bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Privés de jeunesses
Authors: Asséré Florian , Fely Samuel
Published: May 2023

Basé sur la commande d’une enquête par questionnaires (n=308) et entretiens individuels et collectifs (n=80) auprès des jeunes d’une ville populaire du Val-de-Marne, cet article s’intéresse aux conséquences des mesures sanitaires auprès des jeunes de quartiers populaires. L’article suggère que les mesures sanitaires prises lors de la pandémie de Covid-19 ont eu un impact négatif sur ces jeunes, surtout chez les plus en difficulté d’entre eux. Il s’interroge sur la tendance des mesures sanitaires à aggraver les inégalités de manière durable.
La transgression de Pierre Bourdieu
Authors: Fava Ferdinando
Published: May 2023

L’auteur resitue le dépassement de l’inhibition scientiste de Bourdieu, transgression comme lui-même l’a désignée, dans ce qui a été la place de l’ethnographie dans ses œuvres, et, en particulier, de l’échange dialogique et de l’interaction en face-à-face sur le terrain. En gardant à l’arrière-plan le cadre théorico-pratique, dialectique, voire contradictoire de Bourdieu, l’auteur se concentre sur trois de ses textes – la préface à la deuxième partie de Travail et travailleurs d’Algérie, Le métier du sociologue et le chapitre méthodologique « Comprendre » publié à la fin de La misère du monde  – qui permettent de reconstruire le statut du dialogue et de l’interaction en face-à-face, et, en même temps, les tensions qui, en l’espace de trente ans, sont apparues dans l’appropriation que Bourdieu a fait de ces geste ethnographiques. En comparant par la suite sa pratique avec celle de Gérard Althabe, son contemporain et presque compatriote, l'auteur permet de prendre la mesure de cette transgression : l’entretien, n’est plus seulement une illusion d’immédiateté, il devient également un « exercice spirituel », ouverture oblative, écoute active de la nécessaire singularité.
L’hydrogène, un atout majeur pour décarboner la mobilité lourde ou intensive
Authors: Boucly Philippe
Published: May 2023

Face au changement climatique qui se manifeste de plus en plus fréquemment et violemment, l’hydrogène apparaît comme une des solutions possibles, notamment pour la mobilité lourde ou intensive. Dans le cadre de la Stratégie nationale publiée en septembre 2020, les acteurs français s’organisent. De premiers déploiements de véhicules (bus, bennes à ordures, camions, autocars) se mettent en place sous l’impulsion des collectivités et des opérateurs. Des solutions originales, telles que des offres de mobilité tout compris, sont proposées. Forte de ses atouts (constructeurs de véhicules, équipementiers, excellence de ses centres de recherche), la filière accélère et change d’échelle. Les efforts de réduction des coûts et d’adaptation de la réglementation à ce nouveau vecteur énergétique qu’est l’hydrogène doivent être poursuivis pour permettre à la France de rester dans le peloton de tête des nations qui développent la mobilité hydrogène. La révision de la stratégie hydrogène en cours doit être l’occasion de poursuivre sur les deux axes définis en septembre 2020 : la décarbonation de l’industrie et, en même temps, celle de la mobilité lourde ou intensive. Cela permettra de contribuer au maintien en France d’une industrie forte de la mobilité, qui soit créatrice d’emplois et de valeur dans les territoires et contribue à la décarbonation d’un secteur fortement émetteur de gaz à effet de serre.
Green Lean Six Sigma model for waste reduction of raw material in a nectar manufacturing company of Lima, Peru
Authors: Ortiz Porras Jorge Enrique , Bancovich Erquínigo Andrei Mijailo , Candia Chávez Taddy Carolay , Huayanay Palma Lisseth Margarita , Moore Torres Rosa Karol , Tinoco Gomez Oscar Rafael
Published: May 2023

Purpose: Food waste is a latent problem for society, one of the main causes being poor management of the operating processes within the food industry, which is the main reason the present research aimed to reduce raw material waste in a nectar factory.Design/methodology/approach: The methodology led to carrying out an experimental investigation where a Green Lean Six Sigma Model was applied, whose foundation was the use of tools such as Environmental Value Stream Mapping (E - VSM), DMAIC (Define - Measure - Analyze - Improve - Control), Poka Yoke and DOE (Design of Experiments), the data obtained were exposed to an inferential statistical analysis using tests such as Anderson - Darling and T-Student.Findings: As a final result, a waste reduction of 2.23% was obtained, which is equivalent to approximately 120 kg of useful raw material, in addition the environmental impact was reduced by 2.2%, waste costs were also reduced by approximately 5.5% and produced an increase in global productivity by 2.4%.Research limitations/implications: It is shown that the application of methodologies such as Green, Lean and Six Sigma in the food industry present benefits during and after the application of the model; such as preventive control of waste, standardization in processes; benefits that, in coordination with an organizational culture of continuous improvement, can significantly improve the current state of companies.Practical implications: The positive obtained results support the methodology proposed by the authors to reduce the waste of agricultural raw material. It is expected to be a benchmark for other similar organizations that seek to generate greater productivity in line with the search for environmentally sustainable operations.Originality/value: This is one of the first studies that aims to reduce the waste of raw materials in food processing companies, considering aspects of mitigating environmental impact.
Motivations and use of video games in engineering students
Authors: Núñez-Pacheco Rosa , Turpo-Gebera Osbaldo , Barreda-Parra Aymé , Vidal Elizabeth , Castro-Gutierrez Eveling , Aguaded Ignacio
Published: May 2023

The use of video games has increased exponentially worldwide, mainly among the youth population. The main objective of this article is to evaluate the consumption habits and motivations of engineering students to play video games. To this end, an instrument to measure the use of video games and a scale of motivations were administered to 633 students enrolled in different academic engineering programs at a Peruvian public university. It was found that 91.3% of students play video games, compared to 8.7% who have never played them; it was also found that their use is greater among male students (95%) than among female students (73.4%). Likewise, it was found that these students prefer strategy video games, and that they mostly play them for escape and entertainment, and for socioemotional activation. It is concluded that consumption habits and motivations are related, since the greater the consumption of video games, the greater the motivation is for young people to play them.
Electrical-thermal coupling characteristics of pre-insertion resistors in AC filter circuit breaker for UHV grid
Authors: Bao Yanyan , Liu Kang , Wen Dingjun , Li Yifan , Wang Hao , Zhang Hongliang
Published: May 2023

The ultra-high voltage (UHV) AC/DC grid can provide a platform for sustainable power worldwide. To improve the bus voltage quality of the UHV AC system, AC filters are frequently switched into the UHV grid through circuit breakers with pre-insertion resistors. The pre-insertion resistors suppress inrush currents and operate over-voltage during switching. In this paper, we establish a macro and micro model of the pre-insertion resistor based on its temperature coefficient and micro-morphology. We simulate and analyze its electric-thermal coupling characteristics under standard closing and short-circuit faults. After the simulation model and physical comparison analysis, we find that under a usual closing surge, the electric field distribution of the pre-insertion resistor is uniform and undergoes a slight rise in temperature. However, under a short circuit fault, the temperature rise is drastic and exceeds the maximum allowable temperature, causing glassy melt in some parts of the resistor. Considering the volume ratio of each component of the resistor, a two-dimensional cross-sectional simulation model of the resistor is established to simulate the electric-thermal characteristics of the microstructure of the resistor, and insinuates that the current is concentrated in the carbon channel. That is mainly due to the uneven distribution of carbon material and may lead the local temperature to exceed the maximum allowable temperature and damage the resistor.
Censorship—the Knot that Binds Intimacy and Women’s Writing
Authors: Mihurko Poniž Katja , Duţu Carmen Beatrice
Published: May 2023

The connection between the private—often considered as the realm of the intimate—and women’s writing has long preoccupied feminist criticism. Recent feminist criticism has revealed the social impact of the connection between intimacy and women’s writing. This also raises the question of how women have negotiated these nuances and positions. Were there any strategies, any coping mechanisms with regard to employing intimacy in their writing? In this review article, we provide a brief overview of how censorship, gender and intimacy have been intertwined throughout history. Building on Sue Curry Jansen’s view which regards censorship as “the knot that binds knowledge and power” we further claim that we could regard censorship as the knot that binds intimacy and women’s writing. We also corroborate our assertions with examples from prominent studies focusing mainly on Western European literatures and add further examples of encounters with various forms of censorship, as experienced by Zofka Kveder, a writer who actively participated in Slovenian, German, Czech, and Croatian literary systems.
A Complicit Reading Strategy: Exposing Censored Themes of Intimacy in Swedish Alfhild Agrell’s Räddad
Authors: Lindh Estelle Birgitta
Published: May 2023

This article proposes an ethical reading position by taking the author’s socio-historic censorious situation into account and by adopting a complicit reading strategy in order to expose silenced themes of intimacy. It does so through textual references to the 1883 play Räddad (Saved) by the Swedish female playwright Alfhild Agrell. By taking the point of departure in Helen Freshwater’s idea of an inclusive model of censorship, Judith Butler’s theory of reiteration, and Toril Moi’s claims of the political potential of a reading mode starting in the concerns of the text, I establish the theoretical basis for a complicit reading strategy. I then present the gendered period-specific censorious situation of the 1880s in Sweden, in which the aesthetics of idealism influenced censorship in the theatres and also regulated playwriting. I demonstrate a vacillation between self-censoring and exposing themes of intimacy in Agrell’s play, proposing that this should be regarded as a specific rhetoric produced by an awareness of gendered censorship. Finally, by leaning on phenomenological and new materialist instruments of analysis, I present an embodied reading strategy for Agrell’s play in response to its specific individual poetics and concerns, to expose its full gender/feminist potential.
Mémoires coloniales au féminin. Écritures, entre fractures culturelles et devenirs de la perte
Authors: Douzou Catherine , Sperti Valeria
Published: May 2023

Le numéro 20 de la revue Oltreoceano se compose de onze articles abordant, dans une approche transdisciplinaire, la relation entre l’écriture des femmes et la mémoire coloniale. L’étude de l’inscription de la mémoire coloniale au féminin dans le cinéma, les œuvres d’art, le théâtre, les phototextes autobiographiques et la biographie est un sujet qui n’a pas encore été étudié dans sa globalité. Ce numéro se pose comme le premier jalon d’une recherche plus ample qui permettrait de relire d’une manière différente, grâce à l’apport de la création féminine à la mémoire coloniale, l’histoire des rapports entre la culture française et francophone.
Les traces visuelles d’une mémoire coloniale : la trilogie autobiographique de Colette Fellous
Authors: Ben Ali Faten
Published: May 2023

L’écriture de Colette Fellous s’inscrit dans une perspective pluridisciplinaire, dont le meilleur exemple est sans doute offert par la trilogie composée de Avenue de France (2001), Aujourd’hui (2005) et Plein été (2007). Elle est consacrée à l’évocation d’un pan de l’histoire de son pays natal, la Tunisie. L’autrice opte pour une littérature perçue comme plus accueillante par l’insertion de documents visuels au sein de son œuvre, notamment la carte postale. Elle entremêle la mémoire collective à la mémoire individuelle en préconisant une perspective largement interdisciplinaire afin de donner à voir et à lire l’influence de la présence du colon français sur le vécu des Tunisiens de l’époque.
Des goûts et des couleurs
Authors: Houssaye Michienzi Ingrid
Published: May 2023

La force commerciale des marchands florentins résidait dans l’étendue de leurs réseaux d’affaires et dans le commerce des draps de laine fabriqués à Florence. La Cité du Lys produisait en effet d’importantes quantités de draps qui étaient tissés et teints pour leur donner l’aspect attendu par les clients de tout le bassin méditerranéen et d’ailleurs, puis étaient exportés par le biais des flottes pisane, vénitienne, génoise ou catalane chargées de les acheminer vers les différents marchés. On leur donnait ainsi la finesse et la couleur que réclamaient les modes et les usages. Les documents commerciaux des entreprises florentines, notamment des compagnies Datini, comprenant des livres de comptes et une abondante correspondance, constituent des sources privilégiées pour l’étude du commerce en Méditerranée médiévale. Ils sont ici utilisés pour analyser le commerce des produits textiles en direction de l’Afrique et avoir un aperçu des goûts des consommateurs maghrébins. Ils offrent de précieuses informations dans un contexte d’importante pénurie documentaire.
Négocier un cérémonial au cours de la deuxième moitié du XVIIIe siècle
Authors: Jerad Mehdi
Published: May 2023

Les négociations diplomatiques entre les puissances européennes et les régences maghrébines à l’époque moderne ne se limitaient pas uniquement à rétablir la paix, voire conclure la paix ou la renouveler. La négociation peut toucher les pratiques diplomatiques, en l’occurrence les cérémonials. En tant que dépositaires de pouvoirs nécessaires aux négociations et de la gloire de leurs souverains, les acteurs diplomatiques européens au Maghreb observaient attentivement les pratiques diplomatiques qui affectaient la hiérarchie des honneurs et faisaient des efforts constants pour éviter de se déshonorer par des gestes inadéquats.En s’appuyant essentiellement sur la correspondance de Jean Antoine Molinari, consul suédois à Tunis (1765-1778), nous essaierons de restituer l’importance que conserve le cérémonial d’Ancien Régime pour ce consul. Notre démarche consistera, dans un premier temps, à interroger ses échanges épistolaires, afin de restituer l’avis de ses interlocuteurs. Dans un deuxième temps, nous tenterons de saisir le poids de ses relations personnelles avec la cour du Bardo. En dernier lieu, nous nous interrogerons sur les logiques de ce consul pour obtenir cette faveur. Pour Molinari, il s’agit de chercher les règles morales du développement des États et de montrer qu’à chacun d’entre eux correspondent des « systèmes politiques » déterminés par des facteurs géopolitiques, institutionnels et culturels et non pas par le seul art de négocier que maîtrisent quelques hommes supérieurs.
New Aspects of Neutrosuperhyper Algebra With Its Application
Authors: Lathamaheswari M. , Sudha S. , Broumi Said , Smarandache Florentin
Published: May 2023

Security system is the process of developing, adding, and testing security features within applications to prevent security vulnerabilities against threats such as unauthorized access and modification. The implementation of such secure message passing protocols and the best, most dependable computing algorithms are made possible by hyperideal architecture. In this chapter, the authors introduced the concepts of interval-valued neutrosophic hyperring and interval-valued neutrosophic hyperideal. The algebraic properties and structural characteristics of the interval-valued neutrosophic hyperring and hyperideals are examined and established. The proposed concept has been applied in debit and credit card number pattern creation. The conclusion of the current effort also includes recommendations for the future.
The Procrustean Nature of AI and the Legal Implications of Its Use in the Criminal System Decision Making of Argentina
Authors: Barrio Fernando
Published: May 2023

This chapter analyzes the use of artificial intelligence in different activities, with a focus on the uses in the justice system of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires in Argentina. It first makes a recount of what is understood by artificial intelligence, its origins, and applications to then examine its application in different aspects of the criminal justice system, including the law enforcement and judicial software currently in use, with the ethical and legal issues that arise. It then delves into the functioning of PROMETEA, an AI system developed and used by the Office of the General Attorney of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, finishing with some of the legal implications according to Argentine law.
Cryptocurrencies and Contentious Politics
Authors: Leo Benjamin James Alexander
Published: May 2023

Cryptocurrencies, first introduced in 2009, have rapidly grown in value, volume, and use. The sentiment that they are no more than a passing fad and need not be dealt with by scholars or policymakers remains but is no longer legitimate. Hostile actors such as terrorist groups and sanctioned states use cryptocurrencies to finance activities ranging from deadly attacks to rogue nuclear programs. The use of cryptocurrencies by legitimate actors brings far less dramatic externalities but still presents serious issues, such as the vulnerability of citizens to cryptocurrency-related scams, lost tax revenue, and the stress cryptocurrencies place on countries' electrical grids. This chapter provides readers with an understanding of exactly how cryptocurrencies function, how hostile actors use them, and how governments respond so that they may better understand the challenges posed by cryptocurrencies and how they might be addressed.
The Vision of Freedom and the Potential of Blockchain
Authors: Yamamoto Kazushi
Published: May 2023

This chapter examines freedom and blockchain. Hegel stated that world history is the progression of freedom consciousness. While modern law and the state have facilitated the realization of freedom, blockchain technology has facilitated global, autonomous decentralization. This chapter defines freedom and explores how blockchain aids in its promotion and examines why central governments of developed countries opposed Libra, a global currency concept based on blockchain. While the central government intervened to crush Libra, this chapter shows that blockchain has vast possibilities for evolution of freedom. From the perspective of the absolute, blockchain and modern law and the state, while in conflict, will promote human freedom dialectically. This chapter uses the concepts such as publicness, autonomy, setback, external third party, facts and norms, primary rules, law and facts, family, bodily extension, constitutionalism, objective reality, absolute spirit, and so on. Also, the theories of Hayek, Habermas, H.L.A. Hart, Wittgenstein, Hegel, and so on will be utilized in this chapter.
Digital Entrepreneurship
Authors: George Nicholas , Edghiem Farag
Published: May 2023

Entrepreneurship has a long history. The terms entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs are defined in various ways. Entrepreneurs are considered individuals who lead innovation, show outstanding initiative, coordinate social and economic structures, convert resources and circumstances into feasible assets, and embrace risks associated with such ventures, as well as a concept in which entrepreneurs are primarily focused on the notion of profitability and opportunity identification. This chapter delves into the realm of digital entrepreneurship in the context of the UK and German online business communities.
The Role of Social Manufacturing for Entrepreneurship in the Industry 4.0 Transformation
Authors: Aka Salih
Published: May 2023

Social manufacturing is an internet- and social network-based platform where different manufacturers' capabilities can be seen and manufacturers with similar skills and hardware levels can come together to form communities. In the horizontal community, manufacturers who have similar socialised manufacturing resources and can perform the same processing activities are brought together. In the vertical community, there are manufacturers who can take part in different production activities of a product, from raw material to final product, and combine their socialised resources in this direction. Social manufacturing allows the bargaining power of the main producer to decrease thanks to the communities it establishes. The social manufacturing platform is a virtual showcase for small-scale entrepreneurs to present their talents, an effective cost management mechanism for customers, and an interaction, coordination, and sharing tool that will maximise production efficiency for countries.
Student Motivation in Online Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Roy Goutam , Dutta Sushmita , Tanni Sanjida Akter , Rahman Arifur
Published: May 2023

In recent years, motivation has received noticeable research attention. Self-motivated students' online learning efforts can be influenced by their ability to control their thoughts, learning behaviour, and motivation. Studies indicate that motivation in online learning does not gain adequate attention. This chapter will contribute to fulfil the gap and offer prospects for online higher education in Bangladesh. It will highlight some detailed empirical findings regarding motivation in online learning of tertiary students of Bangladesh and its association with students' academic achievement. The chapter will also provide some suggestions based on existing experiences gained from continuing efforts in the pandemic for developing countries and low-resource settings like Bangladesh that will be helpful for teachers, researchers, and policymakers to redesign teaching-learning activities. From the suggestions of this chapter, even resource-constrained countries would get some ideas to identify appropriate online teaching-learning tools to re-organise and reuse their trivial resources.
Investigating the Influence of Motivational Strategies on Accounting Students' Metacognitive Self-Regulated Learning
Authors: Wong Evelyn Mei Ling
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this chapter is to investigate the relationship between students' motivational strategies and the metacognitive self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies and to examine whether students' reported use of motivational strategies influence their metacognitive self-regulation in the e-flipped classroom (eFC). Respondents were 151 students from a second-year course. Data were collected using an online questionnaire consisting of five scales representing each variable adopted from Pintrich's motivated strategies for learning questionnaire. The research data were analysed using Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression analysis with the SPSS application. The findings in this chapter confirmed that the value component and the expectancy component of students' motivational learning strategies were significantly and positively correlated with students' metacognitive SRL strategies. This chapter also finds that the intrinsic goal orientation and self-efficacy for learning and performance were the significant predictors of students' metacognitive SRL strategies.
Promoting the Use of Electronic Resources in International Schools
Authors: Wong Kwok Chun , Chiu Dickson K. W.
Published: May 2023

The Learning Resource Centre (LRC) of ESF King George V School (KGV) decided to enhance the awareness of students' use of electronic databases and e-books. This study explores how LRC promotes electronic resources to students effectively. The authors use the honeycomb marketing model and RACE planning framework to develop a strategy for organizing outreach and training activities to promote its e-resources. This study explores two strategies: using social media to stimulate students' involvement and interaction and advocating teacher-library collaboration. This study provides insights to school libraries on developing strategic plans for promoting their digital collections. Scant articles focus on promoting electronic resources in school libraries, especially international secondary schools in Asia.
The Benefits of Online Networking for Early Career Teachers
Authors: Lee David , Tanti Miriam , Mercieca Bernadette Mary
Published: May 2023

There has been wide academic and research interest in the application of social media as instructional and communication tools in contemporary educational settings. Hence, it has been unsurprising to see the increased use of the social media application Twitter integrated into education. Despite this, it is evident that there are still too few educators in initial teacher education (ITE) who scaffold its introduction to their pre-service teachers in their courses and few early career teachers who use it. Whilst the use of a specific, local hashtag for this purpose has been explored in other studies, this research goes further in considering the online community for pre-service and early career teachers that is created as a social learning space using hashtags and evaluating it with a value creation framework. Results show these teachers moved through the stages of the framework and achieved realized value in their professional lives.
Facilitating Active Learning in an Asynchronous Environment Using Simulations
Authors: Cook Jared , Cook Jack S.
Published: May 2023

This chapter focuses on the utilization of simulations to assist learners in active learning. Throughout the chapter, there are several areas of focus. These include the importance of using active learning in an online environment; a focus on the value of simulations within online, hybrid, and face-to-face environments; an emphasis on simulation design for both individuals and teams; a focus on redesigning current passive learning activities to active learning simulations; a section dedicated to assessing student learning within the simulation and creating appropriate assessment materials; and examples of simulation success for both individual and group simulations. The chapter concludes with final takeaways regarding simulation creation and optimal use.
Developing and Evaluating Blended Learning Environments in English Courses Based on Quality Matters Standards
Authors: Wali Fatema , Scampton Davin , Alesh Ranya Faisal , Ebrahim Khalil , Tammam Zahra , Abdulnabi Hasan , Huijser Henk
Published: May 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has offered an extraordinary opportunity to improve educational provision and consider alternatives to traditional teaching and learning. It has stimulated wide engagement in improving and evaluating educational practices. Bahrain Polytechnic moved to remote delivery during the pandemic, during which it also embraced piloting the quality matters (QM) standards of online teaching to ensure the suitability and quality of blended learning course content, assessment, and consequently delivery. The English team developed courses over three semesters to ensure robust online content was checked against the eight QM standards. The teaching and learning materials were redesigned to conform to the new online/blended delivery mode, including creating discipline-specific, contextualized content and assessments. The findings showcase staff and students' perceptions, which were gathered throughout the process to facilitate the application of best practices.
AI Technology
Authors: Liu Youmei , Baucham Monique
Published: May 2023

The advanced AI technology has become a disruptive changing agent, and it directly affects every aspect of people's lives at an exponential speed. Education is not immune to it. It is a crucial time for educators to seriously and critically evaluate the existing educational system to identify the potential gaps between education and reality. In this data-driven world, the authentic data are the only valid source for improvement and advancement. One of the most efficient ways to find the quality of education is through data collection and analysis from the assessment activities in the process of education. This chapter discusses three aspects related to the disruption from AI technology, specifically ChatGPT, in education to find possible solutions through: 1) improving teaching quality via reexamining assessment activities, 2) increasing the educational value via assessing student learning in alignment with societal needs, and 3) enhancing assessment quality via embracing AI technology to ultimately raise the quality of education.
Self-Regulated Learning
Authors: Parveen Amina , Jan Shazia , Rasool Insha , Waseem Raja , Bhat Rameez Ahmad
Published: May 2023

Students become experts in their own learning through the process of self-regulated learning (SRL). Neither being a mental capacity nor a performance dexterity, self-regulation is the self-directed procedure through which learners translate their psychological capacities into task-related skills in several situations, such as academics, athletics, music, and health. In addition to the conceptualization and describing the intellectual environment in which the construct of self-regulated learning developed, this chapter discusses definitions and characteristics of self-regulated learning. Additionally, various models of the construct as well as the factors determining are also discussed.
Knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) toward COVID-19 and its prevention among graduate students at Bahir Dar University, northwestern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Tazebew Belaynesh , Munshea Abaineh , Alehegn Mastewal
Published: May 2023

Objective:

SARS-CoV-2 infection is an ongoing public health emergency of international significance. Considering that there is no specific drug and 100% effective vaccine yet, knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) toward COVID-19 are crucial to prevent and manage the pandemic. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practices toward COVID-19 prevention measures of graduate students at a university in northwestern Ethiopia.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study design was conducted between September to December 2020. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics and KAP of 407 randomly selected individuals. The data were exported to SPSS version 23.0, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used for analyses. Variables with P<0.25 in the bivariate logistic regression analysis were retained into the multivariable logistic regression models. The values were considered to be statistically significant (P≤0.05). The data quality control was tested by using 5% pretest.

Results:

Among 407 participants, 267 (65.6%) had sufficient knowledge, 239 (58.7%) had positive attitude and 189 (46.4%) had good practices toward COVID-19. Marital status (AOR 0.38; 95%CI 0.11-0.95; P=0.040) and student admission type (AOR 0.32; 95%CI 0.15-0.68; P=0.003) had a statistically significant association with knowledge of students. Residence (AOR 0.18; 95%CI 0.09-0.34; P<0.01) (AOR 0.16; 95%CI 0.07-0.36; P<0.01), family size (AOR 0.45; 95%CI 0.23-0.87, P=0.017) (AOR 0.29; 95%CI 0.14-0.60; P=0.001), student admission type (AOR 0.11: 95%CI 0.04-0.29, P<0.01) (AOR 0.01; 95%CI 0.00-0.05; P<0.01) and monthly income (AOR 0.17; 95%CI 0.05-0.58; P=0.005) (AOR 0.08; 95%CI 0.02-0.32; P<0.01) were significantly associated with positive attitude and good practices, respectively. Besides, good practices such as avoiding handshaking and physical distancing were performed in the least amount of participants.

Conclusions:

The scores of KAP among graduate students toward COVID-19 are low. It is recommended that university administrators reinforce proactive and effective measures to develop good knowledge, positive attitude, and better practices regarding COVID-19 for the students.
Anti-inflammatory effect of hydrogen sulfide donor sodium-sulfide in an experimental mouse model of contact hypersensitivity
Authors: Ozlen Nermin , Ercetin Deniz , Sapmaz-Metin Melike , Gunduz Ozgur
Published: May 2023

Background:

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), synthesized by most immune cells, has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effects. The effect of H2S on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), an inflammatory skin disease that negatively affects the quality of life, is unknown.

Objectives:

We planned to investigate the antipruritic and anti-inflammatory effects of the H2S donor sodium sulfide (Na2S) in the experimental mouse model of contact hypersensitivity (CHS), which is widely used for ACD research.

Methods:

CHS was created in Balb/c mice using 1-fluoro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene. Na2S was administered systemically (0.2-2-20 mg/kg/i.p.) and locally (1-3-10 nmol/both ear/i.d.) at 3 h and 25 h after the challenge. Ear thickness and the number of scratches were determined at 24 h and 48 h following the challenge. Ear tissue and serum interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and IL-5 cytokine levels were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). H and E staining was performed for histopathological studies. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells located in the skin were examined by immunohistochemical staining.

Results:

Locally (1-3-10 nmol/ear/i.d., P < 0.001, P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, respectively) and systemically (2–20 mg/kg/i.p., P < 0.01, P < 0.0001, respectively), Na2S administration decreased ear thickness dose dependently. Local (1-3-10 nmol/ear/i.d.) Na2S treatment decreased serum IL-2 levels (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, and P < 0.01, respectively). Na2S administered locally (3–10 nmol/ear/i.d., P < 0.05) and systemically (20 mg/kg/i. p., P < 0.05) decreased the number of CD4+ T lymphocytes.

Conclusion:

Locally and systemically administered Na2S reduces ear thickness, which is one of the symptoms of CHS, probably by preventing CD4+ T lymphocyte infiltration and proliferation and decreasing IL-2 synthesis.
Effects of Vestibular Rehabilitation in Patients with Unilateral Vestibular Hypofunction
Authors: Kilic Gamze , Temirbekov Dastan , Ata Görkem , Algun Zeliha Candan
Published: May 2023

Purpose:

To investigate the effect of physiotherapy on the balance parameters and fall risk in patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction (UVH).

Patients and Methods:

Thirty patients diagnosed with UVH were included in the study. The number of falls, Visual Analog Scale, Modified Clinical Test for Sensory Interaction in Tandem and Balance, and dynamic visual acuity assessments was performed before and after treatment. The patients were included in an individual treatment program for 8 weeks. Physiotherapy sessions were given at 2-week intervals. Along with the level of development of the treatment applied to the patients, it was requested perform a home exercise program with ten repetitions three times a day.

Results:

After 8 weeks of vestibular rehabilitation, it was observed that the balance parameters of the participants improved and the number of falls decreased. Statistically significant results were obtained in the Eyes-closed Tandem test (P = 0.001). Significant changes occurred in the modified Clinical Test results for Sensory Interaction in Balance from 0.37 ± 0.19 s to 0.93 ± 0.11 s (P = 0.001). Vestibular symptoms and dynamic visual acuity scores also improved after treatment (P = 0.001).

Conclusion:

It was concluded that the physiotherapy program applied to our patients with UVH positively affected fall risk and significantly improved balance parameters.
The Degree of Gene Profile Expression for Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Gene Level in the Pediatric Tympanosclerotic Ear
Authors: Mandour Yasser Mohammed Hassan , Shendy Mohammed Fahmy , El-Zobeir Ahmed Hamdy , Mohammed Shuzan Ali , Gomaa Mostafa
Published: May 2023

Background:

Tympanosclerosis, which can sometimes follow middle-ear inflammation, is the calcification of middle-ear connective tissue, especially the tympanic membrane. Numerous disorders, including chronic otitis media (OM) with effusion, are characterized by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) propensity to induce and maintain inflammatory reactions.

Aim:

This study aims to measure the expression of the TNF gene in the plasma of those who have tympanosclerosis as a result of ventilation tube insertion.

Patients and Methods:

In this study, 160 patients were included. The patients were split into two groups, Group A, which consisted of 120 patients and was subjected to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and Group B, which consisted of 40 volunteers. The patients underwent a full clinical examination, a history taker, and a laboratory investigation of TNF gene expression (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction).

Results:

According to TNF gene expression, there was a statistical difference between the groups; the mean TNF in the cases group (3.87) was statistically higher than the control group (1), P = 0.001. TNF levels statistically differed according to the quantity of tubes inserted (P = 0.005) and the length of the secretory OM (P = 0.042). TNF levels were not statistically different according to medication use or acute OM bouts.

Conclusion:

In comparison to the control group, the level of TNF gene profile expression in a few middle-ear structures with tympanosclerosis was statistically significant.
Comparing Therapeutic Maneuvers in Posterior Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Authors: Ravi K. , Sivaranjani M. , Komathi R. , Sharanya M.
Published: May 2023

Context:

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo accounting for around 24% of all peripheral vestibular abnormalities and the posterior semicircular canal being the most affected. The most common cause of BPPV is idiopathic, others being inner ear disorders, trauma, infection, and increasing age.

Objective:

This study evaluated the efficacy of Epley’s maneuver alone and Epley’s maneuver with Brandt–Daroff exercises in the management of posterior semicircular canal BPPV, thereby comparing the recurrence rate after treatment in both groups.

Materials and Methods:

The study was a randomized prospective clinical trial with parallel and superiority trial design where 94 consecutive patients with posterior semicircular canal BPPV and fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled into two Groups A = 47 and B = 47. All subjects underwent detailed history, examination, and assessment with UCLA dizziness questionnaire and videonystagmography. Group A patients received Epley’s maneuver while group B received Epley’s maneuver with Brandt–Daroff exercises as the treatment, with follow-up done on the 1st and 2nd weeks and after 1 month.

Results:

The age group of the majority of the patients in the study ranged between 51 and 60 years. The percentage of females in the study was 54.3% and males 45.7%. Results showed significant improvement in vertigo and nystagmus in both groups, with Group B having lesser recurrence during the follow-up visits.

Conclusion:

Both Epley’s maneuver and Brandt–Daroff exercises are ideal means of treatment, but a combined approach of the two maneuvers yields better outcome in terms of symptomatic resolution and less recurrence.
The modified thoracoabdominal nerve block for post-operative analgesia in paediatric laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Ozen Volkan , Acik Mehmet Eren , Ozen Nurten
Published: May 2023

The limited data on post-operative analgesia management after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the paediatric population make it difficult for clinicians to manage pain in this group. Administration of a modified thoracoabdominal nerve block through a perichondrial approach (M-TAPA) has recently been identified as a technique providing effective analgesia on the anterior and lateral thoracoabdominal wall. Unlike thoracoabdominal nerve block through the perichondrial approach block, the local anaesthetic (LA) with M-TAPA block provides effective post-operative analgesia in abdominal surgery by affecting T5-T12 dermatomes, just like when applied to the lower part of the perichondrium. As far as we know, all patients in previous case reports were adults, and we did not come across any study on the effectiveness of M-TAPA in paediatric patients. We present our case who did not need any additional analgesic during the post-operative 24 h after an M-TAPA block was administered before paediatric laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
ERCP management of acute cholangitis caused by rupture of Echinococcus hepaticus into the biliary tract
Authors: Jiang Tiemin , Wang Zongding , Aji Tuerganaili , Ran Bo , Guo Qiang , Zhang Ruiqing , Tuergan Talaiti , Zhong Kai , Shao Yingmei , Hao Wen
Published: May 2023

Background:

Hepatic cystic echinococcosis (HCE) rupture into the biliary tract, one of the most common and refractory complications, is treated by laparotomy to remove hydatid lesions. The aim of this article was to investigate the role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the treatment of this particular disease.

Patients and Methods:

This was is a retrospective analysis of 40 patients with HCE ruptured into the biliary tract in our hospital from September 2014 to October 2019. They were divided into two groups, ERCP group (group A, n = 14) and conventional surgery group (group B, n = 26). Group A was treated with ERCP first to control infection and improve the general condition before undergoing laparotomy at an optional stage while group B was treated with laparotomy directly. First, the infection parameters and liver, kidney and coagulation functions of group A patients before and after ERCP were compared to evaluate treatment effectiveness. Second, the intraoperative and post-operative parameters during the laparotomy of group A were compared with group B to evaluate the impact of ERCP treatment on laparotomy.

Results and Conclusions:

White blood cell, NE%, platelet, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, Total bilirubin (TBIL), alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase (ALT), ALT and Cr in group A significantly improved by ERCP (P < 0.05); during laparotomy, the bleeding amount and hospital stay in group A were better (P < 0.05); moreover, concerning the post-operative complications, the incidence of acute renal failure and coagulation dysfunction in group A was significantly less (P < 0.05). ERCP, which not only quickly and effectively controls infection and improves the patient’s systemic condition but also provides good support for subsequent radical surgery, enjoys good prospects for clinical application.
Effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on platelet count and mean platelet volume
Authors: Sen Ozan , Oray Seref , Çalikoglu Ismail , Sekmen Ümit , Türkçapar Ahmet Gökhan
Published: May 2023

Objective:

Several studies have reported an increase in platelet (PLT) count with chronic inflammation in the presence of obesity. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is an important marker for PLT activity. Our study aims to demonstrate if laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has any effect on PLT, MPV and white blood cells (WBCs).

Methods:

A total of 202 patients undergoing LSG for morbid obesity between January 2019 and March 2020 who completed at least 1 year of follow-up were included in the study. Patients’ characteristics and laboratory parameters were recorded preoperatively and were compared in the 6th and 12th months.

Results:

Two hundred and two patients (50% – female) with a mean age of 37.5 ± 12.2 years and mean pre-operative body mass index (BMI) of 43 (34.1–62.5) kg/m2 underwent LSG. BMI regressed to 28.2 ± 4.5 kg/m2 at 1 year after LSG (P < 0.001). The mean PLT count, MPV and WBC during the pre-operative period were 293.2 ± 70.3 103 cells/μL, 10.22 ± 0.9 fL and 7.8 ± 1.9 103 cells/μL, respectively. A significant decrease was seen in mean PLT count, with 257.3 ± 54.2 103 cell/μL (P < 0.001) at 1 year post-LSG. The mean MPV was increased at 6 months 10.5 ± 1.2 fL (P < 0.001) and remained unchanged at 1 year 10.3 ± 1.3 fL (P = 0.9). The mean WBC levels were significantly decreased with 6.5 ± 1.7 103 cells/μL (P < 0.001) at 1 year. At the end of the follow-up, weight loss showed no correlation with PLT and MPV (P = 0.42, P = 0.32).

Conclusion:

Our study has shown a significant decrease in circulating PLT and WBC levels while MPV remained unchanged after LSG.
Short-term outcomes of enhanced recovery after surgery protocol in minimally invasive oesophagectomy: A prospective study
Authors: Sreesanth Kelu Sreedharan , Soni Subhash Chandra , Varshney Vaibhav Kumar , Puranik Ashok Kumar , Bhatia Pradeep Kumar
Published: May 2023

Background:

Although fast-track treatment pathways are well established in colorectal surgeries, their role in oesophageal resections has not been well studied. This study aims to prospectively evaluate the short-term outcomes of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol in patients undergoing minimally invasive oesophagectomy (MIE) for oesophageal malignancy.

Patients and Methods:

We studied a prospective cohort of 46 consecutive patients from January 2019 to June 2022 who underwent MIE for oesophageal malignancy. The ERAS protocol mainly consists of pre-operative counselling, pre-operative carbohydrate loading, multimodal analgesia, early mobilisation, enteral nutrition and initiation oral feed. Principal outcome measures were the length of post-operative hospital stay, complication rate, mortality rate and 30-day readmission rate.

Results:

The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of patients was 49.5 (42, 62) years, and 52.2% were female. The median (IQR) post-operative day of intercoastal drain removal and initiation of oral feed was 4 (3, 4) and 4 (4, 6) days, respectively. The median (IQR) length of hospital stay was 6 (6.0, 7.25) days, with a 30-day readmission rate of 6.5%. The overall complication rate was 45.6%, with a major complication (Clavien–Dindo ≥3) rate of 10.9%. Compliance with the ERAS protocol was 86.9%, and the incidence of major complications was associated with failure to follow the protocol (P = 0.000).

Conclusions:

ERAS protocol in minimally invasive oesophagectomy is feasible and safe. This may result in early recovery with shortened length of hospital stay without an increase in complication and readmission rates.
Chyloperitoneum signifying late bowel obstruction following gastric clipping with proximal jejunal bypass: A case report
Authors: Hsu Chih Hung , Yang Jin Ruei , Chiu Fang Ling , Hsieh Jan Sing
Published: May 2023

Chyloperitoneum (CP) is a rare complication after bariatric surgery. We present a 37-year-old female with CP caused by a bowel volvulus following a gastric clipping with proximal jejunal bypass for morbid obesity. An abdominal CT image of a mesenteric swirl sign and abnormal triglyceride level of ascites fluid can confirm the diagnosis. In this patient, laparoscopy demonstrated dilated lymphatic ducts caused by a bowel volvulus resulting in the exudation of chylous fluid into the peritoneal cavity. After the reduction of bowel volvulus, she made an uneventful recovery with complete resolution of the chylous ascites. The presence of CP could indicate a situation of small bowel obstruction in patients with a history of bariatric surgery.