bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DIAGNÓSTICO DE LAS PRÁCTICAS PEDAGÓGICAS RELACIONADAS CON LA VIOLENCIA DE GÉNERO EN EL IFRN: PROYECTOS DE INVESTIGACIÓN Y EXTENSIÓN
Authors: Xavier da Costa Maria Carolina , Lima Neto Avelino Aldo de , Thomas Julie , Souza Sampaio Ana Kamily de
Published: October 2022

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo presentar los resultados de las exploraciones realizadas en los proyectos de investigación y extensión del Instituto Federal de Educación, Ciencia y Tecnología de Rio Grande do Norte (IFRN) para investigar a los que trabajan con la Violencia de Género. Para la construcción de nuestro barrido utilizamos el Sistema Unificado de Administración Pública (SUAP) y la circulación de Google Forms en los medios virtuales (WhatsApp y E-mail). De nuestra búsqueda pudimos comprobar la escasez de proyectos. Pero los pocos proyectos encontrados tienen una importancia única en la IFRN, porque son capaces de contribuir a la lucha contra la violencia y ayudar en la construcción de una educación basada en la Formación Humana Integral, la libertad y la transgresión.
EL CURRÍCULO INTEGRADO EN EL CURSO DE AGROINDUSTRIA INTEGRADO A LA EDUCACIÓN SECUNDARIA EN UN CAMPUS DEL IFTM: DE LOS PPC A LA PRÁCTICA DOCENTE
Authors: Dutra Medeiros Lílian Gobbi , Oliveira Paes Leme Alberto Márcia de Souza , Franco Mariano Sangelita Miranda , Silva Santiago Léia Adriana da
Published: October 2022

El objetivo de este trabajo es describir cómo se prevé la integración curricular en el Curso de Agroindustria Integrado a la Educación Secundaria un campus del IFTM, a partir del análisis de los Proyectos Pedagógicos del Curso y la práctica docente. Para ello, desarrollamos una investigación exploratoria, a la luz de los conceptos de currículo, interdisciplinariedad e integración curricular, en el contexto de la educación secundaria integrada. Analizamos los documentos del curso y 13 entrevistas, realizadas por la plataforma Google Meet. Para verificar estos datos, optamos por un enfoque cualitativo. De acuerdo con los hallazgos de la investigación, el curso parece avanzar hacia una formación humana integral de los sujetos, a partir de propuestas de integración y acciones interdisciplinarias, desde el punto de vista de lo prescrito en los documentos. Sobre la práctica docente, lo que notamos fueron acciones más aisladas, en un intento de practicar el currículo integrado. Por tanto, la voluntad colectiva y el compromiso de la dirección son factores importantes para la realización del currículo integrado en el campus.
EDUCACIÓN AMBIENTAL Y EDUCACIÓN PROFESIONAL EN EL IFPB: ESTRECHANDO LAZOS
Authors: Duran da Cruz Alvimar , Silva Alves Gilcean , Oliveira Pereira Diógenes
Published: October 2022

La presente investigación, en el ámbito de la Educación Profesional y Tecnológica, investigó las prácticas y la adhesión de profesores y alumnos a la Educación Ambiental en los tres cursos técnicos integrados a la enseñanza media del Instituto Federal da Paraíba Campus Cabedelo: Multimedia, Recursos Pesqueros y Medio Ambiente. Se aplicaron cuestionarios multicategoría a docentes y estudiantes, cuyos resultados fueron sometidos a análisis de contenido según la metodología de Bardin (1977). Se constató que sólo en el curso de Medio Ambiente el currículo contiene adecuadamente las disciplinas de educación ambiental. Se concluyó que la Educación Ambiental en los cursos de Multimedia, Recursos Pesqueros y Medio Ambiente ocurre principalmente a través de proyectos integradores, cuyas prácticas utilizan la transversalidad y la interdisciplinariedad, sin involucrar, sin embargo, a todos los estudiantes y profesores, siendo alternativas necesarias para garantizar su plena participación. Existen dificultades relacionadas con la sobrecarga de asignaturas en estos cursos integrados, generando desmotivación y falta de tiempo para una enseñanza ambiental efectiva. Para ello, los docentes propusieron mejoras que requieren una revisión curricular por parte de la escuela. Al final del análisis, ofrecemos propuestas para ser evaluadas por la escuela, para superar las dificultades reveladas y optimizar los resultados de los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje de la Educación Ambiental.
ESCUELA SECUNDARIA EN EL ESTADO DE MARANHÃO: ANÁLISIS DE LA CONTINUIDAD DE ESTUDIOS O INSERCIÓN EN EL MUNDO DEL TRABAJO EN DOS ESCUELAS DE LA RED ESTATAL
Authors: Barros Cardozo David Breno , Pires Barros Cardozo Maria José , Barros Cardozo Marlon Bruno
Published: October 2022

Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar las perspectivas de los estudiantes de secundaria de la Red Pública Estatal de Maranhão con respecto a las perspectivas de continuidad de estudios y/o inserción en el mundo del trabajo. Realizamos investigación bibliográfica, documental y de campo, mediante la aplicación de cuestionarios que fueron analizados por el lenguaje de programación Python junto con las librerías (conjunto de comandos especializados) Pandas y Seaborn organizadas por el programador Carvalho (2019). El análisis de los datos indicó la necesidad de una formación integrada en la escuela secundaria.
MANUAL DE SOCIOLOGÍA: UNA HERRAMIENTA PARA IR MÁS ALLÁ DE LEER LA VIDA DE LA SOCIEDAD CON SUS CONSTRUCCIONES Y CONTRADICCIONES
Authors: Silva José Geraldo da , Fernandes Carneiro Maria Esperança , Viana da Silva Ruth Aparecida
Published: October 2022

En el espacio educativo formal de la Escuela Profesional Tecnológica Integrada a la Enseñanza Media (EPT), la sociología se constituye como asignatura escolar y sus aportes en la lucha histórica por una educación pública, gratuita, con requisitos cualitativos para una formación consolidada en la comprensión crítica de la sociedad, del trabajo y sus contradicciones. La reducción de la carga horaria o la no obligatoriedad de la asignatura de sociología en la escuela, sumada a los cambios de las propuestas de la Base Curricular Común Nacional (BNCC), enuncia una propuesta neoliberal de educación. La investigación reitera la importancia de la asignatura de la Sociología como necesaria en la educación básica, puesto que la construcción del conocimiento sociológico permite a los estudiantes tener una formación integral. En consecuencia, buscar caminos para superar las contradicciones de la sociedad brasileña que excluyen a los jóvenes del acceso a la escuela secundaria integrada humanizadora.
FORMACIÓN PROFESIONAL, INSERCIÓN SOCIAL Y SECUNDARIA INTEGRADA EN IFRO CAMPUS JI-PARANÁ
Authors: Viliam Cenci Juliano , Miranda de Souza Marilsa
Published: October 2022

La educación técnica integrada al bachillerato ofrecida en los Institutos Federales pasó por un período de expansión y se convirtió en una de las principales modalidades de formación profesional en Brasil. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la contribución a los jóvenes acerca de los conocimientos adquiridos en el Instituto Federal de Educación, Ciencia y Tecnología de Rondônia (IFRO), Campus Ji-Paraná. La investigación realizada es de carácter bibliográfico, documental y de campo. Los procedimientos metodológicos de análisis se organizaron a la luz del materialismo histórico-dialéctico. Los resultados encontrados indican que la dimensión teórica de la enseñanza ha sido evaluada positivamente, aunque la práctica merezca atención. El IFRO ha contribuido al acceso a la universidad, pero también ha ayudado a reforzar el concepto de que la educación se convierte en un factor de producción, evaluación y empleabilidad. Se concluye que para que haya desarrollo social es necesario garantizar el acceso al trabajo digno a todos los trabajadores.
EL DESARROLLO DE UN PRODUCTO EDUCACIONAL PARA PROMOVER LA SALUD MENTAL DEL ALUMNO EN LA ENSEÑANZA MEDIA INTEGRADA EN TIEMPOS DE PANDEMIA DE COVID-19
Authors: Costa Senra Vanessa Braz , Silene da Silva Maria
Published: October 2022

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo presentar el producto educacional “La salud mental del alumno en la Enseñanza Media Integrada: produciendo comics a través de la herramienta digital Pixton”, desarrollado con base en los resultados de la pesquisa “La promoción de la salud para la formación integrada para alumnos en los cursos técnicos de nivel medio integrado del Instituto federal de Sergipe, Campus Aracaju”. La referida pesquisa estableció una relación entre la promoción de la salud y la formación integrada de alumnos para el mundo del trabajo. La construcción del producto aquí presentado haya tenido el intuito de retratar el contexto de vida del estudiante, enfatizando la temática de la salud mental. El tema surgió de los resultados adquiridos en la coleta y en los análisis de los dados de la pesquisa. Como resultado, la pesquisa apunta que la salud mental del joven sufre impactos relacionados a su rutina de estudios y la preparación para la vida adulta. El producto educacional desarrollado retrató este contexto, trajo información en salud mental para los jóvenes, y los hizo participar de esta construcción a través de la confección de sus propias historias en comics.
A Linguistic Revitalization of the Nubian Language: A Call for Action
Authors: Osman Osman Hassan , Abuoaf Mahmoud
Published: October 2022

This study aims at revitalization of the Nubian language which is at the risk of morbidity. The Nubian language is spoken in the Northern Sudan and Sothern Egypt. The Nubian who live in the area speak two dialects of the language: Matoki (Andandi) and Fadicca. The researchers collected the date by using two tools; semi-structured interviews and focus group. The participants are members of social groups, Facebook and WhatsApp. The findings of the study reveal that the Nubian language, despite being in danger of extinction, is still being used and the possibility of maintaining and is high= since the Nubians are aware of its importance in constructing their identity and maintain their heritage. The study is significant as it contributes to the ethnic diversity in the Sudan and the nation solidarity which may help in prevailing peace all around the vast country of multilingual and multicultural groups. It also adds to the academia in field of sociolinguistics.
Ancient Niger Delta Trading States, 1884/85 Negative Sovereignty Treaties, Positive International Law, British Colonization & Good Governance towards the Advancement of Civilization in Nigeria
Authors: Bristol-Alagbariya Edward T
Published: October 2022

This socio-legal study examines the 1884/85 imperialistic vis-à-vis negative sovereignty treaties of friendship, commerce and protection, simply called treaties of protection, which were entered into by Great Britain and the Ancient Niger Delta Trading States, so as to maintain and strengthen the cordial relations that were existing between the parties. However, positive international law altered the hitherto proto natural law-based equal and cordial relations between the Ancient Niger Delta Trading States and the Western European nations, from the 15th Century AD, when the Portuguese explorers and merchants were dominant in the Niger Delta region, before the arrival of Great Britain and France in the region about the 18th Century AD. Positive international law, enhanced by British gunboat diplomacy associated with it, promoted Western imperialism and thereby enabled Great Britain to achieve her imperialist ambition of transforming the erstwhile naturally sovereign Ancient Niger Delta Trading States and their mainland and hinterland ethnic nationality areas into the 1885 British Protectorate of the Niger Districts. Based on British imperialist protectionism over the Niger Districts and the rest of pre-colonial Nigeria, the entire ethnic nationality areas of pre-colonial Nigeria became a single British colonial possession called the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria, otherwise called modern Nigeria, in 1914. The British colonial government eventually granted political independence to modern Nigeria in October 1960. From the background of the aforementioned 1884/85 negative sovereignty treaties and continuing agitation of separatist groups in post-colonial Nigeria for improvement of their lots, the study makes a case for good governance, boosted by ethos of natural law and the social contract of governance, towards the advancement of civilization in the country.
Exploring MOOC as a New Instructional Technology Tool: the Relationship of Students’ Challenges, Perceived Benefits and Satisfaction
Authors: Wong Seng Yue
Published: October 2022

This research objectives to determine the barriers, perceived benefits and satisfaction of Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) as distinguished by university students via case study at Malaysian university. A total of 763 university students from variety field of studies have participated this case study. The results exhibit a statistically significant differences between students’ field of study on MOOC challenges. Students who study engineering encounter least challenges on MOOC practicing. Unclear assignments and course expectation is their main challenge when conducting MOOC. Students from “no challenges” cluster have shown significantly highest perceived benefits and satisfaction among other challenge groups of students. However, students who from “lack of time” challenge group have shown their lowest perceived benefits and satisfaction on MOOC learning. Lastly, the strategies or improvements have been recommended to solve the students’ challenges when they are practicing MOOC to increase student satisfaction in MOOC.
Influence of Compound Spherical Trenched Holes on Film Cooling Performance at the end of Combustor Simulator
Authors: Nor Azwadi Che Sidik  , Ehsan Kianpour
Published: October 2022

The major effects of cylindrical and spherical trenched cooling holes with distance between the hole surface and the combustion chamber panel and the filler diameter on the spherical hole contact surface and the panel surface H=0.3,R=D/2=0.1, H=0.3, R=D/2=0.2 and H=0.3, R=D/2=0.3 cm at BR=3.18 on the film cooling effectiveness near the combustor end wall surface is an important subject to study in details. In this research, a three-dimensional representation of a Pratt and Whitney gas turbine engine was simulated and analysed with a commercial finite volume package FLUENT 6.2.26. The analyses were done with RANS turbulence model on internal cooling passages. The combustor simulator was combined with the interaction of two rows of dilution jets, which were staggered in the streamwise direction and aligned in the spanwise direction. In comparison with the baseline case, the application of trenched holes increased the effectiveness of film cooling up to 47% near the wall surface and an average of 35% in depth of combustor simulator .
Viscosity of CuO Nanofluid Due to Nanoparticles Size and Concentration
Authors: Hong Wei Xian  , Rahman Saidur  , Nor Azwadi Che Sidik  , Yutaka Asako
Published: October 2022

Past studies showed that varying nanoparticles size could affect several properties of nanofluids. This could lead to significant change of hydro-thermal performance in various applications. In the present study, the effect of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticle size on the viscosity of nanofluid was investigated under different working temperature and concentration. Base fluid consists of equal amount of distilled water and ethylene glycol. It was found that the addition of 0.05 vol.% CuO into base fluid caused increment of viscosity by 11.8% and 7.27%. On the other side, particle size effect was found to be insignificant on the viscosity of nanofluids at low concentration of CuO nanoparticles (0.025 vol.%). Lastly, the viscosity measured in the present study was predictable by two correlations proposed in past studies and only slight deviation was observed.
Modelling Water Consumption Efficiency Based on Perlis State Soil Series
Authors: Sunny Goh Eng Giap  , Noranizam bin Mohd Sahil  , Mohammad Fadhli Ahmad  , Nurul Ameera Mohammad Rasid  , Rudiyanto  , Roslaili Abdul Aziz
Published: October 2022

Water is a limited resource for Perlis state. Domestically, meeting the water supply in the state requires improving the current supply facility and repairing water leakages in the supply system. However, an even more important aspect of water resources management is the water consumption from agricultural activities such as the over-irrigation in the crop field. This study identifies the soil series of Perlis state, determines its soil textures, estimates the field capacity, permanent wilting point, and plant available water. Additionally, the water infiltration studies were carried out. Results showed there were ten soil series present in the state, and this soil can be categorized by four soil textures that the clay soil texture dominates in seven soil series. Fully saturated soil in the Perlis state potentially losses 27-56% of its soil moisture content drains by gravity, which is unavailable to crop consumption, hence, wastage. An estimated 1.7 x 10-4 to 2.1 x 10-3 m/s water infiltration rate over the soil depths from 0.15-1.5 m. Knowing the soil surface area for the crop field allows the estimate of water volume needed in a unit time needed for storage tank estimation and distribution system designs. The water requirement increases by including the water evaporation rate into the water infiltration rate.
Flow Structure Characteristics of the Simplified Compact Car Exposed to Crosswind Effects using CFD
Authors: Muhammad Nabil Farhan Kamal  , Izuan Amin Ishak  , Nofrizalidris Darlis  , Nurshafinaz Mohd Maruai  , Rahim Jamian  , Razlin Abd Rashid  , NorAfzanizam Samiran  , Nik Normunira Mat Hassan
Published: October 2022

Aerodynamic characteristics of a car are important in reducing car accidents caused by wind loading and in lowering fuel economy, continuing to be a major topic of interest. The restrictions of wind tunnel tests and the rising trend of numerical methods have been complied with by past researchers to investigate vehicle aerodynamics computationally. This research aims to analyze comprehensively the effect of crosswinds on a moving vehicle in terms of aerodynamic loadings and flow structures using commercial fluid dynamic software ANSYS FLUENT. This paper will focus on the CFD-based simplified compact car body developed in CATIA V5 by neglecting the external parts such as side mirrors and underbody.
A Recent Systematic Review of Cervical Cancer Diagnosis: Detection and Classification
Authors: Wan Azani Mustafa  , Nur Ain Alias  , Mohd Aminuddin Jamlos  , Shahrina Ismail  , Hiam Alquran
Published: October 2022

Women around the world are frequently diagnosed with cervical cancer. In the beginning, there were no symptoms for the fourth most common cause of fatality in women. Cells of cervical cancer develop gradually at the cervix. Several studies have mentioned that the initial detection of cervical tumours is essential for cancer to be properly treated and to make sure cancer can be successfully treated while minimizing deaths due to cervical cancer. The diagnosis of such cancer before it spreads fast is currently a pressing issue for healthcare professionals. This also provides an extensive understanding with respect to the physical characteristics of the healthy and unhealthy cervix and aids in early treatment planning by giving detailed information about one another. Utilizing image segmentation, several techniques are employed to find malignancy. The dataset contains four distinct pathological pictures, including normal, malignancy, and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). While pap tests are the most popular way to diagnose cervical cancer, their accuracy depends a lot on how well cytotechnicians can use brightfield microscopy to spot abnormal cells on smears.
Heat Transfer Enhancement in Pipe Using Al2O3/Water Nanofluid
Authors: Abdulhafid M A Elfaghi  , Alhadi A Abosbaia  , Munir F A Alkbir  , Abdoulhdi A B Omran
Published: October 2022

Convection heat transfer is widely used in many industrial heat and cooling systems. The heat convection can be enhanced passively by adding metal nanoparticles in the water that have been adequately consumed. Small solid metals or nanoparticles of metal oxides floating in the base liquid increase the efficiency of thermal transmission in the system. Commercial CFD code FLUENT is used to simulate water-based nanofluids and is considered to be a single-phase fluid. The effects of various parameters such as Nusselt number and friction factor are studied as a function of Reynolds number and particle volume fraction. The volume fraction of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 percent of the Al2O3 nanoparticles was investigated, with Reynolds numbers between 6000 and 12,000. The numerical results show that nanofluids have a higher efficiency in convection heat than basic fluid and an improved thermal transfer efficiency with Reynolds numbers and volume concentrations.
Flow Behaviour and Wall Shear Stress Derivatives in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Models: A Detailed CFD Analysis into Asymmetry Effect
Authors: Djelloul Belkacemi  , Mohammad Al-Rawi  , Miloud Tahar Abbes  , Boualem Laribi
Published: October 2022

Assessing the risk of rupture is extremely important to reduce the mortality of the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Current clinical guidelines suggest considering the maximum diameter as a criterion for planning and surgical intervention; however, this approach is too simplistic and overlooks other morphological parameters that are associated with the risk of rupture. The aim of this paper is to study the thrombogenicity and to predict the risk of AAA rupture by taking into consideration the geometrical asymmetry of the aneurysm, studying its effect on blood flow behaviour and vortical structure, spatiotemporal distribution of wall shear stresses (WSS), and their related parameters. To show the effect of asymmetry on blood flow dynamics and hemodynamic forces, five virtual models were constructed using five values of geometrical asymmetry ratio β ranging from β=0.2 (asymmetric model; AM) to β=1 (symmetric model; SM). Simulations were run for each geometry under transient physiological flow conditions using finite volume discretization. Resting flow rate was investigated in these models and our results demonstrate that the asymmetry of the aneurysm has a clear effect on the flow behaviour, and consequently on WSS distribution, oscillatory shear index (OSI) and time averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS). Furthermore, these preliminary findings suggest that thrombus formation and rupture risk are more probable in an asymmetric abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Numerical Investigation on the Effect of Profile and Blade Numbers in a Savonius Vertical Axis Wind Turbine
Authors: Ramiz Ibraheem Saeed  , Ahmed Al-Manea  , Ahmed Khalid Ibrahim  , Dendy Adanta
Published: October 2022

Small-scale wind turbines are considered recently as an attractive source of renewable energy, especially at remote area with respect to city centre. The design and characterization of a small vertical wind turbine are introduced through this work. A CFD analysis has been used as a first step in design to simulate the flow around the vertical blades of the small wind turbine. Different parameters have been taken into account in this work such as blades number, shape, and existence of stator blades deflector. Three different versions depend on blade profile have been examined. The turbulence model with sliding mesh in CFD have been performed. In this paper, a performance of small-scale of vertical wind turbine represented by CFD results of power coefficient, and optimal freestream velocity of this model are presented. The results showed that using 8 blades of VAWT instead of 4 blades with the same profile of blade has enhanced VAWT performance up to 64%. Also, increasing the concave profile of the blade can rise the torque produced by approximately 8%, however more increase in concave shape cause drop down by 5.6 %. Moreover, including stator deflector to the VAWT design has ability to increase the torque produced by 70 %. The output of these results will help to choose the optimum configuration of the small vertical wind turbine to implement this design experimentally as a next step.
İstanbul Boğazı Gemi Boğaz Geçişi Kuyruk Teorisi Uygulaması ve Süreç Optimizasyonu
Authors: Karaca İsmail , Arslan Özcan , Söner Ömer
Published: October 2022

Dünya ekonomisi içerisinde deniz ulaşımının büyük etkisi olduğu yadsınamaz bir gerçektir. Deniz ulaşımı için gemiler ve limanlar kadar dar su yolları da önem arz etmektedir. Bu bağlamda dar su yollarının da dünya ekonomisi içerisinde etkili olduğunu söylemek mümkündür. İstanbul Boğazı dünya ekonomisi için etken rol oynayan dar su yollarının en önemlilerindendir. Her dar su yolunda olduğu gibi İstanbul Boğazı’nda da beklemeler oluşabilmekte, meydana gelen beklemeler dünya ekonomisini etkilemektedir. Bu çalışma ile İstanbul Boğazı gemi bekleme kuyruklarının mevcut durumu yasal mevzuat çerçevesinde değerlendirilmektedir. Güncel mevzuat göz önünde bulundurularak İstanbul Boğazı gemi geçişi için bir kuyruk modellemesi tasarlanmakta, 2020 yılı gemi geçiş verileri tanımlayıcı analizleri ile sürecin değerlendirilmesi sağlanmaktadır. Tasarlanan modelleme 2020 yılı gemi geçiş verileri ile kıyaslanarak mevcut durum ortaya konulmaktadır. Makalede bekleme kuyruklarının önüne geçmek amacıyla önerilerde bulunulmakta İstanbul Boğazı gemi geçişi için süreç optimizasyonu gerçekleştirilmektedir. Böylelikle İstanbul Boğazı deniz trafiği süreçlerinin optimizasyonunu sağlamak hedefinde dünya ekonomisine katkı sağlayacağı öngörülen önerilerde bulunmak amaçlanmaktadır.
Metodología de evaluación formativa mediante rúbricas para estudiantes de la primaria Roberto Medellín a través de herramientas digitales
Authors: Flores Elizabeth Montoya , Rodríguez Viviana Michell Campbell
Published: October 2022

El presente artículo profundiza sobre algunos conceptos básicos de evaluación, la implementación de una metodología de evaluación formativa como apoyo para la educación básica; tiene por objetivo vislumbrar aspectos sobre observar los tipos de instrumentos que utilizan los docentes para la evaluación y la utilidad de las rúbricas con herramientas digitales en la evaluación formativa para identificar su funcionalidad en la consolidación de los aprendizajes en educación primaria; será un estudio de carácter cuantitativo; se tomó como muestra a los docentes de la escuela pública federal Primaria Roberto Medellín turno matutino de la Ciudad de México en la que se realizó una encuesta a los docentes sobre el tipo de instrumentos que utilizan en su proceso evaluativo, los resultados son parciales pues se sigue profundizando en el tema y pueden ser un referente para la mejora del procesos evaluativos y atiende a las problemáticas directas en la evaluación continua.
Drug Survival of Apremilast for Psoriatic Arthritis in a Real-World Setting: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Foti Rosario , Visalli Elisa , Amato Giorgio , Dal Bosco Ylenia , Foti Roberta , Baccano Giacomo
Published: October 2022

Apremilast, an oral selective phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).1-3 Data from pivotal trials4,5 and a recent retrospective evaluation in an Italian multicentric cohort of patients with PsA treated with apremilast6 showed a retention rate of 72% after 6 months and approximately 50% after 1 year of follow-up.
Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 Third Vaccine in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Who Had No Seroconversion After Primary 2-Dose Regimen With Inactivated or Vector-Based Vaccines
Authors: Isnardi Carolina A. , Cerda Osvaldo L. , Landi Margarita , Cruces Leonel , Schneeberger Emilce E. , Montoro Claudia Calle , Alfaro María Agustina , Roldán Brian M. , Gómez Vara Andrea B. , Giorgis Pamela , Ezquer Roberto Alejandro , Crespo Rocha María G. , Reyes Gómez Camila R. , de los Ángeles Correa Mária , Rosemffet Marcos G. , Abarza Virginia Carrizo , Pellet Santiago Catalan , Perandones Miguel , Reimundes Cecilia , Longueira Yesica , Turk Gabriela , Quiroga María Florencia , Laufer Natalia , Quintana Rosana , de la Vega María Celina , Kreplak Nicolás , Pifano Marina , Maid Pablo , Pons-Estel Guillermo J. , Citera Gustavo
Published: October 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the immune response after a third dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with undetectable antibody titers after the primary regimen of 2 doses.

Methods

Patients with RA with no seroconversion after 2 doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and who received a third dose of either an mRNA or vector-based vaccine were included. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, neutralizing activity, and T cell responses were assessed after the third dose.

Results

A total of 21 nonresponder patients were included. At the time of vaccination, 29% were receiving glucocorticoids and 85% biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (including 6 taking abatacept [ABA] and 4 taking rituximab [RTX]). The majority (95%) received the BNT162b2 vaccine and only one of them received the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. After the third dose, 91% of the patients presented detectable anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and 76% showed neutralizing activity. Compared to other treatments, ABA and RTX were associated with the absence of neutralizing activity in 4 out of 5 (80%) patients and lower titers of neutralizing antibodies (median 3, IQR 0-20 vs 8, IQR 4-128;P= 0.20). Specific T cell response was detected in 41% of all patients after the second dose, increasing to 71% after the third dose. The use of ABA was associated with a lower frequency of T cell response (33% vs 87%,P= 0.03).

Conclusion

In this RA cohort, 91% of patients who failed to seroconvert after 2 doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine presented detectable anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG after a third dose. The use of ABA was associated with a lower frequency of specific T cell response.
Changes in Service Delivery and Access to Rheumatologists Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Canadian Universal Healthcare Setting
Authors: Kwok Timothy S.H. , Kuriya Bindee , King Lauren K. , Eder Lihi , Thorne J. Carter , Li Zhiyin , Stukel Therese , Fu Longdi , Kopp Alexander , Widdifield Jessica
Published: October 2022

Objective

To describe changes in service delivery and access to rheumatologists before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic periods.

Methods

We conducted a population-based study in Ontario, Canada. Patient visits with rheumatologists were ascertained using billing claims data. Contact with rheumatologists was defined separately by the type of patient encounter (including office visits, telemedicine visits, and new patient consultations). Changes in the total weekly volume of encounters and monthly rates after COVID-19 public health measures were imposed were compared to expected baseline rates determined before pandemic onset (March 17, 2020).

Results

In the year prior to the pandemic, there were 289,202 patients (of which 96,955 were new consults) seen by 239 rheumatologists. In the 1 year following the pandemic onset, there were 276,686 patients (of which 86,553 were new consults) seen by 247 rheumatologists. In March 2020, there was an immediate 75.9% decrease in outpatient office visits and a rapid rise in telemedicine visits. By September 2021, 49.7% of patient encounters remained telemedicine visits. For new patient consultations, there was an immediate 50% decrease in visits at the pandemic onset, with 54.8% diverted to telemedicine visits in the first year of the pandemic versus 37.4% by September 2021. New rheumatology consultation rates continued decreasing over the study period.

Conclusion

Rheumatology care delivery has shifted due to the pandemic, with telemedicine increasing sharply early in the pandemic and persisting over time. The pandemic also negatively affected access to rheumatologists, resulting in fewer new consultations and raising concerns for potential delays to diagnosis.
Further Simplified Clinimetry Using a Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire
Authors: Schmukler Juan , Pincus Theodore
Published: October 2022

We agree that it is "good to simplify clinimetry in chronic inflammatory joint diseases," as suggested by DiCarlo and Salaffi in a recent editorial1 concerning an article by Schneeberger et al, which showed that a Simplified Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (SASDAS) was similar to an ASDAS.2 We note that the very high correlations of the SASDAS with the ASDAS2 are largely predictable, as the 5 measures in the 2 indices are identical, albeit with weighting in the ASDAS, although confirmation is reassuring.
Fra violenza e protezione: l’ambigua natura dell’immunità
Authors: Viggiano Alfredo
Published: October 2022

Uno dei temi principali individuati dalla discussione dottrinale (quella dei giuristi dello ius commune) e dalla prassi dei tribunali dei primi Stati moderni è quello del «diritto d’asilo». Nel lungo periodo che va dalla nascita di un organismo statale tra il XV e l’inizio del XVI secolo alla definizione di un nuovo paradigma politico nel corso del XVIII secolo, le istituzioni civili ed ecclesiastiche si confrontano, da diverse prospettive, con le seguenti questioni di interesse: come si può individuare un luogo sacro? Quali sono i diritti di coloro che chiedono protezione ai tribunali del Principe per il semplice fatto di aver attraversato un confine, che garantisce loro l’immunità? Attraverso quali pratiche, retorica, discipline (pratiche criminalistiche, consiliari, trattati teologici) sono – nel lungo periodo di confessionalizzazione – individuati gli spazi territoriali, la classificazione del crimine, le posizioni istituzionali? Quali tipi di fonti sono più adatte ad affrontare queste domande? In questo saggio mi concentro sulle nozioni di «immunità», «asilo», «privilegio», analizzando il caso della Repubblica di Venezia.
L’introuvable « droit d’asile » : l’article 120 de la Constitution de 1793
Authors: Martin Virginie
Published: October 2022

On admet couramment que c’est à la Révolution française qu’on doit la première reconnaissance du droit d’asile dans son sens actuel, tout en s’empressant dans le même temps de constater que le devoir d’hospitalité fut immédiatement remis en cause. Mais que s’est-il exactement passé ? Une reconstitution attentive de la genèse de l’article 120 de la Constitution de l’an I permet de comprendre que son vote ne fut qu’une concession stratégique des Montagnards à l’égard de certains députés et réfugiés. Le mot « protection » fut remplacé par le terme « asile », tandis qu’il s’agissait bien de refuser l’universalité de ce droit et d’en fonder le caractère conditionnel plutôt qu’imprescriptible.
Venezia e il mito dell’asilo di libertà
Authors: Infelise Mario
Published: October 2022

Voltaire attorno al 1765 definì Venezia «asile de la liberté» e si servì della storia della città per discutere dei modi possibili di intendere la libertà. Dalla seconda metà del XVII secolo la stessa espressione «asilo della libertà» era usata per definire l’idea di libertà maturata in contesti prevalentemente repubblicani, in particolare nell’antica Roma. Scopo dell’intervento è quello di riflettere attorno all’evoluzione del senso dell’espressione «asilo della libertà» e della trasformazione del concetto di asilo da luogo dell’immunità ecclesiastica a rifugio per i perseguitati nel corso del XVII secolo. Si seguiranno quindi le trasformazioni del significato della parola asilo, con riferimenti alla storia veneziana e destinando particolare attenzione agli ambienti libertini della metà del Seicento.
Langages d’asile, langages de tolérance ?
Authors: Lachenicht Susanne
Published: October 2022

Entre 1650 et 1750, l’Empire britannique est confronté à des débats autour de l’accueil des migrants huguenots, séfarades, ashkénazes, palatins et autres. L’asile est souvent accordé pour des raisons « d’utilité », liées au concept moderne de « tolérance ». Quelles étaient les relations entre les langages d’asile et d’utilité́ ? Se traduisirent-elles en politique d’accueil ou de rejet ? Pour l’Empire britannique, la volonté́ d’accueillir des réfugiés dépendait de facteurs rationnels et affectifs qui variaient selon les contextes : périodes de paix ou de guerre ? Compétition économique, sociale ou religieuse ? Tout en intégrant préjugés, craintes et manifestations de xénophobie, une politique d’asile s’affirma envers maintes minorités religieuses, si bien que cet empire devint « tolérant » envers nombreux nouveaux sujets hétérodoxes. À long terme, la compétition entre les empires et les arguments d’utilité́ l’emporta.
Administrer l’exil intérieur : l’envoi en « surveillance spéciale » sous le Consulat et le Premier Empire (1799-1815)
Authors: Le Quang Jeanne-Laure
Published: October 2022

Qualifié de « surveillance spéciale » dans les archives policières, l’exil intérieur, qui naît en France sous le Consulat et le Premier Empire, a pour but la relégation sur le territoire national d’individus perçus comme dangereux par les autorités policières. Alors que le contexte de guerre extérieure ne permet plus l’envoi des opposants politiques en déportation, cette peine nouvelle constitue un entre-deux entre détention et liberté, supposément aussi efficace que la prison, en disséminant les individus exilés sur tout le territoire français. L’objectif est triple : couper les suspects de leur réseau de fréquentation, les éloigner de certains lieux considérés comme « sensibles », et empêcher la reconstitution de nouveaux réseaux d’opposants. Mode original et novateur de gestion d’individus suspects, cette pratique d’envoi en résidence surveillée est pourtant insuffisamment encadrée sur le plan juridique, laissant à la police napoléonienne une large marge de manœuvre. L’étude interroge la mise en œuvre concrète de la surveillance spéciale, révélant tant la volonté de centralisation de la gestion des individus suspects par le ministère de la Police générale – qui passe par la mise en place de nouveaux outils administratifs et statistiques – que l’efficacité très relative de cette peine sur le terrain, dans la mesure où le contrôle réellement exercé par les autorités locales est très fluctuant. Enfin, la perception de cette pratique policière par les exilés eux-mêmes est interrogée à travers les lettres d’exilés qui constituent des tentatives de recours pour obtenir la levée de leur surveillance, révélant les importantes contraintes tant matérielles que symboliques de la vie en exil intérieur.
Improving Initial Sepsis Management Through a Nurse-Driven Rapid Response Team Protocol
Authors: Semanco Michael , Wright Shannon , Rich Rebecca L.
Published: October 2022

Background

Rapid identification and timely management of sepsis improve survival. Therefore, a bundled approach to care is recommended.

Local Problem

In an acute care area of the study institution, a 2016 internal evaluation of 27 patients with sepsis showed a median time to first-dose antibiotic administration of 269 minutes, with no patients receiving antibiotics within the 60-minute target time. Additionally, only one-third of patients received appropriate fluid resuscitation (30-mL/kg bolus of intravenous crystalloids). Given poor bundle compliance, a nurse-driven rapid response team protocol for suspected sepsis was implemented. The purpose of this project was to assess the protocol’s impact on the timeliness of treatment for sepsis.

Methods

This retrospective quality improvement evaluation involved patients aged 18 years or older for whom the suspected sepsis protocol was initiated during their acute care area admission. The evaluation focused on improvements in time to intravenous antibiotic administration and volume of fluid resuscitation compared with before protocol implementation. The protocol empowers the rapid response team to initiate sepsis management and includes pertinent laboratory tests, blood cultures, intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotic administration, and a crystalloid bolus (30 mL/kg) if indicated.

Results

A total of 32 patients were evaluated. Time to first-dose antibiotic administration was reduced by half (from 269 to 135 minutes). Eighteen patients met criteria for fluid resuscitation, with twice as many receiving appropriate fluid volumes compared with before protocol implementation.

Conclusion

Implementation of the suspected sepsis protocol demonstrates the substantial role nurses have in optimizing patient care, especially in the timely treatment of sepsis.
Regeneration of tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze] cv. TRI 5001 plants through somatic embryogenesis in a liquid dynamic medium
Authors: Ranaweera K. K. , Ranatunga M. A. B. , Eeswara J. P. , Thilakarathne S. , Kadono H.
Published: October 2022

Somatic embryogenesis is an efficient micro-propagation technique, which can lead to mass multiplication of tea with a tap root. Hence, the development of a viable somatic embryogenesis and multiplication protocol through liquid culture conditions is needed to increase the efficiency of the protocol. Cotyledon-derived somatic embryos, leaf and stem callus of TRI 5001 cultivar, were tested with different liquid MS media. A significantly higher cotyledon-derived somatic embryo multiplication rate was observed in MS +3 mg/L Thidiazuron (TDZ) medium. Callus proliferation and compact and embryonic callus formation were comparatively higher in MS + 1.1 mg/L TDZ, 1.86 mg/L NAA medium, and subsequent somatic embryo formation was observed in MS + 0.1 mg/L NAA,1 mg/L BAP and 0.2 mg/L GA3 medium on callus produced on leaf explants. Higher nodal callus proliferation and compact callus formation were recorded in MS+0.11 mg/L TDZ 0.1 mg/L IBA and higher embryonic callus was observed in MS+0.1 mg/L TDZ, 1.86 mg/L NAA media. Plant regeneration was resulted in MS+3 mg/LBAP 0.1 mg/L NAA medium. Identified treatment combinations can be used as a foundation to establish somatic embryogenesis protocol through different explants of tea.
Manufacturing of Low Haze Instant Tea Extracts Using Sri Lankan Broken Mixed Fannings (BMF) as Raw Materials
Authors: Dalpathadu K. A. P. , Rajapakse H. U. K. D. Z. , Jayasinghe C. V. L. , Nissanka S. P.
Published: October 2022

Haze or tea cream in instant tea significantly affects tea-based product manufacturing due to its impact in preparing unclouded tea infusions. The effect of pre-processing temperature of spray drying and cultivar elevation with haze development of instant tea production from Broken Mixed Fannings (BMF) was studied first time by analyzing Total polyphenol (TPC), caffeine content, yield and haze value in instant tea. Significant differences in haze and TPC percentages were observed across elevation categories of upcountry (86.1 NTU &16.33%), mid country (49.6 NTU &13.25%), and low country (29.7 NTU &11.94%) respectively. A strong positive correlation (0.992) was observed between TPC and haze level while a negative correlation showed between Caffeine and haze level (-0.967). However, there were no significant differences for haze, TPC and caffeine contents among tea estates in the same elevation category. The highest yield (27.17%) and lowest haze value (48.75 NTU) of instant tea were reported at the pre-process spray drying temperature of 70°C when compared with 40, 50, 60, 80 and 90°C. The method was validated in large-scale production and could be recommended as a proven methodology to reduce haze development and acquire a high yield of instant tea.
Screening of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) Germplasm for the Blast Disease-Resistance in Sri Lanka
Authors: Kumari W. M. R. , Pushpakumara D. K. N. G. , Weerakoon W. M. W. , Senanayake D. M. J. B. , Upadhyaya H. D.
Published: October 2022

Finger millet is the third important cereal crop in Sri Lanka, mostly cultivated in rainfed uplands in dry and intermediate zones. Blast disease (leaf, finger, and neck blast) caused by Magnaporthe grisea is economically devastating to rice and finger millet worldwide. Host resistance is the most viable option for managing the disease as it is mainly grown in low-input systems. One hundred thirty-nine finger millet accessions collected from the Plant Genetic Resources Center in Sri Lanka were field screened for leaf blast disease in three seasons under artificial inoculation at the Field Crops Research and Development Institute at Mahailluppallama, Sri Lanka. The results revealed that almost all the tested accessions were susceptible to leaf blast at the early seedling stage. However, 5–6 weeks after sowing, the severity of leaf blast disease decreased drastically, and all the germplasm were resistant or moderately resistant. The finger blast and neck blast severity, scored under natural infection, was low under both high and low-density planting. Seven and 87 finger millet accessions consistently showed immune reactions for finger blast and neck blast, respectively. A negative correlation was observed between the days to flowering and blast disease. The early flowering accessions, namely, Ac12968 and Ac2384 from Jaffna, TVFM, 13-1, TVFM-04, and TVFM-02 from Killinochchi, showed a higher severity score for leaf, finger, and neck blast compared to other accessions. A significant positive correlation (P<0.05) was found between finger blast and neck blast, however, these two diseases did not show a significant correlation (P>0.05) with leaf blast.
Factors Influencing the Success of Tank Rehabilitation Projects in India and Sri Lanka: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sirimanna S. , Prasada D. V. P.
Published: October 2022

To increase crop production in water-scarce areas, rehabilitation of tank systems is been used as an effective tool. This study conducts a meta-analysis on 48 economic impact analysis studies on the topic of tank rehabilitation. The performance of the tank rehabilitation is measured through the benefit-cost (B/C) ratio, and the factors affecting the performance of tank rehabilitation are analyzed through the meta-analysis. The results of the study reveal that the mean B/C ratio of the rehabilitation projects carried out in Sri Lanka is 2.49, while it is 2.52 for India. The regression analysis highlights that the rainfall, farmer participation, and conducting operation and management (O&M) activities along with the physical rehabilitation in the tank rehabilitation have significant positive impacts on the B/C ratio of tank rehabilitation projects. The significance of rainfall explains the fact that in areas with less rainfall, the success of rehabilitation projects was found to be low due to the inability of increasing cropping areas and cropping intensity due to water scarcity. The involvement of farmers in multiple stages of rehabilitation projects including planning, developing, and executing showed a significant impact on tank rehabilitation proving that the active and voluntary participation of all stakeholders guarantees the successful implementation and post-management of the rehabilitation. The rehabilitation projects focused on implementing O&M strategies showed high B/C ratios comparatively, which also implied the importance of farmer involvement.