bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An overview of water quality within the Colombo Municipal Council area;
A retrospective report analysis
Authors: Ayomi A. A. , Weerasinghe V. T. , Priyadarshani K. S. S. , Chulanganie P. A. S. , Damayanthi W. L. A. , Senarath N. S. A. S. N. , Sewwandi K. P. A. , Perera A. C. H
Published: January 2023

Access to safe and quality drinking water is a fundamental requirement and
a basic human right. Water quality is determined by its biological, physical,
and chemical properties. Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area consists of
the largest population who utilize pipe-borne water supplied by the National
Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS&DB) Sri Lanka. The objective of
the study was to assess the water quality of the drinking water under selected
parameters within the Colombo Municipal Council area. In this quantitative,
retrospective, cross-sectional study, 268 water analysis reports from 1st July
to 30th November 2021 were considered with the permission of the Ethics
Review Committee of KIU (KIU_ERC_21_194A) and relevant authorities
of NWS&DB. Data on selected parameters such as color, turbidity, pH, Total
Dissolved Solids (TDS), Free Residual Chlorine (FRC), the total number
of coliform bacteria, and the total number of Escheretia-Coli (E-Coli) were
extracted. Data analysis was done using SPSS (Version 25). All values
were considered based on reference ranges of Sri Lanka Standards (SLS)
guidelines. The study indicated that, among nine water schemes and four
water reservoirs, the highest contributions for purification were from the
Maligakanda water scheme (15.9% n =56) and Maligakanda water reservoir
(51.6%, n=139). All the samples were fully treated water and the mean of
the color was 4.03 Hazen Units which was within the permissible level,
though ( 3.7 % n=10) of samples exceeded the range. The mean value of the
turbidity was 0.49 Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) which was within
the permissible level and only one sample had deviated from the maximum
permissible level. The mean pH value was 7.33 and except for one, all other
samples were within the permissible level. The mean value of the TDS was
24.51mg/L and the majority (95.8 %, n= 257) of FRC values varied between
0.6-0.8mg/L which was within the permissible level, while 3.39% (n=10) of
samples had 0 mg/L. All samples were free from coliform and E-Coli. Most
of the samples were within the permissible range of color, pH, turbidity, TDS,
FRC, and free from Coliform and E-Coli which can be recommended for use.
Acupuncture for treating adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder): A Case report
Authors: Ranasinghe R. K. K. D. , Hemasinghe I. H. N. , Samaranada H. M. V. A. , Indrapala C
Published: January 2023

This case study discloses acupuncture treatment performed on a patient who presented with adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) for a period of 4 months. After 15 treatment sessions which also included two sessions of aquapuncture, the patient was pain free and achieved a full range of motion of the glenohumeral joint.
Mielinosis extrapontina: reporte de un caso de síndrome de desmielinización osmótica
Authors: Pérez López Fernando , Quijada Luis , Bernales Andrés , Gracia Fernando
Published: January 2023

Introducción: El síndrome de desmielinización osmótica es una entidad clínica la cual supone un reto diagnóstico por su curso en muchos casos silentes y por su cuadro clínico que se presenta típicamente de manera tardía. Se describen dos tipos de desmielinización osmótica que pueden presentarse de manera aislada o simultánea: la mielinosis central pontina y la mielinosis extrapontina. Caso clínico: femenina de 21 años sin antecedentes personales con episodio convulsivo tónico clónico por primera vez en su vida. Se le encuentra a su ingreso un nivel de sodio sérico disminuido, razón por la cual se inicia la corrección intravenosa del mismo. Cursó con cefaleas persistentes y vómitos a las 48 horas posterior a la corrección del sodio, y se realizó una resonancia magnética cerebral que evidenció datos de mielinosis extrapontina. Conclusión: La corrección rápida de los niveles de sodio se asocia a la posibilidad de desarrollar mielinosis pontina. La precaución en la corrección de la hiponatremia es la piedra angular para prevenir el desarrollo de esta condición.
Tumor miofibroblástico inflamatorio abdominal. Reporte de caso
Authors: Díaz Dubarrán Iván Alberto , Achurra Marco
Published: January 2023

Introducción: Los tumores miofibroblásticos inflamatorios son una entidad poco frecuente cuyo comportamiento biológico y etiología son inciertos. El abdomen es el sitio extrapulmonar más frecuente y la inmunoreactividad a ALK apoya el diagnóstico definitivo. El tratamiento suele ser la resección quirúrgica con seguimiento estrecho por probabilidad de recidiva. Objetivo y Caso: Reporte de caso de masculino de 32 años con tumor miofibroblástico inflamatorio abdominal de 9.6 centímetros de diámetro, ALK positivo, tratado mediante colectomía derecha y anastomosis íleo-cólica. Discusión: Los tumores miofibroblástico inflamatorios intraabdominales se caracterizan por debutar con síntomas en base a la localización anatómica. El abordaje quirúrgico es la primera elección y no existe un consenso sobre el manejo sistémico en el escenario adyuvante. El re-arreglo de ALK en un 50-70% juega un papel fundamental en la terapia dirigida. Conclusión: La terapia definitiva de los tumores miofibroblásticos inflamatorios a nivel abdominal es la cirugía radical por la probabilidad de recidiva local y el estudio de ALK debe ser parte del abordaje diagnostico histopatológico de los tumores con células alargadas y diferenciación de músculo liso.
Actividad y Eventos Adversos durante el uso de Metotrexato con Leflunomida en Artritis Reumatoide
Authors: Mendieta Ivanova Ireni
Published: January 2023

Introducción La artritis reumatoide es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica que presenta un gran impacto en el paciente y en los sistemas sociosanitarios. Los objetivos terapéuticos se basan en alcanzar la remisión o mantener la actividad más baja posible. Objetivo Determinar la actividad según DAS28 (Disease Activity Score con un conteo de 28 articulaciones) y los eventos adversos en artritis reumatoide durante el uso de metotrexato con leflunomida en el servicio de Reumatología del Complejo Hospitalario Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid, Panamá. Enero 2010- diciembre 2020.
Metodología Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo y transversal, para lo cual se revisaron 278 expedientes clínicos electrónicos de pacientes con artritis reumatoide que han recibido terapia combinada con metotrexato más leflunomida en el servicio de Reumatología. Resultados El grupo etario con mayor número de casos fue 60-69 años, con predominio del género femenino. Según las puntuaciones de DAS28: 35.85% logró la remisión, 35.22% obtuvo baja actividad, 24.53% mantuvo moderada actividad y 4.40% persistió con alta actividad. Hubo 71.06% de eficacia. Dentro de los eventos adversos, se registraron: mucositis (0.63%), síntomas gastrointestinales (7.55%), citopenias hematológicas (13.21%), elevación de transaminasas (28.93%), alopecia (4.40%) e infecciones (6.29%). La mayoría de los acontecimientos adversos fueron leves y no ameritaron cambios en la terapia o resolvieron con la reducción de dosis de uno a ambos fármacos. Conclusión La terapia combinada con metotrexato más leflunomida ha demostrado ser una estrategia terapéutica costo efectiva en nuestro país, manteniendo un buen perfil de seguridad, sin eventos adversos graves que pudiesen comprometer la vida de los pacientes.
Editorial: About COVID 19 and other topics
Authors: Cuero Cesar
Published: January 2023

Cuando creíamos que ya no sería tema de conversación, renace el COVID 19 en la mayoría de los países. En China, donde se originó esta pandemia, la mayoría de sus provincias están siendo afectadas por el COVID 19, casi sin control. La tasa de pacientes confirmados de coronavirus en los últimos 14 días es de 22,72 por cada cien mil habitantes, y el número de fallecidos diarios va en aumento.
Por otra parte, sigue creciendo el número de países que están exigiendo pruebas obligatorias de COVID 19 a los viajeros procedentes de China, después que su gobierno anunciará que reabrirá sus fronteras, lo que ha llevado a incrementar en forma desmedida el número de personas que quieren salir de China. No cabe duda de que la situación en China ha desarrollado un pánico colectivo en el mundo.
En Panamá, a pesar de la ponderada campaña de vacunación a la comunidad contra el COVID 19, tenemos también tenemos nuestro repunte, lo que preocupa a las autoridades de salud y por supuesto que a la comunidad en general, sobre todo por las actividades que se avecinan y que mueve muchos panameños por los diferentes lugares del país.
Si bien ahora, en forma general, conocemos mucho mejor el comportamiento del virus, al igual que contamos además de la vacuna, con medicamentos que reducen y controlan la infección por este virus, no podemos evitar estos repuntes periódicos, del COVID 19, que lamentablemente involucran un número de fallecido.
Un grupo de autores, en un trabajo colectivo multicéntrico, nos describe como evolucionó el conjunto de tratamientos intrahospitalarios utilizados desde los primeros casos de afectados por este virus, en el país.
Por otro lado, es de mucho merecimiento el destacar la loable, académica y decidida labor que se desarrolla en el Instituto Oncológico Nacional, de Panamá, en su lucha contra el cáncer. Nos presentan un estudio sobre las neoplasias germinales malignas del ovario. Un tipo de cáncer de rara presentación, pero que tiene un alto grado de malignidad y una rara evolución. Llama la atención el hecho de que se presenta mayormente en las mujeres en sus tres primeras décadas de su vida y se resalta el hecho de que un importante porcentaje de afectadas son de los grupos originarios, que existen en el país, lo cual abre una vía nueva de investigación conducente a buscar la relación entre este tipo de cáncer y la población señalada.
Por otra parte, nos traen otro interesante trabajo sobre cáncer de recto, en su etapa localmente avanzada, a los que se les aplica la terapia multimodal y después a continuación se les realiza cirugía con escisión total del mesorrecto, con curso largo de quimioterapia previa a la cirugía, logrando una taza de respuesta patológica completa, acorde a lo que muestran las estadísticas de los mejores centros oncológicos a nivel internacional.
Semantic-Based K-Means Clustering for IMDB Top 100 Movies
Authors: Salih Niyaz
Published: January 2023

Textual documents are growing rapidly through the internet in today’s modern technology era. Electronic structured databases archive offline and online documents, e-mails, webpages, blog and social network posts. Without appropriate ranking and demand clustering when there is classification without any specifics, it is quite difficult to retain and access these documents. K-means is one of the methods that is frequently used for clustering. In terms of determining the proximity of meaning or semantics between data, the distance-based K-means method still has flaws. To get around this issue, semantic similarity can be estimated by measuring the level of similarity between objects in a cluster. This research provides a method for clustering documents based on semantic similarity. The approach is carried out by defining document synopses from the IMDB and Wikipedia databases using the NLTK dictionary, and we provide a semantic-based K-means clustering approach that assesses not only the similarity of the data represented as a vector space model with TFIDF, but also the semantic similarity of the data Precision, recall, and F-measure, we demonstrate how well the semantic-based K-means clustering technique works using experimental findings from the IMDB and Wikipedia  top 100 movies datasets.
Diagnosis and Progression of Rectal Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma in a 15 Year Old Lebanese Boy: A Case Report
Authors: Farhat Mohammad , Abtar Houssam , Shibli Abbass , Dika Zakaria , Diab Moustafa , Taha Alaa , Hijazi Mariam , Moussawi Zahraa
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a rare entity in children and adolescents compared to adults. In the young, it is mostly detected in the right and transverse parts of the colon. Among the variants of CRC are the uncommon Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma (SRCC) which has a late presentation and pessimistic prognosis. Patients are asymptomatic for a long time and suddenly develop changes in bowel habits or obstruction.
Case Report: A 15-year-old boy with no known health issues presented with recent rectorrhagia and weight loss. He was stable but pale with abdominal tenderness and no rectal mass on digital rectal examination (DRE). Colonoscopy unveiled a 13 centimeters segment of circumferential ulcerated blackish mucosa extending from the upper rectum to the rectosigmoid junction. Pathology studies revealed SRCC of the rectum and sigmoid. Metastatic workup showed rectosigmoid wall thickening and denoted the tumor a stage IV with ascites and intraperitoneal implants. Palliative treatment with chemotherapy was initiated, and a follow-up CT was done later to assess disease progression and response to treatment. The disease had worsened and the patient deteriorated.
Conclusion: In children, colorectal SRCC is scarce and usually presents at a late stage due to the lack of characteristic symptoms and findings. It is then usually missed by physicians and not considered in the differential thus delaying the diagnosis and rendering the prognosis poorer. To improve the outcome, pediatricians ought to keep CRC in mind when facing obstructive symptoms or refractory abdominal pain.
Evaluations of Integrated Programming Environment for First-Year Students in Computer Engineering
Authors: Salinas Matias , Leger Paul , Fukuda Hiroaki , Cardozo Nicolás , Duarte Vannessa , Figueroa Ismael
Published: January 2023

Many factors influence the problems that currently exist in the learning-teaching process of programming. The use of an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) makes the experience a complicated process because these IDEs focus on professional programmers and not on novice learners. This also affects the classrooms of the university “Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV)” (Chile). The use of professional IDEs negatively affects the learning process of first-year students who face the development of the algorithms for the first time. One of the IDE widely used for teaching programming courses is Code::Blocks, which is a tool for professional developers. Through a heuristic and usability evaluation, we found that Code::Blocks has a complex user interface and a functional overload. Using these two findings, as well as recommendations given during these tests, we highlight the important aspects that an IDE for novice learners should have. Taking into account previous observations and state-of-the-art/practice of IDEs, a functional IDE prototype, named Incre-IDLE, is developed. In addition to Code::Blocks evaluations, this paper reports the results of a heuristic and usability evaluation applied to first-year students at PUCV about functionalities provided by Incre-IDLE. These results suggest that Incre-IDLE has a simple interface, is easy to install and use, and does not have functional overload (i.e., spend a considerable amount of time learning the tool). Concretely, the results show that 66.7% of the students could complete tasks easily and 100% of them found the GUI intuitive. In terms of GUI, 83.3% considered the application interface “very simple”; and the text, concepts, and icons “very understandable” by 66.7%. The students also found the tool “motivating” (66.7%) or “very motivating” (33.3%). These results closely match the findings obtained by the heuristic evaluation of Incre-IDLE from the experts: 83.3% of them rated it as “useful” or “very useful”, and only a 16.7% rated it as “useless”.
La « voie royale » ?
Authors: Bataille Pierre , Falcon Julie
Published: January 2023

L’appréciation de la mobilité sociale et de l’ouverture des élites en France se concentre habituellement sur l’accès des élèves de milieux populaires aux concours des grandes écoles les plus prestigieuses – et ce d’un point de vue politique et scientifique. On tend ainsi à négliger combien les inégalités se reconstituent une fois franchies les portes de ces établissements prestigieux. En analysant les devenirs professionnels des diplômé·es du supérieur français né·es entre 1918 et 1972 à partir de l’exploitation de la série des enquêtes Emploi de l’INSEE, nous proposons de nuancer l’idée selon laquelle l’accès aux grandes écoles serait la « voie royale » pour atteindre les positions supérieures de l’espace social français. Les analyses menées ici nous amènent à montrer combien la fonction publique a pu représenter un refuge pour les ancien·nes élèves de très grandes écoles issu·es de milieux populaires – et combien l’appétence pour le privé chez les ancien·nes élèves de grandes écoles est davantage le fait des élèves les mieux dotés socialement. Ce faisant, elles pointent l’heuristique du croisement entre deux champs sociologiques qui s’ignorent trop souvent encore : la sociologie de la mobilité sociale et la sociologie des élites.
Mobiliser du capital bureaucratique
Authors: Eloire Fabien
Published: January 2023

La place des hauts fonctionnaires dans le champ du pouvoir est une question qui traverse les recherches en sociologie et science politique. Des travaux s’intéressent à la construction de la domination bureaucratique, d’autres au rôle de différents types d’acteurs dans la conduite de l’action publique, d’autres encore réalisent la sociographie des microcosmes dans lesquels s’insèrent les élites administratives. Si la connaissance des champs bureaucratiques nationaux et internationaux a connu des avancées ces dernières années, la notion de capital bureaucratique mérite aussi que l’on s’y arrête. Pour ce faire, il est intéressant de se pencher – comme l’ont fait Pierre Bourdieu et Rosine Christin dans leur étude pionnière de la réforme de la politique du logement dans les années 1970 – sur les moments de réforme. Ces derniers donnent en effet à voir les ressources que procure ce capital à ses détenteurs, et la façon dont ils les mobilisent. Ainsi, après avoir discuté sa portée théorique, l’article propose d’illustrer le pouvoir heuristique de ce concept à partir d’un cas empirique, celui de la réforme du système financier français par le cabinet Bérégovoy et la direction du Trésor dans les années 1980. L’étude montre comment les deux formes de capital bureaucratique, à base technique et à base d’expérience, s’opposent et se complètent, et comment l’analyse, nécessairement relationnelle, des rapports de force qu’elles génèrent implique de tenir compte à la fois de la structure de l’espace social et du contexte sociohistorique.
Droit du sol – droit du sport : le pouvoir des fédérations internationales sur la représentation sportive nationale
Authors: Beaufrère Clémence
Published: January 2023

Le changement de nationalité d’un sportif de haut niveau suppose l’application de normes juridiques et l’observation d’enjeux sociaux. Alors que le sport international est marqué par une approche « natio-centrée », comment concevoir qu’un athlète puisse « représenter un pays » dont il n’est pas issu ? Afin de saisir les enjeux et le cadre des changements de « nationalité sportive », cet article explore le contenu et la sémantique des règlements édictés par les fédérations internationales de disciplines olympiques. Les résultats soulignent la pluralité des critères d’éligibilité à la représentation internationale. L’articulation entre pratiques usuelles et normes juridiques, observée à l’aune des transferts de « nationalité sportive », semble plutôt limitée.
Les 2 Vaches : le meilleur de la start-up et du grand groupe ?
Authors: Audouin Christophe
Published: January 2023

Pour Danone, il s’agissait de prendre pied dans le monde du bio, où personne ne l’attendait. Pour Les Prés Rient Bios, il s’agissait de produire différemment, de s’engager auprès des producteurs bios, d’avoir une identité propre tout en restant ultraconnectée au Groupe. Ainsi a débuté, il y a quinze ans, l’aventure intrapreneuriale de la marque Les 2 Vaches. C’est aujourd’hui une réussite écologique, humaine, organisationnelle, mais aussi économique, que nous a présentée Christophe Audouin, avant son départ de l’entreprise pour un nouveau projet.
L’herbe plus verte de Canal+ dans le champ luxuriant des fictions
Authors: de La Patellière Fabrice
Published: January 2023

En 2007, Canal+ a fait des fictions un axe de sa stratégie de positionnement premium. S’il s’agissait au départ de se démarquer vis-à-vis des chaînes nationales, c’est dans un contexte global, ultraconcurrentiel, structuré par des acteurs comme Netflix et Amazon qu’il faut désormais se distinguer. L’enjeu est double : injecter une ambition renouvelée en permanence et convaincre les meilleurs talents de développer leurs projets de séries avec Canal+. Cela passe par la démonstration qu’ils y trouveront un espace de création unique.
Favoriser la mobilité et l’accès au logement pour gagner en attractivité
Authors: Broto André , Capitao Da Silva Sergio , Chanteau-Nogues Dominique
Published: January 2023

L’implantation d’une nouvelle activité industrielle sur un territoire et l’accueil de sa main-d’œuvre supposent de répondre à certaines questions : le territoire compte-t-il suffisamment de logements pour accueillir les nouveaux travailleurs ? ces derniers ont-ils accès à tous les moyens de transport dont ils ont besoin ? L’objectif de réindustrialiser notre pays et la nécessité de décarboner la mobilité conduisent à mettre en place des solutions innovantes à la fois du côté des transports et de l’offre de logements.
Insensible, le bourreau ?
Authors: Carol Anne
Published: January 2023

La fonction de bourreau impose-t-elle une mise à distance des affects susceptibles de troubler l’exécution ? Un bourreau doit-il, mais aussi, peut-il être insensible lorsqu’il « coupe un homme en deux », selon le mot de Clemenceau ? Une source exceptionnelle, les carnets tenus de 1885 à 1939 par l’exécuteur national Anatole Deibler permet, à condition d’en décrypter les niveaux d’écriture, d’approcher, sinon les émotions elles-mêmes, du moins les modalités de leur contrôle.
Towards an understanding of the determinants of user information needs in multimodal platform route choices
Authors: Belouahchi Sarah , Métayer Natacha , Loup-Escande Émilie
Published: January 2023

Dans le cadre des plateformes multimodales, la définition d’un itinéraire est nécessaire à l’usager pour effectuer un choix parmi les différents modes présents pour arriver à destination. (Brunyé et al., 2010). Dans ce cas, l’information dite « multimodale » est la principale ressource disponible pour effectuer un choix modal. Elle permet de comparer les attributs des différents itinéraires identifiés par l’individu (par exemple, durée, prix) (Tollis et al., 2020). Cet article tente d’identifier trois principaux déterminants associés aux informations sollicitées par l’individu pour adopter un itinéraire « convenable » au sein de ces plateformes partagées. L’objectif sera ainsi de cerner, sur la base de la littérature, les facteurs qui, d’une part sont à l’origine des besoins informationnels de l’usager pour prendre une décision modale, et d’autre part, influencent la nature de ces besoins. Le premier déterminant (1) est inhérent aux critères de mobilité recherchés par l’usager pendant son déplacement. Ce déterminant compte deux dimensions, les préférences de mobilité propres à l’usager qui découlent de ses caractéristiques individuelles, et les caractéristiques du contexte, qui induisent un certain nombre de contraintes à respecter. Le deuxième déterminant (2) est lié aux attributs de l’offre modale des plateformes multimodales en temps réel. Il fait référence aux incertitudes de l’offre, notamment en cas de perturbation de l’itinéraire initialement planifié, mais également à la configuration des plateformes et à leurs propriétés en matière de réseau. Enfin, le troisième déterminant (3) regroupe les filtres de modulation des besoins informationnels. Cette modulation est liée à deux éléments, l’habitude et les stratégies d’économie cognitive, qui permettent à l’usager de limiter les informations nécessaires pour faire un choix d’itinéraire.
Bulle : un réseau de bus au quart d’heure pour une agglomération en plein développement
Authors: Conforti César
Published: January 2023

Cet article rend compte de la naissance d’un réseau urbain au sein d’une agglomération de 35 000 habitants, seconde en importance du canton de Fribourg. Il montre une nouvelle fois le rôle des projets d’agglomération successifs au sein desquels les développements d’offres trouveront leur pleine légitimité. Et il décrit une réussite : parti de rien il y a quinze ans, le réseau achemine un million et demi de voyageurs annuels.
Protection du climat en Suisse : les transports publics font partie de la solution
Authors: Baumann Roger
Published: January 2023

Les objectifs climatiques de la Suisse sont définis : à partir de 2050, les émissions nettes de gaz à effet de serre du pays doivent être nulles. Atteindre cet objectif nécessite de nombreuses mesures, mais une chose est certaine : les transports publics sont un élément capital de la solution – et pas seulement en Suisse – grâce à leur propreté et à leur efficacité énergétique.
Formulating preservatives to enhance stability of crude extracts of food allergens used for food allergy management and immunotherapy
Authors: Khan Rabia F , Bhatti Shehar B , Abbas Zaigham
Published: January 2023

Due to rapid degradation of food allergenic extracts, devising some optimal conditions is mandatory to boost shelf life of extracts for appropriate diagnosis of allergy and immunotherapy. In the current study, food extracts of Bos domesticus (cow) milk, Gallus domesticus (chicken) egg, Trititcum aestivum (wheat), Gallus domesticus (chicken) meat and Arachis hypogaea (peanut) were prepared and their protein estimation was evaluated by bicinchoninic acid (BCA) method. Stability of food extracts was evaluated under two groups of preservatives; storage with coca's solution (mixture of sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3)) and stabilizing buffer (sucrose and ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA)). Effect of cocktail of protease inhibitors ((phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and dithiothreitol (DTT)) and glycerol was checked on food extracts under both groups of preservatives. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS PAGE) was performed for food protein extracts after 1, 3 and 6 months under both conditions. Size of obtained protein bands were compared with allergen database (http://www.allergen.org) in order to check their potential allergenicity. Extracts stored with coca's solution remained more potent as compared to stabilizing buffer for up to 3 months except Gallus domesticus egg, whose proteins remained more potent in stabilizing buffer as compared to coca's solution. Most of the proteins deteriorated at 6 months of storage. Glycerol had shown better results under both conditions. A formulation containing a combination of coca's solution along with cocktail of protease inhibitors and glycerol improved the shelf life of food extracts for up to 3 months, showing better potential for stabilization of allergenic food extracts and their use for immunotherapy.
Public beliefs and willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccines among adults in South-Western Nigeria: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Olaoye Itse , Ekong Aniebet , Samuel Abiona , Kelaiditi Eirini , Myrissa Kyriaki , Jacdonmi Tsemaye , Gboyega Famokun
Published: January 2023

Background

Despite the government's and development partners' unmatched efforts to ensure that every eligible person receives vaccinations, there have been concerns about vaccine fear, government mistrust, vaccine hesitancy and rejection expressed by the public, as well as various conspiracy theories involving the COVID-19 vaccines. This study assessed the public beliefs and willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccines and related factors among residents of Ondo State, Nigeria.

Methods

Using a convenience sample technique, a cross-sectional survey of the adult population was carried out in the months of February and March of 2022. Factors influencing beliefs and willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccines were found by using univariate and multivariate statistical analysis.

Results

306 out of 323 respondents completed the survey and were included in the final analysis. The respondents mean age was 28.16 ± 16.2 years. Although n = 223, 72.9% of respondents reported to have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccines, (n = 205) 67.0% believed COVID-19 vaccines to be effective. Among the individuals who had not yet had any COVID-19 vaccinations, 2.6% (n = 8) of respondents were willing to accept the vaccines, whereas 14.1% (n = 43) were unwilling. Respondents' beliefs about the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines were influenced by their gender, occupation, religion and educational attainment (p < 0.005).

Conclusion

The study revealed a good level of positive beliefs about the vaccine, which was mirrored in vaccination history. However, those who had not yet received the vaccine were unwilling to do so, opening the door for more aggressive risk communication to be able to alter the course of events. In addition to addressing additional COVID-19 vaccination myths, we advise policy-makers to develop communication strategies that emphasise the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine. It is advised that all relevant stakeholders be included in government COVID-19 vaccination programmes by sharing timely, transparent information that fosters accountability.
Kritička promišljanja o prijedlogu Direktive o poboljšanju radnih uvjeta platformskih radnika
Authors:   Pravni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska, Bjelinski Radić Iva
Published: January 2023

Platform work represents a new and rapidly growing form of work, the emergence of which raises important issues concerning the protection of platform workers from excessive, unsafe, and often poorly paid work. The question of unclear employment status of persons performing work via digital platforms is considered one of the key challenges related to this type of work. The author critically analyses the provisions of the new European Commission’s proposal for a Directive on improving working conditions in platform work and evaluates their suitability for dealing with the main labour law challenges arising from the emergence of platform work. After introductory considerations, the second chapter clarifies the objectives, scope and content of the proposed Directive. The third chapter is dedicated to the employment status of platform workers in accordance with the proposal, while the fourth chapter deals with the issue of algorithmic management. The fifth chapter contains concluding remarks.
Prikaz knjige: Josipović, T. (ur.), Privatno pravo Europske Unije – posebni dio, Narodne novine, Zagreb, 2022.
Authors:   Ekonomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska, Tot Ivan
Published: January 2023

Privatno pravo Europske unije – posebni dio na 1054 stranice teksta sustavno i sveobuhvatno obrađuje pravne izvore, razvoj, temeljna načela i pojedine pravne institute privatnog prava EU-a te usklađenost hrvatskog privatnopravnog sustava s pravom EU-a. Riječ je o zbirnoj znanstvenoj knjizi u stvaranju koje je uz prof. dr. sc. Tatjanu Josipović sudjelovalo 20 autora i autorica visoko specijaliziranih upravo u područjima njihova doprinosa knjizi.
Patients’ perspectives on the quality of online patient education materials
Authors: Boroumand Mohammad Ali , Sedghi Shahram , Adibi Peyman , Panahi Sirous , Rahimi Alireza
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND:

Access to online patient education information can lead to more effective self-care and disease management. However, the large amount of online information provided through unknown or unreliable sources can challenge patients to trust and use this information. This study was designed to examine the opinions of Iranian gastrointestinal patients about the quality of online information used.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A qualitative study was conducted using thematic analysis. Data were gathered via a semi-structured interview with 29 gastrointestinal patients, and data analysis was performed by qualitative content analysis using open coding with MAXQDA 2018 software.

RESULTS:

Based on the study, 22 codes were extracted in nine subcategories named as: “Emphasis on the identity of providers,” “Nature of online information,” “Distrust on online information,” “Poor quality of information,” “Giving misinformation,” “False impact,” “Improve communication,” “Positive effect on the patient,” “Better Diagnosis.”

CONCLUSIONS:

In the current situation, Iranian patients are not confident enough about the quality of available online information. They believe that the use of current poor-quality information has negative consequences. However, they tend to use online patient education materials are produced in Persian by reputable scientific authorities. Using online information can increase patients’ knowledge and lead to better communication with medical staff and other similar patients. They can use this information for self-care with more confidence, and such an approach can also have significant benefits for the national health system.
Impact of COVID-19 on mental health of infertile couple
Authors: Irani Morvarid , Bashtian Maryam Hassanzadeh , Soltani Narges , Khabiri Fatemeh
Published: January 2023

Infertile couples experience a lot of psychological stress due to the inability to achieve the desired social role. Couples who decide to continue assisted reproductive therapy (ART) during the epidemic also experience the psychological impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, which affects their daily lives due to social isolation, quarantine, travel restrictions, and cancellation of treatment. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the mental health of infertile couple pausing or delaying their treatment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Research Gate, and the World Health Organization databases and websites were systematically searched for original studies concerning abortion in the era of COVID-19 pandemic published by August 15, 2021. We used the following keywords: “COVID-19 Corona virus, infertility, reproductive technique, fertilization, assisted reproduction, pregnant termination, psychological, in vitro mental status, depressive symptoms, and anxiety.” In sum, after automatically and manually search and excluding duplicates, 269 articles were found. In final, after screening, 18 articles were selected. Most patients experienced negative emotions during the COVID-19 epidemic. When reproductive services were re-established, participants showed higher levels of anxiety and lower quality of life than before quarantine. Women who thought pregnancy was more important than getting COVID-19 had higher levels of anxiety than women who thought otherwise (P < 0.05). The COVID-19 pandemic has negative impacts on the mental health and quality of life of patients seeking fertility services and coping with it requires timely and appropriate psychological intervention, accurate information, and social and organizational support.
Effectiveness and perception of demonstration-observation- assistance-performance (DOAP) versus video-assisted learning (VAL) in training advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) among medical interns – A comparative study
Authors: Madavan Kakkoprath T.
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND:

Demonstration-Observation-Assistance-Performance (DOAP) and Video-Assisted Learning (VAL) are small-group teaching/learning methods (TLM) in medical education. Comparison studies between the two are scanty. There is a gap in knowledge, skills, and attitude among medical interns toward Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). The author studied the effectiveness of DOAP and VAL in training ACLS using mannequins and automated external defibrillator (AED)-simulators among interns in 2021.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This descriptive study was done in the Emergency Department of a tertiary teaching hospital in South India. Out of 80 medical interns, 39 and 41 were allocated to ACLS training by DOAP (Group 1) and VAL (Group 2), respectively, by convenient sampling with random allocation, with the use of mannequins and AED-Simulators (10 interventions in each small group; three-five participants in each session). Pre-validated pre-test and posttest multiple-choice questionnaires (MCQs) and attitude questionnaires, OSCE by two blinded assessors, and perception by Likert-based questionnaire were analyzed with appropriate statistical analysis.

RESULTS:

The mean pretest and posttest MCQs and Attitude and OSCE scores of DOAP and VAL showed no statistically significant difference between them (MCQ pre-test 44.51 (11.43); 42.54 (6.56); p = 0.350 and MCQ posttest, 78.97 (8.59); 77.22 (11.29); p = 0.438; OSCE 40.51 (2.43) and 40.63 (1.92); p = 0.804; Attitude: 11 (3), 11 (2); p = 0.567; 14 (2), 14 (3); p = 0.095). MCQ post-tests showed improved scores (p < 0.001) in both the methods and the standardized mean difference based on the MCQ scores for the DOAP group was 3.02, and for the VAL group 3, showed the effectiveness of both methods. Perception scores showed learners’ interest and positive feedback to both methods and ACLS.

CONCLUSION:

Both DOAP and VAL were equally effective TLMs in imparting knowledge, skills, and attitude to medical interns with positive feedback. In DOAP, the learner performs under supervision and clarifies doubts. As repeatable and cost-effective, VAL is useful in resource-limited settings. Both can be used as complementary methods in training ACLS. The attitude of learners towards ACLS improved with training.
Investigating the effect of implementing a program based on transitional care model on the quality of life and the ability of doing activities of daily living among patients with stroke
Authors: Bavarsad Samira , Abolhassani Shahla , Saadatnia Mohammad
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND:

Stroke is one of the major causes of disability among individuals. Transitional care of a stroke patient can contribute to sustaining and enhancing the quality of care. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of implementing a program based on the transitional care model on the quality of life and ability of doing daily activities among patients suffering from stroke.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This research was an interventional study performed on 80 patients with stroke referring to the hospitals affiliated with Isfahan University of medical sciences. For data collection, demographic, quality of life measurement following stroke, and Bartell index of daily activity measurement questionnaires were used at the beginning of the study and 10 weeks following discharge. The transitional care model was undertaken for the intervention group from the second day of hospitalization until 10 weeks postdischarge. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and statistical methods.

RESULTS:

The results indicated that the mean quality of life and ability of performing the activities changed significantly after the intervention between the two groups, with the mean changes of these scores becoming significant compared to the preintervention between the two groups (P < 0.05). In both groups, the mean value of these scores increased after the study compared to the baseline, though this increase was greater in the intervention group.

CONCLUSION:

Implementing the transitional care model could contribute to improving the quality of life and performing the daily activities among stroke patients.
Generation-dependent non-educational characteristics of medical students
Authors: Firoozjahantighi Azarmidokht , Jowkar Fariba , Haghani Fariba
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND:

Educational centers accommodate people of varying generations. Indeed, each generation has its specific priorities and values that affect its performance and decisions in various aspects, including educational aspects. Understanding the traits of members of a given generation facilitates understanding how their performance can be improved inside and outside the classroom. So, this study was designed to identify the non-educational characteristics of MD students in the universities of medical sciences in Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The present study adopted a qualitative exploratory approach. Data were collected through face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Participants included general medicine students who had completed at least one semester. Sampling was purposive with maximum variation. Sampling was continued until data saturation, and a total of 32 interviews were conducted. Graneheim and Lundman's content analysis approach was adopted to analyze the data. Lincoln and Guba's reliability criteria were used to achieve the accuracy and reliability of the data.

RESULTS:

A total of 32 students were interviewed (n = 18 women and n = 14 men; age range: 19–27 years). The participants had completed 2–13 semesters and had between one and six siblings. A total of 10 major categories emerged as the generational traits of students. The main categories included devoted parents, money as the key reference of value, non-sexism, religious perplexity, experiencing oneself with others, my life's address, tunnel vision, evasion from responsibility, winning fame, and I and nothing else.

CONCLUSION:

For them, gender and religion have lost their former meaning and they believe in more freedom. They are also one-dimensional people, lethargic and night people, who evade responsibility and have a strong desire to be seen, approved, and respected. They also prioritize themselves and their peace of mind. Since these characteristics can have many direct and indirect effects on various aspects of their lives, including the educational aspect, it can be very beneficial for people interacting with them to identify and consider these characteristics.
The effect of educational intervention on self-care behavior in hypertensive older people
Authors: Naeemi Leila , Daniali Seyedeh Shahrbanoo , Hassanzadeh Akbar , Rahimi Majid
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND:

Hypertension is a worldwide health issue. Increasing aging has given rise to the prevalence of this problem. Disease management using educational intervention based on theoretical frameworks is effective for influencing self-care behavior. The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of educational intervention on self-care behaviors that influence hypertension control among the elderly population during 2020 based on the health belief model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A quasi-experimental study was conducted on rural older people in Ardestan, Iran. Assessments were done before and after three educational intervention sessions with a control group. The random sampling has done on 99 hypertensive elderly people in two rural centers of Ardestan from 2019 to 2020. Awareness variables, components of the health belief model, and blood pressure were assessed before and three months after the intervention. Data analysis was done using descriptive and analytical statistics.

RESULTS:

The study groups did not differ significantly in terms of the variables studied at the beginning of the study. After three months, the variables of awareness, self-care, and perceived sensitivity constructs, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and guide to action showed a significant rise in the experimental group compared to the control group. In addition, the effectiveness of educational intervention significantly increased self-care behavior in the experimental group.

CONCLUSIONS:

Educational intervention based on the health belief model can be effective to reduce the barriers of self-care behaviors. In order to have a lasting change in behavior, the use of behavioral change patterns that ecologically take into account interpersonal, organizational, and social factors is suggested too.
Investigating the relationship between attitudes toward fertility and childbearing and the value of children with attitudes toward fertility control in married women aged 15-45 in Isfahan
Authors: Kohan Shahnaz , Gholami Mahboobe , Shaghaghi Fatemeh , Mohebbi-Dehnavi Zahra
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND:

The family is one of the important social institutions and the function of childbearing is one of the important functions of the family. The decision to have children depends on the individual's attitude about the consequences of having another child and their perceived norms. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between attitudes toward fertility and childbearing and the value of children with attitudes toward fertility control in married women aged 15 to 45 years in Isfahan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This study was a cross-sectional correlational study that was performed on 500 married women with at least one child in health centers affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Data collection tools in this study were standard questionnaires. The data were analyzed by SPSS software version 22.

RESULTS:

The mean score of attitude toward fertility control was 40.43 ± 9.03. The area of security in old age and the area of procrastination had the highest mean values of children and attitudes toward fertility and childbearing, respectively. Analysis of data by Spearman test showed that there is a significant relationship between all dimensions of child value and attitudes toward fertility and childbearing with attitudes toward fertility control (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

A positive attitude toward the child increases the likelihood of having children and believing in the negative impact of the child on freedom reduces the likelihood of having a desire for fertility. Changing attitudes of societies toward childbearing and less desire to have children should not be sought only in material, economic, or social reasons but also cultural factors should be considered in this area.
The challenges of strategic management of the wastage produced due to earthquake in Kermanshah and Varzaghan-Ahar
Authors: Kazemi Sadegh , Mokhtari Mehdi , Vaezi Aliakbar , Salmani Ibrahim , Ehrampoush Mohammad Hassan , Dehghani Tafti Abbas Ali , Fallahzadeh Hossein , Ardakani Mojtaba Fattahi
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND:

Strategic management of the wastage produced due to earthquakes has faced many challenges over the recent decade. Thus, the present study seeks to identify and explain the challenges in earthquake wastage strategic management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The present qualitative study has been steered through a content analysis approach and conducted using semi-structured interviews and a purposive selection of 17 professors, experts, and managers experienced in the field of waste management in Kermanshah and Varzaghan-Ahar earthquakes over 2020-2021. Besides, the interviews were initially categorized using MAXQDA18 software.

RESULTS:

Analysis of the experiences and perception regarding the changes in strategic management of wastage produced due to Kermanshah and Varzaghan-Ahar earthquakes revealed 418 codes, 97 subcategories, 33 categories, and 8 main categories including management and leadership, organizational culture, planning, organizational learning, employee management, rules and regulations, resource management, and procedure management.

CONCLUSION:

Strategic waste management has not been implemented in a coherent, integrated, and well-planned manner in the cases of the Kermanshah and Varzaghan-Ahar earthquakes. The challenges of strategic waste management turned out to be due to various reasons which will result in many issues in achieving the goals and selecting the suitable method for resource and procedure management should they not be managed well. Hence, policymakers, managers, and executors in the field of crisis management and waste management in disasters -specifically earthquakes- must take the necessary measures to remove these barriers.