bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing Fine and Gross Motor Development in Normal Hearing Children, Rehabilitated, and Non-Rehabilitated Hearing-Impaired Children
Authors: Veiskarami Parvin , Roozbahani Mehdi , Saedi Sara , Ghadampour Ezatolah
Published: June 2022

Background and Aim: Motor development is a continuous process throughout life. Hearing impairment in childhood may have significant effects on motor development. This study compared the motor development of normal-hearing and hearing-impaired children at early developmental ages.
Methods: This research was a cross-sectional study. A total of 149 children aged six to eighteen months were selected and divided into three groups: normal-hearing children (NHC) (55 girls and 65 boys) selected by convenient sampling strategy, non-rehabilitated hearing impaired children group (NRHIC) (11 girls and 13 boys) selected by purposive method, and rehabilitated hearing- impaired children group (RHIC) (3 girls and 2 boys) selected by the census method. The Denver developmental screening test 2 (DDST-ll) was used to assess motor development. The obtained data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U tests, and curve drawing.
Results: The fine motor development of the NHC (9.63±28.83) was significantly greater than the RHIC (-18 ±26.83) and NRHIC (–21.25±30.26) groups, but there was no significant difference between the RHIC and NRHIC groups. In gross motor development, the NRHIC (–32.71±41.26) group had a more significant delay compared to the NHC (13.38±37.73) and RHIC (0±21.21) groups, but there was no significant difference between the NHC and RHIC groups.
Conclusion: Hearing rehabilitation can partially compensate for the developmental delay in gross skills, but this compensation has not occurred for fine motor skills. The development of fine motor skills requires a precise synergy of small muscles and the nervous system.
Keywords: Deafness; hearing impaired rehabilitation; motor skills
Effect of Compression Type and Number of Channels on Speech Perception in Quiet in Listeners with Different Audiogram Configurations
Authors: Narayanan Sreena Ediyarath , Manjula Puttabasappa
Published: June 2022

Background and Aim: The flexibility to control the gain in different frequency regions by setting compression parameters in a larger number of compression channels in hearing aids will be advantageous to individuals with a sloping audiogram. The objective of the study  was to compare the aided speech identification scores and speech quality ratings in quiet for three aided conditions (i.e. 4-channel, 8-channel, and 16-channel), with syllabic and dual compression, at two input levels (60 dB SPL and 80 dB SPL) in individuals with flat, gently sloping, and steeply sloping sensorineural hearing loss.
Methods: The participants were 36 native speakers of Kannada adults with sensorineural hearing loss. In a repeated-measures design, aided speech identification  score for sentences in quiet and speech quality ratings were obtained at two input levels (60 dB SPL and 80 dB SPL) with three hearing aids (having 4-, 8-, & 16- channels), programmed for dual and syllabic compression settings.
Results: The results revealed that there was no significant difference in the aided speech identification scores and speech quality ratings, in different aided conditions, in the three groups.
Conclusion: There was no additional perceptual benefit in quiet with an increase in the number of channels (from 4 to 16) in hearing aids, either in syllabic or dual compression, at conversation speech level or loud speech level, in individuals with different audiogram configurations.
Keywords: Multichannel compression; syllabic compression; dual compression; audiogram configuration; speech identification score; speech quality rating
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Nasturtium officinale L. Extract And Analysis of Their Antibacterial Activity Against Nosocomial Pathogens
Authors: Shajareh Mahsa Al-Sadat , Dastpak Arezoo , Emtyazjoo Mozhgan , Mirzaie Amir
Published: June 2022

Background & Objective: The green synthesis of the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is an eco-friendly and straightforward synthesis method. This study aimed to investigate the green synthesis of AgNPs using Nasturtium officinale leaf extract and analysis of their antibacterial activity against some nosocomial pathogens.
Materials & Methods: The obtained AgNPs were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition, the antibacterial activity of synthesized AgNPs and N. officinale leaf extract were performed against five bacterial strains (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) by agar disk diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentration test.
Results: The green synthesized AgNPs had significant antimicrobial activity against all studied bacteria. In addition, greater inhibition activity was observed against E. coli and P. aeruginosa rather than other bacteria.
Conclusion: The synthesized AgNPs revealed a special antibacterial effect against selected bacteria, compared to leaf extract of N. officinale. Identifying new antibacterial agents with profound efficacy against antibiotic-resistant opportunistic pathogens is essential. These data provide an eco-friendly and rapid green approach for AgNPs synthesis and the potential of AgNPs for use in drug development against nosocomial infections.
Carbon Quantum Dots Extracted from Natural Lemon Juice: Efficient Material for Fluorescence and Antibacterial Applications
Authors: Karimi Merat , Sadeghi Ehsan , Zahedifar Mostafa
Published: June 2022

Background & Objective: In recent years, the proliferation of microbial organisms has increased alarmingly, and the overuse of various antibiotics against microorganisms has increased drug resistance. On the other hand, the need to reduce health costs, the production of antimicrobials with low costs, and the basic needs of today’s human society have become. This led to a large-scale study of new drugs against microorganisms and the use of nanoparticles as antibacterial agents were considered. This study aimed to use biocompatible carbon quantum dots (CQDs) nanoparticles instead of antibiotics resistant to gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms.
Materials & Methods: Fluorescent carbon quantum dots were extracted from natural lemon juice using the hydrothermal approach. Analyzes of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), photoluminescence (PL), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS). CQDs were investigated on ten types of microorganisms by the microwell dilution method. In this study, the minimal inhibition concentrations (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was determined.
Results: Fluorescent CQDs less than 5 nm in size were fabricated and confirmed by structural and microscopic analysis. This test showed that four microorganisms B. subtilis, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. pyogenes and C. albicans were resistant to the antibiotic nystatin and showed the highest sensitivity to CQDs, the lowest MIC and MBC for CQDs are 250 µg/ml and 1000 µg/ml.
Conclusions: In general, the results obtained from this study can claim that CQDs have antibacterial properties and can be introduced after further studies as candidates are used to treat or prevent a variety of infections caused by microorganisms.
Antimicrobial Activities of the Secondary Metabolite Extracted from a Nocardia Strain
Authors: Seratnahaei Marjan , Eshraghi Seyyed Saeed , Pakzad Parviz , Zahraei Ramazani Alireza , Yaseri Mehdi
Published: June 2022

Background & Objective: The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and limited treatment options for these infections is a challenging problem in the world. There is increasing interest in isolating bioactive molecules from actinobacteria and elucidating their antimicrobial mechanisms at the moment. The current study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activities of a Nocardia strain (N4) that was previously isolated from the soil samples in Tehran, Iran.
Materials & Methods: The cultural, morphological, and physiological characteristics of the strain were determined and the identity of the strain was confirmed using 16SrRNA gene sequencing. The strain was screened for antimicrobial metabolite production. The in vitro anti-microbial activity of the extracted metabolite was assessed by agar well diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentrations methods. Finally, the structure of the extracted metabolite was confirmed by HPLC and mass spectrometry methods.
Results: The isolate shared 99% sequence similarity with Nocardia soli. The strain showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities against some pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 700603, Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028 and Shigella sonnei RI366) and fungi (Aspergillus niger ATCC 1015 and Aspergillus fumigatus ATCC 1022) in the agar well diffusion method. The ethyl acetate extract of the strain exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against E. coli (MIC= 4.67±3.055 μg/mL) and K. pneumoniae (MIC=3.33±1.155 μg/mL). The metabolite showed high similarity with C2 1H28N7 O14.
Conclusions: The current study confirmed the presence of a bioactive metabolite in strain N4, suggesting that this may be a promising candidate for discovering bioactive components with broad antibacterial activities against a variety of pathogens.
Evaluation of LncRNA uc.173 and Occludin in Iranian Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Compared with Healthy Individuals
Authors: Chaleshi Vahid , Oloumi Kalantar Saeideh , Salahshourifar Iman , Shahrokh Shabnam , Asadzadeh Aghdaei Hamid , Zali Mohammad Reza
Published: June 2022

Background & Objective: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by the chronic gastrointestinal inflammation. The two common forms of IBD are ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) that are distinguished by their location and depth of involvement in the diffuse inflammation of the colonic mucosa and affects the rectum (proctitis). A novel class of LncRNAs transcribed from ultra-conserved regions (UCRs) is a recently identified ultra-conserved region (T-UCR) transcript that is involved in the cellular function in a variety of pathways. However, the regulation of LncRNA uc.173 in IBD remains to be fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to examine the expression of LncRNA uc.173 and Occludin genes in an Iranian population with inflammatory bowel disease.
Materials & Methods: This case-control study was performed on 33 inflammatory bowel disease patients including 13 Crohn’s disease, 20 ulcerative colitis and 20 healthy controls. The mRNA levels of LncRNA uc.173 and Occludin genes were assessed using the quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction. The B2M was used as an internal control. The 2 -ΔΔCq method was used to determine the expression fold changes.
Results: Statistically, the level of the LncRNA uc.173 gene expression between the UC and normal tissues increased significantly (P=0.0024). Also, the expression analysis revealed no significant difference between the samples of CD patients compared to the controls (P>0.05). In order to further evaluate the role of LncRNA uc.173 in IBD, the associations between the transcript levels of the LncRNA uc.173 and Occludin mRNA demonstrated significant difference in the CD tissue (R=0.59; P=0.002). In our study, the mRNA expression of Occludin gene did not show any changes in the IBD patients compared to the healthy controls.
Conclusion: The increased expression of LncRNA uc.173 in the tissues of UC patients may be considered as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker. Also, there was no correlation found between Occludin and LncRNA uc.173 expressions in the IBD patients’ tissues.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Hydro-Alcoholic Extract Chemical Composition and Effects on Body Weight and Blood Parameters among Iraqi Patients Suffering from Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Ali A.H. Noor Al-Hoda Saeed , Hussein Hamzah Israa , Ghasemian Abdolmajid
Published: June 2022

Background & Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to calibrate and analyze the effects of Helianthus annuus (H. annuus) seeds extract on body weight and blood parameters of type-2 diabetic-mellitus (T2DM) patients.
Materials & Methods: Three-hundred cases of T2DM patients were involved in this study including 180 males and 120 females and divided into two groups (each with 150 members). The herbal extract of H. annuus with a concentration of 500mg/kg was subjected to group1 (case population), but group 2 received normal diet for three months. Gas Chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to analyze H. annuus compounds.
Results: Major H. annuus fraction included chlorogenic acid (CGA) being 40%. The extract conferred significant decreasing effects on hypertension but not body weight and body mass index (BMI) values. The extract receiving group vs control group regarding the mean blood factors respectively included fast blood glucose (FBS) (39.2% vs 3.22%, p<0.0001), cholesterol (6.9% vs 3.22%, p=0.0237), triglyceride (5.4% vs 2.30, p=0.0113), and increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (22.3% vs 5.26%, p<0.001) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (1% vs 2.6%, p=0.0112).
Conclusion: H. annuus major compounds included CGA (40%) contributed to the control of the hypertension, lipid profile and the blood factors among T2DM patients compared to those patients who received normal diet. More detailed investigations by participation of higher number of patients are required in this regard.
Evaluation of Embryonal Protective Effect of Melatonin against Apoptotic Effect of Methadone in Embryo Tissues of Mice
Authors: Akbarzadeh Maryam , Nemati Farkhondeh , Shaki Fatemeh , Dehpouri Gouibari Abbas Ali , Ataee Ramin
Published: June 2022

Introduction: Methadone is a substance that is widely used in the substitution treatment of opiate addiction. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of melatonin on apoptosis induced by transfer of transplacental methadone in mice.
Methods: This study was an experimental study aimed to assay apoptotic effect of placenta transferred methadone on brain, liver and kidney tissues and to study protective effect of melatonin in an embryo model in mice.  Bulb-C mice weighing 25-30 g were kept in four shelves (3 females and one male) and checked daily for the sterile cycle. For mice with vaginal plugs, the first day of pregnancy was considered. After confirmation of pregnancy, female mice were divided into 5 groups of 6, which included the control group, methadone (10 mg / kg) and melatonin groups in three doses (2, 4, 6 mg / kg / day) by IP injection for half an hour before prescribing methadone. This prescription was given for 10 days from the beginning of pregnancy. After the infants were born, their liver, brain, and kidneys were removed and they underwent immunohistochemical tests for apoptotic expression of Bcl2, BAX, and Caspase3 proteins. The results were analyzed by SPSS version 22 statistical software and Chi-square (Chi 2) and Fisher tests (P <0.01).
Results: This study showed that melatonin at dose 4 and 6mg/kg has decreased apoptotic protein BAX and Caspase9 and increased anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl2 expression approximately, but these results were not significant statistically (P>0.05). In addition, for dose of 0.2 mg/kg of melatonin, there was not any apoptotic effect.
Conclusion: Our findings showed that melatonin has almost a protective effect against apoptotic effect induced by placental transfer of methadone especially via its increasing effects on Bcl2, but this anti-apoptotic effect was not significant and needed for more precise studies.
Evaluation of Complications of Covid-19 in Children Admitted to Shahid Sadoughi Hospital in Yazd (March 2020 - March 2021)
Authors: Yazdian Meysam , Ferdosian Farzad , Nafei Zahra , Naghibi Mohamad , Akbarian Elahe
Published: June 2022

Introduction: The World Health Organization first reported outbreaks of COVID-19 in 2019 in Wuhan, China. Limited studies have been performed on long-term complications after the acute phase of this disease in children. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of children who had previously been hospitalized with COVID-19.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, long-term complications in 105 children less than 18 years of age suspected of having Covid-19 disease were assessed (2020-2021). This evaluation was performed by completing a questionnaire by patients' families three months after discharge and collecting information from the patients' records at the time of hospitalization. Participants were also classified into four age groups. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS software version 19. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: All 105 children suspected of having COVID-19 who were hospitalized during the mentioned period were included in this study, but the families of 80 children completed the questionnaire. The most common long-term complications in the patients were mood disorders (35.2%), loss of appetite (22.9%), and fatigue (20%), respectively. It has also been found that with the increasing age of the patients, the incidence of complications has increased.
Conclusion: This study results demonstrated that the most common side effects observed in trimester follow-up of children with COVID-19 are mood disorders, loss of appetite, and fatigue, respectively. Thus, post-COVID-19 complications cannot be dismissed among children and adolescents. Controlled population-based studies and further in-depth analyses are needed to confirm their impact on individuals and health care systems.
Asas Berimbang Hak &Kewajiban Suami Istri & Penyesuaiannya Dengan Budaya Lokal Menurut Hukum Islam
Authors: Alimuddin Harwis
Published: June 2022

This study reveals the urgency of adjusting the rights and obligations of husband and wife to the local culture by using the principle of impartiality and obligation as a barometer of adjustment. The problem studied is the nature of rights and obligations in Islamic law discourse; local cultural relations with the rights and obligations of husband and wife in sharia texts; and the pattern of application of the principle of impartiality and the obligations of husband and wife. The data collection technique used is a literature study. The data were analyzed using lughawiyyah and istislahiyyah theories. This study concludes that the rights and obligations of husband and wife are not something rigid, but something flexible that can be adapted to local culture while maintaining the principle of equality and the obligations of husband and wife.
Drug Prescription Knowledge and Practices among Dental Students and Interns Enrolled in Selected Yemeni Universities
Authors: Al-Wesabi Mohammed Ali , Al-Sanaani Saba , Al-Taybi Shrooq , Binrugaan Somya , Al-Raih Altaf , Albashari Abdullkhaleg , Ebrahem Hisham Ebrahem
Published: June 2022

Objective: To assess the drug prescription knowledge among dental students and interns in public and private Yemeni universities.

Methods: A descriptive, observational study of drug prescription knowledge and practices was conducted through the distribution of self-administrated questionnaires to a total of 464 dental students and interns enrolled in four universities in Yemen in 2015. The study investigated the factors to be considered before drug prescribing, indications for prescribing antibiotics in dental situations, common antibiotics and analgesics prescribed, difficulties in writing a prescription and knowledge of the World Health Organization’s Guide to Good Prescribing. Findings were presented as descriptive statistics of frequencies and percentages, and differences and associations were tested at P-values <0.05.

Results: The majority of respondents were females (65.9%; 304/464), being enrolled in public universities (54.1%; 251/464) and from the fifth level of study (54.9%; 251/464). The mean respondents’ age was 23.0 ±1.3 years (range: 22–32). Presence of systemic diseases (75.0%), pregnancy status (72.2%) and presence of allergies (68.8%) were the factors most frequently considered by the respondents prior to drug prescribing. On the other hand, presence of abscesses was the most frequent reason for prescribing antibiotics (36.6%). Amoxicillin was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic (74.1%), while paracetamol (58.2%) and ibuprofen (47.0%) were the most frequently prescribed analgesics. Not knowing the brand names of prescribed drugs and wrongly filled prescriptions were the most frequent errors in writing prescriptions, being reported by 79.3% and 55.3% of respondents, respectively. Regarding the factors associated with common prescribing errors, female students had significantly more errors than their male counterparts regarding the posology and knowledge of brand names. In addition, fifth-level students reported significantly fewer errors in writing a drug prescription than fourth-level students, and the interns showed fewer errors than their undergraduate colleagues. Moreover, students from public universities reported significantly more errors in knowing brand names and duration of treatment than private university students.

Conclusions: Dental students enrolled at the fourth and fifth levels as well as in the internship year of dentistry have insufficient knowledge and skills in prescribing drugs used in the dental field because of the perceived gaps in clinical pharmacology courses during their study. Revising the timing and content of pharmacology courses in dental curricula is required in light of the positive aspects of those from the dental faculties worldwide, emphasizing on drug prescribing skills and preparing dental students well before the clinical levels of the study program.
Factors Associated with Post-Transplant Anemia among Renal Transplant Recipients with Functioning Grafts in Sana’a City, Yemen
Authors: Othman Arwa M. , Abuasba Nagib W. , Saif-Ali Riyadh
Published: June 2022

Objective: To assess the factors associated with anemia in renal transplant recipients with functioning grafts in Sana’a city, Yemen.

Methods: One hundred and thirteen adult renal transplant recipients with functioning grafts were enrolled in this study in the period from Janury to December 2014. Biodata and clinical data were collected using a pre-designeddata collection sheet. Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration was measured, and anemia was defined as Hb concentration less than13.0 g/dLin males and less than 12.0 g/dL in females. The factors associated with anemia were analyzed, and independent predictors of post-transplant anemia (PTA) among renal transplant recipients were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model.

Results: PTA was detected in 23.0% of renal transplant recipients with functioning grafts. Bivariate analysis showed a significant association of PTA with age of 50 years or older (Odds ratio (OR) = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.10–6.72; P = 0.03), history of acute rejection (OR = 3.6; 95% CI: 1.17–11.28; P = 0.019) and delayed graft function (OR = 6.2; 95% CI:1.60–24.16; P = 0.004). Multivariable analysis using a logistic regression model identified history of acute rejection (adjusted OR = 3.9; 95% CI: 1.11–12.94; P = 0.034) and delayed graft function (adjusted OR = 4.6; 95% CI: 1.07–19.81; P = 0.04) as independent risk factors for PTA among recipients. However, no association was found between PTA and recipient’s gender, graft source, immunosuppressive protocols, erythropoietin treatment or use of antihypertensive drugs.

Conclusions: The prevalence of PTA among Yemeni renal transplant recipients is high, with history of acute rejection and delayed graft function being the independent risk factors. Therefore, it is recommended that physicians involved in renal transplantation consider the investigation and follow-up of transplant recipients for PTA and adopt appropriate preventive and therapeutic measures.
Clinicopathologic Characteristics of Stomach Cancer among Patients Admitted to the Surgical Departments of Teaching Hospitals in Sana'a, Yemen
Authors: Gilan Waleed M. A , Al-Katta Mohammed A. , Boutage Taha
Published: June 2022

Objective: To describe the characteristics of stomach cancer among patients admitted to the surgical departments of teaching hospitals in Sana’a city, Yemen.

Methods: This retrospective, descriptive study was conducted to identify the characteristics of stomach cancer among patients admitted to the surgical departments of two major teaching hospitals in Sana’a; namely, Kuwait University Hospital of Sana’a University and University of Science & Technology Hospital, in the period from January 2011 to June 2015. Sociodemographic and clinical data in addition to the characteristics of stomach cancer among 106 documented cases admitted over the study period were retrieved from the medical records and analyzed.

Results: Of the stomach cancer patients admitted over the study period, 55.7% were males and 52.8% were aged 50–70 years old. The most frequent symptom was dyspepsia (96.2%) followed by weight loss (88.7%) and loss of appetite (81.1%). Dysphagia was present in 56.6% of the patients, while upper and lower gastrointestinal bleedings were present in 15.1% and 6.0% of the patients, respectively. Palpable masses were present among 35.8% of the patients, being most frequently observed in the pylorus and antrum (22.1%) and the body of the stomach (18.9%) as revealed by abdominal computed tomography. Regarding the histopathologic findings of endoscopic biopsies, tumors were well-differentiated in 32.1% and moderately or poorly differentiated in 26.4% of the patients each. However, moderately-to-poorly differentiated and lymphoma were less frequent (5.7%, each) and the gastrointestinal stromal tumor was observed in 1.9% of the patients.

Conclusions: Clinicopathologic characteristics of stomach cancer among Yemeni patients are consistent with those documented internationally.
Conventional versus Modified Preauricular Incision Approaches to the Management of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis in Sana’a City, Yemen: A Comparative Clinical Study
Authors: Al-Hudaid Ali , Hussien Mohammed , Al-Wesabi Mohammed , Aldialami Abdullwahab , Helmi Jameel
Published: June 2022

Objective: To compare between the conventional and modified preauricular incision approaches to the management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis among Yemeni patients in Sana’a city, Yemen.

Methods: This comparative clinical study recruited ten patients (7 males and 3 females; age range: 6–35 years) with true fully or partially bony or fibrous TMJ ankylosis. These patients were admitted to and followed up in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, University of Science and Technology Hospital in Sana’a in the period from May 2013 to February 2016. Five patients with condylar capsule ankylosis were subjected to the conventional preauricular approach, while the other five cases with ankylosis that extends beyond the condylar capsule and reaches the zygomatic arch were subjected to the modified preauricular approach. Both approaches were evaluated and compared for the time required, intra- and post-operative complications and aesthetic results.

Results: The mean times required to carry out the operations were 4.45 and 3.20 hours for conventional and modified preauricular approaches, respectively.Facial nerve injury was present in two patients undergoing the conventional preauricular approach, but this reversed to normal after four to five months. Patient of both groups experienced no facial paralysis or post-operative auriculotemporal syndrome. Intra-operative bleeding was mild to moderate among the patients of both approaches, and none of the patients required blood transfusion intra- or post-operatively. Major blood vessels were injured in three cases undergoing the conventional preauricular approach. All patients subjected to both approaches showed satisfactory aesthetic end results.

Conclusions: Conventional and modified preauricular approaches provide excellent accessibility and visibility to the surgical field during the management of TMJ ankylosis among Yemeni patients, with the latter being slightly superior. In addition, the modified preauricular approach is associated with fewer complications, absence of facial nerve injury and reduced surgical time compared to the conventional approach.
Cervical Cytological Findings among Women Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Sana’a, Yemen
Authors: Al-Mikhlafy Abdullah Abdu , Abdulaziz Maha , Shamsher Amani
Published: June 2022

Objective: To determine the frequency and pattern of abnormal cervical smear findings among women attending the University of Science and Technology Hospital (USTH) in Sana'a city.

Methods: This study is a retrospective, cross-sectional study. Records of women examined by conventional Pap smears in the Histopathology Laboratory of USTH over a 4-year period (from January 2013 to December 2016) were retrieved and analyzed for abnormalities according to the Bethesda system.

Results: Of 688 cases, 599 with satisfactory records were analyzed. The mean age of the cases was 39.18±10.23 years (range: 19–75). Epithelial cell abnormalities (ECAs) were found in 47 cases (7.8%), and these were categorized as follows: ASCUS in 4.5% (27/599) of cases followed by atypical glandular cells (AGC) (2.2%; 13/599) and LSIL (0.5%; 3/599), while ASCH and HSIL abnormalities were equally observed among 0.3% (2/599 each) of cases. Of patients positive Pap smear findings, ASCUS was the most frequent type of ECA (57.4%; 27/47) followed by AGC (27.7%; 13/47) and LSIL (6.4%; 3/47), while ASCH and HSIL were the least frequent ECAs among Yemeni patients. ECAs were significantly more prevalent among women aged >40 years (10.8%) compared with those aged <40 years (5.5%).

Conclusions: Cervical cytological abnormalities are not uncommon among women in Yemen, where the AGC is frequent among about a third of women with abnormal Pap smear findings and affects women of different ages. This requires more attention and training of doctors to master good sample taking, preparation and diagnosis with a focus on glandular changes.
Antibiotic Resistance Trends of Gram-negative Bacteria Most Frequently Isolated from Inpatients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Sana'a, Yemen
Authors: Kubas Mohammed Abdullah , Zabad Abdulrahman Ali , Alqadhi Dalal Mohammed , AL-Azab Mahmoud Ali
Published: June 2022

Objective: To determine the trends of antibiotic resistance of Gram-negative bacteria, most frequently isolated from inpatients at the University of Science and Technology Hospital (USTH) in Sana'a, Yemen.

Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study on the antibiotic resistance of Gram-negative bacteria most frequently isolated from respiratory tract, pus, urine, blood and other types of specimens from inpatients admitted to the USTH. Data were retrieved from the hospital records of culture-positive inpatients in the period from January 2006 to December 2013, and annual trends of resistance were compared using chi-square test for trends at P values < 0.05.

Results: Of 2005 Gram-negative bacterial isolates in the period from 2006 to 2013, the most frequently isolated species were Escherichia coli (41.6%), Acinetobacter species (26.7%), Klebsiella species (21.0%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.6%). Amikacin and carbapenems were the most active drugs against E. coli, with a decrease in the susceptibility of this species to the third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins and a variable resistance rate to quinolones that significantly increased in 2013. Acinetobacter species susceptibility to most antibiotics decreased significantly over the years of the study, where polymyxin B was the only one found to be effective against this species. On the other hand, the trend of Klebsiella species resistance to imipenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, cefepime, ceftazidime increased over the years of the study. Susceptibility of Klebsiella species to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and moxifloxacin showed fluctuations, while the susceptibility of aminoglycosides (amikacin and gentamicin) and ampicillin-sulbactam showed no difference. The resistance of P. aeruginosa to the majority of antibiotics was not dramatically changed over the years of the study period, but gentamicin resistance rate was considerably dropped from 77.8% in 2008 to 25.9% in 2013.

Conclusions: Of the most frequently isolated Gram-negative bacteria in Sana'a, Acinetobacter species has the highest resistance rate to the most commonly used antibiotics, where only polymyxin B is effective against this species. P. aeruginosa shows an unchanging rate of resistance to antibiotics in the USTH despite being quite resistant to antibiotics on a global scale, which could be attributed to the smaller number of P. aeruginosa isolates tested over the study period. Further large-scale studies on the trends of antibiotic resistance rates in hospital-based settings and the best ways to counteract such resistance in Yemen are recommended.
Knowledge Sharing Strategies and Innovation: The Impact of Business Group Affiliation in an Emerging Economy
Authors: ÖZEN Özlem
Published: June 2022

Business groups provide a setting where affiliated firms, connected with various ties, share knowledge and enhance their innovative capabilities. The relations between knowledge sharing and innovation have been investigated in various contexts; however, whether firms connected with a business group utilize knowledge more than independent firms do in fostering innovations has been addressed to a lesser extent. Therefore, using survey data from 128 Turkish business group affiliated and independent manufacturing firms, this study examines the impact of explorative knowledge and exploitative knowledge sharing strategies on firms’ innovative activities and the moderating effect of business group affiliation in this relation. The findings indicate that while explorative and exploitative knowledge sharing enhance innovation, firms affiliated with business groups benefit less from both types of knowledge sharing than independent firms in terms of innovation. This study contributes to the business groups and knowledge research by examining whether groups create value for affiliated firms when firms operate in an emerging economy. The results of this study have policy and strategy implications in emerging economies and in the context of business groups.
The relationship between foreign direct investment, economic growth, energy consumption and CO2 emissions: Evidence from ARDL model with a structural break for Turkey
Authors: UĞUR Mehmet Sedat
Published: June 2022

This paper investigates the impact of foreign direct investments, energy consumption and economic growth on CO2 emissions in Turkey for the period of 1974-2015 by using autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model with a structural break. FMOLS and DOLS estimations are employed to check robustness of the model. The findings reveal a long-run relationship between the variables, and show that FDI contributes positively to CO2 emissions, validating pollution haven hypothesis. Economic growth has significantly positive relationship with CO2 emissions whereas impact of its square on CO2 emissions is also significant, but negative which confirms Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis. Energy consumption is also positively associated with CO2 emissions, meaning that higher levels of energy consumption lead to a higher environmental degradation. The dummy variable including the structural break is also statistically significant and positive. It is concluded that because of FDI inflows engender an increment in carbon emissions, Turkey should adopt cleaner technologies to avoid environmental pollution.
Tracing Trajectories of Regime Support in Turkey
Authors: İNAN Murat
Published: June 2022

According to the legitimacy approach of political culture research the public’s approval of a particular regime and disapproval of its alternatives provide support for that regime. Both theoretical and empirical evidence suggest that this support is important for the legitimacy of the regime. This research attempts to map publics’ approval of democracy and disapproval of three regimes that are known to be alternatives of democracy by examining the three major political parties’, namely the Justice and Development Party (JDP), the Republican People’s Party (RPP) and the National Action Party (NAP), manifesto documents as well as their voter bases across the successive seventeen general elections in the modern Turkish political history. It employed quantitative research methods and the World Values Survey for individual level and Manifesto Project for party level data. Findings suggest that voters are more stable than their parties across time in terms of their pro-democratic stance. Also, that except for minor differences, support for democracy and each of three alternative of it occupy almost the identical places in the minds of the three party electorates. Moreover, in this picture, democracy is clearly viewed as an alternative to the three political regimes. In a causal relationship however, some important differences can be observed across parties when support for its alternatives are viewed as determinants of support for democracy. The last major finding suggests that these three political parties’ pro-democratic stances as identified in their manifesto documents do not represent their voters’ pro-democratic views.
Can Investors Benefit from the Phase Difference Between Countries and Overreaction of the Major World Markets During the Pandemics? Study on the Covid-19 Case
Authors: UNAL Serkan
Published: June 2022

While the Covid-19 pandemic affected the world economies and investors’ behavior, it caused serious volatility in asset prices. Studies on Covid-19 in the literature generally analyzed the relationship between the number of cases, the number of deaths, and the performance of the stock markets. In this study, different from the literature, it has been tested whether investors can benefit from the phase difference between countries and overreaction in stock prices during the pandemic. In the study, which included 48 of the world's leading stock exchanges, countries were classified according to the time the epidemic progressed and the loss of stock market indices. Regardless of the country-based progression of the pandemic, it was observed that the global news flow was more effective in the pricing of different stock markets. On the other hand, it has been observed that the indices of the countries where the epidemic first spread, performed 6% worse than other indices on average, but this difference has closed over time. Another finding of the study is that the indices that lost the most during the period when the pandemic spread were the ones that showed the highest performance in the following period. This finding supports the overreaction hypothesis.
Finalizando o Ensino Remoto Emergencial (ERE) das disciplinas de Metodologia do Ensino de Geografia na UFRGS
Authors: Oliveira Victor
Published: June 2022

O presente texto objetiva-se em apresentar relato de experiência da finalização das atividades remotas de ensino nas disciplinas de Metodologia do Ensino de Geografia I e II, do curso de Geografia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Com o encaminhamento do término da estratégia do Ensino Remoto Emergencial (ERE), adotada em razão da pandemia da Covid-19, são relatados os momentos finais das disciplinas no espaço assíncrono de atividades (Moodle) e no espaço síncrono de aulas (MConf). Confere-se destaque para a estruturação das últimas semanas de atividades; a participação das e dos estudantes nas propostas apresentadas; e os processos avaliativos realizados. Considera-se que o registro de tais práticas seja importante para conhecer, analisar e avaliar os momentos de transição vivenciados entre o ensino remoto e o retorno ao ensino presencial.
Analysis of electromagnetic vibration and noise of permanent magnet synchronous motor based on field-circuit coupling
Authors: Shi Quan , Dong Yue , Li Banglong , Zhou Cangsong
Published: June 2022

In order to study the influence of harmonics on the vibration and noise of permanent magnet synchronous motor, this paper introduces an analysis method based on field-circuit coupling, and establishes a complete analysis process from the control strategy to the vibration and noise response of the motor. Firstly, the coupling model including control strategy, main circuit model and electromagnetic field model is established. Secondly, the finite element model of the permanent magnet synchronous motor under the influence of coupling is established to analyze and compare the electromagnetic force wave characteristics of the coupling excitation and the sinusoidal excitation. Then, the coupled electromagnetic force is loaded into the structural field to simulate and calculate the vibration and noise. Finally, the effectiveness of the model is verified through experimental sound pressure level comparison under steady-state and speed-up conditions, and it provides a reference for vibration and noise prediction of the motor system.
Improved algorithm for a system with different stiffness for positive and negative displacements
Authors: Ragulskis K. , Spruogis B. , Matuliauskas A. , Mištinas V. , Ragulskis L.
Published: June 2022

In the process of investigation of dynamics of elements of robots, systems with different values of stiffness for positive and negative displacements play an important role. This change of the value of stiffness has an effect to the results of numerical calculation of dynamics of the system. For more precise investigation of dynamics a special numerical procedure is proposed in the paper. Numerical results for two values of time steps: large and medium ones, are presented for two cases: without application of the proposed procedure and with application of it. Comparison of the presented results indicates advantages of the proposed numerical procedure.
Discuss the present situation of private music institutions in China, as well as their growth
Authors: Jiahui Du
Published: June 2022

Due to the obvious Chinese government's social, economic, and cultural development initiatives, music education in China has progressed tremendously. Arts and culture are being promoted. Parents urge their children to study music at a young age, including taking music lessons. As a result, the number of private music schools in China has significantly increased. Which private music schools are there in China? There are common sorts of operations that vary based on the environment of Chinese society and have built a private music institute with a distinctive history. As a result, this scholarly paper provides information on the history and growth of private music academies in China. Delivering the current state of a private school or music institution is one of the characteristics of each type of music school. This includes foreign-franchised institutions such as Yamaha and Gymboree, as well as Chinese-owned businesses. A type of music business that grows into a music community that sells musical instruments. Representing a music instructor and other music-related enterprises. This is the current state of the private music academy industry in China.
Fabrication of monolayer with aggregation-induced emission at the air/water interface
Authors: Iritani Kohei
Published: June 2022

Existing methods for producing transparent fluorescent materials are adequate for small scale production but unsuitable for larger scales. Assistant Professor Kohei Iritani and his team at the Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Technology, Japan,
are working to develop 2D monolayers to overcome this. These monolayers are formed by the self-assembly of organic molecules at the solid/liquid or air/water interface and monolayers with the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect have the potential to be used as transparent fluorescent
materials. The researchers have been successful in synthesising various AIE molecules and have made attempts to form a monolayer using the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) trough. The team established a method whereby if a monolayer could not be obtained, feedback was given to the molecular design and
a process of trial and error was repeatedly performed while new molecules were synthesised. This led to the construction of a fluorescence monolayer that can be transferred to a glass substrate while maintaining fluorescence emission. In their work to construct a monolayer with AIE effect
at the air/water interface the researchers are seeking to suppress intramolecular motion using a flat surface of water as a substrate and make it emit fluorescence by forming a monolayer.
Novel additions to EIC funding for 2022
Authors: Annette Lucy
Published: June 2022

The European Innovation Council (EIC) was launched as part of Horizon Europe in March 2021 in order to identify and support novel technologies and innovations. In February 2022 the European Commission (EC) adopted the EIC's 2022 work programme, which provides funding opportunities and
boasts new features compared to last year's programme. These new opportunities include increased funding for breakthrough innovators with a focus on creating new markets, a scale up initiative for deep tech companies and extra emphasis on support for women innovators. Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner
for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said: 'The work programme for this year is backed by the biggest ever annual funding for visionary entrepreneurs and researchers, as well as new measures to support female innovators and scale-ups.' Indeed the funding available for 2022
for start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is €1.16 billion, and more than €480 million is available for transnational research collaborations. This funding is organised into three categories: categories: the EIC Pathfinder, the EIC Transition and the EIC Accelerator.
The EIC Pathfinder supports visionary thinking around innovative new technologies while the EIC Transition supports innovations in and beyond the lab and the EIC Accelerator supports SMEs, with a focus on startups. In addition to financial support, the businesses receive expertise and assistance
with scaling up their innovations. New to the 2022 work programme is an expansion of the definition of women-led companies. Another component of the extra support to female innovators is the development of an innovation gender and diversity index to identify gaps and stimulate diversity within
companies.
The path to gender equality in R&I
Authors: Annette Lucy
Published: June 2022

There is a well documented gender gap in science and technology and, despite advancements, women remain underrepresented, particularly in fields such as engineering, mathematics, computing and physics. This is worsened still by the presence of skills shortages in these fields and UNESCO
recommends efforts to attract and retain women to these fields. The European Commission (EC)'s European Research Area (ERA) Policy Agenda intends to 'promote gender equality and foster inclusiveness'. 'She Figures' is a study that began in 2003 and collects data and statistics on the status
of gender equality in European research and innovation (R&I). It is updated every three years, allowing progress with the evolving situation to be closely monitored. In the 2021 edition of 'She Figures' it is highlighted that while numbers of female students at bachelor's, master's and
doctoral levels are steadily rising, women are distinctly underrepresented in R&I careers. Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said: "We still need to do more to promote gender equality, in particular to inspire girls for a career in STEM."
The report highlighted disparities among different fields of study with, for example, only 21 per cent of female ICT graduates and 27 per cent of female engineering graduates, while in health and welfare, the figures rise to 60 per cent and 67 per cent respectively. This suggests remaining
outdated misconceptions in terms of traditionally male-dominated and female-dominated areas and the need for change.