Statistical Tests Research Articles

Combined detection of serum adiponectin and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A for early prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Early diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) reduces the risk of adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes. At present, the value of serum adiponectin (ADP) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) in clinical practice for the diagnosis of GDM in early pregnancy is unclear. To investigate the predictive value of serum ADP and PAPP-A in GDM. The electronic medical record data of all pregnant women from Zhongshan People's Hospital from 2018 to 2021 were retrospectively collected and divided into GDM group and control group according to whether GDM occurred. ADP and PAPP-A levels of the 2 groups were detected in early pregnancy, and the related factors of GDM were analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of ADP and PAPP-A in predicting GDM in the early pregnancy were plotted and their clinical predictive value was analyzed. The significance level for all statistical tests is 0.05. Compared with the non-GDM group, the ADP of the GDM group was significantly lower than that of the non-GDM group [(8.19 ± 2.24) vs. (10.04 ± 2.73)]mg/L, the difference between groups was statistically significant (P < .05), and the multiple of median (MoM) of PAPP-A was significantly lower than that of the non-GDM group (1.13 ± 0.52) versus (1.45 ± 0.61) (P < .05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that elevated serum ADP and PAPP-A levels were negatively correlated with the subsequent development of GDM [odds ratio (OR) 95% confidence interval (95% CI)] was 0.626 (0.536, 0.816), 0.934 (0.908, 0.961), respectively, P < .05.ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity and specificity of ADP and PAPP-A in predicting gestational diabetes were79.1% and 58.6%, respectively, 92.7% and 73.1%, and respectively. The area under curve (AUC) is 0.755 for ADP and 0.770 for PAPP-A. The AUC of the combined detection was 0.867, both of which were higher than that of single index diagnosis, and the sensitivity and specificity of the combined detection were 0.958 and 0.853, respectively. In summary, PAPP-A and ADP levels are independent related factors affecting the occurrence of GDM. The combined detection of PAPP-A and ADP should be utilized in diagnosing GDM to improve pregnancy outcomes for pregnant women.

Incidence of myelosuppression in AML is higher compared with that in ALL.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) are two subtypes of acute leukemia. However, studies investigating the ability of complete blood count (CBC) parameters to distinguish between patients with AML and ALL remain scarce in the literature. The objective of the present study was to compare the parameters of CBC analysis between Chinese patients with AML and ALL and between patients with M3 AML and non-M3 AML. Prognostic factors for overall survival were also estimated, including sex, age, white blood cell count and hemoglobin. The present study included 147 patients, including children and adults, with newly diagnosed acute leukemia. Information on the age, sex, leukemia subtype, initial CBC results and clinical follow-up findings was recorded and compared between the indicated groups using statistical tests of Mann-Whitney U test and χ2 test. Leukopenia (white blood cell count <3.5x109/l), both leukopenia and anemia, both leukopenia and thrombocytopenia and pancytopenia were found to be significantly more frequent among patients with AML compared with that in patients with ALL (P=0.015, 0.016, 0.015 and 0.019, respectively). For patients with ALL, anemia was recognized as a predictor of a favorable outcome (Hazard ratio, 0.185; 95% CI, 0.046-0.747; P=0.018). These findings suggest that normal hematopoiesis is more frequently inhibited in patients with AML compared with that in patients with ALL. Patients with AL with peripheral blood findings indicative of leukopenia, pancytopenia, or both leukopenia and anemia or both leukopenia and thrombocytopenia are more likely to have AML.

DIGITAL TEACHING MATERIAL OF SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE THEME WITH ETHNO-PJBL TO PROMOTE STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AND CREATIVE THINKING ABILITIES

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the effects of digital teaching materials on the theme of sustainable lifestyle integrated with Ethno-PjBL on knowledge and creative thinking skills in learning in the Merdeka Curriculum. Theoretical Framework: The idea behind the development of digital learning materials on the theme of sustainable lifestyle is to promote awareness and practice of sustainability among students through the integration of technology in learning. By combining a project-based learning model enriched by local cultural values (Ethno-PjBL), students are not only invited to understand the concept of sustainable lifestyle, but also how to apply it in their cultural context. Method: This study used a quasi-experimental method with a posttest only control group design. The sample of this study was grade X students at SMAN Kota Jambi, with the experimental class using integrated digital teaching materials ethno-PjBL and the control class using conventional learning methods. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tests, Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality tests, and Mann-Whitney tests. Results and Discussion: Digital teaching materials on sustainable lifestyle themes integrated with ethno-PjBL have a positive impact on students' knowledge and creative thinking skills. The experimental class using the digital teaching materials showed better results compared to the control class using conventional learning methods. Research Implications: The results of this study support the integration of sustainable lifestyle-themed digital teaching materials with the Ethno-PjBL approach, which not only strengthens students' academic knowledge, but also fosters creative thinking skills and awareness of local cultural values. The findings of this study can encourage educators and policy makers to further adopt and develop contextual and relevant digital teaching materials, especially those that focus on global issues such as sustainability, but are still integrated with local wisdom. The implications of this study also open up opportunities for further research to explore the potential of digital teaching materials in other subjects or at different levels of education.

The Effect of Complementary Acupressure Therapy on the Incidence of Nausea and Vomiting After Regional Block Anesthesia (Spinal Anesthesia) in the Recovery Room of the Imelda Buruh Indonesia General Hospital, Medan

Postoperative nausea and vomiting is one of the common side effects of spinal anesthesia. Nausea and vomiting affect patient morbidity such as stress, discomfort, dehydration, prolonging treatment time and increasing treatment costs. This study aims to determine the effect of acupressure therapy on the incidence of nausea and vomiting after spinal anesthesia in the recovery room of the Imelda Labor Indonesia General Hospital, Medan. This type of research is a quantitative study with a quasi-experimental research method. Data reports in the province of North Sumatra, there are 25,602 patients undergoing surgery. While at the Umim Labor Indonesia Hospital, Medan, the data on surgical patients as of January-March 2024 amounted to 666 patients, 250 patients were found to have spinal anesthesia. This study was conducted in February - June 2024 at the Imelda Labor Indonesia General Hospital, Medan. A sample of 20 respondents was taken.: The results of the statistical test obtained an α value of 0.000 (α &lt;0.05), thus it was concluded that there was an effect of acupressure therapy on the incidence of nausea and vomiting after spinal anesthesia at the Imelda Labor Indonesia General Hospital, Medan. Based on the characteristics of respondents based on age, they were in the age range of 36-40 years, which was 55%, based on gender, the majority of respondents were women, which was 60%, respondents based on a history of smoking were 65%, the distribution of respondents with a history of nausea and vomiting was 55% and the majority of respondents with an incidence of nausea and vomiting was 60%. The recommendation for this study is that acupressure therapy can be applied in nursing practice so that patients are able to do it independently. For the Imelda Labor Indonesia General Hospital, Medan, it is necessary to carry out a risk scoring of nausea and vomiting in patients before surgery to minimize the incidence of nausea and vomiting after surgery.

Comparison of treatment results of femoral shaft fracture with two methods of intramedullary nail (IMN) and plate

BackgroundFracture of the femur is one of the most common fractures that, if not stabilized and treated properly, may lead to severe disability, impairment of the individual’s efficiency, and numerous complications. This study aimed to evaluate the treatment results of femoral shaft fracture with two methods intramedullary nail (IMN) and Plate.Materials and methodsIn this cross-sectional study, 60 patients with femoral bone fractures were admitted to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Jiroft in 2020 and were treated for at least one year after discharge. They were divided into two treatment groups - Plate fracture fixation (n = 30) and IMN fracture fixation (n = 30). Data were collected using a researcher-made checklist including patient demographics and treatment outcomes. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS-v 26 statistical software and descriptive and inferential statistical tests at a significance level of p < 0.05.ResultsPatients in the Plate treatment group were generally older (50–60 years) compared to the IMN treatment group (30–40 years), and there were more men than women in both groups. Only 10% of patients in each group developed superficial infections after surgery. There were more cases of deep infections in the Plate group, but it was not statistically significant. The IMN group had fewer cases of malignancy and claudication compared to the Plate group. Patients in the IMN group also returned to functional activities faster than those in the Plate group, which was a statistically significant difference.ConclusionConsidering that deep infection, non-union, malunion, claudication, and ability to return to functional activities in the group using nails treated was less than the group treated with plates, the treatment method of femoral fracture using IMN is the preferred treatment method.

Genetic Insights into Sepsis: Mendelian Randomization Analysis of Cerebrospinal Fluid Metabolites.

Sepsis, a life-threatening response to infection leading to systemic inflammation and organ dysfunction, has been hypothesized to be influenced by metabolic alterations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Despite extensive research, the specific metabolic pathways contributing to sepsis remain unclear. This study aims to elucidate the causal relationships between CSF metabolites and sepsis risk using Mendelian Randomization (MR), offering insights that could lead to novel therapeutic strategies. We conducted a two-sample MR analysis using genetic variants as instrumental variables (IVs) to investigate 338 CSF metabolites identified through a genome-wide association study. Data on sepsis-related outcomes were extracted from the genome-wide association study (GWAS) catalog encompassing 486,484 individuals of European descent. IVs were rigorously selected based on stringent genetic association and linkage disequilibrium criteria. Statistical analyses, including inverse variance weighting (IVW) and weighted median methods, were performed using the 'TwoSampleMR' package in R software, supplemented by comprehensive sensitivity analyses to ensure the robustness of our findings. Our analysis identified 19 CSF metabolites causally associated with sepsis risk. Notably, metabolites such as 1-palmitoyl-2-stearoyl-gpc (16:0/18:0) and 2-hydroxyglutarate showed significant negative correlations with sepsis risk. The reverse MR analysis further revealed that sepsis could negatively impact certain CSF metabolite levels, particularly Ribonate, suggesting a bidirectional relationship. These relationships were substantiated by rigorous statistical testing and sensitivity analyses confirming the absence of horizontal pleiotropy and the stability of our results across various MR methods. This study demonstrates significant causal associations between specific CSF metabolites and the risk of developing sepsis, highlighting the potential for these metabolites to serve as biomarkers or therapeutic targets. The bidirectional nature of these findings also suggests that sepsis itself may alter metabolic profiles, offering further avenues for intervention.

Oversight of Government Spending on Combating Covid-19

The research aims to analyze the federal government's expenditures in 2020 and 2021 related to combating the COVID-19 pandemic in search of fraud indicators. This period was characterized by a sudden increase in public spending, accompanied by less stringent procurement processes. The Newcomb-Benford Law describes the frequency of leading digits in datasets and is presented as an effective tool for identifying anomalies and fraud in financial records, being widely explored in various fields, particularly in audits and accounting. A comparison was made between the observed and expected frequencies for the first, second, and first two digits of the committed values, segregated by year or procurement method. The analysis was conducted through graphs and statistical tests to verify the adherence of distributions to the Newcomb-Benford Law. Commitments made in 2020 showed better adherence than those in 2021, suggesting a higher probability of manipulations or fraud in the second year of the pandemic. Additionally, expenditures resulting from bidding processes were more compliant when compared to non-bid expenditures, confirming the perception that there is a higher likelihood of manipulation or fraud in non-bid spending. The research reveals indications that can be interpreted as warnings for oversight and control bodies, with the proposed approach serving as a mechanism for auditing government expenditures, assisting in the selection of samples that require detailed analysis by auditors and investigator.

Chromatic Adaption of Two Universal Composites: Spectrophotometric Analysis

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the chromatic adaptability and color stability of two different composite resins, Omnichroma and Estelite Bulk-Fill Flow, in Class V restorations at different times. Materials and methods: Standardized Class V cavities were prepared on the labial surface of 34 extracted intact and noncarious human permanent molars. The dental elements were randomly divided into two groups according to the resin composite material. Group 1 was restored with Omnichroma (Tokuyama Dental Corporation Inc., Tokyo, Japan) and Group 2 was restored with Estelite BulkFill Flow Universal (Tokuyama Dental Corporation Inc., Tokyo, Japan). Color properties were assessed using a spectrophotometer, SpectroShadeTM Micro (MHT Optic Research, Niederhasli, Switzerland), at baseline (T0), immediately after Class V restoration (T1), 24 h after restoration (T2) and after thermocycling (T3) (ISO/TS 11405, 2015 protocol). Color difference (ΔE) was analyzed with a Student’s t-test and a Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test to evaluate the differences, in terms of chromatic adaptability, between the two materials (inter-group analysis) while Kruskal–Wallis test e Two-way ANOVA statistical tests were used to evaluate the color stability of each material over time (intra-group analysis). Results: Regarding the inter-group analysis, there were no statistically significant differences between the two materials in all the comparisons: T0–T1 (p = 0.9025), T0–T2 (p = 0.2779), T0–T3 (p = 0.4694). Moreover, both groups showed an average ΔE &gt; 2. In the intra-group analysis, no statistically significant differences were observed in either Group 1 (p = 0.954) or Group 2 (p = 0.8654). Conclusions: The in vitro color matching, assessed by spectrophotometry, of the two tested resin composites does not vary at different time intervals. Furthermore, even though both composites use different mechanisms to produce the color the human eye perceives, they show very similar chromatic adaptability.

Statistical Significance versus Clinical Relevance: Key Considerations in Interpretation Medical Research Data

Medical research plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of various aspects related to health, including disease, risk factors, and patient management. However, the interpretation of research data becomes intricate when considering the notions of statistical significance and clinical relevance. It is not uncommon to interpret findings that demonstrate statistical significance as indicative of clinical relevance. To explain it in a more straightforward way, statistical significance, ascertained through statistical tests using the P value, indicates that an observed difference or association is improbable to occur by chance alone. Conversely, clinical relevance focuses on the practical implications of a finding in real-world contexts and determines whether an observed difference or relationship holds practical meaning. Recently, there have been issues and debates surrounding the idea of statistical significance as certain experts argue that its mathematical representation can be misleading when it comes to practical understanding. These experts propose the inclusion of additional measures like effect sizes and confidence intervals. A sound comprehension of both statistical and clinical dimensions is vital in order to ensure precise interpretation of data and facilitate well-informed decision-making in the practice of medicine. By doing so, it positively influences the health of individuals and communities.

Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Women under Treatment at a Tertiary Care Center of Western Maharashtra

Background: ‘Breast cancer’ the most common cancer amongst females in India. Having good Quality of life (QoL) among the patients undergoing treatment is one of the vital and significant factors for ensuring holistic approach to treatment and well-being of cancer patients. The present study was conducted to assess the QoL and its determinants among breast cancer patients undergoing treatment at a tertiary care institute in western Maharashtra. Material and Methodology: 300 histopathologically confirmed breast cancer patients undergoing treatment at a tertiary care centre were divided into three groups to include 100 patients in each group. Group 1 (patients with duration of treatment 1 to 2 years) Group 2 (patients with duration of treatment 2 to 5 years) and Group 3 (more than 5 years). Validated tool Function Assessment of Cancer Therapy Breast specific (FACT-B) questionnaire was used to collect information on QoL and analysed using appropriate statistical tests. Results: Mean age of patients was 53.2 + 10.08 years, 136 (45.33%) were from age group 51 to 65 years. Majority of the patients 106 (35.33%) were educated till secondary schooling and 172 (57.33 %) were belonging to the middle-upper class. Lump in breast was most common presenting symptom in 235 (78.33%) cases followed by nipple retraction. 275 (91.67 %) cases had infiltrating ductal Carcinoma and 144 (48%) patents were in Stage II cancer. Over all mean FACT-B score for QoL was 104.02 + 18.65 out of 141. Mean FACT-B score for Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 was 88.18 +17.20, 105.89 + 11.78 and 118.28 + 12.45 respectively with (p&lt; 0.05), suggests significant improvement in QoL with increase in time elapsed since treatment. Conclusion: Socio-demographic factors, type of surgery and duration of treatment had significant effect on QoL among breast cancer patients. Apropos physicians, paramedic staff and domestic care givers need to be sensitised on importance of QoL for collective and deliberate efforts to achieve holistic care. QoL can be made integral part of breast cancer treatment and management policy or programme.

Radiographic Study of the Prevalence and Pattern of Impacted Mandibular Third Molars in a Northern Nigerian Population.

Background: The incidence of impacted mandibular and maxillary third molars has become a global public health concern. This study reports a radiographic prevalence and pattern of impacted mandibular third molars among a Nigerian population. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of impacted mandibular third molars in a Northern Nigeria population. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Oral Diagnostic Sciences Department of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano, Kano State, Nigeria. Digital diagnostic images of patients of record on Planmeca Promax® within the sampling frame and acquired during the two years under review, were included in the study. The images were analyzed on Planmeca Romexis 4.3.0 R software to identify relevant study variables. Descriptive statistics was done using SPSS for windows software version 23.0 (IBM, Chicago IL., USA). Also, Pearson’s Chi‑square (χ2) statistical test was applied while confidence interval and P-value were set at 95% and ≤0.05, respectively. Results: A total of 4,932 pantomographs were reviewed and 576 were selected for the study. There were 824 impacted mandibular third molars within the age range of 18-65 years (mean age±SD = 32.67±9.69). 297 (51.6%) were males, and 279 (48.4%) were females. The prevalence of impacted mandibular third molar was 16.71%. Impacted mandibular third molar occurred more frequently in the 26-35 years age range. The most frequent angle of impaction was horizontal, followed by mesioangular, and the least frequent angulation was distoangular. Conclusion: The prevalence and pattern of impacted third molars among Northern Nigeria population are almost similar to other racial populations with minor variations, and the prevalence decreases with increasing age. A proper radiographic evaluation of the patterns of third molars impaction is, therefore, essential to assist dental surgeons in making decisions with regard to surgical planning and treatment. Key Words: Impacted teeth, panoramic radiograph, third molar.

Utilizing statistical distribution tests to develop rainfall intensity–duration–frequency curves for enhanced hydrological analysis in Kirkuk city, Iraq

ABSTRACT Rainfall intensity is considered one of the basic factors in designing hydrological models based on rainstorm data. The objective of this research is to employ novel intensity–duration–frequency curves and develop empirical equations for rainfall intensity in the city of Kirkuk. The reduction formula adopted by the Indian Meteorological Department was used to divide the maximum daily rainfall for short periods of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h. Three key methods of frequency analysis (lognormal distribution, log Pearson type III distribution, and Gumbel extreme value distribution) were utilized to formulate a statistical relationship based on rainfall intensity data from between the years 1981 and 2023 for a gauging station upstream of the Kirkuk city basin to provide the best data set for all periods of 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, and 2 years. Research has shown that the logarithmic distribution is the best fit for modelling the relationship between the annual maximum rainfall at Kirkuk station and duration of the rainfall. The goodness-of-fit results indicate that the lognormal distribution statistically outperforms other distribution models. Hence, the generated rainfall intensity, duration, and frequency curves that were developed led to estimating the intensity of precipitation to build forecasting and hydrological behaviour of the Kirkuk city basin.

Deciphering Aflatoxin B1 affected critical molecular pathways governing cancer: A bioinformatics study using CTD and PANTHER databases.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a fungal toxin consistently found as a contaminant in food products such as cereals, nuts, spices, and oilseeds. AFB1 exposure can lead to hepatotoxicity, cancer, immune suppression, reproductive deficiency, nutritional dysfunction, and growth impairment. AFB1 has also been listed as one of the most potent human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Although the correlation between AFB1 exposure and cancer initiation and progression is already reported in the literature, very little information is available about what molecular pathways are affected during cancer development. Considering this, we first selected AFB1-responsive genes involved in five deadliest cancer types including lung, colorectal, liver, stomach, and breast cancers from the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). Then, using the PANTHER database, a statistical overrepresentation test was performed to identify the significantly affected pathways in each cancer type. The gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) pathway, the CCKR signaling pathway, and angiogenesis were found to be the most affected pathways in lung, breast, liver, and stomach cancers. In addition, AFB1 toxicity majorly impacted apoptosis and Wnt signaling pathways in liver and stomach cancers, respectively. Moreover, the most affected pathways in colorectal cancer were the Wnt, CCKR, and GnRHR pathways. Furthermore, gene analysis was also performed for the most affected pathways associated with each cancer and identified thirteen key genes (e.g., FOS, AKT1) that may serve as biological markers for a particular type of AFB1-induced cancer as well as for in vitro AFB1 toxicological studies using specific cancer cell lines.

Local inconsistency detection using the Kullback–Leibler divergence measure

BackgroundThe standard approach to local inconsistency assessment typically relies on testing the conflict between the direct and indirect evidence in selected treatment comparisons. However, statistical tests for inconsistency have low power and are subject to misinterpreting a p-value above the significance threshold as evidence of consistency.MethodsWe propose a simple framework to interpret local inconsistency based on the average Kullback–Leibler divergence (KLD) from approximating the direct with the corresponding indirect estimate and vice versa. Our framework uses directly the mean and standard error (or posterior mean and standard deviation) of the direct and indirect estimates obtained from a local inconsistency method to calculate the average KLD measure for selected comparisons. The average KLD values are compared with a semi-objective threshold to judge the inconsistency as acceptably low or material. We exemplify our novel interpretation approach using three networks with multiple treatments and multi-arm studies.ResultsAlmost all selected comparisons in the networks were not associated with statistically significant inconsistency at a significance level of 5%. The proposed interpretation framework indicated 14%, 66%, and 75% of the selected comparisons with an acceptably low inconsistency in the corresponding networks. Overall, information loss was more notable when approximating the posterior density of the indirect estimates with that of the direct estimates, attributed to indirect estimates being more imprecise.ConclusionsUsing the concept of information loss between two distributions alongside a semi-objectively defined threshold helped distinguish target comparisons with acceptably low inconsistency from those with material inconsistency when statistical tests for inconsistency were inconclusive.

CARIES STATUS MEASURED WITH THE ICDAS II ON QUALITY OF LIFE IN CHILDREN

Dental caries is an infection of the hard part of the teeth that is very vulnerable in children. Unaddressed tooth decay interferes with child development, especially primary school-age children who have an impact on quality of life, discomfort and experience learning disorders that affect academic achievement. In the ICDAS II index, caries measurement can be seen from the stage of development starting from clinically visible enamel changes to more extensive cavitation. This study aims to determine the relationship of caries status measured by ICDAS II to quality of life in 12-year-old children. Analytic research with cross sectional method. The study population was 12 years old students with a purposive sampling technique of 43 samples. Data obtained using caries examination sheets and quality of life questionnaires. The statistical test used in the study was Kendall's tau-b test. The results showed that the relationship between caries status measured by ICDAS II to quality of life obtained a p-value of 0.000 with a correlation value of 0.515 which is included in the strong relationship category. The conclusion is that this study found a significant relationship between caries status measured by ICDAS II and quality of life in 12-year-old children.

The Romanian Translation and Cultural Adaptation of the Early Arthritis for Psoriatic Patients (EARP) Questionnaire, Psoriasis Epidemiology Screening Tool (PEST), and Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis Screen 2 (ToPAS 2).

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition mediated by the immune system with various manifestations. The increased prevalence of subclinical joint involvement has led to the development of early diagnostic methods for psoriatic arthritis, including several instruments that have been validated and used in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to perform the Romanian translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of three assessment tools: the Early Arthritis for Psoriatic Patients (EARP) Questionnaire, Psoriasis Epidemiology Screening Tool (PEST), and Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis Screen 2 (TOPAS 2), which are designed to evaluate early-stage arthritis in patients with psoriasis. All the activities were carried out in accordance with the internationally recognized methodology recommended by the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcome Research (ISPOR), the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the translation process and the validation of instruments, and data from the international literature. These three questionnaires were administered to 29 patients with psoriasis diagnosed by biopsy. A descriptive study was conducted and the data were analyzed with appropriate statistical tests using the PSPP program. A reliability test was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The obtained values were significant for the first two questionnaires, with a value of 0.89 for the EARP and 0.63 for the PEST, but the value was not as significant for ToPAS2, at 0.40. This pilot study revealed that the Romanian and original versions of the three questionnaires are similar.

Students Satisfaction with Online Learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: A first-round analysis of Diploma Program in Library and Information Science

The Sri Lanka Library Association (SLLA) has transitioned from conventional teaching-learning to online education. However, no further research has been conducted to assess the successfulness of this online learning from the students’ perspective. Addressing this issue, the objectives of the study were to measure the satisfaction, successfulness and challenges faced by diploma students with online learning at SLLA during the pandemic. The survey was conducted using Google Forms and WhatsApp, with approximately 225 students approached and 194 (88.5%) responding. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software, and statistical tests were applied using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Rosenthal r value. Results regarding students’ successfulness indicated that more than 70% agreed with online education during the lockdown. Additionally, students expressed that the online mode was more secure for their health 152(73%) and for transportation 129(66.49%) compared to face-to-face classes and distance mode classes. Concerning satisfaction, 97(50%) students were either highly satisfied or satisfied with online teaching, Regarding the devices used, majority of students (78.9%) used smartphones; whereas the use of laptops, desktops, and tablets was less commonly used (17.5%).Challenges identified were recorded as, clearly hearing the lectures 88(45.4%), expensive equipment requirements 85(43.8%), poor internet connection and difficulty in logging on in a timely manner 84(43.3%) each, and a feeling of isolation while attending class 82(42.3%). Overall, the majority of students were satisfied with online learning and they are moving towards the health security, transportation convenience, and ability to attend classes from home, despite the challenges faced. It is recommended to enhance student interaction and improve the practical effectiveness of the online course. Additionally, action should be taken to address the challenges faced by the students, redesign the online course to improve practical effectiveness, and implement best practices in online education.

You say you can, but can you? The impact of entrepreneurship education on unwarranted and gendered entrepreneurial self-efficacy - a calibration study

PurposeEntrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) has a dark side largely ignored in the field of entrepreneurship education. Research in educational psychology indicates that self-efficacy is prone to misjudgment, with novice learners often displaying overconfidence. Furthermore, this misjudgment is gendered; studies suggest that men are more likely to display overconfidence and less likely to correct erroneous self-assessments. However, realistic self-assessments are essential for effective learning strategies, pivotal for performance in the ambiguous entrepreneurial context. Therefore, this study explores whether entrepreneurship education helps mitigate overconfidence, and if this impact varies by gender.Design/methodology/approachCommon in educational psychology, but new in the field of entrepreneurship education, a calibration design captures discrepancies between perceived and actual performance. Data from before and after an introductory undergraduate entrepreneurship course (N = 103) inform descriptive analyses, statistical comparison tests and calibration plots.FindingsAs expected, nearly all novice students showed significant overconfidence. Curiously, gender difference was only significant at the end of the course, as overconfidence had decreased among female students and increased among male students.Originality/valueThe paper advocates a more nuanced stance toward ESE, and introduces ESE accuracy as a more fitting measure of entrepreneurial overconfidence. The findings flag the common use of self-perception as a proxy for actual competence, and evoke new research avenues on (gender differences in) learning motivations of aspiring entrepreneurs. Finally, the study shares guidance for entrepreneurship educators on fostering a “healthier” level of self-efficacy for better entrepreneurial learning.

The influence of endodontic treatment quality on periapical lesions' architecture in cone-beam computed tomography.

This study assessed the influence of root canal treatment quality on the architecture of periapical lesions. A total of 121 lesions were involved in this research. Two researchers analysed the surface of the lesions, diameters in three planes, volume and sphericity. The quality of root canal treatment was assessed with PESS index. Non-parametric statistical tests: Mann-Whitney and Spearman rank correlation coefficient were used in this research. Connected lesions of multirooted teeth spread in the coronal plane revealed a positive correlation with coronal seal and root canal filling homogenicity, however their spread in the sagittal plane showed a positive correlation only with root canal filling homogenicity. The quality of root canal treatment has an influence on the periapical lesions' architecture.

THE EFFECT OF CONSUMING YOGHURT ON THE SALIVARY PH OF MILDLY MENTALLY RETARTED CHILDREN

The percentage of people with disabilities in Indonesia is 56% and the prevalence of dental caries in children with disabilities reaches 82.6%. One alternative to prevent dental caries is by consuming probiotic drinks such as yogurt. Yoghurt is sour milk produced by fermenting milk and the group of probiotic products most accepted by children. Objective: This study aims to determine the effect of consuming yogurt on the pH of saliva of children with mild deformities SLB Patriot Tasikmalaya City. Methods: The type of research used is a quasi experiment research method with a one group pre-test and post-test research design with a sample of 20 mildly retarded children. The research measuring instrument used a pH meter, and the data was analyzed using a paired sample t-test. Results: Based on the results of the paired sample t-test statistical test, the p-value = 0.001 (p &lt; 0.05) means that there is an effect of consuming yogurt on the pH of the saliva of mildly retarded children of SLB Patriot Tasikmalaya City. Conclusion: Consuming yogurt regularly for seven days can increase salivary pH in mildly retarded children.