Abstract:Introduction: Obesity in children and adolescents is a serious public health issue. It is on a rise due to sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy dietary habits. As these individuals are at higher risk of like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, it is crucial to educate them at this stage of life. Education and interventions at this stage can prevent long-term complications. This study aims to understand the effect of obesity on the health and quality of life in late adolescents through a survey. Materials and Methods: This study involves 17-20-year-old adolescents, selected using a multistage sampling method. Divided into four age groups, students aged 17, 18, 19, and 20 were selected and invited into the study. Results and discussion: A total of 262 students participated in the survey, the majority being from RAKCOMS (69.4%), 19 years of age (42.7%), females (73. 2%), and Asians (52%). Adolescents who were obese had significantly worse self-reported health (OR: 3.29; 95% CI: 1.46-7.43) including walking, running, lifting, participating in sports, and doing household chores, although most of the restriction was reported in lifting a weight. Obese individuals are also significantly likely to have psychological effects (OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.04- 1.63), like sadness (23%) followed by anger (20.6%). Among the academic parameters, obese individuals were more likely to forget things and have difficulty concentrating on studies, but it is not statistically significant (p=.07). Conclusion: Adolescents with obesity had worse self-reported health, including physical limitations, psychological effects, and social limitations. There is a need for preventive strategies and interventions in obese individuals to prevent long-term complications.
Abstract:Purpose: To investigate the microtensile bond strength of two different resin cements with primer combinations and grit-blasting on 3D-printed permanent resins. Methods: Sixteen specimens were designed using computer-aided design software, and resin blocks were created in 10 x 10 x 5 mm dimensions. The specimens of 3D-printed restorations were divided into eight groups (n = 2). The groups are 1-) G-Cem One (GCO) with G-Multi Primer (GMP), 2-) Panavia V5 (PV5) with Clearfil ceramic primer plus (CCPP), 3-) GCO with GMP and adhesive enhancement primer (AEP), 4-) PV5 with CCPP and Panavia tooth primer (PTP), 5-) Grit-blasting and G-Cem One (GCO) with G-Multi Primer (GMP), 6-) Gritblasting and Panavia V5 (PV5) with Clearfil ceramic primer plus (CCPP), 7-) Gritblasting and GCO with GMP and adhesive enchament primer (AEP), 8-) Gritblasting and PV5 with CCPP and Panavia tooth primer (PTP). Grit-blasting groups, air abraded for 10 s at a 45 ° angle at a distance of 10 mm with a pressure of 1.5 bar. Subsequent to this, surfaces that have undergone the same treatment process are then cemented together. The build-ups were sectioned into beams (1 mm x 1 mm x 10 mm) under water cooling using a low-speed saw (n = 12). To obtain microtensile bond strength (µTBS) specimens following water storage at 37 °C for 24 h. Bonded specimens were subjected to shear load using a load cell of 60 N in a Universal Testing Machine until failure at a cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/min. The bond strength was calculated using force values obtained during tests (τ = F/A). Following debonding, the failure types were examined under a stereomicroscope at ×30 magnification and classified as adhesive, cohesive in 3D-printed permanent restoration, or mixed. Results: With regard to surface preparation, there were statistically significant differences in µTBS values between the subgroups of the G CEM groups (Gr 1, 3, 5, 7) and the Panavia groups (Gr 2, 4, 6, 8) (p = 0.001; p < 0.05). No statistically significant difference between the control groups was observed in µTBS values (p = 0.627; p > 0.05). The µTBS of group 3 were higher than group 4 (p = 0.001; p < 0.05). 1. It has been demonstrated that grit-blasting enhances the µBTS of 3-D printed permanent resins, with a considerable increase in bond strength in the grit-blasting in comparison to the control groups. 2. The µBTS values for 3-D printed resin were observed to be higher when additional primers were used compared to the control groups. 3. The additional primer groups GCO + GMP exhibited significantly higher µBTS values. Clinical significance Understanding the complex interactions between adhesive resins and 3D-printed composites may be critical to guiding the production of new materials that enhance adhesion. In particular, 3D-printed resin materials can better withstand chewing forces in the mouth and extend their clinical life.
Abstract:This study aimed to understand the relationship among teachers' conceptions of teaching learning, their motivation to teach and, curriculum fidelity. The correlational design, consisting of structural equation modelling with mediation analysis, was applied. A total of 424 in-service teachers participating in this study completed three scales, viz. the Conceptions of Teaching and Learning, the Motivation to Teach, and the Curriculum Fidelity. A confirmatory factor analysis was carried out to create a well-fitting measurement model, as well as to ascertain the convergent and discriminant validities and composite reliability. The results indicated that constructivist conception positively related to adaptation, whereas traditional conception was positively correlated to adherence. Constructivist and traditional conceptions both have a positive and significant relationship with both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. While intrinsic motivation had positive significant relations with adaptation, it had negative significant relations with adherence. Besides that, while extrinsic motivation had positive significant relations with adherence, it had negative significant relations with adaptation. The results of mediation analysis showed that intrinsic and extrinsic motivation both partially mediated the relations between constructivist conception and adaptation, and traditional conception and adherence. Based on the results, the study offers theoretical and practical implications, along with further research directions.
Abstract:While previous studies have focused on the factors affecting flipped learning performance, few have examined these factors through the lens of the Community of Inquiry framework. This study investigated how Teaching Presence, Social Presence, Cognitive Presence, and Emotional Presence, as defined by a revised Community of Inquiry framework, predict flipped learning performance. The analysis employed correlation analysis and two-step hierarchical multiple regression methods and was conducted in a flipped Fundamentals of Computer Application course (N=503) at a private polytechnic university in China. The results revealed that Teaching Presence, Social Presence, Cognitive Presence, and Emotional Presence were all significantly correlated with learning performance. However, only Teaching Presence, Cognitive Presence, and Emotional Presence were significant predictors of flipped learning performance, while Social Presence was not. The findings offer both theoretical insights and practical implications for improving instructional design and classroom organization in flipped learning environments.
Abstract:Klotho is a protein named after the Greek goddess of fate. It has a significant role in ameliorating the diseasome of aging. Klotho influences various pathways of inflammation such as the Transforming Growth Factor, Nuclear Factor Kappa B, Wnt/β-catenin pathways, which is seen to have a beneficial effect on periodontal tissues. Modulation of the effect of klotho may be utilized to control the inflammatory pathways and inflammatory cytokines which may help reduce the deleterious effects of inflammation and aging on the periodontium. Pharmacological agents such as the statins, renin-angoitensin system inhibitors, anti-diabetic agents, rapamycin, vitamin D, and extracts from traditional medicines such as resveratrol, curcumin can upregulate the levels of klotho, thereby having a protective impact on the inflammatory process. Klotho is a protein with an anti-aging effect which can affect inflammatory pathways and reduce the deleterious effects of aging on tissues. Utilization of this protein for management of periodontal disease including periodontal tissue regeneration can facilitate the establishment of optimal oral health. This review is focused on the role of Klotho in inflammation and periodontal disease and the utilization of the knowledge in development of therapeutic strategies for the management of periodontal disease.
Abstract:The scope of this note encompasses an extension of common fixed-point results from their initial establishment in complex-valued metric spaces to the realm of complex-valued fuzzy metric spaces. By adopting a nuanced approach, these outcomes are further demonstrated within the context of complex-valued fuzzy metric spaces, focusing on employing more lenient contractive criteria. Building upon the groundwork laid by previous researchers and considering a range of other relevant studies, our current research makes significant strides in enhancing and expanding upon their findings. While these prior works have primarily focused on complex-valued metric spaces, our study takes a significant leap forward by applying their insights to complex-valued fuzzy metric spaces. This extension of previous research deepens our understanding of these intricate spaces and opens up new avenues for exploring the complexities inherent in such settings. To enhance the clarity of our core findings, we offer illustrative examples that lend visual support to our assertions.
Abstract:Aim of the study: Chromosome abnormalities have an important role in reproductive failure. The presence of numerical or structural aberrations can induce primary infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss. The main purpose of our study was to determine the chromosomal constitution of infertile individuals. Methods: The study was a retrospective analysis based on the results of the constitutional karyotypes in peripheral blood in 380 infertile individuals. The samples consisted of infertile patients of both sexes from Romania, who were studied in the Cytogenetics Laboratory of the Medical Genetic Center Personal Genetics, from 2022 to 2023. Results: From the total patients, a percentage of 53% were men, respectively 47% women. In total, 18 karyograms with structural or numerical anomalies were identified, i.e. a percentage of 5%. Sex chromosomes were involved in 7 cases and autosomes in 11. Thus, chromosomal abnormalities involving autosomal chromosomes represent a percentage of 61% of cases. Of the total chromosomal abnormalities identified in patients, the largest percentage is represented by the pericentric inversion of chromosome 9, representing 44% of the abnormal karyograms. Robertsonian translocations were found in only one case, representing 9% of the cases with autosomal abnormalities analyzed for fertility problems. Among sex chromosome abnormalities, the highest percentage was represented by men with 46,XX, respectively 43% of the total, identified in 3 cases. Tuner Syndrome was identified in 2 cases, i.e. 29% in total. Conclusions: In summary, the results suggest that chromosomal aberrations are a major cause of infertility in humans and cytogenetic analysis should be strongly recommended for infertile individuals. Karyotyping is an essential study in infertility. The detailed clinical examination of this type of patients would facilitate early diagnosis and adequate management.
Abstract:This study investigates the adoption of AI-powered learning tools among students from universities in Malaysia (TESL) and Indonesia (TEFL), using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework. A quantitative method was employed where a questionnaire was administered via online to both groups of participants. A total of 95 students participated, with 59 TEFL (Indonesia) and 36 TESL students (Malaysia). The reliability and validity of the scale were satisfactory. Findings indicate that TESL students consistently reported higher scores across all UTAUT constructs compared to TEFL students, including Performance Expectancy (PE) (TESL: 3.38, TEFL: 2.89, p < 0.001), Effort Expectancy (EE) (TESL: 3.38, TEFL: 3.08, p = 0.013), Social Influence (SI) (TESL: 3.06, TEFL: 2.54, p < 0.001), Facilitating Conditions (FC) (TESL: 3.36, TEFL: 3.01, p = 0.002), Behavioural Intention (BI) (TESL: 3.45, TEFL: 3.03, p < 0.001), and Usage Behaviour (UB) (TESL: 3.39, TEFL: 2.80, p < 0.001). The crosscultural comparison revealed that Malaysian TESL students demonstrated higher adoption rates and usage of AI tools, suggesting that institutional and cultural factors significantly influence adoption. Implications highlight the importance of infrastructural support, training, and fostering a supportive environment to enhance AI adoption. Limitations include the relatively small sample size and the lack of qualitative data on personal experiences. Future research should focus on expanding the sample, incorporating qualitative insights, and exploring the impact of AI adoption on teaching practices.
Abstract:The findings from this qualitative study provide a comprehensive typology of Instagram users and elaborate their discourse portraits through analyzing Instagram posts, comments, and profiles. This study explores the ways in which Instagram users express themselves within the digital landscape. By analyzing the interplay between visual and textual elements, the semiotic mechanisms that users employ to convey their personal and social identities are uncovered. The discourse portraits of Instagram users are shaped by their choice of language, in particular, the selection of the appropriate role, time and space deixis reflecting the three types of Instagram users-creators, attractors and participants. Through the application of profiling method in linguistics and critical discourse analysis, this research identifies key themes and patterns in user-generated content, revealing how the identities are articulated on Instagram social media platform. This integrated approach allows for a nuanced understanding of how Instagram users construct and maintain their online identities. This investigation aims to enhance the understanding of the dynamic and performative nature of online identity in contemporary digital culture. The study also highlights the role of Instagram as a platform for social interaction and identity performance, where users navigate the tensions between self-expression and audience expectation. This paper contributes to the understanding of digital identity construction by demonstrating how the profiling method in linguistics provides a framework for analyzing the dynamic and complex ways in which users engage with and contribute to the evolving discourse on social media. Ultimately, this research underscores the importance of considering both linguistic and visual elements in the study of online communication and the construction of contemporary digital identities.
Abstract:Introduction: Transcultural care has gained importance with the increase in migration worldwide. The aim of this study is to investigate and explain the feelings, thoughts and experiences of midwifery students towards transcultural midwifery approaches in health service provision. Methods: The interviews were conducted between January 2024 and June 2024 with students studying in the Department of Midwifery at the Faculty of Health Sciences of a university. Qualitative research design was used in the study. Qualitative content analysis method steps were used in the interviews. Qualitative Research Reporting Standards (SRQR) were followed. The data were analyzed in the qualitative research software package ATLAS.ti 9. The data were analyzed in depth by interpreting and making inferences and codes were created. Results: A total of 3 categories and 12 sub-categories were obtained from the interviews. Three categories were obtained: Implementation Difficulties, Emotional Reactions and Student Perceptions. Conclusion: Midwifery students' experiences of transcultural midwifery approaches in health service provision showed various results. Students were excited by the opportunity to work with patients from different cultures and to learn their perspectives. However, they may also be concerned that they do not have enough knowledge and skills or do not know how to care for a patient from a different culture. The main problem in this sense is the language barrier and lack of knowledge.