bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pour une révolution copernicienne
Authors: Abrard Christian
Published: April 2023

En lançant en septembre 2021 le plan “Marseille en grand”, le président de la République a souhaité qu’une nouvelle démarche, partant des projets des écoles volontaires, soit mise en œuvre : une méthode nouvelle qui parte du bas. En neuf mois, une relation de confiance inédite s’est nouée entre les équipes pédagogiques engagées et l’administration de l’Éducation nationale, permettant la mise en œuvre et le développement des projets. Le 2 juin 2022, le Président annonçait de Marseille la généralisation à l’échelle du pays. Il en précisait les contours lors de la réunion de rentrée des plus hauts cadres de l’Éducation nationale, à La Sorbonne, appelant à une « révolution copernicienne ». Depuis l’automne, les établissements volontaires font, dans le cadre du CNR Éducation, remonter leurs projets. Succès quantitatif, l’opération ne pourra se consolider et s’inscrire dans le temps que si un accompagnement de chaque projet est mis en œuvre dans tous les territoires. À cet effet le système administratif va devoir s’adapter et se réinventer. Mais, au-delà de la démarche entreprise dans l’Éducation nationale, c’est bien l’ensemble de la fonction publique qui demande une réforme systémique, une révolution copernicienne.
La coordination respiratoire : une méthode pour soulager la dyspnée
Authors: Beesley Shauna
Published: April 2023

La dyspnée nous confronte à notre propre mortalité. Pour cette raison, elle déclenche des réponses d’alarme profondes dans le corps, qui perturbent le bon fonctionnement et la relation entre le cœur, les poumons et le système nerveux. Cette menace existentielle déclenche une tempête d’hormones de stress qui, à leur tour, augmentent la dyspnée, et ainsi un cercle vicieux commence.
La Fonction Risk Manager dans les entreprises françaises non financières : ses rôles sur la période de son émergence
Authors: Aubry Caroline
Published: April 2023

L’objectif de cet article est de comprendre les rôles des premières Fonctions Risk Manager (FRM) dans les entreprises non financières françaises. Nous mettons en évidence quatre portraits-types – FRM invisible, FRM néo-institutionnelle, FRM interactive, FRM managériale –, associés à quatre rôles. Ces résultats constituent un point de départ sur lequel des travaux à venir pourront positionner la FRM actuelle, permettent de mieux la comprendre et de s’interroger sur son avenir.
De la définition d’une stratégie territoriale multi-acteurs à sa mise en action : analyse d’un échec partiel
Authors: Evon Juliette
Published: April 2023

Face à une fragilité territoriale, notre recherche pose la question suivante : quels sont les impacts, les apports et les limites pour le territoire et ses acteurs d’un processus de définition d’une stratégie territoriale et de sa mise en action au travers d’un projet territorial sectoriel multi-acteurs ? Cet article se structure à travers le prisme de la stratégie territoriale et ses composantes. Le terrain repose sur l’étude d’un programme régional dont l’objectif est d’accueillir et de produire, à terme, une innovation thérapeutique.
Fintechs in their own words
Authors: Bèzes Christophe , Elabidi Houda
Published: April 2023

Les définitions académiques des fintechs sont basées sur des recherches antérieures ou sur des rapports d’organismes de régulation et de cabinets de conseil. En interrogeant directement 10 acteurs de la fintech et de la banque, cette étude compare la perception des fintechs par les chercheurs avec la réalité vécue par les professionnels interrogés. Notre définition est fortement inspirée de la perception des fondateurs de fintechs. Elle met davantage l’accent sur la notion d’innovation d’usage centrée sur le client (vs innovation technologique) et sur une vision entrepreneuriale des fintechs, plus indépendants des acteurs en place.
Exploring effects of Egoscue versus lumbar stabilisation exercises for lower crossed syndrome on postural stability and hyperlordotic posture correction
Authors: Sequeira S.E. , Gurudut P. , Kage V.
Published: April 2023

The aim of the study was to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of Egoscue exercises and lumbar stabilisation exercises in individuals with the lower crossed syndrome in terms of hyperlordotic posture correction, postural stability, and patient satisfaction towards treatment. The study was a randomised controlled trial. Through randomisation, 30 participants were allocated into 2 study groups, the Egoscue Exercise (EE) group (n=15) and the lumbar stabilisation exercise (LSE) group (n=15). The outcome measures were the degree of lumbar lordosis, functional disability, and postural stability parameters (risk of fall, stability index, weight distribution, anterior-posterior sway, and lateral sway) and patient satisfaction with treatment assessed at baseline and post-10th session of the intervention. Within group analysis showed significant improvement in the outcome measures, such as Index of Lumbar Lordosis, functional disability, postural stability, and patient satisfaction towards treatment with the groups (P<0.05). Between groups analysis showed that EE group and LSE groups were equally effective in improving lumbar hyperlordosis (P=0.458), functional disability (P=0.545), postural stability (risk of fall P=0.781; stability index P=0.964; weight distribution index P=0.718; anterior-posterior sway P=0.402; lateral sway P=0.212) and patient satisfaction towards treatment (P=0.999). Egoscue exercises and lumbar stabilisation exercises are equally effective in correcting lumbar hyper lordotic posture, postural stability, pain, and functional disability in low back pain individuals with the lower crossed syndrome.

Clinical Trials Registry – India (CTRI): CTRI/2021/09/036733
Bilateral Hypotony Maculopathy Associated With Ipilimumab and Nivolumab Therapy Unresponsive to Corticosteroid Treatment
Authors: Ahmed Abrahim A. , Hiya Farhan E. , Eichenbaum David A.
Published: April 2023

In rare instances, immunotherapy associated with hypotony and uveitis has been documented. We report the case of a 72-year-old man treated with 2 months of ipilimumab and nivolumab for metastatic melanoma who developed bilateral hypotony maculopathy and serous choroidal detachments without prominent initial uveitis. Despite treatment with topical, periocular, and intraocular corticosteroid injection, hypotony persisted 18 months after immunotherapy cessation. The patient's unresponsiveness to corticosteroids indicates the need to further explore the mechanism behind immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated hypotony. We hypothesize that immunotherapy significantly decreased aqueous humor production through ciliary body inflammation, disruption, or shutdown.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
2023;54:301–304.]
Economic Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence Systems Versus Manual Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy in the United States
Authors: Chawla Harshvardhan , Uhr Joshua H. , Williams Jonathan S. , Reinoso Maria A. , Weiss Jayne S.
Published: April 2023

Background:

The objective of this economic modeling study was to compare the cost effectiveness of fully automated retinal image screening (FARIS) to the current practice of universal ophthalmologist referral for diabetic retinopathy in the United States (US) health care system.

Methods:

A Markov decision-analytic model was used to compare the automated versus manual screening and management pathway for diabetic patients with unknown retinopathy status. Costs (in 2021 US dollars), quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gains, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated. Sensitivity analysis was performed against a $50,000/QALY willingness-to-pay threshold.

Results:

FARIS was the dominant screening strategy, demonstrating cost savings of 18.8% at 5 years with equivalent net QALY gains to manual screening. Cost-effectiveness status was dependent on FARIS detection specificity, with a threshold value of 54.8%.

Conclusion:

Artificial intelligence-based screening represents an economically advantageous screening modality for diabetic retinopathy in the US, offering equivalent long-term utility with significant potential cost savings.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
2023;54:272–280.]
The C3 parametric eighth-degree interpolation spline function
Authors: Xie Jin , Liu Xiaoyan , Zhu Lei , Ma Yuqing , Zhang Ke
Published: April 2023

The C3 parametric interpolation spline function is presented this paper, which has the similar properties of the classical cubic Hermite interpolation spline with additional flexibility and high approximation rates. Moreover, a group of eighth-degree bases with three parameters is constructed. Then, the interpolation spline function is defined based on the proposed basis functions. And the interpolation error and the technique for determining the optimal interpolation are also given. The results show that when the interpolation conditions remain unchanged, the proposed interpolation spline functions retain C3 continuity, and the shape of the curve can be controlled by the parameters. When the optimal values of parameters are chosen, the interpolation spline function can achieve higher approximation rates.
A deep neural network-based smart error measurement method for fiscal accounting data
Authors: Cai Yutian , Wang Ting , Wang Shaohua
Published: April 2023

The error measurement of fiscal accounting data can effectively slow down the change of financial assets. Based on deep neural network theory, we constructed an error measurement model for fiscal and tax accounting data, and we analyzed the relevant theories of fiscal and tax performance evaluation. By establishing a batch evaluation index of finance and tax accounting, the model can monitor the changing trend of the error of urban finance and tax benchmark data scientifically and accurately, as well as solve the problem of high cost and delay in predicting the error of finance and tax benchmark data. In the simulation process, based on the panel data of credit unions, the entropy method and a deep neural network were used to measure the fiscal and tax performance of regional credit unions. In the example application, the model, combined with MATLAB programming, calculated the contribution rate of regional higher fiscal and tax accounting input to economic growth. The data show that the contribution rates of some fiscal and tax accounting input, commodity and service expenditure, other capital expenditure and capital construction expenditure to regional economic growth are 0.0060, 0.0924, 0.1696 and -0.0822, respectively. The results show that the proposed method can effectively map the relationships between variables.
A Precision Analysis of Machining Incoloy 901 Aerospace Materials with Cemented Carpide Tools by the Taguchi Method
Authors: Altin Abdullah
Published: April 2023

In this research work, was made a study on the effects of turning conditions on incoloy 901 nickel-based superalloy and performed a precision analyzes using the Taguchi L27 orthogonal array. Using the results of variance analysis (ANOVA) and signal-to-noise (S / N) ratio and taking into account the "smaller is better" approach were statistically investigated to establish a correlation amongst the speed of cutting, feed rate and cutting tool with respect to surface quality and cutting forces. KCU10, K313 and KCU25 cemented carpide cutting tool were used in experimental study. The experimental results have revealed the most important factor influencing the cutting force and surface quality was the type of the cutting tool and it’s had a serious effect on both, KCU10 and followed by KCU25 was found better than the other cutting tool. Optimum parameters for the cutting forces were found 0,150 mm/rev., 90 m/min. with KCU10 cutting tool The found findings can help for revealed the optimization of machining parameters and surface characteristics of Incoloy 901 during high speed turning.
Technological Method of Using Functional Materials in a Heat-Protective Clothing Package
Authors: Kovaleva Alyona , Cherunova I.
Published: April 2023

Special protective clothing is used to protect people in critically low temperatures. It exposed not only by temperature, but also by the effects of wind and the movements of the person. These aerodynamic and mechanical influences compress certain areas that return to their original position only after a certain period of time. However, during this interval the thermal resistance of the compressed part of the clothing decreases. In order to avoid such a situation, material packages have been developed to increase their elasticity. This article proposes a new material package design using a thermo-elastic element which, when the temperature changes to the required temperature, changes its shape. The article proposes the placement of the thermoelastic element, as well as a technique in which the thermoelastic element acquires the property of memorizing its shape at a certain temperature. Titanium nickelide alloy NiTi (nitinol) is used as a thermoelastic element. According to the method proposed in the article, this alloy remembers the shape at a temperature of +20°C (straight) and-18°C (bending). Thus, when the nitinol wire responses at negative temperature, the bend is manifested and the wire lifts the fabric of the top, thereby increasing the volume of the material package, which allows the insulation to occupy a larger volume increasing the thermal resistance of the package.
ABS/AgZrP Nanocomposite Additive Manufacturing Filament for Antibacterial Applications
Authors: de Yro Persia Ada N. , Babaan John Corvin A. , Ortiz Kezia Mae P. , Escutin Chelsea Mae , Ebarvia Madelaine L.
Published: April 2023

The emergence of COVID-19 raised awareness in hygiene practices and reminded us of the harm that microbes bring to our health. Incorporating antibacterial agents in polymeric materials would allow us to combat lingering bacteria on surfaces that we often use. The utilization of composite filaments with antibacterial activity would allow us to employ better precautions in reducing contact with harmful bacteria. Antibacterial acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) nanocomposites were prepared by incorporating silver zirconium phosphate (AgZrP) nanoparticles via twin screw extruder. The ABS/AgZrP nanocomposite filament with 5 wt % and 20 wt% of AgZrP were synthesized and characterized with Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). DSC and XRD data denote an increase in the presence of crystalline regions as the AgZrP content is increased. TGA data indicate that the addition of AgZrP has no effect on the thermal stability of the material. FTIR data indicate a decrease in transmission at higher AgZrP loading. The decreasing trend in tensile properties of the 3D-printed neat and AgZrP-filled ABS may have been due to particle agglomeration acting as stress concentrators. Antibacterial activity assessment via disk diffusion test showed a zone of inhibition within the sample indicating that there is no bacterial growth both for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
Thermal Conductivity of Insulation Material: Effect of Moisture Content and Wet-Drying Cycle
Authors: Hayrullin A.R. , Haibullina A.I. , Gusyachkin A.M.
Published: April 2023

The insulation materials are widely used in petrochemical, power engineering and other industries. The thermal insulation materials play an important role in the energy saving of district heating systems and in the building sector. In this work, the thermal conductivity of rock wool with different levels of moisture content and density of the insulation material was investigated by an experimental method. Experimental studies were carried out on rock wool from three different manufacturers. The effect of the wetting and drying cycle on thermal conductivity and density of the insulating material is analyzed. The thermal conductivity of the insulating material was measured using the guarded hot plate method. It was found that the thermal conductivity of insulating materials significantly affected the moisture content. The increase in thermal conductivity was from 1.33 to 4.42 times, depending on the density and the manufacturer of the rock wool. The wetting and drying cycles increase the thermal conductivity and density of the insulating material up to 2 and 2.5 times, respectively.
Ubuntu pedagogy – transforming educational practices in South Africa through an African philosophy: from theory to practice
Authors: Ngubane Nomlaungelo , Makua Manyane
Published: April 2023

Education in South Africa, and Africa at large, has always been construed from Eurocentric perspectives despite Africa being rich with indigenous philosophies and knowledge systems such as the Ubuntu philosophy. In this paper, we bring forth the viability of Ubuntu pedagogy, which draws from the indigenous Ubuntu philosophy, for the promotion of co-existence, social cohesion and inclusivity in education. Drawing from the Collective Fingers Theory, we examine the extent to which the principles of Ubuntu philosophy can cultivate and restore African indigenous values and cultures in diverse educational settings. We draw from literature to position Ubuntu pedagogy within educational practices. Themes emerging from the subject literature are: Collective Fingers theory, Ubuntu philosophy, principles of Ubuntu pedagogy. As a transformative approach, Ubuntu pedagogy, when embraced with the understanding and dignity it deserves, has a potential not only for reconnecting students with their indigenous values, heritage and cultures, but it also has a capacity to cultivate Ubuntu social values of solidarity, co-existence, respect and cooperation among students. We recommend Ubuntu pedagogy as a transformative and decolonial approach that promotes inclusion and social justice. The paper provides principles that guide the possible and effective implementation of Ubuntu pedagogy in diverse educational settings and implications for practice. The paper contributes to the ongoing debates on the decolonisation of education and the role of Ubuntu philosophy in the restoration of African values in the South African education system.
Dynamics at the frontier between the demands of democracy and sociocultural imperatives: Human rights and school discipline in secondary schools in Malawi
Authors: Namphande Peter N.
Published: April 2023

Human rights gained prominence in sub-Saharan Africa in the wave of democratisation following the collapse of communism. After decades of repressive systems of government, the fledgling democracies took several measures to safeguard democracy, one of which was the introduction of human rights education and education for democratic citizenship in their education systems. This paper reports on a study in Malawi where the advent of democracy led to the introduction of a discipline policy in secondary schools that appeared controversial because it took away teachers’ prerogative and unrestricted powers to discipline accused students. Since the policy came as a directive, without proper consultation of stakeholders, it caused an uproar on the secondary education landscape. The aim of this study was to explore and compare dynamics and forms of resistance that were found in two schools following their implementation of the discipline policy. Using the qualitative design and the comparative case study approach, the study generated data from two purposively sampled secondary schools of different types. The findings of the study showed that although the schools apparently followed the guidelines of the policy, the handling of cases was highly contextual, allowing each school to evade the elements of the policy that appeared controversial. The findings bring to the fore covert and subtle forms of resistance to policy implementation through the dynamics involved in the procedures for handling disciplinary cases. The article argues for a negotiated approach when there is a clash between sociocultural beliefs and policy changes dictated by ‘universal’ demands, otherwise policy implementation will be fraught with internal political undercurrents.
Can Downsizing Correlate with Community Development? A Complex Adaptive Systems Approach
Authors: Coffie Rosemary B. , Sardiya Alimatu , Ellis Florence , Akaadom Eric
Published: April 2023

Studies on retrenchment effects have mostly observed the organisation, the affected, and the survivors, overlooking that of the community. This study explores the effects of involuntary employee retrenchment on community development within the mining sector. Quantitative and qualitative data were gathered for the study by adopting a mixed-method approach using snowball and purposive sampling techniques. To establish the effects of retrenchment on the community, an exploratory factor analysis and content analysis were used, drawing on the philosophies of the complex adaptive systems theory. The findings reveal that retrenched employees suffer a reduction in income and spending. Again, the local community where most affected workers reside suffers major developmental setbacks, mainly due to the non-payment of property and other taxes that are used to develop the community. The study confirms the interconnectedness of organisations and environments: they exist as a confirmation of the complex adaptive systems theory. Again, the revelation of the effects of retrenchment which transfers from the organisation to the affected and the community, contributes to retrenchment studies. The study recommends that management negotiates to establish consensus with stakeholders to follow provisions in the Labour Act relative to retrenchment. Again, retrenched staff should learn other employable skills to aid their re-employment. Although engaging employees who have been retrenched was quite difficult due to their scattered nature, this was managed through the use of snowball sampling. A significant implication for organisations and stakeholders in this study is the fact that retrenchment does not guarantee improved performance and can be costly.
Depoliticising Square Kilometre Array and Vanwyksvlei in the anti-politics machine
Authors: Moodley Nishai
Published: April 2023

This article follows the study of the anti-politics machine that explains why and how developmental projects fail, in the context of a little drought-stricken Karoo town called Vanwyksvlei, Northern Cape. The five (corporate) social responsibility programmes, under the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) in South Africa, can be considered a failure and this reveals ‘mismatches’ and contradictions in what is considered ‘development’ between Vanwyksvlei’s residents and SKA. With ethnographic methods, semi-structured interviews and textual analysis, the ‘anti-politics machine’ is useful in deconstructing and depoliticising the relationship among developmental actors involved in the five programmes. Firstly, deconstructing and depoliticising the five programmes attempts to explain the success–failure binary of development that points to critiquing the development discourse from problem-orientated to a problem-solving orientation. Secondly, Habermas’ theory of communicative action aids in the quest of consensus through deliberative and negotiation strategies between local people, national governments and global organisations. Lastly, the significance of the anti-politics machine goes beyond accounting for the five failed corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes and extends to the recognition of local sphere, not only to depoliticise the politics of astronomy knowledge with indigenous insight, but also assist in the urgency of water supply.
Behaviours of traditional male circumcision initiates of Cala and Mdantsane, South Africa
Authors: Mpateni Aphiwe , Kang’ethe Simon Murote
Published: April 2023

This article focuses on the exploration of behavioural deficits that are manifested by the traditional male circumcision (TMC) initiates of the contemporary epoch. A qualitative research approach amid an exploratory and descriptive design followed by interpretivism paradigm was applied. A purposive sampling technique of non-probability sampling method was used. The in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used as data collection methods. Cala and Mdantsane were selected as research domains because of their involvement in the practice of TMC. Thematic analysis effected through coding was used to analyse data. The findings revealed that contemporary TMC initiates embrace negative teachings in the initiation school that fails to meet societal moral and ethical expectations, such as the preponderance of violence and abuse of alcohol. It also showed non-compliance to the moral code and cultural goalposts by the contemporary TMC initiates. Furthermore, this study recommends for policies to ensure that the rite achieves its sociocultural objective amid the training of traditional nurses and surgeons to astutely manage the rite.
Knowledge and practice of malaria prevention among residents of Ratuwamai Municipality, Nepal
Authors: Karki Rajesh , Bartoula Niruta , Kaphle Maheshor , Shah Sanjaya Kumar
Published: April 2023

Objective:

To assess the level of knowledge and practice on malaria prevention among the residents of Ratuwamai Municipality in Nepal.

Methods:

A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out on Ratuwamai Municipality of Ward No. 8 in Morang District, Nepal. A total of 352 respondents with an age range from 15 to 70 years were interviewed from October 9 to October 31, 2022. Statistically significant differences between two or more categorical groups were measured using independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA test, and Kruskal-Wallis H test.

Result:

Out of the total sample, 57.7% of the respondents were 24 to 50 years old with a mean age of (36.9±14.3) years. In the knowledge test, 82% of the responses were accurate. Though 98.6% of people had heard of malaria, only 48.3% said it was a communicable disease. In practice, 84.9% always cleaned the surrounding area and trimmed the bushes around the house; 75.9% used insecticide-treated bed nets or normal bed nets for sleeping; only 7.4% used mosquito repellent creams on exposed body parts while staying outdoors at night, working in fields, and sleeping.

Conclusions:

The majority had knowledge about malaria, but more than half had poor practice. We advise concerned authorities to promote the behavior change communication strategy to encourage individuals to adopt healthy, beneficial, and good behavioral practices.
Direct Laryngoscopy-Assisted Flexible Bronchoscopic Intubation in a Difficult Airway
Authors: Wagh Harshal D
Published: April 2023

Neck masses may distort the airway and make even fibreoptic intubation difficult. A large mass may prevent the negotiation of a flexible bronchoscope beyond the obstruction. A combined direct laryngoscopy-assisted flexible bronchoscopy must be considered an option that can help intubation in select difficult airway situations and may prove lifesaving as it did in this case.
An Updated Review on Current Treatment of Alopecia Areata and Newer Therapeutic Options
Authors: Malhotra Karan , Madke Bhushan
Published: April 2023

Alopecia areata (AA) is a dermatological disease that causes nonscarring hair loss. It can occur at any age and has an unpredictable and variable evolution in individuals. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the novel therapies currently being used, as well as upcoming therapeutic options in the treatment of AA.
Mesotherapy with Bicalutamide
Authors: Gomez-Zubiaur Alba , Andres-Lencina Juan Jose , Cabezas Víctor , Corredera Cristina , di Brisco Fabio , Ferrer Blanca , Rodriguez-Villa Ana , Subiabre-Ferrer Daniela , Valenzuela Cristian , Diez David Vega , Ricart Jose Maria
Published: April 2023

Bicalutamide is a selective androgen receptor antagonist. To date, it has been used orally with good efficacy results, but not in mesotherapy. In our center, we assessed whether patients undergoing bicalutamide mesotherapy showed positive responses and tolerated the local administration of bicalutamide. Six premenopausal women, with a mean age of 35.7 years and clinical diagnosis of Olsen Grade II or III female androgenetic alopecia accompanied by significant seborrhea were treated with 1 ml bicalutamide 0.5% mesotherapy. Three monthly sessions were performed. A subtle improvement in hair density was described after the third session. The overall satisfaction of the patients with the treatment was 6.3, on a scale of 1–10. Premenopausal women require several therapeutic approaches to combat severe androgenetic alopecia. Our data showed that bicalutamide mesotherapy was well tolerated and welcomed by the patients; we, therefore, provide a new tool for the management of this pathology.
A Rare Case Report of Extradural Cervical Spine Meningioma
Authors: Ahmed Parwej , Gupta Rahul K. , Khan Azad , Siddiqui Areeb A.
Published: April 2023

Introduction:

Extradural spinal meningiomas of the cervical spine are relatively uncommon. The vast majority of meningiomas develop in intracranial, intradural locations, and the majority of meningiomas affect the thoracic spine.

History:

A 39-year-old man presented with complaints of weakness in all four limbs for the last 8 months with bowel bladder involvement.

Clinical Features:

The patient had spastic quadriparesis with bowel and bladder involvement with planter extensors and the presence of patellar and ankle clonus.

Investigation:

Histopathopathology and immunohistochemical markers were sent and diagnosis of meningioma was made.
Cessation of Pulmonary Vasodilators in PAH Related to Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Sathyamurthy Immaneni , Kirubakaran K. , Subramanian Sasikala , Srinivasan K. N.
Published: April 2023

Pulmonary arterial hypertension secondary to congenital heart diseases is a subset of patients who need pulmonary vasodilators (PVDs). We are reporting an adult female who continued to have severe pulmonary hypertension after corrective surgery for the atrial septal defect. She showed improvement in symptoms and effort tolerance assessed by 6-min walk distance, but on cessation of therapy, showed worsening of exercise tolerance which improved after reintroduction. This report stresses the importance of the need for long-term combination of PVDs without interruption.
Designing a tool for measuring determinants of eye self-care and evaluating its psychometric properties
Authors: Chatripour Rahmat , Feizi Awat , Zamani-Alavijeh Fereshteh , Beni Afsaneh Naderi , Mazaheri Maryam Amidi
Published: April 2023

Background:

Eye care is crucial for maintaining healthy vision. This study aimed to design a determinants assessment instrument related to eye self-care in the student community and evaluate its psychometric properties.

Materials and Methods:

The present mixed-method cross-sectional study was conducted in two sections using Creswell and Plano Clark methods for instrument development. The study was conducted in Isfahan, Iran, in 2021. The first section (textual analysis and qualitative research) explained and developed the instrument's fundamental items. This section included in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 21 students and eight experts. In the second, the psychometric properties of the designed instrument have been evaluated. Twenty students assessed the instrument's qualitative and quantitative face validity. The instrument's content was measured by computing the content validity ratio and content validity index. In addition, exploratory factor analysis (performed on 251 students) was used to establish construct validity. Internal and test–retest reliability was determined using Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), respectively.

Results:

During face and content validity assessment, a 39-item questionnaire was finalized. Exploratory factor analysis led to the extraction of seven factors, including “perceived self-efficacy and self-regulation,” “outcome expectation,” “perceived barriers,” “motivation,” “perceived susceptibility,” “normative beliefs,” and “perceived severity.” The seven extracted factors explained 48.6% of the total variance. Cronbach's alpha was obtained to be 0.780, indicating good internal consistency, and the ICC for the total score of the questionnaire was 0.892 (95% confidence interval: 0.822–0.944), indicating excellent test–retest reliability.

Conclusion:

Our developed questionnaire was a valid and reliable instrument for assessing eye care determinants among students, a vulnerable population afflicted with eye defects and disorders.
Evaluation of the efficacy of oxidized cellulose (surgicel) in reducing blood loss in suprapubic simple open prostatectomy: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Kazemi Reza , Gholipour Farshad , Salehi Hanieh , Sichani Mehrdad Mohammadi , Behnamfar Amir , Fathi Majid
Published: April 2023

Background:

Simple open prostatectomy is still the treatment of choice for removing large prostates; however, peri-surgical bleeding accompanied by this technique has always been a challenge for urologist surgeons. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of surgicel on reducing bleeding in trans-vesical prostatectomy.

Materials and Methods:

The present double-blinded clinical trial included 54 patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), divided into two groups of 27, and underwent trans-vesical prostatectomy. After removing the prostate, the prostate adenoma was weighed in the first group. Then, two surgicel were inserted into the prostate loge for prostate adenomas weighing 75 g or less. For larger prostates, another surgicel was inserted for each 25 g weight higher than the limit of 75 g. However, no Surgicel was inserted in the control group. Other steps of the procedure were the same in both groups. Moreover, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were assessed in both groups; preoperation, intra-operative, 24 h, and 48 h postoperative. In addition, all the fluid used for bladder irrigation was collected, and its hemoglobin level was assessed.

Results:

According to our results, no intergroup difference in hemoglobin level changes, hematocrit changes, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), postoperative hospital stay, and number of packed cells received. However, the postoperative blood loss in bladder lavage fluid was significantly higher in the control group (120.83 ± 46.66 g) as compared to the surgicel group (72.56 ± 32.53 g) (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

The present study concluded that using surgicel in trans-vesical prostatectomy could reduce postoperative bleeding without increasing the chance of postoperative complications.
miR-155 rs767649 T>A gene polymorphism is associated with downregulation of miR-155 expression, suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 overexpression, and low probability of metastatic tumor at the time of breast cancer diagnosis
Authors: Iranparast Sara , Tahmasebi-Birgani Maryam , Motamedfar Azim , Amari Afshin , Ghafourian Mehri
Published: April 2023

Background:

MicroRNA-155 is a key player in inflammatory reactions, carcinogenesis, and tumor development. In this study, polymorphism of miRNA-155 rs767649 T>A and its gene and suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1) expression were investigated in relation to cancer susceptibility and development in breast cancer (BC) patients.

Materials and Methods:

Polymorphism of miRNA-155 rs767649 T>A was evaluated between a population of 174 patients with BC and 129 controls using restriction fragment length polymorphism and the expression of miR-155 and SOCS-1 were examined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results:

TT genotype of miR-155 rs767649 T>A was associated with higher level of miR-155 in PBMCs of BC patients relative to AT and AA genotypes (21.76 ± 4.4, 4.046 ± 1.35, 2.56 ± 0.81, respectively; P < 0.001) and increased lymph node metastasis (r = 0.292, P = 0.001), not BC susceptibility (P = 0.402 and P = 0.535; respectively). TT genotype of miR-155 rs767649 T>A was associated with less gene expression of SOCS-1 in PBMCs of BC patients compared to AT and AA genotypes (1.173 ± 0.57, 0.92 ± 0.827, 5.512 ± 0.92, respectively; P = 0.003).

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated for the first time the association between the T allele of the rs767649 T>A polymorphism in the pre-MIR155 gene and higher expression of miR-155, lower expression of SOCS-1, and swift latent progression in newly diagnosed BC patients. Thus, miR-155 may play a critical role in BC pathogenesis.
Tympanometry and Endoscopic Diagnosis of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Wuraola Ololade Aderinola , Afolabi Abdulrahman Olushola , Ologe Foluwasayo Emmanuel
Published: April 2023

Background:

This study assessed the eustachian tube (ET) function in adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) using tympanometry and nasal endoscope.

Materials and Methods:

This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted for 9 months. All participants underwent endoscopic evaluation of the pharyngeal end of their ETs, and the middle ear function was assessed using tympanometry. Endoscopic findings were graded based on a validated mucosal inflammatory endoscopic grading scale. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 24.

Results:

A total of 102 CRS patients and age- and sex-matched controls were recruited. Tympanograms suggestive of eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) types B and C were found among 7.8% and 12.8% of the right and left ears of the CRS groups, respectively. Mucosal inflammatory endoscopic grade that is diagnostic of ETD Grades 3 and 4 was found among 24.5% and 38.2% of the right and left ET of CRS cases, respectively.

Conclusion:

CRS predisposes patients to anatomical and functional impairment of ET. The relationship between tympanometry and mucosal inflammatory endoscopic grading scale in detecting ETD among CRS patients showed a strong relationship. However, a combination of the two will improve the diagnosis of ETD by evaluating the ET function directly and indirectly.
Perceptions and Uptake of COVID-19 Vaccines amongst Undergraduate Students in a Tertiary Institution in Lagos State
Authors: Akinsunmade Opeyemi M. , Ogunyemi Adedoyin O. , Isikekpei Brenda C. , Maduafokwa Blossom A. , Otokpa Ejiro , Okerinde Samuel S.
Published: April 2023

Background:

COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged the world, causing deaths in different countries. Fortunately, production of its vaccine has brought some tranquillity, and Nigeria was not left behind. This study aimed to determine the role of knowledge and perception towards the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine amidst undergraduate students of the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods:

This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out amongst 170 students at the University of Lagos using a multi-stage sampling method. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect information on demography, knowledge, perception, acceptance and uptake of COVID-19 vaccine. Data were analysed utilising SPSS Version 26. The level of significance was at P < 0.05.

Results:

Majority of respondents 125 (73.5%) had good knowledge of COVID-19 vaccine and 87 (51.2%) respondents attributed source of information to social media. Although many 99 (58.2%) respondents had positive perceptions of the vaccine, few 16 (9.4%) had taken the vaccine. Less than quarter 24 (22.1%) planned to receive COVID-19 vaccine while majority 120 (77.9%) had no plans to, cite safety concerns. There was a statistically significant association between age (P = 0.001), level of training (P = 0.034) and uptake of COVID-19 vaccine.

Conclusion and Recommendations:

The level of uptake of COVID-19 vaccine was poor amongst undergraduate students in tertiary institutions in Lagos. Age and level of training of respondents were factors associated with poor uptake. It is recommended that the section of university responsible for sharing of information amongst students organises risk communication activities targeted at specific areas about COVID-19 vaccine to improve vaccine uptake amongst students.
Determinants of Adolescent Sexual Behaviour in Indonesia during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review
Authors: Muthmainnah Muthmainnah , Devi Yuli Puspita , Khoiriyah Imas Elva , Nadia Asma , Putri Almira Fadella , Tristanti Khoirunnissa Kurnia
Published: April 2023

A high pre-marital sexual behaviour with a correspondingly high pregnancy rate was observed amongst teenagers in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic. This phenomenon was caused by several factors which include, a decrease in the utilization of reproductive health services, inadequate information on appropriate sexual behaviour before marriage, work from home and the Pembelajaran Jarak Jauh/ distance learning policies which increased the use of internet and exposure to pornography. This study aimed to identify the determinant factors associated with adolescent pre-marital sexual behaviour in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The method involved the use of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews by searching for relevant articles through ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, PubMed and Garuda (Garba Rujukan Digital) Portal. Twenty-one (21) articles were analysed in this study. The results showed that knowledge about reproductive health, or more specifically pre-marital sexual behaviour, was related to pre-marital sexual behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, attitudes, communication media, peers and family were also related to adolescent pre-marital sexual behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic. In conclusion, it is necessary to prevent pre-marital sexual behaviour through health promotion to improve adolescent knowledge and attitudes, use of the latest communication media and increase in the role of peer educators and parents.
Knowledge and Perception of Medication Errors among Health Care Workers in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Kaduna State, North-west Nigeria
Authors: Sufiyan Mu’awiyyah Babale , Abdulkareem Sarumi Babatunde , Joshua Istifanus Anekoson , Suleiman Auwal Garba , Umar Ahmad Ayuba , Amadu Lawal
Published: April 2023

Introduction:

Medication errors (MEs) are important, often overlooked forms of medical error that are associated with morbidity and mortality in health care settings. Among health care workers, knowledge, attitude and perception may affect reporting of MEs.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge and perception of MEs among health care workers in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 138 health care workers selected randomly through a stratified sampling. Their responses were collected using pre-tested, self-administered questionnaires and analysed using the Statsitical Package for the Social Sciences. The numerical variables were summarised as means and standard deviations, whereas categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages. The Chi-square test was used to test for associations at P < 0.05.

Results:

All the respondents heard of MEs and up to 108 (78.3%) correctly defined them. While only 121 (87.7%) respondents had fair to good knowledge about MEs, all of them had good perception of them. Major types of MEs known by the respondents were knowledge-based errors (79.7%), rule-based errors (52.9%), action-based errors (67.4%) and memory-based errors (55.8%). The causes of MEs identified were communication problems (88.4%), poor organizational knowledge transfer (63.8%), heavy workload (80.4%) and not reading instructions carefully (63.0%). There was no statistically significant association between the level of knowledge on MEs and sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents.

Conclusion:

Knowledge and perceptions of MEs were good among our respondents. Adequate mechanism (s) should be put in place to encourage the reporting of MEs whenever they occur to promote patient safety and improve health outcomes.
A Fully Convolutional Network with Waterfall Atrous Spatial Pooling and Localized Active Contour Loss for Fish Segmentation
Authors: Le Thanh Viet , Vu Van Yem , Pham Van Truong , Tran Thi-Thao
Published: April 2023

Accurate measurements and statistics of fish data are important for sustainable development of aqua-enviroment and marine fisheries. For data measurements and statistics, automatic segmentation of fish is one of key tasks. The fish segmentation however is a challenging task due to arterfacts in underwater images. In this study, we introduce a deep-learning approach, namely FCN-WRN-WASP for automatic fish segmentation from the underwater images. In particular, we introduce a computational-efficient variation called Waterfall Atrous Spatial Pooling (WASP) module into a Fully convolutional network with Wide ResNet baseline. We also proposed a loss function inspired from active contour approach that can exploit the local intensity information from the input image. The approach has been validated on the DeepFish data and the SIUM data set. The results are promissing for fish segmentation, with higher Intersection over Union (IoU) scores compared to state of the arts. The evaluation results showed that the incorporation of the image based active contour loss helps increase the segmentation performance. In addition, the use of the WASP in the architecture is effective especially for forground fish segmentation.
Toric degenerations of low-degree hypersurfaces
Authors: Ilten Nathan , Lautsch Oscar
Published: April 2023

We show that a sufficiently general hypersurface of degree d in
$\mathbb {P}^n$
admits a toric Gröbner degeneration after linear change of coordinates if and only if
$d\leq 2n-1$
.
Base matrices of various heights
Authors: Brendle Jörg
Published: April 2023

A classical theorem of Balcar, Pelant, and Simon says that there is a base matrix of height
${\mathfrak h}$
, where
${\mathfrak h}$
is the distributivity number of
${\cal P} (\omega ) / {\mathrm {fin}}$
. We show that if the continuum
${\mathfrak c}$
is regular, then there is a base matrix of height
${\mathfrak c}$
, and that there are base matrices of any regular uncountable height
$\leq {\mathfrak c}$
in the Cohen and random models. This answers questions of Fischer, Koelbing, and Wohofsky.
Chute du prix du pétrole et perspective de l’économie Algérienne en 2022
Authors: Bourioune Tahar
Published: April 2023

L’article propose de prévoir la structure de l’économie algérienne à l’horizon 2022, suite à la chute du prix mondial de pétrole de 2014 et sa poursuite inégalée en 2020 sous l’effet de COVID 19. La réalisation de cette étude s’est effectuée sur la base des données 1989 – 2018 au moyen du modèle SVARX. La structure de l’économie algérienne post-chute du prix du pétrole se distinguerait, selon nos résultats, par une récession économique. En 2022, le retour, peu probable, à la hausse du prix du pétrole, conjugué à la restriction des importations et par suite de la consommation, augurerait une accalmie de la récession sans plus.

The author proposes to forecast the structure of the Algerian economy by 2022 following the fall in the world price of oil in 2014 and its unequaled continuation in 2020 under the effect of COVID 19. The realization of this study is carried out on the basis of 1989 - 2018 data using the SVARX model. According to our results, the structure of the Algerian economy after the drop in oil prices is characterized by an economic recession. In 2022, the unlikely return to the rise in the price of oil, combined with the restriction of imports and consequently of consumption, would augur a lull in the recession and nothing more.