bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deal or No Deal? The Effects of Deregulation on Public School Leaders’ Support for Private School Choice in California
Authors: DeAngelis Corey A. , Burke Lindsey M.
Published: December 2020

Public school leaders might be more likely to support private school voucher programs if they are enacted alongside public school deregulations. We use a survey experiment to examine the effects of public school deregulations on actual public school leaders’ support for a hypothetical private school voucher program in California. We do not find evidence to suggest that public school deregulations affect public school leaders’ support for private school vouchers overall. However, we unexpectedly find that deregulations related to teacher certification and administration of standardized tests further decrease support for private school choice for leaders of large public schools. This unexpected result may be explained by expected adjustment costs or regulatory capture.
Using the health belief model to identify barriers to seasonal influenza vaccination among Australian adults in 2019
Authors: Trent Mallory , Salmon Daniel , MacIntyre C. Raina
Published: December 2020

Background: Tens of thousands of Australians become ill with influenza
annually, causing thousands of severe infections that require
hospitalisation. However, only 40% of adults receive the annual
influenza vaccine. We surveyed Australian adults to provide up-to-date
data on the predictors and barriers of seasonal influenza vaccination.
Methods: We administered an online survey to a nationally representative
sample of Australian adults. We designed survey questions using the
constructs of the health belief model. Using simple and multivariable
Poisson regression, we identified attitudes and beliefs associated with
influenza vaccination in 2019. Results: Among 1,444 respondents, 51.7%
self-reported influenza vaccination in 2019. We estimated vaccine
coverage to be 44% for adults under 45, 46% for adults aged 45 to 64,
and 77% for adults aged 65 and over. The strongest individual
predictors of self-reported vaccination were believing the vaccine is
effective at preventing influenza (APR = 3.71; 95% CI = 2.87-4.80),
followed by recalling their doctor recommending the vaccine (APR = 2.70;
95%CI = 2.31-3.16). Common perceived barriers that predicted
self-reported vaccination included believing the vaccine could give you
influenza (APR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.52-0.67), believing the vaccine can
make you ill afterwards (APR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.62-0.74), and
preferring to develop immunity “naturally” (APR = 0.38; 95% CI =
0.32-0.45). Conclusion: Although vaccine uptake in 2019 appears to be
higher than previous years, there are perceived barriers which may limit
uptake among Australians. Tailored interventions are needed to combat
widespread influenza vaccine hesitancy, particularly among high risk
grou
Sluder's neuralgia- A sequalae of nasogastric tube feeding
Authors: Naidu Joshna , Subash Anand , Rao Vishal
Published: December 2020

Management of nutritional needs is of paramount importance in cancer
patients and nasogastric feeding is the most common method. Nasal cavity
being a richly innervated region, is also a hallway for the exposure of
the same to external environment. Any trauma or pressure to these nerve
endings result in unilateral headache mimicking Sluder’s neuralgia.
Nasogastric tube may irritate the nasal mucosa and exert pressure on the
nasal turbinates. We believe that the persistent headache in patients
with NG tube is distinctly significant that it interferes with the
physical comfort of patient. It also influences the sleep patterns,
thereby causing repercussions in the emotional well-being. Head and neck
oncologists being the primary clinicians, it is imperative to consider
the Sluder’s neuralgia in patients with nasogastric tube feeding. This
mandates a prospective study to describe the clinical features and the
treatment of ‘NGT neuralgia’.
ECMO (Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) experience in severe ARDS (Acute respiratory distress syndrome) due to COVID-19
Authors: ÇAVUŞ MİNE
Published: December 2020

Lung infections caused by COVID-19; it can progress to severe ARDS with
a high mortality.ECMO treatment is among the treatments applied in ARDS
due to COVID-19.In this case report; It was aimed to discuss the results
of ECMO treatment in ARDS developing due to COVID-19.
Pleuropulmonary Blastoma: A Single-center Case Series of 7 Patients
Authors: Sidiqi M Masood , Xu Ling , gera parshotam , Kikiros Colin
Published: December 2020

Introduction Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is an aggressive primary
neoplasm of pleuropulmonary mesenchyme occurring in children. Given its
rarity, the International Pleuropulmonary Blastoma Registry (IPPBR) was
established in 1988 to collect and assess data on PPB worldwide. We
assessed the clinical characteristics, histopathology, genetic studies,
management, and treatment outcomes of patients with PPB in our
institution, and compared with the published literature. Materials and
Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all PPB cases
diagnosed at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children in Western
Australia over a period of 26 years (1990-2016). Results Seven children
(4 boys and 3 girls) were treated for PPB at a mean age of 11.5 months
(ranges 1 month to 3.55 years). Histopathology showed type I PPB in
five, type II in one, and type III in one. All seven patients underwent
thoracotomy/lobectomy of the corresponding site. One patient required
additional bladder resection for coexisting rhabdomyosarcoma. One
patient was found to be positive for DICER1 gene mutation. Six patients
received adjuvant chemotherapy with vincristine, adriamycin,
cyclophosphamide (VAC) regime, with the mean duration of treatment for
five patients being 9.4 months excluding one patient who deceased
without completion of chemotherapy. During a mean follow-up time of 9
years, the overall survival rate for this cohort was 85.7% (6/7).
Conclusions Our results are similar to those reported in the literature.
It is crucial for clinicians to consider PPB in the evaluation of
patients presenting with a cystic lung abnormality, especially in cases
with DICER1 mutation or a strong family history of unusual cancers.
The repercussions of reduced energy and protein intake during the early neonatal period of very-low-birth-weight infants on their lung function during childhood
Authors: Fernández José Uberos , Jimenez YOLANDA Gónzalez , Campos-Martínez Ana , Tejerizo-Hidalgo María , Fernández-Marín Elizabeth , Blanca-Jover Enrique
Published: December 2020

Background Prematurity and bronchopulmonary dysplasia can modify lung
function in children and adults. Postnatal nutrition and rapid growth
catch-up may influence the long-term development of lung function.
Methods This prospective observational study was based on a cohort of
334 very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) neonates, born between 1 January 2008
and 12 December 2015. Patients with severe neurological damage, death or
incomplete data record were excluded. When these infants reached a mean
age of 7.7 years, a spirometry evaluation was performed, to determine
FEV1, FEF25-75%, FVC and the FEV1/FVC ratio. The relation between these
parameters and nutritional intake in the early neonatal period was
determined by regression analysis. Results In total, 40 spirometry tests
were performed. The results obtained, after adjusting for age and sex by
Z-scores for the spirometry variables, showed that the schoolchildren
who had been VLBW recorded significantly lower spirometry results (FVC,
FEV1, FEF25-75%) than the reference values. Furthermore, there was a
significant association between the FEV1/FVC ratio and the intake of
macronutrients and energy in the first week of life. It is hypothesised
that increasing energy intake and achieving a higher protein/energy
ratio in the first week of life would improve the FEV1/FVC ratio by the
time these VLBW infants reach school age. Conclusions Active nutritional
management in the early neonatal period is associated with improved lung
function, as reflected by the spirometry findings obtained.
The Effect of Combined Septal and Turbinate Injection of Botulinum Toxin Type A in Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Ismail Mostafa , Nabil Alaa , Nasr Mostafa , hak balegh abdel , Awad Osama , Hamead khalaf
Published: December 2020

Objectives: Allergic rhinitis ( AR) has been recently increasing in
prevalence, and traditional treatment strategies sometimes show limited
effectiveness for patients with intractable AR. Botulinum toxin type A
(BTX-A) is among the increasingly used alternative treatment options.
This study was conducted aiming at clinical assessment of the effect of
combined septal and turbinate injection of BTX-A for management of
uncontrolled AR. Design and setting: A single-arm pilot study enrolled
40 patients having moderate to severe uncontrolled AR were recruited in
between October 2018 and August 2019. Each patient received 45 units of
BTX-A injected in 3 fixed points of each side of the nose: inferior
turbinate (15IU), middle turbinate (15IU) and nasal septum (15IU). All
patients were evaluated in terms of nasal hypersecretions, congestion
and sneezing with visual analogue scale prior to treatment and at weeks
1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 during the follow-up period. Results: Throughout the
12 weeks follow-up period, a significant difference in the degree of
nasal hypersecretions could be identified before and after BTX-A
injection. Sneezing differed significantly only in the first 4 weeks
while nasal congestion did not differ significantly, before and after
BTX-A injection. BTX-A was well tolerated by the patients, with no
serious adverse or systemic effects. Conclusion: Combined septal and
turbinate injection of BTX-A, in patients with uncontrolled AR, may be a
long-lasting therapeutic option for the treatment of nasal
hypersecretions, but not as effective as for sneezing and nasal
congestion.
Remdesivir for the treatment COVID-19: finding the optimal route
Authors: Yang Chengliang
Published: December 2020

This is a letter to the editor. Please see the manuscript.
ESL Teachers’ Perceptions on the Implementation of CEFR in Malaysian Primary Schools: Issues and Challenges
Authors:   Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia, Mohamad Khair Aina Hartini , Mohd Shah Parilah Mohd ,   Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia
Published: December 2020

This study aims to investigate the English teachers’ views on the CEFR-aligned curriculum adoption in Malaysian primary ESL classroom. This paper intends to investigate the challenges surrounding teachers’ pedagogical practices on CEFR-based incorporated lesson. The study employs a quantitative approach where data were collected via survey questionnaires which is adapted and distributed to ESL primary school teachers in Malaysia via random purposive sampling. A descriptive statistic was used to analyse the quantitative data. The findings revealed that most of the teachers admitted having limited knowledge and minimum exposure on the CEFR implementation. Yet, they perceived positive perceptions on the revised CEFR-aligned curriculum adoption despite facing some difficulties and challenges. Teachers’ perceptions are vital for the authorities and policy makers to review and provide measures to ensure that stakeholders are fully prepared and capable to incorporate CEFR successfully and effectively in English language education.
A Linear Time Pattern Based Algorithm for N-Queens Problem
Authors: KARABULUT Bergen , ERGÜZEN Atilla , ÜNVER Halil Murat
Published: December 2020

The n-queens problem is the placing of n number of queens on an nxn chessboard so that no two queens attack each other. This problem is important due to various usage fields such as VLSI testing, traffic control job scheduling, data routing, dead-lock or blockage prevention, digital image processing and parallel memory storage schemes mentioned in the literature. Besides, this problem has been used as a benchmark for developing new Artificial Intelligence search techniques. However, it is known that backtracking algorithms, one of the most frequently used algorithms to solve this problem, cannot produce all solutions in large n values due to the exponentially growing time complexity. Therefore, various methods have been proposed for producing one or more solutions, not all solutions for each n value. In this study, a pattern based approach that produces at least one unique solution for all n values (n>3) was detected. By using this pattern, a new algorithm that produces at least one unique solution for even very large n values in linear time was developed. The developed algorithm with О(n) time complexity produces quite faster solution to n-queens problem and even in some values, this algorithm produces (n-1)/2 unique solutions in linear time.
Prediction of Trolling behavior from sadism and Internet addiction in young adults of Buenos Aires
Authors: González Caino Pablo Christian , Resett Santiago
Published: December 2020

Background: Trolling is a very topical phenomenon, but much less studied unlike other problems related to new technologies. The present study evaluated the levels of trolling in adults from sadism and internet addiction. Method: For this purpose, an intentional sample of 708 adults of both genders (56% women, age M = 25 years SD = 8.7), from the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA) and Greater Buenos Aires (GBA), Argentina is selected. Participants answered the Trolling Questionnaire by Buckels et al., On Sadistic Tendencies by Paulhus et al., On Internet Addiction by Lam-Figueroa et al. and a demographic questionnaire. The data indicated that both vicarious sadism, outright sadism, and dysfunctionality in Internet use were predictors of trolling. Results: The results suggested an association of trolling with age and differences according to gender. A structural model to predict trolling based on sadism as a latent variable and internet addiction shows an adequate fit CFI = .99, TLI = .98, RMSEA = .04, indicating that sadism predicted trolling and internet addiction. Conclusion: Sadism is an important predictor for trolling behavior over the internet, where individuals with these characteristics take advantage of anonymity to carry out their aggressive behaviors.
COVID-19: A Critical Review on Viral Biochemistry, Environmental Transmission, Therapeutics and Safety Measures
Authors: Kumari Roshni , Nanda Kumari Pragati , Firdaus Hena , Dey Soumen
Published: December 2020

The outbreak of coronavirus disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is declared pandemic by World Health Organization (WHO) keeping in view its infection rate and toxicity level. The entire world is struggling hard to survive the prevailing health emergency. The authors realise the urgent need of contributing an overview of the present scenario to the researchers who are breathlessly trying to combat this pandemic situation. This review aimed at binding all the scattered data and research available till now on COVID-19 disease starting from its origin to transmission and spread through environmental factors till treatment and the safety measures that should be implemented. This article would possibly help the readers by providing an outlook of current scenario on various perspectives of COVID-19 disease at a single glance. The types, origin and toxicity caused are discussed in brief. The role of contaminated aerosols (viral-laden smoke from tobacco, cigarettes), wastewater, fomites, human and faecal matter are important in spreading the novel coronavirus in the environment. There is no specific treatment till date but clinical trials and diagnosis on several known drugs are on-going. The precaution and safety measures could hopefully reduce number of infections and mortality. The number of infected cases confirmed till 2 August 2020 was 17660523 with 680894 deaths in the world. We tried in this review article to summarize the scattered data available on biochemistry of SARS-CoV-2, environmental spread of virus and the safety measures to combat COVID-19 pandemic.
Image Analysis of Root Induction in Sedum praealtum Cuttings
Authors: Hernández-Zamora Ana K. , Rodríguez-Dorantes Angélica
Published: December 2020

Production of adventive roots is a process induced and regulated by phytohormones where auxins play an important role in controlling the growth and development of them, with a direct inﬂuence on the regenerative ability of plants. The aim of this study was to compare the root induction and development on Sedum praealtum cuttings by the action of 3-indolylbutyric acid (IBA) and naphthylacetic acid (NAA) concentrations by root image analysis. Root length of plantlets showed that there was an interval between 0.1 and 1.0 mg/L concentrations of efficient root induction with a clearly decrease of it as IBA concentration increased, also as NAA treatment showed. In this work, the rooting response of Sedum praealtum cuttings evaluated by root image analysis showed the application of IBA as an efficient synthetic auxin for vegetative propagation.
Synthesis of α-ribonucleoside (Majority) by the Coupling of NP/KI and NP/I₂
Authors: Ouzebla Driss
Published: December 2020

In this work we will demonstrate a method of preparing α-D-ribonucleosides using the solid-phase approach using the combination between natural phosphate doped with potassium iodide (NP/KI) and natural phosphate doped with iodine (NP/I2). All these derivatives ribonucleosides were prepared by N-glycosylation reaction between silylated bases and 1-O-acétyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-β-D-ribofuranoside.
Effect of Geometer’s Sketchpad on Senior High School Students’ Performance in Quadratic Graphing
Authors: Gyedu Abubakhar Alhassan , Owusu-Darko Isaac , Ofosu Ernest K.
Published: December 2020

Arguably the teaching and learning of algebra in schools have been perceived as difficult (Looney, 2004) at all levels due to the non-usage of modern technology, especially in Africa. This study sought to explore how the geometer’s sketchpad (GSP) could be used to improve students’ performance in quadratic graphs. The study employed true-experimental (Post-test) design as a strategy of enquiry using Geometer’s Sketchpad application software in which the mixed-method strategy was used in the sampling of the study area, study respondents and analysis. A total of 80 students were sampled for the entire study but 40 for the Experimental Group and 40 for the Control Group not undermining gender fairness. The study revealed a positive improvement in student’s performance after using the Geometer’s Sketchpad Application (GSP) software. The study can confirm that the integration of GSP technology in teaching and learning of quadratics can improve students’ motivation, excitement and concepts understanding.
Communication Literacy in Undergraduate Studies of Tertiary Education in Greece
Authors: Raptou Evangelia
Published: December 2020

Communication Literacy of teachers set the conditions for successful teaching and pedagogical work in the 21st century school. The post-doc research aimed to: investigate if and to what extent communication is offered as a self-standing subject in tertiary education at undergraduate level, aiming at improving students’ communication skills˙ determine the thematic units in which communication proves to acquire particular importance ˙ investigate the communication types and forms on which focus is placed˙ make comparable formulations between theoretical recognition of communication and its practical implementation in education. The ultimate goal is to form the basis of proposals for the comprehensive inclusion of basic communication courses in Greek universities, in case it is ascertained there are shortages in teaching communication pedagogy and instructional communication at undergraduate level or fragmented references. The results have shown that a comprehensive programme of systematic teaching of instructional communication and communication pedagogy at undergraduate level is missing.
Pituitary Carcinoma: Rare Disease with Difficult Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Tewari Anjali , Gupta Deepti , Bhargava Rajan , Verma Jayant , Trivedi Nupur , Agarwal Shefali , Nigam Saket , Agarwal Asha
Published: December 2020

Although pituitary tumours are common, pituitary carcinomas are very rare. They are defined as adenohypophyseal tumours with metastatic activity within and outside the boundaries of the central nervous system (CNS). They usually spread to the other parts of the body, by the time they are diagnosed. Because so few cases of pituitary carcinoma have been reported worldwide, it is difficult to learn much about them, and it is difficult to diagnose and treat them. Pituitary carcinomas cannot be distinguished from benign pituitary tumours only on the basis of clinical findings and imaging. Presence of metastases is indicative of carcinoma. Many molecular markers for pathogenesis have been proposed, but none so far is a reliable predictor of disease progression or outcome. Treatment for pituitary carcinomas includes surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The paucity of reported cases and literature on pituitary carcinomas renders necessary further research into underlying mechanisms, diagnostic findings, and novel molecular targets for therapy.
Attitude of Future Doctors Towards Smoking: Are They Really Propagating Ideal Lifestyles?
Authors: Hassan Ahmed Mian Muhammad , Haral Shizray , Komal Adeela , Shahid Faiza Rameen , Muzaffar Muhammad Moiz , Khan Tayyab Mumtaz
Published: December 2020

We conducted this study to assess the attitude and practices of medical students towards tobacco smoking whilst knowing its hazards. This cross-sectional study was conducted by inviting students to complete an online anonymous questionnaire to ensure confidential, valid responses from January 2020 to March 2020. All of the MBBS students, from first year to final year, who were studying in that time period were included in this study. All statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0. (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). Of the 1700 students, 385 students aged 17 to 26 years (mean age, 21 years) participated in this study. The prevalence of smoking among students was 23.1%. Smoking was significantly related to older age (p=0.000). Total of 137 (35.58%) students were passive smokers whereas 51 (13.24%) students were passive smokers in addition to being active smokers (P=0.000). The main motives for starting smoking were curiosity (53.93%), peer pressure (41.60%), and increased concentration (38.20%). Most of the students had knowledge of the prominent hazards of tobacco smoking like chronic lung diseases (95.06%), cancer in general (94.02%), and cardiovascular diseases (91.16%) but insufficient knowledge on other hazards. Educational lessons about smoking hazards (61.8%), prevention of smoking at universities, schools, and hospitals (59.0%), and increasing taxes on cigarettes (57.1%) were some suggestions put forward by students to prevent smoking. Smoking cigarettes remains a major threat among medical students. Although the vast majority of students showed a better attitude towards cigarette smoking prevention, they still lack sufficient knowledge about smoking hazards.
Vaginal or Caesarean Delivery? A Comparative Study of Factors Associated with the Choice Method of Childbirth Delivery in Kenya and Egypt
Authors: Omedi Gilbert , Mwaila Margaret , Wanja Sarafina
Published: December 2020

Background: Childbirth delivery today is becoming a complex process. There exist linkages between choice method of childbirth delivery, whether vaginal or caesarean section, and socioeconomic, maternal, and pregnancy-related factors.

Study objectives: To compare the choice method of childbirth delivery among women of childbearing ages in Kenya and Egypt. Specifically, the study sought to (a) show patterns of caesarean section births in the two countries using women’s background characteristics, (b) estimate levels and differentials of caesarean births in the two countries and, (c) investigate the socio-economic, maternal and pregnancy-related factors that determine the choice of caesarean section deliveries in the two countries

Data and methods: Data was derived from the 2014 Kenya and Egypt demographic and health surveys women-file. The data was fitted in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences in which descriptive and binary logistic regression analyses were conducted.

Results: Majority of Egyptian women (53.5%) gave birth by caesarean section compared to Kenyan women (7.8%). At descriptive analysis level, all the study variables were significant at ρ<0.05 and less, save for marital status. At inferential level, there were higher odds of caesarean section delivery among Egyptian women in middle and rich households (1.318 and 1.701, respectively) compared to those from poor households. Among Kenyan women, those aged 25-34 and 35-49 were 1.335 and 1.690 more likely to delivery by caesarean section compared to their colleagues in the 15-24 age group. Pertaining to the number of antenatal care visits, Egyptian women who had no antenatal care visits were 0.761 less likely, while those with 5-8 and at least 9 antenatal care visits were 1.296 and 1.783, respectively, more likely to delivery by caesarean section compared to their colleagues with 3-4 antenatal care visits. Such a trend was observed among Kenyan women for 5-8 and 9+ antenatal care visits, at the odds of 1.234 and 2.053 respectively. Childbirth deliveries in private health facilities had the odds of 2.060 and 1.438 in Egypt and Kenya, respectively, compared to delivery in public health facilities.

Conclusion: The results suggest that the main contributory factors behind the choice method of childbirth delivery are household wealth (Egypt), maternal age (Kenya), number of antenatal care visits (both Kenya and Egypt), and place of delivery (both Kenya and Egypt).
Risky Fertility Behavior, Breastfeeding Practices and Neonatal Mortality Risk: Evidence from Repeated Cross-Sectional Nationally Representative Data
Authors: Alabi Matthew A. , Ihimekpen Grace E. , Hassan Taofeek A.
Published: December 2020

Background: Notwithstanding government efforts in improving maternal and child health, childhood mortality still remains a serious burden in the country, with neonatal mortality rate of 39 deaths and under-five mortality rate of 132 per 1,000 live births. This has implication on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted towards reducing under-fiver mortality rate to 25 deaths per 1,000 live births by the year 2030. This study examined risky fertility behavior, breastfeeding practices, and neonatal mortality risk in Nigeria.

Materials and methods: This study involved the analysis of secondary data, Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (pooled dataset of the three most recent surveys, NDHS, 2008, 2013 and 2018). The sample size was a weighted sample of 94,062 women aged 15-49 years with 172, 252 live births for the ten years period. Descriptive statistics and cox-proportional hazard model were performed using Stata 14.1 software.

Results: Nearly two thirds (64.0%) of births were high risk. The practice of breastfeeding among the women was quite poor, just (39.5%) initiated breastfeeding within one hour of childbirth, though (74.0%) reported breastfeeding their child for a minimum of 12 months. The independent effect of risky fertility behavior (RFB) was associated with elevated hazards of neonatal mortality, with the highest risk observed among births belonging to the multiple high-risk group (HR=2.1, p<0.01). Adjusting for breastfeeding practices, maternal/child characteristics and maternal health seeking behavior was associated with elevated hazard of neonatal mortality with the highest hazard observed among births belonging to the multiple high-risk group (HR=1.76, p<0.05). Other factors associated with elevated hazard for neonatal mortality are sex of the child, maternal level of education and breastfeeding duration.

Conclusion: RFB was associated with elevated hazard for neonatal mortality, even after adjusting for breastfeeding practices, maternal and child characteristics and maternal health-seeking behavior thereby lending credence to Mosley and Chen theory.
Mother’s Nutritional Knowledge and Practice: A study on Slum Area of Khulna City
Authors: Sultana Papia , Hasan Khan Mehedi
Published: December 2020

Child health and nutrition much depend on the mother’s knowledge and conscious. We measure mother’s nutritional knowledge and practice affecting child health and nutrition in slum areas of Khulna city in Bangladesh. We find that mothers substantially lack nutritional related knowledge, where many cannot even apply nutritional related knowledge in their daily life mainly due to economic affordability of nutrient food and other required health care services. The research also identifies factors affecting nutritional practices in slum households. The research suggests taking measures to increase nutritional knowledge of mothers and to provide nutrient foods and health care services to the disadvantaged pregnant and mothers with newborn babies.
A Promising Step in Fighting the Opioid Epidemic, Care Plan Implementation for those Presenting to the Emergency Department
Authors: Fiesseler F. , Riggs R. , Salo D. , Feldman D. , Shih R.
Published: December 2020

Background: The opioid epidemic has both financial implications and ethical confounders affecting emergency departments across the country. Additionally, patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) seeking opioid administration and prescriptions can be both disruptive and time intensive.

Objective: To determine long-term effectiveness of ED care plans designed to improve medical care for ED opioid-seeking patients with chronic painful conditions. Methods: A retrospective, cohort observational study.

Location: a suburban teaching hospital with an annual census of 90,000 patients. The number of ED visits were tallied one year prior (control), and for five consecutive years following initiation. The primary outcome was the number of yearly ED visits in subjects meeting criteria.

Statistics: Two-tailed Wilcoxon signed-rank test with significance of p<0.05, two tailed. Results: One hundred and twenty patients were enrolled. Twelve were excluded, leaving 108 patients for analysis. Mean yearly ED visits prior to care plan initiation were 7.6 (95% CI 11.9-3.3). Following care plan initiation, mean visits were: one year, 2.3 (95% CI 4.3-0.3); two years, 1.3 (95% CI 2.7-0.0); three years, 1.1(95 % CI 3.1-0.0); four years, 0.8 (95% CI 2.1-0.0); five years, 0.6 (95% CI 1.7-0.0). The five-year total mean reduction in visits was 7.0 (95% CI 8.1- 6.2) (p=0.0001). Conclusions: ED care plans are an effective long-term method to reduce visits in patients with chronic painful conditions who present seeking opioid treatment.
Perceptions of Pregnant Women Contributing to Late Initiation in Antenatal Care during the First Trimester in the Ubungo Municipal Council in Tanzania
Authors: Kristoamani Julieth , Mahiti Gladys Reuben
Published: December 2020

Antenatal care serves as a key entry point for a pregnant woman to receive a broad range of services and should be initiated at the onset of pregnancy. The World Health Organization recommends for the first antenatal visits to be before 12 weeks of gestation. However, many pregnant women due to various reasons attend first antenatal care services very late and little information is known on why pregnant women delay initiating antenatal care clinics during the first trimester. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of pregnant women contributing to the late initiation of antenatal care during the first trimester Ubungo Municipal Council.

The study used purposive sampling to recruit thirty pregnant women for data collection through individual in-depth interviews. Pregnant women who attended antenatal care were recruited during antenatal care clinics and were interviewed in a room at the antenatal care unit. An in-depth interview was conducted with 30 pregnant women. Data were analyzed using thematic coding analysis.

The finding of this study indicates that, lack of awareness on the appropriate time to start antenatal care first visit, pregnancy as a normal health condition which does not require health personnel attention, late identification of the pregnancy, transport cost and service cost as a barrier due to low income, long waiting hours at the facility, lack of support from the spouse and men’s working time table were major factors which pregnant women perceive to contribute late initiation in the antenatal care during the first trimester.

Results conclude that, community awareness-raising and training on the significance of early antenatal clinic (ANC) visits are needed. Stakeholders should also address factors affecting facility and service levels such as high service costs and long waiting times at healthcare facilities.
Ivermectin as Pre-exposure Prophylaxis for COVID-19 among Healthcare Providers in a Selected Tertiary Hospital in Dhaka – An Observational Study
Authors: Alam Mohammed Tarek , Murshed Rubaiul , Gomes Pauline Francisca , Masud Zafor Md. , Saber Sadia , Chaklader Mainul Alam , Khanam Fatema , Hossain Monower , Momen Abdul Basit Ibne Momen , Yasmin Naz , Alam Rafa Faaria , Sultana Amrin , Robin Rishad Choudhury
Published: December 2020

Introduction: While multiple vaccines are undergoing clinical trial across the globe, we yearn for an FDA approved drug to protect us from the devastating pandemic for the time being. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of Ivermectin when administered as pre-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19.

Method: An observational study, with 118 healthcare providers who were enrolled purposively, was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Dhaka from May 2020 to August 2020. The subjects were divided into experimental and control groups; and the experimental group received an oral monthly dose of Ivermectin 12mg for 4 months. Both groups were exposed to COVID-19 positive patients admitted in the hospital during the course of study. The symptomatic subjects were evaluated by physical examination, COVID-19 RT-PCR and/or HRCT of chest. Differences between the variables were determined using the Chi-square test and the level of statistical significance was reached when p<0.05.

Result: 73.3% (44 out of 60) subjects in control group were positive for COVID-19, whereas only 6.9% (4 out of 58) of the experimental group were diagnosed with COVID-19 (p-value < 0.05).

Conclusion: Ivermectin, an FDA-approved, safe, cheap and widely available drug, should be subjected to large-scale trials all over the world to ascertain its effectiveness as pre-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19.
Impact of Women Empowerment on Infant Mortality Rate – Spatial Lag and Error Regression Model
Authors: Gill Kanwal Preet K. , Devgun Priyanka , Kaur Amanpreet
Published: December 2020

Background: Despite significant progress in recent decade, the burden of infant mortality in India remains high. As women is the main caregiver to the infant, women empowerment may be the important determinant of infant mortality rate which has received little attention. Therefore, the current study was planned to study the impact of women empowerment on infant mortality and to find the best fit regression model to predict infant mortality rate in various states of India.

Methods: The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2015-16 data was used and infant mortality rate in various states and union territories of India was mapped. Regression analysis was performed with infant mortality rate as the dependent variable. The exploratory variables (Percentages) used for women empowerment were the literacy among women, women who opted for institutional delivery, women owning a house and/or land (alone or jointly with others), women having a bank or saving account and women having mobile phone that they themselves used. Ordinary Least Square Regression and spatial lag and error regression models were applied. Infant mortality rates predicted by using the best fit model were mapped.

Results: Institutional delivery, owning a bank account and availability of personal mobile phone showed statistically significant inverse relation with infant mortality rate. Out of three regression models, spatial lag regression model was found to be the best fit model to predict infant mortality rate. The northern and eastern states were predicted to have highest infant mortality rate.

Conclusion: As northern and eastern states were predicted to have highest infant mortality rate, further studies at individual level may be planned to find out the factors in these regions.
COVID-19 and Its Impact on Tobacco Use – Is India Prepared to Unlock the link?
Authors: Jayakrishnan Radhakrishnan
Published: December 2020

Reports from around the globe has highlighted that people with existing non communicable diseases when infected with COVID 19 are highly vulnerable to severe ill effects. Considering the fact that tobacco use is associated with many of the non-communicable diseases it is important to incorporate tobacco control measures as well into the broader prevention arena of the COVID 19 control strategy. Considering the economic costs associated with the treatment of tobacco related diseases, it is important for a developing country like India to grab this opportunity to undertake sensitization campaigns against COVID 19 and its consequences among tobacco users. Further promotion of tobacco cessation campaigns using toll free quit line support mechanisms in regional languages, online platforms and print and visual media needs to be done keeping in mind a favorable net result in the long run.
Ocular Manifestations of Donnai Barrow Syndrome
Authors: Redouan Ayoub , Hamdani Hind , Amrani Soukaina , El Maaloum Loubna , Allali Bouchra , El Kettani Asmae
Published: December 2020

Donnai-Barrow syndrome is an autosomal recessive disease due to mutations in the LRP2 gene described by Donnai and Barrow in 1993. We report through this clinical case the various ophthalmologic and extraocular manifestations of Donnai Barrow syndrome which remains a very rare congenital malformation. High myopia is a risk factor for severe amblyopia and/or retinal detachment which requires a regular monitoring.

The management of this disabling disease is multidisciplinary, involving the ophthalmologist, the otorhinolaryngologist, the pediatrician and the psychiatrist.
Epidemiological Clinical and Profile of Cranio-spinal Dysraphisms in Madagascar
Authors: Synèse Bemora Joseph , Tony Andrianaivo Radotina , Ndalana d’Assise Masina , Willy Ratovondrainy , Mamiarisoa Rabararijaona , Clément Andriamamonjy
Published: December 2020

Cranio-spinal dysraphisms are a set of congenital malformations resulting from a defect in closing the neural tube during embryonic development. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological-clinical profile of these malformations in Madagascar. It was a retrospective, descriptive study and metacentric from January 01, 2016 to December 31, 2018; all cases of cranio-spinal dysraphisms seen in two neurosurgery centers in Madagascar. We have collected 32 cases of cranio-spinal dysraphisms. The hospital prevalence was 0.37%. Among these children, the mean age was 8.48 months with an extreme of 1 day to 6 years; there was a feminine predominance (53,12%), with a sex ratio of 0.88. The absence of maternal intake of folic acid, the intake of folic acid outside the recommended periods, the birth order of the children and maternal pathologies during pregnancy were found as etiology. Cranial topography predominated in 56.25% (18 cases) and 68.75% of the children were asymptomatic. An association with hydrocephalus was found in 31.25% of cases. Prevention of known risk factors is essential, antenatal diagnosis is important for early management and improved prognosis. The treatment is surgical.
Analytical Investigation of the Single-Particle Energy Spectrum in Magic Nuclei of ⁵⁶Ni and ¹¹⁶Sn
Authors: William E. S. , Obu J. A. , Akpan I. O. , Thompson E. A. , Inyang E. P.
Published: December 2020

The analytical solutions of the radial D-dimensional Schrödinger equation for the Yukawa potential plus spin-orbit and Coulomb interaction terms are presented within the framework of the Nikiforov-Uvarov method by using the Greene-Aldrich approximation scheme to the centrifugal barrier. The energy eigenvalues obtained are employed to calculate the single-energy spectrum of ⁵⁶Ni and ¹¹⁶Sn for distinct quantum states. We have also obtained corresponding normalized wave functions for the magic nuclei manifested in terms of Jacobi polynomials. However, the energy spectrum without Spin-orbit and Coulomb interaction terms precisely matches the quantum mechanical system of the Yukawa potential field at any arbitrary state.
Simple Adaptive Synergetic Control Scheme Based on The MIT Rule of the DC Motor
Authors: Ndjakomo Essiane Salomé , Bissé Jacquie Thérèse , Pesdjock Mathieu Jean Pierre
Published: December 2020

An adaptive synergetic control scheme of a DC motor via a DC-DC converter is presented in this article. The difficulty in implementing a synergetic control lies in the optimal choice of the control parameters. This operation becomes tedious when the number of closed loops in the control system is large. Several adaptive parameter methods are exposed in the literature, some of which are complex and others simple. A synergetic control parameter adaptation law is almost unexplored in the scientific literature. The proposed solution is an adaptation mechanism of the synergetic control parameter using the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) rule. A theoretical study carried out made it possible to highlight a law of adjustment of the current and the speed, the variation of which verifies the negative direction of the gradient of the defined cost function. Computer simulations in Matlab/Simulink show good controller performance in improving transient stability and settling time. In addition, synergetic control is an interesting tool for speed and current control of DC motor.
Integration in Central European capital markets in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Pardal Pedro , Dias Rui , Šuleř Petr , Teixeira Nuno , Krulický Tomáš
Published: December 2020

Research background: Covid-19 pandemic had a strong impact on the economy and capital market. In times of crisis, it is important for investors to be able to diversify their investment portfolio in order to mitigate risk. However, the growing trend towards capital market integration may make it ineffective. Research on financial integration, during the Covid-19 period, has started to develop, mainly in major global capital markets. It is, therefore, important to extend this research to other capital markets.
The purpose of the article: This contribution aims to analyze financial integration in the stock indexes of the capital markets of Austria (ATX), Slovenia (SBITOP), Hungary (BUDAPEST SE), Lithuania (OMX VILNIUS), Poland (WIG), the Czech Republic (PX PRAGUE), Russia (MOEX) and Serbia (BELEX 15), in the context of the global pandemic (COVID-19).
Methods: To measure the unit roots in the time series, we used ADF, PP, and KPSS tests, and Clemente et al. (1998) test to detect structural breaks. To ana-lyse financial integration, we applied the Gregory and Hansen integration test, and to validate the robustness of results, we use the impulse-response function (IRF) methodology, with Monte Carlo simulations, as they provide a dynamic analysis generated from the VAR model estimates.
Findings & Value added: The results suggest very significant levels of integration, which decreases the chances of portfolio diversification in the long-term. Evidence shows 47 pairs of integrated stock market indexes (out of 56 possible). The stock indexes ATX, BUDAPESTE SE, BELEX 15 show financial integration with all other indexes. On the contrary, the index of OMX VILNIUS shows only 3 integrations. Results also show that most of the significant structural breaks occurred in March 2020. The analysis of the relationship between markets, in the short term, shows positive/negative co-movements, with statis-tical significance and with a persistence longer than one week.
Oil price and the economic activity in GCC countries: evidence from quantile regression
Authors: Zmami Mourad , Ben-Salha Ousama
Published: December 2020

Research background: The effects of oil price fluctuations on the macroeconomic performance in oil-importing and oil-exporting countries have stimulated considerable research activity. However, the debate is far from being closed.
Purpose of the article: This paper revisits the impact of crude oil price on economic activity in the Gulf Cooperation Council oil-exporting countries. The study covers a relatively long period spanning from 1960 to 2018.
Methods: The empirical investigation accounts for structural breaks, nonlinearity, and non-normal ?distribution of data. The Kapetanios (2005) structural breaks unit root test?? and ?Saikkonen?Lütkepohl (2000a, b, c) cointegration test with structural shifts are implemented to examine the stationary properties of data and the presence of cointegration between variables, respectively. Moreover, the quantile regression is employed to assess whether the impact of oil price on real GDP differs across different states of the economy.
Findings & Value added: Empirical results suggest the absence of long-run cointegrating relationships between oil price and GDP in all countries. The quantile regression reveals that oil price does not affect real GDP in the same way across countries and for different business cycle phases. More specifically, the symmetric quantile regression findings reveal that oil price exerts a positive impact on GDP in all countries and that the effect is higher during the recession than expansion states. The asymmetric quantile regression shows that GDP reacts to positive oil price changes in all countries. However, only the Emirati and Omani GDPs are affected by negative oil price changes.
Long-run inflation expectations in the ECB survey of professional forecasters: what do the survey responses tell us?
Authors: Oinonen Sami , Viren Matti
Published: December 2020

Research background: At the background, there are issues related to policy credibility and policy targets. For these issues, long-term forecasts can provide important information. Of course, long-term forecasts are needed also e.g. for evaluation of real returns.
Purpose of the article: This paper tries to find out how informative the ECB Survey of Professional Forecasters data on long-term inflation prospects are from the point of view of the overall quality of the survey and on the other hand from the point of view of monetary policy credibility.
Methods: The analysis makes use of individual forecaster level quarterly panel data for the period 1999Q1?2018Q4. Conventional panel econometrics tools are used to find out whether forecasts are sensitive to changes in actual inflation and other relevant variables.
Findings & Value added: We find some weaknesses considering the size of the survey, the selection of the sample (more precisely the participation to the survey) and the inertial responses of forecasters which suggest that the survey values are not actively updated. Moreover, we find that towards the end of the sample period, the survey values are related to actual inflation and to short-term expectations, which is not consistent with the credibility of the official inflation target.