bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Les enjeux de compétitivité industrielle de la transition électrique
Authors: Bui Hoang
Published: April 2023

La France doit relever le défi de la décarbonation de son économie et son effort sera d’autant plus important qu’elle voudra non seulement maintenir, mais aussi développer son industrie. Certains secteurs, qui sont les plus impactés, se révèlent être aussi les plus stratégiques pour notre souveraineté et sont en outre de gros pourvoyeurs d’emplois. Un des leviers principaux de décarbonation des entreprises industrielles, c’est l’électricité, soit en utilisation directe soit au travers du vecteur hydrogène. La France aura besoin en 2030 de 680 kt d’hydrogène pour décarboner son industrie et la mobilité lourde, ce qui implique de disposer d’au moins 6,5 GW de capacités d’électrolyse installées et raccordées au réseau électrique. Les projets de production d’hydrogène s’inscrivent dans une temporalité contrainte : si l’hydrogène n’arrive pas à temps, ses principaux clients industriels ne pourront pas se décarboner selon le calendrier prévu, avec le risque que les grands investissements de modernisation soient finalement abandonnés ou délocalisés. Ce serait alors tout un pan de l’industrie française qui serait condamné à moyen-long terme. Si l’on considère les très grands projets d’électrolyse de l’eau prévus en France, certains de plusieurs centaines de MW, ils nécessitent pour la plupart un raccordement au réseau de transport d’électricité dès 2026 ou, au plus tard, en 2027. Or, il existe actuellement de fortes inquiétudes chez les industriels, car les délais annoncés pour ces raccordements laissent présager plusieurs années de retard. Ainsi, cette difficulté d’un raccordement au réseau de transport s’avère être un obstacle potentiellement critique sur le chemin des grands projets de décarbonation de l’industrie. Dans un environnement de plus en plus complexe et de plus en plus foisonnant, stimulé qu’il est par l’appétence des entrepreneurs de l’hydrogène qui veulent être les premiers, alors que les marchés ne sont pas encore matures et que les offres paraissent parfois redondantes, il pourrait être tentant d’attendre avant d’investir dans le renforcement du système électrique. Or, attendre, c’est être sûr de perdre une partie de notre industrie, qui doit négocier de difficiles tournants technologiques et climatiques dans un calendrier contraint. Celle-ci pourrait donc être tentée de s’établir dans des pays offrant un système électrique plus réactif et compétitif. À cela s’ajoutent des tensions sur l’approvisionnement en équipements nécessaires pour réaliser ces raccordements : il faut donc agir sans attendre pour ne pas être les derniers servis. Il est urgent que les parties prenantes, à commencer l’État et le gestionnaire de réseau, travaillent sur une prise en compte de tous les facteurs de compétitivité de notre système électrique et partagent une vision commune des besoins de l’industrie et des projets à mener à bien.
Les enjeux de la numérisation pour les gestionnaires du réseau de distribution
Authors: Jumel Sébastien , Mallet Pierre
Published: April 2023

Le réseau public de distribution d’électricité se trouve, partout dans le monde, au carrefour de nombreuses transitions, que ce soit en matière environnementale, technologique, numérique, économique ou encore sociétale. Nous allons passer d’un système électrique centralisé à un système partiellement décentralisé reposant sur des moyens de production intermittents et donc bien moins pilotables. L’optimisation de la distribution se jouera à des mailles variées, de plus en plus locales. Et la flexibilité, permise par une utilisation intelligente des données, sera la clé du système. Ces transformations vont très largement s’appuyer sur le réseau de distribution de l’électricité, lequel devient ainsi la véritable colonne vertébrale de la transition écologique en cours. Les solutions fondées sur le traitement des données sont essentielles pour mettre en œuvre ces transformations, dès lors qu’elles ouvrent des perspectives d’amélioration majeure de notre performance et de développement de services. Le compteur communicant Linky constitue un maillon central de cette numérisation. Avec lui, Enedis bascule dans le monde du Big Data . Linky ouvre la voie au pilotage dynamique des usages, facilite l’essor de l’autoconsommation et rend possible une offre de nombreux nouveaux services. C’est aussi un formidable outil pour améliorer la performance de la gestion du réseau. Bien sûr, cette transformation ne se fera pas en un jour, mais elle va s’accélérer, imposant un rythme d’innovation de plus en plus soutenu. Et nous ne pourrons répondre à ce défi qu’en bénéficiant d’un écosystème performant, d’un cadre réglementaire adapté et de la mobilisation de tous les salariés de notre société.
Les outils de planification locale dans le contexte de la transition énergétique
Authors: Arnaud Claude
Published: April 2023

Réussir la transition énergétique de nos villes, c’est-à-dire l’abandon du pétrole au profit de diverses sources d’énergies décarbonées, est schématiquement conditionnée par trois actions indispensables : un investissement massif dans les énergies renouvelables et de récupération (EnR&R) ; une baisse globale de nos consommations par l’usage d’équipements plus efficients et par des comportements permanents plus responsables ; et une planification coordonnée des travaux à mener pour optimiser tant l’efficacité technique que l’étalement judicieux des investissements et financements. Dans cet article, nous nous intéressons justement aux outils de planification qu’ils soient existants ou en développement. L’institut Efficacity pour la transition énergétique de la ville a notamment développé une suite logicielle adaptée pour l’aménagement en rénovation ou à neuf de quartiers et territoires urbains. Ces outils testés sur de nombreux cas concrets donnent aux décideurs politiques les éléments techniques et financiers leur permettant d’opérer les meilleurs choix en matière de solutions énergétiques et pour leur gestion et, ainsi, de bâtir leur programme Climat Énergie au travers de plans opérationnels d’exécution pluriannuelle.
High larval densities and high temperatures lead to a stronger immune response in the black soldier fly
Authors: Opare L.O. , Meister H. , Holm S. , Kaasik A. , Esperk T.
Published: April 2023

Organisms are expected to invest more in their immune function when the risk of disease infection is high. However, induction of a robust immune response is costly and may not be achievable in suboptimal environments. High conspecific density could simultaneously imply high infection risk and a suboptimal environment for many insect species. We focus on the economically important dipteran species (black soldier fly, BSF) that represents the insect order that has been ignored in previous research on density effects on immunity. The experimental part of the study was carried out to evaluate the effect of larval density (three density treatments: 1, 5 and 10 larvae/cm2) and temperature (three thermal treatments: 23, 27 and 30 °C) on the immune function of BSF larvae. The larvae that were reared at high compared to low larval densities and at higher than lower temperatures had significantly higher activity of phenoloxidase, an enzyme that plays an essential role in insect immune function. Sex did not have a significant effect on phenoloxidase activity and prepupal mass, pupal mass and adult mass were not affected by the levels of phenoloxidase activity of fifth instar larvae. In addition, we give an overview of larval density effects on insect immunity and show that density-dependent prophylaxis (stronger immune response in high larval density environments) is indeed common in the results of published case studies. However, cases with no correlation between density and immunity traits were as frequent. Moreover, in more than half of the studies, qualitatively different within-species patterns in different immunity traits were observed. We conclude that BSF larvae exhibit density-dependent prophylaxis, and larvae invest more into their immune system at high larval densities and temperatures than they do at low larval densities and temperatures.
State estimation and optimal control of an inverted pendulum on a cart system with stochastic approximation approach
Authors: Sim Xian Wen , Kek Sie Long , Sim Sy Yi
Published: April 2023

In this paper, optimal control of an inverted pendulum on a cart system is studied. Since the nonlinear structure of the system is complex, and in the presence of random disturbances, optimization and control of the motion of the system become more challenging. For handling this system, a discrete-time stochastic optimal control problem for the system is described, where the external force is considered as the control input. By defining a loss function, namely, the mean squared errors to be minimized, the stochastic approximation (SA) approach is applied to estimate the state dynamics. In addition, the Hamiltonian function is defined, and the first-order necessary conditions are derived. The gradient of the cost function is determined so that the SA approach is employed to update the control sequences. For illustration, considering the values of the related parameters in the system, the discrete-time stochastic optimal control problem is solved iteratively by using the SA algorithm. The simulation results show that the state estimation and the optimal control law design are well performed with the SA algorithm, and the motion of the inverted pendulum cart is addressed satisfactorily. In conclusion, the efficiency of the SA approach for solving the inverted pendulum on a cart system is verified.
On Hilbert-Pachpatte type inequalities within $ \psi $-Hilfer fractional generalized derivatives
Authors: Başcı Yasemin , Baleanu Dumitru
Published: April 2023

In this manuscript, we discussed various new Hilbert-Pachpatte type inequalities implying the left sided $ \psi $-Hilfer fractional derivatives with the general kernel. Our results are a generalization of the inequalities of Pečarić and Vuković [1]. Furthermore, using the specific cases of the $ \psi $-Hilfer fractional derivative, we proceed with wide class of fractional derivatives by selecting $ \psi $, $ a_1 $, $ b_1 $ and considering the limit of the parameters $ \alpha $ and $ \beta $.
An accelerated alternating directional method with non-monotone technique for matrix recovery
Authors: Wen Ruiping , Li Wenwei
Published: April 2023

Low-rank and sparse structures have been frequently exploited in matrix recovery and robust PCA problems. In this paper, we develop an alternating directional method and its variant equipped with the non-monotone search procedure for solving a non-convex optimization model of low-rank and sparse matrix recovery problems, where the concerned matrix with incomplete data is separable into a low-rank part and a sparse part. The main idea is to use the alternating minimization method for the low-rank matrix part, and to use the non-monotone line search technique for the sparse matrix part to iteratively update, respectively. To some extent, the non-monotone strategy relaxes the single-step descent into a multi-step descent and then greatly improves the performance of the alternating directional method. Theoretically, we prove the global convergence of the two proposed algorithms under some mild conditions. Finally, the comparison of numerical experiments shows that the alternate directional method with non-monotone technique is more effective than the original monotone method and the previous method. The efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed algorithms are demonstrated by solving some instances of random incomplete matrix recovery problems and some problems of the background modeling in video processing.
Thai Commercial Banks on Twitter
Authors: Thongmak Mathupayas
Published: April 2023

Twitter is a social media (SM) platform that rapidly generates electronic word of mouth (e-WOM). Marketer-generated content (MGC) is controllable and could enhance the positive e-WOM. Hence, in this study, the author examined the characteristics of MGC and reactions from followers based on Thai banks' Twitter accounts. The author collected a total of 10,000 tweets from nine banks in Thailand—both high- and low-performing banks. The author conducted research with natural language processing (NLP) to uncover intents using an open application programming interface (API). The author used three data-mining techniques—association, clustering, and classification. The Twitter strategies of banks with high and low performances are quite similar. The sentiment is the intent type that dominates Thai banks' intent strategies. Several intents could be combined to draw e-WOM in terms of favorites (FAV) and retweets (RT). Six intent patterns (clusters) were extracted. Some of these clusters are classifiers for FAV and non-FAV tweets. This study guides the application of data mining in business research and suggests MGC strategies for marketers.
Robot Imports and Employment Location Choice
Authors: Liu Kai , Hu Keying , Wang Yanyan , Sun Yan
Published: April 2023

As the “pearl at the top of the manufacturing industry,” the widespread use of robots is affecting the employment decisions of individual workers. This paper contributes to our understanding of this subject by analyzing the impact of imports of industrial robots on employment location choice at the inter-provinces level in China. The analysis applies a logit approach to microdata from the China Customs Database and China Labor Dynamics Survey. The results suggest that robot import positively affects employment location choice, supporting the theory of “coexistence” between intelligent robots and the labor force. Specifically, industrial robots attract skilled workers via the creation effect and drive away routine labor via the substitution effect, but the creation effect is greater than the substitution effect. Finally, the authors discuss the channels from the perspectives of “skill-biased” and “routine-biased.”
The Impact of Improving Employee Psychological Empowerment and Job Performance Based on Deep Learning and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Fan Xiaoxue , Zhao Shulang , Zhang Xuan , Meng Lingchai
Published: April 2023

In order to improve the management mode of the human resources system and enhance the work efficiency of employees, this paper uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to enhance the psychological empowerment of employees. It affects employees' work performance from a psychological perspective with the help of psychological empowerment. The questionnaire survey method collects data on the influencing factors of employees' psychological empowerment. The statistical data are analyzed by regression. Back propagation neural network (BPNN) algorithm based on deep learning is used to establish the work condition evaluation model. The job satisfaction, pressure, and performance of employees based on psychological empowerment are analyzed.
Age-sex effect on in-hospital complications and mortality in patients with Takotsubo syndrome. Insights from the National Inpatient Sample
Authors: Vriz Olga , Alzahrani Talal , Landi Irene , Mushtaq Ali Hassan , Shaik Abdullah , Elshaer Ahmed Nahid
Published: April 2023

Age and sex differences in Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) are still a matter of debate. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the difference in cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, CV disease, in-hospital complications, and death within different sex-age groups. Using the National Inpatient Sample database between 2012 and 2016, 32,474 patients older than 18 years of age hospitalized with the primary diagnosis of TTS were identified. A total of 32.474 patients were enrolled, 27,611 (85.04%) were females. Cardiovascular risk factors were higher in females while CV diseases and in-hospital complications were significantly higher in males. The mortality in males was twice as high as that of female patients (9.83% vs 4.58%, p<0.01) and in logistic regression model after adjustment for confounders, odds ratio was 1.79, CI 1.60-2.02, p<0.01. After dividing the group based on age, in-hospital complications were inversely related to age in both sexes, and the length of in-hospital stay was double in the youngest group compared to the oldest one. Mortality increased progressively with age in both groups but was constantly higher in males for each age group. A multiple logistic regression analysis for mortality was performed for the two sexes separately and the 3 age groups considering the youngest one as the reference group. In females, the OR was 1.59 and 2.88 respectively for group 2 and 3, for males OR was 1.92 and 3.15, all of them statistically significant (p<0.01). In-hospital complications were more common in younger patients with TTS and particularly in males. Mortality was positively correlated with age for both sexes, but mortality was higher in males compared to females in all age groups.
Response to insecticides and underlying mechanisms of resistance in the field populations of Aedes aegypti Linnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Puducherry, India
Authors: Nihad P P Muhammad , Subramanian Muthukumaravel , Gunasekaran K , Kumar Ashwani
Published: April 2023

Background & objectives:

Mosquito-borne diseases are major threats to human health worldwide. Successful control of vector mosquitoes requires periodic updates on their response to the insecticides that are in use. Different classes of neurotoxic insecticides have been used in vector control programs. Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus are the primary vectors of dengue and have developed resistance to organophosphates and synthetic pyrethroids that are used in vector control programs. Monitoring insecticide pressure and studying the underlying mechanisms of resistance in the field populations of Aedes aegypti are important to formulate resistant management strategies for their control programs.

Methods:

Aedes aegypti were collected from study sites Lawspet and Abishegapakkam and F1 progeny was subject to biochemical assays to determine the enzyme activity. Insecticide susceptibility tests were conducted to determine vector susceptibility/resistance to malathion and deltamethrin. Adult dried mosquitoes were subjected to multiplex PCR to detect point mutation in the VGSC gene.

Results:

Insecticide susceptibility test results revealed that Aedes aegypti is resistant to malathion and incipient resistance to deltamethrin has emerged. It was observed that β-esterase and monoxygense activity were significantly higher in Lawspet sample than the laboratory strain, whereas it was comparatively lower in Abishegapakkam sample than laboratory strain. Multiplex PCR assays showed no kdr mutation in all Ae. aegypti strains.

Interpretation & conclusion:

Monitoring insecticide resistance in Ae. aegypti would help the local health authorities to implement a rationalized approach for insecticide use in vector control.
Comparative efficacy of natural aquatic predators for biological control of mosquito larvae: A neglected tool for vector control
Authors: Kaura Taruna , Mewara Abhishek , Zaman Kamran , Sehgal Rakesh
Published: April 2023

Mosquitoes are a dominant fraction of dipteran fauna, occupying a variety of niches. The most common method deployed for their control is the use of insecticides. Throughout their life cycle they are exposed to a wide range of predators in different habitats, thus biological control of mosquitoes by using aquatic predators has been suggested. Therefore, the present study was carried out to explore the type of natural predators coexisting with the mosquito larvae in still water bodies and to determine their efficacy as predators for mosquito larvae. A coexistence of different predators with mosquito larvae was observed in 27 standing water bodies of Chandigarh, India. The predation efficiency of tadpoles of frog was comparable to Gambusia fish, as 97% of the mosquito larvae of all instars of the medically important mosquito genera Anopheles, Aedes, Culex and Armigeres were preyed. The toad tadpoles were found to be least effective and their predation rate was found to be negligible. Further studies on larval source management by frog tadpoles in combination with insecticides or stand-alone would be worthwhile.
The Effect of Dentin Matrix Proteins on Differentiation of Autologous Guinea Pig Dental Pulp Stem Cells
Authors: Taher Abolfazl Salehi , Sadrabad Maryam Jalili , Izadi Armin , Ghorbani Raheb , Sohanian Shabnam , Saberian Elham
Published: April 2023

Backround:

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of dentin matrix proteins on the differentiation of guinea pig dental pulp stem cells to regenerate Dentin Bridge.

Materials and Methods:

This experimental study was performed on six adult male guinea pigs. Pig incisor teeth were divided into two groups: the first group was induced by calcium hydroxide as a control group and the second group was induced by matrix protein induction as a case group. After 1 and 3 days, the samples of both groups were stained by hematoxylin and eosin to examine the presence of odontoblast-like cells, the severity of inflammation, and the type and amount of dentin which was made, microscopically and for counting stem cells in the dentin site. Immunohistochemistry staining method was done.

Results:

In the case group, the amount of reconstituted dentin, the presence of stem cells and odontoblastic differentiation were higher than in the control group (P < 0.05) and the type of regenerated dentin potentially was of higher quality, although it was not statistically significant (P = 0.924). However, the amount of regenerated dentin (P = 0.001), the presence of pulp stem cells (P = 0.001) and the increased quality of regenerated dentin (P = 0.001) in both groups on the 1st and 3rd days were significantly different.

Conclusion:

The results showed that dentin matrix proteins were more effective on stem cell migration, odontoblastic differentiation, amount and quality of restorative dentin than the control group, but did not significantly; probably because low sample size.
Oscillations of BV measures on unbounded nested fractals
Authors: Alonso Ruiz Patricia , Baudoin Fabrice
Published: April 2023

Motivated by recent developments in the theory of bounded variation functions on unbounded nested fractals, this paper studies the exact asymptotics of functionals related to the total variation measure associated with unions of

n

-cells. The oscillatory behavior observed implies the non-uniqueness of BV measures in this setting.
Slovenski jezik in vloga učiteljev slovenskega jezika na Hrvaškem
Authors: Riman Barbara , Novak Lukanović Sonja
Published: April 2023

In Croatia, Slovene has the status of a minority language, and the number of speakers is declining every year. In the last decade, there have been intensive efforts toward the preservation and revitalization of the Slovene language in Croatia, where an important role is played by Slovene language teachers. In 2020, a survey was conducted among Slovene language teachers in Croatia with the aim to identify and describe the challenges they face. The article presents the results of this survey.
Jezikovno procesiranje med naravnim branjem: koregistracija gibanja oči in nevronskih odzivov
Authors: Marjanovič Katarina
Published: April 2023

While psycho- and neurolinguistic research on the processing of words in isolation has greatly contributed to our understanding of visual word identification, more and more emphasis has recently been given to the importance of studying the reading process in its more natural form, i.e., while reading complete sentences or paragraphs. However, this is not trivial to achieve when we focus on research into the neural correlates of language processing during reading. Specifically, the most popular method for this type of research, electroencephalography, does not make it possible to study the neural correlates of language processing during natural reading. In the paper, we address this issue, and present the ways in which the neural correlates of language processing during natural reading can be studied with simultaneous application of two different methods, what is known as coregistration.
Naklon kot morfoskladenjska kategorija v slovenščini
Authors: Žele Andreja
Published: April 2023

The paper discusses mood not only in terms of the verb and its modality, but also as a morphosyntactic category able to influence sentence formation in terms of syntax, a sentence being a well-formed unit of message communication. It presents verbal as well as non-verbal and clausal means to express modality in Slovene, and how they may be used to express the sentence-forming mood. Within the so-called verbal mood paradigm, which may also be marked morphologically, there are the indicative, imperative, and conditional moods, but also notably the lexicalized descriptive optative mood attested in such fixed expressions as Naj pride “let him come”, Naj bo “let there be”, Daj naredi(te) “go and do”. It is these descriptive modal verb forms that warrant an analysis of mood as a morphosyntactic phenomenon. Since some forms of a specific verbal mood have been lexicalized, mood must be a language-specific morphosyntactic category. Additionally, verbal mood is a basic and fundamental part of sentence-forming mood. Sentence formation consists of the speaker and their communicative intention, and the so-called morphosyntactic modal modification of a sentence, both of which establish the basic relations between pragmatics, semantics and syntax. The speaker’s input into sentence formation is shown to be the key to this, and therefore the most basic tenet of modality analysis, the analysis of modal means of verbalizing communicative roles and patterns. For this reason, as it is the specifying as well as distinctive property of any communicative sentence formation, modality (naklonskost) contains the suffix “-ost” typical of communicative roles in Slovene; the grammar of Slovene attests pripovednost (oznanjalnost) “declarativity”, vprašalnost “interrogativity”, velelnost (pozivnost) “imperativity”, and želelnost “optativity”, which is a typology congruent with the one of communicative roles. The paper also discusses a hypothesis stating that sentence formation enables distinguishing propositional modality within the predicator from non-propositional modality, which cannot be an element of any typical propositional unit. As such, deadjectival adverbs of quality, particles and interjections can only be non-propositional elements.
Prevodni premiki v bivanjskih stavkih: o samostalniškosti angleščine in glagolskosti slovenščine
Authors: Kavalir Monika
Published: April 2023

English existential sentences exhibit a tendency to condense information within the noun phrase, i.e. the (psychological) subject (There is/are X). Slovene, on the other hand, is supposed to be verb-oriented instead, even though such claims have not as yet been sufficiently empirically supported. The paper looks at translation shifts that occur when English existential sentences are translated into Slovene, to verify the hypothesis about the nominal nature of English vs. verbal nature Slovene, including in a temporal dimension. Syntactic and lexical changes are analysed across 200 examples of existential sentences from eight literary works (originally published between 1945 and 2013). The results indicate that the most common strategy is to keep the same clausal structure and (psychological) subject together with the verb be, and that the characteristics of the original English clause (whether it contains an expansion or not) are not particularly relevant. The key processes turn out to be replacing inanimate subjects with animate ones and replacing the verb be with similar verbs or with verbs that have an idiomatic link to an adjacent noun. Comparison across time suggests that the strategies of changing the subject and the verb are increasingly less important. The contrastive English-Slovene analysis of existential sentences thus reveals additional insights into the syntactic properties of the two languages and into the changing translation practices.
Editor’s choice: COVID-19 and other infections in Africa
Authors: K Tumwine James
Published: April 2023

NIL
Evaluation of some immune and inflammatory responses in diabetes and HIV co-morbidity
Authors: Chinyelu Chukwuanukwu Rebecca , Bernice Nwosu Ngozi , Ositadinma Ifeanyichukwu Martin , Chinyere Nsonwu-Anyanwu Augusta , Onochie Manafa Patrick
Published: April 2023

Background: Co-existence of diabetes in the HIV infected reportedly further complicates the attendant impairment of immunity and increases susceptibility to opportunistic infections.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate some immune and inflammatory parameters in HIV and type 2 diabetes (T2D) co-morbidity: Immunoglobulin M and G (IgM and IgG), Interleukin-6, CD4+ T-cells and C-reactive protein.

Method: The study involved 200 subjects grouped according to their HIV and diabetes status: Group 1 ‘Diabetic HIV seropositive’( n=40), Group 2 ‘Non diabetic HIV seropositive’(n=60), Group 3 ‘Diabetic HIV seronegative’(n=50), and Group 4 ‘Control non diabetic HIV seronegative’(n=50). Blood samples were collected for testing.

Results: CRP levels were significantly elevated in diabetes and HIV co-morbidity compared to other groups. IL–6 levels were significantly higher in diabetics with or without HIV infection. In addition, IL-6 was significantly elevated in individuals with poor glycemic control (HbA1c > 9.0%) compared to those with good glycemic control. IgG and IgM levels in diabetic HIV seropositive subjects were highest compared with other groups.

Conclusion: The increased IL-6, CRP, IgG, IgM and decreased CD4+ T cell counts observed in co-morbidity suggest that HIV and T2D co-morbidity exacerbate the immune and inflammatory impairment observed in either disease entity.

KeyWords: Diabetes; HIV; co-morbidity; immune responses; inflammation; glycemic control.
Hypertension in people living with HIV on combined antiretroviral therapy in rural Tanzania
Authors: Trifirò Silvia , Cavallin Francesco , Mangi Sabina , Mhaluka Lawrence , Maffoni Silvia , Taddei Stefano , Putoto Giovanni , F Torelli Giovanni
Published: April 2023

Exposure to anti-retroviral therapy in HIV infection has been associated with hypertension, but whether and to what extent HIV-related factors and anti-retroviral treatment contribute to hypertension is not well defined; in addition, data are particularly scarce in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Aim of the study was to investigate prevalence and awareness of hypertension in a cohort of people living with HIV (PLWHIV) on anti-retroviral therapy in rural Tanzania, and to identify possible predictors of hypertension.A cross-sectional study on hypertension in PLWHIV was conducted at Tosamaganga District Hospital, Iringa Region, Tanzania. Subjects on anti-retroviral therapy, age 26-80 years and with monthly attendance to the HIV clinic, were considered eligible. A total number of 242 patients were included in the analysis. Sixty-two subjects (26%) had hypertension, the majority (77%) of them not aware of the condition and/or not on treatment. Older age, higher BMI and lower baseline T-CD4 count were predictors of hypertension at multivariate analysis. The results of the study suggest that hypertension screening should becomepart of ordinary care of PLWHIV in Tanzania, particularly in subjects with more severe immunosuppression. Leveraging already existing HIV services could be an option to prevent the burden of non-AIDS complication and related deaths.

Keywords: HIV; Hypertension; sub-Saharan Africa.
Cost-effectiveness of dolutegravir vs. efavirenz-based combined antiretroviral therapies in HIV-infected treatment-naive patients in a Nigerian treatment centre
Authors: Isah Abdulmuminu , O Chukwu Patrick , Abba Abubakar , U Igboeli Nneka , Ebere Ayogu , F Omotola Olusegun , A Alozie Faith , I Ekwunife Obinna , O Adibe Maxwell
Published: April 2023

Background: Dolutegravir (DTG) based antiretroviral therapy (ART) has largely replaced Efavirenz (EFV) based therapy as the preferred first-line regimen in the treatment of adults with HIV. This study was carried out to evaluate the comparative cost-effectiveness of DTG and EFV-based ART in HIV-infected treatment-naïve patients in a treatment centre in Nigeria.

Methods: This was a retrospective case-control study of patients initiated on DTG vs. EFV-based regimens from January 2018 to December 2019 at the APIN/HAVARD clinic of Nigeria’s Jos University Teaching Hospital. The current viral load result was used to determine treatment effectiveness using a benchmark of ≤200 copies/mL. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to ensure the robustness of the benchmark. The total cost of treatment was obtained by summing up the relevant cost components. Appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in data analysis using Statistical Product and Services Solutions (SPSS) V.25. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of DTG compared to EFV was presented as cost/effectiveness.

Results: Treatment was effective in 42(51.9%) and 58(71.6%) patients initiated on DTG and EFV-based regimen, respectively. The incremental cost-effective ratio (ICER) of patients on DTG compared to those on EFV was $10.5076 per effectiveness, which was less than 1% of the Nigerian 2019 per capita Gross Domestic Product. Sensitivity analysis showed the robustness of the result.

Conclusion: Efavirenz based regimen had higher treatment effectiveness than DTG-based regimen in treatment-naive patients after initiating treatment in a short term. Compared to EFV, DTG-based regimen is cost-effective in the management of treatment naïve HIV patients.

Keywords: Average cost-effectiveness ratio; cost-effectiveness; Dolutegravir.
Effect of nutrition education on dietary diversity among HIV Patients in Southeast, Nigeria
Authors: Lilian Ezenwosu Ifeyinwa , Uchenna Ezenwosu Osita
Published: April 2023

Background: Integrating nutrition interventions which include nutrition education in HIV/AIDS care program may help people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) make better decisions regarding their nutrition to improve their immune system.

Objective: To determine the effect of nutrition education on dietary diversity among HIV/AIDS patients in Southeast, Nigeria.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 370 HIV patients divided into two groups of 185 each for the study and control groups. The nutrition education program was delivered to the study group. In both groups, their practice of dietary diversity was ascertained pre- and post-intervention. The Chi-square test and McNemar were used in the analysis.

Results: Practice of dietary diversity was low among 79(42.7) and 69(37.3) respondents in the study and control groups respectively (x2 =1.126, p=0.289). Three months after the intervention, the proportion of respondents with low dietary diversity significantly decreased from 42.7% to 22.7% in the study group while the control group had no appreciable reduction (x2=7.532, p=0.006).

Conclusion: Nutrition education plays a positive role in the dietary diversity of PLWHA. This suggests that nutrition education should be a key component in the care of PLWHA for a better nutritional outcome.

Keywords: Nutrition education; dietary diversity; HIV/AIDS.
Staging of COVID-19 disease; using selected laboratory profiles for prediction, prevention and management of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection in Africa–review
Authors: Sendagire Hakim , Kiwuwa Steven , Dhamani Ali , Akugizibwe Roselyne , Lwasa Yasin , Bukenya Andrew , Kafero Mukasa Hussein , Kakeeto Patrick , Nankinga Ziadah , Bbosa Godfrey , Babirye Juliet , Nankabirwa Harriet , Nabadda Susan
Published: April 2023

There are many uncertainties on the future management of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) in Africa. By July 2021, Africa had lagged behind the rest of the world in Covid-19 vaccines uptake, accounting for just 1.6% of doses administered globally. During that time COVID 19 was causing an average death rate of 2.6% in Africa, surpassing the then global average of 2.2%. There were no clear therapeutic guidelines, yet inappropriate and unnecessary treatments may have led to unwanted adverse events such as worsening of hyperglycemia and precipitating of ketoacidosis in administration of steroid therapy. in order to provide evidence-based policy guidelines, we examined peer-reviewed published articles in PubMed on COVID 19, or up-to date data, we focused our search on publications from 1st May 2020 to 15th July, 2021. For each of the studies, weextracted data on pathophysiology, selected clinical chemistry and immunological tests, clinical staging and treatment. Our review reports a gross unmet need for vaccination, inadequate laboratory capacity for immunological tests and the assessment of individual immune status, clinical staging and prediction of disease severity.

We recommend selected laboratory tools in the assessment of individual immune status, prediction of disease severity and determination of the exact timing for suitable therapy, especially in individuals with co-morbidities.Keywords: COVID-19; antibodies; cytokines; clinical chemistry; biomarkers; hematology; viral load (VL) RNA copy numbers;SARS-CoV-2
Prevalence of genitourinary infection in diabetic patients treated with SGLT 2 inhibitors
Authors: Shrikrishna Acharya , Archana Bhat
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Genitourinary infections are common in Diabetes patients compared to the general population more so in patients with Sodium glucose co transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) treatment , So, we did a study to find the prevalence of genitourinary infection in T2DM patients treated with SGLT2i.

Methods: One hundred and twenty patients receiving SGLT2i, who had signs and symptoms indicative of genitourinary infections were enrolled into the study.

Results: The mean age of presentation was 54.4 ± 7.7 years and percentage of males were 62 (51.66%). In this cohort, 72(60%) were treated with empagliflozin, 34(28.33%) with dapagliflozin and 14(11.66%) with canagliflozin. Twenty patients had genital mycotic infection and 4 had urinary tract infection. Female patients had higher incidence of infections than male patients with no statistically significant difference (P = ns). We did not find any significant correlation between age of the patient, gender, duration of disease and treatment, HbA1c, different types and dose of SGLT2i used with the incidence of genital mycotic infections(P = ns).

Conclusion: We need to counsel the patients before starting SGLT2i regarding possible chance of getting genitourinary infection, proper genital hygiene, drinking plenty of water and consulting the doctor if any symptoms at the earliest.

Keywords: Diabetes Complications; SGLT 2 inhibitors; genitourinary infections.
High prevalence of risky sexual behaviour among key populations receiving antiretroviral therapy at a large HIV clinic in northern Uganda
Authors: Adrawa Norbert , Izudi Jonathan , Nyeko Kenneth , Welikhe Emma , Joseph Kizito Bennet , Bajunirwe Francis
Published: April 2023

Background: Risky sexual behaviour (RSB) among key populations pose a significant risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection but remains understudied.

Objectives: We assessed the prevalence and factors associated with RSB among key populations living with HIV (KPLHIV) in the post-conflict region of northern Uganda.

Methods: We designed a cross-sectional study using secondary data, with the outcome as RSB defined as having multiple sexual partners, or condomless sex in the past 3 months, or sexual intercourse with a commercial sex worker in the past 3 months, or sexual intercourse under the influence of substance use in the past 3 months. We used modified Poisson regression to determine factors associated with RSB, reported as adjusted risk ratio (aRR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results: We studied 165 participants and 122 (73.9%) reported RSB and this was more likely among heterosexual females (aRR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.54-3.71), the married (aRR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.42-2.49) or separated participants (aRR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.21-1.79), and transgender persons (aRR, 3.71; 95% CI, 2.05-6.71).Conclusions: RSB is highly prevalent among KPLHIV in northern Uganda so they should be targeted with HIV prevention and behavioural interventions to prevent potential HIV transmission to the general population.

Keywords: Key populations; men who have sex with men; people who inject drugs; commercial sex workers; risky sexual behaviour.
Implementing an intervention to improve leadership/management of public healthcare services in the Free State Province, South Africa: lessons learned
Authors: Malakoane Benjamin , Chikobvu Perpetual , Christoffel Heunis James , Gladys Kigozi Nanteza , Hendrik Kruger Willem
Published: April 2023

Background: Based on the World Health Organization’s health systems strengthening framework, the Health Systems Governance and Accountability (HSGA) intervention to strengthen public health leadership/management, service integration and outcomes was developed in the Free State.

Objectives: This study describes the process to implement and measure the effects of the HSGA intervention for system-wide improvement of leadership/management under routine conditions in a resource-constrained setting.

Methods: Based on normalisation process theory, participatory discussions were held with health managers, staff and local stakeholders to attain buy-in. Evaluation of the implementation process considered progress in improving leadership/management through application of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC). All provincial reporting units were assessed during 2014/15 and again during 2015/16.

Results: The mean scores on three BSC perspectives improved statistically significantly from 2014/15 to 2015/16: customer (p=0.0085), internal business processes (p=0.0008) and finance (p=0.0001). Overall leadership/management also improved significantly (p=0.0007).

Conclusion: Improvement in leadership/management resulting from implementation of the HSGA intervention was observed during the two years under study. From this experience, successful implementation of a health systems strengthening intervention hinges on a participatory design, appropriate use of theory, as well as application of an evaluation approach to assess the success of implementation.

Keywords: Public health system; intervention; implementation; systems theory; balanced scorecard; leadership/management.
Human herpesvirus-8 infection in Tunisian adult acute leukemia patients
Authors: Handous Imene , Hannachi Naila , Achour Bechir , Marzouk Manel , Hazgui Olfa , Yacoub Saloua , Khelif Abderrahim , Boukadida Jalel
Published: April 2023

Background: Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) has been linked to the development of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)and multiple other hematologic malignant disorders. However, the role of HHV-8 in acute leukemia patients is unknown.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of HHV-8 in Tunisian acute leukemia patients and in healthy blood donors.

Methods: An indirect immunofluorescence test was used to detect the presence of anti-HHV8 antibodies. Nested PCR was used for the detection of HHV-8 DNAemia in samples of plasma.

Results: The seroprevalence of HHV-8 was significantly higher in acute leukemia patients (21,4% ,15/70) than in healthy blood donors (7,1%, 5/70), (p= 0.02). Gender, type of disease, status of disease, prior blood transfusion, and outcome were not associated with HHV-8 seroprevalence. However, among acute leukemia patients, HHV-8 seroprevalence was statistically associated with older age > 40 years of age, (p=0.002). HHV-8 DNAemia was detected (1,4%) in only one patient of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and none of the healthy blood donors.

Conclusions: The seroprevalence of HHV-8 infection in Tunisian adult acute leukemia patients was three times as high compared to healthy blood donors, suggesting that patients with acute leukemia might be at increased risk of HHV-8 infection.

Keywords: Human herpesvirus 8; acute leukemia patients; blood donors; prevalence.
Versatility of cervicofacial flap in management of cutaneous cheek defects post tumour excision: a report of two cases
Authors: Ogunkeyede Ayodele , Solagbade Remi , Lawal Adigun
Published: April 2023

Reconstructing a large cutaneous cheek defect post tumour excision poses a great challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. The surgical options are limited for a functional and aesthetically acceptable outcome. The microvascular free flap which is currently the gold standard is still not a common place in our practice in Nigeria. Cervicofacial flap, a single stage procedure, offers an excellent alternative as it can be done for patients who are not fit for prolonged anesthesia and can even be undertaken under local anesthesia.We presented two cases of patients with cheek tumors who had wide local excision after histological diagnosis of Basal Cell Carcinoma and Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Both defects were closed with cervicofacial flap under general anesthesia. The flaps survived with no loss.Cheek defect reconstruction with cervicofacial flap is simple, reliable and with similar favourable aesthetic outcome when compared with free flap procedure. It should be an important part of a reconstructive surgeon armamentarium.

Keywords: Cheek defect; cervicofacial flap; basal cell carcinoma; squamous cell carcinoma; wide local excision.
Atherogenic index of plasma and its cardiovascular risk factor correlates among patients with type 2 diabetes in Uganda
Authors: Lumu William , Bahendeka Silver , Wesonga Ronald , Kibirige Davis , Mutebi Kasoma Ronald , Ssendikwanawa Emmanuel
Published: April 2023

Background: Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) is a reliable predictor of coronary artery disease. There is paucity of data on AIP and its correlates among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Uganda.

Objective: To assess the profile of AIP and its cardiovascular risk factor correlates among patients with T2D in Uganda.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 8 health facilities with established T2D clinics in Central-Uganda. The study enrolled 500 patients aged 40 to 79 years. Data was collected on socio-demographic characteristics, lipid profile and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). The AIP was derived using log (triglycerides/high-density cholesterol) and further categorised as low cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk if the AIP was <0.1, intermediate risk (0.1-0.24) and high risk (≥0.24). Cardiovascular risk factors were defined according to international guidelines. Stata version 14 was used to analyse data, Pearson correlation analyses were conducted. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Results: There were 389(77.4%) females with a mean age of 55.07±8. 979 years. Low-risk was found in 43.6%, intermediate risk in 20.2% and high risk in 36.2% of the participants. AIP significantly correlated with waist circumference (r=0.1095, p<0.0147), waist-hip ratio (r=0.1926, p<0.001), Casteri Risk Index I (r=0.506, r=<0.001), Casteri Risk Index II (r=0.246, p<0.001) and atherogenic coefficient (r=0.186, p<0.001). Insignificant correlation was observed between AIP and fasting blood sugar (r=0.017, p=0.7042), HBA1C (r=0.0108, p=0.8099) and diabetes duration (r=0.0445, p=0.32)

Conclusions: AIP is significantly elevated and correlated with cardiovascular risk factors in patients with T2D. In clinical management, this may be a useful tool in risk stratifying patients with T2D.

Keywords: Atherogenic index of plasma; Type 2 diabetes; cardiovascular risk factors; Uganda.