Higher Mean Values Research Articles

Impact of Soil Conditioners and Cyanobacteria under Varied Irrigation Levels on Growth and Productivity of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Sandy Soil

During the winter seasons 2021/2022 and 2022/2023, two field experiments were conducted at the Ismailia Experiment Research Station in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, to assess the effect of soil conditioners and cyanobacteria at different irrigation levels on the growth and productivity of wheat plants grown in sandy soil. The experimental treatments were arranged in the split-split plot design shown below: Two bio fertilizer treatments were represented by subplot A0: no application and A1: cyanobacteria (Anabaena crcinalis) inoculation. Four natural soil conditioner treatments at a rate of 2.4 mg ha-1 were arranged in sub-sub plot (control): no application, (Z) zeolite, (B) bentonite, and (F) feldspar. The results revealed that cyanobacteria inoculation combined with natural soil conditioners resulted in positive and statistically significant increases in all parameters studied. The highest mean values were obtained in the majority of cases when cyanobacteria and feldspar were combined in a 70% irrigation level, with no significant difference when cyanobacteria and feldspar were combined in full irrigation level. All growth parameters were increased per plant. The investigated factors had a significant impact on NPK uptake by grains and straw, total amino acid percentages in wheat grains, and available NPK in soil. Furthermore, the presence of cyanobacteria associated with soil conditioners led to an increase in soil dehydrogenase, indole acetic acid levels. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to use cyanobacteria and soil conditioners as natural resources to minimize water use while boosting the production and growth characteristics of wheat plants. Finally, the findings of this study suggested that inoculating wheat plants with cyanobacteria in combination with soil conditioners can reduce up to 30% of the total amount of water required by wheat plants, and that using natural resources and bio fertilizer can be recommended to improve soil fertility while minimizing the environmental impact of chemical fertilizer.

Lower Limb Unilateral and Bilateral Strength Asymmetry in High-Level Male Senior and Professional Football Players.

This study sought to assess the relationship between different jumping asymmetries and associated performance variables in high-level male senior and professional football players. Nineteen football players with at least 12 years of training experience (23.2 ± 3.1 years of age; 75.2 ± 4.8 kg of body mass and 181 ± 0.06 cm of height) participated in this study performing countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), single-leg CMJ and drop jump (DJ), associated performance variable eccentric utilization ratio (EUR), stretch-shortening cycle (SSC), bilateral deficit (BLD), and limb symmetry index (LSI) were determined. High correlations were observed between different methodologies of jump tests and associated performance indicators (SSC, BLD, EUR), except LSI. Moreover, CMJ and SJ results were different (p < 0.05), but no differences were found between interlimb in CMJ (p = 0.19) and DJ (p = 0.14). Between the same limbs and different jumps differences were detected in CMJ and DJ (p < 0.01), and it has also been found that the laterality effect size on strength was small in CMJ (ES = 0.30) and DJ (ES = 0.35). LSI between CMJ and DJ was not different despite higher mean values in CMJ, and although mean BLD was positive (>100%), the results highlight the need for individual evaluation since eight players scored negatively. An in-depth and accurate analysis of performance in preseason screening jump tests should be considered, aiming to detect injury risk, specifically evaluating different jumping test methodologies, and determining jumping associated performance variables for each test, namely EUR, SSC, BLD, and LSI. Specific muscle-strengthening exercises could be implemented based on this study results and outcomes, aiming to reduce injury risks and lower extremity asymmetries and to enhance individual football performance in high-level male senior and professional football players. Sports institutions should pay special attention regarding potential health problems in athletes exposed to daily high training loads.

Genetic Diversity of Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum, Desf) Germplasm as Revealed by Morphological and SSR Markers.

Ethiopia is considered a center of origin and diversity for durum wheat and is endowed with many diverse landraces. This research aimed to estimate the extent and pattern of genetic diversity in Ethiopian durum wheat germplasm. Thus, 104 durum wheat genotypes representing thirteen populations, three regions, and four altitudinal classes were investigated for their genetic diversity, using 10 grain quality- and grain yield-related phenotypic traits and 14 simple sequence repeat (SSR) makers. The analysis of the phenotypic traits revealed a high mean Shannon diversity index (H' = 0.78) among the genotypes and indicated a high level of phenotypic variation. The principal component analysis (PCA) classified the genotypes into three groups. The SSR markers showed a high mean value of polymorphic information content (PIC = 0.50) and gene diversity (h = 0.56), and a moderate number of alleles per locus (Na = 4). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed a high level of variation within populations, regions, and altitudinal classes, accounting for 88%, 97%, and 97% of the total variation, respectively. Pairwise genetic differentiation and Nei's genetic distance analyses identified that the cultivars are distinct from the landrace populations. The distance-based (Discriminant Analysis of Principal Component (DAPC) and Minimum Spanning Network (MSN)) and model-based population stratification (STRUCTURE) methods of clustering grouped the genotypes into two clusters. Both the phenotypic data-based PCA and the molecular data-based DAPC and MSN analyses defined distinct groupings of cultivars and landraces. The phenotypic and molecular diversity analyses highlighted the high genetic variation in the Ethiopian durum wheat gene pool. The investigated SSRs showed significant associations with one or more target phenotypic traits. The markers identify landraces with high grain yield and quality traits. This study highlights the usefulness of Ethiopian landraces for cultivar development, contributing to food security in the region and beyond.

Assessment of the Quality of Newly Constructed Hand-Dug Well Usetd for Drinking and Their Treatment System at Kenema Town, Kenema District, Eastern, Sierra Leone

The tremendous increase in the human population increase the stress on both surface and groundwater and it is believed that at the beginning of human civilization itself, groundwater was the most trusted form of drinking water because of the filtering effect of the aquifer however, in the present world drinking water directly from the source without proper treatment is very tough and risky for the health. Kenema District is a district in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone, its capital and largest city is Kenema City, which is the third most populous city in Sierra Leone, after Freetown and Bo Both the physical and chemical Parameters investigated are within the WHO acceptable limits, except one of bioteriological parameters (non- faecal coliform). Tables 1, 3, and 4 show high statistical mean values for the Non-Faecal Coliform bacteria in the hand dug wells. Diema Hand Dug Well (12.00 cfu/100ml), Ansarul Hand Dug Well (11.67 cfu/100ml) and the combined statistical mean value (10.78cfu/100ml) of the Non-Faecal Coliform bacteria and all the values fell out of World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limit. However, Islamic Hand Dug Well has a statistical mean value of 8.67 cfu/100ml of Non-Faecal Coliform Value which is within the WHO permissible limit (<10cfu/100ml). The combined statistical mean value for Diema, Islamic, and Ansarul hand dug well for the following physiochemical parameters (pH 7.14, Turbidity 2.46NTU, Conductivity 196.56, TDS 100.11mg, Ammonia 0.02mg/l, Nitrite 0.02mg/l, Nitrate 0.06mg/l, Phosphate 6.15mg/l, Cadmium 0.00gm/l, Copper 0.02mg/l, Iron 0.03mg/l and Zinc 2.67mg/l) are all within the World Health Organization permissible limits (Table 4). Non-faecal coliforms were discovered in all of the wells and boreholes examined and analyzed in a similar investigation to identify the bacteriological pollution of groundwater sources.

Variation of choroidal thickness during the waking period over three consecutive days in different degrees of myopia and emmetropia using optical coherence tomography.

To investigate the diurnal variation in subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) during the waking period over three consecutive days in different degrees of myopia and emmetropia. A total of 60 adult volunteers were grouped into low, moderate, high myopia, and emmetropia subgroups. SFCT, axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and intraocular pressure (IOP) were measured every 2 h from 8 AM to 8 PM for three successive days. The mean values of daily change amplitude were 3.18 mmHg (IOP), 0.05 mm (AL), 0.17 mm (ACD), and 13.51 μm (SFCT). The values of AL and ACD increased simultaneously with spherical equivalent refraction (SER), but SFCT was the opposite. IOP had a diurnal variation, and there was no difference among the four groups. AL of the high myopia group, ACD of the emmetropia group, and SFCT of each myopia group had diurnal variation over three consecutive days. AL had a high mean value at noon every day, and SFCT had a low mean value at noon every day. The choroid thickness of subjects with different degrees of myopia had a significant diurnal variation. The change of diurnal variation between emmetropic and myopic subjects may be one of the causes of myopia.

Optimizing the computational effort of satellite signal acquisition based on mean recognition convolutional neural network

The ability to synchronize the satellite signals affects the navigation performance. Only after a procedure of acquisition, namely coarse synchronization, the data information needed to position can be extracted from the satellite signals. Conventional acquisition methods rely on extending the signal integration time to improve the correlation quality of the signal. However, extending the coherent integration time results in a large computational burden, which is unrealistic for civilian receivers. In this paper, we try to optimize the computational effort in the satellite navigation signal acquisition phase and propose an algorithm based on the mean value recognition convolutional neural network. The matrix with a high mean value is separated by the convolutional neural network, and then the Doppler shift and code phase from the matrix with a high mean value is introduced, which can effectively change the computation to 1/4338 of the original one. The trained model of the neural network can be embedded into the receiver directly, which has important engineering applications.

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AFFECTING ORGANIZATIONAL EFFICIENCY: A CASE STUDY OF PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANIES

This paper aimed to analyze the effect of transformational leadership on organizational efficiency of public limited companies in Bangkok. Data were collected from 310 participants who were administrators and employees working in fivepublic limited companies in Bangkok and suburban areas. The research questionnaire was used as an instrument to collect data. Descriptive statistics consisting of percentage, mean and standard deviation, and inferential statistics consisting of Pearson Correlation, and Multiple Regression Analysis were used to analyze the collected data. The research results showed that transformational leadership of public limited companies in Bangkok, in total, was perceived at high level. In particular, inspirational motivation had the highest mean value, followed by idealized influence, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration respectively. Organizational efficiency of public limited companies in Bangkok, in total, was perceived at high level. In particular, cost had the highest mean value, followed by quality, quantity and time respectively. Transformational leadership was positively related to organizational efficiency of public limited companies in Bangkok, which the highest correlation was a relationship between intellectual stimulation and organizational efficiency. Transformational leadership has an effect on organizational efficiency of public limited companies in Bangkok. In particular, intellectual stimulation had the highest effect on organizational efficiency of public limited companies in Bangkok, followed by idealized influence, inspirational motivation, and idealized consideration. The recommendations from this study were that the characteristics of transformational leadership are very much important and should be improved and cultivated in order to guide, motivate and inspire employees to work for the success and growth of the organization.

Comparative SEM study of the marginal adaptation of MTA and Biodentine after apical resection (in vitro study)

Successful periapical surgery requires appropriate root resection, preparation, and adequate sealing. The aim of the present study was to assess the marginal adaptation of MTA and Biodentine after apical resection with an Er:YAG laser and a diamond turbine bur using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The crown part of forty-eight extracted single-root human teeth was removed, and the root canal length of 15mm was standardized. The root canals were prepared using rotary Ni-Ti Revo-S files up to an apical stop - AS40 and filled with MTA Fillapex and gutta-percha points (cold lateral condensation). The teeth are divided into 2 main groups: group 1 (n=24) after apical resection with a turbine bur, ultrasonic preparation of the retrograde cavity at 3mm depth and retrograde obturation with Biodentine and MTA; group 2 (n=24) after apical resection with an Er:YAG laser, ultrasonic preparation of the retrograde cavity at a depth of 3mm and retrograde obturation with MTA and Biodentine. A SEM was used for assessment of the marginal adaptation of the material to the root dentin. The data was entered into and analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics 22.0. In the group with apical resection with a turbine bur, a statistically significant difference in the gap size between the material and dentin was found in both materials we studied (MTA and Biodentine). The higher mean value was in MTA (1.72µm), in Biodentine it was 1.08µm. In the group with apical resection with Er:YAG laser, no statistically significant difference in the gap size between the material and dentin was found in both studied materials: MTA - 1.88µm, Biodentine - 1.32µm. In the present study, MTA and Biodentine showed good sealing capabilities after apical resection. Biodentine displayed better marginal adaptation when resecting the root tip using a turbine bur. The Er:YAG laser-assisted apical resection shows sealing of the open dentinal tubules around the resected root surface.

Assessment of Genetic Variability in Murrah and Surti Buffaloes using Microsatellite Markers

Background: The present study illustrates the genetic diversity of Surti buffaloes using a total of 10 microsatellite markers selected from the list suggested by FAO (ISAG). Methods: All the 10 microsatellites were successfully amplified by polymerase chain reaction and observed number of alleles ranged from 6 to 12 with a total of 101 alleles across the 10 loci. Result: The overall mean observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity values were 0.617 and 0.772 and ranged from 0.367 to 0.767 and 0.734 to 0.840 respectively. All the 10 primers used in the present study were found to be polymorphic and highly informative with the mean PIC value 0.69 in Murrah, 0.722 found in Surti buffalo. The estimate of heterozygote deficiency varied from 0.039 to 0.509 with a mean positive value of 0.203±0.057, suggesting a deficit of heterozygotes in studied breeds. The sufficiently high mean values of observed number of alleles, observed heterozygosity and PIC for various microsatellites are important to examine the genetic variability ofMurrah and Surtibuffaloespopulation in present scenario for creating useful conservation strategies as well as disease diagnose.

Study of the Effects of Cailcedrat (Khaya senegalensis) on Late Blight, the Main Onion Disease (Allium cepa L.) in the Department of Diamare, Far North, Cameroon

Objective: Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a vegetable crop with an important economic asset for Cameroonian farmers. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of different formulations of K. senegalensis on late blight, the main onion disease in the department of Diamaré, (Far North, Cameroon).&#x0D; Methodology and Results: For this purpose, an experimental split-splot device consisting of three blocks (repeats), comprising three varieties (Chagari, Goudami and Blanc de galmi) of onion and eight treatments (TtN, Ttp, THK1, THK2, TEFK1, TEFK2, TEEK1 and TEEK2) was used in two study sites (Gayak and Wouro-Mayo) and during two agricultural seasons (2020 and 2021). After data collection and analysis, the results obtained show that the mean value of the highest incidence was obtained with Ttn treatment (34.44) in Gayak in 2020, and the lowest value was obtained with THK2 (0.00) in Wouro-Mayo. In 2021, the highest mean value was recorded in Gayak with TtN (32.03) and the lowest incidence is observed with TEEK2 (0.37) in Wouro-Mayo. Moreover, the highest severity was obtained with TtN (17.58) in Wouro-Mayo in 2020, and the lowest with THK2 (0.00) at the same site. In 2021, the lowest severity was observed with THK2 (0.18) in Gayak and the highest with TtN (14.90) in Gayak. The highest yields were recorded with THK2 (160.27 t/ha) at Wouro-Mayo in 2020 and THK2 (169.46 t/ha) in 2021 at the same study site. On the other hand, the lowest yields were obtained in Gayak with TtN (79.6 t/ha) in 2020 and in 2021 with TtN (92.26 t/ha) at the same site.&#x0D; Conclusion and Application of Findings: The oil and aqueous extracts of Khaya senegalensis bark could therefore constitute an alternative to synthetic pesticides in the context of integrated onion disease management.

A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis on the Impact of Various Aligner Materials and Attachments on Orthodontic Tooth Movement

The majority of patients strongly favor the use of aligners in the present time, especially with the advancement in esthetic dentistry. Today's market is flooded with aligner companies, many of which share the same therapeutic ethos. We therefore carried out a systematic review and network meta-analysis to evaluate research that had looked at various aligner materials and attachments and their effect on orthodontic tooth movement in relevant studies. A total of 634 papers were discovered after a thorough search of online journals using keywords such as "Aligners", "Orthodontics", "Orthodontic attachments", "Orthodontic tooth movement", and "Polyethylene" across databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane. The authors individually and in parallel carried out the database investigation, removal of duplicate studies, data extraction, and bias risk. The statistical analysis demonstrated that the type of aligner material had a significant impact on orthodontic tooth movement. The low level of heterogeneity and significant overall effect further support this finding. However, there was little effect of attachment size or shape on tooth mobility. The examined materials were primarily concerned with influencing the physical/physicochemical characteristics of the appliances and not tooth movement directly. Invisalign (Inv) had a higher mean value than the other types of materials that were analyzed, which suggested a potentially greater impact on orthodontic tooth movement. However, its variance value indicated that there was also greater uncertainty associated with the estimate compared to some of the other plastics. These findings could have important implications for orthodontic treatment planning and aligner material selection. Registration: This review protocol was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; registration number: CRD42022381466).

Robust synthesis of amine-based natural gas sweetening plants

The natural gas processing and refining industry uses acid gas removal units to improve the quality of their sour gas feed to a certain level. Various disturbances such as sour gas feed conditions or solvent quality can influence the operation of such plants. A framework is developed using linear control tools which can be used to assess the flexibility of the operating condition of a sweetening plant against such disturbances. A quantitative measure of the flexibility and controllability of a design is provided as a systematic tool for the designer to evaluate different process structures or conditions. The framework can also be used to calculate the maximum tolerable disturbances by the process. The framework is illustrated in a plant that removes acid gas from a raw gas stream using MDEA as the solvent. The parameter σ1 as the maximum singular value of the steady state transfer matrix of the plant is considered as the sensitivity of the outlet H2S and CO2 purities against external disturbances where a higher value means more sensitivity. The results show that higher solvent concentrations are preferred considering the robustness of the absorption column against the sour gas feed disturbances and the uncertainties of the solvent properties. For example, at the solvent flow rate of 40,000 kg/h, the value of σ1 is 2.817, 0.736 and 0.148 at the wt% of 20%, 30% and 40%, respectively. Also, it is shown that for a plant designed with the sweet gas H2S purity of 2 ppm, when a solvent with 20 wt% and flow of 88897.3 kg/h is used, the feed quality disturbance of 0.59 kg/h and 505.19 kg/h in the H2S and CO2 mass flows relative to their nominal can be tolerated before reaching the maximum allowable value of 3 ppm. Such calculations at the 45% point with solvent flow of 44015.8 kg/h lead to the maximum tolerable disturbance of 1.79 kg/h and 967.36 kg/h in the H2S and CO2 flows. The rationale behind this behavior can be well understood if the plot of acid gas loading of rich amine is considered. A lower acid gas loading is observed at higher solvent wt% which means that more free solvent molecules are available in the solvent stream to absorb new acid gases. Accordingly, it has a better capability of confronting external disturbances. Also, the effect of the number of stages of the absorption column on the maximum tolerable disturbance is studied. It is concluded that the robustness of the process will decrease against both types of disturbances as the number of stages increases and lower disturbances can be handled without H2S outlet constraint violation.

Mechanical Properties, Fractal Dimension, and Texture Analysis of Selected 3D-Printed Resins Used in Dentistry That Underwent the Compression Test.

Three-dimensional printing is finding increasing applications in today's world. Due to the accuracy and the possibility of rapid production, the CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) technology has become the most desired approach in the preparation of elements, especially in medicine and dentistry. This study aimed to compare the biomechanical properties, fractal dimension (FD), and texture of three selected materials used for 3D printing in dentistry. Three biomaterials used in 3D printing were evaluated. The materials were subjected to the compression test. Then, their mechanical features, FD, and texture were analyzed. All the tested materials showed different values for the studied properties. The only statistically insignificant difference was observed for the force used in the compression test. All three materials showed differences in width and height measurements. The difference in the decrease between the compression plates was also significant. For Dental LT Clear, the mean value was 0.098 mm (SD = 0.010), while for BioMed Amber it was 0.059 mm (SD = 0.019), and for IBT it was 0.356 mm (SD = 0.015). The nominal strain also differed between the materials. IBT had the highest mean value (7.98), while BioMed Amber had the smallest (1.31). FD analysis revealed that Dental LT Clear did not show differences in the structure of the material. The other two materials showed significant changes after the compression test. Texture analysis (TA) revealed similar results: BioMed Amber resin showed significantly less pronounced texture changes compared to the other two materials. BioMed Amber also showed the most stable mechanical properties, whereas those of IBT changed the most. Fractal analysis revealed that IBT showed significant differences from the other two materials, whereas TA showed that only Dental LT Clear did not show changes in its texture after the compression test. Before the compression, however, BioMed Amber differed the most when bone index was taken into account.

Influence of Direct and Indirect Digital Data Capturing Techniques on Marginal Accuracy and Internal Fit of CAD/CAM Fabricated PEEK and Zirconia Crowns

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the marginal and internal fitness of PEEK and Zirconia crowns fabricated by three different impression techniques. Materials and methods: Thirty standardized acrylic die models were prepared. Dies were divided into two main groups (n= 15): Group 1: CAD/CAM fabricated zirconia crowns. Group 2: CAD/CAM fabricated PEEK crowns. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups (n= 5), according to the impression technique using for data acquisition: Sub-group (A): direct digital scans of the model used intraoral digital scanner. Sub-group (B): indirect digital scans of the silicon impressions using extraoral scanner. Sub-group (C): indirect digital scans of the stone casts obtained from silicon impressions using extraoral scanner. Crowns were then designed and fabricated. Marginal and internal gaps were measured using silicone replica technique and field digital microscope. Results: Independent t-test was used for comparison between groups. Comparisons between subgroups were performed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, followed by Bonferroni’s post hoc test. In Zirconia group, the highest mean value was recorded in stone cast scan group, followed by intraoral scan, with the least value recorded in impression scan subgroup. In PEEK group, the highest mean value was recorded in stone cast group, followed by impression scan, with the least value recorded in intraoral scan subgroup. Conclusions: All tested crowns showed marginal gap distance values within the clinically acceptable levels. PEEK crowns had lower vertical marginal gap distance than zirconia crowns with different scanning techniques.

Influence of Direct and Indirect Digital Data Capturing Techniques on Marginal Accuracy and Internal Fit of CAD/CAM Fabricated PEEK and Zirconia Crowns

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the marginal and internal fitness of PEEK and Zirconia crowns fabricated by three different impression techniques. Materials and methods: Thirty standardized acrylic die models were prepared. Dies were divided into two main groups (n= 15): Group 1: CAD/CAM fabricated zirconia crowns. Group 2: CAD/CAM fabricated PEEK crowns. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups (n= 5), according to the impression technique using for data acquisition: Sub-group (A): direct digital scans of the model used intraoral digital scanner. Sub-group (B): indirect digital scans of the silicon impressions using extraoral scanner. Sub-group (C): indirect digital scans of the stone casts obtained from silicon impressions using extraoral scanner. Crowns were then designed and fabricated. Marginal and internal gaps were measured using silicone replica technique and field digital microscope. Results: Independent t-test was used for comparison between groups. Comparisons between subgroups were performed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, followed by Bonferroni’s post hoc test. In Zirconia group, the highest mean value was recorded in stone cast scan group, followed by intraoral scan, with the least value recorded in impression scan subgroup. In PEEK group, the highest mean value was recorded in stone cast group, followed by impression scan, with the least value recorded in intraoral scan subgroup. Conclusions: All tested crowns showed marginal gap distance values within the clinically acceptable levels. PEEK crowns had lower vertical marginal gap distance than zirconia crowns with different scanning techniques.

Evaluation of the Antibacterial Effect of Licorice Extract on Oral Microflora and its Effect on Salivary PH

Purpose: To evaluate the antibacterial effect of Licorice (as a mouth wash) on total salivary bacterial count in relation to chlorohexidine mouthwash on a group of Egyptian children and assess the effectiveness of Licorice extract rinse on salivary PH. Materials and methods :A total of 60 normal apparently healthy children aged between 6-12 years from both genders were involved in this study and equally divided into four groups(n=15) regarding to the type and concentration of the received mouthwash : group I : included children used licorice extract mouth-rinse (75%), group ІІ: included children used licorice extract mouth rinse (50%), group ІІІ: included children used licorice extract mouth-rinse (25%) and group ІV: as a control group in which children used chlorohexidine 0.12% mouth wash for one minute. They were told to gargle with 10 ml of mouthwash for one minute three times a day for five days. Results: Significant reduction in the total bacterial count with the four studied groups after mouth rinsing for 5 days. However, chlorohexidine showed a significant reduction in total bacterial count when compared to Licorice extract .Regarding the pH value and the percent change in pH, the highest mean value was recorded in group І, and the difference between the 4 groups was highly statistically significant. Conclusion: Licorice aqueous root extract has antimicrobial effect against total bacterial count and it is more efficient in comparison with Chlorohexidine. Licorice aqueous root extract rapidly rise salivary PH.

Evaluation of the Antibacterial Effect of Licorice Extract on Oral Microflora and its Effect on Salivary PH

Purpose: To evaluate the antibacterial effect of Licorice (as a mouth wash) on total salivary bacterial count in relation to chlorohexidine mouthwash on a group of Egyptian children and assess the effectiveness of Licorice extract rinse on salivary PH. Materials and methods :A total of 60 normal apparently healthy children aged between 6-12 years from both genders were involved in this study and equally divided into four groups(n=15) regarding to the type and concentration of the received mouthwash : group I : included children used licorice extract mouth-rinse (75%), group ІІ: included children used licorice extract mouth rinse (50%), group ІІІ: included children used licorice extract mouth-rinse (25%) and group ІV: as a control group in which children used chlorohexidine 0.12% mouth wash for one minute. They were told to gargle with 10 ml of mouthwash for one minute three times a day for five days. Results: Significant reduction in the total bacterial count with the four studied groups after mouth rinsing for 5 days. However, chlorohexidine showed a significant reduction in total bacterial count when compared to Licorice extract .Regarding the pH value and the percent change in pH, the highest mean value was recorded in group І, and the difference between the 4 groups was highly statistically significant. Conclusion: Licorice aqueous root extract has antimicrobial effect against total bacterial count and it is more efficient in comparison with Chlorohexidine. Licorice aqueous root extract rapidly rise salivary PH.

TO STUDY CORRELATION OF INSULIN RESISTANCE WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN CHILDREN / ADOLESCENTS

Objective: IR is a pathological condition strongly associated with obesity and involved in the pathogenesis of T2D. The treatment of insulin resistant children is firstly targeted to lifestyle interventions. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) may be useful for early evaluation of insulin resistance in children and teenagers and could have a long-term benefit of preventive and diagnostic therapeutic intervention. Method: A cross-sectional study was performed on 80 children and adolescents age 5 to 14 years, 40 of them were apparently healthy with Body mass index (BMI) &lt; 85th percentile 16 were overweight with BMI&gt;85th percentile and below 95th percentile 24 were obese with &gt; 95th percentile. Physical activity was classified on basis of WHO guidelines. Out of 80 children 33 were active and 47 were less active. After overnight fasting for 8 hr, blood samples were taken serum insulin and fasting blood glucose were analysed. Insulin resistance was assessed by homeostasis model of assessment. Result and Conclusion: Our results revealed altered values of HOMA-IR in children with high BMI and mean values were high in children with decrease physical activity. We concluded that more studies should be conducted to focus on preventing and identifying risk factors in children.

Genetic diversity analysis in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

In the present investigation, 70 genotypes of sesame were characterized for 12 morphological and 14 quantitative characters and subjected to genetic divergence (UPGMA hierarchial clustering) analysis. It revealed that a considerable amount of genetic variability was exhibited for majority of the morphological traits except for locule number per capsule, capsule number per leaf axil and capsule shape. In divergence analysis for both morphological and quantitative characters, 70 genotypes were grouped into seven clusters at the genetic distance of 0.5 using Ward’s minimum variance method and Gower’s method of genetic distance. Selection of the genotypes present in different clusters having more genetic distance, preferably belonging to different geographical origin may result in more heterotic effects in the hybridization programme. Good recombinants can be obtained by mating between clusters I and VII for genotypes viz., GJT-5, RT-46 with TMV-3, VRI-3, Paiyur 1 as they have maximum genetic distance between them. Most of the characters recorded high mean values in cluster VII. Hence, for improvement of these traits, the genotypes present in cluster VII could be exploited as parents. Keywords: Sesame, Diversity, Cluster, UPGMA

JtetFactors Affecting the Level of Achieving Employability 4.0 of Hearing-Impaired Special Education Students

The use of IR4.0 digital technology, computers and smartphones are gradually changing the scope of employment. This requires special education students with impaired hearing who are enrolled in the Special Skills Certificate programmeat Malaysian polytechnics to acquire and master digital skills that will meetthe employer’sneeds. Therefore, this study is conducted to identify the factors that affect the level of achieving employability 4.0 of impaired hearing special education students in Malaysian polytechnics,from the perspectivesof lecturers and employers. Quantitativemethods are used in carrying out the study, and the data areanalysed using the SPSS V26. The research instrument in the form of a questionnaire is distributed to the respondents and the contents are verified by two experts. This study involvesa total of71 Special Skills Certificate lecturers and 84 employers who have offered industrial training to the special education students with impaired hearing, whouse computers and smartphones in their workplace.The analysis requirement test was carried out using a normality test andfound that the entire data are normally distributed. Here are the results of thedescriptiveanalysis:fromthe lecturer's perspective,the attitude of impaired hearing special education studentstowards the use of digital technologyscore a high average mean value of 4.18; from the employer's perspective,the required digital technology facilities ofimpaired hearing special education students score ahigh average value mean 4.36.Meanwhile, the results by inferential analysis using independent t-testshowing a significant difference inteaching experience by lecturers.Students canexplore the content of the subjects through the use of software and digital technology applicationsbased on their lecturers’ experience in teaching.Therefore, the factors that affect the level of achievingemployability 4.0 should always be in line with IR4.0 technology that meets the needs of employers. The findings could be used another researcher to identify the other factors affecting the level of achieving employability 4.0 of hearing-impaired special education studentsin Malaysian polytechnic to keep student’s employability 4.0 aligned with the employers wished.