bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analisis Kemampuan Pemahaman Matematis Siswa pada Materi Bangun Ruang Sisi Lengkung
Authors: Yani Casmi Fitri , Maimunah Maimunah , Roza Yenita , Murni Atma , Daim Zuhri
Published: June 2019

AbstrakSebagian besar guru tidak memperhatikan kemampuan pemahaman matematis tetapi hanya terfokus pada hasil belajar siswa. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dan menganalisis kemampuan pemahaman matematis siswa. Penelitian ini adalah penelitian kualitatif. Subjek penelitian adalah 25 siswa kelas IX2 SMP Negeri 1 Kampar Timur. Teknik pengumpulan data yaitu tes dan wawancara. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa kemampuan pemahaman matematis siswa berkemampuan sedang dan rendah masih kurang, sedangkan siswa berkemampuan tinggi sudah cukup baik. Hasil wawancara menunjukkan bahwa siswa mengalami kesulitan dalam memberikan contoh dan bukan contoh dari konsep serta kesulitan dalam mengaitkan berbagai konsep karena tidak memahami konsep dan hanya menghapal rumusnya. Untuk meningkatkan kemampuan pemahaman matematis siswa berkemampuan sedang dan rendah, dalam menyampaikan konsep guru sebaiknya menyertakan contoh dan bukan contoh dari konsep serta memberikan latihan soal-soal tentang mengaitkan berbagai konsep. Analysis of Students’ Ability Mathematical Understanding on the Topic of Curved Side SpaceAbstractMost teachers do not pay attention to the ability of mathematical understanding but only focus on student learning outcomes. This study aims to determine and analyze students' mathematical understanding abilities. This research is qualitative research. The research subjects were 25 IX2 students from East Kampar 1 Middle School. Data collection techniques are tests and interviews. The results of the analysis show that the ability of mathematical understanding of students with moderate and low abilities is still lacking, while high-ability students are good enough. The results of the interview indicate that students have difficulty in giving examples and not examples of concepts and difficulties in relating various concepts because they do not understand the concept and only memorize the formula. To improve the ability of mathematical understanding of students with moderate and low ability, in conveying the concept the teacher should include examples and not examples of concepts and provide training questions about linking various concepts.
International Relations in the Czech Republic
Authors: Nyklová Blanka , Cidlinská Kateřina , Fárová Nina
Published: June 2019

In this article, we strive to explore what are some of the causes of thescarcity of women researchers in Czech international relations incomparison to the representation of women students in the field. Toanswer this question, we analysed a set of semi-structured interviews withinternational relations students and accessible syllabi using the conceptualframework of Sandra Harding's gendered universe, which differentiatesbetween the operations of gender on the individual, structural andsymbolic level. We identified some gendered barriers that might beblocking women researchers' access to the field. On this basis we suggestthat the lack of women researchers in the field parallels the situation inother social sciences and humanities disciplines, but the situation ininternational relations is further exacerbated by the local circumstances ofthe foundation of the discipline, which shaped it as a predominantlymasculine field with a specific gender-blind version of doing research andacademic careers.
ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE ON NUTRITIONAL AWARENESS AMONG HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
Authors: Rajalakshmy A P , Lokeshmaran R A , Renuka Dr K
Published: June 2019

Background: The importance of including Nutrition in the training of health care professionals remains low priority. However, many health care providers are not adequately trained to address lifestyle recommendations that include Nutrition and Physical activity behaviours. This study sought to assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) on Nutritional Awareness among health care professionals. A descriptive study focuses on the group of Health Care Professionals which includes Physicians, Dentists and Nursing faculty. Interested 90 Participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria have been chosen through purposive sampling technique. The KAP of Health Care Professional related to Nutritional aspects were collected using   structural Questionnaire for assessing Knowledge, Rating Scale for assessing Attitude and checklist for assessing Practice used respectively. Results: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of the Health Care Professionals likely Physicians, Dentists and Nurses were evaluated on Nutritional awareness.  Out of 90 overall 15.5% of participants has inadequate, 43.3% has moderate and 41.1 % has adequate knowledge. All 100% of participants has positive attitude. In case of Practices 1% has fair, 42.2 % has good and 47.7% has excellent practices. There is a statistical Correlations found between KAP in all participants. This study concludes that even though many sources are available to gain Awareness on Nutrition. Since, the knowledge among health care professionals needs to be improved.
OSTEOPOROSIS – A HIDDEN DISEASE AND ITS MANAGEMENT
Authors: R Arun Chandran , R Yogananda , Reddy B Shankar
Published: June 2019

With the increasing life expectancy, osteoporosis is becoming a serious health problem affecting the modern society especially among women of older age whose early detection can help in reducing the fracture rates and overall socio-economic burden.

Objectives: To assess the baseline knowledge regarding osteoporosis, to improve it by giving awareness, thereby creating a positive attitude among the individuals and to find the risk factors that can lead to this condition.

Materials and Methods: A prospective Interventional study carried out in a community setup by enrolling 204 women subjects between the age of 35 to 65 years, which began with a pre test to assess the knowledge and to find out the risk factors for osteoporosis aided by a self designed questionnaire among the subjects and they are educated by means of leaflets. After a gap, post test been done on the same subjects to assess their improvement of knowledge

Results: The mean pre and post scores are 8.50 and 10.87 respectively which indicates a significant improvement in knowledge with a p value of 0.001 (significant).The major risk factors identified were menopause as well as lack of dairy products in diet.

Conclusion: There is a great need for screening people for this disease and proper intervention as well as involvement of health care providers in community setup can make the people gain knowledge and also getting rid of risk factors.

Key words: Osteoporosis, Knowledge, Women, Interventional, Screening
Dynamic Scheduling Strategy of Intelligent RGV Based on Multi-layer Predictive Optimization
Authors: Zeng Yunhui , Chen Yilin , Guo Hongfei , Huang Li , Hu Wenjuan
Published: June 2019

This paper takes the dynamic scheduling of intelligent RGV as the research object and explores the problem of materiel machining of intelligent RGV for one and two procedures. In the process of establishing a materiel machining operation model for one procedure, firstly, the banker algorithm is used to provide a scheduling strategy for the RGV, dynamically predict the evolution process of the resource allocation process, and determine the order in which the CNC performs the task. Then, the non-preemptive least laxity first concept is introduced to improve the utilization rate of CNC and minimize the time for the computer machine tools CNC to wait for response. In order to simplify the calculation and improve the feasibility, based on the main idea of the banker algorithm, the evolution of the situation is only carried out in three levels, which makes the algorithm calculate moderately and has certain reference value for the prediction of the evolution process. Moreover, in the process of establishing a materiel machining operation model for two procedures, the bat algorithm is used to establish the model from the macroscopic perspective, and finally the dynamic scheduling strategy of RGV is obtained. In this paper, the dynamic scheduling strategy of intelligent RGV established for the materiel machining for one and two procedures provides a theoretical basis for the development of RGV dynamic scheduling strategy in the actual production process.
Differences in Leadership Styles of Principals in Public Colleges of Education in Ghana Based on their Personal Characteristics
Authors: Esia-Donkoh Kweku
Published: June 2019

The study investigated the differences in leadership styles exhibited by principals of public Colleges of Education in Ghana in relation to their sex, age, years of work experience, and academic qualification. The cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. The target population was made up of all 46 principals of public Colleges of Education in Ghana. The target population consisted of all 38 public Colleges of Education which were in existence before the absorption of eight private Colleges of Education by the government of Ghana into public system. The purposive sampling technique was used to select 38 principals for the study. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire developed by Bass and Avolio (2004) was adapted to collect data. Means, standard deviations, t-test and ANOVA were used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that there were no statistically significant differences in the leadership styles of the principals of public Colleges of Education in Ghana based on their sex, age, and academic qualification. However, there were statistically significant differences in the leadership styles adopted by the principals in relation to their years of work experience. It was therefore concluded that many years of experience of principals of public CoEs in Ghana is critical for good leadership in these colleges. Among the recommendations was that the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) should consider years of work experience in the selection and appointment of principals for public Colleges of Education in Ghana. Additionally, in-service training and refresher courses should be organized regularly by NCTE for principals on the leadership styles suitable for achievement of objectives and goals of their colleges.
Contribution of Job Nature on Leadership Style among Academia
Authors: Shrestha Milan
Published: June 2019

Purpose- Effective leadership practices in schools are only possible while headmaster and teachers adopt suitable leadership styles. The main purpose of this study is to identify the leadership styles as well as determine the association of democratic, autocratic and laissez-faire leadership style with each other among school teachers.
Design/Methodology- This study is based on post-positivist research philosophy and cross-sectional survey as the research design which is confirmatory and explanatory in nature. It gathered the data via self-administer questionnaire from 345 school teachers and analyzed through descriptive statistics and parametric test. 
Findings- The researcher derived that school teachers adopted a more democratic leadership style and gave least prefer to the laissez-faire leadership style in schools. Meanwhile, the lacking of equal facility and access to power exercise contributes to making significant differences in leadership styles across the job nature of school teachers. Furthermore, this study assess that there is no relationship between autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire leadership styles. These distinct styles of leadership may develop the differences in work performances of school teachers.
Practical Implications- This research provides the framework for another future researcher to investigate the input of job nature on leadership style among school teachers.
Mediating Effect of Work-Life Balance between Motivation and Job Satisfaction and Its Impact on Emotional Intelligence of Mystery Shopping Professionals
Authors: Manivannan Anand Shankar Raja
Published: June 2019

Purpose- Enhancing job satisfaction through motivation and Work-Life Balance (WLB) and checking the overall impact on Emotional Intelligence of mystery shopping professionals is the aim of this research. The work depends on factors such as sudden demand, high workload, on-time submission of assignments, a new area for exploration and fluctuation in pay scale. Design- The data were collected from mystery shopping professionals through social media platform using a questionnaire link (N=338). The sampling technique employed in this study was a convenient sampling technique. CFA (Confirmatory Factor Analysis) using AMOS software was performed. The questionnaire instrument SSREI, GJSS, WEIMS and (Tasdelen’s WLB) were adopted for this study. Findings- The study revealed that motivation has a positive impact on Work-life balance and intern enhances the job satisfaction of mystery shoppers. However, the overall impact on EI is negative. The Goodness of Fit Index such as (AGFI, NFI, TLI, CFI, RMSEA, RMR, and AVE) indicates a good fit of the Structural Equation Model. Originality/Value: The study reflected on the four essential concepts, which has evolved in the domain of HRM and OB for many years. In the context of mystery-shopping professional, it has been used and the recommendations will help the market research agencies and the mystery shoppers. Exploring Work-Life Balance (WLB) as a mediating variable between motivation and Job satisfaction and the overall impact on EI of mystery shopping professionals is a new insight.
THE CONCEPT OF FORM IN GEOMETRY: SOME CONSIDERATIONS CONCERNING SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
Authors: Bussotti Paolo
Published: June 2019

The concept of form is one of the most intuitive within our experience. When we say that two objects of different dimensions have or do not have the same form there is not properly a reflexion behind this claim. Rather, it is, at all appearances, based on our visual faculties, which is perfectly in order in the context of our daily life. This intuitive and visual notion of form is suitable to the necessities of our practical, or also esthetical, experience. However, on second thought, things are not so easy: suppose that I look at an object and I find that it is circular. I claim, hence, that it is a circle and my statement is correct. Another person looks at this object from another point of view and sees that this object is an ellipsis or a hyperbola or a parabola. He is not wrong.
INTEGRATION OF INQUIRY-BASED INSTRUCTION WITH FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT: THE CASE OF EXPERIENCED CHEMISTRY TEACHERS
Authors: Bernard Paweł , Dudek-Różycki Karol , Orwat Kinga
Published: June 2019

Inquiry-based teaching and learning methods are more and more widely used in the teaching natural sciences all over the world. The elements of inquiry are included in many national sciences’ core curricula and indicate that students should be actively involved in acquiring knowledge. This fact changes the teacher’s role in the classroom and the structure of everyday lessons. Independent inquiry helps students to develop various elements of scientific education, gain specific skills and competencies. Consequently, the assessment methods used so far are no longer sufficient and they should be expanded with new strategies, tools, and criteria. In recent years, there were many projects, in which teachers were trained in using both inquiry-based instructions and formative assessment. So far, unfortunately, there has been limited information on how teachers bring theory into practice and combine the new teaching and assessment methods, and how they adopt available teaching materials during everyday classes. This case study explored how experienced chemistry teachers, who have broad content, pedagogical content, and inquiry methodology knowledge, integrate inquiry-based teaching with formative assessment for the first time. The results of the study revealed the main limiting factors and teachers’ dilemmas.
EXAMINING CHEMISTRY TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR INTERACTION WITH CURRICULUM MATERIALS: A QUANTITATIVE APPROACH
Authors: Chen Bo , Wei Bing , Mai Yuhua
Published: June 2019

On the basis of the model of the interactive relationship between teachers and curriculum materials, this research proposed the four dimensions of the interaction of chemistry teachers with curriculum materials: ‘routine use’, ‘scientific inquiry’, ‘STSE’ and ‘teacher learning’. An instrument with good validity and reliability was developed. Through a questionnaire survey of 208 junior high school chemistry teachers in three areas in Guangzhou, China, it was found that teachers thought they had a good interaction with curriculum materials, but the level of interaction is not very high. Teachers from different administrative areas were significantly different in the dimensions of ‘STSE’ and ‘teacher learning’; teachers with different years of teaching experience showed significant differences in the dimensions of ‘routine use’, ‘scientific inquiry’ and ‘STSE’. There was no interaction effect between the two variables of the areas and years of teaching. Designing educative curriculum materials and developing teacher training activities in terms of curriculum use are recommended to further improve teachers’ ability to use curriculum materials.
Keywords: curriculum materials, curriculum use, chemistry teaching, survey research.
FINDING THE BEST ALGORITHMS AND EFFECTIVE FACTORS IN CLASSIFICATION OF TURKISH SCIENCE STUDENT SUCCESS
Authors: Filiz Enes , Öz Ersoy
Published: June 2019

Educational Data Mining (EDM) is an important tool in the field of classification of educational data that helps researchers and education planners analyse and model available educational data for specific needs such as developing educational strategies. Trends International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) which is a notable study in educational area was used in this research. EDM methodology was applied to the results of TIMSS 2015 that presents data culled from eighth grade students from Turkey. The main purposes are to find the algorithms that are most appropriate for classifying the successes of students, especially in science subjects, and ascertaining the factors that lead to this success. It was found that logistic regression and support vector machines – poly kernel are the most suitable algorithms. A diverse set of features obtained by feature selection methods are “Computer Tablet Shared”, “Extra Lessons Last 12 Month”, “Extra Lessons How Many Month”, “How Far in Education Do You Expect to Go”, “Home Educational Resources”, and “Student Confident in Science” and these features are the most effective features in science success. Keywords: classification algorithms, educational data mining, eighth grade, science success, TIMSS 2015.
MENTAL REPRESENTATIONS OF LIGHT PROPAGATION TIME FOR 10- AND 14-YEAR-OLD STUDENTS: DIDACTICAL PERSPECTIVES
Authors: Ravanis Konstantinos
Published: June 2019

Student’s mental representations of physical concepts are often different from those of scientists. The research aimed to identify and compare mental representations of light propagation time by school children aged 10 (132 subjects), and 14 (109 subjects) years old. This research was conducted through individual interviews in which the students were asked to locate light propagation time in various tasks-experimental situations. The results of this research show that even though the students of two groups face difficulties in understanding light propagation time, as they grow older, they make statistically significant progress in constructing the conception of light propagation time. These findings allow to seek out educational perspectives on the understanding of the conception of light propagation time in organised scholastic environments. Keywords: cross-sectional research, light propagation time, science education, students’ representations.
MENTORING ON SCIENCE TEACHER EDUCATION IN RUSSIA AND INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES
Authors: Usak Muhammet , Masalimova Alfiya R.
Published: June 2019

Nowadays, mentoring as an educational form of Russia’s occupational activity is undergoing fundamental changes due to the variety of interrelated factors affecting the mentoring system. The requirements for the mentoring system itself are affected by these changes as well. Nature of the mentoring activity influences socio-economic, political, socio-cultural, pedagogical, methodical and individual factors. Socio-economic factors that determine not only the enterprises' state order, but also modern educational institutions’ order to revive and improve the traditions of mentoring receive the highest priority among these factors (Antipin, 2011).
THE EFFECT OF COMPUTER-AIDED 3D MODELING ACTIVITIES ON PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS’ SPATIAL ABILITIES AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS 3D MODELING
Authors: Benzer Ali Ihsan , Yildiz Bunyamin
Published: June 2019

The computer-aided 3D modelling which is one of the innovative technologies can offer great opportunities to improve students' skills. The aim of this research was to examine the effects of computer-aided 3D modeling activities on pre-service teachers’ spatial abilities and attitudes towards 3D modeling and the relevant course. The study group of the research was composed of 55 pre-service IT teachers at a state university in Turkey. The research was carried out in quasi-experimental design based on pre-post test model. The experimental research was carried out with the experimental group for 14 weeks. During the 3D modeling learning/teaching process, a five-stage education framework based on problem-based and project-based learning approaches was used. "Purdue Visualization of Rotations Test" and "Attitude Scale towards 3D Modeling and 3D Modeling Course" were used as data collection tools in the research. As a result, it was found out that computer-aided 3D modeling activities improved the spatial abilities of pre-service teachers also increased their attitudes towards 3D modeling and the course. It was concluded that the education of computer-aided three-dimensional modeling offers important opportunities to improve spatial abilities.
Keywords: 3D modeling education, 3D modeling, 3D modeling attitude, pre-service teachers, spatial ability.
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE FIRST YEAR STUDENTS’ ADAPTATION TO NATURAL SCIENCE STUDIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Authors: Birzina Rita , Cedere Dagnija , Petersone Liva
Published: June 2019

The mass-approach in higher education promotes the broadening of students’ number and diversity therefore the question about the young people’s readiness to adapt to studies becomes more and more topical. Students who enrol in the natural science faculties of the University of Latvia (UL) are motivated and have high assessment in biology and chemistry as school subjects. However, the studies already during the 1st term prove that students encounter problems to get adjusted to the study process. In order to find out the key factors that determine the adaptation of the first-year students to studies, an e-questionnaire was developed and 79 students from the Faculty of Chemistry and Faculty of Biology were surveyed. Institutional and personal factors that are focused on the application of transferable skills are mainly those that affect the students’ adaptation in the first term of studies. At the same time such issues of the academic factor as students’ prior knowledge in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics and their skill to learn independently are intrinsic for students’ successful studies. Key words: adaptation to studies, first year natural science students, institutional, personal and academic factors, transferable skills.
THE EFFECT OF THE USE OF AUGMENTED REALITY APPLICATIONS ON THE ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND MOTIVATION OF 7TH GRADE STUDENTS
Authors: Kirikkaya Esma Buluş , Başgül Melek Şentürk
Published: June 2019

The aim of this research was to examine the effects of the Augmented Reality (AR)-supported teaching activities on the academic success, motivation of students towards science learning and attitudes of students towards AR application, in the scope of the seventh grade science course, "Solar System and Beyond" unit. For this purpose, "Solomon Four Group Model", which controls the internal and external validity, was used. Research was conducted with 120 students in two different schools and involved two experimental and two control groups established by random method. Experimental (1) and Control (1) groups received data collection tools as pre-test and post-test, while Experimental (2) and Control (2) groups received only post-test. During the six-week research, the students were taught in the experimental groups using the 'Star-Tracker, Spacecraft, iSolarsystem, Space-4D' mobile AR applications, while the control groups were taught with the activities envisaged in the curriculum. "Solar System and Beyond Success Test" and the "Students' Motivation to Science Learning" scale, were used as data collection tools. Findings from the research showed that teaching with AR applications significantly alters the success of students and motivation towards science learning. This showed that teaching with AR applications is effective.
Keywords: augmented reality, academic success, solar system, Solomon four-group model, 7th grade students.
A MODEL OF INTEREST IN STEM CAREERS AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
Authors: Mohtar Lilia Ellany , Halim Lilia , Abd Rahman Norshariani , Maat Siti Mistima , Iksan Zanaton H. , Osman Kamisah
Published: June 2019

Studies have shown that various factors (the role of formal education, informal education, and community) contribute to the lack of participation in STEM and STEM careers. This research aimed to understand the multi pathways of factors contributing to the interest in STEM careers (STEM careers in physical sciences and STEM careers in life sciences). This research was a survey research which administered a questionnaire randomly to 1485 secondary school students (14 years of age). Data analysis was based on the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach using Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) to test the hypothesized model. A model containing five constructs, namely environmental factors (learning experiences, media, social influences), self-efficacy in science, technology, engineering and mathematics respectively, perceptions of STEM careers and interest in physical sciences and life sciences STEM careers was proposed in this research. The results show that students’ interest in life sciences based careers is influence by their self-efficacy and perceptions of the career. Meanwhile, students’ interest in physical sciences based careers is influence only by their self-efficacy and not influence by their perceptions of the career. The need to improve students’ self-efficacy through STEM learning experiences is imperative to ensure continued interest in STEM careers. Key words: environmental factors, life sciences STEM careers, perceptions of STEM careers, physical sciences STEM careers, self-efficacy, social cognitive career theory.
MONODISCIPLINARITY IN SCIENCE VERSUS TRANSDISCIPLINARITY IN STEM EDUCATION
Authors: Slavinec Mitja , Aberšek Boris , Gačević Dino , Flogie Andrej
Published: June 2019

Contemporary society of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) increasingly requires the education system (i.e., the school) to train competent, creative and proactive professionals who will be able to solve real life problems. If society is to achieve this, some key paradigm changes must occur in education. The school must first prepare a competence-based curriculum and, secondly, school practice should move away from subject-based teaching, towards an interdisciplinary STEM teaching approach. Obviously, to support this, modern learning environments and ICT solutions and tools have to be used. However, since the interdisciplinary STEM approach has already been implemented and integrated, it can be said that a new, integrated science discipline (STEM) has already emerged, together with a transdisciplinary approach to STEM learning and teaching. In the present research, a concrete case of designing, developing and producing a solar chimney was used to demonstrate an integrated approach to learning and teaching, while emphasizing especially the advantages of such an interdisciplinary (transdisciplinary) approach to teaching Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic content. The empirical research shows that such an approach produces incomparably better results, especially on higher cognitive levels, in comparison to traditional approaches to learning and teaching. Keywords: industry 4.0, interdisciplinarity, solar chimney, STEM, transdisciplinarity.
EXPLORING CHANGES IN PRIMARY STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) ACROSS GENDERS AND GRADE LEVELS
Authors: Zhou Shao-Na , Zeng Hui , Xu Shao-Rui , Chen Lu-Chang , Xiao Hua
Published: June 2019

Primary education is an essential stage and has an important impact on students’ learning attitudes throughout the coming school years. The research explored the attitudes towards science, technology, engineering and mathematics among students through all grade levels in primary school. The Project-based Integrated STEM Program was proposed to study the changes of primary students’ attitudes towards STEM. An assessment of S-STEM which consists of the STEM subscale and the 21st century skills subscale was utilized for both pre-test and post-test. The results showed that primary students exhibited little different attitudes on the S-STEM in the pre-test, regardless of gender and grade level. As evident from the comparison between the pre-test and post-test, the Project-based Integrated STEM Program had a positive effect on student attitudes towards STEM. It is encouraging if there are more STEM-related programs implemented at all educational stages covering the primary level. Keywords: gender differences, grade levels, project-based integrated STEM program, school students, STEM education.
Optimización en el proceso de obtención de Compost y Biol
Authors: Borja Mayorga Danielita Fernanda , María Augusta Guadalupe Alcocer , Yungán Cazar Juan Carlos , Andrade Mónica , Barriga Pablo , Brito Moina Hannibal Lorenzo
Published: June 2019

La obtención de compost y bioles en el tratamiento integral de los derivados sólidos y líquidos (compost - biol) de la materia orgánica y de impropios (lixiviados) se basa en la adecuada gestión integral de residuos sólidos que la Empresa Pública Municipal Mancomunada de Aseo Integral de Pallatanga, Cumandá y General Antonio Elizalde –Bucay, “EMMAI-BCP-EP”, para cual, se realizó un muestreo del proceso de elaboración de compost que la empresa obtiene; posteriormente, se procedió a efectuar las pruebas de caracterización, de esta manera se verificó que el producto elaborado por la misma no cumplía con los requisitos, por lo que, se evidenció la necesidad de optimizar el proceso de producción, por lo que, se efectuaron caracterizaciones del tamo y melaza a usarse. Posteriormente se determinó la cantidad de residuos orgánicos, tamo y melaza que fueron necesarios para la elaboración.

Se determinó la producción de residuos orgánicos de 16802,52 kg/ día y se consideró la creación de 4 tipos de pilas diferentes cuyo objetivo fue determinar cuál de estas era la más idónea para estandarizarlo en el proceso del área de compostaje. La pila con mejores características tuvo el tamaño adecuado y la cantidad necesaria de residuos orgánicos, tamo y melaza y con su respectivo monitoreo para que el proceso fuese lo más eficaz posible, así la pila tuvo 900 kg de residuos orgánicos, 100 kg de tamo y 0,2725 kg de melaza, sin uso de plásticos y monitoreo diario adecuado. Finalmente, el compost resultante obtuvo 7,6 pH, 24,26 en relación carbono/nitrógeno y un tiempo final de 1 mes. Se concluyó que el proceso garantizó un compost de mejor calidad, y se evitó la contaminación del sector por derrame de biol, por lo que se recomienda, implementar este proceso y usar correctamente maquinaria y equipo personal de la empresa.
Crema de uso dermatológico a partir de la larva de chontacuro (Rhynchophorus Palmarum)
Authors: Borja Mayorga Danielita Fernanda , Salazar Llangarí Karina Gabriela , Flores Linda Mariuxi , Villota García Verónica Paola , Hanníbal Lorenzo Brito Moina
Published: June 2019

El presente proyecto tiene como objetivo el diseño de un proceso industrial para la obtención de una crema de uso dermatológico a partir de la larva de Rhynchophorus palmarum (Chontaduro). El diseño se basó en cálculos de ingeniería, para ello se propuso diferentes formulaciones de crema base con distintas concentraciones de extracto graso de Chontaduro, que posteriormente fueron sometidas a pruebas de estabilidad preliminar en donde se realizaron análisis físico–químicos y microbiológicos, que permitieron determinar la calidad de la materia prima y del producto. Además de obtener las condiciones de diseño y de la determinación de las variables de proceso. El proceso consta de  un mezclador  y dos tanques para fase oleosa y fase acuosa con un rendimiento del 95 %, la caracterización  físico-química y microbiológica de la crema se comparó con valores de bibliografía y en base al Reglamento Técnico Ecuatoriano RTE INEN 093 “Productos Cosméticos”, obteniéndose un pH = 5,6  = 8000cP,  =1,409 g/ml, cenizas =0,05 %  y ausencia de bacterias contaminante (Pseudomona aeruginosa, Eschericha coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Microorganismos mesofilos totales >10 UFC/g).por lo que el proceso de obtención se validó. Se realizó una encuesta para determinar la aceptabilidad del producto y evaluar los atributos de calidad como el aspecto, consistencia, olor y color encontrándose resultados muy favorables, con lo que se plantea una solución para el aprovechamiento e industrialización de recursos propios del país que son considerados como plagas.
Procesos Electroquímicos de Oxidación Avanzados en la degradación de los ácidos trans-cinámico y trans-ferúlico
Authors: Flores Tapia Nelly Esther , Roman Rodríguez Maecker , Coba Cabrera Raquel Leticia , Vélez Ortiz Josué Jairo , Sirés Sadornil Ignacio , Brillas Coso Enric
Published: June 2019

En este artículo, se discutirá la degradación de los ácidos trans-cinámico y trans-ferúlico a través de procesos electroquímicos de oxidación avanzados (PEOAs) tales como la oxidación anódica con H2O2 electro generado (OA-H2O2), electro-Fenton (EF) y fotoelectro-Fenton (FEF). En un reactor de tanque agitado, a 25 ° C, equipado con un ánodo de 3 cm2 de diamante dopado con boro (BDD) y un cátodo de carbono de difusión de aire de politetrafluoroetileno de 3 cm2, se electrolizó 100 ml de soluciones conteniendo 200 mg L-1 de carbono orgánico total (COT) en Na2SO4 0.05 M a pH 3.0 aplicando densidades de corriente desde 16.67 hasta 100 mA cm-2 durante 360 minutos.

En los experimentos de EF y FEF, se añadió Fe2+ 0.50 mM como catalizador de la reacción de Fenton, mientras que en FEF, la solución se irradió con luz UVA. La capacidad de oxidación de los ácidos con los PEOAs aumentó en secuencia OA-H2O2<EF<FEF para ambos ácidos. Se observó mayor degradación del ácido trans-cinámico durante los PEOAs. A pesar que las moléculas del ácido trans-cinámico y ácido trans-ferúlico, poseen una estructura química similar, éstos se degradaron de forma muy diferente entre sí con los PEOAs aplicados
Colorantes naturales para uso alimenticio
Authors: Villota García Verónica Paola , Bonilla Lucero Marina Leonor , Segura Mestanza José Homero , Coba Carrera Raquel Leticia , Brito Moina Hanníbal Lorenzo
Published: June 2019

La investigación tuvo como objetivo obtener colorantes vegetales a partir de espinaca, berro, y brócoli para uso alimenticio. Como primer punto se hizo una caracterización fisicoquímica de la materia prima; después se realizó el proceso de secado que se efectuó en tres equipos: bandejas, liofilizador, y atomizador. Para encontrar la temperatura ideal de secado en cada equipo se realizó curvas de secado a temperatura de 50 0C, 55 0C y 60 0C para la espinaca y berro, mientras que para el brócoli se efectuó a temperaturas de 40 0C, 50 0C y 60 0C, en el secado por atomización se trabajó dentro de un rango de 1150C-1300C. Como tercer paso se procedió a la molienda para el proceso de liofilizado y secado por bandejas, después se aplicó el método de extracción Soxhlet en donde se ingresó nueve gramos de espinaca, berro, y brócoli, este método es un tipo de extracción sólido-líquido en el cual se empleó una disolución de etanol-agua 3:1, posteriormente se procedió a almacenarlo a una temperatura de -4 0C,  también se realizó la caracterización fisicoquímica de los colorantes naturales donde se hizo ensayos como: el índice de refracción, ensayos en el espectrofotómetro para la identificación de la clorofila; con estos análisis se determinó que el mejor método de secado es por bandejas a temperatura para la espinaca y berro de 50 0C, y para el brócoli fue a 40 0C, presentando mejor rendimiento. Además, se efectuaron pruebas según la norma oficial mexicana nom-119-ssal-1994 en el laboratorio SAQMIC donde se estableció que se obtuvo un colorante de calidad, ya que cumple con parámetros de la normativa. Finalmente, se realizó la validación del producto de yogurt natural Tony y crema chantilly para esta validación hay que tener encuenta la purificación del etanol para obtener excelentes resultados.
Health Manpower Forecasting: A systematic Review for Models and Approaches
Authors: Rafiei Sima , Abdollahzade Sina , Hashemi Fariba
Published: June 2019

Background: An appropriate planning requires forecasting the demand and supply of health manpower in an accurate manner.

Objectives: The paper objective was to review health manpower forecasting approaches and methods and propose the improvement features for effectiveness of health manpower planning.

Data sources: A systematic review was conducted for studies published in English from 1970-2014 using Pub Med, Science Direct, Pro Quest, and Google Scholar databases.

Study eligibility criteria: Review articles, qualitative studies, questionnaire driven surveys, retrospective and prospective studies describing or applying various types of forecasting approaches and methods in health manpower forecasting were included in the review.

Data collection and study appraisal: Two reviewers (SR and MA) independently appraised the studies to identify relevant ones to be included in the review.

Results: A total of 128 studies were included in the review. As a result, two main categories of approaches (conceptual and analytical) for health manpower forecasting were identified with their strengths and weaknesses.

Conclusions: Future forecasting methods should benefit from advantages of current approaches and overcome some of their main limitations. Applying a method which incorporates a wide range of factors affecting supply and demand, facilitates the collection of good quality data, monitors changing trends over time, considers the uncertainty of health systems and has a dynamic approach is proposed as an improvement roadmap for future forecasting.

Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.18(3) 2019 p.458-472
Human Leukocyte Antigen Genetic Variations in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients that were positive for HLA-DQB1*0602.
Authors: Qatarneh ThamerA Fattah Al , Mohammad Momany Suleiman , Mohammad Abuharfil Nizar , Mahasneh Amjad Abduallah , Khader Yousef Saleh , Daoud Ammar Khaled
Published: June 2019

Background: Genetic variations in the HLA system may cause susceptibility to a large number of autoimmune and infectious diseases, and the complexity of HLA makes it hard to investigate HLA types associated with diseases. The association between HLA and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is not well investigated due to the complexity of OSA pathogenesis; including genetic and non-genetic in different populations. Our previous study using PCR-SSPs technique showed that HLA-DQB1*0602 allele is associated with almost 6 times increase in risk in North Jordan OSA patients.

Aim: The aim of this study was to see if there are any HLA genetic variations using DNA sequencing technique in the region in which HLA-DQB1*0602 is located that might interact with HLA-DQB1*0602 and affect OSA development in OSA patients who were positive for HLA-DQB1*0602 allele.

Result: The DNA sequencing results showed 8 nucleotide substitution variations, which are p.G77E (c.230G>A), p.R80R (c.240C>G), p.Q85L (c.254A>T), p.R87P (c.260G>C), p.Y69D (c.205T>G), p.A70V (c.209C>T), p.A70A (c.210G>A), p.Y79Y (c.237C>T). Although only 5 variants resulted in amino acid change, all 8 variants were included in the statistical analysis, and none of these genetic variants was significant (p-value> 0.05). Additionally, eight haplotypes were detected. Some of these haplotypes might have a role in disease development through the interaction with HLA-DQB1*0602 and other genetic variants or could be as markers for OSA by the mechanism of linkage disequilibrium.

Conclusion: Further studies are needed to explain the pathogenesis of OSA in terms of possible self or non-self-antigens involved.

Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.18(3) 2019 p.473-478
Evaluation of Semen Samples Before and After ‘Swim Up’ Technique with Mitotracker
Authors: Karabekir Seda Cetinkaya , Özgörgülü Aydan
Published: June 2019

Objectives: Infertility problems are seen in nearly 15% of married couples, and almost 50% of these involve male infertility. The sperm mitochondrion plays an important role in sperm motility. The morphology of sperm, sperm preparation techniques, and the number and motility of sperm during insemination are important parameters that affect the rate of pregnancy with intrauterine insemination. The aim of the study was to observe the changes in sperm mitochondrial activities and numbers with the Mito Tracker Red 580 kit at 30th, 45th and 60th minutes after swim up.

Materials and Methods: In this study, we evaluated 20 oligospermic and 20 normospermic samples. The “swim-up” technique was applied to these oligospermic and normospermic samples, and changes in sperm mitochondria and number at 30, 45, and 60 min were observed using MitoTracker Red 580 staining.

Results:The numbers of swimming sperm in oligospermic and normospermic samples were higher at 30 min than at 45 and 60 min. No marked change was detected in the mitochondrial activities of swimming sperm in oligospermic and normospermic samples at 30, 45, and 60 min after the swim-up. Our findings demonstrate that the number of swimming sperm decreased with time, but no change was seen in the mitochondrial activity of the sperm by the swim-up technique.

Conclusion: According to findings, mitochondrial movement is not exactly related to the 30th, 45th and 60th minutes. Therefore, it is thought that it needs to be investigated in mechanisms other than mitochondrial activity.

Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.18(3) 2019 p.479-483
The RAGE expression in glomerulus and the Malondialdehyde level in the kidney of Diabetes Mellitus rat model after exercise
Authors: Anita Diyah Candra , Sulistyorini Sri Lestari , Kadarsih Sri
Published: June 2019

Background: The main cause of complications in diabetes mellitus is a condition of oxidative stress due to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). The increase in ROS can be triggered by the increase in advanced glycation end-products (AGE), which binds to its receptor (RAGE). The result of increased ROS will lead to lipid peroxidation in cell membranes and induce particular increase in malondialdehyde (MDA).

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefits of physical exercise in preventing complications of the kidneys caused by hyperglycemia.

Method: This study was a pure experimental research with post-test only group design. Subjects were 10 male Sprague Dawley rats induced with 35 mg/kgdose of streptozotocin (STZ). The subjects were divided into two groups, i.e. the STZ group and STZ group with physical exercise. Physical exercise was given in 9 weeks using a treadmill, in 5 times/week frequency, moderate intensity, 0 degree of tilt, gradually increased speed and duration.

Result: Regular and measurable physical exercise can decrease the blood glucose level(0,048) and reduce the RAGE expression in glomerulus(0,003) but increase MDA level in kidney (0,767).

Conclusion: Regular and measurable physical exercise can decrease the blood glucose level and reduce the RAGE expression in glomerulus.

Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.18(3) 2019 p.484-490
Comparison of Conventional Methods and Automated Systems for Determining Antibiotic Susceptibility of Bacteria Isolated from Urine Culture
Authors: Koçoğlu Mücahide Esra , Davarci İsmail , Güney Rabia , Taşçilar Melike , Zengi̇n Ferhat , Samasti Mustafa
Published: June 2019

Objective: The aim of our study was to compare the results obtained from different methods, which are used to determine the susceptibility to antimicrobials, and to determine the agreement between them.

Materials and Methods: A total of 397 strains consisting of 329 gram negative and 68 gram positive bacteria that were isolated from urine samples and identification and antibiogram of which were performed by automated systems, were included in the study. The results obtained from broth microdilution, E test, VITEK and disk diffusion were compared.

Results: Our antimicrobial susceptibility test results in gram negative bacteria showed a categorical agreement of 93.3% with a very major error rate of 1.5 in disk diffusion test, while a categorical agreement of 90% with a very major error rate of 2.2% in Vitek 2 test. The agreement for E test was 95.3% with a very major error rate of 1.1. In the antimicrobial susceptibility test of gram positive bacteria, the rate of agreement for disk diffusion, E test and Vitek 2 was 97.2%, 98.4% and 95.4% respectively. Very major error rate was found % 1.5 ve % 2.6 in disk diffusion and Vitek 2, respectively, while no very major error was found in E test.

Conclusions: In conclusion, our data suggest that disk diffusion test, Vitek 2 system and E test test are accurate and acceptable for antibiotic susceptibility tests of gram positive bacteria. The agreement rate of BMD and E test methods was found above 90% for all antibiotics, and it was reached a conclusion that the susceptibility results of gram negative bacteria for ceftriaxone and nitrofurantoin obtained from VITEK; the susceptibility results of disk diffusion test for ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin should be confirmed by a more reliable method.

Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.18(3) 2019 p.519-526