bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Love It or Leave It
Authors: Ariyo Oluwunmi , Reams-Johnson Ansa
Published: February 2022

Prior to the impact of COVID-19, more institutions had made online learning a part of the education landscape. The United Stated Department of Education acknowledged that more than 6.9 million college students were enrolled in some type of distance learning course. Although not always embraced by all parts of the higher education community, some form of online learning contributes to many college fiscal bottom lines. Classes may be fully online, or some type of hybrid or blended learning, and synchronous or asynchronous. Each plays a role in the success or failure of an online curriculum, but more importantly, each can play a role in an institution's bottom line. The pandemic pushed more institutions to switch to online and hybrid courses, particularly those referred to as synchronous courses. This chapter will examine the positives and negatives associated with the increase in moving courses to various online formats. This includes typical explorations on student engagement and technology-based issues.
Governance of Greek Higher Education in the COVID-19 Era
Authors: Papastathis Theofanis
Published: February 2022

Coronavirus and its international spread have caused an unprecedented health emergency. Governance refers to a set of institutions that come from and beyond government. In the case of the pandemic, the government is the coordination measure for the creation of the mechanism, by the government, to deal with it. The emergence of the scientific community as a key decision-making body creates a special model of governance. This model is called Epistemocratic Democracy. With this peculiarity, the universities come to the forefront. The purpose of the research is to investigate the governance of HE in Greece against COVID-19 and their effectiveness. The study adopted a qualitative approach through analysis of official documents. The common ideas that emerge around tackling the pandemic combine the political decisions around an action plan. The rapid creation of guides to the academic community and the exploitation/development of electronic platforms through interdisciplinary approaches, as needed on the occasion characterizes as successful the governance of the institutions in the pandemic.
Navigating Emergency Remote Teaching During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Chaudhuri Parama
Published: February 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic began in the late months of 2019, and by Spring of 2020, in an effort to limit transmission of the virus, schools across the globe closed and transitioned to emergency online teaching. This disrupted the schooling for over 80% of the students worldwide. While the move to online teaching and learning was inevitable, many learners, especially in rural and remote areas, found that online schooling had certain challenges due to lack of access, lack of resources, lack of infrastructure, unavailability of devices, and a lack of qualified teachers who can assist with online learning. To be able to transition to online teaching, teachers too had to adjust their instructional strategies and pedagogies. How did teachers and students navigate this sudden shift to online teaching and learning?
Digital Texts and Student Engagement
Authors: Morewood Aimee L. , Shimek Courtney , Ankrum Julie W. , Swan Dagen Allison
Published: February 2022

In the past year, one instructional practice that has gained traction is the use of online children's picture books or digital texts. Teachers use these (often free) online resources in various ways during literacy instruction. The purpose of this chapter is to demonstrate how preservice teachers and inservice teachers can plan for the effective use of digital texts in their literacy instruction. This chapter provides a conceptual framework for teachers to apply when using digital texts as read alouds in their classrooms. Further, this chapter describes how teachers can actively engage their students when using this text type with their students. Often, a main concern of teachers when using digital texts is how to actively engage students with this text type. Teachers want to plan meaningful literacy instruction that includes digital texts, which means they want their students to engage with the texts they are reading. This chapter demonstrates how using a conceptual framework while planning for early literacy instruction can guide student engagement while using digital texts.
A Case of Innovative and Successful Use of Digital Resources for Online Learning
Authors: Mosia Ngaka , Goosen Leila
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this chapter is to provide readers with an overview of a case of the innovative and successful use of digital resources for open distance online learning, or e-learning. To further summarize the content of the chapter, background is offered in a literature study, including related definitions, on the extent to which the application of quality evaluation tools for learning objects were adequate and appropriate for engineering tuition. The main focus of the chapter is on presenting the authors' perspectives on the issues, challenges, problems, etc., as these relate to the themes and arguments supporting their position. The next section of the chapter discusses how this research will lead to the development of solutions and recommendations that will deal with the issues or problems presented. Emerging trends and future research directions are discussed before a discussion of the overall coverage of the chapter and concluding remarks are provided.
Disrupt!Canvas
Authors: Ruco Alexandre Crespo
Published: February 2022

To analyze a startup or an existing business under the light of this strategy can be useful to produce insights on how these connections can be created between producers and consumers and how a company could develop some of the elements or characteristics of a platform business. Strategic management templates like business model canvas are focused on the business models in a generic way. This chapter proposes a specific approach, an analysis of the business model, oriented by the most successful and impactful business strategy of the digital age, the platform strategy.
Digital Transformation and Skill Acquisition
Authors: Maršíková Kateřina , Mazurchenko Anastasiia
Published: February 2022

The chapter brings a review of literature on primary and secondary data analysing the aspect of digital transformation from the point of view of human resources (HR). It describes the perspective of employees and their digital skills acquisition, as well as the perspective of employers and their readiness for digital transformation. It also introduces barriers to digital skills acquisition. The primary data used in this chapter is presented on a sample of Czech companies and employees in order to illustrate the current situation in this field. The authors concentrate on answers to the following research questions: What digital competencies were identified as those mainly needed for current employees and how they acquire them? What are the main barriers to closing digital skills gaps at work? How has the Covid-19 pandemic changed the requirements for employees' digital skills? The literature review results are supported by global secondary data analysis on demand for skills at the workplace in European countries.
Social Media Usage in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Developing Countries
Authors: Qalati Sikandar Ali , Ostic Dragana , Fan Mingyue
Published: February 2022

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can use social media (SM) for communicating information with stakeholders with minimal cost. The ability to access and share information influences the SMEs' performance, but there is little scholarship on the association between the adoptions and usage of SM from a SMEs perspective. In this context, the present chapter discusses the concept, definition, and importance of SM use in SMEs operating in developing countries. In addition, this chapter also insights into the benefits, characteristics, and challenges of SM use in the SME context. Furthermore, this chapter aims to identify the technological, organizational, environmental, and personal factors influencing social media use and its impact on SMEs. This chapter also offers theoretical and practical implications and insights for future scholars.
Digital Transformation in the Feed Industry Business
Authors: Borges da Costa Sunamita Iris Rodrigues , Lodders Johannes Willem Eduard
Published: February 2022

Access to valuable knowledge about feed safety is crucial for the globalized animal feed business, which is linked to food production and, therefore, human health. However, due to differences between regions and actors in the production chain, the demand for knowledge varies strongly. Digital transformation helps to spread knowledge and to make it accessible throughout the globe, but there are some other conditions to make access to knowledge successful. The case of the development of the worldwide GMP+ Academy on feed safety shows that besides the application of digital tools and channels, a relevant but not competitive subject is essential, as well as the leading role and position of the organization that created the academy. Last but not least, successful knowledge sharing depends on collaboration and a clear value proposition for all stakeholders.
The Future Is Now
Authors: Santos Claudia Amaral , Pinheiro Margarida M.
Published: February 2022

Digital transformation in higher education (HE) institutions is a process that has been gradually implemented by decision-makers and educators for more than a decade, witnessing an exponential growth over the last two years. The University of Aveiro (UA), in Portugal, has been putting considerable effort in preparing staff, faculty, and students for this disruptive approach to education. This case study aims to share UA's experience in areas related to digital transformation at pedagogical, technical, managerial, and societal levels by providing data on digital capabilities, technological support, and institutional strategies. The research also intends to present findings on the balance between HEI-envisioned digital learning environments and their operationalization. The adoption of a qualitative approach through interviews to seven top decision-makers will provide relevant insights regarding UA's digital transformation model, namely by sharing the perceptions HE representatives have of higher education's future in an ever-growing digital scenario.
The Roots of Change
Authors: Brewer Patricia R. , Stein David S.
Published: February 2022

This chapter suggests that the rise, establishment, and success of for-profit online educational institutions is rooted in prior technologies and concepts supporting the education of adults. The chapter shows how correspondence schools and later the University Without Walls and other adult degree programs provided the institutional models for reaching out to those adults who were unable to access traditional academic programs because of academic, economic, institutional, and social barriers. Three concepts are discussed as providing the conceptual groundings for the for-profit online university: the open university and independent study, correspondence and home study, and adult-focused degree accommodations. The convergence of these ideas and the availability of advanced technological tools which could reach learners worldwide provided the opportunity for the for-profit online educational institution to supplant other adult degree programs and to become a disruptive force in the educational marketplace.
Sustainable Management of Humanitarian Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Interventions
Authors: Jimoh Modupe Olufunmilayo , Jacob-Oricha Samuel Oluwatosin
Published: February 2022

WASH interventions have not always been successful, despite the significant efforts to improve coordination and delivery of quality interventions. Assessments have shown that sustainable management of interventions must transcend the immediate intervention period to allow continuous infrastructural service delivery, social and behavioural change, civil participation, improved governance, and more robust community and public sector systems. This chapter highlights the challenges of sustainable management, approaches, and lessons learned from the humanitarian response, especially in providing WASH facilities in conflict zones and fragile communities. It would also focus on a case study of conflict-affected Pulka Town, Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State, Nigeria.
Smart City Technology and Its Implementation
Authors: Emmanuel Gyasi Kwabena , Swarnalatha Purushotham
Published: February 2022

The city of the future is smart. It is entirely interconnected and will regulate traffic, save energy, fight crime, and it will be assisted by big data and the internet of things (IoT). Cities compose of many systems providing services for us. Systems such as transport, energy, health, and others depend on each other. The connections between these systems seem to have been broken and need to be reconnected to provide efficient services for the citizens. To create a smart city, there is the need to combine internet communication network (5G), application software, database and blockchain application, AI, cloud computing, GPS, maps. For the smart city concept to be instrumental and beneficial to the citizens, there should be a centralized large-scale database center that will tie all these pieces of data generated in the various smart sectors together for it to function as an intelligently coordinated, geographically distributed system. On this score, the authors propose nine main dimensions to the smart city concept.
Applications and Potential of Blockchain in Modern Technological Systems
Authors: Behal Raghav , Pattabiraman Kalyanaraman
Published: February 2022

Blockchain, a relatively recent technological breakthrough, has been spreading like wildfire with reports of adoption extending across industries. Although most popularly known in the context of cryptocurrencies, this technology's true strength lies in its ability to disrupt existing, traditional industries. It can be used to run any form of exchange, agreement (trust), or tracking processes. The capability to negotiate decentralized trust is key to its application in SCM. Holding the capacity to transform SC functionality, blockchain technology creates possibilities for security and redundancy mechanisms that are foundational for a revolutionary new approach to SCM. While aiming to explore the incumbent status, potential applications, and future directions of blockchain technology, this study iterates that its advent opens up new and exciting ways to implement a variety of different modern technological systems. The writers offer an overview of what an efficient SCM system should entail, with the aim to overcome any existent limitations via the application of blockchain technology.
Developing the Real Estate Rental Sector in Third World Countries Using Blockchain Technology
Authors: Alisawi Muthana , Al-Dawoodi Aras , Mohammed Wahab Yousif , Hammood Layth , Yaseen Nawaf Asmaa , Ghazi Alaan
Published: February 2022

Blockchain technology represents an attractive factor for sectors that are interested in managing and keeping their transactions on a database that records all the movements that take place on each transaction. Therefore, to keep pace with the digital transformation taking place in this field of the real estate sector, this chapter aims to submit a proposal in the Iraqi real estate sector to implement this technology. In addition, the chapter clarified the current mechanism adopted in Iraq in completing real estate rental transactions and the problems that accompany this method. Then, the authors explained the advantages provided by the application of blockchain technology through the smart contract, in addition to eliminating the problems of tax evasion in this sector. Despite the negative points that this technology suffers from, it still represents a safe environment for preserving, managing, and exchanging information.
The Core of Professional Development for English Language Teachers
Authors: Al-Wadi Hasan Mohsen
Published: February 2022

The lesson study strategy or what was called ‘research lesson' has recently been a global mode in professional development programmes that can assist in filling the gap between what, how, and why teachers need to change and improve their teaching practices inside the classroom. This chapter provides a systematic review of the application of the lesson study strategy as an approach for seeking professional development on the part of the English language teachers in some Bahraini schools through a tailored school-based professional development programme. A comparison of the lesson study practice in Bahrain to the international practices will be made through determining the aims and procedures followed in this programme and the impact after its implementation. Lessons and consideration for future implementation of professional development programmes that are based on the lesson study strategy for ESL/EFL teachers in Bahrain will also be highlighted and discussed.
Student Attitudes Towards Online Classes and Foreign Language Learning in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Guerra Luis
Published: February 2022

This chapter aims at identifying and analyzing undergraduate university students' attitudes and perceptions of online English classes taken during two periods of COVID-19 lockdowns, based on the findings of two questionnaires applied immediately after the students returned to campus and resumed face-to-face classes. Students' perceptions were explored considering the following domains: the physical conditions of online classes and factors which may affect the quality of the online classes; the features of the online classes, English language learning and skills development during the online sessions, and students' attitudes towards the use of technology in language learning. Results indicate that students manifested a positive opinion on online classes while, at the same time, they also perceived the importance of face-to-face classes in learning languages. This chapter also provides some recommendations and research directions aiming at promoting the debate on the assets and liabilities of virtual classes, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Impact of the Pedagogical Integration of NICTs on Student Satisfaction During COVID-19
Authors: Routabi Ahmed , Bennani Bouchra
Published: February 2022

NICT integration in teaching assists teachers in addressing gaps and overcoming the weakness of traditional teaching methods through designing a learner-centered technology enhanced learning environments. To this end, this study aims to empirically investigate how NICTs meet the educational needs of student in higher education and hence increase or decrease their satisfaction toward online education. Convenience sampling was used to collect data for the analysis. Responses were obtained from a 216 valid random sample comprising of students at Hassan II University of Casablanca in Morocco. The responses were analysed using SPSS version 26 and SmartPls using structural equation modeling (SEM). The study's findings found that the presence of the teacher and the quality of the technological infrastructure seem to be the most significant contributing factors for students' satisfaction during this specific context. The pratical implications of these findings are discussed.
The Transformative Potential of the Ongoing Digital Revolution for the Studio Model of Design Education
Authors: Hardman Paul David
Published: February 2022

The digital revolution has been contributing to a paradigm shift in the studio model of design education for several decades; however, it is not the only factor. Developments in design practice, theory, and its outcomes are all contributing factors in this change, along with financial and organisational pressures in the institutions themselves. From the start of the global pandemic in 2019, rapid transformation took place in design courses as they were moved online to respond to new restrictions and periods of confinement. This chapter describe the fundamental characteristics of the studio model, identifies positive and negative aspects of its signature pedagogies, and discusses the ways in which the acceleration of digital transformation present both threats and opportunities for the future of design education. In the rapid transition to remote learning methods, it is crucial that existing inherent problems of the studio model are addressed and, if possible, resolved while preserving its essential character.
Preservice Elementary Teacher Geometry Course Creative Pedagogy
Authors: Goodson-Espy Tracy J.
Published: February 2022

This chapter discusses how preservice elementary teachers learned to foster creativity and teach geometric concepts to children via art and children's literature. An action research study was conducted in Fall 2019 within a face-to-face mathematics content (geometry) and methods course for prospective elementary teachers. This chapter explores how preservice teachers were supported in learning how to integrate arts and geometry to foster creativity—critical for mathematical reasoning and problem-solving—within existing curricular structures. Specific examples of tasks completed within the courses and how they broadened the preservice elementary teachers' exposure to, and understanding of, the connections between creativity, art, children's literature, geometric ideas, and computer graphics are explained.
Flipping the Post-COVID Online Classroom in a Professional Development Program at the Namibia University of Science and Technology
Authors: Carter Katherine , Shakwa Geoffrey
Published: February 2022

Few studies have examined the impact of the flipped classroom approach used in an online professional development program. The study adopted a qualitative approach. Data were collected through an open-ended questionnaire distributed to 25 university instructors enrolled in a postgraduate certificate in higher education program (PGCHE). The findings reveal that the flipped classroom approach enhances the quality of teaching and learning in the delivery of the program as well as in the instructors' teaching practice. Instructors describe enhanced student learning, deeper learning, and self-regulated learning due to flipping their classrooms. The opportunity to achieve graduate attributes were also highlighted as a result of flipped classrooms.
Sustainable Happiness as a Byproduct of Transformative Curriculum and Innovative Pedagogies
Authors: Rodriguez Roxanne R. , Rossatto Cesar
Published: February 2022

This study examines the social well-being of students K-12 in three distinct socio-economic schooling scenarios. Drawing upon a pilot study the authors carried out in a US Southwestern Borderlands context that led to a meta-theoretical analysis on the culture of education, this study looks at the importance of student well-being and happiness as part of holistic pedagogy and quality education. It is based on Maslow's influential classic work in support of the idea that happiness and creativity flourish when basic needs are met, with the science of well-being integral to this notion. The research highlights the importance of structures and conditions enabling happiness. It advocates for pedagogical practices that are humanizing and empowering for all students. Through innovative curriculum and transformative pedagogy, social stratification that sustains hegemonic oppression can be replaced by participatory citizenship that seeks solidarity and brings dignity to a postmodern world in need.
Active Learning, Student Engagement, and Motivation
Authors: Zengaro Sally , Zengaro Franco
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the importance of active learning and motivation in the classroom. It examines the role of emotion in teaching practices that foster communication, care, presence, and a sense of community between the instructor and the learners. This chapter underscores the role of the instructor in creating a classroom climate that promotes active learning and increases motivation through emphasizing the importance of the individual. By putting student-faculty relationships at the center of teaching, instructors are able to foster a climate that increases interest and intrinsic motivation for succeeding in the course. This chapter proposes that caring and the emotional commitment to students increases engagement, motivation, and active learning.
Enhancing Student Engagement and Active Learning in Online Learning Environments
Authors: Chitanana Lockias
Published: February 2022

COVID-19-related closures of educational institutions have prompted universities around the world to mobilize remote learning solutions to ensure educational continuity. Universities were swift in their response and provided multiple remote learning solutions including different forms of online learning to reach students during university closure. This chapter discusses a study that explored the lived experiences of university lecturers who participated in online teaching during the pandemic. These experiences help us to draw lessons that can inform us about the quality of student engagement during online learning. An actor-network theory-informed study design method was used to follow the actors in action. The data was collected through a mixture of data collection including semi-structured interviews, observations, and documents analysis. The analysis shows that online learning was the main method of instruction deployed by universities in Zimbabwe during the pandemic. Lecturers reported a wide range of online learning experiences engaging students in active learning.
Improving Diversity and Equality in STEM Education
Authors: Amato Luanne M.
Published: February 2022

Within the global business environment there is a critical need for a diverse pool of employees with higher education degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Unfortunately, in the United States, graduation statistics suggest marginalized groups are underrepresented in the awarding of STEM degrees. This chapter explains why diversity in STEM careers is reported to be a critical need for U.S. economic sustainability and competitiveness in the global business arena. It highlights the major challenges and barriers in STEM education related to instructional design that severely limit student engagement and derail degree attainment in STEM disciplines, especially for marginalized groups. The chapter also explains how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) acts a template for improved instructional design and introduce the LEVEL instructional model, which was created based on the principles of UDL and, when utilized in higher education coursework, promotes active learning and support for diverse learning styles.
Study of Different Additive Manufacturing Processes and Emergent Applications in Modern Healthcare
Authors: Barua Ranjit , Roychowdhury Amit , Datta Pallab
Published: February 2022

The additive manufacturing process denotes modern manufacturing technologies that create a practical model from digital data. These days, the 3D (three-dimensional) printing technology signifies a great prospect to support medicinal and healthcare firms to produce new definite medicines, allowing quick manufacture of medicinal transplants, and moving the approach that specializes surgeon and physician strategy measures. For example, currently, in the practice of modern medical treatment, patient-specific anatomical models (3D-printed) are used. Soon, functional implantable organs by 3D (three-dimensional) printed process will possibly be offered, decreasing the queue time and growing the total of lives protected. This modern manufacturing technology for healthcare and medical is still required to a great extent of work in development; however, it is applied in numerous dissimilar habits in a medicinal and therapeutic area that previously reeled below a huge burden concerning optimum presentation.
Health Institution Governance
Authors: Baporikar Neeta
Published: February 2022

Health institutions are essential for an economy to grow and develop and moreover in case of emerging economies, it is imperative. However, health institutions, in general, do not meet the expectation of the public in terms of quality health services in many countries. This may be due to many reasons like shortage of doctors, hospitals, beds, infrastructure, and governance. Hence, the objective of this paper is to do a critical analysis of governance in public health institutions with an emphasis on developing and strengthening corporate culture and leadership in health institutions to strengthen the public health sector. Adopting an exploratory approach with an in-depth literature review, the aim of this paper is to critically analyze corporate governance in public health institutions in Zimbabwe. In the process, key issues or problems are identified and analyzed. Further, an attempt is made to provide a range of solutions to overcome the trepidations and issues. Based on the alternative solutions suggested, an array of recommendations is made, and also an implementation plan for the suggested recommendations is provided.
Social Media Bots, Trolls, and the Democratic Mandates in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Gondwe Gregory , Some Evariste
Published: February 2022

This exploratory study investigates the role that bots and trolls played on social media in widening the gaps of political partisanship in sub-Saharan Africa. Taking the case of the 2018 Zambian by-elections, the authors examined the relationship between online social media content that propagates hate and organized trolling efforts in Zambia. The study used machine learning tools to identify the origin of the bots on Facebook and Twitter accounts (trolls) of the two major political parties in Zambia (PF and UPND). Online posts that accounted for the election campaigns and the aftermath in the year 2018 were considered for the study. Findings suggest that social-mediated conversations were divided along political lines and that the examined trolling accounts systematically took advantage of the existing echo chambers to create hate messages on Zambian social networks. In other words, the findings indicated that the online hate messages that accounted for violence were neither created by the PF or UPND political parties as earlier studies suggest but by bots and trolls.
La bioetica di fronte ai problemi della popolazione
Authors: Fiori Angelo
Published: February 2022

Non disponibile
COVID-19 as an enabler for enhancing online learning and teaching skills for nurse educators at the University of Namibia: Prospects and challenges
Authors: Shindjabuluka Rakkel N. , Ashipala Daniel O. , Likando Gilbert N.
Published: February 2022

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused instability in the education system and has compelled higher education institutions (HEIs) to find alternative ways of teaching and learning by making use of the latest online teaching approaches.Aim: The purpose of the study was to explore how COVID-19 could serve as an enabler for the enhancement of online learning and teaching skills for nurse educators at the University of Namibia with specific emphasis on prospects and challenges.Setting: Semi-structured interviews were conducted in English at a public nursing education institution located in the northeast of Namibia.Methods: A qualitative explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used. Data were collected by means of in-depth semi-structured interviews with 18 nurse educators from the School of Nursing. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Field notes were simultaneously taken to enrich the data.Results: The study revealed three themes: nurse educators’ experiences of the use of online learning and teaching skills, COVID-19 as an enabler for enhancing online learning and teaching skills and strategies to sustain online teaching and learning.Conclusion: Internet technology has generated a surge in demand for web-based teaching and learning. The online learning mode was not effectively utilised during the COVID-19 era because of inadequate technological skills on the part of nurse educators.Contribution: These findings can be used by universities to equip students and academic staff with skills to adapt to e-learning as the new modus operandi in learning and teaching in the post-COVID-19 era.
The significance of sleep quality in euthymic bipolar patients from Nigeria
Authors: Esan Oluyomi , Fela-Thomas Ayodele
Published: February 2022

Background: Bipolar disorder is highly under-researched in Africa. Existing studies show that racial/ethnic disparities exist for sleep quality. Poor sleep quality in bipolar disorder causes significant morbidity and mortality even during periods of euthymia.Aim: This study aimed to assess sleep quality and its correlates amongst euthymic patients with bipolar I disorder from Nigeria.Setting: The study was carried out in a teaching hospital, and state hospital, in Ibadan, Nigeria.Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 76 euthymic bipolar patients aged between 18 and 60 years, meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder. Euthymia was defined as having a score of ≤ 5 on the Young Mania Rating Scale and 8 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).Results: A total of 37 (48.7%) participants had poor quality sleep. Sleep quality was associated with marital status (p = 0.013) and suicide plan (p = 0.047). Participants with good sleep quality had higher total sleep duration, lower time to fall asleep (sleep latency), better subjective quality of sleep, were less likely to use sleep medications and had less daytime dysfunction than participants with poor sleep quality. All p-values were 0.05. Subjective quality of sleep, ongoing use of sleep medication, daytime dysfunction were independently associated with poor sleep quality.Conclusion: Poor sleep quality frequently persists during euthymic periods in patients with bipolar disorder. The correlates identified can be targeted for intervention during treatment.
Eosinophil Count, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Pentraxin-3 Level as Predictors of Clinical Severity in SARS-CoV-2 Patients
Authors: Pramana I Made Dharma , Herawati Sianny , Purnamasidhi Cokorda Agung Wahyu , Mulyantari Ni Kadek , Lestari A. A. Wiradewi , Wande I Nyoman
Published: February 2022

Background:

New biomarkers are urgently needed to predict the severity of patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Eosinophil count and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are new biomarkers for the severity of viral infection. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a natural humoral immune mediator that can bind to viruses, complement, and apoptotic cells, and can trigger T-helper type 1 (Th1) to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and their levels increase depending on the severity of the disease.

Materials and Methods:

This was a case-control study consisting of 66 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 who were divided into critical patients (Group C) and noncritical patients (Group N). We obtained lab samples from the subjects upon admission. We then analyzed the data using the Mann–Whitney U test, receiving operator characteristic (ROC) analysis, and chi-square test with odds ratio (OR) to test the hypothesis.

Results:

Median eosinophil count, NLR, and PTX3 levels in Group C were 0 ×103/µL, 13.53 and 608.73 pg/mL, compared to 0.11 ×103/µL, 1.94 and 28.50 pg/mL in Group N. The ROC analysis showed good predictive ability for eosinophil count, NLR, and PTX3 with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.913, 0.988, and 0.942 to predict coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) severity. At the cutoff eosinophil count of 0.035 × 103/µL, NLR 4.13 and PTX3 114.51 pg/mL, the OR values were 17.5, 320, and 72.5 (P < 0.05) with a sensitivity of 84.8%, 97.0%, and 90.9% and specificity 75.8%, 90.9%, and 87.9%.

Conclusions:

Eosinophil count, NLR, and PTX3 levels can be used as predictors of clinical severity in SARS-CoV-2. Eosinophil count of <0.035 ×103/µL, NLR >4.13, and PTX3 level >114.51 pg/mL are risk factors for critical conditions for COVID-19.
Ultrasound-Guided Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Pain Management in Open Surgical Gastrostomy
Authors: Shamim Faisal , Suleman Muhammad
Published: February 2022

Gastrostomy is needed to provide nutritional support in patients with head and neck cancer surgery. The incision in upper abdomen causes moderate pain. We usually encountered our postoperative patients complaining of significant discomfort that leads us to think about adding some regional anesthesia techniques with conventional pain management. Recently, the role of regional anesthetic techniques for involving anterior abdominal wall has been increased. Ten patients who underwent head and neck cancer surgery requiring open surgical gastrostomy for long-term nutritional support were taken into this descriptive case series. In addition to general anesthetic, intravenous nalbuphine, and paracetamol, ultrasound-guided subcostal transversus abdominal plane (TAP) block was performed 30 min prior to incision of gastrostomy to improve postoperative analgesia. All 10 patients had significant pain relief at gastrostomy incision site which is different from our experience in the same patient population before. The numerical rating score (NRS) was between 0 and 2, and average satisfaction score was 7–8 on a scale of 10. The patients reported a very low level of discomfort. No adverse events were recorded up to patient discharge from the hospital. Subcostal TAP block under ultrasound guidance is a valuable addition to improve postoperative pain management in open surgical gastrostomy. The available case series show encouraging analgesic results with no adverse events recorded. Formal prospective randomized trials are needed to provide further evidence on its efficacy, failure rate, and safety.
Nurses’ versus patient’s awareness about patient rights and nurses’ compliance to these rights
Authors: Sayed Yousef Walaa Abd El Baset , Abed Fatma A.
Published: February 2022

Background

In spite of the achievements concerning patient rights and ethical problems in healthcare in Egypt, several problems still persist, including the unethical behavior of some healthcare workers, and patient understanding of the concepts of the patient rights.

Aim

To assess nurses’ versus patient’s awareness about patient’s rights and nurses’ compliance to these rights.

Research design

Comparative descriptive design.

Setting

The study was conducted in two types of hospitals in Egypt, three governmental hospitals (university hospital, health insurance hospital, and ministry of health hospital) and one of them private hospital.

Study sample

Two groups of the patients were included in the present study: a total of 400 nurses who provide direct care to patients (100 in each hospital), and a total of 400 patients who present at the time of the study (100 in each hospital).

Tool

There were three tools used for data collection: I. nurses’ awareness toward patient rights’ questionnaires, II. patient’s awareness toward patient rights’ questionnaires, and III. nurses’ compliance to the patient’s rights from patients’ point-of-view questionnaire, these structured questionnaires were adopted by Said (2010) to assess nurses’ versus patients’ awareness toward the patient’s rights and compliance of nurses to these rights.

Results

The results revealed that 60.75% of nurses had a high level of awareness to patients’ rights and 34.23% of patients had good awareness toward their rights, in addition, there was a statistical significant difference in the compliances of nurses about patients’ rights between private hospitals and governmental hospitals (P=0.001).

Conclusion

The study findings showed that there was a significant difference in nurses’ compliance regarding patients’ bill of rights in four hospitals, especially in governmental hospitals.

Recommendations

The study recommended that the concept of patients’ rights should be given as a regular and specialized educational program and retraining and putting it as a course in curriculum.
Ultrasound-guided Needle Biopsy for Preoperative Assessment of Uterine Fibroids
Authors: Alboni Carlo , Mattos Ludovica Camacho , Malmusi Stefania , Galassi Maria Cristina , Facchinetti Fabio , Mabrouk Mohamed
Published: February 2022

Leiomyomas are the most common uterine benign tumor, and their malignant counterpart leiomyosarcomas are extremely rare. Despite this, a preoperative diagnosis could be useful for safe surgical minimally invasive management. At present, some clinical and ultrasound findings help recognizing lesions at risk of malignancy. We tried to implement a technique for the preoperative diagnosis for lesions at risk performing ultrasound-guided biopsies of suspected lesions in ten patients. Among them, one case was diagnosed as malignant by the needle biopsy. All patients underwent surgery for myomectomy or hysterectomy, and the histology was confirmed in all cases. No complications occurred. The review of the literature shows other similar experiences of preoperative biopsy of uterine lesions, showing good results for the differential diagnosis between uterine sarcoma and leiomyoma. In our experience, despite the small number of patients enrolled, this technique is safe and effective to plan minimally invasive surgery of uterine fibroids.
Giant Nabothian Cyst Mimicking a Huge Cervical Fibroid
Authors: Balasubramaniam Devi , Ravi Saranya , Yogini Kavitha
Published: February 2022

Nabothian cysts (NCs) are benign cervical mucous retention cysts, which are usually considered insignificant. A 45 years para 2, presented with lower abdominal heaviness, abnormal uterine bleeding and severe dysmenorrhea for 1 year. On examination, only a part of the anterior cervical lip was visible, and a tense bulging cyst was replacing the posterior lip. The cyst extended supravaginally and filled the posterior fornix. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested a 15 cm × 10 cm huge NC. Laparoscopic hysterectomy was done. There were difficulties in bladder dissection, ureteric identification, and vault delineation. The cyst contained 800 ml of clear fluid with a few milliliters of yellowish mucinous fluid. To our knowledge, NC of this size has not been reported in the literature. NCs are benign lesions, but they have to be differentiated from other cervical cysts - particularly malignant or premalignant lesions. NC can very well be managed laparoscopically, provided the skills of precise dissection are possessed by the surgeon
Heart failure admissions during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Narayanan Sajan , Jabir Abdullakutty , Rajesh G , Varma Rajasekhar , Thomas Vinod , Thomas Manoj , Gopakumar KS , Balachandran Anil
Published: February 2022

Background and Objectives:

Severe acute respiratory syndrome due to coronavirus (SARS-COVID-19) was declared as pandemic on March 12, 2020. Government of India declared a total lockdown from March 25, 2020. We report the trends in heart failure (HF) admissions to cardiac care units (CCU) of Ernakulam district of Kerala during lockdown period in comparison with the equivalent period of 2019.

Materials and Methods:

We conducted a retrospective multicenter observational survey to collect data on admissions for HF at CCUs of Ernakulam district in Kerala from January to May 15, 2020. Records were analyzed for admissions during the equivalent period of 2019. Trends in admissions during lockdown phases were analyzed separately.

Results:

We observed a reducing trend in the number of admissions with a diagnosis of HF from February 2020. During lockdown phase, a 25.4% reduction in the number of HF admissions was recorded as compared to the equivalent period of 2019. The decrease was evident during all three phases of lockdown. Hospitals located within Kochi Corporation Limits recorded 36.2%, 22%, and 22.9% decrease, respectively, during phases 1, 2, and 3 of lockdown period. There was no decrease in the number of HF admissions to centers located at the periphery during this period.

Conclusion:

This study confirms a reduction in the number of HF admissions during lockdown period. The decrease was more evident in centers located within metropolitan city limits.
A Preliminary Evaluation of Students' Learning and Performance Outcomes in an Accelerated 3-Year MD Pathway Program
Authors: Cangiarella Joan , Eliasz Kinga , Kalet Adina , Cohen Elisabeth , Abramson Steven , Gillespie Colleen
Published: February 2022

Background

Little outcome data exist on 3-year MD (3YMD) programs to guide residency program directors (PDs) in deciding whether to select these graduates for their programs.

Objective

To compare performance outcomes of 3YMD and 4-year MD (4YMD) students at New York University Grossman School of Medicine.

Methods

In 2020, using the Kirkpatrick 4-level evaluation model, outcomes from 3 graduating cohorts of 3YMD students (2016–2018) were compared with the 4YMD counterparts.

Results

Descriptive statistics compared outcomes among consented student cohorts: 92% (49 of 53) 3YMD, 87% (399 of 459) 4YMD-G, and 84% (367 of 437) 4YMD-S. Student survey response rates were 93% (14 of 15), 74% (14 of 19), and 89% (17 of 19) from 2016 to 2018. PDs' response rates were 58% (31 of 53, 3YMD) and 51% (225 of 441, 4YMD). Besides age, 3YMD and 4YMD cohorts did not differ significantly in admissions variables. Other than small statistically significant differences in the medicine shelf examination (3YMD mean 74.67, SD 7.81 vs 4YMD-G mean 78.18, SD 7.60; t test=3.02; P=.003) and USMLE Step 1 (3YMD mean 235.13, SD 17.61 vs 4YMD-S mean 241.70, SD 15.92; t test=2.644; P=.009 and vs 4YMD-G mean 242.39, SD 15.65; t test=2.97; P=.003) and Step 2 CK scores (3YMD mean 242.57, SD 15.58 vs 4YMD-S mean 248.55, SD 15.33; t test=2.55; P=.01 and vs 4YMD-G mean 247.83, SD 15.38; t test=2.97; P=.03), other metrics and overall intern ratings did not differ by pathway.

Conclusions

Exploratory findings from a single institution suggest that 3YMD students performed similarly to 4YMD students in medical school and the first year of residency.
Inventaire et typologie floristique des milieux lentiques dans le district de Vohipeno
Authors: Ramiandrisoa Botovao A. , Maharombaka Cyrille , Ranarijaona Hery L.T.
Published: February 2022

L’écologie des macrophytes (plantes aquatiques visibles à l’œil nu) est peu étudiée à Madagascar. L’écosystème aquatique du district de Vohipeno  (Région Vatovavy Fitovinany) n’a fait l’objet d’étude que pendant la période coloniale de 1921 à 1936. Les objectifs de cette étude sont d’améliorer la connaissance sur les macrophytes et d’établir une typologie floristique des zones humides malgaches. Au total, 43 espèces réparties entre 34  genres et 19 familles ont été recensées. Les valeurs de l’indice de Shannon Weaver ont montré une faible diversité mais une distribution hétérogène. L’analyse du coefficient de similarité de Sorensen a révélé une ressemblance entre certains sites. L’Analyse Factorielle des  Correspondances (AFC) met en exergue quatre groupements de végétaux appuyés par la Classification Ascendante Hiérarchique (CAH).

The ecology of macrophytes (aquatic plants) has not been extensively studied in Madagascar. The aquatic ecosystem of the district of Vohipeno (Vatovavy Fitovinany) was last studied during the colonial period 1921 to 1936. The objectives of this study were to improve the knowledge on macrophytes and to make a floristic typology of Malagasy wetlands. In total 43 species distributed between 34 genera and 19 families were  recorded. The Shannon Weaver index showed low diversity but a heterogeneous distribution. The Sorensen coefficient analysis revealed  resemblances between certain sites. Correspondence Analysis (CA) highlighted four vegetation groups and was supported by Hierarchical  Clustering (HCPC).