Validity and reliability of palatal rugae morphometric assessment with 3D laser scanned models

Aim: To assess the reliability and validity of morphometric features on 3D digital models produced by scanning maxillary dental casts of Malaysian Malay subjects. Methods: Dental casts of 20 subjects were scanned using a 3D laser scanner (Next Engine Inc., Santa Monica, California, USA). The palatal rugae morphometric features were assessed on the resulting 3D models using 3-Matic Research 9.0 software (Materialise NV, Heverlee, Belgium). The assessments were repeated by the first and second authors to assess the intra- and interexaminer reliability, respectively. Rugae morphometric features were also evaluated on the conventional plaster models to assess the validity of the 3D method. Results: Kappa values of the validity ranged from 0.807 to 0.922 for rugae shape, size category and direction. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for rugae number validity was 0.979. For intra-examiner reliability, kappa values ranged from 0.716-1.000 for rugae shape, size category and direction. The ICC for rugae number intra-examiner reliability was 0.949. Kappa values of interexaminer reliability for rugae shape, size category and direction were 0.723-885, while the ICC of rugae number was 0.896. Conclusion: Palatal rugae analyses on 3D digital models scanned by the 3D Next Engine laser scanner using 3-Matic Research 9.0 software are valid and reliable.

Burden of puerperal sepsis and its associated factors in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Puerperal sepsis is a genital tract infection that can occur from amniotic fluid rupture to six weeks after birth. Maternal complication associated with puerperal sepsis includes prolonged hospital stay, septicemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and death. Even though, puerperal sepsis is the fourth leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia the overall prevalence of puerperal sepsis and its associated factors are not studied at the national stage. As a result, this systematic review and meta-analysis bring out the pooled prevalence of puerperal sepsis and its associated factors in Ethiopia. Methods A variety of data sources such as Pub Med, Web of Science, Science Direct, Embase, Google Scholar, HINARI, and Ethiopian universities online repositories were searched to identify the primary studies which were used for this systematic review and meta-analysis. The article search was conducted from February10/2021-March 10/2021. The quality of the selected primary studies was assessed using the Newcastle - Ottawa quality assessment Scale (NOS). Data extraction was done with Microsoft Excel and then exported to STATA 11 version statistical software for analysis. The Cochran (Q-test) and I2 test statistics were used to assess the heterogeneity of the studies. Publication bias was evaluated by the eggers regression test. Subgroup analysis was performed with region and sample size category. Result In this review, a total of 2222 respondents were involved from seven studies. The pooled prevalence of puerperal sepsis was 14.811% (95%CI; 8.46: 21.16; I2 = 94.2, P ≤ 0.001). Cesarean section delivery (CSD) (OR = 3.26, 95%CI: 1.90, 5.61), membrane rupture≥24 h (OR = 4.04, 95%CI: 2.54, 6.42), being multiparous mother (OR = 3.99, 95%CI: 1.82, 8.78), vaginal examination≥5 times (OR = 3.15, 95%CI: 1.17, 8.52), and anemia (OR = 5.68, 95%CI: 4.38, 7.36) were factors significantly associated with puerperal sepsis. Conclusion The prevalence of puerperal sepsis was high in Ethiopia. CSD, membrane rupture≥24 h, being multiparous mother, vaginal examination≥5, and anemia were factors associated with puerperal sepsis. Appropriate standard infection prevention techniques during CSD shall be practiced to reduce the maternal burden of puerperal sepsis. The unnecessary vaginal examination should be discouraged during the intrapartum period. Besides this, routine Iron sulfate supplementation and counsel on iron reach foods during ante partum and postpartum shall be considered for all mothers.

Short communication: Variations in leaf morphological characters of Shorea leprosula in progeny trial stand of a logging concession in Kalimantan, Indonesia

Indonesia has the highest distribution of Dipterocarpaceae members, and Shorea leprosula is one of the species that has a natural hybrid in its habitat. Furthermore, the members have intermediate morphological character with the neighboring species, Shorea curtisii. This study aimed to investigate the morphological variations of Shorea leprosula Miq. Progeny trial in PT Sari Bumi Kusuma. The morphological level of 72 Shorea leprosula in PT Sari Bumi Kusuma was identified through sampling. Furthermore, macroscopic and microscopic observations were conducted, and the measurement data were analyzed using cluster and principal component analyses to explain the morphological variable contribution. The results showed leaf architecture variations in laminar shape, apex shape, base shape, and midrib thickness category. The cluster analyses classified the samples into four cluster groups and they consist of a notophyll leaf size category with a rounded base. Meanwhile, the second group consists of an ellipse laminar shape with medium midrib thickness, and the third has an oblong laminar with an obtuse apex shape. The fourth group has a notophyll leaf size category with an obtuse base. The principal component analysis showed that the base shape has the highest contribution to diversity in the samples.

Relation of the Green Structure and the Appropriation of Public Spaces in Large-Scale Residential Areas

More than a half of residents in some capital cities of the former Socialist block live in large-scale residential areas that had been built from the 1950s to the 1980s. The public space satisfaction in the areas is low, the residents rarely appropriate the yards and streets of the housing complexes. The aim of the paper is to provide a framework for the understanding of residents’ assessment of public space and its relation to the appropriation; the framework can be used for the development of building or landscape architecture projects focused at reconstruction of the public space. Public Space Quality Model is generated in the paper. The model includes three spatial categories that are defined by metrical values, configuration components and dominant spatial elements – elements that determine size, category, and the structure of a space. Using the observation method in the residential areas of the former East Berlin, the research concludes that the model demonstrates the highest precision of predictability of the appropriation intensity of the public space when the green structure is used as the dominant spatial element. A method accompanying the model is presented in the paper that permits to use specific types of trees or shrubs in particular distancing and concrete arrangements to create spaces of high, medium, or low appropriation level in large-scale residential areas.

Reflecting on perceived failure of entrepreneurship development initiatives to help ignite economic development in Malawi

This study reflects on the perceived failure of entrepreneurship development initiatives to help ignite economic development in Malawi. A cross-sectional survey of 337 enterprises collected top-of-the-mind definitions of entrepreneurship, and innovations and their values carried out. Content analyses, comparison of mean values, 2 independent samples tests and multiple linear regression analyses showed that entrepreneurship is perceived as starting and managing one’s own business; being self-employed. Carrying out innovations is low and of low value, but enterprises which carried out innovations had higher median values than those that did not. The study found opportunity-motivated, growth-oriented, limited liability enterprises in the medium-to-large size category to be productive types of enterprises, but there were very few. It is argued that initiatives fail to help ignite economic development because knowledge which guides entrepreneurship development misses the essence of entrepreneurship—carrying out innovations. Secondly, there are no initiatives to support SME innovation and growth through product development, investments in modern production facilities and access to export markets. It is encouraged that key stakeholders adjust their understanding of entrepreneurship to neoclassical economic perspectives, encourage innovative start-ups and provide support to grow the numbers of productive enterprises.

Length distribution, gonad maturity level, and catchable size of fish caught around FADs in Ternate Sea

Pelagic fishery business in Ternate Sea are mainly based on FADs fishing operations. Increase of intensive fishing activities will also increase the pressures on local pelagic fish resources of Ternate Sea in the future. So far, there has been limited scientific information related to the fish caught by local fishers. The aim of the study was to investigate length distribution, gonad maturity level (GML), and catchable size of fishes caught around FADs. The research was conducted in August 2020 in Ternate. The research method was a survey research by collecting samples of fish caught from gill nets and hand lines for total 30 fishing trips. The study results showed that the catch consisted of mackerel scads and yellow scads. The mackerel scads caught by gill nets were between 13-26 cm in size and dominated by the 19-20 cm size class, while fishes sizes caught by hand line were between 14-27 cm which were dominated by the 18-19 cm size class. Yellow scads caught with both gill nets and handlines showed the same length range of 12-23 cm, which was dominated by the size class of 18-19 cm. Mackerel scads caught with gill nets and handlines were dominated by fish in GML II (47%) followed by GML III (32%). GML of yellow scads caught with gill nets was dominated by GML III by 75%, while for fishes caught by hand line the percentage of GML III is 68%. The mackerel scads caught with gill nets and handlines were dominated by the non-catchable size category (100% for gill nets and 98.79% for handlines). On the other hand, all yellow scads caught with both gill nets and handlines are entirely (100%) of catchable size.

Indebtedness Among Farmers in Haryana State, India

Subject and purpose of work: The study aims to assess the nature, extent and sources of debt and the measures of the burden of debt on farmers. Materials and methods: The study was based on primary data collected (by field survey) from a sample of 600 farmers selected from Haryana state in India. With regards to the selection of farmers/respondents, a proportionate sampling technique was employed. For the analysis of the collected data, average (or mean value) and percentage techniques were used. The data were collected in January, February and March, 2021. Results: The study revealed that the average amount of debt per sampled farmer is 563 960 rupees. This amount of debt is very high. Institutional sources played a major role in loan disbursement to farmers. Of the total amount owed, one third of all the debt was incurred from non-institutional sources at a higher rate of interest; 67.03% was incurred for productive purposes and the remaining 32.97% of debt was incurred for non-productive purposes. Non-productive debt adds nothing to agricultural production. 67% of all farmers in the state belong to marginal and small farm-size category. Thus, at small size of land holdings, at higher rate of interest charged by non-institutional sources and non-productive loans are the main cause of farmer indebtedness. Conclusions: Farmers have been trapped under the burden of debt and are not in a situation to pay their loans back within the prescribed period of time.

Reasons for Pack Size Purchase among US Adults Who Purchase Cigars

With municipalities across the US establishing minimum cigar pack size regulations, it is critical to understand what drives pack size preference. The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify reasons for cigar pack size purchase. We used Amazon’s Mechanical Turk to survey adults who had purchased cigars and reported past 30 day use. Participants responded to an open-ended item asking their reasons for purchasing their usual pack size. Responses were double-coded and categorized. Of 152 respondents, 61 used traditional cigars, 85 used cigarillos, and 36 used filtered cigars. Across all cigar types, most participants (73.7%) purchased boxes rather than singles; 5–9-packs were the most popular pack size category (19.7%), followed by 20+-packs (18.4%). We identified 16 reasons for pack size purchase across seven categories: price, consumption, social aspect, convenience, product characteristics, availability, and general preferences. Reasons varied according to whether the consumer purchased larger or smaller pack sizes. In this exploratory study to identify reasons for cigar pack size purchases, findings were consistent with those identified through tobacco industry documents and in the cigarette literature. Future research should examine the prevalence of these reasons, including as a function of demographic and use characteristics, to help inform the understanding of potential minimum cigar pack regulations.

THE ANALYSIS OF EFFECT SIZE AND THE EFFECT OF TEACHING MATERIALS BASED ON PROBLEM BASED LEARNING (PBL) ON STUDENTS’ COMPETENCE

<p>Science in the 21st century continues to develop. With these developments, Indonesia must prepare young people who are ready for change and able to face the challenges that exist in the 21st century. The 21st century has more complex challenges. Various efforts have been made by the government to meet the demands of the 21st century, including reforming educational standards. The 2013 curriculum requires students to be active in the learning process. Learning methods and models that are expected to be able to develop students' abilities, and in accordance with the implementation of the 2013 curriculum, are problem-based learning. Therefore, researchers are interested in finding the effect of PBL-based teaching on student learning outcomes through meta-analysis with effect size. Based on the analysis conducted on 20 journals related to PBL-based teaching materials, there are three conclusions in this study. First, PBL-based teaching materials are effectively used at the junior and senior high school levels with a high effect size category. Second, PBL-based teaching materials have the highest category of effectiveness in improving science process skills. Third, based on the teaching materials used, teaching materials in the form of electronic media (IT) based on PBL are effective in improving student learning outcomes.</p>