bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cytokines Dynamics in a Wistar Rat Model Infected with Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Strain H37Rv
Authors: Singh Bobby , Wasita Brian , Reviono Reviono 
Published: September 2022

Background:
The immunology characteristics of the rat model of tuberculosis (TB) infection are still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the dynamics of pathology and cytokines in a rat model infected with Mycobacterium TB (MTB).

Methods:
Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, namely the control group (without MTB infection) and the MTB -induced group (observations at week-3, week-6, and week-12 postinfection). Granuloma formation was analyzed by histology procedure. Analysis of the levels of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-17, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-12 was performed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique.

Results:
The number and size of the ganulomas increased proportionally between weeks 6 and 12 postinfection. Several cytokines, namely IL-6, IL-17, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-12 significantly increased in the 6th week compared to the 3rd week after infection (P < 0.05). These cytokines decreased significantly at the 12th week compared to the 6th week (P < 0.05). TNF-α was found to be stable at the third and 6th weeks and then decreased at the twelfth postinfection week. For IL-12, the longer the infection time, the higher the level.

Conclusions:
It was concluded that there was a typical pattern of TB infection in Wistar rats, namely certain cytokines that peaked at week 6 of infection. Thus, TB infection in rats can be a model for early-phase TB study.
Relationship between Oral Health Status and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders in Bengaluru City
Authors: Pawar Pallavi , Puranik Manjunath P. , Shanbhag Namita 
Published: September 2022

Background:
Most of the oral diseases have consequences that can affect the quality of life (QoL). Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) constitute a series of clinical problems that affect muscles of mastication, the temporomandibular joint, along with their associated structures. The perception and feelings of these patients regarding their oral health are often ignored.

Objective:
The aim is to assess the relationship between oral health status and oral health-related QoL (OHRQoL) in participants with TMD compared to the Non-TMD group.

Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 320 participants (TMD 160 and Non-TMD 160 participants, respectively) in various hospitals of Bengaluru city. The Oral Health Impact Profile for TMDs (OHIP) questionnaire was administered for evaluating the OHRQoL. Oral health status was assessed using World Health Organization Oral Health Assessment Form for Adults, 2013. Chi-square tests, Pearson's correlation tests, and one-way ANOVA were applied for statistical analysis. The value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:
TMD patients exhibited worse OHIP-TMDs scores when compared to the Non-TMD group (63.2 ± 3.78 vs. 2.15 ± 3.21). The mean Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (P < 0.001), gingival bleeding (P < 0.001), pockets P < 0.001), and loss of attachment (P = 0.677) was significantly higher in the TMD group when compared to the non-TMD group. TMDs negatively affected the OHRQoL in the TMD group when compared to the non-TMD group.

Conclusions:
OHRQoL and oral health status are found to be poor among the TMD group when compared to the non-TMD group. There was a relationship between OHRQoL and oral health status among the TMD group and non-TMD group.
COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Bharath C. , Lakshmi K. Priya , Lakshmi S. Venkata , Saravanan N. 
Published: September 2022

Background:
Dental care settings have the risk of COVID-19 infection due to the aerosols generated during procedures, handling of sharps, and proximity of the dentist to the patient's oropharyngeal region.

Materials and Methods:
This descriptive cross-sectional online survey among undergraduate and postgraduate dental students studying in a tertiary care hospital employed a convenient snowball sampling technique. The survey instrument consisted of pretested and prevalidated questionnaire comprising demographic characteristics, 14 items on knowledge domain, 6 items on attitude domain, and 4 items on practice domain modified from a previously published questionnaire on COVID-19.

Statistical Analysis:
Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20.0 to perform the Chi-square test, MannWhitney, KruskalWallis, Spearman's correlation, and linear regression analysis.

Results:
The study population comprised 79 (28.9%) males and 194 (71.1%) females, with approximately 53% belonging to the age group of <20 years. Based on our results, the majority of the general population had inadequate (42.1%) knowledge about the disease with a mean knowledge score was 22.82 ± 1.98.

Conclusion:
This study showed that the dental students had an inadequate level of knowledge and negative attitude in their outlook on overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. Various health education programs are necessary, particularly targeting students with lower knowledge regarding COVID-19 are essential for encouraging adequate knowledge, positive attitude, and maintain safe dental practices.
Factors Associated with Women's Autonomy Regarding Dental Health Care Utilization in Bengaluru - A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Aparna B. K. , Yashoda R. , Puranik Manjunath P. 
Published: September 2022

Background:
Preventive dental care benefits people of all ages and genders' oral health. Among many conceptual implications, autonomy suggests the power to alter one's fate and environment, among other things. Little is known about women's autonomy and factors influencing dental health-care utilization in India. This study was designed to assess knowledge, attitude, and oral hygiene practices and its association with women's autonomy and dental care utilization.

Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 women aged 18 years or older in Bengaluru Urban District. Questionnaires were employed to assess women's autonomy, knowledge, attitude, oral hygiene practices, and dental care service utilization. Descriptive statistics and bivariate and regression analyses were carried out. The P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:
More than half of the women (61.3%) had a high level of autonomy. Women with a high level of autonomy had more knowledge, a more positive attitude, and better dental hygiene habits. Autonomy, knowledge, and attitude were all significant independent predictors of women's use of dental care services.

Conclusions:
Women's autonomy was found to influence knowledge, attitude, and oral hygiene practices which in turn are associated with dental health-care service utilization.
The outcome of local excision of large rectal polyps by transanal endoscopic microsurgery
Authors: Shaltiel Tali , Gingold-Belfer Rachel , Kirshtein Boris , Issa Nidal 
Published: September 2022

Introduction:
Local excision of large rectal polyps can be an alternative for radical rectal resection with total mesorectal excision. We aim to report the functional and oncological outcomes of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) for patients with large rectal polyps.

Methods:
All demographic and clinical data of patients who underwent TEM for rectal polyp of 5 cm or more at the Hasharon Hospital from 2005 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results:
Twenty-eight patients were included. The mean age was 66 years. The mean polyp size was 6.2 cm (range: 5–8.5 cm) with a mean distance of 8.3 cm from the anal verge. Peritoneal entry during TEM was observed in five patients and additional laparoscopy after the completion of the TEM was performed in four patients. There were no major perioperative complications. Seven patients had minor complications. Final pathology revealed T1 carcinoma in five patients and T2 carcinoma in three patients. Re-TEM was performed in one patient with involved margins with adenoma. After a median follow-up of 64 months, one patient had local recurrence.

Conclusion:
TEM is an acceptable technique for the treatment of large polyps with minor complications and a reasonable recurrence rate. TEM may be considered regardless of the size of the rectal polyp.
Obesity: A risk factor for postoperative complications in laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer
Authors: Ramadan Bilal , Dahboul Houssam , Mouawad Christian , Aoun Rany , Kassar Serge , Kassouf Elia , Chakhtoura Ghassan , Noun Roger , Osseis Michael 
Published: September 2022

Background:
The prevalence of obesity in the Eastern Mediterranean is increasing significantly up to 20.8% in 2016. Therefore, a higher percentage of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients are expected to be obese. Laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery (LCRCS) is regarded as a safe and feasible procedure as laparoscopic approach is becoming the gold standard in CRC surgery, especially in the early stages of disease. However, LCRCS is correlated with a higher risk of short-term post-operative complications in obese patients (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 Kg/m2) than in patients with BMI <30 Kg/m2. This study aims to evaluate the impact of obesity on short-term post-operative complications in patients undergoing LCRCS.

Materials and Methods:
A retrospective study was conducted. Clinical data of case and control patients were extracted from medical records. These patients underwent LCRCS between January 2018 and June 2021 at Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut-Lebanon. Patients were divided into two groups: obese and non-obese. BMI ≥30 Kg/m2 was used to define obese patients. Post-operative complications in the 30 days following surgery were the primary outcome. The severity of post-operative complications was evaluated using the Clavien–Dindo score. Chi-square test was used to evaluate the statistical correlation between collected variables.

Results:
We identified 107 patients who underwent LCRCS during this study period at our institution. Among the patients, 23 were obese (21.49%). At 30 days post-operative, 26 patients were reported to having at least one complication. Non-significant differences were found between the two groups regarding the early post-operative complications rate (obese 26.1% and non-obese 23.8% with P = 0.821). Obesity was not demonstrated as a stratification risk by severity of the early post-operative complications (P = 0.92).

Conclusion:
Obesity, which was defined as BMI ≥30 Kg/m2, was not a risk factor for early post-operative complications as well as a stratification risk by severity of post-operative complications in LCRCS.
Using Evidence-Based Pedagogical Approaches to Pivot from In-Person to Online Training in a D43 Program during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mbugi Erasto V. , Hawkins Claudia A. , Hirschhorn Lisa R. , Kaaya Sylvia , Christian Elizabeth N. , Anaeli Amani , Balandya Emmanuel , Moshiro Candida , Drane Denise L. 
Published: September 2022

ABSTRACT.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruption to medical education globally. Fogarty International Center (FIC) training programs, designed to strengthen research capacity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), through partnerships between United States and LMIC institutions were particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 disruptions. We adapted short-term training for our FIC HIV Patient-Centered Outcomes Research program in Tanzania to the virtual environment using synchronous, asynchronous, and blended approaches and a variety of teaching pedagogies. We evaluated the acceptability and effectiveness of the new trainings among trainees and facilitators using a mixed-methods approach. Ninety percent of trainees and Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) facilitators agreed that the virtual training methods used were effective. Trainees reported high levels of satisfaction with the technology, group work, and relevance to their research. More than 50% of trainees and MUHAS facilitators agreed that learning in the virtual environment was as effective as, or more effective than, traditional in-person learning. However, they desired more interaction, opportunities to ask U.S. facilitators questions, and choices about topics for online versus in-person trainings. Two-thirds of U.S. facilitators agreed that the virtual delivery method was an effective way for participants to learn the material, although they also rated interaction less favorably. Virtual training incorporating pedagogical best practices of blended learning and traditional teaching online was a feasible, acceptable, and effective way of conducting research training to junior scientists during COVID-19. Virtual learning could become an integral part of post-pandemic training with some adaptation to improve interactions.
BLOCKCHAIN, CRYPTOCURRENCY AND THE STATE OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN MOROCCO
Authors: Adil Moghar , Fadi Oukili Asraoui 
Published: September 2022

<p>The immense potential of Blockchain and crypto-currencies is no longer a matter of doubt. These technologies have the power to revolutionize and change the landscape of many sectors, primarily finance. The advent of blockchain technologies provides a potential solution to the first three challenges of financial inclusion. In a few years, blockchain and its applications have the potential to become the "beating heart" of the global financial system as predicted by the WEF (World Economic Forum) in its report "The Future of Financial Infrastructure". All over the world, these technologies are currently considered as the new great technological revolution that could change our lifestyles and impact our economy as the internet did in the 80s and 90s and ideally give birth to a direct economy without intermediation. In Morocco, crypto-currencies are erasing borders and gaining popularity. However, the general opinion on this new innovation is not clear.</p><p> </p><p><strong>JEL</strong>: F65; G21; O32</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0968/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>
Relationship between Behavioural Empowerment and Employee Commitment in selected Star Rated Hotels in Kisumu City, Kenya
Authors: Jumah Lucy , Nthiga Rita 
Published: September 2022

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between behavioural empowerment and employee commitment in selected star-rated Hotels in Kisumu City, Kenya. This study was anchored on Social Cognitive Theory.
Methodology: The study adopted explanatory and descriptive research designs. The target population was 1372 non-managerial employees and 130 managerial employees from 34 star rated hotels. A sample size of 310 non-managerial employees and 13 management staff formed the sample for the study. The respondents were selected using stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Questionnaires and interview schedule were used to collect data. The validity of the surveys was established using professional judgment. The dependability of the research tool was assessed using Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Mean, frequencies, and standard deviation were included in descriptive statistics, whereas linear regression was part of inferential statistics and data presented using tables.
Findings: According to the study's findings, employee commitment and behavioral empowerment were significantly positively correlated in a few star-rated hotels (1=0.751; p0.05).
Unique Contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study came to the conclusion that, in particular hotels, behavioural empowerment had a substantial impact on employees' engagement. Encourage hotel staff to have confidence in their sense of judgment, values, work roles, and actions related to their jobs.
Assessment of the data assimilation framework for the Rapid Refresh Forecast System v0.1 and impacts on forecasts of a convective storm case study
Authors: Banos Ivette H. , Mayfield Will D. , Ge Guoqing , Sapucci Luiz F. , Carley Jacob R. , Nance Louisa 
Published: September 2022

Abstract. The Rapid Refresh Forecast System (RRFS) is currently under development and aims to replace the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) operational suite of regional- and convective-scale modeling systems in the next upgrade. In order to achieve skillful forecasts comparable to the current operational suite, each component of the RRFS needs to be configured through exhaustive testing and evaluation. The current data assimilation component uses the hybrid three-dimensional ensemble–variational data assimilation (3DEnVar) algorithm in the Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation (GSI) system. In this study, various data assimilation algorithms and configurations in GSI are assessed for their impacts on RRFS analyses and forecasts of a squall line over Oklahoma on 4 May 2020. A domain of 3 km horizontal grid spacing is configured, and hourly update cycles are performed using initial and lateral boundary conditions from the 3 km grid High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR). Results show that a baseline RRFS run is able to represent the observed convection, although with stronger cells and large location errors. With data assimilation, these errors are reduced, especially in the 4 and 6 h forecasts using 75 % of the ensemble background error covariance (BEC) and 25 % of the static BEC with the supersaturation removal function activated in GSI. Decreasing the vertical ensemble localization radius from 3 layers to 1 layer in the first 10 layers of the hybrid analysis results in overall less skillful forecasts. Convection is greatly improved when using planetary boundary layer pseudo-observations, especially at 4 h forecast, and the bias of the 2 h forecast of temperature is reduced below 800 hPa. Lighter hourly accumulated precipitation is predicted better when using 100 % ensemble BEC in the first 4 h forecast, but heavier hourly accumulated precipitation is better predicted with 75 % ensemble BEC. Our results provide insight into the current capabilities of the RRFS data assimilation system and identify configurations that should be considered as candidates for the first version of RRFS.
Structural and mechanical modeling of density and stiffness of hybrid composite reinforcement
Authors: Sazon S. A. 
Published: September 2022

A structural-mechanical analysis of the influence of high-modulus fibers on the physical and mechanical properties of hybrid composite reinforcement has been performed. In the introduction, the need for a detailed physical and mechanical analysis of the properties of combined composite reinforcement is updated due to the insufficient study of many issues. Despite the progress made in the field of modeling structural composite reinforcement and the development of its production technology, many issues related to its strength are not well understood, which is the main constraint in the adoption of scientifically based standards for assigning mechanical characteristics, control and testing methods. The aim of the study is to develop methods and use them to carry out a structural-mechanical analysis of the influence of the type and content of high-modulus fibers on the density and elastic moduli of hybrid composite reinforcement. In the main part of the article, mathematical modeling of the possible mechanism of destruction of combined rods with different content of high-modulus reinforcing fibers and base fibers was carried out. At the first stage, a structural-mechanical analysis of the factors contributing to the increase in the moduli of longitudinal elasticity described by the “rule of mixtures” was carried out. In this case, the influence of the mass and volume content of high-modulus fibers on the density of the hybrid composite, as well as its moduli of longitudinal and transverse elasticity, was modeled. The results obtained make it possible to modernize the method of predictive assessment of the density and elasticity moduli of composite building reinforcement and can be used by engineering and technical workers of manufacturers and consumers of such reinforcement, as well as in the educational process in the training of engineering personnel of the construction profile.
Spectral and emission characteristics of XeCl-excilamps of high-frequency induction discharge for ultraviolet disinfection
Authors: Znosko K. F. 
Published: September 2022

The object of study is a XeCl-excilamp with excitation by a high-frequency inductive discharge. The relevance of the work is due to the need to improve the spectral-emission characteristics of excilamps and methods for their excitation for wide practical application. The aim of the study is to optimize the spectral and emission characteristics of wide-aperture XeCl-exisilamp with electrode-free induction high-frequency discharge excitation for ultraviolet disinfection of municipal and industrial premises. The introduction briefly notes the positive effects of disinfection with ultraviolet radiation. Advantages and problems of excimer lamps and methods of their excitation as sources of ultraviolet radiation for disinfection are described. The main part presents the results of the development of a working model of an excilamp with induction high-frequency discharge excitation and the experimental study of its spectral-emission characteristics. The maximum output power of ~11 W on a mixture of HCl : Xe : He = 1 : 20 : 20 at its pressure of ~1 Torr is obtained. The maximum efficiency of the XeCl-excilamp from the high-frequency field energy invested in the discharge was ~8%, which is close to the typical values of the efficiency of excilamps with excitation by capacitive discharge. The spectral composition of the radiation was studied. It was shown that more than 90 % of the excimer lamp energy is concentrated in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum in the B-X band (maximum wavelength ~308 nm). A characteristic feature of the observed spectrum of the excimer lamp with induction high-frequency discharge excitation is the broadening of the radiation bands as compared to the spectra of the radiation of barrier or capacitive discharge excilamps. The obtained results make excitation of excilamps by high-frequency induction discharge attractive for further study and practical application. The main conclusions about the work done are formulated in the conclusion.