bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analyse comparée et appliquée à un territoire fictif des politiques publiques de gestion des risques côtiers en France et au Québec
Authors: Guyon Lola , Meur-Ferec Catherine , Marie Guillaume , Plante Steve , Verdun Julia , David Laurence , Delannoy Julie
Published: December 2023

Dans un contexte de changements climatiques, les territoires côtiers sont de plus en plus soumis aux aléas d’érosion et de submersion. Parallèlement, la concentration croissante d’enjeux sur ces espaces ne fait qu’augmenter les risques. Mettre en place des stratégies de gestion de l’érosion et de la submersion marine devient alors essentiel. En France et au Québec, la gestion des risques côtiers se traduit par l’instauration et l’application à différentes échelles de gouvernance de politiques publiques, touchant de près ou de loin à cette thématique. Leur analyse donne l’opportunité de comprendre comment, et avec quels outils, les acteurs publics, notamment les Établissements publics de coopération intercommunale en France et les Municipalités régionales de comté au Québec sont appelés à gérer ces risques. Le fonctionnement des deux systèmes est mis en exergue, d’une part par la comparaison thématique des politiques publiques et d’autre part par l’utilisation d’un archétype de territoire concrétisant leur mise en application sur le terrain. Ces deux approches permettent de faire ressortir les particularités et les similitudes des deux systèmes, mais aussi leurs atouts et faiblesses dans la mise en place des politiques publiques durables d’adaptation aux conséquences des changements climatiques sur les côtes.
Extraire plus pour sauvegarder la planète ? Justifications d’un projet minier de la transition énergétique
Authors: Ferrant Axelle
Published: December 2023

Des projets d’extraction de minéraux critiques et stratégiques fleurissent à travers le monde pour soutenir la demande croissante de minerais présentés comme nécessaires à la transition énergétique et à l’atténuation des changements climatiques. Ces projets suscitent des controverses et rallient ou opposent des acteurs autour de valeurs différentes. Cet article alimente les réflexions sur le caractère contradictoire des stratégies de lutte contre les changements climatiques qui reposent sur l’intensification de l’extraction de ressources minérales. Plus précisément, il étudie les justifications utilisées par les acteurs de l’industrie, des pouvoirs publics et des collectivités locales dans le but d’influencer la légitimité d’un projet minier de la transition. Sur base d’une analyse de contenu d’articles de presse relatifs à un projet controversé de mine de lithium au Québec, l’article mobilise les économies de la grandeur de Boltanski et Thévenot (1991) pour rendre compte des grammaires de justification des acteurs. Les résultats indiquent que la controverse se cristallise autour de deux aspects du monde civique. La transition énergétique n’est quant à elle pas débattue dans les discours publics relatifs au projet étudié. La vision technocentriste et interventionniste de la transition, comme le définit Audet (2016), se trouve verrouillée dans l’opérationnalisation de la transition telle que définie par les pouvoirs publics, sans laisser émerger d’alternatives dans les débats autour de ce projet minier de la transition. L’article contribue aux réflexions sur la nécessité d’ouvrir des espaces de dialogue autour de ce type de projets extractifs permettant de définir collectivement les trajectoires possibles de la transition.
Interdisciplinarité, sciences impliquées et participation citoyenne, un nouveau mode de production de connaissances au service de la transition sociale et écologique
Authors: Lapostolle Dany , Mangin Gaëtan , Roy Alex
Published: December 2023

Cet article explore les modalités d’un nouveau mode de production de connaissances fondé sur une démarche interdisciplinaire, participative et impliquée. Cette démarche consiste à mobiliser des savoirs de natures et de portées différentes, aussi bien issus du monde académique que des expériences vernaculaires des publics concernés par les problèmes auxquels elle entend se confronter. Elle fait de l’enquête une manière de définir la réalité en vue d’y construire des prises et des perspectives communes, permettant d’orienter les trajectoires de développement d’un territoire. La visée transformatrice de ce type d’enquête s’exprime de trois manières : l’essaimage comme méthode de généralisation de connaissances et de pratiques plutôt que la réplication de projets à grande échelle ; l’engagement dans des perspectives préfiguratives basées sur la mise en récit en contexte d’incertitude et constitutive de nouvelles capacités de projection ; la résolution de problèmes locaux par la production d’objets qualifiés de conviviaux pour leurs potentiels habilitant et transformateur. Cette démarche s’incarne dans une série de projets de recherche-action menés depuis 2018 par le Living Lab territorial pour la transition sociale et écologique (LTTE) de la MSH de Dijon en France.
Les projets de restauration écologique en question : expérimenter un trajet d’instauration sur le fleuve Rhône avec Souriau
Authors: Lay Yves-François Le , Reymond Fanny , Comby Emeline , Cottet Marylise , Lebreton Clotilde , Olivier Jean-Michel , Riquier Jérémie
Published: December 2023

L’aménagement du Rhône pour se protéger des inondations, produire de l’hydroélectricité, faciliter la navigation et irriguer les cultures a eu des conséquences hydrologiques, géomorphologiques et écologiques négatives. Pour les atténuer, un Programme décennal de restauration hydraulique et écologique du fleuve a été élaboré à partir de 1998. Cet article a pour objectif d’évaluer de manière critique l’idée de restauration écologique au moyen de l’approche philosophique proposée par Souriau. Après avoir expliqué les points saillants de ses réflexions, nous développons le cas de l’île de la Platière, à la limite de trois départements français (Ardèche, Isère et Loire), en présentant les résultats d’une enquête qui a porté sur la manière dont cet espace est habité et sur les travaux envisagés pour redynamiser le fonctionnement du Rhône. Si les répondants reconnaissent l’hybridité des écosystèmes terraqués, leurs discours révèlent non seulement qu’ils y restent attachés, mais aussi que la situation peut être améliorée. Les habitants pourraient donc contribuer activement aux efforts tendant à donner au fleuve davantage d’autonomie. L’œuvre de Souriau offre des fondements théoriques robustes aux évolutions récentes des travaux de redynamisation du Rhône qui relèvent davantage des tâtonnements inhérents à une expérimentation grandeur nature qu’au respect scrupuleux de toutes les étapes imposées par un projet de restauration aveugle aux particularités des situations locales.
Évaluation de certains indicateurs de développement socioéconomique attribuable au système agroforestier du plateau de Bateke en République Démocratique du Congo
Authors: Mosombo Blandine Nsombo , Sinsi Raymond Lumbuenamo , Mbe-Mpie Paul Mafuka , Komanda Jules Aloni , Lejoly Jean
Published: December 2023

L’agroforesterie pratiquée au plateau des Bateke suscite de plus en plus d’intérêt scientifique. Ainsi, l’évaluation de son impact ne peut pas être limitée aux aspects techniques du genre amélioration de la fertilité et de la productivité des terres. Il y a aussi les aspects socio-économiques, expression du bien-être amélioré des riverains, qui ont conduit à cette étude. Les enquêtes ont été menées auprès de 330 fermiers ainsi qu’auprès des personnes-ressources commises à leur encadrement, dans les villages autours des trois aires agroforestières au plateau des Bateke qui sont : Ibi village, Mbankana et le centre agroforestier de Mampu. Les indices d’amélioration du bien-être social recherchés dans cette étude étaient la stabilisation des exploitations, la sédentarisation des exploitants, ainsi que l’existence de l’épargne dans des structures appropriées telles que les banques. Les résultats d’enquêtes ont montré que les fermiers tiennent à leur activité, qui constitue leur principale source de revenus. Dû à l’ancienneté du site, des élevages de volaille et de bétail, ainsi que des plantations d’essences forestières autres que les Acacias sp, se sont développés. Assez timidement, mais surement, les fermiers font mention des épargnes dans des structures bancaires. Tout ceci fait penser à un vrai encrage dans le métier, et à la maturation des exploitants. Ainsi, l’agriculture vivrière n’est plus la seule source de revenus pour les fermiers. Les preuves du développement d’autres filières agroéconomiques grâce à la sédentarisation des exploitants agricoles sont autant d’arguments qui appuient le fait que l’agroforesterie devrait être encouragée dans les sites similaires et dans les terres appauvries par une surexploitation des ligneux.
Sécurité alimentaire de l’agriculture indigène guatémaltèque face à l’incertitude sociale et climatique
Authors: Malard-Adam Julien , Adamowski Jan , Tuy Héctor , Melgar-Quiñonez Hugo
Published: December 2023

Tandis que les changements climatiques menacent l’agriculture à petite échelle, l’importance des méthodes de modélisation participatives qui peuvent prendre en compte les aspects humains et environnementaux de ces systèmes agricoles prend de l’ampleur. Cette étude présente un modèle socioéconomique des systèmes alimentaires et environnementaux de la région majoritairement indigène du Tz’olöj Ya’ au Guatemala, développé de manière participative avec les parties prenantes de la région et ensuite couplé à un modèle externe des cultures. Le modèle est par la suite utilisé afin d’analyser l’impact des changements climatiques futurs sur le système, autant que leur interaction avec différentes politiques proposées par les parties prenantes. L’analyse démontre que les cycles de rétroaction entre composantes environnementales et humaines au sein du modèle des dynamiques des systèmes mènent à des réponses parfois contre-intuitives aux politiques proposées. En un même temps, l’utilisation d’un modèle des cultures externe facilite la représentation, de manière réaliste, des impacts des changements climatiques sur les cultures. Cette analyse est la première à utiliser un modèle socio-économique des dynamiques des systèmes, couplé avec un modèle externe des cultures, pour analyser un système alimentaire socio-environnemental et la sécurité alimentaire qui en dépend.
A physical mechanism of the generation of stable positive kinetic energy systems and a qualitative explanation of the proportions of the four ingredients in the universe
Authors: Wang Huai-Yu
Published: December 2023

The author’s opinion is that the negative energy solutions of the Dirac equation mean that a particle can be of negative kinetic energy (NKE) besides positive kinetic energy (PKE). We think that NKE particles are dark ones, and NKE matter is dark matter. In our previous works,
the dark matter theory of the NKE version and the dark energy theory that matched the dark matter theory were put forth. In this work, we investigate the topics related to the metamorphosis of objects between PKE and NKE. We first evaluate the collisions between a PKE and a NKE particles.
A scenario of accelerating PKE particles is raised. We put forth the cosmic dark radiation background and gravity potential background. In the universe, negative energy is predominating. In the observable universe, substances constitute stable PKE systems. The total energy of every such system
is negative. We propose a mechanism that NKE substances combine into stable PKE systems. Macroscopically, NKE objects can constitute stable PKE astrophysical systems by means of gravity between them. Microscopically, NKE particles can combine into stable PKE systems by means of attractive
interactions between them, say, Coulomb attraction. Currently, people think that there are four ingredients in the universe: Photons ΩR0, matter ΩM0, dark matter ΩDM, and dark energy ΩΛ0. We analyze the order of the appearance
of the four ingredients and conclude that qualitatively, their proportions should be    Ω  Λ 0
 >  Ω  DM 0   >  Ω
 M 0   >  Ω  R
0     .
Completing Dirac’s work. The Dirac electron is a 2D hologram
Authors: Wilson James H.
Published: December 2023

The QED-physical (QED-P) theory [J. H. Wilson, Phys. Essays 35, 5 (2022)] is actually the theory Dirac sought in 1962 in his attempt to predict the muon as an “extensible model of the electron.” Recently, Lerche attempted to produce a classical solution to Dirac’s
equation for the radial motion of an extensible, basically classical, model of the electron. Both Dirac and Lerche proceeded in the wrong, classical direction in this effort. The QED-P center of charge (CoC) position operator is derived directly from the Dirac equation (DE) CoC velocity operator,
cα with no ad hoc assumptions. QED-P was integrated with QED into a single theory, and that integration is proved by the highly accurate estimates of QED that are dependent on the DE velocity operator cα. Both QED and QED-P are based directly on the same
Dirac Equation (DE) four current c(α,I) that QED couples with an external electromagnetic field. QED uses covariant perturbation theory to produce highly accurate results, except for the electron selfenergy, which is infinite. The DE velocity operator, cα,
is the spatial part of the free electron four current, and has highly unusual properties compared to classical velocity vectors. QED could not produce highly accurate answers without the 4 × 4 complex matrix cα as the electron CoC “velocity” operator.
QED-P simply integrates the same Dirac equation four current used so successfully in QED, and produces the discrete internal spatial and time coordinate operators (ISaTCOs) to give the electron field’s internal structure a very specific, but highly, nonclassical geometric description,
with no ad hoc assumptions. QED and QED-P are complementary theories, and both are proven to be true by the accurate results of QED. The physical interpretation of QED-P is discussed in this paper as a two-dimensional, rapidly vibrating “point” charge,
that is always located on a 2D CoC sphere in the electron rest frame, oscillating rapidly through eight eigenvalues with an ISaTCO period of ∼10−22 s. The fact that the CoC’s eight ISaTCO spatial eigenvectors are always are located on a 2D shell encompassing
the electron’s 3D “space” inside the CoC’s 2D shell is a direct consequence of the DE, and nothing else. In this paper, it is shown that the “discrete” ISaTCOs produce a one dimensional, discrete quantum harmonic oscillator with its ISaTCOs always located
on a 2D CoC shell. The CoC shell is an “2D hologram” emerging from a 3D volume inside the 2D CoC shell with a vibrational electronic clock” producing an internal phase that is propagated throughout space/time. The QED-P point electron charge rotates 720° to complete one
internal electron discrete period. The electron’s spin and magnetic moment [J. H. Wilson, Phys. Essays 29, 402 (2016); ibid. 31(1), 59‐67 (2018); ibid. 34, 17 (2021)] are generated by the CoC ISaTCO in QED-P, and there is no need for “intrinsic”
properties. The QED-P electron properties described above d are far different than the standard model’s very small point particle with intrinsic properties of spin and magnetic moment.
Static and Fatigue Mechanical Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Rods
Authors: Naito Kimiyoshi
Published: December 2023

Tendons (cables or rods) are commonly employed as tension members in civil infrastructure, as well as buildings and offshore engineering structures. This study focuses on reliability evaluation of composite rods consisting of polymer matrix (carbon fiber/glass fiber hybrid thermoplastic composite rods (hybrid composite rods) and basalt fiber/polypropylene composite rod (BF/PP composite rod)). Optical and gravimetric methods were used to characterize the morphologies, including constituent volume fractions, of the composite rods. The hybrid composite rods are braided structures with varying diameters and braid angles. The BF/PP composite rod exhibits slight twisting. The volume fractions of the constituent elements (carbon fiber, glass fiber, basalt fiber, matrix, and void) were evaluated. Tensile and flexural tests were conducted under static and fatigue loadings. During the static tensile test, the stress applied to the composite rods was almost linearly proportional to the strain. The fiber-dominant behaviors of the composite rods were observed. During the static flexural test, the stress-strain relationship was initially linear, but as the stress approached its maximum, deformation became non-linear, and finally, the fibers fractured rapidly. During the fatigue tensile and flexural tests, the regression lines of the full-logarithmic curves showed good agreement with the fatigue test data. In addition, data was collected and statistical analyses were performed to assess the effects of environmental factors, such as temperature, on the static properties of the composite rods.
Crumb Rubber in Alkaline Activated Clay Roof Tiles at Low Temperature
Authors: Krishnan Aswin Kumar , Wong Yat Choy , Mukhlis Reiza , Arulrajah Arul , Zhang Zi Peng
Published: December 2023

The continuous increase in vehicle uptake escalates the number of rubber tyre waste to avoid landfilling and stockpiling. The present research focused on the sustainable use of crumb rubber in clay roof tiles. Tile samples were fabricated by heating the compacted mixtures at 50°C for 72 h, followed by increasing the temperature to 200°C for 24 h. Clay, crumb rubber, NaOH, and Na2SiO3 with a 10% alkaline activator were adopted. The weight of the crumb rubber was 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5%. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses to study the phases and microstructures of the samples. The present study found that the optimum crumb rubber concentration was 0.5%, and 1% satisfied the standard requirement for the roof tiles.
Effect of Grain Size Distribution on Shear Strength Characteristic of Random Fill Material at Keureuto Dam, Indonesia
Authors: Hakim Abi Maulana , Kamaruddin Samira Albati , Sahadewa Andhika , Nazir Ramli , Setyawan Haris Eko
Published: December 2023

Earth-fill dams are commonly constructed by composing different geomaterials to optimally utilize local natural resources. In Indonesia, random fill materials are frequently used as a major composition in dam construction. The term random fill material originated from its broad range of grain size. Grain size distribution influences shear strength characteristics of geomaterials. There are 2 shear strength equations to model the behavior of fill material, i.e., linear Mohr-Coulomb and non-linear power curve. Two series of large scale in situ direct shear tests were performed at Keureuto Dam, Indonesia. Sieve analysis tests were performed accordingly. The random fill material was composed of cobbles, gravel, and less than 25% of sand. The stress-displacement characteristics of random fill material indicated that plastic deformation occurred at shear strain of 1% to 4%. The shear failure was reached in shear displacements of 60 – 90 mm, equivalent to shear strain of 8% – 12 %. Stress-strain relationships showed a dilative behavior indicating the random fill was in a relatively dense form. The dilatancy tends to decrease as the normal stress increases. The linear Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria and non-linear power curve equation are suggested to characterize the shear strength of the random fill material. To obtain a realistic value of the non-cohesive strength parameter of granular material, the Mohr-Coulomb approach should be intercepted at zero. A relationship between secant friction angles for different normal stresses is presented. This angle tends to decrease at higher normal stresses.
Effectiveness of Carbide Lime Waste as CO2 Capturing Materials of Mortar at Early CO2 Curing Age
Authors: Fadhlullah Asyrofuddin , Priandita Berlianada Rizki , Talip Adrina Rosseira Abu , Khalid Nur Hafizah Abd
Published: December 2023

This study explored the use of Carbide Lime Waste (CLW) in mortar production and its exposure to controlled CO2 curing for 24 hours. The results indicate that CLW mortar under CO2 curing has improved compressive strength and early CO2 capturing performance due to the reaction between Ca (OH)2 in CLW and CO2 gas. With a cement replacement rate of 20, a 60% solid carbonates precipitation was recorded after just 7 days of curing. In general, the longer the curing durations, the higher the CO2 capturing capability. Further investigations into the long-term mechanical and durability properties are recommended to assess its feasibility for practical applications. Re-utilization of waste materials like CLW can make significant strides towards more eco-friendly and sustainable practices.
Intravascular Leukocyte Labeling Refines the Distribution of Myeloid Cells in the Lung in Models of Allergen-induced Airway Inflammation
Authors: Chow Yu-Hua , Murphy Ryan C , An Dowon , Lai Ying , Altemeier William A , Manicone Anne M , Hallstrand Teal S
Published: December 2023

Innate immune cell populations are critical in asthma with different functional characteristics based on tissue location, which has amplified the importance of characterizing the precise number and location of innate immune populations in murine models of asthma. In this study, we performed premortem intravascular (IV) labeling of leukocytes in mice in two models of asthma to differentiate innate immune cell populations within the IV compartment versus those residing in the lung tissue or airway lumen. We performed spectral flow cytometry analysis of the blood, suspensions of digested lung tissue, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. We discovered that IV labeled leukocytes do not contaminate analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid but represent a significant proportion of cells in digested lung tissue. Exclusion of IV leukocytes significantly improved the accuracy of the assessments of myeloid cells in the lung tissue and provided important insights into ongoing trafficking in both eosinophilic and neutrophilic asthma models.
Aerobic training and vitamin E administration ameliorates cardiac apoptosis markers in rats exposed to methamphetamine
Authors: Salimi Hamidreza , Haghighi Amir Hossein , Ababzadeh Shima , Marefati Hamid , Abbasian Sadegh , Pond Amber L. , Gentil Paulo
Published: December 2023

Methamphetamine (MA) abuse is related to risks to the cardiovascular system. The present study aimed to compare the effects of moderate-intensity aerobic training (MIAT) and vitamin E (Vit.E) supplementation on markers of cardiac apoptosis following MA exposure. Fifty-four rats were randomly divided into six groups. CON group did not receive MA, while the others received MA alone or in combination with MIAT, Vit. E, MIAT+Vit E, or paraffin (PAR). These groups received MA incrementally for 23 consecutive days. Vit.E and MIAT+Vit.E groups received vitamin E three times a week for six weeks. MIAT and MIAT+Vit.E groups exercised for 25–40 min. Immunohistochemical and gene expression analyses were performed on the heart tissues. Bax and TGF-β expression was significantly higher, while Bcl-2 and VEGF expression was significantly lower in the MA and PAR groups than in the other groups (p < 0.05). Bcl-2 and VEGF expression was higher, and Bax and TGF-β expression was significantly lower in the MIAT and MIAT+Vit.E groups than in the other groups (p < 0.05). In Vit.E treated groups, Bax and TGF-β expression were lower, and VEGF was higher than that in the MA and PAR groups, but higher than those in the CON, MIAT and MIAT+Vit.E groups. MA increased the expression of Bax and TGF-β, and decreased the expression of Bcl-2 and VEGF, suggesting increased cardiac apoptosis. In contrast, MIAT and Vit.E decreased the expression of Bax and TGF-β, suggesting a reduction in cardiac apoptosis induced by MA.
Tofacitinib in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Saudi Real-world Data
Authors: Al-Homood Ibrahim Abdulrazag , Almansour Mohammed A.
Published: December 2023

Objectives:

Tofacitinib is a potent, small molecule, orally administered, selective Janus kinase inhibitor approved for use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although safety and efficacy have been proven in clinical trials, the safety information in a real-world setting from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is limited.

Materials and Methods:

This was a retrospective real-world evidence study conducted at a single tertiary care referral center in Riyadh, KSA. Records of all adult patients aged 18–80 diagnosed with RA between 2016 and 2022 and on tofacitinib were included in this study.

Results:

Records of 100 patients were analyzed. The mean duration of tofacitinib use was 17.59 months. A total of 34% had discontinued tofacitinib for reasons such as active RA (35.29%) and at patients’ request (20.59%). There were no adverse events except for one patient who had a stroke. There was no statistically significant difference regarding laboratory parameters such as blood counts, liver function tests, and inflammatory markers.

Conclusion:

Tofacitinib was shown to have a consistent safety profile with a low incidence of adverse events up to 24 months in patients diagnosed with RA from KSA.
Vascular and Neurological Manifestations of Behcet’s Disease in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alghanim Khawla Khalifa , AlSomali Hoda F. , Alharbi Ali , Elamin Awab , Shadi Hesham W.
Published: December 2023

Context:

Behcet’s disease (BD) is a form of vasculitis with multisystem and multiorgan involvement.

Aims:

To examine vascular and neurological manifestations in patients with BD in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Settings and Design:

A single-center prospective study conducted at the rheumatology outpatient clinic Military of King Fahad Medical Complex in Dhahran between January 2016 and December 2022. Thirty-one patients, with minimum of three visits per year to a rheumatology outpatient clinic, were included in the study and followed up for 6 years.

Patients and Methods:

Data on patients’ demographic characteristics, age at BD onset, disease duration, multiorgan manifestation, and ongoing treatment were obtained using patient records and interviews during clinic visits.

Statistical Analysis Used:

The Mann–Whitney U-test was used to find the significance level among variables such as sex, vascular involvement, central nervous system involvement, and family history. Qualitative variables were compared using the Fisher’s exact and Z tests for proportion analysis.

Results:

Despite the high rate of consanguineous marriages in Saudi Arabia, only 25.8% of patients had a positive family history of BD. The most common manifestations of BD were oral ulcers, followed by genital ulcers and articular manifestations. Eleven and 12 patients with BD experienced vascular and central nervous system events, respectively; deep-venous thrombosis in the lower extremities was the most common vascular event.

Conclusions:

Vascular and neurological manifestations in BD were associated with significant morbidity and mortality, with an increased tendency of occurrence in men in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.
Endothelial Dysfunction Detected by Brachial Reactivity as a Marker of Cardiovascular Disease in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Literature Review
Authors: Hannawi Suad , Al-Salmi Maria , Hannawi Haifa
Published: December 2023

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common autoimmune inflammatory disease, and it is associated with a double risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and morbidity compared to their age- and sex-matched controls. The pathogenesis of CVD is complex; knowledge about determinants of increased atherosclerosis in RA is needed. Early detection of CVD in RA is of great help in reducing the CVD burden. A number of methods have been applied for the noninvasive assessment of CVD risks, such as brachial dilatation response, which have been shown to be good surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis presence and probably atherosclerosis stages. Early detection of subclinical atherosclerosis in RA is of great importance for primary prevention of CVD and therefore reducing CVD-associated mortality and morbidity. This literature review aims to explore the brachial dilatation response as a possible noninvasive, valid, feasible, reliable, and cost-effective method marker for the presence of CVD in RA. More, Brachial dilatation response measurement may be used as a marker of the total burden of atherosclerosis among RA patients and may serve as a graded marker for subclinical CVD presence.
The Saudi initiative for asthma – 2024 update: Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma in adults and children
Authors: Al-Moamary Mohamed Saad , Alhaider Sami A. , Allehebi Riyad , Idrees Majdy M. , Zeitouni Mohammed O. , Al Ghobain Mohammed O. , Alanazi Abdullah F. , Al-Harbi Adel S. , Yousef Abdullah A. , Alorainy Hassan S. , Al-Hajjaj Mohamed S.
Published: December 2023

The Saudi Initiative for Asthma 2024 (SINA-2024) is the sixth version of asthma guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma for adults and children that was developed by the SINA group, a subsidiary of the Saudi Thoracic Society. The main objective of the SINA is to have guidelines that are up-to-date, simple to understand, and easy to use by healthcare workers dealing with asthma patients. To facilitate achieving the goals of asthma management, the SINA Panel approach is mainly based on the assessment of symptom control and risk for both adults and children. The approach to asthma management is aligned for age groups: adults, adolescents, children aged 5–12 years, and children aged <5 years. SINA guidelines have focused more on personalized approaches reflecting a better understanding of disease heterogeneity with the integration of recommendations related to biologic agents, evidence-based updates on treatment, and the role of immunotherapy in management. The medication appendix has also been updated with the addition of recent evidence, new indications for existing medication, and new medications. The guidelines are constructed based on the available evidence, local literature, and the current situation at national and regional levels. There is also an emphasis on patient–doctor partnership in the management that also includes a self-management plan.
Evaluation of perioperative routine coagulation testing versus thromboelastography for major liver resection – A single-arm, prospective, interventional trial (PORTAL trial)
Authors: Ambulkar Reshma , Baskar Vignesh , Patkar Shraddha , Kunte Aditya , Agarwal Vandana , Solanki Sohan Lal , Divatia Jigeeshu V
Published: December 2023

Background and Aims:

The International Normalised Ratio (INR), which assesses the loss of procoagulant factors in the extrinsic pathway, fails to evaluate the coagulation abnormalities comprehensively after a major liver resection, which often leads to reduced synthesis of procoagulant and anticoagulant-factors. This study was conducted with an aim to study the trend and compare the results of routine coagulation tests and thromboelastography (TEG) during the perioperative period in patients undergoing major liver resections (≥3 segments).

Methods:

Twenty-five patients who underwent a major liver resection were enrolled. This prospective, single-arm, interventional study was performed with the primary objective of determining the serial changes in conventional coagulation tests and TEG during the perioperative period in patients undergoing major liver resections, at the preincision period, intraoperative period, postoperatively, at 48 h and on the fifth postoperative day. Transfusion requirements of blood components were also assessed with a TEG-guided replacement strategy. Spearman rank-order correlation was used to study the relationships of coagulation tests (both TEG and conventional tests) at each time point.

Results:

The prothrombin time (PT)-INR was elevated in 14 patients (56%) at the intraoperative, immediate postoperative and 48-h time points in contrast to the TEG parameters, which remained normal in all patients. Blood component transfusion was avoided in 4, 11 and 10 patients at the intraoperative, immediate postoperative and 48-h time points, respectively.

Conclusion:

International Normalised Ratio overestimates the coagulopathy in patients undergoing major liver resection, and a thromboelastography-guided transfusion strategy reduces overall transfusion requirements.
Restrictive versus goal-directed fluid replacement strategy in ovarian cancer cytoreductive surgery (RiGoROCS): A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Goswami Jyotsna , Pal Angshuman Rudra , Barman Suparna Mitra , Sarkar Anshuman , Patro Viplab , Bhowmik Jaydip , Mukhopadhyay Asima
Published: December 2023

Background:

Although goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) is associated with reduced morbidity and length of stay (LOS) in the hospital after major surgery, it has not been widely studied in ovarian cancer cytoreductive surgery (CRS). The primary objective of the study was post-operative LOS.

Methods:

In this double-blind, randomised controlled trial, ovarian cancer patients undergoing elective CRS were randomised to receive either GDFT or restrictive fluid therapy after pre-randomisation stratification for primary debulking surgery or interval debulking surgery. The primary objective was to measure post-operative LOS in the hospital. Secondary outcome measures were the cost of surgical treatment episode and post-operative morbidity assessed by post-operative morbidity survey (POMS) on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th post-operative day and at discharge. Clavien–Dindo (CD) classification was used to assess the 30-day morbidity/mortality rate.

Results:

Median LOS was 7 days (interquartile range (IQR): 5–10; P = 0.282) in both groups. Median POMS at day 3 was 3 (IQR: 2–5) in the GDFT and 4 (IQR: 2.25–2.75) in the control groups (P = 0.625). The cost of treatment was INR 310907 (IQR: INR 211,856–427,490) in the GDFT group and INR 342,468 (IQR: INR 270,179-454,122) in the control group (P = 0.100). Grade 3–5 CD morbidity was 7 (12%) in GDFT and 9 (16%) in the control group (P = 0.790).

Conclusion:

GDFT did not confer significant benefit over restrictive fluid therapy in ovarian cancer CRS regarding hospital LOS.
Comparison of intubating conditions in supine (sniffing) and 25° back-up position using channelled and non-channelled video laryngoscopes - A randomised controlled study
Authors: Desai Devyani , Sompura Riddhi , Yadav Sudarshan
Published: December 2023

Background and Aims:

The 25°back-up position is proposed to increase the efficacy of preoxygenation and provide better tracheal intubating conditions when using a direct laryngoscope. This study aimed to compare the ease of tracheal intubation between supine and 25° back-up positions when using two video laryngoscopes (VLS).

Methods:

One hundred adults with normal airways and belonging to the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classes I and II, requiring general anaesthesia, were randomised in groups K and M. The trachea was intubated using King Vision and McGrath VLS in either supine (groups K1 and M1) or 25° back-up (groups K2 and M2) positions. The 25° backup position was given by raising the operating table from the horizontal position by flexing the torso at the hips so that an imaginary line connected the patient’s external auditory meatus to the sternal notch. Modified Intubation Difficulty Scale (mIDS) was the primary outcome, and intubation time, the number of intubation attempts, vital parameters, and complications were compared secondarily. Statistical analysis was done using MedCalc software by applying an independent t-test for parametric data and a Chi-square test for categorical data and finding the risk ratio.

Result:

Mean (Standard deviation) mIDS was significantly reduced using both VLS in the 25° back-up position [0.92 (0.75) versus 0.48 (0.58), P = 0.025, degree of freedom (DF): 48, mean difference (95% confidence interval [CI]):−0.44 (−0.821 to − 0.059) in group K1 versus group K2 and 0.76 (0.59) versus 0.36 (0.48), P = 0.012, DF: 48, mean difference (95% CI): −0.40(−0.706 to − 0.094) in group M1 versus group M2, respectively]. The risk ratio comparing both the positions for the total number of patients requiring manoeuvres during intubation using both the VLS was 0.48 with P = 0.0004 and 95% CI = 0.305 − 0.765. Intubation time was shorter in the 25° backup position by using King Vision (P = 0.005) and McGrath (P = 0.042) VLS.

Conclusion:

The 25° backup position helps provide ease of intubation using both the channelled (King Vision) and non-channelled (McGrath) VLS.
Impacto Emocional de Incidentes Críticos vividos en el Contexto de Prácticas de la Formación Inicial Docente
Authors: Sanhueza Mansilla Claudio , Campos Lara Michelle , Luksic Ziliani Teresita
Published: December 2023

El objetivo de esta investigación es indagar en los incidentes críticos vividos por estudiantes de Pedagogía Básica de dos universidades chilenas en sus experiencias de práctica y el impacto emocional que significan en su formación docente. Este estudio es cualitativo y tiene un diseño exploratorio, descriptivo y relacional. Para la recolección de datos se utilizó una pauta de registro de incidentes críticos y una entrevista semiestructurada. A partir de un análisis temático se identificaron y caracterizaron los incidentes más frecuentes y relevantes, así como las respuestas y emociones que gatillan en los estudiantes. Los resultados muestran un impacto determinante en diferentes aspectos de su identidad docente en construcción como la motivación, autoestima y gestión pedagógica, revelando una necesidad de formación emocional. Se propone incorporar el análisis compartido de incidentes críticos, así como facilitar dispositivos de narración y reflexión de los alumnos sobre sus experiencias en terreno.
Dialog‐based multi‐item recommendation using automatic evaluation
Authors: Chung Euisok , Kim Hyun Woo , Yoo Byunghyun , Han Ran , Yang Jeongmin , Song Hwa Jeon
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we describe a neural network‐based application that recommends multiple items using dialog context input and simultaneously outputs a response sentence. Further, we describe a multi‐item recommendation by specifying it as a set of clothing recommendations. For this, a multimodal fusion approach that can process both cloth‐related text and images is required. We also examine achieving the requirements of downstream models using a pretrained language model. Moreover, we propose a gate‐based multimodal fusion and multiprompt learning based on a pretrained language model. Specifically, we propose an automatic evaluation technique to solve the one‐to‐many mapping problem of multi‐item recommendations. A fashion‐domain multimodal dataset based on Koreans is constructed and tested. Various experimental environment settings are verified using an automatic evaluation method. The results show that our proposed method can be used to obtain confidence scores for multi‐item recommendation results, which is different from traditional accuracy evaluation.
New hope for esophageal stricture prevention: A prospective single-center trial on acellular dermal matrix
Authors: Fu Xin-Yu , Jiang Zhen-Yu , Zhang Chen-Yang , Shen Ling-Yan , Yan Xiao-Dan , Li Xiao-Kang , Lin Jia-Ying , Wang Yi , Mao Xin-Li , Li Shao-Wei
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

Given the high incidence of esophageal cancer in China, an increasing number of patients there are undergoing endoscopic mucosal dissection (ESD). Although the 5-year survival rate after ESD can exceed 95%, esophageal stricture, the most common and serious postoperative complication, affects the long-term prognosis of patients and the quality of life. Autologous mucosal grafts have proven to be successful in preventing stricture after ESD for early esophageal cancer.

AIM

To examine the viability of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) as an alternative to autologous mucosa for the prevention of stricture after ESD.

METHODS

This is a prospective, single-center, controlled study. Consecutive patients who underwent ESD surgery and were willing to undergo autologous mucosal transplantation were recruited between January 1 and December 31, 2017. Consecutive patients who underwent ESD surgery and were willing to undergo ADM transplantation were recruited between January 1 to December 31, 2019. A final three-year follow-up of patients who received transplants was conducted.

RESULTS

Based on the current incidence of esophageal stricture, the sample size required for both the autologous mucosal graft group and the ADM group was calculated to be 160 cases. Due to various factors, a total of 20 patients with autologous mucosal grafts and 25 with ADM grafts were recruited. Based on the inclusion exclusion and withdrawal criteria, 9 patients ultimately received autologous mucosal grafts and completed the follow-up, while 11 patients received ADM grafts and completed the follow-up. Finally, there were 2 cases of stenosis in the autologous mucosal transplantation group with a stenosis rate of 22.22% and 2 cases of stenosis in the ADM transplantation group with a stenosis rate of 18.18%, with no significant difference noted between the groups (P = 0.94).

CONCLUSION

In this prospective, single-center, controlled trial, we compared the effectiveness of autologous mucosa transplantation and ADM for the prevention of esophageal stricture. Due to certain condition limitations, we were unable to recruit sufficient subjects meeting our target requirements. However, we implemented strict inclusion, exclusion, and withdrawal criteria and successfully completed three years of follow-up, resulting in valuable clinical insights. Based on our findings, we hypothesize that ADM may be similarly effective to autologous mucosal transplantation in the prevention of esophageal stricture, offering a comparable and alternative approach. This study provides a new therapeutic idea and direction for the prevention of esophageal stricture.
Clinical usefulness of linked color imaging in identifying Helicobacter pylori infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wang Jing-Zhai , Bai Xuan , Zhang Peng-Li , Guo Qiang
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

Accurate diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori ) infection status is a crucial premise for eradication therapy, as well as evaluation of risk for gastric cancer. Recent progress on imaging enhancement endoscopy (IEE) made it possible to not only detect precancerous lesions and early gastrointestinal cancers but also to predict H. pylori infection in real time. As a novel IEE modality, linked color imaging (LCI) has exhibited its value on diagnosis of lesions of gastric mucosa through emphasizing minor differences of color tone.

AIM

To compare the efficacy of LCI for H. pylori active infection vs conventional white light imaging (WLI).

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched up to the end of April 11, 2022. The random-effects model was adopted to calculate the diagnostic efficacy of LCI and WLI. The calculation of sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios were performed; symmetric receiver operator characteristic (SROC) curves and the areas under the SROC curves were computed. Quality of the included studies was chosen to assess using the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies-2 tool.

RESULTS

Seven original studies were included in this study. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood rate, and negative likelihood rate of LCI for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection of gastric mucosa were 0.85 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.76-0.92], 0.82 (95%CI: 0.78-0.85), 4.71 (95%CI: 3.7-5.9), and 0.18 (95%CI: 0.10-0.31) respectively, with diagnostic odds ratio = 26 (95%CI: 13-52), SROC = 0.87 (95%CI: 0.84-0.90), which showed superiority of diagnostic efficacy compared to WLI.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed LCI can improve efficacy of diagnosis on H. pylori infection, which represents a useful endoscopic evaluation modality for clinical practice.
Effectiveness of massage and range of motion exercises on muscle strength and intensive care unit-acquired weakness in Iranian patients with COVID-19: a randomized parallel-controlled trial
Authors: Zakeri Mohammad Ali , Aziz Adnan Rashid , Rahiminezhad Elham , Dehghan Mahlagha
Published: December 2023

Background: Muscle weakness is prevalent in intensive care patients. This study focused on comparing the effects of massage and range of motion (ROM) exercises on muscle strength and intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial that recruited patients (n=45) with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU and divided them into three groups (ROM exercises, massage, and control). We evaluated muscle strength and ICU-AW in the arms and legs using a hand dynamometer. The Medical Research Council sum score was determined before and after the intervention. Results: The study findings were that 0%, 20%, and 100% of the participants in the ROM exercises, massage, and control groups had ICU-AW on the 7th day of ICU admission. The ROM exercise group had greater muscle strength in the hands and legs than the massage and control groups, and the massage group had greater muscle strength than the control group. Conclusions: Massage and ROM exercises could improve muscle strength and reduce ICU-AW in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU.
In vitro radical scavenging and in vivo antiarthritic effects of Spondias mombin (L.) stem bark
Authors: Adekanmi Adedokun Oluwasegun , Oguchukwu Ume , Tolani Adewunmi , Ambe Daniel Akpe-efiak
Published: December 2023

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disorder that affects about 1% of the population globally. Numerous conventional medications are available for the management of RA. However, their usage is limited due to the associated side effects. Spondias mombin is a member of the Anacardiaceae family known for its anti-arthritic effects. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of S. mombin (L.) stem bark in RA. Radical scavenging activity was determined using DPPH assay. The anti-inflammatory effect was determined using protease inhibition and formaldehyde-induced arthritis models. S. mombin aqueous fraction (SMAF) exhibited a significant (p<0.0001) radical scavenging effect (IC50 of 57.87 µg/mL) over the S. mombin methanol extract (SMME) and S. mombin chloroform fraction (SMCF) when compared to the sham control. SMAF at 500 µg/mL significantly (p<0.05) inhibited (56.89 ± 2.02%) the effect of protease when compared to the sham control. SMME significantly (p<0.001) reduced inflammation in rat paws when compared to the control with peak effects seen at the dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. The result of the study has revealed that the stem bark has radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory effects.
Microbial content and elemental analysis of some locally prepared herbal remedies (Agbo) in Ibadan metropolis
Authors: Ogbole Omonike O. , Ajayi Temitayo O. , Ajala Tolulope O. , Molik Zainab A. , Ipingbemi Aduke E. , Akinbobobola Esther , Olayinka Olabimpe O. , Akinsiku Kemisola M.
Published: December 2023

This study assessed the safety of two herbal remedies, Agbo Iba and Agbo Jedi commonly sold in Ibadan metropolis. The samples were analyzed for phytochemical composition, microbial contamination, pH level, and elemental content. Phytochemical screening identified alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, steroids, tannins and glycosides. Elemental analysis revealed sodium concentration ranging from 186.67 ± 1.7 to 283.33 ± 4.41 mg/100 g in Agbo Iba and Agbo Jedi, respectively. Lead content ranged from 0.04 ± 0.01 to 0.10 ± 0.00 mg/100 g in Agbo Iba and 0.03 ± 0.00 to 0.05 ± 0.00 mg/100 g in Agbo Jedi, while cadmium content ranged from 0.01 ± 0.00 to 0.02 ± 0.00 mg/100 g in Agbo Iba, it was absent in Agbo Jedi. The pH of all samples was acidic ranging from 2.79 to 4.41. Bacterial counts in Agbo Iba and Agbo Jedi exceeded European pharmacopoeia contamination limits ranging from 2 × 108 to 88 × 108 cfu/mL and 2 × 108 to 126 × 108 cfu/mL respectively. These findings highlight potential health hazards associated with these herbal remedies despite their rich phytochemical content. Stringent quality assurance and standardization by government agencies are essential to ensure safety and efficacy of herbal remedies for public use.