bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Faire face ou faire avec. Situations de vulnérabilité et situations de handicap
Authors: Meissonnier Joël
Published: February 2022

Nous sommes tous victime lorsqu’un aléa survient au cours d’un déplacement (grève, panne, situation climatique exceptionnelle, etc.), par définition imprévisible. Mais il peut rendre vulnérables les personnes en situation de handicap cognitif et/ou mental plus particulièrement. La distinction sémantique entre situation de handicap et situation de vulnérabilité doit ici garder tout son sens. Et la tendance à employer indifféremment l’une et l’autre notion en sciences humaines et sociales, mérite d’être dénoncée. Différencier l’une et l’autre notion, c’est admettre et reconnaître les tactiques résilientes que les personnes en situation de handicap mettent en œuvre quotidiennement pour compenser le handicap. Ne pas le faire, c’est nier leurs efforts pour parvenir à se déplacer de façon autonome en situation ordinaire non-perturbée. L’intérêt de cette distinction sémantique est illustré par les résultats d’une enquête qualitative menée en 2012-2013 à Amiens et Paris. Alors qu’il est déjà complexe de faire avec une situation de handicap, faire face à l’aléa qui produit la situation de vulnérabilité relève alors d’un défi supplémentaire, beaucoup moins surmontable.
Les mobilités dans les aires périurbaines du Grand Tunis. Étude de cas d’El Mornaguia
Authors: Bouzid Souhir
Published: February 2022

Cet article analyse les conséquences d’une installation en périurbain à El Mornaguia – qui se situe dans la deuxième couronne périurbaine du Grand Tunis – sur les pratiques de mobilité, à partir d’une enquête par questionnaire auprès de 5 % des ménages (362 ménages) et des entretiens semi-directifs effectués avec des groupes spécifiques. Les conséquences de l’installation en périurbain à El Mornaguia sont étudiées tout d’abord sur l’ensemble des ménages et par la suite sur des groupes spécifiques de population, à savoir les aînés (60 ans et plus), les jeunes (12-18 ans) et les femmes seules. L’enquête montre que la mobilité quotidienne à El Mornaguia reflète des inégalités sociales. Elle est influencée également par l’âge dont l’effet intervient au début et à la fin du cycle de vie. Elle est influencée également par le genre puisque les hommes se déplacent plus que les femmes.
Comparaison des caractéristiques des organismes de transport en commun du Québec selon la ruralité : vers l’identification de nouvelles opportunités pour favoriser la participation sociale des aînés
Authors: Levasseur Mélanie , Naud Daniel , Routhier Sonia , Bruneau Jean-François
Published: February 2022

Cette étude vise à décrire et à comparer, selon la ruralité, les caractéristiques du transport en commun régulier et adapté de municipalités québécoises. Une enquête transversale a été menée à l’aide d’un questionnaire en ligne auprès d’organismes de transport, de deux rapports d’activités et de données ouvertes. Réparti de façon représentative dans 573 (50,4 %) municipalités et arrondissements du Québec, un échantillon de 72 (43,9 %) organismes de transport a été considéré. Des inégalités ont été surtout identifiées pour le transport régulier. Les milieux métropolitains se distinguaient par des tarifs réduits, des distances inférieures entre les arrêts et un achalandage et une distance parcourue totale par kilomètre de route municipale supérieurs. En comparaison aux milieux métropolitains, les milieux urbain et rural présentaient un nombre inférieur de plaintes et offraient davantage de transports adaptés à tous les jours.
Vulnérabilité aux flambées de prix des carburants. Le cas français 1984-2018
Authors: Madre Jean-Loup , Bussière Yves
Published: February 2022

Devant les hausses de prix récentes des carburants et le mouvement de protestation des Gilets jaunes en 2018 et 2019, nous analysons les élasticités prix et revenu selon le niveau de vie et le lieu de résidence en France au cours de la période 1984-2018 à partir des données du panel ParcAuto. Nous montrons que les ménages les plus affectés par les hausses du prix des carburants sont les ménages les moins fortunés et ceux qui habitent dans les zones peu denses, donc davantage captifs de la voiture individuelle. Les élasticités très faibles de court terme, qui remontent à plus long terme, montrent une difficulté d’adaptation de ces populations et l’importance de tenir compte des disparités de revenus lors de l’instauration d’une taxe carbone pour lutter contre le réchauffement climatique, en accompagnant autant que possible ces politiques de mesures compensatrices et privilégiant des hausses progressives qui les rendent plus acceptables.
Les moins de 30 ans en Gironde : regards croisés entre insertion et RSA
Authors: Le Petit-Guerin Mehdi , Eljim Khalid
Published: February 2022

Entre études supérieures, exclusion, intérim, chômage et réorientation, l’insertion professionnelle des jeunes est un processus de moins en moins linéaire et prévisible. Les récents débats autour de la « désincitation au travail » ont entraîné la refonte d’une partie du système de protection sociale en conditionnant l’aide publique à l’emploi, et ce de manière encore plus stricte lorsqu’il s’agit de l’octroyer à un(e) jeune de moins de 30 ans. Cette mutation de l’État social s’appuie sur une nouvelle perception de la solidarité dite « active », dont un des dispositifs les plus symboliques est le Revenu de solidarité active (RSA). En s’intéressant à la fois aux jeunes non-insérés et à ceux au RSA, dont les trajectoires relèvent de processus complexes, cette étude mêle données de contextualisation et suivi de cohorte afin de déterminer les récentes tendances de l’insertion des précaires de moins de 30 ans en Gironde1.
Ségrégations et parcours professionnalisés des sortants du supérieur
Authors: Lemistre Philippe
Published: February 2022

Selon Pierre Merle, si les jeunes d’origine sociale modeste haussent leur niveau d’éducation, c’est vers les diplômes de filières et spécialités les moins à même de permettre un accès privilégié au marché du travail. C’est la « démocratisation ségrégative », dont cet article élargit le cadre aux sortants de l’enseignement supérieur, ceci en examinant le caractère ségrégatif des parcours d’études selon qu’ils comprennent des diplômés professionnels ou pas. La démocratisation ségrégative liée au parcours d’études suppose que, selon qu’ils soient professionnels ou non, les diplômes qui jalonnent ce parcours différencient la population en termes d’origine sociale et ont une influence sur la réussite au diplôme final, la poursuite d’étude et l’insertion. De fait, les investigations menées à partir de l’enquête du CEREQ de 2013 mettent en évidence le caractère ségrégatif des parcours professionnalisés.
Using a Single Extra Constraint to Linearize the Quadratic Assignment Problem
Authors: Munapo Elias
Published: February 2022

The paper presents a new powerful technique to linearize the quadratic assignment problem. There are so many techniques available in literature that are used to linearize the quadratic assignment problem. In all these linear formulations both the number of variables and linear constraints significantly increase. The technique proposed in this paper has the strength that the number of linear constraints increases by only one after linearization process. The QAP has application in areas such as wring, hospital layout, dartboard design, typewriter keyboard design, production process and scheduling.
Innovation Diffusion-Based Adoption Behavior of New Products and Its Inventory Policies
Authors: Kumar Alok
Published: February 2022

Adoption of new products among social system is largely dependent upon the promotional effort imparted. The promotional effort in the form of advertising plays a pivotal role in the diffusion of products among the social systems. It has been observed that demand of the products and moreover new products largely depends upon the different kinds of advertising effects. Also, it is experienced that demand of new products is highly dynamic. Therefore, to keep pace with the dynamic behavior of demand of new products it becomes important to make strategy over the level of advertising expenditure. The paper describes an inventory model for new products where demand of the products varies with time under the external influence of dynamic advertising effects. The objective of the paper is to develop an optimal schedule of the inventory model for effective supply chain. To encounter with the uncertain environment a fuzzy technique has also been used wherein few parameters have been taken as fuzzy variables.
Factors Affecting Ridesharing Intention in the Context of COVID-19
Authors: Sajid Muhammed , Zakkariya K. A.
Published: February 2022

The primary aim of this empirical paper is to identify the antecedents of ridesharing intention in the ‘new normal’ era. This study uses attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control as mediators and environmental concern as the independent variable. An online self-administered survey approach was used to collect data from ridesharing users who have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines. IBM SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 23.0 were used to conduct the statistical analysis for the study. Results revealed that environmental concern has direct and indirect effects on ridesharing intention mediated through attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. These relationships are negatively moderated by perceived health risk on COVID- 19. The study also discusses theoretical and managerial implications based on the research results.
MIDI-AM Videogame Usability in Virtual Learning as a Digital Pedagogical Tool in Emerging Economies
Authors: Alcivar Nayeth Idalid Solorzano , Cabezas Erika Fernanda Mesias , Rios Elizabeth Stefania Elizalde
Published: February 2022

This article analyzes educational video games' usability as a pedagogical support tool in primary early childhood education, particularly in virtual environments of emerging economies. The MIDI-AM series of educational digital games is used as a case study that focuses on learning by playing using technology. The study examines the degree of usability, applicability, and relevance of these serious games as pedagogical tools in educational virtuality, identifying opportunities for improvements and designing a practical methodology to evaluate them as part of the teaching-learning process. A triangulated analysis is carried out with mixed methods, evaluating data generated in a control panel of MIDI-AM applications, focus groups with teachers and parents of local schools, and user satisfaction questionnaires. The results regarding usability and relevance of the applications were primarily positive. However, certain shortcomings in these applications' structure and possible opportunities for improvement within the educational context applicability were also identified.
Social Media Influencers, the New Advertising Agency?
Authors: Stevenson Summer , Hack-Polay Dieu , Tehseen Shehnaz
Published: February 2022

This paper examines the impact of social media influencers within the cosmetics industry, with a particular focus on their role as marketing agents. Deutsch and Gerard’s normative social influence theory was used to support the research. This study used a self-completing questionnaire in which respondents were asked to rate their opinions regarding a specific statement on a Likert scale. Qualtrics was used to analyse the data. The results show that influencers can be significant support for business sales. Credibility of influencers was deemed of primary importance to attract customers through social media. However, the authors also found that influencers can damage business reputation, as their brand image—if negative—can contaminate the business brand.
Critical Success Factors for Lean Implementation
Authors: Kapaj Matilda
Published: February 2022

Companies have increasingly acknowledged the strategic value of lean philosophy and the potential for developing a competitive edge via rigorous lean implementation. However, many companies have struggled to establish and sustain lean. Considering this opportunity, the purpose of this paper is to thoroughly and systematically review the development of lean literature focused on the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for lean adoption in contemplation of identifying what CSFs have been addressed since the genesis of the lean concept through the assessment of secondary data from the literature published during the period 1990 – 2021. The findings of this study will assist companies in making more mature and prudent judgments on how their resources and capabilities can be configured for a successful lean initiative deployment. To the author's best knowledge, this study advances existing knowledge by being perhaps one of the most comprehensive systematic literature reviews covering three decades of lean literature on manufacturing and service industries.
Risks in Supply Chain Logistics
Authors: Denga Edna Mngusughun , Rakshit Sandip
Published: February 2022

Market vulnerability, uncertainty, and risk have always posed challenges to businesses and supply chains. Firms are working hard to survive and sustain themselves in a world of high susceptibility in supply chain networks and intense competition. This study attempts to fill a gap in the literature by looking into how companies in a developing country like Nigeria manage supply chain logistics challenges and capitalize on opportunities in the country's most crisis-prone territory while mitigating the constraints. This was conducted through empirical investigation within the Nigerian supply chain logistics setting to analyze and compare the challenges, tactics, and strategies adopted by two enterprises situated in the North-Eastern region of Nigeria, where the insurgency is rampant. The findings from the analyzed examples serve as the foundation for the analysis. The respondents' answers to the research questions offer more insight into the various constraints and tactics firms employ in the region.
An Analysis of Economic Growth for Major Advanced Economies
Authors: Altin Hakan
Published: February 2022

The study's main aim is an analysis of economic growth in G7 countries. The period examined in the study in which annual data was used covers 2001-2021. For this purpose, a panel data analysis was conducted. Economic growth is a function of account balance, employment, inflation, and investment, and there is a positive relationship between economic growth and employment and between inflation and investment. Conversely, there is a negative relationship between economic growth and account balance. The results are statistically significant. The highest contribution to economic growth in G7 countries comes from technological innovations. Economic growth is a dynamic area. Many factors affect economic growth, including geography, democracy, market form and technology, and cultural and religious factors. For this reason, economic growth covers a broad study area.
Least Significant Bit-Based Image Watermarking Mechanism
Authors: Singh Ranjeet Kumar , Dube Anand Prakash , Singh Rinki
Published: February 2022

Now days, digital data security over network is a big issue. Digital data security and authentication is a big and challenge able research area in the field of computer science. A lot of security mechanisms are available for data authentication and privacy. For the purpose of data security and secure communication encryption mechanism are available, and also for data authentication several watermarking techniques are available. In this paper authors mainly focus research based on image watermarking approach by using least significant bit substitutions. Here authors represent comparative studies of different LSB based image watermarking approach.This paper mainly focuses on spatial domain based data hiding mechanism. The detail comparison is also given in the tabular form.
Is It the Right Time to Include Kahoot?
Authors: Oraif Iman , Edirisingha Palitha
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to test the effectiveness of the 'Kahoot!' gamification program. It is one of the first studies of its kind to be conducted in a university in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). An experimental design was adopted, followed by interview-style surveys. The sample comprised two, randomly selected groups who were undertaking the Grammar module of the English Diploma at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, KSA. One group, allocated to use Google Forms for their assignments, consisted of 32 female students. The other group, consisting of 32 female students, was allocated to use ‘Kahoot!’ (gamification) for their assignments. The results indicated no significant differences between the groups in terms of their grammar development. However, the impact factor was higher in the Kahoot! group, and the students in this group were very positive in describing their experience.
US Presidential Elections on Social Media
Authors: Soliman Nesma Emam , Osama Alshimaa Mohamed
Published: February 2022

The current study was conducted on 391 young Egyptian respondents from different regions in Egypt. This study investigates the level of Egyptian youths’ dependence on social media to obtain information about the 2020 US presidential elections and the effects of social media use applying the Uses and Dependency Model developed by Rubin & Windahl 1986. The results indicated that the dependency on social media, specifically Facebook, had clear cognitive, emotional and behavioral effects toward the 2020 US presidential election. Gender, type of education, nature of the respondent's work, place of residence, and relatives residing in America, had a high degree of control over the occurrence of these effects.
How Does Knowledge Sharing Improve Global Virtual Team Performance?
Authors: Xue Yajiong , Killingsworth Brenda L. , Liu Yongjun , Seeman Elaine , Hauser Richard
Published: February 2022

This research investigates the complex role of knowledge sharing in enabling global virtual teams consisting of members located in different nations. The impact of knowledge sharing on team viability and team performance is examined through a longitudinal study involving 74 participants in 23 teams from two countries. Our data analysis shows that knowledge sharing directly increases team viability and performance. In addition, it plays a nuanced moderating role in reducing the negative influence of individualism on team viability and enhancing the positive influence of team viability on performance. This research provides a novel perspective to highlight the importance of knowledge sharing in global virtual teams, which not only makes a theoretical contribution to research on virtual teams but also offers practical guidance in virtual team management.
Assessing the Learning Outcomes of Using Mobile Game Integration in Teaching English Vocabulary
Authors: Alotaibi Khalid Abdullah , Alharbi Madhawi Ghallab
Published: February 2022

English language is taught universally and is therefore also in Saudi Arabia since 1958. But the student’s achievements have not been satisfactory, hence the imperative to research new teaching methods. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential and effects of using mobile device games on learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL) vocabulary for student achievement in a Saudi female public high school. After conducting pilot studies of five mobile games with teachers and students, The English Bee, an original game specifically designed for this research project, was selected. The study comprised one participant cohort who were taught two modules; one through The English Bee in and the other module was taught by traditional methods. It employed a mixed methodology of a number of collection techniques for both qualitative and quantitative data, namely, pre- and post-tests, focus group discussions, interviews and reflective essays.
Learning Algorithm Recommendation Framework for IS and CPS Security
Authors: Feltus Christophe
Published: February 2022

Artificial intelligence and machine learning have recently made outstanding contributions to the performance of information system and cyber--physical system security. There has been a plethora of research in this area, resulting in an outburst of publications over the past two years. Choosing the right algorithm to solve a complex security problem in a very precise industrial context is a challenging task. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a Learning Algorithm Recommendation Framework that, for a clearly defined situation, guides the selection of learning algorithm and scientific discipline (e.g. RNN, GAN, RL, CNN,...) which have sparked great interest to the scientific community and which therefore offers preponderant elements and benefits for further deployments. This framework has the advantage of having been generated from an extensive analysis of the literature, as illustrated by this paper for the recurrent neural networks and their variations.
Attracting Teachers to Rural and Remote Schools
Authors: Galafa Beaton , Ngoimanee Daosavanh
Published: February 2022

This article examines the teacher recruitment policies of Laos and Malawi in relation to rural teaching motivation. It evaluates the policies and analyzes the main issues affecting such policies. The study is qualitative, largely relying on available literature such as policy documents from education ministries in Laos and Malawi, UNICEF, UNESCO and World Bank education reports, published journal articles, and any supplementary material available in both the print and online media among others. The study finds that strategies to attract teachers to the rural and remote schools in both countries mainly include rural or hardship allowances and housing schemes. However, due to lack of financial capacity, the strategies have not been fully effective. Thus, the study recommends for improvement of the strategies through readjustment and extension of the benefits to include better housing schemes, provision of in-service training to rural and remote teachers, improved promotion criteria for rural teachers, and increment of the rural or hardship allowances.
Digital Literacy Skills Among Black Pre-Service Florida Teachers
Authors: Davis Cheron H. , Jones Patrice Glenn
Published: February 2022

Digital literacy and the practical application of technology are essential skills for pre-service teacher (PST) candidates. PSTs’ abilities to effectively implement and foster digital literacy among their students could be influenced by the degree to which digital literacy is emphasized in their teacher education preparation programs. Such disparity factors as age and race have been noted between digital natives and digital immigrants. This study uses a two-phase qualitative design to explore how Black PST candidates perceive (a) digital literacy, (b) digital literacy instruction during their programs at Florida colleges and universities, and (c) the degree of importance of teacher education faculty placed on digital literacy. Preliminary data was collected using a qualitative questionnaire and focus groups. Findings revealed four themes: (1) computer savvy is not the same as digital literacy, (2) personal uses do not transfer to professional skills, (3) more significant need for explicit instruction, and (4) Generation Alpha is on top.
Use of personal protective equipment by healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 infection at a tertiary care hospital in a lower middle-income country
Authors: Jayatilleke SK , Mendis DM , Perera TPW , Manoj SS , Iresha GK , Buddhadasa PCLS , Hansani HCL
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Data on PPE use and COVID-19 transmission in a healthcare setting is sparse.
Method: This study is a retrospective descriptive study on PPE use and Covid-19 transmission in a hospital.  Data collected during routine risk assessment was analyzed using SPSS_26 software.
Results: A total of 108 COVID-19 positive patients were diagnosed in the hospital, of whom 17 were health care workers (HCW). Of the 108, 29 (26.9%) were asymptomatic. Aerosol generating procedures were performed in 10 events. Fifty three HCWs were quarantined for 14 days following exposure but only 4 developed the disease. Of the total 946 events, 945 had HCWs exposed within 1 metre to COVID-19 positive patients while one event had exposure to the equipment used on a patient. Of the 945 events within a 1 metre distance, attending HCWs wore respirators during 446 (47.1%) events.  The source patient wore a mask only in 717 (75.9%) of the events. In 98 events, exposure was for more than 15 minutes. The Ct value of the source patient’s PCR was between 15.54 to 24.06 or RAT positive when the HCWs acquired the infection while it ranged from 23.28 to 33 when the contacts did not develop the disease. Not having a mask on by the source (p=0.014), >15 minutes exposure within 1m (p=0.03) and not having a face shield in addition to a mask (p=0.019) had significant association with COVID-19 transmission.
Conclusions: Acquiring COVID-19 infection in the hospital setting was uncommon (4/946) in spite of not using respirators during all healthcare exposures. In a quarter of the events, the source patients were not wearing a mask.  Not having a mask on by the source (p=0.014), >15 minutes exposure within 1m (p=0.03) and not having a face shield in addition to a mask (p=0.019) had significant association with COVID-19 transmission.
Career Aspirations of Recent Graduates From Professional Master's-Level Athletic Training Programs
Authors: Barrett Jessica L. , Bowman Thomas G. , Singe Stephanie M. , Kilbourne Brianne F.
Published: February 2022

Context

Transition to clinical practice is a topic receiving substantial attention. Many reports have focused on the educational program's role and have stopped short of identifying the impact of the initial year of employment on desire to persist and future career goals.

Objective

To examine the career aspirations of athletic trainers in their first year of employment who graduated from professional master's programs.

Design

Qualitative.

Setting

Nine professional master's athletic training programs, variety of employment settings.

Patients or Other Participants

Seven men and 7 women (age = 25.6 ± 3.7 years).

Data Collection and Analysis

A general inductive approach was used to analyze data from individual interviews conducted 6 and 12 months into the first year of clinical practice. Multiple-analyst triangulation and peer review ensured credibility.

Results

Graduates of professional master's programs in athletic training plan to stay in the profession. However, newly credentialed athletic trainers do not plan to remain with their initial employer beyond 2 years; 11 of 14 participants (79%) stated their first job was transitional. The first year of employment did not change participants' perceptions, as the graduates knew upon taking their first job that it would be temporary. Though participants planned to change jobs, most (79%) planned to continue to engage in clinical practice as athletic trainers.

Conclusions

Understanding newly credentialed athletic trainers' perceptions of the impact of the first year of employment can provide educators and employers important insight to assist in retention and persistence of young professionals. Graduates regard their first years of employment as impermanent. However, the majority do not wish to leave clinical practice. Participants viewed their first job as a way to gain valuable experience that did not dissuade them from continuing in the field. Recent graduates demonstrated ambitions to experience different work settings and higher-level positions with greater responsibilities.
Systematic mutational analysis of epitope-grafted ED3 immunogenicity reveals a DENV3-DENV4 bi-serospecific ED3 mutant
Authors: Sultana Mamtaz , Hasan Nazmul , Mahib Mamunur R. , Islam Mohammad M.
Published: February 2022

Objective:

To identify the residue determinants of the serospecificity and sero-cross-reactivity of dengue virus (DENV) envelope protein domain 3 (ED3), which contains two major putative epitopes of DENV.

Methods:

We constructed ED3 from DENV3 (3ED3) and DENV4 (4ED3), and six epitope-grafted variants, where we transferred epitope 1 (L304I, K305D, V309M, and S310A) and/or epitope 2 (D383N, K384S, K387T, and N389H) of 4ED3 onto 3ED3 and vice-versa. Swiss albino mice aged 3-4 weeks were immunized against wildtype and epitope-grafted ED3 variants and anti-ED3 IgG antibody responses were determined using ELISA.

Results:

Mouse immunization using 3ED3 and 4ED3 generated serotype-specific antisera, as expected. Similarly, most epitope- grafted ED3s produced antisera serospecific to the template ED3 with little or no cross-recognition of ED3 of the serotype from which the epitopes were taken. These indicated that a mere grafting of the epitope was not sufficient to transfer serospecificity, contrary to our expectations. However, one epitope-grafted ED3 mutant, where epitope 1 of 3ED3 was grafted onto 4ED3 (4ED3epi1), generated antisera that was serospecific to both 4ED3 and 3ED3.

Conclusions:

The 4ED3epi1 is a chimeric ED3 that produces antisera possessing serospecificity to both 3ED3 and 4ED3 onto a common 4ED3 scaffold. The 4ED3epi1, therefore, provides a unique tool for analyzing serospecificity and sero-cross-reactivity in dengue. We believe that chimeric ED3 may provide a template for future recombinant ED3 possessing serospecificity of multiple DENVs onto a single scaffold and may pave a way developing tri-and/or tetravalent anti-DENV antisera.
Furuncular myiasis by Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Diptera
Authors: Wakid Majed Hamdi , Almakki Angham Ahmed , Alsahaf Nouf Saleh , Almatrafi Mohammed Ali
Published: February 2022

Rationale:

Human myiasis is the invasion of tissue or organs by fly larvae. This could be obligatory, facultative, or accidental.

Patient concerns:

A 4-year-old Saudi boy complained of fever over the past three days with multiple inflamed painful dermal furuncles and worms-like discharge.

Diagnosis:

Furuncular obligatory myiasis caused by Wohlfahrtia magnifica.

Interventions:

Maggots were removed for identification. The wounds were cleaned with antiseptic dressings. Topical and oral antibiotics were applied.

Outcomes:

Seven days later, the wounds completely healed.

Lessons:

Although several reports correlated human myiasis with old age, low health status, mental retardation, and low socioeconomic status, but the patient in our case was a healthy child from a family with good socioeconomic status, good hygiene, no history of diseases or mental disability, but traveled to a village where the climate is suitable for fly breeding.
Current Research Status of Alkaloids against Breast Cancer
Authors: Hu Zhiqiang , Pan Jingling , Wang Jialing , Pei Yanmin , Zhou Ru
Published: February 2022

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women worldwide. Surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted drugs are the main methods currently used in clinical treatment of breast cancer. Although they can improve the symptoms of patients, they are also accompanied by a large number of side effects. Because of its multiple targets, traditional Chinese medicine can improve the quality of life of breast cancer patients and reduce the side effects associated with chemotherapy, which plays an important role in the treatment of breast cancer. To a certain extent, traditional Chinese medicine has advantages that modern medicine does not have in the treatment of breast cancer. Alkaloids are active ingredients widely distributed in traditional Chinese medicine, which have a variety of pharmacological effects including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antitumor effects. The author reviewed the literature on the treatment of breast cancer with alkaloids extracted from traditional Chinese medicine in recent years, and discussed the unique advantages of alkaloids in the treatment of breast cancer.
Epidemic retinitis - Factors associated with poor visual outcomes
Authors: Kawali Ankush , Sanjay Srinivasan , Mahendradas Padmamalini , Mohan Ashwin , Shetty Bhujang
Published: February 2022

Purpose:

To identify factors other than macular edema and retinitis location responsible for poor visual outcomes in epidemic retinitis (ER).

Methods:

A retrospective, observational, comparative study. Eyes with corrected distant visual acuity (CDVA) 20/200 or worse at resolution formed Group A. Eyes with central macular thickness (CMT) 600 μm or worse and retinitis within 1500 μm to foveal center at the presentation, but improved to CDVA 20/200 or better at the resolution formed Group B. The patient’s history, clinical presentation, imaging, and treatment outcomes were studied and the factors responsible for the final visual outcomes were compared in both groups.

Results:

Groups A and B included 25 eyes each. The mean CDVA at the presentation was 20/400 (range: 20/125–20000) and 20/320 (range: 20/80–20000), and mean CMT at the presentation was 948.5 μm (range: 520–1553) and 912.2 μm (range: 615–1250) in Groups A and B, respectively. All eyes except 1 (Group A) had retinitis lesions within 1500 μm of foveal center. The mean CDVA at the resolution was 20/400 (range: 20/200–20/20000) and 20/40 (range: 20/20–20/80) in Groups A and B, respectively. Older age, male gender, diabetic status, delayed presentation, poor presenting CDVA, bilaterality, presence of keratic precipitates, disk pallor, retinal thinning, and subfoveal deposits had a statistically significant association, whereas the absence of skin rash, ellipsoid zone loss, negative WIDAL, Weil-Felix test, and delayed doxycycline therapy or use of steroids without doxycycline had a statistically insignificant association with poor visual outcomes.

Conclusion:

Apart from presenting CMT and location of retinitis, multiple demographic, clinical, and imaging factors can be implicated for poor visual outcomes.
Correlation of vitreous chamber depth with ocular biometry in high axial myopia
Authors: Paritala Anusha , Takkar Brijesh , Gaur Nripen , Soni Deepak , Ali Mohammad Hasnat , Rathi Anubha
Published: February 2022

Purpose:

The proportion of axial length (AL) occupied by vitreous chamber depth (VCD), or VCD:AL, consistently correlates to ocular biometry in the general population. Relation of VCD:AL to ocular biometry in high myopia is not known. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relation of VCD and VCD:AL to ocular biometry of highly myopic eyes.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional retrospective study of records of 214 myopic eyes (<−1 D SE, aged 20–40 years) attending the refractive surgery services. High axial myopia was defined as AL >26.5 mm. Eyes with posterior staphyloma and myopic maculopathy were excluded. Records were assessed for measurements of AL, central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), white to white diameter (WTW), and vitreous chamber depth (VCD). Groups were formed based on increasing AL, while the sum of CCT, ACD, and LT was recorded as anterior segment depth (AS). The main outcome measure was the correlation of VCD and VCD:AL to ocular biometry. A comparison was also performed based on of degree of axial myopia.

Results:

Mean age of the patients was 27.0 ± 5.2 years. VCD showed a very strong correlation with AL (R = 0.98, P < 0.001) but did not correlate to any anterior parameter. VCD:AL showed moderate negative relation with AS (R = −0.43, P < 0.001) and ACD (R = −0.3, P < 0.001), while it had a weakly negative relation with LT (R = −0.18, P = 0.006). VCD:AL showed strong negative relation (R > ~0.7) with AS in all individual groups of AL. Among anterior parameters, WTW showed the most consistent relation with ocular biometry.

Conclusion:

VCD:AL is a better correlate of ocular biometry in high myopia as compared to VCD. However, the correlation is weaker than that noted by previous studies done on the general population. Longitudinal studies of VCD:AL in the younger age group is recommended.
Comparison of long-term outcomes of trabeculectomy and risk factors for failure in eyes post penetrating keratoplasty or Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty
Authors: Ramyashri S , Mohamed Ashik , Chaurasia Sunita , Senthil Sirisha
Published: February 2022

Purpose:

To evaluate the outcomes of trabeculectomy, graft survival, and risk factors for failure in post penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) eyes.

Methods:

We reviewed charts of eyes that underwent trabeculectomy for post keratoplasty glaucoma PK [25 eyes] and DSEK [14 eyes] between 1993 and 2019. The demographics, clinical features, and surgical outcomes were evaluated. Success of trabeculectomy was defined as complete when the intraocular pressure (IOP) was >5 and ≤21 mmHg without antiglaucoma medications (AGM) and qualified with AGM. Clear and compact graft was considered for graft success.

Results:

Median (interquartile range [IQR] preoperative IOP in post-PK eyes and post-DSEK eyes was comparable, 32 (28–38) vs. 31.5 (25–36) mmHg, P = 0.38). Median number of preoperative AGMs was comparable (P = 0.78). Median postoperative follow-up was longer in post-PK, compared with post-DSEK, 2.5 (1.3–3.3) vs. 1 (0.3–2.9) years (P = 0.05). Kaplan–Meier survival estimates for complete and qualified success of trabeculectomy at 3 years were 23.7% and 73.3%, respectively, for PK and 45.8% and 71.6%, respectively, for DSEK. Kaplan–Meier survival estimates for graft survival were 91.8% up to 3 years for PK and 100% until 2 years and 77.8% at 3 years for DSEK. Higher IOP prior to trabeculectomy was a risk factor for failure of trabeculectomy (P = 0.03) and older age was a risk factor for graft failure (P = 0.05) in PK eyes. Number of prior corneal surgeries (P = 0.05) was associated with failure of trabeculectomy and graft failure in post-DSEK eyes.

Conclusion:

Trabeculectomy had moderate qualified success in post-PK and DSEK eyes at 3 years. Higher pretrabeculectomy IOP and higher number of prior corneal surgeries were significantly associated with failure of trabeculectomy in PK and DSEK eyes, respectively.
Diabetic retinopathy screening in the public sector in India: What is needed?
Authors: Gupta Vivek , Azad Shorya Vardhan , Vashist Praveen , Senjam Suraj S , Kumar Atul
Published: February 2022

India has been witnessing an epidemic of diabetes for several years now. A large proportion of patients with undiagnosed and poorly controlled diabetes are at great risk of developing diabetic retinopathy (DR) and irreversible blindness. The goal of DR screening is to identify people with sight-threatening DR early so that prompt treatment can be initiated, and blindness can be prevented. Systematic DR screening is essential to identify disease early, and a national effort for the same is required. We adopt a health system approach to outline the actions that need to take place for effective DR screening in the public sector in India. We discuss the role of national leadership, needs assessment, finalization of DR screening and referral pathway, trainings, strategies to improve the uptake, allocation of roles and responsibilities, public-private partnerships, quality control, and financing.
Visual function tests for glaucoma practice - What is relevant?
Authors: Rao Aparna , Padhy Debananda , Pal Anindita , Roy Avik Kumar
Published: February 2022

Glaucoma represents one of the most important ocular diseases causing irreversible ganglion cell death. It is one of the most common causes of visual impairment and morbidity in the elderly population. There are various tests for measuring visual function in glaucoma. While visual field remains the undisputed method for screening, diagnosis, and monitoring disease progression, other tests have been studied for their utility in glaucoma practice. This review discusses some of the commonly used tests of visual function that can be routinely used in clinics for glaucoma management. Among the various modalities of testing visual function in glaucoma, this review highlights the tests that are most clinically relevant.
Physical activity, time spent outdoors, and near work in relation to myopia prevalence, incidence, and progression: An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Authors: Karthikeyan Siddharth K , Ashwini DL , Priyanka M , Nayak Anush , Biswas Sayantan
Published: February 2022

Myopia has reached epidemic levels in recent years. Stopping the development and progression of myopia is critical, as high myopia is a major cause of blindness worldwide. This overview aims at finding the association of time spent outdoors (TSO), near work (NW), and physical activity (PA) with the incidence, prevalence, and progression of myopia in children. Literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, ProQuest, and Web of Science databases. Systematic reviews (SR) and meta-analyses (MA) on the TSO, NW, and PA in relation to myopia were reviewed. Methodological nature of qualified studies were evaluated utilizing the Risk of Bias in Systematic Review tool. We identified four SRs out of which three had MA, which included 62 unique studies, involving >1,00,000 children. This overview found a protective trend toward TSO with a pooled odds ratio (OR) of 0.982 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.979–0.985, I2 = 93.5%, P < 0.001) per extra hour of TSO every week. A pooled OR 1.14 (95% CI 1.08–1.20) suggested NW to be related to risk of myopia. However, studies associating myopia with NW activities are not necessarily a causality as the effect of myopia might force children to indoor confinement with more NW and less TSO. PA presented no effect on myopia. Though the strength of evidence is less because of high heterogeneity and lack of clinical trials with clear definition, increased TSO and reduced NW are protective against myopia development among nonmyopes.
Secondary developmental glaucoma in eyes with congenital aphakia
Authors: Badakere Swathi Vallabh , Aulakh Simranjeet , Achanta Divya Sree Ramya , Chary Raghava , Senthil Sirisha , Chaurasia Sunita , Ramappa Muralidhar , Edward Deepak P
Published: February 2022

Purpose:

To describe the clinical spectrum and management of glaucoma in congenital aphakia.

Methods:

The demographics and clinical spectrum of eyes with congenital aphakia with and without glaucoma were compared, and management outcomes of congenital aphakia cases with glaucoma were studied retrospectively between April 2000 and June 2020.

Results:

There were a total of 168 eyes (84 subjects) with a diagnosis of congenital aphakia, of which 29 eyes of 18 subjects were diagnosed with glaucoma. Corneal opacity was the presenting complaint in 26/29 eyes with glaucoma and 139/139 eyes without glaucoma. The (interquartile range (IQR)) horizontal corneal diameter was 10.5mm (IQR, 9.0-12.5) and 8mm (IQR, 5-10) in eyes with and without glaucoma (P = 0.01), respectively. The median (IQR) axial length was 17.5mm (IQR, 13.5-19.5) and 15mm (IQR, 14-16) mm in eyes with and without glaucoma (P = 0.03), respectively. Nineteen eyes with glaucoma had adequate intraocular pressure (IOP) control with one medication. Three eyes underwent transscleral diode cyclophotocoagulation and maintained IOP without medications. Three eyes underwent trabeculectomy and trabeculotomy, trabeculectomy followed by penetrating keratoplasty, and trabeculectomy, respectively, of which two eyes became phthisical. At the last follow-up, the median (IQR) IOP was 14 mm Hg (IQR, 14-17) Hg. The median (IQR) follow-up duration was 4.53 months (IQR, 2.03- 48.06).

Conclusion:

One-fifth of the eyes with congenital aphakia had secondary developmental glaucoma. The corneal diameter and axial lengths were higher in the eyes with glaucoma compared to eyes without glaucoma. Medical management is the preferred short-term mode of IOP control. Transscleral cyclophotocoagulation may be preferred over surgical intervention.
Tribal Odisha Eye Disease Study (TOES). Report # 10. Disability inclusive eye health survey in a tribal district (Rayagada) in Odisha, India
Authors: Rathi Varsha M , Williams Jachin D , Rajshekar Varda , Khanna Rohit C , Das Taraprasad
Published: February 2022

Purpose:

To estimate seeing and other disabilities in a population cohort in a tribal district, Rayagada, in the Indian state of Orissa.

Methods:

A door-to-door survey was conducted to identify the disabilities. The vision was measured at the residence of the subject, and other disabilities were documented from the history obtained from the subject/household/neighbor. All people with seeing disabilities were reexamined in the community eye center (primary or secondary), and required treatment was given at no cost to the patients. People with other disabilities were transported to the public health facility for appropriate care and disability certification. The results were compared with the 2011 national census data.

Results:

A total of 147,699 people were enumerated, and 106,339 (72%) were examined over one year period, 2016–17. In this cohort, 47.3% (n = 50,320) were male and 27.5% (n = 29,215) were 40 years or older. We recorded systemic disease in 0.6% (n = 689) people; hypertension was two times higher than diabetes mellitus. Disability was identified in 2.8% (n = 3022). Common disabilities were seeing (46.7%; n = 1411), hearing (36.8%; n = 1112), mobility (10.4%; n = 315), and mental retardation (3.2%; n = 98). Dual sensory disability (seeing and hearing) was seen in 6.4% (n = 251), and it was higher in the older age group. Seeing and hearing disabilities were higher than the 2011 state (P =< 0.001) and national (P =< 0.001) disability census.

Conclusion:

The first population-based survey in Rayagada, Odisha (India) in 2017 showed a higher proportion of people with seeing and hearing disabilities. It calls for an appropriate service strategy.
Early outcomes of 21-gauge needle-guided ab interno tube sulcus placement of a non-valved implant in pseudophakic eyes
Authors: Maheshwari Devendra , Rao Sanjana , Pawar Neelam , Kadar Mohideen A , Ramakrishnan Rengappa
Published: February 2022

We report the early outcomes and describe an ab interno 21-G needle technique of sulcus placement of the Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) tube in nine pseudophakic eyes. IOP reduced from a preoperative mean (SD) of 28.33 (9.80) to 11.56 (2.65) mm Hg and the mean (SD) number of preoperative medications reduced from 3.0 (0.7) to 0.4 (0.9) at 3 months. There were no intraoperative complications noted. This technique of sulcus placement of the AADI tube is a precise technique of tube insertion. It may be an alternative to existing ab externo procedures of tube sulcus placement, limiting multiple blind entries.
Reverse graft suturing to avoid Descemet’s membrane detachment of glycerol-preserved donor cornea used for therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty during COVID-19 to overcome the tissue shortage – A novel surgical technique
Authors: Narayanan Niveditha
Published: February 2022

To overcome tissue shortage during pandemic, we switched to 100% glycerol preservation of the donor cornea, which is economical and provides longer duration of storage than the short and intermediate storage mediums we normally use like McCAREY Kaufman (MK) or cornisol. During our initial few cases of therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty using glycerol preserved donor cornea, we faced spontaneous Descemet’s detachments resistant to air tamponade. We tried reverse graft suturing and successfully reinforced Descemet’s attachment along with air tamponade, in one of the cases after multiple failed air injections. In the subsequent two cases of infective keratitis needing therapeutic penetrating Keratoplasty, we took eight reverse sutures in between the eight cardinals, to anchor the Descemet’s membrane of the graft. Both the grafts showed attached Descemet’s and maintained good graft clarity. The reverse corneal suturing technique has not been described to the best of our knowledge and hope this helps our corneal fraternity.