bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution of manual small-incision cataract surgery from 8 mm to 2 mm - A comprehensive review
Authors: Gurnani Bharat , Mishra Deepak , Kaur Kirandeep , Heda Aarti , Sahu Amulya
Published: October 2022

Cataract is the most common cause of reversible blindness worldwide, accounting for approximately 50% of blindness worldwide. Cataract surgery is the most common surgical procedure performed in routine ophthalmic practice. It has undergone tremendous evolution, and the incision size has progressively reduced from 10–12 mm in extracapsular cataract surgery (ECCE) to 6–8 mm for manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) and 2.2–2.8 mm in phacoemulsification. In a developing country like India, with a massive backlog of cataract, everyone cannot afford private surgery like phacoemulsification. Moreover, annual maintenance of the machine, cost of foldable IOLs, need for greater skill, learning curve, and difficulty in performing the surgery in mature and brown cataracts are other barriers. Due to these factors, MSICS is the surgery of choice in the developing world, with profound societal and economic benefits and similar visual recovery compared to phacoemulsification. During the last two decades, MSICS gained popularity in developing countries and has undergone tremendous advances. This article aims to review the various techniques of MSICS and how the surgery has evolved over the years, particularly focusing on the current technique of 2-mm MSICS.
“Show me the way” - Endoilluminator-assisted manual small-incision cataract surgery in a case of corneal scar with a small pupil
Authors: Joshi Shilpa Dike
Published: October 2022

Cataracts with coexisting corneal opacities due to various causes present a daunting challenge to surgeons. Adding to the plight could be factors like shallow anterior chamber, small pupil and mono-ocular patient. A manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) could be a saviour in such situations. We demonstrate a case of post perforation corneal scar secondary to Hansen’s disease with complicated cataract with non-dilating pupil in a bilaterally blind patient. Due to poor visualisation, there could have been difficulties in capsulorrhexsis, cortex aspiration & many other intraoperative manoeuvres, but use of an endo illuminator providing oblique illumination was very useful, resulting in uneventful surgery with good visual outcome. MSCICS, a surgery with minimal instrumentation, short learning curve and comparable results to phacoemulsification is perhaps the preferred procedure, in India, for complicated cataracts with multiple pre-existing pathologies
Visual outcomes and complications of manual small-incision cataract surgery in patients with pseudoexfoliation
Authors: Shivkumar Chandrashekharan , Gadiwan Mobin , Rout Madhumita , Ghosh Aditi , Haroon Sherin , Ramakrishnan Rengappa
Published: October 2022

Purpose:

Pseudoexfoliation is an age-related fibrillopathy characterized by the deposition of fibrillar material in the eye with an increased risk of complications during cataract surgery. Aim was to study visual outcomes and complications in patients with pseudoexfoliation undergoing manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS).

Methods:

Prospective observational study was performed on 152 patients with pseudoexfoliation above 50 years undergoing MSICS in a tertiary hospital from December 2016 to November 2017. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were documented with follow-up on postoperative day 1, 1st week, 1st month, and 3rd month.

Results:

Preoperative small pupil was noted in 49 eyes (32.2%), and 19 (12.5%) required intraoperative measures. Intraocular complications noted were zonular dialysis in five (3.3%), posterior capsular rupture in one (0.7%), and iridodialysis in one (0.7%). On postoperative day 1, the most common complication was corneal edema in 134 patients but clinically significant in only 23 (15.1%). Postoperative complications at 3 months were irregular pupil in 17 cases and decentered IOL in three cases. Intraocular pressure decreased with each visit [preoperative mean: 14.39 (±3.4) and 13.37 (±2.0) 12.53 (±1.4) mm Hg at 1 and 3 months, respectively]. There was a significant improvement in vision from the first day mean pinhole vision of 0.26 (±0.24) to mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 0.09 (±0.22) and 0.07 (±0.22) at 1 and 3 months, respectively. Mean endothelial cell loss was 193.16 (7.79%) and 266.01 (10.68%) at 1 and 3 months, respectively.

Conclusion:

Pseudoexfoliation has an increased risk of complications during cataract surgery. MSICS gives good outcomes in terms of visual recovery and postoperative outcomes.
Assessment of a high-fidelity, virtual reality-based, manual small-incision cataract surgery simulator
Authors: Nair Akshay Gopinathan , Ahiwalay Chetan , Bacchav Ashish E , Sheth Tejas , Lansingh Van Charles
Published: October 2022

Purpose:

To establish the face and content validity of the HelpMeSee Eye Surgery Simulator – a virtual reality-based cataract surgery simulator for manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS).

Methods:

The face and content validity were assessed on the sclero-corneal tunnel construction course. A questionnaire with 11 questions focused on the visual realism, with resemblance to real life surgery, and the training value of the simulator was developed. Thirty-five experienced MSICS surgeons participated in the study. Responses were recorded using a seven-point scoring system.

Results:

Overall, 74.3% (26/35) of the respondents agreed that the overall visual representation of the eye and the instruments in the simulator were realistic. The task of injecting a visco-elastic through the paracentesis was reported to be the most visually realistic task with a mean score of 5.78 (SD: 1.09; range: 2–7). With regard to content validity, 77.1% (27/35) of the subjects felt agreed that the errors and complications represented throughout the entire tunnel construction module were similar to those encountered in real life; the task of entering the anterior chamber with the keratome had a mean score of 5.54 (SD: 0.98; range 1–7), being rated the highest in that aspect. Overall, 94.3% (33/35) of the subjects agreed that the simulator would be useful in developing hand–eye co-ordination. A similar number of 94.3% (33/35) agreed that based on their experience, they would recommend cataract surgical training on this simulator.

Conclusion:

The results suggest that the HelpMeSee Eye Surgery Simulator appears to have sufficient face and content validity for cataract surgical training.
Vacuum rhexis – A novel capsulorhexis technique for white cataracts
Authors: Mahajan Sandeep , Sood Gitanjli , Garg Ravi
Published: October 2022

Capsulorhexis in white intumescent cataract is often associated with extension leading to radial tears or biradial extension “Argentinian flag sign” and associated complications. We describe a novel technique of managing this situation. Vacuum rhexis is performed with a 24 G bent cannula attached to a 10-ml syringe. The flap is lifted and then caught using 24 G cannula. The suction is manually controlled by the surgeon, and the rhexis is completed using circumferential movement. The chamber stability is well maintained as there is no leakage, and the bent tip gives excellent fulcrum for movement. The advantage of this technique is that a single port is used for maintaining the chamber stability and it needs no special surgical instruments. Vacuum rhexis is a novel surgical technique used for performing successful continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) of adequate size in white and intumescent cataracts, with a consistent and predictable outcome.
Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Score for the Prediction of Successful Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Section – A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Varun Neha , Nigam Aruna , Gupta Nidhi , Mazhari Farhat , Kashyap Varun
Published: October 2022

Aim:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic and obstetrical factors affecting the chances of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) delivery and to develop a scoring system for the prediction of same.

Materials and Methods:

It was a prospective observational study done over a period of 1 year. A total of 100 term pregnant women with previous one lower-segment cesarean section (LSCS) fulfilling the criteria for a trial of labor were recruited for the study. As 23 patients refused to undergo trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) in early labor, 77 women formed the study group. Parameters assessed to predict successful TOLAC were maternal age, body mass index (BMI), history of prior vaginal delivery, interdelivery interval, indication of previous cesarean section, gestational age, type of labor, Bishop's score, and expected baby weight. Scores 0–2 were given, and the mean score obtained was correlated with the outcome of TOLAC.

Results:

Successful vaginal delivery occurred in 57.14% (44/77) of women. BMI ≤30 kg/m2 (P = 0.004), parity ≤ 3 (P = 0.005), Bishop's score >4 (P = 0.000), spontaneous onset of labor at the time of admission (P = 0.001), and nonrecurrent indication of previous LSCS (P = 0.029) were found to be significantly associated with the VBAC. The probability of having a successful VBAC was 83.3% and 100%, with the VBAC score value of more than 18 and 20, respectively.

Conclusion:

The mean VBAC score of 18–20 by the current scoring system is beneficial in predicting the outcome. This can help in counseling the patient, relatives as well as health professionals to undergo labor trial to decrease the cesarean section rate in the current era.
Safety and feasibility of thoracoscopic pericardial window in recurrent pericardial effusion – A single-centre experience
Authors: Pulle Mohan Venkatesh , Bansal Manish , Asaf Belal Bin , Puri Harsh Vardhan , Bishnoi Sukhram , Kumar Arvind
Published: October 2022

Background:

This study aimed to report the surgical outcomes and also evaluating the safety and feasibility of thoracoscopic pericardial window (PW) for recurrent pericardial effusion.

Materials and Methods:

This was a retrospective analysis of eight cases of recurrent pericardial effusion, managed by thoracoscopic method in a tertiary-level thoracic surgery centre over 5 years. A detailed analysis of all perioperative variables, including complications, was carried out.

Results:

A total of eight patients underwent thoracoscopic PW during the study period. Males (87.5%) were predominant in the cohort. The median age was 54 years (range: 28–78 years). The median duration of symptoms was 2 months (range: 1–3 months). Tuberculosis (50%), malignancy (37.5%) and chronic kidney disease (12.5%) were the causes of recurrent effusion. All patients underwent thoracoscopic procedure with no conversions. The median operative time was 45 min (range: 40–70 min). The median effusion volume drained was 500 ± 100 ml. The median hospital stay was 3 days (range: 2–4 days) with no post-procedural complications. All the patients had complete resolution of symptoms. No recurrence was noted in the median follow-up period of 28 months (range: 6–60 months).

Conclusions:

Thoracoscopic PW is a safe and feasible minimally invasive option in the management of recurrent pericardial effusion in selected patients. Surgical fitness, haemodynamic status and estimated survival (in malignant effusion) should be considered before the procedure.
Risk factors for musculoskeletal problems in paddy field workers in northern iran
Authors: Sharifirad Mohsen , Poursaeed Alireza , Lashgarara Farhad , Mirdamadi Seyed Mehdi
Published: October 2022

Background:

Paddy cultivation of rice requires substantial physical strength, perseverance and manual labor. During the manual harvesting of paddy rice in Iran, laborers are exposed to several work-related physical risks. Paddy cultivation has been reported as one of the most important causes of nonfatal occupational injuries and accidents among farmers. With the aim of identifying which parts of the musculoskeletal structure are mostly affected as a result of working on paddy rice fields, the present study aimed to investigate the potential risk factors for musculoskeletal problems in paddy field workers in Mazandaran Province, Iran.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted among paddy field workers via multistage sampling in 2019. Prior to the interviews based on the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, the participants were briefed about the objectives of the research and their consent was obtained for voluntary participation. Through interviews, data were collected on demographics, agricultural utilization systems, use of paddy tractors, frequency of tiller and tractor use, injuries sustained during the daytime, and outcomes of injuries by paddy field working. Responses were obtained from 384 workers using structured interviews. The respondents were asked to describe problems and pain in their neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands, upper back, hip and lower back. Logistic regression models were used to identify potential risk factors for musculoskeletal problems in specific body regions.

Results:

The most commonly reported ailments were back pain (n = 29; 7.6%), cardiovascular disease (n = 25, 6.5%) and hypertension (n = 22, 5.7%). The results of logistic regression analysis indicated that the odds of back and shoulder injuries was higher among workers who used tillers and combine harvesters (2.85 and 1.66), transplanting machine (3.68), and those who did not use safe footwear (7). Knee injury risk was higher among those who cultivated rice manually (odds ratio [OR] = 1.35) and who used safety footwear (OR = 1.93), but was lower among those who used tractors (OR = 0.53). There was a small increase in the risk of knee injury with age (OR = 1.03). Confirming earlier works, musculoskeletal problems were found to be highly prevalent among rice workers.

Conclusion:

Disorders in certain body regions could be explained by specific individual and work-related factors. While the prevalence of work-related injury was high, mostly due to ignorance and disregard for personal convenience of the workers, the findings call for improvements in mechanization and division of labor time and force. Another highlight is that social worth is not given sufficiently to the health of paddy field workers. These should be worked on in future research to find ways of allocating machinery and worth to the workers.
Health-adjusted life expectancy according to lifestyle classified by the Yonsei Lifestyle Profile-BREF
Authors: Nam Sanghun , Park Kang-Hyun , Park Ji-Hyuk , Hong Ickpyo
Published: October 2022

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE) by demographic characteristics (sex, educational achievement, and residential area) according to the lifestyle classifications of the Yonsei Lifestyle Profile-BREF (YLP-BREF).METHODS: This study included 569 participants aged 55 years or older living in Korea. The YLP-BREF domains were physical activity, activity participation, and nutrition.RESULTS: Females had a longer HALE (mean±standard deviation, 8.90±5.06 years) in the physical activity domain, while males had a longer HALE in the nutrition domain (9.44±5.91 years). People living in rural areas had longer HALE in physical activity (12.02±5.60 years), activity participation (8.58±4.21 years), and nutrition (11.33±6.43 years). There were no significant differences according to sex or residential area. High school graduates showed the longest HALE (physical activity: 10.38± 6.89; activity participation: 7.64±4.29; nutrition: 9.59±6.40 years). There was a significant difference in educational achievement.CONCLUSIONS: As people age, the demand for a healthy lifestyle increases. This study attempted to calculate HALE by demographic characteristics according to lifestyle. The results of this study will help inform future research directions for providing a healthy lifestyle.
Item non-response imputation in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Son Serhim , Moon Hyemi , An Hyonggin
Published: October 2022

OBJECTIVES: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) is a public health survey that assesses individuals’ health and nutritional status and monitors the prevalence of major chronic diseases. In general, sampling weights are adjusted for unit non-responses and imputation is conducted for item non-responses. In this study, we proposed strategies for imputing item non-responses in the KNHANES in order to improve the usefulness of data, minimize bias, and increase statistical power.METHODS: After applying logical imputation, we adopted 2 separate imputation methods for each variable type: unweighted sequential hot-deck imputation for categorical variables and sequential regression imputation for continuous variables. For variance estimation, multiple imputations were applied to the continuous variables. To evaluate the performance of the proposed strategies, we compared the marginal distributions of imputed variables and the results of multivariable regression analysis for the complete-case data and the expanded data with imputed values, respectively.RESULTS: When comparing the marginal distributions, most non-responses were imputed. The multivariable regression coefficients presented similar estimates; however, the standard errors decreased, resulting in statistically significant p-values. The proposed imputation strategies may cope with the loss of precision due to missing data, thus enhancing statistical power in analyses of the KNHANES by providing expanded data with imputed values.CONCLUSIONS: The proposed imputation strategy may enhance the utility of data by increasing the number of complete cases and reducing the bias in the analysis, thus laying a foundation to cope with the occurrence of item non-responses in further surveys.
Гипотеза о размерности: решение и дальнейшие перспективы
Authors: Stepanova Mariya Aleksandrovna
Published: October 2022

Построены контрпримеры к гипотезе о размерности в CR-геометрии.
Данная гипотеза органически связана с техникой метода
модельной поверхности и уточнялась по мере развития метода.
С одной стороны, найденные контрпримеры дают
окончательное отрицательное решение гипотезы в том виде,
в котором она была сформулирована. С другой стороны, они позволяют
выделить естественный класс многообразий
(невырожденные многообразия), для которого гипотеза имеет смысл
и представляет интерес. Сформулированы основные вопросы,
возникающие в этом направлении.
Также рассмотрена серия примеров, интересных с точки зрения
метода модельной поверхности.
Библиография: 19 названий.
Точные неравенства Бернштейна для операторов Якоби-Данкля
Authors: Vinogradov Oleg Leonidovich
Published: October 2022

В работе найдены точные постоянные в неравенстве Бернштейна
$$
\|\Lambda_{\alpha,\beta}^rf\|\le M\|f\|
$$
для дифференциально-разностного оператора Якоби-Данкля
$$
\Lambda_{\alpha,\beta}f(x)
=f'(x)+\frac{A'_{\alpha,\beta}(x)}{A_{\alpha,\beta}(x)}
\frac{f(x)-f(-x)}{2} .
$$
Здесь $n,r\in\mathbb N$, $f$ - тригонометрический многочлен степени не выше $n$,
норма равномерная, $\alpha,\beta\ge -1/2$,
$A_{\alpha,\beta}(x)=(1-\cos x)^\alpha(1+\cos x)^\beta|{\sin x}|$ -
вес Якоби. В пространствах $L_p$ с весом Якоби получены оценки
констант сверху.
Библиография: 19 названий.
О разложениях по точным и асимптотическим собственным функциям
одномерного оператора Шрeдингера
Authors: Anikin Anatolii Yur'evich , Dobrokhotov Sergey Yur'evich , Shkalikov Andrei Andreevich
Published: October 2022

Рассматривается одномерный оператор Шрeдингера с растущим на бесконечности
потенциалом при наличии квазиклассического малого параметра. В работе
получены степенные по малому параметру оценки для остатка разложения
гладких и достаточно быстро убывающих функций по точным собственным функциям
и по асимптотическим собственным функциям. Для асимптотических собственных
функций используется глобальное представление в виде функции Эйри.
Библиография: 21 названий.
Канонический оператор на проколотых лагранжевых многообразиях и формула коммутации с псевдодифференциальными операторами: локальная теория
Authors: Nazaikinskii Vladimir Evgen'evich
Published: October 2022

Канонический оператор Маслова
на проколотых лагранжевых многообразиях доставляет
решение задачи Коши с начальными данными,
сосредоточенными вблизи точки или подмногообразия
положительной коразмерности, для уравнений и систем волнового типа,
у которых корни характеристического уравнения имеют
особенности типа негладкости и/или пересечения кратностей
при нулевых значениях импульсов. Теория канонического оператора
на проколотых лагранжевых многообразиях была построена в статье
С. Ю. Доброхотова, А. И. Шафаревича и автора [1],
в которой, однако, не была приведена формула коммутации
канонического оператора с псевдодифференциальными операторами.
Эта формула доказывается в настоящей статье; кроме того,
конструкция канонического оператора
на проколотых лагранжевых многообразиях излагается
в эквивалентном более удобном виде. Мы ограничиваемся
локальной теорией (предканонический оператор,
или оператор в отдельной карте лагранжева многообразия,
отвечающей некоторой невырожденной фазовой функции),
так как переход к глобальной конструкции не содержит ничего нового
по сравнению со стандартным случаем.
Библиография: 12 названий.
Концевые функции: математический аппарат и
экономические приложения
Authors: Gataullin T M , Gataullin Sergey Timurovich
Published: October 2022

Вопросы, связанные с экстремизацией функций,
уже довольно давно изучаются не только российскими,
но и ведущими мировыми специалистами в области
прикладной математики. Следует отметить, что на сегодняшний день
не все задачи по данной тематике имеют решение,
несмотря на непрекращающиеся активные исследования
математического моделирования и математического программирования.
Ведется серьезная работа над более глубоким изучением свойств
экстремизируемых функций. Это особенно актуально
в условиях перехода нашей страны к экономике знаний и
как первого шага к ней - к цифровой экономике, когда появились
мощные суперкомпьютеры с производительностью в сотни и
тысячи петафлопс и начинают появляться квантовые компьютеры.
Работа посвящена обзору результатов,
связанных с новым классом функций, полезных в задачах экстремизации,
и основана на совместных работах авторов.
Библиография: 7 названий.
О делокализации квантовой частицы
при адиабатической эволюции,
порожденной одномерным оператором Шрeдингера
Authors: Sergeev Vasily Alexandrovich , Fedotov Aleksandr Aleksandrovich
Published: October 2022

Обсуждается одномерное нестационарное уравнение Шрeдингера
в адиабатическом приближении.
Соответствующий стационарный оператор $H$, зависящий от времени
как от параметра, имеет непрерывный спектр $\sigma_c=[0,+\infty)$
и конечное число отрицательных собственных значений.
Со временем собственные значения подходят к краю $\sigma_c$
и по очереди исчезают. Изучается решение,
близкое в некоторый момент к собственной функции $H$.
Пока существует соответствующее собственное значение $\lambda$,
решение локализовано внутри потенциальной ямы.
Описана его делокализация при исчезновении $\lambda$.
Библиография: 9 названий.
A structured approach to effective mentoring of women health researchers in Africa
Authors: A. Kwedi-Nolna Sylvie , Djuidje-Ngounoue Marceline , Bilounga-Ndongo Chanceline , Ndje-Ndje Mireille , S. Mvodo-Meyo Elise , Leke Rose
Published: October 2022

Objectives: To formatively evaluate the HIGHER Women consortium’s Mentor Protégée Program (MPP) and derive lessons for successful African women scientist mentorship.Design: Desk review of program documents and cross-sectional surveys of mentors and protégées.Setting: All 10 regions of CameroonParticipants: Women working in health research participating in the MPP.Interventions: Building health research skills and providing support for women to cope within the African psycho-social environment using a holistic approach.Main outcome measures: Formed mentor-protégés duos applying the MPP with measurable accomplishments.Results: The consortium counted 121 members with 103 protégées and 18 mentors. Of 103 protégées, 35 responded to the 2018 survey, while 77 responded to the 2022 survey. Mentioned benefits of the program included an increase in scientific peer-reviewed journal publications and presentations at national and international conferences. In the 2022 survey, a Pearson correlation showed an r of 0.41, which, although not statistically significant (p = .592), sug-gests a positive correlation between the increased number of peer-reviewed articles and increased number of years as HIGHER Women protégées.Conclusions: Mentorship programs can help over time to bridge the gender gaps within Africa as well as the gaps between African-led research and the rest of the world while making a meaningful contribution to enhancing the quality, diversity, and productivity of researchers. A mentoring program such as the HIGHER Women MPP can be improved by leveraging local and international partners to foster the mentoring program’s sustainability, scalability, and expanded reach.
Obstetric referral processes and the role of inter-facility communication: the district level experience in the Greater Accra region of Ghana
Authors: Amoakoh-Coleman Mary , Kerstin Klipstein-Grobusch Kerstin , S. Vidzro Edem , K. Arhinful Daniel , K. Ansah Evelyn
Published: October 2022

Objective: To describe the capacity of primary health care facilities to manage obstetric referrals, the reasons, and processes for managing obstetric referrals, and how an enhanced inter-facility communication system may have in-fluenced theseDesign: Mixed methods comparing data before and during the intervention period.Setting: Three districts in the Greater Accra region, Ghana from May 2017 to February 2018Participants: Referred pregnant women and their relatives, health workers at referring and referral facilities, facility and district health managers.Intervention: An enhanced inter-facility communication system for obstetric referralsResults: Twenty-two facilities and 673 referrals were assessed over the period. The major reason for referrals was pregnancy complications (85.5%). Emergency obstetric medicines - oxytocin and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) were available in 81.8% and 54.5% facilities, respectively, and a health worker accompanied 110(16.3%) women to the referral centre. Inter-facility communication about the referral occurred for 240 (35.7%) patients. During the intervention period, referrals joining queues at the referral facility decreased (7.8% to 0.0%; p=0.01), referrals coming in with referral notes improved (78.4% to 91.2%) and referrals with inter-facility communication improved (43.1% to 52.9%). Health workers and managers reported improvement in feedback to lower-level facilities and better filling of referral forms.Conclusion: Facilities had varying levels of availability of infrastructure, protocols, guidelines, services, equipment, and logistics for managing obstetric referrals. Enhanced inter-facility communication for obstetric referrals which engages health workers and provides requisite tools, can facilitate an efficient referral process for desired outcomes.
The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in the ECOWAS region.
Authors: M.A. Somda Serge , R. Bado Aristide , Sow Abdourahmane , K. Lokossou Virgil , Ossei-A-Yeboah Sybil , Ca Tome , Ogbureke Nanlop , Okolo Stanley , Sombie Issiaka
Published: October 2022

Objective: to analyse the pandemic after one year in terms of the evolution of morbidity and mortality and factors that may contribute to this evolutionDesign: This is a secondary analysis of data gathered to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of cases, incidence rate, cumulative incidence rate, number of deaths, case fatality rate and their trends were analysed during the first year of the pandemic. Testing and other public health measures were also described according to the information available.Settings: The 15 States members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) were considered.Results: As of 31st March 2021, the ECOWAS region reported 429,760 COVID-19 cases and 5,620 deaths. In the first year, 1,110.75 persons were infected per million, while 1.31% of the confirmed patients died. The ECOWAS region represents 30% of the African population. One year after the start of COVID-19 in ECOWAS, this region reported 10% of the cases and 10% of the deaths in the continent. Cumulatively, the region has had two major epidemic waves; however, countries show different patterns. The case fatality rate presented a fast growth in the first months and then decreased to a plateau.Conclusion: We learn that the context of COVID-19 is specific to each country. This analysis shows the importance of better understanding each country’s response. During this first year of the pandemic, the problem of variants of concern and the vaccination were not posed.
Reclaiming classrooms: Collectivising students’ wisdom, hopes and support
Authors: Jain Pooja
Published: October 2022

As a microcosm of society, colleges hold great potential for inviting young adults’ stories of resistance and hope. This paper describes the application of collective narrative approaches in my work with students at St Mira’s College for Girls, an undergraduate and postgraduate women’s college in Pune, India. I sought to integrate narrative ideas into the existing mental wellbeing program by documenting and showcasing students’ stories of mental health and wellbeing and their local knowledge about making the campus a safe place. The focus of this paper is on a collective suicide prevention project, which took place over four months in online and offline modes. This paper highlights students’ analysis of suicide as a social problem and their unique ways of supporting others through difficult times. Narrative concepts such as enabling contribution, externalising problems and collective documents are demonstrated.
Seeking to live more peacefully with painful histories
Authors: Uwihoreye Chaste
Published: October 2022

In this interview, Chaste Uwihoreye describes his work with young people in Rwanda, from collective truth-telling conversations to supporting child-headed households in ways that foster, rather than undermine, children’s leadership. Chaste draws on Rwandan songs, poems and proverbs as forms of cultural acknowledgement and comfort in workshops with very large groups of young people. These workshops begin with a ‘story gifting’ process that acknowledges what has happened to the young people and their families, and at the same time creates new stories about ways of living together with difficult histories. Metaphoric practices are described, including an umbrella exercise in which people depict the problems they are facing in the present as rain, and the skills and knowledges that they use to face these problems as a protective umbrella. Memories are transformed into a ‘usable past’ that can be used to generate songs, poems or artworks. Possession of these tangible forms provides options for action: whether to share a song, burn a poem or keep a drawing. Chaste describes solidarity camps (Ingando) in which young people can be together and witness each other’s suffering and strength, and be trained and supported to facilitate group work with other young people. In the shadow of genocide, Chaste shares the hopeful collective work of remembering painful histories in ways that enable people to act and to live good lives in the present.
Teachers’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge in Technical Schools: The Case of Domestic Installation and Wiring Teaching
Authors: Blayi Mqondiso , Skosana Ndlelehle , Khoza Samuel
Published: October 2022

Domestic installation and wiring are still a concern among the secondary central district schools of Johannesburg. Students reach the to Grades 11 and 12 with signs of inadequate knowledge on the domestic installation and wiring concepts taught in 10. This is a qualitative research study involving six electrical technology teachers from schools within the central district of Johannesburg, South Africa. The teachers were purposively selected to take part in the study. The pedagogical content knowledge construct was used as a theoretical framework to underpin the study. Data were collected using face-to-face interviews with the teachers and by observing the classroom when teachers were teaching domestic installation and wiring concepts. Data were analyzed using verbatim quotes for face-to-face interviews and descriptively for classroom observations. Findings of the study revealed that teachers are being negatively affected by lack of resources and of adequate training. The study recommends that more resources be sought so that teachers can fully teach the practical component with ease and confidence. Recurrent refresher training events are also recommended for teachers to keep up with the electrical technology concept.
Geleneksel Türk Okçuluğu Hakemlerinin İletişim Beceri Düzeyleri ile Stresle Başa Çıkma Tarzları Arasındaki İlişkinin İncelenmesi
Authors: BOLAT Özcan , ERDOĞDU Murat
Published: October 2022

Çalışma, Türkiye’de faal olarak geleneksel Türk okçuluk hakemliği yapan, hakemlerin iletişim beceri düzeyleri ile stresle başa çıkma tarzları arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemek için yapılmıştır. Araştırma, 60’ı kadın ve 86’sı erkek katılımcı olmak üzere toplam 146 Geleneksel Türk okçuluk hakemin gönüllü katılımıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmada, 1995 yılında Folkman ve Lazarus tarafından geliştirilen ve Türkçeye uyarlaması 1995 yılında Şahin ve arkadaşları tarafından yapılan 30 maddelik 4’lü likert tipi “Stresle Başa Çıkma Tarzları Ölçeği” ve Korkut tarafından 1996’de geliştirilen 25 maddelik 5’li likert tipi “İletişim Becerileri Değerlendirme Ölçeği” kullanılmıştır. Verilerin normal dağılım gösterip göstermediği test edilmiştir. Normal dağılım gösteren verilerin iki gurup arası karşılaştırmasında Bağımsız Örneklemler için t-Testi, ikiden fazla gurup karşılaştırmalarda tek yönlü Varyans Analizi (ANOVA) ve anlamlı ANOVA içinde var olan “post hoc” analizi uygulanmıştır. Araştırmada elde edilen bulgulara göre; iletişim becerileri düzeyi ile demografik bilgileri arasında hakemlik yapma nedeni ve egzersiz yapma sıklığı açısından anlamlı değişiklikler tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç olarak, Türkiye’deki geleneksel Türk okçuluk hakemlerinin iletişim becerilerinin etkileyen birden fazla değişkenin olduğu görülmüştür. Egzersiz yapmanın aslında sadece hakemlerde değil tüm çalışma gruplarında önemli bir etken olduğu literatür taramasında dikkati çeken bir faktör olmuştur. Egzersiz yapmanın yanı sıra genel olarak okçuluk hakemlerinin; yaşları, eğitim seviyeleri ve gelirleri arttıkça iletişim becerileri değerlendirme ve stresle başa çıkma tarzlarında farklılıklar olduğu ve bu farklılıkların alanda yapılacak çalışmaların bir biriyle örtüşmesi durumunda sonuçların daha netlik kazanacağı düşünülmektedir.
efectividad de la Carta Social Europea en la Cañada Real Galiana: análisis jurídico de las pioneras medidas inmediatas instadas al gobierno español por el Comité Europeo de Derechos Sociales
Authors: Salcedo Beltrán Carmen
Published: October 2022

El 27 de octubre de 2022 se ha publicado la decisión sobre la admisibilidad y sobre las medidas inmediatas del Comité Europeo de Derechos Sociales, órgano que supervisa el cumplimiento de la Carta Social Europea por los Estados. Este pronunciamiento se origina en la reclamación colectiva nº 206/2022, presentada por cinco entidades contra España. El asunto que se denuncia son los cortes de luz que se producen desde octubre de 2020 en los sectores 5 y 6 del asentamiento de la Cañada Real Galiana. Este órgano, tras examinar la gravedad de las alegaciones, ha admitido la reclamación, determinado su tramitación prioritaria y adoptado unas medidas inmediatas. En estas exhorta a nuestro país a que ponga fin a la deplorable situación con unas específicas actuaciones a ejecutar como máximo el 15 de diciembre de 2022. Por primera vez, se introduce en el escenario jurídico esta figura. Este comentario se dedica a su análisis, general y específico. Se está ante la primera prueba al Gobierno sobre la realidad del compromiso adquirido hace un año con la ratificación de la Constitución Social de Europa y la aceptación del procedimiento de reclamaciones colectivas.
Contribution to the Mineralogical Study Using Electrical Tomography in Foum Tizza Area, Eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco
Authors:   Laboratory of Analysis and Modelling of Water and Natural Resources, Mohammadia School of Engineers, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco, Sassioui Slimane , Aarab Abdellatif ,   Laboratory of Analysis and Modelling of Water and Natural Resources, Mohammadia School of Engineers, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco, Darbali Mourad ,   Laboratory of Analysis and Modelling of Water and Natural Resources, Mohammadia School of Engineers, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco, Ouchbani Ali ,   Laboratory of Analysis and Modelling of Water and Natural Resources, Mohammadia School of Engineers, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco, Lakhloufi Abdellah ,   Laboratory of Analysis and Modelling of Water and Natural Resources, Mohammadia School of Engineers, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco, El Hilali Mohamed ,   Earth Sciences Department, Scientific Institute, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco, Larabi Abdelkader ,   Laboratory of Analysis and Modelling of Water and Natural Resources, Mohammadia School of Engineers, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco
Published: October 2022

In the Foum Tizza area of Taghbalt, which is located in the Paleozoic cover of the eastern Anti-Atlas of Morocco, a mineralogical study has been done by electrical tomography, with the objective of drawing up a plan of action for future mineral exploitation. To achieve this objective, we first performed a geological assessment of the study area, followed by a geophysical investigation using electric resistivity and induced polarization surveys. The arrangement used is dipole-dipole and the processing of the geophysical data before and after inversion was carried out using Res2Dinv software. After defining the structural contacts and locating the metallogenic anomalies in relation to the field stratigraphy, the faults are mineralized and loaded in barite (BaSO4) and lead sulfide (PbS) with veins orientation WNW-ESE to E-W.
Geomorphological Study of Sulaymaniyah Vicinity Using Satellite Images, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Authors:   Department of Petroleum Engineering, Komar University of Science and Technology, Sulaimaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, Sissakian Varoujan , Abdullah Lanja ,   Department of Geology, College of Science, University of Sulaimani, KRG, Iraq, Abdulkareem Balanbo ,   Department of Geology, College of Science, University of Sulaimani, KRG, Iraq
Published: October 2022

Visual interpretation of satellite images is a very significant technique to recognize and interpret geomorphological features. We have used Esri World Imagery and Google Earth images to recognize geomorphological features at Pira Magroon, Surdash, and Azmar anticlines in Sulaymaniyah vicinity, Kurdistan Region, north of Iraq. The mentioned anticlines are outstanding geomorphological features in the Sulaymaniyah vicinity. The recognized and interpreted geomorphological features include: wine glasses, water gaps, wind gaps, abandoned and recent alluvial fans, different types of valleys, flat irons, karstification features …etc. All these features were discussed in detail with many images to show the discussed cases, most of the interpreted data and presented figures were never mentioned previously.
Using Seismic Cross-Hole Method to Evaluate Soil Improvement for Outside Wall in Al-Abbas Holy Shrine in Holy Karbala, Iraq
Authors:   Department of Petroleum Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Kerbala, Iraq, Al-kafaji Ammar
Published: October 2022

The aim of this study is to use the seismic cross-hole survey in evaluating the injection work to fill the cavities spread in the soil underneath the old foundation of the outer wall of the Al-Abbas holy shrine. A seismic cross-hole survey was conducted for eight profiles, four of these are applied before grouting and four profiles are done after grouting at Al-Imam Musa Al-Kadhum and Al-Imam Sahib Al-Zaman gates. Using the longitudinal and shear wave velocities for different depths ranging from 1 to 15 m. The results of the survey indicate that the soil injection process was successful and effective in filling the cavities. The results of cross- hole survey after the grouting show the percent of variation is 0.7-77 percent for seismic shear wave velocity more than before grouting to variant depths.
Formulating Inhibited Fluids for Stable Drilling Operations into Tanuma and Zubair Shales, Zubair Oilfield, Southern Iraq
Authors:   Petroleum Department, College of Engineering, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq, Alshibli Fadhil , Alhaleem Ayad ,   Petroleum Department, College of Engineering, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
Published: October 2022

Tanuma and Zubair formations are known as the most problematic intervals in Zubair Oilfield, and they cause wellbore instability due to possible shale-fluid interaction. It causes a vast loss of time dealing with various downhole problems (e.g., stuck pipe) which leads to an increase in overall well cost for the consequences (e.g., fishing and sidetrack). This paper aims to test shale samples with various laboratory tests for shale evaluation and drilling muds development. Shale's physical properties are described by using a stereomicroscope and the structures are observed with Scanning Electron Microscope. The shale reactivity and behavior are analyzed by using the cation exchange capacity testing and the capillary suction test is utilized for selecting shale inhibitor base. As a result, four drillings muds are formulated with different additives and approved by using the Linear Swelling Meter and the Hot Rolling experiments. Tanuma’s shale is at higher reactivity level, where it is moderate to high active shale than Zubair’s shale, which is at a low to moderately reactive formation. Microfractures and micropores are excited in both formations and potentially in Tanuma’s shale. The shale stability can be achieved by adding 8 % of KCl for Tanuma’s mud and 4% of KCl for Zubair’s mud. The filtration controls are contributed to seal the shale open structures and adding the Poly amino acid hydration suppressant reduced the risk of shale swelling significantly. The results can be used for designing drilling mud to reduce shale instability issues and the cost.
Movie Recommendation Using Clustering and Nearest Neighbour
Authors: Bagate Rupali , Joshi Aparna , Pawar Shilpa , Hambir Yogita , Lokhande Sharayu
Published: October 2022

Due to the abundance of items available and online information, a user cannot easily choose which product is ideal for him. A recommender system assists users in finding what is best for them. A recommender system uses information about a user's activity. It uses it to suggest movies to users based on their individual interests. This paper provides an overview of a recommender system that uses the K-means and KNN algorithm. Without wasting time exploring, both algorithms rapidly and effectively recommend movies to customers based on their likes. There are many uses for recommender systems worldwide. K-means algorithm is used to get beyond some of the restrictions of content-based and collaborative work. The K-means algorithm creates clusters of individuals with similar interests, and KNN, which includes nearest neighbors, recommends movies to each group. This is used in well-known fields like books, news, music, videos, and movies, among others. These search engines allow users to find movies of their choice. K-mean, KNN, and hybrid algorithms have been covered in this study. K-means algorithm results based on metrics like "average Genre Rating" and "User Movie Rating". The RMSE feature has been used to KNN algorithm. A hybrid algorithm combines the two algorithms mentioned above. K-means is given an input, and the output of this method serves as the input for the KNN algorithm, which is more accurate than both K-means and KNN.
Proposed Marketing Strategy to Increase Brand Awareness of TMO
Authors:   School of Business Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Andarini Krishanti
Published: October 2022

The car population in Indonesia is increasing every year with an average of 4.8% in the last five years. The contribution of car population is dominated by passenger cars with a contribution of 74.5% when compared to commercial cars, so that this causes the lubricant industry for cars, especially passenger cars, is still survive and still one of the promising industries when viewed from the needs of the society. PT Toyota-Astra Motor (PT TAM), is a car trading company headquartered in North Jakarta, Indonesia. PT TAM sees an opportunity for this business by making special car lubricant products for the Toyota brand, namely TMO or Toyota Motor Oil. In Indonesia, the Toyota car brand is still the market leader with a market share of 33.3%. But unfortunately, there are still few people who know the TMO brand. This is reflected through a questionnaire that has been distributed by the authors to 255 respondents, and only 30% know the TMO brand. For this reason, the author is interested in researching more about proposed marketing strategies to increase brand awareness of TMO products. To be able to find out the right strategy, the author analyses the SWOT, STP, and also the marketing mix of TMO products. Then the author compiled a questionnaire that can provide market conditions related to TMO awareness, customer behaviour when buying engine oil products, customer behaviour when changing oil products, and customer priorities. After conducting an analysis through a questionnaire distributed to 255 respondents and interviews with speakers from PT TAM, namely the marketing team, product development team, and pricing team, the author describes the SWOT analysis, describe the STP proposal, and marketing strategy based on the AIDA framework. AIDA stands for attention, interest, desire, and action. The author designed a marketing strategy based on the AIDA framework.
PROCESSING OF THE CONTENT OF COLORED GLASS MATERIALS FOR DECORATIVE COMPOSITIONS AND RESEARCHING THEIR MAIN PROPERTIES
Authors:   Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, Doctoral student of the laboratory “Chemistry and chemical technology of silicates” of the Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, KH.A. ADINAEV
Published: October 2022

The compositions of colored glasses in the PbO–SiO2 system for stained glass decorative compositions have been developed. Some physicochemical properties of the obtained glasses and their crystallization ability were studied.
Impact of music therapy of the extracellular status of endocrine markers in pregnant women- A review
Authors: Ramesh Bhuvaneswari , A R Srinivasan
Published: October 2022

Pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation are connected to the physical and psychological well-being of women and the infant after delivery. Taking into consideration the need to build evidence for music therapy, this review explains the mechanism from the bio-psycho-immunological dimensions of stress and its consequences for women during pregnancy, labour and post-partum. The use of music as a correlate to stress and its consequences during the perinatal, prenatal, and postnatal process of pregnancy has been in research for more than 5 decades, yet there is no concrete understanding in that direction. India is culturally and musically rich with many traditional healing systems. Bringing them into the Music has an inside out effect and can be included in the mind-body concept. This paper discusses music in the Indian context that connects the body & mind as well as the traditional uses of music from a therapeutic view, and finally, the need for further research to bring forth evidence-based music therapy within healthcare.