bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selection Into Credit Markets: Evidence From Agriculture in Mali
Authors: Beaman Lori , Karlan Dean , Thuysbaert Bram , Udry Christopher
Published: September 2023

We use a two‐stage experiment on agricultural lending in Mali to test whether selection into lending is predictive of heterogeneous returns to capital. Understanding this heterogeneity, and the selection process which reveals it, is critical for guiding modeling of credit markets in developing countries, as well as for policy. We find such heterogeneity: returns to capital are higher for farmers who borrow than for those who do not. In our first stage, we offer loans in some villages and not others. In the second stage, we provide cash grants to a random subset of all farmers in villages where no loans were offered, and to a random subset of the farmers who do not borrow in villages where loans were offered. We estimate seasonal returns to the grant of 130% for would‐be borrowers, whereas we find returns near zero for the sample representative of non‐borrowers. We also provide evidence that there are some farmers—particularly those that are poor at baseline—that have high returns but do not receive a loan.
Platform Design When Sellers Use Pricing Algorithms
Authors: Johnson Justin P. , Rhodes Andrew , Wildenbeest Matthijs
Published: September 2023

We investigate the ability of a platform to design its marketplace to promote competition, improve consumer surplus, and increase its own payoff. We consider demand‐steering rules that reward firms that cut prices with additional exposure to consumers. We examine the impact of these rules both in theory and by using simulations with artificial intelligence pricing algorithms (specifically Q‐learning algorithms, which are commonly used in computer science). Our theoretical results indicate that these policies (which require little information to implement) can have strongly beneficial effects, even when sellers are infinitely patient and seek to collude. Similarly, our simulations suggest that platform design can benefit consumers and the platform, but that achieving these gains may require policies that condition on past behavior and treat sellers in a nonneutral fashion. These more sophisticated policies disrupt the ability of algorithms to rotate demand and split industry profits, leading to low prices.
Regret‐Minimizing Project Choice
Authors: Guo Yingni , Shmaya Eran
Published: September 2023

An agent observes the set of available projects and proposes some, but not necessarily all, of them. A principal chooses one or none from the proposed set. We solve for a mechanism that minimizes the principal's worst‐case regret. We compare the single‐project environment in which the agent can propose only one project with the multiproject environment in which he can propose many. In both environments, if the agent proposes one project, it is chosen for sure if the principal's payoff is sufficiently high; otherwise, the probability that it is chosen decreases in the agent's payoff. In the multiproject environment, the agent's payoff from proposing multiple projects equals his maximal payoff from proposing each project alone. The multiproject environment outperforms the single‐project one by providing better fallback options than rejection and by delivering this payoff to the agent more efficiently.
From the Persistence of Ableism to its Deconstruction in the Evolution of Collective and Individual Narratives around Prosthetic Amputee Bodies
Authors: Gourinat Valentine , Groud Paul-Fabien
Published: September 2023

Cet article retrace l’évolution de l’image du corps amputé appareillé dans les récits collectifs et individuels de la fin du XIXe siècle à nos jours dans les sociétés européennes et nord-américaines. Ces derniers étant traversés de façon persistante par un filtre et une idéologie validistes, ils ne sont pas dénués d’enjeux socio-politiques et de conséquences sur les personnes concernées. Se basant sur ces récits, cette contribution propose une analyse socio-anthropologique de leur évolution historique et de leurs enjeux sur les représentations du handicap, en tant qu’elles sont un support de transmission de valeurs sociales et collectives. Cette réflexion vise plus spécifiquement à remettre en question la fascination prothétique et le culte du corps amputé performant, vecteurs d’injonctions et d’idéaux validistes. Il s’agit aussi de montrer la complexité et la variété des approches individuelles, face à une normalisation collective et persistante inscrite dans le temps.
Retracer le parcours de femmes refusant une grossesse illégitime à partir des archives judiciaires (France, xviie-xviiie siècles)
Authors: Tatoueix Laura
Published: September 2023

En France, au xviiie siècle, l’avortement volontaire apparaît dans les archives dans le cadre de procédures menées pour les crimes de « recel de grossesse et suppression de part » tels que les définit l’édit d’Henri II de février 1557. Ces procédures donnent à voir des avortements, mais également des infanticides. Ces sources, pourtant très standardisées, permettent de reconstituer les parcours de ces femmes traduites devant la justice, du rapport sexuel à la fin de la grossesse. Par conséquent, elles invitent à considérer l’avortement dans un contexte plus large de pratiques de refus d’une grossesse précédant un avortement ou succédant à une tentative d’avortement ratée. De plus considérer l’avortement lui aussi sous forme de parcours invite à s’intéresser au contexte spécifique du passage à l’acte en questionnant la capacité d’agir de ces femmes refusant une grossesse.
Le fonctionnement hydrodynamique et géochimique des aquifères jurassique et crétacé dans le bassin versant du Nahr El-Bared (Liban Nord)
Authors: Awad Souheil , Akkari Douha
Published: September 2023

Cette étude expose la complexité du fonctionnement hydrologique des deux systèmes karstiques jurassique et crétacé dans le bassin versant El-Bared. Elle qualifie la géochimie comme un indicateur de ce fonctionnement. Elle se base sur deux approches (hydrodynamique et hydrogéochimique) pour étudier les caractéristiques hydriques et le mode de l’écoulement dans le bassin versant. La méthodologie appliquée est basée sur l’étude des réponses naturelles de l’exutoire principal de la nappe karstique, considérée ici comme une boîte noire. L’analyse des séries chronologiques et celle des courbes de récession sont appliquées en étudiant le débit en sortie de l’aquifère. Les variations physico-chimiques mensuelles de l’eau des sources sont également prises en compte.Le tracé de la courbe de récession amène à l’estimation d’une réserve importante en eau d’environ 1282 Mm3 dans l’aquifère de Mechmeche et de 1528 Mm3 à l’aval.L’analyse physico-chimique des eaux des sources de Nabaa Es-Soukkar et El-Qseim en haute altitude montre que la température de l’eau est influencée par la fonte des neiges. Elle diminue pendant la période printanière et estivale, contrairement à la température atmosphérique. En outre, la température est affectée par l’épaisseur des couches traversées. La salinité des sources du Jurassique (Nabaa Ez Zahlane et Ain Ech Chqaiq) augmente significativement pendant la période de récession (septembre-octobre).Une augmentation significative du pH a été enregistrée pendant la période de récession dans les sources du Crétacé (Nabaa El-Soukkar et Nabaa El-Qseim), par opposition aux sources du Jurassique, qui ont enregistré une baisse du pH au cours de cette même période en raison de l’accroissement de l’activité biologique, qui fait augmenter le taux du CO2 dans l’eau. Les sources du Crétacé sont caractérisées par une teneur élevée en calcium et une réduction de la teneur en magnésium, tandis que celles du Jurassique montrent une teneur plus élevée en calcium et en magnésium vu le prolongement de la période du séjour de l’eau dans ces dernières.
Entre Moyen Âge et Modernité : les embrasures de bouches à feu du château de Montcavrel, aux remparts de Montreuil et dans la motte de Guînes
Authors: Routier Jean-Claude
Published: September 2023

Cette étude porte sur l’adaptation des fortifications à l’artillerie à feu du xve au xvie siècle, avec en fil rouge, les types de bouches à feu observés sur des sites très différents fouillés par l’auteur : le château de Montcavrel, les remparts bastionnés de Montreuil et la motte castrale de Guînes, dans le Pas-de-Calais. À la mise en place, dans la seconde moitié du xve siècle, de la meurtrière à fente simple percée d’emblée ou après coup d’un orifice pour petit canon, succède un dispositif plus élaboré de meurtrières à double ébrasement pour armes d’épaule et tir de pièces à canon, dit « embrasures à la française ». Cette évolution est marquée, sous le règne de François Ier, à Montreuil, par quelques bouches à feu à lucarne externe très évasée pour donner un rayon d’action plus large au canon. Plusieurs de ces ouvertures sont parties intégrantes de la maçonnerie nouvelle du xvie siècle et d’autres réutilisent des percements plus anciens comme les archères des tours ouest de l’enceinte de Philippe Auguste du xiiie siècle. Dans le remaniement des fortifications au xviie siècle, certaines canonnières seront murées et inopérantes, d’autres garderont leur fonction originelle, sans que la place forte ait eu à se défendre. La nécessité de répondre aux attaques de l’artillerie a concerné non seulement les villes fortifiées, mais également les lieux déjà pourvus d’organes militaires à la base, tels les châteaux, manoirs et maisons fortes d’Artois et du Boulonnais.
Aux origines du château : quelques exemples de fortifications de terre en Picardie occidentale
Authors: Jonvel Richard
Published: September 2023

Depuis une dizaine d’années, plusieurs fouilles archéologiques ont offert l’opportunité d’étudier les occupations sous-jacentes aux fortifications de terre en Picardie. Les techniques de construction mises en œuvre sont éclairées d’un jour nouveau par les investigations totales des sites, qui révèlent tout d’abord un grand réalisme face aux situations topographiques fort variées, et une mémorisation importante des occupations antérieures afin d’assurer pour plusieurs générations la longévité des habitats privilégiés, édifiés sur la plateforme sommitale. Les phases chronologiques établies par les fouilles des fortifications et la culture matérielle de ces sites, mieux cernées depuis quelques années dans l’Amiénois en particulier, révèlent des constantes, mais surtout une importante évolution au xiie siècle. Au-delà de la trame historique qui y voit l’essor définitif de la seigneurie féodale et l’éparpillement des milites castri dans leur résidence rurale fortifiée, évolution mieux appréciée dans le même temps, l’archéologie permet d’aborder sur la longue durée les transformations progressives des lieux de pouvoirs laïcs, apparus à l’époque carolingienne. Elles se caractérisent par une nouvelle appropriation des espaces, de nouvelles formes d’habitats, des divisions plus strictes dans les fonctions des espaces et une diversification des formes des outils et ustensiles de la vie quotidienne. Les reliefs des sites actuels relèvent d’une évolution complexe, à la stratigraphie puissante, dégageant une nouvelle lecture de la chronologie des centres de pouvoirs laïcs. Notre exposé abordera ces points à travers plusieurs sites remarquables en Picardie occidentale.
Bede, Orosius and Gildas on the early history of Britain
Authors: Scully Diarmuid
Published: September 2023

Dans cet article j’étudie les objectifs et les techniques de Bède l’historien en examinant sa façon de présenter la Bretagne romaine. J’analyse comment il utilise et interprète les sources antérieures, spécialement Orose et Gildas. Selon Orose, la conquête de la Bretagne par Rome prouve que Dieu est favorable à l’empire universel de cette dernière. Gildas fait écho à Orose et date la conversion de l’île des débuts du christianisme parmi les Gentils. Bède rejette la vision d’Orose et Gildas d’un empire romain global mais relie la Bretagne romaine au début de l’histoire de l’évangélisation des Gentils. Il dépeint l’archipel atlantique comme une partie de l’empire spirituel du Christ, dont le centre est la Rome des papes et non des empereurs.
Apprentissages circassiens et culture familiale : l’exemple de la compagnie Alexis Gruss
Authors: Petiteau Natalie
Published: September 2023

La piste est un haut lieu de création artistique et culturelle puisqu'elle réunit des arts nombreux : musique, danse, acrobatie, jonglerie, mime, arts équestres... Elle met en scène des artistes tellement complets qu'elle est aussi un lieu d'apprentissage. La dernière compagnie qui en France perpétue les arts circassiens dans le respect des pratiques affirmées au xixe siècle, celle d'Alexis Gruss, est un excellent laboratoire de ces processus : héritages familiaux depuis sept générations, fondation de la première école de cirque en France, apprentissage au sein de la famille où chaque nouveau membre trouve un « père d'élève », selon le terme consacré dans le monde du cirque, parmi ses parents ou ses oncles et tantes. La communication proposée étudiera donc tous les processus d'apprentissage artistique au sein de la famille d'Alexis Gruss.
Conserver et exposer : le cas des collections extra-européennes de Normandie
Authors: Beaufils Thomas
Published: September 2023

Cet article donne un aperçu des collections extra-européennes de la Normandie. Ces collections sont dispersées dans toute la région. De nombreux musées possèdent de magnifiques objets provenant de différents continents et les présentent dans quelques expositions permanentes. Mais en général, ces collections souffrent d'un manque de visibilité. Cet article est une invitation à les découvrir et à mieux les étudier.
Défendre la ville durant la guerre de Cent Ans : le temps des faubourgs
Authors: Salamagne Alain
Published: September 2023

Décrit sous des termes variables et fluctuant au Moyen Âge, le paysage péri-urbain, qui s’étend à l’extérieur des murs de la ville fortifiée, zone d’activité économique privilégiée avant la guerre de Cents Ans, devint après les années 1340 un territoire incertain car soumis aux impératifs de la défense. Pour éviter les travaux d’approche ou les tentatives de surprise contre la place-forte, le pouvoir royal ou les municipalités durent se résoudre à détruire des faubourgs opulents. L’ampleur de ces destructions fut conditionnée par les conditions topographiques locales et l’estimation des menaces en prenant en compte, dans le dernier quart du XIVe siècle, le développement considérable de l’artillerie à feu. La profondeur des lignes de défense devant la place fut accrue afin d’éloigner le positionnement des batteries de l’assaillant et renforcer la capacité de l’artillerie de la défense à contrebattre les glacis de la place.
L’apport de l’archéologie préventive à la connaissance de sites castraux régionaux
Authors: Willot Jean-Michel
Published: September 2023

Depuis une dizaine d’années, des châteaux de la frange littorale du département du Pas-de-Calais sont l’objet de travaux de restauration ou concernés par des projets d’aménagements. Des opérations archéologiques préventives sont alors réalisées sur des monuments anciennement ou peu étudiés. L’intervention archéologique, qui conduit à des mesures de protection des sites, s’arrête à la première étape du diagnostic et livre, de fait, des informations partielles, mais inédites sur ces sites castraux. Il se pose alors la question de l’exploitation de ces données et de leur diffusion. Trois opérations archéologiques – la motte urbaine Sithiu, le château comtal de Saint-Omer et le château d’Hardelot – illustrent les écueils rencontrés et les solutions trouvées dont le présent article se fait l’écho.
Study of serum C-reactive protein level and sputum eosinophils in patients with bronchial asthma
Authors: Al-Aarag Abdelsadek H. , Rawy Abeer M. , EL-Behissy Mona M. , Abdelraheem Marwa M.
Published: September 2023

Background

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways in which many cells play a role, in particular mast cells, eosinophils, and lymphocytes. It is a major chronic airway disorder that poses a serious public health problem worldwide. C-reactive protein (CRP) is used mainly as a marker of inflammation.

Aim of the work

This study aims to clarify the relationship between serum CRP, sputum eosinophils, and the degree of airway inflammation in asthmatic patients (stable or in exacerbation) for use as a prognostic marker in detecting the severity of the disease.

Participants and methods

The study was carried out on 60 patients who were admitted to the chest department, Benha University Hospital. They were divided into two groups: 40 patients with bronchial asthma (20 patients with controlled asthma and 20 patients with exacerbated asthma) and 20 apparently healthy individuals. Patients and controls were subjected to a full assessment of history and clinical examination. Spirometry, serum CRP level, and sputum eosinophil count were measured in asthmatic patients and in healthy control individuals.

Results

Serum CRP was significantly increased in 85% of patients with acute exacerbation, whereas only 30% of patients with controlled asthma showed increased serum CRP. Its level was markedly increased during exacerbation. The sputum eosinophil count was highly increased in the exacerbated asthma group and 25% of patients in the controlled asthma group. There was a negative correlation between CRP, forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), FVC, and FEV1/FVC and a highly significant positive correlation with sputum eosinophils.

Conclusion

There is an association between airway inflammation in bronchial asthma and elevated level of CRP and sputum eosinophils.
Serum interleukin 23 and its associations with interstitial lung disease and clinical manifestations of scleroderma
Authors: Hammad Gamal A. , Eltanawy Refaat M. , Fawzy Rasha M. , Gouda Tahany M. A. , Eltohamy Mona A.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex disease linked to immune system activation, vascular damage, associated with increased synthesis, and deposition of extracellular matrix, which contain excessive amounts of structurally normal collagen. Interleukin 23 (IL-23) might play a role in disease development and severity. This study aimed to assess the relationship between serum level of IL-23 and interstitial lung disease in SSc.

Patients and methods

Thirty patients with SSc together with 30 age-matched and sex-matched healthy volunteers were recruited in this study. Serum IL-23 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Functionally, lung involvement was assessed by pulmonary function tests and radiologically by chest radiography and high-resolution computed tomography of the lungs.

Results

Mean serum IL-23 level was significantly highly elevated in SSc patients compared with healthy controls (P<0.005). Patients with elevated IL-23 levels exhibited shorter disease duration (P<0.05). Moreover, mean serum IL-23 level was elevated in diffuse SSc cases compared with limited SSc cases and in cases with pulmonary fibrosis (P<0.05), although they were not associated with other clinical features. Elevated mean serum IL-23 level was significantly higher in mild restrictive cases compared with moderate and severe restrictive cases. As regards highresolution computed tomography, mean serum IL-23 level was statistically highly significantly elevated in cases with ground-glass appearance (P<0.001) compared with others.

Conclusion

Alterations in serum concentrations of IL-23 support the hypothesis that IL-23 is associated with induction of SSc generally and SSc associated with interstitial lung disease specifically. Presumably, blockage of IL-23 could be used as a potential therapeutic target in early SSc.
Forced vital capacity as a primary clinical outcome measure of bronchodilator reversibility in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Khalil Magdy Mohamed , AbdelFattah Eman Badawy , Mostafa Yasmin Yousif
Published: September 2023

Background

Spirometry is the most reproducible and objective measurement of airflow limitation. The effectiveness of inhaled bronchodilator in individual patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is assessed by comparing measurements from pulmonary function tests made before and after administration. Generally forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) is the marker used with the global initiative for COPD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) guidelines. An increase in FEV1 that is both greater than 0.2 l and 12% above the prebronchodilator FEV1 value is considered significant.

The aim of this study is to assess forced vital capacity (FVC) as a clinical outcome measure of bronchodilator reversibility in patients with COPD.

Patients and methods

This was a prospective study conducted on 163 patients with COPD at Suez Chest Hospital during the period from first of October 2016 till the end of March 2017. Patients were diagnosed based on clinical and spirometric criteria, and then reversibility test was done using inhaled short-acting B2-agonist. All patients were subjected to COPD Assessment Test questionnaire.

Results

Overall, 14.11% of patients had significant increase in FEV1, whereas 54.6% of patients had significant increase in FVC after bronchodilator inhalation. There was a highly significant positive correlation in FEV1 and FVC value before and after bronchodilator inhalation, and there was a highly significant direct correlation between ΔFEV1 and ΔFVC. There was a statistically significant relation between age and COPD Assessment Test score and ΔFVC.

Conclusion

ΔFEV1 underestimates the true effect of bronchodilator as airway obstruction increases. The addition of ΔFVC to the evaluation will help physicians to better interpret airways reversibility tests, particularly in more severe patients, without adding spirometric maneuvers or measurements. Patients with COPD, even if nonresponders in terms of FEV1, may benefit from bronchodilators because they can breathe at a lower lung volume owing to reduced air-trapping, notwithstanding the fact that they are still flow limited. ΔFVC correlates better than ΔFEV1with the degree of airway obstruction and the clinical status of the patients.
Modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in patients with Behçet’s disease: a multicenter experience
Authors: El-Shebiny Emad , El-Fakharany Amira , Zahran Enas , Shoeib Sabry , Salem Mohamed , Elnaggar Mohammed , Morad Nibal
Published: September 2023

Background

Vascular involvement in Behçet’s disease (BD) is one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity. Modifiable cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, overweight, and smoking have been demonstrated to have a significant impact on cardiovascular disease in the general population with or without other diseases.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors differ among patients with BD in comparison with the general population.

Patients and methods

This was a multicenter case–control study carried out on 182 BD patients identified by analysis of the databases of the International Study Group Classification Criteria. The patients were compared with 80 controls matched for age, sex, and study period. Full clinical history taking and medical examination were carried out for all patients, and investigations including lipid profile and blood glucose were carried out and data on hypertension, height, weight, and smoking were collected and recorded.

Results

Levels of serum low-density lipoprotein (P<0. 005) and cholesterol (P<0.005) were significantly high in the Behçet patient group, but no statistical difference was detected as regards triglycerides, diabetes mellitus, or BMI. Smoking and hypertension increase the risk of cardiovascular manifestations in our patients. The mean±SD age of BD patients was 31.6±9.008, 76.9% were male individuals and 23.1% were female individuals.

Conclusion

Patients with BD had a high prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities. Optimal control of blood pressure, lipids and blood sugar with reduction in body weight and stoppage of smoking may be an effective strategy to reduce vascular complications in these populations.
Prevalence, risks, and comorbidity of thyroid dysfunction: a cross-sectional epidemiological study
Authors: Rashad Nearmeen M. , Samir Ghada M.
Published: September 2023

Background

Worldwide, the incidence of individuals with thyroid dysfunction is increasing and represents approximately 30–40% of the patients seen in an endocrine clinic. The undiagnosed thyroid dysfunction may adversely affect the metabolic control and add more risk to already predisposing cardiovascular risk factors. Thus, the objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence of undiagnosed thyroid dysfunction and its association with other comorbidities.

Patients and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 430 patients who attended the outpatient clinic of Diabetes and Endocrinology, the Internal Medicine Department, Zagazig University Hospitals. All patients underwent clinical and laboratory evaluations. A total of 304 patients had normal thyroid function (euthyroid) and 126 patients had thyroid dysfunction, who were stratified into one of the following groups based on the reference of the normal thyroid function test result: hyperthyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and subclinical hypothyroidism. Thyroid-stimulating hormone and free thyroxine were used as the screening tests to diagnose thyroid dysfunction.

Results

Our results show the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was 29.3%. Among thyroid dysfunction groups, the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was 44.4%, hypothyroidism was 20.6%, hyperthyroidism was 19.2%, and subclinical hyperthyroidism was 15.8%. The prevalence of overall thyroid dysfunction among studied patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus was 27.6%, whereas in type 1 diabetes mellitus, the prevalence of overall thyroid dysfunction was 38.7%. Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroidism had a high prevalence of hypertension compared with those with subclinical hyperthyroidism and clinical hyperthyroidism. Approximately 8% of studied pregnant female patients had subclinical hypothyroidism. Among the 15% of female patients in the postpartum period who had thyroid dysfunction, 10% had clinical hypothyroidism and 5% had clinical hyperthyroidism. Among postmenopausal women, 20% had thyroid dysfunction (12% had subclinical hypothyroidism and 8% had clinical hypothyroidism).

Conclusion

The most frequently undiagnosed thyroid dysfunction was subclinical hypothyroidism. Thyroid dysfunction was common in certain age groups: reproductive age and postmenopausal as well as in patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension; thus, screening for thyroid disease among those groups of patients should be routinely performed.
Value of serum fibronectin for assessment of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C virus patients
Authors: Ghafar Ahmed A. , Ghoneem Elsayed , Agwa Ramy H. , Akef Ahmed , Hasan Ahmad S. H. , Abdallah Nahed
Published: September 2023

Background

The stage of liver fibrosis is the most important predictive factor for initiation and duration of antiviral treatment, where patients with early fibrosis stages respond to treatment better with a higher sustained virologic response rate. Several noninvasive tests to stage the degree of fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have been used. No single test is known to have high accuracy and the results of each test must be carefully interpreted. The objective of the study is to evaluate the value of serum fibronectin (FN) as a noninvasive predictor for the assessment of HCV-induced liver fibrosis.

Patients and methods

A total of 100 patients with chronic HCV infection proved by HCV antibodies and HCV RNA preparing for antiviral treatment were exposed to full history, physical examination, and laboratory assessment. Serum FN level and fibroscan were done for all patients. According to the results of fibroscan, the patients were divided into four groups of liver fibrosis and compared.

Results

All patients were proved to have HCV viremia with average PCR of 1990.52 ±3144.29 copies/ml. A statistically significant difference was found as regards FN, fibroscan, and APRI score between patients with fibrosis in comparison to patients without fibrosis. According to fibroscan results, 20 patients were found with fibrosis stage 0, 24 patients with stage 1, 24 patients with stage 2, eight patients with stage 3, and 24 patients with stage 4 (cirrhosis). On comparison of different stages of fibrosis as regards FN level, we found no statistically significant difference between stages. FN have a sensitivity of 67.5% and a specificity of 47.4% with 84.4% positive predictive value.

Conclusion

FN is a good noninvasive marker for the assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic HCV. Larger scale multicenter studies are needed to assess its validity in the detection of fibrosis caused by causes other than HCV.
Hearing loss-related knowledge and attitude toward neonatal hearing screening among Egyptian parents
Authors: Elbeltagy Reem , Bakry Huny M. , Waly Eman H.
Published: September 2023

Background

Hearing loss is considered one of the most prevalent global health concerns. In Egypt, the accurate estimation of hearing loss among children is difficult to be determined owing to the absence of a national hearing screening program until now. The parents play an important role in the process of hearing screening and intervention. Their knowledge and attitude certainly influence their decisions. Their decisions toward early identification and intervention of hearing loss may have lifelong effects on the infant’s life.

Aim

To assess the knowledge and attitude of Egyptian parents toward risk factors of infant hearing loss and its neonatal screening and treatment.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 Egyptian parents through convenience sampling technique using an online questionnaire over a period of 3 months (from August 2018 to November 2018).

Results

Overall, 51.6% of the parents who participated in the study had a good knowledge about hearing loss, and 99.5% had a good attitude toward neonatal hearing screening. There was no significant association between knowledge, attitude, and sociodemographic characteristics except between the attitude toward child wearing of hearing aid and age of the parents.

Conclusion and recommendation

In spite of good positive attitude toward neonatal hearing screening and infant wearing of hearing aids among the studied parents only half of them showed a good level of knowledge about hearing loss. Accordingly, the application of a national newborn hearing screening program is highly recommended.
Assessment of the role of otoendoscopy in evaluating Eustachian tube and middle ear status during myringoplasty
Authors: Behiery Essam A. , Abdel-Shafy Ibrahim A. , Hussien Hosam A. , Hassan Mahmoud F.
Published: September 2023

Objective

To assess the role of otoendoscopy in evaluating Eustachian tube and middle ear status during myringoplasty.

Background

Eustachian tube function has been the center of focus as a prognostic factor for middle ear surgery success because of its primary role in the middle ear aeration and in the pathogenesis of otitis media. Otoendoscopic evaluation of Eustachian tube allows visualization of the protympanic segment of the Eustachian tube and hidden recesses of the middle ear.

Patients and methods

In this prospective study, patients with a persistent dry central tympanic membrane perforation were operated at Otorhinolaryngology Department of Menoufia University Hospital in the period from March 2017 to February 2019. All patients were divided into two groups: group A included 50 cases that underwent otoendoscopic-assisted microscopic myringoplasty, and group B had 50 cases that underwent microscopic myringoplasty.

Results

This study included 100 patients, with a mean age of 30.2 years. Overall, 42% of the patients were male and 58% of the patients were female. Otoendoscopic examination of middle ear in group A showed 20% of cases with adhesions and secretions at tympanic orifice of the Eustachian tube opening plus 8% of cases with congested mucosa at middle ear apparatus. The success of graft uptake was 94% in group A and 84% in group B.

Conclusion

The result of this study supports the use of otoendoscopy in traditional microscopic myringoplasty. Endoscopy could be utilized efficiently to improve the visibility of the Eustachian tube opening and middle ear apparatus and then dealing with any pathology affecting them.
To Study the Efficacy and Safety of Diosmin with Tranexamic Acid and Mefenamic Acid Versus only Tranexamic Acid and Mefenamic Acid in Medical Management of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Sharma J. B. , Kumari Rajesh , Kumari Supriya , Jain Shubhangi , Dharmendra Sona
Published: September 2023

Background:

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a common problem in reproductive age group and perimenopausal age group being responsible for many outpatient visits. Traditional management of AUB consists of giving mefenamic acid, tranexamic acid, or their combination with progestogens or hormonal intrauterine deviced levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for severe or nonresponsive cases. The objective of the current study was to study the efficacy and safety of adding diosmin along with tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid in reducing menstrual blood loss in AUB patients.

Materials and Methods:

It was a prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial in which 900 mg of diosmin was given once daily along with 500 mg tranexamic acid and 250 mg mefenamic acid during menstruation (Group I-92 patients), or only tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid during menstruation (Group II-92 patients).

Results:

Mean age, parity, body mass index, and socioeconomic status were similar in the two groups. It was 35.68 years versus 36.78 years, 2.2 versus 2.3, 23.68 kg/m2 versus 24.62 kg/m2 respectively. Mean days of bleeding before this treatment were 6.8 versus 6.6 (P = 0.33) and were 3.5 versus 5.2 (P = 0.02) after treatment. There was a significant reduction in both groups as compared to before treatment (P = 0.021 in Group I, 0.027 in Group II) but the reduction was greater in Group I (P = 0.02). The amount of blood loss was 385 ml versus 390 ml (P = 0.7) before treatment which was significantly reduced in both groups to 68 ml versus 112 ml (P = 0.02 in Group I, 0.03 in Group II) with more decrease in Group I than in Group II (P = 0.01). Mean hemoglobin at beginning of the study was 8.4 versus 8.5 g/dl in Group I and Group II (P = 0.02) and significantly increased in both groups posttreatment to 10.9 and 9.8 g/dl in Group I and Group II (P = 0.012 in Group I, 0.011 in Group II) with increase being more in Group I than Group II (P = 0.03). Pictorial blood assessment chart score was 398 versus 406 (P = 0.35) before treatment and decreased significantly to 86.5 and 110.5 (P = 0.001 in Group I, 0.001 in Group II) with more decrease being in Group I than II (P = 0.01). There was significant decrease in dysmenorrhea with both treatments with no difference in the two groups. Various adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and headache were equal in the two groups.

Conclusion:

Both the group’s diosmin with tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid (Group I) and tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid (Group II) were efficacious in reducing menstrual blood loss, number of menstrual days and dysmenorrhea with effect being more by addition of diosmin. Adverse effects were equal in both the two groups.
Impact of Menopausal Duration on Salivary Flow Rate, Tooth Loss, and Oral Health-related Quality of Life in Indian Communities
Authors: Krupa N. C. , Thippeswamy H. M. , Chandrashekar Byalakere Rudraiah , Thetakala Ravi Kumar
Published: September 2023

Background:

Diminishing hormonal levels after menopause evoke physiological changes in a woman’s body. Their effects on the oral cavity are noteworthy, considering symptoms of dry mouth, altered taste perceptions, and tooth loss that may be attributed to reduced salivary flow and alveolar density changes.

Aim:

The purpose of this study was to assess changes in salivary flow rate, tooth loss, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) as menopausal duration increased.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 327 women fulfilling the eligibility criteria were chosen from two villages in the Mysuru district, Karnataka. They were categorized into three groups based on menopausal durations. Salivary flow rates, number of teeth lost, and OHRQoL after menopause were assessed and compared at different menopausal durations. Sociodemographic characteristics and oral hygiene practices were recorded to identify potential confounders.

Results:

Multivariate analysis demonstrated a significant association between menopausal duration and salivary flow rates (adjusted odds ratio = 2.269). However, no such associations were observed with tooth loss and OHRQoL.

Conclusion:

Menopausal duration significantly affects salivary flow rate. Its influence on tooth loss and OHRQoL is, however, less evident. Although strong associations cannot be established, the inevitability of the menopausal state advocates consideration of other major yet modifiable factors to improve oral health.
Expression of Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 and Mismatch Repair Status in Endometrial Carcinomas
Authors: Rajendran Madhubala , Rao Meenakshi , Elhence Poonam Abhay , Bharti Jyotsna Naresh , Singh Pratibha , Yadav Garima , Nalwa Aasma , Goyal Akhil Dhanesh
Published: September 2023

Background and Aims:

Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) is a co-regulatory molecule that suppresses local immunity, and mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency (dMMR) is reported to influence the response to anti-PD-L1-targeted therapy. This study was conducted to find the PD-L1 status, the occurrence of dMMR in endometrial carcinomas, and the association between them.

Materials and Methods:

The study included 35 resected specimens of endometrial carcinomas represented on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections from January 2016 to July 2020. The clinicopathologic information including patient age, tumor histologic type, grade, stage, lymphovascular invasion, the extent of myometrial invasion, and the percentage of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were obtained in all cases. The expression of PD-L1 and MMR antibodies including mutS homolog 2 (MSH-2), MSH-6, mutL homolog 1 (MLH-1) and MLH-3, and postmeiotic segregation 2 were assessed using immunohistochemistry. The statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.

Results:

PD-L1 expression was noted in 48.6% of the cases in tumor cells and 65.7% of the cases in TILs and MMR was deficient in 28.6% of endometrial carcinomas. A statistically significant relation was noted between dMMR and TILs, PD-L1 expression in tumor cells and TILs, PD-L1 expression in tumor cells, and extent of myometrial invasion. Although there was no statistically significant association between MMR status and PD-L1 expression in tumor cells or TILs, 60% of patients with dMMR were PD-L1 positive.

Conclusion:

Sixty percent of dMMR cases showed PD-L1 expression in tumor cells. We conclude, ECs that are MMR deficient might get better response to anti-PD-L1 therapy. This study also revealed the prognostic use of TILs in PD-L1-expressed tumors.
Quality of Life in Elderly University professors who attend a health establishment in Peru
Authors: Gallegos-Espinoza Djamila , Piñas-Rivera Livia , Asencios-Trujillo Lida , Asencios-Trujillo Lucía , LaRosa-Longobardi Carlos , Matta-Solis Hernan
Published: September 2023

Introduction: The quality of life in the elderly is fundamental in which it allows good physical and mental health, with the purpose that it can develop its activities and that it can relate socially.Aim: to determine the quality of life in the elderly university professors who attend a health establishment in Lima.Methods: a quantitative, descriptive-transversal study, with a total population of 153 older adults, who answered a questionnaire on sociodemographic data and the WHOQOL-OLD quality of life questionnaire.Results: we can see in terms of quality of life that 11.1% of the participants had a poor quality of life, 77.1% moderately good quality of life and 11.8% good quality of life. With respect to the sensory capacity dimension, 13.7% of the participants have a good quality of life, 73.2% moderately good quality of life and 13.1% poor quality of life. With respect to the autonomy dimension that, 15.7% of the participants have a good quality of life, 64.1% moderately good quality of life and 20.3% poor quality of life.Conclusions: It is concluded that strategies or campaigns should be implemented that allow comprehensive care in the elderly in a preventive and promotional way for their health. It is concluded that older adults should be followed up to observe any condition that may decrease their quality of life. It is concluded that educational talks should be held for older adults on how to have a stable quality of life.
Nursing Care through ICTs in Hypertensive Teachers with Cardiovascular Risk in a Primary Care Centers
Authors: Gallegos-Espinoza Djamila , Piñas-Rivera Livia , Asencios-Trujillo Lucía , LaRosa-Longobardi Carlos , Asencios-Trujillo Lida , Perez-Siguas Rosa
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels and are the leading cause of death worldwide. In turn, they seem to affect men and women differentially, being the most frequent cause of death in the latter worldwide, even in developing countries. Aim: to determine Nursing care using ICTs in hypertensive teachers with cardiovascular risk in a primary care center in North Lima.  primary school in North Lima. Methods: a quantitative, descriptive-cross-sectional study, with a population of 265 participants who answered a questionnaire of sociodemographic aspects and the cardiovascular risk calculator. Results: we could observe that 4.2% have very high cardiovascular risk, 10.9% high cardiovascular risk, 37.4% moderate cardiovascular risk and 47.5% very low cardiovascular risk. Conclusions: the  person with high blood pressure should be educated about the risks that the disease can generate, and how to minimize the risks that may affect their health well-being.
Teachers' Lifestyle who use ICTs in Basic Education during COVID-19: A case study
Authors: Asencios-Trujillo Lucía , Gallegos-Espinoza Djamila , Asencios-Trujillo Lida , Piñas-Rivera Livia , LaRosa-Longobardi Carlos
Published: September 2023

Introduction: lifestyle is an indicator that refers to a set of behaviors and behaviors known as habits that people adopt, and these can be good or bad and this will depend on the life condition of the individual. Aim: to determine the lifestyle of teachers who use ICTs in basic education during COVID-19 in North Lima. Methods: a quantitative, descriptive-cross-sectional study, consisting of a total of 160 patients attending a health facility, who answered a questionnaire of sociodemographic data and the fantastic questionnaire. Results: 5% of the participants have a lifestyle is in danger, 8.1% have a bad lifestyle, 52.5% have a regular lifestyle, 16.3% good lifestyle and 18.1% excellent lifestyle. With respect to the dimension family and friends that, 88.1% have an excellent lifestyle and 11.9% regular lifestyle. With respect to the physical activity dimension, 86.9% have an excellent lifestyle, 2.5% a good lifestyle and 10.6% a bad lifestyle. Conclusions: It is concluded that educational counseling should be implemented on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and how to prevent risk behaviors that harm health. It is concluded that health should be promoted, since it allows educating people to put into practice how to improve their lifestyle and how to have a healthy diet.
Web information system and management of the graduate follow-up standard in a Public Institute of Higher Technological Education, Peru
Authors: Macedo-Figueroa Julio , Antunez-Carrillo Dennis , Diaz-Vega Enrique , Marín-Rodriguez William , Vasquez-Trejo Cesar , Barrenechea-Alvarado Julio
Published: September 2023

The objective of the research was to establish the relationship between the web information system and the follow-up standards for graduates in a Public Higher Technological Education Institution, Peru, during 2022. Materials and Methods: It corresponds to a non-experimental design of descriptive correlational design.  Results: It was shown that 67.4% of the graduates of this institution obtained a medium level in the use of the Web Information System, 19.6% acquired a higher level and 13.0% showed a minimum level, 50.0% of the graduates had a medium level, with respect to the graduate follow-up standard variable, 26.1% acquired a minimum level and 23.9% showed a high level. Conclusions There is a significant and positive relationship, obtaining a Spearman's Rho coefficient of 0.873, between the web information system and the graduate monitoring standards of the Public Higher Technological Education Institution, Peru.
Power Outage Fault Judgment Method Based on Power Outage Big Data
Authors: Zhang Xinyang
Published: September 2023

INTRODUCTION: With the deepening of the application of big data technology, the power sector attaches great importance to power outage judgment. However, many factors affect the judgment result of power outage, and the analysis process is very complicated, which can not achieve the corresponding accuracy.
OBJECTIVES: Aiming at the problem that it is impossible to accurately judge the result in judging power failure, a deep mining model of big data is proposed.
METHODS: Firstly, the research data set is established using power outage big data technology to ensure the results meet the requirements. Then, the power failure judgment data are classified using big data theory, and different judgment methods are selected. Using big data theory, the accuracy of power failure judgment is verified.
RESULTS: The deep mining model of big data can improve the accuracy of power failure judgment and shorten the judgment time of power failure under big data, and the overall result is better than the statistical method of power failure.
CONCLUSION: The deep mining model based on power outage big data proposed can accurately judge the power outage fault and shorten the analysis time.
Automatic Fault Diagnosis Technology of Roller Bearings of High-speed Rail Based on IFD and AE
Authors: Meng Na , Li Sha , Li Meizhu , Wei Jiang , Wang Sheng
Published: September 2023

INTRODUCTION: With the development of technology and policy support, high-speed rail's temporal and spatial layout is gradually expanding, and it becomes essential to ensure high-safety operation.
OBJECTIVES: The real-time correlation fault diagnosis technology of critical components of electromechanical systems of high-speed trains is analyzed, and a new method of automatic fault diagnosis based on genetic support vector machine is proposed.
METHODS: In this study, the Author combines two techniques, IFD and AE, and introduces an adaptive weighting algorithm to fuse the data of the two and experimentally verify their accuracy.
RESULTS: The experimental results show that in the IFD experiment, the 2-point frequency at 1050 speed is 347.6 Hz, and the 3-point frequency is 498.4 Hz, both of which are very close to the 2 and 3 times frequencies of the 1-point frequency, and the multiplicative relationship is much more straightforward.
CONCLUSION: Combining IFD and AE can realize automatic and accurate diagnosis of bearing state and pre-diagnosis of bearings by adaptive weighted fusion algorithm, which is effective in the practical mechanical diagnosis of rolling bearing faults in high-speed railroads.