bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Azov, Kertch et Crimée : droit et géostratégie
Authors: Paparella Ivo
Published: May 2022

La guerre en Ukraine a mis en exergue la question de la mer d’Azov désormais sous contrôle de la Russie, privant l’Ukraine d’un de ses accès à la mer Noire et donc vers la Méditerranée. La question maritime reste toujours complexe pour une puissance essentiellement continentale.
La mer Noire : espace stratégique
Authors: Oudot de Dainville Alain
Published: May 2022

La guerre actuelle souligne l’importance de la mer Noire, dont le contrôle est stratégique. La Russie y a des ambitions ouvertes, visant à isoler l’Ukraine. Toutefois, la Convention de Montreux de 1936 limite les potentialités de Moscou, tout en donnant à la Turquie un rôle non négligeable.
Le conflit russo-ukrainien (I) : l’art opératif
Authors: Franc Claude
Published: May 2022

Le conflit russo-ukrainien est déjà très riche de leçons opérationnelles avec des échecs dans la mise en œuvre de l’échelon opératif pourtant au cœur de la doctrine russe, elle-même issue directement du modèle soviétique. D’où le besoin d’analyser les erreurs de Moscou pour nos propres forces.
Géopolitique des Balkans occidentaux et sécurité de l’Europe
Authors: Perruche Jean-Paul , de Kaniv Nathalie
Published: May 2022

L’histoire contemporaine des Balkans a été complexe et douloureuse avec des fractures puisant leurs sources dans des rivalités géopolitiques. L’Union européenne et l’Otan ont pris conscience du besoin de renouveler leur action pour mieux associer les États de la région et ainsi réduire les risques de conflits.
Plaidoyer pour la création d’une grande entreprise de services de sécurité et de défense (ESSD) française
Authors: de La Ruelle Benoît
Published: May 2022

La conflictualité a beaucoup évolué et voit de nouveaux acteurs engagés sur le terrain. Des compétiteurs stratégiques ont vu l’intérêt d’employer des entreprises de services de sécurité et de défense (ESSD). Il serait judicieux pour la France de réfléchir à ce mode d’action qui pourrait renforcer ses capacités opérationnelles.
Histoire militaire
Authors: Franc Claude
Published: May 2022

L’Otan est mise sur pied au début des années 1950 pour répondre à la menace soviétique. Après la chute du Mur, elle bénéficia de l’éclatement de l’ex-Yougoslavie pour retrouver une raison d’être. La France, membre fondateur malgré son retrait en 1966, a maintenu des liens importants tout en soulignant son indépendance.
Nonlocal biharmonic evolution equations with Dirichlet and Navier boundary conditions
Authors: Shi Kehan , Wen Ying
Published: May 2022

This paper studies a nonlocal biharmonic evolution equation with Dirichlet boundary condition that arises in image restoration. We prove the existence and uniqueness of solutions to the nonlocal problem by the variational method and show that the solutions of the nonlocal problem converge to the solution of the classical biharmonic equation with Dirichlet boundary condition if the nonlocal kernel is rescaled appropriately. The asymptotic behavior is discussed. Besides, we study the Navier problem by transforming it into a Dirichlet problem with a fixed point. The existence, uniqueness, convergence under the rescaling of the kernel, and asymptotic behavior of solutions to the Navier problem are discussed.
Current model predictive fault-tolerant control for grid-connected photovoltaic system
Authors: Babqi Abdulrahman J. , NasimUllah  , Althobaiti Ahmed , Alkhammash Hend I. , Ibeas Asier
Published: May 2022

This paper investigates the performance of the current model predictive control (CMPC) for controlling a two-stage transformerless grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system under grid fault conditions. A maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller was used to extract the maximum power of the PV panel. To stabilize the DC link and generate the reference current values, a proportional-integral (PI) controller was used. The CMPC strategy was implemented to control the output current of the inverter that connects the PV system to the utility grid. The system and control strategy were simulated via a MATLAB/Simulink environment. The performance of the proposed control strategy was investigated under fault conditions between the three-phase two-level inverter and the grid. Moreover, to validate the capability of the CMPC, comparative case studies were conducted between CMPC, PI, and sliding mode control (SMC) under grid fault. Case studies' results showed that under grid fault, CMPC did not introduce any overshoot or undershoot in the PV output DC current and power. However, PI and SMC produced undershoots of almost 15 kW for the output power and 45 A for the output current. Under the fault conditions, the active output power and three-phase current recovery time of the inverter was 50 ms using CMPC, compared to PI and SMC with recovery times of 80 ms and 60 ms, respectively. Moreover, a voltage dip of 75 V at the DC link voltage was recorded with CMPC under faulty conditions, while the voltage dips for PI and SMC were around 180 V.
Brussels Studies: 15 jaar en 1,5 miljoen downloads. Momentopnames van een stad en een lokaal wetenschappelijk tijdschrift
Authors: Debroux Tatiana , Hardy Margaux
Published: May 2022

Brussels Studies a récemment fêté ses 15 ans. Si son projet éditorial – offrir à un public large une plateforme trilingue de publications scientifiques sur et pour Bruxelles – demeure inchangé depuis 2006, de nombreuses adaptations ont pris place au fil des années et des 168 articles publiés à ce jour. La revue a ainsi réussi à rencontrer un lectorat varié au fil des ans venant à la fois du monde académique, des administrations et pouvoirs publics ou encore du milieu associatif. Brussels Studies constitue de fait un exemple assez exceptionnel, faisant de Bruxelles l'une de rares villes au monde disposant d'une revue scientifique qui lui est dédiée. À travers quelques faits et figures synthétiques, cette fact sheet offre un regard rétrospectif sur l'écosystème éditorial de la revue, les caractéristiques des textes publiés et l'impact qu’ils ont pu avoir sur les débats et l'action publique.
A Study on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sectors of the Indian Economy
Authors: Kaur Amandeep , Saini Munish
Published: May 2022

COVID-19 emerged in China in December. The World Health Organization declares this virus as Global Disaster in March. The coronavirus has affected the social, economic, political dimensions of the nations globally. In this study, the authors consider the impact of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on the different activities of primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors of the Indian Economy and various policies and reforms have been taken by the government. The secondary data is collected to put down this literature. Each sector of the economy faces chaos due to coronavirus. Migrant workers or laborers go to their state in the lockdown, a ban on materials, electronics imported from china, supply chain disruption, disturbance in the cash flow are some of the majors' reasons that lead to the uncertainty in different sectors. A fund issued by the Government can be utilized effectively to give benefits to employees, workers, farmers, organizations, and industries.
The Influence of Statistical Normalization Techniques on Performance Ranking Results
Authors: Ersoy Nazlı
Published: May 2022

In this study, the most suitable normalization techniques for the multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) method proposed by Biswas and Saha were compared and a real situation was analyzed. In the study, the financial performance of the top 10 companies on the FORTUNE 500 list for 2019 was evaluated using seven financial ratios and five well-known normalization techniques. The results have shown that the max normalization procedure generated the most consistent results for Biswas and Saha’s MCDM method. The study is the first to test the suitability of different normalization techniques for the MCDM method proposed by Biswas and Saha. Also, this paper provides decision support that can be used for the selection of the best normalization techniques for other MCDM methods.
Robust RDH Technique Using Sorting and IPVO-Based Pairwise PEE for Secure Communication
Authors: Malik Aruna , Kumar Rajeev
Published: May 2022

Nowadays, Reversible Data Hiding (RDH) is used extensively in information sensitive communication domains to protect the integrity of hidden data and the cover medium. However, most of the recently proposed RDH methods lack robustness. Robust RDH methods are required to protect the hidden data from security attacks at the time of communication between the sender and receiver. In this paper, we propose a Robust RDH scheme using IPVO based pairwise embedding. The proposed scheme is designed to prevent unintentional modifications caused to the secret data by JPEG compression. The cover image is decomposed into two planes namely HSB plane and LSB plane. As JPEG compression most likely modifies the LSBs of the cover image during compression, it is best not to hide the secret data into LSB planes. So, the proposed method utilizes a pairwise embedding to embed secret data into HSB plane of the cover image. High fidelity improved pixel value ordering (IPVO) based pairwise embedding ensures that the embedding performance of the proposed method is improved.
MPPT Control of Photovoltaic Systems Using Statechart With Abstraction and Its Comparison With Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Molleti Venkat Pankaj Lahari , Kashibhatla Rama Sudha , Rajamahanthi Vijaya Santhi
Published: May 2022

Maximum power point tracking(MPPT) control is an indispensable aspect of photovoltaic(PV) systems. Many MPPT techniques including a few based on soft-computing have been employed earlier. The soft-computing techniques include fuzzy-FSMs (Finite State Machines)which are integration of fuzzy logic (FL) into states or transitions of FSMs which are used for control and modeling of real-time systems. However, FSMs pose certain disadvantages as compared to its advanced variant called ‘statecharts’. In this work, statecharts with abstraction layers are proposed for MPPT control of PV system. An abstract-statechart MPPT(ASM) controller is developed and is verified with PV system using co-simulation. A C++ based FL MPPT program is also developed, which is independent of any predefined and simulation-only functions. A conceptual estimation of execution time of such a FL MPPT program is presented and compared with the execution times delivered by proposed ASM controller. It can be observed that the ASM controller gives accurate, fast tracking speeds, along with the advantage of abstraction.
Application of Gesture Recognition Based on Spatiotemporal Graph Convolution Network in Virtual Reality Interaction
Authors: Liao Ting
Published: May 2022

Aiming at the low recognition rate of traditional gesture, a gesture recognition algorithm based on spatiotemporal graph convolution network is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the dynamic gesture data were preprocessed, including removing invalid gesture frames, completing gesture frame data and normalization of joint length. Then, the key frame of the gesture is extracted according to the given coordinate information of the hand joint. A connected graph is constructed according to the natural connection of time series information and gesture skeleton. A spatio-temporal convolutional network with multi-attention mechanism is used to learn spatio-temporal features to predict gestures. Finally, experiments are carried out on 14 types of gesture dataset in DHG-14 dynamic gesture dataset. Experimental results show that this method can recognize gestures accurately.
Research on Robot-Based Gesture Interactive Decoration Design
Authors: Yang Liu
Published: May 2022

Recently, automata have become a research hott spot in various countries for a wide range of applications in areas such as security, entertainment, and industry. We designed a mobile robot which is based on gesture control with the focus on gesture interaction control which includes: gesture definition, hand gesture acquisition, hand gesture decoration, hand gesture pre-processing and hand pointer recognition in this paper.This paper uses a combination of qualitative analysis and quantitative research to study the mapping characteristics of gesture interactive decoration and its internal connection with user interaction behaviors by using a combination of theoretical analysis and situational experiments, which not only helps to understand the human-computer interaction decoration Complexity, it has important positive significance in theoretical discussion, research methods and experimental methods. The experiments show that the average recognition rate of the five gestures obtained in this paper reaches 92.5%. The robot can accurately recognize gestures and make corresponding actions
Internet of Things in the Quality Control of Cement Mixing Pile Construction
Authors: Yao Yujuan
Published: May 2022

Cement mixing pile is frequently used in construction, and has a great impact on the overall construction quality. This paper proposes the use of Internet of things equipment in the process of cement mixing pile construction for automatic supervision, so as to achieve the purpose of overall construction quality control. This paper constructs IOT cement mixing pile construction quality control model iotcmp (Internet of Things cement mixing pile) based on BIM. The Internet of things management and control model in this paper is implemented in the form of web. The research shows that the water cement ratio of the cement mixing pile is 0.62 under the control of the Internet of things when the cement dosage is set to fluctuate by 15%. The texture of the mixed cement product is clear, and the average compressive strength is 2.65mpa. In this case, the average number of standard penetration blows is 38. It can be seen that it is feasible to use the Internet of things equipment to monitor the cement mixing pile in real time and evaluate the overall benefit.
Research on Hybrid Immune Algorithm for Solving the Location-Routing Problem With Simultaneous Pickup and Delivery
Authors: Wang Xiaowei
Published: May 2022

In the simultaneous pickup and delivery problem, every customer has both delivery demand and pick-up demand, and both demands need to be served simultaneously．Under this condition, a location-routing problem with simultaneous pickup and delivery model was established to minimize the sum of location cost, routing cost and transportation cost. For solving this model, a Hybrid Immune Algorithm was developed. The initial solution was generated by greedy clustering algorithm; The antibody was evaluated and sorted by the original immune algorithm; And the immune operation of the original algorithm was improved by the neighborhood search operation. Finally, the feasibility of the model and the effectiveness of the algorithm were verified by using the Hybrid Immune Algorithm, the original Immune Algorithm, the simulated annealing algorithm and the ant colony algorithm.
Software Effort Estimation Development From Neural Networks to Deep Learning Approaches
Authors: Rijwani Poonam , Jain Sonal
Published: May 2022

Software Engineering is a branch of computers that includes the development of structured software applications. Estimation is a significant measure of software engineering projects, and the skill to yield correct effort estimates influences vital economic processes, which include budgeting and bid tenders. But it is challenging to estimate at an initial stage of project development. Numerous conventional and machine learning-based methods are utilized for estimating effort and still, it is a challenge to achieve consistency in precise predictions. In this research exploration, various ANN-based models are compared with conventional algorithmic methods. The study also presents the comparison of results on various datasets from the artificial neural network models, deep learning models, higher-order Neural Network models, leading to the conclusion that hybrid methods yield better results. This paper also includes an analysis of primary data collected from Software Project professionals using the questionnaire method involving questions related to software cost estimation.
A Systematic Review of Tools Available in the Field of Augmented Reality
Authors: Trivedi Naresh Kumar , Anand Abhineet , Sagar Pinki , Batra Neha , Noonia Ajit , Kumar Ajay
Published: May 2022

Augmented Reality interfaces have been extensively researched throughout the past few decades, with many user studies being conducted. This paper examines the landscape of research on augmented reality. We summarise the overall contribution of each field and will then present examples of influential user studies. We identify other areas of research that would be advantageous to possible future studies. There is a trend toward hands-free applications and most user testing is carried out in the laboratory. This research will also help researchers learning the best practices when conducting AR user studies.
Implementation of a Human Motion Capture System Based on the Internet of Things Machine Vision
Authors: Yu Fang
Published: May 2022

The classification of the stereo matching comprehensive analysis related algorithm model can be subdivided into local stereo matching based on the entire acquisition and global stereo matching based on the entire local. But it can have a higher capture efficiency because the log-likelihood variance cost calculation function can have a faster feature convergence capture speed than the ordinary log-mean-square error cost function. Through the combination of gray channel and frame difference channel, a better network structure and parameters on the KTH data set are obtained, which can ensure the classification effect while greatly reducing the number of parameters, improving training efficiency and improving classification accuracy. The article uses dual-channel 3D convolutional human neural network technology to achieve 92.5% accuracy of human feature capture, which is significantly better than many traditional feature extraction techniques proposed in the literature.
Is transient ischemic attack a minor stroke?
Authors: Dolcetti Ettore , Bruno Antonio , Centonze Diego
Published: May 2022

In the current literature, the utility of transient ischemic attack (TIA) diagnosis is under revision by the scientific community and experts. If initially this term was considered a valid diagnostic category, over the years the definition of TIA has been completely subverted, underlining the scientific lability of this nosological entity [...]
Molecular epidemiology of Orientia tsutsugamushi from outbreak regions, Madhya Pradesh, central India
Authors: Manjunathachar HV , Tiwari Prakash , Raut CG , Singh Shailendra K , Das Aparup
Published: May 2022

Scrub typhus is a seriously neglected life threatening disease in Asia and the islands of the Pacific and Indian oceans. The causative agent is Orientia tsutsugamushi, an obligate intra-cytosolic bacterium transmitted to vertebrate animals such as human or rodent by larval trombiculid mites (chiggers). Here, we conducted an outbreak investigation in Madhya Pradesh state in central India after sudden upsurge in scrub typhus cases and mortality in humans. Sixty-five live traps were placed for capturing the rodents. The captured rodent species were identified and the samples were subjected to nested PCR targeting 56kDa TSA gene. Analysis revealed for the first-time predominant circulation of Karp genotype in this region. The vector species involved in transmission is Leptotrobidium deliense. In conclusion, we reported the circulation of Karp strain in outbreak regions of Madhya Pradesh and suggest that public health monitoring and surveillance needs to be improved. Studies on antigenic diversity, association of strains with clinical spectrum and pathogenicity in the local setup will be essential for development of region-specific diagnostics and vaccines.
A note on the insecticide susceptibility status of secondary malaria vector An. annularis in Jharkhand state of India
Authors: Das M K , Rahi Manju , Kumar Gaurav , Raghavendra K
Published: May 2022

Background & objectives: An. annularis van der Wulp (1884) is the secondary malaria vector of importance in India. In Jharkhand state it is present in almost all the districts abundantly and transmits malaria. The development of resistance to Dichlorodipheny ltrichloroethane (DDT) in An. annularis was reported from various parts of India. The main objective of this study was to generate information on insecticide susceptibility status of An. annularis to DDT, malathion, deltamethrin and permethrin in different districts of Jharkhand state.

Methods; Adult An. annularis female mosquitoes were collected form villages of six tribal districts Simdega (Kurdeg and Simdega CHC), Khunti (Murhu and Khunti CHCs), Gumla (Bharno and Gumla CHCs), West Singhbhum (Chaibasa and Bada Jamda CHCs), Godda (Poraiyahat and Sunderpahari (CHCs) and Sahibganj (Borio and Rajmahal CHCs). Insecticide susceptibility status was determined by using WHO tube test method against prescribed discriminatory dosages of insecticides, DDT - 4.0%, malathion - 5.0%, deltamethrin - 0.05% and permethrin - 0.75%.

Results: An. annularis was reported resistant to DDT in six districts, possible resistant to malathion in districts Gumla, Khuntiand Sahibganj and susceptible to deltamehrin (98% to100% mortality) and permethrin (100% mortality).

Interpretation & conclusion: An. annularis, the secondary vector species is associated with the transmission of malaria reported resistant to DDT and susceptible to pyrerthroids deltamethrin and permethrin. In view of large-scale distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) in all the districts, the response to synthetic pyrethroid needs to be periodically monitored to assess the effectiveness.
Changing Paradigm in the epidemiology of Japanese encephalitis in India
Authors: Paulraj Philip Samuel , Rajamannar Veeramanoharan , Renu Govindarajan , Kumar Ashwani
Published: May 2022

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a very serious public health problem in India and the conducive environment permit its emergence in non-endemic areas in the country. There are constant changes taking place in the pattern of current agricultural practices and vector breeding habitats which had far-reaching consequences on the epidemiology of JE and the severity of epidemic outbreaks today. Due to the continuous ecological changes taking place, vectors changed in their breeding dynamics, feeding, and resting behavior and started invading previously non-endemic areas. JE has recently spread to new territories due to land-use changes, including forest fragmentation and concentrated livestock production. Changes in the livestock population decreased the cattle pig ratio which enhanced the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection. This review brings forth the present widespread changes encountered that grossly impact the risk of infection in many places for the emergence of Japanese encephalitis and to address the implications for its control.
A randomized controlled study to compare analgesic efficacy of sublingual buprenorphine and intravenous tramadol in patients undergoing mastectomy
Authors: Dokku Krishna Sumanth , Nair Abhijit Sukumaran , Prasad Mantha Srinivasa Shyam , Naik Vibhavari Milind , Saifuddin Mohammed Salman , Rayani Basanth Kumar
Published: May 2022

Sublingual (SL) buprenorphine is approved for managing acute postoperative pain, characterized by easy administration, good pain relief and good patient compliance. We hypothesized that SL buprenorphine would be a better perioperative analgesic compared to intravenous (IV) opioids like tramadol in patients undergoing mastectomy surgery for breast cancer. After institutional ethics committee approval, we randomized 60 patients with breast cancer into 2 groups. In buprenorphine group, patients received 200 μg of SL buprenorphine thrice daily and in tramadol group patients received 100 mg of IV tramadol thrice daily. The analgesic efficacy of SL buprenorphine was comparable to that of IV tramadol. Visual Analogue Scale scores had no significant difference between the two groups at various time frames (0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours) at rest and movement except at 0 and 3 hours during movement when the score was lower in the tramadol group than the buprenorphine group. Four patients in the buprenorphine group received rescue analgesic (IV morphine 3 mg). Analgesic efficacy of SL buprenorphine appears comparable to IV tramadol for managing postoperative pain after mastectomy. SL buprenorphine can be administered sublingually, which is an advantage.
Cranial Autonomic Symptoms in Migraine
Authors: Tiwari Ashutosh , Maurya Pradeep K. , Qavi Abdul , Kulshreshtha Dinkar , Thacker Anup K. , Singh Ajai K.
Published: May 2022

Objective:

Our aim was to observe frequency of cranial autonomic symptoms (CAS) in migraineurs (primary) and its relation with laterality of headache or other factors, if any.

Background:

Migraine episodes have headaches with or without aura, and sometimes associated with systemic autonomic nervous system symptoms. Primarily presence of cranial autonomic symptoms suggests diagnosis of TACs. But many studies reported cranial autonomic symptoms (CAS) ranging from 26% to 80% in migraine patients.

Material and Methods:

Consecutive patients of migraine attending our headache clinic were included in our study. Presence of CAS was recorded with respect to ocular, nasal, facial and aural symptoms along with headache characteristics and laterality information. Detailed clinical examination was performed. We used ICHD 3 (beta version) criteria.

Results:

Our study cohort comprised of 200 patients having mean (± SD) age 31.12 (± 10.67) years. There were 157 (78.5%), females. Out of 200 patients, 148 (74%) were having at least one CAS, of which 70% were having 2 or more CAS. Frequency of CAS was lacrimation (45.5%), conjunctival injection (34.5%), eyelid edema (34%), aural fullness (27.5%), facial sweating (25%), facial flushing (17.5%), nasal congestion (9%), rhinorrhea (5%) and ptosis (4%). Bilateral CAS was present in 129 (87%) and unilateral CAS in 19 (13%) (OR 35.31; 95% CI 9.19 to 135.7), (P < 0.0001). Sunlight as a trigger was present in all 148 (100%) patients.

Conclusion:

Our study showed that CASs in migraine is common and bilateral. Sunlight triggers headache in almost all CAS positive patients.
Mismatch repair protein deficiency assessed by immunohistochemistry in sporadic colorectal carcinoma
Authors: Adhikari Cynthia , Bandyopadhyay Ranjana , Bandyopadhyay Ujjwal , Sarkar Snigdha , Basu Keya
Published: May 2022

Context:

Globally, colorectal carcinoma (CRC) ranks the third most commonly diagnosed malignant disease, one of the leading causes of cancer deaths.

Aims:

To study the spectrum of clinicopathological characteristics of sporadic colorectal carcinoma and to assess mismatch repair gene deficiency by the expression pattern of the proteins assessed by immunohistochemistry.

Setting and Design:

Observational study conducted in a tertiary care hospital in West Bengal.

Materials and Methods:

Fifty-two surgically resected specimens of CRC received from January 2018 to May 2019 were studied for clinical, morphological, MSI status.

Statistical Analysis Used:

IBM SPSS 23.

Results:

A total of 50% of the cases belonged to younger and 50% to the older population, with male predominance being 53.8%. The most common histologic type was adenocarcinoma (88.5%). The majority was found to be well-differentiated carcinoma (50%). The majority cases were of the T3 stage accounting to 38.5%. A total of 24 out of 52 cases (46.15%) had an absent expression of at least one mismatch repair (MMR) protein. A significant correlation was found between the young age group and microsatellite instability (MSI) with a P value of 0.001. A significant association was found between MSI and tumor differentiation with P value of 0.018. A significant association was found between MSH6 and histological type with P value of 0.012. A significant association was found between MSI and tumor stage with P value of 0.032.

Conclusions:

This study shows a significantly higher number of sporadic colon cancers involving the young age group, and younger cases showed significant association with MSI. This alarming trend needs validation by studies involving larger populations and can be helpful prognostically as well as in formulating chemotherapeutic regimens.
In-Person Versus Virtual Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Education during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic
Authors: Chen Ya-Ting , Chou Raymond , Kohler Minna J. , Eng Christine , Borg-Stein Joanne
Published: May 2022

Background:

Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSKUS) curricula in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM and R) residency programs have traditionally relied on in-person teaching workshops. However, the social distancing requirements during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has led to a growing interest in remote ultrasound education.

Aims:

The aim of the study is to assess residents' MSKUS skill confidence after in-person vs. virtual MSKUS teaching workshops in a PM and R residency program.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty-one PM and R residents at a single academic center were assigned to either an in-person MSKUS demonstration by a sports medicine faculty member (n = 10) or a real-time virtual demonstration (n = 11) for workshops of the knee and wrist and hand. Surveys using Likert scales were employed to assess the change in residents' confidence with performing MSKUS examinations and their satisfaction with the curriculum.

Results:

There was a significant increase in confidence scores from baseline to postworkshop for both the virtual and in-person groups. The linear mixed effect model showed that there were no significant differences between the virtual and in-person groups for their baseline, postworkshop, and changes in confidence scores. All participants were satisfied with the updated curriculum.

Conclusions:

With the ongoing pandemic, incorporating virtual teaching platforms into existing MSKUS curricula is feasible and may provide similar improvements in residents' skill confidence as the in-person workshops. Successful implementation requires consideration of several factors, including ultrasound machine availability, participants' familiarity with technology, and the quality of the virtual streaming platform. A multi-institutional randomized controlled trial can further evaluate the effectiveness of remote MSKUS education for PM and R trainees.
A modified surgical technique of fibrin glue-assisted double bipedicle conjunctival flaps for patients with ocular surface diseases
Authors: Liu Jen-Yu , Huang Wei-Lun , Hsieh Yun-Han , Wu Jo-Hsuan , Huang Chien-Jung , Chen Wei-Li
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to describe and investigate the surgical outcome and complications of fibrin glue-assisted double bipedicle conjunctival flaps (CFs) (FADCOF), an alternative surgical technique that restores a stable ocular surface in patients with painful blinding ocular surface disease combined with a shortage of bulbar conjunctiva. Six eyes of six patients with painful blinding ocular surface disease were enrolled in this study. All patients had inadequate superior or inferior conjunctiva tissue to cover the whole corneal surface owing to previous surgeries or ocular surface diseases. These patients received FADCOF between 2009 and 2019. The main outcome included surgical success rate, visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, ocular inflammation score, and postoperative complications. Surgical success was defined as resolution of initial ocular complaints and restoration of a stable ocular surface with no flap melting, retraction, or dehiscence resulting in re-exposure of the corneal surface. All of the six eyes (100%) achieved surgical success. All patients reported significant improvement in subjective symptoms and complete resolution of ocular pain after the surgery (VAS pain score: 6.5 ± 0.5 preoperatively to 0.0 ± 0.0 at 1 month). Ocular inflammation score decreased significantly from a presurgical value of 1.83 ± 0.69 to 0.33 ± 0.47 1 month after the surgery. No postoperative complication was found during the long-term follow-up (range: 12–82 months). FADCOF is a reliable alternative for patients with painful blinding ocular surface diseases unsuitable for single total CF surgery. This surgical technique yields fast ocular surface stabilization, satisfactory recovery, and low complication rates.
Sobreexposición e hipersexualización para vender más: percepciones y actitudes sociales sobre las preadolescentes en comunicaciones comerciales
Authors: Llovet Rodríguez Carmen , Narros González María José , Díaz-Bustamante Ventisca Mónica , Ruiz-SanRomán José A.
Published: May 2022

Introducción. Las preadolescentes siguen patrones de las influencers para su entretenimiento, y pueden imitar la exhibición pública de contenido personal como forma de venta en su proceso de socialización. Objetivo. Este artículo analiza las percepciones y actitudes de la sociedad española sobre las representaciones de las menores en las comunicaciones comerciales. Metodología. Se ha realizado una encuesta telefónica a 346 hogares en toda España entre 18 y 65 años. Resultados. en 8 de cada 10 hogares se percibe que las preadolescentes sobreexponen fácilmente su imagen (78,7%), dan mayor valor a su aspecto físico que a otros aspectos (78,8%) y asumen patrones adultos de comportamiento (77,7%). Respecto a su representación en comunicaciones comerciales, se piensa que la publicidad muestra una imagen de ellas mucho mayores de lo que son (86,4%), idealizada (84,8%) e hipersexualizada con el objetivo de vender más (83,1%), y que los estilismos no son acordes con la edad de las preadolescentes (73,7%). Conclusiones. La percepción global de las preadolescentes en la sociedad española es de una aceptación generalizada de imagen irreal, idealizada y de mayor edad que las hace vulnerables. Recomendaciones. Por su uso elevado, frecuente y exclusivo de los medios digitales es necesario que los preadolescentes desarrollen competencias que les den acceso a un capital cultural más relevante. La alfabetización digital puede ser un factor de inclusión social al desarrollar valores que fomenten su integración como sujetos críticos y activos.
Identifying and catering for gifted learners in an inclusive classroom: A means of reducing delinquency, school drop out rate and increasing national development in Nigeria
Authors: Ntamu Blessing Agbo , Oyo-Ita Margaret
Published: May 2022

A regular classroom contains a diverse group of learners. Learners with very divergent characteristics sometimes. Classroom activities should be planned in such a way that every learner‟s needs are provided for and every learner is guided towards achieving his maximum potential. Failure to do so may lead some learners into delinquent behaviors and some may even drop out. Classroom activities seem to be planned with the average learners and the learning disadvantaged in mind. Most times learning facilitators do not factor in the needs of gifted children when planning classroom activities. It is believed that 6% of students in the public school are gifted. This percentage of students have the capacity to impact positively on national development if their gifts are identified and maximized. However, this seems not to be the case. Only the gifted students who find their way into specialized gifted schools have the privilege of having their gifts developed. The program for selection of students into gifted programs seems to be flawed in climes where statistics exist. To the extent that minority groups and low-income groups seem to be discriminated from assessing gifted programs. The researcher‟s position regarding this situation is that every school prepares for the gifted child as well while selecting and designing learning experiences. That every classroom facilitator be equipped to identify and to cater the needs of the gifted child within the normal inclusive classroom in order that no child‟s gift is ignored. Teacher‟s training programs should include training for identification and catering for gifted children. This will also reduce the rate of delinquency and school drop out that results from boredom of gifted children who are under-challenged and contribute to national development. This paper covers the following areas: Introduction, theoretical framework, the concept of giftedness in the classroom, characteristics of gifted learners, Giftedness as a means for reducing delinquency, school dropout rate and achieving national development, identifying gifted learners, meeting the needs of the gifted child in an inclusive classroom, and conclusion.
Dietary knowledge, attitudes and practices: a cross-sectional survey of type 2 diabetic patients in two tertiary hospitals in Jos, Nigeria
Authors: Okunlola Rotkangmwa C. , Abu Samuel J. , Joseph Benjamin N. , Damun Pandell A. , Selowo Temitope T. , Dapar Maxwell P.
Published: May 2022

Diet is a crucial aspect of diabetes management and healthy eating is one of the main focus in preventing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Despite mounting evidence of the role of the dietary approach in the management of diabetes mellitus, studies still show low adherence to dietary recommendations. This study aimed at assessing the dietary knowledge, attitudes, and practices of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in two tertiary hospitals in Jos, Nigeria. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 448 type 2 diabetic patients using systematic random sampling. Quantitative data was collected using a self- administered questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. A 95% confidence interval was used and a probability value of P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study revealed that dietary knowledge of type 2 diabetic patients attending tertiary health care facilities in Jos, Nigeria was poor, their attitudes were positive, but they had poor dietary practices. A significant association was observed between marital status (P=0.022), religion (P=0.003), education level (P=0.000), employment status (P=0.000), family history (P=0.012), and dietary knowledge. This study highlights the importance of proper health education as this could possibly improve dietary knowledge, dietary practices that potentially change patient outcomes.
Effects of flushing and various doses of β-Carotene and vitamin E applications on the reproductive performance of ewes
Authors: Altincekic S. Ozis , Koyuncu M. , Duru S.
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study was to determine whether fertility could be enhanced in Kıvırcık ewes during the anoestrous period by flushing or by administering an injectable (Ovostim) containing β-Carotene and vitamin E. Three-year-old Kıvırcık ewes (n = 99) were used. The ewes were randomly divided into four groups: flushing, a single dose of Ovostim (5 ml/ewe) before the breeding season, a dose of Ovostim 10 days before the breeding season and a second dose at its start, and an untreated control. Results showed that pregnancy rate was higher in the treated groups than in the control (P <0.001). The single dose of Ovostim produced more multiple births (72%) and the highest litter size (1.64) compared with the other treatments. Although the double-dose of Ovostim influenced the ewes in the anoestrous period to the point of becoming pregnant, it failed to favourably affect the number of lambs born per ewe lambing. In conclusion, flushing the ewes or administering a single dose of Ovostim was shown to be advantageous in comparison with untreated ewes or those given two doses of Ovostim.
Bone, microbiological and intestinal characteristics of piglets fed diets containing Lithothamnium calcareum
Authors: Genova J.L. , Oliveira N.T.E. , Scherer C.P. , Carvalho P.L.O. , Costa A. B. S. , Artoni S.M.B. , Júnior A.C.G. , Santos L.B.A. , Carvalho S.T. , Bortoluzzi J.
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of calcitic seaweed (CS), calcitic limestone (CL) and monodicalcium phosphate (DP) fed to piglets in various combinations on their gastrointestinal tract and bones. A total of 128 piglets (21 days old, 5.50 ± 0.49 kg bodyweight (BW) were assigned to treatments in a randomized complete block design and eight replications to one of four diets: D1: with CL + DP, D2: with CL, CS + DP, D3, similar to D2, but with 30% less calcium from CS and DP, and D4: with CS + DP. Treatments affected the metatarsal bones, mineral concentration in the heart and liver, and pH in the cecum and colon.Piglets fed D4 tended to have a greater Enterobacteriaceae count in the jejunum and ileum compared withD1 (4.82 vs 4.79 CFU/g). Piglets fed D1 and D3 had a greater Enterobacteriaceae count in their cecum than D4 (4.79 and 4.80 vs 4.76). The D2 and D1 treatments produced greater crypt depth (CD) in the duodenum and ileum compared with D3 and D4, respectively. Feeding D3 resulted in a greater villus height (VH) to CD ratio in the duodenum compared with D2 and showed a 24.5% increase in heart weight compared with fed D1. In conclusion, CS could be an alternative source of calcium source for piglets. The inconsistent findings of the present study suggest the need for further studies to better understand the interplay of effects of Ca2+ source and level on its metabolism.
Prevalence and economic significance of Hypoderma bovis in Ardahan
Authors: Ayvazoḡlu C. , KizilTepe Ş. , Demir P. Ayvazoḡlu
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cattle infected by Hypoderma, a parasite that causes great economic losses in the world, especially in the Ardahan region. A total of 31 095 cattle skins were randomly selected between 15 November 2020 and 15 March 2021 and examined. The prevalence of warbles was 47.3%. The proportions of cattle with warbles on the skin on their backs were 76.6% in one-year-old and younger animals, 60.9% in two- and three-year-old animals, and 16.5% in cattle that were four years old or more. It was determined that 53.6% of the cattle with warbles on the back skin were indigenous breeds, 47.6% were Simmental and Montofon crosses, and 36.2% were domestic breeds. The average number of larvae was 8.2. Interviews with the owners of the infected animals revealed that hide loss was on average 10% in live weight, with a 5% to 8% in the milk production of dairy cows. In the animals under investigation the total economic loss from warbles caused by damage to the hide was calculated as US$114 188. Thus, it is important to carry out preventive practices regularly to limit the spread of the parasite and prevent economic loss in Ardahan.
Effect of dietary energy concentration on the growth of slow-growing Korat chickens from 43 to 84 days old
Authors: Maliwan P. , Okrathok S. , Pukkung C. , Pasri P. , Khempaka S.
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of diets with different energy levels on the growth performance of slow-growing chickens (so-called Korat chicken (KRC)). The KRC is a cross between a male Thai native chicken (Leung Hang Khoa) and females from crosses among modern broiler and layer lines. The study was divided into two experimental periods when the birds were from 43 to 63 days old and 64 to 84 days old. Birds received feed and water ad libitum throughout the trial. In this study, 1200 mixed-sex KRC(624 and 576 chicks in phases 1 and 2, respectively) were distributed equally to four diets, which provided 2750, 2900, 3050 and 3200 kcal ME/kg. There were six replicate pens of each treatment. At both ages,increased energy content of the diet resulted in decreased feed intake (FI) and thus improved the feed conversion ratio (FCR). Weight gain was unaffected by the treatments. Using a broken-line analysis, dietary energy containing about 3200 kcal ME/kg was found to have the most beneficial effect on FCR during both periods. Thus, the optimal ME for KRC between 43 and 84 days old was 3200 kcal/kg.
Evaluation of grass and legume tropical mixtures and performance of grazed sheep
Authors: Moura R.L. , Oliveira M.E. , Carvalho W.F. , Rodrigues M.M. , Santos M.S. , Edvan R.L. , Abdalla A.L. , Moreira M.Z. , Silva E.M.
Published: May 2022

The objective of this research was to determine the pasture structure, nutritional value, animal behaviour, intake, and performance of Santa Inês sheep grazing pastures with various mixtures of grass (Andropogon gayanus) and forage legume (Stylosanthes sp. and Calopogonium mucunoides). A randomized block design was adopted with the treatments arranged in a 3 x 2 factorial scheme, with the factors consisting of cropping systems and grazing cycles. Grass in the mixed species pastures had a greater leaf/stem ratio than in the monoculture. Total forage mass was greater in the mixed pastures, which had the highest concentrations of crude protein and total digestible nutrients, the lowest fibre concentration, and the highest in vitro dry matter digestibility. Legumes were grazed with the highest frequency, and biting rate was highest in Andropogon gayanus with Stylosanthes sp. The highest intake (kg/day) was found in the mixed swards and the highest animal weight gain (143 g/day) in the mixed pastures. The pastures of Andropogon gayanus mixed with Stylosanthes sp. and C. mucunoides showed improved forage nutritive value and intake compared with the grass monoculture.
The impact of dietary protein content and lighting programme on breast meat yield in broiler chickens
Authors: Sodella P. , Rani Z. , Gous R.M.
Published: May 2022

Effects of the interaction between lighting programme and dietary protein content on broiler performance and meat yield were investigated. The hypothesis was that low breast meat yield from birds managed under short day lengths could be improved by increasing dietary protein content. The treatments consisted of four lighting programmes and four dietary protein levels. They were applied to sexed broilers from one day old to 35 days old. Eight light-tight rooms each contained eight pens with 50 birds, sexes separate, in each pen. Each feed x sex treatment was replicated twice in each room, with the four lighting treatments also being replicated twice. Multiple regression analysis was used to measure responses to the three factors. There was no significant interaction between dietary protein content and lighting programme in feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, bodyweight gain, carcass chemical composition and breast meat yield. Breast meat yield was linearly related to the number of hours of light, the highest yield occurring on the longest day length. Food intake was the same on the shortest day length and the longest, yet breast meat yield was greater on the 23-hour light programme. The decreased breast meat yield in broilers given short day lengths was therefore not the consequence of a shortage of dietary protein, and this hypothesis therefore had to be rejected.