bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of the Small-Field Output Factor for 6 MV Photon Beam Using EGSnrc Monte Carlo
Authors: Chuah K.W. , Abdul Aziz M.Z. , Jayamani J
Published: November 2022

Accuracy of ionization chamber (IC) to measure the scatter output factor (Scp) of a linear accelerator (linac) is crucial, especially in small field (<4 cm × 4 cm). The common IC volume of 0.6 cc is not adequate for small-field measurement and not all radiotherapy centers can afford to purchase additional IC due to the additional cost. This study aimed to determine the efficiency of the EGSnrc Monte Carlo (MC) to calculate the Scp for various field sizes including small field in Elekta Synergy (Agility multileaf collimator) linac. The BEAMnrc and DOSXYZnrc user codes were used to simulate a 6 MV linac model for various field sizes and calculate the radiation dose output in water phantom. The modeled linac treatment head was validated by comparing the percentage depth dose (PDD), beam profile, and beam quality (Tissue Phantom Ratio (TPR)20,10) with the IC measurement. The validated linac model was simulated to calculate the Scp consisting of collimator scatter factor (Sc) and phantom scatter factor (Sp). The PDD and beam profile of the simulated field sizes were within a good agreement of ±2% compared with the measured data. The TPR20,10 value was 0.675 for field size 10 cm × 10 cm. The Scp, Sc, and Sp simulated values were close to the IC measurement within ±2% difference. The simulation for Sc and Sp in 3 cm × 3 cm field size was calculated to be 0.955 and 0.884, respectively. In conclusion, this study validated the efficiency of the MC simulation as a promising tool for the Scp calculation including small-field size for linac.
Calculation of Skin Dose Rate Conversion Factors Due to Surface Contamination from Frequently used Radionuclides in Local Nuclear and Medical Facilities
Authors: Pasquevich Ian , Velasco Fiorela Merma , Andres Pablo
Published: November 2022

Purpose:

The use of nonsealed radioactive sources can lead to skin contamination due to radiological accidents and staff oversight. This contamination has been shown to contribute considerably to the total skin dose received by nuclear medicine technicians and can easily exceed the limit of 500 mSv/year established by the current regulations. To assess the severity of contamination, it is necessary to estimate the skin dose through the use of suitable skin dose rate conversion factors. To determine the appropriate factors, it is important to study the influence of the contamination area, the epidermal thickness, and the percutaneous absorption on them.

Materials and Methods:

Monte Carlo simulations using the code PHITS 3.02 were carried out to study and quantify the dosimetry conversion factors of 15 frequently used radionuclides (11C, 18F, 36Cl, 54Mn, 60Co, 90Sr, 99
mTc, 123I, 131I, 137Cs, 153Sm, 177
Lu, 223Ra, 226Ra, and 241Am).

Results:

The absorbed dose to the skin is significantly influenced by epidermal thickness and percutaneous absorptions and can differ by up to two orders of magnitude with respect to the operational magnitude H'(0.07,0°).

Conclusions:

Skin dosimetry after a contamination incident may be complex because the absorbed dose delivered to the basal layer is influenced by the contamination area, the epidermal thickness, and the percutaneous absorption. Therefore, when an accident occurs, the dose should be quantified taking into account these parameters, especially the epidermal thickness, and the possible percutaneous absorption should be evaluated in cases where the contamination involves a dose approximately equivalent to the established limits.
Anti-Inflammatory, Viral Replication Suppression and Hepatoprotective Activities of Bitter Kola - Lime Juice, - Honey Mixture in HBeAg Seropositive Patients
Authors: Olaniyan Mathew Folaranmi , Uwaifo Ferdinand , Olaniyan Tolulope Busayo
Published: November 2022

Study Background:

Bitter kola (Garcinia kola), lime juice, and honey mixture have some traditional but nonscientific applications in the treatment of some infectious diseases due to the phytochemical and phytonutrient components that may have antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, immunomodulatory, antiatherogenic, antimicrobial, purgative and antiparasitic activities while expression of hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) is an indication of active hepatitis B virus replication and a high degree of infectiousness.

Aim and Objective:

This work was therefore designed to determine anti-inflammatory response, possible suppression of active viral replication and liver damage in HBeAg seropositive patients who used bitter kola, lime juice and honey mixture.

Materials and Methods:

Out of 39 hepatitis B surface antigen and HBeAg seropositive patients who volunteered themselves for the study only 23 volunteers (23; Male: 13; Female: 10; age 34–56 years) were successfully monitored. The mixture is prepared by mixing grounded bitter kola (30 seeds) with 500 ml of Lime Juice and 500 ml of honey. The mixture was kept for 5 days before administration. The mixture was taken by subjects at 4 divided dose for 2 months using 4 teaspoonfuls per dose. Plasma alanine transaminase (ALT) was measured using COBAS C111 autoanalyzer, plasma interleukin-10 (IL-10), Antibodies against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), HBeAg, anti-HBeAg, p24 ag-ab by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay while acid-fast bacilli and Plasmodium were determined in the subjects by microscopic examination of stained smears.

Results:

The frequency of HBeAg (26.1% [6]) in the patients after the use of bitter kola, lime juice, and honey mixture was lower than the frequency of the viral protein (HBeAg 100% [23]) before the use of the mixture. None of the HBeAg seropositive patients studied expressed anti-HBeAg before the use of bitter kola, lime juice, and honey mixture but 56.5% (13) of the patients expressed anti-HBeAg while 17.4% (4) co-expressed HBeAg + anti-HBeAg after the use of the mixture. There was a significant increase in the plasma value of IL-10 and a significant decrease in the plasma value of ALT in the HBeAg seropositive patients after the use of bitter kola, lime juice, and honey mixture (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Bitter kola, lime juice, and honey mixture could have anti-inflammatory, active viral replication, and liver damage suppression bioactivities in HBeAg seropositive patients as indicated by decrease in HBeAg, expression of anti-HBeAg, decrease in plasma ALT and increase in IL-10 after the use of the mixture.
The application of high-throughput proteomics in cytopathology
Authors: Nikas Ilias P. , Ryu Han Suk
Published: November 2022

High-throughput genomics and transcriptomics are often applied in routine pathology practice to facilitate cancer diagnosis, assess prognosis, and predict response to therapy. However, the proteins rather than nucleic acids are the functional molecules defining the cellular phenotype in health and disease, whereas genomic profiling cannot evaluate processes such as the RNA splicing or posttranslational modifications and gene expression does not necessarily correlate with protein expression. Proteomic applications have recently advanced, overcoming the issue of low depth, inconsistency, and suboptimal accuracy, also enabling the use of minimal patient-derived specimens. This review aims to present the recent evidence regarding the use of high-throughput proteomics in both exfoliative and fine-needle aspiration cytology. Most studies used mass spectrometry, as this is associated with high depth, sensitivity, and specificity, and aimed to complement the traditional cytomorphologic diagnosis, in addition to identify novel cancer biomarkers. Examples of diagnostic dilemmas subjected to proteomic analysis included the evaluation of indeterminate thyroid nodules or prediction of lymph node metastasis from thyroid cancer, also the differentiation between benign and malignant serous effusions, pancreatic cancer from autoimmune pancreatitis, non-neoplastic from malignant biliary strictures, and benign from malignant salivary gland tumors. A few cancer biomarkers—related to diverse cancers involving the breast, thyroid, bladder, lung, serous cavities, salivary glands, and bone marrow—were also discovered. Notably, residual liquid-based cytology samples were suitable for satisfactory and reproducible proteomic analysis. Proteomics could become another routine pathology platform in the near future, potentially by using validated multi-omics protocols.
Noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features: its updated diagnostic criteria, preoperative cytologic diagnoses and impact on the risk of malignancy
Authors: Na Hee Young , Park So Yeon
Published: November 2022

Due to the extremely indolent behavior, a subset of noninvasive encapsulated follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinomas has been classified as “noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP)” since 2016 and is no longer considered carcinoma. Since the introduction of this new terminology, changes and refinements have been made in diagnostic criteria. Initially, the incidence of NIFTP was estimated substantial. However, the reported incidence of NIFTP varies greatly among studies and regions, with higher incidence in North American and European countries than in Asian countries. Thus, the changes in the risk of malignancy (ROM) in the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) differ inevitably among regions. Because more conservative surgery is recommended for NIFTPs, distinguishing NIFTPs from papillary thyroid carcinomas in preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytology became one of the major concerns. This review will provide comprehensive overview of updates on diagnostic criteria, actual incidence and preoperative cytologic diagnoses of NIFTP, and its impact on the ROM in TBSRTC.
Biomarker testing of cytology specimens in personalized medicine for lung cancer patients
Authors: Kim Hyojin , Chung Jin-Haeng
Published: November 2022

Every patient with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) should be tested for targetable driver mutations and gene arrangements that may open avenues for targeted therapy. As most patients with NSCLC in the advanced stage of the disease are not candidates for surgery, these tests have to be performed on small biopsies or cytology samples. A growing number of other genetic changes with targetable mutations may be treatable in the near future. To identify patients who might benefit from novel targeted therapy, relevant markers should be tested in an appropriate context. In addition, immunotherapy of lung cancer is guided by the status of programmed death-ligand 1 expression in tumor cells. The variety and versatility of cytological specimen preparations offer significant advantages for molecular testing; however, they frequently remain underused. Therefore, evaluating the utility and adequacy of cytologic specimens is important, not only from a lung cancer diagnosis, but also for the large number of ancillary studies that are necessary to provide appropriate clinical management. A large proportion of lung cancers is diagnosed by aspiration or exfoliative cytology specimens; thus, optimizing strategies to triage and best use the tissue for diagnosis and biomarker studies forms a critical component of lung cancer management. In this review, we discuss the opportunities and challenges of using cytologic specimens for biomarker testing of lung cancer and the role of cytopathology in the molecular era.
A Phase II Trial of S-1 and Oxaliplatin in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer Previously Treated with Anthracycline and Taxane (KCSG-BR07-03)
Authors: Lee Dae-Won , Keam Bhumsuk , Lee Keun Seok , Ahn Jin-Hee , Sohn Joohyuk , Ahn Jin Seok , Lee Moon Hee , Kim Jee Hyun , Lee Kyung Eun , Kim Hyo Jung , Kim Si-Young , Park Yeon Hee , Ock Chan-Young , Lee Kyung-Hun , Han Sae-Won , Kim Sung-Bae , Im Young Hyuck , Chung Hyun Cheol , Oh Do-Youn , Im Seock-Ah
Published: November 2022

Purpose This single-arm phase II trial investigate the efficacy and safety of S-1 plus oxaliplatin (SOX) in patients with metastatic breast cancer.Materials and Methods Patients with metastatic breast cancer previously treated with anthracyclines and taxanes were enrolled. Patients received S-1 (40-60 mg depending on patient’s body surface area, twice a day, day 1-14) and oxaliplatin (130 mg/m2, day 1) in 3 weeks cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor 1.1. Secondary endpoints included time-to-progression (TTP), duration-of-response (DoR), overall survival (OS), and adverse events.Results A total of 87 patients were enrolled from 11 institutions in Korea. Hormone receptor was positive in 54 (62.1%) patients and six (6.9%) had human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–positive disease. Forty-eight patients (85.1%) had visceral metastasis and 74 (55.2%) had more than three sites of metastases. The ORR of SOX regimen was 38.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 26.9 to 50.0) with a median TTP of 6.0 months (95% CI, 5.1 to 6.9). Median DoR and OS were 10.3 months (95% CI, 5.5 to 15.1) and 19.4 (95% CI, not estimated) months, respectively. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was reported in 28 patients (32.1%) and thrombocytopenia was observed in 23 patients (26.6%).Conclusion This phase II study showed that SOX regimen is a reasonable option in metastatic breast cancer previously treated with anthracyclines and taxanes.
Effectiveness of Self-Assessment, TAilored Information, and Lifestyle Management for Cancer Patients’ Returning to Work (START): A Multi-center, Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kang Danbee , Bae Ka Ryeong , Ahn Yeojin , Kim Nayeon , Nam Seok Jin , Lee Jeong Eon , Lee Se Kyung , Shim Young Mog , Sinn Dong Hyun , Oh Seung Yeop , Chun Mison , Heo Jaesung , Cho Juhee
Published: November 2022

Purpose We developed a comprehensive return to work (RTW) intervention covering physical, psycho-social and practical issues for patients newly diagnosed and evaluated its efficacy in terms of RTW.Materials and Methods A multi-center randomized controlled trial was done to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention conducted at two university-based cancer centers in Korea. The intervention program comprised educational material at diagnosis, a face-to-face educational session at completion of active treatment, and three individualized telephone counseling sessions. The control group received other education at enrollment.Results At 1-month post-intervention (T2), the intervention group was more likely to be working compared to the control group after controlling working status at diagnosis (65.4% vs. 55.9%, p=0.037). Among patients who did not work at baseline, the intervention group was 1.99-times more likely to be working at T2. The mean of knowledge score was higher in the intervention group compared to the control group (7.4 vs. 6.8, p=0.029). At the 1-year follow-up, the intervention group was 65% (95% confidence interval, 0.78 to 3.48) more likely to have higher odds for having work.Conclusion The intervention improved work-related knowledge and was effective in facilitating cancer patients’ RTW.
Discovery of Intentional Self-Harm Patterns from Suicide and Self-Harm Surveillance Reports
Authors: Vichianchai Vuttichai , Kasemvilas Sumonta
Published: November 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify patterns of self-harm risk factors from suicide and self-harm surveillance reports in Thailand.Methods: This study analyzed data from suicide and self-harm surveillance reports submitted to Khon Kaen Rajanagarindra Psychiatric Hospital, Thailand. The process of identifying patterns of self-harm risk factors involved: data preprocessing (namely, data preparation and cleaning, missing data management using listwise deletion and expectation-maximization techniques, subgrouping factors, determining the target factors, and data correlation for learning); classifying the risk of self-harm (severe or mild) using 10-fold cross-validation with the support vector machine, random forest, multilayer perceptron, decision tree, k-nearest neighbors, and ensemble techniques; data filtering; identifying patterns of self-harm risk factors using 10-fold cross-validation with the classification and regression trees (CART) technique; and evaluating patterns of self-harm risk factors.Results: The random forest technique was most accurate for classifying the risk of self-harm, with specificity, sensitivity, and F-score of 92.84%, 93.12%, and 91.46%, respectively. The CART technique was able to identify 53 patterns of self-harm risk, consisting of 16 severe self-harm risk patterns and 37 mild self-harm risk patterns, with an accuracy of 92.85%. In addition, we discovered that the type of hospital was a new risk factor for severe selfharm.Conclusions: The procedure presented herein could identify patterns of risk factors from self-harm and assist psychiatrists in making decisions related to self-harm among patients visiting hospitals in Thailand.
Ontology for Symptomatic Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Esfahani Misagh Zahiri , Ahmadi Maryam , Adibi Iman
Published: November 2022

Objectives: Symptomatic treatment is an essential component in the overall treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, knowledge in this regard is confusing and scattered. Physicians also have challenges in choosing symptomatic treatment based on the patient’s condition. To share, update, and reuse this knowledge, the aim of this study was to provide an ontology for MS symptomatic treatment.Methods: The Symptomatic Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis Ontology (STMSO) was developed according to Ontology Development 101 and a guideline for developing good ontologies in the biomedical domain. We obtained knowledge and rules through a systematic review and entered this knowledge in the form of classes and subclasses in the ontology. We then mapped the ontology using the Basic Formal Ontology (BFO) and Ontology for General Medical Sciences (OGMS) as reference ontologies. The ontology was built using Protégé Editor in the Web Ontology Language format. Finally, an evaluation was done by experts using criterion-based approaches in terms of accuracy, clarity, consistency, and completeness.Results: The knowledge extraction phase identified 110 articles related to the ontology in the form of 626 classes, 40 object properties, and 139 rules. Five general classes included “patient,” “symptoms,” “pharmacological treatment,” “treatment plan,” and “measurement index.” The evaluation in terms of standards for biomedical ontology showed that STMSO was accurate, clear, consistent, and complete.Conclusions: STMSO is the first comprehensive semantic representation of the symptomatic treatment of MS and provides a major step toward the development of intelligent clinical decision support systems for symptomatic MS treatment.
Factors Associated with Website Operation among Small Hospitals and Medical and Dental Clinics in Korea
Authors: Park Young-Taek , Kim Young Jae , Kim Kwang Gi
Published: November 2022

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the factors associated with website operation among medical facilities.Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed to investigate 1,519 hospitals, 33,043 medical clinics (MCs), and 18,240 dental clinics (DCs) as of 2020. The main outcome variable was analyzed according to technological, organizational, and environmental factors.Results: The percentages of small hospitals, MCs, and DCs with websites were 26.4%, 9.0%, and 6.6%, respectively. For small hospitals, the nearby presence of a subway station (odds ratio [OR] = 2.772; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.973–3.892; p < 0.0001) was the only factor significantly associated with website operation status. Among medical and dental clinics, the percentage of specialists—MCs (OR = 1.002; 95% CI, 1.000–1.004; p = 0.0175) and DCs (OR = 1.002; 95% CI, 1.001–1.004; p = 0.0061), the nearby presence of a subway station—MCs (OR = 2.954; 95% CI, 2.613–3.339; p < 0.0001) and DCs (OR = 3.444; 95% CI, 2.945–4.028; p < 0.0001), and the number of clinics in the local area—MCs (OR = 1.029; 95% CI, 1.026–1.031; p < 0.0001) and DCs (OR = 1.080; 95% CI, 1.066–1.093; p < 0.0001)—were significantly associated with website operation.Conclusions: Clinics are critically affected by internal and external factors regarding website operation relative to small hospitals. Healthcare policymakers involved with information technologies may need to pay attention to those factors associated with website dispersion among small clinics.
Prevalence and Predictors of Relapse among Patients with Schizophrenia at Psychiatric Healthcare Institutions in North-Western Nigeria
Authors: Balarabe F. , Gommaa H.I.M. , Abdellatif S.A. , Mohammed A.
Published: November 2022

Background: Nigerians with Schizophrenic disorder are experiencing multiple relapses during the course of the illness. Relapse is disabling and  distressing, associated with progressive functional deterioration as well as worsening treatment response and clinical prognosis.

Aim: Thestudy aims to assess the prevalence and predictors of relapse among patients with Schizophrenia in North-western Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed to conduct the study in Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Kaduna, Kano State  Psychiatric Hospital Dawanau, and Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Kware, Sokoto States. The Population of the study constitutes all patients with  schizophrenia attending the outpatient units of the Hospitals with a sample size of 464 patients a crossed the facilities. A purposive sampling  technique was used in the study to recruit respondents. Self -structure Questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. Data collected were  analyzed using SPSS Version 23 and presented using mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentages. Regression analysis was used at a 0.05  level of significance to determine predictors of relapse..

Results: Findings revealed that from the year 2018 to 2020, the prevalence of relapse  among patients with schizophrenia is very high in the year  2020 with 71% relapse in Kano state, 40% relapse in Sokoto state, and 14% relapse in Kaduna state. The study shows that co-morbid illness, stressful  life events, and inadequate mental health services are predictors of relapse (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The study concludes that personal, social, and health facility factors are predictors of relapse among patients with Schizophrenia in  North-west Nigeria.

Recommendations: Emotional and social support like halfway home, assertive community therapy, self -help groups should be provided to patients  with schizophrenia, as these can play a vital role in their response to the ailment thereby reducing relapse and the prevalence of the  disease.
Bombs, ghosts, devils: Mhudi and the new historicism
Authors: Henning John
Published: November 2022

This paper uses the vexed publication history of Sol Plaatje’s Mhudi to try to ‘read’ various aspects of the New Historicism – a school of historiographical thought recently evoked by Zakes Mda in his writing about the novel. Taking the alleged 1976 petrol bombing that is said to have unearthed Plaatje’s lost typescript, my essay suggests that the lingering disagreements in South African literary circles over issues of the ‘correct version’ of the text – disagreements, as we will see, that rage on in the collection of commemorative essays published in 2020 entitled Sol Plaatje’s Mhudi: History, Criticism, Celebration – signal not only the fertility of the novel’s extra-textual life, but the inseparability of that life from the words on Mhudi ’s pages. I argue that conceptualizing Plaatje’s text as indistinguishable from a series of what might usually be considered ‘contextual’ (rather than ‘textual’) interruptions, deviations and anecdotes produces a disruptive set of readings.
“Driven by and blinded by our desperation”: religious exploitation of vulnerable women in Amma Darko’s Not without Flowers
Authors: Pillay Kimméra
Published: November 2022

As a feminist writer for social justice, Amma Darko exposes various instances of religious exploitation in Ghanaian society in the novel Not without Flowers. This study adds to the corpus of literature that critiques the androcentric organisation of patriarchal African societies, in which patriarchal and religious ideologies are used to institutionalise gender inequality. My argument in this paper is that the fear and anxiety surrounding mental illness, HIV and Aids, or other illnesses provide a fertile ground for religious exploitation and oppression of vulnerable women, as represented in Darko’s novel. My study offers an analysis of how Darko uses her literary work to challenge deeply engrained and culturally sanctioned patriarchal and religious hierarchies of gender-based dominance and cultural valorisation. The main objectives of this article are to explore the religious exploitation and/or stigmatisation of vulnerable women, the human rights violations that occur in religious institutions, as well as how mental illness is considered to be caused by a spiritual force or demonic possession in the selected text.
Thomas Pringle: “the beginning of a future that has not arrived”
Authors: Voss Tony
Published: November 2022

In his recent (2020) book, Matthew Shum offers an important rereading of the life, work and contemporary significance of Thomas Pringle, the Scottish South African poet and activist. The book’s challenge stems from three interrelated lines of energy. First is the author’s tracking of Pringle through the three locations of his activity: Scotland, the Cape, London. Second is the argument that Pringle was not from birth or early conviction the liberal champion he is remembered as in South Africa. Third, Shum warns against seeking in Pringle a model for the settler presence in post-colonial South Africa today. A comparison with two near-contemporary Scottish poets, fellow “Borderers”, who both also had colonial experience, leads this essay to a conclusion that acknowledges Shum’s account of the challenge our reading of Pringle offers to South Africa today.
Réponse cardio-respiratoire de sujets sains au repos avec et sans port de masque: résultats préliminaires
Authors: Kouassi Michel Brou , Kouame Appolinaire Brou , Kondo Liliane , Teniloh Yeo Augustin , Yapo Paule-Denise , Djaha-Toumata Kossiwa , Toowlys Aristide , Balayssac-Siransy Edwige , Ouattara Soualiho , Dah Cyrille , Bogui Pascal
Published: November 2022

Parmi les dispositions prises par les états pour lutter contre la pandémie de la Covid-19, le port de masque est un moyen recommandé et imposé dans la plupart des pays. La vulgarisation du port de masque a eu pour corollaire un nombre important d’utilisateurs publics dont certains manifestent un inconfort et des signes cliniques liés à ce dispositif. Le but de ce travail préliminaire a été d’évaluer au repos, la réponse cardio-respiratoire aigue liée au port de masque chez des sujets sains. Une étude expérimentale, prospective, transversale à visée descriptive incluant 36 volontaires a été réalisée. Un protocole organisé en deux étapes sur deux jours distincts a été exécuté par les volontaires. La pression partielle de gaz carbonique en fin d’expiration (PetCO2), la Fréquence Respiratoire (FR), la saturation périphérique en oxygène et la fréquence cardiaque ont été mesurés avant et après le port d’un masque chirurgical de marque Solumask® type II - NF EN 14683, chaque minute pendant cinq minutes consécutives. Les moyennes de PetCO2 et de FR aux différentes minutes étaient significativement plus élevées avec le port de masque. Lors d’un port prolongé du masque, le renouvellement inefficace du gaz alvéolaire atténuerait la teneur du sang en oxygène. Cela pourrait expliquer l’inconfort et les manifestations cliniques. Une approche consistant à l’évaluation de la réponse cardio-respiratoire à l’effort devrait être envisagée.

Among the state measures to control the Covid-19 pandemic, the usage of masks is a recommended and imposed method in most countries. The popularization of mask use has resulted in a large number of public users, some of whom are experiencing discomfort and clinical symptoms related to this device. The aim of this preliminary work was to evaluate the acute cardiorespiratory response to mask use among healthy subjects at rest. An experimental, prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study including 36 volunteers was performed. A protocol organized in two steps on two separate days was performed by the volunteers. The end-tidal pressure of carbon dioxide (PetCO2), the Respiratory Rate (RR), the peripheral oxygen saturation and the heart rate were measured before and after wearing a Solumask® model II - NF EN 14683 mask, every minute for five consecutive minutes. The mean PetCO2 and RR at individual minutes were significantly higher with mask use. During prolonged mask wear, inefficient alveolar gas turnover would attenuate the oxygen content of the blood. This could explain the discomfort and clinical manifestations. An approach consisting of the evaluation of the cardiorespiratory response to exercise should be considered.
Evaluation des niveaux de contamination bactériologique de la laitue selon les sites de production et de vente dans les sites de maraîchage d’Abidjan et zone-périurbaine
Authors: Wognin Affou Séraphin , Ouattara Mohamed Baguy , Assi-Clair Brice Judicaël , Koffi-Nevry Rose
Published: November 2022

Cette étude, avait pour but l’évaluation du niveau de contamination bactériologique de la laitue vendue à Abidjan. Elle s’inscrit dans le cadre d’une contribution à la surveillance sanitaire des légumes consommables crus. Elle a été conduite afin d’établir une base de données sur les souches témoins de contamination fécales de l’environnement maraîcher d’Abidjan en fonction des saisons. Pour ce faire, 130 et 48 échantillons de laitue ont été respectivement prélevés sur trois grands sites de production et un site de vente à Abidjan durant quatre (04) saisons. Les résultats ont montré que quel que soit le site et la saison, les charges des indicateurs de contamination à savoir les coliformes fécaux (2,9×10x3 à 4×104 UFC/g), Clostridium perfringens (3,1×102 à 1,6×103 UFC/g), les entérobactéries (1×105 à 1,9×107 UFC/g) et Staphylococcus aureus (8,3×103 à 5,6×104 UFC/g) sont largement supérieures aux valeurs limites établies par l’Association Française de Normalisation (AFNOR) pour les légumes susceptibles d’être consommés crus. En outre, les laitues prélevées sur le site de vente ont été plus contaminées par les entérobactéries que celles obtenues des sites de production. Les charges élevées en souches témoins de contamination fécale pourraient induire la présence de germes pathogènes dangereux pour les consommateurs. Il est donc nécessaire d’étudier les espèces pathogènes dans le maraîchage périurbain d’Abidjan.

This study aimed to evaluate the level of bacteriological contamination of lettuce sold in Abidjan. It was conducted in order to establish a database on the control strains of fecal contamination of the market garden environment of Abidjan according to the seasons. To do so, 130 and 48 samples of lettuce were respectively collected from three major production sites and one sales site in Abidjan during four (04) seasons. The results showed that whatever the site and the season, the loads of contamination indicators, namely faecal coliforms (2.9×103 to 4×104 CFU/g), Clostridium perfringens (3.1×102 to 1.6×103 CFU/g), enterobacteria (1×105 to 1, 9×107 CFU/g) and Staphylococcus aureus (8.3×103 to 5.6×104 CFU/g) are well above the limit values established by the Association Française de Normalisation (AFNOR) for vegetables that can be eaten raw. In addition, lettuces collected from the sales site were more contaminated with Enterobacteriaceae than those obtained from the production sites. The high loads of fecal contamination control strains could induce the presence of pathogenic germs dangerous to consumers. It is therefore necessary to study the pathogenic species in peri-urban market gardening in Abidjan.
Technological, physicochemical and culinary characterization of African rice accessions (Oryza glaberrima)
Authors: Gnacadja Claude , Fagla Amoussou Balbine , Manneh Baboucar , Graham‐Acquaah Seth , Ametonou Florentin , Sall Saïdou , Azokpota Paulin , Sie Moussa
Published: November 2022

Thanks to its contribution to human nutrition, rice is a vital issue, mainly based on its quality. While O. glaberrima is abandoned in favor of Asian rice, this study was carried out in identification process of best grain quality of African rice, in order to make them more competitive and valorous in systems of varietal improvement. Principal components analysis method has been used for characterization of 215 African rice accessions, based on their technological, physicochemical and cooking parameters. The results showed on average a high amylose content (28.82%), a cooking time of 20.20 min, machining yield of 62.71% and score of 5 for gelatinization. Three clusters have been identified. Essentially, Cluster 1 is specifically characterized by a low chalkiness (10.29%), cluster 2 is characterized by a low broken rate (25%) and good machining yield (64%) while the cluster 3 of accessions is characterized by high index of « Volume expansion » and « water uptake » during cooking. These accessions represent a solution approach to meet the different requirements in terms of improving varieties integrating nutritional properties and food processing for the development of African rice.
Household water storage containers: Aedes aegypti larval breeding site and high risk of transmission of arboviruses in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Diakaridia Fofana , Konan Lambert Kouassi , Koné Blaise Atoumounan , Coulibaly Daouda , Beugré Jean Marie Vianney , Akaffou Marc Hermann , Diallo Adama , Bénié Bi Vroh Joseph , Dosso Mireille , N’Goran Eliezer Kouakou
Published: November 2022

Dengue 3 epidemic was declared in Abidjan in 2018. Vector control was directed towards management of breeding sites to reduce proliferation of mosquitoes. Thus, characterization was carried out through larval prospecting in 100 households in six communes of Abidjan in February and August (large and small dry season) of 2018, before and after mosquito control. 3,809 larval breeding sites were inventoried, including 2,289 before and 1,520 after (p-value > 0.05). 76% of sites (2,909), consisted of water storage (1,380) and abandoned containers (1,529). These two categories were most abundant in households (p-value <0.0001). Greatest number of storage containers were observed in Attécoubé (n = 312) and Abobo (n = 296). Abandoned containers were abundant in Port-Bouet (n = 416). Number of abandoned containers was reduced from 1,016 before to 513 after operation (p-value < 0.01). However, water storage containers have increased slightly. It went from 686 before operation to 694 after. Positive storage containers (255) were also the most numerous (53%). Their proportions were 151 (41%) and 104 (55%) before and after mosquito control. They were very productive in Aedes aegypti. Household water storage containers could lead to reconstitution, maintenance of mosquitoes and increased risk of arboviruses spread in Abidjan.
Détermination des facteurs de rendement et de la composition nutritionnelle de plats sénégalais à base de riz
Authors: Ndao Diao Sokhna , Mbaye Arame , Niang Ndeye Diakhou Djitté , Fall Magatte faye , Fall Dioum Seynabou , Diop Amadou , Ndiaye Bara , Diop Yérim M. , Sarr Serigne Omar
Published: November 2022

Le lien entre l’alimentation et la santé étant scientifiquement établi, pour évaluer les apports et risques nutritionnels liés à l’alimentation sénégalaise, il est indispensable de connaitre la composition nutritionnelle des plats locaux à base de riz consommés quotidiennement au déjeuner par plus de 86% des sénégalais. La composition nutritionnelle des plats préparés peut être déterminée soit par analyse directe, soit par calcul à partir des facteurs de rendement et de rétention. D’où l’objectif de cette étude qui consiste à évaluer par approche directe, la capacité des plats à base de riz prélevés dans les ménages et/ou préparés au laboratoire, à couvrir les besoins nutritionnels des sénégalais et à déterminer leurs facteurs de rendement. Ainsi, le riz au poisson rouge, le riz au poisson blanc, le « mafé » au gombo, le « yassa » au poisson, couvrent 8 à 22% des besoins en fibres, 48 à 100% de ceux en zinc, 43 à 188% de ceux en fer, 17 à 114% de ceux en calcium, 55 à 77% de ceux en magnésium; 82% de ceux en lipides ; 319% des apports recommandés en sel et 108% en sucres totaux. Quant aux facteurs de rendement, ils varient entre 0,72 et 1,83.

The link between food and health being scientifically established, to assess the nutritional intake and risks associated with the Senegalese diet, it is essential to know the nutritional composition of the local rice dishes consumed daily at lunch by more than 86% of Senegalese. The nutritional composition of prepared meals can be determined either by direct analysis, or by calculation based on yield and retention factors. Hence the objective of this study which consisted in evaluating by direct approach, the capacity of rice dishes taken from households or prepared in the laboratory, to cover the nutritional needs of Senegalese and to determine their yields factors. Thus, red rice with fish, white rice with fish, "mafé" with okra, "yassa" with fish, cover 8 to 22% of fiber needs, 48 to 100% of zinc needs, 43 to 188% of those in iron, 17-114% of those in calcium, 55-77% of those in magnesium; 82% of those in lipids; 319% of recommended salt intake and 108% of total sugars. As for the yield factors, they vary between 0.72 and 1.83.
Traditional uses of Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. (Fabaceae) and potential for its valorisation as fuelwood
Authors: Sinadouwirou Théophile Abaro , Dicko Aliou , Assede Eméline , Biaou Samadori Sorotori Honoré , Natta Armand Kuyema
Published: November 2022

Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. is a common multipurpose small tree species of Sudanian and Sudano-Guinean savannahs with high potential for use as fuelwood but little valued in forestry programs. The present study aimed at assessing the current local uses of D. microcarpum, factors determining its use as fuelwood and determine the geographical areas with the socio-cultural groups which is most suitable for its integration into fuelwood programs. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted among 1074 people selected randomly. Factors determining D. microcarpum use as fuelwood were identified through a binary logistic regression. Factorial Correspondence Analysis established the relationship between socio-cultural groups and the use of D. microcarpum parts or organs. A total of 62.47% of respondents know and use at least part of D. microcarpum. The trunk and branches are the most used organs (35.12%), primarily as fuelwood. The determinants of D. microcarpum use as fuelwood are the phytogeographic district (a proxy for the resource availability), gender, sociolinguistic group, and educational level. D. microcarpum is more used as fuelwood by women. The use of D. microcarpum as fuelwood is more pronounced in about 63% of the national territory. This study confirms the potential of D microcarpum as fuelwood to be promote.
Process control for categorical (ordinal) data
Authors: Das Nandini
Published: November 2022

Quality improvement is playing the key role in the success of a business. Reduction of variability is the main step for improvement of quality. Control charts are developed for the purpose of monitoring the quality characteristics with the aim of reducing variability. In many industries instead of continuous variable categorical (ordinal) data are used to measure the quality characteristics of interest. Hence developing control charts techniques for monitoring ordinal data has become a recent research focus. Quality control practitioners often face a problem to select the appropriate technique for monitoring ordinal data in the practical field since there are quite a few techniques available in the literature for this purpose. In this paper we have studied the various techniques for monitoring ordinal data and compared their performance to detect the shift in location parameter. Data were simulated from Normal distribution and average run length (ARL) were computed for different values of shift in mean (both in positive and negative direction) using different methodologies under study. The best technique to detect the shift was identified with respect to ARL.
Optimization of vibration amplitude ratio of face mill tool of VMC and analysis with design expert to endorsing shim design
Authors: Gandhi Nayana B. , Pandya Divyang H.
Published: November 2022

This paper presents the concept, design and development of shim (passive damper) to improve the stability for high spindle speed machine operation of face mill tool. The objective of this paper is to learning the dynamic behavior of a face mill tool on VMC with dissimilar types of shims which cover investigation of dynamic motion behavior of the face mill tool, the behavior of different types of shim design and behavior of vibration by using the amplitude ratio method and analysis by a Design Expert. Research work supported computational analysis with Ansys, 35 VMC experimental records and analyzed by ANOVA/Design Expert with different type of shims to observe a dynamic behavior of chatter. It include of the effect of process parameters like Cutting speed (250,200,150 m/min), feed per tooth (0.05, 0.1, 0.15mm/tooth), depth of cut (1.2 mm, 1.0 mm, 0.8 mm), and different types of materials (shims) for face mill tool on VMC, for analyzing the responses like amplitude ratio in X – direction, Y- direction with ANOVA and optimizing for AISI 2062 steel by Design Expert. An experimental methodology was developed using the DOE (Design of experiment) technique. The optimum factorial method was used to design an orthogonal array of four factors having three levels. Here, the main results are based on amplitude ratio, ANOVA analysis and optimization. ANOVA was used to decide the effects of the machining parameters on the vibration amplitude ratio in X; and vibration amplitude ratio in Y. This is useful for evaluating the stability of milling operations via time domain FFT and analyzed by ANOVA. Data are validated by 35 sets of VMC experiments. Physical 35 experiments may be not enough in a view of high level researchers, academicians and industrialist to conclude the use of shim and it need in face mill tool on VMC. Hence here optimization based on optimum factorial method is executed using Design Expert software in which 35experiments and its iterations with 70 populations were used to run the program. It is found that the most critical parameter in this study is the material of Shim. At high cutting parameters carbide shim, at low and medium cutting parameters SS shim are given better results by ANOVA and Optimization of Design Expert also validated by 35 sets of VMC experiments. Hence these shim designs endorse versatile solutions.
Decentralized Solid Waste Management in Rural Ghana: A Case Study of Assin Kushea Community in Assin North Municipality
Authors: Antwi E. , Anang D. A. , Marfo E. O. , Bediako M. , Ribeiro J. , Boahen B. , Opoku G.
Published: November 2022

Management of solid waste continues to be a major developmental challenge for developing countries like Ghana. The current focus and attention have been on the collection and dumping of waste in urban communities where generation rate is high to the detriment of rural communities. In this study, a pilot waste management scheme was undertaken in Assin Kushea, a rural community in the Assin North Municipality, to determine the willingness of the community to sort their waste at source, the quantity of waste generated by the community, and the characteristics of the waste to inform the treatment or disposal options suitable for the community. The results of the study showed that the community generates approximately 20 to 40 kg waste per day which comprises about 77% biological municipal waste (BMW) and 23% of residual waste. Laboratory analysis of the waste showed that the moisture content of the waste was about 68%. The percentage volatile solid was about 85.45%, leaving an ash content of approximately 14.55% all by weight of the waste materials. More than 50% of the sampled population achieved 100% source separation efficiency. Given the composition and characteristics of the waste, and the willingness of the community to sort their waste at source, composting or anaerobic fermentation of the organic waste fraction is recommended as the best waste treatment option for the organic component of the waste for the community.
Pattern of malignant head and neck tumors among children in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital
Authors: Edetanlen Benlance E , Israel-Aina Yetunde T , Babalola O
Published: November 2022

Background: The pattern of head and neck cancer in children are well documented among Caucasians and the Orientals but this cannot be said among African children especially in developing country like Nigeria.
Aim: To evaluate the pattern of malignant head and neck tumours among children in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital.
Method: A retrospective study of cases of head and neck childhood malignancies at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin- City, Nigeria over a 12-year period, from January 2009 to December 2020.
Results: A total of 127 children with head and neck malignant tumours were seen in this period. The mean age of children was 5.27±4.72 years (age range, 0.3 to 18 years). There were 83(65.4%) males and 44(34.6%) females. The most frequently seen tumour was retinoblastoma (44.1%) and this was followed by rhabdomyosarcoma (18.1%) and Burkitt’s lymphoma (16.5%). Apart from Burkitt’s lymphoma that was commonest in the 6-12 years group, all other cancers were most frequent during the 0-5 years. The peak incidence of cases was seen in 2015 followed by 2016 and 2019. Regarding the outcome of the treatment, 8(6.3%) of the patients died of their disease while just only 1 (0.8%) was discharged against medical advice
Conclusion: Retinoblastoma followed by rhabdomyosarcoma and Burkitt’s lymphoma were the most common tumors in study locality.
Cord prolapse and the neonatal outcome
Authors: Abraham Sherin , Ibhanesebhor Samuel E , Khalil Mahitab H , Dahab Rania E , Joseph Dennis
Published: November 2022

Aims and Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to determine the obstetric risk factors and the management protocol of cord prolapse in our unit through analysis of cases diagnosed over a period of 30 months. The secondary objective was to assess the neonatal outcomes that may be associated with cord prolapse.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis for a period of 30 months was done during which there were 24 cases of cord prolapse (0.19% incidence) excluding cord presentations. The obstetric variables, parameters which determine the perinatal outcome were analysed. Statistical analyses were performed with the SPSS, Chi-Square test was used to test the statistical significance.
Results and Conclusion: The mean maternal age was 31.8±5.5 years. In 50% of the cases, labor was induced. The incidence of abnormal fetal presentation was 8%, and in two patients (8%) onset of labor was preterm. The mean diagnosis to delivery interval (DDI) was 15 minutes and 30 seconds; except for one vaginal delivery, all women underwent crash cesarean section delivery. There were no perinatal mortalities noted. It throws light onto whether DDI could be a critical determinant in deciding the neonatal outcome. Maneuvers to relieve pressure on the umbilical cord was followed but poorly documented (25%) as was the communication with the women and their partners. Various neonatal parameters such as the five-minute Apgar score, Cord pH, hypoxia ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), intubation during resuscitation and length of stay were assessed during the study which showed satisfactory neonatal outcomes.