bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurovascular Correlates of Cobalamin, Folate, and Homocysteine in Dementia
Authors: Tu Min-Chien , Chung Hsiao-Wen , Hsu Yen-Hsuan , Yang Jir-Jei , Wu Wen-Chau
Published: November 2023

Background:

Cobalamin (Cbl) and folate are common supplements clinicians prescribe as an adjuvant therapy for dementia patients, on the presumption of their neurotrophic and/or homocysteine (Hcy) lowering effect. However, the treatment efficacy has been found mixed and the effects of Cbl/folate/Hcy on the human brain remain to be elucidated.

Objective:

To explore the neurovascular correlates of Cbl/folate/Hcy in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and subcortical ischemic vascular dementia (SIVD).

Methods:

Sixty-seven AD patients and 57 SIVD patients were prospectively and consecutively recruited from an outpatient clinic. Multimodal 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging was performed to quantitatively evaluate cerebral blood flow (CBF) and white matter integrity. The relationship between neuroimaging metrics and the serum levels of Cbl/folate/Hcy was examined by using the Kruskal-Wallis test, partial correlation analysis, and moderation analysis, at a significance level of 0.05.

Results:

As a whole, CBF mainly associated with Cbl/folate while white matter hyperintensities exclusively associated with Hcy. As compared with AD, SIVD exhibited more noticeable CBF correlates (spatially widespread with Cbl and focal with folate). In SIVD, a bilateral Cbl-moderated CBF coupling was found between medial prefrontal cortex and ipsilateral basal ganglia, while in the fronto-subcortical white matter tracts, elevated Hcy was associated with imaging metrics indicative of increased injury in both axon and myelin sheath.

Conclusions:

We identified the neurovascular correlates of previously reported neurotrophic effect of Cbl/folate and neurotoxic effect of Hcy in dementia. The correlates exhibited distinct patterns in AD and SIVD. The findings may help improving the formulation of supplemental Cbl/folate treatment for dementia.
Neuropsychological Assessment of Older Adults in Nepal for Population-Based Dementia Ascertainment: Needs, Challenges, and Opportunities
Authors: Briceño Emily M. , Dhakal Usha , Sharma Uttam , Adhikari Nabin , Pradhan Meeta S. , Shrestha Lochana , Jalan Pankaj , Rai Janak , Langa Kenneth M. , Lee Jinkook , Ghimire Dirgha , Mendes de Leon Carlos F.
Published: November 2023

The population of Nepal is rapidly aging, as in other low and middle-income countries, and the number of individuals living with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (ADRD) is expected to increase. However, information about the neuropsychological assessment of ADRD in Nepal is lacking. We first aimed to examine the needs, challenges, and opportunities associated with the neuropsychological assessment of older adults in Nepal for population-based ADRD ascertainment. Second, we introduce the Chitwan Valley Family Study-Study of Cognition and Aging in Nepal (CVFS-SCAN), which is poised to address these needs, and its collaboration with the Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP) international network. We reviewed the existing literature on the prevalence, risk factors, available neuropsychological assessment instruments, and sociocultural factors that may influence the neuropsychological assessment of older adults for ADRD ascertainment in Nepal. Our review revealed no existing population-based data on the prevalence of ADRD in Nepal. Very few studies have utilized formal cognitive assessment instruments for ADRD assessment, and there have been no comprehensive neuropsychological assessment instruments that have been validated for the assessment of ADRD in Nepal. We describe how the CVFS-SCAN study will address this need through careful adaptation of the HCAP instrument. We conclude that the development of culturally appropriate neuropsychological assessment instruments is urgently needed for the population-based assessment of ADRD in Nepal. The CVFS-SCAN is designed to address this need and will contribute to the growth of global and equitable neuropsychology and to the science of ADRD in low- and middle-income countries.
Association between intraoperative findings and postoperative knee range motion after cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Takahashi Tsuneari , Hatayama Kazuhisa , Ae Ryusuke , Saito Tomohiro , Handa Mikiko , Kimura Yuya , Takeshita Katsushi
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) alleviates pain and improves daily living activities in individuals with end-stage osteoarthritis of the knee. However, up to 20% of patients have sub-optimal outcomes after TKA. OBJECTIVE: No studies have clarified the intraoperative factors that affect postoperative range of motion (ROM) after cruciate-retaining (CR) TKA. Thus, this study aims to clarify these factors. METHODS: Patients with knee osteoarthritis with varus knee deformity who underwent CR-TKA between May 2019 and December 2020 were included in this study. One year after surgery, patients were stratified into two groups based on knee flexion: Group F (over 120∘) and Group NF (below 120∘). Patient backgrounds including age, body mass index, hip knee angle, preoperative range of motion for both extension and flexion, intraoperative center joint-gap measurements of 0∘, 30∘, 45∘, 60∘, 90∘, and 120∘ of knee flexion using a tensor, intraoperative anterior-posterior (AP) laxity measurements of 30∘ and 90∘ of knee flexion using an instrumental laximeter were compared between the groups. Univariate analyses between the groups were used to construct the initial model. The receiver operating characteristic curve was also analyzed. The predictive variables included in the final model were selected by stepwise backward elimination. RESULTS: Intraoperative AP laxity with 30∘ of knee flexion smaller than 10.8 mm was a significant positive prognostic factor (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.08–1.79, P= 0.011) of postoperative ROM over 120∘ of knee flexion one year after surgery. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 70.9%, 82.4%, 92.9%, and 46.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative AP laxity smaller than 10.8 mm was a significant positive predictive factor for obtaining knee flexion greater than 120∘ one year after surgery when using CR-TKA and its PPV was high up to 92.9%.
Developing a nomogram for estimating the risk of needing to perform a caesarean section after induction of labour in pregnancies using a COOK® Cervical Ripening Balloon
Authors: Gao Jing , Zhang Chao , Xin Hong
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND: Using a COOK® Cervical Ripening Balloon (CCRB) for cervical maturity has become a common clinical practice for the induction of labour (IOL). OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a predictive instrument that could estimate the risk of a caesarean after IOL in term pregnancies with CCRB treatment. METHODS: The medical records of 415 pregnant women requiring IOL from January 2018 to October 2022 were retrospectively reviewed and randomly selected for training (290) and validation (125) sets in a 7:3 ratio. A model for predicting the risk of a caesarean was virtualised by a nomogram using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: After completing the multivariate analysis, parity (odds ratio [OR] = 0.226; p= 0.017), modified Bishop score at induction (OR =0.688; p= 0.005) and the artificial rupture of membranes (OR = 0.436; p= 0.010) were identified as the predictors for implementing a caesarean delivery after IOL. The decision curve analysis showed that the model achieved a net benefit across all threshold probabilities. CONCLUSION: We successfully constructed a nomogram for caesarean delivery after IOL in pregnancies with CCRB treatment using factors including parity, modified Bishop score at induction and the artificial rupture of membrane.
Developing screening tools to estimate the risk of diabetic kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Cao Xu , Pei Xiaomei
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is an important microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop predictive nomograms to estimate the risk of DKD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: The medical records of patients with T2DM in our hospital from March 2022 to March 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. The enrolled patients were randomly selected for training and validation sets in a 7:3 ratio. The models for predicting risk of DKD were virtualized by the nomograms using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among the enrolled 597 patients, 418 were assigned to the training set, while 179 were assigned to the validation set. Using the predictors included glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), presence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and duration of diabetes (DD), we constructed a full model (model 1) for predicting DKD. And using the laboratory indexes of HbA1c, HDL-C, and cystatin C (Cys-C), we developed a laboratory-based model (model 2). The C-indexes were 0.897 for model 1 and 0.867 for model 2, respectively. The calibration curves demonstrated a good agreement between prediction and observation in the two models. The decision curve analysis (DCA) curves showed that the two models achieved a net benefit across all threshold probabilities. CONCLUSION: We successfully constructed two prediction models to evaluate the risk of DKD in patients with T2DM. The two models exhibited good predictive performance and could be recommended for DKD screening and early detection.
28Assessment of thermal variations in the pulpal chamber during fabrication of provisionals using two different techniques and three materials
Authors: Nair Srilakshmi , Madhav V.N.V. , Saini Ravinder S. , Alshadidi Abdulkhaliq Ali F. , Aldosari Lujain Ibrahim N. , Heboyan Artak
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND: The issue of an increase in pulpal temperature affects direct and indirect techniques, where the fabricating material will come in direct contact with the prepared teeth. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the pulpal thermal variations during provisional fabrication using direct and indirect-direct techniques, with three commonly commercially available provisional fabricating materials. METHOD: In this vitro analytical study, 120 extracted human teeth were placed in a dentulous mould and dental stone was poured, to create a working model with an embedded natural right maxillary central incisor. Recording of thermal changes in the pulp chamber during provisionalization with direct (technique 1) and indirect-direct (technique 2) using three common types of provisional crown materials. 120 provisional crowns were fabricated using polymethyl methacrylate (DPI) (Group 1), Bis-acryl composite (Protemp 4) (Group 2) and Visible-light polymerizing (VLP) Urethane Dimethacrylate (Revotek LC) (Group 3) by two techniques and recording of peak temperature changes were done. Temperature rise in the pulp chamber was recorded using a thermocouple. RESULTS: The mean initial and final temperature of the pulp chamber recorded for Groups 1, 2 and 3 was 31.52, 32.56; 31.01, 32.34; 32.29, 34.47 for technique 1 and 29.13, 30.5; 29.29, 31.11; 30.31, 32.65 for technique 2. The mean change in temperature was higher in Group 3 compared to the other groups. CONCLUSION: The temperature rise detected according to this study was within the safer pulpal health limits with all the investigated materials and techniques. The resin material recommended for clinical use when the direct technique is employed for the fabrication of provisional crowns is bis-acryl composite resin (Protemp-4) as it caused minimal temperature rise in the pulpal chamber.
Effectiveness of hypothermia prevention devices for preterm infants: A laboratory study
Authors: Loganathan Prakash Kannan , Dorkins Charles , Marlow George , Zahra James , Tulsianey Mudit A. , Rowles Toby J. , Chadwick Paula
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND: Newborn hypothermia at birth remains as global challenge across all settings. The prevention of delivery room hypothermia at birth could potentially reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To compare the heat conservation efficacy of Neohelp and Neowrap and evaluate the heat production efficacy of trans-warmer infant mattress (TWM) in a laboratory setting. METHODS: A beaker of water was heated at 60∘C was covered by Neohelp or two layers of Neowrap and left to cool in an open room for 90 minutes and calculated the decay constant. Using infra-red camera, we measured the maximum temperature and time taken to reach the temperature in the TWM. RESULTS: Neowrap took 863 seconds for the temperature to drop from 37∘C to 35∘C, compared with 941 seconds with Neohelp. When activated TWM reached a maximum temperature of 39.3 ± 0.1∘C. It took 30 seconds when the activator was placed in the centre, compared with 88 seconds when it was at the corner. CONCLUSION: Compared to Neowrap, Neohelp had better heat conservation properties. Activating the metal disk from the TWM center would deliver quicker heat.
Technical assessment of shear bond strength at ceramo-alloy interface after various surface treatment combinations and application of metal bonding agent
Authors: Dayama Nikhil Vitthal , Ali Mariyam , Gaur Abhishek , Pandey Kaushik Kumar , Alqahtani Nasser M. , Alfarsi Mohammed A. , Zarbah Mohammad A. , Chaturvedi Saurabh , Minervini Giuseppe
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND: Bonding between metal and ceramic is one of the most important aspects of a successful prosthesis. Various methods have been recommended for preparing the metal surface to enhance the bond between metal and ceramic including the use of a metal bonding agent. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate and compare the shear bond strength of the metal-ceramic (M-C) interface after combinations of various surface treatments including the application of a metal bonding agent. METHOD: 40 Ni-Cr alloy specimens were made and divided into 4 groups of 10 each based on the combination of surface treatments. Sandblasting, surface grinding, and Oxidation heat treatment (OHT) were performed on specimens from Group 1 (Control). In addition, Group 2 specimens received ultrasonic cleaning, Group 3 steam cleaning, and Group 4 metal bonding agent application. Following surface treatments on all specimens, porcelain build-up was performed, and shear bond strength was tested in a Digital Universal testing machine. The statistical tests used were independent t-test and ANOVA. RESULTS: Results revealed that Group 4 specimens had the highest mean value of shear bond strength of 39.087 MPa while Group 3 specimens showed the least mean shear bond strength of 18.154 MPa with highly statistically significant results (p< 0.001). CONCLUSION: The surface treatments and application of bonding agent to metal prior to porcelain application resulted in increased shear bond strength of the metal-ceramic interface.
Graphic type differentiation of cell count data for diagnosis of early and late periprosthetic joint infection: A new method
Authors: Fink Bernd , Hoyka Marius , Blersch Benedikt Paul , Baum Hannsjörg , Sax Florian Hubert
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND: Graphic type differentiation of cell count data of synovial aspirates is a new method for the diagnosis of early and late periprosthetic joint infection. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyse if the same 6 LMNE-types can be differentiated in the new Yumizen H500 cell counter as it was the case for the old cell counter ABX Pentra XL 80 of previous publications, to verify if the erythrocyte and thrombocyte curves of the new device give additional information and to calculate the difference of cell count in LMNE-type I and III (with abrasion) in the cell counter and in the manual counting chamber (Neubauer improved). METHODS: 450 aspirates of 152 total hip arthroplasties and 298 knee arthroplasties obtained for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection were analysed with the Yumizen H500. RESULTS: All LMNE-matrices of the 450 aspirates could assigned to one of the six LMNE-types. There were 76 LMNE-type I, 72 LMNE-type II, 14 LMNE-type III, 241 LMNE-type IV, 36 LMNE-type V and 12 LMNE-type VI. The erythrocyte and thrombocyte distribution curves were very helpful for differentiation of hematoma and infection. The cell count in the manual counting procedure was lower than in the cell counter: for the LMNE-type I (abrasion type) the median of the difference was 925/μL (median) and for the LMNE-type III (combined type of infection and abrasion) 3570/μL (median). CONCLUSION: The described graphic type differentiation is a new and helpful method for differentiation of hematoma and early PJI as well as abrasion and late PJI.
Fluoroscopy-based robotic assistance for total hip arthroplasty improves acetabular cup placement accuracy for obese patients compared to the manual, fluoroscopic- assisted technique
Authors: Ong Christian B. , Buchan Graham B.J. , Hecht II Christian J. , Kendoff Daniel O. , Homma Yasuhiro , Kamath Atul F.
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND: Patient obesity is a risk factor for poor acetabular cup positioning in total hip arthroplasty (THA). OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of using a novel, fluoroscopy-based robotic THA system on acetabular cup placement in obese versus non-obese patients. METHODS: A review of 105 consecutive manual unassisted (mTHA) (47 Obese/58 Non-obese) and 102 robotic-assisted (RA-THA) (50 Obese/52 Non-obese) primary, direct anterior approach THA procedures was conducted. All cases were performed by a single surgeon, for a pre-operative diagnosis of osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Obesity was defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) ⩾ 30 kg/m2. Outcomes included acetabular cup inclination and anteversion, and the proportion of cups within the Lewinnek safe-zone. RESULTS: Obese patients in the mTHA cohort had larger cup inclination angles on average compared to non-obese patients (44.82∘± 6.51 vs. 41.39∘± 6.75; p= 0.009). Obese mTHA patients were less likely to have cup placement within the Lewinnek zone compared to non-obese mTHA patients (0.48 vs. 0.67; p= 0.027). Obesity had no effect on the accuracy of RA-THA. CONCLUSION: Obesity affects the placement of the acetabular component in manual THA. The novel, fluoroscopy-based robotic THA system in this study demonstrated accurate cup placement regardless of obesity status.
The p110α/ΔNp63α complex mutations in triple-negative breast cancer: Potential targets for transcriptional-based therapies
Authors: Ma Wenqiong , Han Xingping , Shasaltaneh Marzieh Dehghan , Hosseinifard Hossein , Maghsoudloo Mazaher , Zhang Yuqin , Weng Qiao , Wang Qingjing , Wen QingLian , Imani Saber
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND:

Hotspot mutations occurring in the p110α domain of the PIK3CA gene, specifically p110αH1047R/L increase tumor metastasis and cell motility in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). These mutations also affect the transcriptional regulation of ΔNp63α, a significant isoform of the p53 protein involved in cancer progression. This study attempts to investigate the transcriptional impact of p110αH1047R/L mutations on the PIK3CA/ΔNp63α complex in TNBC carcinogenesis.

METHODS:

We performed site-directed mutagenesis to introduce p110αH1047R/L mutations and evaluated their oncogenic effects on the growth, invasion, migration, and apoptosis of three different TNBC cell lines in vitro. We investigated the impact of these mutations on the p110α/ΔNp63α complex and downstream transcriptional signaling pathways at the gene and protein levels. Additionally, we used bioinformatics techniques such as molecular dynamics simulations and protein-protein docking to gain insight into the stability and structural changes induced by the p110αH1047R/L mutations in the p110α/ΔNp63α complex and downstream signaling pathway.

RESULTS:

The presence of PIK3CA oncogenic hotspot mutations in the p110α/ΔNp63α complex led to increased scattering of TNBC cells during growth, migration, and invasion. Our in vitro mutagenesis assay showed that the p110αH1047R/L mutations activated the PI3K- Akt- mTOR and tyrosine kinase receptor pathways, resulting in increased cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis in TNBC cells. These mutations decreased the repressing effect of ΔNp63α on the p110α kinase domain, leading to the enhancement of downstream signaling pathways of PI3K and tyrosine kinase receptors and oncogenic transformation in TNBC. Additionally, our findings suggest that the physical interaction between the DNA binding domain of ΔNp63α and the kinase domain of p110α may be partially impaired, potentially leading to alterations in the conformation of the p110α/ΔNp63α complex.

CONCLUSION:

Our findings suggest that targeting the p110αH1047R/L mutations in TNBC could be a promising strategy for developing transcriptional-based therapies. Restoring the interaction between ΔNp63α and the p110α kinase domain, which is disrupted by these mutations, may provide a new approach to treating TNBC.
ANALYSIS OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TOWARDS IMPROVING EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE MAQHASID SHARIA REVIEW
Authors: Abdul Latif Rizqon  , Tambusai Muhamad Kharis , Hastuti Nurul Dwi , Hidayat Ahmad Agus
Published: November 2023

Human resource management is the first point that must be considered by the company, the development of a business requires quality human resource management. The purpose of the study is to determine the implementation of human resource management in terms of sharia maqhasid and improve employee performance. The methods used are qualitative research, while the data used in primary and secondary data research are obtained by researchers through observation, interviews, and documentation. The results of research on the application of human resource management have an influence on employee performance, one of which is the results of work. The implementation of human resource management seen from sharia maqhasid is by the review of sharia maqhasid, namely dharuriyyat, hajiyyat, and tahsiniyyat.
Film Review: Jagun Jagun, Nigeria, 2023. Produced by Euphoria 360 Media. Netflix. 129 minutes, Yoruba (with English subtitles). No price reported. Directed by Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani
Authors: Atanda Yemi
Published: November 2023

I intend to argue in this review that the Yoruba film Jagun Jagun represents the transition of the Yoruba Travelling Theatre into the big screen motion picture. It has been a remarkable transformation from stage crafts to filmic crafts, while still retaining the “family” involvement in the vibrant business innovations of the New Nollywood. Doing this focuses on configuring the interface between technology and entrepreneurship with its attendance use of traditional visual elements, songs, dance, imageries, metaphors and other Yoruba poetic renditions for aesthetic values. However, it is noted that the inappropriate mingling of both traditional and modern visual effects influenced by the Western postmodernist style in filmic framing, composition, sound, music and war combat mode. Generally, the film occludes the postcolonial thematic relevance in the modern political African leaders in their visionless Machiavellian ideology.
Nurses’ Knowledge and Ability to Diagnose Delirium in Intensive Care Units of Iraq Teaching Hospitals
Authors:   Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Ghezeljeh Tahereh , Jaber Muhaibes Fakhria ,   Department of Nursing, Mustaqbel College University, Babylon, Iraq., Haghani Shima ,   Nursing Care Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Kifah Mubdir Abbas ,   School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Published: November 2023

Background: Timely diagnosis and effective treatment of delirium, a clinical syndrome, significantly impact the outcomes of patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Despite its significance and prevalence, delirium continues to be underdiagnosed. This study aims to determine the knowledge and capability of ICU nurses in Iraq in recognizing delirium syndrome. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 154 nurses working in the ICUs of hospitals in Babylon, Al-Diwaniyah, and Karbala cities, Iraq, in 2022. The subjects were recruited by the census. The study data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, case vignettes, and the delirium knowledge questionnaire (DKQ) to assess participants’ characteristics, delirium recognition, and delirium knowledge. The data were analyzed using an independent t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient in SPSS software, version 22. The significance level was set at P<0.05. Results: The Mean±SD score of nurses’ overall knowledge was 46.73±14.34. The Mean±SD score for their understanding of delirium’s incidence, symptoms, signs, and effects was 43.57±17.70, whereas the Mean±SD score for knowledge of its risk factors and causes was 49.7±18.74. Their overall ability to recognize delirium had a Mean±SD score of 1.44±1.13. There was a significant relationship between knowledge of delirium, participation in a delirium training course (P=0.008), and work experience in ICUs (P=0.046). Conclusion: Given the results of our study, it is crucial to develop plans for increasing the knowledge and recognition ability of ICU nurses in Iraq regarding delirium.
The Impact of Self-acupressure on the Pain, Joint Stiffness, and Physical Functioning of Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors:   Nursing Care Research Center in Chronic Diseases, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran., Raygan Laleh , Jahani Simin ,   Department of Medical and Surgical Nursing, Nursing Care Research Center in Chronic Diseases, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. ,, Elahi Nasrin ,   Department of Medical and Surgical Nursing, Nursing Care Research Center in Chronic Diseases, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran., Maraghi Elham ,   Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran., Fakoor Mohammad ,   Department and Orthopedic, Emam Khomeini Teaching Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran., Najafi Safa ,   School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of MedicalSciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Published: November 2023

Background: People with knee osteoarthritis have a low quality of life due to joint pain and stiffness, severely limiting their daily activities. This study aims to investigate the impact of self-acupressure on the pain, joint stiffness, and physical functioning of patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 78 patients aged 50 to 70 with knee osteoarthritis, referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital and private orthopedic clinics in Ahvaz City, Iran, in 2018. The patients were recruited based on the inclusion criteria and then randomly assigned to three groups: self-acupressure (n=26), sham (n=26), and control (n=26). Patients in the intervention group applied daily self-acupressure to 5 specific points around their knees for 8 consecutive weeks. The sham group applied pressure on the points different from those used by the intervention group. The control group received no intervention. The study data were collected using the Western Ontario and McMaster osteoarthritis index (WOMAC), visual analog scale (VAS), and a checklist for daily recordings of pain medication. The obtained data were analyzed using the chi-square test and analysis of variance in SPSS software, version 20. The significance level was set at P<0.05. Results: The comparison of changes within the group showed that the intensity of pain in the intervention group decreased over time (P<0.0001). Also, the joint stiffness, physical functioning, and total WOMAC score significantly decreased in the intervention group (P<0.0001). The frequency of analgesic use was also reduced in the intervention group over time (P=0.026). Conclusion: According to the results, self-acupressure effectively reduces the intensity of pain and joint stiffness and improves the physical performance of older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Overall, this easy and affordable intervention is recommended for this group.
Avatar legal protection as an atypical copyright object
Authors: Kroitor V. A.
Published: November 2023

The legal protection of an avatar as an atypical copyright object has been investigated. The originality and objective form of an avatar have been established and characterised, which will allow correlating an avatar with atypical copyright objects, and the atypicality of an avatar as an object of copyright has been emphasised.

It has been determined that the phenomenon of an avatar as a legal category is that it is a complex category which has a different legal regime. It has been noted that it is most appropriate to relate an avatar to an object of rights, in particular, in the field of personal non-property rights and intellectual property rights. Creating objects with the help of a neural network, in particular, an avatar in the form of a computer copy of a person, is a complex work of different people. At the same time, this work has signs of intellectual, scientific and creative activity. Due to the complexity of such activity, it may fall under different legal regimes of intellectual property rights, in particular copyright and patent law. An avatar as a game character can be considered as an object of copyright. If an avatar is created using digital tools offered by the developers of a computer game, the copyright belongs to the respective developers.

It has been proved that an avatar is an intangible benefit that can include such virtual objects as: a game character tied to a specific user; a social network profile of a person; a computer copy of a person with unique identification features, originality and objective form. It has the following characteristics: the presence of a digital objective form that makes it possible to perceive the avatar in the digital environment, originality, uniqueness, and the availability of legal access to use the avatar. The legal protection of an avatar within the framework of copyright may be carried out under two legal regimes: copyright protection; and the institute of rights of a special kind (sui generis). It would be appropriate to supplement the Law of Ukraine “On Copyright and Related Rights” with a definition of an avatar and rights to it.
Cyberbullying: Senior Prospective Teachers’ Coping Knowledge and Strategies
Authors:   Dokuz Eylul University, Arslan Kürşat , Aydın İnan
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to determine senior prospective teachers’ coping knowledge and strategies for cyberbullying in terms of demographic variables. The sample consisted of 471 prospective teachers (324 female and 147 male) studying in the 4th grade in Dokuz Eylül University Buca Education Faculty in Izmir in the 2019-2020 academic year. It was a quantitative study using a causal-comparative research design to find out whether prospective teachers’ coping knowledge differed by independent variables. The "Coping with Cyberbullying Scale" developed by Koç et al. (2016) was employed to discover prospective teachers’ coping strategies for cyberbullying. A "Personal Information" form was also prepared to collect demographic information. The data were analyzed with SPSS 25.0 program. Since the dependent variables did not have a normal distribution, the differences between the variables with two groups were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U test, and the variables with three or more groups were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis H test. The findings suggested that the prospective teachers’ cyberbullying coping knowledge level was moderate. Other findings were discussed in the discussion section.
Calibration of Proximate Content of Arabica Sidikalang Green Bean Coffee Using NIRS and PLS
Authors: Ritonga Melva Lianur , Munir Achwil Putra , Rindang Adian , Ayu Putri Chandra
Published: November 2023

Generally, coffee bean’s content measurement is conducted destructively, where it is known to be less effective. Measurement using the Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) method could be an alternative to a rapid determination of the chemical content non-destructively. The study aimed to obtain a partial least square (PLS) calibration model of water, lipid and carbohydrate content in Sidikalang Arabica green bean coffee. This method can predict the chemical content assisted with several data pretreatments, namely multiple scatter correction (MSC), standard normal variative (SNV), normalization, first derivative (dg1), second derivative (dg2), combination of dg 1 + MSC and combination of dg2 + MSC. Results showed that the best calibration model for water content was obtained using normalization with 6 PLS factor with r value of 0.574. moreover, the best calibration model in lipid content was obtained using MSC with 5 PLS factor with r value of 0.647, and the best calibration model for carbohydrate was using MSC with 6 PLS factors with r value of 0.563. The model obtained from this study is categorized into a moderate model and could be use in simulations with predictive values ​​with moderate accuracy.
Generally, coffee bean’s content measurement is conducted destructively, where it is known to be less effective. Measurement using the Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) method could be an alternative to a rapid determination of the chemical content non-destructively. The study aimed to obtain a partial least square (PLS) calibration model of water, lipid and carbohydrate content in Sidikalang Arabica green bean coffee. This method can predict the chemical content assisted with several data pretreatments, namely multiple scatter correction (MSC), standard normal variative (SNV), normalization, first derivative (dg1), second derivative (dg2), combination of dg 1 + MSC and combination of dg2 + MSC. Results showed that the best calibration model for water content was obtained using normalization with 6 PLS factor with r value of 0.574. moreover, the best calibration model in lipid content was obtained using MSC with 5 PLS factor with r value of 0.647, and the best calibration model for carbohydrate was using MSC with 6 PLS factors with r value of 0.563. The model obtained from this study is categorized into a moderate model and could be use in simulations with predictive values ​​with moderate accuracy.
DETERMINATION OF ECOTOXIC SUBSTANCES IN WASTEWATER FORMED IN THE PURIFICATION PROCESS OF PETROLEUM OILS WITH HYDROGEN BY SPECTRAL METHODS
Authors:   Baku State University, Huseynli A.M.
Published: November 2023

The article analyzes the determination of the amount of dissolved ecotoxicants in the sample taken from the industrial wastewater obtained during the process of hydrogen treatment of petroleum oils. During the hydrogenation process, different types of wastes are formed, depending on the nature of each compound contained in petroleum distillates. Every gas, liquid, solid waste formed during the process of hydrogen purification of petroleum distillates by the oil refining industry has a negative impact on the environment in various ways. One of the main directions of our scientific research is the ecological assessment of the environmental impact of wastewater formed in the process of hydrogen treatment of petroleum distillates.Based on the results obtained, the environmental impact of the wastewater was assessed. The amount of volatile ecotoxicants in the wastewater sample was determined by spectral methods and is shown in the table. We used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; optical emission spectrometry method for metals; spectrometry method for phenols, dyes and fluorine; nephelometry method for turbidity; the gravimetry method for total suspended particles. Based on the results obtained, it is possible to assess the environmental impact of wastewater generated during the technological process at the hydrogen treatment plant. According to the results of the research, it can be noted that the industrial wastewater discharged from the oil refinery's facility № 501 has a content that will damage the ecosphere and biosphere, despite the fact that the discharge standards meet the permissible discharge limits
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF SOME TERNARY COMPOUNDS OF THE ARGYRODITE FAMILY
Authors:   Ganja State University, Alverdiyev I.J. , Imamaliyeva S.Z. ,   M.Nagiev Institute of Catalysis and Inorganic Chemistry, Ministry of Science and Education  of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Akhmedov E.I. ,   Baku State University, Yusibov Yu.A. ,   Ganja State University, Babanly M.B. ,   M.Nagiev Institute of Catalysis and Inorganic Chemistry, Ministry of Science and Education  of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Baku State University
Published: November 2023

Compounds of the argyrodite family are valuable environmentally friendly functional materials with mixed ion-electronic conductivity, thermoelectric, photovoltaic, optical, and other properties. This paper presents the results of a thermodynamic study of the Cu8GeS6 and Cu8GeSe6 compounds - representatives of this family using the EMF method with Cu4RbCl3I2 solid electrolyte in the 295-430 K temperature range. From the EMF measurement data, the partial molar functions of copper were calculated in both crystal modifications of the Cu8GeS6 and Cu8GeSe6 compounds, undergoing polymorphic transformations at 330 and 335 K, respectively. Based on solid-phase equilibria diagrams of the Cu-Ge-S(Se) systems, the potential-forming reactions responsible for the partial molar functions of copper in the alloys were determined and the thermodynamic functions of formation and standard entropies of both modifications of these compounds, as well as the thermodynamic functions of their polymorphic transitions, were calculated. The work also presents and analyzes the thermodynamic data for compounds of the argyrodite family available in the literature
DETERMINATION OF OPTIMAL CONDITIONS FOR EXTRACTION OF ALUMINUM OXIDE FROM KAOLIN CLAY OF CHOVDARDAGH DEPOSIT
Authors:   M.Nagiev Institute of Catalysis and Inorganic Chemistry, Ministry of Science and Education  of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Efendiyeva S.G. , Jafarova S.T. ,   M.Nagiev Institute of Catalysis and Inorganic Chemistry, Ministry of Science and Education  of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Heydarov A.A. ,   M.Nagiev Institute of Catalysis and Inorganic Chemistry, Ministry of Science and Education  of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Gahramanova E.B. ,   M.Nagiev Institute of Catalysis and Inorganic Chemistry, Ministry of Science and Education  of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Abbasova A.I. ,   M.Nagiev Institute of Catalysis and Inorganic Chemistry, Ministry of Science and Education  of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ganzayeva G.M. ,   M.Nagiyev Institute Catalysis and Inorganic Chemistry, Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Published: November 2023

The increasing demand for aluminum around the world is increasing interest in developing alternative technologies for the production of alumina from non-bauxite sources, especially from clay. In this work, the extraction of aluminum from kaolin in the process of leaching using an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid as a leaching agent is investigated. For this study, samples of burnt kaolin clay from the Chovdardagh deposit were used. Before leaching, crude kaolin was calcined; calcination achieves dehydroxylation of kaolinite, which is the main mineralogical phase of kaolin, and its transformation into metakaolin, an amorphous phase of Al-Si, from which aluminum is easily leached. The calcination of the raw kaolin used in this work was carried out at 7500C for 2 h, taking into account that these conditions were recognized as optimal in the corresponding experimental studies to achieve the maximum yield of alumina in solution. It was revealed that the leaching of kaolin clay in order to extract aluminum oxide is achieved using samples of kaolin clay calcined under the above conditions, with 20% hydrochloric acid for 2 hours at a leaching temperature of 950C. The degree of extraction of aluminum and iron oxide under these conditions is 96.7 and 94.1%, respectively
ЛІНГВОПОЕТИКА ТА ТЕМАТИКА АНГЛОМОВНОЇ ПІСЕННОЇ ЛІРИКИ
Authors: Марчук Тетяна , Мінцис Елла
Published: November 2023

Стаття присвячена аналізу лінгвопоетики та тематики англомовної пісенної лірики. Методологічною базою дослідження слугують теоретичні напрацювання зі стилістики англійської мови В. Жуковської та Л. Єфімова; інтерпретації тексту В. Кухаренко; лексичних та стилістичних особливостей україномовної та англомовної пісенної лірики О. Клєщової та М. Стерлiкової; дослідження англомовного пісенного дискурсу у контексті лінгвокультурології М. Кузнецової та А. Ходус. Спроби вчених у напрямі поліаспектного дослідження та ресурсного використання англомовної пісенної лірики активізували проблему її переосмислення. Проте досі достеменно не виcвітлено проблему стилістичної образності цього жанру. Запропоноване дослідження виокремлює твірні компоненти, які формують цілісність співаної поезії та об’єднують пісенну лірику і ліричний вірш. Слід зазначити, що істотним складником співаного тексту є стилістичні засоби, завдяки яким реалізується його експресивність, виразність та образність, а кожна пісня має власне стилістичне оформлення, що відображає інтенції та художній задум автора та виконавця. У статті розглянуто найбільш актуалізовані стилістичні фігури у пісенних текстах Емі Макдональд та доведено, що функціонування метафори у творчості співачки спрямоване на посилення образної атрактивності пісенного тексту. Окрім метафоричних рефлексій, пісенним текстам Емі Макдональд властиві й порівняння для висвітлення зовнішньої подібності порівнюваних об’єктів, а також широке використання ідіоматичних одиниць та часті звернення до алюзій. Оскільки авторка часто згадує відомих акторів, музикантів та ін., її пісні можна вважати своєрідною енциклопедією сучасної масової культури. Змістовними є і назви пісень виконавиці, які є цікавими з огляду на граматичну структуру та лексичні і стилістичні особливості.
ТЕОРІЯ ОЦІНКИ НА ОСНОВІ SFL ЯК ЕФЕКТИВНИЙ МЕТОД ВИЯВЛЕННЯ ЕМОЦІЙ У ПУБЛІЧНОМУ ДИСКУРСІ
Authors: Скічко Анастасія
Published: November 2023

Статтю присвячено емоційному аналізу мотиваційних промов як важливого підтипу публічного дискурсу, який характеризується емоційною спрямованістю та наявністю стратегічних мовних засобів, котрі впливають на залучення та мотивацію аудиторії. У цьому дослідженні особлива увага приділяється розкриттю складних аспектів виразності емоцій, які проявляються через низку лексичних одиниць та граматичних структур, що корелюють у різних галузях, таких як політика, освіта та бізнес. Для систематичної обробки та аналізу даних у ході роботи використовуються передові програми комп’ютерного забезпечення – UAM Corpus Tool (O’Donnell, 2008), котра містить вбудовані схеми для ручної анотації, та AntConc (Anthony, 2005), котра має вбудований метод аналізу KWIC (Key-Word-In-Context). Це дослідження ефективно ідентифікує та виокремлює повний спектр емоційних виразів у мотиваційних виступах за допомогою взаємодії корпусного підходу, що тісно пов’язаний із теоретичними засадами Теорії оцінки, вибудованої на основі системно-функціональної лінгвістики (SFL). Теорія оцінки на основі SFL слугує як найбільш ефективний метод розкриття багатогранного емоційного пласту, використаного у мотиваційних виступах. Вона має багатошарову будову та складається із низки категорій, таких як Affect, Attitude, Engagement, and Graduation. Зокрема, у ході роботи було виявлено, що слово “feel” є найбільш активним та поширеним серед усіх елементів категорії Affect і найчастіше вступає у лінгвістичні варіації з прикметниками, іменниками та іншими частинами мови. Також результати свідчать про те, що саме ці мовні конструкції впливають на виразність мовлення та інтерпретацію емоцій у мотиваційних промовах. Відповідно, отримані дані поглиблюють розуміння особливостей стратегій переконання у публічному дискурсі.
СТРАТЕГІЇ ПЕРЕКЛАДУ МЕТАФОР У ХУДОЖНЬОМУ ТЕКСТІ (НА МАТЕРІАЛІ РОМАНУ АЙРІС МЕРДОК «THE BLACK PRINCE»)
Authors: Телегіна Наталія , Петрів Лілія
Published: November 2023

Мета статті – проаналізувавши існуючі стратегії перекладу та їх класифікації і, спираючись на них, запропонувати свою класифікацію стратегій перекладу метафор і, користуючись нею, провести кількісний та якісний аналіз використаних в розглянутому перекладі стратегій та визначити найбільш ефективні з них. Вибірка метафор з вихідного тексту виявила високу ступень метафоричності прози Айріс Мердок, а визначення емоційно-експресивної функції цих метафор засвідчило їх важливу роль в розкритті емоційних станів героїв, їх світосприйняття та взаємин з навколишнім світом. Кількісний аналіз застосованих перекладачкою стратегій показав, що з 210 вибраних з оригіналу роману Айріс Мердок метафор, з яких відповідно до класифікації П. Ньюмарка 136 були визначені як оригінальні, а 74 як стандартні, за допомогою стратегії збереження метафори зі збереженням образу, було перекладено 146 метафор (45 стандартних і 101 оригінальна), при цьому збереження авторської інтенції та емоційно-експресивної функції метафор було забезпечено повністю, що свідчить про максимальну ефективність цієї стратегії. Стратегія перефразування метафори зі збереженням оригінальності була використана 23 рази; перифраз метафори без збереження оригінальності використовувався 2 рази; експлікація метафори застосовувалася 9 разів (6 для стандартних і 3 для оригінальних метафор); заміна метафори на інший стилістичний засіб використовувалася 10 разів (4 для стандартних і 6 для оригінальних метафор); опущення метафори було виявлено тільки 1 раз; заміна стандартної метафори на іншу стандартну із більш зрозумілим для носіїв мови мети метафоричним образом було використано 16 разів і стратегія заміни стандартної метафори на оригінальну використовувалася тричі. Загалом необхідно зазначити, що ретельний підбір стратегій перекладу Єленою Даскал для кожного окремого випадку забезпечив не тільки відтворення стилю письменниці, а і максимально повне розкриття художніх образів. Аналіз використаних стратегій та результатів їх застосування свідчить про збереження культурно-етнічної специфіки образів і тяжіння перекладачки з точки зору глобальних стратегій до форенізації з метою занурення читача у світосприйняття героя та авторську картину світу.