bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Civilisation et romanesque aux xiie-xiiie siècles
Authors: Gîrbea Cătălina
Published: February 2021

L’articulation entre la notion de civilisation et le romanesque des xiie-xiiie siècles prend des contours plus nets lorsque l’on examine ce concept débattu à travers la spiritualité. Si les pratiques culturelles ne constituent pas des facteurs distinctifs entre les civilisations médiévales, qui sont toutes en dernière instance des civilisations de la guerre, la religion est en revanche une dimension qui permet de faire la différence entre les peuples, les régions et les chevaliers élus. Dans les romans du Graal, elle est profondément liée à l’univers citadin, le périple du calice se déroulant entre des villes qui sont autant de pôles spirituels. La conversion est par ailleurs un processus perçu comme civilisateur. Toutefois, ces romans introduisent un écart spécifique par rapport à l’esprit biblique dans la mesure où ils ne sont pas tournés vers le progrès collectif et vers le dénouement eschatologique : le Graal se retire du monde et seul le devenir intérieur et individuel marque le progrès spirituel, constituant également un principe électif.
Notice d’un nouveau fragment de la Naissance du Chevalier au Cygne conservé à la Bibliothèque Bodléienne d’Oxford
Authors: Concina Chiara
Published: February 2021

Le manuscrit fr. d. 18 de la Bibliothèque Bodléienne d’Oxford est un recueil de pièces d’époques différentes qui contient quatre fragments en parchemin du xiiie et du xive siècle provenant de reliures. Nous avons ici choisi de décrire, d’analyser et de donner l’édition du plus long et mieux conservé de ces quatres fragments, qui transmet un passage de 166 vers de la Naissance du Chevalier au Cygne, chanson de geste en laisses d’alexandrins qui remonte à la fin du xiie ou au début du xiiie siècle. Ce poème, qui constitue la première branche du Cycle de la Croisade, refaçonne le conte folklorique des enfants-cygnes, indépendant à l’origine, et le rattache à la légende du chevalier au cygne Elias, l’ancêtre légendaire de la maison de Bouillon. On connaît trois rédactions de ce poème : Elioxe, dans laquelle le conte originaire est encore assez visible ; Beatrix, qui est la version la plus répandue, dans laquelle le récit folklorique a été remanié pour mieux s’inscrire dans le Cycle de la Croisade ; et une rédaction hybride, dite Elioxe-Beatrix, qui mélange les deux premières versions. Le texte de notre fragment est très proche de celui du ms. 3139 de la Bibliothèque de l’Arsenal de Paris (sigle G), qui contient la version Elioxe-Beatrix. La scripta et la versification du fragment d’Oxford montrent qu’il a été copié dans le domaine anglo-normand, mais que le scribe a dû reproduire assez fidèlement son modèle, du moment que les traits insulaires et les altérations métriques ne sont pas très nombreux.
Accumuler du capital, accumuler du pouvoir ?
Authors: Wokuri Pierre
Published: February 2021

Les coopératives ont fait l’objet de nombreuses recherches qui ont permis de saisir leur dimension alternative. En revanche, peu de travaux ont examiné la capacité de ces entités à peser sur les rapports de pouvoir. C’est cet enjeu que le présent article entend traiter, à partir d’une enquête portant sur les coopératives éoliennes danoises. Plus précisément, il s’agira de se demander si l’accumulation de capital économique s’est accompagnée d’une accumulation de pouvoir politique par ces organisations. Pour prendre en charge ce questionnement, l’article analysera la manière dont les coopératives éoliennes danoises ont exercé un pouvoir d’orientation au sein d’un régime de politique publique des années 1970 à la fin des années 2010.
The promises and perils of central bank digital currencies
Authors: Larue Louis , Fontan Clément , Sandberg Joakim
Published: February 2021

This paper analyzes the proposal that central banks should issue digital currencies (CBDC) to provide a public alternative to private digital accounts and cryptocurrencies. We build on some recent themes in political economy research to give a broader and more balanced perspective than the existing literature, highlighting both the promises and perils of CBDC. We argue that, on the one hand, the present state of the private financial sector is problematic and regulators should seek to tackle the issues of financial power, financial instability and lack of adequate monetary policy options. On the other hand, implementing CBDC comes with risks of its own, such as that of creating a “Frankenstein scenario” where too much power is given to unelected technocrats. Our tentative conclusion is therefore that CBDC should be seen as a second-best option, while the primary focus of policy makers should be on the possibility of financial re-regulation.
Risk-Intelligent Communities for Lifelong Learners in a Post-Truth Era
Authors: Dinçer Emre , Selimoğlu Seval Kardeş , Kurubacak Gülsün
Published: February 2021

After Oxford Dictionaries had announced the word “post-truth” as the Word of the Year in 2016, the concept of post-truth became highly popular in contemporary literacy. Use of the word became more widespread. Post-truth can be simply explained as disappearance of norms for truth. In a society divided by bias, feelings and personal believes are more important than objective facts. In the post truth era, realities don't make a difference. It is a challenging environment for public in this COVID-19 times and within traditional governance structures established around multiple layers of competence where lines of accountability and responsibility are not clear. For the future to come any time soon, we need risk intelligent communities that consist of lifelong learners.
The Use of Animation and Storytelling in Science Communication
Authors: Tas Alicenap Cigdem
Published: February 2021

Science communication has brought new teaching/learning environments forward. Various digital media have provided appropriate platforms. Learning processes for everyone have been differentiated and thrived on newly developed technologies and digital media. Animation is among these to provide an alternative to science communication methods. Especially animations developed with storytelling can become very effective in learning processes. In cartoon movies, certain knowledge on different fields has been explained by turning them into scenarios. It's possible to see examples of cartoons in this concept in Turkey and all around the world. Storytelling (scenario) and animation dynamics make knowledge more impressive and long-lasting. Educational cartoon movies produced for children, which aren't in formal and organized education but younger than the school age, have been produced in a widespread manner. This study is focused on transferring scientific knowledge by using animation products. In this context, educational cartoon movies will be examined through storytelling and animation.
On the Similarity Search With Hamming Space Sketches
Authors: Mic Vladimir , Zezula Pavel
Published: February 2021

This chapter focuses on data searching, which is nowadays mostly based on similarity. The similarity search is challenging due to its computational complexity, and also the fact that similarity is subjective and context dependent. The authors assume the metric space model of similarity, defined by the domain of objects and the metric function that measures the dissimilarity of object pairs. The volume of contemporary data is large, and the time efficiency of similarity query executions is essential. This chapter investigates transformations of metric space to Hamming space to decrease the memory and computational complexity of the search. Various challenges of the similarity search with sketches in the Hamming space are addressed, including the definition of sketching transformation and efficient search algorithms that exploit sketches to speed-up searching. The indexing of Hamming space and a heuristic to facilitate the selection of a suitable sketching technique for any given application are also considered.
Development and Analysis of Virtual Laboratory as an Assistive Tool for Teaching Grade 8 Physical Science Classes
Authors: Ntinda Maria Ndapewa , Haiduwa Titus , Kamati Willbard
Published: February 2021

This chapter discusses the development of a virtual laboratory (VL) named “EduPhysics,” an assistive software tailored around the Namibian Physical Science textbook for Grade 8 learners, and examines the viability of implementing VL in education. It further presented reviews on the role of computer simulations in science education and teachers' perspective on the use of EduPhysics in physical science classrooms. The chapter adopted a mixed method with an experimental research design and used questionnaires and interviews as data collection tools in high school physical science classes. The analysis found that there are limited resources in most physical science laboratories. Computer laboratories, however, are well equipped and have computing capacities to support the implementation of VL. It was concluded that virtual laboratories could be an alternative approach to hands-on practical work that is currently undertaken in resource-constrained physical science labs. For future work, augmented reality and logs will be incorporated within EduPhysics.
Lifting the Mantle of Invisibility
Authors: Tilke Anthony , Barrett Yvonne L.
Published: February 2021

Reasons exist for perceptions of school librarians and libraries that may be historic and nostalgic—yet are still powerful—as they may impact decisions made by school leaders, teaching colleagues, and students about the role libraries and librarians play in IB education. After conducting specific research amongst IB school librarians, the chapter outlines that IB documentation exists to identify librarian roles. Librarian pedagogy is recognized, together with a discussion about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on school library programs. The chapter takes a premise that school library/ian roles may be invisible or hidden, identifying factors to enable change to greater awareness of the contributions of the school library and the librarian in IB teaching and learning.
Marginalized Communities, Curriculum, Children (MC3)
Authors: Davis-Cotton Denise
Published: February 2021

This chapter provides an extensive view of the literature pertinent to issues of educational deprivation in marginalized communities, curriculum, and children. It raises awareness of systemic racial inequities that result in condemning children of color to a life of poverty. It also offers an understanding of how to develop culturally-inclusive arts-integrated curricula to redirect the trajectory of public education in these marginalized communities. Focusing on equity, culture, access, social-emotional learning, and special education, the priority is to increase teacher awareness about their students' cultural identities, develop each student's intellectual and creative talent, and cultivate empathetic cross-cultural, multiracial, multiethnic learning environments.
An Analytical Study of the Provision of Mental Health Services for Students With Disabilities in Public School Settings
Authors: Grant Marquis C.
Published: February 2021

Students with disabilities often do not receive supportive services if they have coexisting mental health disorders. Students classified with emotional or behavioral disorders for an individualized education plan may be supported by a functional behavior assessment and, in some cases, a behavior intervention plan, but mental health is not included as a related service. Without appropriate mental health services, students face poorer outcomes. Results from a survey of special education teachers and behavior support specialists along with a secondary analysis of existing data revealed that respondents did not receive any mental health training that would allow them to support students with mental health needs. Moreover, funding, legal issues, and policies were emerging themes that likely contributed to the lack of appropriate mental health support in public school systems.
Equitable Assessment and Evaluation of Young Language Learners
Authors: Anand Poonam , Ackley Starr
Published: February 2021

This chapter discusses major contributions in research and professional assessment development and reviews key classifications in young language learner assessment (YLLA). Using the five-level metric (close, immediate, proximal, distal, and remote) by Ruiz-Primo et al., the authors classify assessments as curriculum aligned or non-aligned. Inequalities limiting access to learning and to opportunities for achievement (economic status, pre-primary education, digital environment) are linked to the five metrics. They review international examinations for YLLs (Cambridge, TOEFL, Pearson) and measure their alignment with an interactive and performative-enacted curriculum. Recommendations are given for separating external assessments as local or international in washback phenomena, for the inclusion of national assessment specialists in the research paradigm, and for greater attention to language assessment literacy in teacher training. The authors predict that increases in distance and digital learning will determine future forms of YLLA and exacerbate existing inequities.
Two Hundred and Twenty Years of American Military Schools
Authors: Coulter John Alfred
Published: February 2021

The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the history of American military schools starting with the establishment of the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1802 through the expansion of the concept in purpose and educational level to 2020. The development of the military school model has its hero with Sylvanus Thayer of West Point. The expansion was led by Alden Partridge, Francis H. Smith, and Stephen B. Luce, who helped bring military schools to state higher education, maritime education, and private secondary education. The political, economic, and cultural challenges that faced military schools more than once caused significant numbers of schools to close, the most dramatically during and after the Vietnam War. However, since that time there has occurred a resurgence with advancements made into the field of charter schools, public education, and co-education. The chapter also illustrates examples of prominent political leaders and the military contributions in the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Gulf War.
Socioemotional Learning in a Military School Environment
Authors: Evans Victoria , Campbell Lori
Published: February 2021

Military boarding schools are in a unique position in the academic field because they create their own ecosystem in which cadets will learn and live. By integrating concepts of Maslow's hierarchy of needs into their practices, military boarding schools are creating educational learning spaces where cadets' needs are being met. Additionally, military boarding schools incorporate character traits such as the Army's seven core values. These values are taught in and out of the classroom and are essential to military boarding school life. Because military schools adopt these values, they also inadvertently adopt the values of social and emotional learning. Because these sets of values are used in tandem with Maslow's hierarchy of needs, students within the military boarding school environment have a higher probability of becoming both academically socially successful.
Ethics by the Book for Now and Always
Authors: Lekea Ioanna K.
Published: February 2021

Cadets' character and ethical quality are crucial; they determine the kind of officers who will join the Air Force after they graduate. The texts relating to the ethical traditions aim at building the cadets' character and lay out all the values and principles that a future officer should uphold. In this context, this chapter seeks to investigate the extent to which ethical parameters are present in the Air Force Cadet Wing Honor Code. The authors then want to relate the ethical education provided to the cadets by the academy with their mission after graduation. To accomplish their duties, pilots seem to be influenced by their beliefs, their studies, and of course, the honor code; issues of ethics and the law also influence to a high degree the psychology of pilots and determine to a high extent their reactions and effectiveness. The final goal is to investigate to what extent ethics and the law influence pilots' decisions and are interpreted by fighter aircrafts' pilots of the Hellenic Air Force and attack helicopter pilots of the Hellenic Army.
Characterization of CH3CH2NH3SnI3/TiO2 Heterojunction
Authors: Verma Aloke , Diwakar A. K. , Patel R. P.
Published: February 2021

In this chapter, CH3CH2NH3SnI3/TiO2 heterojunction lead-free perovskite solar cell (HLFPSCs) is produced by the deposition of perovskite nanoparticles from a solution of CH3CH2NH3I and SnI3 in γ-hydroxyl butyric acid lactone on a 400 nm nanolayers of TiO2 showing (001) planes. The CH3CH2NH3SnI3 /TiO2 HLFSCs shows remarkable PV performance, with Jsc= 17.05 mA/cm2, Voc = 0.71 V, and FF = 0.61; resultant PCE of 6.5% in standard AM 1.5 G one-sun light intensity and PCE of 7.5% in lower light intensity was reported in this work. The beginning of such a simple solution treated HLFPSCs paves the way to appreciate low-cost, high-efficiency LFPSCs.
Educational Practices Resulting From Digital Intelligence
Authors: Nobre Ana
Published: February 2021

This chapter highlights the place that digital intelligence is gaining in all sectors of our society, especially in education. Digital intelligence influences individual and collective life and it is necessary to develop critical thinking about its use. Training learners and teachers in digital intelligence also means, in a way, working to prevent potential abuses that could occur in the near future. For digital intelligence to contribute to the academic success of all learners, the role of teachers has never been more important. This chapter analyzes the emerging practices resulting from pedagogical innovation, with digital intelligence in platforms Moodle, Duolingo, and Classcraft.
A Bioeducational Approach to Virtual Learning Environments
Authors: Ciasullo Alessandro
Published: February 2021

Knowledge carries some general characteristics related to the socio-environmental, cultural, and bio-physiological contexts. These three coordinates help us to understand under which condition knowledge is achieved/gained and they do it. Along the same line, the real or virtual learning contexts being essential and unique, the possibilities offered by the VLE which give the opportunity of programming environmental challenges, complexity, and support for subjects open up a series of educational perspectives that support individual differences even when they reproduce social platforms as virtual worlds. Programming that through adequate representations of environments, situations, problems, and specific actions are able to work on more complex neuronal patterns usually activated in the presence of real objects, especially in light of the current structures present in formal contexts of education.
Journalism and Communication at School in Order to Form Critical Citizens
Authors: Lamonaca Simona
Published: February 2021

In the present era, information is too often transformed into communication of products or services, rather than carrying out its primary function of disseminating knowledge and awareness. Some elements, like artificial intelligence, are often used for these purposes. To bring education back to its original value, journalism in the classroom can help in the improvement of our human intelligence to orientate in this very complex world. A journalism workshop helps school education in the crucial role of forming aware careful users of contents, since the communication doesn't spread anymore only by written articles, but also through video-news, spots, promotional campaigns, providing a lot of information about trends, economy, and politics. Students in these classrooms learn about what it means by checking the sources, verifying rights of uses, and finally, giving news supported with facts or promote ethical-social messages. Having a knowledge based on experience helps to develop critical abilities to use them.
Toward the 4th Agenda 2030 Goal
Authors: Tegon Rita
Published: February 2021

The 2030 Agenda settles inclusion as a crucial goal. The index for inclusion underlines a set of resources to guide educational agencies through a process of inclusive development. One interesting model to achieve it is the Universal Design of Learning (UDL) framework, whose roots lie in the field of architecture and cognitive neuroscience. It provides options to enhance the executive functions also with the support of assistive technologies: studies have recently contributed to investigate how AI-innovated Educational Management Information Systems (EMIS), apps, and learning assessments can offer to the teachers the opportunities to differentiate and individualize learning, to diagnose factors of exclusion in education, and predict dropout, dyslexia, or autism disorder. After a discussion on the state of research and on the preparatory concepts, the chapter presents examples of AI-supported tools, and how they can scaffold executive functions; it wants also to urge a future-oriented vision regarding AI and to re-think the role of education in society.
Surgeon, Media, Society, Patient
Authors: Lunceford Brett
Published: February 2021

For many, cosmetic surgery holds the promise that one can reshape his or her body to remove perceived defects and thus have a more perfect body. However, the decision to undergo elective cosmetic surgery is not made in a vacuum, and it is easy to overlook the full range of ethical considerations surrounding cosmetic surgery. Many medical ethicists subscribe to an ethical code that centers mainly on the relationship between the doctor and patient, with a focus on respect for autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice. This chapter builds on this framework by extending the scope of actors to include not only the surgeon and the patient but also the media and the overall society. To illustrate this framework, the author uses the example of actress Heidi Montag, who underwent 10 different plastic surgery procedures in one day. The chapter concludes with a discussion of potential correctives for ethical failures in each of these areas.
Modeling a Predictive Control of Human Locomotion Based on the Dynamic Behavior
Authors: Rosario Joao Mauricio , Flavio de Melo Leonimer , Dumur Didier , Makarov Maria , Zamaia Jessica Fernanda Pereira , Campos Gabriel Fillipe Centini
Published: February 2021

This chapter presents the development of a lower limb orthosis based on the continuous dynamic behavior and on the events presented on the human locomotion, when the legs alternate between different functions. A computational model was developed to approach the different functioning models related to the bipedal anthropomorphic gait. Lagrange modeling was used for events modeling the non-holonomic dynamics of the system. This chapter combines the comparison of the use of the predictive control based on dynamical study and the decoupling of the dynamical model, with auxiliary parallelograms, for locating the center of mass of the mechanism using springs in order to achieve the balancing of each leg. Virtual model was implemented and its kinematic and dynamic motion analyzed through simulation of an exoskeleton, aimed at lower limbs, for training and rehabilitation of the human gait, in which the dynamic model of anthropomorphic mechanism and predictive control architecture with robust control is already developed.
SMoBAICS
Authors: Klinger Volkhard
Published: February 2021

Simulation and modelling are powerful methods in computer aided therapy, rehabilitation monitoring, identification and control. The smart modular biosignal acquisition and identification system (SMoBAICS) provides methods and techniques to acquire electromyogram (EMG)- and electroneurogram (ENG)-based data for the evaluation and identification of biosignals. In this paper the author focuses on the development, integration and verification of platform technologies which support this entire data processing. Simulation and verification approaches are integrated to evaluate causal relationships between physiological and bioinformatical processes. Based on this we are stepping up of efforts to develop substitute methods and computer-aided simulation models with the objective of reducing animal testing. This work continues the former work about system identification and biosignal acquisition and verification systems presented in (Bohlmann et al., 2010), (Klinger and Klauke, 2013), (Klinger, 2014). This paper focuses on the next generation of an embedded data acquisition and identification system and its flexible platform architecture. Different application scenarios are shown to illustrate the system in different application fields. The author presents results of the enhanced closed-loop verification approach and of the signal quality using the Cuff-electrode-based ENG-data acquisition system.
Micromotion Analysis of a Dental Implant System
Authors: Manimaran R. , Dommeti Vamsi Krishna , Nutu Emil , Roy Sandipan
Published: February 2021

The objective of project is to reduce the micromotion of novel implant under the static loads using function of uniform design for FE analysis. Integrating the features of regular implant, a new implant model has been done. Micromotion of the novel implant was obtained using static structural FE analysis. Compared to the existing International team for implantology implants, the micromotion of the novel implant model was considerably decreased by static structural analysis. Six control factors were taken for achieving minimizes the micromotion of novel dental implant system. In the present work, uniform design technique was used to create a set of finite element analysis simulation: according to the uniform design method, all FE analysis simulation; compared to the original model, the micromotion is 0.01944mm and micromotion of improved design version is 0.01244mm. The improvement rate for the micromotion is 35.02%.
Priortizing Barriers of Dental Implants for Patients Attending OPD
Authors: Pradhan Madhuri , Satapathy Suchismita , Nayak B. B.
Published: February 2021

Carelessness, bad habits, genetics, and age are the most important factors for tooth decay. Many dental problems, including decay, can easily be fixed by dental implants. In this chapter, an effort is taken to prioritize the barriers of dental implants by multi-criteria decision-making techniques like Promethee.
Dental Cone Beam Computed Tomography for Trabecular Bone Quality Analysis in Maxilla and Mandible
Authors: Bobby T. Christy , Shwetha V.  , Madhavi Vijaya
Published: February 2021

The stability of a dental implant is one of the most important aspects that decide the success rate of implant treatment. The stability is considerably affected by the strength of trabecular bone present in maxilla and mandible. Thus, finding of trabecular bone strength is a key component for the success of dental implants. The trabecular bone strength is usually assessed by quantity of bone in terms of bone mineral density (BMD). Recently, it has been revealed that along with quantity of bone, strength of the bone also depends on quality features commonly referred as trabecular bone microarchitecture. Since the quality of the trabecular bone is varying across the maxilla and mandible, preoperative assessment of trabecular bone microarchitecture at sub-region of maxilla and mandible are essential for stable implant treatment. Thus, in this chapter, the authors inscribe the quantitative analysis of trabecular bone quality in maxilla and mandible using CBCT images by employing contourlet transform.
Empowering Cochlear Implant Users in Their Home Environment by eHealth Solutions
Authors: Vanpoucke Filiep , Philips Birgit , Smits Cas , Govaerts Paul J. , Doorn Inge , Stainsby Thomas
Published: February 2021

In the chapter, the authors address the prescient need to update accepted care models of cochlear implant (CI) fitting and long-term maintenance to better utilize self-care and tele-medicine possibilities, thus shifting the focus of CI maintenance to the recipient. There is a strong evidence base that such a move will better meet the needs of CI users, giving them greater control of and involvement in their hearing progress. Simultaneously, such an approach can better meet present shortcomings in the market acceptance and delivery of the benefit of cochlear implants, particularly in the elderly segment of the population, where device penetration of the market remains low (c. 7%). Such initiatives make it viable to reach many more users, as the present models are prohibitively expensive for such expansion. A case study of pilot software for CI maintenance based on tele-audiology is described with the inclusion of data collected from initial studies.
Detection of Phishing in Internet of Things Using Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Naaz Sameena
Published: February 2021

Phishing attacks are growing in the similar manner as e-commerce industries are growing. Prediction and prevention of phishing attacks is a very critical step towards safeguarding online transactions. Data mining tools can be applied in this regard as the technique is very easy and can mine millions of information within seconds and deliver accurate results. With the help of machine learning algorithms like random forest, decision tree, neural network, and linear model, we can classify data into phishing, suspicious, and legitimate. The devices that are connected over the internet, known as internet of things (IoT), are also at very high risk of phishing attack. In this work, machine learning algorithms random forest classifier, support vector machine, and logistic regression have been applied on IoT dataset for detection of phishing attacks, and then the results have been compared with previous work carried out on the same dataset as well as on a different dataset. The results of these algorithms have then been compared in terms of accuracy, error rate, precision, and recall.
How Growing Older Leads to Different Patterns in Smartphone Usage Among Genders
Authors: Ok Chiho
Published: February 2021

The present study investigates the moderating role of age on the differences in smartphone usage patterns by gender. Therefore, a literature review is first made to verify the differences in smartphone usage patterns by gender, as well as the role of age in the relationship between gender and smartphone usage patterns. Based on these reviews, the moderating effects of age are hypothesized in the relationship between gender and smartphone usage patterns. The empirical study includes smartphone usage data from 9,566 individuals which reflected the actual use of smartphones. The relevant theoretical and practical implications are presented based on the study results.
Exploring the Role of Facebook Pages During the Mass Student Protest for Road Safety in Bangladesh
Authors: Dyuti Shahla Shahnaz
Published: February 2021

The mass student protest for road safety in Bangladesh started in the capital city Dhaka after the death of two students by a road accident. Focusing on the event during 2018, this paper analyses the comments and memes of selected Facebook pages to find out the reactions by netizens towards the protest. Although there are several studies based on protest and social media in different nations, in Bangladesh it remains an under-researched field. Data were collected from four selected public Facebook pages using the thematic analysis method. Through the analysis of the data, it became clear that netizens wanted to express their feelings and thoughts freely in this open space as new media offers them an almost censor-free platform. The findings contribute to understanding how social media plays a role in providing an open platform of freedom of expression.
Hydrothermal Liquefaction of an Industrial Biomass Waste: Brewer’s Spent Grain (BSG)
Authors: Nasir Nur Atiqah , Yakub Ibrahim , Razali Nurul Ashraf , Rosid Salmiah Jamal Mat
Published: February 2021

Brewer’s spent grain (BSG) is a source of lignocellulose that has a potential to be used for chemicals and fuels production, thereby reducing the reliance on fossil sources. There are relatively few investigations on using BSG; hence, the idea to valorise this agro-industrial waste is a great interest as BSG is available in large quantities throughout the year. Two modes of hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) have been investigated using the raw BSG. The first mode used the raw BSG as received without pre-treatment while the second mode used the dried BSG with pure water. The conversion, water-soluble oil (WSO) yield and liquid product were measured for both modes. The liquid products were also analysed to determine the types and concentration of valuable products obtained. The characterisation of BSG reveals that the moisture content of the BSG is 74.7 wt.% while the FTIR spectra confirms the presence of lignocellulosic polymer in the BSG. The comparison between the two HTL modes indicates that the direct HTL provides better conversion, higher WSO yield and higher valuable products concentration. Therefore, it is concluded that BSG has a high potential to be converted into valuable products via direct HTL without pre-treatment. This opens a new opportunity for a sustainable alternative to waste valorization.
Aortic dissection in a young male with isolated interrupted aortic arch: an unusual association
Authors: Kunal Shekhar , Pathak Pooja , Mittal Shruti , Pathak Vijay , Vaswani Prateek
Published: February 2021

Interruption of the aortic arch (IAA) is a rare congenital anomaly which has been infrequently documented in the adult population. Aortic dissection (AD) is an emergency often presenting as acute chest pain and warranting urgent intervention. A 32-year-old male presented to Emergency Department with acute chest pain. Clinical examination revealed feeble pulses in bilateral lower limbs with a blood pressure difference between upper and lower limbs. Two-dimensional Echocardiography was suggestive of IAA with AD in the descending thoracic aorta. This was confirmed on computed tomography scan of the aorta which revealed complete interruption of the aortic arch distal to left subclavian artery along with the presence of an intimo-medial flap in descending thoracic aorta. A diagnosis of IAA with AD was made. The patient underwent an urgent aortic repair surgery following which he has been largely asymptomatic. A suspicion of AD should always be made in any patient presenting with acute onset chest pain radiating to the back along with accelerated hypertension/feeble pulses in extremity. Occurrence of AD in an adult with IAA is a distinct rarity and has been documented only thrice.
Bacterial Protein Azurin and Tumour Suppressor P53 in Cancer Regression
Authors: Lakshani Dharmawickreme (Dharmawickreme RBL) Ranmuni Bhagya , Witharana Chamindri
Published: February 2021

Cancer as a cause of frequent illness and death possess a significant threat for the global public health. At a time where the existing conventional therapies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and monoclonal antibodies demand modifications due to their limitations such as toxicity and acquisition of resistance, microbial peptides have revived attention. Azurin is a bacterial cupredoxin secreted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa with the ability of preferential entry and cytotoxicity towards a wide variety of cancer cells in vivo and in vitro. It provides the promise of overcoming resistance due to being a multitargeted anticancer agent showing extracellular mode of action by interaction with several cell surface receptors and intracellular action by interacting with tumour suppressor p53 and interfering in its pathway. Tumour suppressor p53 is frequently mutated in Human cancers and thus the ability of azurin and its peptides to stabilise p53 to revive its functions opens up a revenue of opportunities for exploration in cancer therapeutics. This review aims to discuss about azurin and its peptide p28, the molecule which completed two Phase 1 clinical trials and tumour suppressor p53 for new prospects for the future.
Oesophageal Atresia without Major Cardiovascular Anomalies
Authors: Sinopidis Xenophon , Athanasopoulou Maria , Panagidis Antonios , Koletsis Efstratios , Karkoulias Kiriakos , Georgiou George
Published: February 2021

Background:

Oesophageal atresia lacks sufficiently documented treatment approach, as guidelines are based rather on the opinion of experts than on systematic data. We aimed to answer the question if treatment of patients without major cardiovascular anomalies could be justified at a peripheral paediatric surgical institution, by evaluating the outcome of surgical correction.

Methods:

Thirty-three neonates underwent surgery for correction of oesophageal atresia during a period of 20 years. They were categorised into two time-period groups, to follow-up the evolution of surgical intervention and complications through time. Evaluation of post-operative outcome and morbidity was performed. The results were related to those of our recent cross-sectional study on families having experienced oesophageal atresia performed years after repair, regarding the long-term quality of life.

Results:

A shift from staged to primary repair occurred throughout time in the patients with a marginal long gap between proximal and distal oesophagus (P = 0.008). Anastomotic stenosis was the major short-term complication encountered, treated with postoperative dilation sessions. Dysphagia and reflux were the most common long-term complications.

Conclusions:

Oesophageal atresia without severe cardiovascular abnormalities could be treated at a peripheral paediatric surgical department with satisfactory outcomes. However, qualified paediatric surgeons, anaesthesiologists and neonatologists and the availability of neonatal intensive care unit should be definitively required.
Haematogenous Osteoarticular Infections in Paediatric Sickle Cell Trait Patients
Authors: Yaokreh Jean Baptiste , Thomas Helen Audrey , Ekobo Paule-Christine , Kouamé Guy-Serge Yapo , Kouamé Bertin Dibi , Ouattara Ossénou
Published: February 2021

Background:

Sickle cell trait (SCT) affects at least 5.2% of the world population, and it is considered asymptomatic by medical practitioners. There is a paucity of data regarding SCT paediatric patients and haematogenous osteoarticular infections (HOAIs). In our practice, some children with SCT presented HOAIs. This study aims to describe the pattern of HOAIs in children with SCT admitted in our unit.

Materials and Methods:

A single-centre retrospective study of medical records of SCT paediatric patients treated for HOAIs between January 2012 and June 2019 was performed. The data extracted were epidemiologic (gender, age at diagnosis, history of haemoglobinopathy and ethnic group), diagnostic (time to diagnosis, type of infection and fraction of haemoglobin S [HbS] at standard electrophoresis of Hb), germs and complications.

Results:

Among 149 patients with haemoglobinopathy treated for HOAIs, 52 have SCT. The prevalence of SCT patients was 34.9%. Thirty-nine (n = 39) records were retained for the study. The average age at diagnosis was 7.18 ± 4.59 years (7 months–15 years). The Malinké ethnic group was found in 22 (56.4%) cases. The mean HbS fraction was 37.2% ± 4.3% (30%–46%). Septic arthritis and osteoarthritis involved the hip in 11 cases, the shoulder in 4 and the knee in 2. Osteomyelitis was acute in 5 cases (11.1%) and chronic in 16 (35.5%). None of the patients has multifocal involvements. Bacterial identification was positive in 17 cases (37.8%). Staphylococcus aureus was involved in 9 cases (52.9%), and in one case, it was Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This patient has abscess of the psoas. No patient was infected by human immunodeficiency virus. The sequelae were joint destruction (n = 2), epiphysiodesis (n = 5) and retractile scars (n = 2).

Conclusion:

Relatively infrequent in our daily practice, SCT patients present with HOAIs. These infections had characteristics that are not very different from the series of the literature.
Current Issues of GERD Surgical Treatment in Children
Authors: Akhparov Nurlan Nurkinovich , Boranbayeva Riza Zulkarnaevna , Suleimanova Saule Bakhtyarovna , Temirkhanova Madina
Published: February 2021

Introduction:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is one of the most common diseases among a wide range of chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in children of all ages, significantly impairing the quality of life of the child and posing a serious threat to the health of the patient.

Materials and Methods:

From 2008 to 2019, 134 patients aging from 6 months to 12 years were hospitalized at the Scientific Center for Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery, including 69 (51%) infants. Of them, 51 (38%) were the patients with persistent manifestations of regurgitation, despite an outpatient course of conservative therapy; 29 (22%) patients with recurrent reflux-associated pneumonia; also, 35 (26%) children with gastroesophageal reflux in the structure of the main pathology of the central nervous system, as well as 19 (14%) patients after surgery of the anastomosis of the esophagus with its atresia. One hundred and seven (79.8%) patients underwent surgery. Nissen esophagofundoplication was traditionally performed in 41 (38%) patients, in combination with Stamm gastrostomy in 14 (34%), with Mikulich pyloroplasty in 9 (22%), and in combination with gastrostomy and pyloroplasty in 12 (29%) children. Laparoscopic Nissen esophagofundoplication was used in 16 (15%). Thall esophagofundoplication was performed in 48 (45%) patients, whereas in two (2%) cases, Borema gastropexy was conducted.

Results:

The immediate results were studied in all 107 patients. Complications in the form of gastric distress syndrome were revealed in four (3.7%) patients who did not undergo pyloroplasty, which in two (1.9%) cases required additional surgery of the stomach draining, whereas in the other two (1.9%) patients, the distress syndrome was stopped conservatively. A dumping syndrome was identified in two (1.9%) patients.

Conclusion:

Timely recognition of the pathological process, its nature, and prevalence determines the indications for the use of various methods of operation, which are based on an individual approach to each patient.
Constipation after Surgery for Anorectal Malformations
Authors: Upadhyaya Vijai D. , Bharti Laxmi K. , Mishra Ashwani , Yousuf Mohd. , Mishra Prabhakar , Kumar Basant
Published: February 2021

Background:

Constipation is a common problem after surgery for anorectal malformations (ARMs), especially in patients having preserved rectosigmoid after pull-down surgery. Here, we present our experience with patients having constipation after surgery for ARMs and briefly discuss its management.

Materials and Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed electronic operative and follow-up data from January 2015 to December 2019 of all patients having constipation after surgery for ARMs.

Results:

A total of 77 patients were included in the study. The median age was 60 months, and thirty patients were male. Primary diagnoses were rectourethral fistula (26; 33.77%), vestibular fistula (25; 32.47%), perineal fistula/ectopic anus (18; 23.38%), rectovaginal fistula (4; 5.19%) and imperforate anus without fistula (4; 5.19%). Anal stenosis was found in 20 (25.97%) patients, posterior ledge with an adequate anal opening in 5 (6.49%), displaced anus in 4 (5.19%) but no obvious problem found in 48 (62.34%) patients. Non-operative management was successful in 75.44% (43 out of 57) of patients. Surgery was performed in 32 out of 77 patients (41.56%) with no mortality. Forty-three (72.88%) patients are continent, stayed clean, but 16 (27.19%) patients still need some sort of laxative/bowel wash/enema intermittently (Grade I/II constipation). Incidence of constipation was higher in patients operated through anterior sagittal route (27.58%) than posterior sagittal route (23.94%), but it was not statistically significant (P = 0.479). Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 5 years.

Conclusion:

Constipation is a common problem after ARMs surgery, especially in patients having preserved rectosigmoid after pull-down surgery. It is advisable to create relatively larger neoanus after pull through with early practice of neoanus dilatation, especially in redo cases. Repeated counselling, laxatives and dietary manipulations should begin at the first sign of constipation.
The Role of Fluoroscopically Detected Coronary Calcium in Predicting the Presence of Significant Coronary Lesions
Authors: Pinto Jostol , Viswanathan Sunitha K. , Koshy George A. , Gupta Prabha Nini , Radhakrishnan V. V.
Published: February 2021

Context:

Coronary artery disease (CAD) accounts for over 16' of deaths worldwide.[1] As part of its diagnosis and stratification of severity in a patient, a noninvasive modality would certainly be useful to triage CAD.

Aims:

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of fluoroscopically detected coronary artery calcification (CAC) as a tool to grade coronary stenosis.

Settings and Design:

Comparing severity of fluoroscopic CAC with a severity of CAD by coronary angiograms (CAGs) in a high-volume center.

Subjects and Methods:

Fluoroscopic presence of CAC was graded using the Yamanaka method and correlated with CAGs in 200 patients.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, accuracy, Chi-squared tests for significance.

Results:

The overall prevalence of CAC was 43' varying with age, sex, and CAD severity. The most common location of CAC was the left anterior descending artery followed by right coronary artery. Fluoroscopic CAC had 94' specificity and 96.5' positive predictive value for significant stenosis, albeit lower sensitivity of 55.3'. While 63' of those patients with single-vessel CAC had multivessel CAD, 91' of those with multivessel CAC had multivessel CAD. CAC was detected as follows: 6' in minor CAD, 40' in single-vessel disease (VD), 64' in two- or three-VD, and 100' in those with four-VD (P = 0.001). CAC was seen in 69.6' of patients having chronic total occlusions (CTOs) while in only 32.6' without CTOs (P = 0.001).

Conclusions:

A strong relation is present between CAC and severity of CAD. CAC is not a good screening tool for CAD due to low sensitivity. Notably, multivessel CAC strongly predicts multivessel CAD.
Anomalous Right Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery in a Young Infant with Ventricular Septal Defect
Authors: Singhi Anil Kumar , Hawker Richard , Sholler Gary
Published: February 2021

We report a case of anomalous right coronary artery from pulmonary artery (ARCAPA), which is a very rare congenital coronary defect. It can be an isolated lesion or associated with congenital cardiac defects such as tetralogy of Fallot or shunt lesions in up to 40' of cases. The clinical presentation varies from asymptomatic to signs of myocardial ischemia, cardiac failure, and/or ventricular arrhythmia. The electrocardiogram can be normal in a significant fraction of the cases. The diagnosis of ARCAPA may be confirmed by cardiac catheterization, computed tomographic angiogram, and cardiac magnetic resonance angiogram. Reimplantation of anomalous coronary artery is the treatment of choice. In the current era, systematic preoperative screening by echo is recommended.
Rado's criterion over squares and higher powers
Authors: Chow Sam , Lindqvist Sofia , Prendiville Sean
Published: February 2021

We establish partition regularity of the generalised Pythagorean equation in five or more variables. Furthermore, we show how Rado’s characterisation of a partition regular equation remains valid over the set of positive

k

th powers provided the equation has at least

(1+o(1))k

log

k

variables. We thus completely describe which diagonal forms are partition regular and which are not, given sufficiently many variables. In addition, we prove a supersaturated version of Rado’s theorem for a linear equation restricted either to squares minus one or to logarithmically-smooth numbers.