Active Stage Research Articles

استخدام الكتيب الجيبي لمادة اللغة العربية في تحسين مهارة القراءة لطلاب الصف السابع في مدرسة بستان العلوم الإعدادية الإسلامية

This study aims to examine the use of Arabic language pocket books in improving the qiro'ah (reading) skills of seventh grade students at MTs Swasta Bustanul Ulum. This research uses the Classroom Action Research (PTK) method. This Classroom Action Research (PTK) model was carried out with 2 cycles consisting of four stages of activity, namely the planning stage, the implementation stage, the observation/observation stage and the reflection stage. Data collection techniques in this study include tests and observations. While the instruments in this study were in the form of test question sheets and student learning observation sheets. The data analysis technique used quantitative data analysis techniques and qualitative data. The results showed that the average student activity and ability of qiro'ah learning outcomes of VII grade students of MTs Swasta Bustanul Ulum in learning Chapter 6 with the material من يوميات الأسرة, with the use of pocket books of Arabic language subjects in the first cycle observation obtained the average activity of qiro'ah ability based on student learning outcomes is 42% (less active) and has increased in Cycle II which is 76% (active). In this case it can be proven that there is an increase in percentage from cycle I and cycle II by 34% and from the previous results which were classified in the less active category in cycle I to the active category in cycle II. For learning outcomes in the post-test cycle I, the average completeness obtained was 60% as many as 12 students who exceeded the KKM, in cycle II the average post-test completeness was 80% as many as 16 students who exceeded the KKM. The average post-test completeness in cycle II has exceeded 5% of the 75% success indicator. In this case it can be proven that there is an increase in percentage from cycle I and cycle II which is 20%. So it can be concluded that the use of pocket book media in Arabic language subjects can increase the activity and ability of qiro'ah based on the learning outcomes of VII grade students of MTs Swasta Bustanul Ulum.

Increasing Community Creativity Through Ecoprint Training In Dempelrejo Village

Nowadays, people's use of plastic bags is increasing, especially in the domestic environment. Even though plastic waste is an item that is difficult to decompose naturally. This service seeks to understand the problems that exist in society in the form of the large amount of plastic waste. This service is part of community service. Namely in the form of ecoprint training whose products can be a substitute for plastic bags in everyday life. Service activities take the form of ecoprint training using community education and observation methods. The subject of this service is women in Dempelrejo Village. This activity uses tote bags and leaves around the house as the main materials. The stages of this service activity include: 1. Initial planning and assessment, starting from identifying and observing the conditions of the Dempelrejo community to determining the advantages and disadvantages as well as the objectives of the ecoprint training. 2. Preparation stage, providing equipment, materials and implementation location. 3. Implementation stage, explaining the techniques on how to have leaves, hitting the leaves, and soaking the totebag. The aim of the ecoprint training activity is to provide education to the Dempelrejo community to reduce the community's tendency to replace plastic bags with environmentally friendly tote bags. Apart from that, ecoprint products can be used many times to meet household needs. Moreover, the materials used in making ecoprints are materials that are easily accessible. This dedication emphasizes the importance of loving and protecting nature from the dangers of plastic waste which threatens the environment.

Tear film parameters and meibography in eyes of children with vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

To study tear film parameters and Meibomian glands in pediatric patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC). Forty-four eyes of 22 patients with VKC and 44 eyes of 22 age-matched controls were studied in a hospital-based cross-sectional study. Each subject underwent a complete ophthalmological examination including slit-lamp biomicroscopy, non-invasive break-up time (NIBUT), fluorescein break-up time (FBUT), corneal fluorescein staining, and Schirmer's test. Non-contact meibography was performed using a Sirius topographer. All patients had VKC grades between 1 and 3 (Bonini scale). The mean NIBUT for cases was 8.83 ± 4.02 s and in controls, it was 15 ± 2.8 s (P value < 0.001). The mean FBUT for cases was 9.41 ± 3.45 s and in controls, it was 16.7 ± 2.5 s (P value < 0.001). Schirmer's values were 32 ± 3.1 mm in cases and 21.4 ± 4.1 mm in controls, which were significantly higher (P value < 0.001). Also, 22.72% of the cases had corneal fluorescein staining in the form of superficial punctuate keratitis, whereas none of the control groups showed corneal staining. The examination of Meibomian glands using non-contact meibography showed a mean Meibomian gland dropout in the upper lid to be 29.7 ± 14.4% in VKC cases and 10.5 ± 3.2% in controls (P value < 0.001). Meibography of the lower lid showed 25.9 ± 10.2% dropout in cases and 20.5 ± 6.1% in controls (P value = 0.004). Tear film parameters were significantly deranged in children with VKC in the active stage as compared to age-matched controls. Children with VKC also had a higher Meibomian gland dropout.

PERTANGGUNGJAWABAN PIDANA BAGI PELAKU TINDAK PIDANA PERTAMBANGAN MINERAL DAN BATUBARA (ANALISIS PUTUSAN PN PRAYA NOMOR 123/PID. B/LH/2023/PN PYA)

The mining sector is one of the supports for the welfare of the Indonesian people. Therefore, mining activities must be carried out according to procedures and have legality as applicable regulations. Criminal liability for perpetrators of mineral and coal mining crime Analysis of Decision Number 123/Pid.B/LH/2023/PN Pya is that the defendant has been proven guilty and fulfills the elements in Article 160 of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 3 of 2020 concerning amendments to Law Number 4 of 2009 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining. Criminal liability for case Number 123/Pid.B/LH/2023/PN Pya that the Defendant has been proven guilty and meets the elements in Article 160 of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 3 of 2020 concerning amendments to Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 4 of 2009 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining, namely the provision that Every person who has an IUP or IUPK at the Exploration activity stage but carries out Production Operation activities shall be punished with a maximum imprisonment of 5 (five) years and a maximum fine of IDR 100,000,000,000.00 (one hundred billion rupiah). When associated with the maximum penalty, the penalty imposed on the Defendant is still relatively low because mining without a permit is a very serious case and has a major impact on the state and society. The judge's consideration in imposing a criminal sentence based on juridical and non-juridical considerations, the judge decided that the defendant was sentenced to imprisonment of 7 (seven) months and a fine of Rp. 20,000,000.00 (twenty million rupiah) subsidair 2 (two) months.

Полевая электронная спектроскопия молекулярно-напыленного оксидного термокатода

The results of a study of the emission characteristics of a molecular-sprayed oxide thermocathode based on triple carbonate of alkaline earth metals with an emission layer thickness of ~1 µm in the operating temperature range of 590-730 °C. are presented. The results are in good agreement with those obtained earlier for a serial oxide thermocathode with an emission layer thickness of ~100 µm applied by pulverization, and correspond to the model of a "spotted cathode" - a superposition of emission spots at different stages of activation. An idea of the activation phenomenon occurring at a given temperature in a certain range of values of the electric field strength on the surface of emission spots is detailed both with an increase and a decrease in the anode voltage. The energy spectra of the emitted electrons of a separate emission spot with a half-height width of ~100 meV have been obtained. The values of the potential change of the emitting surface of the cathode within the probed region of 0.9 V and the potential drop on the emission layer under the probed region of 4.1 V were measured.

HLA class II profile in patients with different stages of cystic echinococcosis according to the WHO ultrasound imaging classification.

The factors involving in the natural history and determinants of different features of human cystic echinococcosis (CE) are not adequately understood. Several host-related factors including the genetic structure of the host and human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) are believed to be involved in the natural history of CE in humans. The present study was conducted to investigate the association between HLA class II genes and active and inactive stages of hepatic cystic echinococcosis. Echinococcus granulosus cyst samples and patient information were collected from the biobank of the Iranian Hydatid Disease Registry from 2019 to 2022. HLA-DRB and HLA-DQB were characterized by PCR method. CE patients were categorized into three active (CE1 and CE2), inactive (CE4 and CE5), and transitional (CE3) stages according to the WHO ultrasound classification of CE. In total, 77 participants including 38 patients (36.8% men and 63.2% women) with different stages of CE as well as 39 healthy individuals (38.5% men and 61.5% women) were included in the study. Findings of the study showed that the frequency of HLA-DRB1*03 was significantly lower in the patients compared to the healthy individuals. The frequencies of HLA-DQB and HLA-DRB alleles were not differed significantly between active, inactive, and transitional stages of E. granulosus cysts. Findings of this study indicate the potential role of this allele in the susceptibility of human to cystic echinococcosis. Further large-scale studies in different endemic countries are required to document the significance of HLA-DQB and HLA-DRB as a host-related factor in the natural history of CE in human.

Threat in the context of identifying the victim

It is indicated that an important feature of the injured person, which allows to distinguish him from other persons, is related to the infliction of damage. The etymological and semantic analysis of the term «victim» shows that damage is an integral feature of a victim. The article examines the possibility and expediency of recognizing a person as a victim in the criminal law field in the event of a threat to cause harm to him. Provisions of the current Criminal Code of Ukraine, the project of the new Criminal Code of Ukraine, national judicial practice are taken into account. It is argued that in context of the injured person, term damage is understood in two meanings: 1) narrowly (includes only real damage); 2) in a broad sense (includes both damage and the danger/threat of causing it, as well as the threat). At the same time, attributing the threat as an independent action to a type of harm, as suggested by authors of the draft Criminal Code of Ukraine, seems debatable, because in such a case the term «threat» will denote both an action and a consequence. It is also worth paying attention to whether there is a need to use both the term «threat» and the term «danger» in the draft Criminal Code of Ukraine. It has been established that the term «threat» in the context of the definition of the victim means both actual moral or other types of harm to him, as well as the threat/danger of his task. It has been proven that victim in a certain composition of a criminal offense can be characterized not only by harm in its narrow sense, but also by threat or danger of its occurrence, that is, harm in the broad sense, as well as the threat of harm. The threat in the context of the criminal-legal understanding of victim is important, first of all, if there is no implementation. In case of the implementation of a threat, which is provided as an independent crime and is a stage of a single criminal activity, united by a single intention and aimed at causing damage to the same object, qualification under the article providing for responsibility for the threat is not required, and therefore and there is no need to establish the victim of the threat. If a threat is a way of committing an act, then the victim is determined in the context of act in general, taking into account the threat as a way of committing it.

Initiation of forensic examinations by the defence counsel: topical issues of forensic support

The article is devoted to the consideration of topical issues of initiation of forensic examinations by the defence counsel, as well as forensic support of this activity. The relevance of the topic is due to the fact that the initiation of forensic examinations by the defence counsel is an important aspect of the criminal process which affects not only the formation of the evidence base for the prosecution, but also for the defence, which can establish the circumstances that justify or mitigate the responsibility of the defendant. The article focuses on the fact that the defence counsel may obtain an expert opinion in three ways at the stage of pre-trial investigation: 1) defence counsel’s independent request to an expert or an expert institution to conduct an expert examination; 2) defence counsel’s initiation of a forensic examination by an investigating judge; 3) defence counsel’s initiation of a forensic examination by an investigator, coroner, or prosecutor. It is noted that the organisational activities of a defence counsel who plans to initiate a forensic examination before an investigator, coroner, or prosecutor include three stages: preparatory, working, and final. The author analyses all three stages of organisational activities of a defence counsel who plans to initiate a forensic examination, both from the criminal procedural and forensic sides. The author emphasises that when filing a relevant motion, a defence counsel should always clearly understand what specific purpose is being pursued and what result is desirable from the defence perspective. The author comes to the conclusion that forensic support for the defence counsel’s initiation of forensic examinations to the investigator, coroner, prosecutor is provided in the process of: preparation, submission of a petition, and familiarisation with the results of the examination.

Predictors of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears in Adolescents and Young Adults

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in youth can lead to expensive treatment, lengthy rehabilitation, and long-term impairment. Injuries to the ACL are more common in adolescents who participate in organized sports. Purpose: To examine whether there is an association between age, physical activity patterns, pubertal timing (Tanner stage), or body mass index (obesity/overweight status) and the risk of developing an ACL injury in youth. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Data from the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS), a prospective cohort study of youth throughout the United States, were used in this study. From 1996 to 2003, questionnaires were sent to GUTS participants every 12 to 18 months to assess a variety of self-reported factors; in a related 2004 questionnaire, ACL tears and other diagnoses among the participants were reported. Cox proportional hazard models were run to determine the sex-specific association of activity patterns and pubertal timing with risk of developing an ACL tear. Results: A total of 4519 boys and 5622 girls (age: 9-15 years) were included, with 2.4% and 2.0% sustaining an ACL injury, respectively. Age was found to be a significant risk factor for ACL injury in both sexes (male: hazard ratio [HR] = 1.30 [95% CI, 1.14-1.48]; female: HR = 1.23 [95% CI, 1.10-1.38]). Mean hours per week engaged in vigorous activity was also predictive of a higher risk of ACL injury (male: HR = 1.04 [95% CI, 1.01-1.08]; female: HR = 1.10 [95% CI, 1.07-1.14]). The sports that were the most predictive of injury were running, basketball, soccer, and cheerleading/gymnastics in girls and running, football, and karate/martial arts in boys. Additionally, in boys, overweight/obese status was found to be a significant predictor of ACL injury (HR = 2.61 [95% CI, 1.60-4.26]). Furthermore, among 9- to 13-year-old girls, advanced Tanner stage was a strong predictor of injury risk (HR = 2.43 [95% CI, 1.10-5.36]). Conclusion: Age, time engaged in vigorous activity, overweight/obese status, and advanced Tanner stage were associated with an increased risk of ACL injury in young adults and adolescents. Further research with follow-up data will help complement this study and continue to highlight the risk factors associated with ACL reconstruction in adolescents and young adults.

P32 - The Taylor Technique - Exploring outcomes for women having perineal acupressure on the acupuncture point Conception Vessel 1 (CV1) during the active second stage of labour: A pilot non-randomised quasi-experimental design and qualitative study

P32 - The Taylor Technique - Exploring outcomes for women having perineal acupressure on the acupuncture point Conception Vessel 1 (CV1) during the active second stage of labour: A pilot non-randomised quasi-experimental design and qualitative study

The effect of dill (Anethum graveolens) seeds on labor pain and progress: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundIn recent years, there has been growing interest in exploring the potential benefits of dill (Anethum graveolens) seeds in managing labor pain and promoting labor progress. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to gather and analyze all available evidence on the efficacy of dill seeds in reducing labor pain and facilitating labor progress. MethodsThe databases of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and ScienceDirect have been searched since their inception until June 20, 2023. The risk of bias for clinical trials was evaluated using the Cochrane tool and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) quality assessment tool was used for the evaluation of cohort studies. Meta-analysis was performed on the extracted data. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Chi2 and I2 index. Meta-analyses of all the data were done using RevMan 5.4. ResultsA total of 341 studies were identified through the primary search and after data reduction, finally, five articles remained for assessment. The results showed that the duration of the first stage (MD = −1.71, 95 % CI −2.94--0.48, P = 0.006), second stage (MD = −9.90, 95 % CI −15.51--4.29, p = 0.0005), and third stage (MD = −1.34, 95 % CI −2.14--0.54, p = 0.001) of labor were statistically shorter in the dill seed group, compared with that in the control group. Also, regarding pain intensity during the active stage of labor, the results indicated a favorable outcome for dill seed both overall and in the subgroup analyses of cohort and RCT studies. However, the significant finding was present only in the cohort subgroup (p < 0.00001). ConclusionUsing dill seeds in the active phase of labor in low-risk childbearing women could be an effective and low-cost intervention to reduce labor pain and accelerate labor progress. However, more high-quality clinical trials are needed to provide stronger scientific evidence.

Friedrich Miesher’s life path and contribution to science

The article discusses the main stages of life and activity of the famous Swiss organic chemist, Friedrich Miescher (August 13, 1844 – August 26, 1895), who was the first to isolate and describe the structure of the DNA molecule. F. Miescher was born in a family of scientists and doctors, studied medicine at the University of Basel (Switzerland), but did not become a practicing doctor. He mostly conducted his scientific research in the biochemical laboratory of Felix Hoppe-Zeyler in Tübingen (Germany). The object of the scientist's research was leukocytes, from the nuclei of which he managed to isolate a precipitate insoluble in most of the solvents known at that time. In 1869, F. Miescher obtained a molecule that he named nuclein (DNA). In the course of research, the scientist established its composition, some properties, and molecular weight, but was unable to describe its functions. Subsequently, F. Miescher discovered the presence of nucleic in the cells of other tissues, in the spermatozoa of many species of animals. At the Institute of Physiology of the University of Leipzig (Germany) in the laboratory of Karl Ludwig Friedrich Miescher studied the nerve pathways that transmit pain signals in the spinal cord. In 1871, the scientist completed his habilitation for the position of a professor at Basel University; he chose physiology of breathing as the topic of his work. F. Mischer continued to study the features of spermatozoa and oocytes; developed a number of theories regarding understanding of the processes of fertilization and transmission of hereditary traits, which, due to the lack of knowledge at the time, were quite speculative. In 1885, the scientist founded and headed the first in Switzerland Institute of Anatomy and Physiology in Vesalian, where he worked for 10 years. Friedrich Miescher died at the age of 52, before the results of his discovery were recognized. Only in 1944 it was proved that the DNA molecule is the carrier of genetic information. Most of the results of F. Miescher's scientific work were published after his death by his uncle, the famous Swiss anatomist Wilhelm His.

Description of Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) tartakovskyi using scanning electron microscopy, with notes on the morphology of Pavlovskyella sensu stricto and Theriodoros subgenera

Accumulation of DNA sequence data and its use in systematics of the family Argasidae reveals new incongruencies between genera and subgenera, since several groups defined by classical taxonomy appear to be paraphyletic, which is the case of the subgenus Pavlovskyella. In order to identify morphological characters unique to one of the monophyletic groupings within Pavlovskyella and improve its system, we describe all active stages of Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) tartakovskyi, a species with an incomplete original description. Larvae, nymphs, males and females from Iran were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The larva of O. (P.) tartakovskyi lacks dorsal plate, posteromedian seta, postcoxal setae and a spinose area in palpal article I; the dorsal surface has 13 pairs of setae and the hypostome has two short rows of denticles in the apex only. The first nymphal instar (N1) has a micromammillated body with faint dorsal and ventral disks. The second nymphal instar (N2) shows mammillated body with an incipient hood, and dorsal disks outlined as in subsequent instars. Both N1 and N2 have a small patch of glabrous surface in the anterior margin of preanal groove, absent in posterior stages. Third nymphal instar (N3) has a small hood and lack cheeks, which are incipient in the fourth nymphal instar (N4). The four nymphal instars (N1–N4) have blunt hypostomes, striated capitula, non-mammillated legs, and 3 humps on tarsi I. Females and males of O. (P.) tartakovskyi have mammillated bodies, small cheeks not covering the capitulum, the anteromedian disk is placed anteriorly to anterior central disks, and a posterior median file of disks is merged with the median disk. We describe all postembryonic stages of O. (P.) tartakovskyi providing morphological characters that define Pavlovskyella sensu stricto and Theriodoros, a sister subgenus that includes similarly shaped species.

Progressive heterogeneity of enlarged and irregularly shaped apicoplasts in P. falciparum persister blood stages after drug treatment.

Morphological modifications and shifts in organelle relationships are hallmarks of dormancy in eukaryotic cells. Communications between altered mitochondria and nuclei are associated with metabolic quiescence of cancer cells that can survive chemotherapy. In plants, changes in the pathways between nuclei, mitochondria, and chloroplasts are associated with cold stress and bud dormancy. Plasmodium falciparum parasites, the deadliest agent of malaria in humans, contain a chloroplast-like organelle (apicoplast) derived from an ancient photosynthetic symbiont. Antimalarial treatments can fail because a small fraction of the blood stage parasites enter dormancy and recrudesce after drug exposure. Altered mitochondrial-nuclear interactions in these persisters have been described for P. falciparum, but interactions of the apicoplast remained to be characterized. In the present study, we examined the apicoplasts of persisters obtained after exposure to dihydroartemisinin (a first-line antimalarial drug) followed by sorbitol treatment, or after exposure to sorbitol treatment alone. As previously observed, the mitochondrion of persisters was consistently enlarged and in close association with the nucleus. In contrast, the apicoplast varied from compact and oblate, like those of active ring stage parasites, to enlarged and irregularly shaped. Enlarged apicoplasts became more prevalent later in dormancy, but regular size apicoplasts subsequently predominated in actively replicating recrudescent parasites. All three organelles, nucleus, mitochondrion, and apicoplast, became closer during dormancy. Understanding their relationships in erythrocytic-stage persisters may lead to new strategies to prevent recrudescences and protect the future of malaria chemotherapy.

The impacts of peer assessment on critical thinking competence: An epistemic network analysis

Critical thinking competence has recently become a popular topic in education research; however, it is insufficiently researched in tourism education. This study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of peer assessment in developing critical thinking skills in a Chinese context. Peer assessment data were collected through group news presentations and individual assignments of college students studying tourism management. An epistemic network analysis was conducted to examine the role of peer assessment in students' critical thinking competence. The findings show that students’ critical thinking skills significantly improve as peer assessment activities are conducted, with higher-level critical thinking skills clearly emerging at a later stage of peer assessment activities.

Evaluation of Herbicides Efficacy against Weeds in Coffee (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Coffea arabica &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;L.) at Jimma Southwest, Ethiopia

Weeds are one of the most serious causes of economic losses in agricultural production. As a result weed completions contributes 60 to 80% yield losses in coffee under Jimma condition. Currently, expensiveness of weed management has been a principle issue in economic analysis of coffee production particularly in large scale farm in Ethiopia. Hence, evaluation of systemic herbicide with different mode of action is essential to effectively control dangerous weeds in coffee production system. The study was conducted in Jimma Agricultural Research Center in 2021 cropping season at Jimma Agricultural Research Center on Station to evaluate the efficacy of newly introduced herbicides (Fascinate 280SL at 3.3l/h, Jimila 480% SL at 3.0l/h and Proper 360 SL at 3.0l/ha) against major weeds in coffee. Tested herbicides (Fascinate 280SL, Jimila 480% SL and Proper 360 SL) were effectively controlled the noxious weeds infested coffee experimental plots. These herbicides also showed significant effect on inhibiting weed density over standard check. The herbicide were effective in controlling weeds in coffee safe for crops if applied at active growth stage of weeds following the instructions on technical guide line of herbicides properly. Therefore, the herbicides were recommended used as management option against weeds in coffee with the application rate mentioned above

Immunological insights: assessing immune parameters in medical professionals exposed to SARS-CoV-2

BackgroundThe immunological background responsible for the severe course of COVID-19 and the immune factors that protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection are still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate immune system status in persons with high exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection.MethodsSeventy-one persons employed in the observation and infectious diseases unit were qualified for the study between November 2020 and October 2021. Symptomatic COVID-19 was diagnosed in 35 persons. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were also found in 8 persons. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells subpopulations were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the concentrations of cytokines and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were determined by ELISA.ResultsThe percentages of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), CD28+ and T helper (Th) cells with invariant T-cell receptors were significantly higher in persons with symptomatic COVID-19 than in those who did not develop COVID-19’ symptoms. Conversely, symptomatic COVID-19 persons had significantly lower percentages of: a) CTLs in the late stage of activation (CD8+/CD95+), b) NK cells, c) regulatory-like Th cells (CD4+/CTLA-4+), and d) Th17-like cells (CD4+/CD161+) compared to asymptomatic COVID-19’ persons. Additionally, persons with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies had a significantly higher lymphocyte count and IL-6 concentration than persons without these antibodies.ConclusionNumerous lymphocyte populations are permanently altered by SARS-CoV-2 infection. High percentages of both populations: NK cells—as a part of the non-specific response, and T helper cells’ as those regulating the immune response, could protect against the acute COVID-19 symptoms development. Understanding the immune background of COVID-19 may improve the prevention of this disease by identifying people at risk of a severe course of infection.Trial registrationThis is a retrospective observational study without a trial registration number.

Real-Time Imaging as Visual Biofeedback in Active Second Stage of Labor Among Nulliparas: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Real-Time Imaging as Visual Biofeedback in Active Second Stage of Labor Among Nulliparas: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Հայաստանի Առաջին Հանրապետության պաշտոնական առաքելությունների գործունեությունն ԱՄՆ-ում և միասնականության խնդիրը (1919 թ. վերջ - 1920 թ. սկիզբ) / The Activities of the Official Missions of the First Republic of Armenia to the United States and the Issue of Unity (late 1919 - early 1920)

In late 1919 and early 1920, the official – civil and military - delegations of the First Republic of Armenia in the United States, in addition to political, diplomatic, economic and military assignments, were also tasked with establishing, strengthening and maintaining unity in the Armenian colony of America. At the initial stage of the mission's activities, some positive steps were recorded in the above-mentioned areas, especially in the issue of strengthening cohesion and unity in the Armenian community. However, the results were not decisive and, as a final assessment, it should be noted that the delegations failed to fulfill most of the tasks set, including the problem of the Armenian colony.

Different imaging techniques’ diagnostic efficacy for Crohn’s disease activity and external validation and comparison of MDCTAs, SES-CD and IBUSSAS

BackgroundCrohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract with unknown etiology. It follows a relapse-remission pattern, making disease activity assessment crucial for treatment. Our study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of various imaging modalities and to validate and compare the International Bowel Ultrasound Segmental Activity Score (IBUS-SAS), the multidetector computed tomography enterography score (MDCTEs), and the simplified endoscopic activity score for Crohn’s disease (SES-CD).MethodsWe assessed diagnostic performance using the CD Activity Index (CDAI). We first categorized patients into remission and active groups. For those in the active stage, we further categorized them into mild/moderate and severe activity groups. We used Spearman rank correlation to evaluate the relationships among IBUS-SAS, bowel wall thickness (BWT), Color Doppler imaging signal (CDS), inflammatory fat (i-fat), bowel wall stratification (BWS), and clinical inflammatory indicators.ResultsA total of 103 CD patients were evaluated. The IBUS-SAS cut-off for remission and activity was 23.8, with an AUC of 0.923, sensitivity of 91.4%, and specificity of 84.8%. The SES-CD had an AUC of 0.801, sensitivity of 62.9%, and specificity of 84.4% at a cut-off of 4.5. The MDCTEs showed an AUC of 0.855, sensitivity of 77.1%, and specificity of 75.8% for a cut-off of 6.5. The Delong test revealed significant differences in diagnostic efficacy when comparing IBUS-SAS to SES-CD and IBUS-SAS to MDCTEs. In the group of mild or moderate-to-severe active, the IBUS-SAS had an AUC of 0.925, sensitivity of 83.7%, and specificity of 88.9% at a cut-off of 40. The SES-CD exhibited an AUC of 0.850, sensitivity of 90.7%, and specificity of 70.4% at a cut-off of 8.5. MDCTEs showed an AUC of 0.909, sensitivity of 83.7%, and specificity of 85.2% at a cut-off of 8.5. During Delong test, the IBUS-SAS, MDCTEs, and SES-CD showed no significant differences in assessing moderate-to-severe activity. Both IBUS-SAS and ultrasound parameters correlated with certain serum indicators (p < 0.05), although only weakly to moderately (all r < 0.5).ConclusionThe IBUS-SAS, MDCTEs and SES-CD can evaluate disease remission/active and mild/moderate-to-severe active in CD, and IBUS-SAS offers the potential to precisely define CD activity.