bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Des « boues rouges » à la Bauxaline
Authors: Le Berre Sylvain , Goujon Valentin , Banos Vincent
Published: December 2023

Utilisée pour la fabrication de l’alumine et de l’aluminium, la bauxite est une des ressources naturelles cruciales de nos sociétés industrielles contemporaines. Sa transformation génère cependant des restes chargés en métaux lourds et matières radioactives : les « boues rouges ». À l’usine de Gardanne, après plusieurs tentatives infructueuses depuis la fin du XIXe siècle pour requalifier et réutiliser ces boues en une ressource nouvelle, le régime de gestion de ces déchets consistera tout au long du XXe siècle en un entreposage à terre et une évacuation en mer. Devant répondre à une contestation sociale importante et à des contraintes réglementaires plus fortes sur la préservation de l’environnement et la gestion des déchets, l’exploitant industriel relance au tournant des années 1990 les expérimentations de valorisation des boues rouges. Cette démarche de Recherche & Développement vise, tout d’abord, à démontrer l’innocuité environnementale des résidus une fois requalifiés et, ensuite, à favoriser leur redéfinition marchande afin de les « évacuer » sous la forme d’un nouveau produit commercialisable : la Bauxaline®. Mais dans la lignée des difficultés rencontrées dès la fin du 19ème siècle, toutes les pistes vont échouer. Ces échecs successifs témoignent de l’incapacité de l’ingénierie industrielle à « valoriser » ces résidus mais aussi à maîtriser la matérialité même des boues rouges. L’analyse de quatre types d’expérimentations en mer, au sol et en sous-sol, permet de voir combien l’ingénierie industrielle se fait à l’épreuve des fragilités de la matérialité, qui résultent de l’entremêlement de l’agentivité minérale et résiduelle, et des agencements technomarchands.
Influence of Family Environment in Promoting Entrepreneurial Intentions and the Proliferation of Entrepreneurs
Authors: Legg-Jack Dagogo William , Ndebele Clever
Published: December 2023

Research has shown that the family environment is one of the factors that shapes a person's entrepreneurial intentions, thereby leading to the production of entrepreneurs. Although several studies exist, none seem to have adopted the approach employed in this chapter. Premised on that, the chapter employed a teaching case approach to explain the influence of family environment in promoting entrepreneurial intentions and the proliferation of entrepreneurs. Guided by one research question, namely “How does the family environment promote entrepreneurial intention?” the chapter analysed three cases from Chinese Indonesia, Turkey, and Tunisia building on the theoretical strengths of the theory of planned behaviour and social cognitive theory. These theories were employed to analyse how family environment promoted entrepreneurial intentions in the countries mentioned. Findings from the analysis in the three cases highlighted revealed that the family environment through the instrumentality of role modelling and support for autonomy promotes entrepreneurial intentions.
Fostering Psychological Safety for Team Effectiveness in Family Businesses
Authors: Atiku Sulaiman Olusegun , Soneye Funmilola Aderayo , Anane-Simon Richmond
Published: December 2023

This chapter examines the relationship between psychological safety and team effectiveness. Psychological safety is the perception and belief held by members of a team that interpersonal risk-taking is supported and encouraged in the workplace. A literature review was conducted to establish the relationships between psychological safety and employee engagement, satisfaction, performance, as well as team effectiveness in family businesses. The results showed that teams with a prominent level of psychological safety were significantly more effective than teams with a low level of psychological safety. Psychological safety has a significant effect on teams' performance and business effectiveness. This research holds that psychological safety is essential for team effectiveness and should be considered in building effective teams for innovative performance and sustainable competitive advantage in family businesses.
The Influence of Family Dynamics on Entrepreneurial Intentions and Self-Efficacy
Authors: Ajadi Taiwo Hassan , Adisa Olalekan , Dabo Al-Amin Abba , Adisa Olushola Margaret
Published: December 2023

This chapter explores the complex relationship between family dynamics and entrepreneurship, particularly in the context of evolving societal norms and the COVID-19 pandemic. It critically examines the role of parental influence, family support, and the family environment in shaping entrepreneurial intentions and self-efficacy. It also discusses the challenges and strategies that entrepreneurs face due to family dynamics, drawing on real-world case studies. The chapter provides a comprehensive theoretical framework that integrates various perspectives on how family interactions influence entrepreneurial decisions. It also highlights the practical implications of the findings and suggests areas for future research.
Succession and Survival Plan for Family Business
Authors: Ayandibu Ayansola Olatunji
Published: December 2023

This chapter explores the crucial aspect of succession planning and survival strategies for family businesses, drawing inspiration from the remarkable story of Houshi Ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn with a history spanning over a millennium. The chapter delves into the challenges faced by family-owned enterprises when transitioning leadership to the next generation and offers valuable insights into effective succession planning models. Finally, the chapter draws insightful lessons from Houshi Ryokan's family business journey, distilling key success factors and actionable strategies that can be applied by other family businesses seeking longevity and prosperity. By examining the exemplary case of Houshi Ryokan, this chapter provides invaluable insights for family business owners, managers, and advisors, offering practical guidance on navigating the complexities of succession planning and developing robust survival strategies to safeguard the legacy and prosperity of their enterprises.
Does Attitude Mediate the Relationship Between Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness, and Student Intention to Adopt Online Teaching and Learning?
Authors: Makhitha Khathutshelo Mercy
Published: December 2023

The purpose of the study was to determine if students' attitude towards online teaching and learning (T&L) mediate the relationship between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and intention to adopt only T&L in South Africa. The institutions of higher learning were forced to adopt the online teaching model in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic regulations that inhibited people from moving around, including visitation to their workplace. Students were also not allowed to visit their campuses, but had to stay and learn online, at home. To achieve the objectives of the study, a quantitative survey was adopted, and data was collected from 112 students registered with a distance learning institution in South Africa. The results of the study show students' attitude mediates the relationship between perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and their intention to adopt online T&L.
From the Traditional to the Interactive and Integrative Teaching Model
Authors: Colares-Santos Lechan , Endo Gustavo Yuho , Kato Cruz Erika Mayumi , Rodrigues Valdecir Cahoni , Paschoalotto Marco Antonio Catussi , Canelas Luz Ana Rita
Published: December 2023

In 2020, due to the pandemic, Brazilian universities swiftly shifted to remote teaching. This chapter explores the experiences of professors in an administration course at a Western São Paulo university. It examines the challenges faced and lessons learned during the transition to remote teaching. Professors used various strategies, adapted the curriculum, and employed digital tools for interactive lessons. Limited student device access posed additional hurdles. However, technology facilitated performance monitoring, individual feedback, and flexible communication. Empathetic dialogue with students was prioritized. The chapter highlights interdisciplinary learning, collaboration, and digital skills. Teacher training in technology and effective methodologies is vital for quality education and job market readiness. Higher education institutions must adapt and contribute to the country's development in the post-pandemic era.
Online Teaching and Learning of Creative Arts in Public and Private Institutions of Higher Education in Kenya
Authors: Kaberia Teresia Wanjiru
Published: December 2023

The teaching and learning of creative arts is anchored on embodied and collaborative learning where practical learning form the bases for knowledge transfer in a physical learning environment. In Kenya, the rapid shift to online modes of instruction has significantly impacted on such conventional pedagogies for teaching. This chapter presents a comparative analysis of the experiences of tutors and learners in public and private institutions of higher learning in the Creative Arts. It examines how they are adapting to and navigating online modes of instruction, how they are utilizing various online tools for effective teaching and the limitations thereof. The chapter contends that there are glaring differences in the access of online classes between the two categories of institutions and argues that there is need to take learners and tutors through the basics of digital teaching and learning for such instruction to be effective. It also urges that learning institutions should adopt a phased approach to mitigate challenges of access in Creative Arts instruction in Kenya.
An Overview of Mindfulness Based on Practical Rationality
Authors: Saini Damini , Ranjan Shashwat
Published: December 2023

Though there has been an increase in the studies on mindfulness in organizations, the studies around its process have been scant. Most of the studies use only quantitative methods by collecting data based on scale-based questionnaires and doing further analysis to assess the impact of mindfulness on the organizational effectiveness as a whole. This chapter is an effort to explore the concept of mindfulness so that we can utilize it most effectively. The authors tried to connect several theories to the phenomena of mindfulness, for example, trait activation theory and broad and build theory. They present an alternate theoretical lens based on ‘practical rationality,' which can substantiate the use of qualitative methods for collecting data on mindfulness and help develop a higher orientation of experience among individuals. The authors concluded that mindfulness is an individual-level process that workplace factors and systems can influence. In addition, the purpose of initiating mindfulness should not be towards more ‘hedonic' reasons like stress management. Instead, the purpose should be more ‘eudemonic.'
Holistic Approach as a Strategy for Special Education in India
Authors: Ryall Reena
Published: December 2023

Overcoming socio-cultural pressures in India with reference to special education will render intervention and remedial practices effective especially with a holistic approach which includes regional adaptations and multidisciplinary approaches to create a suitable framework within the Indian context for successful special education assessment with particular concern for hidden disabilities like learning disabilities which require and benefit from a holistic approach. Tracing a path through analysis of the Indian philosophical perspectives in education to possible current applications in educational practice this chapter provides a sound basis for adopting the holistic approach in education at a macro level and bringing about change in assessment practices at the micro level.
Therapeutic Potential of Ayurvedic Practices for the Mental Health of the Geriatric Population
Authors: Remya E.
Published: December 2023

Drastic population ageing points to increased prevalence of physical and mental disorders in the elderly. Mental illnesses of the elderly are often related to biological and psychosocial risk elements which can be predicted and prevented using Ayurvedic diagnostic tools such as Dosha and Prakriti. This chapter presents a hypothetical personalised model to preserve the mental health of geriatric population w.s.r to dietary and lifestyle modifications. This section also explores the translational research outlook and evidence-based perspectives of Rasayana drugs, and Panchakarma procedures in most prevalent and distressing psychological disorders such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorders, insomnia, psychological imbalances inherent to mood disorders, psychotic diseases, neuro-degenerative disorders, etc.
Collaboration Analysis in Supply Chain 4.0 for Smart Businesses
Authors: Aliahmadi Alireza , Movahed Aminmasoud Bakhshi , Nozari Hamed
Published: December 2023

This study aims to review collaboration in Supply Chain 4.0. For this objective, dimensions and outcomes of collaboration are analyzed based on businesses. An overview of the different dimensions and outcomes of collaboration was created in Industry 4.0 platform. Research data was obtained from literature review and then refined according to SC experts. The findings show that collaboration in Supply Chain 4.0, with the activation of dimensions including information and communication management, resource planning in the production and logistics process, collaborative decisions for business goals, technology and business development, motivational alignment, performance evaluation in integrated processes, marketing and customer orientation can lead to sustainable performance. In this study, a comprehensive approach is made to accessing collaboration concept among business partners in Industry 4.0 by creating a new conceptual framework to achieve economic, social, and environmental performance.
Smart Contracts as a Third Party Coordinator
Authors: Dolat-abadi Hossein Mohammadi , Rasi Mahsima , Sadat Seyed Amirsadra
Published: December 2023

One of the important issues in the field of contract implementation is the security and speed of contract implementation in a way that can gain the trust of the contracting parties. In response to this challenge, one of these tools are smart contracts, which compared to other types of electronic contracts have features such as high speed and security and low cost in forming the contract. Smart contracts are currently used in various fields such as finance, law, banking, stock exchange, blockchain, government, industry, charity, etc. These contracts have many advantages, such as reducing costs, increasing speed, improving security, eliminating intermediaries, and preventing fraud. In simpler terms, smart contracts have taken over the task of making transactions with tools, the most important of which is the blockchain platform. Hence, in this research, the framework of using smart contracts in the field of e-commerce is discussed and the advantages, disadvantages, how to apply, successful experiences, and perspectives for the future of these contracts are presented.
Development of Smart Hospitals Based on the Internet of Things and Cloud Computing
Authors: Davari Amirhesam
Published: December 2023

With the expansion of the internet of things (IoT) and its impact on today's life, a significant improvement can be seen in hospital services. The IoT allows patients to take control of their condition. This method can reduce the anxiety of patients to some extent. On the other hand, by collecting the patient's data during the hospital stay, doctors gain clearer views of the patient's body physiology and can provide more specialized and special care plans. With the method provided by the IoT, the interaction between the doctor and the patient increases, and it also helps by monitoring the patient's health remotely and reducing the time spent in the hospital. Storing information from the IoT locally is not only expensive but also brings certain complications for medical centers. For this reason, hospitals are turning to cloud storage of patient information. In this research, in addition to describing the basic features of smart hospitals based on the IoT and cloud computing, a hospital chart based on these technologies is also presented.
The Potential Role of Blockchain in Supply Chain Management in the Automotive Industry
Authors: Teixeira Catarina , Bessa Gabriela , Ricardo Inês , Ferreira Mariana , Martins Rafaela , Barbosa Belem
Published: December 2023

The complexity of automotive supply chain management presents significant challenges, demanding rigorous coordination of tasks to ensure efficiency in its operations. This chapter examines the potential benefits of adopting blockchain technology in supply chain management. The study employs a case study methodology, focusing on a prominent European automotive company that, compared to its major competitors, appears hesitant to integrate blockchain into its supply chain management practices. The analysis relies on secondary data and utilizes a range of strategic analysis tools to gain deeper insights into the advantages that blockchain technology could offer in supply chain management. Based on the findings, this chapter offers 12 strategic recommendations pertaining to blockchain technology, which can aid the company in addressing various management issues by enhancing security, efficiency, and technological advancements.
Harnessing the Power of Digital Transformation and Sustainability
Authors: Zreik Mohamad
Published: December 2023

In this chapter, the author takes a look at the big picture of digital disruption. This chapter analyzes China's remarkable rise to economic leadership by tracing the ways in which the country has combined digital innovation with a commitment to environmental responsibility in its approach to doing business. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in hastening the transition from analog to digital business models is highlighted. It reveals more about China's cutting-edge strategy for smart supply chains, which makes use of big data, AI, IoT, and blockchain to improve supply chain management and make it more nimble, robust, and productive. The birth of sustainable smart enterprises thanks to the strategic merging of digital transformation and sustainability is a major achievement. Insights into China's path toward a sustainable digital future are provided, making this an ideal resource for students, academics, and professionals in business and IT management.
A GCN- and Deep Biaffine Attention-Based Classification Model for Course Review Sentiment
Authors: Jiao Jiajia , Chen Bo
Published: December 2023

In recent years, the increasing use of online surveys for course evaluation in schools has led to an outpouring of evaluation texts. These texts, with their emotional polarity, can give schools the most direct feedback. Emotional analysis on course evaluation, therefore, has great implications. However, the not-so-rigid text grammar and rich text content pose a challenge for sentiment analysis in Chinese course evaluation. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a sentiment classification model BiLSTM-GCN-Att (BGAN). Here, BiLSTM is used to extract the features of the text and output the hidden state vector. Then, the deep biaffine attention mechanism is used to analyze the dependence of the text and generate a dependency matrix. Next, input the hidden state vector to the GCN. Finally, the softmax function is used as the output layer of the model to perform sentiment classification. The model proves effective and experimental results, showing that the BGAN achieved a maximum improvement of 11.02% and 14.47% in precision and F1-score respectively compared with the classical models.
Basketball Footwork and Application Supported by Deep Learning Unsupervised Transfer Method
Authors: Feng Yu , Sun Hui
Published: December 2023

The combination of traditional basketball footwork mobile teaching and AI will become a hot spot in basketball footwork research. This article used a deep learning (DL) unsupervised transfer method: Convolutional neural networks are used to extract source and target domain samples for transfer learning. Feature extraction is performed on the data, and the impending action of a basketball player is predicted. Meanwhile, the unsupervised human action transfer method is studied to provide new ideas for basketball footwork action series data modeling. Finally, the theoretical framework of DL unsupervised transfer learning is reviewed. Its principle is explored and applied in the teaching of basketball footwork. The results show that convolutional neural networks can predict players' movement trajectories, unsupervised training using network data dramatically increases the variety of actions during training. The classification accuracy of the transfer learning method is high, and it can be used for the different basketball footwork in the corresponding stage of the court.
Role of HRM Practices in Organization Performance
Authors: Arokiasamy Lawrence , Fujikawa Takemi , Piaralal Shishi Kumar , Arumugam Thilageswary
Published: December 2023

In recent years, HRM has received a lot of traction. Human resource management is essential for all types of enterprises. The bulk of research indicates that HRM and organizational performance have a positive link. Each organization's main goal is to attain high levels of performance in its goals and objectives. In this paper, HRM and practices were investigated. What part do human resources play in achieving organizational objectives? This survey will also evaluate HRM practices by analyzing the 40 papers that have been submitted. In addition, this article offers a thorough examination of the chronological assessment based on each publication. In addition, the results of each research paper's analysis are displayed. A review of the literature was utilized to focus on and review the issue knowledge in this study. Finally, it expands on many research concerns that may be useful to researchers in doing more studies on HRM practices.
The Relationship Between Rest Breaks and Professional Burnout Among Nurses
Authors: Stutting Halle L.
Published: December 2023

Background

Professional burnout is a well-studied phenomenon marked by feelings of depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and decreased accomplishment. Affecting nearly half of all nurses, burnout presents a threat to health outcomes of the nurse, patient, organization, and society. Despite a growing literature on professional burnout, specific interventions that address key contributing factors have not been well described.

Objective

The primary aim of this integrative literature review was to evaluate the relationship between rest breaks and professional burnout among registered nurses.

Methods

A literature search was performed in the APA (American Psychological Association) PsycInfo, CINAHL (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed databases using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses as a reporting guideline.

Results

Five articles were selected for final synthesis; 1 was of “high” quality and 4 were of “good” quality. The literature showed that rest breaks were protective against professional burnout among registered nurses, especially when integrated with nursing management support, staffing support, and complementary strategies. Several threats to validity were identified as limitations among the articles selected for final synthesis.

Conclusions

Rest breaks are effective in decreasing professional burnout among registered nurses, especially when combined with management support, staffing support, and complementary strategies. Future research should focus on a deeper evaluation of staffing support models, as well as identifying how nursing leaders can integrate complementary strategies across health care settings to reduce burnout.
Use of a Digital Air Leak Detection Device to Decrease Chest Tube Duration
Authors: Patel Carla , Ruppert Susan D. , Cao Hue , Fraser Cheryl , Laury TaCharra , Vaporciyan Ara
Published: December 2023

Background

The aim of this evidence-based practice project was to determine if a digital air leak detection device could speed the identification of chest tube air leak cessation in patients after pulmonary lobectomy. Staff members assessing air leaks have varying levels of expertise, and the digital device is a limited resource in the study institution. A chest tube management algorithm is necessary to standardize care and determine which patients are most likely to benefit.

Implementation

Twenty-five consecutive patients who underwent pulmonary lobectomy during the study period and continued to have a chest tube air leak on postoperative day 3 were monitored with digital air leak detection devices. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare chest tube duration and hospital length of stay between patients with digital devices and 259 patients who had traditional analog air leak detection devices (historical data from the departmental database over the previous 2 years).

Evaluation

Median chest tube duration and hospital stay were 1 day less in patients with digital devices than in those with traditional analog devices (P = .01 and P = .004, respectively), with a cost savings of $2659 per hospital day. Reductions in chest tube duration and length of stay aided in the development of a chest tube management algorithm.

Conclusions

Critical care nurses are valued team members who treat patients after lung resections. Digital air leak detection devices can help them assess air leaks more accurately, benefiting the patients in their care.
List of Oral Presentations & Poster Presentations
Authors: Editorial Board CMC 2022
Published: December 2023

NA
Molecular detection and geospatial distribution of Brucella infections in horses in Kano Metropolis, Kano State, Nigeria
Authors: Baba A. Y. , Kaltungo B. Y. , Saidu S. N. A. , Sackey A. K. B. , Okolocha E. C. , Buhari H. U.
Published: December 2023

Brucellosis is a major zoonotic disease that affects several domestic, wild and marine mammals, and man. It causes serious economic damage in livestock productivity, especially in developing countries, including Nigeria. The study aimed to determine the species of Brucella that infect horses and establish the spatial distribution of the infection in Kano, Nigeria. A total of 328 blood samples were collected from horses. Sera were collected from the samples and kept at -20 0C until tested. The sera were successively subjected to RBPT, SAT-EDTA and multiplex-PCR. Seventy-nine serum samples (24.0%) were positive for Brucella antibodies on RBPT. Out of the RBPT positive samples, 39 (49.4%) were also positive for SAT-EDTA. There was no difference between the results of the two tests (RBPT: p=0.4420; SAT-EDTA: p=0.124). Of the 39 SAT-EDTA positive sera, 32 (82.1%) were confirmed to be Brucella abortus. Fifteen of the 16 mares tested were positive for B. abortus while 73.9% of the stallion were positive. All horses in the age groups of 1-5 and 11-15 years were 100% positive, while 72.0% of the horses in the 6-10 year age group were also positive. The study showed 81.8 % detection rate of B. abortus using AMOS-PCR and that 15 (93.7%) of the female horses tested (16) had B. abortus while 17 (73.9%) of the 23 male horses tested had B. abortus.
Evaluation of Rhizobial Inoculation in Comparison to Urea Fertilizer Application of Vegetable Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L)
Authors: Anuruddi H. I. G. K. , Ekanayake E. M. H. G. S. , Kumara R. K. G. K. , Kulasooriya S. A. , Fonseka D. L. C. K.
Published: December 2023

A field trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of Rhizobium inoculation in comparison to nitrogen fertilizer (NF) application on vegetable bean in the Ankumbura area, Kandy district during the Maha 2018/19 season. Six treatments were employed comprising four NF levels (55, 110, 165, and 220 kg urea/ha), rhizobium inoculation without NF, and control with neither NF nor inoculant. The treatments were set out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Four NF levels were 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the recommended level for vegetable bean by the Department of Agriculture (DOA). All the treatments received potassium and phosphorous according to DOA recommendations. Pod yield/m2, growth parameters, several nodule parameters, and weed biomasses were recorded. Total yield (t/ha) was calculated based on the pod harvest. A yield versus fertilizer response curve was developed using calculated yield data. The highest total yield (3.03t/ha) with the application of 220kg/ha of urea was not significantly different from the yield produced under inoculation without NF (2.93 t/ha). This implies that inoculation facilitates a possible replacement of NF. Number of root nodules (30) and number of leaves (36) were significantly higher with inoculation. Higher levels; of 75% and 100% of recommended NF reduced nodule dry weight. Pod length, diameter, and dry weight with 100% and 75% NF levels were not significantly different (p<0.05) from those with inoculation. The highest pod N-yield (0.0586 g) and shoot N-yield (0.253 g) were recorded with inoculation and 220kg/ha urea application respectively. Weed biomass was significantly reduced (70%) with inoculation compared to the highest NF treatment. The results indicate a potential avenue to decrease the need for chemical nitrogen fertilizer and use inoculation to manage weed growth in vegetable beans in the Ankumbura area.
Challenges Ahead in Groundwater of Sri Lanka
Authors: Asanthi H. B.
Published: December 2023

Groundwater has been a safe water storage in Sri Lanka throughout history and the unique characteristics of different aquifers impact variation of the water quality. However, due to population growth, unplanned urbanization, intensive agriculture, improper waste management, etc., the groundwater quality is considered unsafe. Therefore, it is important to refer to the available data related to the groundwater quality of Sri Lanka. Saltwater intrusion is a considerable factor in shallow karstic aquifers and as a result, relatively higher electrical conductivity, water hardness, total alkalinity, and higher anions concentrations (chloride, sulfate) were observed in the Jaffna area. The dry zone including Padaviya and Hambanthota shows relatively higher water hardness and fluoride in groundwater. Nitrate concentration is also a considerable factor, especially in the Jaffna and Padaviya areas may be due to intensive agriculture. Identification of groundwater recharge zones, recharge estimates, continuous monitoring of groundwater quality, vulnerability mapping of aquifers, and proper planning of urbanization have been identified as challenges ahead in groundwater of Sri Lanka and it is essential to include those items in the National Water Policy in Sri Lanka.
Acute abdominal distension in an one year old due to ingestion of unknown foreign body
Authors: M. Ranjithatharsini  , Jackson O.
Published: December 2023

No abstract available
Usefulness of simultaneous use of anatomical landmarks in identification of facial nerve in parotid gland dissection
Authors: Abeysuriya V. , Modaragama H.
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Identification of Facial nerve trunk is important in parotid surgery to avoid an iatrogenic injury. The objective of our study was to assess consistent and reliable landmarks for identification of the main trunk of facial nerve during parotid surgery.Methods: This prospective study was carried out in the department of Anatomy, faculty of Medicine, Ragama from 2022 to 2023. Our study included 35 fresh cadavers (70 parotid regions). The anatomical landmarks of tragal pointer (TP), tympanomastoid suture (TMS), and superior border of posterior belly of digastric (PBD) muscle to the facial nerve trunk was measured. The shortest distances were taken from the facial trunk by using a slide calliper.Results: The age of subjects of the cadavers ranged from 42 to 64 years with a mean of 54.4 years. The mean distance between the TP and the facial nerve trunk was 9.15 mm (8.1–11.7 mm). The mean distance between PBD and the facial nerve trunk was 8.6 mm (7.2–9.8 mm). The mean distance between the TMS and the facial nerve trunk was 6.5 mm (5.2–7.5 mm).Conclusion: Our study showed that the tympanomastoid suture line is the closest to the facial nerve trunk, followed by the posterior belly of digastric muscle and the tragal pointer respectively. Further clinical studies are needed to assess these landmarks through various parameters to determine their usefulness in surgical practice.
Anatomical relations of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in thyroid dissection
Authors: Abeysuriya V. , Anjula S. A. P. D.
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy is one of the major complications thyroidectomy. Visualization of the anatomical relations of the RLN with branches of the inferior thyroid artery (ITA) remains essential for preservation of RLNs. Suspensory ligament of Berry, inferior horn of the thyroid cartilage is considered as other important landmarks for safe thyroidectomy. The objective of this study was to describe the various anatomical relations of the RLN during thyroid dissection.Methods: An observation cadaveric study was conducted by simple random sampling of 35 cadavers with a total of 70 RLNs over a one-year period, from June 2022 to June 2023. The cadavers that had thyroidotomies and goitres were excluded from the study.Results: The majority of RLNs in this series had a retrovascular course (with respect to the ITA or its branches): 57% on the right and 68.6% on the left. The course of 64/70 of the dissected nerves was posteromedial to the suspensory ligament of Berry, while the other 6 nerves passed between the fibres of this ligament. All RLNs penetrated the larynx by passing posteriorly to the inferior horn of the thyroid cartilage on both sides. No case of non-recurrent laryngeal nerve was observed.Conclusion: This preliminary study illustrates the numerous anatomical variants of the RLN with respect to the ITA and its branches. The RLN mainly has a retrovascular course on both the right and the left sides.
The lateral stability of the knee, A review of the clinical Anatomy of the Popliteal hiatus and its clinical pathologies
Authors: Karunathilaka C.
Published: December 2023

As a modified hinge joint, the knee joint facilitates the erect posture and greater mobilization of the human body. Varusvalgus angulation, external-internal rotation, and anteriorposterior stability are primarily maintained by the tibial bony eminences, menisci, and the congruencies of the femoral and tibial articular surfaces. The primary restrainer for the valgus angulation is the medial collateral ligament (MCL). The primary restrainer for varus angulation is the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). Even though the LCL is the principal lateral stabilizer for the knee, it is supported by the surrounding ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Non -uniformity in the nomenclature of these structures and complexity in the anatomical arrangements lead to complexity of understanding and clinical interpretation. The popliteus is a very small muscle but a unique muscle to the knee with specialized functions. It is highly vulnerable to injuries during trauma with posterior lateral corner injuries of the knee. Proper history of the injury and clinical assessment will help in a proper diagnosis. However acute pain in the knee may interfere with a proper clinical diagnosis. During total knee arthroplasty, special care should be taken to minimize the iatrogenic popliteal ligament injuries during bone cuts and lateral release in soft tissue gap balancing.
The effect of routine ureteral stent placement on post-ureteroscopy complications: A prospective study from a resource limited setting
Authors: Balasingam B. , Sripandurangana R. , Sivashankar M. , Varothayan S. , Dinoshiga K. , Heerthikan K. , Priyatharsan K. , Vaishnavi T. , Sureshka G. M.
Published: December 2023

Background: Rigid ureterorenoscopy (URS) stands as a highly successful treatment for ureteral stones. The current guidelines from the European Association of Urology (EAU) recommends selective double J (DJ) stent placement post-URS to mitigate major complications. However, in resource-limited hospital setups, executing selective stent placement poses substantial risks in preventing complications and reducing readmission rates. This study aims to unveil the ramifications of our routine stent replacement approach after ureteric stone surgery on surgical outcomes in a resource-constrained setting.Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted at a urological unit within a tertiary care center in Sri Lanka, over a one-year period, involving 112 diagnosed patients. Patients underwent routine DJ stenting following rigid URS for ureteral stone management, without additional intervention. Data collected from clinical records encompassed demographics, stone characteristics, and complications. Postoperative complications linked to routine DJ stenting were assessed using the Clavien-Dindo classification system. Descriptive statistics were employed for data summary using SPSS version 23.0.Results: The mean age of patients was 47.3±14.9 years (range: 13-76 years), with 67.9% being males. The mean stone size was 15.35±6.58 mm (range: 4.5-35 mm), distributed across right (48.2%), left (44.6%), and bilateral (7.1%) ureters, of which 52.7% were proximal, 30.4% distal, and 17% mid ureteric stones. Postoperative evaluation revealed 26.8% of patients experiencing Clavien-Dindo grade I complications (e.g.,dysuria, haematuria, loin pain, and lower urinary tract symptoms), managed conservatively. Moreover, 4.5% encountered Clavien-Dindo grade II complications, predominantly postoperative fever, necessitating hospital readmission specifically for intravenous antibiotic administration.Conclusion: Despite guidelines advocating selective stent placement, this study underscores the safety and efficacy of routine DJ stent implementation after the URS laser procedure. The findings showcase a notable reduction in postoperative complications alongside decreased hospital readmission rates in resourcelimited environments. Embracing routine DJ stenting post- URS in such settings could serve as a pragmatic approach, potentially enhancing patient outcomes and minimizing healthcare burdens.
Interspecific differences in the questing behaviour of Dermacentor andersoni and Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae) larvae
Authors: Diyes Chulantha P. , Dergousoff Shaun J. , Chilton Neil B.
Published: December 2023

Dermacentor variabilis and Dermacentor andersoni (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitise the same range of hosts in western Canada and have largely allopatric ranges except for a zone of sympatry in southern Saskatchewan, where these species experience the same environmental conditions. We report herein the discovery of differences in the behaviour of D. variabilis and D. andersoni larvae after they emerge from eggs. A behavioural diapause observed in D. variabilis larvae was not detected in D. andersoni larvae that were exposed to the same environmental conditions. As unfed D. variabilis larvae can successfully overwinter, their behavioural diapause represents an adaptive strategy to synchronise their questing activity and life cycle stage to maximise the chance of larvae encountering a suitable rodent host at the onset of spring. Such strategy will be of a significant benefit for colonising individuals at the northern edge of the distributional range of D. variabilis.
Evaluation of radiopacity of cements used in implant-supported prosthesis by indirect digital radiography: an in-vitro study
Authors: Esfahanian Mahla , Asl Amin Mahdavi
Published: December 2023

In order to help dentists in choosing the right type of cement for implant-based prostheses, the radiopacity of commonly used cements available in the market was investigated by digital radiography with PSP sensor. In the present study, temporary cements of TempBond (Kerr, Germany), TempBond clear (Kerr, Germany), Dycal (Dentsply, USA) and permanent cements of Multilink N (Ivoclar, Brazil), Panavia F 2.0 (Kurrary, Japan), Fuji plus (GC, Japan), RelyX (3M, USA), Durelon (3M, USA) were used. Four pill-like samples with 0.5 mm and 1 mm thickness and 5 mm in diameter inside the silicon index as recommended by the manufacturer were prepared for each cement. Aluminum step wedge (99% aluminum alloy) was used as control. Using digital radiography, cement and aluminum step wedge samples were radiographed. The images of cement tablets were measured by digital radiography using DFW software to check their radiopacity values. Bonferroni test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for comparison of cements. The highest radiopacity between the group of 1 and 0.5 mm thickness was related to Glass ionomer Fujiplus GC (2407±45.99) and TempBond (137.21±22.46) cement, respectively. Whereas, the lowest radiopacity among the groups was related to Clear cement. The difference between the mean radiopacities among the studied groups was statistically significant (p<0.001). Based on the results, among the available cements, Glass ionomer Fujiplus GC and TempBond cement are the most efficient for 1 and 0.5 mm thickness, respectively, and Clear cement is the least efficient cement in both groups in terms of radiopacity.
Report and Abstracts of the 15th Congress of the Mediterranean Forum of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine: Rome, July 6-8, 2023
Authors: Manocchio Nicola , Iovene Isabella , Santoro Antonio , Maccarone Maria Chiara , Foti Calogero
Published: December 2023

The 15th Mediterranean Forum of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (MFPRM) Congress, held in Rome from 6 to 8 July 2023, brought together over 600 PRM specialists and residents from 51 countries and 5 continents to share knowledge, perspectives, and research findings. The Congress focused on the theme "Beyond COVID," highlighting the resilience and adaptability of PRM in the face of the pandemic. Presentations showcased the latest advancements in PRM across various subspecialties, including orthopedics and sports re-education, neurological disorders, pharmacotherapy and pain, pediatrics disorders, musculoskeletal disease, ergonomics and robotics, spasticity management, ICF and evaluation scales, spinal cord injury, musculoskeletal ultrasounds, rehabilitation of patients with cancers disease, post COVID-19 re-education, cardio-respiratory and urogynecological disorders, and traumatic brain injury. The congress successfully served as a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation in PRM, highlighting the importance of international cooperation and the resilience of PRM in adapting to emerging challenges.
Unveiling vaccine safety: a narrative review of pharmacovigilance in India's COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Hegde Megha , Raj Saurav , Tikadar Dhananjay , Nyamagoud Sanatkumar B
Published: December 2023

In India, a robust vaccine pharmacovigilance system is essential to the effective implementation of COVID-19 immunization programs, ensuring the safety and efficacy of the administered vaccines. The National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 and the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India have played vital roles in monitoring and analyzing adverse events following immunization (AEFI). These tools have made it easier to gather, assess, and report information about different adverse drug reactions connected to COVID-19 vaccines. However, there are several issues with India's vaccination pharmacovigilance, including underreporting and sluggish data gathering. To improve the efficiency of the pharmacovigilance system, it is crucial to address these issues and encourage active reporting by healthcare professionals and the general public. This insightful review article serves as a critical resource for shedding light on India's vaccine pharmacovigilance efforts throughout the COVID-19 vaccination drive. It also elucidates how these efforts are pivotal in bolstering public confidence in vaccines. The comprehensive coverage of reported AEFI not only showcases the commitment to vaccine safety but also helps healthcare professionals and policymakers make informed decisions to enhance the overall vaccination program.
Rehabilitation complexity scale and reimbursement of in-hospital pulmonary rehabilitation
Authors: Vitacca Michele , Paneroni Mara , Ambrosino Nicolino
Published: December 2023

Background: The use of case-based reimbursement for medical rehabilitation is greatly discussed. The investigators explored the relationship between disability and reimbursement opportunities in individuals with respiratory diseases undergoing in-hospital pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), considering the correlation (if any) between the Rehabilitation Complexity Scale (RCS-E v13) scores used at admission and the actual reimbursement.Methods: This study is part of a larger prospective multicenter study conducted by eight Pulmonary Rehabilitation Units in Italy. Here, investigators considered only data from the Lombardy Region. On January 30th or February 28th, 2023, participants were allocated according to the main DRG into 4 groups [tracheostomized/ventilated (TX/V), chronic respiratory failure (CRF), COPD, and miscellaneous group]. We recorded anthropometrics, diagnosis, international outcome measures, and calculated admission and discharge RCS-E v13 scores and hospital stay reimbursement according to the healthcare system (HS).Results: Three hundred and sixteen participants were evaluated. Patients were elderly, in the majority of cases with CRF, presenting comorbidities, disability, dyspnea, and reduced effort tolerance. At admission, RCS-E v13 showed an average moderate value of complexity. The median (IQR) HS reimbursement/stay was different among groups. RCS-E v13 evaluated at admission was weakly (r=0.3471), but significantly related to the HS reimbursement/stay (p<0.0001) mainly due to TX/V and miscellaneous subgroups, while no relationship was found for COPD and CRF patients. After PR, all outcome measures improved significantly in all groups (p<0.001 for all). Higher RCS-E v13 scores at admission did not correspond to a proper amount of reimbursement, being this latter under- or overestimated if compared to needs assessed by RCS-E v13. RCS-E v13 at discharge decreased for all subgroups (range -6 to -11) reaching a low value of complexity.Conclusions: The RCS-E v13 disability score does not fully mirror the HS reimbursement for patients undergoing in-hospital PR.
Pluralismo epistemológico para un currículum basado en la diversidad sociocultural
Authors: San Martín Aedo Reina
Published: December 2023

El presente ensayo busca problematizar el currículo de Matemática de Educación Primaria en Chile. Este análisis se desarrolla desde la educación matemática crítica, para proponer al pluralismo epistemológico como un campo de conocimiento que permite comprender al conocimiento matemático desde la diversidad sociocultural de los pueblos que habitan el país. Para esto se realizó una revisión de literatura, que consideró autores que proponen como línea investigativa la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de las matemáticas y su vinculación con la cultura. Esta revisión permitió cuestionar las formas tradicionales de comprender la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de las matemáticas, y la necesidad de relevar al conocimiento matemático como una práctica cultural construida por el hombre y valorizar las formas de hacer matemáticas que poseen las diversas culturas. Se analiza el currículo escolar de Educación Primaria de Chile, para tensionar la relación entre enseñanza de las matemáticas y cultura, para finalizar con una propuesta reflexiva desde el pluralismo epistemológico.