dengan Metode Tutor Sebaya
Authors: Rujinem Rujinem
Published: May 2023

Tujuan penelitian tindakan kelas ini adalah  untuk mengetahui peningkatan  hasil belajar materi larutan penyangga dengan metode tutor sebaya pada peserta didik kelas XI MIPA-2 Semester genap dengan model pembelajaran kooperatif. Penelitian tindakan kelas ini diawali dengan prestasi dan motivasi belajar kelas XI MIPA-2 masih rendah, sehingga penulis mempunyai ide mempraktikkan metode mengajar yang divariasi sehingga prestasi meningkat. Penelitian tindakan kelas ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui peningkatan hasil belajar dengan  metode Tutor sebaya  pada materi larutan penyangga. Jenis metode  penelitian yang digunakan Penelitian Tindakan Kelas (PTK). Langkah penelitian terdiri dari perencanaan, pelaksanaan tindakan, pengamatan dan refleksi. Subyek penelitian ini adalah peserta kelas XI MIPA-2 SMA Negeri 1 Srandakan semester genap dengan jumlah 23 anak. Penelitian dilaksanakan 2 siklus dengan pengumpulan data penelitian menggunakan lembar pengamatan  (observasi) dan hasil tes ulangan harian pada materi larutan penyangga. Pelaksanaan dalam penelitian ini menggunakan teknik kolaborasi. Penelitian ini menggunakan analisa deskriptif kualitatif. Data hasil penelitian tindakan kelas menunjukkan  peningkatan hasil belajar, siklus 1 rata-rata 69,95 dan persentase ketuntasan 65,21 % dan siklus  II  rata-rata nilai 76,09 dan persentase ketuntasan 82,60 %. Pembelajaran dengan metode tutor sebaya mampu meningkatkan hasil belajar kimia materi larutan penyangga.
Strategi Pemasaran Jasa Pendidikan dalam Meningkatkan Minat Masyarakat Masuk Sekolah Dasar Islam Terpadu
Authors: Zulfiah Evi , Putri Nita Novia Nugraha , Fadhilah Muinah
Published: May 2023

Tujuan penelitian guna mencari strategi marketing, marketing implementasi dan faktor baik pendukung maupun penghambat dalam rangka meningkatkan minat masyarakat masuk SDIT Luqman Al Hakim Timoho. Metode yang digunakan deskriptif kualitatif, teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan wawancara, observasi dan dokumentasi. Analisis data penelitian ini adalah analisis kualitatif yang terdiri dari reduksi data, penyajian dan kesimpulan. Keabsahan data menggunakan triangulasi yaitu pencocokan data wawancara, observasi dan dokumentasi. Hasil strategi marketing jasa pendidikan dalam rangka meningkatkan minat masyarakat yaitu dengan melakukan kerja sama antara yayasan dan guru lokal dan masyarakat anggota, baik dalam bidang kurikulum manajemen, manajemen siswa, manajemen infrastruktur, manajemen keuangan, sekolah dan manajemen hubungan masyarakat dan manajemen layanan khusus. Implementasi pemasaran yang diterapkan yaitu melakukan segmen pasar, menentukan pasar sasaran, dan melakukan posisi pasar, serta buaran pemasaran. Faktor pendukung: sekolah mempunyai pendidik yang mengajar sesuai dengan bidangnya yang menjadikan pengguna jasa pendidikan semakin yakin dengan SDIT Luqman Hakim mempunyai cara pemasaran yang berbeda dibandingkan kompetitor yang lain sekelasnya, dan Seluruh civitas akademika, wali murid, komite dan lembaga-lembaga mitra baik pemerintah atau swasta suport sistem dari yayasan. Faktor penghambat yaitu tingkat kepedulian dari sumber daya manusia belum maksimal dalam mengembangkan potensi yang ada, belum luasnya jaringan, masih kurangnya konsep program, pengawalan program belum dimaksimalkan belum lengkapnya sarana dan prasaran, masih adanya masyarakat yang belum percaya dengan sekolah swasta, masih kurangnya minat peserta didik dalam hal jam pembelajaran yang lebih lama.
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Authors: . Pafmj
Published: May 2023

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Conventional Ultrasonography: A Remarkable Tool in Early Detection of Benign Ovarian Lesions in Comparison to Gold Standard MRI
Authors: Jabeen Naila , Walid Ayesha , Rasheed Binish , Naz Nasreen , Rahim Anila , Siddiqui Rabeeya Qutub uddin
Published: May 2023

Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficiency of ultrasonography in the accurate diagnosis of benign ovarian lesions as compared to the gold standard Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Study Design: Prospective analytical cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Dow Institute of Radiology, Dow University of health sciences (DUHS), OJHA Campus, Karachi, Pakistan, from Jun 2018 to Nov 2019

Methodology: The consecutive sampling technique was used to recruit the patients. The frequency and percentage, and mean and standard deviation were calculated for qualitative and quantitative variables, respectively. The p-value <0.05 considered assignificant.

Results: Majority of the patients were aged ≥20 years (49.06%) and were obese (13.21%). Majority of the participants (88.68%) were married where 69.81% had normal menstrual status and 11.32% had menopause. On cross-tabulation, tumor status (Benign) was found to have a very high significant association with age and BMI at p-value <0.001 and menstrual status at pvalue 0.000. Benign lesions were most prevalent (60.47%) among 20-29 years old and the PPV is 92.86%; Diagnostic accuracy for this age group is 95.35%. PPV, NPV, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy were 100 % for Underweight, premenopause patients with 16 to 30 days symptoms. Benign tumor was more prevalent among patients with normal BMI (93.48%), post-menopause (63.64%), symptoms’ duration of 1 to 3years (66.67%), single (37.06%) and cystic mass (49.52%).

Conclusion: Ultrasonography showed excellent diagnostic accuracy in the detection of benign ovarian tumors.
Patterns of Cytopenias Associated with Methotrexate Treated Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Authors: Malik Mohsin Shakoor , Fakhr Amer , Hakim Farzana , Amer Ahsan
Published: May 2023

Objective: To determine the frequency of various patterns of cytopenias with Methotrexate-treated rheumatoid arthritis patients and the correlation of pancytopenia with various factors.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Rheumatology/General Medicine Department, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi from May 2019 to Mar 2020.

Methodology: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were managed with Methotrexate for more than six months were included in the study. Full blood counts were performed for all the patients from the laboratory of the hospital. The frequency of monocytopenia, bi-cytopenia and pancytopenia were calculated.

Results: Mean age of the study participants was 37.41±5.72 years. One hundred and sixty-eight 168(84%) patients had the presence of any cytopenia, while 32 (16%) did not show the presence of any cytopenia on full blood count. The advancing age and use of polypharmacy had a statistically significant association with cytopenias among patients with rheumatoid arthritis managed with Methotrexate (p-value <0.05).

Conclusion: The presence of cytopenia emerged as a relatively common finding among rheumatoid arthritis patients managed with Methotrexate. Advanced age of the patient and patients who required more than one medication to control the symptoms of RA were found at a higher risk for developing pancytopenia while being managed with Methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis.
Comparison of Changes in Endothelial Corneal Cell Count of Vitrectomized Silicone Oil-Filled Eyes
Authors: Hannan Abdul , Zafar Sarah , Bashir Aziz Jan , Massana Hassan , Habib Kashif , Naeem Abdullah
Published: May 2023

Objective: To determine the mean endothelial cell change in patients undergoing vitrectomy with silicon oil replacement and to compare the corneal endothelial cell loss frequency of phakic, pseudophakic, and aphakic Vitrectomized Silicone Oil-filled eyes.

Study Design: Cross-sectional Study.

Place and Duration of Study: Retina Department, Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Aug 2020 to Jan 2021.

Methodology: A total of one hundred patients of either gender, aged 50-80 years, who underwent vitrectomy with silicon oil replacement were enrolled in the study. Patients were assigned to one of the three groups based on their lens status, phakic,pseudophakic and aphakic. Mean endothelial count density before and three months after vitrectomy was estimated in all the patients.

Results: Cell loss was higher in the pseudophakic and aphakic groups than in the phakic groups. More than 5% cell loss at three months was observed in 11.8%, 21.2% and 33.3% in the phakic, pseudophakic, and aphakic groups, respectively (p-value 0.102).

Conclusions: Mean endothelial cell loss was higher in the pseudophakic and aphakic groups than in the phakic groups.
Resilience in the Face of Psychiatric Morbidity Among COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Ahmed Waqas , Safdar Sachal Aqeel , Ali Sohail , Khan Sana , Azeem Asif , Malik Nouman
Published: May 2023

Objective: To study the effects of COVID-related psychiatric morbidity on the psychological resilience of male patients.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Pak Emirates Military Hospital (PEMH), Rawalpindi and PNS Shifa, Karachi Pakistan from Apr to Jul 2020.

Methodology: One hundred and thirteen male patients filled out the depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21) on day zero and the Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CDRS) on day 180. Mean values were calculated for each component of DASS21 and resilience. Pearson correlation was applied to establish statistical significance.

Results: The mean values were highest for stress (2.65±4.52), followed by depression (2.02±5.28) and then anxiety (3.63±5.96). The mean resilience was found to be 72.4±14.2. There was a significant negative correlation between each of the three measurements of DASS-21 and its total value with resilience (p<0.01). All three aspects of DASS-21 increased with age [depression {r(111)= 0.33, p<0.01}, anxiety {r(111)= 0.39, p<0.01} and stress {r(111)= 0.30, p<0.01}].

Conclusion: Resilience among hospitalized COVID-19-positive patients is reduced compared to the normal population. As depression, stress and anxiety increase, resilience decreases proportionately.
Comparison of Effects of LED Phototherapy with Compact Fluorescent Phototherapy in Neonates with Hyperbilirubinemia
Authors: Saleem Amna , Ahmed Bilal , Shah Sajid Ali , Subhani Fahim Ahmed , Ayub Ammara , Shiekh Saba Afzal
Published: May 2023

Objective: To compare the mean post-treatment bilirubin level with light emitting diode (LED) phototherapy versus compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) phototherapy in neonates presenting with hyperbilirubinemia

Study Design: Comparative prospective study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Paediatrics, Pakistan Railway Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jan to Dec 2019.

Methodology: Hundred children fulfilling the inclusion criteria were recuited in the study from Emergency Department. Then neonates were divided into two groups. In Group-A, neonates underwent phototherapy with LED; in Group-B, neonates underwent phototherapy with conventional phototherapy. Then neonates were followed up in the neonatal intensive care unit for 24 hours. Pre and post-treatment reports were assessed, and bilirubin level was noted.

Results: In Group-A, the mean age of neonates was 49.12±23.42 hours, while in Group-B was 38.70±15.42 hours. In Group-A, the mean Bilirubin level at baseline was 13.64±5.98 gm/dl and in Group-B was 15.88±5.44 gm/dl. In Group-A, the mean Bilirubin level after 24 hours was 8.47±4.96 gm/dl and in Group-B was 9.538±5.35 gm/dl. In both groups, no significant difference in the mean bilirubin level was observed after 24 hours (p-value=0.30).

Conclusion: Light-emitting diode phototherapy and compact fluorescent lamp phototherapy are equally effective in a mean reduction in the total serum bilirubin after 24 hours.
Typhoid Ileal Perforation: Comparative Study of Ileostomy Versus Primary Repair and associated Morbidity and Mortality
Authors: Gul Shahzore , Parveen Sughra , Iqbal Mazhar , Ahmed Tanveer , Khan Imran , Nawaz Ali
Published: May 2023

Objectives: To study the result of primary repair with ileostomy in cases of typhoid ileal perforation.

Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi Pakistan, from May 2019 to Jun 2020

Methodology: Participants who were operated on for typhoid ileal perforation were included, while patients who presented with a hollow viscus perforation other than ileal perforation were excluded from the study. Peritoneal lavage and exploration were performed. All per-operative findings were documented. In addition, the socio-demographic and clinical parameters, including the postoperative complications and morbidity/mortality, were documented.

Results: Out of the 73 individuals with ileal perforation included in this research, 52 underwent primary repair, whereas 21 underwent ileostomy. Patients who had undergone ileostomy had a higher morbidity (61.90%) and mortality (19.00%) rate than patients in the Primary Repair Group. In addition, patients in the ileostomy Group had significantly higher rates of wound dehiscence and infection, electrolyte imbalance, and weight loss than patients in the Primary Repair Group.

Conclusion: The current study indicates that primary repair is an ideal procedure for typhoid ileal perforation compared to an ileostomy.
Evaluation of Serum Vitamin D Levels Among Patients with Viral Warts
Authors: Kanwal Shamsa , Ur Rehman Farid , Fatima Bilqees , Waqar Qureshi Sana , Jamil Sibqa , Nawaz Khan Rab
Published: May 2023

Objective: To evaluate serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) in patients with viral warts.

Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Dermatology Department, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jul to Dec 2020.

Methodology: One hundred patients were included in the study, 50 with viral warts (Group-1) and 50 without warts (Group2). Our study included both male and female patients of 10 to 60 years of age. Three categories were made according to their serum vitamin D levels. First, all participants were tested for serum vitamin D levels using ELISA.

Results: In Group-1, 20(40%) had insufficient, and 25(50%) had deficient vitamin D levels. A statistically significant decrease in serum 25-OHD levels (p = 0.004) was found in patients with viral warts. In Group-2, 9(18%) had insufficient, and 2(4%) had deficient vitamin D levels. The mean serum vitamin D level was 22.61±10.11 in Group-1 and 45.12±24.60 in Group-2, resulting in a significant difference between patients with viral warts and those without viral warts regarding serum vitamin D levels (p=0.004).

Conclusion: Patients with viral warts have deficient vitamin D levels.
Intra-abdominal Hypertension and its Outcome in Patients Admitted in Surgical ICU after Laparotomy
Authors: Malik Muhammad Irfan , Khan Burki Ahmed Mujadid , Ameer Khalid , Iqbal Muhammad Rashid , Jalil Asif , Aslam Mehreen
Published: May 2023

Objective: To assess the frequency of intra-abdominal hypertension and its relationship with outcomes among patients of laparotomy admitted to the intensive care unit.

Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital ,Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Apr to Sep 2021.

Methodology: Two-hundred patients who underwent laparotomy admitted to the intensive care unit of Combined Military Hospital were recruited in our study. Intra-abdominal pressure was measured after every 8 hours for 72 hours after admission to the intensive care unit. In addition, patients were followed up for two weeks from admission in the intensive care unit to assess the outcome.

Results: Out of two hundred patients, 150(75%) had good outcomes, while 50(25%) had poor outcomes. The mean age of patients who underwent the surgery was 40.63±9.448 years. 171(85.5%) patients did not have raised intra-abdominal pressure, while 29(14.5%) had intra-abdominal hypertension. High Body mass index and poor outcome had a significant association with the presence and severity of intra-abdominal hypertension among study participants (p-value<0.05).

Conclusion: Considerable number of patients had intra-abdominal hypertension during their stay in the critical care unit after laparotomy. A high grade of intra-abdominal hypertension was associated with poor outcomes in our study participants.
The Ever-Worsening Antimicrobial Resistance in Enterobacterales; A wakeup call
Authors: Ali Fatima , Mirza Irfan , Waseem Hafsa , Zafar Humaira
Published: May 2023

Objective: To determine the comprehensive antibiotic susceptibility profile of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales among clinical samples received at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Rawalpindi.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Apr to Sep 2020

Methodology: Over six months, 150 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales were isolated at the Armed Forces Institute ofPathology, Rawalpindi Pakistan. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer Disk-Diffusion technique, and their susceptibility was interpreted according to the CLSI 2020 and EUCAST 2020 guidelines.

Results: Out of 150 clinical isolates resistant to Carbapenems, 99(66%) were identified as Klebsiella Pneumoniae, followed by Escherichia Coli 38(25.7%), Proteus Mirabilis 7(4.6%), Enterobacter Cloacae, Serratia Marcescens, Citrobacter Freundii, Providencia retgerii 1(0.6%) each. The isolates were highly resistant to the following categories of antibiotics tested. For Penicillins/Cephalosporins and their combinations, the resistance range was between 94 to 100%, and it was and >79% for Aminoglycosides, >97% for Fluoroquinolones and >48% for Tetracyclines. Isolates showed the highest susceptibility to Colistin, 94(92%) out of 102 then to Tigecycline 81(81%) out of 100, followed by Fosfomycin 60(78.9%) out of 76, Minocycline 41(52%) out of 79 and Doxycycline 33(50%) out of 66.

Conclusion: Extensively drug-resistant Enterobacterales ‘Superbugs’ with ever-worsening antimicrobial resistance threaten the human race back to the pre-antibiotic era. This real menace cautions against the lack of antimicrobials for treating lethal and hazardous infections caused by such difficult-to-treat bacteria in times to come.
Effect of Lower Limb Compression Stockings on Hemodynamic Stability in Obstetric Patients undergoing Lower Segment Cesarean Section under Spinal Anaesthesia
Authors: Ali Iftikhar , Iftikhar Hina , Rahman Habib Ur , Majeed Kaukab , Khalid Usman , Latif Hira
Published: May 2023

Objective: To compare the effects of lower limb compression stockings and control in terms of frequency of bradycardia, hypotension and hypotensive symptoms in a group of obstetric patients undergoing lower segment cesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.

Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anesthesiology Combined Military Hospital, Multan Pakistan, from Aug 2020 to Feb 2021.

Methodology: One hundred women undergoing cesarean section under spinal anaesthesia from 18-45 years were included. Obstetric patients between 18–45 years of age, Non-labouring parturient, ASA Status I / II planned for Caesarean section were included. Patients were randomly divided into two treatment groups, i.e., Mechanical pump Group (Group M) and the Control Group (Group C), with Consecutive Non-probability sampling. The frequency of hypotensive symptoms, hypotension and bradycardia in both groups was noted.

Results: Frequency of hypotensive symptoms, hypotension and bradycardia in the compression stockings group was found in 18(36.0%), 8(16.0%) and 11(22.0%) patients while in 38(76.0%), 32(64.0%) and 30(60.0%) patients in the control group (p-value = 0.0001).

Conclusion: We concluded that the frequency of hypotensive symptoms, hypotension and bradycardia is less after lower limb compression stockings given to obstetric patients undergoing lower-segment cesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.
Diagnosis of Fungal Sinusitis; Is Fungal Culture a Must?
Authors: Aziz Mubashrah , Mailk Sadia , Manzoor Muniba , Aziz Sadaf , Aziz Munazzah , Manzoor Muzammil
Published: May 2023

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT) of paranasal sinuses (PNS) in detecting fungal sinusitis keeping fungal culture as the gold standard.

Study Design: Cross-sectional validation study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Radiology, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jun 2018 to Jun 2019.

Methodology: A total of 323 patients of either gender were included in the study (aged from 10-70 years). All the patients underwent plain CT scans of paranasal sinuses, and the CT scan findings were reported and recorded on pre-designed proforma. Results were then compared with the culture report of each patient respectively.

Results: Among all the patients undergoing CT scans, paranasal sinuses 177 were True Positives, while 07 were False Positives. Out of a total of 139 CT scan-negative patients, 6 (False Negative) had fungal sinusitis on culture, whereas 133 (True Negative) had no fungal sinusitis on culture (p=0.001). Overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of CT scan Paranasal sinuses were 96.72%, 95.0%, 96.20%, 95.68% and 95.98%,respectively.

Conclusion: CT scan of paranasal sinuses is a highly sensitive and accurate non-invasive investigation in detecting fungal sinusitis.
Comparison of Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Caregivers of Patients with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Affective Disorder
Authors: Ain Qurat ul , Mansoor Sawera , Zubair Usama Bin , Abbas Nadeem , Latif Tooba , Baqir Muhammad
Published: May 2023

Objective: To compare depression, anxiety, and stress amongst caregivers of patients with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Affective Disorder

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Psychiatry Department, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from May to Nov 2021

Methodology: One hundred caregivers of patients with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Affective Disorder took part in the study. The “Depression Anxiety Stress Scales” scale assessed depression, anxiety and stress. The difference in both groups was checked by the chi-square test.

Results: One hundred caregivers (46 caregivers of patients with Schizophrenia and 54 caregivers of patients with the bipolar affective disorder) were recruited. Among caregivers of patients with Schizophrenia, 29(63%) had significant depression, 33(71%) had anxiety, and an equal proportion had stress. Of those who cared for patients with bipolar affective disorder,16(29.6 %) had depression, 29(53.7 %) had anxiety, and 25(46.29%) had stress. Depression, anxiety, and stress among caregivers had a statistically significant association with clinical diagnosis in our target population (p-valve 0.002, 0.033, 0.007), respectively.

Conclusion: Depression, anxiety, and stress are significantly higher among caregivers of patients with Schizophrenia as compared to caregivers of patients with bipolar affective disorder. Our findings have identified a significant need for supporting caregivers of patients with serious mental illness.
Etiology of Pancreatitis in Patients at a Tertiary Care Center
Authors: Haider Muhammad Fahd Bin , Ali Irfan , Zafar Humaira , Ahsan Mehak , Shah Syed Zubair Hussain , Sher Farrukh
Published: May 2023

Objective: To compare etiological frequencies in patients of acute pancreatitis presenting to our setup with international data.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Gastroenterology, Pakistan Emirates Military Hospital & Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Aug 2020 to Jan 2022.

Methodology: Patients over 12 years suffering from pancreatitis were recruited using a convenience sampling technique based upon predefined criteria for diagnosis of pancreatitis on a questionnaire. Relevant basic lab tests, including chemistries and imaging, including Ultrasound abdomen and CECT abdomen, were analyzed to establish aetiology. Data were continuously uploaded into an electronic data sheet. International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria (ICDC) algorithms were applied to diagnose autoimmune pancreatitis.

Results: Out of 120 patients, 74(61.7%) were males, and 46(38.3%) were females. Biliary pancreatitis was the most common aetiology 50(41.7%), followed in descending order by idiopathic 36(30%), drug-induced pancreatitis (DIP) 9(7.5%), Post ERCP Pancreatitis (PEP) 8(6.7%), tumours 5(4%), Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), Hypertriglyceridemia and alcohol-induced pancreatitis each 2(1.7%).

Conclusion: Biliary pancreatitis has the highest frequency, followed by idiopathic and drug-induced pancreatitis.
Analisis Pengelolaan Anggaran Dana Desa Berdasarkan Kebutuhan Masyarakat di Kapanewon Bambanglipuro Kabupaten Bantul Propinsi DIY
Authors: Isfaatun Eliya , Hidayat Taufik
Published: May 2023

Village Funds according to Government regulation Number 6 of 2014 are funds sourced from the APBD for villages transferred through Regency/City Regional Budgets and Expenditures and used to finance government administration, development implementation, community development, and community empowerment. Village funds can play a major role in reducing the number of villages left behind if managed properly. This study aims to analyze the efficient and effective use of village funds in Kapanewon Bambanglipuro which consists of three villages, namely Sidomulyo Village, Mulyodadi Village, and Sumbermulyo Village.

The analytical tool used in this research is the combination method (Mix Methods), which analyzes the target data, between the realization of expenditure and income by using the ratio of efficiency and effectiveness, and complements it with interview data. Data collection uses the Sequential Explanatory Design model, where the model is characterized by data collection and quantitative data analysis in the first stage, followed by qualitative data collection and analysis in the second stage, in order to strengthen the results of quantitative research conducted in the first stage.

The results of this study indicate that the average level of efficiency of Village Fund management in Kapanewon Bambanglipuro Bantul Regency is 98% which meets the criteria of being less efficient, and the average level of effectiveness is 98%, including in the effective category.

 

Keywords: Village funds, efficiency, effectiveness
Green or Greenwashed? Examining Whether and When Consumers Are Able to Identify Greenwashing
Authors: Fella Stefanie , Bausa Elena
Published: May 2023

In today's market, both companies and consumers face the challenge of navigating the pitfalls of greenwashing when it comes to a myriad of new and existing green products. This study examines consumer perceptions of such products and questions whether they can accurately identify greenwashing. Failure to do so could undermine a market for genuinely green products and have potentially detrimental effects on society and the environment. Drawing on categorization theory, consumers may categorize a new product as either honestly green, greenwashed, or regular based on prior knowledge of different green cues. We tested this ability using fictitious cleaning products in a within-subject experiment (N = 174) conducted in Germany and found that consumers often fall for greenwashing when asked solely about their purchase intentions. It seems that only when the participants are asked about the perceived greenness and greenwashing of the products are they able to spot the differences inherent to the green products. This research makes two academic contributions. First, our results extend the literature on consumer perceptions of green(washed) verbal and visual product cues. Second, we provide initial evidence against the implicit assumption in the greenwashing and green advertising literature that consumers can distinguish between greenwashed and honestly green products. Our findings provide potential guidance for practitioners in communicating sustainable product improvements without creating an impression of greenwashing. At the same time, this research may inform public policy regarding further measures needed to help consumers unmask greenwashing in purchase contexts.