bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
« À plus d’une voix », un atelier radio pour créer les conditions de la prise de parole et se défaire de la subalternité. Modalités d’une recherche transformatrice
Authors: Naudin Séréna , Gatelier Karine
Published: September 2022

Cet article décrit une double démarche : d’une part, celle de conduire une recherche sans dominer en produisant collectivement du savoir avec des personnes qui cherchent un refuge ; et, d’autre part celle de créer les conditions de leur prise de parole émancipée des processus de subalternisation. Les violences structurelles dans lesquelles sont prises les personnes qui cherchent refuge produisent notamment des injustices d’ordre épistémique. En effet, la procédure d’asile tout autant que les discours sur les requérant·es contraignent leur parole et ne permettent pas qu’iels soient vu·es comme des sujets politiques. Comment permettre alors la prise de parole ? Comment ne pas reproduire la violence épistémique en tant que chercheur·e ? Interrogeant notre position dominante tant comme chercheures que comme bénévoles aidantes, nous nous appuyons sur le cadre conceptuel des subaltern studies et de la pensée décoloniale pour analyser la position assignée aux personnes en recherche de protection, et les relations qu’elles entretiennent avec les personnes « établies » à partir d’une multitude de continuités coloniales. Sur la base de ces constats, nous avons créé un atelier radio qui fonctionne comme une succession d’espaces pour transformer ces relations et créer les conditions d’une parole libérée des contraintes analysées en amont. L’atelier s’organise ainsi sous la forme d’un continuum de trois espaces : du plus protégé où la parole peut surgir, à des espaces qui s’ouvrent vers l’extérieur – avec des invité·es – jusqu’aux rencontres publiques où les productions radiophoniques de l’atelier sont présentées et débattues. Ce faisant, l’atelier est questionné sur les modalités d’une recherche transformatrice des rapports sociaux à l’œuvre : la production collective du savoir peut-elle être une praxis de l’égalité permettant d’apercevoir ces personnes comme sujets pensants et agissants ?
La délibération échelonnée
Authors: de Briey Aurian , Vandamme Pierre-Étienne
Published: September 2022

Doit-on renoncer à l’idéal d’une grande délibération structurée incluant l’ensemble des membres d’une communauté politique ? Pas forcément. La délibération échelonnée, étudiée dans cet article, consiste à multiplier les délibérations par groupes de 20 personnes et à en faire remonter les conclusions provisoires, à la façon d’une pyramide, par le biais de représentant·es des délibérations antérieures. Étant donné le caractère exponentiel de la réduction du nombre de participant·es entre les échelons de délibération, il ne faudrait que six étapes pour arriver à la délibération finale. Cet article explore la plausibilité théorique d’un tel modèle et examine les principales objections qu’on pourrait lui adresser.
SWIFT : de la neutralité à l’arme géopolitique ?
Authors: Collomb Alexis
Published: September 2022

Après l'invasion de l'Ukraine par la Russie, les pays occidentaux ont adopté plusieurs paquets de sanctions contre Moscou. Parmi ces mesures, la déconnexion du système SWIFT – qui facilite les échanges interbancaires – a été décrite comme une « arme nucléaire financière ». Il est encore difficile de mesurer l'impact précis de ces sanctions, mais on s'achemine vraisemblablement vers la mise en place progressive d'un « rideau de fer financier » entre la Russie et l'Occident.
L’ Open Source Intelligence dans la guerre d’Ukraine
Authors: Perrot Sophie , Cadenza Academic translations
Published: September 2022

L'omniprésence des réseaux sociaux et des services d'imagerie satellite a donné naissance à une forme de renseignement ouvert (ou OSINT) qui n'est plus l'apanage restreint d'agences gouvernementales. Le conflit en Ukraine donne une toute nouvelle ampleur au phénomène. L'étude des premiers mois de la guerre montre comment elle nourrit une forme de professionnalisation des outils et méthodes d'OSINT employés par un public de passionnés, et comment ces communautés influencent le déroulement du conflit.
La souveraineté dans la Russie de Vladimir Poutine
Authors: Chappedelaine Bernard
Published: September 2022

Les usages multiples et contradictoires du concept de souveraineté, qui, au-delà de son contenu politico-juridique, a acquis une dimension civilisationnelle de plus en plus prononcée, sont emblématiques de la radicalisation du régime de Vladimir Poutine et de son révisionnisme. Le président russe divise le monde entre États souverains et colonies. Il accuse l'Occident d'expansionnisme et laisse clairement entendre que les frontières de la Russie pourraient s'étendre.
Le XX e Congrès du Parti communiste chinois : le renouvellement introuvable
Authors: Doyon Jérôme
Published: September 2022

Le xx e Congrès national du Parti communiste chinois (PCC), prévu pour l'automne 2022, devrait être celui de l'immobilisme. La probable reconduction au pouvoir de Xi Jinping, au-delà de deux mandats, remet en cause les règles de succession en vigueur. Le PCC est une organisation vieillissante et de moins en moins transparente, où le culte du chef restreint les discussions internes, remettant en question sa capacité d'adaptation et sa survie à long terme.
Research on lip recognition algorithm based on MobileNet + attention-GRU
Authors: Lu Yuanyao , Li Kexin
Published: September 2022

With the development of deep learning and artificial intelligence, the application of lip recognition is in high demand in computer vision and human-machine interaction. Especially, utilizing automatic lip recognition technology to improve performance during social interactions for those hard of hearing, and pronunciation is one of the most promising applications of artificial intelligence in medical healthcare and rehabilitation. Lip recognition means to recognize the content expressed by the speaker by analyzing dynamic motions. Presently, lip recognition research mainly focuses on the algorithms and computational performance, but there are relatively few research articles on its practical application. In order to amend that, this paper focuses on the research of a deep learning-based lip recognition application system, i.e., the design and development of a speech correction system for the hearing impaired, which aims to lay the foundation for the comprehensive implementation of automatic lip recognition technology in the future. First, we used a MobileNet lightweight network to extract spatial features from the original lip image; the extracted features are robust and fault-tolerant. Then, the gated recurrent unit (GRU) network was used to further extract the 2D image features and temporal features of the lip. To further improve the recognition rate, based on the GRU network, we incorporated an attention mechanism; the performance of this model is illustrated through a large number of experiments. Meanwhile, we constructed a lip similarity matching system to assist hearing-impaired people in learning and correcting their mouth shape with correct pronunciation. The experiments finally show that this system is highly feasible and effective.
A model of voting dynamics under bounded confidence with nonstandard norming
Authors: Pilyugin Sergei Yu. , Tarasova Maria S. , Tarasov Aleksandr S. , Monakov Grigorii V.
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we study a model of opinion dynamics based on the so-called "bounded confidence" principle introduced by Hegselmann and Krause. Following this principle, voters participating in an electoral decision with two options are influenced by individuals sharing an opinion similar to their own.

We consider a modification of this model where the operator generating the dynamical system which describes the process of formation the final distribution of opinions in the society is defined in two steps. First, to the opinion of an agent, a value proportional to opinions in his/her "influence group" is added, and then the elements of the resulting array are divided by the maximal absolute value of elements to keep the opinions in the prescribed interval. We show that under appropriate conditions, any trajectory tends to a fixed point, and all the remaining fixed points are Lyapunov stable.
Online-based participatory design: A Case Study of Developing International Standards During a Pandemic
Authors: Zallio Matteo , Grey Thomas , Boland Pauline , Kelly Helen , White PJ , O’Ferrall Elizabeth
Published: September 2022

Standards are essential instruments to ensure the safety, efficiency and quality of products, services, systems, processes, and environments. In pre-pandemic times, standard development process used to happen through in-person consultation and meetings, however, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the whole routine. A team of technical experts from the National Standards Authority of Ireland trialled an online-based participatory design process to support the review and development of a standard through stakeholder engagement. This article introduces the experience of developing a new standard by leveraging on emerging digital technologies, through stakeholder participation. This research offers a framework, outlining the steps undertaken during the process, to support future online-based standard development processes in co-operation with stakeholders, by respecting cultures, backgrounds, skills, and experiences.
Discipline
Authors: Moncure Herman R.
Published: September 2022

The concepts of discipline and law are linked together. Laws are often constructed to define what is considered acceptable conduct, and a form of discipline is often used to align unacceptable conduct to those laws. This is especially evident in the K-12 setting. Schools promote their brand of laws or “policies” to allow for an efficient education process with minimal disruption. However, when you are dealing with children who are not in full control of their impulses, disruptions are bound to occur. In the U.S., given the disproportionate sentencing and incarceration rates between whites and minorities, it can be reasonably deduced that the same phenomenon occurs within the K-12 school space as well. In consideration of these discrepancies, and U.S. constitutional concepts such as due process and equal protection are referenced. What exactly are they, and how do they come into play to correct these inequities? How do landmark cases argued in front of the U.S. Supreme Court citing these concepts help to frame what is considered acceptable discipline in the K-12 school space?
Pre-Service EFL Teacher Candidates' Concerns Over Digital Language Assessment and Test Anxiety
Authors: Kılıçkaya Ferit
Published: September 2022

While online assessment provides a variety of opportunities for teachers and students such as fast scoring and immediate feedback, it also entails several challenges such as online test anxiety. Extreme feelings of stress and anxiety often have debilitating effects on learners' abilities and performances on exams. This chapter aimed at determining pre-service EFL (English as a foreign language) teachers' concerns over online exams and test anxiety. The participants included 62 pre-service EFL teachers at the Department of Foreign Language Education at a state university in Turkey. The responses provided by the participants were subject to content analysis to determine the factors leading to debilitative anxiety. The results indicated that several factors such as technical difficulties and (contract) cheating were among the challenges faced during online assessment with time limitations.
Using Digital Storytelling as a Tool for Reflection in the Libyan EFL Literature Classroom
Authors: Abubaker Fatma , El-Badri Hana A.
Published: September 2022

Reflection in learning is recognized as a desirable learner attribute that can increase deep learning. With the advancements in digital technologies, there is intense interest in higher education to explore potential digital tools for fostering reflection. This study investigates the impact of using digital storytelling (DST) as a reflective tool for understanding short stories in the Libyan English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom. The study documents the production of six digital stories (DSs) by six EFL university students to reflect on their understanding of a short story (“The Necklace”). Using reflective journals, the produced DSs, and interviews, students' experiences of using DST were documented. Findings suggest that DST promotes students' engagement, critical thinking, and creativity. Findings also reveal that the quality of the reflection is influenced by the level of meaning-making represented in the storytelling process. Implications provide evidence in support of DST as a learner-centered approach.
Preservice Teachers' Critical Analysis of Features and Messages in Graphic Novels
Authors: Falk-Ross Francine C. , Linder Roberta
Published: September 2022

With more widespread use of online and multimodal texts, and evolving attitudes toward cultural and linguistic differences, critical literacy has re-gained importance in classroom instruction. This chapter describes research conducted in two middle grades education methods courses. Pre-service teachers were first asked to critically analyze traditional and graphic novels for explicit and implicit messages promoting ideologies and biases. They were then asked to develop their own graphic stories to include expository/narrative elements that addressed middle grades students' social and emotional needs (e.g., self-identity, empowerment, and resilience) and provide suggestions/models for positive resolution. The analysis activities heightened their awareness of the implicit messages communicated by texts and transformed their ideas for teaching and creating texts that consider diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The Semiotics of Sequential Visual Art in Asterix and Cleopatra
Authors: Dutta Gupta Samraggni
Published: September 2022

The structure of sequential visual art allows written text and visual images to converge at a common space devoid of polarizations. The distribution of symbols and patterns in the practice of comic art systematically results in a novel language that is flexible enough to hold diverse themes relatable across age groups. The marginalization of comics in both branches of literature and art allows diverse thematic expressions otherwise difficult to represent through traditional tools of expressions. Arthur Danto in his book The Transfiguration of Common Place (1981) expresses how paintings have the potential to go beyond the contemplation of merely the aesthetic qualities to an externalization of an artist's consciousness. The following research presents comic art as a spatial deviation from the traditional mediums of storytelling to a more easily accessible yet sophisticated body of work by decoding and analyzing the structure of the unique language of sequential visual art portrayed in Albert Uderzo and René Goscinny's Asterix and Cleopatra (1982).
Reimagining Higher Education Post Pandemic
Authors: Demetrius Sherian , Ricketts-Duncan Jennie
Published: September 2022

The disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic brought about opportunities for higher education institutions around the world to rethink the planning and delivery of instruction for all learners during and after a pandemic. Faculty were pushed to reexamine their own practices as they made shifts in their instructional practices to meet students' learning needs. This chapter explores three focus questions using a comparative analysis of the research along with the authors' experience and knowledge of successful innovations employed in higher education institutions globally. The chapter illustrates changes in the landscape of higher education practices, problem-solving mechanisms employed, and the lessons learned by higher education middle executives. The authors conclude that middle executives need to move away from a “solo mindset” to one of continuous collaboration aimed at strengthening existing structures created since the pandemic to minimize disruptions in future crises.
Virtual World in Learning Disability
Authors: Prusty Anjana , Maral Priyaranjan
Published: September 2022

In terms of technological advantages, virtual reality or augmented reality remains less popular within the field of learning disabilities. Research shows that children with learning disabilities face various challenges in their day-to-day lives dealing with these disorders, demanding massive solutions. This chapter will address the pros and cons of virtual reality in learning disabilities across different age groups by combining theories of virtual worlds and learning disorders. Exciting research in virtual reality focuses on finding out how psychotherapies have benefits in learning and education. Upon review, it becomes evident that research in the virtual world along with learning disabilities has not yet been examined from a cohesive perspective, illustrating a lack of alliance that determines a more global understanding of the technological advantages of disabilities. Thus, this chapter aims to provide educators with an overview of explanations of the virtual world and to ensure appropriate development of VR/AR applications and special assistance for learning disabilities.
Immersive Virtual Reality as a Tool for Education
Authors: Ermini Sara , Collodel Giulia , Innocenti Alessandro , Masini Maurizio , Moretti Elena , Santalucia Vincenzo
Published: September 2022

After introducing the topic of education in immersive virtual reality (iVR), the authors describe the methodology and procedure used to test an educational game in virtual reality. The objective of this chapter is to contribute to the definition of a format for the evaluation of educational experiences in VR by describing the methodology adopted in the mentioned case study. A group of 30 students completed a lesson in virtual reality, and their experience was evaluated through qualitative (questionnaires, thinking aloud, interviews) and quantitative (task completion and time) tools. The results show some need for improvement of the simulation, but subjects were immersed in the experience and scored highly on the final assessment on understanding the educational content.
Augmented Co-Design Methods for Climate Smart Environments
Authors: Fricker Pia
Published: September 2022

The research is based on the hypothesis that integrating site-specific and global data into the design process requires a methodological design approach, which connects local to global systems and extends the application of available predefined algorithmic scripts and singular solutions. These tools allow the designer to apprehend and simulate possible future scenarios with unparalleled precision and speed. Computational design thinking will help us master increasingly complex design challenges as well as build a profound theoretical knowledge base to meaningfully integrate current and future technologies. After re-evaluating the principles of the computational pioneers, computationally driven methods for pressing urban challenges through data-informed design speculations are discussed. Cutting-edge design speculations aim to open up new immersive design simulation and participatory processes in environmental design and urban development and give sustainable answers to societal and environmental challenges, ultimately shaping our future world.
Virtual Reality for Fire Safety Engineering
Authors: Cereda Emiliano , Vancetti Roberto
Published: September 2022

The international fire safety framework defines the characteristics of an escape system that can communicate information to allow occupants to make the optimal decision to reach a safe place. Fire safety engineering is the subject that helps the designer to carry out analyses for the study of fire through the use of CFD (computational fluid dynamics) tools and escape modelling. The interaction between the escape system and the occupants is a factor that controls the effectiveness of the design solution. This factor is difficult to assess in the absence of specific tools. An analysis methodology based on numerical simulation models, aided by virtual reality tools, improves the interpretation of results. The authors set out to develop a method capable of exporting fire simulation in a virtual environment and visualising the results within a virtual reality environment. The methodology is able to improve the knowledge of the emergency dynamics within the fire scenario.
Digital Technologies Towards Extended and Advanced Approaches to Heritage Knowledge and Accessibility
Authors: Maietti Federica , Medici Marco , Bonsma Peter , Lerones Pedro Martin , Ferrari Federico
Published: September 2022

The new directions that digital reality is currently taking include an ever-greater involvement and interaction with the human being. In the field of cultural heritage, there is a need to find new ways to visit, enjoy, understand, and preserve cultural assets, also through digital fruition. The social value of cultural heritage and citizens' participation became crucial to increase quality of life, public services, creative activities, public engagement, new understanding, and education through technology development. Digital technologies can also contribute to safeguarding endangered cultural heritage preventive interventions, as well as ensuring equal and wide access to cultural assets and heritage sites. The aim is to find positive interconnections between physical and virtual spaces by applying digital systems to find additional knowledge and supporting the access to our common heritage through new technologies. The chapter explores more in detail these topics through the description of methodological approaches, applications of Semantic Web technologies, and latest projects.
Human Fragilities Supported by the Digital Social World
Authors: Rimella Nicola , Patti Edoardo , Alotto Francesco
Published: September 2022

Technological progress must aim at creating Society 5.0 by developing tools to support people. This contribution aims to show how modern technologies and their integration into society can support people with fragility. In particular, the authors present the prototype of a technology that the Turin Polytechnic has developed to provide an IoT device control tool for people with motor neuron degeneration. This, through the use of eye-trackers and building information models (BIM), allows the navigation of models in virtual reality and interaction with different devices and services. Furthermore, the use of micro-services and the use of standard exchange formats allow easy integration with different services. The authors want to show how it is possible to build applications that, by bridging the real and the visual, can restore autonomy and quality of life to the frailest people.
A Conceptual Artificial Intelligence Application Framework in Performance Appraisal
Authors: Haidari Mujtaba
Published: September 2022

It is the era of data and artificial intelligence (AI). They changed the way we did work, lived life, and even thought. It is a crucial time for companies to retain employees and hire new, talented employees. AI can help in doing the same. There's no doubt that AI technology has changed HR practices, and this change has accelerated since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. HR (human resource) managers use AI, and it's helped them make less biased, accurate, and data-supported decisions in all performance management process. In this chapter, the authors discuss organizational justice and its role in performance appraisal. Furthermore, performance appraisal satisfaction and how AI supports performance appraisal are discussed. A conceptual framework has been used to show the relationship between AI technology applications and performance appraisal functions. All in all, they try to help organizations and scholars understand how AI technology practices change performance appraisal.
Organizational Changes and Leadership Suitability
Authors: Tiwari Pooja , Bhardwaj Rajeev
Published: September 2022

Implementing diversity agendas at dispersed, loosely connected, and change-resistant institutions such as colleges and universities is a global concern. To create the essential transformation for a diversity agenda to thrive, a shift in the organizational environment and culture is required. Higher education experts have long recognised leadership styles as one of the most essential contributing aspects to successful institutional transformation and specifically during technological time (IoT), particularly when it comes to diversity agenda initiatives. This chapter reviews the literature on various types of diversity agendas, change paradigms due to change in technology, and leadership styles by synthesising data from 10 case studies on successful strategies and providing implications for how diverse leadership styles might be employed to fuel the institutional diversity effort.
The Lead of Direct Adjuvant Intraoperative Foraminal Steroids' Infiltration
Authors: Rakan Allouzi , Aldurgham Renad , Al Abdallat Anas , Haddad Sa'ed , Ibrahim Jraisat , Alqroom Rami Yousef , Nowar Hussam Abu , Odeh Amro
Published: September 2022

Low back pain generally involves lumbosacral radicular syndrome, nerve root pain, and nerve root entrapment/irritation. Management options for patients are variable and diverging. To the highlight the efficacy of combined early decompressive surgery plus intraoperative steroid injections in terms of postoperative back pain in patients managed by our combined team. A prospective study conducted by reviewing all consecutive patients managed, over a 1-year period (2018-2019). This study showed that adjunct use of intraoperative foraminal and epidural steroids injections to treat back pain in patients with degenerative spine disease could significantly improve the pain score which leads to significant decrease in working days off and the need for pain killer medications or even obviating the usage rate.
Efficacy of Antidiabetic Ayurvedic Medicine in Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2)
Authors: Gill Dimpal , Choudhary Amit , Mahto Raja Ram
Published: September 2022

Diabetes mellitus Type 2 (DM Type 2) is a major health problem in the present era. It is characterized by increased blood sugar level (BSL) with or without some classical features such as polydipsia, polyphagia, and polyuria. In Ayurveda, diabetes comes under a Vatic subtype of Prameha-called Madhumeha (~DM). The present study deals with a newly diagnosed case of Type 2 DM since February 22, 2019, with no family history of diabetes and oral hypoglycemic agent. His BSLs were high with associated symptoms such as pain in multiple joints, burning micturition, and pindikoudvesatna (~cramps while walking/calf muscle pain). Ayurveda-based pathogenesis suggested that the patient is of Kapha-Pittavrit-VataDosha (~a biohumor) is the chief vitiating factor and also vitiation of Meda, Kleda, Vasa, Ambu, and Ojas with Dhatwagnimandya are the co-factor. By considering the Nidana (~etiological factors), Dosha (~a biohumor), and Dusya (~tissue elements), a judicial combination of Ayurveda drugs such as Gokshuradi Guggulu, Gudmar Patra, Jamun Bija, Sudarshan, Nagarmotha Churna, and Chandraprabha Vati was advised to take orally in morning and evening with lukewarm water and proper diet and lifestyle modification was also prescribed. At the time of consultation, his fasting blood sugar (FBS) and postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) were 377 mg/dl and over 450 mg/dl, respectively, along with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) as 16.7%. After taking the prescribed formulation for 4 months, his FBS and PPBS levels came down to the normal range, but HbA1c level declined at 6 months to 6.4%. The prescribed antidiabetic Ayurvedic medicines showed good response by maintaining normal BSLs in a Type 2 DM case.
Homeopathic Management of Afibrinogenemia along with Beta-Thalassemia
Authors: Omkar Kumat , Tapas Kundu , Kanjaksha Ghosh , Gulfisha Mirza , Rita Kundu
Published: September 2022

Afibrinogenemia is an extremely rare inherited bleeding disorder. Less than 100 such cases have been described from India. Beta-thalassemia carrier status (trait) is common in many Indian casts and religious groups; hence, a rare combination of these two conditions can be expected. Here, we report one such case treated solely using homeopathic medicine. The male patient was borne out of a nonconsanguineous marriage. He had delayed separation of the umbilical cord after 14 days and bleeding from the site. In addition, he had multiple bleeding episodes treated successfully by homeopathy since 11 months of age. His thalassemia trait needed no treatment. As fibrinogen concentrate is not easily available, this line of management could also be considered if the concentrate or safe cryoprecipitate is not immediately available.
Evaluating the Efficacy of Nagarmotha (Cyperus rotundus Linn.) Churna in the Management of Obesity in Comparison with Garcinia cambogia Extract
Authors: Chaudhary Shikha , Yadava Rama Kant , Kajaria Divya
Published: September 2022

Introduction:

Obesity is considered a major public health problem because of its increasing prevalence and risk of other secondary chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders to name a few. Several drugs exist for managing obesity, but they are of passable fleeting effects and in some instances have raised safety concerns too. In addition, dietary supplements have been postulated to promote weight reduction. The best-known fad among many is believed to be Garcinia cambogia to date. Although it is widely used in Asia and Africa, still the use of Garcinia extract remains controversial. Hence, it is imperative to look for new and safer ways to treat obesity.

Methodology:

The present study was an open labeled randomized clinical study for a duration of 90 days, conducted at All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi. Patients with body mass index >30 to 40 from both gender and age ranging from 20 to 45 years old were included in the study. The intervention for the trial group was Nagarmotha churna (powder of Cyperus rotundus Linn.) which was given orally for three months.

Results:

The trial group has shown significantly higher weight loss in comparison to Garcinia extract (4.8 vs. 3.02, t value = 4.2, P < 0.05) in the present study. Furthermore, no adverse effects of any intervention were reported in the period of trial.

Conclusion:

It is concluded that treatment with Nagarmotha churna and G. cambogia extract is useful in reducing weight. However, the trial herb is more well tolerated, safe, and effective for weight management in obese persons as substantiating the fact that the herb used in its classical form have a better result over that of extract used.
Exploring the Scientific Potential of Marma Therapy as a Nonpharmacological Intervention in Pain Management
Authors: Singh Jagjeet , Sabharwal Pooja
Published: September 2022

Pain is the most common problem in today's busy and exhausting life, and it is one of the grievous problems present throughout the globe because of its high prevalence and fifth vital sign. Fast-acting and quick relief is the preferred way in today's hectic schedule, even though these relief agents such as analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs have adverse effects on the human body. Ayurveda pain management comprises pharmacological and nonpharmacological approaches such as Marma Chikitsa, Yoga, and meditation which help in releasing the pain effects without any adverse effects on the body. Marma is combined with an ability to perceive and direct the flow of Prana; Marma Chikitsa becomes a powerful tool in influencing the healing of almost every known ill condition like pain. In this review, the scientific potential of Marma therapy as a nonpharmacological intervention in pain management will be analyzed.
Autologous stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma in the novel agent era: Systematic review of Indian data and implications for resource constrained settings
Authors: Singh Suvir , Sharma Rintu , Singh Jagdeep , Jain Kunal , Paul Davinder
Published: September 2022

Treatment of multiple myeloma has undergone significant advances in the last two decades, leading to meaningful improvement in overall and progression free survival. The incurable nature of disease necessitates serial sequencing of treatment options and continuous therapy once disease remission is achieved. Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has continued to offer a meaningful survival advantage with a consistent reduction in toxicity and costs. Despite the advent of newer drugs leading to deeper and sustained responses, ASCT continues to be the standard of care for all eligible patients and is ostensibly more cost effective than continued treatment with newer agents. However, ASCT continues to be underutilized in India, due to concerns about cost, safety, and sporadic expertize. We present a systematic review of available data on ASCT for multiple myeloma from India to evaluate safety and efficacy of the procedure, and provide evidence re-affirming its utility in resource constrained settings.
Does Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Infection Drive Venous Thromboembolism in Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Units Receiving Prophylactic Anticoagulants?
Authors: Aleidan Fahad A. S. , Albilal Sara , Alammari Maha , Al Sulaiman Khalid , Alassiri Mohammed , Abdel Gadir Abdel Galil
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND:

Systemic infections are one of several risk factors leading to the development of inflammation and venous thromboembolism (VTE) formation. This study aimed to assess the risk factors associated with the development of VTE in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A retrospective-matched case − control study of patients with VTE in the period between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019. We included all adult patients who stayed more than 2 days in ICU before the development of VTE.

RESULTS:

Univariate and multivariate analyses uncovered three of six factors to have significant influence in the development of VTE in ICU patients: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobactereaceae (CRE) infections (odds ratio [OR] 2.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21–7.33, P = 0.010), length of ICU stay (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.04, P = 0.011), and the sequential organ failure assessment score (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.01–1.20, P = 0.031); all were found to be independent risk factors in the development of VTE.

CONCLUSION:

Our findings suggest that, CRE infection is a strong trigger to the development of VTE in patients admitted to the ICU, and draw the attention of the treating clinicians to prioritize these infections in the management protocols to control infection-driven VTE in ICU patients.
Tumor Lysis Syndrome in Pediatric Patients with Hematological Malignancies
Authors: Elkhatib Lamis Hani , Bayoumy Mohamed Salaheldin , Ahmed Abdulatef Mohammed , Alam Muhammad Matloob , Abosoudah Ibraheem Faisal , Altrabolsi Hassan Ali
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND:

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a common complication of hematological malignancies and consists of either hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, hyperuricemia, or hypocalcemia. These metabolic derangements may result in clinical tumor lysis syndrome in the form of acute kidney injury (AKI), arrhythmias, seizures, and sudden death.

OBJECTIVES:

This study was conducted to determine the incidence and outcome of TLS and to identify local risk factors in children with hematological malignancies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

This was a retrospective chart review of children ≤18 years diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia, or non-Hodgkin lymphoma between 2014 and 2018. TLS was diagnosed and stratified according to the risk of developing tumor lysis using the Cairo and Bishop definition and Cairo stratification.

RESULTS:

Among 180 patients, only 11 patients (6%) developed TLS. Four patients had laboratory TLS (LTLS) (36.3%) and six had CLTS (54.5%). The male-to-female ratio was high (2.4:1 in the TLS group). Hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia were the most frequently occurring criteria for LTLS (81.8%). The strongest predictors for TLS were hyperuricemia and hypocalcemia at presentation (P < 0.001) followed by diagnosis of T-cell ALL, preceding AKI splenomegaly, high initial white blood cell, and lactate dehydrogenase, with P < 0.05. AKI secondary to tumor lysis occurred in six patients (54.5%), of which five needed dialysis. One patient had seizures secondary to tumor lysis (9.1%) and no patient died from TLS.

CONCLUSION:

There is a wide variation in reported incidence of TLS from 6% to 45%, likely due to different TLS definitions applied, diverse cohorts and duration. A universal definition and risk-stratified approach to prevent tumor lysis in patients with hematologic malignancies is needed to help in proper comparison between studies.
Two-moment characterization of spectral measures on the real line
Authors: Pietrzycki Paweł , Stochel Jan
Published: September 2022

In Kiukas, Lahti, and Ylinen (2006, Journal of Mathematical Physics 47, 072104), the authors asked the following general question. When is a positive operator measure projection valued? A version of this question formulated in terms of operator moments was posed in Pietrzycki and Stochel (2021, Journal of Functional Analysis 280, 109001). Let T be a self-adjoint operator, and let F be a Borel semispectral measure on the real line with compact support. For which positive integers
$p< q$
do the equalities
$T^k =\int _{\mathbb {R}} x^k F(\mathrm {d\hspace {.1ex}} x)$
,
$k=p, q$
, imply that F is a spectral measure? In the present paper, we completely solve the second problem. The answer is affirmative if
$p$
is odd and
$q$
is even, and negative otherwise. The case
$(p,q)=(1,2)$
closely related to intrinsic noise operator was solved by several authors including Kruszyński and de Muynck, as well as Kiukas, Lahti, and Ylinen. The counterpart of the second problem concerning the multiplicativity of unital positive linear maps on
$C^*$
-algebras is also provided.
Effect of Pap smears on the long-term survival of cervical cancer patients: a nationwide population-based cohort study in Korea
Authors: Luu Xuan Quy , Lee Kyeongmin , Jun Jae Kwan , Suh Mina , Jung kyu-won , Lim Myong Cheol , Choi Kui Son
Published: September 2022

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the effect of cervical cancer screening by Papanicolaou (Pap) smears on the long-term survival of cervical cancer patients.METHODS: We constructed a retrospective cohort of 14,903 women diagnosed with invasive cancer or carcinoma in situ in 2008 and 2009 and followed up until December 31, 2019, by using individual-level data from 3 national databases of the Korean National Cancer Screening Program, the Korean Central Cancer Registry, and death certificates. Cox proportional-hazards regression was used to investigate the effect of cervical cancer screening on mortality.RESULTS: In total, 12,987 out of 14,867 patients (87.4%) were alive at the end of the follow-up period (median: 10.5 years). Screened patients had a 38% lower risk of cervical cancer death than never-screened patients (hazard ratio [HR], 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54 to 0.70). Screening was associated with 59% and 35% lower risks of death, respectively, in screened patients with localized and regional stages. Furthermore, lower HRs among women who received screening were observed in all age groups, especially women aged 50–59 years (HR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.69). The lowest HR for cervical cancer death was reported among patients screened within the past 2 years (HR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.63), and the HRs increased with increasing time intervals.CONCLUSIONS: Pap smear screening significantly reduced the risk of cervical cancer-specific death in Korean women across all cancer stages.
Prediction of cancer survivors’ mortality risk in Korea: a 25-year nationwide prospective cohort study
Authors: Yang Yeun Soo , Kimm Heejin , Jung Keum Ji , Moon Seulji , Lee Sunmi , Jee Sun Ha
Published: September 2022

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting cancer survival and develop a mortality prediction model for Korean cancer survivors. Our study identified lifestyle and mortality risk factors and attempted to determine whether health-promoting lifestyles affect mortality.METHODS: Among the 1,637,287 participants in the Korean Cancer Prevention Study (KCPS) cohort, 200,834 cancer survivors who were alive after cancer diagnosis were analyzed. Discrimination and calibration for predicting the 10-year mortality risk were evaluated. A prediction model was derived using the Cox model coefficients, mean risk factor values, and mean mortality from the cancer survivors in the KCPS cohort.RESULTS: During the 21.6-year follow-up, the all-cause mortality rates of cancer survivors were 57.2% and 39.4% in men and women, respectively. Men, older age, current smoking, and a history of diabetes were high-risk factors for mortality, while exercise habits and a family history of cancer were associated with reduced risk. The prediction model discrimination in the validation dataset for both KCPS all-cause mortality and KCPS cancer mortality was shown by C-statistics of 0.69 and 0.68, respectively. Based on the constructed prediction models, when we modified exercise status and smoking status, as modifiable factors, the cancer survivors’ risk of mortality decreased linearly.CONCLUSIONS: A mortality prediction model for cancer survivors was developed that may be helpful in supporting a healthy life. Lifestyle modifications in cancer survivors may affect their risk of mortality in the future.
Improving global foods system, human health, and alleviating poverty through small ruminant production: the nigerian gains
Authors: Adetunmbi Tella, , .A. Chineke C
Published: September 2022

Small ruminant has great potential in enhancing the global food system, improving human health, and alleviating poverty.  Nevertheless, on average, small ruminant production has not been able to keep pace with the overall food demand globally. Meaning that without drastic action, the world food crisis will continue to persist and many people around the world will continue to live in abject poverty. To avert this ongoing phenomenon, this paper examines how the global food system and human health can be improved and poverty alleviated through small ruminant production; and how Nigeria will benefit from it. To properly articulate the theme of this paper, the discussion will focus on what small ruminant animals are; their benefits and constrain; the global food system, small ruminant production and its relation to human health and poverty eradication, efforts at improving small ruminant production and how this will have an impact on the Nigerian economy. Furthermore, the paper provides recommendations for the improvement of small ruminant production in Nigeria
Carbono orgânico no solo sob mata nativa e florestas plantadas em longo prazo
Authors: Braga Rafael Malfitano , Braga Francisco de Assis , Venturin Nelson
Published: September 2022

A matéria orgânica do solo (MOS) exerce papel fundamental para a sustentabilidade de ecossistemas florestais. O estudo das frações da MOS possibilita avaliar a qualidade do solo sob florestas nativas ou plantadas. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi comparar o carbono orgânico sob mata nativa e florestas plantadas, em longo prazo. Foram avaliados os estoques de carbono orgânico total (COT), as frações leve (COL) e pesada (COP) e o índice de manejo do carbono (IMC) da camada superficial de Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico, sob plantios de quatro espécies de eucaliptos australianos - Eucalyptus grandis, E. pilularis, E. cloeziana e Corymbia maculata - e Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis, com 40 anos de idade, e sob Floresta Estacional Semidecidual. C. maculata manteve estoques de COT, COP e de COL e o IMC em níveis similares aos encontrados sob a mata nativa, sendo considerada a espécie mais eficiente na ciclagem e estocagem de carbono no solo, seguida por E. cloeziana. E. pilularis e o pinus apresentaram os menores estoques de carbono e IMC.
Care, Crisis and Activism
Authors: Jupp Eleanor
Published: September 2022

What kinds of care are being offered or withdrawn by the welfare state?

What does this mean for the caring practices and interventions of local activists? Shedding new light on austerity and neoliberal welfare reform in the UK, this vital book considers local action and activism within contexts of crisis, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Strengths Approach in Practice
Authors: Bellinger Avril , Ford Deirdre
Published: September 2022

Informed by a case study from the authors’ work with a unique NGO in the UK, this book illustrates what it really means to adopt a strengths approach in practice.
Queer Politics in Contemporary Turkey
Authors: Kramer Paul Gordon
Published: September 2022

Drawing on the words and stories of queer Turkish activists, this book aims to unravel the complexities of queer lives in Turkey. In doing so, it challenges dominant conceptualizations of the queer Turkish experience within critical security discourses.
Implementing Citizenship, Nationality and Integration Policies
Authors: Sredanovic Djordje
Published: September 2022

Djordje Sredanovic goes beyond the theory of citizenship and nationality policy to explore how it is carried out in practice. The book draws on interviews with frontline officers for a comparative analysis of experiences in the UK and Belgium, revealing the level of autonomy of those on the frontline of integration in each country.
Flexible Europe
Authors: Bellamy Richard , Kröger Sandra , Lorimer Marta
Published: September 2022

Clear, balanced and accessible, this book explores the alternative of a flexible European Union (EU) based on differentiated rather than uniform integration. They examine the circumstances and institutional design needed for flexibility to promote rather than undermine fairness and democracy within and between member states.
London Voices, London Lives
Authors: Hall Peter
Published: September 2022

London Voices, London Lives addresses a question of great current importance for urban policy: what kind of a place is London in the twenty-first century, and how does it differ significantly from other parts of urban Britain? It addresses these questions in a unique way: over one hundred ordinary Londoners provide their answers in their own voices.
City Survivors
Authors: Power Anne
Published: September 2022

This book provides a unique insider view on the impact of neighbourhood conditions on family life and explores the prospects for families from the point of view of equality, integration, schools, work, community, regeneration and public services.