bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fractional backward SDEs with locally monotone coefficient and application to PDEs
Authors: Saouli Mostapha Abdelouahab 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
In this work, we will try to weaken the hypothesis imposed by Hu and Peng. We will be concerned with finding the solution of locally monotone BSDEs associated to fBm. As an auxiliary
step, we study the existence and uniqueness of a solution to the monotone
backward SDEs associated to fBm. Then we connect these two kinds of
fractional backward SDEs with the corresponding semilinear partial differential equations (PDEs for short).
Science communication: The link to enable enquiry-based learning in under-resourced schools
Authors: Nemadziva Blessing , Sexton Steven , Cole Catherine 
Published: January 2023

Improving skills in STEM disciplines has been identified as essential in meeting South Africa’s economic growth targets. Despite this, learner uptake and completion rates within these subjects is currently well below international standards. We therefore examined key stages within the science education system to identify factors contributing to the low throughput in science education. We reviewed how national science policy changes have impacted the curriculum and teaching practices across different education establishments and socio-economic groups. We highlight that 80% of public schools have a lack of resources for practical learning, making it difficult for teachers to implement enquiry-based teaching methods. We explored strategies for effective engagement with science from the science communication literature and present recommendations to improve learner engagement with science in under-resourced school settings. Whilst education reform is needed at a national scale, we make a case for using science communication practices in science classes as a more immediate solution to generate greater interest and understanding, and encourage learners to pursue careers in science.Significance:

We examined key challenges in the science education and training pipeline in South Africa and recommend the use of science communication practices to design resources to enhance science teaching and learning in under-resourced schools.
Exploring ways of integrating informal learning tools into schools could be a simple approach to improve science teaching and learning in developing countries such as South Africa where infrastructural deficit poses a longer-term barrier to learning.
A lifecycle-based evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions from the plastics industry in South Africa
Authors: Goga Taahira , Harding Kevin , Russo Valentina , Von Blottnitz Harro 
Published: January 2023

Increased production rates of plastic and limited disposal methods have fed concerns regarding environmental degradation. Whilst most of the focus is on plastic litter and marine pollution, greenhouse gas emissions of plastic over its value chains are also of interest and non-trivial at the global scale. To quantify the global warming potential of the local plastics industry, a lifecycle-based carbon footprint is presented encompassing activities such as resource extraction, polymer production and conversion, recycling, and disposal stages. The South African plastics sector is estimated to have emitted 15.8 Mt CO2 eq in 2015, with the granulate production stage bearing the highest environmental load. The consumption of fossil fuel based electricity and the burning of plastic waste also contribute notably to the overall emissions. Additionally, the recycling process in 2015 saved approximately 1.4 Mt of greenhouse gas emissions.Significance:

Research has typically focused on the environmental impacts of the end-of-life stage of plastics, namely disposal and recycling. Despite growing concern, the global warming potential of the local plastics sector across its value chain has not been investigated.
Greenhouse gas emissions arising from the South African plastic sector are non-trivial and are estimated to total 15.8 Mt CO2 eq in 2015.
Amongst the lifecycle stages, the resin production process had the highest contribution in South Africa due to the country’s coal-based monomer production process.
Efficacy of Curcumin Mouth Wash on Gingival Inflammation in Patients with Chronic Gingivitis
Authors: Mohammad Chenar 
Published: January 2023

Objective: For gingival disease, various modalities of treatment are available. Turmeric is a novel product obtained from plants that plays a vital role in treating gingival and periodontal diseases. This study aims to evaluate the anti-plaque and anti-inflammatory property effects of curcumin mouthwash (0.1%) on participants with plaque-induced gingivitis. Methods: From eighty subjects, sixty participants with generalized gingivitis received meticulous scaling and polishing (S&P) and were divided randomly into 3 groups: Curcumin (CU), Chlorhexidine (CHX), and control (S&P) groups. Clinical parameters: PI, GI, BOP, and salivary IL-1β were assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks of therapy. The rest of the twenty patients with clinically healthy gingiva. Results: The results showed a significant reduction in the mean values of PI, GI, BOP, and Il-1β levels after 4 weeks of therapy as compared to baseline in all 3 groups (p≤0.05), with the highest mean reduction of GI, BOP, and IL-1 β scores detected in the CU when compared to the CHX and S&P groups, and the highest mean reduction of PI scores detected in the CHX group in comparison to the CU and S&P groups (p≤0.05), with significant differences, existed between the 3 groups (p≤0.05). Conclusions: CU was more effective than CHX when anti-inflammatory property effects were considered, while CHX was more effective than CU when anti-plaque property effects were considered. Therefore, CU mouthwash can be considered an effective alternative antigingivitis agent to CHX due to its anti-plaque and anti-inflammatory property effects.
Evaluation of Skeletal Jaw Relation by Different Cephalometric Angles for Sample of Kurdish Young Adults in Sulaimani City-A Cephalometric Study
Authors: Mohammed Shiler , Ali Trefa , Rashid Zhwan 
Published: January 2023

Objective: An accurate evaluation of the skeletal sagittal jaw relationship is important in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. This study was done to establish cephalometric norms of all types of malocclusions using ANB angle, Wit’s appraisal, and Beta angle and evaluate the significance of W angle compared to these parameters.
Methods: Ninety pre-treatment lateral cephalograms of male and female patients aged 18-28 years from Sulaimani city that met the sample criteria were traced digitally by the Easy Dent 4 software program. The sample was divided into three groups of skeletal malocclusions, class I, II, and III, by the two-finger method of Foster initially. It was later confirmed cephalometrically by ANB angle, Beta angle, and Wit’s appraisal; each group consisted of 30 patients. Also, for each subject, the W angle was measured.
Results: Significant differences were found in the ANB angle, Beta angle, Wit’s appraisal, and W-angle in all 90 patients. The coefficient of variability showed that Wit’s appraisal was the most variable parameter and W angle was the least variable parameter.
Conclusions: ANB angle, Beta angle, Wit’s appraisal, and W-angle are significant parameters to assess the sagittal jaw relationship. The use of W angle and other parameters can provide a more accurate assessment of the sagittal skeletal jaw relationship as it has the least coefficient of variance; it should therefore enable better diagnosis and treatment planning for patients.
Crown Size Comparisons in Patients with Unilateral Palatally Impacted Canine by Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
Authors: Rasheed Tara , Ahmed Handren 
Published: January 2023

Objective: Impacted canine is a frequently encountered clinical problem. The goal of this study is to compare canines’ dimensions and the adjacent lateral incisors to investigate the impact of tooth size on canine impaction as it could help the orthodontists to prepare a scientific treatment plan which proportionally aligns the teeth on both sides.
Methods: In this retrospective study, the cone-beam computed tomography of 40 patients with unilateral palatally impacted canines from the Kurdish population was assessed. Individual linear measurements were obtained from multiple axial slices of cone-beam computed tomography to assess mesiodistal width, gingivoincisal height, and labio-palatal thickness of the upper maxillary canines and lateral incisors crowns. The achieved data were compared between the impacted and non-impacted sides and a ratio of lateral incisor/canine for each dimension was calculated.
Results: The crowns of maxillary impacted canines were significantly larger labio-palatally and mesiodistally than the canine on the normally erupted side. While lateral incisor crowns adjacent to the impacted canines were shorter gingivoincisally than those adjacent to non-impacted canines. There was a significant association between the erupted lateral incisor and higher gingivoincisal meanwhile no significant difference was observed in labio-palatal and mesiodistal dimensions.
Conclusions: Palatally impacted canines were significantly larger in labio-palatal and mesiodistal dimensions than the normally erupted canines. The maxillary lateral incisors in the impacted canine side were slightly shorter than those on the non-impacted side and this difference has an effect on the orthodontic treatment planning.
Evaluating Diagnostic Validity of Various Sagittal Cephalometric Parameters (a Comparative Retrospective Study)
Authors: Azeez Saya , Khalid Ribwar 
Published: January 2023

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the accuracy and reliability of numerous skeletal analyses for determining the sagittal skeletal pattern.
Methods: A total of 105 cephalometric x-rays were used. The Steiner’s ANB angle, anteroposterior dysplasia indicator (APDI), and angle of convexity by Down’s assessed the anteroposterior skeletal pattern. According to the diagnostic results of the majority of the criteria, the samples were divided into three classes: I, II, and III. The analyses' validity and reliability were assessed using Kappa statistics, positive predictive value, and sensitivity.
Results: There was a moderate agreement between the ANB angle and the final diagnosis (K= 0.593). The ANB angle demonstrated the highest sensitivity in class II and III groups (1.00).
Conclusions: The ANB angle and down's angle of convexity was the most accurate markers for class I and III groups, respectively, while the Down's angle of convexity and APDI were the most accurate indicators for class III group.
Identification and Genotyping of Candida Species Involved in Oral Candidiasis among Diabetic Patients
Authors: Mohammed Shene , Shekhany Khattab , Jalal Paywast , Fattah Chiman 
Published: January 2023

Objective: Oral candidiasis is more prevalent among diabetic patients than non-diabetics due to the factors that promote Candida oral carriage. This study aimed to isolate and identify Candida species involved in oral candidiasis of patients with diabetes mellitus in Sulaymaniyah city.
Methods: The study was performed from August 2021 to March 2022 on two diabetic patients, Type 1 and Type 2 (n=150) and non- diabetics (n=50), as a control group. In Iraq's Kurdistan region, oral swabs were taken from 200 participants at the Sulaymaniyah governorate's Diabetic and Endocrine Center and Shar hospital. Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) medium was used to culture the swabs. Candida isolates were identified using HiCromeTM Candida Differential agar, then confirmed using polymerase chain reaction based on the ITS region and CHS1 gene detection. Using the CA25S and CA-INT primers, all C. Albicans isolates were genotyped based on the transposable intron in 25S rDNA. ITS1 and ITS4 primers were used to sequence the 18S region of ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Descriptive statistics were used for summaries and to describe data.
Results: From the samples of 150 diabetes patients and 50 controls, 64 (42.6%) and 12 (24%) were positive for Candida spp. In the diabetic patients, 34 (53.1%) of the 64 isolated Candida spp. were identified as C. Albicans, while 6 (50%) of the healthy subjects had C. albicans. The genotypes A (450 bp), B (840 bp), C (450 and 840 bp) of C. Albicans and D (1040 bp) that belongs to C. dubliniensis were detected. Genotype A (54.69%) was the most frequent.
Conclusions: This study concluded that there was a difference in the proportion of Candida spp. colonization in the oral cavity of diabetic patients compared to the healthy group; also, we found that C. Albicans with Genotype A was the most prevalent species among all other species in both groups.
Assessment of Clinical Attachment Level in Anxious Patients
Authors: Khwakaram Azhin , Rashed Harem 
Published: January 2023

Objective: This study aimed to assess the clinical attachment level in anxious patients with periodontitis using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale Rate.
Methods: The study was conducted at the University of Sulaimani, and Shorsh Dental Center teaching hospital; 100 individuals (50 males and 50 females) were included in the study ranging from (30- 65) years old. The individuals' anxiety level was evaluated using Hamilton Anxiety Scale Rate (HAM-A), and the WHO probe measured the clinical attachment level (CAL). The collected data were analyzed using the Chi square test and Spearman correlation, and p≤0.05 was significant.
Results: Among 100 individuals that participated in the study,38% had mild anxiety, and the remaining (21,12,18 and 11) % had moderate, severe, very severe, and no anxiety, respectively. In these groups, the majority of participants had stage II periodontitis, followed by stage I, none periodontitis, stage III, and stage IV periodontitis, respectively. There’s no significant difference in CAL between genders (P=0.81). But there were significant differences in anxiety between genders (P=0.028), and there was no significant association between anxiety and CAL (P= 0.803).
Conclusions: In the present study, the severity of anxiety was stronger in males than in females. Anxiety didn't cause CAL.
Effect of Adding Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles on Some Mechanical Properties of Dental Alginate
Authors: Abdel-Rahman Hoshang , Omer Ranj , Saleh Mahabad , Al-Hawezi Sazgar , Ikram Fahd 
Published: January 2023

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adding titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) on Shore A hardness, Young’s modulus, and tear strength of alginate impression material.
Methods: Each test consists of one control group (alginate without TiO2NPs), and three test groups (2%, 3%, and 5%) of TiO2NPs were added, respectively. For each group, seven samples were constructed. For Shore A hardness, the samples were prepared according to ISO standards (7619-1:2010); Young’s modulus was calculated from the obtained Shore A hardness value according to a special standard equation. In contrast, for tear strength, the samples were prepared according to ASTM D 624-00.
Results: The Control group exhibited a significantly less Shore A hardness value than all the other groups except the group that contained 2% TiO2NPs, where the increase in the hardness value was non-significant. A similar result was observed for Young’s modulus test, where the addition of TiO2NPs significantly increased Young’s modulus compared to the control group. Although, on the contrary, the tear strength was significantly improved by adding 3% TiO2NPs compared to control and other groups, there was a significant drop in the value of tear strength when 5% TiO2NPs were added to alginate.
Conclusions: The addition of 3% TiO2NPs to dental alginate increased Shore A hardness, Young’s modulus, and significantly improved tear strength.
Preference for Using Posts to Restore Endodontically Treated Teeth among Dentists in College of Dentistry/ Hawler Medical University
Authors: Mahdi Sohela , Hamasaeed Niaz , Khudhur Hidayat , Tawfiq Hozan 
Published: January 2023

Objective: Traditional restorative approaches are being modified as newer materials become available and patient preferences shift. The purpose of the study was to see if dentists' preferences for using posts and other materials associated to post used to restore endodontically treated teeth are influenced by practical experience, whether measured by the length of clinical practice time or level of specialty.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with dentists (n = 108) working at Hawler Medical University/College of Dentistry utilizing a questionnaire. Data on sociodemographics, clinical experience, postgraduate training, and post-endodontic restoration characteristics (posts/types of cement, rubber dam application) were obtained. The samples only included general and specialist dentists. A descriptive analysis was performed on the data. The Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test investigated the relationships.
Results: The most chosen materials were metal posts (53.7 %) and resin cement (50 %). There was a statistically significant association between clinical practice duration and post-use type (P = 0.017). In addition, there was a highly significant relationship (P = 0.001) between clinical practice time, level of specialty, and the use of rubber dams.
Conclusions: Dentists favored metal posts for post endodontic restorations, while resin-based cement was the preferred luting cement for the posts' cementation. Additional training and more clinical practice time were factors in several dental post-selection decisions.
Parents’ Behavior as an Indicator for Children’s Oral Health
Authors: Saeed Kani , Rauf Aras 
Published: January 2023

Objective: Children are exceptional imitators of the surrounding people in the early childhood period. They use imitation as a mechanism in cognitive development. This study was designed to assess the effect of parents' oral health Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP), socioeconomic status, occupational type, and educational level on their children`s oral health status in Sulaimani city. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 490 children at the mixed dentition stage. They were examined for oral health status with dmft and DMFT indices following WHO criteria at different Pedodontics clinics in the city. Oral Health Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice, in addition to the parent's socioeconomic status and educational level, were assessed through a structured questionnaire. Results: Statistical analysis demonstrated that children’s dmft/DMFT scores were strongly and positively associated with their parents` KAP, socioeconomic status, and educational level. Furthermore, the marital status of the parents had a direct impact on the children's oral health. Additionally, children of parents in the medical profession were presented with significantly better oral health. Conclusions: Oral health of the children represented by dmft/DMFT scores were significantly affected by the KAP, educational level, profession type, and marital status of their parents. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to consider the parents in children’s oral health improvements.
Initial Sign and Period Until the Diagnosis of Behçet's Diseased Patients in Sulaimani Rheumatology Center
Authors: Qadir Khanda , Graib Balkees 
Published: January 2023

Objective: The present study aimed to register the initial clinical findings in BD patients regarding age, sex, and family history as well as to estimate the time lapse until establishing the diagnosis.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was implemented to include 50 cases of Behçet's disease over 14 years from the Rheumatology center in Sulaimani governorate-Iraq. Data were tabulated and analyzed by chi-square and independent t-test.
Results: The sample predominates in females (56%). The male-to-female ratio was 0.78:1. Their ages ranged from 23 to 71 years (43.92 ± 12.02 years). The most affected age group was 41-50 (16 cases, 32%). To a major extent, the first reported sign was oral ulceration (94%); however, the ocular lesion was the first sign in 3 females (6%). Family history was present in relatives of 6 cases (1 male and five females). An average delay of (10.66 ± 6.77) years was noted from the initial manifestation of the first sign to the time of diagnosis.
Conclusions: Dentists could reduce the delay in Behçet's disease diagnosis because patients in clinical settings may give a history of recurrent oral ulceration with other manifestations that infer possible background of BD.
The Effect of Silver Diamine Fluoride, CPP-ACP/NaF, and Sodium Fluoride Varnish on Deciduous Enamel Erosion by Daily Snack ( Drink) in Children/ An In Vitro Study
Authors: Hussein Alaa , Kareem Fadil 
Published: January 2023

Objective: Most children consume carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices daily, inducing detrimental low pH and contributing to dental erosion. The current study aimed to assess and compare the efficacy of a single application of 38% Silver diamine fluoride (38% SDF), CPP-ACP/NaF varnish, and Sodium fluoride varnish (NaF) in the prevention of enamel demineralization in primary teeth against daily snack drink in children.
Methods: Forty primary anterior teeth (n=40) were divided into four groups and exposed to the following treatments (n=10): G1= 38%SDF (e- SDF TM); G2= CPP-ACP/NaF (MI VarnishTM); G3= NaF varnish (FluoroDose®); G4= Distilled water. The specimens were submitted for four days, with six pH cycles per day (10 minutes in orange juice) (SUNQUICK, IRAQ). Artificial saliva was used to remineralize the specimens after erosion challenges and as storage media between cycles. After four days of pH cycling, all the specimens were subjected to an atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) to measure the amount of Calcium and phosphorus loss in each acidic solution. Scanning Electron Microscope evaluated the enamel topographic characteristics.
Results: All varnishes promoted better results for protecting enamel than the distilled water, with a difference. However, 38% of SDF demonstrated less Calcium and phosphorus loss than CPP-ACP/NaF, NaF varnish, and distilled water (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Considering calcium and phosphorus loss values, a single application of each 38% SDF, MI varnish, and Naf effectively inhibited enamel erosion after four days of an erosive challenge, although the best protective effect was in favor of SDF.
Differences in Periodontal Parameters, Serum Vitamin D, Calcium, Phosphorus, Alkaline Phosphatase and C-Reactive Protein Between Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women with Periodontitis
Authors: Khalid Parez , Mohammad Chenar 
Published: January 2023

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate and compare the differences in periodontal and biochemical parameters between perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with periodontitis.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 women with chronic periodontitis, aged 40-60 years, divided into 50 perimenopausal and 50 postmenopausal groups. Periodontal parameters (plaque index PI, gingival index GI, gingival bleeding index GBI, simplified debris index DI-S, simplified calculus index CI-S, simplified oral hygiene index OHI-S, clinical attachment loss CAL, and pocket depth PD) and blood samples were collected to estimate vitamin D, calcium Ca, phosphorous P, alkaline phosphatase ALP and C-reactive protein CRP.
Results: The mean values of clinical periodontal parameters were significantly higher in the postmenopausal group as compared to the perimenopausal group (P<0.05), except for CI-S (P>0.05). For the biochemical parameters, the mean serum level of AlP, Ca, and P were within the normal reference ranges, with non-significant differences reported between both groups regarding ALP and P (P>0.05). While serum Vit.D level was more significantly reduced in the postmenopausal group (P<0.05), and CRP levels were increased in both groups, but with non-significant differences (P>0.05).
Conclusions: Postmenopause could more significantly affect the progression & severity of periodontal disease and vitamin D deficiency than peri menopause due to reducing circulating estrogen level.