Ministry of Education Science and Technology

Lateral patellar compression syndrome (LPCS) is characterized by abnormal pressure elevation in the lateral patellofemoral joint. The histopathological basis of LPCS, particularly regarding microvascular and inflammatory changes in the lateral joint capsule and lateral retinaculum, remains unclear. This study aimed to systematically compare the histological characteristics of these tissues between patients with LPCS and controls to characterize tissue-level features associated with LPCS and to explore the potential implications of these findings for understanding pathophysiology and informing future research on surgical strategy selection. This retrospective case–control study included 26 patients with LPCS and 23 control patients (with meniscal injuries, patellar dislocation, patellofemoral osteoarthritis, or synovial cyst). Intraoperative tissue specimens of the lateral joint capsule and lateral retinaculum were obtained. Histological evaluation was performed using immunohistochemical staining for Factor Ⅷ (F8, microvessels), CD3 (T cells), CD20 (B cells), and CD68 (macrophages). Microvessel density and inflammatory cell density were quantified and compared between groups. Microvessel density was significantly higher in both the lateral joint capsule (48.84 ± 14.12/mm2 vs. 34.72 ± 15.40/mm2, P = 0.002) and the lateral retinaculum (27.50 ± 11.33/mm2 vs. 17.13 ± 9.26/mm2, P = 0.007) of patients with LPCS compared to controls, with large effect sizes (Cohen's d > 1.0). Within both groups, microvessel density was significantly higher in the joint capsule than in the retinaculum (both P < 0.001). In contrast, no statistically significant between-group differences were detected in the densities of CD3 + T cells, CD20 + B cells, or CD68 + macrophages in either tissue. However, in multivariate regression models adjusting for age and sex, the between-group differences in microvessel density were attenuated and no longer statistically significant; interaction terms were also not significant. Unadjusted analyses showed increased microvessel density in the lateral joint capsule and lateral retinaculum of patients with LPCS while no statistically significant between-group differences were detected in classical inflammatory cell densities (CD3 + , CD20 + , CD68 +) under the current immunohistochemical panel. Because the association with microvessel density was not statistically significant after adjustment for age and sex, these findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating and potentially influenced by demographic factors. Larger age- and sex-matched studies, ideally with clinical correlation, are needed to determine whether angiogenesis is an independent pathological feature of LPCS and whether it relates to outcomes.

Biosorption is an emerging adsorption method which involves the use of biological material for the removal of toxic metal ions from wastewater. This process has proven to be of economical alternate to conventional technologies. This study therefore characterized Gmelina arborea for the uptake of Pb(II) and As(III) from aqueous solution. Glutamic acid as the Gmelina arborea modifier. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) instrumentation analysis was carried out to characterize the prepared Gmelina arborea adsorbent while adsorption experiments were conducted to establish the ability of the Gmelina arborea adsorbent to adsorb Pb2+ and As2+heavy metals ions as pollutants. The Gmelina arborea adsorbent exhibited a higher bulk density at 6.67 g/cm2, high loss of ignition at 70.10%, surface area has a low value of 3.45 m2 /g and the pH of point of zero charge to be 6.99. The result from the x-ray diffraction analysis shows an amorphous structure which indicates that the Gmelina arborea is a good uptake of the heavy metals. The adsorption data of Pb2+ and As3+ onto the adsorbent Gmelina arborea were found not to rise as the pH of the solution was increased due to the surface charge repulsion in solution while there was a sudden increase as the pH 6.99 which is the point of zero charge. There was an increase in the adsorbent adsorption capacity at a higher dose of the adsorbent. The Gmelina arborea exhibited better potential for removal of metal ions molecules. Adsorbents could also remove cations and anions of pollutants since their surface charge could be positive or negative depending upon pH condition. The results showed that Gmelina arborea pericarp as biosorbent has good potential for the removal of metal ions from aqueous solution.

ئەم توێژینەوەیە کە بە ناونیشانى ("ئەوى دیکە"ى زمانى لەلاى (نالى)دا)یە، هەوڵێکە بۆ لێکۆڵینەوە و دەرخستنى رەهەندێکى نوێ لەشیعرى نالى و لەوێشەوە شیعرى کلاسیکى کوردى، کە زۆرجار تانەى بێلایەنى، لەڕووى سیاسى و کۆمەڵایەتییەوە، لێدەدرێ. ئەم توێژینەوەیە بە دواى ئەوەوەیە، کە روونیبکاتەوە شیعرى نالى بەچ شێوەیەک ئەو بابەتەى لە خۆیدا بەرجەستە کردووە و لەڕووى زمانەوە چى بە بەرامبەرى خۆى دەزانێ و بە چ شێوەیەک دەیەوێ بەو ئامانجە بگات، تا بەرامبەرەکانى خۆى یان (ئەوى دیکە)کانى خۆى بناسێنێ. کە ئەمەش لە خودى خۆیدا بە سەرنجدان لە مێژووى سیاسى و رۆشنبیرى کورد، ناوەرۆکێکى سیاسییە. ئەم توێژینەوەیە بە میتۆدى وەسفى شیکارى ئەنجامدراوە. سەرەتا لەڕووى تیۆرییەوە، بە پشتبەستن بە روانگە و بۆچوونە تیۆرییەکانى پۆستکۆڵۆنیالیزم، کە تیۆرێکى گونجاوە بۆ شڕۆڤەکردنى هەلومەرجى ژێردەستەیى نەتەوە داگیرکراوەکان و پەیوەندییان لەگەڵ سەردەست و داگیرکارەکانیان، هەوڵدراوە چوارچێوەى تیۆرى توێژینەوەکە دابڕێژرێ. هەر لە بەشى تیۆریدا هەوڵدراوە چەمکى ئەوى دیکە لە خوێندنەوە پۆستکۆڵۆنیالەکاندا، روونبکرێتەوە. دواتر لە شیعرەکانى نالى دا، ئەوى دیکەى زمانى دەستنیشانبکرێت و گرنگترین زمانەکان بخرێنەڕوو. لە ئەنجامیشدا گەیشتووین بەوەى، کە شیعرى نالى بێلایەن نییە، بەڵکو کارى لەسەر ئەوە کردووە، کە زمانى کوردى، لەبەرامبەر زمانەکانى عەرەبى و فارسى و تورکى دابنێ و بەمجۆرە ئەوى دیکەى زمانى خۆى دەستنیشان بکات.

The paper examines the impact of tin mining on students’ educational attainment in Nasarawa Eggon area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Drawing on archival materials, oral interviews, field observations, and existing scholarly literature, the study traces the evolution of tin mining activities in the area from the early colonial period to the present. The paper notes that while tin mining stimulates local economic activity and provides alternative livelihood opportunities, it also generates long-term social and educational consequencesto students’ educational attainment in the area.Findings of the study revealed that the proliferation of informal mining practices in the area has led to increased child labour, reduced school enrolment and deteriorating educational facilities. The study concludes that improving educational attainment in Nasarawa Eggon area requires integrated policies that favour educational advancement and ensure sustainable community growth in the area.

Two-dimensional (2D) vertical heterostructures have garnered significant interest in electronics and optoelectronics. However, the limited growth window and constrained dimensions of these structures have presented significant obstacles to their practical application. In this study, we have successfully engineered large-area WS2/graphene vertical heterostructures through a highly controllable electrochemical deposition (ECD) method applied to chemical vapor deposition (CVD) graphene films. This technique empowers us to attain unprecedented control over the nanometer-scale thickness of these heterojunctions, ensuring remarkable repeatability in fabrication. Our research unveiled two compelling applications based on thickness variations: within the 4–40 nm range, these heterostructures excel as high-performance photodetectors with a photoresponsivity of up to 2.62 A/W. Detailed electronic property analysis, including Schottky barrier (ϕSB = 310 mV) and built-in potential (ϕBi = 270 mV), aligns closely with theoretical predictions. Conversely, heterostructures in the 100–150 nm range excel in constructing memristor arrays with an endurance of up to 106 cycles, while maintaining state stability for over 10 h. Furthermore, our observations of gradual potentiation and depression processes hold great promise for advancements in neuromorphic computing and memory applications. This research signifies a significant leap in WS2/graphene heterostructure fabrication, enabling precision and opening horizons in electronics and optoelectronics.

This study investigates the geomorphology of nabkhas in Al-Siniyah Subdistrict (Baiji District) through a comprehensive analysis of their origin and development factors, including geology, topography, climate, vegetation cover, and soil characteristics. Morphometric, granulometric, mineralogical, and chemical analyses were conducted on the sand samples. The results revealed that the nabkhas are mainly concentrated in the northern and western parts of the study area, where vegetation cover plays an essential role in dune stabilization. The elongation of the nabkhas aligns with the prevailing northwesterly winds. Their heights range from approximately 0.3 to 1.8 meters, while their basal diameters vary between 2 and 15 meters. The sand is fine to medium-grained, well-sorted, and predominantly composed of quartz (&gt;80%), with noticeable proportions of gypsum and carbonates, particularly near sabkha environments. The findings confirm that vegetation acts as the primary biotic stabilizer of the nabkhas and that these features serve as reliable field indicators of sand movement directions and active aeolian zones. The study recommends enhancing local vegetation cover and implementing localized windbreaks to reduce sand movement and encroachment, thereby protecting infrastructure and major roads in the region.

Continuous professional development for lecturers, bolstered by government initiatives, is crucial for their ability to meet the changing requirements of the labour market. This research explored the effects and long-term viability of the Non-Degree Program for Polytechnic Lecturers (NDPKD) in Indonesia. The study employed both open- and closed-ended questionnaires to examine the program's impact on improving vocational education. A total of 512 lecturers from both state and private polytechnics took part in the study. The results indicated that the NDPKD program had a beneficial impact on the competencies of lecturers and fostered enhanced collaboration with industry partners. Participants indicated that their skills and knowledge had improved, resulting in more effective teaching practices and increased engagement with the industry. Nonetheless, a number of challenges arose, such as time constraints, variations in initial skill levels, and a lack of adequate institutional support. The constraints of time posed challenges for lecturers in fulfilling program requirements alongside their current responsibilities. Additionally, the diverse levels of competency highlighted the necessity for more customised training approaches. The lack of substantial institutional support significantly diminished the program's overall effectiveness. The study suggests implementing more adaptable scheduling options, creating tailored training programs, and enhancing the support systems within institutions. By focusing on these elements, we can improve the continuity and sustainability of the NDPKD program, thereby maximising its impact on vocational education in Indonesia.

This study explores the predictive and mediating roles of reading motivation (RM), critical reading intention (CRI), and reading self-efficacy (RSE) in reading comprehension (RC) among Iranian EFL learners, employing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). A cross-sectional, quantitative research design was adopted, targeting 370 intermediate-level (B1 CEFR) IELTS candidates at a prominent private institute. Participants were selected to ensure homogeneity in proficiency and linguistic background (all L1 Farsi speakers) but diversity in academic disciplines. Data collection involved a comprehensive suite of validated, context-appropriate instruments: the Reading Motivation Questionnaire for EFL contexts (RMQ-EFL), the Critical Reading Intention Scale (CRIS), the Reading Self-Efficacy Scale (RSES), and a multi-section reading comprehension test modeled on the IELTS Academic module. All self-report measures demonstrated strong psychometric properties (Cronbach’s alpha ≥ .95, AVE > .50). The online administration of surveys and reading tests ensured accessibility and standardized conditions. Data analysis proceeded in several stages: first, descriptive statistics and bivariate correlations established initial relationships among constructs. Next, tolerance and variance inflation factor (VIF) statistics confirmed no multicollinearity. Finally, Partial Least Squares SEM (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS software was used to test direct and mediated effects among variables, with bootstrapping to ensure statistical robustness. Results revealed that RM’s effect on comprehension was fully mediated by RSE and CRI; both mediators independently and significantly predicted comprehension. These findings challenge additive models of reading achievement and support multidimensional frameworks, emphasizing the necessity for EFL pedagogy to integrate motivational, self-efficacy (SE), and critical engagement components for optimal reading development.

Abstract Indium‐based transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) are widely used in silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells and perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells (TSCs) due to their high transmittance and conductivity. Currently, with the robust development of photovoltaic technology, the demand for indium is increasing steadily. However, indium, a rare metal, will lead to supply issues because of its limited mining and reserves, resulting in a continuous price increase. Therefore, reducing the indium consumption in solar cells presents a viable strategy for lowering production costs. Regarding this issue, this paper provides a comprehensive review of research in minimizing indium consumption for SHJ solar cells and perovskite/silicon TSCs. This clarifies the technological development path for overcoming indium resource limitations and then promoting the industrialization of efficient and economical solar cells. Additionally, given the current research status, prospects for the future development of indium‐free solar cells are offered, and summarize possible solutions.