bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proposition d’un modele conceptuel de pilotage dans une demarche de responsabilite sociale du territoire
Authors: Pizzato Samuel
Published: July 2024

L’apparition du concept de Responsabilité Sociale du Territoire (RST) (Goujon- Belghit et al, 2022) a permis d’acter la transposition de la Responsabilité Sociale des Entreprises (RSE) sur le territoire et ainsi, de répondre au manque d’ancrage territorial qui s’avérait nécessaire pour une appropriation de la RSE notamment par les entreprises de l’économie sociale et solidaire. Ce concept de RST posé, il convient maintenant d’en étudier les modalités d’application. D’une revue de littérature axée majoritairement sur les trois notions de RST, de territoire et de développement durable, il est proposé un modèle conceptuel de pilotage construit à partir du référentiel de valeurs adossé au développement durable au sens du rapport Brundtland (1987). L’occasion est donnée de questionner d’une part les notions de valeurs sociale, environnementale et économique et les capitaux respectifs mis alors en exergue, et d’autre part, les relations et les interdépendances entre ces trois domaines. L’existence d’une gouvernance adéquate dont l’importance est soulignée par la littérature relative à la RSE vient compléter ce modèle au travers du prisme du territoire en tant que système.
Le processus de transfert de connaissances entre les filiales et leur maison mere : cas de BNP paribas Et UBCI
Authors: Jamai Iheb
Published: July 2024

Une meilleure compréhension du transfert des connaissances et de son processus permet à une multinationale d’éviter les difficultés et la perte du temps en adaptant la nouvelle connaissance chez le récepteur. En se basant sur nos résultats, nous proposons aux managers des multinationales de tenir compte des différents modes et des différentes étapes du transfert de la connaissance. Les modes du transfert peuvent être horizontaux ou verticaux, de la maison mère vers la filiale, de la filiale vers la maison mère ou entre filiales. Selon tous les interlocuteurs, il est confirmé que n’importe quel type de transfert suit les étapes suivantes : formulation, combinaison et intériorisation.
Factors Affecting Operating Room Scheduling Accuracy for Primary and Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Cardillo Casey , Garry Conor , Katzman Jonathan L. , Meftah Morteza , Rozell Joshua C. , Schwarzkopf Ran , Lajam Claudette
Published: July 2024

Background:

Optimizing operating room (OR) scheduling accuracy is important for improving OR efficiency and maximizing value of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, data on factors that may impact TKA OR scheduling accuracy are limited.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective review of 7655 knee arthroplasties (6999 primary TKAs and 656 revision TKAs) performed between January 2020 and May 2023 was conducted. Patient baseline characteristics, surgeon experience (years in practice), as well as actual vs scheduled OR times were collected. Actual OR times that were at least 15% shorter or longer than scheduled OR times were considered to be clinically important. Logistic regression analyses were employed to assess the influence of specific patient and surgeon factors on OR scheduling inaccuracies.

Results:

Using adjusted odds ratio, patients with primary TKA who had a lower body mass index (
P
<.001) were independently associated with overestimation of scheduled surgical time. Conversely, younger age (
P
<.001), afternoon procedure start time (
P
<.001), surgeons with less than 10 years of experience (
P
=.037), and higher patient body mass index (
P
<.001) were associated with underestimation of scheduled surgical time. For revision TKA, female sex (
P
=.021) and morning procedure start time (
P
=.038) were associated with overestimation of scheduled surgical time, while surgeons with less than 10 years of experience (
P
=.014) and patients who underwent spinal/epidural/block anesthesia (
P
=.038) were associated with underestimation of scheduled surgical time.

Conclusion:

This study highlights patient, surgeon, and intraoperative variables that impact the accuracy of scheduling for TKA procedures. Health systems should take these variables into consideration when creating OR schedules to fully optimize resources and available space. [
Orthopedics
. 2024;47(5):313–319.]
Preventing Iatrogenic Fibula Fractures Using the Push-Pull Technique: A Biomechanical Comparison of Unicortical Versus Bicortical Post Screws
Authors: McCown Sheldon A. , Weatherby Paul J. , Morris Randal P. , Panchbhavi Vinod K. , Hagedorn John C. , Weiss William M. , Chen Jie
Published: July 2024

Background:

Displaced diaphyseal fractures can be reduced using the push-pull technique, wherein a plate is affixed to the distal fragment of the fracture, a post screw is placed proximal to the plate, and a lamina spreader creates distraction. This study evaluated the load to failure and mechanism of failure of bicortical and unicortical post screws during reduction.

Materials and Methods:

Four matched pairs of cadaver legs were subjected to a 2-cm oblique osteotomy simulating a displaced, oblique diaphyseal fracture. A 6-hole compression plate was affixed to the distal fragment with 2 unicortical locking screws, and a 12-mm unicortical or 20-mm bicortical screw was inserted as a post screw proximal to the plate. A lamina bone spreader was used to exert a distraction force between the plate and the post screw. A mechanical actuator simulated the distraction procedure until failure. Maximum applied load, displacement, and absorbed energy were recorded and compared across unicortical and bicortical groups by paired
t
tests.

Results:

At maximum load, we found statistically significant differences in displacement (
P
=.003) and energy absorbed (
P
=.022) between the two groups. All unicortical screws failed through screw toggle and bone cut-out. Bicortical screws failed through bending, with no visible damage to the bone at the screw site.

Conclusion:

When diaphyseal fractures are significantly shortened and require a greater distraction force to achieve reduction, bicortical screws demonstrate a higher mechanical load to failure and increased bone loss from the screw-removal site. A unicortical post screw may be used if minimal distraction is needed. [
Orthopedics
. 2024;47(5):308–312.]
Note on normalized solutions to a kind of fractional Schrödinger equation with a critical nonlinearity
Authors: Sun Xizheng , Han Zhiqing
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we study normalized solutions of the fractional Schrödinger equation with a critical nonlinearity

   \begin{document}$ \begin{eqnarray*} \left\{ \begin{array}{lll} (-\Delta)^su = \lambda u+|u|^{p-2}u+|u|^{2^\ast_s-2}u, & x\in \mathbb{R}^N, \\ \int_{\mathbb{R}^N}u^2{\rm d}x = a^2, \ u\in H^{s}(\mathbb{R}^N), \end{array}\right. \end{eqnarray*} $\end{document}

where $ N\geq2 $, $ s\in(0, 1) $, $ a > 0 $, $ 2 < p < 2^\ast_s\triangleq\frac{2N}{N-2s} $ and $ (-\Delta)^s $ is the fractional Laplace operator. In the purely $ L^2 $-subcritical perturbation case $ 2 < p < 2+\frac{4s}{N} $, we prove the existence of a second normalized solution under some conditions on $ a $, $ p $, $ s $, and $ N $. This is a continuation of our previous work (Z. Angew. Math. Phys., 73 (2022) 149) where only one solution is obtained.
A note on some diagonal cubic equations over finite fields
Authors: Ge Wenxu , Li Weiping , Wang Tianze
Published: July 2024

Let a prime $ p\equiv 1(\text{mod}3) $ and $ z $ be non-cubic in $ \mathbb{F}_p $. Gauss proved that the number of solutions of equation

   \begin{document}$ x_1^3+x_2^3+zx_3^3 = 0 $\end{document}

in $ \mathbb{F}_p $ was $ p^2+\frac{1}{2}(p-1)(9d-c) $, where $ c $ was uniquely determined and $ d $, except for the sign, was defined by

   \begin{document}$ 4p = c^2+27d^2,\ \ c\equiv 1(\text{mod}3). $\end{document}

In 1978, Chowla, Cowles, and Cowles determined the sign of $ d $ for the case of 2 being non-cubic in $ \mathbb{F}_p $. In this paper, we extended the result of Chowla, Cowles and Cowles to finite field $ \mathbb{F}_q $ with $ q = p^k $, $ p\equiv 1(\text{mod}3) $, and determined the sign of $ d $ for the case of 3 being non-cubic.
Adapter l’imaginaire des biotechnologies à la pétrochimie
Authors: Raimbault Benjamin
Published: July 2024

Depuis la fin du xxe siècle, l’imaginaire d’un vivant réductible à son information génétique a été un élément décisif pour généraliser de nouvelles pratiques d’innovations associant les mondes académiques et industriels, en particulier dans le secteur médical, sous le terme de biotechnologies. Cet article part de l’hypothèse qu’il existe une multiplicité d’imaginaires sociotechniques du vivant qui permettraient d’adapter le modèle d’innovation des biotechnologies au-delà du secteur médical.À partir du suivi de trajectoire d’un projet scientifique et économique, visant à faire produire à l’échelle industrielle une petite molécule à des micro-organismes entre le début des années 1990 et le milieu des années 2010 entre la France et l’Amérique du Nord, cet article montre deux choses. D’une part, il décrit en quoi les notions de molécules plateformes et de voies métaboliques sont au cœur d’un imaginaire biochimique du vivant qui actualise une vision du vivant ancienne mais effacée par l’essor du génie génétique. D’autre part, l’article montre comment certaines propriétés de ce vivant biochimique sont mobilisées pour adapter le modèle des biotechnologies au secteur de la chimie industrielle et à de nouveaux territoires.
Comment faire sortir l’insecte stérile du laboratoire ?
Authors: Adamjy Tasnime , Hannachi Mourad , Penvern Servane , Fellous Simon , Goulet Frédéric
Published: July 2024

La technique de l’insecte stérile est une alternative prometteuse pour s’affranchir des pesticides en agriculture. Cependant, malgré ses promesses, elle peine à se développer car elle implique de repenser et de construire un nouveau monde sociotechnique. Cet article étudie les différents agencements entre humains et non-humains qui caractérisent chaque étape du développement de la TIS, de la naissance de l’insecte à sa potentielle commercialisation, en passant par sa stérilisation et son lâcher dans le monde réel. Nos résultats montrent que le développement de la TIS nécessite des agencements entre divers actants : insectes stériles, chercheurs, agriculteurs ou riverains, acteurs publics, insectes sauvages, industriels. Nous constatons que dans une situation où le lien entre ces actants n’est pas stabilisé, les agencements sociotechniques nécessaires sont imaginés par les chercheurs ; cette anticipation de leur part des attentes du monde non académique sur lequel ils veulent agir est très présente dans chaque choix du développement de la TIS.
Penser la matérialité du vivant à travers la viande cellulaire
Authors: Abergel Élisabeth
Published: July 2024

La viande de synthèse, soit la production de tissus comestibles animaux in vitro, répond à des préoccupations majeures : changements climatiques, éthique animale et santé humaine. Cet article explore sa spécificité épistémologique et son impact sur notre conception du vivant humain et non humain. La viande cellulaire, issue de l’agriculture cellulaire, interroge la matérialité vivante et son appropriation technoscientifique. Nous analysons son statut ontologique à travers les processus de recomposition technique du vivant, caractérisés par la biofabrication de « viande », révélant la production matérielle de nouvelles formes de matière biologique comestible. Une perspective critique du néomatérialisme illustre les limites de cette matérialité et ses implications sociales, notamment sur la relation à l’animal et au monde rural. En examinant les discours prospectifs et les glissements sémantiques entourant l’agriculture cellulaire, nous questionnons les promesses et les imaginaires associés à la viande cellulaire.
La cage Sidi Bou Saïd, symbole culturel et identitaire
Authors: Ben Barka Ismahen
Published: July 2024

Cet article s’intéresse à un savoir-faire artisanal qui se manifeste dans la fabrication d’un type de cage traditionnel dit la cage de Sidi Bou Saïd. Il porte sur les savoir-faire liés à la fabrication de cet artefact ainsi que sur les matériaux et les outils utilisés. Il aborde également la charge sémantique de cet objet qui est devenu un symbole culturel et un trait identitaire. En imitant certaines composantes architecturales et artisanales traditionnelles, la cage est, en l’occurrence, porteuse d’art et d’histoire. Chargée de spécificités culturelles, la cage connote un lieu de mémoire, où le méditerranéen côtoie le local, traduisant la diversité culturelle humaine. Ce travail tentera de clarifier le fonctionnement de cet objet dans la reconnaissance identitaire, en se basant sur des données de terrain, dans le cadre d’une enquête ethnographique, appuyée par des références historiques et anthropologiques.
L’esthétique énactive sense-making au fondement d’une éco-soma-artistique
Authors: Dupas Alice
Published: July 2024

Si la question de l’écogeste déborde le champ de l’art et est indépendante des questions artistiques, il n’est pas certain que l’art, en particulier les arts participatifs contemporains, demeurent parfaitement extérieurs à cette problématique de la vie individuelle et sociale ordinaire. Pour théoriser ce qui serait un art de l’écogeste, il convient de trouver une esthétique qui en parle efficacement et qui jouisse, à l’instar de l’objet qu’elle prend en charge, d’une dimension pratique, voire praxistique. La soma-esthétique que Richard Shusterman a fondée dans les années 1990 s’affiche précisément, et de manière pionnière, comme une esthétique praxistique passant par la manipulation effective du corps en vue de le perfectionner au quotidien et, à travers lui, de perfectionner les expériences esthétiques et artistiques dont il est reconnu comme le socle pensant constitutif. Aussi la soma-esthétique nous apparaît-elle comme une composante nécessaire de l’esthétique recherchée. Elle n’en constitue toutefois pas son point d’achèvement. C’est effectivement dans une esthétique proche – elle aussi teintée de pragmatisme –, mais plus aboutie sur la question des critères définitionnels du corps et de son environnement et en même temps de l’esthétique elle-même, que nous trouvons une théorie utile, non seulement pour définir le processus artistique, mais encore pour fonder une « éco-soma-artistique » chargée heuristiquement d’attirer l’attention, en milieu artistique, sur les dimensions esthétique et praxistique de l’écogeste. Cette esthétique philosophique prend le nom d’« esthétique énactive sense-making ».
La soma-esthétique ou l’art de penser l’expérience
Authors: Formis Barbara
Published: July 2024

Dans ce texte, je reviens de façon personnelle sur mon parcours en tant qu’intellectuelle en soulignant l’apport de la pratique de la danse à ma recherche philosophique et scientifique. La rencontre avec la pensée de Richard Shusterman marque un point de renouvellement au niveau de ma recherche dans la mesure où le problème du dualisme entre le corps et la pensée y est traité de façon thématique et expérientielle afin de souligner la spécificité du pragmatisme et de la soma-esthétique. Selon cette perspective continuiste, le monde de l’art en général et les pratiques performatives en particulier sont mis au même niveau que les gestes de la vie ordinaire.
La question du solipsisme somatique. Pragmatisme, soma-esthétique et utopies du corps
Authors: Zerbib David
Published: July 2024

Partant du problème du « solipsisme somatique » tel qu’on peut le formuler à partir de la philosophie pragmatiste de William James, nous examinons les voies par lesquelles la théorie soma-esthétique de Richard Shusterman est susceptible de répondre à ce problème. Comment la centralité du corps dans l’expérience et la connaissance construit-elle le rapport au monde extérieur ? En quoi la réflexivité somatique n’est-elle pas contradictoire avec ce rapport, dans les domaines pratique et esthétique en particulier ? Distinguant l’auto-transcendance pragmatiste du corps de la condition incarnée du champ transcendantal de la conscience dans la phénoménologie de Maurice Merleau-Ponty, nous suggérons que le corps se rapporte à son dehors à travers la propriété extensive et plastique de la conscience somatique (qui transforme le « schéma corporel »), ces processus pouvant être observés dans de nombreux champs d’expérience, de la méditation à la danse, en passant par différentes expérimentations psychologiques et neuroscientifiques. La théorie de la « positionnalité excentrique » de Helmuth Plessner offre de ce point de vue un cadre épistémologique pertinent pour soutenir l’idée d’un corps dont la dynamique d’excentrement est immanente au corps même.
Techniques de consciences du corps énergétiques et poétiques
Authors: Chenault Marceau
Published: July 2024

Cet article examine des métaphores véhiculées dans certaines pratiques observées à l’Institut de recherche médicale de qigong à Shanghai. Les images analogiques évoquées dans la transmission orientent les perceptions vers l’esthétique d’espaces corporels animés de souffles. Elles donnent sens à des techniques de conscience du corps composées d’ajustements gestuels, de régulations respiratoires et d’attentions guidées. En référence aux travaux contemporains de Richard Shusterman sur la soma-esthétique, nous questionnons cette esthétique incarnée du souffle dans sa relation entre des perceptions somatiques et une conscience corporelle aux interprétations culturelles variées, ainsi que sa circulation contemporaine entre des savoirs expérientiels en santé, des pédagogies somatiques ou certains entrainements artistiques. L’esthétique du souffle émerge d’un appareillage technique et expérientiel nourri d’images, schémas corporels ou visions intérieures : elle circule entre des praticiens, chercheurs et artistes au sein d’une globalisation des esthétiques du soma.
De l’art de partir en (récits de) voyage
Authors: Safa Isabelle
Published: July 2024

Les débuts de récits de voyage de Dumas ont tous en commun l’évocation de divers moyens de transport plus ou moins modernes et la projection d’un itinéraire, qui semblent constituer le noyau d’une poétique du voyage. Il s’agira ainsi d’analyser la manière dont ces incipit définissent la perception esthétique et idéologique des destinations visitées, au travers d’une écriture enlevée où la chose vue se constitue volontiers en embryon de récit romanesque dont le voyageur Dumas est le premier personnage.
La Reine Margot ou les férocités d’Alexandre Dumas
Authors: Borot Marie-France
Published: July 2024

Avec ses têtes coupées et ses clairs-obscurs, La Reine Margot est un roman caravagesque. Le leitmotiv du clair-obscur y court de l’incipit à l’excipit. Traduction plastique de la dualité pulsionnelle des humains, les jeux incessants de l’ombre et de la lumière donnent à voir « le jeu terrible de la vie et de la mort ». Car Dumas ne recule pas devant la part d’ombre présente en chaque être. Sans se laisser berner par les poncifs de l’amour filial, maternel, fraternel, il dévoile les férocités intrafamiliales, et révèle le besoin de violence et le plaisir de tuer dont Hannibal de Coconas est le champion. En ce théâtre de la cruauté, l’écrivain, donnant libre cours à sa gaieté et à sa propre férocité, se fait l’explorateur de l’existence entre Éros et Thanatos, entre ombre et lumière.
Vingt ans plus tard : l’art du recommencement chez Dumas
Authors: Dewasch Jérôme
Published: July 2024

Cet article aborde une catégorie des commencements chez Dumas : les recommencements. Ainsi l’incipit de Vingt ans après, comme celui du Vicomte de Bragelonne, ne peuvent se lire véritablement qu’en écho au chapitre qui ouvre Les Trois Mousquetaires : dans un jeu savant d’attente, de mystère, de reconnaissance et de surprise, où le lieu clos et l’immobilité ont remplacé l’espace initial de la rue, de son bruit et de son mouvement, Dumas faire entrer à nouveau son lecteur dans l’histoire, générant une tension entre le même et l’autre, propices à nourrir un apparent paradoxe : revivre de nouvelles aventures. De même l’ouverture du Comte de Moret, écrit vingt ans plus tard, nous invite à retrouver, reconnaître et ressentir ce qui a fait le souffle des Trois Mousquetaires. À travers deux incipit, qui ont en commun d’apparaître « vingt ans plus tard », nous nous proposons d’explorer cet art du recommencement chez Dumas, qui révèle une œuvre se nourrissant d’elle-même et façonnant de récit en récit sa propre poétique romanesque du commencement.
Entrer en Révolution
Authors: Saminadayar-Perrin Corinne
Published: July 2024

La tétralogie intitulée Mémoires d’un médecin offre une perspective éclairante pour analyser la spécificité des incipit dans un cycle romanesque historique. Le complot ourdi par les Illuminés sous-tend le scénario du premier versant de la tétralogie ; le début du Collier de la reine répond en miroir à celui de Joseph Balsamo, en tirant le meilleur parti d’un personnel romanesque susceptible de structurer le cycle à tous les niveaux. L’ouverture d’Ange Pitou rompt avec le modèle des deux récits précédents, et suggère une nouvelle lecture de l’ensemble : au scénario complotiste succèdent d’autres logiques, génériques, politiques et symboliques. Enfin, les discours d’accompagnement qui précèdent Ange Pitou puis La Comtesse de Charny assurent une autre forme de régie romanesque, en modifiant le pacte de lecture initial sous la pression de l’actualité politique, et en retravaillant l’éthos républicain du romancier.
L’entrée dans l’histoire du roman dumasien : de l’avènement révolutionnaire à l’aventure napoléonienne
Authors: Dumasy-Queffélec Lise
Published: July 2024

Dans une trilogie entamée en 1846 et terminée en 1853, les Mémoires d’un médecin (Joseph Balsamo, Le Collier de la reine, Ange Pitou / La Comtesse de Charny), Dumas fait le roman de la Révolution, qui est en même temps celui de l’émergence du sujet contemporain de l’Histoire, porté par les personnages fictifs dans leur rapport avec les personnages et les événements historiques. Pourtant cette histoire s’arrête avant Thermidor. Qu’advient-il donc du sujet contemporain et de l’Histoire sous le Directoire, le Consulat et l’Empire ? C’est l’objet d’une seconde trilogie, que Dumas ne publiera qu’en 1857 (Les Compagnons de Jéhu) et 1867-1869 (Les Blancs et les Bleus, Le Chevalier de Sainte-Hermine), de manière discontinue, et sous une forme bien différente. L’objet de cet article est d’analyser les différences entre ces deux trilogies et d’en dégager les raisons et les effets.
La célébration du Mawlid dans l’Occident musulman médiéval à la lumière des fatwā-s mālikites compilées par al-Wansharīsī
Authors: Oulddali Ahmed
Published: July 2024

Célébrée en Occident musulman à partir du viie/xiiie siècle, la fête de la naissance du Prophète a suscité un vif débat dans les milieux mālikites où elle a d’abord été considérée comme une innovation religieuse blâmable (bidʿa), avant d’être acceptée sous certaines conditions que l’on trouve précisées dans la littérature juridique. Le présent article aborde l’attitude des oulémas maghrébins et andalous à l’égard du Mawlid en s’appuyant sur une série de consultations juridiques (fatwā-s) mentionnées dans le Miʿyār d’al-Wansharīsī (m. 914/1508). Il s’agit d’analyser les divers points de vue exprimés par les juristes et les motifs évoqués pour les justifier. L’étude s’intéresse aussi à l’évolution de la position mālikite relative au Mawlid et à la manière parfois controversée dont cette fête non canonique était célébrée chez certains adeptes du soufisme.
La tente du Mawlid sous les derniers sultans circassiens d’Égypte (872 h.-922 h./1468-1517)
Authors: Benkherfallah Sami
Published: July 2024

À partir du bas Moyen Âge, la célébration du Mawlid a souvent donné lieu à d’importantes festivités en Égypte. De nombreux notables locaux et dignitaires étrangers étaient invités à y participer, réunis sous une tente qui est identifiée dans les sources comme « la tente du Mawlid », installée dans la cour de la Citadelle. Le chroniqueur Ibn Iyās ne tarit pas d’éloges à l’égard de cette tente qu’il reconnaissait comme « l’une des merveilles (ʿajā’ib) de ce bas-monde ». Des psalmodieurs et des prédicateurs distrayaient les convives, autour d’un banquet parmi les plus importants servis au cours de l’année. Les différents témoignages transmis par Ibn Iyās nous ont permis de reconstituer l’origine et l’évolution de cette pratique d’une dimension nouvelle et très populaire sous les règnes des sultans Qāytbāy et al-Ghawrī.
Secondary school Adolescents’ knowledge of Corruption in Nigerian Society: Implications for Counselling and Value Reorientation
Authors: Olatunji M. O. , Shobayo M. A.
Published: July 2024

Corruption is a global phenomenon whose degrees of prevalence as well as the measures being taken to address it vary from one nation to another. Nigeria is not an exception in the “struggle” with corruption. The aim of this study therefore was to investigate secondary school adolescents’ knowledge of corruption in Nigerian society with its implications for counselling and value reorientation in society. It examined secondary school adolescents’ perspectives on practices constituting corrupt practices in Nigerian society. The study further determined secondary school adolescents’ attitudes towards corrupt practices in Nigerian society. It also examined their perspectives on how corrupt practices can be curbed in Nigerian society. The study adopted a survey design. The population of the study comprised all the senior secondary school students in Osun State, Nigeria. The sample size comprised 200 senior secondary school students selected across Osun Central senatorial district in the State, using a simple random sampling technique. The Researchers developed a questionnaire titled Adolescents’ knowledge of Corrupt Practices Assessment Questionnaire (AKCPAQ) which was used to collect data for the study. Percentages, mean, standard deviation, ranking and weighted mean were used to analyse the data. The results showed that secondary school adolescents in Nigeria lack adequate knowledge of practices that constitute corrupt practices in society. Also, majority (84.0%) of the secondary school adolescents expressed unfavourable attitudes towards known corrupt practices. The results further showed that corrupt practices in Nigeria can be ended if people at all levels of authority discharge their responsibilities with integrity and government caters for the citizenry as it should. The study recommends among other things that the sensitization of secondary schools’ adolescents on behaviour and practices that constitute corrupt practices in society.
Factors influencing the use of Point Of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) on adult patients by Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) Doctors in Tertiary Care Hospitals in Colombo District, Sri Lanka; a Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Piyasiri M. D. R. M. , Anuttara Chamali
Published: July 2024

Introduction:Point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) is an essential component of A&E setting all over the world. It is used for diagnosis and assisting bedside procedures. Usage of PoCUS has been shown to improve quality of patient care. There are no formal studies in Sri Lankan A&E setting to assess level of its usage and the barriers of using it. This study aimed to assess these aspects among ED doctors in three tertiary care hospitals in Colombo district.Methodology:This descriptive study was conducted by self-administered questionnaires distributed among 72 ED doctors working in the above setting. Questionnaire consisted of questions related to sociodemographics, types of PoCUS performed, barriers to PoCUS use etc. Ability to perform PoCUS was assessed by Likert grading from 1 to 5 based on operator’s own opinion. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS.Results: All the tertiary care emergency services had access to an ultrasound machine. PoCUS has been used for a wide variety of bedside scans and therapeutic procedures. Majority has been used to detect free fluid in peritoneal cavity (66.6%) and FAST scans (65.3%). Post graduate doctors (PG) were more confident in configuring PoCUS machine for procedures than non PG doctors (82.8% vs 5.4%). Ability to perform PoCUS was associated with post graduate exposure, >1 year of experience using it and doing >300 procedures in last 3 months (p=0.001). Main barriers identified for PoCUS usage were lack of training and lack of quality ultrasound machine.Discussion: Though PoCUS is mainly performed by PG doctors, important scans such as FAST, intra peritoneal free fluid assessment are done by non-PG doctors too. Compared to similar international studies, less number of latter doctors were capable of doing PoCUS in Sri Lanka. Empowering these doctors with PoCUS skills will improve the sustainably of this service in emergency care setup as they work in units for longer duration. A study where candidates’ skills are assessed by a third party would have provided more accurate reflection of PoCUS usage.Conclusion: Embracing updated technology and further improvement and availability of PoCUS training among ED doctors will enhance sustainable emergency patient care in Sri Lanka.
Distributional Incidence of Indirect Taxation on Consumer Groups in Sri Lanka: A Descriptive Study
Authors: Kuruppuarachchi Y. D. R. , Ajward A. R. , Kumara U. A.
Published: July 2024

This study investigates how the indirect tax burden was distributed among households under different aspects. Sri Lanka's tax structure represents more indirect tax and significantly less direct tax income. Direct taxes satisfy the equity principle of taxation, while indirect tax is violated. Direct taxes are imposed according to the ability to pay. Persons who have a higher income will pay a higher rate of income tax, and persons who have less income will pay a lower rate of income tax. Unlike direct taxes, indirect taxes are paid by both rich and poor persons irrespective of their income level. Thus, the burden of the indirect tax will be badly impacted on poor households because when they purchase goods and services from the market, they pay a significant portion of indirect taxes compared with the average income. A consumer survey was performed, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire under the light of the Stratified Convenient Sampling Method. One hundred fifteen commodity baskets were selected based on the Colombo Consumer Price Index under the broad categories of food and non-food and eleven subcategories of commodity groups. Colombo District was selected as the sample district. Four hundred eighty-two respondents were collected, representing low-income, middle-income, and high-income households. The descriptive and quantitative approach were used for the analysis. The findings of the study emphasized that the indirect tax burden rate of low-income households was significantly greater than the indirect tax burden rate of high-income households. The regressive effect was reflected in the findings, indicating that poor households are bearing a higher indirect tax burden rate in terms of average income and average expenditure. The derived Lorenz Curves and the calculated Gini Coefficients also emphasized the regressive effect of the indirect tax, presenting an upward-sloping Lorenz Curve and negative Gini Coefficient values.
IL-27 Gene Therapy Ameliorates IPEX Syndrome Caused by Germline Mutation of Foxp3 Gene: A Major Role for Induction of IL-10
Authors: Liu Jin-Qing , Jabbari Ali , Lin Cho-Hao , Akkanapally Venu , Frankel Wendy L , Basu Sujit , He Kai , Zheng Pan , Liu Yang , Bai Xue-Feng
Published: July 2024

Inactivating mutations of Foxp3, the master regulator of regulatory T cell development and function, lead to immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) syndrome in mice and humans. IPEX is a fatal autoimmune disease, with allogeneic stem cell transplant being the only available therapy. In this study, we report that a single dose of adeno-associated virus (AAV)–IL-27 to young mice with naturally occurring Foxp3 mutation (Scurfy mice) substantially ameliorates clinical symptoms, including growth retardation and early fatality. Correspondingly, AAV–IL-27 gene therapy significantly prevented naive T cell activation, as manifested by downregulation of CD62L and upregulation of CD44, and immunopathology typical of IPEX. Because IL-27 is known to induce IL-10, a key effector molecule of regulatory T cells, we evaluated the contribution of IL-10 induction by crossing IL-10–null allele to Scurfy mice. Although IL-10 deficiency does not affect the survival of Scurfy mice, it largely abrogated the therapeutic effect of AAV–IL-27. Our study revealed a major role for IL-10 in AAV–IL-27 gene therapy and demonstrated that IPEX is amenable to gene therapy.
Erythromelanosis Folliculitis Faciei – A Case Report and Management Insights
Authors: Koh Yi Zhe , Wee Lynette Wei Yi
Published: July 2024

Erythromelanosis folliculitis faciei (EFF) is an underdiagnosed and rare pigmentary condition characterized by asymptomatic symmetrical erythema, hyperpigmentation, and follicular papules over the face and neck. We report a case of a 13-year-old Chinese boy, with a strong atopic background of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis, who presents with cosmetically troubling asymptomatic dyspigmentation over the bilateral cheeks since he was 18 months old. The clues to diagnosis included the morphology of the persistent rash, as well as prominent keratosis pilaris over his proximal limbs. This report aims to discuss the clinical spectrum of EFF and its differential diagnoses and review existing literature on therapeutic options.
Effect of Nonionic Iodinated Contrast Media on Blood Pressure during Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography of Abdomen Examination: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Betkar Dakshata Dattaram , Jaseemudheen M. M.
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Computed tomography (CT) scan has high sensitivity and specificity for numerous conditions. The images produced by a CT scanner can be enhanced using iodinated contrast media. Significant hemodynamic changes are seen with rapid intravenous contrast media injection. The average acceptable blood pressure (BP) value is 120/80 mmHg. Many studies have related hypertensive crises with high-osmolar contrast media, whereas its relation with low-osmolar contrast media is still unclear. This study aims to evaluate the effect of nonionic iodinated contrast media on BP during contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) of the abdomen.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2022 to August 2023. A total of 146 subjects (73 males and 73 females were included in the study). Statistical analysis of data was done using SPSS 23.0. A comparison of systolic BP and diastolic BP across the three periods was done using repeated measures of ANOVA. A between-group comparison was performed by unpaired t-test. The level of significance was set as 5%. All subjects underwent a CECT abdomen, including a plain, arterial, and venous phase. A bolus of 80 mL of Ultravist was administered. BP was measured before the contrast injection (baseline value), between the arterial and venous phases, and 3 min after the contrast injection.

Results:

Injection of nonionic contrast media caused a decrease in BP among subjects. The mean systolic BP readings before contrast injection in males and females were 127.5 ± 8 mmHg and 122.8 ± 8.4 mmHg, respectively. The mean diastolic BP before contrast injection was 79.2 ± 6.4 and 76 ± 6.4 mmHg among males and females, respectively. For systolic, these values decreased to 123 ± 10.3 mmHg in males and in females to 115 ± 14.6 mmHg when measured between arterial and venous phases. Similarly, for diastolic BP, the mean values recorded between the arterial-venous phase reduced to 76.7 ± 9.3 mmHg and 72.3 ± 10 mmHg, respectively. The BP readings, however, increased near baseline value when measured 3 min after the injection. The mean systolic BP measured 126.1 ± 8.5 mmHg and 124.9 ± 11.8 mmHg for males and females at 3 min after injection. Similarly, the mean diastolic BP values taken after 3 min of contrast injection were 78.3 ± 6.5 mmHg and 76.2 ± 7 mmHg in males and females, respectively, P < 0.001. BP in both male and female groups was affected similarly.

Conclusion:

Bolus administration of 80 mL of Ultravist reduced BP. This reduction was short-term and got back to normal within a few minutes. The contrast media similarly affected both genders. The BP changes had no clinical significance.
Dentist Dilemmas on Replacing Single Missing Teeth; Implant versus Fixed Partial Denture – A Survey among Practicing Dentists
Authors: El-Kholey Khalid Eid , Ramasamy Saravanan , Alaslani Husam Hussein , Hamam Wedd Mohammed , Aljuhani Abdulkareem Shehb , Alsharif Abdulrahman Abdulelah
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:

Dental implant and fixed bridges are the common and acceptable means of prosthetic restoration of missing tooth. Although each is a viable treatment option, the implant restoration has definite advantages. A major shortcoming of the fixed bridge is the significant tooth reduction of the abutments. This study aimed to know the reasons that make some dentists choose a dental bridge in the edentulous area with adjacent sound teeth over the implant in cases suitable for implant.

Materials and Methods:

An observational questionnaire study was conducted between January and May 2022. An online questionnaire was sent to qualified dentists practicing in different cities of Saudi Arabia. Absolute frequencies were used to describe the data.

Results:

A total of 602 dentists received the questionnaire, and 430 responded, resulting in a response rate of 71.7%. The majority of responders (98%) recommended implant as a first choice to replace missing tooth when both implant and fixed bridge can be used in case of sound abutments. However, they mentioned factors such as cost of treatment, patient wishes, and patient’s medical condition act as an obstacle or difficulty to support their use of the implant in some cases.

Conclusions:

More efforts should be done to encourage dentists to select appropriate treatment option of proven scientific basis without any bias. Patients should be given more information about the advantages of implant over fixed partial denture and should be motivated. Finally, more support from implant companies should be encouraged as well as more knowledge and skill about implant dentistry should be gives during undergraduate courses.
A Cross-sectional Study Assessing the Saudi Population’s Awareness and Perception of the Nutritional and Medicinal Benefits of the Miracle Tree: Moringa oleifera
Authors: Khaled Hayet Ben , Alenzi Shouk Khalid , Aldhafiri Futoon Jamal , Alanazi Razan Abdulaziz , Alshammari Bayader , Alanazi Shatha Sulaiman
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT

Aim:

The Moringa genus, which is part of the Moringaceae family, has thirteen distinct species of fast-growing, multipurpose deciduous or evergreen trees. Moringa is widely recognized for both its high nutritional content when consumed by humans and its wide range of advantageous medical uses. In this study, the Saudi population’s awareness and impression of the nutritional and therapeutic benefits of Moringa were assessed in Saudi Arabia.

Methods:

Over the course of two months, a cross-sectional study was carried out in a number of Saudi Arabian locations. A questionnaire was used to gather data from 330 Saudi participants who were selected at random for the study.

Results:

The majority of respondents (approximately 79%) were female, and the greatest percentage (73%) belonged to the 18 to 29 age group. Sixty-six percent of the participants were well educated. Of the research participants, 87% said they were among the first to try new food products and more than two-thirds (69%) reported utilizing herbal products. The total knowledge score about Moringa was 32%; the mean score for understanding the plant’s health advantages was 34%, and the mean score for understanding its nutritional value was 31%. Approximately 20% of the participants said that they were eating Moringa, and 59% of them expressed a high level of satisfaction with the advantages that came with its use. Of those who had never used it, about 55 expressed willingness to try it if it was made available to them.

Conclusion:

There was a lack of knowledge among Saudi citizens about the nutritional benefits and health advantages of the Moringa plant. Therefore, there is a need to enhance the dissemination of information about the benefits of Moringa oleifera, particularly its role in disease prevention and treatment.
Pattern of Medical Comorbidities among Patients of Postpartum Psychosis at a Tertiary Care Center of Central India
Authors: Maravi Prashant , Mishra Dheerendra Kumar , Mishra Nimisha , Kushwah Suneel Singh , Gangwal Riya , Sandhu Simran
Published: July 2024

Background and Aim:

The reproductive age group is vulnerable to various preexisting psychiatric disorders as well as newly diagnosed illnesses. The stress associated during pregnancy increases the likelihood of developing psychiatric comorbidities even more. Of importance are postpartum blues, depression, and psychosis. The presence of various medical comorbidities may be a contributing factor for the development of psychiatric illnesses. This study was done to find the pattern of medical comorbidities among patients of postpartum psychosis.

Materials and Methods:

The study was carried out at the Department of Psychiatry and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shyam Shah Medical College, Rewa (Madhya Pradesh). Total duration of the study was 1 year, all patients diagnosed with postpartum psychosis (n = 88) were segregated using simple random sampling and every 2nd patient was included in the study (n = 44). Further, necessary assessments were carried out and patients were discharged postrecovery.

Results:

In the present study, 59.09% of patients (26) belonged to the age group 25–35 years, 81.81% of patients (36) were from lower socioeconomic status, housewives 79.54% (35), and 36.36% (16) were middle school educated. About 63.63% of patients (28) females were nulliparous. About 59.09% of patients (26) were delivered through cesarean section. The most prevalent medical comorbidity was postpartum infection which was present in 50% of the patients (22), followed by hypothyroidism in 43.18% of patients (19).

Conclusion:

Various medical comorbidities may precipitate, maintain, or aggravate underlying postpartum psychosis which may alter their course progression and outcome.
Serum Ferritin and Procalcitonin as Diagnostic Biomarkers for Sepsis in an Emergency Department: A Clinical Study
Authors: Nair Sreejith R. , Manoj M. T. , Thiruvoth Sohanlal
Published: July 2024

Background and Aim:

Sepsis, a life-threatening condition, presents diagnostic challenges due to its heterogeneous nature. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for timely intervention. Serum biomarkers, such as ferritin and procalcitonin (PCT), have been explored for their potential in sepsis diagnosis, but the outcomes are inconclusive. The current study was an attempt to further explore the usefulness of ferritin and PCT as sepsis biomarkers.

Material and Methods:

A prospective study involving 149 patients assessed serum ferritin and PCT levels in those with features suggestive of sepsis. Patients were categorized into sepsis and nonsepsis groups based on the clinical judgment of the emergency physicians. Statistical analyses, including the Mann–Whitney U test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, were conducted to evaluate the diagnostic utility of these biomarkers.

Results:

Serum ferritin levels did not exhibit a statistically significant difference between sepsis and nonsepsis groups (P = 0.698). In contrast, PCT levels were significantly higher in sepsis cases (P = 0.011). ROC analysis identified an optimal PCT cutoff value of 0.085, offering high sensitivity (92.5) but lower specificity (16.7).

Conclusion:

PCT proved valuable as a diagnostic marker for sepsis. Serum ferritin, on the other hand, did not demonstrate statistical significance as a diagnostic marker for sepsis, its potential role in specific septic conditions and disease severity monitoring warrants further investigation.
A Young Man with a Large Midesophageal Ulcer as a Presenting Manifestation of HIV Infection
Authors: Athavale Jui , Krishna Vidya , Piramanayagam P. , Gopalakrishnan Ram
Published: July 2024

We present the case of a young man with a giant midesophageal ulcer as the primary manifestation of HIV. We highlight the importance of accurate HIV testing, as his diagnosis was much delayed before his presentation here.
Gastrointestinal Mucormycosis
Authors: Pugazhvanan C. R. , Gopalakrishnan Ram , Vignesh C.
Published: July 2024

Mucormycosis is frequently associated with diabetes, malignancy, transplantation, and immunosuppressive therapy. We report a case of gastrointestinal (GI) mucormycosis presenting as cecal perforation in an apparently immune-competent young female who received high-dose corticosteroids. GI mucormycosis frequently occurs in a host without classical risk factors and has a poor prognosis despite optimal management.
Generalized Eruptive Histiocytosis or Juvenile Xanthogranuloma: A Clinicopathological Conundrum of Coexistence or Xanthomatization
Authors: Murthy Aravind Baskar , Palaniappan Vijayasankar , Selvaarasan Jayapratha , Karthikeyan Kaliaperumal
Published: July 2024

Diseases under the non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) group often share clinical and histological similarities, making proper delineation highly challenging. A two-year-old female child presented with multiple, small raised asymptomatic lesions all over the body for one year. Cutaneous examination showed multiple brownish flat-topped and yellowish-brown dome-shaped papules scattered all over the body with hyperpigmented macules over the face. A provisional diagnosis of generalized eruptive histiocytosis (GEH) was made. But the dermoscopy and histopathological examination of flat-topped and dome-shaped papules showed features suggestive of generalized eruptive histiocytosis and juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) respectively, with a few overlapping features. Systemic examination was found to be normal. Hence an overlap of GEH and JXG was considered, with a thought of ongoing xanthomatization of GEH lesions. The transformation of GEH into xanthoma disseminatum, multicentric reticulohistiocytosis, progressive nodular histiocytosis, and juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) has been reported. It has also been reported that GEH and JXG, the two entities that belong to a continuous spectrum of histiocytoses with xanthogranulomatous pathology, can rarely co-exist in the same individual. The distinction between GEH and JXG is crucial, as they may require different management strategies. Our case stresses the fact that relying only on clinical diagnosis can be deceiving owing to the overlapping clinical, dermoscopic, and histopathological features of histiocytoses.