bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antikeloid Activity and Irritation Test of Combination Extract of Tithonia diversifolia A. Gray and Nerium indicum Mill in vivo
Authors: Yuliani Fara Silvia , Wahyuningsih Mae Sri Hartati
Published: December 2024

Keloids, marked by overgrowth of fibrous tissue beyond wound boundaries, present therapeutic challenges due to recurrence and the side effects of current treatments. Conventional methods, including surgery and radiotherapy are often costly and carry risks such as recurrence, pain, and infection. This has led to increasing interest in natural alternatives. This study investigates the antikeloid potential of a combination extract from Nerium indicum Mill (N. indicum) and Tithonia diversifolia A. Gray (T. diversifolia) in an in vivo rabbit ear hypertrophic scar model. The efficacy of the extract was evaluated using the Scar Elevation Index (SEI), while irritation tests assessed its potential for localized skin reactions. Five groups were tested: three groups receiving different doses of the combination extract, a negative control (aquadest), and a positive control (triamcinolone acetonide). The results showed that SEI values in all treatment groups were significantly reduced compared to the negative control (p<0.05), indicating reduced scar prominence. The Draize test further classified the extract as a minimal irritant, supporting its safety for topical application. These findings suggest that the combination extract of N. indicum and T. diversifolia is a promising, safer, and natural alternative for keloid treatment, particularly in managing hypertrophic scars.
Travel Time Variability and Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Urban Streets Using Global Positioning System: A Review
Authors: Alkaissi Zainab Ahmed , Hussain Ruba Yousif
Published: December 2024

Travel Time estimation is largely caused by the stochastic process of arrivals and departures of vehicles and its reliability measurements considering important issues for improving operational efficiency and safety for traffic road networks. The exploration of travel time variability and spatio-temporal analysis of urban streets using the Global Positioning System (GPS) concluded that the mixed land uses and travel congestions caused higher travel times and delays. The accessibility indices were increased by increasing access points and decreasing traffic volumes. The Geographic Information System (GIS) networks can produce a model that overcomes some restrictions of accessibility indices. Different prediction models were developed to capture the main parameters related to travel time. It concluded that delay at signalized intersections in terms of stopping delay was the major parameter affecting the total travel time and total delay time of major urban streets. Travel time estimation algorithms based on speed data loop detectors induced insignificant differences when the study route was a relatively short and slow transition from free state to congestion state. Travel time results are affected by the location of sensors and their sparseness, hence estimation errors increase as detector spacing increases.
The Impact of Career Pathing Practices on Job Satisfaction of Employees at BIR Document Processing Division in RR4 - PAMPANGA
Authors: Rojas John Benedict C. , Roque John Francis D. , Unico Maricris G. , Abante Marmelo V.
Published: December 2024

This research investigates the impact of career pathing on job satisfaction among employees of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Document Processing Division in RR4, Pampanga. Career pathing is a strategic framework designed to outline clear advancement trajectories and to align skill development opportunities with promotions. This study uses a descriptive correlational design, incorporating a survey of 73 employees to assess the level of career pathing implementation and its relationship with job satisfaction. Data were analyzed using statistical methods to determine the strength of the correlation between career pathing practices and job satisfaction. Findings suggest that job promotions play a significant role in enhancing motivation and commitment, supporting the existing literature that shows a positive correlation between perceived advancement opportunities and job satisfaction. In the context of the Philippines, perceptions of career pathing are pivotal to job satisfaction because they influence workplace relationships and organizational culture. However, bureaucratic structures in government agencies can hinder career progression, leading to low employee morale and productivity. This research provides insights into the effectiveness of promotion criteria and transparency in BIR career pathing practices. The findings are expected to offer recommendations that enhance employee satisfaction and improve organizational stability. By contributing to the understanding of how career pathing can be optimized, this study seeks to help public sector organizations better meet their employees’ career aspirations.
Knowledge of Food Label Among Master’s Students of Home Science in Kathmandu: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Baidhya Srijana
Published: December 2024

The part of food labels that states the amount of nutrients is called nutrition labeling. This comprises a list of components, a nutrition information table, health endorsement logos and nutritional content claims on product labels. Food labeling is an essential part of any product. As a food producer, it is not only legally required but also empowers customers to make informed food purchases and ensures the safe storage and use of their purchases. Students in food and nutrition should be knowledgeable in the topics of label reading, healthy eating, and how to use food labels as future nutritionists. With this sound understanding, they will be able to counsel their future patients on the proper use of food labels and, as a result, become change agents in the community. It can also help people live healthier lives if food labels are used appropriately. This study aimed to evaluate students’ understanding of food labels in home science. Using a descriptive cross-sectional approach, data were collected through purposive sampling. The findings indicated that among the 118 participants, the majority (98%) were aware of the food labels, although only about half could interpret all the information on them. The study suggests that although most students recognize food labels, they may lack a comprehensive understanding of the details provided. This underscores the importance of public awareness campaigns and educational programs to improve consumer knowledge and the effective use of food label information.
Protective Effects of Premna serratifolia L. Leaf Extract Against Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in ICR Mice
Authors: Cruz Josel D. , Nolasco Glen S. , Dicuangco John Dave A. , David Lourdes Fatima S.
Published: December 2024

Many therapeutic drugs, including aminoglycosides, are known to cause nephrotoxicity and impair kidney function. Gentamicin is a type of aminoglycoside commonly used to treat infection caused by gram-negative bacteria, but it can induce nephrotoxicity by accumulation in the proximal convoluted tubules, resulting in stress, degeneration, and injury to the kidney. Although traditional treatments are limited, natural products, such as in Premna serratifolia, have potential for ameliorative bioactivities. This study examined the nephroprotective effects of P. serratifolia ethanolic leaf extract (PSELE) against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in male ICR mice. Twelve male ICR mice were divided into four groups: normal (T0), negative (T-), 0.3 ml/20 g b.w. PSELE-treated (T1), and 0.5 ml/20 g b.w. PSELE-treated (T2). The kidneys were then extracted, weighed, and subjected to histopathological examination. Results showed that PSELE counteracts gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity by mitigating its effect on weight and kidney tissue alterations in PSELE-treated mice (T1 and T2), with comparable results to normal (T0). The protective effects of the extract were attributed to the phytochemicals that mitigated the oxidative stress of gentamicin. In conclusion, PSELE is a potential therapeutic agent for nephrotoxicity mitigation.
Advanced Malware Detection: Integrating Convolutional Neural Networks with LSTM RNNs for Enhanced Security
Authors: Ridha Habeeb Alsaedi Balsam
Published: December 2024

Malware, or malicious software, is a serious threat to people, businesses, and the cybersecurity environment as a whole. Its purpose is to disrupt, damage, or obtain unauthorized access to computer systems. The ability to accurately classify and identify different types of malware is very important in developing effective defense mechanisms and reducing possible risks In order to classify malware from photos, this paper presents a novel approach that combines the capabilities of an LSTM architecture with the convolutional neural network AlexNet. We began with preprocessing the data, which included resizing the images for compatibility with the network architecture. Then, we used AlexNet to extract powerful and meaningful features from the malware images. Although we extracted 1,000 features, we trimmed the list to 120 features using linear discriminant analysis for more efficient and effective classification. Finally, we trained an LSTM network with the extracted features. The images used in our experiments contained malware from nine different families. To evaluate the performance of our proposed approach, we conducted experiments on the MaliMG dataset, which includes a diverse range of malware samples. The obtained results show the effectiveness of the proposed method. The training accuracy reached a significant value of 99.80%, which shows the ability of our model to accurately learn patterns and features of malware images. Moreover, the evaluation of the test dataset yielded a remarkable accuracy of 99.49%, which highlights the robustness and generalizability of our approach.
Computational intelligence in the identification of Covid-19 patients by using KNN-SVM Classifier
Authors: Adnan Shaymaa
Published: December 2024

Initiatives to mitigate the persistent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis shown that quick, sensitive, and extensive screening is essential for managing the present epidemic and future pandemics. This virus seeks to infect the lungs by generating white, patchy opacities inside them. This research presents an advanced methodology employing deep learning techniques for the analysis of medical pictures pertaining to respiratory disorders. This experiment included two data sets, the initial one including normal lungs sourced from the Kaggle data pool. We acquired the anomalous lungs from https://github.com/muhammedtalo/COVID-19. We applied Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Histogram of Gradients (HOG) as extract features. while we conducted a classification process using K nearest neighbors (KNN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithms .  Results showed that the classification accuracy with SVM for Covid-19 identification is 88.54% while with KNN is 82.31%
Deprem Koşulları Karşısında İmar Planlama Pratiğimiz: Kayseri İmar Planları Üzerinden Bir Değerlendirme
Authors: Yücel Ceyhan , Erkara Ayşe , Kıtlık Nursena
Published: December 2024

Kentlerde depremin yaratacağı hasarın azaltılmasında imar planlarının rolü önemlidir. Kentlerin depremselliği konusunda jeoloji ve jeofizik alanındaki çalışmalar teknolojik olanaklarla daha kapsamlı hale gelmiş ancak bu çalışmalar imar planlama pratiğimizde gerektiği şekilde yer alamamıştır. Jeoloji ve imar planlama disiplini arasındaki bu kopukluk kentlerin depreme duyarlı hale getirilmesinde önemli bir boşluk yaratmaktadır. Bu çalışmada öncelikle, üçünü derece deprem kuşağında olmasından ötürü yüksek yıkım riski taşımamasına rağmen yeraltı özellikleri ve kentsel mekân biçimlenişi ile hasar riski taşıyan Kayseri’de 1999 Marmara depremi öncesi ve sonrasında imar planlarında depremselliğin ele alınışı konusunda değerlendirmeler yapılacaktır. Sonrasında, Kayseri’nin jeolojik yapısına ilişkin veriler doğrultusunda risk oluşturması muhtemel alanlar gösterilecek ve bu alanların imar planlarındaki durumu ile günümüzdeki mekânsal nitelikleri sunulacaktır. Son aşamada hem Kayseri’nin imar planlarında hem de planların onaylarının ardından kentsel mekânın oluşumunda depremselliğin yeterince ele alınıp alınmadığı konusunda değerlendirmeler yapılacak ve kentsel jeoloji alanında güncel literatüre dayalı olarak Kayseri örneğinden hareketle imar planlaması ve yer bilimleri arasında kurulamayan iş birliğinin sonuçları tartışılacaktır.
Normatif Çerçeveleme Kapsamında Bir Yaya Kaldırımı Peyzaj Tasarımı Örneği
Authors: Kızılaslan Sinem
Published: December 2024

Kentsel mekân planlaması ve tasarımında odak nokta insanların ihtiyaçlarıdır. İnsanların hizmet ve olanaklara erişim kolaylığı, teknolojik gelişmeler, gelişmiş alt yapı sistemleri, gelişmiş ulaşım hatları vb. birçok nedenle kentsel mekânlar gelişmiş bir toplumun göstergesi olarak düşünülmektedir. Kentsel mekânların sahip olduğu ya da sahip olması gereken bu özellikleri için fiziksel çevre ana kaynaktır ve sınırsız değildir. Günümüz kentlerinin başılıca gerçeği kısıtlı olan çevresel kaynaklarla insanların temel ihtiyaçlarının karşılanamamasıdır. Bu bağlamda kentlerdeki hızlı nüfus artışıyla yapılaşmanın ve taşıt trafiğinin artması yürünebilir alanların azalmasına ve giderek yetersiz hale gelmesine neden olmuştur. Oysa yürümek, insan sağlığına olan olumlu etkilerinin yanında insanların çevrelerini algılayabilmelerinde de ön koşullardan biridir. Ayrıca yürünebilecek alanların azalması sosyal bir varlık olan insanın diğer insanlarıla olan iletişimini de olumsuz etkileyebilmektedir. Bu nedenlerle kent içinde yürümeye el verişli alanların arttırılması gerekmektedir. Yaya kaldırımlarının birincil görevi yaya sirkülasyonunu sağlamak olsa da günümüz kentlerinde başta kaldırım genişlikleri ve kaldırım yükseklikleri olmak üzere kaldırımlar birçok özellikleri ile çoğu zaman yürümeye elverişli ortamlar olamamaktadırlar. Oysa doğru tasarlanan yaya kaldırımları insanları yürümeye teşvik ederek yürümekle ilişkili olan alt hedeflerle de kent insanına fayda sağlayabilir. Bu çoklu yapı Amaç Çerçeveleme Teorisi’nin (Goal Framing Theory) modüler yapısıyla benzerlik göstermektedir. Çalışma kapsamında seçilen mekân tasarımları ve kentsel donatılar; yerlere çöp atılmaması, insanların hareket etmeye yönlendirilmesi, yaban yaşamının korunması bağlamında, normatif hedefler kapsamında değerlendirilmiştir. Çalışmanın devamında Normatif Çerçeveleme kapsamında 3D modelleme yöntemiyle Samsun ilinin Atakum ilçesinde bulunan bir yaya kaldırımının; kaldırım genişliği, kaldırım yüksekliği, çevresiyle ilişkisi ve kullanım yoğunluğu göz önünde bulundurularak, düzenleme çalışması yapılmıştır. Yapılan çalışmayla yürümeye teşvik eden ve olanak sağlayan bir yaya kaldırımı peyzaj tasarımı önerisi sunulmuştur.
Belediye Öncülüğünde Dijital Platformları Alternatif Güzergâhlar İçin Kullanabilmek: Lezzet Ankara’nın Düşündürdükleri
Authors: Aydıner Tolgahan
Published: December 2024

Bu çalışmada, Dünya’da ve Türkiye’de platform şirketlerine alternatif olabilecek nitelikte, kamu önderliğinde ortaya çıkan nadir örneklerden Lezzet Ankara platformu ele alınmıştır. Dijitalleşme ve yerel yönetimler arasındaki ilişkinin son yıllarda artmasına koşut olarak dijital platformlar da yerel yönetimlerin önemli tartışma konularından biri haline gelmiştir. Platform kapitalizmine karşı geliştirilen alternatiflerde müşterekler ve platform kooperatifçiliği tartışmaları ön plana çıksa da yerel yönetimlerin platform ekosisteminde üstlenebilecekleri roller bir hayli fazladır. COVID 19 Pandemisi koşullarında Ankara Büyükşehir Belediyesi (BŞB) tarafından esnafların ekonomik sorunlarını hafifletmek amacıyla uygulamaya konan ve esnaftan komisyon almayan online yemek sipariş platformu Lezzet Ankara’nın kamuoyunda yarattığı tartışmalar ve uygulamanın süreç içinde karşılaştığı zorluklar, yerel yönetimler nezdinde üretilebilecek alternatiflerin geleceği hakkında önemli ipuçları sunmaktadır. Lezzet Ankara deneyiminin kendi değerini üretmesinin sağlayabileceği olanaklar ve bu deneyimin neden devam etmediği sorusuna verilen yanıtlar, çalışmanın temel sorunsalını oluşturmuştur.
Development of “Environmental Attributes Scale” in Historical City Centers: The Case of Ankara-Hacıbayram Square
Authors: Yurtseven Başak , Oğuz Dicle
Published: December 2024

The aim of this study is to develop a scale to identify the effects of the physical and social transformation of Hacıbayram Square after urban on the residents, employees and visitors from different districts of Ankara. In the scale development process, firstly, a literature review was conducted, and no scale was found for the purpose of the study and the research question. In this context, it was decided to develop a scale for determining the physical and social qualities of the place. In this context, deductive method was used, literature review and expert opinions were taken into consideration. Thus, an item pool of 37 items was created. In the scale development study, a 5-point Likert-type scale was used. Initially, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were applied to determine the construct validity of the scale. The factorization structure was determined with EFA and it was decided that the KMO (0.851) and Bartlett’s test chi-square value (2933,668) were appropriate. With CFA, it was tested whether a previously defined and delimited structure was confirmed as a model. The 8 items with low factor loadings and incompatibilities under the dimensions were removed from the data set. According to the results of the construct validity analysis of the scale, it was determined that the “Environmental Attributes Scale” consists of 22 items and four dimensions. As a result of the analyzes, it was determined that the scale had an adequate fit index. Chi-square degrees of freedom ratio (1.51) was at the expected level, RMSEA value (0.055) was at the expected level, CFI value (0.98) was at the expected level, NFI value (0.93) was at the expected level and GFI value (0.86) was slightly below the expected limit. According to the results of the reliability analysis of the scale, Cronbach's Alpha internal consistency coefficient was founded as 0.89 for the whole scale. Cronbach's Alpha internal consistency coefficient was .768 for “comfort and visual image” dimension, .815 for “access and linkages” dimension, .840 for “use and activities” dimension, and .712 for “socialization” dimension. As a result of these findings, it was determined that the “Environmental Attributes Scale” developed to identify the attitudes of users towards the physical and social characteristics of Hacıbayram Square and its environment is a valid and reliable measurement tool.
Vizyon Belgeleri Işığında Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi (AK Parti) Döneminde Türkiye’nin Şehircilik Politikaları (2002-2024)
Authors: Turan Menaf
Published: December 2024

14 Ağustos 2001 tarihinde kurulan ve 3 Kasım 2002 tarihinde iktidara gelen AK Parti 22 yılı aşan uzun iktidar süresi boyunca şehircilik alanında köklü değişim ve dönüşümlere öncülük etmiş ve vizyon belgelerinde açıkladığı şekliyle uyumlu şehircilik politikalarını hayata geçirmeye çalışmıştır. Bu yazıda AK Partiyi iktidara taşıyan vizyonu ve onu iktidarda tutan politikaların bir bölümünü teşkil eden şehircilik politikaları ana hatlarıyla değerlendirilmiştir. Bu konuda parti programı, yerel ve genel seçim beyannameleri, vizyon belgeleri başta olmak üzere politika belgelerinden yararlanılmıştır. İlk bölümde AK Parti vizyonunun referans kaynakları kapsamında liderlik vizyonunun taşıyıcısı olarak Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’ın vizyonu, AK Parti’nin beslendiği toplumsal değerler, değişim ve dönüşüm süreçlerini yönetme kabiliyetine yer verilmektedir. Çalışmanın ikinci bölümünde ise bu vizyonunun yansıması olan şehircilik politikaları değerlendirilmektedir. Kamu yönetimi reformu, konut politikası ve kentsel dönüşüm, kentsel altyapı ve ulaşım, çevre ve iklim dostu şehirler, afetlere karşı dirençli şehirler, akıllı şehirler, tarihsel, doğal ve kültürel mirasın korunması, şehirlerde sosyal yaşam ve sosyal belediyecilik alanlarında yapılan çalışmalar bu başlık altında ele alınan politikalardır.
Falling into Temptation
Authors: Barros José Eduardo de Melo , Pereira Rita de Cássia de Faria , Borba Marcelo da Costa
Published: December 2024

Food-related impulsivity is described in literature as a regulatory response to negative emotions. However, it is unclear whether emotional regulation can mediate the relationship between psychological traits and eating motivations and impulsivity in food purchasing. This article analyzes the influence of impulsive traits, anxiety, and eating motivations on impulsivity in food purchasing considering the mediating role of emotional regulation. A convenience sample was accessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, consisting of Brazilians, mostly female, with high income, average age of 35 years, and average BMI of 25.87. The hypotheses were tested using Structural Equation Modeling with the Partial Least Squares method (PLS-SEM). The results show that individuals with a tendency to impulsive purchases and with greater difficulty in regulating emotions tend to be more impulsive in food purchasing. The tendency to impulsivity and trait anxiety seem to impair emotional self-control, while adopting functional goals can contribute to self-control. Furthermore, individuals with a higher tendency toward impulsivity appear to cope worse with their emotions when they do not have health goals. The segregation of trait and state anxiety and the inclusion of the emotion regulation construct offer theoretical contributions to the literature. This study also discusses managerial and well-being implications for consumers.
Sesgo de género docente y su impacto en el rendimiento matemático temprano de niños y niñas/Teacher gender bias and its impact on boys' and girls' early mathematics achievement.
Authors: Avila Daiana , García Paola , Maiche Alejandro
Published: December 2024

ResumenEste estudio aborda la brecha de género en el rendimiento matemático en América Latina,donde la diferencia a favor de los varones es significativamente mayor que en los paísesdesarrollados. Se analizaron las interacciones entre el rendimiento matemático de niños yniñas y el sesgo de género docente en un contexto de desigualdad educativa. Participaron 417estudiantes (211 niños y 206 niñas) de 25 grupos de nivel 5 y primer grado de escuelas condiversos niveles socioeconómicos. Se aplicó un cuestionario sobre creencias de género alos/as docentes y la Prueba Uruguaya de Matemáticas (PUMa) a los estudiantes.Los resultados mostraron una ligera ventaja global en el rendimiento matemático de losniños, más pronunciada en primer grado y significativa en matemáticas simbólicas,especialmente en escuelas de nivel socioeconómico bajo. Además, se observó que un mayorsesgo docente a favor de los niños se relaciona con una mayor brecha en el rendimientomatemático. Las principales limitaciones fueron el tamaño de la muestra, que restringe lageneralización de los resultados, y la ausencia de herramientas de medición implícita paracaptar creencias automáticas de los docentes. Se sugiere ampliar la muestra y utilizar métodosde evaluación implícita en futuras investigaciones para explorar con mayor profundidad elimpacto del sesgo docente.AbstractThis study addresses the gender gap in mathematics achievement in Latin America, where thedifference in favor of boys is significantly greater than in developed countries. Theinteractions between boys' and girls' mathematics achievement and teacher gender bias in acontext of educational inequality were analyzed. Four hundred and seventeen students (211boys and 206 girls) from 25 level 5 and first grade groups from schools with differentsocioeconomic levels participated. A questionnaire on gender beliefs was administered toteachers and the Uruguayan Mathematics Test (PUMa) to students.The results showed a slight overall advantage in the mathematical performance of boys, morepronounced in first grade and significant in symbolic mathematics, especially in schools oflow socioeconomic level. In addition, a greater teacher bias in favor of boys was found to berelated to a larger gap in mathematics achievement. The main limitations were the samplesize, which restricts the generalizability of the results, and the absence of implicitmeasurement tools to capture automatic beliefs of teachers. We suggest expanding the sampleand using implicit assessment methods in future research to further explore the impact ofteacher bias.
Evidence-Based Practices for the Psychology Classroom Derived from Universal Design for Learning
Authors: Soicher Raechel N. , Shivers Carolyn , Bogart Kathleen , Gernsbacher Morton Ann
Published: December 2024

Although Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a ubiquitous phrase higher education, we invite psychology instructors, researchers, and educational developers to look beyond UDL as a checklist of course design elements. The UDL framework was designed for and continues to be in dialogue with our disabled students and their educational experiences. In this article, we introduce the reader to the fundamentals of UDL, briefly review the empirical evidence supporting the framework, and suggest how instructors can apply the evidence-based practices derived from UDL in their own classrooms. Importantly, we end the article by drawing attention to disability justice, to which UDL is inextricably linked.
The effect of delayed rewards on human goal-directed actions
Authors: Perez Omar D. , Urcelay Gonzalo Pablo
Published: December 2024

Goal-directed actions are defined by their sensitivity to the causal association between actions and outcomes, as well as the subjective value ascribed to those outcomes. When this sensitivity diminishes, actions may transition into habitual behavior. Based on recent findings from animal studies, we hypothesized that delaying outcomes relative to actions would weaken sensitivity to outcome revaluation and reduce action rates. In three experiments ( N = 290 ), participants made fictitious investments in companies within different contexts providing immediate or delayed feedback. After training, participants were informed of a market crash that affected the performance of both companies, favoring one over the other. Across all experiments, action rates were lower in the delayed-feedback condition, and outcome revaluation had a more pronounced effect in the immediate-feedback condition. Self-reported action-outcome knowledge revealed that participants were less aware of the contingencies in the delayed condition. These findings suggest that delays in reinforcement weaken the action-outcome association critical for goal-directed control. We discuss the potential mechanisms underlying this phenomenon and its implications for understanding real-life decisions.
Curbing Teenage Pregnancy in South Africa's Schools
Authors: Umubyeyi Beatrice Samson
Published: December 2024

Teenage pregnancy in South African schools presents a significant challenge to the education system and society as a whole. This study seeks to investigate the strategies implemented to decrease teenage pregnancy in South African schools. It is based on qualitative secondary sources such as expert analysis, teacher input, civil society, and testimonies from teenagers. The data was collected from public online sources, including audio, YouTube videos, and written testimonies. The findings indicate that teenage pregnancy has reached a crisis point. Socioeconomic challenges such as poverty, unemployment, peer pressure, cultural and societal norms around sexuality, and related challenges are at the center of child pregnancy in South Africa.
The Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Academic Writing and Publishing Papers
Authors: Van Teijlingen Edwin , Subedi Madhusudan , Parker Sara , Khattri Man Bahadur
Published: December 2024

Use of AI
Histopathological Spectrum of Skin Neoplasm in a Tertiary care center
Authors: Basnet Dipika , Makaju Ramesh , Dhakal Rachana , Gautam Nikita , Maharjan Prem Bahadur , Budhathoki Arjun , Dahal Sajana
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
Background
Skin is the largest organ in the body. An extensive range of disease can develop from various compartment of skin. Early diagnosis can help in prognosis and planning an effective management. Hence, differentiation of malignant and benign nature of the lesion is vitally important which can be achieved by histopathological examination. The objective of this study was to analyze the histomorphological spectrum of skin neoplasm received in a tertiary center.
Methods
This is a retrospective study done from January 2018 to December 2021 in the Department of Pathology, Dhulikhel Hospital - Kathmandu University Hospital (DH - KUH). Relevant clinical data of the patients were obtained from the histopathological records of the patient from the pathology department.
Results
A total of 248 cases of skin tumours were studied, out of which 194(78.2%) cases were benign and 54(21.8%) cases were malignant. The incidence of keratinocytic tumours was highest consisting of 107(43.2%) cases followed by soft tissue tumour, melanocytic tumours appendegeal tumours and hematoplymphoid tumours. Most common benign tumour was fibroepithelial polyp and malignant neoplasm was squamous cell carcinoma.  The age of patient ranged from 4 to 94 years.  Benign tumours were most prevalent in age group of 31-40 years and malignant neoplasm in 61-70 years. Head and neck region was the commonest site for occurrence of the skin neoplasms.
Conclusions
Skin tumours comprise of wide spectrum of benign and malignant lesions. Histopathological study of the skin biopsies is required for definite diagnosis and treatment.
Stress and its coping strategies among undergraduate health science students of Pokhara during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Dhungana Mahima Sharma , Gahatraj Nand Ram , Sharma Bimala , Parajuli Anusha , Sharma Astha , Gairhe Samikshya , Baral Nirdesh
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Mental health of students was affected during COVID-19 pandemic due to fear of infection, mandatory lockdown, interruption in academic activities, challenges in distance learning, and social isolation. This study aimed to assess the level of stress and coping strategies adopted by the undergraduate health science students of Pokhara during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to assess the level of stress and coping strategies among undergraduate students from May 2021 to November 2021. A structured questionnaire was developed in Google form and a link to the questionnaire was sent to the study participants using email and social media. Descriptive and bivariate analysis was done using SPSS software.
Results: In total, 18.4% of the respondents had a high level of stress and 59.4% had an average level of stress. The most frequently used coping strategy was accepting reality and learning to live with it i.e. acceptance (36.8%). Following this, doing something to think less about the situation, such as watching movies/TV, reading, sleeping /playing online games/ attending online courses during COVID-19, i.e. self-distraction (31.6%) was another common strategy. Patterns of assignments, postponed exams, changes in exam patterns, and delayed academic year were found to be significantly associated with stress among the study population.
Conclusions: The majority of the respondents had an average to high level of stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic. A substantial portion adopted acceptance and self-distraction as strategies to cope with stress. The students should be taught different effective coping strategies to manage stress. There is a need for a clear academic plan, teaching-learning activity guidelines, and exam modalities for such emergency situations.
Outcome of internal fixation of posterior cruciate ligament avulsion injury fixation
Authors: Gupta Hemant Kumar
Published: December 2024

Introduction: The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) avulsion form tibial attachment can be managed by fixation with many techniques, in this study, open reduction and internal fixation with canulated cancellous screws through posterior approach done and the radiological union and functional outcome was evaluated.
Methods: Total 24 cases of PCL avulsion managed with fixation through posterior approach with cannulated cancellous screws over a period from February 5, 2017 to June 30, 2024 with the follow-up for 12 months was performed. The final outcome was evaluated on the basis of radiological union and Lysholm score.
Results: In this study, the mean age was 33.91 years, male (75%) and female (25%) with most injuries on right side (79.16%). At the final follow-up for the mean duration of 13.1 months (SD=1.21 months) in all patients, fracture was united and all patient had full extension and mean flexion 1250± 7.50. The functional outcome assessed by the Lysholm scoring system was excellent in 17 patients, good in six patients and fair in one patient (average Lysholm score was  97±7.6). Around five patients had residual pain and swelling in the joint and six the patients had mild (grade 1) instability tested clinically using the drawer test.
Conclusions: Fixation of PCL avulsion was safely done with posterior approach and the results were excellent in terms of radiological union and function of the knee.
Sexual and Reproductive Health Education in Adolescents of Nepal: Current Status, Knowledge Gaps, and Strategic Interventions
Authors: Prajapati Rama , Sah Anil Kumar , Koirala Anisha , Mulmi Asmita , Thapa Nirjala , Khanal Pooja , Thapa Prakriti , Choudhary Khirendra , Giri Suja
Published: December 2024

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in Nepal faces significant challenges, including high rates of early marriage and motherhood, limited access to quality education, and low contraceptive utilization, with prevalent stigma surrounding sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS. Despite high awareness of contraceptives among adolescents, actual usage remains low, highlighting critical gaps in access and education. This review paper used a desktop research approach to examine existing literature on SRH education in Nepal. This study was conducted to identify SRH challenges and propose actionable solutions to improve outcomes for youth in Nepal. The findings reveal a pressing need to strengthen legal frameworks against child marriage, the integration of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) into school curricula, and the development of youth-friendly health services. Additionally, the study identifies the importance of community engagement and parental involvement in promoting supportive environments for young people. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the barriers to effective SRH education and services in Nepal and offers practical recommendations for addressing these issues.
Effect of Date of Planting and Seed Treatment to Control Late Blight (Phytophthora infestans) Disease of Potato in Nigale, Sindhupalchowk
Authors: Shrestha Astha , Devkota Durga , Senchuri Apekshya , Adhikari Gaurav
Published: December 2024

An experiment was conducted from February to June 2020 with the objective to analyse the effect of the date of planting and fungicidal seed treatment to control the late blight disease of potato in Sindhupalchowk district. The experiment was done in a split plot design and each treatment was replicated three times. The main-plot factor was the planting dates; February 15 and March 15 and the sub-plot factor was the seed treatments with fungicides application of (i) Bavistin @0.2% concentration, (ii) Mancozeb @0.25% concentration, (iii) Krilaxyl @0.2% concentration, and (iv) untreated control. Potato variety used was Kufri Jyoti, a released variety for the hills of Nepal. Records were maintained for major pathological parameters at different dates. The fungicidal seed treatment had a significant (p<0.05) effect on disease severity after the appearance of the disease, but was non-significant to disease incidence. Disease severity was the least on Mancozeb treatment (4), but was statistically similar to the other two treatments Bavistin (4) and Krilaxyl (5). The planting dates had a non-significant effect on disease severity but least disease severity was found with the application of Mancozeb planted on March 15 (3). Further validation of the results with in-depth study is required before coming to concrete findings.
Factors Associated with Knowledge and Practices of Menstrual Hygiene among Adolescent School-Going Girls of Birendranagar Municipality, Surkhet
Authors: Bhedi Sumi Kumari , Khanal Shankar Prasad
Published: December 2024

Background: Menstruation refers to a susceptible period in the life of adolescent girls. Various factors are associated with knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls.
Objective: To identify the factors associated with knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent school-going girls of Birendranagar Municipality, Surkhet.
Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire collected the primary data of 372 adolescent school-going girls using a stratified random sampling technique. The study used both descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Multiple logistic regression model was used followed by bivariate analysis. The goodness of fit of the model was examined by using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and the accuracy of fitted model by using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve.
Results: The average age (mean ± SE) and the average age (mean ± SE) at menarche of the respondents were 14.62 ± 0.059 years and 12.47 ± 0.049 years respectively. The variables where respondents do not attain program/sessions at school about menstruation before menarche [OR:4.81, 95% CI: (1.36, 16.97), p = 0.015 ], who believed no effect of menstruation on academic performance [OR:0.21, 95% CI: (0.05, 0.84), p = 0.028], the heavy amount of bleeding [OR: 5.73, 95% CI: (1.63, 20.20), p = 0.007] and having restriction i.e. not allowed to sleep in their own room [OR: 6.02, 95% CI: (1.71, 21.24), p = 0.005] were significantly associated with poor knowledge of menstrual hygiene at α = 0.05. The fit of the model is good [H-L ( ) = 5.803, p = 0.446] and the AUC is 85.9%. Likewise, it is found that the poor practices of menstrual hygiene are significant with the reaction of respondents to their first menstruation i.e. emotional disturbance [OR: 13.34, 95% CI = (1.55, 114.99)] and having restriction i.e. not allowed to enter the kitchen during menstruation [OR: 3.86, 95% CI = (1.71, 8.65)] at α = 0.05. The fit of the model is good [H-L ( ) = 3.238, p = 0.778] and the AUC is 72.2%.
Conclusion: Students not attending sessions about menstruation and traditional barriers such as not allowed to sleep in their own room and not believing the effect of this on academic performance are highly responsible to the poor knowledge of menstrual hygiene. Emotional disturbances and restricting girls from kitchen during menstruation also contribute to poor hygiene practices. Addressing these issues within families can improve menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices.
Rainfall Prediction using Long Short-Term Memory and Gated Recurrent Unit with Various Meteorological Parameters
Authors: Pujara Mahesh , Paudel Nawaraj
Published: December 2024

Background: Rainfall prediction is a critical task in meteorology and environmental science, with far-reaching implications for disaster preparedness, agriculture, and water resource management. Rainfall prediction can benefit greatly from the application of deep learning techniques like Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) networks, which have demonstrated great promise in time series forecasting.
Objective: To use LSTM and GRU to forecast rainfall in the Kathmandu metropolitan area using information gathered from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Babarmahal, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Materials and Methods: Historical meteorological data was collected from Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Babarmahal, Kathmandu, Nepal and preprocessed to create a suitable dataset. With this preprocessed dataset containing variables such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed, and direction, two deep learning methods, LSTM and GRU, were trained. To assess the performance, various evaluation metrics, including Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and R2 were used.
Results: The daily rainfall has been predicted using LSTM and GRU using 0.0001 learning rate, 50 epochs and 8 batch size. RMSE, MAE and R2 values of LSTM are 2.51, 1.79 and 0.81 respectively. Similarly, RMSE, MAE and R2 values of GRU are 2.31, 1.51 and 0.95 respectively.
Conclusion: Test results show that the GRU model's predictions are generally near to the actual recorded rainfall amounts, as evidenced by the fact that the model's test RMSE and MAE are fewer than those of the LSTM. A higher R2 value of GRU suggests a better fit in the rainfall data, as more of the variance in the outcome is explained by the predictors.
Evacuation Plan for Potential Victims of Jyotinagar Landslide at Butwal
Authors: Bhandari Phanindra Prasad , Khadka Shree Ram
Published: December 2024

Butwal, a city in Rupandehi district of Nepal, is a rapidly expanding business hub. The city's geographical location, population density, and lack of proper planning make it extremely vulnerable to natural calamities. Emergency evacuation is a major issue during disasters in such cities. The landslide, known locally as the Jyotinagar Landslide, poses a deadly risk in Butwal and requires an effective evacuation plan. The literature contains a variety of evacuation strategies for evacuation scenarios around the world that are based on the available resources and the types of disasters. In this study, we propose a mathematical optimization evacuation plan, as no such plan exists so far, for possible victims of the Jyotinagar Landslide at Butwal, Nepal, using the Lexicographical Maximum Dynamic Contraflow Algorithm.
Product of two 2F2 Generalized Hyper-geometric Functions and their Special Cases
Authors: Poudel Madhav Prasad , Pahari Narayan Prasad , Panthi Dinesh
Published: December 2024

A remarkable number of identities have been established related to the product of generalized hypergeometric series in recent years. In the present work, we shall establish certain identities involving the product of two generalized hypergeometric functions. Bailey’s theorem is used to evaluate the particular cases for the product.
PELATIHAN PENYUSUNAN INSTRUMEN EVALUASI PEMBELAJARAN BAGI GURU SMK NEGERI 1 BATURAJA
Authors: Destiniar  , Nyiayu Fahriza Fuadiah  , Ety Septiati  , Asnurul Isroqmi  , Dina Octaria  , Anggria Septiani Mulbasari
Published: December 2024

Pembelajaran yang efektif dan efisien membutuhkan evaluasi yang baik dan tepat. Evaluasi harus dilakukan dilaksanakan sebaik mungkin untuk menghindari kesalahan mengukur dan mengevaluasi perkembangan hasil belajar siswa melalui instrumen yang tepat dan sesuai. Kemampuan guru dalam membuat instrumen evaluasi pembelajaran masih harus dikembangkan. Oleh karena itu, tim Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat Program Studi Pendidikan Matematika Universitas PGRI Palembang melakukan kegiatan Pelatihan Penyusunan Instrumen Evaluasi Pembelajaran Bagi Guru SMK Negeri 1 Baturaja Kabupaten Komering Ulu Sumatera Selatan. Kegiatan diikuti oleh 30 orang guru  dan dilaksanakan secara daring juga luring. Pada akhir kegiatan peserta dapat memahami tentang evaluasi pembelajaran dan dapat menyusun instrumen evaluasi pembelajaran sesuai kurikulum.
CHALLENGES OF PRESERVING ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE AMID SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DECLINE: A CALL FOR THE OFFICIAL CLASSIFICATION OF KSAR NEGRINE IN TEBESSA PROVINCE, ALGERIA
Authors: Tartar Nassima  , Toumi Fahmi
Published: December 2024

Ksar Negrine is a historic architectural landmark located in the Algerian desert, and it serves as a model for traditional cities. It was built using local materials such as clay and stone, relying on experience and innovative design to harmonize with the desert environment. The ksar consists of dwellings, a mosque, and a market, reflecting a comprehensive social, economic, and cultural development. The ksar enjoys a strategic geographical location in the heart of the palm oases and benefits from a water source that supports sustainable agriculture. Resources are distributed fairly among the residents, fostering social cohesion. However, the ksar has suffered from deterioration due to ongoing migration, lack of maintenance, and the impact of environmental factors such as sandstorms. With growing awareness of the importance of heritage preservation, there are now opportunities for its official classification, which would facilitate restoration efforts and transform it into a cultural and tourist center. This would help preserve its architectural identity and promote sustainable tourism.
Reframing the Narrative: Challenging Eurocentrism in Modern World Economic Historiography
Authors: Nasir Tahsina
Published: December 2024

This historiographic analysis challenges the Eurocentric narrative that has traditionally dominated the historiography of the modern world economy, which typically emphasizes Europe's central role while marginalizing the contributions of other regions. Drawing on the seminal works of scholars such as Immanuel Wallerstein and Janet L. Abu-Lughod, the analysis explores the complex, interconnected dynamics of the global economic system. It argues for a broader, more inclusive approach to economic history that acknowledges the diverse influences and interactions that have shaped the modern world. By conducting a detailed comparative analysis of key scholarly contributions, this paper promotes a multi-perspective understanding of global economic developments, moving beyond simplistic, Eurocentric interpretations. The core argument positions the modern economic world as an interwoven fabric of regional interactions and contributions, debunking the myth of European exceptionalism and highlighting the significant yet often overlooked economic innovations from across the globe. This approach not only reevaluates the narrative of economic history but also enriches our understanding of the multifaceted processes that drive the global economy.
Religious education in Akmola region: historical analysis(XIXcentury and early XXcentury)
Authors:   L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University,, Balchikh A.O.
Published: December 2024

The purpose of this study is an in-depth study of spiritual and educational activities in new method schools that influenced the consciousness of Kazakh students during the tsarist period in the Akmola region of Ka-zakhstan. The article conducted historical analyses of archival documents and scientific works. Additionally, content analysis was carried out to uncover new historical data. The research materials were classified into several factors that characterize the formation of religious and educational institutions as one of the main as-pects of the popularization and preservation of Islam. In this regard, the role of Jadidism in different historical periods and its role in preserving Islam in Kazakhstan was assessed. The results obtained indicate that Jadidism played an essential role in the life of the Kazakh people; in the second half of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the desire of the Kazakh people for education was hampered by the colonial policy of the Russian Empire aimed at destroying the language, religion, traditions, and customs of the local popula-tion, as well as its Russification. The colonial administration did not attach importance to the development of the education system for the Kazakh people. The results obtained using a qualitative approach served as an empirical basis for considering Kazakhstan's spiritual and educational movement from the Enlightenment perspective