bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence of saphenous nerve injury after total stripping of greater saphenous vein: Its severity and effect on life
Authors: Cheagar S. , Fernando K. J. A.
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Total stripping of great saphenous vein is common practice since it reduces the need for reoperation. However, the incidence of saphenous nerve damage is higher in total stripping than in the conventional stripping.
Methods: Fifty-seven patients who underwent total stripping of great saphenous vein were studied to find out the incidence of saphenous nerve damage, its severity and effect on day-to-day activities. Data was collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire and a detailed neurological examination of the leg. The questionnaire included questions on symptoms of saphenous nerve damage, its severity and its impact on their day-to-day life and Aberdeen Venous Severity Score (AVSS) to assess outcome of surgery for varicosities.
Results: The age of patients ranged from 17 to 79 years with mean age of 44.7 (SD 15.80) years. Men comprised 56.1% of the sample. Fifteen out of 57 legs (26.3%) had evidence of saphenous nerve damage either by symptoms or by sensory deficit or by both. Patients with saphenous nerve damage were not significantly different in terms of age, gender, pre-operative Clinical Aetiological Anatomical and Pathophysiology (CEAP) class, post-operative CEAP class, post-operative AVSS, follow up interval or presence of recurrent varicosities when compared with those who didn’t have saphenous nerve damage. Among those who had evidence of saphenous nerve damage, only one had persistent symptoms with minimal discomfort in day-to-day activities. Thirteen (22.4%) patients had recurrent varicosities generally presenting as isolated clusters and none of them necessitated to have reoperation with median follow up of 12 months. The acceptance of the operation among patients seems to be encouraging.
Conclusions: According to the findings of this study, total stripping of great saphenous vein can be safely undertaken by general surgeons with acceptable risk of saphenous nerve damage. Most of saphenous nerve damages are subclinical and transient and have negligible effect on day-to-day activities.
Dietary behavior and its influencing factors among experienced shiftwork nurses: a secondary analysis
Authors: Kim Soyeon , Ki Jison , Choi Ji Yun , Choi Woan Heui , Choi-Kwon Smi
Published: March 2023

Purpose: This study investigated the dietary behavior of experienced shiftwork nurses and aimed to identify factors related to dietary behavior. Methods: This study was a secondary analysis based on the Shift Work Nurses’ Health and Turnover study among Korean nurses. In total, 247 experienced shiftwork nurses were included in this study. The participants’ dietary behavior, depression, level of occupational stress, fatigue, physical activity, and general characteristics were measured. Using SPSS ver. 28.0, data were analyzed to obtain descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficients. The independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and multiple regression analysis were also conducted. Results: The dietary behavior score of the participants using the Mini-Dietary Assessment Index was 29.35±5.67. Thirty percent of the participants were depressed, the participants experienced moderate occupational stress, and 74.1% of the participants engaged in an inadequate amount of physical activity. The factors influencing shiftwork nurses’ dietary behavior were having child(ren) (β=.16, p=.027), depression (β=–.13, p=.032), level of occupational stress related to occupational climate (β=–.13, p=.035), and an inadequate amount of physical activity (β=–.17, p=.006). These factors explained 10.4% of the variance in experienced shiftwork nurses’ dietary behavior scores. Conclusion: Experienced nurses with child(ren) tended to have healthier diets. However, a higher level of occupational stress related to occupational climate, depression, and engaging in an inadequate amount of physical activity were associated with a higher risk of having an unhealthy diet. Therefore, strategies are needed to encourage physical activity and alleviate adverse occupational climate and depression among experienced nurses.
A long-term (1986-2010) phytoplankton dataset from the LTER-Italy site Lake Candia
Authors: Oggioni Alessandro , Ruggiu Delio , Morabito Giuseppe , Pugnetti Alessandra , Sparber Karin , Cozza Radiana , Panzani Pierisa , Ruffoni Teresa , Austoni Martina
Published: March 2023

In this paper we describe a 25-year (1986-2010) dataset of phytoplankton cell density abundance and biovolume in Lake Candia, a eutrophic, natural, small, and shallow lake located in north-western Italy, with data that are made available through the GBIF repository. The lake belongs to the national (LTER-Italy), European (LTER-Europe) and International (ILTER) long-term ecological research (LTER) networks. Phytoplankton samples were collected approximately monthly at the maximum depth station of the lake (7.7 m) and analysed with the inverted microscope, estimating both the cell density abundance and biovolume of each taxon. The dataset includes 10,120 georeferenced occurrences related to 545 taxa. During this 25-year period, the lake underwent profound modifications mainly related to the lake biomanipulation activities addressed to the management of aquatic macrophyte and to the evolution of the trophic condition. Making this dataset available represents a contribution to the current activities of the LTER networks for defining and reconstructing spatial and temporal dynamics and to identify and compare reliable trends.
The Black Industrialist Programme’s prospects to the advancement of developmental state in South Africa
Authors: Vilakazi Mlondi , Moore Candice
Published: March 2023

Background: South Africa has made considerable progress in terms of economic development since the dawn of democracy in 1994. However, the pace and distribution of that progress have not been equitably reflected across all demographics, especially between black and white people. With a decline of manufacturing, the ‘developmental state’ has featured as a strong theme to try and reignite industrialisation in the country. Under this framework, one of the policies driven by the South African government is the Black Industrialist Programme, which aims to increase the manufacturing output while empowering black people.Aim: To investigate the appropriateness of the Black Industrialist Programme as a policy to advance the developmental state framework in South Africa.Setting: Experience in East Asia regarding developmental states led countries like South Africa to believe that they can also implement such policies to enable the country to industrialise.Methods: The study employed qualitative research methods using open-ended interviews for primary data and documents collected from various sources for secondary data. The study’s qualitative description of the findings derives from the themes that emerged from the research and which employed open-ended questions and research techniques in line with such research techniques.Results: Findings show that the Black Industrialist Programme policy will have an impact, as its funding model is a significant shift from past practices by assisting aspiring industrialists through grants and preferential procurement measures. However, the study argues that the shift from focusing on general industrialisation to narrowing it to black industrialisation brings with it new constraints in advancing a developmental state.Conclusions: The research concludes that the programme will contribute to the developmental state concept’s progress but will be limited in praxis because the state does not possess a holistic overarching economic developmental plan.Contribution: The study contributes to the analytical discourse of developmental states by offering context-specific analysis of industrialisation paths for societies addressing racial and economic inequality.
Isupo: Assessing the relevance of Deuteronomy 25:5–10 in the Nigerian Christian context, with particular reference to the Yoruba
Authors: Ademiluka Solomon O.
Published: March 2023

The description of levirate marriage in Deuteronomy 25:5–10 has reminiscences with the same practice in Africa, especially isupo (levirate marriage) among the Yoruba of south-west Nigeria. The article seeks the relevance of this text in Nigeria in the possibility of levirate marriage still being of some socio-economic value to Christian widows and the society at large. It employs the historical-critical and descriptive methods. The work finds that in both the Hebrew and African cultures, levirate marriage served the purpose of raising children for the deceased, who would perpetuate his lineage and inherit his property. But in Africa the institution was most significant in providing economic and social protection for widows and their children. Unfortunately, levirate marriage is fast disappearing in Nigeria because of Western influence, particularly Christianity. The effect of this for many widows is abject poverty, by virtue of which some of them resort to illegitimate and dishonouring means to make ends meet. The work, therefore, concludes that resuscitating levirate marriage would be of immense socio-economic value to Nigerian widows and the society.Contribution: The article is a contribution to Old Testament theology and Christian ethics. It proposes that levirate marriage can still be employed as a means of socio-economic protection for Nigerian Christian widows.
Responsible leadership through purpose-driven brand building: Guidelines for leaders in Africa
Authors: Enslin Carla , Wolfswinkel Michelle , Terblanche-Smit Marlize
Published: March 2023

Purpose: This article explores the symbiosis between the fields of responsible leadership and purpose-driven brand building to offer a new, integrated perspective along with strategic guidelines for implementation by leaders in Africa.Design/methodology/approach: This conceptual paper is based on a critical review of literature that follows a three-phased approach, with 87 literature sources included across 4 literature domains. Thematic content analysis of data delivers five themes revealing the symbiotic nature of responsible leadership through purpose-driven brand building.Findings: Findings are captured in a conceptual model, which suggests that responsible leadership should be embedded in brand purpose which serves to benefit brand stakeholders and society. Responsible leaders align all decisions and actions to build and enhance cohesive brands - creating ecosystems that cogently work together toward a shared goal. Through purpose-driven brand building, responsible leaders could bolster socio-economic development in Africa, garner trust and attract investment.Practical implications and value: The central value of this article lies in the integration of the previously separate domains of responsible leadership and purpose-driven brand building as well as the directions provided for further research. The new perspective is practically operationalised with strategic guidelines for responsible leadership on the African continent by serving brand purpose to the benefit of all stakeholders.
Factors influencing foundation phase rural teachers’ understanding and practices in selecting inclusive teaching strategies
Authors: Mabasa-Manganyi Rachel B.
Published: March 2023

Background: It is arguable that teachers’ understanding of the roles of various stakeholders and their need to sometimes assume some of these roles influenced how they practice inclusive education that results in influencing the choice of strategies that they will employ in the classroom.Aim: This article presents factors influencing how foundation phase rural teachers practised inclusion during teaching and learning in ordinary classrooms.Setting: The study was conducted in Limpopo, South Africa, from four selected schools.Methods: Four foundation phase teachers were purposefully selected to participate in the study. Direct observations and supplementary data through individual interviews were employed to elicit data from in-service foundation phase rural teachers.Results: The findings from the data revealed that teachers’ current understanding of inclusive pedagogy is influenced by knowledge of inclusive pedagogical practices, professional development, reflective teaching and planning of lessons contents, which was found to be inadequate, whilst the absence of teacher development through workshops and lack of parental involvement and teachers being in loco-parentis is found to be another contributing factor.Conclusion: The study supports that foundation phase rural teachers should be capacitated and empowered through consistent teacher development workshops. Parents also need to be empowered on their support role in order to fully realise inclusive pedagogy in rural classrooms. Finally, the study recommends further research on teacher development and teachers being in loco-parentis in rural foundation phase classrooms.
Blurry boundaries between Ṅwali and Jehovah in some Tshivenḓa modern poems
Authors: Sebola Moffat
Published: March 2023

Contrary to some Vhavenḓa poets who recognise Ṅwali and/or Raluvhimba as Jehovah, this article argues that Ṅwali and Jehovah are two distinct deities. It further asserts that there is no kinship or continuity between these deities. Although there are possibilities of there being some similarities of attributes between these deities, their conceptual distinctions highlight significant incongruities between them. Ṅwali in Tshivenḓa traditional religion (TTR) is identified as the Semitic Ṅwali, which is arguably evidence that there has been a ‘Hellenisation’ of TTR and the Vhavenḓa’s concept of God. Consequently, the Vhavenḓa have been left with essentially two distinct deities to consider – a fact that has contributed and still contributes immensely to the ambivalence of the modern-day Vhavenḓa’s spiritual lifestyle. This article might add to the ongoing discourse on the decolonisation of African traditional religions and their attendant theology.
Socioeconomic and Clinical Determinants of Coronary Artery Disease in Symptom-Free Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients
Authors: Onwukwe Chikezie Hart , Chikezie Nkiru Ifeoma , Okorie Kalu Kalu , Umeh Eric Okechukwu , Odenigbo Chukwunonso Celestine , Osuji Charles Ukachukwu , Ohwovoriole Augustine Efedaye
Published: March 2023

Background:

There are global reports of rising cardiovascular burden in persons living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. The presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) increases mortality risk in T2DM patients. There are currently no data on the determinants of CAD in Nigerian T2DM patients.

Objective:

The objective was to determine the determinants of CAD in persons with T2DM.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study involving T2DM patients with and without CAD attending the diabetes clinic of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria. The diagnosis of CAD was made based on personal information obtained using the Rose angina questionnaire and resting electrocardiogram findings. Medical history and other clinical evaluations were done to identify the socioeconomic and clinical variables in the study participants. Data obtained were analyzed using appropriate statistical software.

Results:

The study involved 400 asymptomatic T2DM patients with a median age of 60 years and a female-to-male ratio of 1.3:1. Sixty-four (16%) participants had CAD. The male: female ratio in CAD and non-CAD groups was 1.8:1 and 0.7:1 (χ2 = 1.7, P = 0.22). Formal education (χ2 = 4.1, P = 0.02), upper socioeconomic class (χ2 = 5.1, P = 0.02), hypertension (χ2 = 2.2, P = 0.03), dyslipidemia (χ2 = 4.7, P = 0.02), cerebrovascular disease (χ2 = 5.2, P = 0.01), smoking (χ2 = 9.1, P = 0.01), waist circumference (Mann–Whitney U = 358, P = 0.02), carotid intima-media thickness (Mann–Whitney U = 300, P = 0.01), and ankle brachial pressure index (Mann–Whitney U = 315, P = 0.01) were significantly associated with CAD in the study participants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that formal education had the least odds of predicting CAD (odd ratio [OR] =2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.6–6.2; P = 0.02), while low-density lipoprotein cholesterol had the highest odds of predicting CAD (OR = 5.2, 95% CI = 2.1–9.5, P = 0.01) among the study participants.

Conclusions:

Early screening for comorbidities and lipid abnormalities in T2DM patients is required, especially in those with formal education and within the high socioeconomic class.
Incidence, clinical, and imaging presentation of orbital metastasis over 20 years in a tertiary eye care center in Egypt
Authors: Eldesouky Mohamed A. , Elbedewy Hazem A.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study was to review the demographic, clinical, and imaging features of Egyptian patients with orbital metastases.

Patients and methods

This is a retrospective study of 66 patients with orbital metastatic lesions over the last 20 years (January 2000–December 2019). The ophthalmological reports and radiological images of the included patients were reviewed.

Results

The study included 66 patients: 34 males and 32 females. The primary tumors were breast carcinoma in 25.8% of the patients, hepatocellular carcinoma in 15.2%, and cutaneous malignant melanoma in 7.6% of the patients. The most common primary tumor in children was neuroblastoma (58.3%). In 22 (33.3%) patients, there was no history of cancer, and the orbital metastatic lesion was the first presentation. Diplopia and limited ocular movements were the presenting feature in 38 (57.6%) patients, proptosis and/or globe displacement in 32 (48.5%) patients, blurred vision in 12 (18.2%) patients, pain in nine (13.6%) patients, enophthalmos in six (9.1%) cases, ptosis in five (7.6%) cases, and inflammatory manifestations in four (6.1%) patients. In 60 (91%) patients, the lesion was unilateral and only six (9%) cases had bilateral lesions. Orbital imaging showed infiltrative lesion in 36.4%, mass lesion in 33.3%, isolated muscle thickening in 10.6%, and bone changes in 39.4% of the patients. The observed incidence of orbital metastasis increased from 13.6% during 2000–2004 to 43.9% in 2015–2019.

Conclusion

The incidence of orbital metastatic lesions increased dramatically through the last two decades. Moreover, this may be underestimated due to undiagnosed small silent lesions. Breast carcinoma ranked as the first primary tumor followed by hepatocellular carcinoma, probably owing to the high prevalence of hepatitis C virus among the Egyptian population.
Violence against psychiatric trainees from Asian countries: A pilot online survey
Authors: Parmar Arpit , Gnanavel Sundar , Gürcan Ahmet , Rai Yugesh , Karki Utkarsh , Pinto da Costa Mariana , Szczegielniak Anna , Pereira-Sanchez Victor
Published: March 2023

Background:

Violence against psychiatry trainees is an important issue to the medical profession. However, this matter has been under researched, especially in Asian countries.

Aim:

We aimed to explore the rates and factors associated with violence against psychiatric trainees in Asian countries.

Methods:

An online, 15 item cross sectional pilot survey was designed and disseminated among psychiatric trainees in Asia through the World Network of Psychiatric Trainees, national and local networks of trainees, and social media. The questionnaire sought to enquire about the experience of physical, verbal, and sexual assaults and its impact. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) V20.0.

Results:

A total of 467 responses were obtained from psychiatric trainees in 16 countries in Asia. More than two thirds of participants (n = 325, 69.59%) reported a history of assault. Psychiatry inpatient units were the most common setting (n = 239, 73.54%). A relatively lower proportion of participants from the East Asian countries reported an assault, compared to other countries (χ2 = 13.41, P = 0.001). Sexual assault was more common among women compared to men (χ2 = 0.94, P = 0.002).

Conclusion:

Violence against psychiatric trainees seems common across Asian countries. Our findings call for further systematic investigation of the phenomenon and suggest the need to develop programs to protect psychiatric trainees against the threat of violence and its subsequent psychological complications.
The emotional facial recognition performance of Chinese patients with schizophrenia: An event-related potentials study
Authors: Zhang Yangjun , Zhao Ding , Wu Jianfan , Lin Lixin , Ji Jiawu
Published: March 2023

Background:

Patients with schizophrenia have deficits in identifying and recognizing emotional facial expressions.

Aim:

This study aimed to explore the event-related potential (ERP) responses of patients with schizophrenia (SZ) and healthy controls (HC) using the Chinese Facial Affective Picture System (CFAPS).

Methods:

This study included 30 SZs and 31 HCs. We asked them to complete the task based on the oddball paradigm, in which three emotional faces (happy, fearful, and neutral) were used as target stimuli. Additionally, the amplitude and latency of the N170 component and the P300 component were recorded synchronously.

Results:

Compared with HCs, SZs had significantly smaller amplitudes of N170 and P300 to all facial expressions. The pairwise comparison revealed that fearful faces could trigger a significantly larger P300 amplitude in HCs than neutral faces, while the such a difference was not found in SZs.

Conclusion:

These findings indicated that SZs had a noticeable deficiency in the structural coding of face recognition and available attentional resources.
High craving is associated with fewer abstinent days and lesser time to relapse during treatment in severe alcohol use disorder
Authors: Soundararajan Soundarya , Murthy Pratima
Published: March 2023

Background:

Craving, an integral aspect of addictive processes, underlies heavy alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Western studies point out that craving is associated with relapse risks in AUD treatment. The feasibility of assessing and following up with craving dynamicity is not studied in the Indian context.

Aim:

We aimed to capture craving and explore its association with relapse in an outpatient facility.

Methods:

Among 264 treatment-seeking male participants (mean [SD] age = 36 [6.7] years) with severe AUD, craving was assessed according to the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) at treatment initiation and two follow-up visits (median follow-up: 1, 2 weeks). Days to drink and percentage of days abstinent were acquired during the follow-ups (maximum follow-up days = 355). Those lost to follow-up were censored and considered as having relapsed.

Results:

High craving was associated with fewer days to drink when considered as a sole predictor (P = 0.030). With covariates including medication at treatment initiation, high craving was marginally associated with fewer days to drink (P = 0.057). Baseline craving was negatively associated with proximal percentage of days abstinent (P = 0.015) and cravings at follow-ups negatively correlated with cross-sectional abstinent days (FU1: P = 0.009, FU2: P = 0.019). Craving reduced significantly over time (P < 0.001), irrespective of the drinking status in follow-ups.

Conclusion:

Relapse is a real challenge in AUD. The utility of craving assessment in identifying relapse risk in an outpatient facility helps in identifying an at-risk population for future relapse. Thus better-targeted approaches in treating AUD can be developed.
On Auslander-Type Conditions of Modules
Authors: Huang Zhaoyong
Published: March 2023

For a left and right Noetherian ring

R

, we give some equivalent characterizations for

_RR

satisfying the Auslander condition in terms of the flat (resp. injective) dimensions of the terms in a minimal injective coresolution (resp. flat resolution) of left

R

-modules. Furthermore, we prove that for an artin algebra

R

satisfying the Auslander condition,

R

is Gorenstein if and only if the subcategory consisting of finitely generated modules satisfying the Auslander condition is contravariantly finite. As applications, we get some equivalent characterizations of Auslander–Gorenstein rings and Auslander-regular rings.
Affine Super Schur Duality
Authors: Flicker Yuval Z.
Published: March 2023

Schur duality is an equivalence, for

d\leq n

, between the category of finite-dimensional representations over

\mathbb{C}

of the symmetric group

S_d

on

d

letters, and the category of finite-dimensional representations over

\mathbb{C}

of

\operatorname{GL}(n,\mathbb{C})

whose irreducible subquotients are subquotients of

\smash{\overline{\mathbb{E}}^{\otimes d}}

,

\overline{\mathbb{E}}=\mathbb{C}^n

. The latter are called polynomial representations homogeneous of degree

d

. It is based on decomposing

\smash{\overline{\mathbb{E}}^{\otimes d}}

as a

\mathbb{C}[S_d]\times\operatorname{GL}(n,\mathbb{C})

-bimodule. It was used by Schur to conclude the semisimplicity of the category of finite-dimensional complex

\operatorname{GL}(n,\mathbb{C})

-modules from the corresponding result for

S_d

that had been obtained by Young. Here we extend this duality to the affine super case by constructing a functor

\mathcal{F}\colon M\mapsto M\otimes_{\mathbb{C}[S_d]}\mathbb{E}^{\otimes d}

,

\mathbb{E}

now being the super vector space

\mathbb{C}^{m|n}

,
from
the category of finite-dimensional

\mathbb{C}[S_d\ltimes\mathbb{Z}^d]

-modules, or representations of the affine Weyl, or symmetric, group

S_d^a=S_d\ltimes\mathbb{Z}^d

, \emph{to} the category of finite-dimensional representations of the universal enveloping algebra of the affine Lie superalgebra

\mathfrak{U}(\widehat{\operatorname{sl}}(m|n))

that are

\mathbb{E}^{\otimes d}

-compatible, namely the subquotients of whose restriction to

\mathfrak{U}(\operatorname{sl}](m|n))

are constituents of

\mathbb{E}^{\otimes d}

. Both categories are not semisimple. When

d<m+n

the functor defines an equivalence of categories. As an application we conclude that the irreducible finite-dimensional

\mathbb{E}^{\otimes d}

-compatible representations of the affine superalgebra

\widehat{\operatorname{sl}}(m|n)

are tensor products of evaluation representations at distinct points of

\mathbb{C}^\times

.
A robust collision prediction and detection method based on neural network for autonomous delivery robots
Authors: Seo Seonghun , Jung Hoon
Published: March 2023

For safe last‐mile autonomous robot delivery services in complex environments, rapid and accurate collision prediction and detection is vital. This study proposes a suitable neural network model that relies on multiple navigation sensors. A light detection and ranging technique is used to measure the relative distances to potential collision obstacles along the robot's path of motion, and an accelerometer is used to detect impacts. The proposed method tightly couples relative distance and acceleration time‐series data in a complementary fashion to minimize errors. A long short‐term memory, fully connected layer, and SoftMax function are integrated to train and classify the rapidly changing collision countermeasure state during robot motion. Simulation results show that the proposed method effectively performs collision prediction and detection for various obstacles.
A Vision of the Future of Automotive Electronics
Authors: Ward Daniel K. , Fields Harold L.
Published: March 2023

The Future of new electronic systems application in the automobile is extremely promising. New systems such as mobile multimedia, control-by-wire systems, advanced safety interiors, and collision avoidance coupled with smart sensors and actuators, in a potentially new integrated vehicle wiring system, means significantly more electronic content in the automobile of the future.

The challenge of the automotive electronics industry is to develop a vision of these future products, and then follow a defining process to develop the technologies necessary to offer timely, reliable, and cost effective products to the automotive consumer.

This paper presents a methodology by which global market trends, market considerations, and engineering developments are combined to create a product vision. This vision is used to generate technology roadmaps that spawn technology development projects. Technology projects in turn help to create product strategies that result in new marketable products.

Delphi Automotive System's vision of “Next Century Winners,” which are stimulating new product development and technology projects that enabled new product developments, are examined in this paper.
Propylene Glycol Coolant: A Safer Alternative for Heavy Duty Vehicles
Authors: Zadrozny A. J.
Published: March 2023

Propylene Glycol (PG) and ethylene glycol (EG) are similar in physical properties and therefore both are good base materials for coolant/antifreeze for heavy duty diesel engines.

Propylene glycol and ethylene glycol are different chemically and have much different toxicological profiles. These differences result in the two products having greatly different safety characteristics which affect product labelling, use, and disposal.

The differences in regulation for these two types of engine coolants as well as the comparisons of performance in heavy duty fleet on-highway service will be addressed. Results of bench-scale and fleet testing will be shown.
Design of a Liquid Metal Heat Pipe Space Experiment
Authors: Critchley Eric P. , Corrigan Mary E.
Published: March 2023

Although high temperature, liquid metal heat pipe radiators have become a standard component design for many high power space systems, no experimental data on the operation of these kinds of heat pipes in a micro-gravity environment exists. Issues such as which wick structures or fluids work best in these conditions are unknown. In addition, the freeze/thaw behavior of liquid metals in zero-g is not well understood. The purpose of the Liquid Metal Thermal Experiment, known as LMTE, is to fill this gap in our knowledge of liquid metal heat pipes by flying three potassium heat pipes on board the Space Shuttle in 1995.
Heavy metals distribution and mineralogy of saprolite Of southeastern soils developed nigeria on coastal plain sands in southeastern nigeria
Authors: R Ita E , E Esu I
Published: March 2023

The distribution of heavy metals as well as minerals in the fine sand and clay fractions in saprolite derived from coastal plain sands in Southeastern Nigeria were investigated. Heavy metal levels were generally low, when compared to existing permissible standard limits. Ranges for Iron, Manganese, Copper and Zinc were 400-1750 mgkg-1, 51.75-223.75mgkg-1, 12.01-92.75 mgkg-1 and 55-122.1mgkg-1 respectively. Chromium ranged from 1.15-2.53mgkg", Nickel and lead ranged from 0.02-0.08mgkg and0.02-0.25 mgkg-1 respectively. Mineralogical results from the XRD revealed the dominance of quartz, followed by kaolinite with occasional occurrence of illite and wiserite. Trace amounts of Al-Si-Oxide(0.8%) was also found in the fine sand fraction at 18.2-18.9m depth at Uyoafaha. Infrared spectroscopy of the clay fraction also revealed the presence of quartz, kaolinite and lite as well as gibbsite and halloysite.
Empirical modelling of geotechnical strength based on index properties: a case of patti formation, southern bida basin, nigeria
Authors: OBASAJU O , AYUBA R , O  JEREMIAH B , A DANGA O , O  IBRAHIM S
Published: March 2023

The strength properties of geo-materials are paramount to the stability or otherwise of civil engineering structures. However, the determination of some of these properties such as California Bearing Ratio (CBR) and Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) is costly and time-consuming. This necessitates the generation of models that can quickly predict the strength properties from cost-effective and less time-consuming index properties of the same geo-materials. In this study, an attempt has been made to predict the CBR and UCS values from Atterberg limit tests for sediments derived from Patti Formation, Southern Bida Basin, Nigeria. The tests were performed following appropriate codes of the British Standard Method for testing materials. Both linear and polynomial fitting models were employed for regression analysis between the index and strength parameters. The results showed that Liquid Limit (LL), Plastic Limit (PL), and Shrinkage Limit (SL) are strongly correlated with UCS and CBR, having R2 ranging from 0.8-0.91. The equations can be used to quickly predict UCS and CBR in areas with similar geology. Similar studies are recommended in other parts of the country to aid the regional evolution of models for rapid strength characterization of geo-materials.
Undergraduate Medical Education in the Post Covid Era
Authors:   Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplant, Shamim Shahid , Abbas Zaid Syed Jaffar i ,   Dow University of Health Sciences
Published: March 2023

The healthcare contingency due to COVID-19 compelled social distancing measures that drastically altered day-to-day education delivery. The education of healthcare professionals was affected the most as they specifically require students to work collaboratively and closely with the patients. However, within this turmoil, the pandemic provided opportunities for institutes, faculty, and students to develop innovative methods for achieving their learning outcomes through virtual or remote learning. Thereby, in several institutes, faculty and students adapted to the virtual or remote learning methods to minimise the effects of social distancing1 and attempted to create the “new normal” in healthcare education. As the Covid pandemic decreases and the educational activities revive in campuses, it is prudent to suggest if the “new normal” in healthcare education will continue. Therefore, this editorial looks at potential variables that healthcare educators may contemplate while providing post-covid medical and dental education.
Perceptions of First and Second Year Medical Students to Improve Structured Viva Voce as an Assessment Tool
Authors:   Department of Physiology, Shalamar Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan, Khalid Ambreen Khalid , Sadiqa Ayesha ,   Department of Physiology, Shalamar Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan
Published: March 2023

Objective: To determine the perceptions of 1st and 2nd year MBBS Students about structured Viva Voce Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted at Shalamar Medical and Dental College Lahore, on 92 students. Duration of study was from July to December 2018. A questionnaire (based on 5 points Likert scale) was generated in Google forms and link was shared with the participants. The analysis was done by using SPSS version 21, frequencies and percentages were calculated, and Chi-Square Test was applied. Results: Out of total 92 students, 32% belonged to the 1st and 68% to 2nd year MBBS. Majority of the 2nd year students (50.8%) showed their satisfaction regarding fairness and coverage of wide range of critical areas by Viva Voce as compared to the 1st year students. Greater percentage of students from both years consider that viva voce covered wide range of critical areas and were satisfied with level of difficulty and logical sequencing of viva voce questions. More than half of the participants from both classes consider it a valid assessment tool. Majority of 1st (65%) and 2nd year (63.1%) students thought that this tool of assessment highlighted their weaknesses and significantly higher number of 2nd year students consider that viva can highlight their strengths regarding the topic. Conclusion: Majority of students from both years showed their satisfaction regarding various aspects of Viva Voce. However, significantly greater number of 2nd year students were satisfied with the capability of Viva Voce in highlighting their strengths as compared to 1st year students.
Gender-Based Frequency and Associated Disability of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors:   Riphah International University, Khalid Ramsha , yasmeen Komal ,   Riphah International University, shouket Aimen ,   Riphah International University, Jahan Saira ,   Riphah International University
Published: March 2023

Objective: To determine the frequency and associated disability of rheumatoid arthritis in male and female patients Methodology: This was a cross sectional survey conducted at the National Institute of Rehabilitation Science, Pakistan Institute of Medical Science and Pakistan Railways Hospital for one year from February 2019 to February 2020. Study includes diagnosed cases of both genders with ages between 30 to 60 years and fulfilling the 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. Patients with disabilities due to other reasons were excluded. Sample size of the study was calculated to be 143 using Epi-tool. Sampling technique was non-probability purposive sampling technique. For this study WHODAS-2.0 screening tool was used. Results: Out of 143 patients, 52 (36.4%) were males and 91(63.6%) were females. The mean age of both males and females was 43.41 ± 8.605 SD. We found that 18 (34.6%) male patients presented with mild disability. While in females, 54 (59.3%), 32 (35.16%), 5 (5.49%), and 0 (0%) patients out of 91, reported with mild, moderate, severe, and extreme disabilities respectively. Conclusion: RA is more prevalent in females than in males with the majority of the patients reporting mild disability and more female patients disabled than men.
Primary Malignant Melanoma of The Small Intestine
Authors:   Department of Surgery, Dow University Hospital Ojha, Suparco Road, Karachi, Abdul Rauf UmmeHabiba
Published: March 2023

Primary small intestinal melanoma is a rare malignant neoplasm, for which scarce literature offers limited evidence for optimal management. We present a case of a 60-year-old female with primary melanoma of ileum. She presented with left sided abdominal pain, decreased appetite, and history of diarrhoea for 15 days. She developed absolute constipation during her preoperative investigations, in which CT scan revealed ileoileal intussusception. She underwent laparotomy for the resection of intussuscepted bowel segment, which revealed a greyish brown mass attached to bowel, later confirmed by histopathology as melanoma. Postoperative detailed clinical investigation revealed no primary cutaneous, hepatic, pulmonary, ocular, or cranial melanotic lesion. Hence, the lesion was classified as primary small bowel melanoma. She was referred to oncologist who started her on adjuvant chemotherapy. The patient expired of cardiopulmonary arrest three months after her diagnosis due to post Chemotherapy side effects.
despesas com pessoal e os impactos sobre a consecução e eficiência das políticas públicas
Authors: Da Cunha Barbato Oliveira Luciana
Published: March 2023

O presente artigo objetiva suscitar a reflexão acerca do argumento do inchaço das despesas com pessoal no funcionalismo público brasileiro nas últimas décadas, procurando apontar elementos que indicam que, a despeito de eventualmente configurarem medidas voltadas à eficiência, determinados ajustes implicaram, de acordo com parcela da doutrina pátria, uma verdadeira precarização do serviço público em diversas áreas, com impacto negativo na consecução e eficiência de políticas públicas. Em uma breve retrospectiva, apresentar-se-á, de maneira crítica, as prováveis consequências sofridas pelo serviço público brasileiro em decorrência dos influxos de um contexto social global no qual o trabalho, a pretexto de se tornar mais flexível e dinâmico, rumou para o caminho da precariedade. Apontar-se-á, ainda, como efeito catalisador, o limite de gastos imposto pela Lei de Responsabilidade Fiscal (Lei Complementar Federal nº 101/2000), que pode ter contribuído, de maneira indireta, para o fenômeno descrito, incentivando práticas de parcerias que não constituíram ganhos recíprocos, mas implicaram uma manifesta fragilização de diversos serviços públicos essenciais. Por conseguinte, pretende-se ressaltar que muitas políticas públicas projetadas não obtiveram, e não poderão obter êxito, sem que existam agentes públicos capacitados necessários à sua implementação e manutenção, não se coadunando com o texto constitucional a mera retórica de corte de gastos que não dialoga com as necessidades da população brasileira. Ademais, objetiva-se ainda apontar como esse cenário pode ser significativamente agravado em face da denominada “Administração digital”, uma vez que o discurso pautado exclusivamente na economia de recursos públicos pode acarretar a falta de um aparato estatal mínimo e o socorro desproporcional à iniciativa privada.
Modelo de mejora e implementación de conexión de internet en Santa María Huatulco, utilizando dinámica de sistemas
Authors: Barry Mamadou Aliou , Cortés Candelaria Bastida , Ángeles Manuel Gerardo Chávez , Bautista Jorge Hernández , Barry Aye Dioumo , Barry Aissata , Barry Thierno Issagha , Diallo Alpha Oumar
Published: March 2023

Por medio de las TIC, se puede mejorar la conexión de internet en Santa María Huatulco, y disminuir los factores que provocan la tasa de usuarios desconectados. Utilizamos dinámica de sistemas y con el software Vensim con el objetivo de escenificar las variables que afectan la tasa de conexión a internet, con la construcción de diagramas casuales o diagramas de Forrester. Con la obtención de este modelo se propone un mejoramiento en la conexión de internet como solución a la mejora del uso del servicio de internet. Existen métodos y técnicas para realizar escenarios probables para la toma de decisiones; al utilizar la dinámica de sistemas es, en parte, un método para desarrollar y poner a prueba los modelos matemáticos formales y las simulaciones por computadora de los complejos sistemas dinámicos no lineales como tal, tiene mucho en común con otros métodos de modelado.
“O FIO DE ARIANDNE”: JUVENTUDES COMO SUJEITOS SOCIAIS EM UMA EXPERIÊNCIA DE EXTENSÃO.
Authors: NATÁLIA MOREIRA BELENS DE MELO JUSSARA , BEATRIS DA COSTA SILVA SAMARA , FREITAS SILVA KIUWRE
Published: March 2023

No presente ensaio discute-se a experiência das “oficinas pedagógicas”: “Juventudes, gênero e sexualidades” e “Juventudes e feminismo”, realizadas no curso de extensão “Juventude(s) em Debate”, em março de 2022, com jovens estudantes do ensino médio de uma escola pública da cidade de Campina Grande - PB. Assim, analisa- se como tais experiências de reflexões sobre as temáticas abordadas possibilitaram a jovens estudantes se colocarem como “sujeitos sociais”, através da problematização de visões naturalizadas sobre as desigualdades de gênero, sexualidades e feminismo, ressignificando ideias tradicionais e conservadoras apresentadas nas relações sociais por alguns/mas estudantes. Nesse sentido, adotou-se a pesquisa bibliográfica e foram abordados os conceitos de “sujeitos sociais” à luz de DEYREL (2013), de “juventudes” segundo Pierre Bourdieu (1983) e Regina Novaes (2006), dos conceitos de “gênero” e “sexualidades” à luz de Guacira Louro (2010) e de “experiência como sentido” em Jorge Larrosa (2002). Utilizou-se também a observação direta da pesquisa participante pelo fato de estas possibilitarem maior aproximação com as subjetividades dos sujeitos sociais participantes das oficinas pedagógicas; e, ainda, a análise do material pedagógico produzido pelos/as estudantes, apresentando suas percepções sobre gênero e feminismo após as oficinas pedagógicas e a intervenção da professora de sociologia do ensino médio. “Desse modo, as interlocuções entre jovens estudantes do ensino médio nas oficinas pedagógicas” se apresentaram como espaço de embates entre diferentes percepções e de (re) elaborações de ideias tradicionais acerca das questões de “gênero, sexualidades e feminismo”.
O OLHAR DOS ESTUDANTES DA EDUCAÇÃO PROFISSIONAL TÉCNICA DE NÍVEL MÉDIO SOBRE O ENSINO REMOTO
Authors: BARROS MENDES DE MELO HELISABETY , SIMONARD PEDRO
Published: March 2023

O presente estudo é resultado da pesquisa realizada junto aos estudantes da educação básica, após os primeiros cinquenta dias de ensino remoto emergencial (ERE) no Instituto Federal de Alagoas (Ifal) - campus Maceió durante o ano letivo de 2020. A pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar o nível de satisfação das/os estudantes da Educação Profissional Técnica de Nível Médio no Ifal - campus Maceió e, consequentemente, definir o ponto de continuidade do ERE. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de formulário on-line, utilizando-se da ferramenta Google Forms e depoimentos colhidos por ocasião de reunião via Google Meet com as/os alunas/os. Em face aos resultados e discussão expostos, a partir da percepção das/os estudantes que vivenciaram a experiência do ensino remoto emergencial no Ifal - campus Maceió, a pesquisa revela que o ERE neste campus, iniciou sem que as/os estudantes tivessem os equipamentos adequados e necessários, o que aumentou muito o nível de insatisfação desses estudantes, faltaram-lhes condições técnicas e estruturais para que pudessem acompanhar efetivamente as atividades não presenciais, evidenciando a inexistência de políticas educacionais que contemplem uma educação permeada pela tecnologia digital. Em razão disso, o suporte pedagógico e o ato de escuta das/os alunas/os sobre os aspectos positivos e negativos durante o processo educativo são ferramentas essenciais para definir estratégias e rumos para o ensino.
OS DISTANCIAMENTOS DA BNCC COM AS DISCUSSÕES DE GÊNERO E SUAS APROXIMAÇÃO COM O NEOLIBERALISMO.
Authors: DE LIMA SANTOS SILVA DIÊGO , ALMEIDA DE CASTRO PAULA
Published: March 2023

Este artigo discute os distanciamentos da BNCC em relação às questões de Gênero, que faz parte das novas abordagens da educação no Brasil hoje, e analisa a influência do setor econômico, que afeta diretamente os programas curriculares educacionais nas sociedades ditas capitalistas no mundo ocidental. O modelo neoliberal propõe uma educação com ênfase a formação técnica, com pessoas aptas às funções do mercado de trabalho, e se torna apática a questões de cunho subjetivo, cultural, e humano. Diante disso, as ciências sócio-históricas antropológicas, posicionam-se frente a esse modal da \"educação econômica\", que tem levado a reformulação dos currículos da educação básica, em especial a Base Nacional Comum Curricular, que busca promover mudanças na formação dos estudantes enfatizando as habilidades profissionais técnicas, sob influência das grandes potências globais. Para aprofundamento das questões de gênero, neoliberalismo e currículo algumas vozes teóricas se apresentam neste escrito, tais como: BAUMAN (1999), BEAUVIOR (1949), BUTLER (1990), FREIRE (1997), LOURO (2004) ROMANELLI (2012), SILVA (2007), entre outros, que reverberam um diálogo acerca de como nos apresentamos para si mesmo para o outro em nossa forma de ser e existir, e como o mercado econômico interfere na construção do currículo escolar, que por vezes enxerga o aluno como um mero banco para depósito do saber, desconsiderando sua cultura, seu gênero e sua singularidade.
Impact of Violent Conflict on Household Income in Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors:   Niger Delta University, Department Of Economics, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria., Nathan Emmanuel , Joel Uche Warlice ,   Niger Delta University, Directorate Of Consultancy, Entrepreneurship, Research And Development (Docerad), Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Published: March 2023

This study empirically examined violent conflict and household income in Rivers state, Nigeria with secondary data sourced from various publications of World Bank Nigeria - General Household Survey, Panel 2019-2020, Wave 3 (2020). This study employed descriptive statistics, test and Granger Causality test. The empirical result showed that: the level of household expenditures on food in River State is higher than expenditures on non-food items. The result also showed that there is a bidirectional relationship between household expenditure on food and household expenditure on non-food; and a positive correlation between intensity of armed conflict and household economic in Rivers state. This study concludes that armed conflict is detrimental to household income and welfare in Rivers state. This study recommends that Nigeria president through the security agencies should intervene in the region, and community vigilante groups should be encouraged and collaborate with the government security agencies to establish sustainable peace in the region.