bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quel cadre réglementaire en France pour réaliser une recherche qualitative ?
Authors: Meunier Jean-Pierre , Sibeoni Jordan
Published: February 2022

Introduction : Les méthodes qualitatives, dans le champ de la médecine, s’intéressent à ce que les sujets disent de ce qu’ils vivent. Ces méthodes cherchent à décrire, comprendre et approfondir un phénomène observé et à capturer l’expérience vécue d’une personne. Le cadre réglementaire français des recherches : La loi dite Jardé publiée en 2012 a été discutée plus de 5 ans. Depuis la loi de Modernisation Santé de 2016 le cadre réglementaire français est en phase avec le Règlement Européen sur le Médicament de 2014. Deux catégories de recherches co-existent : celles impliquant la Personne Humaine (RIPH) examinées par un CPP, et par opposition les « non RIPH » examinées par le HDH/CESREES/CNIL. Les RIPH sont de type 1 (interventionnelles), ou 2 (faiblement interventionnelles), ou 3 (non interventionnelles). Toute recherche doit aussi être en conformité avec le Règlement sur la protection des données (RGPD). Cadre réglementaire des recherches qualitatives en santé : Comportant essentiellement des entretiens des protagonistes de l’expérience ou du phénomène étudié, elles sont plus proches d’une observation que d’une intervention faible, elles s’inscrivent plutôt dans le cadre RIPH 3 avec MR003. La rédaction des notices d’information des patients doit être soignée. Conclusion : Le cadre français des études peut sembler complexe, mais il offre avec ses trois catégories de recherches et ses méthodologies de référence, beaucoup plus de possibilités qu’ailleurs. Le promoteur doit déterminer très tôt quelle est la catégorie de sa recherche, celle-ci ayant un impact sur le protocole, le dossier réglementaire, le circuit réglementaire et les délais.
Actualité dans l’hépatotoxicité des médicaments et autres xénobiotiques. Le rôle des compléments alimentaires
Authors: Larrey Dominique
Published: February 2022

Diététiques ou végétaux, les compléments alimentaires connaissent un engouement sans précédent dans les pays occidentaux. Qu’ils soient pris en automédication ou délivrés sur les conseils de professionnels de santé, ils font l’objet d’une publicité importante dans les médias vantant leur composition naturelle et leurs bienfaits en matière de santé. Ces compléments alimentaires regroupent les vitamines, des substances minérales, certains aliments, et principalement des plantes utilisées en phytothérapie et de tradition millénaire. Malheureusement, cet engouement pour ces compléments et leur consommation peut-être lié à des atteintes hépatiques dont le diagnostic reste souvent difficile. Nous aborderons dans cet article les différents compléments diététiques et végétaux ainsi que leurs effets secondaires en matière d’hépatotoxicité. En conclusion, nous insisterons sur la nécessité d’améliorer l’évaluation des effets bénéfiques et toxiques de ces compléments afin de mieux informer les usagers
Les pouvoirs publics face aux épidémies : les apports de la loi du 15 février 1902 relative à la protection de la santé publique
Authors: Vielfaure Pascal
Published: February 2022

La menace épidémique constante au XIX e  siècle n’a de cesse d’inquiéter les gouvernants, souvent désemparés devant des fléaux que la science médicale appréhende mal. Néanmoins, la France tente progressivement d’améliorer les mesures de police sanitaire et d’hygiène publique. Dans cette évolution, la loi du 15 février 1902 constitue une étape importante sur la voie d’une politique de santé publique plus moderne en redéfinissant les rôles des maires et préfets et en donnant de nouveaux moyens de lutte à l’administration.
Les politiques publiques à l’épreuve de la pandémie
Authors: Négrier Emmanuel
Published: February 2022

Il est bien sûr tôt, début 2022, pour analyser l’impact de la pandémie de Covid-19 sur les politiques publiques. Mais nous relevons le défi, dans cet article, d’en analyser la manifestation dans le secteur sur lequel nous avons consacré une partie significative de nos travaux au cours des dernières décennies : les politiques culturelles. Nous considérons dans ce texte trois phénomènes qui n’interviennent pas dans les processus normaux de politique publique, et qui s’imposent à leurs protagonistes face à l’événement. On peut exprimer ces phénomènes comme des « chocs » : de réflexivité, d’innovation et d’herméneutique. Nous allons en détailler le contenu et la portée en abordant tour à tour les acteurs, les politiques publiques et, enfin, le rôle du chercheur dans ces configurations. Si le propos est centré sur le champ culturel, il ne s’interdit pas des références et constats comparatifs avec d’autres.
La modélisation économique à l’appui du choix public dans l’urgence de la pandémie de Covid-19
Authors: Bastidon Gilles Cécile , Parent Antoine
Published: February 2022

La pandémie de Covid-19 suscite l’essor d’approches disciplinaires multiples. Toutefois, la formalisation des mécanismes de transmission épidémiologiques et économiques fait apparaître des biais pouvant affecter les choix optimaux de politiques publiques. D’abord, le volet macroéconomique ne prend pas systématiquement en compte les différents canaux d’amplification, par exemple l’amplification des chocs de demande et la persistance des chocs de prix d’actifs. Ensuite, les données statistiques macroéconomiques comme épidémiologiques élaborées en période de pandémie soulèvent des difficultés méthodologiques. Par exemple, les paramètres du modèle de propagation virale ne sont pas connus dans les premiers mois, en particulier le taux de létalité. Enfin, les modèles épidémiologiques eux-mêmes peuvent être biaisés, notamment dans le cas de virus dont la diffusion n’est pas caractérisée par un processus de Markov standard, et dans le cas où les différents niveaux d’hétérogénéité des réseaux de contacts (humains, de transports…) ne sont pas pris en compte. Ces biais se trouvent renforcés, pour la plupart des économies avancées, par l’inexpérience des agents économiques et particulièrement de l’autorité publique face aux pandémies majeures.
Taux de marge et investissement du secteur exportateur
Authors: Dervaux Hippolyte , Plane Mathieu
Published: February 2022

Nous étudions l’évolution des taux de marge par branche pour la France et l’Allemagne et reconstituons un taux de marge du secteur exportateur pour ces deux pays à partir des comptes nationaux et des données de commerce en valeur ajoutée de l’OCDE. Le principal déterminant de divergence du taux de marge du secteur exportateur (5 points de valeur ajoutée sur la période 1995-2017) est la compression des coûts salariaux unitaires en Allemagne. De plus, nous trouvons que l’investissement en logiciels, et plus largement en droits de propriété intellectuelle, a contribué à augmenter le taux de dépréciation du capital productif du secteur exportateur français. Cet écart de consommation de capital fixe entre le secteur exportateur français et allemand représente également 5 points de valeur ajoutée. Les évolutions divergentes du taux de marge net de la dépréciation du capital du secteur exportateur en France et en Allemagne sont étroitement corrélées aux parts de marché de ces deux pays. Bien qu’il soit difficile d’identifier la causalité, cette variable améliore significativement les équations d’exportations, en captant une part non expliquée par les indicateurs de compétitivité- prix. Une hausse d’un point de valeur ajoutée du taux de marge nette conduit à terme à accroître de 1 % les exportations de la France et de 0,7 % en Allemagne. Sur la base de cette équation, la politique d’offre aurait contribué, sept ans après sa mise en place, à accroître les exportations de la France de 1,9 % et à augmenter le PIB de 0,6 %. Cette estimation ne tient pas compte du financement des mesures et du bouclage macroéconomique. Une réduction permanente des impôts sur la production de 10 milliards d’euros augmenterait, toutes choses égales par ailleurs, les exportations de la France de 0,6 % à 5 ans et le PIB de 0,2 % par le seul canal du commerce extérieur.
Partie III. La révision des cibles d’inflation de la Fed et de la BCE
Authors: Blot Christophe , Bozou Caroline , Hubert Paul
Published: February 2022

La Réserve fédérale et la Banque centrale européenne ont toutes les deux annoncé, respectivement en 2020 et 2021, des révisions de leur cible d’inflation. Dans cette étude, nous analysons et comparons les effets de ces décisions prises par les deux banques centrales sur les anticipations d’inflation de long terme mesurées sur les marchés financiers. Nous analysons aussi bien comment cette modification a été perçue le jour de l’annonce que son effet sur la dynamique des anticipations d’inflation, leur volatilité et leur réponse à des chocs économiques depuis l’annonce. Les principaux résultats sont les suivants : l’annonce de la révision de sa cible par la BCE a eu un impact négatif sur les anticipations d’inflation alors que l’annonce de la Fed a eu un impact positif. De plus, alors que l’annonce de la Fed a modifié la dynamique de formation des anticipations d’inflation (niveau moyen plus élevé et processus autorégressif plus faible), l’annonce de la BCE n’a pas impacté – jusqu’à présent du moins – cette dynamique. Enfin, la réponse des anticipations d’inflation à des chocs de politique monétaire ou financier n’a pas été influencée par ces annonces, pas plus que la volatilité des anticipations d’inflation.
La causalité du souvenir épisodique. Un débat récent en philosophie de la mémoire
Authors: Perrin Denis
Published: February 2022

Une relation causale appropriée à une scène vécue dans le passé est-elle nécessaire pour qu’une représentation de cette scène en soit le souvenir épisodique ? Le présent article expose les réponses qui sont actuellement apportées à ce débat central en philosophie de la mémoire. Il introduit d’abord les conditions définitionnelles avancées par la théorie causale standard, avant d’examiner les critiques qui ont été formulées à leur encontre. L’article présente et discute alors deux familles de théories qui ont été proposées en réaction à ces critiques : les théories causales réformatrices, d’une part, et la théorie anti-causale simulationniste, d’autre part.
The World: The Tormented History of an Inescapable Para-Concept
Authors: Besana Bruno
Published: February 2022

The world has not always been there. At least not in philosophy. This two-part article examines the complex interplay of concepts among which the idea of the world appeared, and analyses the characteristics that allow it to play a central role in the space of philosophy. These are found to be fundamentally two. First, its capacity to identify with the idea of a closed, ordered totality (the classic idea of the cosmos), at the same time as it erodes the consistency of the latter and opens the philosophical space onto a positive use of the idea of indetermination. And second, the way in which it operates inside several well-ordered philosophical systems as a point of confusion: as a blurred point that lacks the type of clarity and distinction normally required of philosophical concepts, and that nonetheless appears to be important enough not to be expelled from philosophy. The first part of the article, published in this issue, reconstructs some of the coordinates within which the problematic notion of the world comes to appear. The planned second part will investigate how the idea of the world comes to play a central role within contemporary philosophy by allowing for a new articulation between the idea of the universal and the idea of totality – which produces a cascade of effects, the most notable of which are a new articulation of the idea of subject, and of the relation between philosophy and praxis.
World? Which World? On Some Pitfalls of a Concept
Authors: Klepec Peter
Published: February 2022

“The world” as a concept necessarily involves many difficulties and contradictions. The text presents some of them in a rather circular way, underlining the fact that we are always confronted with the dilemma of what to do with the world, or rather, what, which, and whose world we are dealing with. Beginning with some arguments about the claim that “the world is (out there),” and then moving on to certain dilemmas related to some views on the two-world theory, one inevitably comes across Marx’s thesis that the ultimate goal in relation to the world should be to “change it”. The text also presents some contemporary views thereon of Badiou, Nancy, and Ruda. Taking into account all these arguments and adding insights from Freud, Husserl, Heidegger, and Adorno as to the world and one’s worldview, we can only agree with Badiou’s statement about the only true goal of philosophy: “Philosophy has no other legitimate aim except to help find the new names that will bring into existence the unknown world that is only waiting for us because we are waiting for it.”
On Acosmic Realism
Authors: Végső Roland
Published: February 2022

In order to be able to raise the question of the “world” today in an effective way, we have to reactivate the Goethean categories of Weltliteratur and Weltschmerz for a critique of our own historical moment. We need to understand the phenomenon of Weltschmerz as a symptom of the impossibility of Weltliteratur. Going beyond the context of the original formulation of these categories, we could argue that something akin to the historical phenomenon of Weltschmerz emerges every time the ideological constitution of the world threatens to fail. Today, we live in an age of a generalised state of cultural disorientation that has produced its own Weltliteratur, which includes a wide range of discourses about the “world” – from officially endorsed theories of economic globalisation, to scientific treatises on the Anthropocene, environmental protest movements, philosophical pamphlets, all the way to world-historical conspiracy theories. Yet, an anxiety concerning the impossibility of world-formation in general is also recorded in these documents. In order to be able to capture our contemporary Weltschmerz, the article turns to the young Walter Benjamin’s suggestion that the task of this age is to produce an “objective” (rather than subjective) Weltschmerz. However, the most effective tools to conceptualise this objective Weltschmerz come from the traditions of philosophical acosmism. It is a notable philosophical development of our times that some elements of the acosmic tradition have recently resurfaced in speculative realism. Thus, speculative realism could be described as a possible site of our contemporary Weltschmerz: its acosmic metaphysics is repeatedly tamed by a mournful longing for the world.
Subject-Self Affecting on Teachers' Perceived ICT Usability
Authors: Kundu Arnab , Dey Kedar Nath , Bej Tripti
Published: February 2022

This study reports an empirical investigation of the effects of school teachers’ self-efficacy and self-concept on their perceived ICT usability. It employed a descriptive survey method within an ex-post-facto research design taking 300 teachers as samples from purposively selected 50 Indian schools. The findings revealed that self-efficacy and self-concept discretely had a positive effect on teachers’ perceived ICT usability although self-concept was found to have a deeper impact in comparison to self-efficacy. But the two variables operated simultaneously had a more significant and stronger positive effect on the teachers’ perceived ICT usability. For every 1 standard unit increase in self-efficacy and in self-concept, the perceived ICT usability will be increased by 0.95 standard units. Based on this regression output authors proposed the TAM3+ as an extension of the TAM3 by adding a new domain as users’ ‘subjective self’ encompassing self-efficacy and self-concept significantly affecting their perceived ease of technology use.
Relationship Between Learning Styles and Learning Objects
Authors: Assis Luciana , Rodrigues Ana Carolina , Vivas Alessandro , Pitangui Cristiano Grijó , Silva Cristiano Maciel , Dorça Fabiano Azevedo
Published: February 2022

The automation of learning object recommendation and learning styles detection processes has attracted the interest of many researchers. Some works consider Learning Styles to recommend Learning Objects. On the other hand, other works automatically detect Learning Styles, analyzing the behavior of students in Intelligent Tutorial Systems in relation to the use of Learning Objects. Taking into account that advances in this field of research have been constantly presented in recent years, this paper analyzes the results of works discovered through a Systematic Literature Review. The main objective was to discover and document the relationships between Learning Styles and Learning Objects considered by researchers, in order to provide accurate content recommendations. The results show inconsistencies in the process, indicating that more and more in-depth research is still needed to allow a more accurate understanding of how to consider Learning Styles in the Learning Object recommendation process.
Adopting Web Conferencing in Online Teaching
Authors: Sun Yan , Beriswill Joanne , Allen Maresha E.
Published: February 2022

This study represented dimensions from the Diffusion of Innovations theory and the Community of Inquiry model to explore the adoption of web-conferencing. It used logistic regression to model the likelihood of adopting web-conferencing in online teaching with data collected from 66 college online instructors. In the logistic regression analyses, measures of the instructors’ perception of the instructional benefits of web-conferencing, perception of web-conferencing as a tool for creating social presence and teaching presence, and perception of barriers of using web-conferencing in online instruction were the independent variables, and the binary dependent variable represented the instructors’ adoption or non-adoption of the web-conferencing innovation. The results of the full logistic regression model (with all three independent variables) and the reduced models (with one or two independent variables at a time) are reported and implications for promoting web-conferencing adoption and future research are discussed.
The Current Challenges in Sri Lanka’s Rattan Manufacturing Industry
Authors: Rathnayaka R. M. K. , Kodithuwakku D.
Published: February 2022

This research examines the contemporary challenges associated with the rattan manufacturing industry in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the main objective of this research is to identify the current challenges associated with the rattan manufacturing industry. This research was carried out using a mixed methodology under the inductive approach. Quantitative and qualitative data were used for the research and they were collected from primary and secondary sources. The secondary data were collected through DSD offices, resource profiles, district, and statistical handbooks, relevant websites, and journal articles. Questionnaires, structured and semi-structured interviews, were used to obtain primary data. Radawadunna Grama Niladhari Division of the Mirigama Divisional Secretariat Division in the Gampaha District in Sri Lanka was selected as the sample for conducting this study. The reason for selecting this area for this study was that this area is identified as a place significantly famous for rattan-related products and trade. Ten attributes were derived from the literature survey to identify the research objective. A factor analysis was performed using SPSS software and the analyzed data were presented in tables. After analyzing data, it was identified the challenges faced by the traders engaged in the rattan manufacturing industry in this area. Thus, the four factors can be named as, Resource scarcity, Market factors, Spatial factors and, Cultural factors. Under these four main factors, several other sub-factors can be identified. Accordingly, the study finally identified several challenges associated with the rattan industry in present Sri Lanka.
Challenges in Sri Lankan Heritage Management with the Covid 19 Pandemic
Authors: Gunasekara I. , Rathnayaka J.
Published: February 2022

Heritage Management is a field which has been developed to conserve, preserve and manage the cultural heritage of any country for promoting it to the visitors. Heritage management also incurred with marketing, visitor management and community empowerment. Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, this respected field has been very much impacted and forced to face an economic downfall. This research has attempted to identify the major problems faced by heritage managers in the safety of the staff, visitor management, and maintaining heritage. The recommendations are made in three challenging fields and, also sustainable best practices are suggested at the end for the long run in a pandemic Covid 19. The study is primarily based on mix method while using both primary and secondary data such as library material, journals and reports, media publications and various internet search engines. Convenient sampling has been used to select the sample for the questionnaire survey. As per the empirical studies, it was revealed that proper usage of guidelines and good practices for the management of the heritages incorporating the high technology in a sustainable manner may support to be endured during the pandemic.
Quantitative Geomorphic analysis in Geoarchaeological Investigations: A Case Study of Man-land relationship of Hanga River basin, Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra
Authors: Anjali J. , Sabale P. D.
Published: February 2022

Geomorphology is the study of landforms, their processes, form, and sediments at the surface of the earth which includes the earth's surface processes, such as air, water, and ice, which can mould the landscape. Since, from the beginnings human being attracted towards such suitable landscape for the establishment of their settlements. The present geoarchaeological work involves the study of the characteristics and evolution of landscapes, geological settings based on quantitative morphometric analysis, and availability of the natural resources of these areas with the man-land relationship of the Hanga river basin. The previous history of the region indicates that it is rich in prehistoric and chalcolithic settlements. The present basin is not explored systematically so far. Hence, this work is an attempt to fill these lacunae by the way of a systematic, intensive, village to village survey to understand the man-land relationship in the region. Field surveys and laboratory works were carried out to fulfil the aim and objectives of this work.
Mass-media e prevenzione dell'infezione da HIV e della tossicodipendenza
Authors: Di Pietro Maria Luisa , Fornaroli Stefano
Published: February 2022

In materia di prevenzione dell'infezione da HIV e della tossicodipendenza sono stati messi in atto, nel corso di questi ultimi anni, numerosi interventi: "spot" televisivi e radiofonici, opuscoli distribuiti nelle scuole, negli aeroporti e sulle riviste, videocassette e libri. Si rendeva, ora, necessario verificare l'efficacia di questi interventi ovvero il rapporto aspettative/risultati in previsione, anche, di nuove campagne di informazione. E' stato questo il motivo che ha spinto gli Autori di questo articolo a condurre, tra gli adolescenti ("target" privilegiato delle suddette campagne), un'indagine tesa a valutare il loro grado di soddisfazione per quanto appreso. A tale scopo sono stati intervistati- mediante questionario- 2.758 studenti degli ultimi tre anni dei Licei scientifico e classico e dell'Istituto Magistrale: gli studenti di sesso maschile e femminile risiedevano in ambiente urbano nelle diverse regioni italiane del Nord, Centro e Sud Italia.
Role of Occupational Therapy in the Management of Long-Term Functional Impairments Post-COVID-19
Authors: Vij Shivani Bharti
Published: February 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created new challenges in the healthcare system. After severe COVID-19 illness, most of the patients experience a variety of long-lasting health impairments that require rehabilitative services. The rehabilitative services are highly significant for those with underlying health conditions, older adults, and those who have been deconditioned due to social isolation and lockdown restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This evidence summary indicates that the occupational therapy workforce dealing with COVID-19 survivors must be ready to manage the full range of consequences, such as breathlessness, fatigue, muscle weakness, delirium, posttraumatic stress disorder, and cognitive deficits. Further, recent research studies indicated that COVID-19 survivors would need an individualized program which may include strength and endurance training, energy conservation techniques, self-management of symptoms, self-care, vocational, and community-based rehabilitation. This evidence-based summary discusses how occupational therapists can provide evidence-based interventions for COVID-19 survivors.
Innovative Strategies for Occupational Therapy Education Delivery During Corona Virus Disease 2019 and Beyond
Authors: Sen Sanchala K. , Collins Megan E. Edwards , Ingram Chinno D.
Published: February 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 posed a challenging situation for all educational programs. This perspective provides an insight into what three instructors in a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program in the United States did to overcome these challenges and provide quality education to the students. In addition, strategies are provided on how to conduct lectures, laboratories, and clinical competencies and practicums across eight courses. Technologies utilized in the delivery of these courses are provided with an emphasis on what worked best for different classes. Feedback from the students validated that the educational format used was beneficial to them in furthering their knowledge. The insights gained from this experience have helped the instructors to improve their knowledge of technology, increase their flexibility, and design their courses in innovative ways.
Fear among Resident Doctors as Frontliners During Corona Virus Disease 2019 Pandemic
Authors: Vaidya Pratibha Milind , Jahagirdar Shriharsh Shrinath , Shinde Deepali Sambhaji , Khade Jagruti Yashwant , Bharmal Ramesh N.
Published: February 2022

Background:

Fear is an adaptive emotion that serves to mobilize energy to deal with potential threat. A threat stimulus, such as site of a predator, triggers a fear response in the amygdala, which activates areas involved in preparation for motor function in fight or flight. Considering the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), fighting against this specific infectious disease was a serious challenge to the residents who were at a risk of themselves contacting the disease. This leads to exhaustion, isolation, and persistent emotional trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Objectives:

The objective of the study was to assess the level of perceived fear of residents doctors as front-liners and to find coping strategies used by resident doctors as front-liners to overcome fear.

Study Design:

An online survey was conducted.

Methods:

An online questionnaire-based survey was conducted to understand fear level in resident doctors as front-liners and various strategies used by them to overcome fear. The survey questionnaire consisted 21 items. This questionnaire was validated by three faculties. The final questionnaire consisted of 20 questions pertaining to the level of fear. Out of 150 e-mails sent to resident doctors in March 2020, received responses were from 86 resident doctors. Google Form link with the same questionnaire was resent to these 86 resident doctors, in November 2020. Out of these 86 e-mails, responses from 50 resident doctors of only COVID tertiary hospital were quantitatively analyzed.

Results:

The initial total minimum score was 134 and the maximum score was 200, and the average score was 156.16. Out of 50 residents, 28 (56%) were in the range less than or equal to average and 22 (44%) residents were in range greater than average. The total minimum score after 8 months was 69 and the maximum score was 179, and the average score was 128. Out of 50 residents, 20 (40%) were in the range less than or equal to average and 30 (60%) residents were in range greater than average. Out of 50 residents, 44 (88%) residents had severe fear and 6 (12%) had moderate fear at the initial stage of pandemic, whereas after 8 months of pandemic, only 11 (22%) residents had severe fear and 37 (74%) residents had moderate fear with 2 (4%) residents having only mild fear.

Conclusion:

Resident doctors who worked for more than 6 h per day in the COVID wards experienced moderate-to-severe levels of fear, which decreased with continued exposure to similar situation. The coping strategies used by residents also helped them to overcome this fear.
Evaluation of dose–Volume-Based Image-Guided High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy in Carcinoma Uterine Cervix
Authors: Lal Nancy , Yadav Suresh , Yogi Veenita , Singh Om Prakash , Ghori Hameed Uzzafar , Choudhary Megha , Saxena Rishika , Saxena Sachet
Published: February 2022

Background:

In recent few decades, the evolution in imaging technology, especially computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging, results in widespread availability and its use in high-dose-rate (HDR) intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) applications.

Aim:

The present study was aimed to analyze the cumulative dose–volume histogram of the tumor and organs at risk (OARs) in three-dimensional (3D) CT image-based brachytherapy planning and clinical outcomes of the treated patients.

Materials and Methods:

This prospective observational study included 40 patients with carcinoma cervix. After external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), a dose of 6 Gy per fraction of HDR ICBT in four fractions with a total dose to point “A” approximately 80–85 Gy was given. For planning, the tumor volumes (high-risk clinical target volume [HR-CTV]) and volume of OARs (bladder, rectum, and sigmoid colon) were contoured on each CT slice. The dose–volume parameters, i.e., minimum dose received to 90% and 100% by HR-CTV volume (D90 and D100) for target and the maximum dose received by minimum volume of 2CC (D2CC) for OARs, were calculated and assessed for clinical response in patients.

Results:

The mean D2CC dose was 18.24 ± 0.93 Gy, 16.44 ± 1.11 Gy, and 16.37 ± 0.67 Gy for bladder, rectum, and sigmoid colon, respectively. The combined (EBRT and HDR ICBT) mean equieffective dose in 2 Gy per fraction (EQD2) dose for bladder was 76.71 ± 2.05 Gy, for rectum was 72.82 ± 2.58 Gy, and for sigmoid colon was 72.71 ± 1.41 Gy, and its comparison with baseline values showing P < 0.01 for bladder, rectum, and sigmoid colon was considered statistically significant. The mean EQD2 dose of HR-CTV D90 was 151 ± 27.3 Gy. Patients who had received HR-CTV D90 of >90 Gy compared with <90 Gy had exceptionally better local control and complete response.

Conclusion:

The present study suggested that CT is a favorable modality for treatment planning in cervical cancer with limited resources setup in terms of improved tumor coverage, lesser toxicity, confirmation of applicator placement, and accounting dose to OARs.
Low-Grade Gliomas
Authors: Nasreen Shahida , Najmi Arshad Manzoor , Andleeb Asifa , Fatima Kaneez , Sofi Mushtaq A , Banday Saquib Zaffar
Published: February 2022

Introduction:

Low-grade gliomas (LGG) are relatively rare tumors. They comprise 5% of all brain tumors and 15% of all gliomas. As per WHO classification diffuse infiltrating LGG s fall under Grade II tumors. Although these tumors are slow growing but eventually they progress to high-grade gliomas, so these patients should be treated aggressively.

Materials and Methods:

From January 2012 to January 2017, clinical information of patients, who had LGG, was collected retrospectively from patient registries at the radiation oncology department of our institute.

Results:

A total of 25 patients were analyzed. Out of the entire cohort, 64% were males, and 36% were females. The most common presenting symptom in our patients was seizures and blurring of vision (44% each). Cerebrum was the mos common site of lesion in 19 out of 25 (76.0%) cases, and among those 19 cases, frontal lobe was involved in 12 cases (63.1%). Craniotomy with tumor decompression was performed in all patients. Gross total excision was possible in only 2 (8%) out of 25 patients, whereas the remaining 23 (92%) patients underwent subtotal or near total excision only. These 23 patients received concurrent chemoradiation by cobalt-60 unit to a dose of 60 Gy with weekly temozolomide. 18 out of 23 (78.2%) patients received adjuvant six cycles temozolomidein view of residual disease after concurrent chemoradiotherapy. At the last follow-up, all the 25 patients were alive, 20 patients had no disease on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, while five patients had stable disease.

Conclusion:

We conclude that LGG is a disease of young adults with seizures as most common presenting symptom. If treated with multidisciplinary treatment these patients have the long disease and disability-free survival. Neurocognitive dysfunction is low in our study group, but it needs longer follow-up.
Small Cell Carcinoma - Urinary Bladder
Authors: Shah Isha , Patel Dhara , Suryanarayana U.
Published: February 2022

Primary small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the urinary bladder is a rare type of poorly differentiated and highly aggressive tumor. It accounts for <0.7% of all cancers arising from the bladder. Small-cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is frequently found in conjunction with other histologic types such as urothelial carcinoma (transitional cell carcinoma [TCC]), squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. Although the tumor shares similar histological features like small-cell carcinoma originating from other sites of the body, its clinical picture is very similar to conventional TCC of the urinary bladder. Unknown etiology and pathogenesis makes its diagnosis and treatment difficult. Here, we report a case of small-cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder, its clinical presentation, pathological characteristics, behavior, management, and outcome.
Flower petal chop
Authors: Joshi Rajesh Subhash
Published: February 2022

Objective:

To describe a phacoemulsification technique to face chalenging situations such as hard and leathery nucleus.

Methods:

The present technique was successfully performed in 52 eyes of 48 patients, over a period of 3 months.

Results:

None of the patients had zonular dehiscence or posterior capsular rupture. In 40 eyes, the cornea was clear on the 1st postoperative day, while in 12 eyes, the cornea cleared on the 4th postoperative day. Visual acuity improved to 20/20 (corrected distance visual acuity) at the end of the 3-week follow-up.

Conclusion:

The flower petal chop technique is an effective and safe technique for phacoemulsification of hard and leathery cataracts.
The efficacy of Elbasvir/Grazoprevir fixed-dose combination for 8 weeks in HCV treatment and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in treatment-naïve, non-cirrhotic, genotype 4-infected patients (ELEGANT-4)
Authors: AlEid Ahmad , Al Balkhi Areej , Qutub Adel , Abbarh Shahem , AlLehibi Abed , Almtawa Abdullah , Al Otaibi Nawwaf , AlGhamdi Ahmed , AlGhamdi Adel , Alamr Abdulrahman , Ahmad Shameem , Al Sayari Khalid , Al Ibrahim Bashaar , AlKhathlan Abdullah
Published: February 2022

Background:

Cost, adverse events, and long treatment duration can be significant obstacles in treating hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected individuals. Shortening the treatment regimen can minimize these barriers, thereby enhancing adherence and increasing medication availability to more patients.

Methods:

This is a single-centre, single-arm, open-label, phase 3 clinical trial on treatment naïve, non-cirrhotic, HCV genotype 4 patients. The study aimed to evaluate an 8-week course of Elbasvir (ELB)/Grazoprevir (GZR) in this population. The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR-12). The secondary endpoints were SVR-4, adverse events, and changes in health- and hepatitis-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Results:

Of the 30 patients who were enrolled, 29 (97%) achieved SVR-12 and SVR-4 (95% CI: 90-100%). No patients experienced serious or life-threatening adverse events (AEs), but mild/moderate AEs were reported by 16 (53%). The most commonly reported AEs were itching/skin rash (20%), headache (16.7%), abdominal/epigastric pain and decreased appetite (13.3% each), and nausea/vomiting (10%). Marked improvements in HRQoL were reported between the first (baseline) and third (SVR-12) timepoints. HRQoL score improvements involved the physical, mental, and hepatitis-specific indices, and ranged between 6 and 42 points (out of 100, P ≤0.003).

Conclusion:

The trial provides empirical evidence that HCV genotype 4-infected patients can achieve viral eradication with an 8-week-regimen of ELB/GZR. Further, this course of treatment is associated with a minimal adverse event profile and potentially significant improvements in quality of life. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03578640).
Classical and weak solutions to local first-order mean field games through elliptic regularity
Authors: Muñoz Sebastian
Published: February 2022

We study the regularity and well-posedness of the local, first-order forward–backward
mean field games system, assuming a polynomially growing cost function and a Hamiltonian of
quadratic growth. We consider systems and terminal data that are strictly monotone in density and
study two different regimes depending on whether there exists a lower bound for the running cost
function. The work relies on a transformation due to P.-L. Lions, which gives rise to an elliptic partial
differential equation with oblique boundary conditions, that is strictly elliptic when the coupling
is unbounded from below. In this case, we prove that the solution is smooth. When the problem
is degenerate elliptic, we obtain existence and uniqueness of weak solutions analogous to those
obtained by P. Cardaliaguet and P. J. Graber for the case of a terminal condition that is independent
of the density. The weak solutions are shown to arise as viscous limits of classical solutions to
strictly elliptic problems.
Refined asymptotics for the blow-up solution of the complex Ginzburg–Landau equation in the subcritical case
Authors: Duong Giao Ky , Nouaili Nejla , Zaag Hatem
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we aim to refine the blow-up behavior for the complex Ginzburg–Landau
(CGL) equation in some subcritical case. More precisely, we construct blow-up solutions and refine
their blow-up profile to the next order.
Vanishing viscosity limit of the three-dimensional barotropic compressible Navier–Stokes equations with degenerate viscosities and far-field vacuum
Authors: Chen Geng , Chen Gui-Qiang G. , Zhu Shengguo
Published: February 2022

We are concerned with the inviscid limit of the Navier–Stokes equations to the Euler
equations for barotropic compressible fluids in

\mathbb{R}^3

.
When the viscosity coefficients obey a lower power law of the density (i.e.,

\rho^\delta

with

0<\delta<1

), we identify a quasi-symmetric hyperbolic–singular
elliptic coupled structure of the Navier–Stokes equations to control the behavior of the velocity of the fluids near a vacuum. Then this structure is employed to prove that there exists a unique regular solution to the corresponding Cauchy problem with arbitrarily large initial data and far-field vacuum, whose life span is uniformly positive in the vanishing viscosity limit. Some uniform estimates on both the local sound speed and the velocity in

H^3(\mathbb{R}^3)

with respect to the viscosity coefficients are also obtained, which lead to the strong convergence of the regular solutions of the Navier–Stokes equations with finite mass and energy to the corresponding regular solutions of the Euler equations in

L^{\infty}([0, T]; H^{s}_{\mathrm{loc}}(\mathbb{R}^3))

for any

s\in [2, 3)

. As a consequence, we show that, for both viscous and inviscid flows, it is impossible that the

L^\infty

norm of any global regular solution with vacuum decays to zero asymptotically, as

t

tends to infinity. Our framework developed here is applicable to the same problem for other physical dimensions via some minor modifications.
Long-time behavior of scalar conservation laws with critical dissipation
Authors: Albritton Dallas , Beekie Rajendra
Published: February 2022

The critical Burgers equation

\partial_t u + u \partial_x u + \Lambda u = 0

is a toy model for the competition between transport and diffusion with regard to shock formation in fluids. It is well known that smooth initial data does not generate shocks in finite time. Less is known about the long-time behavior for ‘shock-like’ initial data:

u_0 \to \pm a

as

x \to \mp \infty

. We describe this long-time behavior in the general setting of multidimensional critical scalar conservation laws

\partial_t u + \operatorname{div} f(u) + \Lambda u = 0

when the initial data has limits at infinity. The asymptotics are given by certain self-similar solutions, whose stability we demonstrate with the optimal diffusive rates.
The Integral Role of Radiology in the Diagnosis and Management of COVID-19–Associated Mucormycosis Infections
Authors: Prabhakar Anuj , Prabhakar Nidhi , Garg Mandeep , Kumar Ajay
Published: February 2022

Recently, there has been a sudden surge in COVID-19–associated mucormycosis (CAM) infections. Rhino-oculo-cerebral and pulmonary mucormycosis are the two most common forms of CAM. Radiology plays an integral role in the management of CAM. Computed tomography (CT) determines gross bony and soft tissue involvement in COVID-19–associated rhino-oculo-cerebral mucormycosis, whereas magnetic resonance imaging helps in evaluation of the orbital and intracranial extension. Paranasal sinus soft tissue with extrasinus infiltration with or without bony destruction is suggestive of COVID-19–associated rhino-oculo-cerebral mucormycosis. High-resolution CT chest scan has shown to be helpful in the diagnosis of COVID-19–associated pulmonary mucormycosis. Consolidation and cavitation are the most common imaging features. Other CT abnormalities include the reverse-halo sign, pleural effusion, ground-glass opacities, pneumothorax, nodules, and pulmonary embolism. A high index of suspicion with appropriate imaging findings can lead to the early diagnosis of CAM and timely initiation of antifungal treatment and/or surgical debridement, which can be lifesaving.
The impact of future climate change on water availability in Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria
Authors: Kanoma M.S. , Abdulkadir M.
Published: February 2022

Climate change has continued to pose challenging global environmental problems in the 21st century. For instance, studies have shown that water resources quantity and quality will be seriously degraded by the phenomenon. This paper examines the effect of climate change on future water availability in Gusau City, Zamfara State, Nigeria. The data obtained from three Regional Climate Models (RCMs) ensembles gridded at 0.5o x 0.5o spatial resolutions were used. The analysis was carried out using ArcGIS (ArcMap, version 10.5) software and comparison of the outcome of the three ensembles was made. The findings show future temperature increase as 1- 3oC by 2040, 3oC by 2070 and 2- 5oC by 2100. Furthermore, future rainfall will increase under rcp 4.5 and 8.5 by 6.7% - 20%, 10% - 20% and 10% - 30% by 2040, 2070v and 2100 respectively. It further shows an increase of +10% to + 60% in seasonal changes of rainfall in the months of April-May-June and July-August-September respectively. These will ultimately result in the increase in surface run off and aquifer recharge. Similarly, the quality of water will also be degraded through sedimentation and nitrogen loading from farms, transport and dissolution of heavy metals by flooding. Therefore, the study recommends for the involvement in storm water harvesting and storage processes by both Government and other large scale water users.
Assessment of gross alpha and beta radioactivity in some vegetable species of Komadugu Yobe riverine areas of Yobe State, Nigeria
Authors: Isah N.F. , Lawan M.A. , Ibrahim M.U. , Ahmed F.
Published: February 2022

Vegetables constitute an important part of human diet since they contain carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. However, resulting from human and animal activities, it is usually contaminated with solid and human waste, effluents from chemical industries and radionuclides. This study investigated the gross alpha and beta activities (GABAs) in Vegetables of Komadugu-Yobe riverine areas of Yobe state, Nigeria. Vegetable (onion, pepper and tomato) samples were collected and analyzed using MPC-2000DP Low Background proportional counter. The GABA result indicated that all the alpha concentrations in all the three samples (onion,pepper and tomato) has alpha concentrations above the WHO benchmark except in location B (Azbak) for pepper sample which have value 0.09670±0.00260 Bq/kg. Beta activity concentrations in the samples analyzed across the study area were below the WHO 1.0 Bq/kg benchmark. This is in agreement with previous study which revealed that beta concentrations of study area in river water samples along Komadugu-Yobe River were within the typical world average values. Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that all the vegetable samples analyzed have significant radiological health burden on the environment and the populace except locations B pepper. It is therefore recommended that efforts should be intensified to identify further sources of contaminations with a view to addressing the long standing renal and kidney failure experienced by people in the study area.
Effect of Honey on Oxidative Stress in the Brain Tissue of Sleep Deprived Rats
Authors: Akintoye O.O. , Ajibare A.J. , Fabunmi O.A. , Asuku A.O. , Tajudeen R.A.
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of honey on the oxidative stress in the brain of sleep-deprived rats. Twenty five 6 weeks old male wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups and subjected to paradoxical sleep deprivation and recovery for 5 days using the modified multiple platform (MMP) method. Group I: Normal control; Group II: sleep deprivation (SD); Group III: sleep deprivation and sleep recovery  (SD+SR) – received 10 ml/kg distilled water orally each; while Group IV: sleep deprivation and honey (SD+Honey) and Group V: sleep deprivation, recovery with honey (SD+SR+Honey) received honey (1g/kg body weight) orally once daily. Brain tissue of the humanely sacrificed rats were excised and homogenized for assessment of oxidative stress markers. Results indicate a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) in brain tissues of rats in Groups IV and V when compared with that from sleep deprived group (Group II). The Increase in reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration and catalase enzyme activity observed in homogenized brain tissue of rats in Groups III, IV, and V differ significantly (p<0.05) when compared with Group II. The results suggest that treatment with honey probably has ameliorative effects on oxidative stress in brain tissue of sleep deprived experimental rats.