IBM SPSS Statistics Software Research Articles

Green Synthesis, Characterization, and Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Properties and Compressive Strength of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticle-Incorporated Glass Ionomer Cement.

Background Glass ionomer cement (GIC) plays a vital role in dental restorative procedures, serving purposes such as filling, luting, and adhesion. However, its inadequate mechanical properties pose challenges, especially in areas experiencing significant stress. To overcome this limitation, nanohydroxyapatite (nHA), known for its bioactive phosphate content, is added to the GIC at specific concentrations to improve its properties. Aim We aim to evaluate the antimicrobial property and compressive strength of green-mediated nHA-incorporated GIC. Material and methods Green synthesis of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles was prepared using Moringa oleifera extract in a solvent form and eggshell waste served as the calcium source. These nHApowders were then integrated into the GICat varying concentrations (3%, 5%, and 10%) designated as Group I, Group II, and Group III, respectively, while Group IV (control) consisted of conventional GIC. Specimens were fabricated and subjected to chemical structure analysis through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antimicrobial activity and compressive strength of all groups were investigated. The antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus was evaluated through the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test, while compressive strength was evaluated by measuring the maximum force endured by the specimen before fracturing. Data analysis utilized IBM SPSS Statistics software, employing repeated measures ANOVA to determine mean MIC values and compressive strength, with Tukey's posthoc test for pairwise comparisons. Results The results of the study showed that the antimicrobial efficacy of nHA GIC improved with increasing weight percent (% wt) of the additive, exhibiting significantly enhanced activity against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus compared to the control group (Group IV) with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Moreover, the compressive strength exhibited notable enhancements in the modified groups, including Group I (172.55 ± 0.76), Group II (178.16 ± 0.760), and Group III (182.45 ± 0.950), when compared to the control (162.46 ± 1.606), with statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Conclusion The study demonstrates that the incorporation of green-mediated nHA-containing GIC results in superior antimicrobial efficacy and compressive strength compared to the control group (Group IV). In particular, the highest concentration of nHA-modified GIC (10%) exhibited the most favorable antimicrobial properties along with increased strength. Therefore, utilizing green-mediated nHA in the GIC shows promise as an effective restorative material. Future investigations should delve into the molecular chemistry and bonding mechanisms to further explore its potential.

Assessment of the Impact of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices on Patients' Quality of Life.

Assessing the quality of life serves as a crucial metric during various therapeutic or surgical procedures. The rise in cardiac electronic device implantations in recent years underscores the significance of evaluating the quality of life among such patients. We conducted a study focusing on the quality of life of 438 patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter-defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization therapy devices). These patients were diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome, high-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, or severe heart failure (New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes III- IV (NYHA III-IV)), with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35%, with/without complete left bundle branch block (QRS ≥ 130 μs), or with a history of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation. The study utilized the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire and the EQ visual analog scale, which patients completed both prior to cardiac device implantation and during six post-implantation follow-up visits. The analysis of the research findings was conducted using the IBM SPSS Statistics software program (Armonk, NY). Cardiac pacemaker implantation in patients with sick sinus syndrome and high-grade AV block demonstrated significant and highly reliable positive effects on quality of life concerning mobility, self-care, and usual activity. Similarly, cardiac resynchronization device implantation in individuals with severe heart failure with reduced LVEF and wide QRS showed significant positive effects in these areas. However, cardioverter-defibrillator implantation did not yield positive effects on these modules.Regarding pain/discomfort, neither pacemaker nor cardiac resynchronization device implantation resulted in improved quality of life, while there was a somewhat positive effect observed in the cardioverter-defibrillator group. In terms of anxiety/depression, pacemaker implantation in patients with sick sinus syndrome and high-degree AV block had a significant and highly reliable positive impact on quality of life. Additionally, relatively positive impacts were noted at various periods following cardioverter-defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization device implantations. Cardiac implantable electronic devices play a crucial role not only in saving lives but also in positively impacting the quality of life of patients when appropriately selected.

Epidemiological Study of Traumatic Brain and Spinal Injuries in a Pediatric Population: A One-Year Analysis of Prevalence, Causes and Trends.

Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients. However, the epidemiology of pediatric brain and spine injuries in Bulgaria is poorly documented. This study aims to analyze and identify the prevalence, causes, and trends of traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries in pediatric patients during the period of 1st June 2022 to 30th June 2023. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on the medical records of patients under 18 years of age who visited the emergency department of University Multiprofile Hospital for Active Treatment (UMHAT) Burgas, Bulgaria between 1st June 2022 and 30th June 2023. The incidence and etiology were stratified by age, gender, and anamnesis.Data processing and analysis were performed with the statistical package IBM SPSS v. 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA), and graphical analysis with MS Office Excel 2016 (Microsoft, Redmond, WA, USA). Means ± standard deviation and 95% confidence interval were calculated. All p-values less than 0.05 were considered indicative of statistical significance. Results Data for patients aged <18 years, admitted to the emergency department (ED) of UMHAT Burgas, Bulgaria from 1st June 2022 to 30th June 2023 were analyzed (n=38504). Of these patients, 32% were children (n=13857). One hundred thirty-four (0.3%) of the pediatric patients were hospitalized in the neurosurgical ward, and 4653 (10.7%) were hospitalized in other wards. Of the analyzed patients, 89 are boys (66.4%), 45 are girls (33.6%) (male-female ratio 2:1) and the mean age of the patients with a head trauma was 8.07 years old. The average number of patients by diagnosis is 13.4±35.37. The largest percent are patients with brain concussion (85.07%, n=114), followed by contusion of the nerve roots in the lumbar region or late contusion wound of the head (with 2.99% each, n=4); hydrocephalus or skull fracture (with 2.24% each, n=3); contusion of the nerve roots in the thoracic region (1.49%, n=2); and fracture at Th9 vertebrae, fracture at C2 vertebrae, brain trauma or brain tumor (with 0.75% each, n=1). The average number of patients by anamnesis is 13.2±17.99.The largest percent are patients who fall from their own height (44.78%, n=60); followed by falls from height (20.90%, n=28); car accident (7.46%, n=10); injured by fight, fall from a bicycle or incident during a football game (with 5.97% each, n=8); fall from electric scooter (4.48%, n=6); hit in the closet (2.99%, n=4); and finally from bike accident or hit by a rock (with 0.75% each, n=1). From 134 hospitalized patients in neurosurgery, 114 (85.07%) did not require surgical treatment and were treated with conservative treatment and 20 (14.93%) were treated surgically. Conclusion In conclusion, this study highlights a significant burden of pediatric traumatic brain and spinal injuries in Bulgaria. The majority of cases were managed conservatively, emphasizing the need for preventive measures.

Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation of Physical Capasity and Quality of Life in Patients After Open Heart Surgery Complicated by Sternomediastinitis

The article aims to evaluate safety and effects CR program on physical capacity and QoL in patients after open-heart surgery complicated with sternomediastinitis. This observational cohort study included 104 patients, of them 58 were males and 34 females, who underwent cardiac surgery made by sternotomy. We divided the cohort into two groups: 1st group clustered of 92 patients, who did not have sternomediastinitis complications after the surgery; 2nd group clustered of 12 patients, who had sternomediastinitis complications after the surgery. We assessed following variables: physical capacity using 6-minute walk test (6MWT ) and the metabolic equivalent (MET) and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), QoL using SF36 survey. Statistical analyses were performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics software (version 19). The Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests were used to check the normality of distributions. Then, the Mann-Whitney U test was performed to compare not normally distributed independent variables, in order to see the difference (significance level was accepted at p&lt;0.05). After that, the Pearson’s two tailed correlation test was used to find the connection between variables of two groups. Properly selected physical exercises during CR improve the fitness and physical activity of patients after sternomediastinitis, as well as, QoL mesures - general health and mental status.&#x0D; Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 23 No. 02 April’24 Page : 527-538

Community Participation in Community Secondary School Construction Projects in Kibaha District Council, Tanzania

The centrality of participatory practices in recording development objectives is widely acknowledged. However, limited information exists on the factors that motivate community participation in the construction of community secondary schools. This article mends the said gap by exploring the factors that motivate community participation in community secondary school construction in Kibaha, Tanzania. The study utilised a descriptive research design, garnering primary data through 118 household surveys and 2 key informant interviews. The study also collected data through documentary reviews meant to triangulate the data gathered through interviews to deepen discussions and check primary data. Quantitative data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics software with simple frequency analyses presented in tables and discussed descriptively. Atlas ti was used to process qualitative data that eventually underwent content analysis and descriptive discussion. The study unveils that community participation in community secondary school construction is positively impacted by accumulated knowledge on participation, community secondary school benefits, transparency on income and expenditure, quality leadership, decentralisation of decision-making at low levels of governance, and local people empowerment. Conversely, the absence of these motivating factors has negative motivational effects on community participation in such projects. Hence, it is imperative to make concerted efforts to reinforce the positive motivational factors. These efforts should include enhancing community awareness of participation, empowering community members to actively participate, fostering a culture of good governance, particularly in matters of financial transparency, and involving the community in decision-making throughout the implementation of development projects. Furthermore, clear explanations of the benefits accruing to communities from the construction of community secondary schools are essential.

The mediating role of employee commitment in the relationship between compensation system and turnover intentions

PurposeThe main goal of this study is to determine the role of employee commitment in the relations between the compensation system and turnover intentions of employees in the Republic of Serbia, as well as to investigate whether there is a mediating effect of employee commitment in this relation.Design/methodology/approachThe primary methodology implemented in the research was data gathering, obtaining theoretical research works on the proposed relations and empirical studies based on the PLS-SEM, analysed by IBM SPSS Statistics and SmartPLS data processing software. The data for the analysis was obtained from a total sample of 764 employees, collected in the Republic of Serbia via an online questionnaire.FindingsThe results indicated a positive statistically significant relationship between the formative construct (compensation system) and reflective construct (commitment), as well as a negative statistically significant relationship between the compensation system and reflective construct (turnover intentions). Employee commitment partially mediates the relationship between the compensation system and turnover intentions of employees.Originality/valueThe study was conducted in Serbia and is thus rooted in the specific national context which is characterized by high power distance and high uncertainty avoidance and more collectivistic society with feminine values more expressed. Most of the previous investigations related to the mentioned constructs were performed in companies from more developed countries, including Western Europe and the United States of America, whereas there has been no such research conducted in Serbia to date. The results portrayed a mismatch between the expected relations regarding the attitudes of employees to the rewards and the proposed national context. Modern companies in Serbia need to follow a modern reward mechanism to build stronger commitment and decrease turnover intentions. Moreover, in most earlier research works, compensation was examined in terms of satisfaction with rewards, while this study was based on questions related to perceptions of employees toward HR compensation practices (“The organization offers me”-type questions), not related to their satisfaction. Further, in the majority of previous research works, the compensation system was examined as a variable in combination with other HR processes (staffing, training and development, career development, employee relations, HR planning, communication, etc.), as a HPWP, while in this case the authors used only the practice of compensation (reward elements and employee performance evaluation) to investigate relations with commitment and turnover intentions.

EVALUATION OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF TEACHERS ABOUT DENTAL TRAUMA IN A REGION OF SOUTHEASTERN ESPÍRITO SANTO IN BRAZIL

Introduction: Dental injuries are a public health problem and are described as the second largest demand for dental emergencies, with the school being one of the most frequent places. Objective: To measure the knowledge of teachers about the immediate conduct needed in the face of traumatic events. Materials and Methods: An observational, quantitative, cross-sectional study was carried out. Descriptive analysis was performed using frequency tables with number and percentage for sociodemographic variables, functional variables, and knowledge about dental trauma. The statistical package IBM SPSS 20 were used for analysis. Results: The teachers showed an deficient degree of information and ability to conduct first aid in such situations, which predisposes to a worrying scenario that favors the sequelae and unfavorable prognoses, resulting in damage to the quality of life and early tooth loss. We found no statistically significant difference regarding location and time of work (rural or urban), level of education, age, and sex, since knowledge is absent in all scenarios. Conclusion: The worrying scenario of teacher unpreparedness to deal with traumatic dental situations justifies urgent need for health education actions and teacher training, as well as the inclusion of this theme in the curriculum of future professionals.

Abstract 7445: Association between C-reactive protein and cognitive impairment in IDH-mutant gliomas

Abstract Cognitive impairment is common in primary brain tumor (PBT) patients, as a result of the disease and secondary damage from directed and systemic therapy. Recently, the risk in patients with IDH-mutant gliomas and role of interconnectivity of the tumor with neurons and the tumor microenvironment has heightened interest in exploration of biomarkers of impairment to inform care. Here, we investigate Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores and peripheral blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in a cross-sectional cohort of 47 adult IDH-mutant PBT patients enrolled in a natural history study (NHS, NCT02851706: PI T. Armstrong). MoCA raw scores (range 0-30) were dichotomized (≤ 25 = cognitive dysfunction). Baseline CRP was quantified in banked serum samples in duplicate using (V-Plex/Vascular Injury Panel-2, Meso Scale Discovery [MSD], Rockville, MD) in a QuickPlex SQ 120 instrument (MSD). Lab personnel were blinded to diagnosis and clinical status. To reduce skewness in CRP raw values, we used log transformation. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and logistic regression were conducted using IBM SPSS and SAS Statistics software. The sample was predominately male (62%), white (70%), with high-grade gliomas (III/IV) (68%) and an average age at diagnosis of 36 years (SD: 9; median: 34; range: 20-53). The mean MoCA score was 25 (SD: 5; median: 26; range: 11-30). Dichotomizing MoCA scores showed that less than half (43%) of participants exhibited moderate-severe (≤ 25) cognitive impairment. MoCA binary group was negatively correlated with levels of CRP (r=-0.42, p&amp;lt;.003). The log mean concentration of CRP was higher in participants with cognitive impairment (7.99, SD=0.47 vs 7.57, SD=0.45, p&amp;lt;.003) than those without impairment. Finally, when controlling for age and sex, CRP remained predictive of cognitive impairment (OR 8.18, 95% CI 1.70,39.23). Higher levels of CRP were associated with lower MoCA scores in a cross-sectional sample of patients with IDH-mutant gliomas, suggesting an association between the severity of inflammation and cognitive impairment in IDH-mutant glioma patients. Further analysis in large, more diverse longitudinal cohorts will be needed to validate these findings in this population and compare to those with IDH-WT tumors and develop predictive models to inform biomarker development. Citation Format: McKenzie C. Kauss, Michelle L. Wright, Dhaivat Raval, Emory Hsieh, Kaitlynn Slattery, Terri S. Armstrong, Tito R. Mendoza, Vivian A. Guedes. Association between C-reactive protein and cognitive impairment in IDH-mutant gliomas [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 7445.

Effectiveness of combination use of intralesional steroid with 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of keloid patients

Background: Keloids are a common problem with significant recurrence rates despite intralesional steroid treatment and 5-fluorouracil in combination with triamcinolone may be superior to triamcinolone alone. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of the combination use of intralesional steroids with 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of keloid. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study and was conducted at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Khwaja Yunus Ali Medical College (KYAMC), Enayetpur, Sirajganj, from July 2020 to June 2021. A total of 100 patients with keloid were included in this study. These patients were subjected to history, clinical examination, and investigations. In all cases, informed written consent was taken from the Participants and a separate case record form was used during data collection. Collected data were analyzed by the statistical software IBM SPSS 25. Results: This study shows that the majority (68%) of patients belonged to the age group of 21-30 years. The mean age was 26.43±7.77 years. Regarding sex, 56% were females and 44% were males with a male-female ratio of 1.3:1. 52% of patients had a duration of lesion up to 1 year, 22% of patients had 1-2 years and 26% of patients had &gt;2 years. The most common site of keloid was the chest (38%), then face (32%), upper extremity (16%), shoulder (6%), back (4%). The most common presenting symptoms were pruritis (56%), then 38% were cosmetic disfigurement, 32% were skin discoloration, 28% were pain and 18% were restriction of movement. Trauma was the commonest factor seen in 34% of the patients followed by ear piercing (22%) and infection (20%). Other causes were spontaneous (10%), acne (6%), burns (6%), and post-surgical keloid (2%). 16 had a positive family history of the keloid disease. The majority (70%) had good outcomes followed by excellent outcomes in 22% and 8% had average outcomes. It was observed that most patients (88%) did not have any adverse effects. Only 12% had adverse effects seen as skin ulceration (6%), skin atrophy (4%) and telangiectasia (2%). Conclusion: This study revealed that the combination use of intralesional steroids with 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of keloid seems to offer the balanced benefit of faster and more efficacious response with fewer adverse effects. Treatment has to be individualized and can be combined with one or more modalities to aim for better efficacy and safety. Mediscope 2024;11(1): 41-47

Picture analysis of billboards and infographic graphics advertising COVID-19 on promoting preventive behaviors and taking vaccination against the Coronavirus disease pandemic

Today, advertising science is a tool that helps advertisers to design their advertising to meet the needs of the audience. In this regard, knowing and understanding the audience is one of the most important points that advertisers should pay attention to before advertising in order to better attract the audience. This study has been done with the aim of billboards and infographics analysis related to promoting preventive behaviors and vaccination against the Coronavirus disease pandemic and investigating the opinion of the general adult population of Iran. The method used in this research is the qualitative method. In this research, according to the type of data and research goals, Kress and Van Leeuwen’s discourse theory method has been used. The sample size includes 36 advertising billboards and infographics. Data collection has been done through searching the sites and websites of health networks and medical education centers in Iran, taking pictures of infographics and billboards in public places, and also receiving archive files of pictures from the public relations of health networks and medical services. The data was collected from February 19, 2020 to December 30, 2022 (the time frame of the pandemic and public vaccination program in Iran). Then, an online survey about promoting preventive behaviors and taking vaccination against the Coronavirus disease pandemic was designed in SurveyMonkey and its link was provided to the audience through virtual networks and other platforms. The assessment of validity involved experts in infection control and linguistics. The reliability of the measurement, determined through the Cronbach’s alpha internal consistency coefficient, yielded a coefficient of 0.968. In this study, data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics software, version 15.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Finally, users’ opinions about of billboards and infographics were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results of component analysis and surveys show that visual components such as «The staring look at the spectator (Demand)», «Head-on Shot (inclusion)», «Down Shot (Creating a sense of participation for the represented person)», «Close-up (intimate/individual relationship)», «Level Shot (equality)» and «High-Angle Shot (Presenting power)» in medical advertising has had a great impact in arousing public opinion to create a positive attitude towards preventive measures and vaccination during the Coronavirus disease epidemic. The results of this research show that in visual communication, visual components play a significant role in creating and maintaining target ideologies. Also, advertising in the field of preventive measures in medical sciences requires certain rules that determine people’s culture and the main foundation of their attitude and thinking. Therefore, it is necessary to know such knowledge and learn it by the medical staff to deal with critical situations.

Abstract A030: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) administered virtually or via Duo APP in primary brain tumor patients: a preliminary analysis

Abstract Background: Primary brain tumor (PBT) patients experience cognitive dysfunction (CD) because of both their tumor and its treatment. Evaluating CD in PBT populations may inform patient outcomes and clinical management and allow exploration of biologic underpinnings associated with its occurrence. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a brief assessment of objective measures of cognition that evaluates 8 specific cognitive domains. Our group has previously reported the feasibility of MoCA, and this study includes using the newly developed MoCA Duo APP to evaluate and report the cognitive function of patients with PBT. Associations between total MoCA scores and clinical and demographic characteristics were explored. Methods: This cohort consisted of adult PBT patients (n=172) enrolled in the NCI-NOB Natural History Study (NCT02851706: PI T. Armstrong). Assessments were performed between February 2020 and July 2023 by MoCA certified assessors and administered in the clinic or via telehealth. MoCA scores range from 0 to 30 (normal cognition ≥ 26). Healthcare providers collected demographic and clinical characteristics, with Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scores categorized as poor (≤ 80) or good (≥ 90). Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVAs, and Pearson’s correlation were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics software. Results: The majority of patients were male (58%), white (81%), had ≥12 years of education (87%), had high-grade (3/4) tumors (65%), and a good KPS score (68%). The mean MoCA score was 25 (median: 26; range: 6-30) with a mean completion time of 10.7 minutes (median: 10; range: 6.1-41.1). Forty-two percent (n=73) were classified as abnormal. The median scores were lowest in the visuospatial/executive (4/5; range: 0-5), abstraction (2/3; range: 0-3) and delayed recall (4/5; range: 0-5) domains. A univariate analysis identified lower MoCA scores in patients with high-grade tumors (p&amp;lt;0.001), poor KPS scores (p&amp;lt;0.001), who underwent two or more surgeries (p=0.004) or treatments (p=0.038), had recurrence (p=0.002), had progression on current imaging (p=0.017), and had current anticonvulsant (p=0.014) and corticosteroid use (p=0.036). Age at diagnosis (r=-0.157, p=0.021) and at visit (r=-0.193, p=0.005) had a weak negative correlation with MoCA scores. Conclusions: Our results indicate that patient age, tumor progression, treatment, and concomitant medications are associated with MoCA scores. Further analysis will evaluate tumor methylation status and blood-based biomarkers associated with occurrence to develop prediction models that can be evaluated in larger cohorts. Future investigations should compare MoCA scores to other forms of cognitive assessment, including patient-reported outcomes, incorporating multiple timepoints to monitor CD in patients throughout their treatment and survivorship care. Citation Format: McKenzie C. Kauss, Elizabeth Vera, Kimberly Reinhart, Hope Miller, Jaime Garcia, Morgan Johnson, Madhura V. Managoli, Maeve Pascoe, Kaitlynn Slattery, Alex R. Wollet, Mark R. Gilbert, Alvina Acquaye-Mallory, Terri S. Armstrong, Vivian A. Guedes. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) administered virtually or via Duo APP in primary brain tumor patients: a preliminary analysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Brain Cancer; 2023 Oct 19-22; Minneapolis, Minnesota. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(5 Suppl_1):Abstract nr A030.

Social media impact on psychological well-being-A cross-sectional study among the adolescents of Odisha.

Psychological well-being encapsulates positive dimensions, encompassing an individual's sense of mastery, autonomy, personal growth, and a profound connection with purpose and meaning in life. In the domain of mental well-being, research indicates that social media yields consequential outcomes, contributing to elevated levels of well-being, life satisfaction, and social support. The engagement of adolescents with social networking sites serves as a facilitator in fortifying existing friendships and cultivating new connections through online platforms. This, in consequence, alleviates social isolation and loneliness, thereby fostering a discernible enhancement in the mental health of adolescents. The study was conducted among 120 undergraduate students studying in different colleges of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The study was based on a 2 (social media use) ×2 (gender) factorial design with independent variables being the social media use (high use and low use) and gender (boys and girls) of the undergraduate students. All of the adolescents were in the age group of 17-19 years. Subjects were randomly selected from different undergraduate colleges of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Data analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics software version 21. The sample consisted of 120 students from different colleges of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Comparisons of psychological well being mean scores of subjects indicated that high social media use had higher psychological well being than their low social media use among the counterparts. Psychological well being scores of the boys was found to be higher than girls, indicating that boys were psychologically healthier than their girl counterparts. The finding of this study revealed that higher social media users had better perceived social support than lower social media users. Comparison of mean scores disclosed that boys and higher social media users had better psychological well-being than girls and lower social media users respectively. Social media is linked to social support and psychological wellbeing among the college students. This information will provide information to psychologists and public health specialist guiding their work with college students.

Pre-service elementary school teachers' perceptions of using technology in education: focusing on self-efficacy and challenges

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the perceptions of pre-service elementary school teachers about education using technology, based on examining both their self-efficacy and the challenges they face when conducting technology-based classes.&#x0D; Methods A total of 120 participants were asked to complete a survey including twenty closed-ended questions and one open-ended question. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted using the IBM SPSS statistics software to scrutinise the participants’ level of self-efficacy for technology-based education. Regarding the responses of challenges and barriers pre-service elementary school teachers’ would experience while incorporating technology into the class, all the narrative data was examined.&#x0D; Results The findings showed that overall, pre-service elementary school teachers seem to have confidence in using technology in classrooms for students in the future, and to feel comfortable if they employ technology during the class. However, they are not confident to appropriately use computer terminology during the lesson and to evaluate proper softwares for teaching and learning. In addition, concerning the challenges that teachers may face during the technology-based class, the difficulties were divided into three categories: teachers-related, students-related, and other types of difficulties including technical issues.&#x0D; Conclusions Based on the findings, discussion and suggestions on the development of pre-service elementary school teachers’ self-efficacy for technology-based education and on the improvement of their technology competence were presented.&#x0D;

Knowledge Level and Perceptions of Brazilian University Students about Bioeconomy

Through the creation of clean and innovative technologies, Bioeconomics is a means of achieving sustainability. For this to happen, it needs to be incorporated into concrete social actions, gaining knowledge and social acceptance. In this sense, the main purpose of this study was to analyze the understanding and level of knowledge of Brazilian university students about Bioeconomy, understanding their expectations and the factors that explain their attitudes towards it. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis with the help of IBM SPSS Statistics software version 28. The survey recorded 220 responses, identifying that 53.2% of the respondents were familiar with the term Bioeconomy and 47.2% had a level of knowledge classified as good or very good. In addition, a correlation was identified between the knowledge area and the place of residence of the students and their level of knowledge, with different motivations for supporting Bioeconomy, with economic motivations prevailing over socio-environmental ones. Also, it was found that the level of knowledge and support for Bioeconomy are directly correlated, so the greater the knowledge, the greater the support for it. More, even those students who don’t recognize the term Bioeconomy associate it with sustainability and the green economy. This study shows that there is a need to introduce topics related to Bioeconomy in universities and in Brazilians’ daily lives.

Gingival Carcinoma Cuniculatum: A Case Series of Seven Cases with Emphasis on Immunohistochemical and Histochemical Features.

Oral carcinoma cuniculatum (CC) is a rare distinct variant of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) displaying unique clinical and histopathological features. CC is a locally aggressive malignancy with lower metastatic potential and has a tendency to invade the underlying bone yielding nonspecific clinical presentation resembling fungal/bacterial infections or osteomyelitis. Seven rare cases of gingival CC are reported with special emphasis on immunohistochemistry and special stains. Clinical and demographic profile were analysed and all cases were subjected to Ki-67 and p53 immunostaining and Ayoub-Shklar histochemical staining. For comparison, age and gender matched seven cases of conventional OSCC with bony involvement were recruited. IBM SPSS statistics software version 26 (IBM Analytics, Armonk, New York, U.S.) was used to analyse the data. All cases of CC lacked p53 expression in contrast to OSCC and demonstrated intermediate to high proliferation index in stroma also. The keratin staining and cytokeratin profile in OSCC and CC were also found to be statistically different. CC is a rare well differentiated variant of OSCC with different pathways involved in the pathogenesis. Local aggressive and invasive nature could be the result of unique interaction between epithelium and stromal elements. Oral health care provider must be familiar with this uncommon variant of OSCC.

Analysis on Customer Authentic Perception on Fast-Food Chain’s Brand Loyalty with the Mediation Variables being Perceived Quality

The aim of this research is to examine the impact of fast-food restaurants brands toward tourist’s restaurants authentic perception with the perceived quality as the mediating variables This study uses a quantitative approach to collect empirical data and conduct hypothesis testing. The population studied in this study consists of the population of Batam City. The methodology used in this study included selecting a sample from individuals who visited a fast food restaurant chain. Data collection occurred from Q4 to Q1 of 2022-2023, resulting in a total of 400 observations. The process of hypothesis testing was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics software with the application of descriptive analysis, quantitative analysis, and classical assumption tests. It was found that the customer perception has significant impacts on quality variable, and it also has a significant and positive effect on customer loyalty. This suggests that consumers consider the perception they received influenced the perceived quality of the restaurants they purchase from when they decide to continue to order from them in the future. The results of this study reveal the key aspects of service quality that have the greatest impact on customer loyalty. Factors such as punctuality, accuracy, responsiveness, and staff courtesy have been proven to be important factors in customer loyalty. Therefore, it is essential for fast food restaurants to continuously invest in improving these aspects to improve the quality of their service and thereby gain customer loyalty.&#x0D;

The efficacy of vardenafil and tamsulosin in treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia: A randomised clinical trial

Objectives: This randomised controlled trial (RCT) aimed to evaluate the efficacy of vardenafil monotherapy, tamsulosin monotherapy, and combination therapy of vardenafil and tamsulosin in treating lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: This RCT involved 75 patients presenting with LUTS secondary to BPH. Patients were randomly allocated into three groups, receiving either vardenafil monotherapy, tamsulosin monotherapy, or a combination of both drugs. Assessments and follow-ups were conducted 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment initiation, focusing on improvements in LUTS, uroflowmetry measurements, and patients’ sexual performance. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Office Excel 2007 and IBM SPSS statistics software version 22.0. Results: This study included 75 participants divided into three groups. No significant differences were found in terms of patients’ age (p = 0.504) or treatment duration (p = 0.680) between the groups. The combination of vardenafil/tamsulosin consistently showed the lowest International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) scores and grades, followed by the tamsulosin group (p &lt; 0.001). Regarding Q-max and post-void residual urine (PVRU), significant differences were observed between the vardenafil group and the other two groups (p &gt; 0.001), but no significant differences were found between the tamsulosin and vardenafil/tamsulosin groups. Conclusion: The combination therapy with vardenafil and tamsulosin is more effective in improving LUTS secondary to BPH than monotherapy. Tamsulosin monotherapy also appears to be more effective than vardenafil monotherapy. Combination therapy provides a viable treatment option for patients who do not respond adequately to monotherapy or experience adverse effects from either drug. Level of Evidence: Moderate

Health-related quality of life of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: A cross-sectional study in the cape coast metropolis.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) has in recent decades become a global pandemic, accounting for over 90% of DM cases. The study evaluated the health-related quality of life (HrQoL) and identified its determinants among type 2 DM patients at the University of Cape Coast Hospital. We conducted our study at the University of Cape Coast Hospital from January to March 2022. The EQ-5D-5L questionnaire was administered to 68 type 2 DM patients. Data were then inputted into Microsoft Excel and analyzed accordingly using IBM SPSS statistical software version 26 and GraphPad Prism 8. The mean age of the participants was 60.71 ± 12.18 with 55.9% being females. The average systolic, diastolic blood pressure and fasting blood glucose (FBG) of participants were 140.99 ± 22.27, 85 ± 11.14 and 7.97 ± 2.66 respectively. With the EQ-5D-5L scale, participants reported severe to extreme problems mainly in pain/discomfort (19.1%) and mobility (8.8%) dimensions. Approximately 21% (14/68) of patients reported themselves as being in perfect health based on the EQ-5D index score with no significant difference between males and females (p ≥ 0.05). On a scale of 0 to 100, most (26.5%) of the participants rated their general health state at 80. Age was significantly associated with all five dimensions while patients with comorbidities had higher odds of experiencing pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. The study reveals that pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression are the most experienced problems among patients with type 2 DM. The HrQoL of type 2 DM patients was also found to be affected by age, comorbidities, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Therefore, identifying these factors and developing appropriate interventions is crucial for improving patient outcomes and enhancing treatment outcomes.

A cross-sectional survey on the relationship between workplace psychological violence and empathy among Chinese nurses: the mediation role of resilience

BackgroundWorkplace violence is one of the most serious public health issues worldwide in healthcare occupations, nurse is a profession which faces the greatest risk of exposure to workplace violence among healthcare occupations.ObjectiveThe present study aimed to explore the relationship between workplace psychological violence and empathy among Chinese nurses, and further examine the mediation role of resilience in this relationship.MethodA cross-sectional survey was conducted among a convenience sample of clinical registered nurses in Xinjiang China from 29 September 2023 to 19 October 2023.The online questionnaire, contained the general information form, the Workplace Psychologically Violent Behaviors Instrument, the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Healthcare Professionals Version, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, was used to collect data. The IBM SPSS statistics software version 22.0 was used to perform data analyses in forms of descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and mediation analysis.ResultThis survey recruited a convenience sample of 1613 clinical registered nurses aged 22 to 55 years who come from diverse ethnicities and worked in different departments. A total of 534 nurse experienced psychological violent, which yielded a positive rate of 33.1% for psychological violent among nurses. Pearson analysis reported a negative correlation between psychological violences and empathy (r=-0.724, P < 0.01) as well as a negative correlation between psychological violences and resilience (r=-0.681, P < 0.01). Mediation analysis reported that resilience mediated the negative relationship between psychological violence and empathy, the mediation effect accounted for ab/(ab + c’) = 23.40% of the total effect.ConclusionThis study supported an inverse ralationship between psychological violence and empathy among Chinese nurses where resilience acted as a protective factor to mediated the negative impacts of psychological violences on empathy These results directed health policies and clinical interventions to equip nurses with resilience to copy with and recover from workplace psychological violence.

The Influence of Organizational Culture, Job Rotation, and Work Motivation on Employee Performance at the Lubuk Pakam Pratama Tax Services Office

This study aims to determine the influence of organizational culture, job rotation, and work motivation simultaneously on employee performance at the Lubuk Pakam Pratama Tax Services Office. The research was conducted at the Lubuk Pakam Pratama Tax Services Office on Jalan P Diponegoro Number 30-A, Medan, with a population of 122 individuals and a research sample of 55 individuals. Data collection was carried out through interviews, questionnaires, and documentation. The data analysis method used was multiple regression analysis using the IBM SPSS Statistics software version 25. The findings of the analysis reveal that the performance of employees at the Lubuk Pakam Pratama Tax Services Office is positively influenced by organizational culture, as evidenced by the results of the t-table analysis (3.603 &gt; 2.008) at n = 55 and a 95% significance level. Job rotation does not significantly affect the performance of Lubuk Pakam Pratama Tax Services Office employees, supported by the t-value &lt; t-table analysis (0.444 &lt; 2.008) at n = 55 at a 95% significance level. On the other hand, work motivation has a significant impact on the performance of employees at the Lubuk Pakam Pratama Tax Services Office, as supported by the t-value &gt; t-table (3.613 &gt; 2.008) at n = 55 with a 95% significance level. The calculated F-value &gt; F-table (21.926 &gt; 2.79) indicates that collectively, there is a positive and significant influence of organizational culture, job rotation, and work motivation on the performance of Lubuk Pakam Pratama Tax Services Office employees.