Al-Kindi Center for Research and Development (KCRD) (E-Journals)
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Outcome of the Treatment of Pilonidal Sinus with Limberg Flap: A Prospective Observational Study
No full textPilonidal sinus disease is a chronic and often recurring condition affecting the sacrococcygeal region, prevalent among young adults, particularly males. The Limberg flap, a rhomboid fascio-cutaneous flap, is a reliable surgical method with low complication and recurrence rates. This study assesses outcomes of the Limberg flap procedure in terms of postoperative complications, recurrence, hospital stay, and time to return to work. Conducted at the Department of Colorectal Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, this prospective observational study included 18 patients with primary pilonidal sinus treated with the Limberg flap from July 2019 to August 2020. Patients were followed for nine months postoperatively to assess outcomes. Postoperative complications were minimal, with 11.1% developing seroma and 16.7% experiencing tip necrosis. Wound dehiscence was observed in one patient at one month, but no complications were recorded beyond this period, and no recurrence was noted over nine months. The mean hospital stay was 4.17 days, and the mean time to return to work was 12 days. The Limberg flap is an effective, safe option for treating pilonidal sinus, with low complication rates, early return to work, and no recurrence over nine months
Systemic Immune-inflammation Index: A Potential Indicator of Disease Activity in Sjögren\u27s Syndrome?
No full textGiven the autoimmune and inflammatory nature of Sjögren\u27s Syndrome(SS), it is essential to identify reliable indicators to monitor disease progression and inform treatment strategies. This study aims to evaluate the potential of the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) as a biomarker for assessing disease activity in SS. A prospective analysis was conducted on two groups: the first comprising 52 patients diagnosed with SS and the second a healthy control group. SII values were calculated using the following formula: platelet count multiplied by the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. The degree of disease activity was gauged according to the EULAR Sjögren\u27s Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) criteria. This study examines the correlations between SII and several clinical and patient-reported outcome measures, including various inflammatory markers. Compared to the control group, the SS patient cohort displayed slightly elevated SII levels (p = 0.04). The SII exhibited a correlation with elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), suggesting its potential as a marker of systemic inflammation. Nevertheless, the observed correlation between SII and ESSDAI scores (r = 0.0903) was weak and not statistically significant (p = 0.524). Although SII values were higher in SS patients and correlated with systemic inflammation markers, no statistically significant relationship was observed between these values and disease activity, as measured by ESSDAI.Thus, while SII may reflect systemic inflammation, its utility as a marker for disease activity in SS remains limited. Further studies are needed to elucidate its role in clinical settings
Investigation of Sarodagh Valley Chromite, its Mineralogy and Geochemistry
No full textThis study examines the petrographic and geochemical characteristics of chromite in Sarodagh village, located in the Goshta district of Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, highlighting the region\u27s geological importance and mineral composition. The research clarifies the region, which is located along the Kabul-Kunar River route, around 45 kilometers from Jalalabad, at an elevation of 537 meters above sea level, using a combination of academic research, field observations, and laboratory analyses. The majority of the 455 square kilometer district\u27s population are Pashtuns, mostly from the Momand tribe. After conducting macroscopic evaluations of chromite in the field, ten samples were gathered for in-depth laboratory examination where four samples were studied by petrographic microscope and ten samples powder were studied with geochemical (pXRF) Portable XRF. The petrographic analysis\u27s findings indicate that the main minerals found in the chromite were olivine, pyroxene, and hornblende. Geochemically, a notable 45% reduction in silicon dioxide (SiO2) points to an ultramafic source for the chromite, which is just 0.4% of the total and has a limited distribution in the Earth\u27s crust. By providing important insights into the geological origins and significance of the chromite deposits in Nangarhar Province, this research advances our understanding of these deposits. In order to assess these mineral deposits\u27 economic potential, more research is recommended
Machine Learning-Based Drought Classification Using Meteorological Data: Toward Smarter Environmental Models for Site Exploration
No full textDrought presents a significant challenge to sustainable water management, agriculture, and geotechnical site assessment. Accurate and timely classification of drought severity is essential for anticipating environmental changes that impact soil behavior, moisture conditions, and subsurface dynamics. This study introduces a machine learning framework utilizing the Random Forest algorithm to classify drought intensity based on multi-year meteorological datasets. The dataset, comprising over 3 million records and 18 meteorological features, includes variables such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, and precipitation, serving as environmental indicators for drought conditions. The model predicts drought severity across six discrete classes (0–5), evaluated using precision, recall, F1 score, and confusion matrices. While achieving an overall accuracy of 75%, the model reveals performance challenges in detecting minority drought classes, underscoring the importance of class balancing and feature selection. Beyond drought prediction, this work supports the integration of environmental intelligence into geotechnical and site exploration processes. By informing early-stage terrain assessment with climate-responsive data, the framework lays groundwork for adaptive modeling in subsurface analysis, simulation, and exploration planning. The study demonstrates the value of machine learning in developing scalable, data-driven environmental models that enhance decision-making in both civil and environmental engineering applications
Investigation of the Relationship Between Body Composition, Maximal Oxygen Consumption and Some Biomotor Characteristics in Young Male Long-Distance Runners
No full textBiomotor characteristics and body composition in athletes are factors affecting athletic performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between body composition, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and some biomotor characteristics in young male long-distance runners. 15 young male long-distance runners (age: 14.73±0.88 years) participated in the study voluntarily. The study was designed as a relational cross-sectional study model. Body analysis measurements, 20m shuttle run, 10m and 20m sprint, countermovement jump (CMJ), Illinois agility and back strength tests were applied to the participating athletes. SPSS package program was used. Shapiro-Wilk test was applied to determine the normality level of the data. It was determined that the data had a normal distribution. Pearson correlation test was used in the relational analysis of the data. No significant relationship was found between body composition parameters and VO2max, 10m and 20m sprint values in young male long-distance runners participating in the study (p > 0.05). Positive moderately significant relationships were found between CMJ and fat-free mass (r = 0.560 ; p = 0.030), mineral mass (r = 0.558 ; p = 0.031) and fluid mass (r = 0.559 ; p = 0.030). Negative moderately significant relationships were found between Illinois agility and fat-free proportion (r = -0.572 ; p = 0.026), mineral proportion (r = -0.570 ; p = 0.026) and fluid proportion (r = -0.556 ; p = 0.031), while a positive moderately significant relationship was found between Illinois agility and fat proportion (r = 0.572 ; p = 0.026). While positive and strong significant relationships were determined between back strength and lean mass (r = 0.786; p = 0.001), mineral mass (r = 0.787; p = 0.000) and basal metabolic rate (r = 0.758; p = 0.001), a very strong positive significant relationship was determined between back strength and fluid mass (r = 0.814; p = 0.000). In long-distance runners, applying training aimed at increasing lean body and fluid mass and focusing on nutritional strategies to reduce fat percentage may increase their athletic performance
Distance: the Flâneuse’s Path From Alienation to Wholeness in Mrs. Dalloway
No full textThis research focuses on the image of the flâneuse in Virginia Woolf\u27s Mrs. Dalloway. It aims to explore how women seek identity and draw strength from ordinary life by adjusting the distance between the self and the external world. By applying George Simmel\u27s concept of distance, the research reveals that modernity offers women the freedom to step away from their confining daily roles and become the flâneuses to see and to experience the \u27others\u27. By maintaining a delicate balance between detachment and involvement, flâneuses experience flexible physical and psychological distance which endows them with a unique aesthetic perspective. The aesthetic dimension helps them extract inspiration and strength from the everyday life. Different from the masculine flâneurs, who tend to objectify others, women construct a community of their own through the action of looking and building up. Their empathetic capability makes it easier for them to cross the distance between people and objects, thus transcending the distance from alienation to wholeness. The flâneuse’s experience in Mrs. Dalloway significantly contributes to the presentation of women’s experience in urban life. It reveals the complexity of social life and women\u27s inner world, enriching the perspective for literary research on women’s agency in modernity
Relationship between Father–Daughter Relationships and Women’s Dependence on Virtual Male Characters: The Mediating Effect of Attachment Styles
No full textChina\u27s gaming market has attracted a significant number of female players, increasing the popularity of romance games that feature interactions with virtual male characters, particularly female players. This research examines how father‒daughter relationships influence Chinese female players’ dependence on these virtual characters and explores the mediating role of attachment styles. The study involved 235 female Otome game players and utilized the ECR-C, FPQ-R-B and IVIS questionnaires. The results reveal a weak positive correlation between the quality of father‒daughter relationships and reliance on virtual male characters. Avoidant attachment has a suppressive effect on father‒daughter relationships and virtual male character dependency. Overall, this study enriches the application of attachment theory in virtual contexts, illustrates how parental relationships shape female players’ gaming experiences and emotional dependencies, and lays the groundwork for further exploration of psychological mechanisms in virtual interactions
Familial Responsibility and Involvement Towards Children on the Autism Spectrum
No full textFamilial involvement affects many facets of the personal growth and well-being of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Every family member\u27s responsibility is to take care of them in their academic journey. The study aimed to assess the familial responsibility and involvement in educating children with ASD in the identified SpEd centers in Cebu, Philippines, during the school year 2024-2025 as the basis for a Comprehensive Plan. It employed the descriptive-correlational research method, using the survey questionnaire as the principal instrument to gather the needed data regarding familial responsibility and involvement among learners with ASD. It was conducted among 100 family members of learners with ASD who were chosen using non-probability purposive sampling wherein they had ASD children. The respondents utilized an adapted-modified survey questionnaire to gather information regarding the familial involvement of learners with a four-part questionnaire. The collected data were statistically treated using frequency, simple percentage, mean, standard deviation, rank, weighted mean, the Chi-square test of independence, and ANOVA. The study reveals that most respondents strongly agreed that familial responsibility is essential in supporting their ASD learners\u27 education, with an aggregate mean of 3.73 and a standard deviation of 0.51. The study also shows that familial involvement in home-based activities had the highest aggregate mean. Moreover, this study found a strong correlation between respondents’ place of work and their perceived family engagement in the education of learners with ASD. In addition, the family responsibilities differ when categorized by the highest educational attainment of the participants and combined monthly family income. Families need to be involved and invested in their children\u27s education, and that is necessary for success and development if a child happens to have ASD. The researchers suggest applying and monitoring the proposed plan
Trainees’ Challenges in English Teacher Development Courses
No full textCELTA and Trinity CertTESOL are the two English teacher training programmes receiving growing popularity worldwide. The two programmes are characterised by onerous workloads and rigorous training. However, very few attempts have been made to explore how trainee teachers are challenged and how they address the challenges in these programmes. Therefore, the research aimed to explore how trainee teachers perceive their challenges in CELTA/CertTESOL programmes. The research has recruited six trainee teachers who have received CELTA/CertTESOL training. They were given interviews that focused on their experience of being challenged in CELTA/CertTESOL courses. Following interpretative phenomenological analysis of interview data, the study has identified various challenges encountered by CELTA/CertTESOL trainees, potential ways of overcoming these challenges, as well as the benefits of undergoing such challenges. The research has empirical implications for prospective trainee teachers who are concerned about potential challenges in CELTA/CertTESOL programmes and need suggestions to address such challenges
The Impact of Literature on the English Language Teaching and Learning Process: A Comprehensive Study
No full textThe teaching of English via literature has garnered the attention of a significant number of English teachers all around the globe due to the multiple benefits that it offers to both teachers and students. Literature can effectively communicate language, social conventions, and cultural values. The purpose of this research is to investigate the advantageous aspects of teaching English via literature and to provide suggestions for the use of literature in educational settings. In addition to offering a variety of ways and methods for incorporating literature into the English language curriculum, this article underlines the potential advantages of literature in terms of encouraging critical thinking, cultural awareness, creativity, linguistic competence, and other abilities. This research explores how literature can be conducive to effective English language learning. The research findings indicate that teaching English through literature is an effective teaching technique that can enhance students\u27 enthusiasm and interest in language and literature, ultimately leading to improved learning outcomes and increased language competence