bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
L’épée de l’Âge du Bronze final de Chauny (Aisne) et les épées à poignée métallique de la fin de l’Âge du Bronze dans le nord-ouest de l’Europe
Authors: Dumont Léonard , de Mulder Guy
Published: July 2021

L’épée de Chauny (Aisne) fait partie des rares épées à poignée métallique découvertes dans le nord de la France et plus globalement dans le nord-ouest européen. Datée de la fin de l’Âge du Bronze, elle était jusqu’à récemment considérée comme perdue. Sa récente redécouverte dans les collections de la Société académique de Saint-Quentin (Aisne) a permis d’en réaliser un nouvel examen, à la fois sur les plans morphologique et technologique. Cette étude est également l’occasion de faire le point sur les autres épées à poignée métallique découvertes dans le nord-ouest européen, comprenant le nord de la France, la Belgique, les Pays-Bas et le Luxembourg, et tout particulièrement celles contemporaines de l’épée de Chauny. Les quelques épées à poignée métallique de cette zone la font apparaître comme en périphérie dans les cartes de répartition. Cependant, la diversité des types rencontrés indique l’existence de réseaux d’échanges connectant le nord-ouest de l’Europe à d’autres espaces où de nombreuses épées à poignée métallique ont été retrouvées, comme la région nord-alpine ou le sud de la Scandinavie.
Droit pénal
Authors: Perrier Jean-Baptiste , Rousseau François
Published: July 2021

Après plusieurs mois au cours desquels l’attention a été focalisée sur les mesures pénales destinées à soutenir les mesures sanitaires et à aménager le fonctionnement des juridictions, l’activité du législateur répressif a retrouvé et même dépassé son rythme du « monde d’avant ». Les lois se succèdent à une cadence infernale et sans grande cohérence. Certaines lois ont, par exemple, étendu les mesures alternatives et la justice de proximité 1 et d’importants recrutements ont été réalisés pour faciliter notamment les rappels à la loi, ceux qu’il convient désormais de supprimer car ils seraient responsables des violences contre les personnes dépositaires de l’autorité publique. D’autres lois modifient plus substantiellement l’organisation de la justice pénale, pour améliorer la lutte contre les infractions environnementales ou pour introduire la figure du procureur européen 2, laquelle jure tout de même un peu avec notre modèle du parquet à la française 3. Le législateur a également voulu renforcer la répression des infractions sexuelles contre les mineurs (1), qui avait pourtant déjà été renforcée il y a peu. Et d’autres textes sont à nouveau prévus, pour renforcer la confiance, pour supprimer les crédits de réduction de peine, pour repenser l’irresponsabilité pénale, et les dernières annonces inquiètent quant à ceux qui pourraient suivre… Surtout, au-delà de la cohérence et de la stabilité de l’édifice, il n’est pas certain que cette hyperactivité soit utile : les textes sont modifiés et le seront encore avant même d’avoir pu produire leurs effets. On sait pourtant qu’il faut se méfier des lois inutiles, car elles affaiblissent les lois nécessaires. Un dernier texte semblait toutefois bien nécessaire, celui créant un recours pour les personnes détenues dans des conditions portant atteinte à leur dignité (2), mais il n’est pas certain que le résultat soit à la hauteur des espérances.
Nonlinear Fredholm integro-differential equation in two-dimensional and its numerical solutions
Authors: Al-Bugami A. M. ,   Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Sciences Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
Published: July 2021

This paper proposes a new definition of the nonlinear Fredholm integro-differential equation of the second kind with continuous kernel in two-dimensional (NT-DFIDE). Furthermore, the work is concerned to study this new equation numerically. The existence of a unique solution of the equation is proved. In addition, the approximate solutions of NT-DFIDE are obtained by two powerful methods Adomian Decomposition Method (ADM) and Homotopy Analysis Method (HAM). The given numerical examples showed the efficiency and accuracy of the introduced methods.
Quantitative Analysis of Multiparty Tariff Negotiations
Authors: Bagwell Kyle , Staiger Robert W. , Yurukoglu Ali
Published: July 2021

We develop a model of international tariff negotiations to study the design of the institutional rules of the GATT/WTO. A key principle of the GATT/WTO is its most‐favored‐nation (MFN) requirement of nondiscrimination, a principle that has long been criticized for inviting free‐riding behavior. We embed a multisector model of international trade into a model of interconnected bilateral negotiations over tariffs and assess the value of the MFN principle. Using 1990 trade flows and tariff outcomes from the Uruguay Round of GATT/WTO negotiations, we estimate the model and use it to simulate what would happen if the MFN requirement were abandoned and countries negotiated over discriminatory tariffs. We find that if tariff bargaining in the Uruguay Round had proceeded without the MFN requirement, it would have wiped out the world real income gains that MFN tariff bargaining in the Uruguay Round produced and would have instead led to a small reduction in world real income relative to the 1990 status quo.
Taxing Identity: Theory and Evidence From Early Islam
Authors: Saleh Mohamed , Tirole Jean
Published: July 2021

A ruler who does not identify with a social group, whether on religious, ethnic, cultural, or socioeconomic grounds, is confronted with a trade‐off between taking advantage of the out‐group population's eagerness to maintain its identity and inducing it to “comply” (conversion, quitting, exodus, or any other way to accommodate the ruler's own identity). This paper first nests economists' extraction model, in which rulers are revenue‐maximizers, within a more general identity‐based model, in which rulers care also about inducing people to lose their identity, both in a static and an evolving environment. This paper then constructs novel data sources to test the implications of both models in the context of Egypt's conversion to Islam between 641 and 1170. The evidence supports the identity‐based model.
Corps et frontières : une approximation au roman Plástico cruel de José Sbarra
Authors: Mattaini Agustina
Published: July 2021

L'article analyse le roman Plástico Cruel (Ediciones La Rata, 1992) de l’écrivain José Sbarra en explorant les traces d’un topic majeur de la littérature argentine : la cautiva.
Celia Calderón: unir el arte al vivir de las mujeres
Authors: Comisarenco Mirkin Dina
Published: July 2021

Celia Calderón (1921-1969) fue una destacada artista mexicana que aunque en su propia época fue reconocida en el ámbito artístico, tras su dramática y prematura muerte, cayó en un injusto olvido historiográfico. En este trabajo se analiza su vida desde una perspectiva de género, prestando especial atención a sus relaciones con el movimiento temprano a favor de los derechos de las mujeres, considerados como elementos clave para interpretar su original iconografía en relación con la representación de las mujeres. En efecto, a diferencia de la mayor parte de las obras de sus contemporáneos, varios dibujos, pinturas y grabados de Calderón no destacan la soledad de las mujeres como si se tratase de una característica esencial, sino que, por el contrario, enfatizan su profundo y significativo sentido de la solidaridad y la amistad.
Religions tibétaines
Authors: Sernesi Marta
Published: July 2021

Les conférences hebdomadaires ont comporté deux parties. Pendant le premier semestre, elles ont porté sur le genre hagiographique tibétain (rnam thar), analysant ses fonctions et ses aspects formels à travers une étude de cas : la comparaison entre trois versions de la vie de gTsang smyon Heruka (1452‑1507), illustre « saint fou » tibétain, écrites par ses disciples. Pendant le deuxième semestre, nous nous sommes attelés à l’examen d’un sujet vaste qui nous retiendra plusieurs années, à savoir les origines et la codification des enseignements généralement appelés « six yogas de Nāropā » (Nā ro chos drug).
Littérature funéraire égyptienne : archéologie du rituel et transmission iconotextuelle
Authors: Régen Isabelle
Published: July 2021

Cette conférence s’est déroulée sur huit séances de trois heures (décembre 2019-mai 2020 ; en raison de la crise sanitaire, les séminaires d’avril et mai ont basculé en visioconférence).La thématique abordée était double : d’une part, l’archéologie du rituel dans le Livre des Morts ; d’autre part, la transmission iconotextuelle du Livre de l’Amdouat. L’essentiel des séances a été consacré à l’archéologie du rituel (six séances).
Histoire de l’art et archéologie du monde byzantin et de l’Orient chrétien
Authors: Rapti Ioanna
Published: July 2021

Les conférences ont porté sur deux thèmes traités en alternance : la narration en images et l’organisation du territoire dans le royaume arménien de Cilicie.
Christianisme byzantin VIIe-XVe siècles
Authors: Déroche Vincent
Published: July 2021

L’année a été consacrée à la mise au point d’une traduction de travail des deux plus anciens recueils de miracles de saint Démétrius à Thessalonique.
La Bible grecque des Septante : histoire du texte et de sa réception juive et chrétienne – lecture et commentaire du deuxième livre des Règnes
Authors: Morlet Sébastien
Published: July 2021

Le cycle de conférences, comme l’an dernier, a été consacré à deux thématiques : la question de la pluralité textuelle des Écritures telle qu’elle est abordée dans les textes juifs et chrétiens de l’Antiquité (séances 1 à 6) ; lecture, traduction, commentaire du deuxième livre des Règnes (= 2 Samuel TM) dans la Bible grecque (séances 7 à 12). Le détail de la première partie a été donné dans la livraison précédente de l’Annuaire. La suite de ce rapport reviendra plus précisément sur la seconde partie.
Philosophie médiévale et métaphysique
Authors: Boulnois Olivier
Published: July 2021

Le premier semestre fut consacré à l’interprétation des relations entre Paul et la philosophie : Paul et ses sources philosophiques, Paul et sa réception dans l’histoire de la philosophie (particulièrement chez Augustin), Paul et les interprétations philosophiques contemporaines. Le 24 janvier 2020, nous avons entendu un exposé de Pierluigi Piovanelli, « Paul de Tarse, l’apôtre judéen des Nations. Quelques aspects de la recherche actuelle sur le Paul historique ». Ce séminaire fera l’objet d’une prochaine publication. Le second semestre fut consacré au concept d’autrui dans la pensée médiévale.
Religions, savoir et politique dans l’Europe moderne
Authors: De Franceschi Sylvio Hermann
Published: July 2021

Programme de l’année 2019-2020 : I. Questions d’histoire de la théologie mystique doctrinale (xviie-xxe siècle). — II. Morales du Carême : doctrines du jeûne et de l’abstinence dans le catholicisme latin (xviie-xixe siècle) (suite).
Protestantisme et littérature en France
Authors: Cabanel Patrick
Published: July 2021

L’année universitaire 2019‑2020 a été bousculée par un « mouvement social », fin 2019, qui a entraîné la fermeture de l’EPHE durant deux semaines, puis par le premier confinement, du 17 mars au 11 mai 2020. Si les deux dernières semaines ouvrables de décembre ont été purement et simplement perdues, il a pu en aller autrement du confinement. Dans un premier temps, les séminaires devenus impossibles en présentiel ont été remplacés non point par du distanciel, mais par l’envoi d’articles du directeur d’études sur le thème du séminaire1, d’extraits des œuvres à étudier puis de pages de commentaires sur quelques‑unes d’entre elles (notamment Les Tragiques). Rapidement le besoin de renouer le contact au moins en visio s’est imposé, et le choix par l’EPHE du service Gotomeeting s’est avéré simplissime d’utilisation et décisif pour sauver l’essentiel – les cours en visio ont fait perdre au séminaire au moins deux auditeurs assidus, mais lui ont fait retrouver les doctorants dispersés en province (Mulhouse, Lyon, Rouen, Brest, Bordeaux…) qui ont pu faire preuve ainsi d’une inédite assiduité.
Em busca de reclusão para mulheres desonradas em Braga
Authors: Martins William de Souza
Published: July 2021

Resenha crítica de ARAÚJO, M. M. L. de. 2017. Oração, penitência e trabalho: o Recolhimento de Santa Maria Madalena e São Gonçalo de Braga (1720-1834). Vila Nova de Famalicão, Edições Húmus, 290 p.
Integrated Smart Home Model
Authors: Ramli Nurshahrily Idura , Rawi Mohd Izani Mohamed , Rebuan Fatin Nur Nabila
Published: July 2021

Today, in the realm of Industry 4.0, vastly diverse Internet of Things (IoT) technology are integrated everywhere, not to mention included in academic programs in schools and universities. Domain ratio of the final year projects in Universiti Teknologi Mara exposes a staggering hype in IoT as compared to other domains despite not having IoT included in any of the courses. Meanwhile, to fulfill the needs of the student in exploring this technology, an integrated IoT learning platform is developed. It integrates an IoT smart home model and a web-based interface as a learning platform to inspire hands-on learning for the students. The raspberry pi, motion sensor, analog gas sensor, atmospheric sensor, ultrasonic proximity sensor, and rain detector sensor are integrated together in a Lego-built smart home model where its connectivity and readings are displayed in a simple web interface to enable and inspire learning. A manual to set up the entire model is also prepared as a guide for students to set up and further explore the functionalities and operabilities of “things”.
Harness the Global Impact of Big Data in Nurturing Social Entrepreneurship
Authors: Zulkefly Nur Azreen , Ghani Norjihan Abdul , Hamid Suraya , Ahmad Muneer , Gupta Brij B.
Published: July 2021

The global impact of social values, norms, and cultures set the growth and future dimensions of most businesses. In global business governess, the sustainability of social entrepreneurship is heavily dependent on peoples' opinions and their social interactions. Nowadays, social media platforms represent the big global repositories of publically available information that can be exploited by social entrepreneurs to measure and assess the social impact of their business. There is still inadequate research that focuses on assessing social entrepreneurship impact in the area of big data. This paper aims to investigate the potential of big data in global social entrepreneurship. It examines the possibility of global impact of big data in social entrepreneurship. As an outcome, this paper highlight the challenges of social entrepreneurship dealing with, how they tackle globally, big data in social innovation, and how big data analytics needs for social entrepreneurship towards achieving social goods and sustainable change.
Measurement Method and Application of a Deep Learning Digital Economy Scale Based on a Big Data Cloud Platform
Authors: Zhao Yanmei , Zhou Yixin
Published: July 2021

In recent years, with the acceleration of the process of economic globalization and the deepening of my country's financial liberalization, the scale of international short-term capital flows has been extremely rapid. This article mainly studies the deep learning digital economy scale measurement method and its application based on the big data cloud platform. This article uses the indirect method to estimate the stock of renminbi circulating abroad. The results show that the application of big data cloud platforms can increase the development share of digital media and digital transactions in the digital economy, and optimize the structure of China's digital economy.
Induced Seismicity Research Project: highlights of accomplishments in 2020-2021
Authors: Kao H
Published: July 2021

The Induced Seismicity Research (ISR) project has a national scope with team members from NRCan offices in Sidney, Ottawa, and Quebec City. The Project establishes close collaboration with both public and private sectors, including provincial and local
governments, crown corporations, professional organizations, and academia, to address critical knowledge gaps in the source process of induced earthquakes and to provide observation-based science to improve regulations on the development of unconventional hydrocarbon resources.
Key accomplishments during 2020-2021 include: Adoption of research results into the regulatory framework of induced earthquakes in BC; Publications of research results on source characteristics of significant induced earthquakes in western Canada; Development of innovative methodologies for
detection and location of repeating earthquakes and precise earthquake focal depths; Enhanced injection-induced earthquakes (IIE) monitoring for major shale gas basins in BC and AB.
Assessment of potential impacts of oil and gas development activities on shallow aquifers in the Fox Creek area (AB) - May 2021 update
Authors: Rivard C
Published: July 2021

A multidisciplinary and multi-institutional project was initiated in the Fox Creek area (west-central Alberta) in April 2019 to study environmental impacts of hydrocarbon development activities. The initial objective was to specifically study potential impacts on
shallow groundwater. However, different Sectors within NRCan later identified the Fox Creek area as a region of interest for developing regional cumulative effects evaluation methods in support of new impact assessment legislation. As a result, the scope is now much broader and the project includes
studies of vegetation, forest, snow cover, wetlands, and contributes to a woodland caribou habitat study. The project involves many collaborators from the federal and provincial governments, as well as from the academic community. This project is supported by the GGP and EGP
programs.
Long-term hydrological dynamics of Canada's largest watershed: the Mackenzie River Basin
Authors: Galloway J
Published: July 2021

The Mackenzie River (Deh-Cho, Kuukpak, Fleuve du Mackenzie) Basin (MRB) is one of the World's largest (4200 km long) and most important freshwater ecosystems.
Climate change is disproportionately affecting high northern latitudes, especially in NW Canada.
How will climate change affect water quantity in the MRB?
Ice jam flooding vs. low water levels
Carbon storage vs. export
This project will examine long-term trends and cycles to develop predictive ecohydrological models.
Childhood myasthenia gravis − clinical characteristics, diagnostic modalities, treatment strategies, and outcome
Authors: Elsakka Elham E. , Elmekky Mohamed H. , Omar Tarek E.
Published: July 2021

Background

Childhood myasthenia gravis (CMG) is MG occurring in childhood or adolescence (i.e. <18 years of age).

Aim

The aim of the work was to identify different clinical presentations and classifications of CMG, current diagnostic modalities, treatment strategies, and outcome to provide a profile of CMG among a cohort of Egyptian children attending Alexandria University Children’s Hospital as a tertiary pediatric center.

Patients and methods

All children diagnosed as having CMG who attended Pediatric Neurology Clinic at Alexandria University Children’s Hospital from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019 were included. A questionnaire for parents or caregivers including demographic data was administered. Clinical examination, clinical scoring system for MG, MG Foundation of America (MGFA) clinical classification system, electrophysiological studies, laboratory investigations, and clinic records review were done.

Results

Male : female ratio was 1 : 2.75. Mean age at start of symptoms was 4.97±3.78 years. Ptosis was presented in all (100%) patients, swallowing difficulty and choking in 40% of the patients, generalized weakness in 40% of the patients, and slurred speech and nasal tone in 33.3% of the patients. Overall, 46.7% of the patients were classified as pure ocular myasthenia gravis (MGFA class I), 20.0% as MGFA class II (mild generalized), 26.7% as MGFA class III (moderate generalized), and 6.7% as MGFA class IV (severe generalized). Pyridostigmine was used by 100% of the patients, prednisolone by 60% of the patients, and azathioprine by four (26.7%) patients. Pyridostigmine was the commonest single drug used by 40% of the patients. The common combinations were pyridostigmine with prednisolone alone or with added azathioprine. The comparison between the MG-Activities of Daily Living scale profile scores in first and last visits for patients was statistically significant. There was a significant improvement in the class of diseases, with remission in 70% of the patients. Failure rate of management was found in 20% of the patients.

Conclusion

Ocular myasthenia gravis was the most common subclass of CMG; ptosis was the most common presenting symptom. All patients received pyridostigmine as the first-line treatment. Remission occurred in 70% of the patients.
Pulmonary affection and serum transforming growth factor-β1 among Egyptian children with thalassemia major
Authors: Mohamed Hosam Al D. , Mansour Ahmed K. , Abousamra Nashwa K. , Elswaah Gehan A. , Ahmed Engy O.
Published: July 2021

Background

Pulmonary affection in patients with thalassemia major (TM) is well established; however, a special pattern of disease has not yet been observed. Suggestions in preference of the role for transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β) superfamily members in the pathogenesis of airway obstructive diseases has arisen from previous genetic studies.

Objectives

We aimed to assess TGF-β1 serum level in the blood and its relation to pulmonary affection in children with TM.

Patients and methods

A total of 40 patients with β-TM were included, who were compared with 40 age-matched and sex-matched normal children as a control group. Cases were subjected to clinical assessment for anthropometric measurements and respiratory examination, spirometry, and chest radiograph, whereas serum TGF-β1 was assessed in cases and control using a TGF-β1 capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Different patterns of pulmonary dysfunction in spirometry were found: 12 (30%) patients had obstructive pattern, seven (17.5%) patients had restrictive pattern, nine (22.5%) patients had mixed pattern, whereas 12 (30%) patients had normal pulmonary function. Moreover, a significant negative correlation between serum TGF-β1 and both forced expiratory volume in 1 s (r: −0.317, P<0.05) and forced vital capacity (r: −0.354, P<0.05) was found.

Conclusion

Inflammatory markers such as serum TGF-β1 may play a role in pulmonary affection in patients with thalassemia, either obstructive or restrictive pattern. There is a potential role of excess ferritin deposited in the airways, resulting in obstructive pulmonary pattern in pulmonary function tests.
Anatomical mapping of the biliary tree during laparoscopic cholecystectomy by using indocyanine green dye
Authors: Bandari Manisha , Pai Manohar V. , Acharya Abhijith , Augustine Alfred J. , Murlimanju B. V.
Published: July 2021

Background:

Fluorescent cholangiography using intravenous indocyanine green (ICG) is a noninvasive technique that enables real-time intraoperative imaging of biliary anatomy. The objective of this study was to visualise the biliary anatomy in routine and complicated cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

Methods:

This was a prospective observational study of patients undergoing LC for various indications. After obtaining consent, 5 mg/1 ml of ICG dye was administered intravenously in each patient, 2 h before the incision time. LC was performed by standard critical view of the safety technique. The biliary tree was visualised using near-infrared (NIR) view before clipping any structure. Intra-operative findings, visibility of ducts in the NIR view, conversion, adverse reactions to ICG and post-operative outcomes in all patients were recorded.

Results:

Out of 43 patients undergoing LC, 24 had cholelithiasis, 10 had acute cholecystitis, 3 had chronic cholecystitis, 1 had mucocele of the gall bladder, 1 had gall bladder polyp and 4 cases had common bile duct (CBD) stone clearance with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Cystic duct (CD) and CBD were visualised in 100% of cases among all groups except for those with acute cholecystitis where CD and CBD were visualised in 90% and 80% of cases, respectively, and in chronic cholecystitis CD and CBD were visualised in 66.6% and 80% of patients, respectively. There was one elective conversion in the chronic cholecystitis group due to dense adhesions and non-progression. Only the CBD was visualised in this case. There were no cases of CBD injury or any allergic reactions to the dye.

Conclusions:

Fluorescent cholangiography during LC is a safe and non-invasive method, allowing superior anatomical visualisation of the biliary tree in comparison to simple laparoscopy. This method can correct misinterpretation errors and detect aberrant duct anatomy, thus increasing the confidence of the operating surgeon enabling safe dissection. This simple technique has the potential to become standard practice to avoid bile duct injury during LC.
Complexities in the management of a Richter’s supraumbilical hernia with colocutaneous fistula in a patient with morbid obesity
Authors: Baig Sarfaraz Jalil , Priya Pallawi
Published: July 2021

Abdominal wall Richter's hernia is rare. The usual presentation is with irreducibility, obstruction and strangulation. Occasionally, enterocutaneous fistula containing small bowel has been reported. Management is frequently difficult due to emergency presentation and contamination. A 60-year-old male with a history of suture repair of umbilical hernia presented with faecal discharge from a long-standing recurrent hernia in the background of obesity and history of pulmonary embolism. There were no features of peritonitis or obstruction. After optimisation, we took the patient for a diagnostic laparoscopy with curative intent. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed a Richter's hernia containing transverse colon. The patient was treated with resection of the involved colonic segment, anastomosis, complete excision of the fistula tract along with surrounding skin, negative pressure wound therapy and delayed skin closure. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a spontaneous umbilical Richter's hernia complicated with a colocutaneous fistula. Management was challenging due to emergency presentation, multiple comorbidities as well as faecal contamination. Minimal access approach may have helped by decreasing the contamination and surgical site infection in the postoperative period.
Assessing the characteristics of 110 low- and middle-income countries' noncommunicable disease national action plans
Authors: Shao Ruitai , Feil Cameron , Wild Cervantée EK , Morschel Katharina , Bonyani Atousa , Smith Robert W. , Kailas Tamara , Leventhal Olivia , Alsoud Yasmin , Hatefi Arian , Varghese Cherian , Zhang Yuxi , Rosseau Natalie , Waqanivalu Temo , Xu Hongyi , Mikkelsen Bente , Allen Luke N
Published: July 2021

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are a leading contributor to preventable mortality and impoverishment in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). To support countries in developing holistic and integrated NCD plans, the World Health Organization (WHO) has produced get rid of this a NCD Multisectoral Action Plan (MSAP) guidance. To date, over 160 countries have produced MSAPs and uploaded them to the WHO's NCD document repository. We examined the content and comprehensiveness of the MSAPs uploaded by all 110 LMICs, with reference to the WHO guidance. Overall, the MSAPs included 71% of the elements recommended by the WHO, however, there was a tendency to present situational analyses and recommended actions without providing costings or an overall funding plan. We found no correlation between MSAP comprehensiveness (alignment with the WHO guidance) and policy implementation. There were no significant differences in MSAP alignment by region or income group. Countries with higher universal health coverage indices had lower MSAP alignment score. We concluded that the existence of a comprehensive MSAP is not enough to guarantee policy implementation, and that the WHO should focus its support on helping countries to translate plans and policies into concrete actions to address NCDs.
Choroidal Tuberculoma Presenting with Exudative Retinal Detachment in a Young Male
Authors: Babalola Yewande O. , Basu Soumyava
Published: July 2021

An 18-year-old male student presented with a 1 month history of poor vision in the right eye. Ocular examination revealed visual acuity of hand movement and 20/20 in the right and left eyes, respectively. Inflammatory cells were present in the anterior chamber of the right eye. Fundus examination revealed a right exudative retinal detachment with a tuberculoma in the superotemporal quadrant, whereas the left eye was normal. There was a positive history of contact with a relative with pulmonary tuberculosis. The patient was treated with a combination of antituberculous therapy and oral corticosteroids for 6 months following which the lesion resolved completely with full recovery of vision to 20/20 in the right eye.
Ophthalmic Patients’ Perceptive on Corona Virus Disease (Covid-19) Pandemic in Onitsha, Nigeria
Authors: Nwosu Sebastian N.N. , Ezenwa Adanma C. , Uba-Obiano Chizoba U.
Published: July 2021

Objectives

To determine patients’ perception of COVID-19 and their practice of disease prevention measures.

Materials and Methods:

Consenting, consecutive new adult patients at the Guinness Eye Centre Onitsha were interviewed using a pretested questionnaire. Information sought included patients’ COVID-19 knowledge, its symptoms, transmission, preventive measures, compliance, and worries.

Results:

Of 81 participants, the mean age was 47.9 ± 17.6 years; 31 (38.3%) were males; 61 (75.3%) attained secondary or higher education. All participants knew about COVID-19; radio/television was the most common information source (88.9%). Although 85.2% participants knew that COVID-19 is a communicable disease, 86.4% knew of its viral etiology and 86.4% knew that it could be transmitted by close contact with persons/fomites. Common symptoms known to the participants were cough (82.7%), fever (61.7%), and breathlessness (55.6 %); the most common known preventive measures were wearing face mask in public (90.1%) and handwashing (82.7%). Although 44.4% knew that physical distancing was a preventive strategy, only 11.1% knew that the distance of separation should be at least one meter; 49.4% always wore face mask in public, 61.7% washed hands frequently, whereas only 4.9% maintained physical distancing; 44.4% worried that pandemic restrictions negatively affected their access to eye care and 29.6% feared contracting the disease in eye clinics.

Conclusions:

All study participants knew of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, knowledge of the disease, its transmission, and preventive measures was suboptimal; many patients do not adhere to the recommended preventive measures. Repetitive public health education is required to improve compliance with disease control measures and allay fears.
Marshall syndrome in a Nigerian teenager presenting with refractive error
Authors: Ogun Olufunmilola Abimbola , Adediran Olusegun Adetomiwa , Ashaye Adeyinka Olusola , Nwaorgu Onyekwere George Benjamin
Published: July 2021

A 14-year-old girl, presented to our eye clinic, with poor distance vision since childhood. High myopia with degenerative retina was found. However, craniofacial disproportion and skeletal dysmorphism, as well as hearing impairment, drew clinical suspicion for a single multisystemic disorder prompting a literature review, which supported a clinical diagnosis of Marshall syndrome (MS). This case report and review of literature describes MS, worthy of note for its rarity, genetic basis and distinctive phenotypic features, but yet easily overlooked in routine clinical practice. This is the second case of MS reported in West Africa and the first in a Nigerian female. This extremely rare, systemic disorder may present unexpectedly, as a seemingly common condition as a refractive error and can be easily overlooked, without a high index of suspicion. Accurate diagnosis, however, is important because MS requires collaborative management by a multidisciplinary team and not the ophthalmologist alone, to ensure a good quality of life.
Diabetic Retinopathy in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Achigbu E. O. , Agweye C. T. , Achigbu K. I. , Mbatuegwu A. I.
Published: July 2021

Aim:

The aim of the study was to provide an updated review on the prevalence and correlates of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Materials and Methods:

A systematic literature search of Medline, Embase, African Journal Online, Africa-Wide Information databases, and Google Scholar for relevant articles was done using a search strategy with key concepts. Studies published between 2010 and 2020 on the prevalence and correlates of DR in SSA were selected. Data on the main study outcomes were extracted into a table based on the study designs.

Results:

Twenty-seven studies from 12 countries were included. Studies varied in terms of patients’ selection, method of assessing the eye, and retinopathy classiﬁcation. The reported prevalence range for any DR was 13% to 82.6% and sight-threatening retinopathy 2.1% to 51.4% respectively. Duration of diabetes mellitus and systolic blood pressure were the most common factors associated with an increased risk of DR.

Conclusion:

There is no recent population-based prevalence of DR in SSA. The available results are however comparable with recent values reported in Europe, America, Middle East, and North Africa. Urgent structured population-based studies on the prevalence of DR are needed for effective public health interventions.
Design of Ensemble Classifier Model Based on MLP Neural Network For Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Rezaeipanah Amin , Syah Rahmad , Wulandari Siswi , Arbansyah A
Published: July 2021

Nowadays, breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death women in the worldwide. If breast cancer is detected at the beginning stage, it can ensure long-term survival. Numerous methods have been proposed for the early prediction of this cancer, however, efforts are still ongoing given the importance of the problem. Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) have been established as some of the most dominant machine learning algorithms, where they are very popular for prediction and classification work. In this paper, an Intelligent Ensemble Classification method based on Multi-Layer Perceptron neural network (IEC-MLP) is proposed for breast cancer diagnosis. The proposed method is split into two stages, parameters optimization and ensemble classification. In the first stage, the MLP Neural Network (MLP-NN) parameters, including optimal features, hidden layers, hidden nodes and weights, are optimized with an Evolutionary Algorithm (EA) for maximize the classification accuracy. In the second stage, an ensemble classification algorithm of MLP-NN is applied to classify the patient with optimized parameters. Our proposed IEC-MLP method which can not only help to reduce the complexity of MLP-NN and effectively selection the optimal feature subset, but it can also obtain the minimum misclassification cost. The classification results were evaluated using the IEC-MLP for different breast cancer datasets and the prediction results obtained were very promising (98.74% accuracy on the WBCD dataset). Meanwhile, the proposed method outperforms the GAANN and CAFS algorithms and other state-of-the-art classifiers. In addition, IEC-MLP could also be applied to other cancer diagnosis.
Almost everywhere uniqueness of blow-up limits for the lower dimensional obstacle problem
Authors: Colombo Maria , Spolaor Luca , Velichkov Bozhidar
Published: July 2021

We answer a question left open in [4] and [3], by proving that the blow-up of minimizers

u

of the lower dimensional obstacle problem is unique at generic point of the free boundary.
A curve shortening equation with time-dependent mobility related to grain boundary motions
Authors: Mizuno Masashi , Takasao Keisuke
Published: July 2021

A curve shortening equation related to the evolution of grain boundaries is presented. This equation is derived from the grain boundary energy by applying the maximum dissipation principle. Gradient estimates and large time asymptotic behavior of solutions are considered. In the proof of these results, one key ingredient is a new weighted monotonicity formula that incorporates a time-dependent mobility.
Long-Term Assessment of the Effects of COVID-19 and Isolation Care on Survivor Disability and Anxiety
Authors: Brett-Major David M. , Cates David S. , Lawler James V. , Vokoun Chad , Hewlett Angela L. , Johnson Daniel W. , Schnaubelt Elizabeth R. , Wadman Michael C. , Kratochvil Christopher J. , Broadhurst M. Jana
Published: July 2021

We conducted an assessment of disability, anxiety, and other life impacts of COVID-19 and isolation care in a unique cohort of individuals. These included both community admissions to a university hospital as well as some of the earliest international aeromedical evacuees. Among an initial 16 COVID-19 survivors that were interviewed 6–12 months following their admission into isolation care, perception of their isolation care experience was related to their reporting of long-term consequences. However, anxiety and disability assessed with standard scores had no relationship with each other. Both capture of the isolation care experience and caution relying on single scoring systems for assessing long-term consequences in survivors are important considerations for on-going and future COVID-19 and other pandemic survivor research.
Identification of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Mitochondrial Genome and Kelch 13 Gene of Plasmodium falciparum in Different Geographical Populations
Authors: Nydahl Tine Kliim , Ahorhorlu Samuel Yao , Ndiaye Magatte , Das Manoj Kumar , Hansson Helle , Bravo Marina Crespo , Wang Christian William , Lusingu John , Theisen Michael , Singh Susheel Kumar , Singh Subhash , Campino Susana , Lund Ole , Roper Cally , Alifrangis Michael
Published: July 2021

The emergence of artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum parasites in Southeast Asia threatens malaria control and elimination. The interconnectedness of parasite populations may be essential to monitor the spread of resistance. Combining a published barcoding system of geographically restricted single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), mainly mitochondria of P. falciparum with SNPs in the K13 artemisinin resistance marker, could elucidate the parasite population structure and provide insight regarding the spread of drug resistance. We explored the diversity of mitochondrial SNPs (bp position 611-2825) and identified K13 SNPs from malaria patients in the districts of India (Ranchi), Tanzania (Korogwe), and Senegal (Podor, Richard Toll, Kaolack, and Ndoffane). DNA was amplified using a nested PCR and Sanger-sequenced. Overall, 199 K13 sequences (India: N = 92; Tanzania: N = 48; Senegal: N = 59) and 237 mitochondrial sequences (India: N = 93; Tanzania: N = 48; Senegal: N = 96) were generated. SNPs were identified by comparisons with reference genomes. We detected previously reported geographically restricted mitochondrial SNPs (T2175C and G1367A) as markers for parasites originating from the Indian subcontinent and several geographically unrestricted mitochondrial SNPs. Combining haplotypes with published P. falciparum mitochondrial genome data suggested possible regional differences within India. All three countries had G1692A, but Tanzanian and Senegalese SNPs were well-differentiated. Some mitochondrial SNPs are reported here for the first time. Four nonsynonymous K13 SNPs were detected: K189T (India, Tanzania, Senegal); A175T (Tanzania); and A174V and R255K (Senegal). This study supports the use of mitochondrial SNPs to determine the origin of the parasite and suggests that the P. falciparum populations studied were susceptible to artemisinin during sampling because all K13 SNPs observed were outside the propeller domain for artemisinin resistance.
Sedimentary facies and environments of the sedimentary fill of Southern Bida Basin, Nigeria
Authors: Ozulu George Uchebike , Okoro Anthony Uwaoma , Onuigbo Evangeline Njideka
Published: July 2021

Six lithofacies were identified in the Lokoja Formation, Southern Bida Basin: fanglomerate/ conglomerate lithofacies (Gmc), fine to coarse-grained ferruginized weakly cross-bedded, pebbly sandstone lithofacies (Scx), fine to coarsegrained sandstone lithofacies (Sfc), silty claystone lithofacies (Csm), siltstone lithofacies (Slt) and lateritic ironstone lithofacies (Ilt). These were grouped into three lithofacies associations viz: alluvial fan, braided river channel, floodplain lithofacies association. Nine lithofacies were identified in the Ahoko Formation. These are: black-dark grey carbonaceous shale lithofacies (Shc), bioturbated ripple-laminated siltstone lithofacies (Sbr), poorly cross-laminated claystone lithofacies (Cxl), concretionary/nodular ironstone lithofacies (Icn), medium to coarse-grained sandstone lithofacies (Smc) fine grained, well-sorted, friable bioturbated herringbone cross-bedded sandstone lithofacies (Sxf), massive brownish claystone lithofacies (Clm), massive claystone with lateritic ironstone lithofacies (Cli) and lateritic ironstones lithofacies (Ilt). These have been grouped into three lithofacies associations viz: shallow marine lithofaciesassociation, tidal-intertidal flat lithofacies association and floodplain lithofacies association. Similarly, three lithofacies were identified in the Agbaja Formation and have been grouped into two lithofacies association. These are: fine to medium-grained sandstone ironstone interbedded lithofacies (Sti), oolitic–pisolitic ironstone lithofacies (Iop) and concretionary ironstone lithofacies (Icr). The lithofacies associations are: tidal-intertidal flat lithofacies association and shallow marine lithofacies association. Result of lithofacies analysis helped in interpreting the depositional environments. The Lokoja Formation is a product of a fluvial dominated alluvial system from debris/gravity flow in alluvial fan. This developed further into braided river channels and later meandering river during the closing stages. Sediments of the Ahoko Formation were deposited in tidal/intertidal flats and shallow marine environments while sediments of the Agbaja Formation were produced by a shallow marine system with a high tidal influence.
Carcinogenic trace metals in ground water of Bathinda district, Punjab, India
Authors: Singh Kaptan , Pandey Govind , Singh Rajesh
Published: July 2021

Water is the second important source for surviving of human being on the earth because of it plays the major role in functioning of the body. in some decades decline the water quality due to the threatening of the environmental conditions and disposed untreated waste water in the water bodies which generate during the different activity in industries and human activities, which causes of increases of contamination of carcinogenic metals Include, mercury, cadmium, Arsenic, chromium, Selenium, Beryllium, Cobalt and nickel in ground water. These toxic metals Cancer causing to human being. Metals found in combined form of other element in the water. Carcinogenic metals Hg, Cr, As, Co, Cd, etc. also constituents of the earth crust. These were soluble in the percolate water, merged in the ground water. we have Evidences of carcinogens metals in the ground water of Bathinda district of Punjab. The present study attempt has been made to identify the types and concentration of different carcinogenic metallic ions present in ground water of South-Western, Bathinda district of Punjab. The pH was ranged from 6.5 -7.4 which were within the permissible limit of drinking ground water. Cr and Hg is above the permissible limit of drinking water quality guideline of WHO and BIS. Cr ranged from 70-360 ppb in ground water and highest level of Cr was observed at Lehra Mohabbat. The permissible limit in drinking water of Hg is 1ppb, all the sample have the Hg concentration level is above the limit. Expect three sites (JWS2-17.6 ppb, Bhambhia-11.9 ppb and Ganga-10.7 ppb) the concentration of Se and As was below the permissible limit.
Comparison of the supervised machine learning techniques using WPT for the fault diagnosis of cylindrical roller bearing
Authors: Parmar Umang , Pandya D.H.
Published: July 2021

In this paper, a comparative study of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques for the condition monitoring of the cylindrical roller bearing is presented. For the feature selection, wavelet analysis is applied using the ‘sym2’ as the mother wavelet. Nine features are considered for the training and evaluation of the AI techniques and then effectiveness is compared. Bearing sample data consists of four different conditions as having defective inner race, defective outer race, having defects on roller and a healthy bearing. For the preparation of the sample bearing, laser machine is used for introduction of the micro size defects on the surfaces. Support Vector Machine (SVM), Artificial neural network (ANN), and logistic regression are used with feature ranking method for the data training purpose and their effectiveness of identifying the condition is the major purpose. Feature ranking method is the new way of filtering the right data in right sequence for the data training. In results, Logistic regression found more accurate in comparison with the ANN and SVM for the cylindrical bearing.
Evaluation of Anticonvulsant Activity of Kochia Scoparia L. Schrad (Amaranthaceae) Volatile Oil
Authors: Imade R.O , Uchendu A.P. , Akhigbemen A.M. , Abah M.
Published: July 2021

Background: Epilepsy is one of the most common serious neurological disorders. Most antiepileptic or anticonvulsant drugs do not prevent or reverse the pathological process that underlies epilepsy, hence the continuous search for new therapeutic agents with minimal side effects and greater efficacy.Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine the acute toxicity profile and investigate the anticonvulsant activity of volatile oil of Kochia scoparia (Amaranthaceae ).Method: Volatile oil was extracted from fresh leaves of K. scoparia through hydrodistillation process, using a Clavenger-type apparatus. Acute toxicity testing was done using Lorke’s method. The anticonvulsant models used were pentylenetetrazol, strychnine and maximal electroshock. Albino mice were randomly divided into five groups (n=5). Group I (control group) was given 0.2 ml each of water orally while groups II, III and IV received 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg of the volatile oil. Group V received the standard drug solution; 30 mg/kg phenobarbitone for Maximal electroshock and 2 mg/kg diazepam for pentylenetetrazol and strychnine models. The onset of tonic leg extension, duration and protection from mortality were noted.Results: Sub acute toxicity test revealed that doses above 1000mg/kg of the volatile oil is toxic. Doses of 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg significantly (P<0.05) protected the mice against seizures with scores of 20, 20 and 40 % respectively in both Maximal electroshock and pentylenetetrazol induced convulsion models. No protection was offered in strychnine induced convulsion model; P > 0.05.Conclusion: The volatile oil of K. scoparia could be useful in the management of epilepsy.
Solving an optimal control problem of hepatitis B virus dynamics: Efficacy of fuzzy logic strategy
Authors: Gahamanyi Marcel , Banzi Wellars , Ntaganda Jean Marie
Published: July 2021

This work aims at using fuzzy logic strategy to solve a hepatitis B virus (HBV) optimal control problem. To test the efficacy of this numerical method, we compare numerical results with those obtained using direct method. We consider a patient under treatment during 12 months where the two drugs are taken as controls. The results are rather satisfactory. In particular, the reaction of HBV to drugs can be modeled and a feedback can be approximated by the solution of a linear quadratic problem. The drugs reduce the risk of HBV. Furthermore, results of both numerical methods are in good agreement with experimental data and this justifies the efficacy of fuzzy logic strategy in solving optimal control problems.