bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impasses numériques
Authors: Onkokame Mothobi , Schoentgen Aude , Gillwald Alison , Gat Amandine 
Published: April 2022

Les plateformes numériques de microtravail « à la tâche » sont présentées par les agences de développement comme une opportunité pour les populations pauvres d’Afrique. Les conditions en matière d’infrastructure et de formation ne sont néanmoins pas réunies pour un décollage de ces activités. Au-delà, l’enjeu pour les gouvernements africains est d’éviter qu’elles n’entraînent une dégradation du travail et un renforcement des inégalités.
Investigations on alkali-silica reaction products using Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Krüger M.E. , Thome V. , Hilbig H. , Kaliwoda M. , Heinz D. 
Published: April 2022

The alkali-silica reaction (ASR) remains a major challenge regarding the durability of concrete structures. The reaction mechanism is not sufficiently understood owing to the difficulty in characterizing the structure of the alkali-silica reaction gel (ASR gel) in concrete. Synthetic ASR gels with different compositions, i.e. Na/Si and Ca/Si molar ratios, were synthesized and analysed by Raman spectroscopy and, for comparison, 29Si NMR spectroscopy. The results show that higher Na/Si ratios increase the number of non-bridging oxygens in the gel structure, thus leading to a decrease in the degree of cross-linking. With increasing calcium content of the sodium-calcium silica gel, the structure tends towards that of C-S-H phases. Raman spectroscopy is a promising method to characterise synthetic ASR gels and provide new information on the effect of alkalis on the gel structure.
The Effects of Challenging Walking Conditions on Kinematic Synergy and Stability of Gait in People with Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Shafizadegan Zohreh , Sarrafzadeh Javad , Salehi Reza , Farahmand Farzam , Rasouli Omid 
Published: April 2022

Background:
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) may considerably change the gait parameters, including the gait variability patterns. Uncontrolled manifold (UCM) analysis has been used to evaluate the relationship between motor control and gait variability as a useful index for assessing the multi-segmental movements’ coordination during walking. To our knowledge, no research has evaluated the alterations in the gait kinematic parameters during normal and narrow path walking in individuals with KOA as compared to asymptomatic people.

Materials and Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, individuals diagnosed with mild to moderate medial KOA and asymptomatic people will walk at their comfortable preferred speed on a treadmill. A motion capture system will be used to record at least 50 successful gait cycles. The kinematic variability of joints during gait will be analyzed using UCM, with the center of mass (COM) displacement considered as the performance variable. The primary outcome measure will be the lower limb synergy index. Variability of the COM displacement and changes in angles and angular velocities of lower extremity joints will be assessed as the secondary outcomes.

Results:
The results of this protocol study provide information on the lower limb kinematic synergy during gait on normal and narrow paths for individuals with KOA and asymptomatic controls.

Conclusion:
This information will help the researchers and clinicians understand KOA patients’ gait variability characteristics more deeply. Moreover, it may lead to an enhanced evidence-based approach for clinical decision-making concerning improving gait stability and decreasing the falling risk in these people.
Therapeutic Thrombocytapheresis as an Important Tool in the Management of Symptomatic Hyperthrombocytosis
Authors: Das Sudipta Sekhar , Biswas Rathindra Nath , Sen Subrata , Chakrapani Anupam 
Published: April 2022

Background & Objectives:
Hyperthrombocytosis may cause acquired thrombosis-related symptoms and fatal vascular complications. Currently, therapeutic platelet reduction (TPR) with medical therapy remains the mainstay of hyperthrombocytosis management. We encounter patients with high platelet counts with requests for TPR. Here, we share our experience of TPR procedures in patients with symptomatic hyperthrombocytosis due to various underlying etiologies.

Methods:
The study from January 2013 to October 2020 included 36 patients of hyperthrombocytosis who underwent 82 TPR procedures by apheresis technology. Patient details were obtained from the treatment file and all procedures were performed following recommended instructions and protocol. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS statistical package.

Results:
The median age of patients was 53 years with mean hemoglobin, platelet count, plateletcrit, and platelet distribution width of 9.9 g/dL, 1711.3 × 106/mL, 0.57%, and 43.4%, respectively. A total of 26 patients had primary thrombocytosis. The mean TPR procedure time, whole blood volume processed, and anticoagulant used were 162 min, 5070 mL, and 430.3 mL, respectively. The mean reduction of platelets in patients who underwent two and three procedures was 72.4% and 82.7%, respectively (P = 0.003).

Conclusion:
We conclude that TPR is a useful method in reducing platelet count rapidly in hyperthrombocytosis. It relieves patients of acute symptoms and prevents thrombotic events. The decision to perform TPR should be individualized and based on the clinical scenario, degree of thrombocytosis, and risk factors associated with TPR procedures.
Cw Alloimmunization in Multitransfused Thalassemic Patients of North India
Authors: Pahuja Sangeeta , Sehgal Shivali , Sharma Geetika , Chandra Jagdish , Parakh Nupur , Singh Manisha , Yadav Ramvilash 
Published: April 2022

Background and Objectives:
The C Willis or Cw antigen is a low-incidence antigen of Rh system. The antibody against the Cw antigen (anti-Cw) is an IgG antibody which may occur naturally or may be immune in nature. The identification of Cw antibody is important since it has the potential to cause hemolytic disease of the newborn as well as hemolytic transfusion reaction. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the prevalence of Cw antibody in multitransfused thalassemic patients enrolled in a Regional Blood Transfusion Center (RBTC) of North India.

Methods:
A retrospective descriptive observational study was conducted at the Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, LHMC and Associated Hospitals. All transfusion-dependent thalassemic (TDT) patients and non-TDT (NTDT) patients enrolled in the RBTC of the hospital till December 2018 were included in the study. Antibody screening was performed in all recipients before each transfusion. The prevalence of anti-Cw was estimated.

Results:
A total of 567 thalassemic patients (including TDT and NTDT) were registered in RBTC, LHMC till December 2018. On pretransfusion antibody screening and identification, 3 out of 567 thalassemic patients were found to have alloimmunization against Cw antigen. The prevalence of anti-Cw in multitransfused thalassemics was 0.53%.

Conclusion:
The prevalence of anti-Cw is variable in different populations and it is not a very commonly reported antibody in patients with thalassemia. One should be aware of the approach to transfusion in thalassemic patients who develop Cw alloimmunization.
Promoter methylation of matrix metallopeptidase 9 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells: A novel biomarker in a promising source for noninvasive colorectal cancer diagnosis
Authors: Shaygannejad Alireza , Sohrabi Behnoush , Rad Shima Rahimi , Yousefisadr Farzaneh , Darvish Hossein , Soosanabadi Mohsen 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACT

Objectives:
Colorectal cancer (CRC) has been described as a “silent disease,” which can be readily treated in most patients when discovered in its early stages. Considering the limitations of the current conventional tests for the diagnosis of CRC, researchers strive to find noninvasive and more valid biomarkers for the early detection of CRC. It has been shown that tumor-specific methylation patterns can also be identified in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and are reliable sources of methylation analysis for CRC screening.

Materials and Methods:
We carried out a quantitative methylation analysis on matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) promoter using methylation quantification endonuclease-resistant DNA (MethyQESD) method. A total of 70 patients with CRC and 70 normal controls were enrolled in this study for methylation analysis in the PBMCs.

Results:
Our findings discovered a considerable hypermethylation of MMP9 promoter in CRC patients compared with healthy controls (mean: 47.30% and 20.31%, respectively; P > 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of the MMP9 gene for the diagnosis of CRC were 88% and 78%, respectively. In addition, on the basis of area under the curve values, the diagnostic power of the MMP9 gene was 0.976 (P < 0.001). Moreover, our analysis established that MMP9 methylation was significantly different between the different stages of CRC (P: 0.034).

Conclusions:
Our results showed that MMP9 promoter methylation in PBMCs can be used as an outstanding biomarker for CRC diagnosis. Besides, we confirmed that PBMCs are reliable sources of methylation analysis for CRC screening and MethyQESD is an accurate and fast method for quantitative methylation analyses.
Patient satisfaction with anaesthesia services in a tertiary care cancer centre. (SAY study)
Authors: Ambulkar Reshma , Patel Alim , Patil Sanika , Savarkar Sukhada 
Published: April 2022

Background and Aims:
Patient satisfaction is an important measure of quality of health care. Its assessment leads to a balanced evaluation of the structure, process and outcome of service at an institution. The aim of our study was to assess patient satisfaction with perioperative anaesthesia services provided in our institution and identify factors leading to dissatisfaction which could be preventable or addressed to improve patient care and experience.

Material and Methods:
A convenient sample size of 200 patients was accrued after written informed consent. A questionnaire to suit local needs of institute was developed, validated and a language appropriate questionnaire was administered by a trained research nurse 24–48 hours post anaesthesia to accrued patients. Data was summarised in percentages and satisfaction scores were compared across demographic variables using Chi square test.

Results:
A total of 96% (192/200) patients were satisfied with the overall interaction with the anaesthetists in the perioperative period; with 99% (198/200) patients being satisfied with acute pain services provided, postoperatively. As regards to recovery room, 96.5% (193/200) patients were satisfied with the services provided. Satisfaction scores of the pre-anaesthetic clinic (PAC), pain team and anaesthesia services compared across demographic variables – age, gender and education qualifications were found to be statistically non-significant.

Conclusion:
High rate of patients were satisfied with perioperative anaesthesia care services at our institute. Good and effective preoperative communication with the patient, effective management of postoperative pain and complications significantly contributed towards overall high patient satisfaction.
Outcomes of Posterior Approach Surgery in Various Types and Grades of Upper Eyelid Blepharoptosis in Indian Eyes
Authors: Pandey Nidhi , Singh Swati 
Published: April 2022

PURPOSE:
To present the outcomes of levator plication (levatorpexy) surgery by posterior approach for correction of ptosis of different aetiologies in Indian eyes.

METHODS:
Retrospective review of clinical notes and clinical photos of consecutive ptosis patients who underwent levatorpexy from January 2017 to September 2018. Surgery was considered successful if the following four criteria were simultaneously met: a postoperative MRD1 of ≥2 mm and ≤4.5 mm, inter eyelid height asymmetry of ≤1 mm, no overcorrection compared to the opposite eye, and a satisfactory eyelid contour determined by patient.

RESULTS:
Thirty six eyelids of 36 patients (mean age, 23.6 years; 25 females) underwent unilateral levatorpexy with the left eyelid affected in 66.6 %. Twenty one congenital (58.3%) (C), 12 (33.3%) aponeurotic (A) and 3 (8.3%) complex ptosis (CX) had a mean levator function of 9.8 mm (range, 6 to 15). Mean pre and post operative margin reflex distance (MRD 1) was 0.611mm (range, -1 to 3 mm) and 3 .00 mm (range, 2 to 4 mm) respectively. At the final follow up of 12 months, four patients remained under corrected (11.1%). At the final follow up of twelve months, the success rate was 78 percent.

CONCLUSION:
Posterior approach for ptosis repair offers a scar less, minimally invasive, easy to revise, and successful lid height correction in congenital and acquired ptosis.
Evaluation of the Systemic Inflammation in Patients with Pterygium
Authors: Belviranli Selman , Oltulu Refik , Gundogan Ali O. , Mirza Enver , Okka Mehmet 
Published: April 2022

PURPOSE:
The purpose of this study is to evaluate systemic inflammation in patients with pterygium using the monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) and hematologic indexes of inflammation.

METHODS:
Thirty-one patients with primary pterygium and 31 age-and sex-matched healthy participants were enrolled in this retrospective study. The MHR, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, monocyte-to-eosinophil ratio, mean platelet volume-to-platelet count ratio, platelet distribution width, and red cell distribution width were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS:
There was not a statistically significant difference in terms of the MHR between the pterygium group and the control group (P = 0.693). The NLR was higher in the pterygium group than in the control group (P = 0.028). In the other hematologic indexes, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05 for all).

CONCLUSION:
The MHR is not associated with the presence of pterygium. An increased NLR in patients with pterygium may be an indicator of systemic inflammation.
Information Communication Technology in Medical Practice
Authors: Emejulu Jude-kennedy C. , Nkwerem Sunday Patrick , Adimekwe Mary C. 
Published: April 2022

Background:
Information communication technology (ICT) is increasingly being used in medicine for teaching and clinical practice. It reduces physical contact and travel time and minimizes the risk of nosocomial infections, including COVID-19. It provides good channels of interaction among medical practitioners as well as between physicians and patients. In Sub-Sahara Africa, the windows of opportunity provided by these platforms, especially WhatsApp, Instagram, electronic mail, are still underused. Reasons include hostile legal atmosphere.

Aim:
This study aims to review the level of use and awareness of legality of WhatsApp, E-mail, and Instagram in a tertiary hospital in the South Eastern Nigeria.

Materials and Methods:
This was a cross-sectional study in which a pro forma was generated and sent to the contacts of doctors working in the above institution. The forms willingly filled and turned in were analyzed.

Results:
About 108 respondents willingly filled and turned in their forms. M: F ratio was 2:1, the modal age group was 20–30 years. About 36.6%, 22.6%, 12.9%, and 8.6% of respondents were in surgery, pediatrics, internal medicine, and family medicine, respectively. About 98.1% of respondents believed in the use of ICT; however, only 10% of respondents used it frequently in the management of patients. Among those respondents that used it, it was mostly for inpatient care. About 43.3% of respondents are convinced that there is no legal backing for ICT in Nigeria. About 86.6% of respondents are waiting to take advantage of ICT when proper law is put in place.

Conclusion:
There is a need for better advocacy and amendment of relevant law to enhance use of ICT.
Effects of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness on Pregnancy Outcome in Nigeria
Authors: Umeh Uchenna Anthony , Umeh Chioma Roseline , Ugwu Emmanuel Onyebuchi , Imediegwu Obioha Odoeme , Oguejiofor Nnaemeka Christopher , Grema Bukar Alhaji , Nwankwo Ogochukwu Theophilus , Eleje George Uchenna , Agu Polycarp Uchenna 
Published: April 2022

Background:
Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR), a component of focused antenatal care, has a great potential to reducing maternal and newborn deaths in low-income countries. However, the success of this strategy is not well known in most of sub-Saharan Africa, and the effectiveness of the strategy has not been widely studied.

Aims:
This study aimed at evaluating the effects of BPCR on pregnancy outcome.

Materials and Methods:
This was an observational cohort study of eligible consecutive pregnant women presenting in labour at a tertiary hospital in Abakaliki, Nigeria. Maternal and neonatal outcomes of labour were compared between women who had a birth plan (n = 115) and a control group without a birth plan (n = 115).

Results:
The mean age of the parturients was 27.87 ± 5.20 years. Women who had a birth plan were less likely to have postpartum anaemia (P < 0.001), receive blood transfusion (P < 0.001), and have prolonged hospital stay (P = 0.03). Their neonates were at less risk of low birth weight (P = 0.02) and admission into newborn special care unit (P = 0.003). There was no association between BPCR and incidence of Caesarean section (P = 0.65) and maternal satisfaction (P = 0.20).

Conclusion:
The practice of BPCR in Abakaliki, Nigeria, is associated with some favourable maternal and neonatal outcomes. The study findings indicate the need for more advocacies for adequate implementation of BPCR during pregnancy in Nigeria.
Correlation of Axial Length, Lens Thickness, and Anterior Chamber Depth in Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery
Authors: Ezeh Ernest Ikechukwu , Chinawa Elijah Ndubuisi , Ezeh Roseline Nkeiruka 
Published: April 2022

Background:
Axial length, lens thickness and anterior chamber diameter are valuable parameters used in determining the refractive status of the eye.

Aim:
To determine the correlation between axial length (AL), crystalline lens thickness (LT), and preoperative anterior chamber depth (ACD) among patients undergoing cataract surgery.

Patients, Materials and Methods:
It was a cross-sectional study done over a one-year period. One hundred and fifty-one adults with cataract in both eyes were consecutively recruited. Using an optical biometer Ultrasound A/B Scan (Chong Qing Kang Hua S&T Co., Ltd, CAS-2000BER [Model A], China), ocular biometric data including AL, ACD, and LT were assessed for both eyes before cataract operation for either eye. Pearson's correlation and regression analyses were applied to determine relationships between the biometric variables. Statistically, significance was taken as P < 0.05.

Results:
One hundred and fifty-one (302 eyes) adult participants were studied, consisting of 77 (51.0%) males and 74 (49.0%) females. The age range was 12–88 years, with a mean age of 57.73 ± 14.87 years (95% confidence interval, 54.70–59.90). Correlation analysis revealed that AL and ACD were positively correlated (r = 0.164, P = 0.002). AL and LT demonstrated a statistically insignificant and very weak positive correlation (r = 0.071, P = 0.217). ACD was negatively correlated with LT (r = −0.375, P = 0.000). On multiple regression, AL (z-score = 0.191) and LT (z-score = −0.387) were significant predictor estimates of the regression model for ACD (P = 0.000); a hypothetical equation for ACD was generated: ACDpredicted = 2.978 + (−0.522 × LT in mm) + (0.106 × AL in mm).

Conclusion:
LT is an important biometric parameter that should be considered, along with other biometric parameters, in determining effective lens position in patients undergoing cataract surgery. The narrowing of ACD with age is largely due to increasing LT. Using an optical biometer, ACD is predominantly influenced by LT than the AL.
Comparing the Performance of Prediction Model of Ridge and Elastic Net in Correlated Dataset
Authors: Bastiaan Richy Marcelino , Salaki Deiby Tineke , Hatidja Djoni 
Published: April 2022

Multicollinearity refers to a condition where high correlation between independent variables in linear regression model occurs.Â In this case, using ordinary least squares (OLS) leads to unstable model. Some penalized regression approaches such as ridge and elastic-net regression can be applied to overcome the problem. Penalized regression estimates model by adding a constrain on the size of parameter regression. In this study, simulation dataset is generated, comprised of 100 observation and 95 independent variables with high correlation. This empirical study shows that elastic-net method outperforms the ridge regression and OLS.Â In correlated dataset, the OLS is failed to produce a prediction model based on mean squared error (MSE)
Analisis Meningkatkan Simpan Pinjam Koperasi dan UKM pada Masa Covid-19 di Provinsi Sumatera Utara
Authors: Mandasari Sheila Putri , Arif Muhammad 
Published: April 2022

Cooperatives are a necessary and important economic institution. Cooperatives are a form of joint effort based on the principle of family to improve welfare. And cooperatives have a goal to increase economic activity. Cooperatives and MSMEs have contributed significantly to regional and national income, especially in the North Sumatra Province. MSMEs play a role in absorbing labor in the distribution of development results. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of the economic sector, especially MSMEs, could not develop and many ended up in bankruptcy and a slowdown in the economic sector in Indonesia with its various derivatives. The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector which is the most important part of the economic sector that is feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the Covid-19 period, MSMEs experienced various problems such as decreased sales, capital, distribution was hampered, raw material difficulties, decreased production and the occurrence of many layoffs for workers and hunting which later became a threat to the national economy. With the purpose of this research, the analysis is to increase Savings and Loans for Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (UKM) during the Covid-19 period in North Sumatra Province, this research method is by taking secondary data and interviews, solving problems using qualitative methods from existing descriptions. in the mass media and then concluded by researchers.
Keywords : Savings and Loans, UKM, Covid 19