bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review and synthesis of best practices in governance and land-use policies to implement TEN-N
Authors: Bores Joana , Meyer Hildegard , Underwood Evelyn , Sirychenko Mila , Langhout Wouter , von Döhren Peer , Veríssimo Daniel , Horváth Balázs , Meganck Kenny , Blaga Alina , Ingvarsson Måns , Aubert Gabrielle , Herrero Barbara , Osti Matea , Puymartin Anouk
Published: October 2024

The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss besides other through the creation of the Trans-European Nature Network (TEN-N). This report, part of the NaturaConnect project, presents a comprehensive review of governance frameworks and land-use policies across European Union member states aimed at supporting the effective implementation of TEN-N. Using the Political Economy Analysis (PEA) framework, the report evaluates the economic, political, and social factors influencing policy reforms. It identifies key governance challenges such as weak regulations, unsustainable land use, and limited conflict management, alongside existing ecological connectivity frameworks. Data was gathered through literature reviews, interviews, surveys, and case studies from Finland, France, Portugal, Doñana in Spain, Halle-Leipzig in Germany, and countries in the Danube-Carpathian region.

Our findings reveal that while many countries have national strategies for ecological connectivity, legal gaps and poor implementation persist, impeding progress. However, successful practices from countries like Germany and Portugal offer governance models. Furthermore, the report highlights opportunities to strengthen ecological connectivity through improved public funding mechanisms, private financing, and targeted interventions for regulatory reform, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable land use.

This report provides valuable insights into the pathways of change and interventions necessary to enhance ecological connectivity and the role of Green and Blue Infrastructure in achieving biodiversity goals. The outcomes of this study are pivotal for shaping the future of European biodiversity conservation efforts and guiding the effective planning and governance of TEN-N.
Comparing the ecological consequences of globally invasive fishes versus their F1 hybrids in recreational fisheries
Authors: Tarkan Ali Serhan , Kurtul Irmak , Britton J. Robert
Published: October 2024

Recreational angling is a major introduction pathway for non-native fish into freshwaters, where multiple non-native fishes are often released into waterbodies to diversify the angling opportunities. When these non-native fishes are taxonomically similar, then there is concern that their hybridisation will result in F1 generations comprising of novel phenotypes that outperform their parental species, resulting in the impacts of these ecological engineering species being accelerated. Across two water temperatures (18 °C, 26 °C), comparative functional response analyses (CFR) quantified the consumption patterns of the globally invasive freshwater fish common carp Cyprinus carpio and goldfish Carassius auratus, plus their F1 hybrids, before testing differences in their specific growth rates (SGRs). In CFRs, carp consumed significantly more prey at 18 °C than the other fishes, and with no differences between any of the fishes at 26 °C. SGRs also did not differ substantially between the fishes at either temperature. These results suggest that hybridisation between the high impacting parental species did not produce novel phenotypes of high ecological performance that could accelerate their ecological impacts in invaded ecosystems. Accordingly, the ecological risks of their use in recreational angling remain an issue that is primarily associated with the parent populations, and this can be reflected in their invasion management.
Open-source software integration: A tutorial on species distribution mapping and ecological niche modelling
Authors: Ryan Zoe , Clark Emily , Cundiff Beatrice , Nichols Joslyn , Mahoney Maya , Evans Nkosi , Campbell Thomas , Kreider Danny , von Konrat Matt
Published: October 2024

Over the last decade, access to global data has become increasingly critical for research, allowing insights into diverse biological, environmental and societal questions at a macro scale. Digitisation has greatly enhanced the use of herbarium data in the analysis of species distributions and ecological niche modelling. Yet, sources on modelling and mapping methodology using open-source software is greatly lacking for beginners. We have created a replicable and thorough tutorial to visualise species occurrence data and exploratory analysis that was developed by undergraduates with broad backgrounds and levels of experience. This tutorial integrates the open-source programmes QGIS, MaxEnt and R to develop distribution maps, using bryophytes as a case study, to promote the accessibility of open-source software and remote access learning. This tutorial has already set the foundation for further research into distribution modelling of rare Illinois bryophytes to better understand the potential impact of climate change.
Goethe et Schubert. Après une lecture du Faust
Authors: Kaddour Fériel
Published: October 2024

Schubert et Goethe ne sont jamais rencontrés. Leur affinité, pourtant, existe en musique. Cet article en explore les motifs à partir de deux lieder extraits du Faust . Plutôt que de penser cette affinité depuis la musique, je montre que le jeu affinitaire du chant et du poème est déjà présent dans le texte de Goethe. Il s’agit donc de décrire comment Schubert met en musique ce que le poème goethéen fait du lied. C’est en cela que leur affinité est la plus remarquable : poésie et musique se rencontrent à l’endroit même où se pose la question de leur jonction.
De l’affinité entre les peuples : Heinrich Wölfflin et la question des styles nationaux
Authors: Mermet Rémi
Published: October 2024

Dans cet article, je cherche à démontrer que la dernière monographie de Heinrich Wölfflin, Italien und das deutsche Formgefühl (1931), n’a pas participé, comme on le croit souvent, au développement d’une histoire de l’art raciste à l’époque nazie. Au contraire, je suggère que Wölfflin a rejeté toute approche nationaliste de l’art : il n’a pas insisté sur sa propre germanité pour la glorifier, mais pour souligner la relativité de sa perspective d’historien de l’art suisse allemand. À la suite de Dürer, Goethe et Humboldt, Wölfflin n’a jamais cessé de promouvoir la compréhension interculturelle. Selon lui, ce n’est qu’à travers le dialogue et la traduction que nous pouvons atteindre une expérience universelle de l’humanité.
Adorno : par-delà le même et l’autre
Authors: Bégot Jacques-Olivier
Published: October 2024

Sont successivement abordés trois lieux de l’affinité dans les écrits d’Adorno, non pour reconstruire une théorie jamais élaborée comme telle, mais pour repérer quelques points d’une « constellation » : introduite dans la première des Trois études sur Hegel pour désigner une compréhension de la vérité distincte de l’adéquation, l’affinité nomme dans « Parataxe » une relation non dominatrice du sujet à l’objet, pour devenir, dans le contexte de la Théorie esthétique , une clef de la relation complexe entre art et philosophie. Loin d’effacer la distance entre les termes qu’elle rapproche, l’affinité exprime chaque fois la survivance d’un socle commun qui ne se confond jamais avec une identité.
Les entrepreneurs du secteur informel et la protection de l’innovation au Burkina Faso : entre impératif de rentabilité et valeurs d’altruisme
Authors: Song-Naba Florent , Kaboré Wendpanga Issa
Published: October 2024

Alors que la protection de la propriété intellectuelle est habituellement considérée comme un sujet clé pour l’entrepreneur innovateur, la recherche analyse le faible engouement des entrepreneurs du secteur informel pour la protection formelle de l’innovation. Les données ont été collectées par entretiens semi-directifs réalisés avec des entrepreneurs-innovateurs du secteur informel au Burkina Faso. Les résultats montrent que le scepticisme ambiant, en ce qui concerne la capacité des titres formels à éviter l’imitation, incite les entrepreneurs-innovateurs du secteur informel à préférer la protection informelle ou l’invention collective. Outre qu’elles permettent à l’entrepreneur-innovateur de tirer profit de son travail d’innovation, certaines approches informelles ne sont pas de nature à remettre en cause l’altruisme qui fonde la vie sociale dans le secteur informel. D’autres approches informelles assurent une meilleure protection de l’innovation contre l’imitation mais présentent l’inconvénient de compromettre la solidarité au sein de la communauté. L’invention collective s’avère compatible avec l’altruisme qui caractérise l’innovation frugale et les relations sociales dans le secteur informel.Codes JEL : L2, M1, O3
Pratiques institutionnelles pour l’innovation publique collaborative dans les territoires en situation d’enjeux sociaux complexes
Authors: Berthinier-Poncet Anne , Michelin Émilie , Rival Madina
Published: October 2024

Face à la complexité des enjeux sociétaux, les politiques publiques innovantes peinent à se déployer localement. Pour répondre à ce paradoxe, notre travail met en évidence les dynamiques d’une collaboration multi-acteurs multiniveaux permettant d’introduire une innovation publique dans le domaine social. Cet article s’inspire des recherches sur l’innovation et les collaborations écosystémiques dans le secteur public que nous complétons par le cadre théorique du travail institutionnel. Pour appréhender les dynamiques mises à l’œuvre, nous avons mené sur 2,5 ans une étude de cas longitudinale d’un projet multi-acteurs qui déploie dans un territoire rural la politique nationale de lutte contre les violences intrafamiliales (VIF). Notre recherche met en évidence une mobilisation différenciée des pratiques institutionnelles en fonction du type d’acteurs et de leur position dans l’échelle territoriale. Elle souligne aussi l’importance de certains acteurs qui transcendent les frontières pour le déploiement de l’innovation publique.Codes JEL : O35, O36, O38
L’ordre des sexes et l’éthique féministe du soin
Authors: Andrade de Barros Vanessa , Lhuilier Dominique , Vilela Fonseca Amaral Thaisa
Published: October 2024

Dans son texte « L’ordre des sexes » (1983), Eugène Enríquez explore les fondements de la primauté de la domination masculine. Le statut inférieur et dominé de la femme, observation universelle, transhistorique et transculturelle, impose d’interroger l’origine de cette attribution. Pour ce faire, l’article aborde tout d’abord les variations actuelles de la domination des hommes fondées sur la violence contre le corps des femmes, puis, en suivant la voie traçée par Eugène Enriquez, il explore les ressources théoriques, essentiellement psychanalytiques, pouvant éclairer les fondements de cette domination. Enfin, en appui sur l’analyse de la division sexuelle du travail, à la fois productif et reproductif, l’article présente l’éthique féministe du soin comme puissance politique transformative des dominations.
Regards sur l’éclatement du monde actuel
Authors: Enriquez Eugène
Published: October 2024

Les bouleversements politiques, sociaux et économiques qui ont marqué le xx e siècle ont laissé une empreinte indélébile sur le monde contemporain. Guerres mondiales, révolutions, attentats terroristes, avancées technologiques et crises économiques ont façonné le monde dans lequel nous vivons aujourd’hui. Malgré les progrès réalisés dans de nombreux domaines, certains problèmes persistent et même s’aggravent. Les inégalités sociales et économiques, le changement climatique, la remise en question de notre rapport au vivant, l’émergence de sociétés de contrôle et de surveillance sont autant de défis majeurs. La crise sanitaire de la covid-19 a mis en lumière les fractures et les tensions qui existent au sein de notre société. Face à cet éclatement du monde social, nous devons résister et repenser nos modes de gouvernance et notre rapport aux autres et à la nature pour construire un monde plus juste et plus durable.
La question du lien dans la problématique suicidaire : déliement social et déliaison psychique
Authors: Spoljar Philippe
Published: October 2024

La très grande majorité des études sur le suicide, généralement fondées sur des analyses factorielles, se limite à un champ disciplinaire spécifique (sociologie, psychologie du travail, psychologie sociale, psychiatrie…). De multiples « données » sélectionnées par chacune d’elles sont cumulées pour établir des corrélations significatives censées mesurer le risque et suggérer, voire affirmer, des causalités correspondantes, sans pour autant rendre compte des processus sous-jacents aux conduites suicidaires, ce que l’on peut appeler la « raison des causes ». À partir de la situation d’un éleveur de bovins, le présent article propose de mobiliser la notion de lien « sociopsychique » pour rendre compte des corrélations entre différentes dimensions du phénomène suicidaire, proposant ainsi une possible articulation entre la sociologie du suicide de Durkheim, d’une part, et la perspective freudienne présentée dans Deuil et mélancolie . Cette notion de lien qui fait l’objet d’analyses divergentes en sciences sociales (lien et déliement) et en psychanalyse (liaison et déliaison), considérée ici dans ses mouvements de construction et surtout de dégradation, semble à même d’apporter une meilleure intelligibilité dans l’analyse des pathologies professionnelles, en particulier des conduites suicidaires en lien avec le travail.
Peut-on encore parler de modèle social allemand ?
Authors: Lechevalier Arnaud
Published: October 2024

Dans le contexte de l’onde longue de la réunification et de l’introduction de la monnaie unique, au tournant du siècle, « l’Agenda 2010 » de réformes néolibérales du gouvernement Schröder avait mis à mal le modèle social (ouest-)allemand, déjà soumis à un certain nombre d’évolutions endogènes défavorables. Il en a résulté une précarisation de l’emploi et une hausse des inégalités de salaires et de revenus. Depuis 2005, dans un contexte favorable de forte croissance économique et de l’emploi, principalement féminin et à temps partiel, les politiques d’emploi et de protection sociale mises en œuvre sous l’ère Merkel, sans rompre avec cet agenda, en ont contenu les évolutions les plus délétères pour le « modèle social » allemand .
La guerre d’Ukraine et l’environnement stratégique de l’Allemagne
Authors: Chappedelaine Bernard
Published: October 2024

L’invasion de l’Ukraine, qui débute en février 2022 – huit ans après l’annexion de la Crimée –, conduit les autorités allemandes à accuser la Russie de vouloir modifier par la force l’ordre international, le chancelier Scholz évoquant, dans une formule désormais fameuse, un « changement d’époque » ( Zeitenwende ). Le tournant est depuis patent dans la culture stratégique de l’Allemagne, mais celle-ci doit encore en tirer toutes les conséquences et travailler, avec ses partenaires européens, à sécuriser son environnement .
Almacenamiento doméstico en Numancia (Garray, Soria) durante la II Edad del Hierro: una aproximación tipológica y social
Authors: Liceras-Garrido Raquel , Quintero Cabello Sergio Alfonso , Padilla Fernández Juan Jesús , Jimeno Martínez Alfredo
Published: October 2024

Los almacenes subterráneos domésticos son uno de los espacios que mejor conservan las evidencias arqueológicas de la Numancia celtibérica destruida en el 133 a. n. e. De ellos proceden, por ejemplo, gran parte de las denominadas cerámicas numantinas. Este artículo presenta cuatro contextos inéditos de almacenamiento excavados entre 1996 y 2014: un almacén anejo a una unidad doméstica, la excavación parcial de una bodega subterránea y dos alacenas. Plantea, además, una clasificación de los vasos cerámicos encontrados en su interior, identificándolos con tres usos fundamentales: consumo, cocina y almacenaje. Se presentan asimismo otros objetos que aparecieron en contextos de almacenamiento y relacionados con actividades artesanales como la textil o la producción de fíbulas. Finalmente, se reflexiona sobre la relevancia del almacenamiento en las sociedades de la II Edad del Hierro y su papel en la negociación social.
Female Athletes and Energy Requirements
Authors: Shatakshi  , Mishra Priya
Published: October 2024

The investigation aimed to delve into the energy dynamics of elite female Athletes during the 2021/2022 season, shedding light on their energy expenditure, intake, and the prevalence of low energy availability. Dietary recalls unveiled an average energy intake of 2274±450 kcal, indicating a notable discordance between energy expenditure and consumption, hinting at potential inadequacies in meeting the athlete's fueling needs. Further analysis uncovered nuances in carbohydrate intake, revealing levels below recommended guidelines on match days, possibly compromising the athletes' ability to replenish muscle glycogen stores adequately. Such discrepancies in energy balance can have profound implications for performance and overall well-being, as they may impede optimal physiological functioning and hinder athletic performances.
Advanced Sports Nutrition Assessment Technique
Authors: Butt Abdullah Ahmed , Ahmed Zahra
Published: October 2024

Modern methods of advanced sports nutrition assessment have emerged that can highlight efficient wellness and performance at the time for athletes as well as their coaches. The purpose of this chapter is to cover current methodologies for the measurement of nutritional status and body composition in athletes with an emphasis on practical applications of science. We first talk about the tool that is dietary analysis and why it's important to understand what macronutrients, and micronutrients you are consuming. This section assesses their strengths and weaknesses as well as looking at food diaries, 24-hour dietary recalls, and food frequency questionnaires. Through this data, the tools can help nutritionists in developing individualized diet plans. In part 2, we move on to assess your metabolic rate and continue with a discussion of the use of indirect calorimetry to determine RMR as well as an athlete's total energy expenditure (TEE).
The effect of table tennis combined with resistance training on the rehabilitation of patients with coronary heart disease
Authors: Liu Guochang , Zhu Xiaoyun
Published: October 2024

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the study was to explore the influence of table tennis combined with resistance training on coronary heart disease (CHD) rehabilitation and to evaluate its potential in improving cardiopulmonary function, arterial stiffness, blood lipids, and psychological indicators in participants with CHD.

METHODS:

Seventy patients with confirmed CHD were chosen and randomly separated into two groups, 35 cases each. The test group performed table tennis combined with resistance training, and the reference group (RG) received standard resistance training as the control group. By comparing the differences in cardiopulmonary function, arterial stiffness, sleep and diet, psychological indicators, and blood lipids between the two groups of patients, the role of table tennis combined with resistance training in CHD rehabilitation was evaluated.

RESULTS:

Relative to the control group, participants in the table tennis exercise combined with the resistance training group had significant improvement in cardiopulmonary function (P < 0.05). In addition, table tennis combined with resistance training can reduce patients’ arterial stiffness, improve sleep and eating habits, and reduce blood lipid levels. Relative to the RG, the data possess the statistical significance (P < 0.05). Finally, the psychological quality of the two groups of patients was compared. The anxiety, depression, and confrontation ability of the patients in the test group were 7.15 ± 0.39, 7.03 ± 0.29, and 6.86 ± 0.46, respectively, which were superior to the RG. The comparison among the participants of data possesses the statistical significance (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSION:

The research results show that table tennis combined with resistance training possesses an essential influence on CHD rehabilitation. It can significantly enhance patients’ cardiopulmonary function, reduce arterial stiffness, improve sleeping and eating habits, reduce blood lipid levels, and improve psychological indicators. As a low-intensity aerobic exercise, table tennis possesses an essential influence on facilitating the recovery of patients with CHD and is worthy of further promotion and application in clinical practice.
Comparative Analysis of Tooth Measurements on Conventional and Digital Study Model – Validity Reliability Study
Authors: Sharma Disha , Thakur Gaurav , Gurung Deepak , Thakur Amrita
Published: October 2024

Aim:

The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy, consistency, and reproducibility of tooth measurements by comparing conventional dental cast models with their digital equivalents.

Materials and Methods:

The research sample consisted of 50 before-treatment, diagnostic, conventional cast models utilized for study and evaluation. Tooth measurements on the dental cast models were done using a digitized Vernier caliper (Precision, IP54). Three-dimensional (3D) model tooth measurements were obtained through scanning the conventional cast models using the Maestro 3D Dental Scanner (Italy). The comparison of validity and reliability between conventional and digital cast models was done through independent t-tests, Cronbach’s alpha test, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results:

The Independent t-test showed no statistically significant difference between conventional and digital cast models. Cronbach’s alpha test demonstrated high reliability between conventional and digital cast models, surpassing 0.9 in this study. Intraexaminer reliability (ICC) was nearly perfect agreement ranging from 0.82 to 0.99.

Conclusion:

The digital cast models exhibited user-friendly features and were shown to be a feasible substitute for conventional dental cast models, providing similar levels of accuracy and effectiveness. Consequently, the dental arch tooth measurements of digital cast models were equally accurate and consistent when compared to those obtained from conventional dental cast models.
Assessing Oral Health Literacy Levels among Children and Caregivers, Evaluating the Effectiveness of Oral Health Education Programs in Schools and Community Settings, and Identifying Areas for Improvement
Authors: Patel Nishita H.
Published: October 2024

Background:

Oral health literacy among children and caregivers is crucial for promoting preventive dental care and reducing oral diseases. Effective oral health education programs play a vital role in enhancing oral health literacy and behaviors.

Objective:

This study aims to assess oral health literacy levels among children and caregivers, evaluate the effectiveness of oral health education programs in school and community settings, and identify areas for program improvement.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving 500 participants including children aged 6–12 years and their caregivers. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, interviews, and program evaluation forms to assess knowledge, awareness, and program satisfaction.

Results:

Findings indicate varying levels of oral health literacy among children, with older children demonstrating higher knowledge and awareness compared to younger counterparts. The oral health education program received high satisfaction ratings, particularly for educational materials and interactive sessions, though areas for improvement such as practical demonstrations and parental involvement were identified.

Conclusion:

Effective oral health education programs are essential for improving oral health literacy among children and caregivers. Tailored educational strategies, enhanced practical demonstrations, and increased parental engagement are recommended to optimize program effectiveness and promote lifelong oral health behaviors.
Root resection of multirooted teeth with premolarization of mandibular molar for successful oral rehabilitation
Authors: Sachdeva Shivani , Saluja Harish
Published: October 2024

Root resection procedures are indicated in the treatment of periodontal furcation involvement and root fractures in one of the roots of multirooted teeth. Their long-term prognosis is comparable to that of implants. The present article is a case report of root separation and removal of the mesial root along with crown in mandibular first molar which was successfully employed as a part of the oral rehabilitation procedure.
Prevalence of self-medication by parents for various oral health-related problems in their children – A cross-sectional study
Authors: Nirmala SVSG , Kakollu Harsha Veena , Nuvvula Sivakumar
Published: October 2024

Background:

Self-medication (SM) refers to taking medicine without consultation with a doctor or dentist and it is an important health issue. Drug utilization patterns in children is of great concern universally and has gained a lot of attention. With regard to pediatric patients, such practices are entirely under the control of the parent.

Aim:

This study aims to assess the prevalence of SM by parents for various oral health related problems of children below 15 years of age.

Materials and Methods:

An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted for 1 year at schools in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. The study population included 323 parents of children aged up to 15 years. Data were collected from parents to record their sociodemographic information, prevalence of SM along with questions regarding the practice of SM. Fischer’s exact test was used to compare prevalence of SM with age, gender, education, and socioeconomic status (SES) of parent’s.

Results:

The prevalence of SM was 35% which was significantly influenced by the age of child and parent (P = 0.03), whereas nonsignificantly associated with parents gender (P = 0.502), educational level (P = 0.42), and SES (P = 0.137). Most common dental condition and reason for which SM was practiced is tooth pain (76.1%) and expensive dental treatment (39.8%), respectively.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of SM was low. SM practice is common in parents of age group ≥40 years and in children above 5 years.

Clinical Significance:

SM can cause unintentional self-harm. SM with antibiotics have been identified as one of the primary reasons for the evolution of antimicrobial resistance.
An algorithmic approach to arterial blood gas analysis for cardiologists
Authors: Prashant H. T. , Jain Peeyush , Agrawal Rajat
Published: October 2024

An arterial blood gas (ABG) is a laboratory test to monitor the patient’s acid base balance. The body regulates pH closely to maintain homeostasis. This test is used to determine the magnitude of the compensation by the buffer system and includes the measurements of the acidity (pH), levels of oxygen, and carbon dioxide in arterial blood. Acid base disorders can lead to severe complications in many disease states. ABG interpretation is paramount in critically ill patients. Many methods already exist to guide the interpretation of the ABG. This article does not include methods such as analysis of base excess or Stewart’s strong ion difference. It is paramount for cardiologists to understand ABG interpretation to manage their patients effectively. Interpreting ABGs may seem complex, but a systematic approach is required to diagnose and treat disorders by quick and easy ABG interpretation.
Beyond the Surface: Investigating Clinical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Dynamics in Knee Injuries: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Singh Gaurav , Kumar Vineet , Mahapatra Swagat , Aggarwal Pankaj , Aslam Ammar Mohd. , Pandey Prabhat , Mishra Prakhar
Published: October 2024

Context:

Orthopedic surgeons frequently encounter knee soft tissue injuries such as meniscal and ligament injuries. This study seeks to explore the diagnostic efficacy of clinical examination, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and arthroscopy in identifying knee injuries.

Subjects and Methods:

This prospective observational study enrolled 120 patients with knee injuries slated for arthroscopic surgery based on clinical and MRI assessments. The study assessed and compared the diagnostic accuracy of clinical and MRI findings.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) for the Windows program (21.0 version). The Spearman correlation analysis was done to assess the relationship between the various parameters. The level of agreement was assessed using Cohen’s kappa statistics. Interpretation of kappa statistics is as follows: 0 to 0.20-Slight agreement; 0.1 to 0.39-Fair; 0.40 to 0.59-Moderate; 0.60 to 0.79- Substantial and 0.80 to 0.90-Almost perfect agreement. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated and observed by using 2 × 2 contingency table. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

When comparing MRI and arthroscopy findings, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear exhibited the highest sensitivity and specificity at 100.00% and 91.84%, respectively, while the medial meniscus tear had the lowest sensitivity and specificity at 80.23% and 61.76%. Regarding the comparison between clinical examination and arthroscopy, the Lachman test displayed the highest sensitivity at 95.92%, whereas McMurray’s test (Lateral Meniscus) had the lowest sensitivity at 54.55%, and the posterior Drawer’s test showed the lowest specificity at 60.00%. Lachman also demonstrated the highest diagnostic accuracy at 98.33%, while the posterior Drawer’s test had the lowest diagnostic accuracy at 70.00%.

Conclusions:

Despite a few limitations, clinical examination and MRI currently stand out as the most precise non-invasive methods for detecting abnormalities in the menisci and the ACL. These diagnostic approaches provide valuable insights into the structural integrity of these knee components, allowing for a comprehensive assessment without the need for invasive procedures.
Health and environmental impacts of Gaza conflict (2023-2024): A review
Authors: Dardona Zuhair , Amane Mounia , Dardona Ayman , Boussaa Samia
Published: October 2024

The war in Gaza, which erupted on October 7, 2023, unleashed unprecedented assaults from the air, sea, and land, affecting the densely populated area of 360 square kilometers housing 2.3 million people. The conflict claimed over 36 000 Palestinian lives, with women and children making up 70% of the casualties, and resulted in more than 80 000 injuries. The devastation was extensive, with over 70% of homes destroyed, along with six universities, numerous hospitals, communication networks, sewage systems, water desalination plants, roads, wells, and other essential infrastructure. Over a million people were displaced from the northern regions to the southern coastal area of Al-Mawasi, which constitutes less than 3% of Gaza's total area, facing dire shortages of water, healthcare, food, and medicine. The collapse of sewage networks and garbage accumulation led to an increase in flies, mosquitoes, insects, and rodents, contributing to the spread of infectious and non-communicable diseases among the displaced population. This research aimed to study the health and environmental impacts of the war in Gaza through data collection, field visits, and photographic documentation. The findings revealed catastrophic conditions, with the destruction of all infrastructure, including buildings, hospitals, universities, mosques, churches, sanitation, water networks, and communications, and the spread of diseases such as intestinal, respiratory infections, and skin infections due to the complete lack of basic life necessities.
Achievement of No Evidence of Disease Activity-3 with Oral Disease-Modifying Treatment in Patients with Relapsing–Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Alshamrani Foziah Jabbar Gossab , Zafar Azra , Alsawad Rahmah Majed , Yasawy Zakia , Shahid Rizwana , Nazish Saima , Shariff Erum , Soltan Nehad Mahmoud
Published: October 2024

Background:

There is scant data regarding the use of oral disease-modifying treatments (oDMT) in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (PwRRMS) from Saudi Arabia.

Objective:

This study aimed to identify the response rate to oDMT in PwRRMS compared to interferon (IFN) in terms of achieving no evidence of disease activity-3 (NEDA-3).

Methods:

This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia and included all adult PwRRMS over a 2-year period who were on oDMTs or IFN for <1 year. The achievement of overall NEDA-3 and its components (namely, relapse, disability progression, and focal MRI activity) were assessed for each treatment.

Results:

A total of 231 patients were included for the analysis of NEDA-3 status, of which 78 (33.8%) were on oDMTs (namely, dimethyl fumarate, teriflunomide, and fingolimod). NEDA-3 status was achieved in 51.3% (OR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.28–2.71) of patients on oDMTs and in 32% of patients on IFN (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.58–0.89) (P < 0.001). Compared to the IFN group, the oDMT group had significantly lower rates of clinical relapse (P < 0.001), disability progression (P = 0.004), and new focal MRI activity (P = 0.01). Patients on dimethyl-fumarate had higher odds of achieving NEDA-3 (OR: 2.18, 95% CI = 1.09–4.34; P =0.02) compared with those on fingolimod (OR 2.15, 95% CI = 0.70–6.58; P =0.16) and teriflunomide (OR: 1.53, 95% CI = 0.81–2.91; P =0.18).

Conclusion:

More than half of the patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis on oral DMTs achieved NEDA-3 status in this study. Significant differences were observed in NEDA-3 status parameters and achievement between patients on oral DMTs and interferon, with the likeliness being highest among patients treated with dimethyl-fumarate.
Copy Number Variants in 30 Saudi Pediatric Patients with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: From Unknown Significance to Diagnosis
Authors: Alotibi Raniah Saleem , Al Eissa Mariam M. , Aloraini Taghrid , Nasser Khalidah Khalid , Al Shammari Muneera J. , Alqahtani Amerh S.
Published: October 2024

Background:

Structural variants (SVs), such as copy number variants (CNVs), insertions, deletions, inversions, and translocations, contribute significantly to genetic diversity and disease etiology. CNVs, which involve the duplication or deletion of DNA segments, are particularly impactful on genes crucial for biological functions and disease processes.

Objective:

To reassess unclassified SVs that may be underlying unresolved neurodevelopmental disorders among Saudi patients.

Methodology:

In this retrospective study conducted at King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 30 probands with neurodevelopmental disorders and congenital malformations were examined using next-generation sequencing methods—exome sequencing, gene panels, or SNP arrays (the Illumina platform). Reclassification was aided by online tools such as VarSome and ClinVar, with pathogenicity assessments using the ClinGen CNV Pathogenicity Calculator based on American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics criteria for CNV loss and gain, and dosage sensitivity.

Results:

A total of 31 CNVs were analyzed, of which 2 were reclassified: one as benign and the other as pathogenic. The pathogenic CNV, [3p13p12.3 (70411134_75249376) x1], included a deletion of the FOXP1 gene and was associated with an intellectual developmental disorder, language impairment, possible autistic features, psychomotor impairment, developmental regression, and epilepsy.

Conclusion:

This study underscores the importance of continuously documenting and revisiting unclassified CNVs in accessible databases to enhance the diagnosis and understanding of complex genotype–phenotype relationships. Reclassifying these CNVs not only accelerates diagnostic processes but also enriches our insight into their significant roles in health and disease.
Innovative fieldwork education in Africa
Authors: Mupedziswa Rodreck
Published: October 2024

My remarks focus essentially on the theme of social work education in Africa. I observe that social work education per se has two prongs – classroom instruction and field practicum. I then indicate that the paper is interested in the practicum component of social work education. It notes that in the context of Africa, there has been a clarion call for relevance in social work on the continent. To this end, terms like Ubuntu and indigenisation, have emerged in the context of the discourse on the quest for relevance of social work on the continent - concepts which are consistent with a developmental social work model. My argument is in order to successfully promote the development approach in social work, change has to begin in the education component. The challenge though is that some institutions of education and training in social work, have purported to be promoting the developmental social work education approach, when in fact, the practicum component of their education and training programmes is not consistent with the developmental approach. Apparently, some social work educators are not very clear in terms of what the developmental approach entails, while others are curtailed by institution culture and policies. I then argue that in order to produce a cadre who is well versed in the developmental social work approach, the fieldwork practicum component has to be consistent with the key tenets of the developmental approach. Six models of the developmental social work approach to fieldwork placements are presented as examples of the kind of field placements that would go with the developmental approach. Advantages of the developmental type of placements are briefly explored.
HOW TO REFERENCE USING ASWDNET STYLE
Mupedziswa R. (2024). Africa Day Indaba 2022 – Innovative Fieldwork Education in Africa. presentation made during Africa Day Indaba 2022. African Journal of Social Work, 14(3), 126-132. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v14i3.3
Visit journal website: https://ajsw.africasocialwork.net
Promoting mental well-being and resilience among older adults and their caregivers in Africa: Challenges and the way forward
Authors: Okoye Uzoma Odera
Published: October 2024

And so, today, we're going to be looking at promoting mental well-being and resilience among older adults and their caregivers.  We're going to address, you know, seven basic issues.  We're going to try to define the concepts.  We'll try to look at key issues about older adults and their caregivers.  People will go, why caregiving?  Why am I bringing in caregiving?  Because that is what we know in Africa.  It is what we do.  That is how we take care of older adults.  We give care.  Then we'll also try to answer the question, why address mental well-being and resilience at this time?  Why?  Then we'll look at the problems.  What are the problems that now impact on older adults that can bring about mental health issues?  Then after that, we're going to look at the common mental health issues older adults have.  How do we talk about them?  Then we'll look at the strategies.  We cannot just talk about challenges, barriers.  What can we do?  Because today you find that we can no longer call on government or call on people.  We need to start doing something ourselves.  Then we will conclude that is basically what we are, the business we have today.  And so, we're going to start with defining some of the key terms.  And we're going to look at older adults in this presentation, at persons who are 65 years and above.  Persons who are 65 years and above in this presentation, we're going to regard as older adults.  Then who are caregivers?  Caregivers are individuals who provide paid or unpaid or informal care to older adults.  Not all caregivers are paid.  Many of them today are paid to provide care to older adults, while some are family members.  So, these are the people we are going to talk about, the caregivers.  Then when we talk about mental well-being, what do we mean by mental well-being?  By mental well-being, we mean a combination of emotions, of all those issues that could make an older adult not to function very well or could make the caregiver not to function very well, not to have life satisfaction.  That is what we mean.  Issues that can affect their relationship, that can affect how they function in their day-to-day living.  That's what we are going to mean whenever we talk about mental well-being in this presentation, just note that that is what we are talking about.  Then we look at resilience.  Here we're going to see resilience as the process or the outcome by which older adults and their caregivers successfully adapt to challenging life experiences. 
 
HOW TO REFERENCE USING ASWDNET STYLE
Okoye U. O. (2024). Promoting mental well-being and resilience among older adults and their caregivers in Africa: Challenges and the way forward. Presentation during Wazee Day (Older Persons Day), 6 October 2023. African Journal of Social Work, 14(2), 140-148. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v14i3.5
Visit journal website: https://ajsw.africasocialwork.net
Tree of Life Model and other Africa-centred interventions
Authors: Mlilo Ncazelo Ncube
Published: October 2024

The Tree of Life is a four-part process which involves drawing trees and then there is a second part of the methodology which is about the Forest of Life.  So, Tree of Life begins with inviting people to draw their tree. And each part of the tree represents something specific about their lives, their roots, where they come from, their history, their heritage, their ancestry, the ground where they live, who they live with, what they like to do when they’re at home, favourite places, favourite songs or dances.  The trunk – the skills and their knowledges, the things they’re good at, the things that people tell them they’re good at.  The leaves of their tree – most important people in their lives, people who care for them and support them.  And then the branches – your hopes, your dreams for both the near and the distant future.  And then the fruits are the gifts that you’ve received and that you’ve been given.  And so, people are invited to come up with a tree and then they are supported to tell stories around these aspects of their lives by somebody who has been trained, who knows how to help them to thicken their stories, because we want people to stand firmly in the second stories of their lives and the alternative stories – the stories about your hopes, your dreams, your skills, the people that are important to you, your aspirations in your life. 
HOW TO REFERENCE USING ASWDNET STYLE
Ncube-Mlilo N. (2024). Tree of Life Model and other Africa-centred interventions. African Journal of Social Work, 14(3), 149-154. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v14i3.6
Visit journal website: https://ajsw.africasocialwork.net
Human, social & economic capital development in Africa
Authors: Rasool Shahana
Published: October 2024

Basically, we're trying to promote the interest of social work education in the African region.  And really, this should be a decolonized African-centred education, as well as to provide, of course, opportunities for consultation, exchange of ideas, resources, and faculty and student exchanges.  But we often don't have the funding for this because we also don't have enough membership.  We'd also like to be a body for channelling resources to social work education institutions in the region.  And a lot of this gets done through our alliance with IASSW, which I'll talk to about just now, because we're also concerned not just with inter-regional and regional, but also international cooperation in social work education.  ASSWA is linked to the International Association of Schools of Social Work.  And I'm talking about IASSW because our role as Africans in IASSW becomes very important.  If we don't have membership and we don't have enough representation and action from African educators, our role gets minimised in IASSW.  But IASSW offers a lot of opportunities and resources for Africa to do more inter-regional cooperation and work.  So, just quickly, the vision of IA is to promote excellence in social work education, research and scholarship across the globe in pursuit of a more just and equitable world.  Now, I sit on this board and my question is often, justice for who?  An equitable world for who?  Human rights for who?  Because they were very quick to act on the Ukrainian situation, but maybe not as quick to react to other issues in the world, for example, Palestine and other issues in Africa.  I'm not going to go through their mission.  You can find this on their website.  And so, you know, I guess what I'm trying to talk about is why do we need to be active in these organisations?  You know, both ASWNET, ASSWA, IFSW, why is it important for us?  And as I said earlier, since the time of ASWEA in the 1960s and even the conference held by the esteemed Nkrumah, scholars have been talking about decolonisation and Africanisation. 
HOW TO REFERENCE USING ASWDNET STYLE
Rasool S. (2024). Human, social & economic capital development in Africa. Presentation made during Africa Day Indaba 2022. African Journal of Social Work, 14(3), 155-157. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v14i3.7
Visit journal website: https://ajsw.africasocialwork.net
Preparation and Characterization of Waste Fish Bone-Derived Gelatin/Chitosan Plastic Film Incorporated with Green Tea Extract
Authors: Barleany D.R. , Sari D.K. , Lestari R.S.D. , Alwan H. , Yulvianti M. , Afifah A.N. , Nisrina N. , Gunawan A.
Published: October 2024

Fish-derived gelatin has recently been spotlighted as an alternative source following the negative issues of mammalian gelatin, but  unfortunately it has poor mechanical properties that limit its application. Herein, an environmental-friendly film was prepared from  milkfish (Chanos chanos) bone waste-derived gelatin and modified by adding chitosan, glycerol and sorbitol plasticizers as well as green  tea extract to improve its mechanical properties. Gelatin was processed from milkfish bone waste using various concentrations of H2SO4  solution (2%, 3%, and 5%) (v/v) and soaking times of 18 h and 36 h for each of the solutions. The measurement test of pH, ash content,  and moisture content were conducted on the gelatin product, and the characteristic functional groups were investigated using Fourier- Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The effect of green tea addition was also evaluated on the thickness, tensile strength, and  elongation of the resulting films. The results showed that treatment using H2SO4 concentration of 3% with 36 hours of immersion time  produced the best gelatin quality with a pH value of 5.9. Water content and ash content were 14.286% and 3.09%, respectively. The plastic  film from this study has mechanical properties similar to polypropylene plastic so that it is expected to be a potential material for food  packaging applications.