bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum neopterin level in psoriatic patients treated with acitretin or narrowband ultraviolet B or both
Authors: Hegazy Eisa M. , El Taieb Moustafa A. , Eliew Abd A. M. , Younis Ali M. , Ibrahim Ahmed K. , Elfatah Fatma E. A. , Ibrahim Hassan M. 
Published: April 2024

Background
A biological indicator of cellular immunity is neopterin. In certain studies, psoriasis patients had higher serum, and urine neopterin levels, which were reduced following therapy.

Aims
To evaluate the effect of acitretin versus narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) and combinations of them on psoriasis vulgaris and correlate it with neopterin level

Patients and methods
In this case-control research, a total of 120 respondents (30 healthy volunteers) served as the control group, in addition to 90 psoriasis patients randomly allocated into three equal groups: group (I): 30 patients received Acitretin for 3 months. Group (II): 30 patients were treated with NB-UVB. Group (III): 30 patients received Acitretin and NB-UVB (3 sessions/week) for 3 months. Serum neopterin levels were measured pre- and post-treatment. All patients were clinically and photographically evaluated using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score. The study was registered at clinicaltrial.com. Approval numbers: NCT05401006 and date of registration: 1/6/2022.

Results
In this study, statistically significant higher serum neopterin levels have been found in psoriatic patients than healthy controls. We found a significant decrease in PASI scores in all groups. The relative reduction percentage in the PASI score was substantially different between groups (P<0.001). The highest decrease percentage in PASI score was reported in group III compared with group II (NB-UVB) and group I (Acitretin group), (P<0.001). The median s. neopterin levels after treatment varied substantially among the three groups (P<0.001).

Conclusion
When compared with healthy controls, serum neopterin levels in psoriatic patients were substantially greater (P<0.05).
Comparison of Dexmedetomidine and Propofol for Sedation in Patients Undergoing Upper Limb Orthopedic Surgery under Regional Anesthesia with Brachial Plexus Block
Authors: Padhi Neha , Hota Samir , Ekka Mahendra , Choudhury Siddhanta , Mund Smrutirani , Panigrahi Jajati Keshari , Samal Jyoti Prakash 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background:
The search for the ideal sedative during regional anesthesia continues. Propofol is widely as a sedative intraoperatively. It may cause troublesome hemodynamic changes. Dexmedetomidine is an α2 agonist with sedative, anxiolytic, and analgesic properties. In this study, we compared dexmedetomidine with propofol as sedatives during surgeries under brachial plexus block.

Materials and Methods:
In our study, 70 American Society of Anesthesiologists I Class and II patients about to undergo upper limb surgeries under brachial plexus block were blinded and randomly allocated to receive either propofol (Group P) or dexmedetomidine (Group D) infusion. Brachial plexus block was performed, and after confirmation of adequate sensory and motor block, an initial loading dose of the drug was administered over 10 min, followed by a maintenance dose till the end of the surgery. Titration of the rate of infusion was done so as to maintain Ramsay Sedation Score (RSS) of 3–4 and Bispectral Index (BIS) of 60–80. Hemodynamic and respiratory parameters were monitored intraoperatively. Adverse effects such as hypotension, bradycardia, respiratory depression, and incidence of oversedation and undersedation were also noted. The collected data were evaluated using appropriate statistical tests in SPSS version 22®. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:
The RSS remained at 4 in Group P from 20 min onward and for Group D, RSS remained at 3 after 30 min. Post-induction, there was a reduction in BIS in both the groups, but patients in Group P showed statistically significant lower values of BIS when compared with Group D. The fall in mean arterial pressure was more in Group P as compared to Group D. Nine (25.71%) incidences of hypotension were seen in Group P and none in Group D. The decrease in heart rate was more profound in Group D as compared with Group P and one incidence of bradycardia observed in Group D. The respiratory rate was relatively stable in Group D as compared to Group P. The oxygen saturation (SpO2) values in the majority of the patients in both groups were above 92%, but three patients in Group P had SpO2 <92%. In Group P, 6 (17.14%) incidences of oversedation and 8 (22.85%) incidences of undersedation were observed. In Group D, 7 (20%) incidences of undersedation with no incidence of oversedation were observed.

Conclusion:
Dexmedetomidine at recommended doses has a better sedative property with less effect on hemodynamics and respiration as compared to propofol.
Utilization of barley and parsley for the management of urolithiasis among the Saudi Arabian population
Authors: Kamal Wissam Khalid , Bokhari Akram , Alesia Saud M. , Mahjari Tamer MA , Binsalman Wajdi A. , Laher Abdullah E. , Adam Ahmed 
Published: April 2024

Objective:
To determine the utilization of barley and parsley for managing urolithiasis among the Saudi Arabian population.

Methods:
This is a prospective cross-sectional survey-based study. The survey comprised questions about the use of barley, parsley, and other therapies for managing urolithiasis. A WhatsApp® message with the link to the study survey was sent out to family, friends, patients, and other acquaintances residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Results:
A total of 1014 respondents completed the survey, of which 44.8% indicated that they utilized barley, 38.3% stated that they used parsley, and 4.2% indicated that they utilized other non-medical remedies to treat or prevent kidney stones. In contrast, only 29.5% stated that they utilized potassium citrate and/or magnesium citrate, and only 14.4% indicated that they consumed greater amounts of water to treat or prevent kidney stones.

Conclusion:
Our study findings indicate that among the Saudi Arabian population, non-conventional therapies such as barley and parsley are more commonly utilized for managing urolithiasis rather than established therapies such as increasing water intake and the use of potassium-citrate/ magnesium-citrate. There is a need to conduct large-scale clinical studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of barley, parsley, and other non-conventional therapies for treating urolithiasis.
Predictors of forniceal rupture in patients with obstructing ureteral calculi: Analysis of multicenter data
Authors: Ghazwani Yahya G. , Hamri Saeed M. Bin , Alrabeeah Khalid A. , Alkhayal Abdullah M. , Alsaikhan Bader H. , Alferayan Turki Ahmed , Alfraidi Omar Badr , Balaraj Faisal Khalid , Alghafees Mohammad A. , Al Qurashi Abdullah A. , Noureldin Yasser A. 
Published: April 2024

Background:
Renal forniceal rupture (FR) is a unique complication of obstructive uropathy. This study aimed to identify the predictors of FR among patients presenting with renal colic due to obstructing ureteral calculi.

Materials and Methods:
After obtaining ethics approval, electronic records of patients from three National Guard hospitals in Saudi Arabia were reviewed between 2016 and 2020 to identify patients who presented with renal colic and were diagnosed with FR due to obstructive ureteric stones (FR group). An equivalent number of consecutive patients presenting with renal colic due to obstructing ureteric stones without FR was selected as a control group (non-FR group). Patients were grouped according to age group (<30, 30–40, 41–50, and >50 years), body mass index (BMI) class, gender, comorbidities, grade of hydronephrosis, location of the stone in the ureter, size of the stone (<3 mm, 3–7 mm, and >7 mm), and stone former status. Baseline patients’ and stone characteristics were compared, and a regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of FR.

Results:
A total of 50 patients with FR were identified, and a control group of 50 patients without FR were selected. The baseline patients’ and stone demographic characteristics in terms of age (P = 0.42), gender (P = 0.275), BMI (P = 0.672), comorbidity, grade of hydronephrosis (P = 0.201), and stone location (P = 0.639) were comparable between the FR group and the non-FR group. However, the stone size was statistically significant between both groups (P = 0.014). On multivariable analysis, it was found that the stone size was associated with a significantly higher increase in the incidence of FR (odds ratio [OR]: 6.5 [1.235–34.434]; P = 0.027). Furthermore, the age group between 30 and 40 years was potentially at a lower risk for FR (OR: 0.262 [0.069–0.999]; P = 0.049).

Conclusion:
This multicenter study showed that the stone size 3–7 mm had a six-fold increase in the chance of FR, and the age group between 30 and 40 years is potentially at a lower risk for FR.
Mean field game master equations with anti-monotonicity conditions
Authors: Mou Chenchen , Zhang Jianfeng 
Published: April 2024

It is well known that the monotonicity condition, either in Lasry–Lions sense or in displacement sense, is crucial for the global well-posedness of mean field game master equations, as well as for the uniqueness of mean field equilibria and solutions to mean field game systems. In the literature, the monotonicity conditions are always taken in a fixed direction. In this paper, we propose a new type of monotonicity condition in the opposite direction, which we call the anti-monotonicity condition, and establish the global well-posedness for mean field game master equations with non-separable Hamiltonians. Our anti-monotonicity condition allows our data to violate both the Lasry–Lions monotonicity and the displacement monotonicity conditions.
Theoretical Utility of Data Value Metric and Genetic Algorithms for Variable Clustering in an Unsupervised Learning Environment
Authors: Ejaita Okpako A. , Voke Ojie D. 
Published: April 2024

Cluster analysis is regarded as one of the most important unsupervised learning tasks, with its natural application in dividing data into meaningful groups, also known as clusters, based on the information in the data by describing the objects in terms of their relationships and capturing the data's natural structure. Many traditional performance evaluation metrics for clustering algorithms abound in the literature, treating various attributes or variables equally when measuring similarity; however, different attributes or variables may contribute differently due to the amount of information they contain, which can vary greatly. Data Value Metric (DVM) is an information theoretic measure based on the concept of mutual information that has been shown to be a good metric for validating data quality and utility in a big data ecosystem and in traditional data. Because it uses a forward selection search strategy, Data Value Metric (DVM) suffers from local minima and loss of diversity in the population; however, hybridizing it with Genetic Algorithm will overcome the problem of local minima because there will be a blend of evolutionary search to ensure a balance between exploration and exploitation of the search space. This paper proposed a hybrid model of the Genetic Algorithm and the Data Value Metric (DVM) as an information theoretic metric for quantifying the quality and utility of variable clustering selection that can be applied to traditional data.
Comparative Evaluation of Python Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) on Android Mobile Devices: Implications for Teaching Programming Concepts
Authors: Kadams Adaiti A. 
Published: April 2024

Programming is a major part of software engineering. There are many programming languages, paradigms, frameworks and Integrated development environment (IDE) software’s used to teach programming concepts today. Access to personal computers or computer laboratories is poor or non-existent for students in developing countries due to socioeconomic challenges. One useful resource is the growing availability of cheaper Android mobile devices in developing countries. With the right applications and editors, these mobile devices can be used to practically teach programming with hands-on programming experience by students of these developing countries. This article provides a comparative analysis of Python Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) available for mobile Android devices, focusing on their suitability for teaching programming concepts. The evaluation is conducted on five popular Python IDEs tailored for Android mobile devices. It provides a comprehensive comparison of five popular mobile Python programming IDE applications. The comparison covers their respective advantages and disadvantages, ease of use, installation, features, performance, Central Processing Unit (CPU) and Random-Access Memory (RAM) resources usage. The study highlights the suitability of Pydroid 3 and QPython 3x/Ox for novice learners operating resource-limited Android devices, whereas AIDE and Termux cater to individuals with intermediate to advanced proficiency, particularly those equipped with more powerful Android devices. This discernment serves as a valuable resource for educators and learners alike, aiding them in making informed decisions when choosing the optimal tool for imparting and acquiring programming concepts through Python on Android mobile platforms.
Examining the Mechanical Characteristics of Sammaz-14 variety Maize Cob Nanofiber Reinforced in LDPE/LD-g-MAH/Org-MMT Nanocomposites
Authors: Ali Jamila Baba , Musa Abubakar B. , Danladi Abdullahi , Nyakuma Bemgba B. , Usman Jamilu , Mamza Paul A.P. , Mohamad Zurina bint , Shuaibu Ibrahim 
Published: April 2024

In this research, maize cob nanofiber of sammaz-14 variety which were extracted via the chemo-mechanical method (alkaline treatment and ball milling) are confirmed to be in nanoscale within the range of 1-100 nm by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). They were used as reinforcing/functional filler with 2% organically modified montmorillonite (Org-MMT) as an additive and 3 % (low-density polyethylene grafted maleic anhydride) LD-g-MAH as compatibilizer in low density polyethylene (LDPE) to fabricate nanocomposites using injection moulding technique. Mechanical properties such as (Tensile strength, modulus, specific strength, Flexural strength, hardness, elongation and impact strength). Tensile strength increased up to 1.3 % at 2 % and modulus/ stiffness increased up to 200 % and 218 % at 5 % filler loading for maize cob nanofibre (MC-NF) and Nanoclay (Org-MMT) respectively. Strength-to-weight- ratio increase with increases in MC-NF and decreases with increase in nanoclay. Flexural strength and hardness also increase with increase in filler loading. However, steady decrease was observed for elongation at break and impact strength with an increase in filler loading.
Routine childhood immunization knowledge: Do fathers who accompany their children for immunization differ from those who accompany their children for circumcision?
Authors: Evawere Sadoh Ayebo , Edosa Osifo David Omorogieva , Samuel Fawole Oluwadare , Victor Emordi 
Published: April 2024

Background: Paternal involvement in child care activities especially immunization is being advocated as their involvement portend better outcomes. Compliance with circumcision another child care activity is much higher than for childhood immunization.
Method: Fathers who accompanied their children for immunization were recruited at the immunization centre while fathers who accompanied their male infants for circumcision were recruited at Accident and Emergency theatre where circumcisions are performed. Demographic information was obtained as well as information on the knowledge of fathers about immunization.
Results: There were 103 fathers accompanying children for immunization and circumcision respectively. Mean age of those who accompanied for immunization 34.47±5.68 years was significantly younger than 36.91±4.54 years for fathers who accompanied for cirCC –BY 4.0 cumcision p<0.0008. Fathers who accompanied for circumcision were significantly more educated p<0.0001 and were significantly more likely to know the names of the vaccines administered and potential side effect s / complications of vaccines. Fathers who accompanied for immunization were significantly more likely to know the age at commencement and completion of immunization although a significant proportion of both groups were not knowledgeable about these dates.
Conclusion: Majority of fathers were not knowledgeable about immunization. All opportunities for contact with fathers especially when they accompany their children for health care activities should be used to educate them about immunization and its importance.
Lightning-strike induced acute injury: A case report
Authors: Osaretin Osarogiagbon Wilson , Kingsley Ani Chidiebere , Augustina Ochaba Ene 
Published: April 2024

Lightning strike injury is a rare but a devastating lifethreatening condition affecting virtually all tissues and solid organs of the body. This can be attributed to the various energy transmission mechanisms from lightning strikes. This include ground strike, contact voltage, side flash, wire-mediated lightning, direct strike and weak upper streamer. Acute lung injury following lightning strike is an uncommon presentation which can manifest as pulmonary oedema, alveolar haemorrhage, pulmonary contusion and acute respiratory distress syndrome. This is a case report of a 15-year-old female, who presented to the Emergency CC –BY 4.0 unit following a lightning strike injury. She presented in coma from the referral centre, markedly dyspnoeic, and eventually admitted into the intensive care unit on account of respiratory failure. Chest radiograph findings showed features in-keeping with non- cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. She was mechanically ventilated, placed on steroids, hydrated, and given antibiotics. Following treatment, respiratory distress resolved and she regained full consciousness. She was discharged home after 11 days of admission.
“English is a language that almost everybody will know or should know:”
Authors: Jensen Signe Hannibal 
Published: April 2024

The present study explores young children’s experiences with and perceptions of English in their personal lives in a traditional EFL context. Twenty-one Danish children (between the age of 8-12) participated in the study. A multimodal emic approach was employed using language portraits and interviews. As the only language besides Danish (L1), English figured in all portraits thus illustrating the great importance placed on English by all children, recognizing its status as a global language. However, the participating children experienced and viewed English very differently. Findings of the present study ranged from perspectives where learning and using English was found to be frustrating and difficult, to bilingual perspectives where English was engaged with more or just as much as the first language (Danish). This confirmed arguments that to some English is still a foreign language in traditional EFL contexts. Some implications were connected to this. It seems key that teachers become familiar with the extramural English interest of their students as well as their learning trajectories. This way they will be better able to differentiate their teaching (Sylvén, 2022). Moreover, more longitudinal research is needed to provide insights into children's perceptions of global English and the factors that affect this.
Pengaruh Pandemi Covid-19 Terhadap Pendapatan Rumah Makan Rasa Sambal
Authors: Oktaviyanti Dewi , Nur Aini Alifia Nur Aini , Aprilia Devi , Dwi Rahmawati Esti 
Published: April 2024

Abstrak
Merebaknya penyebaran virus corona sangat berpengaruh dalam berbagai sektor, terutama dalam sector bisnis kuliner. Hal ini sangat berpengaruh pada pendapatan dari usaha tersebut, karena pendapatan merupakan hal penting dalam kegiatan operasional rumah makan. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah mengetahui pengaruh covid-19 pada pengelolaan dan pendapatan dari rumah makan, menganalisis adakah pengurangan karyawan dan penurunan harga dalam menu , dan menganalisis upaya apa saja yang dilakukan dari pihak rumah makan dalam menghadapi pandemic ini. Metode yang dilakukan dalam penlitian ini menggunakan metode observasi atau pengamatan. Kesimpulan yang diambil dari penelitian ini yakni pandemic covid-19 memiliki pengaruh yang sangat signifikan terhadap pendapatan rumah makan rasa sambal. Hal ini mengakibatkan penurunan omset penjualan rumah makan sehingga pengelola harus memiliki kebijakan dan strategi untuk bertahan. Pihak rumah makan tidak melakukan pengurangan karyawan, tetapi ada beberapa menu makanan yang mengalami penurunan harga. Strategi rumah makan untuk mengurangi resiko kerugian yang tinggi adalah dengan mengurangi pembelian bahan baku. Di sisi lain, pengelola membuka tempat makan dengan menerapkan protocol kesehatan, melayani pesan antar dengan minimal belanja, dan melakukan promosi online di media sosial.
Analisis Perbandingan Pajak Penghasilan bagi Wajib Pajak Orang Pribadi sebelum dan sesudah UU No. 7 Tahun 2021
Authors: Pramudita Gadis , Okfitasari Antin 
Published: April 2024

Abstrak
Penelitian ini menganalisis perbandingan Pajak Penghasilan sebelum dan sesudah Undang-Undang No.7 Tahun 2021 bagi Wajib Pajak Orang Pribadi (WPOP).Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif. Teknik analisis data dengan cara menggambarkan dan menganalisis berdasarkan teori yang ada dan sesuai dengan kenyataan yang terjadi dilapangan dengan menggunakan ilustrasi perhitungan yaitu membandingkan berdasarkan peraturan lama dengan UU PPh, PP No. 23/2018 dan UU HPP . Hasil analisis ilustrasi perhitungan bahwa untuk wajib pajak orang pribadi (sebagai karyawan) dengan penghasilan sampai dengan Rp60 juta beban pajak yang dibayar lebih rendah dengan UU HPP dibanding UU PPh karena hanya terkena lapisan tarif pertama. Penghasilan >Rp60 juta – Rp5 milyar, beban pajak lebih rendah dengan UU HPP dibanding UU PPh. Tetapi penghasilan diatas Rp 5 Miliar, Pajak yang dibayar lebih tinggi dengan UU HPP dibanding UU PPh. Pemberian Batasan peredaran bruto <Rp500 juta setahun tarif pajak 0%, maka UMKM yang terkena pajak adalah yang peredaran bruto >Rp500 juta setahun sehinga beban pajak UMKM lebih rendah. Adanya breaket tarif progresif memberi rasa keadilan pajak yaitu pajak dibebankan kepada wajib pajak sesuai dengan kemampuan membayar.Semakin tinggi penghasilan maka semakin tinggi pajak yang dikenakan.Implikasi penelitian lebih lanjut yaitu dengan menganalisis regulasi perubahan peraturan perundangan perpajakan yang menjadi poin utama dalam UU HPP.
Penerapan Aplikasi Teknologi Informasi pada Usaha Mikro Kecil dan Menengah (UMKM)
Authors: Alia Akhmad Khabib , Maulidavito Taufik , Prakoso Yosua Tri 
Published: April 2024

Abstrak— Usaha Mikro Kecil Menengah (UMKM) mempunyai peranan yang penting dalam pertumbuhan ekonomi dan industri suatu negara. Hampir 90% dari total usaha yang ada di dunia merupakan kontribusi dari UMKM. Disamping itu, UMKM mempunyai kontribusi terhadap penyerapan tenaga kerja. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untyk mengetahui pemanfaatan aplikasi teknologi Informasi oleh pelaku UMKM. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif, pengumpulan data melalui indept interview, observasi, wawancara terstruktur dan FGD terhadap pelaku UMKM di Kota Surakarta. Hasil yang diperoleh bahwa para pelaku UMKM di Kota Surakarta sudah memanfaatkan aplikasi teknologi informasi di dalam membantu kegiatan usahanya dalam hal komunikasi, promosi dan riset. Teknologi informasi memberikan manfaat kepada pelaku UMKM di dalam meningkatkan kegiatan usahanya.
Kata kunci— UMKM, Aplikasi, Teknologi Informasi