bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An In-vitro Evaluation of Tooth Discoloration and Shear Bond Strength of Glass Ionomer Cement Bonded to Tooth Surface Pretreated with Silver Diamine Fluoride and Glutathione Biomolecule
Authors: Al-Azar IC , Girish MS , Devraj IM , Shylaja KC , Dhull KS 
Published: December 2024

Background:
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is employed in caries prevention and treatment; however, tooth discoloration post treatment is a significant disadvantage, which can be reduced using glutathione (GSH), a water soluble tripeptide.

Aim:
To evaluate and compare the effect of glutathione biomolecule (GSH) and potassium iodide (KI) along with SDF on tooth discoloration and shear bond strength of glass ionomer cement (GIC) on the tooth surface.

Methods:
Artificial caries were created on 48 extracted unblemished premolars and divided into four groups (SDF, SDF + KI, SDF + GSH, and Water). The solutions were applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and the samples were incubated for 24 hours. The color assessment was recorded on days 1, 7, and 14 by using a spectrophotometer. Following the color assessment, all the treated samples were bonded with GIC. The shear bond strength was evaluated using a universal testing machine.

Results:
Mixing SDF with GSH initially reduced tooth discoloration. Although there was an increase in the discoloration after 2 weeks, it was still less when compared to the SDF group. The application of GSH and KI post SDF application had no significant difference in the shear bond strength of GIC on the tooth surface.

Conclusions:
The use of GSH along with SDF helps in reducing the discoloration without compromising the shear bond strength.
Effects of Maternal Dyslipidemia on Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Obodo CE , Agu PU , Ugwu EO , Ezegwui HU , Nkwo PO , Eze MI , Eleje GU , Ekwuazi KE , Ugwu AO , Ekwueme PC , Anigbo CS 
Published: December 2024

Background:
Maternal dyslipidemia is one of the consistent metabolic changes during pregnancy. There is a controversy as to whether maternal lipid disturbances in early pregnancy are associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcome.

Aim:
To determine the effects of maternal dyslipidemia on maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Methods:
A prospective observational cohort study of eligible pregnant women attending antenatal clinic (ANC) at two tertiary hospitals in Southeast Nigeria. The attendees blood samples were collected for lipid profile analysis and those who met the criteria for dyslipidemia constituted the study (exposed) group, while those with normal lipid levels were the control (unexposed group). Both groups were followed up throughout pregnancy and in labor to determine the pregnancy and perinatal outcomes.

Results:
Compared with pregnant women with normal lipid profile, those with dyslipidemia were at higher risk of low birth weight (LBW) (RR: 9.40, CI 95%: 1.3-70.2, P = 0.005), intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) (RR: 5.98; 95% CI: 0.8-46.9; P = 0.04), still birth (RR: 6.84, CI 95%: 8.9-52.7, P = 0.03), and birth asphyxia (RR: 10.26, CI 95%:1.4-76.0, P = 0.003).

Conclusion:
Maternal dyslipidemia is associated with some adverse perinatal outcomes such as LBW, IUFD, still birth, and birth asphyxia. These findings would guide in the care of pregnant women with dyslipidemia.
Histopathological Comparison of Various Tongue Base Reduction Processes
Authors: Cobden SB , Ozcan İ , Altıparmak S , Kuru A , Senel F , Kantekın Y , Kaya A 
Published: December 2024

Background and Aim:
Tongue base reduction surgery is the only minimally invasive technique that can be performed under local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure, especially to treat obstructive sleep apnea caused by hypopharyngeal obstruction. Studies reported that various devices could be used for tongue base reduction, but comparisons of these methods are limited in the literature. Our study aimed to compare the histological effects of tongue base reduction methods performed with the Celon radiofrequency, monopolar cautery, Coblator, and Sutter devices on the tissue.

Methods:
This study included 23 female rats (aged 4–8 months). Rats were divided into five groups. Tongue base reduction was performed with monopolar cautery in the first group (5 rats), then Celon radiofrequency in the second group (5 rats), the Coblator in the third group (5 rats), and the Sutter in the fourth group (5 rats). The fifth group was the control group, which comprised three rats. The rats’ tongues were resected for histological examination 1 week after procedures.

Results:
While the highest amount of fibrosis was seen in the Sutter group, fibrosis was also relatively high in the Coblator group. A significant difference was observed in all groups when compared with the control group regarding tissue thickness. While the average tissue thicknesses of the monopolar, celon rf, and Coblator groups were almost the same, tissue reduction was more marked in the Sutter group.

Conclusion:
Although we observed that all the methods used were safe, the method that produced the most fibrosis and tissue reduction was the Sutter method.
Implementation of Standard setting in the Assessment of Examinations in a Postgraduate Medical College: Opinions, Experiences and Prospects
Authors: Ekekezie Oyenike Oyeronke , Charles-Eromosele Titilope Oyinlola , Olatona Foluke Adenike , Aguwa Emmanuel Nwabueze 
Published: December 2024

Context:
The world over, there has been a paradigm shift in medical education from the traditional curriculum to Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME), of which the application of standard setting in assessments is an integral part. Standard setting is the process used to define an acceptable level of performance and to establish a pass score for the defined levels of performance in the competency domains assessed by an examination.

Aims:
This study was designed to assess the opinions and experiences of key judges for implementation of standard setting and to outline its prospects from their perspective.

Settings and Design:
A descriptive cross-sectional study on the opinions, experiences and prospects for standard setting in the assessment of college examinations.

Methods:
A total population survey of Faculty Officers for the year 2024.

Data Analysis:
Descriptive statistics using SPSS Version 27.

Results:
The use of an arbitrary 50% pass mark was not supported as 80% of the respondents felt it was neither just nor equitable; 84% opined that it will not correctly separate competent from incompetent candidates and 76% felt it was not defensible. Over 90% of the respondents supported the shift to standard setting, though 31% and 51%, respectively, believed that it was difficult to implement and strenuous. Training and retraining of faculty and examiners was advocated by 98% of the respondents.

Conclusion:
Standard setting is more appropriate in determining true competence than using arbitrary pass scores. Training and retraining of faculty and examiners is required to improve understanding of the process and concepts.
Self-reported Myopia in Trinidad and Tobago: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Ezinne Ngozika Esther , Kwarteng Michael Agyemang , Tagoh Selassie , Jagroo Arian , Martin Darnell 
Published: December 2024

Objective:
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of self-reported myopia in Trinidad and Tobago.

Materials and Methods:
This study was a cross-sectional design, and data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire from January to April 2024. Systematic random sampling was used to select participants aged 15 and above to participate. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the variables and the Chi-square test was used to assess for associations (P < 0.05).

Results:
A total of 350 participated in the study giving a response rate of 91.15%. Majority of the participants were female (n = 197, 56.3%), mixed race (n = 126, 36%), resided in urban areas (n = 172, 49.4%) and aged 18–35 years (n = 168, 48.3%). The prevalence of myopia was 40.9% and the prevalence was significantly associated with age group, ethnicity, level of education and religion (P < 0.05). Myopia was associated with family history, lifestyle, use of spectacles, daily use of computers, near work, outdoor activities, sleeping and having a father or mother with myopia (All P < 0.05). In addition, ocular diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma were among the most frequent reported conditions.

Conclusion:
The myopia prevalence observed in our study validates age-related trends, offers estimates across diverse age groups, and reveals a significant association between myopia rates and family history, with a self-reported myopia rate higher than clinical testing surveys but in line with global prevalence reports.
Assessment of the Prevalence and Patterns of Violence against Healthcare Workers in Nigeria: A Multicentre Study
Authors: Isara Alphonsus Rukevwe , Wudiri Zara William , Agbo Hadiza Abigail , Lar Luret Albert , Aigbokhaode Adesuwa Queen , Awunor Nyemike Simeon ,   For Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria
Published: December 2024

Background:
In Nigeria, violence against healthcare has adversely affected the access to and delivery of healthcare services with serious consequences for healthcare workers (HCWs). This study assessed the prevalence and patterns of violence against HCWs in areas of armed conflict, areas of other situation of violence and areas not affected by conflict in Nigeria.

Methodology:
A cross-sectional study utilising a mixed method approach comprising both quantitative survey and qualitative data collection methods. All the categories of HCWs in public healthcare facilities participated in the study. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the respective Health and Research Ethics Committees of the respective study sites.

Results:
A total of 1,218 HCWs comprising Borno State, 407 (33.4%), Plateau State, 401 (32.9%) and the Federal Capital Territory 410 (43.7%) were interviewed. The overall prevalence of physical and psychological violence was 16.7% and 62.4%, respectively. Pushing and slapping were the predominant forms of physical violence. Weaponized violence with weapon was the highest in conflict areas. Verbal abuse, threats, bullying and harassment were the predominant forms of psychological violence. The major consequences of violent attacks on the HCWs were lack of job satisfaction, loss of confidence, low self-esteem, decreased productivity and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Conclusions:
The overall prevalence of violent attacks on HCWs was high. The perpetrators of violent attacks were mainly patient relatives and patients/clients. The factors predisposing to violent attacks were patients-related issues, service delivery, working conditions of the hospitals, expectations of patient relatives and impatience of hospital staff.
Epidemiology of Traumatic Brain Injury at a Tertiary Institution in Nigeria
Authors: Ojo Omotayo Abimbola , Okei Jennifer Chukwuamaka , Adaramola OyinOluwa Gloria , Olajide Shakiru Olabisi , Awofeso Opeyemi Mercy , Agbarakwe Chukwuemeka Abraham , Arekhandia Bruno Jeneru , Owolabi Bukola Samuel , Ashimi Abidat Adedamola , Solahudeen Zaynab Oyindamola 
Published: December 2024

Introduction:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is devastating to the victims, and an understanding of its prevalence, the demography and the causes help reduce the incidence and outcome. Adequate knowledge of such helps in developing preventive and management protocols in the region. The study aims to document the presentation and challenges of TBI in our centre.

Methods:
A cross-sectional design was conducted at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Only adult (≥18 years) patients were recruited consecutively from the emergency room following a diagnosis of TBI. Data were obtained with the aid of a study pro forma which recorded participants’ sociodemographic information, pre-hospital indices and clinical examination/investigations. Imaging findings, surgical information and follow-up findings were also recorded. Data obtained were analysed using the IBM SPSS Statistics.

Results:
A total of 125 TBI patients with male:female of 8:1 were recruited over 12 months. The mean age was 40.8 years standard deviation ± 16.86. Only 9 patients (7.2%) had health insurance. Eighty-four (67.2%) patients had TBI from road traffic accidents (RTAs). Fall from heights, assaults, industrial accidents and gunshots contributed 16%, 9.6%, 5.6% and 1.6% of patients’ injuries respectively. One hundred and fourteen (91.2%) were brought to the hospital by non-healthcare workers.

Conclusion:
RTAs remain the most common cause of TBI. Majority of the populace cannot afford the cost of TBI management. The scope of national health insurance needs to be broadened to help victims at the points of need.
Utility of multimodal imaging in the clinical diagnosis of inherited retinal degenerations
Authors: Lee Brian J. H. , Sun Christopher Z. Y. , Ong Charles J. T. , Jain Kanika , Tan Tien-En , Chan Choi Mun , Mathur Ranjana S. , Tang Rachael W. C. , Bylstra Yasmin , Kam Sylvia P. R. , Lim Weng Khong , Fenner Beau J. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Inherited retinal degeneration (IRD) is a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders of variable onset and severity, with vision loss being a common endpoint in most cases. More than 50 distinct IRD phenotypes and over 280 causative genes have been described. Establishing a clinical phenotype for patients with IRD is particularly challenging due to clinical variability even among patients with similar genotypes. Clinical phenotyping provides a foundation for understanding disease progression and informing subsequent genetic investigations. Establishing a clear clinical phenotype for IRD cases is required to corroborate the data obtained from exome and genome sequencing, which often yields numerous variants in genes associated with IRD. In the current work, we review the use of contemporary retinal imaging modalities, including ultra-widefield and autofluorescence imaging, optical coherence tomography, and multispectral imaging, in the diagnosis of IRD.
Capacidades dinámicas: respuesta empresarial ante entornos contingentes
Authors: Demuner Flores María del Rosario 
Published: December 2024

El enfoque al comportamiento holístico de las capacidades dinámicas ha llevado a las empresas a responder para sobrevivir y mejorar ante el reto post pandemia. El objetivo fue analizar el efecto que la orientación al mercado, orientación al aprendizaje y la innovación, ejercen en la resiliencia empresarial. La investigación es cuantitativa de alcance explicativo desarrollada en una muestra de 403 empresas mexicanas. Con la modelación de ecuaciones estructurales con mínimos cuadrados usando PLS-SEM, se demostró que el dinamismo ambiental fortaleció significativamente las relaciones de la orientación al mercado, orientación al aprendizaje y la innovación con una respuesta resiliente ante los efectos causados. Se comprobó el efecto indirecto que ejerce la innovación como variable mediadora; el desarrollo del aprendizaje y el enfoque al cliente promueven prácticas creativas que apalancan respuestas resilientes para que las empresas se adapten a situaciones contingentes y migren más fortalecidas a escenarios de reconfiguración. Se contribuye teóricamente al estudio de las capacidades de orden superior como principal mecanismo de gestión en contextos emergentes. La contribución empírica retroalimenta el conocimiento sobre las acciones que las empresas realizan ante eventos cambiantes; y sugiere a las empresas continuar apuntalado sus actividades de orden superior y poner en práctica habilidades proactivas para su sostenimiento en el largo plazo.
Mergers & Acquisitions of Banking Institutions and Customer Satisfaction in Rwanda: A Case of KCB Rwanda & BPR
Authors: Sindambiwe Amos , Osiemo Athanas 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: The core aim of this research was to analyse the impact of mergers and acquisitions on consolidated banks’ service quality, by applying modified SERVQUAL model that served as a tool to show the change reflected in the service quality matrix after M&A through service quality demands grouped in dimensions of tangibility, assurance, responsiveness, empathy, employee skills, convenience, reliability, access, and financial aspect in the context of Rwandan banks.
Methodology: The target population is composed of 428,000 clients of the two banks at the time of their merger while the sample is 385 clients, number arrived at by using the formula by Mugenda and Mugenda. A descriptive case and explanatory study strategy was utilized as the research sake to define client perception of the quality of service and further aimed to clarify the link between M&A and the quality of service and how it impacts client satisfaction.
Findings: The findings from the research revealed that service quality demands are satisfactorily responded in both situations of before and after M&A given that in each situation clients’ expectation is generally met, in the range from 63% to 75% before M&A and 58% to 88% after M&A. The t-tests and ANOVA methods were used to examine the field data gathered with emphasis on statistical significance. The research results then provided the extent of the impact of mergers and acquisitions on the overall quality of service and therefore on clients approval. The analysis shows that M&A exercise allowed the increase of overall clients’ satisfaction from the pre-merger positive overall gap of 0.021 to a post-merger positive gap of 0.135. This positive variation was due to improvement of 8 service quality dimensions in the order of Tangibility for 0.207, Empathy for 0.203, Reliability for 0.194, Assurance for 0.171, Employee Competences for 0.149, Convenience for 0.114, and Financial Aspects and Access for 0.031 each. The decrease of satisfaction was observed only on one quality dimension of Responsiveness for -0.073. For the client satisfaction benefit, the research identified “Promptness” as an area of service quality attributes to improve post-2021 mergers and acquisitions at BPR Bank.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: We recommend that during the exercise of M&A, new banking institutions strive to put in place measures for respecting the promised timing of service delivery.
Effect of Predeformation on Corrosion Fatigue Crack Growth of Type 316NG Steel in 325°C Deaerated Water
Authors: Xiao Jun , Zheng Yu Qi , Xiao Ting , Wang Hao , Xu Qi 
Published: December 2024

The predeformed 316NG (00Cr17Ni12Mo2N) was prepared by cold rolling at room temperature and hot rolling at 400°C. The effect of predeformation on fatigue crack growth both in 325°C deaerated water and room temperature air was investigated. The effect of predeformation on corrosion fatigue crack growth (CFCG) in 325°C deaerated water was much smaller than that on fatigue crack growth. The cold rolling significantly enhanced CFCG rates while the applied ΔK closed to 11 MPa√m or the applied loading frequency decreased to 0.1 Hz. The accelerating effect of hot rolling on CFCG tended to become evident until the predeformation increased to 30%. Dynamic recovery was observed near the corrosion fatigue crack tip in hot-rolled 316NG, which may result in relatively low CFCG rates.
Multi-model effective radiative forcing of the 2020 sulfur cap for shipping
Authors: Skeie Ragnhild Bieltvedt , Byrom Rachael , Hodnebrog Øivind , Jouan Caroline , Myhre Gunnar 
Published: December 2024

Abstract. New regulations of sulfur emissions from shipping were introduced in 2020, reducing emissions of SO2 from international shipping by ∼ 80 %. As SO2 is an aerosol precursor, this drop in emissions over the ocean will weaken the total aerosol effective radiative forcing (ERF) that has historically masked an uncertain fraction of the warming due to the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Here, we use four global climate models and a chemical transport model to calculate the ERF resulting from an 80 % reduction in SO2 emissions from international shipping relative to 2019 emission estimates. The individual model means range from 0.06 to 0.09 W m−2, corresponding to the ERF resulting from the increase in CO2 concentration over the last 2 to 3 years. The full uncertainty in the ERF due to the new regulation is not quantified but will very likely be high considering the contribution of uncertainties in shipping SO2 emissions, the sulfur cycle, the modelling of cloud adjustments and the impact of interannual variability on the method for calculating radiative forcing.
Consideration of the cloud motion for aircraft-based stereographically derived cloud geometry and cloud top heights
Authors: Volkmer Lea , Kölling Tobias , Zinner Tobias , Mayer Bernhard 
Published: December 2024

Abstract. Cloud geometry and in particular cloud top heights can be derived from 2-D camera measurements by applying a stereographic method to data from an overflight over a scene of clouds (see, e.g., Kölling et al., 2019). Although airplane overpasses are relatively fast, cloud motion with the wind is important and can result in errors in the cloud localization. Here, the impact of the wind is investigated using the method from Kölling et al. (2019) for measurements of the airborne hyperspectral imaging system spectrometer of the Munich Aerosol Cloud Scanner (specMACS). Further, a method for cloud motion correction using model winds from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is presented. It is shown that the update is important as the original algorithm without the cloud motion correction can over- or underestimate the cloud top heights by several hundred meters, depending on the wind speed and the relative wind direction. This is validated using data from the Elucidating the role of clouds–circulation coupling in climate (EUREC4A) campaign and realistic 3-D radiative transfer simulations. From the comparison of the derived cloud top heights with the expected ones from the model input, an average accuracy of the cloud top heights of less than (20±140) m (mean deviation and 1 standard deviation) is estimated for the updated method.
Posgrado e Internacionalización en la Argentina
Authors: Araujo Sonia Marcela 
Published: December 2024

Este artículo está vinculado al proyecto de extensión organizado por el Programa de Posgrado en Educación - PPGE/FE/UFG titulado 'Educación en tiempos de pandemia: los desafíos de la internacionalización', que contó con disertantes de Mozambique, México, Canadá, Portugal, Argentina y España El evento fue coordinado por los profesores Dr. Wilson Alves de Paiva, Dra. Marilza Vanessa Rosa Suanno y Prof. Maria Margarida Machado y está disponible en el Canal de YouTube UFG -Graduación e internacionalización en Argentina.
Palabras clave: Extensión. Internacionalización. Posgraduación.